bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell properties implicate Ca
2+
-homeostasis in clinical arrhythmia associated with combined heterozygous
RYR2
and
SCN10A
variants
Authors: Zhou Yafei , Huang Wenjun , Liu Leiying , Li Anmao , Jiang Congshan , Zhou Rui , Wang Jie , Tan Xiaoqiu , Huang Christopher L.-H. , Zhang Yanmin
Published: May 2023

We illustrate use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as platforms for investigating cardiomyocyte phenotypes in a human family pedigree exemplified by novel heterozygous RYR2-A1855D and SCN10A-Q1362H variants occurring alone and in combination. The proband, a four-month-old boy, presented with polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Genetic tests revealed double novel heterozygous RYR2-A1855D and SCN10A-Q1362H variants inherited from his father (F) and mother (M), respectively. His father showed ventricular premature beats; his mother was asymptomatic. Molecular biological characterizations demonstrated greater
TNNT2
messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the iPSCs-induced cardiomyocytes (iPS-CMs) than in the iPSCs. Cardiac troponin Ts became progressively organized but cytoplasmic RYR2 and SCN10A aggregations occurred in the iPS-CMs. Proband-specific iPS-CMs showed decreased
RYR2
and
SCN10A
mRNA expression. The RYR2-A1855D variant resulted in premature spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticular Ca
2+
transients, Ca
2+
oscillations and increased action potential durations. SCN10A-Q1362H did not confer any specific phenotype. However, the combined heterozygous RYR2-A1855D and SCN10A-Q1362H variants in the proband iPS-CMs resulted in accentuated Ca
2+
homeostasis disorders, action potential prolongation and susceptibility to early afterdepolarizations at high stimulus frequencies. These findings attribute the clinical phenotype in the proband to effects of the heterozygous
RYR2
variant exacerbated by heterozygous
SCN10A
modification.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The heartbeat: its molecular basis and physiological mechanisms’.
Targeting hypoxia-induced circSTT3A decreases breast cancer stem cell formation via degradation of PGK1 protein and serine synthesis
Authors: Xu Ming , Liu Manran , Zhou Xinyue , Qin Yilu , Yang Liping , Wen Siyang , Qiu Yuxiang , Jin Ting , Chen Shangchun , Tang Rui , Guo Yuetong , Sun Yan
Published: May 2023

Background

Hypoxia is a key feature of tumor microenvironment that can cause fundamental changes in cancer cells, and may also lead to the development of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) with self-renewal ability. However, the mechanism of hypoxia in inducing BCSCs is not fully understood.

Methods

Performing RNA sequence and bioinformatics analysis, a hypoxia specific circular RNA (circRNA), named circSTT3A, was identified in hypoxic breast cancer cells and tissues. The clinical significance of circSTT3A was investigated in breast cancer (BC) tissues and tissue array. The loss and acquisition of circSTT3A were carried out in vivo and in vitro to confirm its functional roles in BCSC stemness maintenance. HIF1α droved circSTT3A expression was evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase reporter assays. RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, silver staining detection, mass spectrographic analysis, co-immunoprecipitation assays and western blotting were exerted to determine circSTT3A directly binding with HSP70 and PGK1 proteins. CircSTT3A-mediated serine metabolism was determined by UHPLC-QTRAP-MS system and ELISA kit. BC mouse model was used to assess the effects of circSTT3A/Hsp70/PGK1 on tumorigenesis and chemotherapy resistance in vivo.

Results

A novel hypoxia specific circSTT3A was significantly upregulated in clinical breast cancer tissues, and was related to the clinical stage and poor prognosis of BC patients. The hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α)-regulated circSTT3A has remarkable effect on mammosphere formation in breast cancer cells. Our work revealed that circSTT3A directly interacting with nucleotide-binding domain of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) increases the ability of HSP70 to recruit phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) via its substrate-binding domain, which reduces the ubiquitination of PGK1 and increases the stability of PGK1. The enhanced PGK1 catalyzes 1,3-diphosphoglycerate (1, 3-BPG) into 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PG) leading to 3-PG accumulation and increase of serine synthesis, thus to facilitate BCSC enrichment under hypoxic microenvironment. Loss of circSTT3A or PGK1 substantially induces suppression in tumor initiation and tumor growth, which dramatically increases tumor sensitivity to Doxorubicin treatment in mice.

Conclusions

Hypoxia induced circSTT3A/HSP70/PGK1 axis plays a critical role in maintaining BCSC properties and may be meaningful for treating patients with breast cancer.
Exploring Ethylene-Related Genes inCannabis sativa: Implications for Sexual Plasticity
Authors: Monthony Adrian S. , de Ronne Maxime , Torkamaneh Davoud
Published: May 2023

Sexual plasticity is a phenomenon wherein organisms possess the ability to alter their phenotypic sex in response to environmental and physiological stimuli, without modifying their sex chromosomes.Cannabis sativaL., a medically valuable plant species, exhibits sexual plasticity when subjected to specific chemicals that influence ethylene biosynthesis and signaling. Nevertheless, the precise contribution of ethylene-related genes (ERGs) to sexual plasticity in cannabis remains unexplored. The current study employedArabidopsis thalianaL. as a model organism to conduct gene orthology analysis and reconstruct the Yang Cycle, ethylene biosynthesis, and ethylene signaling pathways inC. sativa. Additionally, two transcriptomic datasets comprising male, female, and chemically induced male flowers were examined to identify expression patterns in ERGs associated with sexual determination and sexual plasticity. These ERGs involved in sexual plasticity were categorized into two distinct expression patterns: floral organ concordant (FOC) and unique (uERG). Furthermore, a third expression pattern, termed karyotype concordant (KC) expression, was proposed, which plays a role in sex determination. The study revealed that CsERGs associated with sexual plasticity are dispersed throughout the genome and are not limited to the sex chromosomes, indicating a widespread regulation of sexual plasticity inC. sativa.

Key Message

Presented here are model Yang cycle, ethylene biosynthesis and signaling pathways inCannabis sativa.C. sativafloral transcriptomes were used to predict putative ethylene-related genes involved in sexual plasticity in the species.
Open-loop lab-on-a-chip technology enables remote computer science training in Latinx life sciences students
Authors: Sano Tyler , Sampad Mohammad Julker Neyen , Gonzalez-Ferrer Jesus , Hernandez Sebastian , Vera-Choqqueccota Samira , Vargas Paola A. , Urcuyo Roberto , Duran Natalia Montellano , Teodorescu Mircea , Haussler David , Schmidt Holger , Mostajo-Radji Mohammed A.
Published: May 2023

Despite many interventions, science education remains highly inequitable throughout the world. Among all life sciences fields, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology suffer from the strongest underrepresentation of racial and gender minorities. Internet-enabled project-based learning (PBL) has the potential to reach underserved communities and increase the diversity of the scientific workforce. Here, we demonstrate the use of lab-on-a-chip (LoC) technologies to train Latinx life science undergraduate students in concepts of computer programming by taking advantage of open-loop cloud-integrated LoCs. We developed a context-aware curriculum to train students at over 8,000 km from the experimental site. We showed that this approach was sufficient to develop programming skills and increase the interest of students in continuing careers in Bioinformatics. Altogether, we conclude that LoC-based Internet-enabled PBL can become a powerful tool to train Latinx students and increase the diversity in STEM.
Plant neopolyploidy and genetic background differentiates the microbiome of duckweed across a variety of natural freshwater sources
Authors: Anneberg Thomas J. , Turcotte Martin M. , Ashman Tia-Lynn
Published: May 2023

Whole genome duplication has long been appreciated for its role in driving phenotypic novelty in plants, often altering the way organisms interface with the abiotic environment. Only recently, however, have we begun to investigate how polyploidy influences interactions of plants with other species, despite the biotic niche being predicted as one of the main determinants of polyploid establishment. Nevertheless, we lack critical information about how polyploidy affects the diversity and composition of the microbial taxa that colonize plants, and whether this is genotype-dependent and repeatable across natural environments. This information is a critical first step toward understanding whether the microbiome contributes to polyploid establishment. We thus tested the immediate effect of polyploidy on the diversity and composition of the bacterial microbiome of the aquatic plantSpirodela polyrhizausing four pairs of diploids and synthetic autotetraploids. Under controlled conditions, axenic plants were inoculated with pond waters collected from 10 field sites across a broad environmental gradient. Autotetraploids hosted 4-11 % greater bacterial taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity than their diploid progenitors. Polyploidy, along with its interactions with the inoculum source and genetic lineage, collectively explained 7 % of the total variation in microbiome composition. Furthermore, polyploidy broadened the core microbiome, with autotetraploids having 15 unique bacterial taxa in addition to the 55 they shared with diploids. Our results show that whole genome duplication directly leads to novelty in plant microbiome and importantly, that the effect is dependent on the genetic ancestry of the polyploid and generalizable over many environmental contexts.
Stomatal closure in maize is mediated by subsidiary cells and the PAN2 receptor
Authors: Liu Le , Ashraf M. Arif , Morrow Taylor , Facette Michelle
Published: May 2023

Stomata are epidermal pores that facilitate plant gas exchange. Grasses have fast stomatal movements, likely due to their dumbbell-shaped guard cells and lateral subsidiary cells. Subsidiary cells reciprocally exchange water and ions with guard cells. However, the relative contribution of subsidiary cells during stomatal closure is unresolved. We compared stomatal gas exchange and stomatal aperture dynamics in wild type andpan1,pan2, andpan1;pan2 Zea mays (L.)(maize) mutants, which have varying percentages of aberrantly formed subsidiary cells. Stomata with 1 or 2 defective subsidiary cells cannot close properly, indicating that subsidiary cells are essential for stomatal function. Even though the percentage of aberrant stomata is similar inpan1andpan2, pan2showed a more severe defect in stomatal closure. Inpan1, only stomata with abnormal subsidiary cells fail to close normally. Inpan2, all stomata have stomatal closure defects, indicating that PAN2 has an additional role in stomatal closure. MaizePan2is orthologous to ArabidopsisGHR1,which is also required for stomatal closure. PAN2 acts downstream of Ca2+in maize to promote stomatal closure. This is in contrast to GHR1, which acts upstream of Ca2+, and suggests the pathways could be differently wired.
Meta-analysis of heat-stressed transcriptomes using the public gene expression database from human and mouse samples
Authors: Yonezawa Sora , Bono Hidemasa
Published: May 2023

Background

Climate change has significantly increased the frequency of exposure to heat, adversely affecting human health and various industrial sectors. Heat stress is an environmental stress defined as the exposure of organisms and cells to abnormally high temperatures. Heat-stress research has predominantly focused on response systems involving heat shock factors acting as transcription factors and heat shock proteins functioning as molecular chaperones. However, to comprehensively elucidate the mechanisms underlying an organism’s response to heat stress, it is essential to investigate and analyze genes that have been underrepresented, less well-known, or overlooked in previous studies. In this study, we analyzed heat stress-responsive genes using a meta-analysis of numerous gene expression datasets.

Results

First, we collected paired heat exposure and control data from public databases. Gene expression data were obtained for 322 human and 242 mouse pairs. The expression ratios (HN-ratios) of the collected pairs were calculated, and the identification of upregulated and downregulated expression profiles was determined according to defined thresholds. The number of upregulated and downregulated genes was calculated as the heat stress - non-treatment score (HN-score), which is the value of: [number of upregulated genes] - [number of downregulated genes] for each gene and was used as the index of analysis. The HN-score comprehensively evaluated gene expression variation, and 76 upregulated and 37 downregulated genes common to human and mouse were identified. We performed enrichment, protein-protein interaction network, and transcription factor target gene analyses. Furthermore, we evaluated the extracted genes through integrated analysis using publicly available ChIP-seq data for HSF1, HSF2, and PPARGC1A (PGC1-α), and gene2pubmed data, which were sourced from previous literature. The results identified previously overlooked genes, such asABHD3,ZFAND2A, andUSPL1, as commonly upregulated genes.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, further functional analysis of the extracted genes using genome editing and other technologies has the potential to contribute to coping with climate change and potentially lead to new knowledge and technological advances.
Ketone-loading as A Novel Sports Nutrition Strategy: Chronic Ketone Supplementation Elicits Further Favorable Metabolic Changes in Keto-adapted Mice
Authors: Ma Sihui , Onogi Shiori , Jia Huijuan , Kato Hisanori , Suzuki Katsuhiko
Published: May 2023

Background

A ketogenic diet (KD) induces nutritional ketosis (NS), benefits fatty acid oxidation (FAO), and favors moderate-intensity exercise capacity. The status that the body accommodates to produce and utilize ketone bodies (KB) and fatty acids as primary fuel sources is termed keto-adaptation. However, keto-adaptation requires time, while long-term KD also involves unfavored adverse effects. Exogenous ketone body (EKBs) administration has been introduced to elicit the advantages of NS. However, the direct use of EKBs fails to bring desired outcomes. We hypothesized that EKBs might only be effective during keto-adaptation.

Methods

Male C57BL/6J mice (n = 24) were divided into three groups: a control diet (Con, n = 8), a ketogenic diet (KD, n = 8), and a KD plus a ketone body (DL-β-Hydroxybutyric acid sodium salt, BHB) administration (KD+BHB, n = 8). After six weeks of KD administration, mice in the KD+BHB group receive BHB added into water bottles for another six weeks. Blood KB concentration is monitored throughout the experiment, while liver, gastrocnemius, and soleus mRNA are analyzed using RT-PCR.

Results

Both KD and KD+BHB induced and sustained NS and enhanced hepatic and muscular key genes regulating FAO. In addition, BHB administration upon keto-adaptation further increased circulating KB concentration and enhanced expressional levels of FAO-mediating genes (ACO, HADH, ACADM, andMLYCDin the gastrocnemius muscle;ACO, HADH, andMLYCDin the soleus muscle), and energy-regulating genes (PPARAandPPARG) in the liver and skeletal muscle compared to a KD.

Conclusion

Compared to KD alone, chronic administration of KBs upon keto-adaptation increased the expression of key genes that favor FAO or maintain energy homeostasis in the liver and skeletal muscle. Instead of directly using EKBs in non-keto-adapted individuals, it is encouraged to use EKBs upon keto-adaptation status to elicit their energy-utilizing effects.

Highlights

This is the first report to evaluate the metabolic effects using exogenous ketone bodies on keto-adapted individuals.

Administration of exogenous ketone body upon keto-adaptation furtherly increased circulating ketone bodies.

Administration of exogenous ketone body upon keto-adaptation individuals enhanced expression of genes related to fatty acid oxidation and energy hemostasis.
Tau filaments are tethered within brain extracellular vesicles in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Fowler S. L. , Behr T. S. , Turkes E. , Cauhy P. Maglio , Foiani M. S. , Schaler A. , Crowley G. , Bez S. , Ficulle E. , Tsefou E. , O’Brien D. P. , Fischer R. , Geary B. , Gaur P. , Miller C. , D’Acunzo P. , Levy E. , Duff K. E. , Ryskeldi-Falcon B.
Published: May 2023

The abnormal assembly of tau protein in neurons is the pathological hallmark of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In addition, assembled tau associates with extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the central nervous system of patients with AD, which is linked to its clearance and prion-like propagation between neurons. However, the identities of the assembled tau species and the EVs, as well as how they associate, are not known. Here, we combined quantitative mass spectrometry, cryo-electron tomography and single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to study brain EVs from AD patients. We found filaments of truncated tau enclosed within EVs enriched in endo-lysosomal proteins. We observed multiple filament interactions, including with molecules that tethered filaments to the EV limiting membrane, suggesting selective packaging. Our findings will guide studies into the molecular mechanisms of EV-mediated secretion of assembled tau and inform the targeting of EV-associated tau as potential therapeutic and biomarker strategies for AD.
The LRRK2 kinase substrates Rab8a and Rab10 contribute complementary but distinct disease-relevant phenotypes in human neurons
Authors: Mamais Adamantios , Sanyal Anwesha , Fajfer Austin , Zykoski Catherine G. , Guldin Michael , Riley-DiPaolo Alexis , Subrahmanian Nitya , Gibbs Whitney , Lin Steven , LaVoie Matthew J.
Published: May 2023

Mutations in the LRRK2 gene cause familial Parkinson’s disease presenting with pleomorphic neuropathology that can involve α-synuclein or tau accumulation. LRRK2 mutations are thought to converge toward a pathogenic increase in LRRK2 kinase activity. A subset of small Rab GTPases have been identified as LRRK2 substrates, with LRRK2-dependent phosphorylation resulting in Rab inactivation. We used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to generate a novel series of isogenic iPSC lines deficient in the two most well validated LRRK2 substrates, Rab8a and Rab10, from two independent, deeply phenotyped healthy control lines. Thorough characterization of NGN2-induced neurons revealed divergent effects of Rab8a and Rab10 deficiency on lysosomal pH, LAMP1 association with Golgi, α-synuclein insolubility and tau phosphorylation, while parallel effects on lysosomal numbers and Golgi clustering were observed. Our data demonstrate largely antagonistic effects of genetic Rab8a or Rab10 inactivation which provide discrete insight into the pathologic features of their biochemical inactivation by pathogenic LRRK2 mutation.

Highlights

Rab8a and Rab10 deficiency induce lysosomal and Golgi defects

Rab8a and Rab10 deficiency induce opposing effects on lysosomal pH

Rab8a KO and Rab10 KO neurons show divergent effects on synuclein and tau proteostasis

Inactivation of different Rab GTPases can induce distinct disease-relevant phenotypes
To call or not to call: Persistence of flexible alternative reproductive tactics in a tree cricket
Authors: Sadiq Mohammed Aamir , Torsekar Viraj R. , Balakrishnan Rohini
Published: May 2023

Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) are discrete polymorphisms that help maximise reproductive success. Although flexible ARTs are ubiquitous, theoretical predictions for why flexible ARTs persist over evolutionary time have rarely been empirically tested. We hypothesised that flexible ARTs will persist if they have equal fitness benefits under a range of ecological contexts, or, there are trade-offs between ARTs in different ecological contexts and individuals display the most optimal phenotype in a context-dependent manner. Specifically, we investigated predation risk effects on the expression and fitness consequences of two flexible ARTs: acoustic signalling and being silent, expressed by tree cricketOecanthus henryimales. In large outdoor enclosures, we exposed natural populations ofO. henryito three different abundances of their predator, the green lynx spiderPeucetia viridans. Behavioural observations across successive nights revealed that higher predation risk did not alter the expression levels of the male ARTs, despite crickets experiencing differential risk and survival across treatments. Male crickets demonstrated an equal likelihood of calling or remaining silent on a night. ARTs resulted in similar mating success across differential predation risk, supporting the hypothesis that equal fitness benefits of flexible ARTs under a range of ecological contexts explain their persistence.
Development of a nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine against clade 2.3.4.4b H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Authors: Furey Colleen , Ye Naiqing , Kercher Lisa , DeBeauchamp Jennifer , Crumpton Jeri Carol , Jeevan Trushar , Patton Christopher , Franks John , Alameh Mohamad-Gabriel , Fan Steven H.Y. , Phan Anthony T. , Hunter Christopher A. , Webby Richard J. , Weissman Drew , Hensley Scott E.
Published: May 2023

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses from H5 clade 2.3.4.4b are circulating at unprecedently high levels in wild and domestic birds and have the potential to adapt to humans. We generated an mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine encoding the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein from a clade 2.3.4.4b H5 isolate. We show that the vaccine is immunogenic in mice and ferrets and prevents morbidity and mortality of ferrets following 2.3.4.4b H5N1 challenge.
Identification of a core transcriptional program driving the human renal mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition
Authors: Ng-Blichfeldt John-Poul , Stewart Benjamin J. , Clatworthy Menna R. , Williams Julie M. , Röper Katja
Published: May 2023

During kidney development, nephron epithelia arisede novofrom fate-committed mesenchymal progenitors through a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET). Downstream of fate specification, transcriptional mechanisms that drive establishment of epithelial morphology through MET are poorly understood. We used human renal organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, which recapitulate nephrogenesis, to investigate mechanisms controlling the renal MET programme. Multi-ome profiling of organoids revealed dynamic changes in gene expression and chromatin accessibility driven by transcriptional activators and repressors throughout renal MET. CRISPR-interference-based gene perturbation revealed that PAX8 is essential for initiation of MET in human renal organoids, contrary to mouse, by activating a cell adhesion programme. Furthermore, while Wnt/β-Catenin signalling specifies nephron fate, we find that it must be attenuated to allow HNF1B and TEAD transcription factors to drive completion of MET. These results reveal how the developing kidney balances fate-commitment and morphogenesis with implications for understanding both developmental kidney diseases and aberrant epithelial plasticity following adult renal tubular injury.
EngineeringY. lipolyticafor the biosynthesis of geraniol
Authors: Agrawal Ayushi , Yang Zhiliang , Blenner Mark
Published: May 2023

Geraniol is a monoterpene with wide applications in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Microbial production has largely used model organisms lacking favorable properties for monoterpene production. In this work, we produced geraniol in metabolically engineeredYarrowia lipolytica. First, two plant-derived geraniol synthases (GES) fromCatharanthus roseus(Cr) andValeriana officinalis(Vo) were tested based on previous reports of activity. Both wild type and truncated mutants of GES (without signal peptide targeting chloroplast) were examined by co-expressing with MVA pathway enzymes tHMG1 and IDI1. Truncated CrGES (tCrGES) produced the most geraniol and thus was used for further experimentation. The initial strain was obtained by overexpression of the truncated HMG1, IDI and tCrGES. The acetyl-CoA precursor pool was enhanced by overexpressing mevalonate pathway genes such as ERG10, HMGS or MVK, PMK. The final strain overexpressing 3 copies of tCrGES and single copies of ERG10, HMGS, tHMG1, IDI produced approximately 1 g/L in shake-flask fermentation. This is the first demonstration of geraniol production inYarrowia lipolyticaand the highest de novo titer reported to date in yeast.
Molecular crowding facilitates ribozyme-catalyzed RNA assembly
Authors: DasGupta Saurja , Zhang Stephanie , Szostak Jack W.
Published: May 2023

Catalytic RNAs or ribozymes are considered to be central to primordial biology. Most ribozymes require moderate to high concentrations of divalent cations such as Mg2+to fold into their catalytically competent structures and perform catalysis. However, undesirable effects of Mg2+such as hydrolysis of reactive RNA building blocks and degradation of RNA structures are likely to undermine its beneficial roles in ribozyme catalysis. Further, prebiotic cell-like compartments bounded by fatty acid membranes are destabilized in the presence of Mg2+, making ribozyme function inside prebiotically relevant protocells a significant challenge. Therefore, we sought to identify conditions that would enable ribozymes to retain activity in low concentrations of Mg2+. Inspired by the ability of ribozymes to function inside crowded cellular environments with <1 mM free Mg2+, we tested molecular crowding as a potential mechanism to lower the Mg2+concentration required for ribozyme-catalyzed RNA assembly. Here, we show that the ribozyme-catalyzed ligation of phosphorimidazolide RNA substrates is significantly enhanced in the presence of the artificial crowding agent polyethylene glycol. We also found that molecular crowding preserves ligase activity under denaturing conditions such as alkaline pH and the presence of urea. We also show that crowding-induced stimulation of RNA-catalyzed RNA assembly is not limited to phosphorimidazolide ligation but extends to the RNA-catalyzed polymerization of nucleoside triphosphates. RNA-catalyzed RNA ligation is also stimulated by the presence of prebiotically relevant small molecules such as ethylene glycol, ribose, and amino acids, consistent with a role for molecular crowding in primordial ribozyme function and more generally, in the emergence of RNA-based cellular life.

Table of Contents Graphic

SYNOPSIS

Molecular crowding enables ribozyme-catalyzed RNA assembly under low Mg2+conditions, and consequently may have played an essential role in the origin and evolution of RNA-based primordial life.
Importance of wildlife in the circulation and maintenance of SAT1 and SAT2 foot-and-mouth disease viruses in Africa
Authors: Duchatel Florian , Maree Francois , van Schalkwyk Louis , MdeC Bronsvoort Barend , Lycett Samantha
Published: May 2023

Author summary

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) viruses are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to the complexity of the disease epidemiology and the lack of available data, there is a need to use phylogenetic approaches to understand the role of potential hosts involved in the circulation and maintenance of the viruses. The uneven host sampling of the available sequences requires us to take advantage of the recent advances in phylogenetic reconstruction. Therefore, using two structural coalescent model approximations we estimated the circulation of FMD virus serotypes SAT1 and SAT2 between cattle, buffalo and impala populations. Our results suggest that in Africa, the impala population seems to act as an intermediate host between the cattle and buffalo populations and play a more important role in the circulation of the viruses than was previously suspected. Until now, the role of the impala population in the circulation of FMDV has been suggested, but never explicitly shown.
A novel plasmid-based experimental system inSaccharomyces cerevisiaethat enables the introduction of 10 different plasmids into cells
Authors: Dong Geyao , Nakai Tsuyoshi , Matsuzaki Tetsuo
Published: May 2023

The budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaeis commonly used as an expression platform to produce valuable compounds. Yeast-based genetics research can uniquely utilize use auxotrophy in transformant selection: auxotrophic complementation by an auxotrophic marker gene on exogenous DNA (such as plasmids). However, the number of auxotrophic nutrients required restricts the number of plasmids maintained by the cells. We therefore developed novel Δ10 strains that are auxotrophic for 10 different nutrients, and new plasmids with two multicloning sites and auxotrophic markers for use in Δ10 strains. We confirmed that Δ10 strains could maintain 10 types of these plasmids. Because each plasmid can express two different genes, this Δ10 strain-based expression system has the potential to co-express a maximum of 20 different proteins.
A Conceptual Framework for Host-Associated Microbiomes of Hybrid Organisms
Authors: Camper Benjamin T. , Laughlin Zachary , Malagon Daniel , Denton Robert , Bewick Sharon
Published: May 2023

Hybridization between organisms from evolutionarily distinct lineages can have profound consequences on organism ecology, with cascading effects on fitness and evolution. Most studies of hybrid organisms have focused on organismal traits, for example various aspects of morphology and physiology. However, with the recent emergence of holobiont theory, there has been growing interest in understanding how hybridization impacts and is impacted by host-associated microbiomes. Better understanding of the interplay between host hybridization and host-associated microbiomes has the potential to provide insight into both the roles of host-associated microbiomes as dictators of host performance as well as the fundamental rules governing host-associated microbiome assembly. Unfortunately, there is a current lack of frameworks for understanding the structure of host-associated microbiomes of hybrid organisms. In this paper, we develop four conceptual models describing possible relationships between the host-associated microbiomes of hybrids and their progenitor or ‘parent’ taxa. We then integrate these models into a quantitative ‘4H index’ and present a new R package for calculation, visualization, and analysis of this index. Finally, we demonstrate how the 4H index can be used to compare hybrid microbiomes across disparate plant and animal systems.
Noncanonical Rab9a action supports endosomal exit of human papillomavirus during virus entry
Authors: Choi Jeongjoon , DiMaio Daniel
Published: May 2023

Rab GTPases play key roles in controlling intracellular vesicular transport. GTP-bound Rab proteins support vesicle trafficking. Here, we report that, unlike cellular protein cargos, the delivery of human papillomaviruses (HPV) into the retrograde transport pathway during virus entry is inhibited by Rab9a in its GTP-bound form. Knockdown of Rab9a hampers HPV entry by regulating the HPV-retromer interaction and impairing retromer-mediated endosome-to-Golgi transport of the incoming virus, resulting in the accumulation of HPV in the endosome. Rab9a is in proximity to HPV as early as 3.5 h post-infection, prior to the Rab7-HPV interaction. HPV displays increased association with retromer in Rab9a knockdown cells, even in the presence of dominant negative Rab7. Thus, Rab9a can regulate HPV-retromer association independently of Rab7. Surprisingly, excess GTP-Rab9a impairs HPV entry, whereas excess GDP-Rab9a stimulates entry. These findings reveal that HPV employs a trafficking mechanism distinct from that used by cellular proteins.
Customer experience management in themed amusement parks: the impact of safety measures on the physical, social and digital servicescape of Gardaland Park
Authors: Bonfanti Angelo , Vigolo Vania , Gonzo Elisa , Genuardi Ileana
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of the servicescape in the customer experience management (CEM) of a themed amusement park following the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the managers’ and customers’ perspectives, this study specifically addresses the following three research questions: first, What changes have occurred in the servicescape following the adoption of safety measures in the park in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? Second, What are the effects of these safety measures in relation to CEM? Third, What are the changes that could be maintained in the future to continue improving the customer experiential journey in the park?

Design/methodology/approach

A single case study method was adopted. Gardaland Park was selected as the case for this study. Data were collected from several sources: in-depth interviews with managers of Gardaland Park, focus group interviews with customers, and the corporate website and documentary. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to examine the data.

Findings

The findings reveal that safety measures affect the physical, social and digital (e- and smart) servicescape by influencing the aesthetic (reassurance), entertainment (relaxation), escapist (enjoyment and distraction) and educational (learning) experiences. Among the various changes implemented, the digital servicescape can be improved in the future when the pandemic is over by providing flexible solutions in relation to services at the park (e.g. virtual queuing) or on the website (e.g. dynamic booking).

Practical implications

The findings provide park managers with practical advice about servicescape organization to facilitate offering safe and memorable customer experiences.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to address the effects of safety measures on the servicescape and CEM in themed amusement parks after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Construction and demolition waste management in Jordan: a multifaceted perspective
Authors: Alshdiefat Ala'a Saleh , Sharif Ahlam Ammar , Alharahsheh Albara' Ibrahim , Albrka Shaban Ismael , Olsson Nils O.E. , Younes Mohammad , Bang Sofie
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the multifaceted challenge of managing construction and demolition waste within the context of the Jordan construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data sourced through desk research, interviews and questionnaires, this study examines the principal causes of increased volumes of construction and demolition waste, as well as the obstacles to both developing and implementing better waste management strategies.

Findings

This study identifies multiple causes of issues related to waste management and barriers to developing and implementing solutions and concludes by recommending a holistic approach to this multifaceted problem. A lack of adequate construction waste management infrastructure, regarding both physical facilities and regulations, was highlighted as the key challenge.

Social implications

The accumulation of waste that results from construction and demolition activity, and activities characterized by unsustainable utilization of raw materials and inefficiency are a global issue. The challenge of effectively managing construction waste is importantly tied to factors including the availability of the necessary infrastructure; economic conditions; and the scarcity of skilled laborers, among others.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the Jordan construction industry, which is so far not very well researched. By building upon previous studies, this study supports further research to illuminate the causes of waste and the barriers to better management, an issue that is not only a pillar of progress at the country level but also key for a sustainable development in general.
Hardware implementation of a novel hybrid MPPT technique for fast tracking of GMPP in solar PV system under PSCs
Authors: Bonthagorla Praveen Kumar , Mikkili Suresh
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To generate electricity, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are among the best, most eco-friendly and most cost-effective solutions available. Extraction of maximum possible electricity from the solar PV system is complicated by a number of factors brought on by the ever-changing weather conditions under which it must operate. Many conventional and evolutionary algorithm-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques have the limitation of not being able to extract maximum power under partial shade and rapidly varying irradiance. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to propose a novel hybrid slime mould assisted with perturb and observe (P&O) global MPPT technique (HSMO) for the hybrid bridge link-honey comb (BL-HC) configured PV system to enhance the better maximum power during dynamic and steady state operations within less time.

Design/methodology/approach

In this method, a hybridization of two algorithms is proposed to track the true with faster convergence under PSCs. Initially, the slime mould optimization (SMO) algorithm is initiated for exploration of optimum duty cycles and later P&O algorithm is initiated for exploitation of global duty cycle for the DC–DC converter to operate at GMPP and for fast convergence.

Findings

The effectiveness of the proposed HSMO MPPT is compared with adaptive coefficient particle swarm optimization (ACPSO), flower pollination algorithm and SMO MPPT techniques in terms of tracked GMPP, convergence time/tracking speed and efficacy under six complex partial shading conditions. From the results, it is noticed that the proposed algorithm tracks the true GMPP under most of the shading conditions with less tracking time when compared to other MPPT techniques.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel hybrid slime mould assisted with perturb and observe (P&O) global MPPT technique (HSMO) for the hybrid BL-HC configured PV system enhance the better maximum power under partial shading conditions (PSCs). This method operated in two stages as SMO for exploration and P&O for exploitation for faster convergence and to track true GMPP under PSCs. The proposed approach largely improves the performance of the MPP tracking of the PV systems. Initially, the proposed MPPT technique is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink environment. Furthermore, an experimental setup has been designed and implemented. Simulation results obtained are validated through experimental results which prove the viability of the proposed technique for an efficient green energy solution.
Innovation and organizational learning practices in tourism and hospitality sector: a gender-based perspective
Authors: Khalid Rimsha , Abdul Hamid Abu Bakar , Raza Mohsin , Promsivapallop Pornpisanu , Valeri Marco
Published: May 2023

Purpose

In today’s digital age, technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and businesses that fail to keep up risk falling behind their competitors. This requires not only investing in technological resources but also creating a culture that values and encourages women in technological learning and innovation in the tourism and hospitality sector. This study aims to investigate the consequences of organizational learning on firm innovation directly and indirectly with cultural and technological perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The study carries out a quantitative approach, and data is collected from 398 women entrepreneurs from Thailand’s tourism and hospitality sectors. The statistical software Smart-PLS was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings revealed that organizational learning (the learning orientation and learning process) significantly influence firm innovation and organizational culture. Organizational culture also significantly mediates learning orientation, learning process and firm innovation, while learning leadership was found to be insignificant in relationship with organizational culture and firm innovation. However, technological knowledge has a significant moderating influence between organizational culture and firm innovation.

Originality/value

This study’s focus on the role of learning practices among women-owned small medium enterprises is a valuable contribution to the literature on innovation and entrepreneurship. These provided dimensions that can be helpful for women entrepreneurs to enhance firm innovation. The study shed light on the importance of diverse kinds of learning practices that change the patterns of innovation. This study also provides directions to practitioners to develop and implement business innovation strategies from women’s perspectives.
Unsettling childhood literacies: contamination as collaboration in transmedia encounters
Authors: Lenters Kimberly , Mosher Ronna , Hanzel Stacey
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine unexpected arrivals of adult-oriented digital media in the playful storied environments of Grades 1 and 2 classrooms and the possibilities such unsettling literacies may offer.

Design/methodology/approach

Posthuman perspectives provide this study’s theoretical grounding and methodological approach. Actor-network-theory and thinking with theory are used to examine school play with two video games and the literacies entangled in children’s same game machinima productions.

Findings

Explorations of transmediascapes animate entangled meaning-making practices across virtual and material childhood spaces. They provide openings for educators to understand their students’ literate world-making and consider how those unsettling literacies might have a place in the classroom as generative rather than to-be-avoided contaminations.

Originality/value

The theoretical and methodological engagements of this paper offer opportunities to re-consider unsettling literacy encounters as generative contaminations rather than noxious intrusions. This paper shows how, in engaging with unsettling literacies, educators may participate with children in meaningful literacy practices responding to both the tantalizing and the troubling aspects of particular transmedia.
The incidence and profile of self-harm among prisoners: findings from the Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis Project 2017–2019
Authors: McTernan Niall , Griffin Eve , Cully Grace , Kelly Enda , Hume Sarah , Corcoran Paul
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Internationally, rates of suicide and lifetime self-harm are higher in prisoners compared to the general population. This study aims to identify specific characteristics of self-harming behaviour and to establish a profile of prisoners who engage in self-harm.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the Self-Harm Assessment and Data Analysis Project (SADA) on self-harm episodes in prisons in the Republic of Ireland during 2017–2019 was used. Annual rates per 1,000 were calculated by age and gender.

Findings

The rate of self-harm between 2017 and 2019 was 31 per 1,000 prisoners for men and six times higher at 184 per 1,000 prisoners for women. The rate of self-harm was twice as high among prisoners on remand than sentenced prisoners (60.5 versus 31.3 per 1,000). The highest rates of self-harm among sentenced prisoners were observed among 18–29-year-old men (45 per 1,000) and women (125 per 1,000). The rate of self-harm was higher among women prisoners in all age groups. Contributory factors associated with self-harm were mainly related to mental health but also linked to a prisoner’s environment and relationships.

Practical implications

There is a need to ensure access to timely and suitable mental health services, including both appropriate referral and provision of evidence-based mental health interventions to address the needs of these cohorts.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first national study to systematically examine incidence and patterns of self-harm among the prison population in Ireland. The recording of severity/intent of each episode is novel when assessing self-harm among the prison population.
Crisis management of authoritarian regimes in the digital era: the case of epidemic prevention and control in China
Authors: Pei Yan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to figure out how authoritarian regimes conduct crisis management through application of technology, institutions and people.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of a literature review, this paper briefly reviews the digital governance of authoritarianism and its approach in crisis management. Then, a case study with empirical analysis is conducted to explain how an authoritarian regime would perceive and manage crises in the digital era.

Findings

China’s response towards COVID-19 was mainly based on digitalised grid management. Government’s perception of the crisis directly influences directions of institutions, while technology is developed, applied and iterated with the needs of institutions, rather than the public interests. And for the general public, the level of trust in the government directly affects the acceptance of technology.

Originality/value

Previous studies on crisis management of authoritarian governments in the digital era have mostly been conducted from a techno-ethical perspective. However, this paper verifies that the use of technology in crisis management requires involvement of institutions and public.
The new normal: governance, disruption and the post-truth era
Authors: Wexler Mark N. , Oberlander Judy
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the new normal within a continuum of three types of disruption, each of varying duration. References to the new normal draw attention to the periodic and rising importance of different levels, types, and consequences of game-changing disruption for those in governance roles.

Design/methodology/approach

In this conceptual research, given the discussion of a return to normalcy near the expected end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors organize the literature on disruption in governance into a disruption continuum – emergency, crisis and super crisis – to demonstrate the differences in each type of disruption to establish a distinct view of the new normal.

Findings

Within the three types of disruption, the first two suit the rational authority model in which disruption is turned over to those in governance roles. However, the rational authority model comes under attack in the super crisis and is increasingly associated with the post-truth era.

Social implications

In Type 3 disruptions or super crises, the failure of those in control to set the parameters of the new normal raises concerns that the center no longer holds, and as a result, the assumption of an attentive public splinter into multiple contending publics, each with its version of data, facts and images.

Originality/value

The new normal is typically treated after the result of a black swan or rare and surprising long-lived disruption. In this work, the formulation of the recurrence, ubiquity and controversy engendered by super crises suggests that it is one of the features attenuating and giving rise to fractious incivility in the post-truth era.