bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discovery of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S2 protein antibody CV804 with broad-spectrum reactivity with various beta coronaviruses and analysis of its pharmacological properties in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Tsugawa Yoji , Furukawa Kentaro , Ise Tomoko , Takayama Masahiro , Ota Takeshi , Kuroda Takayuki , Shano Shinya , Hashimoto Takashi , Konishi Haruyo , Ishihara Takeshi , Sato Masaaki , Kamada Haruhiko , Fukao Keita , Shishido Takao , Takahashi Tatsuya , Nagata Satoshi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 pandemic alerts us that spillovers of various animal coronaviruses to human in the future may bring us enormous damages. Thus, there is a significant need of antibody-based drugs to treat patients infected with previously unseen coronaviruses.CV804 against the S2 domain of the spike protein, which is less prone to mutations. CV804 shows not only broad cross-reactivities with representative 20 animal-origin coronaviruses but also with diseases-associated human beta coronaviruses including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1 and mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2. Other than that, the main characteristics of CV804 are that it has strong antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity to SARS-CoV2 spike protein-expressed cells in vitro and completely lacks virus-neutralization activity. Comprehensively in animal models, CV804 suppressed disease progression by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Structural studies using HDX-MS and point mutations of recombinant spike proteins revealed that CV804 binds to a unique epitope within the highly conserved S2 domain of the spike proteins of various coronaviruses. Based on the overall data, we suggest that the non-neutralizing CV804 antibody recognizes the conformational structure of the spike protein expressed on the surface of the infected cells and weakens the viral virulence by supporting host immune cells’ attack through ADCC activity in vivo. CV804 epitope identified in this study is not only useful for the design of pan-corona antibody therapeutics but also to design next-generation coronavirus vaccines and antiviral drugs.
Targeting Tuberculosis: Novel Scaffolds for Inhibiting Cytochrome bd Oxidase
Authors: Seitz Christian , Ahn Surl-Hee , Wei Haixin , Kyte Matson , Cook Gregory M. , Krause Kurt , McCammon J. Andrew 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDiscovered in the 1920s, cytochromebdis a terminal oxidase that has received renewed attention as a drug target since its atomic structure was first solved in 2016. Only found in prokaryotes, we study it here as a drug target forMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb). Most previous drug discovery efforts towards cytochromebdhave involved analogs of the canonical substrate quinone, known as Aurachin D. Here we report six new cytochromebdinhibitor scaffolds determined from a computational screen totaling over one million molecules and confirmed on target activity throughin vitrotesting. These scaffolds provide new avenues for lead optimization towardsMtbtherapeutics.
On-chip non-contact mechanical cell stimulation - quantification of SKOV-3 alignment to suspended microstructures
Authors: Onal Sevgi , Alkaisi Maan M. , Nock Volker 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTAlthough the accumulation of random genetic mutations have been traditionally viewed as the main cause of cancer progression, altered mechanobiological profiles of the cells and microenvironment also play a major role as a mutation-independent element. To probe the latter, we have previously reported a microfluidic cell-culture platform with an integrated flexible actuator and its application for sequential cyclic compression of cancer cells. The platform is composed of a control microchannel in a top layer for introducing external pressure, and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane from which a monolithically-integrated actuator protrudes downwards into a cell-culture microchannel. When actively actuated, the integrated actuator, referred to as micro-piston, transfers the pressure from the control channel as a mechanical force to the cells underneath. When not actuated, the micro-piston remains suspended above cells, separated from the latter via a liquid-filled gap of ∼108 µm. Despite the lack of direct physical contact between the micro-piston and cells in the latter arrangement, we observed distinct alignment of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells to the piston shape. To characterize this observation, micro-piston localization, shape, and size were adjusted and the directionality of a mono-layer of SKOV-3 cells relative to the suspended structure was probed. Cell alignment analysis was performed in a novel, label-free approach by measuring elongation angles of whole cell bodies with respect to micro-piston peripheries. Alignment of SKOV-3 cells to the structure outline was significant for circular, triangular and square micro-piston when compared to control areas without micro-piston on the same chip. The effect was present irrespective of whether cells were loaded with micro-pistons in static position (∼108 µm gap) or actively retracted using vacuum (>108 µm gap). Similar alignment was not observed for MCF7 cancer cells and MCF10A non-cancerous epithelial cells. The reported observation of directional movement and growth of SKOV-3 cells towards the region under micro-pistons point towards a to-date unexplored mechanotactic behaviour of these cells, warranting future investigations regarding the mechanisms involved and the role these may play in cancer.
Statistical design of a synthetic microbiome that clears a multi-drug resistant gut pathogen
Authors: Oliveira Rita A. , Pandey Bipul , Lee Kiseok , Yousef Mahmoud , Chen Robert Y. , Triebold Conrad , McSpadden Emma , Haro Fidel , Aksianiuk Valeryia , Ramanujam Ramaswamy , Kuehn Seppe , Raman Arjun S. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMicrobiomes perform critical functions across many environments on Earth1–3. However, elucidating principles of their design is immensely challenging4–7. Using a diverse bank of human gut commensal strains and clearance of multi-drug resistantKlebsiella pneumoniaeas a target, we engineered a functional synthetic microbiome using a process that was agnostic to mechanism of action, bacterial interactions, or compositions of natural microbiomes. Our strategy was a modified ‘Design-Build-Test-Learn’ approach (‘DBTL+’) coupled with statistical inference that learned design principles by considering only the strain presence-absence of designed communities. In just a single round of DBTL+, we converged on a generative model ofK. pneumoniaesuppression. Statistical inference performed on our model identified 15 strains that were key for community function. Combining these strains into a community (‘SynCom15’) suppressedK. pneumoniaeacross unrelatedin vitroenvironments and matched the clearance ability of a whole stool transplant in a pre-clinically relevant mouse model of infection. Considering metabolic profiles of communities instead of strain presence-absence yielded a poor generative model, demonstrating the advantage of using strain presence-absence for deriving principles of community design. Our work introduces the concept of ‘statistical design’ for engineering synthetic microbiomes, opening the possibility of synthetic ecology more broadly.
Atlastin-1 regulates endosomal tubulation and lysosomal proteolysis in human cortical neurons
Authors: Zlamalova Eliska , Rodger Catherine , Greco Francesca , Kleniuk Julia , Nadadhur Aishwarya G. , Kadlecova Zuzana , Reid Evan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMutation of theATL1gene is one of the most common causes of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a group of genetic neurodegenerative conditions characterised by distal axonal degeneration of the corticospinal tract axons. Atlastin-1, the protein encoded byATL1, is one of three mammalian atlastins, which are homologous dynamin-like GTPases that control endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology by fusing tubules to form the three-way junctions that characterise ER networks. However, it is not clear whether atlastin-1 is required for correct ER morphology in human neurons and if so what the functional consequences of lack of atlastin-1 are. Using CRISPR-inhibition we generated human cortical neurons lacking atlastin-1. We demonstrate that ER morphology was altered in these neurons, with a reduced number of three-way junctions. Neurons lacking atlastin-1 had longer endosomal tubules, suggestive of defective tubule fission. This was accompanied by reduced lysosomal proteolytic capacity. As well as demonstrating that atlastin-1 is required for correct ER morphology in human neurons, our results indicate that lack of a classical ER-shaping protein such as atlastin-1 may cause altered endosomal tubulation and lysosomal proteolytic dysfunction. Furthermore, they strengthen the idea that defective lysosome function contributes to the pathogenesis of a broad group of HSPs, including those where the primary localisation of the protein involved is not at the endolysosomal system.
Glycerol degradation in the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeonSulfolobus acidocaldariusinvolves an unusual glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
Authors: Schmerling Christian , Schroeder Carsten , Zhou Xiaoxiao , Busche Tobias , Kalinowski Jörn , Montero Lidia , Schmitz Oliver , Kaschani Farnusch , Ninck Sabrina , Kaiser Markus , Bost Jan , Waßmer Bianca , Albers Sonja V. , Siebers Bettina , Bräsen Christopher 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGlycerol is highly abundant in nature and serve as carbon source for many organisms. Also, several Archaea have the genetic capacity to grow on glycerol but its degradation has so far only been studiedHaloferax volcanii.Herein, the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeonSulfolobus acidocaldariuswas shown to grow with glycerol as sole carbon and energy source. After uptake likely involving facilitated diffusion, glycerol is degraded via phosphorylation to glycerol-3-phosphate followed by oxidation to dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) catalyzed by glycerol kinase (GK) by an unusual quinone reducing FAD-dependent glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), respectively. TheS. acidocaldariusgenome harbors two paralogous copies of each GK and G3PDH. However, only one of these GK-G3PDH couples (Saci_2031-2033) is highly upregulated on glycerol. Deletion of thesaci_2033gene encoding GK abolished growth on glycerol and GK activity in crude extracts. In contrast, deletion of the second GK gene (saci_1117) had only minor effects indicating that only one of the two GK-G3PDH couples is essential. Biochemical characterization revealed that both isoenzymes of each, GK and G3PDH, were functionally similar. Whereas the GKs showed high similarity to known enzymes from Bacteria and Eukaryotes, the G3PDHs represent unusual homologues of the bacterial GlpA subunit of the GlpABC complex with remarkable C-terminal sequence differences and a novel type of membrane anchoring via a CoxG-like protein (Saci_2031). Further sequence analyzes discovered a higher versatility of G3PDHs in Archaea with respect to interacting proteins, electron transfer, and membrane anchoring likely reflecting tailored evolutionary solutions to meet different requirements caused by life styles and electron acceptors.
How the use of alternative information in risk management fintech platforms influences SME lending: a qualitative case study
Authors: Yan Jie 
Published: March 2024

Purpose
The purpose of the study is to examine the use of alternative information in bank lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Understanding alternative information and its use in bank lending to SMEs is important because it has become a growing part of the future of SME finance. The results and findings of my study not only enrich the finance literature but, more importantly, also address the use of Fintech in the risk management of SME lending, a new and complex problem that is specific to both the information technology and finance field.

Design/methodology/approach
To answer the research question, the author used a case study approach that relies upon qualitative data and analysis. By iterating between the existing literature, theoretical pieces and empirical findings, the author explain and interpret in detail how the use of alternative information impacts loan outcomes and develop insights to guide future research.

Findings
The case is outlined in two time periods including the prepartnership period and the postpartnership period. It highlights the establishment of a partnership between LoanBank and FintechInc (pseudonym), aimed at SME-focused Fintech lending. The findings underscore how the partnership has enabled a mutually beneficial situation where LoanBank and FintechInc leverage each other’s strengths to provide efficient and effective lending services. The adoption of alternative information in the risk management Fintech (RMF) platform of FintechInc has transformed LoanBank’s lending processes, showcasing how technological innovations can enhance SME lending practices.

Originality/value
The study’s originality mainly lies in the three detailed insights regarding alternative information’s impact on SME lending: information, platform properties and financial inclusion. The information part demonstrates that RMF platforms expand the information used for lending decisions, shifting from traditional hard and soft data to incorporating various alternative information sources. The platform properties part suggests that location, openness and technology also play a pivotal role in shaping lending outcomes. Finally, the financial inclusion part proposes that the use of alternative information has the potential to improve financial inclusion and offer better credit terms to previously underserved borrowers.
Stress‐induced anisotropy in Gulf of Mexico sandstones and the prediction of in situ stress
Authors: Sayers Colin M. , Leaney W. Scott , Bratton Tom R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe strong sensitivity of velocity to stress observed in many sandstones originates from the response of stress‐sensitive discontinuities such as grain contacts and microcracks to a change in effective stress. If the change in stress is anisotropic, then the change in elastic wave velocities will also be anisotropic. Characterization of stress‐induced elastic anisotropy in sandstones may enable estimation of the in situ three dimensional stress tensor with important application in solving problems occurring during drilling, such as borehole instability, and during production, such as sanding and reservoir compaction. Other applications include designing hydraulic fracture stimulations and quantifying production‐induced stresses which may lead to rock failure. Current methods for estimating stress anisotropy from acoustic anisotropy rely on third‐order elasticity, which ignores rock microstructure and gives elastic moduli that vary linearly with strain. Elastic stiffnesses in sandstones vary non‐linearly with stress. Using P‐ and S‐wave velocities measured on Gulf of Mexico sandstones, this non‐linearity is found to be consistent with a micromechanical model in which the discontinuities are represented by stress‐dependent normal and shear compliances. Stress‐induced anisotropy increases with increasing stress anisotropy at small stress but then decreases at larger stresses as the discontinuities close and their compliance decreases. When the ratio of normal‐to‐shear compliance of the discontinuities is unity, the stress‐induced anisotropy is elliptical, but for values different from unity, the stress‐induced anisotropy becomes anelliptic. Although vertical stress can be obtained by integrating the formation's bulk density from the surface to the depth of interest, and minimum horizontal stress can be estimated using leak‐off tests or hydraulic fracture data, maximum horizontal stress is more difficult to estimate. Maximum horizontal stress is overpredicted based on third‐order elasticity using measured shear moduli, with estimates of pore pressure, vertical stress and minimum horizontal stress as input. The non‐linear response of grain contacts and microcracks to stress must be considered to improve such estimates.
Food web structures of irrigated rice fields estimated from carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes: Special reference to the role of filamentous green algae as a food resource of aquatic consumers
Authors: Yasuno Natsuru , Kanaya Gen , Kikuchi Eisuke 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRice fields are characterized by high algal production and dense mats of filamentous green algae, and they function as habitats for various aquatic organisms. However, how algal production supports the secondary production of aquatic consumers in rice fields has not been assessed. Herein, aquatic food web structures in two adjacent rice fields in northeastern Japan were examined using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses. Filamentous algae often showed higher δ13C values (mean, −23.1‰ to −21.4‰) than other organic matter sources, including particulate organic matter, benthic microalgae, and soil organic matter (−30.1‰ to −25.4‰). A δ13C‐based isotopic mixing model estimated that among 19 taxa of herbivores and omnivores, most taxa depended on filamentous algae‐derived carbon (ca. >30%). Particularly, Peltodytes intermedius larvae, a specialist feeder for filamentous algae, showed the highest reliance (mean, 66.7%–80.0%). The microcrustacean, Ostracoda sp. also utilized a diet consisting of a substantial proportion of filamentous algae‐derived carbon (57.6%). Seven out of 10 carnivorous taxa showed reliance on filamentous algae‐derived carbon by >30%. Particularly, larvae of beetles (Berosus sp., Enochrus sp., and Hydrochara affinis) showed the highest reliance (40.2%–44.3%). They could assimilate filamentous algae‐based carbon by consuming herbivores, such as P. intermedius. Because fresh filamentous green algae were eaten less by aquatic consumers, the herbivores could consume decomposed filamentous algae rather than fresh ones. Our results suggest that filamentous algae are one of the major organic matter sources supporting secondary production in rice field food webs.
Development of a PMA‐LAMP visual detection assay for viable Cronobacter sakazakii
Authors: Chen Qiming , Yu Yang , Chen Xiaodi , Tu Fangming , Wang Peng , Huang Junyi , Liu Zhanmin 
Published: March 2024

Cronobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula (PIF) can infect infants with a mortality rate of up to 80%. In this study, a propidium monoazide–loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (PMA‐LAMP) assay was developed for fast and cost‐effective visual detection of viable C. sakazakii. The detection could be finished in 75 min and the results could be identified by the naked eye. The detection limits of the assay were as low as 1.2 × 101 cfu/mL and 1.2 × 102 cfu/mL for gel electrophoresis and naked eyes respectively. Finally, the assay also showed good reliability in the artificially contaminated PIF.
Vaginal misoprostol versus vaginal dinoprostone for cervical ripening and induction of labour: An individual participant data meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Patabendige Malitha , Chan Fei , Vayssiere Christophe , Ehlinger Virginie , Van Gemund Nicolette , le Cessie Saskia , Prager Martina , Marions Lena , Rozenberg Patrick , Chevret Sylvie , Young David C. , Le Roux Paul A. , Gregson Sarah , Waterstone Mark , Rolnik Daniel L. , Mol Ben W. , Li Wentao 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundInduction of labour (IOL) is common practice and different methods carry different effectiveness and safety profiles.ObjectivesTo compare the effectiveness, and maternal and perinatal safety outcomes of IOL with vaginal misoprostol versus vaginal dinoprostone using individual participant data from randomised clinical trials.Search strategyThe following databases were searched from inception to March 2023: CINAHL Plus, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trial Register, Ovid Embase, Ovid Emcare, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP).Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials (RCTs), with viable singleton gestation, no language restrictions, and all published and unpublished data.Data collection and analysisAn individual participant data meta‐analysis was carried out.Main resultsTen of 52 eligible trials provided individual participant data, of which two were excluded after checking data integrity. The remaining eight trials compared low‐dose vaginal misoprostol versus dinoprostone, including 4180 women undergoing IOL, which represents 32.8% of all participants in the published RCTs. Of these, 2077 were assigned to low‐dose vaginal misoprostol and 2103 were assigned to vaginal dinoprostone. Compared with vaginal dinoprostone, low‐dose vaginal misoprostol had a comparable rate of vaginal birth. Composite adverse perinatal outcomes did not differ between the groups. Compared with vaginal dinoprostone, composite adverse maternal outcomes were significantly lower with low‐dose vaginal misoprostol (aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.65–0.98, P = 0.03, I2 = 0%).ConclusionsLow‐dose vaginal misoprostol and vaginal dinoprostone for IOL are comparable in terms of effectiveness and perinatal safety. However, low‐dose vaginal misoprostol is likely to lead to a lower rate of composite adverse maternal outcomes than vaginal dinoprostone.
Conversations across international divides: Children learning through empathy about climate change
Authors: Satchwell Candice , Walley Bob , Dodding Jacqueline , Lagi Marily Daphine Audrey 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPrimary school curricula often largely avoid the climate crisis, and teachers feel ill‐equipped to teach it. In the secondary school curriculum, the climate crisis is generally addressed only in specific subjects such as science or geography. Our own and others’ research indicates that children are curious about climate change and become less anxious when they feel agentic in facing its effects. The challenges of everyday life for children in parts of the world severely affected by the rapidly changing climate are seldom included in educational contexts. This article reports on a project that linked a school in a UK town with a school on a Fijian island to explore a holistic approach to understanding the impacts of climate change. The children aged 9 to 11 built friendships across the globe through film messages, email, written letters, and drawings. As part of getting to know one another, the children asked and answered questions about their lives. Those questions and other creative activities revealed children’s interests and priorities and the extent of their local and global knowledge and enabled us to consider a personalised approach to climate justice. By co‐creating and exchanging their stories the children could begin to understand the social and emotional impacts as well as the science of climate change. We discuss the role of empathy in children’s learning about climate change, and consider how connections across international divides can be facilitated.