bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plastic contamination in agricultural soils: a review
Authors: Sa’adu Ibrahim , Farsang Andrea 
Published: February 2023

AbstractResearchers are focused on the global issue of plastic contamination in agricultural soils because of the known effects of plastics on the soil ecosystem. Previous reviews did not pay attention to plastic sources, standardized extraction methods, soil characterization, and the abundance of plastics in agricultural soils. This study aims to review up-to-the-minute knowledge about plastic contamination studies, suggest the best method for microplastic studies, and propose future research areas. The research about plastic contamination in agricultural soils published from January 2018 to March 2022 was reviewed for this review article. Studies focusing on microplastics in soils other than agricultural soils were not considered in the present review. The data were acquired from several databases, namely Web of Science and Google Scholar. The keywords used to search these databases were "microplastics AND agricultural soils" and "macroplastics AND agricultural soils". Other literature sources were obtained from the reference lists of downloaded articles, and other pieces of literature that directly dealt with macroplastic and microplastic contamination in agricultural soils were obtained from relevant journals and books. Overall, 120 sources of literature, including 102 original research articles, 13 review articles, and five books, were selected, reviewed, and synthesized. As expected, agricultural soils, including arable lands, paddy lands, uplands, irrigation, and greenhouse soils, receive plastic contaminants. The contaminants of different sizes and forms are distributed spatially and temporally in the surface, subsurface, and profiles of the agricultural soils. Unlike previous studies that reported many studies on sewage sludge, the significant sources of plastic contamination in the agricultural soils included mulching, sludge and compost placement, and greenhouses abandonment. The distribution of plastic contamination studies in the agricultural lands is Asia: 60%; Europe: 29%; Africa: 4%; North America: 4%; Latin America: 3%; and Australia: 0%. After careful analysis of the methods used for the plastics contamination studies, the study concluded that floatations with low-density solutions such as distilled water and NaCl are efficient in separating light-density microplastics. In contrast, ZnCl and NaI are incredibly efficient in separating the heavy-density microplastics. Moreover, this review provides insight for future research in the field.
Characterization and expression profiles of the B-box gene family during plant growth and under low-nitrogen stress in Saccharum
Authors: Wu Zilin , Fu Danwen , Gao Xiaoning , Zeng Qiaoying , Chen Xinglong , Wu Jiayun , Zhang Nannan 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
B-box (BBX) zinc-finger transcription factors play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. Nevertheless, little information is available on sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) BBX genes and their expression profiles.

Results
In the present study, we characterized 25 SsBBX genes in the Saccharum spontaneum genome database. The phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, and expression patterns of these genes during plant growth and under low-nitrogen conditions were systematically analyzed. The SsBBXs were divided into five groups based on phylogenetic analysis. The evolutionary analysis further revealed that whole-genome duplications or segmental duplications were the main driving force for the expansion of the SsBBX gene family. The expression data suggested that many BBX genes (e.g., SsBBX1 and SsBBX13) may be helpful in both plant growth and low-nitrogen stress tolerance.

Conclusions
The results of this study offer new evolutionary insight into the BBX family members in how sugarcane grows and responds to stress, which will facilitate their utilization in cultivated sugarcane breeding.
Transcriptome analysis of Populus × canadensis ‘Zhongliao1’ in response to low temperature stress
Authors: Yang Chengchao , Li Xiaoyu , Zhang Yan , Jin Hua 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Low temperatures are known to limit the growth and geographical distribution of poplars. Although some transcriptomic studies have been conducted to explore the response of poplar leaves to cold stress, only a few have comprehensively analyzed the effects of low temperature on the transcriptome of poplars and identified genes related to cold stress response and repair of freeze–thaw injury.

Results
We exposed the Euramerican poplar Zhongliao1 to low temperatures; after stems were exposed to − 40℃, 4℃, and 20℃, the mixture of phloem and cambium was collected for transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. A total of 29,060 genes were detected, including 28,739 known genes and 321 novel genes. Several differentially expressed genes (n = 36) were found to be involved in the Ca2+ signaling pathway, starch–sucrose metabolism pathway, abscisic acid signaling pathway, and DNA repair. They were functionally annotated; glucan endo-1,3-beta-glucosidase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase genes, for instance, showed a close relationship with cold resistance. The expression of 11 differentially expressed genes was verified by qRT-PCR; RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR data were found to be consistent, which validated the robustness of our RNA-Seq findings. Finally, multiple sequence alignment and evolutionary analysis were performed, the results of which suggested a close association between several novel genes and cold resistance in Zhongliao1.

Conclusion
We believe that the cold resistance and freeze–thaw injury repair genes identified in this study are of great significance for cold tolerance breeding.
Single-gene FISH maps and major chromosomal rearrangements in Elymus sibiricus and E. nutans
Authors: Liu Bo , Chen Jie , Yang Ying , Shen Wenjie , Guo Jialei , Dou Quanwen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundChromosomal variations have been revealed in bothE. sibiricusandE. nutans, but chromosomal structural variations, such as intra-genome translocations and inversions, are still not recognized due to the cytological limitations of previous studies. Furthermore, the syntenic relationship between both species and wheat chromosomes remains unknown.ResultsFifty-nine single-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes, including 22 single-gene probes previously mapped on wheat chromosomes and other newly developed probes from the cDNA ofElymusspecies, were used to characterize the chromosome homoeologous relationship and collinearity of bothE. sibiricusandE. nutanswith those of wheat. Eight species-specific chromosomal rearrangements (CRs) were exclusively identified inE. sibiricus, including five pericentric inversions in 1H, 2H, 3H, 6H and 2St; one possible pericentric inversion in 5St; one paracentric inversion in 4St; and one reciprocal 4H/6H translocation. Five species-specific CRs were identified inE. nutans, including one possible pericentric inversion in 2Y, three possible pericentric multiple-inversions in 1H, 2H and 4Y, and one reciprocal 4Y/5Y translocation. Polymorphic CRs were detected in three of the six materials inE. sibiricus, which were mainly represented by inter-genomic translocations. More polymorphic CRs were identified inE. nutans, including duplication and insertion, deletion, pericentric inversion, paracentric inversion, and intra- or inter-genomic translocation in different chromosomes.ConclusionsThe study first identified the cross-species homoeology and the syntenic relationship betweenE. sibiricus,E. nutansand wheat chromosomes. There are distinct different species-specific CRs betweenE. sibiricusandE. nutans, which may be due to their different polyploidy processes. The frequencies of intra-species polymorphic CRs inE. nutanswere higher than that inE. sibiricus. To conclude, the results provide new insights into genome structure and evolution and will facilitate the utilization of germplasm diversity in bothE. sibiricusandE. nutans.
Screening and identification of miR-181a-5p in oral squamous cell carcinoma and functional verification in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Xu Guoqiang , Yang Yiyan , Yang Junting , Xiao Lanfei , Wang Xiaotang , Qin Litao , Gao Jiping , Xuan Ruijing , Wu Xiaofen , Chen Zhaoyang , Sun Rui , Song Guohua 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignant tumor associated with poor prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in the cancer development. However, the role of miRNAs in OSCC development and progression is not well understood.MethodsWe sought to establish a dynamic Chinese hamster OSCC animal model, construct miRNA differential expression profiles of its occurrence and development, predict its targets, and perform functional analysis and validation in vitro.ResultsUsing expression and functional analyses, the key candidate miRNA (miR-181a-5p) was selected for further functional research, and the expression of miR-181a-5p in OSCC tissues and cell lines was detected. Subsequently, transfection technology and a nude mouse tumorigenic model were used to explore potential molecular mechanisms. miR-181a-5p was significantly downregulated in human OSCC specimens and cell lines, and decreased miR-181a-5p expression was observed in multiple stages of the Chinese hamster OSCC animal model. Moreover, upregulated miR-181a-5p significantly inhibited OSCC cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration; blocked the cell cycle; and promoted apoptosis.BCL2was identified as a target of miR-181a-5p.BCL2may interact with apoptosis- (BAX), invasion- and migration- (TIMP1,MMP2, andMMP9), and cell cycle-related genes (KI67,E2F1,CYCLIND1, andCDK6) to further regulate biological behavior. Tumor xenograft analysis indicated that tumor growth was significantly inhibited in the high miR-181a-5p expression group.ConclusionOur findings indicate that miR-181a-5p can be used as a potential biomarker and provide a novel animal model for mechanistic research on oral cancer.
Dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH)-style diet in association with gastroesophageal reflux disease in adolescents
Authors: Beigrezaei Sara , Sasanfar Bahareh , Nafei Zahra , Behniafard Nasrin , Aflatoonian Majid , Salehi-Abargouei Amin 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Dietary patterns and food items have been associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) risk and they have led to conflicting findings. The aim of this study was to determine the association between a dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH)-style diet with the risk of GERD and its symptoms in adolescents.

Study design
Cross-sectional.

Methods
This study was performed on 5,141 adolescents aged between 13 and 14 years. Dietary intake was evaluated using a food frequency method. The diagnosis of GERD was done by using a six-item GERD questionnaire that asked about GERD symptoms. A binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between the DASH-style diet score and GERD and its symptoms in crude and multivariable-adjusted models.

Results
Our findings revealed that after adjustment for all confounding variables, the adolescents with the highest adherence to the DASH-style diet had a lower chance of developing GERD [odds ratio (OR) = 0.50; 95%CI 0.33–0.75, Ptrend< 0.001)], reflux (OR = 0.42; 95%CI 0.25–0.71, Ptrend=0.001), nausea (OR = 0.59; 95% CI:0.32–1.08, Ptrend=0.05) and stomach pain (OR = 0.69; 95%CI 0.49–0.98, P trend=0.03) compared to those with the lowest adherence. Similar results were found for odds of GERD among boys, and the total population (OR = 0.37; 95%CI: 0.18–0.73, Ptrend=0.002, OR = 0.51; 95%CI: 0.34–0.77, P trend<0.0, respectively).

Conclusion
The current study revealed that adherence to a DASH-style diet might protect against GERD and its symptoms including, reflux, nausea, and stomach pain in adolescents. Further prospective research is needed to confirm these findings.
Impact of ambient air pollution on physical activity and sedentary behavior in children
Authors: Yu Hongjun , Zhang Heran 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Exposure to air pollution has become a serious environmental issue affecting children’s health and health-related behavior in China. Previous studies have focused on the associations between air pollution and physical activity among adults; however, few have examined the relationship between air pollution and health-related behavior among children, which are particularly susceptible population subgroups. The present study aims to examine the impact of air pollution on daily physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) among children in China.

Methods
PA and SB data were collected by actiGraph accelerometers for eight consecutive days. PA and SB data from 206 children were matched to daily air pollution obtained from the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China, including the average daily air quality index (AQI), PM2.5 (µg/m³), and PM10 (µg/m³). Associations were estimated using linear individual fixed-effect regressions.

Results
A 10-unit increase in daily AQI was associated with a reduction in daily PA by 5.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -8.79, -3.08) minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and 229.82 (95% CI = -345.35, -114.28) walking steps and an increase in daily SB by 15.77 (95% CI = 9.01, 22.53) minutes. A 10 µg/m³ increase in air pollution concentration in daily PM2.5 was associated with a reduction in daily PA by 7.51 (95% CI = -11.04, -3.97) minutes of MVPA, 295.69 (95% CI = -438.46, -152.92) walking steps and an increase in daily SB by 21.12 (95% CI = 12.77, 29.47) minutes. A 10 µg/m³ increase in air pollution concentration in daily PM10 was associated with a reduction in daily PA by 13.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -15.98, -10.37) minutes of MVPA, 518.34 (95% CI = -631.77, -404.91) walking steps and an increase in daily SB by 19.87 (95% CI = 13.10, 26.64) minutes.

Conclusion
Air pollution may discourage physical activity and increase sedentary behavior among children. Policy interventions are needed to reduce air pollution and develop strategies to decrease risks to children’s health.
Evaluation of oral care using MA-T gel for high-risk patients: a pilot study
Authors: Ono-Minagi Hitomi , Gojo Nao , Nohno Tsutomu , Inoue Tsuyoshi , Ohuchi Hideyo , Sakai Takayoshi 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Oral care with gel is a common method for preventing aspiration in high-risk patients. An oral care gel is used to clean and moisturize the oral cavity. However, the effects of gel care on the oral bacteria remain unclear. In this pilot study, we described a matching transformation system (MA-T) for elderly high-risk patients. MA-T is an on-demand aqueous chlorine dioxide solution that provides excellent safety and has various antimicrobial activities, even in the presence of abundant organic compounds. This study investigated the effects of MA-T gel in patients requiring nursing care.

Materials and methods
Patients who were hospitalized for nursing care were included in this study. No drugs and foods were administered orally. Oral bacteria and intraoral humidity were examined by daily care using MA-T gel. Moreover, oral membranous substances were analyzed and material from the oral cavity was cultured on selective media for identifying opportunistic organisms.

Results
Membranous substances were present in the oral cavities of all patients. The number of bacteria decreased, and oral moisture improved, after treatment with MA-T gel. Moreover, oral humidity was also controlled with the continued use of MA-T gel. MA-T gels should be used not only for professional care but also on a daily basis for better oral care. Furthermore, the results of bacterial cultures showed that MA-T controls the propagation of opportunistic bacterial infections.

Conclusion
Membranous substances may be observed in the oral cavity of individuals requiring nursing care for tube feeding. The results of this pilot study suggest that MA-T, a novel disinfectant, can be used for oral care in the elderly to reduce the risk of aspiration-pneumonia.
Menstrual regulation: examining the incidence, methods, and sources of care of this understudied health practice in three settings using cross-sectional population-based surveys
Authors: Bell Suzanne O. , Shankar Mridula , OlaOlorun Funmilola , Omoluabi Elizabeth , Khanna Anoop , Ahmad Danish , Guiella Georges , Moreau Caroline 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Menstrual regulation is a practice that may exist within the ambiguity surrounding one’s pregnancy status and has been the subject of limited research. The aim of this study is to measure the annual rate of menstrual regulation in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Rajasthan, India, overall and by background characteristics and to describe the methods and sources women use to bring back their period.

Methods
Data come from population-based surveys of women aged 15–49 in each setting. In addition to questions on women’s background characteristics, reproductive history, and contraceptive experiences, interviewers asked women whether they had ever done something to bring back their period at a time when they were worried they were pregnant, and if so, when it occurred and what methods and source they used. A total of 11,106 reproductive-aged women completed the survey in Nigeria, 2,738 in Cote d’Ivoire, and 5,832 in Rajasthan. We calculated one-year incidence of menstrual regulation overall and by women’s background characteristics separately for each context using adjusted Wald tests to assess significant. We then examined the distribution of menstrual regulation methods and sources using univariate analyses. Method categories included surgery, medication abortion pills, other pills (including unknown pills), and traditional or "other" methods. Source categories included public facilities or public mobile outreach, private or non-governmental facilities or doctors, pharmacy or chemist shops, and traditional or "other" sources.

Results
Results indicate substantial levels of menstrual regulation in West Africa with a one-year incidence rate of 22.6 per 1,000 women age 15–49 in Nigeria and 20.6 per 1,000 in Cote d’Ivoire; women in Rajasthan reported only 3.3 per 1,000. Menstrual regulations primarily involved traditional or “other” methods in Nigeria (47.8%), Cote d’Ivoire (70.0%), and Rajasthan (37.6%) and traditional or “other” sources (49.4%, 77.2%, and 40.1%, respectively).

Conclusion
These findings suggest menstrual regulation is not uncommon in these settings and may put women’s health at risk given the reported methods and sources used. Results have implications for abortion research and our understanding of how women manage their fertility.
The role of Advanced Practice Nurses in creating the Kidney Transplant candidate care map (APN-preKT): a convergent-parallel mixed methods research protocol
Authors: Pedreira-Robles Guillermo , Morín-Fraile Victoria , Bach-Pascual Anna , Redondo-Pachón Dolores , Pérez-Sáez María José , Crespo Marta , Falcó-Pegueroles Anna , Garcimartín Paloma 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Waiting time for kidney transplants (KT) is an important health determinant for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). During this time, ongoing evaluation and participation is necessary in order to guarantee the quality and suitability of the proposed treatment. There is no existing literature on the potential impact of inclusion of an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) role in the hospital setting on care for CKD patients who are candidates for KT. The main objectives of this protocol are: to analyse outpatient nursing activity in the care of individuals with KT in Spain; to identify the needs of individuals who are KT candidates; and to measure the impact of the APN role through patient outcomes and experiences. These objectives are fulfilled through 5 specific related substudies.

Methods
A convergent parallel mixed methods approach will be conducted between July 2021 and April 2024. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected and analysed separately to ascertain whether the findings confirm or contradict one another. Each of the 5 substudies of the project require a specific design, sampling method, and data collection procedure in order to meet the overall objectives for the project.

Discussion
The results of the project are expected to inform the design of future nursing roles and contribute to future improvements in the quality of care provided. The data that may be obtained from this protocol are limited to the specific context of the study facility and may be extrapolated but not compared to other settings due to the variability of care pathways for KT candidates internationally.

Trial registration
This project was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee (no.2020/9418/I). The study was supported by the “Strategic Plan for Health Research and Innovation” from the Generalitat de Catalunya, registration number SLT017/20/000001, with a contribution of 57,239 euros.
Rapid combinatorial rewiring of metabolic networks for enhanced poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Yim Sung Sun , Choi Jae Woong , Lee Yong Jae , Jeong Ki Jun 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
The disposal of plastic waste is a major environmental challenge. With recent advances in microbial genetic and metabolic engineering technologies, microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are being used as next-generation biomaterials to replace petroleum-based synthetic plastics in a sustainable future. However, the relatively high production cost of bioprocesses hinders the production and application of microbial PHAs on an industrial scale.

Results
Here, we describe a rapid strategy to rewire metabolic networks in an industrial microorganism, Corynebacterium glutamicum, for the enhanced production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). A three-gene PHB biosynthetic pathway in Rasltonia eutropha was refactored for high-level gene expression. A fluorescence-based quantification assay for cellular PHB content using BODIPY was devised for the rapid fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based screening of a large combinatorial metabolic network library constructed in C. glutamicum. Rewiring metabolic networks across the central carbon metabolism enabled highly efficient production of PHB up to 29% of dry cell weight with the highest cellular PHB productivity ever reported in C. glutamicum using a sole carbon source.

Conclusions
We successfully constructed a heterologous PHB biosynthetic pathway and rapidly optimized metabolic networks across central metabolism in C. glutamicum for enhanced production of PHB using glucose or fructose as a sole carbon source in minimal media. We expect that this FACS-based metabolic rewiring framework will accelerate strain engineering processes for the production of diverse biochemicals and biopolymers.