bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single RNA molecule resolution spatial imaging of immunotherapy response in triple negative breast tumors harboring tertiary lymphoid structures
Authors: Mebane Richard H. , Noel Teia , Ing Nathan , Gouin Kenneth , Shah Aagam , Zitser David , Martinez Andrew , Gupta Gaorav , Ho Alice , McArthur Heather , Shiao Stephen S. , Knott Simon. R.V.
Published: March 2024

Cancer immunotherapy trials have had variable success, prompting a search for biomarkers of response. Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) have emerged as prognostic for multiple tumor types. These ectopic immunological bodies resemble secondary lymphoid organs with segregated B and T cell zones, but they are heterogeneous in their organization and cellular composition. These features have consequences in terms of prognostication and disease clearance, so there is interest in what drives TLS heterogeneity and corresponding immunological responses. We applied single RNA molecule resolution imaging to study biopsies from triple negative breast tumors harboring TLS where the biopsies were taken longitudinally, prior to therapy, after pembrolizumab and after pembrolizumab with radiation therapy. We developed a computational framework to identify TLS and tumor beds and to align spatial trajectories between the immune and malignant structures for systematic analyses. We identified two tumor types based on immune infiltration profiles in the tumor bed. Immune “infiltrated” tumors were eliminated after pembrolizumab, while “non-infiltrated” tumors saw gains in effector T cells and myeloid cells after pembrolizumab and were cleared after pembrolizumab with RT. TLS from infiltrated tumors had better separation of B and T cell zones and had higher expression of immunoreactivity gene pathways in most cell types. Further, malignant cell MHC expression was higher in the tumor beds of infiltrated tumors, providing one plausible mechanism for the groupings. In non-infiltrated tumors, classical dendritic cells enter the tumor bed from TLS proximal zones after pembrolizumab and bring transcription of the CXCL9 chemokine, which can recruit T cells and promote T cell effector phenotypes and was higher in infiltrated tumors at baseline.
What do we know about the missing millions of Earth’s insect species and can we improve their collection: evidence from bark beetles?
Authors: Stork Nigel E , Boyle Michael J. W. , Wardhaugh Carl , Beaver Roger
Published: March 2024

Only 20% of the estimated five million species of insects on Earth are named despite over 240 years of taxonomy. Yet insects are poorly represented in protected area assessments, and insect declines are of concern globally. Here we explore how to increase the discovery of new species and understanding of this group through analysis of 10,097 tropical rainforest bark beetles (Scolytinae) from eight different ecological studies using beetles between 2000 and 2018 in the Australian Wet Tropics. Of the 107 species identified, 58 are undescribed: an increase of 35% on the 166 species known from Australia. As hypothesised, new species are significantly smaller, less abundant and less widespread than described species making them more extinction prone than named species. Rarefaction indicates doubling sampling would increase the number of species by 17. Flight Interception Traps (FIT) collected 84% of individuals and 98% of species confirming the effectiveness of a single sampling method for some beetles. Increased locations and collection from the canopy may sample further species rather than additional collecting methods. Scolytines are relatively well studied with a cadre of taxonomists at the forefront of using modern methods to resolve formerly intractable groups. These new species are more likely to be named than others in many other beetle groups where taxonomy has largely stalled. To increase species description rates and to avoid most species becoming extinct before being named, we call on taxonomists to use new character systems provided by DNA methods and to look at working with Artificial Intelligence tools.

Significance Statement

In an era of rapid biodiversity loss, current conservation decisions for insects will continue to be based on a small and almost certainly biased sample of the world’s biota until more species are named. We demonstrate how large-scale sampling can dramatically increase the number of species discovered for one group of beetles and how these undescribed species are significantly smaller, less abundant and less widespread than named species. The identification and determination of undescribed species is rarely possible except when taxonomic expertise is available, as in the present study. Addressing the insect taxonomic bottleneck and increasing the rate of description will require the adoption of new and developing tools.
Identifyingin vivogenetic dependencies of melanocyte and melanoma development
Authors: Perlee Sarah , Ma Yilun , Hunter Miranda V. , Swanson Jacob B. , Ming Zhitao , Xia Julia , Lionnet Timothée , McGrail Maura , White Richard M.
Published: March 2024

The advent of large-scale sequencing in both development and disease has identified large numbers of candidate genes that may be linked to important phenotypes. Validating the function of these candidatesin vivois challenging, due to low efficiency and low throughput of most model systems. We have developed a rapid, scalable system for assessing the role of candidate genes using zebrafish. We generated transgenic zebrafish in which Cas9 was knocked-in to the endogenousmitfalocus, a master transcription factor of the melanocyte lineage. We used this system to identify both cell-autonomous and non-cell autonomous regulators of normal melanocyte development. We then applied this to the melanoma setting to demonstrate that loss of genes required for melanocyte survival can paradoxically promote more aggressive phenotypes, highlighting thatin vitroscreens can maskin vivophenotypes. Our high-efficiency genetic approach offers a versatile tool for exploring developmental processes and disease mechanisms that can readily be applied to other cell lineages.
Discovery, Characterization and Synthetic Potential of Two Novel Bacterial Alcohol Oxidases
Authors: Cinca-Fernando Paula , Ascaso-Alegre Christian , Sevilla Emma , Martínez-Júlvez Marta , Mangas-Sánchez Juan , Ferreira Patricia
Published: March 2024

The search for novel synthetic tools to prepare industrial chemicals in a safer and greener manner is a continuing challenge in synthetic chemistry. In this manuscript, we report the discovery, characterization, and synthetic potential of two novel aryl-alcohol oxidases from bacteria which are able to oxidize a variety of aliphatic and aromatic alcohols in high efficiencies (up to 4970 min-1mM-1). Crystal structures revealed unusually wide-open entrance to the active-site pockets compared to that previously described for traditional fungal aryl-alcohol oxidases, which could correlate with differences in substrate scope, catalytic efficiency, and other functional properties. Preparative-scale reactions and ability to operate at high substrate loadings also demonstrate the potential of these enzymes in synthetic chemistry with turnover numbers > 30000. Moreover, their availability as soluble and active recombinant proteins enabled their use as cell-free extracts which further highlights their potential for the large-scale production of carbonyl compounds.
The Relationship ofpqsGene Expression to Acylhomoserine Lactone Signaling inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Soto-Aceves Martin P. , Smalley Nicole E. , Schaefer Amy L. , Greenberg E. Peter
Published: March 2024

The opportunistic pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosahas complex quorum sensing (QS) circuitry, which involves two acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) systems, the LasI AHL synthase and LasR AHL-dependent transcriptional activator system and the RhlI AHL synthase-RhlR AHL-responsive transcriptional activator. There is also a quinoline signaling system (thePseudomonasquinolone signal, PQS, system). Although there is a core set of genes regulated by the AHL circuits, there is substantial strain-to-strain variation in the non-core QS regulated genes. Reductive evolution of the QS regulon, and variation in specific genes activated by QS, occurs in laboratory evolution experiments with the model strain PAO1. We used a transcriptomics approach to test the hypothesis that reductive evolution in the PAO1 QS regulon can in large part be explained by a simple null mutation inpqsR, the gene encoding the transcriptional activator of thepqsoperon. We found that PqsR had very little influence on the AHL QS regulon. This was a surprising finding because the last gene in the PqsR-dependentpqsoperon,pqsE, codes for a protein, which physically interacts with RhlR and this interaction is required for RhlR-dependent activation of some genes. We used comparative transcriptomics to examine the influence of apqsEmutation on the QS regulon and identified only three transcripts, which were strictly dependent on PqsE. By using reporter constructs we showed that the PqsE influence on other genes was dependent on experimental conditions and we have gained some insight about those conditions. This work adds to our understanding of the plasticity of theP. aeruginosaQS regulon and to the role PqsE plays in RhlR-dependent gene activation.
Cohesin supercoils DNA during loop extrusion
Authors: Davidson Iain F. , Barth Roman , Horn Sabrina , Janissen Richard , Nagasaka Kota , Wutz Gordana , Stocsits Roman R. , Bauer Benedikt , Dekker Cees , Peters Jan-Michael
Published: March 2024

Cohesin extrudes genomic DNA into loops that promote chromatin assembly, gene regulation and recombination. Here we show that cohesin introduces negative supercoils into extruded DNA. Supercoiling requires engagement of cohesin’s ATPase heads, DNA clamping by these heads, and a DNA binding site on cohesin’s hinge, indicating that cohesin supercoils DNA when constraining it between the hinge and the clamp. Our results suggest that DNA extrusion stops once cohesin reaches its stall torque during supercoiling, and a cohesin mutant predicted to stall at lower torque forms shorter loops in cells. These results indicate that supercoiling is an integral part of the loop extrusion mechanism and that cohesin controls genome architecture not only by looping DNA but also by supercoiling it.
Design of Antigen-Specific Antibody CDRH3 Sequences Using AI and Germline-Based Templates
Authors: Marinov Toma M. , Abu-Shmais Alexandra A. , Janke Alexis K. , Georgiev Ivelin S.
Published: March 2024

Antibody-antigen specificity is engendered and refined through a number of complex B cell processes, including germline gene recombination and somatic hypermutation. Here, we present an AI-based technology for de novo generation of antigen-specific antibody CDRH3 sequences using germline-based templates, and validate this technology through the generation of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. AI-based processes that mimic the outcome, but bypass the complexity of natural antibody generation, can be efficient and effective alternatives to traditional experimental approaches for antibody discovery.
Structure, substrate selectivity determinants and membrane interactions of a Glutamate-specific TAXI TRAP binding protein fromVibrio cholerae
Authors: Davies Joseph F.S. , Daab Andrew , Massouh Nicholas , Kirkland Corey , Strongitharm Bernadette , Leech Andrew , Farré Marta , Thomas Gavin H. , Mulligan Christopher
Published: March 2024

Tripartite ATP independent periplasmic (TRAP) transporters are widespread in prokaryotes and are responsible for the transport of a variety of different ligands, primarily organic acids. TRAP transporters are secondary active transporters that employ a substrate binding protein to bind and present the substrate to membrane embedded translocation component. TRAP transporters can be divided into two subclasses; DctP-type and TAXI type, which share the same overall architecture and requirement of the SBP for transport, but their SBPs share no similarity. The DctP-type transporters are very well studied and have been shown to transport a range of compounds including dicarboxylates, keto acids, sugar acids. However, the TAXI type transporters are relatively poorly understood, with the range of transportable compounds still to be discovered and selectivity requirements for binding unknown. To address these shortfalls in our understanding, we have structurally and biochemically characterized VC0430 fromVibrio choleraerevealing it to be a monomeric high affinity glutamate binding protein. VC0430 is stereoselective, binding the L-isomer preferentially, and can also bind L-glutamine and L-pyroglutamate, but with low affinity relative to L-glutamate. Structural characterization of ligand bound VC0430 reveals details of the binding site and biophysical characterization of binding site mutant reveal the substrate binding determinants, which differ substantially from the DctP-type TRAPs. Finally, we have analysedin silicothe interaction between VC0430 and its cognate membrane component revealing an architecture hitherto unseen. To our knowledge, this is the first transporter inV. choleraeto be identified as specific to glutamate, which plays a key role in osmoadaptation ofV. cholerae, making this transporter a potential therapeutic target.
The AusAB non-ribosomal peptide synthase inStaphylococcus aureuspreferentially incorporates exogenous phenylalanine and tyrosine into the aureusimine natural products
Authors: Moldovan Adriana , Krischke Markus , Huber Claudia , Hans Clara , Mueller Martin J. , Eisenreich Wolfgang , Rudel Thomas , Fraunholz Martin
Published: March 2024

Non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPS) are modular multidomain enzymes, responsible for the biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites, in a mRNA-template independent manner. They are predominantly present in bacteria and fungi, where they synthesize a variety of products, including antibiotics, siderophores, toxins and signalling molecules. The human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus possesses one single NRPS, AusA, highly conserved in all sequenced S. aureus strains. AusA incorporates the aromatic amino acids (AAA) phenylalanine or tyrosine, as well as the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) valine and leucine into three cyclic dipeptides collectively called aureusimines: phevalin, tyrvalin and leuvalin. By using targeted metabolomics, we found that AusA preferentially incorporates phenylalanine and tyrosine from an exogenous source into aureusimines, whereas the source of valine can be either endo- or exogenous. Upon cultivation in a chemically defined medium (CDM) lacking phenylalanine, the amino acid was not incorporated into phevalin, despite de novo phenylalanine biosynthesis. Tyrosine production remained unaffected. Conversely, upon cultivation in medium lacking tyrosine, tyrvalin production was not detected, despite tyrosine de novo biosynthesis. Phevalin production, however, remained unaltered. By contrast, omission of valine in the culture medium not only resulted in de novo valine biosynthesis but also was accompanied by phevalin production. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a selective incorporation of AAAs by a bacterial NRPS, which provides useful basis for linking bacterial cell metabolic status to the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.
Being politically connected: corporate charitable giving before and after the 2016 Charity Law
Authors: Ji Min , Deng Detian , Li Guangyu
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Charitable giving in China has moved from being subjected to government attention and public skepticism to receiving government encouragement and public support. The role played by political connections in philanthropy is indisputable, although very few studies have explored their association from the perspective of the country’s first Charity Law of 2016. This study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate about the 2016 Charity Law and offers an understanding of the future trends in corporate charitable giving.

Design/methodology/approach

Using empirical analysis of data collected from listed companies in China, this study analyzes the impact of political connections on corporate charitable giving before and after the 2016 Charity Law. The study adopts three leading theories from previous research into corporate charitable giving and political connections: corporate social responsibility, resource dependence theory and stakeholder theory. A conceptual framework is outlined, and hypotheses are formulated accordingly.

Findings

The results show that political connections have a substantial positive impact on corporate charitable giving, both before and after the implementation of the 2016 Charity Law, which has significantly promoted and increased the amount and proportion of charitable giving. Although the 2016 Charity Law attempted to weaken the political connections of enterprises, the influence of political connections on corporate charitable giving has proved difficult to diminish or eliminate, as charity is dominated by the state.

Originality/value

This study explores the association between political connections and corporate charitable giving from the perspective of China’s Charity Law of 2016.
The significance of Lakiya Negev Bedouin heritage weave – a way of knowing Israel's cultural costume
Authors: Kottangal Achuthy , Purohit Deepika
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze how conventional Bedouin weaving techniques have changed through the history of Israel, offering knowledge on the craft’s cultural relevance and historical development among the Bedouin people and how their weaving and embroidery differ based on the three main geographic characteristics. It tries to comprehend the causes of the transition from organic to synthetic materials and the part played by the Lakiya Negev Bedouin Weaving women’s cooperative in maintaining this legacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The main goal of this study is to trace the emergence of Bedouin weaving traditions in the Negev Desert using a qualitative research methodology that combines historical analysis and ethnographic investigation. A thorough grasp of the subject’s significance is provided through the data gathering, which consists of interviews, archival research and field observations.

Findings

Through the years, Bedouin weaving techniques have significantly shifted away from using traditional organic materials in favor of synthetic replacements, according to the research. It emphasizes the crucial part played by the Lakiya Negev Bedouin Weaving women’s organization in safeguarding this traditional legacy and giving Bedouin women access to economic prospects.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the study includes its emphasis on the Negev region and the Israeli Bedouin community, which may not accurately reflect all Bedouin weaving techniques. Greater regional settings may be explored in future studies.

Practical implications

The investigation emphasizes the value of investing in initiatives for cultural preservation and the empowerment of underprivileged groups through economic possibilities.

Social implications

By preserving ancient weaving techniques, this research enables Bedouin women in the Negev Desert to maintain their cultural identity and socioeconomic well-being.

Originality/value

By emphasizing the socio-cultural dimensions and the organization’s role in preserving traditional craftsmanship in a changing socio-economic environment, this research presents a unique investigation of the evolution of Bedouin weaving techniques in Israel.
Challenges and perspectives for humanitarian logistics: a comparative study between the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and the Republic of South Sudan
Authors: Grigoli Guilherme de Araujo , Silva Júnior Maurilio Ferreira Da , Pedra Diego Pereira
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to identify the main challenges to achieving humanitarian logistics in the context of United Nations peace missions in sub-Saharan Africa and to present suggestions for overcoming the logistical gaps encountered.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach of the work focuses on the comparative case study of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic and The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2014 to 2021. The approach combined a systematic literature review with the authors’ empirical experience as participant observers in each mission, combining theory and practice.

Findings

As a result, six common challenges were identified for carrying out humanitarian logistics in the three peace missions. Each challenge revealed a logistical gap for which an appropriate solution was suggested based on the best practices found in the case study of each mission.

Research limitations/implications

This paper presents limitations when addressing the logistical analysis based on only three countries under the UN mission as a case study, as well as conceiving that certain flaws in the system, in the observed period, are already in the process of correction with the adoption of the 2016–2021 strategy by the UN Global Logistic Cluster. The authors suggest that further studies can be carried out by expanding the number of cases or using countries where other bodies (AU, NATO or EU) work.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first comparative case study of humanitarian logistics on the three principal missions of the UN conducted by academics and practitioners.
Intellectual capital and financial performance: does board size and independent directors matter? An empirical enquiry
Authors: Shah Syed Quaid Ali , Lai Fong Woon , Tahir Muhammad , Shad Muhammad Kashif , Hamad Salaheldin , Ali Syed Emad Azhar
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Intellectual capital (IC) is a paramount resource for competitiveness in the knowledge-based financial sectors of the economy. As financial technology advances, specifically in the banking industry, it is vital to understand the effect of IC on financial performance. This study aims to investigate the effect of IC on return on equity (ROE), with a unique emphasis on the moderating role of board attributes. Previous studies have overlooked this moderating role.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample consists of 17 banks and a panel data set spanning 2016–2021, extracted from annual reports. Antel Pulic’s value-added intellectual coefficient (VAIC) model is used to compute IC. To analyze the data, a generalized least squares analysis is conducted. The robustness of the analysis is ensured by using the two-stage least squares (2SLS) econometric technique.

Findings

The findings indicate that both the VAIC and human capital efficiency (HCE) have a significant impact on the ROE of banks. In terms of moderation, it is observed that board size (BS) exerts a negative effect on the association between VAIC, HCE, structural capital efficiency and ROE. Additionally, BS positively compounds the connection between capital employed efficiency and ROE. Similarly, the presence of independent directors (IND) significantly moderates the effects of VAIC and its components on the ROE of banks in Pakistan.

Practical implications

Banks should focus on the HCE for a higher ROE. Moreover, banks ought to prioritize appointing more independent directors in the boardroom for effective utilization of IC and greater ROE.

Originality/value

The findings of the study, which analyzed data from Pakistan’s banking sector, are original and provide additional insights into the literature on IC and board attributes.
Enhanced fracture toughness and tensile strength of 3D printed recycled ABS composites reinforced with continuous metallic fiber for load-bearing application
Authors: Mishra Vishal , Ror Ch Kapil , Negi Sushant , Kar Simanchal
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to present an experimental approach to develop a high-strength 3D-printed recycled polymer composite reinforced with continuous metal fiber.

Design/methodology/approach

The continuous metal fiber composite was 3D printed using recycled and virgin acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-blended filament (RABS-B) in the ratio of 60:40 and postused continuous brass wire (CBW). The 3D printing was done using an in-nozzle impregnation technique using an FFF printer installed with a self-modified nozzle. The tensile and single-edge notch bend (SENB) test samples are fabricated to evaluate the tensile and fracture toughness properties compared with VABS and RABS-B samples.

Findings

The tensile and SENB tests revealed that RABS-B/CBW composite 3D printed with 0.7 mm layer spacing exhibited a notable improvement in Young’s modulus, ultimate tensile strength, elongation at maximum load and fracture toughness by 51.47%, 18.67% and 107.3% and 22.75% compared to VABS, respectively.

Social implications

This novel approach of integrating CBW with recycled thermoplastic represents a significant leap forward in material science, delivering superior strength and unlocking the potential for advanced, sustainable composites in demanding engineering fields.

Originality/value

Limited research has been conducted on the in-nozzle impregnation technique for 3D printing metal fiber-reinforced recycled thermoplastic composites. Adopting this method holds the potential to create durable and high-strength sustainable composites suitable for engineering applications, thereby diminishing dependence on virgin materials.
Biodiversity promotes resistance but dominant species shape recovery of grasslands under extreme drought
Authors: Bazzichetto Manuele , Sperandii Marta Gaia , Penone Caterina , Keil Petr , Allan Eric , Lepš Jan , Prati Daniel , Fischer Markus , Bolliger Ralph , Gossner Martin M. , de Bello Francesco
Published: March 2024

How biodiversity underpins ecosystem resistance (i.e. ability to withstand environmental perturbations) and recovery (i.e. ability to return to a pre‐perturbation state), and thus, stability under extreme climatic events is a timely question in ecology. To date, most studies have focussed on the role of taxonomic diversity, neglecting how community functional composition and diversity beget stability under exceptional climatic conditions. In addition, land use potentially modulates how biodiversity and ecosystem functions respond to extreme climatic conditions.

Using an 11‐year time‐series of plant biomass from 150 permanent grassland plots spanning a gradient of land‐use intensity, we examined how taxonomic and functional components of biodiversity affected resistance and recovery of biomass under extreme drought.

The association between biodiversity, land use and biomass varied across years, especially in the driest years. Species‐rich or functionally diverse communities (associated with low land‐use intensity) buffered extreme droughts better, while species‐poor communities or those dominated by fast‐growing species (associated with high land‐use intensity) had higher recovery capabilities after a moderate‐to‐extreme drought.

Synthesis. Our results show that plant community functional and taxonomic components determine grasslands resistance and recovery under moderate‐to‐extreme drought. In turn, this points to the importance of designing landscapes with both extensively and intensively managed grasslands. Functionally or taxonomically rich communities (favoured under low land‐use intensity) would preserve biomass under extreme droughts, whereas species‐poor or fast‐growing communities (favoured by high land‐use intensity) would restore biomass after extreme droughts.
Isolation and characterization of reference standard candidates for cocaine and benzoylecgonine obtained from illicit substances seized
Authors: Macrino Clebson de Jesus , dos Santos Nayara A. , Conceição Nathália dos S. , Baptista Clara S. D. , Neto Alvaro Cunha , Romão Wanderson
Published: March 2024

The area of forensic chemistry has been growing and developing as a line of research due to the high demands of public safety that require increasingly reliable results due to their importance in criminalistics. In this way, the development of new technologies that help this area, whether in the identification and quantification of drugs or the fight against fraud, becomes promising. In this context, the present work explored the production of reference standards from the purification of cocaine/crack samples seized by the Civil Police of the State of Espírito Santo. Cocaine was purified using chromatographic techniques, and benzoylecgonine was synthesized from purified cocaine. All substances were characterized by ultra‐high‐resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Homogeneity and stability studies were also performed with benzoylecgonine, and the results were evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Cocaine and benzoylecgonine showed purities of 98.37% and 96.34%, respectively. The homogeneity of the batch, short‐term stability, and other parameters were also evaluated, which together indicate this proposal as promising in the development of reference standards for drugs of abuse from samples seized by the Brazilian forensic police.
Population structure and genomic diversity of the Einsiedler horse
Authors: Gmel Annik , Ricard Anne , Gerber Vinzenz , Neuditschko Markus
Published: March 2024

The breeding history of the Einsiedler horse is closely connected with the Benedictine cloister Einsiedeln. In the mid‐nineteenth century, it was decided to use European Warmblood stallions for cross‐breeding and to abandon the selection of stallions. Since that time, it has only been possible to trace back the origin of Einsiedler horses using maternal ancestry information. Here, we collected high‐density genotype data for European Warmblood horses (Selle Français, Swiss Warmblood and Einsiedler) and Franches‐Montagnes horses, the last native Swiss horse breed, to unravel the current population structure of the Einsiedler horse. Using commonly applied methods to ascertain fine‐scale population structures, it was not possible to clearly differentiate the Einsiedler from other European Warmblood horses. However, by means of runs of homozygosity (ROH) we were able to detect breed‐specific ROH islands for the Einsiedler horse, including genes involved in domestication and adaptation to high altitude. Therefore, future breeding activities should involve the screening of these breed‐specific ROH segments, the revival of cryopreserved sperm and the selection of Einsiedler stallions.
Preliminary study on cranial measurements and sexual dimorphism in skull bones of gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus, Smith 1827)
Authors: Vishwakarma Ritesh , Sharma Chandra Prakash , Mondol Samrat , Habib Bilal , Bhandari Bhaskar , Mishra Rajiv , Gupta Nitin , Chauhan Jasbir Singh , Nigam Parag
Published: March 2024

Cranial measurements have been widely used in various studies in wildlife sciences, ranging from understanding predator ecology to wildlife forensics. However, detailed description of morphometry and sexual dimorphism of the skull of gaur Bos gaurus gaurus is lacking. The present study was undertaken to determine the sexual dimorphism based on the cranial measurements of gaur. A total of 12 individual gaur skulls of male (n = 6) and female (n = 6) were studied in the field from the naturally deceased animals between January 2018 and December 2021 in different ranges of Bandhavgarh tiger reserve (BTR), Madhya Pradesh, India. The skull measurements were analysed using univariate and multivariate statistics to determine whether cranial dimensions could be used to differentiate male and female skulls reliably. A total of 43 morphometrical parameters grouped into nine indices were calculated. Select morphometrical parameters viz PL, GFL, AKI, LBB, LFB, GBEE, GBAN, BPOP and GTCH were significantly different (p < 0.05) between sexes, whereas GBAN were significantly higher in female skulls. The measurements demonstrated that the skull of the gaur was dolichocephalic as the profile length and the otion to otion breath in both male and female were <75% of the length. Overall, 28 linear measurements of both the sexes were statistically significant (p < 0.05; <0.01). The calculated indices revealed that the foramen magnum index in the female gaur were significantly higher. In calculated cranial indices the facial index (a) was higher in female and facial index (b) were higher in males. The two important parameters, facial breadth in facial index (a) and the greatest breadth in facial index (b) were positively correlated, though facial index (a) was statistically not significant between the sexes. The greater inner length of the foramen magnum in female skull resulted in foramen being oval whereas it was circular in males. These parameters were decisive for sexual dimorphism, skull comparison and craniological studies. This study ascertained that the frontal index and skull index had no significant influence and were not good indices for discriminating skulls between male and female. Based on the Principal Component Analysis, it was found that skull of male and female gaurs exhibits differences in cranial morphology viz. cranial profile length or total length (PL) and the least inner height of the temporal groove (LIHT). The findings of the present study provide baseline information on various craniometrical measurements of skull of gaur, indices and parameters for sex identification that can be effectively used in understanding sex biased predation ecology, provide base line information to describe variation across its geographic range, and in identifying skulls recovered in wildlife offence cases.
Orbital shape in goat and sheep: Symmetric analysis
Authors: Gürbüz İftar , Demiraslan Yasin , Demircioğlu İsmail , Karaavci Funda Aksünger , Özgel Özcan
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study is to evaluate orbital symmetry in goat and sheep skulls. For this purpose, a total of 83 skulls, including 50 sheep and 33 goat skulls, were used in the study. Geometric morphometry method was applied. For symmetric analysis, one side of each orbit was photographed twice and mirror images were created. There were 36 landmards marked to determine the outer limit of the orbita. As a result of the study, asymmetric components (fluctuating asymmetry and directional asymmetry) for shape were statistically significant in both goats and sheep (p < 0.0001). The first three principal components explained 52.558% of the total shape variation in goats and 61.245% in sheep. This value for symmetric components was 59.095% and 67.742% for goats and sheep, respectively, and 66.791% and 71.154% for asymmetric components. As a result of discriminant function analysis, right and left orbital shapes showed grouping characteristics with similar success rates according to species. Although limited, the right orbit in goats (100%) and the left orbit in sheep (96.5%) were grouped more accurately.
Time‐savoring moderates associations of solitude with depressive mood, loneliness, and somatic symptoms in older adults' daily life
Authors: Wallimann Miriam , Peleg Shira , Pauly Theresa
Published: March 2024

Episodes of solitude (being alone and without social interaction) are common in older age and can relate to decreased well‐being. Identifying everyday resources that help maintain older adults' well‐being in states of solitude is thus important. We investigated associations of daily solitude with subjective and physical well‐being under consideration of time‐savoring (i.e., attending to positive experiences and upregulating positive emotions). 108 older adults aged 65–92 years (M = 73.11, SD = 5.93; 58% women; 85% born in Switzerland) took part in an app‐based daily diary study in 2022. Over 14 consecutive days, participants reported daily solitude, time‐savoring, depressive mood, loneliness, and somatic symptoms in an end‐of‐day diary. Multilevel models revealed that participants reported higher depressive mood and loneliness, but not higher somatic symptoms on days on which they spent more time in solitude than usual. Higher‐than‐usual daily time‐savoring was associated with lower depressive mood, loneliness, and somatic symptoms. Associations of solitude with depressive mood, loneliness, and somatic symptoms were weaker on days on which higher time‐savoring than usual was reported. Findings highlight the potential of everyday time‐savoring as a resource in older adults in the context of increased solitude.
Prevalence of non‐neurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms after kidney transplantation
Authors: Costa Silva Alberto , Pina‐Vaz Teresa , Morgado Afonso , Martins‐Silva Carlos , Antunes‐Lopes Tiago , Alturas Silva João
Published: March 2024

Objective

This review investigates the prevalence of male non‐neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after renal transplant, as kidney transplantation is a transformative intervention for patients with end‐stage renal disease significantly enhancing quality of life that might be diminished by LUTS.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines were followed. A systematic search in the PubMed and Scopus databases was performed using specific terms. Inclusion criteria considered male kidney transplant recipients, analysing outcomes in English‐language studies. Discrepancies were resolved by consultation.

Results

Among 18 studies involving 29 086 recipients, the prevalence of non‐neurogenic LUTS ranged from 5.8% to 33.0%. Studies predominantly used the International Prostate Symptom Score for evaluation. Surgical interventions, mostly for benign prostatic obstruction, ranged from 2.5% to 20.0%. Voiding and post‐micturition symptoms were under‐represented.

Conclusion

This review found varied non‐neurogenic LUTS prevalence and characteristics in male kidney transplant recipients, emphasising the need for standardised assessments, prospective studies, and improved understanding of LUTS mechanisms. Enhanced knowledge can guide interventions, additionally benefiting recipient quality of life.
Poor people's money during times of uncertainty: Uses, meanings and negotiation of monetary aid measures in the pandemic context
Authors: Perez‐Roa Lorena
Published: March 2024

This study sought to explore the uses meanings and negotiation that female heads of household from low‐income areas gave to the transferred money in the COVID health emergency period. Our specific interest is in the withdrawal of 10% of pension funds and the Emergency Family Income (IFE) due to the monetary relevance of both programs. Based on a 10th‐month follow‐up of 14 female heads of household from low‐income areas of Santiago, Chile, this qualitative study examines how the participating women “mark,” in Zelizer's sense, the money they received. Thus, we seek to account for how, based on the source of money, its forms of access and the amounts received, women determine how to use it and assign meaning to its value.
Design and synthesis of Fsp3‐enriched spirocyclic‐substituted diarylpyrimidine derivatives as novel HIV‐1 NNRTIs
Authors: Sang Zihao , Zhang Tao , Wang Zhao , De Clercq Erik , Pannecouque Christophe , Kang Dongwei , Zhan Peng , Liu Xinyong
Published: March 2024

In this study, a novel series of diarylpyrimidine derivatives with Fsp3‐enriched spirocycles were designed and synthesized to further explore the chemical space of the hydrophobic channel of the NNRTI‐binding pocket. The biological evaluation results showed that most of the compounds displayed effective inhibitory potency against the HIV‐1 wild‐type strain, with EC50 values ranging from micromolar to submicromolar levels. Among them, TT6 turned out to be the most effective inhibitor with an EC50 value of 0.17 μM, demonstrating up to 47 times more active than that of reference drug 3TC (EC50 = 8.01 μM). More encouragingly, TT6 was found to potently inhibit the HIV‐1 mutant strain K103N with an EC50 value of 0.69 μM, being about 6‐fold more potent than 3TC (EC50 = 3.68 μM) and NVP (EC50 = 4.62 μM). Furthermore, TT6 exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity toward HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase with an IC50 value of 0.33 μM. Additionally, molecular simulation studies were conducted to investigate the binding modes between TT6 and NNRTI‐binding pocket, which may provide valuable clues for the follow‐up structural optimizations.
Physical health conditions in young children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities: The prevalence and associations between these conditions
Authors: Mol‐Bakker Anouk , Van der Putten Annette A. J. , Krijnen Wim P. , Waninge Aly
Published: March 2024

Background

It is thought that physical health conditions start at a young age in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). Knowledge regarding the prevalence, associations and development of these physical health conditions could be used for purposes of prevention as well as appropriate care and support but is currently lacking.

Objective

The aim of this study is to gain insight into the prevalence of physical health conditions and associations between these conditions in young children with PIMD.

Methods

The study used cross‐sectional data related to the physical health conditions of children with PIMD (n = 51, aged between 12 and 61 months). Data were collected in Belgium and in the Netherlands through a checklist filled in by primary caregiver(s). Physical health conditions were classified into categories by the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD‐10) system. The number of physical health conditions and associations between them were analysed. The analysis focused on prevalence rates and associations represented by odds ratios (p < 0.05). A graphical model was estimated to represent dependencies and conditional dependencies between physical health conditions.

Results

We found a mean of 3.8 (range 1–8, SD 1.9) physical health conditions per child. Most of the physical health conditions were found in the ICD‐10 chapter ‘Nervous System’, with hypotonia as the most frequent at 70.6%. Five significant large associations were found between spasticity–contractures (OR 9.54); circulatory system–contractures (OR 7.50); scoliosis–contractures (OR 10.25); hearing impairments–skin problems (OR 58.20) and obstipation–hypotonia (OR 19.98).

Conclusion

This study shows that at a young age, multiple physical health conditions are present in children with PIMD. In addition, we found five associations between physical health conditions.
Multidisciplinary teams and social science: a patient perspective
Authors: Ostroff Cheri
Published: March 2024

Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are common in colorectal cancer and have been deemed important when providing care. Yet they take place outside of the patient, often with little consideration of the patient's views, goals and desires. In this paper specific examples from a patient perspective are integrated with the social science literature to provide an overview of areas of disconnect between MDT recommendations and the individual patient. The reasons for these disconnects are explored, including how MDTs relate to dyadic patient–clinician relationships, weak incorporation of patient‐oriented outcomes in MDTs, poor integration of nonmedical patient information and the patient perspective and the impact of team dynamics and cognitive decision biases. Consideration of these issues should facilitate higher‐quality MDT recommendations that are also more acceptable to patients.
Assessing ecological and socio‐political factors in site selection for ocelot reintroduction in Texas
Authors: Martinez Lindsay A. , Lombardi Jason V. , Powers Garrett , Anderson Amanda D. , Campbell Tyler , Lopez Roel R.
Published: March 2024

Wildlife reintroduction site selection requires the consideration of not only a species' ecology but also socio‐political factors that may impact conservation efforts. These socio‐political dimensions may be especially important for endangered carnivore reintroductions on private lands in the United States, where landowner support for the reintroduction is a necessity given landowner concerns about ecological and legal impacts of carnivore restoration. We designed an assessment to identify potential sites for reintroduction of the federally endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis pardalis) in Texas, a state where over 97% of lands are privately owned. We incorporated International Union for Conservation of Nature recommendations into a geospatial analysis evaluating potential reintroduction sites based on site size, ecological and life history requirements of ocelots, potential natural and anthropogenic threats, and the socio‐political context of each site. We identified the five highest‐ranking sites that had species‐specific suitable landscape structure of woody cover, fine‐scale vegetative cover, minimal natural and anthropogenic threats, and that present land ownership patterns that are logistically feasible for conservation planners to navigate. Our assessment provided information for ocelot conservation planning and established a framework for incorporating private land data into large‐scale assessments of wildlife reintroduction sites on private lands.
Quantitative assessment of left ventricular myocardial work in patients with different types of atrial fibrillation by non‐invasive pressure‐strain loop technique
Authors: Liu Tingting , Liu Hailan , Song Yan , Huang Yulin , Zhang Chunquan
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aimed to analyze myocardial work in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) using a noninvasive pressure strain loop (PSL) technique to provide a basis for the quantitative assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function.

Methods

LV myocardial work of 107 AF patients (56 with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and 51 with persistent atrial fibrillation) and 55 healthy individuals were assessed by the noninvasive PSL and then compared.

Results

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) in absolute values, global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were significantly lower in the AF group than control group, whereas peak strain dispersion (PSD) and global wasted work (GWW) were significantly higher (P < .05). Further subdivision according to the AF type revealed that, compared with the controls, GLS in absolute values and GWE decreased significantly; PSD and GWW increased significantly in the paroxysmal AF group (P < .05). Nevertheless, GWI and GCW were not significantly different between paroxysmal AF and control groups (P > .05). Compared to paroxysmal AF, persistent AF induced a further decrease in absolute GLS and GWE and a further increase in GWW (P < .05), but PSD did not increase further (P > .05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that GWI and GCW were independently associated with systolic blood pressure. GWW was associated with types of AF and left atrial volume index (LAVI). GWE was correlated with age, types of AF, disease duration, and LAVI. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve predicting myocardial injury was higher for GWE and GWW than for GLS (area under the curve:  .880,  .846, and  .821, respectively).

Conclusions

Non‐invasive PSL can quantitatively assess LV systolic function in patients with different kinds of AF and detect early subclinical myocardial injury in patients with paroxysmal AF. GWE and GWW outperform GLS and LV ejection fraction when assessing myocardial injury. Systolic blood pressure, type of AF, LVAI, disease duration, and age may be associated with myocardial injury in patients with AF.