bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunogenicity of a third dose viral-vectored COVID-19 vaccine after receiving two-dose inactivated vaccines in healthy adults
Authors: Yorsaeng Ritthideach , Suntronwong Nungruthai , Phowatthanasathian Harit , Assawakosri Suvichada , Kanokudom Sitthichai , Thongmee Thanunrat , Vichaiwattana Preeyaporn , Auphimai Chompoonut , Wongsrisang Lakkhana , Srimuan Donchida , Thatsanatorn Thaksaporn , Klinfueng Sirapa , Sudhinaraset Natthinee , Wanlapakorn Nasamon , Poovorawan Yong 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTIn June 2021, Thailand was hit by the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 resulting in the biggest wave of COVID-19. Due to the widespread delta variant, more than 600 healthcare workers had COVID-19 despite completion of two-dose CoronaVac. The Ministry of Public Health recommended that healthcare workers received a third dose of AZD1222 to increase level of protection against SARS-CoV-2. However, immune response after the third vaccination with AZD1222 are limited. In this study, sera from those who received a booster of AZD1222 in June-July 2021 were tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding-domain (RBD) IgG, anti-RBD total immunoglobulins and anti-spike protein 1 (S1) IgA. The neutralizing activities in a subset of serum samples were tested against the wild type and variants of concern (B.1.1.7, B.1.617.2, and B.1.351) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based surrogate virus neutralization test. Participants who received the booster of AZD1222 possessed higher levels of spike RBD-specific IgG, total immunoglobulins, and anti-S1 IgA than that two-dose vaccines (p < 0.001). They also elicited higher neutralizing activity against the wild type and all variants of concern than those in the recipients of the two-dose vaccines. This study demonstrated a high immunogenicity of the AZD1222 booster who completed the two-dose inactivated vaccines.
SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in the South American Southern cone: can combined immunity from vaccination and infection prevent the spread of Gamma and Lambda variants while easing restrictions?
Authors: Fiori Marcelo , Bello Gonzalo , Wschebor Nicolás , Lecumberry Federico , Ferragut Andrés , Mordecki Ernesto 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAll South American countries from the Southern cone (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) experienced severe COVID-19 epidemic waves during early 2021 driven by the expansion of variants Gamma and Lambda, however, there was an improvement in different epidemic indicators since June 2021. To investigate the impact of national vaccination programs and natural infection on viral transmission in those South American countries, we analyzed the coupling between population mobility and the viral effective reproduction numberRt. Our analyses reveal that population mobility was highly correlated with viralRtfrom January to May 2021 in all countries analyzed; but a clear decoupling occurred since May-June 2021, when the rate of viral spread started to be lower than expected from the levels of social interactions. These findings support that populations from the South American Southern cone probably achieved the conditional herd immunity threshold to contain the spread of regional SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Global trade-offs in tree functional traits
Authors: Maynard Daniel S. , Bialic-Murphy Lalasia , Zohner Constantin M. , Averill Colin , van den Hoogen Johan , Ma Haozhi , Mo Lidong , Smith Gabriel Reuben , Aubin Isabelle , Berenguer Erika , Boonman Coline C.F. , Catford Jane , Cerabolini Bruno E. L. , Dias Arildo S. , González-Melo Andrés , Hietz Peter , Lusk Christopher H. , Mori Akira S. , Niinemets Ülo , Pillar Valério D. , Rosell Julieta A. , Schurr Frank M. , Sheremetev Serge N. , da Silva Ana Carolina , Sosinski Ênio , van Bodegom Peter M. , Weiher Evan , Bönisch Gerhard , Kattge Jens , Crowther Thomas W. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDue to massive energetic investments in woody support structures, trees are subject to unique physiological, mechanical, and ecological pressures not experienced by herbaceous plants. When considering trait relationships across the entire plant kingdom, plant trait frameworks typically must omit traits unique to large woody species, thereby limiting our understanding of how these distinct ecological pressures shape trait relationships in trees. Here, by considering 18 functional traits—reflecting leaf economics, wood structure, tree size, reproduction, and below-ground allocation—we quantify the major axes of variation governing trait expression of trees worldwide. We show that trait variation within and across angiosperms and gymnosperms is captured by two independent processes: one reflecting tree size and competition for light, the other reflecting leaf photosynthetic capacity and nutrient economies. By exploring multidimensional relationships across clusters of traits, we further identify a representative set of seven traits which captures the majority of variation in form and function in trees: maximum tree height, stem conduit diameter, specific leaf area, seed mass, bark thickness, root depth, and wood density. Collectively, this work informs future trait-based research into the functional biogeography of trees, and contributes to our fundamental understanding of the ecological and evolutionary controls on forest biodiversity and productivity worldwide.
Seasonal variation of genotypes and reproductive plasticity in a facultative clonal freshwater invertebrate animal (Hydra oligactis) living in a temperate lake
Authors: Miklós Máté , Laczkó Levente , Sramkó Gábor , Barta Zoltán , Tökölyi Jácint 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFacultative sexual organisms combine sexual and asexual reproduction within a single life cycle, often switching between reproductive modes depending on environmental conditions. These organisms frequently inhabit variable seasonal environments, where favourable periods alternate with unfavourable periods, generating temporally varying selection pressures that strongly influence life history decisions and hence population dynamics. Due to the rapidly accelerating changes in our global environment today, understanding the dynamics of and genetic changes in facultative sexual populations inhabiting seasonal environments is critical to assess and prepare for additional challenges that will affect such ecosystems. In this study we aimed at obtaining insights of the seasonal population dynamics of the facultative sexual freshwater cnidarianHydra oligactisthrough a combination of Restriction-site Associated Sequencing (RAD-Seq) genotyping and the collection of phenotypic data on the reproductive strategy of field-collected hydra strains. We found no significant genetic change during the two years in the study population. Clone lines were detected between seasons and even years, suggesting that clonal lineages can persist for a long time in a natural population. We also found that distinct genotypes differ in sexual reproduction frequency, but these differences did not affect whether genotypes reappeared across samplings. Our study describes changes in population genetic structure across the seasons in a hydra population for the first time, providing key insights into the biology of the species, while also contributing to understanding the population biology of facultative sexual species inhabiting freshwater ecosystems.
ppGpp Is Present in and Functions to Regulate Sleep in Drosophila
Authors: Young Way , Zhang Xiaohui , Daixi Huimin , Zhou Enxing , Liu Ying , Wang Tao , Zhang Wenxia , Zhang Xinxiang , Rao Yi 
Published: September 2021

SUMMARYDiscovery of molecules in living systems and demonstration of their functional roles are pivotal in furthering our understanding of the molecular basis of biology. ppGpp (guanosine-5’-diphosphate, 3’-diphosphate) has been detected in prokaryotes for more than five decades. Here we report that a genetic screen followed by chemical analysis revealed the presence of ppGpp in Drosophila. It can be detected in germ-free Drosophila and its level is controlled by an enzyme encoded by themesh1gene in Drosophila. Loss of function mutations inmesh1, which encoded the ppGpp degrading enzyme led to longer sleep latency and less total sleep. These phenotypes could be rescued by wild typemesh1, but not by the enzymatically defective mutant Mesh1E66A, functionally implicating ppGpp. Ectopic expression of RelA, theE. colisynthetase for ppGpp, phenocopiedmesh1knockout mutants, whereas overexpression ofmesh1resulted in the opposite phenotypes, supporting that ppGpp is both necessary and sufficient in sleep regulation.mesh1is expressed in a specific population of neurons, and a chemoconnectomic screen followed by genetic intersection experiments implicate the pars intercerebralis (PI) as the site of ppGpp function. Our results have thus revealed that ppGpp is present in animals after long lag since its discovery in bacteria. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that ppGpp in a specific subset of neurons plays a physiological role in regulating sleep. We speculate that ppGpp may play function in mammals.
The effect of mating complexity on gene drive dynamics
Authors: Verma Prateek , Reeves R. Guy , Simon Samson , Otto Mathias , Gokhale Chaitanya S. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractGene drive technology promises to deliver on some of the global challenges humanity faces to-day in healthcare, agriculture and conservation. However, there is a limited understanding of the consequences of releasing self-perpetuating transgenic organisms into the wild populations under complex ecological conditions. In this study, we analyze the impact of three such complexities, mate-choice, mating systems and spatial mating network, on the population dynamics for two distinct classes of modification gene drive systems. All three factors had a high impact on the modelling outcome. First, we demonstrate that distortion based gene drives appear to be more robust against the mate-choice than viability-based gene drives. Second, we find that gene drive spread is much faster for higher degrees of polygamy. Including a fitness cost, the drive is fastest for intermediate levels of polygamy. Finally, the spread of gene drive is faster and more effective when the individuals have fewer connections in a spatial mating network. Our results highlight the need to include mating complexities while modelling the properties of gene drives such as release thresholds, timescales and population-level consequences. This inclusion will enable a more confident prediction of the dynamics of engineered gene drives and possibly even inform on the origin and evolution of natural gene drives.
Cellular heterogeneity of human fallopian tubes in normal and hydrosalpinx disease states identified by scRNA-seq
Authors: Ulrich Nicole D , Shen Yu-chi , Ma Qianyi , Yang Kun , Hannum D Ford , Jones Andrea , Machlin Jordan , Randolph John F , Smith Yolanda R , Schon Samantha B , Shikanov Ariella , Marsh Erica E. , Li Jun Z , Hammoud Sue 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFallopian tube (FT) homeostasis requires dynamic regulation of heterogeneous cell populations and is disrupted in infertility and ovarian cancer. Here we applied single-cell RNAseq to profile 53,376 FT cells from 3 healthy pre-menopausal subjects. The resulting cell atlas contains 12 major cell types representing epithelial, stromal and immune compartments. Re-clustering of epithelial cells identified 4 ciliated and 6 non-ciliated secretory epithelial subtypes, two of which represent potential progenitor pools: one leading to mature secretory cells, while the other contributing to either ciliated cells or one of the stromal cell types. To understand how FT cell numbers and states change in a disease state, we analyzed ~15,000 cells from a hydrosalpinx sample and observed shifts in epithelial and stromal populations, and cell type-specific changes in extracellular matrix and TGF-β signaling, underscoring fibrosis pathophysiology. This resource is expected to facilitate future studies to understand fallopian tube homeostasis in normal development and disease.
A Novel Model of Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis with Antiestrogen Responsiveness
Authors: Langsten Kendall L. , Shi Lihong , Wilson Adam S. , Westwood Brian , Xie Maria T. , Surratt Victoria E. , Turner JoLyn , Singh Ravi , Cook Katherine L. , Kerr Bethany A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMost women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) have estrogen receptor alpha positive (ER+) disease. ER+ BC preferentially metastasizes to bone; at which time it is considered incurable. Treatments for bone metastasis have not advanced in decades, in part due to a lack of appropriate ER+ BC bone metastasis models. We developed an immunocompetent ER+ BC murine model with spontaneous bone metastasis and antiestrogen responsiveness. To do this, we transduced triple-negative (TN) bone-tropic murine BC cell lines 4T1.2 and E0771/Bone to express ERα. These cells were then injected into the mammary fat pads of Balb/c (n=21) or C57Bl/6 (n=27), respectively. Once tumors established, mice were treated with either the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) tamoxifen (TAM), the selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) ICI 182,780 (ICI, Faslodex, fulvestrant), or vehicle control for 21 days. Tumor volumes and weights significantly decreased in the ER+ groups treated with TAM and ICI compared with ER+ vehicle-treated groups. Staining for immune profiles and total RNA sequencing demonstrated modified immune cell infiltration between TN and ER-derived tumors. Approximately 25% of the mice with ER+ 4T1.2 tumors developed metastases to long bones while none of the mice with TN tumors developed metastases. This immunocompetent ER+ 4T1.2 BC model may allow for further exploration of ER+ BC bone metastasis mechanisms and for the development of new therapeutics for women diagnosed with bone metastasis from ER+ BC.Simple SummaryEstrogen receptor alpha positive (ER+) breast cancer is the most common subtype of breast cancer. When it metastasizes to bone, it becomes incurable. Little advancement has occurred in the treatment of bone metastasis from ER+ breast cancer, partly due to the lack of animal models. To establish an animal model of ER+ BC, we genetically modified two triple-negative breast cancer cell lines to express ERα and injected the cell lines into murine mammary glands. Mice were treated with standard antiestrogen therapies, the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen or the selective estrogen receptor degrader ICI 182,780. We found that compared to mice with triple-negative breast cancer, mice with ER+ breast cancer developed bone metastases and were responsive to antiestrogen therapy. This model allows for further exploration of bone metastasis mechanisms and for the development of new therapeutics, translating into improved clinical outcomes for women with bone metastasis from ER+ breast cancer.
Hotter chili peppers by hybridisation: heterosis and reciprocal effects
Authors: Naves Emmanuel Rezende , Scossa Federico , Araújo Wagner L. , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Fernie Alisdair R. , Zsögön Agustin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe selection of pure lines followed by crosses to create superior hybrids is one of the oldest strategies in crop breeding. However, in domesticated species of theCapsicumgenus hybrid breeding has lagged, in part due to a lack of detailed information about the phenotypic and metabolic consequences of hybridization. Here, we performed reciprocal crosses between four inbred varieties of two species of cultivatedC. chinense(cv. Habanero and Biquinho) andC. annuumvar.annuum(cv. Jalapeño and cv. Cascadura Ikeda). These varieties were specifically selected for their highly divergent traits, including plant growth habit, fruit size, shape and pungency: Habanero and Jalapeño peppers are highly pungent forms, particularly popular in Mexico. The Biquinho cultivar ofC. chinenseand the Cascadura Ikeda bell pepper are traditional sweet cultivars from Brazil. From the parental genotypes and from the progeny of the reciprocal crosses, we measured 28 phenotypic traits, including plant growth, and yield, 32 fruit shape parameters, and 50 fruit pericarp and placenta metabolites, including capsaicinoids. We found large differences for agronomic and metabolic traits between the genotypes, including heterosis for pungency and reciprocal effects for agronomic traits. We also show that the strong association between fruit shape and pungency can be broken in intraspecific hybrids, paving the way for the precision breeding of novel varieties.Once sentence summaryHybrids of Capsicum peppers display heterosis and reciprocal effects for agronomic traits and fruit pungency
Quantifying the propagation of parametric uncertainty on flux balance analysis
Authors: Dinh Hoang V. , Sarkar Debolina , Maranas Costas D. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFlux balance analysis (FBA) and associated techniques operating on stoichiometric genome-scale metabolic models play a central role in quantifying metabolic flows and constraining feasible phenotypes. At the heart of these methods lie two important assumptions: (i) the biomass precursors and energy requirements neither change in response to growth conditions nor environmental/genetic perturbations, and (ii) metabolite production and consumption rates are equal at all times (i.e., steady-state). Despite the stringency of these two assumptions, FBA has been shown to be surprisingly robust at predicting cellular phenotypes. In this paper, we formally assess the impact of these two assumptions on FBA results by quantifying how uncertainty in biomass reaction coefficients, and departures from steady-state due to temporal fluctuations could propagate to FBA results. In the first case, conditional sampling of parameter space is required to re-weigh the biomass reaction so as the molecular weight remains equal to 1 g/mmol, and in the second case, metabolite (and elemental) pool conservation must be imposed under temporally varying conditions. Results confirm the importance of enforcing the aforementioned constraints and explain the robustness of FBA biomass yield predictions.
No impact of biocontrol agent’s predation cues on development time or size of surviving Aedes albopictus under optimal nutritional availability
Authors: Russell Marie C. , Cator Lauren J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCyclopoid copepods have been applied successfully to limit populations of highly invasive Aedes albopictus mosquitoes that can transmit diseases of public health importance. However, there is concern that changes in certain mosquito traits, induced by exposure to copepod predation, might increase the risk of disease transmission. In this study, third instar Ae. albopictus larvae, hereafter referred to as “focal individuals”, were exposed to Megacyclops viridis predator cues associated with both consumption of newly-hatched mosquito larvae and attacks on focal individuals. The number of newly-hatched larvae surrounding each focal larva was held constant to control for density effects on size, and the focal individual’s day of pupation and wing length were recorded for each replicate.Exposing late instar Ae. albopictus to predation decreased their chances of surviving to adulthood, and three focal larvae that died in the predator treatment showed signs of melanization, indicative of wounding. Among surviving focal Ae. albopictus, no significant difference in either pupation day or wing length was observed due to copepod predation. The absence of a significant sublethal impact from M. viridis copepod predation on surviving later-stage larvae in this analysis supports the use of M. viridis as a biocontrol agent against Ae. albopictus.Graphical abstract
Assessment of Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors for the Mitigation and Containment of a COVID-19 Outbreak in a Meat Processing Plant
Authors: Walshe Nicola , Fennelly Mehael , Hellebust Stig , Wenger John , Sodeau John , Prentice Michael , Grice Charlene , Jordan Vincent , Comerford John , Downey Vicky , Perrotta Carla , Mulcahy Grace , Sammin Donal 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, meat processing plants have been vulnerable to outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Transmission of the virus is difficult to control in these settings because of a combination of factors including environmental conditions and the specific nature of the work. This paper describes a retrospective outbreak investigation in a meat processing plant, a description of the measures taken to prevent or contain further outbreaks, and insights on how those with specific knowledge of the working environment of these plants can collaborate with public health authorities to ensure optimal outbreak control. The plant experienced 111 confirmed positive asymptomatic cases in total with an estimated attack rate of 38% during a five-week period. Four weeks after the first case, mass screening of all workers was conducted by the public health authorities. Thirty-two workers tested positive, of which 16 (50%) worked in one particular area of the plant, the boning hall (n=60). The research team prepared and carried out semi-structured interviews with the plant personnel who were charged with COVID control within the plant. They carried out assessments of operational risk factors and also undertook air quality monitoring in the boning hall and abattoir. The air quality measurements in the boning hall showed a gradual build-up of carbon dioxide and aerosol particles over the course of a work shift, confirming that this poorly ventilated area of the plant had an environment that was highly favourable for aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of operational conditions incorporated visual surveys of the plant during the working day. Prior to and during the first two weeks of the outbreak, multiple measures were introduced into the plant by management, including physical distancing, provision of educational material to workers, visitor restrictions, and environmental monitoring. After the implementation of these measures and their progressive refinement by plant management, the factory had no further linked cases (clusters) or outbreaks for the following 198 days. The tailored approach to risk mitigation adopted in this meat processing plant shows that generic risk mitigation measures, as recommended by public health authorities, can be successfully adapted and optimized by designated plant emergency response teams.
Single-Dose SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination With BNT162b2 and AZD1222 Induce Disparate Th1 Responses and IgA Production
Authors: Müller Michael , Volzke Johann , Subin Behnam , Müller Silke , Sombetzki Martina , Reisinger Emil C. , Müller-Hilke Brigitte 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWhile vaccination programs against SARS-CoV-2 are globally ongoing, disparate strategies for the deployment of spike antigen show varying effectiveness. In order to explore this phenomenon, we sought to compare the early immune responses against AZD1222 and BNT162b2. SARS-CoV-2 seronegative participants received a single dose of either vaccine and were analyzed for immune cell, effector T cell and antibody dynamics. AZD1222 induced transient leukopenia and major changes among innate and adaptive subpopulations. Both vaccines induced spike protein specific effector T cells which were dominated by Th1 responses following AZD1222 vaccination. A significant reduction of anti-inflammatory T cells upon re-stimulation was also restricted to AZD1222 vaccinees. While IgM and IgG were the dominant isotypes elicited by AZD1222, BNT162b2 led to a significant production of IgG and IgA. Our results suggest that the strategy for spike antigen delivery impacts on how and to what extent immune priming against the main SARS-CoV-2 antigen proceeds.