bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 infection in unvaccinated children and young adults
Authors: Silverberg Sarah L. , Shulha Hennady P. , McMillan Brynn , He Guanyuhui , Lee Amy , Márquez Ana Citlali , Bartlett Sofia R. , Gill Vivek , Abu-Raya Bahaa , Bettinger Julie A. , Cabrera Adriana , Coombs Daniel , Gantt Soren , Goldfarb David M. , Sauvé Laura , Krajden Mel , Morshed Muhammad , Sekirov Inna , Jassem Agatha N. , Sadarangani Manish 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDPediatric COVID-19 cases are often mild or asymptomatic, which has complicated estimations of disease burden using existing testing practices. We aimed to determine the age-specific population seropositivity and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among children and young adults during the pandemic in British Columbia (BC).METHODSWe conducted two cross-sectional serosurveys: phase 1 enrolled children and adults <25 years between November 2020-May 2021 and phase 2 enrolled children <10 years between June 2021-May 2022 in BC. Participants completed electronic surveys and self-collected finger-prick dried blood spot (DBS) samples. Samples were tested for immunoglobulin G antibodies against ancestral spike protein (S). Descriptive statistics from survey data were reported and two multivariable analyses were conducted to evaluate factors associated with seropositivity.RESULTSA total of 2864 participants were enrolled, of which 95/2167 (4.4%) participants were S-seropositive in phase 1 across all ages, and 61/697 (8.8%) unvaccinated children aged under ten years were S-seropositive in phase 2. Overall, South Asian participants had a higher seropositivity than other ethnicities (13.5% vs. 5.2%). Of 156 seropositive participants in both phases, 120 had no prior positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Young infants and young adults had the highest reported seropositivity rates (7.0% and 7.2% respectively vs. 3.0-5.6% across other age groups).CONCLUSIONSARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among unvaccinated children and young adults was low in May 2022, and South Asians were disproportionately infected. This work demonstrates the need for improved diagnostics and reporting strategies that account for age-specific differences in pandemic dynamics and acceptability of testing mechanisms.
Knowledge, Stigma and Prevalence of HBV among two populations from Nepal: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hogan Sam , McBride Kate A , Dixit Sameer , Page Andrew 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a public health issue in many developing nations, including Nepal. In Nepal the vaccination program was implemented in 2002-3 and aimed to reduce national prevalence of HBV. This study investigated socio-demographic, behavioural, and health service factors associated with HBV infection in low (Pokhara) and high (Dolpa) prevalence populations.MethodsA serosurvey of 400 participants from within each population was conducted (final N = 799). The study combined a blood-draw to ascertain HBV status and a questionnaire that included demographic questions and items on knowledge of HBV, behavioural, and social factors associated with the risk of HBV infection. The blood draws were used to confirm HBV status as well as identify any previous infections from which participants may have recovered.ResultsThere were 8/399 (2.01%, 95% CI 0.87%, 3.91%) current HBV infections among participants from Dolpa, compared with 2/400 (0.5%, 95% CI0.06%, 1.79%) among participants from Pokhara. The average age of each of the cohorts was relatively high, indicating an unclear association between vaccination programs and the low prevalence observed in this study. There was evidence from both sites there had been previous infections within the community as many of the participants indicated some level of protection from HBV either through vaccination or past infection (Dolpa 58/399, Pokhara 21/400) and recent cases who had recovered (Dolpa 4/399, Pokhara 3/400). Due to the relatively low prevalence of active cases of HBV, no meaningful associations between demographic, behavioural, and healthcare factors could be calculated. In both samples low level of knowledge of HBV and stigma towards people with HBV was evident.ConclusionsThis study found a low prevalence of HBV infection in both low and putatively high prevalence populations. However, knowledge of how HBV can be spread was quite low in each of the groups, indicating participants are managing to avoid infections while not necessarily being cautious around behaviours representing the greatest infection risk. There was also evidence of stigma being associated with having an active HBV infection, which may reduce the willingness of individuals to seek diagnosis or treatment.
Alterations in pathogen-specific cellular and humoral immunity associated with acute peripheral facial palsy of infectious origin
Authors: Mohammad Leyla , Fousse Mathias , Wenzel Gentiana , Flotats-Bastardas Marina , Faßbender Klaus , Dillmann Ulrich , Schick Bernhard , Zemlin Michael , Gärtner Barbara C. , Sester Urban , Schub David , Schmidt Tina , Sester Martina 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesPeripheral facial palsy (PFP) is a common neurologic symptom which can be triggered by pathogens or autoimmunity as well as trauma, tumors, cholesteatoma and further local conditions disturbing the peripheral section of the nerve. In general, its cause is often difficult to identify, remaining unknown in over two thirds of cases. As we have previously shown that the quantity and quality of pathogen-specific T cells change during active infections, we hypothesized that such changes also may help to identify the causative pathogen in PFPs of unknown origin.MethodsPathogen-specific T cells were quantified in blood samples of 55 patients with PFP and 23 healthy controls after stimulation with antigens from varicella-zoster virus (VZV), herpes-simplex viruses (HSV) or borrelia. T cells were further characterized by expression of the inhibitory surface molecule CTLA-4, and markers for differentiation (CD27) and proliferation (Ki67). Pathogen-specific antibody responses were analyzed using ELISA. Results were compared with conventional diagnostics.ResultsPatients with PFP were more often HSV-seropositive than controls (p=0.0003), whereas VZV-and borrelia-specific antibodies did not differ between groups. Although the quantity and general phenotypical characteristics of antigen-specific T cells did not differ either, expression of CTLA-4 and Ki67 was highly increased in VZV-specific T cells of 9 PFP patients, of which 5 showed typical signs of cutaneous zoster. In the remaining 4 patients, a causal relationship with VZV was possible but remained unclear by clinical standard diagnostics. A similar CTLA-4- and Ki67-expression profile was also found in a patient with acute neuroborreliosis.DiscussionIn conclusion, the high prevalence of HSV-seropositivity among PFP-patients may indicate an underestimation of HSV-involvement in PFP, even though HSV-specific T-cell characteristics seem insufficient to identify HSV as a causative agent. In contrast, striking alterations in VZV- and borrelia-specific T-cell phenotype and function may allow identification of VZV- and borrelia-triggered PFPs thus bearing the potential to improve specificity of the clinical diagnosis.
A non-canonical mechanism of GPCR activation
Authors: Powers Alexander S. , Khan Aasma , Paggi Joseph M. , Latorraca Naomi R. , Souza Sarah , Di Salvo Jerry , Lu Jun , Soisson Stephen M. , Johnston Jennifer M. , Weinglass Adam B. , Dror Ron O. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe goal of designing safer, more effective drugs has led to tremendous interest in molecular mechanisms through which ligands can precisely manipulate signaling of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest class of drug targets. Decades of research have led to the widely accepted view that all agonists—ligands that trigger GPCR activation—function by causing rearrangement of the GPCR’s transmembrane helices, opening an intracellular pocket for binding of transducer proteins. Here we demonstrate that certain agonists instead trigger activation of free fatty acid receptor 1 by directly rearranging an intracellular loop that interacts with transducers. We validate the predictions of our atomic-level simulations by targeted mutagenesis; specific mutations which disrupt interactions with the intracellular loop convert these agonists into inverse agonists. Further analysis suggests that allosteric ligands could regulate signaling of many other GPCRs via a similar mechanism, offering rich possibilities for precise control of pharmaceutically important targets.
Lymphotoxin-β Promotes Bone Colonization and Osteolytic Outgrowth of Indolent Bone Metastatic cells of Breast Cancer
Authors: Wang Xuxiang , Zhang Tengjiang , Zheng Bingxin , Lu Youxue , Liang Yong , Xu Guoyuan , Zhao Luyang , Tao Yuwei , Song Qianhui , You Huiwen , Hu Haitian , Li Xuan , Sun Keyong , Li Tianqi , Zhang Zian , Wang Jianbin , Lan Xun , Pan Deng , Fu Yang-Xin , Yue Bin , Zheng Hanqiu 
Published: August 2023

SUMMARYBone metastatic relapse is a lethal consequence of breast cancer, occurring years after initial diagnosis. By analyzing single-cell transcriptomes of bone-seeding tumor cells andin vivobarcoded cDNA library screening, LTβ (lymphotoxin-β) is identified as a key factor highly expressed in early-stage bone metastatic cells, associated with poor bone metastasis-free survival, and capable of promoting dormancy reactivation in multiple breast cancer models. Mechanistically, tumor-derived LTβ activates NF-κB2 signaling in osteoblasts to express CCL2/5, facilitating tumor cell seeding and accelerating osteoclastogenesis. Both processes contribute to the reactivation of dormancy and metastatic outgrowth. Blocking LTβ signaling with a decoy receptor significantly suppressed bone colonization and metastatic progression, whereas clinical sample analysis revealed significantly higher LTβ expression in bone metastases than in primary tumors. Our findings highlight LTβ as a bone niche-induced factor that promotes tumor cell seeding and dormancy reactivation, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic target for preventing bone metastatic relapse in patients with breast cancer.
Genotype x Environment interaction and the evolution of sexual dimorphism: adult nutritional environment mediates selection and expression of sex-specific genetic variance inD. melanogaster
Authors: De Lisle Stephen P. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSexual conflict plays a key role in the dynamics of adaptive evolution in sexually reproducing populations, and theory suggests an important role for variance in resource acquisition in generating or masking sexual conflict over fitness and life history traits. Here, I used a quantitative genetic genotype x environment experiment inDrosophila melanogaster, to test the theoretical prediction that variance in resource acquisition mediates variation in sex-specific component fitness. Holding larval conditions constant, I found that adult nutritional environments characterized by high protein content resulted in reduced survival of both sexes compared to an environment of lower protein content, and lower male reproductive success. Despite reduced mean fitness of both sexes in high protein environments, I found a sex*treatment interaction for the relationship between resource acquisition and fitness; estimates of the adaptive landscape indicate males were furthest from their optimum resource acquisition level in high protein environments, and females were furthest in low protein environments. Expression of genetic variance in resource acquisition and survival was highest for each sex in the environment it was best adapted to, although the treatment effects on expression of genetic variance eroded in the path from resource acquisition to total fitness. Cross-sex genetic correlations were strongly positive for resource acquisition, survival, and total fitness, and negative for mating success, although estimation error was high for all. These results demonstrate that environmental effects on resource acquisition can have predictable consequences for the expression of sex-specific genetic variance, but also that these effects of resource acquisition can erode through the life history.
Intra-leaf modeling ofCannabisleaflet shape produces leaf models that predict genetic and developmental identities
Authors: Balant Manica , Garnatje Teresa , Vitales Daniel , Hidalgo Oriane , Chitwood Daniel H. 
Published: August 2023

SummaryThe iconic, palmately compound leaves ofCannabishave attracted significant attention in the past. However, investigations into the genetic basis of leaf shape or its connections to phytochemical composition have yielded inconclusive results. This is partly due to prominent changes in leaflet number within a single plant during development, which has so far prevented the proper use of common morphometric techniques.Here we present a new method that overcomes the challenge of nonhomologous landmarks in palmate, pinnate and lobed leaves, usingCannabisas an example. We model corresponding pseudo-landmarks for each leaflet as angle-radius coordinates and model them as a function of leaflet to create continuous polynomial models, bypassing the problems associated with variable number of leaflets between leaves.We analyze 341 leaves from 24 individuals from nineCannabisaccessions. Using 3,591 pseudo-landmarks in modeled leaves, we accurately predict accession identity, leaflet number, and relative node number.Intra-leaf modeling offers a rapid, cost-effective means of identifyingCannabisaccessions, making it a valuable tool for future taxonomic studies, cultivar recognition, and possibly chemical content analysis and sex identification, in addition to permitting the morphometric analysis of leaves in any species with variable numbers of leaflets or lobes.
Ser149 is another potential 14-3-3 ε binding site of Cdc25B in the G2/M transition of mouse fertilized eggs
Authors: He Wen-Ning , Pang Hai-Yao , Hou Yan-Jun , Feng Shao-Qing , Zhang Hui-Ling , Guo Wen-Xiu , Liu Ru , Meng Jun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCell cycle division 25B (CDC25B) belongs to the family of cell cycle regulatory proteins. It drives G2/M transition by activating cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDK1), also known as CDC2, whose activity is directly related to its subcellular localization and phosphorylation state.14-3-3 (YHWA) regulates cell division cycle by binding to Cdc25B as a chaperone protein in mammals. Previously, we found that Cdc25B-Ser149 plays an important role in G2/M transition of mouse fertilized eggs, but the molecular mechanism of this transition remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the role of 14-3-3ε (YHWAE) interaction with phosphorylated Cdc25B-Ser149 in G2/M transition of mouse fertilized eggs. Co-expression of Cdc25B-Ser149A and 14-3-3ε could effectively activate maturation promoting factor (MPF) through direct dephosphorylation of Cdc2-Tyr15, and induce G2 fertilized eggs to enter mitosis rapidly. However, co-expression of the phosphomimic Cdc25B-Ser149D or Cdc25B-WT and 14-3-3ε showed no significant difference in comparison with control groups. 14-3-3ε binds to Cdc25B-WT, which is abolished when Ser149 is mutated to Ala. In addition, we found that 14-3-3ε and Cdc25B were co-localized in the cytoplasm at the G1, S and early G2 phases. Cdc25B was translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus at the late G2 phase. However, when Ser149 is mutated to Ala, the cytoplasmic localization of Cdc25B is completely abolished. Our findings suggest that Cdc25B-Ser149 is another specific binding site for 14-3-3ε in G2/M transition of one-cell fertilized mouse eggs, which plays essential roles in the regulation of early development of fertilized mouse eggs.
Responding to the imprecisions of social enterprise identity: considering the role of participatory governance
Authors: Savall Morera Teresa , Solórzano-García Marta , Guzmán Carmen 
Published: August 2023

Purpose
This study aims to understand the importance of participatory governance in the identity of social enterprises (SEs). To this end, this paper provides a framework by means of the value co-creation process and by drawing from the service-dominant logic perspective and the stakeholder theory. An explanation is also provided regarding the opportunity to include fundamental issues in defining SE collective identity, such as those related to an organisation’s participatory nature of involving the stakeholders affected by its activities, the exercise of democratic decision-making and its autonomy from the state and market.

Design/methodology/approach
On the statistical exploitation of a large international data set, the authors approach the conceptualisation of SEs by providing an index to measure their social, economic and governance characteristics, thereby enabling these enterprises to be categorised into different groups.

Findings
This study found that the inclusion of the governance dimension in the research incorporates the greatest variability between the various models of SE, thereby justifying participatory governance as the raison d’être of the two fundamental schools in SE, namely, Anglo-Saxon and European.

Practical implications
This research offers a tool to policymakers to be used as a criterion of classification and hierarchical organisation for public procurement. It enables the various organisations to be ordered and takes social and cultural influence into consideration. This tool would be highly useful as a support of social entrepreneurship from the public environment, especially at the local level.

Originality/value
This study justifies the value of incorporating participatory governance as a distinctive dimension for the definition of categories of SEs. Furthermore, an index to craft taxonomies of SEs is developed based on social, economic and governance indicators, which provides a framework that facilitates the empirical research of the SE.
How creative vouchers can allocate public resources for innovation effectively
Authors: Coletti Michele , Landoni Paolo 
Published: August 2023

PurposeThe purpose is to assess the usefulness of creative vouchers, a specific kind of technology and innovation vouchers (small grants usually given to SMEs to acquire external knowledge) where the knowledge suppliers are creative firms such as design agencies.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case analysis of four EU-funded pilot voucher schemes was carried out through project reports and semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders.FindingsThe authors show that creative vouchers are effective policy instruments despite the limited amount of money involved because they trigger new innovation trajectories often in a serendipitous way. The authors also show that the quality of projects and satisfaction of the beneficiaries increase when both proposals and suppliers are screened.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors’ conclusions are based on four pilot projects in a specific region of the world (Western Europe). Though two of them were extended to a much bigger scale, their generalizability may be limited. Moreover, the limited number of cases does not permit an analytical evaluation of all the voucher schemes mechanisms.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper can be very useful to policymakers designing voucher schemes and to the companies involved, whether they are providers or beneficiaries. In particular, the voucher allocation mechanisms may have a strong impact on the success of the program.Social implicationsThe innovation spurred by the collaboration with creative firms is generally neither energy-intensive nor capital intensive, but brain intensive, and this is the best way to leverage on the talent of local creative and make companies create value based on immaterial resources.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of creative vouchers after Bakhsi et al., 2015, and the only one involving several schemes in different countries. It shows the innovation potential of such a little known policy instrument for SMEs. Moreover, it provides insight on how to design a voucher scheme in order to improve its effectiveness.
Climate change perception and adaptation among farmers in coastal communities of Bayelsa State, Nigeria: a photovoice study
Authors: Elum Zelda Anne , Snijder Mieke 
Published: August 2023

Purpose
There is an increasing need for greater awareness and understanding of the risks climate change poses to farming communities so as to inform appropriate adaptive responses. The purpose of this study is to investigate farmers’ climate change impacts, awareness, risk perception and current adaptation strategies adopted to deal with the impacts of climate change on their livelihood.

Design/methodology/approach
This research was undertaken with 67 farmers in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. This study used a combination of focus group discussion and quantitative survey to obtain data. Surveyed farmers were invited to an initial workshop and asked to take photos of climate change impacts on their land and the adaptation strategies being adopted. The photos were analysed and discussed with the farmers in a second workshop. Then, in a third workshop, farmers and other stakeholders came together to rank the most important consequences of climate change and shared knowledge on adaptation strategies. The survey and photovoice data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings
The results of this study showed that a majority of the farmers were knowledgeable of climate change, mostly got climate information through media. Floods and high temperatures were perceived as the most occurring climate change-related disaster risks. Majority of the farmers perceived climate change as high risk and have taken up multiple adaptation strategies in response to it, including changing planting times, mulching their land and digging irrigation pits. Farmers’ responses indicated that they want to do more but are restricted by financial resources.

Practical implications
This study outcomes provide evidence for a need to consider stakeholders’ participation in planning climate change responses to effectively address the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in coastal agricultural communities. Government and relevant agencies as recommended need to support farmers to undertake needed adaptive strategies to adapt with future flooding, high temperature and drought, providing them with necessary facilities to enhance their adaptive capacities.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was one of the first studies to use photovoice to investigate climate change awareness, impacts and adaptations strategies with majority female farmers in west Africa. This study highlights the importance of participatory approaches to capture grassroots climate adaptation approaches.