bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Curcuma longaEssential Oil Topically Mitigates Inflammatory Markers in Acetone-Induced Atopic Dermatitis in Wistar Albino Rats
Authors: Namale Nathiim , Tusubira Deusdedit , Male Kenneth , Musyoka Angela Mumbua , Aja Patrick Maduabuchi 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis ranks number one in skin diseases worldwide. It is challenging to treat; associated with burdens such as sleeping difficulties, depression, and anxiety and impairs life quality due to finances. This study aims to evaluate the potential of topicalCurcuma LongaEssential Oil in the management of atopic dermatitis. It was driven by overwhelming side effects that present with the use of topical corticosteroids in the management of the condition yet they present a variety of side effects.MethodsCurcuma LongaEssential Oil was extracted by hydro-distillation of fresh rhizomes in a Clevenger apparatus. Thirty Wistar Albino rats; Male and Female; were divided into 5 groups, n=6. Atopic dermatitis was induced by rubbing a cotton ball soaked in acetone on rat skin for 5 minutes for three days. Groups were treated withCurcuma Longa Essential oil (1), 0.1% hydrocortisone (2), bothCurcuma LongaEssential oil and hydrocortisone (3) and the remaining two groups were positive and negative control. The effect ofCurcuma LongaTopical Essential oil was analysed using its effect on pruritus, Mast cell infiltration in skin biopsies and CRP levels in serum.ResultsPruritus decreased with theCurcuma Longaessential oil (CLEO) topical treatment and significantly compared to that in the positive group (P <0.0001.). Negative Control VsCurcuma longaessential oil treatment showed a significant difference (P = 0.0001) in CRP levels. Mast cells significantly decreased in groups that had treatment compared to the Positive control.ConclusionCurcuma longaTopical essential oil has the potential treat Acetone induced Atopic Dermatitis in Wistar Albino rats.Recommendation2%Curcuma Longatopical Essential oil on Atopic dermatitis should be studied on a Clinical trial.
Structural Characterization and Functional Assessment of the Alpha-Expansin Precursor inOryza sativa
Authors: Nayem Rofiqul Islam , Saha Mridha , Sourav Md. Touhidul Islam 
Published: December 2024

AbstractExpansins are vital proteins that facilitate cell wall loosening, playing a crucial role in plant growth and development. This study investigates the structural and functional characteristics of the alpha-expansin precursor (GenBank ID: AAL79710.1) inOryza sativa(Japanese rice). Through bioinformatics analyses, including ProtParam, CELLO, and conserved domain identification, we identified key biochemical properties, such as a molecular weight of approximately 28 kDa, a basic isoelectric point (pI 9.40), and significant levels of alanine and glycine. The CELLO analysis predicted the protein’s localization primarily in the extracellular space, consistent with its role in modifying the cell wall. Homology searches revealed high similarity to expansin-A29 proteins in related species, while phylogenetic analysis indicated a close evolutionary relationship among monocots. Structural modeling predicted a well-folded protein, though refinement is necessary to address certain discrepancies highlighted in the QMEANDisCo analysis. Our findings underscore the evolutionary conservation of alpha-expansins and their integral role in plant physiology, particularly in cell wall dynamics and stress responses. This research enhances our understanding of alpha-expansins in rice and lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at manipulating these proteins to improve crop resilience and yield under changing environmental conditions.
Mechanical stress induces anatomical changes, tomato early flowering, and increased yield involving ethylene and auxins
Authors: Castro-Estrada Jenifer , Salazar Sergio M. , Cabello Julieta V. , Mariotti-Martínez Jorge A. , Chan Raquel L. , Welchen Elina 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPlants have evolved mechanisms to perceive and face mechanical stress (MS) caused by physical forces, including compacted soils, winds, rain, pathogens, and interactions with animals and plants. Previous research indicated that applying mechanical treatment (MT) to Arabidopsis increases both xylem area and seed yield. To explore sustainable tomato production, we applied MT - combining stem bending, weighting, and particular touching - to 10-day-old seedlings, using a specific weight on the upper stem for 48 h. Two days after the treatment, we observed stem enlargement and increased the number of xylem vessels and area in MT plants. Additionally, we noticed earlier flowering, leading to increased tomato production. The transcriptome of MT-treated plants revealed significant changes in the expression of several essential genes involved in central metabolism, growth responses, and crucial phytohormone signalling. By studying different tomato mutants in the ethylene and auxin signalling pathways, we demonstrated that both hormones play essential roles in the plant responses to combined MT. Our findings suggest that combined MT generates a beneficial MS in tomato plants that induces plant morphoanatomical changes that promote early flowering and increased yield, providing a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture.HighlightA combined mechanical treatment applied to tomato seedlings enhances stem width, increases the number of vascular bundles, promotes early flowering, and improves fruit yield, involving auxin and ethylene pathways.
Plasma proteome demonstrates sex-specific associations with mental health risks in adolescents
Authors: Afonin Alexey M. , Piironen Aino-Kaisa , Julvez Jordi , van Kamp Irene , Kanninen Katja M. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAdolescence is a critical developmental period marked by significant physiological, psychological, and behavioural changes. Sex-specific biological factors can play a major role in their progression. Liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry proteomic analysis was used to measure the plasma proteome abundances in 197 adolescents (11-16 years old) from the WALNUTs cohort. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed clear sex-based proteomic distinctions, with 76 proteins significantly differing between males and females after correcting for age and BMI. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of these proteins highlighted pathways related to cell adhesion and extracellular matrix organization reflecting sex-specific developmental trajectories during puberty. Bioinformatic analysis revealed 37 proteins significantly associated with the total score of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), with additional sex-specific associations emerging in subgroup analyses. Plasma protein abundancies in males exhibited stronger correlations with SDQ externalizing subscale scores, while in females the associations with the internalizing score were more prominent, consistent with known behavioural sex differences. Immune response and blood coagulation pathways were implicated in these associations, particularly in females, while no significant pathway enrichment was observed for males. These findings highlight both shared and sex-specific proteomic features associated with the SDQ scores in adolescents, emphasising the need to consider sex differences in proteomic studies. The results provide a critical step toward identifying biomarkers and pathways underlying sex-specific psychological and developmental processes in adolescence.
TMEM55A-mediated PI5P signaling regulates α-cell actin depolymerization and glucagon secretion
Authors: Liu Xiong , dos Santos Theodore , Spigelman Aliya F. , Duckett Shawn , Smith Nancy , Suzuki Kunimasa , MacDonald Patrick E. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractDiabetes is associated with the dysfunction of glucagon-producing pancreatic islet α-cells, although the underlying mechanisms regulating glucagon secretion and α-cell dysfunction remain unclear. While insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells has long been known to be partly controlled by intracellular phospholipid signaling, very little is known about the role of phospholipids in glucagon secretion. Here we show that TMEM55A, a lipid phosphatase that dephosphorylates phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate (PI5P), regulates α-cell exocytosis and glucagon secretion. TMEM55A knockdown in both human and mouse α-cells reduces exocytosis at low glucose, and this is rescued by the direct reintroduction of PI5P. This does not occur through an effect on Ca2+channel activity, but through a re-modelling of cortical F-actin dependent upon TMEM55A lipid phosphatase activity which occurs in response to oxidative stress. In summary, we reveal a novel pathway by which TMEM55A regulates α-cell exocytosis by manipulating intracellular PI5P level and the F-actin network.
Cross validation coordinate meta-analysis: contrast analysis
Authors: Tench C.R. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractCoordinate based meta-analysis (CBMA) can be used to estimate where a future neuroimaging study testing a particular hypothesis might report summary results (activation foci, for example). However, current methods cannot be validated for all possible analyses because of empirical features that might not be appropriate. Furthermore, the use of voxel-wise null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) in the algorithms is not in keeping with meta-analysis, where statistical significance is secondary to the primary aim of effect estimation.Cross-validation coordinate analysis (CVCA) has been described, which can eliminate the need for the empirical use of spatial uncertainty and avoid voxel-wise p values. The result is an estimated effect that is not based on voxel-wise statistical significance, and which allows the uncertainty to reduce with larger numbers of studies as expected.Here an additional function of CVCA is detailed, which uses cross-validation to contrast two different meta-analyses produced using two sets of studies (A & B) to identify differences. Such contrast analysis is common in CBMA. The results are a contrast image with regions that differentiate studiesAfrom studiesB.Software to perform CVCA is freely available.
A key role of the EMC complex for mitochondrial respiration and quiescence in fission yeasts
Authors: Berraquero Modesto , Tallada Víctor A. , Jimenez Juan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn eukaryotes, oxygen consumption is mainly driven by the respiratory activity of mitochondria, which generates most of the cellular energy that sustains life. This parameter provides direct information about mitochondrial activity of all aerobic biological systems. Using the Seahorse analyzer instrument, we show here that deletion of theoca3/emc2gene (oca3Δ) encoding the Emc2 subunit of the ER membrane complex (EMC), a conserved chaperone/insertase which aids membrane protein biogenesis in the ER, severely affects oxygen consumption rates and quiescence survival inSchizosaccharomyces pombeyeast cells. Remarkably, the respiratory defects of theoca3Δmutation (EMC dysfunction) is rescued synergistically by the disruption of ergosterol biosynthesis (erg5Δ)and the action of the membrane fluidizing agent tween 20, suggesting a direct role of membrane fluidity and sterols composition in mitochondrial respiration in the fission yeast.
Immunometabolic analysis of primary murine Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells: a robust step-by-step approach
Authors: Krisna Sai Sakktee , Deagle Rebecca C. , Ismailova Nailya , Esomojumi Ademola , Roy-Dorval Audrey , Roth Frederik , Berberi Gabriel , del Rincon Sonia V. , Fritz Jörg H. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractGroup 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILC2s) have recently been shown to exert key regulatory functions in innate and adaptive immune response networks that drive the establishment and progression of type 2 immunity and its associated pathologies. Although mainly tissue resident, ILC2s and their crosstalk within tissue microenvironments influences both local and systemic metabolism. In turn, the metabolic status shapes the diverse ILC2 phenotypes and effector functions. Hence, deciphering the metabolic networks of ILC2s is essential in understanding ILC2’s roles in health as well as pathophysiologies. Here we detail a framework of experimental approaches to study key immunometabolic states of primary murine ILC2s and link them to phenotypes and functionality. Utilizing flow cytometry, Single Cell ENergetIc metabolism by ProfilIng Translation inhibition (SCENITH) as well as the Seahorse platform we provide a framework that allows in-depth analysis of cellular bioenergetic states to determine the immunometabolic wiring of ILC2. Linking immunometabolic states and networks to ILC2 phenotypes and effector functions will allow in-depth studies that assess the potential of novel pharmaceutics to alter ILC2 functionality in experimental and clinical settings.
Dynamic relocalization and divergent expression of a major facilitator carrier subfamily in diatoms
Authors: Liu Shun , Yang Shun-Min , Bowler Chris , Obornik Miroslav , Dorrell Richard G. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractEukaryotic organisms, including microbial members such as protists and green algae, utilise suites of transporter proteins to move essential metabolites across cell organelle membranes. Amongst these different transporter families, the MCF (Mitochondrial Carrier Family) is one of the most diverse, encompassing essential NAD+ and ADP/ ATP translocators, as well as amino acid, sugar and cofactor transporters. They are typically associated with the mitochondrial inner membrane but some display more dynamic localization. Here, we perform a brief census of MCF domains in the genome of the model diatom algaPhaeodactylum tricornutum, identifying a new family of three proteins (termed here and elsewhere “MCFc”) with strong internal sequence conservation but limited similarity to other MCF proteins. Considering both phylogenetic data and experimental localization, we posit that MCFc is widespread across algae with complex red chloroplasts alongside some primary green algae, and contains multiple sub-families targeted to diatom mitochondria, plastids, and endomembranes. Finally, using data fromTaraOceans, we identify putative roles for MCFc in diatom cells, including a probable association of the plastid-targeted Phatr3_J46742 sub-family in cellular nitrate assimilation. Our data provide insights into the evolutionary diversification of the membrane transport mechanisms associated with diatoms and other eukaryotic algae.
Temporal Parameters Determine the Efficacy of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Directed Neural Plasticity
Authors: Addo Juliet J. A. , Neifert Connor L. , Danaphongse Tanya T. , Abe Stephanie T. , Ezhil Vikram , Kilgard Michael P. , Hays Seth A. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractCombining vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with rehabilitation represents an emerging treatment for a range of neurological disorders, and identifying stimulation parameters that maximize the effects of VNS may provide a means to optimize this therapy. A number of prior studies show that varying the intensity of stimulation, which influences the amount of neuromodulatory activation in response to VNS, determines the strength of VNS-dependent enhancement of synaptic plasticity in cortical circuits. The impact of the temporal parameters of stimulation, such as the frequency and distribution of pulses within a stimulation train, remains underexplored. In this study, we evaluated how varying these temporal parameters impacts the magnitude of VNS-directed plasticity. In the first experiment, rats received trains of VNS at one of three moderate pulse frequencies (20, 30, or 45Hz) timed to occur with movement during training on a simple motor task. After five days of training, we evaluated the cortical movement representations using intracortical microstimulation. All three moderate pulse frequencies produced equivalent increases in the cortical representation of the paired movement compared to sham stimulation. In a second experiment, we used a similar paradigm to explore whether burst stimulation would enhance VNS-dependent plasticity. Unexpectedly, we found that both burst stimulation or a matched number of pulses distributed evenly in time failed to produce significant enhancement of plasticity compared to sham stimulation, whereas moderate pulse frequency stimulation did. These findings illustrate the importance of the temporal dynamics of stimulation in determining the effects of VNS and provide guidelines for designing novel VNS sequences.
Common genetic modifiers influence cardiomyopathy susceptibility among the carriers of rare pathogenic variants
Authors: Klasfeld Samantha J. , Knutson Katherine A. , Miller Melissa R. , Fauman Eric B. , Berghout Joanne , Moccia Rob , Kim Hye In 
Published: December 2024

AbstractCardiomyopathy presents significant medical burden due to frequent hospitalizations and invasive interventions. While cardiomyopathy is considered a rare monogenic disorder caused by rare pathogenic variants in a few genes, emerging evidence suggests that common genetic modifiers influence disease penetrance and clinical variability. Quantifying the interplay between common genetic modifiers and rare pathogenic variants is challenging due to the rarity of cardiomyopathy cases and pathogenic variant carriers. In this study, we utilized large-scale genetic and phenotypic data from the UK Biobank to refine the genetic architecture of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies. Using ClinVar annotations and variant effect prediction tools, we first identified known and predicted pathogenic variants and demonstrated their robust association with disease risk, age of diagnosis, and quantitative cardiac phenotypes that reflect disease progression. We next examined the impact of polygenic risk scores on disease in the combined sets of known and predicted pathogenic variant carriers. Indeed, the polygenic risk scores were significantly associated with increased disease risk, with rare pathogenic variant carriers in the top 20% polygenic risk having 2.6 and 2.4 times higher risk than those in the bottom 20% for hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy, respectively. We observed stronger associations in the carrier sets that included predicted pathogenic variant carriers, suggesting improved statistical power. In summary, our study adds to the evidence that common genetic modifiers influence the cardiomyopathy disease risk among rare pathogenic variant carriers and illustrates the benefit of incorporating variant effect predictions to examine the polygenic influence in rare disease variant carriers.
The Impact of Technology-Enabled Virtual Medical Nutrition Therapy on Weight Loss in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Real-world, Observational Study
Authors: Hu Emily A. , Kelley Tommy , Haryani Ajay 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundObesity represents a major public health crisis in the United States, imposing substantial health risks and economic costs. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention for weight loss among patients with obesity. With the rise of telehealth, virtual MNT has gained popularity as an accessible alternative to traditional in-person care. A nationwide program was developed that integrates virtual MNT with a companion mobile app, offering a comprehensive approach to weight management. However, the effectiveness of this combined intervention has not yet been evaluated.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of a virtual MNT program with a companion mobile app on weight loss in adults with overweight and obesity.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included users of Nourish, a virtual MNT program with a companion mobile app, who attended at least one appointment between August 2023 and October 2024 and had a baseline body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² or a BMI between 27-30 kg/m² with diabetes or prediabetes. Engagement was assessed based on completed appointments and app usage. Mean weight change, mean percent weight change, and proportion of participants who achieved at least 3% and 5% weight loss were calculated.T-tests were used to evaluate the statistical significance of weight change. Subgroup analyses were performed by follow-up time between weights, number of appointments completed, and level of engagement by appointments and app usage.ResultsIn total, 3,951 participants were included in the analysis. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age was 38 (10) years, and 78% of participants were female. Weight loss was reported as a program goal by 70% of participants, with 31% self-reporting diabetes or prediabetes and 24% self-reporting a cardiovascular condition. Over a median follow-up of 2.2 months, 74% of participants experienced weight loss, and 34% and 17% achieved at least 3% and 5% weight loss, respectively. The mean (SD) weight change was -4.5 (8.9) pounds, corresponding to -2.0% (3.9) weight change (P<.001). Males and participants aged 60 years or older experienced greater weight loss than females and younger participants. Longer follow-up time between weights and a higher number of completed appointments (≥5 appointments) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of achieving at least 5% weight loss (P<.001 for both). Additionally, participants who had the highest number of appointments and highest app engagement were more likely to achieve at least 5% weight loss compared to those with fewer appointments or lower app engagement (P<.001).ConclusionsEnrollment in a virtual MNT program with a companion mobile app was associated with clinically meaningful weight loss among adults with overweight and obesity across the United States, highlighting the potential of tech-enabled solutions to provide scalable weight management strategies.