bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic and microbial analyses of the surface and inner part of wet‐aged and dry‐aged beef
Authors: Bischof Greta , Witte Franziska , Sieksmeyer Thorben , Januschweski Edwin , Terjung Nino , Hertel Christian , Heinz Volker , Juadjur Andreas , Gibis Monika 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe effects of aging and microbial growth on the metabolome of aged beef were investigated in this study. The metabolome of beef is influenced by the aging method applied. This includes the aging‐related changes in metabolism and the presence of microorganisms on the beef during aging that may affect the beef and its quality. The inner part and the trimmed surface of dry‐aged (the surface of dry‐aged beef is also called the “crust” due to its drying during aging) and wet‐aged beef were analyzed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy over aging periods up to 28 days at intervals of 7 days, and the former also by microbiological analysis. The metabolome detected by 1H NMR spectroscopy demonstrated changes over the aging time of beef and differed depending on the sampling location (surface or inner part of beef). The influence of the microbiota on changes in the metabolome can be negligible due to the low microbial growth on the surface of dry‐aged beef (<3 log CFU/g). Therefore, the aging‐related metabolism postmortem of the analyzed dry‐aged beef might be the main factor for metabolic changes. The significantly (p < 0.05) higher amino acids and inosine concentrations and lower inosine 5′‐monophosphate concentrations suggested enhanced protein degradation and energy metabolism in the wet‐aged beef compared to the dry‐aged beef, probably due to the combined influence of the aging and the microbiota on the wet‐aged beef and, thus, its metabolic changes.
Population structure of Vietnamese pigs using mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Ishihara Shinya , Arakawa Aisaku , Ba Nguyen V. , Dinh Nguyen C. , Ninh Pham H. , Okamura Toshihiro , Dang‐Nguyen Thanh Q. , Kikuchi Kazuhiro , Pham Lan D. , Taniguchi Masaaki 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe D‐loop region on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is frequently used for analyses of maternal lineages within domestic animal species. There are many native pig breeds in Vietnam, but their origins remain unclear. This study investigated maternal lineages using the D‐loop region on mtDNA of 260 samples collected from native pigs in 20 provinces across Vietnam. The D‐loop region of all samples was amplified and sequenced. We obtained 713 bp sequences of the D‐loop region for each sample excluding the repeat region, and variants on this region were used to construct a phylogenetic tree. We detected 50 haplotypes from Vietnamese native pigs, with 27 novel haplotypes. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed two haplotype groups: one for the MTSEA group, frequently found in domestic pigs in the mountainous areas of Cambodia and Laos; and the D2 group, found in pigs originating from Chinese pigs. No European haplotype was found. Haplotypes in northeast Vietnam comprised only haplotypes of the D2 group, whereas in areas from the northwest mountains to the south, we found haplotypes belonging to both the D2 and MTSEA groups. This study suggested that both origins contributed to maternal lineages of current populations of Vietnamese native pigs.
Attributes of preemptive conservation efforts for species precluded from listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Authors: Stanley Annabelle E. , Epanchin‐Niell Rebecca , Treakle Tyler , Iacona Gwenllian D. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPreemptive conservation efforts to reduce threats have been credited with precluding the need to list some imperiled species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Such efforts can result in outcomes where species are conserved and regulatory costs associated with ESA listing are avoided. Yet, the extent and type of conservation effort involved in achieving preclusion from listing are not well understood. We quantified the attributes of conservation efforts identified as important for 43 species whose preclusion from listing was attributed to conservation efforts, as described in U.S. Federal Register documents that report the decisions not to list. We considered 2 features of preemptive conservation: effort applied (measured as the number of conservation initiatives) and number of conservation partners involved. We also quantified the type and location of conservation actions. We found a mean of 4.3 initiatives (range 1–22) and 8.2 partners (range 1–31) documented per precluded species; both measures of conservation effort were significantly and positively associated with the species’ range area and the proportion of private land across its range. The number of initiatives was also positively related to the number of threats affecting a species. Locations of conservation actions varied; more species had actions on public land than on private land (p = 0.003). Numbers of species with restorative actions (e.g., invasive species control) were similar to numbers with prohibitive actions. Our findings highlight relationships between species’ context and preemptive conservation activities, providing a first cross‐species analysis of conservation efforts for species that were precluded from listing under the ESA due to conservation.
Effect of educational intervention on computer‐aided‐design and computer‐aided‐manufacturing technology to preclinical dental students
Authors: Fischer Kathleen , Metz Michael , Sekula Michael , Katwal Diksha , Hannigan David , Williams Tarin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntroductionThis study evaluated the effectiveness of a video presentation instruction compared to the prevailing traditional lecture provided in the preclinical classroom when introducing computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology.Materials and MethodsThis study was conducted as a controlled educational trial (single‐blind) on 120 first‐year dental students. Students were assigned to two learning groups: the control (n = 60, traditional lecture) and the intervention (n = 60, video presentation). Both groups completed a self‐efficacy scale (SES) survey before instruction. Then, the intervention group actively participated in a one‐session video presentation while the control group was given a traditional lecture. After the presentations, student knowledge was assessed with a hands‐on simulated exercise that was scored out of 60 points. At last, students completed a post‐instruction student perception and attitude (SPA) survey. Inferential hypothesis testing was conducted with two‐sample t‐tests, and significance was defined as p ≤ .05.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the student pre‐instruction SES scores between the control and intervention groups. After the video learning, CAD/CAM knowledge application during the hands‐on simulated exercise showed significantly higher results in the intervention group as the assessment scores from the intervention group averaged 13.6 ± 2.0 points higher than the control group (p < .001). The results from the post‐instruction SPA survey showed no statistically significant difference between groups.ConclusionWith the video presentation technique, our first‐year dental students were able to greatly enhance their CAD/CAM application skills. The results from this study could be applied at other dental educational institutions with potential similar outcomes.
Covenanting Together to Manifest the One Church
Authors: Mateus Odair Pedroso 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn this article, Odair Pedroso Mateus imagines himself as a participant at the founding assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 1948, writing a set of short notes about the proceedings of the gathering and setting out the main issues facing the newly founded WCC in its search for the visible unity of the churches.
Fracture mechanics approach to fatigue crack initiation at uniaxially loaded notches
Authors: Hammouda Mohammad M. I. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractA fracture mechanics model is developed to simulate cracking events that may have taken place at the root of a notch in a uniaxially loaded plate made of a two‐phase alloy during the fatigue crack initiation life. The roughness of the notch surface resembles microcracks of different sizes and locations at the notch root along the plate thickness, where material grains of different phases, sizes, and strengths are distributed at random. Potential notch surface cracking activities are anticipated during loading cycles until the emergence of a through‐thickness crack that propagates from the notch root on the plate surface along its width. Thus, the duration of the experimentally defined fatigue crack initiation at the notch root can be calculated. The model is applied to previously published experimental data on symmetrically U‐shaped ferritic‐pearlitic steel notched plates subjected to constant amplitude cyclic uniaxial stresses with different stress concentration factors. Plates with a random configuration were virtually tested. The comparison of experimental results with corresponding predictions validates the model.
Public perception of dermatologists in Europe: Results from a population‐based survey
Authors: Richard Marie Aleth , Paul Carle , Nijsten Tamar , Gisondi Paolo , Salavastru Carmen , Taieb Charles , Trakatelli Myrto , Puig Luis , Stratigos Alex ,   the EADV burden of skin diseases project team
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe public perception of dermatology has been poorly investigated in Europe.ObjectiveTo determine the general public's perception of dermatologists in Europe.MethodsThis multinational, cross‐sectional study was conducted within the framework of the EADV population‐based survey on the ‘Burden of skin diseases in Europe’. Data were collected using a web‐based online survey on a representative sample of the general populations aged 18 years or more of 27 European countries. Proportional quota sampling with replacement design was used for each country.ResultsA total of 44,689 adult participants responded to the questionnaire, of whom 18,004 visited a dermatologist in the preceding 3 years. The dermatologist was the second most often visited specialist among all medical specialties, with 69.7%, 72.1%, 42.1% and 78.1% of participants in Western Europe (WE), Eastern Europe (EE), Northern Europe (NE) and Southern Europe (SE), respectively, having consulted a dermatologist over the past 24 months. Most participants across all regions agreed that the dermatologist was the first healthcare provider for chronic skin diseases (61.9% in WE, 69.8% in EE, 45.7% in NE and 60.4% in SE) and for skin cancers (65.5% in WE, 67.6% in EE, 42.4% in NE and 63.0% in SE). The five most common reasons for visiting a dermatologist among all participants were: naevi check‐up or skin cancer screening (20.2%), chronic skin diseases (16.5%), acute skin diseases (12.4%), cosmetic advice or procedure (10.2%), hyperpigmentation or congenital lesions (9.1%) and hair or nail disorder (7.7%). Most participants (84.6% in WE, 82.5% in EE, 78.3% in NE and 82.8% in SE) were very swatisfied/somewhat satisfied with the service provided.ConclusionOur study findings underscore the central role of dermatologists in skin health and highlights them as valued and trusted care providers across Europe. Understanding the perceived position of the dermatologist is the first step in improving health policy development and implementation. Notably, access to a dermatologist was lowest in NE, probably reflecting differences in healthcare organizational structures or possibly cultural differences in healthcare seeking behaviour.
Evaluation of the effect of herbal agents as management of radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Que Suyun , Ma Xuanlei , Yang Tao , He Jiangtao 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of herbal agents in the prevention and therapy of radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients.MethodsRandomized controlled trials were searched from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) to assess the effectiveness of herbal agents compared to a standard medication or placebo in prevention or treatment of radiodermatitis in breast cancer.ResultsData from 16 studies involving 1994 patients were included. This meta‐analysis included 10 clinical trials of 562 breast cancer patients treated with calendula, silymarin, or aloe vera for the prevention of radiodermatitis. Silymarin showed positive effects in ameliorating the damage of radiodermatitis, whereas the efficacy of calendula and aloe vera in the treatment of radiodermatitis lacks sufficient evidence.ConclusionsHerbal medicine may show therapeutic effects on radiodermatitis in breast cancer, but more comprehensive investigations and clinical trials are required in the future.
Giving the Benefit of the Doubt: Investigating the Insurance‐Like Effect of CSR in Mitigating Negative Employee Reactions to Psychological Contract Breach
Authors: De Roeck Kenneth , Raineri Nicolas , Jones David A. , Scheidler Sabrina 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMany studies document employees’ value‐creating reactions to perceptions of their organization's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Unknown, however, is whether perceived CSR can have value‐protecting effects by mitigating employees’ negative responses when they believe the organization's other actions harm their interests, as proposed by theory on the insurance‐like effect of CSR. In this respect, we develop hypotheses about the moderating role of CSR‐based moral capital, such that higher levels mitigate the effect of psychological contract breach (PCB) on employees’ negative assessment of the organization (i.e., corporate hypocrisy) and associated value‐eroding responses (i.e., lower loyal boosterism and higher turnover intentions). In Study 1, we use data from time‐lagged employee surveys. In Study 2, we conduct two experiments in a causal‐chain design. The findings support nuanced hypotheses from our theorized model and provide new insights that contribute to the broader CSR literature on value‐protection and insurance‐like effects, micro‐CSR scholarship, and PCB research.
Exploring linguistic markers, threat appraisals, and genetic variation during mixed‐sex couples' conflict conversations
Authors: Denes Amanda , Crowley John P. , Gasiorek Jessica , Dhillon Anuraj , Bennett‐Brown Margaret , Winkler Kara L. , Ponivas Ambyre L. P. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHow couples communicate during conflict interactions can have important implications for their relational well‐being. The theory of resilience and relational load provides a valuable lens for exploring the associations among couples' language use during conflict conversations and the extent to which such conversations are perceived as threatening to one's relationship, as well as whether genetic markers moderate such associations. Forty‐seven mixed‐sex couples had a conversation about a topic causing conflict in their relationship and provided saliva samples that were tested for their genotype (GG, AA, or AG) for oxytocin receptor gene rs53576. The results revealed that neither the use of communal language nor positive emotion words were associated with perceiving the conversation as less threatening to their relationship. Genetic variation did not moderate the associations with either positive emotion word use or communal language. However, a three‐way interaction between sex, OXTR, and positive emotion word use emerged in the post hoc analyses, indicating that positive emotion word use was negatively associated with threat appraisals for women with a GG genotype, and positively associated with threat appraisals for men with a GG genotype. Implications for mixed‐sex couples' communication and research on language use during conflict conversations are discussed.
Cross‐contamination in the kitchen: A model for quantitative microbiological risk assessment
Authors: Iulietto Maria Francesca , Evers Eric G. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractA quantitative microbiological risk assessment model for the cross‐contamination transmission route in the kitchen (KCC) is presented. Bacteria are transmitted from contaminated (chicken) meat to hands, kitchen utensils, and other surfaces, subsequently contaminating a salad. The model aims to estimate the fraction of bacteria on the meat that is ingested due to cross‐contamination, determine the importance of the different transmission routes, and assess the effect of scenarios (interventions) on the fraction ingested. The cross‐contamination routes defined, bacterial source‐to‐recipient transfer fractions as available and derived from literature, and important characteristics (e.g., washing in cold water vs. hot water with soap) shaped the KCC model. With this model, 32 scenarios of an eight‐step preparation of a “meat and salad” meal in a domestic kitchen were stochastically simulated. The “cutting board‐salad” route proved dominant and the salad plays a major role in the final exposure. A realistic scenario (washing hands, cutting board, and knife with cold water after cutting the meat) estimates that a mean fraction of 3.2E − 3 of the bacteria on the meat is ingested. In the case of “hand washing with hot water and soap” and “cutting board and knife replacement,” the mean fraction ingested is 3.6E − 6. For a subsequent meal, where the contaminated sources were kitchen fomites, the estimated mean fraction is 4.3E − 4. In case of hamburger, part of the bacteria is unavailable for cross‐contamination, resulting in a mean fraction ingested of about 5.4E − 5. The role of the dishcloth in cross‐contamination transmission proved to be minor.
Synthetic lethal mutants in
Escherichia coli
define pathways necessary for survival with RNase H deficiency
Authors: Das Sneha , Forrest Jonathan , Kuzminov Andrei 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Ribonucleotides frequently contaminate DNA and, if not removed, cause genomic instability. Consequently, all organisms are equipped with RNase H enzymes to remove RNA-DNA hybrids (RDHs).
Escherichia coli
lacking RNase HI (
rnhA
) and RNase HII (
rnhB
) enzymes, the ∆
rnhA
∆
rnhB
double mutant, accumulates RDHs in its DNA. These RDHs can convert into RNA-containing DNA lesions (R-lesions) of unclear nature that compromise genomic stability. The ∆
rnhAB
double mutant has severe phenotypes, like growth inhibition, replication stress, sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, SOS induction, increased chromosomal fragmentation, and defects in nucleoid organization. In this study, we found that RNase HI deficiency also alters wild-type levels of DNA supercoiling. Despite these severe chromosomal complications, ∆
rnhAB
double mutant survives, suggesting that dedicated pathways operate to avoid or repair R-lesions. To identify these pathways, we systematically searched for mutants synthetic lethal (colethal) with the
rnhAB
defect using an unbiased color screen and a candidate gene approach. We identified both novel and previously reported
rnhAB
-colethal and -coinhibited mutants, characterized them, and sorted them into avoidance or repair pathways. These mutants operate in various parts of nucleic acid metabolism, including replication fork progression, R-loop prevention and removal, nucleoid organization, tRNA modification, recombinational repair, and chromosome-dimer resolution, demonstrating the pleiotropic nature of RNase H deficiency.

IMPORTANCE

Ribonucleotides (rNs) are structurally very similar to deoxyribonucleotides. Consequently, rN contamination of DNA is common and pervasive across all domains of life. Failure to remove rNs from DNA has severe consequences, and all organisms are equipped with RNase H enzymes to remove RNA-DNA hybrids. RNase H deficiency leads to complications in bacteria, yeast, and mouse, and diseases like progressive external ophthalmoplegia (mitochondrial defects in RNASEH1) and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (defects in RNASEH2) in humans.
Escherichia coli ∆rnhAB
mutant, deficient in RNases H, has severe chromosomal complications. Despite substantial problems, nearly half of the mutant population survives. We have identified novel and previously confirmed pathways in various parts of nucleic acid metabolism that ensure survival with RNase H deficiency.
De novo
assembly of
Roseomonas mucosa
isolates from healthy human volunteers used to treat atopic dermatitis
Authors: Barbian Kent , Bruno Daniel , Sykora Lydia , Ricklefs Stacy , Chaudhary Prem Prashant , Beare Paul A. , Myles Ian A. , Martens Craig M. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Roseomonas mucosa
is a bacterium that is found in the natural microbiota of human skin. Here, we present
de novo
sequence assemblies from
R. mucosa
isolated from the skin microflora of three healthy human volunteers that were used to treat atopic dermatitis patients.
Pseudomonas kielensis
str. Ze23jcel16 complete genome obtained through R10.4.1 Nanopore Flow cell chemistry
Authors: Serra Moncadas Lucas , Rogenmoser Janis , Hofer Cyrill , Rain-Franco Angel , Andrei Adrian-Stefan 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the complete genome of
Pseudomonas kielensis
str. Ze23jcel16 isolated from a freshwater sample. The high-quality chromosome was obtained employing R10.4.1 Nanopore Flow cell chemistry and was assembled as a circular element at 45× coverage, a length of 5.8 Mbp, and a G+C content of 61.15%.
Diamide-based screening method for the isolation of improved oxidative stress tolerance phenotypes in
Bacillus
mutant libraries
Authors: Walgraeve Jonathan , Ferrero-Bordera Borja , Maaß Sandra , Becher Dörte , Schwerdtfeger Ruth , van Dijl Jan Maarten , Seefried Michael 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

The bacterium
Bacillus subtilis
is of high importance both as a model organism for Gram-positive bacteria and as an industrial workhorse in the production of biomolecules. In recent years, advancements have been made to engineer the bacterium even further toward industrial applications. In this study, we present a novel screening method for mutant libraries using diamide, an oxidizing agent that binds free thiols and creates disulfide bonds between them, thereby causing a so-called “disulfide stress” in bacteria. The method shows promise to selectively identify phenotypes in
B. subtilis
with improved tolerance toward oxidative and disulfide-associated stress. Phenotypes initially identified by transposon mutagenesis were recreated through targeted gene deletions. Among the resulting deletion mutants, the largest difference in diamide tolerance compared to the parental strain was observed for
pfkA
and
ribT
deletion strains. A proteomics analysis showed that diamide tolerance can be achieved through different routes involving increased expression of stress management proteins and reduced availability or activity of the RNA degradosome. We conclude that our screening method allows the facile identification of
Bacillus
strains with improved oxidative stress tolerance phenotypes.

IMPORTANCE

During their life cycle, bacteria are exposed to a range of different stresses that need to be managed appropriately in order to ensure their growth and viability. This applies not only to bacteria in their natural habitats but also to bacteria employed in biotechnological production processes. Oxidative stress is one of these stresses that may originate either from bacterial metabolism or external factors. In biotechnological settings, it is of critical importance that production strains are resistant to oxidative stresses. Accordingly, this also applies to the major industrial cell factory
Bacillus subtilis
. In the present study, we, therefore, developed a screen for
B. subtilis
strains with enhanced oxidative stress tolerance. The results show that our approach is feasible and time-, space-, and resource-efficient. We, therefore, anticipate that it will enhance the development of more robust industrial production strains with improved robustness under conditions of oxidative stress.