bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Laccaria bicolor releases a GH28 polygalacturonase that plays a key role in symbiosis establishment
Authors: Zhang Feng , Labourel Aurore , Haon Mireille , Kemppainen Minna , Silva Machado Emilie Da , Brouilly Nicolas , Veneault-Fourrey Claire , Kohler Annegret , Rosso Marie-Noëlle , Pardo Alejandro , Henrissat Bernard , Berrin Jean-Guy , Martin Francis 
Published: September 2021

SummaryIn ectomycorrhiza, root penetration and colonization of the intercellular space by symbiotic hyphae is thought to rely on the mechanical force that results from hyphal tip growth, enhanced by the activity of secreted cell-wall-degrading enzymes.Here, we characterize the biochemical properties of the symbiosis-induced polygalacturonase LbGH28A from the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor. The transcriptional regulation of LbGH28A was measured by qPCR. The biological relevance of LbGH28A was confirmed by generating RNAi-silenced LbGH28A mutants. We localized the LbGH28A protein by immunofluorescence confocal and immunogold cytochemical microscopy in poplar ectomycorrhizal roots.qPCR confirmed the induced expression of LbGH28A during ectomycorrhiza formation. L. bicolor RNAi mutants have a lower ability to establish ectomycorrhiza confirming the key role of this enzyme in symbiosis. The purified recombinant LbGH28A has its highest activity towards pectin and polygalacturonic acid. In situ localization of LbGH28A indicates that this endopolygalacturonase is located in both fungal and plant cell walls at the symbiotic hyphal front.The present findings suggest that the symbiosis-induced pectinase LbGH28A is involved in the Hartig net formation and is an important determinant for successful symbiotic colonization.
Identification of Immunodominant T-lymphocyte Epitope Peptides in HPV 1, 2 and 3 L1 Protein for Novel Cutaneous Wart Vaccine
Authors: Toh Wu Han , Wang Chuang-Wei , Chung Wen-Hung 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundCommon warts and flat warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Peak incidence of wart infection occurs in schoolchildren aged 12-16, where prevalence can be as high as 20%. Traditional treatments aimed at destruction of wart tissue have low clearance rates and high recurrence rates. Occasional reports have even shown warts becoming malignant and progressing into verrucous carcinoma. Current licensed HPV vaccines largely target higher-risk oncogenic HPV types, but do not provide coverage of low-risk types associated with warts. To date, little attention has been given to the development of effective, anti-viral wart treatments.ObjectiveThis study aims to identify immunodominant T-lymphocyte epitopes from the L1 major capsid protein of HPV 1, 2 and 3, a foundational step in bioengineering a peptide-based vaccine for warts.MethodsCytotoxic T-cell and helper T-cell epitopes were predicted using an array of immunoinformatic tools against a reference panel of frequently observed MHC-I and MHC-II alleles. Predicted peptides were ranked based on IC50and IFN-γ Inducer Scores, respectively, and top performing epitopes were synthesized and subjected toin vitroscreening by IFN-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay (ELISpot). Independent trials were conducted using PBMCs of healthy volunteers. Final chosen peptides were fused with flexible GS linkers insilicoto design a novel polypeptide vaccine.ResultsSeven immunodominant peptides screened from 44 predicted peptides were included in the vaccine design, selected to elicit specific immune responses across MHC class I and class II, and across HPV types. Evaluation of the vaccine’s properties suggest that the vaccine is stable, non-allergenic, and provides near complete global population coverage (>99%). Solubility prediction and rare codon analysis indicate that the DNA sequence encoding the vaccine is suitable for high level expression inEscherichia coli.ConclusionsIn sum, this study demonstrates the potential and lays the framework for the development of a peptide-based vaccine against warts.
No evidence for aberrant expression of amyloid β and phosphorylated tau proteins in herpes simplex virus-infected human neurons in vivo
Authors: Tran Diana N. , Bakx Amy T.C.M. , van Dis Vera , Aronica Eleonora , Verdijk Robert M. , Ouwendijk Werner J.D. 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTIncreasing evidence implicates the neurotropic herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, it is unclear whether previously reported findings in HSV-1 cell culture and animal models can be translated to humans. Here, we analyzed clinical specimens from latently HSV-1 infected individuals and individuals with lytic HSV infection of the brain (herpes simplex encephalitis; HSE). Latent HSV-1 DNA load in trigeminal ganglia was identical between AD patients and controls, and latently HSV-infected neurons did not express amyloid β (Aβ) or hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau). Some HSE patient brains presented with ageing-related intraneuronal Aβ accumulations, neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) or extracellular Aβ plaques, but these were neither restricted to HSV-infected neurons nor brain regions containing virus-infected cells. Analysis of unique brain material from an AD patient with concurrent HSE showed that HSV-infected cells frequently localized close to Aβ plaques and NFT, but did not exacerbate AD-related pathology in relation to HSV infection. HSE-associated neuroinflammation was not associated with specific Aβ or pTau phenotypes. Collectively, the data indicate that neither latent nor lytic HSV infection of human neurons in vivo is directly associated with aberrant Aβ or pTau protein expression.
The genome of an apodid holothuroid (Chiridota heheva) provides insights into its adaptation to deep-sea reducing environment
Authors: Zhang Long , He Jian , Tan Peipei , Gong Zhen , Qian Shiyu , Miao Yuanyuan , Zhang Han-Yu , Chen Qi , Zhong Qiqi , Han Guanzhu , He Jianguo , Wang Muhua 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCold seeps and hydrothermal vents are deep-sea reducing environments that are characterized by a lack of oxygen, photosynthesis-derived nutrients and a high concentration of reducing chemicals. Apodida is an order of deep-sea echinoderms lacking tube feet and complex respiratory trees, which are commonly found in holothurians.Chiridota hehevaPawson & Vance, 2004 (Apodida: Chiridotidae) is one of the few echinoderms that resides in deep-sea reducing environments. Unlike most cold seep and hydrothermal vent-dwelling animals,C. hehevadoes not survive by maintaining an epi- or endosymbiotic relationship with chemosynthetic microorganisms. The species acquires nutrients by extracting organic components from sediment detritus and suspended material. Here, we report a high-quality genome ofC. hehevaas a genomic reference for echinoderm adaptation to reducing environments.Chiridota hehevalikely colonized its current habitats in the early Miocene. The expansion of the aerolysin-like protein family inC. hehevacompared with other echinoderms might be involved in the disintegration of microbes during digestion, which in turn facilitates the species’ adaptation to cold seep environments. Moreover, several hypoxia-related genes were subject to positive selection in the genome ofC. heheva, which contributes to their adaptation to hypoxic environments.
Dynamics ofAedes albopictusinvasion Insights from a spatio-temporal model
Authors: Roques L , Boivin T , Papaïx J , Soubeyrand S , Bonnefon O 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFrance displays a latitudinal range for the expansion ofAedes albopictusinvasive populations that is not yet completely colonized providing a critical opportunity to address key invasion processes. We propose a spatio-temporal model (DISTIGRI) to describe and predict current and future expansion at both intra- and inter-annual scales ofA. albopictus. This process-based model integrates mechanistic descriptions of the developmental cycle and the dispersal process ofA. albopictuswithin a reaction-diffusion framework, depending on climatic suitability and photoperiod with a high spatio-temporal resolution. Using this model coupled with a climatic database, we propose several maps describing the current intra-annual distribution ofA. albopictus, including the date of first emergence and the length of the period with significant adult presence. We also compute its future distribution over the next 10 years under several climatic scenarios, which shows a range expansion with a strong dependence on the climatic scenario. The outputs of the model may constitute a valuable asset for designing control and avoidance strategies, and to anticipate the biting nuisance with a high spatio-temporal resolution. These outputs also emphasize the importance of taking both dispersal and life cycle into account to obtain accurate descriptions of out-of-equilibrium processes such as ongoing invasions.
Intraspecific de novo gene birth revealed by presence–absence variant genes in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Lee Bo Yun , Kim Jun , Lee Junho 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTGenes embed their evolutionary history in the form of various alleles. Presence–absence variants (PAVs) are extreme cases of such alleles, where a gene present in one haplotype does not exist in another. Since PAVs may result from either birth or death of a gene, PAV genes and their alternative alleles, if available, can represent a basis for rapid intraspecific gene evolution. Here, we traced a possible evolution of PAV genes in the PD1074 and CB4856 C. elegans strains as well as their alternative alleles found in other 14 wild strains, using long-read sequencing technologies. We updated the CB4856 genome by filling 18 gaps and identified 50 novel genes and 7,460 novel isoforms from both strains. We verified 328 PAV genes, out of which 48 were C. elegans-specific. Among these possible newly-born genes, 13 had alternative alleles in other wild strains and, in particular, alternative alleles of three genes showed signatures active transposons. Alternative alleles of four other genes showed another type of signature reflected in accumulation of small insertions or deletions. Our results exemplify that research on gene evolution using both species-specific PAV genes and their alternative alleles is expected to provide new perspectives for how genes evolve.
An open innovation approach to co-produce scientific knowledge: an examination of citizen science in the healthcare ecosystem
Authors: Ciasullo Maria Vincenza , Carli Mariarosaria , Lim Weng Marc , Palumbo Rocco 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe article applies the citizen science phenomenon – i.e. lay people involvement in research endeavours aimed at pushing forward scientific knowledge – to healthcare. Attention is paid to initiatives intended to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic as an illustrative case to exemplify the contribution of citizen science to system-wide innovation in healthcare.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methodology consisting of three sequential steps was developed. Firstly, a realist literature review was carried out to contextualize citizen science to healthcare. Then, an account of successfully completed large-scale, online citizen science projects dealing with healthcare and medicine has been conducted in order to obtain preliminary information about distinguishing features of citizen science in healthcare. Thirdly, a broad search of citizen science initiatives targeted to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic has been performed. A comparative case study approach has been undertaken to examine the attributes of such projects and to unravel their peculiarities.FindingsCitizen science enacts the development of a lively healthcare ecosystem, which takes its nourishment from the voluntary contribution of lay people. Citizen scientists play different roles in accomplishing citizen science initiatives, ranging from data collectors to data analysts. Alongside enabling big data management, citizen science contributes to lay people's education and empowerment, soliciting their active involvement in service co-production and value co-creation.Practical implicationsCitizen science is still underexplored in healthcare. Even though further evidence is needed to emphasize the value of lay people's involvement in scientific research applied to healthcare, citizen science is expected to revolutionize the way innovation is pursued and achieved in the healthcare ecosystem. Engaging lay people in a co-creating partnership with expert scientist can help us to address unprecedented health-related challenges and to shape the future of healthcare. Tailored health policy and management interventions are required to empower lay people and to stimulate their active engagement in value co-creation.Originality/valueCitizen science relies on the wisdom of the crowd to address major issues faced by healthcare organizations. The article comes up with a state of the art investigation of citizen science in healthcare, shedding light on its attributes and envisioning avenues for further development.
Intangible resources and firms' innovation performance: empirical evidence from Chinese firms
Authors: Fang Xiuyuan , Jiang Marshall S. , Li Yugang 
Published: September 2021

PurposeIntangible resources (IRs) play an important role in enterprise innovation; previous studies find inconsistent results (positive and negative). The authors develop and test a framework to analyze IRs to see whether and how to impact firm innovation performance to reconcile the conflicting results.Design/methodology/approachThis study empirically examined the curvilinear effect of IRs and innovation performance (IP) based on data from the Annual Census of Chinese Industrial Enterprises. The moderating effect of institutional development (ID) and state ownership (SO) in the relationship between firms' IRs and IP was also examined.FindingsIt was found that there is a U-shaped relationship between IRs and IP. Moreover, the institutional development weakens the U-shaped relationship.Originality/valueThe U-shaped relationship explains the inconsistent results in previous studies. It offers some important implications for managers and policymakers, who must understand the role of IRs.
Modelling oil product prices with due regard to proliferation of alternative fuels and tightening of technical standards
Authors: Ulanov Vladimir , Skorobogatko Oleg 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to clarify the relationship between oil product prices and factors describing the most crucial emerging trends in fuel consumption. The work is aimed to test the hypothesis that the proliferation of alternative fuel cars is a significant factor in determining the level of motor fuel prices. The influence of technical standards of oil products on the model parameters is also analysed.Design/methodology/approachThe hypothesis testing is carried out on the basis of an econometric analysis of information regarding the North-West European commodity market and the data on the registration of alternative fuel passenger vehicles. Time series are analysed for the presence of a structural shift in the parameters of the model as a result of changes in the requirements of technical regulations for fuel.FindingsThe results suggest a different nature of the influence of the proliferation of alternative fuel passenger vehicles – it has little effect on diesel prices, whilst the indicators under study have a negative effect on the prices of motor gasoline. The construction of oil product price models has confirmed the impact of tightening the technical requirements for the parameters of dependence equations.Practical implicationsThe obtained results can be used in forecasting price indicators in oil refining for strategic and investment purposes.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils an identified need to take into account the emerging global trends in fuel consumption to obtain reliable parameters for oil product price modelling.
Dendritic prioritization through spatial stream network modeling informs targeted management of Himalayan riverscapes under brown trout invasion
Authors: Sharma Aashna , Dubey Vineet K. , Johnson Jeyaraj A. , Rawal Yogesh K. , Sivakumar Kuppusamy 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

With the concept of ‘riverscapes’ long pending to be acknowledged in the ‘landscape‐centric’ legislative framework of Himalayan nations, conservation of native riverine species stays practically unheeded. This necessitates urgent prioritization of stream networks to conserve the lotic taxa under invasion pressures. Himalayan riverscapes are pervaded with the invasive‐exotic brown trout Salmo trutta, posing serious threats to the co‐occurring native, the snow trout Schizothorax richardsonii.

Using intensive surveys (218.7 km) and geostatistical stream network models (n = 537), we contrasted snow trout in two stream networks with and without invasives, for assessing differences in their spatial distribution.

Our models indicate invasion‐induced relegations of natives from the river mainstem into headwaters, with large sections of mainstem occupied by invasives. Furthermore, a concerningly small percentage of potential habitat left for natives to occupy in the mainstem is threatened, where a 100% overlap of native and invasive trout distributions is predicted.

With a higher presence probability for the natives in headwaters of invaded watershed as compared to the non‐invaded watershed, we highlight the headwater streams as potential refugia for the natives under invasion.

Synthesis and Applications. Our approach of basin‐scale dendritic prioritization provides immediate management solutions to tackle brown trout invasion threats in Himalaya. We inform decisions on delineation of headwaters as invasion refugia for native fish, with assisted recovery of their fragmented populations in the river mainstems through targeted management of invasives.
Mercury poisoning in two patients with tertiary syphilis from the Ca’ Granda hospital (17th‐century Milan)
Authors: Biehler‐Gomez Lucie , Mattia Mirko , Sala Carlotta , Giordano Gaia , Di Candia Domenico , Messina Carmelo , Sconfienza Luca Maria , Franchini Antonia Francesca , Porro Alessandro , Galimberti Paolo Maria , Slavazzi Fabrizio , Cattaneo Cristina 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSyphilis was a widespread infectious disease in 17th‐century Italy, commonly treated with mercury‐based ointments and fumigations. Few reports exist on the analysis of abnormally high Hg levels in bone as a result of exposure to mercury‐containing anti‐syphilitic medicine. In this research, two crania recovered among the 2.9 million commingled bones resting under the crypt of the former hospital of the poor of Milan were submitted to pathological, radiological and toxicological analysis. The crania showed gummatous lesions characteristic of tertiary syphilis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) analysis revealed over the double values of Hg in bone relative to that of the control sample. Archival documentation confirms the presence and use of mercury‐based treatments in the pharmacy of the hospitals of Milan. Consequently, the individuals probably came into contact with mercury as a treatment for syphilis, confirming its medical use in 17th‐century Milan and strengthening our knowledge of the history of medicine.
Possible opioid‐saving effect of cannabis‐based medicine using individual‐based data from the Norwegian Prescription Database
Authors: Bramness Jørgen G. , Hjellvik Vidar , Stubhaug Audun , Skurtveit Svetlana 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSome ecological studies have shown that areas with higher use of cannabis may have lower opioid use and fewer opioid‐related problems. Newer studies are questioning this finding. Few individually based studies have been performed. Using data from the Norwegian Prescription Database, this study investigated the individual level effect of prescribed cannabis extract (Sativex®) in prescription opioid users on their opioid use in the following year. Looking at all those filling a prescription for Sativex®, opioid use was only marginally lowered in the follow‐up period. Some Sativex® users, however, filled more prescriptions for Sativex® and were able to reduce their opioid use substantially. Further studies are needed to elucidate more details on these patients, so as to know who can benefit from such cannabis‐based extracts in reducing their opioid use.
Progressive B cell depletion in human MALT1 deficiency
Authors: Sonoda Motoshi , Ishimura Masataka , Eguchi Katsuhide , Yada Yutaro , Lenhartová Nina , Shiraishi Akira , Tanaka Tamami , Sakai Yasunari , Ohga Shouichi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma-translocation gene 1 (MALT1)-deficiency is a rare combined immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent infections, dermatitis and enteropathy. We herein investigate the immunological profiles of our patient and previously reported children with MALT1-deficiency. A mutation analysis was performed by targeted panel sequencing for primary immunodeficiency. Lymphocyte subset, activation and B cell differentiation were analyzed by flow cytometry and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding. Pneumocystis pneumonia developed in a 6-month-old Japanese infant with atopic dermatitis, enteritis and growth restriction. This infant showed agammaglobulinemia without lymphopenia. At 8 years of age, the genetic diagnosis of MALT1-deficiency was confirmed on a novel homozygous mutation of c.1102G&gt;T, p.E368X. T cell stimulation tests showed impairments in the production of interleukin-2, phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and differentiation of B cells. In combination with the literature data, we found that the number of circulatory B cells, but not T cells, were inversely correlated with the age of patients. The hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) successfully reconstituted the differentiation of mature B cells and T cells. These data conceptualize that patients with complete MALT1-deficiency show aberrant differentiation and depletion of B cells. The early diagnosis and HCT lead to a cure of the disease phenotype associated with the loss-of-function mutations in human CARD11.
Managing the identity paradox in inter‐organisational collaborations
Authors: Kourti Isidora 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA persistent contradiction in inter‐organisational collaborations (IOCs) is between individual actors' IOC identity and their other multiple identities, and the subsequent need to maintain a delicate balance between these opposing but mutually dependent identities. Using a paradox lens and individual actors as the unit of analysis, this ethnographic study defines the “identity paradox” often present in IOCs as the interaction between actors' professional, personal, team and organisational identities with an overall IOC identity. The case demonstrates that the identity paradox allows actors to maintain a balance between adhering to IOC, which offers stability, and adjusting to emergent needs, which enables innovative behaviour. The theorisation of the identity paradox reveals that the conditions that trigger each identity tension relate to the IOC tensions of cooperation and competition, rigidity and flexibility, trust and mistrust, and confrontation and dialogue. The findings offer contribution to IOC research and to management practice.