bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental evaluation of microscopic pore structure and fluid migration characteristics of coal-measure sandstone reservoirs
Authors: Pan Jishun , Peng Yicong
Published: September 2022

Research on the microscopic migration characteristics of fluids in coal measure sandstone has always been a hot spot in the evaluation of reservoir properties. In this study, taking the Yan’an Formation sandstone reservoirs in the Block A of the Ordos Basin as an example, the pore structures and fluid migration characteristics of coal-measure sandstones are systematically studied using a large number of thin sections, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), relative permeability and water-flooding test results. The results show that the Jurassic sandstones in the target layer mainly develop lithic quartz sandstone, and the main pore types are intergranular and dissolution pores, followed by a small amount of intercrystalline pores. The surface porosity of the target sandstones mainly ranges from 7.90 to 10.79%, with an average value of 8.78%. The good correlation between porosity and permeability indicates that the target layer is a pore-type reservoir. The T2 relaxation time of the target layer is mainly distributed within 100 ms. Moreover, the reservoir of the Yan’an Formation has a high saturation of movable fluids, which is mainly distributed in 43.17–71.24%, with an average value of 56.90%. Meanwhile, samples with fractures have higher movable fluid saturations. In addition, the average irreducible water saturation of the Yan’an Formation sandstone reservoir is 35.14%, and the final oil displacement efficiency is 51.14% on average. There is a good positive correlation between the oil displacement efficiency and the co-permeability zone. As the co-permeability zone range increased from 15 to 55%, the oil displacement efficiency increased from 30 to 65%. When the cores develop fractures, they have characteristics of high permeability, high oil recovery rate, high oil displacement efficiency in the anhydrous period, low irreducible water saturation and low residual oil saturation.
Detection of geological boundaries by 3D gravity inversion for density gradients in different directions
Authors: Jing Lei , Yang Yabin , Yao Changli , Qiu Longjun , Chen Deyuan , Xu Menglong
Published: September 2022

The spatial position and dip feature of the density boundary are significant to the study of fault and tectonic frameworks. Edge detection methods generally attach importance to the horizontal position of the boundary, but it is difficult to determine the dip feature expressly. A density gradient inversion method was proposed based on the corresponding relationship among the gravity forward field, forward kernel matrix, and model attributes. The inversion result of this method is that the density gradient value is different from the conventional gravity inversion. It can directly display the 3D distribution features integrated with 3D inversion results of the density gradient in different directions. The theoretical model means that the inversion results can not only identify the horizontal position of the boundary but also qualitatively determine the dip feature of faults. It has been widely applied to fault identification in the Songliao Basin. According to the joint inversion results, the strike feature and the dip feature can be quantitatively and qualitatively identified, respectively, making up for the shortcomings of sparse distribution and poor lateral resolution of existing seismic data.
Summer regression—the impact of summer on English learners’ reading development
Authors: Jaekel Nils , Jaekel Julia , Fincher Elizabeth , Brown Clara Lee
Published: September 2022

Each summer, students may lose some of the academic abilities they gained over the previous school year. English learners (ELs) may be at particular risk of losing English skills over the summer, but they have been neglected in previous research. This study investigates the development of oral reading fluency (ORF) of ELs compared with native English speakers. Using the AIMSweb Reading Curriculum-Based Measurement (R-CBM) in a pre-post design, reading fluency of N = 3,280 students] n = 363/11.1% ELs vs. n = 2,917/88.9% native speakers (NS)] was assessed in a school district in the Southeastern U.S. in May (4th grade) before and September (5th grade) after the summer break. Results showed that, on average, ELs performed 23.36 points below NS after the summer break. However, native English speakers and ELs lost ORF at similar rates over the summer (β = –0.02, p = 0.281). Contradictory to our hypothesis, students who had been higher performing in the spring had more reading performance losses over the summer (β = –0.45, p < 0.001). Future studies should assess the underlying individual student characteristics and learning mechanisms in more detail in order to develop evidence-based recommendations for tailored programs that can close the achievement gap between ELs and native English speakers.
Lymph node metastasis is not associated with survival in patients with clinical stage T4 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Zhu Liqiong , Zhao Zongxing , Liu Ao , Wang Xin , Geng Xiaotao , Nie Yu , Zhao Fen , Li Minghuan
Published: September 2022

Background

Clinical T4 stage (cT4) esophageal tumors are difficult to be surgically resected, and definitive radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) remains the main treatment. The study aims to analyze the association between the status of lymph node (LN) metastasis and survival outcomes in the cT4 stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients that underwent treatment with dCRT or RT.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 555 ESCC patients treated with dCRT or RT at the Shandong Cancer Hospital and the Liaocheng People’s Hospital from 2010 to 2017. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses was performed to determine the relationship between LN metastasis and survival outcomes of cT4 and non-cT4 ESCC patients. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the differences in the local and distal recurrence patterns in the ESCC patients belonging to various clinical T stages.

Results

The 3-year survival rates for patients with non-cT4 ESCC and cT4 ESCC were 47.9% and 30.8%, respectively. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were strongly associated with the status of LN metastasis in the entire cohort (all P < 0.001) and the non-cT4 group (all P < 0.001) but not in the cT4 group. The local recurrence rates were 60.7% for the cT4 ESCC patients and 45.1% for the non-cT4 ESCC patients (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that clinical N stage (P = 0.002), LN size (P = 0.007), and abdominal LN involvement (P = 0.011) were independent predictors of favorable OS in the non-cT4 group. However, clinical N stage (P = 0.824), LN size (P = 0.383), and abdominal LN involvement (P = 0.337) did not show any significant correlation with OS in the cT4 ESCC patients.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that the status of LN metastasis did not correlate with OS in the cT4 ESCC patients that received dCRT or RT. Furthermore, the prevalence of local recurrence was higher in the cT4 ESCC patients.
Use of savolitinib as neoadjuvant therapy for non–small cell lung cancer patient with MET exon 14 skipping alterations: A case report
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Hao , Wang Hanqing , Zeng Jingtong , Zhang Bo , Zhou Ning , Zu Lingling , Song Zuoqing , Wang Changli , Xu Song
Published: September 2022

Savolitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor being developed for the treatment of metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) factor exon 14 skipping alterations. However, the role of savolitinib in neoadjuvant therapy for lung cancer remains unclear. Here, we present a case of a 65-year-old woman diagnosed with stage IIIA (cT2bN2M0, eighth TNM stage) upper right lung adenocarcinoma harboring MET exon 14 skipping alterations. After 4 weeks of therapy, a partial response was achieved with neoadjuvant savolitinib, and significant shrinkage in tumor and lymph nodes was observed. We also measured the immune microenvironment of the primary tumor pre- and posttreatment with savolitinib.
Integrated proteomics and metabolomics analysis of rice leaves in response to rice straw return
Authors: Yan Shuangshuang , Gong Shengdan , Sun Kexin , Li Jinwang , Zhang Hongming , Fan Jinsheng , Gong Zhenping , Zhang Zhongxue , Yan Chao
Published: September 2022

Straw return is crucial for the sustainable development of rice planting, but no consistent results were observed for the effect of straw return on rice growth. To investigate the response of rice leaves to rice straw return in Northeast China, two treatments were set, no straw return (S0) and rice straw return (SR). We analyzed the physiological index of rice leaves and measured differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) levels in rice leaves by the use of proteomics and metabolomics approaches. The results showed that, compared with the S0 treatment, the SR treatment significantly decreased the dry weight of rice plants and non-structural carbohydrate contents and destroyed the chloroplast ultrastructure. In rice leaves of SR treatment, 329 DEPs were upregulated, 303 DEPs were downregulated, 44 DEMs were upregulated, and 71 DEMs were downregulated. These DEPs were mainly involved in photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation, and DEMs were mainly involved in alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, galactose metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, pentose and gluconic acid metabolism, and other metabolic pathways. Rice straw return promoted the accumulation of scavenging substances of active oxygen and osmotic adjustment substances, such as glutathione, organic acids, amino acids, and other substances. The SR treatment reduced the photosynthetic capacity and energy production of carbon metabolism, inhibiting the growth of rice plants, while the increase of metabolites involved in defense against abiotic stress enhanced the adaptability of rice plants to straw return stress.
Local-province chief executive officer and managerial myopia: Evidence from China
Authors: Chen Qian , Gao Xiang , Niu Shuzhen , Wang Xiao , Wei Qian
Published: September 2022

Managerial myopia occurs when executives value short-term benefits to the extent that firm long-run development will be obstructed. Recent studies have shown that the locality effect plays an important role in managerial myopia—local United States chief executive officers (CEOs) who work near their home states are less likely to behave myopically because of more effective monitoring and greater reputation concern. In an emerging market, government policies play a more important role in the strategic planning enterprises. A local CEO may have better understanding of local government’s policies thus makes less short-term decisions. This article adds to this literature by testing whether local-province CEOs in China, i.e., the CEO’s native place or birthplace is in the same province as her company’s headquarters, are also far-sighted. Using data on 470 publicly listed non-state-owned Chinese firms from 2014 to 2018, supportive evidence has been found that non-local-province CEOs in China tend to cut R&D expenses for beating analyst forecasts, reversing earnings decline, or pursuing higher returns. This article also confirms social capital as one mechanism of Chinese local-province CEOs behaving less myopically. This investigation also adds to the literature by revealing a new mechanism that CEO locality in China has a positive and direct bearing on how governments support corporate innovation.
Panoramic quality assessment tool for investigator initiated trials
Authors: Lv Wenwen , Hu Tingting , Jiang Jiayuan , Qu Tiantian , Shen Enlu , Duan Jiacheng , Miao Xin , Zhang Weituo , Qian Biyun
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Quality can be a challenge for Investigator initiated trials (IITs) since these trials are scarcely overseen by a sponsor or monitoring team. Therefore, quality assessment for departments managing clinical research grants program is important and urgently needed. Our study aims at developing a handy quality assessment tool for IITs that can be applied by both departments and project teams.

Methods

The framework of the quality assessment tool was developed based on the literature studies, accepted guidelines and the Delphi method. A total of 272 ongoing IITs funded by Shanghai non-profit organizations in 2015 and 2016 were used to extract quality indexes. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to further evaluate the validity and feasibility of the conceptual quality assessment tool.

Results

The tool consisted of 4 critical quality attributes, including progress, quality, regulation, scientificity, and 13 observed quality indexes. A total of 257 IITs were included in the validity and feasibility assessment. The majority (60.29%) were Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), and 41.18% were multi-center studies. In order to test the validity and feasibility of IITs quality assessment tool, CFA showed that the model fit the data adequately. (CMIN/DF = 1.868, GFI = 0.916; CFI = 0.936; TLI = 0.919; RMSEA = 0.063; SRMR = 0.076). Different types of clinical studies fit well in the tool. However, RCT scored lower than prospective cohort and retrospective study in enrollment progress (7.02 vs. 7.43, 9.63, respectively).

Conclusion

This study established a panoramic quality assessment tool based on the Delphi method and CFA, and the feasibility and effectiveness of the tool were verified through clinical research examples. The use of this tool can help project management departments effectively and dynamically manage research projects, rationally allocate resources, and ensure the quality of IITs.
When Ants Depend on Plants and Plants Depend on Ants
Authors: Gijsman Finote , González Yorlenis , Guevara Maikol , Amador-Vargas Sabrina
Published: September 2022

Plants use many strategies to defend themselves against animals that eat plants, also called herbivores. One clever way that some plants, called myrmecophytes, do this is by teaming up with ants. Myrmecophytes are plants that have evolved close relationships with ants. In return for protection from herbivores, myrmecophytes provide ants with food and/or shelter. Sounds like a great deal, right? Yes, but sometimes working with ants can be tricky for a plant. Because myrmecophytes cannot choose the ant bodyguards that they get, they must balance their needs with the needs of their ant defenders. In this article, we introduce a classic example of plants that have beneficial relationships with ants, describe how ants and plants in these relationships depend on each other, and investigate how these ant-dependent plants interact with various ant species.
Quality of life and sexual health after perineal reconstruction in Fournier gangrene using pedicled anterolateral thigh flaps
Authors: Rossi Severin Alexander , de Schoulepnikoff Camille , Guillier David , Raffoul Wassim , di Summa Pietro Giovanni
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To assess long-term sexual outcome and quality of life after perineal reconstruction by pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps after Fournier's gangrene. Postoperative surgical outcomes were assessed; quality of life and sexual function were assessed at long term follow-up (>12 months) with 2 scientifically validated questionnaires.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. Long-term sexual function and quality of life were assessed by standardized questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were conducted.

Results

8 patients were included in our study, 5 patients responded to quality of life and sexual function analysis. Surgical outcomes were in line with literature: one minor complication (minor dehiscence requiring a skin graft), one major complication (flap loss, requiring a second, contralateral flap) occurred. No reconstructive failure occurred. Average time to complete wound healing was 17 days (SD ±5). Quality of life scores over 70/100 in four out of five categories; social function was rated lowest: patients reported very few residual complaints. Sexual outcome analysis emphasizes the positive impact of the reconstruction. As expected, Fournier's Gangrene heavily affected patient's sexual health.

Conclusions

Perineal reconstruction with ALT shows excellent quality of life, and good sexual health outcomes. Currently the lack of reliable and relatable data leads to the impossibility to compare different reconstructive procedures. We emphasize that assessing sexual function and quality of life after perineal reconstruction is paramount to weigh reconstructive success.
An Assessment of Systemic Factors and COVID-19 Mortality in Africa
Authors: Owoyemi Ayomide , Balogun Tolulope , Okoro Joy , Ndoro Tariro , Fasominu Oluwakayode , Atanda Adejare , Abioye Ibraheem
Published: September 2022

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the association between several country-level systemic indices and the deaths from COVID-19 across African countries.

Method: Regression analyses were conducted to test the association between selected indices and deaths from COVID-19 across African countries. All tests were run at the α = 0.05 level of significance.

Result: We found a statistically significant correlation between total COVID-19 deaths per million and Stringency Index (p-value <0.001) and Human Development Index (p-value <0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that Stringency Index was the only variable that remained significant when other factors are controlled for in the model.

Conclusion: Countries in Africa with poorer governance, inadequate pandemic preparedness and lower levels of development have unexpectedly fared better with respect to COVID-19 deaths mainly because of having a younger population than the countries with better indices.
Agricultural, Food and Environmental Microbiology at the University of Padova: An Evolutionary Journey from Lag Phase to Exponentiality
Authors: Favaro Lorenzo , Basaglia Marina , Corich Viviana , Giacomini Alessio , Casella Sergio , Squartini Andrea
Published: September 2022

This paper is a microbiological voyage throughout the main discoveries and research activities of scholars who studied or taught in this field at Padova University during its 800-year history. The ancient practice of variolization, the so-called miracle of Legnaro and the pellagra debate, whose observations and investigations were driven at Padova even before microbiology was established as a scientific discipline, along with the modern era research activities in the field of agricultural, environmental and food microbiology, undoubtedly suggest the hallmark and everyday role played by microbes in overwhelmingly global, but profoundly human, adventures.
Sentinel-2 Data for Land Use Mapping: Comparing Different Supervised Classifications in Semi-Arid Areas
Authors: Abida Khouloud , Barbouchi Meriem , Boudabbous Khaoula , Toukabri Wael , Saad Karem , Bousnina Habib , Sahli Chahed Thouraya
Published: September 2022

Mapping and monitoring land use (LU) changes is one of the most effective ways to understand and manage land transformation. The main objectives of this study were to classify LU using supervised classification methods and to assess the effectiveness of various machine learning methods. The current investigation was conducted in the Nord-Est area of Tunisia, and an optical satellite image covering the study area was acquired from Sentinel-2. For LU mapping, we tested three machine learning models algorithms: Random Forest (RF), K-Dimensional Trees K-Nearest Neighbors (KDTree-KNN) and Minimum Distance Classification (MDC). According to our research, the RF classification provided a better result than other classification models. RF classification exhibited the best values of overall accuracy, kappa, recall, precision and RMSE, with 99.54%, 0.98%, 0.98%, 0.98% and 0.23%, respectively. However, low precision was observed for the MDC method (RMSE = 1.15). The results were more intriguing since they highlighted the value of the bare soil index as a covariate for LU mapping. Our results suggest that Sentinel-2 combined with RF classification is efficient for creating a LU map.
Harvester Maintenance Resource Scheduling Optimization, Based on the Combine Harvester Operation and Maintenance Platform
Authors: Zhang Weipeng , Zhao Bo , Zhou Liming , Wang Jizhong , Qiu Conghui , Niu Kang , Wang Fengzhu
Published: September 2022

The combine harvester is the main machine for fieldwork during the harvest season. When the harvester fails and cannot continue to work, this indirectly affects the harvest time and the yield in the field. The emergency maintenance service of agricultural machinery can be optimized through the dynamic planning of harvester maintenance tasks, using the operation and maintenance platform. According to the scene, a priority scheme for the operation and maintenance tasks, based on the improved Q-learning algorithm, was proposed. The continuous approximation capability of the model was improved by using the BP neural network algorithm and the Q function value, in iterations, was updated continuously. At the same time, the improved TOPSIS method, based on Mahalanobis distance, was used to calculate the closeness of each harvester maintenance task, so as to determine the priority of the equipment maintenance tasks. An operation and maintenance service platform for combine harvesters was developed based on the B/S architecture, with the goal of minimizing the operation and maintenance costs and improving the tasks’ complete efficiency. In this research process, dynamic scheduling rules were formulated. Operation and maintenance resources were optimized and rationally allocated through dynamic optimization scheduling methods, and feasible solution information was generated from the operation and maintenance service platform. Finally, the actual data from the enterprise were used for verification and analysis. The verification showed the following: through a comparison of algorithm performance, it was seen that the improved BP-Q-Learning algorithm can quickly find the operation and maintenance scheduling scheme in the maintenance scheduling; the priority rules can improve the efficiency of task execution, to a certain extent; the cost of the tasks’ execution can be significantly reduced; and the maintenance distance can be shortened. This research has reference significance for the formulation and optimization of agricultural machinery maintenance for cross-regional operations.
Adoption of Direct Seeding, Yield and Fertilizer Use in Rice Production: Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Chao , Hu Ruifa
Published: September 2022

Direct seeding has been widely adopted in rice production due to its advantages of water- and labor-saving characteristics in China and other countries. This study aims to examine the effects of farmers’ adoption of direct seeding on the yield and fertilizer use in rice production in China. Using survey data of 1002 rice farmers in the Yangtze River Basin in China, the endogenous switching regression model is used to address the self-selectivity bias from both observed and unobserved heterogeneity. The results show that about 79% of surveyed farmers adopted direct seeding in rice production. After addressing the self-selectivity bias, the adoption of direct seeding increased rice yield among the adopters by 3.65%, and would have increased rice yield among the non-adopters by 1.54% if direct seeding had been adopted. In addition to its positive effect on rice yield, however, the adoption of direct seeding was also found to increase fertilizer use among the adopters by 19.84%, and would have increased fertilizer use among the non-adopters by 37.75% if direct seeding had been adopted. Moreover, farmers’ adoption of direct seeding exerted heterogeneous effects on rice yield and fertilizer use in terms of farm size and location.
Response of the Coccinellidae Community within Sustainable Vineyards to the Surrounding Landscape
Authors: Taranto Luísa , Rodrigues Isabel , Santos Sónia A. P. , Villa María , Pereira José Alberto
Published: September 2022

The family Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) includes important predatory natural enemies in agricultural crops. To survive, this group uses different occurring resources across the landscape; therefore, the landscape can influence the Coccinellidae community in agroecosystems. In this context, this work aims to evaluate the response of the Coccinellidae community to the landscape context within a gradient of distances from vineyards managed under sustainable production methods. For that, Coccinellidae were sampled in thirty-five vineyards distributed by six wine Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) regions of Portugal, and landscape metrics—composition and configuration—were calculated in a 2000 m, 1500 m, 1000 m, 750 m, and 500 m buffers around the vineyards. Then, Coccinellidae species were identified, and the response of the Coccinellidae to the landscape metrics was analyzed. In total, 326 Coccinellidae from 21 species were collected. The most abundant species were Scymnus apetzi, Scymnus interruptus, Scymnus subvillosus, Coccinella septempunctata, and Stethorus pusillus, which together represented 83.4% of the total collected individuals. Most specimens were concentrated in July and at the vegetation cover. Results from the statistical analysis (Generalized Linear Mixed Models) indicated that the presence of seminatural habitat surrounding the crop may favor Coccinellidae, while habitat fragmentation seems detrimental for them. The potential relevance of the identified Coccinellidae for pest control in vineyards is discussed.
Genetic Improvement in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): Progress and Outlook: A Review
Authors: Teklu Desawi Hdru , Shimelis Hussein , Abady Seltene
Published: September 2022

Sesame production and productivity are severely constrained by a lack of high-yielding and locally adapted varieties, susceptibility to capsule shattering and low seed retention, biotic and abiotic stresses, and a lack of modern production and pre- and post-harvest technologies. Unimproved landraces are widely cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. The landrace varieties are low yielders (<0.6 tons·ha−1), but they possess intrinsic seed oil quality characteristics, such as unique aroma and taste. Therefore, current and future sesame genetic improvement programs should integrate yield- and quality-promoting traits, local adaptation, amenability to machine harvesting, and other industrially essential food and feed attributes for multiple utilities. This can be achieved by integrating the conventional breeding methods, as well as genetic and genomic techniques such as mutation breeding and genomics-assisted breeding. Therefore, the objective of this review is to document the breeding progress, opportunities, and challenges of sesame with regard to genetic improvement, variety release, and deployment with enhanced seed yield and related agronomic traits, as well as oil content and fatty acid compositions. The review highlights sesame’s economic values, production status, major production constraints, conventional breeding methods, and genomics-assisted breeding, as well as their integration, for accelerated breeding and cultivar development with market-preferred traits.
Genetic Gains in Grain Yield and Agronomic Traits of Argentinian Durum Wheat from 1934 to 2015
Authors: Achilli Ana Laura , Roncallo Pablo Federico , Echenique Viviana
Published: September 2022

Understanding the basis of genetic gains in grain yield and yield-related traits is essential for designing future breeding strategies that lead to the development of higher-yielding wheat cultivars. The objectives of this study were to assess the changes in grain yield achieved by durum wheat breeding in Argentina and to identify the agronomic traits associated with these changes. To this end, a wide set of Argentinian cultivars was analyzed in three field trials. A significant linear trend (R2 = 0.55) was observed between the grain yield and the cultivar’s release year, with an increase of 26.94 kg ha−1 yr−1 from 1934 to 2015. The harvest index and grain number were key traits that explained the increases in grain yield. The number of grains per plant increased with the cultivar’s release year, while the thousand kernel weight remained unchanged. The grain yield showed an increase of 51% when comparing old cultivars (<1980) with intermediate ones (1980–1999), whereas the increase between intermediate and modern cultivars (2000+) was only 16%. Thus, the genetic gains were mostly associated with the incorporation of semi-dwarfism into the germplasm in the 1980s, with low genetic gains after that.
Longwan 5: A Semi-Leafless Sugar Snap Pea Cultivar Resistant to Powdery Mildew
Authors: Yang Xiaoming , Yang Jingyi , Min Gengmei , Zhu Zhendong , Lian Rongfang , Zhang Lijuan , Chen Xin
Published: September 2022

Garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important legume crop, which is widely planted in Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and Sichuan Basin of southwest China. It has developed rapidly in spring planting agroecological zone in Northwest China in recent years. The major constraints to its cultivation are lodging and infection of powdery mildew. Breeding of high yielding cultivars resistant to powdery mildew is of great significance for the sustainability of pea production, because few local garden pea cultivars are resistant to the disease. Varietal diversification is needed to develop pea cultivars with resistance to lodging and powdery mildew. Breeding work was initiated to develop a high-yielding garden pea cultivar with medium maturity, double podding and resistance to powdery mildew. Longwan 5 (X9002) is high yielding, superior quality, multiple resistance, and climate resilient garden pea cultivar developed by hybridization between Shuanghua 101 and Baofeng 3. It is a semi-leafless pea variety with superiority over existing approved varieties Qizhen 76 and Xucai 1 in terms of green pod yield, medium maturity, and double podding. Longwan 5 gave a significantly higher average green pod yield (12,376 kg/ha) than check varieties Qizhen 76 (11,132 kg/ha) and Xucai 1 (11,649 kg/ha) across five locations and three years, which was 11.2% and 6.3% higher than control varieties, respectively. This variety is tolerant to lodging, powdery mildew disease, and wide climate resilient for spring cultivation as well as for autumn cultivation in irrigated conditions or rain-fed agricultural areas with annual precipitation of 450–650 mm in China. Cultivation of this variety on large scale will surely increase the production of peas in China and will also prove beneficial for farmers increasing their income.
Enhancement of Rose Scented Geranium Plant Growth, Secondary Metabolites, and Essential Oil Components through Foliar Applications of Iron (Nano, Sulfur and Chelate) in Alkaline Soils
Authors: El-Sonbaty Amany E. , Farouk Saad , Al-Yasi Hatim M. , Ali Esmat F. , Abdel-Kader Atef A. S. , El-Gamal Seham M. A.
Published: September 2022

Iron (Fe) deficiency exists as a widespread nutritional disorder in alkaline and calcareous soils; therefore, Fe-enriching strategies may be used to overcome this issue. Field experiments were conducted with a randomized complete design with three replicates for evaluating the effectiveness of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) against traditional Fe compounds (sulfate or chelate), which have various shortcomings on Rose-scented geranium (RSG) herb in terms of plant growth, phytopharmaceuticales, essential oil (EO), and its constituents. Supplementation of Fe-sources considerably improved RSG plant growth and EO yield in the 1st and 2nd cut throughout the two seasons over non-treated control plants. A total of 11 compounds of RSG-EO were identified; the main constituents were citronellol, geraniol, and eugenol. The results indicate that EO composition was significantly affected by Fe-sources. Amendments of Fe-sources considerably augmented photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrates, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanin. Commonly, Fe-NPs with humic acid (Fe-NPs-HA) supplementation was superior to that of traditional sources. The highest values were recorded with spraying Fe-NPs-HA at 10 mg L−1 followed by 5 mg L−1, meanwhile, the lowest values were recorded in untreated control plants. Current findings support the effectiveness of nanoparticle treatment over Fe-sources for improving growth and yield while also being environmentally preferred in alkaline soil. These modifications possibly will be applicable to EO quality and its utilization in definite food and in medical applications.
Curcumin Stimulates the Overexpression of Virulence Factors in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium: In Vitro and Animal Model Studies
Authors: Zermeño-Ruiz Martin , Rangel-Castañeda Itzia A. , Suárez-Rico Daniel Osmar , Hernández-Hernández Leonardo , Cortés-Zárate Rafael , Hernández-Hernández José M. , Camargo-Hernández Gabriela , Castillo-Romero Araceli
Published: September 2022

Salmonella spp. is one of the most common food poisoning pathogens and the main cause of diarrheal diseases in humans in developing countries. The increased Salmonella resistance to antimicrobials has led to the search for new alternatives, including natural compounds such as curcumin, which has already demonstrated a bactericidal effect; however, in Gram-negatives, there is much controversy about this effect, as it is highly variable. In this study, we aimed to verify the antibacterial activity of curcumin against the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium growth rate, virulence, and pathogenicity. The strain was exposed to 110, 220 or 330 µg/mL curcumin, and by complementary methods (spectrophotometric, pour plate and MTT assays), we determined its antibacterial activity. To elucidate whether curcumin regulates the expression of virulence genes, Salmonella invA, fliC and siiE genes were investigated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, to explore the effect of curcumin on the pathogenesis process in vivo, a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model was employed. No antibacterial activity was observed, even at higher concentrations of curcumin. All concentrations of curcumin caused overgrowth (35–69%) and increased the pathogenicity of the bacterial strain through the overexpression of virulence factors. The latter coincided with a significant reduction in both the lifespan and survival time of C. elegans when fed with curcumin-treated bacteria. Our data provide relevant information that may support the selective antibacterial effects of curcumin to reconsider the indiscriminate use of this phytochemical, especially in outbreaks of pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria.
Genomic Analysis of a mcr-9.1-Harbouring IncHI2-ST1 Plasmid from Enterobacter ludwigii Isolated in Fish Farming
Authors: Manageiro Vera , Salgueiro Vanessa , Rosado Tânia , Bandarra Narcisa M. , Ferreira Eugénia , Smith Terry , Dias Elsa , Caniça Manuela
Published: September 2022

This study analyzed the resistome, virulome and mobilome of an MCR-9-producing Enterobacter sp. identified in a muscle sample of seabream (Sparus aurata), collected in a land tank from multitrophic fish farming production. Average Nucleotide Identity analysis identified INSAq77 at the species level as an Enterobacter ludwigii INSAq77 strain that was resistant to chloramphenicol, florfenicol and fosfomycin and was susceptible to all other antibiotics tested. In silico antimicrobial resistance analyses revealed genes conferring in silico resistance to β-lactams (blaACT-88), chloramphenicol (catA4-type), fosfomycin (fosA2-type) and colistin (mcr-9.1), as well as several efflux pumps (e.g., oqxAB-type and mar operon). Further bioinformatics analysis revealed five plasmid replicon types, including the IncHI2/HI2A, which are linked to the worldwide dissemination of the mcr-9 gene in different antibiotic resistance reservoirs. The conserved nickel/copper operon rcnR-rcnA-pcoE-ISSgsp1-pcoS-IS903-mcr-9-wbuC was present, which may play a key role in copper tolerance under anaerobic growth and nickel homeostasis. These results highlight that antibiotic resistance in aquaculture are spreading through food, the environment and humans, which places this research in a One Health context. In fact, colistin is used as a last resort for the treatment of serious infections in clinical settings, thus mcr genes may represent a serious threat to human health.
Biocontrol of Candida albicans by Antagonistic Microorganisms and Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Li Honghua , Yang Jinpeng , Zhang Xinwan , Xu Xiuli , Song Fuhang , Li Hehe
Published: September 2022

Candida albicans is an endogenous opportunistic pathogenic fungus that is harmless when the host system remains stable. However, C. albicans could seriously threaten human life and health when the body’s immune function declines or the normal flora is out of balance. Due to the increasing resistance of candidiasis to existing drugs, it is important to find new strategies to help treat this type of systemic fungal disease. Biological control is considered as a promising strategy which is more friendly and safer. In this review, we compare the bacteriostatic behavior of different antagonistic microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) against C. albicans. In addition, natural products with unique structures have attracted researchers’ attention. Therefore, the bioactive nature products produced by different microorganisms and their possible inhibitory mechanisms are also reviewed. The application of biological control strategies and the discovery of new compounds with antifungal activity will reduce the resistance of C. albicans, thereby promoting the development of novel diverse antifungal drugs.
Characterization of Non-Invasively Induced Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis in Mice
Authors: Bhatti Fazal-Ur-Rehman , Jeong Yong-Hoon , Kim Do-Gyoon , Yi Ae-Kyung , Brand David D. , Hasty Karen A. , Cho Hongsik
Published: September 2022

The pathophysiology of post-traumatic arthritis (PTOA) is not fully understood. This study used non-invasive repetitive mechanical loading (ML) mouse models to study biochemical, biomechanical, and pain-related behavioral changes induced in mice. Mouse models reflected the effects of the early stages of PTOA in humans. For the PTOA model, cyclic comprehensive loading (9N) was applied to each mouse’s left knee joint. ML-induced biochemical and molecular changes were analyzed after loading completion. Cartilage samples were examined using gene expression analysis. Tissue sections were used in subsequent OA severity scoring. Biomechanical features and pain-related behavior were studied after 24 h and three weeks post-ML sessions to examine the development of PTOA. The loaded left knee joint showed a greater ROS/RNS signal than the right knee, which was not loaded. There was a significant increase in cartilage damage and MMP activity in the mechanically loaded joints relative to non-loaded control knee joints. Similarly, we found a difference in the viscoelastic tangent, which highlights significant changes in mechanical properties. Biochemical analyses revealed significant increases in total NO, caspase-3 activity, H2O2, and PGE2 levels. Gene expression analysis highlighted increased catabolism (MMP-13, IL-1β, TNF-α) with a concomitant decrease in anabolism (ACAN, COL2A1). Histopathology scores clearly indicated increases in OA progression and synovitis. The gait pattern was significantly altered, suggesting signs of joint damage. This study showed that biomechanical, biochemical, and behavioral characteristics of the murine PTOA groups are significantly different from the control group. These results confirm that the current mouse model can be considered for translational PTOA studies.
Vitamin E and Metabolic Health: Relevance of Interactions with Other Micronutrients
Authors: Liao Sijia , Omage Sylvia Oghogho , Börmel Lisa , Kluge Stefan , Schubert Martin , Wallert Maria , Lorkowski Stefan
Published: September 2022

A hundred years have passed since vitamin E was identified as an essential micronutrient for mammals. Since then, many biological functions of vitamin E have been unraveled in both cell and animal models, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as regulatory activities on cell signaling and gene expression. However, the bioavailability and physiological functions of vitamin E have been considerably shown to depend on lifestyle, genetic factors, and individual health conditions. Another important facet that has been considered less so far is the endogenous interaction with other nutrients. Accumulating evidence indicates that the interaction between vitamin E and other nutrients, especially those that are enriched by supplementation in humans, may explain at least some of the discrepancies observed in clinical trials. Meanwhile, increasing evidence suggests that the different forms of vitamin E metabolites and derivates also exhibit physiological activities, which are more potent and mediated via different pathways compared to the respective vitamin E precursors. In this review, possible molecular mechanisms between vitamin E and other nutritional factors are discussed and their potential impact on physiological and pathophysiological processes is evaluated using published co-supplementation studies.
Oxidative Stress Implication in Retinal Diseases—A Review
Authors: Nebbioso Marcella , Franzone Federica , Lambiase Alessandro , Bonfiglio Vincenza , Limoli Paolo Giuseppe , Artico Marco , Taurone Samanta , Vingolo Enzo Maria , Greco Antonio , Polimeni Antonella
Published: September 2022

Oxidative stress (OS) refers to an imbalance between free radicals (FRs), namely highly reactive molecules normally generated in our body by several pathways, and intrinsic antioxidant capacity. When FR levels overwhelm intrinsic antioxidant defenses, OS occurs, inducing a series of downstream chemical reactions. Both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are produced by numerous chemical reactions that take place in tissues and organs and are then eliminated by antioxidant molecules. In particular, the scientific literature focuses more on ROS participation in the pathogenesis of diseases than on the role played by RNS. By its very nature, the eye is highly exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which is directly responsible for increased OS. In this review, we aimed to focus on the retinal damage caused by ROS/RNS and the related retinal pathologies. A deeper understanding of the role of oxidative and nitrosative stress in retinal damage is needed in order to develop targeted therapeutic interventions to slow these pathologies.
Chitooligosaccharide Maintained Cell Membrane Integrity by Regulating Reactive Oxygen Species Homeostasis at Wounds of Potato Tubers during Healing
Authors: Xie Pengdong , Yang Yangyang , Gong Di , Yu Lirong , Han Ye , Zong Yuanyuan , Li Yongcai , Prusky Dov , Bi Yang
Published: September 2022

Chitooligosaccharide (COS) is a degradation product of chitosan. Although COS increased fruit resistance by regulating the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), few reports are available on whether COS regulates ROS homeostasis at wounds of potato tubers during healing. In this study, COS increased gene expression and activities of NADPH oxidase and superoxide dismutase, and promoted the generation of O2●− and H2O2. Moreover, COS increased gene expression and activities of catalase, peroxidase, and AsA–GSH cycle-related enzymes, as well as the levels of ascorbic acid and glutathione levels. In addition, COS elevated the scavenging ability of DPPH, ABTS+, and FRAP, and reduced cell membrane permeability and malondialdehyde content. Taken together, COS could maintain cell membrane integrity by eliminating excessive H2O2 and improving the antioxidant capacity in vitro, which contributes to the maintainance of cell membrane integrity at wounds of potato tubers during healing.
Sperm Quality Affected by Naturally Occurring Chemical Elements in Bull Seminal Plasma
Authors: Tirpák Filip , Halo Marko , Tomka Marián , Slanina Tomáš , Tokárová Katarína , Błaszczyk-Altman Martyna , Dianová Lucia , Ivanič Peter , Kirchner Róbert , Greń Agnieszka , Lukáč Norbert , Massányi Peter
Published: September 2022

This study monitored the chemical and biochemical composition of bovine seminal plasma (SP). Freshly ejaculated semen (n = 20) was aliquoted into two parts. The first aliquot was immediately assessed to determine the sperm motion parameters. Another motility measurement was performed following an hour-long co-incubation of spermatozoa with SP at 6 °C. The other aliquot was processed to obtain the SP. Seminal plasma underwent the analyses of chemical composition and quantification of selected proteins, lipids and RedOx markers. Determined concentrations of observed parameters served as input data to correlation analyses where associations between micro and macro elements and RedOx markers were observed. Significant correlations of total oxidant status were found with the content of Cu and Mg. Further significant correlations of glutathione peroxidase were detected in relation to Fe and Hg. Furthermore, associations of chemical elements and RedOx markers and spermatozoa quality parameters were monitored. The most notable correlations indicate beneficial effects of seminal Fe on motility and Mg on velocity and viability of spermatozoa. On the contrary, negative correlations were registered between Zn and sperm velocity and seminal cholesterol content and motility. Our findings imply that seminal plasma has a prospective to be developed as the potential biomarker of bull reproductive health.
Territorial Development as an Innovation Driver: A Complex Network Approach
Authors: De Nicolò Francesco , Monaco Alfonso , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Bellantuono Loredana , Cilli Roberto , Pantaleo Ester , Tangaro Sabina , Zandonai Flaviano , Amoroso Nicola , Bellotti Roberto
Published: September 2022

Rankings are a well-established tool to evaluate the performance of actors in different sectors of the economy, and their use is increasing even in the context of the startup ecosystem, both on a regional and on a global scale. Although rankings meet the demand for measurability and comparability, they often provide an oversimplified picture of the status quo, which, in particular, overlooks the variability of the socio-economic conditions in which the quantified results are achieved. In this paper, we describe an approach based on constructing a network of world countries, in which links are determined by mutual similarity in terms of development indicators. Through the instrument of community detection, we perform an unsupervised partition of the considered set of countries, aimed at interpreting their performance in the StartupBlink rankings. We consider both the global ranking and the specific ones (quality, quantity, business). After verifying if community membership is predictive of the success of a country in the considered ranking, we rate country performances in terms of the expectation based on community peers. We are thus able to identify cases in which performance is better than expected, providing a benchmark for countries in similar conditions, and cases in which performance is below the expectation, highlighting the need to strengthen the innovation ecosystem.