bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Centromere protection requires strict mitotic inactivation of the Bloom syndrome helicase complex
Authors: Chan Kok-Lung , Fernández-Casañas María , Karanika Eleftheria , Olukoga Tomisin , Herbert Alex , Aliyaskarova Umit , Day Matthew 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The BTRR (BLM/TOP3A/RMI1/RMI2) complex resolves various DNA replication and recombination intermediates to suppress genome instability. Alongside PICH, they target mitotic DNA intertwinements, known as ultrafine DNA bridges, facilitating chromosome segregation. Both BLM and PICH undergo transient mitotic hyper-phosphorylation, but the biological significance of this remains elusive. Here, we uncover that during early mitosis, multiple protein kinases act together to strictly constrain the BTRR complex for the protection of centromeres. Mechanistically, CDK1 destabilises the complex and suppresses its association with PICH at the chromatin underneath kinetochores. Inactivating the BLM and TOP3A interaction compromises the UFB-binding complex mitotic functions and can prevent centromere destruction. We further unravel how different clusters of mitotic phosphorylation on BLM affect its interaction with the TOP3A/RMI1/RMI2 subcomplex and illegitimate centromere unwinding. Furthermore, we identify specific phosphorylation sites targeted by the MPS1-PLK1 axis functioning to prevent BLM hyper-activation at centromeres. Notably, unleashing such activity after sister-chromatid cohesion loss facilitates separation of entangled chromosomes. Together, our study defines a centromere protection pathway in human mitotic cells, heavily reliant on a tight spatiotemporal control of the BTRR complex.
Probing Mechanism of Rhodamine B Decolorization under Homogeneous Conditions via pH-Controlled Photocatalysis with Anionic Porphyrin
Authors: Lesniewicz Aleksandra , Lewandowska-Andralojc Anna 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Porphyrins are acknowledged for their efficacy as photosensitizers and show potential for the treatment of water contaminated with diverse dyes. This research emphasizes the use of meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) as a photosensitizer for purifying water contaminated with rhodamine B. Investigations were conducted under homogeneous conditions using visible light irradiation, revealing the efficacy of the porphyrin in the decolorization of rhodamine B strongly depends on pH of the solution. This study demonstrated that within 120 minutes, the decolorization process rapidly removed about 95% of RhB at an initial pH of 3.0, while at pH 6.0, the removal rate was significantly lower, at only 12%. An extensive photophysical study of the TPPS was carried out at pH 6.0 and pH 3.0 including absorption and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet absorption spectra, triplet lifetimes, triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields in order to explain difference in the efficiency of RhB discoloration. A thorough investigation into mechanism revealed that neither reactive oxygen species nor singlet oxygen played a role in RhB decolorization within this system. Instead, the predominant route was found to be the electron transfer from photoexcited TPPS to RhB, followed by proton transfer at pH 3.0, leading to the generation of a colorless leuco form. Schematic illustration of RhB decolorization by TSPP at pH = 3.0.
Assessment of microalgae diversity in relation to hydrocarbon pollutants in port sediments: Case study of Sfax port-Tunisia
Authors: Feki Nesma , Keskes Fatma Abdmouleh , Chaabane Asma , Affouri Hassene 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The present research has been particularly oriented to characterize the organic pollutants as phthalates, hydrocarbons and in Sfax port sediments. As the microalgae performed good results in their bioaccumulation and biodegradation, the microalgae species in both port sediments and column waters were counted and identified. Di-n-butyl phthalate, Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate as well as aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were identified through GC-MS chromatograms released on sediment extracts of three samples taken from the Sfax port basins located on the eastern Tunisian coast. Microalgae identification and cell counts of sediment samples as well as water columns were performed applying the sedimentation method of Utermöhl. The chromatograms revealed developed peaks of phthalates compared to those of aliphatic hydrocarbons with successive humps corresponding to an unresolved complex mixture, corroborating an advanced degree of biodegradation. The n-alkanes distribution and the development of the bb-epimers of C27 − 29 steranes proved the petrogenic hydrocarbons origin. This result was equally confirmed by the ratio of fluoranthene and pyrene PAHs concentrations. The hydrocarbons degradation was assigned to the relative abundance of certain microalgae species, already recognized to degrade hydrocarbons pollutants such as diatoms Skeletonema costatum and Nitzschia sp.. The proliferation of toxic dinoflagellates as Karenia selliformis enhanced the high pollution degree of port sediments. Whereas other microalgae species displaying high abundance in port sediments, revealed their capacities to degrade organic matter and PAHs. The microalgae-cyanobacteria consortium as Pinnularia sp.- Merismopedia sp. seemed to display a powerful tolerance to both trace metals and organic pollutants.
Genomic Insights into Gestational Weight Gain: Uncovering Tissue-Specific Mechanisms and Pathways
Authors: Jasper Elizabeth , Hellwege Jacklyn , Greene Catherine , Edwards Todd L , Edwards Digna Velez 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Increasing gestational weight gain (GWG) is linked to adverse outcomes in pregnant persons and their children. The Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium identified previously genetic variants that could contribute to early, late, and total GWG from fetal and maternal genomes. However, the biologic mechanisms and tissue-specificity of these variants in GWG is unknown. We evaluated the association between genetically predicted gene expression in five relevant maternal (subcutaneous and visceral adipose, breast, uterus, and whole blood) from GTEx (v7) and fetal (placenta) tissues and early, late, and total GWG using S-PrediXcan. We tested enrichment of pre-defined biological pathways for nominally (P < 0.05) significant associations using the GENE2FUNC module from Functional Mapping and Annotation of Genome-Wide Association Studies. After multiple testing correction, we did not find significant associations between maternal and fetal gene expression and early, late, or total GWG. There was significant enrichment of several biological pathways, including metabolic processes, secretion, and intracellular transport, among nominally significant genes from the maternal analyses (false discovery rate p-values: 0.016 to 9.37x10⁻⁶). Enriched biological pathways varied across pregnancy. Though additional research is necessary, these results indicate that diverse biological pathways are likely to impact GWG, with their influence varying by tissue and weeks of gestation.
An emphasis on responsibility provides a competitive advantage in trade: The ESG performance and export of Chinese listed companies
Authors: Hu Yang , Wang Kui , Zhou Jing , Hu Feng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Currently, countries worldwide are giving increasing attention to environmental and social sustainability. An emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and the resulting ESG advantage could improve their export competitiveness and give them an edge. In this study, the 2010–2016 data for Chinese listed companies are used to investigate the impact of ESG performance on enterprise exports. The results show that ESG performance significantly improves enterprise export performance; furthermore, the corresponding promoting effect on general trade, final goods, and clean products exports is greater. Mechanistic analysis shows that catering to the ESG preferences of consumers in the destination country, reversing market reputation disadvantages of the exporting country, and overcoming institutional access barriers and information barriers in the destination country are the internal mechanisms by which ESG performance affects enterprise exports. Further analysis shows that ESG initiatives can help enterprises gain export competitive advantages via a quality competition strategy.
JEL: F10; F18; M14
AI spatio-temporal prediction of industrial heritage land-use influenced by dynamic passenger flow at metro stations
Authors: Fei Fu , Ke Chen , Fangzhou Tian , Liwei Lin , Can Du 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Efficient land development in megacities’ industrial heritage areas is heavily influenced by the influx of mass passenger flows from new subway stations. To address this, we developed a dynamic passenger flow-oriented land use prediction model of subway stations. This model iterates a simulation model for dynamic passenger flow based on tourists and residents with an artificial neural network for land-use prediction. By enhancing the Kappa coefficient to 0.86, our model accurately simulated pedestrian flow density from stations to streets. We conducted experiments to predict inefficient land-use scenarios and compared them with the current state in national industrial heritage areas. The results demonstrated that the AnyLogic-Markov-FLUS Coupled Model outperformed expert experience in objectively assessing dynamic passenger flow impacts on the carrying capacity of old city neighborhoods during peak and off-peak periods at subway stations. This model can assist in resilient urban space planning and decision making regarding mixed land use.
Development and validation of a risk identification model for frailty in stroke survivors: A new evidence from CHARLS
Authors: Wang Jia xian , Kwan Rick Yiu Cho , Suen Lorna Kwai Ping , Lam Simon Ching , Liu Ning 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Stroke survivors combined with frailty have high rates of complications, mortality, disability, and readmission. Given that frailty is an early stage of disability that is reversible and preventable, a reliable frailty risk identification model should be developed. This study aimed to develop and validate a stroke frailty risk identification model using information collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database.
Methods
Data were obtained from the CHARLS. Stroke survivors were selected from the database and analyzed for 30 relevant indicators, including socio-demographic variables, physical status, psychological, cognitive, and social factors. The data were divided by year, with 2013 and 2015 as the development set and 2018 and 2020 as the validation set. Screening was performed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses. Logistic regression risk identification models were developed based on the results of univariate analyses and LASSO variable screening. Factors associated with frailty in stroke survivors were explored and identified. A nomogram was constructed for modelling risk identification. Calibration curves and decision curve analysis were used to determine the fit of the model and test the discriminatory power of that model, respectively.
Findings
A total of 2,188 stroke survivors from the CHARLS database collected at follow-up in 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020 were included in the final analysis. About 68% stroke survivors had symptoms of frailty. We found statistically significant differences in age, marital status, living alone, hypertension, and self-reported health status (all with p < 0.05). Age, sleep quality, balance, nervousness and anxiety, and living alone were independent risk factors for the development of frailty in older stroke survivors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the column line graph for the development and validation sets was 0.833 and 0.838, respectively.
Interpretation:
Frailty risk identification models for stoke survivors built using CHARLS data have better discriminatory performance than models built using raw data collected from small samples in the literature. Thus, this work has an implication for the clinical practice of identifying those high-risk populations for frailty.
Gut microbiota, inflammatory cytokines and gastro-esophageal reflux disease: a Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Wang Qilin , Ma Shenghui , Liu Mengjie , Tao Yu , Sun Zhiguang 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Gut microbiota has been recognized as an extrahepatic manifestation of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in observational studies. However, the directionality and causality of the association and whether cytokines act as a mediator remain unclear. We aim to estimate the casual relationship between gut microbiota, inflammatory cytokines and GERD using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method.
Methods: Gut microbiota, cytokines, and GERD were identified using summary data from the genome-wide association studies and the FinnGen consortium. The primary method for causal estimation was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) approach, complemented by a range of sensitivity analyses aimed at assessing heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, and the robustness of the findings. Furthermore, mediation analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between gut microbiota and GERD, with five cytokines, and to calculate the mediated proportions.
Results: We found three positive and three negative causal associations observed between genetic predisposition in gut microbiota and GERD. Additionally, two positive and three negative causal associations were identified between cytokines and GERD. Our analysis unveiled that TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand levels (TRAIL) mediated the causal relationships between the genera Family XIII UCG001 and Senegalimassilia, and GERD.
Conclusion: We identified causal effects between six bacterial traits, five inflammatory cytokines, and GERD. Notably, we furnished causal evidence linking TRAIL levels to a substantial proportion of the risk attributed to genus Family XIII UCG001 and genus Senegalimassilia, thereby mediating the risk of GERD. These findings offer novel avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting individuals with GERD.
Level of Evidence: 3
Evaluation of the impact of short term manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) training program on trainees with varying prior surgical experience using International Council of Ophthalmology- Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubrics (ICO-OSCAR)
Authors: R Sankarananthan , Prasad Senthil , Paul Anu , Koshy Tony Alex , Nagu Kamatchi , Raman Ramalakshmi , Shekhar Madhu 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To assess the learning curve of MSICS in three different groups of trainees with varying prior MSICS experience. To evaluate the effectiveness of ICO OSCAR for objective assessment of surgical skill transfer.
Methods
Ninety-five MSICS trainees were divided into three groups as 1st year resident, fellow and external trainee. Each group were evaluated for their surgical skill acquisition during one month MSICS training program using ICO-OSCAR. Each trainee performed an average of 19 surgeries. The progress in the learning curve of the three groups of trainees was analyzed by evaluating the mean scores in sets of five consecutive cases. Complications during the training period were also noted.
Results
The study evaluated a total of 1842 cases. The fellows and external trainees, with prior MSICS experience, had an initial mean score of 57.57 ± 16.16 and 56.86 ± 17.82 respectively, whereas the 1st year resident group had a relatively low initial mean score of 45.91(p = 0.009). The difference in mean scores between the 1st year resident group and other groups significantly reduced towards the end of training. The most common complications made by 1st year residents were in sclero-corneal tunnel construction. The external trainee group had statistically significant higher rates of zonular dialysis in the study.
Conclusions
ICO-OSCAR is an effective tool for assessing MSICS training program. Structured short term MSICS surgical training program is effective in surgical skill transfer, especially in novice surgeons.
New Unit Dot Product Similarity Method and Parallelized Greedy Soup Algorithm in The End-to-end Automatic Speech Recognition
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Zifan , Sun Yiming , Chen Chunyi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel similarity calculation method, called unit dot product similarity method. The proposed method restricts the denominator by the sum of vector modulus. Compared with traditional dot product similarity calculation method, the proposed method can maintain the similarity of equally scaled vector and obtain the bounded similarity result. We develop and compare the proposed method in the attention-based encoder decoder structure. The proposed method brings the recognition results further improvement. For the end-to-end speech recognition model, we select greedy soup instead of the average model parameters in WeNet. A dynamic parallel greedy soup optimization algorithm is proposed to increase computational speed. The experiments show the importance of proposed method and optimization algorithm. The effectiveness is also proved on multiple corpora.
Tumor immunogenicity regulates host immune responses, and conventional dendritic cell type 2 uptakes the majority of tumor antigens in an orthotopic lung cancer model.
Authors: Kim Ki-Hyun , Park Gye Young , Kim Seung-jae , Eccles Jacob D. , Ascoli Christian 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Human lung cancer carries high genetic alterations, expressing high tumor-specific neoantigens. Although orthotopic murine lung cancer models recapitulate many characteristics of human lung cancers, genetically engineered mouse models have fewer somatic mutations than human lung cancer, resulting in scarce immune cell infiltration and deficient immune responses. The endogenous mouse lung cancer model driven by Kras mutation and Trp53 deletion (KP model) has minimal immune infiltration because of a scarcity of neoantigens. Fine-tuning tumor antigenicity to trigger the appropriate level of antitumor immunity would be key to investigating immune responses against human lung cancer. We engineered the KP model to express antigens of OVA peptides (minOVA) as neoantigens along with ZsGreen, a traceable fluorescent conjugate. The KP model expressing minOVA exhibited stronger immunogenicity with higher immune cell infiltration comprised of CD8+ T cells and CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs). Consequentially, the KP model expressing minOVA exhibits suppressed tumor growth compared to its origin. We further analyzed tumor-infiltrated DCs. The majority of ZsGreen conjugated with minOVA was observed in the conventional type 2 DCs (cDC2), where cDC1 has minimal. These data indicate that tumor immunogenicity regulates host immune responses, and tumor neoantigen is mostly recognized by cDC2 cells, which may play a critical role in initiating anti-tumor immune responses in an orthotopic murine lung cancer model.
Dissecting Causal Relationships Between Inflammation-related Proteins, Plasma Metabolites, and Low Back Pain: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Wang Yan , Lv Hao , Hu Zhimu , Chu Qingsong , Zhou Yao , Wang Jiuxiang , Jiang Ting 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between inflammation-associated proteins, LBP , and potential metabolite mediators.
Methods
Using the aggregated data of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), the causal relationship between inflammatory proteins and LBP was explored by two-way MR Analysis, and potential mediating metabolites were identified by two-step MR. Sensitivity analysis was performed to further verify the robustness of the results
Results
After primary analysis and a series of sensitivity analyses, 3 inflammation-related proteins were identified that have a causal relationship with LBP. IL-17C (OR = 0.924; 95% CI, 0.883 - 0.967; P = 0.001 < 0.05) , IL-1 alpha (OR = 0.917; 95% CI, 0.859 -0.978; P = 0.009 < 0.05), were negatively associated with OP, whereas IL-20RA (OR = 1.066; 95% CI, 1.004 -1.131; P =0.036 < 0.05) was positively associated with LBP. This study showed that IL-20RA reduced the risk associated with LBP.
Conclusion
Our study identified a causal relationship between inflammation-related proteins and LBP, with a proportion of the effect mediated by plasma metabolites.
Bio-fungicidal impact of volatile and non-volatile compounds from Bacillus paramycoides for the management of Trichoderma-induced green mold on mushrooms
Authors: Jyothi Booravilli , Peter A. John , Seniya Chandrabhan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Worldwide, mycoparasites in mushrooms seriously impair the financial success of commercial mushroom farms. Especially, Trichoderma species cause green mold disease that lowers the production and quality of edible mushrooms. The volatile and non-volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by bacteria can significantly impact positively or negatively the morphological characteristics and mycelial growth of fungi. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate 161 bacterial isolates’ fungicidal potential against Trichoderma spp. such as T. viride, T. harzianum, and T. asperellum. Our results showed that co-cultivation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Aneurinibacillus migulanus, Bacillus paramycoides, and Bacillus isolates 28, 65, and 88 exhibited antagonistic activities against Trichoderma spp. Notably, antagonistic activity of 73.3% was recorded for B. paramycoides against T. viride compared to the control and other species. However, no antagonism was expressed by P. fluorescens, B. clausii, and B. polymyxa against Trichoderma spp. Dose-dependent antibacterial activity was observed in intra- and extracellular crude extract of B. paramycoidesagainst B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa. The bioactive VOCs and non-VOCs produced by B. paramycoides were characterized by GC-MS that may significantly inhibit spore germination of T. viride, T. harzianum, and T. asperellum. Our finding demonstrates how strikingly species-dependent impacts of bacteria discourage mycelial growth, and how bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can do just that. From the results, it can be apparent that B. paramycoides could be used as bio-fungicidal against Trichoderma spp. induced infections during mushroom farming.
Putting the Squeeze on Valence Tautomerism in Cobalt-Dioxolene Complexes
Authors: Moggach Stephen , Zahir F. Zahra , Turner Gemma , Hay Moya , Riboldi-Tunicliffe Alan , Williamson Rachel , Boer Stephanie , Goerigk Lars , Boskovic Colette , Summers Aston 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Two isostructural cobalt complexes, [Co(Mentpa)(dbdiox)]+ (Mentpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine where n = 2 or 3, corresponding to successive methylation of the 6-position of the pyridine rings, dbdiox = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-dioxolene), were studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The less sterically hindered dimethylated complex exhibits two-step thermally-induced interconversion between the high-spin CoII-seminquinonate and low-spin CoIII-catecholate forms (valence tautometrism) at 155 and 95 K due to the presence of two symmetry-independent complexes. In contrast, the more sterically hindered trimethylated complex does not display thermal valence tautomerism. Both complexes exhibit unique behaviour under high pressure. The dimethylated species undergoes gradual, one-step valence tautomerism in both symmetry-independent complexes concurrently between 0.43 GPa and 1.30 GPa. In the trimethylated species, pressure is sufficient to overcome steric hindrance, leading to one-step valence tautomerism between 2.60 GPa and 3.10 GPa; the first record of pressure-induced valence tautomerism in a thermally inactive complex.