bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early human fetal lung atlas reveals the temporal dynamics of epithelial cell plasticity
Authors: Quach Henry , Farrell Spencer , Kanagarajah Kayshani , Wu Michael , Xu Xiaoqiao , Kallurkar Prajkta , Turinsky Andrei , Bear Christine E. , Ratjen Felix , Goyal Sidhartha , Moraes Theo J. , Wong Amy P. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWhile animal models have provided key insights into conserved mechanisms of how the lung forms during development, human-specific developmental mechanisms are not always captured. To fully appreciate how developmental defects and disease states alter the function of the lungs, studies in human lung models are important. Here, we sequenced >150,000 single single-cells from 19 healthy human fetal lung tissues from gestational weeks 10-19 and identified at least 58 unique cell types/states contributing to the developing lung. We captured novel dynamic developmental trajectories from various progenitor cells that give rise to club, ciliated, and pulmonary neuroendocrine cells. We also identified four CFTR-expressing progenitor cell types and pinpointed the temporal emergence of these cell types. These developmental dynamics reveal broader epithelial cell plasticity and novel lineage hierarchies that were not previously reported. Combined with spatial transcriptomics, we identified both cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous signalling pathways that may dictate the temporal and spatial emergence of cell lineages. Finally, we showed that human pluripotent stem cell-derived fetal lung models capture cell lineage trajectories specifically through CFTR-expressing progenitor cells, that were also observed in the native fetal tissue. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive single-cell atlas of the developing human lung, outlining the temporal and spatial complexities of cell lineage development.HighlightsSingle-cell transcriptomics atlas from 19 human fetal lungs reveals cellular heterogeneity and previously unappreciated cellular plasticity in the epithelial compartment.Identification of novel CFTR-expressing progenitor cells that gives rise to club, ciliated and PNEC.Novel RNA velocity facilitated the identification of dynamic lineage trajectories in the epithelial compartment.Temporally regulated cell signaling through promiscuous interactions between sender and receiving cells may dictate cell lineage fates.Integration of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived fetal lung cells and organoids with primary lung dataset show hPSC-differentiations captures key developmental trajectories of fetal epithelial cell states.
Molecular basis for positional memory and its reprogrammability in limb regeneration
Authors: Otsuki L , Plattner SA , Taniguchi-Sugiura Y , Tanaka EM 
Published: October 2023

AbstractUpon limb amputation in salamanders, anterior and posterior connective tissue cells form distinct signalling centres that together fuel successful regeneration. The molecular properties that distinguish anterior and posterior cells prior to injury, which enable them to initiate different signalling centres after amputation, are not known. These anterior and posterior identities, crucial for regeneration, were thought to be established during development and to persist through successive regeneration cycles as positional memory. However, the molecular nature of these memory states and whether these identities can be engineered have remained outstanding questions. Here, we identify a positive feedback mechanism encoding posterior identity in the axolotl limb, which can be used to newly encode positional memory in regenerative cells. Posterior cells express residual levels of the bHLH transcription factorHand2from development and this is a priming molecule necessary and sufficient to establish aShhsignalling centre after limb amputation. During regeneration,Shhfeeds back and reinforcesHand2expression in nearby cells.Hand2is sustained following regeneration, safeguarding posterior memory, whileShhis shut off. As a consequence of thisHand2-Shhsystem, anterior and posterior identities are differentially susceptible to alteration. Posterior cells are stabilised against anteriorisation as their expression ofHand2poises them to trigger theHand2-Shhloop. In contrast, anterior cells can be reprogrammed: a transient exposure toShhduring regeneration causes anterior cells to gainHand2expression and a lasting competence to expressShh. In this way, regeneration is an opportunity and entry point to re-write positional memory. Our results implicate positive feedback in the stability of positional memory and explain why positional memory is more easily altered in one direction (anterior to posterior) than the other. Because modifying positional memory changes signalling outputs from regenerative cells, our findings have wider implications for tissue engineering.
Subconfluent ARPE-19 Cells Display Mesenchymal Cell-State Characteristics and Behave Like Fibroblasts, Rather than Epithelial Cells, in Experimental HCMV Infection Studies
Authors: Golconda Preethi , Andrade-Medina Mariana , Oberstein Adam 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has a broad cellular tropism and epithelial cells are important physiological targets during infection. The retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 has been used to model HCMV infection in epithelial cells for decades and remains a commonly used cell-type for studying viral entry, replication, and the cellular response to infection. We previously found that ARPE-19 cells, despite being derived from an epithelial cell explant, express extremely low levels of canonical epithelial proteins, such as E-cadherin and EpCAM. Here, we perform comparative studies of ARPE-19 and additional epithelial cell lines with strong epithelial characteristics. We find that ARPE-19 cells cultured under subconfluent conditions resemble mesenchymal fibroblasts, rather than epithelial cells; consistent with previous studies showing that ARPE-19 cultures require extended periods of high confluency culture to maintain epithelial characteristics. By reanalyzing public gene expression data and using machine-learning, we find evidence that ARPE-19 cultures maintained across many labs exhibit mesenchymal characteristics and that the majority of studies employing ARPE-19 use them in a mesenchymal state. Lastly, by performing experimental HCMV infections across mesenchymal and epithelial cell lines, we find that ARPE-19 cells behave like mesenchymal fibroblasts, producing logarithmic yields of cell-free infectious progeny, while cell lines with strong epithelial character exhibit an atypical infectious cycle and naturally restrict the production of cell-free progeny. Our work highlights important characteristics of the ARPE-19 cell line and suggests that sub-confluent ARPE-19 cells may not be optimal for modeling epithelial infection with HCMV or other human viruses. It also suggests that HCMV biosynthesis and/or spread may occur quite differently in epithelial cells compared to mesenchymal cells. These differences could contribute to viral persistence or pathogenesis in epithelial tissues.
A sub-set of guanine- and cytosine-rich genes are actively transcribed at the nuclear Lamin B1 region
Authors: Balasooriya Gayan I. , Wee Tse-Luen , Spector David L. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractChromatin organization in the mammalian cell nucleus plays a vital role in the regulation of gene expression. The lamina-associated domain at the inner nuclear membrane has been proposed to harbor heterochromatin, while the nuclear interior has been shown to contain most of the euchromatin. Here, we show that a sub-set of actively transcribing genes, marked by RNA Pol II pSer2, are associated with Lamin B1 at the inner nuclear envelop in mESCs and the number of genes proportionally increases uponin vitrodifferentiation of mESC to olfactory precursor cells. These nuclear periphery-associated actively transcribing genes primarily represent housekeeping genes, and their gene bodies are significantly enriched with guanine and cytosine compared to genes actively transcribed at the nuclear interior. We found the promoters of these genes to also be significantly enriched with guanine and to be predominantly regulated by zinc finger protein transcription factors. We provide evidence supporting the emerging notion that the Lamin B1 region is not solely transcriptionally silent.
An interplay of HSP-proteostasis, biomechanics and ECM-cell junctions ensuresC. elegansastroglial architecture
Authors: Coraggio Francesca , Bhushan Mahak , Roumeliotis Spyridon , Caroti Francesca , Bevilacqua Carlo , Prevedel Robert , Rapti Georgia 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTissue integrity is sensitive to temperature, tension, age and is sustained throughout life by adaptive cell-autonomous or extrinsic mechanisms. Safeguarding the remarkably-complex architectures of neurons and glia ensures age-dependent, functional circuit integrity. Here we report mechanisms sustaining integrity of theC. elegansastrocyte-like CEPsh glia. We combine large-scale genetics with manipulation of genes, cells, and their environment, with quantitative imaging of cellular, subcellular features and material properties of tissues and extracellular matrix (ECM). We identify mutants with age-progressive, environment-dependent defects in glial architecture, consequent disruption of axons, synapses, and aging. Functional loss of epithelial Hsp70/Hsc70-cochaperone BAG2 causes ECM disruption, altered animal biomechanics, and hypersensitivity of glial cells to environmental temperature and mechanics. Glial-cell junctions ensure ECM-CEPsh glia-epithelia association. Modifying glial junctions or ECM mechanics safeguards glial integrity against disrupted BAG2-proteostasis. Overall, we present a finely-regulated interplay of proteostasis-ECM and cell junctions with conserved components that ensures age-progressively the robustness of glial architecture.
Chemically induced proximity reveals mechanotransduction of a meiotic checkpoint at the nuclear envelope
Authors: Liu Chenshu , Dernburg Abby F. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSuccessful sexual reproduction relies on robust quality control during meiosis. Assembly of the synaptonemal complex between homologous chromosomes (synapsis) regulates meiotic recombination and is crucial for accurate chromosome segregation in most eukaryotes. Synapsis defects can trigger cell cycle delays and, in some cases, apoptosis. Here, by developing and deploying a new chemically induced proximity system, we iden-tify key players in this quality control pathway inCaenorhabditis elegans. We find that persistence of the Polo-like kinase PLK-2 at pairing centers, specialized chromosome regions that interact with the nuclear envelope to promote homolog pairing and synapsis, induces apoptosis of oocytes by phosphorylating and destabilizing the nuclear lamina. Unexpectedly, we find that a mechanosensitive Piezo1/PEZO-1 channel localizes to the nuclear envelope and is required to transduce this signal to promote apoptosis. Thus, mechanosensitive ion channels play essential roles in detecting nuclear events and triggering apoptosis during gamete production.One-sentence summaryDestabilization of the nuclear lamina triggers Piezo-dependent germline apoptosis.
SOX2+sustentacular cells are stem cells of the postnatal adrenal medulla
Authors: Santambrogio Alice , Kemkem Yasmine , Willis Thea L. , Berger Ilona , Kastriti Maria Eleni , Faure Louis , Russell John P. , Lodge Emily J. , Yianni Val , Oakey Rebecca J. , Altieri Barbara , Bornstein Stefan R. , Steenblock Charlotte , Adameyko Igor , Andoniadou Cynthia L. 
Published: October 2023

SummaryRenewal of the catecholamine-secreting chromaffin cell population of the adrenal medulla is necessary for physiological homeostasis throughout life. Definitive evidence for the presence or absence of an adrenomedullary stem cell has been enigmatic. In this work, we demonstrate that a subset of sustentacular cells endowed with a support role, are in fact adrenomedullary stem cells. Through genetic tracing and comprehensive transcriptomic data of the mouse adrenal medulla, we show that cells expressingSox2/SOX2 specialise as a unique postnatal population from embryonic Schwann Cell Precursors and are also present in the normal adult human adrenal medulla. Postnatal SOX2+cells give rise to chromaffin cells of both the adrenaline and noradrenaline lineagesin vivoandin vitro.We reveal that SOX2+ stem cells have a second, paracrine role in maintaining adrenal chromaffin cell homeostasis, where they promote proliferation through paracrine secretion of WNT6. This work identifies SOX2+cells as a true stem cell for catecholamine-secreting chromaffin cells.
Politics of fiscal discipline: counter-conducting the World Bank's public financial management reforms
Authors: Azure John De-Clerk , Alawattage Chandana , Lauwo Sarah George 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThe World Bank-sponsored public financial management reforms attempt to instil fiscal discipline through techno-managerial packages. Taking Ghana's integrated financial management information system (IFMIS) as a case, this paper explores how and why local actors engaged in counter-conduct against these reforms.Design/methodology/approachInterviews, observations and documentary analyses on the operationalisation of IFMIS constitute this paper's empirical basis. Theoretically, the paper draws on Foucauldian notions of governmentality and counter-conduct.FindingsEmpirics demonstrate how and why politicians and bureaucrats enacted ways of escaping, evading and subverting IFMIS's disciplinary regime. Politicians found the new accounting regime too constraining to their electoral and patronage politics and, therefore, enacted counter-conduct around the notion of political exigencies, creating expansionary fiscal conditions which the World Bank tried to mitigate through IFMIS. Perceiving the new regime as subverting their bureaucratic identity and influence, bureaucrats counter-conducted reforms through questioning, critiquing and rhetorical venting. Notably, the patronage politics of appropriating wealth and power underpins both these political and bureaucratic counter-conducts.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the critical accounting understanding of global public financial management reform failures by offering new empirical and theoretical insights as to how and why politicians and bureaucrats who are supposed to own and implement them nullify the global governmentality intentions of fiscal disciplining through subdued forms of resistance.
Cracking a brick in the master's house: counter practices as counter-accounts of difference and survival
Authors: Clavijo Nathalie , Perray-Redslob Ludivine , Mandalaki Emmanouela 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how an alternative accounting system developed by a marginalised group of women enables them to counter oppressive systems built at the intersections of gender, class and race.Design/methodology/approachThe authors draw on diary notes taken over a period of 13 years in France and Senegal in the context of the first author's family interactions with a community of ten Black immigrant women. The paper relies on Black feminist perspectives, namely, Lorde's work on difference and survival to illuminate how this community of women uses the creative power of its “self-defined differences” to build its own accounting system – a tontine – and work towards its emancipation.FindingsThe authors find that to fight oppressive marginalising structures, the women develop a tontine, an autonomous, self-managed, women-made banking system providing them with cash and working on the basis of trust. This alternative accounting scheme endeavours to fulfil their “situated needs”: to build a home of their own in Senegal. The authors conceptualise the tontine as a “situated accounting” scheme built on the women's own terms, on the basis of sisterhood and opacity. This accounting system enables the women to work towards their “situated emancipation”, alleviating the burden of their marginalisation.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper gives visibility to vulnerable women's agentic capacities through accounting. As no single story captures the nuances and complexities of accounting, further exploration is encouraged.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the counter-accounting literature that engages with vulnerable, “othered” populations, shedding light on the counter-practices of accounting within a community of ten Black precarious women. In so doing, this study problematises these counter-practices as intersectional and built on “survival skills”. The paper further outlines the emancipatory potential of alternative systems of accounting. It ends with some reflections on doing research through activist curiosity and the need to rethink academic research and knowledge in opposition to dominant epistemic standards of knowledge creation.
Evaluating public service value within collaborative e-governance: a study in the Indian context
Authors: Pandey Jitendra Kumar 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThis study aims to meticulously evaluate the public service value-generation process facilitated by collaborative e-governance services within the framework of the National e-governance Plan (NeGP).Design/methodology/approachThe study formulates a comprehensive research model through a combination of literature review, insights from domain experts and hands-on experience gained from the e-governance project. A conceptual research model was meticulously structured, validated, and interpreted by using a reflective measurement theory. The analytical tool SmartPLS3 was used to assess the proposed model rigorously.FindingsThe analysis of collected data reveals a statistically significant positive correlation between the implementation of collaborative e-governance strategies and the creation of public service value. This relationship is further reinforced by a strong alignment between the perceived aspects of collaborative e-governance, such as responsiveness, transparency and service delivery and their substantial contribution to the enhancement of public service value.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the scholarly discourse by introducing an innovative methodology for assessing public service value through analyzing empirical data from citizen-centric collaborative e-governance projects. It is noteworthy that no prior studies have examined the nuanced concept of public service value in the context of collaborative e-governance.
How do irresponsibility attributions affect organisational reputation? Evidence from the banking industry
Authors: Zasuwa Grzegorz , Wesołowski Grzegorz 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThis study examines how potentially irresponsible banking operations affect organisational reputation. A moderated mediation model is applied to explain how major aspects of social irresponsibility affect the relationship between consumer awareness of allegedly irresponsible operations, blame and bank reputation. The empirical context is the Swiss franc mortgage crisis that affected the banking industry in most Central and Eastern European countries.Design/methodology/approachThe research study uses data collected from a large survey (N = 1,000) conducted among Polish bank consumers, including those with mortgage loans in Swiss francs. To test the proposed model, the authors use Hayes' process macro.FindingsThe findings show that blame fully mediates the effects of corporate social irresponsibility (CSI) awareness on organisational reputation. Three facets of social irresponsibility moderate this relationship. Specifically, the perceived harm and intentionality of corporate culprits cause people to be more likely to blame a bank for the difficulties posed by indebted consumers. At the same time, the perceived complicity of consumers in misselling a mortgage reduces the level of blame and its subsequent adverse effects on bank reputation.Originality/valueAlthough a strong reputation is crucial in the financial industry, few studies have attempted to address reputational risk from a consumer perspective. This study helps to understand how potentially irresponsible selling of a financial product can adversely affect a bank's reputation.
Do sustainable banking practices enhance the sustainability performance of banking institutions? Direct and indirect effects
Authors: Siddik Abu Bakkar , Yong Li , Sharif Arshian 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThere is a dearth of empirical research examining the influence of various facets of sustainable banking on the environmental sustainability performance (SP) of banks in developing economies like Bangladesh. This study looks at how green banking practices (GBPs), green finance (GF) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices affect SP in both direct and indirect ways.Design/methodology/approachThe research framework of this study was designed based on legitimacy theory to examine the direct and indirect impacts of GBP on environmental SP through GF and CSR practices. Based on a structured questionnaire and convenience sampling, the data were collected from banking institutions to investigate the association among the study variables. Subsequently, the obtained data were evaluated using a well-established structural equation modeling (SEM) approach via SmartPls 4.0 software.FindingsThe empirical findings reveal that GBP has a significant direct impact on GF, CSR practices and the banks' SP. Further, the findings show that GF has a direct and significant impact on CSR practices and SP. Likewise, CSR practices have a direct and significant influence on the SP of banks. Additionally, among indirect effects, both CSR practices and GF mediate the association between GBP and SP, whereas GF also has an indirect effect on the relationship between GBP and CSR practices. Surprisingly, the findings demonstrate that CSR practices do not have an indirect effect on the association between GF and SP. Hence, the greater the bank's involvement in green banking activities, the greater the influence of green financing and CSR practices on environmental sustainability.Originality/valueThis study adds to the growing body of research in the areas of sustainable banking and environmental sustainability literature by evaluating the link between GBP, CSR practices, GF and SP. Besides, this is a ground-breaking study that examines both direct and indirect effects of different aspects of sustainable banking (GBP, GF and CSR practices) on the SP of the banking industry in an emerging country like Bangladesh. On the theoretical level, it adds to the application and expansion of legitimacy theory in the sphere of banking and finance. It provides new insights into the dynamics of green banking, GF and CSR practices within the framework of legitimacy theory. Hence, the current study offers significant suggestions to managers, academicians and researchers on how to advance the sustainability of the banking industry by adopting green banking, GF and CSR practices.