bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vaccination boosts protective responses and counters SARS-CoV-2-induced pathogenic memory B cells
Authors: Mishra Pankaj Kumar , Bruiners Natalie , Ukey Rahul , Datta Pratik , Onyuka Alberta , Handler Deborah , Hussain Sabiha , Honnen William , Singh Sukhwinder , Guerrini Valentina , Yin Yue , Dewald Hannah , Choudhary Alok , Horton Daniel B. , Barrett Emily S. , Roy Jason , Weiss Stanley H. , Fitzgerald-Bocarsly Patricia , Blaser Martin J. , Carson Jeffrey L. , Panettieri Reynold A. , Lardizabal Alfred , Chang Theresa Li-Yun , Pinter Abraham , Gennaro Maria Laura 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMuch is to be learned about the interface between immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. We monitored immune responses specific to SARS-CoV-2 Spike Receptor-Binding-Domain (RBD) in convalescent individuals for eight months after infection diagnosis and following vaccination. Over time, neutralizing antibody responses, which are predominantly RBD specific, generally decreased, while RBD-specific memory B cells persisted. RBD-specific antibody and B cell responses to vaccination were more vigorous than those elicited by infection in the same subjects or by vaccination in infection-naïve comparators. Notably, the frequencies of double negative B memory cells, which are dysfunctional and potentially pathogenic, increased in the convalescent subjects over time. Unexpectedly, this effect was reversed by vaccination. Our work identifies a novel aspect of immune dysfunction in mild/moderate COVID-19, supports the practice of offering SARS-CoV-2 vaccination regardless of infection history, and provides a potential mechanistic explanation for the vaccination-induced reduction of “Long-COVID” symptoms.
One Health Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Seropositivity among Pets in Households with Confirmed Human COVID-19 Cases — Utah and Wisconsin, 2020
Authors: Goryoka Grace W. , Cossaboom Caitlin M. , Gharpure Radhika , Dawson Patrick , Tansey Cassandra , Rossow John , Mrotz Victoria , Rooney Jane , Torchetti Mia , Loiacono Christina M. , Killian Mary L. , Jenkins-Moore Melinda , Lim Ailam , Poulsen Keith , Christensen Dan , Sweet Emma , Peterson Dallin , Sangster Anna L. , Young Erin L. , Oakeson Kelly F. , Taylor Dean , Price Amanda , Kiphibane Tair , Klos Rachel , Konkle Darlene , Bhattacharyya Sanjib , Dasu Trivikram , Chu Victoria T. , Lewis Nathaniel M. , Queen Krista , Zhang Jing , Uehara Anna , Dietrich Elizabeth A. , Tong Suxiang , Kirking Hannah L. , Doty Jeffrey R. , Murrell Laura S. , Spengler Jessica R. , Straily Anne , Wallace Ryan , Behravesh Casey Barton 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundApproximately 67% of U.S. households have pets. Limited data are available on SARS-CoV-2 in pets. We assessed SARS-CoV-2 infection in pet cohabitants as a sub-study of an ongoing COVID-19 household transmission investigation.MethodsMammalian pets from households with ≥1 person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were eligible for inclusion from April–May 2020. Demographic/exposure information, oropharyngeal, nasal, rectal, and fur swabs, feces, and blood were collected from enrolled pets and tested by rRT-PCR and virus neutralization assays.FindingsWe enrolled 37 dogs and 19 cats from 34 of 41 eligible households. All oropharyngeal, nasal, and rectal swabs tested negative by rRT-PCR; one dog’s fur swabs (2%) tested positive by rRT-PCR at the first animal sampling. Among 47 pets with serological results from 30 households, eight (17%) pets (4 dogs, 4 cats) from 6 (20%) households had detectable SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. In households with a seropositive pet, the proportion of people with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was greater (median 79%; range: 40–100%) compared to households with no seropositive pet (median 37%; range: 13–100%) (p=0.01). Thirty-three pets with serologic results had frequent daily contact (≥1 hour) with the human index patient before the person’s COVID-19 diagnosis. Of these 33 pets, 14 (42%) had decreased contact with the human index patient after diagnosis and none (0%) were seropositive; of the 19 (58%) pets with continued contact, 4 (21%) were seropositive.InterpretationsSeropositive pets likely acquired infection from humans, which may occur more frequently than previously recognized. People with COVID-19 should restrict contact with animals.FundingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Genetic control of fetal placental genomics contributes to development of health and disease
Authors: Bhattacharya Arjun , Freedman Anastasia N. , Avula Vennela , Harris Rebeca , Liu Weifang , Pan Calvin , Lusis Aldons J. , Joseph Robert M. , Smeester Lisa , Hartwell Hadley J. , Kuban Karl C.K. , Marsit Carmen J. , Li Yun , O’Shea T. Michael , Fry Rebecca C. , Santos Hudson P. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTAs the master regulator in utero, the placenta is core to the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis but is historically understudied. To identify placental gene-trait associations (GTAs) across the life course, we performed distal mediator-enriched transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) for 40 traits, integrating placental multi-omics from the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn Study. At P < 2.5 × 10−6, we detected 248 GTAs, mostly for neonatal and metabolic traits, across 176 genes, enriched for cell growth and immunological pathways. In aggregate, genetic effects mediated by placental expression significantly explained 4 early-life traits but no later-in-life traits. 89 GTAs showed significant mediation through distal genetic variants, identifying hypotheses for distal regulation of GTAs. Investigation of one hypothesis in human placenta-derived choriocarcinoma cells showed that knockdown of mediator gene EPS15 upregulated predicted targets SPATA13 and FAM214A, both associated with waist-hip ratio in TWAS, and multiple genes involved in metabolic pathways. These results suggest profound health impacts of placental genomic regulation in developmental programming across the life course.
The effect of heat events on prehospital and retrieval service utilisation in rural and remote areas: a scoping review
Authors: O’Donnell Elen , Honan Bridget , Quilty Simon , Schultz Rebecca 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionIt is well established that heatwaves increase demand for emergency transport in metropolitan areas, however little is known about the impact of heat events on demand for prehospital retrieval services in rural and remote areas, or how heatwaves are defined in this context.Inclusion criteriaPapers were eligible for inclusion if they reported on the impact of a heat event on the activity of a prehospital and retrieval service in a rural or remote area.MethodsA search of PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, CINAHL and Google Scholar databases was undertaken on 18 August 2020, using search terms related to emergency medical transport, extreme heat and rural or remote. Data relevant to the impact of heat on retrieval service activity was extracted, as well as definitions of extreme heat.ResultsTwo papers were identified, both from Australia. Both found that heat events increased the number of road ambulance call-outs. Both studies used the Excess Heat Factor to define heatwave periods of interest.ConclusionsThis review found almost no primary literature on demand for prehospital retrieval services in rural and remote areas, and no data specifically related to aeromedical transport. The research did recognise the disproportionate impact of heat-related increase in service demand on rural and regional health services. With the effects of climate change already being felt, there is an urgent need for more research and action in this area.
Recombinant binder of sperm protein1 (rec-BSP1) as a potent fertility factor mediates its effect on spermatozoa and production of blastocysts in buffalo
Authors: Bag Sudam , Ansari Shama , Turuk Alka , Mahanandia Nimai Charan , Saini Sikander , Biswal Satya Kumar , Singh Sandeep Kumar , Malik Praveen , Kumar Satish , Malakar Dhruba 
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveTo understand the effect of recombinant BSP1 (rec-BSP1) onin vitrocapacitation of sperm and fertilization studyMethod(s)Articles were screened for reports including rec-BSP1, Capacitation,in vitrofertilizationInterventionNoneMain Outcome Measure(s)Reproductive outcomes, effect on gametes and embryosResult(s)Here we report an optimization of condition for rec-BSP1 production which was used forin vitrocapacitation and enhancement of buffalo embryo production. The sequence of the protein was used for multiple sequence alignment which has 99% similarity with PDC 109 protein. The expression of rec-BSP1 was carried out successfully with 1 mM IPTG at 160C for 22 hrs and purified it in soluble form. The structure of rec-BSP1 was generated using 3D modelling and analysed its mode of binding with heparin and PC by molecular docking and the structural stability of rec-BSP1-PC and rec-BSP1-heparin complexes by using molecular dynamic (MD) simulation. The effect of rec-BSP1 was observed onin vitrocapacitation of spermatozoa and buffalo blastocyst production. It was found that the rec-BSP1 enhanced the sperm motility at a concentration of 50 μg/ml for 1 h of incubation without having any detrimental effect on the sperm morphology and a significant increase in blastocyst production at concentration of 50 μg/ml rec-BSP1. Hence this finding represents a new insight and advance the prospective approach to develop a potential fertility factor in reproduction.Conclusion(s)The purified rec-BSP1 may enhance on male fertility and mediated its effect onin vitroblastocyst production in buffalo.
Cortico-Fugal Regulation of Predictive Coding
Authors: Lesicko Alexandria M.H. , Angeloni Christopher F. , Blackwell Jennifer M. , De Biasi Mariella , Geffen Maria N. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTSensory systems must account for both contextual factors and prior experience to adaptively engage with the dynamic external environment. In the central auditory system, neurons modulate their responses to sounds based on statistical context. These response modulations can be understood through a hierarchical predictive coding lens: responses to repeated stimuli are progressively decreased, in a process known as repetition suppression, whereas unexpected stimuli produce a prediction error signal. Prediction error incrementally increases along the auditory hierarchy from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the auditory cortex (AC), suggesting that these regions may engage in hierarchical predictive coding. A potential substrate for top-down predictive cues is the massive set of descending projections from the auditory cortex to subcortical structures, although the role of this system in predictive processing has never been directly assessed. We tested the effect of optogenetic inactivation of the auditory cortico-collicular feedback in awake mice on responses of IC neurons to stimuli designed to test prediction error and repetition suppression. Inactivation of the cortico-collicular pathway led to a decrease in prediction error in IC. Repetition suppression was unaffected by cortico-collicular inactivation, suggesting that this metric may reflect fatigue of bottom-up sensory inputs rather than predictive processing. We also discovered populations of IC neurons that exhibit repetition enhancement, a sequential increase in firing with stimulus repetition. Cortico-collicular inactivation led to a decrease in repetition enhancement in the central nucleus of IC, suggesting that it is a top-down phenomenon. Negative prediction error, a stronger response to a tone in a predictable rather than unpredictable sequence, was suppressed in shell IC units during cortico-collicular inactivation. These changes in predictive coding metrics arose from bidirectional modulations in the response to the standard and deviant contexts, such that neurons in IC responded more similarly to each context in the absence of cortical input. We also investigated how these metrics compare between the anesthetized and awake states by recording from the same neurons under both conditions. We found that metrics of predictive coding and deviance detection differ depending on the anesthetic state of the animal, with negative prediction error emerging in the central IC and repetition enhancement and prediction error being more prevalent in the absence of anesthesia. Overall, our results demonstrate that the auditory cortex provides cues about the statistical context of sound to subcortical brain regions via direct feedback, regulating processing of both prediction and repetition.
Selection for or against Escape from Nonsense Mediated Decay is a Novel Signature for the Detection of Cancer Genes
Authors: Kumar Runjun D. , Burns Briana A. , Vandeventer Paul J. , Luna Pamela N. , Shaw Chad A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractEscape from nonsense mediated decay (NMD-) can produce activated or inactivated gene products, and bias in rates of escape can identify functionally important genes in germline disease. We hypothesized that the same would be true of cancer genes, and tested for NMD- bias within The Cancer Genome Atlas pan-cancer somatic mutation dataset. We identify 29 genes that show significantly elevated or suppressed rates of NMD-. This novel approach to cancer gene discovery reveals genes not previously cataloged as potentially tumorigenic, and identifies many potential driver mutations in known cancer genes for functional characterization.
Genetic architecture of floral traits in bee- and hummingbird-pollinated sister species ofAquilegia(columbine)
Authors: Edwards Molly B. , Choi Gary P. T. , Derieg Nathan J. , Min Ya , Diana Angie C. , Hodges Scott A. , Mahadevan L. , Kramer Elena M. , Ballerini Evangeline S. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractInteractions with animal pollinators have helped shape the stunning diversity of flower morphologies across the angiosperms. A common evolutionary consequence of these interactions is that some flowers have converged on suites of traits, or pollination syndromes, that attract and reward specific pollinator groups. Determining the genetic basis of these floral pollination syndromes can help us understand the processes that contributed to the diversification of the angiosperms. Here, we characterize the genetic architecture of a bee-to-hummingbird pollination shift inAquilegia(columbine) using QTL mapping of 17 floral traits encompassing color, nectar composition, and organ morphology. In this system, we find that the genetic architectures underlying differences in floral color are quite complex, and we identify several likely candidate genes involved in anthocyanin and carotenoid floral pigmentation. Most morphological and nectar traits also have complex genetic underpinnings; however, one of the key floral morphological phenotypes, nectar spur curvature, is shaped by a single locus of large effect.
Maintenance of Bound or Independent Features in Visual Working Memory is Task-dependent
Authors: Cao Ruoyi , Pertzov Yoni , Gao Zaifeng , Shen Mowei , Deouell Leon Y. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOver the last decade, seemingly conflicting results were obtained regarding the question of whether features of an object are stored separately, or bound together, in visual working memory. Many of these studies are based on an implicit assumption about a default, or fixed, mode of working memory storage. In contrast, here we asked whether the anticipated memory probes used in a given experiment might determine the format in which information is maintained in working memory, consistent with its task-oriented function. In order to test this flexible maintenance hypothesis, we recorded EEG while subjects performed a delayed-match-to-sample task with different requirements and load. In Experiment 1, by contrasting conditions with and without the requirement of maintaining bound features, we found significant differences in EEG signals recorded in central-parietal channels while controlling for differences in visual stimulation. Such difference was confirmed by multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA). Moreover, behavior results, topographical distributions and cross-contrast MVPA decoding jointly suggested that this effect is not the same as task load effect. These results were confirmed in Experiment 2 with an independent group of subjects with the same paradigm, providing reliable evidence that the format of object maintenance in visual working memory could be flexibly shaped by the current task.
Cross-dataset reproducibility of human retinotopic maps
Authors: Himmelberg Marc M. , Kurzawski Jan W. , Benson Noah C. , Pelli Denis G. , Carrasco Marisa , Winawer Jonathan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPopulation receptive field (pRF) models fit to fMRI data are used to non-invasively measure retinotopic maps in human visual cortex, and these maps are a fundamental component of visual neuroscience experiments. Here, we examined the reproducibility of retinotopic maps across two datasets: a newly acquired retinotopy dataset from New York University (NYU) (n=44) and a public dataset from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) (n=181). Our goal was to assess the degree to which pRF properties are similar across datasets, despite substantial differences in their experimental protocols. The two datasets simultaneously differ in their stimulus apertures, participant pool, fMRI protocol, MRI field strength, and preprocessing pipeline. We assessed the cross-dataset reproducibility of the two datasets in terms of the similarity of vertex-wise pRF estimates and in terms of large-scale polar angle asymmetries in cortical magnification. Within V1, V2, V3, and hV4, the group-median NYU and HCP vertex-wise polar angle estimates were nearly identical. Both eccentricity and pRF size estimates were also strongly correlated between the two datasets, but with a slope different from 1; the eccentricity and pRF size estimates were systematically greater in the NYU data. Next, to compare large-scale map properties, we quantified two polar angle asymmetries in V1 cortical magnification previously identified in the HCP data. The NYU dataset confirms earlier reports that more cortical surface area represents horizontal than vertical visual field meridian, and lower than upper vertical visual field meridian. Together, our findings show that the retinotopic properties of V1, V2, V3, and hV4 can be reliably measured across two datasets, despite numerous differences in their experimental design. fMRI-derived retinotopic maps are reproducible because they rely on an explicit computational model of the fMRI response. In the case of pRF mapping, the model is grounded in physiological evidence of how visual receptive fields are organized, allowing one to quantitatively characterize the BOLD signal in terms of stimulus properties (i.e., location and size). The new NYU Retinotopy Dataset will serve as a useful benchmark for testing hypotheses about the organization of visual areas and for comparison to the HCP 7T Retinotopy Dataset.
Two tales of one neural link predict blind individual’s Braille reading proficiency
Authors: Wang Ruxue , Gong Jiangtao , Zhao Chenying , Xu Yingqing , Hong Bo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNatural Braille reading, a demanding cognitive skill, poses a huge challenge for the brain network of the blind. Here, with behavioral measurement and functional MRI imaging data, we pinpointed the neural pathway and investigated the neural mechanisms of individual differences in Braille reading in late blindness. Using resting state fMRI, we identified a distinct neural link between the higher-tier ‘visual’ cortex—the lateral occipital cortex (LOC), and the inferior frontal cortex (IFC) in the late blind brain, which is significantly stronger than sighted controls. Individual Braille reading proficiency positively correlated with the left-lateralized LOC-IFC functional connectivity. In a natural Braille reading task, we found an enhanced bidirectional information flow with a stronger top-down modulation of the IFC-to-LOC effective connectivity. Greater top-down modulation contributed to higher Braille reading proficiency via a broader area of task-engaged LOC. Together, we established a model to predict Braille reading proficiency, considering both functional and effective connectivity of the LOC-IFC pathway. This ‘two-tale’ model suggests that developing the underpinning neural circuit and the top-down cognitive strategy contributes uniquely to superior Braille reading performance.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTFor late blind humans, one of the most challenging cognitive skills is natural Braille reading. However, little is known about the neural mechanisms of significant differences in individual Braille reading performance. Using functional imaging data, we identified a distinct neural link between the left lateral occipital cortex (LOC) and the left inferior frontal cortex (IFC) for natural Braille reading in the late blind brain. To better predict individual Braille reading proficiency, we proposed a linear model with two variables of the LOC-IFC link: the resting-state functional connectivity and the task-engaged top-down effective connectivity. These findings suggest that developing the underpinning neural pathway and the top-down cognitive strategy contributes uniquely to superior Braille reading performance.
RhoA/ROCK2 signalling is enhanced by PDGF-AA in fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells in DMD
Authors: Fernández-Simón Esther , Suárez-Calvet Xavier , Carrasco-Rozas Ana , Piñol-Jurado Patricia , López-Fernández Susana , Bech Serra Joan Josep , de la Torre Carolina , de Luna Noemí , Gallardo Eduard , Jordi-Díaz-Manera  
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTThe lack of dystrophin expression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) leads to muscle necrosis and replacement of muscle tissue by fibro-adipose tissue. Although the role of some growth factors in the process of fibrogenesis has been previously studied, the pathways that are activated by PDGF-AA in muscular dystrophies have not been described so far. Herein we report the effects of PDGF-AA on the fibrotic process in muscular dystrophies by performing a quantitative proteomic study in DMD isolated fibro-adipogenic precursor cells (FAPs) treated with PDGF-AA. In vitro studies showed that RhoA/ROCK2 pathway is activated by PDGF-AA and induces the activation of FAPs. The inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signalling pathway by C3-exoenzyme or fasudil attenuated the effects of PDGF-AA. The blocking effects of RhoA/ROCK pathway were analysed in the dba/2J-mdx murine model with fasudil. Grip strength test showed an improvement in the muscle function and histological studies demonstrated reduction of the fibrotic area. Our results suggest that blockade of RhoA/ROCK could attenuate the activation of FAPs and could be considered a potential therapeutic approach for muscular dystrophies.