bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Deubiquitinase USP22‐Stabilized COL17A1 Promotes Lung Adenocarcinoma Progression
Authors: Chen Guangxi , Du Dandan , Wang Haihua , Li Huifeng
Published: August 2024

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a highly aggressive and rapidly fatal malignancy worldwide. Collagen XVII (COL17A1) has been implicated in various protumorigenic processes. However, the functions and mechanisms of COL17A1 in LUAD progression still remain elusive.

Methods

COL17A1 and ubiquitin‐specific protease 22 (USP22) mRNA analysis was performed by quantitative PCR, and their protein levels were detected by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. The functional influence was evaluated by determining cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and ferroptosis in vitro, as well as xenograft growth in vivo. Co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) and IP experiments were used to examine the USP22/COL17A1 interaction and COL17A1 deubiquitination. Cycloheximide treatment was used to analyze COL17A1 protein stability.

Results

COL17A1 and USP22 were upregulated in human LUAD tissues and cell lines. Functionally, COL17A1 knockdown acted for the suppression of LUAD cell growth, invasion, and migration as well as promotion of cell apoptosis and ferroptosis in vitro. COL17A1 knockdown could diminish the tumorigenicity of LUAD cells in vivo. Mechanistically, USP22 stabilized and upregulated COL17A1 by enhancing the deubiquitination of COL17A1. Additionally, reexpression of COL17A1 could reverse USP22 silencing‐induced phenotype changes of LUAD cells in vitro.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that USP22‐stabilized COL17A1 possesses oncogenic activity in LUAD. We propose that USP22 and COL17A1 would be potential targets for the establishment of therapeutic approaches against LUAD.
Clinical evidence for high‐risk CE‐marked medical devices for glucose management: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bano Arjola , Künzler Juri , Wehrli Faina , Kastrati Lum , Rivero Tania , Llane Adea , Valz Gris Angelica , Fraser Alan G. , Stettler Christoph , Hovorka Roman , Laimer Markus , Bally Lia ,   CORE‐MD investigators
Published: August 2024

Aims

To conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis, within the Coordinating Research and Evidence for Medical Devices (CORE‐MD) project, evaluating CE‐marked high‐risk devices for glucose management.

Materials and Methods

We identified interventional and observational studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of eight automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, two implantable insulin pumps, and three implantable continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. We meta‐analysed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing AID systems with other treatments.

Results

A total of 182 studies published between 2009 and 2024 were included, comprising 166 studies on AID systems, six on insulin pumps, and 10 on CGM devices; 26% reported industry funding; 18% were pre‐market; 37% had a comparator group. Of the studies identified, 29% were RCTs, 24% were non‐randomized trials, and 47% were observational studies. The median (interquartile range) sample size was 48 (28–102), age 34.8 (14–44.2) years, and study duration 17.5 (12–26) weeks. AID systems lowered glycated haemoglobin by 0.5 percentage points (absolute mean difference [MD] = −0.5; 21 RCTs; I2 = 86%) and increased time in target range for sensor glucose level by 13.4 percentage points (MD = 13.4; 14 RCTs; I2 = 90%). At least one safety outcome was assessed in 71% of studies.

Conclusions

High‐risk devices for glucose monitoring or insulin dosing, in particular AID systems, improve glucose control safely, but evidence on diabetes‐related end‐organ damage is lacking due to short study durations. Methodological heterogeneity highlights the need for developing standards for future pre‐ and post‐market investigations of diabetes‐specific high‐risk medical devices.
Outcomes of older adults undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with post‐transplant cyclophosphamide based prophylaxis
Authors: Murillo Victoria , Charry Paola , Suárez‐Lledó María , Guardia Laia , Moreno Cristina , Cid Joan , Lozano Miquel , Pedraza Alexandra , Salinas Raquel , Vilas Vanessa , Duch Montserrat , Díaz‐Beya Marina , Rosiñol Laura , Esteve Jordi , Carreras Enric , Fernández‐Avilés Francesc , Martínez Carmen , Rovira Montserrat , Salas María Queralt
Published: August 2024

This study evaluates the feasibility of using post‐transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) prophylaxis in allo‐hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for adults aged 65 and older. PTCY is increasingly used to prevent graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) across all donor types, but concerns remain about potential risks, especially in older patients. Fifty‐seven adults aged 65 or older with hematological malignancies, undergoing their first allo‐HCT with PTCY prophylaxis between January 2011 and January 2023 were included. Overall, 94.8% of patients achieved primary engraftment. The median durations for neutrophil and platelet engraftments were 19 and 21 days. The day +30 cumulative incidence of bacterial bloodstream infection was 43.9%. No CMV reactivations occurred within the first 100 days after letermovir implementation. The day +180 cumulative incidences of grade II–IV and III–IV acute GVHD, and the 2‐year cumulative incidence of moderate/severe chronic GVHD were 26.3%, 10.5%, and 4.8%. Eighteen patients (31.6%) relapsed, and 30 (52.6%) died, with relapse (16.4%) and infection (11.5%) being the main causes of death. The estimated 2‐year overall survival, non‐relapse mortality, cumulative incidence of relapse, and GVHD‐free relapse‐free survival rates were 45.5%, 27.1%, 33.9%, and 37.0%. Adults aged 70 or older had similar outcomes to those aged 65–69. This study confirms the safety and feasibility of PTCY‐based allo‐HCT in older adults.
The value of talents
Authors: Sabah Nasim , Thompson Linh , Wei Zuobao
Published: August 2024

We exploit Employment Non‐Discrimination Acts, Paid Family Medical Leave Acts, and Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act as quasi‐natural experiments to study the value of talents. Our findings suggest that firms with larger capacity to secure and maintain talent pipelines enjoy higher valuations. We further identify a channel through which talents increase firm value: innovation. The value of talents is more significant among high innovation intensity industries in which talents exhibit their value most evidently. Our findings also indicate that talents are costly to obtain and replace.
Assessing the direct and indirect effects of bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) on freshwater food webs: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Hochstrasser Jillian M. , Collins Scott F.
Published: August 2024

The rapid growth of aquaculture over the last century has led to the widespread introduction of aquatic species to freshwater environments. Bighead carp (Cyprinidae: Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (Cyprinidae: Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), collectively referred to as bigheaded carp, are among the top finfishes produced in aquaculture. These filter feeders possess feeding structures that allow them to efficiently remove plankton and other particles from the water. Unfortunately, when introduced into the wild and outside their historical range, their feeding traits generally result in the exploitation and suppression of phytoplankton and zooplankton, reducing food resources for native invertebrates and vertebrates.

We conducted a meta‐analysis of published experiments to examine how bigheaded carp directly and indirectly affect organisms in aquatic food webs to better understand their ecological role within ecosystems. Specifically, we addressed the following questions: (1) What is the overall magnitude and direction of bigheaded carp effects on different aquatic organisms? (2) Do bigheaded carp affect organisms in planktonic and benthic habitats? (3) Are effects similar between bighead carp and silver carp? (4) Are effects consistent among experimental arenas (i.e., mesocosm, ponds)?

We detected direct and indirect effects of bigheaded carp across multiple trophic levels. Large zooplankton often exhibited the strongest negative effects, with taxa‐specific differences between carp species. The suppression of zooplankton cascaded down to primary producers, resulting in an increase in phytoplankton (i.e., indirect effect). However, we observed no compensatory increases in rotifers when large zooplankton were reduced. Growth rates of planktivorous native fishes were the slowest when stocked with bigheaded carp. Our results further indicated that egested waste from bigheaded carp appeared to subsidise (i.e., direct effect) some benthic invertebrates such as Chironomidae midges. Effects of carp on zooplankton were generally similar between mesocosms and ponds.

Invasive bigheaded carp greatly restructure their surrounding food web, both positively and negatively, through a complex suite of direct and indirect effects. These changes manifested across multiple trophic levels and differing habitats. Our analysis provides a more complete understanding of how these invasive carps change their surroundings by exploiting food resources and transferring materials from planktonic to benthic habitats. Taken together, the suite of direct and indirect effects shows how an invasive species can create imbalances within aquatic ecosystems, often to the detriment of native taxa.

Bigheaded carp are invasive in many countries across the globe because of their popularity in aquaculture. Our findings reaffirm the threat these planktivores pose to native freshwater organisms.
“Bossyboots”: Postfeminism and the construction of Australia's “Corporate Woman”
Authors: Wright Claire E. F.
Published: August 2024

Improving the representation of women in corporate leadership is a key postfeminist project. Postfeminism—or the integration of women's empowerment and neoliberalism in the decades following the Women's Movement—has shaped the experience of Australian women in corporate leadership roles since the 1990s. As such, while efforts to improve the number of women in leadership have yielded admirable progress, achieving sustainable improvements in corporate diversity requires attending to collective postfeminist scripts. In order to better understand the global and local features of Australian postfeminism, this article analyses “Corporate Woman,” a mainstream newspaper column published regularly by the Australian Financial Review between 1988 and 1998. It finds that similar political and economic systems, and feminist histories, encouraged Australian postfeminism to adopt many core transnational tenets. At the same time, aspects of Australia's national history and identity, including egalitarianism, emphasis on nuclear families, and context of major economic change, contributed to localism in postfeminism's expression. This expands our understanding of postfeminism, and can help empower corporate women by uncovering the collective cognitive maps that have guided policy interventions, and women's lived experiences in corporate leadership roles.
Conservation and management implications of the effects of wildfire on a threatened Eastern Iberian Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi) population
Authors: Alambiaga Iván , Vera Pablo , García David , Rebassa Maties , Monrós Juan S.
Published: August 2024

Wetland degradation worldwide has led to fragmentation and isolation of diminished populations that are now more vulnerable to disturbance. Wildfires affecting wetlands can have major impacts on vegetation structure and associated waterbird communities, but rapid recovery of the initial state of vegetation cover after fire due to fast emergent vegetation dynamism has turned prescribed fire into a recurrent management method in these systems. S'Albufera de Mallorca Natural Park (Balearic Islands, Spain) was affected in 2020 by a wildfire that impacted 25% of the wetland area, including territories of Eastern Iberian Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus witherbyi, a nationally critically endangered subspecies. In this study we analysed potential effects of wildfire on the breeding population of this subspecies to determine how active fire management could contribute to its conservation. Specifically, we tested whether there were structural variations in marsh vegetation as well as changes in Eastern Iberian Reed Bunting territory distribution and spatial ecology of breeding males 3 years after the fire. There were no differences in vegetation structure between affected and unaffected areas, but there was an increased density of breeding territories and higher male home‐range overlap in affected areas after burning. Home‐range size was not influenced by fire but by habitat, with males established in saw sedges having larger home‐ranges than those in reed beds, probably due to greater movements in safer saw sedge nesting habitats with lower food availability. Prescribed fire may be a useful and cost‐effective conservation tool for Eastern Iberian Reed Bunting populations by creating heterogeneous areas of mixed reed and saw sedge as suitable habitat patches for this subspecies.
Consumer Well‐Being at the Base of the Pyramid and Subsistence Marketplaces: A Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Roye Abheeshek Dev , Mohan Geetha
Published: August 2024

A disparate collection of knowledge on the well‐being of low‐income consumers presents difficulties for both academics and practitioners. This review article addresses the critical need for a comprehensive synthesis of existing knowledge on well‐being of low‐income consumers. Focusing on Base of the Pyramid and Subsistence Marketplaces literature, we employed the SPAR‐4‐SLR protocol to structure our methodology and applied ADO–TCM framework for literature analysis. Our review uncovers conflicting evidence regarding the impact of conspicuous consumption, meeting basic needs and relative well‐being on consumer well‐being. Additionally, we highlight the diversity in conceptualisations of consumer well‐being, leading to inconsistent findings. We advocate qualitative methods, longitudinal studies and triangulation as potential research avenues. Our analysis underscores research gaps regarding the influence of culture, Western subsistence markets, alternative theoretical frameworks and under‐explored facets of consumer well‐being. We propose a set of research questions and objectives to guide scholars in this field.
Crusted plaques on the face
Authors: Korbi Mouna , Amor Fourat , Youssef Monia , Bellalah Ahlem , Chaabane Nabil B. , Belhadjali Hichem , Zili Jameleddine
Published: August 2024

Facial neutrophilic dermatosis is a relatively recent and rare entity. Herein, we report an original case with a clinical appearance of crusty pyoderma gangrenosum and limited face involvement, classifying it as neutrophilic dermatosis (ND) of the face. The latter is an infrequent entity and forms part of the ND spectrum. The few reported cases in the literature are characterized by a restricted distribution on the face, as in our case. Nevertheless, this entity remains controversial: some consider it a variant of Sweet's syndrome; others see it as a truly independent entity. Matthews et al. reported an association between ND of the face, as in the case of our patient with a crusty appearance, and ulcerative colitis. Our observation and that of Matthews et al. underline the wide and varied potential for the clinical presentation of this entity.
YTHDF3 Regulates the Degradation and Stability of m6A‐Enriched Transcripts to Facilitate the Progression of Castration‐Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Duan Juanjuan , Fan Daogui , Chen Pingping , Xiang Jie , Xie Xin , Peng Yuhui , Bai Jingdi , Li Tao , Li Yi , Song Hui , Fu Wenli , Zhang Ting , Xiao Yan , Qi Xiaolan , Hong Wei , Zhou Jing , He Yan , Wu ChangXue , Zeng Hongmei , Bai Hua , Chen Tengxiang , Yu Wenfeng , Zhang Qifang
Published: August 2024

RNA N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) readers mediate cancer progression. However, the functional role and potential mechanisms of the m6A readers in prostate cancer tumorigenicity remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that YTHDF3 expression is elevated in castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and positively correlated to high grade, bone metastasis and poor survival. YTHDF3 expression promoted CRPC cell proliferation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumour progression. Mechanistically, YTHDF3 promoted the RNA degradation of SPOP and NXK3.1 but stabilized RNA expressions of TWIST1 and SNAI2 dependent on m6A to facilitate cell proliferation and EMT. Additionally, YTHDF3 expression enhanced AKT activity via degrading SPOP in an m6A‐dependent manner. Importantly, we found that melatonin can compete with m6A to occupy the m6A‐binding cage of YTHDF3, leading to inhibition of YTHFD3 and its target expressions as well as CRPC tumour growth. Our findings uncover an essential role of YTHDF3 in the progression of CRPC and highlight the role of melatonin in anti‐CRPC activity.
Environmental sustainability, medical waste management, energy and medicine consumption of the surgical intensive care nurses: A qualitative study
Authors: Sürme Yeliz , Maraş Gülseren , Aydin Akbuğa Gökçen
Published: August 2024

Background

In intensive care units, it is noticeable that there is intensive use of resources in the treatment and care process, leading to a significant amount of waste generation. In addition, the demand for intensive care, increasing life expectancy and surgical interventions, complex comorbidities and ecological crisis make it necessary to make critical care more sustainable.

Aim

To explore the perspectives of nurses working in surgical intensive care units regarding responsible medical waste management, energy and medication consumption.

Study Design

This qualitative descriptive study was conducted in surgical intensive care units of a university hospital in Turkey in November 2023. Twenty‐three nurses filled in an introductory form and participated in a semi‐structured interview. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results

Three main themes were determined: environmentally sustainable intensive care, prevention of waste in intensive care; responsible consumption and recycling; suggestions for institutional and individual behavioural change regarding environmental sustainability.

Conclusions

The majority of nurses lack knowledge about sustainable development goals. However, in the intensive care unit, they provided effective and creative solutions for medical waste management, energy and medication consumption and individual and institutional behavioural change regarding environmental sustainability.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Sustainability strategies should be created in institutions to ensure responsible medical waste management, energy and medicine consumption and reduce carbon footprint. In accordance with this purpose, ‘Green teams’ including unit‐based doctors, nurses and paramedics should be established. Training should be provided and awareness should be raised to reduce energy use resulting from heating, lighting, ventilation and air conditioning.
Morphological disparity of mammalian limb bones throughout the Cenozoic: the role of biotic and abiotic factors
Authors: Serio Carmela , Brown Richard P. , Clauss Marcus , Meloro Carlo
Published: August 2024

Mammals exhibit ecology‐related diversity in long bone morphology, revealing an ample spectrum of adaptations both within and between clades. Their occupation of unique ecological niches in postcranial morphology is thought to have occurred at different chronological phases in relation to abiotic factors such as climate and biotic interactions amongst major clades. Mammalian morphologies rapidly evolved throughout the Cenozoic, with several orders following different paths in locomotory adaptations. We assessed morphological variation in limb proportions for a rich sample of extant and fossil large mammalian clades (mainly carnivores and ungulates) to test associations with ecological adaptations and to identify temporal patterns of diversification. Phylogenetic relationships among species were incorporated into the analysis of limb bone proportions, showing significant morphological changes in relation to species substrate preference. Major climatic events appeared to have no temporal impact on patterns of morphological diversification, expressed as morphological disparity, in either clades or ecological groups. Linear stochastic differential equations supported a double‐wedge diversification model for limb proportions of carnivorous clades (‘Creodonta’ and Carnivora). The concomitant increase in morphological disparity throughout the Cenozoic for the orders Carnivora and Artiodactyla had a significative impact on the disparity of Perissodactyla supporting biotic interaction as primary driver of mammalian morphological diversification. Our findings challenge the classic idea of abiotic factors as primary driving forces in the evolution of postcranial morphologies for large terrestrial mammals, and propose clade competition as a key factor in temporal diversification.
Immunofluorescence findings in a reactivating lichenoid photoallergic chronic dermatitis (actinic reticuloid)
Authors: Abreu Velez Ana Maria , Ramírez‐Posada Mariana , Howard Michael S.
Published: August 2024

Background: Chronic photosensitivity dermatitis (CPD) (also named actinic reticuloid) is an unusual disease classically referred often in elderly men. Affected patients have severely itchy, thickened dry skin in areas exposed to the sun throughout the years. Method: A Caucasian female patient who worked most of her life outside who had “chronic dermatitis” in her neck started planting chrysanthemum in her garden on a sunny day. Later, she presented edema, erythema, papules, and a few vesicles in her neck with severe pruritus. Studies: A skin biopsy revealed the diagnosis of CPD, along with positive testing for ultraviolet B (UVB), minimal erythema doses (MED) for UVB (MEDB) UVA (MEDA) and PhotoPath. Results: Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) stains using anti‐human antibodies against fibrinogen, albumin, IgG, IgM, lambda, kappa, and C3c and C1q were positive at the base membrane area of the dermal epidermal junction, in the papillary dermis, as well as the neurovascular bundles in all the dermis and the extracellular matrix, especially those under the blisters. Conclusion: With this case, we suggest not forgetting the importance of using DIF in reactivated CPD cases in addition to the photo patch testing.
Family study of the error‐related negativity in adolescent and young adult females and their parents
Authors: Trayvick Jadyn , Adams Elise M. , Nelson Brady D.
Published: August 2024

The error‐related negativity (ERN) has been identified as a potential endophenotype of psychopathology. However, there is limited research investigating familial transmission of the ERN, particularly across developmental phases that are associated with increased risk for psychopathology. The present study included a sample of one hundred thirty‐one adolescent and young adult females (Mage = 17.77, SD = 1.84) and their biological parents at a first assessment and 75 females (Mage = 20.48, SD = 1.75) and their biological parents at a second assessment. Participants and their parents completed a flanker task while electroencephalography was recorded to examine parent–daughter associations of the ERN, correct response negativity (CRN), and ΔERN (i.e., ERN‐CRN) at two assessments that were separated by approximately 3 years (Myears = 2.84, SD = 0.60). The daughters also completed self‐report measures of generalized anxiety and depression symptoms. Results indicated that the ΔERN, but not the ERN or CRN, was positively correlated between parents and their daughters at both assessments. Furthermore, the parent–daughter correlation strength did not differ between assessments. Finally, both daughter and parent ∆ERNs were associated with daughter generalized anxiety and depression symptoms. The present study suggests that, like psychiatric disorders, the ERN runs in families and is associated with both concurrent and familial psychopathology, supporting its conceptualization as an endophenotype of psychopathology.
Exports, skills, and wage inequality in Kenya's manufacturing firms
Authors: Kinuthia Bethuel Kinyanjui , Manda Damiano Kulundu
Published: August 2024

This study utilized employee–employer datasets 1993 to 1995 to investigate the presence of export wage premium and its impact on wage inequality within the Kenya's manufacturing sector. Panel estimations were conducted using the Mincerian wage regressions with fixed effects, adjusting the standard errors of estimators to accommodate potential correlation of error terms across workers in manufacturing firms. Additionally, we decompose the GINI coefficient by categories of earnings to get the marginal effects. Furthermore, the quantile regression analysis was used to show the wage distribution. The results revealed an export premium of 11 percent in the manufacturing sector upon incorporating workers' characteristics in the estimations. The export wage premium was associated with workers possessing secondary and university education. Furthermore, participating in the export sector contributes to an increase in wage inequality of 1.42 percent within the manufacturing sector. Moreover, the study found that workers with university education received export wage premium in the lower quantiles, whereas those with secondary education experienced it in the upper quantiles, albeit to a lesser extent, contributing to wage inequality.
Compliance with tetracycline eye ointment during annual mass drug administration for trachoma control in the Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: Aragie Solomon , Shiferaw Ayalew , Sata Eshetu , Hailu Dagnachew , Dagnew Adane , Zeru Taye , Abebe Adisu , Tadesse Zerihun , Wittberg Dionna M. , Thompson Isabel J. B. , Lietman Thomas M. , Nash Scott D. , Jensen Kimberly A. , Callahan E. Kelly , Keenan Jeremy D.
Published: August 2024

Objectives

A 6‐week course of tetracycline eye ointment is an alternative to single ‐dose oral azithromycin in annual mass drug administration for trachoma control. Compliance with the recommended tetracycline eye ointment regimen has not been well characterised when administered as part of a trachoma control program.

Methods

A routine mass drug administration for trachoma was carried out in 40 communities in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Two tubes of tetracycline eye ointment, to be administered twice daily for 6 weeks, was offered to all children under 6 months of age, to pregnant women who declined to take azithromycin, and to all individuals with a macrolide allergy. Seven weeks following the mass drug administration, a treatment compliance survey was performed for all community members documented to have received tetracycline eye ointment during the mass drug administration.

Results

Of the 491 individuals documented as having received tetracycline eye ointment from the treatment records, 367 completed the survey, of which 214 recalled being offered tetracycline eye ointment. A total of 105 (49%) respondents reported taking ≥1 daily dose of tetracycline eye ointment on most days of the week for at least the first week. Only 20 (9%) respondents reported taking at least 1 tetracycline eye ointment dose per week for 6 weeks. The most common reasons for low compliance included ‘saving it for a future infection’ and ‘stopped because I (or my child) seemed healthy’. The odds of low compliance were greater for those who reported not having adequate counselling (e.g., odds ratio [OR] 5.3, 95% CI 2.5–28.9 when low compliance was defined as not taking a tetracycline eye ointment dose for most days of at least the first week).

Conclusions

Compliance with tetracycline eye ointment was low when administered by a trachoma program during a routine mass drug administration, especially for those reporting inadequate counselling. Further research with a larger sample size and varied settings is warranted to better understand and improve compliance.
Overexpression of the transcription factor ANAC017 results in a genomes uncoupled phenotype under lincomycin
Authors: Zhu Yanqiao , Narsai Reena , He Cunman , Štaka Zorana , Bai Chen , Berkowitz Oliver , Liew Lim Chee , Whelan James
Published: August 2024

Over‐expression (OE) lines for the ER‐tethered NAC transcription factor ANAC017 displayed de‐repression of gun marker genes when grown on lincomycin (lin). RNA‐seq revealed that ANAC017OE2 plants constitutively expressed greater than 40% of the genes induced in wild‐type with lin treatment, including plastid encoded genes ycf1.2 and the gene cluster ndhH‐ndhA‐ndhI‐ndhG‐ndhE‐psaC‐ndhD, documented as direct RNA targets of GUN1. Genes encoding components involved in organelle translation were enriched in constitutively expressed genes in ANAC017OE2. ANAC017OE resulted in constitutive location in the nucleus and significant constitutive binding of ANAC017 was detected by ChIP‐Seq to target genes. ANAC017OE2 lines maintained the ability to green on lin, were more ABA sensitive, did not show photo‐oxidative damage after exposure of de‐etiolated seedlings to continuous light and the transcriptome response to lin were as much as 80% unique compared to gun1‐1. Both double mutants, gun1‐1:ANAC017OE and bzip60:ANAC017OE (but not single bzip60), have a gun molecular gene expression pattern and result in variegated and green plants, suggesting that ANAC017OE may act through an independent pathway compared to gun1. Over‐expression of ANAC013 or rcd1 did not produce a GUN phenotype or green plants on lin. Thus, constitutive ANAC017OE2 establishes an alternative transcriptional program that likely acts through a number of pathways, that is, maintains plastid gene expression, and induction of a variety of transcription factors involved in reactive oxygen species metabolism, priming plants for lin tolerance to give a gun phenotype.
Knocking out isopropylmalate synthase simultaneously improves grain appearance and nutritional quality in rice
Authors: Zhao Jia , Shao Jie , Zeng Zixuan , Li Zihe , Sun Shan , Peng Liling , Huang Zhibo , Wang Zhoufei , He Yongqi
Published: August 2024

Grain appearance and nutritional quality are critical traits for rice marketing. However, how to simultaneously improve grain appearance (slender grain and low chalkiness) and nutritional quality (improved protein and amino acid contents) in rice remains a major challenge. Here, we show that knocking out rice isopropylmalate synthase genes OsIPMS1 and OsIPMS2 can improve both grain appearance and nutritional quality. We find that OsIPMS1 directly interacts with OsIPMS2 to form heterodimers. Meanwhile, we observe that OsIPMS1 and OsIPMS2 influence the expression of genes previously reported to be involved in the determination of grain size and nutritional quality in the developing panicles and grains. Furthermore, we show that Osipms1/2 double mutants exhibit significantly improved grain appearance and nutritional quality in polished rice in both the japonica (Wuyungeng 23) and indica (Huanghuazhan) varieties. Our findings indicate that OsIPMS is a useful target gene for breeding of rice varieties appealing for marketing and with health‐benefiting properties.
LsRTDv1, a reference transcript dataset for accurate transcript‐specific expression analysis in lettuce
Authors: Kara Mehmet Fatih , Guo Wenbin , Zhang Runxuan , Denby Katherine
Published: August 2024

Accurate quantification of gene and transcript‐specific expression, with the underlying knowledge of precise transcript isoforms, is crucial to understanding many biological processes. Analysis of RNA sequencing data has benefited from the development of alignment‐free algorithms which enhance the precision and speed of expression analysis. However, such algorithms require a reference transcriptome. Here we generate a reference transcript dataset (LsRTDv1) for lettuce (cv. Saladin), combining long‐ and short‐read sequencing with publicly available transcriptome annotations, and filtering to keep only transcripts with high‐confidence splice junctions and transcriptional start and end sites. LsRTDv1 identifies novel genes (mostly long non‐coding RNAs) and increases the number of transcript isoforms per gene in the lettuce genome from 1.4 to 2.7. We show that LsRTDv1 significantly increases the mapping rate of RNA‐seq data from a lettuce time‐series experiment (mock‐ and Botrytis cinerea‐inoculated) and enables detection of genes that are differentially alternatively spliced in response to infection as well as transcript‐specific expression changes. LsRTDv1 is a valuable resource for investigation of transcriptional and alternative splicing regulation in lettuce.
Identification of glycosyltransferases mediating 2‐O‐arabinopyranosyl and 2‐O‐galactosyl substitutions of glucuronosyl side chains of xylan
Authors: Zhong Ruiqin , Zhou Dayong , Phillips Dennis R. , Adams Earle R. , Chen Lirong , Rose John P. , Wang Bi‐Cheng , Ye Zheng‐Hua
Published: August 2024

Xylan is one of the major hemicelluloses in plant cell walls and its xylosyl backbone is often decorated at O‐2 with glucuronic acid (GlcA) and/or methylglucuronic acid (MeGlcA) residues. The GlcA/MeGlcA side chains may be further substituted with 2‐O‐arabinopyranose (Arap) or 2‐O‐galactopyranose (Gal) residues in some plant species, but the enzymes responsible for these substitutions remain unknown. During our endeavor to investigate the enzymatic activities of Arabidopsis MUR3‐clade members of the GT47 glycosyltransferase family, we found that one of them was able to transfer Arap from UDP‐Arap onto O‐2 of GlcA side chains of xylan, and thus it was named xylan 2‐O‐arabinopyranosyltransferase 1 (AtXAPT1). The function of AtXAPT1 was verified in planta by its T‐DNA knockout mutation showing a loss of the Arap substitution on xylan GlcA side chains. Further biochemical characterization of XAPT close homologs from other plant species demonstrated that while the poplar ones had the same catalytic activity as AtXAPT1, those from Eucalyptus, lemon‐scented gum, sea apple, 'Ohi'a lehua, duckweed and purple yam were capable of catalyzing both 2‐O‐Arap and 2‐O‐Gal substitutions of xylan GlcA side chains albeit with differential activities. Sequential reactions with XAPTs and glucuronoxylan methyltransferase 3 (GXM3) showed that XAPTs acted poorly on MeGlcA side chains, whereas GXM3 could efficiently methylate arabinosylated or galactosylated GlcA side chains of xylan. Furthermore, molecular docking and site‐directed mutagenesis analyses of Eucalyptus XAPT1 revealed critical roles of several amino acid residues at the putative active site in its activity. Together, these findings establish that XAPTs residing in the MUR3 clade of family GT47 are responsible for 2‐O‐arabinopyranosylation and 2‐O‐galactosylation of GlcA side chains of xylan.
Energy expenditure, intake and availability in female soccer players via doubly labelled water: Are we misrepresenting low energy availability?
Authors: McHaffie Samuel J. , Langan‐Evans Carl , Strauss Juliette A. , Areta José L. , Rosimus Christopher , Evans Martin , Waghorn Ruth , Grant James , Cuthbert Matthew , Hambly Catherine , Speakman John R. , Morton James P.
Published: August 2024

Female soccer players have been identified as presenting with low energy availability (LEA), though the prevalence of LEA may be overestimated given inaccuracies associated with self‐reporting dietary intakes. Accordingly, we aimed to quantify total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) via the doubly labelled water (DLW) method, energy intake (EI) and energy availability (EA). Adolescent female soccer players (n = 45; 16 ± 1 years) completed a 9–10 day ‘training camp’ representing their national team. Absolute and relative TDEE was 2683 ± 324 and 60 ± 7 kcal kg−1 fat free mass (FFM), respectively. Mean daily EI was lower (P < 0.01) when players self‐reported using the remote food photography method (RFPM) (2047 ± 383 kcal day−1) over a 3‐day period versus DLW derived EI estimates accounting for body mass (BM) changes (2545 ± 518 kcal day−1) over 7–8 days, representing a mean daily Δ of 499 ± 526 kcal day−1 and 22% error when using the RFPM. Estimated EA was different (P < 0.01) between methods (DLW: 48 ± 14 kcal kg−1 FFM, range: 22–82; RFPM: 37 ± 8 kcal kg−1 FFM, range: 22–54), such that prevalence of LEA (<30 kcal kg−1 FFM) was lower in DLW compared with RFPM (5% vs. 15%, respectively). Data demonstrate the potential to significantly underestimate EI when using self‐report methods. This approach can therefore cause a misrepresentation and an over‐prevalence of LEA, which is the underlying aetiology of ‘relative energy deficiency in sport’ (REDs).
Consonance in the carillon
Authors: Harrison Peter M. C. , MacConnachie James M. C.
Published: August 2024

Previous psychological studies have shown that musical consonance is not only determined by the frequency ratios between tones, but also by the frequency spectra of those tones. However, these prior studies used artificial tones, specifically tones built from a small number of pure tones, which do not match the acoustic complexity of real musical instruments. The present experiment therefore investigates tones recorded from a real musical instrument, the Westerkerk Carillon, conducting a “dense rating” experiment where participants (N = 113) rated musical intervals drawn from the continuous range 0–15 semitones. Results show that the traditional consonances of the major third and the minor sixth become dissonances in the carillon and that small intervals (in particular 0.5–2.5 semitones) also become particularly dissonant. Computational modelling shows that these effects are primarily caused by interference between partials (e.g., beating), but that preference for harmonicity is also necessary to produce an accurate overall account of participants' preferences. The results support musicians' writings about the carillon and contribute to ongoing debates about the psychological mechanisms underpinning consonance perception, in particular disputing the recent claim that interference is largely irrelevant to consonance perception.
Language evolution in primates
Authors: Hage Steffen R.
Published: August 2024

Human speech evolution is not just about having a speech-ready brain and vocal apparatus
Compensatory mutations potentiate constructive neutral evolution by gene duplication
Authors: Després Philippe C. , Dubé Alexandre K. , Picard Marie-Ève , Grenier Jordan , Shi Rong , Landry Christian R.
Published: August 2024

The functions of proteins generally depend on their assembly into complexes. During evolution, some complexes have transitioned from homomers encoded by a single gene to heteromers encoded by duplicate genes. This transition could occur without adaptive evolution through intermolecular compensatory mutations. Here, we experimentally duplicated and evolved a homodimeric enzyme to determine whether and how this could happen. We identified hundreds of deleterious mutations that inactivate individual homodimers but produce functional enzymes when coexpressed as duplicated proteins that heterodimerize. The structure of one such heteromer reveals how both losses of function are buffered through the introduction of asymmetry in the complex that allows them to subfunctionalize. Constructive neutral evolution can thus occur by gene duplication followed by only one deleterious mutation per duplicate.
The Turing Test and our shifting conceptions of intelligence
Authors: Mitchell Melanie
Published: August 2024

“Can machines think?” So asked Alan Turing in his
1950 paper
, “Computing Machinery and Intelligence.” Turing quickly noted that, given the difficulty of defining
thinking
, the question is “too meaningless to deserve discussion.” As is often done in philosophical debates, he proposed replacing it with a different question. Turing imagined an “imitation game,” in which a human judge converses with both a computer and a human (a “foil”), each of which vies to convince the judge that they are the human. Importantly, the computer, foil, and judge do not see one another; they communicate entirely through text. After conversing with each candidate, the judge guesses which one is the real human. Turing’s new question was, “Are there imaginable digital computers which would do well in the imitation game?”
Four billion people lack safe water
Authors: Hope Rob
Published: August 2024

Water safety is a key challenge compounded by climate risks and data gaps
Sensitivity of dairy calf
Salmonella enterica
serotype Cerro isolates to infection-relevant stressors
Authors: Raabis Sarah M. , Westerman Trina L. , Cruz Eddy , Deblois Courtney L. , Suen Garret , Elfenbein Johanna R.
Published: August 2024

Salmonella enterica
serotype Cerro (
S
. Cerro) is an emerging
Salmonella
serotype isolated from cattle, but the association of
S
. Cerro with disease is not well understood. While comparative genomic analyses of bovine
S
. Cerro isolates have indicated mutations in elements associated with virulence, the correlation of
S
. Cerro fecal shedding with clinical disease in cattle varies between epidemiologic studies. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the infection-relevant phenotypes of
S
. Cerro fecal isolates obtained from neonatal calves born on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, USA. The
S
. Cerro isolates varied in biofilm production and sensitivity to the bile salt deoxycholate. All
S
. Cerro isolates were sensitive to sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, and acidic shock. However,
S
. Cerro isolates were resistant to nitric oxide stress. Two
S
. Cerro isolates were unable to compete with
S
. Typhimurium during infection of calf ligated intestinal loops, indicating decreased fitness
in vivo
. Together, our data suggest that
S
. Cerro is sensitive to some innate antimicrobial defenses present in the gut, many of which are also used to control
Salmonella
in the environment. The observed phenotypic variation in
S
. Cerro isolates from a single farm suggest phenotypic plasticity that could impact infectious potential, transmission, and persistence on a farm.

IMPORTANCE

Salmonella enterica
is a zoonotic pathogen that threatens both human and animal health.
Salmonella enterica
serotype Cerro is being isolated from cattle at increasing frequency over the past two decades; however, its association with clinical disease is unclear. The goal of this study was to characterize infection-relevant phenotypes of
S
. Cerro isolates obtained from dairy calves from a single farm. Our work shows that there can be variation among temporally related
S
. Cerro isolates and that these isolates are sensitive to killing by toxic compounds of the innate immune system and those used for environmental control of
Salmonella
. This work contributes to our understanding of the pathogenic potential of the emerging pathogen
S
. Cerro.
Intranasal delivery of a recombinant adenovirus vaccine encoding the PEDV COE elicits potent mucosal and systemic antibody responses in mice
Authors: Yan Shijie , Luo Yi , Zhan Ningjia , Xu Haoran , Yao Yao , Liu Xiang , Dong Xiaoqing , Kang Li , Zhang Guozhong , Liu Pinghuang
Published: August 2024

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an enteropathogenic coronavirus that causes substantial economic loss to the global pig industry. The emergence of PEDV variants has increased the need for new vaccines, as commercial vaccines confer inferior protection against currently circulating strains. It is well established that the induction of mucosal immunity is crucial for PEDV vaccines to provide better protection against PEDV infection. In this study, we constructed a recombinant adenovirus expressing the core neutralization epitope (COE) of G2b PEDV based on human adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5). We evaluated the effects of different administration routes and doses of vaccine immunogenicity in Balb/c mice. Both intramuscular (IM) and intranasal (IN) administration elicited significant humoral responses, including COE-specific IgG in serum and mucosal secretions, along with serum-neutralizing antibodies. Moreover, IN delivery was more potent than IM in stimulating IgA in serum and mucosal samples and in dampening the immune response to the Ad5 vector. The immune response was stronger after high versus low dose IM injection, whereas no significant difference was observed between high and low IN doses. In summary, our findings provide important insights for developing novel PEDV vaccines.

IMPORTANCE

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a highly contagious disease that has severe economic implications for the pork industry. Developing an effective vaccine against PEDV remains a necessity. Here, we generated a recombinant adenovirus vaccine based on Ad5 to express the COE protein of PEDV (rAd5-PEDV-COE) and systematically evaluated the immunogenicity of the adenovirus-vectored vaccine using different administration routes (intramuscular and intranasal) and doses in a mouse model. Our results show that rAd5-PEDV-COE induced potent systemic humoral response regardless of the dose or immunization route. Notably, intranasal delivery was superior to induce peripheral and mucosal IgA antibodies compared with intramuscular injection. Our data provide valuable insights into designing novel PEDV vaccines.
Supplemental Material: Arc magma heterogeneity induced by subslab mantle upwelling
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Guo Kun , Li Sanzhong , al. et
Published: August 2024

Sample information, methods, supplemental figures and tables.  
Supplemental Material: Early Neoarchean geodynamic regime in the North China Craton: Constraints from 2.7 Ga granitoids in the southern Jilin terrane
Authors: Liu Jin , al. et
Published: August 2024

Detailed analytic methods, summary of early Neoarchean granitoids, and results of zircon U-Pb dating and trace element modeling. 
Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and childhood asthma: a European collaborative analysis
Authors: Eijkemans Marianne , Mommers Monique , Harskamp-van Ginkel Margreet W , Vrijkotte Tanja G M , Ludvigsson Johnny , Faresj� �shild , Bergstr�m Anna , Ekstr�m Sandra , Grote Veit , Koletzko Berthold , B�nnelykke Klaus , Eliasen Anders Ulrik , Bager Peter , Melbye Mads , Annesi-Maesano Isabella , Ba�z Nour , Barros Henrique , Santos Ana Cristina , Duijts Liesbeth , Mensink-Bout Sara M , Flexeder Claudia , Koletzko Sibylle , Schikowski Tamara , Eggesb� Merete �se , Lenters Virissa , Fern�ndez-Tard�n Guillermo , Subiza-Perez Mikel , Garcia-Aymerich Judith , L�pez-Vicente M�nica , Sunyer Jordi , Torrent Maties , Ballester Ferran , Kelleher Cecily , Mehegan John , Berg Andrea von , Herberth Gunda , Standl Marie , Kuehni Claudia E , Pedersen Eva S L , Jansen Maria , Gehring Ulrike , Boer Jolanda M A , Devereux Graham , Turner Steve , Peltola Ville , Lagstr�m Hanna , Inskip Hazel M , Pike Katharine C , Dalmeijer Geertje W , Ent Cornelis K van der , Thijs Carel
Published: August 2024

Objectives

To investigate the associations of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour in early childhood with asthma and reduced lung function in later childhood within a large collaborative study.

Design

Pooling of longitudinal data from collaborating birth cohorts using meta-analysis of separate cohort-specific estimates and analysis of individual participant data of all cohorts combined.

Setting

Children aged 0�18 years from 26 European birth cohorts.

Participants

136 071 individual children from 26 cohorts, with information on PA and/or sedentary behaviour in early childhood and asthma assessment in later childhood.

Main outcome measure

Questionnaire-based current asthma and lung function measured by spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV
1
), FEV
1
/forced vital capacity) at age 6�18 years.

Results

Questionnaire-based and accelerometry-based PA and sedentary behaviour at age 3�5 years was not associated with asthma at age 6�18 years (PA in hours/day adjusted OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.04; sedentary behaviour in hours/day adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.07). PA was not associated with lung function at any age. Analyses of sedentary behaviour and lung function showed inconsistent results.

Conclusions

Reduced PA and increased sedentary behaviour before 6 years of age were not associated with the presence of asthma later in childhood.