bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deciphering visceral adipose tissue regulatory T cells: Key contributors to metabolic health
Authors: Elkins Cody , Li Chaoran 
Published: April 2024

SummaryRegulatory T cells (Tregs) within the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) play a crucial role in controlling tissue inflammation and maintaining metabolic health. VAT Tregs display a unique transcriptional profile and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, and closely interact with adipocytes, stromal cells, and other immune components within the local VAT microenvironment. However, in the context of obesity, there is a notable decline in VAT Tregs, resulting in heightened VAT inflammation and insulin resistance. A comprehensive understanding of the biology of VAT Tregs is essential for the development of Treg‐based therapies for mitigating obesity‐associated metabolic diseases. Recent advancements in lineage tracing tools, genetic mouse models, and various single cell “omics” techniques have significantly progressed our understandings of the origin, differentiation, and regulation of this unique VAT Treg population at steady state and during obesity. The identification of VAT‐Treg precursor cells in the secondary lymphoid organs has also provided important insights into the timing, location, and mechanisms through which VAT Tregs acquire their distinctive phenotype that enables them to function within a lipid‐rich microenvironment. In this review, we highlight key recent breakthroughs in the VAT‐Treg field while discussing pivotal questions that remain unanswered.
Improved RBM‐based feature extraction for credit risk assessment with high dimensionality
Authors: Zhu Jianxin , Wu Xiong , Yu Lean , Ji Jun 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTo address the high‐dimensional issues in credit risk assessment, an improved multilayer restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) based feature extraction method is proposed. In the improved multilayer RBM methodology, the reconstruction error method is first applied to ensure the number of RBM layers to construct an optimal model and then the weighted pruning approach is used to remove redundant and irrelevant traits. For verification purposes, two real‐world credit datasets are employed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed multilayer RBM methodology. The experimental results reveal that a significant improvement in credit classification performance can be obtained by the improved multilayer RBM methodology. This indicates the improved multilayer RBM model proposed in this paper can be used as a promising tool to solve the high‐dimensionality issues in credit risk evaluation.
Anti‐inflammatory effect of Trichospira verticillata via suppression of the NLRP3 inflammasome in neutrophilic asthma
Authors: Yang Hyeyun , Park Gunwoo , Lee Sojung , Lee Sumin , Kim YeJi , Zamora Nelson A. , Yi Dong‐Keun , Kim Soo‐Yong , Choi Chun Whan , Choi Sangho , Park Yong Hwan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTrichospira verticillata is an annual herb that belongs to the family Asteraceae. Trichospira verticillata extract (TVE) elicits anti‐plasmodial activity; however, there has been no detailed report about its anti‐inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms. In addition, herbal plants exhibit anti‐inflammatory effects by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome. Therefore, the primary goal of this study was to examine the effects of TVE on NLRP3 inflammasome activation by measuring interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) secretion. We treated lipopolysaccharides (LPS)‐primed J774A.1 and THP‐1 cells with TVE, which attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Notably, TVE did not affect nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) signalling or intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and potassium efflux, suggesting that it inactivates the NLRP3 inflammasome via other mechanisms. Moreover, TVE suppressed the formation of apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein (ASC) speck and oligomerization. Immunoprecipitation data revealed that TVE reduced the binding of NLRP3 to NIMA‐related kinase 7 (NEK7), resulting in reduced ASC oligomerization and speck formation. Moreover, TVE alleviated neutrophilic asthma (NA) symptoms in mice. This study demonstrates that TVE modulates the binding of NLPR3 to NEK7, thereby reporting novel insights into the mechanism by which TVE inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome. These findings suggest TVE as a potential therapeutic of NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated diseases, particularly NA.
Dampened circadian amplitude of EEG power in women after menopause
Authors: Pérez‐Medina‐Carballo Rafael , Kosmadopoulos Anastasi , Moderie Christophe , Boudreau Philippe , Robert Manon , Boivin Diane B. 
Published: April 2024

SummaryPostmenopausal women are at high risk of developing sleep–wake disturbances. We previously reported dampened circadian rhythms of melatonin, alertness and sleep in postmenopausal compared with young women. The present study aims to further explore electroencephalography power spectral changes in the sleep of postmenopausal women. Eight healthy postmenopausal women were compared with 12 healthy, naturally ovulating, young women in their mid‐follicular phase. Participants followed a regular 8‐hr sleep schedule for ≥ 2 weeks prior to laboratory entry. The laboratory visit included an 8‐hr baseline sleep period followed by an ultradian sleep–wake cycle procedure, consisting of alternating 1‐hr wake periods and nap opportunities. Electroencephalography power spectral analysis was performed on non‐rapid eye movement sleep obtained over a 48‐hr period. The baseline nocturnal sleep of postmenopausal women comprised lower power within delta and sigma, and higher power within alpha bands compared with that of younger women. During nighttime naps of the ultradian sleep–wake cycle procedure, lower power within delta and sigma, and higher power within beta bands were observed in postmenopausal women. During the ultradian sleep–wake cycle procedure, postmenopausal women presented lower power of delta, theta and sigma (14‐15 Hz), undetectable rhythms of delta and theta, and a dampened or undetectable rhythm of sigma (12‐15 Hz) power compared with younger women. Our results support the hypothesis of a dampened circadian variation of sleep microstructure in healthy‐sleeping postmenopausal women. Circadian changes with aging are potential mechanisms for increased susceptibility to develop sleep disturbances; however, further research is needed to clarify their clinical implications and contribution to insomnia.
Component‐level point cloud completion of bridge structures using deep learning
Authors: Matono Gen , Nishio Mayuko 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPoint cloud of existing bridges provides important applications in their maintenance and management, such as to the three‐dimensional (3D) model creation. However, point cloud data acquired in actual bridges are caused missing parts due to occlusions and limitations in sensor placements. This study proposes a learning method to realize the point cloud completion of such structure: the component‐wise learning combining the initial weight transfer, to overcome the difficulty particularly found in the bridge structures, where a whole structure consists of multiple and various components. The learning method was developed and verified using point cloud data acquired in an actual concrete bridge based on the point cloud completion performance of three significant deep learning models. The effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method were shown in that it improved performances in component level in applying it to the bridge point cloud completion by the multiple deep learning models, respectively.
The auxin efflux carrier PIN1a regulates vascular patterning in cereal roots
Authors: Fusi Riccardo , Milner Sara Giulia , Rosignoli Serena , Bovina Riccardo , De Jesus Vieira Teixeira Cristovão , Lou Haoyu , Atkinson Brian S. , Borkar Aditi N. , York Larry M. , Jones Dylan H. , Sturrock Craig J. , Stein Nils , Mascher Martin , Tuberosa Roberto , O'Connor Devin , Bennett Malcolm J. , Bishopp Anthony , Salvi Silvio , Bhosale Rahul 
Published: April 2024

Summary

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is an important global cereal crop and a model in genetic studies. Despite advances in characterising barley genomic resources, few mutant studies have identified genes controlling root architecture and anatomy, which plays a critical role in capturing soil resources.

Our phenotypic screening of a TILLING mutant collection identified line TM5992 exhibiting a short‐root phenotype compared with wild‐type (WT) Morex background. Outcrossing TM5992 with barley variety Proctor and subsequent SNP array‐based bulk segregant analysis, fine mapped the mutation to a cM scale. Exome sequencing pinpointed a mutation in the candidate gene HvPIN1a, further confirming this by analysing independent mutant alleles.

Detailed analysis of root growth and anatomy in Hvpin1a mutant alleles exhibited a slower growth rate, shorter apical meristem and striking vascular patterning defects compared to WT. Expression and mutant analyses of PIN1 members in the closely related cereal brachypodium (Brachypodium distachyon) revealed that BdPIN1a and BdPIN1b were redundantly expressed in root vascular tissues but only Bdpin1a mutant allele displayed root vascular defects similar to Hvpin1a.

We conclude that barley PIN1 genes have sub‐functionalised in cereals, compared to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), where PIN1a sequences control root vascular patterning.
Full‐Endoscopic Transforaminal Debridement and Decompression for Brucellar Thoracic Spinal Epidural Abscess: A Minimally Invasive Alternative to Open Surgery
Authors: Wu Tong , Liu Da , Meng Fan‐he , Lu Jing‐han , Fan Zheng 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveThoracic spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare but dangerous condition, and traditional surgical methods are accompanied by extensive trauma and approach‐related complications. Here we introduce the technique of full‐endoscopic transforaminal debridement and decompression and evaluate its feasibility for treating brucellar thoracic SEA.MethodsWe performed thoracic full‐endoscopic transforaminal decompression and debridement on two patients with neurological deficits caused by brucellar SEA, which is mainly composed of granulation tissue rather than pus. Postoperative MRI was conducted to confirm the presence of any residual abscess compressing the nerves. Frankel grading was employed to assess the recovery of neurological function, and complications were documented.ResultsThere were no occurrences of dural tear, postoperative hematoma, or pulmonary complications. Their neurological function had significantly improved after surgery, and postoperative MRI confirmed no residual abscess compressing the spinal cord. During the 2‐year follow‐up, one patient achieved complete recovery (from Frankel‐C to Frankel‐E), while another patient improved from Frankel‐A to Frankel‐D. Neither patient experienced infection recurrence, instability, nor kyphotic deformity.ConclusionWe described the novel application of transforaminal endoscopic surgery in brucellar thoracic granulomatous SEA and preliminarily indicated the feasibility of this technique as a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery.
Effect of full‐sib and S2‐selection on a sweet corn population (Zea mays convar. saccharata)
Authors: Aichholz Charlotte , Becker Heiko C. , Horneburg Bernd 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSweet corn breeding goals differ from grain or silage corn. Sweet corn goals focus on marketable yield including several quality traits. This study explores the effect of a single cycle of full‐sib selection and S2 selection on improving the marketable yield of an open‐pollinated sweet corn population. The selected populations were subsequently compared in four environments for several plant‐, yield‐ and quality traits relative to the original population. Analysis of variance was used to detect selection progress and indirect effects of selection. Full‐sib and S2‐selection decreased total yield. Marketable yield was decreased more by S2‐selection than by full‐sib selection. Flowering time was changed by full‐sib selection, but not by S2‐selection. Full‐sib selection improved ear quality by increasing ear length, the diameter of the ear and the number of kernel rows. S2‐selection showed no effect or a negative effect on ear quality. The application of a single cycle of selection using either method seemed inadequate for increasing marketable yield. More cycles might be necessary to make significant improvements.
Evaluating participant engagement in a preconception cohort study in relation to the Dobbs decision
Authors: Willis Mary D. , Hoffman Molly N. , Wang Tanran R. , Sabbath Erika L. , Kuriyama Andrea S. , Wesselink Amelia K. , Wise Lauren A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundOn June 24th, 2022, the United States (US) Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, et al. (hereafter, the Dobbs decision) removed federal‐level protections for induced abortion, sparking concerns about reproductive rights and health privacy. Although other pregnancy outcomes (e.g. spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy) are not explicit targets of post‐Dobbs abortion bans, study participants may be worried about how their reproductive health data are used by researchers in the post‐Dobbs era.ObjectiveTo evaluate the extent to which the Dobbs decision influenced participant's engagement in a preconception cohort study.MethodsWe leveraged data spanning 20 weeks before and after the Dobbs decision (4 February 2022, to 11 November 2022) from US participants in Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), an internet‐based prospective preconception cohort study of couples attempting conception. We categorised participants' state‐level abortion access by residential location: banned or restricted rights; limited access; and protected rights. We evaluated three participant engagement outcomes: follow‐up questionnaire completion; report of a pregnancy; and clicking on the invitation link for a fertility‐tracking app. We fit separate linear regression models and restricted cubic splines to compare outcome prevalence before and after the Dobbs decision by state‐level abortion category.ResultsA total of 585 newly enrolled participants and 1247 already‐enrolled participants received 2802 invitations to complete a follow‐up questionnaire. In states with limited or protected abortion rights, we observed little change in participant engagement. In states with banned or restricted abortion rights, however, we observed a 27.12 percentage point reduction (95% confidence interval −43.68, −10.51) in the prevalence of clicking on the invitation link for the fertility‐tracking app comparing the post‐ versus pre‐Dobbs periods.ConclusionsThere was some evidence of reduced participant engagement after the Dobbs decision in states with banned or restricted abortion rights, indicating potentially deleterious effects on the conduct of reproductive health studies.
Molecular phylogeny of north European Geometridae (Lepidoptera: Geometroidea)
Authors: Õunap Erki , Nedumpally Vineesh , Yapar Etka , Lemmon Alan R. , Tammaru Toomas 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA comprehensive phylogeny of north European Geometridae is reconstructed using a two‐step analytical pipeline. First, a phylogenomic backbone tree was inferred using a 117‐species subset of geometrid moths and a 35‐species set of outgroup taxa from eight other macroheteroceran families. The data matrix totalled 209,499 bp from 648 protein‐coding loci obtained using anchored hybrid enrichment technique for sequencing. This backbone was used for constructing a larger phylogeny of Geometridae based on up to 11 ‘traditional’ protein‐coding genes which were obtained for all 376 species of north European geometrids, complemented by 98 species from taxonomic key groups of Geometridae from other parts of the world. Our results largely corroborate earlier findings about higher classification of Geometridae, but new evidence nevertheless allows us to suggest several changes to the taxonomy. Lampropterygini Õunap & Nedumpally tribus nova and Pelurgini Õunap & Nedumpally tribus nova (both Larentiinae) are described. Epirranthini are regarded as a junior subjective synonym of Rumiini syn. n. Triphosini and Macariini are shown to be paraphyletic within their current limits. Costaconvexa Agenjo is transferred from Xanthorhoini to Epirrhoini new tribe association, Artiora Meyrick from Ennomini incertae sedis to Boarmiini new tribe association, Selenia Hübner from Ennominae incertae sedis to Epionini new tribe association and Epirranthis Hübner from Epirranthini to Rumiini new tribe association. Ochyria Hübner stat. rev. is revived from synonym of Xanthorhoe Hübner as a valid genus and Epelis Hulst stat. rev. and Speranza Curtis stat. rev. from synonyms of Macaria Curtis as valid genera, leading to the following new or revised combinations: Ochyria quadrifasiata (Clerck) rev. comb., Epelis carbonaria (Clerck) comb. n., Speranza fusca (Thunberg) comb. n., Speranza artesiaria (Denis & Schiffermüller) rev. comb., Speranza brunneata (Thunberg) rev. comb., Speranza wauaria (Linnaeus) rev. comb., Speranza loricaria (Eversmann) rev. comb. Perizoma saxicola Tikhonov rev. comb. is transferred back to its original genus from Gagitodes Warren. Hydrelia Hübner, Xanthorhoe and Heliomata Grote & Robinson are shown to be paraphyletic within their current limits.
Characterization of the closely related Arabidopsis thalianaβ‐ketoacyl‐CoA synthases KCS3, KCS12 and KCS19
Authors: Zhang Zhonghang , Gozdzik Jedrzej , Jetter Reinhard 
Published: April 2024

SUMMARYThe cuticle, consisting of cuticular wax and cutin, is a lipid membrane that seals the plant surface against environmental stress. β‐Ketoacyl‐CoA synthases (KCSs) are condensing enzymes catalyzing crucial reactions elongating hydrocarbon chains into precursors for various cuticular wax components. Although many KCS genes were well characterized in various species, the functions of the closely related Arabidopsis KCS3, KCS12, KCS19 enzymes remained unclear. Here, we found KCS3 preferentially expressed in growing organs, especially in guard cells. kcs3 mutants and kcs3kcs12 double mutants displayed sepal fusion phenotypes, suggesting defects in cuticle formation. The mutants had decreased amounts of wax components with relatively short hydrocarbon chains in the developing organs but increased levels of wax compounds in mature organs. In contrast, kcs19 mutants showed seed fusion phenotypes and altered chain length distributions in seed suberin. Taken together, our results show that KCS12 and KCS3 share redundant functions in flower development, while KCS19 is involved in seed coat formation. All three condensing enzymes are involved in the elongation of C>18 hydrocarbon chains in young, actively expanding tissues.
A class of rearrangement groups that are not invariably generated
Authors: Perego Davide , Tarocchi Matteo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA group is invariably generated if there exists a subset such that, for every choice for , the group is generated by . Gelander, Golan, and Juschenko (J. Algebra 478 (2016), 261–270) showed that Thompson groups and are not invariably generated. Here, we generalize this result to the larger setting of rearrangement groups, proving that any subgroup of a rearrangement group that has a certain transitive property is not invariably generated.
Expanding the capabilities of MuGENT for large-scale genetic engineering of the fastest-replicating species,
Vibrio natriegens
Authors: Glasgo Liz D. , Lukasiak Katie L. , Zinser Erik R. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

The fastest replicating bacterium
Vibrio natriegens
is a rising workhorse for molecular and biotechnological research with established tools for efficient genetic manipulation. Here, we expand on the capabilities of multiplex genome editing by natural transformation (MuGENT) by identifying a neutral insertion site and showing how two selectable markers can be swapped at this site for sequential rounds of natural transformation. Second, we demonstrated that MuGENT can be used for complementation by gene insertion at an ectopic chromosomal locus. Additionally, we developed a robust method to cure the competence plasmid required to induce natural transformation. Finally, we demonstrated the ability of MuGENT to create massive deletions; the 280 kb deletion created in this study is one of the largest artificial deletions constructed in a single round of targeted mutagenesis of a bacterium. These methods each advance the genetic potential of
V. natriegens
and collectively expand upon its utility as an emerging model organism for synthetic biology.

IMPORTANCE

Vibrio natriegens
is an emerging model organism for molecular and biotechnological applications. Its fast growth, metabolic versatility, and ease of genetic manipulation provide an ideal platform for synthetic biology. Here, we develop and apply novel methods that expand the genetic capabilities of the
V. natriegens
model system. Prior studies developed a method to manipulate multiple regions of the chromosome in a single step. Here, we provide new resources that diversify the utility of this method. We also provide a technique to remove the required genetic tools from the cell once the manipulation is performed, thus establishing “clean” derivative cells. Finally, we show the full extent of this technique’s capability by generating one of the largest chromosomal deletions reported in the literature. Collectively, these new tools will be beneficial broadly to the
Vibrio
community and specifically to the advancement of
V. natriegens
as a model system.
Powers of the Cartier operator on Artin–Schreier covers
Authors: Groen Steven R. 
Published: April 2024

For a curve in positive characteristic, the Cartier operator acts on the vector space of its regular differentials. The a-number is defined to be the dimension of the kernel of the Cartier operator. In [a-numbers of curves in Artin–Schreier covers, Algebra Number Theory 14(3) (2020) 587–641], Booher and Cais use a sheaf-theoretic approach to give bounds on the a-numbers of Artin–Schreier covers. In this paper, I generalize that approach to arbitrary powers of the Cartier operator, yielding bounds for the dimension of the kernel. These bounds give new restrictions on the Ekedahl-Oort type of Artin–Schreier covers.
Concurrent maintenance of both veridical and transformed working memory representations within unique coding schemes
Authors: Kandemir Güven , Wolff Michael J. , Karabay Aytaç , Stokes Mark G. , Axmacher Nikolai , Akyürek Elkan G. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
In the dynamic environment we live in, the already limited information that human working memory can maintain needs to be constantly updated to optimally guide behaviour. Indeed, previous studies showed that leading up to a response, representations maintained in working memory representations are transformed continuously. This goes hand-in-hand with the removal of task-irrelevant items. However, does such removal also include the representations of stimuli as they were originally, prior to transformation? Here, we assessed the neural representation of task-relevant transformed representations, and the no-longer-relevant veridical representations they originated from. We applied multivariate pattern analysis to electroencephalographic data during maintenance of orientation gratings with and without mental rotation. During maintenance, we perturbed the representational network by means of a visual impulse stimulus, and were thus able to successfully decode veridical as well as imaginary, transformed orientation gratings from impulse-driven activity. The impulse response reflected only task-relevant (cued), but not task-irrelevant (uncued) items, suggesting that the latter were quickly discarded from working memory. By contrast, even though the original cued orientation gratings were also no longer task-relevant after mental rotation, these items continued to be represented next to the rotated ones, in different representational formats. This seemingly inefficient use of scarce working memory capacity was associated with reduced probe response times and may thus serve to increase precision and flexibility in guiding behaviour in dynamic environments.