bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting distributions of Wolbachia strains through host ecological contact—Who's manipulating whom?
Authors: Darwell Clive T. , Souto‐Vilarós Daniel , Michalek Jan , Boutsi Sotiria , Isua Brus , Sisol Mentap , Kuyaiva Thomas , Weiblen George , Křivan Vlastimil , Novotny Vojtech , Segar Simon T. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractReproductive isolation in response to divergent selection is often mediated via third‐party interactions. Under these conditions, speciation is inextricably linked to ecological context. We present a novel framework for understanding arthropod speciation as mediated by Wolbachia, a microbial endosymbiont capable of causing host cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). We predict that sympatric host sister‐species harbor paraphyletic Wolbachia strains that provide CI, while well‐defined congeners in ecological contact and recently diverged noninteracting congeners are uninfected due to Wolbachia redundancy. We argue that Wolbachia provides an adaptive advantage when coupled with reduced hybrid fitness, facilitating assortative mating between co‐occurring divergent phenotypes—the contact contingency hypothesis. To test this, we applied a predictive algorithm to empirical pollinating fig wasp data, achieving up to 91.60% accuracy. We further postulate that observed temporal decay of Wolbachia incidence results from adaptive host purging—adaptive decay hypothesis—but implementation failed to predict systematic patterns. We then account for post‐zygotic offspring mortality during CI mating, modeling fitness clines across developmental resources—the fecundity trade‐off hypothesis. This model regularly favored CI despite fecundity losses. We demonstrate that a rules‐based algorithm accurately predicts Wolbachia infection status. This has implications among other systems where closely related sympatric species encounter adaptive disadvantage through hybridization.
The EPICTER score: a bedside and easy tool to predict mortality at 6 months in acute heart failure
Authors: Romero‐Correa Miriam , Salamanca‐Bautista Prado , Bilbao‐González Amaia , Quirós‐López Raul , Nieto‐Martín Maria Dolores , Martín‐Jiménez María Luisa , Morales‐Rull José Luis , Quiles‐García Dolores , Gómez‐Gigirey Adriana , Formiga Francesc , Aramburu‐Bodas Óscar , Arias‐Jiménez José Luis ,   the EPICTER Investigators group
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimsEstimating the prognosis in heart failure (HF) is important to decide when to refer to palliative care (PC). Our objective was to develop a tool to identify the probability of death within 6 months in patients admitted with acute HF.Methods and resultsA total of 2848 patients admitted with HF in 74 Spanish hospitals were prospectively included and followed for 6 months. Each factor independently associated with death in the derivation cohort (60% of the sample) was assigned a prognostic weight, and a risk score was calculated. The accuracy of the score was verified in the validation cohort. The characteristics of the population were as follows: advanced age (mean 78 years), equal representation of men and women, significant comorbidity, and predominance of HF with preserved ejection fraction. During follow‐up, 753 patients (26%) died. Seven independent predictors of mortality were identified: age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cognitive impairment, New York Heart Association class III–IV, chronic kidney disease, estimated survival of the patient less than 6 months, and acceptance of a palliative approach by the family or the patient. The area under the ROC curve for 6 month death was 0.74 for the derivation and 0.68 for the validation cohort. The model showed good calibration (Hosmer and Lemeshow test, P value 0.11). The 6 month death rates in the score groups ranged from 6% (low risk) to 54% (very high risk).ConclusionsThe EPICTER score, developed from a prospective and unselected cohort, is a bedside and easy‐to‐use tool that could help to identify high‐risk patients requiring PC.
A neuroimaging study of interpersonal distance in identical and fraternal twins
Authors: Rosén Jörgen , Kastrati Granit , Kuja‐Halkola Ralf , Larsson Henrik , Åhs Fredrik 
Published: April 2022

AbstractKeeping appropriate interpersonal distance is an evolutionary conserved behavior that can be adapted based on learning. Detailed knowledge on how interpersonal space is represented in the brain and whether such representation is genetically influenced is lacking. We measured brain function using functional magnetic resonance imaging in 294 twins (71 monozygotic, 76 dizygotic pairs) performing a distance task where neural responses to human figures were compared to cylindrical blocks. Proximal viewing distance of human figures was compared to cylinders facilitated responses in the occipital face area (OFA) and the superficial part of the amygdala, which is consistent with these areas playing a role in monitoring interpersonal distance. Using the classic twin method, we observed a genetic influence on interpersonal distance related activation in the OFA, but not in the amygdala. Results suggest that genetic factors may influence interpersonal distance monitoring via the OFA whereas the amygdala may play a role in experience‐dependent adjustments of interpersonal distance.
LncRNA FIRRE stimulates PTBP1‐induced Smurf2 decay, stabilizes B‐cell receptor, and promotes the development of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Liu Qin‐Hua , Dai Guan‐Rong , Wu Yi , Wang Xiao‐Nan , Song Ming‐Yue , Li Xiao‐Dan , Wu Zhengsheng , Xia Rui‐Xiang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSustained expression of B‐cell receptor (BCR) critically contributes to the development of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, little is known on the mechanism regulating BCR expression. In the present study, we explored the biological significance of functional intergenic repeating RNA element (FIRRE) in DLBCL and its regulation on BCR. Functional impacts of FIRRE on cell viability, transformation, and apoptosis were examined by MTT, colony formation, and flow cytometry, respectively. The interaction between FIRRE and polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) was identified by RNA pull‐down and verified using RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. The effects of FIRRE and PTBP1 on Smurf2 mRNA were examined by RIP, RNA pull‐down, and mRNA stability assays. Smurf2‐mediated BCR ubiquitination was investigated using co‐immunoprecipitation, ubiquitination, and protein stability assays. In vivo, xenograft models were used to assess the impacts of targeting FIRRE on DLBCL growth. FIRRE was specifically up‐regulated in and essentially maintained multiple malignant behaviors of BCR‐dependent DLBCL cells. Through the interaction with PTBP1, FIRRE promoted the mRNA decay of Smurf2, a ubiquitin ligase for the degradation BCR protein. Targeting FIRRE was sufficient to regulat Smurf2 and BCR expressions and inhibit DLBCL malignancy both in vivo and in vitro. FIRRE‐PTBP1 interaction, by simulating Smurf2 mRNA decay and stabilizing BCR, promotes the development of DLBCL. Consequently, targeting this signaling mechanism may provide therapeutic benefits for DLBCL.
The cardioprotective effects of perindopril in a model of polymicrobial sepsis: The role of radical oxygen species and the inflammation pathway
Authors: Topcu Atilla , Kostakoglu Ugur , Mercantepe Tolga , Yilmaz Hulya K. , Tumkaya Levent , Uydu Huseyin A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMortality rates associated with myocardial dysfunction due to sepsis and septic shock are generally high across the world. The present study focused on the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects of perindopril (PER) for the purpose of preventing the adverse effects of sepsis on the myocardium and developing new alternatives in treatment. The control group received only saline solution via the oral route for 4 days. The second group underwent cecal ligation puncture (CLP), and the third underwent CLP and received PER (2 mg/kg). Rats in the third group received 2 mg/kg PER per oral (p.o.) from 4 days before induction of sepsis. Thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), total thiol (‐SH), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), IL‐6, 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB/p65) levels increased in the CLP groups. In contrast, PER (2 mg/kg) decreased the levels of biochemical parameters other than total‐SH and decreased 8‐OHdG, NF‐κB/p65 immunopositivity in rat heart tissues. The data from this study show that impairment of the oxidant/antioxidant balance and inflammatory cytokine levels in favor of inflammation in heart tissue under septic conditions results in severe tissue damage. PER administration before sepsis was shown to exhibit antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties by reducing these effects. This in turn increased the importance of PER as new evidence of its protective effects in heart tissue.
Impairment of transcription factor Gcr1p binding motif perturbs OPI3 transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Chidambaram Ravi , Ramachandran Gowsalya , Rajasekharan Ram , Nachiappan Vasanthi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the transcription factor GCR1 plays a vital role in carbohydrate metabolism and in the current study we tried to elucidate its role in lipid metabolism. In silico analysis revealed the upstream activation sequence (UAS) in the promoter region of OPI3 possessed six conserved recognition sequences for Gcr1p and the ChIP assay confirmed the binding of Gcr1p on the OPI3 promoter region. The real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and promoter–reporter activity revealed a substantial reduction in OPI3 expression and was supported with decreased phosphatidylcholine (PC) level that is rescued with exogenous choline supplementation in gcr1∆ cells. Simultaneously, there was an increase in triacylglycerol level, accompanied with increased number and size of lipid droplets in gcr1∆ cells. The expression of pT1, pT2 truncations in opi3∆ cells revealed the −1 to −500 bp in the promoter region is essential for the activation of OPI3 transcription. The mutation specifically at UASCT box (−265) in the OPI3 promoter region displayed a reduction in the PC level and the additional mutation at UASINO (−165) further reduced the PC level. Collectively, our data suggest that the GCR1 transcription factor also regulates the OPI3 expression and has an impact on lipid homeostasis.
The impact of psychological hardiness on intolerance of uncertainty in university students during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Oral Meltem , Karakurt Nurgül 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to measure the impact of psychological hardiness on the intolerance of uncertainty (IOU) among university students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. A cross‐sectional correlational research design was used in the study, where participants were selected by convenience sampling. The data was collected from 1217 undergraduate students from a university in Turkey through web‐based questionnaires. The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale assessed data, including intolerance of uncertainty. In addition, the Personal Views Survey III‐R was used to measure students' psychological hardiness. The results indicated that Turkish undergraduate students overall had high IOU and above‐average psychological hardiness. Psychological hardiness was negatively correlated with IOU. Students losing a loved one because of COVID‐19 had increased intolerance to uncertainty and lower psychological hardiness. Psychological hardiness was a powerful predictor of IOU. These findings show the need to implement hardiness‐training programs for undergraduate students to increase their tolerance to uncertainty and reduce the effect of grief.
Mixotrophic flagellate ingestion boosts microplastic accumulation in ascidians
Authors: Pennati Roberta , Castelletti Chiara , Parolini Marco , Scarì Giorgio , Mercurio Silvia 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMicroplastics are contaminants of global environmental concern. They can be ingested by a variety of organisms when they enter the food web. Several studies have reported trophic transfer of microplastics from low trophic levels to higher ones. Bioaccumulation has been suggested to occur but few studies have demonstrated it for marine environments. In this article, in controlled laboratory conditions, we exposed filter‐feeder ascidian juveniles to microplastics in the presence or in absence of mixotrophic cryptomonad flagellates. Cryptomonads can efficiently ingest microbeads, and their presence significantly increased the concentration of microplastics in the digestive tract of the ascidians. Our results demonstrate the occurrence of microplastic bioaccumulation in the lower levels of the marine trophic chain and suggest that unicellular organisms can be key actors in microplastic trophic transfer at the microscale level.
Rapid and quantitative evaluation of vaccinia virus‐induced host shutoff using newly generated cell lines stably expressing secreted Gaussia luciferase
Authors: Molina Joshua A. , Yang Zhilong 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHost shutoff, characterized by a global decline of cellular protein synthesis, is commonly observed in many viral infections, including vaccinia virus (VACV). Classic methods measuring host shutoff include the use of radioactive or nonradioactive probes to label newly synthesized proteins followed by radioautography or sodium dodecyl‐sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to resolve the proteins for follow‐up detection. Although these are highly reliable methods, they are time‐ and labor‐consuming. Here, we generated two cell lines stably expressing secreted Gaussia luciferase. These reporter cells allow rapid, quantitative, and consecutive monitoring of host shutoff from a single infection sample. We evaluated host shutoff induced by wild‐type and various mutant VACVs using the reporter cell lines. The results validated the utilities of the reporter cells and quantitatively characterized VACV‐induced host shutoff at different stages of replication. Notably, the results also indicated additional major unidentified VACV shutoff factors. Our study provides new tools to study host shutoff. The reporter cells are also suitable for high throughput settings and rapid testing of clinically isolated viruses. In combination with classical methods, these tools will greatly facilitate understanding of virus‐induced host shutoff, and protein synthesis shutoff caused by other physiologically relevant stresses.
Development of an effective and safe system for bioavailability of vitamin E supplements in the stomach
Authors: Kouchi Mandana Moradi , Amani Hossein , Naseri Ali , Kariminezhad Hasan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractVitamin E deficiency has caused many problems for humans, especially patients who have difficulty absorbing this substance in their meals. Vitamin E supplements are commonly suggested to patients to solve these problems. Thus, improving the bioavailability of vitamin E in O/W microemulsions is one of the challenges for researchers. Another challenge is the safe production of these materials which must be considered. Using biosurfactants instead of surfactants is a move towards green and safe production and consumption of these materials. This paper discusses method of preparing vitamin E microemulsions by using a crude biosurfactant from Yarrowia lipolytica IMUFRJ50628. In this work, maximal crude biosurfactant concentration 3.3 g/L was attained after 130 h of cultivation and the crude biosurfactant was characterized by FTIR analysis. Phase diagram of bio‐ based microemulstions (water/vitamin E/soy bean oil/lecithin/biosurfactant) was compared with chemical‐based microemulstions (water/vitamin E/soy bean oil/lecithin/Tween 80). The results showed that the crude biosurfactant is a good alternative to the Tween 80 for green production consideration. Dynamic light scattering measurements for the both systems showed they were stable under human stomach conditions such as 37°C and pH = 2 for 7 days. Our successful method for preparing a bio‐ based O/W microemulsion confirmed that biosurfactants can be used instead of surfactants from chemical synthesis and it is thought that the incorporation of biosurfactants may be widely used in the future as a vehicle for vitamin E in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
High‐resolution water‐quality and ecosystem‐metabolism modeling in lowland rivers
Authors: Pathak Devanshi , Hutchins Michael , Brown Lee E. , Loewenthal Matthew , Scarlett Peter , Armstrong Linda , Nicholls David , Bowes Mike , Edwards François , Old Gareth 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHigh‐resolution monitoring of water quality and ecosystem functioning over large spatial scales in expansive lowland river catchments is challenging. Therefore, we need modeling tools to predict these processes at locations where observations are absent. Here, we present a new approach to estimate ecosystem metabolism underpinned by a high‐resolution, process‐based model of in‐stream flows and water quality. The model overcomes the current challenges in metabolism modeling by accounting for oxygen transport under varying flows and oxygen transformations due to biogeochemical processes. We implement the model in a 62‐km‐long stretch of the River Thames, England, using observations spanning 2 yr. Model outputs suggest that the river is primarily autotrophic from mid‐spring to mid‐summer due to high biomass during low‐flow periods, and is heterotrophic during the rest of the year. Ecosystem respiration in upstream reaches is driven mainly by biochemical oxygen demand, autotrophic respiration, and nitrification processes, whereas downstream sites also show a control of benthic oxygen demand in addition to the aforementioned processes. Using empirical modeling, we analyze the sensitivity of our estimated metabolism rates to multiple environmental stressors. Results demonstrate that empirical models could be useful for rapid river health assessments, but need improvements to reproduce peak metabolism rates. The process‐based model, although more complex than existing in situ approaches to metabolism quantification, allows inference when gaps in continuous observations are present. The model offers additional benefits for predicting metabolism rates under future scenarios of environmental change incorporating multiple stressor effects.
Concomitant knockout of target and transporter genes in filamentous fungi by genome co‐editing
Authors: Tamano Koichi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn most countries, genetically modified microorganisms are not approved for use for fermentation in the food industry. Therefore, random mutagenesis and subsequent screening are performed to improve the productivities of valuable metabolites and enzymes as well as other specific functions in an industrial microbial strain. In addition, targeted gene knockout is performed by genetic recombination using its enzyme genes as selectable markers to maintain self‐cloning status. However, random mutagenesis has a drawback as it does not guarantee improvement of the targeted function. Conversely, self‐cloning is rarely used to breed an industrial microbial strain. This is probably because a self‐cloning strain is similar to a genetically modified strain, as both undergo homologous recombination, although exogenous genes are not introduced. In this article, I discuss the usefulness of genome editing technology as a substitute for conventional techniques to breed filamentous fungal strains. This article particularly focusses on “genome co‐editing,” a genome editing technology used for knocking out two genes concomitantly, as reported in Magnaporthe grisea and Aspergillus oryzae. Especially, when genome co‐editing is applied to a target gene and a membrane transporter gene that aid the entry of toxic compounds into cells, the resulting clone can be categorized as an autotrophic and non‐genetically modified clone. Such a clone should easily apply to industrial fermentation without being restricted by a genetically modified status. Genome co‐editing will also be used to construct mutant strains with multiple target gene knockouts by eliminating multiple membrane transporter genes. This could substantially improve the productivities of valuable metabolites and enzymes in a stepwise manner. Thus, genome co‐editing is considered a potentially powerful method to knock out single or multiple target genes that can contribute to the breeding of filamentous fungal strains in the food industry.
Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in precancerous keratinocytes promotes neighboring head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma cancer stem cell‐like properties and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase inhibitor insensitivity
Authors: Nguyen Khoa A. , Keith Madison J. , Keysar Stephen B. , Hall Spencer C. , Bimali Anamol , Jimeno Antonio , Wang Xiao‐Jing , Young Christian D. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is commonly associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption that induce a “precancerous field,” with phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) signaling being a common driver. However, the preclinical effectiveness of PI3K inhibitors has not necessarily translated to remarkable benefit in HNSCC patients. Thus, we sought to determine how precancerous keratinocytes influence HNSCC proliferation, cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance, and response to PI3K inhibitors. We used the NOK keratinocyte cell line as a model of preneoplastic keratinocytes because it harbors two frequent genetic events in HNSCC, CDKN2A promoter methylation and TP53 mutation, but does not form tumors. NOK cell coculture or NOK cell‐conditioned media promoted HNSCC proliferation, PI3K inhibitor resistance, and CSC phenotypes. SOMAscan‐targeted proteomics determined the relative levels of >1300 analytes in the media conditioned by NOK cells and HNSCC cells ± PI3K inhibitor. These results demonstrated that NOK cells release abundant levels of ligands that activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), two receptor tyrosine kinases with oncogenic activity. Inhibition of EGFR, but not FGFR, blunted PI3K inhibitor resistance and CSC phenotypes induced by NOK cells. Our results demonstrate that precancerous keratinocytes can directly support neighboring HNSCC by activating EGFR. Importantly, PI3K inhibitor sensitivity was not necessarily a cancer cell‐intrinsic property, and the tumor microenvironment impacts therapeutic response and supports CSCs. Additionally, combined inhibition of EGFR with PI3K inhibitor diminished EGFR activation induced by PI3K inhibitor and potently inhibited cancer cell proliferation and CSC maintenance.
A novel high‐gain omnidirectional antenna using near‐zero‐index metamaterials
Authors: Guo Yao , Zhao Jing , Zhao Xiaopeng 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAntennas applied in wireless communications are required to have omnidirectional radiation in horizontal plane and low profile. But, the low profile make the antenna challenging to obtain high horizontal gain. In this paper, we proposed a novel high gain antenna with near‐zero‐index metamaterial (NZIM). The horizontal gain of antenna with omnidirectional radiation is improved by 1.30 dBi. In addition, the increment of horizontal gain increases as the refractive index of NZIM unit approaches zero. It can be applied to further optimize the horizontal gain. This novel antenna has low profile (about 0.034λ) with high horizontal gain and omnidirectional radiation, which is suitable for wireless communications.