bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Racial Descriptive Norms on Vaccination against COVID-19
Authors: Oceno Marzia , Yen Wei-Ting 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Racial disparities have persisted in COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death rates in the United States. Differences in vaccination hesitancy have also emerged by race: communities of color and, particularly, African Americans have been more reluctant to get a vaccine to prevent COVID-19. Can racial descriptive norms provide a tool to increase confidence and reduce hesitancy within the US public? We conducted a survey experiment at the end of January 2021 on a sample of non-Hispanic white and Black American adults. The experiment varied whether information about uptake intent by race was provided, and what racial group was reported to be more likely to get a vaccine if one were available to them today. Our results show that the tendency to conform to one’s racial ingroup can play a key role in improving vaccination attitudes across race. Indeed, whites become significantly more willing to get vaccinated now or in the near future after they learn that a majority of whites intend to do so. Furthermore, both Blacks with high science trust and whites with low science trust are more likely to accept multiple vaccine doses and yearly boosters if their racial ingroup plans on getting vaccinated. Finally, the desire for ingroup conformity leads Blacks with low science trust to be more willing to receive a vaccine when they are provided a choice among vaccine brands.
Synovial macrophage activation mediates pain experiences in experimental knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Blackler Garth , Lai-Zhao Yue , Klapak Joseph , Philpott Holly T. , Pitchers Kyle K. , Maher Andrew R. , Fiset Benoit , Walsh Logan A. , Gillies Elizabeth R. , Appleton C. Thomas 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIt has been suggested that synovial macrophages mediate nociceptive signals in knee osteoarthritis (OA) but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Our objectives were to investigate the role of synovial macrophages and their activation via signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling in mediating OA pain experiences.We induced experimental OA in rats via knee destabilization surgery and then performed RNA sequencing analysis in sorted synovial macrophages to identify signaling pathways associated with macrophage activation. Next, we repeated intra-articular injections of liposomal clodronate to deplete macrophages, or liposomal inhibitors of STAT1 or STAT6 to block macrophage activation, and tested the effects on local and distal mechanical pain sensitivity. We also assessed synovitis, cartilage damage, and synovial macrophage infiltration with histopathology and immunofluorescence, and crosstalk between liposomal drug-treated synovium and articular chondrocytes in co-culture.Most enriched signaling pathways in activated OA macrophages involved STAT signalling. Macrophage depletion and STAT6 inhibition led to marked, sustained improvements in mechanical pain sensitivity and synovial inflammation compared to controls, but macrophage depletion caused increased synovial fibrosis and vascularization. In contrast, STAT1 and STAT6 inhibition in macrophages did not worsen synovial or cartilage pathology. In crosstalk assays, macrophage STAT1-inhibited synovium caused the greatest increases in the expression of anabolic and catabolic chondrocyte genes and sulphated glycosaminoglycan secretion in chondrocytes.Our results suggest that synovial macrophages play a key role in mediating pain experiences in experimental knee OA, and that selectively blocking STAT6 in synovial macrophages may reduce OA-related pain without accelerating joint tissue damage. (248/250)One Sentence SummarySelective drug targeting to synovial macrophages improves pain experiences in surgical joint destabilization-induced experimental rodent knee OA. (145/150)
IDH and 1p19q Diagnosis in Diffuse Glioma from Preoperative MRI Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: McHugh Hugh , Safaei Soroush , Maso Talou Gonzalo D. , Gock Stephen L. , Yeun Kim Joo , Wang Alan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundIsocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation and 1p19q codeletion are important beneficial prognosticators in glioma. IDH and 1p19q diagnosis requires tissue sampling and there are likely benefits of presurgical diagnosis. Research supports the potential of MRI-based IDH and 1p19q diagnosis, however there is a paucity of external validation outside the widely used The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) dataset. We present a combined IDH and 1p19q classification algorithm and assess performance on a local retrospective cohort (NZ) and the Erasmus Glioma Database (EGD).Methods2D convolutional neural networks are trained to provide IDH and 1p19q classification. Inputs are T1 post-contrast, T2, and FLAIR sequences. Training data consists of preoperative imaging from the TCIA dataset (n=184) and a locally obtained NZ dataset (n=349). Evaluation data consists of the most recent cases from the NZ dataset (n=205) and the EGD (n=420).ResultsIDH classification accuracy was 93.3% and 91.5% on the NZ and EDG, with AUC values of 95.4% and 95.8%, respectively. 1p19q accuracy was 94.5% and 87.5% with AUC values of 92.5% and 85.4% on the NZ and EGD datasets. Combined IDH and 1p19q accuracy was 90.4% and 84.3% on the NZ and EGD, with AUC values of 92.4% and 91.2%.ConclusionsHigh IDH and 1p19q classification performance was achieved on the NZ retrospective cohort. Performance generalised to the EGD demonstrating the potential for clinical translation. This method makes use of readily available imaging and has high potential impact in glioma diagnostics.Key Points-IDH and 1p19q are the main molecular markers in glioma.-Accurate predictions can be obtained from preoperative MRI without changes to imaging protocols.-Non-invasive diagnosis will likely enhance treatment planning and facilitate targeted preoperative therapies.Importance of the StudyThe 2021 WHO CNS tumour classification system formalises the increasing recognition of molecular factors like IDH and 1p19q in the prognostication and treatment of glioma. Emerging research shows the potential of artificial intelligence methods applied to preoperative MRI sequences to noninvasively predict molecular status. A limitation of the literature published to date is a lack of generalisation and external validation outside the widely used TCIA dataset. Here we present the performance of an MRI-based IDH and 1p19q classification tool evaluated on a large consecutive cohort from New Zealand and an independent publicly available dataset of MR images from the Netherlands. We demonstrate high predictive performance with robust generalisation, indicating the potential usefulness of this method in the workup of glioma. Reliable preoperative tumour characterisation may facilitate tailored treatment approaches and early decision making without the need for additional imaging.
Biallelic null variants inPNPLA8cause microcephaly through the reduced abundance of basal radial glia
Authors: Nakamura Yuji , Shimada Issei S. , Maroofian Reza , Houlden Henry , Falabella Micol , Fujimoto Masanori , Sato Emi , Takase Hiroshi , Aoki Shiho , Miyauchi Akihiko , Koshimizu Eriko , Miyatake Satoko , Arioka Yuko , Honda Mizuki , Higashi Takayoshi , Miya Fuyuki , Okubo Yukimune , Ogawa Isamu , Scardamaglia Annarita , Miryounesi Mohammad , Alijanpour Sahar , Ahmadabadi Farzad , Herkenrath Peter , Dafsari Hormos Salimi , Velmans Clara , Balwi Mohammed , Vitobello Antonio , Denommé-Pichon Anne-Sophie , Jeanne Médéric , Civit Antoine , Zaki Maha S. , Darvish Hossein , Bakhtiari Somayeh , Kruer Michael , Carroll Christopher J , Karimiani Ehsan Ghayoor , Khailany Rozhgar A , Abdulqadir Talib Adil , Ozaslan Mehmet , Bauer Peter , Zifarelli Giovanni , Seifi Tahere , Zamani Mina , Alam Chadi Al , Pitceathly Robert D S , Haginoya Kazuhiro , Matsunaga Tamihide , Osaka Hitoshi , Matsumoto Naomichi , Ozaki Norio , Ohkawa Yasuyuki , Oki Shinya , Tsunoda Tatsuhiko , Taketomi Yoshitaka , Murakami Makoto , Kato Yoichi , Saitoh Shinji 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPNPLA8, one of the calcium-independent phospholipase A2 enzymes, is involved in various physiological processes through the maintenance of membrane phospholipids. However, little is known about its role in brain development. Here, we report 12 individuals from 10 unrelated families with biallelic ultra-rare variants inPNPLA8presenting with a wide spectrum of clinical features ranging from developmental and epileptic-dyskinetic encephalopathy (DEDE) to progressive movement disorders. Complete loss of PNPLA8 was associated with the severe end of the spectrum, showing DEDE manifestations and congenital or progressive microcephaly. Using cerebral organoids generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells, we found that loss of PNPLA8 reduced the number of basal radial glial cells (bRGCs) and upper-layer neurons. By spatial transcriptomic analysis targeting apical radial glial cells (aRGCs), we found the downregulation of bRGC-related gene sets in patient-derived cerebral organoids. Lipidomic analysis revealed a decrease in the amount of lysophosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidic acid, indicative of the disturbed phospholipid metabolism inPNPLA8knockout neural progenitor cells. Our data suggest that PNPLA8 has a critical role in the bRGC-mediated expansion of the developing human cortex by regulating the fate commitment of aRGCs.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Chronic Total Occlusion is Associated with Higher Inpatient Mortality and Complications Compared to Non-CTO lesions Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database
Authors: Nathan Allistair , Hashemzadeh Mehrtash , Movahed Mohammad Reza 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) is commonly performed despite unclear long-term benefits. The goal of this study was to evaluate the post-procedural outcome of patients with CTO intervention.MethodsThe National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, years 2016-2020, was studied using ICD 10 codes. Patients with CTO intervention were compared to patients without CTO. We evaluated post-procedural mortality and complications.ResultsPCI in patients with CTO was associated with higher mortality and all post-procedural complications. A total of 2,011,854 patients underwent PCI with 259,574 having CTO. The CTO group had a 3.17% mortality rate vs 2.57% of non-CTO PCI. (OR, 1.24; CI:1.18–1.31; p<0.001). Using multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, race, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease, CTO PCI remained significantly associated with higher mortality (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.3 – 1.45; p<0.001). Patients with CTO compared to non-CTO PCI patients had higher rates of myocardial infarction (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 2.54 – 3.21; p<0.001), coronary perforation (OR, 6.01; 95% CI, 5.25-6.89; p<0.001), tamponade (OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 2.91-3.88, p<0.001), contrast-induced nephropathy (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.45-2.90), p<0.001), procedural bleeding (OR, 3.57; 95% CI, 3.27-3.89, p<0.001), and acute post-procedural respiratory failure (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.81-2.36, p<0.001). All post-procedural complications were more than 3 times the non-CTO patients (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 3.24-3.67; p<0.001).ConclusionUsing a large national inpatient database, PCI performed in patients with CTO was associated with significantly much higher mortality and post-procedural complications compared to PCI in non-CTO patients.
Brain2GAN: Feature-disentangled neural encoding and decoding of visual perception in the primate brain
Authors: Dado Thirza , Papale Paolo , Lozano Antonio , Le Lynn , Wang Feng , van Gerven Marcel , Roelfsema Pieter , Güçlütürk Yağmur , Güçlü Umut 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA challenging goal of neural coding is to characterize the neural representations underlying visual perception. To this end, multi-unit activity (MUA) of macaque visual cortex was recorded in a passive fixation task upon presentation of faces and natural images. We analyzed the relationship between MUA and latent representations of state-of-the-art deep generative models, including the conventional and feature-disentangled representations of generative adversarial networks (GANs) (i.e.,z- andw-latents of StyleGAN, respectively) and language-contrastive representations of latent diffusion networks (i.e., CLIP-latents of Stable Diffusion). A mass univariate neural encoding analysis of the latent representations showed that feature-disentangledwrepresentations outperform bothzand CLIP representations in explaining neural responses. Further,w-latent features were found to be positioned at the higher end of the complexity gradient which indicates that they capture visual information relevant to high-level neural activity. Subsequently, a multivariate neural decoding analysis of the feature-disentangled representations resulted in state-of-the-art spatiotemporal reconstructions of visual perception. Taken together, our results not only highlight the important role of feature-disentanglement in shaping high-level neural representations underlying visual perception but also serve as an important benchmark for the future of neural coding.Author summaryNeural coding seeks to understand how the brain represents the world by modeling the relationship between stimuli and internal neural representations thereof. This field focuses on predicting brain responses to stimuli (neural encoding) and deciphering information about stimuli from brain activity (neural decoding). Recent advances in generative adversarial networks (GANs; a type of machine learning model) have enabled the creation of photorealistic images. Like the brain, GANs also have internal representations of the images they create, referred to as “latents”. More recently, a new type of feature-disentangled “w-latent” of GANs has been developed that more effectively separates different image features (e.g., color; shape; texture). In our study, we presented such GAN-generated pictures to a macaque with cortical implants and found that the underlyingw-latents were accurate predictors of high-level brain activity. We then used thesew-latents to reconstruct the perceived images with high fidelity. The remarkable similarities between our predictions and the actual targets indicate alignment in howw-latents and neural representations represent the same stimulus, even though GANs have never been optimized on neural data. This implies a general principle of shared encoding of visual phenomena, emphasizing the importance of feature disentanglement in deeper visual areas.
Microplastics found in Antarctic penguins: chemical reactivity theory to analyze possible toxicity
Authors: Martínez Ana , Barbosa Andrés 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMicro- and nanoplastics are widespread in the marine environment including polar regions across Antarctica. In Antarctic penguins, eighty percent of microplastics were identified as polyethylene and ten percent as polyester. To analyze the toxicity of these two polymers, oligomers with different numbers of units were used as models. The use of oligomers as polymer models has been used previously with success. We started with the monomer and continued with different oligomers until the chain length was greater than 2 nm. According to the results of quantum chemistry, polyester is a better oxidant than polyethylene, since it is a better electron acceptor. Although there is less polyester than polyethylene in penguins, the presence of polyester may be more harmful than the presence of polyethylene for three reasons: polyester is better electron acceptor and therefore a better oxidant than polyethylene; polyester has negatively charged oxygen atoms and can promote stronger interactions than polyethylene with other molecules; polyester forms stable complexes and can dissociate the guanine-cytosine nucleobase pair. This could affect DNA replication. This theoretical information helps to elucidate the potential damage of micro- and nanoplastics.
Proteomic analysis of peripheral nerve myelin during murine aging
Authors: Helbing Dario Lucas , Kirkpatrick Joanna M. , Reuter Michael , Bischoff Julia , Stockdale Amy , Carlstedt Annemarie , Cirri Emilio , Bauer Reinhard , Morrison Helen 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAging of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is associated with structural and functional changes that lead to a reduction in regenerative capacity and the development of age-related peripheral neuropathy. Myelin is central to maintaining physiological peripheral nerve function and differences in myelin maintenance, degradation, formation and clearance have been suggested to contribute to age-related PNS changes. Recent proteomic studies have elucidated the complex composition of the total myelin proteome in health and its changes in neuropathy models. However, changes in the myelin proteome of peripheral nerves during aging have not been investigated. Here we show that the proteomes of myelin fractions isolated from young and old nerves show only subtle changes. In particular, we found that the three most abundant peripheral myelin proteins (MPZ, MBP and PRX) do not change in old myelin fractions. We also show a tendency for high-abundance myelin proteins other than these three to be downregulated, with only a small number of ribosome-related proteins significantly downregulated and extracellular matrix proteins such as collagens upregulated. In addition, we illustrate that the peripheral nerve myelin proteome reported in this study is suitable for assessing myelin degradation and renewal during peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration. Our results suggest that the peripheral nerve myelin proteome is relatively stable and undergoes only subtle changes in composition during mouse aging. We proffer the resultant dataset as a resource and starting point for future studies aimed at investigating peripheral nerve myelin during aging. Said datasets are available in the PRIDE archive under the identifier PXD040719 (aging myelin proteome) and PXD041026 (sciatic nerve injury proteome).
Dopamine receptor type 2-expressing medium spiny neurons in the ventral lateral striatum have a non-REM sleep-induce function
Authors: Kato Tomonobu , Tanaka Kenji F. , Natsubori Akiyo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDopamine receptor type 2-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) in the medial part of the ventral striatum (VS) induce non-REM (NREM) sleep from the wake state in animals. However, it is unclear whether D2-MSNs in the lateral part of the VS (VLS), which is anatomically and functionally different from the medial part of the VS, contribute to sleep-wake regulation. This study aims to clarify whether and how D2- MSNs in the VLS are involved in sleep-wake regulation. Our study found that specifically removing D2-MSNs in the VLS led to an increase in wakefulness time in mice during the dark phase using a diphtheria toxin-mediated cell ablation/dysfunction technique. D2-MSN ablation throughout the VS increased dark phase wakefulness time. These findings suggest that VLS D2-MSNs may induce sleep during the dark phase with the medial part of the VS. Next, our fiber photometric recordings revealed that the population intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signal in the VLS D2-MSNs increased during the transition from wake to NREM sleep. The mean Ca2+signal level of VLS D2-MSNs was higher during NREM and REM sleep than during the wake state, supporting their sleep-inducing role. Finally, optogenetic activation of the VLS D2-MSNs during the wake state always induced NREM sleep, demonstrating the causality of VLS D2-MSNs activity with sleep-induction. Additionally, activation of the VLS D1-MSNs, counterparts of D2-MSNs, always induced wake from NREM sleep, indicating a wake- promoting role. In conclusion, VLS D2-MSNs could have an NREM sleep-inducing function in coordination with those in the medial VS.Significant statementThe sleep-inducing function of D2-MSNs in the medial part of the ventral striatum (VS) has been previously reported; however, their function in the lateral part of the VS (VLS) has not been elucidated. We demonstrated that the diphtheria toxin-induced ablation of D2-MSNs in the VLS, as well as in the entire VS, increased wakefulness time in mice during the dark phase. VLS D2-MSNs had higher average Ca2+signals during NREM and REM sleep than wake state via fiber photometric recording. Furthermore, optogenetic activation of VLS D2-MSNs during wake state induced NREM sleep in mice. In conclusion, D2-MSNs in the VLS have an NREM sleep-inducing function in coordination with those in the medial VS.
Incomplete dosage balance and dosage compensation in the ZZ/ZW Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) revealed byde novogenome assembly
Authors: Webster Timothy H. , Vannan Annika , Pinto Brendan J. , Denbrock Grant , Morales Matheo , Dolby Greer A. , Fiddes Ian T. , DeNardo Dale F. , Wilson Melissa A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractReptiles exhibit a variety of modes of sex determination, including both temperature-dependent and genetic mechanisms. Among those species with genetic sex determination, sex chromosomes of varying heterogamety (XX/XY and ZZ/ZW) have been observed with different degrees of differentiation. Karyotype studies have demonstrated that Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum) have ZZ/ZW sex determination and this system is likely homologous to the ZZ/ZW system in the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), but little else is known about their sex chromosomes. Here, we report the assembly and analysis of the Gila monster genome. We generated ade novodraft genome assembly for a male using 10X Genomics technology. We further generated and analyzed short-read whole genome sequencing and whole transcriptome sequencing data for three males and three females. By comparing female and male genomic data, we identified four putative Z-chromosome scaffolds. These putative Z-chromosome scaffolds are homologous to Z-linked scaffolds identified in the Komodo dragon. Further, by analyzing RNAseq data, we observed evidence of incomplete dosage compensation between the Gila monster Z chromosome and autosomes and a lack of balance in Z-linked expression between the sexes. In particular, we observe lower expression of the Z in females (ZW) than males (ZZ) on a global basis, though we find evidence suggesting local gene-by-gene compensation. This pattern has been observed in most other ZZ/ZW systems studied to date and may represent a general pattern for female heterogamety in vertebrates.
Repetition plasticity in primary auditory cortex occurs across long timescales for spectrotemporally randomized pure-tones
Authors: Gill Nasiru K. , Francis Nikolas A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractRepetition plasticity is a ubiquitous property of sensory systems in which repetitive sensation causes either a decrease (“repetition suppression”, i.e. “adaptation”) or increase (“repetition enhancement”, i.e. “facilitation”) in the amplitude of neural responses. Timescales of repetition plasticity for sensory neurons typically span milliseconds to tens of seconds, with longer durations for cortical vs subcortical regions. Here, we used 2-photon (2P) imaging to study repetition plasticity in mouse primary auditory cortex (A1) layer 2/3 (L2/3) during the presentation of spectrotemporally randomized pure-tone frequencies. Our study revealed subpopulations of neurons with repetition plasticity for equiprobable frequencies spaced minutes apart over a 20-minute period. We found both repetition suppression and enhancement in individual neurons and on average across populations. Each neuron tended to show repetition plasticity for 1-2 pure-tone frequencies near the neuron’s best frequency. Moreover, we found correlated changes in neural response amplitude and latency across stimulus repetitions. Together, our results highlight cortical specialization for pattern recognition over long timescales in complex acoustic sequences.