bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress in hair follicle development and hair growth: Signalling pathways, intervening mechanisms and potential of natural antioxidants
Authors: Du Fanpan , Li Jingjie , Zhang Shiqian , Zeng Xuemei , Nie Jing , Li Zheng 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHair follicle development and hair growth are regulated by multiple factors and multiple signalling pathways. The hair follicle, as an important skin appendage, is the basis for hair growth, and it has the functions of safeguarding the body, perceiving the environment and regulating body temperature. Hair growth undergoes a regular hair cycle, including anagen, catagen and telogen. A small amount of physiological shedding of hair occurs under normal conditions, always in a dynamic equilibrium. Hair loss occurs when the skin or hair follicles are stimulated by oxidative stress, inflammation or hormonal disorders that disrupt the homeostasis of the hair follicles. Numerous researches have indicated that oxidative stress is an important factor causing hair loss. Here, we summarize the signalling pathways and intervention mechanisms by which oxidative stress affects hair follicle development and hair growth, discuss existing treatments for hair loss via the antioxidant pathway and provide our own insights. In addition, we collate antioxidant natural products promoting hair growth in recent years and discuss the limitations and perspectives of current hair loss prevention and treatment.
Likelihood‐Based Estimation of Model‐Derived Oral Reading Fluency
Authors: Potgieter Cornelis , Qiao Xin , Kamata Akihito , Kara Yusuf 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAs part of the effort to develop an improved oral reading fluency (ORF) assessment system, Kara et al. estimated the ORF scores based on a latent variable psychometric model of accuracy and speed for ORF data via a fully Bayesian approach. This study further investigates likelihood‐based estimators for the model‐derived ORF scores, including maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), maximum a posteriori (MAP), and expected a posteriori (EAP), as well as their standard errors. The proposed estimators were demonstrated with a real ORF assessment dataset. Also, the estimation of model‐derived ORF scores and their standard errors by the proposed estimators were evaluated through a simulation study. The fully Bayesian approach was included as a comparison in the real data analysis and the simulation study. Results demonstrated that the three likelihood‐based approaches for the model‐derived ORF scores and their standard error estimation performed satisfactorily.
Infrared‐aided hot‐air drying of coconut: Impact on drying kinetics and quality metrics
Authors: Pandiselvam R. , Davison Sneha , Manikantan M. R. , Jeevarathinam G. , Jacob Anjitha , Ramesh S. V. , Shameena Beegum P. P. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study explored various drying techniques and temperatures to analyze their effects on the drying kinetics and quality of copra. The initial moisture content of coconut kernels was 50%–55% (w.b.), which decreased to 6%–8% (w.b.) as a result of the drying process. This study focuses on evaluating the individual and hybrid effects of infrared drying (IRD) and hot‐air drying (HAD) techniques to enhance the quality of copra. Three drying methods were used: IRD, HAD, and infrared‐assisted hot‐air drying (IRAHAD). Coconut pieces were subjected to different drying temperatures (50, 60, and 70°C) with a constant air speed of 2 m/s. Optimal results were achieved by employing the IRAHAD method at 60°C, preserving a crucial fat content of 68.4% essential for increased extraction of oil from copra and comparatively high drying rates. In particular, the drying rates in IRAHAD were twice as high as those in IRD and HAD. At a drying temperature of 60°C, the logarithmic model and the diffusion approximation model were deemed the best fit for HAD and IRAHAD, respectively.Practical applicationsThis study demonstrates the efficacy of infrared‐assisted hot‐air drying (IRAHAD) at 60°C in preserving copra's crucial fat content of 68.4% for optimal oil extraction. By implementing IRAHAD, producers can efficiently dry coconut kernels while maintaining quality, enhancing extraction yields, and improving overall profitability in the coconut processing industry.
Disrupted stress‐induced analgesia in a neuropathic pain state is rescued by the endocannabinoid degradation inhibitor JZL195
Authors: Atwal Nicholas , Sokolaj Eddy , Mitchell Vanessa A. , Winters Bryony L. , Vaughan Christopher W. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAcute stress normally engages descending brain pathways to produce an antinociceptive response, known as stress‐induced analgesia. Paradoxically, these descending pain modulatory pathways are also involved in the maintenance of the abnormal pain associated with chronic neuropathic pain. It remains unclear how stress‐induced analgesia is affected by neuropathic pain states. We therefore examined the impact of a chronic constriction nerve‐injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain on restraint stress‐induced analgesia in C57BL/6 mice. Thirty minutes of restraint stress produced analgesia in the hotplate thermal nociceptive assay that was less in CCI compared to control mice who underwent a sham‐surgery. In sham but not CCI mice, stress‐induced analgesia was reduced by the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone. The cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM281 did not affect stress‐induced analgesia in either sham or CCI mice. Low‐dose pre‐treatment with the dual fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor JZL195 increased stress‐induced analgesia in CCI but not sham mice. The JZL195 enhancement of stress‐induced analgesia in CCI mice was abolished by AM281 but was unaffected by naltrexone. These findings indicate that the acute opioid‐mediated analgesic response to a psychological stressor is disrupted in a nerve‐injury model of neuropathic pain. Importantly, this impairment of stress‐induced analgesia was rescued by blockade of endocannabinoid breakdown via a cannabinoid CB1 receptor dependent mechanism. These findings suggest that subthreshold treatment with endocannabinoid degradation blockers could be used to alleviate the disruption of endogenous pain control systems in a neuropathic pain state.image
Different stressors uniquely affect the expression of endocannabinoid‐metabolizing enzymes in the central ring ganglia of Lymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Rivi Veronica , Rigillo Giovanna , Batabyal Anuradha , Lukowiak Ken , Pani Luca , Tascedda Fabio , Benatti Cristina , Blom Johanna M. C. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in neuroprotection, neuroplasticity, energy balance, modulation of stress, and inflammatory responses, acting as a critical link between the brain and the body's peripheral regions, while also offering promising potential for novel therapeutic strategies. Unfortunately, in humans, pharmacological inhibitors of different ECS enzymes have led to mixed results in both preclinical and clinical studies. As the ECS has been highly conserved throughout the eukaryotic lineage, the use of invertebrate model organisms like the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis may provide a flexible tool to unravel unexplored functions of the ECS at the cellular, synaptic, and behavioral levels. In this study, starting from the available genome and transcriptome of L. stagnalis, we first identified putative transcripts of all ECS enzymes containing an open reading frame. Each predicted protein possessed a high degree of sequence conservation to known orthologues of other invertebrate and vertebrate organisms. Sequences were confirmed by qualitative PCR and sequencing. Then, we investigated the transcriptional effects induced by different stress conditions (i.e., bacterial LPS injection, predator scent, food deprivation, and acute heat shock) on the expression levels of the enzymes of the ECS in Lymnaea's central ring ganglia. Our results suggest that in Lymnaea as in rodents, the ECS is involved in mediating inflammatory and anxiety‐like responses, promoting energy balance, and responding to acute stressors. To our knowledge, this study offers the most comprehensive analysis so far of the ECS in an invertebrate model organism.image
Aging and neurodegeneration: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic interventions
Authors: Outeiro Tiago Fleming , Brocardo Patricia S. , Gelain Daniel P. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractProtein aggregation is a common age‐associated process and can be a pathological hallmark of various neurodegenerative conditions, possibly because of an age‐associated decline in the activity of components of the proteostasis network. The specific molecular drivers of protein aggregation in certain cell types are not well understood, posing tremendous challenges to current research aimed at devising strategies to treat neurodegenerative diseases. This preface introduces the special issue “Aging and Neurodegeneration: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic interventions,” featuring articles that assess the drivers of pathology in the aging cell, including oxidative stress, protein glycation/aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.
Charting facial growth and development for Bantu Africans: Central tendencies, variational properties and sexual dimorphisms
Authors: Zhong Yu Jie , Cui Dan , Wen Patrick Yi Feng , Wong Hai Ming 
Published: June 2024

AbstractCurrent studies on facial growth and development have been largely based on European populations. Less studied are African populations, who because of their distinct genetic makeup and environmental conditions, provide deeper insights into patterns of facial development. Patterns of facial shape development in African populations remain largely uncharacterised. Our study aimed to establish facial growth and development trajectories based on a cohort of 2874 Bantu Africans from Tanzania aged 6–18 years, with particular focus on identifying morphogenetic processes that lead to observed developmental shape changes. Procrustes ANCOVA suggested sexually dimorphic patterns of facial shape development (p = 0.0036). The forehead was relatively contracted during development in both sexes. The glabella region was more anteriorly displaced in females due to expansion in the region laterosuperior to the eyes. Nasal protrusion increased with development, which was found to arise from local expansion in the nasal alae and columella. Local expansion in the upper and lower labial regions resulted in forward displaced lips in both sexes, with the effect more pronounced in males. The mentum was displaced more anteriorly in females due to comparatively more expanded mental regions with development. The lateral facial region corresponding to the underlying body of the mandible were developmentally expanded but were posteriorly positioned due to protrusive growth of surrounding structures. Generalised additive modelling of Procrustes variance suggested that facial variation decreased non‐linearly with age (p < 0.05). Relative principal component analysis suggested that variations in facial outline shape were developmentally constrained, whereas nasolabial and mental regions, where developmental changes were significant, became morphologically diversified with development. In contrast to simple descriptive illustration of facial shape development, we gained transformative insights into patterns of facial shape development by analysing morphogenetic processes and variational properties. Our analytical framework is broadly applicable to morphometric studies on ontogenetic shape changes.
Real‐world experience with a treatment with a skincare regimen of products containing the Macrocystis pyrifera ferment for optimizing facial skin rejuvenation
Authors: Gold Michael , Frey Cheri , Chilukuri Suneel , Day Doris , Goldberg David J. , Henry Michelle , Lain Edward 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundSpecialized aesthetic skincare treatments are an important part of helping reduce facial signs of aging.AimsThis article highlights real‐world experience with a Macrocystis pyrifera ferment‐containing skincare regimen comprising a cleansing foam, a serum, and a moisturizer with anti‐aging, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐erythema, and healing properties for facial skin condition improvement.Patients/MethodsThe real‐world case (RWC) series presented highlights and the expert panel's clinical experience with the M. pyrifera ferment‐containing skincare regimen used for 12 weeks to improve facial skin conditions. The panelists convened a meeting to discuss and select RWCs from their practice using the M. pyrifera ferment‐containing skincare regimen.ResultsThe RWC series showed that erythema and inflamed, easily irritated skin bother patients, even when it is mild. Reducing inflammation, erythema, and visible signs of facial aging and improving skin health contributed to patient satisfaction.ConclusionThe M. pyrifera ferment‐containing skincare regimen comprising a cleansing foam, a serum, and a moisturizer is effective in decreasing the visible effects of inflammation and signs of aging while promoting healing by enhancing barrier resilience and recovery.
Assessing the impact of long‐acting injectable compared to oral antipsychotic medications on readmission to a state psychiatric hospital
Authors: Okoli Chizimuzo T. C. , Abufarsakh Bassema , Wang Tianyi , Makowski Andrew , Cooley Andrew 
Published: June 2024

Accessible SummaryWhat is known on the subject

People living with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) have a higher death rate which is caused, in part, by poorer adherence to treatment as compared to those with other mental illnesses.

Using long‐acting injectable antipsychotic (LAI) medications can improve medication adherence and reduce hospitalizations for people living with SSD but are often underutilized.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge

As compared to oral antipsychotic medications provided to patients with SSD at discharge from a psychiatric hospitalization, being provided with an LAI antipsychotic medication may reduce subsequent rehospitalization.

Specifically, patients discharged on an atypical or second‐generation LAI medication are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital when compared to those discharged on a typical first‐generation oral medication.

What are the implications for practice

Because LAI antipsychotic medications are often underutilized as treatment options, the study findings suggest that this modality may be considered for patients with SSD when being discharged from a psychiatric hospitalization.

Ideally, psychiatric‐mental health nurses can educate patients about indications, benefits, and risks of using atypical or second‐generation LAI antipsychotic medications during hospitalization and at discharge prevent the risk for future rehospitalizations.

AbstractIntroductionPeople living with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) have poorer medication adherence compared to those with other mental illnesses. Long‐acting injectable antipsychotic (LAI) medication use is associated with greater adherence, reduced re‐hospitalizations, and improved recovery outcomes when compared to oral formulations.AimTo compare LAI antipsychotic medication use versus oral formulations on readmission to an inpatient hospital.MethodMedical records (N = 707) from a state psychiatric hospital in the southern region of the United States were reviewed. Controlling for demographic variables, logistic regression analyses were used to examine LAI compared to oral formulations on readmission.ResultsCompared to patients discharged with oral antipsychotic medications, those with LAIs had a lower proportion of readmission rates in 6‐month and 1‐year periods, but not 30‐day or 2‐year periods. When controlling for demographic variables, those discharged with an atypical LAI had significantly lower odds of being readmitted within the 24‐year period compared to those discharged on a typical oral antipsychotic.DiscussionCompared to orals, LAIs do not increase and may mitigate readmissions to psychiatric hospitalization.Implications for PracticePsychiatric‐mental health nurses and other professionals may recommend LAIs when indicated for those with SSD.
Nucleoid‐associated proteins of mycobacteria come with a distinctive flavor
Authors: Santoshi Meghna , Tare Priyanka , Nagaraja Valakunja 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn every bacterium, nucleoid‐associated proteins (NAPs) play crucial roles in chromosome organization, replication, repair, gene expression, and other DNA transactions. Their central role in controlling the chromatin dynamics and transcription has been well‐appreciated in several well‐studied organisms. Here, we review the diversity, distribution, structure, and function of NAPs from the genus Mycobacterium. We highlight the progress made in our understanding of the effects of these proteins on various processes and in responding to environmental stimuli and stress of mycobacteria in their free‐living as well as during distinctive intracellular lifestyles. We project them as potential drug targets and discuss future studies to bridge the information gap with NAPs from well‐studied systems.
Reciprocal sharing of extracellular proteases and extracellular matrix molecules facilitates Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation
Authors: Rosazza Thibault , Earl Chris , Eigentler Lukas , Davidson Fordyce A. , Stanley‐Wall Nicola R. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractExtracellular proteases are a class of public good that support growth of Bacillus subtilis when nutrients are in a polymeric form. Bacillus subtilis biofilm matrix molecules are another class of public good that are needed for biofilm formation and are prone to exploitation. In this study, we investigated the role of extracellular proteases in B.  subtilis biofilm formation and explored interactions between different public good producer strains across various conditions. We confirmed that extracellular proteases support biofilm formation even when glutamic acid provides a freely available nitrogen source. Removal of AprE from the NCIB 3610 secretome adversely affects colony biofilm architecture, while sole induction of WprA activity into an otherwise extracellular protease‐free strain is sufficient to promote wrinkle development within the colony biofilm. We found that changing the nutrient source used to support growth affected B. subtilis biofilm structure, hydrophobicity and architecture. We propose that the different phenotypes observed may be due to increased protease dependency for growth when a polymorphic protein presents the sole nitrogen source. We however cannot exclude that the phenotypic changes are due to alternative matrix molecules being made. Co‐culture of biofilm matrix and extracellular protease mutants can rescue biofilm structure, yet reliance on extracellular proteases for growth influences population coexistence dynamics. Our findings highlight the intricate interplay between these two classes of public goods, providing insights into microbial social dynamics during biofilm formation across different ecological niches.
Principles of bacterial genome organization, a conformational point of view
Authors: Ponndara Sokrich , Kortebi Mounia , Boccard Frédéric , Bury‐Moné Stéphanie , Lioy Virginia S. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBacterial chromosomes are large molecules that need to be highly compacted to fit inside the cells. Chromosome compaction must facilitate and maintain key biological processes such as gene expression and DNA transactions (replication, recombination, repair, and segregation). Chromosome and chromatin 3D‐organization in bacteria has been a puzzle for decades. Chromosome conformation capture coupled to deep sequencing (Hi‐C) in combination with other “omics” approaches has allowed dissection of the structural layers that shape bacterial chromosome organization, from DNA topology to global chromosome architecture. Here we review the latest findings using Hi‐C and discuss the main features of bacterial genome folding.
Cleavage of an engulfment peptidoglycan hydrolase by a sporulation signature protease in Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Martins Diogo , Nerber Hailee N. , Roughton Charlotte G. , Fasquelle Amaury , Barwinska‐Sendra Anna , Vollmer Daniela , Gray Joe , Vollmer Waldemar , Sorg Joseph A. , Salgado Paula S. , Henriques Adriano O. , Serrano Mónica 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn the model organism Bacillus subtilis, a signaling protease produced in the forespore, SpoIVB, is essential for the activation of the sigma factor σK, which is produced in the mother cell as an inactive pro‐protein, pro‐σK. SpoIVB has a second function essential to sporulation, most likely during cortex synthesis. The cortex is composed of peptidoglycan (PG) and is essential for the spore's heat resistance and dormancy. Surprisingly, the genome of the intestinal pathogen Clostridioides difficile, in which σK is produced without a pro‐sequence, encodes two SpoIVB paralogs, SpoIVB1 and SpoIVB2. Here, we show that spoIVB1 is dispensable for sporulation, while a spoIVB2 in‐frame deletion mutant fails to produce heat‐resistant spores. The spoIVB2 mutant enters sporulation, undergoes asymmetric division, and completes engulfment of the forespore by the mother cell but fails to synthesize the spore cortex. We show that SpoIIP, a PG hydrolase and part of the engulfasome, the machinery essential for engulfment, is cleaved by SpoIVB2 into an inactive form. Within the engulfasome, the SpoIIP amidase activity generates the substrates for the SpoIID lytic transglycosylase. Thus, following engulfment completion, the cleavage and inactivation of SpoIIP by SpoIVB2 curtails the engulfasome hydrolytic activity, at a time when synthesis of the spore cortex peptidoglycan begins. SpoIVB2 is also required for normal late gene expression in the forespore by a currently unknown mechanism. Together, these observations suggest a role for SpoIVB2 in coordinating late morphological and gene expression events between the forespore and the mother cell.
Rigidity and necessary application
Authors: Gómez‐Torrente Mario 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe question whether the notion of rigidity can be extended in a fruitful way beyond singular terms has received a standard answer in the literature, according to which non‐singular terms designate kinds, properties or other abstract singular objects, and generalized rigidity is the same thing as singular term rigidity, but for terms designating such objects. I offer some new criticisms of this view and go on to defend an alternative view, on which non‐singular terms designate extensions in general, and generalized rigidity is identity of extension across possible worlds. I develop some fundamental positive considerations that make this view virtually inevitable as a view of generalized rigidity, emphasizing its exclusive ability to offer a purely logical justification of the necessity of several kinds of statements that go beyond true identity statements between rigid singular terms.
Epistemic practices: A unified account of epistemic and zetetic normativity
Authors: Fleisher Will 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis paper presents the epistemic practices account, a theory about the nature of epistemic normativity. The account aims to explain how the pursuit of epistemic values such as truth and knowledge can give rise to epistemic norms. On this account, epistemic norms are the internal rules of epistemic social practices. The account explains four crucial features of epistemic normativity while dissolving some apparent tensions between them. The account also provides a unified theory of epistemic and zetetic normativity.