bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conservation of imprinted expression across genotypes is correlated with consistency of imprinting across endosperm development in maize
Authors: Higgins Kaitlin , Nyabashi Vital , Anderson Sarah 
Published: August 2024

AbstractImprinted expression is an essential process for seed viability affecting hundreds of genes in Zea mays endosperm, however most studies have examined just one time point for analysis. The focus on single time points can limit our ability to identify imprinted genes, and our ability to draw conclusions for the role of imprinting in endosperm. In this study we examine imprinted expression across four time points ranging from the transition to endoreduplication from mitotic division through the beginning of programmed cell death. Additionally, we assessed imprinting variation across eight diverse maize lines, six of which have never before been assessed for imprinting. Through this analysis we identify over 700 imprinted genes with varying consistency across time points including 258 genes imprinted at every time point and 104 genes displaying transient imprinting. We find a correlation between high consistency of imprinting across time and high conservation of parental bias across eight diverse maize lines reciprocally crossed with B73. Additionally, we identify evidence of imprinting for three zein genes that are critical for nutrient accumulation in the endosperm, suggesting that imprinting may play a more important role in seed composition than previously thought. Taken together, this study provides a more holistic view of imprinting variation across time and across genotypes in maize and enables us to more thoroughly investigate the complex imprinting landscape.SummaryThough genomic imprinting is essential for seed development, changes in imprinted expression through endosperm development remain unclear. Here, the authors present a time series analysis of genomic imprinting in maize endosperm identifying over 1000 imprinted genes displaying consistent and transient imprinting. Additionally, the authors utilize imprinting data from B73 reciprocally crossed with eight diverse genotypes, and identify a correlation between consistency and conservation of imprinted expression. Together these results offer a more holistic view of imprinted expression in maize endosperm.
A prospective pilot study demonstrating non-invasive calibration-free glucose measurement
Authors: Rothenbühler Martina , Lizoain Aritz , Rebeaud Fabien , Perotte Adler , Stoffel Marc , DeVries J. Hans 
Published: August 2024

AbstractGlucose is an essential molecule in energy metabolism. Dysregulated glucose metabolism, the defining feature of diabetes, requires active monitoring to prevent significant morbidity and mortality. Current technologies for intermittent and continuous glucose measurement are invasive. Non-invasive glucose measurement would eliminate this barrier towards making glucose monitoring more accessible, extending the benefits from people living with diabetes to prediabetes and the healthy. We developed and investigated a spectroscopy-based system for measuring glucose non-invasively and without per-person calibration. Using data from a study including adults with insulin-treated diabetes, we constructed a computational model from a development cohort of 15 subjects and found a mean absolute relative difference of 14.5% in an independent validation cohort of five subjects. The correlation between the average model sensitivity by wavelength and the spectrum of glucose was 0.45 (p<0.001). Our findings suggest that spectroscopy-based non-invasive measurement of glucose without invasive calibration is possible.
Natural alleles ofLEAFYandWAPO1interact to regulate spikelet number per spike in wheat
Authors: Zhang Junli , Burguener German F. , Paraiso Francine , Dubcovsky Jorge 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSpikelet number per spike (SNS) is an important yield component in wheat that determines the maximum number of grains that can be formed in a wheat spike. In wheat, loss-of-function mutations in LEAFY (LFY) or its interacting protein WHEAT ORTHOLOG OF APO1 (WAPO1) significantly reduce SNS by reducing the rate of formation of spikelet meristems. In previous studies, we identified a natural amino acid change in WAPO1 (C47F) that significantly increases SNS in hexaploid wheat. In this study, we searched for natural variants in LFY that were associated with differences in SNS, and detected significant effects in theLFY-Bregion in a nested association mapping population. We generated a large mapping population and confirmed that the LFY-B polymorphism R80S is linked with the differences in SNS, suggesting thatLFY-Bis the likely causal gene. A haplotype analysis revealed two amino acid changes P34L and R80S, which were both enriched during wheat domestication and breeding suggesting positive selection. We also explored the interactions between the LFY and WAPO1 natural variants using biparental populations and identified significant interaction, in which the positive effect of the 80S and 34L alleles from LFY-B was only detected in the WAPO-A1 47F background but not in the 47C background. Based on these results we propose that the allele combination WAPO-A1-47F / LFY-B 34L 80S can be used in wheat breeding programs to maximize SNS and increase grain yield potential in wheat.Key messageSpecific combinations ofLFYandWAPO1natural alleles maximize spikelet number per spike in wheat.
Circadian clock in the lateral habenula affects motor function in mice through the regulation of daily rhythms in the nigrostriatal pathway
Authors: Goldfarb Cassandra , Baharav Nadav , Jiang Heng , Szubinski Amanda , Amir Shimon , Schöttner Konrad 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTAlterations to the dopaminergic system can have several consequences on behaviour such as the development of disorders like addiction, schizophrenia, and Parkinsons. The lateral habenula (LHb) is uniquely positioned to act on a large group of dopaminergic (DA) neurons, sending inhibitory signals both directly and indirectly to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the substantia nigra (SN). Additionally, the LHb houses a circadian clock that appears to function independently from the central circadian pacemaker. We investigated the role of the LHb as a pacemaker for the production and release of DA along the nigrostriatal pathway. Using male and femaleBmal1floxed mice, we injected AAV-2/9 Cre-eGFP virus into the LHb to selectively knockoutBmal1, a clock gene essential for clock functioning. We found a significant impact on motor functioning in both male and female knockout mice. Analysis of daily rhythms of expression of circadian clock genes and genes involved in DA synthesis, and liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry for striatal DA measurements revealed blunting of rhythms in the dorsal striatum (DS) and (SN) of knockout animals, that may contribute to the observed behavioural phenotype. As proper functioning of the striatum is likely maintained by a mutual interaction of the circadian clock and DAergic system, these findings support that disrupting the LHb clock can impact functioning of the nigrostriatal DA pathway.
The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Community Health Workers in Delivering Antenatal Care and Immunization Services to Pregnant Mothers and Children Under 5 in Rural Africa: A Study Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zumani Kebby , Irumba Henry , Afolabi Adebukunola Olajumoke , Dube Semkelokuhle , Byaruhanga Vincent , George Olaotuyombo , Nortey Mark Anum , Ofori Emmanuel Owusu , Valentine Birungi Bk , Peru Patience , Kamwengo Chikosa , Mensima Amoah Roberta 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundMaternal and child health care, particularly antenatal care (ANC) and immunization services, are essential to improving health outcomes in rural Africa. Despite global efforts, access to high-quality health care services remains limited in rural areas, contributing to high maternal and childhood mortality rates. Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been recognized as a promising solution for bridging this gap by providing essential services directly to underserved populations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of CHWs in delivering antenatal care and immunization services to pregnant mothers and children under 5 in rural Africa.MethodsThis review will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case-control studies, and observational studies published from 2014 onward. The search strategy will be implemented across multiple databases, including Google Scholar, Academic Info, Cochrane, Refseek, PubMed, and MEDLINE. The primary outcomes will focus on clinical and economic measures, including maternal and child health outcomes and cost-effectiveness of CHW interventions. Data extraction and quality assessment will be conducted independently by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved through discussion or the involvement of a third reviewer.DiscussionThe findings from this review will contribute to the understanding of the role CHWs play in improving maternal and child health outcomes in rural Africa. The results will provide valuable insights for policymakers, health care providers, and stakeholders to inform future interventions and resource allocation strategies.RegistrationThis protocol is registered in PROSPERO Registration number CRD42024529963.
Exploring the bidirectional relationship between localized musculoskeletal pain and gait abnormalities: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xie Xiaoming , Zhang Kuayue , Li Xinyi , Lin Yi , Huang Liangqing , Tian Guihua 
Published: August 2024

Background Abnormal gait will alter lower extremity joint mechanics load-bearing patterns, accelerate the osteoarticular disease process, trigger new oste-oarticular complications, and bring about multiple mobility impairments; scientific pain management strategies can help with walking training and rehabilitation exercises. However, studies to date on the relationship between localized musculoskeletal pain and gait abnormalities have not reached definitive conclusions. Purpose To investigate the bidirectional causal relationship between localized musculoskeletal pain and gait abnormalities. Methods The independent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci strongly associated with pain were extracted as instrumental variables (IVs) from Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of localized musculoskeletal pain according to preset thresholds, and Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used to assess the association between pain-related phenotypes and gait abnormalities; the Cochran Q test was used to assess the heterogeneity of the SNPs. Results Low back pain (OR=1.53, 95%CI=1.058~2.219, P=0.023) and hip pain (OR=1.55, 95%CI=1.067~2.252, P=0.021) were significantly genetically predisposed to gait abnormalities, but knee pain (OR=2.15, 95%CI=0.234~19.789, P=0.498) was not significantly genetically susceptible to gait abnormalities. None of the results of the reverse MR analysis supported reverse causality. The Cochran Q test showed no heterogeneity among the SNPs. Conclusion This study suggests a robust correlation, gait abnormalities are related to low back pain and hip pain. Our findings contribute to a deeper comprehension of the intricate interplay between localized musculoskeletal pain and gait abnormalities, emphasizing the importance of employing tailored strategies to alleviate localized musculoskeletal pain.
Modeling vascular dynamics at the initial stage of endochondral ossification on a microfluidic chip using a human embryonic-stem-cell-derived organoid
Authors: Kesharwani Abhiraj , Tani Shoichiro , Nishikawa Masaki , Sakai Yasuyuki , Okada Hiroyuki , Ohba Shinsuke , Chung Ung-il , Hojo Hironori 
Published: August 2024

AbstractVascular interactions play a crucial role in embryogenesis, including skeletal development. During endochondral ossification, vascular networks are formed as mesenchymal cells condense and later invade skeletal elements to form the bone marrow. We and other groups developed a model of endochondral ossification by implanting human embryonic stem cell (hESC)–derived sclerotome into immunodeficient mice. However,in vitromodels of endochondral ossification, particularly vascular interaction with mesenchymal cells at its initial stage, are yet to be established. Therefore, we developed a method to model the initial stage of endochondral ossification using a microfluidic chip-based platform, with a particular focus on the vascular interaction. On the chip, we found that the fibrin gel helped align mCherry-expressing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) better than the collagen-I gel, suggesting that the fibrin gel is more suitable for the formation of a vascular-like network. The perfusability of the vascular-like networks was partially confirmed using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran and fluorescent microbeads. We then mixed hESC-derived sclerotome with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing HUVECs and applied this mixture on the chip. We named this mixture of cells SH organoids. The SH organoids showed superior abilities to maintain the vascular-like network, which was formed by the mCherry-expressing HUVECs, compared with the sclerotome spheroids on the chip. The EGFP-expressing HUVECs migrated from the SH organoid, formed a vascular-like networks, and partially interacted with the mCherry-expressing vascular-like networks on the chip. Histological analysis showed that SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) and type I collagen were expressed mutually exclusively in the condensed mesenchymal cells and perichondrial-like cells, respectively. This study demonstrates that our SH organoid-on-a-chip method reproduces vascular networks that are formed at the initial stage of endochondral ossification. This model may provide insights into human endochondral ossification and has potential applications in bone disease modeling and drug screening.
Differential cytoophidium assembly betweenSaccharomyces cerevisiae andSchizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Deng Ruolan , Li Yi-Lan , Liu Ji-Long 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe de novo synthesis of cytidine 5’-triphosphate (CTP) is catalyzed by the enzyme CTP synthase (CTPS), which is known to form cytoophidia across all three domains of life. In this study, we use the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaeand the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombeas model organisms to compare cytoophidium assembly under external environmental and intracellular CTPS alterations. We observe that under low and high temperature conditions, cytoophidia in fission yeast gradually disassembled, while cytoophidia in budding yeast remain unaffected. The effect of pH changes on cytoophidia maintenance in the two yeast species is different. When cultured in the yeast saturated cultured medium, cytoophidia in fission yeast disassemble, while cytoophidia in budding yeast gradually form. Overexpression of CTPS leads to the presence and maintenance of cytoophidia in both yeast species from the log phase to the stationary phase. In summary, our results demostrate differential cytoophidium assembly betweenSaccharomyces cerevisiaeandSchizosaccharomyces pombe, the two most studied yeast species.
Platelet-derived LPA16:0 inhibits adult neurogenesis and stress resilience in anxiety disorder
Authors: Larrieu Thomas , Carron Charline , Grieco Fabio , Weber Crystal , Ginggen Kyllian , Delacrétaz Aurélie , Gallart-Ayala Hector , Tsuda Mumeko , Cameron Heather A. , Eap Chin B. , Ivanisevic Julijana , Magistretti Pierre , Telley Ludovic , Dayer Alexandre , Piguet Camille , Toni Nicolas 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAnxiety disorders are accompanied by changes in brain plasticity, stress vulnerability and heightened risk of depression. Here, we found that serum LPA16:0 abundance increased with trait anxiety in both human and mice and was sufficient to reduce the proliferation of adult hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells. In humans, the main LPA receptor, LPA1, bears single nucleotide polymorphism variants associated with anxiety. In mice, LPA16:0 decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and stress resilience, whereas LPA1antagonism or the reduction of platelets, the main source of circulating LPA16:0, increased adult neurogenesis and resilience to acute stress. Finally, the inhibition of adult neurogenesis abolished the beneficial effect of LPA1antagonism on resilience against both acute and chronic stress.Together, these findings identify LPA16:0-LPA1signaling as a regulation mechanism of adult neurogenesis and a potential therapeutic target for mood disorders.
Ligand-Mediated Endocytosis Is Regulated in A Sexually Dimorphic Way in Osteocytesin vivo
Authors: Matthews Melia , Saffari Alexander , Mukul Nuzhat , Hai Lanlan , Naguib Nada , Wiesner Ulirich B. , Lewis Karl J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractEndocytosis is a critical cellular process involved in many physiological functions. Most research on endocytosis has been performedin vitro, however, understanding this processin vivois necessary in tissues like bone that have a unique 3D extra-cellular matrix. Here, we present a live-cell study of endocytosis in osteocytes, mechanosensory cells embedded in mouse bone. We visualized real-time fluorescent nanoparticle uptake and trafficking in osteocytes by using intravital imaging combined with multiphoton microscopy within living animals. We applied pharmacologic inhibitors to distinguish between general and receptor-specific endocytosis pathwaysin vivo. Our findings reveal rapid nanoparticle uptake in osteocytes, with marked differences in the timescale and pattern of uptake depending on nanoparticle surface functionality. We also discovered differences in dynamin-dependent endocytosis in osteocytes between male and female animals. These results offer the firstin vivoderived insights into how osteocytes take up materials and provide new evidence for chemically altering receptor-mediated endocytosis in live bone tissue.
Improving the value utilization of tuna peptide powder for the cosmetics field through ozone oxidation
Authors: Zheng Haolong , Gu Shiyang , Huang Shiqi , Zhang Yan , Xu Feng , Lv Daofei , Yuan Wenbing , Zhu Kongyu , Chen Xin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTo improve the utilization efficiency of small molecule peptides in marine proteins and promote their application in cosmetics, this study adopts ozone oxidation to conduct deodorization research on tuna small molecule peptides. To devise a method for the ozone oxidation and deodorization of tuna peptide powder suitable for the cosmetics field, orthogonal tests were carried out. The time, ozone concentration, and temperature were adjusted to determine the optimal conditions for ozonation and deodorization of tuna peptide powder. The results showed that at 50°C and an ozone concentration of 99.10 × 103 mg/m3, wet ozone oxidation for 40 min can also significantly reduce the fishy smell. Under these conditions, the color of tuna peptide powder treated with wet ozone was lighter. In addition, the main volatile compounds were detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The content of the main fishy volatile substance, hexanal, decreased by 66.4%, and two octyl aldehydes were observed. The results also showed that the protein activity of tuna peptide powder after ozonation remained unchanged. Thus, this study presents an approach to the ozone oxidation of tuna peptide powder that is suitable for cosmetics.
Dimerization GAS2 mediates microtubule and F-actin crosslinking
Authors: An Jiancheng , Imasaki Tsuyoshi , Narita Akihiro , Niwa Shinsuke , Sasaki Ryohei , Makino Tsukasa , Nitta Ryo , Kikkawa Masahide 
Published: August 2024

AbstractGAS2 was originally identified as a growth arrest-specific protein, and recent studies have revealed its involvement in multiple cellular processes. Its dual interaction with actin filaments and microtubules highlights its essential role in cytoskeletal organization, such as cell division, apoptosis, and possibly tumorigenesis. However, the structural bases by which GAS2 regulates cytoskeletal dynamics remain unclear. In this study, we present cryo-EM structures of the GAS2- CH3 domain in complex with F-actin at 2.8 Å resolution, representing the first type 3 CH domain structure bound to F-actin, confirming its actin-binding activity. We also provide the first near- atomic resolution cryo-EM structure of the GAS2-GAR domain bound to microtubules and identified conserved microtubule-binding residues. Our biochemical experiments show that GAS2 promotes microtubule nucleation and polymerization and its C-terminal region is essential for dimerization, bundling of both F-actin and microtubules, and microtubule nucleation. Based on these results, we propose how GAS2 controls cytoskeletal organization.
Haploid Asexual Blastocyst Fitness Varies Across Mouse Strains Related to Efficiency of Exit From Totipotency
Authors: Crasta Daphne Norma , Lee Si Won , Fredrickson Jolene , Thejo Theodore , Adiga Satish K. , Zhao Yulian , Kalthur Guruprasad , Kannan Nagarajan 
Published: August 2024

SummaryIn vitroactivation, both sexually and asexually, facilitates assessing the reproductive mode and fitness of mammalian oocytes. Herein, we present evidence of the enhancement of asexual haploid blastocyst fitness in one selectively-inbredMus musculuspopulation. We tracked sexually and asexually activated-oocytes as they exited totipotency and self-organized into blastocyst-stage embryos. We examined haploid and diploid parthenogenetic potential of activated-oocytes. Unexpectedly, ∼90% of selectively-inbred mouse oocytes that were asexually activated successfully generated haploid blastocysts, contrasting with ∼90% failure in randomly-outbred mice. Furthermore, by closely tracking the timeline of exit from totipotency, we propose a novel ‘self-correcting’ ‘totipotency clock’, crucial for timely exit from totipotency and successful embryogenesis across mammals. Insufficiency in this ‘self-correcting’ prerequisite, will alter the fitness landscape in different reproductive modes. Collectively, this work provides a quantitative framework to investigate the unknown disruptive evolutionary trajectories of reproductive modes and fitness of females in anisogamous species.HighlightsSerendipitious discovery of disruptive evolution of haploid asexual reproductive mode and preimplantation embryogenetic fitness in FVB strain of mice.Novel self-correcting totipotency clock regulates blastulation potential in mammals including humans and limits haploid asexual embryogenesisEvolution of haploid asexual reproductive mode and preimplantation embryogenetic fitness in FVB mouse is linked to a superior self-correcting totipotency clock lacking in other animals.Graphical Summary