bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DEFECTIVE KERNEL 56 functions in mitochondrial RNA editing and maize seed development
Authors: Zang Jie , Zhang Tengfei , Zhang Zhaogui , Liu Juan , Chen Huabang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractProper seed development is essential for achieving grain production, successful seed germination, and seedling establishment in maize (Zea mays). In the past few decades, pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins have been proven to play an essential role in regulating the development of maize kernels through posttranscriptional RNA modification of mitochondrial genes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we characterized a mutant of DEFECTIVE KERNEL 56 (DEK56) with defective kernels that exhibited arrested development of both the embryo and endosperm. Accordingly, we isolated DEK56 through a map-based cloning strategy and found that it encoded an E subgroup PPR protein located in the mitochondria. Dysfunction of DEK56 resulted in altered cytidine (C)-to-uridine (U) editing efficiency at 48 editing sites across 21 mitochondrial transcripts. Notably, the editing efficiency of the maturase-related (matR)-1124 site was substantially reduced or abolished in the dek56 mutant. Furthermore, we found that the splicing efficiency of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (nad4) Introns 1 and 3 was substantially reduced in dek56 kernels, which might be a consequence of the defective MatR function. Through a protein–protein interaction test, we hypothesized that DEK56 carries out its function by recruiting the PPR-DYW protein PPR motif, coiled-coil, and DYW domain-containing protein 1 (PCW1). This interaction is facilitated by Multiple Organellar RNA Editing Factors (ZmMORFs) and Glutamine-Rich Protein 23 (ZmGRP23). Based on these findings, we developed a working model of PPR-mediated mitochondrial processing that plays an essential role in the development of maize kernels. The present study will further broaden our understanding of PPR-mediated seed development and provide a theoretical basis for maize improvement.
Mesophyll conductance limits photosynthesis in fluctuating light under combined drought and heat stresses
Authors: Zeng Zhi-Lan , Wang Xiao-Qian , Zhang Shi-Bao , Huang Wei 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Drought and heat stresses usually occur concomitantly in nature, with increasing frequency and intensity of both stresses expected due to climate change. The synergistic agricultural impacts of these compound climate extremes are much greater than those of the individual stresses. However, the mechanisms by which drought and heat stresses separately and concomitantly affect dynamic photosynthesis have not been thoroughly assessed. To elucidate this, we used tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings to measure dynamic photosynthesis under individual and compound stresses of drought and heat. Individual drought and heat stresses limited dynamic photosynthesis at the stages of diffusional conductance to CO2 and biochemistry, respectively. However, the primary limiting factor for photosynthesis shifted to mesophyll conductance under the compound stresses. Compared with the control, photosynthetic carbon gain in fluctuating light decreased by 38%, 73%, and 114% under the individual drought, heat, and compound stresses, respectively. Therefore, compound stresses caused a greater reduction in photosynthetic carbon gain in fluctuating light conditions than individual stress. These findings highlight the importance of mitigating the effects of compound climate extremes on crop productivity by targeting mesophyll conductance and improving dynamic photosynthesis.
Functional divergence of Arabidopsis REPRESSOR OF UV-B PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS 1 and 2 in repression of flowering
Authors: Chen Song , Podolec Roman , Arongaus Adriana B , Fuchs Christelle , Loubéry Sylvain , Demarsy Emilie , Ulm Roman 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Photoperiodic plants coordinate the timing of flowering with seasonal light cues, thereby optimizing their sexual reproductive success. The WD40-repeat protein REPRESSOR OF UV-B PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS 2 (RUP2) functions as a potent repressor of UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) photoreceptor-mediated UV-B induction of flowering under noninductive, short-day conditions in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana); however, in contrast, the closely related RUP1 seems to play no major role. Here, analysis of chimeric ProRUP1:RUP2 and ProRUP2:RUP1 expression lines suggested that the distinct functions of RUP1 and RUP2 in repressing flowering are due to differences in both their coding and regulatory DNA sequences. Artificial altered expression using tissue-specific promoters indicated that RUP2 functions in repressing flowering when expressed in mesophyll and phloem companion cells, whereas RUP1 functions only when expressed in phloem companion cells. Endogenous RUP1 expression in vascular tissue was quantified as lower than that of RUP2, likely underlying the functional difference between RUP1 and RUP2 in repressing flowering. Taken together, our findings highlight the importance of phloem vasculature expression of RUP2 in repressing flowering under short days and identify a basis for the functional divergence of Arabidopsis RUP1 and RUP2 in regulating flowering time.
Childhood Trauma in Clozapine-Resistant Schizophrenia: Prevalence, and Relationship With Symptoms
Authors: Dudley Robert , Turkington Douglas , Coulthard Naomi , Pyle Melissa , Gumley Andrew , Schwannauer Matthias , Kingdon David , Morrison Anthony P 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background and Hypothesis
The role of early adversity and trauma is increasingly recognized in psychosis but treatments for trauma and its consequences are lacking. Psychological treatments need to understand the prevalence of these experiences, the relationship with specific symptoms and identify potentially tractable processes that may be targeted in therapy. It was hypothesized that greater adversity, and specifically abuse rather than neglect, would be associated with positive symptoms and specifically hallucinations. In addition, negative beliefs would mediate the relationship with positive symptoms.

Study Design
292 Patients with treatment resistant psychosis completed measures of early adversity as well as current symptoms of psychosis.

Study Results
Early adversity in the form of abuse and neglect were common in one-third of the sample. Adversity was associated with higher levels of psychotic symptoms generally, and more so with positive rather than negative symptoms. Abuse rather than neglect was associated with positive but not with negative symptoms. Abuse rather than neglect was associated with hallucinations but not delusions. Abuse and neglect were related to negative beliefs about the self and negative beliefs about others. Mediation demonstrated a general relationship with adversity, negative-self, and other views and overall psychotic symptoms but not in relation to the specific experience of abuse and hallucinations. Females were more likely to be abused, but not neglected, than males.

Conclusions
Whilst most relationships were modest, they supported previous work indicating that adversity contributes to people with psychosis experiencing distressing symptoms especially hallucinations. Treatments need to address and target adversity.
“Life will never be the same”: a qualitative analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on adults with a history of insomnia
Authors: Redding Ashley , Santarossa Sara , Sagong Chaewon , Kalmbach David A , Drake Christopher L , Casement Melynda D , Cheng Philip 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Study Objectives
To utilize qualitative data analysis to enrich our understanding of the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on those with a pre-pandemic history of insomnia.

Methods
The sample included 208 participants who completed the Coronavirus Impact Scale in April and May 2020. A content analysis was used to analyze responses to a free-response item “Please tell us about any other ways the coronavirus has impacted your life” (n = 175), using a combination of inductive and deductive coding.

Results
Both negative and positive themes emerged, including altered access to health care, negative financial impacts, and various emotions surrounding COVID-19. Some shared “silver linings” such as having more time for physical activity and deepening familial connections.

Conclusions
This analysis provides novel insight into the shared concerns and lived experiences of those with a history of insomnia. Understanding these unique stressors can enable healthcare professionals to better anticipate the needs of this population, as well as learn to navigate future stressful events.
Fungal Cell Wall-Associated Effectors: Sensing, Integration, Suppression, and Protection
Authors: John Evan , Chau Minh-Quang , Hoang Cuong V. , Chandrasekharan Neelima , Bhaskar Chibbhi , Ma Lay-Sun 
Published: November 2023

The cell wall (CW) of plant-interacting fungi, as the direct interface with host plants, plays a crucial role in fungal development. A number of secreted proteins are directly associated with the fungal CW, either through covalent or non-covalent interactions, and serve a range of important functions. In the context of plant–fungal interactions many are important for fungal development in the host environment and may therefore be considered fungal CW-associated effectors (CWAEs). Key CWAE functions include integrating chemical/physical signals to direct hyphal growth, interfering with plant immunity, and providing protection against plant defenses. In recent years, a diverse range of mechanisms have been reported that underpin their roles, with some CWAEs harboring conserved motifs or functional domains, while others are reported to have novel features. As such, the current understanding regarding fungal CWAEs is systematically presented here from the perspective of their biological functions in plant–fungal interactions. An overview of the fungal CW architecture and the mechanisms by which proteins are secreted, modified, and incorporated into the CW is first presented to provide context for their biological roles. Some CWAE functions are reported across a broad range of pathosystems or symbiotic/mutualistic associations. Prominent are the chitin interacting-effectors that facilitate fungal CW modification, protection, or suppression of host immune responses. However, several alternative functions are now reported and are presented and discussed. CWAEs can play diverse roles, some possibly unique to fungal lineages and others conserved across a broad range of plant-interacting fungi. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .
Cochlear–Implant Simulated Signal Degradation Exacerbates Listening Effort in Older Listeners
Authors: Abramowitz Jordan C. , Goupell Matthew J. , DeRoy Milvae Kristina 
Published: November 2023

Objectives:
Individuals with cochlear implants (CIs) often report that listening requires high levels of effort. Listening effort can increase with decreasing spectral resolution, which occurs when listening with a CI, and can also increase with age. What is not clear is whether these factors interact; older CI listeners potentially experience even higher listening effort with greater signal degradation than younger CI listeners. This study used pupillometry as a physiological index of listening effort to examine whether age, spectral resolution, and their interaction affect listening effort in a simulation of CI listening.

Design:
Fifteen younger normal-hearing listeners (ages 18 to 31 years) and 15 older normal-hearing listeners (ages 65 to 75 years) participated in this experiment; they had normal hearing thresholds from 0.25 to 4 kHz. Participants repeated sentences presented in quiet that were either unprocessed or vocoded, simulating CI listening. Stimuli frequency spectra were limited to below 4 kHz (to control for effects of age-related high-frequency hearing loss), and spectral resolution was decreased by decreasing the number of vocoder channels, with 32-, 16-, and 8-channel conditions. Behavioral speech recognition scores and pupil dilation were recorded during this task. In addition, cognitive measures of working memory and processing speed were obtained to examine if individual differences in these measures predicted changes in pupil dilation.

Results:
For trials where the sentence was recalled correctly, there was a significant interaction between age and spectral resolution, with significantly greater pupil dilation in the older normal-hearing listeners for the 8- and 32-channel vocoded conditions. Cognitive measures did not predict pupil dilation.

Conclusions:
There was a significant interaction between age and spectral resolution, such that older listeners appear to exert relatively higher listening effort than younger listeners when the signal is highly degraded, with the largest effects observed in the eight-channel condition. The clinical implication is that older listeners may be at higher risk for increased listening effort with a CI.
Serum Titanium Levels Remain Elevated But Urine Titanium is Undetectable in Children With Early Onset Scoliosis Undergoing Growth-Friendly Surgical Treatment: A Prospective Study
Authors: Shams Kameron , Jha Sahil , Swallow Jennylee , Caird Michelle S. , Farley Frances A. , Stepanovich Matthew , Li Ying 
Published: November 2023

Background:
Elevated serum titanium levels have been found in patients with early onset scoliosis (EOS) treated with traditional growing rods (TGR), magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR), and vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR). No studies have investigated whether serum titanium remains persistently elevated and if titanium is excreted. Our purpose was to compare serum titanium levels in patients with EOS with growth-friendly instrumentation to age-matched controls and evaluate urine titanium and serial serum titanium levels in patients with EOS.

Methods:
This was a prospective case-control study. Patients with EOS with TGR, MCGR, or VEPTR underwent urine titanium and serial serum titanium collection at a minimum 6-month interval. Control patients did not have a history of metal implant insertion and underwent serum titanium collection before fracture fixation.

Results:
Twenty patients with EOS (6 TGR, 8 MCGR, and 6 VEPTR) and 12 controls were analyzed. The control group had no detectable serum titanium (0 ng/mL), whereas the patients with EOS had a median serum titanium of 4.0 ng/mL (P < 0.001). Analysis of variance showed significantly higher median serum titanium levels in the MCGR and VEPTR groups than the TGR group at time point 1 (5.5 vs 6.0 vs 2.0 ng/mL, P = 0.01) and time point 2 (6.5 vs 7.5 vs 2.0 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Binary comparisons showed a significant difference in serum titanium level between TGR and MCGR (time point 1: P = 0.026, time point 2: P = 0.011) and TGR and VEPTR (time point 1: P = 0.035, time point 2: P = 0.003). However, there was no difference between MCGR and VEPTR (time point 1: P = 0.399, time point 2: P = 0.492) even though the VEPTR group had a longer duration of follow-up (P = 0.001) and a greater number of lengthenings per patient at the first serum collection (P = 0.016). No patients with EOS had detectable urine titanium.

Conclusions:
Patients with EOS treated with titanium alloy growth-friendly instrumentation had elevated serum titanium levels compared with age-matched controls that persisted over time with no evidence of renal excretion. Additional studies are necessary to assess for local and systemic accumulation of titanium and the significance of long-term exposure to titanium in growing children.

Level of Evidence:
Level III, therapeutic.
Self-care Problems and Management Strategies Experienced by Rural Patient/Caregiver Dyads Living With Heart Failure
Authors: Graven Lucinda J. , Durante Angela , Abbott Laurie , Bassi Erika , Howren M. Bryant , Grant Joan S. 
Published: November 2023

Background
Rural patients with heart failure (HF) have higher mortality and hospitalization rates compared with their urban counterparts. Although research supports the inclusion of informal caregivers in daily self-care activities, data are limited regarding the problems encountered by rural patient/caregiver dyads living with HF in managing HF in the home and how these problems are managed.

Objective
The aim of this study was to identify and describe HF self-care problems experienced by rural dyads in the home and how these problems are managed.

Methods
Using a descriptive qualitative design, data were collected from rural patient/caregiver dyads living with HF via individual, semistructured, telephone interviews and analyzed using schematic content analysis. Interviews and data analysis occurred concurrently until data saturation was reached.

Results
Thematic data saturation was obtained with 11 dyads. On average, patients were 65.3 (±13.9) years old, and caregivers were 62 (±12.37) years old. Four themes illustrating dyadic HF self-care problems and management strategies emerged: (1) HF self-care components, namely, maintenance, symptom monitoring, and management (diet, exercise, activities, strategies); (2) environment (rural barriers, COVID-19); (3) caregiver contributors (confidence, role); and (4) dyadic contributors (dyadic relationship). Dyads described various self-care problems, with the type of relationship and presence of mutuality influencing the problem-solving process and development of management strategies.

Conclusions
The identified themes emphasize the self-care problems experienced by rural dyads living with HF and the contributions of both dyad members to effectively manage these challenges. Findings support the need for culturally sensitive, tailored interventions targeting self-care in rural dyads living with HF.
Respiratory Muscle Strength and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure and Their Main Correlated Factors
Authors: de Noronha Isis Marinho , Almeida Larisse Xavier , de Souza Silva Andrade Nina Vitória , de França Eduardo Eriko Tenório , de Morais Lima José Heriston , Pedrosa Rafaela , Siqueira Fernanda , Onofre Tatiana 
Published: November 2023

Background
Heart failure may cause peripheral and respiratory muscle alterations, dyspnea, fatigue, and exercise intolerance, worsening the quality of life of patients.

Objectives
The aims of this study were to analyze respiratory muscle strength and quality of life of patients with heart failure and correlate them with clinical variables and functional classification.

Methods
This cross-sectional study involved patients with heart failure. A manovacuometer assessed maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and quality of life was assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Functional classification was categorized according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class in I, II, III, or IV.

Results
We included 60 patients (66.7% male) with a mean age of 62.0 years and mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 42.0%. Maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure were close to normal (>70% of predicted) in most patients; however, a subgroup composed mostly of patients with dilated heart failure and NYHA class III (n = 21) presented low maximum inspiratory pressure values (59.2%; 95% confidence interval, 55.7%–62.8%). The mean total score of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire was 44.4 points, being negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r = −0.29, P = .02). Patients with NYHA class III and disease duration longer than 120 months presented higher total (P < .01) and physical dimension scores.

Conclusions
Most patients had respiratory muscle strength close to normal; however, those with dilated heart failure and NYHA class III presented low maximum inspiratory pressure values. Quality of life was moderately compromised, mainly because of long disease duration, NYHA class III, and low left ventricular ejection fraction.
Incidence of Ventriculomegaly in Patients With Craniosynostosis
Authors: Liu Baihui , Li Jun , Zhang Songchunyuan , Wang Yueqing , Dong Chenbin 
Published: November 2023

Hydrocephalus is variously associated with syndromic craniosynostosis (CS), while it is randomly encountered in nonsyndromic CS. But actually, the ventriculomegaly in CS is less described. In this study, the authors aim to establish whether ventriculomegaly is common in patients with CS, in both syndromic and nonsyndromic. Retrospective measurements of Evans index (EI) were taken from thin-section computed tomography scans of 169 preoperative CS patients to assess cerebral ventricular volume. EI >0.3 indicates ventricular enlargement. A total of 169 CS patients who underwent computed tomography scan from February 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively evaluated, including 114 males and 55 females. The average age at diagnosis was 16 months (range: 1–103 mo). Among them, 37 with syndromic CS, including 17 ventricular megaly patients, had an EI >0.3 (46.0%), and 4 of them had intracranial hypertension and needed ventriculoperitoneal shunt treatment before cranial vault remolding. One hundred and thirty-two had nonsyndromic CS (100 single-suture CS, 32 multisuture CS), and 26 of them had an EI of 0.3 or greater (19.7%). Ventrocular megaly is common among patients with CS. Early craniotomy may stabilize ventricular dilation.
Spread of the cycles: a feedback perspective on the Anthropocene
Authors: Lenton Timothy M. , Scheffer Marten 
Published: November 2023

What propelled the human ‘revolutions' that started the Anthropocene? and what could speed humanity out of trouble? Here, we focus on the role of reinforcing feedback cycles, often comprised of diverse, unrelated elements (e.g. fire, grass, humans), in propelling abrupt and/or irreversible, revolutionary changes. We suggest that differential ‘spread of the cycles' has been critical to the past human revolutions of fire use, agriculture, rise of complex states and industrialization. For each revolution, we review and map out proposed reinforcing feedback cycles, and describe how new systems built on previous ones, propelling us into the Anthropocene. We argue that to escape a bleak Anthropocene will require abruptly shifting from existing unsustainable ‘vicious cycles’, to alternative sustainable ‘virtuous cycles' that can outspread and outpersist them. This will need to be complemented by a revolutionary cultural shift from maximizing growth to maximizing persistence (sustainability). To achieve that we suggest that non-human elements need to be brought back into the feedback cycles underlying human cultures and associated measures of progress.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis’.