bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Patient's Clinical Profile From a Neuro-Ophthalmology Center in Brazil: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Simao Luciano M. , de Almeida Ava Cristina V. , Viana Marcos Tulio S. A. , Vanazzi Marcela A. M. , Andrade Thais N. , Oliveira Ana Flávia A. O. , Hermes Monise Q. , Mendanha Denise B. A. 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Neuro-ophthalmology (NO) is a subspeciality of Ophthalmology, which represents more than an intersection of Neurology and Ophthalmology. The present report highlights the increasing importance of the subspeciality in Brazil and provides a unique retrospective study of the patient's clinical profile of a NO reference center.

Methods:
Our study was retrospectively planned aiming to identify all neuro-ophthalmic cases of Instituto de Olhos of the Medical School Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais from August 2013 to March 2022.The first clinical diagnostic impression was selected from a predetermined list of 18 neuro-ophthalmologic conditions. Some NO conditions were eventually reclassified during the follow-up as the final clinical diagnosis impression. The concordance between the first and final clinical impressions was also investigated, as well as the patient's referral source.

Results:
The sample comprised 903 patients from which 56.4% were female. The mean age was 51.48 ± 20.93 years. Males were more frequent in lower age groups <1 year (n = 3, 100%) and 1–9 years (n = 19/37, 51.4%). An external referral source represented 23.1%, and patients referred after basic ophthalmic consultation and from glaucoma service were 30.3% and 23.2%, respectively. The most encountered first clinical diagnostic impressions were isolated optic atrophy (13.1%), non–neuro-ophthalmic disease (11.7%), optic disc abnormalities (10.4%), ischemic optic neuropathies/retinal vascular occlusions (10.2%), and other visual field defects (9.0%). The kappa concordance coefficient among the first and final clinical diagnostic impressions was 0.53 (95% CI 0.48–0.59), indicating a moderate concordance level. The concordance among the most frequent diagnoses was lower in isolated optic atrophy (33%), other visual field defects (41%), and idiopathic optic neuritis (40%).

Conclusions:
Due to the limited number of epidemiology studies in neuro-ophthalmology, we highlight the importance of a NO service in the public health system in Brazil. It may certainly contribute to better strategy plan assistance among professionals and health care managers. This report should seemingly stimulate other studies regarding the relevant and unique features of this subspeciality, which is undoubtedly increasing its importance among patients, and in the scientific community worldwide.
Wind speed affects the rate and kinetics of stomatal conductance
Authors: Shapira Or , Hochberg Uri , McAdam Scott , Azoulay-Shemer Tamar , Brodersen Craig R. , Holbrook Noel Michelle , Zait Yotam 
Published: December 2023

AbstractUnderstanding the relationship between wind speed and gas exchange in plants is a longstanding challenge. Our aim was to investigate the impact of wind speed on maximum rates of gas exchange and the kinetics of stomatal responses. We conducted experiments using an infrared gas analyzer equipped with a controlled leaf fan, enabling precise control of the boundary layer conductance. We first showed that the chamber was adequately mixed even at extremely low fan speeds (down to 200 rpm, equivalent to a wind speed of 0.0005 m s-1) and evaluated the link between fan speed, wind speed, and boundary layer conductance. We observed that higher wind speeds led to increased gas exchange of both water vapor and CO2in Arabidopsis, presumably due to its effect on transpiration and the consequential reduction in epidermal pressure that led to stomatal opening. We documented that stomatal opening in response to light was three times faster at a fan speed of 10000 rpm (wind speed of 2 m s-1) compared with 500 rpm (0.25 m s-1) inVicia faba, while the latter exhibited an opening rate that was similar to those of epidermal peels. The increase of stomatal conductance under high wind was observed in four species under field conditions. Our findings demonstrate the importance of the size of the boundary layer on determining maximum rates of gas exchange and the kinetics of gas exchange responses to environmental changes.
Impact of the population age, testing and vaccination levels on the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths per capita and case fatality risks
Authors: Nesteruk Igor 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACTThe population, governments and researchers show much less interest in the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many questions still need to be answered: why the much less vaccinated African continent has accumulated 15 times less deaths per capita than Europe? or why in 2023 the global value of the case fatality risk is almost twice higher than in 2022 and the UK figure is four times higher than the global one?The averaged daily numbers of casesDCCand deathDDCper million, case fatality risksDDC/DCCwere calculated for 34 countries and regions with the use of John Hopkins University (JHU) datasets and possible linear and non-linear correlations with the averaged daily numbers of tests per thousandDTC, median age of populationA, and percentages of vaccinationsVCand boostersBCwere investigated. Strong correlations between age andDCCandDDCvalues were revealed. One-year increment in the median age yielded 39.8 increase inDCCvalues and 0.0799 DDC increase in 2022 (in 2023 these figures are 5.8 and 0.0263, respectively). With decreasing of testing levelDTC, the case fatality risk can increase drastically.DCCandDDCvalues increase with increasing the percentages of fully vaccinated people and boosters, which definitely increase for greaterA. After removing the influence of age, no correlations between vaccinations andDCCandDDCvalues were revealed.The presented analysis demonstrates that age is a pivot factor of visible (registered) part of the COVID-19 pandemic dynamics. Much younger Africa has registered less numbers of cases and death per capita due to many unregistered asymptomatic patients. Of great concern is the fact that COVID-19 mortality in 2023 in the UK is still at least 4 times higher than the global value caused by seasonal flu.
Explaining the counter-intuitive effectiveness of trophectoderm biopsy for PGT-A using computational modelling
Authors: Skinner Benjamin M , Viotti Manuel ,   International Registry of Mosaic Embryo Transfers (IRMET), Griffin Darren K , Ellis Peter JI 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPreimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is one of the most controversial topics in reproductive medicine, with disagreements over the apparently contradictory results of randomised controlled trials, non-selection trials and outcome data analyses. Data from live birth outcomes largely suggest that fully euploid biopsies are associated with positive live birth rates, while fully aneuploid biopsies are not. However, the possible confounding effects of chromosomal mosaicism (when either the whole embryo, the biopsy result (or both) contain an admixture of euploid and aneuploid cells) is frequently cited as a reason why PGT-A should not be performed. Previous computer models have indicated that a mosaic result is a poor indicator of the level of mosaicism of the rest of the embryo, and it is thus unwise to use mosaic PGT-A results when selecting embryos for transfer. Here we developed a computational model,tessera, to create virtual embryos for biopsy, allowing us to vary the number of cells in the simulated embryo and biopsy, the proportion of aneuploid cells and the degree of juxtaposition of those cells. Analysis of approximately 1 million virtual embryos showed that “100% euploid” and “100% aneuploid” biopsy results are relatively accurate predictors of the remainder of the embryo, while mosaic biopsy results are poor predictors of the proportion of euploid and aneuploid cells in the rest of the embryo. Within mosaic embryos, ‘clumping’ of aneuploid cells further reduces the accuracy of biopsies in assaying the true aneuploidy level of any given embryo. Nonetheless - and somewhat counterintuitively - biopsy results can still be used with some confidence to rank embryos within a cohort. Our simulations help resolve the apparent paradox surrounding PGT-A: the biopsy result is poorly predictive of the absolute level of mosaicism of a single embryo, but may be applicable nonetheless in making clinical decisions on which embryos to transfer.
Availability, use and impact of workplace mental health supports during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Canadian cohort of healthcare workers
Authors: Ruzycki Shannon , Adisesh Anil , Burstyn Igor , Durand-Moreau Quentin , Labreche France , Zadunayski Tanis , Cherry Nicola 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic focused attention on workplace mental health (MH) supports for healthcare workers (HCWs).MethodsHCWs in a Canadian cohort reported availability and use of workplace MH supports in October 2020, April 2021 and 2022. At recruitment (April-October 2020) they reported pre-pandemic MH. They completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at each contact. Availability and use of supports were examined by pandemic phase, workplace, work role and, for use, gender, age, pre-pandemic and current MH. Impact was assessed as MH in 2021/2022 following use in 2020.ResultsReports of availability, use and HADS scores were obtained from 4400 HCWs working with patients. Access to MH supports increased during the pandemic, with 94% reporting access to some workplace support by 2022. Half the HCWs had at least one clinically significant HADS score during the pandemic. The proportion with high anxiety scores decreased from 29% to 24% as the pandemic progressed: proportions with high depression scores remained close to 10%. Those with a history of pre-pandemic or current mental ill-health formed the majority of HCWs using MH supports. 25% of those with high HADS scores did not use supports, with depressed males least likely to report use. HCWs using an Employment Assistance Program at the 2ndcontact had lower HADS scores at next follow-up but this was not sustained.ConclusionHCWs reported increasing availability and use of MH supports as the pandemic progressed but one in four of those with anxiety and, particularly, depression did not seek support.
Computer Simulation and Mathematical Modeling of the Interactions Between Ecological and Sexual Selection to Reveal the Mechanism of Sympatric Speciation
Authors: Lin John , Lin James , Wassall Natalie 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn modern evolutionary theory, the mechanism of sympatric speciation is still an unsolved mystery. Ecological niche specialization and the subsequent premating reproductive isolation (RI) are the putative initial steps of sympatric speciation, even though the exact mechanism of how the former leads to the latter remains unclear. This study aims to develop a simple, intuitive, and realistic model ecosystem that uses the fewest variables possible but is still comprehensive enough to uncover the fundamental mechanisms of sympatric speciation. Applying the concept of an adaptive fitness landscape, the study used an individual-based computer simulation to investigate how ecological selection and sexual selection may interact to produce sympatric premating RI. Mathematical models were derived to describe the nonlinear adaptive dynamics of the system. A user-friendly computer application was able to solve, numerically, all the trajectories, fixed points, and bifurcation points of the models and display the solutions as phase portraits. The findings reveal that under favorable conditions, fixed points may emerge in the system’s phase portraits to create stable mating-bias-allele polymorphisms and varying degrees of premating RI between niche ecotypes. Solving the nonlinear equations of the mathematical models establishes the precise parametric values required to produce such fixed points. It also specifies the conditions necessary for high-mating-bias mutant alleles to invade and produce, or enhance, premating RI. Restricting migration between niches impedes mutant invasion in parapatric and allopatric populations. Multi-locus mating traits may produce hybrids that prevent speciation. Simulation results of a gonochoric, multi-niche system demonstrate that linkage disequilibrium can emerge spontaneously among ecological, male-trait, and female-preference genotypes to produce premating RI. From these results, a five-stage mechanism of sympatric speciation is formulated: Initially, disruptive ecological selection creates selection pressure for high-mating-bias alleles to invade and rapidly establish premating RI. This then paves the way for the recruitment of late-stage mechanisms, such as adaptive coupling and post-zygotic isolation, to complete the speciation process. Applying nonlinear dynamics theories to model and analyze sympatric speciation has yielded novel findings that support and extend the results of prior studies. These new discoveries may help to overcome the theoretical objections to sympatric speciation and establish it as a prevalent mode of speciation in nature.
Connectivity of marine predators over the Patagonian Shelf during the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak
Authors: Riaz Javed , Orben Rachael A. , Gamble Amandine , Tierney Megan , Catry Paulo , Granadeiro José P. , Campioni Letizia , Baylis Alastair M. M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAnimal movement and population connectivity are key areas of uncertainty in efforts to understand and predict the spread of infectious disease. The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in South America poses a significant threat to globally significant populations of colonial breeding marine predators in the South Atlantic. Yet, there is a poor understanding of which species or migratory pathways may facilitate disease spread. Compiling one of the largest available animal tracking datasets in the South Atlantic, we examine connectivity and inter-population mixing for colonial breeding marine predators tagged at the Falkland Islands. We reveal extensive connectivity for three regionally dominant and gregarious species over the Patagonian Shelf. Black browed albatrosses (BBA), South American fur seals (SAFS) and Magellanic penguins (MAG) used coastal waters along the Atlantic coast of South America (Argentina and Uruguay). These behaviours were recorded at or in close proximity to breeding colonies and haul-out areas with dense aggregations of marine predators. Transit times to and from the Falkland Islands to the continental coast ranged from 0.2 – 70 days, with 84% of animals making this transit within 4 days - a conservative estimate for HPAI infectious period. Our findings show the incursion of HPAI to the Falkland Islands marine predator community is a highly credible threat, which may be facilitated by BBA, SAFS and MAG connectivity with South America. This information is vital in supporting HPAI disease surveillance, risk assessment and marine management efforts across the region.SignificanceThe recent emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in South America poses a major threat to globally significant marine predator populations in the South Atlantic. There is extensive connectivity over the southern Patagonian Shelf between regionally dominant seal and seabird populations, with potential for large-scale pathogen spread. Despite this connectivity, outbreaks of HPAI are unevenly distributed across the region. Connectivity information is integral for regional disease surveillance, predictive modelling and population viability assessments.
Syncytia Formation Promotes Virus Resistance to Interferon and Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Li Tiansheng , Kang Insung , Hu Zhe , Gibbs James , Ye Chengjin , Kosik Ivan , Shi Guoli , Holly Jaroslav , Kosikova Martina , Compton Alex , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Johnson Reed F. , Xie Hang , Yewdell Jonathan W. 
Published: December 2023

SUMMARYSARS-CoV-2, like many viruses, generates syncytia. Using SARS-CoV-2 and S (S) expressing recombinant vesicular stomatitis and influenza A viruses, we show that S-mediated syncytia formation provides resistance to interferons in cultured cells, human small airway-derived air-liquid interface cultures and hACE2 transgenic mice. Amino acid substitutions that modulate fusogenicity in Delta- and Omicron-derived S have parallel effects on viral interferon resistance. Syncytia formation also decreases antibody virus neutralization activity in cultured cells. These findings explain the continued selection of fusogenic variants during SARS-CoV-2 evolution in humans and, more generally, the evolution of fusogenic viruses despite the adverse effects of syncytia formation on viral replication in the absence of innate or adaptive immune pressure.
Phosphene and Motor Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Thresholds Are Correlated: A Meta-Analytic Investigation
Authors: Phylactou P. , Pham T. , Narskhani N. , Diya N. , Seminowicz D.A. , Schabrun S.M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is commonly delivered at an intensity defined by the resting motor threshold (rMT), which is thought to represent cortical excitability, even if the TMS target area falls outside of the motor cortex. This approach rests on the assumption that cortical excitability, as measured through the motor cortex, represents a ‘global’ measure of excitability. Another common approach to measure cortical excitability relies on the phosphene threshold (PT), measured through the visual cortex of the brain. However, it remains unclear whether either estimate can serve as a singular measure of global cortical excitability. If PT and rMT indeed reflect global cortical excitability, they should be correlated. To test this, we systematically identified previous studies that measured PT and rMT to calculate an overall correlation between the two estimates. Our results, based on 16 effect sizes from eight studies, indicated that PT and rMT are correlated (ρ = .4), and thus one measure could potentially serve as a global cortical excitability measure. Three exploratory meta-analyses revealed that the strength of the correlation is affected by different methodologies, and that PT intensities are higher than rMT. Evidence for a PT-rMT correlation remained robust across all analyses. Further research is necessary for an in-depth understanding of how cortical excitability is reflected through TMS.
Proximity labeling reveals dynamic changes in the SQSTM1 protein network
Authors: Rondón Ortiz Alejandro N. , Zhang Lushuang , Ash Peter E.A. , Basu Avik , Puri Sambhavi , van der Spek Sophie J.F. , Wang Zihan , Dorrian Luke , Emili Andrew , Wolozin Benjamin 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACTSequestosome1 (SQSTM1) is an autophagy receptor that mediates degradation of intracellular cargo, including protein aggregates, through multiple protein interactions. These interactions form the SQSTM1 protein network, and these interactions are mediated by SQSTM1 functional interaction domains, which include LIR, PB1, UBA and KIR. Technological advances in cell biology continue to expand our knowledge of the SQSTM1 protein network and of the relationship of the actions of the SQSTM1 protein network in cellular physiology and disease states. Here we apply proximity profile labeling to investigate the SQSTM1 protein interaction network by fusing TurboID with the human protein SQSTM1 (TurboID::SQSTM1). This chimeric protein displayed well-established SQSTM1 features including production of SQSTM1 intracellular bodies, binding to known SQSTM1 interacting partners, and capture of novel SQSTM1 protein interactors. Strikingly, aggregated tau protein altered the protein interaction network of SQSTM1 to include many stress-associated proteins. We demonstrate the importance of the PB1 and/or UBA domains for binding network members, including the K18 domain of tau. Overall, our work reveals the dynamic landscape of the SQSTM1 protein network and offers a resource to study SQSTM1 function in cellular physiology and disease state.
Flower size evolution in the Southwest Pacific
Authors: Ciarle Riccardo , Burns Kevin C. , Mologni Fabio 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsDespite accelerating interest in island evolution, the general evolutionary trajectories of island flowers remain poorly understood. In particular the island rule, which posits that small organisms become larger and large organisms to become smaller after island colonization, while tested in various plant traits, has never been tested in flower size. Here, we provide the first test for the island rule in flower size for animal- and wind-pollinated flowers, and the first evidence for generalizedin-situevolution of flower size on islands.MethodsFocusing on 10 archipelagos in the Southwest Pacific, we amassed a dataset comprising 129 independent colonization events, by pairing each island endemic to its closest mainland relative. We then tested for the island rule in flower size and for gigantism/dwarfism in floral display for animal- and wind-pollinated flowers.Key resultsAnimal-pollinated flowers followed the island rule, while wind-pollinated flowers did not, instead showing evidence of gigantism. Results remained consistent after controlling for breeding system, mainland source pool, degree of taxonomic differentiation, taxonomic family, and island type.ConclusionsWhilein situevolution of flower size is widespread on islands in the Southwest Pacific, animal- and wind-pollinated flowers exhibited unexpected and markedly different evolutionary trajectories. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms behind these patterns.
Improved sample preparation for fruits allowed histochemistry and X-ray microscopy to reveal conserved iron hotspots
Authors: Eroğlu Seçkin , Deniz Utku , Sakalar Abdulsamet , Vogel-Mikus Katarina 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMature fleshy fruits are the most challenging plant organs to study due to their high water and flavonoid content. We aim to develop a sample preparation protocol to analyze fleshy fruits with histochemical and X-ray based methods. By vacuum freeze drying and decolorization with fixatives, we were able to apply histochemical Perls staining to seamlessly localize iron in fruits. We screened the fruits to reveal possible conserved iron accumulation sites. This approach showed iron preferentially accumulated in fruit vascular tissues; at subcellular level, in the cell walls of vasculature and other tissues, and inside the epidermal cells of polyphenol-rich fruits. Furthermore, iron accummulated in the endosperm of tomato seeds, indicating a role in germination. X-ray microscopy of chemically untreated fruit slices showed similar iron distributions, indicating chemicals used in the protocol did not significantly mobilized the metals. This has been the first systematic study to extend histochemistry and X-ray fluorescence to obtain spatial information from mature fleshy fruits. This advancement in methodology may facilitate fruit research, potentially contributing to food security in the long run.Graphical abstract, a low-cost, high-throughput protocol to map metal localizations in everyday fruits.