bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Music Exposure Prevents Age-Related Cognitive Deficits in Rats Independently of Hippocampal Neurogenesis
Authors: Rizzolo Lou , Leger Marianne , Corvaisier Sophie , Groussard Mathilde , Platel Hervé , Bouet Valentine , Schumann-Bard Pascale , Freret Thomas 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Cognitive decline appears across aging. While some studies report beneficial effects of musical listening and practice on cognitive aging, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain unknown. This study aims to determine whether chronic (6 h/day, 3 times/week) and long-lasting (4–8 months) music exposure, initiated at middle age in rats (15 months old), can influence behavioral parameters sensitive to age effects and reduce age-related spatial memory decline in rats. Spontaneous locomotor, circadian rhythmic activity, and anxiety-like behavior as well as spatial working and reference memory were assessed in 14-month-old rats and then after 4 and 8 months of music exposure (19 and 23 months old, respectively). Spatial learning and reference memory data were followed up by considering cognitive status of animals prior to music exposure (14 months old) given by K-means clustering of individual Z-score. Hippocampal cell proliferation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were measured. Results show that music exposure differentially rescues age-related deficits in spatial navigation tasks according to its duration without affecting spontaneous locomotor, circadian rhythmic activity, and anxiety-like behavior. Hippocampal cell proliferation as well as hippocampal and frontal cortex BDNF levels was not affected by music across aging. Cognitive improvement by music in aging rats may require distinct neurobiological mechanisms than hippocampal cell proliferation and BDNF.
Is There a Correlation Between the Number of Brain Cells and IQ?
Authors: Songthawornpong Nicharatch , Teasdale Thomas W , Olesen Mikkel V , Pakkenberg Bente 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Our access to a unique material of postmortem brains obtained from decades of data collection enabled a stereological analysis of the neuron numbers and correlation of results with individual premorbid intelligence quotient (IQ) data. In our sample of 50 brains from men, we find that IQ does not correlate with the number of brain cells in the human neocortex and was only weakly correlated to brain weight. Our stereological examination extended to measures of several other parameters that might be of relevance to intelligence, including numbers of cerebral glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia) and the volume of key areas in the gray and white matter and of the cerebral ventricles, also showing near-zero nonsignificant correlations to IQ.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infections Among Healthcare Workers, Los Angeles County, February–May 2020
Authors: Hartmann Stacy , Rubin Zachary , Sato Heidi , O Yong Kelsey , Terashita Dawn , Balter Sharon 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Across the world, healthcare workers (HCW) are at a greater risk of infection by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the nature of their work. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) set out to understand the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare facilities and HCWs by tracking and analyzing data from case-patient interviews of HCWs. As of 31 May, over 3 months into the pandemic, nearly 5500 positive HCWs were reported to LAC DPH, representing 9.6% of all cases. Cases reported working in 27 different setting types, including outpatient medical offices, correctional facilities, emergency medical services, and so forth, with the highest proportion from long-term care facilities (46.6%) and hospitals (27.7%). Case patients included both clinical and nonclinical roles, with nearly half (49.4%) of positive HCWs being nurses. Over two-thirds of HCWs (68.6%) worked at some point during their infectious period, and nearly half (47.9%) reported a known exposure to a positive patient and/or coworker within their facility. Overall, compared to all LAC cases, HCWs reported lower rates of hospitalization (5.3% vs 12.2%) and death (0.7% vs 4.3%) from COVID-19. There are many factors that increase HCWs risk of infection, including high-risk work environment, limited supply of personal protective equipment, and even pressure to help and work during a pandemic. In response to these data, LAC DPH created resources and provided guidance for healthcare facilities to best protect their patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Querying Tenuous Group in Attributed Networks
Authors: Li Yang , Sun Heli , He Liang , Huang Jianbin , Chen Jiyin , He Hui , Jia Xiaolin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Finding groups in networks is very common in many practical applications, and most work mainly focus on dense groups. However, in scenarios like reviewer selection or weak social friends recommendation, we need to emphasize the privacy of individuals or minimize the possibility of information dissemination. So the internal relationship between individuals should be as tenuous as possible, but existing works cannot suit well to the requirement. Some works have focused on finding tenuous groups. However, these works only aim to find the most tenuous group and do not consider containing certain vertices. In this paper, we study the problem of finding tenuous groups in attributed networks that contain specific vertices. We first propose a new problem called Tenuous Attributed Group Query, and a new indicator, k-tenuity, to measure the structural tenuity of a group. Then we propose a method TAG-Basic to find proper groups by gradually selecting the vertices with optimal influence. We further design an advanced method TAG-ADV to improve the efficiency by forming a candidate set before selecting the optimal vertex. Experiment results show that k-tenuity is more effective than other state-of-the-art measurements, and our methods obtain the best result on group quality compared with other benchmark methods.
Developmental Stages of Information and Communication Technology
Authors: Löwstedt Anthony 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWith a media anthropological-philosophical approach to ICT, four convergent developmental stages are distinguished and defined: pictography, ethography, phonography, and prography. They are invented/acquired in this sequence by human individuals as well as the human genus in general. Pictograms were first invented in forager cultures, ethograms in permanently settled village communities, phonograms in the early cities and civilizations of southwest Asia and northeast Africa, and electronic programs in a globalized society under North Atlantic domination. Print is considered as a corollary to phonography. Anthropological contextualization of technologies and institutions and the socio-politico-economic inclusivity and exclusivity of media are highlighted. Since the ‘agricultural revolution’, exclusive as well as inclusive media have accompanied humanity. Lately, inclusive potential has grown again through the accessibility, ubiquity, and convergent depth of prography. However, new challenges to inclusivity, including new forms of surveillance, weaponization of the media and widening wealth disparities, have materialized in the same context.
Impaired cytoplasmic domain interactions cause co-assembly defect and loss of function in the p.Glu293Lys KNCJ2 variant isolated from an Andersen–Tawil syndrome patient
Authors: Déri Szilvia , Borbás János , Hartai Teodóra , Hategan Lidia , Csányi Beáta , Visnyovszki Ádám , Madácsy Tamara , Maléth József , Hegedűs Zoltán , Nagy István , Arora Rohit , Labro Alain J , Környei László , Varró András , Sepp Róbert , Ördög Balázs 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Aims
Subunit interactions at the cytoplasmic domain interface (CD-I) have recently been shown to control gating in inward rectifier potassium channels. Here we report the novel KCNJ2 variant p.Glu293Lys that has been found in a patient with Andersen–Tawil syndrome type 1 (ATS1), causing amino acid substitution at the CD-I of the inward rectifier potassium channel subunit Kir2.1. Neither has the role of Glu293 in gating control been investigated nor has a pathogenic variant been described at this position. This study aimed to assess the involvement of Glu293 in CD-I subunit interactions and to establish the pathogenic role of the p.Glu293Lys variant in ATS1.

Methods and results
The p.Glu293Lys variant produced no current in homomeric form and showed dominant-negative effect over wild-type (WT) subunits. Immunocytochemical labelling showed the p.Glu293Lys subunits to distribute in the subsarcolemmal space. Salt bridge prediction indicated the presence of an intersubunit salt bridge network at the CD-I of Kir2.1, with the involvement of Glu293. Subunit interactions were studied by the NanoLuc® Binary Technology (NanoBiT) split reporter assay. Reporter constructs carrying NanoBiT tags on the intracellular termini produced no bioluminescent signal above background with the p.Glu293Lys variant in homomeric configuration and significantly reduced signals in cells co-expressing WT and p.Glu293Lys subunits simultaneously. Extracellularly presented reporter tags, however, generated comparable bioluminescent signals with heteromeric WT and p.Glu293Lys subunits and with homomeric WT channels.

Conclusions
Loss of function and dominant-negative effect confirm the causative role of p.Glu293Lys in ATS1. Co-assembly of Kir2.1 subunits is impaired in homomeric channels consisting of p.Glu293Lys subunits and is partially rescued in heteromeric complexes of WT and p.Glu293Lys Kir2.1 variants. These data point to an important role of Glu293 in mediating subunit assembly, as well as in gating of Kir2.1 channels.
Re-Evaluating the Evidence for Faecal Microbiota Transplantation ‘Super-Donors’ in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Olesen Scott W , Gerardin Ylaine 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Faecal microbiota transplantation [FMT] is a recommended treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, and there is promise that FMT may be effective for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Previous FMT clinical trials have considered the possibility of a ‘donor effect’, that is, that FMT material from different donors has different clinical efficacies.

Methods
Here we re-evaluate evidence for donor effects in published FMT clinical trials for IBD.

Results
In ten of 12 published studies, no statistically significant donor effect was detected when rigorously re-evaluating the original analyses. One study showed statistically significant separation of microbiota composition of pools of donor stool when stratified by patient outcome. One study reported a significant effect but did not have underlying data available for re-evaluation. When quantifying the uncertainty on the magnitude of the donor effect, confidence intervals were large, including both zero donor effects and very substantial donor effects.

Conclusion
Although we found very little evidence for donor effects, the existing data cannot rule out the possibility that donor effects are clinically important. Large clinical trials prospectively designed to detect donor effects are probably needed to determine if donor effects are clinically relevant for IBD.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) levels in relation to risk factors for COVID-19 in two large cohorts of patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wallentin Lars , Lindbäck Johan , Eriksson Niclas , Hijazi Ziad , Eikelboom John W , Ezekowitz Michael D , Granger Christopher B , Lopes Renato D , Yusuf Salim , Oldgren Jonas , Siegbahn Agneta 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Aims
The global COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus entering human cells using angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a cell surface receptor. ACE2 is shed to the circulation, and a higher plasma level of soluble ACE2 (sACE2) might reflect a higher cellular expression of ACE2. The present study explored the associations between sACE2 and clinical factors, cardiovascular biomarkers, and genetic variability.

Methods and results
Plasma and DNA samples were obtained from two international cohorts of elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (n = 3999 and n = 1088). The sACE2 protein level was measured by the Olink Proteomics® Multiplex CVD II96 × 96 panel. Levels of the biomarkers high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, D-dimer, and cystatin-C were determined by immunoassays. Genome-wide association studies were performed by Illumina chips. Higher levels of sACE2 were statistically significantly associated with male sex, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and older age. The sACE2 level was most strongly associated with the levels of GDF-15, NT-proBNP, and hs-cTnT. When adjusting for these biomarkers, only male sex remained associated with sACE2. We found no statistically significant genetic regulation of the sACE2 level.

Conclusions
Male sex and clinical or biomarker indicators of biological ageing, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are associated with higher sACE2 levels. The levels of GDF-15 and NT-proBNP, which are associated both with the sACE2 level and a higher risk for mortality and cardiovascular disease, might contribute to better identification of risk for severe COVID-19 infection.
Covariation patterns of phytoplankton and bacterioplankton in hypertrophic shallow lakes
Authors: Schiaffino M R , Huber P , Sagua M , Sabio y García C A , Reissig M 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT
The aim of this work was to assess the temporal patterns in the community composition of phytoplankton (PCC) and bacterioplankton (BCC) in two interconnected and hypertrophic Pampean shallow lakes in Argentina. Factors shaping their community dynamics and community temporal covariations were also analysed. We performed 4 years of seasonal samplings (2012–2016) and communities were studied by the Utermöhl approach (PCC) and Illumina MiSeq sequencing (BCC). We found marked seasonal variations in both communities and inter-annual variations with decreasing microbial community similarities during the study. We also observed covariation in community-level dynamics among PCC and BCC within and between shallow lakes. The within-lake covariations remained positive and significant, while controlling for the effects of intrinsic (environmental) and extrinsic (temporal and meteorological) factors, suggesting a community coupling mediated by intrinsic biotic interactions. Algal-bacterial associations between different taxa of phytoplankton and bacterioplankton within each lake were also found. PCC was mainly explained by pure regional extrinsic (17–21%) and intrinsic environmental (8–9%) factors, while BCC was explained by environmental (8–10%) and biotic interactions with phytoplankton (7–8%). Our results reveal that the influence of extrinsic regional factors can be channeled to bacterioplankton through both environmental (i.e. water temperature) and phytoplankton effects.
SIGAR: Inferring Features of Genome Architecture and DNA Rearrangements by Split-Read Mapping
Authors: Feng Yi , Beh Leslie Y , Chang Wei-Jen , Landweber Laura F 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Ciliates are microbial eukaryotes with distinct somatic and germline genomes. Postzygotic development involves extensive remodeling of the germline genome to form somatic chromosomes. Ciliates therefore offer a valuable model for studying the architecture and evolution of programed genome rearrangements. Current studies usually focus on a few model species, where rearrangement features are annotated by aligning reference germline and somatic genomes. Although many high-quality somatic genomes have been assembled, a high-quality germline genome assembly is difficult to obtain due to its smaller DNA content and abundance of repetitive sequences. To overcome these hurdles, we propose a new pipeline, SIGAR (Split-read Inference of Genome Architecture and Rearrangements) to infer germline genome architecture and rearrangement features without a germline genome assembly, requiring only short DNA sequencing reads. As a proof of principle, 93% of rearrangement junctions identified by SIGAR in the ciliate Oxytricha trifallax were validated by the existing germline assembly. We then applied SIGAR to six diverse ciliate species without germline genome assemblies, including Ichthyophthirius multifilii, a fish pathogen. Despite the high level of somatic DNA contamination in each sample, SIGAR successfully inferred rearrangement junctions, short eliminated sequences, and potential scrambled genes in each species. This pipeline enables pilot surveys or exploration of DNA rearrangements in species with limited DNA material access, thereby providing new insights into the evolution of chromosome rearrangements.
Shear-wave splitting beneath Fennoscandia — evidence for dipping structures and laterally varying multilayer anisotropy
Authors: Grund Michael , Ritter Joachim R R 
Published: August 2020

SUMMARYThe geodynamic evolution of Fennoscandia in northern Europe (Finland, Sweden and Norway) is coined by ca. 3 Ga history of tectonic processes including continental growth in its central and eastern parts and Neogene uplift processes of the Scandinavian mountains (Scandes) located along its western edge. Many details are still under debate and we contribute with new findings from studying deep-seated seismic anisotropy. Using teleseismic waveforms of more than 260 recording stations (long-running permanent networks, previous temporary experiments and newly installed temporary stations) in the framework of the ScanArray experiment, we present the most comprehensive study to date on seismic anisotropy across Fennoscandia. The results are based on single and multi-event shear-wave splitting analysis of core refracted shear waves (SKS, SKKS, PKS and sSKS). The splitting measurements indicate partly complex, laterally varying multilayer anisotropy for individual areas. Consistent measurements at permanent and temporary recording stations over several years and for seismic events of specific source regions allow us to robustly constrain dipping anisotropic structures by adding systematic forward modelling. Although the data coverage is partly limited to only few source regions, our findings support concepts of continental growth due to individual episodes of (paleo-) subduction, each affecting a plunging of the anisotropic fast axis direction due to collisional deformation. Along the northern Scandes the fast axis direction (ϕ) is parallel to the mountain range (NE-SW), whereas an NNW-SSE trend dominates across the southern Scandes. In the south, across the Sorgenfrei–Tornquist Zone, a NW-SE trend of ϕ dominates which is parallel to this suture zone. The Oslo Graben is characterized by an NNE-SSW trend of ϕ. In northern Norway and Sweden (mainly Paleoproterozoic lithosphere), a dipping anisotropy with ϕ towards NE prevails. This stands in contrast to the Archean domain in the NE of our study region where ϕ is consistently oriented NNE-SSW. In the Finnish part of the Svecofennian domain, a complex two-layer anisotropy pattern is found which may be due to lateral variations around the seismic stations and which requires a higher data density than ours for a unique model building. Based on these findings our study demonstrates the importance of long recording periods (in the best case &gt; 10 yr) to obtain a sufficient data coverage at seismic stations, especially to perform meaningful structural modelling based on shear-wave splitting observations.
ESHRE PGT Consortium data collection XVI–XVIII: cycles from 2013 to 2015†
Authors: Coonen E , van Montfoort A , Carvalho F , Kokkali G , Moutou C , Rubio C , De Rycke M , Goossens V 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION
What are the trends and developments in preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) in 2013–2015 as compared to previous years?

SUMMARY ANSWER
The main trends observed in the retrospective data collections 2013–2015, representing valuable data on PGT activity in (mainly) Europe, are the increased application of trophectoderm biopsy at the cost of cleavage stage biopsy and the continuing expansion of comprehensive testing technology in PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangements and for aneuploidies (PGT-SR and PGT-A).

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Since it was established in 1997, the ESHRE PGT Consortium has been collecting data from international PGT centres. To date, 15 data sets and an overview of the first 10 years of data collections have been published.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Collection of (mainly) European data by the PGT Consortium for ESHRE. The data for PGT cycles performed between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015 were provided by participating centres on a voluntary basis. For the collection of cycle, pregnancy and baby data, separate, pre-designed MS Excel tables were used.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Data were submitted by 59, 60 and 59 centres respectively for 2013, 2014 and 2015 (full PGT Consortium members). Records with incomplete or inconsistent data were excluded from the calculations. Corrections, calculations, figures and tables were made by expert co-authors.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
For data collection XVI/XVII/XVIII, 59/60/59 centres reported data on 8164/9769/11 120 cycles with oocyte retrieval: 5020/6278/7155 cycles for PGT-A, 2026/2243/2661 cycles for PGT for monogenic/single gene defects, 1039/1189/1231 cycles for PGT-SR and 79/59/73 cycles for sexing for X-linked diseases. From 2013 until 2015, the uptake of biopsy at the blastocyst stage was mainly observed in cycles for PGT-A (from 23% to 36%) and PGT-SR (from 22% to 36%), alongside the increased application of comprehensive testing technology (from 66% to 75% in PGT-A and from 36% to 58% in PGT-SR).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The findings apply to the 59/60/59 participating centres and may not represent worldwide trends in PGT. Data were collected retrospectively and no details of the follow-up on PGT pregnancies and babies born were provided.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Being the largest data collection on PGT worldwide, detailed information about ongoing developments in the field is provided.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
The study has no external funding and all costs are covered by ESHRE. There are no competing interests declared.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
N/A.