bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in vaping trends since the announcement of an impending ban on
disposable vapes: a population study in Great Britain
Authors: Jackson Sarah E. , Shahab Lion , Tattan-Birch Harry , Buss Vera , Brown Jamie 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background/Aim
There has been a rapid rise in vaping prevalence among youth and young
adults in Great Britain since disposable vapes started to become popular in
2021. In January 2024, the government announced plans to introduce a number
of new vaping policies, including a ban on disposable vapes, to tackle youth
vaping. This study examined whether trends in current vaping and use of
disposable vapes have changed since this announcement.

Design, setting, and participants
Segmented regression analysis of data collected monthly between January
2022 and November 2024 as part of the Smoking Toolkit Study; a
representative household survey in Great Britain. We ran generalised
additive models using data from all participants aged ≥16y
(n=83,764; ‘adults’) and from a subset aged
16-24y (n=8,846; ‘young adults’).

Main outcome measures
Changes in trends in (i) the prevalence of current vaping and (ii) the
proportion of vapers mainly using disposable devices.

Results
Before January 2024, vaping prevalence was increasing by 24.5% per year
(RRtrend=1.245 [95%CI 1.193-1.299]) and use of
disposable vapes was increasing by 18.0% per year
(RRtrend=1.180 [95%CI 1.106-1.258]). These trends
changed after the new policy measures were announced
(RRΔtrend=0.718 [0.623-0.827] and
RRΔtrend=0.558 [0.460-0.677], respectively).
Instead of increasing, there was an uncertain decrease in vaping prevalence
from 13.7% [12.7-14.7%] in January 2024 to 12.4% [11.4-13.6%] in November
2024) and a substantial decline in the proportion of vapers mainly using
disposables from 43.7% [40.3-47.3%] to 30.8% [27.6-34.4%]. Similar changes
were observed among young adults (vaping prevalence:
RRΔtrend=0.647 [0.495-0.845]; use of disposable
vapes: RRΔtrend=0.526 [0.400-0.693]), with an uncertain
decline in vaping prevalence from 27.7% [24.5-31.3%] to 23.6% [20.2-27.6%]
between January and November 2024 and the proportion of vapers mainly using
disposables falling from 63.4% [59.0-68.2%] to 37.8% [32.3-44.2%].

Conclusions
Following the announcement of an impending ban on disposable vapes and
other potential vaping policies, recent increases in vaping prevalence in
Great Britain stalled – or may have even reversed – including among young
adults. In addition, there was a shift away from using disposable vapes,
with people increasingly opting to use devices that can be refilled and
recharged.
Peers over the past: Prior predation-risk experience does not dictate antipredator responses of individuals in groups
Authors: Rawat Kanika , Isvaran Kavita 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAnimals with predation-risk experiences can use the information to modulate their antipredator responses and survive future risk conditions (behavioural carryover). However, different contexts, such as sociality, may alter the risks and associated responses for an individual. A group can provide benefits to an individual, such as dilution of risk, confusion effect, and improved vigilance, potentially modifying carryover payoffs. Therefore, we tested the impact of sociality on the behavioural carryover of predation-risk experience. We usedAedes aegyptias a model system, where we had already established carryover, showing that predation-risk experience dictates future behaviour in a solitary setting. In contrast to solitary settings, we predicted that the behavioural carryover would not manifest in a group setting due to differences in trade-offs. We compared the behaviour of experienced and naive individuals in group settings in the presence and absence of an immediate threat. Our findings revealed that the past predation-risk experience did not influence the behaviour of individuals in a group setting. Instead, the immediate threat environment affected experienced and naive individuals similarly. These results suggest that the experience from predation past is more relevant when prey are solitary than when they are in a group due to the additional group advantages.
A new product containing secretome purified from bovine colostrum, Purasomes IRC100+, in the treatment of vaginal atrophy:in vitrostudy to evaluate safety and effectiveness
Authors: Salvaggio Antonio , Privitera Anna , Pennisi Stefania , Brundo Maria Violetta 
Published: January 2025

AbstractVaginal atrophy consists of the loss of elasticity and thinning of the vaginal tissues and mucous membranes. This is a condition that affects women especially during menopause, following the hormonal decline resulting from the cessation of ovarian activity. The objective of the present study was evaluated the effects of Purasomes IRC100+ on the proliferation and migration of VK2/E6E7 vaginal epithelial cells and on fibroblasts byin vitroexperiments. We tested three different concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 2%). We found that cell viability was highest at 2% Purasomes IRC100+ concentration for both cell lines. The scratch-wound assay was also done. Compared with the cell scratch at 0 h, cells in all groups migrated after 24 h, the scratch was significantly reduced in treated cells compared to untreated cells. In particular, the cell migration rates were 77% and 82%, respectively for VK2/E6E7 cells and fibroblasts treated with 2% of Purasomes IRC100+. Finally, this product promotes vaginal epithelial cell proliferation and therefore it could improve vaginal atrophy and vaginal wound healing.
The small genome size ensures adaptive flexibility for an alpine ginger
Authors: Xiao Qing-Song , Fér Tomáš , Guo Wen , Chen Hong-Fan , Li Li , Zhao Jian-Li 
Published: January 2025

AbstractUnderstanding the proximate and ultimate causes of genome size (GS) variation is the focus of much research. However, the extent and causes of intraspecific variation in GS is debated and poorly understood. This study aims to test the large-genome constraint hypothesis through the variations of intraspecific GS. GS was measured in 53Roscoea tibeticapopulations from the Hengduan Mountains using flow cytometry. Stomatal size and density were collected from the wild populations and common garden populations. Associations between GS and environmental factors, stomatal traits were explored. We found that high GS variability was positively correlated with most environmental factors but negatively correlated with solar radiation during the growing season. The environment, rather than geography, significantly influenced the variations in GS. The stomatal traits measured in the wild were significantly correlated with GS, but no such correlations were detected in the common garden. Populations in the common garden have larger stomatal size and lower stomatal density. Populations with smaller GS present larger degree of stomatal traits variation from wild to common garden. Our findings suggests that intraspecific GS has experienced adaptive evolution driven by environmental stress and the evolution of intraspecific GS can be explained by the large-genome constraint hypothesis. Smaller GS is more advantageous to the alpine ginger to adapt to alpine habitat and thrive in changing habitat.
Quantitative evaluation of the role of the microenvironment in the phenotype, metabolism, and drug resistance of PDAC tumor organoids
Authors: Sorzabal Ioritz , Morales Xabier , Cortés-Domínguez Iván , Esparza Maider , Grande Lucía , Castillo Pedro , Narayanan Shruthi , Ponz-Sarvise Mariano , Vicent Silvestre , Ortiz-de-Solórzano Carlos 
Published: January 2025

AbstractTumor organoids are powerful tools to study cancer. However, the clinical translation of organoid-based studies depends on how closely the organoid scaffolding material recapitulates the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). We present a quantitative analysis of the effect of scaffold composition on the phenotype, tissue remodeling, metabolism, and drug resistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) organoids. We grew PDAC organoids within hydrogels made of Matrigel, collagen-I, or a mixture of collagen-I and Matrigel. Our results show that 1) PDAC organoids grown in Matrigel-only are phenotypically and metabolically similar to low-physiological two-dimensional PDAC cultures; 2) collagen-containing hydrogels, and especially so those grown in hydrogels of mixed collagen-Matrigel composition, accurately reproduce invasive tumors that underwent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regarding phenotype, tissue remodeling, metabolic activity, and drug resistance. In summary, our work illustrates the importance of three-dimensional (3D) matrix composition for PDAC growth and postulates that organoids grown in collagen-Matrigel hydrogels are the most adequate for studying the biology of invasive PDAC tumors.
Mycobacterium abscessuspromotesPseudomonas aeruginosabiofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance
Authors: McDaniel Melissa S. , Edmonds Sara E. , Patel Evani N. , Baty Joshua J. , Scoffield Jessica A. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTModulator therapies have improved outcomes for people with Cystic Fibrosis (pwCF), and currently more than 50% of pwCF are over the age of 18. This has resulted in an increased prevalence of atypical pathogens, including non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). CF-isolation rates of NTM andPseudomonas aeruginosa(Pa) are high, and those co-colonized have worse clinical outcomes. We therefore investigated the behavior of these two organisms in a dual-species biofilm. We found that coculture ofMycobacterium abscessus(MAB) promoted biofilm formation byPa. Confocal imaging revealed changes in biomass and structural organization of thePabiofilm during coculture with MAB. DNase treatment slightly decreased dual-species biofilm, but biofilm formation was completely abrogated in Pel- and Psl-deficient mutants ofPa. Moreover, dual-species cultures promoted tolerance ofPato tobramycin treatment. Overall, our findings highlight an interaction betweenP. aeruginosaandM. abscessusthat may result in bacterial persistence for pwCF during antibiotic therapy.
An open-sourced 3D printable microscope with a large CNC stage
Authors: Dégut Clément , Plevin Michael J 
Published: January 2025

Abstract3D printed laboratory tools are a fast-developing field, and microscopes in particular have seen several high-quality projects reported in recent years. However, currently available projects for 3D printed microscopes have not been optimised for molecular biology applications. We present an open-source, 3D-printable optical microscope that has been specifically designed for affordability, ease of use, and versatility in molecular biology applications, particularly for fluorescence detection, time lapse imaging, and higher throughput scanning of microtitre plates. The microscope integrates a large computer numerically controlled (CNC) stage, allowing precise scanning of wells in standard microtiter plates, and is equipped with a Raspberry Pi HQ camera module and customizable optical components, including standard microscope objectives. The modular design allows for a range of illumination setups, such as a 3 W blue LED for basic epifluorescence, and supports additional modifications, including dark field or RGB matrix lighting. The design opens new possibilities for cheap home-built microscopes for bioscience applications that are modular and easily adaptable for specific user needs.
Protein Barcoding and Next-Generation Protein Sequencing for Multiplexed Protein Selection, Analysis, and Tracking
Authors: Chinnaraj Mathivanan , Huang Haidong , Hutchinson Sebastian , Meyer Michael , Pike Douglas , Ribezzi Marco , Sultana Sharmin , Ocampo Derrek , Ding Fengling , Carpenter Meredith L. , Chorny Ilya , Vieceli John 
Published: January 2025

SummaryProtein barcoding has emerged as a powerful tool for the multiplexed identification and characterization of proteins, providing a mechanism for precise tracking of protein affinity, location, and expression. In this study, we describe the development of a protein barcoding workflow for use with single-molecule Next-Generation Protein Sequencing™ (NGPS™) on the benchtop Platinum®instrument. We present data on the validation of eight peptide barcodes, each designed to minimize detection bias and maximize sensitivity across various experimental conditions. We have also optimized the design of expression constructs to decrease both the hands-on time and input requirements of the workflow. In this workflow, affinity-tagged proteins are expressed with unique peptide barcodes. Following experimental selection or treatments, the proteins are purified, and the peptide barcodes are cleaved and sequenced on the Platinum instrument. We demonstrate that we can detect barcodes at 400 fmol of sample input concentration within the eight-plex mixture, and at 50 fmol of sample input for individual barcodes. We also show the capacity of this barcoding approach to achieve a ten-fold dynamic range, underscoring its sensitivity in recovering variants with low abundance. Through the combination of protein barcoding and NGPS, we lay the groundwork for future studies aimed at characterizing protein interactions and improving targeted drug delivery strategies.MotivationProtein barcoding is an emerging tool for the multiplexed selection, analysis, and tracking of proteins. The motivation for this study was to address the limitations of existing protein barcode detection tools, such as mass spectrometry, which can have drawbacks related to quantification, cost, and accessibility. By integrating a protein barcoding workflow with the benchtop Platinum®protein sequencer, this work offers a sensitive and accessible approach for protein barcoding in applications ranging from protein engineering to nucleic acid therapy development.
Structure of an LGR dimer – an evolutionary predecessor of glycoprotein hormone receptors
Authors: Gong Zhen , Chen Shuobing , Fu Ziao , Kloss Brian , Wang Chi , Clarke Oliver B. , Fan Qing R. , Hendrickson Wayne A. 
Published: January 2025

SummaryThe glycoprotein hormones of humans, produced in the pituitary and acting through receptors in the gonads to support reproduction and in the thyroid gland for metabolism, have co-evolved from invertebrate counterparts1,2. These hormones are heterodimeric cystine-knot proteins; and their receptors bind the cognate hormone at an extracellular domain and transmit the signal of this binding through a transmembrane domain that interacts with a heterotrimeric G protein. Structures determined for the human receptors as isolated for cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) are all monomeric3–6despite compelling evidence for their functioning as dimers7–10. Here we describe the cryo-EM structure of the homologous receptor from a neuroendocrine pathway that promotes growth in a nematode11. This structure is an asymmetric dimer that can be activated by the hormone from that worm12, and it shares features especially like those of the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR). When studied in the context of the human homologs, this dimer provides a structural explanation for the transactivation evident from functional complementation of binding-deficient and signaling-deficient receptors7, for the negative cooperativity in hormone action that is manifest in the 1:2 asymmetry of primary TSH:TSHR complexes8,9, and for switches in G-protein usage that occur as 2:2 complexes form9,10.
Convergent Evolutionary Traces of Genomic Innovations and Depletions in Socially Parasitic Ants
Authors: Harrison Mark C , Séguret Alice , Finke Christopher , Jongepier Evelien , Grandchamp Anna , Stoldt Marah , Heinze Jürgen , Foitzik Susanne , Bornberg-Bauer Erich , Feldmeyer Barbara 
Published: January 2025

AbstractParasitism, a common strategy across life, often involves genomic reduction. Socially parasitic “slavemaking” ants provide an excellent model to study the evolution of this lifestyle. Here, we compared the genomes of four closely related, independently evolved parasite-host pairs and their outgroups to identify convergent patterns. While genome size and gene numbers remain relatively stable, parasites show increased positive and relaxed selection, more putativede novogenes which have recently emerged from previously non-coding regions, and a significant loss of chemical receptors, particularly those associated with the evolution of sociality. Hosts, however, retain many duplicated genes. Gene co-expression networks associated with nest-defence in hosts are rather conserved, while the network structure of raiding parasites is much more variable and reflects the independent evolutionary origin of social parasitism. Our findings suggest that while hosts primarily rely on existing molecular mechanisms for defence, parasite genome evolution is characterised by extensive, convergent gene loss, innovation, and network rewiring.
A framework integrating multiscale in-silico modeling and experimental data predicts CD33CAR-NK cytotoxicity across target cell types
Authors: Ahmad Saeed , Xing Kun , Rajakaruna Harshana , Stewart William C. , Beckwith Kyle A. , Nayak Indrani , Kararoudi Meisam Naeimi , Lee Dean A. , Das Jayajit 
Published: January 2025

AbstractUncovering mechanisms and predicting tumor cell responses to CAR-NK cytotoxicity is essential for improving therapeutic efficacy. Currently, the complexity of these effector-target interactions and the donor-to-donor variations in NK cell receptor (NKR) repertoire require functional assays to be performed experimentally for each manufactured CAR-NK cell product and target combination. Here, we developed a computational mechanistic multiscale model which considers heterogenous expression of CARs, NKRs, adhesion receptors and their cognate ligands, signal transduction, and NK cell-target cell population kinetics. The model trained with quantitative flow cytometry and in vitro cytotoxicity data accurately predicts the short- and long- term cytotoxicity of CD33CAR-NK cells against leukemia cell lines across multiple CAR designs. Furthermore, using Pareto optimization we explored the effect of CAR proportion and NK cell signaling on the differential cytotoxicity of CD33CAR-NK cells to cancer and healthy cells. This model can be extended to predict CAR-NK cytotoxicity across many antigens and tumor targets.
Structural conservation and divergence across the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase superfamily
Authors: Fassler Bakhman Anna , Kolodny Rachel , Kosloff Mickey 
Published: January 2025

AbstractMembers of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) superfamily are regulators of cellular signaling, playing essential roles in cellular growth, differentiation, and survival. Dysregulation of RTKs leads to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory disorders, making them important therapeutic targets. Despite extensive research on RTKs, the structural diversity and evolutionary relationships across the superfamily are not fully understood. Here, we systematically compared structural conservation and divergence among 245 extracellular domains from 54 RTKs, across 18 RTK families. Using experimentally-resolved structures and AlphaFold2 models, we conducted an all-versus-all structural alignment to explore domain architecture and quantify significant structural similarities within the RTK superfamily. We curated a comprehensive database encompassing PDB structures, 3D folds, ligand-binding properties, and sequence information of all RTK domains analyzed (https://fasslero.github.io/RTK-domains). Our analysis revealed numerous inter-family similarities and remote evolutionary connections, in particular among ligand-binding domains (LBDs), and distinct structural domain types and unexpected dissimilarities among domains previously classified as related. Our work highlights the intricate balance between structural conservation and divergence in RTKs and sheds light on the evolutionary mechanisms shaping this critical superfamily.
Terrestrial Organic Matter Amplifies Methane Emissions Across Sediments of the Mississippi River Headwaters
Authors: Sauer Hailey M. , Day Leslie A. , Hamilton Trinity L. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractTerrestrial organic matter (tOM) plays a critical role in aquatic ecosystems, influencing carbon processes and greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we investigate the impact of tOM on methane production in littoral and pelagic sediments from the Mississippi River headwaters using a microcosm approach. Contrary to our expectations, tOM addition universally increased methane production across lentic sediments, with no significant difference between littoral and pelagic zones. Methane production was influenced by select sediment microorganisms, primarily methanogens and lignocellulose degrading bacteria, which responded similarly across different sediment habitats. The study highlights the role of cytochrome-containing methanogens and their syntrophic relationships with fermentative bacteria, emphasizing the significance of microbial community structure in sediment methane dynamics. Our findings suggest that increasing tOM loads to freshwater systems could have broader implications for methane emissions, driven by specific microbial interactions.Author Contribution StatementHMS and TLH conceived the study and obtained the funds. HMS led fieldwork and microcosm set-up. HMS and LAD analyzed gas samples and HMS performed the data analysis and graphical representation of the results. HMS wrote the first draft of the manuscript, and all authors contributed significantly to the preparation of the final draft.Scientific Significance StatementAs human activities and climate change increase the amount of organic material entering lakes and rivers, understanding the effects this has on greenhouse gas emissions is crucial. Our study reveals that adding terrestrial organic matter to freshwater sediments universally boosts methane production, a potent greenhouse gas. Through the exploration of microbial communities responsible for this process, our research highlights how changes in terrestrial organic matter export to aquatic systems could increase methane emissions from sediments.Data Availability StatementAdditional Supporting Information can be found in the online version of this article, including an extended version of methods and supplementary tables. Sequencing data associated with this paper is available on NCBI, BioProject PRJNA1164797.