bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The ongoing spin-down episode of 4U 1626-67
Authors: Tobrej Mohammed , Tamang Ruchi , Rai Binay , Ghising Manoj , Paul Bikash Chandra 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
We report the X-ray characteristics of the persistent X-ray pulsar 4U 1626-67 using simultaneous NuSTAR and NICER observations. The X-ray pulsar 4U 1626-67 has just encountered a torque reversal in 2023 and is presently in the spin-down state. We have examined the temporal and spectral characteristics of the source during its ongoing spin-down episode. The pulse profiles of the source are characterized by multiple substructures at lower energies and a wide asymmetric single-peaked structure at higher energies. The pulse fraction follows an overall increasing trend with energy. We confirm the existence of mHz quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) exclusively during the current spin-down phase in all the observations. The source is spinning down at 0.00045(4) s yr−1. The broad-band spectrum during this phase is described by empirical NPEX model and a soft blackbody component with kT ∼ 0.25 keV. In addition to the iron emission line, we also confirm the presence of cyclotron line at ∼36 keV. The source flux continues to decrease during the current spin-down phase, and the corresponding luminosity ∼(3.3–4.9) × 1036 erg s−1 lies in the intermediate range of accreting X-ray pulsars that may be associated with a hybrid accretion geometry. The magnetic field strengths estimated using the cyclotron line measurements and QPO frequency are consistent. The evolution of the spectral parameters relative to the pulsed phase is examined using phase-resolved spectroscopy.
Rotational evolution of young-to-old stars with data-driven three-dimensional wind models
Authors: Evensberget D , Vidotto A A 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
Solar-type stars form with a wide range of rotation rates Ω. A wide Ω range persists until a stellar age of t ∼ 0.6 Gyr, after which solar-type stars exhibit Skumanich spin-down where Ω ∝ t−1/2. Rotational evolution models incorporating polytropic stellar winds struggle to simultaneously reproduce these two regimes, namely the initially wide Ω range and the Skumanich spin-down without imposing an a priori cap on the wind mass-loss rate. We show that a three-dimensional wind model driven by Alfvén waves and observational data yields wind torques that agree with the observed age distribution of Ω. In our models of the Sun and 27 open cluster stars aged from 0.04 to 0.6 Gyr that have observationally derived surface magnetic maps and rotation rates, we find evidence of exponential spin-down in young stars that are rapid rotators and Skumanich spin-down for slow rotators. The two spin-down regimes emerge naturally from our data-driven models. Our modelling suggests that the observed age distribution of stellar rotation rates Ω arises as a consequence of magnetic field strength saturation in rapid rotators.
Structural investigation of pathogenic RFC1 AAGGG pentanucleotide repeats reveals a role of G-quadruplex in dysregulated gene expression in CANVAS
Authors: Wang Yang , Wang Junyan , Yan Zhenzhen , Hou Jianing , Wan Liqi , Yang Yingquan , Liu Yu , Yi Jie , Guo Pei , Han Da 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
An expansion of AAGGG pentanucleotide repeats in the replication factor C subunit 1 (RFC1) gene is the genetic cause of cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS), and it also links to several other neurodegenerative diseases including the Parkinson's disease. However, the pathogenic mechanism of RFC1 AAGGG repeat expansion remains enigmatic. Here, we report that the pathogenic RFC1 AAGGG repeats form DNA and RNA parallel G-quadruplex (G4) structures that play a role in impairing biological processes. We determine the first high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure of a bimolecular parallel G4 formed by d(AAGGG)2AA and reveal how AAGGG repeats fold into a higher-order structure composed of three G-tetrad layers, and further demonstrate the formation of intramolecular G4s in longer DNA and RNA repeats. The pathogenic AAGGG repeats, but not the nonpathogenic AAAAG repeats, form G4 structures to stall DNA replication and reduce gene expression via impairing the translation process in a repeat-length-dependent manner. Our results provide an unprecedented structural basis for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of AAGGG repeat expansion associated with CANVAS. In addition, the high-resolution structures resolved in this study will facilitate rational design of small-molecule ligands and helicases targeting G4s formed by AAGGG repeats for therapeutic interventions.
Disease Progress and Detection of a California Resistance-Breaking Strain of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus in Tomato with LAMP and CRISPR-Cas12a Assays
Authors: Shymanovich Tatsiana , Saville Amanda C. , Mohammad Noor , Wei Qingshan , Rasmussen David , Lahre Kirsten A. , Rotenberg Dorith , Whitfield Anna E. , Ristaino Jean Beagle 
Published: January 2024

Use of tomato cultivars with the Sw-5 resistance gene cluster has led to the occurrence of resistance-breaking (RB) tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) strains globally, including California and, recently, North Carolina and Texas. We documented disease on tomato infected with either an RB strain from California (CA-RB) or a wild type (CA-WT) strain of TSWV on tomato with (cultivar Mountain Merit) or without (cultivar Mountain Fresh Plus) the Sw-5b resistance gene and detected virus incidence over time using microneedle RNA extractions and LAMP. We developed a LAMP/Cas12a assay for detection of the CA-C118Y mutation in a CA-RB strain and tested the assay with field samples. Disease in the susceptible cultivar was less severe with CA-RB than with the CA-WT strain. In contrast, the resistant cultivar had little disease when inoculated with the CA-WT strain but exhibited stunting of greater than 50% when inoculated with the CA-RB strain. In the susceptible tomatoes, the detection rates over time by LAMP reaction were higher in CA-WT than in CA-RB-inoculated plants. In resistant tomato, CA-RB remained detectable by TSWV LAMP over 14 days, whereas the WT strain was undetectable. A two-step LAMP/Cas12a assay differentiated the two strains in 1 h. Our methods were validated with samples from TSWV-infected North Carolina fields. A phylogeny of NSm gene sequences that included North Carolina field samples revealed two independent origins of the North Carolina RB isolates. The LAMP/Cas12 assay showed excellent detection of the CA-C118Y mutation. The TSWV LAMP/Cas12a assay is adaptable for in-field applications on either a smart phone platform or heat block. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Injectable Weight Loss Medications in Plastic Surgery: What We Know, Perioperative Considerations, and Recommendations for the Future
Authors: O’Neill Elizabeth S. , Wiegmann Aaron L. , Parrella Naomi , Pittman Troy , Hood Keith , Kurlander David 
Published: January 2024

Summary:
Obesity is a major epidemic plaguing American society. Injectable subcutaneous medications initially designed for use in type 2 diabetes management, such as semaglutide and other glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, are rapidly gaining popularity for their effects on weight. These drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Mounjaro) are ubiquitous on social media and are promoted by celebrities across all demographics. “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic butt” are now mainstream concepts highlighting the morphologic changes that occur with these medications. There is a paucity of literature available on the impact of these medications for plastic surgeons and their patients. As use becomes widespread, it is important for plastic surgeons to understand their indications, contraindications, appropriate perioperative management, and impact on plastic surgery procedures.
Pathology of knee osteoarthritis pain: contribution of joint structural changes and pain sensitization to movement-evoked pain in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Hattori Takafumi , Ohga Satoshi , Shimo Kazuhiro , Matsubara Takako 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Movement-evoked pain (MEP) is the primary symptom in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the contribution of joint structural changes and pain sensitization to the mechanisms of MEP in patients with KOA.

Methods:
A total of 86 patients were assessed for demographic characteristics, osteoarthritis severity, Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score–Hoffa synovitis and bone marrow lesions, pressure pain threshold and temporal summation of pain at the knee and forearm, Central Sensitization Inventory-9, and MEP. In measure of MEP, knee pain was scored using a numerical rating scale (NRS, 0–10) before and every minute during a 6-minute walking test (6MWT), and the MEP index was defined as the change in NRS pain score from baseline to the sixth minute of walking.

Result:
On average, pain during 6MWT increased by 1.4 ± 1.5 points on the NRS relative to baseline, with 30.2% of patients showing an increase of 2 points or more. The hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed that Hoffa synovitis, pressure pain threshold at the forearm, and temporal summation of pain at the knee were associated with the MEP index.

Conclusion:
The findings of this study suggest that both synovitis and neural mechanisms, such as pain sensitization, play a role in the development of MEP in KOA.
Improving the Safety of Computed Tomography Through Automated Quality Measurement
Authors: Smith-Bindman Rebecca , Wang Yifei , Stewart Carly , Luong Jason , Chu Philip W. , Kohli Marc , Westphalen Antonio C. , Siegel Eliot , Ray Monika , Szczykutowicz Timothy P. , Bindman Andrew B. , Romano Patrick S. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Objectives
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services funded the development of a computed tomography (CT) quality measure for use in pay-for-performance programs, which balances automated assessments of radiation dose with image quality to incentivize dose reduction without compromising the diagnostic utility of the tests. However, no existing quantitative method for assessing CT image quality has been validated against radiologists' image quality assessments on a large number of CT examinations. Thus to develop an automated measure of image quality, we tested the relationship between radiologists' subjective ratings of image quality with measurements of radiation dose and image noise.

Materials and Methods
Board-certified, posttraining, clinically active radiologists rated the image quality of 200 diagnostic CT examinations from a set of 734, representing 14 CT categories. Examinations with significant distractions, motion, or artifact were excluded. Radiologists rated diagnostic image quality as excellent, adequate, marginally acceptable, or poor; the latter 2 were considered unacceptable for rendering diagnoses. We quantified the relationship between ratings and image noise and radiation dose, by category, by analyzing the odds of an acceptable rating per standard deviation (SD) increase in noise or geometric SD (gSD) in dose.

Results
One hundred twenty-five radiologists contributed 24,800 ratings. Most (89%) were acceptable. The odds of an examination being rated acceptable statistically significantly increased per gSD increase in dose and decreased per SD increase in noise for most categories, including routine dose head, chest, and abdomen-pelvis, which together comprise 60% of examinations performed in routine practice. For routine dose abdomen-pelvis, the most common category, each gSD increase in dose raised the odds of an acceptable rating (2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.98–3.24), whereas each SD increase in noise decreased the odds (0.90; 0.79–0.99). For only 2 CT categories, high-dose head and neck/cervical spine, neither dose nor noise was associated with ratings.

Conclusions
Radiation dose and image noise correlate with radiologists' image quality assessments for most CT categories, making them suitable as automated metrics in quality programs incentivizing reduction of excessive radiation doses.
<xhtml:span xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en">Beneath the Surface: &#160;A Case Report on Nonencapsulated <em>Streptococcus pneumoniae</em>-Associated Invasive Disease in an Immunocompromised Patient.
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Authors: Zintgraff Jonathan Cristian , Sanchez Eluchans Nahuel , Gagetti Paula , Martinez Celeste , Dina Pedersen , Moscoloni María , Lewis Adrian , Lara Claudia , Corso Alejandra 
Published: January 2024

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae, a prominent human pathogen linked to various systemic diseases, includes non-typeable pneumococci marked by the absence of a detectable capsule. However, the majority of invasive infections are attributed to encapsulated strains. This case report details the first documented instance of invasive disease caused by non-typeable S. pneumoniae in Argentina since 2017.
Case Presentation: A 19-year-old woman presented with hemorrhagic injuries attributed to chronic oral mucosa irritation. Subsequent hospitalization revealed bone marrow aplasia. Two weeks later, she was readmitted with sepsis related to a respiratory focus. After ten days, ICU admission revealed additional infections: positive COVID-PCR test, fungal sinusitis, and S. pneumoniae bacteremia. Targeted treatments led to improvement, and the patient was subsequently discharged.
S. pneumoniae Characterization: Verification of the capsule's absence utilized traditional methods such as the Quellung reaction, transmission electron microscopy, molecular assays, and Whole Genome Sequencing. The isolate, identified as ST18335, displayed genetic features and antibiotic resistance patterns, concordant between WGS and the agar dilution method. It demonstrated non-susceptibility to penicillin and cefotaxime, based on meningitis breakpoints, as well as meropenem and cotrimoxazole.
Conclusion: This case underscores the clinical significance of non-typeable S. pneumoniae, emphasizing the necessity for a comprehensive approach to identification and characterization. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions regarding the challenges posed by non-typeable strains in vaccine development, understanding clinical impacts, and addressing antibiotic resistance. This case serves as a valuable addition to the evolving knowledge surrounding non-typeable S. pneumoniae, highlighting the continued need for surveillance and research in infectious diseases.
Sporadic cases of chronic wasting disease in old moose – an epidemiological study
Authors: Hopp Petter , Rolandsen Christer Moe , Korpenfelt Sirkka-Liisa , Våge Jørn , Sörén Kaisa , Solberg Erling Johan , Averhed Gustav , Pusenius Jyrki , Rosendal Thomas , Ericsson Göran , Bakka Haakon Christopher , Mysterud Atle , Gavier-Widén Dolores , Hautaniemi Maria , Ågren Erik , Isomursu Marja , Madslien Knut , Benestad Sylvie Lafond , Nöremark Maria 
Published: January 2024

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or prion diseases comprise diseases with different levels of contagiousness under natural conditions. The hypothesis has been raised that the chronic wasting disease (CWD) cases detected in Nordic moose (Alces alces) may be less contagious, or not contagious between live animals under field conditions. This study aims to investigate the epidemiology of CWD cases detected in moose in Norway, Sweden and Finland using surveillance data from 2016 to 2022.
In total, 18 CWD cases were detected in Nordic moose. All moose were positive for prion (PrPres) detection in the brain, but negative in lymph nodes, all were old (mean 16 years; range 12–20) and all except one, were female. Age appeared to be a strong risk factor, and the sex difference may be explained by few males reaching high age due to hunting targeting calves, yearlings and males.
The cases were geographically scattered, distributed over 15 municipalities. However, three cases were detected in each of two areas, Selbu in Norway and Arjeplog-Arvidsjaur in Sweden. A Monte Carlo simulation approach was applied to investigate the likelihood of such clustering occurring by chance, given the assumption of a non-contagious disease. The empirical P-value for obtaining three cases in one Norwegian municipality was less than 0.05, indicating clustering. However, the moose in Selbu were affected by different CWD strains, and over a 6 year period with intensive surveillance, the apparent prevalence decreased, which would not be expected for an ongoing outbreak of CWD. Likewise, the three cases in Arjeplog-Arvidsjaur could also indicate clustering, but management practices promotes a larger proportion of old females and the detection of the first CWD case contributed to increased awareness and sampling.
The results of our study show that the CWD cases detected so far in Nordic moose have a different epidemiology compared to CWD cases reported from North America and in Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). The results support the hypothesis that these cases are less contagious or not contagious between live animals under field conditions. To enable differentiation from other types of CWD, we support the use of sporadic CWD (sCWD) among the names already in use.
Serotonin Promotes Vesicular Association and Fusion by Modifying Lipid Bilayers
Authors: Roy Debsankar Saha , Gupta Ankur , Vishvakarma Vicky , Krupa Pawel , Li Mai Suan , Maiti Sudipta 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe primary event in chemical neurotransmission involves the fusion of a membrane-limited vesicle at the plasma membrane and the subsequent release of its chemical neurotransmitter cargo. The cargo itself is not known to have any effect on the fusion event. However, amphiphilic monoamine neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin and dopamine) are known to strongly interact with lipid bilayers and to affect their mechanical properties, which can in principle impact membrane-mediated processes. Here we probe whether serotonin can enhance the association and fusion of artificial lipid vesiclesin vitro. We employ Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy and Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy to measure the attachment and fusion of vesicles whose lipid compositions mimic the major lipid components of synaptic vesicles. We find that association between vesicles and supported lipid bilayers are strongly enhanced in a serotonin dose-dependent manner, and this drives an increase in the rate of spontaneous fusion. Molecular dynamics simulations and fluorescence spectroscopy data show that serotonin insertion increases the water content of the hydrophobic part of the bilayer. This suggests that the enhanced membrane association is likely driven by an energetically favourable drying transition. Other monoamines such as dopamine and norepinephrine, but not other related species such as tryptophan, show similar effects on membrane association. Our results reveal a lipid bilayer-mediated mechanism by which monoamines can themselves modulate vesicle fusion, potentially adding to the control toolbox for the tightly regulated process of neurotransmissionin vivo.TOC graphics
Quantification of local matrix deposition during muscle stem cell activation using engineered hydrogels
Authors: Duran Pamela , Yang Benjamin A. , Plaster Eleanor , Eiken Madeline , Loebel Claudia , Aguilar Carlos A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAdult stem cells occupy a niche that contributes to their function, but how stem cells remodel their microenvironment remains an open-ended question. Herein, biomaterials-based systems and metabolic labeling were utilized to evaluate how skeletal muscle stem cells deposit extracellular matrix. Muscle stem cells and committed myoblasts were observed to generate less nascent matrix than muscle resident fibro-adipogenic progenitors. When cultured on substrates that matched the stiffness of physiological uninjured and injured muscles, the increased nascent matrix deposition was associated with stem cell activation. Reducing the ability to deposit nascent matrix in muscle stem cells attenuated function and mimicked impairments observed from muscle stem cells isolated from old aged muscles, which could be rescued with therapeutic supplementation of insulin-like growth factors. These results highlight how nascent matrix production is critical for maintaining healthy stem cell function.
A Variational Graph Partitioning Approach to Modeling Protein Liquid-liquid Phase Separation
Authors: Wang Gaoyuan , Warrell Jonathan H , Zheng Suchen , Gerstein Mark 
Published: January 2024

SummaryGraph Neural Network (GNN)s have emerged as a powerful general-purpose tool for representation learning across many domains. Their efficacy often depends on having an optimal underlying graph for prediction. In many cases, the most relevant information comes from specific subgraphs. In this work, we introduce a novel GNN architecture, called Graph Partitioned GNN (GP-GNN), designed to partition graphs during the prediction process, thereby focusing attention on subgraphs containing the most relevant information. Our approach jointly learns task-dependent graph partitions and representations, making it particularly effective for predictive tasks where critical features may reside within initially unidentified subgraphs. Protein Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation (LLPS) is an important physical problem well-suited to our architecture, primarily because protein sub-domains called intrinsically disordered regions (IDR)s are known to play a crucial role in the phase separation process. LLPS plays an essential role in cellular processes and is known to be associated with various diseases (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases and cancer). However, our ability to accurately predict which proteins undergo LLPS remains limited. In this study, we demonstrate how GP-GNN can be utilized to accurately predict LLPS by partitioning protein graphs into task-relevant subgraphs, such as those highlighting IDRs. Our model not only achieves state-of-the-art accuracy in predicting LLPS for both regulator and scaffold proteins but also offers valuable biological insights, that can be used to guide further downstream investigations. Notably, upon examining subgraphs identified by the GP-GNN, we show these are consistent with annotated IDRs.
AFM-RL: Large Protein Complex Docking Using AlphaFold-Multimer and Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Aderinwale Tunde , Jahandideh Rashidedin , Zhang Zicong , Zhao Bowen , Xiong Yi , Kihara Daisuke 
Published: January 2024

AbstractVarious biological processes in living cells are carried out by protein complexes, whose interactions can span across multiple protein structures. To understand the molecular mechanisms of such processes, it is crucial to know the quaternary structures of these complexes. Although the structures of many protein complexes have been determined through biophysical experiments, there are still many important complex structures that are yet to be determined, particularly for large complexes with multiple chains. To supplement experimental structure determination, many computational protein docking methods have been developed, but most are limited to two chains, and few are designed for three chains or more. We have previously developed a method, RL-MLZerD, for multiple protein docking, which was applied to complexes with three to five chains. Here, we expand the ability of this method to predict the structures of large protein complexes with six to twenty chains. We use AlphaFold-Multimer (AFM) to predict pairwise models and then assemble them using our reinforcement learning framework. Our new method, AFM-RL, can predict a diverse set of pairwise models, which aids the RL assembly steps for large protein complexes. Additionally, AFM-RL demonstrates improved modeling performance when compared to existing methods for large protein complex docking.