bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Both environmental conditions and intra- and interspecific interactions influence the movements of a marine predator
Authors: Mourier Johann , Soria Marc , Silk Matthew , Demichelis Angélique , Dagorn Laurent , Hattab Tarek 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTAnimal movements are typically influenced by multiple environmental factors simultaneously and individuals vary in their response to this environmental heterogeneity. Therefore, understanding how environmental aspects, including biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors, influence the movements of wild animals is an important focus of wildlife research and conservation. We apply Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) to analyse movement networks of a bull shark population in a network of acoustic receivers and identify the effects of environmental, social or other types of covariates on their movements. We found that intra- and interspecific factors often had stronger effects on movements than environmental variables. ERGMs proved to be a potentially useful tool for studying animal movement network data especially in the context of spatial attribute heterogeneity.
NF-κB/NLRP3 Translational Inhibition by Nanoligomer Therapy Mitigates Ethanol and Advanced Age-Related Neuroinflammation
Authors: Anton Paige E. , Nagpal Prashant , Moreno Julie , Burchill Matthew A. , Chatterjee Anushree , Busquet Nicolas , Mesches Michael , Kovacs Elizabeth J. , McCullough Rebecca L. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBinge alcohol use is increasing among aged adults (>65 years). Alcohol-related toxicity in aged adults is associated with neurodegeneration, yet the molecular underpinnings of age-related sensitivity to alcohol are not well described. Studies utilizing rodent models of neurodegenerative disease reveal heightened activation of Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and Nod like receptor 3 (NLRP3) mediate microglia activation and associated neuronal injury. Our group, and others, have implicated hippocampal-resident microglia as key producers of inflammatory mediators, yet the link between inflammation and neurodegeneration has not been established in models of binge ethanol exposure and advanced age. Here, we report binge ethanol increased the proportion of NLRP3+microglia in the hippocampus of aged (18-20 months) female C57BL/6N mice compared to young (3-4 months). In primary microglia, ethanol-induced expression of reactivity markers and NLRP3 inflammasome activation were more pronounced in microglia from aged mice compared to young. Making use of an NLRP3-specific inhibitor (OLT1177) and a novel brain- penetrant Nanoligomer that inhibits NF-κB and NLRP3 translation (SB_NI_112), we find ethanol- induced microglial reactivity can be attenuated by OLT1177 and SB_NI_112 in microglia from aged mice. In a model of intermittent binge ethanol exposure, SB_NI_112 prevented ethanol-mediated microglia reactivity, IL-1β production, and tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus of aged mice. These data suggest early indicators of neurodegeneration occurring with advanced age and binge ethanol exposure are NF-κB- and NLRP3-dependent. Further investigation is warranted to explore the use of targeted immunosuppression via Nanoligomers to attenuate neuroinflammation after alcohol consumption in the aged.
Glyphosate resistance evolution to lethal and sublethal doses in chemostat populations of model organismChlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Hansson Erika M. , Childs Dylan Z. , Beckerman Andrew P. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHerbicide resistant weeds are an increasing economic and ecological problem world-wide. Evolutionary theory and insight from experiments testing this theory are now a central part of solving resistance problems. More specifically, experimental evolution, where populations are allowed to evolve under specific conditions, can offer substantial insights into the trade-offs that govern the pace at which resistance arises. Here we leverage the green algaChlamydomonas reinhardtiifacing glyphosate as a model plant system to evaluate such theory, monitoring the level of evolved resistance and associated fitness costs throughout the course of adaptation. On a gradient of lethal and sub-lethal doses of glyphosate, we found evidence for evolved resistance from standing genetic variation but limited evidence for classic growth rate trade-offs that are expected to affect the pace of resistance evolution.
Variable recruitment of distal tuft dendrites shapes new hippocampal place fields
Authors: O’Hare Justin K. , Wang Jamie , Shala Margjele D. , Polleux Franck , Losonczy Attila 
Published: February 2024

SUMMARYHippocampal pyramidal neurons support episodic memory by integrating complementary information streams into new ‘place fields’. Distal tuft dendrites are widely thought to initiate place field formation by locally generating prolonged, globally-spreadingCa2+spikes known as plateau potentials. However, the hitherto experimental inaccessibility of distal tuft dendrites in the hippocampus has rendered theirin vivofunction entirely unknown. Here we gained direct optical access to this elusive dendritic compartment. We report that distal tuft dendrites do not serve as the point of origin for place field-forming plateau potentials. Instead, the timing and extent of peri-formation distal tuft recruitment is variable and closely predicts multiple properties of resultant place fields. Therefore, distal tuft dendrites play a more powerful role in hippocampal feature selectivity than simply initiating place field formation. Moreover, place field formation is not accompanied by globalCa2+influx as previously thought. In addition to shaping new somatic place fields, distal tuft dendrites possess their own local place fields. Tuft place fields are back-shifted relative to that of their soma and appear to maintain somatic place fields via post-formation plateau potentials. Through directin vivoobservation, we provide a revised dendritic basis for hippocampal feature selectivity during navigational learning.
Defining the T cell transcriptional landscape in pediatric liver transplant rejection at single cell resolution
Authors: Peters Anna L. , DePasquale Erica A.K. , Begum Gousia , Roskin Krishna M. , Woodle E. Steve , Hildeman David A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAcute cellular rejection (ACR) affects >80% of pediatric liver transplant recipients within 5 years, and late ACR is associated with graft failure. Traditional anti-rejection therapy for late ACR is ineffective and has remained unchanged for six decades. Although CD8+ T cells promote late ACR, little has been done to define their specificity and gene expression. Here, we used single-cell sequencing and immune repertoire profiling (10X Genomics) on 30 cryopreserved 16G liver biopsies from 14 patients (5 pre-transplant or with no ACR, 9 with ACR). We identified expanded intragraft CD8+ T cell clonotypes (CD8EXP) and their gene expression profiles in response to anti-rejection treatment. Notably, we found that expanded CD8+clonotypes (CD8EXP) bore markers of effector and CD56hiCD161-‘NK-like’ T cells, retaining their clonotype identity and phenotype in subsequent biopsies from the same patients despite histologic ACR resolution. CD8EXPclonotypes localized to portal infiltrates during active ACR, and persisted in the lobule after histologic ACR resolution. CellPhoneDB analysis revealed differential crosstalk between KC and CD8EXPduring late ACR, with activation of the LTB-LTBR pathway and downregulation of TGFß signaling. Therefore, persistently-detected intragraft CD8EXPclones remain active despite ACR treatment and may contribute to long-term allograft fibrosis and failure of operational tolerance.Graphical Abstract
Evidence for shallow cognitive maps in schizophrenia
Authors: Karagoz Ata B. , Moran Erin K. , Barch Deanna M. , Kool Wouter , Reagh Zachariah M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIndividuals with schizophrenia can have marked deficits in goal-directed decision making. Prominent theories differ in whether schizophrenia (SZ) affects the ability to exert cognitive control, or the motivation to exert control. An alternative explanation is that schizophrenia negatively impacts the formation of cognitive maps, the internal representations of the way the world is structured, necessary for the formation of effective action plans. That is, deficits in decision-making could also arise when goal-directed control and motivation are intact, but used to plan over ill-formed maps. Here, we test the hypothesis that individuals with SZ are impaired in the construction of cognitive maps. We combine a behavioral representational similarity analysis technique with a sequential decision-making task. This enables us to examine how relationships between choice options change when individuals with SZ and healthy age-matched controls build a cognitive map of the task structure. Our results indicate that SZ affects how people represent the structure of the task, focusing more on simpler visual features and less on abstract, higher-order, planning-relevant features. At the same time, we find that SZ were able to display similar performance on this task compared to controls, emphasizing the need for a distinction between cognitive map formation and changes in goal-directed control in understanding cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
How were Hospitals Affected by the Ministry’s Release of Hospital Names to be Potentially Reorganized?
Authors: Takahashi Hiromichi , Shin Jung-ho , Kunisawa Susumu , Fushimi Kiyohide , Imanaka Yuichi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) released a list of public and municipal hospitals (hereinafter “the list”) that are subject to reevaluation for hospital function. First, this study describes the functional differentiation status of Japanese hospital beds. Second, it evaluates the impact of the list release on the number of admissions in the listed hospitals.MethodsFirstly, the number of hospitals and beds by the function of listed and non-listed hospitals in 2019 and 2021 were described using the bed function report. The Controlled Interrupted Time Series (CITS) analyses were subsequently conducted using Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) data. Hospitals were divided near the cutoff point of the list. The outcomes were the number of admissions for gastrointestinal cancer surgery, those admitted via ambulance, or with a femoral fracture per 1,000 admissions. The exposure point was the week when the list was released.ResultsA decrease in the total number of beds was observed in 18.9% of the listed hospitals and 10.2% of others. Changes in bed functions were observed in 19.9% of the listed hospitals and 12.5% of others. CITS analyses showed that the rate ratio of admissions for gastrointestinal cancer surgery, those admitted via ambulance, and those with a femoral fracture in the listed hospital group after the list’s release were 1.001 (95% CI: 0.998–1.004, p = 0.619), 1.001 (95% CI: 0.998–1.004, p = 0.548), and 0.998 (95% CI: 0.998–1.002, p = 0.313), respectively.ConclusionMore prominent trends of functional differentiation of hospital beds were observed in the listed hospitals. The release of the list did not impact the number of hospital admissions for gastrointestinal cancer surgery, those admitted via ambulance, or those with a femoral fracture per 1,000 admissions in the listed hospitals.
Cortical thickness and grey-matter volume anomaly detection in individual MRI scans: Comparison of two methods
Authors: Romascano David , Rebsamen Michael , Radojewski Piotr , Blattner Timo , McKinley Richard , Wiest Roland , Rummel Christian 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOver the past decades, morphometric analysis of brain MRI has contributed substantially to the understanding of healthy brain structure, development and aging as well as to improved characterisation of disease related pathologies. Certified commercial tools based on normative modeling of these metrics are meanwhile available for diagnostic purposes, but they are cost intensive and their clinical evaluation is still in its infancy. Here we have compared the performance of “ScanOMetrics”, an open-source research-level tool for detection of statistical anomalies in individual MRI scans, depending on whether it is operated on the output of FreeSurfer or of the deep learning based brain morphometry tool DL+DiReCT. When applied to the public OASIS3 dataset, containing patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and healthy controls (HC), cortical thickness anomalies in patient scans were mainly detected in regions that are known as predilection areas of cortical atrophy in AD, regardless of the software used for extraction of the metrics. By contrast, anomaly detections in HCs were up to twenty-fold reduced and spatially unspecific using both DL+DiReCT and FreeSurfer. Progression of the atrophy pattern with clinical dementia rating (CDR) was clearly observable with both methods. DL+DiReCT provided results in less than 25 minutes, more than 15 times faster than FreeSurfer. This difference in computation time might be relevant when considering application of this or similar methodology as diagnostic decision support for neuroradiologists.
Functional connectivity in preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage using fNIRS
Authors: Kebaya Lilian M. N. , Tang Lingkai , Altamimi Talal , Kowalczyk Alexandra , Musabi Melab , Roychaudhuri Sriya , Vahidi Homa , Meyerink Paige , Mayorga Paula Camila , de Ribaupierre Sandrine , Bhattacharya Soume , de Moraes Leandro Tristao Abi Ramia , Jurkiewicz Michael T. , St. Lawrence Keith , Duerden Emma G. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntroductionIntraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common neurological complication following very preterm birth. Resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is associated with injury severity; yet fMRI is impractical for use in intensive care settings. Sensitive bedside neuroimaging biomarkers are needed to characterize injury patterns. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measures RSFC through cerebral hemodynamics and has greater accessibility. We aimed to determine comparability of RSFC in preterm infants with IVH using fNIRS and fMRI at term equivalent age (TEA), then examine fNIRS connectivity with the severity of IVH.MethodsVery preterm born infants with IVH were scanned with both modalities at rest at TEA (postmenstrual age=37±0.92 weeks). Connectivity maps of IVH infants were compared between fNIRS and fMRI with the Euclidean and Jaccard distances. The severity of IVH in relation to fNIRS RSFC strength was examined using generalized linear models.ResultsfNIRS and fMRI RSFC maps showed good correspondence. At TEA, connectivity strength was significantly lower in healthy newborns (p-value = 0.023) and preterm infants with mild IVH (p-value = 0.026) compared to infants with moderate/severe IVH.ConclusionfNIRS has potential to be a new tool for assessing brain injury and monitoring cerebral hemodynamics and a promising marker for IVH severity in very preterm born infants.HighlightsThere is no previous study combining fNIRS and fMRI focused on preterm neonates with IVH.This is the first study associating functional connectivity strength yielded from fNIRS with severity of IVH.Good correspondence of functional connectivity was shown between fNIRS and fMRI.Preterm neonates showed increased functional connectivity strength compared to healthy term born neonates. This can potentially be a marker for clinical assessment of severity of IVH.fNIRS was demonstrated to have potential as a new bedside neuromonitoring tool for assessing early brain injuries of neonates.
Inflammatory proteins as strong predictors of death in COVID-19 patients with coexisting neurological diseases
Authors: Zielińska-Turek Justyna , Turek Grzegorz , Lyson Tomasz , Gajewski Jan , Ząbek Mirosław , Dorobek Małgorzata 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlthough many studies published so far on COVID-19 have examined its clinical prognosis, there is still no universal laboratory test that can assess the risk of a fatal outcome in patients with coexisting neurological diseases.MethodsThe plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), D-dimers, and highly sensitive troponin I (hsTnI) were determined in a group of 400 consecutive in-patients with COVID-19 and concomitant neurological comorbidities.ResultsThe median concentration levels of most of the inflammatory mediators/indicators, calculated for the whole group of patients, remained above the normal reference ranges, whereas the median concentrations of these substances were much higher in the sub-group of patients who died. Backward stepwise logistic regression confirmed the statistically significant predictors of death in a descending order of odds ratios as follows: LDH (3.8), ferritin (2.8), hsTnI (2.0), IL-6 (1.7), and age (1.01). A concentration of hsTnI > 64 ng/L appeared to constitute a strong predictor of an unfavorable prognosis. Patients who were treated with lopinavir and ritonavir, who required mechanical ventilation, and treatment with dexamethasone presented with significant increase in the concentrations of all the studied inflammatory proteins and increased odds ratio for death.ConclusionHigh plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory proteins in patients suffering from COVID-19 and concomitant neurological diseases were associated with a more serious clinical course and an increased risk of death. The presence of these substances is worth monitoring as a valuable indicator of the current clinical condition of COVID-19 patients.
Innovative Approaches to Improve Knowledge of Zoonoses among Wildlife Hunters and Traders in Epe, Lagos, Nigeria: A Community Action Network-Based Intervention
Authors: Cadmus E , Awosanya E.J. , Adesokan H.K. , Akinseye V.O. , Olaleye F. , Morenikeji O , Fawole E.O. , Ansumana Rashid , Ayinmode K.O. , Oluwayelu D.O. , Cadmus S. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe West Africa One Health project is a multi-country project designed to utilise the One Health approach and deploy the Community Action Networks (CAN) to improve knowledge of high-risk communities on zoonoses. Majority of emerging zoonoses occur at the human-wildlife interface, of which wildlife hunters and traders are critical stakeholders. We assessed the effectiveness of a CAN-based intervention involving the use of a video documentary and case studies as model tools in improving the knowledge of zoonoses among wildlife hunters and traders in Epe, an established hunting community in Lagos State, Nigeria.A quasi-experimental study design involving a total of 39 consenting registered wildlife stakeholders was adopted. A pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on the participant’s sociodemographic characteristics, awareness level, and knowledge of zoonoses pre and post CAN-based intervention. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics McNemar and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests at a 5% level of significance.The mean age of the participants was 46.7 ± 10.9 years. Most (76.9%) identified as male and had at least secondary education (89.7%). The number of participants who were aware that diseases could be contracted from animals and that it could be through inhalation and close contact increased significantly from 13 (33.3%), 2 (5.1%), and 9 (23.1%) pre-intervention to 37 (94.9 %), 11 (28.2%), and 21 (53.8%) post-intervention, respectively. The overall median knowledge score increased significantly from 1 (Interquartile range (IQR): 0 – 2) pre-intervention to 3 (IQR: 2 – 4) post-intervention.The CAN-based intervention involving the use of a video documentary and case studies as model tools was effective in improving the knowledge of zoonoses among wildlife hunters and traders in the hunting community and may be beneficial for future practice.
Distinctive retinal peri-arteriolar versus peri-venular amyloid plaque distribution correlates with the cognitive performance
Authors: Dumitrascu Oana M. , Doustar Jonah , Fuchs Dieu-Trang , Koronyo Yosef , Sherman Dale S. , Miller Michelle Shizu , Johnson Kenneth O. , Carare Roxana O. , Verdooner Steven R. , Lyden Patrick D. , Schneider Julie A. , Black Keith L. , Koronyo-Hamaoui Maya 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntroductionThe vascular contribution to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is tightly connected to cognitive performance across the AD continuum. We topographically describe retinal perivascular amyloid plaque (AP) burden in subjects with normal or impaired cognition.MethodsUsing scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, we quantified retinal peri-arteriolar and peri-venular curcumin-positive APs in the first, secondary and tertiary branches in twenty-eight subjects. Perivascular AP burden among cognitive states was correlated with neuroimaging and cognitive measures.ResultsPeri-arteriolar exceeded peri-venular AP count (p<0.0001). Secondary branch AP count was significantly higher in cognitively impaired (p<0.01). Secondary small and tertiary peri-venular AP count strongly correlated with clinical dementia rating, hippocampal volumes, and white matter hyperintensity count.DiscussionOur topographic analysis indicates greater retinal amyloid accumulation in the retinal peri-arteriolar regions overall, and distal peri-venular regions in cognitively impaired individuals. Larger longitudinal studies are warranted to understand the temporal-spatial relationship between vascular dysfunction and perivascular amyloid deposition in AD.Highlights:Retinal peri-arteriolar region exhibits more amyloid compared with peri-venular regions.Secondary retinal vascular branches have significantly higher perivascular amyloid burden in subjects with impaired cognition, consistent across sexes.Cognitively impaired individuals have significantly greater retinal peri-venular amyloid deposits in the distal small branches, that correlate with CDR and hippocampal volumes.
Liquid phase electron microscopy of bacterial ultrastructure
Authors: Caffrey Brian J. , Pedrazo-Tardajos Adrián , Liberti Emanuela , Gaunt Ben , Kim Judy S. , Kirkland Angus I. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRecent advances in liquid phase scanning transmission electron microscopy (LP-STEM) have enabled the study of dynamic biological processes at nanometre resolutions, paving the way for live-cell imaging using electron microscopy. However, this technique is often hampered by the inherent thickness of whole cell samples and damage from electron beam irradiation. These restrictions degrade image quality and resolution, impeding biological interpretation. Here we detail the use of graphene encapsulation, STEM, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy methods to mitigate these issues, providing unprecedented levels of intracellular detail in aqueous specimens. This work demonstrates the potential of LP-STEM to examine and identify internal cellular structures in thick biological samples, in a radiation resistant, gram-positive bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans using a variety of imaging techniques.