bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathways and Intersections: Multifaceted Approaches to Engage Individuals From Underrepresented and Marginalized Communities in HIV Research and Career Development
Authors: Irie Whitney C. , Chitneni Pooja , Glynn Tiffany R. , Allen Wanda , Chai Peter R. , Engelman Alan N. , Hurtado Rocio , Li Jonathan Z. , Li Peng , Lockman Shahin , Marcus Julia L. , Ogunshola Funsho J. , Rönn Minttu M. , Haberer Jessica , Ghebremichael Musie , Ciaranello Andrea ,   For the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group
Published: September 2023

Background:
The underrepresentation of historically marginalized groups in the HIV research workforce is a barrier to reaching national Ending the Epidemic goals.

Setting:
The Harvard University Center for AIDS Research (HU CFAR) Diversity Equity and Inclusion Working Group (DEI WG) uses a multifaceted approach to enhance the field's diversity.

Methods:
We established a DEI WG to improve the recruitment, inclusion, and retention of underrepresented minorities (URMs) in HIV research. We use community-based, participatory processes to establish and expand education and outreach programs about HIV care and research to better connect the HU CFAR to communities affected by HIV. This article reports on the development of the WG in July 2022, progress in its first year, and future plans.

Results:
We have built a network of >50 investigators across the university for monthly meetings; partnered with existing research pathway programs for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, directly supporting 7 new trainees and linking CFAR investigators to additional mentorship opportunities; and created 2-year Scholar Awards for 5 URM investigators in HIV. Planned work includes needs assessments for early-stage investigators to understand factors contributing to inclusion and retention and new pathway and outreach programming being developed with community partner minority-serving institutions.

Conclusions:
The HU CFAR DEI WG strives to ensure that individuals from underrepresented, marginalized, and minoritized communities have an opportunity to contribute to HIV research and that research is informed by the needs of the communities affected by the epidemic. An intersectional approach should be incorporated into HIV research pathway initiatives.
Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI): Developing Career Pathways for Early-Stage Scholars From Racial and Ethnic Groups Underrepresented in HIV Science and Medicine
Authors: CDEIPI Consortium  
Published: September 2023

Background:
There is an urgent need to increase diversity among scientific investigators in the HIV research field to be more reflective of communities highly affected by the HIV epidemic. Thus, it is critical to promote the inclusion and advancement of early-stage scholars from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in HIV science and medicine.

Methods:
To widen the HIV research career pathway for early-stage scholars from underrepresented minority groups, the National Institutes of Health supported the development of the Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI). This program was created through partnerships between CFARs and Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions throughout the United States.

Results:
Seventeen CFARs and more than 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions have participated in this initiative to date. Programs were designed for the high school (8), undergraduate (13), post baccalaureate (2), graduate (12), and postdoctoral (4) levels. Various pedagogical approaches were used including didactic seminar series, intensive multiday workshops, summer residential programs, and mentored research internship opportunities. During the first 18 months of the initiative, 257 student scholars participated in CDEIPI programs including 150 high school, 73 undergraduate, 3 post baccalaureate, 27 graduate, and 4 postdoctoral students.

Conclusion:
Numerous student scholars from a wide range of educational levels, geographic backgrounds, and racial and ethnic minority groups have engaged in CDEIPI programs. Timely and comprehensive program evaluation data will be critical to support a long-term commitment to this unique training initiative.
An Internship Approach to Strengthen the Pathway for Historically Underrepresented Groups in Health Sciences Research: The North Carolina Diversity and Inclusion Pathway Program
Authors: Robinson Seronda A. , Menezes Prema , Zinck Matthew , McCrimmon Jordyn , Okumu Eunice , Ford R. Uriah , Esposito Maria , Sivaraman Vijay , Chi Benjamin H. 
Published: September 2023

Background:
To increase engagement of historically underrepresented groups in health sciences research, we created the North Carolina Diversity and Inclusion Pathway Program (NC-DIPP). This year-long, paid internship provides undergraduate and graduate students from 2 historically Black colleges and universities an opportunity to gain real-world experience under the mentorship of expert faculty.

Methods:
To evaluate the early experiences with the NC-DIPP program, we conducted semi-structured interviews with interns and program leaders. Faculty mentors completed an online questionnaire to describe their experiences to date. A thematic approach was used to analyze the findings.

Results:
In March–April 2023, 7 of 8 interns (88%), 6 of 11 mentors (54%), and 4 of 4 program leaders (100%) participated in various evaluation components. Overall, respondents agreed about the importance of programs like NC-DIPP, which further engage historically underrepresented groups in the health sciences. Interns had positive feedback about the internship, including real-world work experience, connections to experienced mentors, and early career planning. On a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent), interns rated their experience as a median of 8.3 (range: 4.5–10.0). Mentors had favorable but slightly lower scores (median: 7.0, range: 5.0–8.0). Areas for improvement were noted, including clearer expectations, improved logistical support, and central engagement of interns across projects.

Conclusions:
This early evaluation of NC-DIPP was generally favorable across all stakeholder groups. By providing a long-term experience in health science research, such programs can contribute to work experience, career planning, and professional networking.
Advancements in Diffusion MRI Tractography for Neurosurgery
Authors: Kamagata Koji , Andica Christina , Uchida Wataru , Takabayashi Kaito , Saito Yuya , Lukies Matthew , Hagiwara Akifumi , Fujita Shohei , Akashi Toshiaki , Wada Akihiko , Hori Masaaki , Kamiya Kouhei , Zalesky Andrew , Aoki Shigeki 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging tractography is a noninvasive technique that enables the visualization and quantification of white matter tracts within the brain. It is extensively used in preoperative planning for brain tumors, epilepsy, and functional neurosurgical procedures such as deep brain stimulation. Over the past 25 years, significant advancements have been made in imaging acquisition, fiber direction estimation, and tracking methods, resulting in considerable improvements in tractography accuracy. The technique enables the mapping of functionally critical pathways around surgical sites to avoid permanent functional disability. When the limitations are adequately acknowledged and considered, tractography can serve as a valuable tool to safeguard critical white matter tracts and provides insight regarding changes in normal white matter and structural connectivity of the whole brain beyond local lesions. In functional neurosurgical procedures such as deep brain stimulation, it plays a significant role in optimizing stimulation sites and parameters to maximize therapeutic efficacy and can be used as a direct target for therapy. These insights can aid in patient risk stratification and prognosis. This article aims to discuss state-of-the-art tractography methodologies and their applications in preoperative planning and highlight the challenges and new prospects for the use of tractography in daily clinical practice.
Tree diversity increases forest temperature buffering
Authors: Schnabel Florian , Beugnon Rémy , Yang Bo , Richter Ronny , Eisenhauer Nico , Huang Yuanyuan , Liu Xiaojuan , Wirth Christian , Cesarz Simone , Fichtner Andreas , Perles-Garcia Maria D. , Hähn Georg J. A. , Härdtle Werner , Kunz Matthias , Izaguirre Nadia C. Castro , Niklaus Pascal A. , von Oheimb Goddert , Schmid Bernhard , Trogisch Stefan , Wendisch Manfred , Ma Keping , Bruelheide Helge 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGlobal warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of climate extremes. Forests may buffer such extreme events by creating their own microclimate below their canopy via cooling hot and insulating against cold macroclimate air temperatures. This buffering capacity of forests may be increased by tree diversity and may itself maintain forest functioning and biodiversity. However, despite its relevance for many ecosystem processes, the effect of tree diversity on temperature buffering is largely unexplored. Here, we show that tree species richness consistently increases forest temperature buffering across daily, monthly, and annual scales over six years. This finding is based on data from a large-scale tree diversity experiment covering a species richness gradient of 1 to 24 tree species. We found that species richness strengthened both components of forest temperature buffering: the attenuation of hot and of cold macroclimate air temperatures, with the cooling effect being more pronounced. The buffering effect of tree species richness was mediated by canopy density and structural diversity, assessed as leaf area index and stand structural complexity index, respectively. Safeguarding and planting diverse forests may thus mitigate negative effects of global warming and climate extremes on ecosystem functions and communities below the tree canopy.
Chemogenetic activation of target neurons expressing insect Ionotropic Receptors in the mammalian central nervous system by systemic administration of ligand precursors
Authors: Iguchi Yoshio , Fukabori Ryoji , Kato Shigeki , Takahashi Kazumi , Eifuku Satoshi , Maejima Yuko , Shimomura Kenju , Mizuma Hiroshi , Mawatari Aya , Cui Hisashi Yilong , Onoe Hirotaka , Hikishima Keigo , Osanai Makoto , Nishijo Takuma , Momiyama Toshihiko , Benton Richard , Kobayashi Kazuto 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe IR-mediated neuronal activation (IRNA) technology allows stimulation of neurons in the brain that heterologously-express members of the insect chemosensory IR repertoire in response to their cognate ligands. In the current protocol, a ligand against the complex consisting of IR84a and IR8a subunits, phenylacetic acid (PhAc), is locally injected into a brain region, because of a low efficiency of PhAc for the delivery into the brain across the blood-brain barrier. To circumvent this invasive injection, here we developed a strategy for activation of target neurons in the brain through peripheral administration with a precursor of PhAc, methyl ester of PhAc (PhAcM), which is efficiently transferred into the brain and converted to the mature ligand by endogenous esterase activities. Peripheral administration of with PhAcM activated IR84a/IR8a-expressing neurons in the locus coeruleus of mice and increased the release of neurotransmitters in their nerve terminal regions. (S)-2-phenylpropionic acid ((S)-PhPr) was newly identified as a ligand for IR84a/IR8a, and peripheral administration with the methyl ester of PhPr with the S-configuration [(S)-PhPrM] caused similar effects on the target neurons. In addition, cell-type specific expression of IR84a/IR8a complex in the striatum of rats was unilaterally induced with a viral vector based on the Cre-loxP system. Peripheral administration with PhAcM or (S)-PhPrM stimulated the neurotransmitter release in the ipsilateral terminal regions of the vector-injected striatum, and PhAcM administration resulted in rotational behavior.Finally, we demonstrated that the metabolites of the peripherally administered-radiolabeled (S)-PhPrM accumulated in the IR84a/IR8a-expressing region in the striatum of the vector-injected rats. These results demonstrate that the systemic IRNA technique provides a powerful strategy for remote manipulation of diverse types of target neurons in the mammalian central nervous system.
The interplay between oxidative stress and inflammation supports autistic-related behaviors in mice
Authors: Pangrazzi Luca , Cerilli Enrica , Balasco Luigi , Tobia Caterina , Dall‘O’ Ginevra Matilde , Chelini Gabriele , Perini Samuel , Filosi Michele , Ravizza Teresa , Vezzani Annamaria , Provenzano Giovanni , Pastore Anna , Weinberger Birgit , Domenici Enrico , Bozzi Yuri 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive/restricted behaviors. Several studies showed that inflammation may contribute to ASD. Here we used RT-qPCR, RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry to show that pro-inflammatory molecules were increased in the cerebellum and periphery of mice lackingCntnap2(Cntnap2−/−), a robust model of ASD. In parallel, oxidative stress was present in the cerebellum of mutant animals. Systemic treatment with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) rescued cerebellar oxidative stress and inflammation as well as motor and social impairments inCntnap2−/−mice. This was accompanied by improved function of microglia cells in NAC-treated mutant animals. Intriguingly, social deficits, cerebellar inflammation and microglia dysfunction were induced by NAC inCntnap2+/+animals. Our findings therefore suggest that the interplay between oxidative stress and inflammation may support ASD-related behaviors in mice.
Multilevel regulation of NF-κB signaling by NSD2 suppressesKras-driven pancreatic tumorigenesis
Authors: Feng Wenxin , Niu Ningning , Lu Ping , Rao Hanyu , Chen Zhuo , Zhang Wei , Ma Chunxiao , Liu Changwei , Xu Yue , Gao Wei-Qiang , Xue Jing , Li Li 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a clinically challenging cancer with a dismal overall prognosis. NSD2 is an H3K36-specific di-methyltransferase which has been reported to play a crucial role in promoting tumorigenesis. Here, we demonstrate that NSD2 acts as a putative tumor suppressor inKras-driven pancreatic tumorigenesis. Low level of NSD2 indicates aggressive feature of PDAC. NSD2 restrains the mice from inflammation andKras-induced ductal metaplasia, while NSD2 loss facilitates pancreatic tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, NSD2-mediated H3K36me2 promotes the expression of IκBα, which inhibits the phosphorylation of p65 and NF-κB nuclear translocation. More importantly, NSD2 interacts with the DNA binding domain of p65, attenuating NF-κB transcriptional activity. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-κB signaling relieves the symptoms ofNsd2-deficient mice. Together, our study reveals the important tumor suppressor role of NSD2 and multiple mechanisms by which NSD2 suppresses both p65 phosphorylation and downstream transcriptional activity during pancreatic tumorigenesis. This study contributes to understanding the pathogenesis of pancreatic tumorigenesis and identifies a novel negative regulator of NF-κB signaling.
Differential cortical and subcortical visual processing with eyes shut
Authors: Cicero Nicholas G. , Klimova Michaela , Lewis Laura D. , Ling Sam 
Published: September 2023

AbstractClosing our eyes largely shuts down our ability to see. That said, our eyelids still pass some light, allowing our visual system to coarsely process information about visual scenes, such as changes in luminance. However, the specific impact of eye closure on processing within the early visual system remains largely unknown. To understand how visual processing is modulated when eyes are shut, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure responses to a flickering visual stimulus at high (100%) and low (10%) temporal contrasts, while participants viewed the stimuli with their eyes open or closed. Interestingly, we discovered that eye closure produced a qualitatively distinct pattern of effects across the visual thalamus and visual cortex. We found that with eyes open, low temporal contrast stimuli produced smaller responses, across the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), primary (V1) and extrastriate visual cortex (V2). However, with eyes closed, we discovered that the LGN and V1 maintained similar BOLD responses as the eyes open condition, despite the suppressed visual input through the eyelid. In contrast, V2 and V3 had strongly attenuated BOLD response when eyes were closed, regardless of temporal contrast. Our findings reveal a qualitative distinct pattern of visual processing when the eyes are closed – one that is not simply an overall attenuation, but rather reflects distinct responses across visual thalamocortical networks, wherein the earliest stages of processing preserves information about stimuli but is then gated off downstream in visual cortex.Significance statementWhen we close our eyes, not all information is blocked out. Coarse luminance information is still accessible for processing by the visual system, even when our eyes are closed. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we examined whether eyelid closure plays a unique role in visual processing. We discovered that while the thalamus and primary visual cortex (V1) show equivalent luminance-dependent responses both when the eyes are open and closed, extrastriate cortex exhibited a qualitatively distinct pattern of responses. Specifically, eye closure attenuated luminance responses in extrastriate cortices, but responses were preserved in LGN and V1. This pattern suggests that during brain states where the eyes are closed, visual information is still accessible to the very earliest stages of visual processing, but that downstream visual processing areas appear to become blind to this information.
A reproducible approach for the use of aptamer libraries for the identification of Aptamarkers for brain amyloid deposition based on plasma analysis
Authors: Meehan Cathal , Lecocq Soizic , Penner Gregory 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAn approach for the agnostic identification and validation of aptamers for the prediction of a medical state from plasma analysis is presented in application to a key risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. brain amyloid deposition. This method involved the use of a newly designed aptamer library with sixteen random nucleotides interspersed with fixed sequences called a Neomer library. The Neomer library approach enables the direct application of the same starting library on multiple plasma samples. without the requirement for pre-enrichment associated with the traditional approach. Eight aptamers were identified as a result of the selection process and screened across 390 plasma samples by qPCR assay. Results from both processes were analysed using multiple machine learning algorithms from the Scikit-learn package along with clinical variables including cognitive status. age and sex to create predictive models. An Extra Trees Classifier model provided the highest predictive power. The Neomer approach resulted in a sensitivity of 0.88. specificity of 0.76. and AUC of 0.79. The only clinical variables that were included in the model were age and sex. We conclude that the Neomer approach represents a clear improvement for the agnostic identification of aptamers (Aptamarkers) that bind to unknown biomarkers of a medical state.
United States influenza 2022-2023 season characteristics as inferred from wastewater solids, influenza hospitalization and syndromic data
Authors: Schoen Mary E. , Bidwell Amanda L. , Wolfe Marlene K. , Boehm Alexandria B. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractInfluenza A virus (IAV) causes significant morbidity and mortality in the United States and has pandemic potential. Identifying IAV epidemic patterns is essential to inform the timing of vaccines and non-pharmaceutical interventions. In a prospective, longitudinal study design, we measured IAV RNA in wastewater settled solids at 163 wastewater treatment plants across 33 states to characterize the 2022-2023 influenza season at the state, health and human services (HHS) regional, and national scales. Influenza season onset, offset, duration, peak, and intensity using IAV RNA in wastewater were compared with those determined using laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalization rates and outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI). The onset for HHS regions as determined by IAV RNA in wastewater roughly corresponded with those determined using ILI when the annual geometric mean of IAV RNA concentration was used as baseline (i.e., the threshold that triggers onset), although offsets between the two differed. IAV RNA in wastewater provided early warning of onset, compared to the ILI estimate, when the baseline was set at twice the limit of IAV RNA detection in wastewater. Peak when determined by IAV RNA in wastewater generally preceded peak determined by IAV hospitalization rate by two weeks or less. Wastewater settled solids data is an IAV-specific indicator that can be used to augment clinical surveillance for seasonal influenza epidemic timing and intensity.Abstract Figure