bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interneuronal GluK1 kainate receptors control maturation of GABAergic transmission and network synchrony in the hippocampus
Authors: Ojanen Simo , Kuznetsova Tatiana , Kharybina Zoia , Voikar Vootele , Lauri Sari E , Taira Tomi 
Published: March 2023

AbstractKainate type glutamate receptors (KARs) are strongly expressed in GABAergic interneurons and have the capability of modulating their functions via ionotropic and G-protein coupled mechanisms. GABAergic interneurons are critical for generation of coordinated network activity in both neonatal and adult brain, yet the role of interneuronal KARs in network synchronization remains unclear. Here, we show that GABAergic neurotransmission and spontaneous network activity is perturbed in the hippocampus of neonatal mice lacking GluK1 KARs selectively in GABAergic neurons. Endogenous activity of interneuronal GluK1 KARs maintains the frequency and duration of spontaneous neonatal network bursts and restrains their propagation through the hippocampal network. In adult male mice, the absence of GluK1 in GABAergic neurons leads to stronger hippocampal gamma oscillations and enhanced theta-gamma cross frequency coupling, coinciding with faster spatial relearning in the Barnes maze. In females, loss of interneuronal GluK1 results in shorter sharp wave ripple oscillations and slightly impaired abilities in flexible sequencing task. In addition, ablation of interneuronal GluK1 resulted in lower general activity and novel object avoidance, while causing only minor anxiety phenotype. These data indicate a critical role for GluK1 containing KARs in GABAergic interneurons in regulation of physiological network dynamics in the hippocampus at different stages of development.
Evaluating potential of leaf reflectance spectra to monitor plant genetic variation in nature
Authors: Li Cheng , Czyz Ewa A , Halitschke Rayko , Baldwin Ian T , Schaepman Michael E , Schuman Meredith C 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Remote sensing of vegetation by its reflection of light is increasingly used to characterize trait distributions in plant communities. How leaves reflect light is determined by their structure and contents of pigments, water, and abundant dry matter constituents like lignins, phenolics, and proteins. High-resolution ("hyperspectral") spectroscopy can characterize trait variation at finer scales, and may help to reveal underlying genetic variation: information important for assessing the potential of populations to adapt to global change. Here, we use a set of 360 inbred genotypes of the wild coyote tobacco Nicotiana attenuata: wild accessions, recombinant inbred lines (RILs), and transgenic lines (TLs) with targeted changes to gene expression, to dissect genetic versus non-genetic influences on variation in leaf spectra across three experiments. We calculated leaf reflectance from field spectroradiometer measurements covering visible to short-wave infrared wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation (400-2500 nm) using a standard radiation source and backgrounds, resulting in a small and quantifiable measurement uncertainty. Plants were grown in more controlled (glasshouse) or more natural (field) environments, and leaves were measured both on- and off-plant with the measurement set-up thus also in more to less controlled environmental conditions. Entire spectra varied across genotypes and environments. We found that the greatest variance in leaf reflectance was explained by between-experiment and non-genetic between-sample differences, with subtler and more specific variation distinguishing groups of genotypes. The visible spectral region was most variable, distinguishing experimental settings as well as groups of genotypes within experiments, whereas parts of the short-wave infrared may vary more specifically with genotype. Overall, more genetically variable plant populations also had more varied leaf spectra. We highlight key considerations for the application of field spectroscopy to assess genetic variation in plant populations.
IL-1β Stimulated Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Rheumatoid Arthritis via Inducing Apoptosis of Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes
Authors: Chiu Yun-Hsuan , Liang Ya-Han , Hwang Jeng-Jong , Wang Hwai-Shi 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by synovial proliferation and lymphocyte accumulation leading to progressive damage of the periarticular bone and the articular cartilage. The hyperplasia of the synovial intima lining mainly consists of fibroblast-like synoviocytes-rheumatoid arthritis (HFLS-RA) which exhibit apoptosis-resistance, hyper-proliferation, and high invasiveness. The therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) treatment in RA has been shown to be due to its immuno-regulatory ability. However, the exact factors and mechanisms involved in MSCs treatment in RA remain unclear. In this study, TRAIL receptor-Death receptor 4 (DR4), DR5, and LFA-1 ligand-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were upregulated in IL-1β-stimulated HFLS-RA. We demonstrated that the total cell number of IL-1β-stimulated hUCMSCs adhering to IL-1β-stimulated HFLA-RA increased via LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction. Direct co-culture of IL-1β-stimulated hUCMSCs with IL-1β-stimulated HFLS-RA increased the apoptosis of HFLS-RA. RA symptoms in the CIA mouse model improved after administration of IL-1β-stimulated hUCMSCs. In conclusion, IL-1β-stimulated hUCMSCs adhering to HFLS-RA occurred via LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction, apoptosis of HFLS-RA was induced via TRAIL/ DR4, DR5 contact, and RA symptoms and inflammation were significantly improved in a CIA mouse model. The results of this study suggest that IL-1β-stimulated hUCMSCs have therapeutic potential in RA treatment.
Functional networks of muscle fibers facilitate inter-muscular coordination
Authors: Retortillo Sergi Garcia , Gomez Carlos Romero , Ivanov Plamen 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Fundamental movement patterns require continuous skeletal muscle coordination, where muscle fibers with different timing of activation synchronize their dynamics across muscles with distinct functions. It is unknown how muscle fibers integrate as a network to generate and fine tune movements. Here we investigate how distinct muscle fiber types dynamically synchronize as a network across muscles and respond to fatigue during consecutive bouts of maximal exercise. We uncover that a complex inter-muscular network of muscle fiber cross-frequency interactions underlies basic movements. The network exhibits hierarchical organization of sub-networks and modules with specific links strength stratification profile, reflecting distinct functions of the muscles involved in movements. We find complex network reorganization with fatigue where network modules follow distinct phase-space trajectories reflecting their functional role and adaptation to fatigue. The findings reveal general principles of inter-muscular coordination for fundamental movements, and open a new area of research, Network Physiology of Exercise.
Lessons learned conducting abortion research in fragile contexts:Reflections from a mixed methods study in Africa (the AMoCo study)
Authors: Moore Ann M. , Pasquier Estelle , Williams Timothy , Fetters Tamara , Powell Bill , Gabanzi Mariette Claudia Adame , Mitutso Nadine Neema , Muamira Lucien Ngabo , Owolabi Onikepe , Fotheringham Claire , Chen Huiwu , Lagrou Daphne , Baudin Elisabeth , Schulte-Hillen Catrin , Ngbale Richard 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Conducting abortion research in fragile settings presents challenges, many of which are present in other low-resourced settings to various degrees but when appearing all together, collectively served to create a set of barriers to collecting data that required creative adaptations to address and even then, we could not overcome all of them.
Results
Challenges that we experienced in the course of this mixed methods research project included limited access to the study sites by research team members, research being delayed to prioritize life-saving priorities which must take precedence when resource constraints mean that both cannot be carried out, a population skeptical of participating in research due to having negative experiences with the state/other actors as well as due to being research-naïve, geographic and language constraints impacting participant recruitment because of the fact that people are coming from various displaced locations to a particular health facility, a low literacy population meant that they could not read the consent form and due to the stigmatized subject matter we did not want a family member consenting them, and respondents’ challenges participating around the time of discharge because respondents needed to travel home with family members.
Conclusions
These strategies are relevant not only to abortion research but also other research in resource-constrained/fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Improving the health of the most vulnerable can only be done through understanding barriers to care in insecure and challenging environments. Recommendations include to plan for offsite and long-distance training, supervision, and quality assurance; attempt to negotiate flexible timelines with donors; hire field staff whose only responsibility is data collection; where possible, find a way to include the most vulnerable members of the study population; adapt informed consent processes for low literacy populations; and consider including travel support for respondents. Iterating improvements in data collection innovations in these contexts will advance the field by spurring more research upon which to base policy and practices.
Lymphocyte mitochondrial genome integrity is not altered by cladribine
Authors: Järvinen Elina , Suomi Fumi , Stewart James B. , Guala Dimitri , Valori Miko , Jansson Lilja , Nieminen Janne , McWilliams Thomas G. , Tienari Pentti 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Cladribine tablets are a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) with effects on lymphocytes’, yet its mode of action has not been fully established. Here, we evaluated the effects of cladribine on mitochondrial DNA integrity in human lymphocytes. We treated cultured human T-cell lines (CCRF-CEM and Jurkat) with varying concentrations of cladribine to mimic the slow cell depletion observed in MS. The CCRF-CEM were slower proliferating and more susceptible to cladribine than Jurkat cells. In both cells mitochondrial protein synthesis, mtDNA copy number and Mitochondrial Cytochrome-C Oxidase-I mRNA mutagenesis was not affected by cladribine, while some caspase-3 cleavage was detected in Jurkat cells at 100 nM concentration. Cladribine treatment at concentrations up to 10 nM in CCRF-CEM and 100 nM in Jurkat cells did not induce significant increase in mtDNA somatic mutations. We analyzed ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 8 MS patients and 4 controls. Subtle effect of cladribine on cell viability was found at 5 nM, however, we did not find any differences in mtDNA somatic mutations in separated lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+, CD8 + and CD19+) between treated vs. non-treated cells. Overall, the mutation rate in mtDNA was similar in MS-patients and controls. When different lymphocyte subpopulations were compared, greater mtDNA mutation levels were detected in CD8+ (p = 0.014) and CD4+ (p = 0.038) as compared to CD19 + cells, these differences were independent of cladribine treatment. We conclude that cladribine has no detectable mutagenic effect on the mitochondrial genome of cultured lymphocytes nor does it impair mitochondrial function in human T-cell lines.
Development of a UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous analysis of AT7519 and acetaminophen in a mouse model of acute inflammation
Authors: Cartwright Jennifer A. , Simpson Joanna P. , Homer Natalie Z.M. , Rossi Adriano G. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
Uncontrolled inflammation contributes to the progression of organ damage in acute conditions, such as acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury (APAP-ALI) and there are limited treatments for this condition. AT7519, a cyclic-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI), has been used successfully in several conditions, to resolve inflammation and return tissue homeostatic functions. AT7519 has not been assessed in APAP-ALI and its effect on APAP metabolism is unknown. Targeted chromatography and mass spectrometry can be used to assess multiple compounds simultaneously and this approach has not been applied yet to measure APAP and AT7519 in a mouse model.
Results
We show an optimised simple and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for determining concentrations of AT7519 and APAP in low volumes of mouse serum. Using positive ion mode electrospray ionisation, separation of AT7519 and APAP and their corresponding isotopically labelled internal standards [2H]8-AT16043M (d8-AT7519) and [2H]8-APAP (d4-APAP), was achieved on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (100 x 2.1 mm; 1.7µm). A gradient mobile phase system of water and methanol was delivered at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min with a run time of 9 min. Calibration curves were linear, intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy were acceptable and the covariates of all standards and quality control replicates were less than 15%. The method was successfully applied to evaluate AT7519 and APAP levels 20 h post AT7519 (10 mg/mg) in C57Bl6J wild type mouse serum treated with either vehicle or APAP. Serum AT7519 was significantly higher in mice that had received APAP compared to control, but there was no correlation between APAP and AT7519 quantification. There was also no correlation of AT7519 and hepatic damage or proliferation markers.
Conclusion
We optimised an LC-MS/MS method to quantify both AT7519 and APAP in mouse serum (50 µL), using labelled internal standards. Application of this method to a mouse model of APAP toxicity proved effective in accurately measuring APAP and AT7519 concentrations after i.p. dosing. AT7519 was significantly higher in mice with APAP toxicity, indicating hepatic metabolism of this CDKI, but there was no correlation with markers of hepatic damage or proliferation, demonstrating that this dose of AT7519 (10 mg/kg) does not contribute to hepatic damage or repair. This optimised method can be used for future investigations of AT7519 in APAP in mice.
Highly efficient synthesis of nitrogen-sulfur co-doped carbon dots from biomass waste and its application in the sensitive detection of methyl orange
Authors: Zhang Zhenqian , Xu Lifeng , Meng Qingye , Gao Yan , Cui Xuejun 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
In this paper, the hydrothermal carbon and thiourea were used as raw materials to develop a simple, economical and highly efficient synthesis route for nitrogen-sulfur co-doped carbon dots (HC-CDs). Among them, the hydrothermal carbon is obtained by the hydrothermal reaction of Chinese cabbage at 200 °C. The structure and optical properties of the synthesized HC-CDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The obtained HC-CDs with a quantum yield of 55.6 % exhibit good solubility and stability in aqueous media, great resistance to photo-bleaching and stable fluorescence in the biological pH range. We found that methyl orange (MO) can effectively quench the fluorescence emission of HC-CDs, so HC-CDs are used as fluorescent probes for sensitive detection of MO. The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.92 μM, and the linear range is 0-100 μM. It proves the practicality and the possibility of large-scale production of converting biomass waste into carbon nanomaterials with great potential.
Enhancement of photocatalytic activity of Ba doped CoO for degradation of Emamectin Benzoate in aqueous solution
Authors: Khalid Huma , Haq Atta ul , Naqvi Syed Ali Raza , Usman Muhammad , Bokhari Tanveer Hussain 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The present study was focused on the preparation of cobalt oxide (CoO) and barium doped cobalt oxide (Ba doped CoO) by following co-precipitation method for the degradation of Emamectin benzoate pesticide in aqueous medium. The prepared catalysts were characterized using SEM, EDX and XRD to confirm the formation of catalysts and to observe the variation in the composition of catalysts during degradation study. The degradation of Emamectin benzoate pesticide was studied under the influence of different factors like solution pH, dose of catalyst, contact time, temperature and initial concentration of pesticide. It was observed that solution pH affects the degradation of pesticide and maximum degradation was found at pH 5 and 6 using CoO and Ba doped CoO respectively. The degradation of pesticide was found to be increases continuously with time of contact and decreases with increase in temperature. Likewise, at the beginning, degradation was observed to be increases up to some extent with dose of catalyst and initial concentration of pesticide but started decreases with further augmentation in the dose of catalyst and initial concentration of pesticide. It may be concluded from this study that doping of Ba considerably enhanced the photocatalytic ability CoO for Emamectin benzoate pesticide.
Morphological characteristics and molecular markers of distyly in Primula obconica
Authors: Li Jinfeng , Li Ping , Li Juan , Zhang Lu , Zhang Xiaoman 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Primula obconica is a perennial herbaceous flower of the Primulaceae that exhibits a distinct heterostyly. Long(L)- and short(S)- styled morphs differ substantially in various ways, and these variations can have a direct impact on how plants regulate their genetic makeup. We can improve the genetic breeding of heterostyly plants by understanding their differences and genetic principles. This trial of P. obconica as a material and morphological observation, cross-fertilization characteristics, and ISSR molecular markers were carried out to analyze the difference in distyly comprehensively. The findings demonstrated that the pollen, stigma, and other floral characteristics of L- and S-morphs varied. The affinity of the both morphs also differed, the L- and S-morphs of inter-pollination had high fruition rates, and pollen and stigma showed compatibility. Under illegitimate pollination, the L-morphs showed partial fitness, while the S-morphs showed complete heteromorphic incompatibility. The ISSR analysis also revealed that 13 primer pairs were polymorphic, clearly banded, and stable, showing significant differences in molecular markers for different morphs. Our study reveals the differences between the morphs of the Primula, which can provide a basis for genetic evolution and breeding work on heterostyly.
Use of machine learning techniques for phenotyping ischemic stroke instead of the rule-based methods: A nationwide population-based study
Authors: Lim Hyunsun , Park Youngmin , Hong JH , Yoo Ki-Bong , Seo Kwon-Duk 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Many studies have evaluated stroke using claims data; most of these studies have defined ischemic stroke by using an operational definition following the rule-based method. Rule-based methods tend to overestimate the number of patients with ischemic stroke.
Objective
We aimed to identify an appropriate algorithm for phenotyping stroke by applying machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze the claims data.
Methods
We obtained the data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, which is linked to the Ilsan Hospital database (n = 30,897). The performance of prediction models (extreme gradient boosting [XGBoost] or long short-term memory [LSTM]) was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), the area under precision-recall curve (AUPRC), and calibration curve.
Results
In total, 30,897 patients were enrolled in this study, 3,145 of whom (10.18%) had ischemic stroke. XGBoost, a tree-based ML technique, had the AUROC was 93.63% and AUPRC was 64.05%. LSTM showed results similar to those of the rule-based method. The F1 score was 70.01%, while the AUROC was 97.10% and AUPRC was 85.70%, which was the highest.
Conclusions
We proposed recurrent neural network based deep learning techniques to improve stroke phenotyping. We anticipate the ability to produce rapid and accurate results.
Loss-of-function gs3 allele decreases methane emission and increases grain yield in rice
Authors: Kwon Yongho , Lee Ji-Yoon , Choi Jisu , Lee So-Myeong , Kim Dajeong , Kim Pil Joo , Chae Ho Gyeong , Cha Jin-Kyung , Park Hyeonjin , Kang Ju-Won , Kim Tae Hee , KABANGE NKULU ROLLY , Oh Ki-Won , Kwak Youn-Sig , Lee Jong-Hee , Ryu Choong-Min 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Rice paddies are a major source of methane emission. To meet the food demand of the growing population and to cope with global warming, reducing greenhouse gases and enhancing yield are critical. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that a novel loss-of-function rice allele, gs3, mitigates methane emission from methanogens by allocating more photosynthates to the grain and less to the root, and increases yield by enlarging grain size and weight.
The Role of Arsenic in the Operation of Electrical Threshold Switches
Authors: Wu Renjie , Gu Rongchuan , Gotoh Tamihiro , Zhao Zihao , Sun Yuting , Jia Shujing , Miao Xiang Shui , Zhu Min , Xu Ming , Elliott Stephen , Song Zhitang 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Arsenic is one of the most frequently used elements for doping conventional silicon-based semiconductors and particularly in emerging phase-change-memory (PCM) chips, yet the detailed functional mechanism as well as its experimental demonstration is still lacking in the latter in spite of its wide application. Here, we fabricate chalcogenide-based ovonic threshold switching (OTS) selectors, which are essential units for suppressing sneak currents in 3D PCM arrays, with various As concentrations. We discovered that incorporation of 20 at. % As brings a more than 100 ℃ increase in crystallization temperature, remarkably improving the switching repeatability and prolonging the device lifetime. These benefits arise from strengthened As-S bonds and sluggish atomic migration after As incorporation, as demonstrated by molecular-dynamics simulations. As a result, the addition of As reduces the leakage current by more than an order of magnitude and significantly suppresses the operational voltage drift, ultimately enabling a backend-of-the-line (BEOL)-compatible OTS selector with > 12 MA/cm2 on-current, >104 on/off ratio, ~ 10 ns speed, and a lifetime approaching 1010 cycles after 450 ℃ annealing. These performance enhancements can be explained by an As-induced increase of the band gap and of trap states, as determined by experimental photothermal deflection spectroscopy. Mechanistically, this is due to abundant defect states associated with Ge-Ge chains introduced by As-Ge and As-S bonds. These findings allow the use of precise control of the As concentration in OTS materials for improved-performance high-density 3D PCM applications.