bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSVI-21 Effects of Calcium Salts of Soybean Oil Supplementation to Nellore Heifers During Second and Third Trimesters of Gestation and Offspring Sex on Milk Production and Performance of the Offspring
Authors: de Queiroz Amanda Caroliny Marques , Marques Rodrigo S , Rodrigues Aline Naime , dos Santos Keuven Nascimento , Ferreira Igor Machado , de Abreu Mateus José Inácio , Camilo Fernando Rossi , Prados Laura Franco , de Resende Flávio Dutra , Siqueira Gustavo Rezende
Published: November 2023

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementing calcium salts of soybean oil to Nellore heifers during the second and third trimesters of gestation and offspring sex on cow productivity and their male and female offspring growth. Forty-eight pregnant Nellore heifers [body weight (BW) = 387 ± 38.4 kg] were assigned to this experiment at day 123 ± 13 of gestation. All heifers were conceived during the same fixed-time artificial insemination protocol at 14 and 24 months of age. Heifers were randomly used in a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement, consisting of supplementing or not (CON) calcium salts of soybean oil (CSSO; 3 g/kg of BW; Table 1) and the sex of the offspring (male or female), totaling four treatments and twelve reps per treatment. Throughout the experimental period, heifers were maintained in a pasture composed of Brachiaria brizantha cv.Marandu. After birth, all animals remained under the same pasture conditions and received the same supplementation until weaning. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS and heifer as the experimental unit. Treatment × offspring sex interaction was not detected (P > 0.36) for any of the variables evaluated. Calves born from heifers supplemented with CCSO were 2 kg heavier (P = 0.03) at birth and 5 kg heavier (P = 0.03) at 120 days of age compared with calves born from CON heifers. At weaning (210 days), no dietary treatment effects were observed (P = 0.17) in offspring BW. Male offspring were 3.5 kg, 9 kg, and 12 kg heavier (P ≤ 0.01) at birth, day 120, and at weaning, respectively, compared with female offspring (Table 2). Throughout the experiment, male offspring gained 0.040 kg more daily (P = 0.01) than female offspring. The female offspring had 0.1 thicker subcutaneous fat per 100 kg of BW (P = 0.02) than the male offspring. Heifer milk production was not impacted (P > 0.10) by the dietary treatments or sex of the offspring in any of the periods evaluated (days 30 and 210; Table 3). Hence, supplementing CSSO to Nellore heifers during the second and third trimester of gestation altered offspring BW up to 120 days after birth, suggesting programming effects on postnatal offspring growth resultant from the CSSO treatment. Male offspring were heavier from birth to weaning compared with female offspring. These outcomes indicate that supplementing CSSO to Nellore heifers during pregnancy might be a feasible alternative to optimize offspring productivity, and carcass merit in grazing systems.
PSII-2 Effects of Natural Sources of Brackish/Saline Water on Water and Feed Intake, Digestion, Physiological Conditions, and Performance of Yearling Meat Goats
Authors: Yirga Hirut Y , Goetsch Arthur L , Puchala Ryszard , Gulich Dereje Tadesse , Encinas Fabiola L , Gipson Terry A , Dawson Lionel J
Published: November 2023

This experiment was aimed to determine how variables such as water intake, feed intake, ruminal conditions, digestion, blood constituent levels, energy metabolism, and performance of yearling meat goats are influenced by different natural sources of brackish/saline water. Two animal types (AT), 18 Boer (BOE) and 18 Spanish (SPA) doelings, with the age of 8.9 ± 0.306, and 9.7 ± 0.212 months, respectively were used for the experiment which lasted 17 weeks (16 weeks for the experiment and 1 week of adaptation). Drinking water treatments were fresh water (FRW), West pasture Brackish water (BRW), water classified by USGS as group 1 (GR-1), 2 (GR-2), 3 (GR-3), and the last one did not fit well with any USGS group (G-UC). Animals were fed a medium-quality grass hay primarily consisting of lespedeza and with some Johnson grass (12.2% CP, and 48% NDF on a DM basis) and a supplement was provided at 0.2% BW (DM basis) to supply trace minerals, vitamins, and protein. Average daily gain was similar (P > 0.05) among treatments (16.3, 20.1, 21.1, 20.7, 23.3, and 26.5 g/day SEM = 6.378 for FRW, BRW, GR-1, GR-2, GR-3 and G-UC, respectively), and between AT (19.9 and 22.7 g/day SEM = 3.90 for BOE and SPA, respectively). Treatment did not affect water (P = 0.752; 830, 767, 821, 796, 855, and 857 g/day; SEM = 47.86) or hay intake (P = 0.862; 682, 654, 641, 674, 650, and 689 g/day SEM = 31.72), and also there were no differences between AT in intakes of water (P = 0.157; 850 and 793 g/day; SEM = 27.63) and hay (P = 0.165; 684 and 647 g/day SEM = 18.31) for BOE and SPA, respectively. Treatment had no effect on blood packed cell volume (PCV; P = 0.224; 28, 27.4, 29.7, 25.7, 26.2, 27.5%), hemoglobin concentration (tHb; P = 0.489; 11.2, 10.6, 11.2, 10.4, 10.3, 10.6 g/dL) or osmolality (310, 310, 309, 310, 309, and 309 mOsm/L) for FRW, BRW, GR-1, GR-2, GR-3 and G-UC, respectively. But there were differences between AT in PCV (P < 0.001; 24.8 and 30%) and tHb (P < 0.001; 9.71 and 11.7 g/dL) for BOE and SPA, respectively. Animal types differed in their heat (P = 0.046; 3.94 and 3.70 MJ/day; SEM = 0.081) and methane production (P < 0.001; 0.50 and 0.42 MJ/day; SEM = 0.014) for BOE and SPA, respectively; but treatment did not affect heat energy (P = 0.861; 3.84, 3.77, 3.67, 3.88, 3.88, 3.86 MJ/day SEM = 0.1409) or methane energy (P = 0.634; 0.46, 0.43, 0.45, 0.47, 0.48, 0.48; SEM = 0.0241) for FRW, BRW, GR-1, GR-2, GR-3 and G-UC, respectively. Though differences existed between animal types, considering lack of effect of drinking water used in the studied parameters, the animals seemed resilient to the brackish water from West pasture, USGS group 1, 2, 3 and the unclassified water.
Cohabitation vs. Marriage: Mating Strategies by Education in The USA
Authors: Blasutto Fabio
Published: November 2023

In this paper, I analyze the determinants of cohabitation, marriage, and divorce in the USA. I first document that college graduates are more likely to marry, and less likely to cohabit and divorce, than non-college educated individuals. To account for these facts within a unified framework, I build and estimate a life-cycle model of partnership formation and dissolution where income processes differ by gender and education. I find that the main driver of education-based differences in mating strategies is that the gender wage gap is larger among college graduates. Since divorce is more costly than ending a cohabitation, marriages tend to be more stable and therefore offer women more protection from human capital depreciation during non-employment. Consequently, marriage is a more effective means of enforcing household specialization. Since college graduates have more room for household specialization, they are more likely to choose marriage. The variance of income shocks, which affects the demand for consumption insurance, is larger among college graduates. Even if the variance of income shocks could potentially explain partnership choices, simulations suggest a small role of income volatility.
Higher Education and Mortality: Legacies of an Authoritarian College Contraction
Authors: González Felipe , Martínez Luis R , Muñoz Pablo , Prem Mounu
Published: November 2023

We provide new evidence on the causal effect of higher education on mortality. Our empirical strategy exploits the reduction in college openings introduced by the Pinochet regime after the 1973 coup in Chile, which led to a sharp downward kink in college enrollment among those cohorts reaching college age in the following years. Using administrative data from the vital statistics, we document an upward kink in the age-specific yearly mortality rate of individuals in the affected cohorts. We estimate a negative effect of college on mortality between ages 34–74, which is larger for men, but also sizable for women. Individuals in the affected cohorts experience worse labor market outcomes, are more likely to be enrolled in the public health system, and report lower consumption of health services. This suggests that economic disadvantage and limited access to care play an important mediating role in the link between higher education and mortality.
From rules to methods: application of international intellectual property treaties in domestic courts of China
Authors: Xi Chen , Peiru Yang
Published: November 2023

This article reviews the methods taken by domestic courts in China in the judicial application of international intellectual property (IP) treaties. The proposition of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative reinforced the significance of IP protection in China, and the emergence of IP courts allows for significant flexibility in the judicial application of international IP treaties. However, the domestic rules regarding treaty application provide rather limited guidance to domestic courts. Thus, the methods of treaty application in judicial practice have been inconsistent and unpredictable. This article finds that, in the vast majority of the cases, domestic law has been applied as the only legal authority. In a small number of cases, both treaty and domestic law were applied. In addition, an innovative approach should be noted in which international treaties are cited to interpret domestic law. Finally, the article puts forward some suggestions for improvement.
Poliovirus receptor–based chimeric antigen receptor T cells combined with NK-92 cells exert potent activity against glioblastoma
Authors: Pan Changqing , Zhai You , Wang Chen , Liao Zhiyi , Wang Di , Yu Mingchen , Wu Fan , Yin Yiyun , Shi Zhongfang , Li Guanzhang , Jiang Tao , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2023

Background

Poliovirus receptor interacts with 3 receptors: T-cell immunoglobulin immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif, CD96, and DNAX accessory molecule 1, which are predominantly expressed on T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Many solid tumors, including IDH wild-type glioblastoma, have been reported to overexpress poliovirus receptor, and this overexpression is associated with poor prognosis. However, there are no preclinical or clinical trials investigating the use of cell-based immunotherapies targeting poliovirus receptor in IDH wild-type glioblastoma.

Methods

We analyzed poliovirus receptor expression in transcriptome sequencing databases and specimens from IDH wild-type glioblastoma patients. We developed poliovirus receptor targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cells using lentivirus. The antitumor activity of chimeric antigen receptor T cells was demonstrated in patient-derived glioma stem cells, intracranial and subcutaneous mouse xenograft models.

Results

We verified poliovirus receptor expression in primary glioma stem cells, surgical specimens from IDH wild-type glioblastoma patients, and organoids. Accordingly, we developed poliovirus receptor–based second-generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells. The antitumor activity of chimeric antigen receptor T cells was demonstrated in glioma stem cells and xenograft models. Tumor recurrence occurred in intracranial xenograft models because of antigen loss. The combinational therapy of tyrosine-based inhibitory motif extracellular domain–based chimeric antigen receptor T cells and NK-92 cells markedly suppressed tumor recurrence and prolonged survival.

Conclusions

Poliovirus receptor–based chimeric antigen receptor T cells were capable of killing glioma stem cells and suppressing tumor recurrence when combined with NK-92 cells.
Gaia search for (sub)stellar companions of exoplanet hosts
Authors: Michel Kai-Uwe , Mugrauer Markus
Published: November 2023

We conduct a survey, which explores the data releases of the European Space Agency (ESA)–Gaia mission, in order to investigate the multiplicity of exoplanet hosts at distances of less than 625 pc around the Sun. With the accurate Gaia astrometry we are able to detect stellar and substellar companions of exoplanet hosts by proving the equidistance and common proper motion of these objects. Furthermore, by using the astro- and photometric data provided by the ESA–Gaia mission, we characterize the nature of the identified companions (substellar, stellar, main-sequence, or evolved), determine their properties (mass, effective temperature, and projected separation to the associated exoplanet host), and verify their orbital stability. In addition to main-sequence stars, the companions detected in this study include several brown and white dwarfs. So far in the course of our survey, the multiplicity of more than 2200 exoplanet hosts could be investigated, yielding a multiplicity rate of about 16 per cent (increased to about 19 per cent including published detections from other surveys). Finally, the derived physical properties of the companions were used to investigate the impact of the stellar multiplicity on the properties of the exoplanets and their hosts. In general, there are significant differences in the properties of these objects, dependent on the multiplicity status of their host system, e.g. higher masses of both planets and exoplanet hosts in multiple star systems. Furthermore, the masses and orbital eccentricities of multiple star planets significantly depend on the gravitational impact, induced by the companion star of the exoplanet host.
Chemodynamical study of two CEMP-no stars from the Hamburg/ESO Survey
Authors: Shejeelammal J , Goswami Aruna
Published: November 2023

The Carbon-Enhanced Metal-Poor (CEMP) stars with no enhancement of neutron-capture elements, the so-called CEMP-no stars are believed to be the direct descendants of first-generation stars and provide a unique opportunity to probe the early Galactic nucleosynthesis. We present a detailed chemical and kinematic analysis for two extremely metal-poor stars HE 1243 − 2408 and HE 0038 − 0345 using high-resolution (R∼86 000) HERMES spectra. For the object HE 1243 − 2408, we could make a detailed comparison with the available literature values; however, only limited information is available for the other object HE 0038 − 0345. Our estimated metallicity for these two objects are −3.05 and −2.92, respectively. With estimated [C/Fe] (1.03 and 1.05) and [Ba/Fe] (−0.18 and −0.11), respectively, the objects are found to be bonafide CEMP-no stars. From the observed abundances of C, Na, Mg, and Ba (i.e. A(C), A(Na), A(Mg), A(Ba)), the objects are found to belong to Group II CEMP-no stars. A detailed abundance profile analysis indicates that the objects are accreted from dSph satellite galaxies that support hierarchical galaxy assembly. Further, our analysis shows that the progenitors of the stars are likely Pop II Core-Collapse Supernovae. The object HE 0038 − 0345 is found to be a high-energy, prograde, outer-halo object, and HE 1243 − 2408 is found to be a high-energy, retrograde, inner-halo object. Our detailed chemodynamical analysis shows that HE 1243 − 2408 is related to I’itoi structure, where as HE 0038 − 0345 is likely related to Sgr or GSE events. The mass of the progenitor galaxies of the programme stars inferred from their dynamics is at par with their likely origin in massive dSph galaxies.
Extremely strong C iv λ1550 nebular emission in the extremely low-metallicity star-forming galaxy J2229+2725
Authors: Izotov Y I , Schaerer D , Guseva N G , Thuan T X , Worseck G
Published: November 2023

Using Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph observations of one of the most metal-poor dwarf star-forming galaxies (SFGs) in the local Universe, J2229+2725, we have discovered an extremely strong nebular C iv λλ1549, 1551 emission-line doublet, with an equivalent width of 43 Å, several times higher than the value observed so far in low-redshift SFGs. Together with other extreme characteristics obtained from optical spectroscopy (oxygen abundance 12 + log(O/H) = 7.085 ± 0.031, ratio O32 = I([O iii]λ5007)/I([O ii]λ3727) ∼ 53, and equivalent width of the H β emission-line EW(H β) = 577 Å), this galaxy greatly increases the range of physical properties for dwarf SFGs at low redshift and is a likely analogue of the high-redshift dwarf SFGs responsible for the reionization of the Universe. We find the ionizing radiation in J2229+2725 to be stellar in origin and the high EW(C iv λλ1549, 1551) to be due to both extreme ionization conditions and a high carbon abundance, with a corresponding log(C/O) = −0.38, that is ∼0.4 dex higher than the average value for nearby low-metallicity SFGs.
Binding of microRNA-122 to the hepatitis C virus 5′ untranslated region modifies interactions with poly(C) binding protein 2 and the NS5B viral polymerase
Authors: Scott Seth , Li You , Bermek Oya , Griffith Jack D , Lemon Stanley M , Choi Kyung H
Published: November 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) requires two cellular factors, microRNA-122 (miR-122) and poly(C) binding protein 2 (PCBP2), for optimal replication. These host factors compete for binding to the 5′ end of the single-stranded RNA genome to regulate the viral replication cycle. To understand how they interact with the RNA, we measured binding affinities of both factors for an RNA probe representing the 5′ 45 nucleotides of the HCV genome (HCV45). Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed two, unequal miR-122 binding sites in HCV45, high-affinity (S1) and low-affinity (S2), differing roughly 100-fold in binding affinity. PCBP2 binds a site overlapping S2 with affinity similar to miR-122 binding to S2. PCBP2 circularizes the genome by also binding to the 3′ UTR, bridging the 5′ and 3′ ends of the genome. By competing with PCBP2 for binding at S2, miR-122 disrupts PCBP2-mediated genome circularization. We show that the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, NS5B, also binds to HCV45, and that the binding affinity of NS5B is increased in the presence of miR-122, suggesting miR-122 promotes recruitment of the polymerase. We propose that competition between miR-122 and PCBP2 for HCV45 functions as a translation-to-replication switch, determining whether the RNA genome templates protein synthesis or RNA replication.
High-fidelity large-diversity monoclonal mammalian cell libraries by cell cycle arrested recombinase-mediated cassette exchange
Authors: Chen Chuan , Wang Zening , Kang Minhyo , Lee Ki Baek , Ge Xin
Published: November 2023

Mammalian cells carrying defined genetic variations have shown great potentials in both fundamental research and therapeutic development. However, their full use was limited by lack of a robust method to construct large monoclonal high-quality combinatorial libraries. This study developed cell cycle arrested recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (aRMCE), able to provide monoclonality, precise genomic integration and uniform transgene expression. Via optimized nocodazole-mediated mitotic arrest, 20% target gene replacement efficiency was achieved without antibiotic selection, and the improved aRMCE efficiency was applicable to a variety of tested cell clones, transgene targets and transfection methods. As a demonstration of this versatile method, we performed directed evolution of fragment crystallizable (Fc), for which error-prone libraries of over 107 variants were constructed and displayed as IgG on surface of CHO cells. Diversities of constructed libraries were validated by deep sequencing, and panels of novel Fc mutants were identified showing improved binding towards specific Fc gamma receptors and enhanced effector functions. Due to its large cargo capacity and compatibility with different mutagenesis approaches, we expect this mammalian cell platform technology has broad applications for directed evolution, multiplex genetic assays, cell line development and stem cell engineering.
MESPEUS: a database of metal coordination groups in proteins
Authors: Lin Geng-Yu , Su Yu-Cheng , Huang Yen Lin , Hsin Kun-Yi
Published: November 2023

MESPEUS is a freely accessible database which uses carefully selected metal coordination groups found in metalloprotein structures taken from the Protein Data Bank. The database contains geometrical information of metal sites within proteins, including 40 metal types. In order to completely determine the metal coordination, the symmetry-related units of a given protein structure are taken into account and are generated using the appropriate space group symmetry operations. This permits a more complete description of the metal coordination geometry by including all coordinating atoms. The user-friendly web interface allows users to directly search for a metal site of interest using several useful options, including searching for metal elements, metal-donor distances, coordination number, donor residue group, and structural resolution. These searches can be carried out singly or in combination. The details of a metal site and the metal site(s) in the whole structure can be graphically displayed using the interactive web interface. MESPEUS is automatically updated monthly by synchronizing with the PDB database. An investigation for the Mg-ATP interaction is given to demonstrate how MESPEUS can be used to extract information about metal sites by selecting structure and coordination features. MESPEUS is available at http://mespeus.nchu.edu.tw/.
BLR: a flexible pipeline for haplotype analysis of multiple linked-read technologies
Authors: Höjer Pontus , Frick Tobias , Siga Humam , Pourbozorgi Parham , Aghelpasand Hooman , Martin Marcel , Ahmadian Afshin
Published: November 2023

Linked-read sequencing promises a one-method approach for genome-wide insights including single nucleotide variants (SNVs), structural variants, and haplotyping. We introduce Barcode Linked Reads (BLR), an open-source haplotyping pipeline capable of handling millions of barcodes and data from multiple linked-read technologies including DBS, 10× Genomics, TELL-seq and stLFR. Running BLR on DBS linked-reads yielded megabase-scale phasing with low (<0.2%) switch error rates. Of 13616 protein-coding genes phased in the GIAB benchmark set (v4.2.1), 98.6% matched the BLR phasing. In addition, large structural variants showed concordance with HPRC-HG002 reference assembly calls. Compared to diploid assembly with PacBio HiFi reads, BLR phasing was more continuous when considering switch errors. We further show that integrating long reads at low coverage (∼10×) can improve phasing contiguity and reduce switch errors in tandem repeats. When compared to Long Ranger on 10× Genomics data, BLR showed an increase in phase block N50 with low switch-error rates. For TELL-Seq and stLFR linked reads, BLR generated longer or similar phase block lengths and low switch error rates compared to results presented in the original publications. In conclusion, BLR provides a flexible workflow for comprehensive haplotype analysis of linked reads from multiple platforms.
Probabilistic cell/domain-type assignment of spatial transcriptomics data with SpatialAnno
Authors: Shi Xingjie , Yang Yi , Ma Xiaohui , Zhou Yong , Guo Zhenxing , Wang Chaolong , Liu Jin
Published: November 2023

In the analysis of both single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) data, classifying cells/spots into cell/domain types is an essential analytic step for many secondary analyses. Most of the existing annotation methods have been developed for scRNA-seq datasets without any consideration of spatial information. Here, we present SpatialAnno, an efficient and accurate annotation method for spatial transcriptomics datasets, with the capability to effectively leverage a large number of non-marker genes as well as ‘qualitative’ information about marker genes without using a reference dataset. Uniquely, SpatialAnno estimates low-dimensional embeddings for a large number of non-marker genes via a factor model while promoting spatial smoothness among neighboring spots via a Potts model. Using both simulated and four real spatial transcriptomics datasets from the 10x Visium, ST, Slide-seqV1/2, and seqFISH platforms, we showcase the method’s improved spatial annotation accuracy, including its robustness to the inclusion of marker genes for irrelevant cell/domain types and to various degrees of marker gene misspecification. SpatialAnno is computationally scalable and applicable to SRT datasets from different platforms. Furthermore, the estimated embeddings for cellular biological effects facilitate many downstream analyses.
Multiple sequence alignment-based RNA language model and its application to structural inference
Authors: Zhang Yikun , Lang Mei , Jiang Jiuhong , Gao Zhiqiang , Xu Fan , Litfin Thomas , Chen Ke , Singh Jaswinder , Huang Xiansong , Song Guoli , Tian Yonghong , Zhan Jian , Chen Jie , Zhou Yaoqi
Published: November 2023

Compared with proteins, DNA and RNA are more difficult languages to interpret because four-letter coded DNA/RNA sequences have less information content than 20-letter coded protein sequences. While BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers)-like language models have been developed for RNA, they are ineffective at capturing the evolutionary information from homologous sequences because unlike proteins, RNA sequences are less conserved. Here, we have developed an unsupervised multiple sequence alignment-based RNA language model (RNA-MSM) by utilizing homologous sequences from an automatic pipeline, RNAcmap, as it can provide significantly more homologous sequences than manually annotated Rfam. We demonstrate that the resulting unsupervised, two-dimensional attention maps and one-dimensional embeddings from RNA-MSM contain structural information. In fact, they can be directly mapped with high accuracy to 2D base pairing probabilities and 1D solvent accessibilities, respectively. Further fine-tuning led to significantly improved performance on these two downstream tasks compared with existing state-of-the-art techniques including SPOT-RNA2 and RNAsnap2. By comparison, RNA-FM, a BERT-based RNA language model, performs worse than one-hot encoding with its embedding in base pair and solvent-accessible surface area prediction. We anticipate that the pre-trained RNA-MSM model can be fine-tuned on many other tasks related to RNA structure and function.
SilkMeta: a comprehensive platform for sharing and exploiting pan-genomic and multi-omic silkworm data
Authors: Lu Kunpeng , Pan Yifei , Shen Jianghong , Yang Lin , Zhan Chengyu , Liang Shubo , Tai Shuaishuai , Wan Linrong , Li Tian , Cheng Tingcai , Ma Bi , Pan Guoqing , He Ningjia , Lu Cheng , Westhof Eric , Xiang Zhonghuai , Han Min-Jin , Tong Xiaoling , Dai Fangyin
Published: November 2023

The silkworm Bombyx mori is a domesticated insect that serves as an animal model for research and agriculture. The silkworm super-pan-genome dataset, which we published last year, is a unique resource for the study of global genomic diversity and phenotype-genotype association. Here we present SilkMeta (http://silkmeta.org.cn), a comprehensive database covering the available silkworm pan-genome and multi-omics data. The database contains 1082 short-read genomes, 546 long-read assembled genomes, 1168 transcriptomes, 294 phenotype characterizations (phenome), tens of millions of variations (variome), 7253 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), 18 717 full length transcripts and a set of population statistics. We have compiled publications on functional genomics research and genetic stock deciphering (mutant map). A range of bioinformatics tools is also provided for data visualization and retrieval. The large batch of omics data and tools were integrated in twelve functional modules that provide useful strategies and data for comparative and functional genomics research. The interactive bioinformatics platform SilkMeta will benefit not only the silkworm but also the insect biology communities.
TREM2 mediates MHCII-associated CD4+ T-cell response against gliomas
Authors: Zheng Jiaying , Wang Lingxiao , Zhao Shunyi , Zhang Wenjing , Chang Yuzhou , Bosco Dale B , Huang Tao , Dheer Aastha , Gao Shan , Xu Shengze , Ayasoufi Katayoun , Al-Kharboosh Rawan , Qi Fangfang , Xie Manling , Johnson Aaron J , Dong Haidong , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo , Wu Long-Jun
Published: November 2023

Background

Myeloid cells comprise up to 50% of the total tumor mass in glioblastoma (GBM) and have been implicated in promoting tumor progression and immunosuppression. Modulating the response of myeloid cells to the tumor has emerged as a promising new approach for cancer treatment. In this regard, we focus on the Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2), which has recently emerged as a novel immune modulator in peripheral tumors.

Methods

We studied the TREM2 expression profile in various patient tumor samples and conducted single-cell transcriptomic analysis in both GBM patients and the GL261 mouse glioma model. We utilized multiple mouse glioma models and employed state-of-the-art techniques such as invivo 2-photon imaging, spectrum flow cytometry, and in vitro co-culture assays to study TREM2 function in myeloid cell-mediated phagocytosis of tumor cells, antigen presentation, and response of CD4+ T cells within the tumor hemispheres.

Results

Our research revealed significantly elevated levels of TREM2 expression in brain tumors compared to other types of tumors in patients. TREM2 was predominantly localized in tumor-associated myeloid cells and was highly expressed in nearly all microglia, as well as various subtypes of macrophages. Surprisingly, in preclinical glioma models, TREM2 deficiency did not confer a beneficial effect; instead, it accelerated glioma progression. Through detailed investigations, we determined that TREM2 deficiency impaired the ability of tumor-myeloid cells to phagocytose tumor cells and led to reduced expression of MHCII. This deficiency further significantly decreased the presence of CD4+ T cells within the tumor hemispheres.

Conclusions

Our study unveiled a previously unrecognized protective role of tumor-myeloid TREM2. Specifically, we found that TREM2 enhances the phagocytosis of tumor cells and promotes an immune response by facilitating MHCII-associated CD4+ T-cell responses against gliomas.
Chrononutrition and metabolic health in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fiore Giulia , Scapaticci Serena , Neri Costanza R , Azaryah Hatim , Escudero-Marín Mireia , Pascuzzi Martina C , La Mendola Alice , Mameli Chiara , Chiarelli Francesco , Campoy Cristina , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Verduci Elvira
Published: November 2023

Context

Obesity has emerged as a global health issue for the pediatric population, increasing the need to investigate physiopathological aspects to prevent the appearance of its cardiometabolic complications. Chrononutrition is a field of research in nutritional sciences that investigates the health impact of 3 different dimensions of feeding behavior: regularity of meals, frequency, and timing of food intake.

Objective

We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between chrononutrition in children and adolescents and the risk of overweight/obesity or a cluster of metabolic abnormalities related to glucose and lipid metabolism, blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease risk.

Data Extraction

A literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library for relevant articles published before August 2022.

Data Analysis

A total of 64 articles were included in the narrative synthesis (47 cross-sectional and 17 cohort studies), while 16 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that non–daily breakfast consumers (≤6 d/wk) had a higher risk of overweight/obesity (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.82] compared with daily breakfast eaters (7 d/wk). Similarly, irregular breakfast consumption (only 0-to-3 times/wk) increased the risk of abdominal obesity (waist-to-height ratio ≥ 0.5) compared with regular consumption (5-to-7 times/wk) (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.26–1.49). There was evidence to suggest that a regular frequency of meal consumption (≥4 times/d) is preventive against overweight/obesity development compared with fewer meals (≤3 times/d) (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70–0.97). In the narrative synthesis, snacking habits showed controversial results, while food timing was the most understudied dimension.

Conclusion

Overall, our data indicate a potential implication of chrononutrition in affecting pediatric metabolic health; however, the evidence of this association is limited and heterogeneous. Further prospective and intervention studies with a consistent approach to categorize the exposure are needed to elucidate the importance of chrononutrition for pediatric metabolic health.
Aftermath
Authors: Carrington Paul D
Published: November 2023

The attainments of so distinguished a scholar and legal theorist as Patrick Atiyah are not only his by reason of his own talents and efforts, but are also attainments of the legal tradition in which he writes and of the culture of which that tradition is part. This is, of course, no less true for the attainments of American legal and political theorists: theory is everywhere more outcome than cause of political and social institutions. Few readers are likely to dispute this assertion. Yet the point is at moments overlooked.
Three Problems with the New Product Liability
Authors: Stapleton Jane
Published: November 2023

In Accidents, Compensation and the Law, Patrick Atiyah wrote: ‘All the disabled are entitled to equal sympathy and equal support from the State and ad hoc treatment of special groups can only lead to the abandonment of all rationality in policy.,1 It was a double-barrelled broadside directed at the then-present system of compensation for personal injuries, both calling for government organization of compensation rather than the existing plethora of systems, and attacking tactics which, on no principled grounds, elevated certain subgroups of the disabled by granting them preferential treatment in either public or private law compensation systems. So withering were the attacks made by Atiyah and others on the systems of personal-injuries compensation that its comprehensive reform by government was widely thought proper and almost inevitable. For a number of reasons this was not to be. The principal subsequent legal reform in the area is Part 1 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987, the domestic adoption of the European Community’s 1985 Directive on Product Liability (‘the Directive’), which provides for a new, additional remedy for certain victims of injuries caused by certain products. This law offends both parts of Atiyah’s principle. First, in response to what were seen as unacceptable anomalies between the remedies of those in a contractual relationship with a member of the chain of commercial manufacture and supply of products and those not in such a relationship, it gave a new remedy to both these subgroups of personal-injuries victims, and in so doing simply shifted the location of the anomaly without a convincing justification. Secondly, the law offends the principle because it probably pre-empts comprehensive reorganization of personal-injury compensation by a reformist UK government. This discussion focuses on these and the other, more well-known, problem of the Directive, that of claims for defective design.
Regulation (Ec) 1383/2003
Authors: Schneider Marius , Vrins Olivier
Published: November 2023

Before we study in detail the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) 1383/2003 of 22 July 2003 concerning customs action against goods suspected of infringing certain intellectual property rights, and the measures to be taken against goods found to have infringed such rights(hereafter referred to as ‘the Regulation’) in the substantive sections of this book, we will look at the aims and objectives of the Regulation (section A), and the historical background of border measures in the European Community (section B).
Austria
Authors: Sonn Helmut
Published: November 2023

Prior to the entry into force of EC Regulation 1383/2003(‘the Regulation’), Austria had already adopted a law on counterfeiting.It was based on the second generation Regulation 3295/94,as amended in 1999.This old law already provided for the possibility of filing applications for action with customs. They were filed by a right-holder or his representative, and normally covered the whole trade mark and (if applicable) design portfolio valid in Austria of the respective right-holder.
Belgium
Authors: Vrins Olivier , Schneider Marius
Published: November 2023

Belgium is one of the founder members of the European Communities. The first Community Regulation on border measures 3842/86/EEC entered into force in the Kingdom on 1 January 1988. However, the system of border measures in Regulation 3842/86/EEC was hardly applied in Belgium, as the national legislator failed to appoint the competent authority within the meaning of Article 3 of this Regulation. As there was no designated authority for processing applications for border measures, the system was paralysed, with the exception of a few actions taken by particularly active public prosecutors.
Czech Republic
Authors: Korejzova Petra
Published: November 2023

Prior to the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union on 1 May 2004, border measures applied by customs in the field of intellectual property were governed by the ‘Act on importation, exportation, and re-exportation of goods infringing certain intellectual property rights’ (Act on Custom Actions),which was already in accordance with European legal standards as laid down in Council Regulation 3295/94and Commission Regulation 1367/95.
Slovenia
Authors: Maček Gregor , Bukovnik Andrej
Published: November 2023

Prior to Slovenia’s entry into the European Union on 1 May 2004, border measures were regulated by the Customs Codeand the Law on Customs Measures Relating to Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.Both pieces of legislation were in line with the acquis communautaire on border measures, and the Slovenian customs authorities enforced them effectively.
Spain
Authors: Larramendi Luis H , Elzaburu Ignacio Diez de Rivera
Published: November 2023

Spain joined the European Community in 1986 and applied the system of border measures set out by the European legislator since the entry into force of Community Regulation No 3842/86 on 1 January 1988.The border measures system in Spainhas from the very beginning been applied directly from EC Regulations 3842/86 and 3295/94.Border measures were applied timidly at first but the number of applications for action and effective actions by Spanish Customs and the efficacy of the Spanish customs authorities has gradually increased.
United Kingdom
Authors: Firth Alison , Phillips Jeremy
Published: November 2023

The United Kingdom has a long history of national measures to discourage the entry of infringing goods from abroad. Clarkcites an Act for General Regulation of Customs as long ago as 1845. The United Kingdom was a founder member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of 1883. Since the Convention’s entry into force on 7 July 1884, therefore, the United Kingdom has had an international obligation to provide for seizure of imports bearing protected marks.
Evolution of the thermostability of actin-depolymerizing factors enhances the adaptation of pollen germination to high temperature
Authors: Qian Dong , Li Tian , Chen Shuyuan , Wan Dongshi , He Yongxing , Zheng Chen , Li Jiajing , Sun Zhenping , Li Jiejie , Sun Junxia , Niu Yingzhi , Li Hongxia , Wang Muxuan , Niu Yue , Yang Yang , An Lizhe , Xiang Yun
Published: November 2023

Double fertilization in many flowering plants (angiosperms) often occurs during the hot summer season, but the mechanisms that enable angiosperms to adapt specifically to high temperatures are largely unknown. The actin cytoskeleton is essential for pollen germination and the polarized growth of pollen tubes, yet how this process responds to high temperatures remains unclear. Here, we reveal that the high thermal stability of 11 Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) actin-depolymerizing factors (ADFs) is significantly different: ADFs that specifically accumulate in tip-growing cells (pollen and root hairs) exhibit high thermal stability. Through ancestral protein reconstruction, we found that subclass II ADFs (expressed specifically in pollen) have undergone a dynamic wave-like evolution of the retention, loss, and regeneration of thermostable sites. Additionally, the sites of AtADF7 with high thermal stability are conserved in ADFs specific to angiosperm pollen. Moreover, the high thermal stability of ADFs is required to regulate actin dynamics and turnover at high temperatures to promote pollen germination. Collectively, these findings suggest strategies for the adaptation of sexual reproduction to high temperature in angiosperms at the cell biology level.
A missing jigsaw within the hygiene hypothesis: Low-dose bisphenol A exposure attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced asthma protection
Authors: Wang Mengjing , Qu Jing , Yang Junjie , Zhang Tian , Tan Wei Ren , Liao Shumin , Chen Xing , Liu Yingzi , Long Xiang , Li Xue , Xia Yun , Tan Nguan Soon , Li Liang , Fang Mingliang
Published: November 2023

The rising occurrence of allergic asthma in early life across industrialized countries suggests that environmental factors play a crucial role in determining asthma susceptibility and severity. While prior exposure to microbial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) has been found to offer protection against allergic asthma, infants residing in urban environments are increasingly exposed to environmental pollutants. Utilizing limulus lysate test screens and virtual screening models, we identified pollutants that can modulate LPS bioactivity. This investigation revealed that bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical commonly used in numerous household items and previously implicated in obesity and cancer, effectively neutralizes LPS. In-depth mechanistic analyses showed that BPA specifically binds to the lipid A component of LPS, leading to inactivation. This interaction eliminates the immunostimulatory activity of LPS, making mice more susceptible to house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic asthma. BPA reactivates lung epithelial cells, consequently amplifying type 2 responses to HDMs in dendritic cells. This chemical interplay provides new insights into the pathophysiology of asthma in relation to human exposure. Understanding the intricate relationships between environmental chemicals and microbial antigens, as well as their impacts on innate immunity, is critical for the development of intervention strategies to address immune disorders resulting from urbanization.
Aberrant mitochondrial dynamics contributes to diaphragmatic weakness induced by mechanical ventilation
Authors: Dridi Haikel , Yehya Marc , Barsotti Robert , Liu Yang , Reiken Steven , Azria Lan , Yuan Qi , Bahlouli Laith , Soni Rajesh Kumar , Marks Andrew R , Lacampagne Alain , Matecki Stefan
Published: November 2023

In critical care patients, the “”temporary inactivity of the diaphragm caused by mechanical ventilation (MV) triggers a series of events leading to diaphragmatic dysfunction and atrophy, commonly known as ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD). While mitochondrial dysfunction related to oxidative stress is recognized as a crucial factor in VIDD, the exact molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we observe that 6 h of MV triggers aberrant mitochondrial dynamics, resulting in a reduction in mitochondrial size and interaction, associated with increased expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1). This effect can be prevented by P110, a molecule that inhibits the recruitment of DRP1 to the mitochondrial membrane. Furthermore, isolated mitochondria from the diaphragms of ventilated patients exhibited increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These mitochondrial changes were associated with the rapid oxidation of type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1) and a decrease in the stabilizing subunit calstabin 1. Subsequently, we observed that the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the ventilated diaphragms showed increased calcium leakage and reduced contractile function. Importantly, the mitochondrial fission inhibitor P110 effectively prevented all of these alterations. Taken together, the results of our study illustrate that MV leads, in the diaphragm, to both mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction, linked to the up-/down-regulation of 320 proteins, as assessed through global comprehensive quantitative proteomics analysis, primarily associated with mitochondrial function. These outcomes underscore the significance of developing compounds aimed at modulating the balance between mitochondrial fission and fusion as potential interventions to mitigate VIDD in human patients.
Re-thinking learning and development and well-being in the policing of rape: Insights from a rapid review of comparable public-service occupations
Authors: Rawdin Clare
Published: November 2023

Research within Operation Soteria Bluestone (OSB) has highlighted a number of challenges within learning and development for officers who investigate rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO). Moreover, one neglected area has been the relationship between learning and development and officer well-being. This article is based on a rapid review of 3,673 English-language titles that aimed to examine ‘best practice’ learning and development in the RASSO field. Using a combination of electronic and hand-searching methods, 52 titles were identified and subject to a full-text review. Three broad themes were identified and highlight the importance of: (1) considering which specialist knowledge and skills to develop; (2) encouraging active and reflective learners; and (3) measuring the impact of learning and development. The findings suggest there is much to learn from comparable, public-service occupations which can usefully inform and shape the re-design of certain elements of specialist RASSO training.