bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The neural control of movement: a century of in vivo motor unit recordings is the legacy of Adrian and Bronk
Authors: Farina Dario , Gandevia Simon 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn two papers dated 1928 to 1929 in The Journal of Physiology, Edgar Adrian and Detlev Bronk described recordings from motor nerve and muscle fibres. The recordings from motor nerve fibres required progressive dissection of the nerve until a few fibres remained, from which isolated single fibre activity could be detected. The muscle fibre recordings were performed in humans during voluntary contractions with an intramuscular electrode – the concentric needle electrode – that they describe for the first time in the second paper. They recognised that muscle fibres would respond to each impulse sent by the innervating motor neurone and that therefore muscle fibre recordings provided information on the times of activation of the motor nerve fibres which were as accurate as a direct record from the nerve. These observations and the description of the concentric needle electrode opened the era of motor unit recordings in humans, which have continued for almost a century and have provided a comprehensive view of the neural control of movement at the motor unit level. Despite important advances in technology, many of the principles of motor unit behaviour that would be investigated in the subsequent decades were canvassed in the two papers by Adrian and Bronk. For example, they described the concomitant motor neurones’ recruitment and rate coding for force modulation, synchronisation of motor unit discharges, and the dependence of discharge rate on motor unit recruitment threshold. Here, we summarise their observations and discuss the impact of their work. We highlight the advent of the concentric needle, and its subsequent influence on motor control research.
image
Organizational-Level Factors That Influence Women Coaches’ Experiences
Authors: Strode James P. , Parker Heidi M. , Kerwin Shannon 
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this study was to identify the supports and barriers women coaches experience at the organizational level and to determine how those factors influence interpersonal- and individual-level factors within their coaching context. Nine women who coach high school basketball were interviewed at two time points and asked to reflect on organizational-level factors relative to their coaching position and how those factors have shaped their coaching experience over time. Based on the results of the interviews, two organizational-level factors were identified as barriers for participants: navigating inconsistent hiring practices and hypermasculine culture within school sport. The participants described organizational-level factors as influencing their experiences at both interpersonal (e.g., support from mentors, barriers related to the athletic directors) and individual (e.g., age, experience, sexual orientation) levels. The findings provide empirical support for specific organizational factors that contribute to interpersonal- and individual-level coach experiences. The power structures embedded in these associations are defined and discussed.
Anti-
Leishmania
compounds can be screened using
Leishmania
spp. expressing red fluorescence (
tdTomato
)
Authors: Cruz Mariza Gabriela Faleiro de Moura Lodi , Santi Ana Maria Murta , Morais-Teixeira Eliane de , Caldeira Alisson Samuel Portes , Siqueira Ezequias Pessoa de , Oliveira Edward , Alves Tânia Maria de Almeida , Murta Silvane Maria Fonseca 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

The main challenges associated with leishmaniasis chemotherapy are drug toxicity, the possible emergence of resistant parasites, and a limited choice of therapeutic agents. Therefore, new drugs and assays to screen and detect novel active compounds against leishmaniasis are urgently needed. We thus validated
Leishmania braziliensis
(Lb) and
Leishmania infantum
(Li) that constitutively express the tandem tomato red fluorescent protein (
tdTomato
) as a model for large-scale screens of anti-
Leishmania
compounds. Confocal microscopy of
Lb
and
Li::tdTomato
revealed red fluorescence distributed throughout the entire parasite, including the flagellum, and flow cytometry confirmed that the parasites emitted intense fluorescence. We evaluated the infectivity of cloned promastigotes and amastigotes constitutively expressing
tdTomato
, their growth profiles in THP-1 macrophages, and susceptibility to trivalent antimony, amphotericin, and miltefosine
in vitro
. The phenotypes of mutant and wild-type parasites were similar, indicating that the constitutive expression of
tdTomato
did not interfere with the evaluated parameters. We applied our validated model to a repositioning strategy and assessed the susceptibility of the parasites to eight commercially available drugs. We also screened 32 natural plant and fungal extracts and 10 pure substances to reveal new active compounds. The infectivity and Glucantime treatment efficacy of BALB/c mice and golden hamsters infected with
Lb
and
Li::tdTomato
mutant lines, respectively, were very similar compared to animals infected with wild-type parasites. Standardizing our methodology would offer more rapid, less expensive, and easier assays to screen of compounds against
L. braziliensis
and
L. infantum in vitro
and
in vivo
. Our method could also enhance the discovery of active compounds for treating leishmaniasis.
Whole-genome sequence of
Geobacillus thermodenitrificans
K1041, a genetically tractable strain representative of the genus
Geobacillus
Authors: Kani Saori , Suzuki Hirokazu 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

We present the whole-genome sequence of
Geobacillus thermodenitrificans
K1041, a bacterium that was originally identified as a genetically tractable thermophile. The genome consists of a circular chromosome that contains 3,848 genes. The sequence has a total size of 3,755,826 bp with a GC content of 49.18%.
Complete genome sequences and characteristics of mycobacteriophages Diminimus, Dulcita, Glaske16, and Koreni
Authors: Baliraine Faith W. , Mathews Kaitlyn E. , Livingston Emma G. , Martinez Clarissa A. , Donnelly Olivia L. , Pledger Taryn M. , Feroz Tadeen , Harbison Zoe J. , Schlimme Sarah G. , Andrade Camila , Salazar Keren N. , Berryhill Elise C. , DeLosSantos Madelyn M. , Foree Hannah L. , Gicheru Wanjiru , Jett Adrienne M. , Mendez Sofia N. , Odebiyi Toluwalope M. , Pitman Jacob I. , Tan Michael J. , McLoud Josh D. , Baliraine Frederick N. 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT
Complete genome sequences of four novel mycobacteriophages, Diminimus, Dulcita, Glaske16, and Koreni, isolated from soil are presented. All these bacteriophages belong to subcluster M1, except Koreni that belongs to subcluster A4. Moreover, all have siphovirus morphologies, with genome sizes ranging from 51,055 to 81,156 bp.
Integrase-associated niche differentiation of endogenous large DNA viruses in crustaceans
Authors: Kawato Satoshi , Nozaki Reiko , Kondo Hidehiro , Hirono Ikuo 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Crustacean genomes harbor sequences originating from nimaviruses, a family of large double-stranded DNA viruses infecting crustaceans. In this study, we recovered metagenome-assembled genomes of 27 endogenous nimaviruses from crustacean genome data. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four major lineages within
Nimaviridae
, and for three of these lineages, we propose novel genera of endogenous nimaviruses: “Majanivirus” and “Pemonivirus” identified from penaeid shrimp genomes, and “Clopovirus” identified from terrestrial isopods. Majanivirus genomes contain multiple eukaryotic-like genes such as baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing genes, innexins, and heat shock protein 70-like genes, some of which contain introns. An alignment of long reads revealed that each endogenous nimavirus species specifically inserts into host microsatellites or within 28S rDNA. This insertion preference was associated with the type of virus-encoded DNA recombination enzymes, the integrases. Majaniviruses, pemoniviruses, some whispoviruses, and possibly clopoviruses specifically insert into the arthropod telomere repeat motif (TAACC/GGTTA)n and all possessed a specific tyrosine recombinase family. Pasiphaea japonica whispovirus and Portunus trituberculatus whispovirus, the closest relatives of white spot syndrome virus, integrate into the host 28S rDNA and are equipped with members of another family of tyrosine recombinases that are distantly related to telomere-specific tyrosine recombinases. Endogenous nimavirus genomes identified from sesarmid crabs, which lack tyrosine recombinases and are flanked by a 46-bp inverted terminal repeat, integrate into (AT/TA)n microsatellites through the acquisition of a Ginger2-like cut-and-paste DDE transposase. These results suggest that endogenous nimaviruses are giant transposable elements that occupy different sequence niches through the acquisition of different integrase families.

IMPORTANCE
Crustacean genomes harbor sequences originating from a family of large DNA viruses called nimaviruses, but it is unclear why they are present. We show that endogenous nimaviruses selectively insert into repetitive sequences within the host genome, and this insertion specificity was correlated with different types of integrases, which are DNA recombination enzymes encoded by the nimaviruses themselves. This suggests that endogenous nimaviruses have colonized various genomic niches through the acquisition of integrases with different insertion specificities. Our results point to a novel survival strategy of endogenous large DNA viruses colonizing the host genomes. These findings may clarify the evolution and spread of nimaviruses in crustaceans and lead to measures to control and prevent the spread of pathogenic nimaviruses in aquaculture settings.
Quantitative assessment of multiple pathogen exposure and immune dynamics at scale
Authors: Song Lusheng , Rauf Femina , Hou Ching-Wen , Qiu Ji , Murugan Vel , Chung Yunro , Lai Huafang , Adam Deborah , Magee D. Mitchell , Trivino Soto Guillermo , Peterson Milene , Anderson Karen S. , Rice Stephen G. , Readhead Benjamin , Park Jin G. , LaBaer Joshua 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT
Serological responses reveal recent and historical exposure to pathogens, as well as the state of autoimmune and other chronic conditions, including cancer. Serological tests either assess one or a few antigens in many people, or multiple antigens for modest sample sizes. Here, we describe a multiplexed serology method that evaluates samples at the scale of thousands. This molecular epidemiology tool operates at a population scale sufficient to evaluate broadly how various infectious exposures or autoimmune responses affect health. The method employs full-length folded proteins, is quantitative over a wide dynamic range, and performs favorably compared with commercial clinical assays [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 chemiluminescent IgG II assay (Beckman) and Platelia SARS-CoV-2 total Ab enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Bio-Rad, California, USA)]. Responses to 39 bacteria species/strains and 99 viruses in 2,400 people were evaluated. Subjects with longitudinal data showed quantitative stability of response to all antigens over the 6-month time window, enabling the detection of intervening clinical events. We expect this highly adaptable method will find broad application in immune profile tracking.

IMPORTANCE
Serology reveals exposure to pathogens, as well as the state of autoimmune and other clinical conditions. It is used to evaluate individuals and their histories and as a public health tool to track epidemics. Employing a variety of formats, studies nearly always perform serology by testing response to only one or a few antigens. However, clinical outcomes of new infections also depend on which previous infections may have occurred. We developed a high-throughput serology method that evaluates responses to hundreds of antigens simultaneously. It can be used to evaluate thousands of samples at a time and provide a quantitative readout. This tool will enable doctors to monitor which pathogens an individual has been exposed to and how that changes in the future. Moreover, public health officials could track populations and look for infectious trends among large populations. Testing many potential antigens at a time may also aid in vaccine development.
Isolation and characterization of novel plasmid-dependent phages infecting bacteria carrying diverse conjugative plasmids
Authors: Parra Boris , Cockx Bastiaan , Lutz Veronika T. , Brøndsted Lone , Smets Barth F. , Dechesne Arnaud 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Plasmid-dependent phages infect bacteria carrying conjugative plasmids by recognizing the plasmid-encoded pilus. Despite the high abundance of conjugative plasmids in diverse environments, plasmid-dependent phages have not been widely studied. Since conjugative plasmids often carry antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), interfering with conjugation could reduce the spread of ARGs and avoid the appearance of multiresistant superbugs. Our aim was to isolate and characterize plasmid-dependent phages able to infect bacteria carrying diverse conjugative plasmids belonging to the most common plasmid families among Gram-negative pathogens. We isolated two lytic phages from wastewater using an avirulent strain of
Salmonella enterica
carrying the conjugative IncN plasmid pKM101. Both phages, named Lu221 and Hi226, are novel dsDNA viruses within the class
Caudoviricetes
with genomes of approximately 76 kb. They showed broad host range infecting
Escherichia coli
,
S. enterica
,
Kluyvera
sp., and
Enterobacter
sp. carrying conjugative plasmids. They recognize plasmid-encoded receptors from 12 out of 15 tested plasmids, all of them carrying resistance determinants. Phages Lu221 and Hi226 could have the potential to help combat the antimicrobial resistance crisis by reducing ARGs present in conjugative plasmids.

IMPORTANCE

This work was undertaken because plasmid-dependent phages can reduce the prevalence of conjugative plasmids and can be leveraged to prevent the acquisition and dissemination of ARGs by bacteria. The two novel phages described in this study, Lu221 and Hi226, can infect
Escherichia coli
,
Salmonella enterica
,
Kluyvera
sp. and
Enterobacter
sp. carrying conjugative plasmids. This was verified with plasmids carrying resistance determinants and belonging to the most common plasmid families among Gram-negative pathogens. Therefore, the newly isolated phages could have the potential to help control the spread of ARGs and thus help combat the antimicrobial resistance crisis.
The facial microbiome and metabolome across different geographic regions
Authors: Tao Rong , Li Tingting , Wang Yalin , Wang Rong , Li Ruoyu , Bianchi Pascale , Duplan Hélène , Zhang Ying , Li Hang , Wang Ruojun 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Facial skin is more exposed to the outside environment, and it is usually affected by environmental factors. Characterization of the skin microbiome and metabolome of individuals from different geographic regions will help to understand the factors behind the prevalence of skin disorders and support skincare product development. In the current study, volunteers from northern, southern, and northwestern China were recruited. Facial skin samples were collected for amplicon sequencing and metabolomic liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analyses. We demonstrated significant alterations in the abundances of multiple microorganisms and skin lipid compositions between individuals. People living in the northwest, which has a dry climate and high altitude, showed lower level of total lipids, and lower abundance of
Malassezia
, but higher levels of ceramides and fatty acids.
Malassezia
had a positive correlation with eicosanoids and a negative correlation with ceramides. This work highlights the effects of geographic factors on the skin microbial structures and skin lipids.

IMPORTANCE
Characterization of the skin microbiome and metabolome across geography will help uncover the climate factors behind the prevalence of skin disorders and provide suggestions for skincare products for people living in different geographic regions.
End-Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.08 Ga) epeiric seaway of the Nonesuch Formation, Wisconsin and Michigan, USA
Authors: Stewart Esther K. , Bauer Ann M. , Prave Anthony R. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The Nonesuch Formation and related sedimentary units of the Oronto Group, southern Lake Superior region, midwestern United States, are commonly held to have been deposited in a lacustrine rift basin within interior continental Laurentia. Here, we present new sedimentologic and stratigraphic evidence that shows a marine influence on deposition. Tidally influenced shallow-marine sandstone and evaporitic, sandy and muddy tidal flat facies pass upward into fine-grained estuarine and sandy turbidite deposits, which are sharply overlain by mixed sandy and muddy tidal flat and floodplain deposits. These observations are evidence that the lower Oronto Group was deposited in an epeiric seaway, one of several such seaways that developed during the final amalgamation of Rodinia at a time of globally high sea level. Retrogradational-aggradational-progradational-degradational stratal architecture records changes in the relative balance between generation of accommodation space and sedimentation rates, which we interpret to reflect the combined influence of Grenvillian Ottawan phase tectonic subsidence and thermal subsidence from earlier Midcontinent Rift magmatism.
We use this revised stratigraphic framework to show that the geochemical proxies of the Nonesuch Formation are tied closely to sedimentary facies and reflect intrabasinal redox heterogeneity rather than global anoxia at the end-Mesoproterozoic. Further, our sedimentology shows that the microfossils recovered from the Nonesuch rocks are primarily associated with tidal flat facies. The combined influence of marine and local nonmarine conditions must be considered when invoking the Nonesuch Formation, or similar marine-influenced interior basin deposits, as global analogues.
Geochemical mapping of lithospheric architecture disproves Archean terrane accretion in the Yilgarn craton
Authors: Smithies R.H. , Gessner K. , Lu Y. , Kirkland C.L. , Ivanic T. , Lowrey J.R. , Champion D.C. , Sapkota J. , Masurel Q. , Thébaud N. , Quentin de Gromard R. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The basement of Mesoarchean to Neoarchean greenstone basins in the Yilgarn craton is composed of fragments of evolved crust up to 3.7 Ga old. New cratonwide geochemical and isotopic data with unparalleled spatial resolution image a NE- to ENE-trending architecture in pre–2.73 Ga crust. These trends cannot be reconciled with plate-tectonic models, as they persist across younger NNW-striking structural fabrics, including a proposed suture previously interpreted to result from exotic terrane accretion. Our results suggest that, in spite of their substantial strike length, the NNW-trending structures have limited horizontal displacement and, although important for understanding regional geology, may be a geodynamically insignificant overprint of the primary ENE-trending architecture. We propose that these greenstone provinces or belts include individual basins formed in rifts with location, size, and orientation influenced by the interaction between basement fragments and regional crustal extension.
Implementation of the Article 13 WHO FCTC measures and changes in cigarette smoking among youth in 42 countries
Authors: Ylitörmänen Tuija , Tarasenko Yelena N , Ruokolainen Otto , Hiilamo Heikki , Pekka Puska , Ollila Hanna 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionDespite a decline in global smoking prevalence among adolescents, around 21 million youth report current cigarette smoking. Exposure to tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) is a risk factor for smoking initiation, and therefore the Article 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) requires comprehensive TAPS bans. We examined the associations between changes in youth cigarette smoking and implementation of Article 13.MethodsWe used two rounds of cross-sectional data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) for 42 countries: first between 2006 and 2015, and second between 2017 and 2020. The GYTS data were linked with the WHO FCTC implementation reports from 2016 and 2018. The outcome was current smoking. Multilevel binary logistic regression models, stratified by country income level, were used to test the prevalence differences between the latest and previous GYTS rounds and their associations with TAPS bans with postestimations using marginal analyses.ResultsThe percentage of students currently smoking decreased from 10.0% (95% CI 8.0 to 12.1) to 7.7% (95% CI 6.1 to 9.3) from first to second GYTS rounds (p<0.001), adjusting for country clustering. In low-income and lower-middle-income countries, the degree of decrease significantly differed between countries with versus without bans on display, partial internet TAPS ban, ban on depiction of tobacco products and by number of TAPS measures, adjusting for age and sex of the respondents. In high-income and upper-middle-income countries, the degree of decrease significantly differed by presence (or absence) of partial or full internet TAPS ban, ban on product placement and by number of TAPS measures.ConclusionImplementation of TAPS bans is associated with decreased smoking among adolescents both in high-income and low-income countries. Enhanced and continuous efforts are necessary to protect youth from the promotion of tobacco and nicotine products.
Psychological interventions for weight reduction and sustained weight reduction in adults with overweight and obesity: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Hamer Oliver , Bray Emma P , Harris Cath , Blundell Amy , Kuroski Jennifer A , Schneider Emma , Watkins Caroline , Clegg Andrew 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionOverweight and obesity are growing public health problems worldwide. Both diet and physical activity have been the primary interventions for weight reduction over the past decade. With increasing rates of overweight and obesity, it is evident that a primary focus on diet and exercise has not resulted in sustained obesity reduction within the global population. There is now a case to explore other weight management strategies, focusing on psychological factors that may underpin overweight and obesity. Psychological therapy interventions are gaining recognition for their effectiveness in addressing underlying emotional factors and promoting weight loss. However, there is a dearth of literature that has mapped the types of psychological interventions and the characteristics of these interventions as a means of achieving weight reduction and sustained weight reduction in adults with overweight or obesity.Methods and analysisThe review will combine the methodology outlined by Arksey and O’Malley with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. A total of six databases will be searched using a comprehensive search strategy. Intervention studies will be included if participants are 18 years and over, classified as overweight or obese (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2), and have received a psychological therapy intervention. The review will exclude studies that are not available in English, not full text, none peer reviewed or combine a lifestyle and/or pharmacological intervention with a psychological intervention. Data will be synthesised using a narrative synthesis approach.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required to conduct this scoping review. The findings will be disseminated through journal publication(s), social media and a lay summary for key stakeholders.