bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
QTc Shortening on Electrocardiogram With Amitriptyline May Indicate No Effect on Pain Relief in Burning Mouth Syndrome
Authors: Nagamine Takahiko , Watanabe Takeshi , Toyofuku Akira 
Published: January 2024

ObjectiveBurning mouth syndrome (BMS) is an intractable chronic pain disorder characterized by a burning sensation without organic abnormalities in the oral mucosa. Amitriptyline may be effective for BMS or, conversely, may exacerbate pain. QTc is necessary for monitoring psychotropic adverse effects, but it is not known if it is a predictor of efficacy for BMS. We investigated the efficacy of amitriptyline in BMS and its effect on QTc.MethodsVisual analog scale and electrocardiogram were examined before and 1 month after treatment in 51 consecutive patients diagnosed with BMS according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third Edition (ICHD-3), criteria and treated with amitriptyline.ResultsThere were 26 amitriptyline responders and 25 nonresponders, with no differences in age, sex, and amitriptyline dosage. Amitriptyline responders showed little change in QTc, whereas nonresponders showed a trend toward significantly shorter QTc. Changes in visual analog scale correlated statistically significantly with changes in QTc (Spearman rank correlation coefficient: 0384;P= 0.0054). The degree of pain tended to worsen with QTc shortening.ConclusionAmitriptyline provides analgesia in about half of BMS patients, but some BMS patients have worse pain with amitriptyline. Not only do changes in the QTc detect amitriptyline adverse effects with prolongation, but also, conversely, its shortening predicts amitriptyline ineffectiveness.
PATHOGENECITY AND ENZYME SCREENING OF SOME SELECTED NON-DERMATOPHYTIC MOLDS
Authors: Nwofor CN , Onyenwe NE , Osuoha CB 
Published: January 2024

A total of 10 non-dermatophytic molds isolated from both symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle skin which includes Penicillumcitrinum, Aspergillus welwitschiae, Aspergillus aculeatus, Curvulariakusanol, Cladosporium teniussmum, Pestalotiopsismicrospora, Fusarium oxysporum,Fusarium linchenicola, Absidia sp. and Aspergillus fumigatus were subjected to a pathogenecity test using albino mice. These isolates were also screened for five enzymes using standard plate method.Result from pathogenecity test showed that Absidiasp, C.tenuissimum and Aspergillus welwitschiae were able to elicit discolouration, lesion production and alopecia on the albino mice skin respectively which are evidences of clinical symptoms associated of cutaneous mycoses. For enzyme screening resultrevealed the highest zone of activity for keratinase (65mm), amylase (86mm), protease (60mm), lipase (60mm) and cellulase (86mm) which were observed on P.microspora, A.welwitschiae, C.tenuissimum, A.welwitschiae and A. welwitschiaerespectively. Pathogenecity test from this study shows that some of these molds are highly virulent and that can be attributed to their ability to posses some virulent factors which includes secretion of hydrolytic enzyme.
Body size is a better predictor of intra- than interspecific variation of animal stoichiometry across realms
Authors: Nessel Mark P. , Dézerald Olivier , Merder Julian , Andraczek Karl , Brose Ulrich , Filipiak Michał , Jackson Michelle , Jochum Malte , Harpole Stan , Hillebrand Helmut , Leroux Shawn J. , Onstein Renske , Perry George L W , Paseka Rachel , Rugenski Amanda , Sitters Judith , Sperfeld Erik , Striebel Maren , Zandona Eugenia , Doi Hideyuki , Eisenhauer Nico , Farjalla Vinicius F. , Gotelli Nicholas J. , Hood James , Kratina Pavel , Moody Eric K. , Nash Liam N. , Potapov Anton M. , Romero Gustavo Q. , Roussel Jean-Marc , Scheu Stefan , Seeber Julia , Susanti Winda Ika , Tiunov Alexei , González Angélica L. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAnimal stoichiometry affects fundamental processes ranging from organismal physiology to global element cycles. However, it is unknown whether animal stoichiometry follows predictable scaling relationships with body mass and whether adaptation to life on land or water constrains patterns of elemental allocation. To test both interspecific and intraspecific body-size scaling relationships of the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and N:P content of animals, we used a subset of the StoichLife database encompassing 9,933 individual animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) belonging to 1,543 species spanning 10 orders of magnitude of body size from terrestrial, freshwater, and marine realms. Across species, body mass did not explain much variation in %N and %P composition, although the %P of invertebrates decreased with size. The effects of body size on species elemental content were small in comparison to the effects of taxonomy. Body size was a better predictor of intraspecific than interspecific elemental patterns. Between 42 to 45% in intraspecific stoichiometric variation was explained by body size for 27% of vertebrate species and 35% of invertebrate species. Further, differences between organisms inhabiting aquatic and terrestrial realms were observed only in invertebrate interspecific %N, suggesting that the realm does not play an important role in determining elemental allocation of animals. Based on our analysis of the most comprehensive animal stoichiometry database, we conclude that (i) both body size and realm are relatively weak predictors of animal stoichiometry across taxa, and (ii) body size is a good predictor of intraspecific variation in animal elemental content, which is consistent with tissue-scaling relationships that hold broadly across large groups of animals. This research reveals a lack of general scaling patterns in the elemental content across animals and instead points to a large variation in scaling relationships within and among lineages.
Logistic resource limitation model for quasi real-time measured subjective cognitive load predicts Hill function of hemoglobin-oxygen saturation
Authors: Fürstenau Norbert 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCognitive processing and memory resources invested in task execution determine mental workload (MWL) that is quantified through objective physiological measures such as heart rate and variability, EEG, and hemoglobin oxygen (HbO2) saturation, and subjective methods like periodic quasi-real-time “instantaneous self-assessment” (ISA) with discrete five- or seven-level WL-scales. Previously published results of human-in-the-loop (HITL) air-traffic control simulations with highly trained domain experts provided initial evidence for logistic and power law functional dependencies between subjective MWL self-assessment reports and simultaneously monitored task load and simulation variables (e.g. communication and traffic load). Here we show that a biased “Logistic Resource Limitation” (LRL) model for regression based parameter estimates of subjective self-reports through combination with a logistic task load function leads to a cognitive power law with parametric correspondence to the classical Hill function that quantifies HbO2saturation. Hill function saturation exponent and equilibrium dissociation constant turned out to show surprising agreement with corresponding estimates of the power law parameters derived from the LRL-model applied to published independent data sets from the three different HITL-simulation experiments. Our results suggest the hypothesis that under certain conditions quasi real-time subjective (behavioral) reporting of cognitive load due to task execution might represent the output of an interoceptive HbO2saturation sensor that measures resource limitation of neural energy supply. From the HbO2- saturation perspective, our results might provide an additional aspect to the “selfish brain” theory for cortical energy supply as derived by A. Peters et al. based on a logistic Glucose push–pull supply chain model. However, more focused experiments are required including direct (e.g. fNIR based) measurements of HbO2-saturation to further support (or falsify) our conclusions.Author SummaryMeasurements of mental workload of domain experts under cognitive task requirements by human-in-the-loop simulation experiments utilize subjective and objective methods and measures. Standard data analysis is mostly limited to linear statistical methods such as variance and regression analysis for quantifying load differences under different task requirements. Based on nonlinear resource limitation models with asymptotic saturation limits we derive here a cognitive power law for the dependency of real-time subjective work- vs. objective task load. The focused analysis of three previously published independent datasets revealed an unexpected formal and quantitative equivalence with the classical Hill-function of blood-oxygen saturation. Our results suggest the hypothesis of a close quantitative relationship between subjective load reports and an interoceptive senor for cortical energy resources.
Beyond comparison: Brillouin microscopy and AFM-based indentation reveal divergent insights into the mechanical profile of the murine retina
Authors: Möllmert Stephanie , Gutmann Marcus , Müller Paul , Kim Kyoohyun , Salvador Jana Bachir , Aif Serhii , Meinel Lorenz , Guck Jochen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMechanical tissue properties increasingly serve as pivotal phenotypic characteristics that are subject to change during development or pathological progression. The quantification of such material properties often relies on physical contact between a load-applying probe and an exposed sample surface. For most tissues, these requirements necessitate animal sacrifice, tissue dissection and sectioning. These invasive procedures bear the risk of yielding mechanical properties that do not portray the physiological mechanical state of a tissue within a functioning organism. Brillouin microscopy has emerged as a non-invasive, optical technique that allows to assess mechanical cell and tissue properties with high spatio-temporal resolution. In optically transparent specimens, this technique does not require animal sacrifice, tissue dissection or sectioning. However, the extent to which results obtained from Brillouin microscopy allow to infer conclusions about potential results obtained with a contact-based technique, andvice versa, is unclear. Potential sources for discrepancies include the varying characteristic temporal and spatial scales, the directionality of measurement, environmental factors, and mechanical moduli probed. In this work, we addressed those aspects by quantifying the mechanical properties of acutely dissected murine retinal tissues using Brillouin microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based indentation measurements. Our results show a distinct mechanical profile of the retinal layers with respect to the Brillouin frequency shift, the Brillouin linewidth and the apparent Young’s modulus. Contrary to previous reports, our findings do not support a simple correlative relationship between Brillouin frequency shift and apparent Young’s modulus. Additionally, the divergent sensitivity of Brillouin microscopy and AFM-indentation measurements to cross-linking or changespost mortemunderscores the dangers of assuming both methods can be generally used interchangeably. In conclusion, our study advocates for viewing Brillouin microscopy and AFM-based indentation measurements as complementary tools, discouraging direct comparisonsa prioriand suggesting their combined use for a more comprehensive understanding of tissue mechanical properties.
Sex-biased migration and demographic history of the big European fireflyLampyris noctiluca
Authors: Catalán Ana , Gygax Daniel , Candolin Ulrika , Tusso Sergio , Duchen Pablo , Höhna Sebastian 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDifferential dispersion between the sexes can impact population structure and connectivity between populations, which in turn, can have an effect on the evolvability capability of a species. Here we explored the demographic history of the big European firefly,Lampyris noctiluca, which exhibits female neoteny.L. noctilucadistribution extends throughout Europe, but nothing is known on how its colonization processes. To investigate this, we produced the firstLampyrisgenome (653Mb), including an IsoSeq annotation and the identification of the X chromosome. We collected 115 individuals from six populations ofL. noctiluca(Finland to Italy) and generated whole genome re-sequencing for each individual. We inferred several population expansions and bottlenecks throughout the Pleistocene that correlate with glaciation events. Surprisingly, we uncovered strong population structure and low gene-flow. We reject a stepwise, south to north, colonization history scenario and instead uncovered a complex demographic history with a putative eastern European origin. Analyzing the evolutionary history of the mitochondrial genome as well as X-linked and autosomal loci, we found evidence of a maternal colonialization of Germany, putatively from a western European population, followed by male-only migration from south of the Alps (Italy). Overall, investigating the demographic history and colonization patterns of a species should form part of an integrative approach of biodiversity research. Our results provide evidence of sex-biased migration which is important to consider for demographic, biogeographic and species delimitation studies.
Single-cell RNA-seq based elucidation of the antidepressant hyperforin biosynthesisde novoin St. John’s wort
Authors: Wu Song , Morotti Ana Luisa Malaco , Yang Jun , Wang Ertao , Tatsis Evangelos C. 
Published: January 2024

SummaryHyperforin is the compound responsible for the effectiveness of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) as an antidepressant, but its biosynthesis remains unknown. Gene discovery based on co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-sequencing data or genome mining failed to discover the missing steps in hyperforin biosynthesis. Here we sequenced the tetraploidH. perforatumgenome. By single-cell RNA-seq, we identified a distinct type of cells, Hyper cells, wherein hyperforin biosynthesisde novotakes place. Through pathway reconstitution in yeast and tobacco, we identify and characterize four transmembrane prenyltransferases to resolve hyperforin biosynthesis. The hyperforin polycyclic scaffold is created by a reaction cascade involving an irregular isoprenoid coupling and a tandem cyclization. Our findings reveal how and where hyperforin is biosynthesized that enables synthetic-biology reconstitution of the complete pathway. These results deepen our comprehension of specialized metabolism at the cellular level, and we anticipate acceleration of pathway elucidation in plant metabolism.
An analysis of semaphorin-mediated cellular interactions in theC. elegansepidermis using the IR-LEGO single-cell gene induction system
Authors: Suzuki Motoshi , Takagi Shin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractOne of the major functions of the semaphorin signaling system is the regulation of cell shape. In the nematodeC. elegans, membrane-bound semaphorins SMP-1/2 (SMPs) regulate the morphology of epidermal cells via their receptor plexin, PLX-1. In the larval male tail of the SMPs/PLX-1 signaling mutants, the border between two epidermal cells, R1.p and R2.p, is displaced anteriorly, resulting in the anterior displacement of the anterior most ray, ray 1, in the adult male. To elucidate how the intercellular signaling mediated by SMPs regulates the position of the intercellular border, we performed mosaic gene expression analyses by using IR-LEGO (InfraRedLaserEvokedGeneOperator). We show that PLX-1 expressed in R1.p and SMP-1 expressed in R2.p is required for proper positioning of ray 1. The result suggests that SMPs signaling promotes extension, rather than retraction, of R1.p. This is in contrast to a previous finding that SMPs mediate inhibition of cell-extension of vulval precursor cells, another group of epidermal cells ofC. elegans,indicating the context-dependence of cell shape control via the semaphorin signaling system.
Polarity-JaM: An image analysis toolbox for cell polarity, junction and morphology quantification
Authors: Giese Wolfgang , Albrecht Jan Philipp , Oppenheim Olya , Akmeriç Emir Bora , Kraxner Julia , Schmidt Deborah , Harrington Kyle , Gerhardt Holger 
Published: January 2024

Cell polarity involves the asymmetric distribution of cellular components such as signaling molecules and organelles within a cell, asymmetries of a cell”s shape as well as contacts with neighbouring cells. Gradients and mechanical forces often act as global cues that bias cell polarity and orientation, and polarity is coordinated by communication between adjacent cells.Advances in fluorescence microscopy combined with deep learning algorithms for image segmentation open up a wealth of possibilities to understand cell polarity behaviour in health and disease. We have therefore developed the open-source package Polarity-JaM, which offers versatile methods for performing reproducible exploratory image analysis. Multi-channel single cell segmentation is performed using a flexible and userfriendly interface to state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms. Interpretable single-cell features are automatically extracted, including cell and organelle orientation, cell-cell contact morphology, signaling molecule gradients, as well as collective orientation, tissue-wide size and shape variation. Circular statistics of cell polarity, including polarity indices, confidence intervals, and circular correlation analysis, can be computed using our web application. We have developed data graphs for comprehensive visualisation of key statistical measures and suggest the use of an adapted polarity index when the expected polarisation direction or the direction of a global cue is knowna priori.The focus of our analysis is on fluorescence image data from endothelial cells (ECs) and their polarisation behaviour. ECs line the inside of blood vessels and are essential for vessel formation and repair, as well as for various cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and inflammation. However, the general architecture of the software will allow it to be applied to other cell types and image modalities. The package is built in in Python, allowing researchers to seamlessly integrate Polarity-JaM into their image and data analysis workflows, seehttps://polarityjam. readthedocs.io. In addition, a web application for statistical analysis, available atwww.polarityjam.com, and a Napari plugin are available, each with a graphical user interface to facilitate exploratory analysis.
PHOSPHATE-INDUCED 1 and its paralogs positively regulate cellulose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yu Fugen , Wang Qiang , Qiu Jieren , Liao Yonghui , Wang Xin , Cao Tianjun , Zhang Jiao , Yin Shan , Zhuang Zhong , Chen Xiaolin , Jiang Haojie , Lu Shan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCellulose is not only the most abundant biopolymer on Earth but also an essential multi-purpose resource, primarily synthesized by cellulose synthase complexes (CSCs) located on plasma membrane in vascular plants. Although insights into the functions of CSCs have been provided by the identification of cellulose synthase catalytic subunits, our understanding of the regulation of CSC activity remains limited. In this study, combining molecular and genetic methods, we demonstrated that both PHI-1 and its paralogs residing in the plasma membrane are involved in the cellulose biosynthesis regulation as a positive regulatory component of CSCs by feeding developmental and environmental cues into their activities in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Our finding reveals a mechanism for how plants regulate cellulose synthesis in response to developmental and environmental signals, and thus improves the likelihood that cellulose biosynthesis could be feasibly adapted for sustainable purposes.
Predicting the DNA binding specificity of mutated transcription factors using family-level biophysically interpretable machine learning
Authors: Liu Shaoxun , Gomez-Alcala Pilar , Leemans Christ , Glassford William J. , Mann Richard S. , Bussemaker Harmen J. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTSequence-specific interactions of transcription factors (TFs) with genomic DNA underlie many cellular processes. High-throughputin vitrobinding assays coupled with computational analysis have made it possible to accurately define such sequence recognition in a biophysically interpretable yet mechanism-agonistic way for individual TFs. The fact that such sequence-to-affinity models are now available for hundreds of TFs provides new avenues for predicting how the DNA binding specificity of a TF changes when its protein sequence is mutated. To this end, we developed an analytical framework based on a tetrahedron embedding that can be applied at the level of a given structural TF family. Using bHLH as a test case, we demonstrate that we can systematically map dependencies between the protein sequence of a TF and base preference within the DNA binding site. We also develop a regression approach to predict the quantitative energetic impact of mutations in the DNA binding domain of a TF on its DNA binding specificity, and perform SELEX-seq assays on mutated TFs to experimentally validate our results. Our results point to the feasibility of predicting the functional impact of disease mutations and allelic variation in the cell-wide TF repertoire by leveraging high-quality functional information across sets of homologous wild-type proteins.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTranscription factors (TFs) are DNA binding proteins that play a key role in gene expression control. Genetic mutations in the protein sequence of TFs are increasingly found to be associated with disease. Being able to predict the functional impact of such mutations in terms the quantitative changes in DNA sequence preference they cause is therefore highly useful. TFs come in families that are structurally similar but vary in terms of their sequence and function. In this study, we show that by jointly analyzing high-throughput DNA binding data for the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors, we can successfully build a model that predicts the impact of TF protein sequence mutations.