bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental genetic crosses in tsetse flies of the livestock pathogen Trypanosoma congolense savannah
Authors: Peacock Lori , Kay Chris , Bailey Mick , Gibson Wendy 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
In tropical Africa animal trypanosomiasis is a disease that has severe impacts on the health and productivity of livestock in tsetse fly-infested regions. Trypanosoma congolense savannah (TCS) is one of the main causative agents and is widely distributed across the sub-Saharan tsetse belt. Population genetics analysis has shown that TCS is genetically heterogeneous and there is evidence for genetic exchange, but to date Trypanosoma brucei is the only tsetse-transmitted trypanosome with experimentally proven capability to undergo sexual reproduction, with meiosis and production of haploid gametes. In T. brucei sex occurs in the fly salivary glands, so by analogy, sex in TCS should occur in the proboscis, where the corresponding portion of the developmental cycle takes place. Here we test this prediction using genetically modified red and green fluorescent clones of TCS.

Methods
Three fly-transmissible strains of TCS were transfected with genes for red or green fluorescent protein, linked to a gene for resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin, and experimental crosses were set up by co-transmitting red and green fluorescent lines in different combinations via tsetse flies, Glossina pallidipes. To test whether sex occurred in vitro, co-cultures of attached epimastigotes of one red and one green fluorescent TCS strain were set up and sampled at intervals for 28 days.

Results
All interclonal crosses of genetically modified trypanosomes produced hybrids containing both red and green fluorescent proteins, but yellow fluorescent hybrids were only present among trypanosomes from the fly proboscis, not from the midgut or proventriculus. It was not possible to identify the precise life cycle stage that undergoes mating, but it is probably attached epimastigotes in the food canal of the proboscis. Yellow hybrids were seen as early as 14 days post-infection. One intraclonal cross in tsetse and in vitro co-cultures of epimastigotes also produced yellow hybrids in small numbers. The hybrid nature of the yellow fluorescent trypanosomes observed was not confirmed by genetic analysis.

Conclusions
Despite absence of genetic characterisation of hybrid trypanosomes, the fact that these were produced only in the proboscis and in several independent crosses suggests that they are products of mating rather than cell fusion. The three-way strain compatibility observed is similar to that demonstrated previously for T. brucei, indicating that a simple two mating type system does not apply for either trypanosome species.

Graphical Abstract
[68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT may be a predictor for early treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Pan Qingqing , Yang Huaxia , Zhou Ziyue , Li Min , Jiang Xu , Li Fang , Luo Yaping , Li Mengtao 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
The identification of biomarkers predicting the treatment response of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important. [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 showed markedly increased uptake in the joints of patients with RA. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT can be a predictor of treatment response in RA.

Results
Nineteen patients diagnosed with RA in the prospective cohort study were finally enrolled. Both total synovitis uptake (TSU) and metabolic synovitis volume (MSV) in [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [18F]FDG PET/CT of the responders were significantly higher than those in non-responders according to Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) response criteria at 3-months’ follow-up (P < 0.05). The PET joint count (PJC) detected in [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [18F]FDG PET/CT were also significantly higher in CDAI responders than non-responders (P = 0.016 and 0.045, respectively). The clinical characteristics of disease activity at baseline did not show significant difference between the responders and non-responders, except CRP (P = 0.035 and 0.033 in CDAI and SDAI response criteria, respectively). The baseline PJCFAPI, TSUFAPI and MSVFAPI > cutoff values in [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT successfully discriminated CDAI and SDAI responders and non-responders at 3-months’ follow-up.

Conclusion
[68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 uptake at baseline were significantly higher in early responders than those in non-responders.
Trial registration ClinicalTrials. NCT04514614. Registered 13 August 2020, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000A4PN&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0001JRW&ts=2&cx=-x9t7cp
The effect of innovative mindset and behavior on innovation performance and competitive advantage: a case of halal SMEs owner-managers from Malaysian energy-intensive industry
Authors: Jaaffar Amar Hisham , Abd Majid Nurshahirah , Kasavan Saraswathy , Isa Aerni , Alwi Mohd Nur Ruzainy , Zahari Abdul Rahman 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMalaysia was ranked 32nd on the Global Competitiveness Index in 2022, which denotes that the level of R&D and productivity in SMEs in Malaysia needs to be improved. Therefore, more research is needed to ensure it remains competitive in the global halal marketplace by using innovative concepts as a culture to promote energy-intensive halal SMEs. This study examines the sequential influence of an innovative mindset, behavior, and performance on competitive advantage among SME owner-managers embarking on halal businesses. Data were gathered from SME owner-managers from the halal energy-intensive industry by conducting a self-administered and online-based survey involving 140 respondents. Data were analyzed with the partial least squares technique (SmartPLS 3.0). The results of this study show that innovative behavior was a direct result of an innovative mindset. On the other hand, innovative behavior produced innovation performance, which in turn produced a competitive advantage. This study shows that SMEs owner-managers of halal energy-intensive industries need possess both innovative behavior and innovative attitude as valuable assets. Moreover, a key component in their ability to gain a competitive advantage is their performance in innovation.
FDI and economic growth in Indonesia: a provincial and sectoral analysis
Authors: Fazaalloh Al Muizzuddin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractForeign direct investment (FDI) plays an essential role in growing the economy, where this role runs through two things, namely capital accumulation and technology transfer. However, in the literature, previous research findings are still inconclusive to show positive contributions of FDI on economic growth. Furthermore, while the impact of FDI on economic growth has been studied using sectoral data, there has been less research done using data at the provincial and sectoral levels. This study aims to analyze the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth employing sectoral data at the provincial level (33 provinces) in Indonesia over 2010–2019. Based on the fixed effects estimator, our estimation results prove that, in general, FDI significantly positively impacts economic growth in the Indonesian provinces. We also find that FDI in the mining, manufacturing, water, gas and electricity, hotels and restaurants, and real estate sectors has a significant positive effect on economic growth. Meanwhile, only FDI in the agricultural sector has a significant negative impact. Our estimation results confirm that FDI in the manufacturing sector contributes positively and has a considerable impact. The results are robust to the GMM System estimator, which considers the endogeneity problem.
The role of regulatory B cells in immune regulation and childhood allergic asthma
Authors: Kliem Caroline Vanessa , Schaub Bianca 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
As the most common chronic disease in childhood, asthma displays a major public health problem worldwide with the incidence of those affected rising. As there is currently no cure for allergic asthma, it is mandatory to get a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism.

Main body
By producing IgE antibodies upon allergen contact, B cells play a pivotal role in allergic asthma. Besides that, IL-10-secreting B cell subsets, namely regulatory B cells (Bregs), are reported in mice and humans to play a role in allergic asthma. In humans, several Breg subsets with distinct phenotypic and functional properties are identified among B cells at different maturational and differentiation stages that exert anti-inflammatory functions by expressing several suppressor molecules. Emerging research has focused on the role of Bregs in allergic asthma as well as their role for future diagnostic and preventive strategies.

Conclusion
Knowledge about the exact function of human Bregs in allergic asthma is still very limited. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on Bregs. We discuss different human Breg subsets, several ways of Breg induction as well as the mechanisms through which they exert immunoregulatory functions, and their role in (childhood) allergic asthma.
Immobilization of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase in a novel polysaccharide-based hydrogel by a two-step crosslinking method and its use in the lauroylation of α-arbutin
Authors: Chen Ming , She Weina , Zhao Xin , Chen Cheng , Zhu Benwei , Sun Yun , Yao Zhong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TLLs) was successfully immobilized within a novel hydrogel matrix through a two-step crosslinking method. TLLs were initially crosslinked through the Schiff base reaction by oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (OCMC). The water-soluble OCMC@TLLs complex was subsequently crosslinked by carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCSH) in a microfluidic apparatus to form the CMCHS/OCMC@TLLs microspheres. The CD (Circular Dichroism, CD) and FT-IR (Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, FT-IR) spectra demonstrated that the crosslinking of TLLs with OCMC resulted in a less significant impact on their structure compared to that with glutaraldehyde. CMCHS/OCMC@TLLs showed decreased catalytic performance due to the mass transfer resistance, while its thermal stability was greatly improved. The CMCHS/OCMC@TLLs were used to catalyze the lauroylation of arbutin in tetrahydrofuran. After 12 h of reaction under optimal conditions, the yield of 6′-O-lauryl arbutin reached an impressive 92.12%. The prepared 6′-O-lauryl arbutin has high lipophilicity and exhibits similar tyrosinase inhibitory activity and higher antioxidant activity compared to its parent compound.
Graphical Abstract
A circuitous route for in vitro multi-enzyme cascade production of cytidine triphosphate to overcome the thermodynamic bottleneck
Authors: Li Zonglin , Zhong Yahui , Qing Zhoulei , Li Zhimin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCytidine triphosphate (CTP), as a substance involved in the metabolism of phospholipids, proteins and nucleic acids, has precise drug effects and is a direct precursor for the synthesis of drugs such as citicoline. In this study, we established an in vitro six-enzyme cascade system to generate CTP. To avoid thermodynamic bottlenecks, we employed a circuitous and two-stage reaction strategy. Using cytidine as the key substrate, the final product CTP is obtained via the deamination and uridine phosphorylation pathways, relying on the irreversible reaction of cytidine triphosphate synthase to catalyze the amination of uridine triphosphate. Several extremophilic microbial-derived deaminases were screened and characterized, and a suitable cytidine deaminase was selected to match the first-stage reaction conditions. In addition, directed evolution modification of the rate-limiting enzyme CTP synthetase in the pathway yielded a variant that successfully relieved the product feedback inhibition, along with a 1.7-fold increase in activity over the wild type. After optimizing the reaction conditions, we finally carried out the catalytic reaction at an initial cytidine concentration of 20 mM, and the yield of CTP exceeded 82% within 10.0 h.
Graphical Abstract
A unique prokaryotic vertical distribution in the groundwaters of deep sedimentary geological settings in Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Sugiyama Ayumi , Ibara Tetsuo , Nagaosa Kazuyo , Marui Atsunao , Kato Kenji 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to clarify the vertical prokaryotic distribution in groundwater in a terrestrial subsurface sedimentary environment with a geological complex. Six groundwater samples were collected from a coastal 1200-m-deep borehole in which digging strata deposited between 2.3 and 1.5 Ma in Horonobe, Hokkaido, Japan. The studied succession was divided into three vertical zones that were geochemically differentiated according to their chloride contents and water-stable isotopes. The upper zone (UZ; shallower than 500 m) primarily contained fresh water supplied by penetrating meteoric water, the connate water zone (CWZ; deeper than 790 m) contained paleo-seawater, and the diffusion zone (DZ; 500–790 m depth) located between UZ and CWZ. Fluctuations in the prokaryotic density and constituents were observed across these three zones. The prokaryotic density decreased from UZ toward DZ, and the density of DZ was two orders of magnitude lower than that of UZ and CWZ. High prokaryotic activity was observed in CWZ below DZ. The upward expansion of prokaryotic distribution from CWZ, where high prokaryotic potential expressed by biomass can be maintained almost equivalent to that in the marine environment, probably occurred on a geological timescale from 80 ka to 1.3 Ma, as shown by the groundwater age of DZ. The DZ is a zone where the geochemistry has changed drastically owing to the mixing of penetrating meteoric water and the diffusion of deep paleo-seawater, preserving a unique subsurface environment. This chemically mixed zone might be considered as a buffering zone for prokaryotes to prevent the expansion of prokaryotic density and activity provided by diffusion and their in situ growth from both above and below the zones, which is expected to be maintained over a geological timescale. This zone is considered important for using subsurface space in the deep subsurface environment of the island arc.
The role of nutritional support with probiotics in outpatients with symptomatic acute respiratory tract infections: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dietary study
Authors: Kolesnyk Pavlo O. , Paliy Iryna H. , Sydorchuk Larysa P. , Hoda Zoriana P. , Ivanchenko Nataliya O. , Lych Oksana S. , Huley Natalia R. , Matsyura Oksana I. , Slyuzar Zoryana L. , Gerasymov Sergiy V. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
A number of laboratory data and clinical studies have shown that probiotic bacteria may be beneficial in respiratory viral diseases. We investigated the role of probiotics in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID -19), post-disease symptoms, and humoral immune responses to viral antigens.

Methods
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective, multicenter study. We included symptomatic patients aged 18–65 years without risk of severe disease, and positive antigen/PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Patients received (Bifidobacterium (B.) lactis BI040, B. longum BL020, Lactobacillus (L) rhamnosus LR110, L. casei LC130, L. acidophilus LA120, 5 billion CFU total) or placebo 1 capsule a day for 28 days and recorded symptoms. Three months later patients completed Post-COVID-19 Questionnaire (PCQ-19). On days 0–5 and 28–35, blood was sampled for IgG to nucleocapsid protein (NCP) and receptor binding domain (RBD)/spike 1 (S1) protein. The primary outcome measure was a patient global symptom score on day 10 of observation. The difference between groups was assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results
Seventy-three patients were assessed for clinical endpoints and 44 patients were evaluated for antibody production. At day 10, the median global symptom score (interquartile range) was lower in the probiotic group (0.0 (0.0–2.0) vs. 2.0 (1.0–5.0), P < 0.05). The probiotic group had a shorter duration of fatigue and anxiety after COVID -19 (P < 0.05) and a greater change in IgG concentration on RBD/S1 (225.9 vs. 105.6 binding antibody units/mL, P < 0.05).

Conclusions
Use of probiotics alleviates acute and post-disease symptoms, and improves humoral immune response to viral antigens.

Trial registration
Registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04907877, June 1, 2021.
Noble MXene nanofluids' impact on solar collector effectiveness enhancement: a CFD numerical evaluation
Authors: Farhana Kaniz , Mahamude Abu Shadate Faisal , Kadirgama Kumaran , Jose Rajan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe thermal flat plate solar collector (FPSC) is a versatile solar harvesting system that may be integrated into various designs and base fluids. This study presents a novel investigation of using nanofluids to transfer thermal energy in an FPSC system. Using the governing equations in CFD simulations, the performance of an FPSC is studied numerically. The base fluid has been defined as a 60:40 blend of ethylene glycol and water. The effects of three distinct volume fractions of MXene nanofluids in the 0.01–0.1% range on the efficiency are investigated. The numerical findings revealed that employing MXene nanofluid increases outlet temperature efficiency by about 5.83%, 6.06%, and 6.31% when 0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1% volume fractions of nanofluids are used, respectively. The research aims to create a validated numerical model that can be used to assess the effectiveness of FPSC utilizing ethylene glycol and water or other nanofluids of any mass fraction as a working fluid. To examine the overall effectiveness of the FPSC, a numerical model was created using Solidworks software and ANSYS ICEM CFD. The numerical findings revealed that (i) increasing the proportion of MXene nanofluid in the FPCS enhances efficiency to 0.1% volume fraction, and (ii) MXene nanoparticles may be used in the solar collector to improve efficiency.
Foot lesions and forelimb skin abrasions in suckling piglets: development and risk factors
Authors: Heimann Marcus , Hartmann Maria , Freise Fritjof , Kreienbrock Lothar , grosse Beilage Elisabeth 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Foot lesions in suckling piglets have been associated with poor flooring in several studies and were recently proposed to be indicative of swine inflammatory and necrosis syndrome. However, identical findings are also the typical outcome of various non-infectious causes; thus, further risk analysis is needed. The objective of this study was to describe the development of heel bruising, coronary band lesions and forelimb skin abrasion in suckling pigs up to 5 days of age. Furthermore, the effects of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors were examined. On each of four commercial piglet-producing farms, piglets from two or three batches of eight sows were studied. The piglets were included within 18 h after birth. Each piglet was individually scored four times. The score for the heels differentiated six (0–5) and for the coronary band and forelimb skin abrasion three stages (0–2). The body weight was measured two times. The effect of the floor was estimated by allocating the sows randomly to farrowing pens equipped with either soft rubber mats covered with litter or fully slatted plastic floors.

Results
The final analysis comprised data from 1045 piglets. Foot lesions were not found at birth but started to develop on day 1. On day 5, heel bruising was found in 94%, main claw coronary band lesions in 49% and forelimb skin abrasion in 73% of the piglets. In a multifactorial logistic regression analysis, it was shown that a slatted plastic floor significantly increased the odds of heel bruising and coronary band lesions, while a rubber floor with litter increased the odds of forelimb skin abrasions.

Conclusion
Foot and forelimb lesions in new-born piglets are mainly induced by the floor. The effect of slatted plastic floors on heel bruising showed an overwhelming OR of 52.89 (CI 26.29–106.43). Notably, coronary band lesions in young suckling piglets occur on slatted as well as non-slatted floors, indicating that the piglets incur these injuries not only from the wedging of their feet into the gaps between slats but also from contact with the floor while suckling. Based on these findings, preventive measures should be redirected to the improvement of the floor in the farrowing pen, particularly in the area under the sow’s udder.
Complex network analysis of global stock market co-movement during the COVID-19 pandemic based on intraday open-high-low-close data
Authors: Huang Wenyang , Wang Huiwen , Wei Yigang , Chevallier Julien 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study uses complex network analysis to investigate global stock market co-movement during the black swan event of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We propose a novel method for calculating stock price index correlations based on open-high-low-close (OHLC) data. More intraday information can be utilized compared with the widely used return-based method. Hypothesis testing was used to select the edges incorporated in the network to avoid a rigid setting of the artificial threshold. The topologies of the global stock market complex network constructed using 70 important global stock price indices before (2017–2019) and after (2020–2022) the COVID-19 outbreak were examined. The evidence shows that the degree centrality of the OHLC data-based global stock price index complex network has better power-law distribution characteristics than a return-based network. The global stock market co-movement characteristics are revealed, and the financial centers of the developed, emerging, and frontier markets are identified. Using centrality indicators, we also illustrate changes in the importance of individual stock price indices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on these findings, we provide suggestions for investors and policy regulators to improve their international portfolios and strengthen their national financial risk preparedness.