bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translating extracellular vesicle packaging into therapeutic applications
Authors: Ozkocak Dilara C. , Phan Thanh Kha , Poon Ivan K. H.
Published: August 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound particles released by cells in various (patho)physiological conditions. EVs can transfer effector molecules and elicit potent responses in recipient cells, making them attractive therapeutic agents and drug delivery platforms. In contrast to their tremendous potential, only a few EV-based therapies and drug delivery have been approved for clinical use, which is largely attributed to limited therapeutic loading technologies and efficiency. As EV cargo has major influence on their functionality, understanding and translating the biology underlying the packaging and transferring of biomolecule cargos (e.g. miRNAs, pathogen antigens, small molecule drugs) into EVs is key in harnessing their therapeutic potential. In this review, through recent insights into EVs’ content packaging, we discuss different mechanisms utilized by EVs during cargo packaging, and how one might therapeutically exploit this process. Apart from the well-characterized EVs like exosomes and microvesicles, we also cover the less-studied and other EV subtypes like apoptotic bodies, large oncosomes, bacterial outer membrane vesicles, and migrasomes to highlight therapeutically-diverse opportunities of EV armoury.
Correlation between altered gut microbiota and elevated inflammation markers in patients with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Hu Jun , Cheng Sijing , Yao Jiayin , Lin Xutao , Li Yichen , Wang Wenxia , Weng Jingrong , Zou Yifeng , Zhu Lixin , Zhi Min
Published: August 2022

Prior studies reported inconsistent results on the altered gut microbial composition in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), likely under the influences of many confounding factors including genetic, life style and environmental variations among different study cohorts. This study aims to examine the gut microbiota of CD patients with particular efforts to minimize the impact of the confounding factors. For this purpose, the healthy relatives of the patients were enrolled as control subjects so that the paired study subjects may have similar genetic background, dietary habits, and household environment. The fecal microbiota of the study subjects were examined by 16S rRNA sequencing. After the identification of the differential bacterial genera, multivariate regression analysis was performed to adjust the results for the impact of confounding factors. We found that the microbiota of the CD patients were featured with reduced short chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing bacteria and elevated opportunistic pathogen Escherichia-Shigella. Correlation analysis indicated that the elevation in Escherichia-Shigella and the reduction in SCFA-producing bacteria usually occur simultaneously. These differential genera exhibited a high capacity in distinguishing between CD and healthy controls achieving an area under curve of 0.89, and were correlated with the changes in inflammation related blood biochemical markers. Consistent with the reduction in SCFA-producing bacteria in CD, metabolomics analysis revealed decreased blood level of SCFAs in the patients. The differential genera identified in this study demonstrated outstanding capability to serve as diagnosis markers for CD and are potential targets for intervention.
Heterologous immunity induced by 1st generation COVID-19 vaccines and its role in developing a pan-coronavirus vaccine
Authors: Patel Raj S. , Agrawal Babita
Published: August 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative infectious agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to multiple (4-6) waves of infections worldwide during the past two years. The development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has led to successful mass immunizations worldwide, mitigating the worldwide mortality due the pandemic to a great extent. Yet the evolution of new variants highlights a need to develop a universal vaccine which can prevent infections from all virulent SARS-CoV-2. Most of the current first generation COVID-19 vaccines are based on the Spike protein from the original Wuhan-hu-1 virus strain. It is encouraging that they still protect from serious illnesses, hospitalizations and mortality against a number of mutated viral strains, to varying degrees. Understanding the mechanisms by which these vaccines provide heterologous protection against multiple highly mutated variants can reveal strategies to develop a universal vaccine. In addition, many unexposed individuals have been found to harbor T cells that are cross-reactive against SARS-CoV-2 antigens, with a possible protective role. In this review, we will discuss various aspects of natural or vaccine-induced heterologous (cross-reactive) adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, and their role in achieving the concept of a pan-coronavirus vaccine.
Four cases of cytokine storm after COVID-19 vaccination: Case report
Authors: Murata Kazuhiro , Nakao Naoki , Ishiuchi Naoki , Fukui Takafumi , Katsuya Narutaka , Fukumoto Wataru , Oka Hiroko , Yoshikawa Naotaka , Nagao Takafumi , Namera Akira , Kakimoto Naoya , Oue Naohide , Awai Kazuo , Yoshimoto Kanji , Nagao Masataka
Published: August 2022

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the rapid development of vaccines against this disease. Despite the success of the international vaccination program, adverse events following vaccination, and the mechanisms behind them, remain poorly understood. Here we present four cases of death following receipt of a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with no obvious cause identified at autopsy. Using RNA sequencing, we identified genes that were differentially expressed between our post-vaccination cases and a control group that died of blood loss and strangulation. Three hundred and ninety genes were found to be upregulated and 115 genes were downregulated in post-vaccination cases compared with controls. Importantly, genes involved in neutrophil degranulation and cytokine signaling were upregulated. Our results suggest that immune dysregulation occurred following vaccination. Careful observation and care may be necessary if an abnormally high fever exceeding 40°C occurs after vaccination, even with antipyretic drugs.
BAG6 negatively regulates the RLR signaling pathway by targeting VISA/MAVS
Authors: Huang Jing-Ping , Li Jing , Xiao Yan-Ping , Xu Liang-Guo
Published: August 2022

The virus-induced signaling adaptor protein VISA (also known as MAVS, ISP-1, Cardif) is a critical adaptor protein in the innate immune response to RNA virus infection. Upon viral infection, VISA self-aggregates to form a sizeable prion-like complex and recruits downstream signal components for signal transduction. Here, we discover that BAG6 (BCL2-associated athanogene 6, formerly BAT3 or Scythe) is an essential negative regulator in the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway. BAG6 inhibits the aggregation of VISA by promoting the K48-linked ubiquitination and specifically attenuates the recruitment of TRAF2 by VISA to inhibit RLR signaling. The aggregation of VISA and the interaction of VISA and TRAF2 are enhanced in BAG6-deficient cell lines after viral infection, resulting in the enhanced transcription level of downstream antiviral genes. Our research shows that BAG6 is a critical regulating factor in RIG-I/VISA-mediated innate immune response by targeting VISA.
A numerical approach to investigating the mechanisms behind tonotopy in the bush-cricket inner-ear
Authors: Celiker Emine , Woodrow Charlie , Mhatre Natasha , Montealegre-Z Fernando
Published: August 2022

Bush-crickets (or katydids) have sophisticated and ultrasonic ears located in the tibia of their forelegs, with a working mechanism analogous to the mammalian auditory system. Their inner-ears are endowed with an easily accessible hearing organ, thecrista acustica(CA), possessing a spatial organisation that allows for different frequencies to be processed at specific graded locations within the structure. Similar to the basilar membrane in the mammalian ear, the CA contains mechanosensory receptors which are activated through the frequency dependent displacement of the CA. While this tonotopical arrangement is generally attributed to the gradual stiffness and mass changes along the hearing organ, the mechanisms behind it have not been analysed in detail. In this study, we take a numerical approach to investigate this mechanism in theCopiphora gorgonensisear. In addition, we propose and test the effect of the different vibration transmission mechanisms on the displacement of the CA. The investigation was carried out by conducting finite-element analysis on a three-dimensional, idealised geometry of theC. gorgonensisinner-ear, which was based on precise measurements. The numerical results suggested that(i)even the mildest assumptions about stiffness and mass gradients allow for tonotopy to emerge, and(ii)the loading area and location for the transmission of the acoustic vibrations play a major role in the formation of tonotopy.
Discovery of a hidden form of neuropeptide F and its presence throughout the CNS–gut axis in the mud crab, Scylla olivacea
Authors: Kruangkum Thanapong , Duangprom Supawadee , Songkoomkrong Sineenart , Chotwiwatthanakun Charoonroj , Vanichviriyakit Rapeepun , Sobhon Prasert , Kornthong Napamanee
Published: August 2022

The mud crab Scylla olivacea (Scyol) is an economically crucial crustacean species in Thailand, due to its high market demand and nutritional value. The neuropeptide F (NPF) has been implicated in the coordinated regulation of feeding and metabolism in invertebrates. While various isoforms of neuropeptide F (NPF) have been previously explored in the mud crab, some knowledge gaps in relation to the NPF family, and ambiguities in the nomenclature from previous reports, remain. In this study, NPF was firstly localized in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract of the mud crab, S. olivacea, using a polyclonal antibody against Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Macro-NPF. The NPF immunoreactivity (ir) was detected dominantly in the X-organ/sinus gland complex of the eyestalk (ES) and the various neuronal clusters (cluster 6, 9/11, and 14/15) and neuropils (anteromedial and posteromedial protocerebral neuropils, olfactory and accessory olfactory neuropils, and medial antennule neuropil, columnar neuropil) of the brain (BR), commissural ganglia, and suboesophageal ganglion of the ventral nerve cord (VNC). Interestingly, this study also presented the NPF immunoreactivity (NPF-ir) in the acinar gland-like cell and spindle-shaped epithelial cells of S. olivacea intestine. The full-length Scyol-NPFII was characterized by molecular cloning and revealed 414 nucleotides with 375 nucleotides of an open reading frame which encoded 124 deduced amino acids. A 124-amino acid precursor protein of Scyol-NPFII included a 26-residue signal peptide and a 69-amino acid mature peptide. The Scyol-NPFII showed the highest percentage of hit similarity to S. paramamosain-NPFII and clustered in the NPFII family, separated from the other forms of NPFs in this species. The spatial gene expression in various tissues revealed that Scyol-NPFII was found dominantly in the ES and BR, VNC, heart, intestine, and muscle. This study provided a novel form of NPF in the female mud crab, S. olivacea, which could open the possibility of its functioning in the brain-to-gut controlling axis. This study could provide essential information for further application in the cultured system of S. olivacea in the near future.
A brief glimpse of a tangled web in a small world: Tumor microenvironment
Authors: Talaat Iman M. , Kim Byoungkwon
Published: August 2022

A tumor is a result of stepwise accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations. This notion has deepened the understanding of cancer biology and has introduced the era of targeted therapies. On the other hand, there have been a series of attempts of using the immune system to treat tumors, dating back to ancient history, to sporadic reports of inflamed tumors undergoing spontaneous regression. This was succeeded by modern immunotherapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The recent breakthrough has broadened the sight to other players within tumor tissue. Tumor microenvironment is a niche or a system orchestrating reciprocal and dynamic interaction of various types of cells including tumor cells and non-cellular components. The output of this complex communication dictates the functions of the constituent elements present within it. More complicated factors are biochemical and biophysical settings unique to TME. This mini review provides a brief guide on a range of factors to consider in the TME research.
Response of a neuronal network computational model to infrared neural stimulation
Authors: Wei Jinzhao , Li Licong , Song Hao , Du Zhaoning , Yang Jianli , Zhang Mingsha , Liu Xiuling
Published: August 2022

Infrared neural stimulation (INS), as a novel form of neuromodulation, allows modulating the activity of nerve cells through thermally induced capacitive currents and thermal sensitivity ion channels. However, fundamental questions remain about the exact mechanism of INS and how the photothermal effect influences the neural response. Computational neural modeling can provide a powerful methodology for understanding the law of action of INS. We developed a temperature-dependent model of ion channels and membrane capacitance based on the photothermal effect to quantify the effect of INS on the direct response of individual neurons and neuronal networks. The neurons were connected through excitatory and inhibitory synapses and constituted a complex neuronal network model. Our results showed that a slight increase in temperature promoted the neuronal spikes and enhanced network activity, whereas the ultra-temperature inhibited neuronal activity. This biophysically based simulation illustrated the optical dose-dependent biphasic cell response with capacitive current as the core change condition. The computational model provided a new sight to elucidate mechanisms and inform parameter selection of INS.
Milk intake enhances cerebral antioxidant (glutathione) concentration in older adults: A randomized controlled intervention study
Authors: Choi In-Young , Taylor Matthew K. , Lee Phil , Alhayek Sibelle Alwatchi , Bechtel Misty , Hamilton-Reeves Jill , Spaeth Kendra , Adany Peter , Sullivan Debra K.
Published: August 2022

Background

A major antioxidant, glutathione (GSH), is a key factor in the antioxidant defense mechanism against oxidative stress and aging-related functional declines. Our previous observational study showed positive correlations between brain GSH concentrations and dairy food consumption, particularly milk (p < 0.001), in older adults.

Objective

To investigate whether a recommended amount of milk intake (3 cups/day) in low dairy consumers enhances brain GSH concentrations through an intervention trial.

Methods

Seventy-three older adults (60–89 years) with a low dairy intake (≤1.5 servings/day) were randomized (5:2 ratio) in this 3-month randomized clinical trial. The intervention group was provided 1% milk weekly and instructed to consume 3 cups of milk/day for 3 months while the control group continued their habitual intake of total dairy ≤ 1.5 servings/day (<1 cup of milk/day). Brain GSH concentrations were measured in the fronto-parietal region using our unique 3 T magnetic resonance chemical shift imaging technique at baseline and 3 months.

Results

Among 73 randomized participants, 66 participants (49 intervention; 17 controls) completed the study. Milk intake in the intervention group increased from 0.2 ± 0.3 cups/day to 3.0 ± 0.6 cups/day (p < 0.001) between baseline and the end of the study, while milk intake in the control group did not differ throughout the study duration (0.4 ± 0.4 cups/day). The intervention group showed increases in brain GSH concentrations by 7.4 ± 11.7% (p < 0.001) in parietal and 4.7 ± 9.8% (p = 0.003) in fronto-parietal regions, and 4.6 ± 8.7% (p < 0.001) in overall brain concentration after the intervention compared with baseline, while the control group showed no changes.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that milk serves as a good dietary source to increase and/or restore brain GSH concentrations in older adults. Identifying dietary sources that effectively enhance antioxidant defenses and neuroprotection could lead to the development of new strategies to promote brain health in the aging population.

Clinical trial registration

[https://ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT02957422].
Axillary management for early invasive breast cancer patients: Who will truly benefit?
Authors: Liu Yanbiao , Fan Yan , Jin Zining , Cui Mengyao , Yu Xinmiao , Jin Feng , Wang Xu
Published: August 2022

Background

The implementation of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and further completion axillary lymph node dissection (cALND) after positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) on early invasive breast cancer patients should be cautiously tailored. Identifying predictors for SLN and non-sentinel lymph node (nSLN) metastases can help surgeons make better surgical decisions.

Methods

A retrospective case-control study was designed and a total of 560 eligible patients were enrolled consecutively. They were all diagnosed in our center and received appropriate medical care. According to the metastasis of SLN and nSLN, they were divided into metastatic and non-metastatic groups on two successive occasions to investigate the relationship between clinical factors, pathological factors, hematological factors and lymph node metastasis.

Results

In total, 101 (18.04%) patients developed SLN metastases, including 98 patients with macro-metastases and 3 patients with micro-metastases. Out of 97 patients receiving further cALND, 20 patients (20.62%) developed nSLN metastases. Multivariate analysis revealed that “high expression of Ki-67” and “lymphatic invasion” predicted a higher risk of SLN metastasis; and “increased number of positive SLNs” and “increased systemic inflammation index (SII)” predicted a higher risk of nSLN metastasis.

Conclusion

Surgery for early invasive breast cancer patients should be more customized and precise. Appropriate axillary management is necessary for patients with the associated predictors.
Pinelliae rhizoma alleviated acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide via suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Wang Ning-ning , Zhang Xian-xie , Shen Pan , Huang Cong-shu , Deng Hui-fang , Zhou Lei , Yue Lan-xin , Shen Bao-ying , Zhou Wei , Gao Yue
Published: August 2022

Pinelliae rhizoma (PR), one kind of commonly-used Chinese herbs, is generally prescribed to treat various respiratory diseases, including acute lung injury (ALI). However, the accurate bioactive ingredients of PR and the underlying pharmacological mechanism have both not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the bioactive ingredients that could alleviate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI and explore the possible mechanism involved. Our results confirmed that LPS infection indeed caused acute inflammatory damage in mice lung, accompanying with the enhancement of IL-1β contents and the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in lung tissue and macrophagocyte, all of which were remarkably ameliorated by PR treatment. Next, mechanistically, LPS was found to trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and downstream cellular calcium ions (Ca2+) release via activating Bip/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway. Like PR, 4-PBA (a specific inhibitor of ER stress) not only obviously reversed Bip/ATF4/CHOP-mediated ER stress, but also significantly attenuated LPS-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, the bioactive ingredients of PR, which generated the anti-inflammatory effects, were screened by metabolomics and network pharmacology. In vitro experiments showed that chrysin, dihydrocapsaicin, and 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) notably suppressed LPS-induced ER stress and following NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In conclusion, our findings suggested that PR alleviated LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting ER stress-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which is mainly relevant with these three bioactive ingredients. This study provided a theoretical basis for the clinical application of PR to treat ALI, and these bioactive ingredients of PR would be promising therapeutic drugs for the treatment of ALI.
The Anticancer Effects of the Pro-Apoptotic Benzofuran-Isatin Conjugate (5a) Are Associated With p53 Upregulation and Enhancement of Conventional Chemotherapeutic Drug Efficiency in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Vaali-Mohammed Mansoor-Ali , Abdulla Maha-Hamadien , Matou-Nasri Sabine , Eldehna Wagdy M. , Meeramaideen M. , Elkaeed Eslam B. , El-Watidy Mohammed , Alhassan Noura S. , Alkhaya Khayal , Al Obeed Omar
Published: August 2022

The present study aimed to investigate in-depth a cytotoxic novel benzofuran-isatin conjugate (5a, 3-methyl-N'-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide) with promising potential anticancer activities in colorectal adenocarcinoma HT29 and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) SW620 cell lines. Thus, the primary cell events involved in tumorigenicity, tumor development, metastasis, and chemotherapy response were explored. Both CRC cell lines were exposed to different concentrations of Compound 5a and then subjected to real-time cell viability, migration, and invasion assays, colony formation and cytotoxicity assays, and flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis and apoptosis determination. Western blot and RT-qPCR were performed to assess the protein and transcript expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell cycle, and apoptosis markers. We showed that the Compound 5a treatment exhibited anticancer effects through inhibition of HT29 and SW620 cell viability, migration, and invasion, in a dose-dependent manner, which were associated with the upregulation of the tumor suppressor p53. Compound 5a also inhibited the colony formation ability of HT29 and SW620 cells and reversed EMT markers E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression. CRC cell exposure to Compound 5a resulted in a cell cycle arrest at the G1/G0 phase in HT29 cells and at the G2/M phase in SW620 cells, along with the downregulation of cyclin A1 expression, described to be involved in the S phase entry. Furthermore, Compound 5a-induced apoptosis was associated with the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xl marker, upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax and cytochrome c markers, and increased mitochondrial outer membrane permeability, suggesting the involvement of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway. In addition, the combination studies of Compound 5a with the main conventional chemotherapeutic drugs 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin showed a more potent cytotoxic effect in both CRC cells than a single treatment. In conclusion, our findings described the interesting in vitro anticancer properties of Compound 5a, shown to have possible antitumor, antimetastatic, and pro-apoptotic activities, with the enhancement of the cytotoxic efficiency of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. In vivo studies are requested to confirm the promising anticancer potential of Compound 5a for CRC therapy.
Novel perspectives on the therapeutic role of cryptotanshinone in the management of stem cell behaviors for high-incidence diseases
Authors: Guo Xiaomeng , Ma Ruishuang , Wang Meng , Wui-Man Lau Benson , Chen Xiaopeng , Li Yue
Published: August 2022

Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a diterpenoid quinone, is found mostly in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (S. miltiorrhiza) and plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, such as cell proliferation/self-renewal, differentiation and apoptosis. In particular, CTS’s profound physiological impact on various stem cell populations and their maintenance and fate determination could improve the efficiency and accuracy of stem cell therapy for high-incidence disease. However, as much promise CTS holds, these CTS-mediated processes are complex and multifactorial and many of the underlying mechanisms as well as their clinical significance for high-incidence diseases are not yet fully understood. This review aims to shed light on the impact and mechanisms of CTS on the actions of diverse stem cells and the involvement of CTS in the many processes of stem cell behavior and provide new insights for the application of CTS and stem cell therapy in treating high-incidence diseases.
Design of cylindrical metashells with piezoelectric materials and digital circuits for multi-modal vibration control
Authors: Yin Danjie , Yi Kaijun , Liu Zhiyuan , Zhang Anfu , Zhu Rui
Published: August 2022

Thin-walled cylindrical shells are widely used in industries, such as the main parts of aircrafts, rockets, and submarines. Except for meeting the load-bearing capacities, such structures must also have good vibration and acoustic performances. However, it is still a challenge to control the multi-modal vibration of cylindrical shells at low frequencies. This study explores the cutting-edge local resonant piezoelectric metamaterials to control the low-frequency vibration of cylindrical shells. A novel cylindrical meta-shell with piezoelectric materials and digital circuits was proposed, and a multi-resonance transfer function is implemented in each digital circuit. A method to optimizing the parameters in the transfer function for the purpose of vibration reduction is developed. The vibrational characteristics of the meta-shell are numerically analyzed using the finite element method. Numerical results clearly demonstrate that by delicately designing the parameters in the transfer function, the meta-shell can reduce the peak amplitudes of the first five modes by 30 dB or more. Therefore, the proposed piezoelectric cylindrical meta-shell may open new opportunities in vibration mitigation of transport vehicles and underwater equipment.
Multi-tissue transcriptional changes and core circadian clock disruption following intensive care
Authors: Hollis Henry C. , Francis Julian N. , Anafi Ron C.
Published: August 2022

Objective: Both critical illness and current care have been hypothesized to upset daily rhythms and impair molecular circadian function. However, the influence of critical illness on clock function in different tissues and on circadian output genes are unknown. Here we evaluate the effect of critical care and illness on transcription, focusing on the functional organization of the core circadian oscillator.

Methods: We downloaded RNAseq count data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project. Treating mechanical ventilation as a marker for intensive care, we stratified samples into acute death (AD) and intensive care (IC) groups based on the documented Hardy Death Scale. We restricted our analysis to the 25 tissues with >50 samples in each group. Using the edgeR package and controlling for collection center, gender, and age, we identified transcripts differentially expressed between the AD and IC groups. Overrepresentation and enrichment methods were used to identify gene sets modulated by intensive care across tissues. For each tissue, we then calculated the delta clock correlation distance (ΔCCD), a comparative measure of the functional organization of the core circadian oscillator, in the both the AD and IC groups. The statistical significance of the ΔCCD was assessed by permutation, modifying a pre-existing R package to control for confounding variables.

Results: Intensive care, as marked by ventilation, significantly modulated the expression of thousands of genes. Transcripts that were modulated in ≥75% of tissues were enriched for genes involved in mitochondrial energetics, cellular stress, metabolism, and notably circadian regulation. Transcripts that were more markedly affected, in ≥10 tissues, were enriched for inflammation, complement and immune pathways. Oscillator organization, as assessed by ΔCCD, was significantly reduced in the intensive care group in 11/25 tissues.

Conclusion: Our findings support the hypothesis that patients in intensive care have impaired molecular circadian rhythms. Tissues involved in metabolism and energetics demonstrated the most marked changes in oscillator organization. In adipose tissue, there was a significant overlap between transcripts previously established to be modulated by sleep deprivation and fasting with those modulated by critical care. This work suggests that intensive care protocols that restore sleep/wake and nutritional rhythms may be of benefit.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1: A potential therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases
Authors: Peng Guangxin , Tang Xiaoling , Gui Yang , Yang Jing , Ye Lifang , Wu Liuyang , Ding Ya hui , Wang Lihong
Published: August 2022

The transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1), belonging to the TRPV channel family, is a non-selective, calcium-dependent, cation channel implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Collagen, an extracellular matrix component, can accumulate under pathological conditions and may lead to the destruction of tissue structure, organ dysfunction, and organ failure. Increasing evidence indicates that TRPV1 plays a role in the development and occurrence of fibrotic diseases, including myocardial, renal, pancreatic, and corneal fibrosis. However, the mechanism by which TRPV1 regulates fibrosis remains unclear. This review highlights the comprehensive role played by TRPV1 in regulating pro-fibrotic processes, the potential of TRPV1 as a therapeutic target in fibrotic diseases, as well as the different signaling pathways associated with TRPV1 and fibrosis.
Inflorescence temperature influences fruit set, phenology, and sink strength of Cabernet Sauvignon grape berries
Authors: Keller Markus , Scheele-Baldinger Regula , Ferguson John C. , Tarara Julie M. , Mills Lynn J.
Published: August 2022

The temperature during the bloom period leading up to fruit set is a key determinant of reproductive success in plants and of harvest yield in crop plants. However, it is often unclear whether differences in yield components result from temperature effects on the whole plant or specifically on the flower or fruit sinks. We used a forced-convection, free-air cooling and heating system to manipulate the inflorescence temperature of field-grown Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines during the bloom period. Temperature regimes included cooling (ambient −7.5°C), heating (ambient +7.5°C), an ambient control, and a convective control. Cooling significantly retarded the time to fruit set and subsequent berry development, and heating shortened the time to fruit set and accelerated berry development relative to the two controls. Fruit set was decreased in cooled inflorescences, but although the cooling regime resulted in the lowest berry number per cluster, it also decreased seed and berry weight at harvest while not affecting seed number. Cooling inflorescences slightly decreased fruit soluble solids and pH, and increased titratable acidity, but did not affect color density. The inflorescence temperature did not impact leaf gas exchange and shoot growth, and shoot periderm formation occurred independently of the timing of fruit ripening. These results suggest that the temperature experienced by grape flowers during bloom time impacts fruit set and subsequent seed and berry development. Suboptimal temperatures not only reduce the proportion of flowers that set fruit but also limit the sink strength of the berries that do develop after fruit set. Shoot vigor and maturation, and leaf physiology, on the other hand, may be rather insensitive to temperature-induced changes in reproductive development.
ZmCCT haplotype H5 improves yield, stalk-rot resistance, and drought tolerance in maize
Authors: Tong Lixiu , Yan Mingzhu , Zhu Mang , Yang Jie , Li Yipu , Xu Mingliang
Published: August 2022

The ZmCCT locus underlies both stalk-rot resistance and photoperiod sensitivity in maize (Zea mays L.). We previously introduced nine resistant ZmCCT haplotypes into seven elite but susceptible maize inbred lines (containing the haplotype H1) to generate 63 backcross families. Here, we continued backcrossing, followed by selfing, to develop 63 near-isogenic lines (NILs). We evaluated 22 of these NILs for stalk-rot resistance and flowering time under long-day conditions. Lines harboring the haplotype H5 outperformed the others, steadily reducing disease severity, while showing less photoperiod sensitivity. To demonstrate the value of haplotype H5 for maize production, we selected two pairs of NILs, 83B28H1/83B28H5 and A5302H1/A5302H5, and generated F1 hybrids with the same genetic backgrounds but different ZmCCT alleles: 83B28H1 × A5302H1, 83B28H1 × A5302H5, 83B28H5 × A5302H1, and 83B28H5 × A5302H5. We performed field trials to investigate yield/yield-related traits, stalk-rot resistance, flowering time, and drought/salt tolerance in these four hybrids. 83B28H5 × A5302H1 performed the best, with significantly improved yield, stalk-rot resistance, and drought tolerance compared to the control (83B28H1 × A5302H1). Therefore, the ZmCCT haplotype H5 has great value for breeding maize varieties with high yield potential, stalk-rot resistance, and drought tolerance.
The psychological concept of social sustainability in the workplace from the perspective of sustainable goals: A systematic review
Authors: Kobal Grum Darja , Babnik Katarina
Published: August 2022

Unlike environmental sustainability, social sustainability in the workplace is a relatively new concept that is still searching for its own definition and explanation. Therefore, in this paper, we systematically reviewed and critically evaluated recent research on this topic. In doing so, we identified important constructs that help us better define and understand the phenomenon of social sustainability in the workplace. We focused on articles from 2016 to 2022 with content related to three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely health and wellbeing (SDG-3), gender equality (SDG-5), and decent work (SDG-8). Given the harrowing events of the past 2 years, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the global impact of the war in Ukraine, we also wanted to learn whether other categories, such as security (SDG-11) and peace (SDG-16), are embedded in the concept of social sustainability at work. The articles we studied were found through EBSCOhost, specifically in the Academic Search Complete, Business Source Premier, APA PsycInfo, SocINDEX with Full Text, and GreenFILE databases. We selected 67 articles and organized them according to the four levels of research and practice in work and organizational psychology. In reviewing the literature, we identified several constructs that can be classified at four levels of interest in work and organizational psychology. At the level focused on the job/work, we identified two main topics: (i) sustainable job/work characteristics and (ii) sustainable job (re)design. At the people-focused level, we identified the following topics: (i) pro-sustainable self-system, (ii) pro-sustainable job attitudes and motivation, (iii) sustainability work environment perceptions and other mediating mechanisms, and (iv) sustainable job behavior. The organization-focused level includes (i) organizations as human systems and (ii) pro-sustainable organizational policies and practices. The last (society-focused) level is defined by two main topics: (i) understanding society as a human system and (ii) pro-social mechanisms. In the discussion, we categorized specific constructs identified within the described focus levels into the theoretical model describing the psychological concept of social sustainability in the workplace from the perspective of sustainable goals.
A dimensional approach to affective disorder: The relations between Scl-90 subdimensions and QEEG parameters
Authors: Kesebir Sermin , Yosmaoglu Ahmet , Tarhan Nevzat
Published: August 2022

Objectives

QEEG reflects neuronal activity directly rather than using indirect parameters, such as blood deoxygenation and glucose utilization, as in fMRI and PET. The correlation between QEEG spectral power density and Symptom Check List-90-R may help identify biomarkers pertaining to brain function, associated with affective disorder symptoms. This study aims at determining whether there is a relation between QEEG spectral power density and Symptom Check List-90-R symptom scores in affective disorders.

Methods

This study evaluates 363 patients who were referred for the initial application and diagnosed with affective disorders according to DSM-V, with QEEG and Scl-90-R. Spectral power density was calculated for the 18 electrodes representing brain regions.

Results

Somatization scores were found to be correlated with Pz and O1 theta, O1 and O2 high beta. Whereas FP1 delta activities were correlated with anxiety, F3, F4, and Pz theta were correlated with obsession scores. Interpersonal sensitivity scores were found to be correlated with F4 delta, P3, T5, P4, T6 alpha and T5, and T6 theta activities. While depression scores were correlated with P3 and T4 delta, as well as T4 theta, there was a correlation between anger and F4, as well as T4 alpha and F8 high beta activities. Paranoia scores are correlated with FP1, F7, T6 and F8 theta, T5 and F8 delta, and O2 high beta activities.

Conclusions

According to our results, anxiety, obsession, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anger, and paranoia are related to some spectral powers of QEEG. Delta-beta coupling seems to be a neural biomarker for affective dysregulation.
Depiction of mental illness and psychiatry in popular video games over the last 20 years
Authors: Buday Jozef , Neumann Miroslav , Heidingerová Jana , Michalec Jirí , Podgorná Gabriela , Mareš Tadeáš , Pol Marek , Mahrík Jakub , Vranková Stanislava , Kališová Lucie , Anders Martin
Published: August 2022

Video games represent a rapidly growing media form that is a daily activity for many youths. So far, only a little attention has been paid to the portrayal of mental illnesses and psychiatric intervention within them. In our research, we explored the best-selling video games released between 2002–2021 in order to analyse these representations. We came to the conclusion that approximately 1 out of 10 popular games attempts to portray symptoms of mental illness – with a majority of 75% of them in a negative and stereotypical way. Despite the majority of mental illness depiction in popular video games being negative, there are mounting reports that certain representations have a positive impact on their player bases. Further studies are required, as to how much videogames influence the player's attitude toward this topic.
Estimation of Demand for Beef Imports in Indonesia: An Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Approach
Authors: Hadi Sholih Nugroho , Chung Rebecca H.
Published: August 2022

Import policies for food products, including beef, need to support national food security while protecting the domestic food industry. This study aims to develop a model for beef import demand of Indonesia. The study employed annual secondary data from various sources from 1990 to 2019. Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and the error correction models (ECM) were adapted for predicting the long-run and short-run beef import demand, by considering income growth, domestic production, relative price, and exchange rate. The bounds test showed that gross domestic product (GDP) growth per capita, domestic beef production, and the exchange rate had no significant effect on the beef import demand in the long run; nonetheless, the relative beef price between local and international market had a considerable impact (5.353%). In the short run, GDP growth per capita and domestic beef production significantly affected beef import demand (0.036% and −0.9%, respectively). Error correction term (ECT) corrected the disequilibrium of the import demand model in current year towards the following year (17.60%). This finding is confirmed by the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), and canonical co-integrating regression (CCR) methods. Ultimately, this study can serve as an instrument for formulating policy related to beef imports in Indonesia.
Contract Owner’s Best Commanding for Sweet Potato Farming Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Chang Ke-Fen , Wu Pei-Ing , Liou Je-Liang , Yang Shou-Lin
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine and compare different psychological and sociodemographic factors for contracting sweet potato production for farmers with different statuses based upon the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Sustainable production provides contract owners with a sufficient amount of both food crops and a source of bioethanol clean energy. The impact of such factors on potential farmers based on the TPB for a particular contract type is estimated with the data collected in three major sweet potato production cities/counties in Taiwan through the probit model and multinomial logit model. The average size of the surveyed farms is 1.64 ha. The results consistently show that the factors of attitude toward the advantages of contract farming, subjective norms regarding contract farming, perceived contract farming control, and behavior intention have very significant impacts on the selection of contract farming types for professional farmers and brokers. These results indicate that the contract owners will gain the greatest advantage through commanding any factor in TBP for these two groups of farmers, as they have an incentive to manage the sources of sweet potatoes at the best conditions before they have the agreement with the contract owners, either as the supply of bioethanol energy raw materials, supply of food crops, or supply of food processing materials.
Effects of Convective Drying of Quince Fruit (Cydonia oblonga) on Color, Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Compounds under Various Fruit Juice Dipping Pre-Treatments
Authors: Akman Hasmet Emre , Boyar Ismail , Gozlekci Sadiye , Saracoglu Onur , Ertekin Can
Published: August 2022

In this study, 3 mm thick quince slices were dipped in bitter orange (BO), tangerine (Citrus deliciosa Mediterranean) (CDM), orange (O), tangerine (Citrus reticulata Owari) (CRO), pomegranate (P) juices and a non-pre-treatment (control) dried at an air temperature of 70 °C and air velocity of 1.5 m/s. According to the results of the pre-treatment trials, drying time was found to be a minimum of 121 min in pomegranate at 5 min dipping time to reach a safe moisture content of 10% (w.b.). The lowest total color change (∆E) values were observed in orange juice dipped samples (10.19). We found the highest total phenolics (TP) (16.77 mg GAE/g d.w.) in CDM, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) (32.49 µmol TE/g d.w.) in P and total flavonoid (TF) (2018.15 mg GAE/kg d.w.) in BO for 5 min dipping time values. As a result, pomegranate juice pre-treatment in all dipping times improved the biocompounds for quince slices.
Leaf Functional Traits and Relationships with Soil Properties of Zanthoxylum planispinum ‘dintanensis’ in Plantations of Different Ages
Authors: Song Yanping , Yu Yanghua , Li Yitong
Published: August 2022

To explore the changes of leaf functional traits of Zanthoxylum planispinum ‘dintanensis’ with growth and development and its relationship with soil properties, which can clarify the response of the plantation to soil properties and suitable strategy. The research results can provide a scientific basis for plantations management. We explored the response of leaf functional traits to soil by using redundancy analysis in 5–7-, 10–12-, 20–22-, and 28–32-year Z. planispinum ‘dintanensis’ plantations. The results showed that: (1) The coefficients of variation of leaf traits ranged from 0.41% to 39.51%, with mostly medium and low variation, with the lowest variability in leaf water content (0.51–0.85%); The 5–7, 10–12, 20–22-year-old plantations were laid at the “slow investment-return” end of the economic spectrum while 28–32-year plantations were close to “fast investment-return” end. (2) The Z. planispinum ‘dintanensis’ tended to suit the environment via making trade-off and coordination of leaf functional traits. Leaf dry matter content decreased with an increase in leaf carbon/leaf nitrogen ratio, which is the trade-off between nitrogen usage efficiency and nutrient fixation capacity in Z. planispinum ‘dintanensis’. (3) Redundancy analysis suggested that soil carbon/nitrogen ratio, soil total calcium, soil water content, soil available phosphorus, soil carbon/calcium ratio were highly correlated with leaf functional traits, while soil elemental stoichiometry had a greater reflection on leaf functional traits than their own content.
Exploring Optimal Cropping System to Improve the Water Use Efficiency and Soil Water Restoration after Lucerne-to-Crop Conversion in the Semiarid Environment
Authors: Wang Linlin , Luo Zhuzhu , Li Lingling , Xie Junhong , Fudjoe Setor Kwami , Zechariah Effah
Published: August 2022

Due to depleting water supplies and the cultivation of high water-demanding crops such as lucerne, the effect of water deficits in crop production has become a major concern, especially in semiarid regions of China. A six-year field experiment (2012–2018) was conducted to evaluate soil water recovery and soil fertility after lucerne-to-crop conversions on the western Loess Plateau of China. Six rotation treatments (lucerne initially grew from 2003 to 2012 followed by the rotation of other crops or fallow until assessments in 2018) were: (1) lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)–lucerne (L-L); (2) lucerne–fallow (L-F); (3) lucerne–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (L-W); (4) lucerne–corn (Zea mays L.) (L-C); (6) lucerne–potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) (L-P); and (6) lucerne–millet (Setaria italica) (L-M). The same crops were grown each year after cultivation during 2013–2018. According to the findings, all rotation types gradually increased the soil water content, with the 0–110 cm soil layer experiencing the maximum soil water replenishment rate, followed by the 110–200 and 200–300 cm soil layers. After converting lucerne to crops, the amount of organic carbon, total nitrogen, and mineral nitrogen in the soil decreased, whereas total phosphorus and accessible phosphorus increased. Soil bulk density was reduced under rotation treatments. Soil water absolute restoration index was the highest under L-F, followed by L-C, L-W, L-P, and L-M. The rate of soil water recovery was 39.5, 33.0, 33.7, 33.5, 29, and 8.2 mm yr−1 under L-F, L-W, L-C, L-P, L-M, and L-L, respectively. The net economic return was greatest under L-C, followed by L-L, L-W, L-P, and L-M. From the analysis of the long-term experimental results, this study shows that the effect of soil water restoration is greatest when continuous alfalfa is converted into wheat, corn, and potato or fallow after 9 years. When the economic benefits and soil moisture recovery are considered comprehensively, corn sown in a ridge–furrow system with fully plastic film annual mulching is the most suitable field management practice after lucerne-to-crop conversion on the western Loess Plateau of China.