bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alterations of the TGFb-sequestration complex member ADAMTSL1 levels are associated with muscular defects and rhabdomyosarcoma aggressiveness
Authors: Bertrand-Chapel Adrien , Meyer Swann , Juban Gaëtan , Kneppers Anita , Huchedé Paul , Gallerne Cindy , Benayoun Ruth , Cohen Enzo , Lopez-Gonzales Alejandro , Larbi Sabrina Ben , Creveaux Marion , Vaille Lucile , Bouvier Amélie , Théodore Marine , Broutier Laura , Dutour Aurélie , Cordier-Bussat Martine , Blay Jean-Yves , Streichenberger Nathalie , Picard Cécile , Corradini Nadège , Allamand Valérie , Mounier Rémi , Castets Perrine , Castets Marie 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTRhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most frequent form of paediatric soft-tissue sarcoma and remains a medical challenge, holding in failure current therapeutic strategies. RMS shares histological features with cells of the muscle lineage and this cancer is thought to arise from malignant transformation of myogenic precursors. It has been proposed that RMS and myogenesis could represent the “Jekyll and Hyde” of skeletal muscle. The underlying idea is that some early steps of myogenic differentiation are blocked in RMS, and that understanding how the normal process has gone awry could help to decipher the biological underpinnings of tumorigenesis and tumor escape.It is widely agreed that extracellular matrix (ECM) interferes in skeletal muscle regeneration and that defects in ECM components are clinically significant. The challenge is now to decipher actors and mechanisms responsible for the transmission of signals to muscle cells and the subsequent alterations that could be associated with RMS.Using an original transgenic mice model, we show here that ADAMTSL1 is involved in skeletal muscle regeneration. As previously reported for other members of its family, ADAMTSL1 is part of the TGF-β-ECM-sequestering complex and likely positively regulates TGF-β-pathway activity. Last, we observed that ADAMTSL1 expression behaves as a strong prognostic factor in the aggressive fusion-positive RMS and correlates with a neural-like phenotype of tumor cells, resulting from gain of SMAD2/3/4 targets.
Molecular Characterization ofFischerella uthpalarensis, the first subsection V cyanobiont from a tropicalAzollaspecies containing dual nitrogenases
Authors: Pushpakumara B.L.D Uthpala , Gunawardana Dilantha 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThere have been theories presented onAzollacyanobionts, known for voracious nitrogen fixation, vertical transmission of cyanobiont and helping transform a greenhouse planet to an icehouse one ~49 Mya. One such theory encapsulates the existence of two cyanobionts, named Major and Minor. We show here the identity of a possible minor cyanobiont ofAzollanamedFischerella uthpalarensis. A likely cyanobiont with straight or curved filaments that were truly branched was isolated. Seven gene fragments, namely 16s rDNA (Forward and Reverse), RNA Polymerase, ITS1 region (Forward and Reverse),nifDand GroEL genes were utilized to identify the isolated cyanobiont. The best match based on BLASTn search tool was found in the RNA Polymerase beta subunit (rpoC) gene fragment, that showed 99.54% identity with 55% coverage toFischerella muscicola. Phylogenetic inferences with therpoCgenetic locus and the GroEL protein sequence suggest a likelyFischerellagenus identity. Furthermore,VnfDGandVnfNfragments too were amplified using PCR and sequenced to demonstrate that this cyanobiont has alternate nitrogenase genes, on top of the molybdenum counterpart, providing an advantage in lifestyle. We encountered a higher level of genomic-level synonymous substitutions, which was not reflected in protein sequences, namelyVnfDGandVnfNgene products, which may be due to codon heterogeneity. We also propose forF. uthpalarensisatypicality in codon usage due to the likely acquisition of the V-nitrogenase operon from a presumed recent horizontal gene transfer (HGT) event. The cyanobiont from this study showcases a higher preference for AT over GC at theVnfDGcomposite locus again hinting at a symbiotic lifestyle.
Inhibitory effect of Ephedra herba on human norovirus infection in human intestinal organoids
Authors: Hayashi Tsuyoshi , Murakami Kosuke , Ando Hirokazu , Ueno Sayuri , Kobayashi Sakura , Muramatsu Masamichi , Tanikawa Takashi , Kitamura Masashi 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHuman norovirus (HuNoV) is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis and foodborne diseases worldwide with public health concern, yet no antiviral therapies have been developed. In this study, we aimed to screen crude drugs, which are components of Japanese traditional medicine, ‘‘Kampo” to see their effects on HuNoV infection using a reproducible HuNoV cultivation system, stem-cell derived human intestinal organoids/enteroids (HIOs). Among the 23 crude drugs tested, Ephedra herba significantly inhibited HuNoV infection in HIOs. A time-of-drug addition experiment indicated that this crude drug likely targets post-entry step for the inhibition. To our knowledge, this is the first anti-HuNoV inhibitor screen targeting crude drugs, and Ephedra herba was identified as a novel inhibitor candidate that merits further study.
Lipid signatures and inter-cellular heterogeneity of naïve and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human microglia-like cells
Authors: Müller Max A. , Zweig Norman , Spengler Bernhard , Weinert Maria , Heiles Sven 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMicroglia are non-neuronal cells, which are residing in the central nervous system and are known to play an important role in health and disease. We investigated lipidomic phenotypes of human naïve and stimulated microglia-like cells by atmospheric-pressure scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AP-SMALDI MSI). With lateral resolutions between 5 μm and 1.5 μm, we were able to chart lipid compositions of individual cells, enabling to differentiate cell lines and stimulation conditions. This allowed us to reveal local lipid heterogeneities in naïve and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells. We were able to identify individual cells with elevated triglyceride (TG) levels and could show that the number of these TG-enriched cells increased with LPS stimulation as a hallmark for a proinflammatory phenotype. Additionally, observed local abundance alterations of specific phosphatidylinositols (PIs) indicate a cell specific regulation of the PI metabolism.
Development of a Synthetic Biosensor for Chemical Exchange MRI UtilizingIn SilicoOptimized Peptides
Authors: Fillion Adam J. , Bricco Alexander R. , Lee Harvey D. , Korenchan David , Farrar Christian T. , Gilad Assaf A. 
Published: March 2023

1AbstractChemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been identified as a novel alternative to classical diagnostic imaging. Over the last several decades, many studies have been conducted to determine possible CEST agents, such as endogenously expressed compounds or proteins, that can be utilized to produce contrast with minimally invasive procedures and reduced or non-existent levels of toxicity. In recent years there has been an increased interest in the generation of genetically engineered CEST contrast agents, typically based on existing proteins with CEST contrast or modified to produce CEST contrast. We have developed anin-silicomethod for the evolution of peptide sequences to optimize CEST contrast and showed that these peptides could be combined to createde novobiosensors for CEST MRI. A single protein, superCESTide 2.0, was designed to be 198 amino acids. SuperCESTide 2.0 was expressed inE. coliand purified with size-exclusion chromatography. The magnetic transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) generated by superCESTide 2.0 was comparable to levels seen in previous CEST reporters, such as protamine sulfate (salmon protamine, SP), Poly-L-Lysine (PLL), and human protamine (hPRM1). This data shows that novel peptides with sequences optimizedin silicofor CEST contrast that utilizes a more comprehensive range of amino acids can still produce contrast when assembled into protein units expressed in complex living environments.
Gasdermin D promotes influenza virus-induced mortality through neutrophil amplification of inflammation
Authors: Speaks Samuel , Zani Ashley , Solstad Abigail , Kenney Adam , McFadden Matthew I. , Zhang Lizhi , Eddy Adrian C. , Amer Amal O. , Robinson Richard , Cai Chuanxi , Ma Jianjie , Hemann Emily A. , Forero Adriana , Yount Jacob S. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractInfluenza virus activates cellular inflammasome pathways, which can be either beneficial or detrimental to infection outcomes. Here, we investigated the role of the inflammasome-activated pore-forming protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) during infection. Ablation of GSDMD in knockout (KO) mice significantly attenuated virus-induced weight loss, lung dysfunction, lung histopathology, and mortality compared with wild type (WT) mice, despite similar viral loads. Infected GSDMD KO mice exhibited decreased inflammatory gene signatures revealed by lung transcriptomics, which also implicated a diminished neutrophil response. Importantly, neutrophil depletion in infected WT mice recapitulated the reduced mortality and lung inflammation observed in GSDMD KO animals, while having no additional protective effects in GSDMD KOs. These findings reveal a new function for GSDMD in promoting lung neutrophil responses that amplify influenza virus-induced inflammation and pathogenesis. Targeting the GSDMD/neutrophil axis may provide a new therapeutic avenue for treating severe influenza.
Public coping discourse in response to government health crisis communication
Authors: Wiese Melanie , Van Der Westhuizen Liezl-Marié 
Published: March 2023

PurposeThis study aims to explore public coping strategies with government-imposed lockdown restrictions (i.e. forced compliance) due to a health crisis (i.e. COVID-19). This directly impacts the public's power, as they may feel alienated from their environment and from others. Consequently, this study explores the relationships between the public's power, quality of life and crisis-coping strategies. This is important to help governments understand public discourse surrounding perceived government health crisis communication, which aids effective policy development.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire distributed via Qualtrics received 371 responses from the South African public and structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate the public's experience of powerlessness and resulting information-sharing, negative word-of-mouth and support-seeking as crisis coping strategies in response to government-imposed lockdown restrictions.Originality/valueThe public's perspective on health crisis communication used in this study sheds light on adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies that the public employs due to the alienation they feel during a health crisis with government-forced compliance. The findings add to the sparse research on crisis communication from the public perspective in a developing country context and provide insights for governments in developing health crisis communication strategies. The results give insight into developing policies related to community engagement and citizen participation during a pandemic.
Age distribution and prevalence in different age groups of four myositis‐specific autoantibodies, including anti‐ARS, anti‐MDA5, anti‐Mi‐2, and anti‐TIF1γ antibodies
Authors: Ueda‐Hayakawa Ikuko , Tonomura Kyoko , Maekawa Aya , Kaneda Emi , Arase Noriko , Fujimoto Manabu 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWe accumulated the demographic information and analyzed the prevalence of myositis‐specific antibodies (MSAs) in a large cohort across Japan as standard testing for MSAs becomes more widely available. This retrospective, observational, cohort study analyzed the records of individuals aged 0–99 years who are tested for serum MSAs at SRL Incorporation from January 2014 to April 2020 across Japan. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay testing was applied to determine the presence of anti‐aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (anti‐ARS), anti‐Mi‐2, anti‐melanoma differentiation‐associated gene 5 (anti‐MDA5), or anti‐transcriptional intermediary factor 1‐γ (anti‐TIF1γ) (Medical and Biological Laboratories). Anti‐TIF1γ antibody was detected more in male patients than female patients. In contrast, women were predominant in patients with other MSAs. More than half of the anti‐ARS or anti‐TIF1γ antibody‐positive patients were over 60 years old, although anti‐MDA5 or anti‐Mi‐2‐positive patients were mostly under <60 years old. Anti‐MDA5 antibody‐positive patients were mostly aged 40–59 years, while other MSA groups were mostly 60–79 years. Anti‐MDA5 antibody was detected most frequently in the age range of 0–29 years. Anti‐TIF1γ antibody was the second most commonly detected autoantibody in the age range of 0–19 years. Anti‐ARS antibody was the most frequently detected autoantibody after the age of 30 years, and the frequency of anti‐ARS gradually increased at more advanced ages. The second and third most detected autoantibodies were anti‐MDA5 and anti‐TIF1γ, respectively, in ages 30–79 years. We performed a nationwide >3‐year evaluation of MSA detection in a routine diagnostic setting. This paper provides clinical images concerning the relationship between four MSA types and the distribution of sex and age in a large population.
Political ambition and opposition legislative review: Bill scrutiny as an intra‐party signalling device
Authors: BEHRENS LION , NYHUIS DOMINIC , GSCHWEND THOMAS 
Published: March 2023

AbstractRecent research on executive–legislative relations in parliamentary democracies has shown that members of majority parties submit amendments to government bills to police the coalition compromise and to distinguish themselves from their coalition partners. It is poorly understood, however, what motivates members of the opposition to engage in the resource‐intensive work of proposing changes to government bills. Not only are amendment proposals by the opposition often unsuccessful (lack of policy motivation), they are largely invisible to the electorate (lack of vote motivation). We argue that amendments by the opposition are best understood as reflecting office motivations of legislators. Ambitious legislators draft amendments to signal skill and expertise to their party peers, which is rewarded with promotions to higher office. We confirm our argument with original data from a German state parliament. The findings further our understanding of legislative review, individual legislative efforts and career trajectories.
Improving landscape connectivity through habitat restoration: application for Asian elephant conservation in Xishuangbanna Prefecture, China
Authors: LI Wenwen , LIU Peng , YANG Nian , CHEN Shang , GUO Xianming , WANG Bin , ZHANG Li 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHabitat restoration is an effective method for improving landscape connectivity, which can reduce habitat fragmentation. Maintaining landscape connectivity could promote connections between habitat, which is extremely essential to preserve gene flow and population viability. This study proposes a methodological framework to analyze landscape connectivity for Asian elephant habitat conservation, aiming to provide practical options for reducing habitat fragmentation and improving habitat connectivity. Our approach involved combining a species distribution model using MaxEnt and landscape functional connectivity models using graph theory to assess the impact on connectivity improvement via farmland/plantation restoration as habitat. The results showed that: (1) there were 119 suitable habitat patches of Asian elephant covering a total area of 1952.41 km2. (2) The connectivity between habitats improved significantly after vegetation restoration and the gain first decreased and then increased with the increase of dispersal distance. (3) The first few new habitat patches that were identified played an important role in improving connectivity, and the variation rate of connectivity gradually leveled off as the number of new habitats increased. (4) Prioritization of the 25 best new habitat patches increased connectivity from 0.54% to 5.59% as the dispersal distance increased and mainly was located between two Asian elephant distribution regions and two components. Establishment of new habitat patches was effective for improving or restoring connectivity. Our findings can be used as guidance for improving the studied fragmented Asian elephant habitats, and they can also be used as a reference for the habitat restoration of other endangered species heavily affected by habitat fragmentation.
Genetic predisposition between coronavirus disease 2019 and rheumatic diseases: A 2‐sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Quan Liuliu , Tan Jiangshan , Hua Lu , You Xin 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe causalities between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and the risk of rheumatic diseases remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causal effect of COVID‐19 on rheumatic disease occurrence.MethodsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), acquired from published genome‐wide association studies, were used to perform 2‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) on cases diagnosed with COVID‐19 (n = 13 464), rheumatic diseases (n = 444 199), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, n = 15 872), gout (n = 69  374), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n = 3094), ankylosing spondylitis (n = 75 130), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC, n = 11 375) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (n = 95 046). Three MR methods were used in the analysis based on different heterogeneity and pleiotropy using the Bonferroni correction.ResultsThe results revealed a causality between COVID‐19 and rheumatic diseases with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.010 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.006–1.013; P = .014). In addition, we observed that COVID‐19 was causally associated with an increased risk of JIA (OR 1.517; 95%CI, 1.144–2.011; P = .004), PBC (OR 1.370; 95%CI, 1.149–1.635; P = .005), but a decreased risk of SLE (OR 0.732; 95%CI, 0.590–0.908; P = .004). Using MR, 8 SNPs were identified to associate with COVID‐19 and recognized as significant variables. None of them were previously reported in any other diseases.ConclusionsThis is the first study to use MR to explore the impact of COVID‐19 on rheumatic diseases. From a genetic perspective, we found that COVID‐19 could increase the risk of rheumatic diseases, such as PBC and JIA, but decrease that of SLE, thereby suggesting a potential surge in the disease burden of PBC and JIA following the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Tangible Rewards for More Than Just Productivity: Examining Canadian Public Accounting Firms' Rewards Programs*
Authors: Fiolleau Krista , MacTavish Carolyn , Obendorf Giselle 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTCompanies spend significant amounts of money on tangible rewards programs, even during the economic turmoil of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The prevalence, growth, and significance of these expenditures highlight the importance of understanding the purpose and use of these programs by organizations. Research on public accounting (PA) firms' compensation plans has focused on the balance between professional and commercial incentives in partner profit‐sharing schemes but has failed to examine the incentives for nonpartner audit professionals. However, it is exactly these professionals who do a substantial amount of work on audit engagements. This paper has three main purposes. First, we investigate the nature and composition of PA firms' tangible rewards programs and provide a detailed description. Second, we examine the use of firms' tangible rewards programs to provide evidence of what actions are being rewarded. We use Almer et al.'s (2005, Behavioral Research in Accounting 17: 1–22) framework, which presents dimensions of the auditors' professional contribution, and explores whether firms recognize these dimensions using tangible rewards. Third, we develop future research questions to help explore the use of tangible rewards in firms without structured output. We collect archival data on the use of tangible rewards from each of the Big 4 PA firms and three of the next four largest international accounting firms in Canada. We find that firms use their tangible rewards programs for “building a culture of recognition,” for performance incentives, and for employee and firm development, thus rewarding a broad set of measures beyond the incentive measures for hours worked.
Pre‐anaesthetic assessment and related outcome measures in adults undergoing elective surgery—Scoping review protocol
Authors: Brix Lone D. , Gamst‐Jensen Hejdi , Nielsen Anne H. , Thomsen Thordis , Geisler Anja 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundPre‐anaesthesia assessment is crucial to ensure the quality and safety of anaesthesia and surgery. However, despite being very common and essential for many patients undergoing elective surgery, little is known about the different pre‐anaesthesia assessment approaches. Hence, this article outlines a study protocol for a scoping review aiming to, systematically, map the literature on pre‐anaesthetic assessment approaches and outcomes, synthesise existing evidence, and identify knowledge gaps for future research.MethodsWe will conduct a scoping review of all study designs following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Moreover, the five steps set forth by Arksey and O'Malley and refined by Levac will guide the review process. Studies with adults (≥18 years) scheduled for elective surgery are included. Data regarding trial characteristics, patients, clinicians performing the pre‐anaesthetic assessment, interventions and outcomes are included using a combination of Covidence and Excel. Quantitative data are summarised using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data are presented through a descriptive synthesis.ConclusionThe outlined scoping review will provide a synthesis of the literature, which can support the development of new evidence‐based practices for safe perioperative management of adult patients undergoing elective surgery.