bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
mRNA Localization and Local Translation of the Microtubule Severing Enzyme, Fidgetin-Like 2, in Polarization, Migration and Outgrowth
Authors: Birnbaum Rayna , Biswas Jeetayu , Singer Robert H. , Sharp David J.
Published: April 2023

Cell motility requires strict spatiotemporal control of protein expression. During cell migration, mRNA localization and local translation in subcellular areas like the leading edge and protrusions are particularly advantageous for regulating the reorganization of the cytoskeleton. Fidgetin-Like 2 (FL2), a microtubule severing enzyme (MSE) that restricts migration and outgrowth, localizes to the leading edge of protrusions where it severs dynamic microtubules. FL2 is primarily expressed during development but in adulthood, is spatially upregulated at the leading edge minutes after injury. Here, we show mRNA localization and local translation in protrusions of polarized cells are responsible for FL2 leading edge expression after injury. The data suggests that the RNA binding protein IMP1 is involved in the translational regulation and stabilization of FL2 mRNA, in competition with the miRNA let-7. These data exemplify the role of local translation in microtubule network reorganization during migration and elucidate an unexplored MSE protein localization mechanism.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

The microtubule severing enzyme FL2 RNA is localized to the leading edge

FL2 mRNA localization leads to FL2 translation within protrusions

The IMP family works in concert with Let-7 miRNA to regulate FL2 mRNA
RNA editing of AZIN1 coding sites is catalyzed by ADAR1 p150 after splicing
Authors: Xing Yanfang , Nakahama Taisuke , Wu Yuke , Inoue Maal , Kim Jung In , Todo Hiroyuki , Shibuya Toshiharu , Kato Yuki , Kawahara Yukio
Published: April 2023

Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing is catalyzed by nuclear ADAR1 p110 and ADAR2, and cytoplasmic ADAR1 p150 in mammals, all of which recognize double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) as targets. Although its frequency is quite rare, RNA editing occurs in coding regions, which alters protein functions by exchanging amino acid sequences, and is therefore physiologically significant. In general, such coding sites are edited by ADAR1 p110 and ADAR2 prior to splicing, given that the corresponding exon forms a dsRNA structure with an adjacent intron. We previously found that RNA editing at two coding sites of antizyme inhibitor 1 (AZIN1) is sustained inAdar1 p110/Aadr2double knockout mice. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying RNA editing of AZIN1 remain unknown. Here, we showed that Azin1 editing levels were increased upon type I interferon treatment, which activated Adar1 p150 transcription, in mouse Raw264.7 cells. Azin1 RNA editing was observed in mature mRNA but not precursor mRNA. Furthermore, we revealed that the two coding sites were editable only by ADAR1 p150 in both mouse Raw264.7 and human HEK293T cells. This unique editing was achieved by forming a dsRNA structure with a downstream exon after splicing and the intervening intron suppressed RNA editing. Therefore, deletion of a nuclear export signal from ADAR1 p150, shifting its localization to the nucleus, decreased Azin1 editing levels. Finally, we demonstrated that Azin1 RNA editing was completely absent inAdar1 p150knockout mice. Thus, these findings indicate that RNA editing of AZIN1 coding sites is exceptionally catalyzed by ADAR1 p150 after splicing.
Single worm long read sequencing reveals genome diversity in free-living nematodes
Authors: Lee Yi-Chien , Lee Hsin-Han , Ke Huei-Mien , Liu Yu-Ching , Wang Min-Chen , Tseng Yung-Che , Kikuchi Taisei , Tsai Isheng Jason
Published: April 2023

Obtaining sufficient genetic material from a limited biological source is currently the primary operational bottleneck in studies investigating biodiversity and genome evolution. In this study, we employed multiple displacement amplification (MDA) and Smartseq2 to amplify nanograms of genomic DNA and mRNA, respectively from individualCaenorhabditis elegans. Although reduced genome coverage was observed in repetitive regions, we produced assemblies covering 98% of the reference genome using long-read sequences generated with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT). Annotation with the sequenced transcriptome coupled with the available assembly revealed that gene predictions were more accurate, complete and contained far fewer false positives thande novotranscriptome assembly approaches. We sampled and sequenced the genomes and transcriptomes of 13 nematodes from Dorylaimia, Enoplia, and early-branching species in Chromadoria. These free-living species had larger genome sizes, ranging from 147-792 Mb, compared to those of the parasitic lifestyle. Nine mitogenomes were fully assembled and displaying a complete lack of synteny to other species. Phylogenomic analyses based on the new annotations revealed strong support for Enoplia as sister to the rest of Nematoda. Our result demonstrates the robustness of MDA in combination with ONT, paving the way for the study of genome diversity in the phylum Nematoda and beyond.
Modulation of Pain Perceptions Following Treadmill Running with Different Intensities and The Potential Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Hypoalgesia
Authors: Xu Zi-Han , An Nan , Chang Jeremy Rui , Yang Yong-Long
Published: April 2023

Objective

This study aimed to compare the effects of three intensities of treadmill running on pain perceptions in healthy individuals. And investigate the role of endogenous pain modulation in the exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) effects.

Methods

Sixty-six healthy female individuals were included in this study and were randomly assigned to one of three treadmill running intensities for 35 minutes: 40% of their reserve heart rate (HRR), 55% HRR, or 70% HRR. The EIH effects were assessed by the changes of pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and pressure pain tolerance thresholds (PPTol) at multiple time points. The assessments were conducted prior to the treadmill running session every 5 minutes during the exercise bout, and at 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 24 hours post-exercise. The conditioned pain modulation (CPM) was also measured to determine the functions of endogenous pain modulation.

Results

Compared with baseline, there was a significant increase of PPT and PPTol at arm and leg in all groups during running and 5-10min follow-ups. The PPT and PPTol changes of moderate and low intensity groups were significantly higher than the high intensity group during running and 24h after running. While the CPM responses of high intensity group were significantly reduced compared with other groups at 24h follow-up.

Conclusion

Moderate and low intensity running may trigger the endogenous descending inhibition and elicit significant EIH effects following running and persisting over 24h. While the high intensity running only induced limited EIH effects for the activation of both descending pain inhibition and facilitation, with reduced CPM responses. Thus, the pain perception changes following exercises may reveal the potential mechanisms of EIH induced via exercises with different intensities.

New findings

What is the central question of this study?

Both the primary analgesia effect (EIH) and secondary pain allodynia (delayed onset muscle soreness) may occur following exercises, possibly due to the interaction between endogenous pain modulation and exercise intensities. What is the difference in the changes of primary and secondary pain perceptions following exercise with different intensities?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Moderate and low intensity running induced acute and long-lasting EIH effects via the effective activation of descending inhibition, while the high intensity running may trigger the descending facilitation and attenuate both the acute and long-lasting EIH effects. This result preliminarily explained the non-liner effect of exercise intensity on the acute EIH responds.
Single-nucleus profiling identifies accelerated oligodendrocyte precursor cell senescence in a mouse model of Down Syndrome
Authors: Rusu Bianca , Kukreja Bharti , Wu Taiyi , Dan Sophie J. , Feng Min Yi , Kalish Brian T.
Published: April 2023

Down Syndrome (DS), the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability, is associated with lifelong cognitive disability. However, the mechanisms by which triplication of human chromosome 21 genes drive neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction are poorly understood. Here, using the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS, we performed an integrated single-nucleus RNA and ATAC-seq analysis of the cortex. We identify cell type-specific transcriptional and chromatin-associated changes in the Ts65Dn cortex, including regulators of neuroinflammation, transcription and translation, myelination, and mitochondrial function. We discover enrichment of a senescence-associated transcriptional signature in Ts65Dn oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and epigenetic changes consistent with a loss of heterochromatin. We find that senescence is restricted to a subset of cortical OPCs concentrated in deep cortical layers. Treatment of Ts65Dn mice with a senescence-reducing flavonoid rescues cortical OPC proliferation, restores microglial homeostasis, and improves contextual fear memory. Together, these findings suggest that cortical OPC senescence may be an important driver of neuropathology in DS.
Biotic interactions explain seasonal dynamics of the alpine soil microbiome
Authors: Fiore-Donno Anna Maria , Freudenthal Jule , Borg Dahl Mathilde , Rixen Christian , Urich Tim , Bonkowski Michael
Published: April 2023

Background

The soil alpine microbiome is dependent on season and elevation, yet there is limited understanding of how complex communities are differentially shaped by abiotic and biotic factors. Here we investigated the spring-to-summer dynamics of soil microbiomes in alpine grasslands, focussing on soil food web interactions. To this end, we conducted a survey along altitudinal transects in three mountains in the Alps, in spring at snowmelt and in the following summer, recorded vegetation and topographic, climatic and edaphic parameters for 158 soil samples. By using metatranscriptomics, we simultaneously assessed prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities, further classified by nutrition guilds.

Results

Our results show: (i) that biotic interactions could explain more variation of the microbial communities than topographic and edaphic variables, more for consumers than for preys, and this effect was stronger in summer than in spring; (ii) a seasonal dynamic in biotic interactions: the consumers’ pressure on preys increases from spring to summer, resulting in a higher diversity and evenness of preys.

Conclusion

In alpine grasslands, consumers effectively contribute to maintain the diverse soil bacterial and fungal community essential for ecosystem functioning.
Detection of spatially-localized sounds is robust to saccades and concurrent eye movement-related eardrum oscillations (EMREOs)
Authors: Bröhl Felix , Kayser Christoph
Published: April 2023

Hearing is an active process and recent studies show that even the ear is affected by cognitive states or motor actions. One example are movements of the eardrum induced by saccadic eye movements - known as “eye movement-related eardrum oscillations” (EMREOs). While these are systematically shaped by the direction and size of saccades, the consequences of saccadic eye movements and their resulting EMREOs for hearing remain unclear. We here studied their implications for the detection of near-threshold clicks in human participants. Across three experiments sound detection was not affected by their time of presentation relative to saccade onset, by saccade amplitude or direction. While the EMREOs were shaped by the direction and amplitude of the saccadic movement, inducing covert shifts in spatial attention did not affect the EMREO, suggesting that this signature of active sensing is restricted to overt changes in visual focus. Importantly, in our experiments fluctuations in the EMREO amplitude were not related to detection performance, at least when monaural cues are sufficient. Hence while eye movements may shape the transduction of acoustic information the behavioral implications remain unclear.
On-demand low-frequency stimulation for seizure control: efficacy and behavioral implications
Authors: Paschen Enya , Kleis Piret , Vieira Diego M. , Heining Katharina , Boehler Christian , Egert Ulrich , Häussler Ute , Haas Carola A.
Published: April 2023

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), the most common form of focal epilepsy in adults, is often refractory to medication and associated with hippocampal sclerosis. Deep brain stimulation represents an alternative treatment option for drug-resistant patients who are ineligible for resective brain surgery. In clinical practice, closed-loop stimulation at high frequencies is applied to interrupt ongoing seizures, yet with a high incidence of false detections, the drawback of delayed seizure-suppressive intervention and limited success in sclerotic tissue. More recently, hippocampal low-frequency stimulation (LFS) has been shown to reduce excitability in clinical settings and prevent seizures in experimental MTLE when applied continuously. However, as the hippocampus is important for navigation and memory, it would be beneficial to stimulate it only on-demand to reduce its exposure to LFS pulses, and to investigate LFS-related effects on cognition.

Using the intrahippocampal kainate mouse model, which recapitulates the key features of MTLE, we developed an on-demand LFS setup and investigated its effects on spontaneous seizure activity and hippocampal function. Specifically, our online detection algorithm monitored epileptiform activity in hippocampal local field potential recordings and identified short epileptiform bursts preceding focal seizure clusters, triggering hippocampal LFS to stabilize the network state. In addition, we investigated the acute influence of LFS on behavioral performance, including anxiety-like behavior in the light-dark box test, spatial and non-spatial memory in the object location memory and novel object recognition test, as well as spatial navigation and long-term memory in the Barnes maze.

Compared to open-loop stimulation protocols, on-demand LFS was more efficient in preventing focal seizure clusters, as the strong anti-epileptic effect was achieved with a reduced stimulation load. In behavioral tests, chronically epileptic mice were as mobile as healthy controls but showed increased anxiety, an altered spatial learning strategy and impaired memory performance. Most importantly, our experiments ruled out deleterious effects of hippocampal LFS on cognition and even showed alleviation of deficits in long-term memory recall. Taken together, our findings may provide a promising alternative to current therapies, overcoming some of their major limitations, and inspire further investigation of LFS for seizure control in MTLE.
Human thalamic recordings reveal that epileptic spikes block sleep spindle production during non-rapid eye movement sleep
Authors: Wodeyar Anirudh , Chinappen Dhinakaran , Mylonas Dimitris , Baxter Bryan , Manoach Dara S. , Eden Uri T. , Kramer Mark A. , Chu Catherine J.
Published: April 2023

In severe epileptic encephalopathies, epileptic activity contributes to progressive cognitive dysfunction. Several epileptic encephalopathies share the trait of spike-wave activation during non-rapid eye movement sleep (EE-SWAS), a state dominated by sleep oscillations known to coordinate offline memory consolidation. How epileptic activity impacts these thalamocortical sleep oscillations has not been directly observed in humans. Using a unique dataset of simultaneous human thalamic and cortical recordings in subjects with and without EE-SWAS, we reconcile prior conflicting observations about how epileptic spikes coordinate with sleep oscillations and provide direct evidence for epileptic spike interference of sleep spindle production. We find that slow oscillations facilitate both epileptic spikes and sleep spindles during stage 2 sleep (N2) at different phases of the slow oscillation. We show that sleep activated cortical epileptic spikes propagate to the thalamus (thalamic spike rate is increased after a cortical spike, p∼0). Thalamic spikes increase the spindle refractory period (p<1.5e-21). In patients with EE-SWAS, the abundance of thalamic spikes result in downregulation of spindles for 30 seconds after each thalamic spike (p=3.4e-11) and decreased overall spindle rate across N2 (p=2e-7). These direct human thalamocortical observations identify a novel mechanism through which epileptiform spikes could impact cognitive function, wherein sleep-activated epileptic spikes inhibit thalamic sleep spindles in epileptic encephalopathy.
Growth Hormone Accelerates Recovery From Acetaminophen-Induced Murine Liver Injury
Authors: Everton Elissa , Del Rio-Moreno Mercedes , Villacorta-Martin Carlos , Singh Bawa Pushpinder , Lindstrom-Vautrin Jonathan , Muramatsu Hiromi , Rizvi Fatima , Smith Anna R. , Tam Ying , Pardi Norbert , Kineman Rhonda , Waxman David J. , Gouon-Evans Valerie
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure, with one available treatment, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Yet, NAC effectiveness diminishes about ten hours after APAP overdose, urging for therapeutic alternatives. This study addresses this need by deciphering a mechanism of sexual dimorphism in APAP-induced liver injury, and leveraging it to accelerate liver recovery via growth hormone (GH) treatment. GH secretory patterns, pulsatile in males and near-continuous in females, determine the sex bias in many liver metabolic functions. Here, we aim to establish GH as a novel therapy to treat APAP hepatotoxicity.

Approach and Results

Our results demonstrate sex-dependent APAP toxicity, with females showing reduced liver cell death and faster recovery than males. Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses reveal that female hepatocytes have significantly greater levels of GH receptor expression and GH pathway activation compared to males. In harnessing this female-specific advantage, we demonstrate that a single injection of recombinant human GH protein accelerates liver recovery, promotes survival in males following sub-lethal dose of APAP, and is superior to standard-of-care NAC. Alternatively, slow-release delivery of human GH via the safe nonintegrative lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated nucleoside-modified mRNA (mRNA-LNP), a technology validated by widely used COVID-19 vaccines, rescues males from APAP-induced death that otherwise occurred in control mRNA-LNP-treated mice.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates a sexually dimorphic liver repair advantage in females following APAP overdose, leveraged by establishing GH as an alternative treatment, delivered either as recombinant protein or mRNA-LNP, to potentially prevent liver failure and liver transplant in APAP-overdosed patients.
Using rare genetic mutations to revisit structural brain asymmetry
Authors: Kopal Jakub , Kumar Kuldeep , Shafighi Kimia , Saltoun Karin , Modenato Claudia , Moreau Clara A. , Huguet Guillaume , Jean-Louis Martineau , Martin Charles-Olivier , Saci Zohra , Younis Nadine , Douard Elise , Jizi Khadije , Beauchamp-Chatel Alexis , Kushan Leila , Silva Ana I. , van den Bree Marianne B. M. , Linden David E. J. , Owen Michael J. , Hall Jeremy , Lippé Sarah , Draganski Bogdan , Sønderby Ida E. , Andreassen Ole A. , Glahn David C. , Thompson Paul M. , Bearden Carrie E. , Zatorre Robert , Jacquemont Sébastien , Bzdok Danilo
Published: April 2023

Asymmetry between the left and right brain is a key feature of brain organization. Hemispheric functional specialization underlies some of the most advanced human-defining cognitive operations, such as articulated language, perspective taking, or rapid detection of facial cues. Yet, genetic investigations into brain asymmetry have mostly relied on common variant studies, which typically exert small effects on brain phenotypes. Here, we leverage rare genomic deletions and duplications to study how genetic alterations reverberate in human brain and behavior. We quantitatively dissected the impact of eight high-effect-size copy number variations (CNVs) on brain asymmetry in a multi-site cohort of 552 CNV carriers and 290 non-carriers. Isolated multivariate brain asymmetry patterns spotlighted regions typically thought to subserve lateralized functions, including language, hearing, as well as visual, face and word recognition. Planum temporale asymmetry emerged as especially susceptible to deletions and duplications of specific gene sets. Targeted analysis of common variants through genome-wide association study (GWAS) consolidated partly diverging genetic influences on the right versus left planum temporale structure. In conclusion, our gene-brain-behavior mapping highlights the consequences of genetically controlled brain lateralization on human-defining cognitive traits.
Genome-resolved transcriptomics reveals novel organohalide-respiring bacteria from Aarhus Bay sediments
Authors: Zhang Chen , Bosma Tom N.P. , Atashgahi Siavash , Smidt Hauke
Published: April 2023

Organohalide-respiring bacteria (OHRB) are keystone microbes in bioremediation of sites contaminated with organohalides and in natural halogen cycling. Known OHRB belong to distinct genera within the phylaChloroflexota,ProteobacteriaandFirmicutes, whereas information about novel OHRB mediating natural halogen cycling remains scarce. In this study, we applied a genome-resolved transcriptomic approach to characterize the identity and activity of OHRB from PCE-respiring cultures previously enriched from sediments of Aarhus Bay. Combining short- and long-read sequencing approaches, we assembled 37 high quality bins with over 75 % completeness and less than 5 % contamination. Sixteen bins harbored RDase genes, and were affiliated taxonomically to the class ofBacilli, and phyla ofBacteroidota,Synergistota, andSpirochaetota, that have not been reported to catalyze reductive dehalogenation. Among the 16 bins, bin.26, phylogenetically closely related to the genusVulcanibacillus, contained an unprecedented 97 RDase genes. Of these, 84 RDase genes of bin.26 were transcribed during PCE dechlorination in addition to RDase genes from members ofSynergistales(bin.15 and bin.32) andBacteroidales(bin.18 and bin.24). Moreover, metatranscriptome analysis suggested the RDase genes were likely under the regulation of transcriptional regulators not previously associated with OHR, such as HrcA and SigW, which are known to respond to abiotic environmental stresses, such as temperature changes. Combined application of genomic methods enabled us to pinpoint novel OHRB from pristine environments not previously known to mediate reductive dechlorination and to provide evidence towards the diversity, activity and regulation of reductive dehalogenases.
Nucleus accumbens and dorsal medial striatal dopamine and neural activity are essential for action sequence performance
Authors: Fraser Kurt M. , Chen Bridget J. , Janak Patricia H.
Published: April 2023

Separable striatal circuits have unique functions in Pavlovian and instrumental behaviors but how these roles relate to performance of sequences of actions with and without associated cues is less clear. Here we tested whether dopamine release and neural activity more generally in three striatal subdomains are necessary for performance of an action chain leading to reward delivery. Male and female Long-Evans rats were trained to press a series of three spatially-distinct levers to receive reward. We assessed the contribution of neural activity or dopamine release within each striatal subdomain when progression through the action sequence was explicitly cued and in the absence of cues. Behavior in both task variations was substantially impacted following microinfusion of the dopamine antagonist, flupenthixol, into nucleus accumbens core (NAc) or dorsomedial striatum (DMS), with impairments in sequence timing and a strong impact on motivation after NAc flupenthixol. In contrast, after pharmacological inactivation to suppress overall activity, there was minimal impact on motivation, except within the uncued task after DMS inactivation. Inactivation of both NAc and DMS impaired sequence timing and led to sequence errors in the uncued, but not cued task. There was virtually no impact of dopamine antagonism or reversible inactivation of dorsolateral striatum on either cued or uncued action sequence completion. These results highlight an essential contribution of NAc and DMS dopamine systems in motivational and performance aspects of chains of actions, whether cued or internally generated, as well as the impact of intact NAc and DMS function for correct sequence performance.
5-ASA can functionally replace Clostridia to prevent a post-antibiotic bloom ofCandida albicansby maintaining epithelial hypoxia
Authors: Savage Hannah P. , Bays Derek J. , Gonzalez Mariela A. F. , Bejarano Eli. J. , Nguyen Henry , Masson Hugo L. P. , Carvalho Thaynara P. , Santos Renato L. , Thompson George R. , Bäumler Andreas J.
Published: April 2023

Antibiotic prophylaxis sets the stage for an intestinal bloom ofCandida albicans, which can progress to invasive candidiasis in patients with hematologic malignancies. Commensal bacteria can reestablish microbiota-mediated colonization resistance after completion of antibiotic therapy, but they cannot engraft during antibiotic prophylaxis. Here we use a mouse model to provide a proof of concept for an alternative approach, which replaces commensal bacteria functionally with drugs to restore colonization resistance againstC. albicans. Streptomycin treatment, which depletes Clostridia from the gut microbiota, disrupted colonization resistance againstC. albicansand increased epithelial oxygenation in the large intestine. Inoculating mice with a defined community of commensal Clostridia species reestablished colonization resistance and restored epithelial hypoxia. Notably, these functions of commensal Clostridia species could be replaced functionally with the drug 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), which activates mitochondrial oxygen consumption in the epithelium of the large intestine. When streptomycin-treated mice received 5-ASA, the drug reestablished colonization resistance againstC. albicansand restored physiological hypoxia in the epithelium of the large intestine. We conclude that 5-ASA treatment is a non-biotic intervention that restores colonization resistance againstC. albicanswithout requiring the administration of live bacteria.
Home security cameras as a tool for behavior observations and science affordability
Authors: Goolsby Billie C. , Fischer Marie-Therese , Chen Tony G. , Pareja-Mejía Daniela , Shaykevich Daniel A. , Lewis Amaris R. , Raboisson Gaelle , Lacey Madison P. , O’Connell Lauren A.
Published: April 2023

Reliably capturing transient animal behavior in the field and laboratory remains a logistical and financial challenge, especially for small ectotherms. Here, we present a camera system that is affordable, accessible, and suitable to monitor small, cold-blooded animals historically overlooked by commercial camera traps, such as small amphibians. The system is weather-resistant, can operate offline or online, and allows collection of time-sensitive behavioral data in laboratory and field conditions with continuous data storage for up to four weeks. The lightweight camera can also utilize phone notifications over Wi-Fi so that observers can be alerted when animals enter a space of interest, enabling sample collection at proper time periods. We present our findings, both technological and scientific, in an effort to elevate tools that enable researchers to maximize use of their research budgets. We discuss the relative affordability of our system for researchers in South America, home to the largest ectotherm diversity.
Variability in donor lung culture and relative humidity impact the stability of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus on nonporous surfaces
Authors: Qian Zhihong , Morris Dylan H. , Avery Annika , Kormuth Karen A. , Le Sage Valerie , Myerburg Michael M. , Lloyd-Smith James O. , Marr Linsey C. , Lakdawala Seema S.
Published: April 2023

Respiratory viruses can transmit by multiple modes, including contaminated surfaces, commonly referred to as fomites. Efficient fomite transmission requires that a virus remain infectious on a given surface material over a wide range of environmental conditions, including different relative humidities. Prior work examining the stability of influenza viruses on surfaces has relied upon virus grown in media or eggs, which does not mimic the composition of virus-containing droplets expelled from the human respiratory tract. In this study, we examined the stability of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 (H1N1pdm09) virus on a variety of nonporous surface materials at four different humidity conditions. Importantly, we used virus grown in primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cultures from different donors to recapitulate the physiological microenvironment of expelled viruses. We observed rapid inactivation of H1N1pdm09 on copper under all experimental conditions. In contrast to copper, viruses were stable on polystyrene plastic, stainless steel, aluminum, and glass, at multiple relative humidity conditions, but greater decay on ABS plastic was observed at short time points. However, the half-lives of viruses at 23% relative humidity were similar among non-copper surfaces and ranged from 4.5 to 5.9 hours. Assessment of H1N1pdm09 longevity on nonporous surfaces revealed that virus persistence was governed more by differences among HBE culture donors than by surface material. Our findings highlight the potential role of an individual’s respiratory fluid on viral persistence and could help explain heterogeneity in transmission dynamics.

IMPORTANCE

Seasonal epidemics and sporadic pandemics of influenza cause a large public health burden. Although influenza viruses disseminate through the environment in respiratory secretions expelled from infected individuals, they can also be transmitted by contaminated surfaces where virus-laden expulsions can deposit. Understanding virus stability on surfaces within the indoor environment is critical to assessing influenza transmission risk. We found that influenza virus stability is affected by the host respiratory secretion in which the virus is expelled, the surface material on which the droplet lands, and the ambient relative humidity of the environment. Influenza viruses can remain infectious on many common surfaces for prolonged periods, with half-lives of 4.5-5.9 hours. These data imply that influenza viruses are highly persistent in indoor environments in biologically-relevant matrices. Decontamination and engineering controls should be used to mitigate influenza virus transmission.
Fluid-Structure Interactions of Peripheral Arteries Using a Coupledin silicoandin vitroApproach
Authors: Schoenborn S. , Lorenz T. , Kuo K. , Fletcher D.F. , Woodruff M. A. , Pirola S. , Allenby M. C.
Published: April 2023

Vascular compliance is considered both a cause and a consequence of cardiovascular disease and a significant factor in the mid- and long-term patency of vascular grafts. However, the biomechanical effects of localised changes in compliance, such as during plaque development or after bypass grafting and stenting, cannot be satisfactorily studied with the available medical imaging technologies or surgical simulation materials. To address this unmet need, we developed a coupledsilico-vitroplatform which allows for the validation of numerical fluid-structure interaction (FSI) results as a numerical model and physical prototype. This numerical one-way and two-way FSI study is based on a three-dimensional computer model of an idealised femoral artery which is validated against patient measurements derived from the literature. The numerical results are then compared with experimental values collected from compliant arterial phantoms. Phantoms within a compliance range of 1.4 - 68.0%/100mmHg were fabricatedviaadditive manufacturing and silicone casting, then mechanically characterisedviaring tensile testing and optical analysis under direct pressurisation with differences in measured compliance ranging between 10 - 20% for the two methods. One-way FSI coupling underestimated arterial wall compliance by up to 14.71% compared to two-way FSI modelling. Overall, Smooth-On Solaris matched the compliance range of the numerical andin vivopatient models most closely out of the tested silicone materials. Our approach is promising for vascular applications where mechanical compliance is especially important, such as the study of diseases which commonly affect arterial wall stiffness, such as atherosclerosis, and the model-based design, surgical training, and optimisation of vascular prostheses.
Mining for a New Class of Fungal Natural Products: The Evolution, Diversity, and Distribution of Isocyanide Synthase Biosynthetic Gene Clusters
Authors: Nickles Grant R. , Oestereicher Brandon , Keller Nancy P. , Drott Milton T.
Published: April 2023

The products of non-canonical isocyanide synthase (ICS) biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) have notable bioactivities that mediate pathogenesis, microbial competition, and metal-homeostasis through metal-associated chemistry. We sought to enable research into this class of compounds by characterizing the biosynthetic potential and evolutionary history of these BGCs across the Fungal Kingdom. We developed the first genome-mining pipeline to identify ICS BGCs, locating 3,800 ICS BGCs in 3,300 genomes. Genes in these clusters share promoter motifs and are maintained in contiguous groupings by natural selection. ICS BGCs are not evenly distributed across fungi, with evidence of gene-family expansions in several Ascomycete families. We show that the ICSdit1/2gene cluster family (GCF), which was thought to only exist in yeast, is present in ∼30% of all Ascomycetes, including many filamentous fungi. The evolutionary history of theditGCF is marked by deep divergences and phylogenetic incompatibilities that raise questions about convergent evolution and suggest selection or horizontal gene transfers have shaped the evolution of this cluster in some yeast and dimorphic fungi. Our results create a roadmap for future research into ICS BGCs. We developed a website (www.isocyanides.fungi.wisc.edu) that facilitates the exploration, filtering, and downloading of all identified fungal ICS BGCs and GCFs.
Identification of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase A2 (GPI-PLA2) of GPI fatty acid remodelling inTrypanosoma brucei
Authors: Ji Zhe , Nagar Rupa , Duncan Samuel M. , Sampaio Guther Maria Lucia , Ferguson Michael A.J.
Published: April 2023

The biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored proteins (GPI-APs) in the parasitic protozoanTrypanosoma bruceiinvolves fatty acid remodelling of the GPI precursor molecules before they are transferred to protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. The genes encoding the requisite phospholipase A2 and A1 activities for this remodelling have thus far been elusive. Here, we identify a gene, Tb927.7.6110, that encodes a protein that is necessary and sufficient for GPI-phospholipase A2 (GPI-PLA2) activity in the procyclic form of the parasite. The predicted protein product belongs to the alkaline ceramidase, PAQR receptor, Per1, SID-1, and TMEM8 (CREST) superfamily of transmembrane hydrolase proteins and shows sequence similarity to Post-GPI-Attachment to Protein 6 (PGAP6), a GPI-PLA2 that acts after transfer of GPI precursors to protein in mammalian cells. The trypanosome Tb927.7.6110 GPI-PLA2 gene resides in a locus with two closely related genes Tb927.7.6150 and Tb927.7.6170, one of which (Tb927.7.6150) most likely encodes a catalytically inactive protein. The absence of GPI-PLA2 in the null mutant procyclic cells not only affected fatty acid remodelling but also reduced GPI anchor sidechain size on mature GPI-anchored procyclin glycoproteins. This reduction in GPI anchor sidechain size was reversed upon the add back of Tb927.7.6110 and of Tb927.7.6170, despite the latter not encoding GPI precursor GPI-PLA2 activity.
Recent evolution of flowering time across multiple European plant species correlates with changes in aridity
Authors: Rauschkolb Robert , Durka Walter , Godefroid Sandrine , Dixon Lara , Bossdorf Oliver , Ensslin Andreas , Scheepens J.F.
Published: April 2023

Ongoing global warming and increasing drought frequencies impact plant populations and potentially drive rapid evolutionary adaptations. Historical comparisons, where plants grown from seeds collected in the past are compared to plants grown from freshly collected seeds from populations of the same sites, are a powerful method to investigate recent evolutionary changes across many taxa. We used 21-38 year-old seeds of 13 European plant species, stored in seed banks and originating from Mediterranean and temperate regions, together with recently collected seeds from the same sites for a greenhouse experiment to investigate shifts in flowering phenology as a potential result of adaptive evolution to changes in drought intensities over the last decades. We further used single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to quantify relatedness and levels of genetic variation. We found that, across species, current populations grew faster and advanced their flowering. These shifts were correlated with changes in aridity at the population origins, suggesting that increased drought induced evolution of earlier flowering, whereas decreased drought lead to weak or inverse shifts in flowering phenology. In five out of the 13 species, however, the SNP markers detected strong differences in genetic variation and relatedness between the past and current populations collected, indicating that other evolutionary processes may have contributed to changes in phenotypes. Our results suggest that changes in aridity may have influenced the evolutionary trajectories of many plant species in different regions of Europe, and that flowering phenology may be one of the key traits that is rapidly evolving.

Highlighted student paper

We demonstrated that accurately sampled and stored seed collections from conventional seed banks can, with some limitations, be used in a similar way as the increasingly popular resurrection approach sensu stricto. Given the vast availability of seeds stored in seed banks, this opens up a large potential for future research on rapid evolutionary adaptation to changing environmental conditions across a wide variety of taxa suitable for resurrection. Furthermore, this work is unique and novel, as we combine greenhouse experiments with molecular and climatic data to disentangle potential drivers for the observed phenotypic evolution, which, to our knowledge, was never done in resurrection studies.
Level of sub-contracting design responsibilities in design and construct civil engineering bridge projects
Authors: de Graaf Robin , Pater Rens , Voordijk Hans
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In the construction industry, an under researched area of study is how main contractor (MC) sub-contract design responsibilities to sub-contractor (SC). This lack of knowledge is particularly serious in the context of delivery methods such as design and construct where design responsibilities are pushed down the supply chain. In this study, it is aimed to explore which level of design responsibility MCs sub-contract to SCs, for what reasons, and what the impact of sub-contracting decisions is on projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative in-depth multiple case study was conducted. Six sub-contracting cases were examined in two civil engineering projects. In each project, the MCs sub-contracted pre-fabricated beams, reinforcement and railing to SCs. Data collection included document analysis and interviews. A within-case and cross-case analysis was conducted to examine emerging empirical patterns. These patterns were used to elaborate theory and develop propositions.

Findings

MCs sub-contracted design responsibilities to SCs as suggested by literature. However, despite that sub-contracting was in keeping with literature, several problems were reported in the cases where MCs involved SCs no earlier than in the construction stage. This is not to be expected according to theory.

Originality/value

This study adds value to the sub-contracting field as it provides new insights in relationships between the level of design responsibilities sub-contracted and the impact of that on projects. The study also revealed new factors such as building information modelling (BIM) interoperability that should get more attention in sub-contracting.
Green finance, sustainability disclosure and economic implications
Authors: Liu Chen , Wu Serena Shuo
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In this study, the authors provide a systematic literature review of articles in the emerging areas of green finance and discuss the status and challenges in sustainability disclosure, which is crucial for the efficiency of green financial instruments. The authors then review the literature on the economic implications of green finance and outline future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the analytical framework – Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis (SALSA) to conduct the systematic review of the literature.

Findings

Increasing public attention to the environment motivates the use of green finance to fund environmentally sustainable projects, and the rise of green finance intensifies the demand for environmental disclosure. Literature has documented tremendous growth in sustainability reporting over time and around the globe, as well as raised concerns about how such reporting lack consistency, comparability, and assurance. Despite these challenges, the authors find that in general, the literature agrees that a firm’s green practice is positively associated with its financial performance and negatively related to a firm’s cost of capital. Green finance is also found to bring about enhanced risk management and economic development.

Originality/value

The authors provide one of the first reviews of green finance, sustainability disclosure and the impact of green finance on financial performance, capital market and economic development.
Building bridges between gender and family business literature to advance women’s empowerment
Authors: Maseda Amaia , Iturralde Txomin , Aparicio Gloria , Cooper Sarah Y.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to underline the importance of addressing gender issues in family firms. It reinvigorates research in this field by revealing its current state, identifying research gaps and suggesting future agendas.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric approach using a co-word analysis of 376 papers from the Web of Science database and their 885 keywords was performed to reveal the thematic structure of gender and family firm research, research topics, associations among them and their evolution over the last 30 years (1991–2021).

Findings

This review provides an extensive literature base and suggests research topics that facilitate the adoption of a gendered lens in family firm literature and business practice.

Research limitations/implications

This review demonstrates how gender issues are intertwined with management, leadership and family firm approaches. Our observations inform scholars, policymakers and practitioners on the need to integrate gender issues into organizational culture and to connect empowerment strategies with the sociocultural environment.

Originality/value

This study shows the need to address women’s empowerment in business, considering different sociocultural contexts in addition to a Western focus. It also calls for embracing gender and feminist perspectives in research.
Does employees’ gender matter? Investigating the indirect effect of abusive supervision on employee creativity through job insecurity in Indonesia
Authors: Syamsidah Syamsidah , Wirawan Hillman , Salam Rudi
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of abusive supervision on employees’ creativity through the mediating role of job insecurity and the moderating role of subordinate gender in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from various sources using online recruitment methods. The abusive supervision scale, job insecurity scale and employee creativity scale were the three measures in this study. Participants completed a three-wave data collection procedure using an online survey platform. After removing participants with incomplete and careless responses, the final data set contained 515 usable responses.

Findings

The results suggested that the negative effect of abusive supervision on employees’ creativity was mediated by job insecurity, and employees’ gender moderated this adverse effect. Gender roles shaped how employees respond to their leader’s hostile behaviours. In Indonesia, abusive supervision increased employees’ job insecurity and consequently reduced their creativity. However, the damage was more profound for the male employees than the female employees.

Practical implications

Gender role theory and perspectives are essential in explaining leader–employee interactions and must be included in leadership strategies. Also, support and resources must be provided equally for both male and female employees. However, more attention must be given to male employees to ensure their security working in organisations. Finally, some interventions are necessary to mitigate the effect of abusive supervision.

Originality/value

This study offers insight into how male and female employees, in a traditional gender role culture like Indonesia, respond to their leader’s abusive behaviours.
Presenteeism and academic performance: a cross-sectional study among undergraduate university students
Authors: Haider Mohammed Ziaul , Earthy Ismat Ara , Halim Sk. Faijan Bin , Islam Md. Karimul
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Presenteeism is the productivity loss due to working with ill health. This paper aims to develop a presenteeism scale for students (PSS) and reveals its association with the academic achievement of undergraduate (Bachelor) students.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a cross-sectional study based on a reputed public university in Bangladesh. The study collected data from 164 undergraduate students by relying upon the systematic random sampling technique.

Findings

Nearly 70 percent of the study population have reported some health problems, with male students reporting frustration (59.6 percent) and female students reporting migraine (61.2 percent) as the most prevalent issues. Predictors such as gender, living status, television and social media use, absenteeism, physical activity, BMI (body mass index), hygienic meal intake, exhaustion score and PSS score have significantly influenced presenteeism and reduced academic performance. As many students face multiple health issues, it is recommended that the issue of presenteeism on university campuses be addressed.

Originality/value

This study breaks from the conventional approach of studying presenteeism in business settings and expands knowledge in the education domain. Additionally, it examines the interconnection of primary health conditions, work impairment score, presenteeism and academic performance.