bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Cerebrolysin Treatment as an Add-On Therapy to Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Due to Large Vessel Occlusion in Anterior Circulation: Results of a three-month follow-up of a Prospective, Open Label, Single-Center Study
Authors: Staszewski Jacek , Dębiec Aleksander , Strilciuc Stefan , Gniadek-Olejniczak Katarzyna , Piusinska-Macoch Renata , Balo David , Harston George , Stępień Adam , Brzozowski Krzysztof , Zięcina Piotr , Narloch Jerzy , Wierzbicki Marek , Piasecki Piotr
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims

This study hypothesized that Cerebrolysin, a multimodal neuroprotective agent, enhances the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in both acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and recovery stroke phases in selected patients with good collateral status (CTA-CS 2-3) and effective recanalization (mTICI 2b-3).

Methods

A single-center, prospective, open-label, single-arm study with blinded outcome assessment of 50 consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe AIS treated with MT ≤6 hours of stroke onset followed by Cerebrolysin (30 ml iv within 8 hours of onset and continued to day 21, first cycle) and in a recovery phase (between 69-90 days, second cycle) compared to 50 historical controls matched by propensity scores. Key outcomes included functional independence (mRS 0–2 at 90 days), safety endpoints, and neurological recovery (NIHSS at 24h and 7 day post MT).

Results

Patients receiving Cerebrolysin achieved higher rates of mRS 0–2 at 90 days (68% vs. 44%, p=0.016, OR 2.7, 95%CI 1.2 - 6.1; NNT: 4.2), had reduced risk of secondary ICH (14% vs. 40%, p=0.02; RR 0.37, 95%CI 0.14-0.95), and had lower NIHSS on Day 7 (median [IQR]: 3 [4] vs. 6 [9], p=0.01). There was a significant difference in Barthel Index scores between the Cerebrolysin group and the control group at 30 days (median [IQR]: 77 [32] vs. 63 [50], p=0.03) and at 3 months (86 [22] vs. 75 [29], p=0.01) primarily driven by the increase in the mobility and transfer components. Multivariate analysis identified Cerebrolysin as an independent predictor of favorable outcomes at 3 months (OR 7.5, 95% CI 1.8–30.9), particularly in patients with diabetes (interaction OR 9.6, 95% CI 1.01–92). The overall mortality rates at 30- and 90-days were similar in both groups (2% vs 6% and 8% vs 12%, p>0.1).

Conclusion

Cerebrolysin improved functional outcomes at 90 days, accelerated neurological recovery, and reduced complications post-MT in patients with small ischemic core, good collateral circulation and effective recanalization at baseline. These findings warrant further randomized trials to validate its efficacy and explore its long-term benefits.

Registration: URL:https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; unique identifier:NCT04904341
A Mitochondrially Derived Plastidial Transporter Regulates Photosynthesis in the DiatomPhaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Giustini Cécile , Dal Bo Davide , Storti Mattia , Van Vlierberghe Mick , Baurain Denis , Cardol Pierre , Zhang Youjun , Fernie Alisdair R. , Fitzpatrick Duncan , Aro Eva-Mari , Allorent Guillaume , Albanese Pascal , Tolleter Dimitri , Curien Gilles , Finazzi Giovanni
Published: February 2025

Eukaryotic phototrophs depend on the activity of two engines (the plastid and the mitochondrion) to generate the energy required for cellular metabolism. Because of their overlapping functions, both activities must be closely coordinated. At the plastid level, optimization occurs through alternative electron transport, the diversion of excess electrons from the linear transport chain, and metabolic exchanges. A similar process takes place in the mitochondria, with documented evidence of energy and redox equivalents being exchanged between the two organelles. Organelle-organelle energy interactions at the physiological level are well established in diatoms, an ecologically significant member of phytoplankton. Yet the molecular components involved in this process remain largely unknown. Here, we identify a Mitochondrial Carrier Family (MCF) transporter, MCFc, located at the plastid envelope ofPhaeodactylum tricornutum, which seems to be widely distributed in complex algae. We then compare the performance of a wild-type and a mutant lacking MCFc. An analysis of spectroscopic and oxygen exchange data unveiled altered energetic interactions in the mutant, suggesting that MCFc, plays a role in plastid-mitochondrion communication. In silico analysis of MCFc implies a similar substrate-specific model to that of ADP/ATP carriers, although distinct motif differences in MCFc indicate potential variations in its function, with possible substrates including arginine, aspartate/glutamate, or citrate. These findings illuminate how mitochondrial energy contributes to fueling diatom photosynthesis.
Deep Learning-based Framework for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Bacterial Growth Detection for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Authors: Vo Hoang-Anh T , Nguyen Sang , Tran Ai-Quynh T , Nguyen Han , Bich Hai Ho , Fowler Philip W , Walker Timothy M , Nguyen Thuy Thi
Published: February 2025

Tuberculosis (TB) kills more people annually than any other pathogen. Resistance is an ever-increasing global problem, not least because diagnostics remain challenging and access limited. 96-well broth microdilution plates offer one approach to high-throughput phenotypic testing, but they can be challenging to read. Automated Mycobacterial Growth Detection Algorithm (AMyGDA) is a software package that uses image processing techniques to read plates, but struggles with plates that exhibit low growth or images of low quality. We developed a new framework, TMAS (TB Microbial Analysis System), which leverages state-of-the-art deep learning models to detectM. tuberculosisgrowth in images of 96-well microtiter plates. TMAS is designed to measure Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) rapidly and accurately while differentiating between true bacterial growth and artefacts. Using 4,018 plate images from the CRyPTIC (Comprehensive Resistance Prediction for Tuberculosis: An International Consortium) dataset to train models and refine the framework, TMAS achieved an essential agreement of 98.8%. TMAS offers a reliable, automated and complementary evaluation to support expert interpretation, potentially improving accuracy and efficiency in tuberculosis drug susceptibility testing (DST).

Author summary

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world’s leading causes of death from infectious diseases, with drug resistance making treatment increasingly difficult. Accurate and timely drug susceptibility testing (DST) is essential to determine which antibiotics remain effective against a given TB strain. A widely used DST method involves 96-well broth microdilution plates, where bacteria are exposed to different antibiotic concentrations to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the lowest concentration that fully prevents bacterial growth. However, manually interpreting these plates is time-consuming and prone to human error, while existing automated methods often struggle with imaging artifacts such as condensation, shadows, and contamination.

In this study, we developed the Tuberculosis Microbial Analysis System (TMAS), a machine learning-based tool designed to automate MIC determination from plate images. Training on advanced deep learning models, TMAS can learn to detect bacterial growth with high precision, distinguishing true growth from artefacts such as shadows, bubbles, sediment, condensation and contamination. When tested on a large dataset, TMAS outperformed existing automated methods in accuracy, reliability and efficiency. By reducing the reliance on manual interpretation, TMAS has the potential to streamline TB diagnostics, improve efficiency in laboratories, and improve access to high-quality DST, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Making plant tissue accessible for cryo-electron tomography
Authors: Pöge Matthias , Dickmanns Marcel , Xu Peng , Li Meijing , Schiøtz Oda H. , Kaiser Christoph O. J. , Ma Jianfei , Bieber Anna , Capitanio Cristina , Brenner Johann , Riggi Margot , Klumpe Sven , Miras Manuel , Kazemein Jasemi Neda S. , Schulze Waltraud X. , Simon Rüdiger , Frommer Wolf B. , Plitzko Jürgen M. , Baumeister Wolfgang
Published: February 2025

Cryo-Electron Tomography (cryo-ET) allows to visualize the molecular architecture of pristinely preserved cells and tissues. The workflow of sample preparation for cryo-ET is rather complex; it involves vitrification by rapid freezing followed by cryo-Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling rendering the volumes of interest thin enough for cryo-ET data acquisition. The established protocols for single cells grown on or deposited on EM-grids are not suitable for multicellular plant tissues. Plunge-freezing does not yield vitrified samples in most cases and must be replaced by high-pressure freezing. This, in turn, necessitates extensive modifications of the subsequent FIB milling procedures. In this communication we describe procedures for sample screening, targeted FIB milling guided by cryo-fluorescence microscopy and a novel lamella trimming step that allows to obtain homogenously thin lamellae suitable for cryo-ET. We have tested all the steps along the workflow with a variety of plant tissues including the mossPhyscomitrium patensand tissues ofArabidopsis thalianaandLimonium bicolor. We could demonstrate that the workflow optimized for plant tissues allows to attain subnanometer resolution in cases where subtomogram averaging is applicable.
Endothelial decorin is increased by ageing and, induces inflammation and diastolic dysfunction in the heart
Authors: Luxán Guillermo , Winkelmeier Timm , Bodemer Colin , Toğru Büşra Nur , Shumliakivska Mariana , Muhly-Reinholz Marion , Fischer Ariane , Ruz-Jurado Mariano , John David , Abplanalp Wesley T. , Dimmeler Stefanie
Published: February 2025

Aims

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the European Union and aging is one of its major risk factors resulting in the progressive deterioration of the cardiac structures and function. Here, we have combined single-nucleus-RNA-sequencing, imaging, and molecular and cell biology approaches to explore the maladaptive signals that drive cardiac ageing.

Methods and results

Single-nucleus-RNA-sequencing analysis of young (3 months) and old (18 months) murine hearts revealed that the expression of decorin, a secreted proteoglycan expressed in the extracellular matrix of endothelial cells, is induced by ageing. Decorin treatment via osmotic mini-pump induced diastolic dysfunction and a pro-inflammatory environment in the myocardium characterized by increased infiltration of immune cells, increased expression of IL- 1β in endothelial cells and microvascular leakage in 3 months old mice. In vitro, decorin treatment induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, the expression of different pro-inflammatory cytokines likeIL1Bin endothelial cells, and compromises the endothelial barrier function.

Conclusions

Together, our results identify decorin as a novel player contributing to cardiac aging and disease. Decorin contributes to the age-related structural and functional dysfunction of the heart by inducing a pro-inflammatory environment in the myocardial microvasculature, a hallmark of cardiac ageing.

Translational perspective

Ageing is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease and the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive this process have not been completely described. The data presented here identifies decorin as a novel player contributing to systemic inflammation and microvascular dysfunction, two hallmarks of ageing. Although, because of its role regulating TGF-β signalling, decorin has been proposed for anti-fibrotic therapies, the pro-inflammatory effects observed on the cardiac microvasculature should be taken into account for the employment of decorin as an antifibrotic agent to treat disease associated cardiac fibrosis.
Extrafollicular activation of B cells contributes to the long-term survival of CD28KO mice infected with Sylvio X10/4Trypanosoma cruziparasites
Authors: Nascimento Rogério Silva do , Marinho Claudio R. F. , de Salles Érika Machado , D’Império Lima Maria Regina , Alvarez José M.
Published: February 2025

In the initial phase of infections, prior to the development of the follicular antibody response, an extrafollicular B cell response develops in lymphoid organs, with activation of cells displaying B cell receptors with low affinity to the different epitopes of the invading pathogen. To evaluate if this response allows early protection in the murine host, we investigated its role during infection with Sylvio X10/4 (a low virulenceTrypanosoma cruziparasite) of CD28KO mice, a mouse strain that does not develop a follicular antibody response, in parallel with infected C57BL/6 mice (used as control). We observed thatT. cruziinfection allowed CD28KO mice to survive for a long period of time, ranging from a few weeks to almost a year. However, the CD28KO mice showed higher levels of subpatent parasitemia than C57BL/6 mice, as well as more intense and long-lasting inflammatory infiltrates in the heart. Following the CD28KO mice throughout the infection, we found a significant reduction in the number of CD8+T cells in the spleen, but not CD4+T cells, as well as a strong fluctuation in the number of B cells. Meanwhile, although the production of IFN-γ in the spleen was not affected by CD28 deficiency, a reduction in IL-2 production was observed in anti-CD3 stimulated CD4+T cells from infected CD28KO mice. Regarding the humoral response, after confirming that the T follicular helper (TFH) cells and germinal center B cells (GC-B) were absent in the infected CD28KO mice, we demonstrated that the extrafollicular antibodies, present in CD28KO infected mice, allowed an early protection in the murine host, since the transfer of serum from chronic CD28KO mice to naïve CD28KO mice, which were infected withT. cruzi24 hours later, promoted a significant reduction in parasitemia. These results demonstrate that low-affinity anti-T cruziextrafollicular antibodies contribute to the control of circulating parasites, allowing Sylvio X10/4-infected CD28KO mice to survive for a long time.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

Low-affinity anti-T cruziextrafollicular antibodies contribute to the control of circulating parasites, allowing Sylvio X10/4-infected CD28KO mice to survive for a long time.
Nuclear RNA exosome targeting onto chromatin loci in the degradation of unstable transcripts affects transcriptional programs in liver cells
Authors: Souaifan Hiba , Costallat Mickael , Sitkiewicz Laura , Godest Kylian , Cammas Florence , Mann Carl , Muchardt Christian , Rachez Christophe
Published: February 2025

The regulation of RNA maturation and degradation processes is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis, with defective regulation potentially leading to cancer or cellular senescence. RNA homeostasis occurs co-transcriptionally and is influenced by chromatin-associated factors, highlighting the need for further exploration in this area. HP1 proteins, originally identified as markers of pericentromeric heterochromatin, play significant roles in co-transcriptional processes occuring on chromatin. This study investigates the role of HP1 proteins in the maturation and degradation of non-coding RNAs, specifically focusing on their interaction with the RNA exosome, a key machinery for RNA degradation.

The effects of depleting all three HP1 isoforms were investigated in mouse embryonic liver (BMEL) cell lines. Our results demonstrate that the RNA exosome interacts with HP1 proteins and is targeted to chromatin loci through HP1-dependent mechanisms. Furthermore, the absence of HP1 proteins alters various RNA species genome-wide, reactivating transposon-like repeat elements and stabilizing certain gene-associated transcripts thereby found in cytoplasm. In human cells, patients with highest levels of inflammation show reduced HP1 levels and less RNA degradation. This reduction leads to tumors with unique characteristics, being more rigid and exhibiting lower proliferation, which makes them less deadly than tumors with high HP1 levels.

These findings illustrate the role of HP1 proteins in regulating RNA homeostasis through their interaction with the RNA exosome, suggesting important implications for cancer biology.
Organo-metal coprecipitation contributes to stable organic carbon fraction in mangrove soil
Authors: Hamada Kota , Yimatsa Nada , Ohtsuka Toshiyuki , Fujitake Nobuhide , Miyajima Toshihiro , Yokoyama Yusuke , Miyairi Yosuke , Kida Morimaru
Published: February 2025

Prediction of the impact of anthropogenic disturbances and global change on organic carbon (OC) pools in mangrove soils requires a detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying OC stabilization. Using density fractionation to physically separate OC fractions with varying degrees of mineral association and protection, this study aimed to assess distributions of these fractions and the geochemical factors influencing the most dominant and refractory mineral-associated, high-density fraction (HF) in mangrove soil. We conducted forest-wide soil sampling in the Gaburumata mangrove forest on Ishigaki Island, Japan, along three transects (upstream, midstream, downstream) and at five depths (until 100 cm). The OC in HF (OCHF) was the oldest (median Δ14C value of -13.81‰) and contributed most significantly to total soil OC (43%-63%) and nitrogen (64%-85%). Among the extractable metals analyzed (aluminum [Al], iron [Fe], calcium [Ca], and magnesium [Mg]) with different crystallinity, only organically complexed Al and Fe showed strong positive correlations with OCHF. Together with high OCHF:Fe ratios that surpassed the maximum sorptive capacity of Fe oxides, these results indicate that co-precipitation of OC and Fe was the dominant mode of organo-mineral associations. The low clay content reduced the importance of Ca and Mg on OCHF, as these divalent cations typically facilitate OC stabilization through cation bridging between negatively charged clay surfaces and organic matter. Furthermore, the Δ14C–OC relationship suggested efficient incorporation of mangrove-derived modern C into HF, in addition to the pre-existing old C. Thus, mangrove expansion is likely to enhance stable soil OC pools in addition to increasing plant biomass and litter. Overall, this study proposes a biogeochemical mechanism for how stable mangrove OC is newly formed, as well as maintained, with ramifications for global mangrove expansion and plantation efforts.
Coupled equilibria of dimerization and lipid binding modulate SARS Cov 2 Orf9b interactions and interferon response
Authors: Felipe CJ San , Batra Jyoti , Muralidharan Monita , Malpotra Shivali , Anand Durga , Bauer Rachel , Verba Kliment A , Swaney Danielle L. , Krogan Nevan J. , Grabe Michael , Fraser James S.
Published: February 2025

Open Reading Frame 9b (Orf9b), an accessory protein of SARS-CoV and –2, is involved in innate immune suppression through its binding to the mitochondrial receptor Translocase of Outer Membrane 70 (Tom70). Previous structural studies of Orf9b in isolation revealed a β-sheet-rich homodimer, however, structures of Orf9b in complex with Tom70 revealed a monomeric helical fold. Here, we developed a biophysical model that quantifies how Orf9b switches between these conformations and binds to Tom70, a requirement for suppressing the type 1 interferon response. We used this model to characterize the effect of lipid binding and mutations in variants of concern to the Orf9b:Tom70 equilibrium. We found that the binding of a lipid to the Orf9b homodimer biases the Orf9b monomer:dimer equilibrium towards the dimer by reducing the dimer dissociation rate ∼100-fold. We also found that mutations in variants of concern can alter different microscopic rate constants without significantly affecting binding to Tom70. Together our results highlight how perturbations to different steps in these coupled equilibria can affect the apparent affinity of Orf9b to Tom70, with potential downstream implications for interferon signaling in coronavirus infection.
Comparative molecular landscapes of immature neurons in the mammalian dentate gyrus across species reveal special features in humans
Authors: Zhou Yi , Su Yijing , Yang Qian , Li Jiaqi , Hong Yan , Gao Taosha , Zhong Yanqing , Ma Xueting , Jin Mengmeng , Liu Xinglan , Yuan Nini , Kennedy Benjamin C. , Wang Lizhou , Yan Longying , Viaene Angela N. , Helbig Ingo , Kessler Sudha K. , Kleinman Joel E. , Hyde Thomas M. , Nauen David W. , Liu Cirong , Liu Zhen , Shen Zhiming , Li Chao , Xu Shengjin , He Jie , Weinberger Daniel R. , Ming Guo-li , Song Hongjun
Published: February 2025

Immature dentate granule cells (imGCs) arising from adult hippocampal neurogenesis contribute to plasticity, learning and memory, but their evolutionary changes across species and specialized features in humans remain poorly understood. Here we performed machine learning-augmented analysis of published single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets and identified macaque imGCs with transcriptome-wide immature neuronal characteristics. Our cross-species comparisons among humans, monkeys, pigs, and mice showed few shared (such as DPYSL5), but mostly species-specific gene expression in imGCs that converged onto common biological processes regulating neuronal development. We further identified human-specific transcriptomic features of imGCs and demonstrated functional roles of human imGC-enriched expression of a family of proton-transporting vacuolar-type ATPase subtypes in development of imGCs derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Our study reveals divergent gene expression patterns but convergent biological processes in the molecular characteristics of imGCs across species, highlighting the importance of conducting independent molecular and functional analyses for adult neurogenesis in different species.
Correlating High-dimensional longitudinal microbial features with time-varying outcomes with FLORAL
Authors: Fei Teng , Donovan Victoria , Funnell Tyler , Baichoo Mirae , Waters Nicholas R. , Paredes Jenny , Dai Anqi , Castro Francesca , Haber Jennifer , Gradissimo Ana , Raj Sandeep S. , Lesokhin Alexander M. , Shah Urvi A. , van den Brink Marcel R. M. , Peled Jonathan U.
Published: February 2025

Correlating time-dependent patient characteristics and matched microbiome samples can be helpful to identify biomarkers in longitudinal microbiome studies. Existing approaches typically repeat a pre-specified modeling approach for all taxonomic features, followed by a multiple testing adjustment step for false discovery rate (FDR) control. In this work, we develop an alternative strategy of using logratio penalized generalized estimating equations, which directly models the longitudinal patient characteristic of interest as the outcome variable and treats microbial features as high-dimensional compositional covariates. A cross validation procedure is developed for variable selection and model selection among different working cor-relation structures. In extensive simulations, the proposed method achieved superior sensitivity over the state-of-the-art methods with robustly controlled FDR. In the analyses of correlating longitudinal dietary intake and microbial features from matched samples of cancer patients, the proposed method effectively identified gut health indicators and clinically relevant microbial markers, showing robust utilities in real-world applications. The method is implemented under the open-source R packageFLORAL, which is available at (https://vdblab.github.io/FLORAL/).
Shared brain basis of aggression in clinical, forensic, and healthy samples: A meta-analysis
Authors: Harju Harri , Tuisku Jouni , Nummenmaa Lauri
Published: February 2025

Background

Aggression, violence, and antisocial behaviour constitute a large-scale societal problem. Aggression is common in incarcerated offenders and psychiatric conditions, but also healthy and noninstitutionalized populations vary in violent and aggressive behaviour. The brain basis of aggression has been studied extensively in the past, but the similarities between criminal, pathological and everyday aggression in the brain remain elusive.

Methods

We conducted an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis of 406 neuroimaging studies with 28 968 subjects using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT). The included studies had either i) measured haemodynamic responses during aggression-related functional tasks, ii) compared the brain structure, molecular organization, or function between aggressive forensic and psychiatric populations and control groups, or iii) addressed the effects of trait aggression on brain structure or function.

Results

Aggression was consistently associated with altered function and structure in the amygdala, hippocampus, basal ganglia, anterior cingulate cortex, and the dorsolateral and orbitofrontal cortices. Functional coactivation analysis suggested that these regions are most consistently associated with emotional and reward function as well as their regulation. The results were comparable in healthy subjects as well as forensic and psychiatric populations.

Conclusions

Aggression is linked with alterations in multiple neurocognitive systems forming a common network for aggressiveness. Particularly the neural systems implicated in reward, emotions and regulation were commonly associated with aggression. The established network is involved in the whole continuum of aggression from benign variations in healthy volunteers to forensic subjects and violent clinical populations, suggesting a common aggression network whose severe perturbations may be linked with criminal behaviour or pathological aggression.
Remote sensing reveals inter- and intraspecific variation in riparian cottonwood (Populusspp) response to drought
Authors: Seeley M. M. , Wiebe B. C. , Gehring C. A. , Hultine K. R. , Posch B. C. , Cooper H. F. , Schaefer E. , Bock B. , Abraham A. J. , Moran E. M. , Keith A. , Allan G. J. , Scull M. , Whitham T. G. , Martin R. M. , Asner G. P. , Doughty C. E.
Published: February 2025

Understanding how vegetation responds to drought is fundamental for understanding the broader implications of climate change on foundation tree species that support high biodiversity. Leveraging remote sensing technology provides a unique vantage point to explore these responses across and within species.

We investigated interspecific drought responses of twoPopulusspecies (P.fremontii,P.angustifolia) and their naturally occurring hybrids using leaf-level visible through shortwave infrared (VSWIR; 400-2500 nm) reflectance. As F1hybrids backcross with either species, resulting in a range of backcross genotypes, we heretofore refer to the two species and their hybrids collectively as “cross types.” We additionally explored intraspecific variation inP. fremontiidrought response at the leaf and canopy levels using reflectance data and thermal unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery. We employed several analyses to assess genotype-by-environment (GxE) interactions concerning drought, including principal component analysis, support vector machine, and spectral similarity index.

Five key findings emerged: (1) Spectra of all three cross types shifted significantly in response to drought. The magnitude of these reaction norms can be ranked from hybrids>P. fremontii>P. angustifolia,suggesting differential variation in response to drought; (2) Spectral space among cross types constricted under drought, indicating spectral—and phenotypic—convergence; (3) Experimentally, populations ofP. fremontiifrom cool regions had different responses to drought than populations from warm regions, with source population mean annual temperature driving the magnitude and direction of change in VSWIR reflectance. (4) UAV thermal imagery revealed that watered, warm-adapted populations maintained lower leaf temperatures and retained more leaves than cool-adapted populations, but differences in leaf retention decreased when droughted. (5) These findings are consistent with patterns of local adaptation to drought and temperature stress, demonstrating the ability of leaf spectra to detect ecological and evolutionary responses to drought as a function of adaptation to different environments.

Synthesis.Leaf-level spectroscopy and canopy-level UAV thermal data captured inter- and intraspecific responses to water stress in cottonwoods, which are widely distributed in arid environments. This study demonstrates the potential of remote sensing to monitor and predict the impacts of drought on scales varying from leaves to landscapes.
Autism-associatedASPMvariant causes macrocephaly and social-cognitive deficits in mice
Authors: Singh Sonu , Kim Hyopil , Ecevitoglu Alev , Chasse Renee , Ludko Alexis M. , Sanganahalli Basavaraju , Gangasandra Vishaak , Park Sung Rye , Yee Siu-Pok , Grady James , Salamone John , Holly Fitch R. , Spellman Timothy , Hyder Fahmeed , Bae Byoung-Il
Published: February 2025

In autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder with social-cognitive deficits, macrocephaly occurs in 20% of patients with severe symptoms. However, the role of macrocephaly in ASD pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we address the mechanistic link between macrocephaly and ASD by investigating a novel ASD-associated gain-of-function A1877T mutation inASPM(abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated).ASPMis a key regulator of cortical size and cell proliferation expressed in both excitatory and inhibitory neuronal progenitors but not in differentiated neurons. We found thatAspmgain-of-function knock-in mice exhibit macrocephaly, excessive embryonic neurogenesis with expanded outer radial glia, an increased excitatory-inhibitory (E-I) ratio, brain hyperconnectivity, and social-cognitive deficits with male specificity. Our results suggest that macrocephaly in ASD is not a proportional expansion of excitatory and inhibitory neurons, but a shift in the E-I ratio, independent of the expression patterns of the causative gene. Thus, macrocephaly alone can cause a subset of ASD-like symptoms.
Developmental gene expression patterns driving species-specific cortical features
Authors: Javed Awais , Gomez Lucia , Pravata Veronica , Lo Giudice Quentin , Sarhadi Moein , Cappello Silvia , Klingler Esther , Jabaudon Denis
Published: February 2025

The cerebral cortex shows species-specific variations in size and organization, likely accounting for distinct behavioral abilities. These structural differences may reflect evolutionary changes in the developmental expression of shared genes. To investigate this possibility, we compared cell-type-specific gene expression across species in the developing mouse and human neocortex, and human cortical organoids, by generating a shared transcriptional reference framework. This identified genes with conserved/divergent expression patterns, providing a molecular foundation to interrogate species-specific cellular properties. Using this resource, we discovered that the transcription factor JUNB is expressed in human but not mouse progenitors. Through cell-type-specific gain- and loss-of-function experiments in mice and human organoids, we demonstrate that JUNB bidirectionally controls human cortical features, including progenitor proliferation rates, neuronal production timing, and total neuronal output. This reveals how cell-type-specific regulation of shared genes during development can drive species-specific cortical features, providing a framework for understanding the molecular basis of cortical evolution.
Morphological and functional alteration of light perception circuits in AD patients
Authors: Sanda Nicolae , Milea Dan , Kovari Eniko , Tong Yixin , Brügger Talayeh , Hannibal Jens , Egervari Kristof Levente , Lobrinus Johannes Alexander , Carrera Emmanuel , Thumann Gabriele , Kleinlogel Sonja , Adamantidis Antoine , Mure Ludovic S.
Published: February 2025

Disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms is one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Circadian entrainment and the modulation of alertness are non-visual responses to light driven by intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). However, little is known about ipRGCs in the context of AD. To explore structural and functional changes of ipRGCs and ipRGC circuits, we analyzed the retinas and brains of 13 elderly patients (9 males, 4 females, aged 69-103) ranging from normal to neuropathologically defined AD.

We performed extracellular electrophysiological recordings on freshly harvested retinas using multi-electrode arrays. While rod and cone responses were moderately affected, we found a decreased density of ipRGCs in donors with advanced AD pathology, which was confirmed by immunostaining. The remaining ipRGCs displayed morphological alterations as well as abnormal responses to light, including hyperexcitability. These changes appeared to be subtype-specific and correlated with the advancement of the disease.

Altered ipRGCs circuits and function could contribute to the disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms reported in AD patients. The measurement of ipRGC-dependent responses to light could constitute a promising tool to predict or monitor pathological changes in the brain.
Relative timing and coupling of neural population bursts in large-scale recordings from multiple neuron populations
Authors: Olarinre Motolani , Siegle Joshua H. , Kass Robert E.
Published: February 2025

The onset of a sensory stimulus elicits transient bursts of activity in neural populations, which are presumed to convey information about the stimulus to downstream populations. The time at which these synchronized bursts reach their peak is highly variable across stimulus presentations, but the relative timing of bursts across interconnected brain regions may be less variable, especially for regions that are strongly functionally coupled. We developed a simple analytical framework that obtains good estimates of population burst times on a trial-by-trial basis, and of the correlations in the timing of evoked population bursts across areas. We show that this method performs well on simulated data, and is 85 to 90% faster than an alternative, recently-published method while also being much easier to apply. Using this new approach, we examined the relative timing of the first two population bursts following the onset of a drifting grating stimulus in large-scale recordings of spiking activity from six cortical visual areas and one visual thalamic nucleus in thirteen mice. The new method allowed us to identify mouse-to-mouse variation in peak times and region-to-region functional coupling. While all results were consistent with known anatomy and physiology, we found some sequences of activity across areas to be the same across all mice, while others varied with the individual. The general approach can thus produce sensitive analyses of timing relationships across neural populations.

Significant Statement

Careful analysis can reveal strong and precisely-timed interactions across multiple brain areas from small populations of spiking neurons. We developed a computationally efficient procedure that allowed us to examine the relative timing and coupling of 7 visual areas (6 cortical and one thalamic) and compare results in over 10 mice. The method can be used to track the flow of information across the brain in response to stimuli or during a behavioral task.
Tunability of a red-shifted free electron laser
Authors: Labat Marie , Roussel Eléonore , Berteaud Philippe , Blache Frédéric , Chang Yen-Yu , Cabadağ Jurjen Couperus , Ghaith Amin , LaBerge Maxwell , Lê Stéphane , Schöbel Susanne , Schramm Ulrich , Ufer Patrick , Valléau Mathieu , Couprie Marie-Emmanuelle , Irman Arie
Published: February 2025

The development of red-shifted free electron lasers (FELs), based on strongly chirped electron beams, emerged a few years ago. Here we present a thorough study of the tunability of a seeded red-shifted FEL. An analytical model is introduced to describe the complex FEL resonance condition and its consequence for the FEL emission wavelength. This model is then benchmarked with experimental data from the COXINEL (COherence Xray source INferred from Electrons accelerated by Laser) FEL beamline driven by a laser plasma accelerator at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. We show that the FEL emission wavelength can be tuned not only with the undulator gap and taper geometry but also with the time delay between the seed laser pulse and the electron beam. Particularly a combination of individually chirped electron and seed beams promotes a wider tuning range compared with the usual undulator gap. This could serve as an additional yet simple tuning knob to tailor the FEL emission wavelength.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Critical factors of change management in small and medium enterprises: an exploratory study using the best­ worst method in the Brazilian context
Authors: Miziara Thanus , Pinto Jefferson de Souza , Sigahi Tiago F.A.C. , Moraes Gustavo Hermínio Salati Marcondes de , Rampasso Izabela Simon , Zanon Lucas Gabriel , Anholon Rosley
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate critical change management factors in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), shedding light on key aspects of resilient organizational strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, including inductive content analysis to identify the drivers and the best-worst method with data collection from eight subject matter experts.

Findings

The drivers selected by the experts as most important were “the existence of a plan with clear guidelines and steps for organizational change” and “leadership engagement to motivate and support employees” (with weights of 0.31 and 0.25, respectively). Disparities in experts’ opinions arise concerning perceptions of management evolution, leadership styles and communication efficacy. The findings suggest that leadership needs to adopt a more inclusive and participatory approach to drive better outcomes in SMEs. Furthermore, flexibility and adaptability were identified as fundamental traits for maintaining competitiveness in the market.

Originality/value

The research’s originality lies in its focused and data-driven approach applied to the Brazilian context. This study offers a new methodological contribution by integrating the best-worst method with qualitative content analysis to prioritize and contextualize critical change management factors specific to SMEs. Unlike previous research that has mainly addressed general challenges or descriptive analyses, this study provides applied results for managers and policymakers. Also, it presents a replicable framework for exploring similar organizational challenges in other contexts.
Investor reactions to sustainability index dynamics: asymmetries from the Asian market perspectives
Authors: Jain Divyam , Kumar Ashish , Jindal Kiran
Published: February 2025

Purpose

With the rise of stakeholders' activism, integrating sustainability into business practices has become increasingly crucial for businesses. For such stakeholders, recognition from global sustainability indexes such as Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) allows them to evaluate organizations based on sustainable integration. Further, it helps companies influence their investors' opinions and investment decisions. In this light, this study examines the stock market response to the inclusion and exclusion of Asian companies in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Emerging Markets (DJSI EM).

Design/methodology/approach

The study has employed the event study methodology to understand the intermediate and immediate abnormal reaction of the inclusion and exclusion event from the DJSI World and DJSI EM indexes from September 30, 2012, to November 30, 2023.

Findings

Findings show that changes in the DJSI indexes have asymmetric reactions in different markets. The reaction to changes in DJSI indexes is more pronounced for DJSI EM than DJSI World. Inclusion in DJSI World showed mixed reactions, while exclusion typically resulted in adverse reactions around the event day. Inclusion in DJSI EM generated a positive reaction, while exclusion had a mixed reaction. The study found no significant difference in the intermediate reaction of inclusion/exclusion between DJSI World and DJSI EM. Additionally, investors' immediate reactions from developing versus developed countries differed, but the reaction variation disappeared in the whole event window.

Originality/value

With a considerable increase in sustainable practices in Asia, companies must determine whether investors recognize and reward the company’s sustainability efforts. No other study has previously investigated the impact on Asian companies that are rapidly rising in global sustainability rankings. Furthermore, no study has examined the comparative reaction of inclusion or exclusion in two independent sustainability indices – DJSI WORLD and DJSI EM.
Why are people reluctant to use metaverse products? Investigating barriers based on innovation resistance theory
Authors: Nie Qiuping , Ma Long , Li Zhifu
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Despite the rapid development of metaverse industry, the adoption rate of metaverse products is still very low. While prior studies mainly focused on investigating the motivators of metaverse adoption, this study explores the barriers affecting consumer intention to use metaverse products, utilizing the framework of innovation resistance theory (IRT).

Design/methodology/approach

Through a survey conducted in China, we examined the effects of variables such as usage barrier, value barrier, risk barrier, tradition barrier, image barrier, as well as the moderating effects of individuals’ innovativeness. Three hundred and seventy seven valid questionnaires were collected and hierarchical regression method was conducted to analyze the data.

Findings

Our findings reveal that usage and value barriers, as well as tradition barrier, significantly negatively influence consumer intention to use metaverse products. However, risk and image barrier do not exhibit a significant impact. Additionally, we discovered that individuals’ innovativeness positively influences consumer intention, indicating that users with higher innovativeness are more inclined to engage with metaverse products. Furthermore, innovativeness acts as a positive moderator, weakening the negative impact of tradition barrier on usage intention.

Originality/value

The study extends IRT by incorporating the role of individual innovativeness, providing a more holistic understanding of the factors that impede the widespread use of metaverse products. The findings are crucial for developing strategies to mitigate the negative influences of potential barriers, ultimately promoting the diffusion of metaverse products.
Impact of Post and Hold Regulation on Retail Petroleum Prices
Authors: Adams Christopher P.
Published: February 2025

This article uses data from Byrne and de Roos (2019) to understand the pricing behaviour of petrol stations under WA's post and hold policy. The article uses annual average pricing from 2008 to estimate demand parameters for petrol brands in WA. The estimated parameters are used to predict profit margins under the assumption that petrol stations were colluding. Analysis suggests that the observed profit margins of stations in WA between 2009 and 2012 are inconsistent with noncollusive pricing. The article asks whether similarities and differences between the WA policy and the proposed Victorian policy will lead to similar pricing behaviour.
Emerging technologies in reducing dietary advanced glycation end products in ultra‐processed foods: Formation, health risks, and innovative mitigation strategies
Authors: Wang Shenwan , Zheng Xiaoyan , Yang Yang , Zheng Lili , Xiao Dao , Ai Binling , Sheng Zhanwu
Published: February 2025

The widespread consumption of ultra‐processed foods (UPFs) results from industrialization and globalization, with their elevated content of sugar, fat, salt, and additives, alongside the formation of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs), generating considerable health risks. These risks include an increased incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. This review explores the mechanisms of AGE formation in UPFs and evaluates emerging technologies and additives aimed at mitigating these risks. Both thermal methods (air frying, low‐temperature vacuum heating, microwave heating, and infrared heating) and non‐thermal techniques (high‐pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, and cold plasma) are discussed for their potential in AGE reduction. Additionally, the review evaluates the efficacy of exogenous additives, including amino acids, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and nanomaterials, in inhibiting AGE formation, though results may vary depending on the specific additive and food matrix. The findings demonstrate the promise of these technologies and additives for reducing AGEs, potentially contributing to healthier food processing practices and the promotion of improved public health outcomes.
Early Paleozoic Tectonic Evolution of the Chinese Southwest Tianshan Orogen: Implications from Detrital Zircon U‐Pb Geochronology of the Biedieli Sedimentary Rocks, Northern Wushi Area, NW China
Authors: HUO Hailong , CHEN Zhengle , ZHANG Qing , HAN Fengbin , ZHANG Wengao , WANG Yong , WANG Wenbao
Published: February 2025

The Southwest Tianshan is the suture zone between the Central Tianshan and the Tarim Craton. To better illustrate the subduction polarity of the Southwest Tianshan Ocean, a systematic detrital zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb geochronology of sedimentary rocks of the Devonian Apadaerkang Formation and the Carboniferous Akeqiayi Group of the Biedieli area in the Wushi region is the focus. Detrital zircon ages indicate that the youngest grains of the targeted quartz sandstones are Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous in age, respectively. These ages also have relatively similar age spectra, indicating a similar tectonic setting and source in the Biedieli area during the Devonian to Carboniferous. The main spectrum peaks occur at 2360, 1960, 810, 640 and 440 Ma, with a principal age peak in the early Paleozoic (474–430 Ma), and the Central Tianshan Terrane is indicated as the main source. The detrital zircon geochronology and sedimentary characteristics of the Biedieli rocks indicate that the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the northern Wushi region were formed at an active continental margin, associated mainly with the early Paleozoic subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean.
Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Permian Granitoids from the Alxa Area, Inner Mongolia, China: Constrains on the Permian Evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt
Authors: HUANG Haibin , SHI Yuruo , ANDERSON Lawford J. , KANG Yuelan
Published: February 2025

We report new SHRIMP zircon U‐Pb ages, zircon Lu‐Hf isotopic and whole rock geochemical data from Permian granitoids located in the Alxa area of Inner Mongolia, China. In combination with published geochronological and geochemical data, the granitoids in the region can be divided into two age groups: ca. 285 Ma and ca. 269 Ma. The granitoids of the first group are mainly composed of calc‐alkaline to high‐K calc‐alkaline, weakly peraluminous I‐type granodiorites with ɛHf(t) values of ‐19.6 to ‐4.3, which demonstrates evidence of crustal reworking; the granitoids of the second group, however, mainly consist of A‐type granites that are high‐K calc‐alkaline to shoshonite, metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, and have high 10,000 × Ga/Al ratios (2.59–3.12) and ɛHf(t) values ranging from –11.3 to –2.7, all of which demonstrates a mixed crust‐mantle source. We interpret the granitoids of the first group to have formed during the subduction of Central Asian oceanic crust and the second group to have formed by the asthenospheric upwelling caused by the formation of slab windows during late ocean ridge subduction.