bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influences of environmental and individual-level covariates on movement behaviour in American lobster Homarus americanus
Authors: Konecny CA , Cote D , Broome J , Nicolas JM , Regular PM , Cook AM , Hatefi F
Published: January 2024

Movements reflect important activities and life history events for animals, and therefore understanding what influences movement in organisms is increasingly important as climate change alters environmental conditions at unprecedented rates. This has relevance for predicting the effects of climate change on fitness and interpreting stock status of species such as American lobster Homarus americanus, whose catchability is behaviourally mediated. We analysed movement tracks from tagged lobsters in a natural environment over short (10 d, n = 37) and long timescales (up to 7 mo, n = 16), applying hidden Markov models to investigate the influence of individual-level and environmental covariates on movement patterns. We classified movement tracks to identify behavioural states through time and compared the distribution of states across habitats to understand how movement may relate to bottom composition. In the short-term analysis, we found evidence for 3 behavioural states: Sheltered, Exploratory, and Transit. In the long-term analysis, we found evidence of Sheltered and Exploratory states, but the Transit state was absent. Movement parameters varied across temperature, with higher velocities and more tortuous movements at higher temperatures. Our results demonstrate that lobsters spend most of their time Sheltered, with state probabilities being altered by diel period, time since release, sex, carapace length, temperature, and tide trend. Further, mobile states were typically observed in areas of low algal cover. Our results underscore the importance of environmental and individual-level factors in understanding lobster movement and suggest that such factors could obscure population depletion if not accounted for in a warming environment.
Dasein and the Question of the Heterogenous Film Viewer: A Commentary on Loht’s Heideggerian Phenomenology of Film
Authors: Sandrussi Annie
Published: January 2024

In response to Shawn Loht’s 2017 project delineating a Heideggerian phenomenology of film, Phenomenology of Film: A Heideggerian Account of the Film Experience, I examine how productive Loht’s Dasein-centric account of the film viewer might be for considering diverse film-viewer experiences. Starting from Loht’s premise that the film–viewer relation is the constitutive ground of filmic disclosure, I raise two concerns regarding Heidegger’s account of Dasein that might obscure an account of the diversity of film viewers and associated heterogeneity of filmic disclosure: Dasein’s lack of concreteness with respect to lived experience, and Heidegger’s neglect of embodiment and bodily difference. I firstly argue that Dasein’s lack of concreteness is productive for theorising the diversity of film viewers by discussing the concept of Dasein through formal indication, a Heideggerian notion that Loht draws upon in order to account for filmic disclosure. I then examine a key objection, that Heidegger’s neglect of embodiment limits the productivity of a Dasein-centric account of film viewers for theorising diversity. I refer to Katharina Lindner’s interpretation of Heidegger’s notion of being-in-the-world in a queer phenomenology of film, set out in “Questions of Embodied Difference: Film and Queer Phenomenology” (2012), to suggest a pathway for how Dasein’s being-in-the-world might offer an account of film viewing that takes into consideration the embodiment of diverse viewers.
Quantum dark energy in a seven-dimensional universe
Authors: Kesanasetty Sasidhar
Published: January 2024

This paper explains the dark energy and acceleration of the universe by quantizing the space in hidden dimensions, which provides the basis and background for the gravitational force through the curvature of space-time. Space-time is considered to be made of a four-dimensional elastic grid in a seven-dimensional universe in which matter also expands along with the universe. Each cube of the grid is considered a quantum of hidden three-dimensional space of Planck volume containing Planck charge, which makes the universe seven-dimensional. The dark energy is explained by the electrostatic repulsion between the Planck charges in each quantum of the hidden space. Mathematically, this electrostatic repulsion is related to the Hubble constant to explain the accelerated expansion, dark energy, and increase in the cosmological potential energy of matter. Expansion of space-time is considered not due to the creation of the new space but due to the stretching of the existing space-time itself like an elastic ruler where the proper length and the volume remains constant. The values of the Planck constant, gravitational constant, permittivity of free space, and Boltzmann constant are shown to vary owing to the expansion of space-time and hence provide falsifiable predictions for this theory. This theory builds a framework for the relativistic Newtonian theory of gravity, the relativistic MONDian (Modified Newtonian dynamics) gravity, identifies a valid reason for the transition of Newtonian gravity to MOND at a0 and eliminates the need for dark matter to explain the dynamics of galaxy clusters.
The impact of energy demand on economic growth: A new empirical evidence for Madagascar
Authors: Ramaharo Franck , Razanajatovo Yves , Ravelomanantsoa Fabienne , Ramarosandratana Melodia , Aljaona Emanuella
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the impact of energy demand on Madagascar's economic growth from 2007Q1 to 2022Q4. Drawing upon a rich dataset from Malagasy sources, we applied the ARDL bounds testing approach and found cointegration among the series. We found that, in the long run, electricity and petroleum consumption have positive significant effects on economic growth, while energy imports and global prices have negative significant effects. We further applied Granger-causality test based on Error Correction Model to examine causal relationships. The results revealed that in the short run, there are unidirectional causal effects running from electricity consumption, energy imports, and global prices to economic growth. The test also revealed that both energy demand and global prices have a long-run causal effect on economic growth. Our findings confirms that Madagascar is an energy-dependent economy, and provide valuable insights for policymakers to design effective energy policies that promote economic growth and energy security.
BIMBINGAN DAN PELATIHAN PENYIMPANAN ARSIP PESERTA DIDIK SECARA ELEKTRONIK
Authors: Kristianingsih Tatiana , Anjari Becik Gati , Rahmawati Rizka , Sukma Erlangga Andi , Indrianti Titien
Published: January 2024

School administration is one of the important things in the administration of education. With so many administrative activities, effective and efficient management is needed. The application of electronic archives has the main advantage which lies in the ease of management and management of records. Given the importance of managing electronic records, this guidance and training will be provided to teachers of Kindergarten ABA 38 Malang, because the school is a new school and is currently carrying out accreditation. In this activity the PPM team conducted counseling, discussions, mentoring and evaluation. After carrying out the education, further discussions were held regarding the case studies that would be raised in the mentoring and selected filings for school accreditation. So that assistance is focused on structuring evidence of school accreditation which consists of 8 standards, namely developmental achievements, content standards, process standards, educators and teaching staff, infrastructure, management standards, cost standards, assessment standards. After the training and mentoring the partners were very satisfied because it was very helpful to manage their school archives. In addition, partners feel more prepared for accreditation because the evidence prepared is tidier and easier to find.
Enhanced scalability and privacy for blockchain data using Merklized transactions
Authors: Davies Jack
Published: January 2024

Blockchain technology has evolved beyond the use case of electronic cash and is increasingly used to secure, store, and distribute data for many applications. Distributed ledgers such as Bitcoin have the ability to record data of any kind alongside the transfer of monetary value. This property can be used to provide a source of immutable, tamper-evident data for a wide variety applications spanning from the supply chain to distributed social media. However, this paradigm also presents new challenges regarding the scalability of data storage protocols, such that the data can be efficiently accessed by a large number of users, in addition to maintaining privacy for data stored on the blockchain. Here, we present a new mechanism for constructing blockchain transactions using Merkle trees comprised of transaction fields. Our construction allows for transaction data to be verified field-wise using Merkle proofs. We show how the technique can be implemented either at the system level or as a second layer protocol that does not require changes to the underlying blockchain. This technique allows users to efficiently verify blockchain data by separately checking targeted individual data items stored in transactions. Furthermore, we outline how our protocol can afford users improved privacy in a blockchain context by enabling network-wide data redaction. This feature of our design can be used by blockchain nodes to facilitate easier compliance with regulations such as GDPR and the right to be forgotten.
Galectin-9 in cancer therapy: from immune checkpoint ligand to promising therapeutic target
Authors: Zhang Minpu , Liu Cun , Li Ye , Li Huayao , Zhang Wenfeng , Liu Jingyang , Wang Liquan , Sun Changgang
Published: January 2024

Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is a vital member of the galectin family, functioning as a multi-subtype galactose lectin with diverse biological roles. Recent research has revealed that Gal-9’s interaction with tumors is an independent factor that influences tumor progression. Furthermore, Gal-9 in the immune microenvironment cross-talks with tumor-associated immune cells, informing the clarification of Gal-9’s identity as an immune checkpoint. A thorough investigation into Gal-9’s role in various cancer types and its interaction with the immune microenvironment could yield novel strategies for subsequent targeted immunotherapy. This review focuses on the latest advances in understanding the direct and indirect cross-talk between Gal-9 and hematologic malignancies, in addition to solid tumors. In addition, we discuss the prospects of Gal-9 in tumor immunotherapy, including its cross-talk with the ligand TIM-3 and its potential in immune-combination therapy.
First genome assembly and annotation of Sanghuangporus weigelae uncovers its medicinal functions, metabolic pathways, and evolution
Authors: Jin Can , Ma Jin-Xin , Wang Hao , Tang Lu-Xin , Ye Yi-Fan , Li Xin , Si Jing
Published: January 2024

Sanghuangporus, also known as “Sanghuang” in China, is a well-known genus of traditional Chinese medicinal macrofungi. To make more effective use of Sanghuangporus resources, we completed the first genome assembly and annotation of a monokaryon strain of S. weigelae in the present study. A 33.96-Mb genome sequence was assembled as 13 contigs, leading to prediction of 9377 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic and average nucleotide identity analyses indicated that the S. weigelae genome is closely related to those of other Sanghuangporus species in evolutionary tree, which clustered in one clade. Collinearity analysis revealed a high level of collinearity of S. weigelae with S. baumii, S. vaninii, and S. sanghuang. Biosynthesis pathways potentially involved in medicinal properties, including terpenoid and polysaccharide synthesis, were identified in S. weigelae, while polysaccharides were identified as the main medicinal metabolites in S. weigelae, with flavonoids more important in Sanghuangporus than other medicinal mushroom groups. Genes encoding 332 carbohydrate-active enzymes were identified in the S. weigelae genome, including major glycoside hydrolases and glycosyltransferases predicted, revealing the robust lignocellulose degradation capacity of S. weigelae. Further, 130 genes, clustered in seven classes were annotated to encode cytochromes P450 in the S. weigelae genome. Overall, our results reveal the remarkably medicinal capacity of S. weigelae and provide new insights that will inform the study of evolution and medicinal application of S. weigelae. The data are a reference resource for the formulation of scientific and rational ecological protection policies for Sanghuangporus species.
Characterization of nontyphoidal Salmonella strains from a tertiary hospital in China: serotype diversity, multidrug resistance, and genetic insights
Authors: Ma Wanshan , Cui Xiaodi , Dong Xiutao , Li Xinpeng , Liu Ke , Wang Yujiao , Shi Xiaohong , Chen Liang , Hao Mingju
Published: January 2024

Objective

Nontyphoidal Salmonella is a significant public health concern due to its ability to cause foodborne illnesses worldwide. This study aims to characterize the nontyphoidal Salmonella strains isolated from patients in China.

Methods

A total of 19 nontyphoidal Salmonella strains were characterized through serovar identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), biofilm formation assessment. Genetic relatedness was determined using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). WGS was employed to decipher the resistance mechanism and to contextualize the S. serovar Mbandaka strains among previously sequenced isolates in China. The biofilm associated mrkA gene was examined by PCR.

Results

The predominant serovar identified was S. Enteritidis, followed by S. Mbandaka, S. Thompson, S. Livingston, S. Alachua, and S. Infantis. PFGE analysis indicated a notable genetic similarity among the S. Mbandaka isolates. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that these strains were likely derived from a single source that had persisted in China for over five years. One multidrug resistance (MDR) S. Enteritidis isolate carried a highly transferable IncB/O/K/Z plasmid with blaCTX-M-15. One S. Thompson strain, harboring the mrkABCDF operon in an IncX1 plasmid, isolated from cutaneous lesions, demonstrated robust biofilm formation. However, no mrkABCDF loci were detected in other strains.

Conclusion

Our study emphasizes the importance of persisted surveillance and prompt response to Salmonella infections to protect public health. The dissemination of blaCTX-M-15-harboring IncB/O/K/Z plasmid and the spread of virulent mrkABCDF operon among Salmonella in China and other global regions warrant close monitoring.
Lipid nanoparticles based on natural matrices with activity against multidrug resistant bacterial species
Authors: da Silva Elenice Francisco , Bastos Luciana Machado , Fonseca Belchiolina Beatriz , Ribas Rosineide Marques , Sommerfeld Simone , Pires Henrique Machado , dos Santos Fernanda Aparecida Longato , Ribeiro Lígia Nunes de Morais
Published: January 2024

Lately, the bacterial multidrug resistance has been a reason to public health concerning around world. The development of new pharmacology therapies against infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria is urgent. In this work, we developed 10 NLC formulations composed of essential oils (EO), vegetable butter and surfactant. The formulations were evaluated for long-term and thermal cycling stability studies in terms of (particle size, polydispersion index and Zeta potential). In vitro antimicrobial assays were performed using disk diffusion test and by the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) performed with fresh and a year-old NLC. The most promising system and its excipients were structurally characterized through experimental methodologies (FTIR-ATR, DSC and FE-SEM). Finally, this same formulation was studied through nanotoxicity assays on the chicken embryo model, analyzing different parameters, as viability and weight changes of embryos and annexes. All the developed formulations presented long-term physicochemical and thermal stability. The formulation based on cinnamon EO presented in vitro activity against strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from humans and in vivo biocompatibility. Considering these promising results, such system is able to be further tested on in vivo efficacy assays.
Subacute hemorrhagic pericardial tamponade after COVID-19 infection mimicking carcinomatous pericarditis: a case report
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Kume Nao , Hashimoto Katsuya , Isogai Jun , Kuwabara Takuya , Noguchi Masayuki , Murayama Hiroyuki , Hashimoto Toru , Ogino Hidemitsu
Published: January 2024

Background

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-associated acute pericarditis has recently received much attention owing to its high frequency associated with pericardial tamponade (PT), showing unfavorable prognosis. However, early diagnosis and treatment remain challenging in cases of non-specific signs and symptoms.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for acute osteomyelitis of the toes and was properly treated with antimicrobial agents. Three days after admission, the patient developed mild COVID-19 without pneumonia, for which early anti-COVID-19 agents were initiated. Nevertheless, the patient developed hemorrhagic PT due to acute pericarditis 2 weeks later, which was confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance, requiring an urgent pericardiocentesis. Although cytological analysis of the hemorrhagic pericardial fluid strongly suggested adenocarcinoma, the atypical cells were eventually proven to be mesothelial cells with reactive atypia. Furthermore, lymph nodes swelling with abnormal 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose accumulation on imaging were suggestive of malignancy. However, biopsy examination revealed multiple non-caseating granulomas in the lymph node, unlikely due to malignancy. Eventually, the temporal association of the preceding COVID-19 with the occurrence of subacute PT without other identifiable cause led to a final diagnosis of COVID-19-associated acute pericarditis. With anti-inflammatory and corticosteroids treatment, the patient's symptoms involving the pericardial structure and function were completely resolved along with improvements in size of the affected lymphadenopathies.

Conclusions

We encountered a unique case of COVID-19-associated acute pericarditis exhibiting hemorrhagic PT. This case underscores the residual risk of delayed pericardial involvement even in patients with mild COVID-19 who receive early treatment, and the recognition that COVID-19 may cause various cytomorphological and histological features. Additionally, the importance of considering this rare entity as a cause of hemorrhagic pericardial effusions should be highlighted.
Compressed sensing with log-sum heuristic recover for seismic denoising
Authors: Sun Fengyuan , Zhang Qiang , Wang Zhipeng , Hou Wei
Published: January 2024

The compressed sensing (CS) method, commonly utilized for restructuring sparse signals, has been extensively used to attenuate the random noise in seismic data. An important basis of CS-based methods is the sparsity of sparse coefficients. In this method, the sparse coefficient vector is acquired by minimizing the l1 norm as a substitute for the l0 norm. Many efforts have been made to minimize the lp norm (0 < p < 1) to obtain a more desirable sparse coefficient representation. Despite the improved performance that is achieved by minimizing the lp norm with 0 < p < 1, the related sparse coefficient vector is still suboptimal since the parameter p is greater than 0 rather than infinitely approaching 0 p→0+. Therefore, the CS method with the limit p→0+ is proposed to enhance the sparse performance and thus generate better denoised results in this paper. Our proposed method is referred to as the CS-LHR method because the solving process for minimizing p→0+ is the log-sum heuristic recovery (LHR). Furthermore, to improve the computational efficiency, we incorporate the majorization-minimization (MM) algorithm in this CS-LHR method. Experimental results of synthetic and real seismic records demonstrate the remarkable performance of CS-LHR in random noise suppression.
The photographic heritage as a motivational resource to learn and teach history
Authors: Ponsoda-López de Atalaya Santiago , Blanes-Mora Rubén , Moreno-Vera Juan Ramón
Published: January 2024

This article, linked to the research of new methods for teaching history, has as its main objective to analyse the motivation of future primary school teachers regarding the use of photographic heritage in the teaching of historical content. This investigation is based on a teaching experience carried out in the 22/23 academic year with 266 primary education student teachers, in which a key episode in the history of Spain is explored via a series of photographs. Data collection was done through a Likert-type questionnaire, which the students answered after the activity, with a response scale of 1 to 4 with some qualitative open-ended questions. Responses were also examined using the SPSS27 statistical programme. The results show how the analysis and interpretation of the photographs, as well as the activities developed from them, are a motivating resource for most of the participants. The latter consider photographs suitable, on the one hand, for their personal development, and on the other, for their professional training, since it allows them to design innovative and creative history teaching-learning programmes.
Foregrounding co-artistry in an aesthetic and plurilingual/pluriliteracies approach to additional language teaching and learning
Authors: Albuquerque Diego L. , Moore Emilee
Published: January 2024

In this article, we propose an aesthetic and plurilingual/pluriliteracies approach to additional (or second, foreign…) language teaching and learning. The research reported on took place in a secondary school in Barcelona where young people take on the role of teachers of the host languages (i.e., Catalan and Spanish) to adult migrants. We focus on a plurilingual poetry workshop offered in this program as an empirical foundation for the proposed approach. Data was collected ethnographically during the poetry workshop (i.e., through participant observation, field notes, conversations, video, photography) allowing the exploration of processes and outcomes. We consider, on the one hand, the opportunities for language learning made possible by incorporating arts-based methods and plurilingualism/pluriliteracies in the workshop. On the other hand, we ask what an aesthetic lens, combined with a recognition of plurilingualism/pluriliteracies, can offer to our understanding of language learning outcomes. Our results suggest that co-artistry is an opportunity for enhancing additional language learning in our aesthetic and plurilingual/pluriliteracies approach to additional language teaching and learning.
What makes an excellent reader? Short-term memory contrasts between two groups of children
Authors: Kemény Ferenc , Aranyi Gabor , Pachner Orsolya , P. Remete Eszter , Laskay-Horváth Claudia
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Research on the association of short-term memory (STM) and reading expertise are dominated by studies with typically developing children and children with reading impairment. Many studies confirmed the role of short-term memory in reading development and reading, especially in the case of verbal and phonological STM. The current study takes an unusual perspective by contrasting age-appropriate readers with excellent readers (reading performance with at least 1 SD above average) on three different short-term memory skills: phonological STM, verbal STM and visuospatial STM.

Methods

We identified and recruited six groups of children. Three groups performed at least one SD above average in two standardized reading tasks (excellent readers), the three control groups performed within the domain of ±0.5 SD on reading (age-appropriate readers). One group of excellent readers and one group of age-appropriate readers participated in a Phonological Short-Term Memory (STM) task, one pair of groups participated in a Verbal STM task, whereas the last pair participated in a Visuospatial STM task.

Results

Pairwise comparisons demonstrated that excellent readers outperformed age-appropriate readers in Visuospatial STM. Phonological STM only differed across the groups after controlling for age. No group difference was observed in Verbal STM.

Conclusion

Our results confirm the role of short-term memory in reading expertise. However, data highlights that visuospatial and phonological information becomes more relevant in above-average readers. Results are discussed along grain-size theory, and whether and how focused educational programs can build on visuospatial short-term memory training to achieve better reading.
Research on the coordinated relationship between human activities and ecosystem service value in the Arid Region, Northwestern China
Authors: Liu Shiyao , Gao Zhijian , Tao Wanghai , Wang Quanjiu , Su Lijun , Sun Yan , Shan Yuyang , Qu Zhi
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Arid and semi-arid regions encompass nearly 40% of the Earth’s land surface and are characterized by extensive undeveloped land, scarce water resources, and fragile ecosystems. The arid northwestern China is a representative arid and semi-arid region. It has developed rapidly in recent years, leading to a significant increase in human activity. This increased activity has had a pronounced impact on the ecosystem, posing a major challenge to the environment. The close relationship between human activities and ecosystem service value (ESV) is crucial for the healthy development of both humans and ecosystems. However, the intricate nature of this relationship and the degree to which they are codependent remain unclear and require further investigation.

Methods

This study investigates the impact of human activities on land use intensity (LUI) and degree of urbanization (URB). It comprehensively evaluates the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities and ESV, quantifying their coordination through coupling models.

Results

This work provides valuable insights and theoretical support for promoting the coordinated development of human activities and ESV. Overall, the LUI in the arid northwestern region decreased (from 0.485 in 2000 to 0.459 in 2020), while the URB increased (from 0.060 in 2000 to 0.087 in 2020). The ESV significantly increased, with a total growth of 556.58 billion yuan. In prefecture-level cities, the growth in ESV values ranges from 75.19 yuan/hm2 to 10,062.49 yuan/hm2.The coupling coordination degree between ESV and LUI has changed over time, transitioning from uncoordinated development to coordinated development. In addition, the coordination between ESV and URB has evolved from uncoordinated development to transitional coordination. The level of coordination between human activities and ESV in provincial capital cities significantly influences the coordination in surrounding cities.

Discussion

In conclusion, effective development recommendations are provided based on the ESV, LUI, and URB of different cities, along with a proposed development strategy for ecosystem service functions that aligns with the 14th Five-Year Plan and “Vision 2035” of each province. This work provides important insights into the relationship between human activities and ESV, and its findings can be used to guide coordinated and sustainable urban development.
Harnessing community science to conserve and study ground-nesting bee aggregations
Authors: Kueneman Jordan G. , Dobler Cassidy N. , Danforth Bryan N.
Published: January 2024

Protecting diverse solitary ground-nesting bees remains a pivotal conservation concern. Ground-nesting bees are negatively impacted by anthropogenic land use change that often removes suitable nesting habitat from the landscape. Despite their enormous ecological and agricultural contributions to pollination, solitary, ground-nesting bees are often neglected, partly due to the significant obstacle of discovering exactly where these bees establish their nests. To address this limitation, we have developed a ‘community science’ project to map aggregations of ground-nesting bees globally. In certain locations, their abundances reach astounding levels, sometimes in the millions, but are scarcely known. Utilizing the iNaturalist platform, which permits geo-referencing of site observations and bee identification, we are providing public education and seeking public engagement to document bee aggregations in order to understand the nesting requirements of diverse species and open new opportunities for their conservation. Conservation priorities may then unequivocally be directed to areas of high species richness, nest densities, and nesting sites of rare bees. Such community-led efforts are vital for successful long-term management of native bees and the biotic and abiotic landscape data from nest-site localities can allow modeling to predict nest-site suitability and to readily test such predictions on the ground. Here, we summarize the progress, current limitations, and opportunities of using a global mapping project (GNBee) to direct conservation efforts and research toward solitary ground-nesting bees.
A candidate glycoconjugate vaccine induces protective antibodies in the serum and intestinal secretions, antibody recall response and memory T cells and protects against both typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars
Authors: Haldar Risha , Dhar Amlanjyoti , Ganguli Debayan , Chakraborty Suparna , Pal Ananda , Banik George , Miyoshi Shin-ichi , Das Santasabuj
Published: January 2024

Human Salmonella infections pose significant public health challenges globally, primarily due to low diagnostic yield of systemic infections, emerging and expanding antibiotic resistance of both the typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella strains and the development of asymptomatic carrier state that functions as a reservoir of infection in the community. The limited long-term efficacy of the currently licensed typhoid vaccines, especially in smaller children and non-availability of vaccines against other Salmonella serovars necessitate active research towards developing a multivalent vaccine with wider coverage of protection against pathogenic Salmonella serovars. We had earlier reported immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a subunit vaccine containing a recombinant outer membrane protein (T2544) of Salmonella Typhi in a mouse model. This was achieved through the robust induction of serum IgG, mucosal secretory IgA and Salmonella-specific cytotoxic T cells as well as memory B and T cell response. Here, we report the development of a glycoconjugate vaccine, containing high molecular weight complexes of Salmonella Typhimurium O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) and recombinant T2544 that conferred simultaneous protection against S. Typhi, S. Paratyphi, S. Typhimurium and cross-protection against S. enteritidis in mice. Our findings corroborate with the published studies that suggested the potential of Salmonella OSP as a vaccine antigen. The role of serum antibodies in vaccine-mediated protection is suggested by rapid seroconversion with high titers of serum IgG and IgA, persistently elevated titers after primary immunization along with a strong antibody recall response with higher avidity serum IgG against both OSP and T2544 and significantly raised SBA titers of both primary and secondary antibodies against different Salmonella serovars. Elevated intestinal secretory IgA and bacterial motility inhibition by the secretory antibodies supported their role as well in vaccine-induced protection. Finally, robust induction of T effector memory response indicates long term efficacy of the candidate vaccine. The above findings coupled with protection of vaccinated animals against multiple clinical isolates confirm the suitability of OSP-rT2544 as a broad-spectrum candidate subunit vaccine against human infection due to typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars.
Glycolysis: an emerging regulator of osteoarthritis
Authors: Jiang Dingming , Guo Jianan , Liu Yingquan , Li Wenxin , Lu Dezhao
Published: January 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) has been a leading cause of disability in the elderly and there remains a lack of effective therapeutic approaches as the mechanisms of pathogenesis and progression have yet to be elucidated. As OA progresses, cellular metabolic profiles and energy production are altered, and emerging metabolic reprogramming highlights the importance of specific metabolic pathways in disease progression. As a crucial part of glucose metabolism, glycolysis bridges metabolic and inflammatory dysfunctions. Moreover, the glycolytic pathway is involved in different areas of metabolism and inflammation, and is associated with a variety of transcription factors. To date, it has not been fully elucidated whether the changes in the glycolytic pathway and its associated key enzymes are associated with the onset or progression of OA. This review summarizes the important role of glycolysis in mediating cellular metabolic reprogramming in OA and its role in inducing tissue inflammation and injury, with the aim of providing further insights into its pathological functions and proposing new targets for the treatment of OA.
Risk factors for diabetes mellitus after acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zahariev Olga Julia , Bunduc Stefania , Kovács Adrienn , Demeter Dóra , Havelda Luca , Budai Bettina Csilla , Veres Dániel Sándor , Hosszúfalusi Nóra , Erőss Bálint Mihály , Teutsch Brigitta , Juhász Márk Félix , Hegyi Péter
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Within 5 years of having acute pancreatitis (AP), approximately 20% of patients develop diabetes mellitus (DM), which later increases to approximately 40%. Some studies suggest that the prevalence of prediabetes (PD) and/or DM can grow as high as 59% over time. However, information on risk factors is limited. We aimed to identify risk factors for developing PD or DM following AP.

Methods

We systematically searched three databases up to 4 September 2023 extracting direct, within-study comparisons of risk factors on the rate of new-onset PD and DM in AP patients. When PD and DM event rates could not be separated, we reported results for this composite outcome as PD/DM. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Of the 61 studies identified, 50 were included in the meta-analysis, covering 76,797 participants. The studies reported on 79 risk factors, and meta-analysis was feasible for 34 risk factor and outcome pairs. The odds of developing PD/DM was significantly higher after severe and moderately severe AP (OR: 4.32; CI: 1.76–10.60) than mild AP. Hypertriglyceridemic AP etiology (OR: 3.27; CI: 0.17–63.91) and pancreatic necrosis (OR: 5.53; CI: 1.59–19.21) were associated with a higher risk of developing PD/DM. Alcoholic AP etiology (OR: 1.82; CI: 1.09–3.04), organ failure (OR: 3.19; CI: 0.55–18.64), recurrent AP (OR: 1.89; CI: 0.95–3.77), obesity (OR: 1.85; CI: 1.43–2.38), chronic kidney disease (OR: 2.10; CI: 1.85–2.38), liver cirrhosis (OR: 2.48; CI: 0.18–34.25), and dyslipidemia (OR: 1.82; CI: 0.68–4.84) were associated with a higher risk of developing DM.

Discussion

Severe and moderately severe AP, alcoholic and hypertriglyceridemic etiologies, pancreatic necrosis, organ failure, recurrent acute pancreatitis and comorbidities of obesity, chronic kidney disease liver disease, and dyslipidemia are associated with a higher risk of developing PD or DM.

Systematic review registration:

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021281983.
Unlocking therapeutic potential: dual gene therapy for ameliorating the disease phenotypes in a mouse model of RPE65 Leber congenital amaurosis
Authors: Liu Yanbo , Tai Jingjie , Yu Chaofeng , Xu Dan , Xiao Dan , Pang Jijing
Published: January 2024

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is the most common genetic cause of congenital visual impairment in infants and children. Patients with LCA who harbor RPE65 mutations exhibit a deficiency in photoreceptor rhodopsin, leading to severe night blindness and visual impairment following birth. Since either gene replacement therapy or anti-apoptosis therapy alone cannot maintain both functional and morphological normality for a long time in the animal model, we propose a robust treatment strategy, that is, gene replacement therapy combined with anti-apoptotic therapy to protect photoreceptors from further degeneration while compensating for lost RPE65 function. Here, rd12 mice were injected subretinally at postnatal day 14 with four vector administrations, respectively. At 6 months after treatment, it was discovered that injection of three vectors, AAV8 (Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65, AAV8(Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65-BCL-2-L10 and mixture of half-dose AAV8(Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65 and half-dose AAV8 (Y733F)-CBA-BCL-2-L10, could partially restore the visual function of rd12 mice. Meanwhile, these treated eyes also exhibited a thicker outer nuclear layer (ONL) structure. However, despite the fact that the eyes of rd12 mice injected with the AAV8 (Y733F)-CBA-BCL-2-L10 vector displayed a slightly thicker ONL structure compared to untreated eyes, the visual function of the treated eyes did not recover. Continuing the observation period to 12 months after treatment, we found that compared to rd12 mice at 6-month post-treatment, rd12 mice injected with AAV8 (Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65 or mixture of half-dose AAV8(Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65 and half-dose AAV8 (Y733F)-CBA-BCL-2-L10 exhibited varying degrees of decline in both visual function and ONL thickness. However, in the case of rd12 mice injected with the AAV8(Y733F)-CBA-hRPE65-BCL-2-L10 vector, the ONL thickness remains consistent at both 6 and 12 months after treatment. These mice continued to maintain a relatively strong visual function and showed restoration in the levels of RPE65 and Rhodopsin protein expression. Our findings illustrate that early postnatal treatment with AAV vectors containing both the hRPE65 gene and the Bcl-2L10 anti-apoptotic gene provide enhanced and sustained retinal protection.
Case report: Occult Listeria monocytogenes invasion leading to prosthetic hip joint infection in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis taking tofacitinib
Authors: Deng Chaowen , Chiu Kelvin Hei-Yeung , Lou Nan , Xing Fanfan
Published: January 2024

It has been suggested that targeted therapy may potentially increase the risk of listeriosis. However, no reported cases of Listeria monocytogenes prosthetic joint infection have been documented during Janus Kinase (JAK) pathway inhibitor use. Herein, we present a 70-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis who had undergone bilateral hip joint replacement and subsequently developed Listeria monocytogenes prosthetic joint infection following tofacitinib therapy. We suggest that the use of tofacitinib may potentially heighten susceptibility to listeriosis in patients afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis.
Effects of guanidinoacetic acid on in vitro rumen fermentation and microflora structure and predicted gene function
Authors: Dong Chenyang , Wei Manlin , Ju Ji , Du Liu , Zhang Runze , Xiao Ming , Zheng Yongjie , Bao Hailin , Bao Meili
Published: January 2024

The fermentation substrate was supplemented with 0% guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) (control group, CON), 0.2% GAA (GAA02), 0.4% GAA (GAA04), 0.6% GAA (GAA06) and 0.8% GAA (GAA08) for 48 h of in vitro fermentation. Gas production was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h of fermentation. The gas was collected, and the proportions (%, v/v) of H2, CH4 and CO2 were determined. The rumen fermentation parameters, including pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), microbial protein (MCP) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), were also determined. Furthermore, the bacterial community structure was analyzed through 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. The gene functions were predicted using PICRUSt1 according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The results showed that with the increase in GAA supplementation levels, the MCP and the concentration of rumen propionate were significantly increased, while the concentration of isovalerate was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The results of microbial diversity and composition showed that the Shannon index was significantly decreased by supplementation with GAA at different levels (p < 0.05), but the relative abundance of norank_f_F082 and Papillibacter in the GAA06 group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Especially in group GAA08, the relative abundances of Bacteroidota, Prevotella and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The results of gene function prediction showed that the relative abundances of the functions of flagellar assembly, bacterial chemotaxis, plant–pathogen interaction, mismatch repair and nucleotide excision repair were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), but the relative abundances of bile secretion and protein digestion and absorption were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation with 0.8% GAA enhanced in vitro rumen fermentation parameters, increased the relative abundance of Prevotella and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 in the rumen, and increased the metabolic pathways of bile secretion and protein digestion and absorption.
The clinical utility of Nanopore 16S rRNA gene sequencing for direct bacterial identification in normally sterile body fluids
Authors: Lao Hiu-Yin , Wong Lily Lok-Yee , Hui Yan , Ng Timothy Ting-Leung , Chan Chloe Toi-Mei , Lo Hazel Wing-Hei , Yau Miranda Chong-Yee , Leung Eddie Chi-Man , Wong River Chun-Wai , Ho Alex Yat-Man , Yip Kam-Tong , Lam Jimmy Yiu-Wing , Chow Viola Chi-Ying , Luk Kristine Shik , Que Tak-Lun , Chow Franklin Wang Ngai , Siu Gilman Kit-Hang
Published: January 2024

The prolonged incubation period of traditional culture methods leads to a delay in diagnosing invasive infections. Nanopore 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Nanopore 16S) offers a potential rapid diagnostic approach for directly identifying bacteria in infected body fluids. To evaluate the clinical utility of Nanopore 16S, we conducted a study involving the collection and sequencing of 128 monomicrobial samples, 65 polymicrobial samples, and 20 culture-negative body fluids. To minimize classification bias, taxonomic classification was performed using 3 analysis pipelines: Epi2me, Emu, and NanoCLUST. The result was compared to the culture references. The limit of detection of Nanopore 16S was also determined using simulated bacteremic blood samples. Among the three classifiers, Emu demonstrated the highest concordance with the culture results. It correctly identified the taxon of 125 (97.7%) of the 128 monomicrobial samples, compared to 109 (85.2%) for Epi2me and 102 (79.7%) for NanoCLUST. For the 230 cultured species in the 65 polymicrobial samples, Emu correctly identified 188 (81.7%) cultured species, compared to 174 (75.7%) for Epi2me and 125 (54.3%) for NanoCLUST. Through ROC analysis on the monomicrobial samples, we determined a threshold of relative abundance at 0.058 for distinguishing potential pathogens from background in Nanopore 16S. Applying this threshold resulted in the identification of 107 (83.6%), 117 (91.4%), and 114 (91.2%) correctly detected samples for Epi2me, Emu, and NanoCLUST, respectively, in the monomicrobial samples. Nanopore 16S coupled with Epi2me could provide preliminary results within 6 h. However, the ROC analysis of polymicrobial samples exhibited a random-like performance, making it difficult to establish a threshold. The overall limit of detection for Nanopore 16S was found to be about 90 CFU/ml.
OTUB1-mediated inhibition of ubiquitination: a growing list of effectors, multiplex mechanisms, and versatile functions
Authors: Wu Miaomiao , Sun Lidong , Song Tanjing
Published: January 2024

Protein ubiquitination plays a pivotal role in protein homeostasis. Ubiquitination may regulate the stability, activity, protein–protein interaction, and localization of a protein. Ubiquitination is subject to regulation by two groups of counteracting enzymes, the E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases. Consistently, deubiquitinases are involved in essentially all biological processes. OTUB1, an OTU-family deubiquitinase, is a critical regulator of development, cancer, DNA damage response, and immune response. OTUB1 antagonizes the ubiquitination of a wide-spectrum of proteins through at least two different mechanisms. Besides direct deubiquitination, OTUB1 can also inhibit ubiquitination by non-canonically blocking ubiquitin transfer from certain ubiquitin-conjugases (E2). In this review, we start with a general background of protein ubiquitination and deubiquitination. Next, we introduce the basic characteristics of OTUB1 and then elaborate on the updated biological functions of OTUB1. Afterwards, we discuss potential mechanisms underlying the versatility and specificity of OTUB1 functions. In the end, we discuss the perspective that OTUB1 can be a potential therapeutic target for cancer.
The effect of aging, hearing loss, and tinnitus on white matter in the human auditory system revealed with fixel-based analysis
Authors: Svobodová Veronika , Profant Oliver , Škoch Antonín , Tintěra Jaroslav , Tóthová Diana , Chovanec Martin , Čapková Dora , Syka Josef
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Aging negatively influences the structure of the human brain including the white matter. The objective of our study was to identify, using fixel-based morphometry, the age induced changes in the pathways connecting several regions of the central auditory system (inferior colliculus, Heschl's gyrus, planum temporale) and the pathways connecting these structures with parts of the limbic system (anterior insula, hippocampus and amygdala). In addition, we were interested in the extent to which the integrity of these pathways is influenced by hearing loss and tinnitus.

Methods

Tractographic data were acquired using a 3 T MRI in 79 volunteers. The participants were categorized into multiple groups in accordance with their age, auditory thresholds and tinnitus status. Fixel-based analysis was utilized to identify alterations in the subsequent three parameters: logarithm of fiber cross-section, fiber density, fiber density and cross-section. Two modes of analysis were used: whole brain analysis and targeted analysis using fixel mask, corresponding to the pathways connecting the aforementioned structures.

Results

A significantly negative effect of aging was present for all fixel-based metrics, namely the logarithm of the fiber cross-section, (7 % fixels in whole-brain, 14% fixels in fixel mask), fiber density (5 % fixels in whole-brain, 15% fixels in fixel mask), fiber density and cross section (7 % fixels in whole-brain, 19% fixels in fixel mask). Expressed age-related losses, exceeding 30% fixels, were particularly present in pathways connecting the auditory structures with limbic structures. The effect of hearing loss and/or tinnitus did not reach significance.

Conclusions

Our results show that although an age-related reduction of fibers is present in pathways connecting several auditory regions, the connections of these structures with limbic structures are even more reduced. To what extent this fact influences the symptoms of presbycusis, such as decreased speech comprehension, especially in noise conditions, remains to be elucidated.