bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of the Team Evaluation and Assessment Measure Quality Improvement (TEAM‐QI) and Proof‐Of‐Concept Testing in Maternity Teams
Authors: Beck Sarah , Harris Jenny , Green James , Lamb Benjamin W. , Aref‐Adib Mehrnoosh , Bick Debra , Taylor Cath 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTPoor teamwork is often implicated in serious healthcare delivery failings, leading to calls for effective team improvement interventions. Taking a complex, adaptive systems perspective, we adapted an oncology team quality improvement program to make it appropriate for other areas of clinical care. Study phases included: (1) meetings with National Health Service, policy and service user representatives (n = 19), a rapid review of existing maternity teamwork interventions, and mapping of the proposed program content to an evidence‐based model of team effectiveness; (2) feasibility and acceptability testing of the team questionnaire component, and content analysis of free‐text responses with four maternity teams within two NHS Trusts (n = 26). Meetings with representatives highlighted the importance of non‐punitive, continuous team‐led assessment, and the ability to compare performance to similar teams while enabling adaptability to different team types. Program content mapped well to known components of team effectiveness. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was acceptable (Cronbach alpha = 0.79–0.92). Most team members (76.9%) reported benefits in identifying priorities for improvement. Preliminary proof of concept was supported but larger‐scale evaluation including testing in other clinical areas is warranted.
Exploring Psychological Factors and Brain Alterations in Functional Anorectal Pain Patients: Insights From Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Investigations
Authors: Wan Yu , Sun Churan , Fan Mingfeng , Yu Hao , Xu Juan , Zhang Kai , Ji Shanling , Yu Hao , Liu Chuanxin , Zhou Cong , Wang Shuai 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundFunctional anorectal pain (FAP) is classified as one of the disorders of gut‐brain interaction (DGBI). It involves the impairments of anorectal afferents and disrupted gut‐brain communication. However, neuroimaging studies focused on FAP are lacking.MethodsA total of 25 FAP patients and 18 healthy controls (HC) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), resting‐state functional MRI (rs‐fMRI) scans, and collection of demographic data, mental health assessment scales and pain assessment questionnaires. Voxel‐based morphometry (VBM), tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (ALFF) were utilized to analyze the imaging data. Correlation analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between the neuroimaging findings and clinical symptoms.Key ResultsFunctional anorectal pain (FAP) patients exhibited higher levels of anxiety, depression scores and lower sleep quality compared to HC. VBM analysis revealed increased gray matter volume (GMV) in the bilateral fusiform, right parahippocampal, bilateral inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), and decreased GMV in the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG), left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), bilateral inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), left Calcarine, bilateral middle occipital gyrus (MOG), left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) in FAP patients. TBSS analysis showed decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), anterior thalamic radiation (ATR), and forceps minor in the FAP patients. Additionally, increased ALFF in the right cerebellum and increased ReHo in the right MFG were observed in the FAP patients.Conclusions and InferencesThese findings showed a worse psychological condition and suggested neuroanatomical and neurofunctional alterations associated with pain processing, emotion regulation, and cognitive control in FAP patients.
Weight stigma in the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods: A systematic review of women's perspectives
Authors: Dever Michelle , Skouteris Helen , Incollingo Rodriguez Angela C. , Hailu Haimanot , Galvin Emma , Hill Briony 
Published: February 2025

SummaryWeight stigma presents a significant challenge for women throughout the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum (PPP) periods, manifesting in multiple areas of life, including interpersonal relationships, healthcare settings, and broader social contexts. This systematic review investigates weight stigma in women across their reproductive years, examining its impact, and exploring the socioecological factors that contribute to its persistence. We searched Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, Maternity and Infant Care (MIDIRS), and Global Health for peer‐reviewed articles published since 2010. Of the 3486 records identified, 38 were included in a narrative synthesis. Inductive thematic analysis was used to explore women's personal experiences of weight stigma. We then applied a socioecological lens to examine the interrelationships between individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal factors contributing to weight stigma. Five overarching themes were identified: (1) the impact of weight stigma on PPP women; (2) weight stigma experiences across the socioecological contexts; (3) coping strategies; (4) women's voices as a call to action; and (5) interrelationships of weight stigma contexts. Our findings provide critical insights into the multifaceted nature of weight stigma, highlighting the need for future research, and the development of practical strategies that prioritize women's perspectives, and challenge harmful societal norms for positive change.
An alternative splicing caused by a natural variation in BnaC02.VTE4 gene affects vitamin E and glucosinolate content in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Wang Furong , Kuang Lieqiong , Xiao Zelin , Tian Ze , Wang Xinfa , Wang Hanzhong , Dun Xiaoling 
Published: February 2025

SummaryVitamin E (VE) is essential for plants and animals. Rapeseed oil is rich in α‐tocopherol (α‐T), which is the most bioactive form of VE in human body. This study demonstrated that VE in rapeseed seeds was mainly controlled by embryo genotype through incomplete diallel hybridization. By genome‐wide association study, the QTL‐qVE.C02 associated with VE and α‐T contents was detected in a Brassica napus association population, and the phenotypic contribution rate was up to 18.71%. BnaC02.VTE4, encoding gama‐tocopherol methyltransferase, was proved as the target gene of qVE.C02 by genetic complementation. Two BnaC02.VTE4 haplotypes were identified in the population. Compared with BnaC02.VTE4HapH, a point mutation from A to G at the 3′ splicing site of the second intron were found in BnaC02.VTE4HapL, resulting in alternative splicing and early termination of translation. HapL1052(G‐A), the site‐directed mutagenesis fragment of BnaC02.VTE4HapL, was introduced into Arabidopsis vte4 mutant and 8S088 (a BnaC02.VTE4HapL accession), and the contents of VE and α‐T in atvte4‐4 and 8S088 seeds were increased by 90.10% to 307.29%. These demonstrated the point mutation as the causal for the difference in VE biosynthesis in rapeseed. Further, this variation also led to the significant difference in glucosinolate content between BnaC02.VTE4HapH and BnaC02.VTE4HapL accessions. Multi‐omics analysis suggested that the expression of some genes and the accumulation of several metabolites related to the glucosinolate biosynthesis pathway were significantly increased in BnaC02.VTE4HapL group. Moreover, by functional marker identification, the BnaC02.VTE4HapH was found to be selected during domestication. Our findings offered promising opportunities for enhancing rapeseed quality traits.
Aortic Root Dilatation in Children With End‐Stage Kidney Disease on Regular Hemodialysis and After Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Fadel Fatina I. , Salah Doaa M. , Elnaggar Hend A. , Abdel Wahed Ahmed , Eryan Eman F. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of mortality in end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. Aortic root dilatation (ARD) was recently recognized as a cardiovascular (CV) sequela in these patients. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and progression of ARD in children with ESKD on regular hemodialysis (HD) and after kidney transplantation (KT).MethodsSeventy children in HD (HD group) and 80 pediatric kidney transplant recipients (KTR) (KT group) were included. The echocardiographic assessment was done twice at intervals of more than 6 months (6–14 months) except for 3 patients who died before the second assessment.ResultsARD's overall prevalence was higher in HD than in KT groups (71.4% and 40%). ARD was more prominent in patients with increased duration of ESKD, EDW, normalized IDWG%, and normalized UF vol%. In the KTR group, underweight was more prevalent among the ARD group than the non‐ARD group. Patients with ARD had higher BP than patients without ARD. Most of the patients with ARD were on classic triple immunosuppressive therapy. ARD patients of both groups had lower HB, higher PLTS, Ph, Ca × Ph levels, and lower e‐GFR than non‐ARD patients.ConclusionARD is prevalent among ESKD children, with furthermore prevalence in HD than in KT patients. Younger age, lower BMI Z‐scores, hypertension (HTN), and increased Ca × Ph are risk factors for ARD. Aortic root measures and ARD frequency decrease on ≥ 6‐month follow‐up of patients.
Social Movements, Public Policy, and Informal Institutions: The Role of Patronage in Chile (2006–2022)
Authors: Barozet Emmanuelle , Espinoza Vicente , Moya Emilio 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe article analyzes how mobilization and public policy meet and shape one another in Chile over almost two decades, characterized by an intensive cycle of collective action (2006–2022). By examining the interrelationship between mobilization and public policy, we argue that patronage is the glue that binds the two issues. Using descriptive data from the Conflict Observatory of the Center for Social Cohesion and Conflict Studies, as well as secondary information produced by state agencies in Chile and primary information comprising fieldwork conducted in six regions between 2003 and 2021, we show that until 2019, patronage channeled and attenuated social conflict in specific areas, enabling the rapid delivery of social benefits and jobs that public policies should transparently manage but do not.
Endogenous H2S promotes Arabidopsis flowering through the regulation of GA20ox4 in the gibberellin pathway
Authors: Xuan Lijuan , Tian Yongke , Chen Xiaoyan , Gao Le , Wang Meng , Wu Haijun 
Published: February 2025

AbstractFlowering time is a critical determinant of plant reproductive success and agricultural yield. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), as a signaling molecule, regulates various aspects of plant growth and development. In this study, we examined the role of endogenous H₂S in regulating flowering time in Arabidopsis. The O‐acetylserine thiol lyase a1 (oasa1) mutant, which has elevated H₂S levels due to impaired OASA1 activity that catalyzes the synthesis of Cys from H2S, flowers earlier than wild type (WT). The OASA1 overexpression lines (OE‐OASA1‐#33/#142), characterized by reduced H₂S levels, show delayed flowering, accompanied by decreased expression of key flowering regulators, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1 (SOC1), and AGAMOUS‐LIKE24 (AGL24). Notably, vernalization and short‐day (SD) conditions did not affect their flowering patterns. Exogenous H₂S and GA₃ treatment rescued the delayed flowering phenotype of OE‐OASA1‐#33/#142. In oasa1, levels of GA intermediates (GA15 and GA53) were elevated, while their levels were reduced in OE‐OASA1‐#33/#142. RT‐qPCR analysis showed a significant reduction in the expression of GIBBERELLIN 20‐OXIDASE 4 (GA20ox4) in OE‐OASA1‐#33/#142 compared to WT. Overexpression of GA20ox4 (OE‐GA20ox4‐#20/#30) resulted in earlier flowering and partially rescued the delayed flowering phenotype of OE‐OASA1‐#33/#142. Additionally, the expression of age pathway‐related genes, including miRNA172b and SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN‐LIKE 3/4/5/9/15 (SPL3/4/5/9/15), was significantly reduced in OE‐OASA1‐#33/#142 seedlings. These findings suggest that endogenous H₂S positively regulates GA20ox4 expression, thereby promoting gibberellin synthesis and advancing flowering in Arabidopsis through the GA pathway. Furthermore, the promotion of flowering by H₂S appears to be linked to the age pathway.
GAI1 underlines the antagonism between gibberellin and jasmonic acid in modulating disease resistance
Authors: Xu Haoran , Tan Mengting , Zhang Bowen , Yan Wenlei , Zeng Hongqiu 
Published: February 2025

AbstractCassava bacterial blight (CBB) is a devastating disease affecting cassava production worldwide. Although phytohormones are important in regulating defense responses, their roles and the possible crosstalk in cassava remain elusive. Here, we illustrate the antagonistic effects of gibberellin (GA) and jasmonic acid (JA) in modulating disease resistance to CBB. Notably, we found that GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE1 (GAI1), a critical repressor of GA signaling, physically interacted with JASMONATE ZIM DOMAIN2.2 (JAZ2.2). JAZ2.2 negatively regulates cassava disease resistance by interfering with JA signaling through its direct interaction with MYELOCYTOMATOSIS2.2 (MYC2.2), thereby inhibiting the transcription of several resistant genes, including MeSERK1, MeLYK3, MeZAR1, MeADR2, MePR1, MePR4.1, MePR5. Interestingly, the interaction between GAI1 and JAZ2.2 releases the MYC2.2 and then activates the transcription of downstream resistant genes, resulting the antagonistic effects of GA and JA. In summary, this study clarifies the antagonism between GA and JA in modulating cassava disease resistance, which is underlined by the interaction between GAI1 and JAZ2.2. The GAI1‐JAZ2.2‐MYC2.2 gene network not only extends the our understanding of the phytohormone signaling pathway, but also provides new clues for the genetic improvement of cassava disease resistance.
The impact of wild-boar-derived microbiota transplantation on piglet microbiota, metabolite profile, and gut proinflammatory cytokine production differs from sow-derived microbiota
Authors: Rahman Rajibur , Fouhse Janelle M. , Ju Tingting , Fan Yi , Bhardwaj Tulika , Brook Ryan K. , Nosach Roman , Harding John , Willing Benjamin P. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Colonization of co-evolved, species-specific microbes in early life plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal development and immune function. This study hypothesized that modern pig production practices have resulted in the loss of co-evolved species and critical symbiotic host-microbe interactions. To test this, we reintroduced microbes from wild boars (WB) into conventional piglets to explore their colonization dynamics and effects on gut microbial communities, metabolite profiles, and immune responses. At postnatal day (PND) 21, 48 piglets were assigned to four treatment groups: (i) WB-derived mixed microbial community (MMC), (ii) sow-derived MMC, (iii) a combination of WB and sow MMC (Mix), or (iv) Control (PBS). Post-transplantation analyses at PND 48 revealed distinct microbial communities in WB-inoculated piglets compared with Controls, with trends toward differentiation from Sow but not Mix groups. WB-derived microbes were more successful in colonizing piglets, particularly in the Mix group, where they competed with Sow-derived microbes. WB group cecal digesta enriched with
Lactobacillus helveticus
,
Lactobacillus mucosae
, and
Lactobacillus pontis
. Cecal metabolite analysis showed that WB piglets were enriched in histamine, acetyl-ornithine, ornithine, citrulline, and other metabolites, with higher histamine levels linked to
Lactobacillus
abundance. WB piglets exhibited lower cecal IL-1β and IL-6 levels compared with Control and Sow groups, whereas the Mix group showed reduced IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-6 compared with the Sow group. No differences in weight gain, fecal scores, or plasma cytokines were observed, indicating no adverse effects. These findings support that missing WB microbes effectively colonize domestic piglets and may positively impact metabolite production and immune responses.

IMPORTANCE
This study addresses the growing concern over losing co-evolved, species-specific microbes in modern agricultural practices, particularly in pig production. The implementation of strict biosecurity measures and widespread antibiotic use in conventional farming systems may disrupt crucial host-microbe interactions that are essential for gastrointestinal development and immune function. Our research demonstrates that by reintroducing wild boar-derived microbes into domestic piglets, these microbes can successfully colonize the gut, influence microbial community composition, and alter metabolite profiles and immune responses without causing adverse effects. These findings also suggest that these native microbes can fill an intestinal niche, positively impacting immune activation. This research lays the groundwork for future strategies to enhance livestock health and performance by restoring natural microbial populations that produce immune-modulating metabolites.
Robust and highly efficient transformation method for a minimal mycoplasma cell
Authors: Mizutani Masaki , Glass John I. , Fukatsu Takema , Suzuki Yo , Kakizawa Shigeyuki 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasmas have been widely investigated for their pathogenicity, as well as for genomics and synthetic biology. Conventionally, transformation of mycoplasmas was not highly efficient, and due to the low transformation efficiency, large amounts of DNA and recipient cells were required for that purpose. Here, we report a robust and highly efficient transformation method for the minimal cell JCVI-syn3B, which was created through streamlining the genome of
Mycoplasma mycoides
. When the growth states of JCVI-syn3B were examined in detail by focusing on such factors as pH, color, absorbance, colony forming unit, and transformation efficiency, it was found that the growth phase after the lag phase can be divided into three distinct phases, of which the highest transformation efficiency was observed during the early exponential growth phase. Notably, the transformation efficiency of up to 4.4 × 10
−2
transformants per cell per microgram of plasmid DNA was obtained. A method to obtain several hundred to several thousand transformants with less than 0.2 mL of culture with approximately 1 × 10
7
–10
8
cells and 10 ng of plasmid DNA was developed. Moreover, a transformation method using a frozen stock of transformation-ready cells was established. These procedures and information could simplify and enhance the transformation process of minimal cells, facilitating advanced genetic engineering and biological research using minimal cells.

IMPORTANCE
Mycoplasmas are parasitic and pathogenic bacteria for many animals. They are also useful bacteria to understand the cellular process of life and for bioengineering because of their simple metabolism, small genomes, and cultivability. Genetic manipulation is crucial for these purposes, but transformation efficiency in mycoplasmas is typically quite low. Here, we report a highly efficient transformation method for the minimal genome mycoplasma JCVI-syn3B. Using this method, transformants can be obtained with only 10 ng of plasmid DNA, which is around one-thousandth of the amount required for traditional mycoplasma transformations. Moreover, a convenient method using frozen stocks of transformation-ready cells was established. These improved methods play a crucial role in further studies using minimal cells.
Not just passengers: effectors contribute to the assembly of the type VI secretion system as structural building blocks
Authors: Dyrma Sherina , Pei Tong-Tong , Liang Xiaoye , Dong Tao 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Protein secretion systems are critical macromolecular machines employed by bacteria to interact with diverse environments and hosts during their life cycle. Cytosolically produced protein effectors are translocated across at least one membrane to the outside of the cells or directly into target cells. In most secretion systems, these effectors are mere passengers in unfolded or folded states. However, the type VI secretion system (T6SS) stands out as a powerful contractile device that requires some of its effectors as structural components. This review aims to provide an updated view of the diverse functions of effectors, especially focusing on their roles in T6SS assembly, the implications for T6SS engineering, and the potential of recently developed T6SS models to study effector-T6SS association.
Development and evaluation of a next-generation sequencing methodology for measles virus using Oxford Nanopore Technology
Authors: Zubach Vanessa , Osahan Gurasis , Kolsun Kurt , Pfeifer Claudia , Severini Alberto , Hiebert Joanne 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

We report the development of a bench protocol and evaluation of bioinformatics pipelines for the whole genome sequence (WGS) of measles virus (MeV) genotype D8. We established a bench protocol using 1 kb amplicons tiling the MeV WGS. Four different pipeline parameters were assessed based on two basecallers and two quality thresholds: Guppy simplex with Q-score thresholds of 20 and 25 (G20 and G25), and Dorado duplex with Q-score thresholds of 20 and 25 (D20 and D25). Using a reference genome, we determined that complete genomes were obtained down to 10 copies/µL with all four parameters; however, errors began to be detected in the consensus sequence at 100 copies/µL. A panel of specimens from 32 measles cases, for which measles WGS had been obtained by other methods (reference sequences), was used to assess the utility and accuracy of the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) for the purposes of measles surveillance. We found that a crossing point (Cp) value of 31 (corresponding to approximately 100 copies/µL) or less could be considered a predictor for the generation of accurate and complete WGS. The GQ20 parameter achieved the most complete genomes (75%) and had the most identical sequences (84.4%). Error rates compared with the reference sequences for all parameters were below one nucleotide per whole genome. After assessing the reproducibility, GQ20 had the most identical sequences (97.4%). Finally, we inserted ONT-generated WGS and reference sequences into outbreaks with known epidemiological links, and our results show that the ONT WGS matches the epidemiological data. This evaluation establishes that NGS generated by ONT produces accurate and reliable MeV WGS.

IMPORTANCE
The use of ONT-sequencing platforms has the potential to expand the availability of measles sequencing as a result of its relatively lower cost and portability. This study establishes that measles sequences generated by ONT are accurate and reliable. This will enable sequencing in global regions where there is a lack of sequence data (which also tend to be the measles exporting regions) and more timely sequencing in low incidence settings, due also to the lower number of samples needed for the ONT platform. More timely generation of these data enables better investigation of cases, which informs public health response and outbreak management in measles-eliminated countries.