bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ERP effects of meaningful and non-meaningful sound processing in anterior temporal patients
Authors: Kotz Sonja A. , Opitz Bertram , Friederici Angela D. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The contribution of the anterior temporal lobe to the processing of environmental sounds was investigated in patients with primary lesions in the anterior portion of the left (ATL) and right (ATR) temporal lobe in comparison to healthy controls. Two controversial questions were addressed: (1) whether environmental sounds are processed similarly for meaning as language, and (2) whether task-dependent lateralized semantic and perceptual effects observed in earlier studies persist when testing environmental sounds independent of task. Methods: In an event-related brain potential (ERP) experiment we examined the effect of meaningful and non-meaningful novel sound processing in a novelty oddball paradigm. Results: Healthy controls and both patient groups displayed a normal target P3b as well as a novelty P3a. In addition, while healthy controls differentiated non-meaningful and meaningful novel sounds in the novelty P3a at posterior lateral and midline electrode-sites, all patients showed this effect only at midline sites. Lastly, the P3a effect was followed by a larger N400 amplitude rise for meaningful compared to non-meaningful novel sounds in healthy controls, but not in either patient group. Conclusion: The present data indicate that independent of task both the left and right anterior temporal lobe is crucial for lexical-semantic processing of novel sounds.
Neural correlates of rapid auditory processing are disrupted in children with developmental dyslexia and ameliorated with training: An fMRI study
Authors: Gaab N. , Gabrieli J.D.E. , Deutsch G.K. , Tallal P. , Temple E. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Developmental dyslexia, characterized by unexpected difficulty in reading, may involve a fundamental deficit in processing rapid acoustic stimuli. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we previously reported that adults with developmental dyslexia have a disruption in neural response to rapid acoustic stimuli in left prefrontal cortex. Here we examined the neural correlates of rapid auditory processing in children. Methods: Whole-brain fMRI was performed on twenty-two children with developmental dyslexia and twenty-three typical-reading children while they listened to nonlinguistic acoustic stimuli, with either rapid or slow transitions, designed to mimic the spectro-temporal structure of consonant-vowel-consonant speech syllables. Results: Typical-reading children showed activation for rapid compared to slow transitions in left prefrontal cortex. Children with developmental dyslexia did not show any differential response in these regions to rapid versus slow transitions. After eight weeks of remediation focused primarily on rapid auditory processing, phonological and linguistic training the children with developmental dyslexia showed significant improvements in language and reading skills, and exhibited activation for rapid relative to slow transitions in left prefrontal cortex. Conclusion: The presence of a disruption in the neural response to rapid stimuli in children with developmental dyslexia prior to remediation, coupled with significant improvement in language and reading scores and increased brain activation after remediation, gives further support to the importance of rapid auditory processing in reading development and disorders.
Computer-based multisensory learning in children with developmental dyslexia
Authors: Kast Monika , Meyer Martin , Vögeli Christian , Gross Markus , Jäncke Lutz 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Several attempts have been made to remediate developmental dyslexia using various training environments. Based on the well-known retrieval structure model, the memory strength of phonemes and graphemes should be strengthened by visual and auditory associations between graphemes and phonemes. Using specifically designed training software, we examined whether establishing a multitude of visuo-auditory associations might help to mitigate writing errors in children with developmental dyslexia. Methods: Forty-three children with developmental dyslexia and 37 carefully matched normal reading children performed a computer-based writing training (15–20 minutes 4 days a week) for three months with the aim to recode a sequential textual input string into a multi-sensory representation comprising visual and auditory codes (including musical tones). The study included four matched groups: a group of children with developmental dyslexia ( n = 20) and a control group ( n = 18) practiced with the training software in the first period (3 months, 15–20 minutes 4 days a week), while a second group of children with developmental dyslexia ( n = 23) (waiting group) and a second control group ( n = 19) received no training during the first period. In the second period the children with developmental dyslexia and controls who did not receive training during the first period now took part in the training. Results: Children with developmental dyslexia who did not perform computer-based training during the first period hardly improved their writing skills (post-pre improvement of 0–9%), the dyslexic children receiving training strongly improved their writing skills (post-pre improvement of 19–35%). The group who did the training during the second period also revealed improvement of writing skills (post-pre improvement of 27–35%). Interestingly, we noticed a strong transfer from trained to non-trained words in that the children who underwent the training were also better able to write words correctly that were not part of the training software. In addition, even non-impaired readers and writers (controls) benefited from this training. Conclusion: Three-month of visual-auditory multimedia training strongly improved writing skills in children with developmental dyslexia and non-dyslexic children. Thus, according to the retrieval structure model, multi-sensory training using visual and auditory cues enhances writing performance in children with developmental dyslexia and non-dyslexic children.
Influence of musical expertise and musical training on pitch processing in music and language
Authors: Besson Mireille , Schön Daniele , Moreno Sylvain , Santos Andréia , Magne Cyrille 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: We review a series of experiments aimed at studying pitch processing in music and speech. These studies were conducted with musician and non musician adults and children. We found that musical expertise improved pitch processing not only in music but also in speech. Demonstrating transfer of training between music and language has interesting applications for second language learning. We also addressed the issue of whether the positive effects of musical expertise are linked with specific predispositions for music or with extensive musical practice. Results of longitudinal studies argue for the later. Finally, we also examined pitch processing in dyslexic children and found that they had difficulties discriminating strong pitch changes that are easily discriminate by normal readers. These results argue for a strong link between basic auditory perception abilities and reading abilities. Methods: We used conjointly the behavioral method (Reaction Times and error rates) and the electrophysiological method (recording of the changes in brain electrical activity time-locked to stimulus presentation, Event-Related brain Potentials or ERPs). Results: A set of common processes may be responsible for pitch processing in music and in speech and these processes are shaped by musical practice. Conclusion: These data add evidence in favor of brain plasticity and open interesting perspectives for the remediation of dyslexia using musical training.
Short-term plasticity in the auditory system: Differential neural responses to perception and imagery of speech and music
Authors: Meyer Martin , Elmer Stefan , Baumann Simon , Jancke Lutz 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: In this EEG study we sought to examine the neuronal underpinnings of short-term plasticity as a top-down guided auditory learning process. We hypothesized, that (i) auditory imagery should elicit proper auditory evoked effects (N1/P2 complex) and a late positive component (LPC). Generally, based on recent human brain mapping studies we expected (ii) to observe the involvement of different temporal and parietal lobe areas in imagery and in perception of acoustic stimuli. Furthermore we predicted (iii) that temporal regions show an asymmetric trend due to the different specialization of the temporal lobes in processing speech and non-speech sounds. Finally we sought evidence supporting the notion that short-term training is sufficient to drive top-down activity in brain regions that are not normally recruited by sensory induced bottom up processing. Methods: 18 non-musicians partook in a 30 channels based EEG session that investigated spatio-temporal dynamics of auditory imagery of “consonant-vowel” (CV) syllables and piano triads. To control for conditioning effects, we split the volunteers in two matched groups comprising the same conditions (visual, auditory or bimodal stimulation) presented in a slightly different serial order. Furthermore the study presents electromagnetic source localization (LORETA) of perception and imagery of CV- and piano stimuli. Results: Our results imply that auditory imagery elicited similar electrophysiological effects at an early stage (N1/P2) as auditory stimulation. However, we found an additional LPC following the N1/P2 for auditory imagery only. Source estimation evinced bilateral engagement of anterior temporal cortex, which was generally stronger for imagery of music relative to imagery of speech. While we did not observe lateralized activity for the imagery of syllables we noted significantly increased rightward activation over the anterior supratemporal plane for musical imagery. Conclusions: Thus, we conclude that short-term top-down training based auditory imagery of music and speech prompts involvement of distinct neural circuits residing in the perisylvian cortex.
Overexpression of cellular prion protein alters postischemic	Erk1/2 phosphorylation but not Akt phosphorylation and protects against focal	cerebral ischemia
Authors: Weise Jens , Doeppner Thorsten R. , Müller Tilo , Wrede Arne , Schulz-Schaeffer Walter , Zerr Inga , Witte Otto W. , Bähr Mathias 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The physiological function of the cellular prion protein (PrP $^{C}$ ) is still unclear. A growing body of evidence suggests that PrP $^{C}$ has neuroprotective properties and that its deletion increases susceptibility to focal cerebral ischemia. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of PrP $^{C}$ overexpression in ischemic brain injury in vivo. Methods: PrP $^{C}$ overexpressing (TG35) and wild type (WT) mice were subjected to a 90-minute transient focal cerebral ischemia followed by infarct volume analysis 24 hours after lesion. To identify effects of PrP $^{C}$ overexpression on signalling pathways important for the regulation of ischemic cell death, we studied postischemic activation and expression of Akt and Erk1/2 using quantitative Western Blot analysis. Results: TG35 mice displayed significantly smaller infarct volumes and showed reduced early postischemic Erk1/2 phosphorylation, a pathway known to exacerbate neuronal injury following transient cerebral ischemia. In contrast, PrP $^{C}$ overexpression did not change postischemic Akt phosphorylation, which acts anti-apoptotic and is reduced in PrP $^{C}$ knockout animals. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that PrP $^{C}$ overexpression reduces deleterious Erk1/2 activation but does not affect Akt activation after transient cerebral ischemia, suggesting a role for distinct cytosolic signalling pathways in PrP $^{C}$ mediated neuroprotection.
From blindsight to sight: Cognitive rehabilitation of visual field	defects
Authors: Chokron Sylvie , Perez Celine , Obadia Michaël , Gaudry Isabelle , Laloum Laurent , Gout Olivier 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Traditionally, post-chiasmatic lesions were believed to result in complete and permanent visual loss in the topographically related areas of the visual field. However, a number of studies with monkeys, and later with humans, have demonstrated spared implicit visual functioning, referred to as 'blindsight'. The present study assessed whether training this phenomenon would induce an objective restoration of conscious vision in the blind field of hemianopic patients. Methods: For a period of 22 weeks nine patients with unilateral occipital damage participated in several forced-choice visual tasks known to elicit blindsight: pointing to visual targets, letter recognition, visual comparison between the two hemifields, target localization, and letter identification. Before and after rehabilitation, patients were submitted to a behavioral pre- and post-test, including visual detection and letter identification as well as to automated perimetry visual field testing (Humphrey Automated 24-2 Full Threshold). Results: An objective improvement was found in the behavioral tasks for all patients at the post-test stage as well as an objective enlargement of the contralesional visual field for all except one of the nine patients. An overall decrease is seen in the number of undetected points (out of 30) on automated perimetry visual field testing after rehabilitation (F (1, 16) = 22.57; p < 0.001) for both eyes (Right Eye, RE: T = 0; z = 2.52; p < 0.05; Left Eye, LE: T = 0, z = 2.37; p < 0.05) regardless of lesion side. Conclusions: The results suggest that explicit (conscious) visual detection can be restored in the blind visual field by using implicit (unconscious) visual capacities. Results are discussed regarding visual field defect rehabilitation, blindsight, attention, and brain plasticity hypotheses.
Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia Coli Isolated from Children with Acute Diarrhoea by Culture and Multiplex PCR in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Rabin Nadia , Shamsuzzaman SM , Yusuf Md. Abdullah , Wasimuddin Sharif Mohammad , Shams Farhana , Tarana Mst. Naznin 
Published: December 2024

Background: Diarrhoeal diseases are a major childhood health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries.
Objective: This study aimed to detect Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) by detecting virulence genes (lt, st, bfp, and aat) and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of all identified DEC isolates in fecal samples.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh and Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July, 2012 to June, 2013 for around one year. Identification of Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in fecal samples from children under 5 years old was done by culture and standard biochemical tests. Virulence factor genes for DEC were detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents of all identified DEC isolates was observed by disc diffusion method.
Results: Out of total 200 stool samples, E. coli was isolated in 130(65.0%). The prevalence of DEC was 52(40.0%) and the most common was enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (55.8%) followed by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (34.6%) and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (26.9%). Among 52 DEC, 12(23.1%) contained more than one pathogenic genes of DEC in various combinations. Colistin, imipenem and amikacin were found to be the most effective against isolated DEC. Most of the strains were resistant to ampicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline and nalidixic acid.
Conclusion: Differentiation between the Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes is of great importance since they are involved in acute diarrhoeal diseases and may require specific antimicrobial chemotherapy.
Bangladesh Journal of Medical Microbiology, January 2024;18(1):17-21
Acupuncture for allergic rhinitis: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Chen YanNi , Song ChenFei , Wang JiaQin , Han XinMin 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionAllergic rhinitis (AR) is a widespread inflammatory disorder of the nasal mucosa affecting millions globally. The increasing prevalence of AR underscores the need for effective treatment modalities. Acupuncture has been identified as a potential non-pharmacological intervention for AR due to its effects on autonomic nerve functions and neuroendocrine and immune networks. However, a comprehensive evaluation of different acupuncture techniques through high-quality, evidence-based research is still needed.Methods and analysisRandomised controlled trials of different acupuncture-related therapies for postmenopausal osteoporosis will be searched in the following databases from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2022, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database, Wanfang Database and China Biomedical Literature Database. Overall, clinical efficacy rate, bone mineral density and a Visual Analogue Scale score are used as the primary outcome indicators. In addition, the secondary outcome indicator is adverse reactions. Meanwhile, Stata (V.14.0) and RevMan (V.5.4) will be used to conduct the network meta-analysis. If the data are permissible and feasible, we will also perform meta-regression and subgroup analyses to address the underlying causes of data inconsistency and heterogeneity in the statistical analyses. To improve the credibility of this network meta-analysis, we will evaluate the quality of evidence in this research according to the GRADE assessment.
Prospero Registration Number: identifier (CRD 42024579713).
Endovascular intravascular intervention for central venous stenosis in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Tao Yiming , Wang Jianyun , Ma Jianchao , Peng Siqi , Chen Boxi , Deng Shuting , Yuan Ye , Jiang Nan , Wen Sichun , Li Bohou , Wu Qiong , Xu Lixia , Li Sijia , Lin Ting , Wen Feng , Fu Lei , Li Zhuo , Huang Renwei , He Chaosheng , Wang Wenjian , Ye Zhiming , Shi Wei , Feng Zhonglin , Liu Shuangxin 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundThe number of people undergoing maintenance hemodialysis is increasing rapidly worldwide. Central vein stenosis (CVS) is a common vascular complication in undergoing hemodialysis, especially those with a history of catheterization. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of CVS and the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) alone and sequential percutaneous transluminal stenting (PTS) in hemodialysis patients with CVS.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 26 cases of endovascular intervention for CVS using PTA alone or sequential PTS was performed. The characteristics of CVS and the clinical effectiveness of these procedures were evaluated.ResultsThis study included 26 hemodialysis patients who presented with symptomatic CVS. Of these 26 patients, 53.85% were male, and their mean age was approximately 54.96 years. All the patients had a history of catheter placement or pacemaker implantation. The incidence of brachiocephalic vein stenosis was significantly higher than that of subclavian vein stenosis (46.16% vs. 26.92%). Based on the degree of stenosis and elastic retraction, these patients were administered PTA alone or sequential PTS. There was no difference in patient age, hemodialysis time, catheter retention time, or stenosis length between the PTA alone and sequential PTS groups. However, the degree of venous stenosis in the PTS group was more severe than that in the PTA alone group. The primary patency rates in the sequential PTS and PTA alone groups were 94.12% and 100% at 3 months; 88.24% and 88.89% at 6 months; 75.00% and 85.71% at 9 months; and 66.67% and 71.43% at 12 months, respectively. It is worth noting that for 7 patients with complete occlusion of the brachiocephalic vein, we used sharp recanalization technology and stenting placement, with patency rates of 85.71% and 71.43% at 6 and 12 months, respectively.ConclusionsPTA alone is recommended for patients with less than 50% central venous elastic retraction, while sequential PTS is recommended for patients with ≥ 50% central venous elastic retraction. PTA and PTS are safe and effective methods for the treatment of CVS in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Neuron stress-related genes serve as new biomarkers in hypothalamic tissue following high fat diet
Authors: Liang Caixia , Lu Hongjian , Wang Xueqin , Su Jianbin , Qi Feng , Shang Yanxing , Li Yu , Zhang Dongmei , Duan Chengwei 
Published: December 2024

ObjectiveEnergy homeostasis is modulated by the hypothalamic is essential for obesity progression, however, the gene expression profiling remains to be fully understood.MethodsGEO datasets were downloaded from the GEO website and analyzed by the R packages to obtain the DEGs. And, the WGCNA analysis and PPI networks of co-expressed DEGs were designed using STRING to get key genes. In addition, the single-cell sequencing datasets and GTEx database were utilized to receive the neuron-stress genes from the key genes. Further, high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hypothalamic tissue of mice was used as an animal model to validate the mRNA up-regulation of neuron-stress genes. In addition, the Bmi1 gene was identified as a hub gene through the LASSO model and nomogram analysis. Western blot confirmed the high expression of Bmi1 in hypothalamic tissue of HFD mice and PA-stimulated microglia. Immunofluorescence staining showed that HFD induced the activation of microglia and the expression of Bmi1 in hypothalamic tissue.ResultsWe found that six genes (Sacm1l, Junb, Bmi1, Erbb4, Dkc1, and Suv39h1) are neuron stress-related genes and increased in the HFD-induced mice obesity model, Bmi1gene was identified as a key genes that can reflect the pathophysiology of obesity.ConclusionsOur research depicted a comprehensive activation map of cell abnormality in the obese hypothalamus and Bim1 may be a diagnostic marker in the clinic, which provides a new perspective and basis for investigating the pathogenesis of obesity.