bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
S1PR-1/5 modulator RP-101074 shows beneficial effects in a model of central nervous system degeneration
Authors: Sindi Mustafa , Hecker Christina , Issberner Andrea , Ruck Tobias , Meuth Sven G. , Albrecht Philipp , Dietrich Michael 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionIn multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic disability primarily stems from axonal and neuronal degeneration, a condition resistant to conventional immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory treatments. Recent research has indicated that selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor S1PR-1 and -5 modulators yield positive effects in progressive MS and mechanistic models of inflammation-driven neurodegeneration and demyelination. MethodsIn this study, the S1PR-1/-5 modulator RP-101074 was evaluated as a surrogate for ozanimod in the non-inflammatory, primary degenerative animal model of light-induced photoreceptor loss (LI-PRL) in CX3CR1-GFP mice to assess potential neuroprotective effects, independent of its immunomodulatory mechanism of action.ResultsProphylactic administration of RP-101074 demonstrated protective effects in the preclinical, non-inflammatory LI-PRL animal model, following a bell-shaped dose-response curve. RP-101074 treatment also revealed activity-modulating effects on myeloid cells, specifically, CX3CR1+ cells, significantly reducing the marked infiltration occurring one week post-irradiation. Treatment with RP-101074 produced beneficial outcomes on both retinal layer thickness and visual function as evidenced by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optomotor response (OMR) measurements, respectively. Additionally, the myelination status and the quantity of neural stem cells in the optic nerve suggest that RP-101074 may play a role in the activation and/or recruitment of neural stem cells and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, respectively.Conclusion/DiscussionThe data from our study suggest that RP-101074 may have a broader role in MS treatment beyond immunomodulation, potentially offering a novel approach to mitigate neurodegeneration, a core contributor to chronic disability in MS.
Association between sexual function in women and sleep quality
Authors: Martínez Vázquez Sergio , Hernández Martínez Antonio , Peinado Molina Rocío Adriana , Martínez Galiano Juan Miguel 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between sexual dysfunction and sleep disorders.MethodsObservational study was conducted in 2021 and 2022 including 975 Spanish women over 18 years of age. The Women’s Sexual Function Questionnaire (FSM-12) was used as a source of information, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. A bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression, adjusting for confounding variables. Crude (OR) and adjusted (aOR) odds ratios were estimated with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsAround 29.2% (285) of the women presented some type of sexual dysfunction, and 73.4% (716) showed sleep disturbance with scores ≥5 on the PSQI scale. The mean score on the PSQI was 8.23 points (SD = 3.93). All the dimensions of the sexual function scale were statistically related to sleep disturbance (p  ≤ 0.05), except for sexual activity and the reasons for sexual activity not having penetration. In the multivariable analysis, women with sexual dysfunction presented an aOR of sleep disturbance of 1.88 (95% CI: 1.29–2.76) compared to women without dysfunction.ConclusionGlobal sexual dysfunction and almost all the dimensions that make up sexual function are related to changes in sleep quality.
High myopia control is comparable between multifocal rigid gas-permeable lenses and spectacles
Authors: Yu Li-hua , Zhuo Ran , Song Guan-xing , Lin Meng , Jin Wan-qing 
Published: August 2023

PurposeOcular pathology may be reduced by slowing myopia progression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of a novel custom-designed rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens to control high myopia by comparing the efficacy of multifocal RGP lenses and single-vision spectacles for high myopia control.MethodsThe medical records of children fitted with spectacles or multifocal rigid gas-permeable lenses between January 2018 and May 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Children (5–17 years) with non-cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction of ≤ −6.00 D or spherical equivalent refraction &gt; − 6.00 D with baseline axial length ≥ 26.5 mm, and astigmatism of ≥ −2.00 D were included. Axial length and refraction were measured at baseline, before fitting the participants with multifocal rigid gas-permeable lenses or spectacles, and at 1- and 2-year follow-up visits. Changes in axial length were compared between the groups.ResultsAmong the 77 children with 1-year follow-up data, the mean axial elongation was 0.20 ± 0.17 mm and 0.21 ± 0.14 mm in the multifocal rigid gas-permeable and control groups, respectively, without significant differences between groups (F = 0.004, p = 0.835). Among the 41 patients who completed 2 years of follow-up, the mean axial elongation values in the multifocal rigid gas-permeable and control groups were 0.21 ± 0.15 mm and 0.24 ± 0.13 mm, respectively, at the 1-year follow-up, and 0.37 ± 0.27 mm and 0.43 ± 0.23 mm, respectively, at the 2-year follow-up, without significant between-group differences at either time point (p = 0.224).ConclusionAxial length increased at a similar rate in both the control (spectacles) and multifocal rigid gas-permeable lens groups, suggesting that multifocal rigid gas-permeable lenses have no significant impact on controlling high myopia progression compared with spectacles.
Interaction analysis of tobacco leaf microbial community structure and volatiles flavor compounds during cigar stacking fermentation
Authors: Wu Qiaoyin , Peng Zheng , Pan Yong , Liu Liping , Li Linlin , Zhang Juan , Wang Jian 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionCigar stacking fermentation is a key step in tobacco aroma enhancement and miscellaneous gas reduction, which both have a great influence on increasing cigar flavor and improving industrial availability.MethodsTo analyze the effect of cigar tobacco leaf (CTLs) microbial community on volatiles flavor compounds (VFCs), this study used multi-omics technology to reveal the changes in microbial community structure and VFCs of different cigar varieties during stacking fermentation, in addition to exploring the interaction mechanism of microbiome and VFCs.ResultsThe results showed that the dominant microbial compositions of different CTL varieties during stacking fermentation were similar, which included Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium 1, Aerococcus, and Aspergillus. These dominant microbes mainly affected the microbial community structure and characteristic microorganisms of CTLs through microbial interactions, thereby influencing the transformation of VFCs. Characteristic microorganisms of different CTLs varieties such as Trichothecium, Trichosporon, Thioalkalicoccus and Jeotgalicoccus, were found to positively correlate with characteristic VFCs like megastigmatrienone 4, pyrazine, tetramethyl-, geranyl acetone, and 2-undecanone, 6,10-dimethyl-, respectively. This in turn affected the aroma and sensory quality of the CTLs.DiscussionThis study provides theoretical support for the analysis of the mechanism of microorganisms on VFCs and aroma, and development of microbial agents during cigar stacking fermentation.
HTLV-1 p12 modulates the levels of prion protein (PrPC) in CD4+ T cells
Authors: Silva De Castro Isabela , Granato Alessandra , Mariante Rafael Meyer , Lima Marco Antonio , Leite Ana Claudia Celestino , Espindola Otávio de Melo , Pise-Masison Cynthia A. , Franchini Genoveffa , Linden Rafael , Echevarria-Lima Juliana 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionInfection with human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is endemic in Brazil and is linked with pro-inflammatory conditions including HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), a chronic neuroinflammatory incapacitating disease that culminates in loss of motor functions. The mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of HAM/TSP are incompletely understood. Previous studies have demonstrated that inflammation and infectious agents can affect the expression of cellular prion protein (PrPC) in immune cells.MethodsHere, we investigated whether HTLV-1 infection affected PrPC content in cell lines and primary CD4+cells in vitro using flow cytometry and western blot assays.ResultsWe found that HTLV-1 infection decreased the expression levels of PrPC and HTLV-1 Orf I encoded p12, an endoplasmic reticulum resident protein also known to affect post-transcriptionally cellular proteins such as MHC-class I and the IL-2 receptor. In addition, we observed a reduced percentage of CD4+ T cells from infected individuals expressing PrPC, which was reflected by IFN type II but not IL-17 expression.DiscussionThese results suggested that PrPC downregulation, linked to both HTLV-1 p12 and IFN-γ expression in CD4+ cells, may play a role in the neuropathogenesis of HTLV-1 infection.
Human-to-swine introductions and onward transmission of 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza viruses in Brazil
Authors: Junqueira Dennis Maletich , Tochetto Caroline , Anderson Tavis K. , Gava Danielle , Haach Vanessa , Cantão Maurício E. , Baker Amy L. Vincent , Schaefer Rejane 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionOnce established in the human population, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus (H1N1pdm09) was repeatedly introduced into swine populations globally with subsequent onward transmission among pigs.MethodsTo identify and characterize human-to-swine H1N1pdm09 introductions in Brazil, we conducted a large-scale phylogenetic analysis of 4,141 H1pdm09 hemagglutinin (HA) and 3,227 N1pdm09 neuraminidase (NA) gene sequences isolated globally from humans and swine between 2009 and 2022.ResultsPhylodynamic analysis revealed that during the period between 2009 and 2011, there was a rapid transmission of the H1N1pdm09 virus from humans to swine in Brazil. Multiple introductions of the virus were observed, but most of them resulted in self-limited infections in swine, with limited onward transmission. Only a few sustained transmission clusters were identified during this period. After 2012, there was a reduction in the number of human-to-swine H1N1pdm09 transmissions in Brazil.DiscussionThe virus underwent continuous antigenic drift, and a balance was established between swine-to-swine transmission and extinction, with minimal sustained onward transmission from humans to swine. These results emphasize the dynamic interplay between human-to-swine transmission, antigenic drift, and the establishment of swine-to-swine transmission in shaping the evolution and persistence of H1N1pdm09 in swine populations.
Factors associated with changes in psychological resilience of older adults with mild cognitive impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Matsumoto Nanae , Kuroda Yujiro , Sugimoto Taiki , Fujita Kosuke , Uchida Kazuaki , Kishino Yoshinobu , Arai Hidenori , Sakurai Takashi 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionPsychological resilience is an indicator of mental health, but there has been no research to date on changes in psychological resilience among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) during the stress of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic including factors related to those changes. To fill the gap, this study examined the factors and the changes in psychological resilience of older adults with MCI during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsOne hundred thirty participants completed the 10-item version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) between December 2020 and June 2021 as a baseline assessment and between December 2021 and February 2022 as a follow-up. Participants also answered questions on sleep quality, depression symptoms, activities in daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL and social participation to explore factors associated with changes.ResultsIn this cohort, the mean CD-RISC-10 scores were significantly higher than the baseline at follow-up (p &lt; 0.05), indicating the improvement of psychological resilience. In multiple regression analyses, sleep quality was significantly correlated with change in CD-RISC-10 score (coefficient = 3.94, 95% confidence interval = 1.11 to 6.78).DiscussionPsychological resilience could improve even during the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults with MCI who were at risk of developing dementia. The factor associated with improved psychological resilience was good sleep quality.
Reduced neurite density index in the prefrontal cortex of adults with autism assessed using neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging
Authors: Arai Takashi , Kamagata Koji , Uchida Wataru , Andica Christina , Takabayashi Kaito , Saito Yuya , Tuerxun Rukeye , Mahemuti Zaimire , Morita Yuichi , Irie Ryusuke , Kirino Eiji , Aoki Shigeki 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundCore symptoms of autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) have been associated with prefrontal cortex abnormalities. However, the mechanisms behind the observation remain incomplete, partially due to the challenges of modeling complex gray matter (GM) structures. This study aimed to identify GM microstructural alterations in adults with ASD using neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and voxel-wise GM-based spatial statistics (GBSS) to reduce the partial volume effects from the white matter and cerebrospinal fluid.Materials and methodsA total of 48 right-handed participants were included, of which 22 had ASD (17 men; mean age, 34.42 ± 8.27 years) and 26 were typically developing (TD) individuals (14 men; mean age, 32.57 ± 9.62 years). The metrics of NODDI (neurite density index [NDI], orientation dispersion index [ODI], and isotropic volume fraction [ISOVF]) were compared between groups using GBSS. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics and surface-based cortical thickness were also compared. The associations between magnetic resonance imaging-based measures and ASD-related scores, including ASD-spectrum quotient, empathizing quotient, and systemizing quotient were also assessed in the region of interest (ROI) analysis.ResultsAfter controlling for age, sex, and intracranial volume, GBSS demonstrated significantly lower NDI in the ASD group than in the TD group in the left prefrontal cortex (caudal middle frontal, lateral orbitofrontal, pars orbitalis, pars triangularis, rostral middle frontal, and superior frontal region). In the ROI analysis of individuals with ASD, a significantly positive correlation was observed between the NDI in the left rostral middle frontal, superior frontal, and left frontal pole and empathizing quotient score. No significant between-group differences were observed in all DTI metrics, other NODDI (i.e., ODI and ISOVF) metrics, and cortical thickness.ConclusionGBSS analysis was used to demonstrate the ability of NODDI metrics to detect GM microstructural alterations in adults with ASD, while no changes were detected using DTI and cortical thickness evaluation. Specifically, we observed a reduced neurite density index in the left prefrontal cortices associated with reduced empathic abilities.
Treatment effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with motor relearning procedure on spasticity and limb motor function in stroke patients
Authors: Chen Ruijun , Zhang Yu , Wang Xiaocheng , Zhao Yunfei , Fan Shasha , Xue Yanping , Zhao Jing , Liu Yinlian , Wang Pingzhi 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveLimb paralysis, which is a sequela of stroke, limits patients' activities of daily living and lowers their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with a motor relearning procedure (MRP) on motor function and limb spasticity in stroke patients.MethodsStroke patients were randomly divided into a combined treatment group (rTMS + MRP) and a control group (MRP) (n = 30 per group). The control group was given MRP in addition to conventional rehabilitation, and the combined treatment group was given 1 Hz rTMS combined with MRP. The treatment efficacy was assessed by the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer motor function scale, and motor evoked potential (MEP) testing.ResultsAfter 4 weeks of treatment, the Brunnstrom score, Fugl-Meyer lower extremity motor function, and Fugl-Meyer balance function were significantly higher in the combination treatment group compared to the control group, while the MAS score was lower in the combination treatment group compared to the control group. The MEP extraction rate was higher in the combined treatment group compared to the control group, while the threshold and central motor conduction time (CMCT) were lower in the combined treatment group compared to the control group.ConclusionLow-frequency rTMS combined with MRP had better efficacy on spasticity and motor function in stroke patients with hemiparesis than MRP alone.
Real-world efficacy and tolerability of fremanezumab in adults with chronic migraine: a 3-month, single-center, prospective, observational study
Authors: Cullum Christopher Kjaer , Chaudhry Basit Ali , Do Thien Phu , Amin Faisal Mohammad 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundFollowing the promising pre-marketing placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials of fremanezumab, post-marketing studies are necessary to verify efficacy and tolerability in various real-world settings. The present study assessed real-world efficacy and safety of fremanezumab.MethodsA 3-month, single-center, prospective, observation study of adults with chronic migraine who were treated with monthly subcutaneous injections of 225 mg fremanezumab in Denmark. The primary outcome was defined as proportion of patients who achieved ≥30% reduction in monthly migraine days (MMDs) from baseline to weeks 9–12. Among secondary outcomes were ≥50 and ≥75% responder rates and the proportion of patients reporting adverse events.ResultsA total of 91 patients with chronic migraine were enrolled and received at least one dose of fremanezumab of whom 89 patients (98%) completed the 3-months treatment period. At baseline, the mean (SD) number of monthly headache days was 24.3 ± 5.8 and mean number of MMDs was 18.5 ± 7.4. The number of patients who achieved ≥30% reduction in MMDs from baseline to weeks 9–12 was 58 (65%), while 45 (51%) and 21 (24%) had ≥50 and 75% reduction in MMD, respectively. Twenty-one patients (23%) reported adverse event, in which the most common were constipation (4.4%), fatigue (4.4%) and dizziness (3.3%). No serious adverse events were reported.ConclusionIn adult chronic migraine patients with previous failure of conventional oral migraine preventives, fremanezumab was found to be effective and well-tolerated.
Multiclass classification of imagined speech EEG using noise-assisted multivariate empirical mode decomposition and multireceptive field convolutional neural network
Authors: Park Hyeong-jun , Lee Boreom 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionIn this study, we classified electroencephalography (EEG) data of imagined speech using signal decomposition and multireceptive convolutional neural network. The imagined speech EEG with five vowels /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, and /u/, and mute (rest) sounds were obtained from ten study participants.Materials and methodsFirst, two different signal decomposition methods were applied for comparison: noise-assisted multivariate empirical mode decomposition and wavelet packet decomposition. Six statistical features were calculated from the decomposed eight sub-frequency bands EEG. Next, all features obtained from each channel of the trial were vectorized and used as the input vector of classifiers. Lastly, EEG was classified using multireceptive field convolutional neural network and several other classifiers for comparison.ResultsWe achieved an average classification rate of 73.09 and up to 80.41% in a multiclass (six classes) setup (Chance: 16.67%). In comparison with various other classifiers, significant improvements for other classifiers were achieved (p-value &lt; 0.05). From the frequency sub-band analysis, high-frequency band regions and the lowest-frequency band region contain more information about imagined vowel EEG data. The misclassification and classification rate of each vowel imaginary EEG was analyzed through a confusion matrix.DiscussionImagined speech EEG can be classified successfully using the proposed signal decomposition method and a convolutional neural network. The proposed classification method for imagined speech EEG can contribute to developing a practical imagined speech-based brain-computer interfaces system.
Human upper extremity motor cortex activity shows distinct oscillatory signatures for stereotyped arm and leg movements
Authors: Starkweather Clara Kwon , Morrison Melanie A. , Yaroshinsky Maria , Louie Kenneth , Balakid Jannine , Presbrey Kara , Starr Philip A. , Wang Doris D. 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionStepping and arm swing are stereotyped movements that require coordination across multiple muscle groups. It is not known whether the encoding of these stereotyped movements in the human primary motor cortex is confined to the limbs’ respective somatotopy.MethodsWe recorded subdural electrocorticography activities from the hand/arm area in the primary motor cortex of 6 subjects undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery for essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease who performed stepping (all patients) and arm swing (n = 3 patients) tasks.ResultsWe show stepping-related low frequency oscillations over the arm area. Furthermore, we show that this oscillatory activity is separable, both in frequency and spatial domains, from gamma band activity changes that occur during arm swing.DiscussionOur study contributes to the growing body of evidence that lower extremity movement may be more broadly represented in the motor cortex, and suggest that it may represent a way to coordinate stereotyped movements across the upper and lower extremities.