bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nigral transcriptomic profiles in Engrailed-1 hemizygous mouse models of Parkinson’s disease reveal upregulation of oxidative phosphorylation-related genes associated with delayed dopaminergic neurodegeneration
Authors: Belfiori Lautaro Francisco , Dueñas Rey Alfredo , Ralbovszki Dorottya Mária , Jimenez-Ferrer Itzia , Fredlund Filip , Balikai Sagar Shivayogi , Ahrén Dag , Brolin Kajsa Atterling , Swanberg Maria 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionParkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, increasing both in terms of prevalence and incidence. To date, only symptomatic treatment is available, highlighting the need to increase knowledge on disease etiology in order to develop new therapeutic strategies. Hemizygosity for the gene Engrailed-1 (En1), encoding a conserved transcription factor essential for the programming, survival, and maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, leads to progressive nigrostriatal degeneration, motor impairment and depressive-like behavior in SwissOF1 (OF1-En1+/−). The neurodegenerative phenotype is, however, absent in C57Bl/6j (C57-En1+/−) mice. En1+/− mice are thus highly relevant tools to identify genetic factors underlying PD susceptibility.MethodsTranscriptome profiles were defined by RNAseq in microdissected substantia nigra from 1-week old OF1, OF1- En1+/−, C57 and C57- En1+/− male mice. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed for functional enrichment. Neurodegeneration was assessed in 4- and 16-week old mice by histology.ResultsNigrostriatal neurodegeneration was manifested in OF1- En1+/− mice by increased dopaminergic striatal axonal swellings from 4 to 16 weeks and decreased number of dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc at 16 weeks compared to OF1. In contrast, C57- En1+/− mice had no significant increase in axonal swellings or cell loss in SNpc at 16 weeks. Transcriptomic analyses identified 198 DEGs between OF1- En1+/− and OF1 mice but only 52 DEGs between C57- En1+/− and C57 mice. Enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed that the neuroprotective phenotype of C57- En1+/− mice was associated with a higher expression of oxidative phosphorylation-related genes compared to both C57 and OF1- En1+/− mice.DiscussionOur results suggest that increased expression of genes encoding mitochondrial proteins before the onset of neurodegeneration is associated with increased resistance to PD-like nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. This highlights the importance of genetic background in PD models, how different strains can be used to model clinical and sub-clinical pathologies and provides insights to gene expression mechanisms associated with PD susceptibility and progression.
Contrasting MEG effects of anodal and cathodal high-definition TDCS on sensorimotor activity during voluntary finger movements
Authors: Meltzer Jed A. , Sivaratnam Gayatri , Deschamps Tiffany , Zadeh Maryam , Li Catherine , Farzan Faranak , Francois-Nienaber Alex 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionProtocols for noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) are generally categorized as “excitatory” or “inhibitory” based on their ability to produce short-term modulation of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in peripheral muscles, when applied to motor cortex. Anodal and cathodal stimulation are widely considered excitatory and inhibitory, respectively, on this basis. However, it is poorly understood whether such polarity-dependent changes apply for neural signals generated during task performance, at rest, or in response to sensory stimulation.MethodsTo characterize such changes, we measured spontaneous and movement-related neural activity with magnetoencephalography (MEG) before and after high-definition transcranial direct-current stimulation (HD-TDCS) of the left motor cortex (M1), while participants performed simple finger movements with the left and right hands.ResultsAnodal HD-TDCS (excitatory) decreased the movement-related cortical fields (MRCF) localized to left M1 during contralateral right finger movements while cathodal HD-TDCS (inhibitory), increased them. In contrast, oscillatory signatures of voluntary motor output were not differentially affected by the two stimulation protocols, and tended to decrease in magnitude over the course of the experiment regardless. Spontaneous resting state oscillations were not affected either.DiscussionMRCFs are thought to reflect reafferent proprioceptive input to motor cortex following movements. Thus, these results suggest that processing of incoming sensory information may be affected by TDCS in a polarity-dependent manner that is opposite that seen for MEPs—increases in cortical excitability as defined by MEPs may correspond to reduced responses to afferent input, and vice-versa.
The role of Weizmannia (Bacillus) coagulans LMG S-31876 in treating IBS-diarrhea
Authors: Kallur Ranjith Kumar , Madapati Sreenadh , Mathur Ankita , Bhattacharya Sourish 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition. Some studies have shown the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Weizmannia (Bacillus) coagulans LMG S-31876 has been marketed as a dietary ingredient, but to date, its efficacy in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) condition has not been clinically elucidated. Thus, a double-blind placebo-controlled multi-centered trial was planned to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Weizmannia (Bacillus) coagulans LMG S-31876 in diarrhea-predominant IBS patients.Experimental designStudy participants (n = 50) diagnosed with IBS prominent symptoms that include abdominal pain and other GI-related symptoms were treated with ProBC Plus (2 billion CFU) along with a placebo capsule once daily for approximately 8 weeks. Study participants were evaluated for the treatment success determined by the differences in stool consistency and frequency per day between the intervention and placebo groups over the study period.ResultsThe vital signs and the biochemistry parameters were under the normal range; the other parameters showed a significant result as compared to the placebo during the study period.ConclusionThis study depicts a significant decline in the clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and frequency of the stool as compared to the placebo. All the parameters such as hematology, lipid profile, and vital signs were in the normal range during the supplementation of ProBC Plus for a period of 8 weeks. Furthermore, the study verified that Weizmannia (Bacillus) coagulans LMG S-31876 and its probiotic product ProBC Plus at a dose of 2 billion/CFU/day has a prominent action in the relief from the clinical symptoms of IBS-D. Therefore, the product is intended safe to utilize for IBS-related symptoms.Clinical trial registration: The clinical study has been registered with CTRI/2023/01/048644 with https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=77708&amp;EncHid=24313.96864&amp;userName=CTRI/2023/01/048644 [CTRI/2023/01/048644].
Heat stress memory differentially regulates the expression of nitrogen transporter genes in the filamentous red alga ‘Bangia’ sp. ESS1
Authors: Sato Natsumi , Khoa Ho Viet , Mikami Koji 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionTo withstand high temperatures that would be lethal to a plant in the naïve state, land plants must establish heat stress memory. The acquisition of heat stress tolerance via heat stress memory in algae has only been observed in the red alga ‘Bangia’ sp. ESS1.MethodsIn this study, we further evaluated the intrinsic ability of this alga to establish heat stress memory by monitoring hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and examining the relationship between heat stress memory and the expression of genes encoding nitrogen transporters, since heat stress generally reduces nitrogen absorption. Next, genes encoding nitrogen transporters were selected from our unpublished transcriptome data of ‘Bangia’ sp. ESS1.ResultsWe observed a reduction in H2O2 content when heat stress memory was established in the alga. In addition, six ammonium transporter genes, a single-copy nitrate transporter gene and two urea transporter genes were identified. Two of these nitrogen transporter genes were induced by heat stress but not by heat stress memory, two genes showed heat stress memory–dependent expression, and one gene was induced by both treatments. Heat stress memory therefore differentially regulated the expression of the nitrogen transporter genes by reducing heat stress–inducible gene expression and inducing heat stress memory–dependent gene expression.DiscussionThese findings point to the functional diversity of nitrogen transporter genes, which play different roles under various heat stress conditions. The characteristic effects of heat stress memory on the expression of individual nitrogen transporter genes might represent an indispensable strategy for reducing the threshold of sensitivity to recurrent high-temperature conditions and for maintaining nitrogen absorption under such conditions in ‘Bangia’ sp. ESS1.
Keeping the promise: a critique of the current state of microdosing research
Authors: Petranker Rotem , Anderson Thomas , Fewster Emily C. , Aberman Youval , Hazan Marik , Gaffrey Michael , Seli Paul 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionThe practice of taking small, sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelics, known as microdosing, has exploded in popularity over the last decade. Users claim benefits ranging from improved mood and enhanced creativity to an increased sense of meaning and connectedness in life. While research on microdosing is still lagging behind the shift in public opinion, several papers have been published in the last five years which attempted to assess the effects of microdosing.MethodsThis review paper aimed to critically analyze the research practices used in the recent wave of microdosing research: We reviewed 15 papers published before the closing date of this review in March 2022.ResultsOur review concludes that it is premature to draw any conclusions about the efficacy or safety of microdosing since the research quality cannot be considered confirmatory.DiscussionWe propose some potential causes for the current state of the literature and some suggestions for how these causes may be ameliorated.
Depression, anxiety, lower sleep quality and social support in square cabin hospitals during Shanghai’s COVID-19 lockdown, China
Authors: Quan Li , Xu Shuyu , Xu Hao , Chen Feng , Wu Shengyong , Zhu Jiaqi , Liu Suxuan , Su Tong 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesTo investigate and compare the associated factors of depression, anxiety, and other psychological differences between patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 quarantined in square cabin hospitals (SCH) and isolation wards (IW) in China.MethodsCluster sampling method was performed during Shanghai’s Two-Month Lockdown in 2022. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Depression subscale (HADS-D), 7-tiem Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) were used to investigate psychological differences.ResultsThe HADS-D and GAD-7 scores of SCH patients were significantly higher than those in IW (p &lt; 0.001; p = 0.0295). Sleep latency (SCH-IW = -3.76, p &lt; 0.001), sleep duration (SCH-IW = -2.22, p &lt; 0.05), habitual sleep efficiency (SCH-IW = -4.11, p &lt; 0.001), sleep disturbance (SCH-IW = -3.59, p &lt; 0.001) and use of sleep medication (SCH-IW = -5.18, p &lt; 0.001) of SCH patients were significantly worse. Depression was the main emotional problem of quarantined patients. Patients in SCH had lower social support. Sleep disorders and the lowest oxygen saturation ≤ 93% were risk factors for depression, while social support and child status were protective factors. Myalgia and constipation were risk factors for anxiety, while marital status was the protective factor.ConclusionPatients quarantined in SCH had higher risks of depression and anxiety, lower sleep quality and social support. Somatic discomfort and sleep disorders exacerbated depression and anxiety, which could be ameliorated by social support and taken into consideration in future SCH construction.
Two cities, two stages in transforming society—a mixed methods study comparing doctors’ adoption of mobile apps for communication with patients in Hangzhou and Yancheng, China
Authors: Chen Dongjin , Su Zhenhua , Gu Zheng 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesMobile apps have become commonplace in doctor-patient communication over the last 20 years. Doctors mainly use two kinds of app, social networking apps (i.e., WeChat) and medical platform apps (i.e., Haodf). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the attributes of social interaction in local society impact doctors’ choice of mobile apps to communicate with patients. This article addresses two research questions: (a) To what degree do doctors’ adoption patterns in different societies differ? (b) Why do doctors choose certain mobile apps to communicate with patients?MethodsThis study employed a mixed methods research design to analyze doctor’s adoption behavior patterns in two cities, Hangzhou (HZ) and Yancheng (YC), which represent two stages in transforming society. Various patterns, measured as the percentage of doctors who utilize the medical platform app of Haodf among all doctors and the average service counts per doctor, were compared in three groups of tertiary hospitals: the top ones in HZ, the average ones in HZ, and the average ones in YC. We also conducted thematic content analysis of qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 20 purposely selected doctors in the two cities.ResultsThe percentages of doctors who have adopted the app of Haodf from the three groups of tertiary hospitals were 49.97%, 41.00%, and 32.03%, with an average service counts per doctor of 261, 182 and 39, respectively. According to the interviewees, doctors from YC are more likely to use social networking apps to communicate with patients than their HZ counterparts to maintain social connections with their relatives, friends, colleagues, and others.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that doctors’ choices of mobile apps are dependent upon social context. In traditional society, where people have close ties, the logic of using social networking apps lies in doctors’ need to maximize the utility of their knowledge by maintaining social connections with others. In modern society, where the close ties between people have gradually weakened, the logic of using medical platform apps lies in doctors’ needs for reputation marketing, either for themselves or for institutions, their affiliated departments or hospitals.
Bacterial community structure and metabolites after ensiling paper mulberry mixed with corn or wheat straw
Authors: Huang Rongzheng , Cai Bingxin , Chen Yongcheng , Zheng Xiaokai , Yang Jianqi , Ma Chunhui , Wang Xuzhe , Zhang Fanfan 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to address the low utilization of straw and poor fermentation quality of paper mulberry silage (under natural fermentation conditions). Straw was combined with paper mulberry for ensiling, and the fermentation characteristics, bacterial community, and metabolite composition of the mixed straw and paper mulberry silage were investigated. Four treatment groups were established: corn-straw treatment 2 (3:7 ratio of corn straw to paper mulberry), corn-straw treatment 3 (5:5 ratio of corn straw to paper mulberry), wheat-straw treatment 2 (3:7 ratio of wheat straw to paper mulberry), wheat-straw treatment 3 (5:5 ratio of wheat straw to paper mulberry), and a control group (ensiling of paper mulberry alone).ResultsThe control group demonstrated the highest pH and ammonia (AN) and acetic acid (AA) content compared with all the treatment groups. Corn-straw treatment 2 had the highest lactic acid content (54.70 g/kg dry weight) compared with the control and other treatment groups. The relative abundance of Enterobacter (7.085%) was the lowest in the control than in the other treatment groups (p &lt; 0.05). The relative abundance of Enterococcus was higher in both the control and wheat-straw treatment 2 (22.03% and 21.29%, respectively) than in other treatment groups. The relative abundance of Lactococcus was highest in wheat-straw treatment 3 (15.83%) compared with the control and other treatment groups. Corn-straw treatments 2 and 3 demonstrated the same metabolite composition but were clearly different from the wheat-straw treatment 2, wheat-straw treatment 3, and the control. Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) belongs to the Fusarium metabolite type A trichothecenes, which were not detected in corn or wheat silage. DAS was downregulated in the wheat-straw treatment 3 and both corn-straw treatments compared with the control, which indicates that the addition of straw decreased mycotoxin production. Lactococcus was significantly and positively correlated with gluconic acid content (R2 = 0.5166).ConclusionOur results suggest that straw treatment can improve the nutritional value of paper mulberry silage by decreasing mycotoxin production, pH value, and AN content and increasing lactic acid production.
The Genome of Arsenophonus sp. and Its Potential Contribution in the Corn Planthopper, Peregrinus maidis
Authors: Wang Yu-Hui , Mikaelyan Aram , Coates Brad S. , Lorenzen Marcé 
Published: February 2024

The co-evolution between symbionts and their insect hosts has led to intricate functional interdependencies. Advances in DNA-sequencing technologies have not only reduced the cost of sequencing but, with the advent of highly accurate long-read methods, have also enabled facile genome assembly even using mixed genomic input, thereby allowing us to more easily assess the contribution of symbionts to their insect hosts. In this study, genomic data recently generated from Peregrinus maidis was used to assemble the genome of a bacterial symbiont, Pm Arsenophonus sp. This ~4.9-Mb assembly is one of the largest Arsenophonus genomes reported to date. The Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) result indicates that this Pm Arsenophonus assembly has a high degree of completeness, with 96% of the single-copy Enterobacterales orthologs found. The identity of the Pm Arsenophonus sp. was further confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicates a major contribution by Pm Arsenophonus sp. to the biosynthesis of B vitamins and essential amino acids in P. maidis, where threonine and lysine production is carried out solely by Pm Arsenophonus sp. This study not only provides deeper insights into the evolutionary relationships between symbionts and their insect hosts, but also adds to our understanding of insect biology, potentially guiding the development of novel pest control methods.
Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of autografts and xenografts synergy in rectifying attached keratinized gingiva deficiency
Authors: Durnovo E. A. , Galkina E. S. , Orlinskaya N. Y. , Kvashnina M. S. , Sopina A. Y. 
Published: February 2024

Relevance. The complex, multi-stage surgical procedure aimed for replacing missing teeth often results in a deficiency of attached keratinized gingiva (AKG) in the intervened area. Despite numerous methods available for soft tissue volume and esthetics reconstruction, only a few demonstrate considerable long-term stability post-surgery. The quest to address this intricate issue has led to the combined utilization of autografts and xenografts Consequently, there is a need to evaluate the tissue structure obtained through this synergy via histological and immunohistochemical examination of the oral mucosa in the reconstructed region.Materials and methods. This study involved analyzing 87 biopsies of oral mucosa obtained from 57 patients aged 28 to 59 years who had undergone previous soft tissue volume and esthetics reconstruction in the AKG zone. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations were conducted on these biopsies, collected six weeks post soft tissue operation. A section of oral mucosa from the hard palate served as the reference sample.Results. The epithelial structure in the examined groups exhibited a well-defined basal layer with a continuous structure comprising two layers of cells without notable atypia, indicating a high cell proliferation capability. Immunohistochemical analysis targeting protein molecules revealed an absence of inflammation. The expression results of the Ki-67 antigen suggested the preservation of cell proliferation capacity and, consequently, the maintenance of tissue regenerative potential at a high level during the remote postoperative period, up to six weeks.Conclusion. This research showcases the efficacy of employing a combination of autografts and xenografts, a conclusion drawn from comprehensive histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Consequently, this approach presents a promising and innovative alternative to conventional methods for soft tissue volume and esthetics reconstruction.
Digitalization of the economy as a factor of influence on the economic security of the country
Authors: Ravlyuk Vitaliy 
Published: February 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the conceptual foundations of digitalization of the economy and the determination of the features of the impact of digitalization processes on economic security. Based on the analysis, it was established that the positive results of the development of the digital economy, according to the results of modern research, include: an increase in labor productivity; increasing the level of business competitiveness; reducing the level of production costs; increasing the number of jobs; partial solution to the problem of social inequality. At the same time, studies indicate negative aspects of digitalization, including: the risk of hacker attacks, which is related to the issue of protecting corporate and personal data; the so-called «digital slavery», that is, the advantage of using corporate and personal data for the purpose of manipulating the behavior of individuals; increase in the level of unemployment due to the risk of decreasing the relevance of some professions and sectors of the economy; «digital divide» – inequality in access to the digital environment in different countries or within the same country.
It has been proven that the processes of information technology implementation affect all spheres of society and various aspects of activity, including professional and personal life. Large-scale programs for the development of the digital economy and the rapid spread of information and communication technologies in all spheres of social life determine the need to develop a methodology for determining the socio-economic consequences and evaluating the level of effectiveness of the implementation process. This requires the formation of a new paradigm for the development of the digital economy and the provision of economic security in this area. The issue of using cloud technologies in the economic sphere also deserves attention. Since cloud technologies provide the possibility of duplication of information, simplification of remote work and security of important information, currently the question of popularizing the use of these technologies in both the public and private sectors has arisen. This can positively affect the level of economic security and national security in general. Also, the conducted scientific research allows us to talk about the importance of regulating issues of artificial intelligence development and introducing them in the field of economic security to preserve economic stability and general national security.