bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuronal avalanches and time-frequency representations in stimulus-evoked activity
Authors: Arviv Oshrit , Goldstein Abraham , Shriki Oren 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNeuronal avalanches are a hallmark feature of critical dynamics in the brain. While the theoretical framework of a critical branching processes is generally accepted for describing avalanches during ongoing brain activity, there is a current debate about the corresponding dynamical description during stimulus-evoked activity. As the brain activity evoked by external stimuli considerably varies in magnitude across time, it is not clear whether the parameters that govern the neuronal avalanche analysis (a threshold or a temporal scale) should be adaptively altered to accommodate these changes. Here, the relationship between neuronal avalanches and time-frequency representations of stimulus-evoked activity is explored. We show that neuronal avalanche metrics, calculated under a fixed threshold and temporal scale, reflect genuine changes in the underlying dynamics. In particular, event-related synchronization and de-synchronization are shown to align with variations in the power-law exponents of avalanche size distributions and the branching parameter (neural gain), as well as in the spatio-temporal spreading of avalanches. Nonetheless, the scale-invariant behavior associated with avalanches is shown to be a robust feature of healthy brain dynamics, preserved across various periods of stimulus-evoked activity and frequency bands. Taken together, the combined results suggest that throughout stimulus-evoked responses the operating point of the dynamics may drift within an extended-critical-like region.
Tracking a mass mortality outbreak of pen shell Pinna nobilis populations: A collaborative effort of scientists and citizens
Authors: Cabanellas-Reboredo Miguel , Vázquez-Luis Maite , Mourre Baptiste , Álvarez Elvira , Deudero Salud , Amores Ángel , Addis Piero , Ballesteros Enric , Barrajón Agustín , Coppa Stefania , García-March José Rafael , Giacobbe Salvatore , Casalduero Francisca Giménez , Hadjioannou Louis , Jiménez-Gutiérrez Santiago V. , Katsanevakis Stelios , Kersting Diego , Mačić Vesna , Mavrič Borut , Patti Francesco Paolo , Planes Serge , Prado Patricia , Sánchez Jordi , Tena-Medialdea José , de Vaugelas Jean , Vicente Nardo , Belkhamssa Fatima Zohra , Zupan Ivan , Hendriks Iris E. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractA mass mortality event is devastating the populations of the endemic bivalve Pinna nobilis in the Mediterranean Sea from early autumn 2016. A newly described Haplosporidian endoparasite (Haplosporidium pinnae) is the most probable cause of this ecological catastrophe placing one of the largest bivalves of the world on the brink of extinction. As a pivotal step towards Pinna nobilis conservation, this contribution combines scientists and citizens’ data to address the fast- and vast-dispersion and prevalence outbreaks of the pathogen. Therefore, the potential role of currents on parasite expansion was addressed by means of drift simulations of virtual particles in a high-resolution regional currents model. A generalized additive model was implemented to test if environmental factors could modulate the infection of Pinna nobilis populations. The results strongly suggest that the parasite has probably dispersed regionally by surface currents, and that the disease expression seems to be closely related to temperatures above 13.5 °C and to a salinity range between 36.5–39.7 psu. The most likely spread of the disease along the Mediterranean basin associated with scattered survival spots and very few survivors (potentially resistant individuals), point to a challenging scenario for conservation of the emblematic Pinna nobilis, which will require fast and strategic management measures and should make use of the essential role citizen science projects can play.
VRK1 functional insufficiency due to alterations in protein stability or kinase activity of human VRK1 pathogenic variants implicated in neuromotor syndromes
Authors: Martín-Doncel Elena , Rojas Ana M. , Cantarero Lara , Lazo Pedro A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractVery rare polymorphisms in the human VRK1 (vaccinia-related kinase 1) gene have been identified in complex neuromotor phenotypes associated to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH), microcephaly, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and distal motor neuron dysfunctions. The mechanisms by which these VRK1 variant proteins contribute to the pathogenesis of these neurological syndromes are unknown. The syndromes are manifested when both of these rare VRK1 polymorphic alleles are implicated, either in homozygosis or compound heterozygosis. In this report, to identify the common underlying pathogenic mechanism of VRK1 polymorphisms, we have studied all human VRK1 variants identified in these neurological phenotypes from a biochemical point of view by molecular modeling, protein stability and kinase activity assays. Molecular modelling predicted that VRK1 variant proteins are either unstable or have an altered kinase activity. The stability and kinase activity of VRK1 pathogenic variants detected two groups. One composed by variants with a reduced protein stability: R133C, R358X, L195V, G135R and R321C. The other group includes VRK1variants with a reduced kinase activity tested on several substrates: histones H3 and H2AX, p53, c-Jun, coilin and 53BP1, a DNA repair protein. VRK1 variants with reduced kinase activity are H119R, R133C, G135R, V236M, R321C and R358X. The common underlying effect of VRK1 pathogenic variants with reduced protein stability or kinase activity is a functional insufficiency of VRK1 in patients with neuromotor developmental syndromes. The G135 variant cause a defective formation of 53BP1 foci in response to DNA damage, and loss Cajal bodies assembled on coilin.
Benchmarking urine storage and collection conditions for evaluating the female urinary microbiome
Authors: Jung Carrie E. , Chopyk Jessica , Shin Ji Hyun , Lukacz Emily S. , Brubaker Linda , Schwanemann Leila K. , Knight Rob , Wolfe Alan J. , Pride David T. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractStandardized conditions for collection, preservation and storage of urine for microbiome research have not been established. We aimed to identify the effects of the use of preservative AssayAssure® (AA), and the effects of storage time and temperatures on reproducibility of urine microbiome results. We sequenced the V3–4 segment of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize the bacterial community in the urine of a cohort of women. Each woman provided a single voided urine sample, which was divided into aliquots and stored with and without AA, at three different temperatures (room temperature [RT], 4 °C, or −20 °C), and for various time periods up to 4 days. There were significant microbiome differences in urine specimens stored with and without AA at all temperatures, but the most significant differences were observed in alpha diversity (estimated number of taxa) at RT. Specimens preserved at 4 °C and −20 °C for up to 4 days with or without AA had no significant alpha diversity differences. However, significant alpha diversity differences were observed in samples stored without AA at RT. Generally, there was greater microbiome preservation with AA than without AA at all time points and temperatures, although not all results were statistically significant. Addition of AA preservative, shorter storage times, and colder temperatures are most favorable for urinary microbiome reproducibility.
Adenovirus infection is associated with altered gut microbial communities in a non-human primate
Authors: Wasimuddin  , Corman Victor M. , Ganzhorn Jörg U. , Rakotondranary Jacques , Ratovonamana Yedidya R. , Drosten Christian , Sommer Simone 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAdenovirus (AdV) infections are one of the main causes of diarrhea in young children. Enteric AdVs probably disrupt gut microbial defences, which can result in diarrhea. To understand the role of the gut microbiome in AdV-induced pathologies, we investigated the gut microbiome of a naturally AdV-infected non-human primate species, the Malagasy mouse lemur (Microcebus griseorufus), which represents an important model in understanding the evolution of diseases. We observed that AdV infection is associated with disruption of the gut microbial community composition. In AdV+ lemurs, several commensal taxa essential for a healthy gut microbiome decreased, whereas genera containing potential pathogens, such as Neisseria, increased in abundance. Microbial co-occurrence networks revealed a loss of important microbial community interactions in AdV+ lemurs and an overrepresentation of Prevotellaceae. The observation of enteric virus-associated loss of commensal bacteria and associated shifts towards pathobionts may represent the missing link for a better understanding of AdV-induced effects in humans, and also for their potential as drivers of co-infections, an area of research that has been largely neglected so far.
Application of a chemical probe to detect neutrophil elastase activation during inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Anderson Bethany M. , Poole Daniel P. , Aurelio Luigi , Ng Garrett Z. , Fleischmann Markus , Kasperkiewicz Paulina , Morissette Celine , Drag Marcin , van Driel Ian R. , Schmidt Brian L. , Vanner Stephen J. , Bunnett Nigel W. , Edgington-Mitchell Laura E. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNeutrophil elastase is a serine protease that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Due to post-translational control of its activation and high expression of its inhibitors in the gut, measurements of total expression poorly reflect the pool of active, functional neutrophil elastase. Fluorogenic substrate probes have been used to measure neutrophil elastase activity, though these tools lack specificity and traceability. PK105 is a recently described fluorescent activity-based probe, which binds to neutrophil elastase in an activity-dependent manner. The irreversible nature of this probe allows for accurate identification of its targets in complex protein mixtures. We describe the reactivity profile of PK105b, a new analogue of PK105, against recombinant serine proteases and in tissue extracts from healthy mice and from models of inflammation induced by oral cancer and Legionella pneumophila infection. We apply PK105b to measure neutrophil elastase activation in an acute model of experimental colitis. Neutrophil elastase activity is detected in inflamed, but not healthy, colons. We corroborate this finding in mucosal biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis. Thus, PK105b facilitates detection of neutrophil elastase activity in tissue lysates, and we have applied it to demonstrate that this protease is unequivocally activated during colitis.
Magnetic reversal in perpendicularly magnetized antidot arrays with intrinsic and extrinsic defects
Authors: Krupinski Michal , Sobieszczyk Pawel , Zieliński Piotr , Marszałek Marta 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDefects can significantly affect performance of nanopatterned magnetic devices, therefore their influence on the material properties has to be understood well before the material is used in technological applications. However, this is experimentally challenging due to the inability of the control of defect characteristics in a reproducible manner. Here, we construct a micromagnetic model, which accounts for intrinsic and extrinsic defects associated with the polycrystalline nature of the material and with corrugated edges of nanostructures. The predictions of the model are corroborated by the measurements obtained for highly ordered arrays of circular Co/Pd antidots with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. We found that magnetic properties, magnetic reversal and the evolution of the domain pattern are strongly determined by density of defects, heterogeneity of nanostructures, and edge corrugations. In particular, an increase in the Néel domain walls, as compared to Bloch walls, was observed with a increase of the antidot diameters, suggesting that a neck between two antidots can behave like a nanowire with a width determined by the array period and antidot size. Furthermore, the presence of edge corrugations can lead to the formation of a network of magnetic bubbles, which are unstable in non-patterned flat films.
Mendelian randomization analysis rules out disylipidaemia as colorectal cancer cause
Authors: Ibáñez-Sanz Gemma , Díez-Villanueva Anna , Riera-Ponsati Marina , Fernández-Villa Tania , Fernández Navarro Pablo , Bustamante Mariona , Llorca Javier , Amiano Pilar , Ascunce Nieves , Fernández-Tardón Guillermo , Salcedo Bellido Inmaculada , Salas Dolores , Capelo Álvarez Rocío , Crous-Bou Marta , Ortega-Valín Luis , Pérez-Gómez Beatriz , Castaño-Vinyals Gemma , Palazuelos Camilo , Altzibar Jone M. , Ardanaz Eva , Tardón Adonina , Jiménez Moleón José Juan , Olmos Juste Valle , Aragonés Nuria , Pollán Marina , Kogevinas Manolis , Moreno Victor 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDyslipidemia and statin use have been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), but prospective studies have shown mixed results. We aimed to determine whether dyslipidemia is causally linked to CRC risk using a Mendelian randomization approach and to explore the association of statins with CRC. A case-control study was performed including 1336 CRC cases and 2744 controls (MCC-Spain). Subjects were administered an epidemiological questionnaire and were genotyped with an array which included polymorphisms associated with blood lipids levels, selected to avoid pleiotropy. Four genetic lipid scores specific for triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), or total cholesterol (TC) were created as the count of risk alleles. The genetic lipid scores were not associated with CRC. The ORs per 10 risk alleles, were for TG 0.91 (95%CI: 0.72–1.16, p = 0.44), for HDL 1.14 (95%CI: 0.95–1.37, p = 0.16), for LDL 0.97 (95%CI: 0.81–1.16, p = 0.73), and for TC 0.98 (95%CI: 0.84–1.17, p = 0.88). The LDL and TC genetic risk scores were associated with statin use, but not the HDL or TG. Statin use, overall, was a non-significant protective factor for CRC (OR 0.84; 95%CI: 0.70–1.01, p = 0.060), but lipophilic statins were associated with a CRC risk reduction (OR 0.78; 95%CI 0.66–0.96, p = 0.018). Using the Mendelian randomization approach, our study does not support the hypothesis that lipid levels are associated with the risk of CRC. This study does not rule out, however, a possible protective effect of statins in CRC by a mechanism unrelated to lipid levels.
A high throughput multi-locus insecticide resistance marker panel for tracking resistance emergence and spread in Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Lucas Eric R. , Rockett Kirk A. , Lynd Amy , Essandoh John , Grisales Nelson , Kemei Brigid , Njoroge Harun , Hubbart Christina , Rippon Emily J. , Morgan John , Van’t Hof Arjen E. , Ochomo Eric O. , Kwiatkowski Dominic P. , Weetman David , Donnelly Martin J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe spread of resistance to insecticides in disease-carrying mosquitoes poses a threat to the effectiveness of control programmes, which rely largely on insecticide-based interventions. Monitoring mosquito populations is essential, but obtaining phenotypic measurements of resistance is laborious and error-prone. High-throughput genotyping offers the prospect of quick and repeatable estimates of resistance, while also allowing resistance markers to be tracked and studied. To demonstrate the potential of highly-mulitplexed genotypic screening for measuring resistance-association of mutations and tracking their spread, we developed a panel of 28 known or putative resistance markers in the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, which we used to screen mosquitoes from a wide swathe of Sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya). We found resistance association in four markers, including a novel mutation in the detoxification gene Gste2 (Gste2-119V). We also identified a duplication in Gste2 combining a resistance-associated mutation with its wild-type counterpart, potentially alleviating the costs of resistance. Finally, we describe the distribution of the multiple origins of kdr resistance, finding unprecedented diversity in the DRC. This panel represents the first step towards a quantitative genotypic model of insecticide resistance that can be used to predict resistance status in An. gambiae.
K-edge Subtraction Computed Tomography with a Compact Synchrotron X-ray Source
Authors: Kulpe Stephanie , Dierolf Martin , Günther Benedikt , Busse Madleen , Achterhold Klaus , Gleich Bernhard , Herzen Julia , Rummeny Ernst , Pfeiffer Franz , Pfeiffer Daniela 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn clinical diagnosis, X-ray computed tomography (CT) is one of the most important imaging techniques. Yet, this method lacks the ability to differentiate similarly absorbing substances like commonly used iodine contrast agent and calcium which is typically seen in calcifications, kidney stones and bones. K-edge subtraction (KES) imaging can help distinguish these materials by subtracting two CT scans recorded at different X-ray energies. So far, this method mostly relies on monochromatic X-rays produced at large synchrotron facilities. Here, we present the first proof-of-principle experiment of a filter-based KES CT method performed at a compact synchrotron X-ray source based on inverse-Compton scattering, the Munich Compact Light Source (MuCLS). It is shown that iodine contrast agent and calcium can be clearly separated to provide CT volumes only showing one of the two materials. These results demonstrate that KES CT at a compact synchrotron source can become an important tool in pre-clinical research.
Microparticle and interleukin-1β production with human simulated compressed air diving
Authors: Brett Kaighley D. , Nugent Nathan Z. , Fraser Noelle K. , Bhopale Veena M. , Yang Ming , Thom Stephen R. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractProduction of blood-borne microparticles (MPs), 0.1–1 µm diameter vesicles, and interleukin (IL)-1β in response to high pressure is reported in lab animals and associated with pathological changes. It is unknown whether the responses occur in humans, and whether they are due to exposure to high pressure or to the process of decompression. Blood from research subjects exposed in hyperbaric chambers to air pressure equal to 18 meters of sea water (msw) for 60 minutes or 30 msw for 35 minutes were obtained prior to and during compression and 2 hours post-decompression. MPs and intra-particle IL-1β elevations occurred while at pressure in both groups. At 18 msw (n = 15) MPs increased by 1.8-fold, and IL-1β by 7.0-fold (p < 0.05, repeated measures ANOVA on ranks). At 30 msw (n = 16) MPs increased by 2.5-fold, and IL-1β by 4.6-fold (p < 0.05), and elevations persisted after decompression with MPs elevated by 2.0-fold, and IL-1β by 6.0-fold (p < 0.05). Whereas neutrophils incubated in ambient air pressure for up to 3 hours ex vivo did not generate MPs, those exposed to air pressure at 180 kPa for 1 hour generated 1.4 ± 0.1 MPs/cell (n = 8, p < 0.05 versus ambient air), and 1.7 ± 0.1 MPs/cell (p < 0.05 versus ambient air) when exposed to 300 kPa for 35 minutes. At both pressures IL-1β concentration tripled (p < 0.05 versus ambient air) during pressure exposure and increased 6-fold (p < 0.05 versus ambient air) over 2 hours post-decompression. Platelets also generated MPs but at a rate about 1/100 that seen with neutrophils. We conclude that production of MPs containing elevated concentrations of IL-1β occur in humans during exposure to high gas pressures, more so than as a response to decompression. While these events may pose adverse health threats, their contribution to decompression sickness development requires further study.
Conductive silicone elastomers electrodes processable by screen printing
Authors: Quinsaat Jose Enrico Q. , Burda Iurii , Krämer Ronny , Häfliger Daniel , Nüesch Frank A. , Dascalu Mihaela , Opris Dorina M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractConductive inks consisting of graphene and carbon black conductive fillers into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix, which can be processed into thin films by screen printing are developed. The influence of filler composition and content on mechanical and electrical properties of the conductive composites is investigated. The best composites were evaluated as electrode material for dielectric elastomer actuators and for piezoelectric sensors. With increasing filler content, the electrical properties of the resulting composites of graphite nanoplates (GNPs) or a binary mixture of GNPs and carbon black (CB) with PDMS (Mw = 139 kg/mol) are enhanced. Hence, PDMS composites filled with GNPs (42 wt.%) or a binary mixture of GNPs/CB (300/150 ratio, 30 wt.% of total filler loading) exhibited constant contact resistance values of 0.5 and 5 Ω determined in life-cycle test, respectively, thus rendering them suitable as electrode materials for piezosensors. On the other hand, dielectric elastomer actuators require more flexible electrode materials, which could be tuned by varying the polymer molecular weight and by reducing the filler content. Therefore, a composite consisting of PDMS (Mw = 692 kg/mol) and a binary filler mixture of GNPs/CB (150/75 ratio, 18 wt.% of total filler loading) was used for producing the electrodes of dielectric elastomer transducers (DETs). The produced DETs with different electrode thicknesses were characterized in terms of their performance. The negligible hysteresis of the electrode materials is favorable for sensor and actuator applications.
The outcome of skeletofacial reconstruction with mandibular rotation for management of asymmetric skeletal class III deformity: A three-dimensional computer-assisted investigation
Authors: Wu Ting-Yu , Denadai Rafael , Lin Hsiu-Hsia , Ho Cheng-Ting , Lo Lun-Jou 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe mandibular proximal ramus segments should be moved and rotated during orthognathic surgery-based skeletofacial reconstruction for the correction of challenging patients with facial asymmetry and malocclusion, but quantitative data regarding this rotation were not sufficient to date. This 3D computer-assisted study measured the proximal ramus segment rotation after 3D simulation-guided two-jaw surgery in patients with facial asymmetric deformity and class III malocclusion (n = 31). Using 3D mandible models and a reliable proximal ramus segment-related plane, angular changes in pitch, roll and yaw directions were measured before and one month after surgery. Significant rotational changes (p < 0.01) were observed in the left and right sides and overall proximal ramus segments after surgery, with absolute differences of 4.1 ± 3.0 (range −7.8 to 6.9), 2.8 ± 2.3 (−8.8 to 5.0), and 2.7 ± 2.4 (−6.6 to 9.9) degrees in pitch, roll, and yaw rotations, respectively. Numbness and mouth opening limiting occurred within the first 6 months after surgery but the patients had an unremarkable long-term postoperative course, with no revisionary surgery required. This study contributes to the multidisciplinary-related literature by revealing that proximal ramus segment rotation and rigid fixation with no postoperative intermaxillary immobilization was practicable in skeletofacial surgery for the successful treatment of asymmetric deformity and class III malocclusion.