bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conscientiousness and Cardiometabolic Risk: A Test of the Health Behavior Model of Personality Using Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Thomas Mark C , Duggan Katherine A , Kamarck Thomas W , Wright Aidan G C , Muldoon Matthew F , Manuck Stephen B 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundHigh trait conscientiousness is associated with lower cardiometabolic risk, and health behaviors are a putative but relatively untested pathway that may explain this association.PurposeTo explore the role of key health behaviors (diet, physical activity, substance use, and sleep) as links between conscientiousness and cardiometabolic risk.MethodsIn a cross-sectional analysis of 494 healthy, middle-aged working adults (mean age = 42.7 years, 52.6% women, 81.0% White), participants provided self-reports of conscientiousness, physical activity, substance use, diet, and sleep, and wore monitors over a 7-day monitoring period to assess sleep (Actiwatch-16) and physical activity (SenseWear Pro3). Cardiometabolic risk was expressed as a second-order latent variable from a confirmatory factor analysis involving insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, obesity, and blood pressure. Direct, indirect, and specific indirect effect pathways linking conscientiousness to health behaviors and cardiometabolic risk were examined. Unstandardized indirect effects for each health behavior class were computed separately using bootstrapped samples.ResultsAfter controlling for demographics (sex, age, race, and education), conscientiousness showed the predicted, inverse association with cardiometabolic risk. Among the examined health behaviors, objectively-assessed sleep midpoint variability (b = −0.003, p = .04), subjective sleep quality (b = −0.003, p = .025), and objectively-assessed physical activity (b = −0.11, p = .04) linked conscientiousness to cardiometabolic risk.ConclusionsPhysical activity and sleep partially accounted for the relationship between conscientiousness and cardiometabolic risk.
Stomatal development in the context of epidermal tissues
Authors: Torii Keiko U 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Stomata are adjustable pores on the surface of plant shoots for efficient gas exchange and water control. The presence of stomata is essential for plant growth and survival, and the evolution of stomata is considered as a key developmental innovation of the land plants, allowing colonization on land from aquatic environments some 450 million years ago. In the past two decades, molecular genetic studies using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana identified key genes and signalling modules that regulate stomatal development: master regulatory transcription factors that orchestrate cell state transitions and peptide–receptor signal transduction pathways, which, together, enforce proper patterning of stomata within the epidermis. Studies in diverse plant species, ranging from bryophytes to angiosperm grasses, have begun to unravel the conservation and uniqueness of the core modules in stomatal development.

Scope
Here, I review the mechanisms of stomatal development in the context of epidermal tissue patterning. First, I introduce the core regulatory mechanisms of stomatal patterning and differentiation in the model species A. thaliana. Subsequently, experimental evidence is presented supporting the idea that different cell types within the leaf epidermis, namely stomata, hydathodes pores, pavement cells and trichomes, either share developmental origins or mutually influence each other’s gene regulatory circuits during development. Emphasis is placed on extrinsic and intrinsic signals regulating the balance between stomata and pavement cells, specifically by controlling the fate of stomatal-lineage ground cells (SLGCs) to remain within the stomatal cell lineage or differentiate into pavement cells. Finally, I discuss the influence of intertissue layer communication between the epidermis and underlying mesophyll/vascular tissues on stomatal differentiation. Understanding the dynamic behaviours of stomatal precursor cells and their differentiation in the broader context of tissue and organ development may help design plants tailored for optimal growth and productivity in specific agricultural applications and a changing environment.
Aortic flow dynamics and stiffness in Loeys–Dietz syndrome patients: a comparison with healthy volunteers and Marfan syndrome patients
Authors: Ruiz-Muñoz Aroa , Guala Andrea , Rodriguez-Palomares Jose , Dux-Santoy Lydia , Servato Luz , Lopez-Sainz Angela , La Mura Lucia , Granato Chiara , Limeres Javier , Gonzalez-Alujas Teresa , Galián-Gay Laura , Gutiérrez Laura , Johnson Kevin , Wieben Oliver , Sao-Aviles Augusto , Ferreira-Gonzalez Ignacio , Evangelista Arturo , Teixido-Tura Gisela 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Aims
To assess aortic flow and stiffness in patients with Loeys–Dietz syndrome (LDS) by 4D flow and cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and compare the results with those of healthy volunteers (HV) and Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients.

Methods and results
Twenty-one LDS and 44 MFS patients with no previous aortic dissection or surgery and 35 HV underwent non-contrast-enhanced 4D flow CMR. In-plane rotational flow (IRF), systolic flow reversal ratio (SFRR), and aortic diameters were obtained at 20 planes from the ascending (AAo) to the proximal descending aorta (DAo). IRF and SFRR were also quantified for aortic regions (proximal and distal AAo, arch and proximal DAo). Peak-systolic wall shear stress (WSS) maps were also estimated. Aortic stiffness was quantified using pulse wave velocity (PWV) and proximal AAo longitudinal strain. Compared to HV, LDS patients had lower rotational flow at the distal AAo (P = 0.002), arch (P = 0.002), and proximal DAo (P &lt; 0.001) even after adjustment for age, stroke volume, and local diameter. LDS patients had higher SFRR in the proximal DAo compared to both HV (P = 0.024) and MFS patients (P = 0.015), even after adjustment for age and local diameter. Axial and circumferential WSS in LDS patients were lower than in HV. AAo circumferential WSS was lower in LDS compared to MFS patients. AAo and DAo PWV and proximal AAo longitudinal strain revealed stiffer aortas in LDS patients compared to HV (P = 0.007, 0.005, and 0.029, respectively) but no differences vs. MFS patients.

Conclusion
Greater aortic stiffness as well as impaired IRF and WSS were present in LDS patients compared to HV. Conversely, similar aortic stiffness and overlapping aortic flow features were found in Loeys–Dietz and Marfan patients.
Ethnic disparities in care and outcomes of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Moledina Saadiq M , Shoaib Ahmad , Weston Clive , Aktaa Suleman , Van Spall Harriette G C , Kassam Aliya , Kontopantelis Evangelos , Banerjee Shrilla , Rashid Muhammad , Gale Chris P , Mamas Mamas A 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Aims
Little is known about ethnic disparities in care and clinical outcomes of patients admitted with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in national cohorts from universal healthcare systems derived from Europe.

Methods and results
We identified 280 588 admissions with NSTEMI in the UK Myocardial Infarction National Audit Project (MINAP), 2010–2017, including White patients (n = 258 364) and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) patients (n = 22 194). BAME patients were younger (66 years vs. 73 years, P &lt; 0.001) and more frequently had hypertension (66% vs. 54%, P &lt; 0.001), hypercholesterolaemia (49% vs. 34%, P &lt; 0.001), and diabetes (48% vs. 24%, P &lt; 0.001). BAME patients more frequently received invasive coronary angiography (80% vs. 68%, P &lt; 0.001), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (52% vs. 43%, P &lt; 0.001), and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (9% vs. 7%, P &lt; 0.001). Following propensity score matching, BAME compared with White patients had similar in-hospital all-cause mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.91, confidence interval (CI) 0.76–1.06; P = 0.23], major bleeding (OR 0.99, CI 0.75–1.25; P = 0.95), re-infarction (OR 1.15, CI 0.84–1.46; P = 0.34), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (OR 0.94, CI 0.80–1.07; P = 0.35).

Conclusion
BAME patients with NSTEMI had higher cardiometabolic risk profiles and were more likely to undergo invasive angiography and revascularization, with similar clinical outcomes as those of their White counterparts. Among the quality indicators assessed, there is no evidence of care disparities among BAME patients presenting with NSTEMI.
Experimental exchange of paralogous domains in the MLH family provides evidence of sub-functionalization after gene duplication
Authors: Furman Christopher M , Elbashir Ryan , Pannafino Gianno , Clark Nathan L , Alani Eric 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Baker’s yeast contains a large number of duplicated genes; some function redundantly, whereas others have more specialized roles. We used the MLH family of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins as a model to better understand the steps that lead to gene specialization following a gene duplication event. We focused on two highly conserved yeast MLH proteins, Pms1 and Mlh3, with Pms1 having a major role in the repair of misincorporation events during DNA replication and Mlh3 acting to resolve recombination intermediates in meiosis to form crossovers. The baker’s yeast Mlh3 and Pms1 proteins are significantly diverged (19% overall identity), suggesting that an extensive number of evolutionary steps, some major, others involving subtle refinements, took place to diversify the MLH proteins. Using phylogenetic and molecular approaches, we provide evidence that all three domains (N-terminal ATP binding, linker, C-terminal endonuclease/MLH interaction) in the MLH protein family are critical for conferring pathway specificity. Importantly, mlh3 alleles in the ATP binding and endonuclease domains improved MMR functions in strains lacking the Pms1 protein and did not disrupt Mlh3 meiotic functions. This ability for mlh3 alleles to complement the loss of Pms1 suggests that an ancestral Pms1/Mlh3 protein was capable of performing both MMR and crossover functions. Our strategy for analyzing MLH pathway specificity provides an approach to understand how paralogs have evolved to support distinct cellular processes.
The Gossypium stocksii genome as a novel resource for cotton improvement
Authors: Grover Corrinne E , Yuan Daojun , Arick Mark A , Miller Emma R , Hu Guanjing , Peterson Daniel G , Wendel Jonathan F , Udall Joshua A 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Cotton is an important textile crop whose gains in production over the last century have been challenged by various diseases. Because many modern cultivars are susceptible to several pests and pathogens, breeding efforts have included attempts to introgress wild, naturally resistant germplasm into elite lines. Gossypium stocksii is a wild cotton species native to Africa, which is part of a clade of vastly understudied species. Most of what is known about this species comes from pest resistance surveys and/or breeding efforts, which suggests that G. stocksii could be a valuable reservoir of natural pest resistance. Here, we present a high-quality de novo genome sequence for G. stocksii. We compare the G. stocksii genome with resequencing data from a closely related, understudied species (Gossypium somalense) to generate insight into the relatedness of these cotton species. Finally, we discuss the utility of the G. stocksii genome for understanding pest resistance in cotton, particularly resistance to cotton leaf curl virus.
Genetic basis of offspring number–body weight tradeoff in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Akhund-Zade Jamilla , Lall Shraddha , Gajda Erika , Yoon Denise , Ayroles Julien F , de Bivort Benjamin L 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster egg production, a proxy for fecundity, is an extensively studied life-history trait with a strong genetic basis. As eggs develop into larvae and adults, space and resource constraints can put pressure on the developing offspring, leading to a decrease in viability, body size, and lifespan. Our goal was to map the genetic basis of offspring number and weight under the restriction of a standard laboratory vial. We screened 143 lines from the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel for offspring numbers and weights to create an “offspring index” that captured the number vs weight tradeoff. We found 18 genes containing 30 variants associated with variation in the offspring index. Validation of hid, Sox21b, CG8312, and mub candidate genes using gene disruption mutants demonstrated a role in adult stage viability, while mutations in Ih and Rbp increased offspring number and increased weight, respectively. The polygenic basis of offspring number and weight, with many variants of small effect, as well as the involvement of genes with varied functional roles, support the notion of Fisher’s “infinitesimal model” for this life-history trait.
RIL-StEp: epistasis analysis of rice recombinant inbred lines reveals candidate interacting genes that control seed hull color and leaf chlorophyll content
Authors: Sakai Toshiyuki , Abe Akira , Shimizu Motoki , Terauchi Ryohei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCharacterizing epistatic gene interactions is fundamental for understanding the genetic architecture of complex traits. However, due to the large number of potential gene combinations, detecting epistatic gene interactions is computationally demanding. A simple, easy-to-perform method for sensitive detection of epistasis is required. Due to their homozygous nature, use of recombinant inbred lines excludes the dominance effect of alleles and interactions involving heterozygous genotypes, thereby allowing detection of epistasis in a simple and interpretable model. Here, we present an approach called RIL-StEp (recombinant inbred lines stepwise epistasis detection) to detect epistasis using single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the genome. We applied the method to reveal epistasis affecting rice (Oryza sativa) seed hull color and leaf chlorophyll content and successfully identified pairs of genomic regions that presumably control these phenotypes. This method has the potential to improve our understanding of the genetic architecture of various traits of crops and other organisms.
Gene body methylation is under selection in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Muyle Aline , Ross-Ibarra Jeffrey , Seymour Danelle K , Gaut Brandon S 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In plants, mammals and insects, some genes are methylated in the CG dinucleotide context, a phenomenon called gene body methylation (gbM). It has been controversial whether this phenomenon has any functional role. Here, we took advantage of the availability of 876 leaf methylomes in Arabidopsis thaliana to characterize the population frequency of methylation at the gene level and to estimate the site-frequency spectrum of allelic states. Using a population genetics model specifically designed for epigenetic data, we found that genes with ancestral gbM are under significant selection to remain methylated. Conversely, ancestrally unmethylated genes were under selection to remain unmethylated. Repeating the analyses at the level of individual cytosines confirmed these results. Estimated selection coefficients were small, on the order of 4 Nes = 1.4, which is similar to the magnitude of selection acting on codon usage. We also estimated that A. thaliana is losing gbM threefold more rapidly than gaining it, which could be due to a recent reduction in the efficacy of selection after a switch to selfing. Finally, we investigated the potential function of gbM through its link with gene expression. Across genes with polymorphic methylation states, the expression of gene body methylated alleles was consistently and significantly higher than unmethylated alleles. Although it is difficult to disentangle genetic from epigenetic effects, our work suggests that gbM has a small but measurable effect on fitness, perhaps due to its association to a phenotype-like gene expression.
Resilience in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Socioecological Approach
Authors: Igarashi Heidi , Kurth Maria L , Lee Hye Soo , Choun Soyoung , Lee Dylan , Aldwin Carolyn M 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Objectives
We examined sources of vulnerability and resilience among older adults early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods
We surveyed 235 respondents, 51–95 years old (M = 71.35; SD = 7.39; 74% female), including 2 open-ended questions concerning COVID-19-related difficulties and positive experiences during the past week. Using inductive coding, we found 9 final codes for difficulties and 12 for positives and grouped them into socioecological levels: personal, interpersonal, and societal.

Results
Difficulties were reported by 94% of the sample, while 63% described positives. Difficulties and positive responses were made at all socioecological levels and illustrated a dialectic between personal-level constraints and opportunities, interpersonal-level social isolation and integration, and societal-level outrage, sorrow, and social optimism.

Discussion
Respondents described sources of vulnerabilities and resilience that supported a socioecological approach to understand resilience during this pandemic. A notable example was resilience derived from witnessing and contributing to the community and social solidarity, highlighting the potential of older adults as resources to their communities during the global pandemic.
Boundary Crossers: How Providers Facilitate Ethnic Minority Families’ Access to Dementia Services
Authors: Brijnath Bianca , Gilbert Andrew S , Antoniades Josefine , Croy Samantha , Kent Mike , Ellis Katie , Browning Colette , Goeman Dianne , Adams Jon 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesProviders who work closely with ethnic minority people with dementia and their families are pivotal in helping them access services. However, few studies have examined how these providers actually do this work. Using the concept of “boundary crossers,” this article investigates the strategies applied by these providers to facilitate access to dementia services for ethnic minority people with dementia and their families.MethodsBetween 2017 and 2020, in-depth video-recorded interviews were conducted with 27 health, aged care, and community service providers working with ethnic minority people living with dementia across Australia. Interviews were conducted in one of seven languages and/or in English, then translated and transcribed verbatim into English. The data were analyzed thematically.ResultsFamily and community stigma associated with dementia and extra-familial care were significant barriers to families engaging with services. To overcome these barriers, participants worked at the boundaries of culture and dementia, community and systems, strategically using English and other vernaculars, clinical and cultural terminology, building trust and rapport, and assisting with service navigation to improve access. Concurrently, they were cognizant of familial boundaries and were careful to provide services that were culturally appropriate without supplanting the families’ role.DiscussionIn negotiating cultural, social, and professional boundaries, providers undertake multidimensional and complex work that involves education, advocacy, negotiation, navigation, creativity, and emotional engagement. This work is largely undervalued but offers a model of care that facilitates social and community development as well as service integration across health, aged care, and social services.
High-throughput microscopy reveals the impact of multifactorial environmental perturbations on colorectal cancer cell growth
Authors: Chiang Chun-Te , Lau Roy , Ghaffarizadeh Ahmadreza , Brovold Matthew , Vyas Dipen , Juárez Edwin F , Atala Anthony , Agus David B , Soker Shay , Macklin Paul , Ruderman Daniel , Mumenthaler Shannon M 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality is principally due to metastatic disease, with the most frequent organ of metastasis being the liver. Biochemical and mechanical factors residing in the tumor microenvironment are considered to play a pivotal role in metastatic growth and response to therapy. However, it is difficult to study the tumor microenvironment systematically owing to a lack of fully controlled model systems that can be investigated in rigorous detail.

Results
We present a quantitative imaging dataset of CRC cell growth dynamics influenced by in vivo–mimicking conditions. They consist of tumor cells grown in various biochemical and biomechanical microenvironmental contexts. These contexts include varying oxygen and drug concentrations, and growth on conventional stiff plastic, softer matrices, and bioengineered acellular liver extracellular matrix. Growth rate analyses under these conditions were performed via the cell phenotype digitizer (CellPD).

Conclusions
Our data indicate that the growth of highly aggressive HCT116 cells is affected by oxygen, substrate stiffness, and liver extracellular matrix. In addition, hypoxia has a protective effect against oxaliplatin-induced cytotoxicity on plastic and liver extracellular matrix. This expansive dataset of CRC cell growth measurements under in situ relevant environmental perturbations provides insights into critical tumor microenvironment features contributing to metastatic seeding and tumor growth. Such insights are essential to dynamical modeling and understanding the multicellular tumor-stroma dynamics that contribute to metastatic colonization. It also establishes a benchmark dataset for training and testing data-driven dynamical models of cancer cell lines and therapeutic response in a variety of microenvironmental conditions.