bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Group 15 Pre-emergent Herbicides Differentially Effect Plant Growth, Cuticular Wax Composition, and Fatty Acid Metabolism in Herbicide-Resistant and Herbicide-naïve Blackgrass
Authors: Blyth Hannah R. , Beaudoin Frederic , Haslam Richard P. , Hunt Barrie , Cornette Laurent , MacGregor Dana R. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractDespite their long history of effective use in agroecosystems, the precise molecular mechanisms of many pre-emergent herbicides are not fully understood. This study investigates the effects of three Group 15 pre-emergent herbicides (Flufenacet, S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC), and tri-allate) on two well-characterized blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides) biotypes. Blackgrass is the predominant weed threatening winter wheat production in North-West Europe and the effective use of pre-emergent herbicides is important for preventing otherwise difficult-to-control blackgrass from establishing in agricultural fields. Using a sterile, agar-based system, we quantified the effects of multiple doses of flufenacet, EPTC, or tri-allate on plant physiology, including germination and early seedling growth, as well as the effects of a single dose on key biochemical pathways, specifically cuticular wax composition and fatty acid metabolism in biotypes exhibiting either non-target site herbicide resistance or complete sensitivity to all tested herbicides. Our data demonstrate that the three Group 15 pre-emergent herbicides alter cuticular wax composition and fatty acid profiles differently and that the resistant and herbicide-naïve biotypes show distinct responses to each herbicide. The GC-FID and GC-MS data from the different Group 15 pre-emergent herbicides are consistent with the observed differences in physiology and identify potential differences in how and where these herbicides act in these biotypes. Our findings provide novel molecular insights into the mechanisms of action of and tolerance to flufenacet, EPTC, or tri-allate in blackgrass.
A large cohort study (n = 591) on the impact of the presence or absence of the interthalamic adhesion: cognitive, neuroimaging, and genetic results
Authors: Vidal Julie P. , Gouarderes Alexa , Rabenantenaina Marie Stéphanie , Péran Patrice , Pariente Jérémie , Danet Lola , Barbeau Emmanuel J. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBoth thalami can be connected by an Interthalamic Adhesion (IA). The extent of its presence varies among individuals and remains poorly understood. This study examines the IA’s prevalence, anatomical variations, genetic determinants, and cognitive associations. Data from 591 healthy subjects (25-35 years) from the Human Connectome Project were analyzed and grouped as monozygotic (MZ) twins, dizygotic (DZ) twins, non-twin siblings, and unrelated individuals. MRI was used to characterize the IA, while neuropsychological assessments and Freesurfer parcellations were used to assess cognition and anatomical differences between subjects with or without an IA. The IA was absent in 12.7% of subjects, more commonly in males (20.0%) than females (6.3%), with no significant differences in age, education, or cognition between those with and without an IA. IA absence was associated with increased cerebrospinal fluid volumes, enlarged third ventricles, and thinning in several cortical areas. Genetic analysis revealed a higher concordance of IA presence among MZ twins (96%) than in other groups, indicating a strong genetic influence. The remaining 4% discrepancy was observed in male pairs only. This study underscores the genetic basis of IA, highlighting sexual dimorphism and neuroanatomical differences associated with its absence, though it does not affect cognition in healthy individuals.
A megatransposon drives the adaptation ofThermoanaerobacter kivuito carbon monoxide
Authors: Hocq Rémi , Horvath Josef , Stumptner Maja , Thallinger Gerhard G. , Pflügl Stefan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAcetogens are promising industrial biocatalysts for upgrading syngas, a gas mixture containing CO, H2and CO2into fuels and chemicals. However, CO severely inhibits growth of many acetogens, often requiring extensive adaptation to enable efficient CO conversion (“carboxydotrophy”). Here, we adapted the thermophilic acetogenThermoanaerobacter kivuito use CO as sole carbon and energy source. Isolate CO-1 exhibited extremely rapid growth on CO and syngas (co-utilizing CO, H2and CO2) in batch and continuous cultures (µmax∼ 0.25 h−1). The carboxydotrophic phenotype was attributed to the mobilization of a CO-inducible megatransposon originating from the locus responsible for autotrophy inT. kivui. Transcriptomics illuminated the crucial role maintaining redox balance likely plays during carboxydotrophic growth. These novel insights were exploited to rationally engineerT. kivuito grow on CO. Collectively, our work elucidates a primary mechanism responsible for the acquisition of carboxydotrophy in homoacetogens and showcases how transposons can orchestrate evolution.
Conformational dynamics in specialized C2H2zinc finger domains enable zinc-responsive gene repression in S. pombe
Authors: Wadhwa Vibhuti , Jamshidi Cameron , Stachowski Kye , Bird Amanda J. , Foster Mark P. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractLoz1 is a zinc-responsive transcription factor in fission yeast that maintains cellular zinc homeostasis by repressing the expression of genes required for zinc uptake in high zinc conditions. Previous deletion analysis of Loz1 found a region containing two tandem C2H2zinc-fingers and an upstream “accessory domain” rich in histidine, lysine, and arginine residues to be sufficient for zinc-dependent DNA binding and gene repression. Here we report unexpected biophysical properties of this pair of seemingly classical C2H2zinc fingers. Isothermal titration calorimetry and NMR spectroscopy reveal two distinct zinc binding events localized to the zinc fingers. NMR spectra reveal complex dynamic behavior in this zinc responsive region spanning time scales from fast 10−12-10−10to slow > 100sec. Slow exchange due tocis-transisomerization of the TGERP linker results in doubling of many signals in the protein.Conformational exchange on the 10−3s timescale throughout the first zinc finger distinguishes it from the second and is linked to weaker affinity for zinc. These findings reveal the mechanism of zinc sensing by Loz1 and illuminate how the protein’s rough free-energy landscape enable zinc sensing, DNA binding and regulated gene expression.
Stimulation of otolith irregular fibers produces a rostro-caudal gradient in activity in the vestibular nuclear complex (VNC), but not the vestibulocerebellum (VeCb)
Authors: Holt Avril Genene , King Shana , Naqvi Danial , Braun Rod D. , Bauer David S. , Anderson Marie , King William Michael 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe vestibular system is important for posture, balance, motor control, and spatial orientation. Each of the vestibular end organs have specialized neuroepithelia with both regular and irregular afferents. In otolith organs, the utricle and saccule, afferents most responsive to linear jerk (jerk - derivative of acceleration) are located in the striola and project centrally to the vestibular nuclear complex (VNC) as well as the uvula and nodulus of the vestibulocerebellum (VeCb). The pattern of central neuronal activation attributed to otolith irregular afferents is relatively unknown. To address this gap, c-Fos was used as a marker of neuronal activity to map the distribution of active neurons throughout the rostro-caudal extent of the VNC and VeCb. Immunohistochemistry for c-Fos was performed to assess activation of VNC and VeCb neurons in response to a linear jerk stimulus delivered in the naso-occipital plane. Activated neurons were distributed throughout the VNC, including the lateral vestibular nucleus (LVe), magnocellular medial vestibular nucleus (MVeMC), parvocellular medial vestibular nucleus (MVePC), spinal vestibular nucleus (SpVe), and superior vestibular nucleus (SuVe). Notably, after stimulation, the MVePC exhibited the greatest number of c-Fos labeled nuclei. Significant increases in c-Fos labeling were found in mid-rostrocaudal and caudal regions of the VNC in the LVe, MVe, and SpVe. Additionally, c-Fos labeling was observed across all regions of the VeCb after jerk stimulation. Significant increases in the number of labeled nuclei were found throughout the rostro-caudal extent of the nodulus and uvula. However, jerk stimulated increases in activity for the paraflocculus were restricted to the caudal VeCb. The distribution of neuronal activity suggests that regions receiving the greatest direct otolith input exhibit the most substantial changes in response to otolith derived, irregular fiber stimulation.HighlightsNuclei with descending projections (LVe, MVePC, and SpVe) demonstrated the greatest change in activity after naso-occipital jerk stimulation.Naso-occipital jerk stimulation preferentially activates caudal VNC neuronsNaso-occipital jerk stimulation activates neurons throughout the VeCbJerk stimulation in the naso-occipital plane has the greatest effects on activity in VNC and VeCb regions with the greatest inputs from afferents originating in gravity receptors
Functional characterization of N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) in Leishmania mexicana
Authors: Rodrigues Maran Suellen , Barbosa Leite Ariely , Gomes Alves Gabriela , Souza Bonifácio Bruno , Eduardo Alves Carlos , Lourenco Moreira Paulo Otávio , Marques Panessa Giovanna , Montero do Amaral Prado Heloísa , Klippel Angélica Hollunder , Cussiol José Renato , Massirer Katlin Brauer , Rodrigues Ferreira Tiago , Sacks David , Barbiéri Clara Lúcia , Santos da Silva Marcelo , Lima do Monte-Neto Rubens , Silvio Moretti Nilmar 
Published: September 2024

AbstractLeishmaniapresents a complex life cycle that involves both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. By regulating gene expression, protein synthesis, and metabolism, the parasite can adapt to various environmental conditions. This regulation occurs mainly at the post-transcriptional level and may involve epitranscriptomic modifications of RNAs. Recent studies have shown that mRNAs in humans undergo a modification known as N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) catalyzed by the enzyme N-acetyltransferase (NAT10), impacting mRNAs stability and translation. Here, we characterized the NAT10 homologue ofL. mexicana, finding that the enzyme exhibits all the conserved acetyltransferase domains and although failed to functionally complement the Kre33 mutant inSaccharomyces cerevisiae, hasin vitroacetyltransferase activity. We also discovered that LmexNAT10 is nuclear, and seems essential, as evidenced by unsuccessful attempts to obtain null mutant parasites. Phenotypic characterization of single-knockout parasites revealed that LmexNAT10 affects the multiplication of procyclic forms and the promastigote-amastigote differentiation. Additionally,in vivoinfection studies using the invertebrate vectorLutzomyia longipalpisshowed a delay in the parasite differentiation into metacyclics. Finally, we observed changes in the cell cycle progression and protein synthesis in the mutant parasites. Together, these results suggest that LmexNAT10 might be important for parasite differentiation, potentially by regulating ac4C levels.
Abstinence from cocaine self-administration promotes microglia pruning of astrocytes which drives cocaine-seeking behavior
Authors: Testen Anze , VanRyzin Jonathan W , Bellinger Tania J , Kim Ronald , Wang Han , Gastinger Matthew J , Witt Emily A , Franklin Janay P , Vecchiarelli Haley A , Picard Katherine , Tremblay Marie-Ève , Reissner Kathryn J 
Published: September 2024

SummaryRodent drug self-administration leads to compromised ability of astrocytes to maintain glutamate homeostasis within the brain’s reward circuitry, as well as reductions in surface area, volume, and synaptic colocalization of astrocyte membranes. However, the mechanisms driving astrocyte responses to cocaine are unknown. Here, we report that long-access cocaine self-administration followed by prolonged home cage abstinence results in decreased branching complexity of nucleus accumbens astrocytes, characterized by the loss of peripheral processes. Using a combination of confocal fluorescence microcopy and immuno-gold electron microscopy, we show that alterations in astrocyte structural features are driven by microglia phagocytosis, as labeled astrocyte membranes are found within microglia phagolysosomes. Inhibition of complement C3-mediated phagocytosis using the neutrophil inhibitory peptide (NIF) rescued astrocyte structure and decreased cocaine seeking behavior following cocaine self-administration and abstinence. Collectively, these results provide evidence for microglia pruning of accumbens astrocytes across cocaine abstinence which mediates cocaine craving.
Microglia determine an immune-challenged environment and facilitate ibuprofen action in human retinal organoids
Authors: Schmied Verena , Korkut-Demirbaş Medina , Venturino Alessandro , Siegert Sandra 
Published: September 2024

AbstractPrenatal immune challenges pose significant risks to human embryonic brain and eye development. However, we still lack knowledge about the safe usage of anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy. While human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSC)-derived brain organoid models have started to explore functional consequences upon viral stimulation, these models commonly lack microglia. Yet, microglia are susceptible to and promote inflammation and will influence the effects.Here, we generate hIPSC-derived microglia precursor cells and assemble them into retinal organoids to dissect their interplay with the developing nervous system and expose them to the immunostimulant poly(I:C). We first identified successful hIPSC-derived microglia (iMG) integration into the retinal organoid at the time when the outer plexiform layer forms. To improve ganglion cell surveillance, we adapted the retinal organoid model and found that the ganglion cell number significantly decreased only with iMG presence. While poly(I:C) exposure alters the iMG phenotype, it does not hinder their interaction with ganglion cells. Furthermore, iMG significantly enhances the supernatant’s inflammatory secretome and increases retinal cell proliferation. Simultaneous exposure with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen dampens the poly(I:C)-mediated changes of the iMG phenotype and ameliorates cell proliferation. Remarkably, while poly(I:C) disrupts neuronal calcium dynamics independent of iMG, ibuprofen rescues this effect only if iMG are present. This effect depends on cyclooxygenase 1 in microglia and cyclooxygenase 2, common NSAID targets.These findings underscore the importance of microglia in the context of prenatal immune challenges and provide insight into the mechanisms by which ibuprofen exerts its protective effects during embryonic development.
Increased listening effort and decreased speech discrimination at high presentation sound levels in acoustic hearing listeners and cochlear implant users
Authors: Huang Chengjie G. , Field Natalie A. , Latorre Marie-Elise , Anderson Samira , Goupell Matthew J. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe sounds we experience in our everyday communication can vary greatly in terms of level and background noise depending on the environment. Paradoxically, increasing the sound intensity may lead to worsened speech understanding, especially in noise. This is known as the “Rollover” phenomenon. There have been limited studies on rollover and how it is experienced differentially across aging groups, for those with and without hearing loss, as well as cochlear implant (CI) users. There is also mounting evidence that listening effort plays an important role in challenging listening conditions and can be directly quantified with objective measures such as pupil dilation. We found that listening effort was modulated by sound level and that rollover occurred primarily in the presence of background noise. The effect on listening effort was exacerbated by age and hearing loss in acoustic listeners, with greatest effect in older listeners with hearing loss, while there was no effect in CI users. The age- and hearing-dependent effects of rollover highlight the potential negative impact of amplification to high sound levels and therefore has implications for effective treatment of age-related hearing loss.
Brain-body mitochondrial distribution patterns lack coherence and point to tissue-specific and individualized regulatory mechanisms
Authors: Devine Jack , Monzel Anna S , Shire David , Rosenberg Ayelet M , Junker Alex , Cohen Alan A , Picard Martin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEnergy transformation capacity is generally assumed to be a coherent individual trait driven by genetic and environmental factors. This predicts that some individuals should have high and others low mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) capacity across organ systems. Here, we test this assumption using multi-tissue molecular and enzymatic activities in mice and humans. Across up to 22 mouse tissues, neither mitochondrial OxPhos capacity nor mtDNA density were correlated between tissues (medianr= -0.01–0.16), indicating that animals with high mitochondrial capacity in one tissue can have low capacity in other tissues. Similarly, the multi-tissue correlation structure of RNAseq-based indices of mitochondrial gene expression across 45 tissues from 948 women and men (GTEx) showed small to moderate coherence between only some tissues (regions of the same brain), but not between brain-body tissue pairs in the same person (medianr= 0.01). Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) also lacked coherence across organs and tissues. Mechanistically, tissue-specific differences in mitochondrial gene expression were attributable in part to i) tissue-specific activation of canonical energy sensing pathways including the transcriptional coactivator PGC-111 and the integrated stress response (ISR), and ii) proliferative activity across tissues. Finally, we identify subgroups of individuals with high mitochondrial gene expression in some tissues (e.g., heart) but low expression in others (e.g., skeletal muscle) who display different clinical phenotypic patterns. Taken together, these data raise the possibility that tissue-specific energy sensing pathways may contribute to the idiosyncratic mitochondrial distribution patterns associated with the inter-organ heterogeneity and phenotypic diversity among individuals.
Microbial magnetite oxidation via MtoAB porin-multiheme cytochrome complex inSideroxydans lithotrophicusES-1
Authors: Keffer Jessica L. , Zhou Nanqing , Rushworth Danielle D. , Yu Yanbao , Chan Clara S. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMost of Earth’s iron is mineral-bound, but it is unclear how and to what extent iron-oxidizing microbes can use solid minerals as electron donors. A prime candidate for studying mineral-oxidizing growth and pathways isSideroxydans lithotrophicusES-1, a robust, facultative iron oxidizer with multiple possible iron oxidation mechanisms. These include Cyc2 and Mto pathways plus other multiheme cytochromes and cupredoxins, and so we posit that the mechanisms may correspond to different Fe(II) sources. Here,S. lithotrophicusES-1 was grown on dissolved Fe(II)-citrate and magnetite.S. lithotrophicusES-1 oxidized all dissolved Fe2+released from magnetite, and continued to build biomass when only solid Fe(II) remained, suggesting it can utilize magnetite as a solid electron donor. Quantitative proteomic analyses ofS. lithotrophicusES-1 grown on these substrates revealed global proteome remodeling in response to electron donor and growth state and uncovered potential proteins and metabolic pathways involved in the oxidation of solid magnetite. While the Cyc2 iron oxidases were highly expressed on both dissolved and solid substrates, MtoA was only detected during growth on solid magnetite, suggesting this protein helps catalyze oxidation of solid minerals inS. lithotrophicusES-1. A set of cupredoxin domain-containing proteins were also specifically expressed during solid iron oxidation. This work demonstrated the iron oxidizerS. lithotrophicusES-1 utilized additional extracellular electron transfer pathways when growing on solid mineral electron donors compared to dissolved Fe(II).ImportanceMineral-bound iron could be a vast source of energy to iron-oxidizing bacteria, but there is limited physiological evidence of this metabolism, and it has been unknown whether the mechanisms of solid and dissolved Fe(II) oxidation are distinct. In iron-reducing bacteria, multiheme cytochromes can facilitate iron mineral reduction, and here, we link a multiheme cytochrome-based pathway to mineral oxidation, expanding the known functionality of multiheme cytochromes. Given the growing recognition of microbial oxidation of minerals and cathodes, increasing our understanding of these mechanisms will allow us to recognize and trace the activities of mineral-oxidizing microbes. This work shows how solid iron minerals can promote microbial growth, which if widespread, could be a major agent of geologic weathering and mineral-fueled nutrient cycling in sediments, aquifers, and rock-hosted environments.
hiPSC-derived astrocytes from individuals with schizophrenia induce a dystrophic phenotype in microglial-like cells
Authors: Cardozo Pablo L. , Lee Chia-Yi , Lacerda Juliana P. S. , Fahel Júlia S. , Trindade Pablo , Vitória Gabriela , Chicaybam Leonardo , Cordeiro Rafaela C. , de Faria Isaque J. S. , Silva Nathália C. , Todjro Yaovi M. H. , Maciel Joana C. do P. , Bonamino Martin H. , Vieira Luciene B. , Cruz Breno F. , Nicolato Rodrigo , Brennand Kristen J. , Rehen Stevens K. , Ribeiro Fabíola M 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundNeuroinflammation, particularly astrocyte reactivity, is increasingly linked to schizophrenia (SCZ). Yet, the crosstalk between astrocytes and microglia in SCZ, especially under pro-inflammatory conditions, remains unclear.MethodsHere, we employed human induced-pluripotent stem cells to compare how astrocytes from five age-matched individuals with SCZ and five neurotypical controls, upon stimulation with TNF-α (10 ng/mL), affected microglial biology. Transcriptomics, bioinformatics and functional assays were used as readouts.ResultsTNF-□ stimulation of SCZ astrocytes, relative to their control counterparts, triggered increased mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CX3CL1, a chemokine involved in chemotaxis and synapse pruning. Interestingly, transcriptomic and gene set enrichment analyses revealed that reactive SCZ astrocytes promoted the downregulation of biological processes associated with immune cell proliferation and activation, phagocytosis and cell migration in induced microglial-like cells (iMGs). Under such conditions, iMGs assumed a dystrophic/senescent-like phenotype associated with accelerated transcriptional age. Functional validations showed that TNF-□-stimulated SCZ astrocytes promoted reduced synaptoneurosomes phagocytosis by iMGs. Additionally, stimulated astrocytes (control and SCZ) induced iMGs migration in a CX3CR1-dependent manner. Nevertheless, reactive SCZ astrocytes did not promote greater microglial chemotaxis, despite secreting twice as much CX3CL1 compared to stimulated control astrocytes, possibly by lowering CX3CR1 in the plasma membrane.ConclusionsAltogether, these findings suggest that astrocytes contribute to SCZ pathology by altering normal microglial function and inducing a dystrophic phenotype.