bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Physical Function among People with Systemic Sclerosis: A Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN) Cohort Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Santo Tiffany Dal , Rice Danielle B. , Carrier Marie-Eve , Virgili-Gervais Gabrielle , Levis Brooke , Kwakkenbos Linda , Bartlett Susan J. , Gietzen Amy , Gottesman Karen , Guillot Geneviève , Hudson Marie , Hummers Laura K. , Malcarne Vanessa L. , Mayes Maureen D. , Mouthon Luc , Richard Michelle , Sauvé Maureen , Wojeck Robyn K. , Geoffroy Marie-Claude , Benedetti Andrea , Thombs Brett D. 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo compare physical function in systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) to general population normative data and identify associated factors.MethodsScleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort participants completed the Physical Function domain of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Version 2 upon enrollment. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess associations of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and disease-related variables.ResultsAmong 2,385 participants, mean physical function T-score (43.7, SD = 8.9) was approximately 2/3 of a standard deviation (SD) below the US general population (mean = 50, SD = 10). Factors associated in multivariable analysis included older age (-0.74 points per SD years, 95% CI -0.78 to -1.08), female sex (-1.35, -2.37 to -0.34), fewer years of education (-0.41 points per SD in years, -0.75 to -0.07), being single, divorced, or widowed (-0.76, -1.48 to -0.03), smoking (-3.14, -4.42 to -1.85), alcohol consumption (0.79 points per SD drinks per week, 0.45 to 1.14), BMI (-1.41 points per SD, -1.75 to -1.07), diffuse subtype (-1.43, -2.23 to -0.62), gastrointestinal involvement (-2.58, -3.53 to -1.62), digital ulcers (-1.96, -2.94 to -0.98), moderate (-1.94, -2.94 to -0.93) and severe (-1.76, -3.24 to -0.28) small joint contractures, moderate (-2.10, -3.44 to -0.76) and severe (-2.54, -4.64 to -0.44) large joint contractures, interstitial lung disease (-1.52, -2.27 to -0.77); pulmonary arterial hypertension (-3.72, -4.91 to -2.52); rheumatoid arthritis (-2.10, -3.64 to -0.56) and idiopathic inflammatory myositis (-2.10, -3.63 to -0.56).ConclusionPhysical function is impaired for many individuals with SSc and associated with multiple disease factors.KEY MESSAGESIndividuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc) face many challenges that can impact their physical functionLevels of physical function in individuals with SSc are impaired compared to the general populationMultiple disease factors are significantly associated with worse physical function in SSc
Understanding and Mitigating Health Disparities Arising from the Social Determinants of Health
Authors: Cho Aaron 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOver the pandemic, health has become increasingly important, and our idea of what it means to be healthy has changed. Previously we viewed health disparities as an issue that affected those who were less fortunate, but the pandemic has shown us that the health of all of us is interconnected. Reducing health disparities is important for everyone, as it would improve health not just for those who are directly impacted, but for society as a whole. This study contributes towards reducing health disparities by analyzing what factors have the largest impact on health disparities, and discussing policy changes that are relevant to these factors. This study uses a random forest algorithm to identify important predictors of health from a large variety of factors in Chicagoland and the Bay Area. The analysis finds that race is an important factor in both Chicagoland and the Bay Area, and that lack of internet access and computing devices is an especially important predictor of neighborhoods with poor health.
Assessing the potential population-level impacts of HIV self-testing distribution among key populations in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal: a mathematical modelling analysis
Authors: Silhol Romain , Maheu-Giroux Mathieu , Soni Nirali , Fotso Arlette Simo , Rouveau Nicolas , Vautier Anthony , Doumenc-Aïdara Clémence , Geoffroy Olivier , N’Guessan Kouassi Noel , Sidibé Younoussa , Kabemba Odé Kanku , Gueye Papa Alioune , Mukandavire Christinah , Vickerman Peter , Keita Abdelaye , Ndour Cheikh Tidiane , Ehui Eboi , Larmarange Joseph , Boily Marie-Claude ,   ATLAS Team
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundA third of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Western Africa had an undiagnosed infection in 2020. In 2019-2021, the ATLAS programme has distributed a total of 380 000 HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits to key populations (KP) including female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM), and their partners in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal. We predicted the potential impact of ATLAS and of national HIVST scale-up strategies among KP.MethodsA deterministic model of HIV transmission was calibrated to country-specific empirical HIV and intervention data over time. We simulated scenarios reflecting 1) the actual ATLAS HIVST distribution only over 2019-2021 (∼2% of all tests done in countries), and 2) ATLAS followed by a scale-up of HIVST distribution to KP (total of ∼570 000 kits distributed each year). Impacts on HIV diagnosis, new HIV infections and deaths were derived using counterfactual scenarios without HIVST.FindingsATLAS was predicted to substantially increase HIV diagnosis among KP by the end of 2021, especially among MSM in Mali (9·3 percentage point [pp] increase), and a 1·0pp increase overall. ATLAS might have averted a median of 706 new HIV infections among KP over 2019-2028 in the 3 countries combined, especially among MSM, and 1794 new HIV infections (0·4-3·3% of all new HIV infections across countries) and 591 HIV-related deaths overall. HIVST scale-up increased HIV diagnosis at the end of 2028 by around 8pp among FSW and 33pp among MSM in every country. Overall increases ranged from 1·0pp (Côte d’Ivoire) to 11·0pp (Senegal). HIVST scale-up may avert 3-5% of new HIV infections among FSW, 3-10% among FSW clients, and 20-28% among MSM across countries (and 2-16% overall), and avert 13-18% of HIV-related deaths among MSM over 2019-2028.InterpretationScaling-up HIVST distribution among KP in Western Africa may substantially attenuate disparities in access to HIV testing and help reduce HIV infections and deaths among KP and their partners.FundingUnitaid MRC
CRISPR-based Genome Editing of a Diurnal Rodent, Nile Grass Rat (Arvicanthis niloticus)
Authors: Xie Huirong , Linning-Duffy Katrina , Demireva Elena Y. , Toh Huishi , Abolibdeh Bana , Shi Jiaming , Zhou Bo , Iwase Shigeki , Yan Lily 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDiurnal and nocturnal mammals have evolved distinct pathways to optimize survival for their chronotype-specific lifestyles. Conventional rodent models, being nocturnal, may not sufficiently recapitulate the biology of diurnal humans in health and disease. Although diurnal rodents are potentially advantageous for translational research, until recently, they have not been genetically tractable. Here, we address this major limitation by demonstrating the first successful CRISPR genome editing of the Nile grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus), a valuable diurnal rodent. We establish methods for superovulation; embryo development, manipulation, and culture; and pregnancy maintenance to guide future genome editing of this and other diurnal rodent species.
The functional small RNA interactome reveals targets for the vancomycin-responsive sRNA RsaOI in vancomycin tolerantStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Wu Winton , Pang Chi Nam Ignatius , Mediati Daniel , Tree Jai Justin 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTRNA-RNA interactome profiling techniques have expanded our understanding of sRNA-mRNA interactions in bacteria. However, determining the function of these interactions for hundreds of sRNA-mRNA pairs is a major challenge. At steady-state, protein and mRNA abundances are often highly correlated and lower than expected protein abundance may indicate translational repression of an mRNA. To specifically identify sRNA-mRNA interactions that regulate mRNA translation, we examined the correlation between gene transcript abundance, ribosome occupancy, and protein levels. We used SOMS to cluster genes with similar transcription and translation patterns and identified a cluster of mRNAs that appeared to be post-transcriptionally repressed. By integrating this clustering analysis with sRNA-mRNA interactome data generated in vancomycin tolerantS. aureusby RNase III-CLASH, we identified sRNAs that may be mediating this translational repression. We have confirmed sRNA-dependant post-transcriptional repression of several mRNAs in this cluster. Two of these interactions are mediated by RsaOI, a sRNA that is highly upregulated by vancomycin treatment. While RsaOI is not essential for vancomycin tolerance, we demonstrate regulation of the phosphocarrier protein HPr and the cell-wall autolysin Atl. These findings suggest that RsaOI may serve as a regulator of carbon metabolism and cell wall turnover during cell wall stress exerted by vancomycin.
Hearing loss in juvenile rats leads to excessive play fighting and hyperactivity, mild cognitive deficits and altered neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex
Authors: Jelinek Jonas , Johne Marie , Alam Mesbah , Krauss Joachim K. , Kral Andrej , Schwabe Kerstin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn children, hearing loss has been associated with hyperactivity, disturbed social interaction, and risk of cognitive disturbances. Mechanistic explanations of these relations sometimes involve language. To investigate the effect of hearing loss on behavioral deficits in the absence of language, we tested the impact of hearing loss in juvenile rats on motor, social, and cognitive behavior and on physiology of prefrontal cortex.MethodsHearing loss was induced in juvenile (postnatal day 14) male Sprague-Dawley rats by intracochlear injection of neomycin under general anaesthesia. Sham-operated and non-operated hearing rats served as controls. One week after surgery auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements verified hearing loss or intact hearing in sham-operated and non-operated controls. All rats were then tested for locomotor activity (open field), coordination (Rotarod), and for social interaction during development in weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 after surgery. From week 8 on, rats were trained and tested for spatial learning and memory (4-arm baited 8-arm radial maze test). In a final setting, neuronal activity was recorded in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).ResultsIn the open field deafened rats moved faster and covered more distance than sham-operated and non-operated controls from week 8 on (both p<0.05). Deafened rats showed significantly more play fighting during development (p<0.05), whereas other aspects of social interaction, such as following, were not affected. Learning of the radial maze test was not impaired in deafened rats (p>0.05), but rats used less next-arm entries than other groups indicating impaired concept learning (p<0.05). In the mPFC neuronal firing rate was reduced and enhanced irregular firing was observed. Moreover, oscillatory activity was altered, both within the mPFC and in coherence of mPFC with the somatosensory cortex (p<0.05).ConclusionsHearing loss in juvenile rats leads to hyperactive behavior and pronounced play-fighting during development, suggesting a causal relationship between hearing loss and cognitive development. Altered neuronal activities in the mPFC after hearing loss support such effects on neuronal networks outside the central auditory system. This animal model provides evidence of developmental consequences of juvenile hearing loss on prefrontal cortex in absence of language as potential confounding factor.
The molecular basis of macrochaete diversification highlighted by a single-cell atlas ofBicyclus anynanabutterfly pupal forewings
Authors: Prakash Anupama , Dion Emilie , Monteiro Antónia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractButterfly wings display a large diversity of cell types, including scale cells of different colors, shapes, and sizes, yet the molecular basis of such diversity is poorly understood. Scales are single-cellular projections homologous to sensory bristles in other arthropods, and different scale types are often found intermingled on the wing, alongside other sensory and epidermal cell types, making the analysis of the complete transcriptomes of each scale type difficult to achieve. To explore scale cell diversity at a transcriptomic level we employed single-cell RNA sequencing of ∼5200 large cells (>6 µm) from 22.5-25-hour male pupal forewings of the butterflyBicyclus anynana. Using single-cell unsupervised, transcriptome clustering, based on shared and differentially expressed genes, followed byin situhybridization, immunofluorescence, and CRISPR/Cas9 editing of candidate cell type specific genes, we annotate various cell types on the wing. We identify the molecular identities of non-innervated scale cells at various stages of differentiation, innervated sensory cell types, and pheromone producing glandular cells. We further show thatsenseless, a zinc finger transcription factor, andHR38, a hormone receptor, determine the identity, size, and color of different scale cell types and are important regulators of scale cell differentiation.Graphical abstract
Neurodevelopmental defects in a mouse model of O-GlcNAc transferase intellectual disability
Authors: Authier Florence , Ondruskova Nina , Ferenbach Andrew T. , McNeilly Alison , van Aalten Daan M. F. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractO-GlcNAcylation is a protein modification that is critical for vertebrate development, catalysed by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and reversed by O-GlcNAcase (OGA). Missense mutations inOGThave recently been shown to segregate with a syndromic form of intellectual disability, OGT-linked Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (OGT-CDG). Although OGT-CDG suggests a critical role of O-GlcNAcylation in neurodevelopment and/or cognitive function, the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms remain unknown. Here we report three mouse lines that carry three different catalytically impaired OGT-CDG variants. These mice show altered O-GlcNAc homeostasis with decreased global O-GlcNAcylation and OGT/OGA levels in the brain. Phenotypic characterization of the mice revealed microcephaly and cognitive deficits including hyperactivity, anxiety and altered spatial working memory. These mouse models will serve as an important tool to study genotype-phenotype correlation in OGT-CDGin vivoand for the development of possible treatment avenues for this disorder.Significant statementMutations in O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), the sole enzyme that installs O-GlcNAc sugar on proteins, lead to intellectual disability through unknown mechanisms. We have generated mouse models carrying OGT mutations that show reduction in brain size, hyperactivity and defects in memory. These mouse models will serve as a valuable tool to further investigate disease mechanism and propose future treatment avenues.
Metabolic state modulates neural processing of odors in the human olfactory bulb
Authors: Iravani Behzad , Frasnelli Johannes , Arshamian Artin , Lundström Johan N. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe olfactory and endocrine systems have recently been shown to reciprocally shape the homeostatic processes of energy intake. As demonstrated in animal models, the individual’s metabolic state dynamically modulates how the olfactory bulb process odor stimuli using a range of endocrine signals. Here we aimed to determine whether the neural processing of odors in human olfactory bulb is modulated by metabolic state. Participants were exposed to food-associated odors, in separate sessions being hungry and sated, while neural responses from the olfactory bulb was obtained using electrobulbogram. We found significantly higher gamma power activity (51-100Hz) in the OB’s response to odors during the Hunger compared to Sated condition. Specifically, EBG gamma power were elevated while hungry already at 100ms after odor onset, thereby suggesting intra-bulbar modulation according to metabolic state. These results demonstrate that, akin to other animal models, hunger state affects OB activity in humans. Moreover, we show that the EBG method has the potential to measure internal metabolic states and, as such, could be used to study specificities in olfactory processing of individuals suffering from pathologies such as obesity or anorexia.
Thermal Contrast Enhancement Predicts Paradoxical Heat Sensation
Authors: Mitchell Alexandra G. , Fischer Ehmsen Jesper , Basińska Małgorzata , Courtin Arthur S. , Böhme Rebecca A. , Sardeto Deolindo Camila , Allen Micah G. , Sandberg Kristian , Fardo Francesca 
Published: August 2023

AbstractParadoxical Heat Sensation (PHS) is the remarkable feeling of warmth or heat pain while the skin is cooling. Despite its initial documentation over 100 years ago, a unified explanation for this perplexing experience remains elusive. Here we apply contrast enhancement principles, known for their instrumental role in understanding visual illusions, to the domain of thermosensation. Contrast enhancement describes the amplification of two contrasting visual features, such as the enhanced perception of an edge between a light and dark bar. In thermosensation, this encompasses an enhancement of the difference between sequential warming and cooling of the skin, and is defined as the normalised difference between successive temporal warm and cold temperatures. Remarkably, thermal contrast predicts the occurrence of PHS. Our findings reveal compelling evidence supporting the role of thermal contrast in the generation of PHS, shedding light on its underlying mechanism and offering a framework for broader encoding principles in thermosensation and pain.
Functional Diversity of Dopamine Axons in Prefrontal Cortex During Classical Conditioning
Authors: Abe Kenta , Kambe Yuki , Majima Kei , Hu Zijing , Ohtake Makoto , Momennezhad Ali , Izumi Hideki , Tanaka Takuma , Matunis Ashley , Stacy Emma , Itokazu Takahide , Sato Takashi R. , Sato Tatsuo K. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMidbrain dopamine neurons impact neural processing in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) through mesocortical projections. However, the signals conveyed by dopamine projections to the PFC remain unclear, particularly at the single-axon level. Here, we investigated dopaminergic axonal activity in the medial PFC (mPFC) during reward and aversive processing. By optimizing microprism-mediated two-photon calcium imaging of dopamine axon terminals, we found diverse activity in dopamine axons responsive to both reward and aversive stimuli. Some axons exhibited a preference for reward, while others favored aversive stimuli, and there was a strong bias for the latter at the population level. Long-term longitudinal imaging revealed that the preference was maintained in reward- and aversive-preferring axons throughout classical conditioning in which rewarding and aversive stimuli were paired with preceding auditory cues. However, as mice learned to discriminate reward or aversive cues, a cue activity preference gradually developed only in aversive-preferring axons. We inferred the trial-by-trial cue discrimination based on machine learning using anticipatory licking or facial expressions, and found that successful discrimination was accompanied by sharper selectivity for the aversive cue in aversive-preferring axons. Our findings indicate that a group of mesocortical dopamine axons encodes aversive-related signals, which are modulated by both classical conditioning across days and trial-by-trial discrimination within a day.Impact statementTwo-photon calcium imaging revealed that many mesocortical dopamine axons show enhanced selectivity for aversive cue processing during classical conditioning.
Innate immune control of influenza virus interspecies adaptation
Authors: Denz Parker J. , Speaks Samuel , Kenney Adam D. , Eddy Adrian C. , Papa Jonathan L. , Roettger Jack , Scace Sydney C. , Hemann Emily A. , Forero Adriana , Webby Richard J. , Bowman Andrew S. , Yount Jacob S. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractInfluenza virus pandemics are caused by viruses from animal reservoirs that adapt to efficiently infect and replicate in human hosts. Here, we investigated whether Interferon-Induced Transmembrane Protein 3 (IFITM3), a host antiviral factor with known human deficiencies, plays a role in interspecies virus infection and adaptation. We found that IFITM3-deficient mice and human cells could be infected with low doses of avian influenza viruses that failed to infect WT counterparts, identifying a new role for IFITM3 in controlling the minimum infectious viral dose threshold. Remarkably, influenza viruses passaged throughIfitm3-/-mice exhibited enhanced host adaptation, a result that was distinct from passaging in mice deficient for interferon signaling, which caused virus attenuation. Our data demonstrate that IFITM3 deficiency uniquely facilitates zoonotic influenza virus infections and subsequent adaptation, implicating IFITM3 deficiencies in the human population as a vulnerability for emergence of new pandemic viruses.
An experimental approach in analyzing the cell cycle dynamics of food-entrapping cells of sponges
Authors: Melnikov Nikolai P. , Lavrov Andrey I. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSponges (phylum Porifera) exhibit surprisingly complex tissue dynamics, maintaining constant cell turnover and migration, rearranging internal structures, and regenerating after severe injuries. Such tissue plasticity relies on the activity of proliferating cells represented primarily by the food-entrapping cells, choanocytes. While there is plenty of studies regarding the dynamics of regeneration and tissue rearrangement in sponges, cell cycle kinetics of choanocytes in intact tissues remains a controversial issue.This study is devoted to the comparative description of choanocyte cell cycle dynamics in intact tissues of two sponges,Halisarca dujardinii(class Demospongiae) andLeucosolenia corallorrhiza(class Calcarea). We have identified populations of proliferating cells and synchronized them in the S-phase to estimate the growth fraction of cycling cells. Using continuous exposure to labeled thymidine analog EdU, we calculated choanocyte cell cycle duration and the length of the S-phase. We also applied double labeling with EdU and antibodies against phosphorylated histone 3 to estimate the lengths of choanocyte M- and G2-phases. Finally, flow cytometry-based quantitative analysis of DNA content provided us with the lengths of G2- and G1-phases.We found that tissue growth and renewal in studied sponges are generally maintained by a relatively large population of slowly cycling choanocytes with a total cell cycle duration of 40 hours inH. dujardiniiand 60 hours inL. corallorrhiza. In both species, choanocytes are characterized by an extremely short M-phase and heterogeneity in the duration of the G2-phase.