bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Pain Intensity and Walking Disability After Lumbar Fusion
Authors: Quek June Mei Tse , Tan Joy , Toh Irene , Chen John Li-Tat , Yeo William , Chia Rachel , Ang Adeline , Pua Yong-Hao 
Published: January 2022

Study Design.
Retrospective longitudinal study.

Objective.
To identify the preoperative factors associated with postoperative lumbar fusion recovery in back or leg pain, self-reported walking time, and gait speed over a 6-month period.

Summary of Background Data.
The demand for lumbar fusion surgeries has significantly increased over the years. Yet, some patients report persistent postsurgical pain and poor functional outcomes. Unfortunately, the associated risk factors are not well understood.

Methods.
The study analyzed 232 subjects with mono- or bisegmental lumbar fusion surgery who underwent standardized assessment preoperatively and at 4, 12, and 24weeks postoperatively. Preoperative variables collected were demographic, clinical, and psychological variables. Back or leg pain was measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Walking disability was measured by self-reported walking time and performance-based fast gait speed. Risk factors of pain and walking disability over time were identified using ordinal and linear mixed-effects modeling.

Results.
At 6 months post-surgery, 17% of patients reported having moderate or severe back/leg pain and 24% were unable to walk longer than 30 minutes. Greater preoperative self-reported leg weakness frequency and body-mass-index (BMI) were strongly associated with greater pain and walking disability. Additionally, greater preoperative depression symptoms were associated with greater back/leg pain (adjusted odds ratio = 4.0) and shorter walking time (adjusted odds ratio = 2.7)—but not with slower gait speed (difference = 0.01 m/s). Old age and female gender were strongly associated with gait speed but not with self-reported walking time.

Conclusion.
A sizable proportion of patients had poor pain and walking outcomes even at 6 months post-surgery. Preoperative leg weakness and BMI were consistent risk factors and patients with greater depression symptoms may have poorer self-reported outcomes. Although requiring validation, our study has identified potentially modifiable risk factors which may give clinicians an opportunity to provide early (preoperative) and targeted intervention strategies to optimize postoperative outcomes.

Level of Evidence: NA
UNUSUAL CASE OF CLADOSPORIUM SPHAEROSPERMUM ENDOGENOUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS DURING GOLIMUMAB THERAPY: CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Cavalleri Michele , Marchese Alessandro , Starace Vincenzo , Bandello Francesco , Modorati Giulio , Miserocchi Elisabetta 
Published: January 2022

Purpose:
To report a case of fungal endogenous endophthalmitis from Cladosporium sphaerospermum in a patient with juvenile idiopathic arthritis receiving chronic immunosuppressive therapy with golimumab (tumor necrosis factor-α blocker).

Methods:
Case report and review of the literature.

Results:
A 34-year-old woman receiving chronic immunosuppressive therapy with golimumab for juvenile idiopathic arthritis was referred for unilateral visual loss and ocular pain. Worsening conditions after corticosteroid therapy and raised serum beta-D-glucan levels pointed to an infectious fungal etiology. Panfungal polymerase chain reaction-based genetic sequencing on vitreous specimens obtained during vitrectomy detected C. sphaerospermum. The patient management combined surgical treatment and systemic and intravitreal voriconazole.

Conclusion:
Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis can be a rare complication in patients undergoing chronic immunosuppressive therapy (including golimumab) without other predisposing factors. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are the keys to preserve vision.
A snapshot of brain and cognition in healthy mid-life and older adults
Authors: Borne Léonie , Lupton Michelle K. , Guo Christine , Mosley Philip , Adam Robert , Ceslis Amelia , Bourgeat Pierrick , Fazlollahi Amir , Maruff Paul , Rowe Christopher C. , Masters Colin L. , Fripp Jurgen , Robinson Gail A. , Breakspear Michael ,   for the Prospective Imaging Study of Ageing,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative,   the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle flagship study
Published: January 2022

AbstractDeficits in memory are seen as a canonical sign of ageing and a prodrome to dementia in older adults. However, the nature of cognitive and brain changes across a wider aperture of adulthood is not well known. We quantify the relationship between cognitive function and brain morphology from mid-life to older adulthood, and the influence of age, sex, amyloid and genetic risk for dementia. We analyzed three observational cohorts (PISA, AIBL, ADNI) with cognitive, genetic and neuroimaging measures comprising a total of 1570 healthy mid-life and older adults (mean age 72, range 49-90 years, 1330 males) and 1365 age- and sex-matched adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. Among healthy adults, we find robust modes of co-variation between regional sulcal width and multidomain cognitive function that change from mid-life to the older age range. The most prominent cortical changes in mid-life are predominantly associated with changes in executive functions, whereas they are most strongly associated with poorer memory function in older age. These cognitive changes are accompanied by an age-dependent pattern of sulcal widening. Amyloid exerts a weak, but significant, influence on cognition, but not on sulcal width. The APOE ɛ4 allele also exerts a weak influence on cognition, but only significantly in the (larger and older) AIBL cohort. These findings provide new insights into brain and cognition in mid-life and older adults, suggesting that cognitive screening in mid-life cohorts should encompass executive functions as well as memory.
Spatial positioning and matrix programs of cancer-associated fibroblasts promote T cell exclusion in human lung tumors
Authors: Grout John A. , Sirven Philémon , Leader Andrew M. , Maskey Shrisha , Hector Eglantine , Puisieux Isabelle , Steffan Fiona , Cheng Evan , Tung Navpreet , Maurin Mathieu , Vaineau Romain , Karpf Léa , Plaud Martin , Casanova-Acebes Maria , Tabachnikova Alexandra , Keerthivasan Shilpa , Lansky Alona , LeBérichel Jessica , Walker Laura , Rahman Adeeb H. , Gnjatic Sacha , Adam Julien , Martin Jerome C. , Wolf Andrea , Flores Raja , Beasley Mary Beth , Pradhan Rachana , Müller Sören , Marron Thomas U. , Turley Shannon J. , Merad Miriam , Kenigsberg Ephraim , Salmon Hélène 
Published: January 2022

SUMMARYIt is currently accepted that activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) participate in T cell exclusion from tumor nests, but it remains unclear how they promote barrier phenotypes, and whether specific subsets are involved. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing coupled with multiplex imaging on a large cohort of lung tumors, we identify four main CAF populations, of which only two are associated with T cell exclusion: (i) MYH11+αSMA+ CAF, which are present in early-stage tumors and form a single-cell layer lining cancer aggregates, and (ii) FAP+αSMA+ CAF, which appear in more advanced tumors and organize in patches within the stroma or in multiple layers around tumor nests. Both CAF populations show a contractility phenotype together with dense and aligned matrix fiber deposition compared to the T cell-permissive CAF. Yet they express distinct matrix genes, including COL4A1/COL9A1 (MYH11+αSMA+ CAF) and COL11A1/COL12A1 (FAP+αSMA+ CAF). Hereby, we uncovered unique molecular programs of CAF driving T cell marginalization, whose targeting should increase immunotherapy efficacy in patients bearing T cell-excluded tumors.SIGNIFICANCEThe cellular and molecular programs driving T cell marginalization in solid tumors remain unclear. Here, we describe two CAF populations associated with T cell exclusion in human lung tumors. We demonstrate the importance of pairing molecular and spatial analysis of the tumor microenvironment, a prerequisite to develop new strategies targeting T cell-excluding CAF.
Wildlife and Marine Mammal Spatial Observatory: Observation and automated detection of Southern Right Whales in multispectral satellite imagery
Authors: Houegnigan Ludwig , Merino Enrique Romero , Vermeulen Els , Block Jessica , Safari Pooyan , Moreno-Noguer Francesc , Nadeu Climent 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe Wildlife and Marine Mammal Spatial Observatory is a joint research effort for the census ofwildlife and particularly of marine mammals in satellite imagery. In that context, this paper illustrates the development of a high accuracy algorithm for the detection of right whales in sub-meter resolution multispectral satellite imagery with the constraint of a relatively small sample support of 580 southern right whale images. A significant space is devoted to exploratory data analysis to describe the statistical structure of right whale pixels and ocean surface pixels across multispectral bands.Observations of southern right whale in satellite imagery are divided into typical and atypical right whale forms and the first observations of right whale mother and calf pairs in satellite imagery are presented. Measurements of whales are furthermore automatically extracted from whale observations (major axis length, minor axis length, etc). A significant space is also devoted to statistical data exploration, a step frequently overlooked in machine learning solutions, that yet offers interesting insight into the structure of animal detection in satellite imagery. The extracted statistics can readily be used by researchers to develop detection solutions even with low sample support. The adopted solution for detection consists of feature extraction with a convolutional neural network followed by classification with a support vector machine. 20 different convolutional neural networks were tested for feature extraction. Biostatistics parameters (accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and precision) were measured for comparison. Most architectures generally achieved high performance with low false positive and false negative rates. 100% accuracy is achieved in the case of 2 convolutional neural networks, Nasnet Large and Inception V3, and only with a specific selection of multispectral bands.NB: This is a preprint that does not include satellite imagery due recent reviews
Does a humoral correlate of protection exist for SARS-CoV-2? A systematic review
Authors: Perry Julie , Osman Selma , Wright James , Richard-Greenblatt Melissa , Buchan Sarah A , Sadarangani Manish , Bolotin Shelly 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundA correlate of protection (CoP) is an immunological marker associated with protection against infection. A CoP can be used to determine whether an individual is protected from infection, evaluate candidate vaccines, guide vaccination dosing intervals and policy, and understand population-level immunity against a pathogen. Despite an urgent need, a CoP for SARS-CoV-2 is currently undefined, leaving an evidence gap for informing public health policy and adapting it appropriately as new variants of concern emerge. The objective of this study was to systematically review and assess the evidence for a humoral SARS-CoV-2 CoP.Methods and FindingsWe searched OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, Biosis Previews and Scopus from inception to January 4, 2022 and pre-prints (using NIH iSearch COVID-19 portfolio) from inception to December 31, 2021, for studies describing SARS-CoV-2 re-infection or breakthrough infection with associated antibody measures. Two reviewers independently extracted study data and performed quality assessment. Twenty-five studies were included in our systematic review. Several studies reported re-infection or breakthrough cases that occurred in the presence of robust antibody levels. Studies that compared aggregate antibody concentrations from individuals who experienced re-infection or breakthrough compared to those who remained protected did not always find differences that were statistically significant. However, several studies found an inverse relationship between antibody levels and infection incidence, risk, or viral load, and a correlation between antibody levels and vaccine efficacy (VE). Estimates of the contribution of antibody levels to VE varied from 48.5% to 94.2%, suggesting that both humoral immunity and other immune components contribute to protection. Only two studies estimated a quantitative CoP. For Ancestral SARS-CoV-2, these included 154 (95% confidence interval (CI) 42, 559) anti-S binding antibody units/mL (BAU/mL), and 28.6% (95% CI 19.2, 29.2%) of the mean convalescent antibody level following infection. One study reported a CoP for the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant of concern of 171 (95% CI 57, 519) BAU/mL. As of our search date, no studies reported an Omicron-specific CoP.ConclusionsThe reviewed literature was limited by a wide variation in assay methodology and antibody targets. Few studies reported SARS-CoV-2 lineage. The studies included in our review suggest that if it exists, a SARS-CoV-2 CoP is likely relative, where higher antibody levels decrease the risk of infection, but do not eliminate it completely. More work is urgently needed in this area to establish a SARS-CoV-2 CoP and guide policy as the pandemic continues.
REM sleep promotes bidirectional plasticity in developing visual cortex in vivo
Authors: Renouard Leslie , Hayworth Christopher , Rempe Michael , Clegern Will , Wisor Jonathan , Frank Marcos G. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSleep is required for the full expression of plasticity during the visual critical period (CP). However, the precise role of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep in this process is undetermined. Previous studies in rodents indicate that REM sleep weakens cortical circuits following MD, but this has been explored in only one class of cortical neuron (layer 5 apical dendrites). We investigated the role of REM sleep in ocular dominance plasticity (ODP) in layer 2/3 neurons using 2-photon calcium imaging in awake CP mice. In contrast to findings in layer 5 neurons, we find that REM sleep promotes changes consistent with synaptic strengthening and weakening. This supports recent suggestions that the effects of sleep on plasticity are highly dependent upon the type of circuit and preceding waking experience.
Energetic decoupling of phycobilisomes from photosystem II involved in nonphotochemical quenching in red algae
Authors: Chiang Yu-Hao , Huang Yu-Jia , Fu Han-Yi 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTTo mitigate photodamage under fluctuating light conditions, photosynthetic organisms respond by regulating light energy absorbed by light-harvesting complexes and used for photochemistry. Nonphotochemical quenching acts as a frontline response to prevent excitation energy from reaching the photochemical reaction center of photosystem II. The mechanisms underlying nonphotochemical quenching in red algae, which display unique combination of light-harvesting transmembrane antenna proteins and membrane-attached phycobilisomes, appear to be different from those in cyanobacteria, green algae, and plants. Several single-process models have been proposed for red algal nonphotochemical quenching, yet the possibility of more than one process being involved in nonphotochemical quenching awaits further investigation. To assess multiple nonphotochemical quenching processes in the extremophilic red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae, fluorescence analyses with light preferentially absorbed by phycobilisomes or photosystems were utilized. Energetic decoupling of phycobilisomes from photosystem II and intrinsic photosystem II quenching were identified as two dominant processes involved in nonphotochemical quenching and distinguished by their kinetics. Whereas the degrees of energetic decoupling remained similar after its induction, the degrees of intrinsic photosystem II quenching varied depending on the illumination period and intensity. The respective effects of protein crosslinkers, osmolytes, ionophores, and photosynthetic inhibitors on the kinetics of nonphotochemical quenching suggested that the energetic decoupling involved conformational changes associated with the connection between the PBS and PSII. Furthermore, the surface charge on the thylakoid membrane played a significant role in the modulation of red algal nonphotochemical quenching.One-sentence summaryEnergetic decoupling of phycobilisomes from photosystem II and intrinsic photosystem II quenching were involved in nonphotochemical quenching of the extremophilic red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae.
Targeting Norepinephrine Neurons of the Locus Coeruleus: A Comparison of Model Systems and Strategies
Authors: Wissing Chantal , Eschholz Lena S. , Maheu Maxime , Sauter Kathrin , Morellini Fabio , Wiegert Simon , Dieter Alexander 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe locus coeruleus (LC) norepinephrine (NE) system is involved in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Refining our understanding of LC function largely relies on selective transgene expression in molecularly defined cells, allowing targeted manipulation and readout of noradrenergic neurons. Here, we performed a side-by-side comparison of the most commonly used strategies to genetically target the LC, including different cre driver lines and promoter-mediated transgene expression. We report differences between these strategies in terms of transgene expression efficacy and molecular specificity. Notably, we found no behavioral alterations in cre-expressing mice of any mouse line compared to wild-type littermates. Finally, to further facilitate the investigation of LC-NE function, we have created a suite of constructs, including reporter proteins and calcium indicators in two different spectra, whose expression is mediated by the previously described PRS×8 promoter. These constructs allow identification and monitoring of LC-NE activity either in wild-type mice, or in combination with tissue-specific manipulations of different cre driver lines. The results of our study are crucial for the interpretation of previous experiments using the respective targeting strategies, as well as for the design of future studies.Highlights– Heterogeneous expression patterns with different targeting strategies for LC-NE neurons– Substantial ectopic transgene expression observed in some approaches– No behavioral alterations in heterozygous cre mice as compared to wild-types– PRS×8-driven reporter proteins and calcium indicators as a resource to investigate LC function
Impact of a native hemiparasite and mowing on performance of a major invasive weed, European blackberry
Authors: Cirocco Robert M. , Watling Jennifer R. , Facelli José M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPlant invasions are a major global threat to biodiversity. Traditional methods of weed control are falling short, and novel and environmentally friendly control tools are needed. Native parasitic plants are showing promise as effective biocontrols for some of the worst weeds, however, their application is in its infancy.First, we established the native parasitic plant, Cassytha pubescens on unmown invasive European blackberry (Rubus anglocandicans), at three field sites (Belair, Horsnell and Blackwood) in South Australia to measure the impact of infection host performance. Concurrently, we established the parasite on hosts that were mown at two of these sites (Horsnell and Blackwood), to determine the impact of mowing, a commonly used control method, in conjunction with infection by C. pubescens.Fruit production, midday quantum yield and electron transport rates of infected R. anglocandidans were significantly lower than uninfected plants at only one site, Blackwood. Predawn quantum yield, and foliar nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of infected plants were significantly lower than uninfected ones across all three sites. Stomatal conductance was negatively affected by infection at one site (Belair). Mowing enhanced parasite impact on host nitrogen concentration at one site (Horsnell), and infection negatively affected host stomatal conductance at the same site, irrespective of whether plants were mown or not.We have demonstrated that this native biocontrol can be artificially established on invasive European blackberry in the field, with negative consequences for its performance. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing native parasitic plants as weed biocontrols to protect biodiversity, and are aligned with the Biotic Resistance hypothesis that invasive species are susceptible and sensitive to enemies native to their newly invaded habitat.
The effector protein CgNLP1 of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides from Hevea brasiliensis disrupts nuclear localization of necrosis-induced transcription factor HbMYB8-like to suppress plant defense signaling
Authors: Yang Guangyong , Yang Jie , Zhang Qiwei , Wang Wenfeng , Feng Liping , Zhao Li , An Bang , Wang Qiannan , He Chaozu , Luo Hongli 
Published: January 2022

SummaryColletotrichum gloeosporioides is the dominant causal agent of rubber tree anthracnose and leads to serious loss of natural rubber production. Fungi secrete numerous effectors to modulate host defense systems. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which fungal effectors regulate plant defense is of great importance for the development of novel strategies for disease control.Here, we identified an NLP effector gene, CgNLP1, which contributed to virulence of C. gloeosporioides to rubber tree. Transient expression of CgNLP1 in the leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana induced ethylene production in plants. Ectopic expression of CgNLP1 in Arabidopsis significantly enhanced the resistance to Botrytis cinerea and A. brassicicola.CgNLP1 was shown to target a R2R3 type transcription factor HbMYB8-like in rubber tree, which localized on nucleus and induced necrosis in N. benthamiana. CgNLP1 disrupted nuclear accumulation of HbMYB8-like and suppressed necrosis induced by HbMYB8-like mediated SA signal pathway.This work suggested a strategy whereby C. gloeosporioides exploited CgNLP1 effector to suppress host defense to facilitate infection by disrupting the subcellular compartment of a host defense regulator HbMYB8-like.