bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Candida auris infection in a neutropenic murine model
Authors: Torres Steven R. , Pichowicz Amber , Torres-Velez Fernando , Song Renjie , Singh Navjot , Nesselquist Erica Lasek , De Jesus Magdia 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCandida auris has become a global public health threat due to its multidrug resistance and persistence in hospital and nursing home settings. Although a skin colonizer, C. auris can cause fatal bloodstream infections and most patients succumb to multi-organ failure. Currently, there are limited animal models to study the progression of C. auris infection. Here we compare two murine models of neutrophil depletion using monoclonal antibodies 1A8, anti-Ly6G+ and RB6-8C5 anti-Ly6G+-Ly6C+. We also compare inoculums of 107 and 108 as well as the intravenous and gavage routes of infection. The results reveal that neutrophil depletion in BALB/c mice is sustained long-term with the 1A8 antibody and short-term with RB6-8C5. Target organs were kidney, heart and brain as these had the highest organ fungal burden in neutrophil depleted and to some extent in infected control mice. We found that C. auris is shed in urine and feces for neutrophil depleted mice. The gavage model is not an ideal route as dissemination was not detected. Eight days post C. auris infection all surviving mice display a unique behavioral phenotype characterized by torticollis and tail spin that progresses to head bobbing and body curling like phenotype by day 22, that continues to persist even 104 days post infection. Lastly, we found C. auris remains in tissues of infected control mice, 34 plus days post infection suggesting that C. auris stays present in the host without causing disease but becomes opportunistic upon a change in the hosts immune status such as neutrophil depletion.
Separable codes for read-out of mouse primary visual cortex across attentional states
Authors: Wilson Ashley M. , Beck Jeffrey M. , Glickfeld Lindsey L. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAttentional modulation of neuronal activity in sensory cortex could alter perception by enhancing the local representation of attended stimuli or its behavioral read-out downstream. We tested these hypotheses using a task in which mice are cued on interleaved trials to attend visual or auditory targets. Neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) that encode task stimuli have larger visually-evoked responses when attention is directed toward vision. To determine whether the attention-dependent changes in V1 reflect changes in representation or read-out, we decoded task stimuli and choices from population activity. Surprisingly, both visual and auditory choices can be decoded from V1, but decoding takes advantage of unique activity patterns across modalities. Furthermore, decoding of choices, but not stimuli, is impaired when attention is directed toward the opposite modality. The specific effect on choice suggests behavioral improvements with attention are largely due to targeted read-out of the most informative V1 neurons.
Among family variation in survival and gene expression uncovers adaptive genetic variation in a threatened fish
Authors: Harder Avril M. , Willoughby Janna R. , Ardren William R. , Christie Mark R. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractVariation in among-family transcriptional responses to different environmental conditions can help to identify adaptive genetic variation, even prior to a selective event. Coupling differential gene expression with formal survival analyses allows for the disentanglement of treatment effects, required for understanding how individuals plastically respond to environmental stressors, from the adaptive genetic variation responsible for among-family variation in survival and gene expression. We applied this experimental design to investigate responses to an emerging conservation issue, thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, in a threatened population of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Thiamine is an essential vitamin that is increasingly limited in many ecosystems. In Lake Champlain, Atlantic salmon cannot acquire thiamine in sufficient quantities to support natural reproduction; fertilized eggs must be reared in hatcheries and treated with supplemental thiamine. We evaluated transcriptional responses (RNA-seq) to thiamine treatment across families and found 3,616 genes differentially expressed between control (no supplemental thiamine) and treatment individuals. Fewer genes changed expression additively (i.e., equally among families) than non-additively (i.e., family-by-treatment effects) in response to thiamine. Differentially expressed genes were related to known physiological effects of thiamine deficiency, including oxidative stress, cardiovascular irregularities, and neurological abnormalities. We also identified 1,446 putatively adaptive genes that were strongly associated with among-family survival in the absence of thiamine treatment, many of which related to neurogenesis and visual perception. Our results highlight the utility of coupling RNA-seq with formal survival analyses to identify candidate genes that underlie the among-family variation in survival required for an adaptive response to natural selection.
Decoding and modulating multiregional communication in the mood processing network
Authors: Qiao Shaoyu , Sedillo J. Isaac , Brown Kevin A. , Ferrentino Breonna , Pesaran Bijan 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTNeural decoding and neuromodulation technologies hold great promise for treating mood and other brain disorders in next-generation therapies that manipulate functional brain networks. Here, we perform a novel causal network analysis to decode multiregional communication in the primate mood processing network and determine how neuromodulation, short-burst tetanic microstimulation (SB-TetMS), alters multiregional network communication. The causal network analysis revealed a mechanism of network excitability that regulates when a sender stimulation site communicates with receiver sites. Decoding network excitability from neural activity at modulator sites predicted sender-receiver communication while SB-TetMS neuromodulation specifically disrupted sender-receiver communication. These results reveal specific network mechanisms of multiregional communication and suggest a new generation of brain therapies that combine neural decoding to predict multiregional communication with neuromodulation to disrupt multiregional communication.One Sentence SummaryDecoding and modulating multiregional network communication.
Efficient multiplex genome editing using CRISPR-Mb3Cas12a in mice
Authors: Wang Zhuqing , Wang Yue , Wang Shawn , Gorzalski Andrew J , McSwiggin Hayden , Yu Tian , Castaneda-Garcia Kimberly , Zheng Huili , Yan Wei 
Published: August 2019

AbstractDespite many advantages over Cas9, Cas12a has not been widely used in genome editing in mammalian cells largely due to its strict requirement of the TTTV protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequence. Here, we report that Mb3Cas12a (Moraxella bovoculi AAX11_00205) could edit the genome in murine zygotes independent of TTTV PAM sequences and with minimal on-target mutations and close to 100% editing efficiency when crRNAs of 23nt spacers were used.Summary statementCRISPR-Mb3Cas12a can target a broader range of sequences in murine zygotes compared to AsCas12a and LbCas12a, and has lower on-target effects than Cas9 and high overall knock-in efficiency.
Whole-brain MEG decoding of symbolic and non-symbolic number stimuli reveals primarily format-dependent representations
Authors: Bankson Brett B. , Janini Daniel , Baker Chris I. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe human brain can rapidly form representations of numerical magnitude, whether presented with symbolic stimuli like digits and words or non-symbolic stimuli like dot displays. Little is known about the relative time course of these symbolic and non-symbolic number representations. We investigated the emergence of number representations for three stimulus formats - digits, words, and dot arrays - by applying multivariate pattern analysis to MEG recordings from 22 participants. We first conducted within-format classification to identify the time course by which individual numbers can be decoded from the MEG signal. Peak classification accuracy for individual numbers in all three formats occurred around 110 ms after stimulus onset. Next, we used between-format classification to determine the time course of shared number representations between stimulus formats. Classification accuracy between formats was much weaker than within format classification, but it was also significant at early time points, around 100 ms for both digit / dot and digit / word comparisons. We then used representational similarity analysis to determine if we could explain variance in the MEG representational geometry using two models: a GIST feature model capturing low-level visual properties and an approximate number model capturing the numerical magnitude of the stimuli. Model RSA results differed between stimulus formats: while the GIST model explained unique variance from 100-300 ms for all number formats, the performance of the approximate number model differed between formats. Together, these results are consistent with the view that distinct, format-specific number representations, moreso than a single “abstract” number representation, form the basis of numerical comparison.
Microbial diversity of the Arabian Sea in the Oxygen minimum zones by metagenomics approach
Authors: Paingankar Mandar S. , Ahire Kedar , Mishra Pawan , Rajpathak Shriram , Deobagkar Deepti D. 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTLarge oxygen depleted areas known as oxygen minimum zones (OMZ) have been observed in the Arabian Sea and recent reports indicate that these areas are expanding at an alarming rate. In marine waters, oxygen depletion may also be related to global warming and the temperature rise, acidification and deoxygenation can lead to major consequences wherein the plants, fish and other biota will struggle to survive in the ecosystem.The current study has identified the microbial community structure using NGS based metagenomics analysis in the water samples collected at different depth from the oxygen depleted and non-OMZ areas of Arabian Sea. Environmental variables such as depth, site of collection and oxygen concentration appeared to influence the species richness and evenness among microbial communities in these locations. Our observations clearly indicate that population dynamics of microbes consisting of nitrate reducers accompanied by sulphate reducers and sulphur oxidizers participate in the interconnected geochemical cycles of the OMZ areas. In addition to providing baseline data related to the diversity and microbial community dynamics in oxygen-depleted water in the OMZ; such analysis can provide insight into processes regulating productivity and ecological community structure of the ocean.
Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Vascular Function and Inflammation in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Controversial Issue
Authors: Hu Chun , Wu Xiaoyan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractVitamin D deficiency is common in patients with CKD and is associated with vascular dysfunction and inflammation. In recent years, some randomized controlled trials have revealed the effect of vitamin D supplementation on vascular function and inflammation in CKD patients, but the results are inconsistent. Thus, in light of the controversy, we performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the effect of vitamin D in patients with CKD. We searched the literature in multiple databases for clinical trials from the date of inception to December 2018. The standardized mean difference (SMD) effect size was pooled using fixed and random effects models. A total of 10 randomized controlled trials involving 579 patients were included in the meta‐analysis; among these, 313 patients were treated with vitamin D, and the control group included 266 who received a placebo. This meta‐analysis revealed no statistical significance in the levels of flow‐mediated dilatation (SMD, 0.94; 95% CI, −0.33 to 2.21; P = 0.15); pulse wave velocity (SMD, −0.13; 95% CI, −0.38 to 0.13; P = 0.33); systolic BP (SMD, −0.04; 95% CI, −0.29 to 0.22; P = 0.77); diastolic BP (SMD, 0.01; 95% CI, −0.26 to 0.27; P = 0.97); and CRP (SMD, −0.09; 95% CI, −0.44 to 0.26; P = 0.61) between the vitamin D group and controls for patients with CKD. Short‐term intervention with vitamin D was not associated with improvements in vascular function and inflammation, as measured by flow‐mediated dilatation, pulse wave velocity, systolic BP, diastolic BP and CRP. This suggested that there is insufficient evidence to conclude the benefit of vitamin D supplementation on vascular function and inflammation in CKD patients.
Using machine vision to estimate fish length from images using regional convolutional neural networks
Authors: Monkman Graham G. , Hyder Kieran , Kaiser Michel J. , Vidal Franck P. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

An image can encode date, time, location and camera information as metadata and implicitly encodes species information and data on human activity, for example the size distribution of fish removals. Accurate length estimates can be made from images using a fiducial marker; however, their manual extraction is time‐consuming and estimates are inaccurate without control over the imaging system. This article presents a methodology which uses machine vision to estimate the total length (TL) of a fusiform fish (European sea bass).

Three regional convolutional neural networks (R‐CNN) were trained from public images. Images of European sea bass were captured with a fiducial marker with three non‐specialist cameras. Images were undistorted using the intrinsic lens properties calculated for the camera in OpenCV; then TL was estimated using machine vision (MV) to detect both marker and subject. MV performance was evaluated for the three R‐CNNs under downsampling and rotation of the captured images.

Each R‐CNN accurately predicted the location of fish in test images (mean intersection over union, 93%) and estimates of TL were accurate, with percent mean bias error (%MBE [95% CIs]) = 2.2% [2.0, 2.4]). Detections were robust to horizontal flipping and downsampling. TL estimates at absolute image rotations >20° became increasingly inaccurate but %MBE [95% CIs] was reduced to −0.1% [−0.2, 0.1] using machine learning to remove outliers and model bias.

Machine vision can classify and derive measurements of species from images without specialist equipment. It is anticipated that ecological researchers and managers will make increasing use of MV where image data are collected (e.g. in remote electronic monitoring, virtual observations, wildlife surveys and morphometrics) and MV will be of particular utility where large volumes of image data are gathered.
MiR‐21‐5p/dual‐specificity phosphatase 8 signalling mediates the anti‐inflammatory effect of haem oxygenase‐1 in aged intracerebral haemorrhage rats
Authors: Ouyang Yetong , Li Dongling , Wang Han , Wan Zhigang , Luo Qinghua , Zhong Yuqin , Yin Min , Qing Zhengfang , Li Zhengyu , Bao Bing , Chen Zhiying , Yin Xiaoping , Zhu Ling‐Qiang 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a severe neurological disorder caused by bleeding within the brain tissue. Inflammation has been implicated in ICH pathogenesis and is a potential therapeutic target for ICH. Haemin, an activator of haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), rapidly increases HO‐1 protein expression and activity and has been shown to distinctly affect anti‐inflammatory functions after central nervous system (CNS) injury. However, less is known about the mechanisms that underlie the anti‐inflammatory effects of haemin in aged rats post‐ICH. Here, we performed microarray analysis to identify miRNAs that respond strongly to HO‐1 regulation in ICH rats and found that miR‐21‐5p induced the most significant change. Using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, we focused on dual‐specificity phosphatase 8 (DUSP8) from the predicted miR‐21‐5p targets. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR‐21‐5p bound directly to DUSP8. MiR‐21‐5p upregulation in vitro downregulated DUSP8 expression. Importantly, intracerebroventricularly injecting antagomir for miR‐21‐5p (A‐miR‐21‐5p), which was used to inhibit miR‐21‐5p in aged ICH rats, significantly reduced the neurological defects, repaired cognitive impairment, alleviated blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, inhibited neuronal apoptosis posthaemorrhage and accelerated haematoma absorption. In addition, serum miR‐21‐5p levels were notably elevated in patients relative to healthy individuals and were correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and clinical outcomes. In summary, A‐miR‐21‐5p increased HO‐1 expression in cerebral haematomas, thus eliciting the DUSP8‐modulated perifocal neuroprotective effect of haemin. MiR‐21‐5p with haemin therapy may be a potential therapy post‐ICH.
Why is trait scepticism not consistently reflected in state scepticism? An exploratory study into the role of aesthetic engagement
Authors: Khan Mohammad Jahanzeb , Harding Noel 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWhere an auditor's sceptical disposition (trait scepticism) is directed toward non‐diagnostic information, there is a risk that a sceptical consideration of diagnostic information could be diluted. This may be one reason why trait scepticism is not consistently reflected in sceptical judgments and actions (state scepticism). We develop a scale to measure an individual's predisposition toward engaging with visual elements of the environment (aesthetic engagement) and test, in two experiments employing students and practicing auditors, whether aesthetic engagement moderates the trait – state scepticism relationship. We find that aesthetic engagement attenuates the positive relationship between trait and state scepticism.
Confirmation bias in accounting judgments: the case for International Financial Reporting Standards for small and medium‐sized enterprises
Authors: Perera Dinuja , Chand Parmod , Mala Rajni 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWe conduct an experiment that investigates confirmation bias in the reporting judgments of accountants when applying International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The results indicate that accountants’ judgments are biased towards the recognition and measurement principles of full IFRS when applying IFRS for SMEs. The results also suggest that confirmation bias in judgments can be mitigated by increasing accountants’ awareness of justification requirements and by using appropriate decision aids. These results are likely to be of interest to the 70‐plus countries that have adopted the SME standard and countries that continue to contemplate its adoption.
Identification and characterization of latent classes based on drug use among men who have sex with men at risk of sexually transmitted infections in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Authors: Achterbergh Roel C. A. , de Vries Henry J. C. , Boyd Anders , Davidovich Udi , Drückler Susanne , Hoornenborg Elske , Prins Maria , Matser Amy 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackground and AimsMen who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for both drug use and sexually transmitted infections (STI). We aimed to (1) identify subgroups of drug use during sex among MSM in Amsterdam and after classifying participants and (2) compare sexual behaviour and STI across groups.DesignCross‐sectional study. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups with similar drug use patterns, between which sexual behaviour and STI prevalence were compared.SettingFour different studies conducted at the STI out‐patient clinic in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, between January 2014 and June 2016.ParticipantsA total of 1130 self‐declared MSM, aged ≥ 18 years.MeasurementsSelf‐reported drug use, laboratory‐confirmed STI, socio‐demographics, sexual behaviour (including number of partners), condom use.FindingsMedian age was 40 years [interquartile range (IQR) = 32–47]. We identified five latent classes of users, which we labelled: ‘no substance’ (n = 162), ‘alcohol’ (n = 159), ‘nitrites and erectile dysfunction drugs (EDD)’ (n = 286), ‘polydrug’ (n = 257) and ‘chems’ (n = 266). Median number of sex partners significantly differed across classes (P < 0.001), ranging from two (IQR = 1–6) in the ‘no substance’ class to 20 (IQR = 10–45) in the ‘chems’ class. The proportion of MSM reporting condomless anal sex also differed across classes (P < 0.001), ranging from 45.6% in the ‘no substance’ class to 86.5% in the ‘chems’ class. Compared with the ‘no substance’ class, the odds of STI were 3.9‐fold [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–14.4] higher in the ‘alcohol’ class, 8.9‐fold (95% CI = 2.7–29.2) higher in the ‘nitrites and EDD’ class, 12.8‐fold (95% CI = 3.9–41.9) higher in the ‘polydrug’ class and 15.0‐fold (95% CI = 4.6–48.8) higher in the ‘chems’ class.ConclusionThere are five distinct classes of drug use in a sexual context among men who have sex with men in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Classes with higher levels of drug use appear to coincide with higher levels of sexual risk behaviour and sexually transmitted infections.
Pannexin‐1 mediated ATP release in adipocytes is sensitive to glucose and insulin and modulates lipolysis and macrophage migration
Authors: Tozzi Marco , Hansen Jacob B. , Novak Ivana 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimExtracellular ATP signalling is involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes in several tissues, including adipose tissue. Adipocytes have crucial functions in lipid and glucose metabolism and they express purinergic receptors. However, the sources of extracellular ATP in adipose tissue are not well characterized. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism and regulation of ATP release in white adipocytes, and evaluated the role of extracellular ATP as potential autocrine and paracrine signal.MethodsOnline ATP release was monitored in C3H10T1/2 cells and freshly isolated murine adipocytes. The ATP release mechanism and its regulation were tested in cells exposed to adrenergic agonists, insulin, glucose load and pharmacological inhibitors. Cell metabolism was monitored using Seahorse respirometry and expression analysis of pannexin‐1 was performed on pre‐ and mature adipocytes. The ATP signalling was evaluated in live cell imaging (Ca2+, pore formation), glycerol release and its effect on macrophages was tested in co‐culture and migration assays.ResultsHere, we show that upon adrenergic stimulation white murine adipocytes release ATP through the pannexin‐1 pore that is regulated by a cAMP‐PKA–dependent pathway. The ATP release correlates with increased cell metabolism and is sensitive to glucose. Extracellular ATP induces Ca2+ signalling and lipolysis in adipocytes and promotes macrophage migration. Importantly, ATP release is markedly inhibited by insulin, which operates via the activation of phosphodiesterase 3.ConclusionsOur findings reveal an insulin‐pannexin‐1‐purinergic signalling crosstalk in adipose tissue and we propose that deregulation of this signalling may contribute to adipose tissue inflammation and type 2 diabetes.