bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
C-di-GMP signalling links biofilm formation and Mn(II) oxidation in Pseudomonas resinovorans
Authors: Piazza Ainelen , Casalini Lucila Ciancio , Sisti Federico , Fernández Julieta , Malone Jacob G. , Ottado Jorgelina , Serra Diego O. , Gottig Natalia 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTBioaugmentation of biological sand filters with Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) is used to increase Mn removal efficiencies from groundwater. While the biofilm-forming ability of MOB is important to achieve optimal Mn filtration, the regulatory link between biofilm formation and Mn(II) oxidation remains unclear. Here, the environmental isolate P. resinovorans strain MOB-513 was used as a model to investigate the role of c-di-GMP, a second messenger crucially involved in the regulation of biofilm formation by Pseudomonas, in the oxidation of Mn(II). A novel role for c-di-GMP in the up-regulation of Mn(II) oxidation through induction of the expression of Manganese-Oxidizing Peroxidase (MOP) enzymes was revealed. MOB-513 macrocolony biofilms showed a strikingly stratified pattern of Mn oxides (BMnOx) accumulation in a localized top layer. Remarkably, elevated cellular levels of c-di-GMP correlated not only with increased accumulation of BMnOx in the same top layer, but also with the appearance of a second BMnOx stratum in the bottom region of macrocolony biofilms and the expression of mop genes correlated with this pattern. Proteomic analysis under Mn(II) conditions revealed the up-regulation of a GGDEF/EAL-domain protein and a PilZ-domain protein, providing a molecular link between c-di-GMP signalling and Mn(II) oxidation. Finally, we considered the biotechnological relevance of understanding the role of c-di-GMP in MOB-513 and observed that high c-di-GMP levels are correlated with higher lyophilisation efficiencies and higher groundwater Mn(II) oxidation capacity of lyophiles. Advancing understanding of these mechanisms is essential to improve the biotechnological application of bacterial inocula designed for removing Mn in biological filter systems.IMPORTANCEThe presence of Mn(II) in groundwater - a common source of drinking water-is a cause of water quality impairment, interfering with its disinfection, causing operation problems and affecting human health. Purification of groundwater containing Mn(II) plays an important role in environmental and social safety. The typical method for Mn(II) removal is based on bacterial oxidation of metals to form insoluble oxides that can be filtered out of the water. Evidence of reducing the start-up periods and enhancing Mn removal efficiencies through bioaugmentation with appropriate biofilm-forming and MOB has emerged. As preliminary data suggest a link between these two phenotypes in Pseudomonas strains, the need to investigate the underlying regulatory mechanisms is apparent. The significance of our research lies in determining the role of c-di-GMP for increased biofilm-formation and Mn(II)-oxidizing capabilities in MOBs, which will allow the generation of super biofilm-elaborating and Mn-oxidizing strains, enabling their implementation in biotechnological applications.
An epidemiological study of migraine headaches among the staff of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran, and related factors
Authors: ahadiat Seyed-amir abbas , Hosseinian Zeinab , kouchaki Ebrahim 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIntroductionMigraine, as one of the most common types of disability, has a high prevalence with significant effects on a person’s living conditions. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and evaluate the clinical characteristics of migraine patients in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan.MethodThis study was performed cross-sectionally. All hospital staff (1125 people) were studied in 2019. Based on a designed questionnaire, the prevalence of migraine headaches and their relationship with occupations, marital status, age, gender, work shift, hours of sleep per day, as well as accompanying symptoms, were analyzed using analytic software.ResultsThe prevalence of migraine among hospital staff was 12.3% (n=136), and nurses with 14.5% had the highest majority, and faculty members with 9.7% had the lowest prevalence (15.5% in females and 8.5% in males). 89.7% of people had unilateral headache. The maximum number of migraine attacks per month was five (32.23%), and the most common associated symptoms were anorexia(p-value=0.048), nausea(p-value=0.003), and vomiting(p-value=0.97), respectively. There was a significant relationship between migraine with sleep hours per day(p-value=0.012), age(p-value=0.035), and marital status (p-vaue=0.001).Conclusionfindings relating to severe headaches and subsequent loss of work are important in realizing the social impact of this condition and the need for prevention and treatment strategies. In other words, primary prevention, diagnosis, and treatment should receive more attention.
InterMob: A 24-month randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of an intervention including behavioural change techniques and free transport versus an intervention including air pollution awareness-raising on car use reduction among regular car users living in Grenoble, France
Authors: Teran-Escobar Claudia , Duché Sarah , Bouscasse Hélène , Isoard-Gatheur Sandrine , Juen Patrick , Lacoste Lilas , Lyon-Caen Sarah , Mathy Sandrine , Ployon Estelle , Risch Anna , Sarrazin Philippe , Slama Rémy , Tabaka Kamila , Treibich Carole , Chardonnel Sonia , Chalabaev Aïna 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundFrequent car use contributes to health and environmental issues such as air pollution, climate change and obesity. Active and sustainable mobility (bike, walk, public transport, car sharing) may address these issues. Different strategies have been implemented in past research, involving hard levers, aimed at modifying the economical or geographical context (e.g., free public transport), and soft levers, aimed at modifying psychological processes (e.g., personalised transport advice). However, few studies have combined both hard and soft levers. In addition, few have used robust methodologies (e.g., randomised controlled trials), followed behavioural changes in the long-term, and been anchored in behaviour change theories. InterMob aims to address these limits by implementing a 24-month randomised controlled trial including hard and soft levers. The objectives of InterMob are to a) evaluate the effectiveness of an experimental arm versus an active controlled arm, and b) identify the processes of mobility change.MethodsRegular car users living in Grenoble (N = 300) will be recruited and randomised to one of the two arms. The experimental arm consists in a six-month intervention combining hard levers (free access to transport/bikes), and soft levers (e.g., personalised transport advice). The control arm consists in a six-month intervention aimed at raising awareness on air pollution and its health effects. Both arms will include eight evaluation weeks (spread out over 24 months) based on a GPS, an accelerometer, and a pollution sensor. Moreover, participants will complete mobility logbooks and surveys measuring psychological constructs, socio-economical, and socio-spatial characteristics.DiscussionInterMob will assess the effectiveness of two interventions aimed at reducing car use within regular car users in the short-, mid- and long-term. Moreover, InterMob will allow to better understand the psychological processes of behaviour change, and the socio-economical and geographical conditions under which the intervention is efficient in reducing car use. Finally, the benefits of mobility change in terms of physical activity, quality of life, and exposure to pollution will be quantified.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05096000
Early COVID-19 Pandemic Response in Western Visayas, Philippines
Authors: Zamora Pia Regina Fatima , Rico Jonathan Adam , Bolinas Dominic Karl , Sevilleja Jesus Emmanuel , de Castro Romulo 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has burdened the public health system in the Philippines since January 2020. In Western Visayas (Region 6), Philippines, issues have been raised on the limitations of the government’s response on testing, contact tracing, and augmentation of healthcare facilities. Using data from the Western Visayas - Regional Epidemiologic Surveillance Unit (WV - RESU) from March 20 – June 20, 2020, the following observations were made: 1) Of the 6 provinces, Iloilo had the highest % tests done per capita which may be linked to the presence of the only regional COVID-19 testing facility in the province at that time, 2) There were delays in the overall processing times for specimens from Antique and Negros Occidental which may be linked to transport logistics and/or laboratory processing, 3) Contact tracing and testing were de-linked – tracing was adequate (3,420/3,503, 97.63%), but less than 50% of these (1,668/3,420) were tested, 4) Hospital and quarantine facility capacities were still adequate, but their utilization rates needed to be monitored continuously for further augmentation, if needed. This data shows the challenges of establishing a pandemic response in one of the regions in the Philippines.
The Role of Children in SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concerns Transmission within Households: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Yanshan , Xia Yao , Pickering Janessa , Bowen Asha C. , Short Kirsty R. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundMeta-analysis and single site studies have established that children are less infectious within a household when positive for ancestral SARS-CoV-2. In addition, children appear less susceptible to infection when exposed to ancestral SARS-CoV-2 within a household. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) has been associated with an increased number of pediatric infections worldwide. However, the role of children in the household transmission of VOCs, relative to the ancestral virus, remains unclear.MethodsHere, we perform a meta-analysis of the role of children in the household transmission of both ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. Results: Unlike the ancestral virus, children infected with VOCs spread SARS-CoV-2 to an equivalent number of household contacts as infected adults. Similarly, unlike the ancestral virus, children within a household were equally as likely as adults to acquire SARS-CoV-2 from an infected family member. Interestingly, this same observation was noted when unvaccinated children exposed to VOCs were compared to unvaccinated adults exposed to VOCs.ConclusionsTogether, these data suggest that the emergence of VOCs were associated with a fundamental shift in the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2. This is unlikely to solely be the result of age-dependent differences in vaccination during the VOCs period and instead may reflect virus evolution over the course of the pandemic.summaryThe role of children in the household transmission of VOCs, relative to the ancestral virus, remains unclear. Using a meta-analysis we show that the emergence of VOCs were associated with a fundamental shift in the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2
Constitutive production of flagellar proteins is required for proper flagellation in Shewanella putrefaciens
Authors: Schwan Meike , Khaledi Ariane , Willger Sven , Papenfort Kai , Glatter Timo , Häußler Susanne , Thormann Kai M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractFlagella are multiprotein complexes whose assembly and positioning requires complex spatiotemporal control. Flagellar assembly is thought to be controlled by several transcriptional tiers, which is mediated through various master regulators. Here, we revisited the regulation of flagellar genes in polarly flagellated gammaproteobacteria by the regulators FlrA, RpoN (σ54) and FliA (σ28) in Shewanella putrefaciens CN-32 at the transcript and protein level. As expected, strict control at both levels occurred for for highly abundant flagellar proteins, including the building blocks for the outer rings, rod, hook and filament. In contrast, a number of regulatory and structural proteins were always present also in the absence of the main regulators. Initiation of flagella assembly and motor activation likely relies on the abundance control of only few structural key components required for formation of the MS- and C-ring and the flagellar type III secrection system. We identified σ70-dependent promoters driving constitutive expression of some flagellar genes including the regulators of flagellar number and positioning, FlhF and FlhG. Reduction of the constitutive expression levels resulted in emergence of hyperflagellation. Thus, basal expression and presence of flagellar proteins is required for proper flagellation, which adds a deeper layer to the regulation of flagellar synthesis and assembly.SignificanceThe tier-based transcriptional regulation underlying bacterial flagella synthesis is – with certain variations – well-established in various species. Here we show that initiation and proceeding of flagellar synthesis can be simply based on the control of some key components and highly abundant building blocks. We further identified a ‚tier zero’, a set of constitutively produced flagellar regulators and building blocks, which is required, for example, to maintain the flagellar counter. We expect this not only to apply to our model species Shewanella, but also to other flagella regulation systems in bacteria.
TrEMOLO: Accurate transposable element allele frequency estimation using long-read sequencing data combining assembly and mapping-based approaches
Authors: Mohamed Mourdas , Sabot François , Varoqui Marion , Mugat Bruno , Audouin Katell , Pélisson Alain , Fiston-Lavier Anna-Sophie , Chambeyron Séverine 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTransposable Element MOnitoring with LOng-reads (TrEMOLO) is a new software that combines assembly- and mapping-based approaches to robustly detect genetic elements called transposable elements (TEs). Using high- or low-quality genome assemblies, TrEMOLO can detect most TE insertions and deletions and estimate their allele frequency in populations. Benchmarking with simulated data revealed that TrEMOLO outperforms other state-of-the-art computational tools. TE detection and frequency estimation by TrEMOLO were validated using simulated and experimental datasets. Therefore, TrEMOLO is a comprehensive and suitable tool to accurately study TE dynamics. TrEMOLO is available under GNU GPL3.0 athttps://github.com/DrosophilaGenomeEvolution/TrEMOLO.
AGC Kinase Inhibitors Regulate STING Signaling Through SGK-Dependent and SGK-Independent Mechanisms
Authors: Cabrera Johnny Castillo , Dang Hong , Zhang Zhigang , Torres-Castillo Jose , Li Kelin , Liu Pengda , Aubé Jeff , Damania Blossom , Hagan Robert S. , Baldwin Albert S. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe STING signaling pathway is essential for the innate immune response to DNA viruses and bacteria and is important in tumor immunity. STING binding to cGAMP or to synthetic agonists leads to the activation of the kinase TBK1 which phosphorylates the transcription factor IRF3 which promotes expression of type 1 interferons such as IFNβ to block viral activity. Aberrant type 1 IFN expression is associated with human diseases including autoimmunity, HIV, and cancer. Here we identify N-[4-(1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyrazin-6-yl)-phenyl]-sulfonamide (Sanofi-14h), a compound with preference for inhibition of the AGC family kinase SGK3, as an inhibitor of IFNβ gene expression in response to STING stimulation of macrophages. Sanofi-14h abrogated SGK activity and also impaired activation of the critical TBK1/IRF3 pathway downstream of STING activation, notably blocking the ligand-induced interaction of STING with TBK1. Deletion of SGK1 and SGK3 in macrophages suppressed activation of IFNβ transcription but did not block TBK1/IRF3 activation downstream of STING. Gene and protein expression analysis revealed that deletion of SGK1/3 in a macrophage cell line decreases basal expression of critical transcription factors required for the innate immune response, such as IRF7 and STAT1. Additional studies reveal that other AGC kinase inhibitors block TBK1 and IRF3 activation suggesting common action on a critical regulatory node in the STING pathway. Thus, studies with Sanofi-14h have revealed both SGK-dependent and SGK-independent effects in the STING pathway and suggest a mechanism to alter type 1 IFN transcription through small molecule therapy.
Imputing abundances and inferring direction of associations between histone modifications using neural processes
Authors: Ganesan Ananthakrishnan , Dermadi Denis , Kalesinskas Laurynas , Donato Michele , Sowers Rosalie , Utz Paul J. , Khatri Purvesh 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHistone post-translational modifications (HPTMs) play a vital role in the regulation of numerous cellular processes. However, systems level understanding of how HPTMs coordinate and interact with each other, and the direction of interactions remain unexplored due to lack of suitable technology. EpiTOF, a high-dimensional mass cytometrybased platform, measures HPTMs and histone variants across multiple immune cell sub-types at a single-cell resolution to enable the system-wide study of HPTMs. Large number of immune cells profiled using EpiTOF present an unprecedented opportunity to learn directional networks of HPTM associations. We developed a two-step computational framework to identify direction of association between two HPTMs. In the first step, we used linear regression (LR)-, k-nearest neighbors-(kNN), or Neural Processes (NP)-based to impute the abundance of HPTMs. In the second step, we developed an interpretation framework to infer direction of association between HPTMs at a system-level using mass cytometry data. We evaluated this framework using EpiTOF profiles of more than 55 million peripheral mononuclear blood cells from 158 healthy human subjects. NP models had consistently higher imputation accuracy than LR and kNN. The inferred networks recapitulated known HPTM associations and identified several novel ones. While almost all associations were conserved across all healthy individuals, in a cohort of healthy subjects, vaccinated with the trivalent inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine (TIV), we identified changes in associations between 6 pairs of HPTMs 30 days following vaccination, many of which have been shown to be functionally involved in innate memory. These results demonstrate utility of our framework in identifying causal interactions between HPTMs that can be further tested experimentally.
Islamic work ethics as a key engine of endogenous economic growth
Authors: Raies Asma 
Published: July 2022

PurposeGod promised pious individuals who obey to His commandments, to increase their economic well-being. Although it is difficult to demonstrate with figures in hand this causality relationship, Muslims must believe in its existence and robustness at both the individual and collective levels, as it is argued in Qur'an and the Prophetic Narration. We aim in this paper to model this positive relationship between Islamic work ethics and economic growth and prove theoretically its existence.Design/methodology/approachWe develop an endogenous growth model very close technically to Lucas–Uzawa model (1988) in which the human capital defined as the individual's skill level acquired through formal education and learning by doing is replaced by ethical capital (piety).FindingsThe model proves theoretically that Islamic ethics are a key engine of endogenous economic growth and that the underdevelopment of Muslim populations is due to their low ethical capital (lack of piety).Practical implicationsThe study recommends some policies such as providing formal religious education at all educational levels (elementary, secondary and higher levels) and promoting ethical values such as piety, sincerity, transparency, etc., through media and cultural institutions. Also, managers could provide courses and training to their workers to teach them Islamic work ethics.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to mathematically model Islamic work ethics as endogenous phenomena in socioeconomic systems and study theoretically their contributions to economic growth.
Shaping the social orientation of academic entrepreneurship: an exploratory study
Authors: Roncancio-Marin Jason Jahir , Dentchev Nikolay A. , Guerrero Maribel , Diaz-Gonzalez Abel Alan 
Published: July 2022

PurposeDespite growing scholarly interest in academic entrepreneurship (AE) few studies have examined its non-commercial aspects and how it contributes to meeting grand societal challenges. One explanation for this may be the continuing focus of AE on intellectual property commercialization. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap by uncovering how universities can contribute to promoting non-commercial forms of AE.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the human capital theoretical lens to make its argument and applies it to data obtained from exploratory qualitative research (55 semi-structured interviews and nine focus groups) in the developing countries of Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador.FindingsUniversities can promote different forms of non-commercial AE even in the absence of sophisticated resources for innovation, through the stimulation of the specific human capital of the university community resulting from activities where they help others.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a general framework for advancing theory development in AE and its non-commercial forms, based on data obtained in uncharted territories for AE.
Financial sector development, anti-money laundering regulations and economic growth
Authors: Ofoeda Isaac , Agbloyor Elikplimi , Abor Joshua Yindenaba 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThis study examines the influence of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations on the financial development-economic growth nexus around the world.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses data from 165 countries spanning continents, income levels, and regulatory regimes from 2012 to 2018. The Prais–Winsten (1954) and Hansen (2000) panel threshold estimation approaches were used to assess the study's hypothesized relationships.FindingsFinancial development, according to the research, generally stimulates economic growth. However, the authors find evidence of AML regulations' threshold effect on the finance-growth connection, with the impact of finance on growth being positive below the threshold value. Above the threshold, however, the authors observe a negative influence. Further, the authors find that AML regulations have a considerable detrimental impact on the finance-growth nexus over the threshold for developed countries. However, the authors find a positive but insignificant effect of finance on growth below the AML regulations threshold for African countries, while finance positively impacts growth above the AML regulations threshold.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study imply that countries must make conscious efforts to combat the incidence of money laundering by establishing policies to improve financial transparency and standards, promoting public sector transparency and accountability, reducing legal and political risk, and combating bribery and corruption.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature as it is the first attempt to examine the moderating role of AML regulations in the finance-growth nexus. Also, the study examines the threshold effect of how AML regulations impact the finance-growth nexus.