bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Redox regulation by TXNRD3 during epididymal maturation underlies capacitation-associated mitochondrial activation and sperm motility in mice
Authors: Wang Huafeng , Dou Qianhui , Jung Kyung Jo , Choi Jungmin , Gladyshev Vadim N. , Chung Jean-Ju 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDuring epididymal transit, redox remodeling protects mammalian spermatozoa, preparing them for survival in the subsequent journey to fertilization. However, molecular mechanisms of redox regulation in sperm development and maturation remain largely elusive. In this study, we report that TXNRD3, a thioredoxin reductase family member particularly abundant in elongating spermatids at the site of mitochondrial sheath formation, regulates redox homeostasis to support male reproduction. Using Txnrd3-/- mice, our biochemical, ultrastructural, and live cell imaging analyses revealed impairments in sperm morphology and motility under conditions of TXNRD3 deficiency. We reveal that mitochondria develop more defined cristae during capacitation in wild type sperm. Absence of TXNRD3 alters redox status in both the head and tail during sperm maturation and capacitation, resulting in defective mitochondrial ultrastructure and activity under capacitating conditions. These findings provide insights into molecular mechanisms of redox homeostasis and bioenergetics during sperm maturation, capacitation, and fertilization.
Diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) volatizes and cross-contaminates wells in a common 96-well plate zebrafish larvae exposure method
Authors: Mundy Paige C. , Mendieta Rosalia , Lein Pamela J. 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTDiisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) is an organophosphate (OP) that is commonly used to study the neurotoxic effects of acutely intoxicating OP exposure. In preliminary studies, we discovered abnormal deaths in DMSO-only exposed larvae housed in the same plate as DFP-exposed larvae, and hypothesized that DFP volatilizes and cross-contaminates wells when using a 96-well plate exposure method for exposing zebrafish larvae. Survivability and acetylcholinesterase activity assays confirmed DFP presence in the tissues of zebrafish ostensibly exposed to DMSO only. These findings indicate DFP cross-contamination, which raises concerns for the experimental design of studies evaluating the toxicity of volatile and semi-volatile substances.
Don’t think, feel: basal ganglia-cortical connectivity underlies self-regulation of brain oscillations in humans
Authors: Kasahara Kazumi , DaSalla Charles S. , Honda Manabu , Hanakawa Takashi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBrain-computer interfaces (BCIs) provide an artificial link by which the brain can directly interact with the environment. To achieve fine BCI control, participants must modulate the patterns of the cortical oscillations generated from the motor and somatosensory cortices. However, it remains unclear how humans regulate cortical oscillations, the controllability of which substantially varies across individuals. Here, we performed simultaneous electroencephalography (to assess BCI control) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (to measure brain activity) in healthy participants. Self-regulation of cortical oscillations induced activity in the basal ganglia-cortical network (BgCN) and the neurofeedback control network (NfCN). Successful self-regulation correlated with striatal activity in the BgCN, through which patterns of cortical oscillations were likely modulated. Moreover, BgCN and NfCN connectivity correlated with strong and weak self-regulation, respectively. The findings indicate that the BgCN is important for self-regulation, the understanding of which should help advance BCI technology.
Previously unrecognized non-reproducible antibody-antigen interactions and their implications for diagnosis of viral infections including COVID-19
Authors: Pan Jiaojiao , Yang Lan , Deng Yi , Sun Baoqing , Zhang Li , Wu Wenya , Li Jingzhi , Cheng Hu , Li Yiting , Xu Wenwen , Yang Jiao , Sun Yiyue , Fei Hao , Xue Qinghong , Zhou Youxin , Wang Hui , Zheng Peiyan , Chen Hao , Zhu Fengcai , Peng Daxin , Gu Dayong , Han Jun , Qiu Jiwan , Ma Hongwei 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAntibody-antigen (Ab-Ag) interactions are canonically described by a model which exclusively accommodates non-interaction (0) or reproducible-interaction (RI) states, yet this model is inadequate to explain often-encountered non-reproducible signals. Here, by monitoring diverse experimental systems and confirmed COVID-19 clinical sera using a peptide microarray, we observed that non-specific interactions (NSI) comprise a substantial proportion of non-reproducible antibody-based results. This enabled our discovery and capacity to reliably identify non-reproducible Ab-Ag interactions (NRI), as well as our development of a powerful explanatory model (“0-RI-NRI-Hook four-state model”) that is [mAb]-dependent, regardless of specificity, which ultimately shows that both NSI and NRI are not predictable yet certain-to-happen. In experiments using seven FDA-approved mAb drugs, we demonstrated the use of NSI counts in predicting epitope type. Beyond challenging the centrality of Ab-Ag interaction specificity data in serology and immunology, our discoveries also facilitated the rapid development of a serological test with uniquely informative COVID-19 diagnosis performance.
Phylo-taxonogenomics of 182 strains of genusLeuconostocelucidates its robust taxonomy and biotechnological importance
Authors: Kumar Sanjeet , Bansal Kanika , Sethi Santosh Kumar , Bindhani Birendra Kumar 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGenusLeuconostocis a group of a diverse range of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) majorly found in dairy, food and environmental ecology. These microbes are commercially important for several industries due to their intrinsic genomic attributes such as bacteriocins, carbohydrate-active enzymes, plasmids etc. Even though the species ofLeuconostocare commercially significant, their taxonomy is largely based on old, low resolution traditional methods. There have been several taxonomic reclassifications in the past which are inadequate for microbiologist and food industry professionals to truly demarcate any new strain of genusLeuconostoc. The current taxonomy of the genus is largely based on classical approaches, which are in utmost need of reinvestigation by whole genome-based approaches. In the present study, the taxono-phylogenomic analysis clearly depicted sixteen species including three novel genomospecies in addition to several reshufflings across the species namely,L. mesenteroides, L. pseudomesenteroides, L. gelidumandL. lactis. The presence of a wide range of carbohydrate-active enzymes, type III polyketide synthase and vector plasmids suggested the biotechnological potential of constituent strains of the genera. Further, the absence of antibiotic gene clusters reaffirms their utility in industries such as food and dairy. Such large-scale in-depth genome-based study can shed light on the nature of the genome dynamics of the species and help to obtain a more robust taxonomic classification.
Postsynaptic neuroligin-1 mediates presynaptic endocytosis during neuronal activity
Authors: Luo Jiaqi Keith , Melland Holly , Nithianantharajah Jess , Gordon Sarah L 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFast, high-fidelity neurotransmission and synaptic efficacy requires tightly regulated coordination of pre- and postsynaptic compartments and alignment of presynaptic release sites with postsynaptic receptor nanodomains. Neuroligin-1 (Nlgn-1) is a postsynaptic cell-adhesion protein exclusively localised to excitatory synapses that is crucial for coordinating the transsynaptic alignment of presynaptic release sites with postsynaptic AMPA receptors as well as postsynaptic transmission and plasticity. However, little is understood about whether the postsynaptic machinery can mediate the molecular architecture and activity of the presynaptic nerve terminal, and thus it remains unclear whether there are presynaptic contributions to Nlgn1-dependent control of signalling and plasticity. Here, we employed a presynaptic reporter of neurotransmitter release and synaptic vesicle dynamics, synaptophysin-pHluorin (sypHy), to directly assess the presynaptic impact of loss of Nlgn1. We show that lack of Nlgn1 had no effect on the size of the readily releasable or entire recycling pool of synaptic vesicles, nor did it impact exocytosis. However, we observed significant changes in the retrieval of synaptic vesicles by compensatory endocytosis, specifically during activity. Our data extends growing evidence that synaptic adhesion molecules critical for forming transsynaptic scaffolds are also important for regulating activity-induced endocytosis at the presynapse.
Machine learning models based on molecular descriptors to predict human and environmental toxicological factors in continental freshwater
Authors: Servien Rémi , Latrille Eric , Patureau Dominique , Hélias Arnaud 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIt is a real challenge for life cycle assessment practitioners to identify all relevant substances contributing to the ecotoxicity. Once this identification has been made, the lack of corresponding ecotoxicity factors can make the results partial and difficult to interpret. So, it is a real and important challenge to provide ecotoxicity factors for a wide range of compounds. Nevertheless, obtaining such factors using experiments is tedious, time-consuming, and made at a high cost. A modeling method that could predict these factors from easy-to-obtain information on each chemical would be of great value. Here, we present such a method, based on machine learning algorithms, that used molecular descriptors to predict two specific endpoints in continental freshwater for ecotoxicological and human impacts. The different tested machine learning algorithms show good performances on a learning database and the non-linear methods tend to outperform the linear ones. The cluster-then-predict approaches usually show the best performances which suggests that these predicted models must be derived for somewhat similar compounds. Finally, predictions were derived from the validated model for compounds with missing toxicity/ecotoxicity factors.HighlightsCharacterization factors (for human health and ecotoxicological impacts) were predicted using molecular descriptors.Several linear or non-linear machine learning methods were compared.The non-linear methods tend to outperform the linear ones using a train and test procedure. Cluster-then-predict approaches often show the best performances, highlighting their usefulness.This methodology was then used to derive characterization factors that were missing for more than a hundred chemicals in USEtox®.Graphical abstract
Integration of the cyanophage-encoded phosphate binding protein into the cyanobacterial phosphate uptake system
Authors: Zhao Fangxin , Lin Xingqin , Cai Kun , Jiang YongLiang , Ni Tianchi , Chen Yue , Feng Jianrong , Dang Shangyu , Zhou Cong-Zhao , Zeng Qinglu 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTo acquire phosphorus, cyanobacteria use the typical bacterial ABC-type phosphate transporter, which is composed of a periplasmic high-affinity phosphate-binding protein PstS and a channel formed by two transmembrane proteins PstC and PstA. The pstS gene has been identified in the genomes of cyanophages that infect the unicellular cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus. However, it is unknown how the cyanophage PstS interplays with the host PstC and PstA to function as a chimeric ABC transporter. Here we showed that the cyanophage P-SSM2 PstS protein was abundant in the infected Prochlorococcus NATL2A cells and the host phosphate uptake rate was enhanced after infection. This is consistent with our biochemical and structural analyses showing that the phage PstS protein is indeed a high-affinity phosphate-binding protein. We further modeled the complex structure of phage PstS with host PstCA and revealed three putative interfaces that may facilitate the formation of the chimeric ABC transporter. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanism by which cyanophages enhance the phosphate uptake rate of cyanobacteria. Phosphate acquisition by infected bacteria can increase the phosphorus contents of released cellular debris and virus particles, which together constitute a significant proportion of the marine dissolved organic phosphorus pool.
Multi-omics analysis identifies essential regulators of mitochondrial stress response in two wild-type C. elegans strains
Authors: Gao Arwen W. , El Alam Gaby , Lalou Amélia , Li Terytty Yang , Molenaars Marte , Zhu Yunyun , Overmyer Katherine A. , Shishkova Evgenia , Hof Kevin , Sleiman Maroun Bou , Houtkooper Riekelt H. , Coon Joshua J. , Auwerx Johan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a promising pharmacological target for aging and age-related diseases. However, the integrative analysis of the impact of UPRmt activation on different layers of signaling in animals with a different genetic background is lacking. In this study, we applied systems approaches to investigate the effect of UPRmt induced by administering doxycycline (Dox) on transcriptome, proteome, lipidome, and metabolome in two genetically divergent C. elegans strains. We found that Dox prolongs lifespan of both worm strains through pathways in both shared and strain-specific manners. From the integrated omics datasets, we observed a strong impact of Dox on mitochondrial functions, detected upregulated defense response and lipid metabolism, identified decreased triglycerides and lowered metabolome profiles in both strains. This conserved phenomic footprint has great translational value as it indicates that the beneficial effects of Dox-induced UPRmt on health and lifespan are consistent across different genetic backgrounds.
Joyful information activities in serious leisure: looking for pleasure, passion and purpose
Authors: Mansourian Yazdan 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThis paper provides selective findings from a broader research project on information behaviours in serious leisure. This paper focuses on the positive feelings of information seeking and sharing in this context, aiming to capture and contextualise the joy of information embedded in and inspired by leisure activities.Design/methodology/approachThe required data were obtained using semi-structured interviews with 20 serious leisure participants from Wagga Wagga city in Australia, recruited via a maximum variation sampling technique. The data were fully transcribed and analysed based on a qualitative thematic analysis method.FindingsThe joy of information is embedded within a wide spectrum of information activities in serious leisure ranging from information seeking and browsing to information sharing and information creation. Among all these activities, information sharing with peers and a broader audience is the most joyful experience because it often generates social engagement, a sense of belonging and friendship. Moreover, serious leisure is a productive ground to transform hedonic wellness into eudaimonic well-being, while continuous information seeking and sharing play a significant role in achieving this goal.Practical implicationsInformation system designers can use the findings to consider the emotional aspects of information seeking and sharing to improve the usability of their products. At the policy level, cultural policy writers and decision-makers can make more informed decisions to support serious leisure.Originality/valueThis study explores the joyful aspects of information behaviour in a unique context. Exploring the joy of information is an emerging topic in human information behaviour scholarship, and the existing knowledge on this issue is still limited. This paper can contribute to creating new knowledge in this emerging area.
Initiatives that enable Singapore contractors to improve construction productivity
Authors: Ofori George , Zhang Zhe , Ling Florence Y.Y. 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThis study examines the initiatives that would enable contractors in Singapore to improve the level of construction productivity.Design/methodology/approachA two-pronged research method was employed: questionnaire survey with contractors (109 responses received) and in-depth interviews with 12 subject matter experts. The questionnaire covered questions such as the current and future improvement measures.FindingsThe results show that the top three motives for achieving high productivity (increase profitability, on time delivery and enhance corporate competitiveness) are underpinned by profit maximization. Factor analysis revealed several categories of productivity improvement strategies. Among these, only site operations category is under the control of contractors. Other important categories include government's initiatives and design factors.Research limitations/implicationsWhile contractors are the producers of built products, their productivity is very much dependent on other factors and other parties. The long-standing exhortation to contractors to improve productivity is necessary but not a sufficient condition to improve it.Practical implicationsRecommendations are provided for the government, designers, contractors and other stakeholders on what can be done to improve productivity.Originality/valueThis research adds to knowledge by showing that contractors' top motives for high productivity relate to self-seeking behavior to maximize profit. Prior to this study, productivity improvement is considered the responsibility of contractors. This study shows that two other stakeholders also hold the key to productivity improvement – government and designers. Government controls the supply of foreign labor, has the capacity to offer incentives and has the muscle to enact regulations to improve productivity. Consultants' upstream designs must be buildable.
Business continuity and disaster recovery in Ghana–a literature review
Authors: Barnett-Quaicoo Patricia , Ahmadu Aminu 
Published: July 2021

PurposeBusiness continuity and disaster recovery are directly associated frameworks which guarantee the continued operations of organisations after a disaster has occurred. Thus, researchers have continued to investigate best practices in this area. It is in this vein that the authors of this study seek to draw attention to what pertains in Ghana and what role the government can play to improve the situation. The purpose of this study is to explore some of the disasters which have been suffered by businesses in Ghana as well as the causes, effects and lessons learnt. The study will also look at business continuity and disaster recovery measures that could have been implemented in the examples provided.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a literature review approach by reviewing secondary data on both man-made and natural disasters that have affected Ghana in the past decade through the review of literature.FindingsThe comprehensive study of the selected disasters indicated the presence of business continuity and disaster recovery measures in some formal institutions; however, the informal sector appeared to have minimal provision for handling disasters.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors were limited to the use of the account from the resources used since this study relied on secondary data.Practical implicationsThe study indicates that businesses in Ghana must implement business continuity and disaster recovery plans to protect business operations in the event of a disaster.Originality/valueThe study has not been previously published in any other journal. Secondary data for carrying out the study were obtained from other publications including online media platforms in Ghana.
Big data analytics in innovation processes: which forms of dynamic capabilities should be developed and how to embrace digitization?
Authors: Capurro Rosita , Fiorentino Raffaele , Garzella Stefano , Giudici Alessandro 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze, from a dynamic capabilities perspective, the role of big data analytics in supporting firms' innovation processes.Design/methodology/approachRelevant literature is reviewed and critically assessed. An interpretive methodology is used to analyze empirical data from interviews of big data analytics experts at firms within digitally related sectors.FindingsThis study shows how firms leverage big data to gain “richer” and “deeper” data at the inter-sections between the digital and physical worlds. The authors provide evidence for the importance of counterintuitive strategies aimed at developing innovative products, services or solutions with characteristics that may initially diverge, even significantly, from established customer/user needs.Practical implicationsThe authors’ findings offer insights to help practitioners manage innovation processes in the physical world while taking investments in big data analytics into account.Originality/valueThe authors provide insights into the evolution of scholarly research on innovation directed toward opportunities to create a competitive advantage by offering new products, services or solutions diverging, even significantly, from established customer demand.
Cross-cultural training and adjustment through the lens of cultural intelligence and type of expatriates
Authors: Kour Sumeet , Jyoti Jeevan 
Published: July 2021

PurposeOrganisations operate in diverse cultural environment, which is a challenging task due to absence of cultural knowledge and difficulty in adapting the native culture that usually leads to expatriate failure. In this context cultural intelligence plays an important role in the adjustment of employees. The purpose of the study is to examine the mediating role played by cultural intelligence between cross-cultural training and cross-cultural adjustment relationship. It further analyses the moderating role of cross-cultural training and types of expatriate between cultural intelligence and cross-cultural adjustment relationship.Design/methodology/approachSet in a large culturally diverse emerging economy context, data have been gathered from 530 managers working in banking sector. Data have been duly assessed for reliability and validity.FindingsThe results revealed that cultural intelligence mediates cross-cultural training and cross-cultural adjustment relationship. Evidence from the analysis further suggests that cross-cultural training and types of expatriate moderate the relationship between cultural intelligence and cross-cultural adjustment. Lastly, the managerial and theoretical implications have been put forth for practical and academic perusal.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is cross-sectional in nature and data have been collected from single source.Practical implicationsOrganisations should design such training programmes, which motivate the managers to successfully complete out of home state assignment and help them to adapt in the cross-cultural situations.Social implicationsCulturally intelligent employees/managers are able to communicate with people belonging to diverse culture, which results in building trust, loyalty and cordial relationship amongst the people. This will create the feeling of unity in the society thereby bringing national as well as global peace.Originality/valueThe study develops the extant literature on cross-cultural training and types of expatriate as effective intercultural instruments to enhance the capability of the managers to interact and adjust in host region environment.