bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in whole-body regeneration between Botrylloides morphs and species
Authors: Temiz Berivan , Wilson Megan J. 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTRegeneration is a characteristic of the animal kingdom, and regenerative capacity is limited to higher taxonomical levels. In contrast, some basal animals like urochordates maintain a unique regeneration capacity, such as undergoing whole-body regeneration (WBR), an ability not observed in other chordates. Botryllids are colonial urochordates that can recreate new bodies through WBR from solely vascular tissue within ~2 weeks. To date, some species from the botryllid family were reported to orchestrate WBR, including B. diegensis. This study provided two novel records of WBR of B. jacksonianum and B. aff. anceps along with the two distinct morphs of B. diegensis. Interestingly, B. aff. anceps executed twin-body regeneration while this was limited to one-body for B. jacksonianum and B. diegensis. Histological sections validate the formation of multiple niches during WBR. Furthermore, the process of regeneration is phenotypically more similar between B. aff. anceps and B. diegensis. In contrast, the type of WBR in B. jacksonianum is similar to vascular budding as the niches were built from the vascular epithelium without undergoing significant tissue remodelling.
Three consecutive glycolysis enzymes are involved in autophagic flux regulation through monitoring nutrient availability
Authors: Lee Du-Hwa , Choi Ilyeong , Park Seung Jun , Kim Sumin , Choi Min-Soo , Lee Ho-Seok , Pai Hyun-Sook 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAutophagy serves as an important recycling route for growth and survival of eukaryotic organisms in nutrient-deficient conditions. When confronted with starvation, metabolic flux is coordinated by individual metabolic enzymes. Given that the metabolic diversity of carbon in eukaryotes is related to their lifestyle, autophagy may be modulated by metabolic enzymes by monitoring carbon flux. Here, we attempted to identify carbon metabolic genes that modulate autophagy using VIGS screening of 45 glycolysis- and the Calvin-Benson cycle-related genes. We report here that three consecutive triose-phosphate-processing enzymes involved in the cytosolic glycolysis, TPI (triose-phosphate-isomerase), GAPC (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), and PGK (phosphoglycerate kinase), designated TGP, negatively regulate autophagy. Depletion of TGP enzymes result in spontaneous autophagy induction and increases ATG1 kinase activity. TGP enzymes interact with ATG101, a regulatory component of the ATG1 kinase complex. Spontaneous autophagy induction and abnormal growth under insufficient sugar in the TGP mutants is suppressed by crossing with the atg101 mutant. Considering that triose-phosphates are photosynthates transported to the cytosol from active chloroplasts, the TGP enzymes may be strategically positioned to monitor the flow of photosynthetic sugars and modulate autophagy accordingly. Collectively, these results suggest that TGP enzymes negatively control autophagy acting upstream of the ATG1 complex, which is critical for seedling development.
Genetic screens identified dual roles of MAST kinase and CREB within a single thermosensory neuron in the regulation of C. elegans thermotaxis behavior
Authors: Nakano Shunji , Nakayama Airi , Kuroyanagi Hiroo , Yamashiro Riku , Tsukada Yuki , Mori Ikue 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAnimals integrate sensory stimuli presented at the past and present, assess the changes in their surroundings and navigate themselves toward preferred environment. Identifying the molecular and circuit mechanisms of such sensory integration is pivotal to understand how the nervous system generates perception and behavior. Previous studies on thermotaxis behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans suggested that a single thermosensory neuron AFD plays an essential role in integrating the past and present temperature information and is essential for the neural computation that drives the animal toward the preferred temperature region. However, the molecular mechanisms by which AFD executes this neural function remained elusive. Here we report multiple forward genetic screens to identify genes required for thermotaxis. We reveal that kin-4, which encodes the C. elegans homolog of MAST kinase, plays dual roles in thermotaxis and can promote both cryophilic and thermophilic drives. We also uncover that a thermophilic defect of mutants for mec-2, which encodes a C. elegans homolog of stomatin, can be suppressed by a loss-of-function mutation in the gene crh-1, encoding a C. elegans homolog CREB transcription factor. Calcium imaging analysis from freely-moving animals suggest that mec-2 and crh-1 function in AFD and regulate the neuronal activity of its post-synaptic interneuron AIY. Our results suggest that a stomatin family protein can control the dynamics of neural circuitry through the transcriptional regulation within a sensory neuron.
Why Daily SARS-CoV-2 Nasal Rapid Antigen Testing Poorly Detects Infected and Infectious Individuals
Authors: Winnett Alexander Viloria , Akana Reid , Shelby Natasha , Davich Hannah , Caldera Saharai , Yamada Taikun , Reyna John Raymond B. , Romano Anna E. , Carter Alyssa M. , Kim Mi Kyung , Thomson Matt , Tognazzini Colten , Feaster Matthew , Goh Ying-Ying , Chew Yap Ching , Ismagilov Rustem F. 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn a recent household-transmission study of SARS-CoV-2, we found extreme differences in SARS-CoV-2 viral loads among paired saliva, anterior-nares swab (ANS) and oropharyngeal swab specimens collected from the same timepoint. We hypothesized these differences may hinder low-analytical-sensitivity assays (including antigen rapid diagnostic tests, Ag-RDTs) using a single specimen type (e.g., ANS) from reliably detecting infected and infectious individuals.MethodsWe evaluated a daily at-home ANS Ag-RDT (Quidel QuickVue) in a cross-sectional analysis of 228 individuals and in a longitudinal analysis (throughout infection) of 17 individuals enrolled early in the course of infection. Ag-RDT results were compared to RT-qPCR results and high, presumably infectious viral loads (in each, or any, specimen type).ResultsThe ANS Ag-RDT correctly detected only 44% of timepoints from infected individuals on cross-sectional analysis, and in this population had an inferred limit of detection of 7.6×106copies/mL. From the longitudinal cohort, daily Ag-RDT clinical sensitivity was very low (<3%) during the early, pre-infectious period of the infection. Further, the Ag-RDT detected ≤63% of presumably infectious timepoints. The poor observed clinical sensitivity of the Ag-RDT was similar to what was predicted based on quantitative ANS viral loads and the inferred limit of detection of the ANS Ag-RDT being evaluated, indicating high-quality self-sampling.ConclusionNasal Ag-RDTs, even when used daily, can miss individuals infected with the Omicron variant and even those presumably infectious. Evaluations of Ag-RDT detection of infected or infectious individuals should be compared with a composite (multi-specimen) infection status to correctly assess performance.Key pointsNasal-swab rapid antigen tests have low analytical sensitivity and the sampling of only the nasal cavity hinders their ability to detect infected individuals, including those with high and presumably infectious viral loads in throat or saliva specimens.
Long COVID in Cancer patients: Preponderance of Symptoms in Majority of Patients over Long Time Period
Authors: Dagher Hiba , Chaftari Anne-Marie , Subbiah Ishwaria M. , Malek Alexandre E. , Jiang Ying , Lamie Peter , Granwehr Bruno , John Teny , Yepez Eduardo , Borjan Jovan , Reyes Cielito , Flores Mary , Khawaja Fareed , Pande Mala , Ali Noman , Rojo Raniv , Karp Daniel D. , Hachem Ray , Raad Issam 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundAn increasing number of observational studies have reported the persistence of symptoms following recovery from acute COVID-19 disease in non-cancer patients. The long-term consequences of COVID-19 are not fully understood particularly in the cancer patient population. The purpose of this study is to assess post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) in cancer patients following acute COVID-19 recovery.MethodsWe identified cancer patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center who were diagnosed with COVID-19 disease between March 1, 2020 and Sept 1, 2020 and followed them till May 2021. To assess PASC, we collected patients reported outcomes through questionnaires that were sent to patients daily for 14 days after COVID-19 diagnosis then weekly for 3 months, and then monthly thereafter. We also reviewed patients’ electronic medical records to capture the the persistence or emergence of new COVID19-related symptoms reported during any clinic or hospital encounter beyond 30 days of the acute illness and up to 14 months.ResultsWe included 312 cancer patients with a median age of 57 years (18-86). The majority of patients had solid tumors (75%). Of the 312 patients, 188 (60%) reported long COVID-19 symptoms with a median duration of 7 months and up to 14 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. The most common symptoms reported included fatigue (82%), sleep disturbances (78%), myalgias (67%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (61%), followed by headache, altered smell or taste, dyspnea (47%) and cough (46%). A higher number of females reported a persistence of symptoms compared to males (63% vs 37%; p=0.036). Cancer type, neutropenia, lymphocytopenia, and hospital admission during acute COVID-19 disease were comparable in both groups. Among the 188 patients with PASC, only 16 (8.5%) were readmitted for COVID-related reasons.ConclusionsMore than one out of two cancer patients, and more likely females, report PASC that may persist beyond 6 months and even one year. The most common symptoms are non-respiratory and consist of fatigue, sleep disturbance, myalgia and gastro-intestinal symptoms. Most of the cancer patients with PASC were managed on outpatient basis with only 8,5% requiring a COVID-19 related re-admission.
Procalcitonin for Antimicrobial Stewardship Among Cancer Patients Admitted with COVID-19
Authors: Dagher Hiba , Chaftari Anne-Marie , Mulanovich Patricia , Jiang Ying , Hachem Ray , Malek Alexandre E. , Borjan Jovan , Viola George M. , Raad Issam 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundProcalcitonin (PCT) has been used to guide antibiotic therapy in bacterial infections. We aimed to determine the role of PCT in decreasing the duration of empiric antibiotic therapy among cancer patients admitted with COVID-19.MethodsThis retrospective study included cancer patients admitted to our institution for COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and June 28, 2021, with a PCT test done within 72 hours after admission. Patients were divided into 2 groups: PCT <0.25 ng/ml and PCT ≥0.25 ng/ml. We assessed pertinent cultures, antibacterial use, and duration of empiric antibacterial therapy.ResultsThe study included 530 patients (median age, 62 years [range, 13-91]). All the patients had ≥1 culture test within 7 days following admission. Patients with PCT <0.25 ng/ml were less likely to have a positive culture than were those with PCT ≥0.25 ng/ml (6% [20/358] vs 17% [30/172]; p<0.0001). PCT <0.25 ng/ml had a high negative predictive value for bacteremia and 30-day mortality. Patients with PCT <0.25 ng/ml were less likely to receive intravenous (IV) antibiotics for >72 hours than were patients with PCT ≥0.25 ng/ml (45% [162/358] vs 69% [119/172]; p<0.0001). Among patients with PCT <0.25 ng/ml and negative cultures, 30-day mortality was similar between those who received IV antibiotics for ≥72 hours and those who received IV antibiotics for shorter durations (2% [2/111] vs 3% [5/176], p=0.71).ConclusionsAmong cancer patients with COVID-19, PCT level <0.25 ng/ml is associated with lower likelihood of bacterial co-infection and greater likelihood of a shorter antibiotic course. In patients with PCT level <0.25 ng/ml and negative cultures, an antibiotic course of > 72 hours is unnecessary. PCT could be useful in enhancing antimicrobial stewardship in cancer patients with COVID-19.
Effect of psilocybin on marble-burying in ICR mice: Role of 5-HT1A receptors and implications for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Botvinnik Alexander , Shahar Orr , Wolf Gilly , Yakobi Corel , Saban Michal , Salama Adham , Lotan Amit , Lerer Bernard , Lifschytz Tzuri 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundPreliminary clinical findings, supported by preclinical studies employing behavioral paradigms such as marble-burying, suggest that psilocybin may be effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder.AimsTo explore 1) the role of 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors in the effect of psilocybin on marble-burying; 2) the effect of staggered versus bolus psilocybin administration and persistence of the effect; 3) the effect of the 5-HT1A partial agonist, buspirone, on marble-burying and the head-twitch response (HTR) induced by psilocybin, a rodent correlate of psychedelic effects.MethodsMale ICR mice were administered psilocybin 4.4 mg/kg, escitalopram 5 mg/kg, 8-OH-DPAT 2 mg/kg, M100907 2 mg/kg, buspirone 5 mg/kg, WAY100635 2 mg/kg or combinations, intraperitoneally, and were tested on the MBT. HTR was examined in a magnetometer-based assay.Results1) Psilocybin and escitalopram significantly reduced marble-burying. The effect of psilocybin was not attenuated by the 5-HT2A antagonist, M100907. The 5-HT1A agonist, 8-OH-DPAT reduced marble-burying as did the 5-HT1A partial agonist, buspirone. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT was additive to that of psilocybin but that of buspirone was not. The 5-HT1A antagonist, WAY100635, attenuated the effect of 8-OH-DPAT and buspirone but not the effect of psilocybin. 2) Psilocybin injections over 3.5 hours had no effect on marble-burying and the effect of bolus injection was not persistent. 3) Co-administration of buspirone with psilocybin blocked its effect on HTRConclusionsNeither 5-HT2A nor 5-HT1A receptors are pivotally implicated in the effect of psilocybin on marble-burying. Co-administration with buspirone may block the psychedelic effects of psilocybin without impeding its anti-obsessional effects.
The genome of the oomycete Peronosclerospora sorghi, a cosmopolitan pathogen of maize and sorghum, is inflated with dispersed pseudogenes
Authors: Fletcher Kyle , Martin Frank , Isakeit Thomas , Cavanaugh Keri , Magill Clint , Michelmore Richard 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSeveral species in the oomycete genus Peronosclerospora cause downy mildew on maize and can result in significant yield losses in Asia. Biosurveillance of these pathogens is a high priority to prevent epidemics on maize in the US and consequent damage to the US economy. The unresolved taxonomy and dearth of molecular resources for Peronosclerospora spp. hinder these efforts. P. sorghi is a pathogen of sorghum and maize with a global distribution, for which limited diversity has been detected in the southern USA. We characterized the genome, transcriptome, and mitogenome of an isolate, representing the US pathotype 6. The highly homozygous genome was assembled using 10x Genomics linked reads and scaffolded using Hi-C into 13 chromosomes. The total assembled length was 319.6 Mb—larger than any other oomycete previously assembled. The mitogenome was 38 kb, similar in size to other oomycetes, although it had a unique gene order. Nearly 20,000 genes were annotated in the nuclear genome, more than described for other downy mildew causing oomycetes. The 13 chromosomes of P. sorghi were highly syntenic with the 17 chromosomes of Peronospora effusa with conserved centromeric regions and distinct chromosomal fusions. The increased assembly size and gene count of P. sorghi is due to extensive retrotransposition, resulting in putative pseudogenization. Ancestral genes had higher transcript abundance and were enriched for differential expression. This study provides foundational resources for analysis of Peronosclerospora and comparisons to other oomycete genera. Further genomic studies of global Peronosclerospora spp. will determine the suitability of the mitogenome, ancestral genes, and putative pseudogenes for marker development and taxonomic relationships.
M1 and M2 macrophages differentially regulate colonic crypt renewal
Authors: Raveenthiraraj Sathuwarman , Awanis Griselda , Chieppa Marcello , Sobolewski Anastasia 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe colonic epithelium is the most rapidly renewing tissue in the body and is organized into a single cell layer of invaginations called crypts. Crypt renewal occurs through Lgr5+ gut stem cells situated at the crypt base, which divide, produce daughter cells that proliferate, migrate, differentiate into all the cells required for normal gut function (eg. Goblet cells, enterocytes), and are finally shed into the crypt lumen. In health this rapid renewal helps maintain barrier function next to the hostile gut luminal environment that contains microbes and food. In parallel, the peri-cryptal lamina propria hosts the largest monocyte-derived macrophage population in the human body. Different macrophage phenotypes have been associated with intestinal health/intact barrier function, namely M2 compared to M1 macrophages that indicate inflammation/compromised barrier function. However, the direct effect of different macrophage subtypes have on colonic crypt renewal is not well understood. In this study we have utilized a reductionist 3D in vitro co-culture model to determine the regulatory capacity of M1 and M2 macrophages on colonic crypt renewal. We show that colonic crypt proliferation is increased in the presence of M1 or M2 macrophages, while we further demonstrate that a decrease in goblet and tuft cell expression as well as an increase in Lgr5+ stem cell numbers is only achieved through M1-crypt crosstalk in a contact dependent manner.
Generic Purpose Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics Mathematical Model For Nanomedicine Targeted Drug Delivery: Mouse Model
Authors: Lazebnik Teddy , Weitman Hanna , Kaminka Gal A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPharmaceutical nanoparticles (NPs) carrying molecular payloads are used for medical purposes such as diagnosis and medical treatment. Currently, the research process of discovering a new applicative candidate for efficient clinical treatment is a time- and resource-consuming process due to the uncertainty of how NP behaves which requires a large number of experiments to study the properties of NPs-based drugs for clinical usage. In silico experiments are known to be powerful tools for studying biological and clinical systems and evaluating a drug’s efficiency, which can significantly reduce the number of in vivo experiments required. To this extent, in this study, we present a novel spatio-temporal pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PKPD) model of NPs based drugs. The proposed model takes into consideration the blood flow in the cardiovascular system as well as PKPD dynamics taking place during the drug’s flow and in the target sites. We show that the proposed model has a better fidelity compared to previous models on five in vivo experiments with 13 different NPs, done on mice.
Placement of new comb cells built by honeybees is guided by sub-cell scale features to align with the existing layout
Authors: Gallo Vincent , Bridges Alice , Woodgate Joseph , Chittka Lars 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe comb of honeybees has long been the subject of curiosity and admiration. Its noteworthy features include the even hexagonal layout and the sharing of walls, both side walls and bases, that provide a maximum storage volume while using a minimum of wax for its construction. The efficiency of its structure relies on a regular layout where cells are positioned correctly relative to each other. Each new cell should be placed exactly between two previously constructed cells, a task made more difficult by the incomplete nature of cells at the edge of comb where the new ones are to be built. By offering bees shaped wax stimuli we have identified sub-cell scale shapes that trigger certain patterns of behaviour by honeycomb construction workers. These behaviours, we found, cause the creation of a new cell to be aligned to small concavities and for cell walls to be built mid-way between two such stimuli. We show that by responding to the form of partially constructed comb, the bees build the next iteration of cells and walls at the locations necessary for the repeated pattern of cells to continue.
The neural determinants of abstract beauty
Authors: Rasche Samuel E. , Beyh Ahmad , Paolini Marco , Zeki Semir 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWe have enquired into the neural activity which correlates with the experience of beauty aroused by abstract paintings consisting of arbitrary assemblies of lines and colours. During the brain imaging experiments, subjects rated abstract paintings according to aesthetic appeal. There was low agreement on the aesthetic classification of these paintings among participants. Univariate analyses revealed higher activity with higher declared aesthetic appeal in both the visual areas and the medial frontal cortex. Additionally, representational similarity analysis (RSA) revealed that the experience of beauty correlated with decodable patterns of activity in visual areas. These results are broadly similar to those obtained in previous studies on facial beauty. With abstract art, it was the involvement of visual areas implicated in the processing of lines and colours while with faces it was of visual areas implicated in the processing of faces. Both categories of aesthetic experience correlated with increased activity in medial frontal cortex. We conclude that the sensory areas participate in the selection of stimuli according to aesthetic appeal and that it is the co-operative activity between the sensory areas and the medial frontal cortex that is the basis for the experience of abstract visual beauty. Further, this co-operation is enabled by “experience dependent” functional connections, in the sense that currently the existence and high specificity of these connections can only be demonstrated during certain experiences.
Honeycomb cell walls are plastic; initially built as curves the walls are reformed by bees during subsequent construction
Authors: Gallo Vincent , Bridges Alice , Woodgate Joseph , Chittka Lars 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHoneybee comb comprises recognisable hexagons, each with straight sides. Not only are the cell side-walls flat, but so too are those that form the base of cells; base faces which are shared with cells on the opposite face of the comb. The mechanism by which bees build cells with flat sides has been the subject of speculation for centuries, but it has been conjectured by Kepler, Darwin as well as more recent researchers that bees build cylindrical cells that are transformed into flat sided prisms, without consensus as to the process by which this is achieved. By offering bees shaped wax stimuli and observing the comb that was built upon them, we have shown that under certain conditions walls will be curved and others where walls are reformed to be flat. A wall of a cell, be it a side-wall or a face of the base, with no other cell beyond it will be built as a convex curve whereas a wall with a cell to both sides will be formed flat. Furthermore, we show that these walls are plastic; walls that were initially built curved were re-shaped to be flat once a second adjacent cell had been built.