bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distinct life history strategies underpin clear patterns of succession in microparasite communities infecting a wild mammalian host
Authors: Glidden Caroline K. , Karakoç Canan , Duan Chenyang , Jiang Yuan , Beechler Brianna , Jabbar Abdul , Jolles Anna E. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIndividual animals in natural populations tend to host diverse parasite species concurrently over their lifetimes. In free‐living ecological communities, organismal life histories shape interactions with their environment, which ultimately forms the basis of ecological succession. However, the structure and dynamics of mammalian parasite communities have not been contextualized in terms of primary ecological succession, in part because few datasets track occupancy and abundance of multiple parasites in wild hosts starting at birth. Here, we studied community dynamics of 12 subtypes of protozoan microparasites (Theileria spp.) in a herd of African buffalo. We show that Theileria communities followed predictable patterns of succession underpinned by four different parasite life history strategies. However, in contrast to many free‐living communities, network complexity decreased with host age. Examining parasite communities through the lens of succession may better inform the effect of complex within host eco‐evolutionary dynamics on infection outcomes, including parasite co‐existence through the lifetime of the host.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis on the prevalence and clinical characteristics of dysphagia in patients with dermatomyositis
Authors: Cheng Ivy , Wong Christina Sze‐Man 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundDermatomyositis (DM) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by distinctive skin rash, muscle inflammation with symmetrical and progressive muscle weakness, and elevated serum levels of muscle‐associated enzymes. DM may affect skeletal muscles involved in swallowing, leading to dysphagia, which can negatively impact individual's physical and psychosocial well‐being. Despite this, dysphagia in patients with DM remains poorly understood. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence and clinical features of dysphagia in patients with DM and juvenile DM (JDM).MethodsFour electronic databases were systematically searched until September 2022. Studies with patients with DM or JDM and dysphagia were included. The pooled prevalence of all included studies was calculated, and the clinical characteristics of dysphagia were qualitatively analyzed.Key ResultsThirty‐nine studies with 3335 patients were included. The overall pooled prevalence of dysphagia was 32.3% (95% CI: 0.270, 0.373) in patients with DM and 37.7% (95% CI: −0.031, 0.785) in patients with JDM. Subgroup analyses revealed that Sweden had the highest prevalence (66.7% [95% CI: 0.289, 1.044]), whereas Tunisia had the lowest prevalence (14.3% [95% CI: −0.040, 0.326]). Moreover, South America had the highest prevalence (47.0% [95% CI: 0.401, 0.538]), whereas Africa had the lowest prevalence (14.3% [95% CI: −0.040, 0.326]). Dysphagia in patients with DM and JDM was characterized by both oropharyngeal and esophageal dysfunctions, with predominant difficulties in motility.Conclusions & InferencesOur findings showed that dysphagia affects one in three patients with DM or JDM. However, the documentation on the diagnosis and management of dysphagia in the literature is inadequate. Our results highlighted the need to use both clinical and instrumental assessments to evaluate swallowing function in this population.
Paracrine relationship between incretin hormones and endogenous 5‐hydroxytryptamine in the small and large intestine
Authors: Tough Iain R. , Lund Mari L. , Patel Bhavik A. , Schwartz Thue W. , Cox Helen M. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundEnterochromaffin (EC) cell‐derived 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) is a mediator of toxin‐induced reflexes, initiating emesis via vagal and central 5‐HT3 receptors. The amine is also involved in gastrointestinal (GI) reflexes that are prosecretory and promotile, and recently 5‐HT's roles in chemosensation in the distal bowel have been described. We set out to establish the efficacy of 5‐HT signaling, local 5‐HT levels and pharmacology in discrete regions of the mouse small and large intestine. We also investigated the inter‐relationships between incretin hormones, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and endogenous 5‐HT in mucosal and motility assays.MethodsAdult mouse GI mucosae were mounted in Ussing chambers and area‐specific studies were performed to establish the 5‐HT3 and 5‐HT4 pharmacology, the sidedness of responses, and the inter‐relationships between incretins and endogenous 5‐HT. Natural fecal pellet transit in vitro and full‐length GI transit in vivo were also measured.Key ResultsWe observed the greatest level of tonic and exogenous 5‐HT‐induced ion transport and highest levels of 5‐HT in ascending colon mucosa. Here both 5‐HT3 and 5‐HT4 receptors were involved but elsewhere in the GI tract epithelial basolateral 5‐HT4 receptors mediate 5‐HT's prosecretory effect. Exendin‐4 and GIP induced 5‐HT release in the ascending colon, while L cell‐derived PYY also contributed to GIP mucosal effects in the descending colon. Both peptides slowed colonic transit.Conclusions & InferencesWe provide functional evidence for paracrine interplay between 5‐HT, GLP‐1 and GIP, particularly in the colonic mucosal region. Basolateral epithelial 5‐HT4 receptors mediated both 5‐HT and incretin mucosal responses in healthy colon.
Nematodes as suppressors and facilitators of plant performance
Authors: Topalović Olivera , Geisen Stefan 
Published: April 2023

SummaryPlant–nematode interactions are mainly considered from the negative aspect with a focus on plant‐parasitic nematodes (PPNs), which is justified considering the agronomic losses caused by PPNs. Despite the fact that PPNs are outnumbered by nonparasitic free‐living nematodes (FLNs), the functional importance of FLNs, especially with regard to plant performance, remains largely unknown. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview and most recent insights into soil nematodes by showing direct and indirect links of both PPNs and FLNs with plant performance. We especially emphasize the knowledge gaps and potential of FLNs as important indirect players in driving plant performance such as stimulating the resistance to pests via improving the disease suppressive activity of the rhizobiome. Together, we present a holistic view of soil nematodes as positive and negative contributors to plant performance, accentuating the positive but underexplored role of FLNs.
PAX9 mutations and genetic synergism in familial tooth agenesis
Authors: Chu Kuan‐Yu , Wang Yin‐Lin , Chen Jung‐Tsu , Lin Chia‐Hui , Yao Chung‐Chen Jane , Chen Yi‐Jane , Chen Huan‐Wen , Simmer James P. , Hu Jan C.‐C. , Wang Shih‐Kai 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFamilial tooth agenesis (FTA) is one of the most common craniofacial anomalies in humans. Loss‐of‐function mutations in PAX9 and WNT10A have been known to cause FTA with various expressivity. In this study, we identified five FTA kindreds with novel PAX9 disease‐causing mutations: p.(Glu7Lys), p.(Val83Leu), p.(Pro118Ser), p.(Ser197Argfs*23), and c.771+4A>G. Concomitant PAX9 and WNT10A pathogenic variants found in two probands with severe phenotypes suggested an effect of mutational synergism. All overexpressed PAX9s showed proper nuclear localization, excepting the p.(Pro118Ser) mutant. Various missense mutations caused differential loss of PAX9 transcriptional ability. PAX9 overexpression in dental pulp cells upregulated LEF1 and AXIN2 expression, indicating a positive regulatory role for PAX9 in canonical Wnt signaling. Analyzing 176 cases with 63 different mutations, we observed a distinct pattern of tooth agenesis for PAX9‐associated FTA: Maxillary teeth are in general more frequently affected than mandibular ones. Along with all second molars, maxillary bicuspids and first molars are mostly involved, while maxillary lateral incisors and mandibular bicuspids are relatively less affected. Genotypically, missense mutations are associated with fewer missing teeth than frameshift and nonsense variants. This study significantly expands the phenotypic and genotypic spectrums of PAX9‐associated disorders and reveals a molecular mechanism of genetic synergism underlying FTA variable expressivity.
Food for thought: Opportunities to target carbon metabolism in antibacterial drug discovery
Authors: Tong Madeline , Brown Eric D. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance is at an all‐time high and new drugs are required to overcome this crisis. Traditional approaches to drug discovery have failed to produce novel classes of antibiotics, with only a few currently in development. It is thought that novel classes will come from antibacterial drug discovery efforts that focus on unconventional targets. One such collection of antibacterial targets are those that comprise central carbon metabolism. Targets of this kind have been largely overlooked because conventional antibacterial testing media are ill‐suited for exploring carbon source utilization. Nevertheless, as a consequence of infection, bacteria must find a carbon source in order to survive. Here, we review what is known about the carbon sources available and used by bacteria in different host infection sites. We also look at discovery efforts targeting central carbon metabolism and evaluate how these processes can influence antibiotic efficacy.
Using Machine Learning to Create an Early Warning System for Welfare Recipients*
Authors: Sansone Dario , Zhu Anna 
Published: April 2023

AbstractUsing high‐quality nationwide social security data combined with machine learning tools, we develop predictive models of income support receipt intensities for any payment enrolee in the Australian social security system between 2014 and 2018. We show that machine learning algorithms can significantly improve predictive accuracy compared to simpler heuristic models or early warning systems currently in use. Specifically, the former predicts the proportion of time individuals are on income support in the subsequent 4 years with greater accuracy, by a magnitude of at least 22% (14 percentage points increase in the R‐squared), compared to the latter. This gain can be achieved at no extra cost to practitioners since the algorithms use administrative data currently available to caseworkers. Consequently, our machine learning algorithms can improve the detection of long‐term income support recipients, which can potentially enable governments and institutions to offer timely support to these at‐risk individuals.
Gingipains are the important virulence factors of Porphyromonas gingivalis downregulating B10 cells
Authors: Zou Hang , Zhou Niu , Cheng Xiao , Qiu Yi , Hou Wenhong , Sun Jianbo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPorphyromonas gingivalis is a keystone pathogen in periodontitis. Our previous study indicated that periodontitis induced by P. gingivalis increased the percentage of CD19+ B cells but decreased the ratio of IL‐10‐producing regulatory B cells (B10) in collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) mice. It is still unclear which virulence factors of P. gingivalis are involved in these processes. Here, we compared the effects of different components of P. gingivalis on the biogenesis of B10 cells and found that the decreased proportion of B10 cells mainly resulted from the undenatured proteins other than the DNA, RNA, or lipopolysaccharides of P. gingivalis. As gingipains are enzymes and virulence factors that play a vital role in the progression in periodontitis through affecting the innate and adaptive immune system, we then compared the influence of the wild‐type (WT) strain of P. gingivalis (ATCC 33277) and its isogenic gingipain‐null mutant (∆K∆RAB) on the differentiation of splenic B cells into B10 cells. Interestingly, compared to WT strain, ∆K∆RAB treatment increased the frequency of B10 cells as well as the expression of IL‐6 in B cells. Furthermore, the acute peritonitis, an ideal model for the quick evaluation of immune effects of agents, induced by ∆K∆RAB, showed the higher IL‐6 production and proportion of B10 cells compared with WT. Finally, we performed transcriptomic analysis to better understand the effects and possible mechanisms of gingipains on B cells. Compared with WT, ∆K∆RAB upregulated the PI3K‐Akt pathway of B cells, which is important for IL‐10 production and B10 cell biogenesis, and more activated Jak‐STAT pathway, which is a classical signaling pathway mediated by IL‐6. Cumulatively, this study preliminarily revealed that gingipains of P. gingivalis are vital virulence factors downregulating B10 cells and altering immune responses.
Temporal summation in myopia and its implications for the investigation of glaucoma
Authors: Stapley Victoria , Anderson Roger S. , Redmond Tony , Saunders Kathryn , Mulholland Pádraig J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPurposeWe have previously demonstrated the upper limit of complete spatial summation (Ricco's area) to increase in non‐pathological axial myopia compared to non‐myopic controls. This study sought to investigate whether temporal summation is also altered in axial myopia to determine if this aspect of visual function, like in glaucoma, is influenced by reductions in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) density.MethodsAchromatic contrast thresholds were measured for a GIII‐equivalent stimulus (0.43° diameter) of six different stimulus durations (1–24 frames, 1.1–187.8 ms) in 24 participants with axial myopia (mean spherical refractive error: −4.65D, range: −1.00D to −11.25D, mean age: 34.1, range: 21–57 years) and 21 age‐similar non‐myopic controls (mean spherical refractive error: +0.87D, range: −0.25D to +2.00D, mean age: 31.0, range: 18–55 years). Measurements were performed at 10° eccentricity along the 90°, 180°, 270° and 360° meridians on an achromatic 10 cd/m2 background. The upper limit of complete temporal summation (critical duration, CD) was estimated from the data with iterative two‐phase regression analysis.ResultsThere was no significant difference (p = 0.90, Mann–Whitney U‐test) in median CD between myopes (median: 44.3 ms; IQR: 26.5, 51.2) and non‐myopes (median: 41.6 ms; IQR: 27.3, 48.5). Despite RGC numbers underlying the stimulus being significantly lower in the myopic group (p < 0.001), no relationship was observed between the CD estimate and co‐localised RGC number (Pearson's r = −0.13, p = 0.43) or ocular length (Pearson's r = −0.08, p = 0.61).ConclusionsUnlike spatial summation, temporal summation is unchanged in myopia. This contrasts with glaucoma where both temporal and spatial summation are altered. As such, perimetric methods optimised to test for anomalies of temporal summation may provide a means to differentiate between conditions causing only a reduced RGC density (e.g., myopia), and pathological processes causing both a reduced RGC density and RGC dysfunction (e.g., glaucoma).
Novel quantitative trait loci for yield and yield related traits identified in Basmati rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Malik Ankit , Kumar Aruna , Ellur Ranjith Kumar , Gopala Krishnan Subbaiyan , Vinod Kunnummal Kurungara , Dixit Deepshikha , Nagarajan Mariappan , Bhowmick Prolay Kumar , Bollinedi Haritha , Singh Nagendra Kumar , Singh Ashok Kumar 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIncreasing crop productivity is one of the prime goals of crop breeding research. Rice grain yield is a complex quantitative trait governed by polygenes. Although several QTLs governing grain yield traits have been reported and limited attempts have been made to map QTLs for grain yield parameters in Basmati rice. A population from the cross Sonasal and Pusa Basmati 1121 comprising 352 RILs was generated through the single seed descent method. A total of 12 QTLs governing yield and yield‐related traits were mapped on six chromosomes, namely, 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9, of which five QTLs were novel. We identified a novel and robust epistatic QTL (qPH1.1 and qPL1.1) governing plant height and panicle length, flanked by the markers RM5336‐RM1 on chromosome 1. The gene encoding brassinosteroid insensitive 1‐associated receptor kinase 1 precursor is the putative candidate gene underlying this epistatic QTL. Another novel QTL, qNT3.1, governing tiller number was bracketed to a region of .77 Mb between the markers RM15247 and RM15281 on chromosome 3. Of the 57 annotated gene models, Os03g0437600 encoding alpha/beta‐fold hydrolase, a homologous to AtKai2 is a putative candidate gene underlying the novel QTL qNT3.1. The other QTLs such as qDFF1.1 governing days to 50% flowering co‐localizes with the gene Ghd7, QTL for plant height qPH1.2 co‐localizes with the gene sd1, the QTLs for panicle length co‐localizes with FUWA and DEP2, the QTL for tiller number co‐localizes with OsRLCK57 and QTLs for thousand‐grain weight co‐localize with the major gene GS3. The QTLs identified in the current study can be effectively used in marker‐assisted selection for developing Basmati rice varieties with a higher yield.
Policy entrepreneurs and individuals: Influence and behavior in pandemic response
Authors: Taylor Kristin , DeLeo Rob A. , Albright Elizabeth A. , Shanahan Elizabeth A. , Li Meng , Koebele Elizabeth A. , Anderson Crow Deserai , Birkland Thomas A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPolicy entrepreneurs have traditionally been recognized for their ability to influence policymakers by framing policy problems and pairing them with preferred solutions. Does their influence extend to the public? We examine this question in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States. We analyze whether an individual's perception of a visible, national‐level policy entrepreneur, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Dr. Anthony Fauci, influences their perceived risk of contracting the virus and their uptake of recommended COVID‐19 risk mitigation behaviors. Findings indicate that approval of Dr. Fauci predicts individual risk perceptions and uptake of mask wearing practices, with his influence particularly strong among conservatives. However, Dr. Fauci's influence as a policy entrepreneur waned over time and was moderated by a host of factors such as an individual's worldview, perceptions of policy environment, and media consumption.
The role of peer imitation in agricultural index insurance adoption: Findings from lab‐in‐the‐field experiments in Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Moritz Laura , Kuhn Lena , Bobojonov Ihtiyor 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFrequent climate shocks require farmers in developing countries to increase their resilience. Although index insurance is often discussed as a promising climate adaptation strategy, take‐up rates are still low. This study primarily explores the role of peer behavior as peer imitation in the demand for three marketable and unsubsidized crop index insurance options. Furthermore, the influence of trust and understanding is investigated. We collected data in lab‐in‐the‐field experiments among farmers in Kyrgyzstan, where index insurance is planned for imminent implementation. Applying ordered logit estimations, our results show significant and strong peer imitation effects. Imitation attitudes decrease with own insurance experience and received insurance payouts, but intensify with peer size, insurance trust and practical insurance understanding. While trust robustly increases index insurance adoption, understanding effects only gain significance in the dynamic perspective. These findings underline the importance of community‐based extension treatments and trust toward the uptake of innovative agricultural technologies in the first steps of dissemination.
Connecting simple and precise P‐values to complex and ambiguous realities (includes rejoinder to comments on “Divergence vs. decision P‐values”)
Authors: Greenland Sander 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMathematics is a limited component of solutions to real‐world problems, as it expresses only what is expected to be true if all our assumptions are correct, including implicit assumptions that are omnipresent and often incorrect. Statistical methods are rife with implicit assumptions whose violation can be life‐threatening when results from them are used to set policy. Among them are that there is human equipoise or unbiasedness in data generation, management, analysis, and reporting. These assumptions correspond to levels of cooperation, competence, neutrality, and integrity that are absent more often than we would like to believe. Given this harsh reality, we should ask what meaning, if any, we can assign to the P‐values, “statistical significance” declarations, “confidence” intervals, and posterior probabilities that are used to decide what and how to present (or spin) discussions of analyzed data. By themselves, P‐values and CI do not test any hypothesis, nor do they measure the significance of results or the confidence we should have in them. The sense otherwise is an ongoing cultural error perpetuated by large segments of the statistical and research community via misleading terminology. So‐called inferential statistics can only become contextually interpretable when derived explicitly from causal stories about the real data generator (such as randomization), and can only become reliable when those stories are based on valid and public documentation of the physical mechanisms that generated the data. Absent these assurances, traditional interpretations of statistical results become pernicious fictions that need to be replaced by far more circumspect descriptions of data and model relations.
Phylogenomics reveal extensive phylogenetic discordance due to incomplete lineage sorting following the rapid radiation of alpine butterflies (Papilionidae: Parnassius)
Authors: He Bo , Zhao Youjie , Su Chengyong , Lin Gonghua , Wang Yunliang , Li Luyan , Ma Junye , Yang Qun , Hao Jiasheng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractUnder rapid radiation, the earliest components of evolutionary divergence are often difficult to resolve, which were always driven by the characteristics of taxa and the limitations of alternative analytical methods. The origin and radiation of the alpine butterfly Parnassius, a high‐altitude mountainous insect group, can be attributed to the uplift of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau. Despite detailed phylogenetic analyses of the genus, deep phylogenetic relationships among the major subgenera remain recalcitrant. In this study, 102 individuals from 10 representative Parnassius species were sampled to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among subgenera based on nuclear and mitochondrial genome datasets. Gene‐tree/species‐tree conflicts were detected by concatenation and multispecies coalescent (MSC) approaches. We recovered a well‐supported species tree, despite these conflicts, and detected considerable phylogenetic discordance among genomic regions. The main explanation for the topological discordance among subgenera was extensive incomplete lineage sorting (ILS), whereas introgression events were not prominent. The origin and explosive radiation of Parnassius (i.e., rapid succession of speciation events) in the late Miocene associated with environmental events on the plateau led to short internal branches, thereby increasing ILS and topological conflicts, especially among closely related subgenera. Our results also suggested that MSC approaches (SNP and AFLP Package for Phylogenetic analysis [SNAPP] and SVDquartets) are accurate and superior to the concatenation approach; in particular, SVDquartets can explicitly accommodate gene‐tree/species‐tree conflicts caused by high ILS and demonstrate strong robustness. Finally, we explored the phylogenomic data by testing multiple sources of phylogenomic conflict to clarify the strengths and limitations of different approaches, while considering phylogenetic signal variation in mitochondrial loci. We anticipate that the phylogeny described here will be the backbone of future evolutionary studies of the genus and will provide insight into phylogenetic discordance due to rapid radiation.