bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reevaluation of the Bicycle Ergometry in the Diagnosis of Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Marzoog Basheer Abdullah , Chomakhidze Peter , Kopylov Philipp 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundIschemic heart disease (IHD) and related complications and outcomes remain the most frequently reported cardiovascular events. However, the diagnosis and prevention of ischemic heart disease primary depends on the clinical manifestations and electrocardiography changes.ObjectivesPatients with IHD are victims of the poor diagnostic methods and the prevention strategies.AimsTo assess the diagnostic accuracy of the used bicycle ergometry in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease based on the results of the stress computed myocardial perfusion (CTP) imaging with vasodilator test (adenosine triphosphate).Materials and methodsA single center prospective, and non-randomized study included participations aged ≥ 40. The study included 38 participants with vs without IHD confirmed by CTP. The participants done bicycle ergometry following Bruce protocol then performed CTP. For statistical analysis used the descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation test, Student test. The Statistica 12 program used for the statistical test.ResultsThe study included 38 participants included 19 (50 %) patients with positive stress induced myocardial perfusion defect on the CTP and 19 (50 %) with negative results. The mean age of the participants 58,77 years (std. div. ± 9,664). The bicycle ergometry specificity and sensitivity 61.11%, 57.89%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of the bicycle ergometry 59.46%.ConclusionsThe bicycle ergometry test characterized by severe limitations in terms of the IHD diagnosis.OthersRecommended to combine additional diagnostic methods with the bicycle ergometry to improve it is diagnostic accuracy, such as single channel electrocardiography and exhaled breath analysis.
High Mortality Associated with Chikungunya Epidemic in Southeast Brazil, 2023
Authors: Freitas Andre Ricardo Ribas , Lima Neto Antonio Silva , Oliveira Erneson Alves , Andrade José Soares , Cavalcanti Luciano Pamplona 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was first detected in Brazil in 2014 with two lineages, North Asia and ECSA (East/Central/South Africa). The ECSA lineage dominated, causing significant outbreaks, especially in densely populated areas. The co-circulation of dengue and chikungunya has complicated diagnosis and treatment. The 2023 chikungunya epidemic in Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil, prompted an assessment of associated mortality using WHO methodologies.The study used epidemiological data from the laboratory surveillance, disease notification and mortality systems of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The North and Northeast Health Macroregions of Minas Gerais, with 2.5 million inhabitants, were analyzed. A Poisson regression model, excluding critical periods of COVID-19 and the chikungunya epidemic, estimated expected mortality. Excess deaths were calculated by comparing observed deaths with model estimates during the epidemic period.During the epidemic, there were 890 excess deaths attributed to chikungunya, translating into a mortality rate of 35.1/100,000 inhabitants. The excess mortality rate was significantly 60 times higher than the deaths reported by surveillance, with only 15 deaths confirmed. The correlation between excess deaths and laboratory-confirmed chikungunya cases was strong, while the correlation with dengue and COVID-19 was negligible. The results highlighted the serious underestimation of chikungunya mortality by epidemiological surveillance.We estimate that there were 890 excess deaths in the 2023 chikungunya epidemic in just one affected area of Minas Gerais, Brazil (2.5 million inhabitants). During the same year, only 420 chikungunya deaths were reported by all PAHO member countries. Epidemiological surveillance has underestimated the impact of this disease. Excess mortality is a crucial measure for understanding the impact of epidemics, as demonstrated by COVID-19 and influenza pandemics. The study highlights the need for complementary tools to traditional surveillance to better assess impacts on morbidity and mortality. Underreporting of chikungunya deaths has significant implications for public health responses and resource allocation. This study supports the importance of accurately quantifying mortality from emerging viruses to inform risk assessments and priority setting in public health interventions.
Cross-validating the electrophysiological markers of early face categorization
Authors: Yildirim-Keles Fazilet Zeynep , Stacchi Lisa , Caldara Roberto 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHuman face categorization has been widely studied using electroencephalogram (EEG) and event related potentials (ERP). Within this context, the N170 ERP component has emerged as the earliest and most robust neural marker of face categorization, documented in thousands of studies conducted over nearly three decades. However, in the last decade there has been a surge in research using the fast periodic visual stimulation (FPVS) methodology to investigate face categorization. FPVS studies have consistently reported robust bilateral face categorization responses over the occipitotemporal cortex with a right hemispheric dominance, closely mirroring the N170 scalp topography. Yet, the question remains whether the neural response elicited in FPVS can be considered a proxy for the N170 or if it might be driven by different components. To address this issue, we recorded the electrophysiological signals of human observers who viewed natural images of faces and non-face objects during FPVS and three different ERP paradigms. We quantified the FPVS response in the frequency domain and extracted ERP visual components, including the P1, N170 and P2 in response to face stimuli, from both the ERP paradigms as well as the time domain of the FPVS response. Our results revealed little relationship between any single ERP component and the FPVS frequency response. Across methodologies, only the peak-to-peak differences between N170 and P2 components significantly and consistently explained the FPVS frequency response. Our data show that the FPVS frequency response is not singularly contingent on any isolated ERP component, such as the N170, but rather reflects a later complex neural integration. These findings raise crucial methodological and theoretical considerations on the relationship between FPVS and ERP responses, urging caution when interpreting the neurofunctional role of both electrophysiological signals. While both markers are indicative of human face categorization, they appear to capture different stages in this cognitive process.
Taxonomy, nomenclature, and identification of the giant hummingbirds (Patagona spp.) (Aves: Trochilidae)
Authors: Williamson Jessie L. , Gadek Chauncey R. , Robinson Bryce W. , Bautista Emil , Bauernfeind Selina M. , Baumann Matthew J. , Gyllenhaal Ethan F. , Marra Peter P. , Ricote Natalia , Singh Nadia D. , Valqui Thomas , Witt Christopher C. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractGiant hummingbirds (Patagonaspp.) are extraordinarily large hummingbirds whose taxonomy has been muddled for two centuries.Patagonasystematics were recently redefined in a study of migration, physiology, and genomics, revealing two species: the Southern Giant Hummingbird and Northern Giant Hummingbird. Here, we re-evaluate taxonomy and nomenclature of the genus in light of its newly-clarified biology and species limits, analyzing data from 608 specimens and wild-caught individuals spanning 1864–2023. The formsgigasandperuvianawere both described based on multiple syntypes. No adequate syntypes forP. gigasare extant, so we designate a neotype for this taxon. We then critically consider the identity and usage ofgigasandperuviana, respectively, and examine identification challenges that have fostered taxonomic uncertainty. We endorse the namesPatagona gigasfor the Southern Giant Hummingbird andP. peruvianafor the Northern Giant Hummingbird. The genetic identity of theperuvianalectotype remains untested, but its plumage appears to match the northern species. We found that ∼33% ofPatagona gigasspecimens in major museum collections are misidentified asperuviana; we provide this list to correct the historical record. To facilitate identification and future study of these two cryptic species, we provide comprehensive information on plumage, measurements, and seasonal ranges.
Acoustic monitoring for tropical insect conservation
Authors: Riede Klaus , Balakrishnan Rohini 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMonitoring the species-specific sounds produced by insects could provide us with a rapid, reliable, non-invasive measure of tropical ecosystem health and biodiversity. Although acoustic biodiversity monitoring has made rapid progress over the past decade, the focus has been mostly on vertebrates, even though insects far outnumber them, and tropical soundscapes are dominated by insect sounds. Here we provide an overview of song features for the major sound-producing insect groups, identify technological milestones and describe impediments for analyzing tropical soundscapes and insect communities. We review some promising best-practices using singing insects for non-invasive acoustic profiling and tracking of diversity in rainforest ecosystems under threat. We suggest a roadmap for joint research efforts to accelerate acoustic assessments of singing insects based on re-using the wealth of existing data from Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) in combination with curated multimedia repositories and citizen science.
Intercellular adhesion boots collective cell migration through elevated membrane tension
Authors: Bijonowski Brent M. , Park Jongkwon , Bergert Martin , Teubert Christina , Diz-Muñoz Alba , Galic Milos , Wegner Seraphine V. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn multicellular systems, the migration pattern of individual cells critically relies on the interactions with neighboring cells. Depending on the strength of these interactions, cells either move as a collective, as observed during morphogenesis and wound healing, or migrate individually, as it is the case for immune cells and fibroblasts. Transducers of cell-cell adhesions, such as cadherins coordinate collective dynamics by linking the cytoskeleton of neighboring cells. However, whether intercellular binding alone triggers signals that originate from within the plasma membrane itself, remains unclear. To address this question, we designed photoswitchable cell-cell adhesions that selectively connect adjacent plasma membranes without linking directly to cytoskeletal elements. We find that these intercellular adhesions are sufficient to achieve collective cell migration. Here, linking adjacent cells increases membrane tension, which activates the enzyme phospholipase D2. The resulting increase in phosphatidic acid, in turn, stimulates the mammalian target of rapamycin, a known actuator of collective cell migration. Collectively, these findings introduce a membrane-based signaling axis as promotor of collective cell dynamics, which is independent of the direct coupling of cell-cell adhesions to the cytoskeleton.
Identifying Alzheimer’s disease-related pathways based on whole-genome sequencing data
Authors: Wang Yongheng , Liu Taihang , He Yijie , Tang Yaqin , Tan Pengcheng , Huang Lin , Huang Dongyu , Wen Tong , Shao Lizhen , Wang Jia , Wang Yingxiong , Han Zhijie 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a highly inheritable neurodegenerative disorder for which pathway-specific genetic profiling provides insights into its key biological mechanisms and potential treatment targets. Traditional disease-pathway analyses for AD have certain limitations, such as environmental interference and arbitrary sample division. We present a comprehensive framework that starts with genome data, avoiding these drawbacks and offering intrinsic pathway-specific genetic profiling for AD. Whole genome sequencing data from 173 individuals were used to quantify transcriptomes in 14 brain regions, estimate individual-level pathway variant scores, and analyze AD risk for each patient. These results were combined to identify AD-related pathways and quantify their interactions. The predicted expression levels were consistent with previous findings, and the estimated AD risk showed a significant correlation with Braak/Thal scores. A total of 3,798 pathways were identified as potentially associated with AD, with about 19.7% previously reported. Key pathways, including NF-κB signaling and GSK3β activation, were linked to AD pathogenesis. The interactions among pathways highlighted shared gene functions in AD. In summary, we provided an effective framework for disease-pathway analysis, revealing the interdependence or compensatory effects of pathways in AD.
Bone Marrow Spatial Transcriptomics Reveals a Myeloma Cell Architecture with Dysfunctional T-Cell Distribution, Neutrophil Traps, and Inflammatory Signaling
Authors: Sudupe Laura , Muiños-Lopez Emma , Lopez-Perez Ana Rosa , Vilas-Zornoza Amaia , Sarvide Sarai , Ripalda-Cemborain Purificacion , Aguirre-Ruiz Paula , San Martin-Uriz Patxi , Larrayoz Marta , Alvarez-Gigli Laura , Abengozar-Muela Marta , Cenzano Itziar , Cócera Miguel , Ruiz Javier , Sancho González Ignacio , Bantan Azari , Kurowska Aleksandra , Ye Jin , Newton Phillip T. , Paiva Bruno , Rodriguez-Madoz Juan R. , Lagani Vincenzo , Tegner Jesper , Saez Borja , Martinez-Climent Jose Angel , Calvo Isabel A. , Gomez-Cabrero David , Prosper Felipe 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTThe bone marrow (BM) is a complex tissue where spatial relationships influence cell behavior, signaling, and function. Consequently, understanding the whole dynamics of cellular interactions requires complementary spatial techniques that preserve and map the architecture of cell populationsin situ. We successfully conducted spatial transcriptional profiling using Visium Spatial Gene Expression in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) BM samples obtained from healthy and Multiple Myeloma (MM) mouse models and patients, addressing the technical challenges of applying spatial technology to long bone samples. A custom data-analysis framework that combines spatial with single-cell transcriptomic profiles identified both the BM cellular composition and the existing cell relations. This allowed us to visualize the spatial distribution of transcriptionally heterogeneous MM plasma cells (MM-PC). We spatially delineated transcriptional programs associated with MM, including NETosis and IL-17-driven inflammatory signaling, which were inversely correlated to malignant PC-enriched regions. Furthermore, a gradient of MM-PC density spatially correlated with a shift from effector-to-exhausted T cell phenotypes. The translational relevance of our findings was confirmed using FFPE BM biopsies from MM patients with varying levels of malignant PC infiltration. In summary, we provide the first spatial transcriptomics analysis applied to a mouse and human mineralized bone tissue and illustrate the BM cellular architecture of MM, revealing deregulated mechanisms underlying MM intercellular communication.
Asymmetric learning and adaptability to changes in relational structure during transitive inference
Authors: Graham Thomas A. , Spitzer Bernhard 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHumans and other animals can generalise from local to global relationships in a transitive manner. Recent research has shown that asymmetrically biased learning, where beliefs about only the winners (or losers) of local comparisons are updated, is well-suited for inferring relational structures from sparse feedback. However, less is known about how belief-updating biases intersect with humans’ capacity to adapt to changes in relational structure, where re-valuing an item may have downstream implications for inferential knowledge pertaining to unchanged items. We designed a transitive inference paradigm involving one of two possible changepoints for which an asymmetric (winner-or loser-biased) learning policy was more or less optimal. Participants (N=83) exhibited differential sensitivity to changes in relational structure: whereas participants readily learned that a hitherto low-ranking item increased its rank, moving a high-ranking item down the hierarchy impaired downstream inferential knowledge. Behaviour best captured by an adaptive reinforcement learning model which exhibited a predominantly winner-biased learning policy but also modulated its degree of asymmetry as a function of its choice preference strength. Our results indicate that asymmetric learning not only accounts for efficient inference of latent relational structures, but also for differences in the ease with which learners accommodate structural changes.Author SummaryWhen reasoning about relationships between objects, events, or people, humans can readily use previous experiences to infer relations that they have never encountered before. For example, if Anna beats Bruce at tennis, and Bruce beats Clara, then one can predict that Anna will likely also beat Clara. Human learning in such ‘transitive inference’ problems tends to be winner-biased – that is, upon observing Anna’s victory over Bruce, a spectator would be more likely to attribute this outcome to Anna’s skill than to Bruce’s lack thereof. However, in a constantly changing world whose comparative relations are rarely static, humans must also be able to infer how changes in the outcomes of certain comparisons bear on other relationships within a transitive hierarchy. Combining behavioural testing and computational modelling, we show that a learning strategy that preferentially focuses on the winners of comparisons induces greater flexibility for certain types of hierarchy changes than for others. In addition, we provide evidence that humans may dynamically adjust their degree of learning asymmetry according to the current strength of their beliefs about the relations under comparison.
From Acute to Persistent Infection: Revealing Phylogenomic Variations inSalmonellaAgona
Authors: Waters Emma V. , Lee Winnie W. Y. , Ismail Ahmed Amina , Chattaway Marie-Anne , Langridge Gemma C. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundSalmonella entericaserovar Agona (S.Agona) has been increasingly recognised as a prominent cause of gastroenteritis. This serovar is a strong biofilm former that can undergo genome rearrangement and enter a viable but non-culturable state whilst remaining metabolically active. Similar strategies are employed byS.Typhi, the cause of typhoid fever, during human infection, which are believed to assist with the transition from acute infection to chronic carriage. Here we reportS.Agona’s ability to persist in people and examine factors that might be contributing to chronic carriage.MethodsA review of 2,233S.Agona isolates from UK infections (2004-2020) and associated carriage was undertaken, in which 1,155 had short-read sequencing data available. A subset of 207 isolates was selected from different stages of acute and persistent infections within individual patients. The subset underwent long-read sequencing and genome structure (GS) analysis, as well as phenotyping assays including carbon source utilisation and biofilm formation. Associations between genotypes and phenotypes were investigated to compare acute infections to those which progress to chronic.ResultsGS analysis revealed the conserved arrangement GS1.0 in 195 isolates, and 8 additional GSs in 12 isolates. These rearranged isolates were typically associated with early, convalescent carriage (3 weeks – 3 months). We also identified an increase in SNP variation during this period of infection.ConclusionWe believe this increase in genome-scale and SNP variation reflects a population expansion after acuteS.Agona infection, potentially reflecting an immune evasion mechanism which enables persistent infection to become established.
Effects of n-Hexane and ethanol extract ofMilicia excelsastone on pain perception in Sodium Monoiodoacetate-induced Osteoarthritic Female Wistar Rats
Authors: Adegbe Samson , Abiodun Lasaki Esohe , Jimoh-Abdulghaffaar Hidaayah Oluwamayowa , Adegoke Meekness 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTAIMThis research was undertaken to evaluate the effect of n-Hexane and ethanol extract ofMilicia excelsastone on pain perception in Sodium Monoiodoacetate-induced Osteoarthritic Female Wistar Rats. And the most active ingredient inMilicia excelsastone is calcium carbonate.METHODFor this study, fifty (50) female Wistar rats divided into five groups were used, these include: Positive control (normal health rats), Negative control (osteoarthritic rats with no treatment), Reference (osteoathritic rats treated with arthocare), Test (1) (osteoarthritic rats treated with n-Hexane extract ofmilicia excelsastone), Test (2) (osteoarthritic rats treated with ethanol extract ofmilicia excelsastone). Von Frey Hair Filament was used to access pain perception across the groups. And the knee circumference was taken pre-induction, induction, and post-induction.RESULTSThe result of this experimental research showed that there was significant (p<0.05) decrease both in the cartilage and serum level of biomarkers such as Prostanglandin E2, Tumour Necrotic factor alpha, Vascular endothelial growth factor, and Cartillage oligomeric metalloprotein. There was significance (p<0.05) decrease in the knee oedema. Also, the pain threshold increased in both n-Hexane and ethanol groups.CONCLUSIONIt is therefore concluded that n-Hexane and ethanol extracts ofMilicia excelsahave significant effect in reducing pain perception in monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritic female Wistar rats.
Characterization of diatom communities in restored sewage channels in the Boye catchment, Germany
Authors: Mayombo Ntambwe Albert Serge , Haverbeck Lisa , Dani Mimoza , Kloster Michael , Vidakovic Danijela , Beszteri Bánk , Burfeid-Castellanos Andrea M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractRestoration programs were initiated in different stream systems within the Boye catchment in the early 1990s to stop and reverse the negative impacts of anthropogenic disturbances. However, our knowledge of the effects of restoration works in this river network, specifically on benthic diatom communities, is still limited. Diatoms were used successfully to assess the impact of restoration works in a range of river networks around the world but received less attention in the Boye catchment. This study aimed to characterize benthic diatom communities in this restored river catchment, using digital microscopy methods. We collected samples in the spring and summer of 2020 at sites restored in different years (1995, 2005, 2010, 2012, and 2013) within the catchment. Our results showed no effect of season, restoration date (year), and location of the site along the streams on the most dominant diatom species. However, some rare taxa indicated significant variations between the seasons. Overall water quality in the streams ranged from moderate to very good, indicating the positive impacts of restoration works conducted in these former sewage channels.