bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Therapeutic Effects of Long-term Photobiomodulation on Aging in Mice
Authors: Ahmet Ismayil , Syed Sunayana Begum , Chakir Khalid , Morrell Christopher H , Arany Praveen R , Lakatta Edward G 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundWe have reported that photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, a form of low dose Near Infrared Light (NIR) therapy, attenuates cardiovascular remodeling and extends the lifespan in a mouse model of accelerated cardiac aging. Here, we tested whether long-term PBM affects the aging process in normal male and female mice.MethodsC57 mice, 18 months old, males (n=60) and females (n=60), were exposed to either NIR (850nm) at 25 mW/cm2for 2 min on weekdays (MT and FT groups) or nothing (M and F groups) for 12 months. Mice were subjected to bimonthly echocardiography examination, Gait analysis and Frailty assessments. Randomly selected mice were sacrificed bimonthly for fresh tissue samples.ResultsAge-associated deterioration in left ventricle, left atrium, aorta, brain blood perfusion, frailty, body temperature and gait that were observed in M and F groups during the 12-month observation period were significantly attenuated by PBM therapy in MT and FT groups. The medium lifespan was extended by 0.6 and 1.0 month in MT and FT groups, compared to M and F groups, respectively. There was a significantly lower prevalence of dermatitis, stroke and heart failure in MT and FT groups compared to M and F groups.ConclusionOur data showed for the first time that PBM therapy by whole body exposure, even started at old age in normal animals, significantly attenuated the age-associated deterioration in heart, vessels, brain, gait and frailty; reduced the prevalence of stroke and heart failure; and improved health span.
Unequal genetic redundancy among the rice transcription factors OsMADS2 and OsMADS4 reveals distinct roles in floret organ development
Authors: ZamZam Mohamed , Singh Sharad , Peesapati Raghavaram , Prakash Sandhan , Simonini Sara , Grossniklaus Ueli , Vijayraghavan Usha 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFunctional diversification of transcription factors and of their downstream targets contributes to the emergence of new organ morphologies. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying floral organ specification in rice, we investigated the function ofOsMADS2andOsMADS4, the ricePISTILLATA(PI) paralogs controlling lodicule and stamen formation. The morphological characterization ofosmads2null mutants generated by CRISPR/Cas9 reiterated OsMADS2’s nonredundant role in lodicule development. Furthermore, it uncovered unreported roles in controlling flowering time, floral meristem size, floral organ number, cell wall metabolism, and sterile lemma development. Although downregulation ofOsMADS4did not affect floral organ development, doubly perturbedosmads2d8/d8osmads4kdflorets exhibited more severe abnormalities than theosmads2single mutant. Doubly perturbed inflorescences also exhibited defective rachis extension and parthenocarpy. Remarkably, ubiquitous overexpression ofOsMADS4inosmads2rescued the different abnormalities of theosmads2mutant but resulted in defective anther development and reduced seed set, phenotypes also observed whenArabidopsis PIwas overexpressed in wild-type rice. These findings suggest that increased ubiquitousPIactivity is detrimental to anther development. To uncover genes whose (in)direct regulation may contribute to these phenotypes, we combined the genome-wide identification of OsMADS2 binding regions (ChIP-Seq) with transcriptome profiling (RNA-Seq). These analysis uncovered several OsMADS2 target genes that are implicated in lodicule and stamen development and in controlling floral organ number,e.g.,PECTIN METHYLESTERASE 24(PME24),GLYCOSIDE HYDROLASE 9B16(GH9B16),TAPETUM DEGENERATION RETARDATION(TDR),SPOROCYTELESS(SPL),FLORAL ORGAN NUMBER 1(FON1),YUCCA3 andYUCCA7. Altogether, our results provide insights on the underlying molecular mechanisms of ricePIparalogs in floral organ specification, thereby expanding our understanding of their function as well as their conservation and diversification.
DHX36 binding induces RNA structurome remodeling and regulates RNA abundance via m6A/YTHDF1
Authors: Zhang Yuwei , Zhao Jieyu , Chen Xiaona , Lyu Kaixin , Ding Yiliang , Sun Hao , Kwok Chun-Kit , Wang Huating 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRNA structure constitutes a new layer of gene regulatory mechanisms. RNA binding proteins can modulate RNA secondary structures, thus participating in post-transcriptional regulation. The DEAH-box helicase 36 (DHX36) is known to bind and unwind RNA G-quadruplex (rG4) structure but the transcriptome-wide RNA structure remodeling induced by DHX36 binding and the impact on RNA fate remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the RNA structurome alteration induced by DHX36 depletion. Our findings reveal that DHX36 binding induces structure remodeling not only at the localized binding sites but also on the entire mRNA transcript most pronounced in3’UTR regions. DHX36 binding increase structural accessibility at 3’UTRs which is correlated with decreased post-transcriptional mRNA abundance. Further analyses and experiments uncover that DHX36 binding sites are enriched for N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification and YTHDF1 binding; and DHX36 induced structural change may facilitate YTHDF1 binding to m6A sites leading to RNA degradation. Altogether, our findings uncover the structural remodeling effect of DHX36 binding and its impact on RNA abundance through regulating m6A dependent YTHDF1 binding.
Somrit: The Somatic Retrotransposon Insertion Toolkit
Authors: D’Costa Alister V. , Simpson Jared T. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMobile elements, such as retrotransposons, have the ability to express and re-insert themselves into the genome, with over half the human genome being made up of mobile element sequence. Somatic mobile element insertions (MEIs) have been shown to cause disease, including some cancers. Accurate identification of where novel retrotransposon insertion events occur in the genome is crucial to understand the functional consequence of an insertion event. In this paper we describe somrit, a modular toolkit for detecting somatic MEIs from long reads aligned to a reference genome. We identify the initial read-to-reference mapping step as a potential source of error when the insertion is similar to a nearby repeat in the reference genome and develop a consensus-realignment procedure to resolve this. We show how somrit improves the sensitivity of detection for rare somatic retrotransposon insertion events compared to existing tools, and how the local realignment procedure can reduce false positive translocation calls caused by mis-mapped reads bearing MEIs. Somrit is openly available at:https://github.com/adcosta17/somrit
Predicting Protein-Ligand Binding Structure Using E(n) Equivariant Graph Neural Networks
Authors: Dhakal Ashwin , Gyawali Rajan , Cheng Jianlin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDrug design is a costly and time-consuming process, often taking more than 12 years and costing up to billions of dollars. The COVID-19 pandemic has signified the urgent need for accelerated drug development. The initial stage of drug design involves the identification of ligands that exhibit a strong affinity for specific binding sites on protein targets (receptors), along with the determination of their precise binding conformation (3-dimensional (3D) structure). However, accurately determining the 3D conformation of a ligand binding with its target remains challenging due to the limited capability of exploring the huge chemical and protein structure space. To address this challenge, we propose a new E(n) Equivariant Graph Neural Network (EGNN) method for predicting the 3D binding structures of ligands and proteins. By treating proteins and ligands as graphs, the method extracts residue/atom-level node and edge features and utilizes physicochemical and geometrical properties of proteins and ligands to predict their binding structures. The results demonstrate the promising potential of EGNN for predicting ligand-protein binding poses.
Pico145 inhibits TRPC4-mediated mICATand postprandial small intestinal motility
Authors: Dryn Dariia O. , Melnyk Mariia I. , Bon Robin S. , Beech David J. , Zholos Alexander V. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackground & AimsIn intestinal smooth muscle cells, receptor-operated TRPC4 are responsible for the majority of muscarinic receptor cation current (mICAT), which initiates cholinergic excitation-contraction coupling. Our aim was to examine the effects of the TRPC4 inhibitor Pico145 on mICATand Ca2+signalling in mouse ileal myocytes, and on intestinal motility.MethodsIleal myocytes freshly isolated from two month-old male BALB/c mice were used for patch-clamp recordings of whole-cell currents and for intracellular Ca2+imaging using Fura-2. Functional assessment of Pico145’s effects was carried out by standardin vitrotensiometry,ex vivovideo recordings andin vivopostprandial intestinal transit measurements using carmine red.ResultsCarbachol (50 µM)-induced mICATwas strongly inhibited by Pico145 starting from 1 pM. The IC50value for the inhibitory effect of Pico145 on this current evoked by intracellularly applied GTPγS (200 µM), and thus lacking desensitisation, was found to be 3.1 pM, while carbachol-induced intracellular Ca2+rises were inhibited with IC50of 2.7 pM. In contrast, the current activated by direct TRPC4 agonist (-)-englerin A was less sensitive to the action of Pico145 that caused only ∼43% current inhibition at 100 pM. The inhibitory effect developed rather slowly and it was potentiated by membrane depolarisation. In functional assays, Pico145 produced concentration-dependent suppression of both spontaneous and carbachol-evoked intestinal smooth muscle contractions and delayed postprandial intestinal transit.ConclusionsPico145 is a potent GI-active small-molecule which completely inhibits mICATat picomolar concentrations and which is as effective astrpc4gene deficiency inin vivointestinal motility tests.
Insights into stereoselective ring formation in canonical strigolactone: Discovery of a dirigent domain-containing enzyme catalyzing orobanchol synthesis
Authors: Homma Masato , Wakabayashi Takatoshi , Moriwaki Yoshitaka , Shiotani Nanami , Shigeta Takumi , Isobe Kazuki , Okazawa Atsushi , Ohta Daisaku , Terada Tohru , Shimizu Kentaro , Mizutani Masaharu , Takikawa Hirosato , Sugimoto Yukihiro 
Published: August 2023

AbstractStrigolactones (SLs) are plant apocarotenoids with diverse functions and structures. The widespread canonical SLs, with distinctive structural variations in their tricyclic lactone known as the ABC-ring, are classified into two types based on the C-ring configurations. The steric C-ring configuration arises during the BC-ring closure downstream of carlactonoic acid (CLA), a biosynthetic intermediate. Most plants stereoselectively produce either type of canonical SLs, e.g., tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) produces orobanchol with α-oriented C-ring. The mechanisms governing SL structural diversification are partly understood, with limited insight into the functional implications. Moreover, the precise molecular mechanism for the stereoselective BC-ring closure reaction remains unknown. Herein, we identified an enzyme called the stereoselective BC-ring-forming factor (SRF) from the dirigent protein (DIR) family, especially the DIR-f subfamily, whose biochemical function was previously unidentified, making it a pivotal enzyme in stereoselective canonical SL biosynthesis with the α-oriented C-ring. We begin by confirming the exact catalytic function of the tomato cytochrome P450 SlCYP722C, which we previously demonstrated to be involved in the orobanchol biosynthesis [Wakabayashi et al.,Sci. Adv.5, eaax9067 (2019)], to convert CLA to 18-oxocarlactonoic acid. Subsequently, we demonstrate that SRF catalyzes the stereoselective BC-ring closure reaction of 18-oxocarlactonoic acid to form orobanchol. Our approach integrates experimental and computational methods, including SRF structure prediction and molecular dynamics simulations, to propose a catalytic mechanism based on the conrotatory 4π-electrocyclic reaction for stereoselective BC-ring formation in orobanchol. The present study provides insight into the molecular basis of how plants produce SLs with specific stereochemistry in a controlled manner.
Zomato: quick commerce on the menu
Authors: Singh Jagandeep 
Published: August 2023

Learning outcomes
By analyzing and discussing the case, students should be able to identify macro environmental factors that impact business decision-making; apply Michael Porter’s five forces framework; evaluate sources of synergy; understand the concept of disruptive innovation; choose sources of competitive advantage; apply the value proposition canvas; and apply tenets of Blue Ocean strategy.

Case overview/synopsis
The grocery retail market in India accounts for nearly 70% ($608bn) of the total retail market ($883bn). The brick-and-mortar multi-tiered distribution network for groceries encompasses a million wholesalers and distributors and 12 million retail outlets. These retail outlets serve as customer touch points where bulk of grocery shopping is done. The online grocery industry is a miniscule $5.5bn. High incomes, change in purchase behaviour, inclination towards speed and convenience on the demand side and alacrity on the supply side have paved the way for new format, quick commerce. Trends and forecasts suggest that quick commerce, a high cash burn business, will grow exponentially. Zomato has jumped onto the quick commerce bandwagon with the acquisition of loss-making Blinkit. The case analyses the quick commerce industry through the lens of Michael Porter’s five forces framework and the Blue Ocean strategy. It elaborates the profitability drivers of the industry and also examines the sources of synergy from the acquisition.

Complexity academic level
This case is suitable for a class on strategy in postgraduate-level courses. It can be used in a session on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy.
Inside sales managers’ utilization of cultural controls as part of a sales control portfolio to enhance overall sales performance
Authors: Conde Richard , Prybutok Victor , Thompson Kenneth , Sumlin Cameron 
Published: August 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to extend sales control research to inside sales. Aside from a few notable exceptions (Conde et al., 2022) much of the sales control literature has focused on a single control mechanism rather than a sales control portfolio perspective. The authors add multiple layers to Conde et al. (2022) by capturing secondary operational data and manager interviews to access sales control theory in practice.

Design/methodology/approach
With operational data from a Fortune 100 financial services company and sales manager interviews, the authors present evidence that managers apply a portfolio of controls to ensure sales agents’ overall performance.

Findings
Findings support that cultural controls have a greater influence on overall performance than a focus solely on process and outcome controls. Inside sales managers can generate better results when they focus on creating an employee-centric culture rather than controlling sales agents with formal sales controls.

Originality/value
This study extends sales control research by examining inside sales managers’ formal and informal sales controls. Historically, inside sales had sales leaders balance a myriad of sales controls grounded in strict oversight. With a few notable exceptions, the limited inside sales control research provides the opportunity to display an inside sales manager’s need to jointly focus on operational results and sales outcomes, illustrating the importance of cultural controls compared to other sales process and outcome controls. This research considerably extends sales controls research by focusing on inside sales.
Participation of women-owned SMEs in public procurement: the role of entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge management orientation
Authors: Tukamuhabwa Benjamin , Namagembe Sheila 
Published: August 2023

PurposeThis study aims to examine the influence of entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge management orientation on participation of women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in public procurement. The research also aimed at examining the influence of knowledge management orientation on entrepreneurial orientation, and the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between Knowledge management orientation and participation of women-owned SMEs in public procurement.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected using a drop-off pick-up method. The determined sample size for the women-owned SME firms was 123, while an effective sample size of 103 was obtained, and covariance-based structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypotheses.FindingsFindings indicated that entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge management positively and significantly influenced both the search for tender opportunities and the number of times the firm submitted bids. Knowledge management orientation had a significant positive influence on entrepreneurial orientation, while entrepreneurial orientation partially mediated the relationship between knowledge management orientation and participation of women-owned SMEs in public procurement, thus implying that both knowledge management orientation and entrepreneurial orientation contribute to search for tender opportunities and the number of times a woman-owned SME firm submits bids.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was cross-sectional and quantitative in nature, yet it involved behaviour aspects such as participation in public procurement. Further, a wholistic approach is taken when studying the SMEs disregarding the industrial characteristics to which the SME belongs.Social implicationsAlmost 30% to 38% of SMEs in developing countries are owned by women. Focusing on increasing the number of women owned SMEs participating in public procurement will improve the nations’ GDP and increase the number of the citizens in the labour force due to increased employability.Originality/valuePrevious research takes a wholistic approach when examining SMEs participation in public sector procurement disregarding the impact of gender. Further, knowledge management orientation and entrepreneurial orientation in women-owned SMEs are studied for the first time in a public procurement setting.
Supporting learners with special educational needs and disabilities in the foreign languages classroom
Authors: Howard Katie B. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDue to misconceptions about the challenges of language learning, foreign languages classrooms have not always been accessible spaces for all learners. This article seeks to address the needs of students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in the foreign languages classroom and challenge the notion that this group of students cannot or should not learn languages. Current research tends to focus on specific learning difficulties in language learning, but little research considers the language learning experiences of children with SEND more broadly. Accordingly, this article delineates the advantages of language learning for learners with SEND, drawing on emerging research that shows that second language acquisition is not only possible but positive for many learners with additional needs. It then considers some of the specific challenges that SEND learners may face in the foreign languages classroom before outlining key strategies to facilitate inclusion among this diverse group of learners.
Key points

Learners with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) should not routinely be removed from the foreign languages classroom, but instead should be provided with opportunities to thrive within it. This article discusses the unique importance of foreign language learning for learners with SEND.

Research evidence suggests that learning new languages is, on the whole, possible—and perhaps hugely beneficial—for children with developmental differences and learning difficulties, but will depend on the circumstances and profile of the individual child.

The article explores some specific challenges that students with different additional needs might encounter in their foreign languages education, based on the four areas of need outlined in the SEND Code of Practice: communication and interaction; cognition and learning; social, emotional and mental health difficulties; and sensory or physical needs.

To conclude, the article presents a range of key strategies that foreign languages teachers might implement in the classroom to support learners with different special educational needs and disabilities.
Listeria monocytogenes in food businesses: From persistence strategies to intervention/prevention strategies—A review
Authors: Tuytschaever Tessa , Raes Katleen , Sampers Imca 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn 2023, Listeria monocytogenes persistence remains a problem in the food business. A profound understanding of how this pathogen persists may lead to better aimed intervention/prevention strategies. The lack of a uniform definition of persistence makes the comparison between studies complex. Harborage sites offer protection against adverse environmental conditions and form the ideal habitat for the formation of biofilms, one of the major persistence strategies. A retarded growth rate, disinfectant resistance/tolerance, desiccation resistance/tolerance, and protozoan protection complete the list of persistence strategies for Listeria monocytogenes and can occur on themselves or in combination with biofilms. Based on the discussed persistence strategies, intervention strategies are proposed. By enhancing the focus on four precaution principles (cleaning and disinfection, infrastructure/hygienic design, technical maintenance, and work methodology) as mentioned in Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004, the risk of persistence can be decreased. All of the intervention strategies result in obtaining and maintaining a good general hygiene status throughout the establishment at all levels ranging from separate equipment to the entire building.
Mass spectrometry‐based approaches to assess the botanical authenticity of dietary supplements
Authors: Grazina Liliana , Mafra Isabel , Monaci Linda , Amaral Joana S. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDietary supplements are legally considered foods despite frequently including medicinal plants as ingredients. Currently, the consumption of herbal dietary supplements, also known as plant food supplements (PFS), is increasing worldwide and some raw botanicals, highly demanded due to their popularity, extensive use, and/or well‐established pharmacological effects, have been attaining high prices in the international markets. Therefore, botanical adulteration for profit increase can occur along the whole PFS industry chain, from raw botanicals to plant extracts, until final PFS. Besides the substitution of high‐value species, unintentional mislabeling can happen in morphologically similar species. Both cases represent a health risk for consumers, prompting the development of numerous works to access botanical adulterations in PFS. Among different approaches proposed for this purpose, mass spectrometry (MS)‐based techniques have often been reported as the most promising, particularly when hyphenated with chromatographic techniques. Thus, this review aims at describing an overview of the developments in this field, focusing on the applications of MS‐based techniques to targeted and untargeted analysis to detect botanical adulterations in plant materials, extracts, and PFS.