bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lustrous silk and dark wool: materiality, colour and the refashioning of St. Augustine in the medieval imagination
Authors: Ilko Krisztina 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Male bodies dressed in brilliant silk clothing conveyed messages of power in late medieval Italy. Previous scholars examined how these glamorous bodies reflected contemporary ideals of gentility and whiteness in a courtly context. This article shifts the attention from secular to religious contexts through examining the fictive materiality of the attire of St. Augustine. Silk and wool were two driving forces of the pre-industrial economy. Yet they are rarely considered together, and the discussion has focussed on production. Much less thought has been put into the social implications. By pulling together the threads of silk and wool, this article illuminates how St. Augustine’s dual silk-woollen attire transformed his body in the medieval imaginary and became a powerful visual tool to communicate messages of leadership, legitimacy and kinship.
HDAC1-mediated regulation of KDM1A in pemphigus vulgaris: unlocking mechanisms on ERK pathway activation and cohesion loss
Authors: Luo Mao , Jiang Ziqi , Wang Ping , Chen Yangmei , Chen Aijun , Wei Bin 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the loss of cell cohesion, with the histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and lysine demethylase 1A (KDM1A) playing critical roles in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind PV, focusing on the function of HDAC1 and KDM1A in disease onset and progression. Based on in vitro and in vivo PV models, we observed a significant increase in HDAC1 mRNA and protein levels in skin tissues of PV patients. Inhibition of HDAC1 ameliorated cell damage and reduced the loss of cell cohesion in human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) induced by PV-IgG. Our findings suggest that HDAC1 regulates KDM1A expression through deacetylation, with a notable deficiency in KDM1A expression in PV. Overexpression of KDM1A mitigated cell damage and cohesion loss. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway serves as a downstream executor of the HDAC1/KDM1A axis. Inhibiting HDAC1 and increasing KDM1A expression suppressed ERK phosphorylation, reducing PV-related apoptosis. These insights provide a new perspective on treating PV, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting HDAC1 expression. The regulatory mechanism of the HDAC1/KDM1A/ERK axis offers crucial clues for understanding PV pathogenesis and developing novel treatments.
A novel GFAP frameshift variant identified in a family with optico-retinal dysplasia and vision impairment
Authors: Sarusie Menachem V K , Rönnbäck Cecilia , Jespersgaard Cathrine , Baungaard Sif , Ali Yeasmeen , Kessel Line , Christensen Søren T , Brøndum-Nielsen Karen , Møllgård Kjeld , Rosenberg Thomas , Larsen Lars A , Grønskov Karen 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Gain-of-function variants in GFAP leads to protein aggregation and is the cause of the severe neurodegenerative disorder Alexander Disease (AxD), while loss of GFAP function has been considered benign. Here, we investigated a six-generation family, where multiple individuals presented with gliosis of the optic nerve head and visual impairment. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) revealed a frameshift variant in GFAP (c.928dup, p.(Met310Asnfs*113)) segregating with disease. Analysis of human embryonic tissues revealed strong expression of GFAP in retinal neural progenitors. A zebrafish model verified that c.928dup does not result in extensive GFAP protein aggregation and zebrafish gfap loss-of-function mutants showed vision impairment and retinal dysplasia, characterized by a significant loss of Müller glia cells and photoreceptor cells. Our findings show how different mutational mechanisms can cause diverging phenotypes and reveal a novel function of GFAP in vertebrate eye development.
Into the spongy-verse: structural differences between leaf and flower mesophyll
Authors: Schreel Jeroen D M , Théroux-Rancourt Guillaume , Diggle Pamela K , Brodersen Craig , Roddy Adam B 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
As the site of almost all terrestrial carbon fixation, the mesophyll tissue is critical to leaf function. However, mesophyll tissue is not restricted only to leaves but also occurs in the laminar, heterotrophic organs of the floral perianth, providing a powerful test of how metabolic differences are linked to differences in tissue structure. Here, we compared mesophyll tissues of leaves and flower perianths of six species using high-resolution X-ray computed microtomography (microCT) imaging. Consistent with previous studies, stomata were nearly absent from flowers, and flowers had a significantly lower vein density compared to leaves. However, mesophyll porosity was significantly higher in flowers than in leaves, and higher mesophyll porosity was associated with more aspherical mesophyll cells. Despite these differences in cell and tissue structure between leaf and flower mesophyll, modeled intercellular airspace conductance did not differ significantly between organs, regardless of differences in stomatal density between organs. These results suggest that in addition to differences between leaves and flowers in vein and stomatal densities, the mesophyll cells and tissues inside these organs also exhibit marked differences that may allow for flowers to be relatively cheaper in terms of biomass investment per unit of flower surface area.
Signed-network-based consensus control for nonlinear multi-agent systems: a dynamic encryption–decryption approach
Authors: Zheng Shaobo , Zhou Lei 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
This paper is concerned with the bipartite secure control issue for a class of discrete-time nonlinear multi-agent systems under a dynamic encryption–decryption approach. First, the coupling relationships between agents are portrayed through a signed graph topology containing the edges of positive and negative connection weights. Next, the information transmissions between agents and their neighbors are executed via a shared communication network. The dynamic encryption–decryption approach is implemented to transform original signals into ciphertexts. Under the assumption that the signed graph is structurally balanced, a signed-network-based bipartite secure controller is designed to achieve the desired state control for the nonlinear multi-agent system and sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence of the desired signed-network-based state controller. Furthermore, a precise definition of the minimum channel capacity is proposed to understand the factors affecting the minimum channel capacity. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated by two simulation examples.
Community pharmacists’ knowledge and practices towards antimicrobial stewardship: findings and implications
Authors: Mufwambi Webrod , Musuku Kunda , Hangoma Jimmy , Muzondo Ngoni Veddie , Mweetwa Larry , Mudenda Steward 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes have been implemented around the world to optimally manage antimicrobial use to attenuate antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study assessed the knowledge and practices of community pharmacists towards AMS strategies in the Lusaka District, Zambia.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted among 194 community pharmacists in the Lusaka district using a structured questionnaire from August 2022 to September 2022. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0.

Results
Of the 194 participants, 86% of the community pharmacists had good knowledge of AMS. The present study found that 83.5% were aware of AMS strategies used in community pharmacy practice. Further, 83.5% of the CPs were familiar with the goals of AMS and 89.2% believed that AMS was necessary for their pharmacy practice. Furthermore, 66.7% of the participants exhibited good practice towards the AMS strategies. Finally, 61.3% frequently avoided the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials that were not necessary.

Conclusions
According to the findings of this study, the majority of community pharmacists had good knowledge of the AMS strategies that were employed to combat AMR; nonetheless, some of them had poor practices. Therefore, there is a need for community pharmacists to have access to sufficient ongoing professional development programmes and educational activities through AMS programmes to address AMR.
Artificial Intelligence–based Software for Breast Arterial Calcification Detection on Mammograms
Authors: Watanabe Alyssa T , Dib Valerie , Wang Junhao , Mantey Richard , Daughton William , Chim Chi Yung , Eckel Gregory , Moss Caroline , Goel Vinay , Nerlekar Nitesh 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Objective
The performance of a commercially available artificial intelligence (AI)–based software that detects breast arterial calcifications (BACs) on mammograms is presented.

Methods
This retrospective study was exempt from IRB approval and adhered to the HIPAA regulations. Breast arterial calcification detection using AI was assessed in 253 patients who underwent 314 digital mammography (DM) examinations and 143 patients who underwent 277 digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) examinations between October 2004 and September 2022. Artificial intelligence performance for binary BAC detection was compared with ground truth (GT) determined by the majority consensus of breast imaging radiologists. Area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy, and BAC prevalence rates of the AI algorithm were compared.

Results
The case-level AUCs of AI were 0.96 (0.93-0.98) for DM and 0.95 (0.92-0.98) for DBT. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 87% (79%-93%), 92% (88%-96%), and 91% (87%-94%) for DM and 88% (80%-94%), 90% (84%-94%), and 89% (85%-92%) for DBT. Positive predictive value and NPV were 82% (72%-89%) and 95% (92%-97%) for DM and 84% (76%-90%) and 92% (88%-96%) for DBT, respectively. Results are 95% confidence intervals. Breast arterial calcification prevalence was similar for both AI and GT assessments.

Conclusion
Breast AI software for detection of BAC presence on mammograms showed promising performance for both DM and DBT examinations. Artificial intelligence has potential to aid radiologists in detection and reporting of BAC on mammograms, which is a known cardiovascular risk marker specific to women.
The uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate decreases osteocyte RANKL/OPG and increases Wnt inhibitor RNA expression that is reversed by PTH
Authors: Chen Neal X , O’Neill Kalisha D , Wilson Hannah E , Srinivasan Shruthi , Bonewald Lynda , Moe Sharon M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) leads to increased fractures, potentially due to underlying low bone turnover in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hypothesized that indoxyl sulfate (IS), a circulating toxin elevated in CKD and a ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), may target the osteocytes leading to bone cell uncoupling in ROD. The IDG-SW3 osteocytes were cultured for 14 days (early) and 35 days (mature osteocytes) and incubated with 500 μM of IS after dose finding studies to confirm AhR activation. Long-term incubation of IS for 14 days led to decreased expression of Tnfsf11/Tnfrsf11b ratio (RANKL/OPG), which would increase osteoclast activity, and increased expression of Wnt inhibitors Sost and Dkk1, which would decrease bone formation in addition to decreased mineralization and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. When osteocytes were incubated with IS and the AhR translocation inhibitor CH223191, mineralization and ALP activity were restored. However, the Tnfsf11/Tnfrsf11b ratio and Sost, Dkk1 expression were not altered compared with IS alone, suggesting more complex signaling. In both early and mature osteocytes, co-culture with parathyroid hormone (PTH) and IS reversed the IS-induced upregulation of Sost and Dkk1, and IS enhanced the PTH-induced increase of the Tnfsf11/Tnfrsf11b ratio. Co-culture of IS with PTH additively enhanced the AhR activity assessed by Cyp1a1 and Cyp1b1 expression. In summary, IS in the absence of PTH increased osteocyte messenger RNA (mRNA) Wnt inhibitor expression in both early and mature osteocytes, decreased mRNA expression ofTnfsf11/Tnfrsf11b ratio and decreased mineralization in early osteocytes. These changes would lead to decreased resorption and formation resulting in low bone remodeling. These data suggest IS may be important in the underlying low turnover bone disease observed in CKD when PTH is not elevated. In addition, when PTH is elevated, IS interacts to further increase Tnfsf11/Tnfrsf11b ratio for osteoclast activity in both early and mature osteocytes, which would worsen bone resorption.
Practice patterns for eosinophilic esophagitis vary widely among Canadian gastroenterologists: a nationwide survey
Authors: Fetz Andrew , Hemy Alexander R , Kim Hyun Jae , Moosavi Sarvee 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergic, type 2, immune-mediated condition of the oesophagus, resulting in dysmotility and oesophageal stricturing. This study aims to identify practice variation among Canadian gastroenterologists treating adults with EoE.

Methods
A cross-sectional, web-based survey was distributed to Canadian gastroenterologists through the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and administrations of Canadian universities.

Results
Seventy gastroenterologists completed the survey, with 59% working in academic practice or research. Overall, 90% of gastroenterologists require histological evidence of EoE to establish a diagnosis of EoE, while 50% require clinical symptoms of oesophageal dysfunction; 39% of gastroenterologists take less than 5 biopsies when assessing for EoE, with variability in biopsy location. Only 51% of respondents took biopsies in every case presenting with acute food bolus. Proton pump inhibitors
were the initial therapy of 70% of gastroenterologists, with 11% using topical steroids. The preferred dietary approach was the 6-food elimination diet in 36%, followed by the 2-food elimination diet in 26%. Overall, 27% of participants did not use histologic improvement and 63% did not use endoscopic improvement to evaluate treatment response. Use of EoE Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS) is low, with 56% being either unaware of what EREFS is or never using it. Most respondents feel Canadian guidelines would be helpful in their practice.

Conclusions
Eosinophilic esophagitis practice patterns among Canadian gastroenterologists are variable and differ from consensus guidelines. The development of Canadian guidelines and continuing medical education content can be considered to improve the management of EoE in Canada.
Treatment patterns for advanced therapies in Canadians with moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Targownik Laura , Afif Waqqas , Singh Sunny , Siffledeen Jesse , Ma Christopher , McHugh Kevin , Charbonneau Julie , Rioux Louis-Charles 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) show an inadequate response or experience a loss of response to advanced therapies. Guidelines recommend dose optimization and switching among therapies until an optimal treatment response is attained. With several advanced treatments available, we aimed to evaluate the persistence of different therapeutic sequences in IBD.
The RECORDED study was a retrospective cohort study of Canadians with moderate-to-severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) who had been exposed to more than 1 advanced therapy between May 2015 and April 2021 for UC, and May 2016 and April 2021 for CD. The primary endpoint was time to permanent discontinuation of the first advanced treatment.
Overall, 330 patients had CD and 344 had UC. The most common first-line treatments for CD and UC were adalimumab and infliximab, respectively. The median (95% CI) time to permanent discontinuation of first-line treatment was 12.3 (10.9, 13.6) months in patients with CD and 9.2 (8.2, 10.8) months for those with UC. The most common reason for treatment change across both diseases was lack of efficacy. First-line advanced treatments were optimized in 191 (58.1%) CD patients and 202 (59.1%) UC patients prior to permanent discontinuation. Second-line therapy was typically from a different class compared with the first-line treatment choice.
The RECORDED study provides insights into the real-world sequencing and optimization patterns of advanced treatments in patients with moderate-to-severe IBD in Canada. Lack of efficacy was the most cited reason for switching to a different therapy.
Opening the species box: what parsimonious microscopic models of speciation have to say about macroevolution
Authors: Couvert Élisa , Bienvenu François , Duchamps Jean-Jil , Erard Adélie , Miró Pina Verónica , Schertzer Emmanuel , Lambert Amaury 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
In the last two decades, lineage-based models of diversification, where species are viewed as particles that can divide (speciate) or die (become extinct) at rates depending on some evolving trait, have been very popular tools to study macroevolutionary processes. Here, we argue that this approach cannot be used to break down the inner workings of species diversification and that “opening the species box” is necessary to understand the causes of macroevolution, but that too detailed speciation models also fail to make robust macroevolutionary predictions. We set up a general framework for parsimonious models of speciation that rely on a minimal number of mechanistic principles: (a) reproductive isolation is caused by excessive dissimilarity between genotypes; (b) dissimilarity results from a balance between differentiation processes and homogenizing processes; and (c) dissimilarity can feed back on these processes by decelerating homogenization. We classify such models according to the main homogenizing process: (a) clonal evolution models (ecological drift), (b) models of genetic isolation (gene flow), and (c) models of isolation by distance (spatial drift). We review these models and their specific predictions on macroscopic variables such as species abundances, speciation rates, interfertility relationships, or phylogenetic tree structure. We propose new avenues of research by displaying conceptual questions remaining to be solved and new models to address them: the failure of speciation at secondary contact, the feedback of dissimilarity on homogenization, and the emergence in space of breeding barriers.
The joint evolution of separate sexes and sexual dimorphism
Authors: Lesaffre Thomas , Pannell John R , Mullon Charles 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Dioecious plants are frequently sexually dimorphic. Such dimorphism, which reflects responses to selection acting in opposite directions for male and female components of fitness, is commonly thought to emerge after separate sexes evolved from hermaphroditism. But associations between allocation to male and female function and traits under sexual conflict may well also develop in hermaphroditic ancestors. Here, we show that variation in sex allocation and a trait under sexual conflict inevitably generates an advantage to sexual specialization, fuelling the transition to dioecy. In the absence of constraints, this leads to the joint evolution of separate sexes and sexual dimorphism through the build-up of an association between sex allocation and the conflict trait, such that eventually the population consists of unisexuals expressing their sex-specific optima. We then investigate how such association might materialize genetically, either via recombination suppression or via sex-dependent expression, and show that the genetic architecture of sex allocation and the conflict trait readily evolves to produce the association favoured by selection. Finally and in agreement with previous theory, we demonstrate that limited dispersal and self-fertilization, which are pervasive ecological characteristics of flowering plants, can offset the advantage of sexual specialization generated by sexual conflict and thus maintain hermaphroditism. Taken together, our results indicate that advantages to sexual specialization are inevitable when there is conflict between sexual functions in hermaphrodites, but these advantages can be counterbalanced by ecological benefits of hermaphroditism.
Agroecological importance of smooth brome in managing wheat stem sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) via associated braconid parasitoids
Authors: Strand Jackson R , Peterson Robert K D , Sterling Tracy M , Weaver David K 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Wheat stem sawfly (WSS), Cephus cinctus Norton (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), is a major pest of cereal crops throughout the Northern Great Plains of North America. Native parasitoids, Bracon cephi (Gahan) and B. lissogaster Muesebeck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), play a key role in suppressing WSS populations and limiting associated damage. Smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) serves as a potential trap reservoir for WSS when grown in areas surrounding wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields in Montana. Its unique biology allows it to support high WSS infestation while promoting significant larval mortality throughout the growing season. Late-season WSS survivors can then serve as hosts for WSS parasitoids. Our study investigated smooth brome as a host refuge for WSS parasitoids. We measured WSS larval infestation and survival rate inside smooth brome grown within WSS-inclusion cages, finding a maximum infestation of 66.5% and an end-of-year WSS survival of 5.7%. In addition, we collected stems from sites in central and north-central Montana to measure the WSS infestation and parasitoid prevalence in wheat and adjacent smooth brome. WSS infestation was high in both Big Sandy (64.5% smooth brome, 65.7% adjacent wheat) and Moccasin, MT (50.6%, 38.6%). Year-end WSS larval mortality was 43.6% greater in smooth brome compared to adjacent wheat at both field sites, but both hosted similar numbers of WSS parasitoids. This research underscores the importance of smooth brome in providing a sustainable host refuge for WSS parasitoids and highlights its significant role in supporting the economics of wheat cultivation.
Absence of heterosis for hypoxia tolerance in F1 hybrids of Tigriopus californicus
Authors: Deconinck Aimee , Madalone Olivia F , Willett Christopher S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Hybridization produces a range of outcomes from advantageous to disadvantageous, and a goal of genetic research is to understand the gene interactions that generate these outcomes. Interactions between cytoplasmic elements, such as mitochondria, and the nucleus may be particularly vulnerable to accruing disadvantageous combinations as a result of their different rates of evolution. Consequently, mitonuclear incompatibilities may play an important role in hybrid outcomes even if their negative impacts could be masked for some fitness measures by heterosis in first-generation (F1) hybrids. We used Tigriopus californicus, a model system for mitonuclear incompatibilities that is also known for exhibiting heterosis in the F1 generation and outbreeding depression in later generations, to test whether heterosis or outbreeding depression would occur when mitonuclear mismatch was paired with a stress that heavily impacts mitochondrial processes—specifically, hypoxia. We generated 284 parental and 436 F1 hybrids from four population crosses (720 total) and compared parental and F1 populations for hypoxia tolerance. We observed that, on average, F1 hybrids were less likely to survive a hypoxia stress test than parental populations, although we did not detect a statistically significant trend (P = 0.246 to 0.614). This suggests that hypoxia may be a particularly intense stressor for mitonuclear coordination and hybridization outcomes vary by trait.