bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genomic screening of fish‐specific genes in gnathostomes and their functions in fin development
Authors: Kudoh Hidehiro , Yonei‐Tamura Sayuri , Abe Gembu , Iwakiri Junichi , Uesaka Masahiro , Makino Takashi , Tamura Koji 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this study, we comprehensively searched for fish‐specific genes in gnathostomes that contribute to development of the fin, a fish‐specific trait. Many previous reports suggested that animal group‐specific genes are often important for group‐specific traits. Clarifying the roles of fish‐specific genes in fin development of gnathostomes, for example, can help elucidate the mechanisms underlying the formation of this trait. We first identified 91 fish‐specific genes in gnathostomes by comparing the gene repertoire in 16 fish and 35 tetrapod species. RNA‐seq analysis narrowed down the 91 candidates to 33 genes that were expressed in the developing pectoral fin. We analyzed the functions of approximately half of the candidate genes by loss‐of‐function analysis in zebrafish. We found that some of the fish‐specific and fin development‐related genes, including fgf24 and and1/and2, play roles in fin development. In particular, the newly identified fish‐specific gene qkia is expressed in the developing fin muscle and contributes to muscle morphogenesis in the pectoral fin as well as body trunk. These results indicate that the strategy of identifying animal group‐specific genes is functional and useful. The methods applied here could be used in future studies to identify trait‐associated genes in other animal groups.
The role of real‐time continuous glucose monitoring in diabetes management and how it should link to integrated personalized diabetes management
Authors: Reddy Monika , Oliver Nick 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDiabetes is a complex metabolic condition that demands tailored, individualized approaches for effective management. Real‐time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) systems have improved in terms of design, usability and accuracy over the years and play a pivotal role in the delivery of integrated personalized diabetes management (iPDM). iPDM is a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach that combines individualized care strategies utilizing technologies and interventions and encourages the active involvement of the person with diabetes in the care provided. The use of stand‐alone rtCGM and its integration with other diabetes technologies, such as hybrid automated insulin delivery, have enabled improved glycaemic and quality of life outcomes for people with diabetes. As the uptake of rtCGM and associated technologies is increasing and becoming the standard of care for people with diabetes, it is important that efforts are focused on associated goals such as reducing health inequalities in terms of access, aligning structured education with rtCGM usage, choosing the right technology based on needs and preferences, and minimizing burden while aiming for optimal glucose outcomes. Utilizing rtCGM in other settings than outpatients and in diabetes cohorts beyond type 1 and type 2 diabetes needs further exploration. This review aims to provide an overview of the role of rtCGM and how best to link rtCGM to iPDM, highlighting its role in enhancing personalized treatment strategies.
Genetics of inborn errors of immunity: Diagnostic strategies and new approaches to CNV detection
Authors: Pérez Elisabet Matas , Torbay Andrea González , López Mario Solis , de la Cámara Ricardo Cuesta Martín , Jiménez Carmen Rodríguez , Álvarez Mari Ángeles Mori , Blanco Julián Nevado , Gianelli Carla , Hijón Carmen Cámara , Granados Eduardo López , Pena Rebeca Rodríguez , del Pozo Mate Ángela , García‐Morato María Bravo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundGenetic diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity (IEI) is complex due to the large number of genes involved and their molecular features. Missense variants have been reported as the most common cause of IEI. However, the frequency of copy number variants (CNVs) may be underestimated since their detection requires specific quantitative techniques. At this point, the use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is acquiring relevance.MethodsIn this article, we present our experience in the genetic diagnosis of IEI based on three diagnostic algorithms that allowed the detection of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and CNVs. Following this approximation, 703 index cases were evaluated between 2014 and 2021. Sanger sequencing, MLPA, CGH array, breakpoint spanning PCR or a customized NGS‐based multigene‐targeted panel were performed.ResultsA genetic diagnosis was reached in 142 of the 703 index cases (20%), 19 of them presented deletions as causal variants. Deletions were also detected in 5 affected relatives and 16 healthy carriers during the family studies. Additionally, we compile, characterize and present all the CNVs detected by our diagnostic algorithms, representing the largest cohort of deletions related to IEI to date. Furthermore, three bioinformatic tools (LACONv, XHMM, VarSeq™) based on NGS data were evaluated. VarSeq™ was the most sensitive and specific bioinformatic tool; detecting 21/23 (91%) deletions located in captured regions.ConclusionBased on our results, we propose a strategy to guide the molecular diagnosis that can be followed by expert and non‐expert centres in the field of IEI.
Assessing mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3b within‐individual sensitivity — A comparison between the local–global paradigm and two specialized oddball sequences
Authors: Rutiku Renate , Fiscone Chiara , Massimini Marcello , Sarasso Simone 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMismatch negativity (MMN) and P3b are well known for their clinical utility. There exists no gold standard, however, for acquiring them as EEG markers of consciousness in clinical settings. This may explain why the within‐individual sensitivity of MMN/P3b paradigms is often quite poor and why seemingly identical EEG markers can behave differently across Disorders of consciousness (DoC) studies. Here, we compare two traditional paradigms for MMN or P3b assessment with the recently more popular local–global paradigm that promises to assess MMN and P3b orthogonally within one oddball sequence. All three paradigms were administered to healthy participants (N = 15) with concurrent EEG. A clear MMN and local effect were found for 15/15 participants. The P3b and global effect were found for 14/15 and 13/15 participants, respectively. There were no systematic differences between the global effect and P3b. Indeed, P3b amplitude was highly correlated across paradigms. The local effect differed clearly from the MMN, however. It occurred earlier than MMN and was followed by a much more prominent P3a. The peak latencies and amplitudes were also not correlated across paradigms. Caution should therefore be exercised when comparing the local effect and MMN across studies. We conclude that the within‐individual MMN sensitivity is adequate for both the local–global and a dedicated MMN paradigm. The within‐individual sensitivity of P3b was lower than expected for both the local–global and a dedicated P3b paradigm, which may explain the often‐low sensitivity of P3b paradigms in patients with DoC.
Implications of the Mississippi v. Tennessee Supreme Court Decision for Interstate Groundwater Management
Authors: Wasankar Nimisha , Clement T. Prabhakar 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGroundwater allocation is rapidly becoming a contentious water resource management problem around the world. It is anticipated that the effects of climate change would further aggravate this problem. Conflicts over the distribution of freshwater are expected to increase as stakeholders want to access more groundwater to meet their growing demands. In the United States, water conflicts are settled through a litigation process. Water litigations can be expensive, protracted, and fraught with complex legal and technical difficulties. A landmark groundwater case involving Tennessee (TN) and Mississippi (MS) was recently litigated in the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). In this case, MS sued TN for stealing their groundwater and SCOTUS unanimously ruled that the water contained in the aquifer that naturally crosses the border between TN and MS is subject to equitable apportionment. This decision has significant ramifications for groundwater management as it established a precedent for resolving future interstate groundwater litigations. Although the Court has previously applied the legal doctrine of equitable apportionment to settle disputes involving surface water use, this is the first instance in which the doctrine has been applied to resolve an interstate groundwater dispute. Therefore, currently, there are little or no guidelines available for equitably distributing groundwater resources between two states. The objective of this article is to examine this historic legal dispute to fully understand the scientific justification for the judicial stances taken by the plaintiff and defendants, and the legal reasoning for the final verdict. We also discuss the challenges this ruling presents for managing interstate groundwater resources.
Group concept mapping strategies for collaborative continuation tasks
Authors: Su Fan , Zou Di 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe continuation task, which involves reading an unfinished story and completing its ending, offers good potential for language learning. To enhance students' story‐ending writing abilities, this study proposes two types of concept mapping strategies: group filling‐in‐the‐blanks of a teacher‐constructed guided map and group concept mapping, both of which are meant to help students clarify storylines by visualizing a story onto a concept map. A quasi‐experiment was conducted in three classes. Students in Class 1 collaboratively filled in the blanks on a concept map and then wrote completions to three stories. In Class 2, students collaboratively constructed their own concept map and then wrote completions to the same stories. Class 3 students collaboratively wrote completions to the same stories without any concept mapping. Students’ story completions, diaries, responses to questionnaires, the researcher's observation notes, and teacher interviews were collected and analyzed using ANOVAs (Analysis of variance), paired‐sample t‐tests and thematic and domain analysis. The results showed that concept mapping strategies assisted students’ story‐ending writing quality with students achieving higher scores when using the group concept mapping strategy compared to those not using any mapping strategies. Nine interactive patterns were identified, with the collaborative pattern dominating, and these patterns evolved dynamically as the co‐continuation tasks proceeded. Overall, both students and teachers perceived the proposed strategies positively.
Associations of childhood BMI traits with blood pressure and glycated haemoglobin in 6–9‐year‐old Samoan children
Authors: Choy Courtney C. , Johnson William , Braun Joseph M. , Soti‐Ulberg Christina , Reupena Muagututia S. , Naseri Take , Savusa Kima , Lupematasila Vaimoana Filipo , Arorae Maria Siulepa , Tafunaina Faatali , Unasa Folla , Duckham Rachel L. , Wang Dongqing , McGarvey Stephen T. , Hawley Nicola L. 
Published: March 2024

SummaryIntroductionPrevalence and risk factors for elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood pressure (BP) are poorly understood among Pacific children. We examined associations of HbA1c and BP in 6–9 year‐olds with body mass index (BMI) at ages 2, 5, and BMI velocity between 2–9 years in Samoa.MethodsHbA1c (capillary blood) and BP were measured in n = 410 Samoan children who were part of an ongoing cohort study. Multilevel models predicted BMI trajectory characteristics. Generalized linear regressions assessed associations of childhood characteristics and BMI trajectories with HbA1c and BP treated as both continuous and categorical outcomes. Primary caregiver‐reported childhood characteristics were used as covariates.ResultsOverall, 12.90% (n = 53) of children had high HbA1c (≥5.7%) and 33.17% (n = 136) had elevated BP. BMI at 5‐years and BMI velocity were positively associated with high HbA1c prevalence in males. A 1 kg/m2 per year higher velocity was associated with a 1.71 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.75) times higher prevalence of high HbA1c. In females, higher BMI at 5‐years and greater BMI velocity were associated with higher BP at 6–9 years (95% CI: 1.12, 1.40, and 1.42, 2.74, respectively).ConclusionMonitoring childhood BMI trajectories may inform cardiometabolic disease screening and prevention efforts in this at‐risk population.
The transcription factor SpiB regulates the fibroblastic reticular cell network and CD8+ T‐cell responses in lymph nodes
Authors: Horsnell Harry L , Cao Wang HJ , Belz Gabrielle T , Mueller Scott N , Alexandre Yannick O 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) construct microanatomical niches that support lymph node (LN) homeostasis and coordination of immune responses. Transcription factors regulating the functionality of FRCs remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of the transcription factor SpiB that is expressed in LN FRCs. Conditional ablation of SpiB in FRCs impaired the FRC network in the T‐cell zone of LNs, leading to reduced numbers of FRCs and altered homeostatic functions including reduced CCL21 and interleukin‐7 expression. The size and cellularity of LNs remained intact in the absence of SpiB but the space between the reticular network increased, indicating that although FRCs were reduced in number they stretched to maintain network integrity. Following virus infection, antiviral CD8+ T‐cell responses were impaired, suggesting a role for SpiB expression in FRCs in orchestrating immune responses. Together, our findings reveal a new role for SpiB as an important regulator of FRC functions and immunity in LNs.
Aligning patient values and code status: Choice of Diction's Effect (CODE) study
Authors: Kota Karthik J. , Chen Catherine , George Renu , Nagengast Samantha , Azab Andrew , Bhalla Raman , Dave Payal , Ji Stephanie , Lawrence Ibiyonu , Naik Jay , Noman Sofiul , Parikh Payal , Patel Manish , Patel Sheetal , Priest Stephen O. , Prister James , Schaer Daniel , Theodorou Ross Christina , Shah Rohan V. , Duberstein Paul , Steinberg Michael B. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundDecisions regarding resuscitation after cardiac arrest are critical from ethical, patient satisfaction, outcome, and healthcare cost standpoints. Physician‐reported discussion barriers include topic discomfort, fear of time commitment, and difficulty articulating end‐of‐life concepts. The influence of language used in these discussions has not been tested. This study explored whether utilizing the alternate term “allow (a) natural death” changed code status decisions in hospitalized patients versus “do not resuscitate” (DNR).MethodsAll patients age 65 and over admitted to a general medicine hospital teaching service were screened (English‐speaking, not ICU‐level care, no active psychiatric illness, no substance misuse, no active DNR). Participants were randomized to resuscitation discussions with either DNR or “allow natural death” as the “no code” phrasing. Outcomes included patient resuscitation decision, satisfaction with and duration of the conversation, and decision correlation with illness severity and predicted resuscitation success.Results102 participants were randomized to the “allow natural death” (N = 49) or DNR (N = 53) arms. The overall “no code” rate for our sample of hospitalized general medicine inpatients age >65 was 16.7%, with 13% in the DNR and 20.4% in the “allow natural death” arms (p = 0.35). Discussion length was similar in the DNR and “allow natural death” arms (3.9 + 3.2 vs. 4.9 + 3.9 minutes), and not significantly different (p = 0.53). Over 90% of participants were highly satisfied with their code status decision, without difference between arms (p = 0.49).ConclusionsParticipants’ code status discussions did not differ in “no code” rate between “allow natural death” and DNR arms but were short in length and had high patient satisfaction. Previously reported code status discussion barriers were not encountered. It is appropriate to screen code status in all hospitalized patients regardless of phrasing used.
Characterizing changes to older adults' care transition patterns from hospital to home care in the initial year of COVID‐19
Authors: Arbaje Alicia I. , Hsu Yea‐Jen , Zhou Zehui , Greyson Sylvan , Gurses Ayse P. , Keller Sara , Marsteller Jill , Bowles Kathryn H. , McDonald Margaret V. , Vergez Sasha , Harbison Katie , Hohl Dawn , Carl Kimberly , Leff Bruce 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundSkilled home healthcare (HH) provided in‐person care to older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic, yet little is known about the pandemic's impact on HH care transition patterns. We investigated pandemic impact on (1) HH service volume; (2) population characteristics; and (3) care transition patterns for older adults receiving HH services after hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF) discharge.MethodsRetrospective, cohort, comparative study of recently hospitalized older adults (≥ 65 years) receiving HH services after hospital or SNF discharge at two large HH agencies in Baltimore and New York City (NYC) 1‐year pre‐ and 1‐year post‐pandemic onset. We used the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and service use records to examine HH utilization, patient characteristics, visit timeliness, medication issues, and 30‐day emergency department (ED) visit and rehospitalization.ResultsAcross sites, admissions to HH declined by 23% in the pandemic's first year. Compared to the year prior, older adults receiving HH services during the first year of the pandemic were more likely to be younger, have worse mental, respiratory, and functional status in some areas, and be assessed by HH providers as having higher risk of rehospitalization. Thirty‐day rehospitalization rates were lower during the first year of the pandemic. COVID‐positive HH patients had lower odds of 30‐day ED visit or rehospitalization. At the NYC site, extended duration between discharge and first HH visit was associated with reduced 30‐day ED visit or rehospitalization.ConclusionsHH patient characteristics and utilization were distinct in Baltimore versus NYC in the initial year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Study findings suggest some older adults who needed HH may not have received it, since the decrease in HH services occurred as SNF use decreased nationally. Findings demonstrate the importance of understanding HH agency responsiveness during public health emergencies to ensure older adults' access to care.
Metabolic response of auditory brainstem neurons to their broad physiological activity range
Authors: Palandt Nicola , Resch Cibell , Unterlechner Patricia , Voshagen Lukas , Winhart Valentin R. , Kunz Lars 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNeurons exhibit a high energetic need, and the question arises as how they metabolically adapt to changing activity states. This is relevant for interpreting functional neuroimaging in different brain areas. Particularly, neurons with a broad firing range might exhibit metabolic adaptations. Therefore, we studied MNTB (medial nucleus of the trapezoid body) principal neurons, which generate action potentials (APs) at frequencies up to several hundred hertz. We performed the experiments in acute brainstem slices of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) at 22.5–24.5°C. Upon electrical stimulation of afferent MNTB fibres with 400 stimuli at varying frequencies, we monitored autofluorescence levels of NAD(P)H and FAD and determined the extremum amplitudes of their biphasic response. Additionally, we compared these data with alterations in O2 concentrations measured with an electrochemical sensor. These O2 changes are prominent since MNTB neurons rely on oxidative phosphorylation as shown by our pharmacological experiments. We calculated the O2 consumption rate as change in O2 concentration divided by stimulus durations, because these periods varied inversely with stimulus frequency as a result of the constant number of 400 stimuli applied. The O2 consumption rate increased with stimulation frequency up to a constant value at 600 Hz; that is, energy demand depends on temporal characteristics of activity despite the same number of stimuli. The rates showed no correlation with peak amplitudes of NAD(P)H or FAD, whilst the values of the two molecules were linearly correlated. This points at the complexity of analysing autofluorescence imaging for quantitative metabolic studies, because these values report only relative net changes of many superimposed oxidative and reductive processes. Monitoring O2 concentration rates is, thus, an important tool to improve the interpretation of NAD(P)H/FAD autofluorescence data, as they do not under all conditions and in all systems appropriately reflect the metabolic activity or energy demand.image
Considerable genetic diversity and structure despite narrow endemism and limited ecological specialization in the Hayden's ringlet, Coenonympha haydenii
Authors: Springer Amy L. , Gompert Zachariah 
Published: March 2024

AbstractUnderstanding the processes that underlie the development of population genetic structure is central to the study of evolution. Patterns of genetic structure, in turn, can reveal signatures of isolation by distance (IBD), barriers to gene flow, or even the genesis of speciation. However, it is unclear how severe range restriction might impact the processes that dominate the development of genetic structure. In narrow endemic species, is population structure likely to be adaptive in nature, or rather the result of genetic drift? In this study, we investigated patterns of genetic diversity and structure in the narrow endemic Hayden's ringlet butterfly. Specifically, we asked to what degree genetic structure in the Hayden's ringlet can be explained by IBD, isolation by resistance (IBR) (in the form of geographic or ecological barriers to migration between populations), and isolation by environment (in the form of differences in host plant availability and preference). We employed a genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) approach coupled with host preference assays, Bayesian modelling, and population genomic analyses to answer these questions. Our results suggest that despite their restricted range, levels of genetic diversity in the Hayden's ringlet are comparable to those seen in more widespread butterfly species. Hayden's ringlets showed a strong preference for feeding on grasses relative to sedges, but neither larval preference nor potential host availability at sampling sites correlated with genetic structure. We conclude that geography, in the form of IBR and simple IBD, was the major driver of contemporary patterns of differentiation in this narrow endemic species.