bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peptidoglycan Endopeptidase PBP7 Facilitates the Recruitment of FtsN to the Divisome and Promotes Peptidoglycan Synthesis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Xinwei , Boelter Gabriela , Vollmer Waldemar , Banzhaf Manuel , den Blaauwen Tanneke 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTEscherichia coli has many periplasmic hydrolases to degrade and modify peptidoglycan (PG). However, the redundancy of eight PG endopeptidases makes it challenging to define specific roles to individual enzymes. Therefore, the cellular role of PBP7 (encoded by pbpG) is not clearly defined. In this work, we show that PBP7 localizes in the lateral cell envelope and at midcell. The C‐terminal α‐helix of PBP7 is crucial for midcell localization but not for its activity, which is dispensable for this localization. Additionally, midcell localization of PBP7 relies on the assembly of FtsZ up to FtsN in the divisome, and on the activity of PBP3. PBP7 was found to affect the assembly timing of FtsZ and FtsN in the divisome. The absence of PBP7 slows down the assembly of FtsN at midcell. The ΔpbpG mutant exhibited a weaker incorporation of the fluorescent D‐amino acid HADA, reporting on transpeptidase activity, compared to wild‐type cells. This could indicate reduced PG synthesis at the septum of the ΔpbpG strain, explaining the slower accumulation of FtsN and suggesting that endopeptidase‐mediated PG cleavage may be a rate‐limiting step for septal PG synthesis.
How to engineer a habitable planet: the rise of marine ecosystem engineers through the Phanerozoic
Authors: Cribb Alison T. , Darroch Simon A. F. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEcosystem engineers are organisms that modify their physical habitats in a way that alters resource availability and the structure of the communities they live in. The evolution of ecosystem engineers over the course of Earth history has thus been suggested to have been a driver of macroevolutionary and macroecological changes that are observed in the fossil record. However, the rise to dominance of ecosystem engineers has not been thoroughly reconstructed. Here, we investigate the history of bioturbation and reef‐building (two of the most important marine ecosystem engineering behaviours today) over the Phanerozoic. Using fossil occurrences from the Paleobiology Database, we reconstruct how common communities influenced by ecosystem engineers were in the oceans, how dominant ecosystem engineers were within their own communities, and the taxonomic and ecological composition of bioturbators and reef‐builders. We find that bioturbation has become an increasingly common ecosystem engineering behaviour over the Phanerozoic, while reef‐building ecosystem engineers have not become more dominant since their Devonian apex. We also identify unique bioturbation and reef‐building regimes that are characterized by different ecosystem engineering taxonomic groups, ecological modes, and dominance, suggesting that the nature of ecosystem engineering has at times rapidly shifted over the course of the Phanerozoic. These reconstructions will serve as important data for understanding how ecosystem engineers have driven changes in biodiversity and ecosystem structure over the course of Earth history.
“No One Seems to See Us, and They Look at Us as Worthless Colleagues”: Challenges Experienced by Iranian Transplant Nurse Coordinators—A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mollazadeh Farzin , Habibzadeh Hossein , Parizad Naser 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundTransplant nurse coordinators have close and long‐term interactions with organ donor families throughout the organ donation process. Due to the responsibilities and high sensitivity of organ transplant coordination, transplant nurse coordinators face several stressful challenges. This study aimed to explore the challenges faced by Iranian transplant nurse coordinators.MethodsThis is a qualitative study conducted using qualitative content analysis. This study was conducted from February to September 2023. Semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with a total of 14 transplant nurse coordinators. Data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis proposed by Graneheim and Lundman.Results“Challenges of living as a transplant nurse coordinator” was identified as the main category, the subcategories of which included “consent‐obtaining obstacles,” “exposure to violence,” “compassion fatigue,” “obsessive thoughts,” “work–life imbalance,” and “hardworking coordinators in the shadow.”ConclusionsThe challenges experienced by transplant nurse coordinators can lead to several negative consequences, including job burnout and turnover, reduced quality of family and marital life, additional healthcare costs, and reduced organ donation rate. To address these challenges, cultivating a culture of organ donation in society could involve public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives. Improving the working conditions and occupational incentives could include reducing work hours, providing psychological support, and increasing salaries. Implementing psychological interventions could involve regular counseling sessions and stress management programs. These measures can effectively reduce the challenges transplant nurse coordinators face and improve their overall well‐being and job satisfaction.
Epistemic normativity without epistemic teleology
Authors: Kiesewetter Benjamin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis article is concerned with a puzzle that arises from three initially plausible assumptions that form an inconsistent triad: (i) Epistemic reasons are normative reasons (normativism); (ii) reasons are normative only if conformity with them is good (the reasons/value‐link); (iii) conformity with epistemic reasons need not be good (the nihilist assumption). I start by defending the reasons/value‐link, arguing that normativists need to reject the nihilist assumption. I then argue that the most familiar view that denies the nihilist assumption—epistemic teleology—is untenable. Finally, I consider two alternative ways of accounting for the goodness of conformity with epistemic reasons: it may be good because it accords with the virtue of reasons‐responsiveness, and it may be good because it is good to conform with normative reasons as such. I argue that both of these conceptions avoid the problems of epistemic teleology and merit serious consideration as potential solutions to the puzzle.
The role of target populations in resident support for local collaboration
Authors: Kalesnikaite Vaiva , Neshkova Milena I. , Porumbescu Gregory A. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe characteristics of populations benefiting from collaboration are mostly regarded as contextual factors in collaborative theory and research. Drawing on policy design and distributive justice theories, this study seeks to understand how public support for collaboration varies depending on the characteristics of the target population that benefits from collective action. The analysis demonstrates that collaborative arrangements aiding populations considered deserving are more likely to gain public approval than those benefiting negatively constructed groups. We also investigate citizens' attribution of blame for collaboration failure and find that the process appears to be independent of the characteristics of target populations.
Functional characterisation of BnaA02.TOP1α and BnaC02.TOP1α involved in true leaf biomass accumulation in Brassica napus L.
Authors: Peng Danshuai , Guo Yuan , Hu Huan , Wang Xin , He Shuangcheng , Gao Chenhao , Liu Zijin , Chen Mingxun 
Published: September 2024

SUMMARYLeaves, as primary photosynthetic organs essential for high crop yield and quality, have attracted significant attention. The functions of DNA topoisomerase 1α (TOP1α) in various biological processes, including leaf development, in Brassica napus remain unknown. Here, four paralogs of BnaTOP1α, namely BnaA01.TOP1α, BnaA02.TOP1α, BnaC01.TOP1α and BnaC02.TOP1α, were identified and cloned in the B. napus inbred line ‘K407’. Expression pattern analysis revealed that BnaA02.TOP1α and BnaC02.TOP1α, but not BnaA01.TOP1α and BnaC01.TOP1α, were persistently and highly expressed in B. napus true leaves. Preliminary analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that BnaA02.TOP1α and BnaC02.TOP1α paralogs, but not BnaA01.TOP1α and BnaC01.TOP1α, performed biological functions. Targeted mutations of four BnaTOP1α paralogs in B. napus using the CRISPR‐Cas9 system revealed that BnaA02.TOP1α and BnaC02.TOP1α served as functional paralogs and redundantly promoted true leaf number and size, thereby promoting true leaf biomass accumulation. Moreover, BnaA02.TOP1α modulated the levels of endogenous gibberellins, cytokinins and auxins by indirectly regulating several genes related to their metabolism processes. BnaA02.TOP1α directly activated BnaA03.CCS52A2 and BnaC09.AN3 by facilitating the recruitment of RNA polymerase II and modulating H3K27me3, H3K36me2 and H3K36me3 levels at these loci and indirectly activated the BnaA08.PARL1 expression, thereby positively controlling the true leaf size in B. napus. Additionally, BnaA02.TOP1α indirectly activated the BnaA07.PIN1 expression to positively regulate the true leaf number. These results reveal the important functions of BnaTOP1α and provide insights into the regulatory network controlling true leaf biomass accumulation in B. napus.
Cooling System of a High-Pressure Centrifugal Compressor: Development and Impact on Wheel Temperatures
Authors: Weihard Stefan , Willeke Tobias , Božek Lukáš , Hort Vladimír , Münch Stefan , Spengler Sebastian , Winter Thomas 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
High power density, low fuel consumption, and a compact design with competitive total costs of ownership are key requirements for internal combustion engines for conventional fuels and carbon-free or carbon-neutral future fuels. These requirements influence the development targets of charging systems and call for single-stage charging systems with increased charge air pressures. However, high compressor pressure ratios of the turbocharger lead to challenging material temperatures in aluminum alloy wheels. Consequently, creep becomes the fundamental lifetime-limiting damage mechanism for these wheels. In order to meet customer requirements regarding total costs of ownership, the lifetime is of major importance for the development of aluminum compressor wheels for turbochargers with pressure ratios beyond 6. This paper focuses on a high-pressure compressor (HPC) design with a water-cooling system for a new turbocharger generation. The development of its components and their validation based on numerically predicted and measured compressor wheel temperatures are discussed. After introducing the need for high-pressure ratios and the accompanying lifetime challenges, the paper presents the design strategy and methods of the development process. Finally, the paper summarizes the achievements obtained by this procedure. Detailed and rarely before documented temperature measurements from the rotating compressor wheel are published. As will be shown, the temperature measurements confirm the predictions from the predevelopment phase. A comparison of the temperature measurements from the recently developed compressor wheel with measurements carried out for a state-of-the-art wheel reveals the technological improvements achieved by this new generation of high-pressure compressor wheels.
Equation-Oriented Meanline Method for Axial Turbine Performance Prediction Under Choking Conditions
Authors: Anderson Lasse B. , Agromayor Roberto , Parisi Simone , Haglind Fredrik , Nord Lars O. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Meanline models play a crucial role in turbine design and system-level analyses, facilitating rapid evaluation of design concepts and prediction of off-design performance. Most of the existing meanline methods are inadequate in predicting turbine performance under choking conditions. These models either neglect the impact of losses on choking or increase the computational complexity significantly. This limitation is addressed in this work, presenting a novel meanline model. The choking state at each cascade is determined by maximizing the mass flow rate, while taking into account the effect of losses. Leveraging the method of Lagrange multipliers, the optimization problems are transformed into a set of equations that seamlessly integrate with the rest of the meanline model. The resulting system of equations is then solved simultaneously using efficient root-finding algorithms, resulting in fast and reliable convergence. Validation against experimental data from three different turbines demonstrates the model’s ability to accurately predict mass flow rate, torque, and exit flow angles across single-stage and multistage turbines, with errors typically within ±2.5% and ±5.0% for mass flow rate and torque, respectively, and within ±5 deg for flow angles. The proposed approach represents a significant advancement in meanline modeling, offering improved accuracy and computational efficiency.
Global Industry Perspectives on Postgraduate Strength and Conditioning Degrees: An Exploratory Factor Analysis
Authors: James Lachlan P. , Davids Charlie J. , Talpey Scott W. , Huynh Minh , Lidums Maris , Driller Matthew W. , Kelly Vincent G. , Gastin Paul B. 
Published: September 2024

Purpose: This investigation sought to determine industry perceptions of postgraduate strength and conditioning (S&C) degrees to understand whether graduates are equipped for the demands of sport performance service roles. Methods: Survey data were collected from 111 participants employed as performance staff or in a role that recruits and supervises performance staff. The survey consisted of 3 main sections: (1) perceptions of career-development opportunities in S&C, (2) perception of S&C postgraduate programs, and (3) perceptions of employability in S&C. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to identify the key factors considered to be of greatest relevance to career progression in S&C. Results: A 2-factor solution was achieved for each of the 3 sections, resulting in 6 total factors. These factors are Academic and Professional Development, Mentorship and Sport Diversity, Student Preparation, Require Greater Emphasis, Testing and Training, and Personal and Professional Growth. Conclusions: Postgraduate S&C programs require a broad range of placement/internship opportunities to (1) provide diverse experiences, (2) allow students to build contacts and develop professional networks, (3) gain exposure to working in high-performance environments and multidisciplinary teams, and (4) access high-quality mentors. Alongside the ability to deliver training and testing, graduates should be equipped with strong organizational and relationship-building skills. Improved graduate capabilities can raise the standards of the profession and result in enhanced service provision to athletes.
Microbial single-cell applications under anoxic conditions
Authors: Keating Ciara , Fiege Kerstin , Diender Martijn , Sousa Diana Z. , Villanueva Laura 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

The field of microbiology traditionally focuses on studying microorganisms at the population level. Nevertheless, the application of single-cell level methods, including microfluidics and imaging techniques, has revealed heterogeneity within populations, making these methods essential to understand cellular activities and interactions at a higher resolution. Moreover, single-cell sorting has opened new avenues for isolating cells of interest from microbial populations or complex microbial communities. These isolated cells can be further interrogated in downstream single-cell “omics” analyses, providing physiological and functional information. However, applying these methods to study anaerobic microorganisms under
in situ
conditions remains challenging due to their sensitivity to oxygen. Here, we review the existing methodologies for the analysis of viable anaerobic microorganisms at the single-cell level, including live-imaging, cell sorting, and microfluidics (lab-on-chip) applications, and we address the challenges involved in their anoxic operation. Additionally, we discuss the development of non-destructive imaging techniques tailored for anaerobes, such as oxygen-independent fluorescent probes and alternative approaches.
Evaluation of gradient strip diffusion for susceptibility testing of aztreonam–avibactam in metallo-β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales
Authors: Lemon Jamie K. , Jankowsi-Romano Cheryl , Duong Scott , Juretschko Stefan , Streva Vincent A. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

The emergence of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Enterobacterales presents unique clinical treatment challenges. Recently developed β-lactam/ β-lactamase inhibitor combination agents, while effective against other carbapenemase-producing organisms, are notably ineffective against MBL producers. While MBLs do not hydrolyze monobactams (aztreonam), many MBL-producing organisms are resistant to aztreonam through alternate mechanisms, leaving cefiderocol as the sole monotherapy treatment option recommended for MBL producers. Recent guidelines for the treatment of MBL-harboring organisms have added combination therapy with aztreonam and ceftazidime–avibactam, using ceftazidime–avibactam as a source of the β-lactamase inhibitor avibactam. Current laboratory testing options for the combination of aztreonam–avibactam are limited to broth microdilution (BMD) and broth disk elution (BDE) methods, which are not practical in most clinical laboratories. In this study, we evaluated the performance of aztreonam/avibactam gradient strips on 103 MBL-producing Enterobacterales patient isolates as well as an additional 31 isolates from the CDC AR Bank. All MBL Enterobacterales patient isolates included in this study harbored a New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (
bla
NDM
) gene. Essential agreement of gradient strip minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for patient isolates compared to BMD was 93.2%. While there are no established breakpoints for aztreonam–avibactam, category agreement (CA) for patient isolates was 97.1% when using the CLSI aztreonam breakpoints. There were no major or very major errors observed. There were three minor errors. Precision for aztreonam–avibactam gradient strip diffusion was 100%. These data demonstrate that the use of gradient strip diffusion for aztreonam–avibactam MIC determination in MBL-producing Enterobacterales is a viable option for clinical laboratories.
Profiling inflammatory outcomes of
Candida albicans
colonization and food allergy induction in the murine glandular stomach
Authors: Zeise Karen D. , Falkowski Nicole R. , Stark Kelsey G. , Brown Christopher A. , Huffnagle Gary B. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

We investigated the effects of
Candida albicans
colonization on inflammatory responses in the murine glandular stomach, which is similar to the glandular mucosa of the human stomach. We also explored whether the presence of a food allergy could exacerbate
C. albicans
-induced inflammation or if
C. albicans
would amplify allergic inflammation in the glandular stomach.
C. albicans
successfully colonized the stomach of amoxicillin-pre-treated BALB/c mice and induced gastritis in the limiting ridge with minimal inflammation in the glandular stomach. There was significant upregulation of
Il18
, calprotectin (
S100a8
and
S100a9
), and several antimicrobial peptides, but minimal induction of type 1, 2, or 3 responses in the glandular stomach. A robust type 2 response, inflammatory cell recruitment, and tissue remodeling occurred in the glandular stomach following oral ovalbumin challenges in sensitized mice. The type 2 response was not augmented by
C. albicans
colonization, but there was significant upregulation of
Il1b
,
Il12a
,
Tnf
, and
Il17a
in
C. albicans
-colonized food allergic mice. The presence of
C. albicans
did not affect the expression of genes involved in barrier integrity and signaling, many of which were upregulated during food allergy. Overall, our data indicate that
C. albicans
colonization induces minimal inflammation in the glandular stomach but augments antimicrobial peptide expression. Induction of a food allergy results in robust type 2 inflammation in the glandular stomach, and while
C. albicans
colonization does not exacerbate type 2 inflammation, it does activate a number of innate and type 3 immune responses amid the backdrop of allergic inflammation.

IMPORTANCE

Food allergy continues to be a growing public health concern, affecting at least 1 in 10 individuals in the United States alone. However, little is known about the involvement of the gastric mucosa in food allergy. Gastrointestinal
Candida albicans
colonization has been reported to promote gastrointestinal inflammation in a number of chronic diseases. Using a mouse model of food allergy to egg white protein, we demonstrate regionalization of the inflammatory response to
C. albicans
colonization, induction of robust type 2 (allergic) inflammation in the stomach, and augmentation of innate and type 3 responses by
C. albicans
colonization during food allergy.
Chlamydia
-driven ISG15 expression dampens the immune response of epithelial cells independently of ISGylation
Authors: Wu Yongzheng , Liu Chang , Tang Chongfa , Niragire Béatrice , Levy-Zauberman Yaël , Adapen Cindy , Vernay Thomas , Hugueny Juliette , Baud Véronique , Subtil Agathe 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Excessive inflammation upon
Chlamydia trachomatis
infection can cause severe damages in the female genital tract. This obligate intracellular bacterium develops mainly in epithelial cells, whose innate response contributes to the overall inflammatory response to infection. The ubiquitin-like protein interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) stimulates interferon γ (IFNγ) production and is required for bacterial clearance in several infectious contexts. Here, we describe and investigate the consequences of the increase in ISG15 expression by epithelial cells infected with
C. trachomatis
. Infection of HeLa cells and primary ecto-cervical epithelial cells resulted in a transcriptional upregulation of
ISG15
expression. This did not involve the canonical type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling pathway and depended instead on the activation of the STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway. The absence or reduction of ISG15 synthesis led to increased production of several cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin (IL) 6 and IL8. This implicates that ISG15 normally dampens the immune response induced by
C. trachomatis
infection in epithelial cells. ISG15 exerted its control from an intracellular location, but without involving ISGylation. Finally, higher levels of inflammation and delayed bacterial clearance were observed in the genital tracts of ISG15-KO mice infected by
C. trachomatis
compared with wild-type animals; however, IFNγ production was unchanged. Altogether, our data show that ISG15 expression acts as a brake on the immune response to
C. trachomatis
infection in epithelial cells and limits bacterial burden and inflammation in mice.

IMPORTANCE

Infection of epithelial cells by
Chlamydia trachomatis
elicits an innate immune response by these cells. The signaling pathways involved, and their outcomes, are still very poorly understood. In this paper, we described how
Chlamydia
infection triggered the expression of ISG15, a small molecule normally associated to type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling and control of INF-γ production. ISG15 synthesis by epithelial cells attenuated their immune response to
Chlamydia
infection. In mice, we observed that ISG15 displayed a marginal role in modulating the production of IFN-γ, a key component of the host immune response to infection, but facilitated bacterial clearance. Overall, our study strengthens the importance of ISG15 not only in the resolution of viral but also of bacterial infection and document its role of “immune brake” in the context of
Chlamydia
infection.