bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bone health, cardiovascular disease, and imaging outcomes in UK Biobank: a causal analysis
Authors: Condurache Dorina-Gabriela , D’Angelo Stefania , Salih Ahmed M , Szabo Liliana , McCracken Celeste , Mahmood Adil , Curtis Elizabeth M , Altmann Andre , Petersen Steffen E , Harvey Nicholas C , Raisi-Estabragh Zahra 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This study examined the association of estimated heel bone mineral density (eBMD, derived from quantitative ultrasound) with: (1) prevalent and incident cardiovascular diseases (CVDs: ischemic heart disease (IHD), myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), arrhythmia), (2) mortality (all-cause, CVD, IHD), and (3) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) measures of left ventricular and atrial structure and function and aortic distensibility, in the UK Biobank. Clinical outcomes were ascertained using health record linkage over 12.3 yr of prospective follow-up. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was conducted to assess causal associations between BMD and CMR metrics using genetic instrumental variables identified from published genome-wide association studies. The analysis included 485 257 participants (55% women, mean age 56.5 ± 8.1 yr). Higher heel eBMD was associated with lower odds of all prevalent CVDs considered. The greatest magnitude of effect was seen in association with HF and NICM, where 1-SD increase in eBMD was associated with 15% lower odds of HF and 16% lower odds of NICM. Association between eBMD and incident IHD and MI was non-significant; the strongest relationship was with incident HF (SHR: 0.90 [95% CI, 0.89–0.92]). Higher eBMD was associated with a decreased risk in all-cause, CVD, and IHD mortality, in the fully adjusted model. Higher eBMD was associated with greater aortic distensibility; associations with other CMR metrics were null. Higher heel eBMD is linked to reduced risk of a range of prevalent and incident CVD and mortality outcomes. Although observational analyses suggest associations between higher eBMD and greater aortic compliance, MR analysis did not support a causal relationship between genetically predicted BMD and CMR phenotypes. These findings support the notion that bone-cardiovascular associations reflect shared risk factors/mechanisms rather than direct causal pathways.
Noncompete agreements in a rigid labor market: the case of Italy
Authors: Boeri Tito , Garnero Andrea , Luisetto Lorenzo G 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Noncompete agreements limiting the mobility of workers have been found to be widespread in the United States, a flexible and lightly regulated labor market. We explore the use of noncompete agreements in a rigid and highly regulated labor market, where labor mobility is low, and the labor market is highly regulated via legislation and collective bargaining. Based on a novel survey of Italian workers and an analysis of the regulatory framework, our study shows how trends and patterns in the use of noncompete agreements are not specific to a flexible labor market. Even in a rigid and highly regulated labor market, noncompete agreements are widespread, and often do not comply with the minimum legal requirements, and yet workers are not aware of their enforceability. This suggests that institutions and labor market regulations are not enough per se, especially when targeted groups are not properly informed, and incentives to comply are minimal.
Conquering illusions: Don Quixote and the educational significance of the novel
Authors: Koopal Wiebe , Oliverio Stefano 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
In this article we want to rethink the educational significance of the novel from the perspective of a ‘metanovelistic’ reading of Don Quixote, often acclaimed as the ‘first modern novel’. Our point of departure is two-fold: on the one hand, there is the controversial contemporary phenomenon of de-reading, and all the educational discussions it entails; on the other hand, there is the existing tradition of literary education, which has already extensively reflected upon the (moral, epistemological, ontological) relations between novel reading, education, and subjectification, but which perhaps also has exhausted its means for doing so. To problematize this double starting point in a new way, we propose to revisit the ‘origins’ of the (Western) novel and novel reading, at the dawn of modernity. Exploring the differences between the narratives of subjectification represented by the Cartesian cogito and Cervantes’ Don Quixote—which were near-contemporaries—we strongly argue for an educational–philosophical rehabilitation of the latter. In a first movement, and in dialogue with novelists Milan Kundera and Carlos Fuentes, we do so by focusing on the novel as a particular form or configuration of knowledge—one that is by nature experimental and pluralist. In a second movement, we link this to Jean Baudrillard’s famous distinction between ‘simulation’ and ‘illusion’, claiming that novel reading qua educational subjectification always involves a quixotic practice of adventurous, ‘playful’, and public negotiation between reality and its more or less illusory alternatives.
Melanoma – goes where it wants and does what it pleases. A case report of primary gastric melanoma
Authors: Corbitt Matthew , Vyas Vipul , Beardsley Christian J 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Melanoma is a common global cancer, however, extracutaneous forms are most often from metastasis. Primary extracutaneous forms are rare, with primary gastric melanoma exceedingly so, with approximately only 50 cases reported worldwide in the literature. The mainstay of management is surgical resection with minimal data on adjuvant therapy. Its prognosis remains poor due to its aggressive behaviour and late presentation. Our case demonstrates a primary gastric melanoma presenting with gastric perforation requiring emergency operative management.
Heterotopic ossification postsuperficial medial collateral ligament pie-crusting: a case report
Authors: Aldhilan Mansour M , Alshahrani Abdullah H , Almogbil Ismail H 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tears are common among sports injuries. There are different techniques for addressing anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tears, with distinct indications, advantages, and disadvantages. We present the case of a 23-year-old male who underwent right anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and posterior horn medial meniscus repair using an all-inside technique via superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) pie-crusting. Clinical examination and radiological investigations a few months later identified calcifications on the medial side of the right knee. We diagnosed the patient with heterotopic ossification post-sMCL pie-crusting; no apparent causal factors were present. To our knowledge, there have been no documented instances of heterotopic ossification following sMCL pie-crusting. In conclusion, heterotopic ossification may occur after sMCL pie-crusting; further studies are needed on this subject.
Anal extrusion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in a 1-month-old patient: a case report
Authors: Kencana I Gusti Ketut Agung Surya , Maliawan Sri , Lauren Christopher , Adityawarma Anak Agung Ngurah Agung Harawikrama , Japardi Denny 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedure represents a frequently conducted neurosurgical intervention; nevertheless, it harbors inherent risks that can precipitate complications in patients. Intestinal perforation accompanied by distal shunt protrusion through the anus is an uncommon phenomenon, observed in ~0.1% to 0.7% of cases, with mortality rates reaching up to 15%. Timely identification and comprehensive management of such complications are imperative to prevent further deterioration of the patient’s condition. Herein, we present a case involving a 1-month-old female infant who presented with a tube protruding from the anal orifice. Immediate surgical intervention was undertaken to remove the distal shunt and prevent further infection in the patient.
Olive reproductive biology: implications for yield, compatibility conundrum, and environmental constraints
Authors: Bashir Muhammad Ajmal , Bertamini Massimo , Gottardini Elena , Grando Maria Stella , Faralli Michele 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Olive (Olea europaea L.) is an important Mediterranean tree species with a longstanding history of cultivation, boasting a diverse array of local cultivars. While traditional olive orchards are valued for their cultural and aesthetic significance, they often face economic sustainability challenges in the modern context. The success of both traditional and newly introduced cultivars (e.g. those obtained by cross-breeding) is hindered by self-incompatibility, a prevalent issue for this species that results in low fruit set when limited genetic diversity is present. Further, biological, environmental, and agronomic factors have been shown to interlink in shaping fertilization patterns, hence impacting on the final yield. Climatic conditions during pollination, such as excessive rainfall or high temperatures, can further exacerbate the problem. In this work, we provide an overview of the various factors that trigger the phenomenon of suboptimal fruit set in olive trees. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of the interplay among these factors, shedding light on potential mechanisms and pathways that contribute to the observed outcomes in the context of self-incompatibility in olive.
Cortical parenchyma wall width regulates root metabolic cost and maize performance under suboptimal water availability
Authors: Sidhu Jagdeep Singh , Lopez-Valdivia Ivan , Strock Christopher F , Schneider Hannah M , Lynch Jonathan P 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
We describe how increased root cortical parenchyma wall width (CPW) can improve tolerance to drought stress in maize by reducing the metabolic costs of soil exploration. Significant variation (1.0–5.0 µm) for CPW was observed in maize germplasm. The functional–structural model RootSlice predicts that increasing CPW from 2 µm to 4 µm is associated with a ~15% reduction in root cortical cytoplasmic volume, respiration rate, and nitrogen content. Analysis of genotypes with contrasting CPW grown with and without water stress in the field confirms that increased CPW is correlated with an ~32–42% decrease in root respiration. Under water stress in the field, increased CPW is correlated with 125% increased stomatal conductance, 325% increased leaf CO2 assimilation rate, 73–78% increased shoot biomass, and 92–108% increased yield. CPW was correlated with leaf mesophyll midrib parenchyma wall width, indicating pleiotropy. Genome-wide association study analysis identified candidate genes underlying CPW. OpenSimRoot modeling predicts that a reduction in root respiration due to increased CPW would also benefit maize growth under suboptimal nitrogen, which requires empirical testing. We propose CPW as a new phene that has utility under edaphic stress meriting further investigation.
Interplay of light and abscisic acid signaling to modulate plant development
Authors: Mahapatra Kalyan , Dwivedi Shubhi , Mukherjee Arpan , Pradhan Ajar Anupam , Rao Kavuri Venkateswara , Singh Deeksha , Bhagavatula Lavanya , Datta Sourav 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Exogenous light cues and the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) regulate several aspects of plant growth and development. In recent years, the role of crosstalk between the light and ABA signaling pathways in regulating different physiological processes has become increasingly evident. This includes regulation of germination and early seedling development, control of stomatal development and conductance, growth, and development of roots, buds, and branches, and regulation of flowering. Light and ABA signaling cascades have various convergence points at both DNA and protein levels. The molecular crosstalk involves several light signaling factors such as HY5, COP1, PIFs, and BBXs that integrate with ABA signaling components such as the PYL receptors and ABI5. In particular, ABI5 and PIF4 promoters are key ‘hotspots’ for integrating these two pathways. Plants acquired both light and ABA signaling pathways before they colonized land almost 500 million years ago. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the interplay of light and ABA signaling regulating plant development and provide an overview of the evolution of these two pathways.
Glutathione: a key modulator of plant defence and metabolism through multiple mechanisms
Authors: Noctor Graham , Cohen Mathias , Trémulot Lug , Châtel-Innocenti Gilles , Van Breusegem Frank , Mhamdi Amna 
Published: April 2024

AbstractRedox reactions are fundamental to energy conversion in living cells, and also determine and tune responses to the environment. Within this context, the tripeptide glutathione plays numerous roles. As an important antioxidant, glutathione confers redox stability on the cell and also acts as an interface between signalling pathways and metabolic reactions that fuel growth and development. It also contributes to the assembly of cell components, biosynthesis of sulfur-containing metabolites, inactivation of potentially deleterious compounds, and control of hormonal signalling intensity. The multiplicity of these roles probably explains why glutathione status has been implicated in influencing plant responses to many different conditions. In particular, there is now a considerable body of evidence showing that glutathione is a crucial player in governing the outcome of biotic stresses. This review provides an overview of glutathione synthesis, transport, degradation, and redox turnover in plants. It examines the expression of genes associated with these processes during pathogen challenge and related conditions, and considers the diversity of mechanisms by which glutathione can influence protein function and gene expression.
The survival and entrainment of molecules and dust in galactic winds
Authors: Chen Zirui , Oh S Peng 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
Recent years have seen excellent progress in modelling the entrainment of T ∼ 104 K atomic gas in galactic winds. However, the entrainment of cool, dusty T ∼ 10–100 K molecular gas, which is also observed outflowing at high velocity, is much less understood. Such gas, which can be 105 times denser than the hot wind, appears extremely difficult to entrain. We run 3D wind-tunnel simulations with photoionization self-shielding and evolve thermal dust sputtering and growth. Unlike almost all such simulations to date, we do not enforce any artificial temperature floor. We find efficient molecular gas formation and entrainment, as well as dust survival and growth through accretion. Key to this success is the formation of large amounts of 104 K atomic gas via mixing, which acts as a protective ‘bubble wrap’ and reduces the cloud overdensity to χ ∼ 100. This can be understood from the ratio of the mixing to cooling time. Before entrainment, when shear is large, tmix/tcool ≲ 1, and gas cannot cool below the ‘cooling bottleneck’ at 5000 K. Thus, the cloud survival criterion is identical to the well-studied purely atomic case. After entrainment, when shear falls, tmix/tcool &gt; 1, and the cloud becomes multiphase, with comparable molecular and atomic masses. The broad temperature PDF, with abundant gas in the formally unstable $50 \, {\rm K} \lt T \lt 5000 \, {\rm K}$ range, agrees with previous ISM simulations with driven turbulence and radiative cooling. Our findings have implications for dusty molecular gas in stellar and active galactic nuclei outflows, cluster filaments, ‘jellyfish’ galaxies, and asymptomatic giant branch winds.
Time-varying double-peaked emission lines following the sudden ignition of the dormant galactic nucleus AT2017bcc
Authors: Ridley E J , Nicholl M , Ward C A , Blanchard P K , Chornock R , Fraser M , Gomez S , Mattila S , Oates S R , Pratten G , Runnoe J C , Schmidt P , Alexander K D , Gromadzki M , Lawrence A , Reynolds T M , Smith K W , Wyrzykowski Ł , Aamer A , Anderson J P , Benetti S , Berger E , de Boer T , Chambers K C , Chen T -W , Gao H , Gutiérrez C P , Inserra C , Kangas T , Leloudas G , Magnier E A , Makrygianni L , Moore T , Müller-Bravo T E , Smartt S J , Sokolovsky K V , Wainscoat R , Young D R 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
We present a pan-chromatic study of AT2017bcc, a nuclear transient that was discovered in 2017 within the skymap of a reported burst-like gravitational-wave candidate, G274296. It was initially classified as a superluminous supernova, and then reclassified as a candidate tidal disruption event. Its optical light curve has since shown ongoing variability with a structure function consistent with that of an active galactic nucleus, however, earlier data show no variability for at least 10 yr prior to the outburst in 2017. The spectrum shows complex profiles in the broad Balmer lines: a central component with a broad-blue wing, and a boxy component with time-variable blue and red shoulders. The H α emission profile is well modelled using a circular accretion disc component, and a blue-shifted double Gaussian which may indicate a partially obscured outflow. Weak narrow lines, together with the previously flat light curve, suggest that this object represents a dormant galactic nucleus which has recently been re-activated. Our time-series modelling of the Balmer lines suggests that this is connected to a disturbance in the disc morphology, and we speculate this could involve a sudden violent event such as a tidal disruption event involving the central supermassive black hole, though this cannot be confirmed, and given an estimated black hole mass of ≳ 107–108 M⊙ instabilities in an existing disc may be more likely. Although we find that the redshifts of AT2017bcc (z = 0.13) and G274296 (z &gt; 0.42) are inconsistent, this event adds to the growing diversity of both nuclear transients and multimessenger contaminants.
Pred-O3, a web server to predict molecules, olfactory receptors and odor relationships
Authors: Ollitrault Guillaume , Achebouche Rayane , Dreux Antoine , Murail Samuel , Audouze Karine , Tromelin Anne , Taboureau Olivier 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The sense of smell is a biological process involving volatile molecules that interact with proteins called olfactory receptors to transmit a nervous message that allows the recognition of a perceived odor. However, the relationships between odorant molecules, olfactory receptors and odors (O3) are far from being well understood due to the combinatorial olfactory codes and large family of olfactory receptors. This is the reason why, based on 5802 odorant molecules and their annotations to 863 olfactory receptors (human) and 7029 odors and flavors annotations, a web server called Pred-O3 has been designed to provide insights into olfaction. Predictive models based on Artificial Intelligence have been developed allowing to suggest olfactory receptors and odors associated with a new molecule. In addition, based on the encoding of the odorant molecule's structure, physicochemical features related to odors and/or olfactory receptors are proposed. Finally, based on the structural models of the 98 olfactory receptors a systematic docking protocol can be applied and suggest if a molecule can bind or not to an olfactory receptor. Therefore, Pred-O3 is well suited to aid in the design of new odorant molecules and assist in fragrance research and sensory neuroscience. Pred-O3 is accessible at ‘ https://odor.rpbs.univ-paris-diderot.fr/’.
Structural and biochemical characterization of the mitomycin C repair exonuclease MrfB
Authors: Manthei Kelly A , Munson Lia M , Nandakumar Jayakrishnan , Simmons Lyle A 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Mitomycin C (MMC) repair factor A (mrfA) and factor B (mrfB), encode a conserved helicase and exonuclease that repair DNA damage in the soil-dwelling bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Here we have focused on the characterization of MrfB, a DEDDh exonuclease in the DnaQ superfamily. We solved the structure of the exonuclease core of MrfB to a resolution of 2.1 Å, in what appears to be an inactive state. In this conformation, a predicted α-helix containing the catalytic DEDDh residue Asp172 adopts a random coil, which moves Asp172 away from the active site and results in the occupancy of only one of the two catalytic Mg2+ ions. We propose that MrfB resides in this inactive state until it interacts with DNA to become activated. By comparing our structure to an AlphaFold prediction as well as other DnaQ-family structures, we located residues hypothesized to be important for exonuclease function. Using exonuclease assays we show that MrfB is a Mg2+-dependent 3′–5′ DNA exonuclease. We show that Leu113 aids in coordinating the 3′ end of the DNA substrate, and that a basic loop is important for substrate binding. This work provides insight into the function of a recently discovered bacterial exonuclease important for the repair of MMC-induced DNA adducts.
The ABCF proteins in Escherichia coli individually cope with ‘hard-to-translate’ nascent peptide sequences
Authors: Chadani Yuhei , Yamanouchi Shun , Uemura Eri , Yamasaki Kohei , Niwa Tatsuya , Ikeda Toma , Kurihara Miku , Iwasaki Wataru , Taguchi Hideki 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Organisms possess a wide variety of proteins with diverse amino acid sequences, and their synthesis relies on the ribosome. Empirical observations have led to the misconception that ribosomes are robust protein factories, but in reality, they have several weaknesses. For instance, ribosomes stall during the translation of the proline-rich sequences, but the elongation factor EF-P assists in synthesizing proteins containing the poly-proline sequences. Thus, living organisms have evolved to expand the translation capability of ribosomes through the acquisition of translation elongation factors. In this study, we have revealed that Escherichia coli ATP-Binding Cassette family-F (ABCF) proteins, YheS, YbiT, EttA and Uup, individually cope with various problematic nascent peptide sequences within the exit tunnel. The correspondence between noncanonical translations and ABCFs was YheS for the translational arrest by nascent SecM, YbiT for poly-basic sequence-dependent stalling and poly-acidic sequence-dependent intrinsic ribosome destabilization (IRD), EttA for IRD at the early stage of elongation, and Uup for poly-proline-dependent stalling. Our results suggest that ATP hydrolysis-coupled structural rearrangement and the interdomain linker sequence are pivotal for handling ‘hard-to-translate’ nascent peptides. Our study highlights a new aspect of ABCF proteins to reduce the potential risks that are encoded within the nascent peptide sequences.