Promoting sustainable agri-food production to achieve food and nutrition security: The role of soil conservation practices

This study examines the role of soil conservation practices (SCPs) in promoting sustainable agri-food production to achieve food and nutrition security. It uses the endogenous treatment regression model to address the selection bias associated with SCP adoption. We examine the data sourced from the 2020 China Land Economic Survey, collected by Nanjing Agricultural University, China. First, we analyze the association between the adoption of SCPs and rice yield; we focus on rice as it is the most common food staple globally. Then we examine the links between the SCPs and the consumption of ten specific foods (rice, pork, beef, poultry, fish, egg, bean products, vegetables, fruits, and vegetable oil). This allows us to glean insights into how SCPs may affect changes in dietary patterns in rural communities. The findings show that adopting SCPs is associated with a 7% increase in rice yield. We find that education, farm size, the slope of the farm, and owning real estate are positively associated with the adoption of SCPs, whereas encountering pest infestations reduces one’s likelihood of adopting them. As for rice yields, they are positively associated with household size, economic status, soil fertility, plot slope, and having a higher percentage of adults over 65. The findings also show that adopting SCPs can influence the dietary patterns of farming households. Specifically, those who adopt SCPs increase their consumption of fruits and protein-rich food such as pork and fish; however, adopting SCPs is associated with lower consumption of vegetables

Measuring the W-t-b Interaction at the ILC

The large top quark mass suggests that the top plays a pivotal role in Electroweak symmetry-breaking dynamics and, as a result, may have modified couplings to Electroweak bosons. Hadron colliders can provide measurements of these couplings at the ~10% level, and one of the early expected triumphs of the International Linear Collider is to reduce these uncertainties to the per cent level. In this article, we propose the first direct measurement of the Standard Model W-t-b coupling at the ILC, from measurements of t tbar-like signals below the t tbar production threshold. We estimate that the ILC with 100 fb^{-1} can measure a combination of the coupling and top width to high precision, and when combined with a direct measurement of the top width from the above-threshold scan, results in a model-independent measurement of the W-t-b interaction of the order of ~ 3%

Vegetative Filter Strip Removal of Metals in Runoff from Poultry Litter-Amended Fescuegrass Plots

Runoff from land areas amended with poultry (Gallus gallus domesticus) manure can contain elevated concentrations of metals such as Cu, Fe, and Zn. Vegetative filter strips (VFS) can reduce runoff concentrations of animal manure components, but reported studies have typically focused on nutrients and solids rather than metals. This experiment assessed the impact of VFS length (0 to 12 m) on concentrations and mass losses of Cu, Fe, K, Na, Ni, and Zn in runoff from fescuegrass (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) plots (1.5 m wide × 6 and 12 m long) treated with poultry litter. The runoff was produced from simulated rainfall applied at 50 mm h-1 until 1 h of runoff had occurred. Runoff Ni concentrations were below detection levels in all cases. Concentrations of Cu, Fe, K, Na, and Zn did not differ between litter-treated plot lengths but were significantly (p \u3c 0.001) affected by VFS length, decreasing in an approximately firstorder fashion. Means separation indicated that concentrations of Cu, Fe, K, and Zn did not significantly decrease after a VFS length of 3 m, while Na concentrations decreased up to a VFS length of 6 m. Mass transport of only Cu significantly decreased with increasing VFS, suggesting that VFS removal mechanisms such as adsorption to clay particles might play a larger role with regard to Cu than to Fe, K, Na, and Zn

Interaction between the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 genotype and coffee drinking and the risk for acute alcoholic hepatitis

Only a subset of subjects with excessive alcohol consumption develops alcoholic liver disease (ALD). One of the major risk factors for ALD is the genetic variant of the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) gene. Coffee is one of the most commonly consumed beverages, and coffee consumption has been associated with lower levels of serum alanine aminotransferase. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of coffee drinking and PNPLA3 rs738409 and their association with alcoholic hepatitis (AH) in a well-characterized cohort of subjects from the Translational Research and Evolving Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment consortium. AH subjects and heavy drinking controls without a history of liver disease who were enrolled between May 2013 and May 2016 were included (n = 339), and the details of alcohol and coffee consumption were assessed. The PNPLA3 variant was determined among participants of European ancestry (n = 183). Relationships between baseline data and AH status were determined, and multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed. During the study period, 189 cases with AH and 150 heavy drinking controls were prospectively enrolled. The prevalence of regular coffee consumption was significantly lower in patients with AH compared to controls (20% versus 43%; P < 0.0001). The overall minor allele frequency of the PNPLA3 variant was higher in AH cases. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that coffee consumption and PNPLA3 were significantly associated with AH status at baseline after adjusting for relevant patient characteristics. Conclusion: We found a higher prevalence of AH among heavy drinkers with PNPLA3 G/G and G/C genotypes regardless of coffee consumption status and a higher prevalence of AH among heavy drinkers who were not regular coffee drinkers. These findings remained after considering relevant baseline patient characteristics. Further studies are needed to confirm our observation

An exploratory genome-wide analysis of genetic risk for alcoholic hepatitis

To elucidate the genetic variability between heavy drinkers with and without alcoholic hepatitis

Challenges in Patient Enrollment and Retention in Clinical Studies for Alcoholic Hepatitis: Experience of the TREAT Consortium

The TREAT Consortium has carried out clinical studies on alcoholic hepatitis (AH) for over 4 years. We encountered problems with participant recruitment, retention, and eligibility for specific protocols. To improve our ability to carry out such trials, we reviewed recruitment screening logs, end of study logs, and surveyed study coordinators to learn the reasons for missing patients, why patients declined enrollment, and the number of patients eligible for treatment trials. Associations of the recruited subjects’ demographics with their adherence to follow-up appointments were examined. Three hundred eight-seven patients (AH and heavy drinking controls) were enrolled in the observational study, and 55 AH patients were recruited into treatment trials. About half of patients identified with AH could not be recruited; no specific reason could be determined for about two-thirds of these. Among the patients who gave a reason for not participating, the most common reasons were feeling too sick to participate, desire to concentrate on abstinence, and lack of interest in research. Approximately a quarter of the AH patients met eligibility criteria for treatment trials for moderate or severe AH and we were able to recruit half to two-thirds of those eligible. Approximately 35% of participants in the observational study returned for both 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. We did not identify biopsychosocial or demographic correlates of retention in the study. This analysis revealed that attempts at recruitment into trials for AH miss some subjects because of structural issues surrounding their hospital admission, and encounter a high rate of patient refusal to participate. Nonetheless, more than half of the patients who met the eligibility criteria for moderate or severe AH were entered into clinical trials. Retention rates for the observational study are relatively low. These findings need to be accounted for in clinical trial design and power analysis

The circulating microbiome signature and inferred functional metagenomics in alcoholic hepatitis

Intestinal dysbiosis is implicated in alcoholic hepatitis (AH). However, changes in the circulating microbiome, its association with the presence and severity of AH and its functional relevance in AH is unknown. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of changes in the circulating microbiome were performed by sequencing bacterial DNA in subjects with moderate (n=18) or severe AH (n=19). These data were compared to heavy drinking controls (HDC) without obvious liver disease (n=19) and non-alcohol consuming controls (NAC, n=20). The data were related to endotoxin levels and markers of monocyte activation. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis, inferred metagenomics and predictive functional analysis using PICRUSt were performed. There was a significant increase in 16S copies/ng DNA both in MAH (p<0.01) and SAH (p<0.001) subjects. Compared to NAC, the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in HDC, MAH, and SAH (p<0.001). In contrast, all alcohol consuming groups had enrichment with Fusobacteria; this was greatest for HDC and decreased progressively in MAH and SAH. Subjects with SAH had significantly higher endotoxemia (p=0.01). Compared to alcohol consuming groups, predictive functional metagenomics indicated an enrichment of bacteria with genes related to methanogenesis and denitrification. Also, both HDC and SAH showed activation of type III secretion system which has been linked to gram negative bacterial virulence. Metagenomics in SAH vs NAC predicted increased isoprenoid synthesis via mevalonate and anthranilate degradation, known modulators of gram positive bacterial growth and biofilm production respectively. In conclusion, heavy alcohol consumption appears to be the primary driver of changes in the circulating microbiome associated with a shift in its inferred metabolic functions

A study of Smad4, Smad6 and Smad7 in Surgically Resected Samples of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Their Correlation with Clinicopathological Parameters and Patient Survival

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Smad4 is the common mediator of the tumor suppressive functions of TGF-beta. Smad6 and Smad7 are the antagonists of the TGF-beta pathway. This study investigates the differential protein expressions of Smad4, Smad6 and Smad7 in tumor as compared to normal tissue of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and compares them with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a significant difference in protein expressions of Smad4 (p = 0.0001), Smad6 (p = 0.0015) and Smad7 (p = 0.0005) protein in tumor as compared to paired normal samples. Loss of Smad7 expression correlated significantly with tumor size (r = 0.421, p < 0.036) and margin status (r = 0.431; p < .032). Patients with moderate to high Smad4 protein expression had a better survival (median survival = 14.600 ± 2.112 months) than patients with absent or weak Smad4 protein expression (median survival = 7.150 ± 0.662). In addition, advanced disease stage correlated significantly with poor prognosis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Loss of Smad4 significantly correlated with poor survival of PDAC patients. In the cases where Smad4 is expressed, Smad6 inhibition is possibly a novel mechanism for Smad4 inactivation. Smad7 has a role in pathobiology of PDAC. Further investigation in the roles of Smad6 and Smad7 would help in the identification of novel therapeutic targets for PDAC.</p

Cpd-1 Null Mice Display a Subtle Neurological Phenotype

CPD1 (also known as ANP32-E) belongs to a family of evolutionarily conserved acidic proteins with leucine rich repeats implicated in a variety of cellular processes regulating gene expression, vesicular trafficking, intracellular signaling and apoptosis. Because of its spatiotemporal expression pattern, CPD1 has been proposed to play an important role in brain morphogenesis and synaptic development.We have generated CPD1 knock-out mice that we have subsequently characterized. These mice are viable and fertile. However, they display a subtle neurological clasping phenotype and mild motor deficits.CPD1 is not essential for normal development; however, it appears to play a role in the regulation of fine motor functions. The minimal phenotype suggests compensatory biological mechanisms

Cell-Free DNA and Active Rejection in Kidney Allografts

Histologic analysis of the allograft biopsy specimen is the standard method used to differentiate rejection from other injury in kidney transplants. Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a noninvasive test of allograft injury that may enable more frequent, quantitative, and safer assessment of allograft rejection and injury status. To investigate this possibility, we prospectively collected blood specimens at scheduled intervals and at the time of clinically indicated biopsies. In 102 kidney recipients, we measured plasma levels of dd-cfDNA and correlated the levels with allograft rejection status ascertained by histology in 107 biopsy specimens. The dd-cfDNA level discriminated between biopsy specimens showing any rejection (T cell-mediated rejection or antibody-mediated rejection [ABMR]) and controls (no rejection histologically), P1% indicate a probability of active rejection