bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-tumoral uptake of 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET: A retrospective study
Authors: Qi Na , Wang Hao , Wang Haiyan , Ren Shuhua , You Zhiwen , Chen Xing , Guan Yihui , Xie Fang , Hua Fengchun , Zhao Jun
Published: December 2022

Objective

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeting radiopharmaceutical based on the FAP-specific inhibitor (FAPI) is considered as a potential alternative agent to FDG for tumor-specific imaging. However, FAP is also expressed in normal adult tissues. The aim of this study was to explore the image features of non-tumoral regions with high uptake of 68Ga-FAPI-04 in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and to reveal the physiological mechanisms of these regions.

Material

A total of 137 patients who underwent whole-body 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR (n=46) or PET/CT (n=91) were included in this retrospective study. Three experienced nuclear medicine physicians determined the non-tumoral regions according to other imaging modalities (CT, MRI, 18F-FDG PET, or ultrasound), clinical information, or pathological results. The regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn manually, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was measured.

Results

A total of 392 non-tumoral uptake regions were included in this study. The included physiological regions were uterus (n=38), submandibular gland (n=118), nipple (n=37), gingiva (n=65), and esophagus (n=31). The incidence of 68Ga-FAPI-04 uptake in physiological regions was independent of age, the tracer uptakes in the gingiva and esophagus were more common in male patients (p=0.006, 0.009), while that in the nipple was more common in female patients (p < 0.001). The included benign regions were inflammatory lymph node (n =10), pneumonia (n=13), atherosclerosis (n=10), pancreatitis (n=18), osteosclerosis (n=45), and surgical scar (n=7). No significant difference was observed in SUVmax between physiological and benign regions.

Conclusions

A number of organs exhibit physiological uptakes of 68Ga-FAPI-04. Our study showed that regions with high 68Ga-FAPI-04 uptake did not necessarily represent malignancy. Being familiar with physiological and typical benign 68Ga-FAPI-04 uptake regions can be helpful for physicians to interpret images and to make an accurate diagnosis.
Challenges in precision medicine in pancreatic cancer: A focus in cancer stem cells and microbiota
Authors: Perelló-Reus Catalina M. , Rubio-Tomás Teresa , Cisneros-Barroso Eugenia , Ibargüen-González Lesly , Segura-Sampedro Juan José , Morales-Soriano Rafael , Barceló Carles
Published: December 2022

Pancreatic cancer adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease, with the lowest 5-years survival rate of all cancers due to late diagnosis. Despite the advance and success of precision oncology in gastrointestinal cancers, the frequency of molecular-informed therapy decisions in PDAC is currently neglectable. The reasons for this dismal situation are mainly the absence of effective early diagnostic biomarkers and therapy resistance. PDAC cancer stem cells (PDAC-SC), which are regarded as essential for tumor initiation, relapse and drug resistance, are highly dependent on their niche i.e. microanatomical structures of the tumor microenvironment. There is an altered microbiome in PDAC patients embedded within the highly desmoplastic tumor microenvironment, which is known to determine therapeutic responses and affecting survival in PDAC patients. We consider that understanding the communication network that exists between the microbiome and the PDAC-SC niche by co-culture of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) with TME microbiota would recapitulate the complexity of PDAC paving the way towards a precision oncology treatment-response prediction.
The criticality Index-mortality: A dynamic machine learning prediction algorithm for mortality prediction in children cared for in an ICU
Authors: Patel Anita K , Trujillo-Rivera Eduardo , Morizono Hiroki , Pollack Murray M.
Published: December 2022

Background

The Criticality Index-Mortality uses physiology, therapy, and intensity of care to compute mortality risk for pediatric ICU patients. If the frequency of mortality risk computations were increased to every 3 h with model performance that could improve the assessment of severity of illness, it could be utilized to monitor patients for significant mortality risk change.

Objectives

To assess the performance of a dynamic method of updating mortality risk every 3 h using the Criticality Index-Mortality methodology and identify variables that are significant contributors to mortality risk predictions.

Population

There were 8,399 pediatric ICU admissions with 312 (3.7%) deaths from January 1, 2018 to February 29, 2020. We randomly selected 75% of patients for training, 13% for validation, and 12% for testing.

Model

A neural network was trained to predict hospital survival or death during or following an ICU admission. Variables included age, gender, laboratory tests, vital signs, medications categories, and mechanical ventilation variables. The neural network was calibrated to mortality risk using nonparametric logistic regression.

Results

Discrimination assessed across all time periods found an AUROC of 0.851 (0.841–0.862) and an AUPRC was 0.443 (0.417–0.467). When assessed for performance every 3 h, the AUROCs had a minimum value of 0.778 (0.689–0.867) and a maximum value of 0.885 (0.841,0.862); the AUPRCs had a minimum value 0.148 (0.058–0.328) and a maximum value of 0.499 (0.229–0.769). The calibration plot had an intercept of 0.011, a slope of 0.956, and the R2 was 0.814. Comparison of observed vs. expected proportion of deaths revealed that 95.8% of the 543 risk intervals were not statistically significantly different. Construct validity assessed by death and survivor risk trajectories analyzed by mortality risk quartiles and 7 high and low risk diseases confirmed a priori clinical expectations about the trajectories of death and survivors.

Conclusions

The Criticality Index-Mortality computing mortality risk every 3 h for pediatric ICU patients has model performance that could enhance the clinical assessment of severity of illness. The overall Criticality Index-Mortality framework was effectively applied to develop an institutionally specific, and clinically relevant model for dynamic risk assessment of pediatric ICU patients.
Surgical resection of pediatric PRETEXT III and IV hepatoblastoma: A retrospective study investigating the need for preoperative chemotherapy
Authors: Wu Xiongwei , Wang Jianyong , Duan Yuhe , Liu Yusheng , Liu Yao , Chen Xin , Xia Nan , Dong Qian
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study analyzed the feasibility of upfront surgical resection for pediatric PRETEXT III and IV hepatoblastoma (HB).

Summary Background Data

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for patients with PRETEXT III and IV HB to obtain a chance of curative surgery. However, chemotherapy can cause toxic side effects and adverse outcomes, and the PRETEXT staging system may overstage the patients. Therefore, whether preoperative chemotherapy is necessary for HB patients remains unclear.

Methods

The clinical data of 37 children who underwent surgical resection for PRETEXT III and IV HB at our hospital were obtained retrospectively. Patients were divided into the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (NCG; n = 19) and the routine surgery group (RSG; n = 18). Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment regimens, and outcomes were compared between the groups.

Results

The RSG had a lower incidence of portal vein involvement than the NCG (p < 0.002). The estimated 3-year event-free survival rates were similar (RSG: 89 ± 0.7% and NCG: 79 ± 0.9%, p = 0.3923). The RSG underwent fewer courses of chemotherapy than the NCG (five vs. six; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the RSG had lower incidences of febrile neutropenia, myelosuppression, and gastrointestinal reactions (all p < 0.05). The severity of surgery-related complications did not differ significantly.

Conclusion

Upfront surgical resection in children with PRETEXT III and IV HB is safe and feasible, and reduces the total number of courses and side effects of chemotherapy. The degree of vascular involvement is the most important consideration when evaluating resectability during diagnosis.
Effectiveness and safety of a newly designed self-assembling gel in the treatment of endoscopic submucosal dissection-induced gastric ulcer: A multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Meng , Jin Xiaoliang , Zhou Xinxin , Lou Guochun , Ji Feng , Wang Liangjing , Jin Haifeng , Huang Xuan , Zhao Jing , Bao Haibiao , Huang Liang , Shi Changpei , Jin Bo , Lu Hanti , Lyu Bin
Published: December 2022

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a newly designed self-assembling gel in treating ESD-induced gastric ulcers in patients.

Methods: This open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial enrolled patients who underwent ESD between September 2020 and May 2021. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive the gel (applied to cover the entire ulcer bed under endoscopic guidance immediately after ESD; gel group) or not (control group). The primary outcome was the ulcer healing rate at 28 days. And the secondary outcomes were the delayed bleeding, changes in the ulcer stage, and adverse events.

Results: Finally, 125 patients (mean age, 63.7 years; 70 [56.0%] males) were enrolled. The ulcer healing rate was higher in the gel group than in the control group at 28 days (96.9 ± 4.1% vs. 94.7 ± 5.0%; p = 0.001). The ulcer reduction rate at 28 days differed significantly (p < 0.001) between ulcers with majority gel coverage (99.8%), ulcers with minority gel coverage (96.2%), and ulcers with no gel coverage (98.0%). Delayed bleeding was found in 1/63 gel-treated patients (1.6%) versus 5/62 controls (8.1%). A1-stage ulcers were found in 16/63 patients in the gel group versus 44/62 patients in the control group (25.4% vs. 71.0%, p < 0.001) at 3–5 days.

Conclusion: The newly developed self-assembling gel was safe and effective in accelerating gastric ulcer healing in patients after ESD.

Clinical Trial Registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry System (registration number, ChiCTR2100052935).
β-lactam precision dosing in critically ill children: Current state and knowledge gaps
Authors: Tang Girdwood Sonya , Pavia Kathryn , Paice Kelli , Hambrick H. Rhodes , Kaplan Jennifer , Vinks Alexander A.
Published: December 2022

There has been emerging interest in implementing therapeutic drug monitoring and model-informed precision dosing of β-lactam antibiotics in critically ill patients, including children. Despite a position paper endorsed by multiple international societies that support these efforts in critically ill adults, implementation of β-lactam precision dosing has not been widely adopted. In this review, we highlight what is known about β-lactam antibiotic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in critically ill children. We also define the knowledge gaps that present barriers to acceptance and implementation of precision dosing of β-lactam antibiotics in critically ill children: a lack of consensus on which subpopulations would benefit most from precision dosing and the uncertainty of how precision dosing changes outcomes. We conclude with opportunities for further research to close these knowledge gaps.
Exploring the prevalence and characteristics of adverse drug events among older adults in South Korea using a national health insurance database
Authors: Choi Eunkyeong , Kim Siin , Suh Hae Sun
Published: December 2022

Background: Adverse drug events (ADEs) in the elderly frequently occur because of their multiple chronic diseases and complexity of drug therapy. To better understand adverse drug events, the prevalence and characteristics of adverse drug events in elderly South Korean patients were assessed.

Methods: The National Health Insurance databases for 2015 and 2016 were used for the analysis. We included patients aged ≥65 years that had at least one claim with the diagnosis codes ‘drug-induced,’ ‘poisoning by drug,’ and ‘vaccine-associated’ each year for the base-case analysis. To minimize the underestimation of adverse drug event prevalence, we also used an extended definition analysis by adding the ‘adverse drug event very likely’ codes. We estimated the prevalence of adverse drug events by sex, age group, and type of insurance and examined the frequent types of adverse drug events in 2015 and 2016.

Results: In the base-case analysis, adverse drug event prevalence in individuals aged 65 years and older was 2.75% in 2015 and 2.77% in 2016. With advanced age, the prevalence of adverse drug event tended to increase, peaking in the age group of 75–79 years. In addition, the adverse drug event prevalence was higher in females and Medical Aid enrollees. The most frequently occurring adverse drug event was ‘allergy, unspecified,’ followed by ‘other drug-induced secondary parkinsonism,’ and ‘generalized skin eruption due to drugs and medicaments.’ When we examined the extended definition analysis, the prevalence of adverse drug events was 4.47% in 2015 and 4.52% in 2016, which significantly increased from those estimated in the base-case analysis.

Conclusion: Among the older adults, the prevalence of adverse drug event was higher in advanced age, females, and Medical Aid enrollees. In particular, allergy and drug-induced secondary parkinsonism frequently occurred. This study provides evidence that health policies addressing the prevention and management of adverse drug events should be a priority for the most vulnerable elderly patients.
Aquaporins: A new target for traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of digestive system diseases
Authors: Huang Yuchan , Yan Shidu , Su Zixia , Xia Lei , Xie Jinling , Zhang Fan , Du Zhengcai , Hou Xiaotao , Deng Jiagang , Hao Erwei
Published: December 2022

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane proteins expressed in various organ systems. Many studies have shown that the abnormal expression of AQPs is associated with gastrointestinal, skin, liver, kidneys, edema, cancer, and other diseases. The majority of AQPs are expressed in the digestive system and have important implications for the physiopathology of the gastrointestinal tract as well as other tissues and organs. AQP regulators can prevent and treat most gastrointestinal-related diseases, such as colorectal cancer, gastric ulcer, and gastric cancer. Although recent studies have proposed clinically relevant AQP-targeted therapies, such as the development of AQP inhibitors, clinical trials are still lacking and there are many difficulties. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used in China for thousands of years to prevent, treat and diagnose diseases, and is under the guidance of Chinese medicine (CM) theory. Herein, we review the latest research on the regulation of AQPs by TCMs and their active components, including Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma, Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Poria, Astragali radix, and another 26 TCMs, as well as active components, which include the active components include anthraquinones, saponins, polysaccharides, and flavonoid glycosides. Through our review and discussion of numerous studies, we attempt to explore the regulatory effects of TCMs and their active components on AQP expression in the corresponding parts of the body in terms of the Triple Energizer concept in Chinese medicine defined as “upper energizer, middle energizer, and lower energizer,”so as to offer unique opportunities for the development of AQP-related therapeutic drugs for digestive system diseases.
Peripheral vascular remodeling during ischemia
Authors: Lin Shigang , Lin Ruoran , Zhang Hongkun , Xu Qingbo , He Yangyan
Published: December 2022

About 230 million people worldwide suffer from peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and the prevalence is increasing year by year. Multiple risk factors, including smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension, can contribute to the development of PAD. PAD is typically characterized by intermittent claudication and resting pain, and there is a risk of severe limb ischemia, leading to major adverse limb events, such as amputation. Currently, a major progress in the research field of the pathogenesis of vascular remodeling, including atherosclerosis and neointima hyperplasia has been made. For example, the molecular mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction and smooth muscle phenotype switching have been described. Interestingly, a series of focused studies on fibroblasts of the vessel wall has demonstrated their impact on smooth muscle proliferation and even endothelial function via cell-cell communications. In this review, we aim to focus on the functional changes of peripheral arterial cells and the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of PAD. At the same time, we summarize the progress of the current clinical treatment and potential therapeutic methods for PAD and shine a light on future perspectives.
Inhibition of calpain9 attenuates peritoneal dialysis-related peritoneal fibrosis
Authors: Li Fang , Wang Yu , Tian Jianwei , Zhou Zhanmei , Yin Wei , Qin Xianhui , Wang Huizhen , Zeng Tao , Li Aiqing , Jiang Jianping
Published: December 2022

Aim: Peritoneal dialysis is a common renal replacement method for end-stage renal disease. Long-term peritoneal dialysis leads to peritoneal dialysis-related peritoneal fibrosis, which leads to a cessation of treatment. Calpain is a protein belonging to calcium-dependent endopeptidase family and plays an important role in extracellular matrix remodeling. Here, we evaluated the effect of calpain in peritoneal dialysis-related peritoneal fibrosis.

Methods: We established two animal models of peritoneal fibrosis and inhibited the activity of Calpain, and then collected peritoneal tissue to evaluate the progress of fibrosis and the changes of Calpain and β-catenin. We obtained Rat peritoneal mesothelial cells and Human peritoneal mesothelial cell line and stimulated with TGF-β to produce extracellular matrix. Next we inhibited Calpain activity or reduced Calpain9 expression, and then assessed changes in extracellular matrix and β-catenin.

Results: Inhibition of calpain activity attenuated chlorhexidine glucose and peritoneal dialysis-induced peritoneal thickening and β-catenin expression in mice. In addition, compared with the control group, when primary rat peritoneal mesothelial cells or human peritoneal mesothelial cells were treated with transforming growth factor beta, down-regulation of calpain activity inhibited the expression of Fibronectin and Collagen I, and increased the expression of E-cadherin. These changes could be adjusted after silencing calpain9. Finally, calpain9 deficiency was associated with down-regulation of Fibronectin and β-catenin in human peritoneal mesothelial cells.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that calpain9 may be a key molecule in mediating peritoneal dialysis-related peritoneal fibrosis.
Transcriptome expression profile of compound-K-enriched red ginseng extract (DDK-401) in Korean volunteers and its apoptotic properties
Authors: Ahn Jong Chan , Mathiyalagan Ramya , Nahar Jinnatun , Ramadhania Zelika Mega , Kong Byoung Man , Lee Dong-Wook , Choi Sung Keun , Lee Chang Soon , Boopathi Vinothini , Yang Dong Uk , Kim Bo Yeon , Park Hyon , Yang Deok Chun , Kang Se Chan
Published: December 2022

Ginseng and ginsenosides have been reported to have various pharmacological effects, but their efficacies depend on intestinal absorption. Compound K (CK) is gaining prominence for its biological and pharmaceutical properties. In this study, CK-enriched fermented red ginseng extract (DDK-401) was prepared by enzymatic reactions. To examine its pharmacokinetics, a randomized, single-dose, two-sequence, crossover study was performed with eleven healthy Korean male and female volunteers. The volunteers were assigned to take a single oral dose of one of two extracts, DDK-401 or common red ginseng extract (DDK-204), during the initial period. After a 7-day washout, they received the other extract. The pharmacokinetics of DDK-401 showed that its maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) occurred at 184.8 ± 39.64 ng/mL, Tmax was at 2.4 h, and AUC0–12h was 920.3 ± 194.70 ng h/mL, which were all better than those of DDK-204. The maximum CK absorption in the female volunteers was higher than that in the male volunteers. The differentially expressed genes from the male and female groups were subjected to a KEGG pathway analysis, which showed results in the cell death pathway, such as apoptosis and necroptosis. In cytotoxicity tests, DDK-401 and DDK-204 were not particularly toxic to normal (HaCaT) cells, but at a concentration of 250 μg/mL, DDK-401 had a much higher toxicity to human lung cancer (A549) cells than DDK-204. DDK-401 also showed a stronger antioxidant capacity than DDK-204 in both the DPPH and potassium ferricyanide reducing power assays. DDK-401 reduced the reactive oxygen species production in HaCaT cells with induced oxidative stress and led to apoptosis in the A549 cells. In the mRNA sequence analysis, a signaling pathway with selected marker genes was assessed by RT-PCR. In the HaCaT cells, DDK-401 and DDK-204 did not regulate FOXO3, TLR4, MMP-9, or p38 expression; however, in the A549 cells, DDK-401 downregulated the expressions of MMP9 and TLR4 as well as upregulated the expressions of the p38 and caspase-8 genes compared to DDK-204. These results suggest that DDK-401 could act as a molecular switch for these two cellular processes in response to cell damage signaling and that it could be a potential candidate for further evaluations in health promotion studies.
Insight into the dynamics of electro-magneto-hydrodynamic fluid flow past a sheet using the Galerkin finite element method: Effects of variable magnetic and electric fields
Authors: Qamar Izza , Farooq M. Asif , Irfan M. , Mushtaq Asif
Published: December 2022

The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of Arrhenius activation energy and variable thermal conductivity with EMHD fluid flow over a nonlinearly radiating stretching sheet in a porous medium. The main objective of this research is to study the effects of variable electromagnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) on fluid flow motion. The significance of the combined effects of electric and magnetic fields is useful where one can create a strong Lorentz force for industry applications. The fundamental laws, that is, conservation of mass, momentum, and energy equations, are given in the form of partial differential equations (PDEs). The current fluid flow problem is not similar, which means that the presented solution is local. The introduction of nonsimilarity variables transforms PDEs into a set of coupled ODEs. The resultant ODEs are not only solved computationally by MATLAB built-in solver bvp4c but the solution is also obtained with other numerical schemes that include the shooting method and the finite element method (FEM). In applying FEM, we choose the Galerkin method in which the weight function is equal to the shape function. The aforementioned numerical methods are implemented and programmed in MATLAB. Graphs illustrate the effects of various parameters on the velocity, temperature, concentration, and microorganism profiles. Physical parameters measure the roughness of the sheet (skin friction coefficient), heat transfer rate at the sheet (local Nusselt number), the mass transfer rate of the concentration gradient (local Sherwood number), and transfer rate of microorganisms at the sheet (density of motile microorganism). The skin friction coefficient increases for higher values of (Kp) and magnetic parameters (M). The local Sherwood number decreases for different values of activation energy. An excellent agreement of FEM results with other numerical methods, shooting method, and bvp4c has been achieved. Moreover, for particular cases, the current results have a good agreement with the published work.
MIL-68(Al) and MIL-68(Fe) as broadband optical modulators for Q-switching fiber lasers operating at 2 and 2.9 μm
Authors: Zheng Le , Sun Fanxi , Zhou Hongrong , Gao Ang , Liu Wenshu , Wang Dongsheng , Wei Chen , Liu Yong
Published: December 2022

We investigated 2 and 2.9 μm mid-infrared fiber lasers passively Q-switched by MIL-68(Al) and MIL-68(Fe), which were fabricated via the hydrothermal method. The modulation depth of MIL-68(Al) was found to be 9.12% at 1.99 μm. And the modulation depths of MIL-68(Fe) were found to be 18.89% and 15.79% at 1.99 μm and 2.87 μm, respectively. We report Q-switching pulse generation in both Tm3+-doped and Ho3+/Pr3+ co-doped fiber lasers by using the as-prepared MIL-68 (M, M = Al3+, Fe3+) as SAs. The center wavelengths were at 1.99 μm and 2.87 μm, respectively. These results indicate that MIL-68(M) has wideband nonlinear optical properties and promising application prospects in the field of optical modulators at 2- and 2.9-μm mid-infrared waveband. Work clearly accessible to a broad readership.
Exercise alleviates diabetic complications by inhibiting oxidative stress-mediated signaling cascade and mitochondrial metabolic stress in GK diabetic rat tissues
Authors: John Annie , Howarth Frank Christopher , Raza Haider
Published: December 2022

Type 2 diabetes, obesity (referred to as “diabesity”), and metabolic syndrome associated with increased insulin resistance and/or decreased insulin sensitivity have been implicated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and alterations in energy metabolism. The precise molecular mechanisms of these complications, however, remain to be clarified. Owing to the limitations and off-target side effects of antidiabetic drugs, exercise-induced control of hyperglycemia and increased insulin sensitivity is a preferred strategy to manage “diabesity” associated complications. In this study, we have investigated the effects of moderate exercise (1 h/day, 5 days a week for 60 days) on mitochondrial, metabolic, and oxidative stress-related changes in the liver and kidney of type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. Our previous study, using the same exercise regimen, demonstrated improved energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in the pancreas of GK diabetic rats. Our current study demonstrates exercise-induced inhibition of ROS production and NADPH oxidase enzyme activity, as well as lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation in the liver and kidney of GK rats. Interestingly, glutathione (GSH) content and GSH-peroxidase and GSH reductase enzymes as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were profoundly altered in diabetic rat tissues. Exercise helped in restoring the altered GSH metabolism and antioxidant homeostasis. An increase in cytosolic glycolytic enzyme, hexokinase, and a decrease in mitochondrial Kreb’s cycle enzyme was observed in GK diabetic rat tissues. Exercise helped restore the altered energy metabolism. A significant decrease in the activities of mitochondrial complexes and ATP content was also observed in the GK rats and exercise regulated the activities of the respiratory complexes and improved energy utilization. Activation of cytochrome P450s, CYP 2E1, and CYP 3A4 was observed in the tissues of GK rats, which recovered after exercise. Altered expression of redox-responsive proteins and translocation of transcription factor NFκB-p65, accompanied by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), SIRT-1, Glut-4, and PPAR-γ suggests the induction of antioxidant defense responses and increased energy metabolism in GK diabetic rats after exercise.
Grain filling leads to backflow of surplus water from the maize grain to the cob and plant via the xylem
Authors: Zhang Gui-Ping , Marasini Mukti , Li Wei-Wei , Zhang Feng-Lu
Published: December 2022

Rapid dehydration of maize grain is one of the main characteristics of cultivar selection for mechanical grain harvest; however, the dominant driving forces and mechanisms of grain dehydration before physiological maturity remain disputable and obscure. This study compared the grain moisture content and dehydration rate of coated treatment (no surface evaporation) and control grains. Meanwhile, the xylem-mobile dye was infused from stem and cob, and its movement was observed in cob, ear-stalk and stem xylem. The development dynamics of husk, grain and cob were analyzed to determine the mechanism of grain dehydration. The results showed that, from grain formation to 5-10 days before physiological maturity, the main driving force of grain dehydration of the early and middle-maturity maize cultivars was filling, followed by surface evaporation. In the dye movement experiment, the movement of the stem-infused xylem-mobile dye through the pedicel xylem was observed during but not after the grain formation period. Moreover, the cob-infused xylem-mobile dye moved to the ear- stalk and the stem via the xylem. There was a significantly positive correlation between grain filling rate and dehydration rate from grain formation to physiological maturity. According to these results, we proposed that in the grain dehydration phase driven by filling, the surplus water in the grain flows back to the cob via the pedicel xylem, of which some flowed back to the plant via the cob and ear- stalk xylem. This provides a new theoretical basis for selecting and breeding maize cultivars suitable for mechanical grain harvesting.
Hyperspectral machine-learning model for screening tea germplasm resources with drought tolerance
Authors: Chen Sizhou , Shen Jiazhi , Fan Kai , Qian Wenjun , Gu Honglian , Li Yuchen , Zhang Jie , Han Xiao , Wang Yu , Ding Zhaotang
Published: December 2022

Drought tolerance and quality stability are important indicators to evaluate the stress tolerance of tea germplasm resources. The traditional screening method of drought resistant germplasm is mainly to evaluate by detecting physiological and biochemical indicators of tea plants under drought stresses. However, the methods are not only time consuming but also destructive. In this study, hyperspectral images of tea drought phenotypes were obtained and modeled with related physiological indicators. The results showed that: (1) the information contents of malondialdehyde, soluble sugar and total polyphenol were 0.21, 0.209 and 0.227 respectively, and the drought tolerance coefficient (DTC) index of each tea variety was between 0.069 and 0.81; (2) the comprehensive drought tolerance of different varieties were (from strong to weak): QN36, SCZ, ZC108, JX, JGY, XY10, QN1, MS9, QN38, and QN21; (3) by using SVM, RF and PLSR to model DTC (drought tolerance coefficient) data, the best prediction model was selected as MSC-2D-UVE-SVM (R2 = 0.77, RMSE = 0.073, MAPE = 0.16) for drought tolerance of tea germplasm resources, named Tea-DTC model. Therefore, the Tea-DTC model based on hyperspectral machine-learning technology can be used as a new screening method for evaluating tea germplasm resources with drought tolerance.
Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes of Broussonetia spp. (Moraceae) reveals heterogeneity in structure, synteny, intercellular gene transfer, and RNA editing
Authors: Lai Chanjuan , Wang Jie , Kan Shenglong , Zhang Shuo , Li Pan , Reeve Wayne Gerald , Wu Zhiqiang , Zhang Yonghua
Published: December 2022

The genus Broussonetia (Moraceae) is comprised of three non-hybrid recognized species that all produce high quality fiber essential in the development of papermaking and barkcloth-making technology. In addition, these species also have medicinal value in several countries. Despite their important economical, medicinal, and ecological values, the complete mitogenome of Broussonetia has not been reported and investigated, which would greatly facilitate molecular phylogenetics, species identification and understanding evolutionary processes. Here, we assembled the first-reported three complete Broussonetia (B. papyrifera, B. kaempferi, and B. monoica) mitochondrial genomes (mitogenome) based on a hybrid strategy using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technology sequencing data, and performed comprehensive comparisons in terms of their structure, gene content, synteny, intercellular gene transfer, phylogeny, and RNA editing. Our results showed their huge heterogeneities among the three species. Interestingly, the mitogenomes of B. monoica and B. papyrifera consisted of a single circular structure, whereas the B. kaempferi mitogenome was unique and consisted of a double circular structure. Gene content was consistent except for a few transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. The Broussonetia spp. mitogenomes had high sequence conservation but B. monoica with B. kaempferi contained more synteny blocks and were more related, a finding that was well-supported in organellar phylogeny. Fragments that had been transferred between mitogenomes were detected at plastome hotspots that had integrated under potential mediation of tRNA genes. In addition, RNA editing sites showed great differences in abundance, type, location and efficiency among species and tissues. The availability of these complete gap-free mitogenomes of Broussonetia spp. will provide a valuable genetic resource for evolutionary research and understanding the communications between the two organelle genomes.
Regeneration of non-chimeric plants from DNA-free edited grapevine protoplasts
Authors: Scintilla Simone , Salvagnin Umberto , Giacomelli Lisa , Zeilmaker Tieme , Malnoy Mickael A. , Rouppe van der Voort Jeroen , Moser Claudio
Published: December 2022

The application of New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) in Vitis vinifera is highly desirable to introduce valuable traits while preserving the genotype of the elite cultivars. However, a broad application of NBTs through standard DNA-based transformation is poorly accepted by public opinion and law regulations in Europe and other countries due to the stable integration of exogenous DNA, which leads to transgenic plants possibly affected by chimerism. A single-cell based approach, coupled with a DNA-free transfection of the CRISPR/Cas editing machinery, constitutes a powerful tool to overcome these problems and maintain the original genetic make-up in the whole organism. We here describe a successful single-cell based, DNA-free methodology to obtain edited grapevine plants, regenerated from protoplasts isolated from embryogenic callus of two table grapevine varieties (V. vinifera cv. Crimson seedless and Sugraone). The regenerated, non-chimeric plants were edited on the downy- and powdery-mildew susceptibility genes, VviDMR6 and VviMlo6 respectively, either as single or double mutants.
Good governance for sustainable blue economy in small islands: Lessons learned from the Seychelles experience
Authors: Benzaken Dominique , Voyer Michelle , Pouponneau Angelique , Hanich Quentin
Published: December 2022

The blue economy has emerged as an influential global concept. It is commonly understood to relate to the development of the ocean in a manner which also addresses concerns about ocean health in the face of increasing demands on ocean resources, marine pollution, and climate change. While the blue economy holds potential to act as an integrating policy framework for the sustainable development of the ocean, to date, there are limited examples of implementation in practice to test the usefulness of the concept. Based on a typology of “good governance” adapted from existing global typologies, we investigated the role of blue economy governance in enabling integration. We used a mixed methods approach to explore the experience of Seychelles, a blue economy early adopter, combining policy and institutional analysis, semistructured interviews with key actors and partners, and country fieldwork. Our analysis shows that from its inception, Seychelles' vision of blue economy was a transformative model of development based on the protection and sustainable use of ocean resources for the benefit of Seychellois, consistent with the SDGs. Thanks to early political leadership and international engagement, the adoption of the blue economy concept was successful in raising awareness of the ocean health and its connection to people and the economy, and in establishing the basis of a national blue economy “architecture,” which helped secure innovative finance for implementation. Transitioning to implementation, several governance challenges emerged, which included maintaining high-level political momentum, stakeholder engagement, and institutional coordination and capacity. While some governance barriers to effective integration may be unique to Seychelles, some are common to SIDS, and others are found in a range of governance settings. Seychelles international visibility has brought high expectations, not always commensurate with local aspirations, capabilities, and jurisdictional responsibilities. Bridging the gap between global expectations and local realities will require support for locally driven institutional reforms, which take account of issues of scale, culture, and capacity.
My general manager is warmer than department manager: Stereotypes about senior and junior high-power individuals and their influences on spontaneous trait inference
Authors: Yang Feng , Li Minyan , Han Yang , Fan Xinru , Zhang Qing
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Previous research suggests that high-power (HP) individuals are stereotyped as positive competence but negative warmth.

Object

By subdividing HP individuals into junior and senior HP individuals, the current research conducted five studies to examine the warmth perception differences toward senior and junior HP individuals in Confucian culture and the downstream effects on spontaneous trait inference (STI).

Method and results

By using different paradigms, Study 1 and 2 found that participants tended to perceive junior HP individuals as negative on the warmth dimension and perceive senior HP individuals as positive on the warmth dimension. The following Study 3 and 4 further found that the warmth perception difference toward senior and junior HP individuals had an influence on STI. Specifically, participants were inclined to make STI from behaviors implying negative warmth traits when behavioral actors were junior HP individuals while they were inclined to make STI from behaviors implying positive warmth traits when behavioral actors were senior HP individuals. Additionally, Study 4 found that perceived social responsibility about HP individuals accounted for the power stereotype effects in STI, the more social responsibility participants perceived about senior HP individuals, the stronger power stereotype effects they showed in STI. The final Study 5 revealed that the different power stereotype effects in STI induced by senior and junior HP actors were observed only in Confucian culture, but not in non-Confucian culture.

Conclusion

The present research firstly demonstrated that the warmth perceptions about senior and junior produced different influences on STI in Confucian culture, and also enriched the understanding about the culture-specificity of the stereotype content model.
Working from home and its challenges for transformational and health-oriented leadership
Authors: Tautz Dorothee Caroline , Schübbe Katharina , Felfe Jörg
Published: December 2022

The Covid-19 crisis forced many employees to abruptly relocate their workplace from the office to their homes. As working from home is expected to remain part of our working world, consequences for leadership need to be examined. Our study aims to investigate the concrete challenges regarding the feasibility of transformational leadership and health-oriented leadership in this remote setting. Therefore, we collected quantitative and qualitative data of 23 leaders and 18 employees from various organizations in Germany. Both groups were asked to report their experiences during working from home in comparison to the traditional office setting. Findings of our study provide a comprehensive understanding regarding the underlying mechanism that impede transformational and health-oriented leadership in the remote setting. Among them participants reported a lack of social presence, limited informal chats, communication difficulties and lack of mutual trust. Based on our findings we derive practical implications for leaders and HR practitioners.
The Chinese University stakeholder satisfaction survey: Developing a customer-centered self-assessment tool for higher education quality management
Authors: Pan Feng , Liu Liu , Wang Zhen
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Customer-centered management theory has considerable potential for increasing the quality of higher education (HE) in China and promoting its sustainable development.

Methods

This study applied customer-centered enterprise management theory to develop an HE stakeholder satisfaction scale based on data from 1,654 students, teachers, and other staff members, including human resources personnel.

Results

The three-part stakeholder satisfaction survey consists of the China University Student Satisfaction Scale, the China University Teacher and Staff Satisfaction Scale, and the China University Graduate Human Resources Department Satisfaction Scale. All three subscales were valid, reliable, and can be used to foster management innovation, although they require adjustments to improve their coverage of different HE environments.

Discussion

Organizational self-assessment based on customer-centered corporate management theory has much to contribute to the quality and sustainability of China’s HE systems.
Parental intervention strategies and operating mechanism on adolescent social media use—The concept of literacy improvement based on interaction
Authors: Wang Bowei , Chen Jiali
Published: December 2022

This study focuses on a realistic picture of parental intervention in the use of social media among teenagers in the post-pandemic era. First, based on a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews, and under the guidance of the concept of interactive literacy improvement, we propose a conceptual model and a verifiable measurement dimension of parental-mediated intervention. Second, based on the comparison of parent–child samples, it was found that parental-mediated intervention strategies are often used in families, and parents and children have roughly the same cognition and preference for the four intervention strategies. However, parents reported that they use intervention strategies much more frequently than perceived by their children. Third, we constructed and verified the prediction model of “individual technical characteristics-online family environment-parental-mediated intervention,” namely, the hierarchical progressive logic of parental-mediated intervention, and realized the systematization of influencing factors. The study confirmed that the effectiveness of parental-mediated intervention is improved by parent–children “cohesion.” In the follow-up, we will focus on the new perspective of theoretical research on parental intervention and intra-generational digital inequality among adolescents.
The Saudi-Arabic adaptation of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ34): Psychometrics and norms of the full version and the short version (BSQ8C)
Authors: Melisse Bernou , van Furth Eric F. , de Beurs Edwin
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Saudi Arabia experiences elevated levels of body-shape dissatisfaction which might be related to the increased thin ideal. Studies on body-shape dissatisfaction are scarce, mainly because adapted assessment tools are unavailable. This study describes the Saudi-Arabic adaptation of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ34), preliminary examines the psychometric properties and provides normative data.

Methods

The BSQ34 was administered in a convenience community sample (N = 867) between April 2017 and May 2018. Receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis was used to establish discriminant validity, in a subsample (N = 602) in which the Eating Disorder Examination-Shape concern, was administered, the factor structure investigated with confirmatory-factor analyses and T-scores and percentile scores were determined.

Results

The BSQ34 discriminated well between low and high levels of body-shape dissatisfaction (area-under-the-curve value = 0.93), had high internal consistency and a unidimensional factor structure, and 23.9% appeared at risk for body-shape dissatisfaction. Analyses were repeated for the shortened BSQ8C, which yielded similar results.

Discussion

The results indicated that the BSQ34 and BSQ8C appeared suitable measurement tools to screen for body-shape dissatisfaction in a Saudi convenience community sample, mainly comprised young, unmarried, and highly educated women. The BSQ34 supplies more information on the type of concerns respondents have, which is worthwhile when the measure is used in a clinical setting; the BSQ8C is recommended as a short screener. As body-shape dissatisfaction is viewed as a risk factor for the development of eating disorder symptoms, screening for body-shape dissatisfaction with reliable tools is important to detect individuals at risk for eating disorder symptoms and may suggest subsequent preventive steps.
The dark side of leadership: How ineffective training and poor ethics education trigger unethical behavior?
Authors: Benlahcene Abderrahmane , Saoula Oussama , Jaganathan Mathivannan , Ramdani Abbas , AlQershi Nagwan Abdulwahab
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The challenge of restricting unethical behavior requires public companies to reinforce ethical practices among leaders through various instruments. Previous research suggests that the (un)ethical behavior of leaders can be influenced by many situational factors. This study aimed to investigate the influence of ethics training and education on unethical leadership behavior in the Algerian public companies.

Methods

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 leaders from public companies in Algeria. Data analysis was facilitated using ATLAS. ti 8 qualitative analysis software.

Results

The findings show that public companies in Algeria suffer from several issues related to leaders’ ethics training and education. The findings also indicate that some of these unethical leadership behaviors are the result of ineffective training programs and poor ethics education within public companies.

Discussion

The absence or ineffectiveness of ethics training and education within and outside organizational settings has a detrimental impact on leaders’ ethical character. This study is the first to explore how public companies in Algeria engage in ethical training and leadership education. The different sectors of the Algerian business can use the findings as a point of reference to embed the appropriate ethical climate in their respective organizations.