bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spliceosomal complex components are critical for adjusting the C:N balance during high-light acclimation
Authors: Araguirang Gali Estopare , Venn Benedikt , Kelber Nadja-Magdalena , Feil Regina , Lunn John , Kleine Tatjana , Leister Dario , Mühlhaus Timo , Richter Andreas S. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPlant acclimation to an ever-changing environment is decisive for growth, reproduction and survival. Light availability limits biomass production on both ends of the intensity spectrum. Therefore, the adjustment of plant metabolism is central to high-light (HL) acclimation, and accumulation of photoprotective anthocyanins is commonly observed. However, mechanisms and factors regulating the HL acclimation response are less clear. Two Arabidopsis mutants of spliceosome components exhibiting a pronounced anthocyanin overaccumulation in HL were isolated from a forward genetic screen for new factors crucial for plant acclimation. Time-resolved physiological, transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed a vital function of the spliceosome components for rapidly adjusting gene expression and metabolism. Deficiency of INCREASED LEVEL OF POLYPLOIDY1 (ILP1), NTC-RELATED PROTEIN1 (NTR1), and PLEIOTROPIC REGULATORY LOCUS1 (PRL1) resulted in a marked overaccumulation of carbohydrates and strongly diminished amino acid biosynthesis in HL. While not generally limited in N-assimilation,ilp1,ntr1,andprl1mutants showed higher glutamate levels and reduced amino acid biosynthesis in HL. The comprehensive analysis reveals a function of the spliceosome in the conditional regulation of the carbon:nitrogen-balance and the accumulation of anthocyanins during HL acclimation. The importance of gene expression, metabolic regulation, and re-direction of carbon towards anthocyanin biosynthesis for HL acclimation are discussed.
Flow in fetoplacental microvessels in vitro enhances perfusion, barrier function, and matrix stability
Authors: Cherubini Marta , Erickson Scott , Padmanaban Prasanna , Haberkant Per , Stein Frank , Beltran-Sastre Violeta , Haase Kristina 
Published: July 2023

AbstractProper placental vascularization is vital for pregnancy outcomes, but assessing it with animal models and human explants has limitations. Here, we present a 3Din vitromodel of human placenta terminal villi that includes fetal mesenchyme and vascular endothelium. By co-culturing HUVEC, placental fibroblasts, and pericytes in a macro-fluidic chip with a flow reservoir, we generate fully perfusable fetal microvessels. Pressure-driven flow is crucial for the growth and remodeling of these microvessels, resulting in early formation of interconnected placental vascular networks and maintained viability. Computational fluid dynamics simulations predict shear forces, which increase microtissue stiffness, decrease diffusivity and enhance barrier function as shear stress rises. Mass-spec analysis reveals the deposition of numerous extracellular proteins, with flow notably enhancing the expression of matrix stability regulators, proteins associated with actin dynamics, and cytoskeleton organization. Our model provides a powerful tool for deducing complexin vivoparameters, such as shear stress on developing vascularized placental tissue, and holds promise for unraveling gestational disorders related to the vasculature.
Age-related development in prefrontal-subcortical resting-state functional connectivity in nonhuman primates
Authors: Deshpande Harshawardhan U. , Kohut Stephen J. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIntroductionUnderstanding age-related changes in functional connectivity (FC) with regards to the maturation trajectories of cortical-subcortical circuits is critical for identifying biomarkers for disease vulnerability. The present study investigated resting-state FC in adolescent and adult nonhuman primates to characterize developmentally-sensitive functional brain circuits.MethodsResting-state fMRI data were acquired in adolescent (33.3±1.59 months; n=22) and adult (117.29±2.86 months; n=15) squirrel monkeys and FC was compared in seven prefrontal and ten subcortical regions-of-interest (ROIs). The effect of subject age on FC between each pair of ROIs was evaluated to identify nodes with the most age-sensitive connections (hubs) which were then used in seed-to-whole-brain FC analyses. A subset of adolescents (n=7) was also assessed over 3 longitudinal scans to track changes in hub connectivity throughout adolescence.ResultsA significant effect of age on ROI-ROI FC was found for adolescent (p<0.001), but not adult, subjects (p=0.8). Evaluation of parameter estimates (β) for each ROI-ROI pair found three within-prefrontal (dorsolateral (dlPFC), dorsomedial (dmPFC), and medial orbitofrontal cortices), two within-subcortical (R amygdala and L hippocampus), and three between prefrontal-subcortical (dlPFC, dmPFC, L caudate) hubs with the highest number of age-related connections. Large-scale organizational differences were also observed between the adolescent and adult groups. Longitudinal scans found within-subject changes in FC consistent with group effect.ConclusionsThe relationship between changes in FC and age during adolescence indicates dynamic maturation of several prefrontal–subcortical circuits in nonhuman primates. These findings provide specificity in our understanding of the development of functional brain circuits during and into late adolescence.SignificanceAdolescence marks a period of rapid development in the brain, but also increased vulnerability to mental health disorders. Age-related prefrontal-subcortical resting-state functional connectivity was evaluated in awake adolescent and adult squirrel monkeys. Identification of functional connectivity differences highlight a network of hubs with a high number of connections evolving from early to late adolescence, indicating selectivity in maturation during different stages of aging. Compared to adults, adolescents also show several large-scale organizational differences in circuits originating from important seed regions-of-interest. Longitudinal analysis reveals functional connectivity trajectories emerging from early adolescence and maturing into adult-like patterns during late adolescence. These findings identify functional connections that change dramatically during adolescence suggesting specific circuits that could be at heightened sensitivity to disease vulnerability.
Electromyographic Correlates of Effortful Listening in the Vestigial Auriculomotor System
Authors: Schroeer Andreas , Corona-Strauss Farah I. , Hannemann Ronny , Hackley Steven A. , Strauss Daniel J. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractRecently, electromyographic (EMG) signals of auricular muscles have been shown to be an indicator of spatial auditory attention in humans, based on a vestigial pinna-orienting system. Because spatial auditory attention in a competing speaker task is closely related to the more gen-eralized concept of attentional effort in listening, the current study inves-tigated the possibility that the EMG activity of auricular muscles could also reflect correlates of effortful listening in general. Twenty subjects were recruited. EMG signals from the left and right superior and poste-rior auricular muscles (SAM, PAM) were recorded while subjects attended a target podcast in a competing speaker paradigm. Three different lev-els of listening effort, low, medium, and high, were generated by varying the number and pitch of distractor streams, as well as the signal-to-noise ratio. All audio streams were either presented from a loudspeaker placed in front of the participants (0°), or in the back (180°). Averaged PAM activity was not affected by different levels of listening effort, but was sig-nificantly larger when stimuli were presented from the back, as opposed to the front. Averaged SAM activity, however, was significantly larger in the high listening effort condition, compared to low and medium, but was not affected by stimulus direction. We hypothesize that the increased SAM activity is a response of the vestigial pinna–orienting system to effortful stream segregation task.
Structure, Dynamics and Free Energy Studies on the Effect of Spot Mutations on SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Binding with ACE2 Receptor
Authors: Rucker George , Qin Hong , Zhang Liqun 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to infect people worldwide, and the virus continues to evolve in significant ways which can pose challenges to the efficiency of available vaccines and therapeutic drugs and cause future pandemic. Therefore, it is important to investigate the binding and interaction of ACE2 with different RBD variants. A comparative study using all-atom MD simulations was conducted on ACE2 binding with 8 different RBD variants, including N501Y, E484K, P479S, T478I, S477N, N439K, K417N and N501Y-E484K-K417N on RBD. Based on the RMSD, RMSF, and DSSP results, the overall binding of RBD variants with ACE2 is stable, and the secondary structures of RBD and ACE2 are consistent after the spot mutation. Besides that, a similar buried surface area, a consistent binding interface and a similar amount of hydrogen bonds formed between RBD with ACE2 although the exact residue pairs on the binding interface were modified. The change of binding free energy from spot mutation was predicted using the free energy perturbation (FEP) method. It is found that N501Y, N439K, and K417N can strengthen the binding of RBD with ACE2, while E484K and P479S weaken the binding, and S477N and T478I have negligible effect on the binding. Spot mutations modified the dynamic correlation of residues in RBD based on the dihedral angle covariance matrix calculation. Doing dynamic network analysis, a common intrinsic network community extending from the tail of RBD to central, then to the binding interface region was found, which could communicate the dynamics in the binding interface region to the tail thus to the other sections of S protein. The result can supply unique methodology and molecular insight on studying the molecular structure and dynamics of possible future pandemics and design novel drugs.
Executioner caspase is proximal to Fasciclin 3 which facilitates non-lethal activation inDrosophilaolfactory receptor neurons
Authors: Muramoto Masaya , Hanawa Nozomi , Okumura Misako , Chihara Takahiro , Miura Masayuki , Shinoda Natsuki 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe nervous system undergoes functional modification independent on cell turn over. Caspase participates in reversible neuronal modulation via non-lethal activation. However, the mechanism that enables non-lethal activation remains unclear. Here, we analyzed proximal proteins ofDrosophilaexecutioner caspase in the adult brain using TurboID. We discovered that executioner caspase Drice is, as an inactive proform, proximal to cell membrane proteins, including a specific splicing isoform of cell adhesion molecule Fasciclin 3 (Fas3), Fas3G. To investigate whether sequestration of executioner caspase to plasma membrane of axons is the mechanism for non-lethal activation, we developed a Gal4-Manipulated Area-Specific CaspaseTracker/CasExpress system for sensitive monitoring of caspase activity near plasma membrane. We demonstrated thatFas3G-overexpression promotes caspase activation in olfactory receptor neurons without killing them, by inducing expression of initiator caspase Dronc, which also comes close to Fas3G. Physiologically,Fas3Goverexpression-facilitated non-lethal caspase activation suppresses innate olfactory attraction behavior. Our findings suggest that subcellularly-restricted caspase activation, defined by caspase proximal proteins, is the mechanism for non-lethal activation, opening the methodological development of reversible modification of neuronal function via regulating caspase proximal proteins.
Social and environmental transmission spread different sets of gut microbes in wild mice
Authors: Raulo Aura , Bürkner Paul , Dale Jarrah , English Holly , Finerty Genevieve , Lamberth Curt , Firth Josh A , Coulson Tim , Knowles Sarah CL 
Published: July 2023

AbstractGut microbes shape many aspects of organismal biology, yet how these key bacteria transmit among hosts in natural populations remains poorly understood. Recent work in mammals has emphasized either transmission through social contacts or indirect transmission through environmental contact, but the relative importance of different routes has not been directly assessed. Here, we used a novel RFID-based tracking system to collect long-term high resolution data on social relationships, space use and microhabitat in a wild population of mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), while regularly characterising their gut microbiota. Through probabilistic modelling of the resulting data, we identify positive and statistically distinct signals of social and environmental transmission, captured by social networks and overlap in home ranges respectively. Strikingly, microbes with distinct biological attributes drove these different transmission signals. While aerotolerant spore-forming bacteria drove the effect of shared space use, a mix of taxa but especially anaerobic bacteria underpinned the social network’s effect on gut microbiota similarity. These findings provide the first evidence for parallel social and environmental transmission of gut microbes that involve biologically distinct subsets of the mammalian gut microbiota.List of contributionsAura Raulodesigned the study, helped develop the new RFID tracking technology, collected the data from Wytham, completed all laboratory analyses on gut microbiota profiling prior to sequencing, developed analytical methods, analysed the data and wrote the manuscriptPaul Bürknerhelped design the Bayesian probabilistic modeling framework and provided feedback on the manuscriptJarrah Dalehelped collect field data using RFID loggersHolly Englishhelped collect field data using RFID loggers and provided feedback on home range analysesGenevieve Finertyhelped with home range analysis and the analysis of microhabitat variation and provided feedback on the manuscriptCurt Lamberthled development of RFID tracking devices and helped collect field data from WythamJosh Firthsupervised the research project, developed social network analysis methods and provided feedback on the analyses and the manuscriptTim Coulsonsupervised the research project and provided feedback on the analyses and the manuscriptSarah Knowlessupervised the research project, helped develop the tracking technology and design the study, collected data from Wytham, planned and supervised laboratory methods, developed analytical methods and provided feedback on analyses and the manuscript.
Enterocloster clostridioformisinduces host intestinal epithelial responses that protect againstSalmonellainfection
Authors: Beresford-Jones Benjamin S. , Suyama Satoshi , Clare Simon , Soderholm Amelia , Xia Wangmingyu , Sardar Puspendu , Harcourt Katherine , Lawley Trevor D. , Pedicord Virginia A. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPromoting resistance to enteric pathogen infection is a core function of the gut microbiota. However, many of the host-commensal interactions that likely mediate this protection remain uncharacterised. By screening gnotobiotic mice monocolonised with a range of mouse-derived commensal bacteria we have identifiedEnterocloster clostridioformisas a protective species againstSalmonellaTyphimurium infection. Unlike the colonisation resistance induced by some commensal bacteria,E. clostridioformisselectively induces a previously uncharacterised microbe adaptation response at the level of the caecal intestinal epithelium and the underlying mucosal immune system to mediate host-dependent resistance to infection. Triggering this pathway may therefore constitute a novel strategy to enhance protective responses against enteric infections.
Probing the physiological role of the plastid outer-envelope membrane using the oemiR plasmid collection
Authors: Schwenkert Serena , Lo Wing Tung , Szulc Beata , Yip Chun Kwan , Pratt Anna I. , Cusack Siobhan A. , Brandt Benjamin , Leister Dario , Kunz Hans-Henning 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPlastids are the site of complex biochemical pathways, most prominently photosynthesis. The organelle evolved through endosymbiosis with a cyanobacterium, which is exemplified by the outer envelope (OE) membrane that harbors more than 40 proteins in Arabidopsis. Their evolutionary conservation indicates high significance for plant cell function. While a few proteins are well-studied as part of the protein translocon complex the majority of OE protein (OEP) functions is unclear. Gaining a deeper functional understanding has been complicated by the lack of observable loss-of-function mutant phenotypes, which is often rooted in functional genetic redundancy. Therefore, we designed OE-specific artificial micro RNAs (oemiRs) capable of downregulating transcripts from several loci simultaneously. We successfully tested oemiR function by performing a proof-of-concept screen for pale and cold-sensitive mutants. An in-depth analysis of pale mutant alleles deficient in the translocon component TOC75 using proteomics provided new insights into putative compensatory import pathways. The cold stress screen not only recapitulated three previously known phenotypes of cold-sensitive mutants, but also identified four mutants of additional oemiR OE loci. Altogether our study revealed a role of the OE to tolerate cold conditions and showcasts the power of the oemiR collection to research the significance of OEPs.
Effect of visual crowding in packaging on consumers' buying intention
Authors: Xu Zhifen 
Published: July 2023

PurposeBased on the construal level theory, the purpose of this study is to prove the effect of interaction between construal level and visual crowding on consumers' buying intention. The study tries to explain the reasons behind the different buying intention toward visual crowding among consumers with different construal level.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted through two situational simulation experiments. The main data analysis methods are ANOVA and bootstrap analysis.Findings(1) the matching of construal level and visual crowding has a significant effect on consumers’ buying intention. (2) Perceptual fluency mediates the interaction between the construal level and visual crowding on buying intention.Research limitations/implicationsThis study measures consumers' buying intention through situational experiments but does not measure consumers' buying behavior through real scenarios.Practical implicationsAccording to the study conclusions, consumers prefer visually crowded packaging that matches their construal level. Enterprises should consider the impact of the construal level on the effect of packaging stimulation.Social implicationsThis study enriches the theory related to construal level and highlights the mediating role of perceptual fluency. The addition of perceptual fluency explains the mechanism by which visual crowding affects consumers' buying intention. This extends the research on the antecedents and effects of perceptual fluency.Originality/valueThis study innovatively introduces visual crowding into packaging and matches visual crowding to construal level, explaining why different consumers buy different visually crowded packaging.
Firm's value and ESG: the moderating role of ownership concentration and corporate disclosures
Authors: Rastogi Shailesh , Singh Kuldeep , Kanoujiya Jagjeevan 
Published: July 2023

PurposeThe study intends to determine the environment, social and governance (ESG)'s impact on the firm's value. In addition, how ownership concentration (OC) and transparency and disclosures (TD) influence the impact of firm's ESG on its valuation (firm value).Design/methodology/approachThe relevant panel data with a sample of 78 Indian firms for five years (2016–2020) are gathered. Both linear and nonlinear connections of firm's ESG with its value are tested. In addition, TD and two components of OC (stakes of promoters and institutional investors) are empirically tested as moderators on the connectivity of the firm's ESG with its value.FindingsThe linear association of firm's ESG with its value is found insignificant. ESG is found to have a positive and nonlinear (U-shaped) impact on the value of the firms. TD does not moderate the connectivity of firm's ESG with its valuation (firm value). The higher stakes of promoters positively affect the association of firm's ESG with the valuation. However, the high stakes of institutional investors retard the ESG's influence on the firm value.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is on Indian firms for five years. A sample of more than one nation and a longer duration (10 years) could have helped better determine the associations among the variables. In turn, these limitations can be the present study's future scope. In addition, the authors find a lack of standardisation of the ESG scales, which is a problem in measuring it. Using standardisation scales of ESG for the analysis can also be future scope on the topic.Practical implicationsThe investors would be wary of the level of ESG to influence the firms' value positively. Managers also need to be careful to have sincere efforts for ESG to reap its rich dividends. Policymakers may take cognisance that despite having board seats (in a few cases), institutional investors negatively (instead of positively as expected) influences the ESG's association with the firm's value. They may bring some guidelines or legislative changes to fix responsibility on the part of the institutional investors.Originality/valueNo study reports the linear and nonlinear association of ESG on the firm's value to observe clearer connectivity between the two. Similarly, no study is observed to have promoters and institutional investors as moderators on the association of firm's ESG with the valuation (firm value). Hence, the present study considerably augments the extant literature on the topic and its contribution.
Evaluation of consumers' motivations to do online food shopping in Turkey
Authors: Seçer Arzu , Yazar Fikriye , Bulut Mutlu 
Published: July 2023

PurposeThis study aims to reveal consumers' internal and external motivations to prefer online food shopping. The paper proposes an integrated model including aspirations, capabilities, subjective norms (divided into online resources and offline resources), perceived value and traditionalism to examine their effects on consumers' intention to do online food shopping.Design/methodology/approachA cross–sectional design was used to understand which factors affect consumers' intention to do online food shopping. The data were collected from a total of 400 people via an online survey. The conceptual model was tested using structural equational modeling to understand the relationships between the factors.FindingsThe results suggest that the conceptual framework can be used to have a better understanding of consumers' internal and external motivations to do online food shopping. The study proves that aspirations have a considerable direct effect on and a mediating role between capabilities, subjective norms from online resources, traditionalism and the effect of COVID-19 pandemics and the intention. Also, traditionalism was found to be an antecedent for consumers to prefer online food shopping.Practical implicationsThis study reveals better insights for the sellers, marketers and system providers dealing with supplying food products through online channels. The findings suggest that the stakeholders take into consideration aspirations, capabilities, subjective norms, perceived value and traditionalism to organize their activities in food marketing in the online area.Originality/valueIn this study, aspirations–capabilities framework was adopted and confirmed within consumers' online food shopping domain. Also, it was proved that traditionalism was a driver of individuals' intention to do online shopping for food products.