bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Time since first naturalization is key to explaining non‐native plant invasions on islands
Authors: Mologni Fabio , Bellingham Peter J. , Cameron Ewen K. , Wright Anthony E. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimInvestigating the extent of insular invasions by non‐native species (i.e., the number of islands they occupy) is central to island conservation. However, interrelationships among plant life history traits, naturalization histories, and island characteristics in determining island occupancy by non‐native plant species are poorly understood. We investigated whether island occupancy by different non‐native plant species declines in relation to their year of first naturalization and whether periods of first naturalization differ among growth forms, dispersal modes, and biogeographic origins. Then, we asked if non‐native plants that naturalized more recently occur more frequently on islands that are large, less isolated, and close to urban areas. We contrasted trends across growth forms, dispersal modes, and biogeographic origins.Location264 offshore islands in northern Aotearoa New Zealand.TaxaVascular plant species.MethodsWe combined field surveys and published data for 767 non‐native plant species on the islands. We categorized each species according to its growth form (n = 3), dispersal mode (n = 4) and biogeographic origin (n = 5) and identified its year of first naturalization in Aotearoa New Zealand. We tested our hypotheses using ANCOVA and generalized linear models (GLMs).ResultsThere were similar declines in island occupancy in relation to the year of first naturalization in Aotearoa New Zealand across all trait and biogeographic origin categories. First naturalization times of herbaceous species, those with unspecialized dispersal modes, and those originating from Eurasia and the Mediterranean basin were disproportionately earlier than other categories. Non‐native plants with more recent first naturalization occur more frequently on large islands close to urban areas, but not on less isolated ones. Relationships with island characteristics did not differ among trait and biogeographic origin categories.Main ConclusionsOverall, time of first naturalization was more important than trait and biogeographic origin categories in explaining non‐native plant invasion patterns on islands. Since there were similar relationships between island occupancy and the year of first naturalization in Aotearoa New Zealand for all categories, management bodies should focus on non‐native plant species of trait and biogeographic origin categories that have naturalized recently (e.g., woody species from other regions within Oceania), and on large islands close to urban areas. Introduction and naturalization histories provide essential context for interpreting the role of plant traits and biogeographic origin in understanding plant invasions on islands.
Hearing the voices of Black Africans: Essential components for culturally relevant marriage enrichment programs in South Africa
Authors: Neswiswa Kabaro Grace , Jacobs Susanne 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe literature on marriage supports teaching essential skills to enhance relationship quality and prevent divorce. However, limited marriage and relationship curricula tailored for African cultures, especially within the South African context, are currently available. This study aimed to redress gaps in literature and practice, outlining elements for inclusion into a marriage enrichment program (MEP) grounded on PREP 8.0 (Prevention and Relationship Education Program) and current baseline research conducted in South Africa. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was utilized, using face‐to‐face interviews with leaders and social services practitioners (SSPs) and a pilot study with couples, all sampled purposively. Findings show that (1) Black Africans are in high need of MEPs, revealed through intense gratitude and (2) a prerequisite for positive outcomes is the integration of equally necessary traditional contextual components with modern practices, elucidated by practical recommendations. A contextual and culturally relevant MEP is a systematic attempt to improve the functioning of marriage through education, effectively supporting Black Africans to cultivate healthy, stable family relationships.
Recording of suspected adverse drug reaction reporting in veterinary free‐text clinical narratives
Authors: Davies H. , Blackwell E. , Fins I. S. , Noble P. J. M. , Pinchbeck G. , Pirmohamed M. , Killick D. R. 
Published: March 2024

ObjectivesTo use text mining approaches to identify instances of suspected adverse drug reactions recorded in first opinion veterinary free‐text clinical narratives, and to evaluate whether these were also reported to either the Veterinary Medicines Directorate or the relevant Marketing Authorisation holder in order to derive an estimate of the suspected adverse drug reaction (sADR) minimum under‐reporting rate. To characterise sADR reports and explore whether particular features are associated with report submission.Materials and MethodsTwo regular expressions were developed to identify mentions of “adverse drug reactions” and “side effects” in the free‐text clinical narratives of electronic health records contained within the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network database. Consultations containing a match for the developed regular expressions were manually reviewed for inclusion and further classified to determine the suspected product, seriousness and expectedness of the event, and an indication of whether the event had been reported. The associations between event characteristics and reporting were explored using Fisher's exact tests.ResultsA total of 10,565 records were manually reviewed from which 827 sADRs were identified. Approximately 90% of these sADRs were not recorded as reported. Suspected adverse drug reactions that were not considered “expected” were recorded as reported more frequently than “expected” sADRs. However, clinical severity did not appear to impact on whether there was a record of reporting.Clinical SignificanceThis is the first estimate of under reporting sADRs based on real world evidence from veterinary clinical records. The under‐reporting rate implied by this study highlights that further interventions are required to improve reporting rate within the veterinary profession in order to support pharmacovigilance activities and improve drug safety.
Air pollution, weather and positive airway pressure treatment adherence in adults with sleep apnea: a retrospective community‐based repeated‐measures longitudinal study
Authors: Kendzerska Tetyana , Szyszkowicz Mieczysław , Saymeh Mouaz , Mallick Ranjeeta , Carlsten Christopher , Ayas Najib T. , Laratta Cheryl R. , Orach Juma , Dales Robert 
Published: March 2024

SummaryWe assessed the relation between air pollution, weather, and adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in a retrospective community‐based repeated‐measures study of adults with obstructive sleep apnea who purchased PAP devices from a registered provider between 2013 and 2017 (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) and had at least one day of data. Daily PAP‐derived data, air pollution, and weather databases were linked using postal code. The exposures were mean nocturnal (8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.) (i) residential concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter <=2.5 μm (PM2.5), ozone (O3), and Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), and (ii) temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure. Covariates in the main model were demographics, season, exposure year, and PAP therapy mode. We analysed 8148 adults (median age of 54 years and 61% men) and 2,071,588 days of data. Based on daily data, the median (interquartile range) daily PAP usage was 416 (323–487) min. Using mixed‐effect regression analyses to incorporate daily data and clustering by individuals, we found a statistically significant decrease in adherence for increased levels of NO2, PM2.5, and AQHI. The largest effect was for NO2: a decrease in daily PAP use while comparing the highest versus lowest quartiles (Qs) was 3.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8–3.9) min. Decreased PAP adherence was also associated with increased temperature (Q4 versus Q1: 2.6 [95% CI: 1.5–3.7] min) and decreased barometric pressure (Q1 versus Q4: 2.0 [95% CI 1.5–2.5] min). We observed modest but statistically significant acute effects of air pollution and weather on daily PAP adherence.
Multifactor characterization of space weathering among siliceous asteroids. I: Grain size effects
Authors: MacLennan Eric M. , Emery Joshua P. , McClure Lucas M. , Lucas Michael P. , Lindsay Sean S. , Pinilla‐Alonso Noemi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSpacecraft missions to asteroids have revealed surfaces that have variations in albedo and spectral properties. Such variations are also detected across the asteroid population with ground‐based observations, and are controlled by the physical characteristics of the regolith and by processes such as space weathering. Here, we investigate how space weathering and regolith grain size influence the spectra of ordinary chondrite‐like asteroids observed from ground‐based spectroscopy. The estimation of diagnostic band parameters from asteroid visible and near‐infrared reflectance spectra allow us to estimate the degree of space weathering and their compositions, using results from an accompanying study (MacLennan et al., 2024). We use grain size estimations gleaned from the thermal inertia to show that regolith particle size differences have similar effect as space weathering on asteroid spectra. Finally, we quantify changes in spectral slope and band depth among asteroids using the space weathering index developed by MacLennan et al (2024), and reassess the importance of previously‐proposed surface freshening mechanisms.
Fluconazole‐resistant Candida parapsilosis genotypes from hospitals located in five Spanish cities and one in Italy: Description of azole‐resistance profiles associated with the Y132F ERG11p substitution
Authors: Mesquida Aina , Alcoceba Eva , Padilla Eduardo , Ramírez Aída , Merino Paloma , González‐Romo Fernando , De Carolis Elena , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Mantecón‐Vallejo María de los Ángeles , Muñoz‐Algarra María , Durán‐Valle Teresa , Pérez‐Ayala Ana , Gómez‐García‐de‐la‐Pedrosa Elia , del Carmen Martínez‐Jiménez María , Sánchez‐Castellano Miguel Ángel , Quiles‐Melero Inmaculada , Cuétara María Soledad , Sánchez‐García Aída , Muñoz Patricia , Escribano Pilar , Guinea Jesús ,   the CANDIMAD study group
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundFluconazole‐resistant Candida parapsilosis is a matter of concern.ObjectivesTo describe fluconazole‐resistant C. parapsilosis genotypes circulating across hospitals in Spain and Rome and to study their azole‐resistance profile associated with ERG11p substitutions.Patients/MethodsWe selected fluconazole‐resistant C. parapsilosis isolates (n = 528 from 2019 to 2023; MIC ≥8 mg/L according to EUCAST) from patients admitted to 13 hospitals located in five Spanish cities and Rome. Additionally, we tested voriconazole, posaconazole, isavuconazole, amphotericin B, micafungin, anidulafungin and ibrexafungerp susceptibility.ResultsOf the 53 genotypes found, 49 harboured the Y132F substitution, five of which were dominating city‐specific genotypes involving almost half the isolates. Another genotype involved isolates harbouring the G458S substitution. Finally, we found two genotypes with the wild‐type ERG11 gene sequence and one with the R398I substitution. All isolates were fully susceptible/wild‐type to amphotericin B, anidulafungin, micafungin and ibrexafungerp. The azole‐resistance patterns found were: voriconazole‐resistant (74.1%) or voriconazole‐intermediate (25.2%), posaconazole‐resistant (10%) and isavuconazole non‐wild‐type (47.5%). Fluconazole‐resistant and voriconazole non‐wild‐type isolates were likely to harbour substitution Y132F if posaconazole was wild type; however, if posaconazole was non‐wild type, substitution G458S was indicated if isavuconazole MIC was >0.125 mg/L or substitution Y132F if isavuconazole MIC was ≤0.125 mg/L.ConclusionsWe detected a recent clonal spread of fluconazole‐resistant C. parapsilosis across some cities in Spain, mostly driven by dominating city‐specific genotypes, which involved a large number of isolates harbouring the Y132F ERG11p substitution. Isolates harbouring substitution Y132F can be suspected because they are non‐susceptible to voriconazole and rarely posaconazole‐resistant.
The time course of complement blockage by ravulizumab in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Amano Ryota 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe classical 50% hemolytic complement test is commonly used to monitor complement function. However, its use in monitoring the effect of ravulizumab on complement assays is unknown. A 47‐year‐old man with anti‐aquaporin 4 antibody‐positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder who was treated with oral prednisolone and azathioprine experienced several episodes of optic neuritis or myelitis. After his latest relapse, ravulizumab was administered to prevent relapse. Serum classical 50% hemolytic complement activity decreased below detectable levels (<10 U/mL) within 1 h of ravulizumab injection. Eighteen weeks later, the patient showed no adverse events or relapse, suggesting that serum classical 50% hemolytic complement activity can monitor ravulizumab effect. In Japan, where 3.5% of the population shows a reduced response to anti‐C5 therapy, serum classical 50% hemolytic complement activity proves useful in confirming ravulizumab efficacy.
Importance of the Posterior Plate in Three‐Column Tibial Plateau Fractures: A Finite Element Analysis and Clinical Validation
Authors: Liu Chen‐dong , Hu Sun‐jun , Chang Shi‐Min , Du Shou‐chao , Xiong Wen‐feng , Chu Yong‐qian 
Published: March 2024

ObjectiveDual‐plate fixation was thought to be the gold standard for treating complicated bicondylar tibial plateau fractures, yet it was found to be hard to accommodate the posterior column in three‐column fractures. Currently, column‐specific fixation is becoming more and more recognized, but no comprehensive investigation has been performed to back it up. Therefore, the objective of this study was to validate the importance of posterior column fixation in the three‐column tibial fractures by a finite element (FE) analysis and clinical study.MethodsIn FE analysis, three models were developed: the longitudinal triple‐plate group (LTPG), the oblique triple‐plate group (OTPG), and the dual‐plate group (DPG). Three loading scenarios were simulated. The distribution of the displacement and the equivalent von Mises stress (VMS) in each structure was calculated. The comparative measurements including the maximum posterior column collapse (MPCC), the maximum total displacement of the model (MTD), the maximum VMS of cortical posterior column (MPC‐VMS), and the maximum VMS located on each group of plates and screws (MPS‐VMS). The clinical study evaluated the indicators between the groups with or without the posterior plate, including operation time, blood loss volume, full‐weight bearing period, Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Scoring system (HSS), Rasmussen score, and common postoperative complications.ResultsIn the FE analysis, the MPCC, the MPC‐VMS, and the MTD were detected in much lower amounts in LTPG and OTPG than in DPG. In comparison with DPG, the LTPG and OTPG had larger MPS‐VMS. In the clinical study, 35 cases were included. In the triple‐plate (14) and dual‐plate (21) groups, the operation took 115.6 min and 100.5 min (p < 0.05), respectively. Blood loss in both groups was 287.0 mL and 206.6 mL (p < 0.05), and the full‐weight bearing period was 14.5 weeks and 16.2 weeks (p < 0.05). At the final follow‐up, the HSS score was 85.0 in the triple‐plate group and 77.5 in the dual‐plate (p < 0.05), the Rasmussen score was 24.1 and 21.6 (p < 0.05), there were two cases with reduction loss (9.5%) in the dual‐plate group and one case of superficial incision infection found in the triple‐plate group.ConclusionThe posterior implant was beneficial in optimizing the biomechanical stability and functional outcomes in the three‐column tibial plateau fractures.
Photosynthetic response of Chara braunii towards different bicarbonate concentrations
Authors: Heise Carolin Magdalene , Hagemann Martin , Schubert Hendrik 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA variety of inorganic carbon acquisition modes have been proposed in Characean algae, however, a broadly applicable inorganic carbon uptake mechanism is unknown for the genus Chara. In the present study, we analyzed if C. braunii can efficiently use HCO3− as a carbon source for photosynthesis. For this purpose, C. braunii was exposed to different concentrations of NaHCO3− at different time scales. The photosynthetic electron transport through photosystem I (PSI) and II (PSII), the maximum electron transport rate (ETRmax), the efficiency of the electron transport rate (α, the initial slope of the ETR), and the light saturation point of photosynthesis (Ek) were evaluated. Additionally, pigment contents (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids) were determined. Bicarbonate addition positively affected ETRmax, after direct HCO3− application, of both PSII and PSI, but this effect seems to decrease after 1 h and 24 h. Similar trends were seen for Ek, but no significant effect was observed for α. Pigment contents showed no significant changes in relation to different HCO3− concentrations. To evaluate if cyclic electron flow around PSI was involved in active HCO3− uptake, the ratio of PSI ETRmax/PSII ETRmax was calculated but did not show a distinctive trend. These results suggest that C. braunii can utilize NaHCO3− in short‐term periods as a carbon source but could rely on other carbon acquisition mechanisms over prolonged time periods. These observations suggest that the minor role of HCO3− as a carbon source for photosynthesis in this alga might differentiate C. braunii from other examined Chara spp.
N2‐Acetylornithine deacetylase functions as a Cys‐Gly dipeptidase in the cytosolic glutathione degradation pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Miyaji Shunsuke , Ito Takehiro , Kitaiwa Taisuke , Nishizono Kosuke , Agake Shin‐Ichiro , Harata Hiroki , Aoyama Haruna , Umahashi Minori , Sato Muneo , Inaba Jun , Fushinobu Shinya , Yokoyama Tadashi , Maruyama‐Nakashita Akiko , Hirai Masami Yokota , Ohkama‐Ohtsu Naoko 
Published: March 2024

SUMMARYGlutathione (GSH) is required for various physiological processes in plants, including redox regulation and detoxification of harmful compounds. GSH also functions as a repository for assimilated sulfur and is actively catabolized in plants. In Arabidopsis, GSH is mainly degraded initially by cytosolic enzymes, γ‐glutamyl cyclotransferase, and γ‐glutamyl peptidase, which release cysteinylglycine (Cys‐Gly). However, the subsequent enzyme responsible for catabolizing this dipeptide has not been identified to date. In the present study, we identified At4g17830 as a Cys‐Gly dipeptidase, namely cysteinylglycine peptidase 1 (CGP1). CGP1 complemented the phenotype of the yeast mutant that cannot degrade Cys‐Gly. The Arabidopsis cgp1 mutant had lower Cys‐Gly degradation activity than the wild type and showed perturbed concentrations of thiol compounds. Recombinant CGP1 showed reasonable Cys‐Gly degradation activity in vitro. Metabolomic analysis revealed that cgp1 exhibited signs of severe sulfur deficiency, such as elevated accumulation of O‐acetylserine (OAS) and the decrease in sulfur‐containing metabolites. Morphological changes observed in cgp1, including longer primary roots of germinating seeds, were also likely associated with sulfur starvation. Notably, At4g17830 has previously been reported to encode an N2‐acetylornithine deacetylase (NAOD) that functions in the ornithine biosynthesis. The cgp1 mutant did not show a decrease in ornithine content, whereas the analysis of CGP1 structure did not rule out the possibility that CGP1 has Cys‐Gly dipeptidase and NAOD activities. Therefore, we propose that CGP1 is a Cys‐Gly dipeptidase that functions in the cytosolic GSH degradation pathway and may play dual roles in GSH and ornithine metabolism.
Perpetual cutoff method and discrete Ricci curvature bounds with exceptions
Authors: Münch Florentin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOne of the main obstacles regarding Bakry–Emery curvature on graphs is that the results require a global uniform lower curvature bounds where no exception sets are allowed. We overcome this obstacle by introducing the perpetual cutoff method. As applications, we prove gradient estimates only requiring curvature bounds on parts of the graph. Moreover, we sharply upper bound the distance to the exception set for graphs having uniformly positive Bakry–Emery curvature everywhere but on the exception set.
The S–S bridge mutation between the A2 and A4 loops (T416C-I432C) of Cel7A of
Aspergillus fumigatus
enhances catalytic activity and thermostability
Authors: Dodda Subba Reddy , Hossain Musaddique , Mondal Sudipa , Das Shalini , Khator (Jain) Sneha , Aikat Kaustav , Mukhopadhyay Sudit S. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Disulfide bonds are important for maintaining the structural conformation and stability of the protein. The introduction of the disulfide bond is a promising strategy to increase the thermostability of the protein. In this report, cysteine residues are introduced to form disulfide bonds in the Glycoside Hydrolase family GH 7 cellobiohydrolase (GH7 CBHs) or Cel7A of
Aspergillus fumigatus
. Disulfide by Design 2.0 (DbD2), an online tool is used for the detection of the mutation sites. Mutations are created (D276C-G279C; DSB1, D322C-G327C; DSB2, T416C-I432C; DSB3, G460C-S465C; DSB4) inside and outside of the peripheral loops but, not in the catalytic region. The introduction of cysteine in the A2 and A4 loop of DSB3 mutant showed higher thermostability (70% activity at 70°C), higher substrate affinity (K
m
= 0.081 mM) and higher catalytic activity (K
cat
= 9.75 min
−1
; K
cat
/K
m
= 120.37 mM min
−1
) compared to wild-type
Af
Cel7A (50% activity at 70°C; K
m
= 0.128 mM; K
cat
= 4.833 min
−1
; K
cat
/K
m
= 37.75 mM min
−1
). The other three mutants with high B factor showed loss of thermostability and catalytic activity. Molecular dynamic simulations revealed that the mutation T416C-I432C makes the tunnel wider (DSB3: 13.6 Å; Wt: 5.3 Å) at the product exit site, giving flexibility in the entrance region or mobility of the substrate in the exit region. It may facilitate substrate entry into the catalytic tunnel and release the product faster than the wild type, whereas in other mutants, the tunnel is not prominent (DSB4), the exit is lost (DSB1), and the ligand binding site is absent (DSB2). This is the first report of the gain of function of both thermostability and enzyme activity of cellobiohydrolase Cel7A by disulfide bond engineering in the loop.

IMPORTANCE
Bioethanol is one of the cleanest renewable energy and alternatives to fossil fuels. Cost efficient bioethanol production can be achieved through simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation that needs active polysaccharide degrading enzymes. Cellulase enzyme complex is a crucial enzyme for second-generation bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. Cellobiohydrolase (Cel7A) is an important member of this complex. In this work, we engineered (disulfide bond engineering) the Cel7A to increase its thermostability and catalytic activity which is required for its industrial application.