bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Treatment of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage After Traumatic Injury Using Pedicled Autologous Fascia Flap
Authors: Gao Kaiming , Wang Hu , Guo Wenqiang 
Published: August 2024

Objective:
This study aims to investigate the efficacy of early intervention in cerebrospinal fluid leakage following traumatic brain injury through the utilization of pedicled autologous fascia flaps.

Methods:
A retrospective case series, spanning from May 2021 to May 2022, analyzed 8 traumatic brain injury cases with concomitant cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Each patient underwent simultaneous brain surgery and transcranial repair of the cerebrospinal fluid leak, employing a pedicled autologous fascia flap. Clinical and imaging data were comprehensively recorded throughout the entire duration of the cases, and patient follow-ups were conducted through outpatient visits and telephone consultations.

Results:
The study comprised 8 enrolled patients, consisting of 7 males and 1 female, all of whom sustained injuries from traffic accidents. The mean age ranged from 17 to 55 years. Among the patients, three presented with acute epidural hematoma, three with simple concave fractures, and 2 with concave fractures accompanied by brain contusion. Frontal sinus fractures were observed in all cases. All surgical interventions were successful, with no instances of cerebrospinal fluid leakage postoperatively. In addition, none of the patients developed intracranial infections. At the conclusion of the follow-up period, recurrent cerebrospinal fluid leakage was not observed in any of the patients.

Conclusions:
In cases where surgical intervention is necessary for cerebrospinal fluid leakage resulting from anterior cranial base fractures, the application of pedicled autologous fascia flaps in the acute stage proves effective in repairing leaks at the anterior cranial base. This approach may contribute to a reduction in the incidence of intracranial infections, ultimately yielding satisfactory patient recovery.
Individual Differences in Cognition and Perception Predict Neural Processing of Speech in Noise for Audiometrically Normal Listeners
Authors: Shehabi Sana , Comstock Daniel C. , Mankel Kelsey , Bormann Brett M. , Das Soukhin , Brodie Hilary , Sagiv Doron , Miller Lee M. 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTIndividuals with normal hearing exhibit considerable variability in their capacity to understand speech in noisy environments. Previous research suggests the cause of this variance may be due to individual differences in cognition and auditory perception. To investigate the impact of cognitive and perceptual differences on speech comprehension, 25 adult human participants with normal hearing completed numerous cognitive and psychoacoustic tasks including the Flanker, Stroop, Trail Making, Reading Span, and temporal fine structure (TFS) tests. They also completed a continuous multi-talker spatial attention task while neural activity was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG). The auditory cortical N1 response was extracted as a measure of neural speech encoding during continuous speech listening using an engineered “chirped-speech” (Cheech) stimulus. We compared N1 component morphologies of target and masker speech stimuli to assess neural correlates of attentional gains while listening to concurrently played short story narratives. Performance on cognitive and psychoacoustic tasks were used to predict N1 component amplitude differences between attended and unattended speech using multiple regression. Results show inhibitory control and working memory abilities can predict N1 amplitude differences between the target and masker stories. Interestingly, none of the cognitive and psychoacoustic predictors correlated with behavioral speech-in-noise listening performance in the attention task, suggesting that neural measures may be more sensitive measures of cognitive and auditory processing as compared to behavioral measures alone.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThese findings contribute to our understanding of how cognition affects the neural mechanisms of speech perception. Specifically, our results highlight the complex interplay between cognitive abilities and neural encoding of speech in challenging listening environments with multiple speakers. By incorporating these additional measures of cognition, we can achieve a more comprehensive understanding of an individual’s speech perception abilities, even in individuals with normal hearing. This approach could lead to earlier detection of hearing issues and more personalized interventions, ultimately enhancing communication outcomes for those with hearing difficulty.
Mouse olfactory system acts as anemo-detector and -discriminator
Authors: Mahajan Sarang , Tamboli Suhel , Das Susobhan , Bhattacharjee Anindya S. , Pardasani Meenakshi , Srikanth Priyadharshini , Marathe Shruti D. , Adlakha Avi , Ranjan Lavanya , Pandey Sanyukta , Abraham Nixon M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAirflow detection while smelling is a fundamental requirement for olfaction, yet the mechanisms underlying such multimodal processing in the olfactory system remain unknown. We report here that mice can learn to accurately discriminate airflow with parallel processing of both mechanical and chemical stimuli revealed by modulated sniffing and refined calcium signaling in the olfactory bulb inhibitory network. Genetic perturbation of AMPAR function and optogenetic control bidirectionally shifted airflow discrimination learning pace, with contrasting phenotypes observed for odor learning, engagement of inhibitory circuits, and setting the optimal inhibition level for stimulus refinement. Multimodal odor-airflow stimuli at subthreshold levels enhanced learning, demonstrating that mechanical stimuli heighten olfactory perception. Our results, thus explain the multimodality of olfaction, and reveal an unexplored dimensionality of odor perception.
Handy divisions: Hand-specific specialization of prehensile control in bimanual tasks
Authors: Naik Anvesh , Ambike Satyajit 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWhen hammering a nail, why do right-handers wield the hammer in the right hand? The dynamic dominance theory suggests a somewhat surprising answer. The two hands are specialized for different types of tasks: the dominant for manipulating objects, and the non-dominant for stabilizing objects. Right-handers wield the moving object with their right hand to leverage the skills of both hands. Functional specialization in hand use is often illustrated using examples of object manipulation. However, the dynamic dominance theory is supported by wrist kinematics rather than object manipulation data. Therefore, our goal was to determine whether this theory extends to object manipulation.We hypothesized that hand-specific differences will be evident in the kinematics of hand-held objects and in the control of grip forces. Right-handed individuals held two instrumented objects that were coupled by a spring. They moved one object while stabilizing the other object in various bimanual tasks. They performed motions of varying difficulty by tracking predictable or unpredictable targets. The two hands switched roles (stabilization vs movement) in various experimental blocks. The changing spring length perturbed both objects. We quantified the movement performance by measuring the objects’ positions, and grip force control by measuring grip-load coupling in the moving hand and mean grip force in the stabilizing hand.The right hand produced more accurate object movement, along with stronger grip-load coupling, indicating superior predictive control of the right hand. In contrast, the left hand stabilized the object better and exerted a higher grip force, indicating superior impedance control of the left hand. Task difficulty had a weak effect on grip-load coupling during object movement and no effect on mean grip force during object stabilization. These results suggest that dynamic dominance extends to object manipulation, though the weak effect of task difficulty on grip characteristics warrants further investigation.
Computational Analysis of Treatment Resistant Cancer Cells
Authors: Matov Alexandre 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionProstate cancer (PC), which is a disease driven by the activity of the androgen receptor (AR), is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and despite advances in diagnostic and treatment strategies, PC is the second most common cause of cancer mortality in men (Bray et al., 2018). Taxane-based chemotherapy is the only chemotherapy that prolongs survival in metastatic PC patients (Petrylak et al., 2004; Tannock et al., 2004). At the cellular level, taxanes bind to and stabilize microtubules (MTs) inhibiting all MT-dependent intracellular pathways. MTs are highly dynamic polymers that stochastically switch between phases of growth, shrinkage, and pause (Jordan and Wilson, 2004). Altered MT dynamics endow cancer cells with both survival and migratory advantages (Mitchison, 2012). Taxanes inhibit MT dynamics and alter the spatial organization of the MT network, thereby inhibiting intracellular trafficking of molecular cargo critical for tumor survival. In PC specifically, taxanes inhibit transcriptional activity downstream of MT stabilization (Thadani-Mulero et al., 2012) and AR nuclear accumulation (Darshan et al., 2011; Zhu et al., 2010).MethodsDifferent tubulin inhibitors, even from within the same structural class as the taxanes, affect distinct parameters of MT dynamics (Jordan and Wilson, 2004), yet the selection of taxane for chemotherapy is not based on the particular patterns of dynamic behavior of the MT cytoskeleton in individual patients. We envisage that systematic characterization using quantitative analysis of MT dynamics in PC patient cells expressing clinically relevant protein isoforms (Matov and Bacconi, 2024; Thoma et al., 2010), before and after treatment with each of the taxanes, will allow us to identify criteria for the selection of the most suitable drug combination at the onset of treatment.ResultsWe link MT dynamics in the presence of AR variants and sensitivity/resistance to taxanes and connect fundamental research with clinically relevant concepts to elucidate cellular mechanisms of clinical response to taxanes and, thus, advance the customization of therapy. Our computational live-cell analysis addresses questions in the context of the inherent differences in MT homeostasis as a function of AR content in PC cells, the specific parameters of MT dynamics each of the taxanes affects, and how can this information be used to match endogenous patterns of MT dynamics with drug-modulated MT behavior.ConclusionsWe investigate whether the sensitivity to taxanes, evaluated by computational analysis of MTs, can be linked to gene expression correlated with AR and its variants, and whether the resistance to taxanes can be linked to the presence of a specific AR splice variant, and can we identify which of the taxanes will be most effective based on the endogenous patterns of MT dynamics.
Guard-cell phytosterol homeostasis is critical for proper stomatal development
Authors: Yen Chih-Chung , Hsu Ya-Wen , Leu Kuan-Chieh , Chen Sheau-Shyang , Chen Tzu-Yun , Juan Chien-Ta , Kuan Chi , Shaw Jei-Fu , Ho Chin-Min Kimmy , Jauh Guang-Yuh 
Published: August 2024

AbstractStomata regulate gas exchange and control water loss in response to the environmental stimuli and their distribution in the leaf epidermis is tightly regulated during development to ensure proper patterns. Although many studies have focused on the function of early stomatal lineage cells, little is known about the role of mature guard cells (GCs) in maintaining stomatal distribution. Here, we identified a previously uncharacterized enzyme, GDSL-type sterol esterase (GSEase), that is specifically expressed in mature guard cells and catalyzes lipid droplet-stored phytosterol ester degradation. Loss ofGSEasedecreased the level of free campesterol, a biosynthetic precursor of brassinosteroids (BRs), reduced BR level, and increased stomatal density in leaves, which could be further rescued by increasing the BR signaling. Furthermore, selectively reducing the BR response in GCs by utilizing the GSEase promoter-drivendet2-1, a mutation causing BR biosynthesis deficiency, resulted in an elevated stomatal count, as demonstrated ingseaseplants. These results indicate that GSEase plays a critical role in maintaining phytosterol homeostasis in GCs and the released phytosterols suppress the initiation of stomatal development in adjacent cells though the BR pathway.
Green Conversations: Harnessing Plant Communication to control growth light intensity
Authors: Stevens James , Davey Phillip , Kasznicki Piotr , Hofmann Tanja A , Lawson Tracy 
Published: August 2024

AbstractControlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) delivers increased crop production per unit land, contributing to resilient food systems amidst challenges of climate change, population growth and urbanization. However, high energy costs associated with lighting impose substantial barriers to the widespread adoption of CEA. While light is indispensable for growth, critically its utilization by crops throughout the photoperiod remains sub-optimal, reducing photosynthetic efficiency and wasting energy. Here we have developed and demonstrated a novel real-time plant bio-feedback system that enables crops to directly ‘communicate’ optimal lighting requirements. Continuous non- invasive monitoring of photochemistry elicited decreased demand for light by basil at the end of the photoperiod. Our innovative approach increased yield by 10% and reduced energy consumption per unit fresh mass by 18%, delivering a 201gCO2gFW-1reduction in carbon footprint. Application of this technique at scale can revolutionise resource management of CEA, reinvigorating the productivity, profitability and sustainability of this food industry.Author ContributionsJS & TL: designed the experiments; JS, PD and PK: performed all physiology experiments and data acquisition and carried out data analyses. TL, JS, PD and TH wrote the MS and all authors commented on the MS.One-sentence summaryChlorophyll fluorescence measurements of photosynthetic efficiency can be used to control growth light intensity in real time, optimising crop performance and energy use.
Specific redox and iron homeostasis responses in the root tip of Arabidopsis upon zinc excess
Authors: Thiébaut Noémie , Richtmann Ludwig , Sarthou Manon , Persson Daniel P. , Ranjan Alok , Schloesser Marie , Boutet Stéphanie , Rezende Lucas , Clemens Stephan , Verbruggen Nathalie , Hanikenne Marc 
Published: August 2024

SummaryZinc (Zn) excess negatively impacts primary root growth in Arabidopsis. Yet, the effects of Zn excess on specific growth processes in the root tip remain largely unexplored.Transcriptomics, ionomics and metabolomics were used to examine the specific impact of Zn excess on the root tip (RT) compared to the remaining root (RR).Zn excess exposure resulted in shortened root apical meristem and elongation zone, with differentiation initiating closer to the tip of the root. Zn accumulated at a lower concentration in the RT than in RR. This pattern was associated with lower expression of Zn homeostasis and Fe deficiency response genes.A distinct distribution of Zn and Fe in RT and RR was highlighted by Laser Ablation ICP-MS analysis.Specialized Trp-derived metabolism genes, typically associated with redox and biotic stress responses, were specifically up-regulated in the RT upon Zn excess, among thosePhytoalexin Deficient 3(PAD3) encoding the last enzyme of camalexin synthesis. In roots of wild-type seedlings, camalexin concentration increased by 6-fold upon Zn excess and apad3mutant displayed increased Zn sensitivity and an altered ionome.Our results indicate that distinct redox and iron homeostasis mechanisms are key elements of the response to Zn excess in the RT.
Defensive freezing sharpens threat-reward information processing during approach-avoidance decision making
Authors: Klaassen Felix H. , Bramson Bob , Schoffelen Jan-Mathijs , de Voogd Lycia D. , Roelofs Karin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPeople regularly face approach-avoidance dilemmas which require minimization of potential threat whilst maximizing potential reward. Defensive reactions to threat, such as transient states of freezing, influence integration of reward/threat information in the dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC). However, the mechanism of this integration between internal state and external value (state-value integration) remains unknown. Here, we decoded approach-avoidance decisions under threat using high-precision magnetoencephalography (MEG). Threat-induced cardiac deceleration (indicative of defensive freezing) was trial-by-trial associated with more pronounced effects of reward and threat magnitudes on approach-avoidance choices. Time-resolved decoding of threat-reward information from neural signals predicted approach-avoidance choices several seconds before the actual response. Crucially, during freezing, 6-12 Hz coherence between threat-reward information and dACC neural activity increased, suggesting that defensive freezing sharpens threat/reward processing during approach-avoidance decision making. These findings provide a potential neural mechanism by which threat-induced freezing can facilitate information integration, essential for optimal decision making under threat.
Natural genetic and transcriptomic variation in photosynthesis associated pathways contribute to adaptive traits variation in worldwideArabidopsis thalianapopulation
Authors: Liu Wei , Hou Jing , Liu Li , Lei Mengyu , Han Yu , Zhu Mingjia , Zhang Wenjia , Hao Ran , Ji Yan , Si Huan , Liu Jianquan , Zan Yanjun 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPhotosynthesis is the most important reaction underlying carbon fixation. Despite its potential in boosting carbon assimilation, nature variations underlying genes in photosynthesis pathway and their role in adaptive traits variation remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the genetic, transcriptomic variation of 1103 genes in photosynthesis associated pathways, including 82 photosynthesis core genes, 24 plastid-encoded RNA polymerase related genes, 2 nucleus-encoded RNA polymerase-related genes, 34 photomorphogenesis-related genes, 40 genes involved in transcription and translation (TAC) and 938 other nuclear-encoded chloroplast-targeted genes. Byde novoassembling the chloroplast genomes of 28 representative accessions and leveraging whole-genome, transcriptome sequencing data from the 1001 Genome Project, we revealed extensive natural genetic and transcriptome variations these genes in worldwideArabidopsis thalianapopulation. 34.0% of them were identified with regulatory variations in expression quantitative locus mapping (eQTL) mapping, including key components of Rubisco (RBCS1B, RBCS2B), and Rubisco activase (RCA). Genome-wide and transcriptome-wide association analysis (GWAS/TWAS) showed that these genetic and transcriptomic variations made considerable contribution to variation of adaptive traits. Overall, our study provides insight into the natural genetic variation of these genes among worldwideArabidopsis thalianaaccessions and their role in complex traits variation and adaptation.
The relationship between confidence and gaze-at-nothing oculomotor dynamics during decision-making
Authors: Cos Ignasi , Senel Gizem , Maldonado Pedro E. , Moreno-Bote Rubén 
Published: August 2024

AbstractHow does confidence relate to oculomotor dynamics during decision-making? Do oculomotor dynamics reflect deliberation and the buildup of confidence in the absence of visual stimuli? Here we examine the hypothesis that working memory, deliberation, and confidence warp oculomotor dynamics, both in the presence and absence of visual stimuli. We analyzed oculomotor dynamics in a decision-making task in which participants were provided with an abstract context in which to make the decision, and two similar option images which became eventually invisible. We show that fixations between the empty locations in which the images were formerly shown continued after the options disappeared, consistently with a sustained deliberative process facilitated by oculomotor dynamics. Both, oculomotor dynamics and decision patterns remained unchanged regardless of whether the stimuli were visible. Furthermore, our analyses show that the number of alternative fixations between stimuli correlated negatively with the confidence reported after each decision, while the observation time of the selected target correlated positively. Given that decisions in our experimental paradigm are reported in the absence of the stimuli, this suggests a relationship between evidence retrieval from working memory, confidence gathering and oculomotor dynamics. Finally, we performed a model comparison based on predictions from drift-diffusion models to assess the relationship between sequential fixations between images, deliberation and confidence gathering, and the ensuing choice. These analyses supported confidence as a contributing cognitive process encompassing serial evidence-gathering and parallel option consideration during decision-making.One-Sentence SummaryThe dynamics of oculomotor dynamics between absent stimuli are related with the participant’s confidence during value-based decision-making.
De novodesign of Ras isoform selective binders
Authors: Zhang Jason Z. , Li Xinting , Batingana Alexa Rane , Liu Caixuan , Jiang Hanlun , Shannon Kevin , Huang Benjamin J. , Wu Kejia , Baker David 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe proto-oncogene Ras which governs diverse intracellular pathways has four major isoforms (KRAS4A, KRAS4B, HRAS, and NRAS) with substantial sequence homology and similarin vitrobiochemistry. There is considerable interest in investigating the roles of these independently as their association with different cancers vary, but there are few Ras isoform-specific binding reagents as the only significant sequence differences are in their disordered and highly charged C-termini which have been difficult to elicit antibodies against. To overcome this limitation, we use deep learning-based methods tode novodesign Ras isoform-specific binders (RIBs) for all major Ras isoforms that specifically target the Ras C-terminus. The RIBs bind to their target Ras isoforms bothin vitroand in cells with remarkable specificity, disrupting their membrane localization and inhibiting Ras activity, and should contribute to dissecting the distinct roles of Ras isoforms in biology and disease.
Modelling the invasion, management strategies and economic impact of the invasive alien aquatic plantEgeria densa
Authors: Flores-García Adrián , Dobson John Y. , Fonfría Eva S. , García-García David , Bordehore Cesar 
Published: August 2024

AbstractEgeria densa is a south American aquatic plant considered as an invasive alien species with a very aggressive and expansionist behaviour out of its native ecosystems. The widespread decorative use ofE. densain aquariums, coupled with the potential for subsequent disposal malpractice, has resulted in its introduction into a range of vulnerable ecosystems across the globe. This work presents a dynamic model of a population ofE. densabased on its accidental introduction into an ecosystem in southeastern Spain. The model allows the simulation of colonisation process and management and disposal strategies. The model considers the influence of environmental variables such as temperature, light and water turbidity on the growth of the species. Among the management strategies tested, the optimal appears to be those of a preventive nature before the plant spreads, given that the costs of removal will be very high at that stage, and with high ecological impacts.