bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cue-Induced Craving and Negative Emotion Disrupt Response Inhibition in Methamphetamine Use Disorder: Behavioral and fMRI Results from a Mixed Go/No-Go Task
Authors: Dakhili Amirhossein , Sangchooli Arshiya , Jafakesh Sara , Bidoki Mehran Zare , Soleimani Ghazaleh , Hossein Batouli Seyed Amir , Kazemi Kamran , Faghiri Ashkan , Oghabian Mohammad Ali , Ekhtiari Hamed 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundDrug-related cue-reactivity, dysfunctional negative emotion processing, and response-disinhibition constitute three core aspects of methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). These phenomena have been studied independently, but the neuroscientific literature on their interaction in addictive disorders remains scant.MethodsfMRI data were collected from 62 individuals with MUD when responding to the geometric Go or No-Go cues superimposed over blank, neutral, negative-emotional and drug-related background images. Neural correlates of drug and negative-emotional cue-reactivity, response-inhibition, and response-inhibition during drug and negative-emotional blocks were estimated, and methamphetamine cue-reactivity was compared between MUDs and 23 healthy controls (HCs). Relationships between clinical and behavioral characteristics and observed activations were subsequently investigated.ResultsMUDs had longer reaction times and more errors in drug and negative-emotional blocks compared to neutral and blank ones. MUDs showed higher drug cue-reactivity than HCs across prefrontal regions, fusiform gyrus, and visual cortices (Z>3.1, p-corrected<0.05). Response-inhibition was associated with activations in the precuneus, inferior parietal lobule, and anterior cingulate, temporal and inferior frontal gyri (Z>3.1, p-corrected<0.05). Response-inhibition in drug cue blocks coincided with higher activations in the visual cortex and lower activations in the paracentral lobule and superior and inferior frontal gyri, while inhibition during negative-emotional blocks led to higher superior parietal, fusiform, and lateral occipital activations (Z>3.1, p-corrected<0.05).ConclusionHigher visual cortical activations and lower parietal and prefrontal activations during drug-related response-inhibition suggest the down-regulation of inhibitory regions and up-regulation of bottom-up drug cue-reactivity. Our results suggest that drug and negative-emotional cue-reactivity influence response-inhibition, and the study of these interactions may aid mechanistic understandings of addiction and biomarker discovery.
Mitochondrial dysfunction compromises ciliary homeostasis in astrocytes
Authors: Ignatenko Olesia , Malinen Satu , Vihinen Helena , Nikkanen Joni , Kononov Aleksandr , Jokitalo Eija , Ince-Dunn Gulayse , Suomalainen Anu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAstrocytes, often considered as secondary responders to neurodegenerative processes, are emerging as primary drivers of brain disease. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms are, however, insufficiently understood. Here we show that pathogenesis of mitochondrial spongiotic encephalopathy, a severe manifestation of mitochondrial brain diseases, involves abnormal maintenance of the astrocytic primary cilium, a major signaling organelle of a cell. We show that progressive respiratory chain deficiency in astrocytes activates FOXJ1 and RFX transcription factors and master regulators of motile ciliogenesis. Consequently, a wide aberrant nuclear expression program with FOXJ1 and RFX target genes, encoding motile cilia components, is induced in astrocytes. While the affected astrocytes still retain a single cilium, these organelles elongate and become remarkably distorted. Multiciliated ventricle-lining ependymal cells show no overt cilia morphology defects despite similar mitochondrial dysfunction. We propose that the chronic activation of the integrated mitochondrial stress response (ISRmt), specifically induced in astrocytes, drives anabolic metabolism and promotes ciliary growth. Collectively, our evidence indicate that 1) an active signaling axis exists between astrocyte mitochondria and primary cilia; 2) ciliary signaling is part of ISRmtin astrocytes; 3) metabolic ciliopathy is a novel pathomechanism for mitochondria-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Assessing the impacts of climate change on reproductive phenology in tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia
Authors: Numata Shinya , Yamaguchi Koharu , Shimizu Masaaki , Sakurai Gen , Morimoto Ayaka , Alias Noraliza , Noor Azman Nashatul Zaimah , Hosaka Tetsuro , Satake Akiko 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn humid forests in Southeast Asia, many species from dozens of plant families flower gregariously and fruit synchronously at irregular multi-year intervals1–4. Little is known about how climate change will impact these community-wide mass reproductive events. Here, we perform a comprehensive analysis of reproductive phenology and its environmental drivers based on a monthly reproductive phenology record from 210 species in 41 families in peninsular Malaysia. We find that the proportion of flowering and fruiting species decreased from 1976 to 2010. Using a phenology model with inputs obtained from general circulation models, we show that low-temperature flowering cues became less available during the monitoring period and will further decrease in the future, leading to decreased flowering opportunities in 57% of species in the Dipterocarpaceae family. Our results highlight the vulnerability of and variability in phenological responses across species in tropical ecosystems that differ from temperate and boreal biomes.
Microbial dark carbon fixation fueled by nitrate enrichment
Authors: Vineis Joseph H. , Bulseco Ashley N. , Bowen Jennifer L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAnthropogenic nitrate amendment to coastal marine sediments can increase rates of heterotrophic mineralization and autotrophic dark carbon fixation (DCF). DCF may be favored in sediments where organic matter is biologically unavailable, leading to a microbial community supported by chemoautotrophy. Niche partitioning among DCF communities and adaptations for nitrate metabolism in coastal marine sediments remain poorly characterized, especially within salt marshes. We used genome-resolved metagenomics, phylogenetics, and comparative genomics to characterize the potential niche space, phylogenetic relationships, and adaptations important to microbial communities within nitrate enriched sediment. We found that nitrate enrichment of sediment from discrete depths between 0-25 cm supported both heterotrophs and chemoautotrophs that use sulfur oxidizing denitrification to drive the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) or reductive TCA (rTCA) DCF pathways. Phylogenetic reconstruction indicated that the nitrate enriched community represented a small fraction of the phylogenetic diversity contained in coastal marine environmental genomes, while pangenomics revealed close evolutionary and functional relationships with DCF microbes in other oligotrophic environments. These results indicate that DCF can support coastal marine microbial communities and should be carefully considered when estimating the impact of nitrate on carbon cycling in these critical habitats.ImportanceSalt marshes store carbon at one of the fastest rates of any blue carbon system and buffer coastal marine waters from eutrophication. Dark carbon fixation (DCF) conducted by microbes within the sediment can influence the carbon storage capacity, but little is known about the ecology or genomic potential of these organisms. Our study identifies a potential niche space for several functionally distinct groups of chemoautotrophs which primarily use sulfur oxidizing denitrification to fuel DCF under high nitrate concentrations. These findings fill an important gap in our understanding of microbial contributions to carbon storage within salt marsh sediments and how this critical blue carbon system responds to anthropogenic nitrate enrichment.
Effectiveness of vaccination against symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Meggiolaro A. , Sane Schepisi M. , Nikolaidis G. , Mipatrini D. , Siddu A. , Rezza G. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVETo assess the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in terms of prevention of disease and transmission. The evaluation was narrowed to two mRNA vaccines and two modified adenovirus vectored vaccines.METHODSA frequentist random effects meta-analysis was carried out after data extraction. Risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using New-Castle-Ottawa Scale. The overall risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was estimated in partially and fully vaccinated individuals. The effect size was expressed as Relative Risk (RR) and RRR (RR reduction) of SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination. Potential sources of heterogeneity were investigated through between-study heterogeneity analysis and subgroup meta-analysis.RESULTSThe systematic review identified 27 studies eligible for the quantitative synthesis. Partially vaccinated individuals presented a RRR=73% (95%CI=59%-83%) for any positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR (RR=0.27) and a RRR=79% (95%CI=30%-93%) for symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 PCR (RR=0.21). Fully vaccinated individuals showed a RRR=94% (95%CI=88%-98%) for any SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR (RR=0.06) compared to unvaccinated. According to the subgroup meta-analysis, full BNT162b2 vaccination protocol achieved a RRR=84%-94% against any SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR and a RRR=68%-84% against symptomatic positive PCR. The RR for any SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR remained higher within elderly groups aged ≥69 years (RR=0.12-0.15) compared to younger individuals (RR=0.05-0.12). The RR against B.1.351 infection approached 0.40 for any positive PCR and 0.36 for symptomatic SARS-COV-2 while the RR of any B.1.1.7 infection was 0.14.CONCLUSIONThe current licensed vaccines may be transmission blocking, especially after full vaccination protocol. Given the substantial heterogeneity, results should be interpreted with caution. Subgroups meta-analyses suggested that the risk of any SARS-CoV-2 infection may be higher for non-B.1.1.7 variants and individuals aged ≥69 years. Further data and longer follow-up are required to investigate additional sources of heterogeneity and the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination within population subgroups.STRENGTHSReal-world data suggest that the current licensed vaccines may be transmission blocking, in particular after full vaccination protocol.The risk of any SARS-CoV-2 infection either symptomatic or asymptomatic, may be higher for non-B.1.1.7 variants and individuals aged ≥69 years.LIMITATIONSGiven the substantial heterogeneity encountered in this meta-analysis, results should be interpreted with cautionFur ther evidence on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants are vital in order to monitor mutations associated with vaccine escape
Effectiveness of a novel non-intrusive continuous-use air decontamination technology to reduce microbial contamination in clinical settings: A multi-centric study
Authors: Nagaraj Savitha , Chandrasingh Sindhulina , Jose Sanju , B Sofia , Sampath Sriram , Krishna Bhuvana , Menon Indira , Kundu Debosmita , Parekh Sandeepan , Madival Deepak , Nandi Vrinda , Ghatak Arindam 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundDespite rigorous disinfection, fumigation and air treatment, infectious microbial load has been found to circulate and survive for significant durations in health care settings. This raises significant concerns for hospital acquired infections. We have developed a novel, hybrid, trap- and-kill airborne-microbicidal technology called “ZeBox” which is efficient in clearing 99.999% of airborne microbial load under controlled lab conditions. In this study we evaluate the clinical performance of the ZeBox in reducing airborne and surface microbial load in two independent hospital settings.MethodsThe studies were conducted in single bed and multi bed ICU of two hospitals. Airborne and surface microbial loads were collected at pre-determined sampling sites pre- and post-deployment of the ZeBox enabled device. The Normality of data distribution was determined using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Statistical significance was determined using Students’ T test and Mann-Whitney’s U test. Pathogenic and opportunistic organisms were characterized using 16S rDNA sequencing. Furthermore, the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated organisms was tested against current treatments of choice across major antibiotic classes.ResultsPost-deployment, we found statistically significant reductions in both airborne and surface microbial load within the operating range of the ZeBox enabled technology. Across the both hospital ICUs, there was 90% reduction of airborne microbial load on average, and 75% reduction of surface microbial load on average, providing a low bioburden zone of roughly 10-15 feet diameter around the unit. These reduced microbial levels were maintained during the entire duration of device operation over several weeks. Many of the clinical isolates recovered from one of the hospitals were drug resistant, which highlighted the potential ability of ZeBox to eliminate drug-resistant microbes and thereby reduce the frequency of hospital acquired infections.ConclusionsZeBox enabled technology can significantly reduce a broad spectrum of microbial burden in air and on surfaces in clinical settings. It can thereby serve an unmet need in reducing the incidence of hospital acquired infections.
Effect of losartan on hospitalized patients with COVID-19-induced lung injury: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Puskarich Michael A. , Ingraham Nicholas E. , Merck Lisa H , Driver Brian E , Wacker David A. , Black Lauren Page , Jones Alan E. , Fletcher Courtney V. , South Andrew M. , Nelson Andrew C. , Murray Thomas A , Tignanelli Christopher J. , Lewandowski Christopher , Farhat Joseph , Benoit Justin L. , Byrne Dana , Hall Alex , Reilkoff Ronald A. , Biros Michelle H. , Cherabuddi Kartik , Chipman Jeffrey G. , Schacker Timothy W. , Bold Tyler , Beckman Kenneth , Langlois Ryan , Aliota Matthew T. , Guirgis Faheem W. , Galbriath James , Beyer Margaret , Salmen Chas , Roberts Brian , Wright David , Voelker Helen T. , Koopmeiners Joseph S. 
Published: August 2021

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 viral entry may disrupt angiotensin II (Ang II) homeostasis in part via ACE2 downregulation, potentially contributing to COVID-19 induced lung injury. Preclinical models of viral pneumonias that utilize ACE2 demonstrate Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockade mitigates lung injury, though observational COVID-19 data addressing the effect of AT1R blockade remain mixed.MethodsMulticenter, blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial of losartan (50 mg PO twice daily for 10 days) versus placebo. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and a respiratory sequential organ failure assessment score of at least 1 and not already taking a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor were eligible. The primary outcome was the imputed partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio at 7 days. Secondary outcomes included ordinal COVID-19 severity, oxygen, ventilator, and vasopressor-free days, and mortality. Losartan pharmacokinetics (PK) and RAAS components [Ang II, angiotensin-(1–7) (Ang-(1–7)), ACE, ACE2] were measured in a subgroup of participants.FindingsFrom April 2020 - February 2021, 205 participants were randomized, 101 to losartan and 104 to placebo. Compared to placebo, losartan did not significantly affect PaO2/FiO2 ratio at 7 days [difference of -24.8 (95% -55.6 to 6.1; p=0.12)]. Losartan did not improve any secondary clinical outcome, but worsened vasopressor-free days. PK data were consistent with appropriate steady-state concentrations, but we observed no significant effect of losartan on RAAS components.InterpretationInitiation of orally administered losartan to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and acute lung injury does not improve PaO2 / FiO2 ratio at 7 days. These data may have implications for ongoing clinical trials.Trial RegistrationLosartan for Patients With COVID-19 Requiring Hospitalization (NCT04312009), https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04312009
History of suicide attempts and COVID-19 infection in Veterans with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder: effect modification by age and obesity
Authors: Okusaga Olaoluwa O. , Kember Rachel L. , Peloso Gina M. , Peterson Roseann E. , Vujkovic Mariana , Mitchell Brian G. , Bernard Jared , Walder Annette , Bigdeli Tim B. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractImportanceAs patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder have a high risk of suicide, and a history of suicide attempt is a strong predictor of suicide, determining whether history of suicide attempt is associated with COVID-19 in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder has implications for suicide prevention in this patient population.ObjectiveTo determine whether a history of suicide attempt is associated with COVID-19 in Veterans with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.DesignCross-sectional analyses of nation-wide electronic health records (EHR).SettingUnited States Veterans Health Administration.ParticipantsVeterans with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder that received treatment at any United States Veterans Affairs Medical Center from January 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021.ExposureHistory of suicide attempt.Main OutcomeAdjusted and unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) for COVID-19 positivity in suicide attempters relative to non-attempters. Adjusted analyses included age, sex, race, marital status, BMI, and a medical comorbidity score.ResultsA total of 101,032 Veterans [mean age 56.67 ± 13.13 years; males 91,715 (90.8%)] were included in the analyses. There were 2,703 (2.7%) suicide attempters and 719 (0.7%) patients were positive for COVID-19. There was effect modification by age and BMI in the association of history of suicide attempt with COVID-19 positivity such that the association was only significant in obese (BMI ≥ 30) patients and patients younger than 59 years respectively. In the entire sample, the unadjusted OR for COVID-19 positivity in attempters was 1.42 (95% CI 0.97 to 2.10) and the adjusted odds ratio was 1.90 (95% CI 1.28 to 2.80). In patients younger than 59 years, and in the obese patients respectively, history of suicide attempt was associated with COVID-positive status in unadjusted analyses [OR 3.53 (95% CI 2.10 to 5.94); OR 2.22 (95% CI 1.29 to 3.81)] and adjusted analyses [OR 3.42 (95% CI 2.02 to 5.79); OR 2.85 (95% CI 1.65 to 4.94)].Conclusions and RelevanceYoung or obese suicide attempters with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders have higher rates of COVID-19 diagnosis; due to possible long-term neuropsychiatric sequelae of infection with SARS-CoV-2, such patients should be monitored closely.
The Unequal Burden of the Covid-19 Pandemic: Racial/Ethnic Disparities in US Cause-Specific Mortality
Authors: Luck Anneliese N. , Preston Samuel H. , Elo Irma T. , Stokes Andrew C. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo quantify changes in all-cause and cause-specific mortality by race and ethnicity between 2019 and 2020.MethodsUsing 2019 and 2020 provisional death counts from the National Center for Health Statistics and population estimates from the US Census Bureau, we estimate age-standardized death rates by race/ethnicity and attribute changes in mortality to various causes of death. We also examine how patterns of change across racial/ethnic groups vary by age and sex.ResultsCovid-19 death rates in 2020 were highest in the Hispanic community whereas Black individuals had the largest increase in all-cause mortality between 2019 and 2020. Increases in mortality from heart disease, diabetes, and external causes of death accounted for the adverse trend in all-cause mortality within the Black population. Percentage increases in all-cause mortality were similar for men and women and for ages 25-64 and 65+ for Black and White populations, but increases were greatest for working-aged men among the Hispanic population.ConclusionsExamining increases in non-Covid-19 causes of death is essential for fully capturing both the direct and indirect impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on racial/ethnic mortality disparities.
Dietary differences by job type and industry among workers in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Tanaka Rie , Sakuragi Toshihide , Tsuji Mayumi , Tateishi Seiichiro , Hino Ayako , Ogami Akira , Nagata Masako , Matsuda Shinya , Fujino Yoshihisa ,   for the CORoNaWork Project
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic requires people to change their lifestyles. This study aimed to examine the differences in dietary behaviors during the pandemic across job types and industries.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Novel-coronavirus and Work Project. Job type and industry were classified into 3 and 22 groups, respectively. Dietary behaviors were assessed using self-reported questionnaires regarding eating breakfast, frequency of meals, and eating fast foods. Changes in eating breakfast during the pandemic were also evaluated. Logistic regression analysis nested in the workplace prefecture was carried out and adjusted for gender, age, body mass index, presence of family members, educational background, and household income.ResultsWorkers involved in jobs that require communicating with people were more likely to skip breakfast (OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.10-1.24) and had a lower frequency of meals (OR 1.25, 95%CI 1.17-1.34) than workers engaged in desk work. Manual workers were more likely to eat fast food or meals (OR 1.10, 95%CI 1.03-1.17) than workers engaged in desk work. Workers engaged in newspaper, magazine, television, radio, advertising, and other mass media industries were more likely to skip breakfast (OR 2.43, 95%CI 1.82-3.24) and have a lower frequency of meals (OR 3.90, 95%CI 2.87-5.28) than workers in public offices and organizations.ConclusionThe tendencies of dietary behaviors across job types/industries during the pandemic were shown, partially consistent with a trend reported before the pandemic. Further studies should clarify the causes of differences in dietary behaviors among workers.
A Reinforcement Learning Framework for Pooled Oligonucleotide Design
Authors: David Benjamin M. , Wyllie Ryan M. , Harouaka Ramdane , Jensen Paul A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe goal of oligonucleotide (oligo) design is to select oligos that optimize a set of design criteria. Oligo design problems are combinatorial in nature and require computationally intensive models to evaluate design criteria. Even relatively small problems can be intractable for brute-force approaches that test every possible combination of oligos, so heuristic approaches must be used to find near-optimal solutions. We present a general reinforcement learning framework, called OligoRL, to solve oligo design problems with complex constraints. OligoRL allows “black-box” design criteria and can be adapted to solve many oligo design problems. We highlight the flexibility of OligoRL by building tools to solve three distinct design problems: 1.) finding pools of random DNA barcodes that lack restriction enzyme recognition sequences (CutFreeRL); 2.) compressing large, non-degenerate oligo pools into smaller degenerate ones (OligoCompressor); and 3.) finding Not-So-Random hexamer primer pools that avoid rRNA and other unwanted transcripts during RNA-seq library preparation (NSR-RL). OligoRL demonstrates how reinforcement learning offers a general solution for complex oligo design problems. OligoRL and its associated software tools are available as a Julia package at http://jensenlab.net/tools.