bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Take a deep BReath: Manipulating brassinosteroid homeostasis helps cereals adapt to environmental stress
Authors: Zolkiewicz Karolina , Gruszka Damian 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Global climate change leads to the increased occurrence of environmental stress (including drought and heat stress) during the vegetative and reproductive stages of cereal crop development. Thus, more attention should be given to developing new cereal cultivars with improved tolerance to environmental stress. However, during the development of new stress-tolerant cereal cultivars, the balance between improved stress responses (which occur at the expense of growth) and plant yield needs to be maintained. Thus, the urgent need for developing new cereal germplasm with improved stress tolerance could be fulfilled using semidwarf cereal mutants defective in brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis or signaling. BRs are steroid phytohormones that regulate various developmental and physiological processes throughout the plant life cycle. Mutants defective in BR biosynthesis or responses show reduced plant height (dwarfism or semi-dwarfism). Importantly, numerous reports indicate that genetic modification or biotechnological manipulation of BR biosynthesis or signaling genes in cereals such as rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and barley (Hordeum vulgare), which are of crucial importance for global agriculture, may facilitate the development of cereal germplasm with improved stress tolerance. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the genetic manipulation of BR homeostasis in the above-mentioned cereal crops aimed at improving plant responses to various environmental stresses, such as drought, salinity, oxidative stress, thermal stress, and biotic stresses. We highlight target BR-related genes and the effects of genetic manipulation (gene editing, overexpression, and silencing or microRNA-mediated regulation) on plant adaptability to various stresses and provide future perspectives.
Saddle-Point Approximation to the False-Vacuum Decay at Finite Temperature in 1D Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Harada Koji , Tao Shuichiro , Yin Qiang 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
We calculate the false-vacuum decay rate in 1D quantum mechanics on the basis of the saddle-point approximation in the Euclidean path integral at finite temperature. The saddle points are the finite-T and shifted bounce solutions, which are finite-period analogs of the (zero-temperature) bounce solution, and the shot solutions. We reexamine the zero-temperature result by Callan and Coleman and compare it with the zero-temperature limit of our results. We also perform some numerical calculations to illustrate the temperature dependence of the decay rate and compare it with the result by Affleck.
Euler Systems and Selmer Bounds for GU(2,1)
Authors: Manji Muhammad 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACT
We investigate properties of the Euler system associated with certain automorphic representations of the unitary similitude group GU(2,1) with respect to an imaginary quadratic field E, constructed by Loeffler–Skinner–Zerbes. By adapting Mazur and Rubin’s Euler system machinery we prove one divisibility of the ‘rank 1’ Iwasawa main conjecture under some mild hypotheses. When p is split in E we also prove a ‘rank 0’ statement of the main conjecture, bounding a particular Selmer group in terms of a p-adic distribution conjecturally interpolating complex L-values. We then prove descended versions of these results, at the integral level, where we bound certain Bloch–Kato Selmer groups. We will also discuss the case where p is inert, which is a work in progress.
Enforcing Chinese charitable trusts
Authors: Zhang Wanyi , Jing Hui 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This article examines the enforcement mechanisms of Chinese charitable trusts, highlighting the limitations of public law enforcement by civil affairs departments due to resource constraints. Through a comparative analysis of the English particular interest rule, it explores alternative enforcement frameworks, arguing that the beneficiary–recipient debate, while academically insightful, does not address practical enforcement challenges. The study suggests that the public law elements of charitable trusts necessitate a flexible, context-sensitive enforcement approach. For Chinese courts, the focus should be on whether supporting a plaintiff-charitable trust beneficiary’s claim ensures proper management of trust property and preserves the public benefit.
Heat stress matters: insights from United States swine producers
Authors: Johnson Jay S , Stewart Kara R 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Heat stress (HS) is widely recognized by researchers and veterinarians as a major issue impacting swine health, productivity, and welfare, but there is limited understanding of how HS is perceived and managed at the farm level. Therefore, the study objective was to assess U.S. swine farm managers’ perceptions of HS impacts, thresholds, and management for multiple pig categories including preweaned pigs, nursery pigs, grow-finish pigs, market pigs, nonpregnant and gestating sows, lactating sows, and mature boars. Sixty-two swine farm managers completed an electronic Qualtrics survey, presented in both English and Spanish, which included questions on perceived HS thresholds, ventilation setpoints, mitigation practices, and environmental management support tools. Respondents rated their agreement with HS impacts on productivity, health, and welfare using a Likert scale, and Pearson’s correlations were used to establish relationships between responses. A majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that HS negatively affects pig productivity (87.1%), health (83.9%), and welfare (85.5%). However, perceived HS thresholds were variable across pig categories including preweaning pigs (31.22 ± 3.59 °C), nursery pigs (31.46 ± 3.79 °C), grow-finish pigs (28.16 ± 4.27 °C), market pigs (26.22 ± 5.56 °C), nonpregnant sows (27.77 ± 3.81 °C), gestating sows (26.99 ± 3.34 °C), lactating sows (26.71 ± 3.08 °C) and mature boars (26.61 ± 3.99 °C). The standard deviations for reported thresholds ranged from ±3.08 to ±5.56 °C, underscoring the variability in perceptions among respondents. This variability extended to ventilation temperature setpoints with high ventilation temperature setpoints of 24.34 ± 3.75 °C and 25.41 ± 2.80 °C, and low ventilation temperature setpoints of 17.32 ± 3.10 °C and 18.86 ± 2.96 °C for gestation barns and farrowing barns, respectively. Finally, a majority of producers (64.5%) agreed or strongly agreed that a decision support tool for improved HS management would be beneficial to their operation. Producer responses emphasize the need for clearer guidelines and more consistent application of HS management practices to optimize swine health, productivity, and welfare across different production stages.
Drought-responsive transcriptional regulations and expressional marker genes of Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D. Don
Authors: Nagano Soichiro , Nose Mine , Takashima Yuya , Matsushita Michinari , Hiraoka Yuichiro , Hirao Tomonori 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The selection of plant genotypes characterized by wellness and stable growth under drought-stress conditions amid ongoing climate change is an important challenge in forest tree breeding. The introduction of molecular markers will enable efficient selection of breeding materials that are resistant to drought stress in forest trees as well as in crop species. Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica (Thunb. ex L.f.) D. Don, the most dominant forest species in Japan, grows well on mesic sites and is characterized by intraspecific variation in its drought-stress response. Here, we analyzed the physiological characteristics and gene expression profiles of multiple C. japonica genotypes under both control and drought-stress conditions to identify drought-responsive genes and develop gene expression markers that could assess the physiological status of cuttings based on their gene expression responses to dehydration. The two representative genes that showed a large expressional change in the later period after water withholding were both homologs of COR47, a gene in the dehydrin protein family, and of ERF016, a member of the dehydration-responsive element-binding transcription factor family in Arabidopsis. We developed both intermediate- and small-scale sets of gene-expression analysis platforms that allowed us to correlate gene expression with the physiological responses of cuttings to drought. The results highlight the potential to assess the environmental adaptability with gene expression analysis in C. japonica.
Proteomics- and metabolomics-based analysis of the regulation of germination in Norway maple and sycamore embryonic axes
Authors: Kalemba Ewa Marzena , Dufour Sara , Gevaert Kris , Impens Francis , Meimoun Patrice 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Norway maple and sycamore belong to the Acer genus and produce desiccation-tolerant and desiccation-sensitive seeds, respectively. We investigated the seed germination process at the imbibed and germinated stages using metabolomic and proteomic approaches to determine why sycamore seeds germinate earlier and are more successful at establishing seedlings than Norway maple seeds under controlled conditions. Embryonic axes and embryonic axes with protruded radicles were analyzed at the imbibed and germinated stages, respectively. Among the 212 identified metabolites, 44 and 67 differentially abundant metabolites were found at the imbibed and germinated stages, respectively, in both Acer species. Higher levels of amines, growth and defense stimulants, including B vitamins, were found in sycamore. We identified 611 and 447 proteins specific to the imbibed and germinated stages, respectively, in addition to groups of proteins expressed at different levels. Functional analysis of significantly regulated proteins revealed that proteins with catalytic and binding activity were enriched during germination, and proteins possibly implicated in nitrogen metabolism and metabolite interconversion enzymes were the predominant classes. Proteins associated with the control of plant growth regulation and seed defense were observed in both species at both germination stages. Sycamore proteins possibly involved in abscisic acid signal transduction pathway, stress tolerance and alleviation, ion binding and oxygenase activities appeared to accompany germination in sycamore. We identified peptides containing methionine (Met) oxidized to methionine sulfoxide (MetO), and functional analyses of proteins with significantly regulated MetO sites revealed that translation, plant growth and development and metabolism of nitrogen compounds were the main processes under Met/MetO redox control. We propose that higher levels of storage proteins and amines, together with higher levels of B vitamins, supported more efficient nitrogen utilization in sycamore, resulting in faster seedling growth. In conclusion, omic signatures identified in sycamore seem to predispose germinated sycamore seeds to better postgerminative growth.
Arginine demethylation of Serine/Arginine‐rich splicing factor 1 enhances miRNA enrichment in small extracellular vesicles derived from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Bhandari Kritisha , Kong Jeng Shi , Ho Wang‐Ting Tina , Bourne Philip C. , Mooers Blaine H. M. , Ding Wei‐Qun 
Published: January 2025

AbstractSmall extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are enriched in certain miRNAs, impacting the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The mechanisms involved in the selective sEV miRNA enrichment remain to be elucidated. We recently reported that Serine/Arginine‐rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) regulates selective sEV miRNA enrichment in PDAC cells. SRSF1 is an onco‐protein that is overexpressed in PDAC, and its function is dictated by posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation and arginine methylation. The objective of this study was to examine the role of phosphorylation and arginine methylation in SRSF1‐mediated sEV miRNA enrichment in PDAC cells. Treatment of PDAC cells with the protein arginine methyltransferase inhibitors AMI‐5 and EPZ015666, but not with the phosphorylation inhibitor SRPIN340, selectively enhanced the level of sEV miR‐1246, a miRNA known to be highly enriched in PDAC sEVs. Consistently, overexpression of the mutant SRSF1 with the three arginine residues R93, R97, and R109 being replaced with lysinaugmented sEV miR‐1246 levels in both wild‐type and SRSF1‐knockdown PANC‐1 cells. Interestingly, the binding of SRSF1 to miR‐1246 was significantly reduced in PDAC cells overexpressing the mutant SRSF1, which was further confirmed using purified wild‐type and the mutant SRSF1 proteins. We demonstrate that arginine demethylation of SRSF1 reduces SRSF1‐miRNA binding in PDAC cells and enhances selective sEV miRNA enrichment, providing novel insight into SRSF1‐mediated sEV miRNA enrichment in PDAC cells and opening up new avenues of investigation on the biology and function of extracellular vesicles in PDAC.
The crucial role of CEMIP in cancer metastasis: Mechanistic insights and clinical implications
Authors: Ko Yeo Gyeong , Jo Jung Hyun , Song Si Young , Lee Hee Seung 
Published: January 2025

AbstractCancer metastasis is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths, making early detection and the prevention of metastatic progression critical research priorities. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of CEMIP (KIAA1199, HYBID), revealing its involvement in cancer metastasis and its potential role in slowing cancer progression. CEMIP plays critical roles in several stages of cancer metastasis: First, CEMIP promotes cancer cell proliferation to maintain cell heterogeneity before the metastasis process. Second, it facilitates cancer cell detachment by promoting the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) through alterations in signaling pathways. Third, CEMIP contributes to cancer cell adherence and attachment by enabling cells to withstand cell death (anoikis and ferroptosis) and hypoxia. Fourth, during the invasion process, CEMIP induces hyaluronan depolymerization and further modulates signaling to promote EMT. Lastly, in the pre‐metastatic niche, CEMIP influences the tumor microenvironment through hypoxia, angiogenesis, signaling pathway changes, and hyaluronan degradation. Recent studies have focused on leveraging CEMIP as a diagnostic tool or a predictor of metastasis and/or targeting CEMIP to overcome cancer resistance and progression. This review aims to explore the role of CEMIP at each stage of cancer metastasis and highlight recent advances in targeting CEMIP to inhibit cancer progression.
Alterations in the inflammatory homeostasis of aging‐related cardiac dysfunction and Alzheimer's diseases
Authors: Huang Shuli , Nunez Jeremiah , Toresco Dai Lan , Wen Changhong , Slotabec Lily , Wang Hao , Zhang Haibei , Rouhi Nadiyeh , Adenawoola Michael I. , Li Ji 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is well known among the elderly and has a profound impact on both patients and their families. Increasing research indicates that AD is a systemic disease, with a strong connection to cardiovascular disease. They share common genetic factors, such as mutations in the presenilin (PS1 and PS2) and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genes. Cardiovascular conditions can lead to reduced cerebral blood flow and increased oxidative stress. These factors contribute to the accumulation of Aβ plaques and the formation of abnormal tau protein tangles, which are both key pathological features of AD. Additionally, Aβ deposits and abnormal protein responses have been observed in cardiomyocytes as well as in peripheral tissues. The toxic Aβ deposition intensifies damage to the microvascular structure associated with blood–brain barrier disruption and the initiation of neuroinflammation, which may accelerate the onset of neurocognitive deficits and cardiovascular dysfunction. Thus, we discuss the main mechanisms linking AD and cardiac dysfunction to enhance our understanding of these conditions. Ultimately, insights into the brain–heart axis may help us develop effective treatment strategies in the future.
Klotho mutation does not accelerate intervertebral disc aging in mice
Authors: Hong Justin , Shah Veeraj , Krishnan Ravi , Gomez‐Stallons M. Victoria , Poudel Sunil , Yutzey Katherine E. , Dahia Chitra L. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAging is a risk factor for several chronic conditions, including intervertebral disc degeneration and associated back pain. Disc pathologies include loss of reticular‐shaped nucleus pulposus cells, disorganization of annulus fibrosus lamellae, reduced disc height, and increased disc bulging. Sonic hedgehog, cytokeratin 19, and extracellular matrix proteins are markers of healthy disc. Preclinical murine models help understand cellular and molecular mechanisms of disc pathologies and the associated neurological symptoms. Klotho (Kl) is a known anti‐aging gene. Kl‐deficient mice (KlKl/KlKl) have a reduced lifespan and display accelerated aging phenotypes in several tissues, including the kidney, pancreas, bone, and brain. To test the suitability of KlKl/KlKl mice for studying accelerated disc pathologies, we characterized the lumbar discs of eight‐week‐old KlKl/KlKl mice compared to wild‐type controls. No structural, morphological, or molecular differences were observed in the discs of KlKl/KlKl mice compared to controls. Next, we tested the hypothesis that KlKl/KlKl mice do not display accelerated disc pathologies due to the absence of Kl expression or response by disc cells. Multiplex qPCR analysis did not detect any Kl isoforms in the disc cells, explaining the absence of disc phenotype in KlKl/KlKl mutants.
A qualitative analysis of PA leaders in Kentucky
Authors: Gadd Noah , Wright Whitney , Dooley Jena , Stumbo Hannah , Marshall Emily , Ewers Will , Valentin Virginia L. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To describe Kentucky's physician associate/assistant (PA) leadership pathway and provide advice for individual leadership trajectories.

Methods:
A qualitative study using semistructured interviews and inductive coding methodology to identify themes of PA leaders.

Results:
Participants were primarily female (76.2%), ages 35 to 44 years (52.4%), and White (90.5%). They were primarily nonclinical (38.1%), described achieving their current leadership role by pursuing opportunities (42.9%), showed emotional intelligence (61.9%), had grit (61.9%), and did not feel that academic success correlates to leadership (42.9%). Leaders also gave advice consisting of form connections, prioritize personal growth, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and play to your strengths.

Conclusions:
Leadership is needed in healthcare and PAs are primed to serve in this role. Previous leadership experience is not a requirement, but organization, emotional intelligence, and grit are required. Future PA leaders should follow the playbook laid out by these leaders and begin today with investing in personal leadership development.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Versus Cervical Corpectomy With Iliac Crest Graft and Fusion in Multilevel Degenerative Myelopathy
Authors: Rivas Palacios Claudio A. , Barbosa Mario M. , Escobar María A. , Garcia-Ballestas Ezequiel , García Camilo , Mattar Salvador M. , Mattar Salvador 
Published: January 2025

Study Design:
Cohort retrospective study.

Objective:
We evaluated and compared the outcomes of anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (CDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy with iliac crest graft and fusion (CCF) in patients with ≥3 level degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Background:
Anterior and posterior approaches are widely employed in DCM when compressive elements predominate in the anterior or posterior spinal cord, respectively. Indications for each approach remain controversial in some contexts.

Methods:
Following the STROBE statement, a retrospective enrollment from records of patients who underwent anterior CDF and/or CCF between June 2015 and June 2022. Linear mixed models were applied to establish the effects of the type of surgery according to the follow-up time (mo).

Results:
In this study, 73 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 21 (28.8%) were included in the CDF group and 52 (71.2%) in the CCF group. Twenty surgeries were performed at 3 cervical levels and 53 at 4 levels. There was an improvement in the NDI and VAS score, with an Odom mean of 1.63±0.67 at 12 months of follow-up, with no differences between CDF and CCF. In the CDF group, it was reported a greater C2–7 Cobb angle at the third month of follow-up. In the CCF group, the C2–7 Cobb angle had a negative correlation with the NDI and VAS scales, and a positive correlation with the mJOA scale. Intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL), surgical time, and postoperative hospital stay were shorter in CDF. There were no differences between the 2 groups in medical complications and other radiologic findings.

Conclusion:
Surgery for multilevel DCM using an anterior approach with CDF or CCF showed good clinical outcomes without significant differences between the 2 groups, and equivalent results in medical complications and radiologic parameters. The CDF group had better perioperative results and shorter postoperative hospitalization time.
How Do Early Weight Trajectories Explain Social Inequalities in Lung Function in Children With Cystic Fibrosis?: A Longitudinal Interventional Disparity Effects Analysis With Time-varying Mediators and Intermediate Confounders
Authors: Schlüter Daniela K. , Keogh Ruth H. , Daniel Rhian M. , Agbla Schadrac C. , Taylor-Robinson David 
Published: January 2025

Background:
Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) from socioeconomically deprived areas have poorer growth, worse lung function, and shorter life expectancy than their less-deprived peers. While early growth is associated with lung function around age 6, it is unclear whether improving early growth in the most deprived children reduces inequalities in lung function.

Methods:
We used data from the UK CF Registry, tracking children born 2000–2010 up to 2016. We extended the interventional disparity effects approach to the setting of a longitudinally measured mediator. Applying this approach, we estimated the association between socioeconomic deprivation (children in the least vs. most deprived population quintile; exposure) and lung function at first measurement (ages 6–8, outcome), and the role of early weight trajectories (ages 0–6) as mediators of this relationship. We adjusted for baseline confounding by sex, birthyear, and genotype and time-varying intermediate confounding by lung infection.

Results:
The study included 853 children, with 165 children from the least and 172 from the most deprived quintiles. The average lung function difference between the least and most deprived quintiles was 4.5% of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (95% confidence interval: 1.1-7.9). If the distribution of early weight trajectories in the most deprived children matched that in the least deprived children, this difference would reduce to 4% (95% confidence interval: 0.57- 7.4).

Conclusion:
Socioeconomic deprivation has a strong negative association with lung function for children with CF. We estimate that improving early weight trajectories in the most deprived children would only marginally reduce these inequalities.