bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Gluten Exclusion for the Improvement of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults
Authors: Lidón Avinent-Calpe , Patricia Martinez-López , Vinesh Dhokia , Marta Massip-Salcedo
Published: December 2022

There is currently a growing anti-gluten trend which, except for individuals with coeliac disease and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) for whom its intake is contraindicated, results in gluten (the main protein in wheat and other cereals) being considered harmful to health and excluded from diets, largely due to information distributed through social networks. However, in many cases the recommendation to exclude gluten from the diet goes beyond personal choice and is promoted by health professionals. This choice and/or recommendation is especially important to individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for which this exclusion is justified to reduce the symptoms of the disease. The aim of this literature review is to assess whether there is scientific evidence to justify the elimination of gluten in patients with RA, neither coeliac nor with NCGS, to improve their symptoms and quality of life. The results of the search on gluten and RA carried out in the Embase database and the extraction of data from 16 articles included in the review are presented. No scientific evidence was found to recommend the exclusion of gluten in patients with RA.
Special Issue: Nutraceutical Approaches to Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases: Evidence and Opportunities
Authors: Magni Paolo , Baragetti Andrea , Poli Andrea
Published: December 2022

The effective prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases is a major task for health systems since these pathological conditions are still major causes of mortality, morbidity, and disability worldwide [...]
Dp-ucMGP as a Biomarker in Sarcopenia
Authors: Schweighofer Natascha , Haudum Christoph W. , Trummer Olivia , Lind Alice , Kolesnik Ewald , Mursic Ines , Schmidt Albrecht , Scherr Daniel , Zirlik Andreas , Pieber Thomas R. , Verheyen Nicolas , Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara
Published: December 2022

Sarcopenia is linked with an increased risk of falls, osteoporosis and mortality and is an increasing problem for healthcare systems. No satisfying biomarkers for sarcopenia diagnosis exist, connecting bone, fat and muscle. Matrix-GLA-protein (MGP) is an adipokine that regulates bone metabolism and is associated with decreased muscle strength. Associations of dp-ucMGP were analyzed in the BioPersMed cohort (58 ± 9 years), including 1022 asymptomatic subjects at moderate cardiovascular risk. Serum measurements of dp-ucMGP in 760 persons were performed with the InaKtif MGP Kit with the IDS-iSYS Multi-Discipline Automated System. DXA data (792 persons) measured with the Lunar iDXA system and physical performance data (786 persons) were available. Dp-ucMGP plasma levels correlate with sarcopenia parameters like gait speed (ρ = −0.192, p < 0.001), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ρ = 0.102, p = 0.005) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ρ = 0.112, p = 0.001). They are lower in persons with sarcopenia (p < 0.001) and higher in persons with reduced physical performance (p = 0.019). Persons in the lowest dp-ucMGP quartile have the highest risk for reduced muscle mass, decreasing with each quartile, whereas persons in the highest quartile have the highest risk of reduced muscle strength. Dp-ucMGP might be a good biomarker candidate in sarcopenia characterization.
Role of Zerumbone, a Phytochemical Sesquiterpenoid from Zingiber zerumbet Smith, in Maintaining Macrophage Polarization and Redox Homeostasis
Authors: Yeh Wei-Lan , Huang Bor-Ren , Chen Guan-Wei , Charoensaensuk Vichuda , Tsai Cheng-Fang , Yang Liang-Yo , Lu Dah-Yuu , Chen Mao-Kai , Lin Chingju
Published: December 2022

Macrophages and microglia are highly versatile cells that can be polarized into M1 and M2 phenotypes in response to diverse environmental stimuli, thus exhibiting different biological functions. In the central nervous system, activated resident macrophages and microglial cells trigger the production of proinflammatory mediators that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. Therefore, modulating the activation of macrophages and microglia by optimizing the inflammatory environment is beneficial for disease management. Several naturally occurring compounds have been reported to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Zerumbone is a phytochemical sesquiterpenoid and also a cyclic ketone isolated from Zingiber zerumbet Smith. In this study, we found that zerumbone effectively reduced the expression of lipocalin-2 in macrophages and microglial cell lines. Lipocalin-2, also known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), has been characterized as an adipokine/cytokine implicated in inflammation. Moreover, supplement with zerumbone inhibited reactive oxygen species production. Phagocytic activity was decreased following the zerumbone supplement. In addition, the zerumbone supplement remarkably reduced the production of M1-polarization-associated chemokines CXC10 and CCL-2, as well as M1-polarization-associated cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Furthermore, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 and the production of NO were attenuated in macrophages and microglial cells supplemented with zerumbone. Notably, we discovered that zerumbone effectively promoted the production of the endogenous antioxidants heme oxygenase-1, glutamate–cysteine ligase modifier subunit, glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 and remarkably enhanced IL-10, a marker of M2 macrophage polarization. Endogenous antioxidant production and M2 macrophage polarization were increased through activation of the AMPK/Akt and Akt/GSK3 signaling pathways. In summary, this study demonstrated the protective role of zerumbone in maintaining M1 and M2 polarization homeostasis by decreasing inflammatory responses and enhancing the production of endogenous antioxidants in both macrophages and microglia cells. This study suggests that zerumbone can be used as a potential therapeutic drug for the supplement of neuroinflammatory diseases.
Type I Interferon Signaling Controls Gammaherpesvirus Latency In Vivo
Authors: Schwerk Johannes , Kemper Lucas , Bussey Kendra A. , Lienenklaus Stefan , Weiss Siegfried , Čičin-Šain Luka , Kröger Andrea , Kalinke Ulrich , Collins Christopher M. , Speck Samuel H. , Messerle Martin , Wirth Dagmar , Brinkmann Melanie M. , Hauser Hansjörg , Köster Mario
Published: December 2022

Gammaherpesviruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, are important human pathogens involved in lymphoproliferative disorders and tumorigenesis. Herpesvirus infections are characterized by a biphasic cycle comprised of an acute phase with lytic replication and a latent state. Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) is a well-established model for the study of lytic and latent life cycles in the mouse. We investigated the interplay between the type I interferon (IFN)-mediated innate immune response and MHV-68 latency using sensitive bioluminescent reporter mice. Adoptive transfer of latently infected splenocytes into type I IFN receptor-deficient mice led to a loss of latency control. This was revealed by robust viral propagation and dissemination of MHV-68, which coincided with type I IFN reporter induction. Despite MHV-68 latency control by IFN, the continuous low-level cell-to-cell transmission of MHV-68 was detected in the presence of IFN signaling, indicating that IFN cannot fully prevent viral dissemination during latency. Moreover, impaired type I IFN signaling in latently infected splenocytes increased the risk of virus reactivation, demonstrating that IFN directly controls MHV-68 latency in infected cells. Overall, our data show that locally constrained type I IFN responses control the cellular reservoir of latency, as well as the distribution of latent infection to potential new target cells.
The Endothelial Glycocalyx and Retinal Hemodynamics
Authors: Kaur Gaganpreet , Leskova Wendy , Harris Norman R.
Published: December 2022

Purpose. Previous studies suggest that the endothelial glycocalyx adds to vascular resistance, inhibits thrombosis, and is critical for regulating homogeneous blood flow and ensuring uniform red blood cell (RBC) distribution. However, these functions and consequences of the glycocalyx have not been examined in the retina. We hypothesize that the endothelial glycocalyx is a critical regulator of retinal hemodynamics and perfusion and decreases the propensity for retinal thrombus formation. Methods. Hyaluronidase and heparinase, which are endothelial glycocalyx-degrading enzymes, were infused into mice. Fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran (2000 kDa) was injected to measure lumen diameter, while RBC velocity and distribution were measured using fluorescently labeled RBCs. The diameters and velocities were used to calculate retinal blood flow and shear rates. Mean circulation time was calculated by measuring the difference between arteriolar and venular mean transit times. Rose Bengal dye was infused, followed by illumination with a green light to induce thrombosis. Results. The acute infusion of hyaluronidase and heparinase led to significant increases in both arteriolar (7%) and venular (16%) diameters in the retina, with a tendency towards increased arteriolar velocity. In addition, the degradation caused a significant decrease in the venular shear rate (14%). The enzyme infusion resulted in substantial increases in total retinal blood flow (26%) and retinal microhematocrit but no changes in the mean circulation time through the retina. We also observed an enhanced propensity for retinal thrombus formation with the removal of the glycocalyx. Conclusions. Our data suggest that acute degradation of the glycocalyx can cause significant changes in retinal hemodynamics, with increases in vessel diameter, blood flow, microhematocrit, pro-thrombotic conditions, and decreases in venular shear rate.
Challenges in the Pharmacotherapeutic Management of Pediatric Asthma
Authors: Ioniuc Ileana , Miron Ingrith , Lupu Vasile Valeriu , Starcea Iuliana Magdalena , Azoicai Alice , Alexoae Monica , Adam Raileanu Anca , Dragan Felicia , Lupu Ancuta
Published: December 2022

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in pediatric practice, with increasing prevalence hampered by poor socioeconomic impacts, leading to major public health issues. Considered as a complex heterogeneous syndrome, not a single disease, the management of the disease is a real challenge, impacting medical staff, patients and caregivers. Over the decades, a significant number of diagnostic and treatment regimen have been developed to achieve good standards, sustaining balanced control of the disease. This paper attempts a review on the establishment of new trends in the management of bronchial asthma in the pediatric age group.
Kaempferol Interferes with Varicella-Zoster Virus Replication in Human Foreskin Fibroblasts
Authors: Park Subin , Kim Na-Eun , Park Bang Ju , Kwon Hak Cheol , Song Yoon-Jae
Published: December 2022

Kaempferol, a natural flavonoid abundantly found in plants, is known to have pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. In this study, we investigated the antiviral effects of kaempferol against a varicella-zoster virus (VZV) clinical isolate in vitro. We found that kaempferol significantly inhibited VZV replication without exhibiting cytotoxicity. Kaempferol exerted its antiviral effect at a similar stage of the VZV life cycle as acyclovir, which inhibits VZV DNA replication. Taken together, our results suggest that kaempferol inhibits VZV infection by blocking the DNA replication stage in the viral life cycle.
Gastrointestinal Permeation Enhancers for the Development of Oral Peptide Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Kim Jae Cheon , Park Eun Ji , Na Dong Hee
Published: December 2022

Recently, two oral-administered peptide pharmaceuticals, semaglutide and octreotide, have been developed and are considered as a breakthrough in peptide and protein drug delivery system development. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an oral dosage form of semaglutide developed by Novo Nordisk (Rybelsus®) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Subsequently, the octreotide capsule (Mycapssa®), developed through Chiasma’s Transient Permeation Enhancer (TPE) technology, also received FDA approval in 2020 for the treatment of acromegaly. These two oral peptide products have been a significant success; however, a major obstacle to their oral delivery remains the poor permeability of peptides through the intestinal epithelium. Therefore, gastrointestinal permeation enhancers are of great relevance for the development of subsequent oral peptide products. Sodium salcaprozate (SNAC) and sodium caprylate (C8) have been used as gastrointestinal permeation enhancers for semaglutide and octreotide, respectively. Herein, we briefly review two approved products, Rybelsus® and Mycapssa®, and discuss the permeation properties of SNAC and medium chain fatty acids, sodium caprate (C10) and C8, focusing on Eligen technology using SNAC, TPE technology using C8, and gastrointestinal permeation enhancement technology (GIPET) using C10.
Andrographolide Relieves Post-Operative Wound Pain but Affects Local Angiogenesis
Authors: Lin Yi-Lo , Liao Jiunn-Wang , Wang Shunching , Sridharan Badrinathan , Lee Hsin-Ju , Li Ai , Chang Kai-Ming , Wu Ching-Yang , Huang Siendong , Chang Kai-Ting , Agrawal Dinesh Chandra , Chen Ching-Jung , Lee Meng-Jen
Published: December 2022

Andrographolide (Andro), the major constituent of Andrographis paniculata Nees (Acanthaceae), is was known to reduces inflammatory reaction. In the current study, the ability of Andro to reduce pain sensation in a rat post-operative wound model was explored. The hind paws of 18 Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) bearing post-operative wounds received the following three treatments: Saline, Andro via direct injection into the paw (Andro-injected) and Tablet containing Andro + poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) (Andro-tablet). Von Frey tests assessed mechanical allodynia at 1, 3, 5 h and 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-days post-operation. Behavioral analyses were performed to measure reaction threshold and reaction frequencies. Immunoreactivity of p-ERK and GluR1 was examined in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Histopathological and immunostaining studies were conducted on paw epidermis to observe the gross morphology and angiogenesis. The threshold for inducing allodynia increased and the reaction frequency reduced in the Andro-injected group compared to the saline-group, at 3 h post-surgery and the effect lasted between 3–4 days. The threshold for inducing pain and reaction frequency for the Andro-tablet group did not differ from the saline-treated group. The levels of p-ERK and GluR1 in the dorsal horn were reduced after Andro treatment. No significant difference in wound healing index was observed between saline and Andro-injected groups, but CD-31 staining showed less angiogenesis in the Andro-injected group. Andro significantly reduced mechanical allodynia compared to saline treatment, both in shorter and longer time frames. Furthermore, Andro influenced the expression of p-ERK and GluR1 in the dorsal horn, and the angiogenesis process in the wound healing area.
Relaxation of Beam Irradiation Accuracy of Cooperative Optical Wireless Power Transmission in Terms of Fly Eye Module with Beam Confinement Mechanism
Authors: Asaba Kaoru , Miyamoto Tomoyuki
Published: December 2022

In optical wireless power transmission (OWPT) systems, since beam size is finite, and relative position and attitude between transmitter and receiver is not always stationary, both beam alignment and shaping accuracies are important parameters. Analysis based on a power generation efficiency calculation model of general OWPT systems shows that their tolerances are quite demanding, especially for long range OWPT, and relaxation is inescapably necessary. This study introduces the fly eye lens as a candidate to relax these difficulties and, moreover, it features producing homogeneous irradiation onto the solar cell array. All of these are essential to OWPT systems. In this study, cooperative OWPT is discussed, in which solar cell array and power transmitter mutually align each other. Its efficiency calculation model is integrated with a fly eye module surrounded by reflective walls. System level requirements are analyzed regarding beam shaping and alignment in terms of power generation ratio, and it is clarified that this module largely relaxes requirements. In this module, beam power is confined within the module and will be eventually absorbed by the solar cell as the incident beam is within the acceptance angle. This feature avoids degradation of power generation ratio due to beam shape mismatch. These advantages bring progress towards building operational OWPT.
Photoelectron Yield Spectroscopy and Transient Photocurrent Analysis for Triphenylamine-Based Photorefractive Polymer Composites
Authors: Tsutsumi Naoto , Mizuno Yusuke , Jackin Boaz Jessie , Kinashi Kenji , Sassa Takafumi , Giang Ha Ngoc , Sakai Wataru
Published: December 2022

The photocurrent for poly(4-(dimethylamino)benzyl acrylate) (PDAA) photorefractive composites with (4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)methanol (TPAOH) photoconductive plasticizers was measured to be two orders of magnitude higher than that obtained with (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)diphenylamine (TAA) photoconductive plasticizers. In this study, to determine the reason for the large difference in the photocurrent measured for PDAA photorefractive composites containing two different photoconductive plasticizers of TPAOH and TAA, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level identical to the ionization potential (Ip) and the width of the density of states (DOS) were evaluated using photoelectron yield spectroscopy, and the transient photocurrent was analyzed using a two-trap model. The estimated hole mobility was also rationalized using a Bässler formalism together with the energetic disorder of the width of the DOS and the positional disorder of the scattering situation for carrier hopping.
Carbon Monoxide Detection Based on the Carbon Nanotube-Coated Fiber Gas Sensor
Authors: Zhang Yin , Yu Wenwen , Wang Dibo , Zhuo Ran , Fu Mingli , Zhang Xiaoxing
Published: December 2022

Accurate detection of the internal decomposition components of SF6 electrical equipment plays an important role in the evaluation of equipment status. However, gas samples are usually taken out for detection at present, which makes it difficult to understand the real situation inside the equipment. In this paper, a carbon nanotube-coated fiber gas sensor is proposed, which has the potential to be applied as a built-in gas sensor. The fiber loop ring-down (FLRD) gas detection system based on the carbon nanotube-coated fiber gas sensor was built, and the detectable decomposition components among the four typical SF6 decomposition components of SO2, SO2F2 and SOF2 and CO were analyzed. The results showed that the fiber gas sensor was most sensitive to CO. Based on density functional theory, it was found that single-walled carbon nanotubes had the best adsorption effect on CO molecules under the same conditions, with the adsorption energy reaching −0.150 Ha. The detection performance of the system for CO was studied, and the results showed that there was a good linear relationship between CO concentration and ring-down time: R2 was 0.984, the maximum inversion error of 0~200 ppm CO was 1.916 ppm, and the relative error was 4.10%. The sensitivity of the system was 0.183 ns/ppm, and the detection limit of the system was 19.951 ppm. The system had good stability, with the standard deviation of single-point repeatability being 0.00356, and the standard deviation of the long period of the experiment being 0.00606. The research results provide a new idea for the detection of SF6 decomposition components, and lay the foundation for the component detection method of built-in fiber sensor of SF6 electrical equipment.
An experimental Study Investigating the Effects on Brassica oleracea: Estuarine Seaweeds as Biostimulants in Seedling Development?
Authors: Mendes Madalena , Pacheco Diana , Cotas João , Bahcevandziev Kiril , Pereira Leonel
Published: December 2022

Estuarine eutrophication due to the nutrient run-off from the agricultural fields encourages the establishment of several opportunistic seaweeds. These fast-growing seaweeds, considered an untapped resource, with a circular economy approach, can be employed as soil plant fertilizer. In agriculture, there is a global trend toward shifting from chemical-based conventional farming to sustainable agriculture. In this context, this study aimed to understand the biostimulant potential of the aqueous extracts from seaweeds harvested in Mondego estuary located on the Atlantic coast of Portugal, namely Ulva lactuca (Sea lettuce), Fucus ceranoides (Estuary Wrack) and Gracilaria gracilis (Slender Wart Weed), in kale (Brassica oleracea L.) seed germination and seedling development. The results showed that Gracilaria gracilis extract enhanced kale seed germination, presenting a higher seedlings weight (0.076 ± 0.004 g) and length (15.48 ± 0.59 cm), when compared with seedlings obtained in distilled water used as a control (weight = 0.059 ± 0.002 g; length = 13.10 ± 0.54 cm). Fucus ceranoides showed the lowest influence on seedling development (weight = 0.062 ± 0.002 g; length = 12.97 ± 0.59 cm). However, these results demonstrated that seaweed aqueous extracts can indeed enhance seed germination and seedling development.
Mung Bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) from Burkina Faso Used as Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Agent
Authors: Kabré Jeanne d’Arc Wendmintiri , Dah-Nouvlessounon Durand , Hama-Ba Fatoumata , Agonkoun Abiola , Guinin Felix , Sina Haziz , Kohonou Arnaud , Tchogou Pascal , Senou Maximin , Savadogo Aly , Baba-Moussa Lamine
Published: December 2022

Chronic non-communicable diseases are becoming more and more recurrent and require the addition of functional foods in our eating habits. Legumes due to their composition in biomolecules could meet this need. Much used in Chinese medicine, the mung bean arouses interest in Burkina Faso. The objective of this study is to perform phytochemical profiling and to evaluate certain biological properties of the mung bean in its natural or germinated state. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out by precipitation and differential staining tests. The antimicrobial activity was tested on in vitro growth by the agar medium diffusion method. DPPH and FRAP methods were used to assess antioxidant activity. The antidiabetic activity of hydroethanolic extracts was evaluated on rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin, with metformin as a reference molecule. Phytochemistry has revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and derivatives in the mung bean, whether in its natural state (MBN) or in its germinated state (MBG). Only the MBG exhibits antimicrobial activity on 70% of the strains used. It appears that the MBG has a reducing power of the DPPH radical with an IC50 of 28 mg/mL compared to the same extract of the MBN, which had an IC50 of 32.5 mg/mL with a difference (p < 0.05) between the extracts. MBN extracts at a dose of 300 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg.bw) showed a reduction (p < 0.0001) in glycaemia and kept the body weight of the animals constant throughout the treatment. In addition, the MBN regulated the level of total cholesterol, tryglicerides of LDL, ASAT, ALAT, urea and creatine. These results show that the mung bean grown in Burkina Faso is a health food, which, integrated into dietary habits, could contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases.
Single-Molecule Real-Time Sequencing of Full-Length Transcriptome and Identification of Genes Related to Male Development in Cannabis sativa
Authors: Jiang Hui , Li Ying , Luan Mingbao , Huang Siqi , Zhao Lining , Yang Guang , Pan Gen
Published: December 2022

Female Cannabis sativa plants have important therapeutic properties. The sex ratio of the dioecious cannabis is approximately 1:1. Cultivating homozygous female plants by inducing female plants to produce male flowers is of great practical significance. However, the mechanism underlying cannabis male development remains unclear. In this study, single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing was performed using a mixed sample of female and induced male flowers from the ZYZM1 cannabis variety. A total of 15,241 consensus reads were identified, and 13,657 transcripts were annotated across seven public databases. A total of 48 lncRNAs with an average length of 986.54 bp were identified. In total, 8202 transcripts were annotated as transcription factors, the most common of which were bHLH transcription factors. Moreover, tissue-specific expression pattern analysis showed that 13 MADS transcription factors were highly expressed in male flowers. Furthermore, 232 reads of novel genes were predicted and enriched in lipid metabolism, and qRT-PCR results showed that CER1 may be involved in the development of cannabis male flowers. In addition, 1170 AS events were detected, and two AS events were further validated. Taken together, these results may improve our understanding of the complexity of full-length cannabis transcripts and provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of cannabis male development.
Rubber Genotypes with Contrasting Drought Factor Index Revealed Different Mechanisms for Drought Resistance in Hevea brasiliensis
Authors: Cahyo Andi Nur , Murti Rudi Hari , Putra Eka Tarwaca Susila , Oktavia Fetrina , Ismawanto Sigit , Montoro Pascal
Published: December 2022

It is predicted that drought will be more frequent and sustained in the future, which may affect the decline of rubber tree production. Therefore, it is critical to research some of the variables related to the drought-resistance mechanism of the rubber tree. As a result, it can be used to guide the selection of new rubber drought-resistance clones. The goal of this study was to identify drought-resistance mechanisms in rubber clones from the high drought factor index (DFI) group using ecophysiological and biochemical variables. The treatments consist of two factors, namely water deficit and contrasting clones based on the DFI variable. The first factor consisted of three levels, namely normal (fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) > 0.75), severe water deficit (0.1 < FTSW < 0.20), and recovery condition (FTSW > 0.75 after rewatering). The second factor consisted of seven clones, namely clones G239, GT1 (low DFI), G127, SP 217, PB 260 (moderate DFI), as well as G206 and RRIM 600 (high DFI). RRIM 600 had the highest DFI among the other clones as a drought-tolerance mechanism characteristic. Furthermore, clones RRIM 600, GT1, and G127 had lower stomatal conductance and transpiration rate than drought-sensitive clone PB 260. As a result, as drought avoidance mechanisms, clones RRIM 600, GT1, and G127 consume less water than clone PB 260. These findings indicated that clone RRIM 600 was a drought-resistant clone with drought tolerance and avoidance mechanisms.
Histone Acetyltransferase GCN5 Affects Auxin Transport during Root Growth by Modulating Histone Acetylation and Gene Expression of PINs
Authors: Poulios Stylianos , Tsilimigka Foteini , Mallioura Areti , Pappas Dimitris , Seira Eleftheria , Vlachonasios Konstantinos
Published: December 2022

General Control Non-Derepressible 5 (GCN5) is a histone acetyltransferase that targets multiple genes and is essential for the acetylation of Lysine residues in the N-terminal tail of histone H3 in Arabidopsis. GCN5 interacts with the transcriptional coactivator Alteration/Deficiency in Activation 2b (ADA2b), which enhances its activity functioning in multiprotein complexes, such as the Spt-Ada-Gcn5-Acetyltransferase complex (SAGA). Mutations in GCN5 and ADA2b result in pleiotropic phenotypes, including alterations in the growth of roots. Auxin is known to regulate root development by modulating gene expression patterns. Auxin moves polarly during plant growth via the Pin-formed (PIN) auxin efflux transport proteins. The effect of GCN5 and ADA2b on auxin distribution at different stages of early root growth (4 to 7 days post-germination) was studied using the reporter lines DR5rev::GFP and PIN1::PIN1-GFP. In wild-type plants, auxin efflux transporter PIN1 expression increases from the fourth to the seventh day of root growth. The PIN1 expression was reduced in the roots of gcn5-1 and ada2b-1 compared to the wild type. The expression of PIN1 in ada2b-1 mutants is confined only to the meristematic zone, specifically in the stele cells, whereas it is almost abolished in the elongation zone. Gene expression analysis showed that genes associated with auxin transport, PIN1, PIN3 and PIN4, are downregulated in gcn5-1 and ada2b-1 mutants relative to the wild type. As a result, auxin accumulation was also reduced in gcn5-1 and ada2b-1 compared to wild-type roots. Furthermore, acetylation of Lysine 14 of histone H3 (H3K14) was also affected in the promoter and coding region of PIN1, PIN3 and PIN4 genes during root growth of Arabidopsis in gcn5 mutants. In conclusion, GCN5 acts as a positive regulator of auxin distribution in early root growth by modulating histone H3 acetylation and the expression of auxin efflux transport genes.
OsCSLD1 Mediates NH4+-Dependent Root Hair Growth Suppression and AMT1;2 Expression in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Rajendran Sujeevan , Kim Chul Min
Published: December 2022

Root hairs play crucial roles in the roots, including nutrient uptake, water assimilation, and anchorage with soil, along with supporting rhizospheric microorganisms. In rice, ammonia uptake is mediated by a specialized ammonium transporter (AMT). AMT1;1, AMT1;2, and AMT1;3 have been extensively studied in relation to nitrogen signaling. Cellulose synthase-like D1 (CSLD1) is essential for cell expansion and is highly specific to root hair cells. csld1 mutants showed successful initiation but failed to elongate. However, when nitrogen was depleted, csld1 root hairs resumed elongation. Further experiments revealed that in the presence of ammonium (NH4+), csld1 roots failed to elongate. csld1 elongated normally in the presence of nitrate (NO3−). Expression analysis showed an increase in root hair-specific AMT1;2 expression in csld1. CSLD1 was positively co-expressed with AMT1;2 changing nitrogen concentration in the growth media. CSLD1 showed increased expression in the presence of both ammonium and nitrate. Methylammonium (MeA) treatment of CSLD1 overexpression lines suggests that CSLD1 does not directly participate in nitrogen transport. Further studies on the root hair elongation mutant sndp1 showed that nitrogen assimilation is unlikely to depend on root hair length. Therefore, these results suggest that CSLD1 is closely involved in nitrogen-dependent root hair elongation and regulation of AMT1;2 expression in rice roots.
Environmental Factors Driving the Spatial Distribution Pattern of Venerable Trees in Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Xie Chunping , Li Meng , Jim C. Y. , Liu Dawei
Published: December 2022

Venerable trees are important natural resources and cultural heritage, offering historical, ecological, social and economic value. However, global warming and anthropogenic activities have threatened their welfare and survival. A comprehensive understanding of their current and future spatial patterns, vis-á-vis environmental conditions, can inform the co-management of sustainable resource use and conservation. We employed the existing spatial occurrence data and environmental variables (bioclimate and elevation) to simulate the optimal habitats for venerable trees in China’s Sichuan Province. We evaluated the current and future climate scenarios of 2100 with double CO2 concentration. The BIOCLIM and QGIS spatial analyses assessed the primary factors of geographical distribution. The results identified 10,720 venerable trees from 123 species, 81 genera and 42 families. Cupressus funebris dominated, with the maximum importance value, followed by Ginkgo biloba, Ficus virens var. sublanceolata, and Phoebe zhennan. The elevation distribution of tree abundance and species richness demonstrated a unimodal pattern, skewing to the low-elevation end, with a concentration in the 600–1500 m low-medium altitude. The majority of trees and excellent habitats were found in eastern Sichuan with a less harsh terrain and climate. The bio3 (isothermality) and bio7 (temperature annual range) factors significantly influenced tree occurrence. Temperature imposed a greater effect on distribution than moisture under the current climate scenario. For the future climate-change scenario, the suitable habitats were predicted to maintain an overall stable pattern, with largely contiguous expansions of better habitats. However, climate warming would shrink the excellent habitats on the plains. The findings can inform strategies and guidelines for venerable-tree conservation in Sichuan. Furthermore, vulnerable areas could be identified. The future range expansion sites could be enlisted to cultivate new trees to replenish the venerable-tree pool. Habitat patches that remain sustainable could provide refugia with the potential for protected-area designation.
Dynamic Performance Assessment of PMSG and DFIG-Based WECS with the Support of Manta Ray Foraging Optimizer Considering MPPT, Pitch Control, and FRT Capability Issues
Authors: Mahmoud Mohamed Metwally , Atia Basiony Shehata , Abdelaziz Almoataz Y. , Aldin Noura A. Nour
Published: December 2022

Wind generators have attracted a lot of attention in the realm of renewable energy systems, but they are vulnerable to harsh environmental conditions and grid faults. The influence of the manta ray foraging optimizer (MRFO) on the dynamic performance of the two commonly used variable speed wind generators (VSWGs), called the permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG), is investigated in this research article. The PMSG and DFIG were exposed to identical wind speed changes depending on their wind turbine characteristics, as well as a dangerous three-phase fault, to evaluate the durability of MRFO-based wind side controllers. To protect VSWGs from hazardous gusts and obtain the optimum power from incoming wind speeds, we utilized a pitch angle controller and optimal torque controller, respectively, in our study. During faults, the commonly utilized industrial approach (crowbar system) was exclusively employed to aid the studied VSWGs in achieving fault ride-through (FRT) capability and control of the DC link voltage. Furthermore, an MRFO-based PI controller was used to develop a crowbar system. The modeling of PMSG, DFIG, and MRFO was performed using the MATLAB/Simulink toolbox. We compared performances of PMSG and DFIG in reference tracking and resilience against changes in system parameters under regular and irregular circumstances. The effectiveness and reliability of the optimized controllers in mitigating the adverse impacts of faults and wind gusts were demonstrated by the simulation results. Without considering the exterior circuit of VSWGs or modifying the original architecture, MRFO-PI controllers in the presence of a crowbar system may help cost-effectively alleviate FRT concerns for both studied VSWGs.
Adsorption Characteristics and Mechanism of Methylene Blue in Water by NaOH-Modified Areca Residue Biochar
Authors: Lu Yixin , Liu Yujie , Li Chunlin , Liu Haolin , Liu Huan , Tang Yi , Tang Chenghan , Wang Aojie , Wang Chun
Published: December 2022

To solve the water pollution problem caused by methylene blue (MB), areca residue biochar (ARB) was prepared by pyrolysis at 600 °C, and modified areca residue biochar (M-ARB) was obtained by modifying ARB with 1.5 mol/L NaOH, and they were utilized to adsorb and eliminate MB from water. The structural characteristics of ARB and M-ARB were examined, and the main influencing factors and adsorption mechanism of MB adsorption process were investigated. The outcomes demonstrated an increase in M-ARB’s specific surface area and total pore volume of 66.67% and 79.61%, respectively, compared with ARB, and the pore structure was more abundant, and the content of oxygen element was also significantly increased. When the reaction temperature was 25 °C, starting pH of the mixture was 10, the initial MB concentration was 50 mg/L, the ARB and M-ARB dosages were 0.07 g/L and 0.04 g/L, respectively, the adsorption equilibrium was achieved at about 210 min, and the elimination rate for MB exceeded 94%. The adsorption behaviors of ARB and M-ARB on MB were more in line with the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 > 0.95) and the quasi-secondary kinetic model (R2 > 0.97), which was characterized by single-molecule layer chemisorption. The highest amount of MB that may theoretically be absorbed by M-ARB in water ranging from 136.81 to 152.72 mg/g was 74.99–76.59% higher than that of ARB. The adsorption process was a spontaneous heat absorption reaction driven by entropy increase, and the adsorption mechanism mainly involved electrostatic gravitational force, pore filling, hydrogen bonding, and π–π bonding, which was a complex process containing multiple mechanisms of action. NaOH modification can make the ARB have more perfect surface properties and more functional group structures that can participate in the adsorption reaction, which can be used as an advantageous adsorption material for MB removal in water.
Processes in Doping System: Quantification Reports in Mixed Martial Arts Fighters
Authors: Del-Aguila-Arcentales Shyla , Alvarez-Risco Aldo , Rojas-Osorio Mercedes , Meza-Perez Hugo , Rojas-Cangahuala Gloria , Simbaqueba-Uribe John , Goñi Avila Niria , Talavera-Aguirre Rosa , Mayo-Alvarez Luis , Yáñez Jaime A.
Published: December 2022

Mixed martial arts (MMA) has always been surrounded by controversy due to the unusual muscle development of its participants, so it is crucial to know the strategies that have been implemented to reduce doping cases. The main purpose of this paper is to describe the various cases of doping detected by USADA in UFC MMA participants. In addition, strategies that are being developed to reduce cases of positive doping are proposed. From the UFC USADA database, doping cases were extracted, obtaining the substance or substances involved; the formula, physiological effect and the athletes involved; the dates of the sampling; if it was out of competition or in-competition and the sanction time. The substances that were most involved were found to be Ostarine (22), Clomiphene (9), Diuretics (10) and Stanozolol (9). Some sanctions were diminished because they were treated with contamination of supplements (cases of Ostarine) and cases of contamination of meat (Clomiphene). When contaminated supplements were reported, they were added to the list of high-risk supplements maintained as part of USADA’s online dietary supplement safety education and awareness resource—Supplement 411. There were also cases in which positive doping could be avoided through the early report of therapeutic use exemptions. The methodology that the USADA has implemented allows us to register the athletes with positive doping, check the risk of the supplements before being bought and provide a teaching portal. These efforts are necessary to implement in all countries in which MMA is practiced, avoiding the participation of doped martial artists.
Escaping Local Minima via Appraisal Driven Responses
Authors: Damgaard Malte Rørmose , Pedersen Rasmus , Bak Thomas
Published: December 2022

Inspired by the reflective and deliberative control mechanisms used in cognitive architectures such as SOAR and Sigma, we propose an alternative decision mechanism driven by architectural appraisals allowing robots to overcome impasses. The presented work builds on and improves on our previous work on a generally applicable decision mechanism with roots in the Standard Model of the Mind and the Generalized Cognitive Hour-glass Model. The proposed decision mechanism provides automatic context-dependent switching between exploration-oriented, goal-oriented, and backtracking behavior, allowing a robot to overcome impasses. A simulation study of two applications utilizing the proposed decision mechanism is presented demonstrating the applicability of the proposed decision mechanism.
Dynamics of Mixing Layer Height and Homogeneity from Ceilometer-Measured Aerosol Profiles and Correlation to Ground Level PM2.5 in New York City
Authors: Li Dingdong , Wu Yonghua , Gross Barry , Moshary Fred
Published: December 2022

Observations of mixing layer height (MLH), its dynamics and the extent of homogeneity of the mixing layer are important in the study of air pollution as well as meteorological and air quality model validation. They can contribute to improvements in the application of satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) products to ground fine particulate matter (PM2.5) estimation that can potentially provide synoptic-scale monitoring of fine particulate matter. Ceilometers have shown great potential for continuous monitoring of MLH and aerosol profiles within the boundary layer. In this study, we report an automated quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) method that improves the consistency of MLH retrievals from ceilometer measurements and present measurements of MLH variation in New York City (NYC) as observed by ceilometers in summer and winter seasons. Distinct issues due to SNR and quality of overlap correction are addressed within the QC/QA method. We also analyze the diurnal and seasonal correlations between ceilometer-attenuated backscatter and ground-level PM2.5 as a function of height, time of day, and season, to shed light on the homogeneity of aerosol vertical mixing within the MLH, as well as the correlation between aerosol optical properties and PM2.5. The results show that the overall correlation in summer is better than in winter. This correlation decreases with increasing height but the degradation is less severe in summer than in winter, which is qualitatively consistent with urban heating models of convective mixing. However, no significant diurnal variation of the correlation coefficient was observed for both seasons. We also found that the linear regression slope between ceilometer-attenuated backscatter coefficients and ground PM2.5 shows seasonal variation, which can be partially explained by the difference in aerosol size distribution and aerosol species between summer and winter. Finally, we investigated the homogeneity of aerosol vertical distribution within the mixing layer (ML) during the daytime. The results indicate that the aerosols are well-mixed within the lower part of ML up to 500 m.
Inundated Vegetation Mapping Using SAR Data: A Comparison of Polarization Configurations of UAVSAR L-Band and Sentinel C-Band
Authors: Salem Abdella , Hashemi-Beni Leila
Published: December 2022

Flood events have become intense and more frequent due to heavy rainfall and hurricanes caused by global warming. Accurate floodwater extent maps are essential information sources for emergency management agencies and flood relief programs to direct their resources to the most affected areas. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data are superior to optical data for floodwater mapping, especially in vegetated areas and in forests that are adjacent to urban areas and critical infrastructures. Investigating floodwater mapping with various available SAR sensors and comparing their performance allows the identification of suitable SAR sensors that can be used to map inundated areas in different land covers, such as forests and vegetated areas. In this study, we investigated the performance of polarization configurations for flood boundary delineation in vegetated and open areas derived from Sentinel1b, C-band, and Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) L-band data collected during flood events resulting from Hurricane Florence in the eastern area of North Carolina. The datasets from the sensors for the flooding event collected on the same day and same study area were processed and classified for five landcover classes using a machine learning method—the Random Forest classification algorithm. We compared the classification results of linear, dual, and full polarizations of the SAR datasets. The L-band fully polarized data classification achieved the highest accuracy for flood mapping as the decomposition of fully polarized SAR data allows land cover features to be identified based on their scattering mechanisms.
Automatic Mapping of Burned Areas Using Landsat 8 Time-Series Images in Google Earth Engine: A Case Study from Iran
Authors: Gholamrezaie Houri , Hasanlou Mahdi , Amani Meisam , Mirmazloumi S. Mohammad
Published: December 2022

Due to the natural conditions and inappropriate management responses, large part of plains and forests in Iran have been burned in recent years. Given the increasing availability of open-access satellite images and open-source software packages, we developed a fast and cost-effective remote sensing methodology for characterizing burned areas for the entire country of Iran. We mapped the fire-affected areas using a post-classification supervised method and Landsat 8 time-series images. To this end, the Google Earth Engine (GEE) and Google Colab computing services were used to facilitate the downloading and processing of images as well as allowing for effective implementation of the algorithms. In total, 13 spectral indices were calculated using Landsat 8 images and were added to the nine original bands of Landsat 8. The training polygons of the burned and unburned areas were accurately distinguished based on the information acquired from the Iranian Space Agency (ISA), Sentinel-2 images, and Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) products. A combination of Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Neural Network (NN) approaches was then implemented to specify 19 optimal features out of the 22 bands. The 19 optimal bands were subsequently applied to two classifiers of NN and Random Forest (RF) in the timespans of 1 January 2019 to 30 December 2020 and of 1 January 2021 to 30 September 2021. The overall classification accuracies of 94% and 96% were obtained for these two classifiers, respectively. The omission and commission errors of both classifiers were also less than 10%, indicating the promising capability of the proposed methodology in detecting the burned areas. To detect the burned areas caused by the wildfire in 2021, the image differencing method was used as well. The resultant models were finally compared to the MODIS fire products over 10 sampled polygons of the burned areas. Overall, the models had a high accuracy in detecting the burned areas in terms of shape and perimeter, which can be further implicated for potential prevention strategies of endangered biodiversity.