bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social Norms and Security and Justice Services for Gender-based Violence in Nepal: Programmatic Implications from a Baseline Mixed-Methods Assessment
Authors: Clark Cari Jo , Batayeh Brian , Shao Iris , Bergenfeld Irina , Pandey Manoj , Sharma Sudhindra , Shrestha Shikha , Gourisankar Amritha , Gautam Anudeeta , Sohail Tehnyat J. , Shakya Holly , Morrow Grace , Shervinskie Abbie , Soti Subada 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundGender-based violence (GBV) is highly prevalent throughout the world. Only a small fraction of survivors seek help from security and justice providers (S&J) such as the police or courts, due in part to social norms that discourage help-seeking. Social norms interventions have proven effective in combatting GBV but have not been tested alongside S&J interventions. The Strengthening Access to Holistic, Gender Responsive, and Accountable Justice in Nepal (SAHAJ) project was designed to fill this gap. We provide a comprehensive mixed-methods situation analysis of GBV-related social norms, help-seeking, S&J service provision.MethodsThe SAHAJ evaluation is a 3-armed, mixed-methods evaluation of the impact of social norms programming alone, S&J programming alone, and combined programming in 17 communities in Nepal. Baseline data included a household survey (N=3830), a sub-study of youth (N=143) and married adults (N=464) in one site and qualitative data collection including interviews with S&J service providers, help-seeking GBV survivors and families (N=68), and focus group discussions with police, youth groups, and school management committees (N=20) in four sites. Descriptive analysis of survey data was triangulated with findings from a modified grounded theory analysis of the qualitative data to elucidate the role of social norms and other barriers limiting help-seeking.ResultsGBV was perceived to be common, especially child marriage, domestic violence, eve-teasing, and dowry-related violence. Formal help-seeking was low, despite positive attitudes towards S&J providers. Participants described injunctive norms discouraging formal reporting in cases of GBV and sanctions for women violating these norms.ConclusionsNorms favoring family- and community-based mediation remain strong. Sanctions for formal reporting remain a deterrent to help-seeking. Leveraging gender-equitable role models, such as female S&J providers, and connecting S&J providers to women and youth may capitalize on existing shifts.
DNA Damage Accelerates G-Quadruplex Folding in a Duplex-G-Quadruplex-Duplex Context
Authors: Fleming Aaron M. , Jenkins Brandon Leonel Guerra Castañaza , Buck Bethany A. , Burrows Cynthia J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMolecular details for DNA damage impact on the folding of potential G-quadruplex sequences (PQS) to non-canonical DNA structures that are involved in gene regulation are poorly understood. Here, the effects of DNA base damage and strand breaks on PQS folding kinetics were studied in the context of theVEGFpromoter sequence embedded between two DNA duplex anchors, referred to as a duplex-G-quadruplex-duplex (DGD) motif. This DGD scaffold imposes constraints on the PQS folding process that more closely mimic those found in genomic DNA. Folding kinetics were monitored by circular dichroism (CD) to find folding half-lives ranging from 2 s to 12 min depending on the DNA damage type and sequence position. The presence of Mg2+ions and the G-quadruplex (G4)-binding protein APE1 facilitated the folding reactions. A strand break placing all four G runs required for G4 formation on one side of the break accelerated the folding rate by >150-fold compared to the undamaged sequence. Combined 1D1H-NMR and CD analyses confirmed that isothermal folding of theVEGF-DGD constructs yielded spectral signatures that suggest formation of G4 motifs, and demonstrated a folding dependency with the nature and location of DNA damage. Importantly, the PQS folding half-lives measured are relevant to replication, transcription, and DNA repair time frames.TOC Graphic
DMD Human iPSC-derived skeletal muscle cells recapitulate selective calcium dysregulation pathways
Authors: Delafenêtre Arnaud , Chapotte-Baldacci Charles-Albert , Dorémus Léa , Massouridès Emmanuelle , Bernard Marianne , Régnacq Matthieu , Piquereau Jérôme , Chatelier Aurélien , Cognard Christian , Pinset Christian , Sebille Stéphane 
Published: January 2024

SummaryThis study investigates the functional characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived muscle cells (hiPSC-skMCs) from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients, focusing on their regulation of intracellular calcium concentration. DMD, a progressive muscle degenerative disease, arises from mutations in the dystrophin gene and is characterized by elevated intracellular calcium levels, exacerbating disease progression. This work highlights that DMD hiPSC-skMCs demonstrate unique calcium signatures with increased intracellular calcium compared to healthy counterparts. These cells also exhibit both heightened calcium response when stimulated by electrical fields or acetylcholine and more pronounced constitutive calcium entries. While RNAseq data from these cells reaffirmed known dysregulation mechanisms seen in other dystrophin-deficient models, certain pathways like purinergic or store-operated calcium entries did not show disruption in this DMD model. This discrepancy suggests that not all mechanisms observed in animal models may be equally relevant in human cases, pointing towards specific molecular targets that could be more effective for DMD treatment strategies.
Root-associatedStreptomycesproduce galbonolides to modulate plant immunity and promote rhizosphere colonisation
Authors: Nicolle Clément , Gayrard Damien , Noël Alba , Hortala Marion , Amiel Aurélien , Grat Sabine , Le Ru Aurélie , Marti Guillaume , Pernodet Jean-Luc , Lautru Sylvie , Dumas Bernard , Rey Thomas 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTThe rhizosphere, which serves as the primary interface between plant roots and the soil, constitutes an ecological niche for a huge diversity of microbial communities. Currently, there is little knowledge on the nature and the function of the different metabolites released by rhizospheric microbes to facilitate colonization of this highly competitive environment. Here, we demonstrate how the production of galbonolides, a group of polyene macrolides that inhibit plant and fungal Inositol Phosphorylceramide Synthase (IPCS), empowers the rhizosphericStreptomycesstrain AgN23, to thrive in the rhizosphere by triggering the plant’s defence mechanisms. Metabolomic analysis of AgN23-inoculatedArabidopsisroots revealed a strong induction in the production of an indole alkaloid, camalexin, which is a major phytoalexin inArabidopsis. By using a plant mutant compromised in camalexin synthesis, we show that camalexin production is necessary for the successful colonization of the rhizosphere by AgN23. Conversely, hindering galbonolides biosynthesis in AgN23 knock-out mutant resulted in loss of inhibition of IPCS, a deficiency in plant defence activation, notably the production of camalexin, and a strongly reduced development of the mutant bacteria in the rhizosphere. Together, our results identified galbonolides as important metabolites mediating rhizosphere colonisation byStreptomyces.Abstract FigureGraphical AbstractModel summarizing the mode of action of galbonolides in stimulating plant defence to support AgN23 colonization of the rhizosphere. Galbonolides secretion byStreptomycessp. AgN23 trigger Inositol Phosphoceramide Synthase (IPCS) inhibition inArabidopsisroot cells (orange arrow). The resulting raise in Ceramide precursors of the IPCS may result in the different defence responses associated to AgN23: Hypersensitive Responses (HR), Salicylic Acid (SA) signalling, nuclear Ca2+influx, defence gene expression and camalexin biosynthesis. This production of camalexin (blue arrow) exert a positive effect on AgN23 growth in the rhizosphere, presumably by restricting the growth of bacterial and fungal competitors sensitive to this phytoalexin. In addition, galbonolides secretion in the rhizosphere may also directly interfere with fungal competitors of AgN23.
Novel, active, and uncultured hydrocarbon degrading microbes in the ocean
Authors: Howe Kathryn L. , Zaugg Julian , Mason Olivia U. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractGiven the vast quantity of oil and gas input to the marine environment annually, hydrocarbon degradation by marine microorganisms is an essential ecosystem service. Linkages between taxonomy and hydrocarbon degradation capabilities are largely based on cultivation studies, leaving a knowledge gap regarding the intrinsic ability of uncultured marine microbes to degrade hydrocarbons. To address this knowledge gap, metagenomic sequence data from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill deep-sea plume was assembled to which metagenomic and metatranscriptomic reads were mapped. Assembly and binning produced new DWH metagenome assembled genomes that were evaluated along with their close relatives, all of which are from the marine environment (38 total). These analyses revealed globally distributed hydrocarbon degrading microbes with clade specific substrate degradation potentials that have not been reported previously. For example, methane oxidation capabilities were identified in allCycloclasticus. Further, allBermanellaencoded and expressed genes for non-gaseous n-alkane degradation; however, DWHBermanellaencoded alkane hydroxylase, not alkane 1-monooxygenase. All but one previously unrecognized DWH plume members in the SAR324 and UBA11654 coded for aromatic hydrocarbon degradation. In contrast,Colwelliawere diverse in the hydrocarbon substrates they could degrade. All clades encoded nutrient acquisition strategies and response to cold temperatures, while sensory and acquisition capabilities were clade specific. These novel insights regarding hydrocarbon degradation by uncultured planktonic microbes provided missing data, allowing for better prediction of the fate of oil and gas when hydrocarbons are input to the ocean, leading to a greater understanding of the ecological consequences to the marine environment.ImportanceMicrobial degradation of hydrocarbons is a critically important process promoting ecosystem health, yet much of what is known about this process is based on physiological experiments with a few hydrocarbon substrates and cultured microbes. Thus, the ability to degrade the diversity of hydrocarbons that comprise oil and gas by microbes in the environment, particularly in the ocean, is not well characterized. Therefore, this study aimed to utilize non-cultivation based ‘omics’ data to explore novel genomes of uncultured marine microbes involved in degradation of oil and gas. Analyses of newly assembled metagenomic data and metagenomic and metatranscriptomic read recruitment revealed globally distributed hydrocarbon degrading marine microbes with clade specific substrate degradation potentials that have not been previously reported. This new understanding of oil and gas degradation by uncultured marine microbes suggested that the global ocean harbors a diversity of hydrocarbon degrading Bacteria, that can act as primary agents regulating ecosystem health.
Lifespan regulation by targeting heme signaling in yeast
Authors: Patnaik Praveen K. , Nady Nour , Barlit Hanna , Gülhan Ali , Labunskyy Vyacheslav M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHeme is an essential prosthetic group that serves as a co-factor and a signaling molecule. Heme levels decline with age, and its deficiency is associated with multiple hallmarks of aging, including anemia, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Dysregulation of heme homeostasis has been also implicated in aging in model organisms suggesting that heme may play an evolutionarily conserved role in controlling lifespan. However, the underlying mechanisms and whether heme homeostasis can be targeted to promote healthy aging remain unclear. Here we usedSaccharomyces cerevisiaeas a model to investigate the role of heme in aging. For this, we have engineered a heme auxotrophic yeast strain expressing a plasma membrane-bound heme permease fromCaenorhabditis elegans(ceHRG-4). This system can be used to control intracellular heme levels independently of the biosynthetic enzymes by manipulating heme concentration in the media. We observed that heme supplementation leads to significant lifespan extension in yeast. Our findings revealed that the effect of heme on lifespan is independent of the Hap4 transcription factor. Surprisingly, heme-supplemented cells had impaired growth on YPG medium, which requires mitochondrial respiration to be used, suggesting that these cells are respiratory deficient. Together, our results demonstrate that heme homeostasis is fundamentally important for aging biology and manipulating heme levels can be used as a promising therapeutic target for promoting longevity.
Lecanemab Blocks the Effects of the Aβ/Fibrinogen Complex on Blood Clots and Synapse Toxicity in Organotypic Culture
Authors: Singh Pradeep Kumar , Simoes Pires Elisa Nicoloso , Chen Zu-Lin , Torrente Daniel , Calvano Marissa , Sharma Anurag , Strickland Sidney , Norris Erin H. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractProteinaceous brain inclusions, neuroinflammation, and vascular dysfunction are common pathologies in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Vascular deficits include a compromised blood-brain barrier, which can lead to extravasation of blood proteins like fibrinogen into the brain. Fibrinogen’s interaction with the amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide is known to worsen thrombotic and cerebrovascular pathways in AD. Lecanemab, an FDA-approved antibody therapy for AD, shows promising results in facilitating reduction of Aβ from the brain and slowing cognitive decline. Here we show that lecanemab blocks fibrinogen’s binding to Aβ protofibrils, normalizing Aβ/fibrinogen-mediated delayed fibrinolysis and clot abnormalitiesin vitroand in human plasma. Additionally, we show that lecanemab dissociates the Aβ/fibrinogen complex and prevents fibrinogen from exacerbating Aβ-induced synaptotoxicity in mouse organotypic hippocampal cultures. These findings reveal a possible protective mechanism by which lecanemab may slow disease progression in AD.
Quantification of histone H1 subtypes using targeted proteomics
Authors: López-Gómez Jordi , Villarreal Laura , Andrés Marta , Ponte Inma , Xicoy Blanca , Zamora Lurdes , Vilaseca Marta , Roque Alicia 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHistone H1 is involved in the regulation of chromatin structure. Human somatic cells express up to seven subtypes. The variability in the proportions of somatic H1s (H1 complement) is one evidence supporting their functional specificity. Alterations in the protein levels of different H1 subtypes have been observed in cancer, suggesting their potential as biomarkers and that they might play a role in disease development. We have developed a mass spectrometry based (MS) parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) assay suitable for the quantification of H1 subtypes. Our PRM method is based on the quantification of unique peptides for each subtype, providing high specificity. Evaluation of the PRM performance on three human cell lines showed high reproducibility and sensitivity. Quantification values agreed with the electrophoretic and Western blot data, indicating the accuracy of the method. We used PRM to quantify the H1 complement in peripheral blood samples of healthy individuals and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Our preliminary data revealed differences in the H1 complement between responders and non-responder CML patients and suggest that the H1 content could help predicting imatinib response.
CLSTN3B enhances adipocyte lipid droplet structure and function via endoplasmic reticulum contact
Authors: Zhang Chuanhai , Ye Mengchen , Melikov Kamran , Yang Dengbao , Dias do Vale Goncalo , McDonald Jeffrey , Eckert Kaitlyn , Lin Mei-Jung , Zeng Xing 
Published: January 2024

AbstractInterorganelle contacts facilitate material exchanges and sustain the structural and functional integrity of organelles. Lipid droplets (LDs) of adipocytes are responsible for energy storage and mobilization responding to body needs. LD biogenesis defects compromise the lipid-storing capacity of adipocytes, resulting in ectopic lipid deposition and metabolic disorders, yet how the uniquely large LDs in adipocytes attain structural and functional maturation is incompletely understood. Here we show that the mammalian adipocyte-specific protein CLSTN3B is crucial for adipocyte LD maturation. CLSTN3B employs an arginine-rich segment to promote extensive contact and hemifusion-like structure formation between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and LD, allowing ER-to-LD phospholipid diffusion during LD expansion. CLSTN3B ablation results in reduced LD surface phospholipid density, increased turnover of LD-surface proteins, and impaired LD functions. Our results establish the central role of CLSTN3B in the adipocyte-specific LD maturation pathway that enhances lipid storage and maintenance of metabolic health under caloric overload.
Associations of plasma omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids with overall and 19 site-specific cancers: a population-based cohort study in UK Biobank
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Sun Yitang , Song Suhang , Khankari Nikhil K. , Brenna J. Thomas , Shen Ye , Ye Kaixiong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundPrevious epidemiological studies of the associations between polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and cancer incidence have been inconsistent. We investigated the associations of plasma omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs with the incidence of overall and 19 site-specific cancers in a large prospective cohort.Methods253,138 eligible UK Biobank participants were included in our study. With a mean follow-up of 12.9 years, 29,838 participants were diagnosed with cancer. The plasma levels of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs were expressed as percentages of total fatty acids (omega-3% and omega-6%).ResultsIn our main models, both omega-6% and omega-3% were inversely associated with overall cancer incidence (HR per SD = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.96-0.99; HR per SD = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.97-1.00; respectively). Of the 19 site-specific cancers available, 14 were associated with omega-6% and five with omega-3%, all indicating inverse associations, with the exception that prostate cancer was positively associated with omega-3% (HR per SD = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01 – 1.05).ConclusionsOur population-based cohort study in UK Biobank indicates small inverse associations of plasma omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs with the incidence of overall and most site-specific cancers, although there are notable exceptions, such as prostate cancer.
Impact of Vaccination Rates, Pre-Pandemic Life Expectancy, Economic Status and Age on COVID-19 Excess Mortality Across United States
Authors: Matveeva Olga , Ogurtsov Aleksey Y. , Shabalina Svetlana A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAimThis study investigates factors influencing pandemic mortality rates across U.S. states during different waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection from February 2020 to April 2023, given that over one million people died from COVID-19 in the country.MethodsWe performed statistical analyses and used linear regression models to estimate age-adjusted and unadjusted excess mortality as functions of life expectancy, vaccination rates, and GDP per capita in U.S. states.Results and DiscussionStates with lower life expectancy and lower GDP per capita experienced significantly higher mortality rates during the pandemic, underscoring the critical role of underlying health conditions and healthcare infrastructure, as reflected in these factors. When categorizing states by vaccination rates, significant differences in GDP per capita and pre-pandemic life expectancy emerged between states with lower and higher vaccination rates, likely explaining mortality disparities before mass vaccination. During the Delta and Omicron BA.1 waves, when vaccines were widely available, the mortality gap widened, and states with lower vaccination rates experienced nearly double the mortality compared to states with higher vaccination rates (Odds Ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1.7-1.9, p < 0.01). This disparity disappeared during the later Omicron variants, likely because the levels of combined immunity from vaccination and widespread infection across state populations became comparable. We showed that vaccination rates were the only significant factor influencing age-adjusted mortality, highlighting the substantial impact of age-specific demographics on both life expectancy and GDP across states.ConclusionThe study underscores the critical role of high vaccination rates in reducing excess deaths across all states, regardless of economic status. Vaccination rates proved more decisive than GDP per capita in reducing excess deaths. Additionally, states with lower pre-pandemic life expectancy faced greater challenges, reflecting the combined effects of healthcare quality, demographic variations, and social determinants of health. These findings call for comprehensive public health strategies that address both immediate interventions, like vaccination, and long-term improvements in healthcare infrastructure and social conditions.
The role of online identity orientation and socializing for information search: a case of ethnic minority guests’ hospitality experiences
Authors: Kizgin Hatice , Jamal Ahmad , Rana Nripendra P. , Dwivedi Yogesh K. 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of online identity orientation and online friendship homophily on online socializing, online information search and ethnic guests’ hospitality experiences.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses structural equation modeling to test a conceptual model developed after reviewing hospitality literature. Data is collected from a sample of 514 Turkish-Dutch ethnic guests living in the Netherlands using a self-administered questionnaire.

Findings
The results show that online identity orientations aligned with minority and majority cultures impact online friendship homophily and online socializing, which subsequently impact online information search and hospitality experiences of ethnic guests.

Practical implications
On the whole, ethnic communities have considerable spending power. The findings point to heritage and mainstream cultural socialization accounting for travel and hospitality experiences within an ethnic minority group. The findings supply relevant information for hospitality sectors on services to endorse or promote to guests from ethnic communities.

Originality/value
The study examines the simultaneous effects of online identity orientations and online friendship homophily on online socialization and hospitality experiences of ethnic guests. It highlights the role of culture in explaining the use of social networking sites and its potential impact on hospitality-related behaviors and experiences of ethnic guest consumers.