bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of priming and memory in rice environmental stress adaptation: Current knowledge and perspectives
Authors: Ganie Showkat Ahmad , McMulkin Nancy , Devoto Alessandra 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPlant responses to abiotic stresses are dynamic, following the unpredictable changes of physical environmental parameters such as temperature, water and nutrients. Physiological and phenotypical responses to stress are intercalated by periods of recovery. An earlier stress can be remembered as ‘stress memory’ to mount a response within a generation or transgenerationally. The ‘stress priming’ phenomenon allows plants to respond quickly and more robustly to stressors to increase survival, and therefore has significant implications for agriculture. Although evidence for stress memory in various plant species is accumulating, understanding of the mechanisms implicated, especially for crops of agricultural interest, is in its infancy. Rice is a major food crop which is susceptible to abiotic stresses causing constraints on its cultivation and yield globally. Advancing the understanding of the stress response network will thus have a significant impact on rice sustainable production and global food security in the face of climate change. Therefore, this review highlights the effects of priming on rice abiotic stress tolerance and focuses on specific aspects of stress memory, its perpetuation and its regulation at epigenetic, transcriptional, metabolic as well as physiological levels. The open questions and future directions in this exciting research field are also laid out.
Reconciling TD‐DFT and CASPT2 electronic structure methods for describing the photophysics of DNA
Authors: Jaiswal Vishal Kumar , Taddei Mario , Nascimento Daniel R. , Garavelli Marco , Conti Irene , Nenov Artur 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTime‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) and multiconfigurational second‐order perturbation theory (CASPT2) are two of the most widely used methods to investigate photoinduced dynamics in DNA‐based systems. These methods sometimes give diverse dynamics in physiological environments usually modeled by quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) protocol. In this work, we demonstrate for the uridine test case that the underlying topology of the potential energy surfaces of electronic states involved in photoinduced relaxation is similar in both electronic structure methods. This is verified by analyzing surface‐hopping dynamics performed at the QM/MM level on aqueous solvated uridine at TD‐DFT and CASPT2 levels. By constraining the dynamics to remain on state we observe similar fluctuations in energy and relaxation lifetimes in surface‐hopping dynamics in both TD‐DFT and experimentally validated CASPT2 methods. This finding calls for a systematic comparison of the ES potential energy surfaces of DNA and RNA nucleosides at the single‐ and multi‐reference levels of theory. The anomalous long excited state lifetime at the TD‐DFT level is explained by trapping due to the tendency of TD‐DFT in QM/MM schemes with electrostatic embedding to underestimate the energy of the state leading to a wrong energetic order. A study of the FC energetics suggests that improving the description of the surrounding environment through polarizable embedding or by the expansion of QM layer with hydrogen‐bonded waters helps restore the correct state order at TD‐DFT level. Thus by combining TDDFT with an accurate modeling of the environment, TD‐DFT is positioned as the standout protocol to model photoinduced dynamics in DNA‐based aggregates and multimers.
Rhizobacteria Bacillus spp. mitigate osmotic stress and improve seed germination in mustard by regulating osmolyte and plant hormone signaling
Authors: Nivetha Nagarajan , Asha Arambam Devi , Krishna Gopinathan Kumar , Chinnusamy Viswanathan , Paul Sangeeta 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDrought, a widespread abiotic stressor, exerts a profound impact on agriculture, impeding germination and plant growth, and reducing crop yields. In the present investigation, the osmotolerant rhizobacteria Bacillus casamancensis strain MKS‐6 and Bacillus sp. strain MRD‐17 were assessed for their effects on molecular processes involved in mustard germination under osmotic stress conditions. Enhancement in germination was evidenced by improved germination percentages, plumule and radicle lengths, and seedling vigor upon rhizobacterial inoculation under no stress and osmotic stress conditions. Under osmotic stress, rhizobacteria stimulated the production of gibberellins and reserve hydrolytic enzymes (lipases, isocitrate lyase, and malate synthase), bolstering germination. Furthermore, these rhizobacteria influenced the plant hormones such as gibberellins and abscisic acid (ABA), as well as signalling pathways, thereby promoting germination under osmotic stress. Reduced proline and glycine betaine accumulation, and down‐regulation of transcription factors BjDREB1_2 and BjDREB2 (linked to ABA‐independent signalling) in rhizobacteria‐inoculated seedlings indicated that bacterial treatment mitigated water deficit stress during germination, independently of these pathways. Hence, the advantageous attributes exhibited by these rhizobacterial strains can be effectively harnessed to alleviate drought‐induced stress in mustard crops, potentially through the development of targeted bio‐formulations.
The metabolic profiles of Eugenia astringens and E. uniflora (Myrtaceae) sensitive seeds affect desiccation
Authors: Rodrigues Guilherme Almeida Garcia , Mauve Caroline , Gakiere Bertrand , Bailly Christophe , Steiner Neusa 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMyrtaceae species are abundant in tropical Atlantic rainforests, but 41% of the 5500 species of this family are of extreme conservation concern. Eugenia astringens and E. uniflora are native Brazilian Myrtaceae species that occur in the same habitats and produce desiccation‐sensitive (DS) seeds. We hypothesized that their seed desiccation‐sensitivity degree is associated with specific metabolic signatures. To test it, we analyzed the germination and metabolic profiles of fresh and desiccated seeds. The water content (WC) at which at least half of the seeds survived desiccation was lower in E. astringens (0.17 g H2O g−1 DW) than in E. uniflora (0.41 g H2O g−1 DW). We identified 103 annotated metabolites from 3261 peaks in both species, which differed in their relative contents between E. astringens and E. uniflora seeds. The main differences in seed metabolic profiles include several protective molecules in the group of carbohydrates and organic acids and amino acid contents. The relative contents of monosaccharides and disaccharides, malic and quinic acids, amino acids and saturated fatty acids may have taken part in the distinct DS behaviour of E. astringens and E. uniflora seeds. Our study provides evidence of the relationship between desiccation sensitivity, seed viability and metabolic profile of tropical seeds by comparing two closely related Eugenia species with different DS degrees.
Public service motivation and public sector employment in Korea
Authors: Woo Harin , Kim Sangmook 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study aims to investigate whether individual differences in public service motivation (PSM) between the public and private sectors are a cause or a consequence of choosing a job, testing self‐selection and socialization hypotheses using a longitudinal dataset from a nationally representative cohort in Korea. The study uses two samples from the data of three successive waves (t − 2, t, t + 2) surveyed biennially, finding that “self‐selection” can more persuasively explain the state that employees in the public sector have higher levels of PSM than those in the private sector, with job seekers with high PSM levels being more likely to work in the public sector and with the magnitude of differences in PSM between the public and private sectors maintained through the early years after entry into the workplace, while the levels of PSM, however, decrease in all job sectors. Implications of our findings are discussed.
Debt‐based welfare: Debt‐to‐asset relationships across Black and White households in the United States
Authors: Charron‐Chénier Raphaël 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUnder neoliberal social provision, debt has become a primary tool for US households to pursue economic mobility and manage risk. Borrowing supports financial and non‐financial investments that, in theory, should lead to lifetime income and asset gains from which debt can be repaid. Many scholars argue, however, that reliance on credit as a welfare tool significantly increases inequality, particularly along racial lines. In this paper, I examine this process of debt‐financed asset accumulation by analyzing racial disparities in the relationship between household debt and assets. Using Survey of Consumer Finances data, I examine disparities in assets held at given debt levels across Black and White households. Results indicate that at equal debt levels, Black households' assets are between 30% and 80% lower than those of comparable White households. This suggests that White households benefit considerably more from social policies that center borrowing as a mechanism of social provision. This likely contributes to the persistence of the racial wealth gap. Racial disparities in access to credit, to homeownership, and to non‐market financial transfers like inheritances partly explain White households' higher returns, but racial gaps remain even when accounting for these factors.
Eclogite dehydration and melt‐induced embrittlement at high‐pressure conditions
Authors: Rogowitz Anna , Schorn Simon , Huet Benjamin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe document the complex interaction between metamorphic reactions and deformation behaviour at high‐pressure conditions by combining (micro‐) structural, petrographical and geochemical data from an eclogite body. The well‐equilibrated eclogite fabric is crosscut by mineral veins. Precipitated veins host the eclogitic high‐pressure assemblage with variation in modal composition, indicating that fracturing occurred at eclogite facies conditions. Deflection of the eclogite fabric adjacent to the veins implies ductile reactivation of the veins as flanking structures and strain localization under continuous aseismic shearing. In consequence, the reactivated veins are characterized by undulatory extinction and subgrain formation in quartz indicating crystal plasticity. We show that prograde post‐eclogitization metamorphism resulted in progressive dehydration and melting of the eclogite. Subsequent increase in pore‐pressure‐induced rock failure. The mesoscopic to microscopic characteristics of eclogite‐facies veins indicate a cyclic behaviour of fracturing, vein formation and crystal‐plasticity which demonstrates the strong interaction of chemical and mechanical processes operating at depth.
Pass‐through to export prices: Evidence from Australia†
Authors: Bhattacharya Prasad Sankar 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAustralia is a leading exporter of primary and agricultural commodities like iron ore, coal, wool and beef. Industry stakeholders point out that exchange rate fluctuations remain a key determinant of export revenue. This article investigates the exchange rate pass‐through to export prices using the recently proposed impulse responses by the local projections technique. Employing export prices in all destination markets and trade‐weighted exchange rates, there is substantial evidence that 17 SITC industry and sub‐industry level prices experience moderate to high exchange rate pass‐through to export prices. These industry categories include sectors like minerals and natural resources products, which are homogenous in nature, and Australia enjoys a comparative advantage in the export of such goods. However, this competitive edge does not necessarily lead to higher export prices, as currency invoicing plays an important role in determining the extent of the pass‐through effect. Our findings have important policy implications, especially regarding the invoicing currency strategy for exporters selling homogenous items.
A single sequence of intermittent hypoxia does not alter stretch reflex excitability in able‐bodied individuals
Authors: Tan Andrew Q. , Tuthill Christopher , Corsten Anthony N. , Barth Stella , Trumbower Randy D. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSpasticity attributable to exaggerated stretch reflex pathways, particularly affecting the ankle plantar flexors, often impairs overground walking in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury. Compelling evidence from rodent models underscores how exposure to acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) can provide a unique medium to induce spinal plasticity in key inhibitory pathways mediating stretch reflex excitability and potentially affect spasticity. In this study, we quantify the effects of a single exposure to AIH on the stretch reflex in able‐bodied individuals. We hypothesized that a single sequence of AIH will increase the stretch reflex excitability of the soleus muscle during ramp‐and‐hold angular perturbations applied to the ankle joint while participants perform passive and volitionally matched contractions. Our results revealed that a single AIH exposure did not significantly change the stretch reflex excitability during both passive and active matching conditions. Furthermore, we found that able‐bodied individuals increased their stretch reflex response from passive to active matching conditions after both sham and AIH exposures. Together, these findings suggest that a single AIH exposure might not engage inhibitory pathways sufficiently to alter stretch reflex responses in able‐bodied persons. However, the generalizability of our present findings requires further examination during repetitive exposures to AIH along with potential reflex modulation during functional movements, such as overground walking.
The unique salt bridge network in GlacPETase: a key to its stability
Authors: Qi Xiaoyan , Wu Yanfei , Zhang Shu-Ting , Yin Chao-Fan , Ji Mukan , Liu Yongqin , Xu Ying , Zhou Ning-Yi 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

The extensive accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has become a critical environmental issue. PET hydrolases can break down PET into its building blocks. Recently, we identified a glacial PET hydrolase GlacPETase sharing less than 31% amino acid identity with any known PET hydrolases. In this study, the crystal structure of GlacPETase was determined at 1.8 Å resolution, revealing unique structural features including a distinctive N-terminal disulfide bond and a specific salt bridge network. Site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that the disruption of the N-terminal disulfide bond did not reduce GlacPETase’s thermostability or its catalytic activity on PET. However, mutations in the salt bridges resulted in changes in melting temperature ranging from −8°C to +2°C and the activity on PET ranging from 17.5% to 145.5% compared to the wild type. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that these salt bridges stabilized the GlacPETase’s structure by maintaining their surrounding structure. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that GlacPETase represented a distinct branch within PET hydrolases-like proteins, with the salt bridges and disulfide bonds in this branch being relatively conserved. This research contributed to the improvement of our comprehension of the structural mechanisms that dictate the thermostability of PET hydrolases, highlighting the diverse characteristics and adaptability observed within PET hydrolases.

IMPORTANCE
The pervasive problem of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) pollution in various terrestrial and marine environments is widely acknowledged and continues to escalate. PET hydrolases, such as GlacPETase in this study, offered a solution for breaking down PET. Its unique origin and less than 31% identity with any known PET hydrolases have driven us to resolve its structure. Here, we report the correlation between its unique structure and biochemical properties, focusing on an N-terminal disulfide bond and specific salt bridges. Through site-directed mutagenesis experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, the roles of the N-terminal disulfide bond and salt bridges were elucidated in GlacPETase. This research enhanced our understanding of the role of salt bridges in the thermostability of PET hydrolases, providing a valuable reference for the future engineering of PET hydrolases.
Nairovirus polymerase mutations associated with the establishment of persistent infection in human cells
Authors: Ohta Keisuke , Saka Naoki , Nishi Yuzuha , Nishio Machiko 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), a tick-borne virus of the
Orthonairovirus
genus, persistently infects tick cells. It has been reported to establish persistent infection in non-human primates, but virological analysis has not yet been performed in human cells. Here, we investigated whether and how nairoviruses persistently infect human cells using Hazara orthonairovirus (HAZV), a surrogate model for CCHFV. We established a human cell line that was persistently infected with HAZV. Surprisingly, virions of persistently infected HAZV (HAZVpi) were not observed in the culture supernatants. There were five mutations (mut1, mut2, mut3, mut4, and mut5) in L protein of HAZVpi. Mutations in L protein of HAZVpi contribute to non-detection of virion in the supernatants. Lmut4 was found to cause low viral growth rate, despite its high polymerase activity. The low growth rate was restored by Lmut2, Lmut3, and Lmut5. The polymerase activity of Lmut1 was extremely low, and recombinant HAZV carrying Lmut1 (rHAZV/Lmut1) was not released into the supernatants. However, genomes of rHAZV/Lmut1 were retained in the infected cells. All mutations (Lmut1-5) found in L protein of HAZVpi were required for experimental reproduction of HAZVpi, and only Lmut1 and Lmut4 were insufficient. We demonstrated that point mutations in viral polymerase contribute to the establishment of persistent HAZV infection. Furthermore, innate immunity was found to be suppressed in HAZVpi-infected cells, which also potentially contributes to viral persistence. This is the first presentation of a possible mechanism behind how nairoviruses establish persistent infection in human cells.

IMPORTANCE
We investigated whether and how nairoviruses persistently infect human cells, using Hazara orthonairovirus (HAZV), a surrogate model for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. We established a human cell line that was persistently infected with HAZV. Five mutations were found in L protein of persistently infected HAZV (HAZVpi): mut1, mut2, mut3, mut4, and mut5. Among them, Lmut1 and Lmut4 restricted viral growth by low polymerase activity and low growth rate, respectively, leading to inhibition of viral overgrowth. The restriction of viral growth caused by Lmut1 and Lmut4 was compensated by other mutations, including Lmut2, Lmut3, and Lmut5. Each of the mutations found in L protein of HAZVpi was concluded to cooperatively modulate viral growth, which facilitates the establishment of persistent infection. Suppression of innate immunity also potentially contributes to virus persistence. This is the first presentation of a possible mechanism behind how nairoviruses establish persistent infection in human cells.
An intranasal influenza virus vector vaccine protects against
Helicobacter pylori
in mice
Authors: Nie Longyu , Huang Yu , Cheng Zhikui , Luo Hao , Zhan Yuxin , Dou Kaiwen , Ma Caijiao , Yu Chen , Luo Chuanjin , Liu Zhiqiang , Liu Shi , Zhu Ying 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Helicobacter pylori
is a human pathogen that infects almost half of the population. Antibiotic resistance in
H. pylori
threatens health and increases the demand for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. Traditional oral vaccine research faces considerable challenges because of the epithelial barrier, potential enterotoxicity of adjuvants, and the challenging conditions of the gastric environment. We developed an intranasal influenza A virus (IAV) vector vaccine based on two live attenuated influenza viruses with modified acidic polymerase protein (PA) genes encoding the A subunit of
H. pylori
neutrophil-activating protein (NapA), named IAV-NapA, including influenza virus A/WSN/33 (WSN)-NapA and A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8)-NapA. These recombinant influenza viruses were highly attenuated and exhibited strong immunogenicity in mice. Vaccination with IAV-NapA induced antigen-specific humoral and mucosal immune responses while stimulating robust Th1 and Th17 cell immune responses in mice. Our findings suggest that prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination with influenza virus vector vaccines significantly reduces colonization of
H. pylori
and inflammation in the stomach of mice.

IMPORTANCE

Helicobacter pylori
is the most common cause of chronic gastritis and leads to severe gastroduodenal pathology in some patients. Many studies have shown that Th1 and Th17 cellular and gastric mucosal immune responses are critical in reducing
H. pylori
load. IAV vector vaccines can stimulate these immune responses while overcoming potential adjuvant toxicity and antigen dosing issues. To date, no studies have demonstrated the role of live attenuated IAV vector vaccines in preventing and treating
H. pylori
infection. Our work indicates that vaccination with IAV-NapA induces antigen-specific humoral, cellular, and mucosal immunity, producing a protective and therapeutic effect against
H. pylori
infection in BALB/c mice. This undescribed
H. pylori
vaccination approach may provide valuable information for developing vaccines against
H. pylori
infection.
Draft genome sequence of
Exiguobacterium
sp. strain MMG028 isolated from a salt marsh
Authors: Farrell Morgan V. , Airkin Mina Y. , Ali Tatyana N. , Altoblani Zainalabdin S. , Bowman Chynna R. , Diaz Abigail Anne B. , Faurot Paul F. , Frausto Joshua E. , Haji Sazan F. , Hamad Basma A. , Lively James B. , Luistro Daniella Corene C. , Macias Yvette , Mathew Steffy , McKinley Kayla M. , Nasirimoseloo Somayeh , Tran Bradley P. , Trinh Amanda N. , Shikuma Nicholas J. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Exiguobacterium
sp. strain MMG028, isolated from Rose Creek, San Diego, CA, USA, assembled and analyzed by undergraduate students participating in a marine microbial genomics course. A genomic comparison suggests that MMG028 is a novel species, providing a resource for future microbiology and biotechnology investigations.
IncA/C plasmid encoding
bla
CTX-M-55
in non-O1
Vibrio cholerae
isolates from the edible river fish
Mastacembelus
sp.
Authors: Yamaguchi Takahiro , Jinnai Michio , Nguyen Minh Doan Tran , Hoang Oanh Nguyen , Thi Hien Le , Ngo Thanh Phong , Hoang Hoai Phuong , Do Phuc Nguyen , Dang Van Chinh , Motooka Daisuke , Nakamura Shota , Kumeda Yuko , Hase Atsushi , Nakayama Tatsuya 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing non-O1
Vibrio cholerae
was isolated from edible
Mastacembelus
sp. in Vietnam. The genome sequence was sequenced using DNBSEQ-G400 and MinION Mk1b. A plasmid of approximately 183-kb encoding
bla
CTX-M-55
and
bla
TEM-1
was detected.