bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synonymous mutations in the phosphoglycerate kinase 1 gene induce an altered response to protein misfolding in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Moreira-Ramos Sandra , Arias Loreto , Flores Rodrigo , Katz Assaf , Levicán Gloria , Orellana Omar 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundProteostasis refers to the processes that regulate the biogenesis, folding, trafficking, and degradation of proteins. Any alteration in these processes can lead to cell malfunction. Protein synthesis, a key proteostatic process, is highly-regulated at multiple levels to ensure adequate adaptation to environmental and physiological challenges such as different stressors, proteotoxic conditions and aging, among other factors. Because alterations in protein translation can lead to protein misfolding, examining how protein translation is regulated may also help to elucidate in part how proteostasis is controlled. Codon usage bias has been implicated in the fine-tuning of translation rate, as more-frequent codons might be read faster than their less-frequent counterparts. Thus, alterations in codon usage due to synonymous mutations may alter translation kinetics and thereby affect the folding of the nascent polypeptide, without altering its primary structure. To date, it has been difficult to predict the effect of synonymous mutations on protein folding and cellular fitness due to a scarcity of relevant data. Thus, the purpose of this work was to assess the effect of synonymous mutations in discrete regions of the gene that encodes the highly-expressed enzyme 3-phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (pgk1) in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.ResultsBy means of systematic replacement of synonymous codons along pgk1, we found slightly-altered protein folding and activity in a region-specific manner. However, alterations in protein aggregation, heat stress as well as changes in proteasome activity occurred independently of the mutated region. Concomitantly, reduced mRNA levels of the chaperones Hsp9 and Hsp16 were observed.ConclusionTaken together, these data suggest that codon usage bias of the gene encoding this highly-expressed protein is an important regulator of protein function and proteostasis.
Dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol modulates gut microbiota and improves the growth, meat quality, and antioxidant status of growing-finishing pigs
Authors: Zhang Lianhua , Long Shenfei , Wang Hongliang , Piao Xiangshu 
Published: January 2023

Introduction25-Hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3) is the active metabolite of regular vitamin D3in vivo, which has a stronger biological activity and is more easily absorbed by the intestine than regular vitamin D3. Our study aimed to detect the potential influences of 25OHD3 on pork quality, antioxidant status, and intestinal microbiota of growing-finishing pigs receiving low-phosphorus (P) diet.Methods and resultsForty pigs [initial body weight (BW): 49.42 ± 4.01 kg] were allocated into two groups including low-P diet (CON group) and low-P diet supplemented with 50 μg/kg 25OHD3 (25OHD3 group). The whole experiment lasted for 88 days, including phase 1 (day 1–28), phase 2 (day 29–60), and phase 3 (day 61–88). The results showed that 25OHD3 supplementation tended to decrease feed conversion ratio in phase 3 and overall phase in comparison with the CON group. 25OHD3 increased (p &lt; 0.05) serum contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and decreased (p &lt; 0.05) serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase level. 25OHD3 increased (p &lt; 0.05) mucosal GSH-Px activity in the duodenum and ileum, and tended to increase redness value and the activities of total antioxidant capacity and SOD in longissimus dorsi. 25OHD3 significantly upregulated the mRNA level of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, and tended to change the mRNA levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 and kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 in longissimus dorsi. Moreover, 25OHD3 supplementation decreased (p &lt; 0.05) n-6/n-3 and iodine value in longissimus dorsi. For bone quality, 25OHD3 supplementation increased (p &lt; 0.05) calcium content, bone mineral content, and breaking strength in the metacarpal bones. Moreover, the colonic abundance of Lactobacillus was significantly higher in pigs fed with 25OHD3, and exhibited a positive association with serum antioxidant status, pork quality, and bone characteristics.ConclusionOverall, the inclusion of 25OHD3 in low P diet partly improved production performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, bone properties, and gut microbiota composition of growing-finishing pigs.
Physical and chemical properties, structural characterization and nutritional analysis of kefir yoghurt
Authors: Xiao Ran , Liu Ming , Tian Qing , Hui Ming , Shi Xin , Hou Xiaoge 
Published: January 2023

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) were used to analyse the relationship between the chemical, texture, rheology, microstructure and water distribution of kefir (yeast, acetic acid bacteria and Lactobacillus plantarum) yoghurt fermented by mixed bacteria and L. plantarum L1 fermented yoghurt. This work was conducted to prepare a real champagne yoghurt and explore the difference between it and ordinary yoghurt. The nutritional evaluation of the two treatment groups was carried out by amino acid analysis, and the volatile flavour substances of the two treatment groups were detected by solid phase microextraction (SPME)–gas chromatograph (GC)–mass spectrometry (MS). Results showed that the addition of acetic acid bacteria and yeast increased the water content of kefir, resulting in a decrease in its water-holding rate. Moreover, the increase in acidity weakened the connection between the protein networks, the flocculent protein structure was not more densely stacked than the L1 group, and the internal bonds were unstable. The rheological results showed that the apparent viscosity decreased faster with the increase in shear force. The CLSM and LF-NMR showed that the hydration and degree of freedom of kefir yoghurt protein decreased, resulting in an increased protein network density. The SEM showed that the cross-linking between kefir casein clusters was considerably tight to form small chains, the pore distribution was uneven, and a weak cheese structure was formed. In addition, the volatile flavour substances in the kefir group increased the phenylethyl alcohol, isobutanol, and isoamyl alcohol compared with those in the L1 group, with a slight refreshing taste brought by alcohol and special soft malt alcohol aroma and rose aroma not found in ordinary yoghurt, which was more in line with the characteristics and taste of traditional kefir champagne yoghurt.Graphical Abstract
National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scoring inconsistencies between neurologists and emergency room nurses
Authors: Comer Amber R. , Templeton Evan , Glidden Michelle , Bartlett Stephanie , D'Cruz Lynn , Nemati Donya , Zabel Samantha , Slaven James E. 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundLittle is known about the consistency of initial NIHSS scores between neurologists and RNs in clinical practice.MethodsA cohort study of patients with a code stroke was conducted at an urban academic Primary Stroke Center in the Midwest between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019 to determine consistency in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Scores (NIHSS) between neurologists and registered nurses (RNs).ResultsAmong the 438 patients included in this study 65.3% (n = 286) of neurologist-RN NIHSS scoring pairs had congruent scores. One-in-three, (34.7%, n = 152) of neurologist-RN NIHSS scoring pairs had a clinically meaningful scoring difference of two points or greater. Higher NIHSS (p ≤ 0.01) and aphasia (p ≤ 0.01) were each associated with incongruent scoring between neurologist and emergency room RN pairs.ConclusionsOne-in-three initial NIHSS assessed by both a neurologist and RN had a clinically meaningful score difference between providers. More severe stroke, as indicated by a higher NIHSS was associated with scoring inconsistency between neurologist-RN pairs. Subjective scoring measures, especially those involving a patient having aphasia, was associated with greater score incongruency. Score differences may be attributed to differences in NIHSS training requirements between neurologists and RNs.
Hearing loss, hearing aid use, and subjective memory complaints: Results of the HUNT study in Norway
Authors: Moradi Shahram , Engdahl Bo , Johannessen Aud , Selbæk Geir , Aarhus Lisa , Haanes Gro Gade 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the association between hearing loss severity, hearing aid use, and subjective memory complaints in a large cross-sectional study in Norway.MethodsData were drawn from the fourth wave of the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT4 Hearing, 2017–2019). The hearing threshold was defined as the pure-tone average of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz in the better ear. The participants were divided into five groups: normal hearing or slight/mild/moderate/severe hearing loss. Subjective self-reported short-term and long-term memory complaints were measured by the nine-item Meta-Memory Questionnaire (MMQ). The sample included 20,092 individuals (11,675 women, mean age 58.3 years) who completed both hearing and MMQ tasks. A multivariate analysis of variance (adjusted for covariates of age, sex, education, and health cofounders) was used to evaluate the association between hearing status and hearing aid use (in the hearing-impaired groups) and long-term and short-term subjective memory complaints.ResultsA multivariate analysis of variance, followed by univariate ANOVA and pairwise comparisons, showed that hearing loss was associated only with more long-term subjective memory complaints and not with short-term subjective memory complaints. In the hearing-impaired groups, the univariate main effect of hearing aid use was only observed for subjective long-term memory complaints and not for subjective short-term memory complaints. Similarly, the univariate interaction of hearing aid use and hearing status was significant for subjective long-term memory complaints and not for subjective short-term memory complaints. Pairwise comparisons, however, revealed no significant differences between hearing loss groups with respect to subjective long-term complaints.ConclusionThis cross-sectional study indicates an association between hearing loss and subjective long-term memory complaints but not with subjective short-term memory complaints. In addition, an interaction between hearing status and hearing aid use for subjective long-term memory complaints was observed in hearing-impaired groups, which calls for future research to examine the effects of hearing aid use on different memory systems.
Effectiveness of soft robotic glove versus repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in post-stroke patients with severe upper limb dysfunction: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang Taotao , Liu Zhonghua , Gu Jianxiong , Tan Jizhi , Hu Tian 
Published: January 2023

PurposeTo explore the difference in rehabilitation effect between soft robot gloves and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with severe upper limb motor dysfunction after a stroke.MethodsA total of 69 post-stroke patients with severe upper limb dysfunction were randomly assigned to a repetitive transcranial magnetic group, a soft robotic glove group, and a conventional treatment group. The primary outcomes were the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Assessment (FMA-UE) and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). The secondary endpoints were the amplitude surface electromyogram of the extensor wrist muscle (sEMG) and the cerebral hemispheric resting motor threshold (RMT).ResultsThe change of FMA-UE score in the soft robotic glove group was significantly better than that in the conventional treatment group (median difference: 2 points; 95% confidence interval [1, 3]; P &lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference compared with the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation group (median difference: 0 points; 95% confidence interval [−1, 2]; P [0.547] &gt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in the change of MBI score between the soft robotic glove group and the conventional treatment and repetitive transcranial magnetic treatment groups [F = 2.458, P [0.093] &gt; 0.05]. There was no significant difference in the change of sEMG score between the soft robotic glove group and the conventional treatment and repetitive transcranial magnetic treatment groups [H = 0.042, P [0.980] &gt; 0.05]. Additionally, the change of RMT score in the soft robotic glove group was significantly inferior to that in the repetitive transcranial magnetic treatment group [difference: −1.09; 95% confidence interval [−2.048, 0.048]; P &lt; 0.05], but there was no significant difference compared with the conventional treatment group [difference: 0.31 points; 95% confidence interval [−0.879, 0.358]; P [0.495] &gt; 0.05].ConclusionFor patients with severe dyskinesia after a stroke, soft robotic gloves are as effective as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and may be a good choice for home rehabilitation. In addition, conventional treatment combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or a soft robotic glove produced better rehabilitation outcomes than conventional treatment alone.
Third-generation genome sequencing implicates medium-sized structural variants in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Lee Chi Chiu , Ye Rui , Tubbs Justin D. , Baum Larry , Zhong Yuanxin , Leung Shuk Yan Joey , Chan Sheung Chun , Wu Kit Ying Kitty , Cheng Po Kwan Jamie , Chow Lai Ping , Leung Patrick W. L. , Sham Pak Chung 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundSchizophrenia (SCZ) is a heterogeneous psychiatric disorder, with significant contribution from genetic factors particularly for chronic cases with negative symptoms and cognitive deficits. To date, Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and exome sequencing have associated SCZ with a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs), but there is still missing heritability. Medium-sized structural variants (SVs) are difficult to detect using SNP arrays or second generation sequencing, and may account for part of the missing heritability of SCZ.Aims and objectivesTo identify SVs associated with severe chronic SCZ across the whole genome.Study design10 multiplex families with probands suffering from chronic SCZ with negative symptoms and cognitive deficits were recruited, with all their affected members demonstrating uni-lineal inheritance. Control subjects comprised one affected member from the affected lineage, and unaffected members from each paternal and maternal lineage.MethodsThird generation sequencing was applied to peripheral blood samples from 10 probands and 5 unaffected controls. Bioinformatic tools were used to identify SVs from the long sequencing reads, with confirmation of findings in probands by short-read Illumina sequencing, Sanger sequencing and visual manual validation with Integrated Genome Browser.ResultsIn the 10 probands, we identified and validated 88 SVs (mostly in introns and medium-sized), within 79 genes, which were absent in the 5 unaffected control subjects. These 79 genes were enriched in 20 biological pathways which were related to brain development, neuronal migration, neurogenesis, neuronal/synaptic function, learning/memory, and hearing. These identified SVs also showed evidence for enrichment of genes that are highly expressed in the adolescent striatum.ConclusionA substantial part of the missing heritability in SCZ may be explained by medium-sized SVs detectable only by third generation sequencing. We have identified a number of such SVs potentially conferring risk for SCZ, which implicate multiple brain-related genes and pathways. In addition to previously-identified pathways involved in SCZ such as neurodevelopment and neuronal/synaptic functioning, we also found novel evidence for enrichment in hearing-related pathways and genes expressed in the adolescent striatum.
Vigilance or avoidance: How do autistic traits and social anxiety modulate attention to the eyes?
Authors: Ni Wei , Lu Haoyang , Wang Qiandong , Song Ci , Yi Li 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are highly overlapping in symptoms and have a high rate of comorbidity, posing challenges in diagnosis and intervention for both disorders. Both disorders are linked to abnormal attention to the eyes, yet how they interactively modulate the attentional process to the eyes remains unclear.MethodsIn this study, we explored how autistic traits and social anxiety in college students separately and together affected different temporal stages of attention to the eyes. Participants were instructed to view virtual faces for 10 s and make an emotional judgment, while their eye movements were recorded.ResultsWe found that social anxiety and autistic traits affected different temporal stages of eye-looking. Social anxiety only affected the first fixation duration on the eyes, while autistic traits were associated with eye avoidance at several time points in the later stage. More importantly, we found an interactive effect of autistic traits and social anxiety on the initial attention to the eyes: Among people scoring high on autistic traits, social anxiety was related to an early avoidance of the eyes as well as attention maintenance once fixated on the eyes.DiscussionOur study suggests the separate and interactive roles of social anxiety and autistic traits in attention to the eyes. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of social attention in both SAD and ASD and highlights the application of psychiatric diagnoses using eye-tracking techniques.
Towards biomarker-based optimization of deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease patients
Authors: Peeters Jana , Boogers Alexandra , Van Bogaert Tine , Dembek Till Anselm , Gransier Robin , Wouters Jan , Vandenberghe Wim , De Vloo Philippe , Nuttin Bart , Mc Laughlin Myles 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundSubthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy to treat Parkinson’s disease (PD). To maximize therapeutic outcome, optimal DBS settings must be carefully selected for each patient. Unfortunately, this is not always achieved because of: (1) increased technological complexity of DBS devices, (2) time restraints, or lack of expertise, and (3) delayed therapeutic response of some symptoms. Biomarkers to accurately predict the most effective stimulation settings for each patient could streamline this process and improve DBS outcomes.ObjectiveTo investigate the use of evoked potentials (EPs) to predict clinical outcomes in PD patients with DBS.MethodsIn ten patients (12 hemispheres), a monopolar review was performed by systematically stimulating on each DBS contact and measuring the therapeutic window. Standard imaging data were collected. EEG-based EPs were then recorded in response to stimulation at 10 Hz for 50 s on each DBS-contact. Linear mixed models were used to assess how well both EPs and image-derived information predicted the clinical data.ResultsEvoked potential peaks at 3 ms (P3) and at 10 ms (P10) were observed in nine and eleven hemispheres, respectively. Clinical data were well predicted using either P3 or P10. A separate model showed that the image-derived information also predicted clinical data with similar accuracy. Combining both EPs and image-derived information in one model yielded the highest predictive value.ConclusionEvoked potentials can accurately predict clinical DBS responses. Combining EPs with imaging data further improves this prediction. Future refinement of this approach may streamline DBS programming, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04658641.
The diagnostic value of ADC histogram and direct ADC measurements for coexisting isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation in glioma
Authors: Xie Zhiyan , Li Jixian , Zhang Yue , Zhou Ruizhi , Zhang Hua , Duan Chongfeng , Liu Song , Niu Lei , Zhao Jiping , Liu Yingchao , Song Shuangshuang , Liu Xuejun 
Published: January 2023

ObjectivesTo non-invasively predict the coexistence of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation in adult-type diffuse gliomas using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram and direct ADC measurements and compare the diagnostic performances of the two methods.Materials and methodsA total of 118 patients with adult-type diffuse glioma who underwent preoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) were included in this retrospective study. The patient group included 40 patients with coexisting IDH mutation and MGMT promoter methylation (IDHmut/MGMTmet) and 78 patients with other molecular status, including 32 patients with IDH wildtype and MGMT promoter methylation (IDHwt/MGMTmet), one patient with IDH mutation and unmethylated MGMT promoter (IDHmut/MGMTunmet), and 45 patients with IDH wildtype and unmethylated MGMT promoter (IDHwt/MGMTunmet). ADC histogram parameters of gliomas were extracted by delineating the region of interest (ROI) in solid components of tumors. The minimum and mean ADC of direct ADC measurements were calculated by placing three rounded or elliptic ROIs in solid components of gliomas. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic performances of the two methods.ResultsThe 10th percentile, median, mean, root mean squared, 90th percentile, skewness, kurtosis, and minimum of ADC histogram analysis and minimum and mean ADC of direct measurements were significantly different between IDHmut/MGMTmet and the other glioma group (P &lt; 0.001 to P = 0.003). In terms of single factors, 10th percentile of ADC histogram analysis had the best diagnostic efficiency (AUC = 0.860), followed by mean ADC obtained by direct measurements (AUC = 0.844). The logistic regression model combining ADC histogram parameters and direct measurements had the best diagnostic efficiency (AUC = 0.938), followed by the logistic regression model combining the ADC histogram parameters with statistically significant difference (AUC = 0.916) and the logistic regression model combining minimum ADC and mean ADC (AUC = 0.851).ConclusionBoth ADC histogram analysis and direct measurements have potential value in predicting the coexistence of IDHmut and MGMTmet in adult-type diffuse glioma. The diagnostic performance of ADC histogram analysis was better than that of direct ADC measurements. The combination of the two methods showed the best diagnostic performance.