bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auxin Distribution in Lateral Root Primordium Development Affects the Size and Lateral Root Diameter of Rice
Authors: Kawai Tsubasa , Akahoshi Ryosuke , Shelley Israt J. , Kojima Takaaki , Sato Moeko , Tsuji Hiroyuki , Inukai Yoshiaki
Published: April 2022

Lateral roots (LRs) occupy a large part of the root system and play a central role in plant water and nutrient uptake. Monocot plants, such as rice, produce two types of LRs: the S-type (short and thin) and the L-type (long, thick, and capable of further branching). Because of the ability to produce higher-order branches, the L-type LR formation contributes to efficient root system expansion. Auxin plays a major role in regulating the root system development, but its involvement in developing different types of LRs is largely unknown. Here, we show that auxin distribution is involved in regulating LR diameter. Dynamin-related protein (DRP) genes were isolated as causative genes of the mutants with increased L-type LR number and diameter than wild-type (WT). In the drp mutants, reduced endocytic activity was detected in rice protoplast and LRs with a decreased OsPIN1b-GFP endocytosis in the protoplast. Analysis of auxin distribution using auxin-responsive promoter DR5 revealed the upregulated auxin signaling in L-type LR primordia (LRP) of the WT and the mutants. The application of polar auxin transport inhibitors enhanced the effect of exogenous auxin to increase LR diameter with upregulated auxin signaling in the basal part of LRP. Inducible repression of auxin signaling in the mOsIAA3-GR system suppressed the increase in LR diameter after root tip excision, suggesting a positive role of auxin signaling in LR diameter increase. A positive regulator of LR diameter, OsWOX10, was auxin-inducible and upregulated in the drp mutants more than the WT, and revealed as a potential target of ARF transcriptional activator. Therefore, auxin signaling upregulation in LRP, especially at the basal part, induces OsWOX10 expression, increasing LR diameter.
Localized Phylogenetic Discordance Among Nuclear Loci Due to Incomplete Lineage Sorting and Introgression in the Family of Cotton and Cacao (Malvaceae)
Authors: Hernández-Gutiérrez Rebeca , van den Berg Cássio , Granados Mendoza Carolina , Peñafiel Cevallos Marcia , Freire M. Efraín , Lemmon Emily Moriarty , Lemmon Alan R. , Magallón Susana
Published: April 2022

The economically important cotton and cacao family (Malvaceae sensu lato) have long been recognized as a monophyletic group. However, the relationships among some subfamilies are still unclear as discordant phylogenetic hypotheses keep arising when different sources of molecular data are analyzed. Phylogenetic discordance has previously been hypothesized to be the result of both introgression and incomplete lineage sorting (ILS), but the extent and source of discordance have not yet been evaluated in the context of loci derived from massive sequencing strategies and for a wide representation of the family. Furthermore, no formal methods have been applied to evaluate if the detected phylogenetic discordance among phylogenomic datasets influences phylogenetic dating estimates of the concordant relationships. The objective of this research was to generate a phylogenetic hypothesis of Malvaceae from nuclear genes, specifically we aimed to (1) investigate the presence of major discordance among hundreds of nuclear gene histories of Malvaceae; (2) evaluate the potential source of discordance; and (3) examine whether discordance and loci heterogeneity influence on time estimates of the origin and diversification of subfamilies. Our study is based on a comprehensive dataset representing 96 genera of the nine subfamilies and 268 nuclear loci. Both concatenated and coalescence-based approaches were followed for phylogenetic inference. Using branch lengths and topology, we located the placement of introgression events to directly evaluate whether discordance is due to introgression rather than ILS. To estimate divergence times, concordance and molecular rate were considered. We filtered loci based on congruence with the species tree and then obtained the molecular rate of each locus to distribute them into three different sets corresponding to shared molecular rate ranges. Bayesian dating was performed for each of the different sets of loci with the same parameters and calibrations. Phylogenomic discordance was detected between methods, as well as gene histories. At deep coalescent times, we found discordance in the position of five subclades probably due to ILS and a relatively small proportion of introgression. Divergence time estimation with each set of loci generated overlapping clade ages, indicating that, even with different molecular rate and gene histories, calibrations generally provide a strong prior.
Prophyll in Monocots: The Starting Point of Lateral Shoot Phyllotaxis
Authors: Choob Vladimir
Published: April 2022

In monocots, the prophyll (or flower bracteole) is the first leaf of the lateral shoot. Typically, the prophyll occurs in an adaxial position toward the main axis; it bears two teeth at its apex and often two keels on the dorsal side. Some authors have hypothesized that the prophyll appeared in evolution as a result of the fusion of two phyllomes. However, in different monocot taxa, prophyll morphology results from the mechanical pressure of the surrounding organs and it cannot be regarded as two fused leaves. In Commelinaceae, if the lateral shoot develops extravaginally (i.e., penetrates the sheath) and the prophyll is not under pressure, the apical teeth and keels are missing. If the lateral shoot starts development intravaginally and under moderate pressure, the prophyll exhibits keels and a bidentate shape. In the bulbs of Amaryllidaceae, which are under strong pressure, the teeth of the prophyll become more pronounced, and the prophyll is dissected into two distinct lobes. In some monocots, the evolutionary trend leads to complete prophyll reduction. Investigations of lateral shoot phyllotaxis have found that the positions of all the subsequent phyllomes of the lateral shoot are sensitive to the prophyll position; they become rearranged if the prophyll deviates from the standard adaxial location (e.g., becoming oblique or transversal). As a generalization in Amaryllidaceae, I have proposed the axiomatic “phantom” method for modeling the prophyll position and shoot branching in cases of complete prophyll reduction. Using the phantom method, I reinvestigated the structure of sympodial units in Philodendron (Araceae). Previous interpretation of the two-keeled cataphyll as a prophyll appeared to be erroneous. In a new interpretation of the sympodial unit, the prophyll and the subsequent leaf are reduced and the cataphyll is the third leaf in the leaf series. A comparative morphological study in Araceae has revealed that prophylls of vegetative shoots rarely elongate and resemble round scales with obscure boundaries with the main axis. This observation could explain prophyll reduction in Philodendron. As such, the positional control of phyllotaxis by the prophyll may be revealed even when the prophyll is completely reduced.
Plant Species Classification Based on Hyperspectral Imaging via a Lightweight Convolutional Neural Network Model
Authors: Liu Keng-Hao , Yang Meng-Hsien , Huang Sheng-Ting , Lin Chinsu
Published: April 2022

In recent years, many image-based approaches have been proposed to classify plant species. Most methods utilized red green blue (RGB) imaging materials and designed custom features to classify the plant images using machine learning algorithms. Those works primarily focused on analyzing single-leaf images instead of live-crown images. Without considering the additional features of the leaves’ color and spatial pattern, they failed to handle cases that contained leaves similar in appearance due to the limited spectral information of RGB imaging. To tackle this dilemma, this study proposes a novel framework that combines hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and deep learning techniques for plant image classification. We built a plant image dataset containing 1,500 images of 30 different plant species taken by a 470–900 nm hyperspectral camera and designed a lightweight conventional neural network (CNN) model (LtCNN) to perform image classification. Several state-of-art CNN classifiers are chosen for comparison. The impact of using different band combinations as the network input is also investigated. Results show that using simulated RGB images achieves a kappa coefficient of nearly 0.90 while using the combination of 3-band RGB and 3-band near-infrared images can improve to 0.95. It is also found that the proposed LtCNN can obtain a satisfactory performance of plant classification (kappa = 0.95) using critical spectral features of the green edge (591 nm), red-edge (682 nm), and near-infrared (762 nm) bands. This study also demonstrates the excellent adaptability of the LtCNN model in recognizing leaf features of plant live-crown images while using a relatively smaller number of training samples than complex CNN models such as AlexNet, GoogLeNet, and VGGNet.
Root-Knot Nematode Resistance in Gossypium hirsutum Determined by a Constitutive Defense-Response Transcriptional Program Avoiding a Fitness Penalty
Authors: Ojeda-Rivera Jonathan Odilón , Ulloa Mauricio , Roberts Philip A. , Kottapalli Pratibha , Wang Congli , Nájera-González Héctor-Rogelio , Payton Paxton , Lopez-Arredondo Damar , Herrera-Estrella Luis
Published: April 2022

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is the most important renewable source of natural textile fiber and one of the most cultivated crops around the world. Plant-parasitic nematode infestations, such as the southern Root-Knot Nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita, represent a threat to cotton production worldwide. Host-plant resistance is a highly effective strategy to manage RKN; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of RKN-resistance remain largely unknown. In this study, we harness the differences in RKN-resistance between a susceptible (Acala SJ-2, SJ2), a moderately resistant (Upland Wild Mexico Jack Jones, WMJJ), and a resistant (Acala NemX) cotton entries, to perform genome-wide comparative analysis of the root transcriptional response to M. incognita infection. RNA-seq data suggest that RKN-resistance is determined by a constitutive state of defense transcriptional behavior that prevails in the roots of the NemX cultivar. Gene ontology and protein homology analyses indicate that the root transcriptional landscape in response to RKN-infection is enriched for responses related to jasmonic and salicylic acid, two key phytohormones in plant defense responses. These responses are constitutively activated in NemX and correlate with elevated levels of these two hormones while avoiding a fitness penalty. We show that the expression of cotton genes coding for disease resistance and receptor proteins linked to RKN-resistance and perception in plants, is enhanced in the roots of RKN-resistant NemX. Members of the later gene families, located in the confidence interval of a previously identified QTL associated with RKN resistance, represent promising candidates that might facilitate introduction of RKN-resistance into valuable commercial varieties of cotton. Our study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie RKN resistance in cotton.
Managing Students’ Creativity in Music Education – The Mediating Role of Frustration Tolerance and Moderating Role of Emotion Regulation
Authors: Wang Lei , Jiang Na
Published: April 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) era challenges the use and functions of emotion in college students and the students’ college life is often experienced as an emotional rollercoaster, negative and positive emotion can affect the emotional outcomes, but we know very little about how students can ride it most effectively to increase their creativity. We introduce frustration tolerance as a mediator and emotion regulation as a moderator to investigate the mechanism of creativity improvement under negative emotion. Drawing on a sample of 283 students from professional music colleges or music major in normal universities, we find that negative emotion are generally associated with a lower creativity, while frustration tolerance can mediate the relationship between negative emotion and creativity, but these effects depend on the emotion regulation. Cognitive reappraisal exerts a negative effect on the relationship between negative emotion and creativity, while expressive suppression has the opposite effect. Our study contributes to the literatures on student’s emotions and creativity in music education and to the emotion regulation literature.
Resilience Among Parents of Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: Associated With Fewer Parental Depressive Symptoms and Better Pediatric Glycemic Control
Authors: Luo Dan , Wang Yubing , Cai Xue , Li Ruxue , Li Mingzi , Liu Haiyan , Xu Jingjing
Published: April 2022

Background

Although pediatric resilience plays a significant role in resisting negative moods and improving glycaemic control, little research exists regarding resilience among the parents of adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.

Objective

To investigate parental resilience's correlations with parental depressive symptoms, parental diabetes distress, and pediatric glycaemic control.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and their parents from two hospitals. The parents completed questionnaires. The 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale measured resilience; the Problem Areas in Diabetes Survey-Parent Revised version measured diabetes distress; the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 measured depressive symptoms. Standard glycated hemoglobin tests were performed on the adolescents.

Results

Data from 224 parents (77.2% female, Mage = 39.88 [SD = 5.02], age range = 30–56 years) of adolescents (50.9% boys, Mage = 13.54 years [SD = 2.48], age range = 10–19 years) were available. More than half (52.7%) of parents exceeded the criterion score for high resilience. Parental resilience was significantly negatively associated with parental depressive symptoms and diabetes distress. Parents from the high-resilience group reported fewer depressive symptoms than those from the low-resilience group. In multivariate regressions, greater parental resilience is consistently related to better pediatric glycaemic control beyond parental psychological risk factors.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of parental resilience for parental mental health and glycaemic control among adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. The appropriate resilience support programme might be developed for parents, especially for those existing depressive symptoms and diabetes distress.
Social Communication of Maternal Immune Activation-Affected Offspring Is Improved by Si-Based Hydrogen-Producing Agent
Authors: Usui Noriyoshi , Matsumoto-Miyai Kazumasa , Koyama Yoshihisa , Kobayashi Yuki , Nakamura Yukiko , Kobayashi Hikaru , Shimada Shoichi
Published: April 2022

Maternal immune activation (MIA) is triggered by infection or autoimmune predisposition during pregnancy, and cytokines produced by MIA are transmitted through the placenta to the fetal brain, implicating at the onset risks and vulnerability for developmental and psychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. To address these kinds of problem in child health, we have developed a silicon (Si)-based hydrogen-producing antioxidant (Si-based agent) that continuously and effectively produces hydrogen in the body. Medical hydrogen is known to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, therefore we applied our Si-based agent as a potential therapeutic agent to MIA. Using a MIA mouse model, we found that the Si-based agent improved the social communication of MIA offspring mice. We also found that the Si-based agent suppressed the expressions of inflammation-associated genes Ifna1 and Il-6 in the mouse brain. These results demonstrate that the Si-based agent is an effective prophylactic agent against MIA during pregnancy, suggesting that our Si-based agent may be a preventative or therapeutic agent for ASD and other disease risks in child health suppressing MIA damage.
United Against Rabies Forum: The One Health Concept at Work
Authors: Tidman Rachel , Thumbi SM , Wallace Ryan , de Balogh Katinka , Iwar Vivian , Dieuzy-Labaye Isabelle , Song Junxia , Shadomy Sean , Qiu Yu , Torres Gregorio , Hutchison Jenny , Abela-Ridder Bernadette , Bote Katrin , Beeching Sarah , Cronin Katy , Trees Alexander
Published: April 2022

Human deaths from rabies are preventable and can be eliminated by applying a systematic One Health approach. However, this ancient disease still threatens the lives of millions of people in up to 150 countries and kills an estimated 59, 000 people every year. Rabies today is largely a disease of poverty, almost always linked to dog bites, with most deaths occurring in neglected communities in Africa and Asia. The disease places an immense economic burden on its victims, a cost that far outweighs the investment needed to control it. A global framework for rabies elimination in humans is set out in Zero by 30: The Global Strategic Plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. Despite the existence of proven control strategies and agreement on the path to eliminating human rabies deaths, mortality numbers from rabies remain high, and COVID-19 has set back efforts even further. But COVID-19 has also highlighted the value of a One Health approach to zoonotic disease and pandemic prevention. Rabies control programs offer a practical route to building One Health capacities that can also address other zoonotic threats, including those with pandemic potential. The United Against Rabies Forum aims to accelerate progress on rabies elimination while applying a One Health approach. The Forum promotes cross-sector collaboration among stakeholders and supports countries in their rabies elimination efforts. Increased political engagement and resource mobilization, both internationally and nationally, will be needed to achieve global rabies goals and can also make One Health implementation a reality.
Horizontal Inequity in the Utilization of Maternal and Reproductive Health Services: Evidence From the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Aregbeshola Bolaji Samson , Olaniyan Olanrewaju
Published: April 2022

Background

Maternal mortality and poor reproductive health outcomes remain major public health challenges in low-resource countries. The Sustainable Development Goals have proposed new targets to reduce global maternal mortality ratio to 70 per 100,000 live births and ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services by 2030. Inequity in the utilization of maternal and reproductive health services leads to poor reproductive health outcomes and maternal mortality. Despite reduction in global maternal mortality over the decades, the level of maternal mortality remains unacceptably high in Nigeria with limited attention given by governments to addressing health inequities. This study aimed to examine horizontal inequity in the utilization of maternal and reproductive health services in Nigeria.

Methods

Secondary data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey were utilized to examine horizontal inequity in the utilization of maternal and reproductive health services such as postnatal care, delivery by cesarean section, modern contraceptive use, and met need for family planning. Equity was measured using equity gaps, equity ratios, concentration curves, and concentration indices. All analyses were performed using ADePT 6.0 and STATA version 14.2 software.

Results

The overall coverage level of postnatal care, delivery by cesarean section, modern contraceptive use, and met need for family planning was 20.81, 2.97, 10.23, and 84.22%, respectively. There is inequity in the utilization of postnatal care, delivery by cesarean section, and modern contraceptive favoring the rich, educated, and urban populations. Met need for family planning was found to be almost perfectly equitable.

Conclusion

There is inequity in the utilization of maternal and reproductive health services in Nigeria. Inequity in the utilization of maternal and reproductive health services is driven by socioeconomic status, education, and location. Therefore, governments and policymakers should give due attention to addressing inequities in the utilization of maternal and reproductive health services by economically empowering women, improving their level of education, and designing rural health interventions. Addressing inequities in the utilization of maternal and reproductive health services would also be important toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal targets 3.1 and 3.7.
Gap and Inequality in the Economic Income of Independent Workers in the Region of Puno-Peru and the Effect of the Pandemic, 2019–2020
Authors: Quispe Mamani Julio C. , Flores Turpo Giovana A. , Calcina Álvarez Dominga A. , Yapuchura Saico Cristóbal R. , Velásquez Velásquez Wily L. , Aguilar Pinto Santotomas L. , Quispe Quispe Betsy , Quispe Maquera Nelly B. , Cutipa Quilca Balbina E.
Published: April 2022

Objective

This article seeks to determine the social determinants of inequality in economic income in independent workers in the Puno region in the periods 2019 and 2020.

Methods

For which the quantitative approach was used, with descriptive and correlational design, considering the multiple regression model.

Results

It was determined that there is a very significant income gap by educational level due to the productive differential that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected all the households; there is inequality in the economic income of independent workers, since in 2019, there was a greater inequality of economic income among independent workers (Gini = 0.6142) in relation to the national level (Gini = 0.415) and in 2020, the inequality of economic income increased due to COVID-19 problem, where the Gini coefficient amounted to 0.7136 in relation to the national level (Gini = 0.431).

Conclusion

The determining factors of the economic income of the independent worker in the region of Puno in the periods 2019 and 2020 are the age that explains in 5.19 and 1.72%, the level of education that explains in 20.74 and 34.86% and the sex that explains in 37 and 14.19%, respectively.
Youth International Experience Is a Limited Predictor of Senior Success in Football: The Relationship Between U17, U19, and U21 Experience and Senior Elite Participation Across Nations and Playing Positions
Authors: Herrebrøden Henrik , Bjørndal Christian Thue
Published: April 2022

Athlete participation in youth international competitions is often regarded as crucial to the attainment of future success. However, the link between participation and performance in sports at youth levels and senior levels is unclear at best. To understand this relationship better we conducted two studies of male football players. In Study 1, we examined adult performance at the upper levels of football using a factor analysis and identified the characteristics that define what we termed a “Super Elite” level, which is the highest level of participation. This outcome measure was used in Study 2 to explore further the link between youth international experience and athletes' Super Elite experience. Overall, our results indicated that youth international experience is a limited predictor of participation at the Super Elite level of football. Participation at the U21 level was the strongest, most consistent predictor of Super Elite level participation. U17 participation was found to be either an insignificant or a negative predictor of subsequent participation in international football. The effect of U19 participation on later participation was partly significant, but weaker than the effect of U21 participation, and depended on the national context and the playing positions of the athletes. When looking at the effect of different youth career types, careers involving U21 international experience were the strongest predictors of later careers as Super Elite athletes. National governing bodies that want to ensure success in talent identification and development should therefore consider focusing fewer resources on youth international competitions in age categories before adulthood. A total of 1,482 players who had national football team experience at either the U17, U19, U21, or senior levels were included in our studies.
Optimization of Pulsed Electric Fields-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds From White Grape Pomace Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Carpentieri Serena , Ferrari Giovanna , Pataro Gianpiero
Published: April 2022

This study was focused on the optimization of the pulsed electric fields (PEF)-assisted extraction process using central composite design for response surface methodology from response surface methodology (RSM) with the aim to sustainably intensify the extractability of phenolic compounds from white grape pomace. The cell disintegration index (Zp) was used as response variable to identify the optimal PEF pre-treatment conditions of grape pomace in terms of field strength (E = 0.5–5 kV/cm) and energy input (WT = 1–20 kJ/kg), to be applied prior to the subsequent solid-liquid extraction (SLE) process. for both untreated and PEF-treated samples SLE process was optimized to determine the most effective combination of extraction temperature (20–50°C), extraction time (30–300 min), and solvent concentration (0–100% ethanol in water). Total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoid content (FC), and antioxidant activity (FRAP) of the obtained extracts were determined. The extracted compounds from untreated and PEF-treated samples at the optimal conditions were analyzed via HPLC-PDA analysis. Results revealed that, at a fixed extraction temperature (50°C), the application of PEF at optimal processing conditions (E = 3.8 kV/cm, WT = 10 kJ/kg) prior to SLE has the potential to reduce the solvent consumption (3–12%) and shorten the extraction time (23–103 min) to obtain the same recovery yield of phenolic compounds. Under optimized conditions, the extracts derived from PEF-treated samples showed significantly higher TPC (8%), FC (31%), and FRAP (36%) values, as compared to the control extraction. HPLC analyses revealed that epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, and quercetin were among the main phenolic compounds extracted, and no degradation phenomena occurred due to PEF application.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Fat Grafts for Facial Lipofilling: A Randomized, Controlled Split-Face Clinical Trial
Authors: Zhang Zhao-Xiang , Qiu Li-Hong , Shi Nian , Xiong Shao-Heng , Ma Xian-Jie , Yi Cheng-Gang
Published: April 2022

Objective

Previous studies have reported that platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) may enhance the efficacy of fat grafts in facial lipofilling. However, these studies either lacked objective data or were not randomized, controlled trials. Thus, we aimed to objectively evaluate the efficacy of PRF in facial lipofilling.

Methods

A controlled, split-face, randomized trial (January 2018 to May 2019) based on 18 patients who underwent fat grafts for bilateral temple lipofilling was performed. Each patient received a combination of an autologous fat graft and PRF on one side and a fat graft combined with an equal volume of saline on the other side. The effects of PRF were evaluated by comparing the remaining bilateral fat graft volumes through a digital three-dimensional reconstruction technique. Improvements in the appearance and recovery time of each temple were assessed by both a surgeon and patients who were blinded to the treatment assignment. Complications were also recorded.

Results

Bilateral temple lipofilling showed no evidence of fat embolism, vascular/nerve injury, infection, massive edema, or prolonged bruising. Three-dimensional reconstruction data and the assessments from both the surgeon and patients revealed no significant differences in fat graft retention volume between the PRF-positive and PRF-negative lipofilling groups. However, recovery time in the PRF-positive lipofilling sites was significantly shortened compared with that of the PRF-negative lipofilling sites.

Conclusion

Facial filling with autologous fat grafts is effective and safe. Our results show that PRF does not markedly improve fat graft volume retention in the temple but significantly reduces postoperative recovery time.

Trial Registration Number

ChiCTR2100053663.
Indications, Feasibility, and Safety of TST STARR Plus Stapler for Degree III Hemorrhoids: A Retrospective Study of 125 Hemorrhoids Patients
Authors: Wei Jun , Ding Xufeng , Jiang Jie , Ji Lijiang , Huang Hua
Published: April 2022

Background

Stapler hemorrhoidopexy (SH) has been widely accepted for hemorrhoids patients because of its low postoperative pain, but it is also associated with a high recurrence rate. The recurrence might be due to failure to completely remove the prolapsed tissue or insufficient removal capacity of the instruments. Removing more prolapsed tissue to reduce the recurrence is believed to benefit more severe prolapsed hemorrhoids patients.

Methods

We evaluated the short- and long-term safety and efficacy in 125 hemorrhoids patients who underwent SH in 2013–2015. Eighty patients had prolapsed tissue less than half of the circular anal dilator (CAD) and underwent a procedure for prolapsing hemorrhoids (PPH), while the remaining 45 patients with hemorrhoid prolapse greater than half of the CAD were treated with a tissue selection therapy stapler stapled transanal rectal resection plus (TST STARR+).

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of operative time, hospitalization time, overall satisfaction or complications. At follow-up of up to 4 years after surgery, there was no significant difference in recurrence rates between TST STARR+ group and PPH group (5.2% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.05). The mean width and volume of the resected tissues were significantly larger in the TST STARR+ group than in the PPH group (4.8 vs. 2.9 cm, 10.2 vs. 4.4 cm3, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The TST STARR+ procedure can remove more hemorrhoidal tissue than PPH and it is better suited for patients with severe annular prolapsed hemorrhoids greater than half of the CAD. It has the advantages of convenient to operate, rapid recovery, fewer complications, and long-term satisfactory results.
Regulatory Role of N6-Methyladenosine in Longissimus Dorsi Development in Yak
Authors: Ma Xiaoming , La Yongfu , Bao Pengjia , Chu Min , Guo Xian , Wu Xiaoyun , Pei Jie , Ding Xuezhi , Liang Chunnian , Yan Ping
Published: April 2022

N6-methyladenine (m6A) RNA undergoes epigenetic modification, which is the most extensive intermediate chemical modification in mRNA. Although this modification occurs in all living organisms, it is the most widely studied among mammals. However, to date, no study has investigated the m6A transcriptome-wide map of yak and its potential biological functions in muscle development. In this study, the differences of m6A methylation and gene expression in yak muscle development belonging to three age groups, namely 3 years (group A), 6 months (group M), and 90-day-old fetuses (group E), were determined by using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-Seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). In these three groups, a total of 6,278 (A), 9,298 (E), and 9,584 (M) m6A peaks were identified, with average densities between 1.02 and 2.01. m6A peaks were mostly enriched in the stop codon, 3′ untranslated region (UTR) region, and inner long exon region with consensus motifs of UGACA. In all the three stages, the m6A peak enrichment level was significantly negatively correlated with mRNA abundance (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = −0.22 to −0.32, p < 10−16). The functional enrichment of genes consistently modified by m6A methylation, particularly those genes that regulate cell differentiation as well as muscle growth and development, was observed at all three stages. Moreover, m6A abundance was negatively associated with gene expression levels, indicating that m6A might play a vital role in modulating gene expression during yak muscle development. This comprehensive map thus provides a solid foundation for determining the potential functional role of m6A RNA modification in yak muscle growth.
Exogenous Proline Alleviated Low Temperature Stress in Maize Embryos by Optimizing Seed Germination, Inner Proline Metabolism, Respiratory Metabolism and a Hormone Regulation Mechanism
Authors: Zuo Shiyu , Li Jing , Gu Wanrong , Wei Shi
Published: April 2022

Proline (Pro) is not only an important osmotic adjustment substance, but it also plays an important role in regulating plant abiotic stress resistance. The maize varieties, Xinxin 2 (low temperature insensitive) and Damin 3307 (low temperature sensitive), were chosen as materials, setting a normal temperature for germination (22 °C/10 °C, 9d), low temperature germination (4 °C/4 °C, 5d) and normal temperature recovery (22 °C/10 °C, 4d), combined with a proline (15 mmol·L−1) soaking treatment, to reveal the seed germination and regulation mechanism in maize embryos. The results showed that proline significantly improved the germination potential, germination rate, germination index and vigor index of seeds under low temperature stress, increasing the length of the coleoptile and radicle, increasing the dry and fresh weight of young buds (coleoptile + radicle), and increasing the activity of α-amylase. Proline enhanced the activities of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid synthetase (P5CS) and ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) in maize embryos under low temperature stress, enhanced the proline synthesis pathways, and further enhanced proline accumulation. Proline induced the activity of proline dehydrogenase (ProDH) in the early stage of low temperature stress and stress relief. Under low temperature stress, the activities of hexokinase (HXK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH and 6-P-GDH) in maize embryos were decreased, resulting in a decrease in the glycolysis (EMP) pathway, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Proline alleviated the inhibition of key enzyme activities of the EMP pathway, TCA cycle and PPP of maize embryos under low temperature stress, increased the activities of cytochrome oxidase (COX) and alternative oxidase (AOX), increased the ATP content, alleviated the inhibition of low temperature stress on main cytochrome pathway activity (ρVcyt), while further increasing the total respiratory activity (Vt) and the actual operational activity of the alternative pathway (ρValt) during seed germination at the initial stage of low temperature stress, as well as improving the inhibition of the Vt and ρValt in the middle and late stages of low temperature stress. Under low temperature stress, the content of abscisic acid (ABA) increased significantly, while gibberellin (GA), auxin (IAA) and zeatin nucleoside (ZR) decreased significantly. Proline alleviated the decrease in IAA, ZR and GA contents in maize embryos under low temperature stress, reduced the increase in the ABA content, and reduced the inhibition of low temperature on seed germination.
The Role of Beekeeping in the Generation of Goods and Services: The Interrelation between Environmental, Socioeconomic, and Sociocultural Utilities
Authors: Etxegarai-Legarreta Olatz , Sanchez-Famoso Valeriano
Published: April 2022

Honey bees and beekeeping belong to a large enterprise where the managers are the beekeepers, the workers are the bees, and the products generated are ecosystem goods and services, mostly intangible. Evidence for a reduction in the number of pollinating insects in the planet due to causes that are still being studied has put the spotlight on beekeeping activity and bees (wild and managed) due to their extraordinary capacity to contribute to pollination. The aim of the present work was to detect, identify, and analyze the set of environmental, socioeconomic, and sociocultural utilities (goods and services) generated by honey bees and beekeeping in order to identify possible interrelationships between them. The aim was to demonstrate that these utilities, far from being watertight, are interconnected, which will help to increase their value and highlight their positive externalities (genetic diversity and landscape, among others). This research begins with an overview of some seminal articles, published mainly in the last three years, which were searched following a review using keywords in major databases. After reading the seminal articles and others that were referenced, we analyzed the main utilities generated by honey bees and the possible relationships between them. The main contribution of our results is the determination that the generated utilities are interrelated, which could contribute to increasing their value. In addition, we found that, of the three interrelated dimensions, the socioeconomic dimension encompasses the environmental and sociocultural dimensions. The article ends by proposing future lines of research.
Streamlining Traceability Data Generation in Apple Production Using Integral Management with Machine-to-Machine Connections
Authors: Xie Jing , Wan Chunxu , Tolón Becerra Alfredo , Li Ming
Published: April 2022

Legal requirements and consumer demands have motivated the development and application of traceability technology. Farming practices are the starting point of the agri-food supply chain and the destination of the agri-food traceability system (AFTS). The amount of resource information and the complexity of the production process of agri-food become the main obstacles to the wide application of AFTS. This study introduces an integrated machine-to-machine system that allows collecting field operation information automatically. This system includes an IoT-based integrated hardware system, a smart farm cloud (SFC) platform, and a mobile application, which accomplished the collection, upload, and storage of operation information. This system had been used in “BSD” organic apple orchard in Qixia, Shandong Province, China for about one year. The effectiveness of the system was evaluated by managing 270 apple trees in one plot of the orchard. Finally, a label with a QR code was successfully generated to provide consumers to query traceability information from a single tree to a fruit tray. This work was a background of a blockchain traceability system. Moreover, the future extendibility of the system was also discussed and prospected.
Does Carrying a Rider Change Motor and Sensory Laterality in Horses?
Authors: Schwarz Sophie , Marr Isabell , Farmer Kate , Graf Katja , Stefanski Volker , Krueger Konstanze
Published: April 2022

Laterality in horses has been studied in recent decades. Although most horses are kept for riding purposes, there has been almost no research on how laterality may be affected by carrying a rider. In this study, 23 horses were tested for lateral preferences, both with and without a rider, in three different experiments. The rider gave minimal aids and rode on a long rein to allow the horse free choice. Firstly, motor laterality was assessed by observing forelimb preference when stepping over a pole. Secondly, sensory laterality was assessed by observing perceptual side preferences when the horse was confronted with (a) an unfamiliar person or (b) a novel object. After applying a generalised linear model, this preliminary study found that a rider increased the strength of motor laterality (p = 0.01) but did not affect sensory laterality (p = 0.8). This suggests that carrying a rider who is as passive as possible does not have an adverse effect on a horse’s stress levels and mental state.
Molecular Evidence Reveals the Sympatric Distribution of Cervus nippon yakushimae and Cervus nippon taiouanus on Jeju Island, South Korea
Authors: Banjade Maniram , Park Seon-Mi , Adhikari Pradeep , Han Sang-Hyun , Jeong Young-Hun , Lee Jun-Won , Choi Sung-Hwan , Nguyen Hong An , Oh Hong-Shik
Published: April 2022

Non-native species threaten native ecosystems and species, particularly on islands where rates of endemism and vulnerability to threats are high. Understanding species invasion will aid in providing insights into ecological and evolutionary processes. To identify the non-native sika deer (Cervus nippon) population in Jeju, South Korea, and their phylogenetic affinities, we collected tissue samples from roadkill and the World Natural Heritage Headquarters in Jeju. Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome B (CytB) gene sequences were analyzed to determine two distinct CytB haplotypes. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood tree revealed two haplotypes of CytB clustered into two different groups representing two subspecies: C. n. yakushimae, native to Japan, and C. n. taiouanus, native to Taiwan. The tentative divergence time between the two subspecies was estimated at 1.81 million years. Our study confirmed that the two subspecies of sika deer are sympatric in the natural ecosystem of Jeju Island. This study provides valuable information to help government and conservation agencies understand alien species and determine control policies for conserving native biodiversity in South Korea.
Extruded Enzyme-Added Corn Improves the Growth Performance, Intestinal Function, and Microbiome of Weaning Piglets
Authors: Zhu Dan , Che Lianqiang , Yu Bing , Chen Daiwen
Published: April 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of extruded corn with added amylase under different moisture conditions on the growth performance, intestinal function, and microbiome of weaning piglets. Fourty-eight 24-day-old weaning piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, weaned at 22 ± 1 d) with an initial body weight of 6.76 ± 0.15 kg were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment and two pigs per replicate: (1) NL (adding 7.5% water before corn extrusion, negative treatment with low moisture); (2) NH (adding 15.0% water before corn extrusion, negative treatment with high moisture); (3) PL (adding 7.5% water and 4 kg/t α-amylase before corn extrusion, positive treatment with low moisture); and (4) PH (adding 15% water and 4 kg/t α-amylase before corn extrusion, positive treatment with high moisture). Results showed that amylase supplementation (4 vs. 0 kg/t) increased the contents of small molecular oligosaccharides of extruded corn (p < 0.05). Amylase supplementation significantly improved the average daily feed intake, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, crude protein, gross energy, crude fat, ash, phosphorus, and calcium, and also increased the activities of jejunal trypsin, α-amylase, lipase, sucrase, maltase, γ-glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, improved the duodenal, jejunal and ileal morphology, and increased the relative mRNA expressions of the ZO-1, OCLN, SGLT1, and GLUT2 genes in the jejunum (p < 0.05), whereas it decreased the contents of isobutyric acid in cecal digesta, as well as acetic acid and isobutyric acid in colonic digesta (p < 0.05). Moreover, the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) showed that piglets fed extruded corn with added enzymes contained less intestinal pathogenic bacteria, such as Holdemanella and Desulfovibrio, compared with piglets fed just extruded corn. In summary, the results of the present study indicated that the supplementation of α-amylase during the conditioning and extruding process of corn increased the small molecular oligosaccharide content of corn starch. Moreover, piglets receiving extruded enzyme-added corn had better growth performance, which was associated with the improved intestinal digestive and absorptive function, as well as the intestinal microbiome.
Synergistic Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Ocimum tenuiflorum Ethanolic Extract against Major Bacterial Mastitis Pathogens
Authors: Srichok Janejira , Yingbun Natthika , Kowawisetsut Teerada , Kornmatitsuk Sudsaijai , Suttisansanee Uthaiwan , Temviriyanukul Piya , Chantong Boonrat
Published: April 2022

Mastitis is the most prevalent global illness affecting dairy cows. This bacterial infection damages and inflames the udder tissues. Several plant extracts have demonstrated synergistic antibacterial activities with standard drugs in mastitis treatment. Scant information exists on Ocimum tenuiflorum L. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of O. tenuiflorum extract and its interaction with antibacterial drugs against common mastitis pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS), Streptococcus agalactiae, and Escherichia coli. Anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells were also studied. The O. tenuiflorum extract exhibited antibacterial activities against S. aureus, CNS, and S. agalactiae with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 3.9 to 31.2 µg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranging from 15.6 to 500 µg/mL. Combinations of O. tenuiflorum with penicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid showed synergistic effects against all tested strains but an additive effect with cefazolin and gentamicin. Pretreatment of the extract significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory molecules (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS, COX-2, and PGE2) generated by LPS in macrophages. Results suggested O. tenuiflorum effectiveness against various Gram-positive mastitis bacteria, with the potential to reduce antibacterial doses and combat inflammation.
The Bacterial Urban Resistome: Recent Advances
Authors: Vassallo Alberto , Kett Steve , Purchase Diane , Marvasi Massimiliano
Published: April 2022

Cities that are densely populated are reservoirs of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs). The overall presence of all resistance genes in a specific environment is defined as a resistome. Spatial proximity of surfaces and different hygienic conditions leads to the transfer of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) within urban environments. Built environments, public transportation, green spaces, and citizens’ behaviors all support persistence and transfer of antimicrobial resistances (AMR). Various unique aspects of urban settings that promote spread and resilience of ARGs/ARB are discussed: (i) the role of hospitals and recreational parks as reservoirs; (ii) private and public transportation as carriers of ARGs/ARB; (iii) the role of built environments as a hub for horizontal gene transfer even though they support lower microbial biodiversity than outdoor environments; (iv) the need to employ ecological and evolutionary concepts, such as modeling the fate of a specific ARG/ARB, to gain enhanced health risk assessments. Our understanding and our ability to control the rise of AMR in an urban setting is linked to our knowledge of the network connecting urban reservoirs and the environment.