bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linking root-associated fungal and bacterial functions to root economics
Authors: Wu Ran , Zeng Xiaoyue , McCormack M. Luke , Fernandez Christopher W. , Yang Yin , Guo Hui , Xi Meijie , Liu Yu , Qi Xiangbin , Liang Shuang , Juenger Thomas E. , Koide Roger T. , Chen Weile
Published: December 2023

Tree roots form symbioses with soil microbes to acquire nutrients, but the relationships between root nutrient acquisition strategies and microbial community composition remain poorly understood. Here, we measured root traits and root-associated fungal and bacterial guilds in 336 trees of 52 species from a subtropical forest. We found a fungal gradient from ectomycorrhizal to saprotrophic dominance, which corresponded with a shift from organic to mineral nutrient economics. This fungal gradient was aligned with the increase of root nitrogen concentration, suggesting a linkage from simple root trait to fungal-mediated carbon-nutrient cycling. We also found that the functional composition of fungal and bacterial communities was closely correlated with host root-zone pH, which often varied among coexisting trees. Root-zone pH was independent of the common root traits, underpinning a potential new gradient in the root trait space. Our findings integrate microbial functions into the root economics framework, thereby advancing the understanding of diversity of nutrient acquisition strategies across forest trees.
Poverty trajectories and child and mother wellbeing outcomes in Ireland: findings from an Irish prospective cohort
Authors: Driscoll David J O , Kiely Elizabeth , Keeffe Linda M O , Khashan Ali S
Published: December 2023

Background

Poverty is associated with poor outcomes, yet exposure to distinct poverty trajectories in early childhood is not well understood.

Objective

To understand the prevalence of different trajectories of household poverty and their association with mid-childhood and primary-parent(mother) indicators of physical health and psychopathology in Ireland.

Methods

We used a nationally representative, prospective cohort (Growing-up-in-Ireland– Infant-Cohort). Household poverty included lowest third income decile, subjective poverty and material deprivation when children were aged 9-months(m),3,5,9-years(y). We used group based multi-trajectory-cluster-modelling to classify trajectories of poverty. Using multivariate logistic regression, adjusted with separate child and mother confounders, we assessed the association of poverty trajectories from 9m to 9y with child outcomes (overweight, any longstanding illness and psychopathology) at age 9y and the same poverty trajectories over the same 9y period with mother outcomes (overweight, any longstanding illness and depression).

Results

Of 11,134 participants, four trajectories were identified: never-in-poverty (43.1%), material/subjective>monetary-poverty (16.1%), monetary>material-poverty (25.6%), and persistent-poverty (15.2%). Children in persistent-poverty compared with never in poverty experienced higher odds of being overweight at 9y (adjusted odds ratio aOR 1.70,95% CI 1.34, 2.16), having a longstanding illness (aOR 1.51,95% CI 1.20, 1.91) and psychopathology (aOR 2.06,95% CI 1.42, 2.99). The outcomes for primary parent (99.7% were mothers) had higher odds of being overweight (aOR 1.49,95% CI 1.16, 1.92), having a longstanding illness (aOR 2.13,95% CI 1.63, 2.79), and depression (aOR 3.54,95% CI 2.54, 4.94).

Conclusions

Any poverty trajectory was associated with poorer psychopathology and physical wellbeing in late childhood for children and their mothers in Ireland.

Take home message

What is already known on this subject?

Poverty is understood as having both objective (e.g. low household income) and subjective dimensions (e.g., perception of being poor relative to others, poverty related anxiety). Evidence highlights the association between child poverty exposure and child and mother wellbeing outcomes.

What this study adds?

Our study examined predicted trajectories of multi-dimensional poverty and child and mother outcomes using a large national cohort. We identified that any poverty trajectory in childhood had a higher odds of being associated with poor well-being outcomes.

How this study might affect research, practice or policy?

This study highlights the need for strategies to ameliorate any poverty exposure as all poverty trajectories resulted in poorer wellbeing outcomes. Strategies should be considered to ameliorate any poverty exposure in early childhood (e.g., school based resourcing).
DISCHARGE PLANNING PATIENT STROKE A NURSING SCIENCE PHILOSOPHY: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Retnaningsih Dwi , Pandin Moses Glorino Rumambo , Nursalam Nursalam , Ramadhani Desi
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The quality of life and health of the patient are strongly influenced by the high incidence of stroke in a particular community or population. After the early recovery phase, recovery planning is crucial, as individuals who have suffered a stroke face uncertainty about the long-term recovery process as well as adjustments in everyday life. The objective of the research is to discuss the philosophical review of discharge planning for stroke patients from the points of view of ontology, epistemology, and axiology, with a focus on the philosophy of nursing science.

Materials and methods

In accordance with PRISMA (2017–2023) criteria, the study is a review of the literature. Keyword searches for “discharge planning,” “stroke,” “patients,” and “RCT” were conducted in the databases of Scopus, Science Direct, and ProQuest. The inclusion criteria encompassed quantitative research design, English-language publications, studies involving adult stroke patients, interventions related to discharge planning, and analysis evaluating discharge planning for stroke patients, yielding 281 identified papers. The Rayyan application is used in the selection process. PICO synthesis and grouping, which are based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review, are used in the analysis. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Assessment methodology, methodological quality assessment demonstrates that a multidisciplinary approach through ontological, epistemological, and axiological investigations offers a solid basis for enhancing health information systems and clinical practice.

Results

There are twenty-two quantitative research findings that show the features of the respondents, who were family caregivers and stroke patients. Ensuring that stroke victims receive the best care possible when they leave the hospital is the aim of recovery planning. In the process, families, patients, and health care providers collaborate. Patient assessment, treatment planning, medication scheduling, patient and family education, advanced care planning, mental and spiritual health support, health service coordination, medical recordkeeping, and monitoring are all essential elements of recovery planning.

Conclusion

Thorough recovery planning guarantees effective monitoring of medical records and coordination of treatment, improving the post-hospital experience for stroke patients. With an emphasis on the best possible recovery, this planning aims to offer focused and well-coordinated treatment. Stroke patients should anticipate comprehensive and well-coordinated post-hospital treatment, which will benefit both patients and families, thanks to the cooperation of health care professionals, patients, and families.
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) patient information-seeking behavior: a qualitative study
Authors: Mayette Emma , Scalise Ariel , Li Angela , McGeorge Nicolette , James Kaitlyn , Mahalingaiah Shruthi
Published: December 2023

Objective

To investigate patient interaction with information sources while undergoing assisted reproductive treatment.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with fifteen individuals were conducted between August and October 2022. Interview participants underwent assisted reproductive treatment including embryo transfer between January 2017 and April 2022 within a large urban healthcare system. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts was performed.

Results

Participants reported that they engaged in informed decision-making with their provider. Three main themes were identified. Participants 1) utilized clinic-provided information and then turned to outside sources to fill knowledge gaps; 2) struggled to learn about costs and insurance; 3) had difficulty identifying mental health resources to support care.

Conclusion

Patients prefer clinic-provided resources and then utilize academic sources, the internet, and social media when they have unfulfilled information needs. Knowledge gaps related to cost, insurance, and mental health support were identified.

Practice Implications

ART clinics should consider providing more information about cost, insurance, and mental health support to patients.
Rapid dexamethasone treatment inhibits LPS-induced cytokine storm in mice
Authors: Zhang Fen , Xiao Lanlan , Li Yujia , Feng Rilu , Zhou Menghao , Tang Shima , Liebe Roman , Ebert Matthias P , Dooley Steven , Li Lanjuan , Weng Hong-Lei
Published: December 2023

Severe infection-induced cytokine storm is an urgent medical syndrome with high mortality. To date, no therapy is available. This study shows that high concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induce cytokine storm within 48h and thus kill most experimental mice. Rapid, but not late dexamethasone administration remarkably inhibits cytokine storm and rescues LPS-treated mice. Monocytes and macrophages are the major source of cytokine storm. In these cells, pro-inflammatory genes (i.e.,Tnf,Il6andIl1β) have preassembled RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II), but stay at the pause stage of transcriptional elongation in the absence of stimulation. LPS rapidly activates transcription of these “pre-loaded” genes within 2h. Administration of dexamethasone within this time window inhibits RNA Pol II ser2 binding to the core promoters of pro-inflammatory genes and thus reduces LPS-induced cytokine transcription. Therefore, rapid utilization of dexamethasone might be efficacious to prevent severe bacterium-induced cytokine storm in clinical practice.
Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex recruits retromer to trans-Golgi network for FgKex2 and FgSnc1 recycling, necessary for development and pathogenicity ofFusarium graminearum
Authors: Long Yunfei , Chen Xin , Chen Jia , Zhang Haoran , Lin Ying , Cheng Shuyuan , Pu Neng , Zhou Xuandong , Sheng Renzhi , Abubakar Yakubu Saddeeq , Zheng Huawei , Yun Yingzi , Lu Guodong , Wang Zonghua , Zheng Wenhui
Published: December 2023

In eukaryotic cells, the retromer complex plays a crucial role in orchestrating the sorting and retrograde transport of cargo proteins from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Despite its significance, the molecular details of this intracellular trafficking process remain unclear. Here, we identified a Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex as a mediator of vesicular transport, facilitating the recruitment of the retromer complex to TGN to exert its functions. The GARP complex is mainly localized to the TGN, where it interacts with the retromer complex. This interaction is evolutionarily conserved across different species. Furthermore, we identified FgKex2 and Fgsnc1 as cargo proteins in the GARP/retromer-mediated recycling pathway. Loss of GARP or retromer results in a complete mis-sorting of FgKex2 and FgSnc1 to the vacuolar degradation pathway, which affects the growth, development, toxisome biogenesis, and pathogenicity ofF. graminearum. In summary, we assert that GARP facilitates the recruitment of retromer from endosomes to the TGN, orchestrating the recycling of FgKex2 and FgSnc1. This is integral to sustaining continuous growth, development and contributes significantly to the pathogenicity ofF. graminearum.
Low-dimensional neural geometry underlies distributed goal representations in working memory
Authors: Zhang Mengya , Yu Qing
Published: December 2023

Successful goal-directed behavior requires the maintenance and implementation of abstract task goals on concrete stimulus information in working memory. Previous working memory research has revealed distributed neural representations of task information across cortex. However, how the distributed task representations emerge and communicate with stimulus-specific information to implement flexible goal-directed computations is still unclear. Here, leveraging EEG and fMRI along with state space analyses, we provided converging evidence in support of a low-dimensional neural geometry of goal information consistent with a designed task space, which first emerged in frontal cortex during goal maintenance and then transferred to posterior sensory cortex through frontomedial-to-posterior theta coherence for implementation on stimulus-specific representations. Importantly, the fidelity of the goal geometry predicted memory performance. Collectively, our findings suggest that abstract goals in working memory are represented in an organized, low-dimensional neural geometry for communications from frontal to posterior cortex to enable computations necessary for goal-directed behaviors.
A precise IDMS-based method for absolute quantification of phytohemagglutinin, a major antinutritional component in common bean
Authors: Li Lan , Chu Zhanying , Ning Kang , Zhu Manman , Zhai Rui , Xu Pei
Published: December 2023

Phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a natural tetramer comprising PHA-E and PHA-L subunits that preferentially bind to red and white blood cells, respectively, constitutes a significant antinutritional and allergenic factor in common bean seeds. The accurate measurement of PHA content is a prerequisite for ensuring food safety inspections and facilitating genetic improvements in common bean cultivars with reduced PHA levels. Currently, mainstream methods for PHA quantification involve hemagglutination assays and immunodetection, but these methods often require fresh animal blood and lack specificity and accuracy. In this study, we present a novel LC-MS/MS-based method for PHA quantification, leveraging the advantages of isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). Two signature peptides each for PHA-E and PHA-L, along with a common signature peptide, were identified and employed for quantification, allowing differentiation between PHA-E and PHA-L subunits. The incorporation of amino acid analysis-isotope dilution mass spectrometry (AAA-IDMS) enabled precise determination of the synthetic signature peptides’ purity during measurement, enhancing metrological accuracy. In addition, the TCA-acetone protocol was established as the optimized method for total protein extraction from dry bean seeds. Quantitative analysis of PHA-E and PHA-L subunits in six common bean varieties using the developed method demonstrated excellent linearity (r > 0.999), sensitivity (limit of detection and quantitation as low as 2.32 ng/mg and 7.73 ng/mg, respectively), recovery (94.18-104.47%), and repeatability (relative standard deviation < 3.45%). This method has the potential to serve as a standard for measuring PHA contents in common beans and other agricultural products containing PHA.
Deciphering the Cofilin Oligomers via Intermolecular Disulfide Bond Formation: A Coarse-grained Molecular Dynamics Approach to Understanding Cofilin’s Regulation on Actin Filaments
Authors: Li Chengxuan , Wei Tingyi , Cheung Margaret S , Tsai Min-Yeh
Published: December 2023

Cofilin, a key actin-binding protein, orchestrates the dynamics of the actomyosin network through its actin-severing activity and by promoting the recycling of actin monomers. Recent experimental work suggests that cofilin also forms functionally distinct oligomers through thiol post-translational modification (PTM) that encourages actin nucleation and assembly. Despite these advances, the structural conformations of cofilin oligomers that modulate actin activity remain elusive because there are combinatorial ways to oxidize thiols in cysteines to form disulfide bonds rapidly. This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to investigate human cofilin 1 as a case study for exploring cofilin dimers via disulfide bond formation. Using the free energy profiling, our simulations unveil a range of probable cofilin dimer structures not represented in current Protein Data Bank entries. These candidate dimers are characterized by their distinct population distributions and relative free energies. Of particular note is a dimer featuring an interface between cysteines 139 and 147 residues, which demonstrates stable free energy characteristics and intriguingly symmetrical geometry. In contrast, the experimentally proposed dimer structure exhibits a less stable free energy profile. We also evaluate frustration quantification based on the energy landscape theory in the protein-protein interactions at the dimer interfaces. Notably, the 39-39 dimer configuration emerges as a promising candidate for forming cofilin tetramers, as substantiated by frustration analysis. Additionally, docking simulations with actin filaments further evaluate the stability of these cofilin dimer-actin complexes. Our findings thus offer a computational framework for understanding the role of thiol post-translational modification of cofilin proteins in regulating oligomerization, and the subsequent cofilin-mediated actin dynamics in the actomyosin network.
Nifurpirinol: A potent inducer of FSGS-like glomerular injury in transgenic zebrafish
Authors: Klawitter Marianne , Siegerist Florian , Daniel Sophie , Schindler Maximilian , Endlich Nicole
Published: December 2023

Identifying effective drugs for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) treatment holds significant importance. Our high-content drug screening on zebrafish larvae relies on nitroreductase/metronidazole (NTR/MTZ)-induced podocyte ablation to generate FSGS-like injury. A crucial factor for successful drug screenings is minimizing variability in injury induction. For this, we introduce Nifurpirinol (NFP) as a more reliable prodrug for targeted podocyte depletion. NFP showed a 2.3-fold increase in efficiency at concentrations 1600-fold lower compared to MTZ-mediated injury induction. Integration into the screening workflow validated its suitability for the high-content drug screening. The presence of crucial FSGS hallmarks, including podocyte foot process effacement, proteinuria, and activation of parietal epithelial cells, was observed. In this study, we demonstrate that NFP serves as remarkably effective prodrug for inducing an FSGS-like phenotype in zebrafish larvae and proves to be well-suited for a high-content drug screening, aiding in the identification of potential candidates for FSGS treatment.
Mechanical strengthening of cell-cell adhesion during mouse embryo compaction
Authors: de Plater Ludmilla , Firmin Julie , Maître Jean-Léon
Published: December 2023

Compaction is the first morphogenetic movement of the eutherian mammals and involves a developmentally regulated adhesion process. Previous studies investigated cellular and mechanical aspects of compaction. During mouse and human compaction, cells spread onto each other as a result of a contractility-mediated increase in surface tension pulling at the edges of their cell-cell contacts. However, how compaction may affect the mechanical stability of cell-cell contacts remains unknown. Here, we used a dual pipette aspiration assay on cell doublets to quantitatively analyze the mechanical stability of compacting mouse embryos. We measured increased mechanical stability of contacts with rupture forces growing from 40 to 70 nN, which was highly correlated with cell-cell contact expansion. Analyzing the dynamic molecular reorganization of cell-cell contacts, we find minimal recruitment of the cell-cell adhesion molecule Cdh1 (also known as E-cadherin) to contacts but we observe its reorganization into a peripheral adhesive ring. However, this reorganization is not associated with increased effective bond density, contrary to previous reports in other adhesive systems. Using genetics, we reduce the levels of Cdh1 or replace it with a chimeric adhesion molecule composed of the extracellular domain of Cdh1 and the intracellular domain of Cdh2 (also known as N-cadherin). We find that reducing the levels of Cdh1 impairs the mechanical stability of cell-cell contacts due to reduced contact growth, which nevertheless show higher effective bond density than WT contacts of similar size. On the other hand, chimeric adhesion molecules cannot form large or strong contacts indicating that the intracellular domain of Cdh2 is unable to reorganize contacts and/or is mechanically weaker than the one of Cdh1 in mouse embryos. Together, we find that mouse embryo compaction mechanically strengthens cell-cell adhesion via the expansion of Cdh1 adhesive rings that maintain pre-compaction levels of effective bond density.
TGF-beta dynamically controls epithelial identity in a 3D model of human epiblast
Authors: Zorzan Irene , Carbognin Elena , Lauria Andrea , Proserpio Valentina , Benegnù Davide , Dalrio Caterina , Arboit Mattia , Paolucci Irene , Drusin Andrea , Sledziowska Monika , Amadei Gianluca , Oliviero Salvatore , Martello Graziano
Published: December 2023

Pluripotency is the ability to give rise to all cell types of the body and is first observed in a mass of disorganised cells of the embryo. Upon implantation, pluripotent cells form a columnar epithelium and undergo lumenogenesis. At gastrulation, a portion of the pluripotent epiblast will undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), forming the primitive streak (PS).

It still remains unclear what molecular mechanism supports the epithelial identity of the pluripotent epiblast before gastrulation. Here we developed an optimised, chemically defined 3D model of human pluripotent epiblast formation in which conventional pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) self-organise into a columnar epithelium with a lumen in 48 hours. From 72 hours we observed spontaneous symmetry breaking and specification of PS-like cells, as confirmed by single-cell RNA sequencing.

We found that Insulin and FGF signalling are both required for the proliferation and survival of the pluripotent epiblast model. Conversely, TGF-beta signalling maintains epithelial identity. Epithelial identity appears uncoupled from the expression of canonical pluripotency markers OCT4, NANOG and PRDM14, but under the control of ZNF398. Once the pluripotent epithelium is established, TGF-beta inhibition is inconsequential, and stimulation with Activin A leads to highly efficient PS induction. We conclude that TGF-beta dynamically orchestrates epithelial identity of human pluripotent cells.
Changes in ADAR1 activity duringPlasmodiuminfection contribute to protection from malaria
Authors: Quin Jaclyn , Kopel Eli , Gawish Riem , Eidelman Michelle , Vukić Dragana , Linhartová Pavla , Melicherová Janka , Sinigaglia Ketty , Ghodrati Sajjad , Arama Charles , Nebie Issa , Troye-Blomberg Marita , Sverremark-Ekström Eva , Knapp Sylvia , Modry David , Östlund-Farrants Ann-Kristin , Levanon Erez , Keegan Liam P. , O’Connell Mary A.
Published: December 2023

Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) suppresses the activation of multiple antiviral immune response pathways. Here, we investigate the role of ADAR1 during infection with thePlasmodiumparasite, which causes malaria and is responsible for over almost a half million childhood deaths every year. Reduced activity of ADAR1 duringPlasmodiuminfection is associated with populations protected from clinical malaria. In animal models,Adar+/-mice are protected fromP. yoeliiparasitemia, via a previously unreported pathway. These mice display elevated Type-I IFN responses and CD8+T cell activation, but no detrimental immune responses. Our results suggest that a decrease in the levels of ADAR1 occurs during infection and can drive both innate and adaptive immune responses, and this presents a previously unrecognized opportunity for targeting ADAR1 in diverse infectious diseases.
Self-renewing Sox9+ osteochondral stem cells in the postnatal skeleton
Authors: Farhat Stephanie , Tilouche Bahaeddine , Short Spencer , Piron Medjie , Campbell T. Mark , Fernandes Alex , Somyk Mariya , Bandukwala Hina , Arezza Eric , Sastourne-Arrey Quentin , Reilly Katherine , Chakra Maria Abou , Bader Gary , Kunz Leo , Schroeder Timm , Carsen Sasha , Mattar Pierre , Dilworth Jeffrey , Coutu Daniel L.
Published: December 2023

Postnatal skeletal growth, homeostatic maintenance, and regeneration is driven by skeletal stem cells. In addition, it is well established that skeletal tissues lose their regenerative potential with age, comorbidities, and repeated trauma, possibly through stem cell exhaustion or loss of function. However, it is largely unknown where these cells reside in skeletal tissues, what molecular mechanisms regulate their self-renewal and fate decisions, and how to isolate, purify, and expand them ex vivo. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a deeper understanding of postnatal skeletal stem cells. Here, we used genetic lineage tracing, thymidine analogues retention, whole bone microscopy, imaging cytometry, in vitro assays, and single cell transcriptomics and provide the first experimental evidence for the existence of self-renewing osteochondral stem cells in the postnatal skeleton in both males and females. We also show direct comparisons between adult, fetal, mouse, and human skeletal stem cells at the transcriptome level.
Translation inhibition efficacy does not determine thePlasmodium bergheiliver stage antiplasmodial efficacy of protein synthesis inhibitors
Authors: McLellan James L. , Hanson Kirsten K.
Published: December 2023

Protein synthesis is a core cellular process, necessary throughout the complex lifecycle ofPlasmodiumparasites, thus specific translation inhibitors would be a valuable class of antimalarial drugs, capable of both treating symptomatic infections in the blood and providing chemoprotection by targeting the initial parasite population in the liver, preventing both human disease and parasite transmission back to the mosquito host. As increasing numbers of antiplasmodial compounds are identified that converge mechanistically at inhibition of cytoplasmic translation, regardless of molecular target or mechanism, it would be useful to gain deeper understanding of how their effectiveness as liver stage translation inhibitors relates to their chemoprotective potential. Here, we probed that relationship using theP. berghei-HepG2 liver stage infection model. Using o-propargyl puromycin-based labeling of the nascent proteome inP. berghei-infected HepG2 monolayers coupled with automated confocal feedback microscopy to generate unbiased, single parasite image sets ofP. bergheiliver stage translation, we determined translation inhibition EC50sfor five compounds, encompassing parasite-specific aminoacyl tRNA synthetase inhibitors, compounds targeting the ribosome in both host and parasite, as well as DDD107498, which targetsPlasmodiumeEF2, and is a leading antimalarial candidate compound being clinically developed as cabamiquine. Compounds were then tested at equivalent effective concentrations to compare the parasite response to, and recovery from, a brief period of translation inhibition in early schizogony, with parasites followed up to 120 hours post-infection to assess liver stage antiplasmodial effects of the treatment. Our data conclusively show that translation inhibition efficacyper sedoes not determine a translation inhibitor’s antiplasmodial efficacy. DDD107498 was the least effective translation inhibitor, yet exerted the strongest antimalarial effects at both 5x- and 10x EC50concentrations. We show compound-specific heterogeneity in single parasite and population responses to translation inhibitor treatment, with no single metric strongly correlated to release of hepatic merozoites for all compound, demonstrate that DDD107498 is capable of exerting antiplasmodial effects on translationally arrested liver stage parasites, and uncover unexpected growth dynamics during the liver stage. Our results demonstrate that translation inhibition efficacy cannot function as a proxy for antiplasmodial effectiveness, and highlight the importance of exploring the ultimate, as well as proximate, mechanisms of action of these compounds on liver stage parasites.
“Off-pore” nucleoporins relocalize heterochromatic breaks through phase separation
Authors: Merigliano Chiara , Ryu Taehyun , See Colby D. , Caridi Christopher P. , Li Xiao , Butova Nadejda L. , Reynolds Trevor W. , Deng Changfeng , Chenoweth David M. , Capelson Maya , Chiolo Irene
Published: December 2023

Phase separation forms membraneless compartments in the nuclei, including by establishing heterochromatin “domains” and repair foci. Pericentromeric heterochromatin mostly comprises repeated sequences prone to aberrant recombination, and “safe” homologous recombination (HR) repair of these sequences requires the movement of repair sites to the nuclear periphery before Rad51 recruitment and strand invasion. How this mobilization initiates is unknown, and the contribution of phase separation to these dynamics is unclear. Here, we show that Nup98 nucleoporin is recruited to heterochromatic repair sites before relocalization through Sec13 or Nup88 nucleoporins, and downstream from the Smc5/6 complex and SUMOylation. Remarkably, the phase separation properties of Nup98 are required and sufficient to mobilize repair sites and exclude Rad51, thus preventing aberrant recombination while promoting HR repair. Disrupting this pathway results in heterochromatin repair defects and widespread chromosome rearrangements, revealing a novel “off-pore” role for nucleoporins and phase separation in nuclear dynamics and genome integrity in a multicellular eukaryote.

Highlights

Nup88 and Sec13 recruit Nup98 to heterochromatic DSBs downstream from Smc5/6

Nup88, Sec13 and Nup98 promote repair focus mobilization in heterochromatin ‘off-pore’

Nup98 excludes Rad51 from repair sites inside the heterochromatin domain

Phase separation by Nup98 is required and sufficient for relocalization and Rad51 exclusion
A temporal allocation of amino acid resources ensures fitness and body allometry
Authors: Valzania Luca , Alami Aya , Léopold Pierre
Published: December 2023

Organisms have evolved strategies to store resources and overcome periods of low or no nutrient access including transient shortages or longer non-feeding developmental transitions. Holometabolous insects likeDrosophilarepresent an attractive model to study resource allocation during development since they alternate feeding and non-feeding periods. Amino acids are essential components for tissue growth and renewal, but the strategies used for their storage remain largely unexplored. Here, we uncover a 2-step mechanism for the temporal production, storage and use of specific storage proteins called hexamerins. Moreover, we show that modulating amino acid storage affects the relative growth of organs across developmental phases and, as a consequence, alters body allometry and adult fitness.
Filamin protects myofibrils from contractile damage through changes in its mechanosensory region
Authors: Fisher Lucas AB , Carriquí-Madroñal Belén , Mulder Tiara , Huelsmann Sven , Schöck Frieder , González-Morales Nicanor
Published: December 2023

Filamins are mechanosensitive actin crosslinking proteins that organize the actin cytoskeleton in a variety of shapes and tissues. In muscles, filamin crosslinks actin filaments from opposing sarcomeres, the smallest contractile units of muscles. This happens at the Z-disc, the actin-organizing center of sarcomeres. In flies and vertebrates, filamin mutations lead to fragile muscles that appear ruptured, suggesting filamin helps counteract muscle rupturing during muscle contractions either by providing elastic support or through signaling. The mechanistic details of filamin in this process are largely unknown. Here we use the indirect flight muscles of Drosophila to interrogate the molecular details by which filamin provides cohesion to the Z-disc. We made novel filamin mutations affecting the C-terminal region and detected two Z-disc phenotypes: dissociation of actin filamins and Z-disc rupture. We focused on the ruptured defect and tested a constitutively closed filamin mutant, which results in ruptured Z-discs, and a constitutively open mutant which gives rise to enlarged Z-discs. Finally, we show that muscle contraction is required for Z-disc rupture. We therefore propose that filamin senses myofibril damage by elastic changes in its mechanosensory region, which induces myofibril repair.
Differentiating erythroblasts adapt to turbulent flow by accelerating maturation and activating cholesterol biosynthesis
Authors: Iacono Giulia , Abay Asena , Gallego Murillo Joan S. , Aglialoro Francesca , Yagci Nurcan , Fu Kerly , Svendsen Arthur F. , von Lindern Marieke , van den Akker Emile
Published: December 2023

In vitroculture of erythroblasts (EBL) and production of mature erythrocytes for transfusions requires upscaling in fluidic-turbulent bioreactors, resulting in membrane shear stress. For the implementation of erythroid cultures in bioreactors, understanding the effects of mechanical stress on terminal EBL differentiation is required. To this end, we investigated the effect of orbital shaking-induced shear stress on differentiating CD49d+CD235lowprimary human EBL towards enucleated reticulocytes at the molecular, cellular, and functional level. Orbital shaking at the onset of EBL differentiation enhanced cell maturation increasing enucleation percentage compared to static cultures, without cell viability loss. Transcriptome analysis uncovered 505 genes differentially expressed between static and dynamic cultures, with genes involved in lipid and cholesterol biosynthesis upregulated in dynamic conditions. In line with this, cells differentiated in orbital-shakers showed increased cholesterol concentration and osmotic resistance compared to static cultures. HMGCR (3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA-Reductase), rate-limiting enzyme of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, showed earlier and significantly higher induction during differentiation in dynamic. The severe loss of EBL in dynamic, but not in static conditions, due to HMGCR inhibition confirmed the ability of EBL to adapt to shear stress through modulating of their transcriptional program and upregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis. This work sheds light into specific mechanisms that will assist the successful upscaling of erythroid differentiation in turbulent bioreactors. In addition, as shear-stress on hematopoietic cells is also occurring within the bone marrow niche, these results introduces a potential novel signalling axis that need to be integrated into the known transduction pathways that control erythropoiesis.
Novel fuel-saving detumbling strategy for post-capture combined spacecraft
Authors: Zhou Qing , Liu Yuanqing , Liu Xiaofeng , Cai Guoping
Published: December 2023

Purpose

In the post-capture stage, the tumbling target rotates the combined spacecraft system, and the detumbling operation performed by the space robot is required. To save the costly onboard fuel of the space robot, this paper aims to present a novel post-capture detumbling strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Actuated by the joint rotations of the manipulator, the combined system is driven from three-axis tumbling state to uniaxial rotation about its maximum principal axis. Only unidirectional thrust perpendicular to the axis is needed to slow down the uniaxial rotation, thus saving the thruster fuel. The optimization problem of the collision-free detumbling trajectory of the space robot is described, and it is optimized by the particle swarm optimization algorithm.

Findings

The numerical simulation results show that along the trajectory planned by the detumbling strategy, the maneuver of the manipulator can precisely drive the combined system to rotate around its maximum principal axis, and the final kinetic energy of the combined system is smaller than the initial. The unidirectional thrust and the lower kinetic energy can ensure the fuel-saving in the subsequent detumbling stage.

Originality/value

This paper presents a post-capture detumbling strategy to drive the combined system from three-axis tumbling state to uniaxial rotation about its maximum principal axis by redistributing the angular momentum of the parts of the combined system. The strategy reduces the thrust torque for detumbling to effectively save the thruster fuel.
IPR of Lays variety potato – Is it a matter of public or private interests?
Authors: S Jayakrishnan
Published: December 2023

Learning outcomes

The objectives of the case study are to provide an overview of intellectual property rights and intellectual property rights in Indian context; understand the intellectual property rights implementation and challenges for implementing it in emerging economies; understand what would be the best approach that companies can adopt when the companies face backlash in such circumstances; and explore the scope for redefining the intellectual property rights in the changing global environment.

Case overview/synopsis

In December 2021, the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) in India revoked the plant variety protection (PVP) certificate granted to PepsiCo India Holding (PHI) for its Lays variety potato (FL-2027, known as FC-5). The FC-5 variety possessed low moisture content which made it suitable for making potato chips. The controversy started with Pepsi suing the small and marginal farmers of Gujarat for alleged patent infringement and cultivating the patented variety. Pepsi’s legal suit against nine marginal potato farmers in Gujarat initiated the dispute over how intellectual property (IP) rights are used to intimidate small, marginal farmers and its infringement of farmers’ rights. But, on the other side, the interesting aspect was how IP infringement could be a setback for the companies that made the capital investment to develop the variety. The case study discusses the backlash Pepsi faced due to this IP rights legal suit and the punitive aspects of IP rights (IPR) law. Moreover, in the context of the global pandemic, the case study helped discuss the need to redefine the intellectual property rights regime keeping in mind global welfare.

Complexity academic level

The case is intended for use in postgraduate-level management courses in agricultural marketing, agribusiness, international business and economics. This study can help management students understand how IPR is defined, the apparent complexities associated with it and the adverse effect of it on small and marginal farmers in emerging economies.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 5: International business.
Lean manufacturing practices and industry 4.0 technologies in food manufacturing companies: the Greek case
Authors: Psomas Evangelos , Deliou Cleopatra
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Food manufacturing companies which are essential for national economies, need to attach importance to the adoption of both the lean manufacturing (LM) operational excellence methodology and the Industry I4.0 (I4.0) technologies that empower LM to achieve operational improvement. This study aims to focus on the Greek food manufacturing companies and determine the degree of implementation of LM practices and I4.0 technologies and the impact of I4.0 on LM.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted based on a structured questionnaire which included items reflecting LM practices and I4.0 technologies. A sample of Greek food manufacturing companies were approached and 102 of them fully completed the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were applied to determine the degree of implementation of LM practices and I4.0 technologies, while the impact of I4.0 on LM was determined through the linear regression analysis.

Findings

The degree of implementation of LM practices in the responding food manufacturing companies is high, while the degree of implementation of I4.0 technologies is low to medium. The findings also support a significant and positive impact of I4.0 on LM.

Research limitations/implications

The small size of the sample of the responding Greek food manufacturing companies, the subjective character of the data collected and the cross-sectional nature of the study, constitute the main limitations of the study. Based on these limitations, further studies can be designed.

Practical implications

The present study findings can guide the managers of the food manufacturing companies to further increase the degree of implementation of LM practices through adopting I4.0 technologies. Therefore, they can improve quality, eliminate waste, survive and be more competitive in the current difficult business environment. Academics can also benefit from the present study, given that it provides the LM practices and I4.0 technologies that can be further tested and validated in the food sector.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that focuses on LM and I4.0 in the Greek food manufacturing companies operating in a business environment where the crises of finance, energy and the Covid-19 pandemic dominate.
Political tensions and technological innovation driving the military robot business
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed insight into the global military robot industry with an emphasis on products and their applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction which includes a brief historical account, this provides an industry overview, including various market dimensions and a discussion of the geopolitical and technological factors driving market development. The three following sections provide details of land, airborne and marine robots, their capabilities and deployments in recent conflicts. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

Findings

Military robots which operate on land, in the air and at sea constitute a multi-billion dollar industry which is growing rapidly. It is being driven by geopolitical tensions, notably the military-technology arms race between China and the USA and the conflict in Ukraine, together with technological progress, particularly in AI. Many robots possess multi-functional capabilities, and the leading application is presently intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. An increasing number of heavily armed robots are being developed, and AI has the potential to impart these with the capacity to deliver lethal force without human intervention. Although heavily criticised in some quarters, this capability has probably already been deployed on the battlefield. With ever-growing military budgets, escalating political tensions and technological innovations, robots will play an increasingly significant role in future conflicts.

Originality/value

This provides a detail account of military robots and their role in modern warfare.
Creation of social interaction environments with robot for autistic children: analysis of assessment instruments and type of activities
Authors: Lorenzo Gonzalo , López-Núñez Juan Antonio , Lorenzo-Lledó Alejandro , López-Belmonte Jesús
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The aim of the study is to conduct a thematic review of assessment tools and types of activities in the application of robotics to autistic students during the period 1996–2021 using Web of Science and Scopus. The sample consisted of 119 documents.

Design/methodology/approach

Nowadays, emerging technologies have become increasingly prevalent across various fields of knowledge. In this regard, robotics is being increasingly applied in the educational environment. The characteristics of this tool are the ones that best suit the needs of autistic students.

Findings

Results reveal that 16.80% of the studies used automatic measurement systems, whilst 15.96% of the studies used user observation and recording techniques. As for the tasks, 37.80% were focussed on imitation tasks. Amongst the practical implications is the need to include tasks that could be developed collaboratively in the regular classroom.

Originality/value

With this research, it is intended to disseminate in the scientific community what are the characteristics that should have the interaction activities between a robot and autistic students. In addition, the type of tool needed to evaluate the improvements in the interaction is proposed.
Social media engagement of hashtag users in the context of local events: mixed method approach
Authors: Lin Boyu , Lee Woojin , Choe Yunseon
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Local events play a significant role in rebuilding relationships and increasing engagement with local communities in the postpandemic. This study aims to investigate how potential attendees’ usage of local event hashtags facilitates social media engagement, further enhancing their intentions to attend local events.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted an exploratory sequential mixed approach. The qualitative phase used 12 semistructured in-depth interviews to explore motivations for hashtag usage and developed instruments to measure hashtag usage and social media engagement. The quantitative phase examined the relationship among motivations and behaviors of hashtag usage, social media engagement and behavioral intention through 522 online surveys.

Findings

Qualitatively, four themes manifest in hashtag users’ motivations in the context of local events: self-promoting, searching, summarizing and conforming. The quantitative findings show that these motivations influence active and passive hashtag usage differently, leading to different types of social media engagement (i.e. persistent, customized and triggered engagement). All social media engagements can significantly enhance the intention to attend local events.

Originality/value

This study divides active and passive hashtag users, conceptualizes social media engagement through hashtag usage under the affordance approach and develops instruments for these concepts. It emphasizes the importance of hashtag usage that drives social media engagement and provides insights for local event planners.
Critical masses and voluntary climate change disclosures: evidence from Türkiye
Authors: Kutlu Furtuna Ozlem , Sönmez Hilal
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of critical mass of women managers on corporate boards on the voluntary disclosure of climate change in a developing country in which the regulations on climate change disclosure is an area of growing research interest.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses logistic panel regression models with a sample of 1,001 firm-years for companies in the Borsa Istanbul 100 Index that were asked to disclose voluntary climate change indicators over the seven-year period from 2014 to 2020 through the Carbon Disclosure Project.

Findings

This paper provides evidence from an emerging country that the critical mass of women on the board has no impact on voluntary climate change disclosure. In addition, the presence of independent managers on the board was found to have a significant impact on climate change disclosure. In addition, the results show that larger companies are more likely to report their climate change activities. Large companies are more visible due to their size, are perceived by stakeholders as more polluting and are, therefore, more likely to report on the environment.

Social implications

The results show that the critical mass of women on the board has no effect on voluntary disclosure of climate change. Empirical tests are still needed to strengthen the overall validity of the critical mass of at least three women on boards in Türkiye.

Originality/value

Despite many valuable insights provided by critical mass theory, very few studies directly address critical mass and voluntary disclosure of climate change. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first empirical and comprehensive paper in the Turkish context evaluating critical masses and voluntary corporate climate change giving a comparison between firms listed on financial industry and nonfinancial industry.