bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined contribution of biochar and introduced AM fungi on lead stability and microbial community in polluted agricultural soil
Authors: Chen Xuedong , Tang Lin , Wu Kongyang , Mo Yifan , Tang Qian , Li Gaojie , Zhu Ying
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Lead (Pb) pollution in agricultural soil has been accelerated by industrial development and human activities, and poses a major threat to agricultural ecosystems. Both biochar and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi are considered to play an important role in remediation of Pb contaminated soil.

Methods

The combined remediation effects of introduced AM fungi and biochar on soil properties, Pb availability, microbial community and functional profiles were systematically investigated in unsterilized Pb-polluted agricultural soil.

Results

Results indicated that soil nutrients were significantly improved through the combined application of biochar and introduced AM fungi. The introduced AM fungi combined with biochar prepared at 400°C and 500°C promoted the transformation of Pb to a more stable state with low bioavailability. Moreover, the addition of AM fungi and biochar affected the relative abundances of dominant bacteria and fungi at the phylum and genus levels. Biochar mainly affected soil bacterial community and obviously increased the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Blastococcus. The interactions between biochar and introduced AM fungi mainly affected fungal community, and increased the abundance of Ascomycota and Botryotrichum. Further, PICRUSt analysis indicated biochar amendment supported stronger bacterial metabolic functional potentials.

Discussion

Therefore, the combined application of biochar and Therefore, the combined application of biochar and introduced AM fungi could improve soil nutrients, reduce Pb introduced AM fungi could improve soil nutrients, reduce Pb availability, availability, and show and show a positive effect on a positive effect on indigenous microbial communities and indigenous microbial communities and metabolic functions in metabolic functions in farmland soil.
Genetic characterization of a multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Agona isolated from a dietary supplement in Germany
Authors: Bartsch Lee Julia , Borowiak Maria , Deneke Carlus , Gruetzke Josephine , Hammerl Jens-Andre , Malorny Burkhard , Szabo Istvan , Alter Thomas , Nguyen Kim Katherine , Fischer Jennie
Published: November 2023

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Agona has a history of causing food-borne outbreaks and any emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates in novel food products is of concern. Particularly, in food products frequently consumed without sufficient heating prior to consumption. Here, we report about the MDR isolate, 18-SA00377, which had been isolated from a dietary supplement in Germany in 2018 and submitted to the German National Reference Laboratory for Salmonella. WGS-based comparative genetic analyses were conducted to find a potential reservoir of the isolate itself or mobile genetic elements associated with MDR. As a phylogenetic analysis did not yield any closely related S. Agona isolates, either globally or from Germany, a detailed analysis of the largest plasmid (295,499 bp) was performed as it is the main carrier of resistances. A combined approach of long-read and short-read sequencing enabled the assembly of the isolate’s chromosome and its four plasmids. Their characterization revealed the presence of 23 different antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), conferring resistance to 12 different antibiotic drug classes, as well as genes conferring resistance to six different heavy metals. The largest plasmid, pSE18-SA00377-1, belongs to the IncHI2 plasmid family and carries 16 ARGs, that are organized as two distinct clusters, with each ARG associated with putative composite transposons. Through a two-pronged approach, highly similar plasmids to pSE18-SA00377-1 were identified in the NCBI database and a search for Salmonella isolates with a highly similar ARG resistance profile was conducted. Mapping and structural comparisons between pSE18-SA00377-1 and these plasmids and Salmonella isolates showed that both the plasmid backbone and identical or similar ARG clusters can be found not only in Salmonella isolates, originating mostly from a wide variety of livestock, but also in a diverse range of bacterial genera of varying geographical origins and isolation sources. Thus, it can be speculated that the host range of pSE18-SA00377-1 is not restricted to Salmonella and its spread already occurred in different bacterial populations. Overall, this hints at a complex history for pSE18-SA00377-1 and highlights the importance of surveilling multidrug-resistant S. enterica isolates, especially in novel food items that are not yet heavily regulated.
Migraine and major depression: localizing shared genetic susceptibility in different cell types of the nervous systems
Authors: Androulakis X. Michelle , Yu Xuanxuan , Zhu Xia , Thiam Melinda A. , Cai Guoshuai
Published: November 2023

Background

There is a bidirectional relationship between migraine and major depression disorder (MDD). They likely share important risk genes associated with different cell types in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Profiling the expression of these genes in specific cell types is critical in understanding the pathophysiology of the relationship between migraine and MDD.

Methods

Associated genes shared by migraine and MDD were identified by consolidating multiple curations of human disease-gene associations. Subsequently, the expression of overlapping genes was profiled and compared across the different cell types in CNS, PNS and neurovascular cells using eight single cell RNA sequencing datasets, including two human CNS datasets, two mouse CNS datasets, one human PNS dataset and three mouse PNS datasets.

Results

45 shared genes between migraine and MDD were identified. Consistently found in all eight datasets, dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmitters were broadly expressed in CNS and PNS cell types. Glutamatergic and endocannabinoid genes were specifically expressed in CNS neurons and astrocytes. Synthesis and/or Release and Binding of Neuropeptides were specifically expressed in PNS peptidergic nociceptor (PEP). Genes related to inflammatory factors and immune responses were specifically expressed in CNS microglia. Among which, IL1B and COMT were highly expressed in CNS microglia cells.

Conclusion

Single cell RNA sequencing of the CNS and PNS helps to identify the shared genes between migraine and MDD that are enriched in specific cell types. The findings provide new insight in understanding the underlying mechanism of action for the bidirectional co-morbidity between migraine and MDD.
Circulating plasma miR-23b-3p as a biomarker target for idiopathic Parkinson's disease: comparison with small extracellular vesicle miRNA
Authors: Rai Sanskriti , Bharti Prahalad Singh , Singh Rishabh , Rastogi Simran , Rani Komal , Sharma Vaibhav , Gorai Priya Kumari , Rani Neerja , Verma Bhupendra Kumar , Reddy Thota Jagadeshwar , Modi Gyan Prakash , Inampudi Krishna Kishore , Pandey Hem Chandra , Yadav Sanjay , Rajan Roopa , Nikolajeff Fredrik , Kumar Saroj
Published: November 2023

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an increasingly common neurodegenerative condition, which causes movement dysfunction and a broad range of non-motor symptoms. There is no molecular or biochemical diagnosis test for PD. The miRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs and are extensively studied owing to their altered expression in pathological states and facile harvesting and analysis techniques.

Methods

A total of 48 samples (16 each of PD, aged-matched, and young controls) were recruited. The small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) were isolated and validated using Western blot, transmission electron microscope, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Small RNA isolation, library preparation, and small RNA sequencing followed by differential expression and targeted prediction of miRNA were performed. The real-time PCR was performed with the targeted miRNA on PD, age-matched, and young healthy control of plasma and plasma-derived sEVs to demonstrate their potential as a diagnostic biomarker.

Results

In RNA sequencing, we identified 14.89% upregulated (fold change 1.11 to 11.04, p < 0.05) and 16.54% downregulated (fold change −1.04 to −7.28, p < 0.05) miRNAs in PD and controls. Four differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-23b-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-19b-3p, and miR-150-3p) were selected. The expression of miR-23b-3p was “upregulated” (p = 0.002) in plasma, whereas “downregulated” (p = 0.0284) in plasma-derived sEVs in PD than age-matched controls. The ROC analysis of miR-23b-3p revealed better AUC values in plasma (AUC = 0.8086, p = 0.0029) and plasma-derived sEVs (AUC = 0.7278, p = 0.0483) of PD and age-matched controls.

Conclusion

We observed an opposite expression profile of miR-23b-3p in PD and age-matched healthy control in plasma and plasma-derived sEV fractions, where the expression of miR-23b-3p is increased in PD plasma while decreased in plasma-derived sEV fractions. We further observed the different miR-23b-3p expression profiles in young and age-matched healthy control.
Undernutrition-induced substance metabolism and energy production disorders affected the structure and function of the pituitary gland in a pregnant sheep model
Authors: Liu Shuai , Lu Huizhen , Mao Shengyong , Zhang Zijun , Zhu Wen , Cheng Jianbo , Xue Yanfeng
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Undernutrition spontaneously occurs in ewes during late gestation and the pituitary is an important hinge in the neurohumoral regulatory system. However, little is known about the effect of undernutrition on pituitary metabolism.

Methods

Here, 10 multiparous ewes were restricted to a 30% feeding level during late gestation to establish an undernutrition model while another 10 ewes were fed normally as controls. All the ewes were sacrificed, and pituitary samples were collected to perform transcriptome, metabolome, and quantitative real-time PCR analysis and investigate the metabolic changes.

Results

PCA and PLS-DA of total genes showed that undernutrition changed the total transcriptome profile of the pituitary gland, and 581 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the two groups. Clusters of orthologous groups for eukaryotic complete genomes demonstrated that substance transport and metabolism, including lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids, energy production and conversion, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, and the cytoskeleton were enriched by DEGs. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analysis displayed that the phagosome, intestinal immune network, and oxidative phosphorylation were enriched by DEGs. Further analysis found that undernutrition enhanced the lipid degradation and amino acid transport, repressing lipid synthesis and transport and amino acid degradation of the pituitary gland. Moreover, the general metabolic profiles and metabolic pathways were affected by undernutrition, repressing the 60S, 40S, 28S, and 39S subunits of the ribosomal structure for translation and myosin and actin synthesis for cytoskeleton. Undernutrition was found also to be implicated in the suppression of oxidative phosphorylation for energy production and conversion into a downregulation of genes related to T cell function and the immune response and an upregulation of genes involved in inflammatory reactions enriching phagosomes.

Discussion

This study comprehensively analyses the effect of undernutrition on the pituitary gland in a pregnant sheep model, which provides a foundation for further research into the mechanisms of undernutrition-caused hormone secretion and metabolic disorders.
Targeting acidic pre-metastatic niche in lungs by pH low insertion peptide and its utility for anti-metastatic therapy
Authors: Matsui Toma , Toda Yuki , Sato Haruka , Itagaki Rina , Konishi Kazuya , Moshnikova Anna , Andreev Oleg A. , Hosogi Shigekuni , Reshetnyak Yana K. , Ashihara Eishi
Published: November 2023

Dysregulated extracellular pH, the universal feature of tumor, works as an evolutional force to drive dissemination of tumor cells. It is well-established that tumor acidity is associated with tumor growth and metastasis. However, the pH of pre-metastatic niche remains unclear. We hypothesized that primary tumor cells remotely prime acidity in secondary organ to achieve metastatic colonization. Herein, we demonstrated that the pH responsive probe pH Low Insertion Peptide (pHLIP) was notably accumulated in pre-metastatic lungs of 4T1.2 breast tumor-bearing mice. The pHLIP-targeted lungs showed high amounts of lactate and overexpressed glycolysis-related proteins. Pharmacological inhibition of glycolysis suppressed the lung acidification induced by 4T1.2 cancer cell culture supernatant and delayed subsequent metastatic burden of disseminated tumor cells. In the acidic lungs, pHLIP was primarily localized in alveolar type 2 cells which strongly expressed glycolysis-related proteins. 4T1.2-derived extracellular vesicles expressed some of the glycolysis-related proteins, and their administration increased pHLIP accumulation and glycolytic enhancement in lungs. pHLIP-conjugated dexamethasone effectively attenuated lung metastatic burden by disrupting pro-inflammatory response in the acidic lungs. From these results, targeting the metastasis-supporting microenvironment by pHLIP technology creates possibility to identify pre-metastatic organ and prevent metastatic recurrence.
The power of phages: revolutionizing cancer treatment
Authors: Islam Md. Sharifull , Fan Jie , Pan Fan
Published: November 2023

Cancer is a devastating disease with a high global mortality rate and is projected to increase further in the coming years. Current treatment options, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, have limitations including side effects, variable effectiveness, high costs, and limited availability. There is a growing need for alternative treatments that can target cancer cells specifically with fewer side effects. Phages, that infect bacteria but not eukaryotic cells, have emerged as promising cancer therapeutics due to their unique properties, including specificity and ease of genetic modification. Engineered phages can transform cancer treatment by targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. Phages exhibit versatility as nanocarriers, capable of delivering therapeutic agents like gene therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccines. Phages are extensively used in vaccine development, with filamentous, tailed, and icosahedral phages explored for different antigen expression possibilities. Engineered filamentous phages bring benefits such as built in adjuvant properties, cost-effectiveness, versatility in multivalent formulations, feasibility of oral administration, and stability. Phage-based vaccines stimulate the innate immune system by engaging pattern recognition receptors on antigen-presenting cells, enhancing phage peptide antigen presentation to B-cells and T-cells. This review presents recent phage therapy advances and challenges in cancer therapy, exploring its versatile tools and vaccine potential.
Measurement of MMP-7 in micro-volume peripheral blood: development of dried blood spot approach
Authors: Jiang Jingying , Liu Shuyang , Du Min , Deng Jiale , Chen Gong , Yang Yifan , Dong Rui , Fang Zhuo , Zheng Shan
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Serum matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is significant in differentiating biliary atresia (BA). This study aims to develop a new peripheral blood quantitative collection device to detect MMP-7 levels via dried blood spot (DBS).

Methods

This is a diagnostic accuracy test. Serum and DBS MMP-7 concentrations were measured using an ELISA kit. Intraoperative cholangiography and subsequent histological examinations were used to confirm BA diagnoses.

Results

A total of 241 infants with obstructive jaundice were enrolled, among whom 168 were BA. Linear regression showed DBS MMP-7 correlated well with serum MMP-7 (R = 0.93, P < 0.001). The best cut-off value of serum MMP-7 for BA was 25.9 ng/ml, achieving the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.962 (95% CI: 0.941, 0.983), and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 86.9%, 94.5%, 97.3% and 75.8%, respectively. The best cut-off value of DBS MMP-7 for BA was 12.5 ng/ml, achieving the AUC of 0.922 (95% CI: 0.888, 0.956), and the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 86.9%, 89.0%, 94.8%, and 74.7%, respectively. The dried blood spots were intervened under different storage conditions, including 1–5 days at room temperature, 2 or 3 days at 30 °C and 2 or 3 days at 37 °C. The DBS MMP-7 concentration under different storage conditions had good correlation and consistency with that at −80 °C.

Conclusions

Serum and DBS MMP-7 correlate well, both of which have high accuracy in the diagnosis of BA, while the requirements for the storage of DBS are low.
Immunomodulatory roles of metalloproteinases in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bian Yanqin , Xiang Zheng , Wang Yaofeng , Ren Qing , Chen Guoming , Xiang Bei , Wang Jianye , Zhang Chengbo , Pei Shaoqiang , Guo Shicheng , Xiao Lianbo
Published: November 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune pathology characterized by persistent synovial inflammation and gradually advancing bone destruction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), as a family of zinc-containing enzymes, have been found to play an important role in degradation and remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM). MMPs participate in processes of cell proliferation, migration, inflammation, and cell metabolism. A growing number of persons have paid attention to their function in inflammatory and immune diseases. In this review, the details of regulation of MMPs expression and its expression in RA are summarized. The role of MMPs in ECM remodeling, angiogenesis, oxidative and nitrosative stress, cell migration and invasion, cytokine and chemokine production, PANoptosis and bone destruction in RA disease are discussed. Additionally, the review summarizes clinical trials targeting MMPs in inflammatory disease and discusses the potential of MMP inhibition in the therapeutic context of RA. MMPs may serve as biomarkers for drug response, pathology stratification, and precision medicine to improve clinical management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Efficacy and safety of anisodine hydrobromide injection for acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Yang , Wan Feng , Hu Peiqun , He Benxiang , Hu Yushi , Liu Yunlu
Published: November 2023

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anisodine hydrobromide (Ani) injection in the treatment of AIS.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on Ani injection for the treatment of AIS were retrieved from both Chinese and English databases. The retrieval period was from the databases’ inception to May 2023. The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the methodological quality. The outcome indicators were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software.

Results: We included the findings of 11 RCTs encompassing 1,337 patients with AIS. Our meta-analysis revealed that Ani injection supplementation significantly reduced the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [MD = −1.53, 95%CI = (−1.94, −1.12), p < 0.00001], modified Rankin Scale [MD = −0.89, 95%CI = (−0.97, −0.81), p < 0.00001], and the relative time to peak [SMD = −0.81, 95%CI = (−1.08, −0.55), p < 0.00001] significantly. Additionally, Ani injection significantly increased the Barthel Index [MD = 10.65, 95%CI = (4.30, 17.00), p = 0.001], relative cerebral blood volume [SMD = 0.28, 95%CI = (0.02, 0.53), p = 0.03], and clinical efficacy [RR = 1.2, 95%CI = (1.08, 1.34), p = 0.001]. No statistically significant difference in the rate of adverse events was observed between the Ani injection supplemental group and the control group.

Conclusion: Based on currently published evidence, Ani injection was found to be effective and safe in improving AIS outcome. Nevertheless, limitations of the included RCTs still exist, and thus, more multi-center, large-sample, high-quality RCTs are required to further verify the efficacy and safety of Ani injection in patients with AIS.

Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023427591], identifier [PROSPERO 2023 CRD42023427591].
Understanding regulation in complex environments: a route to enhance photosynthetic light-reactions in microalgae photobioreactors
Authors: Perin Giorgio , Morosinotto Tomas
Published: November 2023

Microalgae are recognized as a sustainable source of biomass to produce a wide range of bioproducts. To maximize the positive environmental impact and achieve economic competitiveness of microalgae-based products, it is however still essential to improve the biomass productivity during large-scale cultivation. Microalgae large-scale cultures are generally limited by light availability and thus the efficiency in conversion of radiation energy into biomass is a major factor impacting productivity. Natural light is a highly variable environmental parameter, and it constantly changes following seasons, time of day, and weather conditions. The artificial environment of large-scale microalgae cultures generates a further layer of complexity added to these natural light dynamics. In fact, because of biomass density and cell self-shading, light is unevenly distributed in the mass culture. Moreover, because of mixing, cells move between different parts of the volume, generating abrupt fluctuations in light exposure. Although microalgae evolved various regulatory mechanisms to cope with dynamic light conditions, these are not adapted to respond to the complex mixture of natural and artificial fluctuations commonly encountered in large-scale cultures, often causing reduction in photosynthetic efficiency. In the past years, genetic approaches to improve the light reactions of photosynthesis have been explored to optimise the composition and regulation of the photosynthetic machinery to large-scale cultivation. These approaches have shown promising results at the laboratory scale but have yet to be fully proven at the industrial scale. This can be explained by the fact that the complexity of the cultivation environment on microalgae photosynthesis and its impact on productivity is underestimated. This work aims for a systematic discussion on the complex role played by the growth environment in determining microalgae photosynthetic performances upon cultivation at industrial scale, with the objective of maximizing the impact of genetic modifications and ultimately fully realize the potential of microalgae for biomass productivity.
Applications of neutron spin echo in soft matter
Authors: Luo Xiang , Cui Tengfei , Chu Xiangqiang
Published: November 2023

Soft matter systems exhibit diversity and intricacy in their structures and properties, with their dynamic behaviors and structural changes spanning wide time and length scales. Gaining insight into the internal structures and dynamics behaviors of soft matter systems, as well as the interactions among molecules and particles, contributes to a deeper comprehension of the microscopic behaviors of matter. Moreover, this endeavor has significant biomedical and materials engineering implications. This review focuses on the applications of spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering (SESANS) and high-resolution neutron spin echo (NSE) spectroscopy in soft matter science, particularly complex fluids and biomolecular systems. NSE spectroscopy has remarkable temporal resolution and sensitivity towards molecular-scale dynamic behaviors. Therefore, it provides comprehensive insights into microscale dynamic phenomena to soft matter systems, such as the rheological behaviors, stability, and aggregation dynamics of colloids; the domain dynamics and conformational changes of proteins; the collective dynamics of lipid membranes and interactions with other molecules, as well as the dynamic behaviors and interactions of surfactants within microemulsions. NSE technique helps reveal the complex nature of these systems, providing valuable insights into advances in materials science, biomedicine, and chemistry.
Mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism across skin cells: implications for skin homeostasis and aging
Authors: Martic Ines , Papaccio Federica , Bellei Barbara , Cavinato Maria
Published: November 2023

Aging of human skin is a complex process leading to a decline in homeostasis and regenerative potential of this tissue. Mitochondria are important cell organelles that have a crucial role in several cellular mechanisms such as energy production and free radical maintenance. However, mitochondrial metabolism as well as processes of mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis, and degradation varies considerably among the different types of cells that populate the skin. Disturbed mitochondrial function is known to promote aging and inflammation of the skin, leading to impairment of physiological skin function and the onset of skin pathologies. In this review, we discuss the essential role of mitochondria in different skin cell types and how impairment of mitochondrial morphology, physiology, and metabolism in each of these cellular compartments of the skin contributes to the process of skin aging.
Molecular, genetic, and genomic basis of seed size and yield characteristics in soybean
Authors: Tayade Rupesh , Imran Muhammad , Ghimire Amit , Khan Waleed , Nabi Rizwana Begum Syed , Kim Yoonha
Published: November 2023

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) is a crucial oilseed cash crop grown worldwide and consumed as oil, protein, and food by humans and feed by animals. Comparatively, soybean seed yield is lower than cereal crops, such as maize, rice, and wheat, and the demand for soybean production does not keep up with the increasing consumption level. Therefore, increasing soybean yield per unit area is the most crucial breeding objective and is challenging for the scientific community. Moreover, yield and associated traits are extensively researched in cereal crops, but little is known about soybeans’ genetics, genomics, and molecular regulation of yield traits. Soybean seed yield is a complex quantitative trait governed by multiple genes. Understanding the genetic and molecular processes governing closely related attributes to seed yield is crucial to increasing soybean yield. Advances in sequencing technologies have made it possible to conduct functional genomic research to understand yield traits’ genetic and molecular underpinnings. Here, we provide an overview of recent progress in the genetic regulation of seed size in soybean, molecular, genetics, and genomic bases of yield, and related key seed yield traits. In addition, phytohormones, such as auxin, gibberellins, cytokinins, and abscisic acid, regulate seed size and yield. Hence, we also highlight the implications of these factors, challenges in soybean yield, and seed trait improvement. The information reviewed in this study will help expand the knowledge base and may provide the way forward for developing high-yielding soybean cultivars for future food demands.
Polyploidization and genomic selection integration for grapevine breeding: a perspective
Authors: Bharati Rohit , Sen Madhab Kumar , Severová Lucie , Svoboda Roman , Fernández-Cusimamani Eloy
Published: November 2023

Grapevines are economically important woody perennial crops widely cultivated for their fruits that are used for making wine, grape juice, raisins, and table grapes. However, grapevine production is constantly facing challenges due to climate change and the prevalence of pests and diseases, causing yield reduction, lower fruit quality, and financial losses. To ease the burden, continuous crop improvement to develop superior grape genotypes with desirable traits is imperative. Polyploidization has emerged as a promising tool to generate genotypes with novel genetic combinations that can confer desirable traits such as enhanced organ size, improved fruit quality, and increased resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. While previous studies have shown high polyploid induction rates in Vitis spp., rigorous screening of genotypes among the produced polyploids to identify those exhibiting desired traits remains a major bottleneck. In this perspective, we propose the integration of the genomic selection approach with omics data to predict genotypes with desirable traits among the vast unique individuals generated through polyploidization. This integrated approach can be a powerful tool for accelerating the breeding of grapevines to develop novel and improved grapevine varieties.
Good performance in difficult times? Threat and challenge as contributors to achievement emotions and academic performance during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Malkoc Smirna , Macher Daniel , Hasenhütl Sabine , Paechter Manuela
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as one of the most formidable global crises, leading to the disruptions to education systems worldwide and impacting learning attitudes and psychological well-being of various learner groups, including university students. In this context, students’ appraisals of adverse learning situations play a key role. It is not just the learning situation, but rather students’ appraisal of it which impacts their emotions, attitudes, and behaviors in academic context. The aim of the present study was to investigate how university students’ challenge and threat appraisals were related to emotional learning experiences and learning outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the study focuses on the role of personal and external resources for learning in this context.

Methods

Altogether, 428 students, who attended a Psychology lecture at one Austrian university, filled in a questionnaire about their challenge and threat appraisals of learning circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, achievement emotions they experienced during this time as well as gender, proneness to anxiety, academic self-concept, and learning resources. Additionally, students’ performance in the examination was recorded.

Results

The structural equation model emphasizes a crucial role of challenge and threat appraisals for students’ achievement emotions in learning and exam preparation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenge appraisals were the strongest predictor for pleasant emotions and threat appraisals were strongest predictor for unpleasant emotions. Proneness to anxiety was related to threat appraisal as well as to experience of more unpleasant and, surprisingly, to positive emotions in adverse learning situation. Academic self-concept and learning resources were identified as important resources for learning in adverse learning situation. Unpleasant achievement emotions were directly and negatively related to academic performance and may thus be seen as a critical variable and crucial obstacle to academic performance.

Discussion

The present study provides implications for learning and instructions which could be implemented by universities in order to support learning and learning attitudes among university students in adverse learning situations.
Student writing in the engineering curriculum: discursive rhetorical model of the laboratory report genre in Spanish
Authors: Sologuren Enrique
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The laboratory report is a widely used genre in the academic training process in civil computer engineering. Students produce this genre in the university classroom for diverse academic and professional purposes. Despite its relevance, empirical rhetorical-discursive descriptions of the value of student writing are still scarce in Spanish. Thus, we describe the rhetorical-discursive organization of the laboratory report genre in this subdiscipline.

Methods

To fulfil this purpose, we followed a methodological design based on Swalesian Genre Analysis and used a corpus of ninety-eight texts. The sample was collected in a self-compiled form through consultation with teachers and students in the university classroom. The application of this method allowed us to determine the macro-moves, moves, and rhetorical steps of the genre, its communicative functions, and textual features.

Results

The resulting rhetorical model consisted of four macro-moves, twelve moves and seventeen steps. This model shows the highly dynamic and mesogeneric nature of this genre, the new functions of multimodal artefacts, and the genre’s presence across the curriculum. To know about the teachers’ and students’ views on the process of training professional writers in engineering, the rhetorical model was complemented with an ethnographic phase (in the terms proposed by Swales: corroboration process with a couple of members of the community) before and after collecting the textual corpus.

Discussion

Finally, the implications for genre theory, Spanish language theory and pedagogy of the Spanish language and genre pedagogy are discussed.
The impact of drug shortages on drug prices: evidence from China
Authors: Hu Shuchen , Zhang Jinwei , Li Jianwei , Zhang Jieqiong , Pan Mengyuan , Xiang Cheng , Dave Chintan V. , Yang Caijun , Fang Yu
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Drug shortages pose a serious global public health challenge, affecting China and other countries. Evidence from USA shows that short-supplied drugs demonstrated a very high price growth during and after a shortage. However, the effect of shortages on drug prices in China remains unknown. This paper aims to understand the impact of drug shortages on prices and explore implications for shortage prevention policy.

Methods

We collected the purchase prices and delivery rates of 120 drugs from April 2019 to December 2021 across whole China. We examined price progression of affected drugs using linear mixed-effects models and performed subgroup analyses based on the number of manufacturers and the severity of shortage.

Results

Non-shortage cohort had an annual price growth of 11.62% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.34 to 14.98). Shortage cohort demonstrated an annual price growth of 8.08% (95%CI 0.12 to 16.77) in the period preceding a shortage, 27.57% (95%CI 6.17 to 52.87) during a shortage, and 9.38% (95%CI −12.64 to 36.39) in the post-shortage period. Drug shortages’ impact on prices varied across subgroups. Compared with that of drug markets supplied by a single manufacturer, the price growth rate of markets supplied by more than one manufacture declined more after the shortage resolution.

Conclusion

Shortages resulted in significant price increases of study markets, especially the low-priced markets, while the shortage resolution slowed the growth. The primary shortage driver has shifted from the low price to others drivers, such as unavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients. For currently sole-supplied drugs, the expedited review of applications from other manufacturers should be considered.
Race and sex differences in the association between lifespan glycemic status and midlife cognitive function: the Bogalusa heart study
Authors: Gwizdala Kathryn L. , Bazzano Lydia A. , Newton Robert L. , Carmichael Owen T.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Glycemic markers throughout life are associated with increased risk of midlife cognitive decline, yet it is unclear whether these associations differ by race and sex.

Methods

This study used cross-sectional analysis of prospectively maintained cohort. 1,295 participants in the Bogalusa Heart Study, a biracial epidemiological cohort located in a micropolitan area core setting, provided fasting plasma insulin (FPI) and glucose (FPG) biannually from 1973 to 2016. Memory, executive function (EF), attention, working memory (WM), and global cognition (GC), collected 2013–2016. Glycemic markers (i.e., FPG, FPI, and HOMA-IR) averaged within lifespan epochs (≤ 20 years, childhood/adolescence (C/A); 21–40 years, early adulthood (EA); and 40–58 years, midlife). Linear regression models were analyzed for each epoch and separate models were analyzed with sex and race, education as a covariate.

Results

Sample was 59% women, 34% African American (AA). Among women, higher C/A FPG was associated with poorer memory and poorer GC. Higher EA FPG was associated with poorer WM. Among men, higher EA HOMA-IR was associated with worse attention. Higher C/A HOMA-IR and FPI were associated with better memory, as was higher EA FPI. Among AA, higher C/A FPG was associated with worse attention, EF, and GC. Higher EA HOMA-IR was associated with worse attention. Higher midlife FPI and C/A HOMA-IR were associated with worse WM and EF among White Americans (WAs).

Discussion

Markers indicative of hyperglycemia at different epochs were associated with worse midlife cognition in women, AAs, and WAs; but not in men. Differences in the relationship between lifespan glycemic exposures and midlife cognition could reflect broader health disparities.
Alternative protein innovations and challenges for industry and consumer: an initial overview
Authors: Hefferon Kathleen L. , De Steur Hans , Perez-Cueto Federico J. A. , Herring Ronald
Published: November 2023

Over one fourth of today's greenhouse gas emissions are the result of agriculture, with the production of meat representing a large portion of this carbon footprint. As the wealth of low- and middle-income countries continues to increase, the demand for animal-sourced protein, such as dairy and meat products, will escalate. At this point in time, livestock feed alone utilizes almost 40% of the world's cropland. The rapidly increasing world population, coupled with a need for environmental sustainability, has renewed our attention on animal-protein substitutes. Apprehensions over climate change have aided an acceleration in the research and development of alternative proteins, which may replace some animal-sourced protein over time. The alternative dairy and meat industry is developing at a yearly rate of 15.8% and is predicted to reach 1.2 trillion $USD by 2030. This emerging market incorporates new technologies in plant-made protein production, manufacturing of animal proteins by fermentation using microbial bioreactors, and accelerated production of cultivated (also known as cell-based) meat. These new technologies should change the global market drammatically. This article describes the history of the alternative protein industry and its' current status, then offers predictions of future pathways for this rapidly accelerating market. More speculatively, it discusses factors that lead to shifts in consumer behavior that trend toward the adoptation of new technologies.
Reducing Data Requirements for Simple and Effective Noise Mapping: A Case Study of Noise Mapping Using Computational Methods and GIS for the Raebareli City Intersection
Authors: Zafar Md Iltaf , Bharadwaj Shruti , Dubey Rakesh , Tiwary Saurabh Kr , Biswas Susham
Published: November 2023

The accurate prediction of noise levels at outdoor locations requires detailed data of the noise sources and terrain parameters and an efficient model for prediction. However, the possibility of predicting noise with reasonable accuracy using less input data is a challenge and needs to be studied scientifically. The qualities of the noise data, terrain parameters, and prediction model can impact the accuracy of the prediction significantly. This study primarily focuses on the dependency of noise data for efficient noise prediction and mapping. This research article proposes a detailed methodology to predict and map the noise and exposure levels in Ratapur, Uttar Pradesh, India, with various granularities of noise data inputs. The noise levels were measured at various places and at different times of the day at 10 min intervals. Different data input proportions and qualities were used for noise prediction, namely, (1) a large data-based method, (2) a small data-based method, (3) a source point average data-based method, (4) a Google navigation data-based method, and (5) accurate modelling using an ANN-based method, integrating accurate noise data with a sophisticated modelling algorithm for noise prediction. The analysis of the variation between the predicted and measured noise levels was conducted for all five of the methods using the ANOVA technique. Various methods based on less noise data methods predicted the noise levels with accuracies within the ±4–10 dB(A) range, while the ANN-based technique predicted it with an accuracy of ±0.5–2.5 dB(A). Interestingly, the estimation of the noise exposure levels (>85 dB(A)) and the identification of hazard zones around the studied road intersection could also be performed efficiently even when using the data-deficient models. This paper also showcased the possibility of predicting an accurate 3D map for an area by extracting vehicles and terrain features from satellite images without any direct recording of noise data. This paper thus demonstrated approaches to reduce the noise data dependency for noise prediction and mapping and to enable accurate noise-hazard zonation mapping.
Mixed Silage of Banana Pseudostem and Maize Stover on Ethiopian Smallholder Farms: Effect of Fermentation Package and Location on Microbiological and Nutritional Evaluation
Authors: Mitiku Ashenafi Azage , Vandeweyer Dries , Adriaens Ines , Kechero Yisehak , Van Campenhout Leen , Aernouts Ben
Published: November 2023

Preservation of widely available crop residues as silage could reduce feed shortages in Ethiopia. Four mixtures of banana pseudostem (BPS) and fresh maize stover (FMS) were prepared for fermentation considering the local conditions and available resources: 100% FMS, 80% FMS + 20% BPS, 60% FMS + 40% BPS and 95% BPS + 5% molasses. Each of the four mixtures was fermented in plastic bags as well as in plastic drums. Apart from the effect of the mixture and fermentation package, two fermentation locations were also considered. The fermentation was replicated three times for each combination of mixture, fermentation package and fermentation condition. The pH, microbial counts (total viable count, lactic acid bacteria count, Enterobacteriaceae count, yeast and mold count) and nutritional values of the fresh material and mixed silage were measured. Fermentation was successful for all mixed silages, reaching a pH below four, while the total viable count, Enterobacteriaceae count, yeast and mold count dropped (all p ≤ 0.05) and digestibility and metabolizable energy increased compared to the fresh mixtures. Enterobacteriaceae counts reached values below the detection limit in all mixed silages fermented in drums unlike the bag silages. The plastic bags used as fermentation package were found to be sensitive to damage, resulting in a a higher pH and visible signs of yeast and mold. Although fermentation of BPS with molasses resulted in a significant increase in dry matter digestibility (41.14 to 46.17–49.92%) and organic matter digestibility (50.52 to 55.22–58.75%), they were lower compared to most mixed silages with FMS. Fermentation of 80 and 60% FMS mixtures increased the crude protein content from 44.30 to 71.27–82.20 g/kg DM, and from 43.63 to 63.10–65.83 g/kg DM, respectively. The highest increase (1.77 MJ/kg DM) in metabolizable energy was recorded for 80% FMS fermented in drums. The location of fermentation had no effect on pH, microbial counts and nutritional values. This study demonstrates that crop by-products can be successfully fermented under conditions prevailing in Ethiopia, with drums being preferred over bags. Mixing BPS with FMS is advised to absorb BPS juice losses and obtain silage with more crude protein, neutral and acid detergent fibers and metabolizable energy, as well as a higher digestibility.
Integration of Vis–NIR Spectroscopy and Machine Learning Techniques to Predict Eight Soil Parameters in Alpine Regions
Authors: Jiang Chuanli , Zhao Jianyun , Li Guorong
Published: November 2023

Visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis–NIR, 350–1100 nm) has great potential for predicting soil properties. However, current research on the hyperspectral prediction of soil parameters in agricultural areas of alpine regions and the types of parameters included is limited, and optimal spectral treatments and predictive models applicable to different parameters have not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, we evaluated the accuracy of predicting total nitrogen (TN), phosphorus pentoxide (TP2O5), total potassium oxide (TK2O), alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AHN), effective phosphorus (AP), effective potassium (AK), soil organic matter (SOM), and pH in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau using the Vis–NIR technique in combination with spectral transformations, correlation analysis, feature selection, and machine learning. The results show that spectral transformations improve the correlation between spectra and parameters but are dependent on the parameter type and the method used. Continuum removal (CR), logarithmic first-order differential (FDL), and inverse first-order differential (FDR) had the most significant effects. The feature bands were extracted using the SPA and modeled using partial least squares (PLSR), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and backpropagation neural networks (BPNNs). The accuracy was evaluated based on R2, RMSE, RPD, and RPIQ. We found that the PLSR model only enables the prediction of SOM and pH with lower accuracy than the remaining models. XGBoost can predict all of the parameters but only for AHN; the prediction performance is better than other methods (R2 = 0.776, RMSE = 0.043 g/kg, and RPIQ = 2.88). The RF, SVM, and BPNN models cannot predict AK, AP, and AHN, respectively. In addition, TP2O5, AP, and pH are best suited for modeling using RF (RPIQ = 2.776, 3.011, and 3.198); TN, AK, and SOM are best suited for modeling using BPNN (RPIQ = 2.851, 2.394, and 3.085); and AHN and TK2O are best suited for XGBoost and SVM, respectively (RPIQ = 2.880 and 3.217). Therefore, this study can provide technical and data support for the accurate and efficient acquisition of soil parameters in alpine agriculture.