bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing tramadol users with potentially inappropriate co-medications: A latent class analysis among older adults
Authors: Yang Bo Ram , Um Hye-Yeon , Lee Min Taek , Kim Myo Song , Jung Sun-Young
Published: February 2021

Background

Although tramadol is an effective weak opioid analgesic, careful monitoring of potential central nervous system adverse reactions in older adults is needed, especially when used with concomitant medications which may trigger the adverse effects. We aimed to characterize tramadol users with potentially inappropriate co-medications in older adults using a latent class analysis (LCA).

Method

Patients aged 65 years or older using tramadol and receiving potentially inappropriate co-medications were included from a nationwide healthcare claims database. We defined antidepressants, first-generation antihistamines, and anxiolytics as potentially inappropriate co-medications. We applied an LCA for grouping tramadol users based on the common characteristics of medication use and healthcare utilization, and each patient was probabilistically assigned to a class. Patients’ characteristics in different latent classes were compared. Potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was defined as the any visits for emergency department after the occurrence of potentially inappropriate co-medications. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between latent classes and potential ADRs.

Results

We identified four distinct latent classes of tramadol users representing different patterns of co-medications: multiple potential drug-drug interaction (pDDI) combination users, antihistamines-tramadol users, antidepressants-tramadol users, and anxiolytics-tramadol users. Multiple pDDI combination users showed high proportion of regular tramadol use, tended to visit more medical institutions, and had a high Charlson comorbidity score. The duration of use of potentially inappropriate co-medications with tramadol was the longest in multiple pDDI combination users and the shortest in antihistamines-tramadol users.

When compared with antihistamines-tramadol users, increased potential ADR risk was observed in multiple pDDI combination users (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.81; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.75–1.88), antidepressants-tramadol users (1.24; 1.19–1.29), and anxiolytics-tramadol users (1.04; 1.00–1.08).

Conclusions

Four distinct classes were identified among older adults using tramadol and potentially inappropriate co-medications. Differences in potential ADR risk were observed between these classes. These findings may help to identify patients at a high risk for ADRs owing to potentially inappropriate co-medications with tramadol.
Using touchscreen equipped operant chambers to study animal cognition. Benefits, limitations, and advice
Authors: Seitz Benjamin M. , McCune Kelsey , MacPherson Maggie , Bergeron Luisa , Blaisdell Aaron P. , Logan Corina J.
Published: February 2021

Operant chambers are small enclosures used to test animal behavior and cognition. While traditionally reliant on simple technologies for presenting stimuli (e.g., lights and sounds) and recording responses made to basic manipulanda (e.g., levers and buttons), an increasing number of researchers are beginning to use Touchscreen-equipped Operant Chambers (TOCs). These TOCs have obvious advantages, namely by allowing researchers to present a near infinite number of visual stimuli as well as increased flexibility in the types of responses that can be made and recorded. We trained wild-caught adult and juvenile great-tailed grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus) to complete experiments using a TOC. We learned much from these efforts, and outline the advantages and disadvantages of our protocols. Our training data are summarized to quantify the variables that might influence participation and success, and we discuss important modifications to facilitate animal engagement and participation in various tasks. Finally, we provide a “training guide” for creating experiments using PsychoPy, a free and open-source software that was incredibly useful during these endeavors. This article, therefore, should serve as a resource to those interested in switching to or maintaining a TOC, or who similarly wish to use a TOC to test the cognitive abilities of non-model species or wild-caught individuals.
Vitamin D supplementation among Bangladeshi children under-five years of age hospitalised for severe pneumonia: A randomised placebo controlled trial
Authors: Chowdhury Fahmida , Shahid Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayeem Bin , Tabassum Mosharrat , Parvin Irin , Ghosh Probir Kumar , Hossain Mohammad Iqbal , Alam Nur Haque , Faruque A. S. G. , Huq Sayeeda , Shahrin Lubaba , Homaira Nusrat , Hassan Zakiul , Akhtar Zubair , Mah-E-Muneer S. , Fuchs George J. , Ahmed Tahmeed , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Vitamin D is important for its immunomodulatory role and there is an independent association between vitamin D deficiency and pneumonia. We assessed the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the outcome in children hospitalized for severe pneumonia.

Methods

This was a randomised, double blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in children aged >2–59 months with severe pneumonia attending Dhaka Hospital, icddr,b. Children received age-specific megadose of vitamin D3 (20,000IU: <6 months, 50,000 IU: 6–12 months, 100,000 IU:13–59 months) or placebo on first day and 10,000 IU as maintenance dose for next 4 days or until discharge (if discharged earlier) along with standard therapy. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02185196.

Findings

We enrolled 100 children in placebo group and 97 in vitamin D group. On admission, 50 (52%) and 49 (49%) of children in vitamin D and placebo groups, respectively were vitamin D deficient. Among children with a sufficient serum vitamin D level on admission, a lower trend for duration of resolution of severe pneumonia in hours [72(IQR:44–96)vs. 88(IQR:48–132);p = 0.07] and duration of hospital stay in days [4(IQR:3–5)vs.5(IQR:4–7);P = 0.09] was observed in vitamin D group compared to placebo. No beneficial effect was observed in vitamin D deficient group or irrespective of vitamin D status.

Conclusion

Age-specific mega dose of vitamin D followed by a maintenance dose shown to have no statistical difference between the two intervention groups, however there was a trend of reduction of time to recovery from pneumonia and overall duration of hospital stay in under-five children with a sufficient serum vitamin D level on hospital admission.
The syndemic effects of mental ill health, household hunger, and intimate partner violence on adherence to antiretroviral therapy among pregnant women living with HIV in Yaoundé, Cameroon
Authors: Cordoba Evette , Parcesepe Angela M. , Gallis John A. , Headley Jennifer , Soffo Claudian , Tchatchou Berenger , Hembling John , Baumgartner Joy Noel
Published: February 2021

Background

This research advances understanding of interrelationships among three barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among pregnant women living with HIV (WLWH) in Cameroon: probable common mental disorders (CMD), intimate partner violence (IPV), and hunger.

Methods

The sample included 220 pregnant WLWH in Cameroon. Multivariable modified Poisson regression was conducted to assess the relationship between IPV, hunger, and CMD on ART adherence.

Results

Almost half (44%) of participants recently missed/mistimed an ART dose. Probable CMD was associated with greater risk of missed/mistimed ART dose (aRR 1.5 [95% CI 1.1, 1.9]). Hunger was associated with greater risk of missed/mistimed ART dose among those who reported IPV (aRR 1.9 [95% CI 1.2, 2.8]), but not among those who did not (aRR 0.8 [95% CI 0.2, 2.3]).

Conclusion

Suboptimal ART adherence, CMD, and IPV were common among pregnant WLWH in Cameroon. Pregnant WLWH experiencing IPV and hunger may be especially vulnerable to suboptimal ART adherence.
Adaptive federated filter for multi-sensor nonlinear system with cross-correlated noises
Authors: Wang Lijun , Wang Sisi , Yang Wenzhi
Published: February 2021

This paper presents an adaptive approach to the federated filter for multi-sensor nonlinear systems with cross-correlations between process noise and local measurement noise. The adaptive Gaussian filter is used as the local filter of the federated filter for the first time, which overcomes the performance degradation caused by the cross-correlated noises. Two kinds of adaptive federated filters are proposed, one uses a de-correlation framework as local filter, and the subfilter of the other one is defined as a Gaussian filter with correlated noises at the same-epoch, and much effort is made to verify the theoretical equivalence of the two algorithms in the nonlinear fusion system. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms are superior to the traditional federated filter and Gaussian filter with same-paced correlated noises, and the equivalence between the proposed algorithms and high degree cubature federated filter is also demonstrated.
DTI-SNNFRA: Drug-target interaction prediction by shared nearest neighbors and fuzzy-rough approximation
Authors: Islam Sk Mazharul , Hossain Sk Md Mosaddek , Ray Sumanta
Published: February 2021

In-silico prediction of repurposable drugs is an effective drug discovery strategy that supplements de-nevo drug discovery from scratch. Reduced development time, less cost and absence of severe side effects are significant advantages of using drug repositioning. Most recent and most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) approaches have boosted drug repurposing in terms of throughput and accuracy enormously. However, with the growing number of drugs, targets and their massive interactions produce imbalanced data which may not be suitable as input to the classification model directly. Here, we have proposed DTI-SNNFRA, a framework for predicting drug-target interaction (DTI), based on shared nearest neighbour (SNN) and fuzzy-rough approximation (FRA). It uses sampling techniques to collectively reduce the vast search space covering the available drugs, targets and millions of interactions between them. DTI-SNNFRA operates in two stages: first, it uses SNN followed by a partitioning clustering for sampling the search space. Next, it computes the degree of fuzzy-rough approximations and proper degree threshold selection for the negative samples’ undersampling from all possible interaction pairs between drugs and targets obtained in the first stage. Finally, classification is performed using the positive and selected negative samples. We have evaluated the efficacy of DTI-SNNFRA using AUC (Area under ROC Curve), Geometric Mean, and F1 Score. The model performs exceptionally well with a high prediction score of 0.95 for ROC-AUC. The predicted drug-target interactions are validated through an existing drug-target database (Connectivity Map (Cmap)).
Attitudes, current behaviours and barriers to public health measures that reduce COVID-19 transmission: A qualitative study to inform public health messaging
Authors: Benham Jamie L. , Lang Raynell , Kovacs Burns Katharina , MacKean Gail , Léveillé Tova , McCormack Brandi , Sheikh Hasan , Fullerton Madison M. , Tang Theresa , Boucher Jean-Christophe , Constantinescu Cora , Mourali Mehdi , Oxoby Robert J. , Manns Braden J. , Hu Jia , Marshall Deborah A.
Published: February 2021

Public health measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission include masking in public places, physical distancing, staying home when ill, avoiding high-risk locations, using a contact tracing app, and being willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine. However, adoption of these measures varies greatly. We aimed to improve health messaging to increase adherence to public health behaviours to reduce COVID-19 transmission by: 1) determining attitudes towards public health measures and current behaviours; 2) identifying barriers to following public health measures; and, 3) identifying public health communication strategies. We recruited participants from a random panel of 3000 phone numbers across Alberta to fill a predetermined quota: age (18–29; 30–59; 60+ years), geographic location (urban; rural), and whether they had school-age children. Two researchers coded and themed all transcripts. We performed content analysis and in-depth thematic analysis. Nine focus groups were conducted with 2–8 participants/group in August-September, 2020. Several themes were identified: 1) importance of public health measures; 2) compliance with public health measures; 3) critiques of public health messaging; and 4) suggestions for improving public health messaging. Physical distancing and masking were seen as more important than using a contact tracing app. There were mixed views around willingness to take COVID-19 vaccine. Current public health messaging was perceived as conflicting. Participants felt that consistent messaging and using social media to reach younger people would be helpful. In conclusion, these findings provide insights that can be used to inform targeted (e.g., by age, current behaviour) public health communications to encourage behaviors that reduce COVID-19 transmission.
High efficient de novo root-to-shoot organogenesis in Citrus jambhiri Lush.: Gene expression, genetic stability and virus indexing
Authors: Devi Tongbram Roshni , Dasgupta Madhumita , Sahoo Manas Ranjan , Kole Paresh Chandra , Prakash Narendra
Published: February 2021

A protocol for high-frequency direct organogenesis from root explants of Kachai lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush.) was developed. Full-length roots (~3 cm) were isolated from the in vitro grown seedlings and cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with Nitsch vitamin (MSN) with different concentrations of cytokinin [6-benzylaminopurine, (BAP)] and gibberellic acid (GA3). The frequency of multiple shoot proliferation was very high, with an average of 34.3 shoots per root explant when inoculated on the MSN medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mg L–1) and GA3 (1.0 mg L–1). Optimal rooting was induced in the plantlets under half strength MSN medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 0.5–1.0 mg L–1). IAA induced better root structure than 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), which was evident from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The expressions of growth regulating factor genes (GRF1 and GRF5) and GA3 signaling genes (GA2OX1 and KO1) were elevated in the regenerants obtained from MSN+BAP (1.0 mg L-1)+GA3 (1.0 mg L-1). The expressions of auxin regulating genes were high in roots obtained in ½ MSN+IAA 1.0 mg L-1. Furthermore, indexing of the regenerants confirmed that there was no amplicons detected for Huanglongbing bacterium and Citrus tristeza virus. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers detected no polymorphic bands amongst the regenerated plants. This is the first report that describes direct organogenesis from the root explant of Citrus jambhiri Lush. The high-frequency direct regeneration protocol in the present study provides an enormous significance in Citrus organogenesis, its commercial cultivation and genetic conservation.
Prevalence and associated factors of post-partum depression in Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zeleke Tadele Amare , Getinet Wondale , Tadesse Tessema Zemenu , Gebeyehu Kassahun
Published: February 2021

Background

Globally, post-partum depression is a major public health problem and is associated with a harmful effect on the infant, child, and mothers’ mental, physical, and social health. Although a few post-partum depression studies have been published, we still lack an accurate estimated pooled prevalence of national PPD and associated factors.

Objectives

This study aims to show the estimated pooled prevalence of PPD and associated factors in Ethiopia.

Methods

We conduct the extensive search of articles as indicated in the guideline (PRISMA), reporting systematic review and meta-analysis. Databases like MEDLINE, PubMed, psych INFO, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library. All publications and grey literature were addressed by using MeSH terms and keywords. The pooled estimated effect of post-partum depression and associated factors was analyzed using the random effect model meta-analysis, and 95% CI was also considered.

Protocol and registration

PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020176769 Available from https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020176769.

Result

A total of 11 studies with 7,582 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The estimated pooled prevalence of post-partum depression (PPD) was 22.08%, with a 95% CI (17.66%, 26.49). For factors associated with post-partum depression, a random effect size model was used during meta-analysis; unplanned pregnancy [(OR = 2.84; 95% CI (2.04, 3.97)], domestic violence [OR = 3.14; 95% CI (2.59, 3.80)], and poor social support [OR = 3.57;95% CI (2.29,5.54) were positively associated factors with post-partum depression.

Conclusion and recommendation

The estimated pooled prevalence of post-partum depression was high in Ethiopia. Unplanned pregnancy, poor social support, and domestic violence were factors affecting PPD. Therefore, the Ethiopian policymakers and health personnel better give more emphasis to mothers who had a history of unplanned pregnancy, domestic violence, and poor social support
Evasive entrepreneurship: Circumventing and exploiting institutional impediments for new profit opportunity in an emerging market
Authors: Ufere Nnaoke , Gaskin James
Published: February 2021

Evasive entrepreneurship (circumvention and exploitation of institutions by entrepreneurs) is a prevalent practice in many developing economies. Extant literature on the topic falls short of providing adequate theories to explain its triggers, mechanisms, and consequences. Leveraging extensive survey data from the World Bank, we used structural equation modeling to examine the relationship between evasive entrepreneurial behavior—tax evasion and bribery—and the relative payoff of such practices. Of the 2599 Nigerian entrepreneurs in our sample, the majority admitted to engaging in evasive entrepreneurship. The data suggest that institutional factors thought to constrain entrepreneurship in emerging markets are counter-intuitively perceived by founders as opportunities to earn large rents and improve firm performance. Our results emphasize the urgent need to eliminate institutional constraints that paradoxically enable the growth of evasive entrepreneurship in emerging economies. Our results also suggest that prevailing local conventions involving evasive behavior may motivate nascent entrepreneurs to imitate bribery and tax evasion, normalizing malfeasance as ‘best practice.’
Effects of pneumoperitoneum on kidney injury biomarkers: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Marton Filho Marcos Antonio , Alves Rodrigo Leal , Nascimento Paulo do , Tarquinio Gabriel dos Santos , Mega Paulo Ferreira , Pinheiro Módolo Norma Sueli
Published: February 2021

Background

Increased intra-abdominal pressure causes hemodynamic changes that may affect renal biomarkers.

Methods

This randomized, single-blind, single-center clinical trial recruited patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a tertiary care center in Brazil. They were randomly allocated to a standard intra-abdominal pressure group (P10-12, 10–12 mm Hg) and a low intra-abdominal pressure group (P6-8, 6–8 mm Hg). The primary outcome was the change in neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C levels measured at the beginning of the procedure (T0), at the end of the procedure (T1), and 24 hours after the procedure (T2). P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

In total, 64 patients completed the study—33 were given standard pressure and 31 were given low pressure. There was no significant difference in the biomarker between the groups (P = 0.580), but there was a significant difference between the time points with elevation at T1 (P < 0.001). Similar to NGAL, cystatin C had an elevation at T1 in both groups (P = 0.021), but no difference was found when comparing the groups.

Conclusions

In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, pneumoperitoneum increases NGAL and cystatin C levels intraoperatively, and the use of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum does not change the course of these biomarkers.
Duration of birth interval and its predictors among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: Gompertz gamma shared frailty modeling
Authors: Tesema Getayeneh Antehunegn , Worku Misganaw Gebrie , Teshale Achamyeleh Birhanu
Published: February 2021

Background

The World Health Organization recommended a minimum of 33 months between consecutive live births to reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Poorly spaced pregnancies are associated with poor maternal and child health outcomes such as low birth weight, stillbirth, uterine rupture, neonatal mortality, maternal mortality, child malnutrition, and maternal hemorrhage. However, there was limited evidence on the duration of birth interval and its predictors among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the duration of birth interval and its predictors among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia.

Methods

A secondary data analysis was conducted based on the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. A total weighted sample of 11022 reproductive-age women who gave birth within five years preceding the survey was included for analysis. To identify the predictors, the Gompertz gamma shared frailty model was fitted. The theta value, Akakie Information Criteria (AIC), Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), and deviance was used for model selection. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.2 in the bi-variable analysis were considered for the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable Gompertz gamma shared frailty analysis, the Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported to show the strength and statistical significance of the association.

Results

The median inter-birth interval in Ethiopia was 38 months (95% CI: 37.58, 38.42). Being living in Addis Ababa (AHR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.70), being rural resident (AHR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.23), being Muslim religious follower (AHR = 6.53, 95% CI: 2.35, 18.18), having three birth (AHR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.83), having four birth (AHR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.74), five and above births (AHR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.41), and using contraceptive (AHR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.16, 4.77) were found significant predictors of duration of birth interval.

Conclusion

The length of the inter-birth interval was consistent with the World Health Organization recommendation. Therefore, health care interventions that enhance modern contraceptive utilization among women in rural areas and Muslim religious followers would be helpful to optimize birth interval.
Non-Adherence Tree Analysis (NATA)—An adherence improvement framework: A COVID-19 case study
Authors: Edifor Ernest Edem , Brown Regina , Smith Paul , Kossik Rick
Published: February 2021

Poor medication adherence is a global phenomenon that has received a significant amount of research attention yet remains largely unsolved. Medication non-adherence can blur drug efficacy results in clinical trials, lead to substantial financial losses, increase the risk of relapse and hospitalisation, or lead to death. The most common methods of measuring adherence are post-treatment measures; that is, adherence is usually measured after the treatment has begun. What the authors are proposing in this multidisciplinary study is a new technique for predicting the factors that are likely to cause non-adherence before or during medication treatment, illustrated in the context of potential non-adherence to COVID-19 antiviral medication. Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), allows system analysts to determine how combinations of simple faults of a system can propagate to cause a total system failure. Monte Carlo simulation is a mathematical algorithm that depends heavily on repeated random sampling to predict the behaviour of a system. In this study, the authors propose a new technique called Non-Adherence Tree Analysis (NATA), based on the FTA and Monte Carlo simulation techniques, to improve adherence. Firstly, the non-adherence factors of a medication treatment lifecycle are translated into what is referred to as a Non-Adherence Tree (NAT). Secondly, the NAT is coded into a format that is translated into the GoldSim software for performing dynamic system modelling and analysis using Monte Carlo. Finally, the GoldSim model is simulated and analysed to predict the behaviour of the NAT. NATA is dynamic and able to learn from emerging datasets to improve the accuracy of future predictions. It produces a framework for improving adherence by analysing social and non-social adherence barriers. Novel terminologies and mathematical expressions have been developed and applied to real-world scenarios. The results of the application of NATA using data from six previous studies in relation to antiviral medication demonstrate a predictive model which suggests that the biggest factor that could contribute to non-adherence to a COVID-19 antiviral treatment is a therapy-related factor (the side effects of the medication). This is closely followed by a condition-related factor (asymptomatic nature of the disease) then patient-related factors (forgetfulness and other causes). From the results, it appears that side effects, asymptomatic factors and forgetfulness contribute 32.44%, 22.67% and 18.22% respectively to discontinuation of medication treatment of COVID-19 antiviral medication treatment. With this information, clinicians can implement relevant interventions and measures and allocate resources appropriately to minimise non-adherence.
Development of a categorical naming test in Korean: Standardization and clinical application for patients with stroke
Authors: Hwang Yu Mi , Na Yoonhye , Pyun Sung-Bom
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop and standardize a new categorical naming test, titled the Categorical Naming Test (CNT), for stroke patients, and to investigate its validity and clinical usefulness for patients with stroke.

Materials and methods

The CNT was developed based on semantic category, imageability, and psycholinguistic factors such as word frequency and word length. The test materials included two main semantic categories (living objects and artificial objects) comprising 60 items. We standardized the CNT on 221 healthy adults and administered the CNT to 112 stroke patients.

Results

Internal consistency and concurrent validity of the test were high. The mean total CNT scores varied significantly according to participants’ age, sex, and education. Among healthy controls, the scores for naming living objects were significantly higher than those for artificial objects. The analysis of stroke patients showed that the total CNT score revealed a statistically significant difference based on the patients’ lesion laterality and presence of aphasia, after controlling for age, sex, and education. However, the categorical scores achieved by comparing the naming scores for living and artificial objects showed no significant differences according to lesion laterality, stroke type, and presence of aphasia.

Conclusion

The CNT is a newly developed version of an overt naming task with high internal consistency validity for stroke patients in Korea. The newly developed CNT can prove useful in evaluating naming ability in stroke patients.
Articulatory motor planning and timbral idiosyncrasies as underlying mechanisms of instrument-specific absolute pitch in expert musicians
Authors: Hansen Niels Chr. , Reymore Lindsey
Published: February 2021

The study of musical expertise illustrates how intense training in a specialized domain may instigate development of implicit skills. While absolute pitch, or the ability to identify musical pitches without external reference, is rare even in professional musicians and is understood to have a genetic component, anecdotal evidence and pilot data suggest that some musicians without traditional absolute pitch are nonetheless better able to name notes played on their musical instrument of expertise than notes played on less familiar instruments. We have previously termed this particular gain in absolute pitch identification ability “instrument-specific absolute pitch” (ISAP) and have proposed that this skill is related to learned instrument type-specific timbral and intonational idiosyncrasies and articulatory motor planning activated by the timbre of the instrument. In this Registered Report Protocol, we describe two experiments designed to investigate ISAP in professional oboists. Experiment 1 tests for ISAP ability by comparing oboists’ pitch identification accuracies for notes played on the oboe and on the piano. A subset of the participants from Experiment 1 who demonstrate this ability will be recruited for Experiment 2; the purpose of Experiment 2 is to test hypotheses concerning a mechanistic explanation for ISAP. The outcome of these experiments may provide support for the theory that some individuals have ISAP and that the underlying mechanisms of this ability may rely on the perception of subtle timbral/intonational idiosyncrasies and on articulatory motor planning developed through intensive long-term training. In general, this work will contribute to the understanding of specialized expertise, specifically of implicit abilities and biases that are not addressed directly in training, but that may yet develop through practice of a related skill set.
Transcriptomic analysis elucidates the molecular processes associated with hydrogen peroxide-induced diapause termination in Artemia-encysted embryos
Authors: Chen Bonien , Chu Tah-Wei , Chiu Kuohsun , Hong Ming-Chang , Wu Tsung-Meng , Ma Jui-Wen , Liang Chih-Ming , Wang Wei-Kuang
Published: February 2021

Treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) raises the hatching rate through the development and diapause termination ofArtemiacysts. To comprehend the upstream genetic regulation of diapause termination activated by exterior H2O2elements, an Illumina RNA-seq analysis was performed to recognize and assess comparative transcript amounts to explore the genetic regulation of H2O2in starting the diapause termination of cysts inArtemia salina. We examined three groupings treated with no H2O2(control), 180 μM H2O2(low) and 1800 μM H2O2(high). The results showed a total of 114,057 unigenes were identified, 41.22% of which were functionally annotated in at least one particular database. When compared to control group, 34 and 98 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated in 180 μM and 1800 μM H2O2treatments, respectively. On the other hand, 162 and 30 DEGs were downregulated in the 180 μM and 1800 μM H2O2treatments, respectively. Cluster analysis of DEGs demonstrated significant patterns among these types of 3 groups. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed the DEGs involved in the regulation of blood coagulation (GO: 0030193; GO: 0050818), regulation of wound healing (GO:0061041), regulation of hemostasis (GO: 1900046), antigen processing and presentation (KO04612), the Hippo signaling pathway (KO04391), as well as the MAPK signaling pathway (KO04010). This research helped to define the diapause-related transcriptomes ofArtemiacysts using RNA-seq technology, which might fill up a gap in the prevailing body of knowledge.
Selective deletion of the receptor for CSF1, c-fms, in osteoclasts results in a high bone mass phenotype, smaller osteoclasts in vivo and an impaired response to an anabolic PTH regimen
Authors: Zhu Meiling , Sun Ben-hua , Nevius Erin , Kaplan Jared , Pereira João , Insogna Karl
Published: February 2021

The receptor for Colony Stimulating Factor 1 (CSF1), c-fms, is highly expressed on mature osteoclasts suggesting a role for this cytokine in regulating the function of these cells. Consistent with this idea, in vitro studies have documented a variety of effects of CSF1 in mature osteoclasts. To better define the role of CSF1 in these cells, we conditionally deleted c-fms in osteoclasts (c-fms-OC-/-) by crossing c-fmsflox/flox mice with mice expressing Cre under the control of the cathepsin K promoter. The c-fms-OC-/- mice were of normal weight and had normal tooth eruption. However, when quantified by DXA, bone mass was significantly higher in the spine and femur of female knock out mice and in the femurs of male knock out mice. MicroCT analyses of femurs showed that female c-fms-OC-/- mice had significantly increased trabecular bone mass with a similar trend in males and both sexes demonstrated significantly increased trabecular number and reduced trabecular spacing. Histomorphometric analysis of the femoral trabecular bone compartment demonstrated a trend towards increased numbers of osteoclasts, +26% in Noc/BPm and +22% in OcS/BS in the k/o animals but this change was not significant. However, when the cellular volume of osteoclasts was quantified, the c-fms-OC-/- cells were found to be significantly smaller than controls. Mature osteoclasts show a marked spreading response when exposed to CSF1 in a non-gradient fashion. However, osteoclasts freshly isolated from c-fms-OC-/- mice had a near complete abrogation of this response. C-fms-OC-/- mice treated with (1–34)hPTH 80 ng/kg/d in single daily subcutaneous doses for 29 days showed an attenuated anabolic response in trabecular bone compared to wild-type animals. Taken together, these data indicate an important non-redundant role for c-fms in regulating mature osteoclast function in vivo.
EEG signatures of cognitive and social development of preschool children–a systematic review
Authors: Bhavnani Supriya , Lockwood Estrin Georgia , Haartsen Rianne , Jensen Sarah K. G. , Gliga Teodora , Patel Vikram , Johnson Mark H.
Published: February 2021

Background

Early identification of preschool children who are at risk of faltering in their development is essential to ensuring that all children attain their full potential. Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used to measure neural correlates of cognitive and social development in children for decades. Effective portable and low-cost EEG devices increase the potential of its use to assess neurodevelopment in children at scale and particularly in low-resource settings. We conducted a systematic review aimed to synthesise EEG measures of cognitive and social development in 2-5-year old children. Our secondary aim was to identify how these measures differ across a) the course of development within this age range, b) gender and c) socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods and findings

A systematic literature search identified 51 studies for inclusion in this review. Data relevant to the primary and secondary aims was extracted from these studies and an assessment for risk of bias was done, which highlighted the need for harmonisation of EEG data collection and analysis methods across research groups and more detailed reporting of participant characteristics. Studies reported on the domains of executive function (n = 22 papers), selective auditory attention (n = 9), learning and memory (n = 5), processing of faces (n = 7) and emotional stimuli (n = 8). For papers investigating executive function and selective auditory attention, the most commonly reported measures were alpha power and the amplitude and latency of positive (P1, P2, P3) and negative (N1, N2) deflections of event related potential (ERPs) components. The N170 and P1 ERP components were the most commonly reported neural responses to face and emotional faces stimuli. A mid-latency negative component and positive slow wave were used to index learning and memory, and late positive potential in response to emotional non-face stimuli. While almost half the studies described changes in EEG measures across age, only eight studies disaggregated results based on gender, and six included children from low income households to assess the impact of SES on neurodevelopment. No studies were conducted in low- and middle-income countries.

Conclusion

This review has identified power across the EEG spectrum and ERP components to be the measures most commonly reported in studies in which preschool children engage in tasks indexing cognitive and social development. It has also highlighted the need for additional research into their changes across age and based on gender and SES.
Physical activity is associated with lower cerebral beta-amyloid and cognitive function benefits from lifetime experience–a study in exceptional aging
Authors: Treyer Valerie , Meyer Rafael S. , Buchmann Andreas , Crameri Giovanni A. G. , Studer Sandro , Saake Antje , Gruber Esmeralda , Unschuld Paul G. , Nitsch Roger M. , Hock Christoph , Gietl Anton F.
Published: February 2021

Background

Exceptional agers (85+ years) are characterized by preserved cognition presumably due to high cognitive reserve. In the current study, we examined whether personality, risk and protective factors for dementia as well as quality of life are associated with core features of Alzheimer’s disease (amyloid-deposition and hippocampal volume) as well as cognition in exceptional aging.

Methods

We studied 49 exceptional agers (average 87.8 years, range 84–94 years), with preserved activities of daily living and absence of dementia. All participants received a detailed clinical and neuropsychological examination. We used established questionnaires to measure lifetime experience, personality, recent physical and cognitive activity as well as quality of life. Cerebral amyloid-deposition was estimated by 18-[F]-Flutemetamol-PET and manual hippocampal volumetry was performed on 3D T1 MRI images.

Results

In this sample of exceptional agers with preserved activities of daily living, we found intact cognitive performance in the subjects with the highest amyloid-load in the brain, but a lower quality of life with respect to autonomy as well as higher neuroticism. Higher self-reported physical activity in the last twelve months went with a lower amyloid load. Higher self-reported leisure-time/ not work-related activity went with better executive functioning at older age.

Conclusion

Even in exceptional aging, high amyloid load may subtly influence personality and quality of life. Our findings support a close relationship between high physical activity and low amyloid-deposition and underscore the importance of extracurricular activities for executive functions. As executive functions are known to be a central resource for everyday functioning in fostering extracurricular activities may be effective in delaying the onset of dementia.
Colony-stimulating factor 3 signaling in colon and rectal cancers: Immune response and CMS classification in TCGA data
Authors: Saunders Apryl S. , Bender Dawn E. , Ray Anita L. , Wu Xiangyan , Morris Katherine T.
Published: February 2021

Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. The mechanisms underlying CRC development, progression, and resistance to treatment are complex and not fully understood. The immune response in the tumor microenvironment has been shown to play a significant role in many cancers, including colorectal cancer. Colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3) has been associated with changes to the immune environment in colorectal cancer animal models. We hypothesized that CSF3 signaling would correlate with pro-tumor tumor microenvironment changes associated with immune infiltrate and response. We utilized publicly available datasets to guide future mechanistic studies of the role CSF3 and its receptor (CSF3R) play in colorectal cancer development and progression. Here, we use bioinformatics data and mRNA from patients with colon (n = 242) or rectal (n = 92) cancers, obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas Firehose Legacy dataset. We examined correlations of CSF3 and CSF3R expression with patient demographics, tumor stage and consensus molecular subtype classification. Gene expression correlations, cell type enrichment, Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data scores and Gene Ontology were used to analyze expression of receptor and ligand, tumor microenvironment infiltration of immune cells, and alterations in biological pathways. We found that CSF3 and CSF3R expression is highest in consensus molecular subtype 1 and consensus molecular subtype 4. Ligand and receptor expression are also correlated with changes in T cell and macrophage signatures. CSF3R significantly correlates with a large number of genes that are associated with poor colorectal cancer prognosis.
Impact of climate change on “evaporation paradox” in province of Jiangsu in southeastern China
Authors: Qin Mengsheng , Zhang Yuan , Wan Shiquan , Yue Yuan , Cheng Yuan , Zhang Bo
Published: February 2021

Contrary to the common expectation that the reference evapotranspiration (ETo), which is an indicator of the atmospheric evaporation capability, increases in warming climate, the decline of the ETohas been reported worldwide, and this contradiction between the expected increasing EToand the observed decreasing one is now termed the “evaporation paradox”. Based on the updated meteorological data (1960–2019), we separately detected the spatiotemporal characteristics and the causes of the “evaporation paradox” in three subregions, namely Huaibei, Jianghuai, and Sunan, and throughout the entire province of Jiangsu in southeastern China. Different from the reported continuous unidirectional variations in the ETo, in the province of Jiangsu, it generally showed a decreasing trend before 1990 but followed an increasing trend from 1990 to 2019, which led to the different characteristics of the “evaporation paradox” in the periods from 1960 to 1989, from 1990 to 2019, and from 1960 to 2019. In the first 30 years, the reduction of the wind speed (WS) was the main reason for the decreased ETo, which consequently gave rise to the “evaporation paradox” in spring and winter in the Huaibei region and only in winter in the two other subregions and throughout the entire province. We noticed that the “evaporation paradox” in spring in the Sunan region was expressed by the decreased daily mean air temperature (Tmean) and the increased ETowhich was chiefly induced by the decreased relative humidity (RH) and the increased vapor pressure deficit (VPD). After 1990, the decreased WS also dominated the decreased EToand resulted in the “evaporation paradox” in winter in the Jianghuai region. Furthermore, the decreased sunshine hour (SH) was the main factor influencing the decreased ETo, thereby inducing the “evaporation paradox” in summer and autumn in the Jianghuai region and only in autumn in the Huaibei region and throughout the whole province from 1990 to 2019. In the whole study period from 1960 to 2019, the decreased SH was also found to be responsible for the decreased EToand for the “evaporation paradox” in summer in all the subregions and throughout the whole province. However, regarding the “evaporation paradox” in autumn, in winter, and in the entire year in the Huaibei region and throughout the whole province, the observed decreased ETowas largely due to the reduced WS from 1960 to 2019. In summary, in addition to the air temperature, the ETohas shifted due to the other meteorological variables (especially the WS, the SH, and the VPD) and shaped the unique spatiotemporal characteristics of the “evaporation paradox” in the province of Jiangsu in southeastern China. Moreover, future studies and simulations addressing the regional climate change and hydrological cycles should take account of the changeable key meteorological variables in different subregions and seasons of the province of Jiangsu.
Serotonin transporter genotype modulates resting state and predator stress-induced amygdala perfusion in mice in a sex-dependent manner
Authors: Kolter Jann F. , Hildenbrand Markus F. , Popp Sandy , Nauroth Stephan , Bankmann Julian , Rother Lisa , Waider Jonas , Deckert Jürgen , Asan Esther , Jakob Peter M. , Lesch Klaus-Peter , Schmitt-Böhrer Angelika
Published: February 2021

The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is a key molecule of serotoninergic neurotransmission and target of many anxiolytics and antidepressants. In humans, 5-HTT gene variants resulting in lower expression levels are associated with behavioral traits of anxiety. Furthermore, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies reported increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) during resting state (RS) and amygdala hyperreactivity. 5-HTT deficient mice as an established animal model for anxiety disorders seem to be well suited for investigating amygdala (re-)activity in an fMRI study. We investigated wildtype (5-HTT+/+), heterozygous (5-HTT+/-), and homozygous 5-HTT-knockout mice (5-HTT-/-) of both sexes in an ultra-high-field 17.6 Tesla magnetic resonance scanner. CBF was measured with continuous arterial spin labeling during RS, stimulation state (SS; with odor of rats as aversive stimulus), and post-stimulation state (PS). Subsequently, post mortem c-Fos immunohistochemistry elucidated neural activation on cellular level. The results showed that in reaction to the aversive odor CBF in total brain and amygdala of all mice significantly increased. In male 5-HTT+/+ mice amygdala RS CBF levels were found to be significantly lower than in 5-HTT+/- mice. From RS to SS 5-HTT+/+ amygdala perfusion significantly increased compared to both 5-HTT+/- and 5-HTT-/- mice. Perfusion level changes of male mice correlated with the density of c-Fos-immunoreactive cells in the amygdaloid nuclei. In female mice the perfusion was not modulated by the 5-Htt-genotype, but by estrous cycle stages. We conclude that amygdala reactivity is modulated by the 5-Htt genotype in males. In females, gonadal hormones have an impact which might have obscured genotype effects. Furthermore, our results demonstrate experimental support for the tonic model of 5-HTTLPR function.
Direct evaluation of self-quenching behavior of fluorophores at high concentrations using an evanescent field
Authors: Bae Wooli , Yoon Tae-Young , Jeong Cherlhyun
Published: February 2021

The quantum yield of a fluorophore is reduced when two or more identical fluorophores are in close proximity to each other. The study of protein folding or particle aggregation is can be done based on this above-mentioned phenomenon—called self-quenching. However, it is challenging to characterize the self-quenching of a fluorophore at high concentrations because of the inner filter effect, which involves depletion of excitation light and re-absorption of emission light. Herein, a novel method to directly evaluate the self-quenching behavior of fluorophores was developed. The evanescent field from an objective-type total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscope was used to reduce the path length of the excitation and emission light to ~100 nm, thereby supressing the inner filter effect. Fluorescence intensities of sulforhodamine B, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), and calcein solutions with concentrations ranging from 1 μM to 50 mM were directly measured to evaluate the concentration required for 1000-fold degree of self-quenching and to examine the different mechanisms through which the fluorophores undergo self-quenching.