bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Congenitally blind humans use different stimulus selection strategies in hearing: An ERP study of spatial and temporal attention
Authors: Röder Brigitte , Krämer Ulrike M. , Lange Kathrin 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Superior temporal processing skills, both in the auditory and tactile system have been reported in blind as compared to sighted humans. The present experiment tested whether blind people prefer, as a possible consequence, temporal rather than spatial stimulus selection strategies. Methods: Eight congenitally blind adults were tested in a selective attention experiment that simultaneously manipulated spatial and temporal attention. Participants had to attend to an auditory offset stimulus demarcating the end of a short (600 ms) or long (1200 ms) interval. They had to detect slightly less intense offset markers at the attended point in time presented in the left (half of the trials) or right (other half of the trials) hemifield. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded throughout the experiment. Results: Whereas the N1 was significantly enhanced by both spatial and temporal attention in the sighted (see Lange, Kramer, & Röder, 2006), only a temporal attention effect was found in the blind. Moreover, in both groups a second, longer lasting negativity was observed for offset markers presented at the attended as compared to the unattended spatial location. This negativity was modulated by temporal attention only in the blind. Conclusion: These results are consistent with the assumption of a higher priority of time for stimulus selection in the absence of vision from birth.
Neuroplasticity of sign language: Implications from structural and functional brain imaging
Authors: Meyer Martin , Toepel Ulrike , Keller Joerg , Nussbaumer Daniela , Zysset Stefan , Friederici Angela D. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The present study was designed to investigate the neural correlates of German Sign Language (Deutsche Gebärdensprache; DGS) processing. In particular, was expected the impact of the visuo-spatial mode in sign language on underlying neural networks compared to the impact of the interpretation of linguistic information. Methods: For this purpose, two groups of participants took part in a functional MRI study at 3 Tesla. One group consisted of prelingually deafened users of DGS, the other group of hearing non-signers naïve to sign language. The two groups were presented with identical video sequences comprising DGS sentences in form of dialoges. To account for substantial interindividual anatomical variability observed in the group of deaf participants, the brain responses in the two groups of subjects were analyzed with two different procedures. Results: Results from a multi-subject averaging approach were contrasted with an analysis, which can account for the considerable inter-individual variability of gross anatomical landmarks. The anatomy-based approach indicated that individuals’ responses to proper DGS processing was tied up with a leftward asymmetry in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior and middle temporal gyrus, and visual association cortices. In contrast, standard multi-subject averaging of deaf individuals during DGS perception revealed a less lateralized peri- and extrasylvian network. Furthermore, voxel-based analyses of the brains’ morphometry evidenced a white-matter deficit in the left posterior longitudinal and inferior uncinate fasciculi and a steeper slope of the posterior part of the left Sylvian Fissure (SF) in the deaf individuals. Conclusion: These findings may imply that the cerebral anatomy of deaf individuals has undergone structural changes as a function of monomodal visual sign language perception during childhood and adolescence.
Pharmacological modulation of learning-induced plasticity in human auditory cortex
Authors: Thiel Christiane M. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Converging evidence from animals and humans indicate that the primary auditory cortex is continuously reshaped in an experience-dependent way. Reorganisation in primary auditory cortex can be observed at the level of receptive fields, topographic maps and brain activations measured with neuroimaging methods. Several neuromodulatory systems were shown to contribute to such an experience-dependent reorganization. Methods: This paper reviews evidence addressing the cholinergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic modulation of learning-, experience-, and injury-induced plasticity in the auditory cortex. Results: Regarding learning-induced plasticity in the auditory cortex most studies have investigated the role of the cholinergic system and shown that ACh is essential for this form of rapid plasticity. Nevertheless there is also evidence that the catecholamines dopamine and noradrenaline might contribute to learning- and experience-induced changes in the auditory cortex. Conclusions: I suggest, that the available experimental data on cholinergic and noradrenergic modulation of plasticity offers a promising basis for potential pharmacological interventions to aid recovery of aural functions.
Acute neglect rehabilitation using repetitive prism adaptation: A	randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Nys G.M.S. , de Haan E.H.F. , Kunneman A. , de Kort P.L.M. , Dijkerman H.C. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: At present, prism adaptation is probably the most promising rehabilitation procedure for hemi-neglect. However, randomised controlled trials are lacking and no data are available on the effectiveness of prism adaptation in the treatment of acute neglect. Methods: We followed sixteen neglect patients using a randomised controlled design in which six patients received four-day-in-a-row placebo treatment (CG) and ten patients received four-day-in-a row experimental treatment with 10° rightward deviating prisms (EG) during their stay on the stroke unit. We examined whether patients in the EG improved faster than the CG by administering three neglect tasks (Schenkenberg Line Bisection, Letter Cancellation, Gainotti Scene Copying) immediately before and after each treatment. Second, we examined whether patients in the EG demonstrated a better long-term outcome at one month post-treatment (Behavioural Inattention Test). Results: Patients in the EG improved faster on spatial tasks (line bisection, cancellation) than the CG but not on visuo-construction. Patients in the EG showed no differences with the CG in neglect outcome at one month post-treatment. Conclusions: Four consecutive prism sessions produced beneficial effects in patients with acute neglect. However, prism effects were either short-term, or placebo treatment with repeated pointing and/or repeated neglect testing was more helpful than we anticipated. Our results emphasize the importance of a placebo condition and a follow-up in rehabilitation studies.
TrkB gene transfer does not alter hippocampal neuronal loss and	cognitive deficits following traumatic brain injury in mice
Authors: Conte Valeria , Raghupathi Ramesh , Watson Deborah J. , Fujimoto Scott , Royo Nicolas C. , Marklund Niklas , Stocchetti Nino , McIntosh Tracy K. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The ability of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to attenuate secondary damage and influence behavioral outcome after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains controversial. Because TBI can result in decreased expression of the trkB receptor, thereby preventing BDNF from exerting potential neuroprotective effects, the contribution of both BDNF and its receptor trkB to hippocampal neuronal loss and cognitive dysfunction were evaluated. Methods: Full-length trkB was overexpressed in the left hippocampus of adult C57Bl/6 mice using recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2/5 (rAAV 2/5). EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) expression was present at two weeks after AAV-EGFP injection and remained sustained up to four weeks after the injection. At 2 weeks following gene transduction, mice were subjected to parasagittal controlled cortical impact (CCI) brain injury, followed by either BDNF or PBS infusion into the hippocampus. Results: No differences were observed in learning ability at two weeks post-injury or in motor function from 48 hours to two weeks among treatment groups. The number of surviving pyramidal neurons in the CA2-CA3 region of the hippocampus was also not different among treatment groups. Conclusions: These data suggest that neither overexpression of trkB, BNDF infusion or their combination affects neuronal survival or behavioral outcome following experimental TBI in mice.
Video games as a tool to train visual skills
Authors: Achtman R.L. , Green C.S. , Bavelier D. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Adult brain plasticity, although possible, is often difficult to elicit. Training regimens in adults can produce specific improvements on the trained task without leading to general enhancements that would improve quality of life. This paper considers the case of playing action video games as a way to induce widespread enhancement in vision. Conclusions: We review the range of visual skills altered by action video game playing as well as the game components important in promoting visual plasticity. Further, we discuss what these results might mean in terms of rehabilitation for different patient populations.
Properties of the regained visual field after visual detection	training of hemianopsia patients
Authors: Bergsma D.P. , Van der Wildt G.J. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: To study the quality of the visual field areas that were regained after training. In those areas, we measured some of the elementary visual properties that make up the quality of visual functioning in daily-life. This was to provide information about whether the functional visual field had been enlarged. Methods: Patients with visual field defects after a CVA were trained to detect stimuli presented in the border area of the visual field defect. Then, in the regained areas, we measured visual acuity as a measure for spatial properties. Secondly, to assess for temporal properties we measured critical flicker frequency (CFF). Finally, we studied color vision as a third property of the regained areas. Results: Since we could not predict where restoration of visual fields would occur, we did not present pre-post comparisons. However, despite the fact that training was carried out with simple white light stimuli, we could assess acuity, CFF and color vision in the regained areas. The performance of the patients during testing of the elementary properties appeared to be almost normal when compared to control subjects and comparable to the patient's own ipsilesional visual field. Conclusions: These results support the idea that the regained visual fields that emerged after training are actually used for processing additional visual stimuli other than those used during training.
Progressive Status of Antenatal Care Visits in Bangladesh: A Comparison Study
Authors: Biswas Biplab , Yesmin Farzana , Husain Md Maidul , Khatun Kakoli , Kumar Nishith , Hoque Md Aminul Hoque 
Published: December 2024

Antenatal care (ANC) visits is a proven way to reduce the maternal as well as infant mortality and WHO recommended four or more ANC visits during pregnancy. This study aimed to observe the progressive status of antenatal care visits (ANC) by exploring the trend of 1+ANC, WHO recommended 4+ANC visits and determine the factors of ANC visits frequency over the periods 2004 to 2018. Data on ANC were taken from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys. This research used descriptive statistics (mean, median and prevalence) to observe the changes (%) of ANC visits. ANOVA, Kruskal-Walis, chi-square (bivariate analysis) test and mixed hurdle negative binomial regression were performed to identify the determinants of ANC visits frequency. The mean and prevalence (%) were increased for ANC over the periods however, 4+ANC visits was much lower than 1+ANC visits across the factors. Poorest rural women who living in Chittagong, Sylhet division had significant negative impacts on increasing the1+ANC visits frequency and are less likely to receive 4+ANC. On the other hand, wealthiest educated women with educated husband in Khulna, Rangpur region having more chances to get 4+ANC visits and positively effects on 1+ANC visits frequency for 2004 to 2018. Pregnancy wanted, Birth order number, and Last birth a C-Section are also the significant variable for 1+ and 4+ ANS. Although 1+ ANC visits have gradually increased in Bangladesh, the progress in achieving 4+ ANC visits has been much slower than expected. Therefore, the government and policymakers should focus their attention and prioritize interventions targeting the specific groups of women identified in this study.
International Journal of Statistical Sciences
ISSN 1683-5603
Vol. 24(2), November, 2024, pp 55-71
Factors Affecting Formal Micro-Credits in the Wetland Regions of Bangladesh: A Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Hasan Md Rashidul , Hossain Md Zakir 
Published: December 2024

Micro-credit has been playing a vital role in developing wetland people’s socio-economic status by facilitating their income-generating activities such as seasonal fish farming, raising ducks and cattle, and floating vegetable gardens. Wetland people’s livelihoods are largely dependent on borrowing micro-credits, but access to formal credits is somewhat intricate for them due to procedural complexity. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential discriminating factors of formal credits in the wetland region of Bangladesh. This study used data from 1607 micro-credit receiver households that were collected by a research project sponsored by the GARE Program, Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh. The discriminant analysis was performed to explore the factors discriminating between formal and informal credit-receiving groups. This study considered three types of factors such as borrower’s individual-level, household-level, and micro-credit related characteristics as the potential factors distinguishing between formal and informal credits. The findings show that micro-credit-related factors such as the number of installments, duration of the loan, and rate of interest are more crucial for affecting formal credit in the wetland peoples of Bangladesh. Most vulnerable groups in the wetland region still struggle to obtain formal credit because of obstacles such as a lower number of installments, lower duration of loans, and high interest rates. The government policy should remove these obstacles to ensure the people's easy access to formal loans, which would ultimately improve their socio-economic conditions.
International Journal of Statistical Sciences, Vol. 24(2), November, 2024, pp 85-96
Perspectives, perceptions, and expectations of subjects with frozen shoulder: a web-based Italian survey
Authors: Brindisino Fabrizio , Garzonio Fabiola , Turolla Andrea , Andriesse Arianna , Pulina Fabrizio , Cucchi Davide , Struyf Filip , Venturin Davide 
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Frozen shoulder (FS) is a musculoskeletal disorder affecting the glenohumeral joint. This condition leads to disability and a worsening in quality of life. Despite its considerable impact on patients and its economic burden, research on the psychological and social implications of FS—as well as patients’ perspectives and needs—is limited. This study aims to explore the perspectives, perceptions, and expectations of individuals suffering from FS, providing a comprehensive understanding of their experiences and needs.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted following STROBE guidelines. A 59-question survey was administered to Italian individuals diagnosed with FS from April 1 to July 1, 2023.
Results: All 110 participants completed the survey. Most preferred an experienced and empathetic physiotherapist (73.64%) and relied primarily on physiotherapy (49.09%) for FS management. Additionally, 45.45% were open to a multidisciplinary approach. Subjects reported reducing night pain (71.82%) and achieving full range of motion (ROM) recovery (70.91%) as their top priorities. Participants reported a notable shift in their mood from “pre” to “post” FS, with many experiencing fear and catastrophizing thoughts and perceiving a lack of social support. Furthermore, 27.27% were open to cortisone use, while 25.45% considered electrophysical agents beneficial for managing the painful phase of FS.
Conclusion: These results underscore a strong preference for empathetic physiotherapists and the value of a multidisciplinary approach. Addressing night pain and restoring ROM are crucial priorities—emphasizing the need for tailored and shared decision-making. Additionally, these findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological well-being alongside physical symptoms.
Biomechanical and clinical evaluation of PSO, modified PSO and VCR treating OVCF kyphosis: a finite element analysis
Authors: Li Junyu , Xu Lizhi , Wang Haotian , Liu Yinhao , Sun Zhuoran , Wang Yongqiang , Yu Miao , Li Weishi , Zeng Yan 
Published: December 2024

ObjectiveTo confirm the effect of surgery on spinal column biomechanics and to provide theoretical support for the advantages and disadvantages of different surgical methods and their clinical efficacy.Methods33 continuous patients with no significant difference in risk factors related to the mechanical complications were enrolled in this retrospective study. Sagittal parameters were measured in the pre-, post-operative and following-up lateral radiograph of spine. An finite element (FE) model was created using CT scanning from a female volunteer with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) with solely kyphosis. Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO), vertebral column resection (VCR) and modified PSO(mPSO) for OVCF were simulated on FE model. Stress distribution and deformation of the FE model were measured.ResultsClinical - All differences in preoperative spinal sagittal parameters were not statistically significant. mPSO showed it is superior to PSO and VCR in multiple postoperative and following-up spinal sagittal parameters. The operation duration and intraoperative blood loss of mPSO are less than the other two. For postoperative mechanical complications, no statistically significant differences were observed. Biomechanical - Six operating conditions (flexion, extension, left/right bending, left/right twisting) for each post-operative FE model have been examined. In most conditions, the displacement of mPSO is similar to that of PSO, with both larger than that of VCR. All the maximum equivalent stress on the vertebral body is within the safe range. The stress is mainly distributed on the T10 vertebral body and the fixed vertebral body L2, while the stress of VCR is greater than that of mPSO and PSO. The intervertebral disc pressure is highest in VCR, followed by PSO, and lowest in mPSO under all conditions. The maximum pressure on the intervertebral discs is located between T10 and T11.ConclusionThe finite element analysis showed that mPSO has a similar spine stability to PSO, and possibly creates a better environment for bone-to-bone fusion and prevents adjacent segments degeneration. Combined with its less surgical risks, we believe that the modified pedicle subtraction osteotomy may be an appropriate strategy for indicated cases of OVCF.
T-cadherin modulates adipogenic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells: insights into ligand interactions
Authors: Sysoeva Veronika , Semina Ekaterina , Klimovich Polina , Kulebyakin Konstantin , Dzreyan Valentina , Sotskaya Ekaterina , Shchipova Anna , Popov Vladimir , Shilova Alena , Brodsky Ilya , Khabibullin Nikita , Voloshin Nikita , Tkachuk Vsevolod , Rubina Kseniya 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionT-cadherin, a non-canonical member of the cadherin superfamily, was initially identified for its involvement in homophilic recognition within the nervous and vascular systems. Apart from its adhesive function, T-cadherin acts as a receptor for two ligands: LDL, contributing to atherogenic processes, and HMW adiponectin, a hormone with well-known cardiovascular protective properties. However, the precise role of T-cadherin in adipose tissue remains elusive. Previously, we generated Cdh13∆Exon3 mice lacking exon 3 in the Cdh13 gene, which encodes the T-cadherin protein, and characterized their phenotype.MethodsUsing wild-type (WT) and T-cadherin-deficient mice (Cdh13ΔExon3), we isolated and cultured mesenchymal stem cells to explore the role of T-cadherin in adipogenic differentiation. The experimental approaches employed include culturing cells under standard or adipogenic conditions, performing Oil Red O and Nile Red staining followed by quantitative analysis, conducting rescue experiments to reintroduce T-cadherin using lentiviral constructs in T-cadherin-deficient cells combined with automated adipocyte differentiation quantification via a neural network. Additionally, Western blotting, ELISA assays, and statistical analysis were utilized to verify the results.ResultsIn this study, we demonstrate for the first time that T-cadherin influences the adipogenic differentiation of MSCs. The presence of T-cadherin dictates distinct morphological characteristics in MSCs. Lack of T-cadherin leads to spontaneous differentiation into adipocytes with the formation of large lipid droplets. T-cadherin-deficient cells (T−/− MSCs) exhibit an enhanced adipogenic potential upon induction with differentiating factors. Western Blot, ELISA assays, and rescue experiments collectively corroborate the conclusion that T−/− MSCs are predisposed toward adipogenic differentiation. We carried out an original comparative analysis to explore the effects of T-cadherin ligands on lipid droplet accumulation. LDL stimulate adipogenic differentiation, while T-cadherin expression mitigates the impact of LDL on lipid droplet accumulation. We also examined the effects of both low molecular weight (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin on lipid droplet accumulation relative to T-cadherin. LMW adiponectin suppressed lipid droplet accumulation independently of T-cadherin, while the absence of T-cadherin enhanced susceptibility to the suppressive effects of HMW adiponectin on adipogenesis.DiscussionThese findings shed light on the role of T-cadherin in adipogenic differentiation and suggest an interplay with other receptors, such as LDLR and AdipoRs, wherein downstream signaling may be modulated through lateral interactions with T-cadherin.