bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case report: Efficacy of later-line fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan in a patient with triple-positive breast cancer with brain metastases
Authors: Sumou Ingrid Karmane , Hui Cheng Vai
Published: November 2024

Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has demonstrated substantial antitumor activity and durable responses in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer. We report here the treatment outcomes of T-DXd in a patient with HER2+ breast cancer with brain metastases that repeatedly recurred and progressed after two lines of salvage therapy. In 2016, a 23-year-old G0P0 female with risk factors including menarche at age 9 years, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and a strong family history of cancer was diagnosed with bilateral, triple-positive breast cancer. She received chemotherapy, HER2-targeted therapies, total mastectomy, and locoregional radiotherapy, but a brain metastasis in the left parieto-occipital lobe was detected in 2020. After receiving capecitabine, lapatinib, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, and tamoxifen, multiple new lesions appeared in the brain after 14 months. The patient then received capecitabine, neratinib, GnRH agonist, and letrozole; however, her brain metastases still progressed after 7 months. In 2022, she started T-DXd treatment. Good response to treatment was observed 4 months later, including a continuous decrease in the cancer antigen 15-3 level, a reduction in the size of the major brain tumor, and the absence of new lesions. Now aged 30, the patient is continuing to receive T-DXd treatment to prevent recurrence. We conclude that T-DXd was effective for the treatment of brain metastases in this young patient with triple-positive metastatic breast cancer who had multiple risk factors and had received several anti-HER2 therapies prior to T-DXd.
The role of genetic and epigenetic modifications as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of thyroid cancer
Authors: Sabi Essa M.
Published: November 2024

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine cancer, which contributes to more than 43,600 deaths and 586,000 cases worldwide every year. Among the TC types, PTC and FTC comprise 90% of all TCs. Genetic modifications in genes are responsible for encoding proteins of mitogen-associated protein kinase cascade, which is closely related with numerous cellular mechanisms, including controlling programmed cell death, differentiation, proliferation, gene expression, as well as in genes encoding the PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase)/protein kinase B (AKT) cascade, which has contribution in controlling cell motility, adhesion, survival, and glucose metabolism, have been associated with the TC pathogenesis. Various genetic modifications including BRAF mutations, RAS mutations, RET mutations, paired-box gene 8/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma fusion oncogene, RET/PTC rearrangements, telomerase reverse transcriptase mutations, neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase fusion genes, TP53 mutations, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1A X-linked mutations can effectively serve as potential biomarkers in both diagnosis and prognosis of TC. On the other hand, epigenetic modifications can lead to aberrant functions or suppression of a range of signalling cascades, which can ultimately result in cancer. Various studies have observed the link between epigenetic modification and multiple cancers including TC. It has been reported that several epigenetic alterations including histone modifications, aberrant DNA methylation, and epigenetic modulations of non-coding RNAs can play significant roles as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of TC. Therefore, a good understanding regarding the genetic and epigenetic modifications is not only essential for the diagnosis and prognosis of TC, but also for the development of novel therapeutics. In this review, most of the major TC-related genetic and epigenetic modifications and their potential as biomarkers for TC diagnosis and prognosis have been extensively discussed.
Perianal leiomyosarcoma as a rare sequela of rectal cancer radiotherapy: a case report
Authors: Chen Chaopeng , Cai Wenping , Li Yujiao , Ren Junqi , Xu Zhibin , Pang Lijuan , Dai Weiping
Published: November 2024

Radiation-induced sarcomas (RIS) are iatrogenic malignancies that arise following high-dose radiotherapy, posing a significant clinical challenge due to their poor prognosis and resistance to conventional treatments. The incidence of RIS is increasing with advancements in radiotherapy techniques. This report presents a case of a 71-year-old male diagnosed with stage III rectal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and curative surgery. Three years postoperatively, he developed a low-grade radiation-induced leiomyosarcoma in the perianal region. Histopathological examination confirmed a spindle cell neoplasm with notable immunohistochemical markers. RIS often presents as aggressive high-grade tumors resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, necessitating surgical resection as the primary treatment. This case underscores the importance of long-term surveillance post-radiotherapy and highlights the need for innovative therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapy. Despite being rare, RIS poses a significant risk following cancer treatment, making early detection through vigilant monitoring and advancements in therapeutic approaches crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Gut microbiota and metabolomics unveil the mechanisms of Lomatogonium rotatum in ameliorating visceral fat and serum lipids in high-fat diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Ji Xiaoping , Yu Hongzhen , Wang Lianqian , Bao Xuemei , Si Tegele , Li Xiaoman , Wang Hugejiletu , Borjigidai Almaz , Kusuma Aji Galih , Bai Laxinamujila , Fu Minghai
Published: November 2024

Lomatogonium rotatum (LR) is a folk medicinal herb traditionally used as a lipid-lowering and anti-obesity agent; but its pharmacological mechanism is unclear. In this study, we assessed the alterations of LR on gut microbes and serum metabolites in obese mice and their associated mechanisms of modulation on visceral fat and serum lipid by integrating gut microbiota and metabolomics analyses. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to generate obesity and were then given LR and Orlistat orally at different doses (0.18, 0.9, 1.8 g/kg for LR and 0.048 g/kg for Orlistat) for a duration of 9 weeks. The impact of LR on weight loss was assessed through the examination of fat deposition, serum lipid indices, liver indices, and HE pathohistology. The effects of LR on gut microbiota and serum metabolites in obese mice were then investigated by 16S rRNA sequencing technology and untargeted metabolomics, and correlation analysis was performed. LR significantly reduced body weight, feed intake, Lee’s index, visceral fat accumulation, serum TG, TC, AST and ALT, and elevated serum HDL levels in obese mice. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that the LR intervention remodeled microbial diversity and composition, increased the relative abundance of gut microbes Bacteroidetes and Porphyromonadaceae in HFD-induced obese mice, and decreased the Deferribacteres, Firmicutes and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Correlation analyses showed that LR regulation of L-tyrosine and hesperetin metabolism, as well as alterations in the metabolic pathways of Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, were associated with the changes in abundance of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Porphyromonadaceae and Deferribacteres. Our study demonstrated that LR has lipid lowering and visceral fat reduction effects and its function may be closely related to the improvement of the gut microbiota and its associated metabolites.
The value of serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Zhang Wei , Ma Baofeng , Lv Chunlei , Sun Mimi , Shang Qinghua
Published: November 2024

Background

The early detection and intervention of liver fibrosis (LF) in patients with chronic liver disease is critical to their management. The accuracy of serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) in the diagnosis of LF remains controversial. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the value of serum M2BPGi in diagnosing LF.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The effect values were combined using a random-effects model. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore the sources of heterogeneity. In addition, publication bias assessment and sensitivity analysis were conducted.

Results

This study includes 12 studies with 2,416 patients. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUROC of M2BPGi in the diagnosis of significant fibrosis (≥F2) were 0.65 (95% CI: 0.57–0.71), 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72–0.84), and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.74–0.81), respectively, while those for predicting extensive fibrosis (≥F3) were 0.76 (95% CI: 0.71–0.80), 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68–0.81), and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.77–0.84). Sensitivity analysis indicated stable results in this study. The disease type, cut-off values, study country, average age, and male proportion were the sources of heterogeneity in diagnosing significant fibrosis of M2BPGi (p < 0.05). Sample size, disease type, study country, publication year, cut-off values, average age, and male proportion were important sources of heterogeneity in diagnosing extensive fibrosis (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Serum M2BPGi has good diagnostic performance for significant fibrosis and extensive fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), chronic hepatitis C (CHC), or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is an effective, non-invasive, and convenient marker.

Systematic Review Registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2023-10-0086/.
Effects of climate variability and urbanization on spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation in the middle and lower Yangtze River Basin, China
Authors: Liu Jianxiong , Fu Jing , Qin Jianxin , Su Baoling , Hong Yang
Published: November 2024

Vegetation serves as a crucial indicator of ecological environment and plays a vital role in preserving ecosystem stability. However, as urbanization escalates rapidly, natural vegetation landscapes are undergoing continuous transformation. Paradoxically, vegetation is pivotal in mitigating the ecological and environmental challenges posed by urban sprawl. The middle and lower Yangtze River Basin (MLYRB) in China, particularly its economically thriving lower reaches, has witnessed a surge in urbanization. Consequently, this study explored the spatiotemporal variations of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in the MLYRB, with an emphasis on elucidating the impact of climate change and urbanization on vegetation dynamics. The results indicate that a significant increasing trend in NDVI across the MLYRB from 2000 to 2020, a pattern that is expected to persist. An improvement in vegetation was observed in 94.12% of the prefecture-level cities in the study area, predominantly in the western and southern regions. Temperature and wind speed stand out as dominant contributors to this improvement. Nevertheless, significant vegetation degradation was detected in some highly urbanized cities in the central and eastern parts of the study area, mainly attributed to the negative effects of escalating urbanization. Interestingly, a positive correlation between NDVI and the urbanization rate was observed, which may be largely related to proactive ecological preservation policies. Additionally, global climatic oscillations were identified as a key force driving periodic NDVI variations. These findings hold significant importance in promoting harmonious urbanization and ecological preservation, thereby providing invaluable insights for future urban ecological planning efforts.
Cytosolic alkalinization in guard cells: an intriguing but interesting event during stomatal closure that merits further validation of its importance
Authors: Bharath Pulimamidi , Gahir Shashibhushan , Raghavendra Agepati S.
Published: November 2024

Stomatal closure is essential to conserve water and prevent microbial entry into leaves. Alkalinization of guard cells is common during closure by factors such as abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, and even darkness. Despite reports pointing at the role of cytosolic pH, there have been doubts about whether the guard cell pH change is a cause for stomatal closure or an associated event, as changes in membrane potential or ion flux can modulate the pH. However, the importance of cytosolic alkalinization is strongly supported by the ability of externally added weak acids to restrict stomatal closure. Using genetically encoded pH sensors has confirmed the rise in pH to precede the elevation of Ca2+ levels. Yet some reports claim that the rise in pH follows the increase in ROS or Ca2+. We propose a feedback interaction among the rise in pH or ROS or Ca2+ to explain the contrasting opinions on the positioning of pH rise. Stomatal closure and guard cell pH changes are compromised in mutants deficient in vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), indicating the importance of V-ATPase in promoting stomatal closure. Thus, cytosolic pH change in guard cells can be related to the rise in ROS and Ca2+, leading to stomatal closure. We emphasize that cytosolic pH in stomatal guard cells deserves further attention and evaluation.
Emotional management and clinical communication among nursing students: a single institution experience
Authors: Yang Meiqiong , Lin Pingzhen , Zheng Limian , Wu Biyu
Published: November 2024

Background

The development of emotional and clinical communication is crucial for being a nurse. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influencing factors of emotional management and clinical communication competencies among nursing students, to inform strategies for enhancing the management and nursing care practices.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional survey. The study period was from December 1 to December 31, 2022, during which nursing students were the population of the survey. The assessments of the emotional management and clinical communication competencies of the nursing students were conducted using the validated Emotion Management Ability Questionnaire and the Clinical Communication Ability Scale, respectively.

Results

A total of 356 nursing students were investigated in this study. The nursing students had moderate ability of emotional management and clinical communication. The emotional management ability was correlated with the clinical communication ability of nursing students (all p<0.05). The results of multivariate regression analysis indicated that gender, educational level and home place were the independent influencing factors on the emotional management ability in the nursing students (all p<0.05). Family structure, internship time and personality were the independent influencing factors for the clinical communication ability among the nursing students (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

The competencies in emotional management and clinical communication among clinical nursing students warrant enhancement. It is imperative to implement tailored educational and training programs to optimize the development and performance of nursing students in their clinical training.
Hardiness personality and mental health of financially-struggling medical students in private universities in China: the intervening roles of coping styles and gender
Authors: Liu Huan , Chen Jiabao , Peng Qinghe , Zhang Hao , He Yating
Published: November 2024

Background

Chinese adolescents are at higher risk of depression, especially the mental health problems of financially disadvantaged medical students, which are significantly higher than those in other age groups, which brings great challenges to the mental health workers in universities.

Methods

1,280 medical students with a family poverty background in China completed a questionnaire on hardiness personality, coping style and mental health. After descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis between hardiness personality, coping style and mental health levels, we tested the mediation of coping style and the moderating effects of gender.

Results

Hardiness personality significantly positively affected the financially-struggling medical student’s mental health level. Positive coping style had a significant positive impact on hardiness personality and mental health level, while negative coping style had a significant negative effect on mental health level. Positive coping and negative coping are the mediators between financially-struggling medical students’ hardy personalities and mental health levels. In medical students with a family poverty background, gender plays a regulatory role in coping style and mental health levels. In medical students with a family poverty background, gender plays a moderate role in coping style and mental health levels.

Conclusion

This study adds some knowledge about the effects of hardiness personality on individual mental health. It makes new recommendations for improving the mental health status of vulnerable groups, while it can support future investigations by scholars and educators on how to improve the mental health of students under learning and financial-related stress.
Dentinogenesis imperfecta in a 6-year-old male neutered Labrador retriever: Case report with atypical clinical presentation and treatment review
Authors: Piekos Karolina Maria , Freeman Alix , Fleming Kathryn , Bell Cynthia
Published: November 2024

This case report details the diagnosis and treatment of dentinogenesis imperfecta in a 6-year-old neutered male Labrador, presenting without concurrent osteogenesis imperfecta. Diagnostic modalities, including radiographs, CT imaging, and histopathological examination, are reviewed in conjunction with the latest literature on canine dentinogenesis imperfecta. This patient presented at a more advanced age than typically reported cases. The clinical history, as provided by referring veterinarians, documented fractured deciduous teeth with delayed exfoliation. By 10 months of age, the patient’s permanent dentition exhibited a translucent appearance and structural anomalies. Upon presentation to Eastcott Referrals the patient was experiencing significant oral pain and exhibited generalised coronal wear with yellow/brown intrinsic discolouration. CT imaging revealed that all teeth had endodontic disease and associated apical periodontitis, with varied root canal widths indicating that teeth succumbed to endodontic disease at different time points. The treatment protocol involved staged full-mouth extractions, resulting in the complete resolution of clinical symptoms. This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in managing dentinogenesis imperfecta in dogs.
Investigating the effect a single dose of cannabidiol has on measures of stress in cats when being transported in a carrier and meeting a novel person in an unfamiliar environment
Authors: Weller Jennifer E. , Flint Hannah E. , Hunt Alysia B. G. , Ellerby Zack , King Tammie
Published: November 2024

Domestic cats (Felis Catus) are often exposed to stimuli that have the potential to negatively impact their welfare. These can include situations such as veterinary visits, travel, changes to their home environment, and interactions with unfamiliar people or pets. Cannabidiol (CBD)-infused pet products have grown in popularity in recent years, as pet owners search for ways to calm and relax their pets. However, research into the pharmacokinetic properties of CBD in cats is limited and investigations into its efficacy are in their infancy. The present study aimed to explore the effect of a single 4 mg/kg bodyweight dose of a THC-free CBD distillate on measures of stress in cats when experiencing a composite stress-paradigm, consisting of cat carrier travel and exposure to a novel person within an unfamiliar environment. Physiological and behavioural indicators of stress were collected pre-, during, and post-testing. No significant effect of CBD was observed on serum cortisol, IgA, or glucose, either before or immediately after the stress-paradigm (all p > 0.05). This was true despite cortisol being shown to significantly increase post-test for both treatments (both p < 0.001), suggesting that travel and meeting a novel person successfully induced a stress response within this population of cats. No significant differences in any measures of cat behaviour, including latency to approach the novel person, were observed between treatments (all p > 0.05). Overall, no influence of CBD was observed in cats, suggesting further research into appropriate dosage, delivery matrices, and other conditional factors, such as individual coping styles, should be considered.
Application of the Algebraic Extension Method to the Construction of Orthogonal Bases for Partial Digital Convolutions
Authors: Kadyrzhan Aruzhan , Bakirov Akhat , Shaltykova Dina , Suleimenov Ibragim
Published: November 2024

Mathematical tools have been developed that are analogous to the tool that allows one to reduce the description of linear systems in terms of convolution operations to a description in terms of amplitude-frequency characteristics. These tools are intended for use in cases where the system under consideration is described by partial digital convolutions. The basis of the proposed approach is the Fourier–Galois transform using orthogonal bases in corresponding fields. As applied to partial convolutions, the Fourier–Galois transform is decomposed into a set of such transforms, each of which corresponds to operations in a certain Galois field. It is shown that for adequate application of the Fourier–Galois transform to systems described by partial convolutions, it is necessary to ensure the same number of cycles in each of the transforms from the set specified above. To solve this problem, the method of algebraic extensions was used, a special case of which is the transition from real numbers to complex numbers. In this case, the number of cycles varies from p to pn/k, where p is a prime number, n and k are integers, and an arbitrary number divisor of pn can be chosen as k. This allows us to produce partial Fourier–Galois transforms corresponding to different Galois fields, for the same number of cycles. A specific example is presented demonstrating the constructiveness of the proposed approach.
Root Cause Attribution of Delivery Risks via Causal Discovery with Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Bo Shi , Xiao Minheng
Published: November 2024

Managing delivery risks is a critical challenge in modern supply chain management due to the increasing complexity and interdependencies of global supply networks. Existing methods often rely on correlation-based approaches, which fail to uncover the true causes behind delivery delays. This limitation makes it difficult for supply chain managers to identify actionable factors that can mitigate risks effectively. To address these challenges, we propose a novel method that integrates causal discovery with reinforcement learning to identify the root causes of delivery risks. Unlike traditional correlation-based methods, our approach uncovers both the direction and strength of causal relationships between variables, allowing for more accurate identification of the key drivers behind delivery delays. By applying causal strength quantification, we further measure the impact of each factor on delivery performance. Using real-world supply chain data, our results demonstrate that the proposed method reveals hidden causal relationships between factors such as shipping mode, order size, and delivery status. These insights enable supply chain managers to implement more targeted interventions, significantly improving risk mitigation strategies.
Parallelization of the Bison Algorithm Applied to Data Classification
Authors: Ludwig Simone A. , Al-Sawwa Jamil , Misquith Aaron Mackenzie
Published: November 2024

In data science and machine learning, efficient and scalable algorithms are paramount for handling large datasets and complex tasks. Classification algorithms, in particular, play a crucial role in a wide range of applications, from image recognition and natural language processing to fraud detection and medical diagnosis. Traditional classification methods, while effective, often struggle with scalability and efficiency when applied to massive datasets. This challenge has driven the development of innovative approaches that leverage modern computational frameworks and parallel processing capabilities. This paper presents the Bison Algorithm, applied to classification problems. The algorithm, inspired by the social behavior of bison, aims to enhance the accuracy of classification tasks. The Bison Algorithm is implemented using PySpark, leveraging the distributed computing power to handle large datasets efficiently. This study compares the performance of the Bison Algorithm on several dataset sizes using speedup and scaleup as the performance measure.
A Machine Learning Framework for Classroom EEG Recording Classification: Unveiling Learning-Style Patterns
Authors: Yuvaraj Rajamanickam , Chadha Shivam , Prince A. Amalin , Murugappan M. , Islam Md. Sakib Bin , Sumon Md. Shaheenur Islam , Chowdhury Muhammad E. H.
Published: November 2024

Classroom EEG recordings classification has the capacity to significantly enhance comprehension and learning by revealing complex neural patterns linked to various cognitive processes. Electroencephalography (EEG) in academic settings allows researchers to study brain activity while students are in class, revealing learning preferences. The purpose of this study was to develop a machine learning framework to automatically classify different learning-style EEG patterns in real classroom environments. Method: In this study, a set of EEG features was investigated, including statistical features, fractal dimension, higher-order spectra, entropy, and a combination of all sets. Three different machine learning classifiers, random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), and multilayer perceptron (MLP), were used to evaluate the performance. The proposed framework was evaluated on the real classroom EEG dataset, involving EEG recordings featuring different teaching blocks: reading, discussion, lecture, and video. Results: The findings revealed that statistical features are the most sensitive feature metric in distinguishing learning patterns from EEG. The statistical features and RF classifier method tested in this study achieved an overall best average accuracy of 78.45% when estimated by fivefold cross-validation. Conclusions: Our results suggest that EEG time domain statistics have a substantial role and are more reliable for internal state classification. This study might be used to highlight the importance of using EEG signals in the education context, opening the path for educational automation research and development.
Novelty in Intelligent Controlled Oscillations in Smart Structures
Authors: Moutsopoulou Amalia , Petousis Markos , Stavroulakis Georgios E. , Pouliezos Anastasios , Vidakis Nectarios
Published: November 2024

Structural control techniques can be used to protect engineering structures. By computing instantaneous control forces based on the input from the observed reactions and adhering to a strong control strategy, intelligent control in structural engineering can be achieved. In this study, we employed intelligent piezoelectric patches to reduce vibrations in structures. The actuators and sensors were implemented using piezoelectric patches. We reduced structural oscillations by employing sophisticated intelligent control methods. Examples of such control methods include H-infinity and H2. An advantage of this study is that the results are presented for both static and dynamic loading, as well as for the frequency domain. Oscillation suppression must be achieved over the entire frequency range. In this study, advanced programming was used to solve this problem and complete oscillation suppression was achieved. This study explored in detail the methods and control strategies that can be used to address the problem of oscillations. These techniques have been thoroughly described and analyzed, offering valuable insights into their effective applications. The ability to reduce oscillations has significant implications for applications that extend to various structures and systems such as airplanes, metal bridges, and large metallic structures.
The Effect of Organic Materials with Different Degrees of Decomposition on the Content of Nickel in the Lettuce Leaves Cultivated in Mineral Soil
Authors: Misiak Kamil , Bosiacki Maciej
Published: November 2024

Studies were carried out in order to verify the research hypothesis that “the introduction of organic matter in the form of high peat, brown coal, and wheat straw to the mineral soil contaminated with nickel will reduce the content of this metal in the lettuce”, the main purpose of which was to determine the impact of various organic materials with varying degrees of decomposition on the content of nickel in lettuce leaves. The factors of the experiment were different types of organic material that were added to the mineral soil (loamy sand), such as high peat, brown coal, and wheat straw. The substrates in which lettuce was grown were contaminated with increasing doses of nickel: 0, 50, 75, and 100 mg Ni·dm−3 of the substrate. This research shows that the type of organic material introduced into the mineral soil as a source of soil organic meter has a significant impact on the content of nickel in lettuce leaves.
Effects of Cow-Dung Vermicomposting on Soil Carbon Mineralization and Temperature Sensitivity in Camellia oleifera Forest
Authors: Wu Huaiyuan , Chu Shuangshuang , Ouyang Xiuqin , Zou Zhonghua , Fu Huanhuan , Liu Yaohui , Shi Xueyun , Zhang Yunyu , Ouyang Kun , Zhang Ling , Hu Dongnan
Published: November 2024

Soil carbon mineralization plays an important role in the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. When it comes to the soil carbon cycle, however, research on how carbon mineralization characteristics of fertilized Camellia oleifera forest soil respond to temperature changes remains limited. This study used an indoor constant temperature incubation method to examine the effects of the vermicomposting of cow dung by applying it at three different quantities (A: 0.8 kg earthworm + 62.5 kg cow dung/Camellia oleifera; B: 1.6 kg earthworm + 125 kg cow dung/Camellia oleifera; C: 2.4 kg earthworm + 187.5 kg cow dung/Camellia oleifera) and set a control group with Camellia oleifera forest not being fertilized (CK). This research was conducted with incubators set at 5 °C, 15 °C, 25 °C, and 35 °C, and with continuous monitoring of soil carbon mineralization characteristics and temperature sensitivity of organic carbon mineralization. The results showed significant increases in soil MBC, MBN, DOC, DON, NO3−-N, and NH4+-N in groups with applications of cow-dung vermicomposting compared to CK. Except at 35 °C, soil respiration in the Camellia oleifera of Group A was consistently the strongest. The maximum soil carbon emission (C0) was determined through a simulation of potential carbon emissions, with all correlation coefficients exceeding 0.95. The contents of TC and TN were positively correlated with MBC and MBN (p <0.001), while the C: Nmicro was negatively correlated with TN, AN, MBN, and inorganic nitrogen. Based on temperature sensitivity (Q10), the influence of temperature on soil mineralization rate was observed. The vermicomposting of cow dung had a noticeable effect, as Group B showed significantly stronger enzyme activity compared to other groups. These results indicate that changes in MBC can impact the stability of soil carbon mineralization. The roles of soil moisture and microorganisms should be considered when predicting dynamic changes in the soil carbon pool of Camellia oleifera when applying fertilizers and improving its soil carbon sequestration capacity.
The Effect of Varying Compaction Levels on Soil Dynamic Properties and the Growth of Canola (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Owusu-Sekyere Ernest , Chen Ying
Published: November 2024

Extremely low field emergence rates for canola are primarily attributed to soil compaction from field traffic during and after planting. This study aimed to determine the critical compaction level for canola emergence across different soil types. A laboratory experiment was conducted using sandy loam, silt clay, and clay soils, compacted to five levels (zero to four) using Proctor hammer drops after sowing canola (Brassica napus L.). The lab results were validated through two years of field experiments in sandy loam, applying four compaction levels (zero to three) using a tractor. Soil properties (bulk density and surface resistance) and canola growth parameters (plant emergence rate, count, height, and above-ground biomass) were measured. Zero compaction resulted in lower bulk density and surface resistance across all soil types. Laboratory results showed maximum emergence rates of 95% for sandy loam, 100% for silt clay, and 60% for clay, while field emergence rates were 63% and 87.59% in the first and second years, respectively, both at zero compaction. Recommendations include light or no compaction for sandy loam, and zero compaction for silt clay, while clay soil did not achieve the 80% emergence target at any compaction level. These results can assist agricultural producers in optimizing their seeding equipment setup and managing field traffic for canola production.
Evaluation of Rain Shelter Cultivation Mode Effects on Microecological Environment of Mountain Cultivated Ginseng Rhizosphere
Authors: Yu Yinan , Piao Jingzi , Guo Siyi , Li Bing , Li Zibo , Zhou Rujun
Published: November 2024

Rainfall, particularly in continental climates with a monsoonal tendency, impacts the microbial niches during the growth of mountain cultivated ginseng. With shifts in the microbial community, diseases in ginseng cultivated and protected under rain shelter conditions may ultimately be altered. Such cultivation may influence microflora dynamics through variations in meteorological parameters; however, this is not yet clear. The present study found that rain shelter cultivation affected the distribution of fungal communities within mountain cultivated ginseng. This led to an improved community structure in the ginseng rhizosphere, characterized by the proliferation of antagonistic fungi and a reduction in pathogenic fungi. A correlation analysis of meteorological factors found that soil temperature and humidity were the primary meteorological factors affecting mountain cultivated ginseng. It is evident that rain shelter cultivation regulated the microecological environment of the mountain cultivated ginseng’s rhizosphere and resulted in positive outcomes. A disease investigation supported this finding. The incidence of ginseng root diseases, such as rust and root rot, was reduced by 5–6%. The incidence of ginseng leaf diseases, including gray mold and black spot, was reduced by 5–10%. This research provides evidence to address the dynamics of microbial ecology under rain shelter cultivation and its benefits for sustainable mountain cultivated ginseng management.
Isolation, Characterization, and Optimization of Culture Medium for Local Straw-Degrading Bacteria from Northeastern Black Soils of China
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liu Tianyu , Yan Chengzhao , Zhang Jinpeng , Yu Rui , Luo Nana , Yu Yong
Published: November 2024

In order to solve the problem of low and poor straw degradation in typical black soil areas of Northeast China, the present study was carried out to screen the potential of in situ strains with cellulose degradation ability from black soils of Northeast China to play a role in the resourceful utilization of straw and the development of sustainable agriculture. The straw degradation potential of the strains was evaluated by combining sodium carboxymethyl cellulose plate screening and cellulase viability assay; the species identification of the strains was carried out by morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology; and the basic medium formulation of the strains was optimized by Box–Behnken response surface methodology. Ten cellulose-degrading strains were identified: ZL-5, ZL-69, ZL-88, ZL-95, ZL-111, ZL-137, ZL-139, ZL-140, ZL-187, and ZL-216, of which ZL-139 had the highest cellulase production capacity, with a cellulase secretion of 7.8781 U/mL in the enzyme-producing medium. ZL-139 was identified as Bacillus cereus; the optimized best formulation was glucose—4.284 g/L, yeast extract—1.454 g/L, MgSO4—0.417 g/L, KH2PO4—0.5 g/L, KH2PO4—0.5 g/L, K2HPO4—1.5 g/L, and NaCl—1.0 g/L. In conclusion, strain ZL-139 has good potential for crop straw degradation and can be a candidate strain for a straw-rotting agent in northeast China, with promising prospects for development and utilization.
Identification of Olea europaea CBF/DREB1 Family Genes in Abnormal Temperature Stress Response
Authors: Hai Guanghui , Chen Sisi , Xie Muhong , Li Chenhao , Wang Qian , Lu Ying , Tang Yan , Zhang Zhengwu , Yang Guiyan
Published: November 2024

Olea europaea, native to the Mediterranean region, has been widely cultivated for the nutritional content of its fruits and leaves. To adapt to climates beyond the Mediterranean, research on the climatic adaptation of O. europaea is urgently needed. Therefore, in this study, the CBF/DREB1 family genes in olives, which are related to cold tolerance, were genome-wide characterized. In total, four OeCBFs were screened; their open reading frame (ORF) were 552~684 bp in length, the encoded proteins were 20,786.60~25,235.16 Da, with 183~227 amino acids, and the theoretical isoelectric point (pI) were 4.91~9.13. The transcription of four OeCBFs was significantly different in olive tissues, especially OeCBF2 and OeCBF4, which were substantially more highly-expressed in aboveground tissues (terminal buds, young leaves, old leaves, and stems) than in underground tissues (thick and fine roots). Exposed to cold stress, OeCBF2 and OeCBF4 were up-regulated more obviously in olive leaves and stems, while OeCBF3 was induced to higher levels in the roots, implying the adaptation potential of the OeCBFs to low temperature stress. A comparison of the expression of the four OeCBFs in two varieties, Picholine (more tolerant to the other one) and Arbequina, found that the expression of OeCBFs was higher in most tissues of Picholine than that of Arbequina. When exposed to cold stress, the expression of the OeCBFs was also higher in the leaves and roots of Picholine than in Arbequina, further confirming the correlation between OeCBFs and cold tolerance of olive trees. This study not only deepens our understanding of the CBF gene family in olives, but also provides significant genetic information for olive breeding and improvement.
The Adaptability of Beet Webworm (Loxostege sticticalis) to Soybeans and Other Different Host Plants
Authors: Ji Xingwei , Jiang Xingfu , Yin Jiao , Chen Julian , Ding Tianbo , Tan Xiaoling
Published: November 2024

The beet webworm Loxostege sticticalis has caused significant economic losses to the production of agriculture and animal husbandry in China. Preference testing of larva feeding and adult oviposition and flight capability tests were carried out on five host plants: soybean, pigweed, pea, broad bean, and alfalfa. An experimental population life table and population growth trends over the subsequent 200 days were constructed. The test results show that the larvae showed no significant preference among different plants. However, adults lay more eggs on soybeans. The pests failed to complete a generation when fed on broad beans and alfalfas. When fed on pigweed, they showed the shortest larvae development period, the heaviest pupal weight, the longest adult longevity, and the largest egg-laying amount. The net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and simulated population growth trend of the pests fed on pigweed show the highest values, and those fed on peas showed the lowest values. The total flight distance and flight time of adults fed on pigweed and soybeans were significantly greater compared to those fed on peas. In summary, beet webworms fed on pigweed showed the fastest development and reproduction, the largest population, and the strongest flight capability.
Responses of Legumes to Rhizobia and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Under Abiotic Stresses: A Global Meta-Analysis
Authors: Duan Hai-Xia , Luo Chong-Liang , Wang Xia , Cheng Ye-Sen , Abrar Muhammad , Batool Asfa
Published: November 2024

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia play a pivotal role in enhancing crop productivity, shaping microbial community structure, and improving soil quality, making them key components for sustainable ecosystem development. The symbiotic relationship between AMF and rhizobia is crucial for facilitating efficient biological nitrogen fixation and nutrient absorption, thereby reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The findings of various studies, however, indicate that soil environment can impede the symbiotic relationship between AMF and rhizobia. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 158 articles from 1980 to 2022 to explore the synergistic interactions in legume–AMF–rhizobium systems and the potential mechanisms underlying this synergism. Our findings revealed that the inoculation with AMF and/or rhizobia significantly (p < 0.001) increased legume plant nitrogen content, phosphorus content, shoot biomass, yield, AMF colonization rate, and the number and weight of nodules compared to uninoculated controls (effect size d > 0). Moreover, there was a substantial synergistic effect between AMF and rhizobia (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, soil salinity stress, drought stress, and pH stress could hinder the positive effects of inoculation treatments, possibly due to the plant trade-off strategies under abiotic stress conditions. This research may potentially lead to new solutions for sustainable agricultural systems amidst the challenges posed by global climate change.
Enhanced Disease Detection for Apple Leaves with Rotating Feature Extraction
Authors: Qiu Zhihui , Xu Yihan , Chen Chen , Zhou Wen , Yu Gang
Published: November 2024

Leaf diseases such as Mosaic disease and Black Rot are among the most common diseases affecting apple leaves, significantly reducing apple yield and quality. Detecting leaf diseases is crucial for the prevention and control of these conditions. In this paper, we propose incorporating rotated bounding boxes into deep learning-based detection, introducing the ProbIoU loss function to better quantify the difference between model predictions and real results in practice. Specifically, we integrated the Plant Village dataset with an on-site dataset of apple leaves from an orchard in Weifang City, Shandong Province, China. Additionally, data augmentation techniques were employed to expand the dataset and address the class imbalance issue. We utilized the EfficientNetV2 architecture with inverted residual structures (FusedMBConv and S-MBConv modules) in the backbone network to build sparse features using a top–down approach, minimizing information loss. The inclusion of the SimAM attention mechanism effectively captures both channel and spatial attention, expanding the receptive field and enhancing feature extraction. Furthermore, we introduced depth-wise separable convolution and the CAFM in the neck network to improve feature fusion capabilities. Finally, experimental results demonstrate that our model outperforms other detection models, achieving 93.3% mAP@0.5, 88.7% Precision, and 89.6% Recall. This approach provides a highly effective solution for the early detection of apple leaf diseases, with the potential to significantly improve disease management in apple orchards.
Nutritional Value Evaluation and Processing Technology of Feed and Nutrition Regulation Measures for Ruminants
Authors: Xiao Dingfu , Meng Tiantian
Published: November 2024

In the context of modern livestock farming, particularly in the ruminant industry, feed is a crucial factor that affects both the efficiency of production and animal health [...]
Genetic Diversity and Selection Signatures of Lvliang Black Goat Using Genome-Wide SNP Data
Authors: Cai Ke , Wang Wannian , Wang Xu , Pang Zhixu , Zhou Zhenqi , Cheng Lifen , Qiao Liying , Liu Qiaoxia , Pan Yangyang , Yang Kaijie , Liu Wenzhong , Liu Jianhua
Published: November 2024

Lvliang black goat (LBG) is an excellent local breed resource in China that is known for its black fur, excellent meat quality, and strong adaptability. Studying the genetic mechanism and germplasm characteristics of LBG can provide theoretical and practical basis for the protection of the genetic resources of this breed and help implement conservation and breeding. In this study, the genetic diversity of the LBG population was evaluated using whole-genome SNP data. It was found that the LBG population had a high genetic diversity and a low degree of inbreeding. According to the clustering results of male goats and the relationship between individuals, the LBG population was divided into 13 families. Then, through population structure analysis, it was found that LBG had a close genetic relationship with the Nanjiang goat and Qinggoda goat populations, and they may have the same ancestors. The LBG population has retained some ancient genetic characteristics and is a special population that integrates local genetic characteristics and foreign gene flow. Through four selection signal analyses, we detected multiple candidate genes related to economic traits (CFL2, SCD, NLRP14, etc.) and adaptability (C4BPA, FUT8, PRNP, etc.) in the LBG population. In addition, in a comparative analysis with three commercial breeds (Saanen goat, Boer goat and Angora goat) we also found multiple genes related to physical characteristics (ERG, NRG3, EDN3, etc.). Finally, we performed functional enrichment analysis on these genes and explored their genetic mechanisms. This study provides important data support for the protection and breeding of LBG and provides a new perspective for enriching the genetic diversity of goat populations.