bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Healthcare Providers, Healthcare Regulatory Practitioners and Patients Toward Biosimilars in China: Insights From a Nationwide Survey
Authors: Hu Yang , Song Zaiwei , Jiang Dan , Zhuo Lin , Cheng Yinchu , Zhao Rongsheng
Published: June 2022

Objective: With increasing numbers of biosimilars entering the market or in the approval pipeline in China, understanding the current awareness and attitudes of biosimilars still remains the first step to promote uptake. This study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of multiple stakeholders toward biosimilars, including healthcare providers (HCPs), healthcare regulatory practitioners and patients, and to provide practical information for future uptake of biosimilars in China.

Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional online survey was conducted in mainland China. The questionnaire with a high level of reliability and validity was designed based on previous studies and clinical questions in the Clinical Practice Guideline for Clinical Application of Biosimilars. Logistic regression model was employed to identify possible impact factors, and Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to identify the correlation between knowledge and attitudes. Chi-squared test was used to compare the differences between different stakeholders.

Results: Overall, 599 valid respondents were recruited, of whom 77.63%, 7.01% and 15.36% were HCPs, healthcare regulatory practitioners and patients, respectively. A total of 504 respondents who had heard of biosimilars were included in the KAP analysis. 76.70% of HCPs, 90.24% of healthcare regulatory practitioners and 50.98% of patients had good knowledge about the definition, while less familiarity with the development process and regulations on interchangeability and indication extrapolation was found in the former two groups. For attitudes toward biosimilars, an overall lack of positivity was shown, as only 18.20% HCPs, 14.63% healthcare regulatory practitioners and 23.53% patients were classified as having positive attitudes. More specifically, most respondents were positive about the influence of payment policy on the uptake of biosimilars, but they showed a neutral attitude toward the clinical medication and interchangeability of biosimilars. Efficacy, safety, immunogenicity, interchangeability and indication extrapolation are major concerns when utilizing biosimilars. Regarding practice, our study showed an inadequate utilization of biosimilars in China. Several further suggestions on the regulation of biosimilars were proposed by healthcare regulatory practitioners.

Conclusions: There is still plenty of room for improvement of knowledge, attitudes and practice toward biosimilars among multiple stakeholders in China, which can be improved through high-quality real world evidence, educational programs and other effective measures directed towards barriers.
A Cyclic Disulfide Diastereomer From Bioactive Fraction of Bruguiera gymnorhiza Shows Anti–Pseudomonas aeruginosa Activity
Authors: Dahibhate Nilesh Lakshman , Shukla Sanjeev K. , Kumar Kundan
Published: June 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that commonly causes hospital-acquired infection and is of great concern in immunocompromised patients. The quorum sensing (QS) mechanism of P. aeruginosa is well studied and known to be responsible for pathogenicity and virulence. The QS inhibitor derived from the natural product can be an important therapeutic agent for pathogen control. The present study reports the role of Bruguiera gymnorhiza purified fraction (BG138) in inhibiting virulence factor production, biofilm formation, quorum sensing molecules, and expression of QS-related genes of P. aeruginosa. Structural characterization of BG138 by high resolution mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1D (1H and 13C NMR) and 2D NMR reveals that the fraction is a mixture of already known cyclic disulfide diastereomer, namely, brugierol and isobrugierol. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BG138 against P. aeruginosa was 32 μg/ml. Biofilm formation was significantly reduced at sub-MIC concentrations of BG138. Scanning electron microscopy analysis reports the concentration-dependent biofilm inhibition and morphological changes of P. aeruginosa. Flow cytometry–based cell viability assay showed that P. aeruginosa cells exhibit increased propidium iodide uptake on treatment with 32 and 64 μg/ml of BG138. At sub-MIC concentrations, BG138 exhibited significant inhibition of virulence factors and reduced swimming and swarming motility of P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, the effect of BG138 on the expression of QS-related genes was investigated by qRT-PCR. Taken together, our study reports the isolation and structural characterization of bioactive fraction BG138 from B. gymnorhiza and its anti-biofilm, anti-virulence, anti-quorum sensing, and cell-damaging activities against P. aeruginosa.
Effects of Huolisu Oral Solution on Depression-Like Behavior in Rats: Neurotransmitter and HPA Axis
Authors: Xiao Min , Xie Kaiyong , Yuan Li , Wang Jun , Liu Xing , Chen Zhonghua
Published: June 2022

Background: Depression is a common mental disorder, and its morbidity rate is expected to rank second among all mental disorders by 2020. Hence, traditional Chinese medicines gradually attract the attention of many researchers because of their various targets and low toxicity. Huolisu oral solution (HLS) is a Chinese medicine compound preparation, which is present in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is used clinically mainly for the treatment of neurasthenia, perimenopausal syndrome, and insomnia, or depression associated with cerebrovascular disease. Despite the fact that HLS has been used as an antidepressant in clinics, the underlying mechanism is still an untouched domain. To provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application, a series of assessment methods, such as the tail suspension test (TST), forced swim test (FST), and locomotor activity test in mice and rat models of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), have been conducted in our study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the antidepressive effect and mechanism of HLS.

Methods: CUMS was induced in rats to simulate a depression-like behavior. Neurotransmitters and hormones were detected by enzyme-link immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathomorphology examination of the hippocampus was obtained by using the TSView 7 image analysis system. The active ingredients of HLS were also determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results: HLS could alleviate the depression-like behavior of the model rats. Biochemical analysis showed that HLS enhanced the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) in the hippocampus and diminished these in the serum of the CUMS rats. HLS could also decrease the concentration of corticosterone (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and β-endorphin (β-EP) in blood. The pathohistological examination revealed that the hippocampus and adrenal gland were improved after treatment with HLS.

Conclusions: This study concluded that HLS could alleviate depression-like behaviors in the rats exposed to CUMS, and the potential mechanism may be related to the regulation of the monoamine neurotransmitters, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and the β-EP. These findings hint that HLS is likely to be a potentially effective agent for treating depression.
Nanotechnology-Based Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies for Neuroblastoma
Authors: Yan Hui , Zhai Bo , Yang Fang , Chen Zhenliang , Zhou Qiang , Paiva-Santos Ana Cláudia , Yuan Ziqiao , Zhou Yang
Published: June 2022

Neuroblastoma (NB), as the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood, is one of the critical culprits affecting children’s health. Given the heterogeneity and invisibility of NB tumors, the existing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are inadequate and ineffective in early screening and prognostic improvement. With the rapid innovation and development of nanotechnology, nanomedicines have attracted widespread attention in the field of oncology research for their excellent physiological and chemical properties. In this review, we first explored the current common obstacles in the diagnosis and treatment of NB. Then we comprehensively summarized the advancements in nanotechnology-based multimodal synergistic diagnosis and treatment of NB and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In addition, a discussion of the pending challenges in biocompatibility and toxicity of nanomedicine was conducted. Finally, we described the development and application status of nanomaterials against some of the recognized targets in the field of NB research, and pointed out prospects for nanomedicine-based precision diagnosis and therapy of NB.
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Extract and its Bioactive Component Cinnamaldehyde Show Anti-Tumor Effects via Inhibition of Multiple Cellular Pathways
Authors: Aggarwal Sadhna , Bhadana Kanchan , Singh Baldeep , Rawat Meenakshi , Mohammad Taj , Al-Keridis Lamya Ahmed , Alshammari Nawaf , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz , Das Satya N.
Published: June 2022

Cinnamomum zeylanicum is a tropical plant with traditional medicinal significance that possesses antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-tumor properties. Here, we have elucidated the anti-tumor effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum extract (CZE) and its bioactive compound cinnamaldehyde (CIN) on oral cancer and elucidated underlying molecular mechanisms. Anti-tumor activities of CZE and CIN were demonstrated by various in vitro experiments on oral cancer cells (SCC-4, SCC-9, SCC-25). The cell proliferation, growth, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy were analyzed by MTT, clonogenic assay, propidium iodide, annexin-V-PI, DAPI, and acridine orange staining, respectively. The binding affinity of CIN towards dihydrofolate reductase and p38-MAP kinase alpha was analyzed by molecular docking. Western blot assay was performed to assess the alteration in the expression of various proteins. CZE and CIN treatment significantly inhibited the growth and proliferation of oral cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. These treatments further induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and autophagy. CZE and CIN inhibited the invasion and cytoplasmic translocation of NF-κB in these cell lines. CIN showed a high affinity to MAP kinase P38 alpha and dihydrofolate reductase with binding affinities of −6.8 and −5.9 kcal/mol, respectively. The cancer cells showed a decreased expression of various PI3k-AKT-mTOR pathways related to VEGF, COX-2, Bcl-2, NF-κB, and proteins post-treatment.
Microfluidic and Static Organotypic Culture Systems to Support Ex Vivo Spermatogenesis From Prepubertal Porcine Testicular Tissue: A Comparative Study
Authors: Kanbar Marc , de Michele Francesca , Poels Jonathan , Van Loo Stéphanie , Giudice Maria Grazia , Gilet Tristan , Wyns Christine
Published: June 2022

Background:In vitro maturation of immature testicular tissue (ITT) cryopreserved for fertility preservation is a promising fertility restoration strategy. Organotypic tissue culture proved successful in mice, leading to live births. In larger mammals, including humans, efficiently reproducing spermatogenesis ex vivo remains challenging. With advances in biomaterials technology, culture systems are becoming more complex to better mimic in vivo conditions. Along with improving culture media components, optimizing physical culture conditions (e.g., tissue perfusion, oxygen diffusion) also needs to be considered. Recent studies in mice showed that by using silicone-based hybrid culture systems, the efficiency of spermatogenesis can be improved. Such systems have not been reported for ITT of large mammals.

Methods: Four different organotypic tissue culture systems were compared: static i.e., polytetrafluoroethylene membrane inserts (OT), agarose gel (AG) and agarose gel with polydimethylsiloxane chamber (AGPC), and dynamic i.e., microfluidic (MF). OT served as control. Porcine ITT fragments were cultured over a 30-day period using a single culture medium. Analyses were performed at days (d) 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30. Seminiferous tubule (ST) integrity, diameters, and tissue core integrity were evaluated on histology. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify germ cells (PGP9.5, VASA, SYCP3, CREM), somatic cells (SOX9, INSL3) and proliferating cells (Ki67), and to assess oxidative stress (MDA) and apoptosis (C-Caspase3). Testosterone was measured in supernatants using ELISA.

Results: ITT fragments survived and grew in all systems. ST diameters, and Sertoli cell (SOX9) numbers increased, meiotic (SYCP3) and post-meiotic (CREM) germ cells were generated, and testosterone was secreted. When compared to control (OT), significantly larger STs (d10 through d30), better tissue core integrity (d5 through d20), higher numbers of undifferentiated spermatogonia (d30), meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells (SYCP3: d20 and 30, CREM: d20) were observed in the AGPC system. Apoptosis, lipid peroxidation (MDA), ST integrity, proliferating germ cell (Ki67/VASA) numbers, Leydig cell (INSL3) numbers and testosterone levels were not significantly different between systems.

Conclusions: Using a modified culture system (AGPC), germ cell survival and the efficiency of porcine germ cell differentiation were moderately improved ex vivo. We assume that further optimization can be obtained with concomitant modifications in culture media components.
PERIOD Phosphoclusters Control Temperature Compensation of the Drosophila Circadian Clock
Authors: Joshi Radhika , Cai Yao D. , Xia Yongliang , Chiu Joanna C. , Emery Patrick
Published: June 2022

Ambient temperature varies constantly. However, the period of circadian pacemakers is remarkably stable over a wide-range of ecologically- and physiologically-relevant temperatures, even though the kinetics of most biochemical reactions accelerates as temperature rises. This thermal buffering phenomenon, called temperature compensation, is a critical feature of circadian rhythms, but how it is achieved remains elusive. Here, we uncovered the important role played by the Drosophila PERIOD (PER) phosphodegron in temperature compensation. This phosphorylation hotspot is crucial for PER proteasomal degradation and is the functional homolog of mammalian PER2 S478 phosphodegron, which also impacts temperature compensation. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we introduced a series of mutations that altered three Serines of the PER phosphodegron. While all three Serine to Alanine substitutions lengthened period at all temperatures tested, temperature compensation was differentially affected. S44A and S45A substitutions caused undercompensation, while S47A resulted in overcompensation. These results thus reveal unexpected functional heterogeneity of phosphodegron residues in thermal compensation. Furthermore, mutations impairing phosphorylation of the pers phosphocluster showed undercompensation, consistent with its inhibitory role on S47 phosphorylation. We observed that S47A substitution caused increased accumulation of hyper-phosphorylated PER at warmer temperatures. This finding was corroborated by cell culture assays in which S47A slowed down phosphorylation-dependent PER degradation at high temperatures, causing PER degradation to be excessively temperature-compensated. Thus, our results point to a novel role of the PER phosphodegron in temperature compensation through temperature-dependent modulation of the abundance of hyper-phosphorylated PER. Our work reveals interesting mechanistic convergences and differences between mammalian and Drosophila temperature compensation of the circadian clock.
The Impact of Air Pollution on the Course of Cystic Fibrosis: A Review
Authors: Blayac Marion , Coll Patrice , Urbach Valérie , Fanen Pascale , Epaud Ralph , Lanone Sophie
Published: June 2022

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal and widespread autosomal recessive disorder affecting over 80,000 people worldwide. It is caused by mutations of the CFTR gene, which encodes an epithelial anion channel. CF is characterized by a great phenotypic variability which is currently not fully understood. Although CF is genetically determined, the course of the disease might also depend on multiple other factors. Air pollution, whose effects on health and contribution to respiratory diseases are well established, is one environmental factor suspected to modulate the disease severity and influence the lung phenotype of CF patients. This is of particular interest as pulmonary failure is the primary cause of death in CF. The present review discusses current knowledge on the impact of air pollution on CF pathogenesis and aims to explore the underlying cellular and biological mechanisms involved in these effects.
All Roads Lead to Rome: Diverse Etiologies of Tricuspid Regurgitation Create a Predictable Constellation of Right Ventricular Shape Changes
Authors: Orkild Benjamin A. , Zenger Brian , Iyer Krithika , Rupp Lindsay C. , Ibrahim Majd M , Khashani Atefeh G. , Perez Maura D. , Foote Markus D. , Bergquist Jake A. , Morris Alan K. , Kim Jiwon J. , Steinberg Benjamin A. , Selzman Craig , Ratcliffe Mark B. , MacLeod Rob S. , Elhabian Shireen , Morgan Ashley E.
Published: June 2022

Introduction:Myriad disorders cause right ventricular (RV) dilation and lead to tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Because the thin-walled, flexible RV is mechanically coupled to the pulmonary circulation and the left ventricular septum, it distorts with any disturbance in the cardiopulmonary system. TR, therefore, can result from pulmonary hypertension, left heart failure, or intrinsic RV dysfunction; but once it occurs, TR initiates a cycle of worsening RV volume overload, potentially progressing to right heart failure. Characteristic three-dimensional RV shape-changes from this process, and changes particular to individual TR causes, have not been defined in detail.

Methods:Cardiac MRI was obtained in 6 healthy volunteers, 41 patients with ≥ moderate TR, and 31 control patients with cardiac disease without TR. The mean shape of each group was constructed using a three-dimensional statistical shape model via the particle-based shape modeling approach. Changes in shape were examined across pulmonary hypertension and congestive heart failure subgroups using principal component analysis (PCA). A logistic regression approach based on these PCA modes identified patients with TR using RV shape alone.

Results:Mean RV shape in patients with TR exhibited free wall bulging, narrowing of the base, and blunting of the RV apex compared to controls (p<0.05). Using four primary PCA modes, a logistic regression algorithm identified patients with TR correctly with 82% recall and 87% precision. In patients with pulmonary hypertension without TR, RV shape was narrower and more streamlined than in healthy volunteers. However, in RVs with TR and pulmonary hypertension, overall RV shape continued to demonstrate the free wall bulging characteristic of TR. In the subgroup of patients with congestive heart failure without TR, this intermediate state of RV muscular hypertrophy was not present.

Conclusion:The multiple causes of TR examined in this study changed RV shape in similar ways. Logistic regression classification based on these shape changes reliably identified patients with TR regardless of etiology. Furthermore, pulmonary hypertension without TR had unique shape features, described here as the “well compensated” RV. These results suggest shape modeling as a promising tool for defining severity of RV disease and risk of decompensation, particularly in patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Effect of a Single Simulated 500 m Saturation Dive on Lung Function
Authors: Lian Ningfang , Wang Sijiao , Hu Lijuan , Xue Liping , Gong Ying , Li Li , Yang Yanjie , Zhu Lei
Published: June 2022

Background: Whether deep saturation diving causes injury to lung function remains controversial and the mechanism is unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 500 m simulated single saturation dive on lung function.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed in nine professional divers who spent 176 h in a high-pressure environment simulating a depth of 500-m saturation dive (51 atm, 5.02 Mpa). Pulmonary function parameters were investigated and compared before and on 3 days after the dive.

Results: Nine professional divers aged (36 ± 7) years were enrolled. Three days after the dive, the parameters related to expiratory flow (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC)) were decreased; the parameters related to small airway function (forced expiratory flow at 50%, 75% of FVC exhaled and forced mid-expiratory flow) were decreased compared with those before the dive (both p < 0.05). Additionally, after the dive, the parameters related to pulmonary diffusion function were decreased compared with those before the dive (both p < 0.05). The parameters related to lung volume (residual volume, vital capacity and total lung volume) and those related to respiratory exertion (peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory flow at 75% of FVC exhaled) were not significantly different between after and before the dive. Two divers with small airway dysfunction before the dive had obstructive ventilatory dysfunction after the dive. Additionally, mild obstructive ventilatory dysfunction in three divers before the dive became severe after the dive. After a bronchial dilation test, five divers showed improvement of FEV1, which ranged from 0.10 to 0.55 L. Chest radiographs and echocardiography of all divers were normal after diving.

Conclusion: 500 m simulated saturation diving induces a decrease in small airway function and diffusion function. This injury may be associated with small airway and diffusion membrane lesions.
Transcriptional Regulation of Quinoa Seed Quality: Identification of Novel Candidate Genetic Markers for Increased Protein Content
Authors: Grimberg Åsa , Saripella Ganapathi Varma , Repo-Carrasco Valencia Ritva Ann-Mari , Bengtsson Therése , Alandia Gabriela , Carlsson Anders S.
Published: June 2022

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoaWilld.) is a crop that has great potential for increased cultivation in diverse climate regions. The seed protein quality obtained from this crop is high concerning the requirements to meet human nutritional needs, but the seed protein content is relatively low if compared to crops such as grain legumes. Increased seed protein content is desirable for increasing the economic viability of this crop in order for it to be used as a protein crop. In this study, we characterized three genotypes of quinoa with different levels of seed protein content. By performing RNA sequencing of developing seeds, we determined the genotype differences in gene expression and identified genetic polymorphisms that could be associated with increased protein content. Storage nutrient analyses of seeds of three quinoa genotypes (Titicaca, Pasankalla, and Regalona) from different ecoregions grown under controlled climate conditions showed that Pasankalla had the highest protein content (20%) and the lowest starch content (46%). Our seed transcriptome analyses revealed highly differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) in Pasankalla as compared to the other genotypes. These DETs encoded functions in sugar transport, starch and protein synthesis, genes regulating embryo size, and seed transcription factors. We selected 60 genes that encode functions in the central carbon metabolism and transcription factors as potential targets for the development of high-precision markers. Genetic polymorphisms, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and base insertions and deletions (InDels), were found in 19 of the 60 selected genes, which can be further evaluated for the development of genetic markers for high seed protein content in quinoa. Increased cultivation of quinoa can contribute to a more diversified agriculture and support the plant protein diet shift. The identification of quinoa genotypes with contrasting seed quality can help establish a model system that can be used for the identification of precise breeding targets to improve the seed quality of quinoa. The data presented in this study based on nutrient and transcriptome analyses contribute to an enhanced understanding of the genetic regulation of seed quality traits in quinoa and suggest high-precision candidate markers for such traits.
Shade Delayed Flowering Phenology and Decreased Reproductive Growth of Medicago sativa L.
Authors: Qin Fengfei , Shen Yixin , Li Zhihua , Qu Hui , Feng Jinxia , Kong Lingna , Teri Gele , Luan Haoming , Cao Zhiling
Published: June 2022

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage in intercropping or rotation ecosystem, and shading is the principal limiting factor for its growth under the crop or forest. Agronomic studies showed that shading would systematically reduce the biomass of alfalfa. However, little is known about the reproduction of alfalfa under shading conditions. In order to study the effect of shading on the reproductive characteristics of alfalfa, two alfalfa cultivars (“Victoria” and “Eureka”) were used to study the effect of shading levels (full light, 56.4% shade, and 78.7% shade) on alfalfa flowering phenology, pollen viability, stigma receptivity, and seed quality. Results showed that shading delayed flowering phenology, shortened the flowering stage, faded the flower colors, and significantly reduced pollen viability, stigma receptivity, the number of flowers, quantity, and quality of seeds. Under shading conditions, seed yield per plant was obviously positively correlated with germination potential, germination rate, pollen viability, and 1,000-seed weight. The number of flower buds, pollen viability, 1,000-seed weight, and germination rate had the greatest positive direct impact on seed yield per plant. Our findings suggested that delayed flowering and reducing reproduction growth were important strategies for alfalfa to cope with shading and pollen viability was the key bottleneck for the success of alfalfa reproduction under shading. However, given that alfalfa is a perennial vegetative-harvest forage, delaying flowering in a weak light environment was beneficial to maintain the high aboveground biomass of alfalfa. Therefore, this should be taken into account when breeding alfalfa cultivars suitable for intercropping. Future research should further reveal the genetic and molecular mechanism of delayed flowering regulating the accumulation and distribution of assimilates between vegetative and reproductive organs of alfalfa under shading, so as to provide a theoretical basis for breeding of shade-tolerant alfalfa cultivars.
Bacillus cereus Enhanced Medicinal Ingredient Biosynthesis in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Under Different Conditions Based on the Transcriptome and Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yu , Lang Duoyong , Zhang Wenjin , Zhang Xinhui
Published: June 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) on the seedling growth and accumulation of medicinal ingredients of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (G. uralensis) under control and salt stress conditions. Our results revealed the different effects of B. cereus on the seedling growth and accumulation of medicinal ingredients particularly in different conditions based on the transcriptome and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Under the control condition, B. cereus significantly increased the expression level of the β-AS, SQS, CHS, LUS, UGAT, CYP72A154, and CYP88D6 genes and liquiritigenin content. Under salt stress, B. cereus significantly increased root length and lateral root number of G. uralensis seedlings, the expression level of HMGR, β-AS, CHS, LUS, UGAT, CYP72A154, CYP88D6, and SE genes, and the contents of glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid. Notably, the effect of B. cereus on the seedling growth and the medicinal ingredient biosynthesis was different under control and salt stress conditions. Specifically, the effect of B. cereus on the seedling growth under salt stress was greater than that under the control condition. Moreover, B. cereus increased liquiritigenin content under the control condition, which is closely related to flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, while it increased the contents of glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid under salt stress, which is closely related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and the MVA pathway is also involved. All in all, endophytes B. cereus could be used as a sustainable tool to develop effective bioinoculants to enhance the contents of medicinal ingredients in G. uralensis.
Seasonal Variation in Soil and Herbage CO2 Efflux for a Sheep-Grazed Alpine Meadow on the North-East Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Estimated Net Annual CO2 Exchange
Authors: Yuan Hang , Matthew Cory , He Xiong Zhao , Sun Yi , Liu Yang , Zhang Tao , Gao Xiaoye , Yan Caiyu , Chang Shenghua , Hou Fujiang
Published: June 2022

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is a vast geographic area currently subject to climate warming. Improved knowledge of the CO2 respiration dynamics of the Plateau alpine meadows and of the impact of grazing on CO2 fluxes is highly desirable. Such information will assist land use planning. We measured soil and vegetation CO2 efflux of alpine meadows using a closed chamber technique over diurnal cycles in winter, spring and summer. The annual, combined soil and plant respiration on ungrazed plots was 28.0 t CO2 ha−1 a−1, of which 3.7 t ha−1 a−1occurred in winter, when plant respiration was undetectable. This suggests winter respiration was driven mainly by microbial oxidation of soil organic matter. The winter respiration observed in this study was sufficient to offset the growing season CO2 sink reported for similar alpine meadows in other studies. Grazing increased herbage respiration in summer, presumably through stimulation of gross photosynthesis. From limited herbage production data, we estimate the sustainable yield of these meadows for grazing purposes to be about 500 kg herbage dry matter ha−1 a−1. Addition of photosynthesis data and understanding of factors affecting soil carbon sequestration to more precisely determine the CO2 balance of these grasslands is recommended.
Expression Analysis of TCP Transcription Factor Family in Autopolyploids of Chrysanthemum nankingense
Authors: Yu Zhongyu , Tian Chang , Guan Yunxiao , He Jun , Wang Zhenxing , Wang Likai , Lin Sisi , Guan Zhiyong , Fang Weimin , Chen Sumei , Zhang Fei , Jiang Jiafu , Chen Fadi , Wang Haibin
Published: June 2022

Autopolyploids often exhibit plant characteristics different from their diploid ancestors and are frequently associated with altered genes expression controlling growth and development. TCP is a unique transcription factor family in plants that is closely related to plant growth and development. Based on transcriptome sequencing of Chrysanthemum nankingense, 23 full-length TCP genes were cloned. The expression of CnTCP9 was most variable in tetraploids, at least threefold greater than diploids. Due to the lack of a C. nankingense transgenic system, we overexpressed CnTCP9 in Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) and Chrysanthemum morifolium. Overexpression of CnTCP9 caused enlargement of leaves in A. thaliana and petals in C. morifolium, and the expression of genes downstream of the GA pathway in C. morifolium were increased. Our results suggest that autopolyploidization of C. nankingense led to differential expression of TCP family genes, thereby affecting plant characteristics by the GA pathway. This study improves the understanding of enlarged plant size after autopolyploidization.
Improved Real-Time Semantic Segmentation Network Model for Crop Vision Navigation Line Detection
Authors: Cao Maoyong , Tang Fangfang , Ji Peng , Ma Fengying
Published: June 2022

Field crops are generally planted in rows to improve planting efficiency and facilitate field management. Therefore, automatic detection of crop planting rows is of great significance for achieving autonomous navigation and precise spraying in intelligent agricultural machinery and is an important part of smart agricultural management. To study the visual navigation line extraction technology of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in farmland environments and realize real-time precise farmland UAV operations, we propose an improved ENet semantic segmentation network model to perform row segmentation of farmland images. Considering the lightweight and low complexity requirements of the network for crop row detection, the traditional network is compressed and replaced by convolution. Based on the residual network, we designed a network structure of the shunting process, in which low-dimensional boundary information in the feature extraction process is passed backward using the residual stream, allowing efficient extraction of low-dimensional information and significantly improving the accuracy of boundary locations and row-to-row segmentation of farmland crops. According to the characteristics of the segmented image, an improved random sampling consensus algorithm is proposed to extract the navigation line, define a new model-scoring index, find the best point set, and use the least-squares method to fit the navigation line. The experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm allows accurate and efficient extraction of farmland navigation lines, and it has the technical advantages of strong robustness and high applicability. The algorithm can provide technical support for the subsequent quasi-flight of agricultural UAVs in farmland operations.
The Transcription Factor MdERF78 Is Involved in ALA-Induced Anthocyanin Accumulation in Apples
Authors: Fang Xiang , Zhang Liuzi , Wang Liangju
Published: June 2022

As a friendly plant growth regulator to the environment, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has been widely used in plant production, such as fruit coloration, stress resistance, and so on. Previous studies have identified some genes that have a function in the anthocyanin accumulation induced by ALA. However, the regulatory mechanism has not been well revealed. In the current study, we proposed that an ALA-responsive transcription factor, MdERF78, regulated anthocyanin accumulation. MdERF78, overexpressed in apple peels or calli, resulted in a significant increase of anthocyanins, while MdERF78 interference had an opposite trend. Furthermore, the anthocyanin accumulation induced by MdERF78 overexpression was enhanced by exogenous ALA treatment, suggesting that MdERF78 was involved in the ALA-induced anthocyanin accumulation. Yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase reporter assays revealed that MdERF78 bound to the promoters of MdF3H and MdANS directly and activated their expressions. Additionally, MdERF78 interacted with MdMYB1 and enhanced the transcriptional activity of MdMYB1 to its target gene promoters. Based on these, it can be concluded that MdERF78 has a positive function in ALA-induced anthocyanin accumulation via the MdERF78-MdF3Hpro/MdANSpro and MdERF78-MdMYB1-MdDFRpro/MdUFGTpro/MdGSTF12pro regulatory network. These findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism of ALA-promoted anthocyanin accumulation.
Small RNA and Degradome Deep Sequencing Reveals the Roles of microRNAs in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Cold Response
Authors: Zhang Xin , Ren Chao , Xue Yunyun , Tian Yuexia , Zhang Huiqi , Li Na , Sheng Cong , Jiang Huifang , Bai Dongmei
Published: June 2022

Cold stress is a major environmental factor that affects plant growth and development, as well as fruit postharvest life and quality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding small RNAs that play crucial roles in various abiotic stresses. Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), one of the most important grain legumes and source of edible oils and proteins, are cultivated in the semi-arid tropical and subtropical regions of the world. To date, there has been no report on the role of miRNAs in the response to cold stress in cultivated peanuts. In this study, we profiled cold-responsive miRNAs in peanuts using deep sequencing in cold-sensitive (WQL20) alongside a tolerant variety (WQL30). A total of 407 known miRNAs and 143 novel peanut-specific miRNAs were identified. The expression of selected known and novel miRNAs was validated by northern blotting and six known cold-responsive miRNAs were revealed. Degradome sequencing identified six cold-responsive miRNAs that regulate 12 target genes. The correlative expression patterns of several miRNAs and their target genes were further validated using qRT-PCR. Our data showed that miR160-ARF, miR482-WDRL, miR2118-DR, miR396-GRF, miR162-DCL, miR1511-SRF, and miR1511-SPIRAL1 modules may mediate cold stress responses. Transient expression analysis in Nicotiana benthamiana found that miR160, miR482, and miR2118 may play positive roles, and miR396, miR162, and miR1511 play negative roles in the regulation of peanut cold tolerance. Our results provide a foundation for understanding miRNA-dependent cold stress response in peanuts. The characterized correlations between miRNAs and their response to cold stress could serve as markers in breeding programs or tools for improving cold tolerance of peanuts.
The Benefits of an Interdisciplinary Approach to Mathematics Education on Issues Around Computation in School
Authors: Martignon Laura , Rechtsteiner Charlotte
Published: June 2022

We present arguments in favor of an interdisciplinary approach in mathematics education. As an instance, we briefly recall how cognitive neuropsychologists promoted intense finger gnosis acquisition, i.e., acquiring the ability to mentally represent one’s fingers, at an early age. Mathematics educators definitely recommended the development of finger gnosis but examined its limits. They also presented arguments in favor of developing flexible mental calculation as a goal of arithmetical instruction in elementary school. In this context we describe the training of “Zahlenblick” as a way to foster flexible mental calculation and connect it with concepts from the theory of metacognition. We illustrate how precisely this branch of metacognition demands further interdisciplinary research. In our analysis, “Zahlenblick” extends to acquiring an eye for proportions, beyond just whole numbers. We illustrate how useful it would be to better understand the neural underpinnings responsible for the advantages of so-called natural frequencies, compared with percentages or probabilities, and of icon arrays for representing them. Such natural frequencies are adequate formats for the early confrontation with decision-making under risk.
“Today I Can Look in the Mirror and Like Myself”: Effects of a Trauma-Informed Mindful Recovery Program on Self-Compassion
Authors: Moore Sarah K. , Okst Kayley , Smith Lydia , Fatkin Thomas , Creedon Timothy , Fredericksen A. Kiera , Gawande Richa , Schuman-Olivier Zev
Published: June 2022

Background

Opioid-related deaths continue to rise. Psychological trauma is commonly comorbid with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Adverse childhood experiences can disrupt the development of emotion regulation, increasing risk of substance use. Self-compassion may reduce OUD risk and outcomes by facilitating emotion regulation, decreasing the toxicity of shame, and reducing internalized stigma that can hinder recovery. Mindfulness practice enhances self-compassion.

Methods

This study is part of a pilot (N = 18) of the Mindful Recovery OUD Care Continuum (M-ROCC) during buprenorphine office-based opioid treatment (OBOT). The present study was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the intervention’s effects on self-compassion development, and to explore differential changes in self-compassion during the intervention among participants with varying intensity of trauma exposure measured by high levels of childhood adversity (defined by 4+ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) at baseline). We conducted secondary analyses of a subset of qualitative interview data (N = 11 unique participants) collected for the pilot study (weeks 4 and 24, 14 total interviews) to elaborate upon changes in Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-SF) scores.

Results

In the primary pilot study, participants’ mean SCS-SF scores shifted significantly from baseline to week 24, β = 0.22, p = 0.028. This change is elaborated upon through interviews. Despite pervasive challenges to becoming more self-compassionate (e.g., trauma histories and substance use), participants reported increased compassionate self-responding and decreased uncompassionate self-responding. Mindfulness training was identified as the primary mechanism underlying the shift. Kindness to self and others and—to a lesser extent an increased sense of common humanity—were also identified as key to overall self-compassion. Compared to those in the lower ACEs group, participants in the higher ACEs group tended to have lower baseline self-compassion scores (d = 1.09, p = 0.055).

Conclusion

M-ROCC may increase self-compassion among patients with OUD during OBOT by increasing compassionate, and decreasing uncompassionate, self-responding. Patients with OUD with greater childhood adversity tended to have lower levels of self-compassion, which improved with M-ROCC. Future trials with larger samples are needed to confirm these potential outcomes, mechanisms, and differential impacts between ACEs subgroups.
Research on Factors Affecting Chinese College Students' Marriage Intention: Applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Authors: Xie Jianwei , Hong Xiaochang
Published: June 2022

With the second demographic transition, the marriage rate in China has decreased annually. This reduction will have a key impact on national economic and social development. There is a need to investigate the factors that influence college students' marriage intentions, which can predict the development trend of marriage and family formation in China's future society to some extent. Previous studies focus on the extraction of college students' beliefs about marriage and love, whereas few studies have investigated how these beliefs affect marriage intention and marriage behaviour. Based on the theory of planned behaviour, this study aims to explore the impact of attitude towards behaviour, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control on marriage intention; analysed the key predictors of college students' marriage intentions; and provided implications for pro-marriage policy. Using convenience sampling, data were obtained from 772 college students (mean age = 20.38 ± 2.38 years; 64.5% women) from three universities in China. Two types of questionnaires were designed to elicit salient beliefs and marriage intentions, respectively. Students' marriage intentions were positively correlated with attitude towards behaviour, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control. Most participants were inclined to get married, and the marriage intention of women was significantly lower than that of men. The important beliefs and factors influence students' marriage intention included stereotypical gender identity, low fertility intention, weakened inter-generational transmission of traditional family ideas, materialisation of marriage, and negative information about marriage disseminated by the mass media. To promote college students' marriage intention, pro-marriage policies conducive to fertility, good economic prospects, more employment opportunities, positive publicity of marriage by the mass media are suggested to make, and it is necessary for universities to offer marriage and love courses to college students.
Chinese Adolescents’ Reading Motivation Profiles and Their Relations to Reading Amount
Authors: Wang Xiaocheng , Jin Yuanying , Jia Lina
Published: June 2022

This study used a person-centered approach to identify reading motivation profiles of 514 Chinese adolescents in seventh- to ninth-grade, based on dimensions of intrinsic reading motivation (curiosity and involvement) and extrinsic reading motivation (grades and competition). Furthermore, the effects of each profile on outcome variables (reading amount for enjoyment and for school) were investigated. Latent profile analyses revealed three reading motivation profiles: high quantity (high on all four dimensions), high intrinsic (high on curiosity and involvement, low on grades, and competition), and moderate quantity (moderate on all four dimensions). The high-intrinsic and high-quantity profiles proved to be equally successful in terms of amount of reading for enjoyment and for school, and both significantly exceeded the moderate-quantity profile. The current findings emphasize the importance of intrinsic reading motivation and the importance of quality of motivation, compared with its quantity.
Opportunity-Reduction Supervision Strategies With Domestic and Family Violence Probationers and Parolees
Authors: Schaefer Lacey , Williams Gemma C. , Moir Emily
Published: June 2022

Many forms of supervision strategies traditionally utilized by probation and parole officers emphasize service brokerage, case management, and compliance. Conversely, there is a growing evidence-base that demonstrates how community corrections practices can be (and have been) improved through supervision frameworks of behavior change oriented around criminogenic needs. Toward this end, recent advances in penology have applied the tenets of environmental criminology theories to community corrections practices, seeking to identify and modify each individual’s opportunity-based risks for reoffending. In this article, using data from an Australian experimental trial, we explore the utility of an “Environmental Corrections” approach to the supervision of domestic and family violence perpetrators serving probation and parole orders, an offending cohort with growing political and public pressures. Quantitative analyzes indicate that this opportunity-reduction supervision framework was effective in reducing recidivism among all offenders. Amongst probationers and parolees on community corrections orders for domestic and family violence offenses only, rates of reoffending were 15.41% lower for offenders at the treatment site compared to the control site, although this difference was not statistically significant. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with these clients highlights that through the Environmental Corrections trial, they learned strategies for identifying, avoiding, and resisting opportunities to reoffend. Combined, this evidence suggests that opportunity-reduction supervision tactics may hold promise for limiting recidivism amongst domestic and family violence perpetrators, although further research is required.
Bound Variable Singular They Is Underspecified: The Case of All vs. Every
Authors: Moulton Keir , Block Trevor , Gendron Holly , Storoshenko Dennis , Weir Jesse , Williamson Sara , Han Chung-hye
Published: June 2022

The goal of this article is to investigate the factors that affect the acceptability and processing of they. Previous research has sought to determine whether there are acceptability and processing differences between they/themselves with plural vs. singular antecedents, with mixed results. The studies reported here address this question using bound variable singular they (e.g., Every customer claimed that they were first in line). We asked whether bound singular they is sensitive to both the morphological number and the semantic distributivity of the binding quantifier phrase. We contrasted morphologically singular quantified antecedents (every and each) with plural quantified antecedents (all). Instead of finding an effect of number, we found an effect of semantic distributivity in acceptability, with bound singular they demonstrating a cline of preference toward more distributive antecedents. Neither number nor distributivity, however, registered as an effect on reading times. Rather, for all types of quantified antecedents, encountering a pronoun like he or she rather than they registered a processing delay, in contrast to non-quantified antecedents. Our results are most fully compatible with the view that they is underspecified for number properties.