bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NBS-SNI, an extension of the Network-based statistic: Abnormal functional connections between important structural actors
Authors: Normand Francis , Gajwani Mehul , Côté Daniel C. , Allard Antoine 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTElucidating the coupling between the structure and the function of the brain and its development across maturation has attracted a lot of interest in the field of network neuroscience in the last fifteen years. Mounting evidence support the hypothesis that the onset of certain brain disorders is linked with the interplay between the structural architecture of the brain and its functional processes, often accompanied with unusual connectivity features. This paper introduces a method called the Network-based statistic–simultaneous node investigation (NBS-SNI) that integrates both representations into a single framework, and identifies connectivity abnormalities in case-control studies. With this method, significance is given to the properties of the nodes, as well as to their connections. This approach builds on the well-established Network-based statistic (NBS) proposed in 2010. We uncover and identify the regimes in which NBS-SNI offers a gain in statistical resolution to identify a contrast of interest using synthetic data. We also apply our method on two real case-control studies, one consisting of individuals diagnosed with autism and the other consisting of individuals diagnosed with early-psychosis. Using NBS-SNI and node properties such as the closeness centrality and local information dimension, we found hypo and hyperconnected subnetworks and show that our method can offer a 9 percentage points gain in prediction power over the standard NBS.AUTHOR SUMMARYWe propose an extension to the well-known Network-based statistic (NBS) dubbed NBS-SNI, where the extension SNI stands for simultaneous node investigation. The goal of this approach is to integrate nodal properties such as centrality measures into the statistical network-based framework of NBS to probe for abnormal connectivity between important nodes in case-control studies. We expose the regimes where NBS-SNI offers greater statistical resolution for identifying a contrast of interest using synthetic data and test the approach with a real autism-healthy dataset which contains both the structural (DTI) and functional (fMRI) brain networks of each individual. We also tested our approach on a second dataset of individuals diagnosed with early-psychosis. In the second case, our framework is supplemented by incorporating the anatomically derived measures of intrinsic curvature index and gray matter volume directly as a node property, rather than the structural networks, thereby illustrating the versatility of our approach.
Relictual Hybridization and Biogeography of Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurusspp.)
Authors: Martin Bradley T. , Douglas Marlis R. , Chafin Tyler K. , Placyk John S. , Mackessy Stephen P. , Briggler Jeffrey T. , Douglas Michael E. 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTClimate change inevitably leaves behind a genetic footprint within phylogeographic legacies of affected species, as individuals are driven to either disperse to track suitable conditions or adaptin situ. One potential consequence is the possibility of hybridization among species, as both geographic ranges and adaptive landscapes shift. The admixture resulting from these newly formed ‘contact zones’ has various outcomes, to include the creation of new lineages. Interpreting these within the context of historic climate change provides clues necessary to predict biotic responses (and thus evolutionary trajectories) as a function of contemporary shifts. Herein, we dissect historic contact zones for Massasaugas (Viperidae;Sistrurusspp.) within two distinct North American regions (southwestern United States and Central Great Plains) using ddRAD sequencing. We identified fine-scale but previously unrecognized population structure within the southwestern contact zone, where we detected contemporary intergradation between Prairie and Desert massasaugas (S. tergeminus tergeminus, andS. t. edwardsii,respectively), with primary divergence indicated by demographic model selection. Within the Central Great Plains, we found evidence for historic secondary contact via Quaternary climatic cycles, subsequently followed by range expansion at the suture zone separatingS. tergeminusandS. catenatus. Extant Missouri populations represent ancestral/relictual vestiges of this earlier hybridization, isolated between the eastern terminus ofS. t. tergeminusand the western edge ofS. catenatus. Our results illustrate how abrupt climate change has driven ancestral hybridization, cryptic diversity, and range dynamism withinSistrurus.
Can SARS-CoV-2 transmit from a dead body?
Authors: Iwatsuki-Horimoto Kiyoko , Ueki Hiroshi , Ito Mutsumi , Nagasawa Sayaka , Hirata Yuichiro , Hashizume Kenichiro , Ushiwata Kazuho , Iwase Hirotaro , Makino Yohsuke , Ushiku Tetsuo , Akitomi Shinji , Imai Masaki , Saitoh Hisako , Kawaoka Yoshihiro 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAlthough it has been 2.5 years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from a dead infected body remains unclear, and often, in Japan bereaved family members are not allowed to view in-person a loved one who has died from COVID-19. In this study, we analyzed the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from a dead body by using the hamster model. We also analyzed the effect of Angel-care––in which the pharynx, nostril, and rectum are plugged––and embalming on reducing transmissibility from dead bodies. We found that SARS-CoV-2 could be transmitted from the body of animals that died within a few days of infection; however, Angel-care and embalming were effective in preventing transmission from the dead body. These results suggest that protection from infection is essential when in contact with a SARS-CoV-2-infected dead body, and that sealing the cavities of a dead body is an important infection control step if embalming is not done.ImportanceWe found that SARS-CoV-2 could be transmitted from a dead body presumably via postmortem gases. However, we also found that postmortem care, such as plugging the pharynx, nostrils, and rectum, or embalming could prevent transmission from the dead body. These results indicate that protection from infection is essential when handling infected corpses, and that appropriate care of SARS-CoV-2-infected corpses is important.
Resting-state alterations in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia are related to the distribution of monoamine and GABA neurotransmitter systems
Authors: Hahn Lisa , Eickhoff Simon B. , Mueller Karsten , Schilbach Leonhard , Barthel Henryk , Fassbender Klaus , Fliessbach Klaus , Kornhuber Johannes , Prudlo Johannes , Synofzik Matthis , Wiltfang Jens , Diehl-Schmid Janine , Otto Markus ,   FTLD consortium, Dukart Juergen , Schroeter Matthias L. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAside to clinical changes, behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is characterized by progressive structural and functional alterations in frontal and temporal regions. We examined if there is a selective vulnerability of specific neurotransmitter systems in bvFTD by evaluating the link between disease-related functional alterations and the spatial distribution of specific neurotransmitter systems and their underlying gene expression levels.Maps of fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF) were derived as a measure of local activity from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging for 52 bvFTD patients (mean age = 61.5 ± 10.0 years; 14 female) and 22 healthy controls (HC) (mean age = 63.6 ± 11.9 years; 13 female). We tested if alterations of fALFF in patients co-localize with the non-pathological distribution of specific neurotransmitter systems and their coding mRNA gene expression. Further, we evaluated if the strength of co-localization is associated with the observed clinical symptoms.Patients displayed significantly reduced fALFF in fronto-temporal and fronto-parietal regions. These alterations co-localized with the distribution of serotonin (5-HT1b, 5-HT2a), dopamine (D2), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAa) receptors, the norepinephrine transporter (NET), and their encoding mRNA gene expression. The strength of co-localization with D2 and NET was associated with cognitive symptoms and disease severity of bvFTD.Local brain functional activity reductions in bvFTD followed the distribution of specific neurotransmitter systems indicating a selective vulnerability. These findings provide novel insight into the disease mechanisms underlying functional alterations. Our data-driven method opens the road to generate new hypotheses for pharmacological interventions in neurodegenerative diseases even beyond bvFTD.
Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Watson Caroline M. , Dammer Eric B. , Ping Lingyan , Duong Duc M. , Modeste Erica , Carter E. Kathleen , Johnson Erik C. B. , Levey Allan I. , Lah James J. , Roberts Blaine R. , Seyfried Nicholas T. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) β-amyloid (Aβ), total Tau, and phosphorylated Tau providing the most sensitive and specific biomarkers for diagnosis. However, these diagnostic biomarkers do not reflect the complex changes in AD brain beyond amyloid (A) and Tau (T) pathologies. Here, we report a selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (SRM-MS) method with isotopically labeled standards for relative protein quantification in CSF. Biomarker positive (AT+) and negative (AT-) CSF pools were used as quality controls (QCs) to assess assay precision. We detected 62 peptides (51 proteins) with an average CV of ∼13% across 30 QCs and 133 controls (cognitively normal, AT), 127 asymptomatic (cognitively normal, AT+) and 130 symptomatic AD (cognitively impaired, AT+). Proteins that could distinguish AT+ from AT-individuals included SMOC1, GDA, 14-3-3 proteins, and those involved in glycolysis. Proteins that could distinguish cognitive impairment were mainly neuronal proteins (VGF, NPTX2, NPTXR, and SCG2). This demonstrates the utility of SRM-MS to quantify CSF protein biomarkers across stages of AD.
Early-life exposure to persistent organic pollutants, gut microbiota diversity and metabolites, and respiratory health in Norwegian children
Authors: Lenters Virissa , Portengen Lützen , Eggesbø Merete , Vermeulen Roel 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundEvidence suggests that early-life exposure to certain environmental chemicals increases the risk of allergic diseases, while gut microbiota diversity and microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites may be protective.ObjectivesWe assessed associations between persistent organic pollutants (POPs), microbial markers, and subsequent risk of asthma and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).MethodsWe studied a Norwegian birth cohort (HUMIS). Twenty-six POPs [polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)] were quantified in maternal breastmilk (n=993). Shannon diversity and SCFAs were assessed at multiple time points before 2 years of age in a subset of children. We evaluated registry-based diagnosis of asthma when children were a median age of 10 years, along with maternal-reported asthma and LRTI by 2 years of age.Results∑14PCBs was associated with decreased odds and ∑4OCPs with increased odds of asthma; associations between β-HCH (OR=2.99 per 2-SD increase; 95% CI: 1.66, 5.43) and PCB-138 (OR=0.43; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.91) and asthma by age 10 years were most robust. PBDEs and PFASs were not consistently associated with asthma and no POPs were associated with LRTI. There were both inverse and positive associations between diversity and respiratory outcomes, and generally imprecise associations for SCFAs. There was limited evidence that POP exposures perturbed diversity or production of SCFAs, except for an association between ∑14PCBs and reduced diversity at 2 years, and there was no clear evidence of mediation effects.ConclusionsThis study provides support for associations between some POPs and risk of childhood asthma, and indications of a potential independent role of gut microbiota.
Circulating B Cells in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Show Markedly Different Patterns of Regulatory Marker Expression Compared with Healthy Controls
Authors: Mielcarz Daniel W. , Bergeron Alan J. , DeLong John K. , Dias Alexandra , Smith Kathleen M. , Mack Karen L. , Kasper Lloyd H. , Channon Jacqueline Y. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractRecent evidence has shown that B cells may play a key role in the pathogenesis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Studies in our laboratory have shown a difference in the production of IL-6 and IL-10 by B cells isolated from RRMS patients compared with healthy controls. In order to further characterize the nature of the B cells in RRMS patients, we analyzed samples from patients on no disease modifying treatment for B cell expression of multiple phenotypic and regulatory markers. We observed an increased frequency in the number of circulating B cells, an increase in B1 B cells and a decrease in memory B cells in RRMS patients. These B1 cells showed a significantly higher frequency of CD5 expression and the memory B cells a significant increase in the class-switched IgD-phenotype. We also examined death receptors involved in apoptotic pathways. CD95 frequency was significantly lower in RRMS patients tan healthy controls in all B cell subsets. Conversely, frequency of PD-1 was elevated in both the naïve and memory B cell subsets, and PD-L1 was elevated in B1 cells from RRMS patients. Finally, we examined a series of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM)-containing inhibitory receptors, including members of the SIGLEC family. Significantly higher levels of CD22, CD305 and CD307d were seen in RRMS patients, while significantly lower levels of SIGLEC-10 were observed. Taken together, these results indicate a potential for differential regulation of B cells in RRMS patients that may provide an avenue for B cell directed therapies for the disease.
Glycemic challenge is associated with the rapid cellular activation of the locus ceruleus and nucleus of solitary tract: Circumscribed spatial analysis of phosphorylated MAP kinase immunoreactivity
Authors: Tapia Geronimo P. , Agostinelli Lindsay J. , Chenausky Sarah D. , Salcido Padilla Jessica V. , Navarro Vanessa I. , Alagh Amy , Si Gabriel , Thompson Richard H. , Balivada Sivasai , Khan Arshad M. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractRodent studies indicate that impaired glucose utilization or hypoglycemia is associated with cellular activation of neurons in themedulla(Winslow, 1733) (MY) believed to control feeding behavior and glucose counterregulation. However, such activation has been tracked primarily within hours of the challenge, rather than sooner, and has been poorly mapped within standardized brain atlases. Here, we report that within 15 min of receiving 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG; 250 mg/kg, i.v.), which can trigger glucoprivic feeding behavior, marked elevations were observed in the numbers ofrhombic brain(His, 1893) (RB) neuronal cell profiles immunoreactive for the cellular activation marker(s), phosphorylated p44/42 MAP kinases (phospho-ERK1/2), some of which were also catecholaminergic. We mapped their distributions within an open-access rat brain atlas and found that 2-DG-treated rats (compared to their saline-treated controls) displayed greater numbers of phospho-ERK1/2+neurons in thelocus ceruleus(Wenzel & Wenzel, 1812) (LC) and thenucleus of solitary tract (>1840)(NTS). Thus, 2-DG-activation of certain RB neurons is more rapid than perhaps previously realized, engaging neurons that serve multiple functional systems and are of varying cellular phenotypes. Mapping these populations within standardized brain atlas maps streamlines their targeting and/or comparable mapping in preclinical rodent models of disease.
Dynamic Adaptation of Default Mode Network in Resting state and Autobiographical Episodic Memory Retrieval State
Authors: Jeong Garam , Paolini Marco 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe default mode network is a brain network processing mental states featuring an internal representation of subjective experiences like autobiographical episodic memory retrieval and a resting state. If the default mode network is the common spatial domain processing such mental states, then the temporal domain might present the differences in the mental states. To detect adaptations in dynamics of a single brain network dependent on the mental states it processes, we suggested a novel analysis method called one-to-many dynamic functional connectivity analysis for fMRI. The analysis method assesses the variance in the partial correlations of a center that are time-windowed functional correlations of a brain region (a center) to the rest of the regions in a brain network, then compares the similarities in the directions of their major variance from the same or distinct mental states. We applied one-to-many dynamic functional connectivity analysis to the default mode network and measured the similarity between the major variances of the partial correlations from three autobiographical episodic memory retrieval states and a resting state. If the major direction of the variance is a configuration presenting the mental states of the brain network, we expect to see the high similarity for the same mental states and less similarity for the distinct mental states. To test our hypothesis with the new analysis method, we chose a single subject who is a late blind with advanced mental imagery ability. The results showed that the dynamic adaption in the default mode network in the two mental states could be well depicted when the posterior cingulate cortex is the center in this single case. Furthermore, we could observe that the weight of the correlation between the posterior cingulate cortex and the right parahippocampal cortex varied mostly and therefore its contribution to the dynamic adaptation was relatively higher than the other correlations.
Walk the Plank! Using mobile EEG to investigate emotional lateralization of immersive fear in virtual reality
Authors: Basbasse Yasmin El , Packheiser Julian , Peterburs Jutta , Maymon Christopher , Güntürkün Onur , Grimshaw Gina , Ocklenburg Sebastian 
Published: September 2022

1.SummaryMost studies on emotion processing rely on the presentation of emotional images or films. However, this methodology lacks ecological validity, limiting the extent to which findings can generalize to emotion processing in the wild. More realistic paradigms using Virtual Reality (VR) may be better suited to investigate authentic emotional states and their neuronal correlates. This preregistered study examines the neuronal underpinnings of naturalistic fear, measured using mobile electroencephalography (EEG). Seventy-five healthy participants entered a simulation in which they walked across a virtual plank which extended from the side of a skyscraper – either 80 stories up (the negative condition) or at street level (the neutral condition). Subjective ratings showed that the negative condition induced feelings of fear and presence. Following the VR experience, subjects passively viewed negative and neutral images from the International Affective Picture system (IAPS) outside of VR. We compared frontal alpha asymmetry between the plank and IAPS task and across valence of the conditions. Asymmetry indices (AI) in the plank task revealed greater right-hemispheric lateralization during the negative VR condition, relative to the neutral VR condition and to IAPS viewing. Within the IAPS task, no significant asymmetries were detected, though AIs in the VR task and in the IAPS task were negatively correlated suggesting that stronger right-hemispheric activation in the VR task was associated with stronger left-hemispheric activation during the IAPS task. In summary, our findings indicate that immersive technologies such as VR can advance emotion research by providing more ecologically valid ways to induce emotion.
Improving fMRI in Parkinson’s Disease by Accounting for Brain Region-Specific Activity Patterns
Authors: Torrecuso Renzo , Mueller Karsten , Holiga Štefan , Sieger Tomáš , Vymazal Josef , Růžička Filip , Roth Jan , Růžička Evzen , Schroeter Matthias L. , Jech Robert , Möller Harald E. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) in Parkinson’s disease (PD), a paradigm consisting of blocks of finger tapping and rest along with a corresponding general linear model (GLM) is often used to assess motor activity. However, this method has three limitations: (i) Due to the strong magnetic field and the confined environment of the cylindrical bore, it is troublesome to accurately monitor motor output and, therefore, variability in the performed movement is typically ignored. (ii) Given the loss of dopaminergic neurons and ongoing compensatory brain mechanisms, motor control is abnormal in PD. Therefore, modeling of patients’ tapping with a constant amplitude (using a boxcar function) and the expected Parkinsonian motor output are prone to mismatch. (iii) The motor loop involves structures with distinct hemodynamic responses, for which only one type of modeling (e.g., modeling the whole block of finger tapping) may not suffice to capture these structure’s temporal activation. The first two limitations call for considering results from online recordings of the real motor output that may lead to significant sensitivity improvements. This was shown in previous work using a non-magnetic glove to capture details of the patients’ finger movements in a so-called kinematic approach. For the third limitation, modeling motion initiation instead of the whole tapping block has been suggested to account for different temporal activation signatures of the motor loop’s structures. In the present study we propose improvements to the GLM as a tool to study motor disorders. For this, we test the robustness of the kinematic approach in an expanded cohort (n=31), apply more conservative statistics than in previous work, and evaluate the benefits of an event-related model function. Our findings suggest that the integration of the kinematic approach offers a general improvement in detecting activations in subcortical structures, such as the basal ganglia. Additionally, modeling motion initiation using an event-related design yielded superior performance in capturing medication-related effects in the putamen. Our results may guide adaptations in analysis strategies for functional motor studies related to PD and also in more general applications.