bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Embodied decisions as active inference
Authors: Priorelli Matteo , Stoianov Ivilin Peev , Pezzulo Giovanni 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDecision-making is often conceptualized as a serial process, during which sensory evidence is accumulated for the choice alternatives until a certain threshold is reached, at which point a decision is made and an action is executed. Thisdecide-then-actperspective has successfully explained various facets of perceptual and economic decisions in the laboratory, in which action dynamics are usually irrelevant to the choice. However, living organisms often face another class of decisions – calledembodied decisions– that require selecting between potential courses of actions to be executed timely in a dynamic environment, e.g., for a lion, deciding which gazelle to chase and how fast to do so. Studies of embodied decisions reveal two aspects of goal-directed behavior in stark contrast to the serial view. First, that decision and action processes can unfold in parallel; second, that action-related components, such as the motor costs associated with the choice alternatives and required to “change mind” between them, exert a feedback effect on the decision taken. Here, we show that these signatures of embodied decisions emerge naturally in active inference – a framework that simultaneously optimizes perception and action, according to the same (free energy minimization) imperative. We show that optimizing embodied choices requires a continuous feedback loop between motor planning (where beliefs about choice alternatives guide action dynamics) and motor inference (where action dynamics finesse beliefs about choice alternatives). Furthermore, our active inference simulations reveal the normative character of embodied decisions in ecological settings – namely, achieving an effective balance between a high accuracy and a low risk of losing valid opportunities.
Alzheimer’s disease-associated protective variant Plcg2-P522R modulates peripheral macrophage function in a sex-dimorphic manner
Authors: Staley Hannah A. , Jernigan Janna , Bolen MacKenzie L. , Titus Ann M. , Neighbarger Noelle , Cole Cassandra , Menees Kelly B. , Wallings Rebecca L. , Tansey Malú Gámez 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTGenome-wide association studies have identified a protective mutation in the phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLCG2) gene which confers protection against Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-associated cognitive decline. Therefore, PLCG2, which is primarily expressed in immune cells, has become a target of interest for potential therapeutic intervention. The protective allele, known asP522R, has been shown to be hyper-morphic in microglia, increasing phagocytosis of amyloid-beta (Aβ), and increasing the release of inflammatory cytokines. However, the effect of this protective mutation on peripheral tissue-resident macrophages, and the extent to which sex modifies this effect, has yet to be assessed. Herein, we show that peripheral macrophages carrying theP522Rmutation do indeed show functional differences compared to their wild-type (WT) counterparts, however, these alterations occur in a sex-dependent manner. In macrophages from females, theP522Rmutation increases lysosomal protease activity, cytokine secretion, and gene expression associated with cytokine secretion and apoptosis. In contrast, in macrophages from males, the mutation causes decreased phagocytosis and lysosomal protease activity, modest increases in cytokine secretion, and induction of gene expression associated with negative regulation of the immune response. Taken together, these results suggest that the mutation may be conferring different effects dependent on sex and cell type, and highlight the importance of considering sex as a biological variable when assessing the effects of genetic variants and implications for potential immune system-targeted therapies.
High-gamma and beta bursts in the Left Supramarginal Gyrus can accurately differentiate verbal memory states and performance
Authors: Sawczuk Nicolás , Rubinstein Daniel Y. , Sperling Michael R. , Wendel-Mitoraj Katrina , Djuric Petar , Slezak Diego F. , Kamienkowski Juan , Weiss Shennan A. 
Published: June 2024

Revised AbstractThe left supramarginal gyrus (LSMG) may mediate attention to memory, and gauge memory state and performance. We performed a secondary analysis of 142 verbal delayed free recall experiments, in patients with medically-refractory epilepsy with electrode contacts implanted in the LSMG. In 14 of 142 experiments (in 14 of 113 patients), the cross-validated convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that used 1-dimensional(1-D) pairs of convolved high-gamma and beta tensors, derived from the LSMG recordings, could label recalled words with an area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) of greater than 60% [range: 60-90%]. These 14 patients were distinguished by: 1) higher amplitudes of high-gamma bursts; 2) distinct electrode placement within the LSMG; and 3) superior performance compared with a CNN that used a 1-D tensor of the broadband recordings in the LSMG. In a pilot study of 7 of these patients, we also cross-validated CNNs using paired 1-D convolved high-gamma and beta tensors, from the LSMG, to: a) distinguish word encoding epochs from free recall epochs [AUC 0.6-1]; and distinguish better performance from poor performance during delayed free recall [AUC 0.5-0.86]. These experiments show that bursts of high-gamma and beta generated in the LSMG are biomarkers of verbal memory state and performance.
Intrauterine growth restriction and risk for arterial hypertension in later life. Ribeirao Preto birth cohort study
Authors: Lopes Paulo Cesar , Rocha Paulo Ricardo H. , Bettiol Heloisa , Barbieri Marco Antonio , Coelho Eduardo B. 
Published: June 2024

BackgroundIntrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) may contribute to the risk of Arterial Hypertension (AH) in adulthood, but its impact after the 3rd decade of life, where environmental factors are prevalent, is still uncertain.Methods1,594 individuals with 38 and 39 years-old were evaluated from an original cohort of 6,824 newborns between 1978 and 1979. Biochemical tests, office BP, and anthropometric measurements were done. Also, questionnaires regarding data on income, habits, education, and information about birth were recorded. Krammer’s criteria defined IURG. Subclinical vascular damage was investigated using Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV).ResultsThe IURG group has higher BP [Systolic BP: 123.3±15.6 vs. 121.2± 13.4 (p=0.049); Diastolic BP: 79.1 ± 10.6 mmHg vs. 76.8 ± 9.9 mmHg (p=0.002)] and higher prevalence of HA [56 vs. 49%; OR=1.30 (1.1-1.8), p=0.04] than the control group. There were no differences in PWV and prevalence of early vascular aging (PWV > 2SD of the mean of normal age value) between groups.ConclusionIURG was associated with an increase in BP and with a higher risk of hypertension at the end of the third decade of life.
Investigating visuo-tactile mirror properties in Borderline Personality Disorder: a TMS-EEG study
Authors: Agnese Zazio , Miranda Lanza Cora , Antonietta Stango , Giacomo Guidali , Eleonora Marcantoni , Delia Lucarelli , Serena Meloni , Nadia Bolognini , Roberta Rossi , Marta Bortoletto 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPatients with Borderline Personality Disorder (pw-BPD) are characterized by lower levels of cognitive empathy compared to healthy controls (HCs), indicating difficulties in understanding others’ perspective. A candidate neural mechanism subtending empathic abilities is represented by the Tactile Mirror System (TaMS), which refers to mirror-like mechanisms in the somatosensory cortices. However, little is known about TaMS alterations in BPD, specifically in terms of brain connectivity within this network. Here, we aimed at providing novel insights on TaMS as neurophysiological candidate for BPD empathic deficits, with a special focus on TaMS connectivity by means of the combined use of transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). Twenty pw-BPD and 20 HCs underwent a thorough investigation: we collected measures of empathic abilities obtained from self-report questionnaires, behavioral performance in a visuo-tactile spatial congruency task, and TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) as effective connectivity indexes. In the TMS-EEG session, TMS was delivered over the right primary somatosensory cortex (S1) following the presentation of real touches and visual touches, while 74-channel EEG was continuously recorded. In the visuo-tactile spatial congruency task and the TMS-EEG recording, control conditions with visual touches on objects instead of body parts enabled to disentangle the involvement of TaMS from non-specific effects. The study is the first one employing TMS-EEG in pw-BPD and it has been preregistered before data collection. Consistent with previous findings, results show that pw-BPD reported significantly lower levels of cognitive empathy. Moreover, pw-BPD made significantly more errors than controls in the visuo-tactile spatial congruency task during visual touches on human body parts and not on objects. Finally, pw-BPD displayed a different connectivity pattern from S1-TEPs that was not specific for TaMS: they showed a lower P60 component during touch observation, as well as reduced amplitude of later TEPs responses (after ∼100 ms) during real touches. Overall, the present study shows behavioral evidence of TaMS impairment and a more general alteration in the connectivity pattern of the somatosensory network in pw-BPD.
Dynamic functional connectivity is modulated by the amount of p-Tau231 in blood in cognitively intact participants
Authors: Carrasco-Gómez Martín , García-Colomo Alejandra , Nebreda Alberto , Bruña Ricardo , Santos Andrés , Maestú Fernando 
Published: June 2024

AbstractINTRODUCTIONElectrophysiology and plasma biomarkers are early and non-invasive candidates for Alzheimer’s disease detection. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate changes in dynamic functional connectivity measured with magnetoencephalography, associated with the plasma pathology marker p-tau231 in unimpaired adults.METHODS73 individuals were included. Static and dynamic functional connectivity were calculated using leakage corrected amplitude envelope correlation. Each source’s strength entropy across trials was calculated. A data-driven statistical analysis was performed to find the association between functional connectivity and plasma p-tau231 levels. Regression models were used to assess the influence of other variables over the clusters’ connectivity.RESULTSFrontotemporal dynamic connectivity positively associated with p-tau231 levels. Linear regression models identified pathological, functional and structural factors that influence dynamic functional connectivity.DISCUSSIONThese results expand previous literature on dynamic functional connectivity in healthy individuals at risk of AD, highlighting its usefulness as an early, non-invasive and more sensitive biomarker.
Fluid flow reconstruction around a free-swimming sperm in 3D
Authors: Ren Xiaomeng , Hernández-Herrera Paul , Montoya Fernando , Darszon Alberto , Corkidi Gabriel , Bloomfield-Gadêlha Hermes 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe investigate the dynamics and hydrodynamics of a human spermatozoa swimming freely in 3D. We simultaneously track the sperm flagellum and the sperm head orientation in the laboratory frame of reference via high-speed high-resolution 4D (3D+t) microscopy, and extract the flagellar waveform relative to the body frame of reference, as seen from a frame of reference that translates and rotates with the sperm in 3D. Numerical fluid flow reconstructions of sperm motility are performed utilizing the experimental 3D waveforms, with excellent accordance between predicted and observed 3D sperm kinematics. The reconstruction accuracy is validated by directly comparing the three linear and three angular sperm velocities with experimental measurements. Our microhydrodynamic analysis reveals a novel fluid flow pattern, characterized by a pair of vortices that circulate in opposition to each other along the sperm cell. Finally, we show that the observed sperm counter-vortices are not unique to the experimental beat, and can be reproduced by idealised waveform models, thus suggesting a fundamental flow structure for free-swimming sperm propelled by a 3D beating flagellum.
Martini without the twist: Unveiling a mechanically correct microtubule through bottom-up coarse-graining in Martini 3
Authors: Sahoo Abhilash , Hanson Sonya M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMicrotubules are essential cytoskeletal filaments involved in cell motility, division, and intracellular transport. These biomolecular assemblies can exhibit complex structural be-haviors influenced by various biophysical factors. However, simulating microtubule systems at the atomistic scale is challenging due to their large spatial scales. Here, we present an approach utilizing the Martini 3 Coarse-Grained (CG) model coupled with an appropriate elastic network to simulate microtubule-based systems accurately. By iteratively optimiz-ing the elastic network parameters, we matched the structural fluctuations of CG hetero-dimer building blocks to their atomistic counterparts. Our efforts culminated in a ∼ 200nm microtubule built with ∼ 6 million interaction-centers that could reproduce experimentally observed mechanical properties. Our aim is to employ these CG simulations to investigate specific biophysical phenomena at a microscopic level. These microscopic perspectives can provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and contribute to our knowledge of microtubule-associated processes in cellular biology. With MARTINI 3 CG simulations, we can bridge the gap between computational efficiency and molecular detail, enabling in-vestigations into these biophysical processes over longer spatio-temporal scales with amino acid-level insights.
CADA-PRO, a patient questionnaire measuring key cognitive, motor, emotional and behavioral Outcomes in CADASIL
Authors: Folco Cécile Di , Jabouley Aude , Reyes Sonia , Machado Carla , Guey Stéphanie , Hervé Dominique , Fernandes Fanny , Agossa Joseph , Chabriat Hugues , Tezenas du Montcel Sophie 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundCerebral Small Vessel Disease (cSVD) of ischemic type, either sporadic or genetic, as Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), can impact the quality of daily life on various cognitive, motor, emotional or behavioral aspects. No instrument has been developed to measure these outcomes from the patient’s perspective. We thus aimed to develop and validate a patient-reported questionnaire.MethodsIn a development study, 79 items were generated by consensus between patients, family representatives and cSVD experts. A first sample of patients allowed assessing the feasibility (missing data, floor and ceiling effect, acceptability), internal consistency, and dimensionality of a first set of items. Thereafter, in a validation study, we tested a reduced version of the item set in a larger sample to assess the feasibility, internal consistency, dimensionality, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and sensitivity to change.ResultsThe scale was developed in 44 cSVD patients and validated in a second sample of 89 individuals (including 43 patients with CADASIL and 46 with another cSVD). The final CADASIL Patient-Reported Outcome (CADA-PRO) scale comprised 18 items covering four categories of consequences (depression/anxiety, attention/executive functions, motor, daily activities) of the disease. The proportion of missing data was low, no item displayed major floor or ceiling effect. Both the internal consistency and test-retest reliability were good (Cronbach alpha = 0.95, intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.88). In patients with CADASIL, CADA-PRO scores correlated with the modified Rankin scale, Starkstein Apathy Scale (SAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD), and Trail Making Test times. In patients with other cSVDs, CADA-PRO correlated only with HAD and SAS.ConclusionThe CADA-PRO is an innovative instrument for measuring patient-reported outcomes in future cSVD trials. Full validation was obtained for its use in CADASIL patients, but further improvement is needed for its application in other cSVDs.
An immune System for the City: A New Paradigm for Surveillance and Control of Disease Vectors
Authors: Levy Michael Z , Tamayo Laura D. , Condori-Pino Carlos E. , Arevalo-Nieto Claudia , Castillo-Neyra Ricardo , Paz-Soldan Valerie A. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractVector-borne pathogens continue to emerge, kill and harm humans with unrelenting regularity. Conventional strategies to controlling insect vectors grew out of the military; communication is hierarchical, responses unilateral, and regulation predetermined. We developed an alternative approach, modeled after the adaptive immune system, and compared the approaches through a cluster-randomized trial in the context of an ongoing urban Chagas disease vector control campaign in Arequipa, Peru. We report here early results from a pre-planned interim analysis. In the intervention (immune) arm 23 infested households were detected in 10 separate foci; in the control arm 5 infested households were detected in 1 focus. The immune approach was adaptive and required more effort (1085.2 person days vs 864.2 in the control; Rate ratio 3.66 [1.35 12.38], p-value =0.0062). Vector surveillance approaches modeled after the immune system may be more effective than conventional approaches, especially in cities and other complex civilian environments.
Large language models identify causal genes in complex trait GWAS
Authors: Shringarpure Suyash S. , Wang Wei , Karagounis Sotiris , Wang Xin , Reisetter Anna C. , Auton Adam , Khan Aly A. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIdentifying underlying causal genes at significant loci from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) remains a challenging task. Literature evidence for disease-gene co-occurrence, whether through automated approaches or human expert annotation, is one way of nominating causal genes at GWAS loci. However, current automated approaches are limited in accuracy and generalizability, and expert annotation is not scalable to hundreds of thousands of significant findings. Here, we demonstrate that large language models (LLMs) can accurately identify genes likely to be causal at loci from GWAS. By evaluating the performance of GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 on datasets of GWAS loci with high-confidence causal gene annotations, we show that these models outperform state-of-the-art methods in identifying putative causal genes. These findings highlight the potential of LLMs to augment existing approaches to causal gene discovery.
Intra-Arrest Percutaneous Stellate Ganglion Block: A Protocol for a Scoping Review
Authors: Vlok Ruan , Shankar Ravi , Cham Jamie , Bridge Bradley , Donaldson Lachlan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntroductionPercutaneous Stellate ganglion blockade (PSGB) is an increasingly recognised technique for the management of refractory ventricular arrhythmias (VA). Both ultrasound guided and landmark based techniques have been used to successfully decrease the burden of VA. The role of intra-arrest PSGB remains unknown, however it may represent a cost-effective point of care intervention that can be performed for shockable cardiac arrest.MethodsA systematic review of all clinical studies of PSGB performed intra-arrest will be performed across multiple databases. Studies will be included if they described the use of intra-arrest PSGB in humans. Studies will be qualitatively assessed to describe data regarding the PSGB technique, the training of the proceduralist, patient demographics, the context of the arrest and clinical outcomes and complications. This protocol was drafted according to the PRIMSA-P ScR.
Prevalence and associated factors of suicidal ideation among adolescents in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Mumu Rifa Tamanna , Shaikh Md Parvez , Mitra Dipak Kumar 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundSuicide ranks as the fourth most common cause of death globally, which is more pronounced in lower-middle-income countries. LMICs witness 88% of adolescent suicides yearly, with a 14% prevalence of suicidal ideation. A few studies are available based on the suicidal behavior of young adults residing in rural Bangladesh.ObjectiveThis study seeks to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal ideation in 11 to 17-year-old adolescents in a remote subdistrict in Bangladesh.MethodA cross-sectional study was performed in Lohagara, a rural subdistrict in Narail, in southern Bangladesh from April, 15 to May 14, 2024. 350 subjects were recruited for the study, all of whom were school-going adolescents aged 11 to 17 years. The Bengali-translated versions of the Suicidal Behavior-Revised Questionnaire (SBQ-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21), as well as another structured questionnaire, were used to collect data from participants. Data analysis was done by STATA version 17.ResultThe prevalence of current suicidal ideation among adolescents is 21% (95% CI: 17% to 25.8%). Smoking, lack of close friends, an unfavorable family environment, and depression were found to be significantly associated with the development of suicidal ideation in adolescents. Unmarried and single relationship status played a protective role in growing young adults’ suicidal thoughts.ConclusionThe notable prevalence of suicidal ideation in adolescents underscores the need for screening and intervention at an early age to protect them from dreadful consequences. By shedding light on this issue, different health promotional and educational programs, organized in schools and communities may help raise awareness in students, teachers as well as legal guardians. The ultimate goal is to safeguard adolescents from making devastating decisions with adequate counseling, care, and support.
Prevalence and associated factors of antenatal depression in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Mumu Rifa Tamanna , Mitra Dipak Kumar 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 322 million individuals globally were grappling with depressive disorders in 2015. During pregnancy, the risk of experiencing depression is elevated due to certain hormonal changes. Despite the potentially severe consequences of antenatal depression for both the mother and newborn, there have been limited studies conducted on this issue in Bangladesh.ObjectiveTo find out the prevalence and associated factors of antenatal depression in a rural sub-district in Bangladesh.MethodA cross-sectional study was performed in Lohagara, a rural subdistrict in Narail, situated in the southern part of Bangladesh between January 08 and 14, 2024. 350 subjects were recruited for the study, who were pregnant at various trimesters and attended antenatal check-ups in a government health complex and a private hospital in Lohagara. The Bengali-translated version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a structured questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were analyzed in STATA version 14.ResultThe point prevalence of antenatal depression is 39% (38.86%, in 95% CI: 33.9% to 44%). Gestational week (AOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.8), unintended pregnancy (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1, 3), intimate partner violence (AOR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 9.7), a history of previous diseases (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.2), and the history of having polygamous husbands (AOR: 13.6, 95% CI: 1.1, 164) are found to be significantly associated with the development of depression in the prenatal period.ConclusionIn rural Narail, high rates of antenatal depression underscore the importance of increased awareness among healthcare professionals and families. Strategic involvement of stakeholders and policymakers is essential to address issues like intimate partner violence and polygamy. Moreover, there’s a critical need for extra care and counseling for pregnant women with a history of health problems or facing unexpected pregnancies.