bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ACandidozyma(Candida)auris-optimized Episomal Plasmid Induced Cas9-editing system reveals the direct impact of the S639F encodingFKS1mutation
Authors: Doorley Laura A. , Meza-Perez Vanessa , Jones Sarah J. , Rybak Jeffrey M. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTObjectivesMutations in theCandidozyma(Candida)aurisβ-glucan synthase gene (FKS1) altering S639 are frequently associated with clinical echinocandin resistance. However, the direct impact of these mutations remains uncharacterized. We have developed a novelC. auris-optimizedEpisomalPlasmid-InducedCas9 (EPIC) gene-editing system capable of recyclable precision genome editing and demonstrate the contribution ofFKS1S639Fmutation to echinocandin resistance.MethodsThe EPIC gene-editing system was generated for optimized use inC. auris, andADE2modification was evaluated in 5C. aurisclades. Mutations leading to Fks1S639Fand Fks1WTwere placed into echinocandin-susceptible and echinocandin-resistant isolates from Clade-III and -I, respectively, using the EPIC system. Echinocandin susceptibility was determined by CLSI broth microdilution, and cell wall abundance of chitin and β-glucan was assessed by staining with Calcofluor White (CFW) and Aniline Blue (AB).ResultsThe EPIC system was capable of targetedADE2editing inC. aurisisolates from 5 genetic clades and shown to be precise by confirmatory sequencing of 50 transformants. A single nucleotide change inFKS1resulting in either the S639F substitution or a silent synonymous mutation was introduced in an echinocandin-susceptible Clade-III isolate.PrecisionFKS1editing by the EPIC system was confirmed by whole genome sequencing. Subsequent susceptibility testing demonstrated introduction of theFKS1S639F mutation to increase resistance to echinocandins. Moreover, introduction of a wildtype Fks1 sequence to an echinocandin-resistant Clade-I clinical isolate, correcting theFKS1S639Fmutation, resulted in a restoration of echinocandin sensitivity. Evaluation of cell wall composition showed isolates or strains harboringFKS1S639Fto contain significantly elevated β-glucan and chitin content relative to isogenic comparators.ConclusionsThese data demonstrate the potential of our EPIC system in its ability to introduce single nucleotide substitutions in multipleC. aurisclade backgrounds while revealing the direct impact of the S639F encodingFKS1mutation on echinocandin resistance.
Dietary cysteine enhances intestinal stemness via CD8+T cell-derived IL-22
Authors: Chi Fangtao , Zhang Qiming , Shay Jessica E.S. , Hoeve Johanna Ten , Yuan Yin , Yang Zhenning , Shin Heaji , Solanki Sumeet , Shah Yatrik M. , Agudo Judith , Yilmaz Ömer H. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractA critical question in physiology is understanding how tissues adapt and alter their cellular composition in response to dietary cues. The mammalian small intestine, a vital digestive organ that absorbs nutrients, is maintained by rapidly renewing Lgr5+intestinal stem cells (ISCs) at the intestinal crypt base. While Lgr5+ISCs drive intestinal adaptation by altering self-renewal and differentiation divisions in response to diverse diets such as high-fat diets and fasting regimens, little is known about how micronutrients, particularly amino acids, instruct Lgr5+ISC fate decisions to control intestinal homeostasis and repair after injury. Here, we demonstrate that cysteine, an essential amino acid, enhances the ability of Lgr5+ISCs to repair intestinal injury. Mechanistically, the effects of cysteine on ISC-driven repair are mediated by elevated IL-22 from intraepithelial CD8αβ+T cells. These findings highlight how coupled cysteine metabolism between ISCs and CD8+T cells augments intestinal stemness, providing a dietary approach that exploits ISC and immune cell crosstalk for ameliorating intestinal damage.
Voltage-gated ion channel diversity underlies neuronal excitability and nervous system evolution
Authors: Davila-Velderrain Jose , van Giesen Lena 
Published: February 2025

SummaryAll nervous systems function via electrical excitability mediated by ion channels. However, channels and excitability are both ancient, preneuronal features that many cells use to rapidly adjust behavior. We systematically studied the evolutionary paths to neuronal excitability by characterizing the voltage-gated ion channel complements (VGL-chanomes) of 623 organisms, dissecting their expression patterns in 11 whole-body cell atlases and 3 entire nervous systems, and recording electrical properties of “primitive” neurons in the sea anemone. We find a disconnect between ion channel availability and organismal or nervous system complexity and find instead an association with lifestyle and behavior. Cell type restricted chanome expression predated the emergence of nervous systems in multicellular organisms. Multiple gene-family expansions and contractions independently specialized or diversified VGL-chanomes leading to a surprising convergent pattern: not the number of channels but their diversity and restrictive recruitment is a hallmark of neuronal complexity. These findings suggest that the evolution of highly complex nervous systems was not a stepwise progression of expanding complexity.
The role of mega events’ sustainability practices in fostering environmentally sustainable behaviors: evidence from Expo 2020 Dubai
Authors: El-Said Osman Ahmed , Aziz Heba , Salem Islam Elbayoumi , Youssif Marwa 
Published: February 2025

PurposeAligned with the global commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, this study investigated the role of mega events in promoting environmentally sustainable behaviors, with a specific focus on Expo 2020 Dubai.Design/methodology/approachThe context of the current study is Expo 2020 Dubai. Data was gathered from a convenience sample of 250 Expo 2020 Dubai visitors, and following data screening, the data was analyzed using AMOS 24 software following a two-step approach.FindingsThe study found that the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices significantly explained visitors’ environmental sustainability awareness. Moreover, the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices and environmental sustainability awareness positively influenced visitors’ awareness of consequences. Personal norms were found to be influenced by environmental sustainability awareness and awareness of consequences, while the relationship between the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices and personal norms was found to be insignificant. Finally, all predictors of intention to adopt environmentally sustainable behaviors were significant, with environmental sustainability awareness having the strongest impact, followed by the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices, personal norms and awareness of consequences.Practical implicationsThese findings contribute valuable insights into the potential influence of mega events on promoting environmentally sustainable behaviors, with implications for event organizers and policymakers working toward sustainable development objectives.Originality/valueDespite the significant impact of mega-events, few studies have explored how their sustainability practices affect environmental awareness and behavior. With rising global concern for climate change, examining the role of events like Expo 2020 Dubai in promoting sustainability is crucial. This research addresses this gap by investigating how mega-events can enhance environmental awareness and sustainable behaviors.
Retail consumer selfie theory and implications
Authors: Prasad Shantanu , Prabhudesai Rohit 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe selfie phenomenon has significantly affected retail environments. This study aims to conceptualise this phenomenon and analyse its findings and implications for managers, researchers and policymakers in retail environments.Design/methodology/approachA literature review, an exploratory qualitative study and three experiments were conducted to examine the conceptualisation, findings and managerial implications of retail consumer selfie culture as a marketing tool across different age cohorts.FindingsThe concepts of the extended self in a digital world, sense of vision (sight), self-imagery and distance explain retail customer selfie culture and the findings that its impact varies significantly across different age cohorts in the retail environment from both vision (sight) and self-imagery perspectives.Originality/valueThis study proposes the retail consumer selfie theory (RCST). RCST can revolutionise retail advertising and branding and design more effective retail selfie campaigns specific to the target audience (different age cohorts) according to different products in various industries, offering new ways of performing product trials, evaluations, implementing retail strategies and public policy.
The retail collaborative recommendations for personalized product recommendations
Authors: Liao Shu-hsien , Widowati Retno , Chan Shang-Chen 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe delivery service business model is the final link in logistics for both online-and-offline (O2O) businesses. O2O business models combine e-commerce and physical commerce, using online marketing techniques to drive consumption in physical channels. Regarding collaborative recommendation, a recommendation mechanism involves two or more parties, such as logistics, retail firms and e-commerce operators, working together to obtain necessary consumer information and knowledge, such as profiles and preferences, as the basis for personalized product recommendations. Thus, delivery service and O2O purchasing integration for retail collaborative recommendations development are valuable research issues on retail and distribution management.Design/methodology/approachThis study implements two-stage data mining analytics for clustering and association rules analysis, to investigate Taiwan consumers' (n = 2,169) preferences for delivery service. This process clarifies delivery service and O2O purchasing behaviours and preferences to find knowledge profiles/patterns/rules for retail collaborative recommendations.FindingsThis study first found several knowledge profiles/patterns/rules on our subjects. Discussion and implications for Taiwan retail and delivery service operators are also presented. The research findings show that delivery service is a valuable resource for O2O business models for retail collaborative recommendations.Originality/valueRegarding originality and value, collaborative recommendation is a mechanism that seeks to understand consumers' lives and context. From the retail perspective, delivery and retail operators can join to discover valuable data on the platform through interactive data on consumer preferences for delivery service and O2O purchasing. These operators can then summarize the information to make collaborative recommendations more accurately, thus increasing O2O purchasing.
Effects of Fiscal Policy on Financial Bank Intermediation Quality in WAEMU Countries
Authors: Nabié Ouabou , Diarra Mahamadou 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe study assesses the effects of fiscal policy on the financial bank quality intermediation in the WAEMU. To do so, the effects of the government securities ratio and the tax pressure rate on the NPL ratio are examined separately. The study uses panel data from WAEMU countries over the period 1990–2021 and ARDL modelling by the PMG estimator for basics estimates and the GM‐FMOLS estimator for robustness. The public securities ratio improves the financial bank quality intermediation up to the maximum threshold of 47.5% of GDP. The tax pressure rate contributes to increasing the NPL ratio up to the maximum threshold of 17.06%. These results imply that a reform of banking regulation should encourage banks to hold a significant proportion of public securities, without crowding out the private sector. They also call on governments to implement measures to stimulate economic activity to absorb fiscal pressure. The study contributes to the literature and empirical effects of fiscal policy on the financial bank quality intermediation in the WAEMU while serving as a decision‐making tool for governments and banking authorities in the management of NPLs in their lending activities and development.
Pathways from spousal bereavement to cognitive functioning in Pakistani older adults: Mediational role of social rhythms and moderating role of social support
Authors: Izhar Ruba , Hassan Sumara Masood Ul 
Published: February 2025

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigated the association between spousal bereavement and cognitive functioning among Pakistani community dwelling older adults.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was completed in Pakistan in 2022–2023. A total sample of 135 bereaved older adults (Mage = 67.7, SD = 7.37) was obtained from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, via purposive sampling. Data were collected through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), the Core Bereavement Item (CBI), the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support(MSPSS) and the Brief Social Rhythm Scale (BSRS). All scales were administered in Urdu language.ResultsCorrelation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between normative grief, complicated grief and cognitive functioning. Results generated, using PROCESS Macro Model 4 after controlling for age and duration of bereavement, revealed that normative grief and cognitive functioning were partially mediated by social rhythms. No mediation was formed after controlling for education. Complicated grief and cognitive functioning were not mediated by social rhythms. Perceived social support did not moderate the relationship between normative grief and complicated grief. However, only the perceived support from family moderated the relationship between complicated grief and cognitive functioning.ConclusionsSocial rhythm regularity did not mediate cognitive decline among grieving older adults. However, results highlight the importance of support from family in preventing cognitive decline. Findings suggested that understanding the underlying pathways associated with cognitive decline among older adults are vital for the development of specific intervention and prevention strategies.
Proactive aggression or passive resistance: A face perspective on why and how illegitimate tasks elicit various counterproductive work behaviours in employees
Authors: Jiang Fubin , Wang Zhen , Zhang Mufan 
Published: February 2025

AbstractIllegitimate tasks are identified as common stressors in the workplace. Yet, research has predominantly linked illegitimate tasks to counterproductive work behaviours (CWBs) while overlooking why and how illegitimate tasks are related to employees' different CWBs. Drawing on the face research and the approach–avoidance framework, this article develops a model that delineates both approach‐ and avoidance‐oriented responses to illegitimate tasks. Specifically, we posit that the two dimensions of face consciousness—desire to gain face (approach‐oriented face) and fear of losing face (avoidance‐oriented face)—differently relate to employees' emotional and CWBs reactions to daily illegitimate tasks. We tested our hypotheses using 855 observations collected from 91 full‐time employees across 10 consecutive working days. Results showed that employees higher on desire to gain face are more likely to feel angry and engage in interpersonal deviance (approach‐oriented CWBs) because of daily illegitimate tasks than those lower on it. Employees higher on fear of losing face, however, are likely to feel anxious and engage in interaction avoidance (avoidance‐oriented CWBs) when confronted with daily illegitimate tasks. Overall, these findings provide a social image and face perspective for understanding employees' various CWBs caused by illegitimate tasks and inspire management practices.
Clinical Course and Prognosis of Long‐Term Survivors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Kim Soon Sun , Lee Jonghyun , Ahn Sang Bong , Chon Young Eun , Yoon Eileen , Jeong Soung Won , Jun Dae Won 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsThis study investigated the long‐term prognosis and clinical course of patients who survived for more than 5 years after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. A total of 35,348 subjects newly diagnosed with HCC between January 2008 and December 2010 were followed up until December 2018.ResultsA total of 11,514 (32.6%) survived for 5 years after diagnosis of HCC among 35,348 patients diagnosed with HCC. Long‐term survivors (≥ 5 years) had a higher proportion of females, younger age, more frequent aetiology of hepatitis B virus, less frequent liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and received curative treatment more frequently than nonsurvivors (< 5 years). The additional 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year cumulative survival probabilities were 90.7%, 77.6% and 68.4% respectively. Patients who underwent curative treatment as the first treatment for HCC showed a higher additional 5‐year cumulative survival probabilities than those treated with noncurative therapy (74.5% vs. 64.2%). Among the long‐term survivors, 44.4% underwent HCC retreatment 5 years after HCC diagnosis. The additional 5‐year cumulative survival probability was 54.9% in the HCC retreatment group. The overall 5‐ and 10‐year cumulative probabilities of second primary malignancies in long‐term survivors were 15.36% and 27.54% respectively. The most frequent second primary malignancy was prostate cancer, followed by colorectal and pancreatic cancers.ConclusionOur study highlights that a significant proportion of patients with HCC achieve long‐term survival beyond 5 years, with favourable outcomes associated with curative treatments.
Review Article: Novel Enzyme Therapy Design for Gluten Peptide Digestion Through Exopeptidase Supplementation
Authors: Bonner Erin R. , Tschollar Werner , Anderson Robert , Mourabit Sulayman 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundDietary peptides are increasingly linked to inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, exemplified by coeliac disease. Coeliac disease is caused by an acquired immune response to proline‐ and glutamine‐rich gluten peptides, which bottleneck proteolysis and provide substrates for immune recognition. Enzyme therapies aim to eliminate gluten immunogenic peptides as an adjunct to gluten‐free diet.AimsTo investigate overlooked aspects of enzyme development given difficulties in translating preclinical efficacy into clinical benefit.MethodsWe assessed mode‐of‐action, target organ and drug delivery in the context of digestive physiology and motility for gluten‐digesting enzymes on the market or in development until 1 December 2024.ResultsMost enzymes were gastric endopeptidases specific for proline or glutamine residues. Gastric enzymes may achieve poor enzyme–substrate exposure due to limited mixing and rapid emptying of water‐soluble particles. Moreover, endopeptidases cleave proteins/peptides into shorter peptides but do not systematically cleave protein into absorbable fractions. Natural digestive physiology provides thorough mixing at the intestinal brush border, which produces exopeptidases necessary to fully digest proline‐rich peptides. Despite reduced activity in patients with coeliac disease, exopeptidases remain underexplored as therapeutic agents. Given limited substrate scope and end‐to‐end digestion, exopeptidases are ineffective as single agents, requiring functional combinations. Furthermore, vulnerability to gastric acid requires stabilisation or formulation for rapid enteric release.ConclusionsEnzymes should be stabilised throughout the gastrointestinal tract including the small intestine. Exopeptidases perform a critical function by systematically generating absorbable fractions, warranting future investigation as therapeutic agents. Sensitive and translational biomarkers are needed to better assess enzyme efficacy in real‐meal conditions.
History, clinical presentation, therapy, and patient reported outcomes of mucosal lichen planus: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Cramer Neda , Kromer Daniel , Bootsveld Julia M. , Sennhenn‐Kirchner Sabine , Gerdes Sascha , Sondermann Wiebke , Assaf Katharina , Goebeler Matthias , Wilsmann‐Theis Dagmar , Günther Claudia , Kromer Christian , Mössner Rotraut 
Published: February 2025

SummaryBackground and ObjectivesMucosal lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory disease. The patient's journey can be arduous as diagnosis and therapy are challenging.Patients and MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, a wide range of characteristics of the patient's journey were assessed and evaluated from a total of 72 patients with mucosal LP who were treated in the dermatology departments of six German university medical centers between 02/2022 and 07/2023.ResultsOn average, 18.1 months elapsed between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis. Until the correct diagnosis was made, an average of 3.1 different physicians of the same or different specialties were consulted. 28.1% of patients also had cutaneous involvement. Therapeutically, 68% of patients received at least one systemic drug. Both topical (90%, 65/72) and systemic (oral, 50% of patients, 36/72; intravenous, 33%, 24/72) glucocorticoids were most frequently used. Systemic agents were most often discontinued due to ineffectiveness (46%, 50/110). Satisfaction with treatment was highest for intravenous and topical glucocorticoids (moderate to high satisfaction: 59% and 36%, respectively), and lowest for retinoids with 8%.ConclusionsThis study indicates that there might be a lack of diagnostic awareness among physicians and the unmet need for effective systemic treatment options.
Interpretable Machine Learning for Age‐at‐Death Estimation From the Pubic Symphysis
Authors: Bermejo Enrique , Villegas Antonio David , Irurita Javier , Damas Sergio , Cordón Oscar 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTAge‐at‐death estimation is an arduous task in human identification based on characteristics such as appearance, morphology or ossification patterns in skeletal remains. This process is performed manually, although in recent years there have been several studies that attempt to automate it. One of the most recent approaches involves considering interpretable machine learning methods, obtaining simple and easily understandable models. The ultimate goal is not to fully automate the task but to obtain an accurate model supporting the forensic anthropologists in the age‐at‐death estimation process. We propose a semi‐automatic method for age‐at‐death estimation based on nine pubic symphysis traits identified from Todd's pioneering method. Genetic programming is used to learn simple mathematical expressions following a symbolic regression process, also developing feature selection. Our method follows a component‐scoring approach where the values of the different traits are evaluated by the expert and aggregated by the corresponding mathematical expression to directly estimate the numeric age‐at‐death value. Oversampling methods are considered to deal with the strongly imbalanced nature of the problem. State‐of‐the‐art performance is achieved thanks to an interpretable model structure that allows us to both validate existing knowledge and extract some new insights in the discipline.