bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Positive F Wave in Lead V1 of Typical Atrial Flutter is Caused by Activation of the Right Atrial Appendage: Insight from Mapping During Entrainment from the Right Atrial Appendage
Authors: Yamashita Shu , Mizukami Akira , Ono Maki , Hiroki Jiro , Miyakuni Shota , Miyamoto Hina , Ishizu Hiroki , Arashiro Takumi , Noguchi Soichi , Ueshima Daisuke , Matsumura Akihiko , Miyazaki Shinsuke , Sasano Tetsuo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundTypical atrial flutter (AFL) is a macroreentrant tachycardia in which intra-cardiac conduction rotates counterclockwise around the tricuspid annulus. Typical AFL has specific electrocardiographic characteristics of a negative sawtooth-like wave in the inferior lead and a positive F wave in lead V1.ObjectiveThis study analyzed the source of the positive F wave in lead V1, which has not been well elucidated.MethodsThis study included 10 patients who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation for a typical AFL. Electroanatomical mapping was performed both during typical AFL and entrainment from the right atrial appendage (RAA). The 12-lead electrocardiogram and three-dimensional (3D) electroanatomical maps were analyzed.ResultsThe positive F wave in lead V1 changed during entrainment from the RAA in all the cases. The 3D map during entrainment from the RAA showed an area of antidromic capture around the RAA, which collided with the orthodromic wave in the anterior right atrium. This area of antidromic capture around the RAA was the only difference from the 3D electroanatomical map of tachycardia and is thought to be the cause of the disappearance of the F wave in lead V1 during entrainment.ConclusionThe analysis of the differences in the 12-lead ECG and 3D maps between tachycardia and entrainment from the RAA clearly showed that activation around the RAA is responsible for the generation of the positive F wave in lead V1 of typical AFL.
Transactional sex and age-disparate sexual partnerships among adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania
Authors: Rucinski Katherine B. , Mbita Gaspar , Atkins Kaitlyn , Majani Esther , Komba Albert , Casalini Caterina , Drake Mary , Makyao Neema , Galishi Anthony , Mlawa Yeronimo , Wamoyi Joyce , Schwartz Sheree , Baral Stefan , Curran Kelly 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAdolescent girls and young women (AGYW) continue to experience a high incidence of HIV in southern and eastern Africa, even in the context of large-scale HIV prevention interventions. In Tanzania, AGYW account for the largest proportion of new infections and have a higher risk of HIV acquisition than males of comparable age. We used routinely collected data from the PEPFAR/USAID-funded Sauti Project, a large combination HIV prevention program, to examine the relationship between transactional sex and sex with older partners among AGYW in Tanzania (2015-2020). Out-of-school AGYW 15-24 years completed a vulnerability index and were tested for HIV. We estimated weighted prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations of transactional sex (sex exchanged for money/services/gifts outside of sex work) and sex with older partners (≥5-years older, ≥10-years older) with prevalent HIV. We assessed potential synergism between exposures, and subgroup analyses explored associations among girls 15-19. 67,357 AGYW completed the vulnerability index and 14,873 had captured HIV testing records. Median age was 20 years (IQR 18-22). Transactional sex and age-disparate sex were common (35% and 28%, respectively); 13% of AGYW reported both behaviors. HIV prevalence was associated with both transactional sex (PR:1.28; 95% CI 1.00-1.63) and age-disparate sex (PR:1.26, 95% CI 0.99-1.60). In common referent analysis, transactional sex remained strongly associated with HIV, even in the absence of age-disparate sex (PR 1.41; 95% CI 1.02-1.94). Evidence of statistical synergism was not present, suggesting both transactional sex and age-disparate sex operate through similar pathways to increase HIV risk. Increased specificity within HIV prevention programs is needed to better meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of AGYW at high risk of HIV in Tanzania, including investment in tailored youth-friendly strategies for AGYW who have been marginalized from the current HIV response.
Transient brain activity dynamics discriminate levels of consciousness during anesthesia
Authors: Ensel Scott , Uhrig Lynn , Ozkirli Ayberk , Hoffner Guylaine , Tasserie Jordy , Dehaene Stanislas , Van De Ville Dimitri , Jarraya Béchir , Pirondini Elvira 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe awake mammalian brain is functionally organized in terms of large-scale distributed networks that are constantly interacting. Loss of consciousness might disrupt this temporal organization leaving patients unresponsive. We hypothesized that characterizing brain activity in terms of transient events may provide a signature of consciousness. For this, we analyzed temporal dynamics of spatiotemporally overlapping functional networks obtained from fMRI transient activity across different states of consciousness. We first show a striking homology in spatial organization of networks between monkeys and humans, indicating cross-species similarities in resting- state fMRI structure. We then tracked how network organization shifts under different anesthesia conditions in macaque monkeys. While the spatial aspect of the networks was preserved, their temporal dynamics were highly affected by anesthesia. Networks expressed for longer durations and co-activated in an anesthetic-specific configuration. Additionally, hierarchical brain organization was disrupted with a consciousness-level- signature role of the default mode network. In conclusion, network temporal dynamics is a reliable and robust cortical signature of consciousness, paving the way to its clinical translation.
Developmentally regulated generation of a systemic signal for long-lasting defence priming in tomato
Authors: Stevens Katie , Roberts Michael R , Jeynes-Cupper Katie , Catoni Marco , Luna Estrella 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTomato plants can be chemically primed to express long-lasting induced resistance (IR) for the protection of fruit against pathogen infection. Here, we determined that priming results in maintenance of IR in fruit and progeny of tomato plants only when initiated at an early developmental stage. Global DNA methylation analysis revealed seedling-specific changes, which occurred in the context of lower basal methylation, suggesting a greater epigenetic imprinting capacity of young plants. Remarkably, IR was found to be transmissible from primed rootstock to grafted unprimed scions. In these scions, we identified a subset of mobile 24 nt small RNAs associated with genes with enhanced expression in response toBotrytis cinereainfection in fruit, suggesting the functional association of a systemic signal with long-lasting IR and priming. Through integrated omics approaches we have identified markers of long-lasting priming in tomato fruit which could also serve as targets for durable resistance in other crops.
Comparison of genomic DNA isolation methods inPereskia aculeata Mill. (Ora-pro-nóbis)
Authors: Silva Neta Joselina Barbosa da , Silva Neto Amaro Antônio , Magalhães Thaís Correia , Diniz Michely Correia 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTIn Brazil, it is estimated that at least 10% of the native flora, which corresponds to about 4 or 5 thousand plant species, are used for food purposes. Among these species,Pereskia aculeataMill, known as ora-pro-nóbis and belonging to the Cactaceae family, stands out. It is considered a Unconventional Food Plant (UFP) and a vegetable of traditional use, playing an important role in the diet and economy of rural and urban families. Due to their high nutrient content, they have both economic and social significance, being a target of interest for scientific research. Despite the potential for human use of this species, there is a lack of knowledge about its diversity and genomic structure, resulting in few genetic and molecular studies that can contribute to the conservation and improvement of this species in general. It is essential to acquire information about its genomic structure, as well as to carry out studies related to the comparison, selection and optimization of protocols for obtaining quality DNA and in sufficient quantity, in order to guarantee the success of molecular and evolutionary analyses. The aim of this research was to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively methods of isolation of genomic DNA fromPereskia aculeataMill. Significant variations were observed in the DNA extracted and in the purity observed between the different protocols tested, with the isolation by the protocol described by Sambrook et al. (1989) being the most efficient in terms of concentration and purity, followed by the modified method proposed in this work. This work is a pioneer in comparing methods for isolating DNA fromPereskia aculeataMill. in terms of quality and quantity. In addition, it was found that there is still a scarcity of molecular studies on this species, both worldwide and in Brazil, which indicates the existence of a promising gap for the development and realization of scientific research in this field.
Hibernation reduces GABA signaling in the brainstem to enhance motor activity of breathing at cool temperatures
Authors: Saunders Sandy E. , Santin Joseph M. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundNeural circuits produce reliable activity patterns despite disturbances in the environment. For this to occur, neurons elicit synaptic plasticity during perturbations. However, recent work suggests that plasticity not only regulates circuit activity during disturbances, but these modifications may also linger to stabilize circuits during future perturbations. The implementation of such a regulation scheme for real-life environmental challenges of animals remains unclear. Amphibians provide insight into this problem in a rather extreme way, as circuits that generate breathing are inactive for several months during underwater hibernation and use compensatory plasticity to promote ventilation upon emergence.ResultsUsingex vivobrainstem preparations and electrophysiology, we find that hibernation in American bullfrogs reduces GABAAreceptor (GABAAR) inhibition in respiratory rhythm generating circuits and motor neurons, consistent with a compensatory response to chronic inactivity. Although GABAARs are normally critical for breathing, baseline network output at warm temperatures was not affected. However, when assessed across a range of temperatures, hibernators with reduced GABAAR signaling had greater activity at cooler temperatures, enhancing respiratory motor output under conditions that otherwise strongly depress breathing.ConclusionsHibernation reduces GABAAR signaling to promote robust respiratory output only at cooler temperatures. Although animals do not ventilate lungs during hibernation, we suggest this would be beneficial for stabilizing breathing when the animal passes through a large temperature range during emergence in the spring. More broadly, these results demonstrate that compensatory synaptic plasticity can increase the operating range of circuits in harsh environments, thereby promoting adaptive behavior in conditions that suppress activity.
Computational modeling establishes mechanotransduction as a potent modulator of the mammalian circadian clock
Authors: Francis Emmet A. , Rangamani Padmini 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMechanotransduction, which is the integration of mechanical signals from the cell’s external environment to changes in intracellular signaling, governs many cellular functions. Recent studies have shown that the mechanical state of the cell is also coupled to the cellular circadian clock. To investigate possible interactions between circadian rhythms and cellular mechanotransduction, we have developed a computational model that integrates the two pathways. We postulated that the translocation of the transcriptional regulators YAP/TAZ and MRTF into the nucleus leads to altered expression of circadian proteins. Simulations from our model predict that lower levels of cytoskeletal activity are associated with longer circadian oscillation periods and higher oscillation amplitudes, consistent with recent experimental observations. Furthermore, accumulation of YAP/TAZ and MRTF in the nucleus causes circadian oscillations to decay. These effects hold both at the single-cell level and within a population-level framework. Finally, we investigated the effects of mutations in YAP or lamin A, the latter of which lead to a class of diseases known as laminopathies. Oscillations in circadian proteins are substantially weaker in populations of cells within silicomutations in YAP or lamin A, suggesting that defects in mechanotransduction can disrupt the circadian clock in certain disease states. However, by reducing substrate stiffness, we were able to restore normal oscillatory behavior, suggesting a possible compensatory mechanism. Thus our study identifies that mechanotransduction could be a potent modulatory cue for cellular clocks and this crosstalk can be leveraged to rescue the circadian clock in disease states.
Analyses of allele age and fitness impact reveal human beneficial alleles to be older than neutral controls
Authors: Pivirotto Alyssa M. , Platt Alexander , Patel Ravi , Kumar Sudhir , Hey Jody 
Published: October 2023

AbstractA classic population genetic prediction is that alleles experiencing directional selection should swiftly traverse allele frequency space, leaving detectable reductions in genetic variation in linked regions. However, despite this expectation, identifying clear footprints of beneficial allele passage has proven to be surprisingly challenging. We addressed the basic premise underlying this expectation by estimating the ages of large numbers of beneficial and deleterious alleles in a human population genomic data set. Deleterious alleles were found to be young, on average, given their allele frequency. However, beneficial alleles were older on average than non-coding, non-regulatory alleles of the same frequency. This finding is not consistent with directional selection and instead indicates some type of balancing selection. Among derived beneficial alleles, those fixed in the population show higher local recombination rates than those still segregating, consistent with a model in which new beneficial alleles experience an initial period of balancing selection due to linkage disequilibrium with deleterious recessive alleles. Alleles that ultimately fix following a period of balancing selection will leave a modest ‘soft’ sweep impact on the local variation, consistent with the overall paucity of species-wide ‘hard’ sweeps in human genomes.Impact StatementAnalyses of allele age and evolutionary impact reveal that beneficial alleles in a human population are often older than neutral controls, suggesting a large role for balancing selection in adaptation.
Large genetic analysis of alcohol resistance and tolerance reveals an inverse correlation and suggests ‘true’ tolerance mutants
Authors: Chvilicek Maggie M. , Seguin Alexandra , Lathen Daniel R. , Titos Iris , Cummins-Beebe Pearl N , Pabon Miguel A. , Miscevic Masa , Nickel Emily A. , Merrill Collin B , Rodan Aylin R. , Rothenfluh Adrian 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTolerance occurs when, following an initial experience with a substance, more of the substance is required subsequently to induce the same behavioral effects. Tolerance is historically not well-understood, and numerous researchers have turned to model organisms, particularlyDrosophila melanogaster, to unravel its mechanisms. Flies have high translational relevance for human alcohol responses, and there is substantial overlap in disease-causing genes between flies and humans, including those associated with Alcohol Use Disorder. NumerousDrosophilatolerance mutants have been described; however, approaches used to identify and characterize these mutants have varied across time and between labs and have mostly disregarded any impact of initial resistance/sensitivity to ethanol on subsequent tolerance development. Here, we have analyzed a large amount of data – our own published and unpublished data and data published by other labs – to uncover an inverse correlation between initial ethanol resistance and tolerance phenotypes. This inverse correlation suggests that initial resistance phenotypes can explain many ‘perceived’ tolerance phenotypes. Additionally, we show that tolerance should be measured as a relative increase in time to sedation between an initial and second exposure rather than an absolute change in time to sedation. Finally, based on our analysis, we provide a method for using a linear regression equation to assess the residuals of potential tolerance mutants. We show that these residuals provide predictive insight into the likelihood of a mutant being a ‘true’ tolerance mutant, and we offer a framework for understanding the relationship between initial resistance and tolerance.
Australian terrestrial environments harbour extensive RNA virus diversity
Authors: Sadiq Sabrina , Harvey Erin , Mifsud Jonathon C. O. , Minasny Budiman , McBratney Alex. B. , Pozza Liana E. , Mahar Jackie E. , Holmes Edward C. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTAustralia is home to a diverse range of unique native fauna and flora. To address whether Australian ecosystems also harbour unique viruses, we performed meta-transcriptomic sequencing of 16 farmland and sediment samples taken from the east and west coasts of Australia. We identified 2,562 putatively novel viruses across 15 orders, the vast majority of which belonged to the microbe-associated phylumLenarviricota. In many orders, the novel viruses identified here comprised entirely new clades, such as theNodamuviralesandGhabrivirales. Novel viruses also fell between established genera or families, such as in theCystoviridaeandPicornavirales, while highly divergent lineages were identified in theMartelliviralesandGhabrivirales. Viral abundance and alpha diversity were influenced by sampling site, soil type and land use, but not by depth from the surface. In sum, Australian soils and sediments are home to remarkable viral diversity, reflecting the biodiversity of local fauna and flora.
Validation of an AI-based solution for breast cancer risk stratification using routine digital histopathology images
Authors: Sharma Abhinav , Lövgren Sandy Kang , Eriksson Kajsa Ledesma , Wang Yinxi , Robertson Stephanie , Hartman Johan , Rantalainen Mattias 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundStratipath Breast is a CE-IVD marked artificial intelligence-based solution for prognostic risk stratification of breast cancer patients into high- and low-risk groups, using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained histopathology whole slide images (WSIs). In this validation study, we assessed the prognostic performance of Stratipath Breast in two independent breast cancer cohorts.MethodsThis retrospective multi-site validation study included 2719 patients with primary breast cancer from two Swedish hospitals. The Stratipath Breast tool was applied to stratify patients based on digitised WSIs of the diagnostic H&E-stained tissue sections from surgically resected tumours. The prognostic performance was evaluated using time-to-event analysis by multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards analysis with progression-free survival (PFS) as the primary endpoint.ResultsIn the clinically relevant oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative patient subgroup, the estimated hazard ratio (HR) associated with PFS between low- and high-risk groups was 2.76 (95% CI: 1.63-4.66, p-value < 0.001) after adjusting for established risk factors. In the ER+/HER2-Nottingham histological grade (NHG) 2 subgroup, the HR was 2.20 (95% CI: 1.22-3.98, p-value = 0.009) between low- and high-risk groups.ConclusionThe results indicate an independent prognostic value of Stratipath Breast among all breast cancer patients, as well as in the clinically relevant ER+/HER2-subgroup and the NHG2/ER+/HER2-subgroup. Improved risk stratification of intermediate-risk ER+/HER2-breast cancers provides information relevant for treatment decisions of adjuvant chemotherapy and has the potential to reduce both under- and overtreatment. Image-based risk stratification provides the added benefit of short lead times and substantially lower cost compared to molecular diagnostics and therefore has the potential to reach broader patient groups.
The impact of depression and childhood maltreatment experiences on psychological adaptation from lockdown to relaxation periods during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Herpertz Julian , Goltermann Janik , Gruber Marius , Blitz Rogério , Taylor Jacob , Brosch Katharina , Stein Frederike , Straube Benjamin , Meinert Susanne , Kraus Anna , Leehr Elisabeth J , Repple Jonathan , Redlich Ronny , Gutfleisch Lara , Besteher Bianca , Ratzsch Janette , Winter Alexandra , Bonnekoh Linda M. , Emden Daniel , Kircher Tilo , Nenadic Igor , Dannlowski Udo , Hahn Tim , Opel Nils 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has presented a significant challenge to societal mental health. Yet, it remains unknown which factors influence the mental adaptation from lockdown to subsequent relaxation periods, particularly for vulnerable groups.This study used smartphone-based monitoring to explore how 74 individuals with major depression (MDD) and 77 healthy controls (HCs) responded to the transition from lockdown to relaxation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 21 to November 01, 2020) regarding interpersonal interactions, COVID-19-related fear (fear of participants’ own health, the health of close relatives, and the pandemics’ economic impact), and the feeling of isolation. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of a diagnosis of MDD and the experience of childhood maltreatment (CM) on adaptive functioning.During the transition from lockdown to relaxation, we observed an increase in direct contacts and a decrease in indirect contacts and self-perceived isolation in the study population. The diagnosis of MDD and the experience of CM moderated a maintenance of COVID-19-related fear: HCs and participants without the experience of CM showed a decrease in fear, while fear of participants with MDD and with an experience of CM did not change significantly.The finding that elevated COVID-19-related fear was sustained in vulnerable groups after lockdown measures were lifted could help guide psychosocial prevention efforts in future pandemic emergencies.