bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community composition drives siderophore dynamics in multispecies bacterial communities
Authors: O’Brien Siobhán , Culbert Christopher T. , Barraclough Timothy G. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Intraspecific public goods are commonly shared within microbial populations, where the benefits of public goods are largely limited to closely related conspecifics. One example is the production of iron-scavenging siderophores that deliver iron to cells via specific cell envelope receptor and transport systems. Intraspecific social exploitation of siderophore producers is common, since non-producers avoid the costs of production but retain the cell envelope machinery for siderophore uptake. However, little is known about how interactions between species (i.e., interspecific interactions) can shape intraspecific public goods exploitation. Here, we predicted that strong competition for iron between species in diverse communities will increase costs of siderophore cooperation, and hence drive intraspecific exploitation. We examined how increasing microbial community species diversity shapes intraspecific social dynamics by monitoring the growth of siderophore producers and non-producers of the plant-growth promoting bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens, embedded within tree-hole microbial communities ranging from 2 to 15 species.

Results
We find, contrary to our prediction, that siderophore production is favoured at higher levels of community species richness, driven by increased likelihood of encountering key species that reduce the growth of siderophore non-producing (but not producing) strains of P. fluorescens.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that maintaining a diverse soil microbiota could partly contribute to the maintenance of siderophore production in natural communities.
Complete genome sequences of Providencia bacteriophages PibeRecoleta, Stilesk and PatoteraRojo
Authors: Batinovic Steven , Chan Hiu Tat , Stiles Jason , Petrovski Steve 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objectives
Providencia is a genus of gram-negative bacteria within the order Enterobacterales, closely related to Proteus and Morganella. While ubiquitous in the environment, some species of Providencia, such as P. rettgeri and P. stuartii, are considered emerging nosocomial pathogens and have been implicated in urinary tract infection, gastrointestinal illness, and travelers’ diarrhea. Given their intrinsic resistance to many commonly used antibiotics, this study aimed to isolate and sequence bacteriophages targeting a clinical P. rettgeri isolate.

Data description
Here we report the complete genome sequence of three novel Providencia phages, PibeRecoleta, Stilesk and PatoteraRojo, which were isolated against a clinical P. rettgeri strain sourced from a patient in a metropolitan hospital in Victoria, Australia. The three phages contain dsDNA genomes between 60.7 and 60.9 kb in size and are predicted to encode between 72 and 73 proteins. These three new phages, which share high genomic similarity to two other Providencia phages previously isolated on P. stuartii, serve as important resources in our understanding about Providencia bacteriophages and the potential for future phage-based biotherapies.
Identification of a new allele of BraA09g066480.3C controlling the wax-less phenotype of Chinese cabbage
Authors: Liu Chuanhong , Yu Longfei , Yang Lu , Tan Chong , Shi Fengyan , Ye Xueling , Liu Zhiyong 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Epidermal wax covers the surfaces of terrestrial plants to resist biotic and abiotic stresses. Wax-less flowering Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinesis var. utilis tsen et lee) has the charateristics of lustrous green leaves and flower stalks, which are of high commercial value.

Results
To clarify the mechanism of the wax deficiency, the wax-less flowering Chinese cabbage doubled-haploid (DH) line ‘CX001’ and Chinese cabbage DH line ‘FT’, obtained from isolated microspore culture, were used in the experiments. Genetic analysis showed that the wax-less phenotype of ‘CX001’ was controlled by a recessive nuclear gene, named wlm1 (wax-less mutation 1), which was fine-mapped on chromosome A09 by bulked segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) of B.rapa genome V3.0. There was only one gene (BraA09g066480.3C) present in the mapping region. The homologous gene in Arabidopsis thaliana is AT1G02205 (CER1) that encodes an aldehyde decarboxylase in the epidermal wax metabolism pathway. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR and transcriptome analysis indicated that BraA09g066480.3C was expressed in ‘FT’ but not in ‘CX001’. BraA09g066480.3C was lost in the CXA genome to which ‘CX001’ belonged.

Conclusion
The work presented herein demonstrated that BraA09g066480.3C was the causal gene for wax-less flowering Chinese cabbage ‘CX001’. This study will lay a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism of epidermal wax synthesis in flowering Chinese cabbage.
Prevention of caries and obesity in children with immigrant background in Norway- a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Reda Mariam , Sen Abhijit , Mustafa Manal 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Immigrants are known to experience greater socioeconomic stress and poorer well-being and to suffer more from lifestyle- and diet-related disorders than native populations. There is also evidence that children of immigrant parents are at greater risk of diverse health problems than their host country cohorts. The aim of this study is to apply and evaluate the efficacy of an early life intervention program among parents/children with immigrant background to prevent childhood caries and obesity, thereby improving the children’s general health, oral health, and quality of life.

Methods
This is a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled intervention follow-up study. In phase I of the study, the primary care health centers in the municipality of Bergen, Norway were randomly allocated to intervention or control groups. The intervention was carried out using the motivational interviewing technique and the common risk factor approach. The intervention group received guidance on diet/oral hygiene and the control group received standard care information. Parental knowledge and children at age 3 and 5 years old will be assessed in a prospective phase II follow-up study compared to native Norwegian controls. The primary outcome will be evaluation of change on parental oral health related knowledge and attitudes. The secondary outcome will assess the impact of the intervention on children’s caries -, body mass index- and oral health related quality of life.

Discussion
Collaboration between dental public health and primary health care personnel on the common risk approach motivational intervention offers opportunities to address key dietary behaviors that may prevent obesity and dental caries. Providing sustainable preventive measures decreases the burden of diseases and consequently reduces health inequalities, particularly among at-risk children.

Trial Registration
The study is registered as a clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05758454: 7 March 2023). Ethical approval has already been granted by the Regional Ethical Committee (REK) (2015/ 27,639 /REK vest) and Sikt – Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research (Reference number 778825).
Exploring the host factors affecting asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection: insights from a rural Burkina Faso study
Authors: Neyer Peter J. , Kaboré Bérenger , Nakas Christos T. , Hartmann Britta , Post Annelies , Diallo Salou , Tinto Halidou , Hammerer-Lercher Angelika , Largiadèr Carlo R. , van der Ven Andre J. , Huber Andreas R. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundAsymptomaticPlasmodium falciparumparasitaemia forms a reservoir for the transmission of malaria disease in West Africa. Certain haemoglobin variants are known to protect against severe malaria infection. However, data on the potential roles of haemoglobin variants and nongenetic factors in asymptomatic malaria infection is scarce and controversial. Therefore, this study investigated the associations of iron homeostasis, inflammation, nutrition, and haemoglobin mutations with parasitaemia in an asymptomatic cohort from aP. falciparum-endemic region during the high transmission season.MethodsA sub-study population of 688 asymptomatic individuals (predominantly children and adolescents under 15 years, n = 516) from rural Burkina Faso previously recruited by the NOVAC trial (NCT03176719) between June and October 2017 was analysed. Parasitaemia was quantified with conventional haemocytometry. The haemoglobin genotype was determined by reverse hybridization assays targeting a selection of 21HBAand 22HBBmutations. Demographics, inflammatory markers (interleukins 6 and 10, hepcidin), nutritional status (mid upper-arm circumference and body mass index), and anaemia (total haemoglobin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor) were assessed as potential predictors through logistic regression.ResultsMalaria parasites were detected in 56% of subjects. Parasitaemia was associated most strongly with malnutrition. The effect size increased with malnutrition severity (OR = 6.26, CI95: 2.45–19.4, p < 0.001). Furthermore, statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) with age, cytokines, hepcidin and heterozygous haemoglobin S were observed.ConclusionsAccording to these findings, asymptomatic parasitaemia is attenuated by haemoglobin S, but not by any of the other detected genotypes. Aside from evidence for slight iron imbalance, overall undernutrition was found to predict parasitaemia; thus, further investigations are required to elucidate causality and inform strategies for interventions.
A unique case of rectal cancer with coexistence of multiple pathways of carcinogenesis
Authors: Rateria Nisha , Ojha Ritu , Shukla Mridula , Pandey Manoj 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer with a global incidence of 10% has multiple pathways implicated in its carcinogenesis. WNT signaling is the principal underlying pathway via APC gene, while defective mismatch repair genes and epigenetic changes also are known to contribute.

Case presentation
Here, we present an unusual case of rectal adenocarcinoma in a woman, with germline MSH6 and PMS1 mutations, and simultaneous somatic APC and TP53 mutations treated with surgery and adjuvant capecitabine.

Conclusions
The case is unique suggesting a possible interaction between the two pathways and contributing to carcinogenesis in this patient. This also suggests need for a thorough germline and somatic mutation evaluation in select colorectal cancer patients to direct a tailored therapy.
A plasma protein signature associated with cognitive function in men without severe cognitive impairment
Authors: Mehta Kanika , Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Pasco Julie A. , Williams Lana J. , Sui Sophia X. , Walder Ken , Ng Boon Lung , Gupta Veer Bala 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
A minimally invasive blood-based assessment of cognitive function could be a promising screening strategy to identify high-risk groups for the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.

Methods
The study included 448 cognitively unimpaired men (mean age 64.1 years) drawn from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. A targeted mass spectrometry-based proteomic assay was performed to measure the abundance levels of 269 plasma proteins followed by linear regression analyses adjusted for age and APOE ε4 carrier status to identify the biomarkers related to overall cognitive function. Furthermore, two-way interactions were conducted to see whether Alzheimer’s disease-linked genetic variants or health conditions modify the association between biomarkers and cognitive function.

Results
Ten plasma proteins showed an association with overall cognitive function. This association was modified by allelic variants in genes ABCA7, CLU, BDNF and MS4A6A that have been previously linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Modifiable health conditions such as mood disorders and poor bone health, which are postulated to be risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, also impacted the relationship observed between protein marker levels and cognition. In addition to the univariate analyses, an 11-feature multianalyte model was created using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression that identified 10 protein features and age associated with cognitive function.

Conclusions
Overall, the present study revealed plasma protein candidates that may contribute to the development of a blood-based screening test for identifying early cognitive changes. This study also highlights the importance of considering other risk factors in elucidating the relationship between biomarkers and cognition, an area that remains largely unexplored.
Cell mediated ECM-degradation as an emerging tool for anti-fibrotic strategy
Authors: Zhao Peng , Sun Tian , Lyu Cheng , Liang Kaini , Du Yanan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractInvestigation into the role of cells with respect to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is still in its infancy. Particularly, ECM degradation is an indispensable process during the recovery from fibrosis. Cells with ECM degradation ability due to the secretion of various matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have emerged as novel contributors to the treatment of fibrotic diseases. In this review, we focus on the ECM degradation ability of cells associated with the repertoire of MMPs that facilitate the attenuation of fibrosis through the inhibition of ECM deposition. Besides, innovative approaches to engineering and characterizing cells with degradation ability, as well as elucidating the mechanism of the ECM degradation, are also illustrated. Studies conducted to date on the use of cell-based degradation for therapeutic purposes to combat fibrosis are summarized. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of cells with high degradation ability, hoping to bridge the gap between benchside research and bedside applications in treating fibrotic diseases.
Generating hematopoietic cells from human pluripotent stem cells: approaches, progress and challenges
Authors: Zheng Haiqiong , Chen Yijin , Luo Qian , Zhang Jie , Huang Mengmeng , Xu Yulin , Huo Dawei , Shan Wei , Tie Ruxiu , Zhang Meng , Qian Pengxu , Huang He 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHuman pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been suggested as a potential source for the production of blood cells for clinical application. In two decades, almost all types of blood cells can be successfully generated from hPSCs through various differentiated strategies. Meanwhile, with a deeper understanding of hematopoiesis, higher efficiency of generating progenitors and precursors of blood cells from hPSCs is achieved. However, how to generate large-scale mature functional cells from hPSCs for clinical use is still difficult. In this review, we summarized recent approaches that generated both hematopoietic stem cells and mature lineage cells from hPSCs, and remarked their efficiency and mechanisms in producing mature functional cells. We also discussed the major challenges in hPSC-derived products of blood cells and provided some potential solutions. Our review summarized efficient, simple, and defined methodologies for developing good manufacturing practice standards for hPSC-derived blood cells, which will facilitate the translation of these products into the clinic.
Dynamic deployment method based on double deep Q-network in UAV-assisted MEC systems
Authors: Zhang Suqin , Zhang Lin , Xu Fei , Cheng Song , Su Weiya , Wang Sen 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assisted mobile edge computing (MEC) system leverages the high maneuverability of UAVs to provide efficient computing services to terminals. A dynamic deployment algorithm based on double deep Q-networks (DDQN) is suggested to address issues with energy limitation and obstacle avoidance when providing edge services to terminals by UAV. First, the energy consumption of the UAV and the fairness of the terminal’s geographic location are jointly optimized in the case of multiple obstacles and multiple terminals on the ground. And the UAV can avoid obstacles. Furthermore, a double deep Q-network was introduced to address the slow convergence and risk of falling into local optima during the optimization problem training process. Also included in the learning process was a pseudo count exploration strategy. Finally, the improved DDQN algorithm achieves faster convergence and a higher average system reward, according to experimental results. Regarding the fairness of geographic locations of terminals, the improved DDQN algorithm outperforms Q-learning, DQN, and DDQN algorithms by 50%, 20%, and 15.38%, respectively, and the stability of the improved algorithm is also validated.
Rates of infectious keratitis and other ocular surface adverse events in corneal cross-linking for keratoconus and corneal ectasias performed in an office-based setting: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hafezi Farhad , Torres-Netto Emilio A. , Kollros Leonard , Lu Nan-Ji , Hafezi Nikki , Mazzotta Cosimo , Aydemir M. Enes , Hillen Mark 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to compare the complication rates of epithelium-off corneal cross-linking (epi-off CXL) performed in an office-based setting with those of epi-off CXL performed in an operating room.

Methods
A retrospective cohort study, comprising 501 consecutive epi-off CXL procedures, performed in a non-sterile procedure room without laminar flow ventilation at the ELZA Institute in Zurich, Switzerland, between November 2015 and October 2021, was conducted.

Results
No cases of postoperative infectious keratitis were observed, while sterile infiltrates occurred in 10 out of 501 (2.00%) patients, all of whom responded well to topical steroid therapy. Delayed epithelialization (> 7 days) occurred in 14 out of 501 (2.79%) patients. No other adverse events were noted.

Conclusions
Office-based epi-off CXL does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of complications when compared to operating room settings.
Evaluation of food insecurity and its association with food consumption and some variables among college students
Authors: Celik Özge Mengi , Ozyildirim Caner , Karacil Ermumcu Merve Seyda 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Students are an important group threatened by food insecurity. Food insecurity among college students is one of the research topics that is attracting attention worldwide, and interest in this topic is growing by the day. Food insecurity has a negative impact on students' biological, mental and social health. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and correlate it with frequency of food consumption and some variables among undergraduate students.

Methods
This descriptive-analytical study was conducted with 1149 university students at Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. The demographic characteristics of the individuals (gender, age, living situation, income status, and health information), anthropometric measurements (body weight and height), nutritional habits, frequency of food consumption, and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) were questioned. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used for statistical analyses.

Results
It was found that 13.1% of the students have mild, 13.0% moderate, and 9.4% severe food insecurity. The rate of individuals with and without food security differs according to gender, living situation, and income status (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant correlations between the food insecurity score and age (p = 0.047), the number of main meals (p < 0.001) and snacks (0.007), and consumption frequency of certain foods (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
The prevalance of students facing food insecurity was high. Individuals with food insecurity have a lower frequency of healthy food consumption than individuals with food security. Steps should be taken to ensure nutritional security among undergraduate students, who are the young adult population.
Solar PV-hydropower enhanced Picogrid as sustainable energy model for hilly remote areas: analytics and prospects thereof
Authors: Desai Alpesh , Mukhopadhyay Indrajit , Ray Abhijit 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a techno-economic analysis of ‘Picogrid’ in hilly remote areas of North-East India, where availability of conventional grid power is either none or limited. A Picogrid is a small microgrid (typically a few tens of kW) containing renewable energy sources like solar, wind, small hydroetc.with battery based energy storage of limited capacity. A hybrid solar PV-Hydro based Picogrid of 7.2 kW capacity in a remote hilly area is analyzed, where the solar irradiance varies between 3.5 and 6.2 kWh/Day/m2, a water fall head lies between 1 and 30 m and water flow rate varies from 100 to 50,000 L/h. The study reveals that, the annual total energy generation varies between 1200 and 5000 kWh/kW/Year. Whereas the annual average daily yield and Capacity Utilization Factors for such system are 9 kWh/kWp/Day and 40%, respectively at highest possible water head and flow rate as mentioned above. The optimized Picogrid system is shown to have a levelised cost of electricity of 1.4 INR (0.017 USD) and 1.8 INR (0.022 USD) per kWh for 100% and 30% equity investment, respectively. The energy produced by these methods can be provided in rural areas thereby making electricity and revenue producing probabilities concurrently.
Altered expression, but small contribution, of the histone demethylase KDM6A in obstructive uropathy in mice
Authors: Hong Lisa Y. Q. , Yeung Emily S. H. , Tran Duc Tin , Yerra Veera Ganesh , Kaur Harmandeep , Kabir M. D. Golam , Advani Suzanne L. , Liu Youan , Batchu Sri Nagarjun , Advani Andrew 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT
Epigenetic processes have emerged as important modulators of kidney health and disease. Here, we studied the role of KDM6A (a histone demethylase that escapes X-chromosome inactivation) in kidney tubule epithelial cells. We initially observed an increase in tubule cell Kdm6a mRNA in male mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). However, tubule cell knockout of KDM6A had relatively minor consequences, characterized by a small reduction in apoptosis, increase in inflammation and downregulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. In proximal tubule lineage HK-2 cells, KDM6A knockdown decreased PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) protein levels and mRNA levels of the encoding gene, PPARGC1A. Tubule cell Kdm6a mRNA levels were approximately 2-fold higher in female mice than in male mice, both under sham and UUO conditions. However, kidney fibrosis after UUO was similar in both sexes. The findings demonstrate Kdm6a to be a dynamically regulated gene in the kidney tubule, varying in expression levels by sex and in response to injury. Despite the context-dependent variation in Kdm6a expression, knockout of tubule cell KDM6A has subtle (albeit non-negligible) effects in the adult kidney, at least in males.