bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Startle responses in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a novel biomarker of brain dystrophin deficiency
Authors: Maresh Kate , Papageorgiou Andriani , Ridout Deborah , Harrison Neil A , Mandy William , Skuse David , Muntoni Francesco 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by loss of dystrophin in muscle, however patients also have variable degree of intellectual disability and neurobehavioural co-morbidities. In contrast to muscle, in which a single full-length dystrophin isoform (Dp427) is produced, multiple isoforms are produced in the brain, and their deficiency accounts for the variability of CNS manifestations, with increased risk of comorbidities in patients carrying mutations affecting the 3′ end of the gene, which disrupt expression of shorter Dp140 and Dp71 isoforms. A mouse model (mdx mouse) lacks Dp427 in muscle and CNS and exhibits exaggerated startle responses to threat, linked to the deficiency of dystrophin in limbic structures such as the amygdala, which normalize with postnatal brain dystrophin-restoration therapies. A pathological startle response is not a recognized feature of DMD, and its characterization has implications for improved clinical management and translational research.To investigate startle responses in DMD, we used a novel fear-conditioning task in an observational study of 56 males aged 7–12 years (31 affected boys, mean age 9.7 ± 1.8 years; 25 controls, mean age 9.6 ± 1.4 years). Trials of two neutral visual stimuli were presented to participants: one ‘safe’ cue presented alone; one ‘threat’ cue paired with an aversive noise to enable conditioning of physiological startle responses (skin conductance response and heart rate). Retention of conditioned physiological responses was subsequently tested by presenting both cues without the aversive noise in an ‘Extinction’ phase. Primary outcomes were the initial unconditioned skin conductance and change in heart rate responses to the aversive ‘threat’ and acquisition and retention of conditioned responses after conditioning. Secondary and exploratory outcomes were neuropsychological measures and genotype associations.The mean unconditioned skin conductance response was greater in the DMD group than controls [mean difference 3.0 µS (1.0, 5.1); P = 0.004], associated with a significant threat-induced bradycardia only in the patient group [mean difference –8.7 bpm (–16.9, –0.51); P = 0.04]. Participants with DMD found the task more aversive than controls, with increased early termination rates during the Extinction phase (26% of DMD group versus 0% of controls; P = 0.007).This study provides the first evidence that boys with DMD show similar increased unconditioned startle responses to threat to the mdx mouse, which in the mouse respond to brain dystrophin restoration. Our study provides new insights into the neurobiology underlying the complex neuropsychiatric co-morbidities in DMD and defines an objective measure of this CNS phenotype, which will be valuable for future CNS-targeted dystrophin-restoration studies.
The human orbitofrontal cortex, vmPFC, and anterior cingulate cortex effective connectome: emotion, memory, and action
Authors: Rolls Edmund T , Deco Gustavo , Huang Chu-Chung , Feng Jianfeng 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe human orbitofrontal cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and anterior cingulate cortex are involved in reward processing and thereby in emotion but are also implicated in episodic memory. To understand these regions better, the effective connectivity between 360 cortical regions and 24 subcortical regions was measured in 172 humans from the Human Connectome Project and complemented with functional connectivity and diffusion tractography. The orbitofrontal cortex has effective connectivity from gustatory, olfactory, and temporal visual, auditory, and pole cortical areas. The orbitofrontal cortex has connectivity to the pregenual anterior and posterior cingulate cortex and hippocampal system and provides for rewards to be used in memory and navigation to goals. The orbitofrontal and pregenual anterior cortex have connectivity to the supracallosal anterior cingulate cortex, which projects to midcingulate and other premotor cortical areas and provides for action-outcome learning including limb withdrawal or flight or fight to aversive and nonreward stimuli. The lateral orbitofrontal cortex has outputs to language systems in the inferior frontal gyrus. The medial orbitofrontal cortex connects to the nucleus basalis of Meynert and the pregenual cingulate to the septum, and damage to these cortical regions may contribute to memory impairments by disrupting cholinergic influences on the neocortex and hippocampus.
Frequency and Geographic Distribution of Borrelia miyamotoi, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Babesia microti Infections in New England Residents
Authors: Johnston Demerise , Kelly Jill R , Ledizet Michel , Lavoie Nathalie , Smith Robert P , Parsonnet Jeffrey , Schwab Jonathan , Stratidis John , Espich Scott , Lee Giyoung , Maciejewski Kaitlin R , Deng Yanhong , Majam Victoria , Zheng Hong , Bonkoungou Sougr-nooma , Stevens June , Kumar Sanjai , Krause Peter J 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background
Borrelia miyamotoi is a relapsing fever spirochete that relatively recently has been reported to infect humans. It causes an acute undifferentiated febrile illness that can include meningoencephalitis and relapsing fever. Like Borrelia burgdorferi, it is transmitted by Ixodes scapularis ticks in the northeastern United States and by Ixodes pacificus ticks in the western United States. Despite reports of clinical cases from North America, Europe, and Asia, the prevalence, geographic range, and pattern of expansion of human B. miyamotoi infection are uncertain. To better understand these characteristics of B. miyamotoi in relation to other tickborne infections, we carried out a cross-sectional seroprevalence study across New England that surveyed B. miyamotoi, B. burgdorferi, and Babesia microti infections.

Methods
We measured specific antibodies against B. miyamotoi, B. burgdorferi, and B. microti among individuals living in 5 New England states in 2018.

Results
Analysis of 1153 serum samples collected at 11 catchment sites showed that the average seroprevalence for B. miyamotoi was 2.8% (range, 0.6%–5.2%), which was less than that of B. burgdorferi (11.0%; range, 6.8%–15.6%) and B. microti (10.0%; range, 6.5%–13.6%). Antibody screening within county residence in New England showed varying levels of seroprevalence for these pathogens but did not reveal a vectoral geographical pattern of distribution.

Conclusions
Human infections caused by B. miyamotoi, B. burgdorferi, and B. microti are widespread with varying prevalence throughout New England.
Real-World Effectiveness of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA Vaccines in Preventing Confirmed Infection in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis
Authors: Butt Adeel A , Talisa Victor B , Yan Peng , Shaikh Obaid S , Omer Saad B , Mayr Florian B 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background
Persons on chronic hemodialysis have a significantly diminished humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Whether this translates to reduced vaccine effectiveness (VE) is unknown.

Methods
We used the US Department of Veterans Affairs COVID-19 Shared Data Resource to identify all veterans who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 between 26 January and 31 August 2021. Using International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition, codes and attendance at a dialysis clinic/center, we identified those who were on chronic hemodialysis. We used a test-negative, case-control design using a doubly robust logistic regression model to determine the VE of the BNT-162b2 (Pfizer) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccines in preventing confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Results
Among 847 199 veterans tested for SARS-CoV-2 between 26 January and 31 August 2021, there were 6076 veterans on chronic hemodialysis. Among those, we identified 1270 cases (580 fully vaccinated) and 2959 controls (2120 fully vaccinated). The overall VE &gt;14 days after the second dose in preventing documented infection was 68.2% (95% CI: 62.6–72.9%). VE was 68.9% (95% CI: 61.9–74.7%) for Pfizer BNT-162b2 and 66.7% (95% CI: 58.9–73.0%) for Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine. There was no difference in VE by age (&lt;70 vs &gt;70 years), race, or sex. There were no events recorded in persons with a Charlson’s comorbidity index score &lt;2.

Conclusions
VE of 2 doses of current mRNA vaccines in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in persons on chronic hemodialysis is lower than historic VE rates in the general population. Effects of additional doses in improving VE in this special population need further study.
A market for work permits
Authors: Lokshin Michael , Ravallion Martin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIt will be politically difficult to liberalize international economic migration without some form of compensation for host-country workers. The paper explores the scope for managing migration using a government-regulated competitive market for work permits (WPs). We propose that host-county workers should be granted the legal option of renting out their WPs for a period of their choice, while foreigners can purchase taxable time-bound WPs. The proposed market is anonymous, with no need for personalized matchings of those on its two sides. The market can have either one price or be differentiated by occupation or region. There would probably be some losers, but potentially large gains, including through enhanced social protection in host countries. Using its power to tax WPs, the host country can achieve any desired floor to labour earnings. The market for WPs can also provide a new instrument for implementing industrial and regional development policies.
Changing Population Size in McDonald–Kreitman Style Analyses: Artifactual Correlations and Adaptive Evolution between Humans and Chimpanzees
Authors: Soni Vivak , Moutinho Ana Filipa , Eyre-Walker Adam 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
It is known that methods to estimate the rate of adaptive evolution, which are based on the McDonald–Kreitman test, can be biased by changes in effective population size. Here, we demonstrate theoretically that changes in population size can also generate an artifactual correlation between the rate of adaptive evolution and any factor that is correlated to the strength of selection acting against deleterious mutations. In this context, we have investigated whether several site-level factors influence the rate of adaptive evolution in the divergence of humans and chimpanzees, two species that have been inferred to have undergone population size contraction since they diverged. We find that the rate of adaptive evolution, relative to the rate of mutation, is higher for more exposed amino acids, lower for amino acid pairs that are more dissimilar in terms of their polarity, volume, and lower for amino acid pairs that are subject to stronger purifying selection, as measured by the ratio of the numbers of nonsynonymous to synonymous polymorphisms (pN/pS). All of these correlations are opposite to the artifactual correlations expected under contracting population size. We therefore conclude that these correlations are genuine.
Recovery of Love wave overtone waveforms and dispersion curves from single-station seismograms using time-warping
Authors: Brown M G , Lin G , Matsuzawa H , Yoshizawa K 
Published: February 2022

SUMMARY
Time-warping is a signal processing technique that, when applied to an isolated measurement of a transient signal that propagates in a waveguide, allows contributions to that signal from individual mode numbers to be isolated and extracted. Dispersion curves for individual mode numbers can, in turn, be recovered. Isolation of contributions associated with individual mode numbers is possible because after time-warping—a special environmentally dependent non-uniform sampling—is applied, the signal energy corresponding to each mode number is isolated in the frequency spectrum of the time-warped signal. Here we derive the time-warping transform for teleseismic Love waves, assuming the Earth structure is approximately known, and we illustrate the utility of time-warping using both synthetic and measured seismograms.
Joint inversion of 3-D magnetotelluric and ambient noise dispersion data sets with cross-gradient constraints: methodology and application
Authors: Wu Pingping , Tan Handong , Ding Zhifeng , Kong Wenxin , Peng Miao , Wang Xingchen , Xu Lehong 
Published: February 2022

SUMMARY
The integrating technique of multigeophysical data sets has been treated as a feasible way to improve the imaging resolution of the subsurface structure. Based on the limited memory quasi-Newton approach, we obtain the electrical and velocity structure through the individual inversions of magnetotelluric (MT) and ambient noise dispersion data, and propose an alternating joint inversion strategy for integrating the MT and dispersion data with the cross-gradient structure constraints. A synthetic model has been applied to test the reliability and effectiveness of the joint inversion scheme. Some significant improvements have been achieved and shown in the joint inversion maps: the resolution of deep electric features is improved, especially that of the structure beneath the conductive layer; a finer velocity model is obtained than that of the ambient noise tomography. Based on the complementary advantages of the two geophysical methods, resistivity and velocity models with higher geometrical resemblance can be obtained. We also apply the method to the field data from the Tanlu fault zone, Eastern China. Structure similarities have been observed in the main features of the joint inversion models, which further validates the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed joint inversion strategy.
Opium use and risk of bladder cancer: a multi-centre case-referent study in Iran
Authors: Hadji Maryam , Rashidian Hamideh , Marzban Maryam , Naghibzadeh-Tahami Ahmad , Gholipour Mahin , Mohebbi Elham , Safari-Faramani Roya , Seyyedsalehi Monireh Sadat , Hosseini Bayan , Bakhshi Mahdieh , Alizadeh-Navaei Reza , Ahmadi Lida , Rezaianzadeh Abbas , Moradi Abdolvahab , Ansari-Moghaddam Alireza , Nejatizadeh Azim , ShahidSales Soodabeh , Zohrabi Farshad , Mohammadi Reza , Nowroozi Mohammad Reza , Poustchi Hossein , Nasrollahzadeh Dariush , Najafi Farid , Haghdoost Ali Akbar , Rahimi-Movaghar Afarin , Etemadi Arash , Mohagheghi Mohammad Ali , Malekzadeh Reza , Brennan Paul , Schüz Joachim , Boffetta Paolo , Weiderpass Elisabete , Kamangar Farin , Zendehdel Kazem , Pukkala Eero 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background
Bladder cancer (BC) is the 10th most common type of cancer worldwide and the fourth most common type of cancer in Iran. Opium use is considered as one of the risk factors for BC. We aim to assess the association between various parameters of opium use, which in Iran is mainly ingested or smoked in various forms, and the risk of BC.

Method
In this multi-centre case-referent study in Iran, 717 BC cases and 3477 referents were recruited to the study from May 2017 until July 2020. Detailed histories of opium use (duration, amount, frequency) and potential confounders were collected by trained interviewers. Multivariable unconditional logistic regression models were used to measure adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The ORs were adjusted for age, gender, place of residence and pack-years of cigarette smoking.

Results
Regular opium consumption was associated with an increased risk of BC (OR 3.5, 95% CI: 2.8, 4.3) compared with subjects who never used opium. Compared with continuous users, the risk decreased to one-third for those who stopped opium more than 10 years ago. The adjusted OR for those who used both crude opium (teriak) and opium juice was 7.4 (95% CI: 4.1, 13.3). There was a joint effect of opium and tobacco (OR for users of both opium and tobacco 7.7, 95% CI: 6.0, 9.7).

Conclusions
Regular opium use is associated with an approximately 4-fold risk for BC. The OR decreases along with the increasing time since stopping opium use.
Effects of pharmaceutical care interventions on humanistic outcomes in hypertensive people living with HIV: results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jackson Idongesit L , Ukwe Chinwe V 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the effects of pharmaceutical care (PC) interventions on humanistic outcomes in HIV-positive patients with hypertension.

Methods
This prospective, open-label, parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted in the HIV clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, from August 2018 to October 2019. Eligible patients were randomized sequentially and equally into two study arms: the control arm (CA), where participants received the traditional care and the intervention arm (IA), where participants received PC by the research pharmacist. The patient’s HIV knowledge questionnaire, the Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale, the Medical Outcome Study-HIV Health Survey and the Patient Satisfaction with Pharmaceutical Service questionnaire were used to assess participants’ HIV-related knowledge, hypertension-related knowledge, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and satisfaction with PC, respectively. These were self-completed at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Data were analysed using SPSS (IBM version 25.0).

Key findings
Out of the 206 participants randomized, 182 completed the 12-month follow-up. After 12 months, there was a significant improvement in HIV-related knowledge (∆ = 11.28%, t(180) = 4.41, P &lt; 0.001) and hypertension-related knowledge (∆ = 5.94%, t(180) = 3.25, P = 0.001) in the IA over and above those observed in the CA. Similarly, PC interventions led to significant improvements in HRQoL (∆ = 6.5%, t(180) = 5.50, P &lt; 0.001) and satisfaction with PC in the IA (∆ = 18.12%, t(180) = 11.85, P &lt; 0.001) at the end of the study.

Conclusions
PC significantly improved humanistic outcomes in HIV-positive patients with hypertension after a 12-month intervention.
Dose-Response of a Norovirus GII.2 Controlled Human Challenge Model Inoculum
Authors: Rouphael Nadine , Beck Allison , Kirby Amy E , Liu Pengbo , Natrajan Muktha S , Lai Lilin , Phadke Varun , Winston Juton , Raabe Vanessa , Collins Matthew H , Girmay Tigisty , Alvarez Alicarmen , Beydoun Nour , Karmali Vinit , Altieri-Rivera Joanne , Lindesmith Lisa C , Anderson Evan J , Wang Yuke , El-Khorazaty Jill , Petrie Carey , Baric Ralph S , Baqar Shahida , Moe Christine L , Mulligan Mark J 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background
Genogroup II noroviruses are the most common cause of acute infectious gastroenteritis. We evaluated the use of a new GII.2 inoculum in a human challenge.

Methods
Forty-four healthy adults (36 secretor-positive and 8 secretor-negative for histo-blood group antigens) were challenged with ascending doses of a new safety-tested Snow Mountain virus (SMV) GII.2 norovirus inoculum (1.2 × 104 to 1.2 × 107 genome equivalent copies [GEC]; n = 38) or placebo (n = 6). Illness was defined as diarrhea and/or vomiting postchallenge in subjects with evidence of infection (defined as GII.2 norovirus RNA detection in stool and/or anti-SMV immunoglobulin G [IgG] seroconversion).

Results
The highest dose was associated with SMV infection in 90%, and illness in 70% of subjects with 10 of 12 secretor-positive (83%) and 4 of 8 secretor-negative (50%) becoming ill. There was no association between prechallenge anti-SMV serum IgG concentration, carbohydrate-binding blockade antibody, or salivary immunoglobulin A and infection. The median infectious dose (ID50) was 5.1 × 105 GEC.

Conclusions
High rates of infection and illness were observed in both secretor-positive and secretor-negative subjects in this challenge study. However, a high dose will be required to achieve the target of 75% illness to make this an efficient model for evaluating potential norovirus vaccines and therapeutics.

Clinical Trials Registration
NCT02473224.
Partnered Operations and the Positive Duties of Co-Parties
Authors: Wentker Alexander 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
A key issue in partnered operations is the extent to which partners have obligations under international law as regards each other’s conduct. For partnered operations in situations of armed conflict, this issue has generated a rich and vivid debate on the existence of a duty to ensure respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) by one’s partners, and in particular, whether this duty would require taking positive action. Rather than weighing in on the general question of whether all States bear such duties, this article sheds light on one aspect that this debate has tended to overlook. The article specifically looks at the situation in which multiple parties are engaged in the same armed conflict alongside one another against a common adversary—here labelled ‘co-parties’. It investigates which positive obligations these parties have as regards each other’s conduct. The central argument is that co-parties in an armed conflict have multiple complementary sets of duties to take positive steps vis-à-vis the conduct of their fellow co-parties. The resulting network of duties reflects the central role of the parties to the conflict to ensure that armed conflicts are carried out in accordance with the protective purposes of IHL. Built into the established structure of the legal framework regulating armed conflict, the account of the duties of co-parties presents a more refined conception to the allocation of obligations under IHL in cooperation settings, which, if implemented, may contribute to addressing the protection challenges raised by partnered operations.
Complicity of States in Partnered Drone Operations
Authors: Branca Eleonora 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Military operations carried out with armed drones call into question not only the international responsibility of the drone-sending State but also the potential international responsibility for complicity of assisting States. Drone strikes are conducted through a complex set of tasks that would not be possible without the military cooperation of partner States. Three main scenarios of partnered drone operations are described, namely lending foreign military bases, providing logistical and technological support and intelligence sharing for targeting purposes. The article explores the issue of State complicity under the lens of Article 16 of the Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts. The core features of State complicity—the ‘significant contribution element', the ‘mental element' and the ‘opposability element'—are discussed and applied to the three scenarios. The practice of partnered drone operations is extensively analysed, focusing on the assistance provided by Italy, Germany and the Netherlands to the US drone programme. The study concludes that in the cases under consideration, the international responsibility for complicity of assisting States is likely to be entailed, should the action of the assisted State result in an internationally wrongful act.