bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High fiber, whole foods dietary intervention alters the human gut microbiome but not fecal short-chain fatty acids
Authors: Oliver Andrew , Chase Alexander B. , Weihe Claudia , Orchanian Stephanie B. , Riedel Stefan F. , Hendrickson Clark , Lay Mi , Sewall Julia Massimelli , Martiny Jennifer B. H. , Whiteson Katrine 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTDietary shifts can have a direct impact on the gut microbiome by preferentially selecting for microbes capable of utilizing the various dietary nutrients. Intake of dietary fiber has decreased precipitously in the last century, while consumption of processed foods has increased. Fiber, or microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs), persist in the digestive tract and can be metabolized by specific bacteria encoding fiber degrading enzymes. Digestion of MACs results in the accumulation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and other metabolic byproducts that are critical to human health. Here, we implemented a two-week dietary fiber intervention aiming for 40-50 grams of fiber per day within the context of a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) (n = 20). By coupling shotgun metagenomic sequencing and targeted gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS), we found that the dietary intervention significantly altered the composition of individual gut microbiomes, accounting for 8.3% of the longitudinal variability within subjects. Notably, microbial taxa that increased in relative abundance as a result of the diet change included known MAC degraders (i.e.,BifidobacteriumandLactobacillus). We further assessed the genetic diversity withinBifidobacterium, assayed by amplification of thegroELgene. Concomitant with microbial composition changes, we show an increase in the abundance of genes involved in inositol degradation. Despite these changes in gut microbiome composition, we did not detect a consistent shift in SCFA abundance. Collectively, our results demonstrate that on a short-term timescale of two weeks, increased fiber intake can induce compositional changes of the gut microbiome, including an increase in MAC degrading bacteria.IMPORTANCEA profound decrease in the consumption of dietary fiber in many parts of the world in the last century may be associated with the increasing prevalence of Type II diabetes, colon cancer, and other health problems. A typical U.S. diet includes about ∼15 grams of fiber per day, far less fiber than daily recommended allowance. Changes in dietary fiber intake affect human health not only through the uptake of nutrients directly, but also indirectly through changes in the microbial community and their associated metabolism. Here we conducted a two-week diet intervention in healthy young adults to investigate the impact of fiber consumption on the gut microbiome. Participants increased their average fiber consumption by 25 grams/day on average for two weeks. The high fiber diet intervention altered the gut microbiome of the study participants, including increases in known fiber degrading microbes such asBifidobacteriumandLactobacillus.
Brain transcriptional regulatory architecture and schizophrenia etiology converge between East Asian and European ancestral populations
Authors: Liu Sihan , Chen Yu , Wang Feiran , Jiang Yi , Duan Fangyuan , Xia Yan , Ning Zhilin , Li Miao , Qiu Wenying , Ma Chao , Yan Xiao-Xin , Bao Aimin , Dai Jiapei , Kopp Richard F. , Kuney Liz , Huang Jufang , Xu Shuhua , Tang Beisha , Liu Chunyu , Chen Chao 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the genetic architecture of gene expression and splicing in human brain is critical to unlocking the mechanisms of complex neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia (SCZ). Large-scale brain transcriptomic studies are based primarily on populations of European (EUR) ancestry. The uniformity of mono-racial resources may limit important insights into the disease etiology. Here, we characterized brain transcriptional regulatory architecture of East Asians (EAS; n=151), identifying 3,278 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and 4,726 spliceQTL (sQTL). Comparing these to PsychENCODE/BrainGVEX confirmed our hypothesis that the transcriptional regulatory architecture in EAS and EUR brains align. Furthermore, distinctive allelic frequency and linkage disequilibrium impede QTL translation and gene-expression prediction accuracy. Integration of eQTL/sQTL with genome-wide association studies reveals common and novel SCZ risk genes. Pathway-based analyses showing shared SCZ biology point to synaptic and GTPase dysfunction as a prospective pathogenesis. This study elucidates the transcriptional landscape of the EAS brain and emphasizes an essential convergence between EAS and EUR populations.
Alternative architecture of theE. colichemosensory array
Authors: Burt Alister , Cassidy C. Keith , Stansfeld Phillip J. , Gutsche Irina 
Published: February 2021

AbstractChemotactic responses in motile bacteria are the result of sophisticated signal transduction by large, highly organized arrays of sensory proteins. Despite tremendous progress in the understanding of chemosensory array structure and function, a structural basis for the heightened sensitivity of networked chemoreceptors is not yet complete. Here we present cryo-electron tomography visualisations of native-state chemosensory arrays inE. coliminicells. Strikingly, these arrays exhibit a p2-symmetric array architecture that differs markedly from the p6-symmetric architecture previously described inE. coli. Based on this data, we propose molecular models of this alternative architecture and the canonical p6-symmetric assembly. We evaluate our observations and each model in the context of previously published data, assessing the functional implications of an alternative architecture and effects for future studies.
Protein N-glycosylation is essential for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Casas-Sanchez Aitor , Romero-Ramirez Alessandra , Hargreaves Eleanor , Ellis Cameron C. , Grajeda Brian I. , Estevao Igor , Patterson Edward I. , Hughes Grant L. , Almeida Igor C. , Zech Tobias , Acosta-Serrano Álvaro 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 extensively N-glycosylates its spike proteins, which are necessary for host cell invasion and the target of both vaccines and immunotherapies. These sugars are predicted to help mediate spike binding to the host receptor by stabilizing its ‘open’ conformation and evading host immunity. Here, we investigated both the essentiality of the host N-glycosylation pathway and SARS-CoV-2 N-glycans for infection. Inhibition of host N-glycosylation using RNAi or FDA-approved drugs reduced virus infectivity, including that of several variants. Under these conditions, cells produced less virions and some completely lost their infectivity. Furthermore, partial deglycosylation of intact virions showed that surface-exposed N-glycans are critical for cell invasion. Altogether, spike N-glycosylation is a targetable pathway with clinical potential for treatment or prevention of COVID-19.
Performance of Ghanaian women businesses community: the moderating role of social competence
Authors: Sallah Cynthia Ayorkor , Caesar Livingstone Divine 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the moderating dynamics of social competence in the relationship between intangible resources and the performance of women businesses from an emerging market context. Developed economy literature provides ample evidence of a positive relationship between intangible resources and the performance of women business ventures. Little is known of the complexity of this orthodoxy in developing markets such as Ghana. In particular, this paper investigates the moderating role of social competence in the relationship between intangible resources available to women entrepreneurs and performance.Design methodology approachAn exploratory sequential mixed method research design was used. First phase involved qualitative data collected through interviews, and the second phase was quantitative data collected from 264 participants. Content analysis and multiple regression analysis were used.FindingsSocial competence is important to the success of women businesses as it influences the outcome of entrepreneurial interactions and communications. Also, it positively moderated the relationship between organisational reputational capital (RC) and women business growth. On the flip side, it negatively moderated the relationship between human capital, social capital, individual RC and women business growth.Practical implicationsTo sustainably grow their businesses, women entrepreneurs must ascertain the right level of social competence needed. The utilization of social competence at higher rather than lower levels could mean more costs and more training for which the business may not have immediate use.Originality valueThis paper advocates the need to improve the content of entrepreneurial training packages to include the reinforcement of social competency skills in terms of relationship management as this may be the key to the facilitation of access to resources for innovation and growth.
To grow or survive: Which are the strategies of a perennial grass to face severe seasonal stress?
Authors: Keep Thomas , Sampoux Jean‐Paul , Barre Philippe , Blanco‐Pastor José‐Luis , Dehmer Klaus J. , Durand Jean‐Louis , Hegarty Matt , Ledauphin Thomas , Muylle Hilde , Roldán‐Ruiz Isabel , Ruttink Tom , Surault Fabien , Willner Evelin , Volaire Florence 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

More severe seasonal stresses resulting from climate change affect the survival of perennial plant species. The growth–survival trade‐off exemplified in dormant species is a key issue to understand adaptation. As the validity of this trade‐off has yet to be tested in non‐dormant species, it was assessed by exploring the intraspecific variability of strategies to face drought and frost within perennial ryegrass.

Three common gardens compared 385 European perennial ryegrass populations along a latitudinal environmental gradient over 3‐years. Persistence, productivity and physiological traits were recorded under contrasting seasonal environments.

Decoupling plant responses, that is, growth under favourable summers/winters and plant survival under harsh summers/winters, showed a general trade‐off between growth potential and dehydration survival. Three groups of perennial ryegrass populations were identified according to their contrasting strategies: (a) year‐round productive but stress sensitive populations from wet areas; (b) drought‐tolerant populations with low summer growth potential from drought‐prone areas and (c) frost‐tolerant populations with low winter growth potential from frost‐prone areas. Overall, the populations surviving drought best were more resource conservative, whereas populations of the other groups were more resource acquisitive. However, such overall functional patterns were less meaningful than seasonal variations of resource acquisition potentials. The predicted potential biogeographical distribution of these groups suggests shifts of areas of suitability under climate change over the next decades in Europe. Dehydration escape and dehydration tolerance through reduction of growth potential in summer may become the strategies best adapted to an increasingly large area of Europe.

The large intraspecific variability of phenological adaptations within perennial ryegrass reveals that the seasonal modulation of growth potential is crucial to plant adaptation under severe chronic abiotic stresses. The global plant economics spectrum cannot account for contrasting seasonal trade‐offs, which points out the importance of integrating phenological traits as key components of plant strategies. The identification of the trade‐off between growth potential and frost or drought stress survival in this non‐dormant species provides key knowledge to understand the future regional distribution of this major species for grassland ecosystem services.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Intraspecific variation in incubation behaviours along a latitudinal gradient is driven by nest microclimate and selection on neonate quality
Authors: Lundblad Carl G. , Conway Courtney J. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

The strategies by which animals allocate reproductive effort across their lifetimes vary, and the causes of variation in those strategies are actively debated. In birds, most research has focused heavily on variation in clutch size and fecundity, but incubation behaviour and other functionally related traits have received less attention. Variation in incubation period duration is notable because time‐dependent sources of clutch mortality should impose strong directional selection to minimize the incubation period. However, life‐history theory predicts multiple mechanisms by which inter‐ and intraspecific variation in incubation behaviours may be adaptive.

We conducted one of the first studies of intraspecific latitudinal variation in avian incubation behaviours across a large portion of a single species’ range. We placed motion‐activated nest cameras inside burrowing owl nests at five study sites to quantify variation in daily nest attentiveness, cumulative nest attendance and incubation period duration. We tested predictions of two alterative hypotheses that have been proposed to explain variation in incubation periods: the parental risk tolerance hypothesis and the neonate quality hypothesis.

Daily nest attentiveness, cumulative nest attendance and incubation period duration in burrowing owls were all positively correlated with latitude. Burrowing owls reduced their daily nest attentiveness at low latitudes and on days when the average nest temperature was within the range that is optimal for embryo development. Further, longer incubation periods were most strongly associated with greater cumulative nest attendance instead of reduced daily nest attentiveness.

These results support predictions of the neonate quality hypothesis: longer incubation periods result from stronger selection on neonate quality rather than selection to reduce reproductive effort in response to low extrinsic mortality risk. However, some owls facultatively reduced their daily nest attentiveness, and this result supports the general hypothesis that incubation decisions reflect a trade‐off between reproduction and self‐maintenance, and that the optimal solution to that trade‐off varies systematically in response to latitudinal gradients in adult mortality.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Mixed infections alter transmission potential in a fungal plant pathogen
Authors: Barrett Luke G. , Zala Marcello , Mikaberidze Alexey , Alassimone Julien , Ahmad Muhammad , McDonald Bruce A. , Sánchez‐Vallet Andrea 
Published: February 2021

SummaryInfections by more than one strain of a pathogen predominate under natural conditions. Mixed infections can have significant, though often unpredictable, consequences for overall virulence, pathogen transmission and evolution. However, effects of mixed infection on disease development in plants often remain unclear and the critical factors that determine the outcome of mixed infections remain unknown. The fungus Zymoseptoria tritici forms genetically diverse infections in wheat fields. Here, for a range of pathogen traits, we experimentally decompose the infection process to determine how the outcomes and consequences of mixed infections are mechanistically realized. Different strains of Z. tritici grow in close proximity and compete in the wheat apoplast, resulting in reductions in growth of individual strains and in pathogen reproduction. We observed different outcomes of competition at different stages of the infection. Overall, more virulent strains had higher competitive ability during host colonization, and less virulent strains had higher transmission potential. We showed that within‐host competition can have a major effect on infection dynamics and pathogen population structure in a pathogen and host genotype‐specific manner. Consequently, mixed infections likely have a major effect on the development of septoria tritici blotch epidemics and the evolution of virulence in Z. tritici.
Taking Venezuela back to the sustainability path: The role of financial development and economic integration in low‐carbon transition
Authors: Nwani Chinazaekpere 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEnvironmental protection and sustainable development are connected. Such connection is considered highly important for Venezuela, where fossil fuel abundance has created economic and environmental challenges. Surprisingly, only limited attention has been directed to identifying policy options for charting the path to sustainable development in the economy. Contributing to filling this gap in the literature, this study examines whether financial development, de facto and de jure conditions in trade and financial integration can trigger long‐term economic shifts that will change the trajectory of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the economy using a novel estimation approach—dynamic simulations of autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models. The empirical modelling framework incorporates the impact of population, economic growth, energy intensity and government consumption expenditure. ARDL‐bounds test provides evidence that the variables are cointegrated. Long‐run estimates from the dynamic ARDL analysis show that de facto and de jure conditions in trade and financial components of economic integration offer varied policy options for carbon mitigation in Venezuela. Population size, energy intensity, government consumption expenditure and de facto condition in financial integration have increasing impact on CO2 emissions, exacerbating suitability challenges in the economy. On the other hand, positive shocks in financial development, de facto condition in trade integration and de jure condition in financial integration have a mitigation effect on CO2 emissions. Overall, financial development, trade integration and the control of cross‐border financial flows are needed economic conditions that can accelerate a quick transition to a low‐carbon develpoment in Venezuela.
A Needle in (Many) Haystacks: Using the False Alarm Rate to Sift Gravitational Waves from Noise
Authors: Zheng Yanyan , Cavaglià Marco , Quitzow-James Ryan , Mogushi Kentaro 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Yanyan Zheng, Marco Cavaglià, Ryan Quitzow-James and Kentaro Mogushi explain how statistics helps scientists spot ripples in the fabric of space and time
Synbiotic açaí juice (Euterpe oleracea) containing sucralose as noncaloric sweetener: Processing optimization, bioactive compounds, and acceptance during storage
Authors: Freitas Hildeane Veloso , Dos Santos Filho Antonio Luiz , Rodrigues Sueli , Abreu Virgínia Kelly Gonçalves , Narain Narendra , Lemos Tatiana De Oliveira , Gomes Wesley Faria , Pereira Ana Lúcia Fernandes 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the fermentation process of Lacticaseibacillus casei in the açaí juice, and to evaluate the addition of fructooligosaccharides and sucrose. The organic acids, anthocyanins, polyphenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity were also investigated during fermentation. Moreover, the impact of sucrose and sucralose on microbial viability and sensory acceptance of synbiotic products was evaluated during 42 days storage at refrigerated conditions. The conditions for synbiotic juice production were the initial pH of 6.1 and fermentation undertaken at 28 °C for 22 hr. During fermentation, the higher viability was obtained when a combination of 40 g/L of FOS+10 g/L of sucrose was used (9.70 ± 0.01 log CFU/mL). The lactic acid increased from 0.82 to 1.29 g/L during the fermentation while citric acid decreased from 1.05 to 0.75 g/L. The cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, polyphenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity increased. Thus, fermentation improved the functional value of the beverage. The L. casei viability reduced from 9.71 ± 0.04 to 8.90 ± 0.06 log CFU/ mL in the juice with sucrose, and from 9.71 ± 0.04 to 8.71 ± 0.14 log CFU/ mL in the juice with sucralose. Thus, the açaí juice is a viable matrix for the synbiotic food, which allows the viability maintenance during the storage. Regarding sensory acceptance, the internal preference mapping indicated an increase in the color preference with the storage of synbiotic juices. However, the flavor and overall acceptance reduced with storage. Nevertheless, the flavor and overall acceptance of juice with sucralose were better than the juice with sucrose. After 42 days of storage, penalty analysis revealed that beverage with sucrose showed a lack of sweet taste and excess of sour taste. Thus, a high‐quality açaí product with viable probiotic microorganism, high anthocyanins, and polyphenolic compounds contents could be obtained, which can be exploited for commercial use.Practical ApplicationSynbiotic açaí juice is a healthier alternative to consuming products containing this fruit. The inclusion of probiotic microorganisms and prebiotic fructooligosaccharides increased bioactive compounds contents during the shelf life of the juice. The sensory evaluation using the internal preference mapping revealed that the juice flavor with sucralose was better accepted than the juice formulated with addition of sucrose.
Correlation between 18F‐FDG PET/CT semiquantitative parameters and Ki‐67 expression in pulmonary mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma
Authors: Zhao Juan , Wang Huoqiang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionThis study aims to investigate the correlation between 18F‐Fluoro‐d‐glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT) semiquantitative parameters and Ki‐67 expression in pulmonary mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.MethodsTwenty‐eight patients with histologically confirmed pulmonary MALT lymphoma in 29 lesions who underwent 18F‐FDG PET/CT were retrospectively analysed. PET/CT images were analysed visually and semiquantitatively by measuring maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). The correlation between morphological pattern, tumour size, Ki‐67 expression and PET/CT semiquantitative parameters were also analysed.ResultsThere were 16 male patients (57.1%) and 12 female patients (42.9%), and the mean age was 57.6 ± 9.7 years (range 43–73 years). Twenty‐nine pulmonary lesions were identified in 28 patients: 12 (41.4%) presenting as consolidation, 9 (31.0%) as nodules, 5 (17.2%) as masses and 3 (10.3%) as ground glass opacities (GGOs). All of the 29 lesions were 18F‐FDG avid. SUVmax of the lesions was 4.4 ± 3.0 (range 1.1–15.3), SUVmean was 2.8 ± 1.9 (range 0.8–10.3), MTV was 15.9 ± 17.6 (range 0.9–82.1) and TLG was 48.7 ± 56.6 (range 0.9–205.6). The PET/CT semiquantitative parameters were not correlated with morphological pattern of pulmonary MALT lymphoma, which were correlated significantly with tumour size and Ki‐67 expression.ConclusionPulmonary MALT lymphomas are 18F‐FDG avid, and 18F‐FDG PET/CT semiquantitative parameters (SUVmax, SUVmean, MTV and TLG) are significantly correlated with tumour size and Ki‐67 expression. 18F‐FDG PET/CT plays a potential role in identifying lung MALT lymphomas with higher proliferation and more aggressive behaviour in clinical practice.