bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PIWIL1 is recruited to Centrosomes during Mitosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells and is linked to cell cycle progression
Authors: Garcia-Silva M.R. , Montenegro S. , Dacosta S. , Tosar J.P. , Cayota A 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPIWI proteins, traditionally associated with germline development, have recently gained attention for their expression in various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their reactivation and impact on cancer initiation and progression remain elusive. Here, we found that PIWIL1 is expressed at relatively high levels in CRC-derived samples and cell lines, where it undergoes a dynamic re-localization to the centrosome during mitosis. Knockdown of PIWIL1 induces G2/M arrest associated to disruption of mitotic spindle and aberrant metaphase events, highlighting its role in cell cycle progression. We have also found that expression of PIWIL1 is lost during differentiation of Caco-2 cells into enterocytes and that PIWIL1 is expressed in cells at the base of intestinal crypts in normal human colon tissue, where intestinal stem cells are known to reside. Thus, it is possible that the presence of PIWIL1 in cancer cells reflects a physiological role of this protein in stem cell maintenance, what would argue in favor of the proposed stem cell origin of CRC. Supporting this view, dedifferentiation of human fibroblasts into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSc) implies reactivation of PIWIL2 expression, another member of the PIWI protein family. Overall, our findings suggest a role of PIWIL1 in mediating cell cycle dynamics, both in colorectal cancer cells and possibly also in intestinal stem cells. In a broader aspect, we provide support for an involvement of PIWI proteins in somatic stem cell maintenance, expanding nongonadal functions for this protein family.
Development and Optimization of Genetic Manipulation Systems in Group I Clostridium botulinum
Authors: Amatsu Sho , Saito Kazuki , Miyata Shigeru , Zuka Masahiko , Nariya Hirofumi , Fujinaga Yukako 
Published: June 2024

AbstractClostridium botulinumcauses the disease botulism, and nontoxigenicClostridium sporogenesis closely related to group IC. botulinum.Despite its pathogenicity,C. botulinumremains poorly characterized. Genetic manipulation is critical for understanding bacterial physiology and disease. We compared the conjugal transformation efficiencies of seven strains, including group IC. botulinum(strains 62A, 7I03-H, Okra, Osaka05, 111) andC. sporogenes(strains JCM 1416T, ATCC 15579), and our results showed that few or no transformants were obtained in certain strains. In the present study, we demonstrate that our optimized protocol increases the efficiency of DNA transfer fromE. colidonor cells to recipient strains. In addition, we developed a novel conjugal suicide vector pXMTL that contains xylose-induciblemazFas a counter-selection marker, and can be transferred intoClostridiumspp. by conjugation. The allele-coupled exchange (ACE) system using pXMTL provides a rapid method for precise, markerless and scarless genome editing in group IC. botulinumandC. sporogenes.ImportanceGroup IC. botulinumandC. sporogenesexhibit low transformation efficiencies, and few or no transformants are yielded by some strains. In this study, we optimized the conjugation protocol to improve transformation efficiency. In addition, we developed a novel suicide vector pXMTL harboring a xylose-induciblemazFmarker, and can be transferred intoClostridiumspp. by conjugation. The combination of pXMTL and the optimized conjugation protocol provides a powerful tool for genetic manipulation of group IC. botulinumandC. sporogens.
Modelling COVID-19 in the North American region with a metapopulation network and Kalman filter
Authors: Perini Matteo , Yamana Teresa K. , Galanti Marta , Suh Jiyeon , Kaondera-Shava Roselyn , Shaman Jeffrey 
Published: June 2024

SummaryBackgroundMetapopulation models provide platforms for understanding infectious disease dynamics and predicting clinical outcomes across interconnected populations, particularly for large epidemics and pandemics like COVID-19.MethodsWe developed a novel metapopulation model for simulating respiratory virus transmission in the North America region, specifically for the 96 states, provinces, and territories of Canada, Mexico and the United States. The model is informed by COVID-19 case data, which are assimilated using the Ensemble Adjustment Kalman filter (EAKF), a Bayesian inference algorithm, and commuting and mobility data, which are used to build and adjust the network and movement across locations on a daily basis.FindingsThis model-inference system provides estimates of transmission dynamics, infection rates, and ascertainment rates for each of the 96 locations from January 2020 to March 2021. The results highlight differences in disease dynamics and ascertainment among the three countries.InterpretationThe metapopulation structure enables rapid simulation at large scale, and the data assimilation method makes the system responsive to changes in system dynamics. This model can serve as a versatile platform for modeling other infectious diseases across the North American region.FundingUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Contract 75D30122C14289; US NIH Grant AI163023.
Smoking Cessation after Transitioning from Hospital to Community Stop Smoking Services: Insights from Real-world Data Analysis
Authors: Cherodian Rowan , Franklin Matthew , Baxter Susan , Chilcott James , Gillespie Duncan 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundPatients seen by National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in England should now be asked if they smoke on admission. People who smoke should be treated for tobacco dependence in hospital, then offered support to quit outside of hospital. One way to support post-hospital quitting is through referring patients to community stop smoking services (CSSS). In 2024, the government announced a doubling of CSSS funding for five-years to improve reach and outcomes. Our study aimed to describe the quit rates of people referred from hospital to CSSS, alongside investigating individual characteristics associated with quitting success to inform the potential for more cost-effective, targeted support in the future.MethodsThe study was part of a service evaluation using real-world data collected via a CSSS electronic record system in England, which received referrals from hospital-based tobacco teams. We compared CSSS activity and quitting outcomes to local and national reporting data. Generalised Linear Models were used to investigate quitting outcomes 4-weeks after baseline in relation to demographic, socio-economic, nicotine dependence, intervention, and health factors hypothesised to be associated with quitting outcomes.ResultsHospital-referred patients comprised 26% of CSSS referrals, tended to be older, with lower socio-economic status and more long-term health conditions. Overall quitting success by people who made a CSSS supported quit attempt was 61% at 4-weeks, slightly lower than local averages, but similar to national averages. Our analysis sample contained records of 1,326 quit attempts that were supported by CSSS. Of the variables investigated, we found that receiving free NHS prescriptions was consistently associated with lower quitting success (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.55, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.33–0.92), potentially because this is a proxy for lower socio-economic and health status. After accounting for other factors, having cancer relative to no health conditions was associated with higher quitting success (OR 2.26, 95%CI 1.18–4.33).ConclusionEnsuring patients continue seeking support to quit smoking after their interaction with hospital-based services can lead to quit rates comparable to other CSSS attendees who make a quit attempt. Our analyses highlight the importance of hospital and CSSS investment in improving the transfer of care between services.
Unique trajectory of gene family evolution from genomic analysis of nearly all known species in an ancient yeast lineage
Authors: Feng Bo , Li Yonglin , Liu Hongyue , Steenwyk Jacob L. , David Kyle T. , Tian Xiaolin , Xu Biyang , Gonçalves Carla , Opulente Dana A. , LaBella Abigail L. , Harrison Marie-Claire , Wolters John F. , Shao Shengyuan , Chen Zhaohao , Fisher Kaitlin J. , Groenewald Marizeth , Hittinger Chris Todd , Shen Xing-Xing , Rokas Antonis , Zhou Xiaofan , Li Yuanning 
Published: June 2024

AbstractGene gains and losses are a major driver of genome evolution; their precise characterization can provide insights into the origin and diversification of major lineages. Here, we examined gene family evolution of 1,154 genomes from nearly all known species in the medically and technologically important yeast subphylum Saccharomycotina. We found that yeast gene family and genome evolution are distinct from plants, animals, and filamentous ascomycetes and are characterized by small genome sizes and smaller gene numbers but larger gene family sizes. Faster-evolving lineages (FELs) in yeasts experienced significantly higher rates of gene losses—commensurate with a narrowing of metabolic niche breadth—but higher speciation rates than their slower-evolving sister lineages (SELs). Gene families most often lost are those involved in mRNA splicing, carbohydrate metabolism, and cell division and are likely associated with intron loss, metabolic breadth, and non-canonical cell cycle processes. Our results highlight the significant role of gene family contractions in the evolution of yeast metabolism, genome function, and speciation, and suggest that gene family evolutionary trajectories have differed markedly across major eukaryotic lineages.
Anin vitroassay of MCTS1-DENR-dependent re-initiation and ribosome profiling uncover the activity of MCTS2 and distinct function of eIF2D
Authors: Meurs Romane , De Matos Mara , Bothe Adrian , Guex Nicolas , Weber Tobias , Teleman Aurelio A. , Ban Nenad , Gatfield David 
Published: June 2024

AbstractRibosomes scanning from the mRNA 5′ cap to the start codon may initiate at upstream open reading frames (uORFs), decreasing protein biosynthesis. Termination at a uORF can lead to re-initiation, where the 40S subunit resumes scanning and initiates another translation event downstream. In mammals, the noncanonical translation factors MCTS1-DENR participate in re-initiation at specific uORFs, but knowledge of othertrans-acting factors and uORF features influencing re-initiation is limited. Here, we describe a cell-free re-initiation assay using HeLa cell lysates. Comparingin vivoandin vitrore-initiation activities on uORF-containing model reporters, we validate that MCTS1-DENR-dependent re-initiation is accurately recapitulatedin vitro. Using this system and ribosome profiling in cultured cells, we found that knockdown of the homolog eIF2D causes widespread gene expression deregulation unrelated to uORF translation, suggesting distinct functions from MCTS1-DENR. Additionally, we identified MCTS2, encoded by a retrogene copy ofMcts1, as an alternative DENR partner that promotes re-initiationin vitro, providing a plausible explanation for the striking clinical differences associated withDenrvs.Mcts1mutations in humans. Our findings on re-initiation and the new assay provide valuable insights and a powerful tool for future research on uORF features andtrans-acting factors.
Application of machine learning in a rodent malaria model for rapid, accurate, and consistent parasite counts
Authors: Yanik Sean , Yu Hang , Chaiyawong Nattawat , Adewale-Fasoro Opeoluwa , Dinis Luciana Ribeiro , Narayanasamy Ravi Kumar , Lee Elizabeth C. , Lubonja Ariel , Li Bowen , Jaeger Stefan , Srinivasan Prakash 
Published: June 2024

AbstractRodent malaria models serve as important preclinical antimalarial and vaccine testing tools. Evaluating treatment outcomes in these models often requires manually counting parasite-infected red blood cells (iRBCs), a time-consuming process, which can be inconsistent between individuals and labs. We have developed an easy-to-use machine learning (ML)-based software, Malaria Screener R, to expedite and standardize such studies by automating the counting ofPlasmodiumiRBCs in rodents. This software can process Giemsa-stained blood smear images captured by any camera-equipped microscope. It features an intuitive graphical user interface that facilitates image processing and visualization of the results. The software has been developed as a desktop application that processes images on standard Windows and Mac OS computers. A previous ML model created by the authors designed to countP. falciparum-infected human RBCs did not perform well countingPlasmodium-infected mouse RBCs. We leveraged that model by loading the pre-trained weights and training the algorithm with newly collected data to targetP. yoeliiandP. bergheimouse iRBCs. This new model reliably measured bothP. yoeliiandP. bergheiparasitemia (R2= 0.9916). Additional rounds of training data to incorporate variances due to length of Giemsa staining, microscopes etc, have produced a generalizable model, meeting WHO Competency Level 1 for the sub-category of parasite counting using independent microscopes. Reliable, automated analyses of blood-stage parasitemia will facilitate rapid and consistent evaluation of novel vaccines and antimalarials across labs in an easily accessiblein vivomalaria model.
Spatial Single-cell Analysis Decodes Cortical Layer and Area Specification
Authors: Qian Xuyu , Coleman Kyle , Jiang Shunzhou , Kriz Andrea J. , Marciano Jack H. , Luo Chunyu , Cai Chunhui , Manam Monica Devi , Caglayan Emre , Otani Aoi , Ghosh Urmi , Shao Diane D. , Andersen Rebecca E. , Neil Jennifer E. , Johnson Robert , LeFevre Alexandra , Hecht Jonathan L. , Miller Michael B. , Sun Liang , Stringer Carsen , Li Mingyao , Walsh Christopher A. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe human cerebral cortex, pivotal for advanced cognitive functions, is composed of six distinct layers and dozens of functionally specialized areas1,2. The layers and areas are distinguished both molecularly, by diverse neuronal and glial cell subtypes, and structurally, through intricate spatial organization3,4. While single-cell transcriptomics studies have advanced molecular characterization of human cortical development, a critical gap exists due to the loss of spatial context during cell dissociation5,6,7,8. Here, we utilized multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH)9, augmented with deep-learning-based cell segmentation, to examine the molecular, cellular, and cytoarchitectural development of human fetal cortex with spatially resolved single-cell resolution. Our extensive spatial atlas, encompassing 16 million single cells, spans eight cortical areas across four time points in the second and third trimesters. We uncovered an early establishment of the six-layer structure, identifiable in the laminar distribution of excitatory neuronal subtypes by mid-gestation, long before the emergence of cytoarchitectural layers. Notably, while anterior-posterior gradients of neuronal subtypes were generally observed in most cortical areas, a striking exception was the sharp molecular border between primary (V1) and secondary visual cortices (V2) at gestational week 20. Here we discovered an abrupt binary shift in neuronal subtype specification at the earliest stages, challenging the notion that continuous morphogen gradients dictate mid-gestation cortical arealization6,10. Moreover, integrating single-nuclei RNA-sequencing and in situ whole transcriptomics revealed an early upregulation of synaptogenesis in V1-specific Layer 4 neurons, suggesting a role of synaptogenesis in this discrete border formation. Collectively, our findings underscore the crucial role of spatial relationships in determining the molecular specification of cortical layers and areas. This work not only provides a valuable resource for the field, but also establishes a spatially resolved single-cell analysis paradigm that paves the way for a comprehensive developmental atlas of the human brain.
Flat-band engineering of quasi-one-dimensional systems via supersymmetric transformations
Authors: Jakubský V. , Zelaya K. 
Published: June 2024

We introduce a systematic method to spectrally design quasi-one-dimensional crystal models described by the Dirac equation in the low-energy regime. The method is based on the supersymmetric transformation applied to an initially known pseudo-spin-1/2 model. This allows one to extend the corresponding supersymmetric partner so that the new model describes a pseudo-spin-1 system. The spectral design allows the introduction of a flat band and discrete energies at will into the new model. The results are illustrated in three examples where the Su-Schriefer-Heeger chain is locally converted into a stub lattice.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
How the UTAUT motivates consumers' continuous use of green FinTech: the moderation effect of consumer social responsibility and long-term orientation
Authors: Lin Rong-Rong , Lee Jung-Chieh 
Published: June 2024

PurposeGreen financial technology (FinTech) has received attention for promoting green finance investment and sustainable development. However, how consumer social responsibility and long-term orientation influence the continuance intention of green FinTech users remains unknown in the literature. To fill this gap, consumer social responsibility and long-term orientation are combined with the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology to develop a research model to investigate their moderating effects on the continuance intention of green FinTech users.Design/methodology/approachA random probability sampling method was adopted, and 377 valid responses were collected to verify the proposed model. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed for the data analysis.FindingsPerformance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions have significant positive impacts on the continuance intentions of green FinTech users. Surprisingly, consumer social responsibility enhances the effects of performance expectancy and social influence on continuance intention but negatively moderates the effect of facilitating conditions on continuance intention. Moreover, a long-term orientation can increase the impact of facilitating conditions on continuance intention but decrease the impact of performance expectancy on continuance intention.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a research model that reveals how consumer social responsibility and long-term orientation moderate the relationship between the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and the continuance intention of green FinTech users to fill a gap in the literature.
M&M: accelerating and re-energising its SUV business in India
Authors: Gupta Praveen , Mittal Rajkumari , Dayal Smita 
Published: June 2024

Learning outcomes
This case study will help students of business management learn the dynamics of strategic decision-making frameworks in a competitive market. After working through the case and assignment questions, the students will be able to understand the 5C framework for strategic decision-making in the context of sports utility vehicles (SUV) segment of Indian automobile industry; identify the opportunities and challenges of the competitive SUV market for long-term survival and growth; and devise a suitable strategic plan incorporating the factors which drive the change in the dynamic automobile industry.

Case overview/synopsis
The case study talks about the dilemma faced by Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), a subsidiary of Mahindra Group. M&M, one of the leading auto manufacturers and pioneers of SUVs in India, has been facing a storm across its business in the past few years. While M&M is making a concerted effort to go back on the road to success, its rivals are not standing idly either. Consumer behaviour towards the purchase of cars is changing at a fast pace, and sales of utility vehicles have surpassed the sales of passenger vehicles in the recent past. M&M, whose work culture is a blend of being friendly and performance-oriented to “Rise”, is prepared to take advantage of any opportunity presented by shifting market trends. Following the 10% increase in SUV registrations in 2023, the business is making many attempts to reclaim the ground it is losing in the Indian market. After dropping from its highest position of 53% in FY 2012 to 15% in FY 2021, M&M’s market share increased to 18% in FY 2023. M&M launched a new logo for its SUV portfolio in August 2021 and launched many SUVs back-to-back, such as Thar, Bolero, XUV700 and Scorpion-N, to face the competition. In 2023, M&M chartered the first position in SUVs by revenue, with a market share of 19.1% and ready for 2024 with six new SUVs. The way M&M performed in 2023 is evidence of its primary objective, which is to offer authentic SUVs to lead the SUV market in revenue share. However, there are still many obstacles in the way. When consumers have so many options from rivals such as Hyundai, KIA Motors and TATA Motors, would it be easy for M&M to bring back its SUVs to the market?

Complexity academic level
The case study is designed for use in a postgraduate-level course in the subjects – strategic management/marketing management. The case study provides an opportunity to discuss how a company can create a unique selling proposition for its product to sustain its growth in a competitive market, when consumers have so many options from rivals.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy
Perspectives of accounting professionals about the adoption of IFRS for SMEs: the case of Romania
Authors: Marina Alexandra-Gabriela , Tiron-Tudor Adriana 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThe aim of the study is to highlight the perspectives of accounting professionals in Romania on adopting a single set of financial reporting standards for small and medium-sized entities (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThe study included a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. A qualitative approach was employed to examine the perspectives of accounting professionals on their inclination toward international standards for SMEs or national regulations. The quantitative approach involved doing content analysis on interviews to provide empirical support for the implementation of these standards in a national context.FindingsRomanian accounting professionals want an improvement in financial reporting, but not necessarily through the use of an international standard. And although the level of convergence between the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) for SMEs and national regulations is medium, it is not desirable to apply an international financial reporting standard for SMEs.Originality/valueThis study stands out as one of the few papers that delve into the perspectives of accounting professionals about adopting IFRS for SMEs in a specific country, offering a unique and engaging perspective.