bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous Cryoablation for Treatment of Biopsy-proven Fibroadipose Vascular Anomaly
Authors: Eskew Jacob E. , Gill Anne E. , Swerdlin Rachel , Shah Jay H. , Variyam Darshan E. , Yin Hong , Hawkins C. Matthew 
Published: March 2021

Objective:
To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with fibroadipose vascular anomaly (FAVA) treated via percutaneous cryoablation.

Design:
A 14-month retrospective study identified patients (<21 years old) with biopsy-proven diagnoses of FAVA. Appropriate evaluation in the vascular anomalies clinic preceded imaging, biopsy, and ablation therapy. Studied parameters included postablation MRI findings, pain, motor function, and complications of ablation therapy.

Setting:
A single, tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Patients:
Nine patients (median 12 years, range 8–16 years; 8 females, 1 male) met inclusion criteria.

Interventions:
Percutaneous cryoablation.

Primary Outcome Measurement:
Clinical success of cryoablation, defined as improvement of patient symptoms, including pain, functional restriction, and swelling.

Results:
Percutaneous biopsy demonstrated histological consistency with FAVA for all lesions. All patients underwent technically successful cryoablation therapy. One patient required repeat ablation. Symptoms resolved in 5 patients and improved in 4 patients. There were 5 minor complications and no major complications.

Conclusions:
These findings further validate previously published cohorts and demonstrate that percutaneous cryoablation is a potentially efficacious treatment option for FAVA with a favorable safety profile.
Autoimmune regulation of chronic pain
Authors: Lacagnina Michael J. , Heijnen Cobi J. , Watkins Linda R. , Grace Peter M. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Chronic pain is an unpleasant and debilitating condition that is often poorly managed by existing therapeutics. Reciprocal interactions between the nervous system and the immune system have been recognized as playing an essential role in the initiation and maintenance of pain. In this review, we discuss how neuroimmune signaling can contribute to peripheral and central sensitization and promote chronic pain through various autoimmune mechanisms. These pathogenic autoimmune mechanisms involve the production and release of autoreactive antibodies from B cells. Autoantibodies—ie, antibodies that recognize self-antigens—have been identified as potential molecules that can modulate the function of nociceptive neurons and thereby induce persistent pain. Autoantibodies can influence neuronal excitability by activating the complement pathway; by directly signaling at sensory neurons expressing Fc gamma receptors, the receptors for the Fc fragment of immunoglobulin G immune complexes; or by binding and disrupting ion channels expressed by nociceptors. Using examples primarily from rheumatoid arthritis, complex regional pain syndrome, and channelopathies from potassium channel complex autoimmunity, we suggest that autoantibody signaling at the central nervous system has therapeutic implications for designing novel disease-modifying treatments for chronic pain.
Analysis of Polycerate Mutants Reveals the Evolutionary Co-option of
HOXD1 to Determine the Number and Topology of Horns in
Bovidae
Authors: Allais-Bonnet Aurélie , Hintermann Aurélie , Deloche Marie-Christine , Cornette Raphaël , Bardou Philippe , Naval-Sanchez Marina , Pinton Alain , Haruda Ashleigh , Grohs Cécile , Zakany Jozsef , Bigi Daniele , Medugorac Ivica , Putelat Olivier , Greyvenstein Ockert , Hadfield Tracy , Ben Jemaa Slim , Bunevski Gjoko , Menzi Fiona , Hirter Nathalie , Paris Julia M. , Hedges John , Palhiere Isabelle , Rupp Rachel , Lenstra Johannes A. , Gidney Louisa , Lesur Joséphine , Schafberg Renate , Stache Michael , Wandhammer Marie-Dominique , Arbogast Rose-Marie , Guintard Claude , Blin Amandine , Boukadiri Abdelhak , Riviere Julie , Esquerré Diane , Donnadieu Cécile , Danchin-Burge Coralie , Reich Coralie M , Riley David , van Marle-Koster Este , Cockett Noelle , Hayes Benjamin J. , Drögemüller Cord , Kijas James , Pailhoux Eric , Tosser-Klopp Gwenola , Duboule Denis , Capitan Aurélien 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In the course of evolution, pecorans (i.e. higher ruminants) developed a
remarkable diversity of osseous cranial appendages, collectively referred to as
‘headgear’, which likely share the same origin and genetic basis. However, the
nature and function of the genetic determinants underlying their number and
position remain elusive. Jacob and other rare populations of sheep and goats,
are characterized by polyceraty, the presence of more than two horns. Here, we
characterize distinct POLYCERATE alleles in each
species, both associated with defective HOXD1
function. We show that haploinsufficiency at this locus results in the splitting
of horn bud primordia, likely following the abnormal extension of an initial
morphogenetic field. These results highlight the key role played by this gene in
headgear patterning and illustrate the evolutionary co-option of a gene involved
in the early development of bilateria to properly fix the position and number of
these distinctive organs of Bovidae.
Age-related changes in physiology in individuals with bipolar disorder
Authors: Mutz Julian , Lewis Cathryn M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectivesIndividuals with bipolar disorder have reduced life expectancy and may experience accelerated biological ageing. In individuals with bipolar disorder and healthy controls, we examined differences in age-related changes in physiology.MethodsUK Biobank recruited >500,000 participants, aged 37-73, between 2006–2010. Generalised additive models were used to examine associations between age and grip strength, cardiovascular function, body composition, lung function and bone mineral density. Analyses were conducted separately in males and females with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls.ResultsAnalytical samples included up to 272,462 adults (mean age = 56.04 years, SD = 8.15; 49.51% females). We found statistically significant differences between bipolar disorder cases and controls for grip strength, blood pressure, pulse rate and body composition, with standardised mean differences of up to −0.238 (95% CI −0.282 to −0.193). There was limited evidence of differences in lung function, heel bone mineral density or arterial stiffness. Case-control differences were most evident for age-related changes in cardiovascular function (in both sexes) and body composition (in females). These differences did not uniformly narrow or widen with age and differed by sex. For example, the difference in systolic blood pressure between male cases and controls was −1.3 mmHg at age 50 and widened to −4.7 mmHg at age 65. Diastolic blood pressure in female cases was 1.2 mmHg higher at age 40 and −1.2 mmHg lower at age 65.ConclusionsDifferences in ageing trajectories between bipolar disorder cases and healthy controls were most evident for cardiovascular and body composition measures and differed by sex.
Sleep, pain, and neurodegeneration: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Grover Sandeep ,   International Age-related Macular Degeneration Consortium (IAMDGC), Sharma Manu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo examine whether sleep and pain-related traits have a causal effect on the risk of neurodegeneration.DesignTwo-sample Mendelian randomization using an inverse-variance weighted (IVW) estimate of the summary effect estimates.SettingGenetic data on sleep and pain-related traits and neurodegenerative disorders (NDD) from various cohorts comprising individuals predominantly of European ancestry.ParticipantsParticipants from the International Sleep Genetic Epidemiology Consortium (ISGEC), UK Biobank sleep and chronotype research group, International Genomics of Alzheimer’s patients (IGAP), project MinE, International Age-related Macular Degeneration Consortium (IAMDGC), International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC), International Parkinson’s Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC)ExposuresSelf-reported chronotype (CHR), morning preference (MP), insomnia symptoms (INS), sleep duration (SP), short sleep (SS), long sleep (LS), and multisite chronic pain (MCP)Main outcome measuresAge-related macular degeneration (AMD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson’s disease (PD)ResultsWe considered a threshold of P=0.00142 as significant accounting for multiple testing, and P<0.05 was considered to be suggestive evidence for a potential association. Using direct MR, MP was observed as the strongest risk factor for AMD (ORIVW = 1.19, 95% CI 1.08, 1.32, P = 0.00073). We observed suggestive evidence of influence of different sleep traits on neurodegeneration: CHR on AMD (ORIVW = 1.27, 95% CI 1.08, 1.49, P = 0.0034), SS on AD (ORIVW 1.26, 95% CI 1.08, 1.46, P = 0.0044), and INS on ALS (ORIVW 1.55, 95% CI 1.12, 2.14, P = 0.0123). The association of SS with AD was, however, lost after the exclusion of overlapping UKB samples. Using pain as exposure, our study failed to observe any role of pain in neurodegeneration. Results were largely robust to reverse causal analyses and sensitivity analyses accounting for horizontal pleiotropy.ConclusionsOur study highlighted the role of morning preference as a risk factor for AMD and provided suggestive evidence of different sleep traits on a wide spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases.
Functional Antibodies in COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma
Authors: Herman Jonathan D. , Wang Chuangqi , Loos Carolin , Yoon Hyunah , Rivera Johanna , Dieterle M. Eugenia , Haslwanter Denise , Jangra Rohit K. , Bortz Robert H. , Bar Katharine J. , Julg Boris , Chandran Kartik , Lauffenburger Douglas , Pirofski Liise-anne , Alter Galit 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn the absence of an effective vaccine or monoclonal therapeutic, transfer of convalescent plasma (CCP) was proposed early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic as an easily accessible therapy. However, despite the global excitement around this historically valuable therapeutic approach, results from CCP trials have been mixed and highly debated. Unlike other therapeutic interventions, CCP represents a heterogeneous drug. Each CCP unit is unique and collected from an individual recovered COVID-19 patient, making the interpretation of therapeutic benefit more complicated. While the prevailing view in the field would suggest that it is administration of neutralizing antibodies via CCP that centrally provides therapeutic benefit to newly infected COVID-19 patients, many hospitalized COVID-19 patients already possess neutralizing antibodies. Importantly, the therapeutic benefit of antibodies can extend far beyond their simple ability to bind and block infection, especially related to their ability to interact with the innate immune system. In our work we deeply profiled the SARS-CoV-2-specific Fc-response in CCP donors, along with the recipients prior to and after CCP transfer, revealing striking SARS-CoV-2 specific Fc-heterogeneity across CCP units and their recipients. However, CCP units possessed more functional antibodies than acute COVID-19 patients, that shaped the evolution of COVID-19 patient humoral profiles via distinct immunomodulatory effects that varied by pre-existing SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S)-specific IgG titers in the patients. Our analysis identified surprising influence of both S and Nucleocapsid (N) specific antibody functions not only in direct antiviral activity but also in anti-inflammatory effects. These findings offer insights for more comprehensive interpretation of correlates of immunity in ongoing large scale CCP trials and for the design of next generation therapeutic design.
Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization identifies causal links between blood proteins and severe COVID-19
Authors: Palmos Alish B. , Millischer Vincent , Menon David K. , Nicholson Timothy R. , Taams Leonie , Michael Benedict ,   COVID Clinical Neuroscience Study Consortium, Hübel Christopher , Breen Gerome 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic death toll now surpasses two million individuals and there is a need for early identification of individuals at increased risk of mortality. Host genetic variation partially drives the immune and biochemical responses to COVID-19 that lead to risk of mortality. We identify and prioritise blood proteins and biomarkers that may indicate increased risk for severe COVID-19, via a proteome Mendelian randomization approach by collecting genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for >4,000 blood proteins. After multiple testing correction, troponin I3, cardiac type (TNNI3) had the strongest effect (odds ratio (O.R.) of 6.86 per standard deviation increase in protein level), with proteinase 3 (PRTN3) (O.R.=2.48), major histocompatibility complex, class II, DQ alpha 2 (HLA-DQA2) (O.R.=2.29), the C4A-C4B heterodimer (O.R.=1.76) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein associated protein 1 (LRPAP1) (O.R.=1.73) also being associated with higher odds of severe COVID-19. Conversely, major histocompatibility complex class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MHC1A) (O.R.=0.6) and natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 3 (NCR3) (O.R.=0.46) were associated with lower odds. These proteins are involved in heart muscle contraction, natural killer and antigen presenting cells, and the major histocompatibility complex. Based on these findings, it may be possible to better predict which patients may develop severe COVID-19 and to design better treatments targeting the implicated mechanisms.
Point-of-care ultrasonography for risk stratification of non-critical suspected COVID-19 patients on admission (POCUSCO): a prospective binational study
Authors: Morin François , Douillet Delphine , François Hamel Jean , Savary Dominique , Aubé Christophe , Tazarourte Karim , Marouf Kamélia , Dupriez Florence , Le Conte Philipe , Flament Thomas , Delomas Thomas , Taalba Mehdi , Marjanovic Nicolas , Couturaud Francis , Peschanski Nicolas , Boishardy Thomas , Riou Jérémie , Dubée Vincent , Roy Pierre-Marie 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundLung point-of-care ultrasonography (L-POCUS) is highly effective in detecting pulmonary peripheral patterns and may allow early identification of patients who are likely to develop an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We hypothesized that L-POCUS performed during the initial examination would identify non-severe COVID-19 patients with a high risk of getting worse.MethodsPOCUSCO was a prospective, multicenter study. Non-critical adult patients who were admitted to the emergency department (ED) for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were included and had L-POCUS performed within 48 hours following admission. The severity of lung damage was assessed using the L-POCUS score based on 36 points for ARDS. The primary outcome was the rate of patients requiring intubation or who died within 14 days following inclusion.ResultsAmong 296 participating patients, 8 (2.7%) had primary outcome. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic of L-POCUS was 0.80 [95%CI:0.60-0.94]. The score values which achieved a sensibility > 95% in defining low-risk patients and a specificity > 95% in defining high-risk patients were <1 and ≥16, respectively. The rate of patients with an unfavorable outcome was 0/95 (0%[95%CI:0-3.9]) for low-risk patients (score=0) versus 4/184 (2.17%[95%CI:0.8-5.5]) for intermediate-risk patients (score 1-15) and 4/17 (23.5%[95%CI:11.4-42.4]) for high-risk patients (score ≥16). In patients with confirmed COVID-19 (n=58), the AUC of L-POCUS was 0.97 [95%CI:0.92-1.00].ConclusionsL-POCUS allows risk-stratification of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. These results should be confirmed in a population with a higher risk of an unfavorable outcome.Trial registration numberNCT04338100
Exploring the short-term role of particulate matter in the COVID-19 outbreak in USA cities
Authors: Kamigauti Leonardo Yoshiaki , Palma Perez Gabriel Martins , Souto-Oliveira Carlos Eduardo , Cowdery Elizabeth , Hilário Nascimento Saldiva Paulo , de Fatima Andrade Maria 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe role of particulate matter (PM) in the COVID-19 pandemic is currently being discussed by the scientific community. Long-term (years) exposure to PM is known to affect human health by increasing susceptibility to viral infections as well as to the development of respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms. In the short-term (days to months), PM has been suggested to assist airborne viral transmission. However, confounding factors such as urban mobility prevent causal conclusions. In this study, we explore short-term relationships between PM concentrations and the evolution of COVID-19 cases in a number of cities in the United States of America. We focus on the role of PM in facilitating viral transmission in early stages of the pandemic. We analyzed PM concentrations in two particle size ranges, < 2.5 µm, and between 10 and 2.5 µm (PM2.5 and PM10 respectively) as well as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Granger causality analysis was employed to identify instantaneous and lagged effects of pollution in peaks of COVID-19 new daily cases in each location. The effect of pollution in shaping the disease spread was evaluated by correlating the logistic growth rate of accumulated cases with pollutants concentrations for a range of time lags and accumulation windows. PM2.5 shows the most significant results in Granger causality tests in comparison with the other pollutants. We found a strong and significant association between PM2.5 concentrations and the growth rate of accumulated cases between the 1st and 18th days after the report of the infection, peaking at the 8th day. By comparing results of PM2.5 with PM10, CO and NO2 we rule out confounding effects associated with mobility. We conclude that PM2.5 is not a first order effect in the cities considered; however, it plays a significant role in facilitating the COVID-19 transmission. We estimate that the growth rate of COVID-19 cases would be risen by 12.5% if PM2.5 is increased from 25 to 35 µg m−3.
Polypide anatomy of hornerid bryozoans (Stenolaemata: Cyclostomatida)
Authors: Tamberg Yuta , Batson Peter B. , Napper Ruth 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBryozoans are small colonial coelomates whose colonies are made of individual modules (zooids). Like most coelomate animals, bryozoans have a characteristic body wall composition, including epidermis, extracellular matrix (ECM) and coelothelium, all pressed together. The order Cyclostomatida, however, presents the most striking deviation, in which the ECM and the corresponding coelothelium underlying major parts of the skeletal wall epidermis are “;peeled off” to form an independent membranous sac. The polypide anatomy and ultrastructure of this group is best known from one family, the Crisiidae (Articulata). Here we examined four species from the phylogenetically and ecologically contrasting family Horneridae (Cancellata) from New Zealand. Here we provide the first detailed ultrastructural examination of the hornerid polypide, including tentacles, mouth region, digestive system and the funiculus. We were able to trace continuity and transitions of cell and ECM layers throughout the whole polypide. In addition we identified that the funiculus is a lumen-free ECM cord with two associated muscles, disconnected from interzooidal pores. While agreeing with the general cyclostomate body plan, hornerids have some unique traits that make them worthy of additional study.HighlightsHornerids share a general cyclostomate body plan. The frontal tentacle ECM transitions into oral sphincter ECM, the abfrontal lophophore ECM becomes a septum between coelomic compartments, and the funuculus is a solid ECM cord supplied with muscles.
MEYE: Web-app for translational and real-time pupillometry
Authors: Mazziotti Raffaele , Carrara Fabio , Viglione Aurelia , Lupori Leonardo , Verde Luca Lo , Benedetto Alessandro , Ricci Giulia , Sagona Giulia , Amato Giuseppe , Pizzorusso Tommaso 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPupil dynamics alterations have been found in patients affected by a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, including autism. Studies in mouse models have used pupillometry for phenotypic assessment and as a proxy for arousal. Both in mice and humans, pupillometry is non-invasive and allows for longitudinal experiments supporting temporal specificity, however its measure requires dedicated setups. Here, we introduce a Convolutional Neural Network that performs on-line pupillometry in both mice and humans in a web app format. This solution dramatically simplifies the usage of the tool for non-specialist and non-technical operators. Because a modern web browser is the only software requirement, this choice is of great interest given its easy deployment and set-up time reduction. The tested model performances indicate that the tool is sensitive enough to detect both spontaneous and evoked pupillary changes, and its output is comparable with state-of-the-art commercial devices.
An objective-based prioritization approach to improve trophic complexity through ecological restoration
Authors: Ladouceur Emma , McGowan Jennifer , Huber Patrick , Possingham Hugh , Scridel Davide , van Klink Roel , Poschlod Peter , Cornelissen J. Hans C. , Bonomi Costantino , Jiménez-Alfaro Borja 
Published: March 2021

AbstractReassembling ecological communities and rebuilding habitats through active restoration treatments requires curating the selection of plant species to use in seeding and planting mixes. Ideally, these mixes should be assembled based on attributes that support ecosystem function and services, promote plant and animal species interactions and ecological networks in restoration while balancing project constraints. Despite these critical considerations, it is common for species mixes to be selected opportunistically. Reframing the selection of seed mixes for restoration around ecological objectives is essential for success but accessible methods and tools are needed to support this effort.We developed a framework to optimize species seed mixes based on prioritizing plant species attributes to best support different objectives for ecosystem functions, services, and trophic relationships such as pollination, seed dispersal, and herbivory. We compared results to approaches where plant species are selected to represent plant taxonomic richness, dominant species, and at random. We tested our framework for 176 plant species found in European alpine grasslands and identified 163 associated attributes affiliated to trophic relationships, ecosystem functions, and services.In all cases, trophic relationships, ecosystem functions, and services can be captured more efficiently through objective-based prioritization using the functional identity of plant species. Solutions (plant species lists) can be compared quantitatively, in terms of costs, species, or objectives. We confirm that a random draw of plant species from the regional plant species pool cannot be assumed to support other trophic groups and ecosystem functions and services.Synthesis and Applications. Our framework is presented as a proof of concept to help restoration practitioners better apply quantitative decision–support to plant species selection in order to meet ecological restoration outcomes. Our approach may be tailored to any restoration initiative and habitat where seeding or planting mixes will be applied in active treatments. As global priority and resources are increasingly placed into restoration, this approach could be advanced to help make efficient decisions for many stages of the restoration process.