bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Vitamin D3 on Oxidized LDL-C and Non–HDL-C Levels in People With Vitamin D Deficiency: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Mehdawi Amani , Mohammad Beisan A. , Mosleh Ibrahim , Khader Heba A. , Habash Maha , Nassar Razan I. , Awwad Shady , Hasoun Luai , Abu-Samak Mahmoud S. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract:
The present randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted on Jordanian participants with vitamin D deficiency (VDD) with no other medical conditions, to evaluate the combined effect of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (Vit.D3) and omega-3 fatty acid (n-3FA) supplements (D+) on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non–HDL-C) levels as common predictors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Participants were randomized into 4 groups as follows: a control group (C) that received no supplementations, a Vit.D3 group that received 50,000 IU of Vit.D3 every week, an n-3FA group that received 300 mg of omega-3 fatty acid every day, and a D+ group that received a combination of both supplements, with the same dosage administered by the previous groups but with a 4–6-hour time interval between Vit.D3 and n-3FA administration to avoid any possible interaction. All supplementations were administered orally for 8 weeks. Forty-seven participants were allocated to each group. Twenty-six in the control group, 37 participants in the Vit.D3 group, 37 participants in the n-3FA group, and 46 participants in the D+ group completed the study to the end. The D+ supplementations significantly increased non–HDL-C (118.99 ± 60.98 to 155.26 ± 43.36 mg/dL, P << 0.05) but decreased Ox–LDL-C levels (69.29 ± 37.69 to 52.81 ± 17.30 pg/mL, P = 0.03). The stepwise regression showed that the serum LDL-C level was the main independent variable involved in the elevation of non-HDL levels (R2 = 0.837) observed at the end of the trial in the D+ group. The groups that were supplemented with either Vit.D3 alone or n-3FA alone had an insignificant decrease in the level of Ox–LDL-C. In conclusion, despite the observed hyperlipidemic effect, the combination treatment is recommended by the research team because the decrease in Ox-LDL may offset the hyperlipidemic effect.
Symptom experience during the late reproductive stage versus the menopausal transition in the Spanish-language Women Living Better survey
Authors: Cortés Yamnia I. , Coslov Nina , Richardson Marcie K. , Woods Nancy Fugate 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the symptoms women self-report during the late reproductive stage and the menopausal transition.

Methods
This cross-sectional analysis used data from the Spanish-language Women Living Better survey. Women aged 35 to 55 years completed an 82-item online survey to assess menstrual cycle patterns, changes, and 61 symptoms sometimes associated with menopause. Women's menstrual patterns were classified as late reproductive stage or menopausal transition using the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop. Demographic and health-related data were collected, including age, country of residence, race/ethnicity, education, parity, smoking, and alcohol use. Descriptive statistics characterized reported symptoms, and logistic regression models examined associations between reproductive stage and symptoms.

Results
Of 853 respondents, 358 women were included in the sample analyzed. Participants were on average 40 ± 4.1 years old, 46% reported difficulty paying for basics, 34% lived in Spain, and 20% lived in Mexico. A similar proportion of women in the late reproductive stage and menopausal transition reported 8 of 18 symptom groups. Women in the late reproductive stage had a lower age-adjusted odds of musculoskeletal pain (odds ratio, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.19-0.66) and lower odds of decreased interest in sex (odds ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25-0.92). Both groups of women reported a similar interference with personal relationships.

Conclusions
Late–reproductive-stage women experience multiple symptoms often associated with menopause. A better understanding of symptoms experienced among Spanish-speaking women may lead to more personalized health care and facilitate anticipatory guidance about menopause. Future cross-cultural studies focusing on symptoms during the late reproductive stage are necessary.
Treatment Utilization for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a National Sample of Veterans and Nonveterans
Authors: Ranney Rachel M. , Maguen Shira , Bernhard Paul A. , Holder Nicholas , Vogt Dawne , Blosnich John R. , Schneiderman Aaron I. 
Published: January 2023

Objective:
The current study sought to compare rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment utilization (medication and psychotherapy) among veterans and nonveterans—and to investigate which factors are associated with treatment utilization among veterans versus nonveterans.

Methods:
Participants were 2775 individuals (veteran, n=2508; nonveteran, n=267) meeting criteria for probable PTSD (determined by the PTSD Checklist) drawn from a nationwide, population-based survey. Participants reported demographic information, trauma history, mental health symptoms, insurance coverage, and treatment history.

Results:
Analyses revealed that the majority of veterans and nonveterans with probable PTSD had not received any PTSD treatment (56% of veterans and 86% of nonveterans). Population-weighted logistic regression models demonstrated that veterans with probable PTSD were substantially more likely to receive medication and psychotherapy for PTSD than nonveterans with probable PTSD. Logistic regression models demonstrated that, among veterans, having Veterans Affairs health care coverage was most strongly associated with receiving PTSD medication and psychotherapy. Black (vs. White) veterans were less likely to have received PTSD medication and psychotherapy. In contrast, among nonveterans, being married or divorced (vs. never married) was most strongly associated with receiving PTSD medication, and reporting a history of sexual trauma was most strongly associated with receiving PTSD psychotherapy.

Conclusion:
Given that most individuals do not receive PTSD treatment, additional understanding of treatment barriers and facilitators for both veterans and nonveterans is needed to improve intervention reach.
A retrospective study of clinical features and prognosis of patients with Graves’ disease and ophthalmopathy
Authors: Rui Zhong Ying , Yin Xue , Wang Xuan , Shen Jie , Zheng Wei 
Published: January 2023

Objective
To retrospectively investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with Graves’ disease (GD) accompanied by ophthalmopathy (GO) and the prognosis of single 131I therapy.

Methods
In total, 665 patientswith Graves’ disease were enrolled in this study, including 115 patients with GO and 550 patients without GO. On the one hand, the clinical characteristics of the two groups were recorded. On the other hand, the prognosis after more than 6 months of 131I therapy was divided into three groups: recovered, hypothyroidism and unhealed.

Results
Compared with GD-alone patients, GD patients with GO were younger, had a higher thyrotrophin receptor antibody (TRAb), heavier thyroid mass and higher dose of single 131I therapy (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, patients were younger in the clinical active score ≥3 group and had higher FT4 level in the mild GO group (all P < 0.05). Among these, age and TRAb were independent risk factors for GO in GD patients (P < 0.05). When age was <52.5 years and TRAb was >24.01 IU/L, GD patients were more likely to develop GO (P < 0.001). After at least 6 months of single 131I therapy, compared with GD-alone patients, the prognosis was poor in GD patients with GO (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
Young GD patients with heavy thyroid mass and high TRAb are more likely to have GO. Younger GO patients are more likely to be active stage and the level of thyroid function was inversely correlated with the severity of GO. When the age and TRAb have exceeded the cutoff value, we should pay more attention to the occurrence of GO and shorten the follow-up interval appropriately. Patients with GD combined with GO have a poor prognosis.
Vaginal Candida albicans: High Frequency of in Vitro Fluconazole Resistance in a Select Population—A Brief Note
Authors: Agrawal Pranjal , Yazdy Golsa , Ghanem Khalil G. , Handa Victoria L. , Schumacher Christina M. , Sobel Jack D. , Zhang Sean X. , Tuddenham Susan 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In this select population, we found a high frequency of in vitro fluconazole resistance in vaginal Candida albicans. Resistance did not reliably predict future susceptibility.
Among clinician-ordered vaginal cultures positive for Candida albicans, 30% exhibited fluconazole resistance. Resistance did not reliably predict future susceptibility. Prospective studies to verify associations with demographic and clinical factors as well as to correlate in vitro resistance with treatment response and longitudinal resistance patterns are needed.
HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Persistence and Adherence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Four US Cities
Authors: Chapin-Bardales Johanna , Haaland Richard , Martin Amy , Holder Angela , Butts Virginia A. , Sionean Catlainn , Sey Ekow Kwa , Brady Kathleen A. , Raymond Henry F. , Opoku Jenevieve , Kuo Irene , Paz-Bailey Gabriela , Wejnert Cyprian ,   for the NHBS Study Group
Published: January 2023

Background:
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) persistence and adherence are critical to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States.

Setting:
In 2017 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) in 4 US cities completed a survey, HIV testing, and dried blood spots at recruitment.

Methods:
We assessed 3 PrEP outcomes: persistence (self-reported PrEP use at any time in the past 12 months and had tenofovir, emtricitabine, or tenofovir diphosphate detected in dried blood spots), adherence at ≥4 doses/week (self-reported past-month PrEP use and tenofovir diphosphate concentration ≥700 fmol/punch), and adherence at 7 doses/week (self-reported past-month PrEP use and tenofovir diphosphate concentration ≥1250 fmol/punch). Associations with key characteristics were examined using log-linked Poisson regression models with generalized estimating equations.

Results:
Among 391 MSM who took PrEP in the past year, persistence was 80% and was lower among MSM who were younger, had lower education, and had fewer sex partners. Of 302 MSM who took PrEP in the past month, adherence at ≥4 doses/week was 80% and adherence at 7 doses/week was 66%. Adherence was lower among MSM who were younger, were Black, and had fewer sex partners.

Conclusions:
Although persistence and adherence among MSM were high, 1 in 5 past-year PrEP users were not persistent and 1 in 5 past-month PrEP users were not adherent at levels that would effectively protect them from acquiring HIV (ie, ≥4 doses/week). Efforts to support PrEP persistence and adherence should include MSM who are young, are Black, and have less education.
Innate immune receptor C5aR1 regulates cancer cell fate and can be targeted to improve radiotherapy in tumours with immunosuppressive microenvironments
Authors: Beach Callum , MacLean David , Majorova Dominika , Melemenidis Stavros , Nambiar Dhanya K. , Kim Ryan K. , Valbuena Gabriel N , Guglietta Silvia , Krieg Carsten , Darvish Damavandi Mahnaz , Suwa Tatsuya , Easton Alistair , Domingo Enric , Moon Eui Jung , Jiang Dadi , Jiang Yanyan , Koong Albert C , Woodruff Trent M. , Graves Edward E. , Maughan Tim , Buczacki Simon J. A. , Stucki Manuel , Le Quynh-Thu , Leedham Simon J. , Giaccia Amato J. , Olcina Monica M 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAn immunosuppressive microenvironment causes poor tumour T-cell infiltration and is associated with reduced patient overall survival in colorectal cancer. How to improve treatment responses in these tumours is still a challenge. Using an integrated screening approach to identify cancer-specific vulnerabilities, we identify complement receptor C5aR1 as a druggable target which when inhibited improves radiotherapy even in tumours displaying immunosuppressive features and poor CD8+ T-cell infiltration. While C5aR1 is well-known for its role in the immune compartment, we find that C5aR1 is also robustly expressed on malignant epithelial cells, highlighting potential tumour-cell specific functions. C5aR1 targeting results in increased NF-κB-dependent apoptosis specifically in tumours and not normal tissues; indicating that in malignant cells, C5aR1 primarily regulates cell fate. Collectively, these data reveal that increased complement gene expression is part of the stress response mounted by irradiated tumours and that targeting C5aR1 can improve radiotherapy even in tumours displaying immunosuppressive features.
Chemo- and optogenetic activation of hypothalamic Foxb1-expressing neurons and their terminal endings in the rostral-dorsolateral PAG leads to tachypnea, bradycardia, and immobility
Authors: Cola Reto B. , Roccaro-Waldmeyer Diana M. , Naim Samara , Babalian Alexander , Seebeck Petra , Alvarez-Bolado Gonzalo , Celio Marco R. 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTFoxb1-expressing neurons occur in the dorsal premammillary nucleus (PMd) and further rostrally in the parvafox nucleus, a longitudinal cluster of neurons in the lateral hypothalamus of rodents. The descending projection of these Foxb1+neurons end in the dorsolateral part of the periaqueductal gray (dlPAG). The functional role of the Foxb1+neuronal subpopulation in the PMd and the parvafox nucleus remains elusive. In this study, the activity of the Foxb1+neurons and of their terminal endings in the dlPAG was selectively altered by employing chemo- and optogenetic tools. Our results show that in whole-body barometric plethysmography, hM3Dq-mediated, global Foxb1+neuron excitation activates respiration. Time-resolved optogenetic gain-of- function manipulation of the terminal endings of Foxb1+neurons in the rostral third of the dlPAG leads to abrupt immobility and bradycardia. Chemogenetic activation of Foxb1+cell bodies and ChR2-mediated excitation of their axonal endings in the dlPAG led to a phenotypical presentation congruent with a “freezing-like” situation during innate defensive behavior.
Paresthesia during spinal cord stimulation depends on synchrony of dorsal column axon activation
Authors: Sagalajev Boriss , Zhang Tianhe , Abdollahi Nooshin , Yousefpour Noosha , Medlock Laura , Al-Basha Dhekra , Ribeiro-da-Silva Alfredo , Esteller Rosana , Ratté Stéphanie , Prescott Steven A. 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) reduces chronic pain. Conventional (40-60 Hz) SCS engages spinal inhibitory mechanisms by activating low-threshold mechanoreceptive afferents with axons in the dorsal columns (DCs). But activating DC axons typically causes a buzzing sensation (paresthesia) that can be uncomfortable. Kilohertz-frequency (1-10 kHz) SCS produces analgesia without paresthesia and is thought, therefore, not to activate DC axons, leaving its mechanism unclear. Here we show in rats that kilohertz-frequency SCS activates DC axons but causes them to spike less synchronously than conventional SCS. Spikes desynchronize because axons entrain irregularly when stimulated at intervals shorter than their refractory period, a phenomenon we call overdrive desynchronization. Effects of overdrive desynchronization on evoked compound action potentials were verified in simulations, rats, pigs, and a chronic pain patient. Whereas synchronous spiking in DC axons is necessary for paresthesia, asynchronous spiking is sufficient to produce analgesia. Asynchronous activation of DC axons thus produces paresthesia-free analgesia.
Phylogenetic modeling of enhancer shifts in African mole-rats reveals regulatory changes associated with tissue-specific traits
Authors: Parey Elise , Frost Stephanie , Uribarren Ainhoa , Park Thomas J. , Zoettl Markus , Smith Ewan St. John , Berthelot Camille , Villar Diego 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTChanges in gene regulation have long been thought to underlie most phenotypic differences between species. Subterranean rodents, and in particular the naked mole-rat, have attracted substantial attention due to their proposed phenotypic adaptations, which include hypoxia tolerance, metabolic changes and cancer resistance. However, it is largely unknown what regulatory changes may associate with these phenotypic traits, and whether these are unique to the naked mole-rat, the mole-rat clade or also present in other mammals. Here, we investigate regulatory evolution in heart and liver from two African mole-rat species and two rodent outgroups using genome-wide epigenomic profiling.First, we adapted and applied a phylogenetic modeling approach to quantitatively compare epigenomic signals at orthologous regulatory elements, and identified thousands of promoter and enhancer regions with differential epigenomic activity in mole-rats. These elements associate with known mole-rat adaptation in metabolic and functional pathways, and suggest candidate genetic loci that may underlie mole-rat innovations. Second, we evaluated ancestral and species-specific regulatory changes in the study phylogeny, and report several candidate pathways experiencing stepwise remodeling during the evolution of mole-rats – such as the insulin and hypoxia response pathways. Third, we report non-orthologous regulatory elements overlap with lineage-specific repetitive elements and appear to modify metabolic pathways by rewiring of HNF4 and RAR/RXR transcription factor binding sites in mole-rats.These comparative analyses reveal how mole-rat regulatory evolution informs previously reported phenotypic adaptations. Moreover, the phylogenetic modeling framework we propose here improves upon the state-of-the-art by addressing known limitations of inter-species comparisons of epigenomic profiles, and has broad implications in the field of comparative functional genomics.
Afrothismiaceae (Dioscoreales), a new fully mycoheterotrophic family endemic to tropical Africa
Authors: Cheek Martin , Gomez Marybel Soto , Graham Sean W. , Rudall Paula J. 
Published: January 2023

SummaryAfrothismiais a genus of non-photosynthetic mycoheterotrophs from the forests of continental tropical Africa. Multiple phylogenetic inferences using molecular data recover the genus as sister to a clade comprising mycoheterotrophic Thismiaceae and the photosynthetic family Taccaceae, contrary to earlier placements ofAfrothismiaand Thismiaceae within Burmanniaceae. Morphological support for separatingAfrothismiafrom the rest of Thismiaceae has depended on the zygomorphic flowers ofAfrothismia(although some South American species ofThismiaare also zygomorphic) and their clusters of root tubers, each with a terminal rootlet. The number of described species ofAfrothismiahas recently increased substantially, from four to 16, which has provided additional morphological characters that support its distinction from Thismiaceae. Most notably, the ovary inAfrothismiahas a single stalked placenta, and circumscissile fruits from which seeds are exserted by placental elevation (in Thismiaceae, in contrast, there are three placentas, a deliquescing fruit lid, and the seeds are not exserted).Afrothismiastamens are inserted in the lower perianth tube where they are attached to the stigma, and individual flowers are subtended by a single large dorsal bract (in Thismiaceae, stamens are inserted at the mouth of the tube, free of and distant from the stigma, and each flower is subtended by a loose whorl of (2-)3(−4) bracts). Here we formally characterise Afrothismiaceae and review what is known of its development, seed germination, interactions with mycorrhizal Glomeromycota, biogeography, phylogeny and pollination biology. All but one (Afrothismia insignis; Vulnerable) of the 13 species assessed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are either Endangered or Critically Endangered; one species (A. pachyanthaSchltr.) is considered to be extinct.
Estimation of animal location from grid cell population activity using persistent cohomology
Authors: Kawahara Daisuke , Fujisawa Shigeyoshi 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMany cognitive functions are represented as cell assemblies. For example, the population activity of place cells in the hippocampus and grid cells in the entorhinal cortex represent self-location in the environment. The brain cannot directly observe self-location information in the environment. Instead, it relies on sensory information and memory to estimate self-location. Therefore, estimating low-dimensional dynamics, such as the movement trajectory of an animal exploring its environment, from only the high-dimensional neural activity is important in deciphering the information represented in the brain. Most previous studies have estimated the low-dimensional dynamics behind neural activity by unsupervised learning with dimensionality reduction using artificial neural networks or Gaussian processes. This paper shows theoretically and experimentally that these previous research approaches fail to estimate well when the nonlinearity between high-dimensional neural activity and low-dimensional dynamics becomes strong. We estimate the animal’s position in 2-D and 3-D space from the activity of grid cells using an unsupervised method based on persistent cohomology. The method using persistent cohomology estimates low-dimensional dynamics from the phases of manifolds created by neural activity. Much cognitive information, including self-location information, is expressed in the phases of the manifolds created by neural activity. The persistent cohomology may be useful for estimating these cognitive functions from neural population activity in an unsupervised manner.Author summaryHippocampal place cells fire only when the animal is in a specific position in the environment. Grid cells in entorhinal cortex fire to spatial locations in a repeating hexagonal grid. Information about self-location in the environment is expressed by the population activity of place cells and grid cells. The brain cannot directly observe the information of self-position in the environment but relies on the direction of movement, distance, and landmarks to estimate self-position. This corresponds to unsupervised learning. Estimating the position of an animal from neural activity alone, without using information about the animal’s position, is important for understanding the brain’s representation of information. Unsupervised learning methods using artificial neural networks and Gaussian processes have been used in previous studies to address this problem. However, we show that these previous studies cannot estimate the position of an animal in two dimensions from the population activity of grid cells. As an alternative to the previous studies, we used a topological method called persistent cohomolohy to estimate the animal’s position in 2D and 3D space from the population activity of grid cells. However, it was impossible to estimate the animal’s position from the population activity of place cells. We discussed the causes and solutions to this problem.