bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi‐country investigation of the diversity and associated microorganisms isolated from tick species from domestic animals, wildlife and vegetation in selected african countries
Authors: Olivieri Emanuela , Kariuki Edward , Floriano Anna Maria , Castelli Michele , Tafesse Yohannes Mulatu , Magoga Giulia , Kumsa Bersissa , Montagna Matteo , Sassera Davide 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn many areas of Africa, recent studies highlighted the great impact of ticks on animal and human health throughout the continent. On the other hand, very limited information on the bacterial endosymbionts of the African ticks and their pattern of co-infections with other bacteria are found in literature, notwithstanding their pivotal role in tick survival and vector efficiency. Thus, we investigated the distribution of selected pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria in hard ticks collected from wild, domestic animals and from vegetation in various ecological zones in Africa and their co-occurrence in the same tick host. Overall, 339 hard ticks were morphologically identified as belonging to the genera Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus. Molecular screening provided information on pathogens circulation in Africa, detecting spotted fever group rickettsiae, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia ruminantium, Borrelia garinii, Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Coxiella burnetii. Furthermore, our work provides insights on the African scenario of tick-symbiont associations, revealing the presence of Coxiella, Francisella and Midichloria across multiple tick populations. Coxiella endosymbionts were the most prevalent microorganisms, and that with the broadest spectrum of hosts, being detected in 16 tick species. Francisella was highly prevalent among the Hyalomma species tested and correlated negatively with the presence of Coxiella, showing a potential competitive interaction. Interestingly, we detected a positive association of Francisella with Rickettsia in specimens of Hy. rufipes, suggesting a synergistic interaction between them. Finally, Midichloria was the most prevalent symbiont in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato from Egypt.
Technologies, challenges and perspectives of biogas production within an agricultural context. The case of China and Africa
Authors: Tagne Rufis Fregue Tiegam , Dong Xiaobin , Anagho Solomon G. , Kaiser Serena , Ulgiati Sergio 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe use of fossil fuels in modern economies has been a success because of the low cost of fossil resources. However, the depletion of fossil reserves, the increase in waste production and global warming concerns have led to increased research on the production of biofuels from renewable resources. Waste production is steadily increasing in quantity and constantly changing in quality, creating enormous risks for the environment and, consequently, for the health of the population. This situation is much more worrying in developing countries, in particular because of the considerable delay in the field of the conversion and recovery of biomaterials, due to their difficulty in approaching the problem in a way that fits their context. The composition of such wastes and residues, rich in organic matter, allows their conversion via biochemical mechanisms, thus constituting an effective solution to address the environmental problems of their disposal. Anaerobic digestion remains a valuable and effective technology for transforming these biomaterials into biogas. The present review focuses on technologies, challenges and areas of application of biogas, especially in China and some African countries, in order to promote the large-scale use of biogas for electricity generation and biofuels. Results point out that China is more used to this technology, while African countries still rely on traditional and less advanced technologies, thus hampering the potential derived from the large availability of biomaterials. Both realities, however, share similar backgrounds about the dimension of the biogas plants and their non-commercial purposes, even if China is recently shifting toward the adoption of a different model. These considerations are used in the article to open an interesting new scenario of political alternatives which may provide a way out from poverty and economic dependence, within the framework of a wider circularity.
A call for governments to pause Twitter censorship: using Twitter data as social-spatial sensors of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 research diffusion
Authors: Patel Vanash M. , Haunschild Robin , Bornmann Lutz , Garas George 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this study we determined whether Twitter data can be used as social-spatial sensors to show how research on COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 diffuses through the population to reach the people that are affected by the disease. We performed a cross-sectional bibliometric analysis between 23rd March and 14th April 2020. Three sources of data were used: (1) deaths per number of population for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 retrieved from John Hopkins University and Worldometer, (2) publications related to COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 retrieved from World Health Organisation COVID-19 database, and (3) tweets of these publications retrieved from Altmetric.com and Twitter. In the analysis, the number of publications used was 1761, and number of tweets used was 751,068. Mapping of worldwide data illustrated that high Twitter activity was related to high numbers of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 deaths, with tweets inversely weighted with number of publications. Regression models of worldwide data showed a positive correlation between the national deaths per number of population and tweets when holding number of publications constant (coefficient 0.0285, S.E. 0.0003,p < 0.001). Twitter can play a crucial role in the rapid research response during the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, especially to spread research with prompt public scrutiny. Governments are urged to pause censorship of social media platforms to support the scientific community’s fight against COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.
Novel CRISPR/Cas applications in plants: from prime editing to chromosome engineering
Authors: Huang Teng-Kuei , Puchta Holger 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn the last years, tremendous progress has been made in the development of CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing tools. A number of natural CRISPR/Cas nuclease variants have been characterized. Engineered Cas proteins have been developed to minimize PAM restrictions, off-side effects and temperature sensitivity. Both kinds of enzymes have, by now, been applied widely and efficiently in many plant species to generate either single or multiple mutations at the desired loci by multiplexing. In addition to DSB-induced mutagenesis, specifically designed CRISPR/Cas systems allow more precise gene editing, resulting not only in random mutations but also in predefined changes. Applications in plants include gene targeting by homologous recombination, base editing and, more recently, prime editing. We will evaluate these different technologies for their prospects and practical applicability in plants. In addition, we will discuss a novel application of the Cas9 nuclease in plants, enabling the induction of heritable chromosomal rearrangements, such as inversions and translocations. This technique will make it possible to change genetic linkages in a programmed way and add another level of genome engineering to the toolbox of plant breeding. Also, strategies for tissue culture free genome editing were developed, which might be helpful to overcome the transformation bottlenecks in many crops. All in all, the recent advances of CRISPR/Cas technology will help agriculture to address the challenges of the twenty-first century related to global warming, pollution and the resulting food shortage.
International migration and the gender wage gap
Authors: Campos-Vazquez Raymundo M. , Lara Jaime 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis article analyzes the effect of international migration on the wage gap between women and men who remain in Mexico. We use historical distance to the U.S. border over early twentieth-century railroad networks as an exogenous factor causing changes in the relative supply of men and women, due to predominately male migration. A 10% decrease in the relative labor supply of men tends to increase the wage gap between women and men by approximately 1.1 percentage points, suggesting that they are not perfect substitutes. However, the results imply a greater elasticity of substitution between men and women than that suggested by previous studies.
Actuarial deductions for early retirement
Authors: Knell Markus 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper studies how the rates of deduction for early retirement have to be determined in pay-as-you-go (PAYG) systems in order to keep their budget stable. The derivation of these deductions requires the use of a multiperiod intertemporal budget constraint that involves assumptions about the retirement behavior of past, present, and future cohorts. In general, it is not possible to calculate budget-neutral deductions from the budget constraint of a single individual who retires before the target retirement age—an approach that dominates the related literature. Only for specific cases one can use this second approach but then one has to adjust the discount rate to the assumption about collective retirement. If there is only one deviating individual, then the right choice is the market interest rate while for a stationary retirement distribution it is the internal rate of return of the PAYG system. In this case, the necessary deductions are lower than under the standard approach. This is also true for retirement ages that fluctuate randomly around a stationary distribution. Various long-run developments (e.g., increases in life expectancy or permanent changes in the average retirement age) might cause challenges for the sustainability of the pension system. These developments, however, can only be dealt with by adequate adjustments to the basic pension formulas and not by the use of deduction rates.
Segregation, fertility, and son preference: the case of the Roma in Serbia
Authors: Battaglia Marianna , Chabé-Ferret Bastien , Lebedinski Lara 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe study the link between residential segregation and fertility for the socially excluded and marginalized Roma ethnic minority. Using original survey data we collected in Serbia, we investigate whether fertility differs between ethnically homogeneous and mixed neighborhoods. Our results show that Roma in less-segregated areas tend to have significantly fewer children (around 0.8). Most of the difference arises from Roma in less-segregated areas waiting substantially more after having a boy than their counterparts in more-segregated areas. We exploit variation in the share of Serbian sounding first names to provide evidence that a mechanism at play is a shift in preferences toward lower fertility and sons rather than daughters induced by a higher exposure to the Serbian majority culture.
Radiological evaluation of lacrimal apparatus injury after functional endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Singh G B , Rana N , Tomar S , Malhotra S , Kumar S 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the incidence of nasolacrimal duct injury after functional endoscopic sinus surgery radiologically, using computed tomography.MethodsFifty patients of either sex who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery were evaluated for nasolacrimal duct injury by computed tomography. Computed tomography was conducted pre-operatively, and post-operatively at the end of four weeks, and nasolacrimal duct injury was analysed.ResultsThe prevalence of nasolacrimal duct injury dehiscence was 1.16 per cent, with a similar incidence of 1.16 per cent for nasolacrimal duct injury post-operatively. However, no cases of symptomatic nasolacrimal duct injury were recorded.ConclusionComputed tomography scan is an effective, non-invasive method to evaluate nasolacrimal duct injury following functional endoscopic sinus surgery, in accordance with evidence-based medicine.
Infants with pulmonary atresia intact ventricular septum who require balloon atrial septostomy have significantly higher 18-month mortality
Authors: Herrick Nicole L , Courelli Asimina , Lee Jesse W , Ratnayaka Kanishka , Alshawabkeh Laith I , Moore John W , El-Said Howaida G 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroduction:Many newborns with pulmonary atresia/intact ventricular septum require intervention to establish pulmonary flow and sufficient cardiac output. The resulting haemodynamic changes are not well characterised and may have unintended consequences.Methods:This is a 30-year (1988–2018) retrospective study of patients with pulmonary atresia intact ventricular septum.Results:Eighty-nine patients were included, and median follow-up was 8 years. Fifty-five per cent had coronary sinusoids and 27% had right ventricular-dependent coronary circulation. Most patients were managed with surgical aortopulmonary or modified Blalock–Taussig shunt (73%), and 12 patients underwent balloon atrial septostomy before surgical intervention. The remaining patients (27%) underwent only transcatheter interventions; 7 required an atrial septostomy and 17 required ductal stentings. All-cause mortality was 10%, most deaths (89%) occurred before 18 months of age. Of these early deaths, 87% required a balloon atrial septostomy and 85% had right ventricular-dependent coronary sinusoids. Eighteen-month mortality was significantly higher for patients who required a balloon atrial septostomy compared to those who did not (36% versus 1.4% p < 0.0001).Discussion:Patients with pulmonary atresia/intact ventricular septum who require balloon atrial septostomy in the newborn period have significantly higher 18-month mortality. Quantifying the mortality difference may help guide prognostication and expectation setting. Infants who had septostomy and a surgical shunt in the newborn period fared better than those who only underwent septostomy (even when accompanied by ductal stenting). For infants with right ventricular-dependent circulation, atrial septostomy should only be performed on an urgent or emergent basis and these patients should be considered for early surgical intervention and neonatal transplant.
The functional landscape of Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) phosphoproteome reveal GOLM1 regulating P53 that promotes malignancy
Authors: Song Qi , He Xiang , Xiong Ying , Wang Junlan , Zhang Lei , Leung Elaine Lai-Han , Li Guoping 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGolgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) was implicated in carcinogenesis of multiple types of cancer. However, Phosphoproteome landscapes of GOLM1 overexpression in lung cancer remain largely unknown. In this study, using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and phosphoproteome, we systematically evaluated the feature of GOLM1 and studied its prognostic value in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities in PC9 cell with GOLM1 overexpression were determined using Trans-well system assay. Tumor engrafts was visualized in mice models and confirmed by ex vivo. An increased expression of GOLM1 had shorter overall survival (OS) in patients with NSCLC in TCGA database. GOLM1 in single gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) related to adherent’s junction, cell cycle, and pathway in cancer. Overexpression of GOLM1 in GOLM1OE PC9 cells promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Decreased migration and invasion potential were also observed in knockdown of GOLM1 in GOLM1KD PC9 cells in migration assay. An increased expression of GOLM1 could significantly increase the growth of tumor in xenograft mice models. phosphoproteome analysis showed 239 upregulated and 331 downregulated Phosphorylated proteins in GOLM1OE PC9 cells. Overexpression of GOLM1 in GSEA was significantly related to P53 in MAPK signaling pathway. Overexpression of GOLM1enhanced the phosphorylation of P53 protein at site S315 but inhibited the formation of P53 tetramers. These results indicate that overexpression GOLM1 enhances non-small-cell carcinoma aggressiveness through inhibited the formation of P53 tetramer.
SARS-CoV-2 engages inflammasome and pyroptosis in human primary monocytes
Authors: Ferreira André C. , Soares Vinicius Cardoso , de Azevedo-Quintanilha Isaclaudia G. , Dias Suelen da Silva Gomes , Fintelman-Rodrigues Natalia , Sacramento Carolina Q. , Mattos Mayara , de Freitas Caroline S. , Temerozo Jairo R. , Teixeira Lívia , Damaceno Hottz Eugenio , Barreto Ester A. , Pão Camila R. R. , Palhinha Lohanna , Miranda Milene , Bou-Habib Dumith Chequer , Bozza Fernando A. , Bozza Patrícia T. , Souza Thiago Moreno L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInfection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with leukopenia and uncontrolled inflammatory response in critically ill patients. A better comprehension of SARS-CoV-2-induced monocyte death is essential for the identification of therapies capable to control the hyper-inflammation and reduce viral replication in patients with 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Here, we show that SARS-CoV-2 engages inflammasome and triggers pyroptosis in human monocytes, experimentally infected, and from patients under intensive care. Pyroptosis associated with caspase-1 activation, IL-1ß production, gasdermin D cleavage, and enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in human primary monocytes. At least in part, our results originally describe mechanisms by which monocytes, a central cellular component recruited from peripheral blood to respiratory tract, succumb to control severe COVID-19.
Chromosome-scale genome assembly ofCucumis hystrix—a wild species interspecifically cross-compatible with cultivated cucumber
Authors: Qin Xiaodong , Zhang Zhonghua , Lou Qunfeng , Xia Lei , Li Ji , Li Mengxue , Zhou Junguo , Zhao Xiaokun , Xu Yuanchao , Li Qing , Yang Shuqiong , Yu Xiaqing , Cheng Chunyan , Huang Sanwen , Chen Jinfeng 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCucumis hystrix Chakr. (2n = 2x = 24) is a wild species that can hybridize with cultivated cucumber (C. sativus L., 2n = 2x = 14), a globally important vegetable crop. However, cucumber breeding is hindered by its narrow genetic base. Therefore, introgression from C. hystrix has been anticipated to bring a breakthrough in cucumber improvement. Here, we report the chromosome-scale assembly of C. hystrix genome (289 Mb). Scaffold N50 reached 14.1 Mb. Over 90% of the sequences were anchored onto 12 chromosomes. A total of 23,864 genes were annotated using a hybrid method. Further, we conducted a comprehensive comparative genomic analysis of cucumber, C. hystrix, and melon (C. melo L., 2n = 2x = 24). Whole-genome comparisons revealed that C. hystrix is phylogenetically closer to cucumber than to melon, providing a molecular basis for the success of its hybridization with cucumber. Moreover, expanded gene families of C. hystrix were significantly enriched in “defense response,” and C. hystrix harbored 104 nucleotide-binding site–encoding disease resistance gene analogs. Furthermore, 121 genes were positively selected, and 12 (9.9%) of these were involved in responses to biotic stimuli, which might explain the high disease resistance of C. hystrix. The alignment of whole C. hystrix genome with cucumber genome and self-alignment revealed 45,417 chromosome-specific sequences evenly distributed on C. hystrix chromosomes. Finally, we developed four cucumber–C. hystrix alien addition lines and identified the exact introgressed chromosome using molecular and cytological methods. The assembled C. hystrix genome can serve as a valuable resource for studies on Cucumis evolution and interspecific introgression breeding of cucumber.
Melatonin alters the secondary metabolite profile of grape berry skin by promoting VvMYB14-mediated ethylene biosynthesis
Authors: Ma Wanyun , Xu Lili , Gao Shiwei , Lyu Xingning , Cao Xiaolei , Yao Yuxin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe interplay between melatonin and ethylene in the regulation of fruit metabolism and the underlying molecular mechanism of this interplay remain largely unclear. Here, widely targeted metabolomics analysis revealed a total of 464 metabolites present in berry skin. Among them, 27 significantly differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were produced in response to melatonin treatment in the presence or absence of 1-MCP. Most of the DAMs were secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and flavonols. Additionally, the accumulation of 25 DAMs was regulated by melatonin via ethylene. RNA-seq analysis indicated that melatonin primarily regulated the pathways of plant hormone signal transduction and secondary metabolite biosynthesis via ethylene. Gene-metabolite association analysis showed that melatonin regulated the expression of theVvSTS1,VvF3H,VvLAR2, andVvDFRgenes, suggesting that these genes may play key roles in regulating secondary metabolites in the skin; additionally,VvMYB14andVvACS1were suggested to be involved in the regulation of secondary metabolites. Further experiments revealed that melatonin induced the expression ofVvMYB14and that VvMYB14 increased ethylene production by transcriptionally activatingVvACS1, thereby affecting the accumulation of secondary metabolites. Collectively, melatonin promotes ethylene biosynthesis and alters secondary metabolite accumulation through the regulation ofVvACS1by VvMYB14.
The chromosome-based lavender genome provides new insights into Lamiaceae evolution and terpenoid biosynthesis
Authors: Li Jingrui , Wang Yiming , Dong Yanmei , Zhang Wenying , Wang Di , Bai Hongtong , Li Kui , Li Hui , Shi Lei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe aromatic shrub Lavandula angustifolia produces various volatile terpenoids that serve as resources for essential oils and function in plant-insect communication. To better understand the genetic basis of the terpenoid diversity in lavender, we present a high-quality reference genome for the Chinese lavender cultivar ‘Jingxun 2’ using PacBio and Hi-C technologies to anchor the 894.50 Mb genome assembly into 27 pseudochromosomes. In addition to the γ triplication event, lavender underwent two rounds of whole-genome duplication (WGD) during the Eocene–Oligocene (29.6 MYA) and Miocene–Pliocene (6.9 MYA) transitions. As a result of tandem duplications and lineage-specific WGDs, gene families related to terpenoid biosynthesis in lavender are substantially expanded compared to those of five other species in Lamiaceae. Many terpenoid biosynthesis transcripts are abundant in glandular trichomes. We further integrated the contents of ecologically functional terpenoids and coexpressed terpenoid biosynthetic genes to construct terpenoid-gene networks. Typical gene clusters, including TPS-TPS, TPS-CYP450, and TPS-BAHD, linked with compounds that primarily function as attractants or repellents, were identified by their similar patterns of change during flower development or in response to methyl jasmonate. Comprehensive analysis of the genetic basis of the production of volatiles in lavender could serve as a foundation for future research into lavender evolution, phytochemistry, and ecology.