bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interfacility Transfer and Admission to PICUs in the United States: Survey of Referral Communications in 2023
Authors: Cifra Christina L. , Lin Olivia , Gonzales Celestine L. , Pantekidis Irene , Chegondi Madhuradhar , Graciano Ana Lia , Gradidge Eleanor , Malone Matthew P. , Marx Matthew H. M. , Parikh Nehal R. , Woods-Hill Charlotte Z. , Landrigan Christopher P. ,   on behalf of the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators (PALISI) Network
Published: February 2025

Objectives:

Poor communication during interfacility transfer to the PICU can harm critically ill children. Structured handoff communication can prevent harm; however, the landscape of interfacility referral communication practices across PICUs is unknown. Our objective was to describe interfacility referral communication practices among U.S. PICUs to begin identifying potential improvement opportunities.

Design:

Mixed methods study including a cross-sectional survey and semi-structured interviews.

Setting:

U.S. PICUs with greater than or equal to 10 beds in 2023.

Participants:

Clinical/administrative PICU leaders.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Sixty surveys with greater than 70% completed questions were returned from 170 invited participants (35% response rate). Respondents were mainly pediatric critical care medicine division chiefs (48%) or PICU medical directors (32%). PICUs in all U.S. continental regions were represented, which had a median of 1200 (interquartile range [IQR], 1000–1500) admissions per year, of which 29.5% (IQR, 15–39%) were patients directly transferred from other institutions. In 93% of PICUs, a verbal interfacility handoff occurs between the referring clinician and a PICU physician; however, only 24% were always guided by a standard communication tool. In 72% of PICUs, medical records were only sometimes available before patient arrival. Semi-structured interviews with seven volunteer respondents revealed the following themes: 1) standardizing communication can result in organized and efficient handoffs but may also result in inefficiencies, 2) trained staff dedicated to interfacility referrals will improve communication quality, 3) integration of handoff information into the electronic health record will improve dissemination and decrease PICU physicians’ workload, and 4) implementing a structured process will require staff support to change current workflows.

Conclusions:

Referral communication for interfacility patient transfers to the PICU occurred mainly through unstructured verbal handoffs between referring clinicians and PICU physicians. PICU leaders identified several potential benefits and challenges of standardizing interfacility referral communication.
The role of the gut microbiome in Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology
Authors: Borrego-Ruiz Alejandro , Borrego Juan J.
Published: February 2025

Purpose of review

The present review aims to provide an overview of the existing understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in the Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology.

Recent findings

Recent research has highlighted the significant role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease via the gut-brain axis. However, the precise mechanisms by which gut microbiome and its microbial metabolites influence brain function are not clearly understood. Various factors, such as diet, drugs, lifestyle, stress, and microbial infections can provoke an imbalance in the gut microbiome homeostasis, known as dysbiosis. This dysbiosis impacts intestinal and blood-brain barrier permeability, elevating pro-inflammatory cytokines and contributing to neurodegeneration. Moreover, the gut microbiome generates neurotransmitters, amyloids, neurotoxins, and metabolites, which may play a role in systemic inflammation and in the disruption of physiological barriers.

In the past decade, advancements in microbiome analysis technologies and bioinformatics have significantly enhanced our understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in Alzheimer's disease. The gut microbiome plays a pivotal regulatory role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease, and closely interacts with its pathogenesis, encompassing inflammation, amyloidosis, neurodegeneration, tauopathy, and co-pathologies.
Appraisal of the Impact of the Race-Neutral Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Waiting Time Modification on Transplant Wait Time and Outcomes for Black Kidney Candidates: Importance of Transplant Readiness on the Waitlist
Authors: Ebadinejad Amir , Cobar Juan P , Cyr-Long Pamela L , Dar Wasim , Emmanuel Bishoy , Morgan Glyn , Serrano Oscar K
Published: February 2025

Background:

In July 2022, the Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) mandated race-neutral eGFR calculations when evaluating kidney transplant (KT) candidates, replacing historic race-based estimates. This modification also required transplant programs to identify KT candidates on their waitlist who would have benefitted from an earlier waitlist qualification date using race-neutral calculations.

Study Design:

This retrospective study analyzed Black patients listed for KT at our center between 2000 and 2023, recalculating their eGFR using race-neutral formulas. KT recipients with modified wait times (N=26) were compared to two control groups: Black recipients without modifications (N=21) and non-Black recipients (N=89). Postoperative outcomes, including complications and readmission rates, were analyzed across groups.

Results:

Of 126 Black patients evaluated, 60.3% qualified for wait time modifications, with a median gain of 570 days (1.6 years) per patient, totaling 62,057 days (180.7 years). Within 6 months of receiving additional time, 26 patients (34%) were transplanted, mostly from deceased donors (92%) with a median kidney donor profile index (KDPI) of 66%. Black KT recipients with modifications had significantly higher BMI, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease compared to controls. Readmission rates were higher among Black KT recipients with modifications, though no significant differences in graft loss or mortality were observed.

Conclusions:

Race-neutral eGFR recalculations substantially improved Black KT candidates' ability to receive a KT, addressing historical disparities in KT. However, higher comorbidities and readmissions among these patients suggest the need for thorough transplant readiness evaluations prior to waitlist activation.
SOS – save our seaside! The microbiological risks to human health of raw sewage in our coastal waters
Authors: Cox Jonathan A. G.
Published: February 2025

Most of us enjoy a day at the beach, but we rarely consider that recreational use of our coastal waters could impact our health. This article explores the microbiological threats of sewage discharge to our fun in the sea and proposes a simple way to make sure it’s only sand that you and your family bring home from a visit to the seaside.
Determinants of Placenta Previa among Pregnant Women Delivered in Public Hospitals South Ethiopia: Unmatched Case-Control Study
Authors: Urkashe Tadiwos Utalo , Wolka Eskinder , Barata Tagese Yakob , Abraham Awoke , Kassaye Getu , Getu Jenenu
Published: February 2025

v> Background: Placenta previa is one of the serous obstetric complications in which the placental tissue abnormally implants the lower uterine segment partially or totally. Although the exact etiology of placenta previa is unknown, certain factors can contribute to the condition. This study was aimed to identify the determinants of placenta previa among pregnant women delivered in public hospitals in the wolaita zone, southern regions of Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted on 144 cases and 287 controls from July 8, 2020 to June 30, 2023. The sample size was determined using Epi Info™7.2.5.0. Study subjects were selected using consecutive sampling method. Data were collected using structured checklists, coded, and then input into Epi-data manager version 4.6.0.2 for analysis using SPSS version 25. Using both bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions, the determinants of placenta previa in pregnant women were identified. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value <0.05 were used to declare the significant association. Results: The clinical data of 274 pregnant women with placenta previa group and 388 pregnant women with normal placental position (general group) who delivered in our hospital from July 8, 2020 to June 30, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Out of 19,677 hospital deliveries, 144 pregnant women with placenta previa (cases) and 287 without placenta previa (controls) were included in this study. The mean age of the mothers was 27.35+5.04 years for both cases and controls.The odds of developing placenta previa is higher for the maternal age of ≥35 years[AOR=4.45 (95% C.I =1.2, 4.99)], short inter-pregnancy interval of less than 24 months [AOR=1.89 (95% C.I=(1.08, 3.53)], previous abortion [AOR=5.49 (95% C.I =2.93, 10.3)], previous cesarean sections [AOR=3.73 (95% C.I =1.68, 8.3)], and women having uterine leiomyoma [AOR=6.33 (95% C.I=2.48, 16.17)]. Conclusion: Increased maternal age (≥35 years), short inter-pregnancy interval of less than 24 months, history of abortions, prior cesarean sections, and having leiomyoma were identified determinants of placenta previa.
A conserved epilepsy-associated gene co-expression module identifies increased metabolic rate as a shared pathomechanism
Authors: Long Jingyi , Jones Spencer G. , Serna Ana , van Reijmersdal Boyd , Kampshoff Franziska , Aibar Sara , Verstreken Patrik , Huynen Martijn A. , Luethy Kevin , Coll-Tane Mireia , Schenck Annette
Published: February 2025

Epilepsy is a mechanistically complex, incompletely understood neurological disorder. To uncover novel converging mechanisms in epilepsy, we used Drosophila whole-brain single-cell RNA-sequencing to refine and characterize a previously proposed human epilepsy-associated gene co-expression network (GCN). We identified a conserved co-expressed module of 26 genes, which comprises fly orthologs of 13 epilepsy-associated genes and integrates synaptic and metabolic functions. Over one-third of the Drosophila pan-neuronal knockdown models targeting this module exhibited altered seizure-like behaviors in response to mechanical or heat stress. These recapitulated seizures associated with four epilepsy-associated genes, identified two novel epilepsy candidate genes, and three genes knockdown of which conferred seizure protection. Most knockdown models with altered seizure susceptibility showed changes in metabolic rate and levels of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. Enhancing AMPK activity increased seizure resistance in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings show that Drosophila single-cell expression data and behavior can aid functional validation of human GCNs and highlight a role for metabolism in modifying seizure susceptibility.
Sex-biased zinc responses modulate ribosome biogenesis, protein synthesis and social defects in Cttnbp2 mutant mice
Authors: Fang Yu-Lun , Yen Tzu-Li , Liu Hou-Chen , Wang Ting-Fang , Hsueh Yi-Ping
Published: February 2025

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental conditions influenced by genetic mutations, dietary factors, and sex-specific mechanisms, yet the interplay of these factors remains elusive. Here, we investigate the sex-biased responses of mutant mice carrying an ASD-associated mutation in Cttnbp2 to dietary zinc supplementation using behavioral assays, proteomic and bioinformatic analyses, and puromycin pulse labeling to assess protein synthesis. Our results demonstrate that zinc supplementation enhances ribosome biogenesis and increases the density and size of dendritic spines in male Cttnbp2 mutant mice, alleviating male-biased social deficits. Analyses of neuronal cultures further revealed that neurons, not astrocytes, respond to zinc to enhance protein synthesis. In contrast, female Cttnbp2 mutants exhibit resilience to differential zinc intake, even under zinc deprivation. Elevated mTOR phosphorylation and increased protein levels of translational initiation factors in female brains may provide a protective mechanism, reducing their sensitivity to zinc deficiency. Cttnbp2 mutations heighten male vulnerability to zinc deprivation, impairing social behaviors. These findings highlight zinc-regulated ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis as critical mediators of sex-specific ASD phenotypes, offering new insights into dietary interventions.
A Multimodal Sleep Foundation Model Developed with 500K Hours of Sleep Recordings for Disease Predictions
Authors: Thapa Rahul , Kjær Magnus Ruud , He Bryan , Covert Ian , Moore Hyatt , Hanif Umaer , Ganjoo Gauri , Westover Brandon M. , Jennum Poul , Brink-Kjær Andreas , Mignot Emmanuel , Zou James
Published: February 2025

Sleep is a fundamental biological process with profound implications for physical and mental health, yet our understanding of its complex patterns and their relationships to a broad spectrum of diseases remains limited. While polysomnography (PSG), the gold standard for sleep analysis, captures rich multimodal physiological data, analyzing these measurements has been challenging due to limited flexibility across recording environments, poor generalizability across cohorts, and difficulty in leveraging information from multiple signals simultaneously. To address this gap, we curated over 585,000 hours of high-quality sleep recordings from approximately 65,000 participants across multiple cohorts and developed SleepFM, a multimodal sleep foundation model trained with a novel contrastive learning approach, designed to accommodate any PSG montage. SleepFM produces informative sleep embeddings that enable predictions of future diseases. We systematically demonstrate that SleepFM embeddings can predict 130 future diseases, as modeled by Phecodes, with C-Index and AUROC of at least 0.75 on held-out participants (Bonferroni-corrected p<0.01). This includes accurate predictions for death (C-Index: 0.84 [95% CI: 0.81–0.87]), heart failure (C-Index: 0.80 [95% CI: 0.77–0.83]), chronic kidney disease (C-Index: 0.79 [95% CI: 0.77–0.81]), dementia (C-Index: 0.85 [95% CI: 0.82–0.87]), stroke (C-Index: 0.78 [95% CI: 0.76–0.81]), atrial fibrillation (C-Index: 0.78 [95% CI: 0.75–0.81]), and myocardial infarction (C-Index: 0.81 [95% CI: 0.78–0.84]). The model’s generalizability was further validated through strong performance on the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS), a dataset unseen during pre-training. Additionally, SleepFM demonstrates strong performance on traditional sleep analysis tasks, achieving competitive results in both sleep staging (mean F1 scores: 0.70–0.78) and sleep apnea diagnosis (AUROC: 0.90–0.94). Beyond these standard applications, our analysis reveals that specific sleep stages and physiological signals carry distinct predictive power for different diseases. This work demonstrates how foundation models can leverage sleep polysomnography data to uncover the extensive relationship between sleep physiology and future disease risk.
Neuropixels Opto: Combining high-resolution electrophysiology and optogenetics
Authors: Lakunina Anna , Socha Karolina Z , Ladd Alexander , Bowen Anna J , Chen Susu , Colonell Jennifer , Doshi Anjal , Karsh Bill , Krumin Michael , Kulik Pavel , Li Anna , Neutens Pieter , O’Callaghan John , Olsen Meghan , Putzeys Jan , Tilmans Harrie AC , Ye Zhiwen , Welkenhuysen Marleen , Häusser Michael , Koch Christof , Ting Jonathan T. ,   Neuropixels Opto Consortium, Dutta Barun , Harris Timothy D , Steinmetz Nicholas A , Svoboda Karel , Siegle Joshua H , Carandini Matteo
Published: February 2025

High-resolution extracellular electrophysiology is the gold standard for recording spikes from distributed neural populations, and is especially powerful when combined with optogenetics for manipulation of specific cell types with high temporal resolution. We integrated these approaches into prototype Neuropixels Opto probes, which combine electronic and photonic circuits. These devices pack 960 electrical recording sites and two sets of 14 light emitters onto a 1 cm shank, allowing spatially addressable optogenetic stimulation with blue and red light. In mouse cortex, Neuropixels Opto probes delivered high-quality recordings together with spatially addressable optogenetics, differentially activating or silencing neurons at distinct cortical depths. In mouse striatum and other deep structures, Neuropixels Opto probes delivered efficient optotagging, facilitating the identification of two cell types in parallel. Neuropixels Opto probes represent an unprecedented tool for recording, identifying, and manipulating neuronal populations.
Global metabolite profiling in feces, serum, and urine yields insights into energy balance phenotypes induced by diet-driven microbiome remodeling
Authors: Igudesman Daria , Yu GongXin , Dutta Tumpa , Carnero Elvis A. , Krajmalnik-Brown Rosa , Smith Steven R. , Corbin Karen D.
Published: February 2025

Background.

Preclinical literature and behavioral human data suggest that diet profoundly impacts the human gut microbiome and energy absorption—a key determinant of energy balance. To determine whether these associations are causal, domiciled controlled feeding studies with precise measurements of dietary intake and energy balance are needed. Metabolomics—a functional readout of microbiome modulation—can help identify putative mechanisms mediating these effects. We previously demonstrated that a high-fiber, minimally processed Microbiome Enhancer Diet (MBD) fed at energy balance decreased energy absorption and increased microbial biomass relative to a calorie-matched fiber-poor, highly processed Western Diet (WD).

Objective.

To identify metabolic signatures distinguishing MBD from WD feeding and potential metabolomic mechanisms mediating the MBD-induced negative energy balance.

Methods.

We deployed global metabolomics in feces, serum, and urine using samples collected at the end of a randomized crossover controlled feeding trial delivering 22 days of an MBD and a WD to 17 persons without obesity. Samples were collected while participants were domiciled on a metabolic ward and analyzed using Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectroscopy. Linear mixed effects models tested metabolite changes by diet. Weighted gene network correlation analysis identified metabolite modules correlated with energy balance phenotypes.

Results.

Numerous metabolites consistently altered in the feces, fasting serum, and/or urine may serve as putative dietary biomarkers of MBD feeding. Fecal diet-microbiota co-metabolites decreased by an MBD correlated with reduced energy absorption and increased microbial biomass. An MBD shifted the urinary metabolome from sugar degradation to ketogenesis—evidence of negative energy balance.

Conclusions.

Precisely controlled diets disparate in microbiota-accessible substrates led to distinct metabolomic signatures in feces, fasting serum, and/or urine. These diet-microbiota co-metabolites may be biomarkers of a “fed” (MBD) or “starved” (WD) gut microbiota associated with energy balance. These findings lay the foundation for unveiling causal pathways linking diet-microbiota co-metabolism to energy absorption.
Decoding continuous goal-directed movement from human brain-wide intracranial recordings
Authors: Ottenhoff Maarten C. , Verwoert Maxime , Goulis Sophocles , Tousseyn Simon , van Dijk Johannes P. , Shanechi Maryam M. , Sani Omid G. , Kubben Pieter , Herff Christian
Published: February 2025

Reaching out your hand is an effortless yet complex behavior that is indispensable in daily life. Restoring arm functionality is therefore rated a top priority by people with tetraplegia. Recently, neural correlates of movement have been observed and decoded beyond the motor cortex, but the degree and granularity of movement representation is not fully understood. Here, we explore the neural content of brain-wide movement-related neural activity by decoding neural correlates into 12 different kinematics of goal-directed reaching behavior. Eighteen participants implanted with stereotactic electroencephalography electrodes performed a gamified 3D goal-directed movement task. We demonstrate that continuous movement kinematics can be decoded from distributed recordings using low, mid and high frequency information in all participants using preferential subspace identification (PSID). The neural correlates of movement were distributed throughout the brain, including deeper structures such as the basal ganglia and insula. Moreover, we show that hand position could only be decoded using a goal-directed reference frame, indicating that widespread low-frequency activity is involved in higher-order processing of movements. Our results strengthen the evidence that widespread motor-related dynamics exist across numerous brain regions and can be used to continuously decode movement. The results may provide new opportunities for motor brain-computer interfaces for individuals with a compromised motor cortex, e.g. after stroke, or for control signals in adaptive closed-loop systems.
Transcriptional impacts of substance use disorder and HIV on human ventral midbrain neurons and microglia
Authors: Wilson Alyssa M. , Jacobs Michelle M. , Lambert Tova Y. , Valada Aditi , Meloni Gregory , Gilmore Evan , Murray Jacinta , Morgello Susan , Akbarian Schahram
Published: February 2025

For people with HIV (PWH), substance use disorders (SUDs) are a prominent neurological risk factor, and the impacts of both on dopaminergic pathways are a potential point of deleterious convergence. Here, we profile, at single nucleus resolution, the substantia nigra (SN) transcriptomes of 90 postmortem donors in the context of chronic HIV and opioid/cocaine SUD, including 67 prospectively characterized PWH. We report altered microglial expression for hundreds of pro- and anti-inflammatory regulators attributable to HIV, and separately, to SUD. Stepwise, progressive microglial dysregulation, coupled to altered SN dopaminergic and GABAergic signaling, was associated with SUD/HIV dual diagnosis and further with lack of viral suppression in blood. In virologically suppressed donors, SUD comorbidity was associated with microglial transcriptional changes permissive for HIV infection. We report HIV-related downregulation of monoamine reuptake transporters specifically in dopaminergic neurons regardless of SUD status or viral load, and additional transcriptional signatures consistent with selective vulnerability of SN dopamine neurons.
From discovery to translation: Endogenous substrates of OAT1 and OAT3 as clinical biomarkers for renal secretory function
Authors: Thakur Aarzoo , Singh Dilip K. , Hart Katherine D. , Kis Emese , Gáborik Zsuzsanna , Denton Travis T. , Clarke John D. , Paine Mary F. , Prasad Bhagwat
Published: February 2025

The recent ICH M12 guidance on Drug Interaction Studies encourages the use of alternate approaches for predicting drug-drug interaction (DDI) potential of new chemical entities. One approach involves biomarkers, which are endogenous substrates of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters (DMET) and can be used to assess the inhibitory potential of new chemical entities during Phase 1 clinical studies. Thus, biomarkers could potentially eliminate the need for dedicated DDI studies with exogenous probe substrates. Metabolomics, in conjunction within vitroand/orin vivopreclinical models or clinical studies, can be used for biomarker discovery. We developed and applied a novel metabolomics-based DMET biomarker discovery (MDBD) approach to identify and qualify biomarkers of renal organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) and OAT3. Untargeted metabolomics of pooled plasma and urine samples from a pharmacokinetic DDI study using the OAT1/3 inhibitor, probenecid, yielded 153 features identified as putative OAT1/3 biomarkers. Subsequently,in vitrotransporter uptake assays using processed urine samples confirmed 57 of these features as OAT1 and/or OAT3 substrates. Finally, 23 features were clinically validated as OAT1/3 biomarkers through a detailed pharmacokinetic analysis (0-24 h) of plasma and urine samples. These biomarkers, either alone or as part of a panel, can predict OAT1/3-mediated DDIs and interindividual variability in the renal secretory clearance of organic anions across different populations, thereby enabling translational utility in clinical settings. The novel MDBD approach can be extended to discover biomarkers of other transporters and enzymes.

Using clinical and mechanisticin vitroapproaches, 23 endogenous substrates of OAT1/3 were identified as potential clinical biomarkers of renal secretary elimination of organic anions.
Networked SIRS model with Kalman filter state estimation for epidemic monitoring in Europe
Authors: Aalto Atte , Proverbio Daniele , Giordano Giulia , Skupin Alexander , Gonçalves Jorge
Published: February 2025

Background

Metapopulation models, which consider epidemic spread across interconnected regions, can provide more accurate epidemic predictions with respect to country-specific models. Still, their added complexity and data requirements raise questions about their tangible benefits over simpler, localized models.

Aim

Our goal is to develop and validate networked metapopulation SIRS models, integrated with an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), for predicting influenza-like illness (ILI) across Europe, which enables accurate forecasts, missing data imputation, and actionable insights.

Methods

We constructed two different metapopulation SIRS models: a detailed network-based model, including inter-country travel dynamics, and a simpler mean-field model, aggregating average regional data. Both were calibrated based on decade-long data of European mobility and ILI incidence, using EKF to estimate disease dynamics and forecast epidemic progression. The forecasting performance was benchmarked against isolated country-specific models.

Results

Network models outperformed isolated models in forecasting ILI progression, particularly during critical periods such as wave onsets and peaks, and maintained reliability during COVID-19-affected seasons. The full network model provided up to 25% improvement in peak predictions and demonstrated robustness in imputing missing data, even when up to 40% of the input data was unavailable. The models are fully interpretable and align with epidemiological dynamics across borders.

Conclusion

Our findings unveil the advantages of metapopulation models for epidemic forecasting in interconnected regions. Our framework, combining network models with EKF, offers improved accuracy, resilience to missing data, and enhanced interpretability. Our methodology provides a versatile tool for global public health applications, adaptable to other diseases and geographic scales.
Unprecedented Number of Recurrent Mutations Drive the Rapid Evolution of Pesticide Resistance in a Notorious Pest
Authors: Cao Li-Jun , Chen Jin-Cui , Thia Joshua A. , Schmidt Thomas L. , Ffrench-Constant Richard , Zhang Lin-Xi , Yang Yu , Yuan Meng-Chu , Zhang Jia-Yue , Zhang Xiao-Yang , Yang Qiong , Gong Ya-Jun , Li Hu , Chen Xue-Xin , Hoffmann Ary A. , Wei Shu-Jun
Published: February 2025

The genetic basis of pesticide resistance has been widely studied, but the exact nature of this evolutionary process in the field is often unclear, particularly when a limited number of populations is considered and when there is a lag between the evolutionary event and its investigation. We showed that an unprecedented number of recurrently evolved mutations drive the rapid evolution of the notorious pest, the two-spotted spider mite, to a recently commercialized acaricide, cyetpyrafen. We first observed high levels of resistance that appeared and became widespread within a few years. Genome scans revealed genetic heterogeneity of resistance among populations and identified 15 target mutations on eight amino acid residues of the pesticide target, with as many as five substitutions on one residue. No mutations were present in screened historical specimens, suggesting that mutations arose rapidly throughde novosubstitutions or from very rare segregating mutations. Identical mutations could recurrently appear in different genetic backgrounds, increasing the likelihood of resistance evolution. Additionally, we showed that single mutations conferred high levels of resistance, acting as large-effect alleles. This study demonstrates the high number of mutational options available for the evolution of target site resistance in this pest that challenges resistance management practices.
Chromosome segregation inEscherichia coliinvolves DNA binding by the MinC-MinD complex
Authors: Palanisamy Navaneethan , Klauss Linda , Lefebvre Maïween , Liang Jungsheng , Hofhaus Götz , Zeelen Johan , Urban Maximilian , Öztürk Mehmet Ali , Merker Sabine , Luzarowski Marcin , Ruppert Thomas , Di Ventura Barbara
Published: February 2025

TheEscherichia coliMin system, composed of the proteins MinC, MinD, and MinE, is crucial for directing septum formation at mid-cell. MinD has also been implicated in chromosome segregation due to its non-sequence-specific DNA binding ability. Here, we demonstrate that the MinCD complex, rather than MinD alone, is the primary driver of Min-mediated chromosome segregation and that MinE regulates the transient nature of this interaction. We further reveal a critical function for the linker connecting MinC’s N- and C-terminal domains in both DNA binding and FtsZ polymerization inhibition.E. colistrains expressing MinC linker variants from the native locus exhibit chromosome segregation defects. The defects are more pronounced in strains where the nucleoid-associated protein HU is endogenously tagged with GFP. These findings reinforce the involvement of the Min system in chromosome segregation inE. coliand highlight a previously unrecognized role for the MinC linker.
Ontogeny of catechol-o-methyltransferase expression in the rat prefrontal cortex: effects of methamphetamine exposure
Authors: Carrica Lauren K. , Gulley Joshua M.
Published: February 2025

Repeated use of methamphetamine (METH) is known to dysregulate the dopaminergic system and induce long-lasting changes in behavior, which may be influenced by sex and age of exposure. Catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that is involved in the breakdown of catecholamines, and its role in dopamine clearance is thought to be especially important in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) where dopamine transporter (DAT) expression is relatively scarce. The first study in this report utilized a rat model to characterize the ontogeny of COMT protein expression in the PFC and nucleus accumbens (NAc) across adolescence, which is a developmental stage that has been shown to involve significant reorganization of dopaminergic innervation. Drug-naïve male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were sacrificed on postnatal day (P) 29, 39, 49 or 69, and expression levels of COMT protein within the PFC and NAc were analyzed via Western blot. We found that COMT expression in the PFC increases across adolescence in a sex-dependent manner but does not significantly change in the NAc during this timeframe. A separate group of rats were injected daily from P40-48 (adolescence) or P70-78 (adulthood) with saline or 3.0 mg/kg METH and sacrificed on P49 or P79. While METH decreased COMT in adult rats of both sexes, METH increased COMT expression in the PFC of rats exposed in adolescence. The results of this work suggest that exposure to METH during adolescence uniquely effects dopamine clearance within the PFC, potentially contributing to differences in neurobiological outcomes from METH use.
Targeted inactivation of spinal α2 adrenoceptors promotes paradoxical anti-nociception
Authors: Lucas-Romero Javier , Bandres Maria Fernanda , McPherson Jacob Graves
Published: February 2025

Noradrenergic drive from the brainstem to the spinal cord varies in a context-dependent manner to regulate the patterns of sensory and motor transmission that govern perception and action. In sensory networks, it is traditionally assumed that activation of spinal α2 receptors is anti-nociceptive, while spinal α2 blockade is pro-nociceptive. Here, however, we demonstratein vivoin rats that targeted blockade of spinal α2 receptors can promote anti-nociception. The anti-nociceptive effects are not contingent upon supraspinal actions, as they persist below a chronic spinal cord injury and are enhanced by direct spinal application of antagonist. They are also evident throughout sensory-dominant, sensorimotor integrative, and motor-dominant regions of the gray matter, and neither global changes in spinal neural excitability nor off-target activation of spinal α1 adrenoceptors or 5HT1Areceptors abolished the anti-nociception. Together, these findings challenge the current understanding of noradrenergic modulation of spinal nociceptive transmission.
Rapid Rescue: Spatial Storage Effect Facilitates Evolutionary Rescue in Rapidly Changing Environments
Authors: Rowland Eve Nancy , Gulisija Davorka
Published: February 2025

The storage effect is a plausible natural mechanism that generates balanced genetic polymorphism in varying environments. Balanced polymorphism may facilitate evolutionary rescue, promoting the persistence of populations otherwise destined for extinction. However, it is unknown whether the storage effect can be established in small populations whose size is allowed to vary, and if so, whether it will lead to evolutionary rescue. In this study, we investigate if the spatial storage effect emerges and facilitates evolutionary rescue across small populations of variable sizes that inhabit heterogeneous temporally varying environments and exchange migrants. We use an eco-evolutionary model to examine the phenomenon under a wide set of conditions, including the magnitudes and periods of temporal variation, habitat harshness, migration rates, the degrees of spatial heterogeneity, and increasing fitness oscillations over time, all within the framework of the logistic population growth model. We find that the storage effect emerges and that it increases the persistence of populations in harsh temporally varying habitats beyond levels driven by migration alone under source-sink dynamics. This mechanism, which we call rapid rescue broadens the known conditions for population persistence in the face of sudden environmental change.
Ambiguous resonances in multipulse quantum sensing with nitrogen-vacancy centers
Authors: Tsunaki Lucas , Singh Anmol , Volkova Kseniia , Trofimov Sergei , Pregnolato Tommaso , Schröder Tim , Naydenov Boris
Published: February 2025

Dynamical decoupling multipulse sequences can be applied to solid-state spins for sensing weak oscillating fields from nearby single nuclear spins. By periodically reversing the probing system's evolution, other noises are counteracted and filtered out over the total evolution. However, the technique is subject to intricate interactions resulting in additional resonant responses, which can be misinterpreted with the actual signal intended to be measured. We experimentally characterize three of these effects present in single nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, where we also develop a numerical simulation model without rotating-wave approximation, showing robust correlation to the experimental data. Regarding centers with the N15 nitrogen isotope, we observe that a small misalignment in the bias magnetic field causes the precession of the nitrogen nuclear spin to be sensed by the electronic spin of the center. Another studied case of ambiguous resonances comes from the coupling with lattice C13 nuclei, where we use the echo modulation frequencies to obtain the interaction Hamiltonian and then utilize the latter to simulate multipulse sequences. Finally, we also measure and simulate the effects from the free evolution of the quantum system during finite pulse durations. Due to the large data volume and the strong dependence of these ambiguous resonances with specific experimental parameters, we provide a simulations data set with a user-friendly graphical interface, where users can compare simulations with their own experimental data for spectral disambiguation. Although focused on nitrogen-vacancy centers and dynamical decoupling sequences, these results and the developed model can potentially be applied to other solid-state spins and quantum sensing techniques.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Effect of microstructure and grain boundary character distribution on the corrosion behavior of weathering bridge steel
Authors: Li Wang , Gao Xiuhua , Chen Xincheng , Wang Hongyan , Zhu Changyou , Li Tong , Wang Jun , Wu Hongyan , Du Linxiu , Gao Cairu
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of different microstructures and its grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) on the corrosion behavior of weathering bridge steel.

Design/methodology/approach

The rust layer characteristics and corrosion resistance of specimens with different microstructures in the simulated industrial environment were studied by Electron Probe X-ray Micro-Analyzer, wavelength-dispersive spectrometer and electrochemical techniques. Electron backscatter diffraction technique was used to characterize the GBCD in steels with different microstructures.

Findings

Results revealed a significant difference in the corrosion susceptibility among the four microstructures, with corrosion rates decreasing in the following order: ferrite + pearlite > ferrite + bainite > bainite > martensite. The variation in corrosion resistance is primarily influenced by the microstructure type and the proportion of special grain boundaries, rather than the alloying elements. The proportion of Σ3 boundaries within the coincidence site lattice boundaries is positively correlated with improved corrosion resistance. A higher Σ3 boundary fraction resulted in a lower effective grain boundary energy, elevated self-corrosion potential, increased polarization resistance and reduced areas of localized galvanic corrosion; this led to enhanced inhibition of the electrochemical corrosion reaction, consequently reducing the corrosion rate.

Originality/value

This study elucidates and quantifies the intrinsic relationship between microstructure, GBCD and corrosion rate. This understanding is crucial for enhancing the corrosion resistance of weathering bridge steels in industrial atmospheric corrosion environments.
Mapping journey of human resource management practices and service quality: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Kaushal Neelam , Kaurav Rahul Pratap Singh , Jha Manish Kumar , Ghalawat Suman , Kaswan Mahender Singh
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The present research work reviews and maps the thematic evolution of the interface between human resource (HR) practices and service quality (SQ) over the last 33 years.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed systematic literature review (SLR), bibliometric analysis and visualization to comprehensively map 215 papers extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The present study also helps to document the research themes that evolved through co-occurrence networks and thematic maps.

Findings

The study identifies that HR practices are the central drivers for maintaining SQ in an organization and found that teamwork, empowerment, recruitment, selection, training and reward are key for improving the SQ. It concludes the impact of HR practices on SQ, develops the knowledge structure of human resource management (HRM) operations and SQ literature and organizes it under various dimensions as antecedents and outcomes. As its foremost input, the current study proposes human resource practices and service quality (HRPSQ) framework for comprehensive HR practices and SQ in an organization.

Originality/value

The study is unique as it map the journey of HR practices and SQ and proposes a framework for improved performance.
Revolutionizing sustainable success: unveiling the power of green human resource management, green innovation and green human capital
Authors: Badwy Hanan Eid , Qalati Sikandar Ali , El-Bardan Mohamed Fawzy
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Environmental concerns and the urgent issues of climate change have shifted the organization’s focus toward achieving sustainability. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the complex relationships among green human resource management (GHRM), green innovation (GI), green human capital (GHC) and sustainable performance (SP).

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the relationships, the study employed partial least square structural equation modeling to run an analysis on 384 managers working in the hotel sector in Egypt, selected through a simple random sampling technique.

Findings

The results demonstrate that GHRM positively influences both GI and GHC. Additionally, GI and GHC have a positive impact on SP. Furthermore, GHRM directly contributes to SP, with GI and GHC acting as significant mediators in the relationship between GHRM and SP.

Practical implications

This study advances theoretical understanding and offers practical insights by employing the resource-based view theory and the ability-motivation-opportunity theory.

Originality/value

This research introduces and empirically tests a novel conceptual framework that comprehensively assesses the impacts of GHRM, GI and GHC on SP.
Stepping stone: the logic of financial inclusion through microfinance – evidence from China’s largest commercial microfinance institution
Authors: Zhou Nan , Cheng Wenli , Zhang Longyao
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study assesses the impact of microfinance experience on rural households’ subsequent bank credit access, defined as the stepping-stone effect. We evaluate the average impact, heterogeneity and mechanisms of this effect and draw policy implications.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 2018 survey data from 2,347 rural households in six Chinese provinces, this study uses the IV-Probit model to evaluate the stepping-stone effect.

Findings

The microfinance experience increases rural households’ probability of obtaining subsequent bank credit by six percentage points. Whether distinguished by social capital or economic wealth, this effect is at least as significant among households previously excluded from bank credit as it is among those originally favored by bank credit. Two mechanisms behind this effect are identified: (1) the microfinance experience provides financial education, transforming hidden demand for bank credit into effective demand and (2) the microfinance experience creates a credit record in the National Credit Information System, increasing the ability to obtain bank credit by providing banks with credible credit information.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence of a progressive relationship in which microfinance acts as a stepping stone to deliver “credit graduate” clients to bank credit. And we also provide a different perspective for understanding MFIs’ relatively high interest rates. We may treat a part of the interest payment as a tuition for financial education and a price for credit information.

Highlights

(1)

We study whether microfinance in China had the stepping-stone effect of improving a rural household’s subsequent access to bank credit and investigate the likely mechanisms behind it.

(2)

Microfinance served as a stepping stone to bank credit: the microfinance experience increases rural households’ probability of obtaining subsequent bank credit by six percentage points.

(3)

Whether distinguished by social capital or economic wealth, this effect is at least as significant among households previously excluded from bank credit as it is among those originally favored by bank credit.

(4)

On the credit demand side, the microfinance experience provides financial education, transforming hidden demand for bank credit into effective demand.

(5)

On the credit supply side, the microfinance experience creates a credit record in the National Credit Information System, increasing the ability to obtain bank credit by providing banks with credible credit information.
Exploring the impact of morphological nanolayers on mixed convection in MHD nanofluids through a neurocomputational approach
Authors: Faisal  , Ramzan Aroosa , Ahmad Moeed , Abbas Waseem
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to develop a neurocomputational approach using the Levenberg–Marquardt artificial neural network (LM-ANN) to analyze flow and heat transfer characteristics in mixed convection involving radiative magnetohydrodynamic hybrid nanofluids. The focus is on the influence of morphological nanolayers at the fluid–nanoparticle interface, which significantly impacts coupled heat and mass transfer processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This research simplifies a complex system of higher-order nonlinear coupled partial differential equations governing the flow between orthogonal coaxially porous disks into ordinary differential equations via similarity transformations. These equations are solved using the shooting method, and parametric studies are conducted to observe the impact of varying important parameters. The resulting data sets are used to train, validate and test the LM-ANN model, which ensures high predictive accuracy. Machine learning and curve-fitting techniques further enhance the model’s capability to generate detailed visualizations.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that increased nanolayer thickness (0.4–1.6) significantly improves thermal performance, while changes in the chemical reaction parameter (0.2–1) have a notable effect on enhancing the Sherwood number. These results highlight the critical role of morphological nanolayers in optimizing thermal and mass transfer efficiency in MHD nanofluids.

Originality/value

This research provides a novel neurocomputational framework for understanding the thermal and mass transfer dynamics in MHD nanofluids by incorporating the effects of interfacial nanolayers, an aspect often overlooked in conventional studies. The use of LM-ANN trained on computational data sets enables high-fidelity predictive analysis, offering new insights into the enhancement of thermal and mass transfer efficiency in hybrid nanofluid systems.
Are employer-initiated financial education programs effective for women? Insights for organizational training programs through stakeholder perceptions
Authors: Urmila M.S. , Pillai Rajasekharan , Mukesh Hasirumane Venkatesh , Prabhu Nandan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to explore and unfold the problems in designing and delivering employer-initiated financial education programs (FEPs) from the perspective of working women who attend such programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers conducted in-depth interviews and utilized an interpretive qualitative approach to explore the expectations and experiences of women employees regarding such programs.

Findings

The results of this study demonstrate that employer-led FEPs may not benefit women employees due to specific misaligned actions of both employers and employees at every stage, which make the programs ineffective.

Research limitations/implications

While this study encompasses women from varied age groups and marital statuses, the researchers acknowledge that the sample size is limited and represents a specific socioeconomic group.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have policy and practical implications for addressing perceived issues in FEPs initiated by employers for women employees.

Originality/value

The novel contributions of this study include suggesting a process model for building FEPs, highlighting the existing problems at each step in designing and delivering an FEP and expanding the application of Self-Determination Theory in FEPs.