bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The therapeutic potential of TREM2 in cancer
Authors: Wolf Elysa M. , Fingleton Barbara , Hasty Alyssa H.
Published: September 2022

Cancer continues to be a substantial health concern and a leading cause of death in the United States and around the world. Therefore, it is important to continue to explore the potential of novel therapeutic targets and combinatorial therapies. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a transmembrane receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily that associates with DNAX activation protein (DAP) 12 and DAP10 to propagate signals within the cell. TREM2 has primarily been recognized for its expression on cells in the monocyte-macrophage lineage, with the majority of work focusing on microglial function in Alzheimer’s Disease. However, expansion of TREM2 research into the field of cancer has revealed that epithelial tumor cells as well as intratumoral macrophages and myeloid regulatory cells also express TREM2. In this review, we discuss evidence that TREM2 contributes to tumor suppressing or oncogenic activity when expressed by epithelial tumor cells. In addition, we discuss the immunosuppressive role of TREM2-expressing intratumoral macrophages, and the therapeutic potential of targeting TREM2 in combination with immune checkpoint therapy. Overall, the literature reveals TREM2 could be considered a novel therapeutic target for certain types of cancer.
A fresh “slant” on modified Mitchell bladder neck reconstruction: A contemporary single-institution experience
Authors: Bowen Diana K. , Cheng Earl Y. , Hirsch Josephine , Huang Jason , Meyer Theresa , Rosoklija Ilina , Chu David I. , Yerkes Elizabeth B.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Patients with neurogenic urinary incontinence due to an incompetent outlet may be offered bladder neck reconstruction, but the quest for the perfect surgical-outlet procedure continues. Our aim was to characterize continence and complications after modified Mitchell urethral lengthening/bladder neck reconstruction (MMBNR) with sling and to introduce a modification of exposure that facilitates subsequent steps of MMBNR.

Methods

A single-institution, retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent primary MMBNR between May 2011 and July 2019 was performed. Data on demographics, urodynamic testing, operative details, unanticipated events, continence, bladder changes, and additional procedures were collected. A 2013 modification that permits identification of the incompetent bladder neck prior to urethral unroofing was applied to the last 17 patients. The trigone and bladder neck are exposed via an oblique low anterolateral incision on the bladder. Ureteral reimplantation is not routinely performed. Focal incision of the endopelvic fascia after posterior plate creation limits breadth of blunt dissection for sling placement. Descriptive statistics were utilized.

Results

A total of 25 patients (13 females) had MMBNR with sling at a median age of 10 years [interquartile range (IQR) 8–11]. Bladder augmentation was performed concurrently in 14/25 (56%) patients. At a median of 5.0 (IQR 3.9–7.5) years follow-up after MMBNR, 9/11 (82%) without bladder augmentation and 13/14 (93%) with bladder augmentation had no leakage per urethra during the day without further continence procedures. Of the three patients with persistent incontinence, two achieved continence with bladder wall Botox injection (overall continence 24/25, 96%). New and recurrent vesicoureteral reflux was noted in five patients and one patient, respectively. Two patients required subsequent bladder augmentation for pressures and one other will likely require it. None have required bladder neck closure or revision.

Conclusion

MMBNR with sling provides promising continence per urethra in neurogenic bladder with low need for secondary continence procedures. Ongoing modifications may achieve elusive total continence.
Exploring the mechanism of action of licorice in the treatment of COVID-19 through bioinformatics analysis and molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Cao Jun-Feng , Gong Yunli , Wu Mei , Yang Xingyu , Xiong Li , Chen Shengyan , Xiao Zixuan , Li Yang , Zhang Lixin , Zan Wang , Zhang Xiao
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The rapid worldwide spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become not only a global challenge, but also a lack of effective clinical treatments. Studies have shown that licorice can significantly improve clinical symptoms such as fever, dry cough and shortness of breath in COVID-19 patients with no significant adverse effects. However, there is still a lack of in-depth analysis of the specific active ingredients of licorice in the treatment of COVID-19 and its mechanism of action. Therefore, we used molecular docking and molecular dynamics to explore the mechanism of action of licorice in the treatment of COVID-19.

Methods: We used bioinformatics to screen active pharmaceutical ingredients and potential targets, the disease-core gene target-drug network was established and molecular docking was used for verification. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to verify that active ingredients were stably combined with protein targets. The supercomputer platform was used to measure and analyze stability of protein targets at the residue level, solvent accessible surface area, number of hydrogen bonds, radius of gyration and binding free energy.

Results: Licorice had 255 gene targets, COVID-19 had 4,628 gene targets, the intersection gene targets were 101. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that licorice played an important role mainly through the signaling pathways of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress. Molecular docking showed that Glycyrol, Phaseol and Glyasperin F in licorice may playe a role in treating COVID-19 by acting on STAT3, IL2RA, MMP1, and CXCL8. Molecular dynamics were used to demonstrate and analyze the binding stability of active ingredients to protein targets.

Conclusion: This study found that Phaseol in licorice may reduce inflammatory cell activation and inflammatory response by inhibiting the activation of CXCL8 and IL2RA; Glycyrol may regulate cell proliferation and survival by acting on STAT3. Glyasperin F may regulate cell growth by inhibiting the activation of MMP1, thus reducing tissue damage and cell death caused by excessive inflammatory response and promoting the growth of new tissues. Therefore, licorice is proposed as an effective candidate for the treatment of COVID-19 through STAT3, IL2RA, MMP1, and CXCL8.
Radical scavenging capacity, antibacterial activity, and quantum chemical aspects of the spectrophotometrically investigated iridium (III) complex with benzopyran derivative
Authors: Mohmad Masrat , Agnihotri Nivedita , Kumar Vikas , Azam Mohammad , Wabaidur Saikh Mohammad , Kamal Raj , Kumar Rakesh , Alam Mahboob , Kaviani Sadegh
Published: September 2022

A comprehensive aqueous phase spectrophotometric study concerning the trace level determination of iridium (III) by its reaction with benzopyran-derived chromogenic reagent, 6-chloro-3-hydroxy-7-methyl-2-(2′-thienyl)-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran (CHMTB), is performed. The complexing reagent instantly forms a yellow complex with Ir (III) at pH 4.63, where metal is bound to the ligand in a ratio of 1:2 as deduced by Job’s continuous variations, mole ratio, and equilibrium shift methods. The complex absorbs maximally at 413–420 nm retaining its stability for up to 4 days. An optimum set of conditions have been set with respect to the parameters governing the formation of the complex. Under the set optimal conditions, the Ir (III)-CHMTB complex coheres to Beer’s law between 0.0 and 1.5 µg Ir (III) mL−1. The attenuation coefficient and Sandell’s sensitivity are, respectively, 1.18×105 L mol−1 cm−1 and 0.00162 μg cm−2 at 415 nm. The correlation coefficient (r) and standard deviation (SD) were 0.9999 and ± 0.001095, respectively, whereas the detection limit as analyzed was 0.007437 μg ml−1. The interference with respect to analytically important cations and complexing agents has been studied thoroughly. It is found that the majority of the ions/agents do not intervene with the formation of the complex, thus adding to the versatility of the method. The results obtained from the aforesaid studies indicate a simple, fast, convenient, sensitive, and versatile method for microgram analysis of iridium (III) using CHMTB as a binding ligand. Furthermore, the studied complex is subjected to the evaluation of antibacterial and antioxidant capacity by employing the Agar Diffusion assay and DPPH. radical scavenging method, respectively. The results obtained from the mentioned assays reveal that the investigated complex possesses significant potency as an antibacterial and antioxidant agent. Finally, the computational approach through DFT of the formed complex confirmed the associated electronic properties of the studied complex.
Therapeutic effects and mechanisms of N-(9,10-anthraquinone-2-ylcarbonyl) xanthine oxidase inhibitors on hyperuricemia
Authors: Gao Tianshu , Xu Jin , Xiao Yuxiao , Li Jiaqi , Hu Weifeng , Su Xiaoyu , Shen Xudong , Yu Wan , Chen Zhen , Huang Baosheng , Li Honglei , Wang Xing
Published: September 2022

Objective: To observe the antioxidative effects of N-(9,10-anthraquinone-2-ylcarbonyl) xanthine oxidase inhibitors (NAY) in vitro and in vivo models of hyperuricemia and explore the mechanism.

Methods: A classical experimental method of acute toxicity and a chronic toxicity test were used to compare the toxic effects of different doses of NAY in mice. The hyperuricemia mouse model was established by gavage of potassium oxonate in vivo. After treatment with different doses of NAY (low dose: 10 mg/kg, medium dose: 20 mg/kg, and high dose: 40 mg/kg) and allopurinol (positive drug, 10 mg/kg), observe the levels of uric acid (UA), creatinine (CRE), and urea nitrogen (BUN) in urine and serum, respectively, and detect the activities of xanthine oxidase in the liver. The hyperuricemia cell model was induced by adenosine and xanthine oxidase in vitro. The cells were given different doses of NAY (50, 100, and 200 μmol/L) and allopurinol (100 μmol/L). Then the culture supernatant UA level of the medium was measured. The next step was to detect the xanthine oxidase activity in the liver and AML12 cells, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory factors in the kidney and serum of mice. Western blot was used to detect xanthine oxidase protein expression in mouse liver tissue and AML12 cells, ASC, Caspase-1, NLRP3, GLUT9, OAT1, and OAT3 protein expression in mouse kidney tissue and HK-2 cells. Hematoxylin–eosin staining was used to stain the liver and kidney tissues of mice and observe the tissue lesions.

Results: NAY had little effect on blood routine and biochemical indexes of mice, but significantly reduced the serum UA level. NAY significantly reduced the level of UA in hyperuricemia mice and cells by inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity and reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and other inflammatory factors in serum and kidney of mice. NAY can inhibit inflammation by inhibiting the NLRP3 pathway. In addition, NAY can downregulate GLUT9 protein expression and upregulate OAT1 and OAT3 protein expression to reduce the UA level by promoting UA excretion and inhibiting UA reabsorption.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that NAY produced dual hypouricemic actions. On the one hand, it can inhibit the formation of UA by inhibiting xanthine oxidase inhibitors activity, and on the other hand, it can promote the excretion of UA by regulating the UA transporter. It provides new ideas for the development of hyperuricemia drugs in the future.
Citrus aurantium ‘Changshan-huyou’—An ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review
Authors: Gao Liang , Zhang Hui , Yuan Chun-Hui , Zeng Ling-Hui , Xiang Zheng , Song Jian-Feng , Wang Hua-Gang , Jiang Jian-Ping
Published: September 2022

Citrus fruits are composed of oil cells layer, white membrane layer, pulp and seeds. The cultivar Citrus aurantium ‘Changshan-huyou’ (CACH) is a hybridization of Citrus grandis Osbeck and C. sinensis Osbeck. It is a rutaceae plant, and mainly grows in Changshan, Zhejiang, China. With the exploration of its high traditional values, it has been paid more and more attention by the scientific community in recent years. At present, one hundred and two chemical constituents have been identified from the pulp and peel of CACH, including volatile oils, terpenoids, phenols, limonins, sugars, etc., As the representative active component of CACH, phenols have been widely investigated. Studies have shown that CACH shows a variety of significant pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective activity, respiratory system protection and intestinal regulation activity. This review mainly introduces the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of CACH, and discusses its future research and development directions. It will provide theoretical basis for further research of its pharmacodynamic substances, functional mechanism and rational utilization.
The versatile roles of odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein in odontogenesis, junctional epithelium regeneration and periodontal disease
Authors: Zhu Sipin , Xiang Chuan , Charlesworth Oscar , Bennett Samuel , Zhang Sijuan , Zhou Maio , Kujan Omar , Xu Jiake
Published: September 2022

Junctional epithelium (JE) is a vital epithelial component which forms an attachment to the tooth surface at the gingival sulcus by the adhesion of protein complexes from its basal layer. Disruption of the JE is associated with the development of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and alveolar bone loss. Odontogenic ameloblast-associated (ODAM) is comprised of a signal peptide and an ODAM protein with 12 putative glycosylation sites. It is expressed during odontogenesis by maturation stage ameloblasts and is incorporated into the enamel matrix during the formation of outer and surface layer enamel. ODAM, as a secreted protein which is accumulated at the interface between basal lamina and enamel, mediates the adhesion of the JE to the tooth surface; and is involved with extracellular signalling of WNT and ARHGEF5-RhoA, as well as intracellular signalling of BMP-2-BMPR-IB-ODAM. ODAM is also found to be highly expressed in salivary glands and appears to have implications for the regulation of formation, repair, and regeneration of the JE. Bioinformatics and research data have identified the anti-cancer properties of ODAM, indicating its potential both as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. Understanding the biology of ODAM will help to design therapeutic strategies for periodontal and dental disorders.
Effects of supplemental tannic acid on growth performance, gut health, microbiota, and fat accumulation and optimal dosages of tannic acid in broilers
Authors: Choi Janghan , Yadav Sudhir , Wang Jinquan , Lorentz Benjamin J. , Lourenco Jeferson M. , Callaway Todd R. , Kim Woo Kyun
Published: September 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different dosages of tannic acid (TA) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut health, immune system, oxidative status, microbial composition, volatile fatty acids (VFA), bone mineral density, and fat digestion and accumulation in broilers and to find optimal dosages of TA for efficient growth and gut health in broilers. A total of 320 male Cobb500 broilers were randomly distributed to 4 treatments with 8 replicates including 1) tannic acid 0 (TA0): basal diet without TA; 2) tannic acid 0.5 (TA0.5): basal diet with 0.5 g/kg TA; 3) tannic acid 1.5 (TA1.5); and 4) tannic acid 2.5 (TA2.5). Supplemental TA at levels greater than 972 mg/kg tended to reduce BW on D 21 (p= 0.05). The TA2.5 had significantly lower apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein compared to the TA0 group. The AID of ether extract tended to be reduced by TA at levels greater than 525 mg/kg (p= 0.08). The jejunal lipase activities tended to be reduced by TA at levels less than 595.3 mg/kg (p= 0.09). TA linearly decreased goblet cell density in the crypts of the jejunum (p< 0.05) and reduced mRNA expression of mucin two at levels less than 784.9 mg/kg and zonula occludens two at levels less than 892.6 mg/kg (p< 0.05). The TA0.5 group had higher activities of liver superoxide dismutase compared to the TA0 group (p< 0.05). Bone mineral density and contents tended to be linearly decreased by TA (p= 0.05), and the ratio of lean to fat was linearly decreased (p< 0.01). Total cecal VFA production tended to be linearly reduced by TA at levels greater than 850.9 mg/kg (p= 0.07). Supplemental TA tended to increase the relative abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes (p= 0.1) and decrease the relative abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria (p= 0.1). The relative abundance of the family Rikenellaceae was the lowest at 500 mg/kg TA, and the relative abundance of the family Bacillaceae was the highest at 1,045 mg/kg TA. Collectively, these results indicate that the optimum level of supplemental TA would range between 500 and 900 mg/kg; this range of TA supplementation would improve gut health without negatively affecting growth performance in broilers under antibiotic-free conditions.
Excitation-contraction coupling in mammalian skeletal muscle: Blending old and last-decade research
Authors: Bolaños Pura , Calderón Juan C.
Published: September 2022

The excitation–contraction coupling (ECC) in skeletal muscle refers to the Ca2+-mediated link between the membrane excitation and the mechanical contraction. The initiation and propagation of an action potential through the membranous system of the sarcolemma and the tubular network lead to the activation of the Ca2+-release units (CRU): tightly coupled dihydropyridine and ryanodine (RyR) receptors. The RyR gating allows a rapid, massive, and highly regulated release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The release from triadic places generates a sarcomeric gradient of Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]) depending on the distance of a subcellular region from the CRU. Upon release, the diffusing Ca2+ has multiple fates: binds to troponin C thus activating the contractile machinery, binds to classical sarcoplasmic Ca2+ buffers such as parvalbumin, adenosine triphosphate and, experimentally, fluorescent dyes, enters the mitochondria and the SR, or is recycled through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) mechanisms. To commemorate the 7th decade after being coined, we comprehensively and critically reviewed “old”, historical landmarks and well-established concepts, and blended them with recent advances to have a complete, quantitative-focused landscape of the ECC. We discuss the: 1) elucidation of the CRU structures at near-atomic resolution and its implications for functional coupling; 2) reliable quantification of peak sarcoplasmic [Ca2+] using fast, low affinity Ca2+ dyes and the relative contributions of the Ca2+-binding mechanisms to the whole concert of Ca2+ fluxes inside the fibre; 3) articulation of this novel quantitative information with the unveiled structural details of the molecular machinery involved in mitochondrial Ca2+ handing to understand how and how much Ca2+ enters the mitochondria; 4) presence of the SOCE machinery and its different modes of activation, which awaits understanding of its magnitude and relevance in situ; 5) pharmacology of the ECC, and 6) emerging topics such as the use and potential applications of super-resolution and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) in ECC. Blending the old with the new works better!
A multiple phenotype imputation method for genetic diversity and core collection in Taiwanese vegetable soybean
Authors: Huang Yen-Hsiang , Ku Hsin-Mei , Wang Chong-An , Chen Ling-Yu , He Shan-Syue , Chen Shu , Liao Po-Chun , Juan Pin-Yuan , Kao Chung-Feng
Published: September 2022

Establishment of vegetable soybean (edamame) [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasms has been highly valued in Asia and the United States owing to the increasing market demand for edamame. The idea of core collection (CC) is to shorten the breeding program so as to improve the availability of germplasm resources. However, multidimensional phenotypes typically are highly correlated and have different levels of missing rate, often failing to capture the underlying pattern of germplasms and select CC precisely. These are commonly observed on correlated samples. To overcome such scenario, we introduced the “multiple imputation” (MI) method to iteratively impute missing phenotypes for 46 morphological traits and jointly analyzed high-dimensional imputed missing phenotypes (ECimpu) to explore population structure and relatedness among 200 Taiwanese vegetable soybean accessions. An advanced maximization strategy with a heuristic algorithm and PowerCore was used to evaluate the morphological diversity among the ECimpu. In total, 36 accessions (denoted as CCimpu) were efficiently selected representing high diversity and the entire coverage of the ECimpu. Only 4 (8.7%) traits showed slightly significant differences between the CCimpu and ECimpu. Compared to the ECimpu, 96% traits retained all characteristics or had a slight diversity loss in the CCimpu. The CCimpu exhibited a small percentage of significant mean difference (4.51%), and large coincidence rate (98.1%), variable rate (138.76%), and coverage (close to 100%), indicating the representativeness of the ECimpu. We noted that the CCimpu outperformed the CCraw in evaluation properties, suggesting that the multiple phenotype imputation method has the potential to deal with missing phenotypes in correlated samples efficiently and reliably without re-phenotyping accessions. Our results illustrated a significant role of imputed missing phenotypes in support of the MI-based framework for plant-breeding programs.
A transcriptomic-guided strategy used in identification of a wheat rust pathogen target and modification of the target enhanced host resistance to rust pathogens
Authors: Nyamesorto Bernard , Zhang Hongtao , Rouse Matthew , Wang Meinan , Chen Xianming , Huang Li
Published: September 2022

Transcriptional reprogramming is an essential feature of plant immunity and is governed by transcription factors (TFs) and co-regulatory proteins associated with discrete transcriptional complexes. On the other hand, effector proteins from pathogens have been shown to hijack these vast repertoires of plant TFs. Our current knowledge of host genes' role (including TFs) involved in pathogen colonization is based on research employing model plants such as Arabidopsis and rice with minimal efforts in wheat rust interactions. In this study, we begun the research by identifying wheat genes that benefit rust pathogens during infection and editing those genes to provide wheat with passive resistance to rust. We identified the wheat MYC4 transcription factor (TF) located on chromosome 1B (TaMYC4-1B) as a rust pathogen target. The gene was upregulated only in susceptible lines in the presence of the pathogens. Down-regulation of TaMYC4-1B using barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing (BSMV-VIGS) in the susceptible cultivar Chinese Spring enhanced its resistance to the stem rust pathogen. Knockout of the TaMYC4-1BL in Cadenza rendered new resistance to races of stem, leaf, and stripe rust pathogens. We developed new germplasm in wheat via modifications of the wheat TaMYC4−1BL transcription factor.
Isolation and characterization of peroxidase P7-like gene and Rab-GDI like gene from potential medicinal plants: A step toward understanding cell defense signaling
Authors: Jabeen Raheela , Iqbal Atia , Deeba Farah , Zulfiqar Faisal , Mustafa Ghulam , Nawaz Haq , Habiba Ume , Nafees Muhammad , Zaid Abbu , Siddique Kadambot H. M.
Published: September 2022

Defensin genes form part of a plant’s defense system and are activated when exposed to biotic or abiotic stress. They play a vital role in controlling many signaling pathways involved in various plant defense mechanisms. This research aimed to isolate and characterize novel defensin genes from selected medicinally important plants to explore their signaling mechanisms and defense associated roles for breeding. The DNA of Albizia lebbeck and Moringa oleifera was subjected to PCR amplification using gene-specific primers of defensin genes. Two novel defensin genes were isolated in each species, with sequence lengths of 300 bp in A. lebbeck and 150 bp in M. oleifera. In-silico analysis undertaken to retrieve and align their orthologous sequences revealed 100% similarity of the A. lebbeck gene with the Musa acuminate peroxidase P7-like gene and 85% similarity of the M. oleifera gene with the Manihot esculenta GDP dissociation inhibitor gene. The reliability, stability and physiochemical properties of homology models of these sequences was confirmed through online computational studies. This preliminary study confirmed the presence of novel genes with peroxidase P7 and Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor gene-like activity in A. lebbeck and M. oleifera, respectively, and their potential defense role in plants. Thus, the defensin genes of both species could be used in the synthesis of transgenic self-defensive plants with increased disease resistance and as potential candidates for improved crop production and thraputic formulation in the future.
Effects of light quality on growth, nutritional characteristics, and antioxidant properties of winter wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Li Junyan , Guo Xiaolei , Zhang Siqi , Zhang Yinghua , Chen Liping , Zheng Wengang , Xue Xuzhang
Published: September 2022

Wheat seedlings are becoming popular for its high nutritional value. Effects of White (W), White + Red (WR), and White + Blue (WB) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) treatments on growth, nutritional characteristics and antioxidant properties of wheat seedlings were studied in a plant factory. The results showed that height, leaf area, shoot fresh, and shoot dry weight per wheat seedling were the highest under WR at 13 and 22 days after planting. Soluble sugar content in leaves and stems were 22.3 and 65% respectively higher under WB than those under W. Soluble protein content in leaves and stems were 36.8 and 15.2% respectively lower under WR than those under W. Contents of total flavonoids, glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (ASA) in leaves were the highest under WB, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content in leaves was the lowest under WB. The activities of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)] in leaves and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability were also the highest under WB. In conclusion, WR promoted the growth of wheat seedlings, and WB promoted antioxidant level and nutritional accumulation. This study provides guidance for wheat seedlings to carry out preferential production (biomass or quality).
Dynamic changes in metabolic and lipidomic profiles of tea plants during drought stress and re-watering
Authors: Shen Jiazhi , Wang Shuangshuang , Sun Litao , Wang Yu , Fan Kai , Li Chen , Wang Hui , Bi Caihong , Zhang Fen , Ding Zhaotang
Published: September 2022

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.), as an evergreen plant, needs a humid environment. Water deficit would diminish tea yield and quality. We analyzed the dynamic changes in the metabolite and lipid profiling of tea leaves under various drought conditions and re-watering to determine the metabolic changes in tea leaves responding to drought challenges. In all, 119 metabolites showed substantial alterations in drought-stressed tea plants, including sugars and sugar alcohols, amino acids, and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates and lipids. We detected 29 lipids and they were classified into phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidic acid (PA), sulfoquinovosyl-diacylglycerol (SQDG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LysoPC), and phosphatidylinositol (PI). The levels of sugar, sugar alcohol, and sugar precursors may change as a response to drought stress. Compared with these metabolites, the membrane lipids showed more dynamic changes in tea under drought stresses. Furthermore, metabolic recovery was only partial, with the majority of the examined metabolites exhibiting significantly different levels between samples from re-watered and well-watered tea plants. The findings also showed that comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic approaches were efficient in elucidating the impacts of drought stress on tea plant metabolism. Our findings are valuable for understanding the mechanisms behind drought tolerance in tea plants from the metabolism perspective and utilizing the compounds to improve the drought tolerance of tea plants.
Auxin and cytokinin control fate determination of cotyledons in the one-leaf plant Monophyllaea glabra
Authors: Kinoshita Ayaka , Tsukaya Hirokazu
Published: September 2022

One-leaf plants in the Gesneriaceae family initially have two cotyledons of identical size; one cotyledon stops growing shortly after germination, whereas the other continues indeterminate growth. Factors involved in the unequal growth have been investigated, and a competitive relationship between the two cotyledons was previously proposed. However, questions regarding the fate determination of the two cotyledons remain: Why does only one cotyledon grow indeterminately while the other stops; is the fate of the cotyledons reversible; and what role does light quality play in the fate determination of the cotyledons? In this study, physiological experiments using the one-leaf plant species Monophyllaea glabra suggest that a biased auxin concentration between the two cotyledons and subsequent cytokinin levels may determine the fate of the cotyledons. In addition, observation of relatively mature individuals without hormone treatment and younger individuals with cytokinin treatment under laboratory growth conditions revealed that the fate determination of the microcotyledon is reversible. Although light quality has been suggested to be important for the determination of cotyledon fate in Streptocarpus rexii, an anisocotylous species, we conclude that light quality is not important in M. glabra.
Nitrogen fertilization coupled with iron foliar application improves the photosynthetic characteristics, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, and the related enzymes of maize crops under different planting patterns
Authors: Nasar Jamal , Wang Gui-Yang , Ahmad Shakeel , Muhammad Ihsan , Zeeshan Muhammad , Gitari Harun , Adnan Muhammad , Fahad Shah , Khalid Muhammad Hayder Bin , Zhou Xun-Bo , Abdelsalam Nader R. , Ahmed Gamal A. , Hasan Mohamed E.
Published: September 2022

Photosynthetic rate (Pn) and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) are the two important factors affecting the photosynthesis and nutrient utilization of plant leaves. However, the effect of N fertilization combined with foliar application of Fe on the Pn and PNUE of the maize crops under different planting patterns (i.e., monocropping and intercropping) is elusive. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to determine the effect of N fertilization combined with foliar application of Fe on the photosynthetic characteristics, PNUE, and the associated enzymes of the maize crops under different planting patterns. The results of this study showed that under intercropping, maize treated with N fertilizer combined with foliar application of Fe had not only significantly (p < 0.05) improved physio-agronomic indices but also higher chlorophyll content, better photosynthetic characteristics, and related leaf traits. In addition, the same crops under such treatments had increased photosynthetic enzyme activity (i.e., rubisco activity) and nitrogen metabolism enzymes activities, such as nitrate reductase (NR activity), nitrite reductase (NiR activity), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT activity). Consequently, intercropping enhanced the PNUE and soluble sugar content of the maize crops, thus increasing its yield compared with monocropping. Thus, these findings suggest that intercropping under optimal N fertilizer application combined with Fe foliation can improve the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic characteristics of maize crops by regulating the associated enzymatic activities. Consequently, this results in enhanced PNUE, which eventually leads to better growth and higher yield in the intercropping system. Thus, practicing intercropping under optimal nutrient management (i.e., N and Fe) could be crucial for better growth and yield, and efficient nitrogen use efficiency of maize crops.
Revealing plant growth-promoting mechanisms of Bacillus strains in elevating rice growth and its interaction with salt stress
Authors: Ali Qurban , Ayaz Muhammad , Mu Guangyuan , Hussain Amjad , Yuanyuan Qiu , Yu Chenjie , Xu Yujiao , Manghwar Hakim , Gu Qin , Wu Huijun , Gao Xuewen
Published: September 2022

Soil salinity is a major environmental stress that has been negatively affecting the growth and productivity of rice. However, various salt-resistant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been known to promote plant growth and alleviate the damaging effects of salt stress via mitigating physio-biochemical and molecular characteristics. This study was conducted to examine the salt stress potential of Bacillus strains identified from harsh environments of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau region of China. The Bacillus strains NMTD17, GBSW22, and FZB42 were screened for their response under different salt stress conditions (1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 16%). The screening analysis revealed strains NMTD17, GBSW22, and FZB42 to be high-salt tolerant, moderate-salt tolerant, and salt-sensitive, respectively. The NMTD17 strain produced a strong biofilm, followed by GBSW22 and FZB42. The expression of salt stress-related genes in selected strains was also analyzed through qPCR in various salt concentrations. Further, the Bacillus strains were used in pot experiments to study their growth-promoting ability and antioxidant activities at various concentrations (0, 100, 150, and 200 mmol). The analysis of growth-promoting traits in rice exhibited that NMTD17 had a highly significant effect and GSBW22 had a moderately significant effect in comparison with FZB42. The highly resistant strain NMTD17 that stably promoted rice plant growth was further examined for its function in the composition of rhizobacterial communities. The inoculation of NMTD17 increased the relative abundance and richness of rhizobacterial species. These outcomes propose that NMTD17 possesses the potential of PGPR traits, antioxidants enzyme activities, and reshaping the rhizobacterial community that together mitigate the harmful effects of salinity in rice plants.
A study on sustainable air travel behavior under the possible remedy of risk knowledge: A mediating perspective of risk perception during COVID-19
Authors: Niemtu Warangsiri , Qin Kaida , Toseef Muhammad
Published: September 2022

The aviation industry is the center of gravity for tourism-dependent countries seeking to uplift their economic activities. The COVID-19 pandemic in the early part of 2020 threatened people and the air industry to the maximum extent. This paper investigated the sustainable air travel behavior of passengers under the risk knowledge path. The mediating role of risk perception, i.e., physical risk, psychological risk, and service quality, was also tested for the risk knowledge-air travel behavior association. We surveyed 339 travelers at six airports in Thailand from January to June 2021 to record their responses. We applied covariance–variance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), and the study results revealed a direct effect of risk knowledge with an indirect impact via risk perception paths on air travel behavior. This paper highlights knowledge as a remedial response to the perceptual makeup of air services sustainability. The study has solid managerial implications for aviation management in the design of ideal pathways for retaining air services during the current public emergency of COVID-19.
Intersection of anxiety and negative coping among Asian American medical students
Authors: Moore Michelle B. , Yang David , Raines Amanda M. , Bailey Rahn Kennedy , Beg Waania
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Asian Americans comprise 21% of matriculating medical students in the United States but little is known about their mental health. With the growing focus on addressing the mental health of medical students, this systematic, nationwide survey assesses the relationship between anxiety and depression symptoms and coping skills among Asian American medical students.

Materials and methods

A survey tool comprised of Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7, and questions related to coping were emailed to members of the Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association enrolled in a United States medical school during the 2016–2017 academic year. We evaluated associations between anxiety and coping as well as depression and coping.

Results

A total of 511 Asian American medical students completed the survey. Anxiety symptoms were positively correlated with an increase in negative coping skills. Depressive symptoms were not correlated with an increase in negative coping skills.

Conclusion

Professionals and medical schools that aim to improve the mental health of medical students should be aware of the needs of specific populations. Asian American students who experience anxiety were more likely to utilize avoidant or negative coping strategies. In addition, Asian American students who experience depressive symptoms were not more likely to utilize these negative coping strategies. Further research must be done to evaluate the factors that influence the use of negative coping strategies to better address anxiety within the Asian American medical student population.
Insight orientation scale: A promising tool for organizational outcomes–A psychometric analysis using item response theory
Authors: Gori Alessio , Topino Eleonora , Svicher Andrea , Schuldberg David , Di Fabio Annamaria
Published: September 2022

Insight is a construct carried out into different theoretical orientations with increasing application out of the boundaries of clinical psychology. Recent studies have investigated insight also as a promising variable for organizational outcomes. Given the relevance of Insight in promoting change, this paper aimed at describing the psychometric analysis of one of the shortest, most agile, and most versatile tool for measuring some of the characteristics of insight, the Insight Orientation Scale (IOS), using Item Response Theory. To achieve this goal, we applied a Mixed Rash Model to the IOS. Data from 1,445 individuals were analyzed by the means of WIN-MIRA and Multilog. Based on the likelihood statistics (CAIC) we assumed a three-class solution for the IOS. Results also indicated that the greater part of items had good discrimination and threshold parameters. These findings confirmed psychometric stability of the IOS highlighting its measurement precision, supporting its utility in both research and practice.
Fire system safety risk cognition model and evaluation of major public safety risks
Authors: Li Wen , Lu Xuesong , Dong Xu
Published: September 2022

Along with the expansion of city scale, and the increase in the density of population and buildings, the occurrence of a major public fire safety incident in cities will lead to a serious threat to the overall public safety and the sustainable economic and social development of the relevant region. A simple and practical safety risk assessment method of fire prevention in gas stations is of great value for disaster prevention and application in key industries. The constituent elements of a gas station fire prevention safety system are complex, and include equipment, materials, environment, operation, and other factors. This element of information has randomness and temporal dynamics. To promote the transformation of the safety supervision mechanism of gas stations, realize the dual objectives of risk classification and risk dynamic management, and control the gas stations' safety systems the gas stations safety systems are the objectives of our paper. By taking the “fire” risk point of fire prevention in gas stations' system as the research object, this paper puts forward the cognitive path of fire prevention in gas stations' safety system for risk disasters, and explains the coordination between characteristics of inherent, initial, and real risks and the structure of the risk system's attributes. A realistic risk assessment model of fire risk with inherent and dynamic risks is established. An example was introduced to apply the real risk model, and the results were consistent with the actual prediction results, thereby showing the effectiveness and practicability of this method. This risk assessment method can provide a scientific basis for the prevention of fires and control of the fire prevention safety system, showing the changes in risk levels in different stages, and providing risk warning for project managers in taking prompt corresponding risk control countermeasures and improving the efficiency of risk management.
Endoscopic capsule robot-based diagnosis, navigation and localization in the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Hanscom Mark , Cave David R.
Published: September 2022

The proliferation of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) would not have been possible without continued technological improvements in imaging and locomotion. Advancements in imaging include both software and hardware improvements but perhaps the greatest software advancement in imaging comes in the form of artificial intelligence (AI). Current research into AI in VCE includes the diagnosis of tumors, gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease. Other advancements have focused on the improvement of both camera technologies and alternative forms of imaging. Comparatively, advancements in locomotion have just started to approach clinical use and include onboard controlled locomotion, which involves miniaturizing a motor to incorporate into the video capsule, and externally controlled locomotion, which involves using an outside power source to maneuver the capsule itself. Advancements in locomotion hold promise to remove one of the major disadvantages of VCE, namely, its inability to obtain targeted diagnoses. Active capsule control could in turn unlock additional diagnostic and therapeutic potential, such as the ability to obtain targeted tissue biopsies or drug delivery. With both advancements in imaging and locomotion has come a corresponding need to be better able to process generated images and localize the capsule’s position within the gastrointestinal tract. Technological advancements in computation performance have led to improvements in image compression and transfer, as well as advancements in sensor detection and alternative methods of capsule localization. Together, these advancements have led to the expansion of VCE across a number of indications, including the evaluation of esophageal and colon pathologies including esophagitis, esophageal varices, Crohn’s disease, and polyps after incomplete colonoscopy. Current research has also suggested a role for VCE in acute gastrointestinal bleeding throughout the gastrointestinal tract, as well as in urgent settings such as the emergency department, and in resource-constrained settings, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. VCE has solidified its role in the evaluation of small bowel bleeding and earned an important place in the practicing gastroenterologist’s armamentarium. In the next few decades, further improvements in imaging and locomotion promise to open up even more clinical roles for the video capsule as a tool for non-invasive diagnosis of lumenal gastrointestinal pathologies.
A match made in heaven - “Indian matchmaking” in contemporary times
Authors: Ghosh Debjyoti
Published: September 2022

The Indian subcontinent is ubiquitous with some social factors such as caste, gender (discrimination), poverty. One particular factor that has taken up the imaginations of the Netflix-watching audience of late is the practice of arranged marriages. A series called Indian Matchmaking catapulted the notion of arranged marriages into the drawing rooms of both people who are highly aware of the notion (probably having been through it themselves), as well as people who have a very vague idea about it. Nevertheless, it has become a highly talked about television show across the Anglophone world. A little before its release, another English-language reality show, What the Love! with Karan Johar was released by Netflix. This explores the world of romantic connections with a few chosen people from India. While placing itself on the opposite side of the spectrum when compared to Indian Matchmaking, in many ways, it lends itself to similar tropes, albeit under a progressive garb. This paper delves into the portrayal of people from India or of Indian origin in the reality shows Indian Matchmaking and What the Love! with Karan Johar. I examine the two shows through the lens of postfeminism and how, while raising several social issues that plague Indian society, both citizens and the diaspora, they inadvertently propagate a certain self-policing and conservatism that people, particularly women, are expected to adhere to.
Mandarin Stroke Social Network Scale and Item Response Theory
Authors: Feng Chun , Lai Qing-Ling , Ferland Amanda , Lin Feng
Published: September 2022

Background

Stroke survivors may have difficulty in social integration due to physical or mental disorders across the entire continuum of disease. Higher perceived social support can promote social participation for persons following a stroke. However, no scale is available to investigate the perceived social support among the Chinese post-stroke population.

Objectives

The current study addresses this gap by developing the Mandarin version of the Stroke Social Network Scale (M-SSNS) and examining the reliability and validity of this scale. This study also utilizes the Item Response Theory (IRT) model as a bridge between social ability and functional status.

Methods

The convenience sampling method was followed to recruit 71 inpatient post-stroke individuals. All participants were evaluated by the modified Barthel Index (MBI), M-SSNS, and the Extended International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Core Set for Stroke. The reliability of M-SSNS was explored based on the IRT model. The validity of the scale was further confirmed by assessing the correlation between estimated personal social competence and the final score of the 19-item M-SSNS, and the correlation between estimated personal social competence and functional status based on the ICF.

Results

A total of 71 patients with stroke (53 males and 18 females) were included in this research. Fourteen items of M-SSNS were selected to represent personal social ability according to the unidimensional 3-parameter logistic (3PL) IRT model. The Cronbach's α of the 14-item scale was 0.7192, with the Guttman's λ2 = 0.7567, Molenaar Sijtsma ρ = 0.7491, and latent class reliability coefficient = 0.8657, indicating that the M-SSNS had great internal consistency. The estimated individual social competence by the 14-item 3PL model was highly related to the final score of the 19-item M-SSNA (p < 0.001, r = 0.79). The correlation between the personal functional status and social ability was 0.23 (p = 0.049, r = 0.23).

Conclusion

The 14-item M-SSNS manifests great reliability and acceptable validity. Based on the IRT, the 14-item M-SSNS is also a promising tool to assess the social structure and provide customized relationship consulting, education, and advice among the Chinese stroke population.