bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early life racial/ethnic discrimination effects on behavioral control and health outcomes in young adults
Authors: Franco Corinna Y. , Serobyan Julieta , Avetisyan Ovsanna , Knowlton Barbara J.
Published: January 2025

Early life trauma has been shown to facilitate habitual behavior, which may predispose individuals toward perpetuating maladaptive behaviors. However, previous investigations did not account for other traumatic childhood experiences like racial/ethnic discrimination exposure, nor have they examined the interaction of trauma and habits on real-world adverse outcomes. To examine these effects, we recruited 96 young adults (20.06 ± 1.89 years old) in a study probing early life racial/ethnic discrimination influences on habitual learning, and the conjunctive influences of early life discrimination and habit on disordered eating and substance use. To measure habit responses, participants completed a noise avoidance task during which they responded to abstract stimuli via associated keyboard presses to avoid an aversive screaming sound, after which they performed a devaluation test to measure avoidance habit responses. Participants then completed a series of questionnaires examining early life racial/ethnic discrimination exposure, disordered eating and substance use, and other psychological characteristics. Hierarchical regression results showed that certain early life discrimination subtypes, particularly threat/aggression experienced due to racial/ethnic background, significantly predicted habitual responding above and beyond the effects of psychological confounds. Additionally, overall early life discrimination exposure positively predicted binge eating, but no variables of interest predicted alcohol and drug use. These results expand on extant literature showing the negative impacts of childhood stressors on behavioral control and real-world outcomes.
Beyond entrepreneurship education: the long-term impact of higher education teaching models on new venture creation
Authors: Arendt Kasper M. , Christensen Bo T. , Jensen Vibeke M. , Rangvid Beatrice S. , Bille Trine
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Teaching models in higher education entrepreneurship programs affect students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Yet evidence related to their effects on long-term venture creation remains limited. Past research on the effects of teaching models on entrepreneurship has focused narrowly on entrepreneurship education programs. The present study moves beyond this past narrow focus to study teaching model effects on new venture creation across a broad array of higher education programs.

Design/methodology/approach

We assess the effects of teaching models on new venture creation across 35 educational programs (entrepreneurship and other business programs) at a large Danish business school, tracing venture creation data for 5 years after graduation (N = 4,717).

Findings

Competence-based teaching models positively impact graduates’ long-term new venture creation across all programs, with no differences between entrepreneurship vs other types of programs.

Research limitations/implications

These findings carry implications for both education and entrepreneurship research, as well as policymakers and educators, by pointing toward ways of impacting postgraduate business venturing through teaching model reforms extending beyond entrepreneurship education.

Originality/value

For the first time, we find effects of competence teaching models on postgraduation new venture creation across a broad array of business administration programs. The results are novel in documenting that teaching models generally impact venture creation in the long term, and that this occurs regardless of whether the program content centers on entrepreneurship or on other business administration content.
Unveiling patterns and drivers of agricultural diversification: empirical findings from farm households in Kaithal district of Haryana in India
Authors: Sharma Simran , Shastri Swati
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to examine the patterns of and factors influencing agricultural diversification among farmers in the Kaithal district of Haryana, India.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analysed the data collected from a sample of 400 agricultural households from five blocks of Kaithal, Haryana. Agricultural diversification is measured through the Herfindahl Index. Determinants of agricultural diversification have been evaluated using the two-stage least square method.

Findings

The average value of the diversification index among farmers in Kaithal is 0.51, indicating that there is room for diversification. In the study area wheat and rice are the dominant crops, while vegetables emerge as the most common non-staple crop. Regression analysis indicates that farmers of Scheduled Caste (SC) are more inclined to diversify crops. Factors such as larger land ownership, utilization of tractors, government subsidies, education and loans positively impact agricultural diversification. The availability of irrigation facilities, and employing labour negatively influence it.

Social implications

Focus on SC within the diversification policies for equitable access to resources. Special programmes aimed at educating small landowners and casual labourers about diversified crops. Implementing an “Uberisation” model for tractors, providing subsidies on seeds and equipment, customized financing programmes tailored to the needs of small-scale farmers can contribute to boosting agricultural diversification.

Originality/value

This study contributes by providing insights into the farm-level determinants of agricultural diversification in Kaithal district, Haryana. It adds to the understanding of factors influencing agricultural diversification in developing economies at the micro level.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2023-0963.
A bibliometric analysis of resource orchestration research: current status, emerging trends and future research agenda
Authors: Soleymanzadeh Omid , Hajipour Bahman
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to study the bibliometric analysis of resource orchestration research in management and businessareas.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method is based on a three-step protocol of dataset setting, dataset refining and analyzing the data. First, the 202 published articles in the resource orchestration field were collected from the Web of Science database. Second, the document information was refined. Finally, we used the bibliometric analysis toolbox to investigate the documents. Also, bibliometric analysis in this research has been conducted using VOSviewer and SPSS software.

Findings

The findings of this research examined the evolution of the resource orchestration theory. Also, this paper has identified five major themes in this field: resource orchestration for entrepreneurship and innovation, orchestrating supply chain, orchestrating information technology resources, orchestrating intangible resources and the role of resource orchestration in small firm performance. Finally, emerging trends in the resource orchestration area include sustainable development, innovation and information technology.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to use bibliometric analysis to examine resource orchestration theory. Accordingly, this research contributes to the resource orchestration area through the theoretical evolution, underlying streams of research and emerging themes in research topics and methodologies.
Molecular Mechanism of Ginsenoside Rg3 Alleviation in Osteoporosis via Modulation of KPNA2 and the NF‐κB Signalling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Xiaonan , Huang Fenglan , Liu Jinzhu , Zhou Zhenzhong , Yuan Shanyou , Jiang Haoli
Published: January 2025

Osteoporosis is mainly caused by an imbalance in osteoclast and osteoblast regulation, resulting in an imbalance in bone homeostasis. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) has been reported to have a therapeutic effect on alleviating osteoporosis. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. Herein, the molecular mechanism of Rg3 alleviation in osteoporosis was further explored. An in vitro model was established utilising the receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappaB ligand (RANKL) to induce osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells. RNA‐sequencing results showed that karyopherin subunit alpha 2 (KPNA2) is one of the significantly differentially expressed genes regulated by Rg3 in RANKL‐induced RAW264.7 cells. Basic experiments further suggested that KPNA2 is up‐regulated in a time‐dependent manner in the RANKL‐induced RAW264.7 cells, while Rg3 treatment reduced its expression in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Knockdown of KPNA2 inhibited osteoclast formation and the expression of related molecules, including those in the nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) pathway. The NF‐κB inhibitor, JSH‐23, partially abolished the impact of KPNA2 overexpression on osteoclast formation, indicating KPNA2 activates NF‐κB. Furthermore, KPNA2 overexpression partially abolished the inhibitory impact of Rg3 on osteoclast formation, indicating that KPNA2 is a target of Rg3. These results suggest that KPNA2 plays a role in how Rg3 influences on osteoclast differentiation and osteoporosis through the NF‐κB pathway.
Closing the air gap: the use of drones for studying wildlife ecophysiology
Authors: Yaney‐Keller Adam , McIntosh Rebecca R. , Clarke Rohan H. , Reina Richard D.
Published: January 2025

Techniques for non‐invasive sampling of ecophysiological data in wild animals have been developed in response to challenges associated with studying captive animals or using invasive methods. Of these, drones, also known as Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and their associated sensors, have emerged as a promising tool in the ecophysiology toolkit. In this review, we synthesise research in a scoping review on the use of drones for studying wildlife ecophysiology using the PRISMA‐SCr checklist and identify where efforts have been focused and where knowledge gaps remain. We use these results to explore current best practices and challenges and provide recommendations for future use.

In 136 studies published since 2010, drones aided studies on wild animal body condition and morphometrics, kinematics and biomechanics, bioenergetics, and wildlife health (e.g. microbiomes, endocrinology, and disease) in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Focal taxa are biased towards marine mammals, particularly cetaceans. While conducted globally, research is primarily led by institutions based in North America, Oceania, and Europe. The use of drones to obtain body condition and morphometric data through standard colour sensors and single camera photogrammetry predominates. Techniques such as video tracking and thermal imaging have also allowed insights into other aspects of wildlife ecophysiology, particularly when combined with external sampling techniques such as biologgers. While most studies have used commercially available multirotor platforms and standard colour sensors, the modification of drones to collect samples, and integration with external sampling techniques, have allowed multidisciplinary studies to integrate a suite of remote sensing methods more fully.

We outline how technological advances for drones will play a key role in the delivery of both novel and improved wildlife ecophysiological data. We recommend that researchers prepare for the influx of drone‐assisted advancements in wildlife ecophysiology through multidisciplinary and cross‐institutional collaborations. We describe best practices to diversify across species and environments and use current data sources and technologies for more comprehensive results.
Bioceramics for Guided Bone Regeneration: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Yulan , Fu Gang , Zhang Jian , Xu Yan , Shen Ming , Yi Zhe , Lan Jing , Li Qiang , Zhao Yangsheng , Wu Runfa , Zhang Yufeng
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To compare the clinical effectiveness of a novel bioceramic (BC) with a control xenograft (BO) for guided bone regeneration (GBR) performed simultaneously with implant placement.

Materials and Methods

This clinical study enrolled patients with insufficient bone volume who required GBR during implant placement to increase bone width using either BC or BO. Outcome measures included a dimensional reduction in buccal bone thickness measured by cone beam computed tomography performed immediately post‐surgery and at 6 months postoperatively (ΔHBBT), soft tissue healing at 14 days, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively, and complications rates.

The primary outcome was the change in buccal bone thickness around the implant.

Results

Of the total 152 patients included, 76 from each group received BC and BO treatments. The ΔHBBT in BC and BO groups were −0.276 mm (−0.432, −0.121) and −0.614 mm (−0.769, −0.459) mm, respectively, rejecting the null hypothesis. No significant difference in soft tissue healing was observed between the two groups, with no inflammatory changes in 96.05% and 90.79% of the BC and BO groups, respectively, at 2 weeks postoperatively. However, the BC group exhibited a lower overall complication rate (3.95%), including mild inflammation, poor soft tissue healing, and bone graft extrusion in 3 out of 76 patients.

Conclusions

Both BC and BO demonstrated favorable outcomes in bone regeneration and soft tissue healing when used for simultaneous implant placement and bone augmentation.
Peri‐Implant Epstein–Barr Virus (+) Mucocutaneous Ulcer in an Immunocompetent Patient: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Lafuente‐Ibáñez de Mendoza Irene , Aguirre‐Echevarria Pablo , Silva‐Soria Tulio Mateo , Aisa Francisco Javier Vallejo , de Larrinoa Aitor Fernández , Aguirre‐Urizar José Manuel
Published: January 2025

Epstein–Barr virus (+) mucocutaneous ulcer (EBVMCU) is an uncommon benign lymphoproliferative lesion that develops in immunocompromised patients. We present a special case of EBVMCU located in the peri‐implant mucosa and we review the oral cases published to date. An 88‐year‐old man with no medical history of interest was attended in the dental clinic due to an ulcerated tumor located in the peri‐implant mucosa. The lesion showed an atypical lymphoid proliferation, positive for CD3, CD20, CD30, PAX‐5, and MUM1. Positive EBV and favorable patient evolution confirmed the final diagnosis of EBVMCU. Oral EBVMCU reports related to immunosenescence mainly develop in the gingiva of advanced age patients. Our case highlights the importance to perform a complete clinicopathological study of all peri‐implant lesions. Although most peri‐implant pathologies are inflammatory‐reactive disorders, sometimes they can also correspond to other entities.
Landscape influence on pollinator population genetic connectivity
Authors: Schleimer Anna , Frantz Alain C.
Published: January 2025

Insect pollinators face numerous threats, including habitat loss and population fragmentation. The effects of human‐altered landscapes on population connectivity need to be better understood to inform effective mitigation measures. We examined the literature on the effects of landscape heterogeneity on population genetic connectivity in two key pollinator groups: bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) and hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae).

We identified 113 studies from 59 countries, covering 96 bee and 21 hoverfly species. However, biased taxonomic and geographical coverage limited broad conclusions regarding species susceptibility to genetic isolation. Notably, hoverflies remain significantly understudied, hampering comprehensive assessments of genetic connectivity patterns.

While some species demonstrated genetic differentiation across tens of kilometres, others maintained connectivity across entire continents. Various landscape features, including water bodies and mountain ranges, often acted as barriers to gene flow, while the impacts of deforestation, agriculture, and urbanisation on genetic connectivity were mixed.

Biological traits like body size, resource specialisation, and effective population sizes were found to influence susceptibility to population isolation. However, contrasting results and limited species coverage precluded conclusive findings.

Future research should include evaluations of genetic time lags and statistical power to determine the appropriateness of selected genetic tools for testing hypotheses of recent genetic effects of human‐altered landscapes on pollinators.

Owing to increased interest in pollinator habitat corridors, population genetic research encompassing a wider range of species, habitats, and improved study designs, is needed to provide an evidence‐based framework for conservation measures.
Association of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors With Estimated Dietary Salt Consumption in Bangladeshi Adults: A Nationally Representative Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Barua Lingkan , Akhter Tahmina , Bhuiyan Rijwan , Sathi Halima Akter , Banik Palash Chandra , Faruque Mithila , Rahman Muhammad Aziz , Islam Sheikh Mohammed Shariful
Published: January 2025

This population‐based, nationally representative cross‐sectional study assessed the daily salt consumption status and its associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors using weighted data from the STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance conducted in 2018 in Bangladesh. It included a non‐institutionalized adults’ population of 6189 men and women aged 18–69 years. Their daily salt consumption was estimated using the spot urine sodium concentration following the Tanaka equation and reported according to the standard nomenclature proposed by the World Hypertension League and partner organizations involved in dietary salt reduction. Out of a total of 6189 participants, 2.4% consumed the recommended amount of salt (<5 g/day), 67.8% consumed a high amount of salt (≥5–10 g/day), 27.2% consumed a very high amount of salt (>10–15 g/day), and 2.6% consumed an extremely high amount of salt (>15 g/day). In univariate analysis, a higher than recommended level of salt intake (≥5 g/day) was significantly prevalent among rural residents (high = 78.4%, very‐high = 81.6%, extremely‐high = 84.9%, p = 0.01), literates (high = 51.6%, very‐high = 57.9%, extremely‐high = 59.1%, p = 0.02), newly diagnosed hypertension (high = 20.6%, very‐high = 23.6%, extremely‐high = 24.1%, p = 0.008), and overweight/obese (high = 25.9%, very‐high = 33.3%, extremely‐high = 29.8%, p = 0.000). Similarly, in ordinal logistic regression analysis, the categories of daily salt consumption showed a significant association with rural residence (OR: 1.300, CI: 1.109–1.524, p = 0.001), literates (OR: 0.777, CI: 0.671–0.900, p = 0.001), newly diagnosed hypertension (OR: 1.204, CI: 1.022–1.419, p = 0.026), and overweight/obesity (OR: 1.353, CI: 1.145–1.598, p = 0.000). The current national pattern of salt consumption in Bangladesh may help reconstruct the salt reduction strategy considering the associated risk factors.
Dyslipidemia Impacts Cardiometabolic Health and CVD Risk in a Relatively Young Otherwise Healthy Population
Authors: Lang Jillian M. , Shostak Elena S. , Quinn William K. , Chervinskaya Valerie D. , Fioraso Elisa , Smith Everett , Kotarsky Christopher J. , DeBlauw Justin A. , Lloyd Jennifer L. , Ives Stephen J.
Published: January 2025

Dyslipidemia, abnormal levels of lipids in the bloodstream, is associated with cardiovascular disease risk (CVD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dyslipidemia on cardiometabolic health in relatively young, healthy adults. Participants were 54 healthy males and females aged 18–60 years. Participants were assessed for anthropometrics, body composition, blood pressure and vascular stiffness indicators, microvascular health, and glucose and lipid levels. Using a cross‐sectional approach, participants were characterized and grouped as having dyslipidemia or not, and then statistically assessed to determine whether differences in other cardiometabolic health measures existed between the groups. There were significant differences between groups for body weight and composition (total mass, muscle mass, visceral fat, bone mass, and body mass index, all, p < 0.027, Cohen's d > 0.605) with the dyslipidemia group being higher. There were significant differences between groups for peripheral and central blood pressures (all, p < 0.003, Cohen's d > 0.899), as well as for vascular stiffness indicators (pulse pressure, augmentation pressure, augmentation index, augmentation index 75) (all, p < 0.022, Cohen's d > 0.672) with elevations noted in the dyslipidemia group. Ten‐year CVD risk was significantly different between groups, with an average risk of 0.8% in the normal lipids group and a risk of 5.4% in the dyslipidemia group (p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.260). However, there were no significant differences in macro‐ or micronutrient intake between groups (all, p > 0.166, Cohen's d < 0.412). There is a significant impact on cardiometabolic health in individuals with dyslipidemia who are otherwise healthy, which may increase individual risk for CVD.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06544915.
The comprehensive regulatory network in seed oil biosynthesis
Authors: Wei Wei , Wang Long‐Fei , Tao Jian‐Jun , Zhang Wan‐Ke , Chen Shou‐Yi , Song Qingxin , Zhang Jin‐Song
Published: January 2025

Plant oils play a crucial role in human nutrition, industrial applications and biofuel production. While the enzymes involved in fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis are well‐studied, the regulatory networks governing these processes remain largely unexplored. This review explores the intricate regulatory networks modulating seed oil biosynthesis, focusing on key pathways and factors. Seed oil content is determined by the efficiency of de novo FA synthesis as well as influenced by sugar transport, lipid metabolism, FA synthesis inhibitors and fine‐tuning mechanisms. At the center of this regulatory network is WRINKLED1 (WRI1), which plays a conserved role in promoting seed oil content across various plant species. WRI1 interacts with multiple proteins, and its expression level is regulated by upstream regulators, including members of the LAFL network. Beyond the LAFL network, we also discuss a potential nuclear factor‐Y (NF‐Y) regulatory network in soybean with an emphasis on NF‐YA and NF‐YB and their associated proteins. This NF‐Y network represents a promising avenue for future efforts aimed at enhancing oil accumulation and improving stress tolerance in soybean. Additionally, the application of omics‐based approaches is of great significance. Advances in omics technologies have greatly facilitated the identification of gene resources, opening new opportunities for genetic improvement. Importantly, several transcription factors involved in oil biosynthesis also participate in stress responses, highlighting a potential link between the two processes. This comprehensive review elucidates the complex mechanisms underlying the regulation of oil biosynthesis, offering insights into potential biotechnological strategies for improving oil production and stress tolerance in oil crops.
Oxidised Apolipoprotein Peptidome Characterises Metabolic Dysfunction‐Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: Mocciaro Gabriele , George Amy L. , Allison Michael , Frontini Mattia , Huang‐Doran Isabel , Reiman Frank , Gribble Fiona , Griffin Julian L. , Vidal‐Puig Antonio , Azzu Vian , Kay Richard , Vacca Michele
Published: January 2025

Background

Metabolic Dysfunction‐Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) encompasses a spectrum of histological conditions ranging from simple steatosis to fibrosing steatohepatitis, and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). While oxidised apolipoproteins A and B have been linked to obesity and CVD, the association between other oxidised apolipoproteins and MASLD is yet to be established. To fill this gap, we characterised the circulating serum peptidome of patients with MASLD.

Methods

We studied the serum of 87 biopsy‐confirmed MASLD patients and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched control (CTRL) subjects. We first employed an untargeted LC‐MS/MS peptidomics approach (9 CTRL, 32 MASLD) to identify key hits differentially modulated, and subsequently validated the most relevant findings through targeted peptidomics in an enlarged study population (87 MASLD and 20 CTRL).

Results

Untargeted serum peptidomics identified several oxidised apolipoprotein peptide fragments, including ApoE and ApoC‐III, significantly upregulated in MASLD compared to CTRL. Specifically focusing on the oxidative status of intact ApoC‐III, studied through its major glycoforms (ApoC‐III0, ApoC‐IIIi and ApoC‐IIIii), we observed a marked reduction in non‐oxidised forms of these circulating peptides alongside substantially increased levels of their oxidised proteoforms in MASLD versus controls (but not within the disease stages). Oxidised ApoE and ApoC‐III peptide fragments were also significantly correlated with obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and transaminases, suggesting a potential link between circulating apolipoprotein oxidation and systemic/hepatic metabolic dysfunction.

Conclusion

Our data reveals a previously unreported oxidised apolipoprotein profile associated with MASLD. The functional and clinical implications of these findings warrant further mechanistic investigation.
Maralixibat Reduces Serum Bile Acids and Improves Cholestatic Pruritus in Adolescents With Alagille Syndrome
Authors: Hirschfield Gideon , Vandriel Shannon M. , Mogul Douglas B. , Baek Marshall , Vig Pamela , Kamath Binita M.
Published: January 2025

Background

Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a multisystem cholestatic disorder. Maralixibat is approved for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in ALGS with limited data in adults.

Methods

Participants were included if they received ≥ 2 doses of maralixibat at age ≥ 16 years in one of the three previously published maralixibat ALGS clinical trials.

Results

Eleven initiated treatment < 16 years old (median age, 13.0) with a median follow‐up of 4.1 years. Three participants began maralixibat at ≥ 16 years old, with a median follow‐up of 3.8 years. Participants starting maralixibat at age < 16 had minimal‐to‐no itch (change from baseline [CFB]: −1.8; p = 0.002) persisting throughout the study. Serum bile acids (sBA) decreased (CFB: 29 μmol/L; p = 0.03), persisting throughout the study. Participants starting maralixibat ≥ 16 years old had pruritus improvements (CFB: −2.8, −0.6, −1.0). One had a large decrease in sBA (CFB: −112 μmol/L), and two had small increases (CFB: 8, 11 μmol/L). Maralixibat was well tolerated.

Conclusion

Participants receiving maralixibat in adolescence demonstrated improvements in pruritus and sBA, which persisted through young adulthood.
Viability Assessment During Normothermic Machine Liver Perfusion: A Literature Review
Authors: Jeddou Heithem , Tzedakis Stylianos , Chaouch Mohamed Ali , Sulpice Laurent , Samson Michel , Boudjema Karim
Published: January 2025

Background and Objective

The discrepancy between donor organ availability and demand leads to a significant waiting‐list dropout rate and mortality. Although quantitative tools such as the Donor Risk Index (DRI) help assess organ suitability, many potentially viable organs are still discarded due to the lack of universally accepted markers to predict post‐transplant outcomes. Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) offers a platform to assess viability before transplantation. Thus, livers considered unsuitable for transplantation based on the DRI can be evaluated and potentially transplanted. During NMP, various viability criteria have been proposed. These criteria are neither homogeneous nor consensual. In this review, we aimed to describe the viability criteria during NMP and evaluate their ability to predict hepatic graft function following transplantation. We conducted a PubMed search using the terms ‘liver transplantation’, ‘normothermic machine perfusion’ and ‘assessment’, including only English publications up to February 2024. Viability assessment during NMP includes multiple hepatocellular and cholangiocellular criteria. Lactate clearance and bile production are commonly used indicators, but their ability to predict post‐transplant outcomes varies significantly. The predictive value of cholangiocellular criteria such as bile pH, bicarbonate and glucose levels remains under investigation. Novel markers, such as microRNAs and proteomic profiles, offer the potential to enhance graft evaluation accuracy and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying liver viability. Combining perfusion parameters with biomarkers may improve the prediction of long‐term graft survival. Future research should focus on standardising viability assessment protocols and exploring real‐time biomarker evaluations, which could enhance transplantation outcomes and expand the donor pool.
Growth and Mortality of the Pink Shrimp Penaeus notialis (Pérez Farfante, 1967) (Decapoda: Dendrobranchiata: Penaeidae) in the Colombian Caribbean
Authors: Paramo Jorge , Pérez Daniel , Mildenberger Tobias
Published: January 2025

The pink shrimp (Penaeus notialis) constitutes an important commercial fishery in the Colombian Caribbean. However, due to the lack of biological data and fisheries management information led to the overexploitation and collapse of the shrimp fishery. Despite the economic and commercial importance of this fishery in the Colombian Caribbean, no studies have been carried out on the growth and mortality of pink shrimp. The objective of the present study was to estimate for the first time robust von Bertalanffy growth parameters, mortality rates with empirical formulae and the length‐converted catch curve of the commercial pink shrimp (P. notialis) in the Colombian Caribbean. The samples were collected between June 2012 and May 2013, between Cartagena and the Gulf of Urabá. The parameters of the growth were estimated using the electronic Length frequency analysis. We calculated the natural mortality (M) with the K and L∞ parameters. A total of 5199 pink shrimp were collected. The estimates of growth parameters for P. notialis showed higher L∞ (females: 171.91 mm; males: 135.37 mm) and W∞ in females (44.74 g) than in males (19.44 g). The growth coefficient (K) was 0.74 in females and 1.19 in males. The ta estimated for females was −0.12 and for males −0.04. The maximum age (tmax) of this species was 3.91 year for female and 2.47 year for male. The natural mortality rate (M) for female was (0.61 year−1) and male (0.93 year−1).
Single‐Larva RNA Sequencing Reveals That Red Sea Urchin Larvae Are Vulnerable to Co‐Occurring Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia
Authors: Nguyen Tina , Pelletier Greg , Bednaršek Nina , Gracey Andrew
Published: January 2025

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions have been increasing rapidly in recent years, driving pH and oxygen levels to record low concentrations in the oceans. Eastern boundary upwelling systems such as the California Current System (CCS) experience exacerbated ocean acidification and hypoxia (OAH) due to the physical and chemical properties of the transported deeper waters. Research efforts have significantly increased in recent years to investigate the deleterious effects of climate change on marine species, but have not focused on the impacts of simultaneous OAH stressor exposure. Additionally, few studies have explored the physiological impacts of these environmental stressors on the earliest life stages, which are more vulnerable and represent natural population bottlenecks in organismal life cycles. The physiological response of the ecologically and commercially important red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) was assessed by exposing larvae to a variety of OAH conditions, mimicking the range of ecologically relevant conditions encountered currently and in the near future along the CCS. Skeleton dissolution, larval development, and gene expression show a response with clearly delineated thresholds that were related to OAH severity. Skeletal dissolution and the induction of Acid‐sensing Ion Channel 1A at pH 7.94/5.70 DO mg/L provide particularly sensitive markers of OAH, with dramatic shifts in larval morphology and gene expression detected at the pH/DO transition of 7.71/3.71–7.27/2.72 mg/L. Experimental simulations that describe physiological thresholds and establish molecular markers of OAH exposure will provide fishery management with the tools to predict patterns of larval recruitment and forecast population dynamics.
The Unity of the Ideal Virtues
Authors: Siscoe Robert Weston
Published: January 2025

Even though the virtues may be interconnected, it seems obviously possible to have one of the virtues without having them all. Some have defended the unity thesis against this concern by arguing that the virtues are still unified in their ideal forms. The problem with this defense is that it simply admits that the unity thesis, as traditionally conceived, is mistaken, taking the unity of the virtues to be limited to the ideal case. In this paper, I outline a blueprint for how the ideal virtue response can be used to defend the original unity thesis.
Estimation of light utilisation and antioxidative protection in an alpine plant species (Soldanella alpina L.) during the leaf life cycle at high elevation
Authors: Streb Peter , Dubertrand Philippine , Cornic Gabriel , Soudani Kamel , Finazzi Giovanni
Published: January 2025

Photosynthesis, electron transport to carbon assimilation, photorespiration and alternative electron transport, light absorption of the two photosystems, antioxidative protection and pigment contents were investigated in S. alpina leaves. S. alpina is an alpine snow‐bed plant which can be found with green leaves after snowmelt. At least 24% of the leaves were formed at the beginning of the vegetation period in the previous year and survived two consecutive vegetation periods under contrasting environmental conditions. In leaves still covered by snow (SNOW), the parameters of antioxidative protection and carbon assimilation were lower than in leaves from the previous vegetation period (NEW) or several weeks after snowmelt (OLD). Directly after snowmelt, antioxidative protection was strongly but transitionally increased. The senescence of leaves did not depend on antioxidative scavenging capacity. Lower carbon assimilation was not related to increases in alternative electron flow (ETRalt) in SNOW leaves. In the second vegetation period, light absorption by PSII decreases in favour of PSI in OLD leaves. This allows OLD leaves to keep the electron transport chain more oxidised and to support photorespiration with increased ATP synthesis by cyclic electron transport around PSI. This study describes how the leaves of a unique plant can cope with contrasting environmental conditions.
A Novel Probe Based on Photoconductive Effect for Non-Destructive Testing
Authors: Xiang Jiawei , Li Qiang , Tian Qingze
Published: January 2025

This research is primarily motivated by the demand for a convenient and economical nondestructive testing solution in industrial scenarios. We present a novel nondestructive testing probe, which is ingeniously designed with a photoresistor sensor and an illuminated light board, possessing remarkable features such as outstanding portability, minimal power consumption, and low cost. The experimental evaluation of the probe involves a line-scanning process above the crack position of an aluminum plate. As a result, an output signal in the form of variable resistance values of the photoresistor sensor is obtained. Notably, distinct peaks emerge in the output signal precisely when the probe traverses defects. These peaks serve as a crucial indicator for detecting surface defects of aluminum plates. Moreover, the varying amplitudes of the peaks in the output signal offer a reliable means to discriminate between defects of different depths. This probe holds significant potential for application in the quality assurance of aluminum manufacturing, as well as in the routine inspection of metallic structures, facilitating enhanced safety and reliability in engineering applications.
Photoresist ashing at room temperature using a large-area, atmospheric-pressure plasma
Authors: Bodner Branden J. , Froeter Paul J. , Kalonia Kuldeep , Mohan Sankaran R.
Published: January 2025

Photoresist ashing is one of the most common processing steps in semiconductor manufacturing. Conventional methods for photoresist ashing are wasteful, cause undesired damage, or lack the high throughput desired by industry. In this study, a large-area, atmospheric-pressure plasma source is studied for photoresist ashing. Etch rates of ∼200 nm/min are achieved using only argon and air, and no damage is introduced onto the underlying substrate. The ability to remove blanket and patterned photoresist films is demonstrated.
The development of deep convolutional generative adversarial network to synthesize odontocetes' clicks
Authors: Xiang Wenjie , Song Zhongchang , Peng Xuming , Wei Yutong , Fu Weijie , Su Yingnan , Yang Wuyi , Zhao Baode , Liu Songzuo , Zhang Yu
Published: January 2025

Odontocetes are capable of dynamically changing their echolocation clicks to efficiently detect targets, and learning their clicking strategy can facilitate the design of man-made detecting signals. In this study, we developed deep convolutional generative adversarial networks guided by an acoustic feature vector (AF-DCGANs) to synthesize narrowband clicks of the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides sunameri) and broadband clicks of the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The average short-time objective intelligibility (STOI), spectral correlation coefficient (Spe-CORR), waveform correlation coefficient (Wave-CORR), and dynamic time warping distance (DTW-Distance) of the synthetic clicks were 0.975, 0.968, 0.877, and 0.992, respectively. AF-DCGAN outperformed the minimum phase signal reconstruction (MPSR) method and variational quantized variational autoencoders (VQ-VAE) by 5.9% and 3.7% in STOI, 5.2% and 3.5% in Spe-CORR, and 5.8% and 2.8% in Wave-CORR, respectively. In addition, AF-DCGAN reduced DTW-Distances by 29.9% and 9.4% compared to MPSR and VQ-VAE, respectively. Results showed that AF-DCGAN was robust in synthesizing both narrowband and broadband clicks that can produce a substantial number of high-fidelity odontocetes' clicks with flexibility in modulating parameters. Employing AF-DCGAN to synthesize odontocete-like clicks could advance the development of a click database, offering promising applications in the research of biomimetic target detection and recognition.
Protamine protects against vancomycin-induced kidney injury
Authors: Shiau Justin , Engel Patti , Olsen Mark , Pais Gwendolyn , Chang Jack , Scheetz Marc H.
Published: January 2025

Vancomycin causes kidney injury by accumulating in the proximal tubule, likely mediated by megalin uptake. Protamine is a putative megalin inhibitor that shares binding sites with heparin and is approved for the treatment of heparin overdose. We employed a well-characterized Sprague-Dawley rat model to assess kidney injury and function in animals that received vancomycin, protamine alone, or vancomycin plus protamine over 5 days. Urinary KIM-1 was used as the primary measure for kidney injury, while plasma iohexol clearance was calculated to assess kidney function. Animals had samples drawn pre-treatment in order to serve as their own controls. Additionally, since protamine is not a known nephrotoxin, the protamine group also served as a control. Cellular inhibition studies were performed to assess the ability of protamine to inhibit organic anion transporter (OAT1 and OAT3) and organic cation transporter-2 (OCT2). Rats that received vancomycin alone had significantly increased urinary KIM-1 on day 2 (24.9 ng/24 h, 95% CI 1.87–48.0) compared to the protamine alone group. By day 4, animals that received protamine with their vancomycin had KIM-1 amounts that were elevated compared to protamine alone as a base comparison (KIM-1 29.0 ng/24 h, 95% CI 5.0–53.0). No statistically observed differences were identified for iohexol clearance changes between drug groups or when comparing clearance change from baseline (
P
> 0.05). No substantial inhibition of OAT1, OAT3, or OCT2 was observed with protamine. IC
50
values for protamine were 0.1 mM for OAT1 and OAT3 and 0.043 mM for OCT2. Protamine, when added to vancomycin therapy, delays vancomycin-induced kidney injury as defined by urinary KIM-1 in the rat model by 1–3 days. Protamine putatively acts through the blockade of megalin and does not appear to have significant inhibition on OAT1, OAT3, or OCT2. Since protamine is an approved FDA medication, it has clinical potential as a therapeutic to reduce vancomycin-related kidney injury; however, greater utility may be found by pursuing compounds with fewer adverse event liabilities.
Emergence of antibiotic-specific
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
phenotypes during prolonged treatment of mice
Authors: Wynn Elizabeth A. , Dide-Agossou Christian , Al Mubarak Reem , Rossmassler Karen , Ektnitphong Victoria , Bauman Allison A. , Massoudi Lisa M. , Voskuil Martin I. , Robertson Gregory T. , Moore Camille M. , Walter Nicholas D.
Published: January 2025

A major challenge in tuberculosis (TB) therapeutics is that antibiotic exposure leads to changes in the physiology of
M. tuberculosis
(
Mtb
), which may enable the pathogen to withstand treatment. While antibiotic-treated
Mtb
has been evaluated in
in vitro
experiments
,
it is unclear if and how long-term
in vivo
treatment with diverse antibiotics with varying treatment-shortening activity (sterilizing activity) affects
Mtb
physiologic processes differently. Here, we used SEARCH-TB, a pathogen-targeted RNA-sequencing platform, to characterize the
Mtb
transcriptome in the BALB/c high-dose aerosol infection mouse model following 4 weeks of treatment with three sterilizing and three non-sterilizing antibiotics. Certain transcriptional changes were shared among most antibiotics, including decreased expression of genes associated with protein synthesis and metabolism and the induction of certain genes associated with stress responses. However, the magnitude of this shared response differed between antibiotics. Sterilizing antibiotics rifampin, pyrazinamide, and bedaquiline generated a more quiescent
Mtb
state than did non-sterilizing antibiotics isoniazid, ethambutol, and streptomycin, as indicated by the decreased expression of genes associated with translation, transcription, secretion of immunogenic proteins, metabolism, and cell wall synthesis. Additionally, we identified distinguishing transcriptional effects specific to each antibiotic, indicating that different mechanisms of action induce distinct patterns in response to cellular injury. In addition to elucidating the
Mtb
physiologic changes associated with antibiotic stress, this study demonstrates the value of SEARCH-TB as a highly granular pharmacodynamic assay that reveals antibiotic effects that are not apparent based on culture alone.
Diversity of lake bacteria promotes human echovirus inactivation
Authors: Romanenko Andrii , Peter Hannes , Meibom Josephine , Borchardt Mark A. , Kohn Tamar
Published: January 2025

Human enteric viruses can remain infective in surface waters for extended periods of time, posing a public health risk. Microbial activity contributes to the inactivation of waterborne enteric viruses, but while individual bacteria–virus interactions have been characterized, the importance of microbial diversity remains unknown. Here, we experimentally manipulated the diversity of bacterial communities from Lake Geneva across three seasons using a dilution-to-extinction approach and monitored the inactivation and genome decay of echovirus 11, a member of the
Enterovirus
genus. Long-read sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed diversity gradients ranging between 373 and 2,722 bacterial species. Compared to sterile controls, echovirus 11 inactivation was enhanced by the presence of active bacteria and depended both on season and sample dilution. Throughout all seasons, the highest inactivation (between 3.0 and 7.9 log
10
fold reduction in infectivity over 96 h) was observed in the least diluted incubations (i.e., the highest bacterial richness). Genome decay exhibited a 24-h lag and was less pronounced than the corresponding infectivity loss (ranging between 2.3 and 3.8 log
10
fold over 96 h), indicating that microbial inactivation primarily targets the echovirus 11 capsid. We found a positive-saturating relationship between bacterial species richness and viral inactivation, suggesting functional redundancy and pointing toward the importance of rare species for viral inactivation. Biomarker analysis revealed several clades of bacteria, particularly members of
Chitinophagaceae
, to be significantly associated with echovirus 11 inactivation. Overall, these findings suggest that high microbial diversity enhances the capacity of surface waters to rid themselves of contamination by enteric viruses and hence protects public health.

IMPORTANCE

Human enteric viruses in natural waterbodies pose a public health risk. Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, contribute to the inactivation of enteroviruses, thereby mitigating this risk. We use experimental manipulations of lake water bacterial diversity to unravel the importance of diversity for the inactivation of echovirus 11, a model human pathogen. Our findings suggest that bacterial diversity is important for echovirus 11 inactivation and that specific, but numerically rare, bacteria present in the surface water of Lake Geneva across different seasons contribute to viral inactivation. These findings contribute to our understanding of the inactivation of human enteric viruses in natural waterbodies—a hitherto understudied ecosystem service.
Insights into pathologic mechanisms occurring during serious adverse events following live zoster vaccination
Authors: Kennedy Peter G. E. , Grose Charles
Published: January 2025

An effective live zoster vaccine has been widely used around the world. Although no deaths occurred in the original large clinical trial, we analyzed 10 serious adverse events, including six deaths that have subsequently occurred in four countries. The goal is to define the viral pathogenesis of these unexpected adverse events secondary to a viremia with dissemination of the vaccine virus. We also propose a new hypothesis for acute retinal necrosis that occurs post-immunization.
Improving breast cancer treatments using pharmacomicrobiomics
Authors: Pai Aswin Anand , Bhatt Aadra Prashant
Published: January 2025

Tamoxifen is the mainstay treatment for estrogen-positive breast cancer for over half a century. However, a significant proportion of patients experience disease recurrence due to treatment failure attributed to various factors, including disease pathology, genetics, and drug metabolism. Alam et al. introduce gut microbiota as a key factor influencing tamoxifen pharmacokinetics (Y. Alam, S. Hakopian, L. Ortiz de Ora, I. Tamburini, et al., mBio 16:e01679-24, 2024,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01679-24
). The authors present compelling evidence that functional differences in the gut microbiota, specifically the bacterial enzyme β-glucuronidase, leads to inter-individual variability in systemic exposure of tamoxifen, affecting drug efficacy. This study provides novel insights into the impact of the gut microbiota on tamoxifen pharmacokinetics, the latest example of how pharmacomicrobiomics, or the study of drug-microbe interactions, can enhance precision medicine for numerous diseases.