bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pigment-Dispersing Factor is present in circadian clock neurons of pea aphids and may mediate photoperiodic signalling to insulin-producing cells
Authors: Colizzi Francesca Sara , Veenstra Jan A. , Rezende Gustavo L. , Helfrich-Förster Charlotte , Martínez-Torres David 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTThe neuropeptide Pigment-Dispersing Factor (PDF) plays a pivotal role in the circadian clock of most Ecdysozoa and is additionally involved in the timing of seasonal responses of several photoperiodic species. The pea aphid,Acyrthosiphon pisum,is a paradigmatic photoperiodic species with an annual life cycle tightly coupled to the seasonal changes in day length. Nevertheless, PDF could not be identified inA. pisumso far. In the present study, we identified a PDF-coding gene that has undergone significant changes in the otherwise highly conserved insect C-terminal amino acid sequence. A newly generated aphid-specific PDF antibody stained four neurons in each hemisphere of the aphid brain that co-express the clock protein Period and have projections to thepars lateralisthat are highly plastic and change their appearance in a daily and seasonal manner, resembling those of the fruit fly PDF neurons. Most intriguingly, the PDF terminals overlap with dendrites of the insulin-like peptide (ILP) positive neurosecretory cells in thepars intercerebralisand with putative terminals of Cryptochrome (CRY) positive clock neurons. Since ILP has been previously shown to be crucial for seasonal adaptations and CRY might serve as a circadian photoreceptor vital for measuring day length, our results suggest that PDF plays a critical role in aphid seasonal timing.
Butyrate enhances Clostridioides difficile sporulationin vitro
Authors: Baldassare Michelle A. , Bhattacharjee Disha , Coles Julian D. , Nelson Sydney , McCollum C. Alexis , Seekatz Anna M. 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTShort chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are products of bacterial fermentation that help maintain important gut functions such as the intestinal barrier, signaling, and immune homeostasis. The main SCFAs acetate, propionate, and butyrate have demonstrated beneficial effects for the host, including importance in combatting infections caused by pathogens such asClostridioides difficile. Despite the potential role of SCFAs in mitigatingC. difficileinfection, their direct effect onC. difficileremains unclear. Through a set ofin vitroexperiments, we investigated how SCFAs influenceC. difficilegrowth, sporulation, and toxin production. Similar to previous studies, we observed that butyrate decreased growth ofC. difficilestrain 630 in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of butyrate also increasedC. difficilesporulation, with minimal increases in toxin production. RNA-Seq analysis validated our experimental results, demonstrating increased expression of sporulation-related genes in conjunction with alternative metabolic and relatedC. difficileregulatory pathways, such as the carbon catabolite repressor, CcpA. Collectively, these data suggest that butyrate may signal alternativeC. difficilemetabolic pathways, thus modifying its growth and virulence to persist in the gut environment.IMPORTANCESeveral studies suggest that butyrate may be important in alleviating gut infections, such as reducing inflammation caused by the healthcare-associatedClostridioides difficile. While studies in both animal models and human studies correlate high levels of butyrate with reducedC. difficileburden, the direct impact of butyrate onC. difficileremains unclear. Our study demonstrates that butyrate directly influencesC. difficileby increasing its sporulation and modifying its metabolism, potentially using butyrate as a biomarker to shift survival strategies in a changing gut environment. These data point to additional therapeutic approaches to combatC. difficilein a butyrate-directed manner.
Understanding the Mechanisms ofSalmonellaTyphimurium resistance to Cannabidiol
Authors: Ibrahim Iddrisu , Ayariga Joseph Atia , Xu Junhuan , Abugri Daniel A. , Boakai Robertson K. , Ajayi Olufemi S. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe emergence of multidrug resistance poses a huge risk to public health globally. Yet these recalcitrant pathogens continue to rise in incidence rate with resistance rates significantly outpacing the speed of antibiotic development. This therefore presents an aura of related health issues such as untreatable nosocomial infections arising from organ transplants, surgeries, as well as community acquired infections that are related to people with compromised immunity e.g., diabetic and HIV patients etc. There is a global effort to fight multidrug resistant pathogens spearheaded by the World Health Organization, thus calling for research into novel antimicrobials agents to fight multiple drug resistance. Previously, our laboratory demonstrated that Cannabidiol (CBD) was an effective antimicrobial against Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). However, we observed resistance development over time. To understand the mechanisms S. Typhimurium uses to develop resistance to Cannabidiol (CBD), we studied the abundance of bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and membrane sterols of both susceptible and resistant S. Typhimurium. Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (rt qPCR), we also analyzed the expression of selected genes known for aiding resistance development in S. Typhimurium. We discovered that there was a significantly higher expression of blaTEM, fimA, fimZ, and integrons in the CBD-resistant bacteria, and these were also accompanied by a shift in abundance in cell surface molecules such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and sterols.
Concurrent infection of human brain with multiple species of Lyme disease spirochetes
Authors: Golovchenko Maryna , Opelka Jakub , Vancova Marie , Sehadova Hana , Kraliková Veronika , Dobias Martin , Raska Milan , Krupka Michal , Sloupenská Kristyna , Rudenko Natalie 
Published: April 2023

AbstractLyme disease (LD) spirochetes are well known to be able to disseminate into the tissues of infected hosts, including humans. The diverse strategies used by spirochetes to avoid the host immune system and persist in the host include active immune suppression, induction of immune tolerance, phase and antigenic variation, intracellular seclusion, and, importantly, incursion into immune privileged sites such as the brain. Invasion of immune privileged sites, like the brain allows the spirochetes not only escape from the host immune system but also can reduce the efficacy of antibiotic therapy.Here we present a case of the detection of DNA of spirochetes fromBorrelia burgdorferisensu lato complex from multiple loci of LD patient’s post-mortem brain. The presence of co-infection withBorrelia burgdorferisensu stricto andBorrelia gariniiin LD patient’s brain was confirmed by PCR. The presence of atypical spirochete morphology was confirmed by immunohistochemistry of the brain samples and also in tissues of experimental mice, infected withBorreliaby simultaneous injection of spirochetes subcutaneously and intraperitoneally. Even though both spirochete species were simultaneously present in brain, the brain regions where the two species were detected were different and non-overlapping.
Selective effects of estradiol on human corneal endothelial cells
Authors: Han Seoyoung , Mueller Christian , Wuebbolt Caitlin , Kilcullen Sean , Nayyar Varinda , Calle Gonzalez Brayan , Mahdavi Fard Ali , Floss Jamie C. , Morales Michael J. , Patel Sangita P. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) results from genetic and environmental factors triggering mitochondrial and oxidative stress in corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs) leading to CEnC death and corneal opacification. FECD is more common in women than men, but the basis for this observation is unknown. Because FECD is commonly diagnosed around the time of the menopausal transition in women when estrogen levels decrease precipitously, we studied the effects of the potent estrogen,17-β estradiol (E2) on growth, oxidative stress, and metabolism in primary cultures of human CEnCs (HCEnCs) under conditions of physiologic 2.5% O2([O2]2.5) and under hyperoxic stress ([O2]A: room air + 5% CO2). We hypothesized that E2 would counter the stresses of the hyperoxic environment in HCEnCs. HCEnCs were treated ± 10 nM E2 for 7-10 days at [O2]2.5and [O2]Afollowed by measurements of cell density, viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial morphology, oxidative DNA damage, ATP levels, mitochondrial respiration (O2consumption rate [OCR]), and glycolysis (extracellular acidification rate [ECAR]). There were no significant changes in HCEnC density, viability, ROS levels, oxidative DNA damage, OCR, and ECAR in response to E2 under either O2condition. We found that E2 disrupted mitochondrial morphology in HCEnCs from female donors but not male donors at the [O2]Acondition. ATP levels were significantly higher at [O2]2.5compared to [O2]Ain HCEnCs from female donors only, but were not affected by E2. Our findings demonstrate the overall resilience of primary HCEnCs against hyperoxic stress. The selective detrimental effects of hyperoxia and estradiol on HCEnCs from female but not male donors suggests mechanisms of toxicity based upon cell-sex in addition to hormonal environment.
New cocrystals of heterocyclic drugs: structural, antileishmanial, larvicidal and urease inhibition studies
Authors: Murtaza Ghulam , Khan Majid , Farooq Saba , Choudhary M. Iqbal , Yousuf Sammer 
Published: April 2023

Many heterocycles have been developed as drugs due to their capacity to interact productively with biological systems. The present study aimed to synthesize cocrystals of the heterocyclic antitubercular agent pyrazinamide (PYZ,1, BCS III) and the commercially available anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine (CBZ,2, BCS class II) to study the effect of cocrystallization on the stability and biological activities of these drugs. Two new cocrystals, namely, pyrazinamide–homophthalic acid (1/1) (PYZ:HMA,3) and carbamazepine–5-chlorosalicylic acid (1/1) (CBZ:5-SA,4), were synthesized. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction-based structure of carbamazepine–trans-cinnamic acid (1/1) (CBZ:TCA,5) was also studied for the first time, along with the known cocrystal carbamazepine–nicotinamide (1/1) (CBZ:NA,6). From a combination drug perspective, these are interesting pharmaceutical cocrystals to overcome the known side effects ofPYZ(1) therapy, and the poor biopharmaceutical properties ofCBZ(2). The purity and homogeneity of all the synthesized cocrystals were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction and FT–IR analysis, followed by thermal stability studies based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Detailed intermolecular interactions and the role of hydrogen bonding towards crystal stability were evaluated quantitativelyviaHirshfeld surface analysis. The solubility ofCBZat pH 6.8 and 7.4 in 0.1 NHCl and H2O were compared with the values of cocrystalCBZ:5-SA(4). The solubility ofCBZ:5-SAwas found to be significantly improved at pH 6.8 and 7.4 in H2O. All the synthesized cocrystals3–6exhibited a potent urease inhibition (IC50values range from 17.32 ± 0.89 to 12.3 ± 0.8 µM), several times more potent than standard acetohydroxamic acid (IC50 = 20.34 ± 0.43 µM).PYZ:HMA(3) also exhibited potent larvicidal activity againstAedes aegypti. Among the synthesized cocrystals,PYZ:HMA(3) andCBZ:TCA(5) were found to possess antileishmanial activity against the miltefosine-induced resistant strain ofLeishmania major, with IC50values of 111.98 ± 0.99 and 111.90 ± 1.44 µM, respectively, in comparison with miltefosine (IC50 = 169.55 ± 0.20 µM).
Leave it in! Analyzing the responses to a proposal to remove governmental accounting from the certified public accountant examination
Authors: Flasher Renee , Didia Lydia , Skomra Justyna 
Published: April 2023

PurposeLeveraging lobbying theory, the authors analyze responses to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) proposal suggesting the removal of state and local governmental accounting from the content tested on the uniform certified public accountant (CPA) examination. Furthermore, the authors compare the responses to a prior exam content review to place the uniqueness of the more recent response in perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe authors examine 181 comment letters obtained from the AICPA website. In addition, the relative concentration of governmental entities across the USA is studied for correlation with the response rate.FindingsConsistent with lobbying theory, the authors find that participating governmental entities overwhelmingly argued for the retention of governmental accounting. In contrast, most other groups of respondents (accounting firms, state societies, etc.) had at least one letter that agrees with the removal of the content.Originality/valueWhile the letter writers appear to be successful in retaining the governmental accounting content on the CPA exam, the majority of the detailed content has been placed within a specialized area on the new version of the CPA exam, expected to be deployed in 2024. This means that fewer CPA candidates will be exposed to governmental accounting than under the current regime. It has implications for governmental units seeking qualified candidates to fill their staffing needs especially as fewer universities offer governmental accounting courses.
Where to fish in the forest? Tree characteristics and contiguous seagrass features predict mangrove forest quality for fishes and crustaceans
Authors: Wanjiru Caroline , Nagelkerken Ivan , Rueckert Sonja , Harcourt William , Huxham Mark 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Mangroves often support rich fish and crustacean communities, although faunal abundance and diversity show strong spatiotemporal variability. Consistent patterns in mangrove animal communities might be dictated by forest characteristics, by seascape context or by some combination of these factors. Predicting drivers of spatial heterogeneity in mangrove faunal communities can better support the zoning of forests for management purposes, for example by identifying sites important for fisheries nursery provision.

We sampled 14 sites within a large (4000 ha) mangrove forest in Kenya, quarterly over a period of 2 years. There were clear and consistent differences in the quality of sites for fish and crustacean abundance and diversity.

Forest characteristics (as summarised by the complexity index, CI) and seascape metrics (the presence, area and configuration of contiguous seagrass) were strong predictors of site differences. However, they showed opposite influences on dominant members of the fish and crustacean faunas, with CI correlated negatively with fishes and positively with crustaceans, and seagrass area correlated positively with fishes and negatively with crustaceans.

Synthesis and applications. Sites within the same mangrove forest exhibit consistent differences in fish and crustacean abundance. However, the fish and crustacean communities (and particularly dominant species within them) act differently in response to forest and seascape characteristics. Old growth, mature forest, set in a seascape of seagrass patches with bare sediment, was associated with highest crustacean abundance. In contrast, denser smaller trees and seascapes with larger, continuous areas of seagrass correlated better with fish abundance. Zoning for management, as mandated in new Kenyan policy, will need to consider these differences in seascape use between fish and crustaceans.
Volatile Mining Revenues and State Government Budget Decisions
Authors: Freebairn John , Griffiths William 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMining royalties provide a volatile source of revenue for state governments in Australia. We explore the effects of changes in royalty revenue received by a state government on current‐year budget decisions about expenditure, tax revenue and the budget surplus. The literature postulates different models for how lower‐level government budget decisions respond to a revenue windfall from a higher level of government. Empirical evidence on these models over 1998–2019 provides strong evidence that over a half of a royalty windfall becomes a change in budget expenditure. Estimates of changes to tax revenues and the surplus are not definitive nor robust.
Dreaming for the World: A Jungian Study of Dreams During the COVID‐19 Pandemic1
Authors: Landau Ronnie , Brooke Roger , Martin Ned , Lampe Anna , Stich Brianna 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis project explores what dreams might reveal about the collective psyche’s response to the COVID‐19 pandemic in its first year, before the development of vaccines. A brief survey, distributed to Jungian colleagues and organizations, and to various social media sites, invited people to submit online a dream related to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Four hundred and thirty‐six dreams were submitted. Forty additional Russian dreams were collected and submitted by Russian colleagues. Using qualitative research methods based on phenomenological hermeneutics, the researchers categorized and counted the range of COVID imagery. In addition, the researchers describe a range of psychic responses to the pandemic, including horror, grief, sickness, social discord, and violence, but also images of healing and transformation, increased sense of community, and spiritual renewal. Several healing nightmares are presented. Healing alchemical and anima/animus imagery is described. Twelve dreams are introduced and presented. It is concluded that the collective psyche, rooted in the Self, is a healing resource for social and cultural trauma. This project supports Beradt’s (1968) inspirational study of dreaming in Nazi Germany, as well as recent studies of COVID‐related dreams and recent publications on the social nature of dreaming.
Trends in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection and vaccine antibody prevalence in a multi‐ethnic inner‐city antenatal population: A cross‐sectional surveillance study
Authors: Andreeva Daria , Gill Carolyn , Brockbank Anna , Hejmej Joanna , Conti‐Ramsden Fran , Doores Katie J. , Seed Paul T. , Poston Lucilla ,   the eLIXIR Partnership
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo determine severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) seroprevalence in pregnancy in an inner‐city setting and assess associations with demographic factors and vaccination timing.DesignRepeated cross‐sectional surveillance study.SettingLondon maternity centre.SampleA total of 906 pregnant women attending nuchal scans, July 2020–January 2022.MethodsBlood samples were tested for IgG antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) proteins. Self‐reported vaccination status and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection were recorded. Multivariable regression models determined demographic factors associated with seroprevalence and antibody titres.Main outcome measuresImmunoglobulin G N‐ and S‐protein antibody titres.ResultsOf the 960 women, 196 (20.4%) were SARS‐CoV‐2 seropositive from previous infection. Of these, 70 (35.7%) self‐reported previous infection. Among unvaccinated women, women of black ethnic backgrounds were most likely to be SARS‐CoV‐2 seropositive (versus white adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 1.88, 95% CI 1.35–2.61,p < 0.001). Women from black and mixed ethnic backgrounds were least likely to have a history of vaccination with seropositivity to S‐protein (versus white aRR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40–0.84,p = 0.004; aRR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34–0.92,p = 0.021, respectively). Double vaccinated, previously infected women had higher IgG S‐protein antibody titres than unvaccinated, previously infected women (mean difference 4.76 fold‐change, 95% CI 2.65–6.86,p < 0.001). Vaccination timing before versus during pregnancy did not affect IgG S‐antibody titres (mean difference −0.28 fold‐change, 95% CI −2.61 to 2.04,p = 0.785).ConclusionsThis cross‐sectional study demonstrates high rates of asymptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection with women of black ethnic backgrounds having higher infection risk and lower vaccine uptake. SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody titres were highest among double‐vaccinated, infected women.
Prognostic impact of noninvasive areas in resected pathological stage IA lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kinoshita Fumihiko , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Takenaka Tomoyoshi , Okamoto Tatsuro , Taguchi Kenichi , Oda Yoshinao , Yoshizumi Tomoharu 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMain ProblemsIn non‐small‐cell lung cancer, ground‐glass opacity on computed tomography imaging reflects pathological noninvasiveness and is a favorable prognostic factor. However, the significance of pathological noninvasive areas (NIAs) has not been fully revealed. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the prognostic impact of NIAs on lung adenocarcinoma.MethodsWe analyzed 402 patients with pathological stage (p‐Stage) IA lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery in 2013–2016 at two institutions and examined the association of the presence of NIAs with clinicopathological factors and prognosis. Furthermore, after using propensity‐score matching to adjust for clinicopathological factors, such as age, sex, smoking history, pathological invasive area size, pathological T factor (p‐T), p‐Stage, and histological subtype (lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma [LPA] or non‐LPA), the prognostic impact of NIAs was evaluated.ResultsPatients were divided into NIA‐present (N = 231) and NIA‐absent (N = 171) groups. Multivariable analysis showed that NIA‐present was strongly associated with earlier p‐T, earlier p‐Stage, LPA, and epidermal growth factor receptor mutation. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the NIA‐present group displayed a better prognosis than the NIA‐absent group in disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (5‐year DFS 94.6% vs. 87.2%, 5‐year OS 97.2% vs. 91.1%). However, after adjusting for clinicopathological factors by propensity score matching, no significant differences in prognosis were identified between the NIA‐present and NIA‐absent groups (5‐year DFS 92.4% vs 89.6%, 5‐year OS 95.6% vs 94.3%).ConclusionsOur current study suggests that the prognostic impact of the presence of NIAs on lung adenocarcinoma is due to differences in clinicopathological factors.
Cultural accountability in the annual report: The case of First Nations entities in Australia
Authors: Norris Ellie , Kutubi Shawgat , Greenland Steven 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAustralia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander not‐for‐profit organisations (NFPs) are vital to the cultural and social fabric of the communities they represent. Yet while such entities are obligated to publish annual financial and non‐financial information, little is known about the role of these reports in terms of delivering accountability to culturally diverse stakeholders. This benchmark study is among the first to use grounded accountability theory to compare the results from quantitative content and qualitative thematic analysis of annual reporting across 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NFPs. Our analysis reveals the communication of ‘cultural accountability’ that sets these entities apart from other NFPs. Implications of these findings for accountability practices in non‐Anglo‐Saxon cultural contexts are discussed.