bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AMSTNDel273Cmutation withFGF5knockout sheep by CRISPR/Cas9 promotes skeletal muscle myofiber hyperplasia
Authors: Chen Ming-Ming , Zhao Yue , Xu Xue-Ling , Zhang Xiao-Sheng , Zhang Jin-Long , Wu Su-Jun , Liu Zhi-Mei , Yuan Yi-Ming , Guo Xiao-Fei , Qi Shi-Yu , Yi Guang , Wang Shu-Qi , Li Huang-Xiang , Wu Ao-Wu , Liu Guo-Shi , Yu Kun , Deng Shoulong , Han Hong-Bing , Lv Feng-Hua , Li Yan , Lian Zheng-Xing 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMutations in the well-known Myostatin (MSTN) produce a “double-muscle” phenotype, which makes it commercially invaluable for improving livestock meat production and providing high-quality protein for humans. However, mutations at different loci of theMSTNoften produce a variety of different phenotypes. In the current study, we increased the delivery ratio of Cas9 mRNA to sgRNA from the traditional 1:2 to 1:10, which improves the efficiency of the homozygous mutation of biallelic gene. Here, aMSTNDel273Cmutation withFGF5knockout sheep, in which theMSTNandFGF5dual-gene biallelic homozygous mutations were produced via the deletion of 3-base pairs of AGC in the third exon ofMSTN, resulting in cysteine-depleted at amino acid position 273, and theFGF5double allele mutation led to inactivation ofFGF5gene. TheMSTNDel273Cmutation withFGF5knockout sheep highlights a dominant “double-muscle” phenotype, which can be stably inherited. Both F0 and F1 generation mutants highlight the excellent trait of high-yield meat with a smaller cross-sectional area and higher number of muscle fibers per unit area. Mechanistically, theMSTNDel273Cmutation withFGF5knockout mediated the activation ofFOSL1via the MEK-ERK-FOSL1 axis. The activatedFOSL1promotes skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation and inhibits myogenic differentiation by inhibiting the expression of MyoD1, and resulting in smaller myotubes. In addition, activated ERK1/2 may inhibit the secondary fusion of myotubes by Ca2+-dependent CaMKII activation pathway, leading to myoblasts fusion to form smaller myotubes.
Food entrepreneurship and self-employment in an island context
Authors: Rytkönen Paulina Ines , Oghazi Pejvak , Mostaghel Rana 
Published: March 2023

PurposeThe aim is to advance the conceptualisation of island entrepreneurship by investigating how the island context, for example, industry characteristics, social context and formal and informal institutions, influences the development of artisan food businesses in that context.Design/methodology/approachAn applied, qualitative and participatory research approach was implemented. Data were collected during a business development process focusing on food artisans in the Åland Islands. In total, 19 business owners participated in the process. Key informants and public officers were interviewed, and the literature was reviewed. Interviews were analysed using phenomenography to identify representative categories, and the literature was analysed using content analysis.FindingsIsland characteristics and context, local institutions, the quality of social capital and gendered institutions influence business activities positively and negatively. Island entrepreneurship entails mobilising agencies to find innovative solutions that enable businesses to overcome obstacles. Most previous research treats business activities as entrepreneurship; however, as self-employment is essential in the island context, it should be highlighted in future studies.Research limitations/implicationsThis study illustrates how the island context influences the business development of small firms. Results indicate that local policies (1) benefitting female entrepreneurs, (2) supporting local businesses and (3) promoting locally produced artisan food could generate benefits for the entire artisan food businesses.Practical implicationsLocal policies that (1) benefit female entrepreneurs, (2) support local businesses and (3) promote locally produced artisan food have the potential to generate benefits for the entire trade. Policies can benefit from an understanding of the role played by different ecosystem actors. Promoting self-employment can generate benefits for the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing agglomeration and helping to solve some challenges caused by the characteristics of islands.Originality/valueEmpirically, this research enhances the knowledge of post-productive responses in the island context. Theoretically, the study advances the conceptualisation of research on the island entrepreneurship context and the local food debate.
Effects of social media empowerment on COVID-19 preventive behaviors in China
Authors: Lu Jiandong , Wang Xiaolei , Fei Liguo , Chen Guo , Feng Yuqiang 
Published: March 2023

PurposeDuring the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, ubiquitous social media has become a primary channel for information dissemination, social interactions and recreational activities. However, it remains unclear how social media usage influences nonpharmaceutical preventive behavior of individuals in response to the pandemic. This paper aims to explore the impacts of social media on COVID-19 preventive behaviors based on the theoretical lens of empowerment.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, survey data has been collected from 739 social media users in China to conduct structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis.FindingsThe results indicate that social media empowers individuals in terms of knowledge seeking, knowledge sharing, socializing and entertainment to promote preventive behaviors at the individual level by increasing each person's perception of collective efficacy and social cohesion. Meanwhile, social cohesion negatively impacts the relationship between collective efficacy and individual preventive behavior.Originality/valueThis study provides insights regarding the role of social media in crisis response and examines the role of collective beliefs in the influencing mechanism of social media. The results presented herein can be used to guide government agencies seeking to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
Non-performing loans and bank performance: what role does corporate social responsibility play? A system GMM analysis for European banks
Authors: Boussaada Rim , Hakimi Abdelaziz , Karmani Majdi 
Published: March 2023

PurposeThis research investigated whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) can alleviate the negative effect of non-performing loans (NPLs) on bank performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research employed a sample of European banks over the 2008–2017 period. To resolve endogeneity and heterogeneity problems, the system generalized method of moments (SGMM) model was employed.FindingsFirst, bank NPLs were negatively and significantly associated with bank performance as measured by the Q-Tobin ratio and the return on assets (ROA). Second, CSR scores exerted a negative and significant effect on the level of NPLs. Finally, the results indicated that bank performance could benefit from the interactional effect of CSR and NPLs.Research limitations/implicationsThis study fills the gap in the debate over the mediating role of CSR in the NPLs – bank performance interrelation. In addition, our SGMM analysis yielded more robust and efficient results while resolving endogeneity and heterogeneity problems concerning CSR and bank performance or risk in corporate finance.Practical implicationsCSR practices can play an essential mediating role in the NPLs–bank performance relationship. CSR activities in the European context may reduce the level of NPLs and increase bank performance.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, studies of the implications of CSR activities on the banking sector are very limited. Indeed, this paper shows that CSR mediates the relationship between CSR practices and NPLs. The results suggest that bank performance could benefit from the interactional effect of CSR and NPLs.
Nicotine‐ and tar‐removed cigarette smoke extract modulates the antigen presentation function of mouse bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells
Authors: Furuta Kazuyuki , Yoshioka Takehiro , Nishikaze Kana , Yoshikawa Noriko , Nakamura Kazuki , Kaito Chikara 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) take up antigens derived from pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, and from tumor cells and induce the activation of antigen‐specific T cells through major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐mediated antigen presentation. Mainstream cigarette smoke extract (CSE) has various effects, and the effects of its major components, nicotine and tar, have been analyzed extensively. Recently, the physiological effects of nicotine‐ and tar‐removed CSE (cCSE) have also been reported. However, the effects of cCSE on DC‐mediated immune responses remain unknown. In this study, we found that cCSE enhanced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated induction of the expression of MHC‐I and MHC‐II on the cell surface of mouse bone marrow‐derived DCs (BMDCs). In contrast, cCSE suppressed the induction of CD86 induced by stimulation with curdlan and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ). In addition, cCSE suppressed the production of IL‐12, IL‐23, and IL‐10 by LPS and curdlan stimulation. In the presence of cCSE, LPS‐stimulated BMDCs showed enhanced activation of CD4 and CD8 T cells and increased IL‐2 production from T cells by antigen presentation in a mixed‐leukocyte reaction assay. In contrast, cCSE did not affect the activation of T cells by curdlan‐ or IFN‐γ‐stimulated BMDCs, and curdlan‐stimulated BMDCs suppressed IL‐17 production from T cells and enhanced IFN‐γ production. These results suggest that cCSE has different effects on the activation signals induced by LPS, curdlan, and IFN‐γ in BMDCs and modulates the antigen presentation function of BMDCs.
Recent advances in studies on magnetosome‐associated proteins composing the bacterial geomagnetic sensor organelle
Authors: Taoka Azuma , Eguchi Yukako , Shimoshige Rino , Fukumori Yoshihiro 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMagnetotactic bacteria (MTB) generate a membrane‐enclosed subcellular compartment called magnetosome, which contains a biomineralized magnetite or greigite crystal, an inner membrane–derived lipid bilayer membrane, and a set of specifically targeted associated proteins. Magnetosomes are formed by a group of magnetosome‐associated proteins encoded in a genomic region called magnetosome island. Magnetosomes are then arranged in a linear chain–like positioning, and the resulting magnetic dipole of the chain functions as a geomagnetic sensor for magneto‐aerotaxis motility. Recent metagenomic analyses of environmental specimens shed light on the sizable phylogenetical diversity of uncultured MTB at the phylum level. These findings have led to a better understanding of the diversity and conservation of magnetosome‐associated proteins. This review provides an overview of magnetosomes and magnetosome‐associated proteins and introduces recent topics about this fascinating magnetic bacterial organelle.
Soil protist functional composition shifts with atmospheric nitrogen deposition in subtropical forests
Authors: Wang Jianqing , Zheng Chengyang , Lucas‐Borja Manuel Esteban , Shi Xiuzhen 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Soil protists play a key role in driving ecological functions through predation and parasitism. However, little is known about how nitrogen (N) deposition and seasonal variation influence soil protist functions in forest soils.

Here, we assessed first the impacts of N deposition (control, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha−1 year−1) on the functional composition of the soil protist community in summer and winter, using amplicon sequencing of environmental DNA from a subtropical natural forest.

We found that soil protists were dominated by consumers (42.6%–51.6%), followed by parasites (32.9%–40.9%) and phototrophs (3.2%–13.1%), implying a predominant role of consumers and potential top‐down effects on the other trophic groups in subtropical forest soils. The functional composition of soil protists was greatly influenced by N deposition, but these responses were dependent on seasonal variation. The diversity of phototrophs was lower in summer than in winter. Instead, an opposite pattern was observed for consumers, resulting in a significantly higher protist diversity in summer than in winter. Furthermore, low and high N deposition simplified the structural complexity of soil protist communities, suggesting a nonlinear response of protist structural stability to N deposition.

Synthesis and applications. This study provides unprecedented evidence that seasonal variation plays an important role in regulating responses of soil protist functional composition to N deposition, and highlights the nonlinear effects of rising N deposition on the soil food web.
Long‐term monitoring of cycles in Clethrionomys rutilus in the Yukon boreal forest
Authors: KREBS Charles J. , KENNEY Alice J. , GILBERT B. Scott , BOONSTRA Rudy 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBaseline studies of small rodent populations in undisturbed ecosystems are rare. We report here 50 years of monitoring and experimentation in Yukon of a dominant rodent species in the North American boreal forest, the red‐backed vole Clethrionomys rutilus. These voles breed in summer, weigh 20–25 g, and reach a maximum density of 20 to 25 per ha. Their populations have shown consistent 3–4‐year cycles for the last 50 years with the only change being that peak densities averaged 8/ha until 2000 and 18/ha since that year. During the last 25 years, we have measured food resources, predator numbers, and winter weather, and for 1‐year social interactions, to estimate their contribution to changes in the rate of summer increase and the rate of overwinter decline. All these potential limiting factors could contribute to changes in density, and we measured their relative contributions statistically with multiple regressions. The rate of winter decline in density was related to both food supply and winter severity. The rate of summer increase was related to summer berry crops and white spruce cone production. No measure of predator numbers was related to winter or summer changes in vole abundance. There was a large signal of climate change effects in these populations. There is no density dependence in summer population growth and only a weak one in winter population declines. None of our results provide a clear understanding of what generates 3–4‐year cycles in these voles, and the major missing piece may be an understanding of social interactions at high density.
Development and validation of risk prediction models for large for gestational age infants using logistic regression and two machine learning algorithms
Authors: Wang Ning , Guo Haonan , Jing Yingyu , Zhang Yifan , Sun Bo , Pan Xingyan , Chen Huan , Xu Jing , Wang Mengjun , Chen Xi , Song Lin , Cui Wei 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundLarge for gestational age (LGA) is one of the adverse outcomes during pregnancy that endangers the life and health of mothers and offspring. We aimed to establish prediction models for LGA at late pregnancy.MethodsData were obtained from an established Chinese pregnant women cohort of 1285 pregnant women. LGA was diagnosed as >90th percentile of birth weight distribution of Chinese corresponding to gestational age of the same‐sex newborns. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were classified into three subtypes according to the indexes of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Models were established by logistic regression and decision tree/random forest algorithms, and validated by the data.ResultsA total of 139 newborns were diagnosed as LGA after birth. The area under the curve (AUC) for the training set is 0.760 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.706–0.815), and 0.748 (95% CI 0.659–0.837) for the internal validation set of the logistic regression model, which consisted of eight commonly used clinical indicators (including lipid profile) and GDM subtypes. For the prediction models established by the two machine learning algorithms, which included all the variables, the training set and the internal validation set had AUCs of 0.813 (95% CI 0.786–0.839) and 0.779 (95% CI 0.735–0.824) for the decision tree model, and 0.854 (95% CI 0.831–0.877) and 0.808 (95% CI 0.766–0.850) for the random forest model.ConclusionWe established and validated three LGA risk prediction models to screen out the pregnant women with high risk of LGA at the early stage of the third trimester, which showed good prediction power and could guide early prevention strategies.
Clinical utility of urinary gluten immunogenic peptides in the follow‐up of patients with coeliac disease
Authors: Garzón‐Benavides Marta , Ruiz‐Carnicer Ángela , Segura Verónica , Fombuena Blanca , García‐Fernandez Francisco , Sobrino‐Rodriguez Salvador , Gómez‐Izquierdo Lourdes , Montes‐Cano Marco Antonio , Millan‐Domínguez Raquel , del Carmen Rico María , González‐Naranjo Carmen , Bozada‐García Juan Manuel , Coronel‐Rodríguez Cristóbal , Espin Beatriz , Díaz Jacobo , Comino Isabel , Argüelles‐Arias Federico , Cebolla Ángel , Romero‐Gómez Manuel , Rodriguez‐Herrera Alfonso , Sousa Carolina , Pizarro‐Moreno Ángeles 
Published: March 2023

SummaryBackgroundGluten‐free diet (GFD) is the only treatment for patients with coeliac disease (CD)and its compliance should be monitored to avoid cumulative damage.AimsTo analyse gluten exposures of coeliac patients on GFD for at least 24 months using different monitoring tools and its impact on duodenal histology at 12‐month follow‐up and evaluate the interval of determination of urinary gluten immunogenic peptides (u‐GIP) for the monitoring of GFD adherence.MethodsNinety‐four patients with CD on a GFD for at least 24 months were prospectively included. Symptoms, serology, CDAT questionnaire, and u‐GIP (three samples/visit) were analysed at inclusion, 3, 6, and 12 months. Duodenal biopsy was performed at inclusion and 12 months.ResultsAt inclusion, 25.8% presented duodenal mucosal damage; at 12 months, this percentage reduced by half. This histological improvement was indicated by a reduction in u‐GIP but did not correlate with the remaining tools. The determination of u‐GIP detected a higher number of transgressions than serology, regardless of histological evolution type. The presence of >4 u‐GIP‐positive samples out of 12 collected during 12 months predicted histological lesion with a specificity of 93%. Most patients (94%) with negative u‐GIP in ≥2 follow‐up visits showed the absence of histological lesions (p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study suggests that the frequency of recurrent gluten exposures, according to serial determination of u‐GIP, could be related to the persistence of villous atrophy and that a more regular follow‐up every 6 months, instead of annually, provides more useful data about the adequate adherence to GFD and mucosal healing.
Safety of an investigational formulation of budesonide (budesonide oral suspension) for eosinophilic oesophagitis: an integrated safety analysis of six phase 1–3 clinical trials
Authors: Hirano Ikuo , Dellon Evan S. , Gupta Sandeep K. , Katzka David A. , Collins Margaret H. , Wojtowicz Abigail M. , Terreri Brian , Zhang Wenwen , Boules Mena , Bhatia Siddharth , Desai Nirav K. 
Published: March 2023

SummaryBackgroundQuestions remain regarding the safety of swallowed topical corticosteroids in eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE).AimTo assess the safety of an investigational formulation of budesonide (budesonide oral suspension; BOS) from six trials.MethodsSafety data were integrated from six trials (healthy adults: SHP621‐101 [phase 1]; patients with EoE: MPI 101‐01 and MPI 101‐06 [phase 2]; SHP621‐301, SHP621‐302 and SHP621‐303 [phase 3]) for participants who received ≥1 dose of study drug (BOS 2.0 mg twice daily [b.i.d.], BOS any dose [including BOS 2.0 mg b.i.d.] and placebo). Adverse events (AEs), laboratory testing, bone density and adrenal AEs were assessed. Exposure‐adjusted incidence rates were calculated for AEs and AEs of special interest (AESIs).ResultsOverall, 514 unique participants were included (BOS 2.0 mg b.i.d., n = 292; BOS any dose, n = 448; placebo, n = 168). The BOS 2.0 mg b.i.d., BOS any dose and placebo groups totalled 93.7, 122.4 and 25.0 participant‐years of exposure (PY), respectively. Proportions of treatment‐emergent AEs (TEAEs) and AESIs (any) reported were higher for BOS than placebo; however, most were mild/moderate in severity. The most commonly reported AESIs (exposure‐adjusted incidence rates [per 100 PY]) in the BOS 2.0 mg b.i.d., BOS any dose and placebo groups were infections (133.5, 154.4 and 136.2, respectively) and gastrointestinal AEs (84.3, 80.9 and 92.1, respectively). Adrenal AEs were more frequent with BOS 2.0 mg b.i.d. and BOS any dose than placebo (44.8, 34.3 and 24.0, respectively). TEAEs and AESIs related to study drug or leading to discontinuation were infrequent.ConclusionsBOS was well‐tolerated; most TEAEs with BOS were mild/moderate in severity.ClinicalTrials.gov numbersSHP621‐101 (no clinical trials registration number), MPI 101‐01 (NCT00762073), MPI 101‐06 (NCT01642212), SHP621‐301 (NCT02605837), SHP621‐302 (NCT02736409) and SHP621‐303 (NCT03245840).
Out of their depth: The successful use of cultured subtidal mussels for intertidal restoration
Authors: Toone Trevyn A. , Hillman Jenny R. , Benjamin Emilee D. , Handley Sean , Jeffs Andrew 
Published: March 2023

AbstractEcosystem restoration has proliferated across the globe to combat widespread ecosystem decline. Translocations of viable individuals into degraded habitats form a core component of restoration efforts, but the selection of source populations poses challenges because phenotypic differences between source populations and depleted populations result in low post‐translocation survival. Intertidal mussel restoration is typically reliant on subtidal source populations despite their weaker shells, lighter weights, and poorer respiratory abilities compared to intertidal mussels. Intertidal mussel restoration using subtidal mussels has recorded very low survival, leading to suggestions that subtidal mussels are unfit for the intertidal zone, effectively eliminating the possibility of translocation‐based intertidal mussel restoration. In this study, small‐scale intertidal mussel restoration was tested using subtidal cultured mussels transplanted to paired plots, half in the lower intertidal and half in the upper subtidal. The results demonstrate the first scientific evidence of the successful restoration of intertidal mussel reefs using subtidal mussels at this scale. Specifically, one location recorded very high survival after 12 months (95.1 ± 0.6%; mean ± SE), comparable to the survival recorded in the subtidal zone (97.6 ± 0.3%). Translocations to the intertidal at the other two locations experienced mortality during the Austral summer (final survival: 81.3 ± 1.6% and 56.6 ± 7.4%), which directly correlated with exposure to extreme temperatures (>40°C). These results reveal that despite phenotypic differences, subtidal cultured mussels are potential sources for successful intertidal restoration. However, care should also be taken to avoid locations prone to high temperatures, particularly in light of a warming global environment. Ultimately, to achieve the massive upscaling in restoration called for by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, we encourage restoration managers to think broadly about potential source populations, avoid rejections based solely on phenotypic differences, and explore every potential avenue for restoration success.