bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lateral Thinking: Pathway Specific Neurodegeneration of the Cortical Cholinergic System in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Crockett Rachel A. , Casselton Charlotte , Howard Tatianna M. , Wilkins Kevin B. , Seo Gang , Brontë-Stewart Helen M. ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database
Published: July 2024

AbstractINTRODUCTIONAtrophy of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) is an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, reduced integrity of the NBM white matter tracts may be more relevant for cognitive impairment and progression to dementia than NBM volume. Research is needed to compare differences in NBM volume and integrity of the lateral and medial NBM tracts across early and later stages of AD progression.METHODS187 participants were included in this study who were either healthy controls (HC; n=50) or had early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI; n=50), late MCI (LMCI; n=37), or AD (n=50). NBM volume was calculated using voxel-based morphometry and mean diffusivity (MD) of the lateral and medial NBM tracts were extracted using probabilistic tractography. Between group differences in NBM volume and tract MD were compared using linear mixed models controlling for age, sex, and either total intracranial volume or MD of a control mask, respectively. Associations between NBM volume and tract MD with executive function, memory, language, and visuospatial function were also analysed.RESULTSNBM volume was smallest in AD followed by LMCI (p<0.0001), with no difference between EMCI and HC. AD had highest MD for both tracts compared to all other groups (p<0.001). Both MCI groups had higher lateral tract MD compared to HC (p<0.05). Medial tract MD was higher in LMCI (p=0.008), but not EMCI (p=0.09) compared to HC. Higher lateral tract MD was associated with executive function (p=0.001) and language (p=0.02).DISCUSSIONIntegrity of the lateral NBM tract is most sensitive to the earliest stages of AD and should be considered an important therapeutic target for early detection and intervention.
Association of CSF α-Synuclein Seed Amplification Assay Positivity with Disease Progression and Cognitive Decline: A Longitudinal Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Study
Authors: Tosun Duygu , Hausle Zachary , Thropp Pamela , Concha-Marambio Luis , Lamoureux Jennifer , Lebovitz Russ , Shaw Leslie M. , Singleton Andrew B. , Weiner Michael W. ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Blauwendraat Cornelis 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONCSF α-synuclein seed amplification assay (SAA) is a sensitive and specific tool for detecting Lewy body (LB) co-pathology in AD.METHODS1637 cross-sectional and 407 longitudinal CSF samples from ADNI were tested with SAA. We examined longitudinal dynamics of Aβ, α-synuclein seeds, and p-tau181, along with global and domain-specific cognition in stable SAA+, stable SAA−, and those who converted to SAA+ from SAA−.RESULTSSAA+ individuals had faster cognitive decline than SAA−, notably in MCI, and presented with earlier symptom onset. SAA+ conversion was associated with CSF Aβ42-positivity but did not impact progression of either Aβ42 or p-tau181 status. Aβ42, p-tau181, and α-syn SAA were all strong predictors of clinical progression, particularly Aβ42. In vitro α-syn SAA kinetic parameters were associated with participant demographics, clinical profiles, and cognitive decline.DISCUSSIONThese results highlight the interplay between Aβ and α-synuclein and their association with disease progression.
Brain imaging phenotypes associated with polygenic risk for Essential Tremor
Authors: Medeiros Miranda , Pastor-Bernier Alexandre , Azizi Houman , Schmilovich Zoe , Castonguay Charles-Etienne , Savadjiev Peter , Poline Jean-Baptiste , St-Onge Etienne , Zhang Fan , O’Donnell Lauren J. , Pasternak Ofer , Zeighami Yashar , Dion Patrick A. , Dagher Alain , Rouleau Guy A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractEssential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder with a strong genetic basis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) and T1 MRI has been used to identify brain abnormalities of ET patients. However, the mechanisms by which genetic risk affects the brain to render individuals vulnerable to ET remain unknown.We aim to understand how ET manifests by identifying presymptomatic brain vulnerabilities driven by ET genetic risk.We probe the vulnerability of healthy people towards ET by investigating the association of morphometry, and white and grey matter dMRI with ET in polygenic risk scores (PRS) in roughly 30,000 individuals from the UK Biobank (UKB).Our results indicate significant effects of ET-PRS with mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, free water, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity in white matter tracts implicated in movement control. We found significant associations between ET-PRS and grey matter tissue microstructure, including the red nucleus, caudate, putamen, and motor thalamus. ET-PRS was associated with reduced grey matter volumes in several cortical and subcortical areas including the cerebellum. Identified anomalies include networks connected to surgical sites effective in ET treatment. Finally, in a secondary analysis, low PRS individuals compared to a small number of patients with ET (N=49) in the UKB revealed many structural differences.Brain structural vulnerabilities in healthy people at risk of developing ET correspond to areas known to be involved in the pathology of ET. High genetic risk of ET seems to disrupt ET brain networks even in the absence of overt symptoms of ET.
P-BODY AND CYTOSKELETON REMODELING BY ORTHOHANTAVIRUSES
Authors: Schwarzer-Sperber Hannah Sabeth , Petrich Annette , Schade Matthias , Nilson Niklaas , Chibrac-Ahad Linah , Lehmann Maik Joerg , Paulick Katharina , Weiss Sabrina , Bourquain Daniel , Witkowski Peter T. , Krüger Detlev H. , Herrmann Andreas , Schwarzer Roland 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTOrthohantaviruses, are emerging zoonotic pathogens causing life-threatening diseases in humans. The orthohantavirus genome consists of three RNA segment (vRNAs) of negative polarity, which are encapsidated by the viral nucleoprotein (N). To date, the precise subcellular behavior of vRNAs and N has not been fully elucidated. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of orthohantavirus infections using Fluorescencein situHybridization (FISH) and multiple sequential FISH (Mu-Seq FISH), which enables simultaneous detection of viral RNAs, viral mRNAs, N, and cellular factors. Our experiments revealed distinct patterns of viral RNA clustering with varying degrees of N association. Moreover, we found a significant spatial correlation of virus vRNAs and N with cellular processing (P)-bodies, underlining their key role in orthohantavirus replication. Throughout the course of an infection, we observed an increasing dominance of N expression, while concomitantly P-body numbers grew significantly. We also found indications for a preferential 5’-end degradation of viral mRNAs in P-bodies. Furthermore, we report that orthohantavirus infection is accompanied by a significant redistribution of cellular components: while filamentous actin and microtubules become enriched in the perinuclear region, P-bodies move to the cell periphery. Finally, co-localization analyses suggest a formation of viral factories containing N, vRNAs, and viral mRNAs, indicating an intricate orthohantavirus assembly hierarchy.AUTHOR SUMMARYIn this study we used advanced imaging techniques to observe the dynamics of viral components and key cellular structures during orthohantavirus infections. Our experiments show that orthohantaviruses cause significant changes within the cell, particularly involving P-bodies and components of the cytoskeleton, such as actin and microtubules. We also provided comprehensive spatiotemporal maps of orthohantaviral components, including visualization of the viral nucleoprotein, genomic RNA and mRNAs. Finally, we found indications for a 5’end degradation of virus mRNA in P-bodies, thus adding to our understanding of intracellular host-pathogen crosstalk. In summary, our work highlights the intricate relationship between viruses and host cells, emphasizing the dynamic changes that occur during orthohantaviral infections.
Amyloid-β can activate JNK signalling via WNT-5A/ROR2 to reduce synapse formation in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Fang Kevin , Pishva Ehsan , Piers Thomas , Scholpp Steffen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWnt signalling is an essential signalling system in neurogenesis, and recent studies have highlighted the critical role of this signalling network in regulating synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival, and neurogenesis, processes that are disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). From the Wnt network, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been studied for its neuroprotective role, and this is suppressed in AD. However, the involvement of the non-canonical pathway, which operates independently of β-catenin and involves the planar cell polarity (PCP), remains to be determined in AD.In this work, we analyse the function of the orphan receptor tyrosine kinase ROR2, an essential co-receptor of the Wnt/PCP signalling pathway. We find that activation of WNT-5A/ROR2 signalling activates JNK signalling, reducing pre- and postsynaptic clusters on neurites in mature SH-SY5Y neurons. This observation is similar to SH-SY5Y neurons treated with the Amyloid-β peptide Aβ1-42or DKK1, which are both increased in AD. Surprisingly, the effect of Aβ1-42and DKK1 signalling on synaptogenesis can be mitigated by blocking ROR2 and JNK signalling, suggesting that Aβ and DKK1 signalling depends on ROR2/JNK signalling. Finally, we find an increase of WNT-5A/ROR2 clusters on neurites of iPSC-derived cortical neurons carrying the PSEN1 A75V mutation, known to enhance the pathological Aβ42/40ratio. Simultaneously, the number of pre- and post-synaptic clusters decreased in the mutant line. Inhibition of ROR2/JNK signalling in PSEN1A75Vcortical neurons partially rescues the reduction in synaptogenesis, suggesting that ROR2 signalling may act in a positive feedback loop with Aβ1-42and DKK1 signalling to augment JNK signalling as seen in AD.
Hearing and cognitive decline in aging differentially impact neural tracking of context-supported versus random speech across linguistic timescales
Authors: Bolt Elena , Kliestenec Katarina , Giroud Nathalie 
Published: July 2024

AbstractCognitive decline and hearing loss are common in older adults and often co-occur while investigated separately, affecting the neural processing of speech. This study investigated the interaction between cognitive decline, hearing loss, and contextual cues in speech processing. Participants aged 60 years and older were assessed for cognitive decline using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and for hearing ability using a four-frequency pure tone average. They listened to in-house-designed matrix-style sentences that either provided supportive context or were random, while we recorded their electroencephalography. Neurophysiological responses were analyzed through auditory evoked potentials and speech tracking at different linguistic timescales (i.e., phrase, word, syllable and phoneme rate) using phase-locking values. The results showed that cognitive decline was associated with a lower chance of correct responses in a speech recognition task. Cognitive decline significantly impacted the P2 component of auditory evoked potentials, while hearing loss influenced speech tracking at the word and phoneme rates, but not at the phrase or syllable rates. Contextual cues enhanced speech tracking at the syllable rate. These findings suggest that cognitive decline and hearing loss differentially affect the neural mechanisms underlying speech processing, with contextual cues playing a significant role in enhancing syllable rate tracking. This study emphasises the importance of considering both cognitive and auditory factors when studying speech processing in older people and highlights the need for further research to investigate the interplay between cognitive decline, hearing loss and contextual cues in speech processing.
Functional implications of the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein with factors involved in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay
Authors: Mallick Megha , Boehm Volker , Xue Guangpu , Blackstone Mark , Gehring Niels H. , Chakrabarti Sutapa 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe RNA genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus encodes for four structural proteins, 16 non- structural proteins and nine putative accessory factors. A high throughput analysis of interactions between human and SARS-CoV-2 proteins identified multiple interactions of the structural Nucleocapsid (N) protein with RNA processing factors. The N-protein, which is responsible for packaging of the viral genomic RNA was found to interact with two RNA helicases, UPF1 and MOV10 that are involved in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Using a combination of biochemical and biophysical methods, we investigated the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 N-protein with NMD factors at a molecular level. Our studies led us to identify the core NMD factor, UPF2, as an interactor of N. The viral N-protein engages UPF2 in multipartite interactions and can negate the stimulatory effect of UPF2 on UPF1 catalytic activity. N also inhibits UPF1 ATPase and unwinding activities by competing in binding to the RNA substrate. We further investigate the functional implications of inhibition of UPF1 catalytic activity by N in mammalian cells. The interplay of SARS-CoV-2 N with human UPF1 and UPF2 does not affect decay of host cell NMD targets but might play a role in stabilizing the viral RNA genome.
Identification ofV. parvulaandS. gordoniiadhesins mediating co-aggregation and its impact on physiology and mixed biofilm structure
Authors: Dorison Louis , Béchon Nathalie , Martin-Gallausiaux Camille , Chamorro-Rodriguez Susan , Vitrenko Yakov , Ouazahrou Rania , Villa Romain , Deschamps Julien , Briandet Romain , Gribaldo Simonetta , Ghigo Jean-Marc , Beloin Christophe 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTThe dental plaque is a polymicrobial community where biofilm formation and co-aggregation, the ability to bind to other bacteria, play a major role in the construction of an organized consortium. One of its prominent members is the anaerobic didermVeillonella parvula,considered as a bridging species, which growth depends on lactate produced by oralStreptococci. Understanding howV. parvulaco-aggregates and the impact of aggregation has long been hampered due to the lack of appropriate genetic tools. Here we studied co-aggregation of the naturally competent strainV. parvulaSKV38 with various oral bacteria and its effect on cell physiology. We show thatV. parvularequires different trimeric autotransporters of the type V secretion system to adhere to oralStreptococciandActinomyces. In addition, we describe a novel adhesin ofStreptococcus gordonii,VisA (SGO_2004), as the protein responsible for co-aggregation withV. parvula. Finally, we show that co-aggregation does not impact cell-cell communication, which is mainly driven by environmental sensing, but plays an important role in the architecture and species distribution within the biofilm.
Identification and partial reconstitution of the biosynthetic pathway of bioactive meroterpenoids fromHericium erinaceus(Lion’s Mane mushroom)
Authors: Iacovelli Riccardo , Poon Fons , Haslinger Kristina 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTHericium erinaceus(Lion’s Mane mushroom) is widely consumed for its numerous reported benefits for brain health. A growing body of evidence suggests that these benefits are likely attributable to aromatics contained in its fruiting bodies, including the meroterpenoids hericenones. Here, we report the identification and reconstitution of the first two steps of the biosynthetic pathway of hericenones via heterologous expression of the PKS HerA and the carboxylic acid reductase HerB inAspergillus oryzae. Furthermore, we investigate a putative prenyltransferase that might be responsible for the following biosynthetic step. Ongoing efforts to reconstitute the full pathway will enable large scale production of hericenones and other meroterpenoids in heterologous hosts.
A proteome-wide structural systems approach reveals insights into protein families of all human herpesviruses
Authors: Soh Timothy K. , Ognibene Sofia , Sanders Saskia , Schäper Robin , Kaufer Benedikt B. , Bosse Jens B. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractStructure predictions have become invaluable tools, but viral proteins are absent from the EMBL/DeepMind AlphaFold database. Here, we provide proteome-wide structure predictions for all nine human herpesviruses and analyze them in depth with explicit scoring thresholds. By clustering these predictions into structural similarity groups, we identified new families, such as the HCMV UL112-113 cluster, which is conserved in alpha-and betaherpesviruses. A domain-level search found protein families consisting of subgroups with varying numbers of duplicated folds. Using large-scale structural similarity searches, we identified viral proteins with cellular folds, such as the HSV-1 US2 cluster possessing dihydrofolate reductase folds and the EBV BMRF2 cluster that might have emerged from cellular equilibrative nucleoside transporters. Our HerpesFolds database is available athttps://www.herpesfolds.org/herpesfoldsand displays all models and clusters through an interactive web interface. Here, we show that system-wide structure predictions can reveal homology between viral species and identify potential protein functions.
Tunneling Spectroscopy at Megabar Pressures: Determination of the Superconducting Gap in Sulfur
Authors: Du F. , Balakirev F. F. , Minkov V. S. , Smith G. A. , Maiorov B. , Kong P. P. , Drozdov A. P. , Eremets M. I. 
Published: July 2024

The recent discovery of high-temperature, high-pressure superconductors, such as hydrides and nickelates, has opened exciting avenues in studying high-temperature superconductivity. The primary superconducting properties of these materials are well characterized by measuring various electrical and magnetic properties, despite the challenges posed by the high-pressure environment. Experimental microscopic insight into the pairing mechanism of these superconductors is even more challenging, due to the lack of direct probes of the superconducting gap structures at high pressure conditions. Here, we have developed a planar tunnel junction technique for diamond anvil cells and present ground-breaking tunneling spectroscopy measurements at megabar pressures. We determined the superconducting gap of elemental sulfur at 160 GPa, a key constituent of the high-temperature superconductor H3S. High quality tunneling spectra indicate that β-Po phase sulfur is a type II superconductor with a single s-wave gap with a gap value 2Δ(0)=5.6  meV. This technique is compatible with superconducting compounds synthesized in diamond anvil cells and provides insight into the pairing mechanism in novel superconductors under high-pressure conditions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Pushing magnetic spirals beyond room temperature by reducing the uniaxial pyramidal elongation in layered Cu/Fe perovskites
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Romaguera Arnau , Fabelo Oscar , Fauth Francois , Herrero-Martin Javier , García-Muñoz José Luis 
Published: July 2024

The impact of a 3d divalent substitution for Cu using M2+ ions not presenting elongated MO5 pyramids has been explored in YBaCuFeO5 as a new strategy to upgrade the magnetic properties of this high-temperature spiral magnet and potential multiferroic. In this work we investigate the incidence of the Cu2+ with Co2+ substitution in YBa(Cu1−xCox)FeO5 compounds in which B-site disorder is kept invariant (disorder nd≈36%). The study validates the reduction of the uniaxial elongation distortion at Cu sites as an efficient alternative way to disorder that enables one to enhance the thermal stability of the spiral order. In addition, the rotation plane of the helix is reoriented by the Cu/Co substitution and nearby the triple point (when TS is maximal) the spiral order adopts an almost complete cycloidal magnetic configuration. These results lay the foundation of a new mechanism to tune the stability of the magnetic spirals in layered perovskites based on reducing the uniaxial elongation associated to the (4+1)-coordination of Cu2+ ions in square CuO5 pyramids.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
ESG performance, media coverage and brand value
Authors: Zou Xiang , Jiang Jiaqi , Zhang Hao , He Hao 
Published: July 2024

PurposeThe performance of corporations in sustainable development is not only a concern of investors, but has also captured ever-increasing attention from consumers. However, the evidence on how these good practices would ultimately benefit brands economically remains insufficient. This study tests the causal effect between corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, media coverage, and brand value to reveal the underlying mechanisms of how consumers would react to high ESG performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses panel data regression analysis with a sample of Chinese A-share non-financial listed companies from 2010 to 2021. ESG performance, brand value, and media coverage are assessed with Huazheng ESG Rating, the rankings from the China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands' list published by the World Brand Lab, and media index compiled by the Chinese Research Data Services Platform (CNRDS) respectively.FindingsThis research confirmed that ESG performance positively impacted brand value in terms of profitability, and that media coverage played a role as a megaphone in this relationship. Large-scale corporates, compared to small ones, benefited more from good ESG ratings due to increased media coverage.Originality/valueThe findings provide evidence of the megaphone effect of media coverage on the relationship between firms’ ESG engagements and brand value in the product market, which has extended the knowledge of media’s monitoring role in the financial market. And this megaphone effect is strengthened by firm size in which larger firms have spotlight effect in draw public attention due to higher expectations in terms of social responsibility.
Beyond the grand narrative of Al Bastakiya: Ayesha Al Bastaki and the Windtower houses of Old Dubai
Authors: Bukhammas Asma 
Published: July 2024

PurposeAl Bastakiya (now Al Fahidi) historic neighborhood in Dubai stands as one of the last remaining residential historic neighborhoods in a city notoriously known to favor newness. Among the existing research about the neighborhood, most focuses on the allure of the neighborhood’s 13-meter-high wind-catching towers and private courtyards, but some delve into the histories of the merchant families who lived in the neighborhood. I argue that the existing literature does not capture the multiplicity of experiences of Al Bastakiya residents, especially the experiences of women. In fact, at times it sits in opposition to it.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is part of an ongoing research project titled Ayesha Al Bastaki and the Windtower Houses of Old Dubai, which seeks to challenge the male-centered rendition of Al Bastakiya by re-introducing women as active agents in the narrative of Al Bastakiya. Ayesha Al Bastaki is a well-established Dubai-based architectural engineer with over 50 completed projects.FindingsUsing her memories in one of the biggest houses in the neighborhood, the Abbas House (now demolished), and the collective memory of her community in Al Bastakiya in the 1970s and early 1980s, a story is told about the role of women in the development of the Al Bastakiya neighborhood and their negotiation of their built environment.Originality/valueBringing to the forefront for the first time, women of the Al Bastakiya.