bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contributions of Yersinia pestis outer membrane protein Ail to plague pathogenesis
Authors: Kolodziejek Anna M. , Hovde Carolyn J. , Minnich Scott A. 
Published: June 2022

Purpose of review
Pathogenic Yersinia have been a productive model system for studying bacterial pathogenesis. Hallmark contributions of Yersinia research to medical microbiology are legion and include: (i) the first identification of the role of plasmids in virulence, (ii) the important mechanism of iron acquisition from the host, (iii) the first identification of bacterial surface proteins required for host cell invasion, (iv) the archetypical type III secretion system, and (v) elucidation of the role of genomic reduction in the evolutionary trajectory from a fairly innocuous pathogen to a highly virulent species.

Recent findings
The outer membrane (OM) protein Ail (attachment invasion locus) was identified over 30 years ago as an invasin-like protein. Recent work on Ail continues to provide insights into Gram-negative pathogenesis. This review is a synopsis of the role of Ail in invasion, serum resistance, OM stability, thermosensing, and vaccine development.

Summary
Ail is shown to be an essential virulence factor with multiple roles in pathogenesis. The recent adaptation of Yersinia pestis to high virulence, which included genomic reduction to eliminate redundant protein functions, is a model to understand the emergence of new bacterial pathogens.
Can levetiracetam improve clinical symptoms in schizophrenic patients? A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Behdani Fatemeh , Hassanzadeh Behnaz , Eslamzadeh Mahboubeh , Moradi Marjan , Hebrani Paria , Dadgarmoghaddam Maliheh , Shamsaki Negar 
Published: June 2022

Introduction
Schizophrenia is associated with persistent cognitive deficits, which worsen treatment outcomes despite increasing antipsychotic doses. This study aimed to assess the effect of levetiracetam on the severity of schizophrenia symptoms and cognitive deficits in these patients.

Materials and Methods
In this randomized, controlled, three-blind randomized clinical trial approved by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran (IRCT20101130005280N31), forty chronic schizophrenic patients aged 18–60 years were randomly divided into two groups of levetiracetam and placebo. The levetiracetam group received levetiracetam for 8 weeks. The symptoms were evaluated by Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), Stroop test, Digit Span test and Wisconsin Test at baseline, 4th week, and 8th week. Data were analyzed through SPSS V. 23 software, descriptive tests and inferential statistics.

Results
At the end of the study, all subscales of the PANSS questionnaire reduced significantly (P < 0.05). Also, all subscales of the cognitive tests had significant changes. The trends of digit span tests, correct number of consonants and inconsonant were increasing. While the trends related to consonant errors, inconsistent errors, consistent reaction time and nonconsistent reaction time were decreasing. The changes in the number of classes were increased while changes in preservation error were decreased.

Conclusion
The results showed that levetiracetam has significant effects on clinical symptoms, especially negative symptoms. Also, it impacts significantly on cognitive functions. It is recommended that it be added to the pharmacological regimen of these patients to improve their clinical symptoms, quality of life and treatment outcomes.
A Polygenic Score for Reduced Kidney Function and Adverse Outcomes in a Chronic Kidney Disease Cohort
Authors: Steinbrenner Inga , Yu Zhi , Jin Jin , Schultheiss Ulla T. , Kotsis Fruzsina , Grams Morgan E. , Coresh Josef , Wuttke Matthias ,   GCKD investigators, Kronenberg Florian , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Sekula Peggy , Köttgen Anna 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe studied whether a polygenic score for reduced kidney function developed from population-based studies was associated with adverse outcomes among persons with chronic kidney disease. The polygenic score was significantly associated with incident kidney failure, major adverse cardiovascular outcomes and overall mortality while adjusting for age, sex, and baseline eGFR: the hazard ratio for kidney failure over 6.5 years was 1.83 (95% CI 1.40-2.39) comparing those in the highest and lowest quartiles of the polygenic score. However, the significant associations of the polygenic score did not translate to improved outcome prediction in comparison to established risk equations.
Using Mesoscopic Tract-Tracing Data to Guide the Estimation of Fiber Orientation Distributions in the Mouse Brain from Diffusion MRI
Authors: Liang Zifei , Arefin Tanzil Mahmud , Lee Choong H. , Zhang Jiangyang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDiffusion MRI (dMRI) tractography is the only tool for non-invasive mapping of macroscopic structural connectivity over the entire brain. Although it has been successfully used to reconstruct large white matter tracts in the human and animal brains, the sensitivity and specificity of dMRI tractography remained limited. Especially, the fiber orientation distributions (FODs) estimated from dMRI signals, key to tractography, may deviate from histologically measured fiber orientation in crossing fibers and gray matter regions. In this study, we demonstrated that a deep learning network, trained using mesoscopic tract-tracing data from the Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas, was able to improve the estimation of FODs from mouse brain dMRI data. Tractography results based on the network generated FODs showed improved specificity while maintaining sensitivity comparable to results based on FOD estimated using a conventional spherical deconvolution method. Our result is a proof-of-concept of how mesoscale tract-tracing data can guide dMRI tractography and enhance our ability to characterize brain connectivity.
The duration of Eragrostis capillaris is not strictly annual: it does not senesce, can reproduce multiple times, but lacks frost tolerance
Authors: McNickle Gordon G. 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACTThe duration of Eragrostis capillaris (L.) Nees (love lacegrass) is currently described as an annual by all sources. Here, I describe observations that show it does not senesce naturally, can reproduce multiple times across multiple years, but lacks frost tolerance. I conclude that E. capillaris probably grows as an annual throughout much of its range due to killing frost, but can have a perennial duration in locations or years that do not have a killing frost. Its status as an annual is likely to change under a warming climate. I suggest its duration should be updated to “annual or perennial” in taxonomic guides. It remains an open question how common such shifts might be under a warming climate.
Lis1 binding regulates force-induced detachment of cytoplasmic dynein from microtubules
Authors: Kusakci Emre , Htet Zaw Min , Zhao Yuanchang , Gillies John P. , Reck-Peterson Samara L. , Yildiz Ahmet 
Published: June 2022

AbstractCytoplasmic dynein-1 (dynein) is an AAA+ motor that transports intracellular cargos towards the microtubule minus end. Lissencephaly-1 (Lis1) binds to the AAA+ ring and stalk of dynein’s motor domain and promotes the assembly of active dynein complexes. Recent studies showed that Lis1 slows motility when it remains bound to dynein, but the underlying mechanism remained unclear. Using single-molecule and optical trapping assays, we investigated how Lis1 binding affects the motility and force generation of yeast dynein in vitro. We showed that Lis1 does not slow dynein motility by serving as a roadblock or tethering dynein to microtubules. Lis1 binding also does not affect the forces that stall dynein movement, but it induces prolonged stalls and reduces the asymmetry in the force-induced detachment of dynein from microtubules. The mutagenesis of the Lis1 binding sites on dynein’s stalk partially recovers this asymmetry but does not restore dynein velocity. These results suggest that Lis1’s interaction with the AAA+ ring is sufficient to result in slower movement and that Lis1’s interaction with dynein’s stalk slows force-induced detachment of dynein from microtubules.
A More Accurate Measurement of COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Authors: Vu Christina , Kawaguchi Eric S. , Torres Cesar H. , Lee Austin H. , Stafylis Chrysovalantis , Klausner Jeffrey D. , Khan Saahir 
Published: June 2022

AbstractCOVID-19 hospitalizations are a key indicator of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control describes oxygen supplementation as a measure of severe disease. SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive patients hospitalized without hypoxia or requiring oxygen may have been identified incidentally due to routine screening practices. We describe the application of a revised case definition for COVID-19 hospitalization based on the case-patient oxygen requirement on admission. Using data collected from consecutive SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive hospital admissions in December 2021 and January 2022 at a large safety net hospital in Los Angeles County, we highlight differences between patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (i.e., no oxygen requirement on admission or `incidental` infection) and those hospitalized for COVID-19 (i.e., oxygen requirement on admission). We conducted multivariable modeling to determine the effect of age as a positive predictor of COVID-19 hospitalization and vaccination or prior infection as a negative predictor. The revised case-definition resulted in a substantial decrease in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations during the study period: 67.5% of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive hospital admissions were not for COVID-19 but with COVID-19. A revised case-definition for COVID-19 hospitalization that includes the oxygen requirement on admission is needed to more accurately monitor the pandemic and inform public health policy.
Ancient DNA evidence for the ecological globalisation of cod fishing in medieval and post-medieval Europe
Authors: Martínez-García Lourdes , Ferrari Giada , Cuevas Angélica , Atmore Lane M. , López-Arias Begoña , Culling Mark , Llorente-Rodríguez Laura , Morales-Muñiz Arturo , Roselló-Izquierdo Eufrasia , Quirós Juan Antonio , Marlasca-Martín Ricard , Hänfling Bernd , Hutchinson William F. , Jakobsen Kjetill S. , Jentoft Sissel , Orton David , Star Bastiaan , Barrett James H. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the historical emergence and growth of long-range fisheries can provide fundamental insights into the timing of ecological impacts and the development of coastal communities during the last millennium. Whole genome sequencing approaches can improve such understanding by determining the origin of archaeological fish specimens that may have been obtained from historic trade or distant water. Here, we used genome-wide data to individually infer the biological source of 37 ancient Atlantic cod specimens (ca. 1050 to 1950 CE) from England and Spain. Our findings provide novel genetic evidence that eleventh- to twelfth-century specimens from London were predominantly obtained from nearby populations, while thirteenth- to fourteenth-century specimens derived from distant sources. Our results further suggest that Icelandic cod was exported to London earlier than previously reported. Our observations confirm the chronology and geography of the trans-Atlantic cod trade from Newfoundland to Spain starting by the early sixteenth century. Our findings demonstrate the utility of whole genome sequencing and ancient DNA approaches to describe the globalisation of marine fisheries and increase our understanding regarding the extent of the North-Atlantic fish trade and long-range fisheries in medieval and early modern times.
Shaping neonatal immunization by tuning delivery of synergistic adjuvants via nanocarriers
Authors: Barman Soumik , Borriello Francesco , Brook Byron , Pietrasanta Carlo , De Leon Maria , Sweitzer Cali , Menon Manisha , van Haren Simon D. , Soni Dheeraj , Saito Yoshine , Nanishi Etsuro , Yi Sijia , Bobbala Sharan , Levy Ofer , Scott Evan A. , Dowling David J. 
Published: June 2022

ABSTRACTAdjuvanted nanocarrier-based vaccines hold substantial potential for applications in novel early-life immunization strategies. Here, via mouse and human age-specificin vitromodelling, we identified the combination of a small molecule STING agonist (2′3′-cyclic GMP-AMP, cGAMP) and a TLR7/8 agonist (CL075) to drive synergistic activation of neonatal dendritic cells and precision CD4 Th cell expansion via the IL-12/IFNγ axis. We further demonstrate that vaccination of neonatal mice with quadrivalent influenza recombinant hemagglutinin (rHA) and an admixture of two polymersome (PS) nanocarriers separately encapsulating-cGAMP (cGAMP-PS) and CL075 (CL075-PS) drove robust T helper (Th)1 bias, high frequency of T follicular helper (TFH) cells and germinal center B (GC B) cells along with IgG2c-skewed humoral responsein vivo. Dual loaded cGAMP/CL075-PSs did not outperform admixed cGAMP-PSs and CL075-PSsin vivo. These data validate an optimally designed adjuvantation system, via age-selected small molecule synergy and a multi-component nanocarrier formulation, as an effective approach to induce type 1 immune responses in early life.
A flow self-regulating STA-MCA bypass based on side to side fashion anastomosis for adult patients with moyamoya disease
Authors: Zhang Jianjian , Fujimura Miki , Lau Tsz Yeung , Chen Jincao 
Published: June 2022

AbstractOBJECTIVESide to side (S-S) fashion superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass was reported for treating a special moyamoya disease (MMD) patient with collaterals arising from the donor STA. However, the S-S technique is not routinely performed to date and its benefits are still unknown for adult MMD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of routine use of the S-S technique for adult MMD.METHODSThe authors retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from 50 adult patients (65 hemispheres, including 30 in end to side [E-S] group and 35 in S-S group) with MMD underwent STA-MCA bypass. The patients’ demographics, clinical courses, technical details, intraoperative blood flow, post- and preoperative relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores and short-term revascularization results were compared between the two groups.RESULTSThere was no significant difference observed in terms of baseline characteristics, bypass patency rates, post-/ preoperative rCBF values, incidence of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS), improvement of mRS scores and short-term revascularization results between the two groups (P all > 0.05). Intraoperative blood flow analysis showed the increase of STA flow in the E-S group was significantly higher than that of proximal STA flow in the S-S group (P = 0.008 <0.05). Although the increases of proximal and distal recipient flow in the E-S group seemed higher than those in the S-S group, the results were not statistically significant (P = 0.086 in proximal and P = 0.076 in distal). The CHS symptoms were milder and their duration time was much shorter in the S-S group. The follow-up angiographic data of the representative case amazingly demonstrated that all the frontal and parietal STA branch and occipital artery participated in the postoperative collateralization.CONCLUSIONSS-S anastomosis can achieve comparable clinical effects to standard E-S construction. S-S anastomosis used in adult MMD demonstrated mild CHS symptoms with short duration time and had the potential to arouse all scalp arteries as donor sources for revascularization through the intact distal STA by a flow self-regulating fashion.
Plant-based Production and Characterization of a Promising Fc-fusion Protein against Bone Mass Density Loss
Authors: Xiong Yongao , Hirano Hiroto , Lane Nancy E. , Nandi Somen , McDonald Karen A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractMicrogravity-induced bone loss is a main obstacle for long term space missions as it is difficult to maintain bone mass when loading stimuli is reduced. With a typical bone mineral density loss of 1.5% per month of microgravity exposure, the chances for osteoporosis and fractures may endanger astronauts’ health. Parathyroid Hormone or PTH (1-34) is an FDA approved treatment for osteoporosis, and may reverse microgravity-induced bone loss. However, PTH proteins requires refrigeration, daily subcutaneous injection, and have a short shelf-life, limiting its use in a resource-limited environment, like space. In this study, PTH was produced in an Fc-fusion form via transient expression in plants, to improve the circulatory half-life which reduces dosing frequency and to simplify purification if needed. Plant-based expression is well-suited for space medicine application given its low resource consumption and short expression timeline. The PTH-Fc accumulation profile in plant was established with a peak expression on day 5 post infiltration of 373 ± 59 mg/kg leaf fresh weight. Once the PTH-Fc was purified, the amino acid sequence and the binding affinity to its target, PTH 1 receptor (PTH1R), was determined utilizing biolayer interferometry (BLI). The binding affinity between PTH-Fc and PTH1R was 2.30 × 10−6 M, similar to the affinity between PTH (1–34) and PTH1R (2.31 × 10−6 M). Its function was also confirmed in a cell-based receptor stimulation assay, where PTH-Fc was able to stimulate the PTH1R producing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) with an EC50 of (8.54 ± 0.12) × 10−9 M, comparable to the EC50 from the PTH (1-34) of 1.49 × 10−8 M. These results suggest that plant recombinant PTH-Fc exhibits a similar potency compared to PTH. Furthermore, it can be produced rapidly at high levels with minimal resources and reagents, making it ideal for production in low resource environments such as space.
Computational evaluations of emissions indexes released by the STRATOFLY air-breathing combined propulsive system
Authors: Saccone Guido , Ispir Ali Can , Saracoglu Bayindir Huseyin , Cutrone Luigi , Marini Marco 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide the description of a computational methodology to model the combined propulsive systems of hydrogen propelled air-breathing scramjet vehicles and to evaluate the pollutant and climate-changing emissions.

Design/methodology/approach
Emissions indexes of nitrogen oxide (EINO) and water vapour released by the air turbo rocket (ATR) and dual mode ramjet (DMR) engines of the STRATOFLY air-breathing, hypersonic scramjet vehicle, propelled by hydrogen/air were evaluated. ATR engine operation was assessed for several cruise conditions in both subsonic and supersonic flight regimes in Ecosimpro software, which is an object-oriented thermodynamic design and simulation platform. ATR combustor inlet flow conditions play a key role in the computation of species mass fractions, and these conditions are highly dependent on turbomachinery performance and engine flight regime. A propulsive operational database was created by varying mass flow rates of fuel and flight conditions such as cruise speed and altitude to investigate possible engine operations. The all-inlet conditions in this map are provided to the Cantera-Python chemical/combustion chemistry solver implementing a specially designed and formulated 0D kinetic-thermodynamic methodology successfully used to model and simulate the electric spark ignition required to activate the combustion process of the reacting mixture in the ATR combustion chambers, whereas the coupled aero-thermodynamic/aero-propulsive 0D/1D code i.e. Scramjet PREliminary Aerothermodynamic Design (SPREAD), designed and developed by the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA) was used for DMR calculations. Results show low emissions of NO according to the optimized design of the ATR; on the other hand, a tuning of operational conditions is needed for DMR, with its complete re-design to be more conclusive. Analogously, the released amount of water vapour is in good agreement with the required combustion efficiency and the expected propulsive performance.

Findings
Results show low emissions of NO according to the optimized design of the ATRs; on the other hand, a tuning of operational conditions is needed for DMR, with its complete re-design to be more conclusive. Analogously, the released amount of water vapour is in good agreement with the required combustion efficiency and the expected propulsive performance.

Originality/value
Applications of innovative 0D/1D chemical kinetic methodology and in-house codes.
Role and perspective of suppliers in brand co-creation: an exploratory study
Authors: Sarkar Sanmitra , Banerjee Saikat 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find supplier's role in brand co-creation. This paper also discusses the perspective of suppliers on the role and benefits of other stakeholders like consumers and the sponsoring organization in brand co-creation and to come up with some concepts and constructs related to these.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach has been used to identify supplier roles. Depth interviews were conducted on 15 selected suppliers from India already participated in brand co-creation. Grounded theory method was used to code and analyze the data and come up with important themes.FindingsThe grounded theory findings showed that suppliers need to have certain features like professionalism, willingness to invest in research and development (R&D) and flexible attitude in order to participate in brand co-creation. In turn, suppliers are benefited from participating in such an event as it improves their performance, growth and offerings. The depth interview findings also showed the reasons for successful and failed brand co-creation and the informant suppliers' view on the roles consumers and organization play in band co-creation and the benefits they receive.Originality/valueThis is one of the first academic studies of identifying supplier's role in brand co-creation looking beyond consumers and organization. There is no qualitative and quantitative study that was conducted to find out supplier's role. The paper conceptualizes important concepts related to supplier's features, roles and benefits in brand co-creation.
Exploring the synergy between R&D and advertising and firm performance: a neural network approach
Authors: Kwon He-Boong , Lee Jooh , Choi Laee 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThis paper explores the nonlinear interactions of research and development (R&D) and advertising and their synergistic effect on firm performance using Tobin's Q. This study also aims to investigate differential synergy patterns under varying levels of exports with a precision impact on performance.Design/methodology/approachUnlike a conventional statistical approach, this study uniquely presents a neural network approach to explore the dynamic interplay of strategic factors. A multilayer perceptron neural network (MPNN) is designed to capture complex interaction patterns through a predictive analytic process.FindingsThis study finds that the impact of R&D and advertising is positive, with a greater effect on high-export firms. Moreover, the experiment results show that the synergy of R&D and advertising goes beyond the formatted positive/negative frame and actually has a reinforcing effect.Practical implicationsThis study not only conveys the significant nexus of R&D and advertising for firm performance but also provides industry managers' practical means to assess the joint effect of R&D and advertising on firm performance. The proposed analytic mechanism in particular provides pragmatic decision support to managers in harmonizing their R&D and advertising efforts for a foreseeable impact.Originality/valueThis paper presents an innovative analytic process using the MPNN to explore the synergy between R&D and advertising. In addition to offering new perspectives on R&D and advertising, this study presents pragmatic implications for managing those strategic resources to meet performance targets.