bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
lncRNA MIAT targets miR‐411‐5p/STAT3/PD‐L1 axis mediating hepatocellular carcinoma immune response
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxia , Pan Banglun , Qiu Jiacheng , Ke Xiaoling , Shen Shuling , Wang Xiaoqian , Tang Nanhong 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEmerging evidences have shown that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays an important role in the immune escape of cancer cells. Our previous study has demonstrated that lncRNA MIAT is associated with the immune infiltration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying mechanism of MIAT regulating the PD‐L1‐mediated immune escape of HCC is poorly understood. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) was used to detect the expression of MIAT and PD‐L1 mRNA in HCC. The relationship between MIAT, miR‐411‐5p, STAT3 and PD‐L1 was explored by dual‐luciferase reporter assay, cytotoxicity assay, Western blot and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). In addition, the xenograft model was established to determine the effect of MIAT on PD‐L1 expression in vivo. We found that MIAT and PD‐L1 were significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and the expression of PD‐L1 was regulated by MIAT. The knockdown of MIAT enhanced the cytotoxicity of T cells on HCC cells. MIAT negatively regulated miR‐411‐5p expression, upregulated STAT3 and ultimately increased PD‐L1 expression from the transcription level. The inhibition of miR‐411‐5p reversed STAT3 and PD‐L1 expression inhibited by MIAT knockdown in HCC cells. This study suggests a novel lncRNA‐mediated mechanism for HCC cells to evade the immune response; MIAT/miR‐411‐5p/STAT3/PD‐L1 may be a novel therapeutic target for HCC.
The effect of the Corynebacterium glutamicum on the shortening of fermentation time, physicochemical and sensory properties of soy sauce
Authors: Gao Rui , Sun‐Waterhouse Dongxiao , Xiang Huan , Cui Chun , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. 
Published: April 2022

SummaryThis study for the first time explores the possibility of using Corynebacterium glutamicum Ⅲ (C. glutamicum) to shorten the soy sauce fermentation period without compromising product quality. C. glutamicum was added to soy sauce that had been fermented with Aspergillus oryzae for 30 days (SS30) to initiate a further 3‐day fermentation (yielding SS33). The 3‐day fermentation exerted similar impacts on SS30 as the standard fermentation for further 60 days (yielding SS90): that is, increased the contents of total nitrogen, total free amino acids (FAAs), umami FAAs, acids, esters, ketones, furans and sulphur‐containing compounds, whilst decreasing the contents of alcohols and phenols. This explained the similarities in taste, aroma and overall liking between SS33 and SS90. The SS90 was the darkest among the three soy sauces. Compared with SS90, SS33 was less salty and smoky, more umami and kokumi, softer and more mellow, higher overall liking, with more 0.5–1 kDa peptides and fewer peptides <0.5 kDa. Therefore, a 3‐day fermentation with C. glutamicum after an initial 30 days of a normal soy sauce fermentation represents a simple and effective way to shorten the soy sauce production time from 90 to 33 days whilst increasing greatly the umami taste and mellow sensation. This approach enhances product competitiveness via lowering manufacturing cost.
Effect of malting regimen on diastatic power, cold and hot water extracts of malts from sorghum
Authors: Ofoedu Chigozie E. , Iwouno Jude O. , Ojimba Nnamdi C. , Chacha James S. , Okafor Damaris C. , Anwaegbu Ogechukwu M. 
Published: April 2022

SummaryIn this study, sorghum grains were malted using different malting regimens and the malt qualities were analysed for cold water extract (CWE), hot water extract (HWE) and diastatic power (DP). Results showed that malting regimen produced sorghum malts with peak CWE, HWE and DP within the pre‐determined limits of malting regimen. From this, predictive models of sorghum malt quality were developed and tested. Whilst steeping duration interacts significantly with the germination period to cause variations in CWE and HWE, only the germination period significantly influenced the DP of sorghum malts. However, the kilning temperature showed no significant impact on the parameters studied. Besides CWE, HWE and DP correlating positively with each other, the developed predictive models were significant (P < 0.05) and satisfy the quality of fit (R2 > 0.70) of the proposed models. The result demonstrated that wort for different purposes can be obtained by varying the malting operational conditions in the predictive model, thus saving time, resources, preliminary studies and research designs. Besides the promotion of a cheaper local alternative material for industrial wort production and brewing purpose, this research provides valuable insight on the brilliant prospect of variable malting regimen in predicting and adjusting the quality characteristics of sorghum malt and wort. Future studies are required to develop models for wort produced from peak CWE, HWE and DP, for predicting wort quality characteristics.
Generating and testing the efficacy of transgenic Cas9 in Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Rylee Johnathan C. , Nin‐Velez Alexandra , Mahato Simpla , Helms Kennedy J. , Wade Michael J. , Zentner Gabriel E. , Zelhof Andrew C. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has now expanded to many insect species, including Tribolium castaneum. However, compared to Drosophila melanogaster, the CRISPR toolkit of T. castaneum is limited. A particularly apparent gap is the lack of Cas9 transgenic animals, which generally offer higher editing efficiency. We address this by creating and testing transgenic beetles expressing Cas9. We generated two different constructs bearing basal heat shock promoter‐driven Cas9, two distinct 3′ UTRs, and one containing Cas9 fused to EGFP by a T2A peptide. Analyses of Cas9 activity in each transgenic line demonstrated that both designs are capable of inducing CRISPR‐ mediated changes in the genome in the absence of heat induction. Overall, these resources enhance the accessibility of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for the Tribolium research community and provide a benchmark against which to compare future transgenic Cas9 lines.
The NDT80-like transcription factor CmNdt80a affects the conidial formation and germination, mycoparasitism, and cell wall integrity of Coniothyrium minitans
Authors: Yang Xiaoxiang , Huang Xiaoqin , Zhang Lei , Du Lei , Liu Yong 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Aims
NDT80, a known transcriptional factor, regulates various targets, including regulation of meiosis, stress responses, filamentous growth, sexual development, biofilm formation, drug resistance, and virulence. But the numbers and roles of Ndt80-like genes in different fungi are highly variable. This study aims to address the numbers and functions of Ndt80-like genes in Coniothyrium minitans, a well-known biocontrol agent against Sclerotinia diseases.

Methods and Results
Here, two genes (CmNdt80a and CmNdt80b) encoding NDT80-like proteins were obtained by searching the genomic sequence of C. minitans. RT-PCR analysis showed that both CmNdt80 genes were constitutively expressed in C. minitans from the hyphal growth stage (48 hpi) to the pycnidial maturation stage (120 hpi). The roles of CmNdt80a and CmNdt80b in C. minitans were verified through gene knockout and complementation experiments. The results showed that the ΔCmNdt80a mutants exhibited a lighter colour and normal growth rate on potato dextrose agar plates. The ability of the ΔCmNdt80a mutants to produce conidia and parasitize the colony and sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was markedly diminished compared with the wild-type strain and complemented strain. Interestingly, the ΔCmNdt80a mutant showed less sensitivity to cell wall stressors and cell wall-degrading enzymes, and had thicker cell walls than the wild-type strain and complemented strain. However, no phenotypic consequences were discovered for the deletion of CmNdt80b.

Conclusions
Two Ndt80-like genes, CmNdt80a and CmNdt80b, were present in C. minitans. CmNdt80a, but not CmNdt80b, plays a crucial role in conidiogenesis, mycoparasitism, and cell wall integrity.

Significance and Impact of the Study
Understanding the mechanisms that regulate the conidiation and parasitism of C. minitans could help us to more efficiently utilize this biological control agent and advance our knowledge of fungal biology.
Lactobacillus derived from breast milk facilitates intestinal development in IUGR rats
Authors: Lyu Linzheng , Zhou Xiaohong , Zhang Meng , Liu Li , Liu Tongjie , Niu Haiyue , Wu Yifan , Liang Cong , Han Xue , Zhang Lanwei 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Aim
The intestinal microbiota contributes to infant's intestine homeostasis. This study aimed to analyse how probiotics derived from breast milk promote infant intestinal development in rat pups.

Methods and results
The effect of potential probiotics derived from breast milk on development of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) newborn rats' intestine was investigated. Limosilactobacillus oris ML-329 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ML-446 exhibited good hydrophobicity percentages (p &lt; 0.05). ML-446 showed a significant effect on intestinal length and weight (p &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, the villus height of the IUGR newborn rats fed with ML-329 was significantly higher compared with those fed with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (p &lt; 0.05). Moreover, ML-329 and ML-446 both significantly stimulated the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells by increasing the number of ki67-positive cells, goblet cells, and lysozyme-positive Paneth cells (p &lt; 0.05) through Wnt and Notch pathway.

Conclusions
The proliferation and differentiation stimulating effects of ML-329 and ML-446 on IECs in the jejunum, ileum, and colon were mediated by activating the Wnt pathway with increased expression of wnt, lrp5, and β-catenin genes and accumulation of β-catenin, and by downregulating the Notch signalling pathway with decreased expression of the activated notch protein.

Significance and Impact of the Study
Lactobacillus could facilitate IUGR rat pups' intestinal development and enhance the proliferation of Paneth cells and goblet cells. These findings provide further insights into promotion of the intestinal development by breast milk-derived beneficial microbes in early life of the IUGR newborn rats.
Characterization of oxaliplatin removal by multispecies bacterial populations in moving bed biofilm and suspended-biomass reactors
Authors: Garakouei Seyed Reza , Issazadeh Khosro , Zamani Hojjatolah , Rakhshaee Roohan , Shahriarinour Mahdi 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Aims
This work aimed to characterize the oxaliplatin removal potential of multispecies microbial populations using the suspended-biomass (SB) and moving bed biofilm (MBB) reactors.

Methods and Results
Bacterial strains were isolated from pharmaceutical wastewater, their oxaliplatin degrading potential was screened and oxaliplatin removal efficacy in multispecies bacterial populations was investigated using HPLC. Five bacterial strains able to degrade oxaliplatin with an oxaliplatin removal efficacy of 21%–52% were isolated. The synthetic consortium including Xenorhabdus spp., Pantoea agglomerans and Bacillus licheniformis showed the highest potential with an oxaliplatin removal efficacy of 88.6% and 94.0% using the SB and MBB reactors, respectively. Also, the consortium reduced the chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 91.6 and 33% in MBB and SB reactors, respectively. A kinetic study showed a faster oxaliplatin removal in MBB (0.134 kg−1) than in the SB reactor (0.101 kg−1). Based on the GS/MS analysis, the overall biochemical pathway of oxaliplatin degradation was hypothesized to be initiated through the oxygenation of diamino–dicyclohexan–platinium complex and the cleavage of the aromatic ring.

Conclusion
Microbial removal of oxaliplatin using MBB and SB reactors seems to be an efficient and promising approach for oxaliplatin removal in pharmaceutical and hospital wastewater treatment plants.

Significance and Impact of the Study
Employing bacterial populations using the MBB reactor is a promising way to treat pharmaceutical wastewater to reduce the discharge of anticancer drugs into the environment.
Airborne dermatophyte propagules concentration in cowsheds as an underestimated reservoir of potential zoonoses
Authors: Gnat Sebastian , Łagowski Dominik , Dyląg Mariusz , Osińska Marcelina , Nowakiewicz Aneta 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Aims
Indoor air quality in stables, cowsheds or henhouses has recently become in interest due to the potential risks of zoonotic infections. Cowsheds are commonly known to have high fungal loads, particularly if insufficient attention is paid to the monitoring and control of the indoor microclimate around three elements, that is heating, ventilation and lighting. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations and spectrum of dermatophyte propagules in the indoor air of cowsheds.

Methods and results
Air samples were collected on five farms, and the dermatophyte species were identified using MALDI-TOF MS analysis. The quantitative analysis of the fungal pollutants showed an average of 0.084 dermatophyte propagules (CFU) per m3 of flowing air in spring and 0.0239 CFU/m3 in the summer. Dermatophyte species were identified in case of 64.6% of the obtained colonies. Trichophyton verrucosum as dominant species was isolated on all five farms. In turn, Nannizzia gypsea was isolated on four farms and Trichophyton mentagrophytes as well as Paraphyton cookei were isolated on two farms.

Conclusions
This study demonstrated that indoor aerosol appears to be one of the underestimated risks of dermatophyte infections. Moreover, the risk of zoonotic infections is posed by airborne zoophilic dermatophytes, especially T. verrucosum, whose prevalence of infections has been increasing in recent years.

Significance and impact of the study
The ability of dermatophytes to infect animals and humans is thought to be a consequence of not only their adaptation to new ecological niches but also occurring as an aerosol component, which we demonstrate for the first time in this study. The microclimate of the cowshed may be an underestimated reservoir of zoophilic dermatophytes, which pose a zoonotic threat to farmers, animal breeders and veterinarians.
Container material dictates stability of bacteriophage suspensions: Light scattering and infectivity measurements reveal mechanisms of infectious titre decay
Authors: O'Connell Larry , Roupioz Yoann , Marcoux Pierre R. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimsTo measure the infectious titre (IT) decay rate for various bacteriophages as a function of storage container material. Additionally, parallel light scattering and infectious titre measurements reveal distinct mechanisms for IT loss, depending on phage.Methods and ResultsSuspensions of bacteriophages 44AHJD, P68 and gh-1 were stored in various labware. IT of each suspension was repeatedly measured over the course of 2 weeks. Large variability in IT decay was observed, with &gt;4 log10 loss in glass and low-binding polypropylene. Incubation of polymer containers with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) resulted in a consistent reduction in IT decay. Aggregation state of phage suspensions was studied by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), revealing highest aggregation in glass-stored suspensions and lowest after storage in BSA-treated containers.ConclusionsGlass and ‘low-binding’ containers may aggravate IT decay while BSA treatment may present an easy mitigation strategy. IT versus NTA titre diagrams highlight the importance of phage inactivation in combination with aggregation.Significance and impact of the studyContainer material is a significant determinant of bacteriophage IT decay. It is therefore essential to confirm IT following storage and tailor choice of phage storage containers accordingly. Aggregation of phages and adsorption onto labware surfaces are not only the mechanisms accounting for IT loss but also biological instability.
Prevalence and factors associated with pre‐frailty and frailty among Korean older adults with heart failure
Authors: Son Youn‐Jung , Kim Sang‐Wook , Lee Wang‐Soo , Shin Seung Yong , Won Hoyoun , Cho Jun Hwan , Kim Hyue Mee , Hong Joonhwa , Choi JiYeon 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimTo describe the prevalence and associated factors of pre‐frailty and frailty in older patients with heart failure.DesignSecondary analysis of data collected across two cross‐sectional surveys on self‐care behaviours of patients with heart failure.MethodsWe analysed the data of patients with heart failure who were 60 years or older (n = 407) in cardiovascular outpatient clinics at two tertiary medical centres in South Korea between 2018 and 2019. Frailty was evaluated using the Korean version of the 5‐item fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses and loss of weight (FRAIL) scale. Frailty status was categorized as robust, pre‐frail and frail. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the associations between sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and frailty status.ResultsIn our sample, the prevalence of pre‐frailty and frailty was 45.6% and 28.3% respectively. Patients aged 80 years or older had a higher prevalence of pre‐frailty and frailty than those younger than 80 years. Advanced age and the worst category in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification were significantly associated with the risk of pre‐frailty and frailty. Additionally, having more comorbid conditions was associated with an increased risk of frailty.ConclusionOur study identified advanced age, the NYHA functional classification, and the number of comorbidities as the major characteristics associated with the risk of frailty in older patients with heart failure.ImpactThe findings of this study highlight the prevalence and associated characteristics of pre‐frailty and frailty in older adults with heart failure in South Korea. Most older adults with heart failure were either pre‐frail or frail. Advanced age, the NYHA functional classification, and the number of comorbidities were the major characteristics associated with frailty risk. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating frailty screening into routine assessments in older patients with heart failure.
Snacking among shiftwork nurses related to non‐optimal dietary intake
Authors: Lin Ting‐Ti , Guo Yue Leon , Gordon Christopher James , Chen Yi‐Chuan , Wu Hsueh‐Ching , Cayanan Elizabeth , Ouyang Chung‐Mei , Shiao Judith Shu‐Chu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimsTo compare nurses’ non‐optimal eating behaviours across different shifts, to examine whether non‐day shifts were related to deviation from optimal dietary behaviours compared with day shifts and whether such deviation was related to non‐optimal macronutrient intake.DesignThis is a 4‐day intensive longitudinal study.MethodsA convenience sample of hospital nurses was recruited in Taiwan. From September 2018 through January 2019, 120 participants completed 4‐days of 24‐h dietary recalls. One‐way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis H test were used to compare differences in energy and macronutrient intake and frequency of meals and snacking, respectively. Generalized linear regressions examined (1) the associations between shiftwork schedules and non‐optimal eating behaviours and (2) associations between non‐optimal eating and high energy contribution of non‐optimal macronutrients.ResultsNurses consumed less energy on evening and night shifts compared with day shifts. However, energy intake from snacking was higher on evening and night shifts relative to day shifts. Nurses consumed less meals but had higher snacking frequency on non‐day shifts. In addition, high energy intake from snacking was positively associated with high energy intake from saturated fat.ConclusionsNurses were more likely to have non‐optimal eating behaviours on non‐day shifts, which may contribute to an increased intake of saturated fat; thus, increasing their risk of chronic diseases. Strategies to improve non‐day shift nurses' non‐optimal eating behaviours may be beneficial to their health.ImpactShiftwork is known to affect nurses' eating behaviours; however, which shift is associated with unhealthy eating remains inconclusive. Despite lower energy intakes, nurses had higher intake by snacking on evening and night shifts. High snacking intake was associated with a high intake of saturated fat. Hospitals can increase the availability of healthy foods on evening or night shifts, which may improve non‐day shift nurses' non‐optimal eating behaviours.
Crosstalk between dihydroceramides produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis and host lysosomal cathepsin B in the promotion of osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Duarte Carolina , Yamada Chiaki , Garcia Christopher , Akkaoui Juliet , Ho Anny , Nichols Frank , Movila Alexandru 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEmerging studies indicate that intracellular eukaryotic ceramide species directly activate cathepsin B (CatB), a lysosomal‐cysteine‐protease, in the cytoplasm of osteoclast precursors (OCPs) leading to elevated RANKL‐mediated osteoclastogenesis and inflammatory osteolysis. However, the possible impact of CatB on osteoclastogenesis elevated by non‐eukaryotic ceramides is largely unknown. It was reported that a novel class of phosphoglycerol dihydroceramide (PGDHC), produced by the key periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis upregulated RANKL‐mediated osteoclastogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate a crosstalk between host CatB and non‐eukaryotic PGDHC on the promotion of osteoclastogenesis. According to a pulldown assay, high affinity between PGDHC and CatB was observed in RANKL‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells in vitro. It was also demonstrated that PGDHC promotes enzymatic activity of recombinant CatB protein ex vivo and in RANKL‐stimulated osteoclast precursors in vitro. Furthermore, no or little effect of PGDHC on the RANKL‐primed osteoclastogenesis was observed in male and female CatB‐knock out mice compared with their wild type counterparts. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that bacterial dihydroceramides produced by P. gingivalis elevate RANKL‐primed osteoclastogenesis via direct activation of intracellular CatB in OCPs.
LRP5 regulates cardiomyocyte proliferation and neonatal heart regeneration by the AKT/P21 pathway
Authors: Zhou Huixing , Zhang Fulei , Wu Yahan , Liu Hongyu , Duan Ran , Liu Yuanyuan , Wang Yan , He Xiaoyu , Zhang Yuemei , Ma Xiue , Guan Yi , Liu Yi , Liang Dandan , Zhou Liping , Chen Yi‐Han 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe neonatal heart can efficiently regenerate within a short period after birth, whereas the adult mammalian heart has extremely limited capacity to regenerate. The molecular mechanisms underlying neonatal heart regeneration remain elusive. Here, we revealed that as a coreceptor of Wnt signalling, low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 5 (LRP5) is required for neonatal heart regeneration by regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation. The expression of LRP5 in the mouse heart gradually decreased after birth, consistent with the time window during which cardiomyocytes withdrew from the cell cycle. LRP5 downregulation reduced the proliferation of neonatal cardiomyocytes, while LRP5 overexpression promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation. The cardiac‐specific deletion of Lrp5 disrupted myocardial regeneration after injury, exhibiting extensive fibrotic scars and cardiac dysfunction. Mechanistically, the decreased heart regeneration ability induced by LRP5 deficiency was mainly due to reduced cardiomyocyte proliferation. Further study identified AKT/P21 signalling as the key pathway accounting for the regulation of cardiomyocyte proliferation mediated by LRP5. LRP5 downregulation accelerated the degradation of AKT, leading to increased expression of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor P21. Our study revealed that LRP5 is necessary for cardiomyocyte proliferation and neonatal heart regeneration, providing a potential strategy to repair myocardial injury.