bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The emerging role of nutritional support in the supportive care of pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Muratore Edoardo , Leardini Davide , Baccelli Francesco , Venturelli Francesco , Cerasi Sara , Zanaroli Andrea , Lanari Marcello , Prete Arcangelo , Masetti Riccardo , Zama Daniele
Published: February 2023

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (allo-HSCT) represents a potentially curative strategy for many oncological, hematological, metabolic, and immunological diseases in children. The continuous effort in ameliorating supportive care represents one of the cornerstones in the improvement of outcome in these patients. Nowadays, more than ever nutritional support can be considered a key feature. Oral feeding in the early post-transplant period is severely impaired because of mucositis due to conditioning regimen, characterized by, mainly by vomiting, anorexia, and diarrhea. Gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD), infections and associated treatments, and other medications, such as opioids and calcineurin inhibitors, have also been correlated with decreased oral intake. The consequent reduction in caloric intake combined with the catabolic effect of therapies and transplantation-related complications with consequent extended immobilization, results in a rapid deterioration of nutritional status, which is associated with decreased overall survival and higher complication rates during treatment. Thus, nutritional support during the early post-transplantation period becomes an essential and challenging issue for allo-HSCT recipients. In this context, the role of nutrition in the modulation of the intestinal flora is also emerging as a key player in the pathophysiology of the main complications of HSCT. The pediatric setting is characterized by less evidence, considering the challenge of addressing nutritional needs in this specific population, and many questions are still unanswered. Thus, we perform a narrative review regarding all aspects of nutritional support in pediatric allo-HSCT recipients, addressing the assessment of nutritional status, the relationship between nutritional status and clinical outcomes and the evaluation of the nutritional support, ranging from specific diets to artificial feeding.
A systematic analysis of the global and regional burden of colon and rectum cancer and the difference between early- and late-onset CRC from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Li Liu-Bo , Wang Li-Yu , Chen Da-Ming , Liu Ying-Xia , Zhang Yuan-Hui , Song Wei-Xiang , Shen Xu-Bo , Fang Sheng-Quan , Ma Zheng-Yuan
Published: February 2023

The burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) varies substantially across different geographical locations. However, there was no further quantitative analysis of regional social development and the disease burden of CRC. In addition, the incidence of early- and late-onset CRC has increased rapidly in developed and developing regions. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the trends in CRC burden across different regions, in addition to the epidemiological differences between early and late-onset CRC and their risk factors. In this study, estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was employed to quantify trends in age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), mortality rate, and disability-adjusted life-years. Restricted cubic spline models were fitted to quantitatively analyze the relationship between trends in ASIR and Human Development Index (HDI). In addition, the epidemiological characteristics of early- and late-onset CRC were investigated using analyses stratified by age groups and regions. Specifically, meat consumption and antibiotic use were included to explore the differences in the risk factors for early- and late-onset CRC. The quantitative analysis showed that the ASIR of CRC was exponentially and positively correlated with the 2019 HDI in different regions. In addition, the growing trend of ASIR in recent years varied substantially across HDI regions. Specifically, the ASIR of CRC showed a significant increase in developing countries, while it remained stable or decreased in developed countries. Moreover, a linear correlation was found between the ASIR of CRC and meat consumption in different regions, especially in developing countries. Furthermore, a similar correlation was found between the ASIR and antibiotic use in all age groups, with different correlation coefficients for early-onset and late-onset CRC. It is worth mentioning that the early onset of CRC could be attributable to the unrestrained use of antibiotics among young people in developed countries. In summary, for better prevention and control of CRC, governments should pay attention to advocate self-testing and hospital visits among all age groups, especially among young people at high risk of CRC, and strictly control meat consumption and the usage of antibiotics.
Visual field improvement after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in patients with pituitary adenoma
Authors: Ji Xiaoyu , Zhuang Xinyu , Yang Siyuan , Zhang Kai , Li Xiaozhe , Yuan Kun , Zhang Xiaofeng , Sun Xuebo
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To analyze and predict the possibility of visual field (VF) recovery after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) in patients with pituitary adenoma, we investigated the factors affecting the improvement of the visual field defect (VFD) and built a nomogram predictive model based on these risk factors. We further investigated specific recovery regions of VF associated with the improvement of VFD.

Methods

The clinical data of patients who underwent ETSS for pituitary adenomas at a single center between the January 2021 and April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the predictive factors affecting the improvement in the VF defect and specific recovery regions in patients with pituitary adenomas after ETSS.

Results

We enrolled 28 patients (56 eyes) who were hospitalized at our institution. Four clinical features, including compression of the optic chiasm, preoperative mean defect (MD), diffuse defect, and duration of the visual symptom, were chosen from the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis to establish the predictive nomogram. The nomogram’s area under the curve (AUC) was 0.912, indicating a good degree of differentiation. A calibration plot was used to evaluate the predictive model’s calibration, and a decision curve was used to evaluate its clinical application value. The VF defects were improved in the 270–300° range (270–300: RR = 361.00, 95% CI: 21.01–6,202.41).

Conclusion

We developed a predictive nomogram model based on significant visual field improvement-associated factors after ETSS in patients with pituitary adenoma. Postoperative visual field improvement is likely to begin at 270–300° in the inferior temporal quadrant. This improvement would enable personalized counselling for individual patients by precisely predicting the visual field recovery after surgery.
Case report: Managing multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in Lao People's Democratic Republic, a success story
Authors: Douangboupha Vannida , Nhiacha Kouyang , Sodaluck Bounloth , Thepmixay Daosavanh , Krohn Kristina M.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is believed to be one of the most important life-threatening complications of COVID-19 infection among children. In any setting, early recognition, investigations, and management of MIS-C is crucial, but it is particularly difficult in resource-limited settings (RLS). This is the first case report of MIS-C in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) that was promptly recognized, treated, and resulted in full recovery with no known complications despite the resource limitations.

Case presentation

A healthy 9-year-old boy presented to a central teaching hospital fulfilling the World Health's Organization's MIS-C criteria. The patient had never received a COVID-19 vaccine and had a history of COVID-19 contact. The diagnosis was based upon the history, changes in the patient's clinical status, and response to treatment and negative testing and response to treatment for alternative diagnoses. Despite management challenges relating to limited access to an intensive care bed and the high cost of IVIG; the patient received a full course of treatment and appropriate follow-up cares post discharge. There were several aspects to this case that may not hold true for other children in Lao PDR. First, the family lived in the capital city, close to the central hospitals. Second, the family was able to afford repeated visits to private clinics, and the cost of IVIG, and other treatments. Third, the physicians involved in his care promptly recognized a new diagnosis.

Conclusions

MIS-C is a rare but life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection among children. The management of MIS-C requires early recognition, investigations, and interventions which may be difficult to access, cost-prohibitive, and further increase demand on healthcare services that are already limited in RLS. Nevertheless, clinicians must consider means for improving access, determine which tests and interventions are worth the cost, and establishing local clinical guidelines for working within resource constraints while awaiting additional assistance from local and international public health systems. Additionally, using COVID-19 vaccination to prevent MIS-C and its complication for children may be cost-effective.
Study on the pathogenesis of MiR-6324 regulating diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome and bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Xiao Jin , Zhou Yan-ni , Yang Yan-lin , He Li , Wang Ke-kai , Chen Min
Published: February 2023

Objective: To investigate the pathogenesis of IBS-D by bioinformatics analysis of the differential microRNAs in rat colon tissue and to analyze and predict the function of their target genes.

Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats of SPF class were randomly divided into two groups, the model group was manipulated using the colorectal dilatation method + chronic restraint stress method to establish the IBS-D model; while the blank group stroked the perineum at the same frequency. Screening of differential miRNAs after High-throughput sequencing of rat colon tissue. GO and KEGG analysis of target genes using the DAVID website, further mapping using RStudio software; the STRING database and the Cytoscape software were used to obtain the protein interaction network (PPI) of the target genes as well as the core genes. Finally, qPCR was used to detect the expression of target genes in the colon tissue of two groups of rats.

Results: After the screening, miR-6324 was obtained as the key of this study. The GO analysis of target genes of miR-6324 is mainly involved in protein phosphorylation, positive regulation of cell proliferation, and intracellular signal transduction; it affects a variety of cellular components such as cytoplasm, nucleus, and organelles on the intracellular surface; it is also involved in molecular functions such as protein binding, ATP binding, and DNA binding. KEGG analysis showed that the intersecting target genes were mainly enriched in cancer pathways, proteoglycans in cancer, neurotrophic signaling pathway, etc. The protein-protein interaction network screened out the core genes mainly Ube2k, Rnf41, Cblb, Nek2, Nde1, Cep131, Tgfb2, Qsox1, and Tmsb4x. The qPCR results showed that the expression of miR-6324 decreased in the model group, but the decrease was not significant.

Conclusion: miR-6324 may be involved in the pathogenesis of IBS-D as a potential biological target and provide further ideas for research on the pathogenesis of the disease or treatment options.
Potentially inappropriate medication including drug-drug interaction and the risk of frequent falling, hospital admission, and death in older adults - results of a large cohort study (getABI)
Authors: Reinhild Haerig Theresa , Krause Dietmar , Klaassen-Mielke Renate , Rudolf Henrik , Trampisch Hans Joachim , Thuermann Petra
Published: February 2023

Introduction: With growing age, multiple chronic diseases may result in polypharmacy. Drugs that should be avoided in older adults are called potentially inappropriate medications (PIM). Beyond PIM, drug-drug interactions (DDI) are known to be related to adverse drug events. This analysis examines the risk of frequent falling, hospital admission, and death in older adults associated with PIM and/or DDI (PIM/DDI) prescription.

Materials and methods: This post hoc analysis used data of a subgroup of the getABI study participants, a large cohort of community-dwelling older adults. The subgroup comprised 2120 participants who provided a detailed medication report by telephone interview at the 5-year getABI follow-up. The risks of frequent falling, hospital admission, and death in the course of the following 2 years were analysed by logistic regression in uni- and multivariable models with adjustment for established risk factors.

Results: Data of all 2,120 participants was available for the analysis of the endpoint death, of 1,799 participants for hospital admission, and of 1,349 participants for frequent falling. The multivariable models showed an association of PIM/DDI prescription with frequent falling (odds ratio (OR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–2.60, p = 0.027) as well as with hospital admission (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04–1.58, p = 0.018), but not with death (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.58–1.72, p = 0.999).

Conclusion: PIM/DDI prescription was associated with the risk of hospital admission and frequent falling. No association was found with death by 2 years. This result should alert physicians to provide a closer look at PIM/DDI prescriptions.
Therapeutic potential of artemisinin and its derivatives in managing kidney diseases
Authors: Jin Qi , Liu Tongtong , Chen Danqian , Yang Liping , Mao Huimin , Ma Fang , Wang Yuyang , Li Ping , Zhan Yongli
Published: February 2023

Artemisinin, an antimalarial traditional Chinese herb, is isolated from Artemisia annua. L, and has shown fewer side effects. Several pieces of evidence have demonstrated that artemisinin and its derivatives exhibited therapeutic effects on diseases like malaria, cancer, immune disorders, and inflammatory diseases. Additionally, the antimalarial drugs demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, regulating the immune system and autophagy and modulating glycolipid metabolism properties, suggesting an alternative for managing kidney disease. This review assessed the pharmacological activities of artemisinin. It summarized the critical outcomes and probable mechanism of artemisinins in treating kidney diseases, including inflammatory, oxidative stress, autophagy, mitochondrial homeostasis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, glycolipid metabolism, insulin resistance, diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephritis, membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, and acute kidney injury, suggesting the therapeutic potential of artemisinin and its derivatives in managing kidney diseases, especially the podocyte-associated kidney diseases.
Improvement of obesity-induced fatty liver disease by intermittent hypoxia exposure in a murine model
Authors: Chen Liya , Wang Yao , Zheng Weikun , Zhang Hu , Sun Yan , Chen Yiping , Liu Qi
Published: February 2023

Background: The high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the world raises an important concern for human health. The western diet containing high fat and fructose is the risk factor for NAFLD development. Intermittent hypoxia (IH), known as the basis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), normally is correlated with impaired liver function. However, the role of IH in liver injury prevention has been revealed by many other studies based on the different IH paradigms. The current study, therefore, tests the impact of IH on the liver of high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD) fed mice.

Material and Method: Mice were exposed to IH (2 min cycle, FiO2 8% for 20 s, FiO2 20.9% for 100 s; 12 h/day) or intermittent air (FiO2 20.9%) for 15 weeks, with normal diet (ND) or high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD). Indices of liver injury and metabolism were measured.

Results: IH causes no overt liver injury in mice fed an ND. However, HFHFD-induced lipid accumulation, lipid peroxidation, neutrophil infiltration, and apoptotic process were significantly attenuated by IH exposure. Importantly, IH exposure altered bile acids composition and shifted the hepatic bile acids towards FXR agonism, which was involved in the protection of IH against HFHFD.

Conclusion: These results support that the IH pattern in our model prevents liver injury from HFHFD in experimental NAFLD.
Low- or high-dose preventive aspirin use and risk of death from all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: A nationally representative cohort study
Authors: Chen Yu , Chen Fuli , Liao Jie , Han Hukui , Li Gang , Zhou Long
Published: February 2023

Background and aim: For a long time, aspirin has been recommended for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, results of long-term effects of aspirin use on the risk of CVD and all-cause death as well as cause-specific mortality are not consistent. This study aims to investigate the relationship between low- or high-dose preventive aspirin use and the risk of death from all-cause, CVD, and cancer among US adults aged 40 years and older.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted by utilizing four cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and linked 2019 mortality files. Cox proportional hazard models accounting for multiple covariates were used to calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the associations between low- or high-dose aspirin use and risk of death.

Results: A total of 10,854 individuals (5,364 men and 5,490 women) were enrolled in the study. During a median follow-up of 4.8 years, 924 death events including 294 CVD death and 223 cancer death were documented. We found no evidence that taking low-dose aspirin decreased the chance of dying from any cause (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.79–1.06), CVD (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.79–1.33), or cancer (HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.60–1.08). High-dose aspirin users had a higher risk of CVD death compared to participants who had never used aspirin (HR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.11–2.41).

Conclusion: Using low-dose aspirin has no effect on the risk of death from any causes, whereas taking high doses of aspirin increases the risk of CVD death.
Exploring the mechanism of curcumin in the treatment of colon cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Authors: He Qingmin , Liu Chuan , Wang Xiaohan , Rong Kang , Zhu Mingyang , Duan Liying , Zheng Pengyuan , Mi Yang
Published: February 2023

Objective: Curcumin is a plant polyphenol extracted from the Chinese herb turmeric. It was found that curcumin has good anti-cancer properties in a variety of cancers, but the exact mechanism is not clear. Based on the network pharmacology and molecular docking to deeply investigate the molecular mechanism of curcumin for the treatment of colon cancer, it provides a new research direction for the treatment of colon cancer.

Methods: Curcumin-related targets were collected using PharmMapper, SwissTargetPrediction, Targetnet and SuperPred. Colon cancer related targets were obtained using OMIM, DisGeNET, GeneCards and GEO databases. Drug-disease intersection targets were obtained via Venny 2.1.0. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of drug-disease common targets were performed using DAVID. Construct PPI network graphs of intersecting targets using STRING database as well as Cytoscape 3.9.0 and filter core targets. Molecular docking via AutoDockTools 1.5.7. The core targets were further analyzed by GEPIA, HPA, cBioPortal and TIMER databases.

Results: A total of 73 potential targets of curcumin for the treatment of colon cancer were obtained. GO function enrichment analysis yielded 256 entries, including BP(Biological Progress):166, CC(celluar component):36 and MF(Molecular Function):54. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis yielded 34 signaling pathways, mainly involved in Metabolic pathways, Nucleotide metabolism, Nitrogen metabolism, Drug metabolism - other enzymes, Pathways in cancer,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, etc. CDK2, HSP90AA1, AURKB, CCNA2, TYMS, CHEK1, AURKA, DNMT1, TOP2A, and TK1 were identified as core targets by Cytoscape 3.9.0. Molecular docking results showed that the binding energies of curcumin to the core targets were all less than 0 kJ-mol-1, suggesting that curcumin binds spontaneously to the core targets. These results were further validated in terms of mRNA expression levels, protein expression levels and immune infiltration.

Conclusion: Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking initially revealed that curcumin exerts its therapeutic effects on colon cancer with multi-target, multi-pathway. Curcumin may exert anticancer effects by binding to core targets. Curcumin may interfere with colon cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis by regulating signal transduction pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,IL-17 signaling pathway, Cell cycle. This will deepen and enrich our understanding of the potential mechanism of curcumin against colon cancer and provide a theoretical basis for subsequent studies.
Luteolin protects DYT-PRKRA cells from apoptosis by suppressing PKR activation
Authors: Frederick Kenneth , Patel Rekha C.
Published: February 2023

DYT-PRKRA is a movement disorder caused by mutations in the PRKRA gene, which encodes for PACT, the protein activator of interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase PKR. PACT brings about PKR’s catalytic activation by a direct binding in response to stress signals and activated PKR phosphorylates the translation initiation factor eIF2α. Phosphorylation of eIF2α is the central regulatory event that is part of the integrated stress response (ISR), an evolutionarily conserved intracellular signaling network essential for adapting to environmental stresses to maintain healthy cells. A dysregulation of either the level or the duration of eIF2α phosphorylation in response to stress signals causes the normally pro-survival ISR to become pro-apoptotic. Our research has established that the PRKRA mutations reported to cause DYT-PRKRA lead to enhanced PACT-PKR interactions causing a dysregulation of ISR and an increased sensitivity to apoptosis. We have previously identified luteolin, a plant flavonoid, as an inhibitor of the PACT-PKR interaction using high-throughput screening of chemical libraries. Our results presented in this study indicate that luteolin is markedly effective in disrupting the pathological PACT-PKR interactions to protect DYT-PRKRA cells against apoptosis, thus suggesting a therapeutic option for using luteolin to treat DYT-PRKRA and possibly other diseases resulting from enhanced PACT-PKR interactions.
Dietary methionine restriction alleviates oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-challenged broilers at early age
Authors: Pang Xiyuan , Miao Zhiqiang , Dong Yuanyang , Cheng Huiyu , Xin Xiangqi , Wu Yuan , Han Miaomiao , Su Yuan , Yuan Jianmin , Shao Yuxin , Yan Lei , Li Jianhui
Published: February 2023

In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary methionine restriction (MR) on the antioxidant function and inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged broilers reared at high stocking density. A total of 504 one-day-old male Arbor Acre broiler chickens were randomly divided into four treatments: 1) CON group, broilers fed a basal diet; 2) LPS group, LPS-challenged broilers fed a basal diet; 3) MR1 group, LPS-challenged broilers fed a methionine-restricted diet (0.3% methionine); and 4) MR2 group, LPS-challenged broilers fed a methionine-restricted diet (0.4% methionine). LPS-challenged broilers were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg/kg body weight (BW) of LPS at 17, 19, and 21 days of age, whereas the CON group was injected with sterile saline. The results showed that: LPS significantly increased the liver histopathological score (p < 0.05); LPS significantly decreased the serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity at 3 h after injection (p < 0.05); the LPS group had a higher content of Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF)-α, but a lower content of IL-10 than the CON group in serum (p < 0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the MR1 diet increased catalase (CAT), SOD, and T-AOC, and the MR2 diet increased SOD and T-AOC at 3 h after injection in serum (p < 0.05). Only MR2 group displayed a significantly decreased liver histopathological score (p < 0.05) at 3 h, while MR1 and MR2 groups did so at 8 h. Both MR diets significantly decreased serum LPS, CORT, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α contents, but increased IL-10 content (p < 0.05). Moreover, the MR1 group displayed significantly increased expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), CAT, and GSH-Px at 3 h; the MR2 group had a higher expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), SOD, and GSH-Px at 8 h (p < 0.05). In summary, MR can improve antioxidant capacity, immunological stress, and liver health in LPS-challenged broilers. The MR1 and MR2 groups experienced similar effects on relieving stress; however, MR1 alleviated oxidative stress more rapidly. It is suggested that precise regulation of methionine levels in poultry with stress may improve the immunity of broilers, reduce feed production costs, and increase production efficiency in the poultry industry.
Targeting immune cell types of tumor microenvironment to overcome resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in lung cancer
Authors: Wang Man , Zhu Lijie , Yang Xiaoxu , Li Jiahui , Liu Yu’e , Tang Ying
Published: February 2023

Lung cancer is the common malignant tumor with the highest mortality rate. Lung cancer patients have achieved benefits from immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy. Unfortunately, cancer patients acquire adaptive immune resistance, leading to poor prognosis. Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to play a critical role in participating in acquired adaptive immune resistance. TME is associated with molecular heterogeneity of immunotherapy efficacy in lung cancer. In this article, we discuss how immune cell types of TME are correlated with immunotherapy in lung cancer. Moreover, we describe the efficacy of immunotherapy in driven gene mutations in lung cancer, including KRAS, TP53, EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KEAP1, ZFHX3, PTCH1, PAK7, UBE3A, TNF-α, NOTCH, LRP1B, FBXW7, and STK11. We also emphasize that modulation of immune cell types of TME could be a promising strategy for improving adaptive immune resistance in lung cancer.
The serine-threonine protein phosphatases that regulate the thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter
Authors: Carbajal-Contreras Héctor , Gamba Gerardo , Castañeda-Bueno María
Published: February 2023

The activity of the Na+-Cl-cotransporter (NCC) in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) is finely tuned by phosphorylation networks involving serine/threonine kinases and phosphatases. While much attention has been paid to the With-No-lysine (K) kinase (WNK)- STE20-related Proline Alanine rich Kinase (SPAK)/Oxidative Stress Responsive kinase 1 (OSR1) signaling pathway, there remain many unanswered questions regarding phosphatase-mediated modulation of NCC and its interactors. The phosphatases shown to regulate NCC’s activity, directly or indirectly, are protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), calcineurin (CN), and protein phosphatase 4 (PP4). PP1 has been suggested to directly dephosphorylate WNK4, SPAK, and NCC. This phosphatase increases its abundance and activity when extracellular K+is increased, which leads to distinct inhibitory mechanisms towards NCC. Inhibitor-1 (I1), oppositely, inhibits PP1 when phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA). CN inhibitors, like tacrolimus and cyclosporin A, increase NCC phosphorylation, giving an explanation to the Familial Hyperkalemic Hypertension-like syndrome that affects some patients treated with these drugs. CN inhibitors can prevent high K+-induced dephosphorylation of NCC. CN can also dephosphorylate and activate Kelch-like protein 3 (KLHL3), thus decreasing WNK abundance. PP2A and PP4 have been shown inin vitromodels to regulate NCC or its upstream activators. However, no studies in native kidneys or tubules have been performed to test their physiological role in NCC regulation. This review focuses on these dephosphorylation mediators and the transduction mechanisms possibly involved in physiological states that require of the modulation of the dephosphorylation rate of NCC.
Gene expression profile during seed development of Bixa orellana accessions varying in bixin pigment
Authors: Cárdenas-Conejo Yair , Narváez-Zapata José Alberto , Carballo-Uicab Víctor Manuel , Aguilar-Espinosa Margarita , Us-Camas Rosa , Escobar-Turriza Pedro , Comai Luca , Rivera-Madrid Renata
Published: February 2023

Diverse morphological, cellular and physiological changes occur during seed maturation in Bixa orellana when the seed tissues form specialized cell glands that produce reddish latex with high bixin amounts. Transcriptomic profiling during seed development in three B. orellana accessions (P12, N4 and N5) with contrasting morphologic characteristics showed enrichment in pathways of triterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and cuticular wax biosynthesis. WGCNA allows groups of all identified genes in six modules the module turquoise, the largest and highly correlated with the bixin content. The high number of genes in this module suggests a diversification of regulatory mechanisms for bixin accumulation with the genes belonging to isoprene, triterpenes and carotene pathways, being more highly correlated with the bixin content. Analysis of key genes of the mevalonate (MVA) and the 2C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathways revealed specific activities of orthologs of BoHMGR, BoFFP, BoDXS, and BoHDR. This suggests that isoprenoid production is necessary for compounds included in the reddish latex of developing seeds. The carotenoid-related genes BoPSY2, BoPDS1 and BoZDS displayed a high correlation with bixin production, consistent with the requirement for carotene precursors for apocarotenoid biosynthesis. The BoCCD gene member (BoCCD4-4) and some BoALDH (ALDH2B7.2 and ALDH3I1) and BoMET (BoSABATH1 and BoSABATH8) gene members were highly correlated to bixin in the final seed development stage. This suggested a contributing role for several genes in apocarotenoid production. The results revealed high genetic complexity in the biosynthesis of reddish latex and bixin in specialized seed cell glands in different accessions of B. orellana suggesting gene expression coordination between both metabolite biosynthesis processes.
Biostimulant enhances growth and corm production of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in non-traditional areas of North western Himalayas
Authors: Chaudhary Neha , Kothari Deepak , Walia Swati , Ghosh Arup , Vaghela Pradipkumar , Kumar Rakesh
Published: February 2023

The usage of seaweed extracts in cropping systems is gaining attention nowadays due to their distinct bioactive properties. This study aims to assess how saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corm production was affected by seaweed extract through different application modes. The study was conducted at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, HP, India, during the autumn-winter agricultural cycle. Five treatments using a combination of Kappaphycus and Sargassum seaweed extracts were replicated five times in a randomized block design. Treatments that were examined include T1: Control, T2: Corm dipping @ 5% seaweed extract, T3: Foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract, T4: Drenching @ 5% seaweed extract, and T5: Corm dipping + foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract. Seaweed extract, when applied to saffron plants (T5: Corm dipping + foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract) resulted in significantly higher growth parameters along with the higher dry weight of stem, leaves, corms, and total roots per corm. Corm production, viz., the number of daughter corms and corm weight per m2 was significantly affected by seaweed extract application, with the maximum value recorded with treatment T5. Biochemical parameters chlorophyll, carotenoids, and photosynthetic rate were higher in T5, while nutrient concentration was lowest in this treatment. Seaweed extracts improved corm production, making it a feasible alternative to limiting the application of conventional fertilizers, attenuating the effects on the environment, and enhancing corm number and weight.
Plant non-coding RNAs function in pollen development and male sterility
Authors: Nie Hushuai , Cheng Cheng , Kong Jie , Li Huijing , Hua Jinping
Published: February 2023

Male sterility is classified as either cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) or genic male sterility (GMS). Generally, CMS involves mitochondrial genomes interacting with the nuclear genome, while GMS is caused by nuclear genes alone. Male sterility is regulated by multilevel mechanisms in which non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs), which have been proven to be critical elements. The development of high-throughput sequencing technology offers new opportunities to evaluate the genetic mechanism of ncRNAs in plant male sterility. In this review, we summarize the critical ncRNAs that regulate gene expression in ways dependent on or independent of hormones, which involve the differentiation of the stamen primordia, degradation of the tapetum, formation of microspores, and the release of pollen. In addition, the key mechanisms of the miRNA–lncRNA–mRNA interaction networks mediating male sterility in plants are elaborated. We present a different perspective on exploring the ncRNA-mediated regulatory pathways that control CMS in plants and create male-sterile lines through hormones or genome editing. A refined understanding of the ncRNA regulatory mechanisms in plant male sterility for the development of new sterile lines would be conducive to improve hybridization breeding.
Efficient Windows malware identification and classification scheme for plant protection information systems
Authors: Chen Zhiguo , Xing Shuangshuang , Ren Xuanyu
Published: February 2023

Due to developments in science and technology, the field of plant protection and the information industry have become increasingly integrated, which has resulted in the creation of plant protection information systems. Plant protection information systems have modernized how pest levels are monitored and improved overall control capabilities. They also provide data to support crop pest monitoring and early warnings and promote the sustainable development of plant protection networks, visualization, and digitization. However, cybercriminals use technologies such as code reuse and automation to generate malware variants, resulting in continuous attacks on plant protection information terminals. Therefore, effective identification of rapidly growing malware and its variants has become critical. Recent studies have shown that malware and its variants can be effectively identified and classified using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to analyze the similarity between malware binary images. However, the malware images generated by such schemes have the problem of image size imbalance, which affects the accuracy of malware classification. In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes a malware identification and classification scheme based on bicubic interpolation to improve the security of a plant protection information terminal system. We used the bicubic interpolation algorithm to reconstruct the generated malware images to solve the problem of image size imbalance. We used the Cycle-GAN model for data augmentation to balance the number of samples among malware families and build an efficient malware classification model based on CNNs to improve the malware identification and classification performance of the system. Experimental results show that the system can significantly improve malware classification efficiency. The accuracy of RGB and gray images generated by the Microsoft Malware Classification Challenge Dataset (BIG2015) can reach 99.76% and 99.62%, respectively.
Construction of a high-density genetic map and dissection of genetic architecture of six agronomic traits in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)
Authors: Tong Zhijun , Xu Manling , Zhang Qixin , Lin Feng , Fang Dunhuang , Chen Xuejun , Zhu Tianneng , Liu Yingchao , Xu Haiming , Xiao Bingguang
Published: February 2023

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is an economic crop and a model organism for studies on plant biology and genetics. A population of 271 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from K326 and Y3, two elite flue-cured tobacco parents, has been constructed to investigate the genetic basis of agronomic traits in tobacco. Six agronomic traits including natural plant height (nPH), natural leaf number (nLN), stem girth (SG), inter-node length (IL), length of the largest leaf (LL) and width of the largest leaf (LW) were measured in seven environments, spanning the period between 2018 and 2021. We firstly developed an integrated SNP-indel-SSR linkage map with 43,301 SNPs, 2,086 indels and 937 SSRs, which contained 7,107 bin markers mapped on 24 LGs and covered 3334.88 cM with an average genetic distance of 0.469cM. Based on this high-density genetic map, a total of 70 novel QTLs were detected for six agronomic traits by a full QTL model using the software QTLNetwork, of which 32 QTLs showed significant additive effects, 18 QTLs showed significant additive-by-environment interaction effects, 17 pairs showed significant additive-by-additive epistatic effects and 13 pairs showed significant epistasis-by-environment interaction effects. In addition to additive effect as a major contributor to genetic variation, both epistasis effects and genotype-by-environment interaction effects played an important role in explaining phenotypic variation for each trait. In particular, qnLN6-1 was detected with considerably large main effect and high heritability (ha2=34.80%). Finally, four genes including Nt16g00284.1, Nt16g00767.1, Nt16g00853.1, Nt16g00877.1 were predicted as pleiotropic candidate genes for five traits.
Co-limitation of N and P is more prevalent in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau grasslands
Authors: Dong Kai , Li Wenjin , Tang Yulong , Ma Suhui , Jiang Mengluan
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Over the past three decades, the view of nutrient limitation has transferred from single-nutrient limitation to multiple-nutrient limitation. On the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), many nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition experiments have revealed different N- or P-limited patterns at many alpine grassland sites, whereas it is not clear what the general patterns of N and P limitation across the QTP grasslands.

Methods

We performed a meta-analysis, containing 107 publications, to assess how N and P constrained plant biomass and diversity in alpine grasslands across the QTP. We also tested how mean annual precipitation (MAP) and mean annual temperature (MAT) influence N and P limitations.

Results

The findings show that plant biomass in QTP grasslands is co-limited by N and P. Single N limitation is stronger than single P limitation, and the combined positive effect of N and P addition is stronger than that of single nutrient additions. The response of biomass to N fertilization rate shows an increase firstly and then declines, and peaks at approximately 25 g N·m-2·year-1. MAP promotes the effect of N limitation on plant aboveground biomass and diminishes the effect of N limitation on belowground biomass. Meanwhile, N and P addition generally decline plant diversity. Moreover, the negative response of plant diversity to N and P co-addition is strongest than that of single nutrient additions.

Discussion

Our results highlight that N and P co-limitation is more prevalent than N- or P-limitation alone in alpine grasslands on the QTP. Our findings provide a better understanding of nutrient limitation and management for alpine grasslands on the QTP.
Assessing factor structure and reliability of the career adaptability scale in students with special educational needs
Authors: Yang Lan , Sin Kuen Fung , Savickas Mark L.
Published: February 2023

Despite the importance of career guidance and life planning education in helping students’ career development, considerably limited research has been done to provide a good educational assessment to identify SEN students’ strengths and weaknesses of career adaptability. This study aimed to assess the factor structure of the career adaptability scale in mainstream secondary students with special educational needs. The results support adequate reliabilities of the total scale and subscales of the CAAS-SF among over 200 SEN students. The results also support the four-factor structure of the career adaptability construct in assessing career concern, control, curiosity and confidence. We also found its measurement invariance across gender at the scalar invariance level. The positive and significant correlation patterns between boys’ and girls’ career adaptability and its sub-dimensions with self-esteem are similar. Overall, this study support that the CAAS-SF is a good measure with adequate psychometric properties for assessing and developing practical career guidance and life planning activities and programs for SEN students to support their career development needs.
Using an integrated model of the theory of planned behavior and the temporal self-regulation theory to explain physical activity in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Wang Wenqin , Wu Minjuan , Hua Yun , Zhang Xingwei , Feng Guohe
Published: February 2023

Background

This study aimed to explore the psychosocial determinants of the physical activity (PA) levels in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) using an integrated theoretical model based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the temporal self-regulation theory (TST).

Method

This was a prospective study conducted at the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Zhejiang, China. A total of 279 patients with CHD [176 men aged 26–89 years, mean (M) = 64.69, standard deviation (SD) = 13.17] were selected under the study inclusion criteria by convenience sampling. The data on attitude, subjective norm (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention variables for the TPB model and consideration of future consequences (CFC), habit, and self-control (SC) variables for the TST model were collected 1–2 days before the discharge (Time 1, T1) of the participants, and a telephone follow-up was made to assess the participants' self-reported PA levels 1 week after their discharge (Time 2, T2).

Results

The results revealed that only 39.8% of the patients with CHD met the guidelines' recommendations on PA. The data analyses using structural equation modeling (SEM) in the Mplus 8.3 modeling program showed that, in the simple mediation model, attitude, PBC, and CFC were positively related to the intention to practice guideline-recommended levels of PA but SN was not. In addition, intention was shown to mediate the relationships between attitude, PBC, CFC, and PA levels. Furthermore, based on the moderated mediating model, intention and habit were shown to be positively associated with PA levels but SC was not. Moreover, SC played a significant moderating role between intention and PA levels. However, habit strength did not moderate the relationship between intention and PA levels.

Conclusion

An integration of the TPB and TST models offers a good theoretical tool for understanding PA levels in patients with CHD.
Characteristics and related factors of family functioning in Chinese families during early pregnancy
Authors: Qin Xuemei , Zhang Weiling , Xu Shuyin , Ma Mohan , Fan Xing , Nie Xueqing , Liu Jin , Ju Yumeng , Zhang Li , Li Lingjiang , Li HaoLun , Liu Bangshan , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Family functioning has been found to significantly impact each family member’s health mentally, physically, and socially. A number of the research has focused on the impact of impaired family functioning in general, but limited studies explore family functioning in the vulnerable period, early pregnancy. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the characteristics and related factors in Chinese females and partners during early pregnancy.

Methods

The cross-sectional study enrolled 226 pregnant women and 166 partners. Assessment tools included the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item, Social Support Rating Scale, and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, Short Form. Correlation analysis was applied to investigate the related factors.

Results

In the present study, FAD-Behavior Control (BC) was the only dysfunctional dimension and had the highest dysfunctional rates than other dimensions. Length of time living with a partner, depressive and anxious symptoms, and quality of life were all associated with the dysfunctional family functioning of BC.

Conclusions

The study reinforced the important clues of family functioning during early pregnancy. Also, it provided new entry points for the general population and healthcare providers to minimize the negative impact that impaired family function might bring to a family.
Speech comprehension in noisy environments: Evidence from the predictability effects on the N400 and LPC
Authors: Hsin Cheng-Hung , Chao Pei-Chun , Lee Chia-Ying
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Speech comprehension involves context-based lexical predictions for efficient semantic integration. This study investigated how noise affects the predictability effect on event-related potentials (ERPs) such as the N400 and late positive component (LPC) in speech comprehension.

Methods

Twenty-seven listeners were asked to comprehend sentences in clear and noisy conditions (hereinafter referred to as “clear speech” and “noisy speech,” respectively) that ended with a high-or low-predictability word during electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings.

Results

The study results regarding clear speech showed the predictability effect on the N400, wherein low-predictability words elicited a larger N400 amplitude than did high-predictability words in the centroparietal and frontocentral regions. Noisy speech showed a reduced and delayed predictability effect on the N400 in the centroparietal regions. Additionally, noisy speech showed a predictability effect on the LPC in the centroparietal regions.

Discussion

These findings suggest that listeners achieve comprehension outcomes through different neural mechanisms according to listening conditions. Noisy speech may be comprehended with a second-pass process that possibly functions to recover the phonological form of degraded speech through phonetic reanalysis or repair, thus compensating for decreased predictive efficiency.
Loyalty in the time of COVID-19: A review of the literature in tourism destination settings
Authors: Cruz-Milán Oliver
Published: February 2023

Tourism destinations constitute a conglomerate of attractions, service providers, and retailers that make up the overall offerings and experiences that attract visitors. However, given the severe consequences that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the tourism industry, it is crucial to appraise consumer loyalty towards destinations in the context of the coronavirus disruptions. An increasing number of academic works examining the factors that influence destination loyalty have been carried out since the pandemic breakout, but no evaluation of their cumulative results and findings has been offered in the literature. Therefore, this research conducts a review of studies that have empirically investigated the drivers of destination loyalty during the pandemic in diverse geographical settings. By analyzing 24 journal articles selected from the Web of Science (WoS) database, this work adds to the literature by providing an assessment of the state-of-the-art body of knowledge about the explanation and prediction of loyalty for tourism destinations in the context of COVID-19.