bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TheZymoseptoria triticieffector Zt-11 contributes to aggressiveness in wheat
Authors: Karki Sujit Jung , Pilo Paola , Lawless Colleen , Mastrodimos Nikolaos , Tiley Anna M. M. , Burke James , Feechan Angela 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTZymoseptoria triticiis an ascomycete fungus and the causal agent of Septoria tritici leaf blotch (STB) in wheat.Z. triticisecretes an array of effector proteins that are likely to facilitate host infection, colonisation and pycnidia production. In this study we demonstrate a role for Zt-11 as aZ. triticieffector during disease progression.Zt-11is upregulated during the transition of the pathogen from the biotrophic to necrotrophic phase of wheat infection. Deletion ofZt-11delayed disease development in wheat, reducing the number and size of pycnidia, as well as the number of macropycnidiospores produced byZ. tritici. This delayed disease development by the ΔZt-11mutants was accompanied by a lower induction ofPRgenes in wheat, when compared to infection with wildtypeZ. tritici. Overall, these data suggest that Zt-11 plays a role inZ. triticiaggressiveness and STB disease progression possibly via a salicylic acid associated pathway.
DNMT1-Mediated Regulation of Inhibitory Interneuron Migration Impacts Cortical Architecture and Function
Authors: Reichard Julia , Wolff Philip , Du Jian , Fullio Camila L. , Dorp Lilli , Yildiz Can Bora , Linde Jenice , Vollmer Johanna , Kempf Shirley , Graff Severin , Nabbefeld Gerion , Singh Minali , Kuo Chao-Chung , Mohan K. Naga , Vogel Tanja , Musall Simon , Zimmer-Bensch Geraldine 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe fine-tuned establishment of neuronal circuits during the formation of the cerebral cortex is pivotal for its functionality. Developmental abnormalities affecting the composition of cortical circuits, which consist of excitatory neurons and inhibitory interneurons, are linked to a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders. Excitatory neurons originate in cortical proliferative zones, while inhibitory interneurons migrate from discrete domains of the basal telencephalon into the cortex. This migration is intricately governed by intrinsic genetic programs and extrinsic cues. Our current study reveals the role of the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in controlling expression of key genes implicated in mouse cortical interneuron development and in guiding the migration of somatostatin-expressing interneurons within the developing cortex.Dnmt1deletion causes interneurons to exit prematurely from the superficial migratory stream. In addition to the perturbed migration pattern and altered gene expression signatures,Dnmt1-deficient interneurons had a discernible non-cell autonomous effect on cortical progenitors, which culminated in nuanced alterations of layer thicknesses in the adult cortex. Our study reveals that an epigenetic mechanism governs the migration of cortical interneurons and through this, their instructive role in sculpting the intricate cortical layer architecture by signaling to cortical progenitors, with pronounced effects on cortical network function.
Is water vole diet consistent with theplant hypothesisfor explaining population fluctuations?
Authors: Lisse Hélène , Buronfosse Marion , Jacquet Cédric , Sobczyk-Moran Gaëlle , Ramadier Etienne , Fafournoux Ambre , Lattard Virginie , Pinot Adrien 
Published: September 2024

AbstractRodent population cycles are observed in highly seasonal environments. As most rodents are herbivorous, the availability and the quality of their food resources varies greatly across seasons. Furthermore, it is well documented that herbivore densities have a measurable effect on vegetation and conversely. So, many studies investigated whether rodent population cycles could be induced by bottom-up regulation. A recent review summarized several sub-hypotheses leading to rodent population cycles: cycles may be due to inherent inter-annual variations of plant quantity, to overshoot of carrying capacity by overgrazing (i.e. lack of quantity), to changes in quality of food (decrease of quality of preferred food or switch towards less quality food) in response to rodent grazing (e.g. plant defences). If some sub-hypothesis seems to be more important than others, there is currently a prerequisite to construct scientific consensus: dietary description is still overlooked in many systems and should be more investigated.This study focuses on fossorial water vole. It shows contrasted population dynamics depending on its geographical locations. It is known to be able to exhibit large outbreaks in grasslands in highly seasonal climate. It is thus a good model species to investigate plant hypotheses, first beginning by diet description.The diet of water vole was investigated in and out of the outbreak area with a combination of approaches in the field, in different sampling sites and considering seasonality. We demonstrated that voles have a very large fundamental trophic niche, but strong behavioural selection, inducing a narrower realised niche, especially during winter. We created an experimental device based on camera trap and cafeteria tests. We observed a strong preference for dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) in wild water voles, that results in exclusive selection during winter for food stores. These preferences were constant across seasons, altitudes and grassland productivity gradients, despite the scarcity of this species in some experimental sites.First, we conclude on the importance of using different methods to fully describe the diet of rodents Second, we assess that dandelion is a winter key resource for water vole. It thus might be interesting to investigate the role of dandelion in vole population dynamics.
Environmental antibiotic resistome: selection of HAE-1 efflux pumps in early stages of plant root development
Authors: Simenel Olwen , Nazaret Sylvie , Bodilis Josselin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractNatural environments are known to be reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and human pathogens. Thus, the One Health approach is necessary to fully understand their origin, spread and evolution. Among environments, the rhizosphere – i.e. the volume of soil in contact with plant roots - is of particular interest as it is both a hotspot of bacterial biomass and activity, and ARGs. In this study we investigated the role of the rhizosphere in the selection of antibiotic resistance in its associated bacterial community. We compared the abundance and expression levels of ARGs in seven metagenomes obtained after isotope labeling (DNA-SIP) and eighteen metatranscriptomes of soil and rhizosphere ofAvena fatuafrom six to nine weeks old. ARGs were identified using the CARD database and an in-house HAE-1 (Hydrophobe Amphiphile Efflux-1) efflux pumps database. Our results showed that genes encoding the HAE-1 efflux pumps are enriched in the rhizosphere of six- and nine-week-old plants among the bacteria metabolizing the root exudates, and significantly overexpressed in the rhizosphere of nine-week-old plants. Additionnally, the diversity of HAE-1 pumps expressed in the rhizosphere was observed to be considerable, encompassing the full range of known diversity of these pumps in Gram-negative bacteria. We demonstrated that the environmental conditions in the rhizosphere directly selects for the HAE-1 pumps that is a major multidrug resistance factor in Gram-negative human pathogens. Studying the resistome of the rhizosphere is thus important to understand the emergence of multidrug resistance in human opportunistic pathogens.
Why has the United States of America not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child? The veto fulcrum as a new health policy analysis framework
Authors: Harris Lia 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) enshrines health as a human right among other rights for children, the fulfillment of which can be advanced by each member state legally endorsing the principles through ratification of the Convention. The most rapidly and widely ratified human rights treaty in history, only the United States of America of all of the UN state parties has not ratified the CRC. This study aimed to determine the reason(s) the CRC has not been ratified by the USA. Method design involved a mapping literature search and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in the fields of global health, child rights, health policy, and US law. Implementing Walt and Gilson’s health policy triangle to systematize themes into content, context, processes, and actors as opposition or proponents of ratification, finds the literature favors ratification of the CRC. Critically, published literature focuses on pros and cons of ratification of the CRC, rather than reasons why the US has not ratified. Interview informants further expanded themes to elucidate how the history of opposition actors and processes has led to a chilling effect and a status quo of non-ratification, which has become increasingly challenging to overcome. Drawing on Tsebelis’ veto player theory to explain the status quo and introducing a new policy analysis framework of a veto fulcrum reveals that within the process of ratification, single powerful actors at a veto fulcrum have made undemocratic decisions, obstructing CRC ratification. By investigating American non-ratification of the CRC this research has forged a new policy framework, the veto fulcrum, which examines political systems where political actors – who might even be democratically elected – as veto players have extraordinary power to make executive decisions against public opinion, and against good health policy.Author SummaryPublished literature focuses on reasons for or against US ratification of the CRC, rather than reasons why America has not ratified. This study draws from Walt and Gilson’s health policy triangle and Tsebelis’ veto player theory to answerwhythe US has not ratified the CRC. Revising Walt and Gilson’s health policy triangle and drawing on Tsebelis’ veto player theory a new policy analysis framework approach is introduced – the veto fulcrum – which highlights the correlation between actors and processes and their relative importance over content and context factors in the non-ratification of policy. The veto fulcrum underscores the ascendancy of single actors in policy decisions by examining how, by whom, and why these single actors make decisions and/or might be influenced. The veto fulcrum framework can be applied to understand other policy decisions, by identifying and examining barriers to ratification or enactment of health or other good governance policies.
WITHDRAWN: Enhancing Fetal Cardiac Ultrasound Diagnosis: A Multi-Task Hybrid Attention Model for Accurate Standard Plane Detection
Authors: Tian Haodong , Liu Yuxi , Au Frederick , Lin Guannning 
Published: September 2024

Withdrawal StatementThe authors have withdrawn this manuscript because it contains fundamental errors and fabricated data. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Impact of 26 Skin Diseases on the Risk of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Study Using FinnGen R11 Data
Authors: Li Xingyuan , Li Hui 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPurposeTo determine whether genetic predisposition to various skin diseases influences the risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through Mendelian randomization (MR).MethodsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with 26 skin diseases were extracted from the FinnGen R11 dataset and underwent rigorous quality control. To evaluate the association between these skin diseases and the risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we applied several analytical methods, including inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, Simple mode, and Weighted mode. The robustness of the findings was further supported by assessing SNP heterogeneity with the Cochran Q test and evaluating horizontal pleiotropy using the MR-Egger intercept test.ResultsOur study revealed that genetically predicted dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) was significantly associated with an elevated risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (SCC). Acne was nominally linked to an increased risk of SCC. Additionally, rhinophyma (RHN), hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and DH were nominally associated with a higher risk of adenocarcinoma of the lung (ADC). Of the remaining 22 skin diseases analyzed, 7 lacked sufficient instrumental variables to meet inclusion criteria. The other 15 skin diseases showed no statistically significant association with NSCLC.ConclusionThis study ultimately analyzed the relationship between 19 skin diseases and NSCLC at the genetic level, while 7 other skin diseases could not be analyzed due to insufficient instrumental variables. Dermatitis herpetiformis and acne were associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Additionally, rhinophyma, hidradenitis suppurativa, and dermatitis herpetiformis were associated with an increased risk of adenocarcinoma of the lung.
Fetal hemoglobin enables malaria parasite growth in sickle cells but augments production of transmission stage parasites
Authors: Lavazec Catherine , Loucoubar Cheikh , Dupuy Florian , Bureau Jean-François , Casadémont Isabelle , Gonçalves Bronner P. , Thein Swee Lay , Lathrop Mark , Laurance Sandrine , Roussel Camille , Le Van Kim Caroline , Colin Yves , De Montalembert Mariane , Sakuntabhai Anavaj , Paul Rick E. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSickle cell trait is the quintessential example of the human response to malaria, providing protection against severe disease, but leading to sickle cell disease (SCD) in the homozygous state. Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF) reduces the pathology of SCD and several mutations lead to the prolonged production of HbF into childhood and adult life. HbF has been suggested to contribute to protection against malaria. Two long-term cohorts were genotyped for three quantitative trait loci associated with HbF production and analyzed for HbF titers, malaria clinical episodes and the production of parasite stages infectious to mosquitoes, gametocytes in asymptomatic infections.Plasmodium falciparumparasites were also grownin vitroin HbSS cells with measured levels of HbF. The genetic determinants of prolonged HbF production were associated with increased HbF titers and that increased HbF afforded protection from malaria disease but increased the production of gametocytes. The presence of HbF in sickled red cells was also shown inin vitroculture to enable parasite persistence in conditions otherwise deleterious for the parasite and enabled complete maturation of gametocytes. The beneficial personal effect of HbF, whether through protection against malaria or alleviating effects of SCD, is offset by increased parasite transmissibility and disease burden for the community. These individuals represent an important reservoir of infection and need to be targeted in elimination strategies.Key pointsIndividuals with mutations associated with fetal hemoglobin production had fewer clinical episodes but produced more gametocytes.HbF in red blood cells enables gametocyte production at tissue level oxygen partial pressures at which normally parasite lysis would occur.
Pediatric brain tumor classification using deep learning on MR-images with age fusion
Authors: Tampu Iulian Emil , Bianchessi Tamara , Blystad Ida , Lundberg Peter , Nyman Per , Eklund Anders , Haj-Hosseini Neda 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTPurposeTo implement and evaluate deep learning-based methods for the classification of pediatric brain tumors in MR data.Materials and methodsA subset of the “Children’s Brain Tumor Network” dataset was retrospectively used (n=178 subjects, female=72, male=102, NA=4, age-range [0.01, 36.49] years) with tumor types being low-grade astrocytoma (n=84), ependymoma (n=32), and medulloblastoma (n=62). T1w post-contrast (n=94 subjects), T2w (n=160 subjects), and ADC (n=66 subjects) MR sequences were used separately. Two deep-learning models were trained on transversal slices showing tumor. Joint fusion was implemented to combine image and age data, and two pre-training paradigms were utilized. Model explainability was investigated using gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM), and the learned feature space was visualized using principal component analysis (PCA).ResultsThe highest tumor-type classification performance was achieved when using a vision transformer model pre-trained on ImageNet and fine-tuned on ADC images with age fusion (MCC: 0.77 ± 0.14 Accuracy: 0.87 ± 0.08), followed by models trained on T2w (MCC: 0.58 ± 0.11, Accuracy: 0.73 ± 0.08) and T1w post-contrast (MCC: 0.41 ± 0.11, Accuracy: 0.62 ± 0.08) data. Age fusion marginally improved the model’s performance. Both model architectures performed similarly across the experiments, with no differences between the pre-training strategies. Grad-CAMs showed that the models’ attention focused on the brain region. PCA of the feature space showed greater separation of the tumor-type clusters when using contrastive pre-training.ConclusionClassification of pediatric brain tumors on MR-images could be accomplished using deep learning, with the top-performing model being trained on ADC data, which is used by radiologists for the clinical classification of these tumors.Key pointsThe vision transformer model pre-trained on ImageNet and fine-tuned on ADC data with age fusion achieved the highest performance, which was significantly better than models trained on T2w (second-best) and T1w-Gd data.Fusion of age information with the image data marginally improved classification, and model architecture (ResNet50 -vs -ViT) and pre-training strategies (supervised -vs -self-supervised) did not show to significantly impact models’ performance.Model explainability, by means of class activation mapping and principal component analysis of the learned feature space, show that the models use the tumor region information for classification and that the tumor type clusters are better separated when using age information.SummaryDeep learning-based classification of pediatric brain tumors can be achieved using single-sequence pre-operative MR data, showing the potential of automated decision support tools that can aid radiologists in the primary diagnosis of these tumors.
Comprehensive analysis of prostate cancer life expectancy, loss of life expectancy, and healthcare expenditures: Taiwan national cohort study spanning 2008 to 2019
Authors: Liu Pin-Chun , Lin Yi-Sheng , Ou Yen-Chuan , Hsu Chao-Yu , Tung Min-Che , Chiu Ying-Ming 
Published: September 2024

AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and the 5th leading cause of death from cancer for men in Taiwan. The incidence of synchronous metastatic PCa in Taiwan is higher than U.S. and Europe. We aim to present the latest life expectancy (LE), loss of LE, and lifetime cost associated with PCa in Taiwan. The PCa data are based on Taiwan Cancer Registry and National Health Insurance Database. Total 30,207 new cases of PCa were recorded during 2008-2019 nationwide. LE, estimated loss of LE and lifetime cost were stratified by age, cancer stage, Gleason score, grade group and serum PSA level at diagnosis. We compared LE and healthcare cost outcomes between synchronous metastatic PCa patients in 3 age groups. Among the 30,207 new cases, the low to intermediate risk groups, high-risk groups, and regional and metastatic PCa accounted for 54.1%, 13.2%, and 32.6% of cases, respectively. A considerable proportion of synchronous metastatic PCa was noted in Taiwan when compared with the U.S. For synchronous metastatic PCa, the highest LE is 9.22 years for ages 20-64 years, followed by ages 65-74 (8.29 years) and ages 75-89 years (4.58 years). The loss of LE in the three groups is 13.63, 6.75, and 3.87 years, respectively. The healthcare cost of synchronous metastatic PCa in all age groups is higher than the average cost for PCa patients in Taiwan. This study provides real-world evidence to support health care policy-making and clinical decisions regarding PCa. Due to the high proportion of synchronous metastatic PCa in Taiwan, the findings of this analysis emphasize the importance of early detection of PCa, which can save LE and decrease the total cost burden on the healthcare system.
Descriptives and genetic correlates of eating disorder diagnostic transitions and presumed remission in the Danish registry
Authors: Abdulkadir Mohamed , Larsen Janne Tidselbak , Clausen Loa , Hübel Christopher , Albiñana Clara , Thornton Laura M. , Vilhjálmsson Bjarni J. , Bulik Cynthia M. , Yilmaz Zeynep , Petersen Liselotte Vogdrup 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectiveEating disorders (EDs) are serious psychiatric disorders with an estimated 3.3 million healthy life-years lost worldwide yearly. Understanding the course of illness, diagnostic transitions and remission, and their associated genetic correlates could inform both ED etiology and treatment. The authors investigated occurrences of ED transitions and presumed remission and their genetic correlates as captured by polygenic scores (PGSs) in a large Danish register-based cohort.MethodsThe sample compromised of 10,565 individuals with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), or eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) with at least two registered hospital contacts between 1995 and 2018. Based on medical records, occurrence of diagnostic transitions and periods of presumed remission were identified. Associations between 422 PGS and diagnostic transitions and presumed remission were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsA minority of ED cases (14.1%-23.1%) experienced a diagnostic transition. Presumed remission ranged between 86.9%-89.8%. Higher (one SD increase) PGS for major depressive disorder and multisite chronic pain were positively associated with transitioning from AN to either BN or EDNOS. Higher PGS on a measure of body fat percentage and financial difficulties were positively associated with presumed remission from AN. Higher PGS for mood swings was positively associated with presumed remission from EDNOS whereas higher PGS for health rating showed the opposite.ConclusionsThe authors found that most ED patients did not experience diagnostic transitions but were more likely to experience a period of presumed remission. Both diagnostic transitions and presumed remission have significant polygenic component.