bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation on Nonlinear Behaviors of Seepage in Deep Shale Gas Reservoir with Viscoelasticity
Authors: Gao Xuhua , Yu Junhong , Shang Xinchun , Zhu Weiyao
Published: August 2023

The nonlinear behaviors in deep shale gas seepage are investigated, involving the non-Darcy effect, desorption, and viscoelasticity. The seepage model accounts for the nonlinear compressibility factor and gas viscosity due to their stronger non-linearity at a high pressure and temperature. The viscoelastic behavior in deep shales, including matrix deformation and proppant embedment, is quantified, and the evolution of the time-varying and pressure-dependent porosity and permeability is derived. A semi-analytical approach with explicit iteration schemes is developed to solve the pressure field. The proposed model and method are verified by comparing the simulation results with the field data. The results show that the gas production contributed by the non-Darcy effect and desorption is much higher in deep shale than in shallow shale. However, Darcy flow contributes 85% of the total gas production of deep shales. If the effect of viscoelastic behavior is neglected, the accumulative gas production would be overestimated by 18.2% when the confining pressure is 80 MPa. Due to the higher pressure and temperature, the accumulative gas production in deep shale is 150% higher than that in shallow shale. This investigation helps to clarify the performance of the non-Darcy effect, desorption, and viscoelastic behavior in deep shales, and the proposed model and approach can facilitate the optimization simulations for hydraulic fracturing strategy and production system due to its high efficiency.
A Single-Stage, Multi-Port Hybrid Power Converter Integrating PV and Wind Sources for a Standalone DC System
Authors: Khare Anvit , Anabalagan Karthikeyan
Published: August 2023

In this paper, a hybrid PV–wind-source- based multi-port converter focused on a standalone DC system is proposed. The proposed configuration is able to perform simultaneous three-phase AC–DC conversion and DC–DC conversion, ensuring simultaneous power extraction from these combined sources. The proposed converter is a single-stage converter that enhances dependability and eliminates redundant conversion stages with regard to the earlier configurations for the hybrid PV–wind sources. The operational aspects of the proposed converter are depicted, illustrating the regulation of load voltage and load power because of the dynamic output capability of PV–wind sources. Furthermore, the comprehensive control architecture to govern the concurrent conversion operations with the generation of three-phase modulating signals and duty ratio signal in accordance with the load voltage control is elaborated. Additionally, the modified sinusoidal PWM scheme for the proposed converter is elaborated, showing the unification of three-phase modulating signals and duty ratio signal for the generation of PWM pulses which facilitates the simultaneous power conversion processes. Finally, to validate the suitability of the proposed converter, the performance of the converter under various scenarios is investigated through simulation and experimental case studies.
Environmental Design for People Living with Dementia
Authors: Quirke Martin , Bennett Kirsty , Chau Hing-Wah , Preece Terri , Jamei Elmira
Published: August 2023

The term ‘environmental design for dementia’ relates to both the process and outcomes of designing to support or improve cognitive accessibility in physical environments. Environmental design for dementia is evidenced as an effective nonpharmacological intervention for treatment of the symptoms of dementia and is associated with higher levels of independence and wellbeing for people living with a variety of age-related cognitive, physical, and sensory impairments. Evidence-based dementia design principles have been established as a means of supporting both the design and evaluation of environmental design for dementia.
Comprehensive Analysis of the DNA Methyltransferase Genes and Their Association with Salt Response in Pyrus betulaefolia
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Liu Chunxiao , Xu Xiaoyang , Kan Jialiang , Li Hui , Lin Jing , Cheng Zongming , Chang Youhong
Published: August 2023

DNA methylation plays an indispensable role in genome stability, regulation of gene expression and plant stress response. It is mediated by DNA methyltransferases (MTases). Twelve putative MTases of P. betulaefolia were identified and were classified into MET1, CMT, DRM2 and Dnmt2 groups based on the organization of various characteristic domains. Three pairs of paralogous genes were identified with the Ka/Ks ratio varied from 0.232 for PbeMET1a and PbeMET1b to 0.251 for PbeCMT2 and PbeCMT3, respectively. In addition, the Ka/Ks ratio for nine pairs of orthologous gene pairs between P. betulaefolia and apple were varied from 0.053 for PbeDRM3 and MD17G1031900 to 0.278 for PbeDnmt2b and MD15G1120500, respectively. All the 12 members of MTase genes were located on nine chromosomes out of 17 P. betulaefolia chromosomes with highly conserved protein sequence structures. The isoelectric points (pI) of MTases ranged from 4.74 to 7.24, while molecular weight varied from 35.99 to 174.32. The expression profiles of MTase and other salt-responsive genes under salt stress treatment revealed their important roles involved in salt response in P. betulaefolia. Furthermore, three selected salt-responsive genes (PbeNHX2.1, PbeCBL2 and PbeAKT2) were found altered in methylation level of promoters (which contain CpG islands) under salt stress. Especially, the PbeAKT2 promoter regions showed high CHG and CHH methylation types. Our study provided a genome-wide survey of the MTase gene family and highlighted their roles in salt response. These results also provided an effective way for the breeding and improvement of salt-tolerant pear varieties.
Enhancing the Thermal Comfort of Woven Fabrics and Mechanical Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Composites Using Multiple Weave Structures
Authors: Arshad Zafar , Alharthi Salman S.
Published: August 2023

In this study, the different effects of weave structure on the comfort properties of fabrics and the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites were investigated. Fabrics were developed using one type of material (flax spun yarn) in the warp direction and three different materials (flax, sisal and cotton spun yarn) in the weft directions. Four different types of weaves (plain, twill, matt and mock leno) were produced in each type of material. Twelve specimens were produced on a sample weaving machine. These fabrics with multiweave combinations give the wearer a comfort zone for sportswear and outdoor applications. These fabrics maintain the temperature of wearers in extreme weather conditions. But these weaves have different effects when interlaced with different types of weft yarns. Air permeability, overall moisture management, stiffness and thermal resistance were investigated for these fabric specimens. The hybrid fabric produced with pure flax warp and weft cotton/sisal exhibited the highest value of air permeability, overall moisture management capability and thermal resistance followed by flax–sisal and flax–flax. The hybrid fabric produced with the mock leno weave also presented a higher value of air permeability compared to the twill, mat and plain weaves. Bending stiffness was observed to be higher in those fabrics produced with flax/sisal compared to pure flax and flax–cotton. The outerwear fabric produced with a blend of flax yarn in the warp and cotton/sisal spun yarn in the weft exhibited improved properties when compared to the fabric produced with flax/sisal and pure flax yarns. In composites, flax/flax showed enhanced mechanical properties, i.e., tensile and flexural strength. In other combinations, the composites with longer weaves possessed prominent mechanical characteristics. The composites with enhanced mechanical properties can be used for window coverings, furniture upholstery and sports equipment. These composites have the potential to be used in automotive applications.
Production and Characterization of Heme Iron Polypeptide from the Blood of Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Using Enzymatic Hydrolysis for Food Supplement Application
Authors: Tansukkasem Satita , Kaewpathomsri Piriya , Jonjaroen Veasarach , Payongsri Panwajee , Lertsiri Sittiwat , Niamsiri Nuttawee
Published: August 2023

Organic heme iron in the form of heme iron polypeptide (HIP) is a bioavailable form of iron that can be used for dietary supplements. However, one practical challenge with HIP is that the quality of HIP prepared with different batches of raw material could lead to HIP products with inconsistent characteristics. In this study, skipjack tuna blood, a by-product in canned tuna industry, was converted to HIP at different degrees of enzymatic hydrolysis. The variation in HIP physical–chemical characteristics from different batches was evaluated, including composition, solubility, and molecular weight distribution. It was found that the batch variation had no effect on HIP composition and solubility; however, the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and the size of peptides that interact with heme greatly influenced HIP solubility at pH 2. Tuna-HIP with a low DH (DH, 8%) had 1.76-fold greater solubility than tuna-HIP with a high DH (DH, 32%). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that tuna-HIP with a low DH had a molecular weight ranging from 1 kDa to 5 kDa. In summary, HIP-derived tuna blood was found to contain 70.54 ± 3.22 mg/100 g of iron and exhibit good solubility at 58.0 ± 2.16% at pH 2. Thus, tuna-HIP with a low DH might be a suitable functional ingredient for iron fortification of food.
Influence of Ageing Time and Method on Beef Quality and Safety
Authors: Khazzar Sara , Segato Severino , Riuzzi Giorgia , Serva Lorenzo , Garbin Elisabetta , Gerardi Gabriele , Tenti Sandro , Mirisola Massimo , Catellani Paolo
Published: August 2023

The effectiveness of dry ageing with regard to retaining meat quality is still subject to debate. At 4 d post mortem, samples of boneless strip loins were excised from young Charolais carcasses and then stored for a further 26 d in a cooler, either vacuum-packaged (VP) or dried-aged (DA). Loin samples were also dissected 7 d post mortem as a control treatment (CT). Chemical, instrumental and microbiological data (n = 18) were determined in longissimus dorsi and underwent ANOVA to estimate the differences in the ageing fixed factor split into two orthogonal contrasts: control vs. aged and VP vs. DA. Ageing loss (both surface dehydration and water purge) was greater in DA compared to VP samples, resulting in the lowest moisture content and highest crude protein and fat percentage in DA loins. The ageing method did not affect meat surface colour, except for redness, which had the lowest value in DA samples. Meat tenderness improved a similar amount following both VP and DA ageing treatments. Compared to the control, prolonged ageing raised both the peroxide value and the total microbial count, especially in DA samples, though both remained within the recommended limits. In summation, both ageing methods improved beef meat tenderisation, preserving its shelf life.
Extracts of Dunkelfelder Grape Seeds and Peel Increase the Metabolic Rate and Reduce Fat Deposition in Mice Maintained on a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Yang Chenlu , Tian Xuelin , Han Yulei , Shi Xueqing , Wang Hua , Li Hua
Published: August 2023

Chronic high-fat diet intake may induce obesity and increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. The pomace of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is rich in polyphenols, which are candidates for anti-obesity therapy. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Dunkelfelder grape seed extract (GSE) and grape peel extract (GPE) on lipid and energy metabolism disorders in mice maintained on a high-fat diet (HFD). Male nine-week C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups, namely, the normal chow diet (ND), HFD, HFD plus GSE (400 mg/kg BW) administered by oral gavage, or HFD plus GPE (400 mg/kg BW) administered by oral gavage. There were eight mice per group, and the experiment was 14 weeks in duration. The results showed that GSE and GPE treatments did not affect energy intake in mice on a high-fat diet, but body weight gain was 24.5% and 17.3% lower in the GSE- and GPE-treated mice than in the HFD group, respectively. They also decreased blood triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and fasting blood glucose levels and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In addition, GSE and GPE reduced adipose tissue weight and excessive lipid droplet accumulation in the adipocytes. The metabolic chamber test showed that the GSE and GPE treatments enhanced oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and heat release while decreasing the respiratory exchange rate (RER). This suggests that GSE and GPE augmented fuel oxidation and energy generation and increased the proportion of lipids being utilized in energy metabolism. GSE and GPE also upregulated the genes controlling lipolysis and downregulated those controlling lipogenesis in adipose tissues. Moreover, they significantly increased the expression levels of the genes regulating thermogenesis in BAT, eWAT, and iWAT, and mitochondrial biogenesis in all three types of adipose tissue. In conclusion, the present study empirically demonstrated that GSE and GPE enhance body fat utilization by augmenting lipid and energy metabolism and could, therefore, ameliorate high-fat diet-induced obesity.
Effect of Marinating in Dairy-Fermented Products and Sous-Vide Cooking on the Protein Profile and Sensory Quality of Pork Longissimus Muscle
Authors: Latoch Agnieszka , Moczkowska-Wyrwisz Małgorzata , Sałek Piotr , Czarniecka-Skubina Ewa
Published: August 2023

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of marinating (3 or 6 days) in kefir (KE), yogurt (YO) and buttermilk (BM) and sous-vide cooking (SV) at 60 or 80 °C on changes in the protein profile of pork in relation to its sensory quality. In the marinated raw meat, an increased share of some fractions of myofibrillar and cytoskeletal proteins and calpains were found. The greatest degradation of proteins, regardless of time, was caused by marinating in YO and KE and cooking SV at 80 °C. The lowest processing losses were in samples marinated in KE and YO and cooked SV at 60 °C, with marinating time having no significant effect. The odor, flavor, tenderness and juiciness of meat marinated in BM was better than in KE and YO. Meat marinated and cooked SV at 60 °C was rated better by the panelists. Changes in proteins significantly affect the formation of meat texture, tenderness and juiciness, which confirms the correlations. This is also reflected in the sensory evaluation. During the process of marinating and cooking meat, protein degradation should be taken into account, which can be a good tool for shaping the sensory quality of cooked pork.
The Effect of Atmospheric Dielectric Barrier Discharge Cold Plasma Treatment on the Nutritional and Physicochemical Characteristics of Various Legumes
Authors: Wu Yingmei , Feng Xuewei , Zhu Yingying , Li Shiyu , Hu Yichen , Yao Yang , Zhou Nong
Published: August 2023

High activity of lipoxygenase (LOX) has been identified as a primary cause of oxidative rancidity in legumes. In this study, the application of dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma (DBD-ACP) (5 W, 10 min) resulted in an obvious decrease in LOX activity in mung bean (MB), kidney bean (KB), and adzuki bean (AB) flours by 36.96%, 32.49%, and 28.57%, respectively. Moreover, DBD-ACP induced significant increases (p < 0.05) in content of soluble dietary fiber, saturated fatty acids, and methionine. The starch digestibility of legumes was changed, evidenced by increased (p < 0.05) slowly digestible starch and rapidly digestible starch, while resistant starch decreased. Furthermore, DBD-ACP treatment significantly affected (p < 0.05) the hydration and thermal characteristics of legume flours, evidenced by the increased water absorption index (WAI) and gelatinization temperature, and the decreased swelling power (SP) and gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH). Microscopic observations confirmed that DBD-ACP treatment caused particle aggregation.
Evaluation of the Physical, Chemical, Technological, and Sensorial Properties of Extrudates and Cookies from Composite Sorghum and Cowpea Flours
Authors: Mba Joy , Paes Laise , Viana Leonara , Ferreira Ana , Queiroz Valéria , Martino Hércia , Azevedo Luciana , de Carvalho Carlos , Felisberto Mária , de Barros Frederico
Published: August 2023

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for gluten-free and functional products, driven by consumer preferences for healthier and more diverse food choices. Therefore, there is a need to explore new ingredients that can be used as alternatives to traditional gluten-containing grains. Thus, this work evaluated the physical, chemical, technological, and sensorial properties of extrudates and cookies from composite tannin sorghum (rich in resistant starch) and white cowpea flours. Extrudates and cookies were produced from a composite flour made of sorghum and cowpea, at a sorghum:cowpea flour ratio of 70:30, 50:50, and 30:70. Then, raw flours, cookies, and extrudates were characterized (dietary fiber, resistant starch, proteins, antioxidant capacity, pasting properties, etc.). Results obtained for particle size distribution and bulk density indicated that the particles increased and the color changed with the addition of cowpea flour. The raw tannin sorghum flour had a higher resistant starch concentration (36.3%) and antioxidant capacity (211.2 µmolTE/g), whereas cowpea flour had higher levels of proteins (18.7%) and dietary fiber (20.1%). This difference in the raw flour composition contributed to the nutritional value of the extrudates and cookies, especially the cookies which undergo dry heat and had higher retention of resistant starch and antioxidants. Moreover, sorghum flour presented a higher tendency to retrograde (high setback), which was decreased by the addition of cowpea flour. Overall acceptance and intention to purchase were higher for extrudates with 100% sorghum flour (6.52 and 68.3%, respectively) and cookies with 70% cowpea flour (7.03 and 76.7%, respectively). Therefore, nutritious and functional gluten-free extrudates and cookies, of good acceptability, can be produced from composite tannin sorghum and white cowpea flours.
Characterization and Correlation of Dominant Microbiota and Flavor Development in Different Post-Mortem Processes of Beef
Authors: Wang Hengpeng , Wang Jipan , Wang Yinlan , Gao Sumin , Xu Shuangyi , Zou Xiaobo , Meng Xiangren
Published: August 2023

Post-mortem aging could enhance the unique flavors of beef via several biochemical pathways. The microbiota is one of the important factors in the flavor development of aging beef, but their potential relationship has rarely been studied. This study characterized the apparent meat quality, flavor profiles, and microbial communities of beef during the different post-mortem processes, followed by the investigation of the correlations between the dominant microbiota and key volatile compounds. The results showed that wet-aged beef has a higher product yield and more stable color than dry-aged beef, as evidenced by the significantly lower value of aging loss and discoloration (ΔE). According to the odor activity value, 11 out of 65 compounds were categorized as aroma-active components, and 9 of them, including 1-pentanol, 1-octen-3-ol, hexanal, nonanal, heptanal, octanal, 2-nonenal, (E)-, 2-octenal, (E)- and 2-decenal, (E)-, were enriched in beef wet-aged for 7 d. Significant variances were found in the microbial communities of different aging beef. Of these, 20 microbiota (with 10 bacterial and 10 fungal genera) were recognized as the dominant genus. Partial least squares regression combined with a correlation network model revealed that five microbial genera, including Trichosporon, Prauserella, Rhodotorula, Malassezia, and Corynebacterium, constituted the functional microbiota responsible for flavor formation in aging beef and were positively associated with ≥7 key volatile compounds (p < 0.05, |ρ| > 0.7). This study suggests that the application of wet aging within 7 d on beef is better for meat quality and provides novel insights into the mechanisms of flavor formation in post-mortem aging beef via functional microbiota.
Evaluation of Cooked Rice for Eating Quality and Its Components in Geng Rice
Authors: Li Cui , Yao Shujun , Song Bo , Zhao Lei , Hou Bingzhu , Zhang Yong , Zhang Fan , Qi Xiaoquan
Published: August 2023

At present, ‘‘eating well” is increasingly desired by people instead of merely ‘‘being full”. Rice provides the majority of daily caloric needs for half of the global human population. However, eating quality is difficult to objectively evaluate in rice breeding programs. This study was carried out to objectively quantify and predict eating quality in Geng rice. First, eating quality and its components were identified by trained panels. Analysis of variance and broad-sense heritability showed that variation among varieties was significant for all traits except hardness. Among them, viscosity, taste, and appearance were significantly correlated with eating quality. We established an image acquisition and processing system to quantify cooked rice appearance and optimized the process of measuring cooked rice viscosity with a texture analyzer. The results show that yellow areas of the images were significantly correlated with appearance, and adhesiveness was significantly correlated with viscosity. Based on these results, multiple regression analysis was used to predict eating quality: eating quality = 0.37 × adhesiveness − 0.71 × yellow area + 0.89 × taste − 0.34, R2 = 0.85. The correlation coefficient between the predicted and actual values was 0.86. We anticipate that this predictive model will be useful in future breeding programs for high-eating-quality rice.
Eighth-Kind Chebyshev Polynomials Collocation Algorithm for the Nonlinear Time-Fractional Generalized Kawahara Equation
Authors: Abd-Elhameed Waleed Mohamed , Youssri Youssri Hassan , Amin Amr Kamel , Atta Ahmed Gamal
Published: August 2023

In this study, we present an innovative approach involving a spectral collocation algorithm to effectively obtain numerical solutions of the nonlinear time-fractional generalized Kawahara equation (NTFGKE). We introduce a new set of orthogonal polynomials (OPs) referred to as “Eighth-kind Chebyshev polynomials (CPs)”. These polynomials are special kinds of generalized Gegenbauer polynomials. To achieve the proposed numerical approximations, we first derive some new theoretical results for eighth-kind CPs, and after that, we employ the spectral collocation technique and incorporate the shifted eighth-kind CPs as fundamental functions. This method facilitates the transformation of the equation and its inherent conditions into a set of nonlinear algebraic equations. By harnessing Newton’s method, we obtain the necessary semi-analytical solutions. Rigorous analysis is dedicated to evaluating convergence and errors. The effectiveness and reliability of our approach are validated through a series of numerical experiments accompanied by comparative assessments. By undertaking these steps, we seek to communicate our findings comprehensively while ensuring the method’s applicability and precision are demonstrated.
Exploring Families of Solitary Wave Solutions for the Fractional Coupled Higgs System Using Modified Extended Direct Algebraic Method
Authors: Bilal Muhammad , Iqbal Javed , Ali Rashid , Awwad Fuad A. , Ismail Emad A. A.
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we suggest the modified Extended Direct Algebraic Method (mEDAM) to examine the existence and dynamics of solitary wave solutions in the context of the fractional coupled Higgs system, with Caputo’s fractional derivatives. The method begins with the formulation of nonlinear differential equations using a fractional complex transformation, followed by the derivation of solitary wave solutions. Two-dimensional, Three-dimensional and contour graphs are used to investigate the behavior of traveling wave solutions. The research reveals many families of solitary wave solutions as well as their deep interrelationships and dynamics. These discoveries add to a better understanding of the dynamics of the fractionally coupled Higgs system and have potential applications in areas that use nonlinear Fractional Partial Differential Equations (FPDEs).
Mechanisms of Regulation of the CHRDL1 Gene by the TWIST2 and ADD1/SREBP1c Transcription Factors
Authors: Casasnovas-Nieves José J. , Rodríguez Yacidzohara , Franco Hector L. , Cadilla Carmen L.
Published: August 2023

Setleis syndrome (SS) is a rare focal facial dermal dysplasia caused by recessive mutations in the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, TWIST2. Expression microarray analysis showed that the chordin-like 1 (CHRDL1) gene is up-regulated in dermal fibroblasts from three SS patients with the Q119X TWIST2 mutation. METHODS: Putative TWIST binding sites were found in the upstream region of the CHRDL1 gene and examined by electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA) and reporter gene assays. RESULTS: EMSAs showed specific binding of TWIST1 and TWIST2 homodimers, as well as heterodimers with E12, to the more distal E-boxes. An adjoining E-box was bound by ADD1/SREBP1c. EMSA analysis suggested that TWIST2 and ADD1/SREBP1c could compete for binding. Luciferase (luc) reporter assays revealed that the CHRDL1 gene upstream region drives its expression and ADD1/SREBP1c increased it 2.6 times over basal levels. TWIST2, but not the TWIST2-Q119X mutant, blocked activation by ADD1/SREBP1c, but overexpression of TWIST2-Q119X increased luc gene expression. In addition, EMSA competition assays showed that TWIST2, but not TWIST1, competes with ADD1/SREBP1c for DNA binding to the same site. CONCLUSIONS: Formation of an inactive complex between the TWIST2 Q119X and Q65X mutant proteins and ADD1/SREBP1c may prevent repressor binding and allow the binding of other regulators to activate CHRDL1 gene expression.
Working under the 2021 Heat Dome: A Content Analysis of Occupational Impacts Mentioned in the Canadian Media
Authors: Tetzlaff Emily J. , Goulet Nicholas , Gorman Melissa , Ioannou Leonidas G. , Kenny Glen P.
Published: August 2023

Extreme heat events directly impact worker health and cause additional cascading and transitional workplace impacts. However, current investigations on these impacts often rely on specific datasets (e.g., compensation claims, hospitalizations). Thus, to continue to work towards preventing and mitigating the occupational risks posed by extreme heat events, this study aimed to explore the occupational impacts of the 2021 Heat Dome in Canada using a qualitative content analysis method on a news-based dataset. A systematized review of news articles published before, during, and after the 2021 Heat Dome was conducted on academic (n = 8) and news (n = 5) databases, along with targeted grey literature. Two researchers qualitatively coded the articles in NVivo for occupational impacts or references mentioned within the articles. Overall, 52 different occupations were identified as being impacted by the 2021 Heat Dome. Impacts were diverse and ranged from work cancellations or delays to work modifications and reports of heat-related illnesses. The 2021 Heat Dome impacted the health and safety of many occupational groups and provided new insights into the expanding impacts that extreme heat events can have on the Canadian workforce. With climate projections showing a growing trend of more hot days and intense heat waves in Canada, addressing these concerns should be a critical priority.
Nurses’ Awareness of and Current Approaches to Oral Care in a Community Hospital in Japan: A Longitudinal Study of Dental Specialists’ Interventions
Authors: Koike Takashi , Ohta Ryuichi , Matsuda Yuhei , Sano Chiaki , Kanno Takahiro
Published: August 2023

Objective: This study aimed to increase nurses’ interest and priority in oral care by implementing educational interventions, such as teaching oral care methods suitable for each patient in clinical settings, over a period of one year. Materials and Methods: This study included all 150 nurses working in Unnan City Hospital in Japan who answered a questionnaire comprising 19 questions regarding awareness, actual implementation status of oral care provided, burden, and involvement with oral and maxillofacial surgery department of the hospital, along with participants’ characteristics. The rate of interest in learning, need for oral care, time spent in oral care, and oral health-related caregiver burden index (OHBI) score were compared between pre- and post-intervention groups. Results: The number and rate of valid questionnaires were 136 and 90.7%, respectively. The mean years of clinical experience were 19.3 ± 12.5 years; 93.4% of the nurses were women. After the interventions by dental specialists, the nurses’ level of interest in and priority to oral care were significantly higher than those before the interventions (p < 0.001), regardless of nurses’ background, such as age, gender, or years of experience. However, the “burden” did not statistically decrease. Conclusions: This study shows that dental specialists succeeded in significantly increasing nurses’ interest in and priority to oral care by intervening in clinical practice but failed in decreasing nurses’ burden of oral care. In the future, we would like to investigate the problems that hinder the reduction of the sense of burden, reduce the burden of nurses’ oral care, and improve oral care.
Health-Related Quality of Life after Cataract Surgery in Armenia: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Harutyunyan Tsovinar , Giloyan Aida , Petrosyan Varduhi
Published: August 2023

Cataract surgery helps to enhance visual function and improve the quality of life of cataract patients. The present study assessed visual outcomes and explored health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and factors associated with it following cataract surgery in Armenia. An interviewer-administered survey along with the ophthalmologic examination was conducted among 248 patients. It explored socio-demographic characteristics, use of eye care services, smoking status, comorbidities, and receiving and giving social support. A Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to measure HRQoL. Simple and multivariable linear regression was used for the analysis. About 72.8% of examined eyes had good visual outcomes, while 17.7% had borderline outcomes. Poor visual outcomes were detected in 9.5% of the eyes. The mean composite SF-36 score for physical health was 50.8, while the mean composite score for mental health was 49.9. Gender, socioeconomic status, having a non-communicable disease, and receiving and giving tangible social support were significantly associated with SF-36 physical component in the adjusted analysis, while the variables which demonstrated significant association with the mental component included socioeconomic status, having a non-communicable disease, and giving tangible support. The visual outcome after cataract surgery in Armenian patients is below WHO-recommended standards. The quality of ophthalmological surgical care should be monitored to maximize the visual outcome in Armenian patients, with a focus on women, patients with poor socioeconomic status, and those with non-communicable diseases.
Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses of Seedlings of Two Grape Cultivars with Distinct Tolerance Responses to Flooding and Post-Flooding Stress Conditions
Authors: Peng Yanjie , Chen Jinli , Long Wenjie , He Pan , Zhou Qi , Hu Xia , Zhou Yong , Zheng Ying
Published: August 2023

Grapes, an important and widespread fruit crop providing multiple products, face increasing flooding risks due to intense and frequent extreme rainfall. It is thus imperative to fully understand the flood-tolerance mechanisms of grapevines. Here, RNA-seq and LC-MS/MS technologies were used to analyze the transcriptome and metabolome changes in the roots of SO4 (tolerant to flooding) and Kyoho (sensitive to flooding) grapes under flooding and post-flooding conditions. The results showed that the abundance of many metabolites in the phenylpropanoids and polyketides, organic acids and their derivatives, and organic oxygen compounds superclasses changed in different patterns between the Kyoho and SO4 grapes under flooding and post-flooding conditions. Jasmonic acid and the ascorbic acid–glutathione cycle played a pivotal role in coping with both hypoxia stress and reoxygenation stress incurred during flooding and post-flooding treatments in the SO4 cultivar. Under flooding stress, the regulatory mechanistic shift from aerobic respiration to anaerobic fermentation under hypoxia is partly missing in the Kyoho cultivar. In the post-flooding stage, many genes related to ethylene, gibberellins, cytokinins, and brassinosteroids biosynthesis and brassinosteroids-responsive genes were significantly downregulated in the Kyoho cultivar, adversely affecting growth recovery; however, their expression was not reduced in the SO4 cultivar. These findings enhance our understanding of the flooding-tolerance mechanisms in grapes.
A Hydrogeological Conceptual Model Refines the Behavior of a Mediterranean Coastal Aquifer System: A Key to Sustainable Groundwater Management (Grombalia, NE Tunisia)
Authors: Ben Saad Eya , Ben Alaya Mohsen , Taupin Jean-Denis , Patris Nicolas , Chaabane Najet , Souissi Radhia
Published: August 2023

The Mediterranean coastal aquifer system of the Grombalia basin (NE Tunisia) offers immense potential as a source of fresh water for agriculture, industry, and drinking water supply. Nonetheless, due to its intricate hydrogeological characteristics and the prevailing issue of groundwater salinity, comprehending its groundwater system behavior becomes crucial for the effective and sustainable management of this aquifer system. Based on the hydrogeological characterization of the Grombalia basin, a novel 3D hydrogeological conceptual model was developed to enhance the understanding of its complex aquifer system. The integration of insights from geological, hydrogeological, hydrodynamic, and hydrochemical components facilitated the construction of the hydrogeological conceptual model. Although the model’s validity faced initial uncertainties due to spatial interpolation of lithological sequences, this study’s thorough and encompassing hydrogeological investigation overcame these limitations. As a result, a more informed comprehension of the aquifer system complexities was achieved. This study reveals that the basin is underlain by an extensive, cohesive Mio–Plio–Quaternary aquifer system. The model demonstrates vertical and lateral hydrogeological continuity between the Quaternary and underlying Mio–Pliocene deposits, enabling groundwater flow and exchange between these layers. Over-abstraction of the Mio–Plio–Quaternary aquifer system has led to a significant drop in piezometric levels and raised the risk of seawater intrusion. These findings emphasize the critical necessity of taking into account the interconnections among hydrogeological units to ensure sustainable groundwater management. The developed conceptual model offers a key tool for understanding the hydrodynamic functioning of the Grombalia aquifer system with a view toward guiding future groundwater management strategies. The application of this approach in the Grombalia basin suggests its potential applicability to other regional aquifers facing comparable challenges.
Factors Associated with Long COVID-19 in a French Multicentric Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Khanafer Nagham , Henaff Laetitia , Bennia Sabrina , Termoz Anne , Chapurlat Roland , Escuret Vanessa , Proriol Mathilde , Duvert Florence , Mena Camille , Planckaert Catherine , Trehet-Mandez Nadège , Saadatian-Elahi Mitra , Vanhems Philippe
Published: August 2023

(1) Background: A substantial proportion of COVID-19 patients continue to experience long-lasting effects that hamper their quality of life. The objectives of this study were (1) to report the prevalence of persistent clinical symptoms 6–12 months after the onset of COVID-19 and (2) to identify potential factors at admission associated with the occurrence of long COVID. (2) Methods: A prospective study was conducted among COVID-19 adult patients, hospitalized in four French university hospitals. Patients were invited to two ambulatory follow-up medical visits, 6–8 months (visit #1) and one year (visit #2) after the onset of their COVID-19. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with long COVID. (3) Results: In total, 189 patients participated in this study (mean age of 63.4 years). BMI > 30 kg/m2 (aOR 3.52), AST levels between 31 and 42 U/L (aOR 8.68), and AST levels > 42 U/L (aOR 3.69) were associated with persistent clinical symptoms at visit #1. Anosmia (aOR 13.34), AST levels between 31 and 42 U/L (aOR 10.27), stay in ICU (aOR 5.43), pain (aOR 4.31), and longer time before hospitalization (aOR 1.14) were significantly associated with persistent clinical symptoms at visit #2. Patients with ageusia (aOR 0.17) had a lower risk of long COVID. (4) Conclusions: This study showed that some patients experienced persistent clinical symptoms one year after COVID-19 onset that were associated with some determinants at the acute phase/stage.
A Digital PCR Method Based on Highly Specific Taq for Detecting Gene Editing and Mutations
Authors: Li Bo , Liu Junhao , Huang Qilai
Published: August 2023

Digital PCR (dPCR) has great potential for assessing gene editing or gene mutation due to its ability to independently inspect each DNA template in parallel. However, current dPCR methods use a fluorescence-labeled probe to detect gene variation events, and their ability to distinguish variated sequences from the wild-type sequence is limited by the probe’s tolerance to mismatch. To address this, we have developed a novel dPCR method that uses a primer instead of a probe to sense gene variation. The enhanced Taq DNA polymerase in the PCR system has a high mismatch sensitivity, which enables our dPCR method to distinguish gene mutations from wild-type sequences. Compared to current dPCR methods, our method shows superior precision in assessing gene editing efficiency and single-base DNA mutation. This presents a promising opportunity to advance gene editing research and rare gene mutation detection.
Cullin 4B Ubiquitin Ligase Is Important for Cell Survival and Regulates TGF-β1 Expression in Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: Kreienbühl Jessica , Changkhong Sakunthip , Orlowski Vanessa , Kirschner Michaela B. , Opitz Isabelle , Meerang Mayura
Published: August 2023

We previously demonstrated that cullin 4B (CUL4B) upregulation was associated with worse outcomes of pleural mesothelioma (PM) patients, while the overexpression of its paralog CUL4A was not associated with clinical outcomes. Here, we aimed to identify the distinct roles of CUL4B and CUL4A in PM using an siRNA approach in PM cell lines (ACC Meso-1 and Mero82) and primary culture. The knockdown of CUL4B and CUL4A resulted in significantly reduced colony formation, increased cell death, and delayed cell proliferation. Furthermore, similar to the effect of CUL4A knockdown, downregulation of CUL4B led to reduced expression of Hippo pathway genes including YAP1, CTGF, and survivin. Interestingly, CUL4B and not CUL4A knockdown reduced TGF-β1 and MMP2 expression, suggesting a unique association of CUL4B with this pathway. However, the treatment of PM cells with exogenous TGF-β1 following CUL4B knockdown did not rescue PM cell growth. We further analyzed ACC Meso-1 xenograft tumor tissues treated with the cullin inhibitor, pevonedistat, which targets protein neddylation, and observed the downregulation of human TGF-β1 and MMP2. In summary, our data suggest that CUL4B overexpression is important for tumor cell growth and survival and may drive PM aggressiveness via the regulation of TGF-β1 expression and, furthermore, reveal a new mechanism of action of pevonedistat.
An Increase in Mucin2 Expression Is Required for Colon Cancer Progression Mediated by L1
Authors: Saha Arka , Gavert Nancy , Brabletz Thomas , Ben-Ze’ev Avri
Published: August 2023

An induction in the expression of the cell adhesion receptor L1, a Wnt target gene, is a characteristic feature of Wnt/β-catenin activation in colon cancer cells at later stages of the disease. We investigated the proteins secreted following L1 expression in colon cancer cells and identified Mucin2 among the most abundant secreted proteins. We found that suppressing Mucin2 expression in L1-expressing colon cancer cells inhibits cell proliferation, motility, tumorigenesis, and liver metastasis. We detected several signaling pathways involved in Mucin2 induction in L1-expressing cells. In human colon cancer tissue, Mucin2 expression was significantly reduced or lost in the adenocarcinoma tissue, while in the mucinous subtype of colon cancer tissue, Mucin2 expression was increased. An increased signature of L1/Mucin2 expression reduced the survival rate of human colon cancer patients. Thus, induction of Mucin2 expression by L1 is required during mucinous colon cancer progression and can serve as a marker for diagnosis and a target for therapy.
ERK1/2-Dependent Phosphorylation of GABAB1(S867/T872), Controlled by CaMKIIβ, Is Required for GABAB Receptor Degradation under Physiological and Pathological Conditions
Authors: Bhat Musadiq A. , Grampp Thomas , Benke Dietmar
Published: August 2023

GABAB receptor-mediated inhibition is indispensable for maintaining a healthy neuronal excitation/inhibition balance. Many neurological diseases are associated with a disturbed excitation/inhibition balance and downregulation of GABAB receptors due to enhanced sorting of the receptors to lysosomal degradation. A key event triggering the downregulation of the receptors is the phosphorylation of S867 in the GABAB1 subunit mediated by CaMKIIβ. Interestingly, close to S867 in GABAB1 exists another phosphorylation site, T872. Therefore, the question arose as to whether phosphorylation of T872 is involved in downregulating the receptors and whether phosphorylation of this site is also mediated by CaMKIIβ or by another protein kinase. Here, we show that mutational inactivation of T872 in GABAB1 prevented the degradation of the receptors in cultured neurons. We found that, in addition to CaMKIIβ, also ERK1/2 is involved in the degradation pathway of GABAB receptors under physiological and ischemic conditions. In contrast to our previous view, CaMKIIβ does not appear to directly phosphorylate S867. Instead, the data support a mechanism in which CaMKIIβ activates ERK1/2, which then phosphorylates S867 and T872 in GABAB1. Blocking ERK activity after subjecting neurons to ischemic stress completely restored downregulated GABAB receptor expression to normal levels. Thus, preventing ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation of S867/T872 in GABAB1 is an opportunity to inhibit the pathological downregulation of the receptors after ischemic stress and is expected to restore a healthy neuronal excitation/inhibition balance.
Meta-Analysis of Heat-Stressed Transcriptomes Using the Public Gene Expression Database from Human and Mouse Samples
Authors: Yonezawa Sora , Bono Hidemasa
Published: August 2023

Climate change has significantly increased the frequency of our exposure to heat, adversely affecting human health and industries. Heat stress is an environmental stress defined as the exposure of organisms and cells to abnormally high temperatures. To comprehensively explain the mechanisms underlying an organism’s response to heat stress, it is essential to investigate and analyze genes that have been under-represented or less well-known in previous studies. In this study, we analyzed heat stress-responsive genes using a meta-analysis of numerous gene expression datasets from the public database. We obtained 322 human and 242 mouse pairs as the heat exposure and control data. The meta-analysis of these data identified 76 upregulated and 37 downregulated genes common to both humans and mice. We performed enrichment, protein–protein interaction network, and transcription factor target gene analyses for these genes. Furthermore, we conducted an integrated analysis of these genes using publicly available chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data for HSF1, HSF2, and PPARGC1A (PGC-1α) as well as gene2pubmed data from the existing literature. The results identified previously overlooked genes, such as ABHD3, ZFAND2A, and USPL1, as commonly upregulated genes. Further functional analysis of these genes can contribute to coping with climate change and potentially lead to technological advancements.
RNA-Seq and Comparative Transcriptomic Analyses of Asian Soybean Rust Resistant and Susceptible Soybean Genotypes Provide Insights into Identifying Disease Resistance Genes
Authors: Hao Qingnan , Yang Hongli , Chen Shuilian , Qu Yanhui , Zhang Chanjuan , Chen Limiao , Cao Dong , Yuan Songli , Guo Wei , Yang Zhonglu , Huang Yi , Shan Zhihui , Chen Haifeng , Zhou Xinan
Published: August 2023

Asian soybean rust (ASR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is one of the most destructive foliar diseases that affect soybeans. Developing resistant cultivars is the most cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and easy strategy for controlling the disease. However, the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying soybean resistance to P. pachyrhizi remains limited, which poses a significant challenge in devising effective control strategies. In this study, comparative transcriptomic profiling using one resistant genotype and one susceptible genotype was performed under infected and control conditions to understand the regulatory network operating between soybean and P. pachyrhizi. RNA-Seq analysis identified a total of 6540 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were shared by all four genotypes. The DEGs are involved in defense responses, stress responses, stimulus responses, flavonoid metabolism, and biosynthesis after infection with P. pachyrhizi. A total of 25,377 genes were divided into 33 modules using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Two modules were significantly associated with pathogen defense. The DEGs were mainly enriched in RNA processing, plant-type hypersensitive response, negative regulation of cell growth, and a programmed cell death process. In conclusion, these results will provide an important resource for mining resistant genes to P. pachyrhizi infection and valuable resources to potentially pyramid quantitative resistance loci for improving soybean germplasm.