bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aging amplifies sex differences in low alpha and low beta EEG oscillations
Authors: Han Chuanliang , Cheung Vincent C.K. , Chan Rosa H.M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBiological sex profoundly shapes brain function, yet its precise influence on neural oscillations was poorly understood. Despite decades of research, studies investigating sex-based variations in electroencephalographic (EEG) signals have yielded inconsistent findings that obstructs what may be a potentially crucial source of inter-individual variability in brain function. To address this, we analyzed five publicly available resting-state datasets, comprising EEG data (n=445) and iEEG data (n=103). Our results revealed striking age-dependent sex differences: older adults (30-80 years) exhibited robust sex differences, with males showing heightened low alpha (8-9 Hz) activity in temporal regions and attenuated low beta (16-20 Hz) oscillations in parietal-occipital areas compared to females. Intriguingly, these sex-specific patterns were absent in younger adults (20-30 years), suggesting a complex interplay between sex and aging in shaping brain dynamics. Furthermore, we identified consistent sex-related activity in the precentral gyrus with the results of scalp EEG, potentially driving the observed scalp EEG differences. This multi-level analysis allowed us to bridge the gap between cortical and scalp- level observations, providing a more comprehensive picture of sex-related neural dynamics. To further investigate the functional implications of these oscillatory differences, we conducted correlation analyses to uncover significant associations between sex-specific oscillatory patterns and several lifestyle factors (behavioral and anthropometric measures) in older adults. This comprehensive investigation demonstrates the complex interplay between sex, age, and neural oscillations, revealing the variability in brain dynamics. And our findings highlight the importance of careful demographic consideration in EEG research design to ensure fairness in capturing the full spectrum of neurophysiological diversity.Significance statementThe influence of biological sex and age on neural oscillations had been a long- standing, unresolved question in EEG research, largely unaddressed due to limited sample sizes and simplistic demographic matching. Our study leverages large-scale, open datasets to tackle this issue, analyzing hundreds of participants across five datasets. Our findings demonstrate substantial sex- based differences in even resting-state EEG baselines, particularly in low alpha and low beta bands, uncovering a significant source of variability in neural activity. By connecting these sex and age-related variations to potential neural circuit mechanisms and lifestyle factors, our findings highlight the importance of careful demographic consideration in EEG research design in EEG experimental design to accurately capture the rich spectrum of neurophysiological variability across the lifespan.
Low-dose colchicine improves vasorelaxation, reduces arterial remodeling and attenuates blood pressure increases in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Baldwin Samuel N. , Bastrup Joakim A. , van der Horst Jennifer , Formento Antonella M. G. , Dubik Magdalena , Kudryavtseva Olga S. , Saljic Arnela , Rognant Salomé , Dannesboe Johs , Mozzicato Anthony M. , Jespersen Thomas , Moeller Jesper B. , Tardif Jean-Claude , Thomsen Morten B. , Jepps Thomas 
Published: August 2024

AbstractColchicine, a microtubule depolymerizing agent, is an effective therapy for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and has been approved recently as a novel treatment for atherosclerosis associated with coronary artery disease. Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, yet the impact of colchicine on hypertension has not been studied. We hypothesized that low-dose colchicine could be used to treat hypertension to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of this study was to administer daily, low dose (0.05 mg/kg/day) oral colchicine for 4 weeks to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive controls (WKY) and determine the effect on blood pressure, vascular reactivity, remodeling and inflammation, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Daily blood pressure measurements recorded by telemetry in conscious rats showed colchicine prevented increases in mean arterial pressure observed in the SHRs receiving vehicle over the 4-week treatment period. After the 4-weeks of treatment, 3rdorder mesenteric artery vasorelaxations to isoproterenol, sodium nitroprusside and the Kv7.2-5 channel activator, ML213, were enhanced in the SHRs receiving colchicine compared to vehicle. The improved isoproterenol-mediated relaxation was also observed in WKY rats receiving colchicine, and in both the SHR and WKY, this improved effect was attenuated by the β2 adrenoceptor antagonist, ICI118,551. Proteomic analysis of the mesenteric arteries by mass spectrometry revealed that colchicine treatment prevented changes observed when comparing the SHR vehicle group with the WKY vehicle group in proteins associated with extracellular matrix pathways. Immunostaining of 3rdorder mesenteric arteries with Sirius red found that colchicine treatment attenuated the increased media thickness of the artery wall observed in SHRs receiving vehicle. Multiplex immunoassay and Western blots revealed colchicine reduced certain inflammatory mediators in the wall of the SHR mesenteric arteries, particularly the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat pyrin containing protein-3 (NLRP3), IL-18, CXCL10, and CXCL2, as well as reducing phosphorylated STAT3. Finally, in the left ventricle of the SHR, colchicine treatment attenuated a number of inflammatory mediators, including NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18, and reduced fibrosis and cell size, which are indicative of left ventricular hypertrophy. Overall, we show colchicine has the potential to elicit cardiovascular protective effects in hypertension by targeting multiple cell types.
Lymphatic endothelial cell-targeting lipid nanoparticles delivering VEGFC mRNA improve lymphatic function after injury
Authors: Michalaki Eleftheria , Chin Rachel , Jeong Kiyoung , Qi Zhiming , Liebman Lauren N. , González-Vargas Yarelis , Echeverri Elisa Schrader , Paunovska Kalina , Muramatsu Hiromi , Pardi Norbert , Tamburini Beth Jiron , Jakus Zoltan , Dahlman James E. , Brandon Dixon J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDysfunction of the lymphatic system following injury, disease, or cancer treatment can lead to lymphedema, a debilitating condition with no cure. Advances in targeted therapy have shown promise for treating diseases where conventional therapies have been ineffective and lymphatic vessels have recently emerged as a new therapeutic target. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as a promising strategy for tissue specific delivery of nucleic acids. Currently, there are no approaches to target LNPs to lymphatic endothelial cells, although it is well established that intradermal (ID) injection of nanoparticles will drain to lymphatics with remarkable efficiency. To design an LNP that would effectively deliver mRNA to LEC after ID delivery, we screened a library of 150 LNPs loaded with a reporter mRNA, for both self-assembly and deliveryin vivoto lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). We identified and validated several LNP formulations optimized for high LEC uptake when administered ID and compared their efficacy for delivery of functional mRNA with that of free mRNA and mRNA delivered with a commercially available MC3-based LNP (Onpattro™). The lead LEC-specific LNP was then loaded with VEGFC mRNA to test the therapeutic advantage of the LEC-specific LNP (namely, LNP7) for treating a mouse tail lymphatic injury model. A single dose of VEGFC mRNA delivered via LNP7 resulted in enhanced LEC proliferation at the site of injury, and an increase in lymphatic function up to 14-days post-surgery. Our results suggest a therapeutic potential of VEGFC mRNA lymphatic-specific targeted delivery in alleviating lymphatic dysfunction observed during lymphatic injury and could provide a promising approach for targeted, transient lymphangiogenic therapy.One Sentence SummaryDevelopment of a novel lymphatic endothelial cell-targeting lipid nanoparticle viain vivoscreening for mRNA delivery improves lymphatic regeneration and function after injury.
Transcriptional regulation of adipocyte lipolysis by IRF2BP2
Authors: Chen Yang , Liu Lin , Calhoun Ryan , Cheng Lan , Merrick David , Steger David J. , Seale Patrick 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAdipocyte lipolysis controls systemic energy levels and metabolic homeostasis. Lipolysis is regulated by post-translational modifications of key lipolytic enzymes. However, less is known about the transcriptional mechanisms that regulate lipolysis. Here, we identify the transcriptional factor interferon regulatory factor-2 binding protein 2 (IRF2BP2) as a repressor of adipocyte lipolysis. Deletion of IRF2BP2 in primary human adipocytes increases lipolysis without affecting glucose uptake, whereas IRF2BP2 overexpression decreases lipolysis. RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses reveal that IRF2BP2 directly represses several lipolysis-related genes, includingLIPE(HSL, hormone sensitive lipase), which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in lipolysis. Adipocyte-selective deletion ofIrf2bp2in mice increasesLipeexpression and free fatty acid levels, resulting in elevated adipose tissue inflammation and glucose intolerance. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that IRF2BP2 restrains adipocyte lipolysis and opens new avenues to target lipolysis for the treatment of metabolic disease.
Feature specific neuronal oscillations in cortical layers
Authors: Clausner T. , Marques J. , Scheeringa R. , Bonnefond M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe particular role of cortical oscillations has been a long-debated topic that resulted in a variety of theoretical frameworks. Oscillatory activity in theαband has been associated with sensory processing, attention as well as other cognitive functions, whileγband oscillations is thought to be related to stimulus feature processing. Current theoretical frameworks rely on the separation of the cortical architecture into layers. Recently, methodological advancements have allowed to test layer specific frameworks on the role of oscillations in cortical computations in healthy human participants. Using EEG-fMRI, we have investigated for the first time both, stimulus feature specificity (line orientation) and the relationship between the laminar BOLD activity andαandγband oscillations. We findγoscillations to be positively correlated with feature-specific signals in superficial layers as predicted by the literature, but we found a deep layer contribution as well. Furthermore we found a layer (and frequency) dissociation within theαband for general, feature unspecific, processes and a feature related process. The power of theα-band correlated negatively with feature unspecific neural activity in all cortical layers. We further found that high frequencyαoscillations were specifically related to stimulus feature specific BOLD signal in deep and superficial layers. More interestingly, we also observed a general modulation effect for negative BOLD signal deflections in line with the inhibitory role ofαduring visual attention in superficial layers. Those findings support the association ofγband oscillations with visual feature processing and further point towards the involvement of multipleαoscillations in more general and feature related processes.
A distinct circuit for biasing visual perceptual decisions and modulating superior colliculus activity through the mouse posterior striatum
Authors: Cover Kara K. , Elliott Kerry , Preuss Sarah M. , Krauzlis Richard J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe basal ganglia play a key role in visual perceptual decisions. Despite being the primary target in the basal ganglia for inputs from the visual cortex, the posterior striatum’s (PS) involvement in visual perceptual behavior remains unknown in rodents. We reveal that the PS direct pathway is largely segregated from the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) direct pathway, the other major striatal target for visual cortex. We investigated the role of the PS in visual perceptual decisions by optogenetically stimulating striatal medium spiny neurons in the direct pathway (D1-MSNs) of mice performing a visual change-detection task. PS D1-MSN activation robustly biased visual decisions in a manner dependent on visual context, timing, and reward expectation. We examined the effects of PS and DMS direct pathway activation on neuronal activity in the superior colliculus (SC), a major output target of the basal ganglia. Activation of either direct pathway rapidly modulated SC neurons, but mostly targeted different SC neurons and had opposite effects. These results demonstrate that the PS in rodents provides an important route for controlling visual decisions, in parallel with the better known DMS, but with distinct anatomical and functional properties.
Non-genetic messenger RNA silencing reveals essential genes in phage-host interplay
Authors: Gerovac Milan , Ðurica-Mitić Svetlana , Buhlmann Leandro , Rech Valentin , Zhu Yan , Carien Samuel , Popella Linda , Vogel Jörg 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTBacteriophages are the most abundant entities on earth and exhibit vast genetic and phenotypic diversity. Exploitation of this largely unexplored molecular space requires identification and functional characterisation of genes that act at the phage-host interface. To date, this is restricted to few model phage-host systems that are amenable to genetic manipulation. To overcome this limitation, we introduce a non-genetic mRNA targeting approach using exogenous delivery of programmable antisense oligomers (ASOs) to silence genes of both DNA and RNA phages. A systematic knockdown screen of core and accessory genes of the nucleus-forming jumbo phage ΦKZ, coupled to RNA-sequencing and microscopy analyses, reveals previously unrecognised proteins that are essential for phage replication and that, upon silencing, elicit distinct phenotypes at the level of the phage and host response. One of these factors is a ΦKZ-encoded nuclease that acts at a major decision point during infection, linking the formation of the protective phage nucleus to phage genome amplification. The non-genetic ASO-based gene silencing used here promises to be a versatile tool for molecular discovery in phage biology, will help elucidate defence and anti-defence mechanisms in non-model phage-host pairs, and offers potential for optimising phage therapy and biotechnological procedures.
Coding of egocentric distance in the macaque ventral intraparietal area
Authors: Caziot Baptiste , Fathkhani Sadra , Bremmer Frank 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe encoding of three-dimensional visual spatial information is of ultimate importance in everyday life, in particular for successful navigation toward targets or threat avoidance. Eye-movements challenge this spatial encoding: 2-3 times per second, they shift the image of the outside world across the retina. The macaque ventral intraparietal area (VIP) stands out from other areas of the dorsal ‘where’ pathway of the primate visual cortical system: many neurons encode visual information irrespective of horizontal and vertical eye position. But does this gaze invariance of spatial encoding at the single neuron level also apply to egocentric distance? Here, concurrent with recordings from area VIP, monkeys fixated a central target at one of three distances (vergence), while a visual stimulus was shown at one of seven distances (disparity). Most neurons’ activity was modulated independently by both disparity and eye vergence, demonstrating a different type of invariance than for visual directions. By using population activity, we were able to decode egocentric distance of a stimulus which demonstrates that egocentric distances are nonetheless represented within the neuronal population. Our results provide further strong evidence for a role of area VIP in 3D space encoding.
Imaging spatial transcriptomics reveals molecular patterns of vulnerability to pathology in a transgenic α-synucleinopathy model
Authors: Horan-Portelance Liam , Iba Michiyo , Acri Dominic J. , Gibbs J. Raphael , Cookson Mark R. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, aggregated and phosphorylated α-synuclein pathology appears in select neurons throughout cortical and subcortical regions, but little is currently known about why certain populations are selectively vulnerable. Here, using imaging spatial transcriptomics (IST) coupled with downstream immunofluorescence for α-synuclein phosphorylated at Ser129 (pSyn) in the same tissue sections, we identified neuronal subtypes in the cortex and hippocampus of transgenic human α-synuclein-overexpressing mice that preferentially developed pSyn pathology. Additionally, we investigated the transcriptional underpinnings of this vulnerability, pointing to expression ofPlk2, which phosphorylates α-synuclein at Ser129, and humanSNCA(hSNCA), as key to pSyn pathology development. Finally, we performed differential expression analysis, revealing gene expression changes broadly downstream ofhSNCAoverexpression, as well as pSyn-dependent alterations in mitochondrial and endolysosomal genes. Overall, this study yields new insights into the formation of α-synuclein pathology and its downstream effects in a synucleinopathy mouse model.
Abundance, identity, and potential diazotrophic activity ofnifH-containing organisms at marine cold seeps
Authors: Semler Amanda C. , Paris Emily R. , Dekas Anne E. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDiazotrophic microorganisms alleviate nitrogen limitation at marine cold seeps using nitrogenase, encoded in part by the genenifH. Here, we investigatednifH-containing organisms (NCOs) inside and outside six biogeochemically heterogeneous seeps using amplicon sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) ofnifHgenes and transcripts. We detectednifHgenes affiliated with anaerobic methane-oxidizing ANME-2 archaea and sulfate-reducing Desulfobacteraceae, consistent with previous studies, but also phylogenetically and likely metabolically diverse organisms, includingDesulfoglaeba,CandidatusMethanoliparia, and Desulfuromonadales. In total, we recovered 10,734 bona fidenifHsequence variants affiliated with 18 bacterial and archaeal phyla (17 within seeps), a subset of which were transcribed at nearly all seeps investigated. We corrected our qPCR data based on our amplicon results, which found that 71% of recovered sequences were not bona fidenifH,and we recommend a similar correction in future qPCR studies that use broadnifHprimers.NifHabundance was up to three orders of magnitude higher within seeps, was highly correlated withmcrAgene abundance, and, when corrected, was negatively correlated with porewater ammonium <25 uM, consistent with the inhibition of diazotrophy by ammonium. Our findings significantly expand the known diversity of NCOs at seeps and emphasize seeps as hotspots for deep-sea diazotrophy.
Numerical simulation of ice accretion on helicopter rotor blades with trailing edge flap
Authors: Tang Man , Cao Yihua , Zhong Guo 
Published: August 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to describe a numerical simulation method of ice accretion on BO105 helicopter blades for predicting the effects of trailing edge flap deflection on ice accretion.

Design/methodology/approach
A numerical simulation method of ice accretion is established based on Myers model. Next, the shape and location of ice accretion of NACA0012 airfoil are calculated, and a comparison between calculated results and experimental data is made to validate the method. This method is used to investigate the effect of trailing edge flap deflection on ice accretion of a rotor blade.

Findings
The numerical method is feasible and effective to study the ice accretion on helicopter rotor blades. The downward deflection of the trailing edge flap affects the shape of the ice.

Practical implications
This method can be further used to predict the ice accretion in actual flights of the helicopters with multielement airfoils.

Originality/value
The numerical simulation method here can lay a foundation of the research about helicopter flight performance in icing condition through predicting the shape and location of ice accretion on rotor blades.
The effects of trust and religiosity on halal products purchase intention: indirect effect of attitude
Authors: Koc Fatih , Ozkan Bekir , Komodromos Marcos , Efendioglu Ibrahim Halil , Baran Tamer 
Published: August 2024

PurposeThe primary objective of this study is to examine how trust and religiosity, in relation to halal products, impact Turkish consumers' intention to purchase such goods. Furthermore, the study aims to identify whether attitudes towards halal products play a mediating role in these effects.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 847 people living in Turkey using an online survey. The authors empirically tested the proposed conceptual model via structural equation modeling.FindingsThe study’s results show that trust in halal products has a positive impact on both the intention to buy halal products and the attitude towards them. Moreover, one’s attitude towards halal products affects the intention to purchase them. Additionally, one’s religiosity-belief level influences the intention to purchase halal products, while religiosity-practice level influences the attitude towards halal products. Furthermore, through indirect effect analyses, it was found that trust in halal products and religious practices has an indirect impact on intention through attitude.Research limitations/implicationsThese outcomes significantly contribute to understanding the complex interactions between trust in halal products, levels of religiosity, and attitudes in shaping consumers' purchase intentions and approaches towards halal products. These implications offer valuable insights into how consumers' religious beliefs, trust perceptions, and attitudes influence their purchase of halal-certified products. Validating these conclusions on a larger scale and exploring them in different contexts would be beneficial.Practical implicationsThe practice dimension of religiosity pertains to performing actions prescribed by the religion, embodying the practical applications of religious teachings. According to the research findings, the belief dimension of religiosity significantly and positively affects the intention to purchase halal products. This finding aligns with several prior studies.Social implicationsSharing information on websites, social media platforms, or product packaging can be effective. If businesses genuinely adhere to halal standards and address the genuine needs of consumers who value halal products, they can enhance consumers' interest in such products.Originality/valueThis research was conducted in Turkey, where most people follow the Muslim faith. The main objective of the study was to examine the trust levels of consumers who have strong religious beliefs and are sensitive to consuming halal products. The study looked at trust on three levels: trust in the halal product, trust in the company that produces halal products, and trust in institutions that provide halal certification. The study also looked at the religiosity levels of the consumers using a two-dimensional approach, which included their beliefs and practices.