bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Host responses to haustorium invasion of the stem parasitic plant, Cuscuta campestris, differ from responses to wounding
Authors: Park Jihwan , Yamamoto Shota , Tsushima Ayako , Aoki Koh 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The parasitic mechanism employed by the stem parasitic plant, Cuscuta campestris, involves degradation of the host epidermis and intrusion of the cortical tissue of the host stem by a specialized organ called the haustorium. In host plants, the mechanical stimuli associated with this degradation and intrusion of host tissues is considered to be comparable to wounding. However, it has not yet been clarified whether parasitic invasion and wounding induce equivalent responses in host plants. In this study, we demonstrated that parasitic intrusion-induced responses that were comparable to wounding in the host plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, including upregulation of Arabidopsis NAC DOMAIN-CONTAINING PROTEIN 71 (ANAC071), which is a key transcription factor associated with wound repair, cell division, and vascular development. Despite these similarities, we found that the mechanism regulating the induction of cell division- and vascular development-related genes at the host–parasite interface differed from that associated with wound repair. Specifically, ANAC071 was not required for the induction of cell division-related genes, as their upregulation was observed in anac071/096/011 triple mutants as well as in wild-type host plants. We also found that neither auxin nor ethylene plays a significant role in inducing the expression of vascular development-related genes. Thus, the findings show that the mechanisms responsible for upregulating cell division- and vascular development-related genes differ between parasitic and wound repair responses.
The DENSE AND ERECT PANICLE1-GRAIN NUMBER ASSOCIATED module enhances rice yield by repressing CYTOKININ OXIDASE 2 expression
Authors: Zhang Jinhui , Lin Qibing , Wang Xin , Shao Jiale , Ren Yulong , Liu Xin , Feng Miao , Li Shuai , Sun Qi , Luo Sheng , Liu Bojuan , Xing Xinxin , Chang Yanqi , Cheng Zhijun , Wan Jianmin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The phytohormone cytokinin (CK) positively regulates the activity of the inflorescence meristem (IM). Cytokinin oxidase 2/Grain number 1a (OsCKX2/Gn1a)-mediated degradation of CK in rice (Oryza sativa L.) negatively regulates panicle grain number, whereas DENSE AND ERECT PANICLE 1 (DEP1) positively regulates grain number per panicle (GNP). However, the detailed regulatory mechanism between DEP1 and OsCKX2 remains elusive. Here, we report the GRAS (GIBBERELLIN ACID INSENSITIVE, REPRESSOR OF GA1, and SCARECROW) transcription factor GRAIN NUMBER ASSOCIATED (GNA), previously thought to be involved in the Brassinosteroids (BRs) signaling pathway, directly inhibits OsCKX2 expression in the IM through a DEP1-GNA regulatory module. Overexpressing GNA leads to increased CK levels and consequently higher branch number, GNP, and yield. Both DEP1 and dep1 enhance the inhibitory effect of GNA on OsCKX2 expression through interacting with GNA. GNA promotes the translocation of DEP1 to the nucleus, while the gain-of-function mutant dep1 translocates into the nucleus in the absence of GNA. Our findings provide insight into the regulatory mechanism underlying OsCKX2 and a strategy to improve rice yield.
A tissue-specific rescue strategy reveals the local roles of autophagy in leaves and seeds for resource allocation
Authors: Marmagne Anne , Chardon Fabien , Masclaux-Daubresse Céline 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Autophagy is a vesicular mechanism that plays a fundamental role in nitrogen remobilization from senescing leaves to seeds. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) autophagy (atg) mutants exhibit early senescence, reduced biomass, and low seed yield. The atg seeds also exhibit major changes in N and C concentrations. During plant development, autophagy genes are expressed in the source leaves and in the sink seeds during maturation. We thus addressed the question of whether the seed composition defects in atg mutants are caused by defective N remobilization from source leaves or whether they are due to the absence of autophagy in seeds during maturation. To answer this question, we restored autophagy activity in the atg5 mutant by expressing the wild-type (WT) ATG5 allele specifically in source leaves using the senescence-associated gene 12 (SAG12) promoter or specifically in seeds using the Glycinin-1 promoter, or in both organs using both constructs. In atg5, N remobilization from the rosettes to seeds was almost completely reestablished when transformed with the pSAG12::ATG5 construct. However, transformation with the pSAG12::ATG5 construct only partially restored seed composition. In contrast, seed N and C composition was largely restored by transformation with the pGly::ATG5 construct, even though the early leaf senescence phenotype was maintained in the atg5 background. Cotransformation with pSAG12::ATG5 and pGly::ATG5 completely restored the WT remobilization and seed composition phenotypes. Our results highlight the essential role of autophagy in leaves for nitrogen supply and in seeds for the establishment of carbon and nitrogen reserves.
The transcription factor VvMYB44-1 plays a role in reducing grapevine anthocyanin biosynthesis at high temperature
Authors: Leng Xiangpeng , Li Chen , Wang Peipei , Ren Yiran , Chen Jianqing , Liu Guangchao , Hakeem Abdul , Liu Yuting , Shi Xiaoya , Hou Ting , Haider Muhammad Salman , Liu Gengsen , Fang Jinggui 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
High temperature reduces anthocyanin accumulation in various horticultural plants. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the high-temperature-induced reduction of anthocyanin in grape (Vitis vinifera) remain poorly understood. In this study, VvMYB44-1 was identified as a transcriptional repressor of anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape berries, and its gene expression was strongly induced by high-temperature treatment. Overexpression of VvMYB44-1 inhibited anthocyanin accumulation in both grape berries and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) by repressing the transcription of the anthocyanin biosynthesis genes dihydroflavonol-4-reductase (VvDFR) and UDP-glucose flavonoid-3-O-glucosyltransferase (VvUFGT). Furthermore, the interaction between VvMYB44-1 and VvWDR2 competitively inhibited the formation of the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) activation complex and weakened the transcriptional activity of the complex, thereby decreasing anthocyanin accumulation. Additionally, VvMYB44-1 facilitated cytokinin (CK) accumulation by upregulating the expression of the CK synthesis gene lonely guy 8 (VvLOG8) and inhibiting the CK degradation gene CK oxidase 4(VvCKX4), thus contributing to CK-mediated anthocyanin inhibition in grape berries. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of VvMYB44-1 on anthocyanin biosynthesis and its downstream target genes was weakened with the deletion of the ethylene-responsive element binding factor-associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) motif, indicating that the EAR motif is indispensable for the inhibitory effect of VvMYB44-1 on anthocyanin biosynthesis in grapes. These results provide insights into the regulatory network of VvMYB44-1 in high-temperature-mediated anthocyanin biosynthesis in grapes.
A novel mechanism of microbial attachment: The flagellar pump of Giardia lamblia
Authors: Picou Theodore J , Luo Haibei , Polackwich Robert J , Gabilondo Beatriz B , McAllister Ryan G , Gagnon David A , Powers Thomas R , Elmendorf Heidi G , Urbach Jeffrey S 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The ability of microbes to attach to biological and inert substrates is a necessary prerequisite for colonization of new habitats. In contrast to well-characterized mechanisms that rely on specific or nonspecific chemical interactions between microbe and substrate, we describe here an effective hydrodynamic mechanism of attachment that relies on fluid flow generated by the microbe. The microbe Giardia lamblia, a flagellated protozoan parasite, naturally attaches to the microvilliated surface of the small intestine but is also capable of attaching indiscriminately to a wide range of natural and artificial substrates. By tracking fluorescent quantum dots, we demonstrate a persistent flow between the parasite and substrate generated by a pair of Giardia flagella. Using both experimental measures and computational modeling, we show that the negative pressure generated by this fluid flow is sufficient to generate the previously measured force of attachment. We further show that this dynamically generated negative pressure allows Giardia to attach to both solid and porous surfaces, thereby meeting the real-world demands of attachment to the microvilliated surface of intestinal cells. These findings provide experimental support for a hydrodynamic model of attachment that may be shared by other ciliated and flagellated microbes.
Uncertainty quantification in coupled wildfire–atmosphere simulations at scale
Authors: Schwerdtner Paul , Law Frederick , Wang Qing , Gazen Cenk , Chen Yi-Fan , Ihme Matthias , Peherstorfer Benjamin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Uncertainties in wildfire simulations pose a major challenge for making decisions about fire management, mitigation, and evacuations. However, ensemble calculations to quantify uncertainties are prohibitively expensive with high-fidelity models that are needed to capture today’s ever-more intense and severe wildfires. This work shows that surrogate models trained on related data enable scaling multifidelity uncertainty quantification to high-fidelity wildfire simulations of unprecedented scale with billions of degrees of freedom. The key insight is that correlation is all that matters while bias is irrelevant for speeding up uncertainty quantification when surrogate models are combined with high-fidelity models in multifidelity approaches. This allows the surrogate models to be trained on abundantly available or cheaply generated related data samples that can be strongly biased as long as they are correlated to predictions of high-fidelity simulations. Numerical results with scenarios of the Tubbs 2017 wildfire demonstrate that surrogate models trained on related data make multifidelity uncertainty quantification in large-scale wildfire simulations practical by reducing the training time by several orders of magnitude from 3 months to under 3 h and predicting the burned area at least twice as accurately compared with using high-fidelity simulations alone for a fixed computational budget. More generally, the results suggest that leveraging related data can greatly extend the scope of surrogate modeling, potentially benefiting other fields that require uncertainty quantification in computationally expensive high-fidelity simulations.
Development and Validation of the Barriers to Professional Self-Care Scale (BPS-CS)
Authors: Rodríguez-Ramos Paulo Adrián , Aguilera-Ávila Laura , Gonzalez-Mendez Rosaura 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Professionals who provide essential social services often face high levels of stress and the suffering of others. Self-care is key to preventing the negative consequences of these working conditions, but it is mostly defined as a personal responsibility. This individualist interpretation may contribute to exacerbating the costs of work stress by ignoring the existence of barriers that do not depend on the professionals. This study aims to develop and validate a new instrument to assess barriers to self-care among social workers, as well as their association with self-compassion and self-care practices. The sample comprised 325 social workers from Spain. Participants were predominantly female (87.4 percent) and worked in public social services (52 percent). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure (“lack of information,” “self-care is unprofessional,” “self-care is not a priority,” and “noninvolvement of organizations”) consisting of 17 items with adequate psychometric properties. Considering self-care to be unprofessional was associated with less involvement in self-care practices. The social workers who considered the barriers to be more limiting were also those who reported more uncompassionate responses. The Barriers to Professional Self-Care Scale can be used to identify the barriers to professionals’ self-care, examining what maintains them and advancing in its prevention.
In vitro human ion channel assays predictive of drug-induced seizure
Authors: Cohen Jennifer D , You Dahea , Sharma Ashok K , Takai Takafumi , Hara Hideto , Sales Vicencia T , Yukawa Tomoya , Cai Beibei 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Seizure is among the most severe FDA black box warnings of neurotoxicity reported on drug labels. Gaining a better mechanistic understanding of off-targets causative of seizure will improve the identification of potential seizure risks preclinically. In the present study, we evaluated an in vitro panel of 9 investigational (Cav2.1, Cav3.2, GlyRA1, AMPA, HCN1, Kv1.1, Kv7.2/7.3, NaV1.1, Nav1.2) and 2 standard (GABA-A, NMDA) ion channel targets with strong correlative links to seizure, using automated electrophysiology. Each target was assessed with a library of 34 preclinical compounds and 10 approved drugs with known effects of convulsion in vivo and/or in patients. Cav2.1 had the highest frequency of positive hits, 20 compounds with an EC30 or IC30 ≤ 30 µM, and the highest importance score relative to the 11 targets. An additional 35 approved drugs, with categorized low to frequent seizure risk in patients, were evaluated in the Cav2.1 assay. The Cav2.1 assay predicted preclinical compounds to cause convulsion in nonclinical species with a sensitivity of 52% and specificity of 78%, and approved drugs to cause seizure in nonclinical species or in patients with a sensitivity of 48% or 54% and specificity of 71% or 78%, respectively. The integrated panel of 11 ion channel targets predicted preclinical compounds to cause convulsion in nonclinical species with a sensitivity of 68%, specificity of 56%, and accuracy of 65%. This study highlights the utility of expanding the in vitro panel of targets evaluated for seizurogenic activity, in order to reduce compound attrition early on in drug discovery.
Value of EUS-guided through-the-needle biopsy in the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms: An 8-year experience
Authors: Cheng Bingqian , Du Chen , He Zhengting , Feng Xiuxue , Li Huikai , Wang Zhanbo , Gao Fei , Zhao Yunyun , Chai Ningli , Linghu Enqiang 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives
An accurate diagnosis is crucial for the clinical management of pancreatic cystic neoplasm (PCN). EUS-guided through-the-needle biopsy (EUS-TTNB) is a novel technique for improving the accuracy of PCN diagnosis. There is insufficient evidence about the efficacy of EUS-TTNB. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic performance of EUS-TTNB for PCN.

Methods
Between June 2015 and July 2023, we prospectively enrolled 454 patients with a clinical concern for PCN in our database. After excluding those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, pseudocysts, or other no-neoplasms, we assessed 326 patients with 329 cysts undergoing EUS-guided fine-needle-aspiration (EUS-FNA) or EUS-TTNB for evaluation. The primary indicators were tissue acquisition yield and diagnostic yield. The cyst characteristics (size, location, the presence of septation, mural nodule, and solid mass) and the number of biopsy samples were chosen for the analysis of factors associated with diagnostic performance.

Results
There were 220 (67.5%) females and 106 (32.5%) males, and the median patient age was 50 years (range, 18–88). There were 329 cysts sampled by FNA and 143 by TTNB. The median cyst size was 31.5 mm (range, 6.9–114.0). The diagnostic yields of FNA and TTNB were 35.7% (112/314) and 57.5% (73/127), respectively (P < 0.001). Special cyst types were diagnosed by TTNB in 58 (45.7%, 58/127) cysts, 19 of which had surgical pathology. Fifteen of 19 TTNB diagnoses were concordant with the surgical pathology.

Conclusion
EUS-TTNB is an option to improve the diagnosis of PCN. Standardized procedures and appropriate indications for TTNB need to be studied.
Choroidal Hyperreflective Foci as Biomarkers of Severity in Stargardt Disease
Authors: Lee Seo Yoon , Yoon Chang Ki , Park Un Chul , Park Kyu Hyung , Lee Eun Kyoung 
Published: December 2024

Purpose:
To investigate the clinical implications of choroidal hyperreflective foci (HF) as biomarkers of disease severity in Stargardt disease (STGD).

Methods:
129 eyes from 66 patients with STGD were included. The primary outcome was the correlation between the number of foveal choroidal HF and indicators of disease severity. Secondary outcome included a comparison of choroidal HF between the pathological and healthy borders of atrophy, and the two-year longitudinal change of foveal choroidal HF.

Results:
Long disease duration, thin central macular thickness, large definitely decreased autofluorescence area, atrophic foveal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), high Fishman stage, and low visual acuity were associated with a higher number of foveal choroidal HF. Foveal RPE involvement (β = 0.522, p < 0.001) was the most strongly correlated factor in multivariate analysis. Genotype-phenotype relationships between the number of severe ABCA4 variants and choroidal HF could not be determined. The pathological border had significantly more choroidal HF than the healthy border (p < 0.001), and the number of foveal choroidal HF increased over two years (p = 0.003).

Conclusion:
Choroidal HF could serve as a biomarker of disease severity in STGD, correlating with various severity indicators and especially reflecting the presence of RPE atrophy.
Vitreous Cytokine Profile in an Eye with a Vasoproliferative Tumor
Authors: Cobbs Lucy V. , Kaiser Alexis , Mundae Rusdeep , Shields Carol L. , Wald Kenneth J. , Modi Yasha 
Published: December 2024

Purpose:
We present a patient with a primary vasoproliferative tumor (VPT) accompanied by vitreous haze and an epiretinal membrane (ERM). We report for the first time the vitreous cytokine profile from an eye with a primary VPT to explore the relationship between intraocular inflammation and these tumors.

Methods:
Retrospective chart review of a single patient case.

Results:
25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peel and vitreous biopsy was performed. Peripheral vitreous shave exposed an inferior grey-red mass located at the ora serrata, consistent with VPT. Treatment with confluent, long duration endolaser was performed. Vitreous cytology was negative for malignancy. A 13-cytokine panel (Associated Regional and University Pathologists, Inc. Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT) revealed elevated interleukin 6 (13.3 pg/mL; normal <=2.0) and interleukin 8 (6.0 pg/mL; normal <=3.0). At one month post-operative, visual acuity improved from 20/40 to 20/25 OD, with mild anterior vitreous inflammation and regression of the VPT.

Conclusion:
Pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic cytokines were elevated in the vitreous of this patient’s eye with a primary VPT. We suggest that the endothelial cells and macrophages which comprise VPTs could secrete these cytokines into the vitreous, resulting in vitreous haze and an overzealous fibrotic response manifested as ERM formation.
Initial Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Messaging Source Influences Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use Among Older Adults: A Quantitative Survey of Older Adults in Columbus, Ohio
Authors: Albright Nathaniel , Morrison-Beedy Dianne , Morgan Ethan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Older adults account for one in every five new HIV infections in the United States yet are often overlooked in tailored pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) messaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the original PrEP messaging source and its influence on PrEP use among a cohort of older adults. The Columbus Health Aging Project data (N = 794) were used to examine the initial PrEP information source and PrEP use in the past 6 months, adjusting for demographics and sexually transmitted infection (STI) status. Forty-six percent reported an STI, and 11.5% used PrEP. The main sources of PrEP information were peers (42.2%) and health care providers (40.2%); media (17.6%) sources were less common. Compared with those who received PrEP information from their health care provider, those informed by peers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34–0.99) or media (aOR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.07–0.42) were less likely to use PrEP. Adjusting for STI-, media-informed remained less likely to have used PrEP compared with those informed by providers (aOR = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.55–2.35). These findings highlight the importance of tailored PrEP messaging for older adults for Ending the HIV Epidemic efforts. Media appears less impactful as a messaging approach for older adults.
Efficacy of mHealth-Based Workplace Health Promotion Strategy in Improving Cardiorespiratory Fitness in a Healthcare Setting
Authors: Ghazala Syed , Veluswamy Sundar Kumar , Ravindra Savita , Arena Ross , Myers Jonathan 
Published: December 2024

Objective
This study aimed to test the efficacy of a mHealth-based workplace health promotion strategy in improving cardiorespiratory fitness in a healthcare setting.

Methods
Seventy-seven female nurses (age, 30–45 years) meeting the inclusion criteria underwent baseline assessment and received either a 12-week mHealth or awareness intervention based on their workplace. Changes in peak oxygen consumption (VO2), fasting blood sugar, and physical activity were compared within and between the groups at the end of the intervention.

Results
Thirty-seven and 33 participants in the mHealth and awareness arms, respectively, completed the 12-week intervention. Peak VO2 (1.6 mL/kg/min, 7%), physical activity, and step counts improved significantly in the mHealth arm. However, between-group differences were not significant.

Conclusions
mHealth interventions offer unique opportunities to improve physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness among health professionals in their workplace.
Incidence of Neoplasms in Endemic Fight Agents
Authors: Bastos Maria Luiza Almeida , de Carvalho Thalyta Gleyane Silva , Batista Maxmiria Holanda , Ferreira Marcelo José Monteiro 
Published: December 2024

Objective
The aim of the study is to measure cancer’s incidence in endemic fight agents in a Brazil’s Northeast state.

Methods
This is a historical cohort with 1053 endemic fight agents. A survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method.

Results
The overall neoplasm incidence rate has been 5508 cases per 105, and 4843 cases per 105 when nonmelanoma skin tumors were excluded. The increase in incidence of neoplasms occurred in 2019 and has conferred a risk of neoplasms 20 times higher than the national and state incidence.

Conclusions
We believe in an occupational factor for these results: the chronic exposure to insecticides used in public health campaigns. The peak incidence of neoplasms, in 2019, may corroborate with long induction period of these compounds, in addition to consistency with specialized literature.