bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in predicted rates of vaginal births after cesarean across racial groups in a ‘race-neutral’ model
Authors: Suresh Anjali , O’nell Katie 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWhen physicians and pregnant patients make decisions about whether to pursue a vaginal birth or cesarean, there are many factors at play. While vaginal birth can have health benefits for both parent and child, there are significant safety risks. In order to minimize these risks, physicians use predictive models to determine how likely patients are to have successful vaginal births after cesareans (VBAC). For many years, these predictive models included race as a variable. This decision recently came under fire, and the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit (MFMU) published a calculator that did not include race as a variable but still predicted VBAC success with high accuracy. A large body of work in machine learning has highlighted that supposedly de-biased systems often re-code sensitive variables like race in terms of proxy variables. In order to determine if this was the case in this calculator, we replicated their formula, then found base-rate statistics of all the input variables for three different racial groups: Black, White, and Asian. We found that the distribution of VBAC probabilities for our simulated patients from these three groups was indeed significantly different from each other. Further, the predicted VBAC rates increased as a function of societal marginalization: Black patients were 47.6% likely to have a successful VBAC, Asian patients had a 48.6% probability, and White patients had a 49.4% probability. While these values are all within a few percentage points of each other, the differences in these simulated distributions show how there may still be underlying disparities in the maternal healthcare system.
Identification and characterization of differentially co-expressed head-to-head gene pairs in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Wang Conrad , Ren Chao 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHead-to-head (H2H) gene pairs are an evolutionarily conserved genomic configuration (sharing a bidirectional promoter) with implications in cancer. This study investigates the transcriptional mechanisms of H2H genes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We found that H2H pairs involving housekeeping and tumor suppressor genes maintained a stabler expression correlation, while most pairs had reduced co-expression. Differential co-expression analysis revealed 15 H2H gene pairs significantly altered in PDAC. The gene pairs RPL7-RDH10 and STAC-RNF38 showed both high transcriptional factor similarity and differential co-expression, and enrichment analysis highlighted FOXC1 and YY1 as key regulators of altered H2H pairs. Our characterization of H2H transcriptional patterns in PDAC provides insights into bidirectional promoter disruption. The identified H2H gene signatures offer paired biomarker potential for improved PDAC detection. Further study of mechanisms maintaining H2H stability could spur new therapeutic approaches.
Cholinergic modulation of rearing in rats performing a spatial memory task
Authors: Cassity Skylar , Choi Irene Jungyeon , Gregory Billy Howard , Igbasanmi Adeleke Malik , Bickford Sarah Cristi , Moore Kiara Tyanni , Seraiah Anna Elisabeth , Layfield Dylan , Newman Ehren Lee 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSpatial memory encoding depends in part on cholinergic modulation. How acetylcholine supports spatial memory encoding is not well understood. Prior studies indicate that acetylcholine release is correlated with exploration, including epochs of rearing onto hind legs. Here, to test whether elevated cholinergic tone increases the probability of rearing, we tracked rearing frequency and duration while optogenetically modulating the activity of choline acetyltransferase containing (i.e., acetylcholine producing) neurons of the medial septum in rats performing a spatial working memory task (n = 17 rats). The cholinergic neurons were optogenetically inhibited using halorhodopsin for the duration that rats occupied two of the four open arms during the study phase of an 8-arm radial arm maze win-shift task. Comparing rats’ behavior in the two arm types showed that rearing frequency was not changed but the average duration of rearing epochs became significantly longer. This effect on rearing was observed during optogenetic inhibition but not during sham inhibition or in rats that received infusions of a fluorescent reporter virus (i.e., without halorhodopsin; n = 6 rats). Optogenetic inhibition of cholinergic neurons during the pre-trial waiting phase had no significant effect on rearing, indicating a context-specificity of the observed effects. These results are significant in that they indicate that cholinergic neuron activity in the medial septum is correlated with rearing not because it motivates an exploratory state but because it contributes to the processing of information acquired while rearing.
Repression of mRNA translation initiation by GIGYF1 via blocking the eIF3-eIF4G1 interaction
Authors: Choi Jung-Hyun , Luo Jun , Hesketh Geoffrey G. , Guo Shuyue , Pistofidis Angelos , Ladak Reese Jalal , An Yuxin , Alain Tommy , Schmeing T. Martin , Gingras Anne-Claude , Duchaine Thomas , Zhang Xu , Sonenberg Nahum , Jafarnejad Seyed Mehdi 
Published: October 2023

SummaryViruses commonly interfere with the function of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G1 (eIF4G1), a pivotal factor in the recruitment of the eIF3 complex and ribosome to the mRNA. This results in the inhibition of general host protein synthesis and redirecting ribosomes toward viral mRNAs. Certain viruses also selectively repress the translation of mRNAs involved in the host antiviral response. GIGYF2 and its interacting cap-binding protein 4EHP enable the transcript-specific repression of mRNA translation mediated by microRNAs and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, exploit the GIGYF2/4EHP complex to selectively repress the translation of transcripts such asIfnb1mRNA, which encodes the antiviral cytokine Interferon β (IFN-β). Herein, we reveal that GIGYF1, a paralogue of GIGYF2, robustly represses cellular mRNA translation through a distinct mechanism independent of 4EHP. Upon recruitment to a target mRNA by RBPs, the C-terminal region of GIGYF1 binds to subunits of eIF3 at the interaction interface of eIF3-eIF4G1. This disrupts binding of eIF3 to eIF4G1, resulting in mRNA-specific translational repression. This mechanism exerts profound influences on the host cell’s response to viral infection. Depletion of GIGYF1 induces a robust immune response by derepressingIfnb1mRNA translation. Overall, our study highlights a unique mechanism of translational regulation by GIGYF1 that involves sequestering eIF3 and abrogating its binding to eIF4G1. This mechanism can be utilized by RBPs that interact with GIGYF1 to specifically repress the translation of their target mRNAs, significantly affecting critical biological processes, including host-pathogen interactions.
Plasmid-driven strategies for clone success inEscherichia coli
Authors: Arredondo-Alonso Sergio , Pöntinen Anna K. , Gama João Alves , Gladstone Rebecca A. , Harms Klaus , Tonkin-Hill Gerry , Thorpe Harry A. , Simonsen Gunnar S. ,   Norwegian E. coli BSI Study Group, Samuelsen Ørjan , Johnsen Pål J. , Corander Jukka 
Published: October 2023

SummaryEscherichia coliis the most widely studied microbe in history, but its extrachromosomal elements known as plasmids remain poorly delineated. Here we used long-read technology to high-resolution sequence the entire plasmidome and the corresponding host chromosomes from an unbiased longitudinal survey covering two decades and over 2,000E. coliisolates. We find that some plasmids have persisted in lineages even for centuries, demonstrating strong plasmid-lineage associations. Our analysis provides a detailed map of recent vertical and horizontal evolutionary events involving plasmids with key antibiotic resistance, competition and virulence determinants. We present genomic evidence of both chromosomal and plasmid-driven success strategies that represent convergent phenotypic evolution in distant lineages, and usein vitroexperiments to verify the importance of bacteriocin-producing plasmids for clone success. Our study has general implications for understanding plasmid biology and bacterial evolutionary strategies.
Oral copper-methionine decreases matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in the liver and brain of broiler chickens subjected to cold stress for ascites incidence
Authors: Varzaneh Mina Bagheri , Rahmani Hamidreza , Jahanian Rahman , Mahdavi Amir Hossein , Perreau Corinne , Brézillon Stéphane , Maquart François-Xavier 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCopper plays an antioxidant role in biological reactions. This study examined the impact of copper-methionine supplementation on the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity and gene expression in the liver and brain of broiler chickens subjected to cold temperature. A total of 480 broiler chickens were assigned to 6 groups and reared under either low (15-19 ºC) or normal temperature (25-28ºC) and fed a basal diet enriched with different concentrations of copper-methionine (Cu-Met) supplementation (0, 100 or 200 mg.kg-1). Ascites was exclusively observed in broiler chickens kept in low temperature and fed with basal diet without Cu-Met during the seventh week, identified by the presence of abdominal fluid accumulation. Broilers’ livers and brains were separated for MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) analysis. Results of gelatin zymography on these samples demonstrated that incidence of ascites was associated with increased MMP-2 levels in liver and brain. MMP-2 activity assay confirmed the results obtained by zymography. RT-qPCR experiments revealed an upregulation in the mRNA expression of MMP-2. In contrast, the treatments did not induce significant alterations in TIMP-2 levels. Results suggest that oral copper-methionine can decrease the ascites occurrence and might be useful for prevention of ascites in broiler chickens.
Pars opercularis underlies efferent predictions and successful auditory feedback processing in speech: Evidence from left-hemisphere stroke
Authors: Beach Sara D. , Tang Ding-lan , Kiran Swathi , Niziolek Caroline A. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHearing one’s own speech allows for acoustic self-monitoring in real time. Left-hemisphere motor planning regions are thought to give rise to efferent predictions that can be compared to true feedback in sensory cortices, resulting in neural suppression commensurate with the degree of overlap between predicted and actual sensations. Sensory prediction errors thus serve as a possible mechanism of detection of deviant speech sounds, which can then feed back into corrective action, allowing for online control of speech acoustics. The goal of this study was to assess the integrity of this detection-correction circuit in persons with aphasia (PWA) whose left-hemisphere lesions may limit their ability to control variability in speech output. We recorded magnetoencephalography (MEG) while 15 PWA and age-matched controls spoke monosyllabic words and listened to playback of their utterances. From this, we measured speaking-induced suppression of the M100 neural response and related it to lesion profiles and speech behavior. Both speaking-induced suppression and cortical sensitivity to deviance were preserved at the group level in PWA. PWA with more spared tissue in pars opercularis had greater left-hemisphere neural suppression and greater behavioral correction of acoustically deviant pronunciations, whereas sparing of superior temporal gyrus was not related to neural suppression or acoustic behavior. In turn, PWA who made greater corrections had fewer overt speech errors in the MEG task. Thus, the motor planning regions that generate the efferent prediction are integral to performing corrections when that prediction is violated.
STING induces HOIP-mediated synthesis of M1 ubiquitin chains to stimulate NFκB signaling
Authors: Fischer Tara D. , Bunker Eric N. , Zhu Peng-Peng , Le Guerroué François , Hadjian Mahan , Dominguez-Martin Eunice , Scavone Francesco , Cohen Robert , Yao Tingting , Wang Yan , Werner Achim , Youle Richard J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSTING activation by cyclic dinucleotides in mammals induces IRF3- and NFκB -mediated gene expression, and the lipidation of LC3B at Golgi-related membranes. While mechanisms of the IRF3 response are well understood, the mechanisms of NFκB activation mediated by STING remain unclear. We report that STING activation induces linear/M1-linked ubiquitin chain (M1-Ub) formation and recruitment of the LUBAC E3 ligase, HOIP, to LC3B-associated Golgi membranes where ubiquitin is also localized. Loss of HOIP prevents formation of M1-Ub ubiquitin chains and reduces STING-induced NFκB and IRF3-mediated signaling in human monocytic THP1 cells and mouse bone marrow derived macrophages, without affecting STING activation. STING-induced LC3B lipidation is not required for M1-Ub chain formation or the immune-related gene expression, however the recently reported function of STING to neutralize the pH of the Golgi may be involved. Thus, LUBAC synthesis of M1 ubiquitin chains mediates STING-induced innate immune signaling.
The eukaryome of modern microbialites reveals distinct colonization across aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Bonacolta Anthony , Visscher Pieter T , del Campo Javier , White Richard Allen 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMicrobial diversity includes bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes, and viruses; however, protists are less studied for their impact and diversity within ecosystems. Protists have been suggested to shape the emergence and decline of ancient stromatolites. Modern microbialites offer a unique proxy to study the deposition of carbonate by microbial communities due to analog status for ancient ecosystems and their cosmopolitan abundance. We examined protists across aquatic ecosystems between freshwater (Kelly and Pavilion Lake in British Columbia, Canada) and marine microbialites (Shark Bay, Australia and Highborne Cay, Bahamas) to decipher the transition with respect to diversity and composition. While factors such as sequencing technology and primer-bias might influence our conclusions, we found that at the taxonomic compositional-level, the freshwater microbialite communities were clearly distinct from the marine microbialite communities. Chlorophytes were significantly more abundant in the freshwater microbialites, while saltwater microbialites communities were primarily composed of pennate diatoms. Despite the differences in taxonomic make-up, we can infer the convergent important role of these protists to microbialite community health and function. These results highlight not only the consistency and potential role of microbialite eukaryotic communities across geographic locations, but also that other factors such as salinity seem to be the main drivers of community composition.
Family firm entrepreneurship and sustainability initiatives: Women as corporate change agents
Authors: Domańska Ada , Hernández‐Linares Remedios , Zajkowski Robert , Żukowska Beata 
Published: October 2023

AbstractFamily businesses are often seen as key players in efforts to increase sustainability due to their transgenerational focus. Researchers have reported that companies strengthen their commitment to sustainability as they consolidate their entrepreneurial commitment, but the existing knowledge about drivers of family firms' sustainability choices is limited. This study sought to fill related research gaps by exploring the relationships between five entrepreneurial orientation (EO) components—risk taking, innovativeness, proactiveness, competitive aggressiveness and autonomy—and family businesses' sustainability initiatives. These companies comprise a unique research context in terms of the EO‐sustainability link due to their focus on continuity and propensity to create value for future generations. In addition, women increasingly hold leadership positions within family businesses, and studies have categorised both entrepreneurship and sustainability as gendered processes. Thus, this research also explored female chief executive officers' (CEOs) moderating role as corporate change agents who influence the EO‐sustainability initiatives relationship. Analyses were conducted using primary data collected from 195 privately held family firms in Poland. The results indicate that only one EO component (innovativeness) is significantly associated with family businesses' sustainability initiatives and that CEO gender moderates the links between two EO components (proactiveness and autonomy) and sustainability. Thus, this article contributes to the management literature by exploring the role of women leaders as change agents for sustainability in family firms. Other significant theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.
Adjustment challenges faced by Yazidi youth refugees in Canada
Authors: Finnigan Charlotte , Brown Jason , Al‐Adeimi Mohamed 
Published: October 2023

AbstractResettlement to a new country is a period of adjustment for all youth refugees, especially for highly traumatized groups of refugees, such as the Yazidi population. This study explores adjustment challenges faced by Yazidi youth refugees in Canada using group concept mapping. 12 Yazidi youth participated. Seven concepts represent the statements, including family stress and adjustment, the experience of instability and fear, navigating the differences between countries, starting over, getting used to school, the impact of war and my discomfort. The findings from this study were compared and contrasted with the existing literature.
Bullying in Spanish high schools: Intersection of gender and immigrant background
Authors: Sáenz‐Hernández Isabel , Ginoyan Karina , Goigner Ken , Slapakova Lucie 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBased on the data from PISA 2018, the study investigates the relationship between gender and immigration status on exposure and attitudes towards bullying and students' perception of teachers' intercultural attitudes in Spanish high schools. While boys and first‐generation immigrants experience significantly more bullying, girls and students without immigration background showed overall stronger negative attitudes towards bullying. Finally, boys and children with an immigration background perceived higher degrees of teachers' cultural biases. These findings provide new insights into the importance of addressing gender and ethnic biases in anti‐bullying programmes.
Falling through the cracks: How do policies for alcohol marketing apply to zero alcohol products in Australia?
Authors: Bury Keira , Keric Danica , Riesenberg Devorah , Wellard‐Cole Lyndal , Pettigrew Simone 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIssuesThere is a decline in youth drinking, but also a causal link between alcohol marketing and drinking among young people. Therefore, novel alcohol marketing strategies should be scrutinised, particularly where children are exposed. This includes marketing for zero‐alcohol products (ZAP) (containing 0.00% to 1.15% alcohol by volume), which has expanded considerably in recent times. This review examines how the current industry‐managed regulatory approach to alcohol marketing applies to ZAPs in Western Australia.ApproachThe marketing mix (four Ps of marketing: product, promotion, place, price) was used as a framework to examine federal and state government policies and industry managed codes. Policies were included if they applied to marketing of alcohol products, for example, product labelling, promotion and advertising across various media, the place of purchase and pricing measures (taxation).Key FindingsZAPs were inconsistently defined, meaning that products between 0.05% and 1.15% alcohol by volume were covered under some but not all alcohol policy measures, and application to products under 0.5% alcohol by volume was limited.ImplicationsGovernment policy should more clearly define alcohol marketing and whether ZAPs and other alcohol brand extensions should be treated in the same way as alcoholic products.ConclusionIn Western Australia, the ways in which alcohol policy measures apply to ZAPs are limited and close attention must be paid to how ZAPs may provide additional marketing opportunities for the alcohol industry.
Die Aktivitätsperiodik des Flughörnchens, Glaucomys volans (Linnaeus 1758) und des Backenhörnchens, Tamias striatus (Linnaeus 1758)
Authors: Graefe Gernot 
Published: October 2023

ZusammenfassungAn zwei zusammen in einem allseitig geschlossenen Gehege gehaltenen Tierarten, dem Flughörnchen (Glaucomys volans) und dem Backenhörnchen (Tamias striatus) wurde besonders die Aktivitätsperiodik beobachtet.Im nebenstehenden Diagramm (Abb. 5) sind die Aktivitätskurven beider Arten im Verlauf eines 24‐Std.‐tages mitten im August gemeinsam eingetragen.Infolge des Aneinanderschlie&#x007a;̀ens der beiden Aktivitätszeiten und weil sie verschiedene Schlafplätze haben, erwiesen sich diese beiden Tierarten als sehr geeignete Partner für eine gemeinsame Haltung.Als Zeitgeber für das Erscheinen und Schlafengehen des dunkelaktiven Flughörnchens wurden Helligkeitswerte von 35–45 Lux ermittelt. Ungefähr die gleichen Lichtwerte begrenzten die Wachperiode des lichtaktiven Backenhörnchens. Dadurch sind die Aktivitätsrhythmen beider Arten den jahreszeitlich sich ändernden Tag‐ und Nachtlängen gleich gut angepa&#x007a;̀t, und ihre Überschneidung, die zwischenartliche Auseinandersetzungen zur Folge haben würde, ist von vornherein ausgeschlossen.Die Aktivitätskurven beider Arten zeigen zwei Gipfel. Der höhere liegt am Anfang der Tatigkeitsperiode und ist beim Flughörnchen besonders deutlich. Durch Verdunkeln des Geheges konnten Anfang und Ende der Wachzeit verschoben werden.In einer sehr windigen Nacht kamen die Flughörnchen nur wenig zum Vorschein, holten aber, obwohl der Wind anhielt, reichlich verspätet kurz vor Morgenanbruch ein Tätigkeitsmaximum nach.Von vornherein im Stationsgelände frei laufende Backenhörnchen haben eine wesentlich grö&#x007a;̀ere Fluchtdistanz als die im Gehege. Gleich geblieben waren die Aktivitätsperiodik und die Lebensgewohnheiten.