bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A previously uncharacterized divisome-associated lipoprotein, DalA, is needed for normal cell division in
Rhodobacterales
Authors: Alberge François , Lakey Bryan D. , Schaub Ryan E. , Dohnalkova Alice C. , Lemmer Kimberley C. , Dillard Joseph P. , Noguera Daniel R. , Donohue Timothy J. 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

The bacterial cell envelope is a key subcellular compartment with important roles in antibiotic resistance, nutrient acquisition, and cell morphology. We seek to gain a better understanding of proteins that contribute to the function of the cell envelope in
Alphaproteobacteria
. Using
Rhodobacter sphaeroides
, we show that a previously uncharacterized protein, RSP_1200, is an outer membrane (OM) lipoprotein that non-covalently binds peptidoglycan (PG). Using a fluorescently tagged version of this protein, we find that RSP_1200 undergoes a dynamic repositioning during the cell cycle and is enriched at the septum during cell division. We show that the position of RSP_1200 mirrors the location of FtsZ rings, leading us to propose that RSP_1200 is a newly identified component of the
R. sphaeroides
’ divisome. Additional support for this hypothesis includes the co-precipitation of RSP_1200 with FtsZ, the Pal protein, and several predicted PG L,D-transpeptidases. We also find that a ∆
RSP_1200
mutation leads to defects in cell division, sensitivity to PG-active antibiotics, and results in the formation of OM protrusions at the septum during cell division. Based on these results, we propose to name RSP_1200 DalA (for division-associated lipoprotein A) and postulate that DalA serves as a scaffold to position or modulate the activity of PG transpeptidases that are needed to form envelope invaginations during cell division. We find that DalA homologs are present in members of the
Rhodobacterales
order within
Alphaproteobacteria
. Therefore, we propose that further analysis of this and related proteins will increase our understanding of the macromolecular machinery and proteins that participate in cell division in Gram-negative bacteria.

IMPORTANCE

Multi-protein complexes of the bacterial cell envelope orchestrate key processes like growth, division, biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, and production of valuable compounds. The subunits of these protein complexes are well studied in some bacteria, and differences in their composition and function are linked to variations in cell envelope composition, shape, and proliferation. However, some envelope protein complex subunits have no known homologs across the bacterial phylogeny. We find that
Rhodobacter sphaeroides
RSP_1200 is a newly identified lipoprotein (DalA) and that loss of this protein causes defects in cell division and changes the sensitivity to compounds, affecting cell envelope synthesis and function. We find that DalA forms a complex with proteins needed for cell division, binds the cell envelope polymer peptidoglycan, and colocalizes with enzymes involved in the assembly of this macromolecule. The analysis of DalA provides new information on the cell division machinery in this and possibly other
Alphaproteobacteria.
Transcriptional activation of
ompA
in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
mediated by the XRE family member protein NceR
Authors: Holley Concerta L. , Dhulipala Vijaya , Maurakis Stavaros A. , Greenawalt Ashley Nicole , Read Timothy D. , Cornelissen Cynthia N. , Shafer William M. 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

Increasing antibiotic resistance of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
, the causative agent of gonorrhea, is a growing global concern that has renewed vaccine development efforts. The gonococcal OmpA protein was previously identified as a vaccine candidate due to its surface exposure, conservation, stable expression, and involvement in host–cell interactions. We previously demonstrated that the transcription of
ompA
can be activated by the MisR/MisS two-component system. Interestingly, earlier work suggested that the availability of free iron also influences
ompA
expression, which we confirmed in this study. In the present study, we found that iron regulation of
ompA
was independent of MisR and searched for additional regulators. A DNA pull-down assay with the
ompA
promoter from gonococcal lysates obtained from bacteria grown in the presence or absence of iron identified an XRE (Xenobiotic Response Element) family member protein encoded by
NGO1982
. We found that an
NGO1982
null mutant of
N. gonorrhoeae
strain FA19 displayed a reduced level of
ompA
expression compared to the wild-type (WT) parent strain. Given this regulation, and the capacity of this XRE-like protein to regulate a gene involved in peptidoglycan biosynthesis (
ltgA
), along with its presence in other
Neisseria
sp., we termed the
NGO1982-
encoded protein as NceR (

N
eisseria

c
ell
e
nvelope
r
egulator). Critically, results from DNA-binding studies indicated that NceR regulates
ompA
through a direct mechanism. Thus,
ompA
expression is subject to both iron-dependent (NceR) and -independent (MisR/MisS) pathways. Hence, levels of the vaccine antigen candidate OmpA in circulating gonococcal strains could be influenced by transcriptional regulatory systems and the availability of iron.

IMPORTANCE

Herein, we report that the gene encoding a conserved gonococcal surface-exposed vaccine candidate (OmpA) is activated by a heretofore undescribed XRE family transcription factor, which we term NceR. We report that NceR regulation of
ompA
expression in
N. gonorrhoeae
is mediated by an iron-dependent mechanism, while the previously described MisR regulatory system is iron-independent. Our study highlights the importance of defining the complexity of coordinated genetic and physiologic systems that regulate genes encoding vaccine candidates to better understand their availability during infection.
Development of the
Shigella flexneri
2a, 3a, 6, and
S. sonnei
artificial Invaplex (Invaplex
AR
) vaccines
Authors: Turbyfill K. Ross , Clarkson Kristen A. , Oaks Edwin V. , Zurawski Daniel V. , Vortherms Anthony R. , Kaminski Robert W. 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

The
Shigella
artificial invasin complex (Invaplex
AR
) vaccine is a subunit approach that effectively induces robust immunogenicity directed to serotype-specific lipopolysaccharide and the broadly conserved IpaB and IpaC proteins. One advantage of the vaccine approach is the ability to adjust the constituents to address suboptimal immunogenicity and to change the
Shigella
serotype targeted by the vaccine. As the vaccine moves through the product development pipeline, substantial modifications have been made to address manufacturing feasibility, acceptability to regulatory authorities, and developing immunogenic and effective products for an expanded list of
Shigella
serotypes. Modifications of the recombinant clones used to express affinity tag-free proteins using well-established purification methods, changes to detergents utilized in the assembly process, and
in vitro
and
in vivo
evaluation of different Invaplex formulations have led to the establishment of a scalable, reproducible manufacturing process and enhanced immunogenicity of Invaplex products designed to protect against four of the most predominant
Shigella
serotypes responsible for global morbidity and mortality. These adjustments and improvements provide the pathway for the manufacture and clinical testing of a multivalent Invaplex vaccine.

IMPORTANCE

Shigella
species are a major global health concern that cause severe diarrhea and dysentery in children and travelers to endemic areas of the world. Despite significant advancements in access to clean water, the increases in antimicrobial resistance and the risk of post-infection sequelae, including cognitive and physical stunting in children, highlight the urgent need for an efficacious vaccine. One promising vaccine approach, artificial Invaplex, delivers key antigens recognized by the immune system during infection, which results in increased resistance to re-infection. The work presented here describes novel modifications to a previously described vaccine approach resulting in improved methods for manufacturing and regulatory approvals, expansion of the breadth of coverage to all major
Shigella
serotypes, and an increase in the potency of artificial Invaplex.
New Evidence of the Independent Precambrian Tectonic History of the Faddey Terrane of the Central Taimyr Accretionary Belt
Authors: Matushkin N. Yu. , Metelkin D. V. , Vernikovsky V. A. , Proskurnin V. F. , Abashev V. V. , Larionov A. N. , Petrushkov B. S. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
New geostructural, petro-geochemical, U–Pb geochronological and paleomagnetic data for sills of metagabbro-dolerites of the Severobyrranga and Yasnenskiy complex specify the paleotectonic position of the Faddey terrane of the Central Taimyr accretionary belt. The structural position of the sills in the rocks of the Oktyabr and Zhdanov formations is indicative of their intrusion before deformations caused by the accretion of the Central Taimyr belt. The U–Th–Pb age of crystallization for the metagabbro-dolerites has been established as 1357 ± 9 Ma. The primary paleomagnetic record reflecting the time of intrusion has not been preserved, but two metachronous components have been identified. The first one corresponds to crust formation processes at ca. 840 Ma due to collision, probably of continent – island arc type involving the cratonic block that included the Faddey and Mamont-Shrenk terranes. These collisional events took place several hundreds of kilometers from the Siberian margin. The second component corresponds to thermal events on the Paleozoic-Mesozoic boundary and reflects the strike-slip deformation in the Kara orogen.
Embedding nurse home visiting in universal healthcare: 6-year follow-up of a randomised trial
Authors: Price Anna , Bryson Hannah , Mensah Fiona K , Kenny Bridget , Wang Xiaofang , Orsini Francesca , Gold Lisa , Kemp Lynn , Bruce Tracey , Dakin Penny , Noble Kristy , Makama Maureen , Goldfeld Sharon 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveNurse home visiting (NHV) is designed to redress child and maternal health inequities. Of the previous trials to investigate NHV benefits beyond preschool, none were designed for populations with universal healthcare. To address this evidence gap, we investigated whether the Australian ‘right@home’ NHV programme improved child and maternal outcomes when children turned 6 and started school.MethodsA screening survey identified pregnant women experiencing adversity from antenatal clinics across two states (Victoria, Tasmania). 722 were randomised: 363 to the right@home programme (25 visits promoting parenting and home learning environment) and 359 to usual care. Child measures at 6 years (first school year): Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS), Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) (maternal/teacher-reported); general health and paediatric quality of life (maternal-reported) and reading/school adaptation items (teacher-reported). Maternal measures: Personal Well-being Index (PWI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, warm/hostile parenting, Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS), emotional abuse and health/efficacy items. Following best-practice methods for managing missing data, outcomes were compared between groups (intention-to-treat) using regression models adjusted for stratification factors, baseline variables and clustering (nurse/site level).ResultsMothers reported on 338 (47%) children, and teachers on 327 (45%). Patterns of group differences favoured the programme arm, with small benefits (effect sizes ranging 0.15–0.26) evident for SDQ, SSIS, CHEXI, PWI, warm parenting and CPRS.ConclusionsFour years after completing the right@home programme, benefits were evident across home and school contexts. Embedding NHV in universal healthcare systems from pregnancy can offer long-term benefits for families experiencing adversity.Trial registration numberISRCTN89962120.
Lateral semicircular canal dilatation in a patient with congenital hearing loss due to α-tectorin mutation: microanatomical considerations
Authors: Goulioumis Anastasios , Athanasopoulos Michalis , Kalogerakou Kleanthi , Gyftopoulos Kostis 
Published: June 2023

The tectorial membrane is crucial in the physiology of the auditory neuroepithelium. Mutations in one of its functional molecules, α-tectorin, lead to autosomal dominant and recessive congenital mid-frequency, non-syndromic hearing loss.Typically, α-tectorin mutations are not accompanied by any morphological abnormalities of the labyrinth. For the first time, we present a case of a toddler boy with congenital hearing loss due toTECTAgene mutation and concomitant bilateral dilation of the lateral semicircular canals.The expression of glycoproteins, like α-tectorin, varies between the distinct labyrinth acellular membranes. Various mutations in theTECTAgene may affect additional glycoproteins that share a high percentage of sequence similarity at the amino acid level with α-tectorin. The mutated glycoproteins differ in the hydration level of their side chains of glycosaminoglycans. Hydration level could affect the mass of the ampullary cupula of the lateral semicircular canal leading to its dilation during embryogenesis.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Wu Pensée , Green Marcus , Myers Jenny E 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are one of the most commonly occurring complications of pregnancy and include chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and pre-eclampsia. New developments in early pregnancy screening to identify women at high risk for pre-eclampsia combined with targeted aspirin prophylaxis could greatly reduce the number of affected pregnancies. Furthermore, recent advances in the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia, such as placental growth factor based testing, have been shown to improve the identification of those pregnancies at highest risk of severe complications. Evidence from trials has refined the target blood pressure and timing of delivery to manage chronic hypertension and pre-eclampsia with non-severe features, respectively. Importantly, a wealth of epidemiological data now links HDP to future cardiovascular disease and diabetes decades after an affected pregnancy. This review discusses the current guidelines and research data on the prevention, diagnosis, management, and postnatal follow-up of HDP. It also discusses the gap in knowledge regarding the long term risks for cardiovascular disease following HDP and illustrates the importance of improving adherence to postnatal guidelines to monitor hypertension and the need for more research focused on primary prevention of future cardiovascular disease in women identified as being at high risk because of HDP.
Risk of death by suicide following self-harm presentations to healthcare: development and validation of a multivariable clinical prediction rule (OxSATS)
Authors: Fazel Seena , Vazquez-Montes Maria D L A , Molero Yasmina , Runeson Bo , D’Onofrio Brian M , Larsson Henrik , Lichtenstein Paul , Walker Jane , Sharpe Michael , Fanshawe Thomas R 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundAssessment of suicide risk in individuals who have self-harmed is common in emergency departments, but is often based on tools developed for other purposes.ObjectiveWe developed and validated a predictive model for suicide following self-harm.MethodsWe used data from Swedish population-based registers. A cohort of 53 172 individuals aged 10+ years, with healthcare episodes of self-harm, was split into development (37 523 individuals, of whom 391 died from suicide within 12 months) and validation (15 649 individuals, 178 suicides within 12 months) samples. We fitted a multivariable accelerated failure time model for the association between risk factors and time to suicide. The final model contains 11 factors: age, sex, and variables related to substance misuse, mental health and treatment, and history of self-harm. Transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis guidelines were followed for the design and reporting of this work.FindingsAn 11-item risk model to predict suicide was developed using sociodemographic and clinical risk factors, and showed good discrimination (c-index 0.77, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.78) and calibration in external validation. For risk of suicide within 12 months, using a 1% cut-off, sensitivity was 82% (75% to 87%) and specificity was 54% (53% to 55%). A web-based risk calculator is available (Oxford Suicide Assessment Tool for Self-harm or OxSATS).ConclusionsOxSATS accurately predicts 12-month risk of suicide. Further validations and linkage to effective interventions are required to examine clinical utility.Clinical implicationsUsing a clinical prediction score may assist clinical decision-making and resource allocation.
Adductor canal block techniques do not lead to involvement of sciatic nerve branches: a radiological cadaveric study
Authors: Smulders Pascal SH , ten Hoope Werner , Baumann Holger M , Hermanides Jeroen , Hemke Robert , Beenen Ludo F M , Oostra Roelof-Jan , Marhofer Peter , Lirk Philipp , Hollmann Markus W 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionLow and high volume mid-thigh (ie, distal femoral triangle) and distal adductor canal block approaches are frequently applied for knee surgical procedures. Although these techniques aim to contain the injectate within the adductor canal, spillage into the popliteal fossa has been reported. While in theory this could improve analgesia, it might also result in motor blockade due to coverage of motor branches of the sciatic nerve. This radiological cadaveric study, therefore, investigated the incidence of coverage of sciatic nerve divisions after various adductor canal block techniques.MethodsEighteen fresh, unfrozen and unembalmed human cadavers were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided distal femoral triangle or distal adductor canal injections, with 2 mL or 30 mL injectate volume, on both sides (36 blocks in total). The injectate was a 1:10 dilution of contrast medium in local anesthetic. Injectate spread was assessed using whole-body CT with reconstructions in axial, sagittal and coronal planes.ResultsNo coverage of the sciatic nerve or its main divisions was found. The contrast mixture spread to the popliteal fossa in three of 36 nerve blocks. Contrast reached the saphenous nerve after all injections, whereas the femoral nerve was always spared.ConclusionsAdductor canal block techniques are unlikely, even when using larger volumes, to block the sciatic nerve, or its main branches. Furthermore, injectate reached the popliteal fossa in a small minority of cases, yet if a clinical analgesic effect is achieved by this mechanism is still unknown.
Effect of ionized calcium level on short-term prognosis in severe multiple trauma patients: a clinical study
Authors: Imamoto Toshiro , Sawano Makoto 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundHypocalcemia has been reported as an independent predictor of trauma mortality. We investigated the relationship between temporal variations in blood ionized calcium concentration (iCa) and prognosis in severe trauma patients who underwent massive transfusion protocol (MTP).MethodsThis single-center, retrospective, observational study investigated 117 severe trauma patients treated with MTP in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, between March 2013 and March 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, assigning pH-corrected initial and minimum blood ionized calcium concentration within 24 hours of admission (iCa_min), age, initial systolic blood pressure and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and incidence of Ca supplementation as independent variables and 28-day mortality as dependent variable.ResultsThe logistic regression analysis identified iCa_min (adjusted OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.4), age (adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.09), and GCS score (adjusted OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.94) as significant independent predictors of 28-day mortality. The receiver operating characteristic analysis identified optimal cut-off value of iCa_min for predicting 28-day mortality as 0.95 mmoL/L (area under the curve 0.74).ConclusionIn the management of patients with traumatic hemorrhagic shock, aggressive correction of the iCa to maintain 0.95 mmol/L or higher within 24 hours of admission may improve short-term outcomes.Level of evidenceTherapeutic/care management, level III.
Tailoring hydrogen adsorption and desorption properties of Li-doped SV (single vacancy) monolayer h-BN systems using ab initio calculations
Authors: Fatima Kaneez , Rafique Muhammad , Soomro Amir Mahmood , Kumar Mahesh 
Published: June 2023

This study uses density functional theory (DFT) technique to examine the hydrogen molecules (H2) storage on Li-decorated h-BN monolayer. The results of DFT have proven that Li-doped h-BN system can hold up to 9H2 with the adsorption energy lying in between −0.31 eV and −0.24 eV/H2 at ambient condition. However, the calculated average adsorption energy for 9H2 is −0.240 eV/H2 with hydrogen storage capacity of 5.96 wt.%, which is according to the United States Department of Energy. Partial density of state was computed for each configuration to provide additional justifications for the H2 storage on Li-doped h-BN monolayer. The hybridization shows a significant interaction between H2 and Li atom, and most of their hybrid peaks were observed in the energy range from −7.5 to −1 eV. Moreover, the H2 desorption simulations achieved via the ab initio molecular dynamics. The computed desorption temperature TD is 306 °K, which is a suitable operating temperature. Hence, our research demonstrates that Li-doped h-BN is a thermally stable and viable hydrogen storage material for hydrogen storage systems.
Computational predictions of silver nitrate AgNO3 using HSE03: An ab initio investigation
Authors: Tse Geoffrey 
Published: June 2023

A [Formula: see text] and 765[Formula: see text]eV (sufficient to converge the results) have been used to explore the electronic, optical, mechanical, and vibrational properties using ab initio code CASTEP with hybrid functionals. A wide indirect F–Z bandgap energy of 3.77[Formula: see text]eV has been reported. Our partial density of states plot further shows the valence band is made of O 2p and Ag 4d electron orbitals, while Ag S orbitals and N O 2p states contribute to the conduction band bottom (CBM), among the upper conduction band consisting of Ag 4p, O 2[Formula: see text] and N 2p electron orbitals. In our optical data, a high absorption coefficient of [Formula: see text] cm[Formula: see text] has been found, and a relatively low 20% reflectivity simply indicates a high absorption of the material. Although our mechanical data cannot determine the material ductility/brittleness with the B/G ratio, we can report a Poisson’s ratio value of −2.04 in this work. On the other hand, the phonon dispersion and the density of the phonon state plot report may indicate the mechanical instability of the system. The negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) we provide may hint at the possibility of using AgNO3 as a promising anode in a group I/II elements (Mg, K, Na)-ion battery.