bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developmental plasticity in male courtship in Bicyclus anynana butterflies is driven by hormone regulation of the yellow gene
Authors: Connahs Heidi , Tan Eunice Jingmei , Ter Yi Ting , Dion Emilie , Matsuoka Yuji , Bear Ashley , Monteiro Antónia 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe organizational role for hormones in the regulation of sexual behavior is currently poorly explored. Previous work showed that seasonal variation in levels of the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) during pupal development regulates plasticity in male courtship behavior in Bicyclus anynana butterflies. Wet season (WS) males, reared at high temperature, have high levels of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) during pupation and become active courters. Dry season (DS) males, reared at low temperatures, have lower levels of 20E and lower courtship rates. Rescue of WS courtship rates can be achieved via injection of 20E into DS male pupae, but it is still unknown whether 20E alters gene expression in the pupal brain, and if so, the identity of those targets. Using transcriptomics, qPCR, and behavioral assays with a transgenic knockout, we show that higher expression levels of the yellow gene in DS male pupal brains, relative to WS brains, represses courtship in DS males. Furthermore, injecting DS males with 20E downregulates yellow to WS levels 4 hours post-injection, revealing a hormone sensitive window that determines courtship behavior. These findings are in striking contrast to Drosophila, where yellow is required for active male courtship behavior. We conclude that 20E plays an organizational role during pupal brain development by regulating the expression of yellow, which is a repressor of the neural circuity for male courtship behavior in B. anynana. This work shows that similar to vertebrates, hormones can also play an organizational role in insect brains, leading to permanent changes in adult sexual behavior.Significance StatementBehavioral plasticity in adult insects is known to be regulated by hormones, which activate neural circuits in response to environmental cues. Here, we show that hormones can also regulate adult behavioral plasticity by altering gene expression during brain development, adjusting the insect’s behavior to predictable seasonal environmental variation. We show that seasonal changes in the hormone 20E alters expression of the yellow gene in the developing pupal brain of Bicyclus anynana butterflies, which leads to differences in male courtship behavior between the dry and wet seasonal forms. This work provides one of the first examples of the organizational role of hormones in altering gene expression and adult sexual behavior in the developing insect brain.
Humoral Response to BNT162b2 mRNA Covid19 Vaccine in Peritoneal and Hemodialysis Patients: a Comparative Study
Authors: Duarte Rui , Roldão Marisa , Figueiredo Cátia , Ferrer Francisco , Gonçalves Hernâni , Luz Ivan , Sofia Flora , Lopes Karina 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntroductionGeneralized immunization against COVID19 has become the cornerstone in prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome associated with this pandemic. Maintenance dialysis patients (MDP) are at higher risk of both exposure and mortality from the disease. Efficacy and security of BNT162b2 vaccine is well documented for the general population, but not in MDP, particularly in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study aims to compare humoral response between hemodialysis (HD) and PD patients.Materials and MethodsObservational prospective study including MDP on HD or PD program from a Portuguese middle-sized Nephrology Center, who received BNT162b2 vaccine. Specific anti-Spike IgG was measured as arbitrary units per milliliter (AU/mL) on two separate occasions: 3 weeks after the first dose and 3 weeks after the second. The two modality groups were compared both for absolute value and number of non-responders (NR) after both inoculations. Demographic data was also compared.ResultsOf 73 patients enrolled, 67 were eligible for the final study: 42 HD and 25 PD patients. PD group developed significantly higher antibody titers in both inoculations: first dose with Med 5.44 vs 0.99 (p<0.01) and second dose with Med 170.43 vs 65.81 (p<0.01). HD status was associated with NR after the first dose (Phi=0.383; p<0.01), but not after the second (p=0.08). Age, Charlson comorbidity index and dialysis vintage were lower in the PD group (p<0.01; p=0.02; p<0.01, respectively).ConclusionThis study demonstrated a better humoral response to immunization with BNT162b2 in PD patients, when compared to HD patients, after each of the two recommended inoculations. Both groups showed substantial humoral response after just one dose of the vaccine. Older age and higher comorbidity burden may explain the relative immunogenicity deficit, probably in a superior degree comparing with age matched healthy population.What is already known about this subjectMaintenance hemodialysis patients have lower humoral response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID19 vaccine when compared to the general population;Maintenance dialysis patients are at high risk of exposure to COVID19 in addition to a more severe course of the disease;What this study addsMaintenance peritoneal dialysis patients have better humoral response with BNT162b2 when compared to those on hemodialysis;There is a substantial humoral response after a single dose of the vaccine for both hemodialysis (50%) and peritoneal dialysis (88%) patients.What impact this may have on clinical practice or policyProtocols for follow-up measures, including extra inoculations, might have to be considered for hemodialysis patients;Peritoneal dialysis patients should be promptly immunized in all centers, rejecting constraints regarding lower effectiveness or yield.
EXTENDED ABSORPTION OF LIOTHYRONINE FROM POLY-ZINC-LIOTHYRONINE (PZL) IN HUMANS
Authors: Dumitrescu Alexandra M. , Hanlon Erin C. , Arosemena Marilyn , Duchon Olga , Ettleson Matthew , Giurcanu Mihai , Bianco Antonio C. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundLiothyronine (LT3) has been increasingly used in combination with levothyroxine (LT4) in the treatment of hypothyroidism. A metal coordinated form of LT3, known as poly-zinc-liothyronine (PZL), avoided in rats the typical T3 peak seen after oral administration of LT3.ObjectivesTo evaluate in healthy volunteers (i) the pharmacokinetics of PZL-derived T3 after a single dose, (ii) the pharmacodynamics of PZL-derived T3, (iii) monitoring for the adverse events; (iv) exploratory analysis of the sleep patterns after LT3, PZL or placebo administration.Methods12 healthy volunteers 18 to 50 years of age were recruited for a Phase 1, double-blind, randomized, single-dose placebo-controlled, cross-over study to compare PZL against LT3 or placebo. Subjects were admitted three separate times to receive a randomly assigned capsule containing placebo, 50-mcg LT3, or 50-mcg-PZL, and were observed for 48h. A 2-week washout period separated each admission.ResultsLT3-derived serum T3 levels exhibited the expected profile, with a Tmax at 2h and return to basal levels by 24-36h. PZL-derived serum T3 levels exhibited a ∼30% lower Cmax that was 1 h delayed and extended into a plateau that lasted up to 6h. This was followed by a lower but much longer plateau; by 24 hours serum T3 levels still exceeded ½ of Cmax. TSH levels were similarly reduced indistinguishably in both groups.ConclusionPZL possesses the necessary properties to achieve a much improved T3 pharma-cokinetic. Drug product development of PZL should improve the delivery of T3 even further. PZL is on track to provide hypothyroid patients with stable levels of serum T3.
Exploration of Antibacterial Activities of Berberis royleana Fractions Extracts
Authors: Rafique Muhammad , Salman Muhammad 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTObjectivesPrepare various solvent extracts of Berberis royleana (areal part of plant) to determine the in vitro antibacterial potential of methanolic, ethyl acetate, chloroform, n-hexane and water extracts of B. royleana against various bacterial isolates and Compare the efficacy of outstanding antimicrobial extracts of B. royleana with commonly used antibiotics. Berberis species are medicinally important plants, produce various metabolites and used as treatment for multiple complications. Berberis royleana is a rare specie belongs to genus Berberis.MethodsIn the current study the areal parts of the plant were isolated to explore antibacterial activities. Antibacterial activities were done using standard procedures. The antibacterial activities of different fractions were tested by 100 μg methanolic, ethyl acetate, chloroform, n-hexane and water fractions of B. royleana against bacterial isolates Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella Typhi and Proteus spp. The ciprofloxacin (5μg) was used as a positive control and DMSO as a negative control.ResultsAll fractions showed zone of inhibition against the growth of tested bacterial isolates. Methanolic fractions have maximum ZI against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae (25.7±1.5 mm), S. aureus (23±2.7), Salmonella Typhi (25±1), water fraction have Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.4 ±2.5), Salmonella Typhi (23 ±1 mm), S. aureus (21±2.8 mm) and the n-hexane fraction exhibits ZI against K. pneumoniae (24.7±1.5), Salmonella Typhi (24±2) S. aureus, ethyl acetate maximum zone against E. coli (16.6±3.1) and chloroform fraction showed maximum ZI against S. Typhi (21.6±3.3).ConclusionFrom current report it may be concluded that B. royleana extracts have medicinally effective potentials against drugs resistant bacteria.
Antibody response after a single dose of ChAdOx1-nCOV (Covishield™®) vaccine in subjects with prior SARS-CoV2 infection: Is a single dose sufficient?
Authors: Borkakoty Biswajyoti , Sarmah Mandakini Das , Bhattacharjee Chandra Kanta , Bali Nargis , Gogoi Gayatri 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIt is crucial to know whether a single dose of vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is sufficient to elicit immune response in previously infected people in India. A total of 121 participants (baseline seropositive 46 and seronegative 75) were included to study the immune response to ChAdOx1-nCOV (Covishield) vaccine in previously infected or uninfected people. IgG antibodies were estimated at three different time intervals, i.e. pre-vaccination, 25-35 days post 1st vaccination and 25-35 days post 2nd vaccination. The IgG antibody titre was significantly high among previous seropositive subjects with single dose of vaccine compared to seronegative group with both doses of vaccine respectively (4.59±1.04 vs 3.08±1.22, p-value: <0.0001).In conclusion, a single dose of Covishield™® vaccine might be sufficient to induce an effective immune responsein subjects with prior SARS-CoV2 infection. Stratifying vacinees based on their SARS-CoV2 IgG antibody titre before vaccination would help in meeting the increasing vaccine demand and could be effective to circumvent further wave of the pandemic in India.
β-Catenin Limits Osteogenesis on Regenerative Materials in a Stiffness-Dependent Manner
Authors: Zhou Qi , Ren Xiaoyan , Oberoi Michelle K. , Caprini Rachel M. , Dewey Marley J. , Kolliopoulos Vasiliki , Yamaguchi Dean T. , Harley Brendan A.C. , Lee Justine C. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTargeted refinement of regenerative materials requires mechanistic understanding of cell-material interactions. The nanoparticulate mineralized collagen glycosaminoglycan (MC-GAG) scaffold is a porous biomaterial that promotes regenerative healing of calvaria defects in vivo without addition of exogenous growth factors or progenitor cells, suggesting its potential as an off-the-shelf implant for reconstructing skull defects. In this work, we evaluate the relationship between material stiffness, a tunable MC-GAG property, and activation of the canonical Wnt (cWnt) signaling pathway. Primary human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were differentiated on two MC-GAG scaffolds varying by stiffness (non- crosslinked, NX-MC, 0.3 kPa vs. conventionally crosslinked, MC, 3.9 kPa). hMSCs exhibited increased expression of activated β-catenin, the major cWnt intracellular mediator, and the mechanosensitive YAP protein with near complete subcellular colocalization in stiffer MC scaffolds. Small molecule Wnt pathway inhibitors reduced activated β-catenin and YAP protein quantities and colocalization, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization on MC, with no effects on NX-MC. Concomitantly, Wnt inhibitors increased BMP4 and phosphorylated Smad1/5 (p-Smad1/5) expression on MC, but not NX-MC. Unlike non-specific Wnt pathway downregulation, isolated canonical Wnt inhibition with β-catenin knockdown increased osteogenic gene expression and mineralization specifically on the stiffer MC. β-catenin knockdown also increased p-Smad1/5, Runx2, and BMP4 expression only on the stiffer MC material. Our data indicates stiffness-induced activation of the Wnt and mechanotransduction pathways promotes osteogenesis in MC-GAG scaffolds. However, activated β-catenin is a limiting agent and may serve as a useful target or readout for optimal modulation of stiffness in skeletal regenerative materials.One Sentence Summaryβ-Catenin limits stiffness-induced osteogenenic differentiation on nanoparticulate mineralized collagen glycosaminoglycan materials
Ehrlichia ruminantiumuses its transmembrane protein Ape to adhere to host bovine aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Pinarello Valérie , Bencurova Elena , Marcelino Isabel , Gros Olivier , Puech Carinne , Bhide Mangesh , Vachiery Nathalie , Meyer Damien F. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractEhrlichia ruminantiumis an obligate intracellular bacterium, transmitted by ticks of the genusAmblyommaand responsible for heartwater, a disease of domestic and wild ruminants. High genetic diversity ofE. ruminantiumstrains hampers the development of an effective vaccine against all strains present in the field. In order to develop strategies for the control of heartwater through both vaccine and alternative therapeutic approaches, it is important to first gain a better understanding of the early interaction ofE. ruminantiumand its host cell. Particularly, the mechanisms associated with bacterial adhesion remain to be elucidated. Herein, we studied the role ofE. ruminantiummembrane protein ERGA_CDS_01230 (UniProt Q5FFA9), a probable iron transporter, in the adhesion process to host bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). The recombinant version of the protein ERGA_CDS_01230, successfully produced in theLeishmania tarentolaesystem, is O-glycosylated. Followingin vitroculture ofE. ruminantiumin BAEC, the expression of CDS ERGA_CDS_01230 peaks at the extracellular infectious elementary body stages. This result suggest the likely involvement of ERGA_CDS_01230, named hereafter Ape for Adhesion protein ofEhrlichia, in the early interaction ofE. ruminantiumwith its host cells. We showed using flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy that beads coated with recombinant ERGA_CDS_01230 (rApe) adheres to BAEC. In addition, we also observed that rApe interacts with proteins of the cell lysate, membrane and organelle fractions. Additionally, enzymatic treatment degrading dermatan and chondroitin sulfates on the surface of BAEC is associated with a 50% reduction in the number of bacteria in the host cell after a developmental cycle, indicating that glycosaminoglycans seem to play a role in the adhesion ofE. ruminantiumto the host cell. Finally, Ape induces a humoral response in vaccinated animals. Globally, our work identifying the role of Ape inE. ruminantiumadhesion to host cells makes it a gold vaccine candidate and represents a first step toward the understanding of the mechanisms of cell invasion byE. ruminantium.
Coexistence patterns and diversity in a trait-based metacommunity on an environmental gradient
Authors: Mohammed Mozzamil , Blasius Bernd , Ryabov Alexey 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe dynamics of trait-based metacommunities have attracted much attention, but not much is known about how dispersal and spatial environmental variability mutually interact with each other to drive coexistence patterns and diversity. Here, we present a spatially-explicit model of resource competition in a metacommunity on a one-dimensional environmental gradient. We find that both the strength of dispersal and the range of spatial environmental variability affect coexistence patterns, spatial structure, trait distribution and local and regional diversity. Without dispersal, species are sorted according to their optimal growth conditions on the gradient. With the onset of dispersal source-sink effects are initiated, which increases the effects of environmental filtering and interspecific competition and generates trait lumping, so that only a few species from an environment-defined trait range can survive. Interestingly, for very large dispersal rates the system becomes spatially homogeneous, but nevertheless two species at the extreme ends of the trait-off curve can coexist for large environmental variability. Local species richness follows a classic hump-shaped dependence on dispersal rate, while local and regional diversity exhibit a pronounced peak for intermediate values of the environmental variability. Our findings provide important insights into the factors that shape the structure of trait-based metacommunities.
Whole-brain studies of spontaneous behavior in head-fixed rats enabled by zero echo time MB-SWIFT fMRI
Authors: Paasonen Jaakko , Stenroos Petteri , Laakso Hanne , Pirttimäki Tiina , Paasonen Ekaterina , Salo Raimo A. , Tanila Heikki , Idiyatullin Djaudat , Garwood Michael , Michaeli Shalom , Mangia Silvia , Gröhn Olli 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the link between the brain activity and behavior is a key challenge in modern neuroscience. Behavioral neuroscience, however, lacks tools to record whole-brain activity in complex behavioral settings. Here we demonstrate that a novel Multi-Band SWeep Imaging with Fourier Transformation (MB-SWIFT) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) approach enables whole-brain studies in spontaneously behaving head-fixed rats. First, we show anatomically relevant functional parcellation. Second, we show sensory, motor, exploration, and stress-related brain activity in relevant networks during corresponding spontaneous behavior. Third, we show odor-induced activation of olfactory system with high correlation between the fMRI and behavioral responses. We conclude that the applied methodology enables novel behavioral study designs in rodents focusing on tasks, cognition, emotions, physical exercise, and social interaction. Importantly, novel zero echo time and large bandwidth approaches, such as MB-SWIFT, can be applied for human behavioral studies, allowing more freedom as body movement is dramatically less restricting factor.
Reference-free cell-type deconvolution of multi-cellular pixel-resolution spatially resolved transcriptomics data
Authors: Miller Brendan F. , Huang Feiyang , Atta Lyla , Sahoo Arpan , Fan Jean 
Published: June 2021

AbstractRecent technological advancements have enabled spatially resolved transcriptomic profiling but at multi-cellular pixel resolution, thereby hindering the identification of cell-type-specific spatial patterns and gene expression variation. To address this challenge, we developed STdeconvolve as a reference-free approach to deconvolve underlying cell-types comprising such multi-cellular pixel resolution spatial transcriptomics (ST) datasets. Using simulated as well as real ST datasets from diverse spatial transcriptomics technologies comprising a variety of spatial resolutions such as Spatial Transcriptomics, 10X Visium, DBiT-seq, and Slide-seq, we show that STdeconvolve can effectively recover cell-type transcriptional profiles and their proportional representation within pixels without reliance on external single-cell transcriptomics references. STdeconvolve provides comparable performance to existing reference-based methods when suitable single-cell references are available, as well as potentially superior performance when suitable single-cell references are not available. STdeconvolve is available as an open-source R software package with the source code available at https://github.com/JEFworks-Lab/STdeconvolve.
Yanocomp: robust prediction of m6A modifications in individual nanopore direct RNA reads
Authors: Parker Matthew T. , Barton Geoffrey J. , Simpson Gordon G. 
Published: June 2021

SummaryYanocomp is a tool for predicting the positions and stoichiometries of RNA modifications in Nanopore direct RNA sequencing data. It uses general mixture models to identify differentially modified sites between two conditions, with good support for replicates. Yanocomp models across adjacent kmers and uses a uniform component to account for outliers, improving the accuracy of single molecule predictions. Consequently, Yanocomp can be used to measure modification stoichiometry, and correlate modifications with other RNA processing events.AvailabilityYanocomp is available under an MIT license at www.github.com/bartongroup/yanocomp.
Attrition Rate in Infant fNIRS Research: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Baek Sori , Marques Sabrina , Casey Kennedy , Testerman Meghan , McGill Felicia , Emberson Lauren 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the trends and predictors of attrition rate, or the proportion of collected data that is excluded from the final analyses, is important for accurate research planning, assessing data integrity, and ensuring generalizability. In this pre-registered meta-analysis, we reviewed 182 publications in infant (0-24 months) functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) research published from 1998 to April 9, 2020 and investigated the trends and predictors of attrition. The average attrition rate was 34.23% among 272 experiments across all 182 publications. Among a subset of 136 experiments which reported the specific reasons of subject exclusion, 21.50% of the attrition were infant-driven while 14.21% were signal-driven. Subject characteristics (e.g., age) and study design (e.g., fNIRS cap configuration, block/trial design, and stimulus type) predicted the total and subject-driven attrition rates, suggesting that modifying the recruitment pool or the study design can meaningfully reduce the attrition rate in infant fNIRS research. Based on the findings, we established guidelines on reporting the attrition rate for scientific transparency and made recommendations to minimize the attrition rates. We also launched an attrition rate calculator (LINK) to aid with research planning. This research can facilitate developmental cognitive neuroscientists in their quest toward increasingly rigorous and representative research.HighlightsAverage attrition rate in infant fNIRS research is 34.23%21.50% of the attrition are infant-driven (e.g., inattentiveness) while 14.21% are signal-driven (e.g., poor optical contact)Subject characteristics (e.g., age) and study design (e.g., fNIRS cap configuration, block/trial design, and stimulus type) predict the total and infant-driven attrition ratesModifying the recruitment pool or the study design can meaningfully reduce the attrition rate in infant fNIRS research