bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Reference Material for White Granulated Sugar
Authors: Wang Guihua , Li Jiawei , Xiao Ailing , Chen Jianjin , Ping Qiuting , Yu Juan , Gao Yufeng , Cheng Qiaoyun
Published: December 2024

Background

White granulated sugar, a significant commodity in bulk trade and a widely used raw material, plays a crucial role in the food, energy, and medicine industries. A certified reference material (CRM) for white granulated sugar provides a valuable tool for monitoring and maintaining the safety and quality of white granulated sugar and other related products. The colorimetric value, conductivity ash, sucrose content, and reducing sugar content serve as essential factors that determine the quality of white granulated sugar.

Objective

A CRM for grade one white granulated sugar was developed. A comprehensive study was carried out to assess its homogeneity and stability, and then the designated property values were determined.

Methods

Collaborative certification across 11 laboratories was applied to validate its property values and evaluate corresponding uncertainties.

Results

The designated property values and expanded uncertainties (k = 2) were determined to be 75.6 ± 2.8 IU, 0.0100 ± 0.0004 g/100g, 99.71 ± 0.08 g/100g, and 0.0226 ± 0.0024 g/100g for colorimetric value, conductivity ash, sucrose content, and reducing sugar content, respectively.

Conclusion

The reference material (RM) was sufficiently homogeneous between and within bottles and remained stable for up to 20 months.

Highlights

The developed CRM of sugar could be an effective support for method validation, capability validation, QC, and metrological traceability in the sugar and food industries.
Enoxaparin 40 mg Twice Daily With Peak Anti-Xa Adjustments Is Safe and Necessary to Achieve Therapeutic Chemoprophylaxis in Burn-Injured Patients
Authors: Pinto Desiree N , Lee Sophia , Johnson Cory , Halabi Rola , Le Tuan D , Moffatt Lauren T , Carney Bonnie C , Mathew Shane K , McLawhorn Melissa , Tejiram Shawn , Travis Taryn E , Shupp Jeffrey W
Published: December 2024

Burn injury results in hypercoagulability and an increased venous thromboembolism risk. However, the most effective chemoprophylaxis for burn-injured patients has yet to be elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to identify the safety and efficacy of a burn center’s venous thromboembolism protocol modification, which increased the dose of enoxaparin from 40 mg daily to 40mg twice daily with peak anti-Xa level adjustments. It was hypothesized that this change would not increase bleeding complications and would decrease venous thromboembolism rates. All adult, burn-injured patients admitted to a regional burn center were retrospectively reviewed 1 year before and after the implementation of this protocol modification. There were no differences in demographics, injury characteristics, or hospital length of stay between the pre- (n = 432) and postprotocol modification (n = 407) groups. Bleeding complications did not increase in the postprotocol group, including intraoperative blood loss (50 vs 25cc), the total number of transfusions (9.0 vs 6.0 units), and GI bleeding events (0.7 vs 0.2%) (all P > .05). Most patients receiving enoxaparin 40 mg twice daily achieved an initial therapeutic level based on peak anti-Xa measurements (46.5%), yet the rate of venous thromboembolisms between pre- and postprotocol groups was not statistically different (1.4 vs 0.7%, P = .5072). Factors associated with an initial sub- or supratherapeutic peak anti-Xa level were percent total body surface area, weight, body mass index, and creatinine clearance. Overall, this study demonstrated that a higher dose of enoxaparin (40 mg twice daily) with peak anti-Xa level adjustments was safe in burn-injured patients and necessary to obtain therapeutic levels of chemoprophylaxis.
Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 impacts bone microarchitecture with aging in female mice
Authors: Denman Kimberly , Blissett Angela , Glisic Stevan , Weiss Brent , Zachariadou Christina , Awad Hani , Litsky Alan , Cray James , Lee Beth S , Foster Brian L , Agarwal Gunjan
Published: December 2024

Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 (DDR1) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that binds to and is activated by collagen(s), including collagen type I. Ddr1 deletion in osteoblasts and chondrocytes has previously demonstrated the importance of this receptor in bone development. In this study, we examined the effect of DDR1 ablation on bone architecture and mechanics as a function of aging. Femurs were collected from female global Ddr1 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice at 2, 6, and 12 mo of age and analyzed by high-resolution micro-computed tomography (μCT), mechanical testing, and histology. Primary monocytes were collected for in vitro osteoclastogenesis assays. Our studies on younger (2 mo) mice revealed no significant differences between the two genotypes and the microarchitectural and mechanical features had a similar trend as those reported earlier for osteoblast or chondrocyte specific Ddr1 knockdown. At an advanced age (12 mo), significant differences were noted across the two genotypes. μCT analysis showed a decrease in medullary cavity area as well as increased trabeculation in cortical and trabecular bone in the Ddr1 KO vs. WT mice. In addition, Ddr1 KO mouse bones exhibited reduced mechanical properties (lower peak load, yield load, and energy to yield) at 12 mo. Histological analysis revealed reduced osteoclast count in Ddr1 KO femurs at 12 mo with no significant difference in osteocyte count between the genotypes. In vitro, osteoclastogenesis was impaired in Ddr1 KO bone marrow derived cells. These results suggest that DDR1 deficiency adversely impacts osteoclast differentiation and bone remodeling in an age-dependent manner.
The role of human papillomavirus 16 in oral cavity and laryngeal cancers in the United States
Authors: Kava Christine M , Chaturvedi Anil K , Senkomago Virginia , Mix Jacqueline M , Markowitz Lauri E , Kreimer Aimée R , Unger Elizabeth R , Saraiya Mona
Published: December 2024

In addition to oropharyngeal cancers, evidence suggests that there may be an etiologic role for human papillomavirus (HPV) in some other head and neck cancers arising from the oral cavity and larynx. We estimated the burden of HPV16-attributable cancers of the oral cavity (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 3rd Edition, site codes C02.0-C02.3, C02.9, C03.0, C03.1, C03.9, C04.0, C04.1, C04.8, C04.9, C05.0, C05.8, C05.9, C06.0-C06.2, C06.8, C06.9) and larynx (C32.0-C32.3, C32.8, C32.9) in the United States by pooling estimates from published case studies to calculate HPV16-attributable fractions and applying the HPV16-attributable fractions to 2016-2020 US Cancer Statistics data. During 2016-2020, of an average annual number of 12 612 oral cavity cancers, 3.9% (n = 497) were estimated to be attributable to HPV16. Of an average annual number of 11 170 laryngeal cancers, 2.8% (n = 309) were estimated to be attributable to HPV16. This information can improve surveillance of HPV16-attributable cancers in the US population and inform our understanding of the potential impact of HPV vaccination on cancers of the oral cavity and larynx.
Research on sound insulation performance and noise reduction optimization of composite laminated cylindrical shells in the low and middle-frequency bands
Authors: Li Bin , Kuang Wenjian , Yan Wenjie , Tian Ying , Wang Ning , Wu Jun
Published: December 2024

A composite laminated cylindrical shell noise experimental device is constructed to address sound insulation issues in low and middle-frequency bands. The composite cylindrical shell's sound insulation performance is tested within the 100–1000 Hz frequency range, obtaining the cavity's noise spectrum. The LMS Virtual.Lab Acoustic software for simulation is utilized to generate a corresponding finite-element model, which is subsequently verified by comparing it to the experimental data to ensure its accuracy. The study investigates the impact of composite fiber type, layer angle and material thickness on the acoustic insulation properties of a cylindrical shell. Additionally, the genetic algorithm is used to optimize the layer angle of the composite laminated cylinder shell. The results suggest that the insulation efficiency of the composite cylindrical shell improves as the fiber's modulus of elasticity and the material's thickness increase throughout the frequency ranging from 100 to 1000 Hz. The impact of the layer angle of the composite material on the sound transmission loss varies with the frequency. Furthermore, optimizing the layer angle of the fiber employing a genetic algorithm dramatically improves the sound insulation performance within the specified frequency range of 400–1000 Hz.
Older people must be seen
Authors: Pereira Rich
Published: December 2024

The global population is getting older. Yet large data gaps mean we do not fully understand their needs or contributions. Six years ago, the United Nations Statistical Commission created a group to address the lack of visibility of older persons in global statistics. That group’s chair, Rich Pereira, shares their findings
Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma of the auricular helix
Authors: Dekhou Antonio , Bond Laurel , Bryant Stephanie M , Silverman Dustin A
Published: December 2024

Cutaneous malignancies of the head and neck are common; however, superficial sarcomas of the head and neck are relatively rare. We present a 71-year-old unhoused gentleman with challenging access to medical care and poor health literacy who presented with a large, isolated, pedunculated mass of the left auricular helix. Preoperative biopsy was compatible with pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS). The patient subsequently underwent definitive surgical resection with partial auriculectomy and bilateral advancement flap closure. Final pathology confirmed the diagnosis of PDS. Given the rarity of PDS of the ear, we describe a challenging case presentation, diagnosis, and management in an unhoused patient.
Diagnostic Impact of FISHseq as a New Pathologic Criterion for Endocarditis According to the Duke Criteria
Authors: Hopf Alexander G M , Kursawe Laura , Schubert Sören , Moter Isabell , Wiessner Alexandra , Sarbandi Kurosh , Eszlari Edgar , Cvorak Adi , von Schöning Dinah , Klefisch Frank-Rainer , Moter Annette , Eichinger Walter , Kikhney Judith
Published: December 2024

Background

For clinicians treating patients with infective endocarditis (IE), identifying the causative microorganisms poses a critical diagnostic challenge. Standard techniques including blood and heart valve cultures often yield inconclusive results. According to the recent 2023 Duke-ISCVID Criteria, molecular methods represent potent tools to enhance this aspect of IE diagnostics and guide subsequent therapeutic strategies.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 124 consecutive patients who underwent heart valve surgery due to suspected IE at München Klinik Bogenhausen. The standard diagnostic pathway, which included blood culture, valve culture, histopathological analysis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequencing, was compared with the enhanced diagnostic pathway, which included fluorescence in situ hybridization + PCR/sequencing (FISHseq) instead of PCR/sequencing alone. The aim of this study was to assess the added value of combining standard diagnostics with molecular methods such as PCR/sequencing or FISHseq for the diagnosis of IE and the potential impact on therapy.

Results

Standard diagnostic methods and PCR/sequencing yielded inconclusive results in 57/124 cases (46.0%). FISHseq provided an added value for diagnostics in 79/124 cases (63.7%) and potentially would have impacted therapy in 95/124 (76.6%) of cases. By adding data through direct visualization and characterization of microorganisms, FISHseq reduced the number of inconclusive cases by 86.0%.

Conclusions

The comparison of 2 molecular diagnostic tools for IE from the same heart valve emphasizes the value of molecular methods including molecular imaging by FISH for IE diagnostics and supports the 2023 Duke-ISCVID Criteria.
Dengue Virus Structural Proteins Are Expressed on the Surface of DENV-Infected Cells and Are a Target for Antibody-Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis
Authors: Waldran Mitchell J , Kurtz Elizabeth A , Gebo Chad J , Rooney Timothy J , Middleton Frank A , Roy Nathan H , Currier Jeffrey R , Waickman Adam T
Published: December 2024

Background

Dengue virus (DENV) is an arboviral pathogen found in >100 countries and a source of significant morbidity and mortality. While the mechanisms underpinning the pathophysiology of severe Dengue are incompletely understood, it has been hypothesized that antibodies directed against the DENV envelope (E) protein can facilitate antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of the infection, increasing the number of infected cells and the severity of disease in an exposed individual. Accordingly, there is interest in defining mechanisms for directly targeting DENV-infected cells for immunologic clearance, an approach that bypasses the risk of ADE.

Methods

We have previously demonstrated that antibodies specific to DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) can opsonize and facilitate the phagocytic clearance of DENV-infected cells. However, it is currently unclear if other DENV antigens are expressed on the surface of infected cells and if these antigens can be targeted by antibody-dependent clearance mechanisms.

Results

In this study, we demonstrate that DENV structural proteins are expressed on the surface of DENV-infected cells and that these antigens can be opsonized by both DENV-immune sera and monoclonal antibodies. In addition, DENV E–specific antibodies can facilitate phagocytic uptake of material from DENV-infected cells, resulting in the target–cell membrane localizing to endosomes of the engulfing phagocyte. Notably, there was no selective enrichment of DENV genomic material in monocytes that had phagocytosed DENV-infected cell material compared with nonphagocytic monocytes.

Discussion

In their totality, these data reinforce the concept that DENV E–reactive antibodies have a multifaceted role in DENV immunity and pathogenesis beyond neutralization and/or infection enhancement.
Takayasu arteritis masquerading as brucellosis: a case report
Authors: Hama Hussein Karokh F , Bapir Rawa , Hiwa Dilan S , Hama Nali H , Mohammed Shorsh A , Tahir Soran H , Mustafa Lawen Jamal , Faraj Dlshad M , Mohammed Hemin S , Omar Sokar A , Mohammed Shvan H , Kakamad Fahmi H
Published: December 2024

This study reports a unique case of a 19-year-old male with Takayasu arteritis initially misdiagnosed as brucellosis due to persistently positive brucella serology. Despite multiple anti-brucellosis treatments, symptoms persisted until the correct diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis was made, Subsequent immunosuppressive therapy for Takayasu arteritis led to symptom improvement and normalization of serological markers. This highlights the challenge of distinguishing between these conditions and the potential for immunosuppression to impact brucella serology in such cases.
A rare case of complicated typhoid fever presenting with secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Ali Mir Wasim , Rakshit Soumadip , Sarkar Atreyee , Mondal Md Karimulla , Datta Anup Kumar , Chatterjee Uttara
Published: December 2024

Enteric fever is one of the important causes of tropical fever with a prevalence of 11–21 million cases worldwide annually. It encompasses both typhoid and paratyphoid fever. Salmonella enterica Typhi is the causative organism for typhoid fever, manifesting as an uncomplicated febrile illness to life-threatening sepsis with multiorgan dysfunction. It is complicated by neuropsychiatric manifestation (2%–40%), gastrointestinal bleeding (10%), and intestinal perforation (1%–3%). Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare complication of typhoid fever. Herein we report the case of a 24-year-old male from North-Eastern India, presenting with spikes of fever, altered behavior, a generalized rash, haematochezia, and hemophagocytes on bone marrow examination due to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to complicated typhoid fever.
A machine learning-based method for resolving secondary mirror misalignment in telescope optical systems
Authors: Chen Chao , Zhang Yiming , Li Zhengyang , Liu Tingting , Cong Jianan , Han Zijian , Li Xiaoyan , Yuan Xiangyan , He Lei
Published: December 2024

Larger aperture and larger field of view represent the evolving demands of astronomical research and the advancing trajectory of telescope technology. For ground-based telescopes, the impact of gravity on larger optical systems becomes increasingly important. For space telescopes and Antarctic telescopes, maintenance challenges are another significant consideration. However, directly resolving the misalignment of optical components can guide the system to make corresponding self-compensation, which is very meaningful for these telescopes. We have focused on resolving misalignments in telescope optical systems over the years. Since 2023, we introduced a new method (RSVA) for evaluating the image quality of optical systems. Although originally conceived to investigate the imaging characteristics of large-field optical systems, our ongoing research has revealed its inherent capacity to encapsulate a plethora of information regarding the optical system’s state. Consequently, we promptly combined it with machine learning to resolve the misalignment of secondary mirror in optical systems, ultimately achieving excellent results. Inspired by this concept, we developed the SVA-type method to resolve misalignments in telescope optical systems. This method achieved a root-mean-square (RMS) misalignment resolution of less than 1 μm and 3.6 arcsec for the secondary mirror using only 10 rays. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the methodology and results, as well as explore other interesting possibilities arising from this approach. Drawing upon the SVA theory, we aspire to devise a distinctive approach to resolve misalignment in a telescope’s optical system by leveraging imaging shape.
Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of drought regulating the size and color of heartwood in Dalbergia odorifera
Authors: Cui Zhiyi , Hu Houzhen , Li Xiaofei , Liu Xiaojin , Zhang Qilei , Hong Zhou , Zhang Ningnan , Lin Wei , Xu Daping
Published: December 2024

Drought has been found to affect the size and color of precious heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera, but the mechanism remains unclear. For this purpose, we performed the measurement of heartwood size, color and flavonoid content and composition in a 15-year-old mixed plantation of D. odorifera and Santalum album that had been subjected to two levels of rainfall exclusion and control treatments for 7 years, and carbon isotope labeling and anatomical observation in 2-year-old potted D. odorifera seedlings exposed to two levels of drought and control treatments. The field experiment showed that drought had significant effects on heartwood size and color of D. odorifera. More starch was depleted in the transition zone (TZ) in drought than in control. Drought significantly decreased the values of color parameters and increased the contents of total flavonoids, glycitein, fisetin, chrysin and claussequinone, and total flavonoids, glycitein, fisetin, chrysin and claussequinone were significantly negatively correlated with L* and b*. The pot experiment showed that during longitudinal transport of nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC), the dilution factor of 13C abundance in the inner bark sap in severe drought (SD) was twice as much as that in control. The inner bark thickness and transverse area of sieve tubes in SD were significantly lower than those in control. Our findings further confirm that drought promotes the heartwood formation of D. odorifera, and discuss interspecific variations in the response of heartwood formation to drought. Drought enhances the exchange transport of NSC between phloem and xylem by reducing the transverse area of sieve tubes, thus causing more NSC to be transported into xylem, and drought also promotes the depletion of starch in the TZ to produce more heartwood. Drought darkens the heartwood color by increasing the contents of total flavonoids, glycitein, fisetin, chrysin and claussequinone in heartwood. To our knowledge, this is the first study addressing the physiological and biochemical mechanism of drought regulating heartwood formation.
Perceptions of Justice in Clinical Learning Environments: Development and Validation of an Organizational Justice Measure for Medical Trainees
Authors: Cullen Michael J. , Hane Jessica , Zhou You , Seltzer Benjamin K. , Sackett Paul R. , Culican Susan M. , Thakker Krima , Young John Q. ,   for the Organizational Justice Study Group, Mustapha Taj
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to develop an instrument to measure medical trainees’ perceptions of justice in clinical learning environments.

Method

Between 2019 and 2023, the authors conducted a multiyear, multi-institutional, multiphase study to develop a 16-item justice measure with 4 dimensions: interpersonal, informational, procedural, and distributive. The authors gathered validity evidence based on test content, internal structure, and relationships with other variables across 3 phases. Phase 1 involved drafting items and gathering evidence that items measured intended dimensions. Phase 2 involved analyzing relevance of items for target groups, examining interitem correlations and factor loadings in a preliminary analysis, and obtaining reliability estimates. Phase 3 involved a confirmatory factor analysis and collecting convergent and discriminant validity evidence.

Results

In phase 1, 63 of 91 draft items were retained following a content validation exercise gauging how well items measured targeted dimensions (mean [SD] item ratings within dimensions, 4.16 [0.36] to 4.39 [0.34]) on a 5-point Likert scale (with 1 indicating not at all well and 5 indicating extremely well). In phase 2, 30 items were removed due to low factor loadings (i.e., < 0.40), and 4 items per dimension were selected (factor loadings, 0.42–0.89). In phase 3, a confirmatory factor analysis supported the 4-dimensional model (χ
2 = 610.14, P < .001; comparative fit index = 0.90, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.87, root mean squared error of approximation = 0.11, standardized root mean squared residual = 0.06), with convergent and discriminant validity evidence showing hypothesized positive correlations with a justice measure (r = 0.93, P < .001), trait positive affect (r = 0.46, P < .001), and emotional stability (r = 0.33, P < .001) and negative correlations with trait negative affect (r = −0.39, P < .001).

Conclusions

Results indicate the measure’s potential utility in understanding justice perceptions and designing targeted interventions.
Relationships Between Religious Commitment, Workplace Experiences, and Professional and Psychological Outcomes Among U.S. Muslim Physicians
Authors: Murrar Sohad , Azam Laila , Baqai Benish , Davila Omar , Padela Aasim I.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To examine relationships between religiosity, workplace discrimination, religious accommodation, and related professional and psychological outcomes among U.S. Muslim physicians.

Method

In 2021, the authors surveyed 264 physicians from 3 U.S.-based Muslim clinician organizations. Religious commitment, as measured by multiple items, was evaluated as a possible predictor of workplace discrimination and accommodation; job turnover; career satisfaction; workplace motivation; and belonging, burnout, and depression. Bivariate regression models were used to identify possible significant relationships between predictor and outcome variables. Predictors with meaningful bivariate analyses were included in separate multivariate regression models for each outcome.

Results

Participants’ mean age was 39.5 years (standard deviation, 10.03). Most were male (160/246; 65%), were U.S.-born (146/244; 60%), completed medical school in the United States (190/243; 78%), and wore a beard/hijab (135/235; 57%). Participants identified as African American (40/247; 16%), Arab (55/247; 22%), South Asian (82/247; 33%), and White (70/247; 28%). Multivariate models demonstrated that religious importance was positively associated with discrimination from patients (odds ratio [OR] = 3.78; P = .02) and depression (OR = 5.36; P = .002), and negatively associated with prayer accommodation at work (OR = 0.20; P = .001). Engaging in congregational religious activities was negatively associated with discrimination from patients (OR = 0.64; P = .006) and job turnover (OR = 0.63; P = .02), and positively associated with accommodations for prayer (OR = 1.42; P = .008) and general religious identity accommodation (OR = 1.47; P = .01). Additionally, participant race and ethnicity were variably associated with these outcomes.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates how religious identity may negatively associate with workplace experiences and well-being among U.S. Muslim physicians and highlights the buffering role of religious practice. It spotlights an urgent need for academic medical centers to ameliorate religious discrimination and implement workplace accommodation policies for Muslim physicians.
Straight From the Source: Doctor of Physical Therapy Students' Perspectives on the Impacts of Program Policies and Procedures on Sense of Belonging
Authors: Ratoza Madeline , Sykes Peyton D. , North Sara E.
Published: December 2024

Introduction.

There is an urgent need to increase access to and inclusion in health professions education programs for individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs. The purpose of this study is to explore student perspectives of the ways in which current Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program policies, procedures, and practices may facilitate or hinder a culture of belonging and the ability to participate across diverse student identities and needs.

Review of Literature.

To date, there are no best practices in promoting and supporting health profession student belonging, and the student voice is absent in the literature. This prompts a need for guidance on where and how academic DPT programs should focus initial efforts as they self-assess their degree of compliance with newly revised accreditation standards.

Participants.

Sixteen DPT student volunteers from 2 institutions across 4 campuses in 4 states.

Methods.

A cross-sectional qualitative study using thematic analysis with semistructured interviews was used to gather student perspectives regarding factors that positively and negatively affect sense of belonging. Three researchers qualitatively analyzed transcriptions using a combination of open and axial coding to identify themes.

Results.

Final consensus coding yielded 179 coded responses across 95 unique codes categorized in 6 themes: faculty and staff relationships, program policies and procedures, cohort and peer relationships, diverse identities, communication, and program resources.

Discussion and Conclusion.

This is the first study known to investigate the use of student voice to better understand, operationalize, and potentially improve belonging within DPT education. Results demonstrate that when given a voice, students are able to articulate both observations of present-state sense of belonging and clear ideas and recommendations for ways in which DPT programs could address sense of belonging. Findings may help frame program policies and procedures from the student lens by offering themes, strategies, and recommendations for promoting a culture of belonging.
Thermal measurements support a role of the ABA/LANCL1−2 hormone/receptors system in thermogenesis
Authors: Zocchi Giovanni , Fontanelli Flavio , Spinelli Sonia , Sturla Laura , Passalacqua Mario , González Urra José Cristobal , Delsante Simona , Zocchi Elena
Published: December 2024

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a conserved ‘stress hormone’ in unicellular organisms, plants and animals. In mammals, ABA and its receptors LANCL1 and LANCL2 stimulate insulin-independent cell glucose uptake and oxidative metabolism: overexpression of LANCL1/2 increases, and their silencing conversely reduces, mitochondrial number, respiration and proton gradient dissipation in muscle cells and in brown adipocytes. We hypothesized that the ABA/LANCL hormone/receptors system could be involved in thermogenesis. Heat production by LANCL1/2-overexpressing versus double-silenced cells was compared in rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes with two different methods: differential temperature measurements using sensitive thermistor probes and differential isothermal calorimetry. Overexpressing cells generate an approximately double amount of thermal power compared with double-silenced cells, and addition of ABA further doubles heat production in overexpressing cells. With the temperature probes, we find a timescale of approximately 4 min for thermogenesis to 'turn on’ after nutrient addition. We provide direct measurements of increased heat production triggered by the ABA/LANCL hormone receptors system. Combined with previous work on oxphos decoupling, these results support the role of the ABA/LANCL hormone receptors system as a hitherto unknown regulator of cell thermogenesis.
Identification and characterization of host miRNAs that target the mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) genome
Authors: Gull Bushra , Ahmad Waqar , Baby Jasmin , Panicker Neena G. , Khader Thanumol Abdul , Rizvi Tahir A. , Mustafa Farah
Published: December 2024

The intricate interplay between viruses and hosts involves microRNAs (miRNAs) to regulate gene expression by targeting cellular/viral messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV), the aetiological agent of breast cancer and leukaemia/lymphomas in mice, provides an ideal model to explore how viral and host miRNAs interact to modulate virus replication and tumorigenesis. We previously reported dysregulation of host miRNAs in MMTV-infected mammary glands and MMTV-induced tumours, suggesting a direct interaction between MMTV and miRNAs. To explore this further, we systematically examined all potential interactions between host miRNAs and the MMTV genome using advanced prediction tools. Leveraging miRNA sequencing data from MMTV-expressing cells, we identified dysregulated miRNAs capable of targeting MMTV. Docking analysis validated the interaction of three dysregulated miRNAs with the MMTV genome, followed by confirmation with RNA immunoprecipitation assays. We further identified host targets of these miRNAs using mRNA sequencing data from MMTV-expressing cells. These findings should enhance our understanding of how MMTV replicates and interacts with the host to induce cancer in mice, a model important for cancer research. Given MMTV’s potential zoonosis and association with human breast cancer/lymphomas, if confirmed, our work could further lead to novel miRNA-based antivirals/therapeutics to prevent possible MMTV transmission and associated cancers in humans.
Phosphorylation of ‘SDT-like’ motifs in ATRX mediates its interaction with the MRN complex and is important for ALT pathway suppression
Authors: Goncalves Tomas , Bhatnagar Harshangda , Cunniffe Siobhan , Gibbons Richard J. , Rose Anna M. , Clynes David
Published: December 2024

Approximately 10–15% of human cancers are telomerase-negative and maintain their telomeres through a recombination-based process known as the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Loss of the alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation, X-linked (ATRX) chromatin remodeller is a common event in ALT-positive cancers, but is generally insufficient to drive ALT induction in isolation. We previously demonstrated that ATRX binds to the MRN complex, which is also known to be important in the ALT pathway, but the molecular basis of this interaction remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the interaction between ATRX and MRN is dependent on the N-terminal forkhead-associated and BRCA1 C-terminal domains of NBS1, analogous to the previously reported NBS1–MDC1 interaction. A number of conserved ‘SDT-like’ motifs (serine and threonine residues with aspartic/glutamic acid residues at proximal positions) in the central unstructured region of ATRX were found to be crucial for the ATRX–MRN interaction. Furthermore, treatment with a casein kinase 2 inhibitor prevented the ability of ATRX to bind MRN, suggesting that phosphorylation of these residues by casein kinase 2 is also important for the interaction. Finally, we show that a functional ATRX–MRN interaction is important for the ability of ATRX to prevent induction of ALT hallmarks in the presence of chemotherapeutically induced DNA–protein crosslinks, and might also have implications for individuals with ATR-X syndrome.
Phytochemical
S
-methyl-
L
-cysteine sulfoxide from Brassicaceae: a key to health or a poison for bees?
Authors: Lee Saetbyeol , Dobes Pavel , Marciniak Jacek , Mascellani Bergo Anna , Kamler Martin , Marsik Petr , Pohl Radek , Titera Dalibor , Hyrsl Pavel , Havlik Jaroslav
Published: December 2024

Intensive agricultural practices impact the health and nutrition of pollinators like honey bees (
Apis mellifera
). Rapeseed (
Brassica napus
L.) is widely cultivated, providing diverse nutrients and phytochemicals, including
S
-methyl-
L
-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO). While the nutritional impact of rapeseed on bees is known, SMCSO’s effects remain unexplored. We examined SMCSO and its related metabolites—3-methylthiolactic acid sulfoxide and
N
-acetyl
-S
-methyl-
L
-cysteine sulfoxide—analysing their seasonal fluctuations, colony variations and distribution in body parts. Our findings showed that these compounds in bee gut vary among colonies, possibly due to the dietary preferences, and are highly concentrated in bodies during the summer. They are distributed differently within bee bodies, with higher concentrations in the abdomens of foragers compared with nurses. Administration of SMCSO in a laboratory setting showed no immediate toxic effects but significantly boosted bees’ antioxidant capacity. Long-term administration decreased bee body weight, particularly in the thorax and head, and altered amino acid metabolism. SMCSO is found in the nectar and pollen of rapeseed flowers and highly accumulates in rapeseed honey compared with other types of honey. This study reveals the dual impact of SMCSO on bee health, providing a basis for further ecological and physiological research to enhance bee health and colony sustainability.
Visual and olfactory signals of conspecifics induce emotional contagion in mice
Authors: Nakamura Madoka , Nomoto Kensaku , Mogi Kazutaka , Koide Tsuyoshi , Kikusui Takefumi
Published: December 2024

Emotional contagion occurs in many animals, including rodents. To determine the social signals of emotional state-matching between individuals in mice, we conducted an empirical laboratory experiment using visual, olfactory and auditory stimuli. The Japanese wild-derived mouse strain MSM/Ms (MSM) was tested as observers, since our initial experiments indicated that MSM mice showed higher sensitivity to others’ pain compared with the laboratory strain C57BL/6J (B6). MSM observers were shown footage of an unfamiliar B6 mouse receiving painful foot shocks via a screen. For olfactory stimuli, one of the following was presented during observation: (i) urine collected from a shocked B6 mouse, (ii) urine collected from an unshocked B6 mouse, or (iii) reverse osmosis water. Consequently, MSM mice observing the footage with urine from shocked mice demonstrated significantly higher fear-induced freezing behaviour than in the other two conditions. Regarding visual and auditory stimuli, observing the pixelated video clip was significantly associated with reduced freeze responses, whereas blocking auditory cues did not affect the duration of freezing. These results provide clear-cut evidence that multiple cues, including olfactory and visual information, are sufficient social signals for emotional contagion in mice.
Co-occurrence structure of late Ediacaran communities and influence of emerging ecosystem engineers
Authors: Craffey M. , Wagner P. J. , Watkins David K. , Darroch S. A. F , Lyons S. K.
Published: December 2024

Understanding the roles of habitat filtering, dispersal limitations and biotic interactions in shaping the organization of animal communities is a central research goal in ecology. Attempts to extend these approaches into deep time have the potential to illuminate the role of these processes over key intervals in evolutionary history. The Ediacaran marks one such interval, recording the first macroscopic benthic communities and a stepwise intensification in animal ecosystem engineering. Here, we use taxonomic co-occurrence analysis to evaluate how community structure shifted through the late Ediacaran and the role of different community assembly processes in driving these changes. We find that community structure shifted significantly throughout the Ediacaran, with the most dramatic shift occurring at the White Sea–Nama boundary (approx. 550 Ma) characterized by a split between older, more enigmatic taxonomic groups (the ‘Ediacara-type’ fauna) and more recognizable (‘Cambrian-type’) metazoans. While ecosystem engineering via bioturbation is implicated in this shift, dispersal limitations also played apart in separating biota types. We hypothesize that bioturbation acted as a local habitat filter in the late Ediacaran, selecting against genera adapted to microbial mat ecosystems. Ecosystem engineering regime shifts in the Ediacaran may thus have had a large impact on the development of subsequent metazoan communities.
Extending evolutionary forecasts across bacterial species
Authors: Pentz Jennifer T. , Biswas Aparna , Alsaed Bassel , Lind Peter A.
Published: December 2024

Improving evolutionary forecasting requires progressing from studying repeated evolution of a single genotype under identical conditions to formulating broad principles. These principles should enable predictions of how similar species will adapt to similar selective pressures. Evolve-and-resequence experiments with multiple species allow testing forecasts on different biological levels and elucidating the causes for failed predictions. Here, we show that forecasts for adaptation to static culture conditions can be extended to multiple species by testing previous predictions for
Pseudomonas syringae
and
Pseudomonas savastanoi
. In addition to sequence divergence, these species differ in their repertoire of biofilm regulatory genes and structural components. Consistent with predictions, both species repeatedly produced biofilm mutants with a wrinkly spreader phenotype. Predominantly, mutations occurred in the
wsp
operon, with less frequent promoter mutations near uncharacterized diguanylate cyclases. However, mutational patterns differed on the gene level, which was explained by a lack of conservation in relative fitness of mutants between more divergent species. The same mutation was the most frequent for both species suggesting that conserved mutation hotspots can increase parallel evolution. This study shows that evolutionary forecasts can be extended across species, but that differences in the genotype–phenotype–fitness map and mutational biases limit predictability on a detailed molecular level.
External insect gall morphology influences the functional guilds of natural enemy communities
Authors: Baine Quinlyn , Hughes Daniel W. W. , Casares Emily E. , Martinson Ellen O. , Martinson Vincent G.
Published: December 2024

The evolution of diverse and novel morphological traits is poorly understood, especially how symbiotic interactions can drive these adaptations. The extreme diversity of external traits in insect-induced galls is currently explained by the Enemy Hypothesis, in which these traits have selective advantage in deterring parasitism. While previous tests of this hypothesis used only taxonomic identity, we argue that ecologically functional traits of enemies (i.e. mode of parasitism, larval development strategy) are a crucial addition. Here, we characterize parasitoid guild composition across four disparate gall systems and find consistent patterns of association between enemy guild and gall morphology. Specifically, galls with a longer average larva-to-surface distance host a significantly higher proportion of enemies with a distinct combination of functional traits (i.e. ectoparasitic, idiobiont, elongate ovipositor). Our results support the Enemy Hypothesis and highlight the importance of species ecology in examining insect communities and the evolution of novel defensive characters.
Exact eigenstates of multicomponent Hubbard models: SU(
N
) magnetic
η
pairing, weak ergodicity breaking, and partial integrability
Authors: Nakagawa Masaya , Katsura Hosho , Ueda Masahito
Published: December 2024

We construct exact eigenstates of multicomponent Hubbard models in arbitrary dimensions by generalizing the η-pairing mechanism. Our models include the SU(N) Hubbard model as a special case. Unlike the conventional two-component case, the generalized η-pairing mechanism permits the construction of eigenstates that feature off-diagonal long-range order and magnetic long-range order. These states form fragmented fermionic condensates due to a simultaneous condensation of multicomponent η pairs. While the η-pairing states in the SU(2) Hubbard model are based on the η-pairing symmetry, the exact eigenstates in the N-component system with N≥3 arise not from symmetry of the Hamiltonian but from a spectrum generating algebra defined in a restricted Hilbert space. We exploit this fact to show that the generalized η-pairing eigenstates do not satisfy the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis and serve as quantum many-body scar states. This result indicates a weak breakdown of ergodicity in the N-component Hubbard models for N≥3. Furthermore, we show that these exact eigenstates constitute integrable subsectors in which the Hubbard Hamiltonian effectively reduces to a noninteracting model. This partial integrability causes various multicomponent Hubbard models to weakly break ergodicity. We propose a method of harnessing dissipation to distill the integrable part of the dynamics and elucidate a mechanism of nonthermalization caused by dissipation. This work establishes the coexistence of off-diagonal long-range order and SU(N) magnetism in excited eigenstates of the multicomponent Hubbard models, which presents a possibility of novel out-of-equilibrium pairing states of multicomponent fermions. These models unveil a unique feature of quantum thermalization of multicomponent fermions, which can experimentally be tested with cold-atom quantum simulators.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
How pro-environmental consumption behaviour affects subjective wellbeing: the role of self-enhancement, ways of shopping and locavorism
Authors: de Matos Celso Augusto , Dalmoro Marlon , Dutra de Barcellos Márcia
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Based on the value-attitude-behaviour (VAB) framework, the current research aimed to investigate the influence of organic food consumption, as a type of pro-environmental behaviour (PEB), on consumer subjective wellbeing, by considering (1) attitudes, environmental and health values as antecedents; (2) self-expression process (self-enhancement) and cognitive process (ways of shopping) as two competing mediation routes and (3) locavorism as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model was tested using data from a survey of 576 organic food consumers and the partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modelling.

Findings

Our main findings confirmed a positive influence of the antecedents on consumption behaviour and suggested a stronger mediation effect of ways of shopping in the consumption behaviour–wellbeing link, giving support to the cognitive route. In addition, locavorism was a significant moderator for the cognitive route.

Practical implications

Promoting organic food can be based on cognitive persuasion by emphasizing objective benefits, such as nutritional facts, over emotional appeals. Moreover, marketing strategies can also increase organic food consumption by highlighting local sourcing, which resonates with locavore consumers.

Originality/value

Through a moderated-mediation approach, we demonstrate that the cognitive mediation route is contingent on the consumer locavorism, with an attenuation effect suggesting a critical role of locavorism and presenting novel insights for the link between pro-environmental behaviours and consumer subjective wellbeing.
Integrating theories for insight: corporate governance and environmental disclosure practices in the UAE
Authors: Masoud Najeb
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to systematically review how agency and stakeholder theories are integrated within corporate governance and environmental disclosure practices in the UAE, highlighting their relevance and adaptation to a distinct economic and regulatory environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a comprehensive qualitative methodology, this study synthesises a broad spectrum of existing theoretical and empirical research to explore the dynamics of corporate governance mechanisms regarding environmental sustainability. This approach enables a detailed examination of how agency theory’s focus on principal–agent relationships complements stakeholder theory’s broader view of corporate responsibilities.

Findings

This research uncovers significant insights into corporate conduct and responsibility, emphasising the need to balance shareholder objectives with broader stakeholder interests. It identifies key challenges in this integration, such as managing the complexities and potential conflicts between different stakeholder demands. The findings underscore the crucial role of specialised governance mechanisms, like board characteristics and committees, in enhancing environmental transparency and accountability.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the academic discourse by shedding light on the interplay between corporate governance frameworks and environmental disclosure practices within the UAE. It offers fresh insights into applying established theories in a non-Western context. These insights are precious for academics, practitioners and policymakers interested in refining corporate governance and promoting environmental responsibility. The practical implications drawn from the findings empower stakeholders to implement effective strategies that can enhance a firm’s reputation, legitimacy and long-term viability.