bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) expressing cells in the zona incerta/lateral hypothalamus augment behavioural arousal
Authors: Richards Brandon K. , Ch'ng Sarah S. , Simon Ariel B. , Pang Terence Y. , Kim Jee Hyun , Lawrence Andrew J. , Perry Christina J. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractFear‐related psychopathologies, such as post‐traumatic stress disorder, are linked to dysfunction in neural circuits that govern fear memory and arousal. The lateral hypothalamus (LH) and zona incerta (ZI) regulate fear, but our understanding of the precise neural circuits and cell types involved remains limited. Here, we examined the role of relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) expressing cells in the LH/ZI in conditioned fear expression and general arousal in male RXFP3‐Cre mice. We found that LH/ZI RXFP3+ (LH/ZIRXFP3) cells projected strongly to fear learning, stress, and arousal centres, notably, the periaqueductal grey, lateral habenula, and nucleus reuniens. These cells do not express hypocretin/orexin or melanin‐concentrating hormone but display putative efferent connectivity with LH hypocretin/orexin+ neurons and dopaminergic A13 cells. Following Pavlovian fear conditioning, chemogenetically activating LH/ZIRXFP3 cells reduced fear expression (freezing) overall but also induced jumping behaviour and increased locomotor activity. Therefore, the decreased freezing was more likely to reflect enhanced arousal rather than reduced fear. Indeed, stimulating these cells produced distinct patterns of coactivation between several motor, stress, and arousal regions, as measured by Fos expression. These results suggest that activating LH/ZIRXFP3 cells generates brain‐wide activation patterns that augment behavioural arousal.
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In Vivo Cross‐Linking Sheds Light on the Salmonella Divisome in Which PBP3 and PBP3SAL Compete for Occupancy
Authors: Castanheira Sónia , López‐Escarpa David , Paradela Alberto , García‐del Portillo Francisco 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTBacterial cell division is orchestrated by proteins that assemble in dynamic complexes collectively known as the divisome. Essential monofunctional enzymes with glycosyltransferase or transpeptidase (TPase) activities, FtsW and FtsI respectively, engage in the synthesis of septal peptidoglycan (sPG). Enigmatically, Salmonella has two TPases that can promote cell division independently: FtsI (PBP3) and the pathogen‐specific paralogue PBP3SAL. How Salmonella regulates the assembly of the sPG synthase complex with these two TPases, is unknown. Here, we characterized Salmonella division complexes in wild‐type cells and isogenic mutants lacking PBP3 or PBP3SAL. The complexes were cross‐linked in vivo and pulled down with antibodies recognizing each enzyme. Proteomics of the immunoprecipitates showed that PBP3 and PBP3SAL do not extensively cross‐link in wild type cells, supporting the presence of independent complexes. More than 40 proteins cross‐link in complexes in which these two TPases are present. Those identified with high scores include FtsA, FtsK, FtsQLB, FtsW, PBP1B, SPOR domain‐containing proteins (FtsN, DedD, RlpA, DamX), amidase activators (FtsX, EnvC, NlpD) and Tol‐Pal proteins. Other cross‐linked proteins are the protease Prc, the elongasome TPase PBP2 and, D,D‐endo‐ and D,D‐carboxypeptidases. PBP3 and PBP3SAL localize at midcell and compete for occupying the division complex in response to environmental cues. Thus, a catalytic‐dead PBP3SAL‐S300A variant impairs cell division in a high osmolarity and acidic condition in which it is produced at levels exceeding those of PBP3. Salmonella may therefore exploit an ‘adjustable’ divisome to exchange TPases for ensuring cell division in distinct environments and, in this manner, expand its colonization capacities.
Observations on Deraniyagala's beaked whale (Mesoplodon hotaula) in the South China Sea based on the first confirmed live sightings
Authors: Liu Mingming , Lin Wenzhi , Liu Binshuai , Chen Shenglan , Lin Mingli , Dong Lijun , Kang Hui , Ouyang Mingyue , Yang Zixin , Huang Xiaoyu , Rosso Massimiliano , Pusser L. Todd , Wang John Y. , Pitman Robert L. , Li Songhai 
Published: September 2024

AbstractDeraniyagala's beaked whale, Mesoplodon hotaula, was previously known from eight published strandings and no confirmed live sightings, making it one of the least‐known cetaceans. We conducted six cetacean survey cruises in the South China Sea between 2019 and 2023, and during 120 sea‐days we recorded 12 sightings of unidentified Mesoplodon. From biopsy samples and acoustic recordings, five sightings were subsequently confirmed as M. hotaula. Using photographs, we provide the first field descriptions and observations of this species. The calf/juvenile has a distinctive facial coloration and dorsal striping pattern that appear to be diagnostic among Indo‐Pacific Mesoplodon; among adult males, the dark rostrum of M. hotaula and the distinctively white‐tipped beak of ginkgo‐toothed beaked whale, M. ginkgodens, distinguish these similar‐looking, partially sympatric species. Mean group size was small (3.0, n = 5), with a preference for deep (2,156 m, n = 5), warm (30.3°C, n = 3) water. We update the known distribution of this species, present evidence of fishery interactions, and document the first reported mixed‐species Mesoplodon group: a juvenile Blainville's beaked whale M. densirostris associated with four M. hotaula. These sightings identify the South China Sea as a potentially important area for this almost completely unknown species.
Introduction to the Diagnostics in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry issue
Authors: Kinane Denis F. , Bornstein Michael M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractChronic inflammatory periodontal disease and its related condition, peri‐implant disease, are highly prevalent globally and require accurate and speedy diagnosis. The focus of this volume dedicated to diagnostics is to cover modern enhancements in accuracy, simplicity and speed. An international assortment of experts has been tasked with reviewing defined areas of current best practice as well innovation in the field of periodontitis and peri‐implantitis diagnostics. Periodontitis and peri‐implantitis are irreversible, chronic, cumulative conditions propagated by bacteria and host factors, which involve soft and hard tissue changes, and these changes are measured in the diagnostic process. Clinically relevant modifications to the healthy state are detected using clinical, radiological and laboratory or point of care testing, and these testing approaches are critically reviewed at length in this state‐of‐the‐art resume of periodontal diagnostics.
Trends and challenges in liquid‐preserved boar semen production: From boar to product
Authors: Schulze Martin , Henneberg Sophie , Riedel Anine , Hensel Britta 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBoar semen production plays a pivotal role in modern swine breeding programmes, influencing the genetic progress and overall efficiency of the pork industry. This review explores the current challenges and emerging trends in liquid‐preserved boar semen production, addressing key issues that impact the quality and quantity of boar semen. Advances in new reproductive technologies, boar selection, housing, semen processing, storage and transport, and the need for sustainable practices including the use of artificial intelligence are discussed to provide a comprehensive overview of the field.
Towards an improved understanding of Ca–Mg carbonates with nonplanar surfaces: An experimental approach
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Fan , Mueller Mathias , Hoffmann René , Riechelmann Sylvia , Chakraborty Sumit , Kaczmarek Stephen E. , Beyer Christopher , Immenhauser Adrian 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTSaddle dolomite is a Ca–Mg carbonate characterized by curved crystal faces, curved cleavage and sweeping extinction under cross‐polarized light. Saddle dolomite and, generally, Ca–Mg carbonates with curved crystal faces, are often assigned to the burial (hydrothermal) realm and serve as proxy archives for hydrogeochemical processes in sedimentary basins and orogens. At present, the physicochemical conditions leading to the formation of these peculiar warped carbonates are unclear, and the mechanisms inducing the curvature of their crystal lattice are debated. This study uses laboratory experiments to assess the factors controlling the formation of carbonates with curved crystal faces as a function of fluid temperature, reactant size, fluid salinity and fluid Mg : Ca. Results show that a range of magnesium calcites with curved surfaces form at elevated temperatures (ca 220°C) from calcium‐rich fluids (Mg : Ca = 0.43) within a wide range of fluid salinities (5 to 40 wt.%). Magnesium calcites that nucleate epitaxially on rhombohedral or saddle dolomite substrates exhibit warped surfaces, while those that nucleate on calcite seeds form flat surfaces. Although the two crystal habits can co‐occur, Mg‐calcites with curved crystal faces (Mg : Ca of 0.35 to 0.40) tend to be more calcium‐rich than those with flat faces (Mg : Ca of 0.58 to 0.74). In experiments with higher fluid temperature (230°C), calcite reactants undergo replacement by dolomite exhibiting planar crystal faces. The results collectively indicate that the formation of Ca–Mg carbonates with warped surfaces is likely related to a combination of geochemical and physical parameters and various threshold limits, as opposed to one specific parameter, for example, elevated fluid temperature, as is commonly reported in the literature. Although most of the present experimental precipitates are disordered magnesian calcites with bent crystal faces, it is reasonable, at the level of a tentative working hypothesis, that these represent precursors of many ancient saddle dolomites commonly found in burial settings.
RETRACTED: Diagnostic value for methylation in cervical cancer based on a small‐molecule fluorescent probe targeting DNMT1
Authors: Yang Baohua , Xu Chao , Li Hang , Zhu Xiuxiang , Xia Ziyin , Xu Ling , Zhang Qian 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundValue analysis of a small‐molecule fluorescent probe for methylation detection in different cervical lesions.Materials and Methods(1) The grayscale values of distinct lesion tissues were remarkably distinct among the four groups (p < 0.05). The comparison of the grayscale value between the two groups showed that the CA group noticeably exceeded the LSIL and cervicitis groups, and the HSIL group was apparently higher than the LSIL and cervicitis groups (p < 0.05); (2) The mean grayscale values of the enrolled subjects were calculated with 55.21 as the midline, with >55.21 as positive and ≤55.21 as negative.ResultsThe results showed that the positive rate of the cervicitis group was 0.00%, the LSIL group 67.74%, the HSIL group 83.33%, and the CA group 100.00%. The results among the four groups were notably distinct (p < 0.05); (3) The comparison among DAPI, probe, bright, and merged images of cervicitis, LSIL, HSIL, and CA indicated that different cervical lesions were with quite various stains.ConclusionThe grayscale value, positive rate, and stained picture of distinct cervical lesions were remarkably different. The small‐molecule fluorescent probe has a good value in differentiating cervical lesions and can be considered for popularization and application.
Association between experienced stigma, anxiety, depression and loneliness among people with drug‐resistant tuberculosis in Lagos Nigeria: The moderating role of social support
Authors: Adejumo Olusola Adedeji , Haffejee Firoza , Jinabhai Champaklal , Daniel Olusoji 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundThis study assessed the moderating effect of social support on the association between experienced stigma versus anxiety, depression and loneliness among people with drug‐resistant tuberculosis.MethodsA descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted among 203 adults on treatment for drug‐resistant tuberculosis for at least 8 weeks. Validated scales were used to assess experienced stigma, anxiety, depression, loneliness and social support. Partial correlations and hierarchical multiple regression were used to determine the moderating effect of social support on the association between experienced stigma versus anxiety, depression and loneliness. The interaction was visualised using slope analysis.ResultsAnxiety, loneliness and depression were reported by 148 (72.9%), 114 (56.2%) and 128 (63.1%) of the 203 participants, respectively. Experienced stigma was positively associated with depression (B = 0.428, p < 0.001), anxiety (B = 0.374, p < 0.001) and loneliness (B = 0.285, p = 0.001). Social support was negatively associated with depression (B = −0.255, p < 0.001), anxiety (B = −0.406, p < 0.001) and loneliness (B = −0.270, p = 0.001). The impact of experienced stigma on depression was different at low (B = 0.567, SE = 0.115, p < 0.001) and high (B = 0.275, SE = 0.253, p = 0.024) groups of social support. Similarly, at low social support, the effect of experienced stigma on loneliness (B = 0.491, SE = 0.250, p < 0.001) and anxiety (B = 0.254, SE = 0.060, p = 0.044) was different compared to the effect of experienced stigma on loneliness (B = 0.275, SE = 0.253, p = 0.024) and anxiety (B = 0.127, SE = 0.094, p = 0.307) at high group of social support.ConclusionIn this study, social support reduced the effects of experienced stigma on anxiety, depression and loneliness suggesting that improving social support among people with drug‐resistant tuberculosis is crucial in reducing the negative effects of stigma on anxiety, depression and loneliness.
On the intersection form of fillings
Authors: Zhou Zhengyi 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe prove, by an ad hoc method, that exact fillings with vanishing rational first Chern class of flexibly fillable contact manifolds have unique integral intersection forms. We appeal to the special Reeb dynamics (stronger than ADC in [Lazarev, Geom. Funct. Anal. 30 (2020), no. 1, 188–254]) on the contact boundary, while a more systematic approach working for general ADC manifolds is developed independently by Eliashberg, Ganatra and Lazarev. We also discuss cases where the vanishing rational first Chern class assumption can be removed. We derive the uniqueness of diffeomorphism types of exact fillings of certain flexibly fillable contact manifolds and obstructions to contact embeddings, which are not necessarily exact.
The impact of acute blood‐flow‐restriction resistance exercise on somatosensory‐evoked potentials in healthy adults
Authors: Maudrich Tom , Degener Sebastian , Ragert Patrick , Kenville Rouven 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBlood‐flow‐restriction exercise (BFREX) is an emerging method to stimulate hypertrophy and strength without the need for high training loads. However, the impact of BFREX concerning somatosensory processing remains elusive. Here, we aimed to investigate the acute effects of BFREX on somatosensory processing in healthy adults using somatosensory‐evoked potentials (SEPs). Twelve healthy adults (23.0 ± 3.2 years of age) participated in a randomized crossover experiment, consisting of three experimental conditions: application of blood‐flow restriction without resistance exercise (BFR), resistance exercise for multiple sets with blood‐flow restriction (BFREX) and traditional resistance exercise (unilateral biceps curls) for multiple sets without BFR (EX). SEP measurements were recorded bilaterally before, during and after each condition. SEP amplitudes were largely unaffected during various occlusive conditions. Nonetheless, our findings demonstrate a significant decrease in N9 latencies for condition EX compared with BFR, specifically in the exercised limb (mean difference = −0.26 ms, SE = 0.06 ms, P = 0.002, d = −0.335). This study provides evidence on the lack of impact of BFREX within the somatosensory domain, according to current guidelines. As an alternative method to traditional high‐load resistance exercise, BFREX might offer a considerable upside for rehabilitative settings by reducing strain on the musculoskeletal system.
The dorsal thalamic lateral geniculate nucleus is required for visual control of head direction cell firing direction in rats
Authors: Street James S. , Jeffery Kate J. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractHead direction (HD) neurons, signalling facing direction, generate a signal that is primarily anchored to the outside world by visual inputs. We investigated the route for visual landmark information into the HD system in rats. There are two candidates: an evolutionarily older, larger subcortical retino‐tectal pathway and a more recently evolved, smaller cortical retino‐geniculo‐striate pathway. We disrupted the cortical pathway by lesioning the dorsal lateral geniculate thalamic nuclei bilaterally, and recorded HD cells in the postsubicular cortex as rats foraged in a visual‐cue‐controlled enclosure. In lesioned rats we found the expected number of postsubicular HD cells. Although directional tuning curves were broader across a trial, this was attributable to the increased instability of otherwise normal‐width tuning curves. Tuning curves were also poorly responsive to polarizing visual landmarks and did not distinguish cues based on their visual pattern. Thus, the retino‐geniculo‐striate pathway is not crucial for the generation of an underlying, tightly tuned directional signal but does provide the main route for vision‐based anchoring of the signal to the outside world, even when visual cues are high in contrast and low in detail.
imageKey points
Head direction (HD) cells indicate the facing direction of the head, using visual landmarks to distinguish directions.
In rats, we investigated whether this visual information is routed through the thalamus to the visual cortex or arrives via the superior colliculus, which is a phylogenetically older and (in rodents) larger pathway.
We lesioned the thalamic dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) in rats and recorded the responsiveness of cortical HD cells to visual cues.
We found that cortical HD cells had normal tuning curves, but these were slightly more unstable during a trial. Most notably, HD cells in dLGN‐lesioned animals showed little ability to distinguish highly distinct cues and none to distinguish more similar cues.
These results suggest that directional processing of visual landmarks in mammals requires the geniculo‐cortical pathway, which raises questions about when and how visual directional landmark processing appeared during evolution.
Development and Assessment of the Performance of a Novel Parabolic Trough Solar Collector-Driven Three-Stage Cooling Cycle
Authors: Al-Mughanam Tawfiq , Khaliq Abdul 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
A gaseous flow is employed as heat transfer fluid (HTF) in a parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) for simultaneous production of cooling at three different levels of temperature to meet the demands of air conditioning, refrigeration, and ultra-low-temperature refrigeration required to ensure the efficacy of some special vaccines. The combined system consists of five subsystems including PTSC, Kalina cycle (KC), ejector refrigeration cycle (ERC), cascaded refrigeration cycle (CRC), and absorption refrigeration cycle (ARC). A simulation through an engineering equation solver (EES) is conducted to assess the impact of internal tube diameter of absorber and solar irradiation on rise of HTF temperature and mass flowrate of Kalina cycle fluid. It is determined that for given solar irradiation, the temperature of HTF goes down when internal diameter of absorber tube is enlarged. The influence of weather conditions; solar irradiation and ambient temperature, type of HTF, and concentration of ammonia–water basic solution on thermal and exergy efficiencies of three-stage cooling cycle (TSC) are examined. The TSC with helium-operated PTSC delivers better results than air and CO2. Exergy analysis shows that solar collector (30.26%) dissipates the highest exergy, followed by the ejector (12.5%) and vapor generator subsystem (7.61%). The type of CRC fluid pair affects TSC cycle refrigeration capacity and cooling exergy efficiency. The promotion of solar irradiation from 850 to 1200 W/m2 increases the cooling exergy efficiency of the three-stage cycle from 6.72% to 9.52% when the evaporator temperature is set at −45 °C and CRC employs NH3-propylene.
The emerging challenge of
Enterococcus faecalis
endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: time for innovative treatment approaches
Authors: Cusumano Jaclyn A. , Kalogeropoulos Andreas P. , Le Provost Mathieu , Gallo Nicolas R. , Levine Steven M. , Inzana Thomas , Papamanoli Aikaterini 
Published: September 2024

SUMMARY

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening infection that has nearly doubled in prevalence over the last two decades due to the increase in implantable cardiac devices. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is currently one of the most common cardiac procedures. TAVI usage continues to exponentially rise, inevitability increasing TAVI-IE. Patients with TAVI are frequently nonsurgical candidates, and TAVI-IE 1-year mortality rates can be as high as 74% without valve or bacterial biofilm removal.
Enterococcus faecalis,
a historically less common IE pathogen, is the primary cause of TAVI-IE. Treatment options are limited due to enterococcal intrinsic resistance and biofilm formation. Novel approaches are warranted to tackle current therapeutic gaps. We describe the existing challenges in treating TAVI-IE and how available treatment discovery approaches can be combined with an
in silico
“Living Heart” model to create solutions for the future.
The relationship between
pqs
gene expression and acylhomoserine lactone signaling in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Soto-Aceves Martín P. , Smalley Nicole E. , Schaefer Amy L. , Greenberg E. Peter 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

The opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
has complex quorum sensing (QS) circuitry, which involves two acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) systems, the LasI AHL synthase and LasR AHL-dependent transcriptional activator system and the RhlI AHL synthase-RhlR AHL-responsive transcriptional activator. There is also a quinoline signaling system [the
Pseudomonas
quinolone signal (PQS) system]. Although there is a core set of genes regulated by the AHL circuits, there is strain-to-strain variation in the non-core QS regulon. A size reduction of the QS regulon occurs in laboratory evolution experiments with the model strain PAO1. We used transcriptomics to test the hypothesis that reductive evolution in the PAO1 QS regulon can in large part be explained by a null mutation in
pqsR
, the gene encoding the transcriptional activator of the
pqs
operon. We found that PqsR had very little influence on the AHL QS regulon. This was a surprising finding because the last gene in the PqsR-dependent
pqs
operon,
pqsE
, codes for a protein, which physically interacts with RhlR, and this interaction is required for RhlR-dependent activation of some genes. We used comparative transcriptomics to examine the influence of a
pqsE
mutation on the QS regulon and identified only three transcripts, which were strictly dependent on PqsE. By using reporter constructs, we showed that the PqsE influence on other genes was dependent on experimental conditions and we have gained some insight about those conditions. This work adds to our understanding of the plasticity of the
P. aeruginosa
QS regulon and to the role PqsE plays in RhlR-dependent gene activation.

IMPORTANCE

Over many generations of growth in certain conditions,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
undergoes a large reductive evolution in the number of genes activated by quorum sensing. Here, we rule out one plausible route of the reductive evolution: that a mutation in a transcriptional activator PqsR or the PqsR activation of
pqsE
, which codes for a chaperone for the quorum sensing signal-responsive transcription factor RhlR, explains the finding. We further provide information about the influence of PqsR and PqsE on quorum sensing in
P. aeruginosa
.