bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparing adaptive coding of reward in bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Kaliuzhna Mariia , Kirschner Matthias , Tobler Philippe N. , Kaiser Stefan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundDeficits in neural processing of reward have been described in both bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ), but it remains unclear to what extent these deficits are caused by similar mechanisms. Efficient reward processing relies on adaptive coding which allows representing large input spans by limited neuronal encoding ranges. Deficits in adaptive coding of reward have previously been observed across the SZ spectrum and correlated with total symptom severity. In the present work we sought to establish whether adaptive coding is similarly affected in patients with BD.Methods25 patients with BD, 27 patients with SZ and 25 healthy controls performed a variant of the Monetary Incentive Delay task during functional magnetic resonance imaging in two reward range conditions.ResultsAdaptive coding was impaired in BD and SZ in the posterior part of the right caudate. In contrast, BD did not show impaired adaptive coding in the anterior caudate and right precentral gyrus/insula, where SZ showed deficits compared to healthy controls.ConclusionsBD patients show adaptive coding deficits, that are similar to those observed in SZ in the right posterior caudate. Adaptive coding in BD appeared more preserved as compared to SZ participants especially in the more anterior part of the right caudate and to a lesser extent also in the right precentral gyrus. Thus, dysfunctional adaptive coding could constitute a fundamental deficit in severe mental illnesses that extends beyond the schizophrenia spectrum.
Hyaluronan and Elastin-Like Protein (HELP) Gels Significantly Improve Cargo Retention in the Myocardium
Authors: Suhar Riley A. , Doulames Vanessa M. , Liu Yueming , Hefferon Meghan E. , Figueroa Oscar , Buabbas Hana , Heilshorn Sarah C. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHeart disease is the leading cause of death globally, and delivery of therapeutic cargo (e.g.cells, proteins, drugs) through direct injection into the myocardium is a promising clinical intervention. However, retention of deliverables to the contracting myocardium is low, with as much as 60 - 90% of payload being lost within 24 hours. Commercially-available injectable hydrogels, including Matrigel, have been hypothesized to increase payload retention, but have not yielded significant improvements in quantified analyses. Here, we assess a recombinant hydrogel composed of chemically modified hyaluronan and elastin-like protein (HELP) as an alternative injectable carrier to increase cargo retention. HELP is crosslinked using dynamic covalent bonds, and tuning the hyaluronan chemistry significantly alters hydrogel mechanical properties including stiffness, stress-relaxation rate, and ease of injectability through a needle or catheter. These materials can be injected even after complete crosslinking, extending the time window for surgical delivery. We show that HELP gels significantly improvein vivoretention of microsphere cargo compared to Matrigel, both 1 day and 7 days post-injection directly into the rat myocardium. These data suggest that HELP gels may assist with the clinical translation of therapeutic cargo designed for delivery into the contracting myocardium by preventing acute cargo loss.
Neural basis of learning to perceive speech through touch using an acoustic-to-vibrotactile speech sensory substitution
Authors: Malone Patrick S. , Eberhardt Silvio P. , Auer Edward T. , Klein Richard , Bernstein Lynne E. , Riesenhuber Maximilian 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe goal of sensory substitution is to convey the information transduced by one sensory system through a novel sensory modality. One example is vibrotactile (VT) speech, for which acoustic speech is transformed into vibrotactile patterns. Despite an almost century-long history of studying vibrotactile speech, there has been no study of the neural bases of VT speech learning. We here trained hearing adult participants to recognize VT speech syllables. Using fMRI, we showed that both somatosensory (left post-central gyrus) and auditory (right temporal lobe) regions acquire selectivity for VT speech stimuli following training. The right planum temporale in particular was selective for both VT and auditory speech. EEG source-estimated activity revealed temporal dynamics consistent with direct, low-latency engagement of right temporal lobe following activation of the left post-central gyrus. Our results suggest that VT speech learning achieves integration with the auditory speech system by “piggybacking” onto corresponding auditory speech representations.Significance statementIn sensory substitution, the information conveyed by one sensory system is used to replace the function of another. Blind individuals, for example, can learn to use a visual-to-acoustic sensory substitution device to navigate the world. We tested the hypothesis that sensory substitution can more generally occur in typical individuals, by exploiting the existence of multi-sensory convergence areas in the brain. We trained hearing participants to recognize speech syllables presented as vibrotactile stimulation patterns. Using fMRI and EEG, we show that vibrotactile speech learning integrates with the auditory speech system by “piggybacking” onto corresponding auditory speech representations. These results suggest that the human brain can bootstrap new senses by leveraging one sensory system to process information normally processed by another.
Preservation of neural synchrony at peak alpha frequency via global synaptic scaling compensates for white matter structural decline over adult lifespan
Authors: Pathak Anagh , Sharma Vivek , Roy Dipanjan , Banerjee Arpan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe propose that preservation of functional integration, estimated from measures of neural synchrony, is a key neurocompensatory mechanism associated with healthy human ageing. To support this proposal, we demonstrate how phase-locking at peak alpha frequency from Magnetoencephalography (MEG) data is invariant over lifespan in a large cohort of human participants, aged 18-88 years. Using empirically derived connection topologies from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data, we create an in-silico model of whole-brain alpha dynamics. We show that enhancing inter-areal coupling can cancel the effect of increased axonal transmission delay associated with age-related degeneration of white matter tracts and thus, preserve neural synchrony. Together with analytical solutions for non-biological all-to-all connection scenarios, our model establishes the theoretical principles by which frequency slowing with age, frequently observed in the alpha band in diverse populations, can be viewed as an epiphenomenon of the underlying neurocompensatory mechanisms.
Tension-driven multi-scale self-organisation in human iPSC-derived muscle fibers
Authors: Mao Qiyan , Acharya Achyuth , Rodríguez-delaRosa Alejandra , Marchiano Fabio , Dehapiot Benoit , Tanoury Ziad Al , Rao Jyoti , Díaz-Cuadros Margarete , Mansur Arian , Wagner Erica , Chardes Claire , Gupta Vandana A. , Lenne Pierre-François , Habermann Bianca H. , Theodoly Olivier , Pourquie Olivier , Schnorrer Frank 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHuman muscle is a hierarchically organised tissue with its contractile cells called myofibers packed into large myofiber bundles. Each myofiber contains periodic myofibrils built by hundreds of contractile sarcomeres that generate large mechanical forces. To better understand the mechanisms that coordinate human muscle morphogenesis from tissue to molecular scales, we adopted a simple in vitro system using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human myogenic precursors. When grown on an unrestricted two-dimensional substrate, developing myofibers spontaneously align and self-organise into higher-order myofiber bundles, which grow and consolidate to stable sizes. Following a transcriptional boost of sarcomeric components, myofibrils assemble into chains of periodic sarcomeres that emerge across the entire myofiber. By directly probing tension we found that tension build-up precedes sarcomere assembly and increases within each assembling myofibril. Furthermore, we found that myofiber ends stably attach to other myofibers using integrin-based attachments and thus myofiber bundling coincides with stable myofiber bundle attachment in vitro. A failure in stable myofiber attachment results in a collapse of the myofibrils. Overall, our results strongly suggest that mechanical tension across sarcomeric components as well as between differentiating myofibers is key to coordinate the multi-scale self-organisation of muscle morphogenesis.
Aggregation pheromone 4-vinylanisole promotes the synchrony of sexual maturation in female locusts
Authors: Chen Dafeng , Hou Li , Wei Jianing , Guo Siyuan , Cui Weichan , Yang Pengcheng , Kang Le , Wang Xianhui 
Published: October 2021

AbstractReproductive synchrony generally occurs in various group-living animals; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Here, we report that aggregation pheromone, 4-vinylanisole, plays a key role in promoting sexual maturation synchrony of female adults in the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria, a worldwide agricultural pest species that can form huge swarms with millions of individuals. Gregarious female locusts display significant synchrony of sexual maturation and oviposition whereas solitarious females and olfactory deficiency mutants do not. Only the presence of gregarious male adults can stimulate sexual maturation synchrony of female adults. Of the volatiles emitted abundantly by gregarious male adults, only 4-vinylanisole induces female sexual maturation synchrony, whereas this effect is abolished in mutants of 4- vinylanisole receptor. Interestingly, 4-vinylanisole mainly accelerates oocyte maturation of young females aged at middle developmental stages (3-4 days post adult eclosion). Juvenile hormone/vitellogenin pathway mediates female sexual maturation triggered by 4-vinylanisole. Our results highlight a “catch-up” strategy by which gregarious females synchronize their oocyte maturation and oviposition by time-dependent endocrinal response to 4-vinylanisole.
Radical pairs may explain reactive oxygen species-mediated effects of hypomagnetic field on neurogenesis
Authors: Rishabh  , Zadeh-Haghighi Hadi , Salahub Dennis , Simon Christoph 
Published: October 2021

AbstractExposures to a hypomagnetic field can affect biological processes. Recently, it has been observed that hypomagnetic field exposure can adversely affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis and hippocampus-dependent cognition in mice. In the same study, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hypomagnetic field effects has been demonstrated. However, the mechanistic reasons behind this effect are not clear. This study proposes a radical pair mechanism based on a flavin-superoxide radical pair to explain the modulation of ROS production and the attenuation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in a hypomagnetic field. The results of our calculations favor a singlet-born radical pair over a triplet-born radical pair. Our model predicts hypomagnetic field effects on the triplet/singlet yield of comparable strength as the effects observed in experimental studies on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Our predictions are also in qualitative agreement with experimental results on superoxide concentration and other observed ROS effects. We also predict the effects of applied magnetic fields and oxygen isotopic substitution on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Our findings strengthen the idea that nature might harness quantum resources in the context of the brain.Author summaryExposure to magnetic fields influences many neurobiological processes. The formation of new neurons (neurogenesis) in the hippocampal region of the adult brain plays a crucial role in learning and memory. It can be adversely affected by shielding the earth’s magnetic field, and this effect is intimately related to ROS concentration. In this study, we have developed a quantum mechanical model to explain this magnetic field dependence of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Our model is also consistent with the observed ROS effects.
Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant in a Nursing Home 28 weeks after two doses of mRNA anti-Covid-19 vaccines: evidence of a waning immunity
Authors: Pierobon Alice , Dal Zotto Alessandra , Antico Antonio , Ernesto De Antoni Mario , Vianello Liviano , Gennari Monica , Di Caprio Antonio , Russo Francesca , Brambilla Gianfranco , Saugo Mario 
Published: October 2021

AbstractObjectivesDescription of a SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant outbreak among residents (N=69) and Health Workers (HWs: N=69) of a small Nursing Home in Northern-East Italy, with full vaccination coverage of 91 and 82%, respectively. Evaluation of the Anti-Spike IgG titers 28 weeks after the mRNA vaccine boosts against SARS-COV-2 infection and severe Covid-19.Materials and methodsA timely collection of sera within 48h from the index case; anti-Spike IgG determination (expressed as Binding Antibody Units – BAU/mL) through a commercial quantitative assay; SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics via RT-PCR, and full-genome sequencing for lineage characterization. Residents were grouped according to anti-Spike IgG titers (≤ 50, 51-1000, and > 1000 BAU/mL) and resulting protection against the infection and the severe disease was measured.Results0/20 HWs and 14/59 (24%) residents fully vaccinated and without a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection showed anti-Spike IgG lower/equal to 50 BAU/mL (1-sided Fisher exact p=0.011). Among these residents, a level of anti-Spike IgG ≤50 BAU/mL resulted in a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR=1.55, CI95% 1.17-2.05) and severe Covid-19 disease (RR=5.33, CI95% 1.83-15.57). Conclusion Low levels of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing anti-Spike IgG in serum 28 weeks after the administration of the second dose parallels the waning of vaccine protection.
Domestic violence, mental health, and repeat self-harm in Sri Lanka
Authors: Bandara Piumee , Page Andrew , Rajapakse Thilini , Knipe Duleeka 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundEvidence on the risk factors for repeat self-harm from low- and middle-income countries is scarce and requires urgent attention.AimsWe sought to examine psychosocial correlates of repeat self-harm in Kandy, Sri Lanka.MethodsLogistic regression models (adjusting for age and sex) were used to examine associations between study factors and repeat self-harm among adult patients (N=292) admitted for self-poisoning.ResultsDepression (OR 2.8 95% CI 1.7-4.7), prior psychiatric diagnosis (OR 4.8 95% CI 2.2-10.2), past-year exposure to suicidal behaviour (OR 1.9 95% 1.1-3.3), physical/sexual abuse (OR 3.0 95% CI 1.3-6.9), and psychological abuse (OR 2.3 95% CI 1.3-4.2) were strongly associated with repeat self-harm.ConclusionsIdentification and management of domestic violence and psychiatric morbidity should be part of routine clinical assessments of patients presenting with self-harm.
Modeling the impact of vaccination strategies for nursing homes in the context of increased SARS-CoV-2 community transmission and variants
Authors: Holmdahl Inga , Kahn Rebecca , Slifka Kara Jacobs , Dooling Kathleen , Slayton Rachel B. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractNursing homes (NH) were among the first settings to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, but staff vaccination coverage remains low at an average of 64%. Using an agent-based model, we examined the impact of community prevalence, the Delta variant, staff vaccination coverage, and boosters for residents on outbreak dynamics in nursing homes. We found that increased staff primary series coverage and high booster vaccine effectiveness (VE) in residents leads to fewer infections and that the cumulative incidence is highly dependent on community transmission. Despite high VE, high community transmission resulted in continued symptomatic infections in NHs.
A Crowdsourcing Approach to Develop Machine Learning Models to Quantify Radiographic Joint Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Sun Dongmei , Nguyen Thanh M. , Allaway Robert J. , Wang Jelai , Chung Verena , Yu Thomas V , Mason Michael , Dimitrovsky Isaac , Ericson Lars , Li Hongyang , Guan Yuanfang , Israel Ariel , Olar Alex , Pataki Balint Armin ,   RA2 DREAM Challenge Community, Stolovitzky Gustavo , Guinney Justin , Gulko Percio S. , Frazier Mason B. , Costello James C. , Chen Jake Y. , Bridges S. Louis 
Published: October 2021

AbstractTo develop machine learning methods to quantify joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we developed the RA2 DREAM Challenge, a crowdsourced competition that utilized existing radiographic images and “gold-standard” scores on 674 sets of films from 562 patients. Training and leaderboard sets were provided to participants to develop methods to quantify joint space narrowing and erosions. In the final round, participants submitted containerized codes on a test set; algorithms were evaluated using weighted root mean square error (RMSE). In the leaderboard round, there were 173 submissions from 26 teams in 7 countries. Of the 13 submissions in the final round, four top-performing teams were identified. Robustness of results was assessed using Bayes factor and validated using an independent set of radiographs. The top-performing algorithms, which consisted of different styles of deep learning models, provided accurate and robust quantification of joint damage in RA. Ultimately, these methods lay the groundwork to accelerate research and help clinicians to optimize treatments to minimize joint damage.
Molecular identification of rhizobacterial isolates from Prosopis limensis and their effect on the growth of Raphanus sativus under salt stress
Authors: Clavo Rene Flores , Valladolid Suyón Esteban A , Reinoza Farroñan Karin , Ortega Cristian Asmat , Zuñiga Valdera Gabriel , Garboggini Fabiana Fantinatti , Iglesias-Osores Sebastian , Carreño Farfán Carmen Rosa 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSoil salinity negatively affects the development of agricultural crops. The utilization of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria is a biotechnological alternative to mitigate this problem. Rhizobacteria were isolated from the roots and rhizosphere of Prosopis limensis Bentham “carob” to identify them and determine their potential as plant growth-promoters under salt stress. First, ACC deaminase activity was determined in Dworkin & Foster (DF) minimum medium with 3.0 mM ACC as a source of nitrogen; besides, tolerance to sodium chloride was determined in Nutrient Broth (NB) supplemented with 10% NaCI. Then, bacteria displaying ACC deaminase activity and a 10% NaCI tolerance were selected, identified through genomic analysis targeting the 16s rRNA gene, and inoculated into Raphanus sativus L. “radish” seeds to determine the effect on germination percentage under salt stress (80 mM NaCI) and, also on indole production and phosphate solubilization. Isolates were also utilized to evaluate their effect on the growth of radish in saline soils. Genomic analysis showed two bacterial isolates from the genus Pseudomonas and one from the genus Bordetella: Isolate MW604823 was identified as Pseudomonas sp.; isolate MW604824, as Pseudomonas hunanensis; and isolate MW604826 as Bordetella muralis. Thee isolates demonstrated ACC deaminase activity and tolerance to 10% NaCI. Inoculation of the isolates on radish seeds increased germination percentage compared to the control. The isolates displayed in vitro indole production and phosphate solubilization capacity. Moreover, the isolates promoted the growth of radish under salt stress conditions, increasing, leave number, root number, aerial, and root biomass, demonstrating their potential as a biofertilizers.
Epidermal Stratification Requires Retromer-Mediated Desmoglein-1 Recycling
Authors: Hegazy Marihan , Koetsier Jennifer L. , Huffine Amber L. , Broussard Joshua A. , Godsel Brendan M. , Godsel Lisa M. , Green Kathleen J. 
Published: October 2021

SUMMARYSorting and trafficking transmembrane cargo is essential for tissue development and homeostasis. However, the importance of intracellular trafficking in the development and regeneration of stratified epidermis has not been investigated. Here we identify the interaction between VPS35, an essential component of the retromer endosomal trafficking complex, and the desmosomal cadherin, Desmoglein 1 (Dsg1). Dsg1 is specifically expressed in stratified tissues and when properly localized on the plasma membrane, promotes epidermal stratification. We show that the retromer drives Dsg1 recycling from the endo-lysosomal system to the plasma membrane to support keratinocyte stratification and differentiation. The retromer enhancing chaperone, R55 promotes the plasma membrane localization of Dsg1 and a Dsg1 mutant associated with Severe dermatitis, multiple Allergies, and Metabolic wasting (SAM) syndrome, enhancing the ability of SAM-Dsg1 to promote stratification. Our work provides the first evidence for retromer function in epidermal regeneration and identifies it as a potential therapeutic skin disease target.
Vaccinia E5 is a major inhibitor of the DNA sensor cGAS
Authors: Yang Ning , Wang Yi , Dai Peihong , Li Tuo , Zierhut Christian , Tan Adrian , Zhang Tuo , Pan Heng , Li Zhuoning , Ordureau Alban , Xiang Jenny Zhaoying , Hendrickson Ronald C. , Funabiki Hironori , Chen Zhijian , Deng Liang 
Published: October 2021

SUMMARYThe DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is critical in host antiviral immunity. Vaccinia virus (VACV) is a large cytoplasmic DNA virus that belongs to the poxvirus family. How vaccinia virus antagonizes the cGAS-mediated cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway is largely unknown. In this study, we screened 82 vaccinia viral genes to identify potential viral inhibitors of the cGAS/Stimulator of interferon gene (STING) pathway. We discovered that vaccinia E5 is a virulence factor and a major inhibitor of cGAS that elicits proteasome-dependent cGAS degradation. E5 localizes to the cytoplasm and nuclei of infected cells. Cytosolic E5 triggers K48-linked ubiquitination of cGAS and proteasome-dependent degradation via interacting with cGAS. E5 itself also undergoes ubiquitination and degradation. Deleting the E5R gene from the Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) genome strongly induces type I IFN production by dendritic cells (DCs) and promotes DC maturation, thereby improving the immunogenicity of the viral vector.
Adipocyte autophagy limits gut inflammation by controlling oxylipin levels
Authors: Richter Felix Clemens , Friedrich Matthias , Kampschulte Nadja , Pohin Mathilde , Alsaleh Ghada , Guschina Irina , Wideman Sarah Karin , Johnson Errin , Borsa Mariana , Piletic Klara , Hahn Paula , Schipper Henk Simon , Edwards Claire M. , Zechner Rudolf , Schebb Nils Helge , Powrie Fiona , Simon Anna Katharina 
Published: October 2021

AbstractLipids play a major role in inflammatory diseases by altering inflammatory cell functions, through their use as energy substrates or as lipid mediators such as oxylipins. Autophagy, a lysosomal degradation pathway that limits inflammation, is known to impact on lipid availability, however whether this controls inflammation remains unexplored. We found that upon intestinal inflammation visceral adipocytes upregulate autophagy and that adipocyte-specific loss of the autophagy gene Atg7 exacerbates inflammation. While autophagy decreased lipolytic release of free fatty acids, loss of the major lipolytic enzyme Pnpla2/Atgl in adipocytes did not alter intestinal inflammation, ruling out free fatty acids as anti- inflammatory energy substrates. Instead, Atg7-deficient adipose tissues exhibited an altered oxylipin balance, driven through an NRF2-mediated upregulation of Ephx1. This was accompanied by a shift in adipose tissue macrophage polarization with reduced secretion of IL-10, leading to lower circulating levels of IL-10. These results suggest an underappreciated fat-gut crosstalk through an autophagy- dependent regulation of anti-inflammatory oxylipins, indicating a protective effect of adipose tissues for distant inflammation.