bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanical stimulation of induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Bekedam Fjodor T. , Smal Rowan , Smit Marisa C. , Aman Jurjan , Vonk-Noordegraaf Anton , Bogaard Harm Jan , Goumans Marie José , De Man Frances S. , Llucià-Valldeperas Aida 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCardiac fibrosis contributes to the development of heart failure, and is the response of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) to pressure or volume overload. Limiting factors in CFs research are the poor availability of human cells and the tendency of CFs to transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts when cultured in vitro. The possibility to generate CFs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), providing a nearly unlimited cell source, opens new possibilities. However, the behaviour of iPSC-CFs under mechanical stimulation has not been studied yet. Our study aimed to assess the behaviour of iPSC-CFs under mechanical stretch and pro-fibrotic conditions. First, we confirm that iPSC-CFs are comparable to primary CFs at gene, protein and functional level. Furthermore, iPSC-derived CFs adopt a pro-fibrotic response to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). In addition, mechanical stretch inhibits TGF-β-induced fibroblast activation in iPSC-CFs. Thus, the responsiveness to cytokines and mechanical stimulation of iPSC-CFs demonstrates they possess key characteristics of primary CFs and may be useful for disease modelling.
The positive impact of smoking cessation on fracture risk in a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Park Jin-Sung , Kang Kyung-Chung , Park Se-Jun , Kim Jeong-Keun , Han Kyungdo , Hong Jae-Young 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMany studies sought to demonstrate the association between smoking and fracture risk. However, the correlation between smoking and fractures remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the impact of smoking and smoking cessation on the occurrence of fractures using prospective nationwide cohort data. We enrolled those who underwent a National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) health checkup in 2009–2010 who had a previous health checkup 4-year prior (2005–2006). The study population of 4,028,559 subjects was classified into three groups (non-smoker, smoking cessation, current smoker). The study population was also analyzed according to fracture type (all fractures, vertebral fracture, hip fracture). Lastly, the smoking cessation group and current smoker group were divided into four subgroups based on a lifetime smoking amount cut-off of 20 pack-years (PY). Multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of fracture were examined through a Cox proportional hazards model. After multivariable adjustment, non-smokers showed the lowest risk of fracture (HR = 0.818, CI 0.807–0.828, p < 0.0001) and smoking cessation significantly lowered the risk of fracture (HR 0.938, 95% CI 0.917–0.959, p < 0.0001) compared to current smokers. Regardless of 20PY, all smoking cessation subgroups showed significantly less risk of fractures than current smokers with ≥ 20PYs. Smoking increases the risk of fracture, and smoking cessation lowers the risk of fracture.
Cognitive profile in multiple sclerosis and post-COVID condition: a comparative study using a unified taxonomy
Authors: Delgado-Alonso Cristina , Delgado-Alvarez Alfonso , Díez-Cirarda María , Oliver-Mas Silvia , Cuevas Constanza , Montero-Escribano Paloma , Ramos-Leví Ana Maria , Gil-Moreno María José , López-Carbonero Juan Ignacio , Hermann Bruce P. , Matias-Guiu Jorge , Matias-Guiu Jordi A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPost-COVID condition (PCC) and multiple sclerosis (MS) share some clinical and demographic features, including cognitive symptoms and fatigue. Some pathophysiological mechanisms well-known in MS, such as autoimmunity, neuroinflammation and myelin damage, have also been implicated in PCC. In this study, we aimed to compare the cognitive phenotypes of two large cohorts of patients with PCC and MS, and to evaluate the relationship between fatigue and cognitive performance. Cross-sectional study including 218 patients with PCC and 218 with MS matched by age, sex, and years of education. Patients were evaluated with a comprehensive neuropsychological protocol and were categorized according to the International Classification of Cognitive Disorders system. Fatigue and depression were also assessed. Cognitive profiles of PCC and MS largely overlapped, with a greater impairment in episodic memory in MS, but with small effect sizes. The most salient deficits in both disorders were in attention and processing speed. The severity of fatigue was greater in patients with PCC. Still, the correlations between fatigue severity and neuropsychological tests were more prominent in the case of MS. There were no differences in the severity of depression among groups. Our study found similar cognitive profiles in PCC and MS. Fatigue was more severe in PCC, but was more associated with cognitive performance in MS. Further comparative studies addressing the mechanisms related to cognitive dysfunction and fatigue may be of interest to advance the knowledge of these disorders and develop new therapies.
Lead and copper removal from sterile dumps by phytoremediation with Robinia pseudoacacia
Authors: Chirilă Băbău Adriana Mihaela , Micle Valer , Damian Gianina Elena , Sur Ioana Monica 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn Romania, huge quantities of gangue material from the mining activity practiced in the past were improperly stored and led to the pollution of the environment. Thus, this work is framed to manage the sterile dump of the “Radeș” mine (Alba, Romania) through a 12-week phytoremediation process. The efficient use of Robinia pseudoacacia was studied through the implementation, at the laboratory level, of a phytoremediation experiment based on various variants prepared by mixtures of gangue material, uncontaminated soil, and dehydrated sludge. The prepared variants, all planted with R. pseudoacacia, were watered with tap water, potassium monobasic phosphate, and enzyme solution. The bioconcentration and translocation factors for lead showed values ˂ 1, which indicates a potential presence of an exclusion system for Pb or a reduced Pb bioavailability since the R. pseudoacacia accumulates high concentrations of metals absorbed on and inside the roots. For copper, both factors had values > 1 indicating the suitability of R. pseudoacacia to readily translocate copper into the epigean organs. In the investigated experimental conditions, the highest efficiency in the removal of copper (93.0%) and lead (66.4%) by plants was obtained when gangue material was not mixed with other materials and wetted with enzymatic solution.
Effects of trimer repeats on Psidium guajava L. gene expression and prospection of functional microsatellite markers
Authors: Pires Giovanna Pinto , Fioresi Vinicius Sartori , Canal Drielli , Canal Dener Cezati , Fernandes Miquéias , Brustolini Otávio José Bernardes , de Avelar Carpinetti Paola , Ferreira Adésio , da Silva Ferreira Marcia Flores 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMost research on trinucleotide repeats (TRs) focuses on human diseases, with few on the impact of TR expansions on plant gene expression. This work investigates TRs' effect on global gene expression in Psidium guajava L., a plant species with widespread distribution and significant relevance in the food, pharmacology, and economics sectors. We analyzed TR-containing coding sequences in 1,107 transcripts from 2,256 genes across root, shoot, young leaf, old leaf, and flower bud tissues of the Brazilian guava cultivars Cortibel RM and Paluma. Structural analysis revealed TR sequences with small repeat numbers (5–9) starting with cytosine or guanine or containing these bases. Functional annotation indicated TR-containing genes' involvement in cellular structures and processes (especially cell membranes and signal recognition), stress response, and resistance. Gene expression analysis showed significant variation, with a subset of highly expressed genes in both cultivars. Differential expression highlighted numerous down-regulated genes in Cortibel RM tissues, but not in Paluma, suggesting interplay between tissues and cultivars. Among 72 differentially expressed genes with TRs, 24 form miRNAs, 13 encode transcription factors, and 11 are associated with transposable elements. In addition, a set of 20 SSR-annotated, transcribed, and differentially expressed genes with TRs was selected as phenotypic markers for Psidium guajava and, potentially for closely related species as well.
A high efficiency precision genome editing method with CRISPR in iPSCs
Authors: Singh Avinash , Smedley G. Dalton , Rose Jamee-Grace , Fredriksen Kristina , Zhang Ying , Li Ling , Yuan Shauna H. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe use of genetic engineering to generate point mutations in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is essential for studying a specific genetic effect in an isogenic background. We demonstrate that a combination of p53 inhibition and pro-survival small molecules achieves a homologous recombination rate higher than 90% using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) in human iPSCs. Our protocol reduces the effort and time required to create isogenic lines.
Nickel-catalysed enantioselective alkene dicarbofunctionalization enabled by photochemical aliphatic C–H bond activation
Authors: Hu Xia , Cheng-Sánchez Iván , Kong Wangqing , Molander Gary A. , Nevado Cristina 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe development of novel strategies to rapidly construct complex chiral molecules from readily available feedstocks is a long-term pursuit in the chemistry community. Radical-mediated alkene difunctionalizations represent an excellent platform towards this goal. However, asymmetric versions remain highly challenging, and more importantly, examples featuring simple hydrocarbons as reaction partners are elusive. Here we report an asymmetric three-component alkene dicarbofunctionalization capitalizing on the direct activation of C(sp3)–H bonds through the combination of photocatalysed hydrogen atom transfer and nickel catalysis. This protocol provides an efficient platform for installing two vicinal carbon–carbon bonds across alkenes in an atom-economic fashion, providing a wide array of high-value chiral α-aryl/alkenyl carbonyls and phosphonates, as well as 1,1-diarylalkanes from ubiquitous alkane, ether and alcohol feedstocks. This method exhibits operational simplicity, broad substrate scope and excellent regioselectivity, chemoselectivity and enantioselectivity. The compatibility with bioactive motifs and expedient synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant molecules highlight the synthetic potential of this protocol.
Cold-shock proteome of myoblasts reveals role of RBM3 in promotion of mitochondrial metabolism and myoblast differentiation
Authors: Dey Paulami , Rajalaxmi Srujanika , Saha Pushpita , Thakur Purvi Singh , Hashmi Maroof Athar , Lal Heera , Saini Nistha , Singh Nirpendra , Ramanathan Arvind 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAdaptation to hypothermia is important for skeletal muscle cells under physiological stress and is used for therapeutic hypothermia (mild hypothermia at 32  °C). We show that hypothermic preconditioning at 32  °C for 72 hours improves the differentiation of skeletal muscle myoblasts using both C2C12 and primary myoblasts isolated from 3 month and 18-month-old mice. We analyzed the cold-shock proteome of myoblasts exposed to hypothermia (32  °C for 6 and 48 h) and identified significant changes in pathways related to RNA processing and central carbon, fatty acid, and redox metabolism. The analysis revealed that levels of the cold-shock protein RBM3, an RNA-binding protein, increases with both acute and chronic exposure to hypothermic stress, and is necessary for the enhanced differentiation and maintenance of mitochondrial metabolism. We also show that overexpression of RBM3 at 37  °C is sufficient to promote mitochondrial metabolism, cellular proliferation, and differentiation of C2C12 and primary myoblasts. Proteomic analysis of C2C12 myoblasts overexpressing RBM3 show significant enrichment of pathways involved in fatty acid metabolism, RNA metabolism and the electron transport chain. Overall, we show that the cold-shock protein RBM3 is a critical factor that can be used for controlling the metabolic network of myoblasts.
Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates amino acid metabolism through the suppression of CEBPA and FOXA1 in liver cancer cells
Authors: Nakagawa Saya , Yamaguchi Kiyoshi , Takane Kiyoko , Tabata Sho , Ikenoue Tsuneo , Furukawa Yoichi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDeregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is associated with the development of human cancer including colorectal and liver cancer. Although we previously showed that histidine ammonia lyase (HAL) was transcriptionally reduced by the β-catenin/TCF complex in liver cancer cells, the mechanism(s) of its down-regulation by the complex remain to be clarified. In this study, we search for the transcription factor(s) regulating HAL, and identify CEBPA and FOXA1, two factors whose expression is suppressed by the knockdown of β-catenin or TCF7L2. In addition, RNA-seq analysis coupled with genome-wide mapping of CEBPA- and FOXA1-binding regions reveals that these two factors also increase the expression of arginase 1 (ARG1) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of arginine. Metabolome analysis discloses that activated Wnt signaling augments intracellular concentrations of histidine and arginine, and that the signal also increases the level of lactic acid suggesting the induction of the Warburg effect in liver cancer cells. Further analysis reveals that the levels of metabolites of the urea cycle and genes coding its related enzymes are also modulated by the Wnt signaling. These findings shed light on the altered cellular metabolism in the liver by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway through the suppression of liver-enriched transcription factors including CEBPA and FOXA1.
Integrative analysis of yeast colony growth
Authors: Gaizer Tünde , Juhász János , Pillér Bíborka , Szakadáti Helga , Pongor Csaba I. , Csikász-Nagy Attila 
Published: April 2024

AbstractYeast colonies are routinely grown on agar plates in everyday experimental settings to understand basic molecular processes, produce novel drugs, improve health, and so on. Standardized conditions ensure these colonies grow in a reproducible fashion, while in nature microbes are under a constantly changing environment. Here we combine the power of computational simulations and laboratory experiments to investigate the impact of non-standard environmental factors on colony growth. We present the developement and parameterization of a quantitative agent-based model for yeast colony growth to reproduce measurements on colony size and cell number in a colony at non-standard environmental conditions. Specifically, we establish experimental conditions that mimic the effects of humidity changes and nutrient gradients. Our results show how colony growth is affected by moisture changes, nutrient availability, and initial colony inoculation conditions. We show that initial colony spread, not initial cell number have higher impact on the final size and cell number of colonies. Parameters of the model were identified by fitting these experiments and the fitted model gives guidance to establish conditions which enable unlimited growth of yeast colonies.
Reconstruction of unstable heavy particles using deep symmetry-preserving attention networks
Authors: Fenton Michael James , Shmakov Alexander , Okawa Hideki , Li Yuji , Hsiao Ko-Yang , Hsu Shih-Chieh , Whiteson Daniel , Baldi Pierre 
Published: April 2024

AbstractReconstructing unstable heavy particles requires sophisticated techniques to sift through the large number of possible permutations for assignment of detector objects to the underlying partons. An approach based on a generalized attention mechanism, symmetry preserving attention networks (SPA-NET), has been previously applied to top quark pair decays at the Large Hadron Collider which produce only hadronic jets. Here we extend the SPA-NET architecture to consider multiple input object types, such as leptons, as well as global event features, such as the missing transverse momentum. In addition, we provide regression and classification outputs to supplement the parton assignment. We explore the performance of the extended capability of SPA-NET in the context of semi-leptonic decays of top quark pairs as well as top quark pairs produced in association with a Higgs boson. We find significant improvements in the power of three representative studies: a search for $$t\bar{t}H$$
t

t

¯

H
, a measurement of the top quark mass, and a search for a heavy $${Z}^{{\prime} }$$

Z

′

decaying to top quark pairs. We present ablation studies to provide insight on what the network has learned in each case.
Alternative routes to electron hydrodynamics
Authors: Estrada-Álvarez Jorge , Domínguez-Adame Francisco , Díaz Elena 
Published: April 2024

AbstractViscous flow of interacting electrons in two dimensional materials features a bunch of exotic effects. A model resembling the Navier-Stokes equation for classical fluids accounts for them in the so called hydrodynamic regime. We perform a detailed analysis of the physical conditions to achieve electron hydrodynamic transport and find alternative routes: the application of a magnetic field or a high-frequency electric field in the absence of very frequent inelastic collisions. As a major conclusion, we show that the conventional requirement of frequent electron-electron collisions is too restrictive and, as a consequence, materials and phenomena to be described using hydrodynamics are widened. In view of our results, we discuss recent experimental evidence on viscous flow and point out alternative avenues to reduce electric dissipation in optimized devices.
Inhibition of mammalian mtDNA transcription acts paradoxically to reverse diet-induced hepatosteatosis and obesity
Authors: Jiang Shan , Yuan Taolin , Rosenberger Florian A. , Mourier Arnaud , Dragano Nathalia R. V. , Kremer Laura S. , Rubalcava-Gracia Diana , Hansen Fynn M. , Borg Melissa , Mennuni Mara , Filograna Roberta , Alsina David , Misic Jelena , Koolmeister Camilla , Papadea Polyxeni , de Angelis Martin Hrabe , Ren Lipeng , Andersson Olov , Unger Anke , Bergbrede Tim , Di Lucrezia Raffaella , Wibom Rolf , Zierath Juleen R. , Krook Anna , Giavalisco Patrick , Mann Matthias , Larsson Nils-Göran 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe oxidative phosphorylation system1 in mammalian mitochondria plays a key role in transducing energy from ingested nutrients2. Mitochondrial metabolism is dynamic and can be reprogrammed to support both catabolic and anabolic reactions, depending on physiological demands or disease states. Rewiring of mitochondrial metabolism is intricately linked to metabolic diseases and promotes tumour growth3–5. Here, we demonstrate that oral treatment with an inhibitor of mitochondrial transcription (IMT)6 shifts whole-animal metabolism towards fatty acid oxidation, which, in turn, leads to rapid normalization of body weight, reversal of hepatosteatosis and restoration of normal glucose tolerance in male mice on a high-fat diet. Paradoxically, the IMT treatment causes a severe reduction of oxidative phosphorylation capacity concomitant with marked upregulation of fatty acid oxidation in the liver, as determined by proteomics and metabolomics analyses. The IMT treatment leads to a marked reduction of complex I, the main dehydrogenase feeding electrons into the ubiquinone (Q) pool, whereas the levels of electron transfer flavoprotein dehydrogenase and other dehydrogenases connected to the Q pool are increased. This rewiring of metabolism caused by reduced mtDNA expression in the liver provides a principle for drug treatment of obesity and obesity-related pathology.
Supporting the Paris Agreement through international cooperation: potential contributions, institutional robustness, and progress of Glasgow climate initiatives
Authors: Kuramochi Takeshi , Deneault Andrew , Chan Sander , Smit Sybrig , Pelekh Natalie 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMany sector-level cooperative initiatives involving both national governments and non-state actors were launched around the 2021 Glasgow climate conference (COP26). However, there have been questions about whether and to what extent these initiatives could substantially contribute to achieving the Paris Agreement’s goal to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. To this end, this paper examines the prospects of the 14 Glasgow sector initiatives by investigating their aggregate mitigation ambition under current national signatories and the institutional robustness of each initiative. We find that the additional emission reduction ambition of the current national government signatories would, even if fully implemented, only fill about a quarter of the emissions gap in 2030 between the aggregate of existing national targets (nationally determined contributions: NDCs) and the required emission levels consistent with keeping warming below 1.5 °C, while the institutional robustness varied considerably across the initiatives. We also find that most national government signatories did not mention Glasgow initiatives in their updated NDCs submitted after COP26. Expansion of the national government participation, national government signatories’ incorporation of the initiatives’ goals into their updated NDCs by setting quantifiable domestic targets, and enhanced institutional capacity are key to successful emission reduction outcomes.
Interpersonal physiological and psychological synchrony predict the social transmission of nocebo hyperalgesia between individuals
Authors: Mostafa Rodela , McNair Nicolas Andrew , Tan Winston , Saunders Cosette , Colagiuri Ben , Barnes Kirsten 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWitnessing another’s pain can heighten pain in the observer. However, research has focused on the observer’s intrapersonal experience. Here, a social transmission-chain explored the spread of socially-acquired nocebo hyperalgesia. Dyads of genuine participants were randomised to ‘Generations’ (G1–G3). G1-Demonstrators, observed by G2-Observers, experienced high/low thermal pain contingent on supposed activity/inactivity of a sham-treatment. G2 became Demonstrators, witnessed by G3-Observers. They experienced fixed low-temperature stimuli irrespective of sham-treatment ‘activity’. G3 then Demonstrated for G4-Observers (a confederate), also experiencing low-temperature stimuli only. Pain ratings, electrodermal activity, and facial action units were measured. G1’s treatment-related pain propagated throughout the chain. G2 and G3 participants showed heightened subjective and physiological response to sham-treatment, despite equivalent stimulus temperatures, and G3 never witnessing the initial pain-event. Dyadic interpersonal physiological synchrony (electrodermal activity) and psychological synchrony (Observer’s ability to predict the Demonstrator’s pain), predicted subsequent socially-acquired pain. Implications relate to the interpersonal spread of maladaptive pain experiences.