bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of threshold decision mechanisms of collective behaviour on disease spread
Authors: Morsky Bryce , Magpantay Felicia , Day Troy , Akçay Erol 
Published: November 2022

AbstractHumans are a hyper social species, which greatly impacts the spread of infectious diseases. How do social dynamics impact epidemiology? How does public health policy best take into account these impacts? Here we develop a model of disease transmission that incorporates human behaviour and social dynamics. We use a “tipping-point” dynamic, previously used in the sociological literature, where individuals adopt a behaviour given a sufficient frequency of the behaviour in the population. The thresholds at which individuals adopt behaviours is modulated by the perceived risks of infection, i.e. the disease prevalence and transmission rate, and the behaviour of others. Social conformity creates a type of “stickiness” whereby individuals are resistant to changing their behaviour due to the population’s inertia. In this model, the epidemic attack rate is sensitive to the timing of the behavioural response. Near the optimal response, small errors can result in large increases in the total number infected during the epidemic. And, more surprisingly, we observe a non-monotinicity in the attack rate as a function of various biological and social parameters such as the transmission rate, efficacy of social distancing, the costs to social distancing, the weight of social consequences of shirking the norm, and the degree of heterogeneity in the population.
Antigenic evidence of lymphatic filariasis transmission in infection persistent endemic districts of Central Nepal during post mass drug administration
Authors: Mehta Pramod Kumar , Maharjan Mahendra 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn Nepal, out of 75, 61 districts were endemic with lymphatic filariasis (LF) and completed 6 to 11 rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole from 2007 to 2017 in almost all endemic districts of Central Nepal with the aim of eliminating lymphatic filariasis by 2020 but due to fail in transmission assessment Survey (TAS) in some Terai districts of Nepal, aim of elimination was extended to 2030. Antigenemia prevalence have been consistently <2% in all sentinel and check spot sites since 2017 and transmission assessment survey passed in 2018 but in some foci there was low level persistent of infection ofW. bancroftiwas seen in 4 endemic districts of central Nepal so present study has been carried out with the aim of assessing antigenic prevalence in children borne after MDA program to understand evidence of new infection of LF in selected districtsMethodology and principal findingsAntigenemia survey was carried out in communities children whose borne after MDA program from selected districts of central Nepal. Two study districts had significantly improved infection to the prior study but two other districts had drastic change. Few hydrocele cases were found but no any children found antigen positive with hydrocele cases.ConclusionsThese results indicates thatW. bancroftitransmission was near to break point in one hilly district (Lalitpur) and one Terai district (Bara) while other two districts from Terai (Mahottari) and hills (Dhading) may requires further intervention. Targeted testing and treatment along with comparative study of children with adult should be required similarly number of MDA rounds should be increased.Author summaryLymphatic filariasis is neglected tropical disease which cause the disability to human beings which is caused by filarial nematode and transmitted by mosquitoes. Nepal government was completed 6-11 rounds of antifilarial medicine with DEC and albendazole between 2007 to 2017 in all endemic districts of central Nepal. TAS report showed low level of infection in all study sites. The present study reports assessed antigenic prevalence of 4 infection persistent endemic districts of central Nepal with high signals than prior study in 2 areas while other 2 areas showed in elimination phase so further investigation along with number of MDA rounds should be required to interrupt transmission in high antigenic prevalence districts. Our results suggest that further xenomonitoring and microfilaremia study should be required for informed decision, targeted test and treatment should required.
The attributable fraction of respiratory syncytial virus among patients of different age with influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness in a high HIV prevalence setting, South Africa, 2012-2016
Authors: Moyes Jocelyn , Tempia Stefano , Walaza Sibongile , McMorrow Meredith L. , Cohen Adam L. , Treurnicht Florette , Hellferscee Orienka , Wolter Nicole , Gottberg Anne Von , Dawood Halima , Variava Ebrahim , Kahn Kathleen , Madhi Shabir A. , Cohen Cheryl 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in upper airway samples does not necessarily infer causality of illness. Calculating the attributable fraction (AF) of RSV in clinical syndromes could refine disease burden estimates.MethodsUsing unconditional logistic regression models, we estimated the AF of RSV-associated influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe-acute respiratory illness (SARI) cases by comparing RSV-detection prevalence among ILI and SARI cases to those of healthy controls in South Africa, 2012-2016. The analysis, stratified by HIV serostatus, was conducted in the age categories <1, 1-4, 5-24, 25-44, 45-64, ≥65 years.ResultsWe included 12,048 individuals: 2,687 controls, 5,449 ILI cases and 5,449 SARI cases. RSV-AFs for ILI were significant in <1, 1-4, 5-24, 25-44-year age groups: 84.9%(95% confidence interval (CI) 69.3%-92.6%), 74.6%(95%CI 53.6%-86.0%), 60.8%(95%CI 21.4%-80.5%) and 64.1%(95%CI 14.9%-84.9%), respectively. Similarly, significant RSV-AFs for SARI were 95.3%(95%CI 91.1%-97.5) and 83.4%(95%CI 70.9-90.5) in the <1 and 1-4-year age groups respectively. In HIV-infected persons, RSV was significantly associated with ILI cases versus controls in individuals aged 5-44 years.ConclusionHigh RSV-AFs in young children confirm RSV detection is associated severe respiratory illness in South African children, specifically infants. These estimates will assist with refining burden estimates and cost effectiveness models.Key pointThe attributable fraction of illness is key to accurate burden estimates, specifically in the presents of sensitive PCR testing. Burden and cost burden estimates are key to cost-effectiveness model for new prevention technologies in the pipeline for respiratory syncytial virus.
Host translation machinery is not a barrier to phages that infect both CPR and non-CPR bacteria
Authors: Liu Jett , Jaffe Alexander L. , Chen LinXing , Bor Batbileg , Banfield Jillian F. 
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACTWithin human microbiomes, Gracilibacteria, Absconditabacteria, and Saccharibacteria, members of Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR), are increasingly correlated with human oral health and disease. We profiled the diversity of CRISPR-Cas systems in the genomes of these bacteria and sought phages that are capable of infecting them by comparing their spacer inventories to large phage sequence databases. Gracilibacteria and Absconditabacteria recode the typical TGA stop codon to glycine and are infected by phages that share their host’s alternate genetic code. Unexpectedly, however, other predicted phages of Gracilibacteria and Absconditabacteria do not use an alternative genetic code. Some of these phages are predicted to infect both alternatively coded CPR bacteria and standard coded bacteria. These phages rely on other stop codons besides TGA, and thus should be capable of producing viable gene products in either bacterial host type. Interestingly, we predict that phages of Saccharibacteria can replicate in Actinobacteria, which have been shown to act as episymbiotic hosts for Saccharibacteria. Overall, the broad host range of some CPR phages may be advantageous for the production of these phages for microscopic characterization or use as therapy agents, given the current difficulty of CPR cultivation. Absconditabacteria phages and Gracilibacteria phages may have avoided acquisition of in-frame stop codons to increase the diversity of bacteria in which they can replicate.
Identifying Biomarkers of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Stem Cell-derived RPE Cell Heterogeneity and Transplantation Efficacy
Authors: Farjood Farhad , Manos Justine D. , Wang Yue , Williams Anne L. , Zhao Cuiping , Borden Susan , Alam Nazia , Prusky Glen , Temple Sally , Stern Jeffrey H. , Boles Nathan C. 
Published: November 2022

SummaryTransplantation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells holds great promise for patients with retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. In-depth characterization of RPE cell product identity and critical quality attributes are needed to enhance efficacy and safety of replacement therapy strategies. Here we characterized an adult RPE stem cell-derived (RPESC-RPE) cell product using bulk and single cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNA-seq), assessing functional cell integrationin vitrointo a mature RPE monolayer andin vivoefficacy by vision rescue in the Royal College of Surgeons rats. scRNA-seq revealed several distinct subpopulations in the RPESC-RPE product, some with progenitor markers. We identified RPE clusters expressing genes associated within vivoefficacy and increased cell integration capability. Gene expression analysis revealed a lncRNA (TREX) as a predictive marker ofin vivoefficacy. TREX knockdown decreased cell integration while overexpression increased integrationin vitroand improved vision rescue in the RCS rats.
Fission yeast Swi2 designates cell-type specific donor and stimulates Rad51-driven strand exchange
Authors: Maki Takahisa , Thon Geneviève , Iwasaki Hiroshi 
Published: November 2022

AbstractA haploid of the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombeexpresses either the P or M matingtype, determined by the active, euchromatic,mat1cassette. Mating-type is switched by Rad51-driven gene conversion ofmat1using a heterochromatic donor cassette,mat2-Pormat3-M. The Swi2-Swi5 complex, a mating-type switching factor, is central to this process by designating a preferred donor in a cell-type-specific manner. Swi2-Swi5 selectively enables one of twocisacting recombination enhancers,SRE2adjacent tomat2-PorSRE3adjacent tomat3-M. Here, we identified two functionally important motifs in Swi2, a Swi6 (HP1 homolog)-binding site and two DNA-binding AT-hooks. Genetic analysis demonstrated that the AT-hooks were required for Swi2 localization atSRE3to select themat3-Mdonor in P cells, while the Swi6-binding site was required for Swi2 localization atSRE2to selectmat2-Pin M cells. In addition, the Swi2-Swi5 complex promoted Rad51-driven strand exchangein vitro. Taken together, our results show how the Swi2-Swi5 complex would localize to recombination enhancers through a cell-type specific binding mechanism and stimulate Rad51-driven gene conversion at the localization site.
Insights into the biosynthesis of icumazole unveiling a distinctive family of crotonyl-CoA carboxylase/reductase
Authors: Xie Feng , Kiefer Alexander F. , Hirsch Anna K. H. , Kalinina Olga , Fu Chengzhang , Müller Rolf 
Published: November 2022

SummaryIcumazoles are potent antifungal polyketides with intriguing structural features. Here, we present the polyketide synthase (PKS)/nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) hybrid biosynthetic gene cluster of icumazoles. Surprisingly, an unusual non-terminal thioesterase domain divides the PKS/NRPS assembly line. The succeeding PKS modules potentially form a rare precursor 4-methyl-2-hexenoyl-ACP thus deviating from the previously proposed polyoxypeptin pathway. The 4-methyl-2-hexenoyl-ACP is further reductive carboxylated to 2-methylbutylmalonyl-ACP essential for icumazole biosynthesis by IcuL, representing a new type of crotonyl-CoA carboxylase/reductase (CCR). We characterize IcuL and its homologs TgaD and Leu10in vitro, suggesting a stricter substrate specificity of this new family of CCRs than found in canonical ones. Intriguingly, we also find that TgaD unprecedently utilizes both NADPH and NADH as cofactors with similar efficiency, diverging from the NADPH-specific characteristic of canonical CCRs. Furthermore, a sequence similarity network-based bioinformatic survey reveals that the IcuL-like CCRs are evolutionarily separated from canonical CCRs.
Mapping acute neuroinflammationin vivowith diffusion-MRI in rats given a systemic lipopolysaccharide challenge
Authors: Kim Eugene , Figueiredo Ines Carreira , Simmons Camilla , Randall Karen , Gonzalez Loreto Rojo , Wood Tobias , Ranieri Brigida , Sureda-Gibert Paula , Howes Oliver , Pariante Carmine ,   NIMA Consortium, Pasternak Ofer , Dell’Acqua Flavio , Turkheimer Federico , Cash Diana 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIt is becoming increasingly apparent that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in an array of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of diffusion MRI (dMRI) to characterize changes in microglial density and morphology associated with neuroinflammation, but these were conducted mostlyex vivoand/or in extreme, non-physiological animal models. Here, we build upon these studies by investigating the utility of well-established dMRI methods to detect neuroinflammationin vivoin a more clinically relevant animal model of sickness behavior. We show that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) indicate widespread increases in diffusivity in the brains of rats given a systemic lipopolysaccharide challenge (n=20) vs. vehicle-treated controls (n=12). These diffusivity changes correlated with histologically measured changes in microglial morphology, confirming the sensitivity of dMRI to neuroinflammatory processes. This study marks a further step towards establishing a noninvasive indicator of neuroinflammation, which would greatly facilitate early diagnosis and treatment monitoring in various neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Efficacy of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Vision: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Bello U.M. , Wang J. , Park A.S.Y. , Tan K.W.S. , Cheung B.W.S. , Thompson B. , Cheong A.M.Y. 
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACTObjectiveMultiple studies have explored the use of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to enhance visual function. These studies vary in sample size, outcome measures, and NIBS methodology. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess the effects of NIBS on visual functions in human participants with normal vision.MethodsWe followed the PRISMA guidelines, and a review protocol was registered with PROSPERO before study commencement (CRD42021255882). We searched Embase, Medline, PsychInfo, PubMed, OpenGrey and Web of Science using relevant keywords. The search covered the period from 1stJanuary 2000 until 1stSeptember 2021. Comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software was used for quantitative analysis.ResultsForty-nine studies were included, of which 19 were included in a meta-analysis (38.8%). Meta-analysis indicated acute (Hedges’s g=0.232, 95% CI: 0.023-0.442,p=0.029) and aftereffects (0.590, 95% CI: 0.182-0.998,p=0.005) of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES, including three different stimulation protocols) on contrast sensitivity. Visual evoked potential (VEP) amplitudes were significantly enhanced immediately after tES (0.383, 95% CI: 0.110-0.665,p=0.006). Both tES (0.563, 95% CI: 0.230 to 0.896,p=0.001)] and anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) alone (0.655, 95% CI: 0.273 to 1.038,p=0.001) reduced crowding in peripheral vision. The effects of NIBS on visual acuity, motion perception and reaction time were not statistically significant.ConclusionsThere are significant effects of visual cortex NIBS on contrast sensitivity, VEP amplitude, an index of cortical excitability, and crowding among normally sighted individuals. Future studies with robust experimental designs are needed to substantiate these findings in populations with vision loss.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021255882HighlightsWe conducted a meta-analysis and a systematic review on the efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation for improving on visual functionVisual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation can enhance contrast sensitivity, reduce crowding in peripheral vision and enhance visually evoked potential amplitude among normally sighted individuals.
The genetic requirements for HiVir-mediated onion necrosis byPantoea ananatis, a necrotrophic plant pathogen
Authors: Shin Gi Yoon , Dutta Bhabesh , Kvitko Brian 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPantoea ananatisis an unusual bacterial pathogen that lacks typical virulence determinants yet causes extensive necrosis in onion foliage and bulb tissues. The onion necrosis phenotype is dependent on the expression of a phosphonate toxin, pantaphos that is catalyzed by putative enzymes encoded by the HiVir gene cluster. The genetic contributions of individualhvrgenes in HiVir-mediated onion necrosis remain largely unknown except for the first genehvrA(phosphoenolpyruvate mutase,pepM) whose deletion resulted in the loss of onion pathogenicity. In this study, using gene deletion mutation and complementation, we report that of the ten remaining genes,hvrB-hvrFare also strictly required for the HiVir-mediated onion necrosis andin plantabacterial growth whereashvrG-hvrJpartially contributed to these phenotypes. As the HiVir gene cluster is a common genetic feature shared among the onion-pathogenicP. ananatisstrains, and as it could serve as a useful diagnostic marker of onion pathogenicity, we sought to understand the genetic basis of HiVir positive yet phenotypically deviant (non-pathogenic) strains. We identified and genetically characterized inactivating single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in essentialhvrgenes of six phenotypically deviantP. ananatisstrains. Finally, inoculation of the cell-free spent medium of Ptac-driven HiVir strain causedP. ananatis-characteristic red onion scale necrosis (RSN) as well as cell death symptoms in tobacco. The co-inoculation of the spent medium with essentialhvrmutant strains restored strains’in plantapopulations to the wild-type level, suggesting that necrosis is important for proliferation ofP. ananatisin onion tissue.
Integration of outside-in and inside-out entrepreneurial marketing capabilities, marketing agility and resources for entrepreneurial firm performance
Authors: Khan Huda , Mavondo Felix , Zahoor Nadia 
Published: November 2022

PurposeThe resource-based view (RBV) emphasises the importance of resources for firm performance. However, recent research argues that the focus on firm performance should also be based on inside-out (IO) and outside-in (OI) capabilities. Specifically, we study the importance of resources on product development (an IO) and market driving (an OI) entrepreneurial marketing capabilities on entrepreneurial firm performance in an emerging market. The study further investigates the moderating effects of marketing agility on the relationship between resources and capabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on survey data of a multi-industry sample of 102 entrepreneurial firms in Pakistan.FindingsThe results show that marketing agility moderates the relationship between resource-mix flexibility on product development and market driving capabilities, but it only positively moderates the relationship between resource-mix inimitability and product development capability. Marketing driving and product development capabilities play a role as parallel mediators between resources and firm performance.Originality/valueThe study lies at the intersection of marketing and entrepreneurship literature by (1) providing a nuanced understanding of marketing agility as a boundary spanning factor for IO and OI entrepreneurial marketing capabilities; (2) integrating the resource types and product development from IO and market-driving from OI capabilities perspectives; (3) identifying the effects of IO and OI on firm performance providing guidance for entrepreneurs seeking improved firm performance.
Influencing factors toward e-shoppers' adoption of green last-mile delivery
Authors: Kader Mohammad Shahidul , Rashaduzzaman Md , Huang Xiao , Kim Seeun 
Published: November 2022

PurposeE-commerce continues to experience unprecedented growth, but a lack of understanding of socio-behavioral aspects of green last-mile delivery solutions is conflicting with e-commerce and shipping companies' climate-related pledges to e-shoppers. This study seeks to correct for research deficiencies in the e-commerce context by determining how e-shoppers' adoption of green last-mile delivery might be influenced by socio-behavioral factors, personality traits; and e-shopping motivations.Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypotheses, this study collected data from 319 US adults enrolled in an online panel survey and conducted hierarchical regression analyses after controlling for demographic variables.FindingsResults showed that socio-behavioral variables (attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavior control) contributed 60.3% of the unique variance in explaining purchase intention via green delivery (PIGD). Notably, e-shopping motivations derived from utilitarian features (convenience and energy efficiency) and experiential features (e-shopping adventure) emerged as significant predictors of PIGD. Although personality traits (conscientiousness and openness) significantly predicted PIGD in the regression model, the individual effect of openness was not significant. Further, demographic subgroups, including gender, education and income level revealed significant outcomes, while age and ethnicity exhibited no significant group differences with the above-mentioned variables.Practical implicationsThe study findings would provide online retailers and marketers with in-depth insight on how green marketing initiatives can increase responsible consumers' intention to purchase via green delivery.Originality/valueThis is a one-of-a-kind effort that integrates and tests e-shoppers' socio-behavioral factors, e-shopping motivations and personality traits into a single model.