bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melanocortin 4 Receptor-Dependent Mechanism of ACTH in Preventing Anxiety-Like Behaviors and Normalizing Astrocyte Proteins After Early Life Seizures
Authors: Khalife Mohamed R. , Villarin Colin , Ruiz Juan Manuel , McClelland Sam A. , Abed Rabbo Khalil , Mahoney J. Matthew , Scott Rod C. , Hernan Amanda E. 
Published: February 2025

Epilepsy, affecting millions globally, often leads to significant cognitive and psychiatric comorbidities, particularly in children. Anxiety and depression are particularly prevalent, with roughly a quarter of pediatric epilepsy patients having a comorbid diagnosis. Current treatments inadequately address these issues. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a melanocortin peptide, has shown promise in mitigating deficits after early life seizures (ELS), potentially through mechanisms beyond its canonical action on melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R). This study explores the hypothesis that recurrent ELS is associated with long-term anxiety, and that treatment with ACTH can prevent this anxiety through a mechanism that involves melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) in the brain. Our findings reveal that ACTH ameliorates anxiety-like behavior associated with ELS, without altering seizure parameters, in wildtype (WT) but not in MC4R knockout (KO) male and female mice. Our findings also show that knocking-in MC4R in either neurons or astrocytes was able to rescue the anxiety-like behavior after ACTH treatment. Further, our results show that ACTH normalizes important astrocytic proteins like Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) after ELS. This suggests that ACTH’s beneficial effects on anxiety are mediated through MC4R activation in both neuronal and astrocytic populations. This study underscores the therapeutic potential of targeting MC4R as a treatment, highlighting its role in mitigating anxiety-like behaviors associated with ELS.Significance StatementThis study reveals a novel mechanism by which ACTH mitigates anxiety-like behaviors and normalizes key astrocyte markers, including GFAP and AQP4, following early life seizures (ELS) in a melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) dependent manner. This challenges the notion that ACTH’s primary effects are mediated through the melanocortin 2 receptor in the adrenal cortex. This study further shows that ACTH’s effects extend beyond seizure control, targeting psychiatric comorbidities, challenging the prevailing assumption that comorbidities are a result of the seizures. These findings not only expand our understanding of ACTH’s beneficial effects through MC4R in both neuronal and astrocyte populations, but also suggest new avenues for treating ELS-related comorbidities.
Molecular and Anatomical Strengthening of “Winner” Climbing Fiber Synapses in Developing Mouse Purkinje Cells
Authors: Nitta Asako , Yamasaki Miwako , Miyazaki Taisuke , Konno Kohtarou , Yoshimura Haruto , Watanabe Masahiko 
Published: February 2025

Neural circuits are refined by strengthening frequently used or advantaged synapses while eliminating redundant connections. In neonatal mice, cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) are initially innervated by multiple climbing fibers (CFs) of similar strength. By postnatal day 7 (P7), one CF, the “winner,” is selectively strengthened and begins dendritic translocation by P9, while both “winner” and “loser” CFs temporarily maintain somatic synapses. Although the functional differentiation of CF inputs is well understood, their structural differentiation is less clear. In this study, we examined “winner” CF synapses in dendrites and both “winner” and “loser” synapses in the soma using serial electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry in C57BL/6 mice. We found that “winner” CF synapses, both in the soma and dendrites, developed more complex pre- and postsynaptic structures than “loser” CFs, with an expanded area of postsynaptic density. Additionally, “winner” CF synapses expressed significantly higher levels of AMPA-type glutamate receptors. Notably, only dendritic “winner” synapses showed increased levels of Rab3-interacting molecule RIM, a key presynaptic regulator of neurotransmitter release. These findings reveal the molecular and structural features that enable “winner” CFs to reinforce their synaptic strength and innervation, allowing them to outcompete other inputs during early development.Significance statementThe neural circuit is refined by selectively strengthening specific synapses while eliminating redundant connections. In neonates, cerebellar Purkinje cell somata are innervated by multiple climbing fibers (CFs) with similar strength. Subsequently, a single CF is strengthened as the “winner,” establishing a stable connection by translocating to dendrites. While the functional differentiation of CFs has been well-characterized, their structural differentiation remains largely unclear. Through serial electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry, we reveal that “winner” CF synapses elaborated synaptic structures with elevated AMPA receptor expression and presynaptic Rab-interacting molecule RIM. Thus, translocated “winner” CF synapses undergo molecular and anatomical strengthening, securing an irreversible competitive advantage over somatic CF synapses. The results provide a developmental basis for better understanding synaptic circuit refinement.
Los aportes pioneros de Alexander Von Frantzius a la cartografía de Costa Rica
Authors: Hilje Quirós Luko , Arroyo González Nelson 
Published: February 2025

Arriving in Costa Rica in 1854, the German physician and naturalist, Alexander von Frantzius, worked in various disciplinary fields. In this regard, in 1869 he published in German the article State of Our Knowledge on the Geography and Cartography of Costa Rica, along with a map of a large portion of the country. However, when the article was translated into Spanish, in 1919, the map was involuntarily omitted. In this article, his text is transcribed and complemented with abundant explanatory notes, in addition to inserting the map and comparing it with another one that he made in 1861, referring to the northern region of the country. In fact, both have great historical value, as they represent the first formal attempts to map the country based on locally-generated knowledge. This, in turn, makes von Frantzius the first promoter of cartography in Costa Rica.
Enhanced conditioning and disrupted extinction processes in men struggling with compulsive sexual behaviors
Authors: Wojciechowski Jakub , Draps Małgorzata , Kublik Ewa , Dubiejko Paulina , Wolak Tomasz , Gola Mateusz 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackground and aimsDespite a previously reported connection between compulsive sexual behaviors (CSB), such as problematic pornography use, and heightened cue-reactivity, empirical evidence of the alteration of processes responsible for increased salience attribution to erotic cues remains sparse. Drawing on similarities with addiction models, this study explores the neuronal mechanisms of CSB through the use of appetitive conditioning and extinction with erotic and monetary rewards.MethodsThirty-two heterosexual males struggling with CSB (age: 28.9 ± 7.1), and 31 healthy matched participants (age: 27.8 ± 5.6) underwent active appetitive conditioning and extinction tasks in fMRI. The effects of conditioning and extinction towards cues of erotic and monetary rewards were measured via self-assessment (valence and arousal rating towards cues), behavior (reaction times), and brain reactivity.ResultsIn conditioning, subjective ratings increased, and reaction times were faster for both erotic and monetary cues among participants with CSB, along with altered activity in ventral striatum (vStr), dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), and anterior orbitofrontal cortex (aOFC). In extinction, self-assessment ratings remained elevated in the CSB group for both cues in a non-reward-specific fashion, accompanied by altered activity of dACC and vStr.Discussion and conclusionsThese findings suggest enhanced incentive salience attribution to conditioned cues, highlighting a generalized motivational and value-related transfer from rewards to the cues in participants with CSB. Additionally, despite the absence of rewards, the persistence of arousal and valence towards cues underscored the maladaptive extinction process. These insights advance the understanding of CSB's neurobiological underpinnings and its relation to addiction frameworks.
Machine learning analysis of cortical activity in visual associative learning tasks with differing stimulus complexity
Authors: Kiss Ádám , Tót Kálmán , Harcsa-Pintér Noémi , Juhász Zoltán , Eördegh Gabriella , Nagy Attila , Kelemen András 
Published: February 2025

AbstractAssociative learning tests are cognitive assessments that evaluate the ability of individuals to learn and remember relationships between pairs of stimuli. The Rutgers Acquired Equivalence Test (RAET) is an associative learning test that utilizes images (cartoon faces and colored fish) as stimuli. RAET exists in various versions that differ in the degree of the complexity of the stimuli used in the given version. It has been observed that differences in stimulus complexity can lead to marked differences in test performance, but the related cortical functional differences remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we introduce a Machine Learning- and Independent Component Analysis-based EEG signal processing pipeline, which can detect such differences. RAET and its reduced stimulus complexity variant, Polygon was administered to 32 healthy volunteers and EEG recordings were made with a 64-channel system. The most remarkable differences between RAET and Polygon were detected in the frontal regions, which can be connected to decision making. On the other hand, the parietal regions showed the lowest number of differences between RAET and Polygon. Some task-related activity in the temporo-occipital region was identified, which shows different dynamics depending on visual stimulus complexity.
DIFFERENT LED LIGHT EFFECT ON GONAD MATURATION AND GENE EXPRESSION IN FEMALE SYNODONTIS BROODSTOCKS (Synodontis sp.)
Authors: Sinansari Shofihar , Sudrajat Agus Oman , Arfah Harton , Alimuddin Alimuddin , Kusrini Eni , Carman Odang 
Published: February 2025

The study investigated the influence of the different LED light spectrums on the maturation of the gonads in female synodontis broodstock and examined the maturation-related gene expression levels. Female synodontis were exposed to four different LED light spectra, specifically: white, blue, green, and red, for a continuous period of 120 days rearing. This study employed a completely randomized design, consisting of four treatments and five individual fish as replication for each treatment. An analysis was conducted on the gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), gonad histology, estradiol levels, kiss2 and gnrh2 mRNA expression levels. The utilization of blue LED light treatment is highly effective in enhancing the reproductive parameters in female synodontis fish. The results show that brain and gonad kiss2 mRNA expression levels are not significantly different (P<0.05), while gnrh2 mRNA expression levels were significantly different (P<0.05) and had the highest expression in the gonads. The results suggest that light exposure can induce changes in the expression levels of kiss2 and gnrh2 mRNA, as well as control reproduction.
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in a Boy with Dravet Syndrome: Clinical Case
Authors: Ibisheva Aset Kh. , Kagaev Lechi R. , Dzhabrailova Linda V.-M. , Gadueva Malika M. , Masayeva Iman Sh. , Denilkhanova Madina A. 
Published: February 2025

Background. Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is significant public health issue as it is associated with high mortality. Clinical case description. The authors have described the case of TEN in a boy with Dravet syndrome. Data on TEN course and real prevalence in children around the world is limited due to its rare incidence. Conclusion. Successful experience in TEN management has been presented.
Gingival Hyperplasia Associated with Cyclosporine and Amlodipine Administration in a Child with Nephrotic Syndrome and Regression after Therapy Correction: Clinical Case
Authors: Strok Alina B. , Kostyleva Maria N. , Kostina Anna V. 
Published: February 2025

Background. Gingival hyperplasia is a pathological diffuse or local outgrowth of fibrous tissue in the gums and paradontium. Excessive growth of gum tissue can cause periodontal inflammation and results in tooth loss, speech and chewing issues, aesthetic changes. The described cases of gingival hyperplasia in children on cyclosporine therapy are limited by the short follow-up (up to 2 months) and do not contain data on cyclosporine levels in the blood and hyperplasia regression after treatment cessation.Clinical case description. The child, 8 years 10 months old, male, was hospitalized for nephrotic syndrome management. He was consulted by the dentist several times due to gingival hyperplasia; topical therapy had no effect. Therapy of nephrotic syndrome was revised during hospital stay. Two drugs were identified that could provoke the hyperplasia development: cyclosporine (on-treatment period — 5 years 10 months) and amlodipine (on-treatment period — 1 year 6 months). Monitoring of ciclosporin levels in blood was prescribed. Episodes of increased cyclosporine levels (above the recommended values) were recorded. The drug was considered as the most likely cause of drug-induced gingival hyperplasia. Amlodipine was considered as additive factor exacerbating the side effect. Both drugs were discontinued. Gingival hyperplasia regression was noted 9 months later at return to the clinic.Conclusion. Administration of drugs associated with high risk of gingival hyperplasia development requires dynamic follow-up for timely therapy correction and severe complications prevention.However, monitoring of ciclosporin levels does not guarantee the prevention of side effects.
An Exploration of Burn Survivors' Experiences of Pressure Garment Therapy at a tertiary hospital in South Africa
Authors: Pillay Rogini , Visagie Surona , Mji Gubela 
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Pressure garment therapy is used to treat hypertrophic scars, but adherence to this intervention presents challenges. The aim of the paper was to explore the pressure garment therapy experiences of adult burn survivors.Methods: The experiences of eight purposively sampled participants were explored in a qualitative, phenomenological study. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted.Results: Participants described an improvement in the scars, but struggled with adherence to pressure garment therapy. The emotional impact of the burn injury, physical symptoms, the effort of caring for the garments and aesthetic factors created barriers to adherence. Support, inner strength, knowledge, and seeing an improvement facilitated adherence.Conclusion: The findings of the study show that participants perceived pressure garment therapy as beneficial, but several complex factors impacted adherence. A bigger choice in material colours, a person-centred approach to burn management, digital photos of scars to catalogue improvement and the establishment of a counselling network are recommended.
Keywords: Burns, hypertrophic scars, pressure garment therapy, adherence.
Occupation Based Hand Therapy in the South African context: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: De Klerk Susan , Badenhorst Elretha , Buttle Amy , Mohammed Fairuz , Oberon Jeanette 
Published: February 2025

Occupation-based hand therapy (OBHT) is an approach to practice that integrates multiple frames of reference, while remaining rooted in an occupational therapy perspective. There are a number of benefits and challenges that have been recognised in hand therapy settings. The use of an occupation-based approach in the field of hand therapy is of interest to all occupational therapists practising in this field. This commentary explores the challenges and opportunities of OBHT as an approach in the assessment and treatment of clients with hand conditions in the South African context. The authors describe OBHT, explore the barriers in practice and propose guidelines for such an approach in our context. Recommendations are made to enhance the understanding practice of an OBHT approach in everyday hand therapy practice within South Africa.
Key words: Occupation-Based Hand Therapy, Client Centred practice
Stroke Management and Rehabilitation in a Western Cape Province setting
Authors: Cawood Judy , Visagie Surona 
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Long-term disability caused by stroke can be decreased through comprehensive rehabilitation.Aim: This article aims to describe the functional outcomes achieved by stroke survivors in an urban Western Cape Province setting to add to the information on stroke management.Methods: A descriptive mixed methods study was done. Proportional, stratified random sampling was used to select 53 participants from a population of 267. Quantitative data were collected with the Stroke Impact Scale Version 3.0 and the Modified Barthel Index, and analysed with the Mann-Whitney test. A p value of < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Five of the 53 participants were purposively sampled for the qualitative phase of the study. Qualitative data were analysed according to predetermined themes.Results: Seventy-five per cent of participants were managed in a general medical ward. Four were admitted to a specialised inpatient rehabilitation centre. Eighty-three per cent received physiotherapy, 62% received occupational therapy and 57% received both physio and occupational therapy. Fifty-one per cent experienced communication difficulties, but only 18% received speech therapy.Conclusion and recommendations: Sufficient inpatient therapy (preferably in a stroke unit /ward) and family education /training should be received before discharge. Occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy as well as psychological, social work, vision screening and dietetic services should be expanded at both hospital and community level.
Key words: Stroke, rehabilitation, occupational therapy
Characteristics of Higher-Mode Ambient Noise Rayleigh Waves in Taiwan: Insights from Multicomponent Interferometry
Authors: Liao Chun-Fu , Chen Ying-Nien 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This article reports on the characteristics of higher-mode Rayleigh waves retrieved from ambient noise collected by dense seismic networks in Taiwan. Through the multicomponent interferometry technique, we derived the empirical Green’s functions (EGFs) of Rayleigh waves. Both the fundamental mode and the first higher-mode Rayleigh waves were distinctly identified, and the effective energy of the EGFs falls within the frequency range of the short-period secondary microseism (SPSM, 0.2–0.5 Hz). To gain deeper insights into higher-mode Rayleigh waves, we conducted spatiotemporal analysis of the amplitude of the multicomponent cross-correlation functions, yielding the following key findings: (1) similar to the SPSM excitation, energy variations in both modes are closely correlated with shallow water environments, (2) higher-mode energy exhibits a strong correlation with underlying geological structures, with considerably stronger excitations detected in areas underlaid by soft sediments, and (3) temporal variations in the energy of both modes are strongly correlated with ocean wave height.
Lithospheric Structure of the Central Altyn Tagh Fault System Revealed by Teleseismic Travel-Time Tomography
Authors: Yao Shi , Xu Tao , Yang Tingwei , Wu Chenglong , Lin Jiyan , Hua Yujin , Zhu Dengda , Ye Lingling 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The Altyn Tagh fault (ATF) system forms the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and plays a crucial role in the uplift and development of the Tibetan Plateau. It mediates the far-field effect of the collision between the Indian and the Eurasian plates. Because of limited constraints on the lithospheric velocity structure, the detailed deformation pattern of the central ATF system remains unclear. With a dense seismic array, 483 stations with an interval of ∼1 km, across the central ATF system (the Tarim–Altyn–Qaidam dense nodal array) in late 2021, we obtain 14,079 high-quality teleseismic P-wave relative travel-time residuals calculated with the multichannel cross-correlation method, and construct a P-wave velocity model beneath the central ATF system via the fast marching tomography (FMTOMO) method. Our results reveal distinct crustal structures in the Western Qaidam basin, Altyn Tagh range, and Eastern Tarim basin. The vertically low P-wave velocity anomaly below the ATF, extending down to 130 km, indicates that the ATF is deep fault in the lithospheric scale. The laterally expanded low P-wave velocity anomaly beneath the northwest Qaidam from surface to ∼60 km depth indicates the extrusion of Qaidam block, driven by the far-field effects of the Indo-Eurasian collision. The south-dipping significant low P-wave velocity anomaly beneath the southeast Tarim at ∼50 to 140 km depth indicates the underthrusting of the Tarim block, providing direct evidence of the clockwise rotation of the Tarim block.
A comparative study of co-morbidities and outcomes between HELLP syndrome and severe pre-eclampsia without HELLP syndrome in a tertiary care centre
Authors: Lewis Preeti F. , Surpatne Vaishnavi V. , Bendale Rucha , Thathira Swati 
Published: February 2025

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy specific, multi-system, life-threatening complication. Incidence of severe pre-eclampsia varies between 10-20% of all pregnancies and that of HELLP syndrome is 0.2-0.6% of all pregnancies. This study aims to provide a comprehensive view of maternal and perinatal outcomes in HELLP syndrome and that of severe pre-eclampsia without HELLP.
Methods: This prospective, observational, comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care centre- Grant medical college and sir JJ group of hospitals, in a period of 10 months (March 2024 to December 2024). 30 patients of pre-eclampsia with severe features were compared with 30 patients of HELLP syndrome. The maternal and perinatal outcomes were studied and results analysed.
Results: Incidence of maternal complications and the need for blood and blood products transfusion was greater in HELLP syndrome. However, only marginal differences were noted in the perinatal outcomes.
Conclusions: HELLP syndrome is associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality as compared to severe pre-eclampsia. Only marginal differences were noted in neonatal outcomes due to HELLP syndrome and severe preeclampsia without HELLP syndrome. Aggressive and timely treatment of these maternal conditions helps in reducing the maternal morbidity and mortality.