bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chromium (VI) promotes lung cancer initiation by activating EGF/ALDH1A1 signalling
Authors: Metropulos Anastasia E. , Becker Jeffrey H. , Principe Daniel R. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide and is strongly associated with tobacco smoke exposure. Although smoking remains the most important and best studied risk factor, recent data suggest that several other carcinogens have a driving role in lung cancer development, particularly in select populations at risk of high or prolonged exposure. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a known carcinogen that is widely used in the manufacturing industry. While the link between Cr(VI) and lung cancer incidence is well‐accepted, the mechanisms through which Cr(VI) promotes lung cancer development are poorly understood. In the present study by Ge and colleagues published in Clinical and Translational Medicine, the authors explored the effects of prolonged Cr(VI) on non‐malignant lung epithelial cells. They determined that Cr(VI) initiates lung tumourigenesis by transforming a subpopulation of stem‐like, tumour initiating cells with increased expression of Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 (ALDH1A1). The observed increase in ALDH1A1 was dependent on transcriptional upregulation via Krüppel‐like factor 4 and associated with enhanced epidermal growth factor biosynthesis. Cr(VI)‐transformed tumour initiating cells accelerated tumour formation in vivo, which was ameliorated by therapeutic inhibition of ALDH1A1. Importantly, ALDH1A1 inhibition also sensitized Cr(VI)‐driven tumours to Gemcitabine chemotherapy and extended overall survival in mice. This study not only offers novel insight into the mechanisms through which Cr(VI) exposure initiates lung tumourigenesis but identifies a potential therapeutic target for patients with lung cancer secondary to Cr(VI) exposure. Additionally, this study underscores the importance of limiting exposure to Cr(VI) in the workplace and finding safer alternatives for use in the manufacturing industry.
Scrape cytology and radiological solid size correlation can be used in the intraoperative management of subsolid lung nodules
Authors: Bulutay Pınar , Atasoy Çetin , Erus Suat , Tanju Serhan , Dilege Şükrü , Fırat Pınar 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe term radiologic subsolid lung nodule (SLN) represents a heterogeneous group of non‐neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Intraoperative evaluation (IO) is often required to differentiate and diagnose. The current study aims to investigate the feasibility and reliability of scrape cytology (SC) and radiologic solid size correlation for the IO diagnosis of SLNs.MethodsSixty‐eight patients with SLN signs were eligible to take part in the study due to intraoperatively prepared SC slides. We managed to complete the blind radiologic solid size measurement and cytologic evaluation retrospectively. Cases were grouped into three categories based on their cytological features: Group‐0 (Benign), Group‐1 (mild atypical features), and Group‐2 (severe atypical features/unequivocally carcinoma). IO diagnoses were given by combining the radiologic solid size and cytological findings.ResultsCytological features of Group‐1 were observed in 100%, 93%, 32.5%, and 17% of the AIS, MIA, IA, and benign lesions, respectively. Cytological features of Group‐2 were observed in 67.5%, and 7% of the IA and MIA, respectively. By combining cytology with radiologic solid size, 100%, 85%, 71%, and 83% of the AIS, IA, MIA, and benign lesions respectively were diagnosed correctly. Fifteen (15%) percent of the IA cases were underdiagnosed as MIA since their radiological solid sizes were less than 0.5 cm with cytological features of Group‐1. Conversely, 29% of the MIA cases were overdiagnosed as IA since their radiological solid sizes were greater than 0.5 cm.ConclusionSLNs should be handled with caution in terms of IO management. SC and radiologic solid size correlation both provide a practical and tissue‐protecting approach for the IO evaluation of SLNs, ensuring a high consistency between IO and definitive diagnosis.
A mechanistic staging model of reward processing alterations in individuals with binge‐type eating disorders
Authors: Bodell Lindsay P. , Racine Sarah E. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAltered reward processing is thought to characterize binge‐type eating disorders, but the exact nature of these alterations is unclear. A more fine‐grained understanding of whether specific aspects of reward processing contribute to the development or maintenance of binge eating may point to new therapeutic targets and personalized treatments. The incentive sensitization theory of addiction proposes that repeated use of a substance increases the desire to approach a reward (‘wanting’) but not pleasure when consuming the reward (‘liking’), suggesting that reward processes driving addiction change over time. We hypothesize that the same may be true for binge eating. Further, consistent with the maladaptive scaling hypothesis, reward processing may be heightened for multiple reinforcers in at‐risk individuals but become tuned toward food once binge eating is initiated. In this article, we propose a mechanistic staging model of reward processing in binge‐type eating disorders that synthesizes existing data and posits that alterations of reward processing depend on illness stage and reward type. We outline translational methods for testing key hypotheses and discuss clinical implications. Considering reward processing alterations in relation to illness stage has the potential to improve treatment outcomes by ensuring that the mechanisms targeted are personalized to the individual patient.Public SignificanceIndividuals with binge‐type eating disorders experience alterations in their desire for, and pleasure from, food. We believe that the exact nature of these alterations in reward processing change over the course of illness—from the at‐risk state to an established illness. If true, treatments for binge‐type eating disorders that target reward processing should be personalized to the illness stage of the patient.
Communities of endophytic fungi in a Puerto Rican rainforest vary along a gradient of disturbance due to Hurricane Maria
Authors: Colón Carrión Nicole , Troche Chad Lozada , Arnold A. Elizabeth 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIncreases in the frequency and intensity of hurricanes influence the structure, function, and resilience of Caribbean forests. Trees in such forests harbor diverse fungal endophytes within leaves and roots. Fungal endophytes often are important for plant health and stress responses, but how their communities are impacted by hurricanes is not well known. We measured forest disturbance in Carite State Forest in Puerto Rico ca. 16 months after the passage of Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm. In three sites, each comprising three plots representing a local gradient of hurricane disturbance, we evaluated soil chemistry and used culture‐free analyses to measure richness, phylogenetic diversity, and composition of endophyte communities in leaves and roots. We found that endophyte richness did not vary significantly among plant families or as a function of soil chemistry. Instead, leaf endophytes peaked in richness and decreased in phylogenetic diversity at intermediate levels of disturbance. Root endophytes did not show such variation, but both leaf‐ and root endophyte communities differed in species composition as a function of disturbance across the forest. Locations with less disturbance typically hosted distinctive assemblages of foliar endophytes, whereas more disturbed locations had more regionally homogeneous endophyte communities. Together, our results show that changes in endophyte richness and phylogenetic diversity can be detected in aboveground tissues more than a year after major storms. In turn, pervasive shifts in endophyte community composition both aboveground and belowground suggest a subtle and lasting effect of hurricanes that merits further study, potentially contributing to the promotion of spatially heterogeneous endophyte assemblages at a landscape scale in these diverse island forests.
The impact of SNP density on quantitative genetic analyses of body size traits in a wild population of Soay sheep
Authors: James Caelinn , Pemberton Josephine M. , Navarro Pau , Knott Sara 
Published: December 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the genetic architecture underpinning quantitative traits in wild populations is pivotal to understanding the processes behind trait evolution. The ‘animal model’ is a popular method for estimating quantitative genetic parameters such as heritability and genetic correlation and involves fitting an estimate of relatedness between individuals in the study population. Genotypes at genome‐wide markers can be used to estimate relatedness; however, relatedness estimates vary with marker density, potentially affecting results. Increasing density of markers is also expected to increase the power to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL). In order to understand how the density of genetic markers affects the results of quantitative genetic analyses, we estimated heritability and performed genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) on five body size traits in an unmanaged population of Soay sheep using two different SNP densities: a dataset of 37,037 genotyped SNPs and an imputed dataset of 417,373 SNPs. Heritability estimates did not differ between the two SNP densities, but the high‐density imputed SNP dataset revealed four new SNP‐trait associations that were not found with the lower density dataset, as well as confirming all previously‐found QTL. We also demonstrated that fitting fixed and random effects in the same step as performing GWAS is a more powerful approach than pre‐correcting for covariates in a separate model.
Bottom‐up and top‐down pressures mediate competition between two generalist insects
Authors: Barnes Elizabeth E. , Murphy Shannon M. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe effects of competition can have far‐reaching consequences for individuals, populations, and communities and therefore we should strive toward a deeper understanding of competitive interactions. In some cases, dietary generalists may be predicted to experience weak competition effects because of their ability to use a wide range of host plants. However, competition between insects frequently occurs indirectly, which can hinder insects' abilities to avoid competitive interactions. Therefore, competition may be as strong among dietary generalists as among dietary specialists. Yet competition between insects that are dietary generalists is infrequently studied. We tested for evidence of competitive interactions between two common, temporally separated, generalist insects: the western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californicum), which feeds early in the season, and the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), which feeds later in the season. Both species frequently use a common host plant species (chokecherry) as a preferred host at our field sites. We tested the relative strength of bottom‐up effects resulting from competitive interactions between these two generalists with laboratory‐rearing trials at the relevant time of year for each insect. We recorded three common fitness measures (development time, pupal mass, and survival) for caterpillars reared on chokecherry with no damage from either of our focal species, with tent caterpillar damage, and with fall webworm damage. To test the strength of top‐down pressures on fall webworm larval fitness and any potential interactions with bottom‐up effects, we reared larvae in the field either exposed to or protected from predators on host plants that either did or did not have tent caterpillars feeding on them earlier in the season. We found evidence of bottom‐up fitness effects on tent caterpillars and top‐down and bottom‐up fitness effects on fall webworms confirming that tent caterpillars and fall webworms compete indirectly. Tent caterpillars had lower pupal mass when reared on leaves from shrubs damaged by fall webworms. Fall webworms had lower pupal mass and longer development time when reared on leaves from shrubs damaged by tent caterpillars. In field trials, fall webworms reared on shrubs damaged by tent caterpillars had a lower survival and pupal mass. We show evidence of indirect competition in temporally separated generalists through leaf quality (bottom‐up effects) and natural enemies (top‐down effects).
Evaluation of visual functions in Iranian hypothyroid adults
Authors: Boomi Quchan Atigh Somayyeh , Sadat Shakeri Habibe , Esmaily Habibollah , Darvishi Azam , Hamidi Aghdas , Heravian Shandiz Javad 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hypothyroidism on visual functions such as visual acuity, refractive errors, colour vision, and contrast sensitivity, among hypothyroid adults.MethodsForty‐three patients with clinical hypothyroidism along with 43 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy individuals underwent visual examinations, including visual acuity, refractive errors, eye deviations with the cover test, colour vision with the D15 test, and contrast sensitivity with Pelli‐Robson test.ResultsIt was indicated that visual acuity, refractive errors, phoria, and colour vision had no significant difference between the hypothyroid and control groups. Contrast sensitivity decreased in hypothyroid subjects as compared with controls. The mean values of binocular contrast sensitivity were 1.85 ± 0.09 log in the hypothyroid group and 1.93 ± 0.09 log in controls, which showed a statistically significant difference (p = .03).ConclusionsOur findings illustrated a reduced contrast sensitivity in adult hypothyroidism. Since CS is related to functioning and quality of life, a comprehensive and detailed eye examination may be beneficial for hypothyroidism patients.
The Second National Workshop on Marine eDNA: A workshop to accelerate the incorporation of eDNA science into environmental management applications
Authors: Stepien Carol A. , Theroux Susanna , Weisberg Stephen B. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe Second National Workshop on Environmental DNA was held on September 12–15, 2022, at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) in Southern California and was focused on transitioning eDNA from research to management applications. The Workshop was attended by 150 people in‐person and an additional 200 more online. Workshop attendees represented a broad cross‐section of disciplines and backgrounds, including research scientists, state, and federal agencies, and those in the environmental management sector. This diverse collection of attendees assembled with the goal of achieving cross‐sector collaboration and working together to identify the necessary next steps to move eDNA methods into the management application mainstream. The Workshop structure included a Training Day oriented towards environmental managers and those new to eDNA science, to facilitate a common ground for discussions on subsequent days. The Plenary Day focused on case studies about eDNA applications and culminated with a roundtable panel discussion with local, state, and federal agency representatives on eDNA method readiness and the road to method adoption. Among the key takeaways from the Workshop was bridging the communication gap between researchers and managers because scientists often focus on technical details and the unknowns, giving the impression that eDNA science is not yet mature, whereas managers want to hear consensus statements about readiness and a roadmap for method adoption, including standard operating procedures, lab accreditation, and unified sequence libraries. This outcome was a clear directive for many scientists in attendance that it is time to stop letting perfect be the enemy of good and to focus future efforts on method harmonization and a national strategy towards method adoption. The Workshop concluded with a working session of invited participants to identify key priorities and needs to achieve the goals highlighted in the Workshop discussions.
Effect of MP‐AzeFlu compared to monotherapy on COX‐2, PGE2, and EP2 gene expression in upper airway mucosa
Authors: Vicens‐Artes Sonia , Roca‐Ferrer Jordi , Tubita Valeria , Fuentes Mireya , Alobid Isam , Valero Antonio , Kopietz Ferdinand , Nguyen DucTung , Mullol Joaquim 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMP‐AzeFlu (intranasal fluticasone and azelastine) has been widely studied and has demonstrated efficacy in Allergic rhinitis with a superior effect compared to these drugs administered individually; however, the mechanism by which MP‐AzeFlu produces this improved clinical effect has not yet been fully explained. In this study, we investigated the effect of MP‐AzeFlu and fluticasone propionate (FP) on arachidonic acid metabolism as measured by changes in regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms, prostaglandin (PG) D2, PGE2, PGE2 receptor (EP) 2, and EP3. Expression of these key inflammation markers was assessed through an in vitro model of upper airway inflammation using fibroblasts derived from both healthy and inflamed upper airway mucosa. Both MP‐AzeFlu and FP inhibited interleukin‐1β‐induced COX‐2 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression and PGE2 secretion in vitro. MP‐AzeFlu and FP both upregulated EP2 mRNA expression, though neither upregulated EP2 protein expression. This downregulation of COX‐2 and PGE2 coupled with upregulation of EP2 receptor expression reinforces the anti‐inflammatory effect of MP‐AzeFlu in upper airway inflammation.
4‐1BB and cytokines trigger human NK, γδ T, and CD8+ T cell proliferation and activation, but are not required for their effector functions
Authors: Vidard Laurent 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIntroductionThis study was designed to compare the costimulatory molecules and cytokines required to trigger the proliferation and activation of natural killer (NK), γδ T, and CD8+ T cells, and gain in‐depth insight into the mechanisms shifting tolerance to immunity.MethodsK562‐derived artificial antigen‐presenting cells (aAPCs); that is, K562 forced to express CD86 and 4‐1BBL costimulatory receptors, in the presence of cytokines, were used to mimic dendritic cells (DCs) and provide signals to support the proliferation and activation of NK, γδ T, and CD8+ T cells.ResultsThree signals are required to trigger optimal proliferation in MART‐1‐specific CD8+ T cells: activation of T‐cell receptors (TCRs) by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I/peptide complexes (signal 1); 4‐1BB engagement (signal 2); and IL‐15 and IL‐21 receptor co‐signaling (signal 3). NK and γδ T cell proliferation also require three signals, but the precise nature of signal 1 involving cell‐to‐cell contact was not determined. Once they become effectors, only signal 1 determines the sensitivity or resistance of the target cells to cytolysis by killer lymphocytes. When freshly purified, none had effector functions, except the NK cells, which could be activated by CD16 engagement.ConclusionsTherefore, lymphocytes committed to kill are produced as inactive precursors, and the license to kill is delivered by three signals, allowing for extensive proliferation and effector function acquisition. This data challenges the paradigm of anergy and supports the danger signal theory originally proposed by Polly Matzinger, which states that killer cells are tolerant by default, thereby protecting the mammalian body from autoimmunity.
Kinetochore‐catalyzed MCC formation: A structural perspective
Authors: Fischer Elyse S. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is a cellular surveillance mechanism that functions to ensure accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis. Macromolecular complexes known as kinetochores, act as the interface of sister chromatid attachment to spindle microtubules. In response to unattached kinetochores, the SAC activates its effector, the mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC), which delays mitotic exit until all sister chromatid pairs have achieved successful attachment to the bipolar mitotic spindle. Formation of the MCC (composed of Mad2, BubR1, Bub3 and Cdc20) is regulated by an Mps1 kinase‐dependent phosphorylation signaling cascade which assembles and repositions components of the MCC onto a catalytic scaffold. This scaffold functions to catalyze the conversion of the HORMA‐domain protein Mad2 from an “inactive” open‐state (O‐Mad2) into an “active” closed‐Mad2 (C‐Mad2), and simultaneous Cdc20 binding. Here, our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the kinetic barrier to C‐Mad2:Cdc20 formation will be reviewed. Recent progress in elucidating the precise molecular choreography orchestrated by the catalytic scaffold to rapidly assemble the MCC will be examined, and unresolved questions will be highlighted. Ultimately, understanding how the SAC rapidly activates the checkpoint not only provides insights into how cells maintain genomic integrity during mitosis, but also provides a paradigm for how cells can utilize molecular switches, including other HORMA domain‐containing proteins, to make rapid changes to a cell's physiological state.
Three‐dimensional nanofibrous and porous scaffolds of poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐chitosan blends for musculoskeletal tissue engineering
Authors: Pereira Andreia Leal , Semitela Ângela , Girão André F. , Completo António , Marques Paula A. A. P. , Guieu Samuel , Fernandes Maria Helena V. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractOne of the established tissue engineering strategies relies on the fabrication of appropriate materials architectures (scaffolds) that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and assist the regeneration of living tissues. Fibrous structures produced by electrospinning have been widely used as reliable ECM templates but their two‐dimensional structure restricts, in part, cell infiltration and proliferation. A recent technique called thermally‐induced self‐agglomeration (TISA) allowed to alleviate this drawback by rearranging the 2D electrospun membranes into highly functional 3D porous‐fibrous systems. Following this trend, the present research focused on preparing polycaprolactone/chitosan blends by electrospinning, to then convert them into 3D structures by TISA. By adding different amounts of chitosan, it was possible to accurately modulate the physicochemical properties of the obtained 3D nanofibrous scaffolds, leading to highly porous constructs with distinct morphologic and mechanical features. Viability and proliferation studies using adult human chondrocytes also revealed that the biocompatibility of the scaffolds was not impaired after 28 days of cell culture, highlighting their potential to be included into musculoskeletal tissue engineering applications, particularly cartilage repair.