bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of entomopathogenic fungi as a potential tool for mosquito vector control: A cost‐effective and environmentally friendly approach
Authors: Perumal Vivekanandhan , Kannan Swathy , Pittarate Sarayut , Krutmuang Patcharin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMosquitoes around the world spread diseases like malaria, dengue, zika, lymphatic filariasis and arboviruses, which are dangerous to human health and the economy. Eventually, mosquitoes develop resistance to synthetic chemical insecticides and, moreover, these insecticides have adverse environmental impacts, accumulating in soils and in the food chain. So, researchers are searching for better vector control tools from biological sources such as plants, bacteria, fungi, viruses and other predators. Eco‐friendly methods that use entomopathogenic fungi to reduce vector‐borne disease burdens are becoming more popular because they are selective and safe for the environment. Based on existing literature, several microbial agents show potential for the biocontrol of mosquitoes. With advances in genetic recombination and transformation techniques, in the ongoing battle against insecticide‐resistant mosquitoes, genetically engineered fungal biopesticides represent a cutting‐edge solution. These biopesticides are the result of novel genetic changes that improve the ability of fungi to target and kill mosquitoes. These fungi can effectively combat mosquito populations by introducing genes that produce insecticidal proteins or toxins. This method has several advantages, including a lower environmental impact, because the fungi are highly specific to mosquitoes and are harmless to non‐target organisms. It also helps to reduce the problem of insecticide resistance because the fungi have a unique mode of action. These biopesticides hold great promise for reducing mosquito‐borne diseases while minimizing environmental damage and combating resistance. This review article discusses various entomopathogenic fungal pathogens that can act as biocontrol agents and their mode of action against mosquitoes. We discus recent advances in entomopathogenic fungi‐secreted effector molecules for suppressing host immunity and progress in the development of transgenic mosquito‐killing fungi.
Engineering and application of LacI mutants with stringent expressions
Authors: Wu Jieyuan , Liang Chaoning , Li Yufei , Zeng Yueting , Sun Xu , Jiang Peixia , Chen Wei , Xiong Dandan , Jin Jian‐Ming , Tang Shuang‐Yan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOptimal transcriptional regulatory circuits are expected to exhibit stringent control, maintaining silence in the absence of inducers while exhibiting a broad induction dynamic range upon the addition of effectors. In the Plac/LacI pair, the promoter of the lac operon in Escherichia coli is characterized by its leakiness, attributed to the moderate affinity of LacI for its operator target. In response to this limitation, the LacI regulatory protein underwent engineering to enhance its regulatory properties. The M7 mutant, carrying I79T and N246S mutations, resulted in the lac promoter displaying approximately 95% less leaky expression and a broader induction dynamic range compared to the wild‐type LacI. An in‐depth analysis of each mutation revealed distinct regulatory profiles. In contrast to the wild‐type LacI, the M7 mutant exhibited a tighter binding to the operator sequence, as evidenced by surface plasmon resonance studies. Leveraging the capabilities of the M7 mutant, a high‐value sugar biosensor was constructed. This biosensor facilitated the selection of mutant galactosidases with approximately a seven‐fold improvement in specific activity for transgalactosylation. Consequently, this advancement enabled enhanced biosynthesis of galacto‐oligosaccharides (GOS).
Streptomyces‐triggered coordination between rhizosphere microbiomes and plant transcriptome enables watermelon Fusarium wilt resistance
Authors: Ge An‐Hui , Li Qi‐Yun , Liu Hong‐Wei , Zhang Zheng‐Kun , Lu Yang , Liang Zhi‐Huai , Singh Brajesh K. , Han Li‐Li , Xiang Ji‐Fang , Xiao Ji‐Ling , Liu Si‐Yi , Zhang Li‐Mei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe use of microbial inoculant is a promising strategy to improve plant health, but their efficiency often faces challenges due to difficulties in successful microbial colonization in soil environments. To this end, the application of biostimulation products derived from microbes is expected to resolve these barriers via direct interactions with plants or soil pathogens. However, their effectiveness and mechanisms for promoting plant growth and disease resistance remain elusive. In this study, we showed that root irrigation with the extracts of Streptomyces ahygroscopicus strain 769 (S769) solid fermentation products significantly reduced watermelon Fusarium wilt disease incidence by 30% and increased the plant biomass by 150% at a fruiting stage in a continuous cropping field. S769 treatment led to substantial changes in both bacterial and fungal community compositions, and induced a highly interconnected microbial association network in the rhizosphere. The root transcriptome analysis further suggested that S769 treatment significantly improved the expression of the MAPK signalling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction and plant–pathogen interactions, particular those genes related to PR‐1 and ethylene, as well as genes associated with auxin production and reception. Together, our study provides mechanistic and empirical evidences for the biostimulation products benefiting plant health through coordinating plant and rhizosphere microbiome interaction.
Biocontrol of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by Enterobacter asburiae AEB30 on intact cantaloupe melons
Authors: Tran Thao D. , Lee Sang In , Hnasko Robert , McGarvey Jeffery A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEscherichia coli O157:H7 causes >73,000 foodborne illnesses in the United States annually, many of which have been associated with fresh ready‐to‐eat produce including cantaloupe melons. In this study, we created a produce‐associated bacterial (PAB) library containing >7500 isolates and screened them for the ability to inhibit the growth of E. coli O157:H7 using an in vitro fluorescence‐based growth assay. One isolate, identified by 16S and whole‐genome sequence analysis as Enterobacter asburiae, was able to inhibit the growth of E. coli by ~30‐fold in vitro and produced zones of inhibition between 13 and 21 mm against 12 E. coli outbreak strains in an agar spot assay. We demonstrated that E. asburiae AEB30 was able to grow, persist and inhibit the growth of E. coli on cantaloupe melons under simulated pre‐ and post‐harvest conditions. Analysis of the E. asburiae AEB30 genome revealed an operon encoding a contact‐dependent growth inhibition (CDI) system that when mutated resulted in the loss of E. coli growth inhibition. These data suggest that E. asburiae AEB30 is a potential biocontrol agent to prevent E. coli contamination of cantaloupe melons in both pre‐ and post‐harvest environments and that its mode of action is via a CDI system.
Hyposecretion of cervical MUC5B is related to preterm birth in pregnant women after cervical excisional surgery
Authors: Ueda Yusuke , Mogami Haruta , Chigusa Yoshitsugu , Kawamura Yosuke , Inohaya Asako , Takakura Masahito , Yasuda Eriko , Matsuzaka Yu , Shimada Miho , Ito Shinji , Morita Satoshi , Mandai Masaki , Kondoh Eiji 
Published: March 2024

AbstractProblemExcisional surgery for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is a risk factor for preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. However, the underlying mechanisms of this association remain unclear. We previously showed that cervical MUC5B, a mucin protein, may be a barrier to ascending pathogens during pregnancy. We thus hypothesized that hyposecretion of cervical MUC5B is associated with preterm birth after cervical excisional surgery.Method of studyThis prospective nested case‐control study (Study 1) included pregnant women who had previously undergone cervical excisional surgery across 11 hospitals. We used proteomics to compare cervicovaginal fluid at 18–22 weeks of gestation between the preterm and term birth groups. In another case‒control analysis (Study 2), we compared MUC5B expression in nonpregnant uterine tissues between 15 women with a history of cervical excisional surgery and 26 women without a history of cervical surgery.ResultsThe abundance of MUC5B in cervicovaginal fluid was significantly decreased in the preterm birth group (fold change = 0.41, p = .035). Among the 480 quantified proteins, MUC5B had the second highest positive correlation with gestational age at delivery in the combined preterm and term groups. The cervicovaginal microbiome composition was not significantly different between the two groups. Cervical length was not correlated with gestational age at delivery (r = 0.18, p = .079). Histologically, the MUC5B‐positive area in the nonpregnant cervix was significantly decreased in women with a history of cervical excisional surgery (0.85‐fold, p = .048). The distribution of MUC5B‐positive areas in the cervical tissues of 26 women without a history of cervical excisional surgery differed across individuals.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the primary mechanism by which cervical excisional surgery causes preterm birth is the hyposecretion of MUC5B due to loss of the cervical glands.
Visible critique/critical visibility
Authors: Derderian Elizabeth 
Published: March 2024

AbstractArtists based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are pressured by international art elites to critique the illiberal regime under which they live. But doing so is illegal. It can lead the state to retaliate with harassment, detention, cancellation of residency visas, and expulsion. Nonetheless, gatekeeping curators and critics validate UAE‐based artists’ work as worthwhile and good if these artists critique the UAE state. How do these artists balance the perils of retaliation and deportation with an exhortation to critique the state for the sake of career success and international visibility? They do so by deploying a form of critique predicated on omission and ambiguity; I term it conspicuous omission. This practice reveals norms of critique, and the normative expectations placed on contemporary artists based on their place of residence or origin.
Swimming trapper decreases the proportion of chromosomally unbalanced spermatozoa in human Robertsonian translocation carriers
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Nan , Li Mei‐Yi , Ma Qing‐Ling , Chen Juan , Liu Shuai , Yu Yang , Sun Ling 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundCarriers of reciprocal translocations often have more unbalanced spermatozoa and higher DNA fragmentation rates, elevating reproductive risk. The simple swim‐up method (SSUM) can decrease the amount of spermatozoa with abnormal chromatin structure and fragmented DNA, however, it has limited efficacy in eliminating chromosomally unbalanced sperm.MethodsThe spermatozoa of eight Robertsonian translocation (Rob) carriers were split into three groups: original raw semen group (control group); SSUM and swimming trapper method group (STM) processed semen samples. After different semen preparation procedures, semen qualities, sperm chromosomal aneuploidy, and sperm fragmented DNA were evaluated.ResultsAlthough spermatozoa with higher motility was obtained by both SSUM and STM, the population of faster forward moving sperm was greater with STM as compared to SSUM. While the rates of DNA fragmentation were statistically much lower in both groups than ejaculated semen sample, our data showed better effect on the decrease of DNA fragmentation index (DFI) after selection by STM for patients who have high DFI (>20%) in neat semen. For all patients, significant decrease in the frequency of chromosomally unbalanced spermatozoa was observed after selection using STM. Although similar trends can be seen in the SSUM group, a significant difference was identified in one patient only.ConclusionsUse of swimming trapper (STM) is superior for enriching high‐motile and genetically competent sperm in comparison with SSUM.
Editorial: Shorter course of intravenous terlipressin in acute variceal bleeding—the promise, controversies and future directions. Author's reply
Authors: Biswas Sagnik , Vaishnav Manas , Shalimar  
Published: March 2024

LINKED CONTENTThis article is linked to Vaishnav et al papers. To view these articles, visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17868andhttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17882
Preoperative beta blockers and other drugs in relation to anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer
Authors: Gerdin Anders , Park Jennifer , Häggström Jenny , Segelman Josefin , Matthiessen Peter , Lydrup Marie‐Louise , Rutegård Martin ,   The RectoLeak Study Group
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimPrevious research has indicated that preoperative beta blocker therapy is associated with a decreased risk of complications after surgery for rectal cancer. This is thought to arise because of the anti‐inflammatory activity of the drug. These results need to be reproduced and analyses extended to other drugs with such properties, as this information might be useful in clinical decision‐making. The main aim of this work was to replicate previous findings of beta blocker use as a prognostic marker for postoperative leakage. We also investigated whether drug exposure might induce anastomotic leaks.MethodThis is a retrospective multicentre cohort study, comprising 1126 patients who underwent anterior resection for rectal cancer between 2014 and 2018. The use of any preoperative beta blocker was treated as the primary exposure, while anastomotic leakage within 12 months of surgery was the outcome. Secondary exposures comprised angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, statins and metformin. Using multivariable regression, we performed a replication analysis with a predictive aim for beta blockers only, while adjustment for confounding was done in more causally oriented analyses for all drugs. We estimated incidence rate ratio (IRR) and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsAnastomotic leakage occurred in 20.6% of patients. Preoperative beta blockers were used by 22.7% of the cohort, while the leak distribution was almost identical between exposure groups. In the main replication analysis, no association could be detected (IRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.68–1.33). In the causally oriented analyses, only metformin affected the risk of leakage (RR 1.59, 95% Cl 1.31–1.92).ConclusionWhile previous research has suggested that preoperative beta blocker use could be prognostic of anastomotic leakage, this study could not detect any such association. On the contrary, our results indicate that preoperative beta blocker use neither predicts nor causes anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer.
Alternative host shapes transmission and life‐history trait correlations in a multi‐host plant pathogen
Authors: Susi Hanna 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMost pathogens are generalists capable of infecting multiple host species or strains. Trade‐offs in performance among different hosts are expected to limit the evolution of generalism. Despite the commonness of generalism, the variation in infectivity, transmission, and trade‐offs in performance among host species have rarely been studied in the wild. To understand the ecological and evolutionary drivers of multi‐host pathogen infectivity and transmission potential, I studied disease severity, transmission dynamics, and infectivity variation of downy mildew pathogen Peronospora sparsa on its three host plants Rubus arcticus, R. chamaemorus, and R. saxatilis. In a survey of 20 wild and cultivated sites of the three host species, disease severity varied by host species and by host population size but not among wild and cultivated sites. To understand how alternative host presence and plant diversity affect transmission of the pathogen, I conducted a transmission experiment. In this experiment, alternative host abundance and plant diversity together modified P. sparsa transmission to trap plants. To understand how resistance to P. sparsa varies among host species and genotypes, I conducted an inoculation experiment using 10 P. sparsa strains from different locations and 20 genotypes of the three host species. Significant variation in infectivity was found among host genotypes but not among host species. When trade‐offs for infectivity were tested, high infectivity in one host species correlated with high infectivity in another host species. However, when pathogen transmission‐related life‐history correlations were tested, a positive correlation was found in R. arcticus but not in R. saxatilis. The results suggest that host resistance may shape pathogen life‐history evolution with epidemiological consequences in a multi‐host pathogen.
Exploring associations among baseline emotion regulation and change in relationship satisfaction among couples in a randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy compared to usual care
Authors: White VanBoxel Jennifer M. , Miller Debra L. , Morgan Preston , Iqbal Nazia , Edwards Caitlin , Wittenborn Andrea K. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundData from a two‐arm randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) compared to usual care were used to examine whether baseline emotion regulation influences relationship satisfaction for female and male partners. This is clinically relevant as clinicians have debated whether clients' initial emotion regulation skills predict positive outcomes in EFT.MethodsDyadic multilevel modeling was used to determine whether baseline emotion regulation predicted both initial levels and change in relationship satisfaction and whether that relationship differed by treatment group (i.e., EFT or usual care).ResultsBaseline emotion regulation difficulties were associated with lower initial relationship satisfaction. However, baseline emotion regulation difficulties were not associated with change in relationship satisfaction over the course of treatment and this relationship did not differ by treatment group.ConclusionsResults demonstrate that partners with diverse presentations of emotion regulation at baseline may benefit from couple therapy.
Experimental Study of Non‐Darcian Flow Characteristics in Low‐Permeability Coal Pillar Dams
Authors: Li Xu , Zhu Peng , Zuo Konghui , Wen Zhang , Zhu Qi , Guo Qiang , Jakada Hamza 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe safe operation of underground reservoirs and environmental protection heavily rely on the water flow through coal pillar dams in coal mines. Meanwhile, research on the flow characteristics in coal pillar dams has been limited due to their low hydraulic conductivity. To address this gap, this study assembled a novel seepage experimental device and conducted a series of carefully designed seepage experiments to examine the characteristics of low‐permeability in coal pillar dams. The experiments aim to explore the relationship between water flux and hydraulic gradient, considering varying core lengths and immersion times. Flow parameters were determined by fitting observed flux‐gradient curves with predictions from both Darcy and non‐Darcian laws. Several significant results were obtained. First, a noticeable non‐linear relationship between water flux and hydraulic gradient was observed, particularly evident at low flow velocities. Second, the non‐Darcy laws effectively interpreted the experimental data, with threshold pressure gradients ranging 13.60 to 58.64 for different core lengths. Third, the study established that water immersion significantly affects the flow characteristics of coal pillar dams, resulting in an increased hydraulic conductivity and flow velocity. These findings carry significant implications for the design of coal pillar dams within underground coal mine reservoirs, providing insights for constructing more stable structures and ensuring environmental protection.
Race and ethnicity and the success of immune tolerance induction among people with severe haemophilia A in the United States
Authors: Fedewa Stacey A. , Kempton Christine L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionImmune tolerance induction (ITI) is the only treatment to eradicate inhibitors in people with severe haemophilia A with inhibitors. Since the risk of inhibitor development is greater among Black and Hispanic persons, it has been hypothesized that race and ethnicity may influence ITI success. Limited studies have evaluated this hypothesis.AimTo examine the success of ITI according to race and ethnicity.MethodsParticipants who entered the Community Counts (CC) Registry between 2013 and 2017, were aged ≥3 years at study entry, and received ITI were included (n = 559). The proportion of participants with successful ITI was examined with adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).ResultsAmong 559 participants, 56.9%, 19.1%, 18.1% and 4.3% were Non‐Hispanic (NH) White, NH Black, Hispanic and Asian, respectively, and 1.7% were coded as other or missing. Approximately 80% of Hispanic, NH Black and NH White participants had good/very good prognosis, defined as having a pre‐ITI peak inhibitor of < 200 Bethesda Units per millilitre. Nearly 60% of participants (59.7%) achieved successful ITI, 20.7% and 19.5% experienced partially successful or failed ITI, respectively. Successful ITI was non‐significantly lower in NH Black (54.2%; aPR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.62–1.44) and Hispanic (55.4%; aPR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.71–1.13) relative to NH White participants (62.6%).ConclusionIn this study, 60% of participants in the CC Registry had successful ITI, consistent with previous studies. The proportion with successful ITI was generally comparable across racial and ethnic groups with similar prognosis. These findings do not support the hypothesis that ITI response varies according to race or ethnicity.