bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Florigen repression complexes involving rice CENTRORADIALIS2 regulate grain size
Authors: He Ying , Li Liuyu , Shi Weibiao , Tan Juhong , Luo Xixiu , Zheng Shaoyan , Chen Weiting , Li Jing , Zhuang Chuxiong , Jiang Dagang 
Published: July 2022

AbstractGrain size is one of the crucial factors determining grain yield. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of florigen repression complexes (FRCs) underlying grain size in rice (Oryza sativa L.) have not been reported. Here, we report that the rice CENTRORADIALIS (CEN) family member OsCEN2 (also known as Rice TFL1/CEN homolog, RCN1), a phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family protein, negatively controls grain size in rice. Overexpression of OsCEN2 led to small grains, and knockout of OsCEN2 resulted in large, heavy grains. OsCEN2 influenced grain size by restricting cell expansion in the spikelet hull and seed filling. In in vivo and in vitro experiments, OsCEN2 physically interacted with a G-box factor 14-3-3 homolog, GF14f, which negatively regulates grain size. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and yeast two-hybrid assays revealed that GF14f directly interacts with the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, OsFD2. Plants overexpressing OsFD2 produced smaller and lighter grains than wild-type plants. We found that OsFD2 also influences grain size by controlling cell expansion and division in the spikelet hull. Our results reveal the molecular mechanisms of the OsCEN2–GF14f–OsFD2 regulatory module in controlling grain size. Additionally, our study provides insight into the functions of the FRC in rice and suggests a strategy for improving seed size and weight.
Association of hepatitis C virus genotype 2 spread with historic slave trade and commerce routes in Western Africa
Authors: Postigo-Hidalgo Ignacio , Magassouba N’Faly , Soropogui Barré , Fichet-Calvet Elisabeth , Drexler Jan Felix 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe hepatitis C virus genotype 2 (HCV2) is endemic in Western and Central Africa. The HCV2 evolutionary origins remain uncertain due to the paucity of available genomes from African settings. In this study, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of HCV infections in rural Guinea, Western Africa, during 2004 and 2014. Broadly reactive nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based screening of sera from 1,571 asymptomatic adults resulted in the detection of 25 (1.5 per cent; 95 per cent confidence interval 0.9–2.3) positive samples, with a median viral load of 2.54E + 05 IU/ml (interquartile range 6.72E + 05). HCV-infected persons had a median age of 47 years, and 62.5 per cent were male and 37.5 per cent were female. The full polyprotein-encoding genes were retrieved by a combination of high throughput and Sanger sequencing from 17 samples showing sufficiently high viral loads. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence distances ≥13 per cent averaged over the polyprotein genes compared to other HCV2 subtypes revealed nine previously unknown HCV2 subtypes. The time to the most recent common ancestor of the Guinean HCV2 strains inferred in a Bayesian framework was 493 years (95 per cent Highest posterior density (HPD) 453–532). Most of the Guinean strains clustered poorly by location on both the level of sampling sites within Guinea and the level of countries in the phylogenetic reconstructions. Ancestral state reconstruction provided decisive support (Bayes factor &gt; 100) for an origin of HCV2 in Western Africa. Phylogeographic reconstructions in a Bayesian framework pointed to a radial diffusion of HCV2 from Western African regions encompassing today’s countries like Ghana, Guinea Bissau, or Burkina Faso, to Central and Northern African regions that took place from the 16th century onwards. The spread of HCV2 coincided in time and space with the main historic slave trade and commerce routes, supported by Bayesian tip-association significance testing (P = 0.01). Our study confirms the evolutionary origins of HCV2 in Western Africa and provides a potential link between historic human movements and HCV2 dispersion.
Variation in Bed-to-Physician Ratios During Weekday Daytime Hours in ICUs in Australia and New Zealand*
Authors: Wunsch Hannah , Pilcher David V. , Litton Edward , Anstey Matthew , Garland Allan , Gershengorn Hayley B. 
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVES:
To determine common “bed-to-physician” ratios during weekday hours across ICUs and assess factors associated with variability in this ratio.

DESIGN:
Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING:
All ICUs in Australia/New Zealand that participated in a staffing survey administered in 2017–2018.

PATIENTS:
ICU admissions from 2016 to 2018.

METHODS:
We linked survey data with patient-level data. We defined: 1) bed-to-intensivist ratio as the number of usually available ICU beds divided by the number of onsite weekday daytime intensivists; and 2) bed-to-physician ratio as the number of available ICU beds divided by the total number of physicians (intensivists + nonintensivists, including trainees). We calculated the median and interquartile range (IQR) of bed-to-intensivist ratio and bed-to-physician ratios during weekday hours. We assessed variability in each by type of hospital and ICU and by severity of illness of patients, defined by the predicted hospital mortality.

INTERVENTIONS:
None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
Of the 123 (87.2%) of Australia/New Zealand ICUs that returned staffing surveys, 114 (92.7%) had an intensivist present during weekday daytime hours, and 116 (94.3%) reported at least one nonintensivist physician. The median bed-to-intensivist ratio was 8.0 (IQR, 6.0–11.4), which decreased to a bed-to-physician ratio of 3.0 (IQR, 2.2–4.9). These ratios varied with mean severity of illness of the patients in the unit. The median bed-to-intensivist ratio was highest (13.5) for ICUs with a mean predicted mortality > 2–4%, and the median bed-to-physician ratio was highest (5.7) for ICUs with a mean predicted mortality of > 4–6%. Both ratios decreased and plateaued in ICUs with a mean predicted mortality for patients greater than 8% (median bed-to-intensivist ratio range, 6.8–8.0, and bed-to-physician ratio range of 2.4–2.7).

CONCLUSIONS:
Weekday bed-to-physician ratios in Australia/New Zealand ICUs are lower than the bed-to-intensivist ratios and have a relatively fixed ratio of less than 3 for units taking care of patients with a higher average severity of illness. These relationships may be different in other countries or healthcare systems.
Is the Technology Era Aging You? A Review of the Physiologic and Psychologic Toll of Technology Use
Authors: McKesey Jacqueline , Fabi Sabrina G. 
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND
Technology use is at an all-time high and its potential impact on psychological and physiologic health should be explored.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this narrative review was to identify the role of technology use on health and well-being.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Authors performed a review of PubMed and publications of the World Health Organization, Department of Defense, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the impact of technology regarding electromagnetic radiation (EM), posture and mobility, sleep disturbance, and psychological stress and well-being.

RESULTS
Studies on the impact of EM were conflicting, with about 45% reporting negative consequences and 55% reporting no effect. Radiofrequency EM (RF-EM) may more significantly affect fibroblasts and immature cells. Device use was implicated in worsening cognitive focus, imbalance, and sleep. Social media use affects self-esteem and mental health and is associated with up to 33% presence of addiction. Effects seem to be dose related and more pronounced in younger ages.

CONCLUSION
Technology use significantly affects sleep, mental health, and cognitive function. Seeking psychological help, limiting social media use, and reducing use before sleep may partially mitigate these effects. The impact of EM is undetermined, but the WHO lists RF-EM as a potential carcinogen.
Ten-Year Institutional Experience to Predict Risk of Calvarial Bone Flap Loss Using Long-Term Outcome Data
Authors: Wu Shannon S. , Specht Brandon C. , Kwiecien Grzegorz J. , Aliotta Rachel E. , Mohammadi Alireza M. , Gastman Brian 
Published: July 2022

Background:
Calvarial bone flap (CBF) loss is a common complication following craniotomy and subsequent skull reconstruction can be challenging. Defining predictors of CBF failure not only improves patient outcomes but reduces the need for complex reconstruction often requiring plastic surgery consultation. As CBF failure can occur many years following craniotomy, this study aimed to determine risk factors of CBF loss using long-term follow-up.

Materials and Methods:
This retrospective study included patients who underwent craniotomy with CBF reinsertion between 2003 and 2013 at a tertiary academic institution. Patients were included if demographics, comorbidities, and long-term outcomes were available. Multivariable logistic regression modeled the odds of CBF failure, defined as permanent removal for bone flap-related issues. The median follow-up was 6.9 years (interquartile range: 1.8–10.8 y).

Results:
There were 222 patients who met inclusion criteria and underwent craniotomy with CBF reinsertion, primarily for tumor resection or intracranial pressure relief. CBF failure occurred in 76 (34.2%) patients. Up to 4 CBF reinsertions were performed in both failure and nonfailure groups. The risks of CBF loss increased with each additional CBF elevation by 17-fold (P<0.001), male sex by 3-fold (P=0.005), and tumor etiology by 3-fold (P=0.033) (C-index=0.942).

Conclusions:
Each CBF reinsertion dramatically increases the risk of CBF loss. This finding may optimize patient selection and surgical planning. Early multidisciplinary discussions between plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons may avoid multiple CBF elevations and prevent the adverse sequela of high-risk calvarial reconstruction efforts.
An information sign changes the way the public perceives exotic pond sliders Trachemys scripta in the Altrhein of Kehl (Germany)
Authors: Schradin Carsten 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTInvasive pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) have been released in thousands of freshwaters within Europe and reproduce in the southern states and even in warm areas of Germany. All member states of the European Union must have an action plan how to fight this invasive species. The German action plan focusses on informing the public, but to date no study investigated the impact of such actions. Instead, NGOs setting up information signs report that this does not stop the release of exotic pond turtles, but without any quantitative measure. In 2019, we put up an information sign at the Althrein of Kehl, an oxbow lake where for the first time it had been shown that T. scripta is breeding in Germany. I performed interviews with people walking along the oxbow lake before the sign was pit up in 2019, and again in 2022. Counts of exotic pond turtles still increased, but this was mainly due to an increased number of small pond turtles, while numbers of very large ones did not further increase. This indicates that the increase in peak counts might be rather due to local reproduction than additional release. After the information sign was set up, more people responded that the presence of exotic pond turtles is problematic for nature conservation and animal welfare, that it’s illegal to release them, and that they should be removed. This response was especially strong in people who had read the information sign. Independent of the information sign, most interviewed people stated that one should not release pond turtles into the wild, but bring them to animal shelters. While the data here only represent one single case study that might not be representative, it’s the first study showing that putting up information signs is effective in changing the attitude of people who had read it. This indicates that investment into informing the public is worthwhile, but also that at the same time evaluations of the impact of the measures are important. National action plans should focus on a combination of informing the public and removing the exotic pond turtles, but also on providing keepers of these animals the option to leave the animals at an animal shelter instead of releasing them into the wild.
Evasion of neutralizing antibodies by Omicron sublineage BA.2.75
Authors: Sheward Daniel J. , Kim Changil , Fischbach Julian , Muschiol Sandra , Ehling Roy A. , Björkström Niklas K. , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B. , Reddy Sai T. , Albert Jan , Peacock Thomas P. , Murrell Ben 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAn emerging SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineage, BA.2.75, is increasing in frequency in India and has been detected in at least 15 countries as of 19 July 2022. Relative to BA.2, BA.2.75 carries nine additional mutations in spike. Here we report the sensitivity of the BA.2.75 spike to neutralization by a panel of clinically-relevant and pre-clinical monoclonal antibodies, as well as by serum from blood donated in Stockholm, Sweden, before and after the BA.1/BA.2 infection wave.BA.2.75 largely maintains sensitivity to bebtelovimab, despite a slight reduction in potency, and exhibits moderate susceptibility to tixagevimab and cilgavimab. For sera sampled both before and after the BA.1/BA.2 infection wave, BA.2.75 does not show significantly greater antibody evasion than the currently-dominating BA.5.
KAI2-KL signalling regulates root hair elongation under magnesium deficiency by activating auxin, ethylene, and nitric oxide biosynthesis and signalling genes
Authors: Shah Faheem Afzal , Ni Jun , Chen Xue , Tang Caiguo , Wu Lifang 
Published: July 2022

AbstractRoot hair elongation (RHL), which expands the absorptive surface area of the root, is a crucial adaptation in plants for survival under magnesium (Mg) deficient soil. Despite the significance of this trait, the molecular mechanism in Mg starvation regulating RHL is elusive. We demonstrated that karrikins regulate RHL under a limited supply of Mg via crosstalk with auxin, ethylene, and NO. We used KAI2-KL-signalling mutants, auxin, ethylene, and NO-related genes mutants Arabidopsis and pharmacological method to investigate the role of KAI2-KL-signalling, and its interaction with ethylene, auxin, and NO in the process of RHL in Mg deficient conditions. Mg deficiency could not enhance RHL in KAI2-KL-signalling mutants such as kai2 and max2 Arabidopsis. Interestingly, exogenous application of ethylene, nitric oxide, or auxin recovered RHL of kai2 and max2 Arabidopsis under Mg deficiency. In contrast, exogenous supplementation of KAR1 could not rescue RHL in auxin, ethylene, and NO-related mutants Arabidopsis. In conclusion, we suggest that karrikins signalling might regulate the RHL in response to low Mg by acting as an upstream signalling pathway of auxin, ethylene, and NO signalling.
Requirement of sequential hydrolysis by CD73 and ALP for uptake of vitamin B2 into cells
Authors: Shichinohe Natsuki , Kobayashi Daisuke , Izumi Ayaka , Hatanaka Kazuya , Fujita Rio , Kinoshita Taroh , Inoue Norimitsu , Hamaue Naoya , Wada Keiji , Murakami Yoshiko 
Published: July 2022

AbstractExtracellular hydrolysis of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) to riboflavin is thought to be important for cellular uptake of vitamin B2 because FAD and FMN are hydrophilic and do not pass the plasma membrane. However, it is not clear whether FAD and FMN are hydrolyzed by cell surface enzymes for vitamin B2 uptake. Here, we show that in human cells, FAD, a major form of vitamin B2 in plasma, is hydrolyzed by CD73 (also called ecto-5′ nucleotidase) to FMN, then FMN is hydrolyzed by alkaline phosphatase to riboflavin, which is efficiently imported into cells. This process is impaired on the surface of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-deficient cells due to lack of these GPI-anchored enzymes. During culture of GPI-deficient cells with FAD or FMN, hydrolysis of these forms of vitamin B2, intracellular levels of vitamin B2, vitamin B2-dependent pyridoxal 5′-phosphate formation, and mitochondrial functions were significantly decreased compared with those in GPI-restored cells. These results suggest that inefficient uptake of vitamin B2 might account for mitochondrial dysfunction seen in some cases of inherited GPI deficiency.
Temporal interference current stimulation in peripheral nerves
Authors: Budde Ryan B. , Williams Michael T. , Irazoqui Pedro P. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractOne strategy to electrically stimulate nerves utilizes the interference of multiple high frequency waveforms. This technique has recently gained significant attention as a method to improve the state-of-the-art in neurostimulation. Here we report our investigation into the fundamental properties of the neuronal response to these types of waveforms. Our data suggest, contrary to the currently accepted explanation, that neurons do not extract envelopes at all, and that the response to these signals is well explained by a resistor-capacitor (i.e., integrator) membrane with a fixed firing threshold. This new understanding of the fundamental mechanism of interferential neural stimulation changes how we should model and evaluate the safety and efficacy of these signals. Utilizing this new understanding, we develop several novel interferential stimulation techniques. Interferential strategies demonstrate promising results and may improve many neuromodulation therapies.
Cell envelope remodeling requires high concentrations of biotin during Mycobacterium abscessus model lung infection
Authors: Sullivan Mark R. , McGowen Kerry , Liu Qiang , Akusobi Chidiebere , Young David C. , Mayfield Jacob A. , Raman Sahadevan , Wolf Ian D. , Moody D. Branch , Aldrich Courtney C. , Muir Alexander , Rubin Eric J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMycobacterium abscessus is an emerging pathogen resistant to most frontline antibiotics. M. abscessus causes lung infection, predominantly in patients with lung disease or structural abnormalities. To interrogate mechanisms required for M. abscessus survival in the lung, we developed a lung infection model using air-liquid interface culture and performed a screen to identify differentially required genes. In the lung model, synthesis of the cofactor biotin is required due to increased intracellular biotin demand, and pharmacological inhibition of biotin synthesis halts M. abscessus proliferation. Increased quantities of biotin are required to sustain fatty acid remodeling that serves to increase cell envelope fluidity, which in turn promotes M. abscessus survival in the alkaline lung environment. Together, these results indicate that biotin-dependent fatty acid remodeling plays a critical role in pathogenic adaptation to the lung niche and suggests that biotin synthesis and fatty acid metabolism are therapeutic targets for treatment of M. abscessus infection.
The dual role of a multi-heme cytochrome in methanogenesis: MmcA is important for energy conservation and carbon metabolism in Methanosarcina acetivorans
Authors: Downing Blake E. , Gupta Dinesh , Nayak Dipti D. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMethanogenic archaea belonging to the Order Methanosarcinales conserve energy using an electron transport chain (ETC). In the genetically tractable strain Methanosarcina acetivorans, ferredoxin donates electrons to the ETC via the Rnf (Rhodobacter nitrogen fixation) complex. The Rnf complex in M. acetivorans, unlike its counterpart in Bacteria, contains a multiheme c-type cytochrome (MHC) subunit called MmcA. Early studies hypothesized MmcA is a critical component of Rnf, however recent work posits that the primary role of MmcA is facilitating extracellular electron transport. To explore the physiological role of MmcA, we characterized M. acetivorans mutants lacking either the entire Rnf complex (Δrnf) or just the MmcA subunit (ΔmmcA). Our data show that MmcA is essential for growth during acetoclastic methanogenesis but neither Rnf nor MmcA are required for methanogenic growth on methylated compounds. On methylated compounds, the absence of MmcA alone leads to a more severe growth defect compared to a Rnf deletion likely due to different strategies for ferredoxin regeneration that arise in each strain. Transcriptomic data suggest that the ΔmmcA mutant might regenerate ferredoxin by upregulating the cytosolic Wood-Ljundahl pathway for acetyl-CoA synthesis, whereas the Δrnf mutant may repurpose the F420 dehydrogenase complex (Fpo) to regenerate ferredoxin coupled to proton translocation. Beyond energy conservation, the deletion of Rnf or MmcA leads to some shared and some unique transcriptional changes in methyltransferase genes and regulatory proteins. Overall, our study provides systems-level insights into the non-overlapping roles of the Rnf bioenergetic complex and the associated MHC, MmcA.ImportanceMethane is a greenhouse gas that is ten times more potent than carbon dioxide and efforts to curb emissions are crucial to meet climate goals. Methane emissions primarily stem from the metabolic activity of microorganisms called methanogenic archaea (methanogens). The electron transport chain (ETC) in methanogens that belong to the Order Methanosarcinales has been the focus of many in vitro studies to date, but the endogenous functions of the bioenergetic complexes that comprise the ETC have rarely been investigated. In this study, we use genetic techniques to functionally characterize the Rnf bioenergetic complex and the associated multi-heme c-type cytochrome MmcA in the model methanogen, Methanosarcina acetivorans. Our results show that MmcA and Rnf have shared and unique roles in the cell, and that, contrary to current knowledge, M. acetivorans has the capacity to induce at least two alternative pathways for ferredoxin regeneration in the absence of a functional Rnf complex.
How did fire and rescue services (and HMICFRS) in England respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Authors: Murphy Peter , Lakoma Katarzyna 
Published: July 2022

PurposeThis paper explores how fire and rescue services in England responded to the challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the form and nature of fire and rescue services’ collaborations with the ambulance, police and other services and how effective their emergency planning arrangements prepared them for the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe authors briefly set out the background to the emergency services response to recent events of national significance in the UK and North America, focussing on the collaborative aspects of the emergency services response. The authors then examine three sets of secondary sources, namely documents specifically related to Fire and Rescue Services’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.FindingsAll three investigations found that the pandemic had provided an opportunity for issues relating to planning and collaboration to be re-examined and for the emergence of new innovations (both technological and organisational) to provide new responses and solutions. Although the Inspectorate found that the services had generally responded well, it controversially criticised the role of the Fire Brigades Union in the national and local response to the pandemic.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is situationally bound to England although there may be transferable lessons to other services and jurisdictions.Practical implicationsPotential future improvements are identified at national and local levels for policy and for the operational response to widespread and long-term emergencies.Originality/valueEngland has had very few contemporary public health emergencies on the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic; this research presents an important opportunity for seeking to understand what is working well and where improvements are required to improve both the local and national response in relation to such a complex and dynamic environment.