bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Divergent evolution of the alcohol‐forming pathway of wax biosynthesis among bryophytes
Authors: Keyl Alisa , Herrfurth Cornelia , Pandey Garima , Kim Ryeo Jin , Helwig Lina , Haslam Tegan M. , de Vries Sophie , de Vries Jan , Gutsche Nora , Zachgo Sabine , Suh Mi Chung , Kunst Ljerka , Feussner Ivo 
Published: March 2024

Summary

The plant cuticle is a hydrophobic barrier, which seals the epidermal surface of most aboveground organs. While the cuticle biosynthesis of angiosperms has been intensively studied, knowledge about its existence and composition in nonvascular plants is scarce.

Here, we identified and characterized homologs of Arabidopsis thaliana fatty acyl‐CoA reductase (FAR) ECERIFERUM 4 (AtCER4) and bifunctional wax ester synthase/acyl‐CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (AtWSD1) in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha (MpFAR2 and MpWSD1) and the moss Physcomitrium patens (PpFAR2A, PpFAR2B, and PpWSD1).

Although bryophyte harbor similar compound classes as described for angiosperm cuticles, their biosynthesis may not be fully conserved between the bryophytes M. polymorpha and P. patens or between these bryophytes and angiosperms. While PpFAR2A and PpFAR2B contribute to the production of primary alcohols in P. patens, loss of MpFAR2 function does not affect the wax profile of M. polymorpha. By contrast, MpWSD1 acts as the major wax ester‐producing enzyme in M. polymorpha, whereas mutations of PpWSD1 do not affect the wax ester levels of P. patens.

Our results suggest that the biosynthetic enzymes involved in primary alcohol and wax ester formation in land plants have either evolved multiple times independently or undergone pronounced radiation followed by the formation of lineage‐specific toolkits.
Development and applications of peri‐implantitis mouse models
Authors: Zhang Jianwei , Tong Zian , Chen Long , Qian Yinjie , Lu Yifan , Chen Qianming , Si Misi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectivePeri‐implantitis is one of the most common complications of implants. However, its pathogenesis has not been clarified. In recent years, mouse models are gradually being used in the study of peri‐implantitis. This review aims to summarize the methods used to induce peri‐implantitis in mice and their current applications.MethodArticles of peri‐implantitis mouse models were collected. We analyzed the various methods of inducing peri‐implantitis and their application in different areas.ResultsMost researchers have induced peri‐implantitis by silk ligatures. Some others have induced peri‐implantitis by Pg gavage and LPS injection. Current applications of peri‐implantitis mouse models are in the following areas: investigation of pathogenesis and exploration of new interventions, comparison of peri‐implantitis with periodontitis, the interaction between systemic diseases and peri‐implantitis, etc.ConclusionSilk ligature for 2–4 weeks, Pg gavage for 6 weeks, and LPS injection for 6 weeks all successfully induced peri‐implantitis in mice. Mice have the advantages of mature gene editing technology, low cost, and short time to induce peri‐implantitis. It has applications in the study of pathogenesis, non‐surgical treatments, and interactions with other diseases. However, compared with large animals, mice also have a number of disadvantages that limit their application.
Dermatology Life Quality Index survey in patients with Down syndrome and caregivers
Authors: Dykman Morgan , Ernst Madison , Rakasiwi Tasya , Buros Stein Amy , Satin David J. , Holland Kristen E. , Santoro Stephanie L. , Rork Jillian F. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDown syndrome (DS) is associated with many dermatological conditions, including hidradenitis suppurativa, folliculitis, and alopecia areata. Despite the high incidence of skin conditions in this population, there are no quality of life (QoL) studies in the dermatology literature focused on patients with DS or their caregivers. The frequently used QoL assessment tool, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), has yet to be studied in this population. This study addresses these disparities by capturing how various skin conditions affect the QoL of people with DS and their caregivers and assessing the utility of the DLQI.
Temporal disposition of pelvic girdle, vagina and vulva in relation to urovagina in cycling and pregnant‐postpartum cows
Authors: Sood Pankaj , Vatasyan Subrahmanyam , Chaudhary Jitendra Kumar 
Published: March 2024

AbstractUrovagina (UV) is less studied in cows. The vaginal contents, constrictor vestibule muscle activity, circulating progesterone, pelvic girdle, vagina and vulva angles were compared on Days 0 and 14 within and between UV (UV group; n = 36) and normal (N group; n = 36) cows. The oestrous duration was compared among the groups. Parameters for various UV severities were also compared. Another set of pregnant‐postpartum cows (P‐PP group; n = 31) underwent monthly evaluations for UV and the angles from the third month of pregnancy until the second month postpartum. The effect of age, parity and body condition score on UV severities on Day 0, and parity on angles in the P‐PP group was evaluated. Different variables were correlated in different groups. The UV group was repeat breeder, exhibited prolonged oestrus and reduced progesterone on Day 14. The latter increased with UV severity on Day 0. On Day 14, severe form of UV was more prevalent. The UV severity increased with parity. In the UV group, a cranioventral pelvic girdle on Day 0 became more cranioventral on Day 14 and was correlated with the vagina moving from a caudodorsal position on Day 0 to a cranioventral position on Day 14. In the P‐PP group, the pelvic girdle and vagina remained caudodorsal and UV was undetectable throughout the study. Vagina and vulva displayed a parity‐by‐month interaction in the P‐PP group. To summarize, the UV characteristics were influenced by the oestrous cycle stage, pelvic girdle angles, and parity.
Meta‐analysis prediction intervals are under reported in sport and exercise medicine
Authors: Borg David N. , Impellizzeri Franco M. , Borg Samantha J. , Hutchins Kate P. , Stewart Ian B. , Jones Tamara , Baguley Brenton J. , Orssatto Lucas B. R. , Bach Aaron J. E. , Osborne John O. , McMaster Benjamin S. , Buhmann Robert L. , Bon Joshua J. , Barnett Adrian G. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimPrediction intervals are a useful measure of uncertainty for meta‐analyses that capture the likely effect size of a new (similar) study based on the included studies. In comparison, confidence intervals reflect the uncertainty around the point estimate but provide an incomplete summary of the underlying heterogeneity in the meta‐analysis. This study aimed to estimate (i) the proportion of meta‐analysis studies that report a prediction interval in sports medicine; and (ii) the proportion of studies with a discrepancy between the reported confidence interval and a calculated prediction interval.MethodsWe screened, at random, 1500 meta‐analysis studies published between 2012 and 2022 in highly ranked sports medicine and medical journals. Articles that used a random effect meta‐analysis model were included in the study. We randomly selected one meta‐analysis from each article to extract data from, which included the number of estimates, the pooled effect, and the confidence and prediction interval.ResultsOf the 1500 articles screened, 866 (514 from sports medicine) used a random effect model. The probability of a prediction interval being reported in sports medicine was 1.7% (95% CI = 0.9%, 3.3%). In medicine the probability was 3.9% (95% CI = 2.4%, 6.6%). A prediction interval was able to be calculated for 220 sports medicine studies. For 60% of these studies, there was a discrepancy in study findings between the reported confidence interval and the calculated prediction interval. Prediction intervals were 3.4 times wider than confidence intervals.ConclusionVery few meta‐analyses report prediction intervals and hence are prone to missing the impact of between‐study heterogeneity on the overall conclusions. The widespread misinterpretation of random effect meta‐analyses could mean that potentially harmful treatments, or those lacking a sufficient evidence base, are being used in practice. Authors, reviewers, and editors should be aware of the importance of prediction intervals.
Higher truths and so‐called lies: Documentary's animated authenticity
Authors: Barker Meghanne 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA masterclass in Serbia on documentary film debates creativity. Experimental and documentary filmmakers in the region assert the boundaries of documentary in order to transgress them. Creativity offers a means to authenticity, animated through viewers' projection. Approaching authenticity as animated rejects preoccupations with themechanical indexicalityof the camera. Rather than focusing on index as trace, the ambivalence of indexicality productively moves between representation and reality. This highlights two paradoxes of documentary: that fictional techniques create a real world and that individuals animate types. Authenticity is fragile. Documentary creativity celebrates this vulnerability, inviting visual anthropology to experiment, as well.
Analysis of Ingress Into the Downstream Wheel Space of a 1.5-Stage Turbine By Full Circumference and Single Blade Passage Large-Eddy Simulations
Authors: Hösgen Thomas , Meinke Matthias , Schröder Wolfgang 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The flow in a 1.5-stage axial turbine is investigated by large-eddy simulations. The focus is on the ingress in the downstream wheel space. Two setups are considered. In the first, the full 360 deg annulus is included on a computational mesh with approx. 1 billion mesh cells. The second setup includes a single blade passage in a 22.5 deg segment. The computational mesh has approx. 75 million mesh cells accordingly. The flow fields in the downstream wheel space differ strongly. In the 22.5 deg setup, the disk pumping effect is much more pronounced than in the 360 deg setup and the fluid bulk rotates in the direction of the rotor rotation. In the 360 deg setup, the fluid rotates in the opposite rotor direction and the velocities feature a deflection at intermediate radii. The differences are caused by the instantaneous flow fields. In the upstream wheel space of the 360 deg setup, two large-scale rotating vortex structures are predicted, which create four pressure peaks that propagate downstream. They interact with the second stator and create a rotating flow structure in the downstream wheel space, which generates alternating ingress and egress. Due to their spatial extent, none of these structures can exist in the 22.5 deg setup. The results show that for the investigated combination of turbine geometry and operating condition, the analysis of the downstream wheel space requires the detailed prediction of the unsteady flow phenomena in the upstream wheel space, i.e., it cannot be performed using the 22.5 deg setup.
Real-time measurements of ATP dynamics via ATeams in
Plasmodium falciparum
reveal drug-class-specific response patterns
Authors: Springer Eric , Heimsch Kim C. , Rahlfs Stefan , Becker Katja , Przyborski Jude M. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Malaria tropica
, caused by the parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
(
P. falciparum
), remains one of the greatest public health burdens for humankind. Due to its pivotal role in parasite survival, the energy metabolism of
P. falciparum
is an interesting target for drug design. To this end, analysis of the central metabolite adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is of great interest. So far, only cell-disruptive or intensiometric ATP assays have been available in this system, with various drawbacks for mechanistic interpretation and partly inconsistent results. To address this, we have established fluorescent probes, based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and known as ATeam, for use in blood-stage parasites. ATeams are capable of measuring MgATP
2−
levels in a ratiometric manner, thereby facilitating
in cellulo
measurements of ATP dynamics in real-time using fluorescence microscopy and plate reader detection and overcoming many of the obstacles of established ATP analysis methods. Additionally, we established a superfolder variant of the ratiometric pH sensor pHluorin (sfpHluorin) in
P. falciparum
to monitor pH homeostasis and control for pH fluctuations, which may affect ATeam measurements. We characterized recombinant ATeam and sfpHluorin protein
in vitro
and stably integrated the sensors into the genome of the
P. falciparum
NF54
attB
cell line. Using these new tools, we found distinct sensor response patterns caused by several different drug classes. Arylamino alcohols increased and redox cyclers decreased ATP; doxycycline caused first-cycle cytosol alkalization; and 4-aminoquinolines caused aberrant proteolysis. Our results open up a completely new perspective on drugs’ mode of action, with possible implications for target identification and drug development.
Evaluation of the Vitek 2 system for antifungal susceptibility testing of
Candida auris
using a representative international panel of clinical isolates: overestimation of amphotericin B resistance and underestimation of fluconazole resistance
Authors: Siopi Maria , Pachoulis Ioannis , Leventaki Sevasti , Spruijtenburg Bram , Meis Jacques F. , Pournaras Spyros , Vrioni Georgia , Tsakris Athanasios , Meletiadis Joseph 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Although the Vitek 2 system is broadly used for antifungal susceptibility testing of
Candida
spp., its performance against
Candida auris
has been assessed using limited number of isolates recovered from restricted geographic areas. We therefore compared Vitek 2 system with the reference Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution method using an international collection of 100
C
.
auris
isolates belonging to different clades. The agreement ±1 twofold dilution between the two methods and the categorical agreement (CA) based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) tentative resistance breakpoints and Vitek 2-specific wild-type upper limit values (WT-ULVs) were determined. The CLSI-Vitek 2 agreement was poor for 5-flucytosine (0%), fluconazole (16%), and amphotericin B (29%), and moderate for voriconazole (61%), micafungin (67%), and caspofungin (81%). Significant interpretation errors were recorded using the CDC breakpoints for amphotericin B (31% CA, 69% major errors; MaEs) and fluconazole (69% CA, 31% very major errors; VmEs), but not for echinocandins (99% CA, 1% MaEs for both micafungin and caspofungin) for which the Vitek 2 allowed correct categorization of echinocandin-resistant
FKS1
mutant isolates. Discrepancies were reduced when the Vitek 2 WT-ULV of 16 mg/L for amphotericin B (98% CA, 2% MaEs) and of 4 mg/L for fluconazole (96% CA, 1% MaEs, 3% VmEs) were used. In conclusion, the Vitek 2 system performed well for echinocandin susceptibility testing of
C .auris
. Resistance to fluconazole was underestimated whereas resistance to amphotericin B was overestimated using the CDC breakpoints of ≥32 and ≥2 mg/L, respectively. Vitek 2 minimun inhibitory concentrations (MICs) >4 mg/L indicated resistance to fluconazole and Vitek 2 MICs ≤16 mg/L indicated non-resistance to amphotericin B.
Identification rate of
Legionella
species in non-purulent sputum culture is comparable to that in purulent sputum culture in
Legionella
pneumonia
Authors: Ito Akihiro , Ishida Tadashi , Tachibana Hiromasa , Nakanishi Yosuke , Kawataki Masanori , Yamazaki Akio , Washio Yasuyoshi 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Many
Legionella
pneumonia patients do not produce sputum, and it is unknown whether purulent sputum is required for the identification of
Legionella
species. This study aimed to evaluate the identification rate of
Legionella
species based on sputum quality and the factors predictive of
Legionella
infection. This study included
Legionella
pneumonia patients at Kurashiki Central Hospital from November 2000 to December 2022. Sputum quality, based on gram staining, was classified as the following: Geckler 1/2, 3/6 and 4/5. Geckler 4/5 was defined as purulent sputum. The sputa of 104 of 124
Legionella
pneumonia patients were cultured. Fifty-four patients (51.9%) were identified with
Legionella
species, most of which were
Legionella pneumophila
serogroup 1 (81.5%). The identification rates of
Legionella
species according to sputum quality were 57.1% (16/28) in Geckler 1/2 sputum, 50.0% (34/68) in Geckler 3/6 sputum, and 50.0% (4/8) in Geckler 4/5 sputum, which were not significantly different (
P
= 0.86). On multivariate analysis, pre-culture treatment with anti-
Legionella
antimicrobials (odds ratio [OR] 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06–0.91), Pneumonia Severity Index class ≥IV (OR 2.57 [95% CI 1.02–6.71]), and intensive care unit admission (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.06–10.09) correlated with the ability to identify
Legionella
species, but sputum quality did not (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.17–4.41). The identification rate of
Legionella
species in non-purulent sputum was similar to that in purulent sputum. For the diagnosis of
Legionella
pneumonia, sputum should be collected before administering anti-
Legionella
antibiotics and cultured regardless of sputum quality.
The
in vitro
replication phenotype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) splice variants Sp3 and Sp9 and their impact on wild-type HBV replication
Authors: McCoullough Laura C. , Sadauskas Tomas , Sozzi Vitina , Mak Kai Yan , Mason Hugh , Littlejohn Margaret , Revill Peter A. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Prior to nuclear export, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA may be spliced by the host cell spliceosome to form shorter RNA sequences known as splice variants. Due to deletions in the open reading frames, splice variants may encode novel fusion proteins. Although not essential for HBV replication, the role of splice variants and their novel fusion proteins largely remains unknown. Some splice variants and their encoded novel fusion proteins have been shown to impair or promote wild-type HBV replication
in vitro,
and although splice variants Sp3 and Sp9 are two of the most common splice variants identified to date, their
in vitro
replication phenotype and their impact on wild-type HBV replication are unclear. Here, we utilize greater than genome-length Sp3 and Sp9 constructs to investigate their replication phenotype
in vitro
, and their impact on wild-type HBV replication. We show that Sp3 and Sp9 were incapable of autonomous replication, which was rescued by providing the polymerase and core proteins
in trans
. Furthermore, we showed that Sp3 had no impact on wild-type HBV replication, whereas Sp9 strongly reduced wild-type HBV replication in co-transfection experiments. Knocking out Sp9 novel precore-surface and core-surface fusion protein partially restored replication, suggesting that these proteins contributed to suppression of wild-type HBV replication, providing further insights into factors regulating HBV replication
in vitro
.

IMPORTANCE

The role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) splice variants in HBV replication and pathogenesis currently remains largely unknown. However, HBV splice variants have been associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting a role in HBV pathogenesis. Several
in vitro
co-transfection studies have shown that different splice variants have varying impacts on wild-type HBV replication, perhaps contributing to viral persistence. Furthermore, all splice variants are predicted to produce novel fusion proteins. Sp1 hepatitis B splice protein contributes to liver disease progression and apoptosis; however, the function of other HBV splice variant novel fusion proteins remains largely unknown. We show that Sp9 markedly impairs HBV replication in a cell culture co-transfection model, mediated by expression of Sp9 novel fusion proteins. In contrast, Sp3 had no effect on wild-type HBV replication. Together, these studies provide further insights into viral factors contributing to regulation of HBV replication.
The varying extent of humoral and cellular immune responses to either vector- or RNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines persists for at least 18 months and is independent of infection
Authors: Mai Franz , Bergmann Wendy , Reisinger Emil C. , Müller-Hilke Brigitte 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spurred a worldwide race for the development of an efficient vaccine. Various strategies were pursued; however, the first vaccines to be licensed presented the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein either in the context of a non-replicating adenoviral vector or as an mRNA construct. While short-term efficacies have extensively been characterized, the duration of protection, the need for repeated boosting, and reasonable vaccination intervals have yet to be defined. We here describe the adaptive immune response resulting from homologous and heterologous vaccination regimen at 18 months after primary vaccination. To that extent, we monitored 176 healthcare workers, the majority of whom had recovered from previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. In summary, we find that differences depending on primary immunization continue to exist 18 months after the first vaccination and these findings hold true irrespective of previous infection with the virus. Homologous primary immunization with BNT162b2 was repeatedly shown to produce higher antibody levels and slower antibody decline, leading to more effective
in vitro
neutralization capacities. Likewise, cellular responses resulting from
in vitro
re-stimulation were more pronounced after primary immunization involving BNT162b2. In contrast, IL-2 producing memory T helper and cytotoxic T cells appeared independent from the primary vaccination regimen. Despite these differences, comparable infection rates among all vaccination groups suggest comparable real-life protection.

IMPORTANCE
Vaccination against the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was shown to avert severe courses of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to mitigate spreading of the virus. However, the duration of protection and need for repeated boosting have yet to be defined. Monitoring and comparing the immune responses resulting from various vaccine strategies are therefore important to fill knowledge gaps and prepare for future pandemics.