bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative transcriptomic analysis provides novel insights into mescaline biosynthesis by Lophophora williamsii
Authors: Hwang Eun‐Mi , Jeong Kyu‐Sik , Yoo Seong Yeon , Kim Jihyun , Choe Sanggil , Kim Joo‐Young 
Published: November 2024

AbstractLophophora williamsii, known for mescaline synthesis, has raised legal and ethical considerations. However, L. williamsii specimens that do not contain mescaline have been recently identified, necessitating the development of techniques to differentiate between mescaline‐positive and mescaline‐negative groups. Genetic markers have been explored to differentiate these specimens, complementing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Here, we used a single‐molecule real‐time polymerase chain reaction to generate a full‐length L. williamsii transcriptome and elucidate the mechanisms underlying mescaline biosynthesis. In total, 2,839,819 base pairs of highly accurate long reads were obtained using PacBio Iso‐Seq and 70,945 unigenes were obtained through transcriptome sequencing. Known genes involved in the mescaline biosynthetic pathway were confirmed in the L. williamsii transcriptome, including 6 genes encoding tyrosine decarboxylases, 1 encoding tyrosine/DOPA decarboxylase, 215 encoding O‐methyltransferases, and 129 encoding hydroxylases. Gene Ontology analysis revealed 2903 biological processes, 695 cellular components, and 1766 molecular functions. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed two biosynthetic pathways, namely, phenylpropanoid and isoquinoline biosynthesis, associated with mescaline biosynthesis. To investigate genetic differences based on the presence of mescaline, Illumina Nova sequencing was conducted. The expression levels of genes involved in mescaline biosynthesis were compared to establish a candidate gene pool based on the presence of mescaline. Subsequently, functional annotation was performed on the identified candidate genes using a genetic database derived from PacBio sequencing. These findings underscore the need for a re‐evaluation of forensic methods and legal regulations concerning newly identified L. williamsii specimens.
Clinicopathological Characteristics of Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Si Xiaoyan , Wu Shafei , Feng Ruie , Wang Mengzhao , Wang Hanping , Zhang Xiaotong , Zhang Li , Xu Kaifeng 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundInflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare intermediate‐grade neoplasm. It presents a great challenge in diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to identify the clinicopathological characteristics of IMT.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted, enrolling patients with IMT at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2013 to October 2023. Clinical information, treatments, and efficacy were analyzed.ResultsA total of 72 patients were enrolled, including 38 men and 34 women, with a median age of 46.5 years. The most common primary site included the lung (n = 15, 20.8%), intestinal tract (n = 8, 11.1%), abdominal cavity (n = 7, 9.7%), and nasal sinus (n = 5, 6.9%). Thirty patients harbored anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion genes; Sixty‐five (90.3%) patients underwent surgical resection, and 11 of them had postoperative recurrence. Thirty patients received systemic therapy, including nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (n = 1), steroids (n = 5), chemotherapy (n = 7), targeted therapy (n = 2), and immune checkpoint inhibitor (n = 1).ConclusionsThe most common site of IMT is the lung. Surgery is the main treatment for IMT, and postoperative adjuvant therapy for ALK‐positive patients needs to be focused. The molecular testing is essential for all patients diagnosed with IMTs. Systemic treatment needs further research.
Leadership ability: Labor market outcomes, organizational benefits, and talent management in the auditing profession
Authors: Dong Ting , Kallunki Juha‐Pekka , Nilsson Henrik , Vanstraelen Ann 
Published: November 2024

AbstractLeadership is considered a core competency for auditors. This study examines how auditors' leadership ability affects their labor market outcomes and audit firm performance. Using Swedish military data on qualified auditors (CPAs), we first show that auditors' leadership ability, measured at around age 18, is a strong predictor of their income and career success. However, our results also suggest that the audit labor market compensates for auditors' leadership ability at a much later stage than the general labor market. Second, we examine whether the value of leadership ability derives from higher‐quality auditing, commercial performance, or both. We find strong evidence that leadership ability enhances auditors' commercial performance and some evidence on leadership ability being associated with higher audit quality. Third, at the audit firm level, we find that auditors' leadership ability significantly benefits audit firm performance measured as client portfolio size and audit firm profitability. Finally, we investigate leadership talent attraction and retention in the auditing profession. We find that the auditing profession attracts better leadership talent than the general labor market. Although nearly a quarter of CPAs leave the profession over the sample period, there is no significant difference in leadership ability between those who stay and those who leave. Overall, our results have important practical implications for audit firms' talent management.
Long‐term exposure to excessive norepinephrine in the brain induces tau aggregation, neuronal death, and cognitive deficits in early tau transgenic mice
Authors: Jeong June‐Hyun , Kim Dong Kyu , Chung Sunwoo , Han Jong Won , Han Jihui , Mook‐Jung Inhee 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by the presence of intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which are primarily composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The locus coeruleus (LC), the brain's main source of norepinephrine (NE), is one of the earliest regions to develop NFTs and experience neurodegeneration in AD. While LC‐derived NE plays beneficial roles in cognition, emotion, locomotion, and the sleep–wake cycle, its impact on tau pathology is unclear. To explore this relationship, we administered intraperitoneal injections of either N‐(2‐chloroethyl)‐N‐ethyl‐2‐bromobenzylamine (DSP4), a selective neurotoxin for noradrenergic neurons, or reboxetine (RBX), a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, to decrease or increase NE levels, respectively, in early tau transgenic mice expressing mutant human P301L tau (ADLPTau) for two months. Only the RBX‐treated mice exhibited cognitive deficits, as evidenced by their performance in the Y‐maze, novel object recognition, and contextual fear conditioning tests. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates in the LC and hippocampus of the RBX‐treated mice. Furthermore, neuronal apoptosis was observed in the hippocampal CA1 region of these mice. Western blotting showed that RBX injections led to the overactivation of tau kinases PKA and GSK3β, resulting in hyperphosphorylated tau, neuronal loss, and cognitive impairments. Consistent with these findings, human brain organoids exposed to higher NE concentrations also displayed elevated hyperphosphorylated tau and increased activity of the same tau kinases. These findings suggest that excessive NE exposure accelerates tau pathology by overactivating the tau kinases. Thus, modulating NE levels in the brain via the LC‐NE system could be a potential therapeutic strategy for tau‐related AD.
Phosphatidylethanol measures in patients with severe COVID‐19‐associated respiratory failure identify a subset with alcohol misuse
Authors: Pomponio Raymond , Peterson Ryan A. , Owusu Moses , Slaughter Suzanne , Melgar Stephanie , Jolley Sarah E. , Burnham Ellen L. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundClinical trials in patients with COVID‐19 have exclusively used self‐ or proxy‐reporting to characterize alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to measure an objective biomarker of recent alcohol use in patients hospitalized with severe COVID‐19‐associated respiratory failure who were enrolled in an investigational clinical trial to determine the prevalence of alcohol misuse, and to explore the relationship of alcohol use with outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a substudy of patients enrolled in the multicenter, phase 2, adaptive platform design, Investigation of Serial Studies to Predict Your Therapeutic Response with Imaging And molecular Analysis in COVID‐19 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04488081), conducted at 20 hospital systems across the United States. Three hundred and fifty‐five patients with available red blood cell (RBC) samples and 60‐day follow‐up assessments were included. RBCs were utilized to measure phosphatidylethanol (PEth). Prespecified thresholds of PEth were utilized to stratify patients into groups: low/no alcohol use (PEth < 20 ng/mL), significant alcohol use (PEth 20–200 ng/mL), and heavy alcohol use (PEth ≥ 200 ng/mL).ResultsIn this cohort, 17% of patients met criteria for significant alcohol use, while 4% met criteria for heavy alcohol use. Alcohol misuse was associated with diminished odds for home discharge, though this finding did not achieve statistical significance.ConclusionsIn a cohort of patients with severe COVID‐19 enrolled in a clinical trial, alcohol consumption of two or more standard drinks per day was present among 21%, approximating the proportion of patients with diabetes, and raising the possibility that alcohol consumption alters risk for severe viral pneumonia. Undetected alcohol misuse among clinical trial participants has the potential to influence study outcomes or contribute to adverse events.
Articulations and Erasures of the Black Sense of Place in Colombia
Authors: Mosquera‐Vallejo Ylver 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis analysis focuses on the sitios, vegas, and rozas which have historically shaped the spatial categories of the Black populations in southwestern Colombia. These locations represent a vernacular geographical language through which Black communities have constituted and imagined their Black worlds. In contrast, the haciendas or cattle ranches have played a role in spatialising the coloniality of power. In this paper, I analyse ethnographically, on the one hand, how sitios, vegas, and rozas have historically articulated Black spatial imaginaries and practices in southwestern Colombia. On the other hand, the haciendas have implied the erasure of Black spatial experiences. Based on the concept of a Black sense of place and establishing theoretical bridges between the decolonial and ontological turn, I argue that, through the geographical principles of location, distribution, and relation, the Black populations enact inside practices that assemble, choreograph, and define their sense of place. I also argue that the Black sense of place has been erased in the area of study, through spatial tactics, such as dispossession, invisibility, and terror.
Limited sampling approach for model‐informed precision dosing of daptomycin to rapidly achieving the target area under the concentration‐time curve: A simulation study
Authors: Yamada Tomoyuki , Oda Kazutaka , Nishihara Masami , Ashida Akira 
Published: November 2024

AbstractDaptomycin, an anti‐methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus drug, causes exposure‐dependent muscle toxicity and eosinophilic pneumonia. Although the area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC)‐guided dosing is crucial, an optimal blood sampling strategy is lacking. This study aimed to identify an optimal limited sampling strategy using Bayesian forecasting to rapidly achieve the target AUC. Two validated population pharmacokinetic models generated a virtual population of 1000 individuals (models 1 and 2 represent diverse patients and kidney transplant recipients, respectively). The AUC for each blood sample was assessed using the probability of achieving the estimated/reference AUC ratio on the second day (AUC24–48) and at the steady state (AUCss). In Model 1, Bayesian posterior probabilities for AUC24–48 increased from 50.7% (a priori) to 59.4% and for AUCss from 48.9% (a priori) to 61.9%, with one‐point Ctrough sampling at 24 h. With two‐point sampling at 7 and 24 h, the probabilities increased to 73.8% for AUC24–48 and 69.7% for AUCss. In Model 2, the probabilities for both AUC24–48 and AUCss with one‐point Ctrough or two‐point sampling incorporating Ctrough sampling increased compared to a priori probabilities. These results suggest that two‐point sampling incorporating Ctrough during initial dosing enhanced achieving the target AUC24–48 and AUCss rapidly.
Autoimmune screening panel in patients with multiple sclerosis: A Vienna multiple sclerosis database study
Authors: Föttinger Fabian , Krajnc Nik , Riedl Katharina , Leutmezer Fritz , Ponleitner Markus , Rommer Paulus , Kornek Barbara , Macher Stefan , Schmied Christiane , Zebenholzer Karin , Zulehner Gudrun , Zrzavy Tobias , Berger Thomas , Bsteh Gabriel 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackground and purposeAutoimmune screening panels (ASPs) are often ordered as a part of the diagnostic workup in people with suspected multiple sclerosis (MS). However, data on the significance of ASP seropositivity in MS are scarce. This study aimed to investigate whether routine implementation of ASPs is viable in MS diagnostic workup.MethodsIn this retrospective study, we included patients from the Vienna Multiple Sclerosis Database who were diagnosed with MS according to current McDonald criteria between 2014 and 2021 and had an ASP performed.ResultsWe analyzed 212 patients (mean age at serology = 30.4 [SD = 8.5] years, 67% female). Red flag symptoms for presence of systemic autoimmune disease were reported by 5.6% of patients during initial evaluation (sicca syndrome [n = 5], joint pain [n = 4], dermatitis [n = 4]). Complement levels (C3c and C4) were below the lower reference level in 26 of 134 (19.4%) and three of 134 (2.2%), respectively. Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) were positive in 24 of 210 (11.4%), with 18 (8.6%), five (2.4%), and one (0.5%) having mildly, moderately, and strongly positive ANA titers. Extractable nuclear antibody subsets were positive in 10 of 211 (4.7%) patients. ASPs led to the diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease (n = 1), psoriatic arthritis (n = 1), and Sjögren syndrome (n = 2; positive predictive value [PPV] = 4.9%, negative predictive value [NPV] = 99.3%). Among patients presenting with red flag symptoms, ASPs had better overall test performance (PPV = 100%, NPV = 88.9%).ConclusionsThe rate of ASP seropositivity in MS is low and within the range of the general population. Performance of ASPs without clinical suspicion of systemic autoimmune disease seems unwarranted.
Quantitative muscle MRI combined with AI‐based segmentation as a follow‐up biomarker for ATTRv patients: A longitudinal pilot study
Authors: Fortanier Etienne , Michel Constance P. , Hostin Marc Adrien , Delmont Emilien , Verschueren Annie , Guye Maxime , Bellemare Marc‐Emmanuel , Bendahan David , Attarian Shahram 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesIntramuscular fat fraction (FF), assessed using quantitative MRI (qMRI), has emerged as a promising biomarker for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) patients. Currently, the main drawbacks to its use in future therapeutic trials are its sensitivity to change over a short period of time and the time‐consuming manual segmentation step to extract quantitative data. This pilot study aimed to demonstrate the suitability of an Artificial Intelligence‐based (AI) segmentation technique to assess disease progression in a real‐life cohort of ATTRv patients over 1 year.MethodsFifteen ATTRv patients were included in this monocentric, observational, prospective study. FF, magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), and quantitative T2 were extracted from patients' lower limb qMRI at two time points, 1 year apart, at thigh and leg levels. qMRI parameters were correlated with clinical and electrophysiological parameters assessed at the same time.ResultsGlobal FF at leg level significantly progressed over 1 year: +1.28 ± 2.62% (p = 0.017). At thigh level, no significant change in global FF, MTR, or T2 was measured. The leg FF was strongly correlated with the main clinical and electrophysiological scores.ConclusionAI‐based CNN network segmentation combined with qMRI can be used to obtain quantitative metrics for longitudinal studies in ATTRv patients. Global FF at the leg level seems to be the most sensitive MRI biomarker to track disease progression in a 1‐year period. Larger studies with treatment‐specific groups will now be necessary to determine the place of qMRI markers compared to the current clinical and electrophysiological scores.
Enriched class II HLA inherence in patients with checkpoint inhibitor‐associated bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Gandarillas Sophia , Berger Adam , Stephenson Ryan , Mehregan Darius , Dasgeb Bahar 
Published: November 2024

AbstractMelanoma, with increasing annual incidence worldwide, is one of the deadliest cutaneous malignancies often treated with immunotherapy, which has led to commonly encountered immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) including bullous pemphigoid (BP). The relation between an individual's HLA inheritance and risk in development of BP is well studied. The development of BP as an irAE in melanoma patients receiving immunotherapy is also well reported and considered to be related to the expression of BP180 in malignant melanoma. In presented work, the association of enriched presence of certain HLA alleles and haplotypes that increase risk of developing BP as an irAE has been investigated in seven cutaneous cancer patients who presented with immunotherapy‐associated BP, diagnosed by skin biopsy and positive serology for anti‐BP 180 autoantibody. Their HLA typing revealed an enriched presence of certain BP‐related HLA alleles, and haplotypes, particularly HLA‐DQB1*03:01, which was present in all seven patients, whilst its occurrence in the general population is very low. Additionally, some patients had more than one and in a few patients had the whole haplotype of BP related HLA. Not only can such enriched presence be considered a role in risk stratification to initiate or continue immunotherapy, but it may shed a light to existing disease genotypes that can become unmasked to phenotypic clinically presenting BP due to immunotherapy rather than just a random AE.
Polyamines: The valuable bio‐stimulants and endogenous signaling molecules for plant development and stress response
Authors: Liu Taibo , Qu Jing , Fang Yinyin , Yang Haishan , Lai Wenting , Pan Luyi , Liu Ji‐Hong 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTPolyamines (PAs) are nitrogenous and polycationic compounds containing more than two amine residues. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that cellular PA homeostasis plays a key role in various developmental and physiological processes. The PA balance, which may be affected by many environmental factors, is finely maintained by the pathways of PA biosynthesis and degradation (catabolism). In this review, the advances in PA transport and distribution and their roles in plants were summarized and discussed. In addition, the interplay between PAs and phytohormones, NO, and H2O2 were detailed during plant growth, senescence, fruit repining, as well as response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Moreover, it was elucidated how environmental signals such as light, temperature, and humidity modulate PA accumulation during plant development. Notably, PA has been shown to exert a potential role in shaping the domestication of rice. The present review comprehensively summarizes these latest advances, highlighting the importance of PAs as endogenous signaling molecules in plants, and as well proposes future perspectives on PA research.
Scanning transmission electron tomography to study virus assembly: Review for the retirement of Paul Walther
Authors: Wieczorek Susanne , Krijnse Locker Jacomina 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn this short and popular review, we summarise some of our findings analysing the replication cycles of large DNA viruses using scanning transmission electron tomography (STEM tomography) that we applied in the laboratory of Paul Walther. It is also a tribute to a very kind and expert scientist, who recently retired. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in particular cryo‐EM, has benefited tremendously from recent developments in instrumentation. However, TEM imaging remains limited by the thickness of the specimen and classical thin‐section TEM typically generates 2D representations of 3D volumes. Although TEM tomography can partly overcome this limitation, the thickness of the sample, the volume that can be analysed in 3D, remains limiting. STEM tomography can partly overcome this problem, as it allows for the analysis of thicker samples, up to 1 µm in thickness. As such, it is an interesting imaging technique to analyse large DNA viruses, some of which measure 1 µm or more, and which is the focus of our research interest.
Reporting of Search Strategy Among Systematic Reviews in Leading Dental Specialty Journals: A Research‐On‐Research Study
Authors: Li Jiayi , Yu Xueqian , Gao Lingyue , Xin Lijing , Wang Yan , Guo Feiyang , Hua Fang 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundLiterature searching is one of the main determinants of a systematic review (SR)'s reliability. Thus, adequate reporting of search strategy is essential for the critical appraisal of SRs and evidence‐based practice.ObjectivesTo assess the reporting quality of search strategy among SRs in leading dental specialty journals, and to identify factors associated with quality of reporting.Materials and MethodsSix leading dental journals with the highest 5‐year impact factors in their respective specialty were included. A hand search was undertaken to identify SRs published between 2017 and 2022. Full texts were reviewed by two authors to identify eligible SRs. Reporting quality was assessed and scored using a modified 15‐item checklist based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses literature search extension (PRISMA‐S). Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were then performed.Settings and Sample populationA total of 152 reviews were included and assessed.ResultsAs for information sources, only ‘citation searching’ was adequately reported in most reviews 110 (72.4%). Only 23 (15.1%) of the included reviews clearly reported search strategies. Information about peer review was provided in only 10 reviews (6.6%). Only 91 (59.9%) of the included reviews documented the total records clearly. According to multivariable regression analysis, industrial funding (p = 0.012), registration (p = 0.013) and librarian involvement (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with higher reporting quality.ConclusionsThe reporting quality of search strategy among SRs in leading dental specialty journals is suboptimal. Researchers, librarians, reviewers and journal editors in dentistry need to be familiar with the PRISMA‐S checklist, and make concerted efforts to improve the reporting of search strategy in SRs.