bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clustering Electrophysiological Predisposition to Binge Drinking: An Unsupervised Machine Learning analysis
Authors: Uceta Marcos , del Cerro-León Alberto , Shpakivska-Bilán Danylyna , García-Moreno Luis M. , Maestú Fernando , Antón-Toro Luis Fernando 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe demand for fresh strategies to analyze intricate multidimensional data in neuroscience is increasingly evident. One of the most complex events during our neurodevelopment is adolescence, where our nervous system suffers constant changes, not only in neuroanatomical traits, but also in neurophysiological components. One of the most impactful factors we deal with during this time is our environment, especially when encountering external factors such as social behaviors or substance consumption. Binge Drinking (BD) has emerged as an extended pattern of alcohol consumption in teenagers, not only affecting their future lifestyle, but changing their neurodevelopment. Recent studies have changed their scope into finding predisposition factors that may lead adolescents into this kind of patterns of consumption.MethodsIn this article, using unsupervised machine learning (UML) algorithms, we analyze the relationship between electrophysiological activity of healthy teenagers and the levels of consumption they had two years later. We used hierarchical agglomerative UML techniques based on Ward’s minimum variance criterion to clusterize relations between power spectrum and functional connectivity and alcohol consumption, based on similarity in their correlations, in frequency bands from theta to gamma.ResultsWe found that all frequency bands studied had a pattern of clusterization based on anatomical regions of interest related to neurodevelopment and cognitive and behavioral aspects of addiction, highlighting the dorsolateral and medial prefrontal, the sensorimotor, the medial posterior and the occipital cortices. All this patterns, of great cohesion and coherence, showed an abnormal electrophysiological activity, representing a dysregulation in the development of core resting-state networks. The clusters found maintained not only plausibility in nature, but robustness, making this a great example of the usage of UML in the analysis of electrophysiological activity, a new perspective into analysis that, while contributing to classical statistics, can clarify new characteristics of the variables of interest.
Assessing the impact of structural modifications in the construction of surveillance network for transboundary animal diseases: the role of backbone and sentinel nodes
Authors: Mesdour Asma , Ijoma Sandra , Bolajoko Muhammad-Bashir , Arsevska Elena , Ciss Mamadou , Cardinale Eric , Andraud Mathieu , Apolloni Andrea 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPeste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious disease that mainly affects sheep and goats and is transmitted through livestock movements. Because of its socio-economic impact, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) have set the goal to eradicate it by 2030, one of the key steps being the improvement of surveillance networks. The present study aimed to provide tools to identify areas that could serve assentinel nodes, i.e. areas that may be rapidly infected at the onset of epidemics. Using data from a market survey conducted in the Northern Region of Nigeria, we analyzed which nodes, under which conditions, could serve as sentinel nodes. We considered several modified networks to get around the problem of data only being available for part of the overall network structure and to account for potential errors made during the field study. For each configuration, we simulated the spread of PPR using a stochastic Susceptible-Infectious (SI) model based on animal movements to assess the epidemics’ extent and the presence of recurrent patterns to identify potentialsentinel nodes. We extracted the backbone of the reference network and checked for the presence of sentinel nodes within it. We then explored the possibility of using the backbone nodes as sentinel nodes. We investigated how the origin(seed)of the epidemics could affect the propagation pattern by comparing and grouping seeds based on their respective transmission paths. Results showed that the isolated backbone contains 45% sentinel nodes that remain stable or undergo only minor changes in 9 out of 11 configurations. On top of that, the characteristics of sentinel nodes identified in the backbone are not influenced by the severity of the disease. The H index, in-degree, and eigenvector are the most essential variables. This study provides an overview of the major axes of animal movements in Nigeria and the most vulnerable locations that should be prioritized for monitoring livestock diseases like PPR.
Effect of alcohol on the speed of shifting endogenous and exogenous attention
Authors: Thiele Alexander , Heath Christopher , Pearson Jessica Kate , Sanjeev Sidharth , Read Jenny C. A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe study aimed to investigate to what extent acute moderate doses of alcohol affect the speed of endogenous versus exogenous attentional shift times. Subjects viewed an array of 10 moving clocks and reported the time a clock indicated when cued. Target clocks were indicated by peripheral or central cues, including conditions of pre-cuing. This allowed assessing shift times when attention was pre-allocated, when peripheral cues triggered exogenous attention shifts, and when central cues triggered endogenous attention shifts. Each subject participated in 2 sessions (alcohol/placebo), whereby the order of drug intake was counterbalanced across subjects, and subjects were blinded to conditions. Confirming previous results, we show that pre-cuing resulted in the fastest shift times, followed by exogenous cuing, with endogenous attentional shifts being slowest. Alcohol increased attentional shift times across all 3 conditions compared to placebo. Thus, the detrimental effects of alcohol on attentional shift times did not depend on the type of attention probed.
2D MXene-DNA Hybrid Hydrogel for Thrombin Detection: A Versatile Approach for Biomedical Sensing
Authors: Morya Vinod , Bhatia Dhiraj , Ghoroi Chinmay 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe delaminated MXene (2D MXene) and DNA hydrogel created enormous opportunities due to their versatility and ability to be tailored for specific applications. MXene offers high aspect ratio morphology and electrical conductivity, while DNA provides stimuli responsiveness and specificity in binding to ligands or complementary sequences. This synergy makes DNA an ideal actuator when combined with 2D MXenes. Present work makes the first effort to combine and exploit them for detecting the thrombin levels; a crucial proteolytic enzyme that plays a pivotal role in regulating blood clotting by cleaving fibrinogen into fibrin and plays a critical role in bleeding disorders such as Haemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. This study introduces a novel hybrid DNA hydrogel by leveraging the properties of 2D MXene with a thiol-modified thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) as a crosslinking agent. The TBA and its complementary DNA oligos are immobilized on 2D MXene sheets, forming a packed hydrogel. Upon thrombin binding, the TBA releases its complementary DNA, resulting in a loosened hydrogel and a change in resistance, which is used as a read-out for thrombin detection. The concept is successfully demonstrated, achieving 90-92% accuracy in detecting thrombin in artificial samples. This robust technique holds promise for biomedical sensing devices, allowing customization for the detection of various target molecules using specific aptamers.
Genetic gradual reduction of OGT activity unveils the essential role of O-GlcNAc in the mouse embryo
Authors: Formichetti Sara , Sadowska Agnieszka , Ascolani Michela , Hansen Julia , Ganter Kerstin , Lancrin Christophe , Humphreys Neil , Boulard Mathieu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe reversible glycosylation of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins (O-GlcNAcylation) is catalyzed by a single enzyme, namely O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT). The mammalianOgtgene is X-linked and it is essential for embryonic development and for the viability of proliferating cells. We perturbed OGT’s functionin vivoby creating a murine allelic series of four single amino acid substitutions reducing OGT’s catalytic activity to a range of degrees. The severity of the embryonic lethality was proportional to the degree of impairment of OGT’s catalysis, demonstrating that the O-GlcNAc modification itself is required for early development. We identified milder hypomorphicOgtalleles that perturb O-GlcNAc homeostasis while being compatible with embryogenesis. The analysis of the transcriptomes of the mutant embryos at different stages suggested a sexually-dimorphic developmental delay caused by the decrease in O-GlcNAc. Furthermore, a mild reduction of OGT’s enzymatic activity was sufficient to loosen the silencing of endogenous retrovirusesin vivo.
Genetic architecture underlying response to the fungal pathogenDothistroma septosporumin lodgepole pine, jack pine, and their hybrids
Authors: Lu Mengmeng , Feau Nicolas , Lind Brandon , Vidakovic Dragana Obreht , Singh Pooja , Aitken Sally N. , Hamelin Richard C. , Yeaman Sam 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn recent decades,Dothistromaneedle blight (DNB), a pine tree disease caused by the fungal pathogenDothistroma septosporum, has severely damaged lodgepole pine (Pinus contortaDougl. ex. Loud.) in British Columbia, Canada, and raised health concerns for jack pine (Pinus banksianaLamb.). The pathogen has already shown signs of host shift eastward to the hybrid populations between lodgepole pine and jack pine (Pinus contorta×P. banksiana), and possibly into pure jack pine. However, we have little knowledge about mechanisms of resistance toD. septosporum, especially the underlying genetic basis of variation in pines. In this study, we conducted controlled inoculations to induce infection byD. septosporumand performed a genome-wide case-control association study with pooled sequencing (pool-seq) data to dissect the genetic architecture underlying response in lodgepole pine, jack pine, and their hybrids. We identified candidate genes associated withD. septosporumresponse in lodgepole pine and in hybrid samples. We also assessed genetic structure in hybrid populations and inferred how introgression may affect the distribution of genetic variation involved inD. septosporumresponse in the studied samples. These results can be used to develop genomic tools to evaluate DNB risk, guide forest management strategies, and potentially select for resistant genotypes.
Bee pasture as a buffer against flower-mediated disease transmission
Authors: Rabajante Jomar Fajardo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBees play a crucial role as pollinators in ecosystems, yet they face the risk of flower-mediated diseases that can spread among their communities. Infected bees can inadvertently transmit infective agents, such as microbial spores, to other bee colonies through shared floral resources during foraging. To address this challenge, we propose a solution involving the strategic planting of bee pasture as buffer zones around foraging areas, coupled with the careful placement of beehives to segregate bee colonies. However, this strategy presents dual potential outcomes: the buffer zone could act as a protective barrier, reducing disease transmission; or attract more bees from other colonies, thereby increasing infection risk. Employing mathematical modeling, we explore the intricate dynamics of this strategy to minimize negative outcomes, considering factors such as colony strength, optimal foraging behavior, and foraging area locations. Our results recommend implementing the following measures to safeguard the target bee colony against disease: (i) ensuring ample food sources are available in the vicinity of the target bee colony, and (ii) establishing bee pasture in a distinct, outlying area to serve as a buffer zone. While the bee pasture buffer zone cannot guarantee complete immunity from infection, it can effectively delay the spread of inter-colony diseases. This proposed strategy should be combined with other sound beekeeping practices for comprehensive disease management. Our analysis aims to provide insights into optimizing practices to protect the health of both managed and wild bee populations, and bolster ecological resilience.Significance StatementBees, vital pollinators in ecosystems, face the risk of flower-mediated diseases transmitted between colonies. Flower-mediated disease transmission occurs when bees spread pathogens to each other through sharing of flowers during foraging. To mitigate this, we propose planting bee pasture buffer zones around foraging areas. Using mathematical modeling, we recommend ensuring nearby food sources for the target bee colony and establishing bee pasture buffers. While not guaranteeing immunity, this strategy can delay disease spread. Combining this with other beekeeping practices can comprehensively manage diseases. This research underscores the importance of bee pasture areas for protecting both managed and wild bee populations and strengthening ecosystem resilience.MSC Classification92-10, 92D40, 92D30
Maternal obesity may disrupt offspring metabolism by inducing oocyte genome hyper-methylation via increased DNMTs
Authors: Chao Shuo , Lu Jun , Li Li-Jun , Guo Hong-Yan , Xu Kui-Peng , Wang Ning , Zhao Shu-Xian , Jin Xiao-Wen , Wang Shao-Ge , Yin Shen , Shen Wei , Zhao Ming-Hui , Huang Gui-An , Sun Qing-Yuan , Ge Zhao-Jia 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMaternal obesity has deleterious effects on the process of establishing oocyte DNA methylation; yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we found that maternal obesity induced by high-fat diet (HFD) disrupted the genomic methylation of oocytes, and that at least a part of the altered DNA methylation was transmitted to the F2 oocytes and the livers via females. We further examined the metabolome of serum and found that the altered metabolites such as melatonin may play a key role in the disrupted genomic methylation in the oocytes of obese mice. We further found that exogenous melatonin treatment significantly reduced the hyper-methylation of HFD oocytes, and the increased expression of DNMT3a and DNMT1 in HFD oocytes was also decreased. To address how melatonin regulates the expression of DNMTs, the function of melatonin was inhibited or activated upon oocytes. Results revealed that melatonin may regulate the expression of DNMTs via the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway. These results suggest that maternal obesity induces genomic methylation alterations in oocytes, which can be partly transmitted to F2 in females, and that melatonin is involved in regulating the hyper-methylation of HFD oocytes by increasing the expression of DNMTs via the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway.
Navigating the Night: Effects of Artificial Light on the Behaviour of Atlantic Puffin Fledglings
Authors: Brown T.M. , Wilhelm S.I. , Slepkov A.D. , Baker K. , Mastromonaco G.F. , Burness G. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACTEvery year in Newfoundland, young Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) departing their nests at night for the first time become stranded in towns near their breeding colonies, a phenomenon thought to be caused by attraction toward artificial light. To test this hypothesis, we conducted three behavioural experiments. First, we illuminated beaches near a breeding colony to determine whether more fledglings would become stranded in illuminated versus dark conditions. Next, we conducted a Y-maze experiment to test stranded fledglings for phototactic behaviour in general and for preferences among High Pressure Sodium (HPS), Warm White Light-Emitting Diode (LED), Cool White LED, Blue LED, and Orange LED light. Lastly, we quantified activity levels of stranded fledglings in an open field test during exposure to several different light types. We found significantly more fledglings stranded when beaches were illuminated, and fledglings significantly preferred light over darkness in the Y-maze, supporting our hypothesis that Atlantic Puffin fledglings become stranded due to light attraction. Fledglings displayed no preferences for certain light types over others in the Y-maze, potentially suggesting that strandings in this species may not be mitigable by changing the streetlight type in stranding-prone towns. Interestingly, fledglings exhibited higher activity levels in darkness and HPS light than in LED light, potentially holding implications for rescue, rehabilitation, and husbandry programs. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the only evidence-based strategy for the reduction of Atlantic Puffin strandings remains to be the reduction of coastal artificial lighting; however, further research is needed to determine if aspects of artificial light besides bulb type may be altered to effectively reduce light attraction in this species.
A Multiresolution Approach with Method-Informed Statistical Analysis for Quantifying Lymphatic Pumping Dynamics
Authors: Razavi Mohammad S. , Ruscic Katarina J. , Korn Elizabeth G. , Marquez Marla , Houle Timothy T. , Singhal Dhruv , Munn Lance L. , Padera Timothy P. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACTDespite significant strides in lymphatic system imaging, the timely diagnosis of lymphatic disorders remains elusive. One main cause for this is the absence of standardized, quantitative methods for real-time analysis of lymphatic contractility. Here, we address this unmet need by combining near-infrared lymphangiography imaging with an innovative analytical workflow. We combined data acquisition, signal processing, and statistical analysis to integrate traditional peak and-valley with advanced wavelet time-frequency analyses. Decision theory was used to evaluate the primary drivers of attributable variance in lymphangiography measurements to generate a strategy for optimizing the number of repeat measurements needed per subject to increase measurement reliability. This approach not only offers detailed insights into lymphatic pumping behaviors across species, sex and age, but also significantly boosts the reliability of these measurements by incorporating multiple regions of interest and evaluating the lymphatic system under various gravitational loads. By addressing the critical need for improved imaging and quantification methods, our study offers a new standard approach for the imaging and analysis of lymphatic function that can improve our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of lymphatic diseases. The results highlight the importance of comprehensive data acquisition strategies to fully capture the dynamic behavior of the lymphatic system.
Worldwide study of the taste of bitter medicines and their modifiers
Authors: Nguyen Ha , Lin Cailu , Bell Katherine , Huang Amy , Hannum Mackenzie , Ramirez Vicente , Christensen Carol , Rawson Nancy E. , Colquitt Lauren , Domanico Paul , Sasimovich Ivona , Herriman Riley , Joseph Paule , Braimah Oghogho , Reed Danielle R. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe bitter taste of medicines hinders patient compliance, but not everyone experiences these difficulties because people worldwide differ in their bitterness perception. To better understand how people from diverse ancestries perceive medicines and taste modifiers, 338 adults, European and recent US and Canada immigrants from Asia, South Asia, and Africa, rated the bitterness intensity of taste solutions on a 100-point generalized visual analog scale and provided a saliva sample for genotyping. The taste solutions were five medicines, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), moxifloxacin, praziquantel, amodiaquine, and propylthiouracil (PROP), and four other solutions, TAF mixed with sucralose (sweet, reduces bitterness) or 6-methylflavone (tasteless, reduces bitterness), sucralose alone, and sodium chloride alone. Bitterness ratings differed by ancestry for two of the five drugs (amodiaquine and PROP) and for TAF mixed with sucralose. Genetic analysis showed that people with variants in one bitter receptor variant gene (TAS2R38) reported PROP was more bitter than did those with a different variant (p= 7.6e-19) and that people with either anRIMS2or aTHSD4genotype found sucralose more bitter than did others (p=2.6e-8, p=7.9e-11, resp.). Our findings may help guide the formulation of bad- tasting medicines to meet the needs of those most sensitive to them.
Assessing the application of landmark-free morphometrics to macroevolutionary analyses
Authors: Mulqueeney James M. , Ezard Thomas H. G. , Goswami Anjali 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe study of phenotypic evolution has been transformed by methods allowing three-dimensional quantification of anatomical form. The present state-of-the-art 3D geometric morphometrics, which relies heavily on manual landmarking, is time-consuming, prone to operator bias, and cannot effectively compare disparate shapes. Emerging automated approaches, notably landmark-free techniques, offer promise but have only been applied to closely related species. Here, we compare landmark-free approaches with high-density geometric morphometric methods on 322 mammals across 180 families. Leveraging the benefits of Poisson meshes, which combine open and closed projections, we show how landmark-free methods have greater power to differentiate major taxonomic groups. Although there is coarse correspondence in shape variation between the two methods, the finer features of the landmark-free approach likely reflect its broader sampling of the surface structure. Our study underscores the robustness of landmark-free methods for large-scale comparative analysis and helps propel morphometrics into a new era of bigger data.
Projection-TAGs enable multiplex projection tracing and multi-modal profiling of projection neurons
Authors: Yang Lite , Liu Fang , Hahm Hannah , Okuda Takao , Li Xiaoyue , Zhang Yufen , Kalyanaraman Vani , Heitmeier Monique R. , Samineni Vijay K. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSingle-cell multiomic techniques have sparked immense interest in developing a comprehensive multi-modal map of diverse neuronal cell types and their brain wide projections. However, investigating the spatial organization, transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes of brain wide projection neurons is hampered by the lack of efficient and easily adoptable tools. Here we introduce Projection-TAGs, a retrograde AAV platform that allows multiplex tagging of projection neurons using RNA barcodes. By using Projection-TAGs, we performed multiplex projection tracing of the mouse cortex and high-throughput single-cell profiling of the transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes of the cortical projection neurons. Projection-TAGs can be leveraged to obtain a snapshot of activity-dependent recruitment of distinct projection neurons and their molecular features in the context of a specific stimulus. Given its flexibility, usability, and compatibility, we envision that Projection-TAGs can be readily applied to build a comprehensive multi-modal map of brain neuronal cell types and their projections.