bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The self‐compatibility is acquired after polyploidization: a case study of Brassica napus self‐incompatible trilinear hybrid breeding system
Authors: Dou Shengwei , Zhang Tong , Wang Lulin , Yang Chuang , Quan Chengtao , Liang Xiaomei , Ma Chaozhi , Dai Cheng 
Published: December 2023

Summary
Self‐incompatibility plays a vital role in angiosperms, by preventing inbreeding depression and maintaining genetic diversity within populations. Following polyploidization, many angiosperm species transition from self‐incompatibility to self‐compatibility.
Here, we investigated the S‐locus in Brassicaceae and identified distinct origins for the sRNA loci, SMI and SMI2 (SCR Methylation Inducer 1 and 2), within the S‐locus. The SMI loci were found to be widespread in Cruciferae, whereas the SMI2 loci were exclusive to Brassica species.
Additionally, we discovered four major S‐haplotypes (BnS‐1, BnS‐6, BnS‐7, and BnS‐1300) in rapeseed. Overexpression of BnSMI‐1 in self‐incompatible Brassica napus (‘S‐70S1300S6’) resulted in a significant increase in DNA methylation in the promoter regions of BnSCR‐6 and BnSCR‐1300, leading to self‐compatibility. Conversely, by overexpressing a point mutation of BnSmi‐1 in the ‘S‐70S1300S6’ line, we observed lower levels of DNA methylation in BnSCR‐6 and BnSCR‐1300 promoters. Furthermore, the overexpression of BnSMI2‐1300 in the ‘SI‐326S7S6’ line inhibited the expression of BnSCR‐7 through transcriptional repression of the Smi2 sRNA from the BnS‐1300 haplotype.
Our study demonstrates that the self‐compatibility of rapeseed is determined by S‐locus sRNA‐mediated silencing of SCR after polyploidization, which helps to further breed self‐incompatible or self‐compatible rapeseed lines, thereby facilitating the utilization of heterosis.
Shifting Parental Age Differences in High‐Income Countries: Insights and Implications
Authors: Dudel Christian , Cheng Yen‐hsin Alice , Klüsener Sebastian 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAge differences within couples are of considerable importance for the power relations between partners. These age differences become particularly relevant when couples transition to having a(nother) child, as such an event often results in a renegotiation of the gendered division of labor. Surprisingly, the literature on female empowerment and fertility postponement has so far paid little attention to parental age differences. This paper makes use of a new data set to present a demographic analysis of trends in parental age differences at childbirth in 15 high‐income countries, covering a period in which all of these countries experienced changes in gender relations and fertility postponement. The general trends in rising mean ages at childbirth have evolved quite similarly among men and women. However, we demonstrate that these similarities hide previously unexplored and highly gendered disparities in parental age differences. Older mothers report much smaller mean parental age differences than younger mothers, and this age pattern among mothers has further polarized over time. By contrast, older fathers report larger parental age differences than younger fathers, while the disparities by age among fathers have not changed much over time. We discuss the relevance of our findings at both the individual and the societal level.
The isoprene‐responsive phosphoproteome provides new insights into the putative signalling pathways and novel roles of isoprene
Authors: Weraduwage Sarathi M. , Whitten Douglas , Kulke Martin , Sahu Abira , Vermaas Josh V. , Sharkey Thomas D. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMany plants, especially trees, emit isoprene in a highly light‐ and temperature‐dependent manner. The advantages for plants that emit, if any, have been difficult to determine. Direct effects on membranes have been disproven. New insights have been obtained by RNA sequencing, proteomic and metabolomic studies. We determined the responses of the phosphoproteome to exposure of Arabidopsis leaves to isoprene in the gas phase for either 1 or 5 h. Isoprene effects that were not apparent from RNA sequencing and other methods but were apparent in the phosphoproteome include effects on chloroplast movement proteins and membrane remodelling proteins. Several receptor kinases were found to have altered phosphorylation levels. To test whether potential isoprene receptors could be identified, we used molecular dynamics simulations to test for proteins that might have strong binding to isoprene and, therefore might act as receptors. Although many Arabidopsis proteins were found to have slightly higher binding affinities than a reference set of Homo sapiens proteins, no specific receptor kinase was found to have a very high binding affinity. The changes in chloroplast movement, photosynthesis capacity and so forth, found in this work, are consistent with isoprene responses being especially useful in the upper canopy of trees.
The AT‐hook protein AHL29 promotes Bacillus subtilis colonization by suppressing SWEET2‐mediated sugar retrieval in Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Wu Yun‐Chien , Yu Chien‐Wen , Chiu Jo‐Yu , Chiang Yu‐Hsuan , Mitsuda Nobutaka , Yen Xu‐Chen , Huang Tzu‐Pi , Chang Tzu‐Fang , Yen Cen‐Jie , Guo Woei‐Jiun 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBeneficial Bacillus subtilis (BS) symbiosis could combat root pathogenesis, but it relies on root‐secreted sugars. Understanding the molecular control of sugar flux during colonization would benefit biocontrol applications. The SWEET (Sugar Will Eventually Be Exported Transporter) uniporter regulates microbe‐induced sugar secretion from roots; thus, its homologs may modulate sugar distribution upon BS colonization. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that gene transcripts of SWEET2, but not SWEET16 and 17, were significantly induced in seedling roots after 12 h of BS inoculation. Particularly, SWEET2‐β‐glucuronidase fusion proteins accumulated in the apical mature zone where BS abundantly colonized. Yet, enhanced BS colonization in sweet2 mutant roots suggested a specific role for SWEET2 to constrain BS propagation, probably by limiting hexose secretion. By employing yeast one‐hybrid screening and ectopic expression in Arabidopsis protoplasts, the transcription factor AHL29 was identified to function as a repressor of SWEET2 expression through the AT‐hook motif. Repression occurred despite immunity signals. Additionally, enhanced SWEET2 expression and reduced colonies were specifically detected in roots of BS‐colonized ahl29 mutant. Taken together, we propose that BS colonization may activate repression of AHL29 on SWEET2 transcription that would be enhanced by immunity signals, thereby maintaining adequate sugar secretion for a beneficial Bacillus association.
Distribution of proteinase K‐resistant anti‐α‐synuclein immunoreactive axons in the cardiac plexus is unbiased to the left ventricular anterior wall
Authors: Fukasawa Nei , Maeda Miku , Sugiyama Yoshifumi , Fukuda Takahiro , Shimoda Masayuki 
Published: December 2023

AbstractLewy body disease (LBD) is characterized by the appearance of Lewy neurites and Lewy bodies, which are predominantly composed of α‐synuclein. Notably, the cardiac plexus (CP) is one of the main targets of LBD research. Although previous studies have reported obvious differences in the frequency of Lewy body pathology (LBP) in the CP, none of them have confirmed whether LBP preferably appears in any part of the CP. Thus, we aimed to clarify the emergence and/or propagation of LBP in the CP. In this study, 263 consecutive autopsy cases of patients aged ≥50 years were included, with one region per case selected from three myocardial perfusion areas (MPAs) and subjected to proteinase K and then immunohistochemically stained with anti‐α‐synuclein antibodies to assess LBP. We stained all three MPAs in 17 cases with low‐density LBP and observed the actual distribution of LBP. LBP were identified in the CP in 20.2% (53/263) of patients. Moreover, we found that LBP may appear in only one region of MPAs, mainly in the young‐old group (35.3% (6/17) of patients). These findings suggest that it is possible to underestimate LBP in the CP, especially in the young‐old group, by restricting the search to only one of the three MPAs.
How to study democratic backsliding
Authors: Druckman James N. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe twenty‐first century has been one of democratic backsliding. This has stimulated wide‐ranging scholarship on the causes of democratic erosion. Yet an overarching framework that identifies actors, behaviors, and decision processes has not been developed. I offer such a structure that includes elites (e.g., elected officials, the judiciary), societal actors (e.g., social movements, interest groups, media), and citizens. I discuss erosive threats stemming from each actor and the concomitant role of psychological mechanisms. The framework highlights the challenge of arriving at a holistic explanation of erosion within a given country during a finite period. It also accentuates why scholars should regularly consider the implications of their specific findings for democratic stability. I conclude by discussing various lessons and suggestions for how to study democratic backsliding.
A comparison of cohorts of children with cerebral palsy from a population register and hospital admission data: A data linkage study
Authors: Paget Simon P. , McIntyre Sarah , Lain Samantha , Goldsmith Shona , Nassar Natasha 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundAdministrative health data, such as hospital admission data, are often used in research to identify children/young people with cerebral palsy (CP).ObjectivesTo compare sociodemographic, clinical details and mortality of children/young people identified as having CP in either a CP population registry or hospital admission data.MethodsWe identified two cohorts of children/young people (birth years 2001–2010, age at study end or death 2 months to 19 years 6 months) with a diagnosis of CP from either (i) the New South Wales (NSW)/Australian Capital Territory (ACT) CP Register or (ii) NSW hospital admission data (2001–2020). Using record linkage, these data sources were linked to each other and NSW Death, Perinatal, and Disability datasets. We determined the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of CP diagnosis in hospital admission data compared with the NSW/ACT CP Register (gold standard). We then compared the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and mortality of the two cohorts available through record linkage using standardised mean difference (SMD).ResultsThere were 1598 children/young people with CP in the NSW/ACT CP Register and 732–2439 children/young people with CP in hospital admission data, depending on the case definition used. The sensitivity of hospital admission data for diagnosis of CP ranged from 0.40–0.74 and PPV 0.47–0.73. Compared with children/young people with CP identified in the NSW/ACT CP Register, a greater proportion of those identified in hospital admission data (one or more admissions with G80 case definition) were older, lived in major cities, had comorbidities including epilepsy, gastrostomy use, intellectual disability and autism, and died during the study period (SMD > 0.1).ConclusionsSociodemographic and clinical characteristics differ between cohorts of children/young people with CP identified using a CP register or hospital admission data. Those identified in hospital admission data have higher rates of comorbidities and death, suggesting some may have progressive conditions and not CP. These differences should be considered when planning and interpreting research using various data sources.
Effects of long‐acting injectable progesterone supplementation at early dioestrus on pregnancy maintenance in beef and dairy recipient cattle
Authors: Neto Adomar Laurindo , Ruas Felipe Lopes , Santo Bruno Silva Espírito , Mattos Ana Clara Degan , Silva Júnior Borges , Júnior Marcos Flávio Diniz , Pereira Danilo Fonseca Cardoso , Lacerda Izabelle Pereira , Carvalho José Oliveira , Pugliesi Guilherme 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe tested in the present study the hypothesis that supplementation with long‐acting P4 (iP4) at different times of the initial dioestrus improves pregnancy rates in dairy and beef recipients submitted to fixed‐time embryo transfer (FTET). Recipients from commercial farms had their oestrous cycle synchronized with an E2/P4‐based protocol in three experiments (Exp. 1 to 3). In Exp. 1, dairy heifers (n = 76) and cows (n = 104) were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: the control group (n = 89) and the iP4D4 group (n = 91). For Exps. 2 and 3, suckled beef recipients were used. In Exp. 2, recipients were assigned to two experimental groups: Control group (n = 147) and iP4D7 group (n = 144); whereas in Exp. 3, recipients were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: Control group (n = 85), iP4‐D4 group (n = 86) and iP4D7 group (n = 81). Recipients in the iP4D4 and iP4‐D7 groups received an i.m. administration of 150 mg iP4, on D4 or D7 (D0 was the day of expected oestrus). On D7, all recipients were evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography and those that had a CL received a fresh or vitrified in vitro‐producedembryo. In Exp. 2 and 3, the CL area was also determined by ultrasonography at the time of FTET. The pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 30 days in Exp. 1, 57 days in Exp. 2, and between 40 and 72 days of pregnancy in Exp. 3. In Exp. 1, the pregnancy rate did not differ (p > .1) between the Control group (38.2% [34/89]) and iP4D4 group (49.5% [45/91]); yet, a parity effect indicated a greater (p < .05) pregnancy rate in heifers (57.9% [44/76]) than cows (30.8% [32/104]). In Exp. 2, the pregnancy rate was greater (p < .05) in the iP4D7 group (45.0% [65/144]) than in the Control group (34.0% [50/147]). Also, a greater (p = .08) pregnancy rate was observed for recipients with a small CL (≤2.75 cm2) that were treated with iP4 on the day of FTET than the control recipients (46.4% [32/69] vs. 32.6% [28/86]). In Exp. 3, no significant effects (p > .1) of the treatment group or CL size were detected on pregnancy rates at days 30 and 60. In conclusion, the beneficial effects of iP4 supplementation at early dioestrus on pregnancy maintenance may vary according to the experimental conditions, but its use at the time of FTET can be used as an alternative to enhance the fertility of beef recipients in challenging conditions in commercial herds.
Risk science applied to major risk events in history
Authors: Thekdi Shital , Aven Terje 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMajor risk events in history are often labeled as black swans or as unforeseeable given the risk policies and procedures existing at the time. Hindsight suggests that many of these events could have been foreseeable. This article explores past risk events, (1) analyzes how risk science principles apply to those events, and (2) studies gaps and opportunities for risk science using the lenses of consequences, uncertainty, and knowledge as they relate to evidence used for risk assessment prior to the risk event. New insights are obtained, relating to general foundational risk science issues and a classification system for characterizing the integrity and quality of evidence in risk studies. The analysis results are used to identify how risk science approaches contribute to the overall management of risk and societal safety, and where improvements can be obtained.
Team‐based learning in the internal medicine clerkship didactics
Authors: Garb Madeline , Jenkins Melissa , Cruz Elaine 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundActive‐learning approaches, such as team‐based learning, are infrequently used in internal medicine clerkship didactics even though there is increasing evidence to suggest medical students prefer it over traditional lecture‐based learning. In this study, five team‐based learning sessions were incorporated into three blocks of a 12‐week internal medicine clerkship.MethodsThe goal of this quasi‐experimental study was to compare learner engagement, satisfaction and preference between team‐based learning and lecture‐based learning in the internal medicine clerkship didactics. Outcomes were compared using the Classroom Engagement Survey, a satisfaction questionnaire and the Team‐Based Learning Student Assessment Instrument (TBL‐SAI).FindingsThere was a statistically significant difference in the classroom engagement scores between team‐ and lecture‐based learning (P < 0.0001) with a median of 39.0 and 33.0 in the team‐based learning and lecture‐based learning groups. For learning preference, the median TBL‐SAI score was substantially above neutral. Across all team‐based learning sessions, 100% of students were satisfied or strongly satisfied with the learning style as a valuable experience and as a way to learn course material, and only one student was not satisfied or strongly satisfied with team‐based learning to improve problem solving skills.DiscussionThe classroom engagement and learning style preference findings were consistent with previously published data in other clerkship settings. Student satisfaction was more consistent with team‐based learning than with the lecture‐based learning, which may be because of the consistent format whereas lecture‐based learning style was faculty dependent.ConclusionStudents preferred team‐based learning and had improved engagement and satisfaction when compared to lecture‐based learning. This study provides evidence in favour of team‐based learning as a strategy to incorporate active learning in clerkship didactics.
A rapid and highly efficient sorghum transformation strategy using GRF4‐GIF1/ternary vector system
Authors: Li Junpeng , Pan Wenbo , Zhang Shuai , Ma Guojing , Li Aixia , Zhang Huawei , Liu Lijing 
Published: December 2023

SUMMARYSorghum is an important crop for food, forage, wine and biofuel production. To enhance its transformation efficiency without negative developmental by‐effects, we investigated the impact of GRF4‐GIF1 chimaera and GRF5 on sorghum transformation. Both GRF4‐GIF1 and GRF5 effectively improved the transformation efficiency of sorghum and accelerated the transformation process of sorghum to less than 2 months which was not observed when using BBM‐WUS. As agrobacterium effectors increase the ability of T‐DNA transfer into plant cells, we checked whether ternary vector system can additively enhance sorghum transformation. The combination of GRF4‐GIF1 with helper plasmid pVS1‐VIR2 achieved the highest transformation efficiency, reaching 38.28%, which is 7.71‐fold of the original method. Compared with BBM‐WUS, overexpressing GRF4‐GIF1 caused no noticeable growth defects in sorghum. We further developed a sorghum CRISPR/Cas9 gene‐editing tool based on this GRF4‐GIF1/ternary vector system, which achieved an average gene mutation efficiency of 41.36%, and null mutants were created in the T0 generation.
Redeveloping antigen detection kits for the diagnosis of rat hepatitis E virus
Authors: Chen Zihao , Li Guanghui , Situ Jianwen , Li Zhiyong , Guo Shaoqi , Huang Yang , Wu Shusheng , Tang Zimin , Wen Guiping , Wang Siling , Fang Mujin , Wang Yingbin , Yu Hai , Sridhar Siddharth , Zheng Zizheng , Xia Ningshao 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

The emergence of
Rocahepevirus ratti
[species HEV
ratti
(
r
HEV)] as a causative agent of hepatitis E in humans presents a new potential threat to global public health. The
R. ratti
genotype 1 (
r
-1 HEV) variant only shares 50%–60% genomic identity with
Paslahepevirus balayani
[species HEV
balayani
(
b
HEV)] variants, which are the main causes of hepatitis E infection in humans. Here, we report antigen diagnoses for
r
-1 HEV and
b
HEV using an enzymatic immunoassay (EIA) method. We detected recombinant virus-like particles protein (HEV 239) of
r
HEV and
b
HEV using a collection of hepatitis E virus (HEV)-specific monoclonal antibodies. Two optimal candidates, the capture antibody P#1-H4 and the detection antibodies C145 (P#1-H4*/C145
#
) and C158 (P#1-H4*/C158
#
), were selected to detect antigen in infected rat samples and
r
-1 HEV- or
b
HEV-infected human clinical samples. The two candidates showed similar diagnostic efficacy to the Wantai HEV antigen kit in
b
HEV-infected clinical samples. Genomic divergence resulted in low diagnostic efficacy of the Wantai HEV antigen kit (0%, 0 of 10) for detecting
r
-1 HEV infection. Compared with the P#1-H4*/C145
#
candidate (80%, 8 of 10), the P#1-H4*/C158
#
candidate had excellent diagnostic efficacy in
r
-1 HEV-infected clinical samples (100%, 10 of 10). The two candidates bind to a discrete antigenic site that is highly conserved across
r
HEV and
b
HEV. P#1-H4*/C145
#
and P#1-H4*/C158
#
are efficacious candidate antibody combinations for rat HEV antigen detection.
Enteropathogenic
E. coli
infection co-elicits lysosomal exocytosis and lytic host cell death
Authors: Shtuhin-Rahav Raisa , Olender Aaron , Zlotkin-Rivkin Efrat , Bouman Etan Amse , Danieli Tsafi , Nir-Keren Yael , Weiss Aryeh M. , Nandi Ipsita , Aroeti Benjamin 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(EPEC) is a primary human enteric bacterial pathogen causing acute diarrhea in children. EPEC colonizes the small intestine, and the disease is induced, in part, by the ability of the pathogen to utilize a type III secretion machinery to inject a battery of proteins, termed “effectors,” from the bacterial cytoplasm into the intestinal enterocytes. Host cell responses to the infecting pathogen are also essential for disease development. Despite intensive research, the mechanisms of EPEC infection and host cell responses need to be better understood. Here, we show that specific EPEC type III secreted effectors, EspF and Map, induce lytic host cell death and also lysosomal exocytosis (LE), resulting in the secretion of lysosomal enzymes into the extracellular environment and the appearance of the lysosomal membrane proteins, Lamp-1, on the infected cell surface. The mitochondrial cytotoxicity and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor domains of Map have been identified to be involved in these processes. In contrast, EspZ, an EPEC effector that protects against lytic cell death, also inhibits LE. Our results combined suggest that LE and host cell death are tightly interconnected processes. The mechanisms and functional significance of these processes on EPEC infection are discussed.

IMPORTANCE

Enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(EPEC) infection is a significant cause of gastroenteritis, mainly in children. Therefore, studying the mechanisms of EPEC infection is an important research theme. EPEC modulates its host cell life by injecting via a type III secretion machinery cell death modulating effector proteins. For instance, while EspF and Map promote mitochondrial cell death, EspZ antagonizes cell death. We show that these effectors also control lysosomal exocytosis, i.e., the trafficking of lysosomes to the host cell plasma membrane. Interestingly, the capacity of these effectors to induce or protect against cell death correlates completely with their ability to induce LE, suggesting that the two processes are interconnected. Modulating host cell death is critical for establishing bacterial attachment to the host and subsequent dissemination. Therefore, exploring the modes of LE involvement in host cell death is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms underlying EPEC infection and disease.