bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Demographic Features of 49 Patients With Human Monkeypox Virus–Confirmed Infection in a Tertiary Care Center in Valencia, Spain: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Grau Echevarría Andrés , Peñuelas Leal Rodrigo , Martínez Domenech Álvaro , Labrandero Hoyos Carolina , Lorca Spröhnle Javier , Casanova Esquembre Andrés , García Deltoro Miguel , Ocete-Mochón María Dolores , Magdaleno Tapial Jorge , Pérez Ferriols Amparo , Sánchez Carazo José Luis , Hernández Bel Pablo
Published: January 2023

This was a study of monkeypox-infected patients in a tertiary care center in Spain describing the epidemiologic, clinical, and microbiologic features of 49 patients.

Background

Monkeypox is a previously rare viral zoonosis affecting predominantly the African continent. Since May 2022, an increasing number of cases with no known epidemiologic link to Africa have been reported for the first time in the rest of the world.

Methods

We described the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of all patients attended at our center until August 9 with a confirmed diagnosis of monkeypox.

Results

Forty-nine patients were included. The mean age was 37.6 years. Ninety-eight percent of patients were male, 96% were men who have sex with men, and 4% were heterosexual. Thirty-one percent of patients had a history of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Ninety-six percent of patients declared a unprotected sexual relationship before the onset of symptoms, and 41% had a history of recent travel. Ninety-eight percent of patients presented with cutaneous involvement affecting the genital (59%), perianal (41%), and perioral (35%) regions. Systemic symptoms were present in 80% of the patients and included lymphadenopathies (71%), asthenia (65%), fever (65%), headache (37%), arthromyalgias (45%), pharyngitis (35%), proctitis (29%), and dysuria (6%). Coinfection by other sexually transmitted infections was detected in 20% of patients. The sensitivity values of polymerase chain reaction test for monkeypox in urethral, anal, and oropharyngeal exudates analyzed were 88%, 79%, and 68%, respectively. Complications included a myopericarditis that represented the only hospitalized patient, edema (8%) and bacterial superinfection (4%). No deaths were reported.

Conclusions

The findings of this case series support the sexual contact as the main route of transmission of the disease and highlight some atypical clinical presentations not described in endemic cases.
Optic neuritis: current challenges in diagnosis and management
Authors: Benard-Seguin Etienne , Costello Fiona
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The primary aim of this review is to describe the clinical course, salient imaging features, and relevant serological profiles of common optic neuritis (ON) subtypes. Key diagnostic challenges and treatment options will also be discussed.

Recent findings

ON is a broad term that describes an inflammatory optic nerve injury arising from a variety of potential causes. ON can occur sporadically, however there is particular concern for co-associated central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory syndromes including multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorders (NMOSD), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD). The ON subtypes that often herald MS, NMOSD, and MOGAD differ with respect to serological antibody profile and neuroimaging characteristics, yet there is significant overlap in their clinical presentations. A discerning history and thorough examination are critical to rendering the correct diagnosis.

Optic neuritis subtypes vary with respect to their long-term prognosis and accordingly, require different acute treatment strategies. Moreover, delays in identifying MOGAD, and certainly NMOSD, can be highly detrimental because affected individuals are vulnerable to permanent vision loss and neurologic disability from relapses.
Epigenetic memory acquired during long-term EMT induction governs the recovery to the epithelial state
Authors: Jain Paras , Corbo Sophia , Mohammad Kulsoom , Sahoo Sarthak , Ranganathan Santhalakshmi , George Jason T. , Levine Herbert , Taube Joseph , Toneff Michael , Jolly Mohit Kumar
Published: January 2023

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) are critical during embryonic development, wound healing and cancer metastasis. While phenotypic changes during short-term EMT induction are reversible, long-term EMT induction has been often associated with irreversibility. Here, we show that phenotypic changes seen in MCF10A cells upon long-term EMT induction by TGF
β
need not be irreversible, but have relatively longer time scales of reversibility than those seen in short-term induction. Next, using a phenomenological mathematical model to account for the chromatin-mediated epigenetic silencing of the miR-200 family by ZEB family, we highlight how the epigenetic memory gained during long-term EMT induction can slow the recovery to the epithelial state post-TGF
β
withdrawal. Our results suggest that epigenetic modifiers can govern the extent and time scale of EMT reversibility and advise caution against labelling phenotypic changes seen in long-term EMT induction as ‘irreversible’.
Double-spiral: a bioinspired pre-programmable compliant joint with multiple degrees of freedom
Authors: Jafarpour Mohsen , Gorb Stanislav , Rajabi Hamed
Published: January 2023

Geometry and material are two key factors that determine the functionality of mechanical elements under a specific boundary condition. Optimum combinations of these factors fulfil desired mechanical behaviour. By exploring biological systems, we find widespread spiral-shaped mechanical elements with various combinations of geometries and material properties functioning under different boundary conditions and load cases. Although these spirals work towards a wide range of goals, some of them are used as nature's solution to compactify highly extensible prolonged structures. Characterizing the principles underlying the functionality of these structures, here we profited from the coiling–uncoiling behaviour and easy adjustability of logarithmic spirals to design a pre-programmable compliant joint. Using the finite-element method, we developed a simple model of the joint and investigated the influence of design variables on its geometry and mechanical behaviour. Our results show that the design variables give us a great possibility to tune the response of the joint and reach a high level of passive control on its behaviour. Using 3D printing and mechanical testing, we replicated the numerical simulations and illustrated the application of the joint in practice. The simplicity, pre-programmability and predictable response of our double-spiral design suggest that it provides an efficient solution for a wide range of engineering applications, such as articulated robotic systems and modular metamaterials.
DNA fragility at the
KMT2A
/
MLL
locus: insights from old and new technologies
Authors: Cowell Ian G. , Austin Caroline A.
Published: January 2023

The
Mixed-Lineage Leukaemia
(
MLL/KMT2A
) gene is frequently rearranged in childhood and adult acute leukaemia (AL) and in secondary leukaemias occurring after therapy with DNA topoisomerase targeting anti-cancer agents such as etoposide (t-AL).
MLL/KMT2A
chromosome translocation break sites in AL patients fall within an 8 kb breakpoint cluster region (BCR). Furthermore,
MLL/KMT2A
break sites in t-AL frequently occur in a much smaller region, or hotspot, towards the 3′ end of the BCR, close to the intron 11/exon 12 boundary. These findings have prompted considerable effort to uncover mechanisms behind the apparent fragility of the BCR and particularly the t-AL hotspot. Recent genome-wide analyses have demonstrated etoposide-induced DNA cleavage within the BCR, and it is tempting to conclude that this cleavage explains the distribution of translocation break sites in t-AL. However, the t-AL hotspot and the centre of the observed preferential DNA cleavage are offset by over 250 nucleotides, suggesting additional factors contribute to the distribution of t-AL break sites. We review these recent genomic datasets along with older experimental results, analysis of TOP2 DNA cleavage site preferences and DNA secondary structure features that may lead to break site selection in t-AL
MLL/KMT2A
translocations.
Experimental and computational snapshots of C-C bond formation in a C-nucleoside synthase
Authors: Li Wenbo , Girt Georgina C. , Radadiya Ashish , Stewart James J. P. , Richards Nigel G. J. , Naismith James H.
Published: January 2023

The biosynthetic enzyme, ForT, catalyses the formation of a C-C bond between 4-amino-1
H
-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid and MgPRPP to produce a C-nucleoside precursor of formycin A. The transformation catalysed by ForT is of chemical interest because it is one of only a few examples in which C-C bond formation takes place via an electrophilic substitution of a small, aromatic heterocycle. In addition, ForT is capable of discriminating between the aminopyrazoledicarboxylic acid and an analogue in which the amine is replaced by a hydroxyl group; a remarkable feat given the steric and electronic similarities of the two molecules. Here we report biophysical measurements, structural biology and quantum chemical calculations that provide a detailed molecular picture of ForT-catalysed C-C bond formation and the conformational changes that are coupled to catalysis. Our findings set the scene for employing engineered ForT variants in the biocatalytic production of novel, anti-viral C-nucleoside and C-nucleotide analogues.
Behind the developing brains and beating hearts of stem cell-derived embryo models
Authors: Amadei Gianluca , Glover David M.
Published: January 2023

Studies over the past decade have shown how stem cells representing embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues of the mouse can self-assemble in the culture dish to recapitulate an astonishing part of early embryonic development. A systematic analysis has demonstrated how pluripotent embryonic stem cells can be induced to behave like the implanting epiblast; how they can interact with trophectoderm stem cells to form a patterned structure resembling the implanting embryo prior to gastrulation; and how the third stem cell type—extra-embryonic endoderm cells—can be incorporated to generate structures that undergo the cell movements and gene expression patterns of gastrulation. Moreover, such stem cell-derived embryo models can proceed to neurulation and establish progenitors for all parts of the brain and neural tube, somites, beating heart structures and gut tube. They develop within extra-embryonic yolk sacs that initiate haematopoiesis. Here we trace this journey of discovery.
Taxonomic status of the caturid genera (Halecomorphi, Caturidae) and their Late Jurassic species
Authors: López-Arbarello Adriana , Ebert Martin
Published: January 2023

Caturids are among the best-known predatory ray-finned fishes of the Mesozoic. Although there is consensus about their sister-group relationship to Amiidae (Holostei, Amiiformes), their diversity, ingroup phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history are still very poorly understood. Caturidae is currently restricted to
Caturus
and
Amblysemius
, each with two species. Among them,
C. furcatus
has become the wastebasket taxon for the group. Our revision of nearly 40 species based on the original descriptions, type and referred material led to significant results changing the picture of caturid diversity in the Late Jurassic. Four specific names are unavailable. Due to insufficient information in the original descriptions, lack of diagnostic features in the type material, or the complete lack of type material, 13 nominal species are nomina dubia. Two species currently considered junior synonyms represent distinct taxa.
Strobilodus giganteus
is removed from Caturidae.
Caturus cliftoni
,
Thlattodus
and
Ditaxiiodus
are tentatively referred to
Strobilodus
. The fossil record of Caturoidea is restricted to the Jurassic and earliest Cretaceous. The group apparently underwent significant diversification during the Late Jurassic, as indicated by the increase in the number of taxa and the dispersal of the group outside Europe, which had already begun in the Middle Jurassic.
Longitudinal gut microbial signals are associated with weight loss: insights from a digital therapeutics program
Authors: Kumbhare Shreyas V. , Pedroso Inti , Joshi Bharat , Muthukumar Karthik M. , Saravanan Santosh K. , Irudayanathan Carmel , Kochhar Gursimran S. , Dulai Parambir S. , Sinha Ranjan , Almonacid Daniel E.
Published: January 2023

Obesity is a significant health problem due to its profound health deteriorating effects and high costs for healthcare systems. There exist lifestyle and pharmacological interventions available to prevent and reverse obesity; however, at the population level, these have shown to be insufficient, and we continue to see a worldwide increase in obesity prevalence. The gut microbiome has been shown to influence the susceptibility to weight gain and difficulty in losing weight and to be associated with successful long-term weight loss. Therefore, multiple studies have suggested that obesity interventions should consider the gut microbiome as a primary target through an improved diet and a crucial endpoint to monitor. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding how to tailor the diet for an individual’s microbiome and what changes are expected to occur due to successful weight management. Digital therapeutics solutions have emerged as an exciting alternative to increase population access, reduce costs, and have the potential to accompany individuals on their health-promoting journey closely. Digbi Health has developed a dietary and lifestyle program to achieve weight loss that effectively reduces weight and improves diverse health outcomes by prioritizing and personalizing food ingredients to match an individual’s genetic profile and nurture the gut microbiome. In this study, we analyze the weight loss pattern and microbiome profile of 103 individuals to identify the effects of the weight loss program on the gut microbiome between their baseline and follow-up samples. We found that 80% of individuals lost weight during the study.

Analysis of their gut microbiome identified genera, functional pathways, and microbial communities associated with BMI changes and dietary and lifestyle program. The microbial genera and functional pathways associated with a reduction in BMI during the study include several previously reported in the literature, includingAkkermansia, Christensenella, Oscillospiraceae,Alistipes, andSutterella, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and degradation of simple sugars like arabinose, sucrose, and melibiose. Network analysis identified two microbiome communities associated with BMI, one of which also significantly responded to the weight loss program, which includes multiple known associations with BMI and obesity. Our findings provide additional evidence for using the gut microbiome as an endpoint of weight loss program and highlight how it positively impacts the gut microbiome, with significant parallels in weight loss and health outcomes. These results provide additional evidence for known microbiome biomarkers of obesity and highlight new ones that warrant further research.
A tissue centric atlas of cell type transcriptome enrichment signatures
Authors: Dusart P , Öling S , Struck E , Norreen-Thorsen M , Zwahlen M , von Feilitzen K , Oksvold P , Bosic M , Iglesias MJ , Renne T , Odeberg J , Pontén F , Lindskog C , Uhlén M , Butler LM
Published: January 2023

Genes with cell type specific expression typically encode for proteins that have cell type specific functions. Single cell RNAseq (scRNAseq) has facilitated the identification of such genes, but various challenges limit the analysis of certain cell types and lowly expressed genes. Here, we performed an integrative network analysis of over 6000 bulk RNAseq datasets from 15 human organs, to generate a tissue-by-tissue cell type enrichment prediction atlas for all protein coding genes. We profile all the major constituent cell types, including several that are fragile or difficult to process and thus absent from existing scRNAseq-based atlases. The stability and read depth of bulk RNAseq data, and the high number of biological replicates analysed, allowed us to identify lowly expressed cell type enriched genes that are difficult to classify using existing methods. We identify co-enriched gene panels shared by pancreatic alpha and beta cells, chart temporal changes in cell enrichment signatures during spermatogenesis, and reveal that cells in the hair root are a major source of skin enriched genes. In a cross-tissue analysis, we identify shared gene enrichment signatures between highly metabolic and motile cell types, and core identity profiles of cell types found in across tissue types. Our study provides the only cell type gene enrichment atlas generated independently of scRNAseq, representing a new addition to our existing toolbox of resources for the understanding of gene expression across human tissues.
Multidrug resistance plasmids underlie clonal expansions and international spread ofSalmonella entericaserotype 4,[5],12,i:- ST34 in Southeast Asia
Authors: Chung The Hao , Pham Phuong , Thanh Tuyen Ha , Vo Kim Phuong Linh , Phuong Yen Nguyen , Le Son-Nam H , Vu Thuy Duong , Chau Tran Thi Hong , Le Phuc Hoang , Ngoc Nguyen Minh , Lan Vi Lu , Mather Alison E. , Thwaites Guy E. , Thomson Nicholas R. , Baker Stephen , Pham Duy Thanh
Published: January 2023

Salmonella entericaserotype 4,[5],12,i:- (Typhimurium monophasic variant) of sequence type (ST) 34 has emerged as the predominant pandemic genotype in recent decades. Despite increasing reports of resistance to antimicrobials in Southeast Asia,SalmonellaST34 population structure and evolution remained understudied in the region. Here we performed detailed genomic investigations on 454 ST34 genomes collected from Vietnam and diverse geographical sources to elucidate the pathogen’s epidemiology, evolution and antimicrobial resistance. We showed that ST34 has been introduced into Vietnam in at least nine occasions since 2000, forming five co-circulating major clones responsible for paediatric diarrhoea and bloodstream infection. Most expansion events were associated with acquisitions of large multidrug resistance plasmids of IncHI2 or IncA/C2. Particularly, the self-conjugative IncA/C2 pST34VN2 (co-transferringblaCTX-M-55,mcr-3.1, andqnrS1) underlies local expansion and intercontinental spread in two separate ST34 clones. At the global scale, Southeast Asia was identified as a hotspot for the emergence and dissemination of multidrug resistantSalmonellaST34, and mutation analysis suggests of selection in antimicrobial responses and key virulence factors. Our work enriches the understanding on epidemiology and evolution of this variant in Southeast Asia, and determines that multidrug resistance plasmids have driven its local and potentially global success.
Electrophysiological signatures of spelling sensitivity development from primary school age to adulthood
Authors: Larionova Ekaterina , Rebreikina Anna , Martynova Olga
Published: January 2023

Recognizing spelling errors is important for correct writing and reading, and develops over an extended period. The neural bases of the development of orthographic sensitivity remain poorly understood. We investigated event-related potentials (ERPs) associated with spelling error recognition when performing the orthographic decision task with correctly spelled and misspelled words in children aged 8-10 years old, early adolescents aged 11-14 years old, and adults. Spelling processing in adults included an early stage associated with the initial recognition of conflict between orthography and phonology (reflected in the N400 time window) and a later stage (reflected in the P600 time window) related to re-checking the spelling. In children 8-10 years old, there were no differences in ERPs to correct and misspelled words; in addition, their behavioral scores were worse than those of early adolescents, implying that the ability to quickly recognize the correct spelling is just beginning to develop at this age. In early adolescents, spelling recognition was reflected only at the later stage, corresponding to the P600 component. At the behavioral level, they were worse than adults at recognizing misspelled words. Our data suggest that orthographic sensitivity can develop beyond 14 years.
Spatial distribution and functional relevance of FGFR1 and FGFR2 expression for glioblastoma tumor invasion
Authors: Alshahrany Nawal , Jimenez-Pascual Ana , Siebzehnrubl Florian A
Published: January 2023

Glioblastoma is the most lethal brain cancer in adults. These incurable tumors are characterized by profound heterogeneity, therapy resistance, and diffuse infiltration. These traits have been linked to cancer stem cells, which are important for glioblastoma tumor progression and recurrence. The fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) signaling pathway is a known regulator of therapy resistance and cancer stemness in glioblastoma. FGFR1 expression shows intertumoral heterogeneity and higher FGFR1 expression is associated with a significantly poorer survival in glioblastoma patients. The role of FGFR1 in tumor invasion has been studied in many cancers, but whether and how FGFR1 mediates glioblastoma invasion remains to be determined. Here, we investigated the distribution and functional relevance of FGFR1 and FGFR2 in human glioblastoma xenograft models. We found FGFR1, but not FGFR2, expressed in invasive glioblastoma cells. Loss of FGFR1, but not FGFR2, significantly reduced cell migrationin vitroand tumor invasion in human glioblastoma xenografts. Comparative analysis of RNA-sequencing data of FGFR1 and FGFR2 knockdown glioblastoma cells revealed a FGFR1-specific gene regulatory network associated with tumor invasion. Our study reveals new gene candidates linked to FGFR1-mediated glioblastoma invasion.
Non-invasive investigation of the morphology and optical properties of the upside-down jellyfishCassiopeawith optical coherence tomography
Authors: Lyndby Niclas Heidelberg , Murthy Swathi , Bessette Sandrine , Jakobsen Sofie Lindegaard , Meibom Anders , Kühl Michael
Published: January 2023

The jellyfishCassiopealargely cover their organic carbon demand via photosynthates produced by their microalgal endosymbionts, but how holobiont morphology and optical properties affect the light microclimate and symbiont photosynthesis inCassiopearemain unexplored. Here, we use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to study the morphology of liveCassiopeamedusae at high spatial resolution. We include detailed 3D reconstructions of external micromorphology, and show the spatial distribution of endosymbionts clustered in amoebocytes and white granules in the bell tissue. Furthermore, we use OCT data to extract inherent optical properties from light scattering white granules inCassiopeaand show that white granules enhance local light availability for symbionts in close proximity. Individual granules had a scattering coefficient of μs= 200-300 cm-1, and a scattering anisotropy factor ofg= 0.7, while large tissue regions filled with white granules had a lower μs= 40-100 cm-1, andg= 0.8-0.9. We combined OCT information with an isotopic labelling experiment to investigate the effect of enhanced light availability in whitish tissue regions. Algal symbionts located in whitish tissue exhibited significantly higher carbon fixation as compared to symbionts in anastomosing tissue (i.e., tissue without light scattering white granules). Our findings support previous suggestions that white granules inCassiopeaplay an important role in the host modulation of the light-microenvironment.
Shaping human gut community assembly and butyrate production by controlling the arginine dihydrolase pathway
Authors: Liu Yiyi , Cheng Yu-Yu , Thompson Jaron , Zhou Zhichao , Vivas Eugenio I , Warren Matthew F. , Rey Federico E. , Anantharaman Karthik , Venturelli Ophelia S
Published: January 2023

The arginine dihydrolase pathway (arc operon) present in a subset of diverse human gut species enables arginine catabolism. This specialized metabolic pathway can alter environmental pH and nitrogen availability, which in turn could shape gut microbiota inter-species interactions. By exploiting synthetic control of gene expression, we investigated the role of the arc operon in probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 on human gut community assembly and health-relevant metabolite profiles in vitro and in the murine gut. By stabilizing environmental pH, the arc operon reduced variability in community composition across different initial pH perturbations. The abundance of butyrate producing bacteria were altered in response to arc operon activity and butyrate production was enhanced in a physiologically relevant pH range. While the presence of the arc operon altered community dynamics, it did not impact production of short chain fatty acids. Dynamic computational modeling of pH-mediated interactions reveals the quantitative contribution of this mechanism to community assembly. In sum, our framework to quantify the contribution of molecular pathways and mechanism modalities on microbial community dynamics and functions could be applied more broadly.
Sickle cell disease patient plasma sensitizes iPSC-derived sensory neurons from sickle cell disease patients
Authors: Allison Reilly L. , Burand Anthony , Torres Damaris Nieves , Brandow Amanda M. , Stucky Cheryl L. , Ebert Allison D.
Published: January 2023

Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience severe recurrent acute and chronic pain. In order to develop novel therapies, it is necessary to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying SCD pain. There are many barriers to gaining mechanistic insight into pathogenic SCD pain processes, such as differential gene expression and function of sensory neurons between humans and mice with SCD, as well as the limited availability of patient samples. These can be overcome by utilizing SCD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiated into sensory neurons (SCD iSNs). Here, we characterize the key gene expression and function of SCD iSNs to establish a model for higher-throughput investigation of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that may contribute to increased SCD patient pain. Importantly, identified roles for C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) and endothelin 1 (ET1) in SCD pain can be recapitulated in SCD iSNs. Further, we find that plasma taken from SCD patients during acute pain increases SCD iSN calcium response to the nociceptive stimulus capsaicin compared to those treated with paired SCD patient plasma at baseline or healthy control plasma samples. Together, these data provide the framework necessary to utilize iSNs as a powerful tool to investigate the neurobiology of SCD and identify potential intrinsic mechanisms of SCD pain which may extend beyond a blood-based pathology.

Key Points

Sickle cell disease (SCD) stem cell derived sensory neurons (iSNs) recapitulate important SCD phenotypesin vitro.

SCD patient plasma sensitizes SCD iSNs to TRPV1 stimulation by capsaicin.
Matrix vesicle isolation from a three-dimensionalin vitrobone model
Authors: Ansari Sana , van Dasler Lotte , Yuana Yuana , Castilho Miguel , Ito Keita , Hofmann Sandra
Published: January 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are nano-sized bilayer vesicles that are involved in biological functions and secreted by a wide variety of cells. Osteoblasts, the bone forming cells, can release a subset of EVs known as matrix vesicles (MtVs) which are believed to be involved in matrix mineralization and feature bone forming properties. Osteoblast-derived EVs or MtVs have been mostly isolated from conditions which are still far from nature, i.e. mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), or osteoblast cell lines cultured in two-dimensional (2D) tissue culture flasks. In our study, we aimed at investigating whether MtVs could also be isolated from an environment which better resembles the complexin vivosituation. This study investigated the EVs secretion during osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow MSCs (hBMSCs) in the most advanced human three-dimensional (3D)in vitrowoven bone constructs previously developed by our group. hBMSCs were cultured in spinner flask bioreactors which induced wall shear stress on cells and directed the cells to differentiate towards osteoblasts and osteocytes. The EVs secreted into the culture medium were isolated and characterized based on their morphological, biological, and functional properties. The characteristics of a part of isolated EVs shared similarities with MtVs. These vesicles were electron-dense and electron-lucent, showed alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, increased the amount of released free phosphate into the culture medium, and increased the amount of deposited phosphate within the ECM. The results indicate that a complex 3D environment mimicking bone development is favorable to stimulate MtV-producing cells to produce targeted MtVsin vitro. These MtVs potentially could be used as a biological agent for bone regeneration and fracture healing through, for instance, integration with biomaterials to target bone formation locally.
Molecular evolution of toothed whale genes reveals adaptations to echolocating in different environments
Authors: Magpali L. , Ramos E. , Picorelli A. , Freitas L. , Nery M.F.
Published: January 2023

Background

Echolocation was a key development in toothed whale evolution, enabling their adaptation and diversification across various environments. Previous bioacoustic and morphological studies suggest that environmental pressures have influenced the evolution of echolocation in toothed whales. This hypothesis demands further investigation, especially regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the adaptive radiation of toothed whales across multiple habitats. Here we show that the coding sequences of four hearing genes involved in echolocation (CDH23,SLC26A5,TMC1,andCLDN14) have different signatures of molecular evolution among riverine, coastal, and oceanic dolphins, suggesting that the evolutionary constraints of these habitats shaped the underlying genetic diversity of the toothed whale sonar.

Results

Our comparative analysis across 37 odontocete species revealed patterns of accelerated evolution within coastal and riverine lineages, supporting the hypothesis that shallow habitats pose specific selective pressures to sonar propagation, which are not found in the deep ocean. All toothed whales with genes evolving under positive selection are shallow coastal species, including three species that have recently diverged from freshwater lineages (Cephalorhynchus commersonii,Sotalia guianensis, andOrcaella heinsohni-CDH23), and three species that operate specialized Narrow Band High Frequency (NBHF) Sonars (Phocoena sinus-SLC26A5,Neophocaena phocaenoidesandCephalorhynchus commersonii-CDH23). For river dolphins and deep-diving toothed whales, we found signatures of positive selection and molecular convergence affecting specific sites onCDH23,TMC1,andSLC26A5. Positively selected sites (PSS) were different in number, identity, and substitution rates (dN/dS) across riverine, coastal, and oceanic toothed whales.

Conclusion

Here we shed light on potential molecular mechanisms underlying the diversification of toothed whale echolocation. Our results suggest that toothed whale hearing genes changed under different selective pressures in coastal, riverine, and oceanic environments.
Defective engram allocation contributes to impaired fear memory performance in Down syndrome
Authors: Fernández-Blanco Álvaro , Zamora-Moratalla Alfonsa , Sabariego-Navarro Miguel , Dierssen Mara
Published: January 2023

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic form of intellectual disability (ID). The cellular and molecular mechanisms contributing to ID in DS are not completely understood. Recent evidence indicates that a given memory is encoded by sparsely distributed neurons, highly activated during learning, the engram cells. Intriguingly, mechanisms that are of paramount importance for engram formation are impaired in DS. Here we explored engram formation in a DS mouse model, the Ts65Dn and we found a reduced number of engram cells in the dentate gyrus (DG), suggesting reduced neuronal allocation to engrams. We also show that trisomic engram cells present reduced number of mature spines than WT engram cells and their excitability is not enhanced during memory recall. In fact, activation of engram cells using a chemogenetic approach does not recover memory deficits in Ts65Dn. Altogether, our findings suggest that perturbations in engram neurons may play a significant role in memory alterations in DS.
Enantioselectivity of chiral dihydromyricetin in multicomponent solid solutions regulated by subtle structural mutation
Authors: Sun Jie , Wang Yaoguo , Tang Weiwei , Gong Junbo
Published: January 2023

Multicomponent crystals of a chiral drug with non-chiral components have attracted increasing attention in the application of enantiomer purification and regulation of the physicochemical properties of crystalline materials. Crystalline solid solutions provide opportunities for fine-tuning material properties because of continuously adjustable component stoichiometry ratios. The synthesis, crystal structure, thermodynamics and solid-state enantioselectivity of a series of multicomponent crystals of chiral dihydromyricetin (DMY) with caffeine (CAF) or theophylline (THE) were investigated and the results reveal how the subtle change of molecular structure of the coformer dictates the enantiomer selectivity in multicomponent cocrystals. A series of multicomponent cocrystal solvates of chiral DMY with CAF and THE were synthesized by the slurry cocrystallization method in acetonitrile. Although most racemic mixtures crystallize as racemic compounds or conglomerates, both DMY–CAF and DMY–THE crystallize as chiral solid solutions, unveiled by pseudo-binary melt phase diagrams and pseudo-ternary solution phase diagrams. Crystal structures of Rac-DMY–CAF, R,R-DMY–CAF, Rac-DMY–THE and R,R-DMY–THE are reported for the first time via single-crystal X-ray diffraction, displaying two distinct types of solid solution differing in mixing scale of enantiomers spanning several orders of magnitude. Surprisingly, this remarkable impact on enantiomer discrimination was simply achieved by the reduction of a methyl group of CAF to the THE coformer, which was further rationalized from their crystal structures and intermolecular interactions. Collectively, this work has demonstrated that a subtle change in the molecular structure of a coformer can regulate enantioselectivity in crystalline materials, guiding the purification of chiral racemic compounds via the cocrystallization method and the design of solid-solution crystalline materials.
Radial basis function neural network MPPT controller-based microgrid for hybrid stand-alone energy system used for irrigation
Authors: R. Jenitha , Rajesh K.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The main purpose of this controller is to carryout irrigation by the farmers with renewable energy resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed design includes the Deep learning based intelligent stand-alone energy management system used for irrigation purpose. The deep algorithm applied here is Radial basis function neural network which tracks the maximum power, maintains the battery as well as load system.

Findings

The Radial Basis Function Neural Network algorithm is used for carrying out the training process. In comparison with other conventional algorithms, this algorithm outperforms by higher efficiency and lower tracking time without oscillation.

Research limitations/implications

It is little complex to implement the hardware setup of neural network in terms of training process but the work is under progress.

Practical implications

The practical hardware implementation is under progress.

Social implications

If controller are implemented in a real-time environment, definitely it helps the human-less farming and irrigation process.

Originality/value

If this system is implemented in real-time environment, every farmer gets benefitted.
An examination of the levels of work ethic in the university context across the United States of America, Korea and China
Authors: Krskova Hana , Breyer Yvonne
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine individuals' levels of work ethic amongst current and recent university attendees across three countries. This article presents the results of a survey of 537 respondents from the United States of America, Korea and China, thus extending the previous research into work ethic, often conducted from a Western perspective. The comparative study aims to enhance the understanding of cross-cultural and gender differences and similarities whilst probing for the levels of work ethic amongst the respondents.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative research method was adopted because the authors' aim was to probe similarities and differences across three societies. Multiple analysis of variance (ANOVA) andt-tests were utilised to explore gender and country-related differences. Cluster analysis was applied to probe for segments highly similar to each other in the levels of work ethic of the respondents.

Findings

The results confirm the hypothesised differences between countries as well as across gender groups, with American females having the highest levels of work ethic, closely followed by Chinese males and females. Three distinct segments – low, medium and high levels of work ethic – were found in all three countries, indicating that there are individuals in each of the societies who could benefit from strategies for increasing the individuals' levels of work ethic.

Originality/value

Novel gender comparisons of the three country groups revealed American females as having the highest levels of work ethic and Korean females the lowest, whilst the identification of clusters of low, medium and high levels of work ethic provides evidence of the need to increase levels of work ethic to enhance productivity, regardless of the country of origin.
The contingency effects of dependence relationship on supply chain information sharing and agility
Authors: Bai Chunguang , Govindan Kannan , Huo Baofeng
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Supply chain agility (SCA) is the primary strategy for reducing impacts and quick recovery when supply chains experience a disruption risk, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study will investigate how SCA can be achieved through supply chain information sharing (SCIS) under the different dependence relationships (DR) with suppliers or customers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on information process and resource dependency theories, this study constructs and empirically tests a proposed model of the relationships amongst the three dimensions of SCIS and the two areas of SCA and the contingency effects of two types of DR on those relationships. Using a dataset collected from 400 manufacturers in China, the authors tested this theoretical model using multi-group and structural path analysis.

Findings

The results of the structural path and multi-group analyses show that (1) all dimensions of SCIS are positively correlated with both areas of SCA and (2) dependence on the supplier and dependence on the customer have completely different impacts on the relationship between SCIS and SCA.

Originality/value

This study can improve the understanding of the multidimensional concepts of SCIS and SCA and relationships between them under two different DR conditions in the Chinese manufacturing setting. It contributes to IS and the SCA literature and provides theoretically driven and empirical explanations for the diverse dynamics between the dependence on the supplier and customer.
Antecedents and consequences of blockchain adoption in supply chains: a systematic literature review
Authors: Happy Anwara , Chowdhury Md Maruf Hossan , Scerri Moira , Hossain Mohammad Alamgir , Barua Zapan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Despite the availability of several published reviews on the adoption of blockchain (BC) in supply chain (SC), at present, the literature lacks a comprehensive review incorporating the antecedents and consequences of BC adoption. Moreover, the complex adoption of BC in SC, explained with the mediating and moderating relationships, is not fully consolidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) on BC technology adoption (BCTA) in SC by integrating its antecedents and consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

Keyword searches were performed in multiple databases resulting 382 articles for evaluation and verification. After careful screening with respect to the purpose of the study and systematic processing of the retrieved articles, a total of 211 peer-reviewed articles were included in this study for review.

Findings

Various technological, organisational, individual, social, environmental, operational and economic factors were found as the antecedents of BCTA in SC. In addition, numerous applications of BC Technology (BCT) were identified, including asset management, identity management, transaction management, data management and operations management. Finally, the consequences of BCTA were categorised as operational, risk management, economic and sustainability outcomes.

Practical implications

This study can assist relevant decision-makers in managing the factors influencing BCTA and the potential uses of the technology to enhance SC performance.

Originality/value

By integrating the antecedents, applications and consequences of BCTA in SC, including the mediators and moderators, an integrated framework was developed that can potentially assist researchers to develop theoretical models. Further, the results of this SLR provide future directions for studying BCTA in supply chain management (SCM).
Culturally relevant picturebook for Middle Eastern Muslim students’ healing
Authors: Gultekin Mehmet
Published: January 2023

Purpose

In this paper, the author adapts the concept of culturally relevant pedagogy and the pedagogy of hope for Middle Eastern Muslim students' education. This paper aims to develop a new perspective for educating Middle Eastern Muslim students by focusing on Islam by considering being Muslim as a cultural way of being and living.

Design/methodology/approach

Pedagogy of hope (Hooks, 2003), particularly the concept of healing in education and culturally relevant pedagogy (Ladson-Billings, 1995), guided this study during the research process.

Findings

Three themes of culturally relevant pedagogy through a picturebook by Mobin-Uddin (2007) entitledThe Best Eid Everwas examined to illustrate how this picturebook can be used as an example of culturally relevant pedagogy.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation is the researcher’s interpretation as a Middle Eastern Muslim who lived in a Western country. TheBest Eid Ever(2007) can be used in the classroom for Middle Eastern Muslim students' education to discursively build a positive identity and educate students from different backgrounds. More studies may investigate other texts (e.g. novels) with Middle Eastern Muslim characters. Further research can also explore the use of this book in the classroom.

Originality/value

This study provides qualitative description of a picturebook from culturally relevant pedagogy and pedagogy of hope to guide teachers to bolster Middle Eastern Muslim students’ schooling experiences.
Analysis of procurement strategies in a two-period fresh product supply chain
Authors: Wang Guoli , Ma Chenxin
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Motivated by the wide application of procurement strategies in retailing, this paper aims to examine the effect of procurement strategies on decisions and profits and strategic inventory (SI) is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The game-theoretic models are developed under a two-period fresh product supply chain (FSC), and consist of the mode of purchasing products only in the first period without SI (Scenario S), the mode of purchasing products in every period without SI (Scenario T) and the mode of purchasing products in every period with SI (Scenario TS).

Findings

Conducting the calculating and comparing, some major findings can be concluded. In general, two-period purchasing strategies (Scenarios T and TS) promote a higher freshness-keeping effort than the single buying strategy (Scenario S). Regarding the pricing strategy, SI and Scenario S can both contribute to obtaining a lower wholesale price, the retailer's pricing is relatively complicated and hinges on the consumer's sensitivity to freshness-keeping effort and the holding cost. Besides, comparing the sales quantity and the profit, the authors find that Scenario TS stimulates more demands and brings more profits for the manufacturer. However, Scenario TS is not the optimal selection for the reason that SI sometimes hurts the retailer and even the whole supply chain. Whereas, when the holding cost is in a certain range, Scenario TS will lead to a win-win situation.

Originality/value

The main findings of this study can give the enterprises some advice on the procurement strategies of fresh products and the decisions of pricing and the freshness-keeping effort.
A simple metric for predicting repeated intimate partner violence harm based on the level of harm of the index offence (… as long as a non-linear statistic is applied)
Authors: Loewenstein Kristian Moesgaard , Ariel Barak , Harinam Vincent , Bland Matthew
Published: January 2023

Purpose

A recent body of evidence investigated repeated intimate partner violence (IPV) using crime harm indices (the severity of victimisation), instead of crime counts (the number of additional victimisation incidents). Yet, the predictive utility of harm scores in IPV remains unclear – except that high-harm IPV is not usually followed by any additional IPV incidents. The authors take cases of repeat IPV from North Zealand Police, Denmark, to predict subsequent IPV harm and counts based on the level of harm of the first reported IPV offence.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Danish crime harm index (CHI) to estimate harm levels, non-linear regression models are applied (due to the non-linear nature of the data) to show that the CHI level of the index offence validly predicts gains in future CHI but does not predict IPV counts.

Findings

The findings suggest that whilst high-harm IPV is a rare event and repeat high-harm IPV even rarer, when they do occur, escalation in harm is likely to occur.

Practical implications

A simple metric of harm of the first reported IPV offence can validly predict future harm – however, scholars should apply more fitting analytical techniques than crude descriptive statistics, which fail to take into account the non-linear distribution of police records.

Originality/value

This is the first study to show the value of predicting future harm based on prior harm in IPV.