bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mobility changes following COVID-19 stay-at-home policies varied by socioeconomic measures: An observational study in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Wang Siyi , Wang Linwei , Baral Stefan D , Moloney Gary , Johns Jaimie , Huber Carmen , Mistry Jaydeep , Khan Kamran , Rao Amrita , Janjua Naveed , Williamson Tyler , Katz Alan , Ma Huiting , Maheu-Giroux Mathieu , Kustra Rafal , Mishra Sharmistha 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn Canada, lower income households and essential workers and were disproportionately at risk of SARS-CoV-2. Early in the pandemic, stay-at-home restriction policies were used to limit virus transmission. There remains an evidence gap in how changes in mobility, in response to the policies, varied across socioeconomic measures in Canada. The study objective was to describe the variability in mobility change to two restrictions, by neighborhood-level income and by proportion essential workers across five regions in Ontario, Canada. The first restriction was implemented on March 17, 2020 in all five regions; and the second restriction was implemented in November 23, 2020 in two of the regions. Using cell-phone mobility data aggregated to the census tract, we compared the average mobility (% of devices that travelled outside their “primary location”) three weeks before and after each restriction. We defined the adjusted mobility change via pre-restriction mobility subtracted from post-restriction, adjusted for 2019 levels. We used difference-in-differences analysis to quantify effect modification of the second restriction’s effect by socioeconomic measures. With the first restriction, crude mobility fell from 77.7% to 41.6% across the five regions. The adjusted mobility change to the first restriction was largest in the highest-income neighborhoods (-43.3% versus -38.4%) and in neighborhoods with the fewest essential workers (-44.5% versus -37.6%). The overall adjusted mobility change to the second restriction was small: -0.96% (95% confidence intervals, -1.53 to -0.38%). However, there was evidence of effect modification by socioeconomic measures (less pronounced decrease in lower-income neighborhoods and more essential workers). The findings suggest a temporal saturation effect of restrictions over subsequent waves, and a saturation effect by income and occupation, leading to prevention gaps across populations by socioeconomic measures. Findings highlight the need for tailored approaches at the intersections of income and occupation when addressing epidemics of novel and resurging respiratory pathogens.
A transversal overview of Intensive Care Units environmental microbiome and antimicrobial resistance profile in Brazil
Authors: de Bastiani Daniela Carolina , Silva Claudia Vallone , Christoff Ana Paula , Cruz Giuliano Netto Flores , Tavares Leonardo Daniel , de Araújo Luana Silva Rodrigues , Tomazini Bruno Martins , Arns Beatriz , Piastrelli Filipe Teixeira , Cavalcanti Alexandre Biasi , de Oliveira Luiz Felipe Valter , Pereira Adriano Jose ,   the IMPACTO MR investigators
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionInfections acquired during healthcare setting stay pose significant public health threats. These infections are known as Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI), mostly caused by pathogenic bacteria, which exhibit a wide range of antimicrobial resistance.ObjectiveCharacterize the microbiome and antimicrobial resistance genes present in high-touch Intensive Care Unit (ICU) surfaces, and to identify the potential contamination of the sanitizers/processes used to clean hospital surfaces.MethodsIn this national, multicenter, observational, and prospective cohort, bacterial profiles and antimicrobial resistance genes from 41 hospitals across 16 Brazilian states were evaluated. Using high-throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and real-time PCR, the bacterial abundance and resistance genes presence were analyzed in both ICU environments and cleaning products.ResultsWe identified a wide diversity of microbial populations with a recurring presence of HAI-related bacteria among most of the hospitals. The median bacterial positivity rate in surface samples was high (88.24%), varying from 21.62% to 100% in different hospitals. Hospitals with the highest bacterial load in samples were also the ones with highest HAI-related abundances.Streptococcus spp,Corynebacterium spp,Staphylococcus spp,Bacillus spp,Acinetobacter spp,and bacteria from the Flavobacteriaceae family were the microorganisms most found across all hospitals. Despite each hospital particularities in bacterial composition, clustering profiles were found for surfaces and locations in the ICU. Antimicrobial resistance genesmecA,blaKPC-like,blaNDM-like, andblaOXA-23-likewere the most frequently detected in surface samples. A wide variety of sanitizers were collected, with 19 different active principles in-use, and 21% of the solutions collected showed viable bacterial growth with antimicrobial resistance genes detected.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a diverse and spread pattern of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes covering a large part of the national territory in ICU surface samples and in sanitizers solutions. This data should contribute to the adoption of surveillance programs to improve HAI control strategies and demonstrate that large-scale epidemiology studies must be performed to further understand the implications of bacterial contamination in hospital surfaces and sanitizer solutions.
A Genetic Perspective on Diabetic Complications: A Mendelian Randomization Study on the Increased Risk of Cataracts in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Pei Dongliang , Wang Shuyan , Wang Yuan , Sun Chenmin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe well-documented epidemiological link between type 1 diabetes and cataract is recognized. Yet, the question of a shared genetic foundation for these conditions, and the potential implication of a causal connection, is still an area of uncertainty.MethodsWe utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach to extract and analyze four GWAS datasets from public databases, aiming to elucidate the causal relationship between Type 1 Diabetes and cataracts. Our study design incorporated multiple Mendelian randomization methods to assess the influence of Type 1 Diabetes genetic risk on the susceptibility to cataracts, and employed the MR-PRESSO global test for the evaluation of horizontal heterogeneity among the results.ResultsMendelian Randomization analysis has indicated a statistically significant association between Type 1 Diabetes and an increased risk of cataract development. All applied Mendelian Randomization methods pointed to a positive causal estimate, suggesting that Type 1 Diabetes contributes to an elevated risk of cataracts.ConclusionThis study supports the hypothesis of a causal relationship between Type 1 Diabetes and cataracts. Despite some heterogeneity, all outcomes are positively aligned, and leave-one-out analysis confirms the robustness of these findings. This research is significant for understanding the process of cataract prevention and treatment in patients with Type 1 Diabetes.
A UK survey of young people’s views on condom removal during sex
Authors: Ezzat Farida , Hart Graham , Barrett Geraldine 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionNon-consensual condom removal (NCCR) refers to the act of removing a condom during sex without the other person’s permission. It poses physical and psychological risks to women’s health. Views and attitudes regarding this sexual practice are not well understood in the UK. This study aimed to explore young people’s views on the morality and criminality of NCCR and how their views are affected by negative health outcomes, relationship status, and socio-demographic characteristics.MethodsA quantitative online survey of people aged 18-25 living in the UK was conducted. The survey consisted of two NCCR scenarios, varied by health outcome and relationship status, followed by questions about the morality and criminality of NCCR and respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics. Statistical analysis included Chi-square testing and logistic regression modelling.ResultsMost of the 1729 respondents considered NCCR to be a violation of consent to sex (97.4%-98.1%), to be wrong (99.3%-99.5%), and to be sexual assault (86.3%-89.2%). Respondents were more likely to support prison time for NCCR if the victim got pregnant (52.1%) (rather than depressed (41.6%)) or was part of a casual hook-up (53.9%) (as opposed to a long-term dating relationship (47.2%). Respondents who were female or non-heterosexual were more likely to view NCCR as sexual assault and support prison as a penalty for NCCR.ConclusionThe majority of young UK adults in this survey considered condom removal during sex without the other person’s permission to be a violation of consent, morally wrong, and a form of sexual assault. Support for prison as a penalty was lower. These findings can inform future campaigns on consent in sexual relationships and legislation to provide support for women affected by NCCR.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists modestly reduced blood pressure among patients with and without diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis and meta-regression
Authors: Rivera Frederick Berro , Lumbang Grace Nooriza O. , Gaid Danielle Rose Magno , Cruz Linnaeus Louisse A. , Magalong John Vincent , Bantayan Nathan Ross B. , Lara-Breitinger Kyla M. , Gulati Martha , Bakris George 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe cardiovascular benefits provided by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) extend beyond weight reduction and glycemic control. One possible mechanism may relate to blood pressure (BP) reduction. We aim to quantify the BP lowering effect by GLP1-RAs.MethodsA comprehensive database search for placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on GLP-1RA treatment was conducted until December 2023. Data extraction and quality assessment were carried out, employing a robust statistical analysis using a random effects model to determine outcomes with mean difference (MD) in millimeters mercury (mmHg) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The primary endpoint was the mean difference in systolic and diastolic BP. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were done to account for covariates.ResultsCompared to placebo, GLP-1RAs modestly reduced SBP (semaglutide: MD −3.40, [95% CI −4.22 to −2.59, p<0.001], liraglutide: MD −2.61, [95% CI −3.48 to −1.74, p<0.001], dulaglutide: MD −1.46, [95% CI −2.20 to −0.72, p<0.001] and exenatide: MD −3.36, [95% CI - 3.63 to −3.10, p<0.001]). This benefit consistently increased with longer treatment duration. Established people with type 2 diabetes experienced less SBP lowering with semaglutide. DBP reduction was only significant in the exenatide group (MD −0.94, [95% CI −1.78 to −0.1], p=0.03). Among semaglutide cohorts, mean change in hemoglobin A1c and mean change in body mass index were directly associated with SBP reduction.ConclusionPatients on GLP-1RA experienced modest SBP lowering compared to placebo. Only exenatide reduced DBP. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms and the clinical benefit of GLP-1RA effects in BP reduction.
Brainwide hemodynamics predict neural rhythms across sleep and wakefulness in humans
Authors: Jacob Leandro P. L. , Bailes Sydney M. , Williams Stephanie D. , Stringer Carsen , Lewis Laura D. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe brain exhibits rich oscillatory dynamics that play critical roles in vigilance and cognition, such as the neural rhythms that define sleep. These rhythms continuously fluctuate, signaling major changes in vigilance, but the brainwide dynamics underlying these oscillations are unknown. Using simultaneous EEG and fast fMRI in humans drifting between sleep and wakefulness, we developed a machine learning approach to investigate which brainwide fMRI networks predict alpha (8-12 Hz) and delta (1-4 Hz) fluctuations. We predicted moment-to-moment EEG power variations from fMRI activity in held-out subjects, and found that information about alpha rhythms was highly separable in two networks linked to arousal and visual systems. Conversely, delta rhythms were diffusely represented on a large spatial scale across the cortex. These results identify the large-scale network patterns that underlie alpha and delta rhythms, and establish a novel framework for investigating multimodal, brainwide dynamics.
Giant polyketide synthase enzymes biosynthesize a giant marine polyether biotoxin
Authors: Fallon Timothy R. , Shende Vikram V. , Wierzbicki Igor H. , Auber Robert P. , Gonzalez David J. , Wisecaver Jennifer H. , Moore Bradley S. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPrymnesium parvumare harmful haptophyte algae that cause massive environmental fish-kills. Their polyketide polyether toxins, theprymnesins, are amongst the largest nonpolymeric compounds in nature, alongside structurally-related health-impacting “red-tide” polyether toxins whose biosynthetic origins have been an enigma for over 40 years. Here we report the ‘PKZILLAs’, massiveP. parvumpolyketide synthase (PKS) genes, whose existence and challenging genomic structure evaded prior detection. PKZILLA-1 and -2 encode giant protein products of 4.7 and 3.2 MDa with 140 and 99 enzyme domains, exceeding the largest known protein titin and all other known PKS systems. Their predicted polyene product matches the proposed pre-prymnesin precursor of the 90-carbon-backbone A-type prymnesins. This discovery establishes a model system for microalgal polyether biosynthesis and expands expectations of genetic and enzymatic size limits in biology.
The sense of agency from active causal inference
Authors: Chang Acer Yu-Chan , Oi Hiroki , Maeda Takaki , Wen Wen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the active component of the sense of agency (SoA), positing that SoA is fundamentally an outcome of active causal inference regarding one’s own actions and their impact on the environment. Participants controlled visual objects via a computer mouse, with tasks designed to test their ability to judge control or detect controlled objects under varying noise conditions. Our findings reveal that participants formed high-level, low-dimensional action plans that were idiosyncratic across but consistent within individuals to infer their degree of control. Employing transformer-LSTM-based autoencoders, we captured these action plans and demonstrated that the geometrical and dynamical properties of these action plans could predict behavioural profiles in the tasks with remarkable accuracy. This suggests that participants’ sense of control is shaped by actively altering action plans, viewed as generating causal evidence through intervention. Further, participants proactively expanded the diversity of their action plans, facilitating the exploration of available action plan options while accumulating causal evidence for the inference process. Contrarily, patients with schizophrenia exhibited reduced action plan diversity, suggesting impaired active control inference and detection of self-relevant cues. These findings offer a more comprehensive understanding of the sense of agency, deeply rooted in the process of active causal inference.
MacAction: Realistic 3D macaque body animation based on multi-camera markerless motion capture
Authors: Martini Lucas M. , Bognár Anna , Vogels Rufin , Giese Martin A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSocial interaction is crucial for survival in primates. For the study of social vision in monkeys, highly controllable macaque face avatars have recently been developed, while body avatars with realistic motion do not yet exist. Addressing this gap, we developed a pipeline for three-dimensional motion tracking based on synchronized multi-view video recordings, achieving sufficient accuracy for life-like full-body animation. By exploiting data-driven pose estimation models, we track the complete time course of individual actions using a minimal set of hand-labeled keyframes. Our approach tracks single actions more accurately than existing pose estimation pipelines for behavioral tracking of non-human primates, requiring less data and fewer cameras. This efficiency is also confirmed for a state-of-the-art human benchmark dataset. A behavioral experiment with real macaque monkeys demonstrates that animals perceive the generated animations as similar to genuine videos, and establishes an uncanny valley effect for bodies in monkeys.
Localization of S1P1Receptor Signaling in the rat, mouse and human Central Nervous System
Authors: Martínez-Gardeazabal Jonatan , Pereira-Castelo Gorka , Moreno-Rodríguez Marta , Llorente-Ovejero Alberto , Fernández Manuel , Fernández-Vega Iván , Manuel Iván , Rodríguez-Puertas Rafael 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSome specific lipid molecules present in the brain are signaling molecules at the intracellular compartments or behaving as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators of other systems, binding to specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) for neurolipids. One of these receptors is the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor subtype 1, coupled to Gαi/o-proteins and involved in cell proliferation, growth or neuroprotection. Thus, an interesting target for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. The present study compares the human cerebral distribution of the activity mediated by S1P1receptor with the that in the brain of rodent experimental models, rat and mice by functional autoradiography, measuring the [35S]GTPγS binding stimulated by the S1P1receptor selective agonist CYM-5442 to get the anatomy of the S1P1receptor activity.The S1P1receptor-mediated activity is, together with that of the CB1cannabinoid receptor, one of the highest recorded for any GPCR in most of the grey matter areas of the brain, reaching up to 50%-500% over basal, depending on the agonist and brain area. The S1P1receptor signaling is very relevant in those areas that regulate learning and memory processes, such as the basal forebrain, but also in others involved in control of motor processes or nociception e.g. basal ganglia. The results also reveal that the rat would be a preferable experimental model to extrapolate for the S1P1receptor-mediated responses in human brain.
The Arabidopsis leucine rich repeat receptor-like kinase MIK2 interacts with RKS1 and participates to the control of quantitative disease resistance to the bacterial pathogenXanthomonas campestris
Authors: Delplace Florent , Huard-Chauveau Carine , Roux Fabrice , Roby Dominique 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMolecular mechanisms underlying qualitative resistance have been intensively studied. In contrast, although quantitative disease resistance (QDR) is a common, durable and broad-spectrum form of immune responses in plants, only a few related functional analyses have been reported. In this context, the atypical kinase RKS1 is a major actor of QDR to the bacterial pathogenXanthomonas campestris(Xcc) and is positioned in a robust protein-protein decentralized network. Among the putative interactors of RKS1 found by yeast two hybrid screening, we identified the receptor like kinase MDIS1-Interacting Receptor-like Kinase 2 (MIK2). Here, by multiple and complementary strategies including protein-protein interaction tests, mutant analysis and network reconstruction, we report thatMIK2is a component ofRKS1mediated QDR toXcc. First, by co-localization experiment, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC), we validated the physical interaction between RKS1 and MIK2 in the plasma membrane. Usingmik2mutants, we then showed thatMIK2is required for QDR at the same level asRKS1. Interestingly, a catalytic mutant of MIK2 was able to interact with RKS1 but unable to fully complement themik2-1mutant in response toXcc. Finally, we investigated a potential role of the MIK2-RKS1 complex as a scaffolding component for coordination of perception events, by constructing a RKS1-MIK2 centered protein-protein network. Eight mutants corresponding to seven RLKs of this network showed a strong and significant alteration in QDR toXcc. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying perception events involved in QDR toXcc.
Fluorescence hybridization chain reaction enables localization of multiple molecular classes combined with plant cell ultrastructure
Authors: Yu Yunqing , Huss David , Li Mao , Wickramanayake Janithri S. , Bélanger Sébastien , Klebanovych Anastasiya , Meyers Blake , Kellogg Elizabeth A. , Czymmek Kirk J. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundRecent developments in hybridization chain reaction (HCR) have enabled robust simultaneous localization of multiple mRNA transcripts using fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH). Once multiple split initiator oligonucleotide probes bind their target mRNA, HCR uses DNA base-pairing of fluorophore-labeled hairpin sets to self-assemble into large polymers, amplifying the fluorescence signal and reducing non-specific background. Few studies have applied HCR in plants, despite its demonstrated utility in whole mount animal tissues and cell culture. Our aim was to optimize this technique for sectioned plant tissues embedded with paraffin and methacrylate resins, and to test its utility in combination with immunolocalization and subsequent correlation with cell ultrastructure using scanning electron microscopy.ResultsApplication of HCR to 10 µm paraffin sections of 17-day-oldSetaria viridis(green millet) inflorescences using confocal microscopy revealed that the transcripts of the transcription factorKNOTTED 1(KN1) were localized to developing floret meristem and vascular tissue whileSHATTERING 1(SH1) andMYB26transcripts were co-localized to the breakpoint below the floral structures (the abscission zone). We also used methacrylate de-embedment with 1.5 µm and 0.5 µm sections of 3-day-oldArabidopsis thalianaseedlings to show tissue specificCHLOROPHYLL BINDING FACTOR a/b(CAB1) mRNA highly expressed in photosynthetic tissues andELONGATION FACTOR 1 ALPHA(EF1α) highly expressed in meristematic tissues of the shoot apex. The housekeeping geneACTIN7(ACT7) mRNA was more uniformly distributed with reduced signals using lattice structured-illumination microscopy. HCR using 1.5 µm methacrylate sections was followed by backscattered imaging and scanning electron microscopy thus demonstrating the feasibility of correlating fluorescent localization with ultrastructure.ConclusionHCR was successfully adapted for use with both paraffin and methacrylate de-embedment on diverse plant tissues in two model organisms, allowing for concurrent cellular and subcellular localization of multiple mRNAs, antibodies and other affinity probe classes. The mild hybridization conditions used in HCR made it highly amenable to observe immunofluorescence in the same section. De-embedded semi-thin methacrylate sections with HCR were compatible with correlative electron microscopy approaches. Our protocol provides numerous practical tips for successful HCR and affinity probe labeling in electron microscopy-compatible, sectioned plant material.