bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contiguous and complete assemblies ofBlastocystisgut microbiome-associated protists reveal evolutionary diversification to host ecology
Authors: Lind Abigail L. , McDonald Nathan A. , Gerrick Elias R. , Bhatt Ami S. , Pollard Katherine S. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBlastocystis, an obligate host-associated protist, is the most common microbial eukaryote in the human gut and is widely distributed across vertebrate hosts. The evolutionary transition ofBlastocystisfrom its free-living stramenopile ancestors to a radiation of host-associated organisms is poorly understood. To explore this, we cultured and sequenced eight strains representing the significant phylogenetic diversity of the genus using long-read, short-read, and Hi-C DNA sequencing, alongside gene annotation and RNA sequencing. Comparative genomic analyses revealed significant variation in gene content and genome structure acrossBlastocystis.Notably, three strains from herbivorous tortoises, phylogenetically distant from human subtypes, have markedly larger genomes with longer introns and intergenic regions, and retain canonical stop codons absent in the human-associated strains. Despite these genetic differences, all eight isolates exhibit gene losses linked to the reduced cellular complexity ofBlastocystis,including losses of cilia and flagella genes, microtubule motor genes, and signal transduction genes. Isolates from herbivorous tortoises contained higher numbers of plant carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, suggesting that like gut bacteria, these protists ferment plant material in the host gut. We find evidence that some of these carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes were horizontally acquired from bacteria, indicating that horizontal gene transfer is an ongoing process inBlastocystisthat has contributed to host-related adaptation. Together, these results highlight substantial genetic and metabolic diversity within theBlastocystisgenus, indicating different lineages ofBlastocystishave varied ecological roles in the host gut.
BRCA2 stabilises RAD51 and DMC1 nucleoprotein filaments through a conserved interaction mode
Authors: Dunce James M. , Davies Owen R. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBRCA2 is essential for DNA repair by homologous recombination in mitosis and meiosis. It interacts with recombinases RAD51 and DMC1 to facilitate the formation of nucleoprotein filaments on resected DNA ends that catalyse recombination-mediated repair. BRCA2’s BRC repeats bind and disrupt RAD51 and DMC1 filaments, whereas its PhePP motifs binds to recombinases in a manner that stabilises their nucleoprotein filaments. However, the mechanism of filament stabilisation has hitherto remained unknown. Here, we report the crystal structure of a BRCA2-DMC1 complex, revealing how PhePP motifs bind to recombinases. This novel mode of interaction is conserved for RAD51 and DMC1, which selectively bind to BRCA2’s two distinct PhePP motifs. In both cases, BRCA2 PhePP motifs enhance the stability of nucleoprotein filaments, protecting them from BRC-mediated disruption. Hence, we report the structural basis of how BRCA2’s PhePP motifs stabilise RAD51 and DMC1 nucleoprotein filaments for their essential roles in mitotic and meiotic recombination.
Sub-chronic peripheral CB1R inhibition enhances cognitive performance and induces hippocampal synaptic plasticity changes in naïve mice
Authors: Bergadà-Martínez Araceli , de los Reyes-Ramírez Lucía , Martínez-Torres Sara , Gallego Irene Martínez- , Maldonado Rafael , Rodríguez-Moreno Antonio , Ozaita Andrés 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackground and PurposeThe peripheral contribution to brain function and cognitive performance is far from understood. Cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R) is classically pictured in the central nervous system to have such a role. We previously demonstrated a novel mechanism where the acute peripheral CB1R inhibition in mice prolongs memory persistence. Here, we take advance of the repeated exposure to the peripherally-restricted CB1R antagonist to further reveal cognitive improvements and the hippocampal mechanisms involved.Experimental ApproachWe evaluated in young adult male and female mice the behavioural consequences of a sub-chronic treatment with AM6545. Moreover, an unbiased transcriptomic analysis, as well as electrophysiological and biochemical studies, were performed in the hippocampus of treated mice to elucidate the central cellular and molecular consequences of such peripheral approach.Key ResultsSub-chronic inhibition of peripheral CB1R with AM6545 resulted in enhanced memory in low and high arousal conditions. Moreover, executive function was facilitated after repeated AM6545 administration, further strengthening the cognitive improving properties of peripheral CB1R inhibition. Transcriptional analysis of hippocampal synaptoneurosomes from treated male and female mice revealed a sex-dependent modulation of synaptic transcripts by AM6545. Notably, AM6545 occluded long-term potentiation in CA3-CA1 synapses while enhancing input-output relation. This was accompanied by an increase in the hippocampal expression ofBdnfandNgf.Conclusion and ImplicationsOur results show that peripheral CB1R inhibition contributes to the modulation of memory persistence, executive function, and hippocampal synaptic plasticity in mice, further indicating that peripheral CB1R could act as a target for a novel class of nootropic compounds.What is already known?- Acute peripheral CB1R inhibition enhances object-recognition memory persistence in mice.- Such enhancement occurs through a noradrenergic mechanism involving the vagus nerve.What does this study add?- Peripheral CB1R inhibition modifies synaptoneurosomal transcriptome in the hippocampus of mice.- No tolerance and no side effects were observed after peripheral CB1R inhibition.What is the clinical significance?- Peripheral CB1R inhibition may function as a novel strategy for cognitive improvement.
“You cannot rely on bank loans to expand your business”: aversion to formal credit among female micro-entrepreneurs in Ghana
Authors: Ackah Charles , Torvikey Gertrude Dzifa , Obeng Adomaa Faustina , Asante Kofi Takyi 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe marginalisation of female entrepreneurs in accessing credit is well documented. Yet, how female entrepreneurs navigate through the marginalisation to gain funding is under-explored.Design/methodology/approachThe authors address this gap using qualitative data from 30 female entrepreneurs in three neighbourhoods with varying socio-economic characteristics in Ghana's capital, Accra.FindingsThe authors find a marked aversion to bank loans among respondents. Consequently, they nurtured trust in their social circles in order to facilitate access to informal credit from internal (e.g. family and friends) and external (e.g. trade credit, associations and religious organisations) sources. This aversion to loans from formal financial institutions (FFIs) had a socio-cultural aspect, including cumbersome application procedures, a deep-rooted fear of the social consequences of defaulting and religious prohibition against interest payment for Islamic traders.Social implicationsThis paper shows that providing formal access to credit is not enough to support women's entrepreneurship if the socio-cultural factors inhibiting women's access to credit from FFIs are not addressed.Originality/valueThe findings suggest that trust is an important factor that bridges the gap in female entrepreneurs' access to funding given their heavy reliance on informal sources of funding.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2023-0090
The formation of municipal risk management: a comparison of seven cities
Authors: Sippola Kari , Pellinen Jukka , Rautiainen Antti , Mättö Toni , Voutilainen Vesa 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThis study aims to explore the formation of municipal risk management (RM) and the reasons for the differences of RM practices between the seven biggest cities in Finland.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data of this comparative qualitative case study comprises 33 interviews conducted with municipal managers. Supplementary material includes documentary material on municipal rules governing RM as well as annual reports and risk tools used in the municipalities.FindingsThis study found differences in cities with respect to when, how and why RM practices had evolved. The results indicate that differences in RM practices and development paths between cities are largely explained by the differences in the original reason to initiate RM, time span since its introduction, professional and educational backgrounds of risk managers, local risk events and accounting infrastructure such as RM tools developed in a city. These findings also suggest that even within the same municipality, different functions can be at different phases regarding RM.Originality/valueThis study reports on RM as a new form of accounting in the field of Finnish municipalities. This highlights how fairly uniform considerations at the field level lead to variation in the elaboration of RM practices at the municipal level. The study finds that different paths in the development of local RM involve iterative evolution between the phases of emergence, largely explained by contextual differences. This study contributes to understanding the emergence of new accounting forms in a municipal RM context.
Effect of severity of depression on augmentation of antidepressant medication in young adults with depression
Authors: Lampela Pasi , Tanskanen Antti , Lähteenvuo Markku , Tiihonen Jari , Taipale Heidi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundAntipsychotics (AP) have been used to augment antidepressant (AD) medication in treatment‐resistant depression. In this study we examined factors (including severity of depression and initial antidepressant) affecting AP augmentation, as well as which APs were initiated as augmentation in young adults.MethodsData were extracted from Finnish nationwide registers. Of persons aged 18–29 years diagnosed with a depression during 2004–2017 we focused on incident AD users (who initiated AD 6 months before and after the diagnosis) whose severity level of depression was recorded (N = 21,966). AP augmentation was studied during 1 year after diagnosis of depression. Persons diagnosed with severe depression with psychotic features (n = 1486) were excluded from main analyses and analyzed separately.ResultsOverall, 8.4% of new antidepressant users initiated AP augmentation. Risk of augmentation increased with severity of depression as 3.9%, 5.8%, and 14.0% of persons with mild, moderate, and severe depression, respectively, initiated augmentation. Male sex, comorbid anxiety and personality disorders, substance abuse and selfharm/suicide attempt were positively associated with augmentation. Compared to citalopram, use of tricyclic antidepressant, paroxetine and venlafaxine were associated with increased risk of augmentation, while use of bupropion was associated with a decreased risk. Quetiapine and risperidone were the most common APs used in augmentation. Among persons with severe depression with psychotic features, use of sertraline was associated with AP augmentation, whereas use of fluoxetine decreased risk of augmentation.ConclusionsUse of APs as augmentation of AD therapy was common in severe depression. Comorbidities had only a small effect to augmentation, but selection of initial AD was more closely associated to risk of augmentation. Interestingly, use of bupropion decreased risk of augmentation, which warrants further studies, as well as the decrease in risk of augmentation when fluoxetine in case of psychotic depression was used.
Vital pulp therapy for permanent teeth with diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis: biological basis and outcome
Authors: Kahler B , Taha NA , Lu J , Saoud TM 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRoot canal treatment (RCT) has been considered the conventional standard for the management of teeth with carious pulp exposure, particularly in mature teeth presenting with symptoms. Following a better understanding of the histopathology of deep carious lesions, the histology of the cariously exposed pulp and the healing potential of the inflamed pulp, vital pulp therapy (VPT) is increasingly adopted around the world for the management of permanent teeth with clinical signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis. Furthermore, VPT became a recognized treatment modality by the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) and the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) by virtue of its high success rates reported in outcome studies using contemporary hydraulic calcium silicate‐based cements. However, proper case selection, strict asepsis, capping materials and good coronal seal are mandatory for success. The aim of this paper is to review the biological basis for VPT in symptomatic teeth with carious pulp exposure and to report on the outcome of pulpotomy in teeth with clinical diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis.
Longitudinal MRI in the context of in utero surgery for open spina bifida: A descriptive study
Authors: Mufti Nada , Aertsen Michael , Thomson Dominic , De Vloo Phillippe , Demaerel Philippe , Deprest Jan , Melbourne Andrew , David Anna L. ,   the GIFT‐Surg Imaging Working Group
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntroductionFetal surgery for open spina bifida (OSB) requires comprehensive preoperative assessment using imaging for appropriate patient selection and to evaluate postoperative efficacy and complications. We explored patient access and conduct of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for prenatal assessment of OSB patients eligible for fetal surgery. We compared imaging acquisition and reporting to the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology MRI performance guidelines.Material and methodsWe surveyed access to fetal MRI for OSB in referring fetal medicine units (FMUs) in the UK and Ireland, and two NHS England specialist commissioned fetal surgery centers (FSCs) at University College London Hospital, and University Hospitals KU Leuven Belgium. To study MRI acquisition protocols, we retrospectively analyzed fetal MRI images before and after fetal surgery for OSB.ResultsMRI for fetal OSB was accessible with appropriate specialists available to supervise, perform, and report scans. The average time to arrange a fetal MRI appointment from request was 4 ± 3 days (range, 0–10), the average scan time available was 37 ± 16 min (range, 20–80 min), with 15 ± 11 min (range, 0–30 min) extra time to repeat sequences as required. Specific MRI acquisition protocols, and MRI reporting templates were available in only 32% and 18% of units, respectively. Satisfactory T2‐weighted (T2W) brain imaging acquired in three orthogonal planes was achieved preoperatively in all centers, and 6 weeks postoperatively in 96% of FSCs and 78% of referring FMUs. However, for T2W spine image acquisition referring FMUs were less able to provide three orthogonal planes presurgery (98% FSC vs. 50% FMU, p < 0.001), and 6 weeks post‐surgery (100% FSC vs. 48% FMU, p < 0.001). Other standard imaging recommendations such as T1‐weighted (T1W), gradient echo (GE) or echoplanar fetal brain and spine imaging in one or two orthogonal planes were more likely available in FSCs compared to FMUs pre‐ and post‐surgery (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThere was timely access to supervised MRI for OSB fetal surgery assessment. However, the provision of images of the fetal brain and spine in sufficient orthogonal planes, which are required for determining eligibility and to determine the reversal of hindbrain herniation after fetal surgery, were less frequently acquired. Our evidence suggests the need for specific guidance in relation to fetal MRI for OSB. We propose an example guidance for MRI acquisition and reporting.
The effects of the decentralization of collective bargaining on wages and wage dispersion: Evidence from the Finnish forest and IT industries
Authors: Kauhanen Antti 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRecently, Finnish forest industries shifted from sectoral collective bargaining to firm‐level bargaining, and the IT services industry shifted to a hybrid of sector‐ and firm‐level bargaining. Using administrative data on monthly wages and the synthetic difference‐in‐differences method, I study the causal effects of collective bargaining decentralization on the level and dispersion of wages. Despite the substantial change in the level of collective bargaining, I generally find muted effects on the level and dispersion of wages. I find positive and economically and statistically significant effects on wage levels and within‐firm wage dispersion only for blue‐collar workers in the paper industry.
The role of academic health science systems in the transformation of dentistry: The Singapore experience
Authors: Poon Choy Yoke , Wong Tien Yin , Allen Finbarr 
Published: November 2023

AbstractClinicians and researchers have traditionally worked in independent silos, with limited collaboration to rapidly translate discovery into clinical practice. At institutional level, hospitals and universities have also tended to work independently with limited success in leveraging each other's strengths with a view to improving population health. The consequences include fragmentation of clinical services, poor communication between researchers and clinicians, lengthy delays in identification of clinical problems requiring innovative solutions through research and a generation of clinicians who are not well equipped with all the skills to address future health needs. Academic Health Science Systems (AHSS) have been proposed as a mechanism for driving effective collaboration between academia and clinical services. There are examples of well established AHSS and the benefits have been articulated. In Singapore, three AHSS have been established over the past 15 years. National dental specialty centres and one dental school have been embedded in AHSS and have well established multi‐disciplinary collaboration across clinical and academic domains. The aim of this commentary is to describe the concept of an AHSS and some of the areas where dentistry in Singapore has been transformed by having key dental institutions embedded in an AHSS.
Canadian food inflation: International dynamics and local agency
Authors: Nuño‐Ledesma José G. , von Massow Michael 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe offer a descriptive analysis of the complexities surrounding food price inflation in Canada three years after the outbreak of COVID‐19. The Consumer Price Index and its food component have registered significant shifts since 2020 and remain elevated. This behavior is influenced by international dynamics, such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the consequent commodity price surges, and domestic factors, including grocery market concentration. As external events interact with local policies, business practices, and the structure of the food retail industry, debates around market competition intensify. We posit that while the influence of international factors on local prices is undeniable, fostering domestic grocery competition remains crucial. At the same time, managing expectations of major price reductions in a small open economy like Canada's is important. In addition, we discuss some of the research and data needs that have become salient during the current inflationary episode.
The roles of elevated temperature and carriers in the dyeing of polyester fibres using disperse dyes: Part 3 model of dye adsorption based on dye solubility
Authors: Burkinshaw Stephen M. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis review concerns the application of disperse dyes to poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres using aqueous immersion dyeing processes and the roles of both elevated dyeing temperatures and carriers in the disperse dye/polyester fibre and disperse dye/carrier/polyester fibre dyeing systems, respectively. In this part of the paper, a mechanistic model of the disperse dye adsorption process is presented that is based on the role of dye solubility in disperse dye‐PET fibre substantivity. It is shown that the dye solubility model of disperse dye adsorption, which can be articulated using a simple mathematical approach, is able to account for the reasons why elevated dyeing temperatures are utilised in HT dyeing processes, and also why dyeing accelerants enable dyeing to be achieved using lower temperatures of ~100°C.
Percepções dos pais sobre uma intervenção de esportes modificados para crianças com paralisia cerebral
Authors: de Sousa Junior Ricardo Rodrigues , Souto Deisiane Oliveira , Ferreira Fabiane Ribeiro , da Silva e Dutra Fabiana Caetano Martins , Camargos Ana Cristina Resende , Clutterbuck Georgina L. , Leite Hércules Ribeiro ,   Grupo de Estudos Sports Stars Brasil
Published: November 2023

ResumoObjetivoExplorar as percepções dos pais de crianças com paralisia cerebral (PC) sobre uma intervenção de esportes modificados, intitulada Sports Stars Brasil.MétodosPais de crianças (n = 15, com idades de 6 a 12 anos) com PC, classificadas nos níveis I e II do GMFCS, que participaram do Sports Stars Brasil, foram recrutados para este estudo qualitativo descritivo. As crianças receberam uma intervenção de esportes modificados de oito semanas (1 hora por semana). Após a intervenção, os pais participaram de um grupo focal. A interpretação das “minhas palavras favoritas” (saúde, família, diversão, funcionalidade, amigos e futuro) da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde foi usada para orientar a os grupos focais. As transcrições foram codificadas usando a metodologia de análise de conteúdo.ResultadosOs pais relataram experiências positivas com o Sports Stars Brasil, incluindo a redução do sedentarismo (“Saúde”), melhora das habilidades motoras (“Funcionalidade”), maior conexão entre a criança e a família (“Família”), melhor socialização (“Amigos”), aumento na participação em atividades prazerosas (“Diversão”) e conscientização sobre a importância da atividade física (“Futuro”). Todas as experiências positivas estavam interconectadas.InterpretaçãoA capacidade do Sports Stars de integrar todos os aspectos do funcionalidade apoia seu papel como uma opção de intervenção promissora para crianças com PC deambulantes.O que este artigo contribui

O Sports Stars Brasil tem como objetivo promover a participação em atividades de lazer.
O Sports Stars foi uma intervenção agradável, de curto prazo, com dosagem pequena, focada na participação.
Os pais dos participantes do Sports Stars Brasil perceberam benefícios em todas as “minhas palavras favoritas”.
Esta intervenção de esportes modificados foi capaz de integrar todas as “minhas palavras favoritas”.