bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trait‐based approaches as ecological time machines: Developing tools for reconstructing long‐term variation in ecosystems
Authors: Brown Kerry A. , Bunting M. Jane , Carvalho Fabio , de Bello Francesco , Mander Luke , Marcisz Katarzyna , Mottl Ondrej , Reitalu Triin , Svenning Jens‐Christian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractResearch over the past decade has shown that quantifying spatial variation in ecosystem properties is an effective approach to investigating the effects of environmental change on ecosystems. Yet, current consensus among scientists is that we need a better understanding of short‐ and long‐term (temporal) variation in ecosystem properties to plan effective ecosystem management and predict future ecologies.Trait‐based approaches can be used to reconstruct ecosystem properties from long‐term ecological records and contribute significantly to developing understandings of ecosystem change over decadal to millennial time‐scales.Here, we synthesise current trait‐based approaches and explore how organisms' functional traits (FTs) can be scaled across time and space. We propose a framework for reconstructing long‐term variation in ecosystems by means of analysing FTs derived from palaeoecological datasets. We then summarise challenges that must be overcome to reconcile trait‐based approaches with palaeo‐datasets. Finally, we discuss the benefits and limitations of trait‐based reconstructions of ecosystem temporal dynamics and suggest future directions for research.Reconstructing environmental properties through time vis‐à‐vis FTs can be separated into two parts. The first is to record trait data for organisms present in modern ecosystems, and the second is to reconstruct temporal variability in FTs from palaeoecological datasets, capturing changes in trait composition over time. Translating palaeoecological datasets into FTs is challenging due to taphonomic, taxonomic and chronological uncertainties, as well as uniformitarian assumptions. Explicitly identifying and addressing these challenges is important to effectively calculate changes in FT through time.Palaeo‐trait research offers insights into questions related to short‐ and long‐term ecosystem functioning, environmental change and extinction and community assembly rules across time. As work in this area matures, we expect that trait‐based approaches integrating palaeoecology and neo‐ecology will improve understanding of past ecologies and provide a deeper insight of their implications for present‐day and future ecosystem management and conservation.Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Methylated cycloalkanes fuel a novel genus in the Porticoccaceae family (Ca. Reddybacter gen. nov)
Authors: Arrington Eleanor C. , Tarn Jonathan , Kittner Hailie E. , Kivenson Veronika , Liu Rachel M. , Valentine David L. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCycloalkanes are abundant and toxic compounds in subsurface petroleum reservoirs and their fate is important to ecosystems impacted by natural oil seeps and spills. This study focuses on the microbial metabolism of methylcyclohexane (MCH) and methylcyclopentane (MCP) in the deep Gulf of Mexico. MCH and MCP are often abundant cycloalkanes observed in petroleum and will dissolve into the water column when introduced at the seafloor via a spill or natural seep. We conducted incubations with deep Gulf of Mexico (GOM) seawater amended with MCH and MCP at four stations. Within incubations with active respiration of MCH and MCP, we found that a novel genus of bacteria belonging to the Porticoccaceae family (Candidatus Reddybacter) dominated the microbial community. Using metagenome‐assembled genomes, we reconstructed the central metabolism of Candidatus Reddybacter, identifying a novel clade of the particulate hydrocarbon monooxygenase (pmo) that may play a central role in MCH and MCP metabolism. Through comparative analysis of 174 genomes, we parsed the taxonomy of the Porticoccaceae family and found evidence suggesting the acquisition of pmo and other genes related to the degradation of cyclic and branched hydrophobic compounds were likely key events in the ecology and evolution of this group of organisms.
Environmental sustainability in obstetrics and gynaecology: A systematic review
Authors: Cohen Eva Sayone , Kouwenberg Lisanne H. J. A. , Moody Kate S. , Sperna Weiland Nicolaas H. , Kringos Dionne Sofia , Timmermans Anne , Hehenkamp Wouter J. K. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe healthcare sector is responsible for 4%–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Considering the broad range of care that obstetricians and gynaecologists provide, mitigation strategies within this specialty could result in significant reductions of the environmental footprint across the whole healthcare industry.ObjectivesThe aim of this review was to identify for what services, procedures and products within obstetric and gynaecological care the environmental impact has been studied, to assess the magnitude of such impact and to identify mitigation strategies to diminish it.Search strategyThe search strategy combined terms related to environmental impact, sustainability, climate change or carbon footprint, with the field of obstetrics and gynaecology.Selection criteriaArticles reporting on the environmental impact of any service, procedure or product within the field of obstetrics and gynaecology were included. Included outcomes covered midpoint impact categories, CO2 emissions, waste generation and energy consumption.Data collection and analysisA systematic literature search was conducted in the databases of MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid) and Scopus, and a grey literature search was performed on Google Scholar and two websites of gynaecological associations.Main resultsThe scope of the investigated studies encompassed vaginal births, obstetric and gynaecological surgical procedures, menstrual products, vaginal specula and transportation to gynaecological oncologic consultations. Among the highest yielding mitigation strategies were displacing disposable with reusable materials and minimising content of surgical custom packs. The lowest yielding mitigation strategy was waste optimisation, including recycling.ConclusionsThis systematic review highlights opportunities for obstetricians and gynaecologists to decrease their environmental footprint in many ways. More high‐quality studies are needed to investigate the environmental impact of other aspects of women's and reproductive health care.
Quantifying economic policy: Unsupervised learning on archival evidence from the United Kingdom, 1983–2021
Authors: POPA MIRCEA 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe evolution of economic policy in Western countries in the post‐1980 era is subject to extensive academic debate, but statistical modelling of its many qualitative aspects can be challenging. I use two sources of textual data from the United Kingdom – policy documents written by executive departments, as well as recently declassified cabinet minutes – together with unsupervised text‐as‐data methods to examine the evolution of economic policy discourse between 1983 and 2021. The findings challenge the hypothesis of an undifferentiated post‐1980 liberal era. Instead, several shifts away from the liberalizing priorities of the 1980s are identified. The first is an increased attention to the public services in the 1990s. The second is a rise of activist approaches focused on state‐supported innovation in the 2010s – a claim which has been widely articulated but has not been rigorously tested so far. These discourse‐based conclusions are validated through an econometric analysis of detailed spending data.
Exposure to sublethal concentration of flupyradifurone alters sexual behavior and cuticular hydrocarbon profile in Heriades truncorum, an oligolectic solitary bee
Authors: Boff Samuel , Ayasse Manfred 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe aboveground oligolectic bee, Heriades truncorum, is a particularly good model for studying the impact of pesticides on sexual communication, since some aspects of its mating behavior have previously been described. We have tested (1) the interference of the pesticide flupyradifurone on male precopulatory behavior and male mating partner preferences, (2) the way that the pesticide interferes in male quality assessment by the female, and (3) the effects of the pesticide on the chemical compounds in the female cuticle. We exposed bees of both sexes to a sublethal concentration of flupyradifurone. Various behaviors were registered in a mating arena with two females (one unexposed and one exposed) and one male (either unexposed or exposed). Unexposed males were quicker to attempt to mate. Treatment also impacted precopulatory behavior and male quality assessment by females. Males approached unexposed females more quickly than insecticide‐exposed ones. Females exposed to insecticide produced lower amounts of some cuticular hydrocarbons (sex pheromone candidates) and appeared less choosy than unexposed females. Our findings suggest that insecticide exposure affects sexual communication, playing a role both in male preference and in male quality assessment by the female.
Fimbria targeting superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles enhance the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of ciprofloxacin against quinolone‐resistant E. coli
Authors: Atac Nazli , Onbasli Kubra , Koc Irem , Yagci Acar Havva , Can Fusun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHigh quinolone resistance of Escherichia coli limits the therapy options for urinary tract infection (UTI). In response to the urgent need for efficient treatment of multidrug‐resistant infections, we designed a fimbriae targeting superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION) delivering ciprofloxacin to ciprofloxacin‐resistant E. coli. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) coated SPIONs (BSA@PAA@SPION) were developed for encapsulation of ciprofloxacin and the nanoparticles were tagged with 4‐aminophenyl‐α‐D‐mannopyrannoside (mannoside, Man) to target E. coli fimbriae. Ciprofloxacin‐loaded mannoside tagged nanoparticles (Cip‐Man‐BSA@PAA@SPION) provided high antibacterial activity (97.1 and 97.5%, respectively) with a dose of 32 μg/mL ciprofloxacin against two ciprofloxacin‐resistant E. coli isolates. Furthermore, a strong biofilm inhibition (86.9% and 98.5%, respectively) was achieved in the isolates at a dose 16 and 8 times lower than the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of ciprofloxacin. Weaker growth inhibition was observed with untargeted nanoparticles, Cip‐BSA@PAA@SPIONs, confirming that targeting E. coli fimbria with mannoside‐tagged nanoparticles increases the ciprofloxacin efficiency to treat ciprofloxacin‐resistant E. coli. Enhanced killing activity against ciprofloxacin‐resistant E. coli planktonic cells and strong growth inhibition of their biofilms suggest that Cip‐Man‐BSA@PAA@SPION system might be an alternative and/or complementary therapeutic option for the treatment of quinolone‐resistant E. coli infections.
A microbial evolutionary approach for a sustainable future
Authors: Wackett Lawrence P. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWith the continued population increase, more sustainable use of water, land, air and chemicals is imperative. Microorganisms will need to be called upon to aid in many sustainability efforts. Prokaryotes are the fastest‐evolving cellular life, and most manipulatable via synthetic biology. Moreover, their natural diversity in processing organic and inorganic chemicals, and their survivability in extreme niches, make them prime agents to enlist for solving many of society's pressing problems.
Synthetic microbial consortia for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection in mice model
Authors: Liu Jinqiu , Zhu Wei , Lessing Duncan James , Chu Weihua 
Published: August 2023

AbstractClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) as of recent has become a great concern to the impact on human health due to its high hazardous risk and rate of recurrence. Live bacterial therapeutics is a promising method to treat or prevent CDI. Here, a synthetic microbial consortia (SMC) B10 was constructed using probiotic strains with antibacterial and anti‐quorum sensing activities, and the therapeutic effect of SMC B10 against C. difficile infection was evaluated in vitro. Compared to the model group, the treatment of SMC B10 significantly increased the survival rate. The clinical signs of mice were significantly ameliorated, especially the cecum injury, while the secretion of pro‐inflammatory associated cytokines such as IL‐1α, IL‐6, IL‐17A and TNF‐α was reduced, the expression of TLR4 was inhibited, which alleviated the inflammatory response, and the expression of the tight junction protein Claudin‐1 was increased, ultimately promoting the recovery of host health. The treatment of B10 restored gut microbiota dysbiosis and led to a healthy intestinal microbiota structure, significantly improved alpha diversity, suppressing potentially harmful bacteria and restoring other core bacterial species. In conclusion, SMC B10 can effectively treat CDI through modulate gut microbiota and attenuate the inflammatory response.
Recurrent hemichorea in an adolescent with systemic lupus erythematosus and previous ipsilateral cerebral infarction
Authors: Yu Ya‐Wen , Chung Cheng‐Yu , Chiou Yee‐Hsuan , Fang Nai‐Wen 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can present with movement disorders, among which chorea is closely associated with antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies. Brain imaging results obtained in patients with chorea are generally inconsistent with the clinical manifestation of chorea; moreover, medical tests for hemichorea, which are expected to reveal distinct localization, may show negative findings. Herein, we present a case of a 15‐year‐old girl with SLE who had a history of left cerebral infarction; tests revealed elevated aPL levels, and she developed recurrent left hemichorea 2 years later. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results revealed no acute lesions during each episode of involuntary movements, and an MRI perfusion scan failed to provide an explanation for the asymmetric presentation. Although various hypotheses have been proposed regarding the mechanism underlying the occurrence of chorea, some scenarios still remain unexplained. Further investigation on the pathophysiology of chorea in SLE may be warranted to clarify its prognosis.
Influence of intestinal microecology in the development of gout or hyperuricemia and the potential therapeutic targets
Authors: Dang Kai , Zhang Nan , Gao Haiqi , Wang Guifa , Liang Hui , Xue Meilan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractGout and hyperuricemia are common metabolic diseases. Patients with purine metabolism disorder and/or decreased uric acid excretion showed increased uric acid levels in the blood. The increase of uric acid in the blood leads to the deposition of urate crystals in tissues, joints, and kidneys, and causes gout. Recent studies have revealed that imbalance of the intestinal microecology is closely related to the occurrence and development of hyperuricemia and gout. Disorder of the intestinal flora often occurs in patients with gout, and high purine and high fructose may induce the disorder of intestinal flora. Short‐chain fatty acids and endotoxins produced by intestinal bacteria are closely related to the inflammatory response of gout. This article summarizes the characteristics of intestinal microecology in patients or animal models with hyperuricemia or gout, and explores the relationship between intestinal microecology and gout or hyperuricemia from the aspect of the intestinal barrier, intestinal microorganisms, intestinal metabolites, and intestinal immune system. We also review the current status of hyperuricemia treatment by targeting intestinal microecology.
Health systems appraisal of the response to antimicrobial resistance in low‐ and middle‐income countries in relation to COVID‐19: Application of the WHO building blocks
Authors: Patel Jay , Fernandes Genevie , Mwamelo Ambele Judith , Sridhar Devi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCOVID‐19 has inflicted both beneficial and damaging effects on health systems responding to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Data shows that the positive impacts of the pandemic (including enhanced hygiene, mask wearing and widespread use of personal protective equipment), are likely to have been overshadowed by the negative effects: emerging AMR pathogens and mechanisms; further outbreaks and geographic spread of AMR to non‐endemic countries; rising infections from multidrug‐resistant pathogen; an overall higher burden of AMR. The multisectoral complexities of AMR and the totality of health systems challenge our ability to understand the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on country responses to AMR. In this analysis, we synthesise international evidence characterising the role of the pandemic on the six key building blocks of health systems in responding to AMR across low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). We apply systems thinking within and between the building blocks to contextualise the impact of one pandemic on another.
AMPAR receptor inhibitors suppress proliferation of human small cell lung cancer cell lines
Authors: Masumoto Nami , Kato Shingo , Aichi Masahiro , Hasegawa Sho , Sahara Kota , Suyama Kumiko , Sano Akane , Miyazaki Tomoyuki , Okudela Koji , Kaneko Takeshi , Takahashi Takuya 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a neuroendocrine tumor with poor prognosis. Neuroendocrine tumors possess characteristics of both nerve cells and hormone‐secreting cells; therefore, targeting the neuronal properties of these tumors may lead to the development of new therapeutic options. Among the endogenous signaling pathways in the nervous system, targeting the glutamate pathway may be a useful strategy for glioblastoma treatment. Perampanel, an antagonist of the synaptic glutamate α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR), has been reported to be effective in patients with glioblastoma. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antitumor effects of AMPAR antagonists in human SCLC cell lines.MethodsWe performed to examine the expression of AMPAR using Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. The antitumor effects of AMPAR antagonists on human SCLC cell lines were investigated in vitro and in vivo. We also analyzed the signaling pathway of AMPAR antagonists in SCLC cell lines. Statistical analysis was performed by the GraphPad Prism 6 software.ResultsWe first examined the expression of endogenous AMPAR in six human SCLC cell lines, detecting AMPAR proteins in all of them. Next, we tested the anti−proliferative effect of two AMPAR antagonists, talampanel and cyanquixaline, using SCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. Both AMPAR antagonists inhibited cell proliferation and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in SCLC cells in vitro. Further, we observed reduced proliferation of implanted cell lines in an in vivo setting, assessed by Ki‐67 immunohistochemistry. Additionally, using immunohistochemical analysis we confirmed AMPAR protein expression in human SCLC samples.ConclusionAMPAR may be a potential therapeutic target for SCLC.
Inferring time of infection from field data using dynamic models of antibody decay
Authors: Borremans Benny , Mummah Riley O. , Guglielmino Angela H. , Galloway Renee L. , Hens Niel , Prager K. C. , Lloyd‐Smith James O. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractStudies of infectious disease ecology would benefit greatly from knowing when individuals were infected, but estimating this time of infection can be challenging, especially in wildlife. Time of infection can be estimated from various types of data, with antibody‐level data being one of the most promising sources of information. The use of antibody levels to back‐calculate infection time requires the development of a host‐pathogen system‐specific model of antibody dynamics, and a leading challenge in such quantitative serology approaches is how to model antibody dynamics in the absence of experimental infection data.We present a way to model antibody dynamics in a Bayesian framework that facilitates the incorporation of all available information about potential infection times and apply the model to estimate infection times of Channel Island foxes infected withLeptospira interrogans.Using simulated data, we show that the approach works well across a broad range of parameter settings and can lead to major improvements in infection time estimates that depend on system characteristics such as antibody decay rate and variation in peak antibody levels after exposure. When applied to field data we saw reductions up to 83% in the window of possible infection times.The method substantially simplifies the challenge of modelling antibody dynamics in the absence of individuals with known infection times, opens up new opportunities in wildlife disease ecology and can even be applied to cross‐sectional data once the model is trained.
Targeted sequencing of the 9p21.3 region reveals association with reduced disease risks in Ashkenazi Jewish centenarians
Authors: Zhu Yizhou , Ryu Seungjin , Tare Archana , Barzilai Nir , Atzmon Gil , Suh Yousin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractGenome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have pinpointed the chromosomal locus 9p21.3 as a genetic hotspot for various age‐related disorders. Common genetic variants in this locus are linked to multiple traits, including coronary artery diseases, cancers, and diabetes. Centenarians are known for their reduced risk and delayed onset of these conditions. To investigate whether this evasion of disease risks involves diminished genetic risks in the 9p21.3 locus, we sequenced this region in an Ashkenazi Jewish centenarian cohort (centenarians: n = 450, healthy controls: n = 500). Risk alleles associated with cancers, glaucoma, CAD, and T2D showed a significant depletion in centenarians. Furthermore, the risk and non‐risk genotypes are linked to two distinct low‐frequency variant profiles, enriched in controls and centenarians, respectively. Our findings provide evidence that the extreme longevity cohort is associated with collectively lower risks of multiple age‐related diseases in the 9p21.3 locus.
Cooperative effects of SIRT1 and SIRT2 on APP acetylation
Authors: Li Na , Bai Ning , Zhao Xiong , Cheng Rong , Wu Xuan , Jiang Bo , Li Xiaoman , Xue Mingli , Xu Hongde , Guo Qiqiang , Guo Wendong , Ma Mengtao , Cao Sunrun , Feng Yanling , Song Xiaoyu , Wang Zhuo , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zou Yu , Wang Difei , Liu Hua , Cao Liu 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is an age‐related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid‐β (Aβ) deposition and neurofibrillary tangles. Although the NAD+‐dependent deacetylases SIRT1 and SIRT2 play pivotal roles in age‐related diseases, their cooperative effects in AD have not yet been elucidated. Here, we report that the SIRT2:SIRT1 ratio is elevated in the brains of aging mice and in the AD mouse models. In HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells, Aβ challenge correlates with decreased SIRT1 expression, while SIRT2 expression is increased. Overexpression of SIRT1 prevents Aβ‐induced neurotoxicity. We find that SIRT1 impedes SIRT2‐mediated APP deacetylation by inhibiting the binding of SIRT2 to APP. Deletion of SIRT1 reduces APP recycling back to the cell surface and promotes APP transiting toward the endosome, thus contributing to the amyloidogenic processing of APP. Our findings define a mechanism for neuroprotection by SIRT1 through suppression of SIRT2 deacetylation, and provide a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention of AD.