bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuronal Dystroglycan regulates postnatal development of CCK/cannabinoid receptor-1 interneurons
Authors: Miller Daniel S. , Wright Kevin M. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTThe development of functional neural circuits requires the precise formation of synaptic connections between diverse neuronal populations. The molecular pathways that allow GABAergic interneuron subtypes in the mammalian brain to recognize their postsynaptic partners remain largely unknown. The transmembrane glycoprotein Dystroglycan is localized to inhibitory synapses in pyramidal neurons, where it is required for the proper function of CCK+ interneurons. We show that deletion ofDystroglycanfrom pyramidal neurons selectively impairs CCK+ interneuron development during the first postnatal week. In the absence of postsynapticDystroglycan, presynaptic CCK+ interneurons fail to elaborate their axons and largely disappear from the cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and olfactory bulb.Baxdeletion did not rescue CCK+ interneurons, suggesting that they are not eliminated by canonical apoptosis inDystroglycanmutants. Rather, we observed an increase in CCK+ interneuron innervation of the striatum, suggesting that the remaining CCK+ interneurons re-directed their axons to neighboring areas where Dystroglycan expression remained intact. Together these findings identify Dystroglycan as a critical regulator of CCK+ interneuron development.
Methylotroph Natural Product Identification by Inverse Stable Isotopic Labeling
Authors: Cummings Dale A. , Snelling Alice I. , Puri Aaron W. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNatural products are an essential source of bioactive compounds. Isotopic labeling is an effective way to identify natural products that incorporate a specific precursor; however, this approach is limited by the availability of isotopically-enriched precursors. We used an inverse stable isotopic labeling approach to identify natural products by growing bacteria on a13C-carbon source and then identifying12C-precursor incorporation by mass spectrometry. We applied this approach to methylotrophs, ecologically important bacteria predicted to have significant yet underexplored biosynthetic potential. We demonstrate this method identifiesN-acyl homoserine lactone quorum sensing signals produced by diverse methylotrophs grown on three different one-carbon compounds. We then apply this approach to simultaneously identify five uncharacterized signals produced by a methylotroph, and link these compounds to their synthases. We envision that this method can be used to identify other natural product classes synthesized by methylotrophs and other organisms that grow on relatively inexpensive13C-carbon sources.
Rephine.r: a pipeline for correcting gene calls and clusters to improve phage pangenomes and phylogenies
Authors: Shapiro Jason W. , Putonti Catherine 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundA pangenome is the collection of all genes found in a set of related genomes. For microbes, these genomes are often different strains of the same species, and the pangenome offers a means to compare gene content variation with differences in phenotypes, ecology, and phylogenetic relatedness. Though most frequently applied to bacteria, there is growing interest in adapting pangenome analysis to bacteriophages. However, working with phage genomes presents new challenges. First, most phage families are under-sampled, and homologous genes in related viruses can be difficult to identify. Second, homing endonucleases and intron-like sequences may be present, resulting in fragmented gene calls. Each of these issues can reduce the accuracy of standard pangenome analysis tools.MethodsWe developed an R pipeline called Rephine.r that takes as input the gene clusters produced by an initial pangenomics workflow. Rephine.r then proceeds in two primary steps. First, it identifies three common causes of fragmented gene calls: 1) indels creating early stop codons and new start codons; 2) interruption by a selfish genetic element; and 3) splitting at the ends of the reported genome. Fragmented genes are then fused to create new sequence alignments. In tandem, Rephine.r searches for distant homologs separated into different gene families using Hidden Markov Models. Significant hits are used to merge families into larger clusters. A final round of fragment identification is then run, and results may be used to infer single-copy core genomes and phylogenetic trees.ResultsWe applied Rephine.r to three well-studied phage groups: the Tevenvirinae (e.g. T4), the Studiervirinae (e.g. T7), and the Pbunaviruses (e.g. PB1). In each case, Rephine.r recovered additional members of the single-copy core genome and increased the overall bootstrap support of the phylogeny. The Rephine.r pipeline is provided through GitHub (https://www.github.com/coevoeco/Rephine.r) as a single script for automated analysis and with utility functions and a walkthrough for researchers with specific use cases for each type of correction.
Particle Dynamics and Bioaerosol Viability of Aerosolized BCG Vaccine Using Jet and Vibrating Mesh Clinical Nebulizers
Authors: Redmann Rachel K. , Kaushal Deepak , Golden Nadia , Threeton Breeana , Killeen Stephanie Z. , Kuehl Philip J. , Roy Chad J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundBacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine used to protect against tuberculosis primarily in infants to stop early infection in areas of the world where the disease is endemic. Normally administered as a percutaneous injection, BCG is a live, significantly attenuated bacteria that is now being investigated for its potential within an inhalable vaccine formulation. This work investigates the feasibility and performance of four jet and ultrasonic nebulizers aerosolizing BCG and the resulting particle characteristics and residual viability of the bacteria post-aerosolization.MethodsA jet nebulizer (Collison) outfitted either with a 3- or 6-jet head, was compared to two clinical nebulizers, the vibrating mesh Omron MicroAir and Aerogen Solo devices. Particle characteristics, including aerodynamic particle sizing, was performed on all devices within a common aerosol chamber configuration and comparable BCG innocula concentrations. Integrated aerosol samples were collected for each generator and assayed for bacterial viability using conventional microbiological technique.Results and ConclusionsA batch lot of BCG (Danish) was grown to titer and used in all generator assessments. Aerosol particles within the respirable range were generated from all nebulizers at four different concentrations of BCG. The jet nebulizers produced a uniformly smaller particle size than the ultrasonic devices, although particle concentrations by mass were similar across all devices tested with the exception of the Aerogen Solo, which resulted in a very low concentration of BCG aerosols. The resulting measured viable BCG aerosol concentration fraction produced by each device approximated one another; however, a measurable decrease of efficiency and overall viability reduction in the jet nebulizer was observed in higher BCG inoculum starting concentrations, whereas the vibrating mesh nebulizer returned a remarkably stable viable aerosol fraction irrespective of inoculum concentration.
Redundancy between spectral and higher-order texture statistics for natural image segmentation
Authors: Herrera-Esposito Daniel , Gómez-Sena Leonel , Coen-Cagli Ruben 
Published: April 2021

AbstractVisual texture, defined by local image statistics, provides important information to the human visual system for perceptual segmentation. Second-order or spectral statistics (equivalent to the Fourier power spectrum) are a well-studied segmentation cue. However, the role of higher-order statistics (HOS) in segmentation remains unclear, particularly for natural images. Recent experiments indicate that, in peripheral vision, the HOS of the widely adopted Portilla-Simoncelli texture model are a weak segmentation cue compared to spectral statistics, despite the fact that both are necessary to explain other perceptual phenomena and to support high-quality texture synthesis. Here we test whether this discrepancy reflects a property of natural image statistics. First, we observe that differences in spectral statistics across segments of natural images are redundant with differences in HOS. Second, using linear and nonlinear classifiers, we show that each set of statistics individually affords high performance in natural scenes and texture segmentation tasks, but combining spectral statistics and HOS produces relatively small improvements. Third, we find that HOS improve segmentation for a subset of images, although these images are difficult to identify. We also find that different subsets of HOS improve segmentation to a different extent, in agreement with previous physiological and perceptual work. These results show that the HOS add modestly to spectral statistics for natural image segmentation. We speculate that tuning to natural image statistics under resource constraints could explain the weak contribution of HOS to perceptual segmentation in human peripheral vision.
A Gene Encoding an Architectural RNA,hsrω, is a Host Genetic Modifier of Cancer Progression inDrosophila
Authors: Bajpai Anjali , Kundu Sushmita , Pandey Ravi Kant , Ateeq Bushra , Lakhotia Subhash C. , Sinha Pradip 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGenetic variations among individuals within a population, or host genetics, determine disease susceptibility or resistance. Here we show that heterozygosity ofhsrω, a gene coding for a long noncoding architectural RNA (arcRNA), displays cancer susceptibility inDrosophila.Imaginal epithelia mutant for a null allele ofhsrω, hsrω66exhibits chronic stress, marked by loss of growth and proteostasis, besides cell death. Imaginal epithelia of larvae heterozygous forhsrω66also show cellular stress, but conditionally: for instance, upon heat shock. Somatic clones displaying loss of Lgl tumor suppressor in such stress-sensitive imaginal epithelia ofhsrω66heterozygotes develop into metastatic tumors, unlike those induced in wild type epithelia wherein these are eliminated by intrinsic tumor suppression. Further, cell-autonomous gain or loss ofhsrωinlglmutant clones, too, results in their tumor progression. Finally, we note a transcriptional increase in human sat III arcRNA, a functional analog ofDrosophila hsrω,in cancer cell lines. Loss of sat III decreases the viability of cancer cells under stress. Our findings suggest pervasive roles of arcRNA-coding genes as host genetic modifiers of cancer via their regulation of cell homeostasis.Summary statementHeterozygosity forhsrω,a gene coding for a long noncoding architectural RNA inDrosophila,induces hypersensitivity to physiological stress and promotes cancer progression in oncogenically targeted cells.
Iota-carrageenan prevents the replication of SARS-CoV-2 on an in vitro respiratory epithelium model
Authors: Varese Augusto , Ceballos Ana , Palacios Carlos , Figueroa Juan Manuel , Dugour Andrea Vanesa 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThere are, except for remdesivir, no approved antivirals for the treatment or prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Iota-carrageenan formulated into a nasal spray has already been proven safe and effective in viral respiratory infections. We explored this antiviral activity in Calu-3, a human respiratory model cell line. A formula of iota-carrageenan and sodium chloride, as a nasal spray, already approved for human use, effectively inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro, providing a more substantial reference for further clinical studies or developments.
Determinants of food safety behaviour among food vendors: the case of Nigeria
Authors: Madaki Mustapha Yakubu , Miroslava Bavorova 
Published: April 2021

PurposeTo investigate the relationship between food safety knowledge, food safety attitudes, the accessibility of sanitation facilities, perceived economic and social constraints and food safety practices among food vendors of higher institutions of learning in Bauchi State, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA purposive sampling method was used to select 6 out of 13 public higher institutions of learning in the state and a random sampling method was used in selecting 181 food vendors from the list of 342 food vendors in the 6 institutions. Face-to-face survey interviews were carried out between June–September 2018 completing a structured questionnaire.FindingsThe result of the structural equation model revealed that food safety knowledge, food safety attitudes and economic and social control affected the food safety behaviour of the food vendors. Inaccessibility to sanitation facilities affected food safety behaviour negatively.Practical implicationsAppropriate measures to improve the food safety behaviour of food vendors in higher institutions of learning could include, for example, food safety training that could increase food safety knowledge and awareness, as well as improved access to sanitation facilities at vending sites.Originality/valueThere is no previous study that investigates the relationship between food safety knowledge, food safety attitudes, social and economic constraints, access to sanitation facilities and the food safety behaviour of food vendors in higher educational institutions in Nigeria.
Exploring the role of transaction costs in the intensity of organic food consumption in Brazil
Authors: Cechin Andrei , Medaets Jean Pierre Passos , Fornazier Armando , Zoghbi Ana Carolina Pereira 
Published: April 2021

PurposeOrganic food has additional quality attributes compared to those found in conventional food, such as environmental responsibility and health benefits. Information about these attributes is scarce and complex, the assortment of organic foods is deficient and there are fewer places that sell this kind of food. These factors increase the uncertainty and the transaction costs (TCs) for potential organic fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) consumers. This paper aims to show the influence of these costs on the intensity of organic FFV consumption, particularly among high-income consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical strategy was based on a survey, and data were collected by administering a structured online questionnaire among residents of the Brazilian Federal District. Organic food consumption was decomposed into three different intensity categories. Data analysis was based on two logistic models, a multinomial regression and an ordered regression, where perceived economic value and different dimensions of TCs were the main independent variables, and the intensity of organic food consumption was the dependent variable.FindingsThe results show that organic food consumers are not a homogeneous group, and that perceived economic value and the TCs associated with searching for marketplaces, inadequate product assortment and distrust in health benefits and in organic authenticity are important inhibitors of organic FFV consumption and help explain the intensity of consumption.Originality/valueThis study innovates, as it takes a post-purchase approach, examines different groups based on the intensity of their consumption of organic FFV and focuses on perceived economic value and TCs as important explanations of the intensity of organic FFV consumption.
Eating habits and consumer food shopping behaviour during COVID-19 virus pandemic: insights from Serbia
Authors: Marinković Veljko , Lazarević Jovana 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe COVID-19 virus pandemic has strongly influenced consumer behaviour worldwide. This paper aims to investigate how risk perceptions and precautions related to COVID-19 virus influence consumer eating habits and consequently, behaviour during shopping for food. Also, research tends to identify changes in consumer eating habits resulting from the current pandemic situation.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 237 consumers from Serbia were online surveyed during November 2020. Starting from the methodology of the SOR model (Mehrabian and Russell, 1974), the questionnaire consists of seven-point Likert scale statements that measure risk perceptions and precautions as stimulus (S), eating habits as an organism (O) and food choice, precautions during shopping for food and food purchasing patterns as a response (S).FindingsResearch results confirm the difference in consumers' eating habits during and before a pandemic. Also, results indicate that perceived risk and precautions related to the COVID-19 virus have a statistically significant influence on consumers' eating habits which have changed during a pandemic, finally resulting in significant effects on consumers' food shopping behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitations of this study are observing only a few aspects related to COVID-19 virus pandemic and consumer food shopping behaviour, as well as measuring precautions, perceived risk and food shopping behaviour at one point in time besides the fact that pandemic situation constantly changes.Originality/valueThe study indicates that food manufacturers should pay attention to the consumers' eating habits and food shopping behaviour changes under the circumstances of COVID-19 virus pandemic. Identified changes can be used as opportunities to gain a competitive advantage on the market.
Drivers and barriers in the consumption of alternative staples. A systematic literature review and future research agenda
Authors: Shah Priya , Dhir Amandeep , Joshi Rohit , Tripathy Naliniprava 
Published: April 2021

PurposeMajor cereal staples such as wheat, white rice and corn have a significant negative impact on the environment, a low nutritional profile and are associated with obesity. In comparison, alternative staples (such as rye, quinoa, buckwheat, etc.) are more environmentally sustainable and nutritious, yet are underused. There has been a recent surge in research into and awareness of alternative staples, but the current understanding of the different drivers of and barriers to their consumption remains fragmented.Design/methodology/approachThe present study attempts to assimilate and incorporate the current knowledge on the drivers of and barriers to the consumption of alternative staples. Eighty-one empirical studies were curated and analysed according to stringent protocols in order to examine the existing research profile and themes arising from prior research in this domain.FindingsThe study presents a profile of the extensive existing literature examining the drivers of and barriers to the consumption of alternative staples. The thematic analysis of selected studies resulted in the identification of six drivers and seven barriers. The drivers are an awareness of health; awareness of environmental factors; recommendations; awareness of the brand, labels and source of origin; household structure and demographic attributes. The barriers are difficulty in preparation, lack of familiarity, lack of availability, lack of affordability, culture, product attributes and sensory attributes. The various research gaps and avenues for future research associated with the drivers and barriers identified are also presented.Originality/valueThe key outcomes of the study are the presentation of the research profile, the identification of various drivers and barriers, the recognition of gaps in the research and avenues for future research and, finally, the development of a theoretical framework entitled “Behavioral reasoning towards the consumption of alternative staples (BRCAS)”. The study offers various insights for nutritionists, marketers, policymakers and consumers by increasing awareness of alternative staples.
Farmland transfer and agricultural economic growth nexus in China: agricultural TFP intermediary effect perspective
Authors: Kuang Yuan-pei , Yang Jia-li , Abate Meseret-Chanie 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe multidimensional effects of farmland transfer in China have been profoundly unstudied. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights on the effects of the intermediary role of agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) of farmland transfer on agricultural economic growth in China.Design/methodology/approachBased on the agricultural data of 30 provinces in China over the period 2005–2018, this paper uses the intermediary effect model to test the relationship between farmland transfer, agricultural TFP and agricultural economic growth. This paper employed an intermediary effect test model to investigate the intermediary role of agricultural TFP in the influence of farmland transfer on agricultural economic growth.FindingsThe findings indicated that farmland transfer has a significant effect on promoting agricultural economic growth. There is a significant “inverted U-shaped” relationship between farmland transfer and agricultural TFP. The sample value of 84.3% of farmland transfers in China is still within the TFP promoting effect range. In addition, farmland transfer has an indirect impact on agricultural economic growth through the channel of agricultural TFP. Agricultural TFP plays a significant intermediary role, but the effect is relatively lowOriginality/valueThis paper is the first to provide fundamental evidence on the impact of farmland transfers on agricultural economic growth in China, driven by agricultural TFP as an intermediary factor. Agricultural TFP can reduce the involution effect of farmland transfer and promote an indirect effect on agricultural economic growth.
A community of practice for graduate students in health sciences
Authors: Wazni Liquaa , Gifford Wendy , Cantin Christina , Davies Barbara 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe aim of this study was to describe the experiences of graduate students who participated in the community of practice (CoP) and identify areas for improvement to support academic success.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 19 graduate students engaged in a CoP to facilitate social interactions, knowledge sharing and learning within a culture of scholarship. A descriptive qualitative research study was conducted using semistructured interviews with eight participants who had attended the CoP meeting.FindingsAll participants were from the School of Nursing and perceived the CoP to be beneficial, particularly international students who had challenges in adapting to new academic and social environments. Areas for improvement include creating a group structure that enhances belonging and learning.Originality/valueThis is the first CoP that was implemented at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the authors’ university. It has been the authors’ experience that a CoP can benefit graduate students through networking, knowledge sharing, social support and learning. The finding of this research will be used to inform a new CoP to address the needs of graduate students. The authors will be adapting the CoP to the current context that includes a virtual platform during the COVID-19 pandemic and will include content specific for international students.