bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lupeol a predisposing factor in grey mould (Amphobotrys ricini [N.F. Buchw.]) Hennebert disease pathogenesis in castor (Ricinus communis L.)
Authors: Greeshma K. , Uma Devi G. , Senthilvel S. , Dinesh Kumar V. , Gandhi B. , Shiva Shanker K. , Durga Prasad R.
Published: July 2024

To understand the castor wax layer's multifaceted contribution to Amphobotrys ricini pathogenesis, the hydrophobic components of cuticular wax were analysed from waxy and non‐waxy castor genotypes. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) technology enabled the stable detection and quantitative determination of various fatty acids and terpenoids. The investigation revealed a significant presence of triterpenoid compound ‘lupeol’, accounting for approximately 53.6% of the wax composition in the waxy genotype (DCH‐519), which was absent in non‐waxy genotype (ICS‐324). On exposure to lupeol, about 93.3% of conidia germinated leading to rapid mycelium growth and sporulation of A. ricini. SEM analysis of waxy and non‐waxy genotypes infected with A. ricini confirmed faster germination and production of longer germ tubes on waxy genotype compared with non‐waxy genotype, which may likely due to early recognition of the suitable host in the presence of lupeol, ultimately aiding in speedy germination and growth of the pathogen setting pace for pathogenesis.
Seaweeds as holobionts: Current state, challenges, and potential applications
Authors: Marzinelli Ezequiel M. , Thomas Torsten , Vadillo Gonzalez Sebastian , Egan Suhelen , Steinberg Peter D.
Published: July 2024

Seaweeds play a strong ecological and economical role along the world's coastlines, where they support industries (e.g., aquaculture, bioproducts) and essential ecosystem services (e.g., biodiversity, fisheries, carbon capture). Evidence from wild and cultured seaweeds suggests that microorganisms play crucial roles in their health and functioning, prompting the need for considering seaweeds and their microbiome as a coherent entity or “holobiont.” Here we show that the number of studies investigating seaweed hosts and their microbiome have increased in the last two decades. This likely reflects the increase in the appreciation of the importance of microbiomes for eukaryotic hosts, improved molecular approaches used to characterize their interactions, and increasing interest in commercial use of seaweeds. However, although increasing, most studies of seaweed holobionts have focused on (i) a few seaweed species of ecological or commercial significance, (ii) interactions involving only bacteria, and (iii) descriptive rather than experimental approaches. The relatively few experimental studies have mostly focused on manipulating abiotic factors to examine responses of seaweeds and their microbiome. Of the few studies that directly manipulated microorganisms to investigate their effects on seaweeds, most were done in laboratory or aquaria. We emphasize the need to move beyond the descriptions of patterns to experimental approaches for understanding causation and mechanisms. We argue that such experimental approaches are necessary for a better understanding of seaweed holobionts, for management actions for wild and cultivated seaweeds, and to better integrate studies of seaweed holobionts with the broader fields of seaweed ecology and biology, which are strongly experimental.
Effect of midodrine on HVPG in advanced chronic liver disease and acute‐on‐chronic liver failure—A pilot study
Authors: Vashishtha Chitranshu , Bhardwaj Ankit , Jindal Ankur , Kumar Manoj , Sarin Shiv Kumar
Published: July 2024

Background and Aims

Nonselective beta‐blockers (NSBB) are the mainstay for treatment of portal hypertension (PH), but require caution in decompensated cirrhosis (DC) or acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) with hypotension, hyponatremia, acute kidney injury (AKI) or type 2 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). Midodrine is oral, rapidly acting, α1‐adrenergic agonist. We evaluated acute effects of midodrine on hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in DC and ACLF with contraindications to NSBB.

Methods

Patients of DC (n = 30) with grade III ascites and serum sodium (Na) <130/systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90/type II HRS (group I) and ACLF patients (n = 30) with Na <130/SBP <90/AKI (group II) were included. HVPG was done at baseline and repeated 3 h after 10 mg midodrine. Primary outcome was HVPG response (reduction by >20% or to <12 mmHg).

Results

In group I, midodrine significantly reduced HVPG (19.2 ± 4.6 to 17.8 ± 4.2, p = .02) and heart rate (HR) (86.3 ± 11.6 to 77.9 ± 13.1, p < .01) and increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) (74.1 ± 6.9 to 81.9 ± 6.6 mmHg, p < .01). In group II also, midodrine reduced HVPG (19.1 ± 4.1 to 17.0 ± 4.2) and HR (92.4 ± 13.7 to 84.6 ± 14.1) and increased MAP (85.4 ± 7.3 to 91.2 ± 7.6 mmHg), p < .01 for all. HVPG response was achieved in 3/30 (10%) in group I and 8/30 (26.7%) in group II. On logistic regression analysis, prerenal AKI (OR 11.04, 95% CI 1.83–66.18, p < .01) and increase in MAP (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.03–1.43, p = .02) were independent predictors of response. Increase in MAP by 8.5 mmHg with midodrine had best cut‐off with AUROC of .76 for response.

Conclusion

In decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF patients with contraindications to NSBB, midodrine is useful in decreasing HVPG. Dose of midodrine should be titrated to increase MAP atleast by 8.5 mmHg.
Extra‐pair paternity in two passerine birds breeding in a gradient of urbanisation
Authors: Di Lecce Irene , Sudyka Joanna , Perrier Charles , Szulkin Marta
Published: July 2024

Urbanisation has been increasing worldwide in recent decades, driving environmental change and exerting novel selective pressures on wildlife. Phenotypic differences between urban and rural individuals have been widely documented in several taxa. However, the extent to which urbanisation impacts mating strategies is less known. Here, we investigated extra‐pair paternity variation in great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) breeding in nestboxes set in a gradient of urbanisation in Warsaw, Poland, over three breeding seasons. Urbanisation was quantified as the amount of light pollution, noise pollution, impervious surface area (ISA) and tree cover within a 100‐m radius around each nestbox. We obtained genotypes for 1213 great tits at 7344 SNP markers and for 1299 blue tits at 9366 SNP markers with a genotyping‐by‐sequencing method, and inferred extra‐pair paternity by computing a genomewide relatedness matrix. We report higher extra‐pair paternity in blue tits breeding in more urbanised areas, for example, with higher light pollution and ISA, and lower tree cover. However, no such trend was found in great tits. Late‐stage survival of individual nestlings in both species was not associated with paternity or urbanisation proxies, thus we were not able to detect fitness benefits or drawbacks of being an extra‐pair offspring in relation to urbanisation. Our results contribute to the growing body of knowledge reporting on the effects of urbanisation on avian ecology and behaviour, and confirm species‐specific and population‐specific patterns of extra‐pair paternity variation.
Bertrand‐Edgeworth game under oligopoly. General results and comparisons with duopoly
Authors: De Francesco Massimo A. , Salvadori Neri
Published: July 2024

This paper studies price competition among a given number of capacity‐constrained producers of a homogeneous commodity under the efficient rationing rule and constant (and identical) marginal cost until full capacity, when demand is a continuous, non‐increasing, and non‐negative function defined on the set of non‐negative prices and is positive, strictly decreasing, twice differentiable and (weakly) concave when positive. The focus is on general properties of equilibria in the region of the capacity space in which no pure strategy equilibria exist. We study how the properties that are known to hold for the duopoly are generalized to the oligopoly and we highlight the new properties that can arise in asymmetric oligopoly, which include the existence of an atom in the support of the equilibrium strategy of a firm smaller than the largest one, the properties that such an atom entails, the existence of gaps in the supports, and asymmetries in the equilibrium distributions of equally‐sized firms smaller than the largest one. Further, we provide results about the boundaries of the supports. Although the characterization of equilibria is far from being complete, this paper provides substantial elements in this direction.
Telescopic broad Bayesian learning for big data stream
Authors: Yuen Ka‐Veng , Kuok Sin‐Chi
Published: July 2024

In this paper, a novel telescopic broad Bayesian learning (TBBL) is proposed for sequential learning. Conventional broad learning suffers from the singularity problem induced by the complexity explosion as data are accumulated. The proposed TBBL successfully overcomes the challenging issue and is feasible for sequential learning with big data streams. The learning network of TBBL is reconfigurable to adopt network augmentation and condensation. As time evolves, the learning network is augmented to incorporate the newly available data and additional network components. Meanwhile, the learning network is condensed to eliminate the network connections and components with insignificant contributions. Moreover, as a benefit of Bayesian inference, the uncertainty of the estimates can be quantified. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed TBBL, the performance on highly nonstationary piecewise time series and complex multivariate time series with 100 million data points are presented. Furthermore, an application for long‐term structural health monitoring is presented.
Propensity of Candida spp. prosthetic joint infection clinical isolates to form aggregates in synovial fluid and the clinical ramifications
Authors: Doub James B. , Siddiqui Hamda
Published: July 2024

Background

Bacterial aggregation has been shown to occur in synovial fluid which are resistant to high concentrations of antibiotics. Yet the propensity of Candida spp. to form aggregates is unknown.

Objective

To assess the ability of numerous Candida spp. to form synovial fluid aggregates and the clinical ramifications of the aggregates.

Methods

Nine different Candidal prosthetic joint infection clinical isolates were evaluated for their ability to form aggregates at static and dynamic conditions and their resistance to high concentrations of amphotericin. Furthermore, the ability of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) to disrupt the aggregates and enhance amphotericin activity was assessed.

Results

The results show that all species of Candida spp. evaluated formed aggregates in synovial fluid under dynamic conditions that were resistant to amphotericin. Yet no aggregates formed in tryptic soy broth under any conditions or in synovial fluid under static conditions. As well, when TPA was combined with amphotericin there was a statistically significant decrease (p < .005) in the amount of colony forming units per mL for all Candidal species evaluated. Interestingly, for Candida krusei there was no colony forming units observed after exposure to TPA and amphotericin.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that Candidal species form synovial fluid aggregates that are resistant to high dose amphotericin similar to those that occur with bacteria. However, the varying ability of the different Candida spp. to form hyphae and pseudohyphae compared to yeast cells may have direct impacts on the hardiness of the aggregates and thereby have clinical ramifications with respect to treatment durations.
Actin‐bundling protein fimbrin serves as a new auxin biosynthesis orchestrator in Arabidopsis root tips
Authors: Liu Yan‐kun , Li Jing‐jing , Xue Qiao‐qiao , Zhang Shu‐juan , Xie Min , Cheng Ting , Wang Hong‐li , Liu Cui‐mei , Chu Jin‐fang , Pei Yu‐sha , Jia Bing‐qian , Li Jia , Tian Li‐jun , Fu Ai‐gen , Hao Ya‐qi , Su Hui
Published: July 2024

Plants delicately regulate endogenous auxin levels through the coordination of transport, biosynthesis, and inactivation, which is crucial for growth and development. While it is well‐established that the actin cytoskeleton can regulate auxin levels by affecting polar transport, its potential role in auxin biosynthesis has remained largely unexplored.

Using LC–MS/MS‐based methods combined with fluorescent auxin marker detection, we observed a significant increase in root auxin levels upon deletion of the actin bundling proteins AtFIM4 and AtFIM5. Fluorescent observation, immunoblotting analysis, and biochemical approaches revealed that AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 affect the protein abundance of the key auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 in roots.

AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 regulate the auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 at the protein level, with its degradation mediated by the 26S proteasome. This regulation modulates auxin synthesis and endogenous auxin levels in roots, consequently impacting root development. Based on these findings, we propose a molecular pathway centered on the ‘actin cytoskeleton‐26S proteasome‐YUC8‐auxin’ axis that controls auxin levels.

Our findings shed light on a new pathway through which plants regulate auxin synthesis. Moreover, this study illuminates a newfound role of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating plant growth and development, particularly through its involvement in maintaining protein homeostasis via the 26S proteasome.
Theory and tests for coordination among hydraulic and photosynthetic traits in co‐occurring woody species
Authors: Chhajed Shubham S. , Wright Ian J. , Perez‐Priego Oscar
Published: July 2024

Co‐occurring plants show wide variation in their hydraulic and photosynthetic traits. Here, we extended ‘least‐cost’ optimality theory to derive predictions for how variation in key hydraulic traits potentially affects the cost of acquiring and using water in photosynthesis and how this, in turn, should drive variation in photosynthetic traits.

We tested these ideas across 18 woody species at a temperate woodland in eastern Australia, focusing on hydraulic traits representing different aspects of plant water balance, that is storage (sapwood capacitance, CS), demand vs supply (branch leaf : sapwood area ratio, AL : AS and leaf : sapwood mass ratio and ML : MS), access to soil water (proxied by predawn leaf water potential, ΨPD) and physical strength (sapwood density, WD).

Species with higher AL : AS had higher ratio of leaf‐internal to ambient CO2 concentration during photosynthesis (ci : ca), a trait central to the least‐cost theory framework. CS and the daily operating range of tissue water potential (∆Ψ) had an interactive effect on ci : ca. CS, WD and ΨPD were significantly correlated with each other. These results, along with those from multivariate analyses, underscored the pivotal role leaf : sapwood allocation (AL : AS), and water storage (CS) play in coordination between plant hydraulic and photosynthetic systems.

This study uniquely explored the role of hydraulic traits in predicting species‐specific photosynthetic variation based on optimality theory and highlights important mechanistic links within the plant carbon–water balance.
Metformin overcomes chemoresistance by regulating stemness via KLF4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Tong , Zhang Xuefeng , Yang Dan , Wei Weideng , Gan Jianguo , Xia Xiaoqiang , Chen Qianming , Jiang Jian , Feng Xiaodong
Published: July 2024

Objective

Chemoresistance is a common event after chemotherapy, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Accumulated evidence suggests that the cancer stemness significantly contributes to therapy resistance. An unresolved question remains regarding how to effectively overcome OSCC chemoresistance by targeting stemness. This study aims to investigate the antitumor effect of metformin and clarify the potential molecular mechanisms.

Methods

Cellular models resistant to chemotherapy were established, and their viability and sphere‐forming ability were assessed using CCK‐8 and soft agar formation assays, respectively. RNA‐seq and Western blotting analyses were employed to delve into the molecular pathways. Furthermore, to corroborate the inhibitory effects of metformin and cisplatin at an animal level, a subcutaneous tumor transplantation model was instituted.

Results

Metformin as a monotherapy exhibited inhibition of stemness traits via Krüppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4). Metformin and cisplatin can synergically inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. Animal experiments confirmed the inhibitory effect of cisplatin and metformin on tumor in mice.

Conclusion

Our study proposes a potential therapeutic approach of combining chemotherapy with metformin to overcome chemoresistance in OSCC.
Microglia contribute to nociception via CSF‐1R signaling pathway in rat orofacial carcinoma
Authors: Wang Hui , Peng Xiaohan , Wu Ke , Sun Jinhu
Published: July 2024

Objective

Cancer‐induced pain is the most common complication of the head and neck cancer. The microglia colony‐stimulating factor receptor 1 (CSF1R) plays a crucial role in the inflammation and neuropathic pain. However, the effect of CSF1R on orofacial cancer‐induced pain is unclear. Here, we aimed to determine the role of CSF1R in orofacial pain caused by cancer.

Methods

We established an animal model of cancer‐induced orofacial pain with Walker 256B cells. Von Frey filament test and laser‐intensity pain tester were used to evaluate tumor‐induced mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Minocycline and PLX3397 were used to alter tumor‐induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of PLX3397 on immunoinflammatory mediators and neuronal activation within the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc).

Results

Walker 256B cell‐induced tumor growth resulted in mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, accompanying by microglia activation and CSF1R upregulation. Treatment with minocycline or PLX3397 reversed the associated nocifensive behaviors and microglia activation triggered by tumor. As a result of PLX3397 treatment, tumor‐induced increases in pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression and neuronal activation of the Vc were significantly inhibited.

Conclusions

The results of our study showed that blocking microglial activation via CSF1R may help prevent cancer‐induced orofacial pain.
Travels with BERT: Surfacing the intertextuality in Hans Christian Andersen's travel writing and fairy tales through the network lens of large language model‐based topic modeling
Authors: Tangherlini Timothy R. , Chen Ruofei
Published: July 2024

Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales have garnered the greatest popular and scholarly attention despite the interdependence of works across the broad range of his artistic production. We read Andersen's fairy tales in concert with his travel writing to highlight the intertextual aspects that cross these seemingly distinct genres. We leverage recent advances in large language models (LLM) and network theory to generate representations that facilitate user exploration of these intertextual interdependencies across genres and across time. In the first part of our study, we use BERTopic and an LLM model fine‐tuned for nineteenth‐century Danish literary language to present independent and combined topic models of the two corpuses. This approach supports multi‐scalar analysis of intertextual elements within and across these corpuses, thereby implementing a method for macroscopic reading. In the second part of the study, we develop a series of networked representations of the dependencies between fairy tales, where these dependencies are generated on the basis of the shared intertextual topic space of the fairy tales and the travel writing.
Integrated Acetabular Prosthesis Versus Bone Grafting in Total Hip Arthroplasty for Crowe Type II and III Hip Dysplasia: A Retrospective Case–Control Study
Authors: Cheng Liangliang , Liu Yuchen , Wang Linbao , Ying Jiawei , Li Junlei , Wang Fuyang , Qiu Xing , Zhang Tianwei , Ma Zhijie , Zhang Yu , Wu Bin , Liu Linpeng , Song Liqun , Yi Pinqiao , Wang Haiyao , Zhao Dewei
Published: July 2024

Objective

Many methods of acetabular reconstruction with total hip arthroplasty (THA) for Crowe type II and III adult developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) acetabular bone defect have been implemented clinically. However, there was no study comparing the results of integrated acetabular prosthesis (IAP) with bone grafting (BG). This study aims to investigate the efficacy of IAP and BG for acetabular reconstruction in Crowe type II and III DDH.

Methods

The clinical data of 45 patients with unilateral Crowe type II and III DDH who underwent THA from January 2020 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: 25 patients using 3D‐printed IAP (IAP group) and 20 patients using BG (BG group). The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The clinical outcomes were assessed by Harris Hip Score (HHS) and full weight‐bearing time. The radiological outcomes were evaluated by the radiological examination. Accordingly, intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed as well. The data between the two groups were compared by independent sample t‐tests and the Mann–Whitney U rank sum test.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups in Harris Hip Score (HHS) (preoperative, 6 months postoperative, and the last follow‐up), leg length discrepancy (LLD), cup inclination, cup anteversion, vertical center of rotation (V‐COR), horizontal center of rotation (H‐COR) (p > 0.05). The mean HHS in the IAP group was higher than in the BG group at 1 and 3 months postoperative (p < 0.001). The mean surgical time and blood loss in the IAP group were less than in the BG group (p < 0.001). The mean full weight‐bearing time in the IAP group was shorter than in the BG group (p < 0.01). No complications were observed in either group during the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

IAP and BG have similar radiographic outcomes and long‐term clinical efficacy in THA for Crowe type II and III DDH, but the IAP technique has higher surgical safety and facilitates the recovery of hip joint function, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Revolving Doors: How Externalization Policies Block Refugees and Deflect Other Migrants across Migration Routes
Authors: Mesnard Alice , Savatic Filip , Senne Jean‐Noël , Thiollet Hélène
Published: July 2024

Migrant destination states of the Global North generally seek to stem irregular migration while remaining committed to refugee rights. To do so, these states have increasingly sought to externalize migration control, implicating migrant origin and transit states in managing the movement of persons across borders. But do externalization policies actually have an impact on unauthorized migration flows? If yes, do those impacts vary across different migrant categories given that both asylum seekers and other migrants can cross borders without prior authorization? We argue that these policies do have an impact on unauthorized migration flows and that those impacts are distinct for refugees and other migrants. Using data on “irregular/illegal border crossings” collected by Frontex, the Border and Coast Guard Agency of the European Union (EU), we first find that the geographical trajectories of refugees and other migrants who cross EU borders without authorization are distinct. Using a novel method to estimate whether individuals are likely to obtain asylum in 31 European destination states, we find that “likely refugees” tend to be concentrated on a single, primary migratory route while “likely irregular migrants” may be dispersed across multiple routes. Through an event study analysis of the impact of the 2016 EU–Turkey Statement, a paradigmatic example of externalization, we show that the policy primarily blocked likely refugees while deflecting likely irregular migrants to alternative routes. Our findings ultimately highlight how externalization policies may fail to prevent unauthorized entries of irregular migrants while endangering refugee protection.
3‐ketoacyl‐CoA synthase 19 contributes to the biosynthesis of seed lipids and cuticular wax in Arabidopsis and abiotic stress tolerance
Authors: Luo Na , Wang Yulu , Liu Yu , Wang Yuxin , Guo Yanjun , Chen Chunjie , Gan Qiaoqiao , Song Yuyang , Fan Yongxin , Jin Shurong , Ni Yu
Published: July 2024

Very‐long‐chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are essential precursors for plant membrane lipids, cuticular waxes, suberin, and storage oils. Integral to the fatty acid elongase (FAE) complex, 3‐ketoacyl‐CoA synthases (KCSs) function as crucial enzymes in the VLCFA pathway, determining the chain length of VLCFA. This study explores the in‐planta role of the KCS19 gene. KCS19 is predominantly expressed in leaves and stem epidermis, sepals, styles, early silique walls, beaks, pedicels, and mature embryos. Localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, KCS19 interacts with other FAE proteins. kcs19 knockout mutants displayed reduced total wax and wax crystals, particularly alkanes, while KCS19 overexpression increased these components and wax crystals. Moreover, the cuticle permeability was higher for the kcs19 mutants compared to the wild type, rendering them more susceptible to drought and salt stress, whereas KCS19 overexpression enhanced drought and salt tolerance. Disrupting KCS19 increased C18 species and decreased C20 and longer species in seed fatty acids, indicating its role in elongating C18 to C20 VLCFAs, potentially up to C24 for seed storage lipids. Collectively, KCS19‐mediated VLCFA synthesis is required for cuticular wax biosynthesis and seed storage lipids, impacting plant responses to abiotic stress.
Sheep litter size heredity basis using genome‐wide selective analysis
Authors: Cui Weiguo , Wang Hechuan , Li Jingchun , Lv Dongyu , Xu Jiayi , Liu Mengyu , Yin Guoan
Published: July 2024

Sheep are important herbivorous domestic animal globally, and the Chinese indigenous sheep breed has a multitude of economically significant variations due to the diverse geographical and ecological conditions. In particular, certain native breeds exhibit a visible high litter size phenotype due to the selection pressure of natural and artificial for thousands of years, offering an ideal animal model for investigating sheep's fecundity. In this study, selective signal analysis was performed on public whole‐genome sequencing data from 60 sheep across eight breeds to identify candidate genes related to litter size. Results revealed that a total of 34,065,017 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from all sheep, and 65 candidate genes (CDGs) were pinpointed from the top 1% of interacted windows and SNPs between the pairwise fixation index (FST, >0.149543) and cross‐population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP‐EHH, >0.701551). A total of 41 CDGs (e.g. VRTN, EYA2 and MCPH1) were annotated to 576 GO terms, of which seven terms were directly linked to follicular and embryonic development (e.g. TBXT, BMPR1B, and BMP2). In addition, 73 KEGG pathways were enriched by 21 CDGs (e.g. ENTPD5, ABCD4 and RXFP2), mainly related to Hippo (TCF4, BMPR1B and BMP2), TGF‐β (BMPR1B and BMP2), PI3K‐Akt (ITGB4, IL4R and PPP2R5A) and Jak–STAT signalling pathways (IL20RA and IL4R). Notably, a series of CDGs was under strong selection in sheep with high litter size traits. These findings result could improve the comprehension of the genetic underpinnings of sheep litter size. Furthermore, it provides valuable CDGS for future molecular breeding.
Assessing Trends in the Desire to Avoid Pregnancy: A Cautionary Note
Authors: Casterline John B. , El‐Zeini Laila , Ibitoye Mobolaji
Published: July 2024

The desire to avoid pregnancy—to delay the next birth or have no further births—is a fundamental sexual and reproductive health indicator. We show that two readily available measures—prospective fertility preferences and the demand for contraception [Demand] construct—provide substantially different portraits of historical trends. They also yield correspondingly different assessments of the sources of contraceptive change. We argue, with supporting empirical evidence, that Demand enormously overstates the historical trend in the desire to avoid pregnancy because Demand as currently constructed is in part a function of contraceptive prevalence. This makes for “reverse causality” in decompositions of contraceptive change, producing an upward distortion on the order of 25 percentage points in the amount of contraceptive change attributed to a change in fertility desires. Decomposition of contraception change free of the distortion reveals that contraceptive change has been due almost entirely to more complete implementation of fertility preferences. This is explained in part by the surprisingly slight historical change in preferences, a fact we document and then show is a consequence of a historical shift in parity composition toward lower parities.
Did dollarization help Ecuador?
Authors: Cachanosky Nicolás , Ocampo Emilio , Hernández Karla C. , Ramseur John
Published: July 2024

This paper studies the impact of dollarization on the evolution of GDP per capita in Ecuador using synthetic control analysis (SCA). The results suggest a significant likelihood of a positive impact of dollarization. These results are relevant for countries with a history of high, persistent, and volatile inflation considering dollarization as a currency regime.
Swimming Performance in Elite Triathletes: Comparison Between Open Water and Pool Conditions
Authors: López‐Belmonte Óscar , Ruiz‐Navarro Jesús J. , Gay Ana , Cuenca‐Fernández Francisco , Arellano Raúl , Cejuela Roberto
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to compare performance, kinematic, and physiological variables between open water and pool swimming conditions in elite triathletes and to examine the associations between conditions on these variables. Fourteen elite triathletes (10 males and 4 females [23.4 ± 3.8 years]) performed two 1500‐m swimming tests in open water and in a 25‐m pool. Swimming speed, stroke rate (SR), length (SL) and index (SI), heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentrations [La−], and end‐exercise oxygen uptake (EEV̇O2) were assessed in both conditions. Lower SL and SI and higher SR were obtained in open water compared with pool swimming (p < 0.05). Moreover, kinematic variables changed as a function of distance in both conditions (p < 0.05). No differences were found in the main physiological variables (HR, [La−], and EEV̇O2) between conditions. Respiratory exchange ratio presented lower values in open water than in pool conditions (p < 0.05), while time constant was higher in open water (p = 0.032). The fastest triathletes in open water obtained the best performance in the pool (r = 0.958; p < 0.001). All kinematic variables, HR and peak [La−] presented positive associations between conditions (r > 0.6; p < 0.05). Despite physiological invariance, triathletes and coaches should monitor specific open water training to adapt their swimming technique to the competitive environment.
Degree distributions in networks: Beyond the power law
Authors: Lee Clement , Eastoe Emma F. , Farrell Aiden
Published: July 2024

The power law is useful in describing count phenomena such as network degrees and word frequencies. With a single parameter, it captures the main feature that the frequencies are linear on the log‐log scale. Nevertheless, there have been criticisms of the power law, for example, that a threshold needs to be preselected without its uncertainty quantified, that the power law is simply inadequate, and that subsequent hypothesis tests are required to determine whether the data could have come from the power law. We propose a modeling framework that combines two different generalizations of the power law, namely the generalized Pareto distribution and the Zipf‐polylog distribution, to resolve these issues. The proposed mixture distributions are shown to fit the data well and quantify the threshold uncertainty in a natural way. A model selection step embedded in the Bayesian inference algorithm further answers the question whether the power law is adequate.
HLA‐B*51:197: A composite product of interlocus recombination of B*51:01:01:01 and C*01:02:01:01
Authors: Kouprie Niels , Bungener Laura B. , Lambeck Annechien J. A. , Kroesen Bart‐Jan , Hepkema Bouke G.
Published: July 2024

The HLA‐B*51:197 allele is generated from the interlocus recombination of both HLA‐B*51:01:01:01 and HLA‐C*01:02:01:01 alleles.
The novel non‐classical HLA‐F*01:12 allele identified in a Brazilian individual
Authors: Romero Matilde , Stelet Vinícius Navega , Binato Renata , Abdelhay Eliana
Published: July 2024

Non‐classical HLA‐F*01:12 differs from F*01:01:01:09 at one position in exon 3.
Identification of the novel allele HLA‐A*02:1144 in a Chinese platelet donor
Authors: Xu Yun‐Ping , Yang Fan , Xia Wen‐Xia , Gao Su‐Qing
Published: July 2024

The novel HLA‐A*02:1144 allele differs from HLA‐A*02:03:01:01 by 3 nucleotides in exon 7.
Analysis of the effect and influencing factors of a clinical competency‐oriented prospective pre‐job training programme on the comprehensive ability of new employees in the department of transfusion medicine
Authors: Cheng Fu , Niu Yingying , Han Bing , Chen Chunxia , Yang Huan , Li Jiaheng , Yang Dongmei , Tan Bin
Published: July 2024

Background

The subject of pre‐job training for transfusion service laboratory technicians is very important. The key is how to make a reasonable systematic training programme to improve the effectiveness of training.

Methods

A prospective training programme was conducted and an assessment was performed at enrollment (baseline) and reassessment after 3‐months training, using the same tools with a validated questionnaire.

Results

Clinical competency‐oriented prospective pre‐job training significantly improves the clinical transfusion‐related comprehensive skills of new employees. The post‐training assessment score was significantly affected by undergraduate major.

Conclusion

This study provided a clinical competency‐oriented training programme for new employees in the department of transfusion medicine that could effectively enhance their comprehensive abilities.
The miR172/TOE3 module regulates resistance to tobacco mosaic virus in tobacco
Authors: Jiao Bolei , Peng Qiding , Wu Baijun , Liu Sucen , Zhou Jingya , Yuan Bowen , Lin Honghui , Xi Dehui
Published: July 2024

The outcome of certain plant–virus interaction is symptom recovery, which is accompanied with the emergence of asymptomatic tissues in which the virus accumulation decreased dramatically. This phenomenon shows the potential to reveal critical molecular factors for controlling viral disease. MicroRNAs act as master regulators in plant growth, development, and immunity. However, the mechanism by which miRNA participates in regulating symptom recovery remains largely unknown. Here, we reported that miR172 was scavenged in the recovered tissue of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)‐infected Nicotiana tabacum plants. Overexpression of miR172 promoted TMV infection, whereas silencing of miR172 inhibited TMV infection. Then, TARGET OF EAT3 (TOE3), an APETALA2 transcription factor, was identified as a downstream target of miR172. Overexpression of NtTOE3 significantly improved plant resistance to TMV infection, while knockout of NtTOE3 facilitated virus infection. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis indicated that TOE3 promoted the expression of defense‐related genes, such as KL1 and MLP43. Overexpression of these genes conferred resistance of plant against TMV infection. Importantly, results of dual‐luciferase assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation‐quantitative PCR, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay proved that TOE3 activated the transcription of KL1 and MLP43 by binding their promoters. Moreover, overexpression of rTOE3 (the miR172‐resistant form of TOE3) significantly reduced TMV accumulation compared to the overexpression of TOE3 (the normal form of TOE3) in miR172 overexpressing Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Taken together, our study reveals the pivotal role of miR172/TOE3 module in regulating plant immunity and in the establishment of recovery in virus‐infected tobacco plants, elucidating a regulatory mechanism integrating plant growth, development, and immune response.
Anti‐HNA testing of allo‐exposed COVID‐19 convalescent plasma donors including genetic human neutrophil antigen screening to prevent anti‐HNA antibody‐mediated transfusion‐related acute lung injury
Authors: Guz Katarzyna , Łopacz Patrycja , Uhrynowska Małgorzata , Piaskowska Karolina , Szczepaniak Beata , Krzemienowska Magdalena , Purchla‐Szepioła Sylwia , Główka Anna , Głodkowska‐Mrówka Eliza , Orzińska Agnieszka
Published: July 2024

Background

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury caused by antibodies against human neutrophil antigens (HNA) is a serious but rare complication associated with blood transfusion. The presence of such antibodies is most probable in donors with a transfusion/pregnancy history. During the COVID‐19 pandemic period convalescent plasma (CP) containing neutralizing antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 was widely used for COVID‐19 patients as a therapy in the absence of any treatment. The aim of the study was to work out a simple diagnostic algorithm of anti‐HNA testing of allo‐exposed CP donors including genetic HNA screening.

Materials and Methods

A total of 457 anti‐HLA‐negative allo‐exposed CP donors were genotyped for HNA‐1a/1b, HNA‐3a/3b, and HNA‐2, and only donors with homozygous HNA‐1a/1a; HNA‐3b/3b; or HNA‐2null genotypes were tested for anti‐HNA antibody using LabScreenMulti (One Lambda) and homozygous HNA‐1b/1b using the granulocyte immunofluorescence test (GIFT) but verified using LabScreenMulti.

Results

Testing of 83 homozygous HNA‐3b/3b; HNA‐2null; or HNA‐1a/1a donors revealed anti‐HNA‐3a antibody in one case. Testing of 181 HNA‐1b/1b donors using GIFT gave 10 ambiguous results verified using LabScreenMulti which confirmed anti‐HNA‐1a antibody in one case. The frequency of FCGR3B*01 and *04 encoding HNA‐1a was 0.34; FCGR3B*02, *03, and *05 encoding HNA‐1b—0.66; SLC44A2*01 encoding HNA‐3a—0.80; and SLC44A2*02 encoding HNA‐3b—0.20. In 3.7% cases the HNA‐2null genotype was revealed.

Discussion

Due to applying HNA genotyping as a primary test before anti‐HNA antibody testing the serological work was limited only to HNA‐homozygous donors revealing two anti‐HNA immunized donors. The distribution of HNA genotypes in the cohort was similar to other Caucasian populations.
Digital Communication and Preservation of Cultural Heritage in the Context of New Media: A Case Study of Anyang
Authors: Li Chenxiao , Yu Kun
Published: July 2024

Anyang is rich in diverse cultural heritage, including the famous Yin Ruins, oracle bone script, Shang Dynasty culture, and divination beliefs. These heritages are core carriers of cultural transmission and important academic research areas. This study analyzes the adaptability of Anyang's cultural heritage amidst modern social changes, focusing on its integration with local economic development strategies. By activating the tourism market and image industry, it promotes economic growth and cultural transmission. The study also explores the digitization of literature and new media tools in modernizing educational content. Through visual media, Anyang's cultural heritage overcomes geographical barriers, connecting with a global audience. Visual narratives present Anyang's history and cultural stories, offering new paths for global recognition. Films, micro-dramas, online media, and other visual art forms transform Anyang's cultural narratives into symbols easily understood worldwide. The study encourages more film and television creators to explore Henan and Anyang, discovering the value of historical and cultural resources and landscapes through high-quality works.
A Study on Meme Marketing Strategies of Domestic Brands and Optimization Suggestions
Authors: Wen Cuiping , Ye Jiawen
Published: July 2024

In today’s era of traffic, the powerful monetization ability of meme marketing has attracted growing attention from brands. However, there is still limited research on domestic brand meme marketing in academic circles. Therefore, aiming to study domestic meme marketing strategies from a macro perspective, an interview was conducted to collect current meme marketing strategies of domestic brands, and a questionnaire was then released to evaluate the application effect of these strategies. The results show that domestic brands have used Internet memes in marketing with the help of artificial intelligence, explored to establish a brand virtual image, and adopted the two-way communication model of User Generated Content (UGC). Nonetheless, current meme marketing strategies have not shown a significant effect on improving consumers’ willingness to learn about brands and purchase their products or services. This paper provides improved meme marketing strategies that further arouse the transformable consumption potential of consumers and effectively consolidate the maintenance and expansion of brand communication.
Leveraging Short Video Platforms for Agricultural E-commerce: Enhancing Purchase Intent through Optimized Content
Authors: Zhu Qiyan , Su Jiexin
Published: July 2024

With the popularity and improvement of short video platforms, short video e-commerce live streaming (ELS) has emerged as a prevalent trend for promoting produce. Despite the widespread adoption of short video platforms and ELS, there remains a notable gap regarding the content of short video ELS, with many researches mainly emphasizing the path of ELS general development. Therefore, this study aims to optimize agricultural short-video ELS content, by identifying factors contributing to purchase intention and leveraging the advantages of short-video platforms. This study employs questionnaires, interviews, and the stability coefficient method to explore pathways for innovating agricultural ELS content. The results show that ELS scenes and anchor identity significantly affect purchase intention. Furthermore, an assessment of the hierarchical order of content elements has been established. Additionally, the interview findings indicate the significance of recognizing synergies between the benefits inherent in short video platforms and the content of agricultural ELS. This study can serve as a reference for ELS content optimization and have implications for agricultural ELS influence improvement.
Intervention combinations within multimodal prehabilitation and their effect on health-related quality of life, fatigue, and adherence in the adult cancer population: an umbrella review protocol
Authors: Csontos Judit , Edwards Deborah , Gillen Elizabeth , Ferreira Semedo Lenira , Hopkinson Jane
Published: July 2024

Objective:

This umbrella review will investigate intervention combinations that are provided as multimodal prehabilitation and their effect on health-related quality of life, fatigue, and adherence in the adult cancer population.

Introduction:

Cancer and treatment-related long-term and late effects are a significant source of impairment worldwide. Multimodal prehabilitation has been the subject of intense research in recent years due to its potential to improve cancer treatment and surgical outcomes. Prehabilitation has been provided in different combinations of exercise, nutrition, and psychological support, although evidence of effectiveness varies in the literature.

Inclusion criteria:

The review will consider quantitative and mixed methods (segregated approach) systematic reviews investigating the effectiveness of multimodal prehabilitation compared with any other or no intervention for adults with cancer (≥18 years). Systematic reviews focusing solely on unimodal prehabilitation or rehabilitation during or after cancer treatment will be excluded.

Methods:

This review will follow the JBI methodology for umbrella reviews. The following databases will be searched from 2001 onwards: MEDLINE, Emcare, PsycINFO, and AMED (Ovid); CINAHL (EBSCOhost); PEDro; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; and Epistemonikos. Backchaining and forward citation tracking will also be performed. Organizational websites will be searched for relevant gray literature. Two reviewers will perform title/abstract and full-text screening against the inclusion criteria, and disagreements will be resolved via discussion or a third reviewer. Relevant population, intervention, and outcome data will be extracted from included full-text documents, and the quality of reports will be determined using the JBI checklist for systematic reviews. The results will be presented in tabular and narrative format.

Review registration:

PROSPERO CRD42024511601
Internationalization at Inception: Insights from the Indian Textile Industry's Born Globals
Authors: Srividhya M , Vidya C.T.
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the nature and shape of the relationship between internationalization and firm performance in textile Born Globals (BGs) in India. Utilizing a three-stage model and the M-curve hypothesis, the research examines this relationship comprehensively. The findings confirm a two-stage, inverted U-shaped relationship between internationalization and firm performance in the short run and an extended four-stage M-curve hypothesis in the long run. Additionally, the study identifies several variables that positively impact the performance of textile BGs in India during internationalization. The impact of these variables varies between the short and long term. In the short run, firm size and slack are significant factors in determining firm performance. However, research and development intensity and firm age, while insignificant in the short run, become significant contributors in the long run model.
Comment on “On the linearity of the generalized Lorentz transformation” [Am. J. Phys. 90(6), 425–429 (2022)]
Authors: Lambare Justo Pastor
Published: July 2024

In an article in this journal [Verheest, Am. J. Phys. 90, 425–429 (2022)], Frank Verheest presented a proof for the linearity of the Lorentz transformation. We fill in some gaps in his derivation and analyze the role of the light postulate that some physicists, including Verheest, have criticized as a necessary hypothesis for formulating the theory of relativity.
In vitro selection and analysis of SARS-CoV-2 nirmatrelvir resistance mutations contributing to clinical virus resistance surveillance
Authors: Zhu Yuao , Yurgelonis Irina , Noell Stephen , Yang Qingyi , Guan Shunjie , Li Zhenghui , Hao Li , Rothan Hussin , Rai Devendra K. , McMonagle Patricia , Baniecki Mary Lynn , Greasley Samantha E. , Plotnikova Olga , Lee Jonathan , Nicki Jennifer A. , Ferre RoseAnn , Byrnes Laura J. , Liu Wei , Craig Timothy K. , Steppan Claire M. , Liberator Paul , Soares Holly D. , Allerton Charlotte M. N. , Anderson Annaliesa S. , Cardin Rhonda D.
Published: July 2024

To facilitate the detection and management of potential clinical antiviral resistance, in vitro selection of drug-resistant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) against the virus M
pro
inhibitor nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid active component) was conducted. Six M
pro
mutation patterns containing T304I alone or in combination with T21I, L50F, T135I, S144A, or A173V emerged, with A173V+T304I and T21I+S144A+T304I mutations showing >20-fold resistance each. Biochemical analyses indicated inhibition constant shifts aligned to antiviral results, with S144A and A173V each markedly reducing nirmatrelvir inhibition and M
pro
activity. SARS-CoV-2 surveillance revealed that in vitro resistance–associated mutations from our studies and those reported in the literature were rarely detected in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database. In the Paxlovid Evaluation of Protease Inhibition for COVID-19 in High-Risk Patients trial, E166V was the only emergent resistance mutation, observed in three Paxlovid-treated patients, none of whom experienced COVID-19–related hospitalization or death.