bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ebi3 knockout aggravates experimental periodontitis via Th17 polarization
Authors: Goto Hisashi , Kikuchi Takeshi , Takayanagi Yuhei , Kamiya Yosuke , Suzuki Yuki , Kawamura Shotaro , Sawada Noritaka , Hayashi Jun‐ichiro , Mitani Akio 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimTo investigate the role of Ebi3‐related cytokines (i.e., interleukin [IL]‐35 and/or IL‐27) in experimental periodontitis using Ebi3 knockout (KO) mice.Materials and MethodsThe maxillary right second molar teeth of Ebi3 KO mice and C57BL/6 mice were tied with a silk ligature to induce periodontitis. Three days after ligation, gingival tissues were collected for gene expression analyses. Five days after ligation, the maxillae were removed for haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Seven days after ligation, the maxillae were removed for micro‐computed tomography.ResultsThe ligated side of Ebi3 KO mice showed intense alveolar bone resorption, which was substantially more pronounced than in wild‐type (WT) mice. IL‐17A expression was significantly higher in the gingiva of the ligated side of Ebi3 KO mice compared with WT mice. IL‐10 expression was significantly lower in Ebi3 KO mice than in WT mice. The ligature‐induced alveolar bone resorption in Ebi3 KO mice that received recombinant IL‐35 injection was significantly less compared with that in Ebi3 KO mice that received control injection.ConclusionsTogether, these findings suggest that Th17 cells exacerbate experimental periodontitis in mice lacking Ebi3 and that IL‐35 may play a critical role in inhibiting periodontal tissue destruction.
Beauty or function? The opposing effects of natural and sexual selection on cuticular hydrocarbons in male black field crickets
Authors: Mitchell Christopher , Wylde Zachariah , Del Castillo Enrique , Rapkin James , House Clarissa M. , Hunt John 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Although many theoretical models of male sexual trait evolution assume that sexual selection is countered by natural selection, direct empirical tests of this assumption are relatively uncommon. Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are known to play an important role not only in restricting evaporative water loss but also in sexual signalling in most terrestrial arthropods. Insects adjusting their CHC layer for optimal desiccation resistance is often thought to come at the expense of successful sexual attraction, suggesting that natural and sexual selection are in opposition for this trait. In this study, we sampled the CHCs of male black field crickets (Teleogryllus commodus) using solid-phase microextraction and then either measured their evaporative water loss or mating success. We then used multivariate selection analysis to quantify the strength and form of natural and sexual selection targeting male CHCs. Both natural and sexual selection imposed significant linear and stabilizing selection on male CHCs, although for very different combinations. Natural selection largely favoured an increase in the total abundance of CHCs, especially those with a longer chain length. In contrast, mating success peaked at a lower total abundance of CHCs and declined as CHC abundance increased. However, mating success did improve with an increase in a number of specific CHC components that also increased evaporative water loss. Importantly, this resulted in the combination of male CHCs favoured by natural selection and sexual selection being strongly opposing. Our findings suggest that the balance between natural and sexual selection is likely to play an important role in the evolution of male CHCs in T. commodus and may help explain why CHCs are so divergent across populations and species.
Abstract
Natural selection (measured via evaporative water loss) and sexual selection (measured via mating success) acting on cuticular hydrocarbons are opposing in male black field crickets (Teleogryllus commodus). This opposing pattern of selection has important implications for how variation is maintained in this important chemical trait.
Meat versus meat alternatives: which is better for the environment and health? A nutritional and environmental analysis of animal‐based products compared with their plant‐based alternatives
Authors: Coffey Alice A. , Lillywhite Robert , Oyebode Oyinlola 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundPoor diets lead to negative health outcomes, including increased risk of noncommunicable diseases. Food systems, most notably agriculture, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) that lead to climate change. Meat consumption plays a role in both health and environmental burden. Consumption of meat alternatives may reduce these harms. The aim was to compare meat products and their plant‐based alternatives on nutritional parameters, GHGE and price to examine if it is feasible and beneficial for policymakers and health professionals to recommend meat alternatives.MethodsData on nutritional information and cost for 99 selected products were collected from five UK supermarkets. Estimates for GHGEs for 97 of these products were found through secondary articles. Median values for nutritional value, GHGE (kgCO2e) and price per 100 g were calculated to allow comparisons between meat products and their alternatives. Mann–Whitney U tests were used to look for significant differences for each nutrient, emissions and price.ResultsMeat alternatives contained significantly more fibre and sugar and were significantly higher in price compared to the equivalent meat products. Meat alternatives had a significantly lower number of calories, saturated fat, protein and kgCO2e than meat products. There was no significant difference in the amount of salt between meat and meat alternatives.ConclusionsOverall, this paper found that meat alternatives are likely to be better for health according to most parameters, while also being more environmentally friendly, with lower GHGEs. However, the higher price of these products may be a barrier to switching to meat alternatives for the poorest in society.
Arabidopsis RNA polymerase II C‐terminal domain phosphatase‐like 1 targets mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascades to suppress plant immunity
Authors: Wei Junjun , Sun Wei , Zheng Xinhang , Qiu Shanshan , Jiao Shuangyu , Babilonia Kevin , Koiwa Hisashi , He Ping , Shan Libo , Sun Wenxian , Cui Fuhao 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play pivotal roles in plant defense against phytopathogens downstream of immune receptor complexes. The amplitude and duration of MAPK activation must be strictly controlled, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we identified Arabidopsis CPL1 (C‐terminal domain phosphatase‐like 1) as a negative regulator of microbe‐associated molecular pattern (MAMP)‐triggered immunity via a forward‐genetic screen. Disruption of CPL1 significantly enhanced plant resistance to Pseudomonas pathogens induced by the bacterial peptide flg22. Furthermore, flg22‐induced MPK3/MPK4/MPK6 phosphorylation was dramatically elevated in cpl1 mutants but severely impaired in CPL1 overexpression lines, suggesting that CPL1 might interfere with flg22‐induced MAPK activation. Indeed, CPL1 directly interacted with MPK3 and MPK6, as well as the upstream MKK4 and MKK5. A firefly luciferase‐based complementation assay indicated that the interaction between MKK4/MKK5 and MPK3/MPK6 was significantly reduced in the presence of CPL1. These results suggest that CPL1 plays a novel regulatory role in suppressing MAMP‐induced MAPK cascade activation and MAMP‐triggered immunity to bacterial pathogens.
The GTPase Rab21 is required for neuronal development and migration in the cerebral cortex
Authors: Peralta Cuasolo Yael Macarena , Dupraz Sebastián , Unsain Nicolas , Bisbal Mariano , Quassollo Gonzalo , Galiano Mauricio R. , Grassi Diego , Quiroga Santiago , Sosa Lucas Javier 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDevelopment of the mammalian neocortex requires proper inside‐out migration of developing cortical neurons from the germinal ventricular zone toward the cortical plate. The mechanics of this migration requires precise coordination of different cellular phenomena including cytoskeleton dynamics, membrane trafficking, and cell adhesion. The small GTPases play a central role in all these events. The small GTPase Rab21 regulates migration and neurite growth in developing neurons. Moreover, regulators and effectors of Rab21 have been implicated in brain pathologies with cortical malformations, suggesting a key function for the Rab21 signaling pathway in cortical development. Mechanistically, it has been posited that Rab21 influences cell migration by controlling the trafficking of endocytic vesicles containing adhesion molecules. However, direct evidence of the participation of Rab21 or its mechanism of action in the regulation of cortical migration is still incomplete. In this study, we demonstrate that Rab21 plays a critical role in the differentiation and migration of pyramidal neurons by regulating the levels of the amyloid precursor protein on the neuronal cell surface. Rab21 loss of function increased the levels of membrane‐exposed APP, resulting in impaired cortical neuronal differentiation and migration. These findings further our understanding of the processes governing the development of the cerebral cortex and shed light onto the molecular mechanisms behind cortical development disorders derived from the malfunctioning of Rab21 signaling effectors.image
The role of prolactin in the suppression of the response to restraint stress in the lactating mouse
Authors: Gustafson Papillon E. , Al‐Isawi Shahd A. , Phillipps Hollian R. , Crosse Hugo W. , Grattan David R. , Bunn Stephen J. , Yip Siew H. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSuppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is a well‐characterised maternal adaptation that limits the exposure of the offspring to maternally‐derived stress hormones. This current study has investigated the possible involvement of the lactogenic hormone, prolactin, in this physiologically important adaptation. As expected, circulating prolactin levels were higher in unstressed lactating mice compared to their virgin counterparts. Interestingly however, the ability of an acute period of restraint stress to further elevate prolactin levels was diminished in the former group. The stress‐induced rise in prolactin levels in the virgin animals was concurrent with an increase in prolactin receptor activation within the adrenal cortical cells. This adrenal response was not seen in either the stressed or control lactation group, an observation that may be in part explained by the observed downregulation of prolactin receptor mRNA expression within this tissue. Further evidence of suppression of the HPA axis during lactation was revealed using in situ hybridisation to demonstrate that while acute restraint stress increased corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in both virgin and lactating mice, the magnitude of this response was reduced in the latter group. This potentially adaptive response did not, however, appear to result from the altered prolactin profile during lactation because it was not affected by the pharmacological suppression of prolactin secretion from the pituitary. This study therefore suggests that during lactation the response of the HPA axis to stress is suppressed at multiple physiological levels which are mediated by both prolactin‐dependent and prolactin‐independent mechanisms.
Benefit of high‐dose oral riboflavin therapy in riboflavin transporter deficiency
Authors: Fennessy Jack R. , Cornett Kayla M. D. , Burns Joshua , Menezes Manoj P. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRiboflavin transporter deficiency (RTD) is a progressive inherited neuropathy of childhood onset, characterised by pontobulbar palsy, sensorineural deafness, sensory ataxia, muscle weakness, optic atrophy and respiratory failure. Riboflavin supplementation is beneficial in short‐term reports, but the quantum of benefit in various clinical domains is not well understood. A PubMed search was conducted, which identified 94 genetically confirmed cases of RTD who received riboflavin supplementation and had follow‐up assessments. Information on the clinical and functional status before and after riboflavin supplementation was collected and analysed. Seventy‐six of the 94 patients (80.9%) showed an overall improvement after riboflavin supplementation, and the remaining (19.1%) were stable, though some patients had deteriorations in individual domains with no reported deaths. The domains that had the highest rates of response to riboflavin supplementation were gross motor function (93.3% improved), bulbar palsy (91.3%) and ataxia (90.0%). Improvements were also seen in limb muscle weakness, audiology, facial nerve palsy and respiratory function. Despite treatment, many patients required assistance to ambulate and had severe or profound hearing loss and some remained gastrostomy or tracheostomy dependent. Riboflavin supplementation is a lifesaving intervention for patients with RTD and results in a profound improvement in several functional domains, with early diagnosis and treatment further improving outcomes. Despite treatment, patients are left with residual disability. There is a need to accurately measure functional outcomes in children with RTD and develop additional disease‐modifying therapies.
Fixed and variable longevity income annuities in defined contribution plans: Optimal retirement portfolios taking social security into account
Authors: Horneff Vanya , Maurer Raimond , Mitchell Olivia S. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates retirees' optimal purchases of fixed and variable longevity income annuities using their defined contribution (DC) plan assets and given their expected social security benefits. As an alternative, we also evaluate using plan assets to boost social security benefits through delayed claiming. Using a calibrated life‐cycle model, we determine that including deferred income annuities in DC accounts is welfare‐enhancing for all sex/education groups examined. We also show that providing access to well‐designed variable deferred annuities with some equity exposure further enhances retiree well‐being, compared to having access only to fixed annuities. Nevertheless, for those facing the highest mortality rates, delaying claiming social security is mostly preferred, whereas those anticipating living longer than average will benefit more from using accumulated DC plan assets to purchase deferred annuities.
Pythium and related species on blueberry plants in South Africa
Authors: Jami Fahimeh , Botha Wilhelm 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe blueberry industry is one of the successful and expanding agricultural cropping systems in South Africa. As a result of this growth, research into identifying plant disease agents has become increasingly important, yet there are relatively few scientific reports published on the subject in the country. The aim of this study was to identify the causal agents of stunting and leaf scorch on blueberry plants and evaluate their pathogenicity. Root samples were collected from a commercial southern highbush blueberry planting in North West, South Africa. The resulting isolates were identified based on sequence data from the rDNA‐ITS. Three Pythiaceae were identified including Globisporangium ultimum var. sporangiiferum, Globisporangium splendens and Pythium aphanidermatum. Results of pathogenicity trials showed that the isolated species were able to cause disease on 40% of the plants. This is the first official report for G. ultimum var. sporangiiferum in South Africa and the first report of G. ultimum var. sporangiiferum and P. aphanidermatum from blueberry plants.
The association of alcohol use and heavy drinking with subsequent handgun carrying among youth from rural areas
Authors: Ellyson Alice M. , Schleimer Julia P. , Dalve Kimberly , Gause Emma , Weybright Elizabeth H. , Kuklinski Margaret R. , Oesterle Sabrina , Rowhani‐Rahbar Ali 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurposeAlcohol use and handgun carrying are more prevalent among youth in rural than urban areas and their association may be stronger among rural adolescents. Alcohol use may be modifiable with implications for reducing handgun carrying and firearm‐related harm. We examined the association between lagged alcohol use and subsequent handgun carrying in rural areas and examined variation in the association by developmental stages, hypothesizing that it would be stronger among adolescents than youth adults.MethodsWe used a longitudinal sample of 2,002 adolescents from ages 12 to 26 growing up in 12 rural communities in 7 states with surveys collected from 2004 to 2019. We estimated the association of lagged past‐month alcohol use on handgun carrying in the subsequent 12 months using population‐average generalized estimating equations with logistic regression on multiply imputed data.FindingsDuring adolescence (ages 12‐18), those who drank heavily had 1.43 times the odds (95% CI = [1.01, 2.03]) of subsequent handgun carrying compared to those who did not drink alcohol, and those who consumed alcohol but did not drink heavily had 1.30 times the odds of subsequent handgun carrying compared to those who did not drink (95% CI = [0.98, 1.71]). During young adulthood (ages 19‐26), associations of alcohol use (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = [0.94, 1.63]) and heavy drinking (OR = 1.38; 95% CI = [1.08, 1.68]) were similar to adolescence.ConclusionsAlcohol use and subsequent handgun carrying were positively associated during adolescence and young adulthood among individuals who grew up in rural areas, similar to findings in urban areas. Reducing alcohol use may be an important strategy to prevent handgun carrying and firearm‐related harm among young people in rural areas.
Clinical impact of hepatic steatosis on chronic hepatitis B patients in Asia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhou Run , Yang Luping , Zhang Binbin , Gu Yunpeng , Kong Tingting , Zhang Wei , Sun Lei , Liu Chunlan , Kong Ningjia , Li Jie , Shi Junping 
Published: August 2023

AbstractChronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatic steatosis (HS) are two prevalent chronic liver diseases in Asia. The incidence of CHB combined with HS is increasing due to the rising obesity rates. However, the impact of HS on CHB remains a topic of debate. Hereby, this meta‐analysis aims to examine the effect of HS on Asian patients with CHB. Searches were conducted on four databases to identify articles published from 2005 to 2023. The random‐effects or fixed‐effects model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs), weighted mean difference (WMD), and confidence intervals (CIs) for the included articles. Of the 15,959 records screened, 88 studies were included in the analysis of HS prevalence in Asian CHB patients with a prevalence of 36.5% (95% CI: 33.7%–39.3%). In addition, age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and combined metabolic diseases have varying degrees of impact on HS in CHB patients. Furthermore, the coexistence of HS was negatively associated with the response to antiviral therapy, including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.53–0.89) and ALT normalization (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61–0.92) in CHB patients after 48 weeks of treatment. Regarding disease prognosis, HS was not significantly associated with fibrosis or cirrhosis in CHB patients, while an inverse association was observed between HS and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (OR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.23–6.99). This implies that the coexistence of HS in CHB patients may exacerbate the progression of HCC, which needs to be verified by further studies.
Assessment of the FreeStyle Libre 2 interstitial glucose monitor in hypo‐ and euglycemic cats
Authors: Berg Alisa S. , Crews Chiquitha D. , Adin Christopher , Alfonso‐Castro Adriana , Hill Susan B. , Mott Jocelyn , Gilor Chen 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundContinuous glucose monitoring systems have been validated for eu‐ and hyperglycemic cats. The FreeStyle Libre 2 (FSL2) is sufficiently accurate in people during hypoglycemia to guide critical treatment decisions without confirmation of blood glucose concentration (BG).ObjectivesAssess FSL2 accuracy in cats with hypoglycemia.AnimalsNine healthy, purpose‐bred cats.MethodsHyperinsulinemic‐hypoglycemic clamps were performed by IV infusion of regular insulin (constant rate) and glucose (variable rate). Interstitial glucose concentration (IG), measured by FSL2, was compared to BG measured by AlphaTrak2. Data were analyzed for all paired measurements (n = 364) and separately during stable BG (≤1 mg/dL/min change over 10 minutes). Pearson's r test, Bland‐Altman test, and Parkes Error Grid analysis respectively were used to determine correlation, bias, and clinical accuracy (P < .05 considered significant).ResultsOverall, BG and IG correlated strongly (r = 0.83, P < .0001) in stable glycemia and moderately at all rates of change (r = 0.69, P < .0001). Interstitial glucose concentration underestimated BG in euglycemia, but the BG‐IG difference was progressively smaller as BG decreased (12.9 ± 12.2, 8.8 ± 11.2, −3.2 ± 7.4, and −7.8 ± 5.2 mg/dL in the ranges of 80‐120 [n = 64], 60‐79 [n = 29], 50‐59 [n = 71], and 29‐49 mg/dL [n = 53], respectively).ConclusionsAlthough IG underestimates BG throughout most of the hypo‐euglycemic range, IG generally overestimates BG in marked hypoglycemia (<60 mg/dL). It is therefore imperative to evaluate FSL2 results in this critical range with caution.
CD36 genetic polymorphism and salivary cues are associated with oleic acid sensitivity and dietary fat intake
Authors: Muthuswamy Karthi , Shanmugamprema Deepankumar , Subramanian Gowtham , Ponnusamy Vinithra , Vasanthakumar Keerthana , Krishnan Vasanth , Palanivelu Praveen Raj , Rajasekaran Senthilkumar , Subramaniam Selvakumar 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThere is a lack of research on the combined effects of genetic variations (specifically CD36 SNPs—rs1761667 and rs1527483), dietary food habits (vegetarian or not), and the salivary environment on obesity and taste sensitivity, especially in the Indian population. The current study aims to better understand the relationship between impaired taste perception, fat consumption, higher BMI and obesity development by examining the combined association between CD36 SNPs, oleic acid (OA) detection threshold, and food habits among Indian participants. Furthermore, the relationship between oral fatty acid (FAs) sensitivity and taste physiology factors linked to inflammation and salivary proteins was considered. Participants with the minor allele (AA/AG) of CD36 (in both rs1527483 and rs1761667) consumed more fat, particularly saturated FAs (p = 0.0351). Salivary lipopolysaccharide, which causes inflammation, was significantly greater in non‐vegetarians with a higher BMI (p < 0.05), and it exhibited a negative correlation (r = −0.232 and p < 0.05) with Ki67 gene expression, a marker for taste progenitor cells. A positive correlation (r = 0.474, p = 0.04) between TLR4 mRNA levels and the OA detection threshold was also observed. Participants with BMI > 25 kg/m2 had substantially higher TNF‐α and IL‐6 receptor mRNA expression levels, but there were no significant differences between the vegetarian and non‐vegetarian groups. However, salivary CA‐VI, which has a buffering capability on the oral environment, was lower in non‐vegetarian adults with BMI >25. Thus, it was shown that non‐vegetarians with overweight and obesity in India were in at‐risk groups for the CD36 SNP (AA/AG at rs1761667 and rs1527483) and had higher levels of inflammatory markers, which exacerbated alterations in food behaviour and physiological changes, indicating their relevance in the development of obesity.