bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant pathogenicRalstoniaphylotypes evolved divergent respiratory strategies and behaviors to thrive in xylem
Authors: Truchon Alicia N. , Dalsing Beth L. , Khokhani Devanshi , MacIntyre April , McDonald Bradon R. , Ailloud Florent , Klassen Jonathan , Gonzalez-Orta Enid T. , Currie Cameron , Prior Philippe , Lowe-Power Tiffany M. , Allen Caitilyn
Published: November 2022

Bacterial pathogens in theRalstonia solanacearumspecies complex (RSSC) infect the water-transporting xylem vessels of plants, causing bacterial wilt disease. Strains in RSSC phylotypes I and III can reduce nitrate to dinitrogen via complete denitrification. The four-step denitrification pathway enables bacteria to use inorganic nitrogen species as terminal electron acceptors, supporting their growth in oxygen-limited environments like biofilms or plant xylem. Reduction of nitrate, nitrite, and nitric oxide all contribute to virulence of a model phylotype I strain. However, little is known about the physiological role of the last denitrification step, the reduction of nitrous oxide to dinitrogen by NosZ. We found that phylotypes I and III need NosZ for full virulence. However, strains in phylotypes II and IV are highly virulent despite lacking NosZ. The ability to respire by reducing nitrate to nitrous oxide does not greatly enhance growth of phylotype II and IV strains. These partial denitrifying strains reach high cell densities during plant infection and cause typical wilt disease. However, unlike phylotype I and III strains, partial denitrifiers cannot grow well under anaerobic conditions or form thick biofilms in culture or in tomato xylem vessels. Furthermore, aerotaxis assays show that strains from different phylotypes have different oxygen and nitrate preferences. Together, these results indicate that the RSSC contains two subgroups that occupy the same habitat but have evolved divergent energy metabolism strategies to exploit distinct metabolic niches in the xylem.

IMPORTANCE

Plant pathogenicRalstonia spp. are a heterogeneous globally distributed group of bacteria that colonize plant xylem vessels.Ralstoniacells multiply rapidly in plants and obstruct water transport, causing fatal wilting and serious economic losses of many key food security crops. Virulence of these pathogens depends on their ability to grow to high cell densities in the low-oxygen xylem environment. Plant pathogenicRalstoniacan use denitrifying respiration to generate ATP. The last denitrification step, nitrous oxide reduction by NosZ, contributes to energy production and virulence for only one of the three phytopathogenicRalstoniaspecies. These complete denitrifiers form thicker biofilms in culture and in tomato xylem, suggesting they are better adapted to hypoxic niches. Strains with partial denitrification physiology form less biofilm and are more often planktonic. They are nonetheless highly virulent. Thus, these closely related bacteria have adapted their core metabolic functions to exploit distinct micro-niches in the same habitat.
Cdc42 regulates cytokine expression and trafficking in bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Shouib Rowayna , Eitzen Gary
Published: November 2022

Airway epithelial cells can respond to incoming pathogens, allergens and stimulants through the secretion of cytokines and chemokines. These pro-inflammatory mediators activate inflammatory signaling cascades that allow a robust immune response to be mounted. However, uncontrolled production and release of cytokines and chemokines can result in chronic inflammation and appears to be an underlying mechanism for the pathogenesis of pulmonary disorders such as asthma and COPD. The Rho GTPase, Cdc42, is an important signaling molecule that we hypothesize can regulate cytokine production and release from epithelial cells. We treated BEAS-2B lung epithelial cells with a set of stimulants to activate inflammatory pathways and cytokine release. The production, trafficking and secretion of cytokines were assessed when Cdc42 was pharmacologically inhibited with ML141 drug or silenced with lentiviral-mediated shRNA knockdown. We found that Cdc42 inhibition with ML141 differentially affected gene expression of a subset of cytokines; transcription of IL-6 and IL-8 were increased while MCP-1 was decreased. However, Cdc42 inhibition or depletion disrupted IL-8 trafficking and reduced its secretion even though transcription was increased. Cytokines transiting through the Golgi were particularly affected by Cdc42 disruption. Our results define a role for Cdc42 in the regulation of cytokine production and release in airway epithelial cells. This underscores the role of Cdc42 in coupling receptor activation to downstream gene expression and also as a regulator of cytokine secretory pathways.

Short Summary

Cytokine secretion from airway epithelial cells contributes to the pathogenesis of disease. We show that Cdc42 regulates cytokine gene expression and is required for cytokine secretion via control of transport through the Golgi complex.
Flagellar genes are associated with the colonization persistence phenotype of theDrosophila melanogastermicrobiota
Authors: Morgan Sarah J. , Chaston John M.
Published: November 2022

In this work we useDrosophila melanogasteras a model to identify bacterial genes necessary for bacteria to colonize their hosts independent of the bulk flow of diet. Early work on this model system established that dietary replenishment drives the composition of theD. melanogastergut microbiota, and subsequent research has shown that some bacterial strains can stably colonize, or persist with, the fly independent of dietary replenishment. Here we reveal transposon insertions in specific bacterial genes that influence the bacterial colonization persistence phenotype by using a gene association approach. We initially established that different bacterial strains persist at varying levels, independent of dietary replenishment. We then repeated the analysis with an expanded panel of bacterial strains and performed a metagenome wide association (MGWA) to identify distinct bacterial genes that are significantly correlated with the colonization level of persistent bacterial strains. Based on the MGWA, we tested if 44 bacterial transposon insertion mutants from 6 gene categories affect bacterial persistence with the flies. We identified that transposon insertions in four flagellar genes, one urea carboxylase gene, one phosphatidyl inositol gene, one bacterial secretion gene, and one antimicrobial peptide (AMP) resistance gene each significantly influenced the colonization of anAcetobacter fabarumstrain withD. melanogaster. Follow-up experiments revealed that each flagellar mutant was non-motile, even though the wild-type strain was motile. Taken together, these results reveal transposon insertions in specific bacterial genes, including motility genes, are necessary for at least one member of the fly microbiota to persistently colonize the fly.

IMPORTANCE

Despite the growing body of research on the microbiota, the mechanisms by which the microbiota colonizes a host can still be further elucidated. This study identifies bacterial genes that are associated with colonization persistence phenotype of the microbiota inDrosophila melanogaster, which reveals specific bacterial factors that influence establishment of the microbiota with its host. Identification of specific genes that affect persistence can help inform how the microbiota colonizes a host. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of the genetic mechanisms of the establishment of the microbiota could aid in further developing theDrosophilamicrobiota as a model for microbiome research.
Rescue of neuropsychiatric phenotypes in a mouse model of 16p11.2 duplication syndrome by genetic correction of an epilepsy network hub
Authors: Forrest Marc P. , Santos Marc Dos , Piguel Nicolas H. , Wang Yi-Zhi , Hawkins Nicole A. , Bagchi Vikram A. , Dionisio Leonardo E. , Yoon Sehyoun , Simkin Dina , Martin-de-Saavedra Maria Dolores , Gao Ruoqi , Horan Katherine E. , George Alfred L. , LeDoux Mark S. , Kearney Jennifer A. , Savas Jeffrey N. , Penzes Peter
Published: November 2022

Neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs) share genetic etiology and are frequently co-morbid with epilepsy, but the biological basis of this shared risk remains poorly understood. The 16p11.2 microduplication (16p11.2dup/+) is a highly pleiotropic copy number variant (CNV) conferring risk for multiple NPDs including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia and intellectual disability, and is associated with a high prevalence of seizures. We used a mouse model of the16p11.2duplication (16p11.2dup/+) to uncover molecular and circuit properties associated with this broad phenotypic spectrum, and examined genes within the locus capable of phenotype reversal. Quantitative proteomics of cortical membranes revealed alterations to synaptic protein networks and products of diverse NPD risk genes in16p11.2dup/+mice. Network analysis identified an epilepsy-associated protein subnetwork, which was dysregulated in16p11.2dup/+mice and proteomic datasets from human NPDs. We investigated circuit properties in16p11.2dup/+mice and found they exhibited hypersynchronous activity and enhanced network glutamate release, which increased susceptibility to seizures. We hypothesized that a regulator of the synaptic and epilepsy-associated protein network could have an important impact on pathophysiology. Human brain co-expression and interactome analysis revealed PRRT2 as a major hub in the dysregulated epilepsy subnetwork. Remarkably, restoringPrrt2copy number to wild-type levels rescued aberrant circuit properties, seizure susceptibility and social interaction deficits in16p11.2dup/+mice. We show that proteomics and network biology can identify important disease hubs in multigenic CNVs, and reveal molecular and circuit phenotypes which may be relevant to the complex symptomatology of 16p11.2 duplication carriers.
Diversity of the woodland strawberry inflorescences results from heterochrony antagonistically regulated byFvTFL1andFvFT1
Authors: Lembinen Sergei , Cieslak Mikolaj , Zhang Teng , Mackenzie Kathryn , Elomaa Paula , Prusinkiewicz Przemyslaw , Hytönen Timo
Published: November 2022

A vast variety of inflorescence architectures have formed during angiosperm evolution. Here we analyze the diversity and development of the woodland strawberry inflorescence. We show that it is a thyrse: a compound inflorescence in which the primary monopodial axis supports lateral sympodial branches, thus combining features of racemes and cymes. We demonstrate that this architecture is related to differences in the size and shape of the primary and lateral inflorescence meristems. We further show that woodland strawberry homologs of TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) antagonistically regulate the development of both the racemose and cymose components of the strawberry thyrse: the loss of functionalFvTFL1and overexpression ofFvFT1reduce the number and complexity of the cymose components, whereas silencing ofFvFT1has the opposite effect and can partially rescue thefvtfl1mutation. We complement our experimental findings with a computational model, which captures the development of the woodland strawberry inflorescence using a small set of rules, and shows that its phenotypic diversity can be explained in terms of heterochrony resulting from the opposite action of FvTFL1 and FvFT1 on the progression from the branching to flowering state.
Large-area electrical imaging having single neuron resolution using 236,880 electrodes CMOS-MEA technology
Authors: Suzuki I. , Matsuda N. , Han X. , Noji S. , Shibata M. , Nagafuku N. , Ishibashi Y.
Published: November 2022

The electrophysiological technology having a high spatio-temporal resolution at the single-cell level, and noninvasive measurements of large areas provides insights on underlying neuronal function. Here, we used a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-microelectrode array (MEA) that uses 236,880 electrodes each with an electrode size of 11.22 × 11.22 µm and 236,880 covering a wide area of 5.5 × 5.7 mm in presenting a detailed and single-cell-level neural activity analysis platform for brain slices, human iPS cell-derived cortical networks, peripheral neurons, and human brain organoids. Propagation pattern characteristics between brain regions changes the synaptic strength into compounds based on single-cell time-series patterns, classification based on single DRG neuron firing patterns and compound responses, axonal conduction characteristics and changes to anticancer drugs, and network activities and transition to compounds in brain organoids were extracted. This detailed analysis of neural activity at the single-cell level using our CMOS-MEA provides a new understanding the basic mechanisms of brain circuitsin vitroandex vivo, on human neurological diseases for drug discovery, and compound toxicity assessment.
Formation of membrane invaginations by curvature-inducing peripheral proteins: free energy profiles, kinetics, and membrane-mediated effects
Authors: Sadeghi Mohsen
Published: November 2022

Peripheral proteins, known to induce curvature, have been identified as key agents in the spontaneous remodeling of bilayer membranes, leading to invaginations and the genesis of membrane tubules. For proteins like cholera and Shiga toxin, which impart the membrane with locally isotropic curvatures, the resultant membrane-mediated interactions remain notably subtle. Consequently, the collective action of these proteins, culminating in the formation of dense clusters on the membrane and subsequent invagination, unfolds over an extended timescale, often spanning several minutes. This gradual progression challenges direct simulation of the invagination process, even with coarsegrained models. In this study, we introduce a steered molecular dynamics protocol wherein peripheral proteins are impelled to converge on a membrane patch, instigating an invagination. Utilizing the Jarzynski equality, we derive the free energy profile of this process from a suite of non-equilibrium simulation replicas. Examining two distinct membrane-associated proteins, we elucidate the influence of protein flexibility and the distribution of induced curvatures on both the remodeling process and the corresponding free energy profile. We delve into the role of membrane-mediated effects in shaping protein organization within the invaginated domain. Building on the free energy profile, we model the formation of invaginations as a Markovian process, and offer estimates of the corresponding timescales. Our findings yield minute-long implied timescales that resonate well with empirical observations.
Inhibiting ribosome assembly and ribosome translation have distinctly different effects on the abundance and paralogue composition of ribosomal protein mRNAs inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Shamsuzzaman Md , Rahman Nusrat , Gregory Brian , Bommakanti Ananth , Zengel Janice M , Bruno Vincent M , Lindahl Lasse
Published: November 2022

Many mutations in genes for ribosomal proteins and assembly factors cause cell stress and altered cell fate resulting in congenital diseases, collectively called ribosomopathies. Even though all such mutations depress the cell’s protein synthesis capacity, they generate many different phenotypes, suggesting that the diseases are not due simply to insufficient protein synthesis capacity. To learn more, we have investigated how the global transcriptome inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeresponds to reduced protein synthesis generated in two different ways: abolishing the assembly of new ribosomes or inhibiting ribosomal function. Our results show that the mechanism by which protein synthesis is obstructed affects the ribosomal protein transcriptome differentially: ribosomal protein mRNA abundance increases during the abolition of ribosome formation but decreases during the inhibition of ribosome function. Interestingly, the ratio between mRNAs from some, but not all, paralogous genes encoding slightly different versions of a given r-protein change differently during the two types of stress, suggesting that specific ribosomal protein paralogues may contribute to the stress response. Unexpectedly, the abundance of transcripts for ribosome assembly factors and translation factors remains relatively unaffected by the stresses. On the other hand, the state of the translation apparatus does affect cell physiology: mRNA levels for some other proteins not directly related to the translation apparatus also change differentially, though not coordinately with the r-protein genes, in response to the stresses.

Importance

Mutations in genes for ribosomal proteins or assembly factors cause a variety of diseases called ribosomopathies. These diseases are typically ascribed to a reduction in the cell’s capacity for protein synthesis. Paradoxically, ribosomal mutations result in a wide variety of disease phenotypes, even though they all reduce protein synthesis. Here we show that the transcriptome changes differently depending on how the protein synthesis capacity is reduced. Most strikingly, inhibiting ribosome formation and ribosome function have opposite effects on the abundance of mRNA for ribosomal proteins, while genes for ribosome translation and assembly factors show no systematic responses. Thus, the process by which the protein synthesis capacity is reduced contributes decisively to global mRNA composition. This emphasis on process is a new concept in understanding ribosomopathies and other stress responses.
Analysis of clinical manifestations and risk factors of HIV-1 associated thrombocytopenia in a general teaching hospital in western China
Authors: Tang Zhuoyun , Wang Zhonghao , Wang Tingting , Li Jingyi , Liu Chaonan , Tao Chuanmin
Published: November 2022

Background

Thrombocytopenia is one of the hematologic disorders that frequently accompany HIV-1 infection. The interaction of HIV-1 and platelets is crucial in the Blood-Brain Barrier’s (BBB) degeneration and causes neuroinflammation. The research aims to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for HAT (HIV-1 associated thrombocytopenia) and summary the features of HAT-related neuroinflammation.

Method

A retrospective study including 221 HAT patients was conducted in West China Hospital from 2017 to 2021. Clinical and laboratory data was analyzed the prevalence and risk factors for HAT and HAT-related neuroinflammation.

Results

The prevalence of HAT was 11.06% and most patients were men (76.92%), elderly (≥50, 55.21%) and 63.80% patients were mild thrombocytopenia. CD4+T cell count, platelet crit (PCT) and the rate of large platelets (P-LCR) were significantly different between HAT group and control group (P< 0.001,P0.001,P=0.002). CD4+T cell count <200 cell/μL (P=0.001) was an important risk factor in the occurrence of HAT while advanced age and high viral load were closely related to the occurrence of HAT. HAT-related neuroinflammation patients were mostly distributed in male (X2=10.066,P=0.007), with higher viral load (X2=12.297,P=0.006) and advanced age (X2=11.721,P=0.02) with neuropsychiatric symptoms and rising level of inflammatory factors like IL-6 and proteins in CSF.

Conclusion

HAT and HAT with neuroinflammation cannot be ignored in HIV-1 infection because of the activation of monocytes, macrophages and microglia, further causing thrombocytopenia and neuroinflammation. Advanced age, lower CD4+T cell count and high viral load were closely related to the occurrence of HAT and HAT-related neuroinflammation.
Image restoration of degraded time-lapse microscopy data mediated by infrared-imaging
Authors: Gritti Nicola , Power Rory M. , Graves Alyssa , Huisken Jan
Published: November 2022

Time-lapse fluorescence microscopy is key to unraveling the processes underpinning biological development and function. However, living systems, by their nature, permit only a limited toolbox for interrogation. Consequently, following time-lapses, expended samples contain untapped information that is typically discarded. Herein we employ convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to augment the live imaging data using this complementary information. In particular, live, deep tissue imaging is limited by the spectral range of live-cell compatible probes/fluorescent proteins. We demonstrate that CNNs may be used to restore deep-tissue contrast in GFP-based time-lapse imaging using paired final-state datasets acquired using infrared dyes and improve information content accordingly. Surprisingly, the networks are remarkably robust over a wide range of developmental times. We employ said network to GFP time-lapse images captured during zebrafish and drosophila embryo/larval development and demonstrate live, deep tissue image contrast.
PR-DUB preserves Polycomb repression by preventing excessive accumulation of H2Aub1, an antagonist of chromatin compaction
Authors: Bonnet Jacques , Boichenko Iulia , Kalb Reinhard , Le Jeune Mathilde , Maltseva Svetlana , Pieropan Mattia , Finkl Katja , Fierz Beat , Müller Jürg
Published: November 2022

The Polycomb repressive complexes PRC1, PRC2, and PR-DUB repress target genes by modifying their chromatin. InDrosophila, PRC1 compacts chromatin and monoubiquitinates histone H2A at lysine 118 (H2Aub1), whereas PR-DUB is a major H2Aub1 deubiquitinase, but how H2Aub1 levels must be balanced for Polycomb repression remains unclear. We show that in early embryos, H2Aub1 is enriched at Polycomb target genes, where it facilitates H3K27me3 deposition by PRC2 to mark genes for repression. During subsequent stages of development, H2Aub1 becomes depleted from these genes and is no longer enriched when Polycomb maintains them repressed. Accordingly, Polycomb targets remain repressed in H2Aub1-deficient animals. In PR-DUB catalytic mutants, high levels of H2Aub1 accumulate at Polycomb target genes, and Polycomb repression breaks down. These high H2Aub1 levels do not diminish Polycomb protein complex binding or H3K27 trimethylation but increase DNA accessibility. We show that H2Aub1 interferes with nucleosome stacking and chromatin fiber folding in vitro. Consistent with this, Polycomb repression defects in PR-DUB mutants are exacerbated by reducing PRC1 chromatin compaction activity, but Polycomb repression is restored if PRC1 E3 ligase activity is removed. PR-DUB therefore acts as a rheostat that removes excessive H2Aub1 that, although deposited by PRC1, antagonizes PRC1-mediated chromatin compaction.
Human–bot co-working: job outcomes and employee responses
Authors: Zhu Yu-Qian , Kanjanamekanant Kritsapas
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Robotic process automation (RPA) has been widely implemented to automate digital tasks. The resulting new type of human–bot co-working environment, however, has been understudied. This paper investigated how the depth and breadth of RPA deployment impact employees' job autonomy and work intensification, as well as perceived RPA performance. It further examined how job autonomy, work intensification, and perceived RPA performance predict burnout and continuance intention to use RPA.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from online survey of 128 RPA users, whose organizations have already gone live on RPA, partial least squares is used in the validation of the conceptual model and analysis.

Findings

The analytical results indicate that RPA deployment breadth and depth affect work intensification differently, and RPA deployment breadth and depth significantly predict perceived RPA performance. While work intensification increases burnout, job autonomy alleviates the burnout of employees. Finally, job autonomy and perceived RPA performance are both positive predictors of continuance intention to use RPA.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by investigating how co-working affects employees' autonomy and quality of work. It also advances the research on technology deployment by showing how deployment breadth and depth differently affect employees' evaluations of work-related aspects. Third, it extends the applicability of job demand-resource model into technology deployment and continuance technology use literature, by illustrating the importance of a job resource such as job autonomy. Finally, it provides firms with RPA implementation strategies.
Job pursuit intentions of undergraduates towards green job positions and descriptions, green performance management, green employee relations with employers' prestige as the mediator
Authors: Fernandez Diane Christine , Ganesan Jaya
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The aim of this research is to explore the relationship between green job positions and descriptions, green performance management, green employee relations with job pursuit intentions and the role of employers’ prestige as the mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey research design with a sample of 216 undergraduate specialising in the business fields from Malaysian private higher education institutions responded to the questionnaire, while purposive sampling and snowball sampling techniques were used in order to determine the research sample. Data for the research were collected from the target participants via questionnaires and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), while partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) via Smart-PLS was utilized to test the developed hypotheses of the research.

Findings

The results showed that only green employee relations has a significant relationship with job pursuit intentions out of the three direct hypotheses. As a result of assessing the mediating hypotheses, employers’ prestige mediates the effect of green job positions and descriptions and green employee relations on job pursuit intentions. Conversely, green performance management did not support the mediating association.

Practical implications

This research recommended practitioners to adopt green HRM fundamentals to enhance EP, which results in JPI. Also, the research aids managers and practitioners by providing the outlook of green HRM from a job seeker’s perspective, which can embolden the managers and practitioners in planning a systematic human resource.

Originality/value

The study contributes by enriching the literature concerning the dimensions of green HRM, which is an emergent topic in the human resource field. Furthermore, the study advances by proposing GER in the research framework.
The influence of immersion on tourists’ satisfaction via perceived attractiveness and happiness
Authors: Li Fangxuan (Sam) , Shang Yuanyuan , Su Qianqian
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose and test a model that is composed of immersion, perceived attractiveness, happiness, satisfaction and behavioral intention in light of the extended cognitive-affective-conative model.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the suggested research model, 271 genuine on-site questionnaires were gathered.

Findings

Immersion was found to positively affect perceived attractiveness and happiness. It is also suggested that perceived attractiveness and happiness mediate the association between immersion and tourist satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

This study also has advantageous marketing and management implications for destination managers and marketers to improve tourist satisfaction.

Originality/value

As per the authors’ knowledge, this is the very first study that inspects the mechanism by which how immersion influences tourist satisfaction.
Weapon performance and contest assessment strategies of the cavitating snaps in snapping shrimp
Authors: Dinh Jason P. , Patek S. N.
Published: November 2022

Animals compete in contests over limited resources. Contestants forfeit once they ascertain that their opponent has greater resource‐holding potential (RHP; mutual assessment) or once they reach a threshold of costs (self‐assessment). Functional scaling studies of contest behaviour performance can inform how assessment signals, offensive capacity and endurance scale with RHP and thereby elucidate the mechanisms through which each of these assessment types operates.

Here, we performed behavioural contest analyses to determine the assessment strategies used in snapping shrimp (Alpheus heterochaelis) contests. Then, we used biomechanical measurements of a common contest behaviour to inform how assessment might operate. We were specifically interested in the snapping behaviour during which snapping shrimp fire imploding cavitation bubbles—hereafter, ‘snaps’—at their opponents.

We showed that A. heterochaelis use mutual assessment early in contests. Then, when they fire snaps, they switch to cumulative assessment—a type of self‐assessment where contestants endure costs from their own behaviours (e.g. energy) and their opponent's (e.g. injury).

Because larger individuals tend to win contests, we then tested how the maximum performance and endurance of snaps scaled with size. We measured the average angular velocity of the snapping dactyl, cavitation bubble duration and pressure of snaps as metrics of performance. We measured 10 snaps per individual (n = 76 individuals). From this series of 10 snaps, we calculated the maximum of each metric as the maximum performance and the attrition of each metric over the course of 10 snaps as a measure of endurance. Maximum performance increased with size, but endurance did not.

This suggests that cumulative assessment in snapping shrimp is driven by opponent‐imposed costs. Our results are not consistent with self‐assessment based on endurance; however, the experiment could not fully replicate the quick succession of snaps fired in real contests. Future experiments should better replicate the rapid firing of snaps to test if endurance matters in a more ecologically relevant context.

Our framework of integrating biomechanics and behavioural ecology provides a pathway to identify precise mechanisms of contest assessment and animal behaviour more broadly.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Eco‐physiological and morphological traits explain alpine plant species' response to warming
Authors: Visakorpi Kristiina , Block Sebastián , Pellissier Loïc , Levine Jonathan M. , Alexander Jake
Published: November 2022

Understanding the traits mediating species' responses to climate change is a cornerstone for predicting future community composition and ecosystem function.

Although species' eco‐physiological properties determine their response to environmental change, most trait‐based studies focus on a small subset of easily measured morphological traits as proxies for physiology. This choice may limit our ability to predict the impacts of climate change on species' demography, and obscure the underlying mechanisms.

We conducted a transplantation experiment along a 1000‐m elevation gradient in the Alps to quantify the degree to which changes in plant abundance due to climate warming were predicted by eco‐physiological performance versus common morphological traits.

Physiological measurements revealed that warming favoured species with a conservative leaf‐level water use strategy whereas species whose leaf‐level water use was more ‘wasteful’ were more likely to suffer from the warmer and drier climate. Nevertheless, the predictive power of physiological traits did not exceed that of morphological traits.

Our results, therefore, show that while easily measured morphological traits can successfully predict plant abundance responses to climate, eco‐physiological approaches are needed to understand the underlying mechanism.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Innate immune function and antioxidant capacity of nestlings of an African raptor covary with the level of urbanisation around breeding territories
Authors: Nwaogu Chima Josiah , Amar Arjun , Nebel Carina , Isaksson Caroline , Hegemann Arne , Sumasgutner Petra
Published: November 2022

Urban areas provide breeding habitats for many species. However, animals raised in urban environments face challenges such as altered food availability and quality, pollution and pathogen assemblages. These challenges can affect physiological processes such as immune function and antioxidant defences which are important for fitness.

Here, we explore how levels of urbanisation influence innate immune function, immune response to a mimicked bacterial infection and antioxidant capacity of nestling Black Sparrowhawks Accipiter melanoleucus in South Africa. We also explore the effect of timing of breeding and rainfall on physiology since both can influence the environmental condition under which nestlings are raised. Finally, because urbanisation can influence immune function indirectly, we use path analyses to explore direct and indirect associations between urbanisation, immune function and oxidative stress.

We obtained measures of innate immunity (haptoglobin, lysis, agglutination, bactericidal capacity), indices of antioxidant capacity (total non‐enzymatic antioxidant capacity (tAOX) and total glutathione from nestlings from 2015 to 2019. In addition, in 2018 and 2019, we mimicked a bacterial infection by injecting nestlings with lipopolysaccharide and quantified their immune response.

Increased urban cover was associated with an increase in lysis and a decrease in tAOX, but not with any of the other physiological parameters. Furthermore, except for agglutination, no physiological parameters were associated with the timing of breeding. Lysis and bactericidal capacity, however, varied consistently with the annual rainfall pattern. Immune response to a mimicked a bacterial infection decreased with urban cover but not with the timing of breeding nor rainfall. Our path analyses suggested indirect associations between urban cover and some immune indices via tAOX but not via the timing of breeding.

Our results show that early‐life development in an urban environment is associated with variation in immune and antioxidant functions. The direct association between urbanisation and antioxidant capacity and their impact on immune function is likely an important factor mediating the impact of urbanisation on urban‐dwelling animals. Future studies should explore how these results are linked to fitness and whether the responses are adaptive for urban‐dwelling species.
Establishment of Arthrobotrys flagrans as biocontrol agent against the root pathogenic nematode Xiphinema index
Authors: Wernet Valentin , Fischer Reinhard
Published: November 2022

Plant‐parasitic nematodes cause devastating agricultural damage worldwide. Only a few synthetic nematicides can be used and their application is limited in fields. Therefore, there is a need for sustainable and environment‐friendly alternatives. Nematode‐trapping fungi (NTF) are natural predators of nematodes. They capture and digest them with their hyphae and are starting to being used as bio‐control agents. In this study, we applied the NTF Arthrobotrys flagrans (Duddingtonia flagrans) against the wine pathogenic nematode Xiphinema index. A. flagrans reduced the number of X. index juveniles in pot cultures of Ficus carica, an alternative host plant for X. index, significantly. Sodium‐alginate pellets with A. flagrans spores were produced for vineyard soil inoculation under laboratory conditions. The NTF A. conoides, A. musiformis and A. superba were enriched from several soil samples, showing their natural presence. Trap formation is an energy‐consuming process and depends upon various biotic and abiotic stimuli. Here, we show that bacteria of the genus Delftia, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter and Serratia induced trap formation in NTF like A. conoides and A. oligospora but not in A. flagrans in the absence of nematodes. The application of NTF along with such bacteria could be a combinatorial way of efficient biocontrol in nematode‐infested soil.
Antidiabetic, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitory and anti‐inflammatory activities of fermented camel milk and characterisation of novel bioactive peptides from lactic‐fermented camel milk with molecular interaction study
Authors: Shukla Pratik , Sakure Amar , Maurya Ruchika , Bishnoi Mahendra , Kondepudi Kanthi Kiran , Das Sujit , Liu Zhenbin , Padhi Srichandan , Rai Amit Kumar , Hati Subrota
Published: November 2022

This study was to separate and purify antidiabetic and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KGL3A fermented camel milk. After 48 h of fermentation at 37°C, ɑ‐amylase inhibition, ɑ‐glucosidase inhibition, lipase inhibition and ACE inhibitory activities were 80.94%, 64.45%, 63.93%, and 77.53%, respectively in fermented camel milk. Optimisation of growth condition for the evaluation of maximum peptide production was evaluated by measuring proteolytic activity (O‐phthalaldehyde, OPA method) with different inoculation rates and incubation times and highest proteolytic activity (9.21 mg/mL) was observed after 48 h of fermentation at 2.5% rate of inoculation. The antidiabetic and ACE inhibitory activity of 3 kDa permeate fraction were higher as compared with other fractions. Purification of antidiabetic and ACE inhibitory peptides from fermented camel milks was performed through sodium dodecyl‐sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and 2‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and maximum number of protein bands were present in between 25 and 10 kDa. The generated peptide sequences were matched with antihypertensive peptide database (AHTPDB) and BIOPEP databases for confirming the antidiabetic and ACE inhibitory activity. Peptides, that is. TDVMPQWW and MMSLVSLLLVGILFPTIQAK were having highest peptide ranker score among the all sequences. Furthermore, anti‐inflammatory activity (TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β) of fermented camel milk was evaluated in macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 (Ralph and William's cell line). Furthermore, peptides were predicted to have improved binding affinity against Human Angiotensin converting enzyme (hACE) through molecular docking.
RNAi‐mediated knockdown of juvenile hormone esterase causes mortality and malformation in Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Xu Zhanyi , Yan Ru , Qian Jiali , Chen Dongping , Guo Yirong , Zhu Guonian , Wu Huiming , Chen Mengli
Published: November 2022

RNA interference is an efficient approach for gene function identification and a potential novel strategy for selectively controlling pests. The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a major global storage pest, which causes great economic loss. Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE), a carboxylesterase, is responsible for the degradation of juvenile hormone. However, the knockdown effect of jhe on metamorphosis of pupae or adult in T. castaneum is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the expression profiles of Tcjhe in the larval stage, we found that Tcjhe was expressed throughout the whole larval instars and the expression levels were relatively high right after molting. Furthermore, we knocked down the expression of Tcjhe by injecting dsTcjhe, which significantly increased the mortality of adults and decreased the eclosion rate. In addition, abnormal developmental phenotypes, including wing deformitity, pupal–adult monsters and shrunken adults, were observed. Our finding indicates that JHE plays an important role in the metamorphosis and development in T. castaneum, suggesting that Tcjhe could be used as a potential target for the development of RNAi‐based control strategies in T. castaneum.
A single‐center study of thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of pediatric mediastinal neurogenic tumors
Authors: Zhang Qiangye , Zhou Tingting , Hou Peimin , Mu Weijing , Wang Dongming , Fang Jun , Li Aiwu
Published: November 2022

Objective

To study the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of pediatric mediastinal neurogenic tumors, and summarize the treatment experiences and surgical skills.

Methods

A single‐center retrospective analysis of 37 patients with pediatric mediastinal neurogenic tumors was conducted. Clinical charactersistics and postoperative complications were all analyzed.

Results

All the operations were successfully completed. There was no statistically significant difference in tumor diameter between the two groups (p > 0.05). The open surgery group had an average operation time of 96.5 ± 32.38 min, while the thoracoscopic surgery group had an average operation time of 78.3 ± 24.51 min (p < 0.05). The thoracoscopic surgery group had significantly lower intraoperative blood loss than the open surgery group (p < 0.05). In addition, the duration of the postoperative thoracic drainage tube was 5.43 ± 0.76 days in the open surgery group, which was longer than the 2.38 ± 0.87 days in the thoracoscopic surgery group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the postoperative length of hospital stay was an average of 10.23 ± 1.43 days for the open surgery group, longer than for the thoracoscopic surgery group (4.36 ± 0.87 days) (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic surgery has several advantages in the treatment of pediatric mediastinal neurogenic tumors and is worthy of clinical popularization and application. For giant mediastinal malignant neurogenic tumors, puncture biopsy and adjuvant chemotherapy can be performed before surgery to lessen the tumor volume and enlarge the operation space, which would reduce bleeding and complications.
Centralization and prospective audit of cystectomy are necessary: a commentary on the case for centralization, supported by a contemporary series utilizing the ANZUP cystectomy database
Authors: Viswambaram Pravin , McCombie Steve P. , Hawks Cynthia , Wallace D. Michael A. , Sengupta Shomik , Hayne Dickon
Published: November 2022

Bladder cancer (BC) outcomes are unacceptably poor. In Australia, BC survival is actually deteriorating. There is an urgent need to improve outcomes in BC patients, which requires a multipronged approach. One area deserving closer scrutiny is radical cystectomy. Audit is necessary to identify areas for improvement and without it, outcomes remain unknown. Evidence convincingly shows high‐volume surgeons and centers improve cystectomy outcomes including overall survival, yet centralization has still not occurred. The Australia and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate (ANZUP) Cancer Trials Group cystectomy database has been established to facilitate cystectomy audit in Australia and New Zealand. We present initial data from the ANZUP cystectomy database from a single high‐volume center, discuss the benefits of centralization and its challenges in the Asia‐Pacific context.
Letter: vaccination for global control of hepatitis B—from prevention to elimination. Authorsʼ reply
Authors: Hui Vicki Wing‐Ki , Yip Terry Cheuk‐Fung , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung
Published: November 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Wong et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17120 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17213
Prevalence and predictors of benevolent childhood experiences among a representative sample of young people
Authors: Redican Enya , McBride Orla , Bunting Lisa , Murphy Jamie , Shevlin Mark
Published: November 2022

Emerging research evidence suggests that benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) may partly explain more favourable mental health outcomes among individuals affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). However, much of this research has focused on adult populations. Consequently, this study sought to provide the first rigorous assessment of the prevalence and predictors of BCEs using a nationally representative sample of young people from Northern Ireland (NI). Participants were 11–19‐years‐olds (N = 1293) who participated in the NI Youth Wellbeing Prevalence Survey (NI‐YWS, 2020). Prevalence rates, gender differences and predictors of BCEs were investigated. Results revealed how most of the sample experienced multiple BCEs (95%, n = 1084), with females reporting higher levels of BCEs. Significant positive predictors of BCEs were female gender, parental education, living with both biological parents, and living in areas with lower deprivation, while significant negative predictors of BCEs included family being in receipt of social welfare and older age. Overall, this study highlights how BCEs are common, while the identification of factors associated with likelihood of having positive experiences during early development provides novel insights into those young people who may be at greater risk for maladaptive psychological outcomes.
Characterization of immune checkpoint inhibitor‐induced cardiotoxicity reveals interleukin‐17A as a driver of cardiac dysfunction after anti‐PD‐1 treatment
Authors: Gergely Tamás G. , Kucsera Dániel , Tóth Viktória E. , Kovács Tamás , Sayour Nabil V. , Drobni Zsófia D. , Ruppert Mihály , Petrovich Balázs , Ágg Bence , Onódi Zsófia , Fekete Nóra , Pállinger Éva , Buzás Edit I. , Yousif Laura I. , Meijers Wouter C. , Radovits Tamás , Merkely Béla , Ferdinandy Péter , Varga Zoltán V.
Published: November 2022

Background and Purpose

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), such as anti‐PD‐1 monoclonal antibodies, have revolutionized cancer therapy by enhancing the cytotoxic effects of T‐cells against tumours. However, enhanced T‐cell activity also may cause myocarditis and cardiotoxicity. Our understanding of the mechanisms of ICI‐induced cardiotoxicity is limited. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of PD‐1 inhibition on cardiac function and explore the molecular mechanisms of ICI‐induced cardiotoxicity.

Experimental Approach

C57BL6/J and BALB/c mice were treated with isotype control or anti‐PD‐1 antibody.

Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac function. Cardiac transcriptomic changes were investigated by bulk RNA sequencing. Inflammatory changes were assessed by qRT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry in heart, thymus, and spleen of the animals. In follow‐up experiments, anti‐CD4 and anti‐IL‐17A antibodies were used along with PD‐1 blockade in C57BL/6J mice.

Key Results

Anti‐PD‐1 treatment led to cardiac dysfunction and left ventricular dilation in C57BL/6J mice, with increased nitrosative stress. Only mild inflammation was observed in the heart. However, PD‐1 inhibition resulted in enhanced thymic inflammatory signalling, whereIl17aincreased most prominently. In BALB/c mice, cardiac dysfunction was not evident, and thymic inflammatory activation was more balanced. Inhibition of IL‐17A prevented anti‐PD‐1‐induced cardiac dysfunction in C57BL6/J mice. Comparing myocardial transcriptomic changes in C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice, differentially regulated genes (Dmd,Ass1,Chrm2,Nfkbia,Stat3,Gsk3b,Cxcl9,Fxyd2, andLdb3) were revealed, related to cardiac structure, signalling, and inflammation.

Conclusions

PD‐1 blockade induces cardiac dysfunction in mice with increased IL‐17 signalling in the thymus. Pharmacological inhibition of IL‐17A treatment prevents ICI‐induced cardiac dysfunction.
Overexpression of Homer1b/c induces valproic acid resistance in epilepsy
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Youbin , Wang Guangfei , Lu Jinmiao , Li Zhiping
Published: November 2022

Aims

Resistance to valproic acid (VPA) is a major challenge for epilepsy treatment. We aimed to explore the mechanism underlying this resistance.

Methods

Pentylenetetrazol‐induced chronic epileptic rats were administered VPA (250 mg/Kg) for 14 days; rats with controlled seizure stages (seizure score14th‐before ≤0) and latent time (latent time14th‐before ≥0) were considered VPA‐responsive, while the others were considered nonresponsive. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the VPA‐responsive and nonresponsive rat hippocampus transcriptomes were identified, and their functions were evaluated. The roles of postsynaptic density (PSD) and Homer1 were also determined. Furthermore, a subtype of Homer1 (Homer1b/c) was overexpressed or silenced in HT22 cells to determine its effect on VPA efficacy. Moreover, the membrane levels of mGluR1/5 directly bound to Homer1b/c were assessed.

Results

Overall, 264 DEGs commonly enriched in the PSD between VPA‐responsive and nonresponsive rats. Among them, Homer1 was more highly expressed in the hippocampus of nonresponses compared to that of responses. Overexpression of Homer1b/c interrupted VPA efficacy by increasing reactive oxygen species production, lactate dehydrogenase release, and calcium content. Furthermore, it induced the overexpression of mGluR1 and mGluR5.

Conclusion

Overexpression of Homer1b/c influenced VPA efficacy, revealing it could be a target to improve the efficacy of this treatment.