bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Origin, Trophic Transfer And Recycling Of Particulate Organic Matter In The Waters Of Two Upwelling Bays Of Humboldt Current System: Insights From Compound-Specific Isotopic Compositions Of Amino Acids
Authors: Srain B.M , Valdés J , Camaño A 
Published: June 2024

AbstractParticulate organic matter (POM) is considered the primary source of N and C in the ocean. In pelagic marine environments, POM consists of algae and detrital nitrogen, with amino acids representing the largest chemical fraction. Currently, measurements of the isotopic distributions of N atoms in amino acids are considered powerful tools for exploring and determining the metabolic sources involved in the synthesis and degradation of organic matter. In this study, we measured the δ15N of amino acid signatures (δ15N-AA) in suspended and sinking POM collected from two upwelling bays in northern Chile, to examine isotopic enrichment patterns and gain insights into the origins, trophic transfer, and heterotrophic reworking of this organic fraction. At Mejillones Bay, the δ15N-AA values of suspended POM ranged from 5 ‰ to 27 ‰, while at Antofagasta Bay, these values oscillated between 9 ‰ and 24 ‰. The sinking POM collected from sediment traps exhibited values and isotopic fractionation patterns similar to those observed in the deeper layers of the water columns in both bays. The enrichment patterns of δ15N-phenylalanine and δ15N-NO-demonstrated the autochthonous character of the POM and its predominantly marine origin at both bays. The parameters trophic transfer (ΔTr) and heterotrophic reworking (ΣV) indicated that the heterotrophic recycling of POM occurs more intensively at through the oxyclines. Furthermore, these parameters revealed an enhanced trophic transfer magnitude and higher heterotrophic re-synthesis of POM in the waters of Mejillones Bay, resulting in a lower flux of exported POM than that observed in Antofagasta Bay. These differences highlight the spatial heterogeneous nature of organic matter transfer and reworking processes in this upwelling system.
Spatial fingerprint of consumer body size and habitat preference on resource distribution
Authors: Little Chelsea J. , Banville Pierre Etienne , Ford Adam T. , Germain Rachel M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractConsumers shape spatial patterns on landscapes by amplifying or dampening environmental heterogeneity through feeding, excretion, and movement of resources. The degree to which the environment is modified by consumers depends on species’ traits, including body mass, movement behavior, sociality, and habitat specialization. Global change is altering the size and traits of consumer populations, but our understanding of how this may impact resource heterogeneity is limited. Here, we developed an individual-based model of habitat specialists’ and generalists’ movement and activity in a patchy landscape and investigated the impact of changes in population and mean body sizes on landscape-scale resource heterogeneity. We found that consumers specializing on low-resource habitats (a common risk avoidance strategy) increased spatial resource heterogeneity regardless of their population and body size. By contrast, generalists eroded differences among habitats, and we further found that resource heterogeneity decreased with the average body size of generalist consumers, even while controlling for total consumer biomass. These nuanced spatial outcomes of consumer-resource interactions emerge from the unique metabolic demands of specialists vs. generalists, which scale nonlinearly with body size. Since global change disproportionately impacts larger species and specialists, indirect consequences on ecosystems may arise via biotic processes, affecting spatial heterogeneity of future landscapes.
Survey-Based Analysis of a Science of Science Communication Scientific Interest Group: Member Feedback and Perspectives on Science Communication
Authors: Hilliard Anna J. , Sugden Nicola , Bass Kristin M. , Gunter Chris 
Published: June 2024

AbstractCoordinated attempts to promote systematic approaches to the design and evaluation of science communication efforts have generally lagged behind the proliferation and diversification of those efforts. To address this, we founded the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Science of Science Communication Scientific Interest Group (SciOSciComm-SIG) and undertook a mixed-methods survey-based evaluation of the group one year after its founding. Respondents indicated ongoing interest and some participation in public-facing science communication while identifying specific barriers, and praised the role of the SIG in expanding access to information about evidence-based practices.
Therapeutic liver cell transplantation to treat a genetic liver defect
Authors: Willimann Melanie , Grisch-Chan Hiu Man , Rimann Nicole , Rothgangl Tanja , Hruzova Martina , Schwank Gerald , Thöny Beat 
Published: June 2024

AbstractFor gene therapy of the liver,in vivoapplications based on adeno-associated virus are the most advanced vectors despite limitations, including low efficacy and episomal loss, potential integration and safety issues, and high production costs. Alternative vectors and/or delivery routes are of high interest. The regenerative ability of the liver bears the potential forex vivotherapy using liver cell transplantation for disease correction if provided with a selective advantage to expand and replace the existing cell mass. Here we present such treatment of a mouse model of human of phenylketonuria (PKU). Primary hepatocytes from wild-type mice were gene modifiedin vitro(with a lentiviral vector) that carries a gene editing system (CRISPR) to inhibitCypor.Cyporinactivation confers paracetamol (or acetaminophen) resistance to hepatocytes and thus a growth advantage to eliminate the pre-existing liver cells upon grafting (via the spleen) and exposure to repeated treatment with paracetamol. GraftingCypor-inactivated wild-type hepatocytes into inbred young adultenu2(PKU) mice, followed by selective expansion by paracetamol dosing resulted in replacing up to 5% of cell mass, normalization of blood phenylalanine and permanent correction of PKU. Hepatocyte transplantation offers thus an armamentarium of novel therapy options for genetic liver defects.
Does COVID-19 Increase the Risk of Subsequent Kidney Diseases More Than Influenza? A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Real-World Data In the United States
Authors: Zhang Yue , Ghahramani Nasrollah , Chinchilli Vernon M. , Ba Djibril M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlthough case reports and observational studies suggest Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases the risk of kidney diseases, definitive real-world evidence, especially in comparison with influenza, is lacking. Our study aims to assess the association between COVID-19 infections and subsequent kidney diseases, using influenza as a positive control and incorporating a negative control to establish clearer associations.MethodsA large retrospective cohort study with strata matching was conducted using the MarketScan database with records from Jan. 2020 to Dec. 2021. We used the international classification of 10th revision (ICD-10) codes to identify individuals and build three cohorts, (1) COVID-19 group, with index dates as the diagnosis dates of COVID-19; (2) Influenza but no COVID-19 (positive control) group, with index dates as the diagnosis dates of Influenza; and (3) no COVID-19 / Influenza (negative control) group, with randomly assigned index dates between Jan. 2020 to Dec. 2021. The main outcomes were acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To evaluate the association between COVID-19 and the new onset of kidney diseases relative to both control groups, we employed multivariable stratified Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.ResultsThe study included 939,241 individuals with COVID-19, 1,878,482 individuals in the negative control group, and 199,071 individuals with influenza. After adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and medication histories, COVID-19 was significantly associated with increased risks of AKI (adjusted hazards ratio, aHR: 2.74, 2.61-2.87), CKD (aHR: 1.38, 1.32-1.45), and ESRD (aHR, 3.22; 95% CI, 2.67-3.88), while influenza was associated with a modestly increased risk of AKI (aHR: 1.24, 1.11-1.38) and had no impact on CKD (aHR: 1.03, 0.92-1.14), and ESRD (aHR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.55-1.29). Time-specific analyses indicated that while the HR for AKI declined from 0-180 days to 0-540 days, the HR for CKD and ESRD remained stable, with COVID-19’s risk surpassing influenza’s risk throughout follow-up. Exploratory analysis also found significant impacts of COVID-19 on glomerular diseases (aHR 1.28, 95% CI 1.09-1.50).ConclusionIn this large real-world study, COVID-19 infections were associated with a 2.3-fold risk of developing AKI, a 1.4-fold risk of CKD, and a 4.7-fold risk of ESRD compared to influenza. Greater attention needs to be paid to kidney diseases in individuals after contracting COVID-19 to prevent future adverse health outcomes.
Understanding the implementation of antimicrobial resistance policies in Vietnam: a multilayer analysis of the veterinary drug value chain
Authors: Bâtie Chloé , Duy Nguyen Van , Minh Khue Nguyen Thi , Peyre Marisa , Bordier Marion , Dien Nguyen Thi , Ton Vu Dinh , Goutard Flavie 
Published: June 2024

AbstractReducing antibiotic use in livestock production has been a target for national action plans worldwide. The Vietnamese livestock plan issued in 2017 has, among other objectives, strengthened the regulatory framework for antibiotic use. While a progressive ban on prophylactic antibiotics in feed and the introduction of mandatory prescriptions have been introduced, the level of implementation of these measures remains unknown. This study explores the level of understanding, acceptance, and application of these regulations among veterinary drug value chain stakeholders. An iterative stakeholder mapping and analysis of the veterinary drug value chain was conducted in north and south Vietnam. We organized one focus group discussion in Hanoi with 12 participants and conducted 39 semi-structured interviews with governmental authorities, national research centers, foreign partners, and private stakeholders along the value chain. The discourses were analyzed to (1) map the veterinary drug value chain and interactions among stakeholders, (2) analyze stakeholder’s technical and social capital regarding regulations, and (3) identify factors influencing their implementation. From the map of the veterinary drug value chain, we identified 30 categories of stakeholders. Based on the map, the capital, and the analysis of the discourse, we identified 10 factors that could influence their implementation. These factors included stakeholder perception of the new regulations, their level of knowledge, the availability of technical guidance, conflict of economic interest between stakeholders, scale-related management discrepancies, the technical and financial barriers to the implementation of the regulations at the local level, the presence of an informal distribution channel, international influence, consumer demand for food safety, and the willingness to reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance. It was clearly identified that new regulations are a necessary step to reducing antibiotic usage in Vietnam, but that the lack of local stakeholder involvement combined with technical constraints were barriers to their implementation. The study underlined the need for greater involvement of local stakeholders in the development of regulations as well as the need to mainstream innovations developed by small producers.
A human-specific, concerted repression of microcephaly genes contributes to radiation-induced growth defects in forebrain organoids
Authors: Ribeiro Jessica Honorato , Etlioglu Emre , Buset Jasmine , Janssen Ann , Puype Hanne , Berden Lisa , Mbouombouo Mfossa André Claude , De Vos Winnok H. , Vermeirssen Vanessa , Baatout Sarah , Rajan Nicholas , Quintens Roel 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPrenatal radiation-induced DNA damage poses a significant threat to normal brain development, resulting in microcephaly which primarily affects the cerebral cortex. It is unclear which molecular mechanisms are at the basis of this defect in humans as the few mechanistic studies performed so far were done in animals. Here, we leveraged human embryonic stem cell- derived forebrain organoids as a model for human corticogenesis. Organoids were X-irradiated with a moderate and a high dose at different time points, representing very early and mid corticogenesis. Irradiation caused a dose- and developmental-timing-dependent reduction in organoid size, which was more prominent in developmentally younger organoids. This coincided with a dose-dependent canonical p53-DREAM-dependent DNA damage response (DDR), consisting of cell cycle arrest, DNA repair and apoptosis. The DDR was delayed and less pronounced in the older organoids. Besides the DDR, we observed radiation-induced premature differentiation of neural progenitors and changes in metabolism. Importantly, our transcriptomic analysis furthermore demonstrated a concerted p53-E2F4-dependent repression of primary microcephaly genes. We found that this was a human-specific feature, as it was not observed in mouse embryonic brains or primary mouse neural progenitor cells. Thus, human forebrain organoids are an excellent model to investigate prenatal DNA damage-induced microcephaly and to uncover potentially targetable human-specific pathways.
MicrosporidianNosema bombycissecretes serine protease inhibitor to suppress host cell apoptosisviacaspase BmICE
Authors: Ran Maoshuang , Bao Jialing , li Boning , Shi Yulian , Yang Wenxin , Meng Xianzhi , Chen Jie , Wei Junhong , Long Mengxian , Li Tian , Li Chunfeng , Pan Guoqing , Zhou Zeyang 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMicrosporidia are a group of intracellular pathogens that actively manipulate host cell biological processes to facilitate their intracellular niche. Apoptosis is an important defense mechanism by which host cell control intracellular pathogens. Microsporidia modulating host cell apoptosis has been reported previously, however the molecular mechanism is not yet clear. In this report, we describe that the microsporidiaNosema bombycisinhibits apoptosis ofBombyx moricells through a secreted protein NbSPN14, which is a serine protease inhibitor (Serpin). An immunofluorescent assay demonstrated that upon infection withN. bombycis, NbSPN14 was initially found in theB. moricell cytoplasm and then became enriched in the host cell nucleus. Overexpression and RNA-interference (RNAi) of NbSPN14 inB. mori’embryo cells confirmed that NbSPN14 inhibited host cell apoptosis. Immunofluorescent and Co-IP assays verified the co-localization and interaction of NbSPN14 with the BmICE, the caspase 3 homolog inB. mori. Knocking out of BmICE or mutating the BmICE-interacting P1 site of NbSPN14, eliminated the localization of NbSPN14 into the host nucleus and prevented the apoptosis-inhibiting effect of NbSPN14, which also proved that the interaction between BmICE and NbSPN14 occurred in host cytoplasm and the NbSPN14 translocation into host cell nucleus is dependent on BmICE. These data elucidate thatN. bombycissecretory protein NbSPN14 inhibits host cell apoptosis by directly inhibiting the caspase protease BmICE, which provides an important insight for understanding pathogen-host interactions and a potential therapeutic target forN. bombycisproliferation.Author SummaryMicrosporidia constitute a class of eukaryotic pathogens that exclusively reside within host cells. The speciesNosema bombycisis the first microsporidian identified as the pathogen of silkworm Pébrine disease. In our research, we discovered howN. bombyciscleverly evades the host’s defenses. It has developed a strategy to survive inside host cells by manipulating host cell apoptosis, disarming the host cell’s self-destruct mechanism. In this study, we discovered that theN. bombycissecretes a serine protease inhibitor named NbSPN14, which infiltrates the cytoplasm of the host cell. The NbSPN14 interacts with the executioner Caspase protease BmICE within the silkworm’s apoptotic pathway, effectively neutralizing its apoptoic activity and thus curbing the apoptosis of the host cells.
Evidence of horizontal gene transfer and environmental selection impacting antibiotic resistance evolution in soil-dwellingListeria
Authors: Goh Ying-Xian , Balu Anupoju Sai Manohar , Nguyen Anthony , Zhang Hailong , Ponder Monica , Krometis Leigh-Anne , Pruden Amy , Liao Jingqiu 
Published: June 2024

AbstractSoil has been identified as an important reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and there is a need to understand how corresponding environmental changes influence their emergence, evolution, and spread. As a soil-dwelling bacterial genus containing important pathogens,Listeria,includingL. monocytogenes, the causative agent of listeriosis in humans, could serve as a key model for establishing this understanding. Notably, acquired antibiotic resistance amongL. monocytogenesisolated from foods and the environment has been observed in some regions over the past decade. Here we characterized ARGs using 594 genomes representing 19Listeriaspecies that we previously isolated from soils across the United States. Among the five putatively functional ARGs identified,lin, which confers resistance to lincomycin, was the most prevalent, followed bymprF, sul, fosX, andnorB. ARGs were found to be predominant inListeria sensu strictospecies and species more closely related toL. monocytogenestended to harbor more ARGs. Notably,lin, fosX,andnorBshowed evidence of recent horizontal gene transfer (HGT) across species, likely through transformation as opposed to conjugation and transduction, whilemprFandsulappear to have undergone positive selection. In addition, soil properties and surrounding land use were identified as the most important factors associated with ARG richness and genetic divergence, respectively. Using machine learning, we demonstrated that the presence of ARGs can be predicted from environmental variables with good accuracy (mean auROC of 0.76). Collectively, our data suggest that recent HGT and environmental selection played a vital role in the acquisition and diversification of ARGs in the soil environment.
The action mechanism of actinoporins revealed through the structure of pore-forming intermediates
Authors: Arranz Rocío , Santiago César , Masiulis Simonas , Rivera-de-Torre Esperanza , Palacios-Ortega Juan , Carlero Diego , Heras-Márquez Diego , Gavilanes José G. , Arias-Palomo Ernesto , Martínez-del-Pozo Álvaro , García-Linares Sara , Martín-Benito Jaime 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPore-forming proteins exemplify the transformative potential of biological molecules. Initially produced in a monomeric, water-soluble form, they spontaneously assemble into multimeric integral membrane proteins in the presence of suitable target lipids. Their functions include roles in apoptosis, cell signaling, immunity, as well as attack and defense systems between different organisms. This latter group encompasses actinoporins, a family of pore-forming toxins from sea anemones that kill target cells by perforating their plasma membrane. Here, we have determined the structures of two such toxins, fragaceatoxin C and sticholysin II, in a membrane environment using cryogenic electron microscopy. The structures reveal how dozens of lipid molecules interact in an orderly manner, forming an intrinsic part of the pore. We have also isolated different pore-forming intermediates, where only a fraction of the constituent monomers is incorporated, exhibiting non-closed, arc-shaped structures. Based on these structures we propose a mechanism of action where the sequential assembly of toxin monomers onto the membrane, accompanied by conformational changes, triggers pore formation and membrane perforation. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the transforming capacity of these pore-forming proteins, which are becoming increasingly important for their diverse biotechnological applications.
Healthiness of Foods and Beverages in Outdoor Advertisements in Xela, Guatemala: A Commercial Determinants of Health Interpretation
Authors: Chuvileva Yulia E. , Chew Aiken , Cassidy Omni , Dávila Sophía , Manangan Arie , Rutherford George , Barnoya Joaquin , Ulin Brigette 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis study measured the spatial exposure to outdoor advertising of foods and beverages (and their healthiness) in central Xela, a Western Guatemalan city that is home to 181,000 people, 65% of whom are indigenous. We geotagged outdoor advertisements (ads) for foods and beverages in a square mile of Xela, coding for the modality of the advertisement, the types of items marketed, and their healthiness: “most healthy,” “middle healthy,” or “least healthy.” We observed 92 commercial-grade outdoor food and beverage ads across eight modalities, with vehicles (52%, 48/92), branded storefronts (25%, 23/92), and bus stops (13%, 12/92) the most prevalent. While all kinds of food and beverage businesses promoted their products on vehicles, branded storefronts were a modality almost exclusively used by soda companies, while bus stops were disproportionately used by fast food restaurants. We also identified 21 home-based ads, 86% (18/21) of which denoted households selling items they produce or make. Commercial-grade ads promoted largely least healthy foods and beverages, while home-based ads largely exposed people to most and middle healthy items. We interpret the results through the Commercial Determinants of Health Framework.