bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Midlife health in Britain and the United States: a comparison of two nationally representative cohorts
Authors: Bridger Staatz Charis , Gutin Iliya , Tilstra Andrea , Gimeno Laura , Moltrecht Bettina , Moreno-Agostino Dario , Moulton Vanessa , Narayanan Martina K , Dowd Jennifer B , Gaydosh Lauren , Ploubidis George B 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Older adults in the USA have worse health and wider socioeconomic inequalities in health compared with those in Britain. Less is known about how health in the two countries compares in mid-life, a time of emerging health decline, including inequalities in health.

Methods
We compare measures of current regular smoking status, obesity, self-rated health, cholesterol, blood pressure and glycated haemoglobin using population-weighted modified Poisson regression in the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) in Britain (N = 9665) and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) in the USA (N = 12 300), when cohort members were aged 34–46 and 33–43, respectively. We test whether associations vary by early- and mid-life socioeconomic position.

Results
US adults had higher levels of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Prevalence of poor self-rated health and current regular smoking was worse in Britain. We found smaller socioeconomic inequalities in mid-life health in Britain compared with the USA. For some outcomes (e.g. smoking), the most socioeconomically advantaged group in the USA was healthier than the equivalent group in Britain. For other outcomes (hypertension and cholesterol), the most advantaged US group fared equal to or worse than the most disadvantaged groups in Britain.

Conclusions
US adults have worse cardiometabolic health than British counterparts, even in early mid-life. The smaller socioeconomic inequalities and better overall health in Britain may reflect differences in access to health care, welfare systems or other environmental risk factors.
Using disruptive innovation to design endoscopic ligators for resource-challenged health settings
Authors: Gardner Jack T , Dusabejambo Vincent , Bensen Steve P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Commercial single-use endoscopic multiband ligators, used for esophageal variceal band ligation (EVL), are prohibitively expensive. To enable greater access to EVL, we used disruptive innovation to develop a novel endoscopic multiband ligator.

Methods
We designed and tested a prototype handle ‘ENDOhandle’ using computer-aided design modeling and exported a cap, trigger cord and latex to form a functional banding unit.

Results
The cost of the banding unit was US$4.80 compared with several hundred US dollars for commercially available devices in the USA.

Conclusions
Disruptive innovation technology developed an inexpensive ligator for resource-challenged health settings.
Leveraging genomic information to predict environmental preferences of bacteria
Authors: Ramoneda Josep , Hoffert Michael , Stallard-Olivera Elias , Casamayor Emilio O , Fierer Noah 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Genomic information is now available for a broad diversity of bacteria, including uncultivated taxa. However, we have corresponding knowledge on environmental preferences (i.e. bacterial growth responses across gradients in oxygen, pH, temperature, salinity, and other environmental conditions) for a relatively narrow swath of bacterial diversity. These limits to our understanding of bacterial ecologies constrain our ability to predict how assemblages will shift in response to global change factors, design effective probiotics, or guide cultivation efforts. We need innovative approaches that take advantage of expanding genome databases to accurately infer the environmental preferences of bacteria and validate the accuracy of these inferences. By doing so, we can broaden our quantitative understanding of the environmental preferences of the majority of bacterial taxa that remain uncharacterized. With this perspective, we highlight why it is important to infer environmental preferences from genomic information and discuss the range of potential strategies for doing so. In particular, we highlight concrete examples of how both cultivation-independent and cultivation-dependent approaches can be integrated with genomic data to develop predictive models. We also emphasize the limitations and pitfalls of these approaches and the specific knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to successfully expand our understanding of the environmental preferences of bacteria.
Simple Porifera holobiont reveals complex interactions between the host, an archaeon, a bacterium, and a phage
Authors: Garritano Alessandro N , Zhang Zhelun , Jia Yunke , Allen Michelle A , Hill Lilian J , Kuzhiumparambil Unnikrishnan , Hinkley Cora , Raina Jean-Baptiste , Peixoto Raquel S , Thomas Torsten 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The basal metazoan phylum Porifera (sponges) is increasingly used as a model to investigate ecological and evolutionary features of microbe–animal symbioses. However, sponges often host complex microbiomes, which has hampered our understanding of their interactions with their microbial symbionts. Here, we describe the discovery and characterization of the simplest sponge holobiont reported to date, consisting of the deep-sea glass sponge Aphrocallistes beatrix and two newly-described microbial symbionts: an autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing archaeon and a bacterial heterotroph. Omics analyses and metabolic modeling revealed the dependency of the ammonia-oxidizing archaea on sponge-derived ammonia to drive primary production, which in turn supports the bacterium’s growth by providing the dicarboxylate fumarate. Furthermore, virus-mediated archaeal lysis appears crucial to overcome the bacterium’s vitamin B12 auxotrophy. These findings reveal that the exchanges of vitamin B12 and dicarboxylate may be evolutionarily conserved features of symbiosis as they can also be found in interactions between free-living marine bacteria, and between microbes and plants or diatoms.
Validation of Enzytec™ Liquid Citric Acid for Enzymatic Determination of Citric Acid in Selected Foods and Beverages: First Action 2024.02
Authors: Lacorn Markus , Hektor Thomas 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Due to its excellent acidifier, antioxidant, and preservative properties, citric acid is added to or is a constituent in a broad range of foods and beverages. Its measurement should be performed to assure the food quality specifications are met.

Objective
To validate the performance of the Enzytec™ Liquid Citric acid test kit for the determination in food and beverages such as wines, juices, and tomato products.

Methods
The kit contains two ready-to-use components, which makes handling very easy and suitable for automation. Citrate is cleaved into oxaloacetate and acetate by citrate lyase. Oxaloacetate reacts to L-malate by L-malate dehydrogenase and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). Pyruvate, spontaneously formed from oxaloacetate, is converted by L-lactate dehydrogenase to L-lactate. The NADH consumed is equivalent to the amount of citric acid converted and is measured at a wavelength of 340 nm within 20 min.

Results
The test is specific to citric acid and shows no relevant interferences. Limit of detection and limit of quantification are 15 and 40 mg/L, respectively when using a test volume of 100 µL. The linear measurement range is from 40 to 1000 mg/L citric acid. Trueness was evaluated using materials from FAPAS, NIST, LGC, and two control wines from the German Wine Analysts. Matrix interference was evaluated by spiking tomato ketchup, tomato paste, orange juice, and carbonated beverages and resulted in recoveries around 100%. Intermediate precision is between 6.2 and 8.5% for matrixes with extraction and below 4% for matrixes measured directly. For automation, three applications with different test volumes and different measurement ranges were validated. Linearity is given from 8 mg/L up to 5 g/L (depending on the test volume).

Conclusions
The method is robust and accurate for manual and automated applications. The method was approved as an AOAC Official Method of Analysis℠.

Highlights
The ready-to-use components of the test kit have a shelf life of at least 24 months from the date of manufacture.
IPM messaging: who, what, how?—Insights from a survey of farmers and agronomists in Scotland
Authors: Creissen Henry E , Meador Elliot 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Enhanced awareness and knowledge among arable (field crop) farmers and agronomists are pivotal for making informed integrated pest management (IPM) decisions. In this study, we had 3 primary objectives: (i) identifying the key factors influencing the adoption of IPM, (ii) gathering insights into the currently perceived pest threats, and (iii) identifying any necessary intervention tools or methods for modifying the flow of information. In 2021, a telephone survey involving 267 arable and arable/livestock farmers and 26 agronomists was conducted in Scotland. The survey was designed to gather information on the perceived invertebrate pest, disease, and weed threats, the extent of IPM implementation, and the sources of information consulted. Several factors influenced the uptake of IPM, including farm type, location, agronomist engagement, farmer’s age, education, and membership in schemes promoting IPM. Notably, there were disparities in perceptions of the most significant pest threats between arable farmers and agronomists. This points to a division of decision-making responsibilities and, consequently, varying information needs. Agronomists typically require technical information related to pesticide effectiveness and disease management, whereas arable farmers seek guidance on cultural approaches for managing weeds and invertebrate pests. Furthermore, preferences for information sources also differed, with agronomists showing a preference for social media as a source of IPM information, while farmers favored the farming press. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of IPM practices equips farmers to actively participate in IPM discussions with their agronomists. This enables the collaborative development of an effective IPM strategy and, in turn, increases the adoption of IPM practices.
Oviposition biology, behavior, and avocado cultivar preferences of Heilipus lauri Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Hoddle Mark S , Hoddle Christina D , Milosavljević Ivan , Estrada-Venegas Edith G , Equihua-Martínez Armando 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Heilipus lauri is a specialist avocado seed feeding weevil native to parts of México and is an invasive pest in Colombia. This weevil is considered an incursion risk because possible unintended introductions into areas outside of its native range can result in establishment, which threatens avocado production in invaded regions. Despite being a well-recognized pest of avocados, relatively little is known about oviposition biology, behavior, and cultivar preferences of this weevil. Field studies in commercial Hass avocado orchards in México and laboratory studies in a quarantine facility in California (USA) indicated that H. lauri prefers to oviposit into middle and bottom thirds of fruit. In the laboratory, an average of 1.7 eggs (range 1–6 eggs) are laid over a 24-h period in oviposition chambers by individual females. Conspecifics add eggs to these clutches, with up to 17 eggs being recorded in 1 oviposition chamber. This finding suggests that H. lauri does not use an oviposition deterring pheromone. Female weevils readily oviposit in artificial holes representing mechanical wounds on fruit. In comparison to the commercially dominant Hass variety, fruit from Lamb Hass and G22, a native Guatemalan variety, and to a lesser extent Gem, may be less preferred for oviposition when females have a choice of fruit in which to oviposit. Videography studies indicated that H. lauri exhibits predominantly diurnal activity with respect to oviposition behaviors, feeding, and walking.
Urinary benzyl alcohol and hippuric acid in workers exposed to benzyl alcohol during paint-stripping work
Authors: Ishii Kenta , Takeuchi Akito , Shimada Masami , Momokawa Hiromi , Tashiro Tomiko , Yamada Ai , Arai Kumiko , Namera Akira , Yamamuro Kenji , Kato Koichi , Kawamoto Toshihiro , Endo Ginji 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Objective: We aimed to develop a reliable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method for detecting urinary benzyl alcohol (BeOH) concentrations and assess the suitability of urinary BeOH as a biomarker for occupational BeOH exposure.
Methods: Thirteen male participants exposed to BeOH during paint-stripping work provided preshift and postshift urine samples, and their personal exposure concentrations were measured. Meanwhile, a control group of 10 nonexposed workers contributed urine samples. The newly developed GC–MS method met regulatory guidelines.
Results: The personal exposure concentrations of BeOH ranged from 8.4 to 45.2 mg/m3. Postshift urine samples from exposed participants showed significant BeOH and hippuric acid (HA) concentration increases compared with preshift samples (BeOH, post-/pre-shift geometric mean [GM] ratio = 7.5-7.8, P &lt; .001; HA, post-/pre-shift GM ratio = 4.3-4.5, P &lt; .001). These levels were considerably higher than those in postshift samples from the nonexposed control group (BeOH, exposed-/nonexposed-workers GM ratio = 14.8-19.0, P &lt; .001; HA, exposed-/nonexposed-workers GM ratio = 12.1-15.3, P &lt; .001), even after urine density correction.
Conclusions: Urinary BeOH and HA can serve as potential biomarkers of occupational exposure to BeOH. More specifically, BeOH might serve as a biomarker superior to HA because it is apparently less influenced by confounding factors such as dietary intake and genetic polymorphism of low-Km aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2). The findings will improve workplace safety measures and protocols, assisting health care professionals in diagnosing and managing exposure-related health issues, thereby potentially reducing the risk of occupational exposure to BeOH.
Hydroxyurea reduces the levels of the fetal globin gene repressors ZBTB7A/LRF and BCL11A in erythroid cells in vitro
Authors: Martyn Gabriella E , Doerfler Phillip A , Yao Yu , Quinlan Kate G R , Weiss Mitchell J , Crossley Merlin 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Hydroxyurea (HU) is the most widely used therapy for adults and children with sickle cell disease (SCD). It is believed to act largely by inducing the transcription of fetal γ-globin genes to generate fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which inhibits the pathological polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS). The mechanisms by which hydroxyurea elevates HbF are unclear. We explored the hypothesis that hydroxyurea induces HbF expression by inhibiting the expression of 2 γ-globin gene repressors, BCL11A and ZBTB7A (also known as LRF), which normally bind the γ-globin gene promoters to inhibit their expression after birth.

Methods
We treated immortalized murine erythroleukemia cells and normal human donor CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell-derived erythroblasts with hydroxyurea and measured the effects on globin, BCL11A and ZBTB7A protein and mRNA expression.

Results
Treating murine erythroleukemia cells or human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell-derived erythroblasts with hydroxyurea reduced the protein levels of BCL11A and ZBTB7A compared to the vehicle-treated control. BCL11A mRNA levels were reduced in both cell types upon hydroxyurea treatment. However, ZBTB7A mRNA levels were only reduced in human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell-derived erythroblasts.

Conclusions
Hydroxyurea can act in erythroid cells to reduce the levels and activity of two direct fetal γ-globin transcriptional repressors with accompanying de-repression of the γ-globin genes and induction of HbF, which may explain the mechanism of action leading to amelioration of symptoms in SCD patients treated with this drug.
ALOG/LSHs: a novel class of transcription factors that regulate plant growth and development
Authors: Upadhyaya Gouranga , Sethi Vishmita , Modak Annayasa , Gangappa Sreeramaiah N 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The ARABIDOPSIS LIGHT-DEPENDENT SHORT HYPOCOTYLS 1 and rice G1/LIGHT-DEPENDENT SHORT HYPOCOTYLS (ALOG/LSH) group proteins are highly conserved across plant lineages from moss to higher flowering plants, suggesting their crucial role in the evolution and adaptation of land plants. The role of ALOG/LSH proteins is highly conserved in various developmental responses, such as vegetative and reproductive developmental programs. Their role in meristem identity, cotyledon development, seedling photomorphogenesis, and leaf and shoot development has been relatively well established. Moreover, several key pieces of evidence suggest their role in inflorescence architecture and flower development, including male and female reproductive organs and flower colouration. Recent research has started to explore their role in stress response. Functionally, ALOG/LSH proteins have been demonstrated to act as transcriptional regulators and are considered a newly emerging class of transcription factors in plants that regulate diverse developmental and physiological processes. This review aims to stimulate discussion about their role in plant development and as transcription factors. It also seeks to further unravel the underlying molecular mechanism by which they regulate growth and development throughout the plant lineage.
AstroSat’s view of 4U 1735−44: spectral, temporal, and type I X-ray burst studies
Authors: Lavanya S , Thomas Neal Titus , Gudennavar S B , Bubbly S G 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT
This study utilizes the simultaneous broad-band observations of 4U 1735−44 from AstroSat, offering enhanced spectral and temporal resolution, to investigate its spectral properties, temporal behaviour, and burst characteristics. Spectral, type I X-ray burst, and temporal analyses on 4U 1735−44 were performed using AstroSat/Soft X-ray Telescope and Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) observations. The hardness–intensity diagram from LAXPC-20 showed a positive correlation between hardness and intensity, with a pattern resembling the banana branch typical of atoll sources. Spectral analysis carried out in the 0.7–20.0 keV energy range, using the model combination – $\tt {constant}$$\times$$\tt {tbabs}$ ($\tt {nthcomp}$$+$$\tt {diskbb}$$+$$\tt {bbodyrad}$), suggested a cool accretion disc truncated at a large distance from the neutron star in the system. Time-resolved spectral studies of two type I X-ray bursts detected from the source revealed evidence of photospheric radius expansion, allowing for an estimation of the source distance. Temporal analysis showed the presence of low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillation at $\sim$69 Hz (3.3$\sigma$ significance with more than 99 per cent confidence) and prominent noise features below 30 Hz.
An accurate equation for the gravitational bending of light by a static massive object
Authors: del Barco Oscar 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT
An exact analytical expression for the bending angle of light due to a non-rotating massive object, considering the actual distances from source and observer to the gravitational mass, is derived. Our novel formula generalizes Darwin’s well-known equation for gravitational light bending, where both source and observer are placed at infinite distance from the lensing mass, and provides excellent results in comparison with the post-Newtonian (PPN) formalism up to first order. As a result, the discrepancy between our recent expression and the PPN approach is 6.6 mas for sun-grazing beams coming from planet Mercury, with significant differences up to 2 mas for distant starlight. Our findings suggest that these considerations should not be dismissed for both solar system objects and extragalactic sources, where non-negligible errors might be present in ultraprecise astrometry calculations.
Modulation of UPF1 catalytic activity upon interaction of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein with factors involved in nonsense mediated-mRNA decay
Authors: Mallick Megha , Boehm Volker , Xue Guangpu , Blackstone Mark , Gehring Niels H , Chakrabarti Sutapa 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The RNA genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus encodes for four structural proteins, 16 non-structural proteins and nine putative accessory factors. A high throughput analysis of interactions between human and SARS-CoV-2 proteins identified multiple interactions of the structural Nucleocapsid (N) protein with RNA processing factors. The N-protein, which is responsible for packaging of the viral genomic RNA was found to interact with two RNA helicases, UPF1 and MOV10 that are involved in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Using a combination of biochemical and biophysical methods, we investigated the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 N-protein with NMD factors at a molecular level. Our studies led us to identify the core NMD factor, UPF2, as an interactor of N. The viral N-protein engages UPF2 in multipartite interactions and can negate the stimulatory effect of UPF2 on UPF1 catalytic activity. N also inhibits UPF1 ATPase and unwinding activities by competing in binding to the RNA substrate. We further investigate the functional implications of inhibition of UPF1 catalytic activity by N in mammalian cells. The interplay of SARS-CoV-2 N with human UPF1 and UPF2 does not affect decay of host cell NMD targets but might play a role in stabilizing the viral RNA genome.
Identification of phytoplankton isolates from the eastern Canadian waters using long-read sequencing
Authors: Mordret Solenn , MacKinnon Jenna , Behnke Joerg , O’Leary Stephen J B , Chénard Caroline 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
As important primary producers and key components of biogeochemical processes, phytoplankton communities are highly diverse and continually adapt to changes in the environment, impacting the entire marine ecosystem. Consequently, it remains important to isolate, culture and properly describe new phytoplankton strains to provide relevant model organisms for laboratory research and accurate reference sequences for identification. Here, 73 phytoplankton strains from the eastern Canadian waters were isolated and genetically characterized using a long rRNA fragment (~4000 bp) covering the 18S, ITS and 28S rRNA regions generated with long-read sequencing technology. While most strains (66%) were accurately identified using the partial 18S rRNA gene (~1200 bp—V4–V9), this study broadens the current 28S rRNA reference database by incorporating 41 distinct strains including 30 unique species. In addition, previously unpublished long-read reference sequences were generated for a few genera, including Picochlorum and Droopiella. Species that were previously poorly described in the eastern Canadian waters were also genetically characterized, including a Chaetoceros similis strain. Overall, this work expands the total number of long-read references, an essential resource for accurate identification of phytoplankton and environmental sequences, thereby advancing the taxonomic resolution that could lead to a better understanding of environmental microbial diversity.