bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activin B Promotes the Initiation and Progression of Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Wang Yan , Hamang Matthew , Culver Alexander , Jiang Huaizhou , Kusumanchi Praveen , Chalasani Naga , Liangpunsakul Suthat , Yaden Benjamin C. , Dai Guoli 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTBackground & AimsLiver fibrosis is a pivotal pathology in multiple hepatic disease indications, profoundly characterizing disease severity and outcomes. The role of activin B, a TGFβ superfamily cytokine, in liver health and disease is largely unknown. We aimed to investigate whether activin B modulates liver fibrogenesis.MethodsLiver and serum activin B, along with its analog activin A, were analyzed in patients with liver fibrosis from different etiologies and in mouse acute and chronic liver injury models. Activin B, activin A, or both was immunologically neutralized in mice with progressive or established carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. The direct effects of activin B and A on hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were evaluatedin vitro.ResultsAs a result, hepatic and circulating activin B was increased in human patients with liver fibrosis caused by several liver diseases. In mice, hepatic and circulating activin B exhibited persistent elevation following the onset of several types of liver injury, whereas activin A displayed transient increases. The results revealed a close correlation of activin B with liver injury regardless of etiology and species. We found that neutralizing activin B largely prevented, as well as remarkably regressed, CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, which was augmented by co-neutralizing activin A. Mechanistically, activin B directly promotes hepatocyte death, induces a profibrotic expression profile in HSCs, and stimulates HSCs to form a septa structure. In addition, activin B and A interdependently upregulated the transcription of profibrotic factors including connective tissue growth factor and TGFβ1 in injured livers.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that activin B, cooperating with activin A, directly acts on multiple liver cell populations, and drives the initiation and progression of liver fibrosis. Our finding inspires the development of a novel therapy of chronic liver diseases.
APRANK: computational prioritization of antigenic proteins and peptides from complete pathogen proteomes
Authors: Ricci Alejandro D. , Brunner Mauricio , Ramoa Diego , Carmona Santiago J. , Nielsen Morten , Agüero Fernán 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTAvailability of highly parallelized immunoassays has renewed interest in the discovery of serology biomarkers for infectious diseases. Protein and peptide microarrays now provide a rapid, high-throughput platform for immunological testing and validation of potential antigens and B-cell epitopes. However, there is still a need for tools to prioritize and select relevant probes when designing these arrays. In this work we describe a computational method called APRANK (Antigenic Protein and Peptide Ranker) which integrates multiple molecular features to prioritize antigenic targets in a given pathogen proteome. These features include subcellular localization, presence of repetitive motifs, natively disordered regions, secondary structure, transmembrane spans and predicted interaction with the immune system. We applied this method to prioritize potentially antigenic proteins and peptides in a number of bacteria and protozoa causing human diseases:Borrelia burgdorferi(Lyme disease),Brucella melitensis(Brucellosis),Coxiella burnetii(Q fever),Escherichia coli(Gastroenteritis),Francisella tularensis(Tularemia),Leishmania braziliensis(Leishmaniasis),Leptospira interrogans(Leptospirosis),Mycobacterium leprae(Leprae),Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Tuberculosis),Plasmodium falciparum(Malaria),Porphyromonas gingivalis(Periodontal disease),Staphylococcus aureus(Bacteremia),Streptococcus pyogenes(Group A Streptococcal infections),Toxoplasma gondii(Toxoplasmosis) andTrypanosoma cruzi(Chagas Disease). We have tested this integrative method using non-parametric ROC-curves and made an unbiased validation using an independent data set. We found that APRANK is successful in predicting antigenicity for all pathogen species tested, facilitating the production of antigen-enriched protein subsets. We make APRANK available to facilitate the identification of novel diagnostic antigens in infectious diseases.
Upregulation of the Cdc42 GTPase limits the replicative lifespan of budding yeast
Authors: Kang Pil Jung , Mullner Rachel , Li Haoyu , Hansford Derek , Shen Han-Wei , Park Hay-Oak 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTCdc42, a conserved Rho GTPase, plays a central role in polarity establishment in yeast and animals. Cell polarity is critical for asymmetric cell division, and asymmetric cell division underlies replicative aging of budding yeast. Yet how Cdc42 and other polarity factors impact lifespan is largely unknown. Here, we show by live-cell imaging that the active Cdc42 level is sporadically elevated in wild type during repeated cell divisions but rarely in the long-livedbud8deletion cells. We find a novel Bud8 localization with cytokinesis remnants, which also recruit Rga1, a Cdc42 GTPase activating protein. Genetic analyses and live-cell imaging suggest that Rga1 and Bud8 oppositely impact lifespan likely by modulating active Cdc42 levels. Anrga1mutant, which has a shorter lifespan, dies at the unbudded state with a defect in polarity establishment. Remarkably, Cdc42 accumulates in old cells, and its mild overexpression accelerates aging with frequent symmetric cell divisions, despite no harmful effects on young cells. Our findings implicate that the interplay among these positive and negative polarity factors limits the lifespan of budding yeast.
Handedness and midsagittal corpus callosum morphology: A systematic meta-analytic evaluation
Authors: Westerhausen René , Papadatou-Pastou Marietta 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFollowing a series of seminal studies in the 1980s, left or mixed hand preference is widely considered to be associated with a larger corpus callosum, influencing the interpretation of findings and various theories related to inter-hemispheric processing, brain lateralisation, and hand preference. Recent reviews of the literature, however, report inconsistencies in the literature and cast doubt on the existence of such an association. The aim of the present study was to systematically evaluate and meta-analytically integrate the available data on the effect of hand preference on corpus-callosum morphology. For this purpose, articles were identified via a search in PubMed and Web of Science databases. Studies reporting findings relating handedness (assessed as hand preference) and corpus-callosum morphology in healthy participants were considered eligible. On the basis of a total ofk= 25 identified studies, random-effects meta-analyses were conducted considering four different group comparisons found in the literature. That is, studies comparing participants of (a) predominantly right- (dRH) and left-hand preference (dLH), (b) consistent right (cRH) and non-cRH preference, (c) cRH with mixed-hand preference (MH), and (d) cRH with consistent left-hand hand preference (cLH). For none of these meta-analyses did we find a significant effect of hand preference, and narrow confidence intervals suggest that the existence of substantial population effect sizes can be excluded. For example, considering the comparison of dRH and dLH, (summarizingk= 14 studies incorporating 1910 dRH and 646 dLH participants) the estimated mean effect size wasg= 0.016 (95% confidence interval: −0.12 to 0.15). Thus, the common practice of assuming an increase in callosal connectivity based on hand preference is likely invalid.
Crafting for a better MAGIC: systematic design and test for multiparental advanced generation inter-cross population
Authors: Yang Chin Jian , Edmondson Rodney N. , Piepho Hans-Peter , Powell Wayne , Mackay Ian 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMultiparental advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) populations are valuable crop resources with a wide array of research uses including genetic mapping of complex traits, management of genetic resources and breeding of new varieties. Multiple founders are crossed to create a rich mosaic of highly recombined founder genomes in the MAGIC recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Many variations of MAGIC population designs exist; however, a large proportion of the currently available populations have been created empirically and based on similar designs. In our evaluations of five MAGIC populations, we found that the choice of designs has a large impact on the recombination landscape in the RILs. The most popular design used in many MAGIC populations has been shown to have a bias in recombinant haplotypes and low level of unique recombinant haplotypes, and therefore is not recommended. To address this problem and provide a remedy for the future, we have developed the “magicdesign” R package for creating and testing any MAGIC population design via simulation. A Shiny app version of the package is available as well. Our “magicdesign” package provides a unifying tool and a framework for creativity and innovation in MAGIC population designs. For example, using this package, we demonstrate that MAGIC population designs can be found which are very effective in creating haplotype diversity without the requirement for very large crossing programmes. Further, we show that interspersing cycles of crossing with cycles of selfing is effective in increasing haplotype diversity. These approaches are applicable in species which are hard to cross or in which resources are limited.
Diversity of free-living prokaryotes on terrestrial and marine Antarctic habitats
Authors: Bendia Amanda Gonçalves , Moreira Julio Cezar Fornazier , Ferreira Juliana Correa Neiva , Romano Renato Gamba , de Castro Ferreira Ivan Gonçalves , Franco Diego Castillo , Evangelista Heitor , Montone Rosalinda Carmela , Pellizari Vivian Helena 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMicroorganisms in Antarctica are recognized for having crucial roles in ecosystems functioning and biogeochemical cycles. In order to explore the diversity and composition of microbial communities through different terrestrial and marine Antarctic habitats, we analyze 16S rRNA sequence datasets from fumarole and marine sediments, soil, snow and seawater environments. We obtained measures of alpha- and beta-diversities, as well as we have identified the core microbiome and the indicator microbial taxa of a particular habitat. Our results showed a unique microbial community structure according to each habitat, including specific taxa composing each microbiome. Marine sediments harbored the highest microbial diversity among the analyzed habitats. In the fumarole sediments, the core microbiome was composed mainly by thermophiles and hyperthermophilic Archaea, while in the majority of soil samples Archaea was absent. In the seawater samples, the core microbiome was mainly composed by cultured and uncultured orders usually identified on Antarctic pelagic ecosystems. Snow samples exhibited common taxa in comparison to the habitats from the Antarctic Peninsula, which suggests long-distance dispersal processes occurring from the Peninsula to the Continent. This study contributes as a baseline for further efforts on evaluating the microbial responses to environmental conditions and future changes.
Deep Generative Design with 3D Pharmacophoric Constraints
Authors: Imrie Fergus , Hadfield Thomas E. , Bradley Anthony R. , Deane Charlotte M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGenerative models have increasingly been proposed as a solution to the molecular design problem. However, it has proved challenging to control the design process or incorporate prior knowledge, limiting their practical use in drug discovery. In particular, generative methods have made limited use of three-dimensional (3D) structural information even though this is critical to binding. This work describes a method to incorporate such information and demonstrates the benefit of doing so. We combine an existing graph-based deep generative model, DeLinker, with a convolutional neural network to utilise physically-meaningful 3D representations of molecules and target pharmacophores. We apply our model, DEVELOP, to both linker and R-group design, demonstrating its suitability for both hit-to-lead and lead optimisation. The 3D pharmacophoric information results in improved generation and allows greater control of the design process. In multiple large-scale evaluations, we show that including 3D pharmacophoric constraints results in substantial improvements in the quality of generated molecules. On a challenging test set derived from PDBbind, our model improves the proportion of generated molecules with high 3D similarity to the original molecule by over 300%. In addition, DEVELOP recovers 10 × more of the original molecules compared to the base-line DeLinker method. Our approach is general-purpose, readily modifiable to alternate 3D representations, and can be incorporated into other generative frameworks. Code is available athttps://github.com/oxpig/DEVELOP.
Clustering Generation Z university students based on daily fruit and vegetable consumption: empirical research in an emerging market
Authors: Pocol Cristina Bianca , Marinescu Valentina , Dabija Dan-Cristian , Amuza Antonio 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe present paper explores Generation Z university students' clusters based on the consumption of daily fruits and vegetables in an emerging market economy, indicating young people's reasons to adopt a healthy diet.Design/methodology/approachUsing cluster theory, the authors analyse Generation Z university students who consume fresh fruits and vegetables, highlighting aspects of a healthy diet, in compliance with the WHO recommendations and challenges.FindingsData collected from over 459 Generation Z university students point out the possibility of typologizing them into nine clusters: three consuming fresh fruit and six consuming fresh vegetables. Most cluster members are aware of the value of regular fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in order to maintain health and overall well-being, but the authors also identified a cluster called “urban, but sick humanists at the beginning of their professional careers”, for whom a healthy diet based on fruits and vegetables is not a priority.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this research only refers to consumers in the emergent economy Romania, it also allows the delimitation of specific categories which can be utilized by sector stakeholders, in order to identify issues addressed by each cluster member and to find the most appropriate solutions for encouraging/promoting a healthy diet.Social implicationsThe paper also raises awareness of the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption in other emerging economies, given the advancement of processed food and reduction of time available to cook healthy dishes.Originality/valueThe results contribute to extending studies conducted on emerging markets concerning fruit and vegetable consumption among Generation Z university students, highlighting the importance of a healthy diet, and the proper targeting of these consumer clusters by fresh fruit and vegetable producers and distributors.
Effect of drying techniques on yield, nutritional, minerals of wild banana pulp (Musa balbisiana Colla): physicochemical and morphological characterization thereof
Authors: Borah Twinkle , Washmin Nooreen , Bora Nayan Jyoti , Saikia Jadumoni , Bomzon Padma Sangmu , Ahmed Tobiul Hussain , Manna Prasenjit , Saikia Siddhartha Proteem , Banik Dipanwita 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe study was aimed to compare the effect of three drying techniques viz., spray, freeze and hot air oven (HAO) drying on yield, nutritional parameters, minerals and physicochemical and morphological characterization of wild banana pulp (Musa balbisiana Colla).Design/methodology/approachContents of carbohydrate was estimated by Anthrone reagent, protein by Kjeldahl, fat by Soxhlet, dietary fiber and ash by Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), minerals by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, gross calorific value by Bomb calorimeter, moisture by moisture analyzer, water activity by water activity meter, morphological characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), statistical level of significance at p < 0.05 by ANOVA, predictive modeling by simple and multiple linear regression.FindingsFreeze and HAO drying were standardized with matured (stage 2) and spray drying with ripe bananas (stage 6). Freeze drying showed highest yield (76.69 ± 0.15%), minerals viz., K (1175.67 ± 1.41), Fe (2.27 ± 0.09), Mg (120.33 ± 0.47), Mn (4.40 ± 0.28) mg/100 g, protein (7.53 ± 0.14%), lesser moisture (7.95 ± 0.01%), water activity (0.17 ± 0.02aw), hygroscopicity (6.37 ± 1.09%), well dispersed particles by SEM. HAO drying exhibited highest dietary fiber (18.95 ± 0.24%), gross calorific value 357.17 kcal/100 gm, higher solubility (47.22 ± 0.86%). Spray drying showed highest carbohydrate (85.29 ± 0.01%), lowest yield (28.26 ± 0.32%), required 30.5% adjuncts.Research limitations/implicationsEffect of three drying techniques and use of adjuncts were not uniform for ripe and matured bananas.Practical implicationsCommercial utilization of seeded wild banana.Social implicationsValue addition of wild banana in Assam, IndiaOriginality/valueFreeze drying of mature wild banana pulp (M. balbisiana) was found as best technique utilizing lesser energy.
Building crisis capacity with data breaches: the role of stakeholder relationship management and strategic communication
Authors: Diers-Lawson Audra , Symons Amelia , Zeng Cheng 
Published: April 2021

PurposeData security breaches are an increasingly common and costly problem for organizations, yet there are critical gaps in our understanding of the role of stakeholder relationship management and crisis communication in relation to data breaches. In fact, though there have been some studies focusing on data breaches, little is known about what might constitute a “typical” response to data breaches whether those responses are effective at maintaining the stakeholders' relationship with the organization, their commitment to use the organization after the crisis, or the reputational threat of the crisis. Further, even less is known about the factors most influencing response and outcome evaluation during data breaches.Design/methodology/approachWe identify a “typical” response strategy to data breaches and then evaluate the role of this response in comparison to situation, stakeholder demographics and relationships between stakeholders, the issue and the organization using an experimental design. This experiment focuses on a 2 (type of organization) × 2 (prior knowledge of breach risk) with a control group design.FindingsFindings suggest that rather than employing reactive crisis response messaging the role of public relations should focus on proactive relationship building between organizations and key stakeholders.Originality/valueFor the last several decades much of the field of crisis communication has assumed that in the context of a crisis the response strategy itself would materially help the organization. These data suggest that the field crisis communication may have been making the wrong assumption. In fact, these data suggest that reactive crisis response has little-to-no effect once we consider the relationships between organizations, the issue and stakeholders. The findings show that an ongoing program of crisis capacity building is to an organization's strategic advantage when data security breaches occur.
Does public segmentation matter in crisis communication? The interplay between public segmentation and crisis response strategies
Authors: Wen Taylor Jing , Li Jo-Yun , Song Baobao 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study situates in the context of Chipotle's food safety issue and seeks to understand how their primary customers perceive their crisis response messages after learning of the outbreaks. The current study incorporates the framework of situational crisis communication theory (SCCT; Coombs, 2007) and public segmentation model (Rawlins, 2006) to understand the effectiveness of crisis response messages. It aims to examine the role of public segmentation in situational crisis communication and investigate the effects of three crisis response strategies according to SCCT on different public segments.Design/methodology/approachThe SCCT provides guidelines for understanding the effectiveness of different crisis response strategies. The current study showcases the importance of public segmentation in the SCCT model through the lens of stakeholder theory. A 3 (crisis response strategy: deny, diminish, rebuild) × 4 (public segment: advocate, dormant, adversarial, apathetic) factorial experiment was conducted.FindingsThe findings suggest that advocate public expressed more positive evaluation about the company when exposed to rebuild and deny strategies. Both dormant and adversarial stakeholders reported positive responses on rebuild and diminish strategies. However, no difference was found among apathetic public.Originality/valueThe researchers attempt to make a modest contribution in this direction by reporting results from an empirical experiment that examined the effects of crisis response strategies on different public segments. The findings suggest an effective message tailoring approach to target different public segments. Thus, the results of this study are expected to benefit relevant corporations and public relations practitioners.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication via social media sites: evidence from the German banking industry
Authors: Schröder Philipp 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThis study aims to explore how banks practice corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication on two popular social media sites (SMSs), Facebook and Twitter. Furthermore, this study examines CSR communication strategies on SMSs, including the levels of communication direction and communication balance.Design/methodology/approachData were extracted from Facebook and Twitter over a five-year period (2015–2019), and content analysis was performed. The research setting was the German banking industry.FindingsThe results indicate that the number of banks using SMSs to communicate CSR-information increased over time. Although the majority of banks’ messages were not related to CSR, the most-referenced (least-referenced) CSR-theme was “society” (“human rights”). On Facebook, banks employed an interacting CSR communication strategy more often than an informing one when communicating CSR activities; on Twitter banks used a balanced mix of communication strategies. In terms of stakeholder engagement, social media users interacted with banks more frequently on Facebook than on Twitter, and banks made efforts to engage in two-way symmetrical communication.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the sample comprised the most relevant banks in Germany, it was limited to a single national context. Thus, the results may not be generalizable.Originality/valueThis study makes a significant contribution to the limited literature on banks’ CSR communication via SMSs, provides new empirical evidence on the use of CSR communication strategies and extends prior research on the direction and balance of communication. Recommendations are provided for banking communication practitioners.