bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining the causal association between psoriasis and bladder cancer: A two‐sample Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Du Lihuan , Wang Bohan , Wen Jiaming , Zhang Nan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundPrevious epidemiological observational studies have potentially associated psoriasis with bladder cancer, but the results are inconsistent, and the causality remains unknown. The present study aimed to examine whether there are causal associations between psoriasis and bladder cancer using bidirectional two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.Materials and MethodsA two‐sample MR analysis was conducted using publicly available genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data for individuals diagnosed with psoriasis and bladder cancer. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary method. The complementary methods used included the weighted median, MR‐Egger, weighted mode, and simple mode methods. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy of the MR results were detected. Moreover, leave‐one‐out sensitivity analysis was also employed to evaluate the robustness and validity of the findings.ResultsNo significant causal association was detected between psoriasis incidence and the risk of bladder cancer using the IVW method (OR = 0.999, 95% CI 0.977–1.022; P = 0.956). Similarly, the IVW model revealed no evidence of a causal relationship between bladder cancer and the risk of psoriasis (OR = 0.979, 95%CI = 0.873–1.098; P = 0.716). The results of the complementary methods were consistent with those of the IVW method. There was no notable horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity (P > 0.05) in our MR analysis. The results of sensitivity analysis confirmed that the MR estimates were not driven by single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).ConclusionThis study does not support a causal relationship between psoriasis and bladder cancer.
How Latinos’ perceptions of environmental health threats impact policy preferences
Authors: Vargas Edward D. , Gómez‐Aguiñaga Barbara , Sanchez Gabriel R. , Barreto Matt A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis article examines the relationship between environmental health threats, personal experiences with climate change, and their association with attitudes toward global warming and willingness to pay for clean energy.MethodsUsing a nationally representative survey of Latino adults (n = 1200), we use categorical regressions to examine the relationship between environmental health threats and policy preferences.ResultsLatinos who have personally experienced climate change and who view air pollution as a threat, are more likely to be concerned with climate change and believe that passing stricter environmental laws will improve the economy as opposed to reduce econonic growth. Latinos who have experienced climate change and worry about the impact of climate change in their homeland are also more willing to pay $5 or $10 for clean energy.ConclusionThis study has implications for our collective knowledge of Latinos’ connections to the environment and policy outcomes and contributes to the growing area of environmental public opinion among ethno‐racial groups.
THE DIFFERENTIAL EXTRACTION METHOD OF NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS AND NON-PATHOGENIC SPECIES FOR PROTEIN PROFILING BY SDS-PAGE
Authors: Rosdan Nor Hafeeda , Sheik Abdul Kader Zainoodin , Ahmad Nor Hazwani 
Published: March 2024

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an acute, severe, and potentially fatal infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis and is a global public health burden. Given the high fatality rate linked to acute bacterial meningitis, it is imperative to initiate treatment and diagnosis concurrently in most cases. While a culture demonstrating the growth of N. meningitidis from blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) remains the gold standard, however, its sensitivity diminishes following antibiotic administration. Therefore, in this study, differentially extracted whole cell protein (WCP), surface depleted whole cell protein (sdWCP), and cell surface protein (CSP) profiles were analysed by using SDS-PAGE to characterise and classify pathogenic N. meningitidis and non-pathogenic species. This study provides clear evidence that SDS-PAGE yields distinct protein patterns across Men A, B, C, and Y, clinical isolates 1 and 2, N. sicca, N. cinerea, and M. catarrhalis. It effectively demonstrates that SDS-PAGE protein profiling can serve as a reliable method for characterising and separating bacterial proteins at both the species and strain levels. Despite the availability of more advanced technologies, SDS-PAGE remains a valuable tool, particularly in settings where advanced equipment and knowledgeable personnel are lacking. Our approach employs various extraction techniques, has successfully defined and characterised N. meningitidis, non-pathogenic Neisseria species, and M. catarrhalis.
The generalized Harer conjecture for the homology triviality
Authors: Chang Wonjun , Kim Byung Chun , Song Yongjin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe classical Harer conjecture states the stable homology triviality of the canonical embedding , which was proved by Song and Tillmann. The main part of the proof is to show that , induced from is a double‐loop space map. In this paper, we give a proof of the generalized Harer conjecture concerning the homology triviality for every regular embedding . The main strategy of the proof is to remove all the interchangeable subsurfaces from and collapse the new boundary components. Then, we obtain (the union of) covering spaces over a disk with marked points that we can analyze. The final goal is to show that the map induced by preserves the actions of the framed little 2‐disks operad.
The Tensile Strength of Brittle Diamond Lattice Structure With Material Dispersion
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhao Zeang , Duan Shengyu , Lei Hongshuai , Fang Daining 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This work investigates the effect of material dispersion on the tensile strength of brittle diamond lattice structures. In actual lattice structures fabricated by additive manufacturing, the dispersion of strength comes from microscale defect, geometric deviation, and manufacture-induced anisotropy. The weakening of ultimate failure strength due to material dispersion cannot be predicted by most existing theoretical models, because they assume homogeneous and determinate mechanical properties of the lattice structure. In this paper, we employ a diamond lattice structure made from brittle material as a typical example, and its tensile behavior is numerically investigated by incorporating the Gaussian distribution of strut strength. Inspired by the simulation results, a stochastic theoretical model is developed to predict the deformation and failure of diamond lattice structure with material dispersion. This model captures the fact that weaker struts break first even if the whole structure can still bear the load. With the continuous increase of stress, these broken struts accumulate into continuous cracks, and ultimate failure occurs when the energy release rate of the initiated crack surpasses the fracture toughness of the lattice structure. This research supplements stochastic features into classical theories and improves the understanding of potential strengthening and toughening designs for lattice structures.
Accelerometer and Survey Assessed Physical Activity in Children With Epilepsy: A Case-Controlled Study
Authors: Idowu Joan , Pearson Natalie , Meades Collette , Cross J. Helen , Muggeridge Amy , Lakhanpaul Monica , Robinson Kerry , Sherar Lauren B. , Reilly Colin 
Published: March 2024

Purpose: Anecdotal evidence suggests that children with epilepsy (CWE) are limited in the frequency of their daily physical activity (PA). However, there is limited research utilizing device-based measures of PA. We compared levels of PA and sedentary behavior in CWE (11–15 y) and age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Method: Participants (n = 60 CWE [25 males, 35 females] and n = 49 controls [25 males, 24 females]) wore a Actigraph accelerometer (GT3X or GT3X+) for 7 consecutive days during waking hours and self-reported their PA and sedentary behaviors. CWE were compared with control children on time spent in different intensities of PA and on self-reported PA and sedentary behavior. Factors associated with PA were analyzed using linear regression. Results: CWE spent less time in accelerometer assessed light (189.15 vs 215.01 min/d, P < .05) and vigorous PA (35.14 vs 44.28 min/d, P < .05) on weekdays compared with controls. There were no significant differences between CWE and control participants in accelerometer assessed time spent sedentary or time spent in PA on weekends. Among CWE, older children engaged in more reported sedentary behavior and younger children spent more time in most domains of PA (P < .05). Furthermore, CWE reported less PA than controls (P = .006). Sixteen percent of controls met World Health Organization PA guidelines compared with 10% of CWE. There was a positive relationship between accelerometer assessed PA and quality of life for CWE. Conclusion: CWE spent less time in light and moderate to vigorous PA on weekdays. Further research is needed to understand reasons for these differences.
Accelerating therapeutics development during a pandemic: population pharmacokinetics of the long-acting antibody combination AZD7442 (tixagevimab/cilgavimab) in the prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19
Authors: Clegg Lindsay E. , Stepanov Oleg , Schmidt Henning , Tang Weifeng , Zhang Huixia , Webber Chris , Cohen Taylor S. , Esser Mark T. , Någård Mats 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

AZD7442 is a combination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-neutralizing antibodies, tixagevimab and cilgavimab, developed for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Using data from eight clinical trials, we describe a population pharmacokinetic (popPK) model of AZD7442 and show how modeling of “interim” data accelerated decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. The final model was a two-compartmental distribution model with first-order absorption and elimination, including standard allometric exponents for the effect of body weight on clearance and volume. Other covariates included were as follows: sex, age >65 years, body mass index ≥30 kg/m
2
, and diabetes on absorption rate; diabetes on clearance; Black race on central volume; and intramuscular (IM) injection site on bioavailability. Simulations indicated that IM injection site and body weight had > 20% effects on AZD7442 exposure, but no covariates were considered to have a clinically relevant impact requiring dose adjustment. The pharmacokinetics of AZD7442, cilgavimab, and tixagevimab were comparable and followed linear kinetics with extended half-lives (median 78.6 days for AZD7442), affording prolonged protection against susceptible SARS-CoV-2 variants. Comparison of popPK simulations based on “interim data” with a target concentration based on 80% viral inhibition and assuming 1.81% partitioning into the nasal lining fluid supported a decision to double the PrEP dosage from 300 mg to 600 mg to prolong protection against Omicron variants. Serum AZD7442 concentrations in adolescents weighing 40–95 kg were predicted to be only marginally different from those observed in adults, supporting authorization for use in adolescents before clinical data were available. In these cases, popPK modeling enabled accelerated clinical decision-making.
Triazole resistance in
Aspergillus fumigatu
s isolated from a tomato production environment exposed to propiconazole
Authors: M. Jimenez Madrid Alejandra , Paul Raees A. , Rotondo Francesca , Deblais Loic , Rajashekara Gireesh , Miller Sally A. , Ivey Melanie L. Lewis 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

The emergence of azole-resistant
Aspergillus fumigatus
(AR
Af
) across the world is an important public health concern. We sought to determine if propiconazole, a demethylase inhibitor (DMI) fungicide, exerted a selective pressure for AR
Af
in a tomato production environment following multiple exposures to the fungicide. A tomato field trial was established in 2019 and propiconazole was applied weekly until harvest. Soil, leaf, and fruit (when present) samples were collected at baseline and after each propiconazole application.
A. fumigatus
isolates (
n
, 178) were recovered and 173 were tested for susceptibility to itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, and propiconazole in accordance with CLSI M38 guidelines. All the isolates were susceptible to medical triazoles and the propiconazole MIC ranged from 0.25 to 8 mg/L. A linear regression model was fitted that showed no longitudinal increment in the log
2
-fold azole MIC of the isolates collected after each propiconazole exposure compared to the baseline isolates. AsperGenius real-time multiplex assay ruled out TR34/L98H and TR46/Y121F/T289A
cyp
51A resistance markers in these isolates. Sequencing of a subset of isolates (
n
, 46) demonstrated widespread presence of F46Y/M172V/E427K and F46Y/M172V/N248T/D255E/E427K
cyp
51A mutations previously associated with reduced susceptibility to triazoles.

IMPORTANCE
The agricultural use of azole fungicides to control plant diseases has been implicated as a major contributor to ARAf infections in humans. Our study did not reveal imposition of selection pressure for ARAf in a vegetable production system. However, more surveillance studies for ARAf in food crop production and other environments are warranted in understanding this public and One Health issue.
Glycine betaine metabolism is enabled in
Methylorubrum extorquens
PA1 by alterations to dimethylglycine dehydrogenase
Authors: Hying Zachary T. , Miller Tyler J. , Loh Chin Yi , Bazurto Jannell V. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Low nutrient availability is a key characteristic of the phyllosphere (the aerial surface of plants). Phyllospheric bacteria utilize a wide array of carbon sources generated by plant hosts. Glycine betaine (GB) is a plant-derived compound that can be metabolized by certain members of the phyllosphere microbiota. Metabolism of glycine betaine generates formaldehyde, an intermediate of methylotrophic metabolism, leading us to investigate how the ubiquitous plant colonizing bacterium
Methylorubrum extorquens
PA1 might metabolize GB encountered in its native environment.
M. extorquens
PA1 cannot utilize GB as a sole carbon source. Through suppressor mutation analysis, we show that
M. extorquens
PA1 encodes a conserved GB utilization pathway that can be activated by single point mutations conferring GB utilization as a carbon source. We identified the gene cluster encoding the GB catabolic enzymes and found that gene expression was induced in the presence of GB. We show that utilization of GB is conserved among representative
Methylobacterium
species and generates the one-carbon metabolism intermediate formaldehyde, which
M. extorquens
utilizes as a source of energy. Our results support a model where suppressor mutations in
Mext_3745
or
ftsH
(
Mext_4840
) prevent the degradation of the dimethylglycine dehydrogenase subunit DgcB by the membrane integral protease FtsH, conferring the ability to utilize GB by either (i) restoring stable membrane topology of DgcB or (ii) decreasing FtsH protease activity, respectively. Both mutations alleviate the bottleneck at the second step of GB degradation catalyzed by DgcAB.

IMPORTANCE

Overcoming low nutrient availability is a challenge many bacteria encounter in the environment. Facultative methylotrophs are able to utilize one-carbon and multi-carbon compounds as carbon and energy sources. The utilization of plant-derived glycine betaine (GB) represents a possible source of multi-carbon and one-carbon substrates. The metabolism of glycine betaine produces formaldehyde and glycine, which may be used simultaneously by facultative methylotrophs. However, the genes required for the utilization of GB in the ubiquitous plant-associated bacterium
Methylorubrum extorquens
have yet to be identified or described. Our work identifies and validates the genes required for glycine betaine metabolism in
M. extorquens
and shows that it directly intersects with methylotrophic metabolism through the production of formaldehyde.
Continuous planting of euhalophyte
Suaeda salsa
enhances microbial diversity and multifunctionality of saline soil
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Liu Xu , Banerjee Samiran , Hartmann Martin , Peng Bin , Elvers Rylie , Zhao Zhen-Yong , Zhou Na , Liu Jun-Jie , Wang Baozhan , Tian Chang-Yan , Jiang Jiandong , Lian Teng-Xiang 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Halophyte-based remediation emerges as a novel strategy for ameliorating saline soils, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional leaching methods. While bioremediation is recognized for its ability to energize soil fertility and structure, the complex interplays among plant traits, soil functions, and soil microbial diversity remain greatly unknown. Here, we conducted a 5-year field experiment involving the continuous cultivation of the annual halophyte
Suaeda salsa
in saline soils to explore soil microbial diversity and their relationships with plant traits and soil functions. Our findings demonstrate that a decline in soil salinity corresponded with increases in the biomass and seed yield of
S. salsa
, which sustained a consistent seed oil content of approximately 22% across various salinity levels. Significantly, prolonged cultivation of halophytes substantially augmented soil microbial diversity, particularly from the third year of cultivation. Moreover, we identified positive associations between soil multifunctionality, seed yield, and taxonomic richness within a pivotal microbial network module. Soils enriched with taxa from this module showed enhanced multifunctionality and greater seed yields, correlating with the presence of functional genes implicated in nitrogen fixation and nitrification. Genomic analysis suggests that these taxa have elevated gene copy numbers of crucial functional genes related to nutrient cycling. Overall, our study emphasizes that the continuous cultivation of
S. salsa
enhances soil microbial diversity and recovers soil multifunctionality, expanding the understanding of plant-soil-microbe feedback in bioremediation.

IMPORTANCE

The restoration of saline soils utilizing euhalophytes offers a viable alternative to conventional irrigation techniques for salt abatement and soil quality enhancement. The ongoing cultivation of the annual
Suaeda salsa
and its associated plant traits, soil microbial diversity, and functionalities are, however, largely underexplored. Our investigation sheds light on these dynamics, revealing that cultivation of
S. salsa
sustains robust plant productivity while fostering soil microbial diversity and multifunctionality. Notably, the links between enhanced soil multifunctionality, increased seed yield, and network-dependent taxa were found, emphasizing the importance of key microbial taxa linked with functional genes vital to nitrogen fixation and nitrification. These findings introduce a novel understanding of the role of soil microbes in bioremediation and advance our knowledge of the ecological processes that are vital for the rehabilitation of saline environments.
Signaling through the
Salmonella
PbgA-LapB regulatory complex activates LpxC proteolysis and limits lipopolysaccharide biogenesis during stationary-phase growth
Authors: Mettlach Joshua A. , Cian Melina B. , Chakraborty Medha , Dalebroux Zachary D. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium (
S
. Typhimurium) controls lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis by regulating proteolysis of LpxC, the rate-limiting enzyme and target of preclinical antibiotics. PbgA/YejM/LapC regulates LpxC levels and controls outer membrane (OM) LPS composition at the log-to-stationary phase transition. Suppressor substitutions in
L
PS
a
ssembly
p
rotein
B
(LapB/YciM) rescue the LPS and OM integrity defects of
pbgA
-mutant
S
. Typhimurium. We hypothesized that PbgA regulates LpxC proteolysis by controlling LapB’s ability to bind LpxC as a function of the growth phase. According to existing models, when nutrients are abundant, PbgA binds and restricts LapB from interacting with LpxC and FtsH, which limits LpxC proteolysis. However, when nutrients are limited, there is debate whether LapB dissociates from PbgA to bind LpxC and FtsH to enhance degradation. We sought to examine these models and investigate how the structure of LapB enables salmonellae to control LpxC proteolysis and LPS biosynthesis. Salmonellae increase LapB levels during the stationary phase to promote LpxC degradation, which limits lipid A-core production and increases their survival. The deletion of
lapB
, resulting in unregulated lipid A-core production and LpxC overabundance, leads to bacterial growth retardation. Tetratricopeptide repeats near the cytosol-inner membrane interface are sufficient for LapB to bind LpxC, and remarkably, LapB and PbgA interact in both growth phases, yet LpxC only associates with LapB in the stationary phase. Our findings support that PbgA-LapB exists as a constitutive complex in
S
. Typhimurium, which differentially binds LpxC to control LpxC proteolysis and limit lipid A-core biosynthesis in response to changes in the environment.

IMPORTANCE
Antimicrobial resistance has been a costly setback for human health and agriculture. Continued pursuit of new antibiotics and targets is imperative, and an improved understanding of existing ones is necessary. LpxC is an essential target of preclinical trial antibiotics that can eliminate multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. LapB is a natural LpxC inhibitor that targets LpxC for degradation and limits lipopolysaccharide production in Enterobacteriaceae. Contrary to some studies, findings herein support that LapB remains in complex instead of dissociating from its presumed negative regulator, PbgA/YejM/LapC, under conditions where LpxC proteolysis is enhanced. Advanced comprehension of this critical protein-lipid signaling network will lead to future development and refinement of small molecules that can specifically interfere.