bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil moisture affects plant–pollinator interactions in an annual flowering plant
Authors: Dai Wenfei , Yang Yulian , Patch Harland M. , Grozinger Christina M. , Mu Junpeng 
Published: May 2022

Many environmental factors impact plant and pollinator communities. However, variation in soil moisture and how it mediates the plant–pollinator interactions has yet to be elucidated. We hypothesized that long-term variation in soil moisture can exert a strong selective pressure on the floral and vegetative traits of plants, leading to changes in pollinator visitation. We demonstrated that there are three phenotypic populations ofGentiana aristatain our study alpine region in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau that vary in floral colour and other traits. Pink (dry habitat) and blue (intermediate habitat) flower populations are visited primarily by bumblebees, and white (wet habitat) flower populations are visited by flies. These patterns of visitation are driven by vegetative and floral traits and are constant when non-endemic plants are placed in the intermediate habitats. Additionally, the floral communities in different habitats vary, with more insect-pollinated forbs in the dry and intermediate habitats versus the wet habitats. Through a common garden and reciprocal transplant experiment, we demonstrated that plant growth traits, pollinator attractiveness and seed production are highest when the plant population is raised in its endemic habitat. This suggests that these plant populations have evolved to pollinator communities associated with habitat differences.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Natural processes influencing pollinator health: from chemistry to landscapes’.
Assessing pollen nutrient content: a unifying approach for the study of bee nutritional ecology
Authors: Lau Pierre , Lesne Pierre , Grebenok Robert J. , Rangel Juliana , Behmer Spencer T. 
Published: May 2022

Poor nutrition and landscape changes are regularly cited as key factors causing the decline of wild and managed bee populations. However, what constitutes ‘poor nutrition’ for bees currently is inadequately defined. Bees collect and eat pollen: it is their only solid food source and it provides a broad suite of required macro- and micronutrients. Bees are also generalist foragers and thus the different pollen types they collect and eat can be highly nutritionally variable. Therefore, characterizing the multidimensional nutrient content of different pollen types is needed to fully understand pollen as a nutritional resource. Unfortunately, the use of different analytical approaches to assess pollen nutrient content has complicated between-studies comparisons and blurred our understanding of pollen nutrient content. In the current study, we start by reviewing the common methods used to estimate protein and lipids found in pollen. Next, using monofloralBrassicaandRosapollen, we experimentally reveal biases in results using these methods. Finally, we use our collective data to propose a unifying approach for analysing pollen nutrient content. This will help researchers better study and understand the nutritional ecology—including foraging behaviour, nutrient regulation and health—of bees and other pollen feeders.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Natural processes influencing pollinator health: from chemistry to landscapes’.
Sex differences in NK cells mediated by the X-linked epigenetic regulator UTX
Authors: Cheng Mandy I. , Riggan Luke , Li Joey H. , Tafti Rana Yakhshi , Chin Scott , Ma Feiyang , Pellegrini Matteo , Hrncir Haley , Arnold Arthur P. , O’Sullivan Timothy E. , Su Maureen A. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractViral infection outcomes are sex-biased, with males generally more susceptible than females. Paradoxically, the numbers of anti-viral natural killer (NK) cells are increased in males compared to females. Using samples from mice and humans, we demonstrate that while numbers of male NK cells are increased compared to females, they display impaired production of the anti-viral cytokine IFN-γ. These sex differences were not due solely to divergent levels of gonadal hormones, since these differences persisted in gonadectomized mice. Instead, these differences can be attributed to lower male expression of X-linkedKdm6a(UTX), an epigenetic regulator which escapes X inactivation in female NK cells. NK cell-specific UTX deletion in females phenocopied multiple features of male NK cells, which include increased numbers and reduced IFN-γ production. Integrative ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analysis revealed a critical role for UTX in the regulation of chromatin accessibility and gene expression at loci important in NK cell homeostasis and effector function. Consequently, NK cell-intrinsic UTX levels are critical for optimal anti-viral immunity, since mice with NK cell-intrinsic UTX deficiency show increased lethality to mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) challenge. Taken together, these data implicate UTX as a critical molecular determinant of NK cell sex differences and suggest enhancing UTX function as a new strategy to boost endogenous NK cell anti-viral responses.
Smoking and socio-economic factors linked to acute exacerbations of COPD: analysis from an Asthma + Lung UK survey
Authors: Williams Parris J , Cumella Andrew , Philip Keir EJ , Laverty Anthony A. , Hopkinson Nicholas S 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the factors driving acute exacerbations of COPD is key to reducing their impact on human health and wellbeing. 5997 patients, mean 66 years, 64% female, completed an online survey between December 2020 and May 2021 about living with COPD developed by the charity Asthma+Lung UK. The 3731(62.2%) reporting frequent(≥2/year) exacerbations were more likely to smoke (AOR 1.70, 95%CI 1.470-1.98), have lower annual household income (≤£20,000, (AOR: 1.72, 1.36-2.17), live in a cold and damp home (AOR: 1.78, 1.50-2.11), and report previous occupational exposure to dust, fumes, and chemicals. Strategies to improve COPD outcomes must address issues of social justice.
Compensatory traits can explain concave cost function of purely sexual traits
Authors: Hasegawa Masaru 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe cost of ornamentation is often measured experimentally to study the relative importance of sexual and viability selection for ornamentation, but these experiments can lead to a misleading conclusion when compensatory trait is ignored. For example, a classic experiment on the outermost tail feathers in the barn swallowHirundo rustica, explains that the concave (or U-shaped) aerodynamic performance cost of the outermost tail feathers would be the evolutionary outcome through viability selection for optimal tail length, but this conclusion depends on the assumption that compensatory traits do not cause reduced performance. Using a simple “toy model” experiment, I demonstrated that ornamentation evolved purely though sexual selection can produce a concave cost function under the presence of compensatory traits, which was further reinforced by a simple mathematical model. Therefore, concave cost function (and the low performance of individuals with reduced ornaments) cannot be used to infer the evolutionary force favoring ornamentation, due to a previously overlooked concept, “overcompensation”, which can increase the apparent cost of ornamentation.
PCR Testing in the UK During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic – Evidence from FOI Requests
Authors: Jefferson Tom , Dietrich Madeleine , Brassey Jon , Heneghan Carl 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPolymerase Chain Reaction (“PCR”) tests have been used to identify cases of COVID-19 during the course of the pandemic. Notably, PCR alone cannot differentiate between the presence of whole viruses (which can be transmitted and infect individuals) and small fragments of genetic material that are not infectious. A feature of PCR known as the cycle threshold (Ct) can be used to discriminate between these states, but the relationship between Ct and infectiousness is still poorly understood.This well-known limitation of the test compromises the identification of cases and their trends, and consequently those measures to interrupt transmission (such as isolation) that are undertaken on the basis of reliably identifying infectious individuals.Here, we interrogate the public authorities’ understanding of PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 in the UK by accessing Freedom of Information requests submitted in 2020-21.We searched WhatDoTheyKnow and found 300 FOI requests, from over 150 individuals. We grouped their questions into four themes addressing the number of tests in use, the reporting of cycle thresholds (‘Ct’), the Ct values themselves, and the accuracy of tests.The number of validated tests in use in the UK is currently not clear: In FOI responses, Public Health England (PHE) report it may be “80” or “85”. However, European regulations suggest there could be over 400 different CE marked tests available on the market and available for use. Laboratories have a statutory duty to report positive cases to PHE, but they do not have to advise which tests they are using nor submit Ct values. Only two FOI responses provided answers on Ct values, indicating that in a set time span, 24–38% of the Ct values were over 30. The most common FOI asked if there was a cycle threshold for positivity. In those that responded, the Ct for a positive result varied from 30 to 45. We found limited information on the technical accuracy of the tests. Several responses stated there is no ‘static’, ‘specific’ or ‘standard’ cycle threshold.The current system requires significant changes to ensure it offers accurate diagnostic data to enable effective clinical management of SARS-CoV-2. PCR is an important and powerful tool, but its systematic misuse and misreporting risk undermining its usefulness and credibility.
Adaptation and validation of a French version of the Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) scale
Authors: Eisenblaetter Margot , Madiouni Clarisse , Laraki Yasmine , Capdevielle Delphine , Raffard Stéphane 
Published: May 2022

AbstractOver the past decades, vaccination has proven to be largely beneficial to global health. Despite vaccine efficacy, the French population has been recently affected by more anti-vaccination attitudes and vaccine refusal, and it is therefore necessary to develop and validate tools to study this health issue. The Vaccination Attitudes Examination scale is a brief 12-item questionnaire targeting adults, that assesses general attitudes towards vaccination. The aims of the study were (1) to translate and adapt the original English version of the scale into French and (2) to test the psychometric properties of the scale in a French population-based sample of adults. We included 450 French speaking adults that completed the French Vaccination Attitudes Examination scale and other questionnaires in order to assess convergent and divergent validities. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that the French version of the Vaccination Attitudes Examination scale replicated the factorial structure of the original scale. Moreover, it demonstrated high internal consistency, good convergent and divergent validities, and excellent temporal stability. Also, scores on the scale differentiated vaccinators from non-vaccinator respondents. Results on the scale provides us with insight into factors involved in vaccine hesitancy in France, therefore allowing French authorities and policy makers to address these specific concerns and by consequence improve vaccine acceptance rates in this country.
A role for super-spreaders in carrying malaria parasites across the months-long dry season
Authors: Stadler Eva , Cromer Deborah , Ogunlade Samson , Ongoiba Aissata , Doumbo Safiatou , Kayentao Kassoum , Traore Boubacar , Crompton Peter D , Portugal Silvia , Davenport Miles P , Khoury David S 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn malaria endemic regions, transmission of Plasmodium falciparum parasites is often seasonal with very low transmission during the dry season and high transmission in the wet season. Parasites survive the dry season within some individuals who experience prolonged carriage of parasites and are thought to ‘seed’ infection in the next transmission season. We use a combination of mathematical simulations and data analysis to characterise dry season carriers and their role in the subsequent transmission season. Simulating the life-history of individuals experiencing repeated exposure to infection predicts that dry season carriage is more likely in the oldest, most exposed and most immune individuals. This hypothesis is supported by data from a longitudinal study in Mali that shows that carriers are significantly older, experience a higher biting rate at the beginning of the transmission season and develop clinical malaria later than non-carriers. Further, since the most exposed individuals in a community are most likely to be dry season carriers, we show that this is predicted to enable a more than 2-fold faster spread of parasites into the mosquito population at the start of the subsequent wet season.
Effectiveness of the air-filled technique to reduce the dead space in syringes and needles during ChAdox1-n CoV vaccine administration
Authors: Phankavong Patchara , Prueksaanantakal Naphatthorn , Benjakul Nontawat , Manomaipiboon Anan 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn the current study, we calculated the vaccine volume and amount of dead space in a syringe and needle during ChAdox1-n CoV vaccine administration using the air-filled technique, to reduce dead space in syringe and needle that administer up to 12 doses per vial. The hypothetical situation uses a vial with a similar size as the ChAdox1-n CoV vial. We used distilled water (6.5 ml), to fill the same volume as five vials of ChAdox1-n CoV. When 0.48 ml of distilled water is drawn according to the number on the side of the barrel, an additional 0.10 ml of air can be used in the dead space of the distilled water in the syringe and needle for 60 doses, which can be divided into an average of 0.5 ml dose. ChAdox1-n CoV was administered using a 1-mL syringe and 25G needle to administer ChAdox1-n CoV vaccine into 12 doses using this air-filled technique. The volume of the recipient vaccine will be increase by 20% and save the budget of a low dead space syringe (LDS).Graphical Abstract
Genome-wide analysis of binge-eating disorder identifies the first three risk loci and implicates iron metabolism
Authors: Burstein David , Griffen Trevor , Therrien Karen , Bendl Jaroslav , Venkatesh Sanan , Dong Pengfei , Modabbernia Amirhossein , Zeng Biao , Mathur Deepika , Hoffman Gabriel , Sysko Robyn , Hildebrandt Tom , Voloudakis Georgios , Roussos Panos 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBinge-eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder yet its genetic architecture remains largely unknown. Studying BED is challenging because it is often comorbid with obesity, a common and highly polygenic trait, and it is underdiagnosed in biobank datasets. To address this limitation, we apply a supervised machine learning approach to estimate the probability of each individual having BED based on electronic medical records from the Million Veteran Program. We perform a genome-wide association study on individuals of African (n = 77,574) and European (n = 285,138) ancestry while controlling for body mass index to identify three independent loci near the HFE, MCHR2 and LRP11 genes, which are reproducible across three independent cohorts. We identify genetic association between BED and several neuropsychiatric traits and implicate iron metabolism in the pathophysiology of BED. Overall, our findings provide insights into the genetics underlying BED and suggest directions for future translational research.
Transcriptomic meta-analysis of non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphomas reveals reliance on pathways associated with the extracellular matrix
Authors: Rapier-Sharman Naomi , Clancy Jeffrey , Pickett Brett E. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractApproximately 450,000 cases of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are diagnosed annually worldwide, resulting in ∼240,000 deaths. An augmented understanding of the common mechanisms of pathology among relatively large numbers of B-cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (BCNHL) patients is sorely needed. We consequently performed a large transcriptomic meta-analysis of available BCNHL RNA-sequencing data from GEO, consisting of 322 relevant samples across ten distinct public studies, to find common underlying mechanisms across BCNHL subtypes. The study was limited to GEO’s publicly available human B-cell RNA-sequencing datasets that met our criteria, and limitations may include lack of diversity in ethnicities and age groups. We found ∼10,400 significant differentially expressed genes (FDR-adjusted p-value < 0.05) and 33 significantly modulated pathways (Bonferroni-adjusted p-value < 0.05) when comparing lymphoma samples to non-diseased samples. Our findings include a significant class of proteoglycans not previously associated with lymphomas as well as significant modulation of extracellular matrix-associated proteins. Our drug prediction results yielded new candidates including ocriplasmin and collagenase. We also used a machine learning approach to identify the BCNHL biomarkers YES1, FERMT2, and FAM98B, novel biomarkers of high predictive fidelity. This meta-analysis validates existing knowledge while providing novel insights into the inner workings and mechanisms of B-cell lymphomas that could give rise to improved diagnostics and/or therapeutics. No external funding was used for this study.
Human Lung-resident Mucosal-Associated Invariant T cells are Abundant, Express Antimicrobial Proteins, and are Cytokine Responsive
Authors: Meermeier Erin W. , Zheng Christina L. , Tran Jessica G , Soma Shogo , Worley Aneta H. , Weiss David I. , Modlin Robert L. , Swarbrick Gwendolyn , Karamooz Elham , Khuzwayo Sharon , Wong Emily B. , Gold Marielle C. , Lewinsohn David M. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMucosal-associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells are an innate-like T cell subset that recognize a broad array of microbial pathogens, including respiratory pathogens. Here we investigate the transcriptional profile of MAIT cells localized to the human lung, and postulate that MAIT cells may play a role in maintaining homeostasis at this mucosal barrier. Using the MR1/5-OP-RU tetramer, we identified MAIT cells and non-MAIT CD8+ T cells in lung tissue not suitable for transplant from human donors. We used RNA-sequencing of MAIT cells compared to non-MAIT CD8+ T cells to define the transcriptome of MAIT cells in the human lung. We show that, as a population, lung MAIT cells are polycytotoxic, secrete the directly antimicrobial molecule IL-26, express genes associated with persistence, and selectively express cytokine and chemokine-related molecules distinct from other lung-resident CD8+ T cells, such as interferon-γ− and IL-12-receptors. These data highlight MAIT cells’ predisposition to rapid pro-inflammatory cytokine responsiveness and antimicrobial mechanisms in human lung tissue, concordant with findings of blood-derived counterparts, and support a function for MAIT cells as early sensors in the defense of respiratory barrier function.
A bacteriophage-based, highly efficacious, needle and adjuvant-free, mucosal COVID-19 vaccine
Authors: Zhu Jingen , Jain Swati , Sha Jian , Batra Himanshu , Ananthaswamy Neeti , Kilgore Paul B. , Hendrix Emily K. , Hosakote Yashoda M. , Wu Xiaorong , Olano Juan P. , Kayode Adeyemi , Galindo Cristi L. , Banga Simran , Drelich Aleksandra , Tat Vivian , Tseng Chien-Te K. , Chopra Ashok K. , Rao Venigalla B. 
Published: May 2022

SUMMARYThe authorized mRNA- and adenovirus-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are intramuscularly injected and effective in preventing COVID-19, but do not induce efficient mucosal immunity, or prevent viral transmission. We developed a bacteriophage T4-based, multicomponent, needle and adjuvant-free, mucosal vaccine by engineering spike trimers on capsid exterior and nucleocapsid protein in the interior. Intranasal administration of T4-COVID vaccine induced higher virus neutralization antibody titers against multiple variants, balanced Th1/Th2 antibody and cytokine responses, stronger CD4+and CD8+T cell immunity, and higher secretory IgA titers in sera and bronchoalveolar lavage with no effect on the gut microbiota, compared to vaccination of mice intramuscularly. The vaccine is stable at ambient temperature, induces apparent sterilizing immunity, and provides complete protection against original SARS-CoV-2 strain and its Delta variant with minimal lung histopathology. This mucosal vaccine is an excellent candidate for boosting immunity of immunized and/or as a second-generation vaccine for the unimmunized population.
Genetic epidemiology of human neutrophil antigen variants suggest significant global variability
Authors: Rophina Mercy , Scaria Vinod 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHuman neutrophil antigens possess significant clinical implications especially in the fields of transfusion and transplantation medicine. Efforts to estimate the prevalence of genetic variations underpinning the antigenic expression are emerging. However, there lacks a precise capture of the global frequency profiles. Our article emphasizes the potential utility of maintaining an organized online repository of evidence on neutrophil antigen associated genetic variants from published literature and reports. This in our opinion, is an emerging area and would significantly benefit from the awareness and understanding of population-level diversities.
Thyroid hormone and ALK5 inhibitor improve maturation of human pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes
Authors: Withey Sarah , Gerrard David , Leeson Hannah , Atkinson-Dell Rebecca , Harrison Sean , Baxter Melissa , Wolvetang Ernst , Hanley Neil 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHepatocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) hold great promise for modeling human liver disease, in vitro hepatotoxicity testing, and future cellular therapy. However, current protocols generate hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) that resemble fetal hepatocytes, and thus do not accurately recapitulate the molecular identity and functions of the adult liver. To address this, we compared the transcriptomes of human fetal and adult liver to PSC-derived HLCs during progressive stages of in vitro differentiation. This revealed that during the final stages of in vitro differentiation the hepatic transcription factors HNF4A and CEBPA were sub-optimally expressed. Computational analyses predicted that ALK5i II (TGF-β receptor inhibitor) and thyroid hormone (T3) would be able to rectify this and improve HLC maturation. We next show that application of these molecules during hepatocyte differentiation indeed increases CEBPA and HNF4A mRNA and protein expression, and that these HLCs show enhanced albumin secretion, a 25-fold increase in CYP3A4 activity, and 10 to 100-fold increased expression of mature hepatic markers. We demonstrate that this improved maturation is effective across different cell lines and HLC differentiation protocols, and exemplifies that our approach provides a tractable template for identifying and targeting additional factors that that will fully mature human liver cells from human pluripotent stem cells.