bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moving with your mutualist: Predicted climate‐induced mismatch between Proteaceae species and their avian pollinators
Authors: Adedoja Opeyemi A. , Dormann Carsten F. , Coetzee Anina , Geerts Sjirk
Published: January 2024

Aim

Climate change influences species distribution in space and time, but predicting the overlap in the range of interacting species under different climate scenarios remains a challenge. Here, we explore how climate change influences shifts in species ranges among mutualists.

Location

Cape Floristic Region (CFR), South Africa.

Taxon

Proteaceae and Passeriformes.

Methods

We used machine‐learning algorithms (random forest and boosted‐regression trees) and regression model (generalized additive models) to predict range shifts of 11 bird‐pollinated Proteaceae species, combined occurrence prediction of 71 bird‐pollinated Proteaceae and their two most important, endemic, pollinator bird species. We determined the degree of overlap in geographical ranges of nectar‐feeding birds and Proteaceae under different climate scenarios. Species ranges were projected to the years 2050 and 2070 using representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 and three global climate models.

Results

The majority of Proteaceae species in our model are predicted to experience range contractions, which ranged from 1% under 2050 RCP 4.5 CCSM4 to 79% under 2070 RCP 8.5 CNRM‐CM5 climate scenarios, leading to 55% and 62% range loss for Cape sugarbird and orange‐breasted sunbird, respectively, under extreme climate scenarios. Proteaceae species are predicted to experience least overlap with nectar‐feeding birds in the northern and eastern range under future climate scenarios.

Main Conclusion

Climate change threatens species occupying the mountain range of the northern limit and other regions of the CFR. Reduced range overlap of mutualists may have significant implications for the reproduction and persistence of Proteaceae. We suggest active monitoring of Proteaceae populations in regions where species are predicted to lose their range, particularly so for threatened species with small ranges.
Romantic relationships and attitudes in Asian emerging adults: Review and critique
Authors: Jiao Chengfei , Lee Celia T. , Feng Qinglan , Fincham Frank D.
Published: February 2024

This article summarizes and critiques existing literature on the factors that might influence romantic relationships and attitudes among Asian emerging adults (18–29 years old). Forty‐one studies were identified. Findings were categorized into two groups based on outcome variables: romantic relationship qualities (e.g., satisfaction; N = 22) and attitudes toward dating and marriage (N = 19). Common predictors of relationship qualities include parenting factors (e.g., parental divorce), culture‐specific factors (e.g., filial piety), and psychological factors (e.g., identity status). Furthermore, findings suggest that Asian emerging adults tend to hold more conservative dating attitudes, prioritize parental approval, but also share some similarities in dating attitudes with their Western counterparts. We proposed specific recommendations regarding sample diversity and areas for further investigation in future research. Clinical implications are also discussed that highlight the importance of relationship therapists showing empathy and building therapeutic alliance with Asian emerging adult clients.
“Win‐win”: Dual‐path influence of workplace spirituality on work‐family enrichment
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Si Zhuxin , Shi Yiwen , Li Bin , Liu Pingqing , Liu Shuzhen , Sun Qiong
Published: February 2024

In the era of rapid development in the mobile internet economy, mobile intelligent office equipment has exhibited an unprecedented level of “vitality.” The boundaries between work and family are becoming increasingly blurred, fostering the exchange of resources between employees' work role and family role. Workplace spirituality refers to meaningful work, sense of community, and alignment with the organization that individuals develop in their work, which has been demonstrated to have positive impact on work output. It is a question whether workplace spirituality can be spilled over from employees' work role to their family role to improve the performance of the latter and to realize the win‐win results for both roles. Based on work–home resources model and work–family enrichment dual‐path model, this research uses multi‐country data to examine how workplace spirituality influence work–family enrichment through affective rumination (affective path) and problem‐solving pondering (instrumental path). Additionally, work–family segmentation preference is introduced as a moderating variable to identify the boundary conditions between workplace spirituality and work‐related rumination. Research findings show that workplace spirituality can positively predict work–family enrichment; affective rumination and problem‐solving pondering play a partially mediating role in the correlation between workplace spirituality and work–family enrichment. A strong work–family segmentation preference could diminish the positive impact of workplace spirituality on problem‐solving pondering and could also weaken the mediating role of problem‐solving pondering between workplace spirituality and work–family enrichment at the same time. This study reveals the strategies to enhance work–family enrichment from a spiritual perspective, thereby promoting a win‐win situation for both work and family.
Transcriptomic analysis of the submandibular gland under psychological stress condition
Authors: Paudel Durga , Uehara Osamu , Giri Sarita , Morikawa Tetsuro , Yoshida Koki , Kitagawa Takao , Ariwansa Dedy , Acharya Nisha , Ninomiya Kazunori , Kuramitsu Yasuhiro , Ohta Tohru , Kobayashi Masanobu , Abiko Yoshihiro
Published: January 2024

Background

Psychological stress is associated with changes in salivary flow and composition. However, studies to show the effect of psychological stress on the transcriptome of the salivary gland are limited. This study aims to perform a transcriptomic analysis of the submandibular gland under psychological stress using a chronic restraint stress model of rats.

Methods

Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into stress groups and control groups. Psychological stress was induced in the stress group rats by enclosing them in a plastic tube for 4 h daily over 6 weeks. RNA sequencing was performed on RNA extracted from the submandibular gland. The differentially expressed genes were identified, and the genes of interest were further validated using qRT‐PCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot.

Results

A comparison between control and stress groups showed 45 differentially expressed genes. The top five altered genes in RNA sequencing data showed similar gene expression in qRT‐PCR validation. The most downregulated gene in the stress group, FosB, was a gene of interest and was further validated for its protein‐level expression using immunofluorescence and western blot. The genesets for gene ontology cellular component, molecular function, and KEGG showed that pathways related to ribosome biosynthesis and function were downregulated in the stress group compared to the control.

Conclusion

Psychological stress showed transcriptomic alteration in the submandibular gland. The findings may be important in understanding stress‐related oral diseases.
Situating language and music research in a domain‐specific versus domain‐general framework: A review of theoretical and empirical data
Authors: Drakoulaki Katerina , Anagnostopoulou Christina , Guasti Maria Teresa , Tillmann Barbara , Varlokosta Spyridoula
Published: February 2024

While many theoretical proposals about the relationship between language and music processing have been proposed over the past 40 years, recent empirical advances have shed new light on this relationship. Many features are shared between language and music, inspiring research in the fields of linguistic theory, systematic musicology, and cognitive (neuro‐)science. This research has led to many and diverse findings, making comparisons difficult. In the current review, we propose a framework within which to organise past research and conduct future research, suggesting that past research has assumed either domain‐specificity or domain‐generality for language and music. Domain‐specific approaches theoretically and experimentally describe aspects of language and music processing assuming that there is shared (structure‐building) processing. Domain‐general approaches theoretically and experimentally describe how mechanisms such as cognitive control, attention or neural entrainment can explain language and music processing. Here we propose that combining elements from domain‐specific and domain‐general approaches can be beneficial for advances in theoretical and experimental work, as well as for diagnoses and interventions for atypical populations. We provide examples of past research which has implicitly merged domain‐specific and domain‐general assumptions, and suggest new experimental designs that can result from such a combination aiming to further our understanding of the human brain.
The ‘Nation‐State Law’ and non‐Jews belonging in Israel: Druze loyalty, citizenship and positionality in the Jewish state
Authors: Eldar Doron , Young Gay
Published: February 2024

This paper probes the relationship between nationalism and belonging. In the context of the enactment of the ‘Nation‐State Law’ in Israel, it addresses a twofold question: how do members of the Druze community articulate the minority group's sense of belonging to the national community, and what do their constructions of belonging suggest about how Druze might shape and secure their belonging in the Jewish nationalist project? Our analytical approach draws on theoretical accounts of the politics of belonging and nationalist projects centred on culture and political values; civic identifications and attachments; and the racialized positioning of social groups. The analysis of 18 semi‐structured interviews evoked four metaphors through which we elaborate the impact of the Nation‐State Law on Druze belonging and explore the implications for Druze engagement with this Jewish nationalist project. We envision the possibility of Druze pursuing a transversal intersectional political project of belonging as non‐Jews in Israel.
COVID‐19 infection and vaccination in 92 pediatric patients with cutaneous mastocytosis: A retrospective, cross‐sectional study
Authors: López Sanz Pablo , Guerrero Ramírez Claudia , Manso Córdoba Silvia , Alfaro Martínez María Encarnación , Bascuñana Mendoza Alicia , Gómez Sánchez María Encarnación , Martínez Martínez María Luisa , Azaña Defez José Manuel
Published: February 2024

Mast cells (MCs) can release a variety of biologically active mediators under different circumstances, such as fever or vaccination. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence and severity of MC activation symptoms induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 virus (COVID‐19) infection and vaccination in a cohort of 92 pediatric patients with cutaneous mastocytosis. Our findings support previous evidence on the safety of COVID‐19 infection and vaccination in patients with MC disorders.
Catalase and superoxide dismutase supplementation to the diluent for cryopreservation of collared peccary semen
Authors: Moreira Samara Sandy Jerônimo , dos Santos Romário Parente , da Silva Andréia Maria , Matos Tayná Moura , Brazil Andreza Vieira , Souza‐Júnior João Batista Freire , de Paiva Cavalcanti José Rodolfo Lopes , Pereira Alexsandra Fernandes , Silva Alexandre Rodrigues
Published: January 2024

We evaluated the effects of supplementation with catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) antioxidants, isolated or combined, on the freezability of collared peccary sperm. Semen aliquots from ten individuals were diluted in Tris‐yolk with or without the presence of antioxidants CAT (200 or 400 IU/mL) and SOD (150 or 300 IU/mL) alone or in combination (CAT: 200 IU/mL + SOD: 150 IU/mL), and then cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen (−196°C). After 1 week, samples were thawed and evaluated for kinetic parameters, membrane functionality and integrity, mitochondrial activity, chromatin integrity, sperm morphology, sperm cell binding capacity and intracellular oxidative levels. Regardless of the use of antioxidants, the treatments did not differ in any of the evaluated parameters, except for the treatment with 300 IU/mL SOD, which showed the highest percentage of static cells (69.1 ± 4.4%) when compared to the group without antioxidant (51.6 ± 3.3%). In general, all samples maintained around 50% of functional membranes, 40% of intact membranes with mitochondrial activity, more than 99% of cells with condensed chromatin, as well as more than 70% of morphologically normal cells. Regarding the binding capacity, the minimum and maximum values found ranged from 33.8 to 194 spermatozoa bound to the perivitelline membrane. Finally, regardless of the presence of antioxidants, all thawed groups showed similar levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion, supplementation with CAT or SOD antioxidants, at the tested concentrations, does not bring benefits to freezability, and the increase in SOD concentration resulted in negative effects on sperm motility in collared peccary semen.
Transcriptome profiling of equine ovarian cortex during foetal and adult stages
Authors: Shen Yingchao , Davshilt Toli , Ren Hong , Zhao Bilig , Bou Tugeqin , Du Ming , Han Baoxiang , Dugarjav Manglai , Bou Gerelchimeg
Published: January 2024

The equine foetal ovary has some unique characteristics that differ from other animals, such as ovary hyperplasia and high oestrogen secretion, and inverted location of cortex and medulla present in adult mare. The ovarian cortex supports the process of folliculogenesis and development, the synthetics and expression of oestrogen; however, the character‐related molecular mechanisms and specific biological functions in equine foetal ovarian cortex are still poorly understood. To explore the associated regulatory networks and molecular events of equine foetal ovary during the hyperplasia stage, we analysed the transcriptomic differences between the equine second‐trimester foetal ovarian cortex and adult ovarian cortex by RNA‐seq. There were 6334 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) present in foetal vs. adult, of which 3234 and 3100 DEGs were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. GO and KEGG were used for functional and pathway enrichment analysis of the DEGs. In particular, we found that some DEGs with high fold changes were related to steroid production and metabolism, such as CYP11A1, CYP17A1, LDLR, STAR and SCARB1, which were in line with the efficient oestrogen production in the equine foetal ovary. The transcriptome profile revealed the functional and developmental characteristics and gene expression patten of the ovarian cortex in the foetal and adult stages of the mare. Our study provides new insights into the molecular mechanism of equine second‐trimester foetal ovarian development through transcriptome analysis and provides insights for improving care or treatment for the pregnant mare and the foetus.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐B*15:05:01:02 allele by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Sharma Akanksha , Bagchi Soumita , Barwad Adarsh W. , Agarwal Sanjay Kumar , Kanga Uma
Published: February 2024

HLA‐B*15:05:01:02 differs from HLA‐B*15:05:01:01 by one nucleotide change in intron 2 at position 517 (C > A).
The importance of need‐altruism and kin‐altruism to blood donor behaviour for black and white people
Authors: Ferguson Eamonn , Dawe‐Lane Erin , Ajayi Oluwafemi , Osikomaiya Bodunrin , Mills Richard , Okubanjo Abiola
Published: February 2024

Background

Need‐altruism (a preference to help people in need) and kin‐altruism (a preference to help kin over non‐kin) underlie two hypotheses for voluntary blood donation: (i) Need‐altruism underlies motivations for volunteer blood donation and (ii) Black people express a stronger preference for kin‐altruism, which is a potential barrier to donation. This paper tests these hypotheses and explores how need‐ and kin‐altruism are associated with wider altruistic motivations, barriers, and strategies to encourage donation.

Methods

We assessed need‐ and kin‐altruism, other mechanisms‐of‐altruism (e.g., reluctant‐altruism), barriers, strategies to encourage donation, donor status, and willingness‐to‐donate across four groups based on ethnicity (Black; White), nationality (British; Nigerian), and country‐of‐residence: (i) Black‐British people (n = 395), and Black‐Nigerian people (ii) in the UK (n = 97) or (iii) across the rest of the world (n = 101), and (v) White‐British people in the UK (n = 452). We also sampled a Black‐Nigerian Expert group (n = 60).

Results

Need‐altruism was higher in donors and associated with willingness‐to‐donate in non‐donors. Levels of kin‐altruism did not differ between Black and White people, but need‐altruism was lower in Black‐British people. Kin‐altruism was associated with a preference for incentives, and need‐altruism with a preference for recognition (e.g., a thank you) as well as an increased willingness‐to‐donate for Black non‐donors. Need‐altruism underlies a blood‐donor‐cooperative‐phenotype.

Conclusion

Need‐altruism is central to blood donation, in particular recruitment. Lower need‐altruism may be a specific barrier for Black‐British people. Kin‐altruism is important for Black non‐donors. The blood donor cooperative phenotype deserves further consideration. Implications for blood services are discussed.
q,t$q,t$‐Catalan measures
Authors: Cavey Ian
Published: January 2024

We introduce the ‐Catalan measures, a sequence of piece‐wise polynomial measures on . These measures are defined in terms of suitable area, dinv, and bounce statistics on continuous families of paths in the plane, and have many combinatorial similarities to the ‐Catalan numbers. Our main result realizes the ‐Catalan measures as a limit of higher ‐Catalan numbers as . We also give a geometric interpretation of the ‐Catalan measures. They are the Duistermaat–Heckman measures of the punctual Hilbert schemes parametrizing subschemes of supported at the origin.
Improved FORM and SORM Based on Improved Modified Symmetric Rank 1 Algorithm and Adaptive Kriging Model
Authors: Fan Wenliang , Liu Cheng , Wang Zhisong , Li Zhengliang
Published: January 2024

The first-order reliability method (FORM) is simple and efficient for solving structural reliability problems but may have large errors and converge slowly or even result in divergence when dealing with strongly nonlinear performance functions. For this case, the existing second-order reliability method (SORM) achieves higher computational accuracy but with a consequent decrease in efficiency. To achieve a better balance between accuracy and efficiency, this paper proposes an improved FORM and an improved SORM. First, an improved modified symmetric rank 1 (IMSR1) algorithm, in which the line search strategy for step length is unnecessary, is proposed for iterations of the FORM, and an adaptive Kriging model with a rational update criterion is presented to improve the efficiency of the FORM. Then, an improved FORM with high efficiency and good convergence is proposed. Second, due to the good precision of the adaptive Kriging model at the final design point, the Hessian matrix is available easily without additional computational effort, and an improved SORM with the same efficiency as the improved FORM is presented naturally. Finally, the accuracy, efficiency, and convergence of the proposed methods are verified by numerical and engineering examples.
Successful Practices of Novice Urban Physical Education Teachers
Authors: Flory Sara B. , Marttinen Risto , Nieman Craigory V. , Lindsay Vernise J. Ferrer
Published: February 2024

Purpose: Guided by the cultural relevance cycle, this study examined experiences of two novice physical education teachers in urban schools. We focused on successes that teachers encountered while navigating their novice years. Methods: Two purposefully sampled participants completed five journal entries and five semistructured interviews lasting between 45 and 90 min each. To promote trustworthiness, we utilized multiple coders, a peer debriefer, and triangulated data from multiple sources. Participants reviewed themes and responded to researchers’ interpretations. Results: We present the results through three major themes. The first theme involves knowledge of students and community. The second theme describes belonging in the school and community, and the third theme discusses curricular realignment. Discussion and Conclusion: By focusing on elements that empowered novice teachers to find success, initial teacher preparation programs and in-service teacher mentoring programs in urban school districts might identify teaching experiences that may contribute to novice teacher retention.
Notch3 directs differentiation of brain mural cells from human pluripotent stem cell–derived neural crest
Authors: Gastfriend Benjamin D. , Snyder Margaret E. , Holt Hope E. , Daneman Richard , Palecek Sean P. , Shusta Eric V.
Published: February 2024

Brain mural cells regulate development and function of the blood-brain barrier and control blood flow. Existing in vitro models of human brain mural cells have low expression of key mural cell genes, including
NOTCH3
. Thus, we asked whether activation of Notch3 signaling in hPSC-derived neural crest could direct the differentiation of brain mural cells with an improved transcriptional profile. Overexpression of the Notch3 intracellular domain (N3ICD) induced expression of mural cell markers PDGFRβ, TBX2,
FOXS1
,
KCNJ8
,
SLC6A12
, and endogenous Notch3. The resulting N3ICD-derived brain mural cells produced extracellular matrix, self-assembled with endothelial cells, and had functional K
ATP
channels. ChIP-seq revealed that Notch3 serves as a direct input to relatively few genes in the context of this differentiation process. Our work demonstrates that activation of Notch3 signaling is sufficient to direct the differentiation of neural crest to mural cells and establishes a developmentally relevant differentiation protocol.
H3K27M neoepitope vaccination in diffuse midline glioma induces B and T cell responses across diverse HLA loci of a recovered patient
Authors: Boschert Tamara , Kromer Kristina , Lerner Taga , Lindner Katharina , Haltenhof Gordon , Tan Chin Leng , Jähne Kristine , Poschke Isabel , Bunse Lukas , Eisele Philipp , Grassl Niklas , Mildenberger Iris , Sahm Katharina , Platten Michael , Lindner John M. , Green Edward W.
Published: February 2024

H3K27M, a driver mutation with T and B cell neoepitope characteristics, defines an aggressive subtype of diffuse glioma with poor survival. We functionally dissect the immune response of one patient treated with an H3K27M peptide vaccine who subsequently entered complete remission. The vaccine robustly expanded class II human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–restricted peripheral H3K27M-specific T cells. Using functional assays, we characterized 34 clonally unique H3K27M-reactive T cell receptors and identified critical, conserved motifs in their complementarity-determining region 3 regions. Using detailed HLA mapping, we further demonstrate that diverse HLA-DQ and HLA-DR alleles present immunogenic H3K27M epitopes. Furthermore, we identified and profiled H3K27M-reactive B cell receptors from activated B cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. Our results uncover the breadth of the adaptive immune response against a shared clonal neoantigen across multiple HLA allelotypes and support the use of class II–restricted peptide vaccines to stimulate tumor-specific T and B cells harboring receptors with therapeutic potential.
Real-time visualization of the laser-plasma wakefield dynamics
Authors: Wan Yang , Tata Sheroy , Seemann Omri , Levine Eitan Y. , Kroupp Eyal , Malka Victor
Published: February 2024

The exploration of new acceleration mechanisms for compactly delivering high-energy particle beams has gained great attention in recent years. One alternative that has attracted particular interest is the plasma-based wakefield accelerator, which is capable of sustaining accelerating fields that are more than three orders of magnitude larger than those of conventional radio-frequency accelerators. In this device, acceleration is generated by plasma waves that propagate at nearly light speed, driven by intense lasers or charged particle beams. Here, we report on the direct visualization of the entire plasma wake dynamics by probing it with a femtosecond relativistic electron bunch. This includes the excitation of the laser wakefield, the increase of its amplitude, the electron injection, and the transition to the beam-driven plasma wakefield. These experimental observations provide first-hand valuable insights into the complex physics of laser beam–plasma interaction and demonstrate a powerful tool that can largely advance the development of plasma accelerators for real-time operation.
GPR39 regulated spinal glycinergic inhibition and mechanical inflammatory pain
Authors: Bai Hu-Hu , Wang Kang-Li , Zeng Xiang-Ru , Li Jing , Li Yuan , Xu Jia-Yu , Zhang Yue , Jiang Hai-Feng , Yang Xian , Suo Zhan-Wei , Hu Xiao-Dong
Published: February 2024

G protein–coupled receptor 39 (GPR39) senses the change of extracellular divalent zinc ion and signals through multiple G proteins to a broad spectrum of downstream effectors. Here, we found that GPR39 was prevalent at inhibitory synapses of spinal cord somatostatin-positive (SOM
+
) interneurons, a mechanosensitive subpopulation that is critical for the conveyance of mechanical pain. GPR39 complexed specifically with inhibitory glycine receptors (GlyRs) and helped maintain glycinergic transmission in a manner independent of G protein signalings. Targeted knockdown of GPR39 in SOM
+
interneurons reduced the glycinergic inhibition and facilitated the excitatory output from SOM
+
interneurons to spinoparabrachial neurons that engaged superspinal neural circuits encoding both the sensory discriminative and affective motivational domains of pain experience. Our data showed that pharmacological activation of GPR39 or augmenting GPR39 interaction with GlyRs at the spinal level effectively alleviated the sensory and affective pain induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant and implicated GPR39 as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory mechanical pain.
A customizable series of microbiology lab activities exploring a foodborne outbreak to enhance student recruitment to a biology program
Authors: Rivard Rebecca S. , Winters Maria , Lettini Stacey , McEliece Michelle Kulp
Published: February 2024

As educators at a small university, we are constantly trying to find new and innovative ways of getting high school students interested in a degree in Biology at our school. Thus, we designed an outreach program to draw interested high school students to our campus and participate in a day-long outbreak investigation. The investigation is composed of six distinct activities, each taking between 15 min and 1 h of active time. These activities can be used in conjunction or individually to engage students with basic epidemiology and microbiology. The modules included in this recruitment event are outbreak interviews, DNA fingerprinting analysis, Gram staining, examination of microbial diagnostic tests, use of high-performance liquid chromatography to analyze toxins, and examination of potential food preparation contamination. Our first event was a success, with all participants reporting that they enjoyed their time at the University and found the faculty and staff helpful. One of the students even said, “I wish all school was like this.” The goal of this event was to increase potential student interest and enrollment in our program. We hope that in sharing our experience here we can provide other instructors with a menu from which to pick and choose inexpensive, easy, and engaging activities for high school and introductory college students.
NSP6 inhibits the production of ACE2-containing exosomes to promote SARS-CoV-2 infectivity
Authors: Lv Xi , Chen Ran , Liang Taizhen , Peng Haojie , Fang Qiannan , Xiao Shiqi , Liu Sen , Hu Meilin , Yu Fei , Cao Lixue , Zhang Yiwen , Pan Ting , Xi Zhihui , Ding Yao , Feng Linyuan , Zeng Tao , Huang Wenjing , Zhang Hui , Ma Xiancai
Published: February 2024

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered a global pandemic, which severely endangers public health. Our and others’ works have shown that the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-containing exosomes (ACE2-exos) have superior antiviral efficacies, especially in response to emerging variants. However, the mechanisms of how the virus counteracts the host and regulates ACE2-exos remain unclear. Here, we identified that SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 6 (NSP6) inhibits the production of ACE2-exos by affecting the protein level of ACE2 as well as tetraspanin-CD63 which is a key factor for exosome biogenesis. We further found that the protein stability of CD63 and ACE2 is maintained by the deubiquitination of proteasome 26S subunit, non-ATPase 12 (PSMD12). NSP6 interacts with PSMD12 and counteracts its function, consequently promoting the degradation of CD63 and ACE2. As a result, NSP6 diminishes the antiviral efficacy of ACE2-exos and facilitates the virus to infect healthy bystander cells. Overall, our study provides a valuable target for the discovery of promising drugs for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019.

IMPORTANCE

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severely endangers global public health. The efficacy of vaccines and antibodies declined with the rapid emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mutants. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-containing exosomes (ACE2-exos) therapy exhibits a broad neutralizing activity, which could be used against various viral mutations. Our study here revealed that SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 6 inhibited the production of ACE2-exos, thereby promoting viral infection to the adjacent bystander cells. The identification of a new target for blocking SARS-CoV-2 depends on fully understanding the virus-host interaction networks. Our study sheds light on the mechanism by which the virus resists the host exosome defenses, which would facilitate the study and design of ACE2-exos-based therapeutics for COVID-19.
Time-resolved RNA-seq analysis to unravel the
in vivo
competence induction by
Streptococcus pneumoniae
during pneumonia-derived sepsis
Authors: Oh Myung Whan , Lin Jingjun , Chong Sook Yin , Lew Shi Qian , Alam Tauqeer , Lau Gee W.
Published: February 2024

Competence development in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus) is tightly intertwined with virulence. In addition to genes encoding genetic transformation machinery, the competence regulon also regulates the expression of allolytic factors, bacteriocins, and cytotoxins. Pneumococcal competence system has been extensively interrogated
in vitro
where the short transient competent state upregulates the expression of three distinct phases of “early,” “late,” and “delayed” genes. Recently, we have demonstrated that the pneumococcal competent state develops naturally in mouse models of pneumonia-derived sepsis. To unravel the underlying adaptive mechanisms driving the development of the competent state, we conducted a time-resolved transcriptomic analysis guided by the spatiotemporal live
in vivo
imaging system of competence induction during pneumonia-derived sepsis. Mouse lungs infected by the serotype 2 strain D39 expressing a competent state-specific reporter gene (D39-
ssbB-luc
) were subjected to RNA sequencing guided by monitoring the competence development at 0, 12, 24, and, at the moribund state, >40 hours post-infection (hpi). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the competence-specific gene expression patterns
in vivo
were distinct from those under
in vitro
conditions. There was significant upregulation of early, late, and some delayed phase competence-specific genes as early as 12 hpi, suggesting that the pneumococcal competence regulon is important for adaptation to the lung environment. Additionally, members of the histidine triad (
pht
) gene family were sharply upregulated at 12 hpi followed by a steep decline throughout the rest of the infection cycle, suggesting that Pht proteins participate in the early adaptation to the lung environment. Further analysis revealed that Pht proteins execute a metal ion-dependent regulatory role in competence induction.

IMPORTANCE

The induction of pneumococcal competence for genetic transformation has been extensively studied
in vitro
but poorly understood during lung infection. We utilized a combination of live imaging and RNA sequencing to monitor the development of a competent state during acute pneumonia. Upregulation of competence-specific genes was observed as early as 12 hour post-infection, suggesting that the pneumococcal competence regulon plays an important role in adapting pneumococcus to the stressful lung environment. Among others, we report novel finding that the pneumococcal histidine triad (
pht
) family of genes participates in the adaptation to the lung environment and regulates pneumococcal competence induction.
Pseudomonas
-associated bacteria play a key role in obtaining nutrition from bamboo for the giant panda (
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
)
Authors: Ning Ruihong , Li Caiwu , Xia Maohua , Zhang Yu , Gan Yunong , Huang Yan , Zhang Tianyou , Song Haitao , Zhang Siyuan , Guo Wei
Published: February 2024

Gut microbiota plays a vital role in obtaining nutrition from bamboo for giant pandas. However, low cellulase activity has been observed in the panda’s gut. Besides, no specific pathway has been implicated in lignin digestion by gut microbiota of pandas. Therefore, the mechanism by which they obtain nutrients is still controversial. It is necessary to elucidate the precise pathways employed by gut microbiota of pandas to degrade lignin. Here, the metabolic pathways for lignin degradation in pandas were explored by comparing 209 metagenomic sequencing data from wild species with different feeding habits. Lignin degradation central pathways, including beta-ketoadipate and homogentisate pathway, were enriched in the gut of wild bamboo-eating pandas. The gut microbiome of wild bamboo-eating specialists was enriched with genes from pathways implicated in degrading ferulate and
p
-coumarate into acetyl-CoA and succinyl-CoA, which can potentially provide the raw materials for metabolism in pandas. Specifically,
Pseudomonas
, as the most dominant gut bacteria genus, was found to be the main bacteria to provide genes involved in lignin or lignin derivative degradation. Herein, three
Pseudomonas
-associated strains isolated from the feces of wild pandas showed the laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase activity and extracellular lignin degradation ability
in vitro
. A potential mechanism for pandas to obtain nutrition from bamboo was proposed based on the results. This study provides novel insights into the adaptive evolution of pandas from the perspective of lignin metabolism.

IMPORTANCE

Although giant pandas only feed on bamboo, the mechanism of lignin digestion in pandas is unclear. Here, the metabolic pathways for lignin degradation in wild pandas were explored by comparing gut metagenomic from species with different feeding habits. Results showed that lignin degradation central pathways, including beta-ketoadipate and homogentisate pathway, were enriched in the gut of wild bamboo-eating pandas. Genes from pathways involved in degrading ferulate and
p
-coumarate via beta-ketoadipate pathway were also enriched in bamboo-eating pandas. The final products of the above process, such as acetyl-CoA, can potentially provide the raw materials for metabolism in pandas. Specifically,
Pseudomonas
, as the most dominant gut bacteria genus, mainly provides genes involved in lignin degradation. Herein,
Pseudomonas
-associated strains isolated from the feces of pandas could degrade extracellular lignin. These findings suggest that gut microbiome of pandas is crucial in obtaining nutrition from lignin via
Pseudomonas
, as the main lignin-degrading bacteria.
Explainable machine learning for breast cancer diagnosis from mammography and ultrasound images: a systematic review
Authors: Gurmessa Daraje kaba , Jimma Worku
Published: February 2024

Background

Breast cancer is the most common disease in women. Recently, explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) approaches have been dedicated to investigate breast cancer. An overwhelming study has been done on XAI for breast cancer. Therefore, this study aims to review an XAI for breast cancer diagnosis from mammography and ultrasound (US) images. We investigated how XAI methods for breast cancer diagnosis have been evaluated, the existing ethical challenges, research gaps, the XAI used and the relation between the accuracy and explainability of algorithms.

Methods

In this work, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist and diagram were used. Peer-reviewed articles and conference proceedings from PubMed, IEEE Explore, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were searched. There is no stated date limit to filter the papers. The papers were searched on 19 September 2023, using various combinations of the search terms ‘breast cancer’, ‘explainable’, ‘interpretable’, ‘machine learning’, ‘artificial intelligence’ and ‘XAI’. Rayyan online platform detected duplicates, inclusion and exclusion of papers.

Results

This study identified 14 primary studies employing XAI for breast cancer diagnosis from mammography and US images. Out of the selected 14 studies, only 1 research evaluated humans’ confidence in using the XAI system—additionally, 92.86% of identified papers identified dataset and dataset-related issues as research gaps and future direction. The result showed that further research and evaluation are needed to determine the most effective XAI method for breast cancer.

Conclusion

XAI is not conceded to increase users’ and doctors’ trust in the system. For the real-world application, effective and systematic evaluation of its trustworthiness in this scenario is lacking.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023458665.
Single session of interpretation bias modification helped to improve fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19-related post-traumatic stress symptoms
Authors: Zhang Fan , Xu Huijing , Liu Qian , Sun Yingchao , Yan Wenjie , Ouyang Hui , Liu Weizhi
Published: February 2024

Background

Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are frequently observed in those who have experienced trauma events like the COVID-19 outbreak. The cognitive model of PTSS highlights the relationship between PTSS and negative interpretation bias.

Objective

The present study aimed to modify interpretation bias and to improve PTSS as well as PTSS-related fear.

Methods

59 participants with high PTSS levels were recruited and randomly allocated to either the interpretation modification programme (IMP) intervention group or the interpretation control condition (ICC) control group. PTSS, negative interpretation bias, fear of COVID-19, and depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed before and after training.

Findings

Intention-to-treat analyses showed that compared with ICC, participants receiving IMP generated fewer negative interpretations for ambiguous scenarios, and the group-by-time interaction effect was significant. IMP also illustrated a more significant change in fear after training compared with ICC. Although no effects of training conditions were found on PTSS, the interaction of training conditions with fear reduction could predict PTSS improvement.

Conclusions

IMP could improve negative interpretations and fear related to COVID-19 and might help to ameliorate PTSS.

Clinical implications

The role of PTSS-related emotion should be considered when exploring the effectiveness of IMP. IMP is a flexible approach that can be tailored to the specific characteristics of the traumatic event, which makes it suitable for a broader range of traumatised individuals.
Perceptions and attitudes of women in the perinatal period towards male midwives in a rural district of Ghana: a descriptive, exploratory qualitative study
Authors: Boakye Dorothy Serwaa , Amoah Vida Maame Kissiwaa , Amoah Christian , Damte Felix Kofi Kofi , Poku Adjoa Afriyie , Boateng Edward Appiah , Ataara Naomi , Gyekye Sandra Twum , Dzomeku Veronica
Published: February 2024

Objective

The study sought to explore the perceptions and attitudes of women in the perinatal period towards the reproductive health services of male midwives.

Design

The study adopted an in-depth exploratory descriptive design for data collection and themes extracted using thematic analysis.

Setting

Antenatal and postpartum units of two primary healthcare facilities in the Kwabre-East District of Ghana.

Participants

20 women in the perinatal period who were receiving antenatal care and delivery services from the facilities included in the study were recruited through purposive sampling.

Findings

Divergent views emerged among our participants regarding the acceptability and utilisation of perinatal services provided by male midwives. Some participants perceived male midwives as patient, supportive, caring, compassionate and skilful at their work while the negative attitude related to some participants perceiving their interactions with male midwives as an opportunity for sexual violation. Positive attitudes emanated from male midwives’ empathetic behaviour, reception, privacy and confidentiality of information. Conversely, negative attitudes arose from a lack of awareness of the changing female gender domination in midwifery, fear and misconceptions. Finally, participants faced various challenges, rooted in culture, which impacted their acceptance of male midwifery services.

Conclusions

Factors influencing participants’ negative perceptions and attitudes towards male midwives were born out of culturally motivated and gender-sensitive stereotyping rather than male professional midwifery competencies. The study outcome provides the basis and the need for a community-based intervention to effect changes in the perception and attitude of women in the perinatal period towards male midwifery practice in the affected communities. Increasing awareness of the existence of male midwives in the communities would contribute to increasing acceptance and utilisation of their services among women in the perinatal period in Ghana.
What might make nurses stay? A protocol for discrete choice experiments to understand NHS nurses’ preferences at early-career and late-career stages
Authors: Ejebu Ourega-Zoé , Turnbull Joanne , Atherton Iain , Rafferty Anne Marie , Palmer Billy , Philippou Julia , Prichard Jane , Jamieson Michelle , Rolewicz Lucina , Williams Matthew , Ball Jane
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Like many countries, England has a national shortage of registered nurses. Employers strive to retain existing staff, to ease supply pressures. Disproportionate numbers of nurses leave the National Health Services (NHS) both early in their careers, and later, as they near retirement age. Research is needed to understand the job preferences of early-career and late-career nurses working in the NHS, so tailored policies can be developed to better retain these two groups.

Methods and analysis

We will collect job preference data for early-career and late-career NHS nurses, respectively using two separate discrete choice experiments (DCEs). Findings from the literature, focus groups, academic experts and stakeholder discussions will be used to identify and select the DCE attributes (ie, job features) and levels. We will generate an orthogonal, fractional factorial design using the experimental software Ngene. The DCEs will be administered through online surveys distributed by the regulator Nursing and Midwifery Council. For each group, we expect to achieve a final sample of 2500 registered NHS nurses working in England. For early-career nurses, eligible participants will be registered nurses who graduated in the preceding 5 years (ie, 2019–2023). Eligible participants for the late-career survey will be registered nurses aged 55 years and above. We will use conditional and mixed logit models to analyse the data. Specifically, study 1 will estimate the job preferences of early-career nurses and the possible trade-offs. Study 2 will estimate the retirement preferences of late-career NHS nurses and the potential trade-offs.

Ethics and dissemination

The research protocol was reviewed and approved by the host research organisation Ethics Committees Research Governance (University of Southampton, number 80610) (https://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/governance/regulations-policies/policies/ethics). The results will be disseminated via conference presentations, publications in peer-reviewed journals and annual reports to key stakeholders, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England/Improvement retention leaders.

Registration details

Registration on OSFhttp://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RDN9G.
Systematic review of best practices for GPS data usage, processing, and linkage in health, exposure science and environmental context research
Authors: Pearson Amber L , Tribby Calvin , Brown Catherine D , Yang Jiue-An , Pfeiffer Karin , Jankowska Marta M
Published: February 2024

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is increasingly used in health research to capture individual mobility and contextual and environmental exposures. However, the tools, techniques and decisions for using GPS data vary from study to study, making comparisons and reproducibility challenging.

Objectives

The objectives of this systematic review were to (1) identify best practices for GPS data collection and processing; (2) quantify reporting of best practices in published studies; and (3) discuss examples found in reviewed manuscripts that future researchers may employ for reporting GPS data usage, processing and linkage of GPS data in health studies.

Design

A systematic review.

Data sources

Electronic databases searched (24 October 2023) were PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022322166).

Eligibility criteria

Included peer-reviewed studies published in English met at least one of the criteria: (1) protocols involving GPS for exposure/context and human health research purposes and containing empirical data; (2) linkage of GPS data to other data intended for research on contextual influences on health; (3) associations between GPS-measured mobility or exposures and health; (4) derived variable methods using GPS data in health research; or (5) comparison of GPS tracking with other methods (eg, travel diary).

Data extraction and synthesis

We examined 157 manuscripts for reporting of best practices including wear time, sampling frequency, data validity, noise/signal loss and data linkage to assess risk of bias.

Results

We found that 6% of the studies did not disclose the GPS device model used, only 12.1% reported the per cent of GPS data lost by signal loss, only 15.7% reported the per cent of GPS data considered to be noise and only 68.2% reported the inclusion criteria for their data.

Conclusions

Our recommendations for reporting on GPS usage, processing and linkage may be transferrable to other geospatial devices, with the hope of promoting transparency and reproducibility in this research.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022322166.