bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep brain stimulation reduces pain in children with dystonia, including in dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Authors: Perides Sarah , Lin Jean‐Pierre , Lee Geraldine , Gimeno Hortensia , Lumsden Daniel E , Ashkan Keyoumars , Selway Richard , Kaminska Margaret 
Published: May 2020

AimTo establish the prevalence of dystonic pain in children and their response to deep brain stimulation (DBS).MethodDystonic pain was assessed in a cohort of 140 children, 71 males and 69 females, median age 11 years 11 months (range 3y–19y 1mo), undergoing DBS in our centre over a period of 10 years. The cohort was divided into aetiological dystonia groups: 1a, inherited; 1b, heredodegenerative; 2, acquired; and 3, idiopathic. Motor responses were measured with the Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS).ResultsDystonic pain was identified in 63 (45%) patients, 38% of whom had a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP). Dystonic pain improved in 90% of children and in all aetiological subgroups 1 year after DBS, while the BFMDRS motor score improved in 70%. Statistically significant improvement (p<0.01) was noted for the whole cohort on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (n=27), Paediatric Pain Profile (n=17), and Caregivers Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities questionnaire (n=48). There was reduction of pain severity, frequency, and analgesia requirement. Findings were similar for the whole cohort and aetiological subgroups other than the inherited heredodegenerative group where the improvement did not reach statistical significance.InterpretationDystonic pain is frequent in children with dystonia, including those with CP, who undergo DBS; this can be an important, realizable goal of surgery irrespective of aetiology. We encourage the use of multimodal approach in pain research to reduce the risk of bias.
Three‐dimensional echocardiography assessment of carcinoid valvular heart disease: Images of each and all
Authors: Cai Qiangjun , Beckles Daniel L. , Ahmad Masood 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA 54‐year‐old male was found to have neuroendocrine carcinoma with hepatic metastasis. Two‐dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) demonstrated dilated right ventricle and right atrium, and severe tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitation. Three‐dimensional (3D) TTE en‐face views showed thickened, retracted, and fixed tricuspid valve and pulmonic valve which remained widely open throughout the cardiac cycle. 3D TTE, particularly en‐face views, demonstrates incremental value over 2D TTE by providing precise valvular anatomic details comparable to surgical findings. 3D TTE also offers a unique opportunity to assess all four valves simultaneously with en‐face views to delineate their relationships with surrounding structures.
Growth performance and feed conversion of Ruspolia differens on plant‐based by‐product diets
Authors: Sorjonen Jaana M. , Lehtovaara Vilma J. , Immonen Joni , Karhapää Maija , Valtonen Anu , Roininen Heikki 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe use of food industry by‐products in insect feeds has gained increasing attention recently. However, the understanding of how well the economically valuable edible insect Ruspolia differens (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) can grow and develop with plant‐based by‐product feeds is currently lacking. It is important to determine the nutritional requirements, especially protein demand, of this species before developing artificial feeds for mass‐rearing. We reared R. differens with four control diets and 12 plant‐based by‐product diets in which the major protein source came from food industry by‐products, including potato‐protein, barley mash, barley feed, turnip rape, a mix of broad bean and pea, and a mix of potato, carrot, and apple. We asked whether the performance (development time, survival, and weight), feed conversion, and fatty acid composition and content differed among diet treatments. Furthermore, the 12 experimental by‐product diets were designed to reach six protein levels. We found that R. differens can be reared with various by‐product diets, but development time, survival, and weight differed among diets. Barley feed, barley mash, and potato protein diets seem to be good options for rearing, and potato glycoalkaloids do not affect the performance of R. differens. Individuals fed on the various by‐product diets also differed in their fatty acid composition and content. Increasing protein levels in diet up to 17% enhanced growth, development time, and survival, but no further enhancements were seen when fed diets with protein levels higher than this. The high protein levels decreased feed conversion rate. Our results can be valuable for designing feeds for insect mass‐rearing technology. The use of food industry by‐products in the diets for R. differens could increase the re‐use of local resources and enhance circular economy.
A fully defined artificial diet for Myzus persicae – the detailed technical manual
Authors: van Emden Helmut F. , Wild Elizabeth A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe have been able to maintain a continuous culture of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on a fully defined artificial diet at Reading, UK, for over 30 years, without any return to plants. Following multiple requests from aphid researchers, here we provide the details of our culturing method. Detailed instructions are given for rearing M. persicae on the diet. An improved recipe is included as well as the construction and changing of diet sachets.
Exploring the homogeneity of terrestrial subterranean communities at a local spatial scale
Authors: Mammola Stefano , Chiappetta Nicolò , Giachino Pier Mauro , Antić Dragan Ž. , Zapparoli Marzio , Isaia Marco 
Published: May 2020

1. Although caves are generally perceived as isolated habitats, at the local scale, they are often interconnected via a network of fissures in the bedrock. Accordingly, caves in close proximity are expected to host the same, or very similar, animal communities.2. We explored the extent to which subterranean arthropod communities are homogenous at a local spatial scale of less than 1 km2, along with which cave‐specific environmental features result in a departure from the expected homogeneous pattern. We approached this question by studying richness and turnover in terrestrial invertebrate communities of 27 caves in a small karst massif in the Western Italian Alps.3. Specialised subterranean species were homogeneously distributed among caves and were not influenced by seasonality. The only factor driving their distribution was the distance from the cave entrance, with deeper caves yielding a greater diversity of species.4. Significant spatio‐temporal turnover in species not specialised to subterranean life was observed. In summer, there was a significant homogenisation of the community and a more even distribution of species among sites; in winter, these species were missing or found exclusively at greater depths, where environmental conditions were more stable. Furthermore, caves at lower elevations yielded, on average, a greater diversity and abundance of these species.5. This study demonstrated that the theoretical expectation of no turnover in community composition in caves in close proximity is not always met. Turnover can be mostly attributed to seasonal patterns and sampling depth; thus, our findings have implications for planning sampling and monitoring activities in caves.
Preparation of saccade sequences and eye programming affect endogenous covert attention
Authors: Michalczyk Łukasz , Bielas Jacek , Schab Anna 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEndogenous attention can be allocated in parallel to at least two saccade target locations of a planned sequence, but attentional resources are larger in the location of the first than the second saccade. The meridian effect that is observed in endogenous attention can be explained by eye programming, but it is not known how eye‐movement preparation and eye programming can together affect endogenous attention during sequential saccades. We used a double‐task paradigm to investigate this issue. In two experiments, we confirmed the relation between the preparation of sequential saccades and attentional selection and also showed that eye programming could eliminate deterioration of attentional resources in the second saccade location. The finding of the meridian effect in both the saccadic task and the target discrimination task additionally indicates the important role of eye programming in endogenous attention. The results were discussed in terms of the Premotor Theory of Attention.
Light‐dependent development of the tectorotundal projection in pigeons
Authors: Letzner Sara , Manns Martina , Güntürkün Onur 
Published: May 2020

AbstractLeft–right differences in the structural and functional organization of the brain are widespread in the animal kingdom and develop in close gene–environment interactions. The visual system of birds like chicks and pigeons exemplifies how sensory experience shapes lateralized visual processing. Owing to an asymmetrical posture of the embryo in the egg, the right eye/ left brain side is more strongly light‐stimulated what triggers asymmetrical differentiation processes leading to a left‐hemispheric dominance for visuomotor control. In pigeons (Columba livia), a critical neuroanatomical element is the asymmetrically organized tectofugal pathway. Here, more fibres cross from the right tectum to the left rotundus than vice versa. In the current study, we tested whether the emergence of this projection asymmetry depends on embryonic light stimulation by tracing tectorotundal neurons in pigeons with and without lateralized embryonic light experience. The quantitative tracing pattern confirmed higher bilateral innervation of the left rotundus in light‐exposed and thus, asymmetrically light‐stimulated pigeons. This was the same in light‐deprived pigeons. Here, however, also the right rotundus received an equally strong bilateral input. This suggests that embryonic light stimulation does not increase bilateral tectal innervation of the stronger stimulated left but rather decreases such an input pattern to the right brain side. Combined with a morphometric analysis, our data indicate that embryonic photic stimulation specifically affects differentiation of the contralateral cell population. Differential modification of ipsi‐ and contralateral tectorotundal connections could have important impact on the regulation of intra‐ and interhemispheric information transfer and ultimately on hemispheric dominance pattern during visual processing.
Management of rare movement disorders in Europe: outcome of surveys of the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases
Authors: Painous C. , van Os N. J. H. , Delamarre A. , Michailoviene I. , Marti M. J. , van de Warrenburg B. P. , Meissner W. G. , Utkus A. , Reinhard C. , Graessner H. , Tijssen M. A. 
Published: May 2020

Background and purposeThe diagnosis of rare movement disorders is difficult and specific management programmes are not well defined. Thus, in order to capture and assess care needs, the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases has performed an explorative care need survey across all European Union (EU) countries.MethodsThis is a multicentre, cross‐sectional study. A survey about the management of different rare movement disorders (group 1, dystonia, paroxysmal dyskinesia and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation; group 2, ataxias and hereditary spastic paraparesis; group 3, atypical parkinsonism; group 4, choreas) was sent to an expert in each group of disorders from each EU country.ResultsSome EU countries claimed for an increase of teaching courses. Genetic testing was not readily available in a significant number of countries. Regarding management, patients’ accessibility to tertiary hospitals, to experts and to multidisciplinary teams was unequal between countries and groups of diseases. The availability of therapeutic options, such as botulinum toxin or more invasive treatments like deep brain stimulation, was limited in some countries.ConclusionsThe management of these conditions in EU countries is unequal. The survey provides evidence that a European care‐focused network that is able to address the unmet rare neurological disease care needs and inequalities is highly warranted.
High‐frequency electrical stimulation of the anterior thalamic nuclei increases vigilance in epilepsy patients during relaxed and drowsy wakefulness
Authors: Bucurenciu Iancu , Staack Anke Maren , Gharabaghi Alireza , Steinhoff Bernhard J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveHigh‐frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) of anterior thalamic nuclei (ANT) reduces the frequency and intensity of focal and focal to bilateral tonic‐clonic epileptic seizures. We investigated the impact of high‐frequency ANT‐DBS on vigilance in epilepsy patients during relaxed and drowsy wakefulness, to better understand the effects and the mechanisms of action of this intervention in humans.MethodsFour patients with different structural epileptic pathologies were included in this retrospective case‐cohort study. Short‐ and long‐term electroencephalography (EEG) was used to determine states of relaxed or drowsy wakefulness and the vigilance changes during stimulation‐on and stimulation‐off intervals.ResultsIn relaxed, wakeful patients with eyes closed, the eyelid artifact rate increased acutely and reproducibly during stimulation‐on intervals, suggesting an enhanced vigilance. This effect was accompanied by a slight acceleration of the alpha rhythm. In drowsy patients with eyes closed, stimulation generated acutely and reproducibly alpha rhythms, similar to the paradoxical alpha activation during eyes opening. The occurrence of the alpha rhythms reflected an increase in the vigilance of the drowsy subjects during ANT‐DBS.SignificanceThis is the first demonstration that ANT‐DBS increases the vigilance of wakeful epilepsy patients. Our results deliver circumstantial evidence that high‐frequency ANT‐DBS activates thalamocortical connections that promote wakefulness.
Electrocorticographic and neurochemical findings after local cortical valproate application in patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy
Authors: Altenmüller Dirk‐Matthias , Hebel Jonas M. , Deniz Cagan , Volz Silvanie , Zentner Josef , Feuerstein Thomas J. , Moser Andreas 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBecause oral pharmacological treatment of neocortical focal epilepsy is limited due to common systemic side effects and relatively low drug concentrations reached at the epileptic foci locally, application of antiepileptic agents directly onto the neocortical focus may enhance treatment tolerability and efficacy. We describe the effects of cortically applied sodium valproate (VPA) in two patients with pharmacoresistant neocortical focal epilepsy who were selected for epilepsy surgery after a circumscribed epileptic focus had been determined by invasive presurgical evaluation using subdural electrodes. Local VPA modified epileptic activity as electrocorticographically recorded from the chronic focus in both patients. In addition, VPA induced local increase of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in cortical tissue samples, whereas the excitatory glutamate was possibly decreased. In this clinical pilot study, we could show antiepileptic effects of cortically applied VPA in humans by electrocorticographic and neurochemical parameters.
Ultrasonography and surgical management of a perineal hernia in a donkey
Authors: Torad F. A. , Abu‐Seida A. M. , Shamaa A. A. , Hassan E. A. , Abdelgalil A. I. 
Published: May 2020

SummaryThis case report records a unilateral perineal hernia in a 7‐year‐old female donkey. The donkey had a history of unilateral swelling lateral to the left vulvar lip and difficulty in defaecation. Upon palpation, the swelling was painless, soft and reducible. Ultrasonography revealed a hyperechoic hernia sac containing dilated nonmotile bowel with homogenous hypoechoic contents. Primary herniorrhaphy was performed after repositioning of the herniated bowel. The donkey made an uneventful recovery with no recurrence or complications for 6 months of available follow‐up. In conclusion, perineal hernia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of perineal swellings in donkeys. Clinical examination, ultrasonography and surgical exploration are valuable for definite diagnosis of perineal hernia in donkeys. Surgical herniorrhaphy was successful in correcting the problem in this case.
Modelling the probability and impact of false‐positive serology for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato: A case study
Authors: Houben Rosa M. A. C. , Meersschaert Carole , Hendrickx Guy , Pitel Pierre‐Hugues , Amory Hélène 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundSerological screening tests for Lyme borreliosis have poor specificity, with potential for misdiagnosis and unnecessary antimicrobial treatment.ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of Lyme borreliosis seroprevalence and serologic test characteristics on the probability of obtaining a false‐positive result and impact on antimicrobial use.Study designCross‐sectional serological survey and modelling.MethodsSera from 303 horses in southern Belgium were analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apparent seroprevalence was derived from serological data and a Bayesian estimate of true seroprevalence was computed. These were a starting point to model the impact of test and population characteristics on the probability of obtaining false‐positive results and consequently unnecessary treatments and complications.ResultsApparent and true seroprevalence were 22% (95% CI 18%‐27%) and 11% (credible interval with 95% probability 0.6%‐21%) respectively. We estimate that two‐thirds of positive samples are false positive in southern Belgium, with one in five of tested horses potentially misdiagnosed as infected. Around 5% of antimicrobial use in equine veterinary practice in Belgium may be attributable to treatment of a false‐positive result.Main limitationsThere was uncertainty regarding the ELISA's sensitivity and specificity.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of appreciating the poor diagnostic value of ELISA screening for Lyme borreliosis as demonstrated by this case study of seroprevalence in southern Belgium where we demonstrate that a nontrivial number of horses is estimated to receive unwarranted treatment due to poor appreciation of screening test characteristics by practitioners, contributing substantially to unnecessary use of antimicrobials.
Contrast therapy: Tissue heating and cooling properties within the equine distal limb
Authors: Haussler Kevin K. , Wilde Shana R. , Davis Michael S. , Hess Ann M. , McIlwraith C. Wayne 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundRehabilitation of tendon injuries in horses often involves cryotherapy to reduce inflammation and occasionally tissue heating to increase collagen extensibility. The application of alternating cold and hot (ie contrast therapy) is widely used in human physical therapy; however, its utility in equine rehabilitation is largely unknown.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to (a) assess if the equipment could achieve therapeutic tissue temperatures (<15 and >40°C) at different tissue depths relative to the digital flexor tendons and (b) evaluate the time‐temperature profiles during serial heating and cooling cycles using a contrast therapy device.Study designIn vivo experiment.MethodsIn 4 adult horses with normal forelimb digital flexor tendons, fine‐wire temperature probes were placed superficially on the skin and implanted subcutaneously, deep to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and deep to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). Temperatures were recorded over three complete thermal (hot‐cold) cycles. Minimum and maximum temperatures were recorded and the rate of temperature changes and the areas underneath the time‐temperature curves (ie thermal load) were calculated.ResultsMinimum and maximum tissue temperatures (°C) included: superficial skin [12.6 ± 1.0; 42.4 ± 2.4], subcutaneous tissues [14.1 ± 0.8; 42.3 ± 2.2], deep to the SDFT [15.6 ± 0.8; 41.7 ± 2.6] and deep to DDFT [25.1 ± 2.0; 38.0 ± 3.5]. An initial rapid rate of tissue temperature change between 3.2 and 4.3°C/min occurred within tissues to the depth of the DDFT. Tissue thermal loads during heating ranged from 255 to 607°C*second and from 309 to 780°C*second during tissue cooling, with the lower values noted deep to the DDFT.Main limitationsUnknown clinical efficacy in diseased tissues.ConclusionsThe applied contrast therapy was consistently able to induce cooling and heating of tissues to the depth of the DDFT.
Activation mechanism of plasmepsins, pepsin‐like aspartic proteases from Plasmodium, follows a unique trans‐activation pathway
Authors: Rathore Ishan , Mishra Vandana , Patel Chandan , Xiao Huogen , Gustchina Alla , Wlodawer Alexander , Yada Rickey Y. , Bhaumik Prasenjit 
Published: May 2020

Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria produce plasmepsins (PMs), pepsin‐like aspartic proteases that are important antimalarial drug targets due to their role in host hemoglobin degradation. The enzymes are synthesized as inactive zymogens (pro‐PMs), and the mechanism of their conversion to the active, mature forms has not been clearly elucidated. Our structural investigations of vacuolar pro‐PMs with truncated prosegment (pro‐tPMs) reveal that the formation of the S‐shaped dimer is their innate property. Further structural studies, biochemical analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that disruption of the Tyr‐Asp loop (121p‐4), coordinated with the movement of the loop L1 (237–247) and helix H2 (101p–113p), is responsible for the extension of the pro‐mature region (harboring the cleavage site). Consequently, under acidic pH conditions, these structural changes result in the dissociation of the dimers to monomers and the protonation of the residues in the prosegment prompts its unfolding. Subsequently, we demonstrated that the active site of the monomeric pro‐tPMs with the unfolded prosegment is accessible for peptide substrate binding; in contrast, the active site is blocked in folded prosegment form of pro‐tPMs. Thus, we propose a novel mechanism of auto‐activation of vacuolar pro‐tPMs that under acidic conditions can form a catalytically competent active site. One monomer cleaves the prosegment of the other one through a trans‐activation process, resulting in formation of mature enzyme. As a result, once a mature enzyme is generated, it leads to the complete conversion of all the inactive pro‐tPMs to their mature form.DatabaseAtomic coordinates and structure factors have been submitted in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) under the PDB IDs 6KUB, 6KUC, and 6KUD.
Killer whale abundance and predicted narwhal consumption in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Lefort Kyle J. , Garroway Colin J. , Ferguson Steven H. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRange expansions and increases in the frequency of killer whale (Orcinus orca) sightings have been documented in the eastern Canadian Arctic, presumably the result of climate change‐related sea‐ice declines. However, the effects of increased predator occurrence on this marine ecosystem remain largely unknown. We explore the consequences of climate change‐related range expansions by a top predator by estimating killer whale abundance and their possible consumptive effects on narwhal (Monodon monoceros) in the Canadian Arctic. Individual killer whales can be identified using characteristics such as acquired scars and variation in the shape and size of their dorsal fins. Capture–mark–recapture analysis of 63 individually identifiable killer whales photographed between 2009 and 2018 suggests a population size of 163 ± 27. This number of killer whales could consume >1,000 narwhal during their seasonal residency in Arctic waters. The effects of such mortality at the ecosystem level are uncertain, but trophic cascades caused by top predators, including killer whales, have been documented elsewhere. These findings illustrate the magnitude of ecosystem‐level modifications that can occur with climate change‐related shifts in predator distributions.