julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Distinct loiasis infection states and associated clinical and hematological manifestations in patients from Gabon
2022-09-19

Background Loiasis–a filarial disease endemic in Central and West Africa–is increasingly recognized as significant individual and public health concern. While the understanding of the disease characteristics remains limited, significant morbidity and excess mortality have been demonstrated. Here, we characterize clinical and hematological findings in a large cohort from Gabon. Methods Loiasis-related clinical manifestations and microfilaremia, hemoglobin and differential blood counts were recorded prospectively during a cross-sectional survey. For analysis, participants were categorized into distinct infection states by the diagnostic criteria of eye worm history and microfilaremia. Results Analysis of data from 1,232 individuals showed that occurrence of clinical and hematological findings differed significantly between the infection states. Eye worm positivity was associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations while microfilaremia by itself was not. Loa loa infection was associated with presence of eosinophilia and absolute eosinophil counts were associated with extent of microfilaremia (p-adj. = 0.012, ß-estimate:0.17[0.04–0.31]). Conclusions Loiasis is a complex disease, causing different disease manifestations in patients from endemic regions. The consequences for the affected individuals or populations as well as the pathophysiological consequences of correlating eosinophilia are largely unknown. High-quality research on loiasis should be fostered to improve patient care and understanding of the disease.
Cranial ecomorphology of turtles and neck retraction as a possible trigger of ecological diversification
2022-09-19

Turtles have a highly modified body plan, including a rigid shell that constrains postcranial anatomy. Skull morphology and neck mobility may therefore be key to ecological specialization in turtles. However, the ecological signal of turtle skull morphologies has not been rigorously evaluated, leaving uncertainties about the roles of ecological adaptation and convergence. We evaluate turtle cranial ecomorphology using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods. Skull shape correlates with allometry, neck retraction capability, and different aquatic feeding ecologies. We find that ecological variables influence skull shape only, whereas a key functional variable (the capacity for neck retraction) influences both shape and size. Ecology and functional predictions from three-dimensional shape are validated by high success rates for extant species, outperforming previous two-dimensional approaches. We use this to infer ecological and functional traits of extinct species. Neck retraction evolved among crownward stem-turtles by the Late Jurassic, signaling functional decoupling of the skull and neck from the shell, possibly linked to a major episode of ecomorphological diversification. We also find strong evidence for convergent ecological adaptations among marine groups. This includes parallel loss of neck retraction, evidence for active hunting, possible grazing, and suction feeding in extinct marine groups. Our large-scale assessment of dietary and functional adaptation throughout turtle evolution reveals the timing and origin of their distinct ecomorphologies, and highlights the potential for ecology and function to have distinct effects on skull form.
Pathomechanisms of Inherited Retinal Degeneration and Perspectives for Neuroprotection
2022-09-19

The precise processes causing photoreceptor cell death in retinal degeneration (RD) are still largely unknown but are likely to follow a variety of degenerative mechanisms. While different genetic insults can trigger distinct molecular pathways, eventually these may converge into a limited number of common cell death mechanisms. These mechanisms often involve deregulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-signaling and proteostasis, which both may increase photoreceptor energy expenditure. Comprehensive information on these mechanisms may allow for targeted interventions to delay or prevent photoreceptor loss. Here, we review the current knowledge on photoreceptor degenerative mechanisms, focusing on processes triggered by aberrant cGMP-signaling, proteostasis, and energy metabolism. Afterward, we discuss how these pathways could potentially be used to treat photoreceptor degeneration, highlighting data from a number of recent studies on inhibitory cGMP analogs, proteostasis blockers, and interventions aimed at fortifying energetic status. Finally, we provide perspectives on how such experimental approaches could be translated into future clinical applications.
Optimized ultrahigh field parallel transmission workflow using rapid presaturated TurboFLASH transmit field mapping with a three‐dimensional centric single‐shot readout
2022-09-19

Purpose To evaluate the usage of three‐dimensional (3D) presaturated TurboFLASH (satTFL) for and mapping on single channel and parallel transmission (pTx) systems. Methods maps recorded with 3D satTFL were compared to maps from three other 3D mapping sequences in an agar phantom. Furthermore, individual‐channel maps of 18 human subjects were recorded with 3D satTFL using interferometry. A neural network was trained for masking of the maps. Results Out of the sequences compared satTFL was the only one with a mapping range exceeding well over 90°. In regions with lower flip angles there was high correspondence between satTFL and AFI. DREAM and double angle method also showed high qualitative similarity, however the magnitude differed from the other two measurements. The individual‐channel maps were successfully used for pTx pulse calculation in a separate study. Conclusion 3D satTFL can record high‐quality maps with a high dynamic range in a short time. Correspondence with AFI maps is high, while measurement duration is reduced drastically.
Aminolysis of Lithium/Yttrium Bimetallic Alkyls including the Solid‐State Structure of a Europium(II) n‐Butyl Compound
2022-09-19

Abstract Using previously established salt‐metathesis procedures at low temperature, heterobimetallic ate complexes Li 6 Eu II ( n ‐Bu) 8 (thf) 6 and Li 3 Y III ( i ‐Bu) 6 (thf) 4 could be synthesized and their solid‐state structures analyzed by X‐ray diffraction. Recently described complex Li 3 Y( n ‐Bu) 6 (thf) 4 was probed as a precursor in protonolyses with various amines, revealing distinct reaction pathways. Identified products comprise homoleptic amide Y[HNC 6 H 3 (mes) 2 ‐2,6] 3 (mes=C 6 H 2 Me 3 ‐2,4,6), heteroleptic C−H‐bond activated Li 3 Y( n ‐Bu) 2 [N(SiMe 2 CH 2 )(C 6 H 3 ‐Me 2 ‐3,5)] 2 (thf) 5 , and mixed amido/imido complex [LiY 2 (HNSiPh 3 ) 4 (NSiPh 3 ) 2 ][Li(thf) 2 (OEt 2 ) 2 ].
Protein Profiling of Breast Carcinomas Reveals Expression of Immune-Suppressive Factors and Signatures Relevant for Patient Outcome
2022-09-19

In cancer, the complex interplay between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment results in the modulation of signaling processes. By assessing the expression of a multitude of proteins and protein variants in cancer tissue, wide-ranging information on signaling pathway activation and the status of the immunological landscape is obtainable and may provide viable information on the treatment response. Archived breast cancer tissues from a cohort of 84 patients (no adjuvant therapy) were analyzed by high-throughput Western blotting, and the expression of 150 proteins covering central cancer pathways and immune cell markers was examined. By assessing CD8α, CD11c, CD16 and CD68 expression, immune cell infiltration was determined and revealed a strong correlation between event-free patient survival and the infiltration of immune cells. The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was linked to the pronounced activation of the Jak/Stat signaling pathway and apoptotic processes. The elevated phosphorylation of PPARγ (pS112) in non-immune-infiltrated tumors suggests a novel immune evasion mechanism in breast cancer characterized by increased PPARγ phosphorylation. Multiplexed immune cell marker assessment and the protein profiling of tumor tissue provide functional signaling data facilitating breast cancer patient stratification.
Long-Term Management of Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives
2022-09-20

The first-line therapy for locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (laBCC) is Hedgehog pathway inhibitors (HHIs), as they achieve good efficacy and duration of response. However, toxicity in the course of long-term treatment may lead to a decrease in the quality of life, and consequently to interruption or even discontinuation of therapy. As HHI therapy is a balancing act between effectiveness, adverse events, quality of life, and adherence, numerous successful treatment strategies have evolved, such as dose reduction and dose interruptions with on-off treatment schedules or interruptions with re-challenge after progression. As a small percentage of patients show primary or acquired resistance to HHIs, the inhibition of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) has been approved as a second-line therapy, which may also be accompanied by immune-related toxicities and non-response. Thus, optimization of current treatment schedules, novel agents, and combination strategies are urgently needed for laBCC. Here, we narratively model the treatment sequence for patients with laBCC and summarize the current state of approved treatment regimens and therapeutic strategies to optimize the long-term management of laBCC.
The spectral-timing analysis of Cygnus X-1 with Insight-HXMT
2022-09-20

Cygnus X-1, as the first discovered black hole binary, is a key source for understanding the mechanisms of state transitions and the scenarios of accretion in extreme gravity fields. We present a spectral-timing analysis of observations taken with the Insight–Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) mission, focusing on the spectral-state-dependent timing properties in the broad energy range of 1−150 keV, thus extending previous studies based on Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) to both lower and higher energies. Our main results are the following: (a) We successfully use a simple empirical model to fit all spectra, confirming that the reflection component is stronger in the soft state than in the hard state. (b) The evolution of the total fractional root mean square (rms) depends on the selected energy band and the spectral shape, which is a direct result of the evolution of the power spectral densities (PSDs). (c) In the hard/intermediate state, we see clear short-term variability features and a positive correlation between the central frequencies of the variability components and the soft photon index Γ 1 , which we also see at energies above 15 keV. In the soft state, the power spectrum is instead dominated by red noise. These behaviors can be traced to at least 90 keV. (d) Finally, the coherence and the phase-lag spectra show different behaviors, depending on the different spectral shapes.
The role of math anxiety in the relationship between approximate number system and math performance in young children
2022-09-20

Abstract Although interest in mathematics anxiety in young children (6–11 years) has increased recently, the results of previous studies on the role of mathematics anxiety in the relationship between number sense and math performance are inconsistent. The study's main objective was to establish whether math anxiety is a mediator or a moderator in the relationship between number line estimation (NLE) and mathematical outcomes. A cross‐sectional, correlational design was used. A total of 234 Turkish public primary school children (third and fourth graders) participated in the study. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) math anxiety mediates the relationship between the approximate number system (ANS) (an easier and more difficult task of ANS) and math performance (math achievement and arithmetic fluency); (2) math anxiety moderates the relationship between ANS (an easier and more difficult task of ANS) and math performance (math achievement and arithmetic fluency). The results mostly suggest no mediation effect of math anxiety between NLE and math performance in young children. The results also suggest that increases in difficulty level in NLE (increases of errors in NLE) is related to more anxiety regarding mathematics. Furthermore, moderation analyses indicated that the acuity of mental representation of numbers in high math‐anxious children is a key factor contributing to math performance. Developmental aspects of the obtained results are also discussed in the paper.
German diabetes risk score for the determination of the individual type 2 diabetes risk—10-year prediction and external validations
2022-09-20

The extended GDRS prediction period of 10 years, with a non-clinical version and an HbA1c extension that will soon be available in both German and English, enables the even longer-range, evidence-based identification of high-risk individuals with many different applications, including medical screening.
Embodied language production: sensorimotor activations and interoceptive sensibility influence which words we choose when speaking
2022-09-20

We know little about the factors influencing which words we choose during lexical selection. In two experiments we investigated whether (re)activations of experiential traces of space have an impact on language production. Participants performed up- and downward head movements while listening to sentence fragments describing situations (e.g. ‘You are at the beach and you see...’). When reaching the upward/downward head position they completed the sentence with a freely chosen noun. A different group of participants rated the spatial location of the produced word’s referents. We found that the head movements influenced participant’s lexical choices. After upward movements the produced words were rated to be located higher up in space compared to downward movements. Furthermore, higher scores in interoceptive sensibility as measured using the attention regulation scale from the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness questionnaire (Mehling et al., 2018) lead to an increased effect of head movement on the spatial properties of the produced nouns. We conclude that sensorimotor activations are among the meaning facets that guide which words we chose when speaking. The tendency to verbally express embodied meaning is enhanced with higher levels of interoceptive sensibility, suggesting that interoception may be a key to understand interindividual differences in how we express our experiences and feelings when we speak.
Exercise restores brain insulin sensitivity in sedentary adults who are overweight and obese
2022-09-21

BACKGROUNDInsulin resistance of the brain can unfavorably affect long-term weight maintenance and body fat distribution. Little is known if and how brain insulin sensitivity can be restored in humans. We aimed to evaluate the effects of an exercise intervention on insulin sensitivity of the brain and how this relates to exercise-induced changes in whole-body metabolism and behavior.METHODSIn this clinical trial, sedentary participants who were overweight and obese underwent an 8-week supervised aerobic training intervention. Brain insulin sensitivity was assessed in 21 participants (14 women, 7 men; age range 21-59 years; BMI range 27.5-45.5 kg/m2) using functional MRI, combined with intranasal administration of insulin, before and after the intervention.RESULTSThe exercise program resulted in enhanced brain insulin action to the level of a person of healthy weight, demonstrated by increased insulin-induced striatal activity and strengthened hippocampal functional connectivity. Improved brain insulin action correlated with increased mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle, reductions in visceral fat and hunger, as well as improved cognition. Mediation analyses suggest that improved brain insulin responsiveness helps mediate the peripheral exercise effects leading to healthier body fat distribution and reduced perception of hunger.CONCLUSIONOur study demonstrates that an 8-week exercise intervention in sedentary individuals can restore insulin action in the brain. Hence, the ameliorating benefits of exercise toward brain insulin resistance may provide an objective therapeutic target in humans in the challenge to reduce diabetes risk factors.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03151590).FUNDINGBMBF/DZD 01GI0925.
HTCA: a database with an in-depth characterization of the single-cell human transcriptome
2022-09-21

Abstract Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) is one of the most used single-cell omics in recent decades. The exponential growth of single-cell data has immense potential for large-scale integration and in-depth explorations that are more representative of the study population. Efforts have been made to consolidate published data, yet extensive characterization is still lacking. Many focused on raw-data database constructions while others concentrate mainly on gene expression queries. Hereby, we present HTCA (www.htcatlas.org), an interactive database constructed based on ∼2.3 million high-quality cells from ∼3000 scRNA-seq samples and comprised in-depth phenotype profiles of 19 healthy adult and matching fetal tissues. HTCA provides a one-stop interactive query to gene signatures, transcription factor (TF) activities, TF motifs, receptor–ligand interactions, enriched gene ontology (GO) terms, etc. across cell types in adult and fetal tissues. At the same time, HTCA encompasses single-cell splicing variant profiles of 16 adult and fetal tissues, spatial transcriptomics profiles of 11 adult and fetal tissues, and single-cell ATAC-sequencing (scATAC-seq) profiles of 27 adult and fetal tissues. Besides, HTCA provides online analysis tools to perform major steps in a typical scRNA-seq analysis. Altogether, HTCA allows real-time explorations of multi-omics adult and fetal phenotypic profiles and provides tools for a flexible scRNA-seq analysis.
Dynamical descalarization with a jump during a black hole merger
2022-09-21

Black holes in scalar-Gauss-Bonnet gravity are prone to scalarization, that is a spontaneous development of scalar hair for strong enough spacetime curvature. Since large spacetime curvature is associated with smaller black hole masses, the merging of black holes can lead to dynamical descalarization. This is a spontaneous release of the scalar hair of the newly formed black hole in case its mass is above the scalarization threshold. Depending on the exact form of the Gauss-Bonnet coupling function, the stable scalarized solutions can be either continuously connected to the Schwarzschild black hole, or the transitions between the two can happen with a jump. By performing simulations of black hole head-on collisions in scalar-Gauss-Bonnet gravity prone to dynamical descalization we have demonstrated that such a jump can be clearly observed in the accumulated gravitational wave data of multiple merger events with different masses. The simulations were performed in the decoupling limit approximation, where the backreaction of the scalar field on the metric is neglected. This is a reasonable assumption for weak enough scalar fields. The distinct signature in the gravitational wave signal will share similarities with the effects expected from first order matter phase transitions happening during neutron star binary mergers.
The genetic architecture of phenotypic diversity in the Betta fish ( Betta splendens )
2022-09-21

The Betta fish displays a remarkable variety of phenotypes selected during domestication. However, the genetic basis underlying these traits remains largely unexplored. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly and resequencing of 727 individuals representing diverse morphotypes of the Betta fish. We show that current breeds have a complex domestication history with extensive introgression with wild species. Using a genome-wide association study, we identify the genetic basis of multiple traits, including coloration patterns, the “Dumbo” phenotype with pectoral fin outgrowth, extraordinary enlargement of body size that we map to a major locus on chromosome 8, the sex determination locus that we map to dmrt1 , and the long-fin phenotype that maps to the locus containing kcnj15 . We also identify a polygenic signal related to aggression, involving multiple neural system-related genes such as esyt2 , apbb2 , and pank2 . Our study provides a resource for developing the Betta fish as a genetic model for morphological and behavioral research in vertebrates.
Microbial utilization of photosynthesized carbon depends on land-use
2022-09-21

The release of organic compounds from plant roots (rhizodeposits) and their subsequent utilization by soil microbial communities is a key process linking atmospheric and terrestrial carbon (C) and nutrient cycling. However, the effects of land-use types on rhizodeposit-mediated alteration of microbial community structure and its consequences for soil C cycle are still, largely, unknown. Therefore, we used 13C-PLFA-SIP to evaluate the rhizosphere C fluxes to microorganisms in a monoculture crop (oilseed rape, Brassica napus L.), a mixed grassland (dominated by Lolium perenne L. mixed with clover Trifolium repens L.), and a tree (willow, Salix schwerinii E.L. Wolf and Salix viminalis L.) within an agroforestry system. Though harboring similar total microbial biomass, less 13C was recovered in microorganisms in soil under willow (0.017 % of 13C input) after 14 days as compared to rape (0.03 %) and grassland (0.09 %). Across three land use types, gram negative bacteria incorporated most of the 13C (28–42 % of total 13C labeled PLFAs), followed by fungi and gram positive bacteria (12–18 %) and less abundance groups (e.g. actinomycetes, <5 %). The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal biomarker 16:1ω5c was enriched with 13C in soil under grassland (8 % of total 13C labeled PLFAs). The 13C incorporation into gram positive bacteria was higher in soil under willow than under grassland and rape. By contrast, 42 % of total 13C labeled PLFAs were attributed to gram negative bacteria in soil under rape. Overall, our results demonstrated that pronounced differences in microbial community structure and subsequent microbial C utilization between land-use types could affect soil C cycles and storage.
PEP7 acts as a peptide ligand for the receptor kinase SIRK1 to regulate aquaporin-mediated water influx and lateral root growth
2022-09-21

Plant receptors constitute a large protein family that regulates various aspects of development and responses to external cues. Functional characterization of this protein family and the identification of their ligands remain major challenges in plant biology. Previously, we identified plasma membrane-intrinsic sucrose-induced receptor kinase 1 (SIRK1) and Qian Shou kinase 1 (QSK1) as receptor/co-receptor pair involved in the regulation of aquaporins in response to osmotic conditions induced by sucrose. In this study, we identified a member of the elicitor peptide (PEP) family, namely PEP7, as the specific ligand of th receptor kinase SIRK1. PEP7 binds to the extracellular domain of SIRK1 with a binding constant of 1.44 ± 0.79 μM and is secreted to the apoplasm specifically in response to sucrose treatment. Stabilization of a signaling complex involving SIRK1, QSK1, and aquaporins as substrates is mediated by alterations in the external sucrose concentration or by PEP7 application. Moreover, the presence of PEP7 induces the phosphorylation of aquaporins in vivo and enhances water influx into protoplasts. Disturbed water influx, in turn, led to delayed lateral root development in the pep7 mutant. The loss-of-function mutant of SIRK1 is not responsive to external PEP7 treatment regarding kinase activity, aquaporin phosphorylation, water influx activity, and lateral root development. Taken together, our data indicate that the PEP7/SIRK1/QSK1 complex represents a crucial perception and response module that mediates sucrose-controlled water flux in plants and lateral root development.