bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COBL7 is required for stomatal formation via regulation of cellulose deposition in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ge Shengchao , Sun Pengyue , Wu Wenjuan , Chen Xinhang , Wang Yifei , Zhang Min , Huang Jirong , Liang Yun‐Kuan 
Published: October 2023

Summary
As a key regulator of plant photosynthesis, water use efficiency and immunity, stomata are specialized cellular structures that adopt defined shapes. However, our knowledge about the genetic players of stomatal pore formation and stomatal morphogenesis remains limited.
Forward genetic screening, positional cloning, confocal and electron microscopy, physiological and pharmacological assays were employed for isolation and characterization of mutants and genes.
We identified a mutant, dsm1, with impaired cytokinesis and deformed stomata. DSM1 is highly expressed in guard mother cells and guard cells, and encodes COBRA‐LIKE 7 (COBL7), a plant‐specific glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored protein. COBRA‐LIKE 7 and its closest homologue, COBL8, are first enriched on the forming cell plates during cytokinesis, and then their subcellular distribution and abundance change are correlated with the progressive stages of stomatal pore formation. Both COBL7 and COBL8 possess an ability to bind cellulose. Perturbing the expression of COBL7 and COBL8 leads to a decrease in cellulose content and inhibition of stomatal pore development. Moreover, we found that COBL7, COBL8 and CSLD5 have synergistic effects on stomatal development and plant growth.
Our findings reveal that COBL7 plays a predominant and functionally redundant role with COBL8 in stomatal formation through regulating cellulose deposition and ventral wall modification in Arabidopsis.
How plant traits respond to and affect vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores—Are measurements comparable across herbivore types?
Authors: Lebbink Gabrielle , Risch Anita C. , Schuetz Martin , Firn Jennifer 
Published: October 2023

AbstractDespite plants realistically being affected by vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores simultaneously, fundamental differences in the ecology and evolution of these two herbivore guilds often means their impacts on plants are studied separately. A synthesis of the literature is needed to understand the types of plant traits examined and their response to, and effect on (in terms of forage selection) vertebrate and invertebrate herbivory, and to identify associated knowledge gaps. Focusing on grassland systems and species, we found 138 articles that met our criteria: 39 invertebrate, 97 vertebrate and 2 focussed on both vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores. Our study identified invertebrate focussed research, research conducted in the Southern Hemisphere and research on nondomesticated herbivores was significantly underrepresented based on our search and should be a focus of future research. Differences in study focus (trait response or trait effect), along with differences in the types of traits examined, led to limited opportunity for comparison between the two herbivore guilds. This review therefore predominantly discusses the response and effect of plant traits to each herbivore guild separately. In future studies, we suggest this review be used as a guide for trait selection, to improve comparability and the broader significance of results.
Incomplete resupination during floral development leads to pollination failure in a slipper orchid
Authors: Cardoso J. C. F. , Johnson S. D. , Oliveira P. E. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

In many families, plants undergo floral resupination by twisting through approximately 180° during floral development so that the flower is effectively positioned upside down. In most orchids, resupination results in the median petal (i.e., the labellum) becoming lowermost, which plays a crucial role in pollination by serving as a landing platform or as a trapping device, or both. Incomplete resupination is predicted to lead to reduced pollination, although tests of this assumption are still lacking.

We investigated the effect of resupination using Phragmipedium vittatum, a rare lady's slipper orchid whose specialized labellum forms a trapping device. First, we surveyed the natural occurrence of incomplete resupination. Then we manipulated flowers into non‐ (≈0°), half‐ (≈90°), and fully resupinate (≈180°) positions to test the effect of orientation on pollen smear removal and deposition by pollinators (female hoverflies).

We found that ca. 10% of flowers in the natural population were not fully resupinate, being either non‐ (upward, 0–60°) or half‐resupinate (sideward, 60–120°). The change in orientation prevented the effectiveness of pollination by hoverflies since no pollen smear removal or deposition were found in flowers from non‐ and half‐resupinate treatments. Although these flowers still attracted hoverflies, they were not trapped effectively.

As this orchid is incapable of autonomous self‐pollination, flowers that do not resupinate fail to set fruits. These results highlight the importance of correct floral orientation provided by resupination to ensure pollination in orchids and other resupinate flowers.
Assessment of antibiotic use patterns in bovine mastitis treatment in the dairy sector in Serbia
Authors: Tomanić Dragana , Samardžija Marko , Kladar Nebojša , Pećin Marko , Ružić Zoran , Kovačević Zorana 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe dairy sector is essential for the world's food systems, playing a vital role in agricultural production. Yet, mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland, affects a considerable portion of the dairy cow population annually, leading to reduced productivity and sustainability. Insight into therapeutic protocols is essential for a better understanding of the situation on farms with the aim of developing new or harmonizing existing protocols in the mastitis treatment. This study conducted on dairy farm in Serbia aimed to explore the most commonly used antibiotics during bovine mastitis treatment and their association with daily milk yield. Data from 100 lactating cows, including therapeutic protocols, lactation numbers, mastitis episodes, milk yield, and antibiotic usage, were obtained from a computerized database and statistically analysed. The results demonstrated a high prevalence of narrow‐spectrum antibiotics usage, with the majority of cows treated with combination therapy. The route of antibiotic application did not significantly impact daily milk yield, while treatment duration had no discernible effect. Nonetheless, specific antibiotics were associated with milk yield variations, suggesting the need for careful antibiotic selection and management in mastitis therapy. These findings emphasize the importance of prudent antibiotic use to safeguard animal health and long‐term milk production sustainability.
Numerical Modeling of Swirl Stabilized Lean-Premixed H2–CH4 Flames With the Artificially Thickened Flame Model
Authors: Castellani S. , Nassini P. C. , Andreini A. , Meloni R. , Pucci E. , Valera-Medina A. , Morris S. , Goktepe B. , Mashruk S. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The lean premixed technology is a very convenient combustion strategy to progressively move from natural gas to high hydrogen content fuels in gas turbines limiting the pollutants emissions at the same time. The enabling process that will allow the combustor to manage a full H2 operation requires relevant design modifications, and in this framework, the numerical modeling will be a pivotal tool that will support this transition. In this work, high-fidelity simulations of perfectly premixed swirl stabilized flames have been performed varying the H2 content in the fuel from 0 to 100% to investigate the effect of the hydrogen addition on the methane flame. The artificially thickened flame model (ATFM) has been used to treat the turbulent chemistry interaction. The numerical results have been compared with the detailed experimental data performed at Cardiff University's Gas Turbine Research Center. After the numerical model validation against experimental OH* chemiluminescence maps has been presented, a deep numerical investigation of the effect of the H2 addition on the flame has been performed. In this way, the work aims to highlight the good prediction capability of the ATFM, and, at the same time, highlight the change in the different contributions that govern the flame reactivity moving from 100% CH4 to 100% H2 in very lean conditions.
The sensor histidine kinase (SLN1) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1) coordinately regulate the response of
Neurospora crassa
to the springtail
Sinella curviseta
(Collembola: Entomobryidae) attack
Authors: Sun Mengni , Lu Ting , Chen Pengxu , Wang Xiaomeng , Yang Hanbing , Zhou Rong , Zheng Weifa , Zhao Yanxia 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Eukaryotes evolved various strategies to coordinate their development and metabolism in response to harsh environments. However, it remains unknown whether fungi increase their resistance to stress from fungivorous arthropods by altering phenotype and metabolite composition. In this study, we investigated the coordinated regulation of sensor histidine kinase (SLN1) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1) on sporulation and metabolite accumulation in
Neurospora crassa
, particularly upon the springtail
Sinella curviseta
(Collembola: Entomobryidae) attack. The mutants
Δsln1
,
Δacc1
, and double mutant
Δsln1::Δacc1
exhibited reduced conidia number and defective sexual reproduction in contrast to the wild type. Intriguingly, double deletion of
sln1
and
acc1
results in failure of beak formation and, consequently, inhibits ascospores ejection which helps
Δsln1::Δacc1
to escape the predation by
S. curviseta
. Furthermore,
sln1
and/or
acc1
play critical roles in metabolic processes in
N. crassa
. Compared with the control, the cultures exposed to
S. curviseta
produced more trehalose, carotenoids, folic acid, and fatty acids, especially in the asexual stage. The deletion of
sln1
and
acc1
affected the trehalose content, thereby reducing the resistance of
Δsln1
,
Δacc1
, and
Δsln1::Δacc1
to
S. curviseta
. Null of
sln1
and/or
acc1
altered the lipid composition and thus carotenoids synthesis. Chemical analysis showed that
N. crassa
formed more fatty acids and carotenoids upon the attack of
S. curviseta
. Taken together, our data suggest that
acc1
and
sln1
work together to protect
N. crassa
from the stress of
S. curviseta
. SLN1 and ACC1 compose a regulatory system that coordinates the conidiation, perithecial formation, and metabolism, especially upon fungivores stress.

IMPORTANCE

Understanding the regulatory pathways by which fungi respond to environmental signals through interlinked genes provides insights into the interactions between fungi and insects. The coordinated optimization of the regulatory networks is necessary for fungi to adapt to their habitats. We demonstrated that the synergistic regulation of sensor histidine kinase (SLN1) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1) plays a critical role in regulating the fungal response to
Sinella curviseta
stress. Furthermore, we found that the enhanced production of trehalose, carotenoids, and 5-MTHF plays crucial role in the resistance to the fungivore. Our results provide insights into the understanding of the adaptation of
N. crassa
to environmental stimuli.
Closed circular genome sequence of a
Microcystis aeruginosa
PCC7806 Δ
mcyB
(UTK) non-toxic mutant
Authors: Stark Gwendolyn F. , Truchon Alexander R. , Dittmann Elke , Wilhelm Steven W. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Here we report the complete, closed genome of the non-toxic
Microcystis aeruginosa
PCC7806 Δ
mcyB
mutant strain. This genome is 5,103,923 bp long, with a GC content of 42.07%. Compared to the published wild-type genome (
Microcystis aeruginosa
PCC7806SL), there is evidence of accumulated mutations beyond the inserted chloramphenicol resistance marker.
Draft genome sequences of six bacteria isolated from polylactic acid samples from the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Rojas-Vargas Jorge , Adaya Libertad , Lacerda Ana Luzia , Pedrotti Maria-Luiza , Sanchez-Flores Alejandro , Pardo-López Liliana 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of six marine strains isolated from plastic samples incubated in the Mediterranean Sea. Genomic analyses place these strains within the
Alkalihalobacillus
,
Bacillus
,
Halomonas
, and
Marinobacter
genera. Examining the genomes of these non-typical environmental bacteria increases our comprehension of microorganism biology and their potential uses.
Insight into the invasion process and immune-protective evaluation of Tp0971, a membrane lipoprotein from
Treponema pallidum
Authors: Zhang Xiaohong , Duan Junxia , Wang Yali , Xie Bibo , Zhou Jie , Zhao Sisi , Yin Weiguo , Liu Peng , Zhao Feijun 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Treponema pallidum
(
T. pallidum
), the pathogen of syphilis, can invade organisms through mucous membranes or broken skin and proliferate in the host. It spreads rapidly and causes chronic systemic multi-organ damage. Currently, the invasion and pathogenesis of
T. pallidum
remain a mystery. In this study, we established a
T. pallidum
infection model in New Zealand rabbits, and the
T. pallidum
burden in various tissues and organs was detected to investigate the dynamic spread of
T. pallidum
in different organs. Our results indicated that the
T. pallidum
burden in rabbits was in a cyclic and repeated dynamic process of decreasing and increasing after infection. In addition, the localization of lipoprotein Tp0971 was confirmed by using the gel microdroplet method. We found that Tp0971 might be a membrane lipoprotein that exists in the inner and outer membranes of
T. pallidum
. The immune-protective effect of the
T. pallidum
infection-dependent antigen Tp0971 was evaluated. Tp0971/CpG can induce high levels of Tp0971-specific antibodies, delay skin damage, and promote healing at the infected sites of
T. pallidum
in New Zealand rabbits. This indicated that Tp0971 may serve as a vaccine antigen candidate. Our results provide new ideas for future research on the proliferation, spread mechanism, and vaccine development of
T. pallidum
.

IMPORTANCE

The past two decades have seen a worldwide resurgence in infections caused by
Treponema pallidum
(
T. pallidum
) subsp.
pallidum
, the syphilis spirochete. The well-recognized capacity of the syphilis spirochete for early dissemination and immune evasion has earned it the designation “the stealth pathogen.” There are many hurdles to studying syphilis pathogenesis, most notably the difficulty of culturing and genetically manipulating
T. pallidum
, as well as the absence of an effective vaccine for
T. pallidum
prevention.
T. pallidum
infection in humans is a complex and lengthy process. In this study, we investigated the invasion process and the function of the infection-dependent antigen Tp0971 as an immunogen to inhibit the dissemination of
T. pallidum
in an animal infection model. This enables a better understanding of the specific pathogenic mechanism of this pathogen, syphilis pathogenesis, and vaccine research.
Prevalence and virulence potential of
Aeromonas
spp. isolated from human diarrheal samples in North East Italy
Authors: Bernabè Giulia , Brun Paola , Pietra Giuseppe Di , Zatta Veronica , Asad Shirin , Meneghello Silvia , Cordioli Giampaolo , Lavezzo Enrico , Valente Elisabetta , Mietto Sofia , Besutti Valeria , Castagliuolo Ignazio 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Aeromonas
spp. are emerging human pathogens causing intestinal and extra-intestinal infections. Since their relevance in Western Europe as gastrointestinal pathogens is not well established, we investigated
Aeromonas
spp. prevalence in diarrheal fecal samples in an Italian University Hospital and characterized the virulence mechanisms of the isolates.
Aeromonas
spp. isolated from diarrheic stools using standard culture methods were identified by molecular techniques. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed by the micro broth dilution. Toxins, flagella, and type III secretion system genes were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction. Biofilm was quantified by crystal-violet staining. Interaction with human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) was assessed by quantifying adhesion, interleukin (IL)-8 secretion, and epithelial barrier integrity.
Aeromonas
spp. represented 20.6% of bacterial pathogens isolated from diarrheic feces, the second most common enteropathogen.
A. cavieae
constituted 75% of the identified species, showing a relatively low clustering value. About 52% of
Aeromonas
isolates showed resistance to amikacin, whereas only 7.5% showed multiple drug resistance. Four or more virulence genes were identified in 66.7% of
A. cavieae
isolates and 100% of
A. dakensis. Aeromonas
isolates (82.5%) showed moderate or important biofilm-producing ability. Adhesion to Caco-2 cells correlated to
fla
+ gene, whereas
ascV+
and
aexU
+ strains significantly induced IL-8 release from Caco-2.
Aeromonas aer+
strains caused ZO1 and occluding redistribution and a significative reduction in trans-epithelial resistance.
Aeromonas
spp. emerge as relevant human intestinal pathogens with a disparate arsenal of pathogenicity factors causing diarrhea through different mechanisms.

IMPORTANCE

In this work, we demonstrate the epidemiologic relevance of the
Aeromonas
genus as the cause of infective diarrhea in North East Italy, both in children and adult subjects, with the significative presence of highly pathogenic strains.
Aeromonas
strains possess a heterogeneous armamentarium of pathogenicity factors that allows the microbe to affect a wide range of human intestinal epithelial cell processes that justify the ability to induce diarrhea through different mechanisms and cause diseases of variable severity, as observed for other gastrointestinal pathogens. However, it remains to be determined whether specific genotype(s) are associated with clinical pictures of different severity to implement the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this relevant enteric pathogen.
Antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of rhein against white spot syndrome virus infection in red swamp crayfish (
Procambarus clarkii
)
Authors: Chen Cheng , Liang Chang-Shuai , Wang Tao , Shen Jing-Lei , Ling Fei , Jiang Hai-Feng , Li Peng-Fei , Wang Gao-Xue 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Infection caused by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) leads to massive mortality and huge economic losses in the crustacean aquaculture industry; however, to date, no effective control means are available to control the disease. Thus, to better understand the pathological aspects of WSSV and to find effective compounds that have the potential to be developed as anti-WSSV agents are imperative. Herein, based on screening of plants with antiviral activity, we found that rhein, an anthraquinone compound in
Rheum palmatum
L., exhibited strong activity against WSSV infection in a red swamp crayfish (
Procambarus clarkii
) model. The results showed that rhein could dose dependently inhibit transcription of WSSV ie1, DNApol, and Vp28 genes, reduce viral load
in vivo
, and significantly improve the survival rate of WSSV-infected crayfish. Through investigation of the mechanisms of action, we found that rhein did not affect the infectivity of viral particles
in vitro
as well as the entry and release process
in vivo
. Alternatively, rhein could activate JAK/STAT and NF-κB pathways, significantly decrease the expression of crustin-1 and BAF but increase the expression of C-type lectin and proPO to arrest WSSV replication. Moreover, rhein also attenuated WSSV-induced oxidative and inflammatory stresses by regulating the expression of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory-related genes and enhanced innate immunity by reducing total protein levels while increasing the phosphatase activity. Taken together, our study shows rhein as a potent WSSV inhibitor, which provides great potential for the development of prophylaxis and therapy agents for controlling WSSV infection in crustacean aquaculture.

IMPORTANCE

Aquaculture is essential for ensuring global food security by providing a significant source of animal protein. However, the spread of the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has resulted in considerable economic losses in crustacean industries. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral activity of rhein, the primary bioactive component of
Rheum palmatum
L., against WSSV infection, and many pathological aspects of WSSV were also described for the first time. Our mechanistic studies indicated that rhein effectively arrested the replication of WSSV in crayfish by modulating innate immunity to inhibit viral gene transcription. Furthermore, we observed that rhein attenuated WSSV-induced oxidative and inflammatory stresses by regulating the expression of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory-related genes while enhancing innate immunity by reducing total protein levels and increasing phosphatase activity. Our findings suggest that rhein holds great promise as a potent antiviral agent for the prevention and treatment of WSSV in aquaculture.
Genetic and phenotypic characterizations of IncX3 plasmids harboring
bla
NDM-5
and
bla
NDM-16b
in Japan
Authors: Zuo Hui , Sugawara Yo , Kayama Shizuo , Kawakami Sayoko , Yahara Koji , Sugai Motoyuki 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

The spread of the gene encoding the NDM-type carbapenemase,
bla
NDM
, poses a serious threat to clinical practice and public health. This gene is usually carried by transferable plasmids, which facilitates its rapid spread among various species of Enterobacterales. Plasmids with the IncX3 replicon play a major role in the spread of
bla
NDM
in Asian countries. In this study, we conducted genomic sequencing and a comparative analysis of the IncX3-type plasmids harboring
bla
NDM-5
and
bla
NDM-16b
, a single-nucleotide variant of
bla
NDM-5
, isolated in a national antimicrobial-resistant bacterial genomic surveillance in Japan (Japan Antimicrobial Resistant Bacterial Surveillance), which was carried out during 2019–2020. We compared five plasmids harboring
bla
NDM-5
and one plasmid harboring
bla
NDM-16b
. They were highly identical and differed in several nucleotide substitutions or variations in insertion sequences, although they were carried by different species or genotypes. Notably,
bla
NDM-16b
-carrying pJBBDACG-19-0070 was identical to a plasmid carrying
bla
NDM-5
except for one nucleotide substitution in the
bla
NDM
gene throughout the 46 kb sequences. Transformants carrying these two plasmids showed comparative resistance to carbapenems, indicating that a substitution on the NDM enzyme (Ala233 to Val) did not affect carbapenem resistance, at least under normal experimental conditions. A database search revealed that several identical plasmids carrying
bla
NDM-5
were reported from neighboring countries, mainly China, before our surveillance period. Our analysis suggested that the IncX3 plasmid harboring
bla
NDM-5
is spreading in Japan, and
bla
NDM-16b
emerged from a single nucleotide substitution on the plasmid, with widespread dissemination in Asian countries.

IMPORTANCE

IncX3 plasmids harboring
bla
NDM-5
play a major role in the spread of carbapenem resistance in Asia, particularly in China, in clinical and environmental settings. In this study, we present that Enterobacterales isolates carrying IncX3 plasmids harboring
bla
NDM-5
have been disseminated in Japan, where their identification was previously rare. In addition,
bla
NDM-16b
, a single-nucleotide variant of
bla
NDM-5
, was found to be carried by an identical IncX3 plasmid. A comparative sequence analysis revealed that the
bla
NDM-16b
gene emerged from a single nucleotide substitution on an IncX3 plasmid harboring
bla
NDM-5
. The
bla
NDM-16b
gene did not confer elevated carbapenem resistance compared to
bla
NDM-5
in our assay using transformants carrying the plasmid harboring either of these genes, although the A233V substitution was reported to confer stability to the enzyme in ion-depleted conditions. Nevertheless, vigilance regarding the emergence of novel variants is required.