bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auditory dyadic interactions through the ‘eye’ of the social brain: How visual is the posterior STS interaction region?
Authors: Landsiedel Julia , Koldewyn Kami
Published: March 2023

Human interactions contain potent social cues that not only meet the eye but also the ear. Although research has identified a region in the posterior superior temporal sulcus as being particularly sensitive to visually presented social interactions (SI-pSTS), its response to auditory interactions has not been tested. Here, we used fMRI to explore brain response to auditory interactions, with a focus on temporal regions known to be important in auditory processing and social interaction perception. In Experiment 1, monolingual participants listened to two-speaker conversations (intact or sentence-scrambled) and one-speaker narrations in both a known and unknown language. Speaker number and conversational coherence were explored in separately localised regions-of-interest (ROI). In Experiment 2, bilingual participants were scanned to explore the role of language comprehension. Combining univariate and multivariate analyses, we found initial evidence for a heteromodal response to social interactions in SI-pSTS. Specifically, right SI-pSTS preferred auditory interactions over control stimuli and represented information about both speaker number and interactive coherence. Bilateral temporal voice areas (TVA) showed a similar, but less specific, profile. Exploratory analyses identified another auditory-interaction sensitive area in anterior STS. Indeed, direct comparison suggests modality specific tuning, with SI-pSTS preferring visual information while aSTS prefers auditory information. Altogether, these results suggest that right SI-pSTS is a heteromodal region that represents information about social interactions in both visual and auditory domains. Future work is needed to clarify the roles of TVA and aSTS in auditory interaction perception and further probe right SI-pSTS interaction-selectivity using non-semantic prosodic cues.

Highlights

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Novel work investigating social interaction perception in the auditory domain.

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Visually defined SI-pSTS shows a heteromodal response profile to interactions.

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Yet, it prefers visual to auditory stimuli. The reverse was found for anterior STS.

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Temporal voice areas show qualitatively different response compared to SI-pSTS.

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Future studies are needed to corroborate the unique role of right SI-pSTS.
GSE1 links the HDAC1/CoREST co-repressor complex to DNA damage
Authors: Vcelkova Terezia , Reiter Wolfgang , Zylka Martha , Hollenstein David M. , Schuckert Stefan , Hartl Markus , Seiser Christian
Published: March 2023

Post-translational modifications of histones are important regulators of the DNA damage response (DDR). By using affinity purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) we discovered that genetic suppressor element 1 (GSE1) forms a complex with the HDAC1/CoREST deacetylase/demethylase co-repressor complex. In-depth phosphorylome analysis revealed that loss of GSE1 results in impaired DDR, ATR signalling and γH2AX formation upon DNA damage induction. Altered profiles of ATR target serine-glutamine motifs (SQ) on DDR-related hallmark proteins point to a defect in DNA damage sensing. In addition, GSE1 knock-out cells showed hampered DNA damage-induced phosphorylation on SQ motifs of regulators of histone post-translational modifications, suggesting altered histone modification. While loss of GSE1 does not affect the histone deacetylation activity of CoREST, GSE1 appears to be essential for binding of the deubiquitinase USP22 to CoREST and for the deubiquitination of H2B K120 in response to DNA damage. The combination of deacetylase, demethylase, and deubiquitinase activity makes the USP22-GSE1-CoREST subcomplex a multi enzymatic eraser that seems to play an important role during DDR. Since GSE1 has been previously associated with cancer progression and survival our findings are potentially of high medical relevance.
An oral cholera vaccine in the prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Meunier Marine , Spillmann Adrian , Rousseaux Christel , Schwamborn Klaus , Hanson Melissa
Published: March 2023

The oral cholera vaccine WC-rBS consists of 4 different inactivated strains ofVibrio cholerae(LPS source) admixed with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit. Because of its unique composition and anti-inflammatory properties reported for both CTB and low doses of LPS from other Gram-negative bacteria, we speculated that WC-rBS might have anti-inflammatory potential in a chronic autoimmune disease such as inflammatory bowel diseases. Firstin vitroendotoxin tolerance experiments showed the surprising WC-rBS potential in the modulation of inflammatory responses on both PBMCs and THP1 cells. WC-rBS was further evaluated in the Dextran Sodium Sulfate colitis mouse model. Administrated orally at different dosages, WC-rBS vaccine was safe and showed immunomodulatory properties when administered in a preventive mode (before and during the induction of DSS colitis) as well as in a curative mode (after colitis induction); with improvement of disease activity index (from 27 to 73%) and histological score (from 65 to 88%). Interestingly, the highest therapeutic effect of WC-rBS vaccine was observed with the lowest dosage, showing even better anti-inflammatory properties than mesalamine; an approved 5-aminosalicylic acid drug for treating IBD patients. In summary, this is the first time that a prophylactic medicine, safe and approved for prevention of an infectious disease, showed a benefit in an inflammatory bowel disease model, potentially offering a novel therapeutic modality for IBD patients.
The fission yeast cytokinetic ring component Fic1 promotes septum formation
Authors: Rossi Anthony M. , Bohnert K. Adam , Gould Kathleen L.
Published: March 2023

InSchizosaccharomyces pombeseptum formation is coordinated with cytokinetic ring constriction but the mechanisms linking these events are unclear. In this study, we explored the role of the cytokinetic ring component Fic1, first identified by its interaction with the F-BAR protein Cdc15, in septum formation. We found that thefic1phospho-ablating mutant,fic1-2A, is a gain-of-function allele that suppressesmyo2-E1, the temperature-sensitive allele of the essential type-II myosin,myo2. This suppression is achieved by the promotion of septum formation and required Fic1’s interaction with the F-BAR proteins Cdc15 and Imp2. Additionally, we found that Fic1 interacts with Cyk3 and that this interaction was likewise required for Fic1’s role in septum formation. Fic1, Cdc15, Imp2, and Cyk3 are the orthologs of theSaccharomyces cerevisiaeingression progression complex, which stimulates the chitin synthase Chs2 to promote primary septum formation. However, our findings indicate that Fic1 promotes septum formation and cell abscission independently of theS. pombeChs2 ortholog. Thus, while similar complexes exist in the two yeasts that each promote septation, they appear to have different downstream effectors.

Summary Statement

TheS. pombecytokinetic ring protein Fic1 promotes septum formation in a manner dependent on interactions with the cytokinetic ring components Cdc15, Imp2, and Cyk3.
Overexpression of IκBα modulates NF-κB activation of inflammatory target gene expression
Authors: Downton Polly , Bagnall James S , England Hazel , Spiller David G , Humphreys Neil , Jackson Dean A , Paszek Pawel , White Michael R H , Adamson Antony D
Published: March 2023

Cells respond to inflammatory stimuli such as cytokines by activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling pathway, resulting in oscillatory translocation of the transcription factor p65 between nucleus and cytoplasm to mediate immune response. We investigate the relationship between p65 and inhibitor-κBα (IκBα) protein levels and dynamic properties of the system, and how this interaction impacts on the expression of key inflammatory genes. Using bacterial artificial chromosomes, we developed new cell models of IκBα-eGFP protein overexpression in a native genomic context. We find that cells with high levels of the negative regulator IκBα remain responsive to inflammatory stimuli and maintain dynamics for both p65 and IκBα. In contrast, canonical target gene expression is dramatically reduced by overexpression of IκBα, but can be partially rescued by overexpression of p65. Treatment with leptomycin B to promote nuclear accumulation of IκBα also suppresses canonical target gene expression, suggesting a mechanism in which nuclear IκBα accumulation prevents productive p65 interaction with promoter binding sites. This causes reduced target promoter binding and gene transcription, which we validate by chromatin immune precipitation and in primary cells. Overall, we show how inflammatory gene transcription is modulated by the expression levels of both IκBα and p65, and that transcription can be partially decoupled from p65 protein dynamics. This results in an anti-inflammatory effect on transcription, demonstrating a broad mechanism to modulate the strength of inflammatory response.
HEATR5B associates with dynein-dynactin and selectively promotes motility of AP1-bound endosomal membranes
Authors: Madan Vanesa , Albacete Lucas Albacete , Jin Li , Scaturro Pietro , Watson Joseph L. , Muschalik Nadine , Begum Farida , Boulanger Jérôme , Bauer Karl , Kiebler Michael A. , Derivery Emmanuel , Bullock Simon L.
Published: March 2023

The dynein motor complex mediates polarised trafficking of a wide variety of organelles, intracellular vesicles and macromolecules. These functions are dependent on the dynactin complex, which helps recruit cargoes to dynein’s tail region and activates motor movement. How dynein and dynactin orchestrate trafficking of diverse cargoes is unclear. Here, we identify HEATR5B, an interactor of the AP1 clathrin adaptor complex, as a novel player in dynein-dynactin function. HEATR5B is one of several proteins recovered in a biochemical screen for proteins whose association with the human dynein tail complex is augmented by dynactin. We show that HEATR5B binds directly to the dynein tail and dynactin and stimulates motility of AP1-associated endosomal membranes in human cells. We also demonstrate that the HEATR5B homologue inDrosophilais an essential gene that promotes dynein-based transport of AP1-bound membranes to the Golgi apparatus. As HEATR5B lacks the coiled-coil architecture typical of dynein adaptors, our data point to a non-canonical process orchestrating motor function on a specific cargo. We additionally show that HEATR5B promotes association of AP1 with endosomal membranes in a dynein-independent manner. Thus, HEATR5B co-ordinates multiple events in AP1-based trafficking.
Classification of perovskite structural types with dynamical octahedral tilting
Authors: Adams Donat J. , Churakov Sergey V.
Published: March 2023

Perovskites ABX
3 with delocalized positions of the X atoms represent a distinct class of dynamically distorted structures with peculiar structural relations and physical properties. The delocalization originates from atoms crossing shallow barriers of the potential energy surface. Quantum mechanically, they can be treated similar to light atoms in diffusive states. Many of these perovskite structures are widely used functional materials thanks to their particular physical properties, such as superconductivity, ferroelectricity and photo-activity. A number of these properties are related to static or dynamic motion of octahedral units. Yet, a full understanding of the relationships between perovskite crystal structure, chemical bonding and physical properties is currently missing. Several studies indicate the existence of dynamic disorder generated by anharmonic motion of octahedral units, e.g. in halide perovskite structures. To simplify structural analysis of such systems we derive a set of space groups for simple perovskites ABX
3 with dynamical octahedral tilting. The derived space groups extend the well established space group tables for static tiltings by Glazer [Acta Cryst. B (1972). 28, 3384–3392], Aleksandrov [Ferroelectrics (1976). 24, 801–805] and Howard & Stokes [Acta Cryst. B (1998). 54, 782–789]. Ubiquity of dynamical tilting is demonstrated by an analysis of the structural data for perovskites reported in recent scientific publications and the signature of dynamic tilting in the corresponding structures is discussed, which can be summarized as follows: (a) volume increase upon a lowering of temperature, (b) apparent distortion of octahedra (where Jahn–Teller distortions can be ruled out), (c) mismatch between observed instantaneous symmetry and average symmetry, (d) deviation of the experimental space group from the theoretically predicted structures for static tilting, (e) inconsistency of lattice parameters with those suggested by the theory of static tilts, and (f) large displacement parameters for atoms at the X and B sites. Finally, the possible influence of dynamic disorder on the physical properties of halide perovskites is discussed.
Structural and functional characterization of a multi-domain GH92 α-1,2-mannosidase from Neobacillus novalis
Authors: Kołaczkowski Bartłomiej M. , Moroz Olga V. , Blagova Elena , Davies Gideon J. , Møller Marie Sofie , Meyer Anne S. , Westh Peter , Jensen Kenneth , Wilson Keith S. , Krogh Kristian B. R. M.
Published: March 2023

Many secreted eukaryotic proteins are N-glycosylated with oligosaccharides composed of a high-mannose N-glycan core and, in the specific case of yeast cell-wall proteins, an extended α-1,6-mannan backbone carrying a number of α-1,2- and α-1,3-mannose substituents of varying lengths. α-Mannosidases from CAZy family GH92 release terminal mannose residues from these N-glycans, providing access for the α-endomannanases, which then degrade the α-mannan backbone. Most characterized GH92 α-mannosidases consist of a single catalytic domain, while a few have extra domains including putative carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). To date, neither the function nor the structure of a multi-domain GH92 α-mannosidase CBM has been characterized. Here, the biochemical investigation and crystal structure of the full-length five-domain GH92 α-1,2-mannosidase from Neobacillus novalis (NnGH92) with mannoimidazole bound in the active site and an additional mannoimidazole bound to the N-terminal CBM32 are reported. The structure of the catalytic domain is very similar to that reported for the GH92 α-mannosidase Bt3990 from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, with the substrate-binding site being highly conserved. The function of the CBM32s and other NnGH92 domains was investigated by their sequential deletion and suggested that whilst their binding to the catalytic domain was crucial for the overall structural integrity of the enzyme, they appear to have little impact on the binding affinity to the yeast α-mannan substrate. These new findings provide a better understanding of how to select and optimize other multi-domain bacterial GH92 α-mannosidases for the degradation of yeast α-mannan or mannose-rich glycans.
Investigating sustainable consumption behaviors: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Vergura Donata Tania , Zerbini Cristina , Luceri Beatrice , Palladino Rosa
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The research carried out a bibliometric analysis of the literature on environmental sustainability from a demand perspective by analyzing the scientific contributions published in the last twenty years.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis was carried out to outline the scientific studies development, identifying the most discussed topics and those that would require future research. In total, 274 articles published between 1999 and 2021 were collected through the Web of Science database and analyzed with the SciMAT software.

Findings

By systematizing the literature results, the study revealed a steady growth in the number of publications and in the research areas, highlighting a substantial evolution of the research topic.

Research limitations/implications

The study contribute for conceptual, methodological and thematic development of the topic, systematizing the results of existing studies and providing useful indications for the promotion of sustainable consumer habits.

Originality/value

The study attempts to bridge the gap in current literature by offering a holistic view on the role of consumer behavior in pursuing sustainability goals, identifying both the most treated areas and the emerging ones that can represent opportunities for future research.
Post-disaster research: challenges and opportunities conversation on disasters: deconstructed on 11th of June 2021
Authors: Beaven Sarah , Benouar Djillali , Bhatt Mihir , Gibson Terry , Peek Lori
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This conversation presents the reflections from five prominent disaster scholars and practitioners on the opportunities and challenges associated with research following disasters and explores the importance of ethics in disaster research.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on the conversations that took place on Disasters: Deconstructed Podcast livestream on the 11th of June 2021.

Findings

The prominent themes in this conversation include ethical approaches to research, how we–as disaster researchers and practitioners–collaborate, engage, and cooperate, and whose voices are centred in a post-disaster research context.

Originality/value

The conversation contributes to ongoing discussions around the conduct and practice of disaster research.
Embedding the marketing angle into the pursuit of entrepreneurial propensity: roles of perceived feasibility and desirability and stakeholders' support
Authors: Kariv Dafna , Krueger Norris , Cisneros Luis , Kashy-Rosenbaum Gavriella
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study endeavors to decode the propensity for entrepreneurial action by addressing the perceptions of feasibility and desirability stemming from entrepreneurs' and non-entrepreneurs’ appraisal of holding marketing capabilities; complemented by the direct and indirect effects of market stakeholders' support, assessed as bridging or buffering the entrepreneurial action.

Design/methodology/approach

Three groups were formed from a random sample of 1,957 Canadian (from Quebec) respondents to an online questionnaire: non-entrepreneurs with low entrepreneurial intentions, non-entrepreneurs with high entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurs with high entrepreneurial intentions.

Findings

The analyses revealed salient effects of perceptions of feasibility and desirability, coupled with appraisals of possessing marketing capabilities, on entrepreneurial propensity; and their strengthened relations when obtaining stakeholders' support. Overall, the results suggest that perceived market feasibility and market desirability are prominent factors in differentiating between entrepreneurial and non-entrepreneurial action, and the type and function of stakeholders' support are prominent in differentiating between intentions.

Practical implications

Practical implications include facilitating the transmission of marketing knowledge to novice entrepreneurs through higher education and the ecosystem.

Originality/value

The authors show that perceptions of feasibility and desirability are particularly dependent on the entrepreneur's perceived marketing capabilities and perceptions of entrepreneurial ecosystem supportiveness. This study thus captures a fuller range of the intentions–action relationship by gauging the unidimensional approach to entrepreneurial action through intertwining attributes at the individual and market levels. It takes a new look at feasibility and desirability through marketing capabilities; and offers a more robust classification of stakeholders' support—institution/people, bridging/buffering. Practical implications include facilitating the transmission of marketing knowledge to novice entrepreneurs through higher education and the ecosystem.
Managers’ development environments: an integrative literature review
Authors: Reineholm Cathrine , Lundqvist Daniel , Wallo Andreas
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess previous research on conditions for managers’ learning and development in daily work practices and how such conditions may influence their sustainability and also to propose a concept and a heuristic model that reconceptualizes and expands on the theoretical foundations generated in previous studies of managers’ learning and development at work.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on an integrative literature review. The literature search identified 1,403 unique studies. Nine qualitative and seven quantitative studies met the relevance and quality criteria and were included in the review.

Findings

The results of the review found associations between managers’ learning conditions, career opportunities, individual engagement and sustainability. However, the small amount of empirical data used in the reviewed studies and the cross-sectional design of the studies make it difficult to establish the nature of the relationship between different variables.

Practical implications

The results of this paper show that managers need to care for and take advantage of opportunities for their own development and not only function as creators of their employees’ development. Employers should keep in mind that the development environment includes managers and employees.

Originality/value

This paper contributes with an original concept of managers’ development environments and a conceptual model that integrates theory with results from the included studies. Based on the model, propositions that may serve as an agenda for future research are formulated.
Exploring the use of dual-processing in commercial property development decision-making under conditions of risk and uncertainty
Authors: Robson Simon , Greenhalgh Paul
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Commercial property development builds floor space in anticipation of potential, but unknown, future demand, making it particularly prone to risk and uncertainty. The research explores the degree to which property developer decision-making is objective and rational and the degree to which it relies on behavioural instincts and intuition. Decision-making theory, including heuristics, is considered and its prevalence in the field of commercial property development is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A “dual-processing” decision-making model, comprising intuitive System 1 and objective System 2 processing, is proposed and tested. Inductive research using template analysis of interviews, with “high status” commercial property developers, explored whether the model offers an accurate representation of developers' behaviour and effective lens through which to examine decisions made under conditions of risk and uncertainty.

Findings

Participants believed they adopted objective and rational approaches to complex commercial property development decisions. Analysis of interviews reveals that System 1 heuristics and intuition play significant roles in decision-making behaviour, leading to potential bias and systematic error. The research concludes that the dual-processing model provides a useful lens through which to better understand the decision-making approach adopted by commercial property developers.

Originality/value

The research represents the rare application of behavioural theory to the realm of commercial property development and provides new and original insight as to how important investment decisions are made under conditions of risk and uncertainty, with implications for professional practice.
Disgust in animals and the application of disease avoidance to wildlife management and conservation
Authors: Sarabian Cécile , Wilkinson Anna , Sigaud Marie , Kano Fumihiro , Tobajas Jorge , Darmaillacq Anne‐Sophie , Kalema‐Zikusoka Gladys , Plotnik Joshua M. , MacIntosh Andrew J. J.
Published: March 2023

Disgust is an adaptive system hypothesized to have evolved to reduce the risk of becoming sick. It is associated with behavioural, cognitive and physiological responses tuned to allow animals to avoid and/or get rid of parasites, pathogens and toxins.

Little is known about the mechanisms and outcomes of disease avoidance in wild animals. Furthermore, given the escalation of negative human‐wildlife interactions, the translation of such knowledge into the design of evolutionarily relevant conservation and wildlife management strategies is becoming urgent.

Contemporary methods in animal ecology and related fields, using direct (sensory cues) or indirect (remote sensing technologies and machine learning) means, provide a flexible toolbox for testing and applying disgust at individual and collective levels.

In this review/perspective paper, we provide an empirical framework for testing the adaptive function of disgust and its associated disease avoidance behaviours across species, from the least to the most social, in different habitats. We predict various trade‐offs to be at play depending on the social system and ecology of the species.

We propose five contexts in which disgust‐related avoidance behaviours could be applied, including endangered species rehabilitation, invasive species, crop‐raiding, urban pests and animal tourism.

We highlight some of the perspectives and current challenges of testing disgust in the wild. In particular, we recommend future studies to consider together disease, predation and competition risks. We discuss the ethics associated with disgust experiments in the above contexts. Finally, we promote the creation of a database gathering disease avoidance evidence in animals and its applications.
Eukaryotes contribute more than bacteria to the recovery of freshwater ecosystem functions under different drought durations
Authors: Li Chaoran , Miao Lingzhan , Adyel Tanveer M. , Huang Wei , Wang Jianjun , Wu Jun , Hou Jun , Wang Zhiyuan
Published: March 2023

Global climate change mostly impacts river ecosystems by affecting microbial biodiversity and ecological functions. Considering the high functional redundancy of microorganisms, the unknown relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functions obstructs river ecological research, especially under the influence of increasing weather extremes, such as in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES). Herein, dry–wet alternation experiments were conducted in artificial stream channels for 25 and 90 days of drought, both followed by 20 days of rewetting. The dynamic recovery of microbial biodiversity and ecosystem functions (represented by ecosystem metabolism and denitrification rate) were determined to analyse biodiversity–ecosystem–function (BEF) relationships after different drought durations. There was a significant difference between bacterial and eukaryotic biodiversity recovery after drought. Eukaryotic biodiversity was more sensitive to drought duration than bacterial, and the eukaryotic network was more stable under dry–wet alternations. Based on the establishment of partial least squares path models, we found that eukaryotic biodiversity has a stronger effect on ecosystem functions than bacteria after long‐term drought. Indeed, this work represents a significant step forward for further research on the ecosystem functions of IRES, especially emphasizing the importance of eukaryotic biodiversity in the BEF relationship.
Bacterial community assembly and antibiotic resistance genes in soils exposed to antibiotics at environmentally relevant concentrations
Authors: Chen Zeyou , Zhang Wei , Peng Anping , Shen Yike , Jin Xin , Stedtfeld Robert D. , Boyd Stephen A. , Teppen Brian J. , Tiedje James M. , Gu Cheng , Zhu Dongqiang , Luo Yi , Li Hui
Published: March 2023

Understanding how bacterial community assembly and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) respond to antibiotic exposure is essential to deciphering the ecological risk of anthropogenic antibiotic pollution in soils. In this study, three loam soils with different land management (unmanured golf course, dairy‐manured pasture, and swine‐manured cornfield) were spiked with a mixture of 11 antibiotics at the initial concentration of 100 and 1000 μg kg−1 for each antibiotic and incubated over 132 days, mimicking a scenario of pulse disturbance and recovery in soils, with unspiked soil samples as the control treatment. The Infer Community Assembly Mechanisms by Phylogenetic‐bin‐based null model (iCAMP) analysis demonstrated that drift and dispersal limitation contributed to 57%–65% and 16%–25%, and homogeneous selection 12%–16% of soil bacterial community assembly. Interestingly, antibiotic exposure to 1000 μg kg−1 level significantly increased the contribution of drift to community assembly, largely due to the positive response from Acidobacteria‐6 in the golf course and pasture soils and from Chthoniobacteraceae in the cornfield soil to the antibiotic exposure. However, ARG abundance and diversity in the three soils exhibited antibiotics‐independent temporal fluctuations, but were associated with the changes in soil bacterial communities over time. This study provides the first insight into the relative contributions of different bacterial community assembly processes in soils upon antibiotic exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Applications of imaging systems for the assessment of quality characteristics of bread and other baked goods: A review
Authors: Olakanmi Sunday J. , Jayas Digvir S. , Paliwal Jitendra
Published: March 2023

One of the most widely researched topics in the food industry is bread quality analysis. Different techniques have been developed to assess the quality characteristics of bakery products. However, in the last few decades, the advancement in sensor and computational technologies has increased the use of computer vision to analyze food quality (e.g., bakery products). Despite a large number of publications on the application of imaging methods in the bakery industry, comprehensive reviews detailing the use of conventional analytical techniques and imaging methods for the quality analysis of baked goods are limited. Therefore, this review aims to critically analyze the conventional methods and explore the potential of imaging techniques for the quality assessment of baked products. This review provides an in‐depth assessment of the different conventional techniques used for the quality analysis of baked goods which include methods to record the physical characteristics of bread and analyze its quality, sensory‐based methods, nutritional‐based methods, and the use of dough rheological data for end‐product quality prediction. Furthermore, an overview of the image processing stages is presented herein. We also discuss, comprehensively, the applications of imaging techniques for assessing the quality of bread and other baked goods. These applications include studying and predicting baked goods' quality characteristics (color, texture, size, and shape) and classifying them based on these features. The limitations of both conventional techniques (e.g., destructive, laborious, error‐prone, and expensive) and imaging methods (e.g., illumination, humidity, and noise) and the future direction of the use of imaging methods for quality analysis of bakery products are discussed.
Methyl‐CpG binding domain (MBD)2/3 specifically recognizes and binds to the genomic mCpG site with a β‐sheet in the MBD to affect embryonic development in Bombyx mori
Authors: Fu Tong‐Yu , Ji Shuang‐Shun , Tian Yu‐Lin , Lin Yi‐Guang , Chen Yu‐Mei , Zhong Qi‐En , Zheng Si‐Chun , Xu Guan‐Feng
Published: March 2023

Methyl‐CpG (mCpG) binding domain (MBD) proteins especially bind with methylated DNA, and are involved in many important biological processes; however, the binding mechanism between insect MBD2/3 and mCpG remains unclear. In this study, we identified 2 isoforms of the MBD2/3 gene in Bombyx mori, MBD2/3‐S and MBD2/3‐L. Binding analysis of MBD2/3‐L, MBD2/3‐S, and 7 mutant MBD2/3‐L proteins deficient in β1−β6 or α1 in the MBD showed that β2−β3‐turns in the β‐sheet of the MBD are necessary for the formation of the MBD2/3–mCpG complex; furthermore, other secondary structures, namely, β4−β6 and an α‐helix, play a role in stabilizing the β‐sheet structure to ensure that the MBD is able to bind mCpG. In addition, sequence alignment and binding analyses of different insect MBD2/3s indicated that insect MBD2/3s have an intact and conserved MBD that binds to the mCpG of target genes. Furthermore, MBD2/3 RNA interference results showed that MBD2/3‐L plays a role in regulating B. mori embryonic development, similar to that of DNA methylation; however, MBD2/3‐S without β4−β6 and α‐helix does not alter embryonic development. These results suggest that MBD2/3‐L recognizes and binds to mCpG through the intact β‐sheet structure in its MBD, thus ensuring silkworm embryonic development.
Fabrication of a metal organic framework (MOF)‐modified Au nanoparticle array for sensitive and stable SERS sensing of paraquat in cereals
Authors: Chen Yumin , Zhu Linxuan , Yang Yuling , Wu Di , Zhang Yan , Cheng Weiwei , Tang Xiaozhi
Published: March 2023

A high‐performance Au@MIL‐101/PMMA/DT surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate was fabricated for sensitive and stable detection of paraquat by self‐assembling metal organic framework–modified Au nanoparticles (Au@MIL‐101) on a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film and then immobilizing the formed substrate onto a duct tape (DT). The highly closely packed Au@MIL‐101 array provided intensive hotspots for SERS sensing. The MIL‐101 layer modified on the surface of Au nanoparticles could absorb paraquat to the electromagnetic enhancement area of Au nanoparticles. The DT on the bottom made the substrate smoother, which is beneficial for achieving a more stable detection performance. As a result, the constructed substrate exhibited outstanding uniformity with relative standard deviations of 9.47% and storage stability for 2 months. For detecting paraquat, the substrate showed a low detection limit of 7.1 × 10−9 M (1.83 µg/kg) and wide linear range from 10−8 to 10−2 M. Furthermore, the substrate showed good detection performance in real cereal samples with desirable recovery rates from 91.57% to 102.32%.
Does induction of labor at 41 weeks (early, mid or late) improve birth outcomes in low‐risk pregnancy? A nationwide propensity score‐matched study
Authors: Ravelli Anita C. J. , van der Post Joris A. M. , de Groot Christianne J. M. , Abu‐Hanna Ameen , Eskes Martine
Published: March 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to assess whether induction of labor at 41 weeks of gestation improved perinatal outcomes in a low‐risk pregnancy compared with expectant management.

Material and methods

Registry‐based national cohort study in The Netherlands. The study population comprised 239 971 low‐risk singleton pregnancies from 2010 to 2019, with birth occurring from 41+0 to 42+0 weeks. We used propensity score matching to compare induction of labor in three 2‐day groups to expectant management, and further conducted separate analyses by parity. The main outcome measures were stillbirth, perinatal mortality, 5‐min Apgar <4 and <7, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions ≥24 h, and emergency cesarean section rate.

Results

Compared with expectant management, induction of labor at 41+0 to 41+1 weeks resulted in reduced stillbirths (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05–0.51) in both nulliparous and multiparous women. Induction of labor increased 5‐min Apgar score <7 (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.55) and NICU admissions ≥24 h (aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.53–2.92), particularly in nulliparous women, and increased the cesarean section rate (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.34–1.51). At 41+2–41+3 weeks, induction of labor reduced perinatal mortality (aOR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04–0.43) in both nulliparous and multiparous women. The rate of 5‐min Apgar score <7 was increased (aOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06–1.50), reaching significance in multiparous women. The cesarean section rate increased (aOR 1.57, 95% CI 1.48–1.67) in both nulliparous and multiparous women. Induction of labor at 41+4 to 41+5 weeks reduced stillbirths (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.10–0.93). Induction of labor increased rates of 5‐min Apgar score <4 (aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.01–2.56) and NICU admissions ≥24 h (aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.08–2.13) in nulliparous women. Cesarean section rate was increased (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.38–1.57) in nulliparous and multiparous women.

Conclusions

At 41+2 to 41+3 weeks, induction of labor reduced perinatal mortality, and in all 2‐day groups at 41 weeks, it reduced stillbirths, compared with expectant management. Low 5‐min Apgar score (<7 and <4) and NICU admissions ≥24 h occurred more often with induction of labor, especially in nulliparous women. Induction of labor in all 2‐day groups coincided with elevated cesarean section rates in nulliparous and multiparous women. These findings pertaining to the choice of induction of labor vs expectant management should be discussed when counseling women at 41 weeks of gestation.
Amygdalo‐nigral circuit mediates stress‐induced vulnerability to the parkinsonian toxin MPTP
Authors: Cai Hongwei , Zhang Pei , Li Tongxia , Li Ming , Zhang Lijun , Cui Chi , Lei Jie , Yang Jian , Ren Kun , Ming Jie , Tian Bo
Published: March 2023

Aims

The aim was to investigate the effect of mood disorders on parkinsonian toxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐induced motor disability, substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopaminergic (DA) neurons loss. Also, the neural circuit mechanism was elucidated.

Methods

The depression‐like (physical stress, PS) and anxiety‐like (emotional stress, ES) mouse models were established by the three‐chamber social defeat stress (SDS). The features of Parkinson's disease were reproduced by MPTP injection. Viral‐based whole‐brain mapping was utilized to resolve the stress‐induced global changes in direct inputs onto SNc DA neurons. Calcium imaging and chemogenetic techniques were applied to verify the function of the related neural pathway.

Results

We found that PS mice, but not ES mice, showed worse movement performance and more SNc DA neuronal loss than control mice after MPTP administration. The projection from the central amygdala (CeA) to the SNcDA was significantly increased in PS mice. The activity of SNc‐projected CeA neurons was enhanced in PS mice. Activating or inhibiting the CeA‐SNcDA pathway could mimic or block PS‐induced vulnerability to MPTP.

Conclusions

These results indicated that projections from CeA to SNc DA neurons contribute to SDS‐induced vulnerability to MPTP in mice.
Microglial cGAS drives neuroinflammation in the MPTP mouse models of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ma Chunmei , Liu Ying , Li Sheng , Ma Chanyuan , Huang Jiajia , Wen Shuang , Yang Shuo , Wang Bingwei
Published: March 2023

Background

Neuroinflammation has been widely accepted as a cause of the degenerative process. Increasing interest has been devoted to developing intervening therapeutics for preventing neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease (PD). It is well known that virus infections, including DNA viruses, are associated with an increased risk of PD. In addition, damaged or dying dopaminergic neurons can release dsDNA during PD progression. However, the role of cGAS, a cytosolic dsDNA sensor, in PD progression remains unclear.

Methods

Adult male wild‐type mice and age‐matched male cGAS knockout (cGas−/−) mice were treated with MPTP to induce neurotoxic PD model, and then behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA were conducted to compare disease phenotype. Chimeric mice were reconstituted to explore the effects of cGAS deficiency in peripheral immune cells or CNS resident cells on MPTP‐induced toxicity. RNA sequencing was used to dissect the mechanistic role of microglial cGAS in MPTP‐induced toxicity. cGAS inhibitor administration was conducted to study whether GAS may serve as a therapeutic target.

Results

We observed that the cGAS‐STING pathway was activated during neuroinflammation in MPTP mouse models of PD. cGAS deficiency in microglia, but not peripheral immune cells, controlled neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity induced by MPTP. Mechanistically, microglial cGAS ablation alleviated the neuronal dysfunction and inflammatory response in astrocytes and microglia by inhibiting antiviral inflammatory signaling. Additionally, the administration of cGAS inhibitors conferred the mice neuroprotection during MPTP exposure.

Conclusions

Collectively, these findings demonstrate microglial cGAS promote neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration during the progression of MPTP‐induced PD mouse models and suggest cGAS may serve as a therapeutic target for PD patients.

Limitations of the Study

Although we demonstrated that cGAS promotes the progression of MPTP‐induced PD, this study has limitations. We identified that cGAS in microglia accelerate disease progression of PD by using bone marrow chimeric experiments and analyzing cGAS expression in CNS cells, but evidence would be more straightforward if conditional knockout mice were used. This study contributed to the knowledge of the role of the cGAS pathway in PD pathogenesis; nevertheless, trying more PD animal models in the future will help us to understand the disease progression deeper and explore possible treatments.
Thymoma‐associated autoimmune encephalitis: Analysis of factors determining prognosis
Authors: Song Wenli , Li Keru , Li Jiao , Liu Xiaoni , Wu Xiaoke , Xu Xiaodong , Xiong Kangping , Chen Xiangjun , Zhang Yanlin
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a heterogeneous group of inflammatory central nervous system disorders caused by a misdirected immune response against self‐antigens expressed in the central nervous system. The thymus is a central organ in the immune system and thymic tumors are thought to be possible initiators of many neurological disorders. Recently, there is growing evidence that thymomas are associated with autoimmune encephalitis.

Aims

Our study initially explored the characteristics of patients with autoimmune encephalitis combined with thymoma.

Methods

We used patient data from January 1, 2011 to October 1, 2021 from the PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, and CNKI platforms to analyze overall demographics, frequency of symptoms and associations, and treatment prognosis outcomes.

Results

A total of 68 patients were included. There were 39 female cases (57.4%). The mean age was 50 years (IQR 40–66 years). All had acute and subacute onset. The clinical manifestations were mostly cognitive changes (70.6%), mental disorders (57.4%), and epilepsy (50.0%). The most common neuronal antibody was alpha‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities were present in 81.0% of patients, mostly in the hippocampus, temporal lobe, and some in cortical and subcortical areas. Abnormalities in the electroencephalogram (EEG) in 69.8% of patients. Treatment involved immunotherapy and thymoma treatment, with 79.7% of patients improving after treatment. While 20.3% of patients had a poor prognosis. Further, 14.8% of patients relapsed. Mental disorders, autonomic dysfunction, sleep disturbances, anti‐Ma2, and thymoma untreated were more frequent in patients with poor prognosis.

Conclusion

Thymoma‐associated autoimmune encephalitis is a unique disease entity. Long‐term follow‐up of chest CT findings is recommended for patients with autoimmune encephalitis.
Conserving urban biodiversity: Current practice, barriers, and enablers
Authors: Soanes Kylie , Taylor Lucy , Ramalho Cristina E. , Maller Cecily , Parris Kirsten , Bush Judy , Mata Luis , Williams Nicholas S. G. , Threlfall Caragh G.
Published: March 2023

Urban biodiversity conservation is critical if cities are to tackle the biodiversity‐extinction crisis and connect people with nature. However, little attention has been paid to how urban environmental managers navigate complex socio‐ecological contexts to conserve biodiversity in cities. We interviewed environmental managers from Australian cities to identify (1) the breadth of conservation actions undertaken and (2) the barriers and enablers to action. We found current practice to be more diverse, innovative, and proactive than previously described (318 actions across nine categories). Conversely, priority actions identified by the literature are yet to be “mainstream” in practice (e.g., designing for human–nature connection, securing space for nature in cities). Further, we identified a suite of levers to overcome barriers. Our research provides scientists and practitioners with an understanding of the multiple facets of conservation in cities and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in future research and practice.
Searching in the sand: Protracted video deficit in U.S. preschoolers' spatial recall using a continuous search space
Authors: Kirkorian Heather , Simmering Vanessa
Published: March 2023

Young children exhibit a video deficit for spatial recall, learning less from on‐screen than in‐person demonstrations. Some theoretical accounts emphasize memory constraints (e.g., insufficient retrieval cues, competition between memory representations). Such accounts imply memory representations are graded, yet video deficit studies measuring spatial recall operationalize memory retrieval as dichotomous (success or failure). The current study tested a graded‐representation account using a spatial recall task with a continuous search space (i.e., sandbox) rather than discrete locations. With this more sensitive task, a protracted video deficit for spatial recall was found in children 4–5 years old (n = 51). This may be due to weaker memory representations in the screen condition, evidenced by higher variability and greater perseverative bias. In general, perseverative bias decreased with repeated trials. The discussion considers how the results support a graded‐representation account, potentially explaining why children might exhibit a video deficit in some tasks but not others.

Research Highlights

The task used a continuous search space (sandbox), making it more difficult and sensitive than spatial recall tasks used in prior video deficit research.

Spatial recall among 4‐ and 5‐year‐old children was more variable after watching hiding events on screen via live video feed than through a window.

Children's spatial recall from screens was more susceptible to proactive interference, evidenced by more perseverative bias in an A‐not‐B design.

The results demonstrate memory representations blend experiences that accumulate over time and explain why the video deficit may be protracted for more difficult tasks.