bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Male and Female Brain Coherence Models of Cognitive Performance and Psychopathology
Authors: Dumitru Magda L. , Korbmacher Max , Bartsch Hauke 
Published: September 2022

AbstractFinding reliable imaging biomarkers of mental illness has been a major challenge, on a par with the quest for biomarkers of the male versus the female brain, as the two types of imaging inform one another. We explored the hypothesis that the degree of coherence (internal isomorphism) between brain volumes of the left versus the right hemisphere for patients with psychopathological conditions follows the brain coherence pattern of the healthy male or healthy female. We developed the ‘distance index’ (DI) as a biomarker of brain coherence and compared it with three ad hoc coherence measures. We found that only DI could reliably distinguish males from females and patients from controls. Also, cortical regions with highest DI scores were swapped between males and females across groups following male/female models of psychopathology. Furthermore, although indices were similar in predicting cognitive performance, DI provided a more proportionate prediction pattern across diagnosis groups, and more robust interactions with males/females. These findings highlight the importance of brain coherence, particularly measured by DI, for phenotyping sex and mental illness.
Efficient and scalable generation of primordial germ cells in 2D culture using basement membrane extract overlay
Authors: Overeem Arend W. , Chang Yolanda W. , Moustakas Ioannis , Roelsen Celine M. , Hillenius Sanne , Van Der Helm Talia , Van Der Schrier Valérie F. , Mei Hailiang , Freund Christian , Chuva De Sousa Lopes Susana M. 
Published: September 2022

SUMMARYCurrent human primordial germ cell like cells (hPGCLCs) differentiation methods from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are inefficient, and it is challenging to generate sufficient hPGCLCs to optimize in vitro gametogenesis. We present a new differentiation method that uses diluted basement membrane extract (BME) and low BMP4 concentration to efficiently induce hPGCLC differentiation in scalable 2D cell culture. We show that BME overlay potentiated BMP/SMAD signaling, induced lumenogenesis and increased expression of key hPGCLC-progenitor markers such as TFAP2A and EOMES. These findings highlight the importance of (factors in) BME during hPGCLC differentiation, and demonstrate the potential of the BME-overlay method to interrogate the formation of PGCs and amnion in humans as well to investigate the next steps to achieve in vitro gametogenesis.HIGHLIGHTShPGCLCs can be generated efficiently in 2D from hPSCs with treatment of BMP4 and BME overlayBME overlay method is highly scalable, cost-effective and simple to performhPGCLCs differentiate together with amniotic ectoderm- and mesoderm-like cells from a TFAP2A+/CDX2+/EOMES+/GATA3+ common progenitor populationBME overlay enables robust hPGCLC formation by potentiating BMP/SMAD signaling in the common progenitor population
Examination of Onset Trajectories and Persistence of Binge-Like Eating Behavior in Mice after Intermittent Palatable Food Exposure
Authors: Hildebrandt Britny A. , Fisher Hayley , Ahmari Susanne E. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBinge eating (BE) is a persistent behavior associated with a chronic course of illness and poor treatment outcomes. While clinical research is unable to capture the full course of BE, pre-clinical approaches offer the opportunity to examine binge-like eating from onset through chronic durations, allowing identification of factors contributing to BE persistence. The current study quantified the trajectories of binge-like eating onset and modeled cycles of abstinence/relapse to develop a translational model for BE persistence. Adult male and female C57Bl6/J mice were randomized to a binge-like palatable food (PF) access schedule (daily 2-hour, 3x/week) or continuous, non-binge like PF access for 12 days (Experiment 1). Persistence of PF consumption in both binge-like PF access groups was then examined across three cycles of forced abstinence and re-exposure to PF (incubation) to model the persistence of BE in clinical populations. Mice with daily 2 hour PF access escalated their intake more than mice in the 3x/week or continuous groups (Experiment 1).This pattern was more pronounced in females. In addition, this pattern of PF intake re-emerged across multiple cycles of behavioral incubation (Experiment 2). These findings provide a model of binge-like eating in mice that can be used in future studies examining both environmental factors and neural mechanisms contributing to BE persistence.
Correlation analysis between drug resistance and virulence genes of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii In Western Guilin
Authors: Xiong Lijun , Huang Xiaofeng , Chen Huoying , Liu Zhenyu , Wang Di , Zeng Guifen , Mo Shan , Wei Chuandong 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgoundIn order to detect the resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii to β-lactam antibiotics in western Guilin, analyze the reasons for its resistance, and provide laboratory basis for clinical treatment; method for the β-lactamase gene of Acinetobacter baumannii, and to explore the relationship between the presence of the β-lactamase gene of Acinetobacter baumannii and multidrug resistance.MethodsFrom November 2020 to June 2022, 78 non-repeated Acinetobacter baumannii strains from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University were collected, and their resistance to carbapenem antibiotics was analyzed. PCR was used to detect resistance-related genes (blaOXA-23, blaOXA-51, blaOXA-58, blaOXA-24, blaIMP and blaSIM) and virulence genes (cusE, abaI and bfmS). To analyze the relationship between drug resistance and virulence genes of Acinetobacter baumannii.ResultsMost of the 165 non-enterobacteriaceae bacteria we collected from the hospital were Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and most of the specimen types were from sputum and secretions, and most of them were from respiratory and critical care diseases area and intensive care unit, among them, there are 78 strains of Acinetobacter baumannii studied this time. After screening, 78 Acinetobacter baumannii strains were resistant to Cefazolin, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin/Clavulanate, Aztreonam, Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline, Cefotaxime, Ampicillin/Sulbactam, Piperacillin, Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Cefepime, Ceftazidime, Piperacillin/Tazobactam, Compound Sulfonamide, Meropenem, Imipenem, Amikacin, Polymyxin, resistance rates were 98.72%, 98.72%, 96.16%, 96.15%, 96.15%, 66.67%, 60.26%, 58.98%, 58.97%, 57.69%, 57.69%, 57.69%, 57.69%, 57.69%, 56.41%, 55.13%, 53.85%, 52.56%, 52.56%, 50%, 0%. Among them, 17 strains with drug resistance gene blaOXA-51 were detected,accounting for 21.79%; drug gene blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaIMP, blaOXA-58, blaSIM gene were not detected; 17 strains with virulence gene bfmS was detected, accounting for 21.79%; abaI, csuE virulence gene was not detected.ConclusionAcinetobacter baumannii in the hospital is highly resistant to carbapenems, mainly carrying blaOXA-51 resistance genes. Drug resistance is closely related to the virulence gene bfmS.
Induced mineralization in Escherichia coli biofilms: the key role of bacterial alkaline phosphatase
Authors: Zorzetto Laura , Scoppola Ernesto , Raguin Emeline , Blank Kerstin G. , Fratzl Peter , Bidan Cécile M. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBiofilms appear when bacteria colonize a surface and synthesize and assemble extracellular matrix components. In addition to the organic matrix, some biofilms precipitate mineral particles such as calcium phosphate. While calcified biofilms induce diseases like periodontitis in physiological environments, they also inspire the engineering of living composites. Understanding mineralization mechanisms in biofilms will thus provide key knowledge for either inhibiting or promoting mineralization in these research fields. The enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) plays a key role in calcium phosphate precipitation in mammalian bone tissue. Produced by eukaryotic cells, ALP catalyzes the hydrolysis of monophosphates starting from different precursors (e.g., alkaloids, proteins) and makes phosphate ions readily available for the precipitation with calcium. Bacterial ALPs are expressed by the well-characterized gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria E. coli and S. aureus as well as a large number of marine and soil bacteria. While it was recently proposed that bacterial ALPs induce mineral precipitation, their role in biofilm mineralization is not fully understood. In this work, we address this question using the biofilm-forming E. coli K-12 strain W3110, which expresses periplasmic ALP from the phoA gene. We first identify the mineralization conditions of biofilms grown on nutritive agar substrates supplemented with calcium ions and β-glycerophosphate. We then localize the mineral phase at different scales, using light and scanning electron microscopy as well as X-ray microtomography. Wide-angle X-ray scattering enables us to further identify the mineral as being hydroxyapatite. Finally, growing E. coli cells on mineralizing medium supplemented with an ALP inhibitor demonstrates that ALP is essential for biofilm mineralization. This is confirmed with a bacteria-free model, where the deposition of a drop of bacterial ALP solution on calcium and β-glycerophosphate containing agar substrate is sufficient to induce mineralization. Overall, these results will benefit the development of strategies against diseases involving calcified biofilms as well as the engineering of biofilm-based living composites.
Semantic reconstruction of continuous language from non-invasive brain recordings
Authors: Tang Jerry , LeBel Amanda , Jain Shailee , Huth Alexander G. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractA brain-computer interface that decodes continuous language from non-invasive recordings would have many scientific and practical applications. Currently, however, decoders that reconstruct continuous language use invasive recordings from surgically implanted electrodes1–3, while decoders that use non-invasive recordings can only identify stimuli from among a small set of letters, words, or phrases4–7. Here we introduce a non-invasive decoder that reconstructs continuous natural language from cortical representations of semantic meaning8 recorded using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Given novel brain recordings, this decoder generates intelligible word sequences that recover the meaning of perceived speech, imagined speech, and even silent videos, demonstrating that a single language decoder can be applied to a range of semantic tasks. To study how language is represented across the brain, we tested the decoder on different cortical networks, and found that natural language can be separately decoded from multiple cortical networks in each hemisphere. As brain-computer interfaces should respect mental privacy9, we tested whether successful decoding requires subject cooperation, and found that subject cooperation is required both to train and to apply the decoder. Our study demonstrates that continuous language can be decoded from non-invasive brain recordings, enabling future multipurpose brain-computer interfaces.
The sulfonylpiperazine MMV020291 prevents red blood cell invasion by the malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparumthrough interference with actin-1/profilin dynamics
Authors: Dans Madeline G. , Piirainen Henni , Nguyen William , Khurana Sachin , Mehra Somya , Razook Zahra , Das Sujaan , Schneider Molly Parkyn , Jonsdottir Thorey K. , Gabriela Mikha , Gancheva Maria R. , Tonkin Christopher J. , Mollard Vanessa , Goodman Christopher Dean , McFadden Geoffrey I. , Wilson Danny W. , Barry Alyssa E. , Crabb Brendan S. , de Koning-Ward Tania F. , Sleebs Brad E. , Kursula Inari , Gilson Paul R. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWith emerging resistance to frontline treatments, it is vital that new antimalarial drugs are identified to targetPlasmodium falciparum. We have recently described a compound, MMV020291, as a specific inhibitor of red blood cell invasion, and have generated analogues with improved potency. Here, we identify actin and profilin as putative targets of the MMV020291 series through resistance selection and whole genome sequencing of three MMV020291 resistant populations. This revealed three non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in two genes; two inprofilin(N154Y, K124N) and a third one inactin-1(M356L). Using CRISPR-Cas9, we engineered these mutations into wildtype parasites which rendered them resistant to MMV020291. We demonstrate that MMV020291 reduces actin polymerisation that is required by the merozoite stage parasites to invade red blood cells. Additionally, the series inhibits the actin-1 dependent process of apicoplast segregation, leading to a delayed death phenotype.In vitroco-sedimentation experiments using recombinantP. falciparumactin-1 and profilin proteins indicate that potent MMV020291 analogues amplify the actin-monomer sequestering effect of profilin, thereby reducing the formation of filamentous actin. Altogether, this study identifies the first compound series targeting the actin-1/profilin interaction inP. falciparumand paves the way for future antimalarial development against the highly dynamic process of actin polymerisation.
The N-terminal extension of Arabidopsis ARGONAUTE 1 is essential for microRNA activities
Authors: Xu Ye , Zhang Yong , Li Zhenfang , Soloria Alyssa , Potter Savannah , Chen Xuemei 
Published: September 2022

AbstractmicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate target gene expression through their ARGONAUTE (AGO) effector protein, mainly AGO1 inArabidopsis thaliana. In addition to the highly conserved N, PAZ, MID and PIWI domains with known roles in RNA silencing, AGO1 contains a long, unstructured N-terminal extension (NTE) of little-known function. Here, we show that the NTE is indispensable for the functions of Arabidopsis AGO1, as a lack of the NTE leads to seedling lethality. Within the NTE, the region containing amino acids (a.a.) 91 to 189 is essential for rescuing anago1null mutant. Through global analyses of small RNAs, AGO1-associated small RNAs, and miRNA target gene expression, we show that the region containing a.a. 91-189 is required for the loading of miRNAs into AGO1. Moreover, we show that reduced nuclear partitioning of AGO1 did not affect its profiles of miRNA and ta-siRNA association. Furthermore, we show that the 1-to-90a.a. and 91-to-189a.a. regions of the NTE redundantly promote the activities of AGO1 in the biogenesis of trans-acting siRNAs. Together, we report novel roles of the NTE of Arabidopsis AGO1.
SIRT1 regulates DNA damage signaling through the PP4 phosphatase complex
Authors: Rasti George , Becker Maximilian , Vazquez Berta N. , Espinosa-Alcantud Maria , Fernández-Duran Irene , Gámez-García Andrés , Gonzalez-Nieto Jessica , Bosch-Presegué Laia , Marazuela-Duque Anna , Segura-Bayona Sandra , Ianni Alessandro , Bech-Serra Joan-Josep , Scher Michael , Serrano Lourdes , Shankavaram Uma , Erdjument-Bromage Hediye , Tempst Paul , Reinberg Danny , Olivella Mireia , Stracker Travis , de la Torre Carolina , Vaquero Alejandro 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTThe Sirtuin family of NAD+-dependent enzymes plays an important role in maintaining genome stability upon stress. Several mammalian Sirtuins have been linked directly or indirectly to the regulation of DNA damage during replication through Homologous recombination (HR). The role of one of them, SIRT1, is intriguing as it seems to have a general regulatory role in the DNA damage response (DDR) that has not yet been addressed. SIRT1-deficient cells show impaired DDR reflected in a decrease in repair capacity, increased genome instability and decreased levels of γH2AX. Here we unveil a close functional antagonism between SIRT1 and the PP4 phosphatase multiprotein complex in the regulation of the DDR. Upon DNA damage, SIRT1 interacts specifically with the catalytical subunit PP4c and promotes its inhibition by deacetylating the WH1 domain of the regulatory subunits PP4R3α/β. This in turn regulates γH2AX and RPA2 phosphorylation, two key events in the signaling of DNA damage and repair by HR. We propose a mechanism whereby during stress, SIRT1 signaling ensures a global control of DNA damage signaling through PP4.
Structural insights into Frizzled assembly by acylated Wnt and Frizzled Connector domain
Authors: Chang Tao-Hsin , Hsieh Fu-Lien , Harlos Karl , Jones E. Yvonne 
Published: September 2022

AbstractFrizzled (Fz1-10) serve as the principal cell surface receptors for Wnt signalling. Aberrant expression of Fz is associated with cancer and neurodegeneration. The N-terminal extracellular domains of Fz include Cysteine-Rich Domain (CRD), Connector, and Linker. How the palmitoleate moiety (PAM) modified Wnt bound to Fz transduces the extracellular signal across the membrane remains incomplete. Here, we report the structures of Fz4 CRD and Connector (Fz4CRD-Connector), in complex with PAM modified Wnt7a peptide (PAM peptide). Fz4CRD-Connector structures reveal an open-form of dimer – a flat-shaped hydrophobic groove to accommodate one PAM peptide at the dimer interface. Interestingly, the structure of Fz7CRD bound to PAM peptide shows a dimeric closed-form – a curved-shaped hydrophobic groove at the dimer interface for one PAM peptide bound. We also reveal that Fz4Connector has extensive interactions with Fz4CRD and contributes to the Fz4 function. The studies shed insight on the development of novel strategies to modulate Fz function.
Circadian regulation of macromolecular complex turnover and proteome renewal
Authors: Seinkmane Estere , Edmondson Anna , Peak-Chew Sew Y , Zeng Aiwei , Rzechorzek Nina M , James Nathan R , West James , Munns Jack , Wong David CS , Beale Andrew D , O’Neill John S 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTAlthough costly to maintain, protein homeostasis is indispensable for normal cellular function and long-term health. In mammalian cells and tissues, daily variation in global protein synthesis has been observed, but its utility and consequences for proteome integrity are not fully understood. Using several different pulse-labelling strategies, here we gain direct insight into the relationship between protein synthesis and abundance proteome-wide. We show that protein degradation varies in-phase with protein synthesis, facilitating rhythms in turnover rather than abundance. This results in daily consolidation of proteome renewal whilst minimising changes in composition. Coupled rhythms in synthesis and turnover are especially salient to the assembly of macromolecular protein complexes, particularly the ribosome, the most abundant species of complex in the cell. Daily turnover and proteasomal degradation rhythms render cells and mice more sensitive to proteotoxic stress at specific times of day, potentially contributing to daily rhythms in the efficacy of proteasomal inhibitors against cancer. Our findings suggest that circadian rhythms function to minimise the bioenergetic cost of protein homeostasis through temporal consolidation of protein turnover.
Examining rule-of-thumb consumption behavior in India: a note
Authors: Mohanti Debaditya , Banerjee Souvik 
Published: September 2022

Purpose
The present study aims to evaluate the aggregate consumption function from the perspective of the Euler equation using Indian macroeconomic data. Further, to examine the robustness of the findings for India, other developing nations are also studied.

Design/methodology/approach
Quarterly time-series data from 1996:1 to 2020:3 on consumption and income in India are used to evaluate the alternative model proposed by Campbell and Mankiw (1989). The alternative hypotheses in the present study are tested by estimating models using the instrumental variable approach. The lagged changes in the quarterly average of 91-day Treasury bill yields are used as the nominal interest rate instrumental variables along with other lagged instrumental variables.

Findings
The evidence presented in this study suggests that aggregate consumption is better explained when the permanent income model incorporates rule-of-thumb consumers, that is, individuals who consume their current income along with those who consume their permanent income.

Practical implications
The new rule-of-thumb framework better explains some of the observed phenomena, such as why the expected changes in consumption are related to the expected changes in income, why the expected changes in consumption are unrelated to real interest rates (i.e. why the intertemporal elasticity of substitution is near zero) and why a high consumption/income ratio is usually followed by an increase in income growth.

Originality/value
This study adds to the limited literature on the Euler-based consumption function in developing economies.
Personality traits and conflict management styles via job performance in higher education
Authors: Soomro Bahadur Ali , Saraih Ummi Naiemah , Ahmad Tunku Salha Tunku 
Published: September 2022

PurposeThis study aims to examine the direct and indirect relationships between Personality Traits (PTs) and Conflict Management Styles (CMSs) through Job Performance (JP) in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThis is a quantitative study that employed a survey questionnaire to collect cross-sectional data from academic leaders of Pakistan's Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). The researchers derived this study's findings from 320 useable responses.FindingsThe authors used a Structural Equation Model (SEM) which shows a positive and significant effect of agreeableness on Integrating Styles (IS), Avoiding Styles (AS), Obliging Styles (OS), Compromising Styles (CS) and Dominating Styles (DS). Extraversion has a positive and significant effect on IS, OS, DS and CS. Emotional Stability (ES) is the positive and significant predictor of IS, AS, OS and CS. The conscientiousness trait has a positive and significant effect in predicting IS, OS, DS, CS and AS. Likewise, openness has a positive and significant effect on IS, OS, DS and CS. On the other hand, extraversion and openness have a negative and insignificant effect on AS. Finally, amongst HEIs' academic leaders ES is the negative and insignificant predictor of DS.Practical implicationsThis study's findings offer additional insights into understanding the direct and indirect connections between PTs and CMSs through JP. These support the development of effective policies and organizational arrangements to resolve and manage conflict and employee behaviours. Finally, through another contribution of empirical evidence, these findings further enrich the worth of the literature.Originality/valueThis study’s findings provide both, directly and indirectly, the original contributions of Pakistan’s HEIs’ academic leaders PTs and CMSs.