bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Galleria mellonella as a superficial model for Malassezia globosa and its treatment
Authors: Torres Maritza , Diaz-Ortiz Juliana , Davis Michael G , Schwartz James R. , Celis Ramírez Adriana Marcela 
Published: November 2023

Introduction. Malassezia globosa is a yeast species that belongs to the mycobiota of humans and animals, associated with dermatological disorders such as dandruff. This is a chronic scalp skin disorder characterized by flaking and itching. Treatments include commercial shampoo with different formulations that contain antifungal activities like Zinc pyrithione or Piroctone Olamine. The effectiveness of these formulations have been evaluated for decades for dandruff symptom relief of volunteers. To date, non-mammalian, in-vivo methods exist to test formulations of these actives.
Aim. To evaluate in vivo in Galleria mellonella larva, two commercial antifungal shampoos (Shampoo with 1% ZPT & 1.6% Zinc Carbonate and shampoo with 0.5% PO) against this species.
Methodology. G. mellonella larvae were inoculated with M. globosa on abraded cuticular surface. Then, integument cell viability, histological changes, and fungal burden were evaluated.
Results. Larvae inoculated with M. globosa showed higher lesion melanization and tissue damage. In addition, M. globosa population showed to increase over time. Concerning the shampoo’s effectiveness, both formulations significantly reduced M. globosa burden and tissue damage.
Conclusion. G. mellonella larvae were allowed to evaluate M. globosa superficial infection and antifungal effectiveness. Shampoos with ZPT and PO showed a positive effect on inoculated larvae.
Antiviral innate immune memory in alveolar macrophages following SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Lercher Alexander , Cheong Jin-Gyu , Jiang Chenyang , Hoffmann Hans-Heinrich , Ashbrook Alison W. , Yin Yue S. , Quirk Corrine , DeGrace Emma J. , Chiriboga Luis , Rosenberg Brad R. , Josefowicz Steven Z. , Rice Charles M. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPathogen encounter results in long-lasting epigenetic imprinting that shapes diseases caused by heterologous pathogens. The breadth of this innate immune memory is of particular interest in the context of respiratory pathogens with increased pandemic potential and wide-ranging impact on global health. Here, we investigated epigenetic imprinting across cell lineages in a disease relevant murine model of SARS-CoV-2 recovery. Past SARS-CoV-2 infection resulted in increased chromatin accessibility of type I interferon (IFN-I) related transcription factors in airway-resident macrophages. Mechanistically, establishment of this innate immune memory required viral pattern recognition and canonical IFN-I signaling and augmented secondary antiviral responses. Past SARS-CoV-2 infection ameliorated disease caused by the heterologous respiratory pathogen influenza A virus. Insights into innate immune memory and how it affects subsequent infections with heterologous pathogens to influence disease pathology could facilitate the development of broadly effective therapeutic strategies.
Safe plant Hsp90 adjuvants elicit an effective immune response against SARS-CoV2 derived RBD antigen
Authors: Ramos-Duarte Victor A. , Orlowski Alejandro , Jaquenod de Giusti Carolina , Corigliano Mariana G. , Legarralde Ariel , Mendoza-Morales Luisa F. , Atela Agustín , Sánchez Manuel A. , Sander Valeria A. , Angel Sergio O. , Clemente Marina 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTo better understand the role of pHsp90 adjuvant in immune response modulation, we proposed the use of the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the Spike protein of SARS-CoV2, the principal candidate in the design of subunit vaccines. We evaluated the humoral and cellular immune responses against RBD through the strategy “protein mixture” (Adjuvant + Antigen). The rRBD adjuvanted with rAtHsp81.2 group showed a higher increase of the anti-rRBD IgG1, while the rRBD adjuvanted with rNbHsp90.3 group showed a significant increase of anti-rRBD IgG2b/2a. These results were consistent with the cellular immune response analysis. Spleen cell cultures from rRBD+rNbHsp90.3-immunized mice showed significantly increased IFN-γ production. In contrast, spleen cell cultures from rRBD+rAtHsp81.2-immunized mice showed significant increased IL-4 levels. Finally, vaccines adjuvanted with rNbHsp90.3 induced higher neutralizing antibody responses compared to those adjuvanted with rAtHsp81.2. To know whether both chaperones must form complexes to generate an effective immune response, we performed co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays. The results indicated that the greater neutralizing capacity observed in the rRBD adjuvanted with rNbHsp90.3 group would be given by the rRBD-rNbHsp90.3 interaction rather than by the quality of the immune response triggered by the adjuvants. These results, together with our previous results, provide a comparative benchmark of these two novel and safe vaccine adjuvants for their capacity to stimulate immunity to a subunit vaccine, demonstrating the capacity of adjuvanted SARS-CoV2 subunit vaccines. Furthermore, these results revealed differences in the ability to modulate the immune response between these two pHsp90s, highlighting the importance of adjuvant selection for future rational vaccine and adjuvant design.
Temporal dynamics of skin microbiota and immune correlates in psoriasis patients receiving systemic treatment
Authors: Liu Su-Hsun , Huang Yu-Huei , Weng Hao-Jui , Tsai Tsen-Fang , Yang Huang-Yu , Chen Leslie Y , Chiu Yen-Ling , Yu Hsiao-Yun , Chiu Yi-Chieh , Ng Chao-Yu , Chang Ya-Ching , Hui Chung-Yee R , Huang Yhu-Chering 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundHow skin microbiota in psoriasis patients responded to systematic therapeutics remained unknown.ObjectivesTo profile temporal shifts in transcriptionally active skin microbiota in psoriasis patients receiving systemic therapies.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 61 psoriasis patients and 29 skin-healthy controls in 2015-2019. Using RNA-based 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we analyzed 969 samples from skin lesions and compared microbial abundance and diversity by therapeutic classes and disease severity.ResultsLesional microbiota in patients on conventional systemics and TNF-αinhibitor was different in relative abundances in Firmicutes (7.83% higher, adjusted P < 0.001) and Proteobacteria (6.98% lower, adjusted P < 0.01) from that in patients on anti-interleukin monoclonal antibodies (anti-ILAb) at baseline. The only difference during treatment was a 1.47% lower abundance in Bacteroides associated with nonbiologics use (adjusted P < 0.01). We identified no indicator taxa by disease severity at baseline yet noticed that a minor relative reduction inCorynebacteriumsp. was associated with clinical responses to treatment.Compared to anti-ILAb, TNF-αinhibitor and nonbiologics were associated with -0.21 lower Shannon Diversity (adjusted P < 0.01) and 0.03 higher Shannon Evenness (adjusted P < 0.01). Results of ordinated principal coordinates analysis revealed that, lesional microbiota from patients of these 3 therapeutic groups was compositionally distinct. Our work also demonstrated concurrent changes in clonal shifts in systemic T cell receptor clonotypes that were associated with systemic use of biologics.ConclusionsCommunity abundances and diversities of skin microbiota may be useful in distinguishing skin microbiota from patients receiving different systemic therapeutics. Specifically, use of anti-ILAb and TNF-αinhibitor was associated with sample-wise microbial abundances and diversities, but not richness, over time. These findings highlighted the potential utility of skin microbiota as biomarkers for personalized treatment plans in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
Nature-based social prescribing programmes: opportunities, challenges, and facilitators for implementation
Authors: de Bell Siân , Alejandre Julius Cesar , Menzel Claudia , Sousa-Silva Rita , Straka Tanja M. , Berzborn Susanne , Bürck-Gemassmer Max , Dallimer Martin , Dayson Chris , Fisher Jessica C. , Haywood Annette , Herrmann Alina , Immich Gisela , Keßler Christian S. , Köhler Kristin , Lynch Mary , Marx Viola , Michalsen Andreas , Mudu Pierpaolo , Napierala Hendrik , Nawrath Maximilian , Pfleger Sharon , Quitmann Claudia , Reeves Jonathan P. , Rozario Kevin , Straff Wolfgang , Walter Katie , Wendelboe-Nelson Charlotte , Marselle Melissa R. , Ying Oh Rachel Rui , Bonn Aletta 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundEvidence on the health benefits of spending time in nature has highlighted the importance of provision of blue and green spaces in people’s living environments. The potential for health benefits offered by nature exposure, however, extends beyond health promotion to health treatment. Social prescribing links people with health or social care needs to community-based, non-clinical health and social care interventions. The aim is to improve health and wellbeing. Nature-based social prescribing (NBSP) is a variant which uses the health-promoting benefits of activities carried out in natural environments, such as gardening and conservation volunteering. Much of current NBSP practice has been developed in the UK and there is increasing global interest in its implementation. This requires interventions to be adapted for different contexts, considering the needs of populations and the structure of healthcare systems.MethodsThis paper presents results from an expert group participatory workshop involving 29 practitioners, researchers, and policymakers from the UK and Germany’s health and environmental sectors. Using the UK and Germany, two countries with different healthcare systems and in different developmental stages of NBSP practice as case studies, we analysed opportunities, challenges, and facilitators for the development and implementation of NBSP.ResultsWe identified five overarching themes for developing, implementing, and evaluating NBSP: Capacity Building; Universal Accessibility; Embedded and Integrated Networks and Collaborations; Standardised Implementation and Evaluation; and Sustainability. We also discuss key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (i.e., a SWOT analysis) for each overarching theme to understand how they could be developed to support NBSP implementation.ConclusionsNBSP could offer significant public health benefits using available blue and green spaces. We offer guidance on how NBSP implementation, from wider policy support to the design and evaluation of individual programmes, could be adapted to different contexts. This research could help inform the development and evaluation of NBSP programmes to support planetary health from local and global scales.
Projected healthcare cost savings with transnasal vs. transoral upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the United States
Authors: Gupta Deepak , Edelman David , Somerset Amy , Chakrabortty Shushovan 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundTransoral esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) requires sedation and monitored anesthesia care, while transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) can be performed without sedation.Despite this benefit, TNE is performed significantly less than EGD in the United States.ObjectivesThe current project was designed to compare the differential prevalence of TNE and EGD with and without concurrent anesthesia billing among Medicare beneficiaries during 2018-2021.Materials and MethodsThe Public Use Files data for TNE, EGD, and anesthesia for EGD billed nationally among Medicare beneficiaries was exported from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website for 2018-2021 and presented as cumulative data. Projections were made to quantify healthcare cost savings if the number of TNE services were at least 9% of the number of TNE+EGD services and at most 34% of the number of TNE+EGD services from 2018-2021.ResultsThe key finding was that TNE was rarely performed and billed among Medicare beneficiaries when compared to EGD. In addition, roughly one-third of EGDs among Medicare beneficiaries might have been performed without concurrent anesthesia for EGD billing.ConclusionSecondary to the need for sedation and monitored anesthesia care, transoral upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is significantly more expensive than transnasal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Medicare could save millions of dollars annually if TNE replaced EGD.
Pseudomonas aeruginosashows between and within strains heterogeneity in virulence phenotype after passive exposure to zebrafish (Danio rerio) and nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans)
Authors: Azulai Daniella , Espinoa Anielka , Talamantes Maracela , Bennett Heather L. , Perron Gabriel G. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe rapid emergence of diseases and parasites in aquatic wildlife requires improved methodologies to identify and characterize new and future pathogens. While microinjection of pathogens directly into a sentinel organism such as zebrafish enables the exploration of infection and immune response in the host, such methodology focuses primarily on identifying causative agents in events of aquatic wildlife mortality due to acute infection. Here, we present an updated protocol of infection by static immersion in larval zebrafish to investigate the possible effect of prolonged environmental exposure to an opportunistic pathogen. By controlling microbial growth and monitoring mortality over five days, we show that static immersion can detect minute differences in virulence profiles between and within different strains ofPseudomonas aeruginosa, an important opportunistic pathogen of animals and humans. We then conducted two sets of passive exposure virulence assays inCaenorhabditis elegans, an alternative model. We demonstrated the virulence phenotype, while showing slight differences between experimental models, showed similar trends. We believe that passive exposure thus offers a practical host-pathogen model that simulates opportunistic infection occurring in the environment and enables the detection of minute changes in virulence between and within bacterial strains.
Development of a Next Generation SNP Genotyping Array for Wheat
Authors: Burridge Amanda J. , Winfield Mark , Przewieslik-Allen Alexandra , Edwards Keith J. , Siddique Imteaz , Barral-Arca Ruth , Griffiths Simon , Cheng Shifeng , Huang Zejian , Feng Cong , Dreisigacker Susanne , Bentley Alison R. , Brown-Guedira Gina , Barker Gary L. 
Published: November 2023

SummaryHigh throughput genotyping arrays have provided a cost effective, reliable and interoperable system for genotyping hexaploid wheat and its related germplasm pool. Existing, highly cited arrays including our 35K Axiom Wheat Breeder’s genotyping array and the Illumina 90K iSelect array were designed based on a limited amount of varietal sequence diversity and with imperfect knowledge of SNP positions. Recent progress in sequencing wheat varieties and landraces has given us access to a vast pool of SNP diversity, whilst technological improvements in array design has allowed us to fit significantly more probes onto a 384-well format Axiom array than was previously possible. Here we describe a novel High Density Axiom genotyping array, theTriticum aestivumNext Generation array (TaNG), largely derived from whole genome skim sequencing of 204 elite wheat lines and 111 wheat landraces taken from the Watkins “Core Collection”. We use a novel “minimal marker” optimisation approach to select up to six SNPs in each 1.5 MB region of the wheat genome with the highest combined varietal discrimination potential. A design iteration step allowed us to test and replace skim-sequence derived SNPs which failed to convert to reliable Axiom markers, resulting in a final design, designated TaNG1.1 with 43,372 SNPs derived from a haplotype-optimised combination of novel SNPs, DArTAG-derived and legacy wheat Axiom markers. We show that this design has an even distribution of SNPs across chromosomes and sub-genomes compared to previous arrays and can be used to generate genetic maps with a significantly higher number of distinct bins than our previous Axiom array. We also demonstrate the improved performance of TaNG1.1 for Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and its utility for Copy Number Variation (CNV) analysis. The array is commercially available, and the marker annotations, initial genotyping results and software used to generate the optimised marker sets are freely available.
Colonization ofBacillus altitudinison the Compatible Soybean Varieties to Provide Seed Rot Resistance
Authors: Wu Ping-Hu , Chang Hao-Xun 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSeed health is crucial for plant growth and agricultural productivity. Recent studies have illustrated the importance of plant microbiome in disease resistance, however, it remains unclear whether the seed microbiome confers seed rot resistance against fungal pathogens. In this study, the application of antibiotics on the seeds of eight soybean varieties showed that seed-associated bacteria were involved in the seed rot resistance caused byCalonectria ilicicola, but this resistance cannot be carried to withstand root rot. Using PacBio 16S rDNA full-length sequencing and microbiome analyses, the seed microbiome was shown to mainly dependent on the soybean variety, and there was no consistent community network associated with seed rot resistance across soybean varieties. Instead, the seed-associatedBacillus altitudiniswas identified through the differential abundance analysis and culture-dependent isolation. Moreover, qPCR confirmed the persistence ofB. altitudinison apical shoots till 21 days post-inoculation, but not on roots by 9 days post-inoculation. The short-term colonization ofB. altitudinison roots may explain the absence of root rot resistance. Furthermore, seed treated withB. altitudinisrestored seed rot resistance, but only in the compatible soybean varieties. For the incompatible soybean varieties,B. altitudinisshowed lower bacterial density and provided no seed protection. Collectively, this study advances the insight ofB. altitudinisconferring seed rot resistance. These findings highlight the potential of using seed-associated bacteria for seed protection and underscore the importance of considering bacterial compatibility with plant genotypes and tissues.
Expansion of the neocortex and protection from neurodegeneration byin vivotransient reprogramming
Authors: Shen Y , Zaballa S , Bech X , Sancho-Balsells A , Díaz-Cifuentes C , Seyit-Bremer G , Ballasch I , Alcázar N , Alberch J , Abad M , Serrano M , Klein R , Giralt A , del Toro D 
Published: November 2023

SummaryYamanaka factors (YFs) can reverse some aging features in mammalian tissues, but their effects on the brain remain largely unexplored. Here, we induced YFs in the mouse brain in a controlled spatio-temporal manner in two different scenarios: brain development, and adult stages in the context of neurodegeneration. Embryonic induction of YFs perturbed cell identity of both progenitors and neurons, but transient and low-level expression is tolerated by these cells during development. Under these conditions, YFs induction led to expanded neurogenesis, increased number of upper cortical neurons, and enhanced motor and social behavior of adult mice. Additionally, controlled YF induction is tolerated by principal neurons in the adult dorsal hippocampus and prevented the development of several hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, including cognitive decline and altered molecular signatures, in the 5xFAD mouse model. Overall, these results highlight the powerful impact of YFs on neurogenesis and their potential use in brain disorders.HighlightsTransient Yamanaka factor (YF) expression during development expands neocortexYF-treated mice show enhanced cognitive skillsIntermitent YF expression is tolerated by adult principal hippocampal neuronsLong-term intermitent YF reprogramming is protective in an AD mouse model
Signaling ligand heterogeneities in the peduncle complex of the cephalopod molluscOctopus bimaculoides
Authors: Wang Z Yan , Ragsdale Clifton W 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe octopus peduncle complex is an agglomeration of neural structures with remarkably diverse functional roles. The complex rests on the optic tract, between the optic lobe and the central brain, and comprises the peduncle lobe proper, the olfactory lobe, and the optic gland. The peduncle lobe regulates visuomotor behaviors, the optic glands control sexual maturation and maternal death, and the olfactory lobe is thought to receive input from the olfactory organ. Recent transcriptomic and metabolomic studies have identified candidate peptide and steroid ligands in theOctopus bimaculoidesoptic gland. With gene expression for these ligands and their biosynthetic enzymes, we show that optic gland neurochemistry extends beyond the traditional optic gland secretory tissue and into lobular territories. A key finding is that the classically defined olfactory lobe is itself a heterogenous territory and includes steroidogenic territories that overlap with cells expressing molluscan neuropeptides and the synthetic enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase.
Towards Generalizability and Robustness in Biological Object Detection in Electron Microscopy Images
Authors: Giannios Katya , Chaurasia Abhishek , Bueno Cecilia , Riesterer Jessica L. , Pagano Lucas , Lo Terence P. , Thibault Guillaume , Gray Joe W. , Song Xubo , DeLaRosa Bambi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMachine learning approaches have the potential for meaningful impact in the biomedical field. However, there are often challenges unique to biomedical data that prohibits the adoption of these innovations. For example, limited data, data volatility, and data shifts all compromise model robustness and generalizability. Without proper tuning and data management, deploying machine learning models in the presence of unaccounted for corruptions leads to reduced or misleading performance. This study explores techniques to enhance model generalizability through iterative adjustments. Specifically, we investigate a detection tasks using electron microscopy images and compare models trained with different normalization and augmentation techniques. We found that models trained with Group Normalization or texture data augmentation outperform other normalization techniques and classical data augmentation, enabling them to learn more generalized features. These improvements persist even when models are trained and tested on disjoint datasets acquired through diverse data acquisition protocols. Results hold true for transformerand convolution-based detection architectures. The experiments show an impressive 29% boost in average precision, indicating significant enhancements in the model’s generalizibality. This underscores the models’ capacity to effectively adapt to diverse datasets and demonstrates their increased resilience in real-world applications.