bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex Interactions Between Sex and Stress on Heroin Seeking
Authors: Carter Jordan S. , Kearns Angela M. , Reichel Carmela M.
Published: December 2021

Rationale: Stress plays a dual role in substance use disorders as a precursor to drug intake and a relapse precipitant. With heroin use at epidemic proportions in the United States, understanding interactions between stress disorders and opioid use disorder is vital and will aid in treatment of these frequently comorbid conditions.

Objectives: Here, we combine assays of stress and contingent heroin self-administration (SA) to study behavioral adaptations in response to stress and heroin associated cues in male and female rats.

Methods: Rats underwent acute restraint stress paired with an odor stimulus and heroin SA for subsequent analysis of stress and heroin cue reactivity. Lofexidine was administered during heroin SA and reinstatement testing to evaluate its therapeutic potential. Rats also underwent tests on the elevated plus maze, locomotor activity in a novel environment, and object recognition memory following stress and/or heroin.

Results: A history of stress and heroin resulted in disrupted behavior on multiple levels. Stress rats avoided the stress conditioned stimulus and reinstated heroin seeking in response to it, with males reinstating to a greater extent than females. Lofexidine decreased heroin intake, reinstatement, and motor activity. Previous heroin exposure increased time spent in the closed arms of an elevated plus maze, activity in a round novel field, and resulted in object recognition memory deficits.

Discussion: These studies report that a history of stress and heroin results in maladaptive coping strategies and suggests a need for future studies seeking to understand circuits recruited in this pathology and eventually help develop therapeutic approaches.
Asynchronous and Coherent Dynamics in Balanced Excitatory-Inhibitory Spiking Networks
Authors: Bi Hongjie , di Volo Matteo , Torcini Alessandro
Published: December 2021

Dynamic excitatory-inhibitory (E-I) balance is a paradigmatic mechanism invoked to explain the irregular low firing activity observed in the cortex. However, we will show that the E-I balance can be at the origin of other regimes observable in the brain. The analysis is performed by combining extensive simulations of sparse E-I networks composed of N spiking neurons with analytical investigations of low dimensional neural mass models. The bifurcation diagrams, derived for the neural mass model, allow us to classify the possible asynchronous and coherent behaviors emerging in balanced E-I networks with structural heterogeneity for any finite in-degree K. Analytic mean-field (MF) results show that both supra and sub-threshold balanced asynchronous regimes are observable in our system in the limit N >> K >> 1. Due to the heterogeneity, the asynchronous states are characterized at the microscopic level by the splitting of the neurons in to three groups: silent, fluctuation, and mean driven. These features are consistent with experimental observations reported for heterogeneous neural circuits. The coherent rhythms observed in our system can range from periodic and quasi-periodic collective oscillations (COs) to coherent chaos. These rhythms are characterized by regular or irregular temporal fluctuations joined to spatial coherence somehow similar to coherent fluctuations observed in the cortex over multiple spatial scales. The COs can emerge due to two different mechanisms. A first mechanism analogous to the pyramidal-interneuron gamma (PING), usually invoked for the emergence of γ-oscillations. The second mechanism is intimately related to the presence of current fluctuations, which sustain COs characterized by an essentially simultaneous bursting of the two populations. We observe period-doubling cascades involving the PING-like COs finally leading to the appearance of coherent chaos. Fluctuation driven COs are usually observable in our system as quasi-periodic collective motions characterized by two incommensurate frequencies. However, for sufficiently strong current fluctuations these collective rhythms can lock. This represents a novel mechanism of frequency locking in neural populations promoted by intrinsic fluctuations. COs are observable for any finite in-degree K, however, their existence in the limit N >> K >> 1 appears as uncertain.
Effect of Zn-Rich Wheat Bran With Different Particle Sizes on the Quality of Steamed Bread
Authors: Wang Huinan , Li Anfei , Kong Lingrang , Zhang Xiaocun
Published: December 2021

Bran is the main by-product of wheat milling and the part of the grain with the highest Zn content. We investigated the effects of the particle sizes (coarse, D50 = 375.4 ± 12.3 μm; medium, D50 = 122.3 ± 7.1 μm; and fine, D50 = 60.5 ± 4.2 μm) and addition level (5–20%) of Zn-biofortified bran on the quality of flour and Chinese steamed bread. It was studied to determine if the Zn content of steamed bread could be enhanced without deleterious effects on quality. Dough pasting properties, such as peak viscosity, trough viscosity, final viscosity, breakdown, and setback, decreased significantly as the bran addition level was increased from 5 to 20% but did not significantly differ as a result of different bran particle sizes. Bran incorporation significantly increased hardness, gumminess, chewiness, and adhesiveness, whereas the springiness, cohesiveness, and specific volume of steamed bread decreased with the increase in bran addition. The optimal sensory score of steamed bread samples in the control and Zn fertilizer groups were obtained under 5% bran addition resulting in comparable flavor, and texture relative to control. Meanwhile, the Zn content of the steamed bread in the Zn fertilizer group was 40.2 mg/kg, which was 55.8% higher than that in the control group. Results indicated that adding the appropriate particle size and amount of bran would be an effective and practical way to solve the problem of the insufficient Zn content of steamed bread.
A New Strategy for Patient-Specific Implant-Borne Dental Rehabilitation in Patients With Extended Maxillary Defects
Authors: Korn Philippe , Gellrich Nils-Claudius , Jehn Philipp , Spalthoff Simon , Rahlf Björn
Published: December 2021

Purpose of the Study

Patients undergoing ablative tumor surgery of the midface are faced with functional and esthetic issues. Various reconstructive strategies, such as implant-borne obturator prostheses or microvascular tissue transfer, are currently available for dental rehabilitation. The present study shows the first follow-up of patients treated with patient-specific implants (IPS Implants® Preprosthetic) for the rehabilitation of extended maxillary defects following ablative surgery.

Patients and Methods

All patients treated with patient specific implants due to postablative maxillary defects were included. 20 implants were placed in the 19 patients (bilateral implants were placed in one of the cases). In 65.75% of the cases, resection was performed due to squamous cell carcinoma. In addition to the primary stability, the clinical implant stability, soft tissue management, successful prosthodontic restoration, and complications were evaluated at a mean follow-up period of 26 months.

Results

All patient-specific implants showed primary stability and were clinically stable throughout the observation period. Definitive prosthodontic restorations were performed in all patients. No implant loosening was observed. Major complications occurred only in previously irradiated patients with insufficient soft tissue conditions (p = 0.058). Minor complications such as exposure of the underlying framework or mucositis were observed, but they never led to failure of restorations or implant loss.

Conclusions

Treatment of postablative maxillary defects with patient-specific implants offers a safe alternative with predictable results for full and rapid dental rehabilitation, avoiding time-consuming augmentation procedures and additional donor-site morbidity.
Soluble Non-Starch Polysaccharides From Plantain (Musa x paradisiaca L.) Diminish Epithelial Impact of Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Simpson Hannah L. , Roberts Carol L. , Thompson Louise M. , Leiper Cameron R. , Gittens Nehana , Trotter Ellie , Duckworth Carrie A. , Papoutsopoulou Stamatia , Miyajima Fabio , Roberts Paul , O’Kennedy Niamh , Rhodes Jonathan M. , Campbell Barry J.
Published: December 2021

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Adhesion of this Gram-positive pathogen to the intestinal epithelium is a crucial step in CDI, with recurrence and relapse of disease dependent on epithelial interaction of its endospores. Close proximity, or adhesion of, hypervirulent strains to the intestinal mucosa are also likely to be necessary for the release of C. difficile toxins, which when internalized, result in intestinal epithelial cell rounding, damage, inflammation, loss of barrier function and diarrhoea. Interrupting these C. difficile-epithelium interactions could therefore represent a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat CDI. Intake of dietary fibre is widely recognised as being beneficial for intestinal health, and we have previously shown that soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) from plantain banana (Musa spp.), can block epithelial adhesion and invasion of a number of gut pathogens, such as E. coli and Salmonellae. Here, we assessed the action of plantain NSP, and a range of alternative soluble plant fibres, for inhibitory action on epithelial interactions of C. difficile clinical isolates, purified endospore preparations and toxins. We found that plantain NSP possessed ability to disrupt epithelial adhesion of C. difficile vegetative cells and spores, with inhibitory activity against C. difficile found within the acidic (pectin-rich) polysaccharide component, through interaction with the intestinal epithelium. Similar activity was found with NSP purified from broccoli and leek, although seen to be less potent than NSP from plantain. Whilst plantain NSP could not block the interaction and intracellular action of purified C. difficile toxins, it significantly diminished the epithelial impact of C. difficile, reducing both bacteria and toxin induced inflammation, activation of caspase 3/7 and cytotoxicity in human intestinal cell-line and murine intestinal organoid cultures. Dietary supplementation with soluble NSP from plantain may therefore confer a protective effect in CDI patients by preventing adhesion of C. difficile to the mucosa, i.e. a “contrabiotic” effect, and diminishing its epithelial impact. This suggests that plantain soluble dietary fibre may be a therapeutically effective nutritional product for use in the prevention or treatment of CDI and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
Identifying of Anti-Thrombin Active Components From Curcumae Rhizoma by Affinity-Ultrafiltration Coupled With UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS
Authors: Lan Zhenwei , Zhang Ying , Sun Yue , Wang Lvhong , Huang Yuting , Cao Hui , Wang Shumei , Meng Jiang
Published: December 2021

Recent studies concerning products that originate from natural plants have sought to clarify active ingredients, which both explains the mechanisms of the function and aids in quality control during production. As a traditional functional plant, Curcumae Rhizoma (CR) has been proven to be effective in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. However, the components that play a role in its huge compound library are still unclear. The present study aimed to develop a high-throughput screening method to identify thrombin inhibitors in CR and validate them by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The effect of CR on thrombin in HUVECs cells was determined by ELISA, then an affinity-ultrafiltration-UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS approach was applied. Agatroban and adenosine were used as positive and negative drugs respectively to verify the reliability of the established method. The in vitro activity of the compounds was determined by specific substrate S-2238. The in vivo effect of the active ingredients was determined using zebrafish. Molecular docking was used to understand the internal interactions between compounds and enzymes. ELISA results showed that CR had an inhibitory effect on thrombin. The screening method established in this paper is reliable, by which a total of 15 active compounds were successfully identified. This study is the first to report that C7, 8, and 11 have in vitro thrombin-inhibitory activity and significantly inhibit thrombosis in zebrafish models at a safe dose. Molecular docking studies were employed to analyze the possible active binding sites, with the results suggesting that compound 16 is likely a better thrombin inhibitor compared with the other compounds. Based on the affinity-ultrafiltration-UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS approach, a precisely targeted therapy method using bio-active compounds from CR might be successfully established, which also provides a valuable reference for targeted therapy, mechanism exploration, and the quality control of traditional herbal medicine.
Safety and Efficacy of Low Molecular Weight Heparin for Thromboprophylaxis in the Elderly: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Yang Hui-qin , Liu Man-cang , Yin Wen-jun , Zhou Ling-yun , Zuo Xiao-cong
Published: December 2021

Background: Given their changing pathophysiology, elderly patients carry a high risk of embolism and bleeding events; hence, use of appropriate anticoagulants is very important. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is one of the most widely used anticoagulants although LMWHs differ in their anti-Xa, antithrombin, and anticoagulant activities. To date, no study has directly compared the safety and efficacy of different LMWHs in the elderly. We aimed to compare such differences by conducting a network meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of LMWHs that included patients ≥60 years old up to July 22, 2020. Safety outcomes included venous thromboembolism (VTE) or VTE-related death, deep thrombus embolism, and pulmonary embolism. Safety outcomes were clinically relevant bleeding, major bleeding, minor bleeding, and all-cause death. We calculated relative ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all outcomes. The cumulative ranking probabilities (SUCRA) were conducted to rank the comparative effects and safety of all LMWHs.

Results: We included 27 RCTs (30,441 elderly), comprising five LMWHs. LMWH was more effective than placebo in preventing VTE or VTE-related death (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.25–0.53) but less effective than a novel oral anticoagulant (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.33–1.91) and safer than acenocoumarol regarding risk of clinically relevant bleeding (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.90). However, indirect comparison of efficacy and safety of the five LMWHs showed no significant difference in our network analysis, and the subgroup analyses (such as in patients with deep venous thrombosis, cardiac disease, or age >65 years old) supported the results. The SUCRA showed that tinzaparin performed best in preventing VTE or VTE-related death (SUCRA 68.8%, cumulative probability 42.3%) and all-cause death (SUCRA 84.2%, cumulative probability 40.7%), whereas nadroparin was predominant in decreasing the risk of clinically relevant bleeding (SUCRA 84.8%, cumulative probability 77.0%).

Conclusions: On present evidence, there are no significant differences in the efficacy and safety of different LMWHs for the elderly. According to the rank probability analysis, nadroparin seems to be safer for the elderly with a high risk of bleeding, whereas tinzaparin is more effective for those with low bleeding risk.
Facilitating Reparative Dentin Formation Using Apigenin Local Delivery in the Exposed Pulp Cavity
Authors: Aryal Yam Prasad , Yeon Chang-Yeol , Kim Tae-Young , Lee Eui-Seon , Sung Shijin , Pokharel Elina , Kim Ji-Youn , Choi So-Young , Yamamoto Hitoshi , Sohn Wern-Joo , Lee Youngkyun , An Seo-Young , An Chang-Hyeon , Jung Jae-Kwang , Ha Jung-Hong , Kim Jae-Young
Published: December 2021

Apigenin, a natural product belonging to the flavone class, affects various cell physiologies, such as cell signaling, inflammation, proliferation, migration, and protease production. In this study, apigenin was applied to mouse molar pulp after mechanically pulpal exposure to examine the detailed function of apigenin in regulating pulpal inflammation and tertiary dentin formation. In vitro cell cultivation using human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and in vivo mice model experiments were employed to examine the effect of apigenin in the pulp and dentin regeneration. In vitro cultivation of hDPSCs with apigenin treatment upregulated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)- and osteogenesis-related signaling molecules such as BMP2, BMP4, BMP7, bone sialoprotein (BSP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin (OCN) after 14 days. After apigenin local delivery in the mice pulpal cavity, histology and cellular physiology, such as the modulation of inflammation and differentiation, were examined using histology and immunostainings. Apigenin-treated specimens showed period-altered immunolocalization patterns of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), NESTIN, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 at 3 and 5 days. Moreover, the apigenin-treated group showed a facilitated dentin-bridge formation with few irregular tubules after 42 days from pulpal cavity preparation. Micro-CT images confirmed obvious dentin-bridge structures in the apigenin-treated specimens compared with the control. Apigenin facilitated the reparative dentin formation through the modulation of inflammation and the activation of signaling regulations. Therefore, apigenin would be a potential therapeutic agent for regenerating dentin in exposed pulp caused by dental caries and traumatic injury.
The Role of Vasopressin V2 Receptor in Drug-Induced Hyponatremia
Authors: Kim Sua , Jo Chor Ho , Kim Gheun-Ho
Published: December 2021

Hyponatremia is frequently encountered in clinical practice and usually induced by renal water retention. Many medications are considered to be among the various causes of hyponatremia, because they either stimulate the release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) or potentiate its action in the kidney. Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, diuretics, and cytotoxic agents are the major causes of drug-induced hyponatremia. However, studies addressing the potential of these drugs to increase AVP release from the posterior pituitary gland or enhance urine concentration through intrarenal mechanisms are lacking. We previously showed that in the absence of AVP, sertraline, carbamazepine, haloperidol, and cyclophosphamide each increased vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R) mRNA and aquaporin-2 (AQP2) protein and mRNA expression in primary cultured inner medullary collecting duct cells. The upregulation of AQP2 was blocked by the V2R antagonist tolvaptan or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors. These findings led us to conclude that the nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (NSIAD) is the main mechanism of drug-induced hyponatremia. Previous studies have also shown that the V2R has a role in chlorpropamide-induced hyponatremia. Several other agents, including metformin and statins, have been found to induce antidiuresis and AQP2 upregulation through various V2R-independent pathways in animal experiments but are not associated with hyponatremia despite being frequently used clinically. In brief, drug-induced hyponatremia can be largely explained by AQP2 upregulation from V2R-cAMP-PKA signaling in the absence of AVP stimulation. This paper reviews the central and nephrogenic mechanisms of drug-induced hyponatremia and discusses the importance of the canonical pathway of AQP2 upregulation in drug-induced NSIAD.
Contribution of Smoothened Receptor Signaling in GABAergic Neurotransmission and Chloride Homeostasis in the Developing Rodent Brain
Authors: Hamze Mira , Medina Igor , Delmotte Quentin , Porcher Christophe
Published: December 2021

In the early stages of the central nervous system growth and development, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays an instructive trophic role for key events including neurogenesis, migration, synaptogenesis, and network formation. These actions are associated with increased concentration of chloride ions in immature neurons [(Cl−)i] that determines the depolarizing strength of ion currents mediated by GABAA receptors, a ligand-gated Cl− permeable ion channel. During neuron maturation the (Cl−)i progressively decreases leading to weakening of GABA induced depolarization and enforcing GABA function as principal inhibitory neurotransmitter. A neuron restricted potassium-chloride co-transporter KCC2 is a key molecule governing Cl− extrusion and determining the resting level of (Cl−)i in developing and mature mammalian neurons. Among factors controlling the functioning of KCC2 and the maturation of inhibitory circuits, is Smoothened (Smo), the transducer in the receptor complex of the developmental protein Sonic Hedgehog (Shh). Too much or too little Shh-Smo action will have mirror effects on KCC2 stability at the neuron membrane, the GABA inhibitory strength, and ultimately on the newborn susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders. Both canonical and non-canonical Shh-Smo signal transduction pathways contribute to the regulation of KCC2 and GABAergic synaptic activity. In this review, we discuss the recent findings of the action of Shh-Smo signaling pathways on chloride ions homeostasis through the control of KCC2 membrane trafficking, and consequently on inhibitory neurotransmission and network activity during postnatal development.
Ethylene and Auxin: Hormonal Regulation of Volatile Compound Production During Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Fruit Ripening
Authors: Tobaruela Eric de Castro , Gomes Bruna Lima , Bonato Vanessa Caroline de Barros , Lima Elis Silva de , Freschi Luciano , Purgatto Eduardo
Published: December 2021

As the auxin-ethylene interaction in climacteric fruit ripening has been highlighted, the hormonal regulation of aroma changes in climacteric fruits requires clarification. The influence of both phytohormones on the volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolism was evaluated during tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit ripening. Tomato fruits cv. Micro-Tom and Sweet Grape at the mature green stage were randomly grouped according to treatment with ethylene (ETHY), auxin (IAA), or both (ETHY + IAA). At middle ripening, Micro-Tom ETHY + IAA fruits present VOC profiles similar to those of ETHY fruits, while Sweet Grape presents VOC profiles closer to those of IAA fruits. At full ripeness, Micro-Tom and Sweet Grape ETHY + IAA fruits show profiles closer to those of IAA fruits, suggesting that the auxin overlaps the ethylene effects. Aroma compounds positively correlated with consumer preferences (2-isobutylthiazole, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, and others) are identified in both cultivars and have their contents affected by both hormone treatments. The transcription of genes related to the biosynthesis of important tomato VOCs that have fatty-acid and carotenoid precursors evidences their regulation by both plant hormones. Additionally, the results indicate that the observed effects on the VOC metabolism are not restricted to the Micro-Tom cultivar, as these are also observed in the Sweet Grape cultivar. In conclusion, ethylene and auxin directly regulate the metabolic pathways related to VOC formation, impacting tomato aroma formation during ripening since Micro-Tom fruits apparently at the same maturation stage have different aromas.
Breeding Practice Improves the Mycorrhizal Responsiveness of Cotton (Gossypium spp. L.)
Authors: Wang Letian , Wang Xihe , Maimaitiaili Baidengsha , Kafle Arjun , Khan Khuram Shehzad , Feng Gu
Published: December 2021

Maximizing the function of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi by choosing specific crop genotypes offers one of the few untapped opportunities to improve the sustainability of agriculture. In this study, the differences in mycorrhizal responsiveness (MR) in plant growth and shoot phosphorus (P) content among cotton (Gossypium spp. L.) genotypes from different release dates were compared and then the relationships between MR and P uptake-related traits were determined. The experimental design in a greenhouse included 24 genotypes released from 1950 to present in Xinjiang Province, inoculation with or without AM fungi, and P levels (15 and 150 mg P kg–1 added as KH2PO4). Results showed that the modern cotton genotypes exhibited a higher degree of mycorrhizal colonization, the hyphal length density (HLD), and mycorrhizae-induced changes in shoot growth than the old genotypes when inoculated with indigenous AM fungi at both the P levels. Moreover, MR was highly correlated with the HLD at low P levels and the HLD may provide useful insights for future cotton breeding aimed at delivering crop genotypes that can benefit more from AM fungi.
Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping of Resistance to Turnip Yellows Virus in Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea and Introgression of These Resistances by Resynthesis Into Allotetraploid Plants for Deployment in Brassica napus
Authors: Greer Shannon F. , Hackenberg Dieter , Gegas Vasilis , Mitrousia Georgia , Edwards David , Batley Jacqueline , Teakle Graham R. , Barker Guy C. , Walsh John A.
Published: December 2021

Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) is aphid-transmitted and causes considerable yield losses in oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus, genome: AACC) and vegetable brassicas. Insecticide control of the aphid vector is limited due to insecticide resistance and the banning of the most effective active ingredients in the EU. There is only one source of TuYV resistance in current commercial OSR varieties, which has been mapped to a single dominant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome A04. We report the identification, characterisation, and mapping of TuYV resistance in the diploid progenitor species of OSR, Brassica rapa (genome: AA), and Brassica oleracea (genome: CC). Phenotyping of F1 populations, produced from within-species crosses between resistant and susceptible individuals, revealed the resistances were quantitative and partially dominant. QTL mapping of segregating backcross populations showed that the B. rapa resistance was controlled by at least two additive QTLs, one on chromosome A02 and the other on chromosome A06. Together, they explained 40.3% of the phenotypic variation. In B. oleracea, a single QTL on chromosome C05 explained 22.1% of the phenotypic variation. The TuYV resistance QTLs detected in this study are different from those in the extant commercial resistant varieties. To exploit these resistances, an allotetraploid (genome: AACC) plant line was resynthesised from the interspecific cross between the TuYV-resistant B. rapa and B. oleracea lines. Flow cytometry confirmed that plantlets regenerated from the interspecific cross had both A and C genomes and were mixoploid. To stabilise ploidy, a fertile plantlet was self-pollinated to produce seed that had the desired resynthesised, allotetraploid genome AACC. Phenotyping of the resynthesised plants confirmed their resistance to TuYV. Genotyping with resistance-linked markers identified during the mapping in the progenitors confirmed the presence of all TuYV resistance QTLs from B. rapa and B. oleracea. This is the first report of TuYV resistance mapped in the Brassica C genome and of an allotetraploid AACC line possessing dual resistance to TuYV originating from both of its progenitors. The introgression into OSR can now be accelerated, utilising marker-assisted selection, and this may reduce selection pressure for TuYV isolates that are able to overcome existing sources of resistance to TuYV.
The Interrelationship Between Water Use Efficiency and Radiation Use Efficiency Under Progressive Soil Drying in Maize
Authors: Zhou Huailin , Zhou Guangsheng , Zhou Li , Lv Xiaomin , Ji Yuhe , Zhou Mengzi
Published: December 2021

The maximizing of water use efficiency (WUE) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) is vital to improving crop production in dryland farming systems. However, the fundamental question as to the association of WUE with RUE and its underlying mechanism under limited-water availability remains contentious. Here, a two-year field trial for maize designed with five progressive soil drying regimes applied at two different growth stages (three-leaf stage and seven-leaf stage) was conducted during the 2013–2014 growing seasons. Both environmental variables and maize growth traits at the leaf and canopy levels were measured during the soil drying process. The results showed that leaf WUE increased with irrigation reduction at the early stage, while it decreased with irrigation reduction at the later stage. Leaf RUE thoroughly decreased with irrigation reduction during the progressive soil drying process. Aboveground biomass (AGB), leaf area index (LAI), a fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR), and light extinction coefficient (k) of the maize canopy were significantly decreased by water deficits regardless of the growth stages when soil drying applied. The interrelationships between WUE and RUE were linear across the leaf and canopy scales under different soil drying patterns. Specifically, a positive linear relationship between WUE and RUE are unexpectedly found when soil drying was applied at the three-leaf stage, while it turned out to be negative when soil drying was applied at the seven-leaf stage. Moreover, the interaction between canopy WUE and RUE was more regulated by fAPAR than LAI under soil drying. Our findings suggest that more attention must be paid to fAPAR in evaluating the effect of drought on crops and may bring new insights into the interrelationships of water and radiation use processes in dryland agricultural ecosystems.
The Neural Basis of Social Cognition in Typically Developing Children and Its Relationship to Social Functioning
Authors: Lincoln Sarah Hope , Mukerji Cora M. , Dodell-Feder David , Riccio Arianna , Hooker Christine I.
Published: December 2021

Theory of mind (ToM), the ability to think about the perspectives, beliefs, and feelings of another, develops throughout childhood and adolescence and is an important skill for social interactions. This study examines neural activity in typically developing children during a novel ToM task – the Movie Mentalizing Task– and tests its relations to ToM behavioral performance and social functioning. In this fMRI task, children ages 8–13years (N=25) watched a brief movie clip and were asked to predict a character’s mental state after a social interaction. Engaging in the Movie Mentalizing Task activated the ToM neural network. Moreover, greater neural activity in the ToM network, including the superior temporal gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus, was associated with better behavioral performance on independent ToM tasks and was related to better social functioning, though these results do not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Results offer a new affective theory of mind task for children in the scanner that robustly recruits activity in theory of mind regions.
Gender Differences in Individual Dishonesty Profiles
Authors: Muñoz García Adrián , Gil-Gómez de Liaño Beatriz , Pascual-Ezama David
Published: December 2021

Dishonesty has an enormous impact on all aspects of our society. It causes huge financial losses annually, so efforts to understand dishonest behavior have increased. However, one of the main questions yet to be answered is whether dishonesty varies according to gender. Do men behave more dishonestly than women? Although the literature points to a yes, there is still no consensus on the matter. We examined gender differences in dishonesty in a large sample (N = 2,452) using a model recently developed by Pascual-Ezama et al. It is a variation of the classic die-under-the-cup task. It enabled us to identify individual dishonesty profiles and look for gender differences between them. The results show that the men were more prone to behave dishonestly than women with small rewards, who seem satisfied without maximizing the potential reward. However, the differences vanished when there was no reward. The men also showed more radical dishonest behavior than the women. The results also suggest that gender differences might be shaped by factors other than gender.
Job Demands and Resources, Burnout, and Psychological Distress of Social Workers in China: Moderation Effects of Gender and Age
Authors: Xie Xiaoxia , Huang Chienchung , Cheung Shannon P. , Zhou Yuqing , Fang Jingbo
Published: December 2021

Social work is a fast-growing profession in China, with the workforce numbering approximately 1.2 million in 2018. Studies have shown, however, that social workers in China experience high burnout rates and significant psychological distress. Analyzing data collected from 897 social workers in Chengdu, China, we applied the job demands and resources (JD-R) theory to examine the effects of JD-R on burnout and psychological distress in social workers, as well as whether these relations are moderated by gender and age. Results supported a dual process by which JD-R affected both social workers’ burnout and psychological distress through health impairment and motivation processes. Job demands (JD) were associated with high burnout and psychological distress. Meanwhile, job resources (JR) were associated with reduced burnout and psychological distress. Results indicated that JR had greater effects on burnout and distress than did JD. Women and younger professionals appeared to be affected most by JD and psychological distress. The findings support a need for interventions that buffer the effects of JD-R on burnout and psychological distress in social workers in China, focusing on women and younger professionals.
A Narrative Case Study of Chinese Senior High School English Teachers’ Emotions: An Ecological Perspective
Authors: Sun Xiaohui , Yang Liu
Published: December 2021

Teacher emotion research is of great significance to teachers’ teaching effectiveness, professional development, and physical and mental health. Taken from an ecological perspective, this narrative case study used purposeful sampling to select two Chinese senior high school English teachers as research participants. Various data collection methods were used, including narrative framework, teacher interview and teacher reflection log, to describe the emotional episodes of Chinese senior high school English teachers before and after collective lesson presentation, trial teaching, and formal teaching in a teaching improvement project. The purpose of this collection of data was to explore the dynamic emotional development process and characteristics of Chinese senior high school English teachers in the interaction with ecological systems and those ecological factors that may influence their emotional development. Results indicated that the two participants developed 68 emotions: 39 positive and 29 negative emotions. At exosystem, they developed the most emotions (28 emotions). Teacher emotion changed with time quite obviously. They evolved from positive to negative and, finally, predominantly positive. Personal antecedents, contextual antecedents, and teachers’ emotional capacity are the main ecological factors that may influence the development of teacher emotion. Based on the research findings, implications for teachers’ professional development and teacher education were also provided.
High Bodyweight Variability Increases Depression Risk in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea
Authors: An Ji Hyun , Han Kyung-do , Jung Jin-Hyung , Yoo Juhwan , Fava Maurizio , Mischoulon David , Jung Su-Min , Shin Dong Wook , Hur Kyu Yeon , Jeon Hong Jin
Published: December 2021

Objectives: Although obesity is associated with increased risk for depression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), the relationship between body weight variability (BWV) and depression remains poorly studied. This study was to investigate the incidence of depression in patients with type 2 DM according to their BWV.

Methods: Intraindividual variation in body weight were measured in the nationwide, population-based retrospective cohort of 540,293 patients with type 2 DM from the Korean national health insurance system between 2009 and 2010. The diagnoses of new-onset depression occurring until the end of 2017 were ascertained. Risk of new-onset depression was examined using multivariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis by BWV quartile.

Results: 93,149 (17.2%) patients developed new-onset depression for the follow up. BWV was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression after adjusting for confounding factors. The highest BWV quartile group had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.17 (95% CI 1.15–1.19) compared to the lowest BWV quartile group as a reference. Obese patients in the highest BWV quartile group showed 12% increased risk of depression (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.09–1.15) while non-obese patients in the highest BWV quartile group showed 20% increased risk of depression (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.17–1.23) compared to their respective lowest BWV quartile groups.

Conclusion: A higher BWV was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression in patients with type 2 DM. Thus, BWV may serve as an indicator for early detection of depression in type 2 DM patients.
Analysis of Anxiety and Depression Status in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy During the COVID-19 Epidemic
Authors: Yang Liping , Yang Jing , He Jian , Zhou Yan , Zhang Yangyang , Sun Bin , Gao Jing , Qian Liting
Published: December 2021

Background: The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) had caused a global pandemic and disrupted millions of lives. Cancer patients are a special group at greater risk of contracting viruses. This study aimed to evaluate the anxiety and depression status of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods: 396 cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy were enrolled in this study. The self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to evaluate patient anxiety and depression, respectively. 373 cancer patients completed the questionnaires.

Results: During the COVID-19 outbreak, the incidence of anxiety and depression in cancer patients were 34.9 and 33.8%, respectively. Approximately 31.4% of tumor radiotherapy patients had anxiety and depression. Based on univariate analysis, age, work status, education level, and clinical stage were related to anxiety and depression in cancer patients. Based on multiple regression analysis, age and clinical stage were related to anxiety, but only age was related to depression.

Conclusions: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients experienced increased psychological problems. Our results have contributed to a better understanding of these psychological problems in cancer patients and provide a basis for psychological counseling and intervention.
The Influence of Interpersonal Behaviors and Population Density on Grip Strength of Elderly People: An Analysis of the Direct vs. Indirect Effects via Social Participation
Authors: Lin Haibo , Ren Haijun
Published: December 2021

The impact of social participation (SP) on the health of the elderly has been widely recognized, and urban-rural differences in social participation have attracted attention. However, few studies discussed the impact of social participation on specific health indicators and the further subdivision of urban-rural differences. This research aims to use the dimensions of interpersonal behaviors and population density rather than simple urban-rural distinctions to justify community differences and compare these differences' direct and indirect effects on grip strength. This study used 15,871 respondents aged over 50 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). An SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) analysis was used to explore the joint effect of interpersonal behavior and population density on social participation and the consequent impact on changes in grip strength and compare the differences among different genders, ages, wealth levels, and family relationships. The results indicated that community differences characterized by interpersonal behavior and population density have direct effects on grip strength and indirect effects on it through social participation. The conclusion is that the frequency of social activities, such as mah-jong and dancing in the Metropolitan Fringe and county-level cities is higher than that in Metropolitan centers. The high frequency of these activities has a positive and indirect impact on grip strength, and community differences have a more significant impact on women's social participation than men. However, the direct effect of community differences as defined by interpersonal communication and population density on grip strength is greater than the indirect effect of other factors through social participation.
A Modular Digital Twinning Framework for Safety Assurance of Collaborative Robotics
Authors: Douthwaite J.A. , Lesage B. , Gleirscher M. , Calinescu R. , Aitken J. M. , Alexander R. , Law J.
Published: December 2021

Digital twins offer a unique opportunity to design, test, deploy, monitor, and control real-world robotic processes. In this paper we present a novel, modular digital twinning framework developed for the investigation of safety within collaborative robotic manufacturing processes. The modular architecture supports scalable representations of user-defined cyber-physical environments, and tools for safety analysis and control. This versatile research tool facilitates the creation of mixed environments of Digital Models, Digital Shadows, and Digital Twins, whilst standardising communication and physical system representation across different hardware platforms. The framework is demonstrated as applied to an industrial case-study focused on the safety assurance of a collaborative robotic manufacturing process. We describe the creation of a digital twin scenario, consisting of individual digital twins of entities in the manufacturing case study, and the application of a synthesised safety controller from our wider work. We show how the framework is able to provide adequate evidence to virtually assess safety claims made against the safety controller using a supporting validation module and testing strategy. The implementation, evidence and safety investigation is presented and discussed, raising exciting possibilities for the use of digital twins in robotic safety assurance.
Gendered Body Mass and Life Satisfaction Among Youth in Three Western European Immigrant-Receiving Countries
Authors: Shen Jing , Kogan Irena
Published: December 2021

In this study we aim to show distinctive patterns of the association between body weight and life satisfaction for adolescent boys and girls, respectively. We understand such patterns by bringing multiple mediating factors into one theoretical framework centred on normative perceptions. By drawing data from the first wave of the CILS4EU that captures 14–15-year-olds in Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, findings show that psychological factors, indicated by self-esteem and mental state, explain the association between BMI and life dissatisfaction substantially, for both boys and girls. Relationships with parents (particularly among boys) and relationships with peers (particularly among girls) also play significant roles. Moreover, the association between being underweight and life satisfaction among girls varies across ethno-racial groups. Girls originating from Eastern Europe have a tendency to gain more life satisfaction when being underweight, whereas girls rooted in Sub-Saharan African and Caribbean countries display consistently low levels of life satisfaction when being underweight.
Influence of Topping and Spacing on Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Under Greenhouse Condition
Authors: Nkansah George Oduro , Amoatey Christiana , Zogli Michael Kwaku , Owusu-Nketia Stella , Ofori Peter Amoako , Opoku-Agyemang Frank
Published: December 2021

Tomato is an important vegetable in Ghanaian diet and contributes enormously in livelihood improvement. Tomato production is threatened by a high prevalence of biotic and abiotic stresses as well as increased postharvest losses and poor agronomic practices, thereby resulting in massive importation of tomato and its products to meet the local demands. The recent introduction of greenhouse vegetable cultivation technology in Ghana is a sustainable attempt in addressing and ensuring year-round production of vegetables including tomato. However, research on agronomic practices targeted to improving yield and fruit quality under greenhouse conditions in Ghana is scarcely available. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the effect of plant spacing and topping on tomato yield and fruit quality under greenhouse conditions. A 3 ×3 factorial treatment arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was used. Two factors, plant spacing and topping with each having three levels, were used. Thus, the levels for plant spacing were 0.15 m × 1.3 m, 0.2 m × 1.3 m, and 0.3 m × 1.3 m while topping treatments at trusses 2, 3, and 4 (control) were done. The results showed that yield was significantly influenced by plant spacing in both experiments. The interaction effect of 0.2 m × 1.3 m plant spacing and topping at truss 2 showed significantly higher yields. Furthermore, juice volume was significantly increased by plant spacing. Again, 0.2 m × 1.3 m plant spacing by truss 2 topping interaction produced the highest juice volume. Therefore, these agronomic practices could be an essential and effective approach in achieving higher tomato production with improved fruit quality under greenhouse cultivation to ensure sustainable food security.
Plasma Proteomics Characteristics of Subclinical Vitamin E Deficiency of Dairy Cows During Early Lactation
Authors: Qian Weidong , Yu Hongyi , Zhang Cuiyu , Zhang Hongyou , Fu Shixin , Xia Cheng
Published: December 2021

Vitamin E (VE) is an essential fat-soluble nutrient for dairy cows. Vitamin E deficiency leads to immune suppression and oxidative stress and increases the susceptibility of cows to reproductive disorders in the early post-partum period. However, studies on plasma proteomics of VE deficiency have not been reported so far. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the changes of blood protein profile in cows with subclinical VE deficiency in the early post-partum period. In this study, plasma protein levels of 14 healthy cows (>4 μg/ml α-tocopherol) and 13 subclinical VE-deficient cows (2–3 μg/ml α-tocopherol) were analyzed by tandem mass tag (TMT). The results showed that there were 26 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the plasma of cows with subclinical VE deficiency compared with healthy controls. Twenty-one kinds of proteins were downregulated, and five kinds were upregulated, among which eight proteins in protein–protein interactions (PPI) network had direct interaction. These proteins are mainly involved in the MAPK signaling pathway, pantothenic acid and coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis, PPAR signaling pathway, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor biosynthesis. The top four DEPs in PPI (APOC3, APOC4, SAA4, PHLD) and one important protein (VNN1) by literature review were further verified by ELISA and Western blot. The expression levels of APOC3, VNN1, and SAA4 were significantly lower than those of healthy controls by ELISA. VNN1 was significantly lower than those of healthy controls by Western blot. VNN1 is closely related to dairy cow subclinical VE deficiency and can be a potential biomarker. It lays a foundation for further research on the lack of pathological mechanism and antioxidative stress of VE.