bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A sperm-enriched 5’fragment of tRNA-Valine regulates preimplantation embryonic transcriptome and development
Authors: Liu Simeiyun , Holmes Andrew D. , Katzman Sol , Sharma Upasna
Published: August 2024

Sperm small RNAs have been implicated in intergenerational epigenetic inheritance of paternal environmental effects; however, their biogenesis and functions remain poorly understood. We previously identified a 5’ fragment of tRNA-Valine-CAC-2 (tRFValCAC) as one of the most abundant small RNA in mature sperm. tRFValCAC is specifically enriched in sperm during post-testicular maturation in the epididymis, and we found that it is delivered to sperm from epididymis epithelial cells via extracellular vesicles. Here, we investigated the mechanistic basis of tRFValCAC delivery to sperm and its functions in the early embryo. We show that tRFValCAC interacts with an RNA binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A/B (hnRNPAB), in the epididymis, and this interaction regulates the sorting and packing of tRFValCAC into extracellular vesicles. In the embryo, we found that tRFValCAC regulates early embryonic mRNA processing and splicing. Inhibition of tRFValCAC in preimplantation embryos altered the transcript abundance of genes involved in RNA splicing and mRNA processing. Importantly, tRFValCAC-inhibited embryos showed altered mRNA splicing, including alternative splicing of various splicing factors and genes important for proper preimplantation embryonic development. Finally, we find that inhibition of tRFValCAC in zygotes delayed preimplantation embryonic development. Together, our results reveal a novel function of a sperm-enriched tRF in regulating alternating splicing and preimplantation embryonic development and shed light on the mechanism of sperm small RNA-mediated epigenetic inheritance.
Msh2-Msh3 DNA-binding is not sufficient to promote trinucleotide repeat expansions inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Casazza Katherine M. , Williams Gregory M. , Johengen Lauren , Twoey Gavin , Surtees Jennifer A.
Published: August 2024

Mismatch repair (MMR) is a highly conserved DNA repair pathway that recognizes mispairs that occur spontaneously during DNA replication and coordinates their repair. InSaccharomyces cerevisiae, Msh2-Msh3 and Msh2-Msh6 initiate MMR by recognizing and binding insertion deletion loops (in/dels) up to ∼ 17 nucleotides (nt.) and base-base mispairs, respectively; the two complexes have overlapping specificity for small (1-2 nt.) in/dels. The DNA-binding specificity for the two complexes resides in their respective mispair binding domains (MBDs) and have distinct DNA-binding modes. Msh2-Msh3 also plays a role in promotingCAG/CTGtrinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansions, which underlie many neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s Disease and Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Models for Msh2-Msh3’s role in promoting TNR tracts expansion have invoked its specific DNA-binding activity and predict that the TNR structure alters its DNA binding and downstream activities to block repair. Using a chimeric Msh complex that replaces the MBD of Msh6 with the Msh3 MBD, we demonstrate that Msh2-Msh3 DNA-binding activity is not sufficient to promote TNR expansions. We propose a model for Msh2-Msh3-mediated TNR expansions that requires a fully functional Msh2-Msh3 including DNA binding, coordinated ATP binding and hydrolysis activities and interactions with Mlh complexes that are analogous to those required for MMR.

Article Summary

The mismatch repair (MMR) protein complex Msh2-Msh3 promotes trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansions that can lead to neurodegenerative diseases, while the Msh2-Msh6 complex does not. We tested the hypothesis that Msh2-Msh3’s specific DNA binding activity is sufficient to promote TNR expansions, using a chimeric MSH complexin vivoandin vitro. We found that the Msh2-Msh3-like DNA-binding was not sufficient to promote TNR expansions. Our findings indicate that Msh2-Msh3 plays an active, pathogenic role in promoting TNR expansions beyond simply binding to TNR structures.
The molecular structure of an axle-less F1-ATPase
Authors: Furlong Emily J. , Reininger-Chatzigiannakis Ian-Blaine P. , Zeng Yi C. , Brown Simon H. J. , Sobti Meghna , Stewart Alastair G.
Published: August 2024

F1FoATP synthase is a molecular rotary motor that can generate ATP using a transmembrane proton motive force. Isolated F1-ATPase catalytic cores can hydrolyse ATP, passing through a series of conformational states involving rotation of the central γ rotor subunit and the opening and closing of the catalytic β subunits. Cooperativity in F1-ATPase has long thought to be conferred through the γ subunit, with three key interaction sites between the γ and β subunits being identified. Single molecule studies have demonstrated that the F1complexes lacking the γ axle still “rotate” and hydrolyse ATP, but with less efficiency. We solved the cryogenic electron microscopy structure of an axle-lessBacillussp. PS3 F1-ATPase. The unexpected binding-dwell conformation of the structure in combination with the observed lack of interactions between the axle-less γ and the open β subunit suggests that the complete γ subunit is important for coordinating efficient ATP binding of F1-ATPase.
The social determinants of suicide: an umbrella review
Authors: Kerrie Gallagher , Grace Phillips , Paul Corcoran , Stephen Platt , Heather McClelland , Michelle O’ Driscoll , Eve Griffin
Published: August 2024

Previous research has highlighted the role of social determinants of health on mental health outcomes, but their impact on suicide mortality is less understood. The aim of this umbrella review was to systematically examine the association between 10 social determinants of health, as defined by the World Health Organization, and suicide mortality. A keyword search of titles and abstracts was conducted in six digital databases for studies published to 24 August 2023. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses in English examining the association between these determinants and suicide. Methodological quality was assessed using an adapted AMSTAR-2 tool. Due to significant heterogeneity in the included studies, a meta-analysis was not undertaken. A narrative synthesis, structured by social determinant, was conducted. 49 records (25 meta-analyses and 24 systematic reviews) were eligible for inclusion in this review. The social determinants with the most available evidence were housing, basic amenities and the environment (n=21), income and social protection (n=13), unemployment (n=8) and early childhood development (n=6). Limited evidence was identified for education (n=3), social inclusion and non-discrimination (n=3) and working life conditions (n=3). No reviews examined the relationship between affordable healthcare services, structural conflict or food insecurity and suicide mortality. There was evidence of a modest effect of social determinants on suicide mortality. Most evidence related to unemployment, job insecurity, income and social protection and childhood adversity. The methodological quality of the included reviews varied considerably. High-quality research fully exploring the relationship between social and environmental factors and suicide risk is needed.
Diisobutylammonium triphenyl(2-thiolatoacetato-κ2
O,S)stannate(IV)
Authors: Song Xueqing , Yeibyo Woldegebriel , Li William , Pike Robert D.
Published: August 2024

Crystals of the title salt, (C8H20N)[Sn(C6H5)3(C2H2O2S)], comprise diisobutylammonium cations and mercaptoacetatotriphenylstannate(IV) anions. The bidentate binding mode of the mercaptoacetate ligand gives rise to a five-coordinated, ionic triphenyltin complex with a distorted cis-trigonal–bipyramidal geometry around the tin atom. In the crystal, charge-assisted ammonium-N—H...O(carboxylate) hydrogen-bonding connects two cations and two anions into a four-ion aggregate. Two positions were resolved for one of the phenyl rings with the major component having a site occupancy factor of 0.60 (3).
Hybrid MCDM approach for analyzing barriers and formulating strategies for the adoption of modular construction in developing countries
Authors: Oyefusi Oluwatobi Nurudeen , Arowoiya Victor Adetunji , Chan Melissa
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The construction industry in developed countries is witnessing a paradigm shift towards modular construction methods, driven by the need for efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. However, the realization of these benefits in the context of developing countries is hindered by numerous barriers. Against this backdrop, this study seeks to contribute insights into the barriers hindering the adoption of modular construction in developing countries, specifically Nigeria, and further formulate effective strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A thorough review of existing literature was conducted to identify the multifaceted barriers hindering the adoption of modular construction and the corresponding strategies. Subsequently, a panel of 13 experts were invited to utilize the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) approach to systematically evaluate these barriers based on their impact. Furthermore, the experts implored the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach to select and prioritize the most suitable strategies to mitigate these barriers.

Findings

The study revealed that the most critical barriers to modular construction are Client resistance to change and innovation, Limited experience in module installation, and Transportation constraints. Additionally, the study prioritizes 13 strategies, with the Development of effective guidelines, standards, and policies ranked highest. The insights from the ranking using the FAHP and TOPSIS approach were adopted to develop a framework for modular implementation in developing countries.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to Nigeria due to its status as the country with the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Africa, and it is considered a suitable representation of the region as most of the countries in Africa are categorized as developing nations.

Practical implications

By highlighting the most critical barriers and prioritizing effective strategies, the study provides actionable insights for overcoming obstacles to modular construction adoption. Decision-makers can use this information to develop targeted policies and training programs to promote the adoption of modular construction in developing countries.

Originality/value

The research provides valuable insights by not only identifying critical barriers but also presenting prioritized strategies, distinguishing itself from previous studies, and establishing itself as a novel resource for developing countries. This adopt a novel hybrid MCDM approach for modular construction in developing countries such as Nigeria which can serve as reference point to other developing countries seeking to adopt modular construction and leverage its numerous benefits.
Enhancing bank efficiency through board diversity: a MENA region study
Authors: Issa Ayman , Sahyouni Ahmad , Mateev Miroslav
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This empirical research investigates the impact of board nationality diversity on the efficiency of banks. Additionally, our analysis examines the interacting impact of women's representation on bank boards in the correlation between nationality diversity on board and bank efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

This research utilizes a dataset comprising banks operating in the MENA countries over an eight-year period. We apply diverse statistical methodologies, with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) being the primary econometric analysis, alongside several robustness tests.

Findings

The research results offer important insights into the importance of board nationality diversity, as well as its interaction with the inclusion of women on boards. The findings indicate that having foreign directors on bank boards enhances efficiency. Furthermore, they suggest that increased women representation on boards improves the positive correlation between presence of foreign directors in boardrooms and efficiency of banks, thereby mitigating agency problems and enhancing governance practices.

Practical implications

These results carry substantial implications for legislators across the MENA countries. Advocating for diversity policies within banks to encourage the inclusion of foreign directors on their boards could lead to efficiency enhancements. Furthermore, policymakers might explore the implementation of quotas or directives to bolster gender heterogeneity within board appointments, ultimately fostering improved bank efficiency and bolstering competitiveness within the region.

Originality/value

This study breaks new ground by investigating how board nationality diversity affects efficiency of banking sector in the MENA countries. It stands out for examining the moderating role of women representation on boards, offering novel insights into how these factors interact.
Understanding information security awareness: evidence from the public healthcare sector
Authors: Neri Martina , Benevento Elisabetta , Stefanini Alessandro , Aloini Davide , Niccolini Federico , Carducci Annalaura , Federigi Ileana , Dini Gianluca
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Information security awareness (ISA) mainly refers to those aspects that need to be addressed to effectively respond to information security challenges. This research used focus groups to empirically investigate the main ISA dimensions that emerge from the Italian public health-care sector. This study aims to identify the most critical dimension of ISA and to evaluate the diffusion and maturity of information security policies (ISPs) of health-care infrastructure and training programs.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopted a qualitative research design and focus groups as a research methodology. Data analysis was conducted using the NVIVO 14 software package and followed the principles of thematic analysis.

Findings

The focus group results highlighted that health-care personnel find it difficult to comply with the main ISA dimensions, a situation that leads to risky behaviors. Password management, data storage and transfer and instant messaging applications emerged as the most critical of the main ISA dimensions in the context of this research. It also transpired that ISPs are not all-encompassing as they mainly focus on privacy problems but neglect security concerns. Finally, training programs are not fully implemented in the investigated context, thus undermining their positive enhancing role for ISA.

Originality/value

The public health-care sector emerged as a critical yet still under-investigated context. The need for an in-depth investigation of organizational sciences approaches to overcoming information security challenges is also recommended in several prior research studies.
The role of high human capital and green economies in environmental sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region, 1990–2022
Authors: Soto Gonzalo Hernández
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Considering the inherent relationship between environmental degradation and the process of economic development, the latter is particularly reliant on the accumulation of human capital, which also emerges as one of the fundamental principles underlying green growth. However, this relationship tends to overlook varying levels of human capital. Hence, the purpose of this study is to examine the enduring associations between the stock of high human capital and green economies in terms of environmental sustainability among the key countries in the Asia Pacific region, namely Australia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, spanning the period from 1990 to 2022.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs second-generation techniques. The long-term relationships were estimated using two constantly updated models - fully modified and bias corrected, CUP-FM and CUP-BC, respectively, to guarantee the robustness of our conclusions for the presence of cross-sectional dependency.

Findings

There is a long-term relationship between the stock of high human capital and the sustainability of the environment, in the same way that we have also found the same relationship between the development of socioeconomic practices of green economies. Finally, we conclude that, in the same way as the environmental Kuznets curve, the countries in our sample incur less environmental pollution as their level of income increases. This relationship may be motivated by a process of technological substitution and investment in the development of new techniques and technology to improve the efficiency of productivity with respect to the environment.

Practical implications

We suggest that investing in education and promoting green economies can be powerful tools in the fight against climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. By prioritizing investments in renewable energy and sustainable technologies, policymakers can promote long-term economic and environmental health. Moreover, the findings suggest that promoting education in countries with high levels of environmental pollution can develop the knowledge and skills needed to implement sustainable practices and technologies. Ultimately, these efforts can contribute to improving income, productivity, and society's living conditions while reducing the environmental impact.

Originality/value

This research studies for the first time the load capacity curve hypothesis in determining the effects of the stock of high human capital and green economies on the environment. Consequently, limited papers have used the load capacity factor in the study of the relationships that we propose, especially that of human capital, which has scarcely been studied in relation to its contribution to the environmental fight.
How enduring and multi-faceted self-disgust threatens psychological recovery from anorexia nervosa: a qualitative enquiry
Authors: Bell Katie , Coulthard Helen , Wildbur Diane , Williamson Iain
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Self-disgust appears to be a prominent feature in anorexia nervosa (AN), which might help explain why AN is often such a persistent disorder. Little is known about how this emotion can impact on recovering from this disorder. This study aims to develop our understanding of how people experience the emotion of self-disgust after physical recovery from AN.

Design/methodology/approach

Twelve female participants who reported previously having had a clinical diagnosis of AN but had physically recovered according to their EDE-Q scores took part in a semi-structured interview to explore their experiences of recovery and the role self-disgust played within this. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore the data.

Findings

Three themes were identified within the data to explain the experiences of self-disgust in those with AN: continued self-disgust following physical “Recovery”, multiple manifestations of self-disgust in recovery and increasing self-disgust in recovery as a driver for relapse.

Practical implications

Self-disgust was something each participant appeared to experience often, despite being physically recovered from AN. Disgust-based reactions to the self are enduring and highly resistant to change even whilst other aspects of the disorder become less potent. Self-disgust is multi-faceted and may trigger relapse as the signs of improvement and behaviours inherent in recovering were generally viewed as disgusting to the individuals.

Originality/value

Self-disgust is an emotion that continues to affect people with AN despite physical recovery. The recovery process itself is not linear and self-disgust is enduring and may cause those affected to relapse. Considering this emotion within therapeutic intervention may encourage those with AN to accept their recovered self.
Social media communication, consumer attitude and purchase intention in lifestyle category products: a PLS-SEM modeling
Authors: Singh Sumanjeet , Chaubey Dhani Shanker , Raj Rohit , Kumar Vimal , Paliwal Minakshi , Mahlawat Seema
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study explores the intricate relationship between social media communication, consumer attitude and purchase intention within the context of lifestyle category products. With the rapid proliferation of social media platforms, businesses have turned to these platforms to connect with consumers and influence their purchasing decisions. This study aims to provide an in-depth analysis of how social media communication strategies impact consumer attitudes and, in turn, influence purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the data collected from a sample of consumers.

Findings

The results of this study present that lack of visibility (LV), low-efficiency levels (LEL) and unpredictable elements (UE) are ranked as the top three major risk hurdles whereas real-time information on a package’s location (LV1), putting a GPS tracking system to track last-mile journey (OT3) and users wants on time location of their package (LV2) are ranked as top three most significant criteria affecting the practices of modern last-mile logistics in e-commerce businesses.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study contribute to our understanding of how social media influences consumer behavior in the lifestyle product sector, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms that drive consumer purchasing decisions.

Originality/value

By constructing and testing experimentally a research model that reveals a thorough analysis of pertinent literature and identifies multiple important elements influencing consumer behavior in the lifestyle category, this paper adds to the body of knowledge on marketing. Practical ramifications for lifestyle firms are examined, along with suggestions for improving their social media tactics, in light of the findings.
Recognition and pose estimation method for random bin picking considering incomplete point cloud scene
Authors: Kan Yan , Li Hao , Chen Zhengtao , Sun Changjiang , Wang Hao , Seidelmann Joachim
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a stable and precise recognition and pose estimation method to deal with the difficulties that industrial parts often present, such as incomplete point cloud data due to surface reflections, lack of color texture features and limited availability of effective three-dimensional geometric information. These challenges lead to less-than-ideal performance of existing object recognition and pose estimation methods based on two-dimensional images or three-dimensional point cloud features.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an image-guided depth map completion method is proposed to improve the algorithm's adaptability to noise and incomplete point cloud scenes. Furthermore, this paper also proposes a pose estimation method based on contour feature matching.

Findings

Through experimental testing on real-world and virtual scene dataset, it has been verified that the image-guided depth map completion method exhibits higher accuracy in estimating depth values for depth map hole pixels. The pose estimation method proposed in this paper was applied to conduct pose estimation experiments on various parts. The average recognition accuracy in real-world scenes was 88.17%, whereas in virtual scenes, the average recognition accuracy reached 95%.

Originality/value

The proposed recognition and pose estimation method can stably and precisely deal with the difficulties that industrial parts present and improve the algorithm's adaptability to noise and incomplete point cloud scenes.
Use of presence vs absence of symphyseal teeth in jaws for the forensic analysis of bites by large traumatogenic shark species
Authors: Clua Eric E. , DeMarchi Simon , Reid Dennis
Published: August 2024

Identifying the species of shark responsible for a bite on humans is both complex and important for understanding and managing the shark risk. Depending on the species, tiny teeth may or may not be present in the symphyseal space at the junction of the upper and lower half‐jaws. In the case of bites, these tiny teeth (if present) often leave specific marks that may enable species to be quickly and reliably distinguished. We first present the anatomo‐morphological characteristics of the jaws of the three most traumatogenic species for humans which are the white, tiger, and bull sharks. The white shark has no symphyseal teeth, while the tiger and bull sharks do. On the basis of three confirmed real case studies involving those species, we then show that for the white shark, the wide symphyseal space between the first two teeth of each jaw usually leads to wounds including the presence of (quite) large flesh flaps, without any tooth imprint. Conversely, wounds following bites made by the tiger and bull sharks will generally leave characteristic small imprints of symphyseal teeth, especially in the case of incomplete or superficial bites. Although not systematic, this diagnostic approach provides fast, reliable, and clean results. The discrimination between two species with symphyseal teeth can then be made on the basis of complementary anatomic information such as jaw curvature and details linked to the anatomy of the teeth themselves, as well as the ecological context.
Efficient CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated ebony gene editing in the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella
Authors: Luo Li‐Lin , Gui Shun‐Hua , Guo Zhen‐Ping , Feng Jia‐Wei , Smagghe Guy , Liu Tong‐Xian , Liu Man , Yi Tian‐Ci
Published: August 2024

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae), is a major bee pest that inflicts considerable harm on beehives, leading to economic losses. It also serves as a valuable resource insect and a model organism. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (Cas9) system plays a crucial role in improving economic insect breeding and developing efficient agricultural pest management systems in Lepidoptera. However, the CRISPR/Cas9 protocols have not been developed for G. mellonella. Here, the Gmebony knockout (KO) strain was established using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system. We obtained Gmebony KO strain in the G4 generation, which took approximately 10 months. When compared with wild‐type, the head, notum, and the terminal abdominal surface of 1st to 4th instar larvae in the KO strain changed from yellow to brown, and these regions of the KO strain gradually transformed into a black color from the 5th instar larvae, and the body color of the adult moth in the KO strain changed to black. The developmental period of the early larval and the following larval instars extended. The embryonic hatchability of the Gmebony KO strain was significantly decreased. The pupal body weight of the Gmebony KO strain was not affected. The feasibility of the CRISPR/Cas9 methodology was validated by single‐target editing of Gmebony. Our findings provide the first evidence that the ebony gene can serve as a pigmentation reference gene for genetic modifications of G. mellonella. Meanwhile, it can be utilized in the development of genome editing control strategies and for gene function analyses in G. mellonella.
‘Tiny Biome Tales’: A gamified review about the influence of lifestyle choices on the human microbiome
Authors: Schweitzer Matthias , Wlasak Maximilian , Wassermann Birgit , Marcher Florian , Poglitsch Christian , Pirker Johanna , Berg Gabriele
Published: August 2024

In the last two decades, new discoveries from microbiome research have changed our understanding of human health. It became evident that daily habits and lifestyle choices shape the human microbiome and ultimately determine health or disease. Therefore, we developed ‘Tiny Biome Tales’ (https://microbiome.gamelabgraz.at/), a science pedagogy video game designed like a scientific review based exclusively on peer‐reviewed articles, to teach about the influence of lifestyle choices on the human microbiome during pregnancy, early and adult life, and related health consequences. Despite the scientific character, it can be played by a broad audience. Here, we also present a scientific assessment and showed that playing the game significantly contributed to knowledge gain. The innovative style of the ‘gamified review’ represents an ideal platform to disseminate future findings from microbiome research by updating existing and adding new scenes to the game.
Charles Fleetwood, the 1744 Drury Lane Riots, and Pricing Practices in Eighteenth‐Century British Theatre
Authors: Shipp Leo
Published: August 2024

In November 1744, a series of riots broke out at Drury Lane theatre, forcing its proprietor, Charles Fleetwood, to sell his majority share of the theatrical patent. Theatre scholarship has long held that the riots were caused by Fleetwood's attempt to raise admission prices for old pantomimes, yet also, somewhat contradictorily, has maintained that admission prices definitively increased at London's patent theatres in the period around 1740. This article shows both points to be mistaken: prices did not rise in the period, and Fleetwood was forced out due to a range of grievances that had developed over the preceding decade. By revealing how pricing practices, Fleetwood's tenure, and the riots developed, this article provides new insights on a crucial period in London's theatre history (the 1730s–40s) and on the wider social and economic dynamics of Georgian theatregoing.
Maternal Innate Immune Reprogramming After Complicated Pregnancy
Authors: Lodge‐Tulloch Nakeisha A. , Paré Jean‐François , Couture Camille , Bernier Elsa , Cotechini Tiziana , Girard Sylvie , Graham Charles H.
Published: August 2024

Problem

Preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) are often associated with maternal inflammation and an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in the affected mothers. The mechanism responsible for this increased risk of subsequent disease may involve reprogramming of innate immune cells, characterized by epigenetic modifications.

Method of Study

Circulating monocytes from women with PE, FGR, or uncomplicated pregnancies (control) were isolated before labor. Cytokine release from monocytes following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the presence of lysine 4‐trimethylated histone 3 (H3K4me3) within TNF promoter sequences were evaluated. Single‐cell transcriptomic profiles of circulating monocytes from women with PE or uncomplicated pregnancies were assessed.

Results

Monocytes from women with PE or FGR exhibited increased IL‐10 secretion and decreased IL‐1β and GM‐CSF secretion in response to LPS. While TNFα secretion was not significantly different in cultures of control monocytes versus those from complicated pregnancies with or without LPS exposure, monocytes from complicated pregnancies had significantly decreased levels of H3K4me3 associated with TNF promoter sequences. Cluster quantification and pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed an increased proportion of anti‐inflammatory myeloid cells and a lower proportion of inflammatory non‐classical monocytes among the circulating monocyte population in women with PE.

Conclusions

Monocytes from women with PE and FGR exhibit an immune tolerance phenotype before initiation of labor. Further investigation is required to determine whether this tolerogenic phenotype persists after the affected pregnancy and contributes to increased risk of subsequent disease.
Comparing religious and secular interventions to increase young adult political participation: Evidence from WhatsApp‐based civic education courses in Zambia
Authors: Sperber Elizabeth , McClendon Gwyneth , Kaaba O'Brien
Published: August 2024

It is often assumed that, in highly religious environments, religious messages that promote political participation will more effectively influence behavior than nonreligious messages with the same goal. To our knowledge, however, this assumption remains untested. We present results from a community‐collaborative study implemented prior to elections in Zambia, an overwhelmingly Christian country with a youth‐skewed population. We randomized young adults into different versions of a WhatsApp‐based civics course and compared outcomes after exposure to civic information only versus after civic information accompanied by either religious or nonreligious messages that promote self‐efficacy and grit. Because Zambia is a highly religious country, we expected the religious course to have the largest effect. Instead, the nonreligious efficacy‐boosting course did. The religious course performed no better than the information‐only condition. This study cautions against assuming the efficacy of religious messages, even in highly religious contexts, and identifies new questions for future research.
Interactive effects of fire and grazing on vegetation structure and plant species composition in subtropical grasslands
Authors: Furquim Fernando Forster , Scasta John Derek , Overbeck Gerhard Ernst
Published: August 2024

Question

Fire and grazing, and their interaction, are the main drivers of vegetation structure and plant species composition in many grasslands globally. However, for subtropical grasslands in southern Brazil, the interactive effects of fire and grazing on plant community composition characteristics remain relatively understudied, even though this ecosystem is recognized as fire‐dependent with critical importance for livestock grazing.

Location

Subtropical grassland in southern Brazil (Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul state).

Methods

Beginning in 2017, we established an experiment with three treatments: fire only (F), grazing only (G), and fire and grazing (F + G). Grazing was continuous with ca 1.1 animal unit per hectare annually and prescribed fires were applied annually in winter. We assessed vegetation structure (via percentage of bare soil, height of canopy, and available forage) and plant species composition during spring (November) and summer (March) of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 (only summer season).

Results

Differences in vegetation structure were found among treatments, wherein bare soil, height of canopy and available forage were higher in F, and lower but similar in F + G and G. Plant species richness was equal among treatments, but cover of C3 grasses was higher in F than in other treatments, and shrub cover was lower in F and F + G in comparison to G. In F + G treatment, available biomass for subsequent burning was limited, resulting in lower amounts of fuel, reduced fire spread, and ultimately less total area burned in the subsequent years.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that interaction of fire and grazing can be a useful vegetation management tool for conserving native plant species, increasing availability of more desirable forage plants, and decreasing shrubs (including toxic Senecio species which contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids). The singular and interactive effects of fire and grazing suggest the subhumid Río de la Plata grasslands are a fire‐adapted ecosystem with variable plant functional trait responses facilitating differential dominance. There is a need for future work to address spatio‐temporal variability and vegetation heterogeneity.
The Arp2/3 inhibitory protein Arpin inhibits homology‐directed DNA repair
Authors: Simanov Gleb , Rocques Nathalie , Romero Stéphane , de Koning Leanne , Vacher Sophie , Dubois Thierry , Bièche Ivan , Gautreau Alexis M.
Published: August 2024

Background information

Arpin, an Arp2/3 inhibitory protein, inhibits lamellipodial protrusions and cell migration. Arpin expression is lost in tumor cells of several cancer types.

Results

Here we analyzed expression levels of Arpin and various markers using Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA) in human mammary carcinomas. We found that Arpin protein levels were correlated with those of several DNA damage response markers. Arpin‐null cells display enhanced clustering of double stand breaks (DSBs) when cells are treated with a DNA damaging agent, in line with a previously described role of the Arp2/3 complex in promoting DSB clustering for homologous DNA repair (HDR) in the nucleus. Using a specific HDR assay, we further showed that Arpin depletion increased HDR efficiency two‐fold through its ability to inactivate the Arp2/3 complex.

Conclusions

Arpin regulates both cell migration in the cytosol and HDR in the nucleus.

Significance

Loss of Arpin expression coordinates enhanced cell migration with up‐regulated DNA repair, which is required when DNA damage is induced by active cell migration.
Targeting the tyrosine kinase Src in endothelium attenuates inflammation and atherogenesis induced by disturbed flow
Authors: Ding Huanyu , Jiang Minchun , Chan Andrew M. , Xia Yin , Ma Ronald C. W. , Yao Xiaoqiang , Wang Li , Huang Yu
Published: August 2024

Background and Purpose

Previous studies have shown that Src can regulate inflammation and tumour progression. However, the mechanisms by which Src regulates the inflammatory response of vascular endothelium and atherogenesis are currently poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of Src in endothelial inflammation and atherogenesis, as well as the underlying mechanisms.

Experimental Approach

Real‐time quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA levels of inflammatory genes. The phosphorylation and localization of proteins were examined using western blotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. The level of p‐Src Y416 in mouse endothelium was directly determined using en face staining. Endothelial‐specific knockdown of Src was achieved by tail vein injection of AAV‐sgSrc in ApoE−/−; Cas9LSL/LSL; Cdh5‐cre mice. Atherosclerosis was induced by partial ligation of the carotid artery.

Key Results

Oscillatory shear stress (OSS) promotes the phosphorylation of Src at Y416 in endothelial cells, and Piezo1 is required for this regulatory process. Overexpression of constitutively active Src promotes endothelial inflammation, as well as phosphorylation of Stat3 (at Y705) and its nuclear translocation. Endothelial inflammation induced by OSS was abolished by the Src inhibitor dasatinib or si‐Src. Dasatinib, when administered orally, reduced endothelial inflammation and plaque formation in ApoE−/− mice induced by partial carotid artery ligation. Additionally, plaque formation was decreased in the ligated left carotid artery of mice with endothelial‐specific Src knockdown.

Conclusion and Implications

Disturbed flow promotes endothelial inflammation and atherogenesis through the Piezo1‐Src‐Stat3 pathway. Therefore, inhibiting Src in endothelial cells could be a promising therapeutic strategy to treat atherogenesis.
Associations between obesity and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 in Brazilian inpatients: A 2021 secondary data analysis
Authors: Sena Gabrielle Ribeiro , de Lima Tiago Pessoa Ferreira , de Carvalho Silva Michelle Lima , Sette Paloma Gomes Tavares , dos Santos Costa Gabriela Carla , da Fonseca Benvindo Amanda Mendes , de Mello Maria Júlia Gonçalves , Costa Guilherme Jorge
Published: August 2024

In the backdrop of the global obesity pandemic, recognized as a notable risk factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) complications, the study aims to explore clinical and epidemiological attributes of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients throughout 2021 in Brazil. Focused on four distinct age cohorts, the investigation scrutinizes parameters such as intensive care unit (ICU) admission frequency, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) usage, and in‐hospital mortality among individuals with and without obesity. Using a comprehensive cross‐sectional study methodology, encompassing adult COVID‐19 cases, data sourced from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System comprises 329 206 hospitalized patients. Of these individuals, 26.3% were affected by obesity. Analysis reveals elevated rates of ICU admissions, increased dependence on IMV, and heightened in‐hospital mortality among the individuals with obesity across all age groups (p < .001). Logistic regression, adjusting for confounding variables, underscores a progressively rising odds ratio for mortality in younger age brackets: 1.2 (95%CI 1.1–1.3) for those under 50 years, 1.1 (95%CI 1.0–1.2) for the 50–59 age group, and 1.1 (95%CI 1.0–1.2) for the 60–69 age group. Conversely, no significant mortality difference is observed for patients over 70 years (OR: 0.972, 95%CI 0.9–1.1). In summary, hospitalized COVID‐19 patients with obesity, particularly in younger age groups, exhibit elevated rates of ICU admission, IMV requirement, and in‐hospital mortality compared with the control group. Notably, the ‘obesity paradox’ is not evident among hospitalized COVID‐19 patients in 2021.
Anti‐Helicobacter pylori Infection Treatment and Pulmonary Hypersensitivity: Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Xu Shan , Wu Xiaohong , Chen Enguo , Ying Kejing
Published: August 2024

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is currently widespread throughout the world. Bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy is widely used, but it has rarely been associated with interstitial lung disease.

Case Presentation

We described six cases with similar clinical symptoms and typical pulmonary interstitial imaging changes during anti‐H. pylori therapy, usually on Days 7–12 following treatment. Anti‐H. pylori infection treatment was discontinued when it was suspected to be the cause of the clinical symptoms, and all of the patients accepted observation therapy. All of them had a favorable outcome, the clinical symptoms returned to normal almost 1 week later, and the chest computed tomography (CT) scan images showed remarkable absorption 4 weeks later.

Conclusions

Drug interactions could be the cause, and the most likely drug was furazolidone. All of the patients recovered quickly after drug discontinuation, and low‐dose steroid may help shorten the recovery time.
Oxytocin does not acutely improve glucose tolerance in men with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Goll Nina , Moszka Nina , Kantartzis Konstantinos , Preissl Hubert , Gruber Tim , Fritsche Louise , Jumpertz‐von Schwarzenberg Reiner , García‐Cáceres Cristina , Fritsche Andreas , Hallschmid Manfred
Published: August 2024

Aim

To assess oxytocin's acute glucoregulatory impact in men with type 2 diabetes in the context of our previous findings that oxytocin improves β‐cell responsivity in healthy men.

Methods

In a double‐blind, crossover comparison, intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) and placebo, respectively, were administered to 25 fasted men with non‐insulin–treated type 2 diabetes (age ± standard error of the mean, 63.40 ± 1.36 years; body mass index, 27.77 ± 0.66 kg/m2; HbA1c, 6.86% ± 0.08%; Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR, 3.44 ± 0.39) 60 minutes before an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT). Key outcomes were compared with previous results in men with normal weight or obesity.

Results

Oxytocin compared with placebo increased plasma oxytocin concentrations and reduced the heart rate, but did not alter glucose metabolism in the 3 hours after oGTT onset (area under the curve, glucose, 2240 ± 80.5 vs. 2190 ± 69.5 mmol/L × min; insulin, 45 663 ± 4538 vs. 44 343 ± 4269 pmol/L × min; C‐peptide, 235 ± 5.1 vs. 231 ± 15.9 nmol/L × min).

Conclusions

This outcome contrasts with the oxytocin‐induced attenuation of early postprandial glucose excursions in normal‐weight individuals, but is in line with the absence of respective effects in men with obesity. We conclude that insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes is associated with decreased sensitivity to the acute glucoregulatory effect of oxytocin in male individuals.
The acute effects of motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation on athletic performance in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Winker Matteo , Hoffmann Sven , Laborde Sylvain , Javelle Florian
Published: August 2024

This systematic review and meta‐analysis assesses independently the acute effects of anodal and cathodal motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on athletic performance in healthy adults. Besides, it evaluates the unique and conjoint effects of potential moderators (i.e., stimulation parameters, exercise type, subjects' training status and risk of bias). Online database search was performed from inception until March 18th 2024 (PROSPERO: CRD42023355461). Forty‐three controlled trials were included in the systematic review, 40 in the anodal tDCS meta‐analysis (68 effects), and 9 (11 effects) in the cathodal tDCS meta‐analysis. Performance enhancement between pre‐ and post‐stimulation was the main outcome measure considered. The anodal tDCS effects on physical performance were small to moderate (g = .29, 95%CI [.18, .40], PI = −.64 to 1.23, I2 = 64.0%). Exercise type, training status and use of commercial tDCS were significant moderators of the results. The cathodal tDCS effects were null (g = .04, 95%CI [−.05, .12], PI = −.14 to .23, I2 = 0%), with a small to moderate heterogeneity entirely due to sampling error, thus impairing further moderator analysis. These findings hold significant implications for the field of brain stimulation and physical performance, as they not only demonstrate a small to moderate effect of acute tDCS but also identify specific categories of individuals, devices and activities that are more susceptible to improvements. By addressing the multidimensional factors influencing the mechanisms of tDCS, we also provide suggestions for future research.
Property dependence on particle size and sintering temperature of waste porcelain high‐temperature resistant material
Authors: Lv Zhenfei , Cao Yukun , Lan Chong , Fan Mengke , Ke Yanghui , Guo Wenbo , Yang Yixian , Wang Xin , Shen Xiulin
Published: August 2024

The rapid development of the power industry has resulted in a significant amount of electric porcelain solid waste. To address the challenges of small‐scale utilization and low added value associated with the current utilization of porcelain solid waste, a new high‐temperature resistant material was successfully developed using waste electric porcelain with varying particle sizes as the primary raw material. The dependence of composition, structure, and mechanical properties on fine particle size and sintering temperature was explored. The research has determined that the most effective particle size for the synthesis of refractory materials using waste electric porcelain is 120 mesh, and the optimal temperature is 1600°C. When the temperature exceeds 1500°C, the expansion generated by the decomposition of sillimanite will counteract the shrinkage of the liquid phase reaction, thereby maintaining the morphology of the sample. This process forms a unique interwoven mullite morphology through the decomposition of sillimanite, thereby enhancing the strength of the material. As a result, the optimal bending strength of 74 MPa and the optimal compression strength of 207 MPa were obtained. The realization of high‐temperature resistant materials based on discarded electric porcelain has shown foreseeable potential in large‐scale high‐value utilization.