bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Propensity of Candida spp. prosthetic joint infection clinical isolates to form aggregates in synovial fluid and the clinical ramifications
Authors: Doub James B. , Siddiqui Hamda 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundBacterial aggregation has been shown to occur in synovial fluid which are resistant to high concentrations of antibiotics. Yet the propensity of Candida spp. to form aggregates is unknown.ObjectiveTo assess the ability of numerous Candida spp. to form synovial fluid aggregates and the clinical ramifications of the aggregates.MethodsNine different Candidal prosthetic joint infection clinical isolates were evaluated for their ability to form aggregates at static and dynamic conditions and their resistance to high concentrations of amphotericin. Furthermore, the ability of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) to disrupt the aggregates and enhance amphotericin activity was assessed.ResultsThe results show that all species of Candida spp. evaluated formed aggregates in synovial fluid under dynamic conditions that were resistant to amphotericin. Yet no aggregates formed in tryptic soy broth under any conditions or in synovial fluid under static conditions. As well, when TPA was combined with amphotericin there was a statistically significant decrease (p < .005) in the amount of colony forming units per mL for all Candidal species evaluated. Interestingly, for Candida krusei there was no colony forming units observed after exposure to TPA and amphotericin.ConclusionOur findings suggest that Candidal species form synovial fluid aggregates that are resistant to high dose amphotericin similar to those that occur with bacteria. However, the varying ability of the different Candida spp. to form hyphae and pseudohyphae compared to yeast cells may have direct impacts on the hardiness of the aggregates and thereby have clinical ramifications with respect to treatment durations.
Actin‐bundling protein fimbrin serves as a new auxin biosynthesis orchestrator in Arabidopsis root tips
Authors: Liu Yan‐kun , Li Jing‐jing , Xue Qiao‐qiao , Zhang Shu‐juan , Xie Min , Cheng Ting , Wang Hong‐li , Liu Cui‐mei , Chu Jin‐fang , Pei Yu‐sha , Jia Bing‐qian , Li Jia , Tian Li‐jun , Fu Ai‐gen , Hao Ya‐qi , Su Hui 
Published: July 2024

Summary

Plants delicately regulate endogenous auxin levels through the coordination of transport, biosynthesis, and inactivation, which is crucial for growth and development. While it is well‐established that the actin cytoskeleton can regulate auxin levels by affecting polar transport, its potential role in auxin biosynthesis has remained largely unexplored.

Using LC–MS/MS‐based methods combined with fluorescent auxin marker detection, we observed a significant increase in root auxin levels upon deletion of the actin bundling proteins AtFIM4 and AtFIM5. Fluorescent observation, immunoblotting analysis, and biochemical approaches revealed that AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 affect the protein abundance of the key auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 in roots.

AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 regulate the auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 at the protein level, with its degradation mediated by the 26S proteasome. This regulation modulates auxin synthesis and endogenous auxin levels in roots, consequently impacting root development. Based on these findings, we propose a molecular pathway centered on the ‘actin cytoskeleton‐26S proteasome‐YUC8‐auxin’ axis that controls auxin levels.

Our findings shed light on a new pathway through which plants regulate auxin synthesis. Moreover, this study illuminates a newfound role of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating plant growth and development, particularly through its involvement in maintaining protein homeostasis via the 26S proteasome.
Theory and tests for coordination among hydraulic and photosynthetic traits in co‐occurring woody species
Authors: Chhajed Shubham S. , Wright Ian J. , Perez‐Priego Oscar 
Published: July 2024

Summary

Co‐occurring plants show wide variation in their hydraulic and photosynthetic traits. Here, we extended ‘least‐cost’ optimality theory to derive predictions for how variation in key hydraulic traits potentially affects the cost of acquiring and using water in photosynthesis and how this, in turn, should drive variation in photosynthetic traits.

We tested these ideas across 18 woody species at a temperate woodland in eastern Australia, focusing on hydraulic traits representing different aspects of plant water balance, that is storage (sapwood capacitance, CS), demand vs supply (branch leaf : sapwood area ratio, AL : AS and leaf : sapwood mass ratio and ML : MS), access to soil water (proxied by predawn leaf water potential, ΨPD) and physical strength (sapwood density, WD).

Species with higher AL : AS had higher ratio of leaf‐internal to ambient CO2 concentration during photosynthesis (ci : ca), a trait central to the least‐cost theory framework. CS and the daily operating range of tissue water potential (∆Ψ) had an interactive effect on ci : ca. CS, WD and ΨPD were significantly correlated with each other. These results, along with those from multivariate analyses, underscored the pivotal role leaf : sapwood allocation (AL : AS), and water storage (CS) play in coordination between plant hydraulic and photosynthetic systems.

This study uniquely explored the role of hydraulic traits in predicting species‐specific photosynthetic variation based on optimality theory and highlights important mechanistic links within the plant carbon–water balance.
Metformin overcomes chemoresistance by regulating stemness via KLF4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Tong , Zhang Xuefeng , Yang Dan , Wei Weideng , Gan Jianguo , Xia Xiaoqiang , Chen Qianming , Jiang Jian , Feng Xiaodong 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectiveChemoresistance is a common event after chemotherapy, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Accumulated evidence suggests that the cancer stemness significantly contributes to therapy resistance. An unresolved question remains regarding how to effectively overcome OSCC chemoresistance by targeting stemness. This study aims to investigate the antitumor effect of metformin and clarify the potential molecular mechanisms.MethodsCellular models resistant to chemotherapy were established, and their viability and sphere‐forming ability were assessed using CCK‐8 and soft agar formation assays, respectively. RNA‐seq and Western blotting analyses were employed to delve into the molecular pathways. Furthermore, to corroborate the inhibitory effects of metformin and cisplatin at an animal level, a subcutaneous tumor transplantation model was instituted.ResultsMetformin as a monotherapy exhibited inhibition of stemness traits via Krüppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4). Metformin and cisplatin can synergically inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. Animal experiments confirmed the inhibitory effect of cisplatin and metformin on tumor in mice.ConclusionOur study proposes a potential therapeutic approach of combining chemotherapy with metformin to overcome chemoresistance in OSCC.
Microglia contribute to nociception via CSF‐1R signaling pathway in rat orofacial carcinoma
Authors: Wang Hui , Peng Xiaohan , Wu Ke , Sun Jinhu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectiveCancer‐induced pain is the most common complication of the head and neck cancer. The microglia colony‐stimulating factor receptor 1 (CSF1R) plays a crucial role in the inflammation and neuropathic pain. However, the effect of CSF1R on orofacial cancer‐induced pain is unclear. Here, we aimed to determine the role of CSF1R in orofacial pain caused by cancer.MethodsWe established an animal model of cancer‐induced orofacial pain with Walker 256B cells. Von Frey filament test and laser‐intensity pain tester were used to evaluate tumor‐induced mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Minocycline and PLX3397 were used to alter tumor‐induced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of PLX3397 on immunoinflammatory mediators and neuronal activation within the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc).ResultsWalker 256B cell‐induced tumor growth resulted in mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, accompanying by microglia activation and CSF1R upregulation. Treatment with minocycline or PLX3397 reversed the associated nocifensive behaviors and microglia activation triggered by tumor. As a result of PLX3397 treatment, tumor‐induced increases in pro‐inflammatory cytokine expression and neuronal activation of the Vc were significantly inhibited.ConclusionsThe results of our study showed that blocking microglial activation via CSF1R may help prevent cancer‐induced orofacial pain.
Travels with BERT: Surfacing the intertextuality in Hans Christian Andersen's travel writing and fairy tales through the network lens of large language model‐based topic modeling
Authors: Tangherlini Timothy R. , Chen Ruofei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHans Christian Andersen's fairy tales have garnered the greatest popular and scholarly attention despite the interdependence of works across the broad range of his artistic production. We read Andersen's fairy tales in concert with his travel writing to highlight the intertextual aspects that cross these seemingly distinct genres. We leverage recent advances in large language models (LLM) and network theory to generate representations that facilitate user exploration of these intertextual interdependencies across genres and across time. In the first part of our study, we use BERTopic and an LLM model fine‐tuned for nineteenth‐century Danish literary language to present independent and combined topic models of the two corpuses. This approach supports multi‐scalar analysis of intertextual elements within and across these corpuses, thereby implementing a method for macroscopic reading. In the second part of the study, we develop a series of networked representations of the dependencies between fairy tales, where these dependencies are generated on the basis of the shared intertextual topic space of the fairy tales and the travel writing.
Integrated Acetabular Prosthesis Versus Bone Grafting in Total Hip Arthroplasty for Crowe Type II and III Hip Dysplasia: A Retrospective Case–Control Study
Authors: Cheng Liangliang , Liu Yuchen , Wang Linbao , Ying Jiawei , Li Junlei , Wang Fuyang , Qiu Xing , Zhang Tianwei , Ma Zhijie , Zhang Yu , Wu Bin , Liu Linpeng , Song Liqun , Yi Pinqiao , Wang Haiyao , Zhao Dewei 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveMany methods of acetabular reconstruction with total hip arthroplasty (THA) for Crowe type II and III adult developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) acetabular bone defect have been implemented clinically. However, there was no study comparing the results of integrated acetabular prosthesis (IAP) with bone grafting (BG). This study aims to investigate the efficacy of IAP and BG for acetabular reconstruction in Crowe type II and III DDH.MethodsThe clinical data of 45 patients with unilateral Crowe type II and III DDH who underwent THA from January 2020 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: 25 patients using 3D‐printed IAP (IAP group) and 20 patients using BG (BG group). The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The clinical outcomes were assessed by Harris Hip Score (HHS) and full weight‐bearing time. The radiological outcomes were evaluated by the radiological examination. Accordingly, intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed as well. The data between the two groups were compared by independent sample t‐tests and the Mann–Whitney U rank sum test.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the two groups in Harris Hip Score (HHS) (preoperative, 6 months postoperative, and the last follow‐up), leg length discrepancy (LLD), cup inclination, cup anteversion, vertical center of rotation (V‐COR), horizontal center of rotation (H‐COR) (p > 0.05). The mean HHS in the IAP group was higher than in the BG group at 1 and 3 months postoperative (p < 0.001). The mean surgical time and blood loss in the IAP group were less than in the BG group (p < 0.001). The mean full weight‐bearing time in the IAP group was shorter than in the BG group (p < 0.01). No complications were observed in either group during the follow‐up period.ConclusionIAP and BG have similar radiographic outcomes and long‐term clinical efficacy in THA for Crowe type II and III DDH, but the IAP technique has higher surgical safety and facilitates the recovery of hip joint function, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Revolving Doors: How Externalization Policies Block Refugees and Deflect Other Migrants across Migration Routes
Authors: Mesnard Alice , Savatic Filip , Senne Jean‐Noël , Thiollet Hélène 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMigrant destination states of the Global North generally seek to stem irregular migration while remaining committed to refugee rights. To do so, these states have increasingly sought to externalize migration control, implicating migrant origin and transit states in managing the movement of persons across borders. But do externalization policies actually have an impact on unauthorized migration flows? If yes, do those impacts vary across different migrant categories given that both asylum seekers and other migrants can cross borders without prior authorization? We argue that these policies do have an impact on unauthorized migration flows and that those impacts are distinct for refugees and other migrants. Using data on “irregular/illegal border crossings” collected by Frontex, the Border and Coast Guard Agency of the European Union (EU), we first find that the geographical trajectories of refugees and other migrants who cross EU borders without authorization are distinct. Using a novel method to estimate whether individuals are likely to obtain asylum in 31 European destination states, we find that “likely refugees” tend to be concentrated on a single, primary migratory route while “likely irregular migrants” may be dispersed across multiple routes. Through an event study analysis of the impact of the 2016 EU–Turkey Statement, a paradigmatic example of externalization, we show that the policy primarily blocked likely refugees while deflecting likely irregular migrants to alternative routes. Our findings ultimately highlight how externalization policies may fail to prevent unauthorized entries of irregular migrants while endangering refugee protection.
3‐ketoacyl‐CoA synthase 19 contributes to the biosynthesis of seed lipids and cuticular wax in Arabidopsis and abiotic stress tolerance
Authors: Luo Na , Wang Yulu , Liu Yu , Wang Yuxin , Guo Yanjun , Chen Chunjie , Gan Qiaoqiao , Song Yuyang , Fan Yongxin , Jin Shurong , Ni Yu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractVery‐long‐chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are essential precursors for plant membrane lipids, cuticular waxes, suberin, and storage oils. Integral to the fatty acid elongase (FAE) complex, 3‐ketoacyl‐CoA synthases (KCSs) function as crucial enzymes in the VLCFA pathway, determining the chain length of VLCFA. This study explores the in‐planta role of the KCS19 gene. KCS19 is predominantly expressed in leaves and stem epidermis, sepals, styles, early silique walls, beaks, pedicels, and mature embryos. Localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, KCS19 interacts with other FAE proteins. kcs19 knockout mutants displayed reduced total wax and wax crystals, particularly alkanes, while KCS19 overexpression increased these components and wax crystals. Moreover, the cuticle permeability was higher for the kcs19 mutants compared to the wild type, rendering them more susceptible to drought and salt stress, whereas KCS19 overexpression enhanced drought and salt tolerance. Disrupting KCS19 increased C18 species and decreased C20 and longer species in seed fatty acids, indicating its role in elongating C18 to C20 VLCFAs, potentially up to C24 for seed storage lipids. Collectively, KCS19‐mediated VLCFA synthesis is required for cuticular wax biosynthesis and seed storage lipids, impacting plant responses to abiotic stress.
Sheep litter size heredity basis using genome‐wide selective analysis
Authors: Cui Weiguo , Wang Hechuan , Li Jingchun , Lv Dongyu , Xu Jiayi , Liu Mengyu , Yin Guoan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSheep are important herbivorous domestic animal globally, and the Chinese indigenous sheep breed has a multitude of economically significant variations due to the diverse geographical and ecological conditions. In particular, certain native breeds exhibit a visible high litter size phenotype due to the selection pressure of natural and artificial for thousands of years, offering an ideal animal model for investigating sheep's fecundity. In this study, selective signal analysis was performed on public whole‐genome sequencing data from 60 sheep across eight breeds to identify candidate genes related to litter size. Results revealed that a total of 34,065,017 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from all sheep, and 65 candidate genes (CDGs) were pinpointed from the top 1% of interacted windows and SNPs between the pairwise fixation index (FST, >0.149543) and cross‐population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP‐EHH, >0.701551). A total of 41 CDGs (e.g. VRTN, EYA2 and MCPH1) were annotated to 576 GO terms, of which seven terms were directly linked to follicular and embryonic development (e.g. TBXT, BMPR1B, and BMP2). In addition, 73 KEGG pathways were enriched by 21 CDGs (e.g. ENTPD5, ABCD4 and RXFP2), mainly related to Hippo (TCF4, BMPR1B and BMP2), TGF‐β (BMPR1B and BMP2), PI3K‐Akt (ITGB4, IL4R and PPP2R5A) and Jak–STAT signalling pathways (IL20RA and IL4R). Notably, a series of CDGs was under strong selection in sheep with high litter size traits. These findings result could improve the comprehension of the genetic underpinnings of sheep litter size. Furthermore, it provides valuable CDGS for future molecular breeding.
Assessing Trends in the Desire to Avoid Pregnancy: A Cautionary Note
Authors: Casterline John B. , El‐Zeini Laila , Ibitoye Mobolaji 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe desire to avoid pregnancy—to delay the next birth or have no further births—is a fundamental sexual and reproductive health indicator. We show that two readily available measures—prospective fertility preferences and the demand for contraception [Demand] construct—provide substantially different portraits of historical trends. They also yield correspondingly different assessments of the sources of contraceptive change. We argue, with supporting empirical evidence, that Demand enormously overstates the historical trend in the desire to avoid pregnancy because Demand as currently constructed is in part a function of contraceptive prevalence. This makes for “reverse causality” in decompositions of contraceptive change, producing an upward distortion on the order of 25 percentage points in the amount of contraceptive change attributed to a change in fertility desires. Decomposition of contraception change free of the distortion reveals that contraceptive change has been due almost entirely to more complete implementation of fertility preferences. This is explained in part by the surprisingly slight historical change in preferences, a fact we document and then show is a consequence of a historical shift in parity composition toward lower parities.
Did dollarization help Ecuador?
Authors: Cachanosky Nicolás , Ocampo Emilio , Hernández Karla C. , Ramseur John 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis paper studies the impact of dollarization on the evolution of GDP per capita in Ecuador using synthetic control analysis (SCA). The results suggest a significant likelihood of a positive impact of dollarization. These results are relevant for countries with a history of high, persistent, and volatile inflation considering dollarization as a currency regime.
Swimming Performance in Elite Triathletes: Comparison Between Open Water and Pool Conditions
Authors: López‐Belmonte Óscar , Ruiz‐Navarro Jesús J. , Gay Ana , Cuenca‐Fernández Francisco , Arellano Raúl , Cejuela Roberto 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to compare performance, kinematic, and physiological variables between open water and pool swimming conditions in elite triathletes and to examine the associations between conditions on these variables. Fourteen elite triathletes (10 males and 4 females [23.4 ± 3.8 years]) performed two 1500‐m swimming tests in open water and in a 25‐m pool. Swimming speed, stroke rate (SR), length (SL) and index (SI), heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentrations [La−], and end‐exercise oxygen uptake (EEV̇O2) were assessed in both conditions. Lower SL and SI and higher SR were obtained in open water compared with pool swimming (p < 0.05). Moreover, kinematic variables changed as a function of distance in both conditions (p < 0.05). No differences were found in the main physiological variables (HR, [La−], and EEV̇O2) between conditions. Respiratory exchange ratio presented lower values in open water than in pool conditions (p < 0.05), while time constant was higher in open water (p = 0.032). The fastest triathletes in open water obtained the best performance in the pool (r = 0.958; p < 0.001). All kinematic variables, HR and peak [La−] presented positive associations between conditions (r > 0.6; p < 0.05). Despite physiological invariance, triathletes and coaches should monitor specific open water training to adapt their swimming technique to the competitive environment.
Degree distributions in networks: Beyond the power law
Authors: Lee Clement , Eastoe Emma F. , Farrell Aiden 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe power law is useful in describing count phenomena such as network degrees and word frequencies. With a single parameter, it captures the main feature that the frequencies are linear on the log‐log scale. Nevertheless, there have been criticisms of the power law, for example, that a threshold needs to be preselected without its uncertainty quantified, that the power law is simply inadequate, and that subsequent hypothesis tests are required to determine whether the data could have come from the power law. We propose a modeling framework that combines two different generalizations of the power law, namely the generalized Pareto distribution and the Zipf‐polylog distribution, to resolve these issues. The proposed mixture distributions are shown to fit the data well and quantify the threshold uncertainty in a natural way. A model selection step embedded in the Bayesian inference algorithm further answers the question whether the power law is adequate.
Analysis of the effect and influencing factors of a clinical competency‐oriented prospective pre‐job training programme on the comprehensive ability of new employees in the department of transfusion medicine
Authors: Cheng Fu , Niu Yingying , Han Bing , Chen Chunxia , Yang Huan , Li Jiaheng , Yang Dongmei , Tan Bin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe subject of pre‐job training for transfusion service laboratory technicians is very important. The key is how to make a reasonable systematic training programme to improve the effectiveness of training.MethodsA prospective training programme was conducted and an assessment was performed at enrollment (baseline) and reassessment after 3‐months training, using the same tools with a validated questionnaire.ResultsClinical competency‐oriented prospective pre‐job training significantly improves the clinical transfusion‐related comprehensive skills of new employees. The post‐training assessment score was significantly affected by undergraduate major.ConclusionThis study provided a clinical competency‐oriented training programme for new employees in the department of transfusion medicine that could effectively enhance their comprehensive abilities.