bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA binding and transposition activity of the Sleeping Beauty transposase: role of structural stability of the primary DNA-binding domain
Authors: Ranjan Venkatesh V , Leighton Gage O , Yan Chenbo , Arango Maria , Lustig Janna , Corona Rosario I , Guo Jun-Tao , Nesmelov Yuri E , Ivics Zoltán , Nesmelova Irina V 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
DNA transposons have emerged as promising tools in both gene therapy and functional genomics. In particular, the Sleeping Beauty (SB) DNA transposon has advanced into clinical trials due to its ability to stably integrate DNA sequences of choice into eukaryotic genomes. The efficiency of the DNA transposon system depends on the interaction between the transposon DNA and the transposase enzyme that facilitates gene transfer. In this study, we assess the DNA-binding capabilities of variants of the SB transposase and demonstrate that the structural stability of the primary DNA-recognition subdomain, PAI, affects SB DNA-binding affinity and transposition activity. This fundamental understanding of the structure–function relationship of the SB transposase will assist the design of improved transposases for gene therapy applications.
DNA metabarcoding reveals dietary divergence among sympatric swallows and flycatchers
Authors: Nancekivell Pat R , Nocera Joseph J 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
Aerial insectivore (AI) populations have been in steep decline in North America since the 1970s, with swallows, swifts, and nightjars declining more rapidly than flycatchers. As AIs share a common diet of flying insects, reductions in insect abundance are likely one of the major factors driving population decline. Previous studies have shown major dietary differences between swallows and flycatchers; flycatchers have exhibited more diverse, generalist diets than swallows. However, no study has directly compared the diets of sympatric swallows and flycatchers using the same method of dietary analysis. To investigate these differences, we compared the diets of 6 AI species living in sympatry during the breeding season. We collected fecal samples from adult Riparia riparia (Bank Swallow), Hirundo rustica (Barn Swallow), Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Cliff Swallow), Tachycineta bicolor (Tree Swallow), Empidonax alnorum (Alder Flycatcher), and E. minimus (Least Flycatcher). We used DNA metabarcoding to identify the taxonomic composition of invertebrates in the feces and compared the richness of genera by insect order, insect family, and dipteran family between all species. Through a Bray-Curtis distance-based redundancy analysis, we identified significant differences in dietary composition between bird species at all 3 levels; however, the greatest amount of dissimilarity is seen in the dipterans consumed. Empidonax alnorum, E. minimus, H. rustica, and T. bicolor had broader, more generalist diets than P. pyrrhonota and R. riparia. By comparing the diets of multiple species living in sympatry, our study improves our understanding of a possible cause of disproportionate population declines observed among AI species.
Haemosporidian infection does not alter aerobic performance in Junco hyemalis (Dark-eyed Junco)
Authors: Stager Maria , Eddy Douglas K , Elowe Cory R , Cheviron Zachary A , Carling Matthew D 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Avian haemosporidia are blood parasites that can have dramatic fitness consequences on their hosts, including largescale population declines when introduced to naïve hosts. Yet the physiological effects that accompany haemosporidian infection and underlie these fitness decrements are poorly characterized in most wild birds. Because haemosporidia destroy host red blood cells and consume host hemoglobin, they are predicted to have detrimental impacts on avian blood-oxygen transport and, as a result, reduce aerobic performance. However, the documented effects of infection on avian hematological traits vary across species and no effects have been demonstrated on avian aerobic performance to date. Here we quantified the physiological effects of haemosporidian infections on wild Junco hyemalis (Dark-eyed Junco) breeding in northwestern Wyoming, USA. We assayed hematological traits (hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit) and aerobic performance (resting and summit metabolic rates, thermogenic endurance, and aerobic scope), then screened individuals for haemosporidian infection by quantitative PCR post-hoc (n = 110 adult juncos). We found that infection status and infection intensity did not significantly correlate with any of the physiological indices that we measured, suggesting there is little cost of haemosporidian infection on either junco aerobic performance or energy budgets. The fact that our results contradict predicted outcomes highlights the need for more studies of haemosporidia infections in a broader range of species and in a wider array of environmental contexts.
Hegemonic defeatism: The mainstreaming of far-right politics in France
Authors: Mondon Aurelien 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Another European election, another ‘earthquake’ in France. For the third time in a row, the far-right Rassemblement National has won and for the third time, the reaction from the mainstream elite only serves to further mainstream its politics. This could not be better exemplified than in Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call for a new legislative election and appoint a right-wing Prime Minister, despite the results. The aim of this article is to couch the French case in a different light to that which is usually applied to understanding the rise of the far right. To understand what is happening in France and the crisis it (and other democracies) is facing, we must take a longer-view approach. Instead of focussing on the far right itself, this article examines the past 50 years through a lens that focuses on power and those in a particularly privileged position to shape the agenda and public discourse. This demonstrates how a different, more critical approach to the rise of the far right, which accounts for the central role of mainstream elites, can help us not only better understand this rise, but offer alternatives beyond the current hegemonic defeatism.
Evidence for decoupled water potential between myco- and photobionts during desiccation in the tripartite lichen Peltigera britannica
Authors: Petruzzellis Francesco , Boccato Enrico , Musso Carlotta , Craighero Teresa , Montagner Alice , Savi Tadeja , Muggia Lucia , Tønsberg Tor , Tretiach Mauro , Nardini Andrea , Candotto Carniel Fabio 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
In lichens, accurate description of thallus water status is required to understand growth and photosynthesis dynamics. A recent model suggested that myco- and photobiont layers could have a different water energy status (i.e. a different water potential, Ψ) during thallus desiccation, but data supporting this hypothesis were presented only for one chlorolichen. We compared water relations and maximum photosystem II (PSII) efficiency during desiccation in the tripartite lichen Peltigera britannica and its axenically cultured photobionts, the green alga Coccomyxa sp. and the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. To assess whether myco- and photobiont layers had different Ψ values during desiccation, we expected that (i) water relation parameters differ between cultured photobionts and entire thalli and (ii) Ψ values inducing a significant drop in PSII efficiency are lower for entire thalli than for cultured photobionts. We found that photobionts had very different water relation parameters than entire thalli, i.e. lower water potential at the turgor loss point and higher cell wall elasticity, irrespective of the photobiont type, potentially underlying a different drought tolerance. PSII efficiency in entire thalli and cultured photobionts started to decrease below Ψ values, inducing turgor loss. Importantly, PSII efficiency in entire thalli decreased at Ψ values significantly more negative than those inducing turgor loss in cultured photobionts. These data support the hypothesis of decoupled Ψ between myco- and photobionts in lichens during desiccation. A higher Ψ ensured to the photobiont layer might represent a key adaptation to prolong photosynthesis during desiccation.
Similarities and differences in self-reported symptoms and comorbidities between hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders
Authors: Darakjian Ashley A , Bhutani Mira , Fairweather DeLisa , Kocsis S Christian , Fliess Jessica J , Khatib Sami , Weigel Gabe J , McCabe Elizabeth J , Balamurugan Varsini , Perona Evan E , Gehin Jessica M , Whelan Emily R , Jain Angita , Sledge Hanna , Hodge David O , Rozen Todd D , Farraye Francis A , Soyer Ozan , Cheung Joseph , Grach Stephanie L , Shirey Jr. David , Gajarawala Shilpa , Munipalli Bala , Shufelt Chrisandra L , Knight Dacre R T , Bruno Katelyn A 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Patients with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) experience a wide array of symptoms and system disorders. This study aimed to identify whether differences occurred in 115 self-reported symptoms and comorbidities in patients diagnosed with hEDS or HSD.

Methods
In this study we analysed self-reported data from an EDS Clinic intake questionnaire in patients diagnosed with hEDS, HSD or no hypermobile conditions.

Results
From 1 November 2019 to 7 March 2024, the EDS Clinic saw 2088 patients. Using the 2017 diagnostic criteria, 66.5% were diagnosed with HSD (n = 1389), 20.3% with hEDS (n = 423), 10.6% with historic HSD (H-HSD) or localized HSD (L-HSD) (n = 256) (hypermobile controls) and 2.6% were not diagnosed with hEDS, HSD, H-HSD or L-HSD (n = 55) (controls). Symptoms/comorbidities that occurred with high prevalence in both hEDS and HSD included joint pain (hEDS 82.0%, HSD 88.9%), allergy (hEDS 77.0%, HSD 77.0%), subluxations (hEDS 71.2%, HSD 72.6%), brain fog (hEDS 70.0%, HSD 74.7%), headache (hEDS 68.1%, HSD 69.1%), anxiety (hEDS 60.3%, HSD 69.3%), depression (hEDS 52.2%, HSD 58.0%), migraine (hEDS 53.7%, HSD 52.5%), nausea (hEDS 54.6%, HSD 59.5%) and constipation (hEDS 53.0%, HSD 57.2%). In contrast, 9/115 (8%) symptoms/comorbidities were self-reported significantly more often in hEDS but 42/115 (37%) in HSD. hEDS patients reported more symptoms that suggest a defect in collagen, such as dislocation, hernias and rectal prolapse, while HSD patients reported more joint, muscle, allergy, neurological, gastrointestinal, sleep and psychological symptoms/comorbidities.

Conclusion
Although we found an overlap in some symptoms and comorbidities self-reported by hEDS/HSD patients, such as allergy/atopy, headache/migraine and gastrointestinal symptoms, our findings suggest key differences exist between the two diagnoses, suggesting that hEDS and HSD may be distinct conditions.
The decoupling of socioeconomic status, postmaterialism, and environmental concern in an unequal world: a cross-national intercohort analysis
Authors: Wang Yan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
There has been an intense yet inconclusive debate over the impacts of socioeconomic status (SES) and postmaterialism on environmental concern. Recent years have seen a growing interest in addressing the controversy by exploring the conditioning effect of social context. Previous studies of inequality argue that it unevenly exposes people to environmental degradation, reduces social cooperation, and erodes egalitarian values. This study integrates the two lines of research by linking social inequality to environmental sustainability and examines the extent to which inequality shapes the impact of SES and postmaterialism on environmental concern in the cross-national intercohort context. Analyses of multiple waves of the World Values Survey data using the hierarchical age-period-cohort modeling techniques suggest that contextual inequality substantially attenuates the effects of SES and postmaterialism. This relationship is consistent across countries with different economic development levels and more pronounced in older cohorts. The current study illustrates the importance of careful consideration of social conditions, the unequal distribution of income in particular, when examining predictors of environmental concern, and sheds light on the theorization of a more inclusive, balanced human-nature relationship.
The COVID-19 crisis as a double-edged revealer: Japanese employees’ hope for change in corporate warrior culture and the gendered impediments to such change
Authors: Goldstein-Gidoni Ofra 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
In Japan, the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded amidst a heated debate about the country’s ‘working style’, work–life balance (or lack thereof), and a growing recognition of the urgent need for comprehensive change in the prevailing work culture. This article proposes that the crisis acted as a double-edged ‘revealer’. As such, it simultaneously raised employees' hopes that the crisis would trigger change in the masculine corporate warrior culture, while exposing the deeply entrenched impediments to this desired change. Beginning with the public debate about the crisis as a potential trigger for change in the so-called ‘Japanese’ work culture, which has also fuelled hopes for change, the article examines the narratives of employees forced into new forms of flexible working by the COVID-19 pandemic. These female and male accounts shed light on gendered experiences of work, and perceptions of what constitutes the ‘Japanese’ ideal worker. The accounts also reveal a growing and troubling awareness of the barriers to change in the culture of work.
The chondrogenic potential of the bovine tendon sheath—a novel source of stem cells for cartilage repair
Authors: Hunziker Ernst B , Nishii Naomi , Shintani Nahoko , Lippuner Kurt , Keel Marius J B , Voegelin Esther 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The human hand is traumatized more frequently than any other bodily part. Trauma and pathological processes (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis) commonly implicate the finger joints and specifically damage also the layer of articular cartilage. Endeavors are now being made to surgically repair such cartilage lesions biologically using tissue-engineering approaches that draw on donor cells and/or donor tissues. The tendon sheaths, particularly their inner layers, that is, the peritendineum, surround the numerous tendons in the hand. The peritendineum is composed of mesenchymal tissue. We hypothesize that this tissue harbors pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells and thus could be used for cartilage repair, irrespective of the donor’s age. Using a bovine model (young calves vs adult cows), the pluripotentiality of the peritendineal stem cells, namely, their osteogenicity, chondrogenicity, and adipogenicity, was investigated by implementing conventional techniques. Subsequently, the chondrogenic potential of the peritendineal tissue itself was analyzed. Its differentiation into cartilage was induced by the application of specific growth factors (members of the TGF-β-superfamily). The characteristics of the tissue formed were evaluated structurally (immuno) histochemically, histomorphometrically, and biochemically (gene expression and protein level). Our data confirm that the bovine peritendineum contains stem cells whose pluripotentiality is independent of donor age. This tissue could also be induced to differentiate into cartilage, likewise, irrespective of the donor’s age. Preliminary investigations with adult human peritendineal biopsy material derived from the hand’s peritendineal flexor tendon sheaths revealed that this tissue can also be induced to differentiate into cartilage.
Development, Content Validity, and Reliability of the Physical Therapy Social Determinants of Health Scale
Authors: Patel Rupal M. , Rethorn Zachary D. , Bjork Elise N. 
Published: December 2024

Introduction.
This study describes the development, content validity, and reliability of the Physical Therapy Social Determinants of Health Scale (PT-SDHS), in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students.

Review of Literature.
Addressing inequities stemming from the social determinants of health (SDOH) is critical for providing effective clinical care and improving population health. Currently, no tool exists to assess DPT students' education or competence with SDOH.

Subjects.
Recruited domain experts were licensed health professionals, had a peer-reviewed publication on SDOH, and had at least 3 years of experience with SDOH. A convenience sample of DPT students was also recruited from multiple cohorts at 2 universities in multiple geographic locations.

Methods.
The Association for Medical Education in Europe best practices for developing questionnaires for educational research guided development of the PT-SDHS. Eight experts established content validity through item- and scale-content validity index measures and modified Kappa statistics. Qualitative data determined clarity and comprehensiveness. Construct validity and scale reliability were determined using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha.

Results.
The PT-SDHS showed high item content validity (range: 0.86–1) and scale content validity (S-CVI/UA = 0.83; S-CVI/Ave = 0.98). After expert validation, the PT-SDHS consisted of 30 items with 5 ordinal answer choices. Factor analysis of 254 DPT student responses revealed 4 content domains with a factor loading greater than 0.4. Two items did not load onto any of the factors, and 2 items were cross-loaded onto multiple factors, so they were removed, leaving a scale of 26 items. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.74 (satisfactory) to 0.96 (excellent) across the 4 factors.

Discussion and Conclusion.
The PT-SDHS is the first psychometrically valid and reliable instrument related to educating DPT students on 4 SDOH domains: Knowledge, Attitudes, Personal Barriers, and Beliefs About Others. This tool could aid development and assessment of SDOH educational interventions for health care students.
Pan-cancer transcriptomic analysis reveals HSPB8 as a prognostic and immunological biomarker in colorectal cancer
Authors: Deng Yuyong , Sun Xuguang , Jian Rui , Wu Duojia , Wang Junyang , Li Shan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Heat shock protein B8 (HSPB8) is implicated in autophagy, and its aberrant expression has been linked to both the initiation and progression of tumors. However, the role and function of HSPB8 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and across multiple cancer types remain unclear. This study aimed to map the transcriptome of autophagy-related genes in CRC and to conduct a pan-cancer analysis of HSPB8 as both a prognostic and immunological biomarker.

Methods
We performed bioinformatics analyses on GSE113513 and GSE74602 to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CRC. These DEGs were then compared with autophagy-related genes to identify critical overlapping genes. The Kaplan-Meier plotter was used to verify the expression of autophagy-linked DEGs and evaluate its prognostic value. The protein expression of Hub gene in CRC was analyzed using the Human Protein Atlas database. The cBioPortal was used to analyze the type and frequency of Hub gene mutations. The TIMER (Tumor Immune Estimation Resource) database was used to study the correlation between HSPB8 and immune infiltration in CRC.

Results
In total, 825 DEGs were identified, including 8 autophagy-linked DEGs: ATIC, MYC, HSPB8, TNFSF10, BCL2, TP53INP2, ITPR1, and NKX2-3. Survival analysis showed that increased HSPB8 expression significantly correlates with poor prognosis in patients with CRC (p < 0.05). HSPB8 was also found to be differentially expressed in various cancer types, correlating with both prognosis and immune infiltration. Further, changes in HSPB8 methylation and phosphorylation status were observed across several cancers, suggesting potential regulatory mechanisms. Therefore, HSPB8 may serve as a crucial prognostic and immunological biomarker in CRC and other cancers.

Conclusions
This study provides new insights into the role of autophagy-related genes in cancer progression and highlights HSPB8 as a potential target for cancer diagnostics and therapy.
Metabolic Characterization of Deceased Donor Kidneys Undergoing Hypothermic Machine Perfusion Before Transplantation Using 13C-enriched Glucose
Authors: Patel Kamlesh , Nath Jay , Smith Thomas , Darius Tom , Thakker Alpesh , Dimeloe Sarah , Inston Nicholas , Ready Andrew , Ludwig Christian 
Published: December 2024

Background.
The provision of a metabolic substrate is one mechanism by which hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) of kidneys provides clinical benefit. This study aimed to describe de novo metabolism in ex vivo human kidneys undergoing HMP before transplantation using 13C-labeled glucose as a metabolic tracer.

Methods.
Cadaveric human kidneys were perfused with modified clinical-grade perfusion fluid (kidney perfusion solution [KPS-1], Organ Recovery Systems), in which glucose was uniformly enriched with the stable isotope 13C ([U-13C] glucose). The sampled perfusion fluid was analyzed using a blood gas analyzer, and metabolic profiling was performed using 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Functional outcome measures included serum creatinine levels and the development of delayed graft function.

Results.
Fourteen kidneys were perfused with the modified KPS-1 and successfully transplanted. The mean duration of HMP was 8.7 h. There was a sustained increase in the conversion of glucose into de novo glycolytic end products, such as lactate, in donor kidneys during HMP. There was no significant association between functional outcomes and metabolism during the HMP. De novo anaerobic metabolism was indicated by continuing lactate production, as indicated by increasing concentrations of universally 13C-labeled lactate ([U-13C] lactate) in perfusion fluid from all kidneys. This was more evident in donation after circulatory death donor kidneys.

Conclusions.
Our study is the first to use [U-13C] glucose to describe the metabolism during HMP. The consequences of an initial warm ischemic insult on circulatory death in donor kidneys continue during the preservation period.
Midbrain dopamine drives splenic immunity through a brain-to-body circuit
Authors: Gopinath Adithya , Apicella Alfonso , Smith Aidan , Bertero Alice , Freedman Elijah , Hornstein Lauryn , Wood Logan , Ciupe Hannah , Booth Delaney , Campos Sabrina , Soundara Nirvana , Purich Daniel L. , Trevizan-Baú Pedro , Reznikov Leah R. , Urs Nikhil , Guryanova Olga , Wesson Daniel W. , Khoshbouei Habibeh 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMidbrain dopamine neurons are well-known to shape central nervous system function, yet there is growing evidence for their influence on the peripheral immune systems. Here we demonstrate that midbrain dopamine neurons form a circuit to the spleen via a multisynaptic pathway from the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) through the celiac ganglion. Midbrain dopamine neurons modulate the activity of D1-like and D2-like dopamine receptor-expressing DVC neurons.In vivoactivation of midbrain dopamine neurons induced dopamine release in the DVC and increased immediate early gene expression in both the DVC and celiac ganglion, indicating enhanced neuronal activity. Activation of this midbrain-to-spleen circuit reduced spleen weight and decreased naïve CD4+T-cell populations without affecting total T-cell numbers. These findings unveil a functional midbrain-DVC-celiac ganglion-spleen pathway, through which midbrain dopamine neurons modulate splenic immunity. These novel insights into the neural regulation of the immune system have important implications for diseases involving altered dopamine neurotransmission and highlight potential targets for immunotherapeutic interventions.