bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulating arousal to overcome gait impairments in Parkinson’s disease: how the noradrenergic system may act as a double-edged sword
Authors: Tosserams Anouk , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Ehgoetz Martens Kaylena A. , Helmich Rick C. , Kessels Roy P. C. , Shine James M. , Taylor Natasha L. , Wainstein Gabriel , Lewis Simon J. G. , Nonnekes Jorik 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn stressful or anxiety-provoking situations, most people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience a general worsening of motor symptoms, including their gait impairments. However, a proportion of patients actually report benefits from experiencing—or even purposely inducing—stressful or high-arousal situations. Using data from a large-scale international survey study among 4324 people with PD and gait impairments within the online Fox Insight (USA) and ParkinsonNEXT (NL) cohorts, we demonstrate that individuals with PD deploy an array of mental state alteration strategies to cope with their gait impairment. Crucially, these strategies differ along an axis of arousal—some act to heighten, whereas others diminish, overall sympathetic tone. Together, our observations suggest that arousal may act as a double-edged sword for gait control in PD. We propose a theoretical, neurobiological framework to explain why heightened arousal can have detrimental effects on the occurrence and severity of gait impairments in some individuals, while alleviating them in others. Specifically, we postulate that this seemingly contradictory phenomenon is explained by the inherent features of the ascending arousal system: namely, that arousal is related to task performance by an inverted u-shaped curve (the so-called Yerkes and Dodson relationship). We propose that the noradrenergic locus coeruleus plays an important role in modulating PD symptom severity and expression, by regulating arousal and by mediating network-level functional integration across the brain. The ability of the locus coeruleus to facilitate dynamic ‘cross-talk’ between distinct, otherwise largely segregated brain regions may facilitate the necessary cerebral compensation for gait impairments in PD. In the presence of suboptimal arousal, compensatory networks may be too segregated to allow for adequate compensation. Conversely, with supraoptimal arousal, increased cross-talk between competing inputs of these complementary networks may emerge and become dysfunctional. Because the locus coeruleus degenerates with disease progression, finetuning of this delicate balance becomes increasingly difficult, heightening the need for mental strategies to self-modulate arousal and facilitate shifting from a sub- or supraoptimal state of arousal to improve gait performance. Recognition of this underlying mechanism emphasises the importance of PD-specific rehabilitation strategies to alleviate gait disability.
Farmers' preferences for East African highland cooking banana 'Matooke' hybrids and local cultivars
Authors: Madalla Noel A. , Swennen Rony , Brown Allan , Carpentier Sebastien , Van den Bergh Inge , Crichton Rhiannon , Marimo Pricilla , Weltzien Eva , Massawe Cornel , Shimwela Mpoki , Mbongo Daud , Kindimba Grace , Kubiriba Jerome , Tumuhimbise Robooni , Okurut Asher W. , Cavicchioli Martina , Ortiz Rodomiro 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
An understanding of farmers' preferences of new banana cultivars and their characteristics is critical for developing and selecting cultivars that meet consumer needs. Therefore, phenotypic selection in a genetically variable population remains an important aspect of plant breeding.

Methods
The participatory varietal selection approach for preference ranking was used on 31 'Matooke' secondary and primary triploid hybrids and local banana cultivars evaluated between 2016 and 2019 in Uganda and Tanzania to investigate how farmers' preference attributes could help breeders identify superior cultivars. The quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The qualitative data from farmers' focus group discussions (FGDs) were described using content analysis. The Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test were used to confirm the difference in farmers' preferences between groups.

Results
Farmers' approaches for defining characteristics were multivariate, and their preferences varied by site and country. Large fruit, a large bunch, market acceptability of the banana bunch, a sturdy stem, and an attractive appearance of the banana plant were the characteristics most preferred by farmers in Tanzania and Uganda. Tanzanian farmers preferred large bunches over other characteristics like bunch marketability and robust stem. Large fruit, drought tolerance, a strong stem, and phenotypic similarity to local cultivars were prioritized by Ugandan farmers. Both men and women farmers were more concerned with production-related characteristics, but the former valued marketing-related characteristics more, while the latter preferred use-related characteristics. Their preferences did not differ statistically, but the relative importance assigned by each group to the selected attributes was different.

Conclusion
Farmers' varietal preferences are frequently based on some assumed requirements, resulting in cultivar rejection or non-adoption. Therefore, determining the value attributed to each characteristic by various farmer groups is crucial in developing 'Matooke' banana cultivars with desired attributes that will boost the rate of adoption on-farms. Breeding initiatives that establish a system of integrated approaches and rely on thorough diagnosis of both production and consumption characteristics will best serve farmers' diverse preferences. To accomplish this, planning for varietal improvement initiatives at various levels—including internationally, regionally, nationally, and locally—would require a strong participatory structure that is gender inclusive.
Recent evolution of wine exports in a turbulence period: a multiregional input–output analysis
Authors: Carrasco Inmaculada , Castillo-Valero Juan Sebastián , Carchano Marcos , Córcoles Carmen 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis study focuses on analysing the economic impact (in value-added terms) generated by Spanish wine exports during the period 2018–2020, characterized by significant geopolitical changes and market shocks produced by Brexit, the entry into force of the Federal Law on Viticulture and Winemaking in the Russian Federation, the imposition of tariffs by the USA and the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, the multiregional input–output model was used to identify the overall effects (direct and indirect) in different countries deriving from the changes in final demand. The paper shows that both the world wine trade and Spanish wine exports have been negatively affected by the recent changes in the analysed period. It is estimated that the accumulated losses since 2018 as a result of the decrease in the value-added generated by Spanish wine exports exceed 300 million euros. In addition, the results suggest that the negative effects of COVID-19 are greater than the effects caused by the rest of the geopolitical changes.
Impact of credit on the climate adaptation utilization among food crop farmers in Southwest, Nigeria: application of endogenous treatment Poisson regression model
Authors: Olutumise Adewale Isaac 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe importance of credit in agriculture and technology adoption is well researched, but little is known about its impact on the intensity of climate adaptation strategies (CAS) utilization. To contribute to the literature on climate change, the study examines the impact of credit status on the intensity of CAS utilization with its treatment effects. Unlike previous studies that investigated CAS as binary decisions or multi-class models, the study changed the narrative by measuring the number of CAS adopted and utilized by crop farmers. Farm-level data were collected from 150 crop farmers in Southwest Nigeria using a well-designed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and the endogenous treatment Poisson regression (ETPR) model were used for the data analysis. The results revealed that credit status positively and significantly impacts the intensity of CAS utilization. Other farm-level factors that jointly impacted CAS utilization were education, experience, age, income, extension contacts and farm size. Likewise, the credit status co-joints with climate variables, such as access to climate information, perceived rainfall and temperature, to impact the intensity of CAS utilization in the area. Based on the treatment effects estimates, an average crop farmer will utilize 1.986 times CAS more when he is not being credit constrained, while the average crop farmer in the treated group will utilize 1.757 times CAS more than it would if s/he is credit constrained. Thus, the policy should focus on revamping credit institutions that prioritize requisite adaptation strategy resources.
A field-experiment testing the impact of a warrant service prioritization strategy for police patrol officers
Authors: Taniguchi Travis A. , Aagaard Brian , Baumgartner Peter , Young Amanda R. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe objective of this experiment was to test the efficacy of providing prioritized warrant lists to patrol officers. A field experiment was carried out with the Greensboro (NC) Police Department. Warrant risk profiles were calculated from an analysis of historical offending; historical risk factors were used to implement prospective risk assessment for committing a violent crime while having an outstanding warrant issued during the field experiment. During the period from March 01, through July 31, 2019, people with warrants were randomly allocated to treatment or control. Outcomes included: number of warrants served, time to service, and average risk score of warrants served. Prioritization was not effective in promoting additional warrant service. No differences were found in the risk scores of people served. However, assessment of time to service suggested that warrants were served more quickly during the experimental period. Implementation of warrant prioritization had limited impacts; the process evaluation demonstrated the difficulty in modifying police patrol behaviors.
Secretogranin II influences the assembly and function of MHC class I in melanoma
Authors: Steinfass Tamara , Poelchen Juliane , Sun Qian , Mastrogiulio Giovanni , Novak Daniel , Vierthaler Marlene , Pardo Sandra , Federico Aniello , Hüser Laura , Hielscher Thomas , Carretero Rafael , Offringa Rienk , Altevogt Peter , Umansky Viktor , Utikal Jochen 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMelanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer showing rising incidence over the past years. New insights into the mechanisms of melanoma progression contributed to the development of novel treatment options, such as immunotherapies. However, acquiring resistance to treatment poses a big problem to therapy success. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying resistance could improve therapy efficacy. Correlating expression levels in tissue samples of primary melanoma and metastases revealed that secretogranin 2 (SCG2) is highly expressed in advanced melanoma patients with poor overall survival (OS) rates. By conducting transcriptional analysis between SCG2-overexpressing (OE) and control melanoma cells, we detected a downregulation of components of the antigen presenting machinery (APM), which is important for the assembly of the MHC class I complex. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a downregulation of surface MHC class I expression on melanoma cells that showed resistance towards the cytotoxic activity of melanoma-specific T cells. IFNγ treatment partially reversed these effects. Based on our findings, we suggest that SCG2 might stimulate mechanisms of immune evasion and therefore be associated with resistance to checkpoint blockade and adoptive immunotherapy.
Association of APP gene polymorphisms and promoter methylation with essential hypertension in Guizhou: a case–control study
Authors: Li Ruichao , Song Juhui , Zhao Ansu , Diao Xiaoyan , Zhang Ting , Qi Xiaolan , Guan Zhizhong , An Yu , Ren Lingyan , Wang Chanjuan , He Yan 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and DNA methylation are crucial regulators of essential hypertension (EH). Amyloid precursor protein (APP) mutations are implicated in hypertension development. Nonetheless, studies on the association of APP gene polymorphism and promoter methylation with hypertension are limited. Therefore, this case–control aims to evaluate the genetic association of APP gene polymorphism and promoter methylation with EH in Guizhou populations.

Objective and methods
We conducted a case–control study on 343 EH patients and 335 healthy controls (including Miao, Buyi, and Han populations) in the Guizhou province of China to analyze 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2040273, rs63750921, rs2211772, rs2830077, rs467021, rs368196, rs466433, rs364048, rs364051, rs438031, rs463946) in the APP gene via MassARRAY SNP. The MassARRAY EpiTYPER was employed to detect the methylation levels of the promoters.

Results
In the Han population, the rs2211772 genotype distribution was significantly different between disease and control groups (χ2 = 6.343, P = 0.039). The CC genotype reduced the risk of hypertension compared to the TT or TC genotype (OR 0.105, 95%CI 0.012–0.914, P = 0.041). For rs2040273 in the Miao population, AG or GG genotype reduced the hypertension risk compared with the AA genotype (OR 0.533, 95%CI 0.294–0.965, P = 0.038). Haplotype TCC (rs364051–rs438031–rs463946) increased the risk of EH in Guizhou (OR 1.427, 95%CI 1.020–1.996, P = 0.037). Each 1% increase in CpG_19 (− 613 bp) methylation level was associated with a 4.1% increase in hypertension risk (OR 1.041, 95%CI 1.002–1.081, P = 0.039). Each 1% increase in CpG_1 (− 296 bp) methylation level was associated with an 8% decrease in hypertension risk in women (OR 0.920, 95%CI 0.860–0.984, P = 0.015). CpG_19 significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.2, P = 0.03). The methylation levels of CpG_19 in hypertensive patients with rs466433, rs364048, and rs364051 minor alleles were lower than that with wild-type alleles (P < 0.05). Moreover, rs467021 and rs364051 showed strong synergistic interaction with EH (χ2 = 7.633, P = 0.006). CpG_11, CpG_19, and rs364051 showed weak synergistic interaction with EH (χ2 = 19.874, P < 0.001).

Conclusion
In summary, rs2211772 polymorphism and promoter methylation level of APP gene may be linked to EH in Guizhou populations. Our findings will provide novel insights for genetic research of hypertension and Alzheimer's disease.
Localized assembly for long reads enables genome-wide analysis of repetitive regions at single-base resolution in human genomes
Authors: Ikemoto Ko , Fujimoto Hinano , Fujimoto Akihiro 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Long-read sequencing technologies have the potential to overcome the limitations of short reads and provide a comprehensive picture of the human genome. However, the characterization of repetitive sequences by reconstructing genomic structures at high resolution solely from long reads remains difficult. Here, we developed a localized assembly method (LoMA) that constructs highly accurate consensus sequences (CSs) from long reads.

Methods
We developed LoMA by combining minimap2, MAFFT, and our algorithm, which classifies diploid haplotypes based on structural variants and CSs. Using this tool, we analyzed two human samples (NA18943 and NA19240) sequenced with the Oxford Nanopore sequencer. We defined target regions in each genome based on mapping patterns and then constructed a high-quality catalog of the human insertion solely from the long-read data.

Results
The assessment of LoMA showed a high accuracy of CSs (error rate < 0.3%) compared with raw data (error rate > 8%) and superiority to a previous study. The genome-wide analysis of NA18943 and NA19240 identified 5516 and 6542 insertions (≥ 100 bp), respectively. Most insertions (~ 80%) were derived from tandem repeats and transposable elements. We also detected processed pseudogenes, insertions in transposable elements, and long insertions (> 10 kbp). Finally, our analysis suggested that short tandem duplications are associated with gene expression and transposons.

Conclusions
Our analysis showed that LoMA constructs high-quality sequences from long reads with substantial errors. This study revealed the true structures of the insertions with high accuracy and inferred the mechanisms for the insertions, thus contributing to future human genome studies. LoMA is available at our GitHub page: https://github.com/kolikem/loma.
Comprehensive analysis of cuproptosis-related long noncoding RNA for predicting prognostic and diagnostic value and immune landscape in colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Shichao , Zhang Shoucai , Liu Yingjie , Yang XiaoRong , Zheng Guixi 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Cuproptosis, as a copper-induced mitochondrial cell death, has attracted extensive attention recently, especially in cancer. Although some key regulatory genes have been identified in cuproptosis, the related lncRNAs have not been further studied. Exploring the prognostic and diagnostic value of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRLs) in colon adenocarcinoma and providing guidance for individualized immunotherapy for patients are of great significance.

Results
A total of 2003 lncRNAs were correlated with cuproptosis genes and considered as CRLs. We screened 33 survival-associated CRLs and established a prognostic signature base on 7 CRLs in the training group. The patients in the low-risk group had better outcomes in both training group (P < 0.001) and test group (P = 0.016). More exciting, our model showed good prognosis prediction in both stage I–II (P = 0.020) and stage III–IV (P = 0.001). The nomogram model could further improve the accuracy of prognosis prediction. Interestingly, glucose-related metabolic pathways, which were closely related to cuproptosis, were enriched in the low-risk group. Meanwhile, the immune infiltration scores were lower in the high-risk group. The high-risk group was more sensitive to OSI.906 and ABT.888, while low-risk group was more sensitive to Sorafenib. Three lncRNAs, FALEC, AC083967.1 and AC010997.4, were highly expressed in serum of COAD patients, and the AUC was 0.772, 0.726 and 0.714, respectively, indicating their valuable diagnostic value.

Conclusions
Our research constructed a prognostic signature based on 7 CRLs and found three promising diagnostic markers for COAD patients. Our results provided a reference to the personalized immunotherapy strategies.
Biallelic variants in NOS3 and GUCY1A3, the two major genes of the nitric oxide pathway, cause moyamoya cerebral angiopathy
Authors: Guey Stéphanie , Hervé Dominique , Kossorotoff Manoëlle , Ha Guillaume , Aloui Chaker , Bergametti Françoise , Arnould Minh , Guenou Hind , Hadjadj Jessica , Dubois Teklali Fanny , Riant Florence , Balligand Jean-Luc , Uzan Georges , Villoutreix Bruno O. , Tournier-Lasserve Elisabeth 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Moyamoya angiopathy (MMA) is a rare cerebrovascular condition leading to stroke. Mutations in 15 genes have been identified in Mendelian forms of MMA, but they explain only a very small proportion of cases. Our aim was to investigate the genetic basis of MMA in consanguineous patients having unaffected parents in order to identify genes involved in autosomal recessive MMA.

Methods
Exome sequencing (ES) was performed in 6 consecutive consanguineous probands having MMA of unknown etiology. Functional consequences of variants were assessed using western blot and protein 3D structure analyses.

Results
Causative homozygous variants of NOS3, the gene encoding the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and GUCY1A3, the gene encoding the alpha1 subunit of the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) which is the major nitric oxide (NO) receptor in the vascular wall, were identified in 3 of the 6 probands. One NOS3 variant (c.1502 + 1G > C) involves a splice donor site causing a premature termination codon and leads to a total lack of eNOS in endothelial progenitor cells of the affected proband. The other NOS3 variant (c.1942 T > C) is a missense variant located into the flavodoxine reductase domain; it is predicted to be destabilizing and shown to be associated with a reduction of eNOS expression. The GUCY1A3 missense variant (c.1778G > A), located in the catalytic domain of the sGC, is predicted to disrupt the tridimensional structure of this domain and to lead to a loss of function of the enzyme. Both NOS3 mutated probands suffered from an infant-onset and severe MMA associated with posterior cerebral artery steno-occlusive lesions. The GUCY1A3 mutated proband presented an adult-onset MMA associated with an early-onset arterial hypertension and a stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery. None of the 3 probands had achalasia.

Conclusions
We show for the first time that biallelic loss of function variants in NOS3 is responsible for MMA and that mutations in NOS3 and GUCY1A3 are causing fifty per cent of MMA in consanguineous patients. These data pinpoint the essential role of the NO pathway in MMA pathophysiology.
Reduction in COVID-19 related resource loss and decline in prevalence of probable depression in Chinese adults: an application of the Conservation of Resource Theory
Authors: Yu Yanqiu , Lau Mason M. C. , Lau Joseph T. F. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
The levels of resource losses due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and mental distress may change during the pandemic period. Based on the Conservation of Resource (COR) Theory, this study investigated such changes and the mediation between survey time (Round 2 versus Round 1) and depression via resource losses.

Methods
Two serial random population-based telephone surveys interviewed 209 and 458 Hong Kong Chinese adults in April 2020 and May 2021, respectively. Probable depression was defined as 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score ≥ 10. The validated Conservation of Resources Scale for COVID-19 (CORS-COVID-19) scale was used to assess resource losses due to COVID-19. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, hierarchical logistic regression analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test the association, interaction, and mediation hypotheses, respectively.

Results
The prevalence of probable depression declined from 8.6% to 1.0% over time, together with reductions in losses of financial resource (Cohen’s d = 0.88), future control (Cohen’s d = 0.39), social resource (Cohen’s d = 0.60), and family resource (Cohen’s d = 0.36) due to COVID-19. All the overall scale/subscales of the CORS-COVID-19 were positively and associated with probable depression [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) ranged from 2.72 to 42.30]. In SEM, the survey time was negatively associated with the latent variable of resource loss (β = − 0.46), which in turn was positively associated with probable depression (β = 0.73). In addition, the direct effect of survey time on probable depression was statistically non-significant (β = − 0.08), indicating a full mediation effect of resource losses.

Conclusions
The lessening of the resource losses might have fully accounted for the significant decline in probable depression from Month 3 to 15 since the first COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong, China. The level of depression might have increased during the first phase of the pandemic, but might decline in the later phases if resources losses could be lessened. All stakeholders should hence work together to minimize individuals’ COVID-19-related resource losses to prevent depression in the general population, as COVID-19 might be lasting.