bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavioral Thermoregulation in Captive Fish: Molecular, Physiological, and Welfare Implications
Authors: Sanhueza Nataly , Fuentes Ricardo , Aguilar Andrea , Carnicero Beatriz , Mattos Humberto , Rubalcaba Yuniel , Melin Victoria , Contreras David , Boltana Sebastian 
Published: October 2023

AbstractEnvironmental Enrichment (EE) serves as a cornerstone in the attempt to emulate natural habitats for captive organisms. While substantial strides have been made in this field, current methodologies still grapple with discrepancies between recreated habitats and the innate conditions vital for maintaining biological homeostasis in captive species. Our study highlights the pivotal role of behavioral thermoregulation in modulating molecular and physiological outcomes in captive fish. Collective evidence suggests that enabling fish to autonomously regulate temperature confers numerous beneficial cellular and systemic effects. Specifically, introducing a thermal gradient within the EE paradigm correlated with increased survival metrics, enhanced physiological parameters, and improved welfare indices, establishing the criticality of thermoregulation in captivity. In contrast, the lack of a thermoregulatory framework resulted in the emergence of transient free radicals, a clear marker of temperature-induced oxidative stress. Persistent disruptions in free radical equilibrium, especially in uniform temperature settings, were linked to DNA damage, heightened cellular apoptosis, tissue anomalies, and metabolic deviations. In conclusion, this research underscores the significance of behavioral thermoregulation as an integral feature of EE, especially related to fish in controlled environments. Our data present key biomarkers valuable for optimizing fish welfare and highlight the necessity for sustained research into their adaptability and survival benchmarks. Such insights aim to enhance EE protocols, fortifying their efficacy in mirroring natural habitats and, in turn, advancing the welfare benchmarks of captive organisms.
Quantifying massively parallel microbial growth with spatially mediated interactions
Authors: Borse Florian , Kičiatovas Dovydas , Kuosmanen Teemu , Vidal Mabel , Cabrera-Vives Guillermo , Cairns Johannes , Warringer Jonas , Mustonen Ville 
Published: October 2023

AbstractQuantitative understanding of microbial growth is an essential prerequisite for successful control of pathogens as well as various biotechnology applications. Even though the growth of cell populations has been extensively studied, microbial growth remains poorly characterized at the spatial level. Indeed, even isogenic populations growing at different locations on solid growth medium typically show significant location-dependent variability in growth. Here we show that this variability can be attributed to an interplay between populations interacting with their local environment and the diffusion of nutrients and energy sources coupling the environments, i.e. interpopulation interactions are mediated via the shared environment. We use a dual approach, first applying machine learning regression models to discover that location dominates growth variability at specific times, and, in parallel, developing explicit population growth models to describe this spatial effect. In particular, treating nutrient and energy source concentration as a latent variable allows us to develop a mechanistic resource consumer model that captures growth variability across the shared environment. As a consequence, we are able to determine intrinsic growth parameters for each local population, removing confounders common to location-dependent variability in growth. Importantly, our explicit low parametric model for the environment paves the way for massively parallel experimentation with configurable spatial niches for testing specific eco-evolutionary hypotheses.Author summaryImage-based platforms allow obtaining population size estimates for massively parallel growth experiments on substrate plates at relatively low cost. However, such population size data has been shown to display a high degree of spatial variability, which occurs even with isogenic populations.Here we first quantified the importance of spatial location on growth variation using a machine learning approach, and then developed spatially aware population growth models to explain the spatial structure of the growth data. Ultimately, we showed that a spatial consumer-resource model with local microhabitats connected via diffusion can fully explain the observed spatial variation in growth while allowing the inference of intrinsic growth parameters of specific populations.This result provides a method for systematic extraction of spatial growth models and paves the way for massively parallel eco-evolutionary experimentation.
‘If you find that I am HIV Positive, Don’t Tell me’: Exploring the barriers and recommendations for HIV Prevention services utilization among youth in rural southwestern Uganda
Authors: Ssali Paul Waswa , Kintu Timothy Mwanje , Karungi Immaculate , Namuyaba Agnes Kisakye , Kyagambiddwa Tonny , Namaseruka Ruth , Agaba Mark , Obua Celestino , Wakida Edith K , Kabakyenga Jerome Kahuma 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundGlobally, the majority of new HIV infections are recorded in Eastern and Southern Africa, with the youth being disproportionately affected. HIV prevention is the cornerstone of controlling the spread of HIV and ending this epidemic by 2030. However, barriers to the utilization of HIV prevention services have not been extensively explored among the youth in rural settings in sub-Saharan Africa. This study explored these barriers and identified recommendations to improve the utilization of HIV prevention methods among youth in rural southwestern Uganda.MethodsThis was a qualitative study done in the Rubirizi district in southwestern Uganda between February and April 2022. We conducted six Focus Group Discussions (with youth [15-24 years] both in and out of school), nine in-depth interviews (with teachers, health workers, and members of the village health team), and four key informant interviews (with district officials) to collect data. Thematic analysis was done to identify the barriers to and establish recommendations for the utilization of HIV prevention services from the study participants. Both deductive and inductive approaches were used during the analysis.ResultsThe identified barriers were categorized into individual barriers (ignorance and misconceptions about the services, fear of testing, low perceived susceptibility to HIV, and fear of breach of confidentiality), community barriers (lack of counseling services in the communities, peer influence, and stigma towards HIV), and a health system barrier (lack of youth-friendly services). Three main recommendations were established including the formation of youth peer support groups, ongoing awareness campaigns, and socio-economic empowerment.ConclusionThere’s a need for national scaling of awareness campaigns and sexual and reproductive health services, such as youth peer support services to address most of the identified barriers. Additionally, economic empowerment especially among adolescent girls and young women has enormous potential to address the spread of HIV in this sub-population.
Structural and functional features characterizing the brains of individuals with higher controllability of motor imagery
Authors: Furuta Tomoya , Morita Tomoyo , Miura Gen , Naito Eiichi 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMotor imagery is a higher-order cognitive brain function that mentally simulates movements without performing the actual physical one. Although many studies have dealt with motor imagery, neural bases that determine individual differences in motor imagery ability are not well understood. Using magnetic resonance imaging and controllability of motor imagery (CMI) test that can objectively evaluate individual ability to manipulate one’s imaginary postures, we show that the bilateral superior frontoparietal white matter region expands in higher CMI test scorers. In addition, CMI test activates the bilateral dorsal premotor cortex (PMD) and superior parietal lobule (SPL); specifically, the left PMD and/or the right SPL enhance functional coupling with the visual body, somatosensory, and motor/kinesthetic areas in the higher scorers. This study elucidated the structural and functional features that characterize the brains of individuals with higher controllability of motor imagery, and advanced understanding of individual differences in motor imagery ability.
Peripherally derived LGI1-reactive monoclonal antibodies cause epileptic seizuresin vivo
Authors: Upadhya Manoj , Kirmann Toni , Wilson Max , Simon Christian M , Dhangar Divya , Geis Christian , Williams Robyn , Woodhall Gavin , Hallermann Stefan , Irani Sarosh R , Wright Sukhvir K 
Published: October 2023

AbstractOne striking clinical hallmark in patients with autoantibodies to leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) is the very frequent focal seizure semiologies, including faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS), in addition to the amnesia. Polyclonal serum IgGs have successfully modelled the cognitive changesin vivobut not seizures. Hence, it remains unclear whether LGI1-autoantibodies are sufficient to cause seizures.We tested this with the molecularly precise monoclonal antibodies directed against LGI1 (LGI1-mAbs), derived from patient circulating B cells. These were directed towards both major domains of LGI1, LRR (n=5) and EPTP (n=5) and infused intracerebroventricularly over 7 days into juvenile male Wistar rats using osmotic pumps. Continuous wireless EEG was recorded from a depth electrode placed in hippocampal CA3 plus behavioural tests for memory and hyperexcitability were performed. Following infusion completion (Day 9), post-mortem brain slices were studied using electrophysiology and immunostaining.By comparison to control-mAb injected rats (n=6), video-EEG analysis over 9 days revealed convulsive and non-convulsive seizure activity in rats infused with LGI1-mAbs, with a significant number of ictal events (245±83 vs. 7.8±7.8 in controls; p=0.002). Memory was not impaired in the novel object recognition test. Local field potential recordings from postmortem brain slices showed spontaneous ictal-like spike activity in the CA3 region (p=0.03). The LGI1-mAbs bound most strongly in the hippocampal CA3 region and induced a significant reduction in Kv1.1 cluster number in this subfield (6 controls; 7 LGI1-mAbs; p=0.01)Peripherally-derived human LGI1-mAbs infused into rodent CSF provide strong evidence of directin vivoepileptogenesis with molecular correlations. These findings fulfill criteria for LGI1-antibodies in seizure causation.
Rationalised experiment design for parameter estimation with sensitivity clustering
Authors: Chhajer Harsh , Roy Rahul 
Published: October 2023

AbstractQuantitative experiments are essential for investigating, uncovering and confirming our understanding of complex systems, necessitating the use of effective and robust experimental designs. Despite generally outperforming other approaches, the broader adoption of model-based design of experiments (MBDoE) has been hindered by oversimplified assumptions and computational overhead. To address this, we present PARameter SEnsitivity Clustering (PARSEC), an MBDoE framework that identifies informative measurable combinations through parameter sensitivity (PS) clustering. We combined PARSEC with a new variant of Approximate Bayesian Computation for rapid, automated assessment and ranking of designs. By inherent design, PARSEC can take into account experimental restrictions and parameter variability. We show that PARSEC improves parameter estimation for two different types of biological models. Importantly, PARSEC can determine the optimal sample size for information gain, which we show correlates well with the optimal number of PS clusters. This supports our rationale for PARSEC and demonstrates the potential to harness both model structure and system behaviour to efficiently navigate the experiment design space.
Susceptibility to multitasking in chronic stroke is associated to damage of the multiple demand system and leads to lateralized visuospatial deficits
Authors: Blini Elvio , D’Imperio Daniela , Romeo Zaira , De Filippo De Grazia Michele , Passarini Laura , Pilosio Cristina , Meneghello Francesca , Bonato Mario , Zorzi Marco 
Published: October 2023

AbstractFunctional impairment after stroke is related to the amount of brain damage but there is no strict correspondence between lesion and magnitude of the deficit or its recovery. Theoretical constructs such as cognitive or brain reserve have been invoked as unspecific protective factors to explain this mismatch. Here, we consider the opposite point of view, that is the instances in which this protection is lost or overturned. Several studies have shown – in domains encompassing sensory, motor, and cognitive deficits – that paradigms in which the inherent processing limits of the brain are stressed (e.g., by introducing multitasking and attentional load), are indeed capable to unveil the presence of deficits that are otherwise missed. We administered a computerized multitasking paradigm to a sample of 46 consecutive patients with first-ever unilateral subacute to chronic stroke and no sign of lateralized spatial-attentional disorders according to established diagnostic tests. We then used cluster analysis to classify patients, in a purely data-driven manner, according to their multivariate pattern of performance across different conditions (e.g., single- vs dual-tasking, ipsi- vs. contra-lesional stimuli). This enabled us to identify, within a group of putatively spared patients, a cluster of individuals presenting with stark contralesional biases of spatial awareness exclusively in conditions of concurrent attentional load, i.e. a phenotype characterised by high susceptibility to multitasking. This construct was also captured by a latent factor obtained from principal component analysis, providing a continuous susceptibility index across the whole sample. In spite of similar lesion volume, patients in the high susceptibility cluster presented worse performance in activities of daily living and neuropsychological tests evaluating domain-general abilities spanning attention, executive functions, and reasoning. Multivariate predictive modeling based on lesions location and structural disconnections revealed distinctive correlates of high sensitivity to multitasking in the Multiple-Demand (MD) System, a network of frontal and fronto-parietal areas subserving domain general processes. Damage in these areas may critically interact with domain-specific ones (e.g., devoted to spatial attention), resulting in subtle, but significant difficulties for patients in everyday life situations. In conclusion, the construct of susceptibility to multitasking has the promising potential to provide us a better understanding of what marks the passage, after brain damage, to clinically visible deficits.Graphical Abstract
Linkingin vivomuscle dynamics toin situforce-length and force-velocity reveals that guinea fowl lateral gastrocnemius operates at shorter than optimal lengths
Authors: Schwaner MJ , Mayfield DL , Azizi E , Daley MA 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTForce-length (F-L) and force-velocity (F-V) properties characterize skeletal muscle’s intrinsic properties under controlled conditions, and it is thought that these properties can inform and predictin vivomuscle function. Here, we map dynamicin vivooperating range and mechanical function during walking and running, to the measuredin situF-L and F-V characteristics of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) lateral gastrocnemius (LG), a primary ankle extensor. We usein vivopatterns of muscle tendon force, fascicle length, and activation to test the hypothesis that muscle fascicles operate at optimal lengths and velocities to maximize force or power production during walking and running. Our findings only partly support our hypothesis:in vivoLG velocities are consistent with optimizing power during work production, and economy of force at higher loads. However, LG does not operate at lengths on the force plateau (±5% Fmax) during force production. LG length was near L0at the time of EMG onset but shortened rapidly such that force development during stance occurred almost entirely on the ascending limb of the F-L curve, at shorter than optimal lengths. These data suggest that muscle fascicles shorten across optimal lengths in late swing, to optimize the potential for rapid force development near the swing-stance transition. This may provide resistance against unexpected perturbations that require rapid force development at foot contact. We also found evidence of passive force rise (in absence of EMG activity) in late swing, at lengths where passive force is zeroin situ, suggesting that dynamic history dependent and viscoelastic effects may contribute toin vivoforce development. Direct comparison ofin vivowork loops and physiological operating ranges to traditional measures of F-L and F-V properties suggests the need for new approaches to characterize dynamic muscle properties in controlled conditions that more closely resemblein vivodynamics.
NODDI-derived measures of microstructural integrity in medial temporal lobe white matter pathways are associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathology and cognitive outcomes
Authors: Parker Dana M. , Adams Jenna N. , Kim Soyun , McMillan Liv , Yassa Michael A. ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: October 2023

AbstractINTRODUCTIONDiffusion tensor imaging has been used to assess white matter (WM) changes in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the tensor model is necessarily limited by its assumptions. Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) can offer insights into microstructural features of WM change. We assessed whether NODDI more sensitively detects AD-related changes in medial temporal lobe WM than traditional tensor metrics.METHODSStandard diffusion and NODDI metrics were calculated for medial temporal WM tracts from 199 older adults drawn from ADNI3 who also received PET to measure pathology and neuropsychological testing.RESULTSNODDI measures in medial temporal tracts were more strongly correlated to cognitive performance and pathology than standard measures. The combination of NODDI and standard metrics exhibited the strongest prediction of cognitive performance in random forest analyses.CONCLUSIONSNODDI metrics offer additional insights into contributions of WM degeneration to cognitive outcomes in the aging brain.
RNF213 variant and autophagic impairment: A pivotal link to endothelial dysfunction in Moyamoya disease
Authors: Shin Hee Sun , Park Geun Hwa , Choi Eun Sil , Park So Young , Kim Da Sol , Chang Jaerak , Hong Ji Man 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundMoyamoya disease (MMD) is closely associated with the Ring Finger Protein 213 (RNF213), a susceptibility gene for this disease. However, its biological function remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the role of RNF213 in the damage incurred by human endothelial cells under oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), a condition that mimics intracranial ischemia in patients with MMD.MethodsWe analyzed autophagy in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from patients carrying either RNF213 wild-type (WT) or variant (R4810K). Subsequently, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with RNF213 WT (HUVECWT) or R4810K (HUVECR4810K) and exposed to OGD for 2 h to determine the role of the RNF213 variant in such a setting. Immunoblotting was used to analyze autophagy marker proteins, and tube formation assays were performed to examine endothelial function. Autophagic vesicles were observed using transmission electron microscopy. Post-OGD exposure, we administered autophagy modulators such as rapamycin and cilostazol.ResultsThe RNF213 variant group during post-OGD exposure (vs. pre-OGD exposure) showed autophagy inhibition, increased protein expression of SQSTM1/p62 (p< 0.0001) and LC3-II (p= 0.0039), and impaired endothelial function (p= 0.0252). HUVECR4810Kduring post-OGD exposure (versus pre-OGD exposure) showed a remarkable increase in autophagic vesicles. Administration of autophagy modulators notably restored the function of HUVECR4810Kand cellular autophagy.ConclusionsOur findings support the pivotal role of autophagy impaired by the RNF213 variant in MMD-induced endothelial cell dysfunction and underscore the critical mechanism of autophagy leading to progressive endothelial dysfunction and MMD pathogenesis under relative ischemia within the intracranial portion.
Metabolomics reveals reasons for the efficacy of acupuncture in migraine patients: The role of anaerobic glycolysis and mitochondrial citrate in migraine relief
Authors: Gao Zishan , Yan Xianzhong , Wang-Sattler Rui , Covic Marcela , Yu Guang , Ge Feifei , Lin Jia , Chen Qin , Liu Juan , Sharma Sapna , Molnos Sophie , Kuehnel Brigitte , Wilson Rory , Adam Jonathan , Brandmaier Stefan , Yu Shuguang , Mansmann Ulrich , Liang Fanrong , Gieger Christian 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAcupuncture is used worldwide to treat migraine, but its scientific mechanism remains unclear. Here, we report a 1H NMR metabolomics study involving 40 migraine patients and 10 healthy people randomly receiving acupuncture or sham acupuncture, followed by machine learning techniques and functional analysis. We found that acupuncture at acupoints particularly enhanced anaerobic glycolysis and modified mitochondrial function by adjusting the levels of plasma pyruvic acid (P = 0.012), lactic acid (P = 0.031) and citrate (P = 0.00079) at a Bonferroni-corrected level of significance compared to the pre-treatment level of these three metabolites in migraine patients. Therefore, acupuncture supplies energy to migraine patients and relieves migraine attacks. In contrast, we observed that sham acupuncture may partially supply energy to migraine patients through lipid metabolism by changing the levels of plasma lipid (P = 0.0012), glycerine (P = 0.021), and pyruvic acid (P = 0.047) at a Bonferroni-corrected level of significance. The functional network analysis further indicates this different way of supplying energy contributes to the different effects of acupuncture and sham acupuncture. Our findings reveal novel metabolic evidence for the specific effect of acupuncture in relation to sham acupuncture. This metabolic evidence could enlighten a brand new direction into acupuncture analgesia mechanism, which in turn would pose fresh challenges for future acupuncture research.