bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High prevalence of antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation in Salmonella Gallinarum
Authors: Farahani Reza Khaltabadi , Ebrahimi-Rad Mina , Shahrokhi Nader , Khaltabadi Farahani Amir Hossien , Ghafouri Seyed Ali , Rezaei Maryam , Gharibzadeh Safoora , Langeroudi Arash Ghalyanchi , Ehsani Parastoo 
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: Antibiotic resistance is an indicator of the passively acquired and circulating resistance genes. Salmonella Gallinarum significantly affects the poultry food industry. The present study is the first study of the S. Gallinarum biofilm in Iran, which is focused on the characterization of the S. Gallinarum serovars and their acquired antibiotic resistance genes circulating in poultry fields in central and northwestern Iran.
Materials and Methods: Sixty isolates of S. Gallinarum serovar were collected from feces of live poultry. The bacteria were isolated using biochemical tests and confirmed by Multiplex PCR. Biofilm formation ability and the antibacterial resistance were evaluated using both phenotypic and genotypic methods. The data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: According to Multiplex PCR for ratA, SteB, and rhs genes, all 60 S. Gallinarum serovars were Gallinarum biovars. In our study, the antibiotic resistance rate among isolated strains was as follows: Penicillin (100%), nitrofurantoin (80%), nalidixic acid (45%), cefoxitin (35%), neomycin sulfate (30%), chloramphenicol (20%), and ciprofloxacin (5%). All isolates were susceptible to imipenem, ertapenem, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and ceftazidime+clavulanic acid. All sixty isolates did not express the resistance genes IMP, VIM, NDM, DHA, bla , and qnrA. On the other hand, they expressed GES (85%), OXA48 qnrB (75%), Fox M (70%), SHV (60%), CITM (20%), KPC (15%), FOX (10%), MOXM (5%), and qnrS (5%). All S. Galli- narum isolates formed biofilm and expressed sdiA gene.
Conclusion: Considering that the presence of this bacteria is equal to the death penalty to the herd, the distribution of resis- tance genes could be a critical alarm for pathogen monitoring programs in the region. This study showed a positive correla- tion between biofilm formation and 50% of tested resistance genes. Also, it was found that the most common circulating S. gallinarum biovars are multidrug-resistant.
Evaluating the viral clearance ability of continuous monoclonal antibody purification steps, in order to inactivate and/or remove four model viruses
Authors: Rasouli-Nejad Mousavi Seyed Mohammad , Hosseini Seyed Masoud , Ansari Samira 
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: Viral clearance studies are an essential part of a manufacturer's plan to ensure the safety of an injectable biologic product. In this way, viral safety is a critical quality attribute for biologics such as monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). Evaluation of virus purification by downstream processes is a key component of risk mitigation. In this study, the capability of continuous monoclonal antibody purification steps was evaluated in the process of instant monoclonal antibody purification in different stages of purification, and the amount of reduction or inactivation of each step was determined.
Materials and Methods: Four enveloped and non-enveloped viral models VSV, Reovirus, EMCV, and HSV1 were used for spiking in selected samples in the designated tests, to have a comprehensive examination of the ability to clear the virus such50 as the type of genetic material, chemical resistance, and particle size. A TCIDand qPCR methods were used to measureviral reduction. Two cell lines, Vero (African green monkey kidney) and L929 (Mouse fibroblast) were used for 4 model viruses propagation. The steps that were evaluated included 4 steps monoclonal antibody purification; cation exchange chro- matography, acidic pH treatment, affinity chromatography, and nanofiltration.
Results: The nano-filter stage showed the highest viral reduction and cation exchange chromatography showed the lowest50 reduction. The cumulative decrease using TCIDis equal to 19.27 [log10] for all steps and for the qPCR method is equal to12.47 [log10] in three steps of nano-filter, affinity chromatography, and ion exchange chromatography.
Conclusion: The overall average reduction coefficient for all four model viruses is significantly high, which indicates the high capacity of the monoclonal antibody production process in inactivating and removing viruses leads to reducing the load of all four model viruses.
The Burden of Premature Mortality in Southern Iran during 2004-2019 Using Standard Expected Years of Life Lost: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Mirahmadizadeh Alireza , Hassanzadeh Jafar , Janfada Maryam , Azarbakhsh Habibollah 
Published: October 2023

Background: Traditionally, mortality rates are used to estimate public health problems and determine the relative significance of different causes of mortality, but they cannot necessarily determine the burden of premature death. We aimed to investigate the 16-year trend of burden of premature mortality in Southern Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all deaths due to various causes of death in Fars Province from the electronic population-based death registration system (EDRS) were obtained. Crude and age-standardized mortality rate, Years of Life Lost (YLL) and YLL rate data were calculated and to examine the trend, joinpoint regression was used.
Results: During the study period, 281,903 deaths occurred, of which, 59.85% (n=168,735) occurred in men. Also, 42.18% of these deaths (n=118,610) occurred due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The total number of YLLs due to premature death was 4,154,828 years. Of these, 2,591,564 years (62.37%) were in men. The highest number of YLL was due to CVDs, external causes of death and cancer. Trend of YLL rate due to premature mortality was decreasing: the annual percent change (APC) was -2.1% (95% CI -2.6 to -1.6, P<0.001) for males, -0.9% (95% CI -1.4 to -0.4, P=0.002) (P=0.002) for females.
Conclusion: Although the trend of premature death has been decreasing during the years of study, but the seven major causes of premature death in 2004 to 2019 were non-communicable diseases, especially ischemic heart diseases, stroke, external cause of morbidity, and cancer. Furthermore, our findings indicate a change in the role of non-communicable diseases in premature mortality in recent years.
Seismic Characteristics and AVO Response for Non-Uniform Miocene Reservoirs in Offshore Eastern Mediterranean Region, Egypt
Authors: El-Ata Ahmed S. Abu , El-Gendy Nader H. , El-Nikhely Adly H. , Raslan Samir , El-Oribi Mahmoud , Barakat Moataz 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The Eastern Mediterranean region, extending from the Offshore Nile Delta Cone of Egypt to the Levant Basin, is a confirmed hydrocarbon rich territory with several giant gas discoveries. Numerous gas fields have been discovered in the Miocene reservoirs within the Nile Delta Cone, and in the Levant Basin. The Miocene sedimentary sequences in this region are extremely heterogeneous, consisting mainly of turbiditic slope deposits, channels, and basin floor fans that were capped by evaporites during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. As a result, there is ambiguity regarding the seismic characteristics and interpreted attributes of this heterogeneous section. The study area is located in the Offshore North Sinai Basin, where a thick Early Miocene section was deposited midway between the Nile Delta province that includes El-Fayrouz discovery and the Levant Basin which includes Tamar, Tanin and several other discoveries. This study uses quantitative seismic interpretations methods, such as amplitude variations with offset (AVO), fluid replacement modeling to assess the seismic acoustic impedance trend with depth. Also, determine the seismic amplitude response for the brine and gas sands reservoir of the Early and Late Miocene section, to link the unexplored study area within the North Sinai Offshore basin with the explored Nile Delta and Levant Basins. In addition to evaluate direct hydrocarbon indicator (DHI) of the diming seismic amplitude that is compatible with the structure last closed contour of the Syrian Arc anticline of the Early Miocene reservoirs (EMT-1 prospect). Different ventages of 2D & 3D seismic data, 6wells and different published data used in this study. The quantitative interpretation shows the pitfalls of the acoustic impedance trend and seismic response dependency on depth for gas and brine sand which lead to drill EMT-1 dry well. Also, the fluid replacement, P-wave velocity (Vp) and density (ρ) modeling confirming that the seismic diming amplitude is due to seismic processing uncertainty, which solved by readjust the overburden Messinian salt processing velocity model. This research concluded that the seismic quantitative interpretations were successfully used to assess the acoustic impedance versus depth and DHI pitfalls., also, assess the processing workflow that could enhance the seismic image.
Traditional beverage pulque yeast isolates for potential application in microbial electrochemical technologies using corn cooking industry effluents as substrate
Authors: Reyes-Vidal Yolanda , Pérez-García Jesus Alberto , García-Sánchez Pamela , Zuñiga-Corona Yazmin , Bacame-Valenzuela Francisco Javier 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Purpose

In this work, exoelectrogenic potential of the yeasts isolated from traditional beverage in Mexico (pulque) in an MFC when corn cooking industry effluent (CCIE) is used as substrate.

Methods

The yeasts were isolated in YPD and a screening was carried out with a sugar assimilation test, selecting the CR4 isolate for the bioelectrochemical tests. For these studies, CR4 was inoculated into a double-chamber MFC containing a carbon cloth anode treated with H2SO4. YPD, CCIE and CCIE + NaCl were used as electrolyte. The i0, Rct and Rmt were calculated by fitting polarization curves using the Butler-Volmer kinetic model.

Results

Electrochemical studies revealed the ability of CR4 to transfer electrons to a chemically treated anode. The control MFCs obtained the highest electronic transfer rate by having i0 values close to 1.01 x 10 − 4 A and low Rct values compared to the other treatments (255.28 Ω). When using the CCIE treatment, the resistance increased (664.55 Ω) due to the complexity of assimilation of the substrate, giving rise to low values of biomass in the electrode (0.11 mg/mL). The CCIE + NaCl treatment improved the output voltage, however, resistance increased, probably due to the low availability of the substrate since the resistance to mass transfer (Rmt) reached values of up to 1007.55 Ω.

Conclusions

These results will help to understand the behavior of yeasts in bioelectrochemical systems, improving the future development of microbial electrochemical technologies applied to effluent treatment.
Liprin-α proteins are master regulators of human presynapse assembly
Authors:   Berta Marcó de la Cruz1, Campos Joaquin , Molinaro Angela , Xie Xingqiao , Jin Gaowei , Wei Zhiyi , Acuna Claudio , Sterky Fredrik 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Formation of mammalian synapses entails the precise alignment of presynaptic release sites with postsynaptic receptors but how nascent cell-cell contacts translate into assembly of presynaptic specializations remains unclear. Guided by pioneering work in invertebrates, we hypothesized that in mammalian synapsesLiprin-α proteins directly link trans-synapticinitial contacts to downstream steps. In human neurons lacking all four Liprin-α isoforms, nascent synaptic contacts are formed but the recruitment of active zone components and accumulation of synaptic vesicles is blocked, resulting in ‘empty’ boutons and loss of synaptic transmission. Interactions with presynaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) of either the LAR-RPTP family or Neurexins via CASK are required to localize Liprin-α to nascent synaptic sites. Liprin-α subsequently recruits presynaptic components via a direct interaction with ELKS proteins. Thus, assembly of human presynaptic terminals is governed by a hierarchical sequence of events in which the recruitment of Liprin-α proteins by presynaptic CAMs is a critical initial step.
Export Destination and Firm Upgrading: Evidence from Spain
Authors: Cilekoglu Akin A. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

This paper examines the role of export destinations on firm upgrading. I exploit the real effective exchange rate devaluation in Spain during the Great Recession to identify the unusual export performance of manufacturing firms. Using directly observable measures of firm upgrading, I find that increased share of exports to low-income destinations in sales reduced productivity and upgrading efforts of firms. However, real effective exchange rate devaluation did not affect the share of exports to high-income destinations in sales as well as productivity and upgrading efforts. The results are consistent with the quality sorting hypothesis that suggests a positive relationship between firm productivity and product quality. The findings in this paper emphasize that export market destination is an important determinant in analysing the gains from exporting.
JEL Codes: D22, F14, O14, F31
Spatiotemporal patterns and driving factors of green and low-carbon urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta region, China
Authors: Huang Yingao , Kuai Chenjun , Wang Feier 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Green and low-carbon urbanization (GLCU) stands as a key objective within the realm of urban sustainable development. The extent of coordination between urbanization and low-carbon development determines the level of GLCU. However, the complex driving mechanism of GLCU has not garnered the required attention within the existing of literature. In light of this, the present paper introduces a multi-dimensional comprehensive evaluation framework aimed at assessing the level of GLCU. Specifically, it delves into the spatial-temporal characteristics and driving forces that underpin GLCU. The results indicate that the level of GLCU evolved from low coordination to moderate coordination from 2005 to 2020 in the Yangtze River Delta region. Yet, the trade-off between urbanization and low-carbon development still exists. The surge in population density and economic prosperity emerged as the principal positive drivers of GLCU, while the carbon emissions intensity exerted a negative influence. Furthermore, the effect of industrial structure shifted from a positive driver to a negative one. The effects of these drivers upon GLCU varied at different urbanization stages and determined the patterns of urban development, indicating that policies for sustainable development should be tailored for the cities at different urbanization stages.
Low hormetic dose of curcumin-PDA nanoparticles improves viability and proliferation in cell culture
Authors: Alberdi Lucia Vázquez , Martínez-Busi Marcela , Echeverry Carolina , Calero Miguel , Kun Alejandra 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Curcumin is a polyphenol extracted from Curcuma longa’s roots. Low doses of curcumin are related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects, while high doses are used for their lethality. This diversity of behaviors allows us to understand curcumin as a compound with hormetic action. Due to its hydrophobic character, curcumin is solubilized in organic compounds, about which we have recently reported undesirable effects on the viability of primary Schwann cell cultures. Using nanoparticles as delivery systems is a successful strategy for many compounds. In the present work, we describe the structure of Polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles, loaded or not with a low dose of curcumin (0.05 µM, curc-PDA), which we characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. We analyzed the curc-PDA turnover with UHPLC-MS and described two different hydrophobic forms of curcumin, released at other times from their PDA carrier. Increased cell viability and proliferation were observed in endoneurial fibroblast primary cell culture when curc-PDA was steadily supplied for prolonged periods. Furthermore, PDA alone showed no effect on viability and proliferation. These results confirm the beneficial properties of curcumin at very low doses, thus widening its therapeutic window thanks to the increased bioavailability provided by our biological approach.
Selective attribution of cultural knowledge contributes to the different mentalization of ingroups and outgroups
Authors: Zsoldos Rebeka Anna , Andrási Krisztina , Schvajda Réka , Pető Réka , Oláh Katalin , Király Ildikó 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Social categorization alters mental state inferences. Three experiments (n = 216) investigated how social categorization is related to the way people can access the cultural knowledge of others. We administered a modified Faux-Pas Task, where a protagonist, either a cultural ingroup or outgroup, indicated by a native or foreign name, violates a norm. In the test phase, participants answered questions about the protagonist's various types of mental states (knowledge, intention, etc.). Findings indicated that people consider their community-specific knowledge more likely to be accessible by cultural ingroups and use it as an inferential base to interpret their behavior.
Mediterranean diet associated with lower frailty risk: a large cohort study of 21,643 women admitted to hospitals
Authors: Zhang Huifeng , Li Weimin , Wang Youfa , Dong Yuanyuan , Greenwood Darren C , Hardie Laura J , Cade Janet E 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Mediterranean diet is traditionally considered as a healthy dietary pattern, while its association with frailty has not been confirmed. This study investigated associations between Mediterranean diet and risk of frailty among women admitted to hospitals in England from an older-aged women’s cohort study.
Methods
A modified Mediterranean diet was evaluated from a validated 217-item food frequency questionnaire. Incident frailty was determined using a hospital frailty risk score based on linkage to Hospital Episode Statistics up to March 2019. Cox proportional hazard models were conducted to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Further subgroup analyses stratified by age and body mass index (BMI), and sensitivity analyses were additionally explored.
Results
Over a mean follow-up of 13 years, there were 14,838 (68.6%) cases of frailty out of 21,643 individuals included in this study. Compared with low adherence to Mediterranean diet, moderate adherence was associated with 5% (HR = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.91, 0.99) lower risk of frailty, with high adherence associated with even lower risk (HR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.85, 0.94). The magnitude of above associations remained consistent in subgroups stratified by age and BMI, except the association between moderate adherence and risk of frailty was attenuated in the ≥ 60-year (HR = 0.99, 95%CI: 0.93, 1.06) and the BMI > 24.9 kg/m2 (HR = 0.97, 95%CI: 0.91, 1.03) subgroups.
Conclusions
Adherence to Mediterranean diet was associated with lower risk of frailty. The better the adherence, the greater the magnitude of the protective association. Elderly and overweight women may potentially benefit from greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet regarding frailty prevention.
Identification of a novel anoikis-related gene signature and molecular subtype to predict prognosis and tumor microenvironment in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Shaoquan , Luo Peng , Yuan Shusheng , Shi Shuibo , Chen Weimin 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Anoikis, an alternative form of programmed cell death, plays a pivotal role in cancer invasion and metastasis, preventing the detached cancer cells from readhering to other substrates for abnormal proliferation. However, the mechanism of anoikis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unknown.
Methods
ARGs(anoikis-related gene) were selected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Genecards dataset using differential expression analysis. We used an unsupervised consensus clustering algorithm to classify ccRCC patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSVA) and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were utilized to investigate the molecular mechanism of patients in the different subgroup. The signature incorporating ARGs was identified using univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis. Furthermore, a nomogram containing the signature and clinical information was developed through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Kaplan– Meier survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive validity of these risk models. Finally, CIBERSOT, ESTIMATE and drug sensitivity analysis were also conducted.
Results
Our results showed that the TCGA cohorts could be divided into three subgroups which we named Group A, Group B and Group C, with a remarkable difference in immune infiltration landscape and prognosis. A fresh risk model was constructed based on the 5 prognostic ARGs (BIRC5, EDA2R, PLG, OCLN and SLPI). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the overall surviva(OS) rate of patients with low risk score was significantly higher than that of patients with high risk score. Moreover, the prognostic risk model effectively predicted OS, which was validated using train datasets. The nomogram results illustrated that the prognostic risk model was an independent prognostic predictor that distinguished it from other clinical characteristics. The CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE results illustrated a significant gap in immune infiltration landscape of patients in the low- and high-risk group. TIDE score showed a more promising immunotherapy response of ccRCC patients in low risk groups. Our drug sensitivity analysis data showed significant differences in sensitivity to different chemotherapy agents by risk group.
Conclusion
In this study, we identified anoikis-related subgroups and prognostic genes in ccRCC and integrated multiple ARGs to establish a risk-predictive model, which could be significant for understanding the molecular mechanisms and treatment of ccRCC.
Expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry molecules ACE2, NRP1, TMPRSS2, and FURIN in the reproductive tissues of male macaques
Authors: Moriyama Ryutaro , Nakamura Sho , Mitsui Ikki , Sugiyama Makoto , Fukui Hirotaka , Fukui Hitomi , Hagiwara Teruki , Suzuki Juri 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reportedly affects male reproductive function by causing spermatogenesis dysfunction and suppressing testosterone secretion. However, the relationship between COVID-19 and impaired reproductive function, such as whether these effects on reproductive function are a direct effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in male reproductive organs or an indirect effect of high fever. Here, we examined whether the cell entry molecules of SARS-CoV-2, namely, ACE2, NRP1, TMPRSS2, and FURIN, are expressed in the male reproductive organs using the testes and accessory gonads of macaques during the breeding season. RT-PCR expression analysis showed that the testes alone expressed all four molecules. Immunohistochemical staining of testis tissue sections revealed that ACE2 is expressed in Leydig cells and the apical region of Sertoli cells, whereas NRP1 is expressed in the cell bodies surrounding the Leydig and Sertoli cell nuclei. FURIN is mainly expressed in Leydig cells, secondary spermatocytes, and spermatids. However, TMPRSS2 immunopositive cells were not observed. Therefore, it was not possible to observe cells expressing all four molecules in the gonads and accessory gonads of male primates. These results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 is unlikely to directly affect spermatogenesis in primates or proliferate in cells of the seminiferous tubules and undergo release into the semen through the previously known ACE2-mediated infection route. However, the expression of three molecules, including ACE2, was observed in Leydig cells, suggesting that testosterone synthesis and secretion may be affected when primates, including humans, are infected with SARS-CoV-2.