bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility of a Score-Based Approach to Liver Assessment in Heart Transplant Candidates
Authors: Rushakoff Joshua A. , Cao Louie , Ebinger Joe , Kuo Alexander , Botting Patrick , Emerson Dominic , Countance Guillame , Lebray Pascal , Tompkins Rose , Kobashigawa Jon A. , Patel Jignesh K. , Guindi Maha , Kransdorf Evan P. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackground:While abnormalities of liver function and imaging are common in patients with end-stage heart failure, advanced fibrosis is uncommon. Liver biopsy (LB) is used to identify advanced fibrosis in heart transplant (HT) candidates but can delay or limit access to definitive therapies and cause complications. We sought to develop and determine the utility of a clinical risk score for advanced fibrosis in HT candidates.Methods:We conducted a retrospective, single-center review of patients evaluated for HT between 2012 and 2019 (n = 1,651) and identified those who underwent LB (n = 137) as well as a matched control cohort (n = 160). All biopsies were reviewed by a liver pathologist. Kaplan-Meir curves were used to assess survival. Univariate logistic modeling was used to identify factors predictive of advanced liver fibrosis. Simulation using synthetic data bootstraps was performed to determine the utility of using a score-based approach to trigger LB.Results:We identified 32 (23%) patients with stage 0, 79 (58%) with stage 1-2, and 26 (19%) with stage 3-4/advanced fibrosis. We found no difference in survival at 3 years post-HT based on pre-HT fibrosis stage. The factor most associated with pursuit of LB was abnormal liver parenchyma on ultrasound. We found that a score combining severe tricuspid regurgitation, alcohol use, and low-density lipoprotein improved specificity and reduced the number of LBs required.Conclusions:A score composed of non-invasive factors may help reduce the number of patients who require LB for diagnosis of advanced fibrosis. Additional multicenter studies are needed to validate this score.
Characterization of predictive power of extracellular signal recordings in a cerebral ischemia animal model
Authors: Matinyan S. , Hovhannisyan L. , Hakobyan A. , Hayrapetyan L. , Khamperyan A. , Yenkoyan K. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntroductionGlobal cerebral ischemia leads to substantial and irreversible damage of brain tissue. As it progresses in a less severe course, certain strategies should be implemented to screen this condition on its early onset. The research aimed to characterize the local field potential (LFP) alterations recorded during the subacute phase of the cerebral ischemia animal model and provide their predictive power.MethodsThe extracellular signal recordings from the parietal cortex of animals were registered with a neural probe. The signal was amplified, filtered, digitized, and acquired with Intan amplifier and USB interface boards. The recordings were obtained both in normal conditions and after implementation of unilateral common carotid artery occlusion. The data analysis and classification were performed using NI Diadem software and custom-written code in IPython environment. The respective morphological changes were screened in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The whole-brain slicing and TTC staining were used for infarct size evaluation.ResultsIn Fourier spectrograms of intact brain recordings, a peak at 14.4-15 Hz frequencies was detected, whereas this phenomenon was absent in cerebral ischemia model recordings. In channels’ cross-correlograms for intact and ischemic brain recordings, there was a clear difference detected in the maximum peak power. With autocorrelation analysis, the long lag rhythmicity was detected in normal brain recordings, while no rhythmicity was observed in ischemic brains. The morphological and behavioral analyses did not result in any significant changes and neural loss. The TTC staining failed to show any damaged area ipsilateral to the occluded common carotid artery.ConclusionWe have analyzed and described the major characteristics of the electrical activity that vary between neural populations of the parietal cortex of normal and ischemic brains. This data proves that LFP recordings can be used for further investigation of changes occurring in the subacute phase after unilateral common carotid artery occlusion.
Ancient and ongoing hybridization in theOreochromiscichlid fishes
Authors: Ciezarek Adam G , Mehta Tarang K , Man Angela , Ford Antonia GP , Kavembe Geraldine Dorcas , Kasozi Nasser , Ngatunga Benjamin P , Shechonge Asilatu H , Tamatamah Rashid , Nyingi Dorothy Wanja , Cnaani Avner , Palma Federica Di , Turner George F , Genner Martin J , Haerty Wilfried 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHybridization may enable adaptive diversification by generating unique genetic combinations when hybrid lineages are faced with ecological opportunity. Conversely, hybridization with exotic species may be detrimental to native biodiversity, by leading to homogenisation and the loss of important genetic material associated with local adaptation. Here we studied both ancient and contemporary hybridization in cichlid fishes of the genusOreochromis(tilapia), which are among the most important fish for global aquaculture. We use whole genome resequencing of 575 individuals from 23 species, focussing on Tanzania, a natural hotspot of tilapia diversity, and a country where hybridization between exotic and native species in the natural environment has been previously reported. We reconstruct the first genome-scale phylogeny of the genus and reveal prevalent ancient gene flow across theOreochromisphylogeny. This introgression has not led to large-scale adaptive radiation as seen in other cichlid lineages. We identify multiple cases of contemporary hybridization between native and introduced species in the wild, linked to the use of non-native species in aquaculture improvement and stocking for capture fisheries. Our study shows how ancient hybridization contributed to modern tilapia diversity, but is now a threat to both the genetic integrity of wild populations and the long-term prospects of the global tilapia aquaculture industry.
Uncertain, intermittent access to reward promotes increased reward pursuit
Authors: Robinson Mike J.F. , Bonmariage Qi Shan A. , Samaha Anne-Noël 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSelf-administration procedures have been developed to model the intermittency of cocaine use in humans. These procedures involve intermittent, predictable access to cocaine during daily self-administration sessions. However, human drug use often involves intermittent and unpredictable patterns of drug access. Here, we introduce a new procedure to study the effects of unpredictable, intermittent access (UIntA) to a reinforcer, and we compare this procedure to two existing ones that provide predictable reinforcer availability; continuous (ContA) or intermittent (IntA) access. Three groups of rats self-administered water or a 5% sucrose solution in daily hour-long sessions. UIntA rats had alternating periods of reinforcer ON and OFF of unpredictable duration (1, 5 or 9 min/period). During reinforcer ON periods, reinforcer quantities were also unpredictable (0, 0.1 or 0.2 ml of solution) and were available under a variable ratio 3 schedule of reinforcement (1-6 responses). Both IntA and ContA rats had access to a fixed volume of water or sucrose (0.1 ml), under a fixed ratio 3 schedule of reinforcement. IntA rats had alternating and predictable 5-min reinforcer ON and OFF periods, while ContA rats had 60 minutes of reinforcer access during each session. Following 14 daily self-administration sessions, we found that UIntA rats had the highest rates of responding for water or sucrose reward under progressive ratio and extinction conditions, and the highest levels of cue-induced reinstatement of sucrose seeking. Thus, uncertain, intermittent access to reward promotes increased reward-seeking and -taking behaviours. This has implications for modeling addiction and other disorders of increased reward seeking.
Soil microaggregate bacterial communities followingAmynthas tokioensisandAmynthas agrestisearthworm co-invasion
Authors: West Jaimie R. , Herrick Bradley M. , Whitman Thea 
Published: May 2023

AbstractEarthworms restructure the soil environment through burrowing, consumption, and casting behaviors. Though non-native European Lumbricid earthworms are well-studied in North American soils, the Asian pheretimoidAmynthas tokioensisandAmynthas agrestisearthworms exhibit distinct ecological patterns that alter invaded habitats. In particular, bioturbation may affect soil aggregation and microbial community assembly processes, such as dispersal and selection. We aimed to determine the effects ofA. tokioensisandA. agrestisco-invasions in woodlands in Madison, WI, U.S. on soil bacterial communities and edaphic characteristics. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we found that the presence and activity of theseAmynthasspecies earthworms significantly affected bacterial community composition. At one site, there was a decrease in sample-to-sample dissimilarity (i.e., decreased beta diversity), with concomitant increases in homogenizing community assembly processes. However, at the other site, we found opposite trends, with evidence for increased compositional dissimilarity between samples and decreased evidence for homogenizing community assembly processes. Overall, inconclusive support for the hypothesized homogenization of bacterial community composition driven by homogenizing community assembly processes indicates that the effects ofAmynthaspressure in these systems represent a departure from previously established soil disturbance paradigms. Instead, we conclude that aggregate formation viaA. tokioensisandA. agrestiscasting activity does not consistently impose a strong selective filter on soil bacterial communities, nor does the heightened earthworm activity necessarily act to meaningfully homogenize soil communities via dispersal. Overall increases in soil C and N underAmynthasspp. activity support previous work indicating enhanced decomposition and incorporation of soil litter, but future work could focus on long-term fate of microaggregate-protected C.
Towards revealing the transient dynamics in plant biomass allocation pattern
Authors: Chen Renfei 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn addition to allometric biomass partitioning theory, optimal partitioning theory is one of the most important theoretical frame-works in predicting plant biomass allocation patterns. However, focus-ing on the equilibrium state leads to a mismatch between some empirical observations and estimations from optimal hypotheses.To address this issue, I developed a heuristic approach with a quantitative metric to study the transient patterns of plants allocating photosynthetic products to various combinations among plant organ parts. Moreover, the approach also discovers the mech-anisms under which various factors drive the transient patterns.With this approach, I provide a case study and find that the per-turbations of the transient patterns of plant leaf and stem biomass periodically decrease and increase in response to plant height, crown diameter, and projected crown area. Predictions with the approach are well demonstrated by empirical data consisting of global forest plants.Synthesis. The approach here complements the limitations of optimal partitioning theory by revealing the variations of plant photosynthetic partitioning in short time scales. Given the central role of plant biomass allocation pattern in both empirical applica-tions and theoretical foundations, there is a large scope for using this approach to investigate the directions in estimations of carbon stock, stabilized yields in agriculture as well as forest management.
Effect of Non-invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation in Unmedicated Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial and Induced Current Flow Pattern
Authors: Romo-Nava F , Awosika O.O. , Basu I. , Blom T.J. , Welge J. , Datta A. , Guillen A. , Guerdjikova A.I. , Fleck D.E. , Georgiev G. , Mori N. , Patino L.R. , DelBello M.P. , McNamara R.K. , Buijs R.M. , Frye M.A. , McElroy S.L. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundConverging theoretical frameworks suggest a role and a therapeutic potential for spinal interoceptive pathways in major depressive disorder (MDD). We aimed to evaluate the antidepressant effects and tolerability of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) in MDD.MethodsThis was a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, parallel group, pilot clinical trial in unmedicated adults with moderate MDD. Twenty participants were randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to receive “active” 2.5 mA or “sham” anodal tsDCS sessions with a thoracic (anode; T10)/right shoulder (cathode) electrode montage 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Change in depression severity (MADRS) scores (prespecified primary outcome) and secondary clinical outcomes were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA models. An E-Field model was generated using the active tsDCS parameters.ResultsCompared to sham (n=9), the active tsDCS group (n=10) showed a greater baseline to endpoint decrease in MADRS score with a large effect size (−14.6± 2.5 vs −21.7±2.3, p=0.040, d=0.86). Additionally, compared to sham, active tsDCS induced a greater decrease in MADRS “reported sadness” item (−1.8 vs − 3.2, p=0.012), and cumulatively decreased pre/post tsDCS session diastolic blood pressure. Statistical trends in the same direction were observed for MADRS “pessimistic thoughts” item, and CGI-I scores. No group differences were observed in adverse events (AEs) and no serious AEs occurred. The current flow simulation showed electric field at strength within the neuromodulation range (max. ∼0.45 V/m) reaching the thoracic spinal gray matter.ConclusionsThese preliminary results suggest that tsDCS is feasible, well-tolerated, and shows therapeutic potential in MDD. The underlying mechanisms warrant further study.Clinicaltrials.gov registrationNCT03433339 URL:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03433339
Frequency-and circuit-specific effects of septohippocampal deep brain stimulation in mice as measured by functional ultrasound imaging
Authors: Crown Lindsey M. , Agyeman Kofi , Choi Wooseong , Zepeda Nancy , Iseri Ege , Pahlavan Pooyan , Siegel Steven J. , Liu Charles , Christopoulos Vasileios , Lee Darrin J. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundDeep brain stimulation (DBS) has shown remarkable success in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, epilepsy, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Despite this success, the underlying mechanism of action remains unknown. DBS is now being explored to improve functional outcomes in other psychiatric conditions, such as those characterized by reduced N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) function (i.e. schizophrenia). While DBS for movement disorders requires high-frequency continuous stimulation, there is evidence that intermittent low-frequency stimulation in neuropsychiatric conditions may have persisting cognitive benefits, necessitating a broader exploration of how DBS alters brain networks.ObjectiveWe characterize the effects of pharmacologic NMDA antagonism on the septohippocampal network and the impact of high- and low-frequency MSN DBS on cerebral blood volume (CBV) in brain structures within and outside of the septohippocampal network.MethodsIn this study, we utilize a novel technology, functional ultrasound imaging (fUSI), to characterize the cerebrovascular impact of medial septal nucleus (MSN) DBS under conditions of NMDA antagonism (pharmacologically using Dizocilpine [MK-801]) in anesthetized male mice.ResultsImaging from a sagittal plane across a variety of brain regions, we find that MSN theta-frequency (7.7Hz) DBS has a larger effect on hippocampal CBV after stimulation offset. This is observed following an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of either saline vehicle or MK-801 (1 mg/kg). This effect is not present using standard high-frequency DBS stimulation parameters (i.e. gamma [100Hz]).ConclusionThese results indicate the MSN DBS increases circuit-specific hippocampal neurovascular activity in a frequency-dependent manner that continues beyond the period of electrical stimulation.
HYPERURICAEMIA DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH AORTOPATHY IN A MURINE MODEL OF MARFAN SYNDROME
Authors: Rodríguez-Rovira Isaac , López-Sainz Angela , Palomo-Buitrago Maria Encarnación , Pérez Belén , Jiménez-Altayó Francesc , Campuzano Victoria , Egea Gustavo 
Published: May 2023

ABSTRACTRedox stress is involved in the aortic aneurysm pathogenesis in Marfan syndrome (MFS). We recently reported that allopurinol, a recognised inhibitor of XOR, inhibited aortopathy in a mouse model of MFS acting as an antioxidant. Hyperuricaemia is ambiguously associated with cardiovascular injuries as uric acid (UA), having antioxidant or pro-oxidant properties depending on the concentration and accumulation site. We aimed to evaluate whether hyperuricaemia causes harm or relief in MFS aortopathy and cardiopathy pathogenesis. Two-month-old male wild-type (WT) and MFS mice (Fbn1C1041G/+) were injected intraperitoneally for several weeks with potassium oxonate (PO), an inhibitor of uricase, an enzyme that catabolises UA to allantoin. Plasma UA and allantoin levels were measured via several techniques, aortic root diameter and cardiac parameters by ultrasound imaging, aortic wall structure by histopathology, and pNRF2 levels by immunofluorescence. PO induced a significant increase in UA in blood plasma both in WT and MFS mice, reaching a peak at three and four months of age but decaying at six months. Hyperuricaemic MFS mice showed no change in the characteristic aortic aneurysm progression or aortic wall disarray evidenced by large elastic laminae ruptures. There were no changes in cardiac parameters or the redox stress-induced nuclear translocation of pNRF2 in the aortic tunica media. Altogether, the results suggest that hyperuricaemia interferes neither with aortopathy nor cardiopathy in MFS mice.
Nucleosomal DNA has topological memory
Authors: Segura Joana , Nikolaou Christoforos , Roca Joaquim 
Published: May 2023

SUMMARYOne fundamental yet elusive aspect of the chromosome architecture is the constrained topolome, which refers to how chromatin elements restrain DNA topology. Nucleosomes stabilise negative DNA supercoils, with most nucleosomes typically restraining a DNA linking number difference (ΔLk) of about -1.26. However, whether this capacity is uniform across the genome is unknown. Here, we calculated the ΔLk restrained by over 4000 nucleosomes in yeast cells. To achieve this, we placed each nucleosome in a circular minichromosome and performed Topo-seq, a novel high-throughput procedure to inspect the topology of circular DNA libraries in a single gel electrophoresis. We found that nucleosomes inherently restrain distinct ΔLk values depending on their genomic origin. Nucleosome DNA topologies differ significantly at gene bodies (ΔLk=-1.29), intergenic regions (ΔLk=-1.23), rDNA genes (ΔLk=-1.24) and telomeric regions (ΔLk=-1.07). Nucleosomes nearby the transcription start and termination sites also exhibit singular DNA topologies. These findings demonstrate that nucleosome DNA topology is imprinted by its native chromatin context and persists even when the nucleosome is relocated. This imprinting contributes to nucleosome functional roles and chromatin folding architectures.
Towards reliable detection of introgression in the presence of among-species rate variation
Authors: Koppetsch Thore , Malinsky Milan , Matschiner Michael 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe role of interspecific hybridization has recently seen increasing attention, especially in the context of diversification dynamics. Genomic research has now made it abundantly clear that both hybridization and introgression – the exchange of genetic material through hybridization and backcrossing – are far more common than previously thought. Besides cases of ongoing or recent genetic exchange between taxa, an increasing number of studies report “ancient introgression” – referring to results of hybridization that took place in the distant past. However, it is not clear whether commonly used methods for the detection of introgression are applicable to such old systems, given that most of these methods were originally developed for analyses at the level of populations and recently diverged species, affected by recent or ongoing genetic exchange. In particular, the assumption of constant evolutionary rates, which is implicit in many commonly used approaches, is more likely to be violated as evolutionary divergence increases. To test the limitations of introgression detection methods when being applied to old systems, we simulated thousands of genomic datasets under a wide range of settings, with varying degrees of among-species rate variation and introgression. Using these simulated datasets, we showed that some commonly applied statistical methods, including theD-statistic and certain tests based on sets of local phylogenetic trees, can produce false-positive signals of introgression between divergent taxa that have different rates of evolution. These misleading signals are caused by the presence of homoplasies occurring at different rates in different lineages. To distinguish between the patterns caused by rate variation and genuine introgression, we developed a new test that is based on the expected clustering of introgressed sites along the genome, and implemented this test in the program Dsuite.
Validity and reliability of factors causing information-seeking anxiety during information-seeking behaviors
Authors: Yang Xia , Khan Asad Ullah 
Published: May 2023

Purpose
This study aims to define a set of assumptions for testing the four factors tested statistically to determine information-seeking anxiety based on quantitative data.

Design/methodology/approach
The developed questionnaire was distributed among graduate university students in Zhenjiang City to find and confirm the factor affecting information-seeking anxiety. The exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis technique has been applied to the sample data set of 329 sample size. Jamovi and SPSS, statistical analysis software, were used to determine the study validity indices.

Findings
This study shows that thematic anxiety, quality of resources anxiety, information communication technology anxiety and library anxiety have a significant effect on information-seeking anxiety.

Research limitations/implications
This study highlights the four factors, i.e. library anxiety, information and communication technology (ICT) anxiety, thematic anxiety and the quality of resources cause information-seeking anxiety among graduate students.

Originality/value
In this age of the digital world, information-seeking anxiety plays a vital role in the vicious circle of seeking behavior. Therefore, to break through the vicious loop of seeking behavior with only information-seeking anxiety as a cure, concentrate on information-seeking anxiety. This study found that thematic anxiety, ICT anxiety, library anxiety and quality of resources anxiety significantly affect information-seeking anxiety.