bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma levels of phosphorylated tau 181 are associated with cerebral metabolic dysfunction in cognitively impaired and amyloid-positive individuals
Authors: Lussier Firoza Z , Benedet Andréa L , Therriault Joseph , Pascoal Tharick A , Tissot Cécile , Chamoun Mira , Mathotaarachchi Sulantha , Savard Melissa , Ashton Nicholas J , Karikari Thomas K , Rodriguez Juan Lantero , Snellman Anniina , Bezgin Gleb , Kang Min Su , Fernandez Arias Jaime , Wang Yi-Ting , Gauthier Serge , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Rosa-Neto Pedro ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers are primarily evaluated through MRI, PET and CSF methods in order to diagnose and monitor disease. Recently, advances in the assessment of blood-based biomarkers have shown promise for simple, inexpensive, accessible and minimally invasive tools with diagnostic and prognostic value for Alzheimer’s disease. Most recently, plasma phosphorylated tau181 has shown excellent performance. The relationship between plasma phosphorylated tau181 and cerebral metabolic dysfunction assessed by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET in Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown. This study was performed on 892 older individuals (297 cognitively unimpaired; 595 cognitively impaired) from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort. Plasma phosphorylated tau181 was assessed using single molecular array technology and metabolic dysfunction was indexed by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET. Cross-sectional associations between plasma and CSF phosphorylated tau181 and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose were assessed using voxelwise linear regression models, with individuals stratified by diagnostic group and by β-amyloid status. Associations between baseline plasma phosphorylated tau181 and longitudinal (24 months) rate of brain metabolic decline were also assessed in 389 individuals with available data using correlations and voxelwise regression models. Plasma phosphorylated tau181 was elevated in β-amyloid positive and cognitively impaired individuals as well as in apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers and was significantly associated with age, worse cognitive performance and CSF phosphorylated tau181. Cross-sectional analyses showed strong associations between plasma phosphorylated tau181 and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET in cognitively impaired and β-amyloid positive individuals. Voxelwise longitudinal analyses showed that baseline plasma phosphorylated tau181 concentrations were significantly associated with annual rates of metabolic decline in cognitively impaired individuals, bilaterally in the medial and lateral temporal lobes. The associations between plasma phosphorylated tau181 and reduced brain metabolism, primarily in cognitively impaired and in β-amyloid positive individuals, supports the use of plasma phosphorylated tau181 as a simple, low-cost, minimally invasive and accessible tool to both assess current and predict future metabolic dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s disease, comparatively to PET, MRI and CSF methods.
Abnormal Right-Hemispheric Sulcal Patterns Correlate with Executive Function in Adolescents with Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Morton Sarah U , Maleyeff Lara , Wypij David , Yun Hyuk Jin , Rollins Caitlin K , Watson Christopher G , Newburger Jane W , Bellinger David C , Roberts Amy E , Rivkin Michael J , Grant P Ellen , Im Kiho 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNeurodevelopmental disabilities are the most common noncardiac conditions in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Executive function skills have been frequently observed to be decreased among children and adults with CHD compared with peers, but a neuroanatomical basis for the association is yet to be identified. In this study, we quantified sulcal pattern features from brain magnetic resonance imaging data obtained during adolescence among 41 participants with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) and 49 control participants using a graph-based pattern analysis technique. Among patients with ToF, right-hemispheric sulcal pattern similarity to the control group was decreased (0.7514 vs. 0.7553, P = 0.01) and positively correlated with neuropsychological testing values including executive function (r = 0.48, P &lt; 0.001). Together these findings suggest that sulcal pattern analysis may be a useful marker of neurodevelopmental risk in patients with CHD. Further studies may elucidate the mechanisms leading to different alterations in sulcal patterning.
A pilot study investigating a novel particle-based growth factor delivery system for preimplantation embryo culture
Authors: Gurner Kathryn H , Richardson Joseph J , Harvey Alexandra J , Gardner David K 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONCan vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-loaded silica supraparticles (V-SPs) be used as a novel mode of delivering VEGF to the developing preimplantation embryo in vitro?SUMMARY ANSWERSupplementation of embryo culture media with V-SPs promoted embryonic development in a manner equivalent to media supplemented with free VEGF.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYVEGF is a maternally derived growth factor that promotes preimplantation embryonic development in vitro. However, its use in clinical media has limitations due to its low stability in solution.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONThis study was a laboratory-based analysis utilising a mouse model. V-SPs were prepared in vitro and supplemented to embryonic culture media. The bioactivity of V-SPs was determined by analysis of blastocyst developmental outcomes (blastocyst development rate and total cell number).PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSSPs were loaded with fluorescently labelled VEGF and release kinetics were characterised. Bioactivity of unlabelled VEGF released from V-SPs was determined by analysis of embryo developmental outcomes (blastocyst developmental rate and total cell number) following individual mouse embryo culture in 20 µl of G1/G2 media at 5% oxygen, supplemented with 10 ng/ml recombinant mouse VEGF in solution or with V-SPs. The bioactivity of freeze-dried V-SPs was also assessed to determine the efficacy of cryostorage.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEVEGF release kinetics were characterised by an initial burst of VEGF from loaded spheres followed by a consistent lower level of VEGF release over 48 h. VEGF released from V-SPs resulted in significant increases in total blastocyst cell number relative to the control (P &lt; 0.001), replicating the effects of medium freely supplemented with fresh VEGF (P &lt; 0.001). Similarly, freeze dried V-SPs exerted comparable effects on embryonic development (P &lt; 0.05).LARGE SCALE DATAN/A.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONIn this proof of principle study, the effects of V-SPs on embryonic development were only analysed in a mouse model.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSThese findings suggest that SPs represent a novel method by which a targeted dose of therapeutic agents (e.g. bioactive VEGF) can be delivered to the developing in vitro embryo to promote embryonic development, an approach that negates the breakdown of VEGF associated with storage in solution. As such, V-SPs may be an alternative and effective method of delivering bioactive VEGF to the developing in vitro embryo; however, the potential use of V-SPs in clinical IVF requires further investigation.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)This work was funded by the University of Melbourne. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Quality of Life of Patients With Crohn Disease
Authors: Goren Ganit , Schwartz Doron , Friger Michael , Banai Hagar , Sergienko Ruslan , Regev Shirley , Abu-Kaf Heba , Greenberg Dan , Nemirovsky Anna , Ilan Karny , Lerner Livnat , Monsonego Alon , Dotan Iris , Yanai Henit , Eliakim Rami , Ben Horin Shomron , Slonim-Nevo Vered , Odes Shmuel , Sarid Orly 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Patients with Crohn disease have debilitating psychological symptoms, mental fatigue, and poor quality of life. Psychological intervention may improve these symptoms.

Methods
We performed a randomized parallel-group physician-blinded trial of cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based stress reduction (COBMINDEX) on quality of life and psychological symptoms in adults with mild-moderate Crohn disease. COBMINDEX was taught by social workers in one-on-one video conferences over 3 months; quotidian home practice was mandated.

Results
Fifty-five COBMINDEX and 61 waitlist control patients completed the study; mean age was 33 years and 65% of participants were women. At 3 months, COBMINDEX patients had significantly reduced disease activity (per Harvey-Bradshaw Index score, C-reactive protein level, and calprotectin level), increased quality of life (Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [SIBDQ] score increased from baseline 41 to 50; P &lt; 0.001), decreased psychological symptoms (Global Severity Index [GSI], 0.98-0.70; P &lt; 0.001), reduced fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, 26-33; P &lt; 0.001), and increased mindfulness disposition (Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, 33-38; P &lt; 0.001). Waitlist patients had a significant but small change in Harvey-Bradshaw Index, SIBDQ, and GSI scores, without improvement in fatigue or mindfulness. There were significant correlations (0.02 &gt; P &lt; 0.002) in COBMINDEX patients between baseline SIBDQ, GSI, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scores with a relative change (baseline to 3 months) of the SIBDQ score, but none among waitlist patients. Predictors of relative change of the SIBDQ score in COBMINDEX patients included the GSI score (90% quantile; coefficient 0.52; P &lt; 0.001), somatization (90%; 0.20; P = 0.001), depression (75%; 0.16; P = 0.03), and phobic anxiety (75%; 0.31; P = 0.008).

Conclusions
COBMINDEX was effective in increasing patients’ quality of life and reducing psychological symptoms and fatigue. Patients with severe baseline psychological symptoms benefited the most from COBMINDEX.
Identifying policy approaches to build social–ecological resilience in marine fisheries with differing capacities and contexts
Authors: Kleisner Kristin M , Ojea Elena , Battista Willow , Burden Merrick , Cunningham Erica , Fujita Rod , Karr Kendra , Amorós Samuel , Mason Julia , Rader Doug , Rovegno Nicolas , Thomas-Smyth Alice 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Fisheries are critically important for nutrition, food security, livelihoods, and culture of hundreds of millions of people globally. As climate impacts on ocean ecosystems increase, policy-makers are asking critical questions about how to implement reforms at local and national levels to reach goals around improving performance of management systems, sustainability, equity, and resilience to climate change. These goals can be achieved by enhancing the structure, function, and biodiversity of marine ecosystems as climate change proceeds, together with adaptive, sustainable management. However, resource, technical, and governance capacities vary widely across management systems. These capacities will determine, in part, the best policy approaches to build resilience and overcome systemic challenges to equity and sustainability to stressors such as climate change. To illuminate how fisheries resilience can be improved within the constraints imposed by these capacity limits, we present case studies from Myanmar, Belize, Peru, and Iceland, which offer a spectrum of capacity conditions to explore social–ecological resilience challenges and solutions. Using a set of nine social–ecological resilience criteria, we examine each system’s attributes that may confer or undermine resilience and explore interactions between them. We use this assessment to identify policy approaches that can help build resilience in each particular context.
Maternal smoking and smokeless tobacco use during pregnancy and offspring development: sibling analysis in an intergenerational Swedish cohort
Authors: Madley-Dowd Paul , Lundberg Michael , Heron Jon , Zammit Stanley , Ahlqvist Viktor H , Magnusson Cecilia , Rai Dheeraj 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe association between maternal smoking in pregnancy and offspring intellectual disability (ID) is less well understood than that of smoking and fetal growth restriction. As fetal growth and cognitive development may share similar confounding structures, comparison of the two associations may improve understanding of the causal nature of the association with ID. Furthermore, comparisons of smoking with smokeless tobacco use may aid identification of mechanisms of action.MethodsThis was a cohort study of all Swedish births between 1999 and 2012 (n = 1 070 013), with prospectively recorded data. We assessed the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring outcomes ID and born small for gestational age (SGA). Analyses were repeated for snus use in pregnancy. Using a sibling design, we estimated within-family effects that control for shared sibling characteristics.ResultsThose exposed to maternal smoking in pregnancy had increased odds of ID [odds ratio (OR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-1.33] and SGA (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 2.11-2.27) after confounder adjustment. Within-family effects were found for SGA (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.27-1.63) but not ID (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.74-1.14). For snus use, the results for ID were similar to smoking. We found increased odds of offspring SGA among mothers who used snus in pregnancy in sensitivity analyses but not in primary analyses.ConclusionsOur findings are consistent with a causal effect of maternal smoking in pregnancy on risk of offspring born SGA but not on risk of ID. We found no evidence for a causal effect of snus use in pregnancy on ID and inconclusive evidence for SGA.
Parameter Spaces of Locally Constant Cocycles
Authors: Christodoulou Argyrios 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This article concerns the locus of locally constant $\textrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{R})$-valued cocycles that have a dominated splitting, called the hyperbolic locus. By developing the theory of Möbius semigroups we show that cocycles on the boundary of the hyperbolic locus, apart from a few exceptions, exhibit some form of hyperbolic behaviour. This behaviour is used to answer a question posed by Avila, Bochi and Yoccoz. Our approach introduces a new locus of cocycles, closely related to the hyperbolic locus, and motivates a line of investigation on the subject.
Plasmodium simium: Population Genomics Reveals the Origin of a Reverse Zoonosis
Authors: de Oliveira Thaís C , Rodrigues Priscila T , Early Angela M , Duarte Ana Maria R C , Buery Julyana C , Bueno Marina G , Catão-Dias José L , Cerutti Crispim , Rona Luísa D P , Neafsey Daniel E , Ferreira Marcelo U 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
The population history of Plasmodium simium, which causes malaria in sylvatic Neotropical monkeys and humans along the Atlantic Coast of Brazil, remains disputed. Genetically diverse P vivax populations from various sources, including the lineages that founded the species P simium, are thought to have arrived in the Americas in separate migratory waves.

Methods
We use population genomic approaches to investigate the origin and evolution of P simium.

Results
We find a minimal genome-level differentiation between P simium and present-day New World P vivax isolates, consistent with their common geographic origin and subsequent divergence on this continent. The meagre genetic diversity in P simium samples from humans and monkeys implies a recent transfer from humans to non-human primates – a unique example of malaria as a reverse zoonosis of public health significance. Likely genomic signatures of P simium adaptation to new hosts include the deletion of &gt;40% of a key erythrocyte invasion ligand, PvRBP2a, which may have favored more efficient simian host cell infection.

Conclusions
New World P vivax lineages that switched from humans to platyrrhine monkeys founded the P simium population that infects nonhuman primates and feeds sustained human malaria transmission in the outskirts of major cities.
Tracing the Fate of Pollen Substitute Patties in Western Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies
Authors: Noordyke Emily R , van Santen Edzard , Ellis James D 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Commercial beekeepers need healthy, productive honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies, even when the landscape lacks adequate pollen forage to sustain the colonies. As a result, many commercial beekeepers spend significant money and labor on the use of pollen substitutes in their colonies. However, there is little consensus in the literature about the benefits and drawbacks of pollen substitute use on honey bee colony health. In order to understand this critically, it is important to know first how honey bees distribute pollen substitute patties throughout their colonies. We traced the fate of three commercially available pollen substitute patties (MegaBee, UltraBee, AP23) dyed with a nontoxic food coloring (Brilliant Blue FCF) and undyed as negative controls, a dyed positive control (fondant), and a dyed consumption control (Crayola Model Magic Clay) in 44 honey bee colonies. Using spectrophotometry and visual inspection, we analyzed adult bee guts, larval guts, bee bread stores and colony debris underneath the hive for presence of the dye. Our data suggest that (1) a proportion of adult bees ingest the patty, (2) adult bees likely do not feed patty directly to larvae, (3) adult bees do not store patty like bee bread, and (4) only a very small proportion of patty is lost as debris. Collectively our data suggest that honey bee colonies use pollen substitute patties. However, patties likely do not replace the function of natural pollen entirely in terms of larval provisioning and long-term storage as bee bread.
Field and Laboratory Testing of Feeding Stimulants to Enhance Insecticide Efficacy Against Spotted-Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura)
Authors: Fanning Philip , Lanka Srinivas , Mermer Serhan , Collins Judith , Van Timmeren Steven , Andrews Heather , Hesler Stephen , Loeb Gregory , Drummond Francis , Wiman Nik G , Walton Vaughn , Sial Ashfaq A , Isaacs Rufus 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), is a key insect pest of berries globally, causing lost revenues and increased production costs associated with applications of insecticides. The insecticides utilized are commonly broad-spectrum pyrethroids, organophosphates, or carbamates in conventionally managed fields and spinosad in organically managed fields. Adoption of more selective insecticides has been limited due to their lower residual activity, and the requirement that some must be ingested to be effective. We investigated the use of feeding stimulants for D. suzukii as a method to improve longevity and efficacy in a range of insecticides. In laboratory bioassays, sugar increased the efficacy of all chemical classes tested; however, the inclusion of yeast only showed a benefit with malathion. Feeding stimulants had a limited effect in some cases under field conditions. Similarly, infestation in field plots and a semifield bioassay showed no significant decreases in infestation with the inclusion of feeding stimulants for the insecticides tested in these trials. We discuss the implications of these findings for managing D. suzukii in fruit crops to help ensure the harvest of marketable fruit.
Evaluation of a Novel User-Friendly Arthropod Repellent Gel, Verdegen
Authors: Chauhan Kamlesh R , McPhatter Lee P , O’Dell Kenneth , Syed Zainulabeuddin , Wheeler Alan , Debboun Mustapha 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Hand sanitizers are developed as alcohol-based liquid gel formulations, generally used to decrease the amount of infectious agents on human hands. Verdegen, LLC proposed to prepare an arthropod repellent gel for public use when the recent outbreaks of Zika infection vectored through Aedes mosquitoes in the American continents prompted multi-faceted emergency measures. Four different gel formulations were developed, comprising two of the most efficacious commercial arthropod repellent active ingredients, N,N-diethyl-3-methyl benzamide (deet) and 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester (picaridin), each at different concentrations (20 and 33% deet, or 20 and 33% picaridin). Compliance with the use of topical arthropod repellents remains an issue among military personnel. One of the most common complaints by Soldiers is that they do not like how the repellents applied on their skin leave behind an oily or greasy residue. These new gel formulations offer a user-friendly alternative for commonly used arthropod repellents formulations for the military and civilian personnel. We tested the efficacy and protection time of these new gel formulations in comparison with the commercially available cream formulations of deet and picaridin at similar concentrations. Our data show that gel formulations have better topical attributes, and offer equal or better biting protection for up to 48 h against host-seeking Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) female mosquitoes.
Low frequency view of GRB 190114C reveals time varying shock micro-physics
Authors: Misra K , Resmi L , Kann D A , Marongiu M , Moin A , Klose S , Bernardi G , Postigo A de Ugarte , Jaiswal V K , Schulze S , Perley D A , Ghosh A , Dimple Dimple , Kumar H , Gupta R , Michałowski M J , Martín S , Cockeram A , Cherukuri S V , Bhalerao V , Anderson G E , Pandey S B , Anupama G C , Thöne C C , Barway S , Wieringa M H , Fynbo J P U , Habeeb N 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
We present radio and optical afterglow observations of the TeV-bright long Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) 190114C at a redshift of z = 0.425, which was detected by the MAGIC telescope. Our observations with ALMA, ATCA, and uGMRT were obtained by our low frequency observing campaign and range from ∼1 to ∼140 days after the burst and the optical observations were done with three optical telescopes spanning up to ∼25 days after the burst. Long term radio/mm observations reveal the complex nature of the afterglow, which does not follow the spectral and temporal closure relations expected from the standard afterglow model. We find that the microphysical parameters of the external forward shock, representing the share of shock-created energy in the non-thermal electron population and magnetic field, are evolving with time. The inferred kinetic energy in the blast-wave depends strongly on the assumed ambient medium density profile, with a constant density medium demanding almost an order of magnitude higher energy than in the prompt emission, while a stellar wind-driven medium requires approximately the same amount energy as in prompt emission.