bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The costs and benefits of dispersal in small populations
Authors: Polechová Jitka 
Published: February 2022

Dispersal has three major effects on adaptation. First, gene flow mixes alleles adapted to different environments, potentially hindering (swamping) adaptation. Second, it brings in other variants and inflates genetic variance: this aids adaptation to spatially (and temporally) varying environments but if selection is hard, it lowers the mean fitness of the population. Third, neighbourhood size, which determines how weak genetic drift is, increases with dispersal—when genetic drift is strong, increase of the neighbourhood size with dispersal aids adaptation. In this note, I focus on the role of dispersal in environments that change gradually across space, and when local populations are quite small such that genetic drift has a significant effect. Using individual-based simulations, I show that in small populations, even leptokurtic dispersal benefits adaptation by reducing the power of genetic drift. This has implications for management of fragmented or marginal populations: the beneficial effect of increased dispersal into small populations is stronger than swamping of adaption under a broad range of conditions, including a mixture of local and long-distance dispersal. However, when environmental gradient is steep, heavily fat-tailed dispersal will swamp continuous adaptation so that only patches of locally adapted subpopulations remain.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Species’ ranges in the face of changing environments (Part II)’.
Environmental variation and biotic interactions limit adaptation at ecological margins: lessons from rainforestDrosophilaand European butterflies
Authors: O'Brien Eleanor K. , Walter Greg M. , Bridle Jon 
Published: February 2022

Models of local adaptation to spatially varying selection predict that maximum rates of evolution are determined by the interaction between increased adaptive potential owing to increased genetic variation, and the cost genetic variation brings by reducing population fitness. We discuss existing and new results from our laboratory assays and field transplants of rainforestDrosophilaand UK butterflies along environmental gradients, which try to test these predictions in natural populations. Our data suggest that: (i) local adaptation along ecological gradients is not consistently observed in time and space, especially where biotic and abiotic interactions affect both gradient steepness and genetic variation in fitness; (ii) genetic variation in fitness observed in the laboratory is only sometimes visible to selection in the field, suggesting that demographic costs can remain high without increasing adaptive potential; and (iii) antagonistic interactions between species reduce local productivity, especially at ecological margins. Such antagonistic interactions steepen gradients and may increase the cost of adaptation by increasing its dimensionality. However, where biotic interactions do evolve, rapid range expansion can follow. Future research should test how the environmental sensitivity of genotypes determines their ecological exposure, and its effects on genetic variation in fitness, to predict the probability of evolutionary rescue at ecological margins.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Species’ ranges in the face of changing environments (Part II)’.
Climate-driven variation in biotic interactions provides a narrow and variable window of opportunity for an insect herbivore at its ecological margin
Authors: Stewart James E. , Maclean Ilya M. D. , Trujillo Gara , Bridle Jon , Wilson Robert J. 
Published: February 2022

Climate-driven geographic range shifts have been associated with transitions between dietary specialism and generalism at range margins. The mechanisms underpinning these often transient niche breadth modifications are poorly known, but utilization of novel resources likely depends on phenological synchrony between the consumer and resource. We use a climate-driven range and host shift by the butterflyAricia agestisto test how climate-driven changes in host phenology and condition affect phenological synchrony, and consider implications for host use. Our data suggest that the perennial plant that was the primary host before range expansion is a more reliable resource than the annual Geraniaceae upon which the butterfly has become specialized in newly colonized parts of its range. In particular, climate-driven phenological variation in the novel hostGeranium dissectumgenerates a narrow and variable ‘window of opportunity' for larval productivity in summer. Therefore, although climatic change may allow species to shift hosts and colonise novel environments, specialization on phenologically limited hosts may not persist at ecological margins as climate change continues. We highlight the potential role for phenological (a)synchrony in determining lability of consumer–resource associations at range margins and the importance of considering causes of synchrony in biotic interactions when predicting range shifts.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Species’ ranges in the face of changing environments (Part II)’.
Can we see gender through the microscope? The research output using menstrual blood cells has much to say
Authors: Manica Daniela Tonelli , Asensi Karina Dutra , Mazzarelli Gaia , Barata Germana , Goldenberg Regina Coeli dos Santos 
Published: February 2022

SummaryDespite proven scientific quality of menstrual blood mesenchymal cells, research and science output using those cells is still incipient and considered taboo. This study analyzes the literature of the menstrual blood mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (mbMSC) at PubMed database between (2008 – 2020) and the social attention it received on Twitter. A comparative analysis showed that mbMSC has a very small space within mesenchymal cells research (0.25%). Most first authors are women (53.2%), whereas most last authors are men (63.74%). Menstrual blood tends to be less used in experiments and its scientific value tends to be underestimated, which brings gender bias to a technical and molecular level. Although women are more positive in the mbMSC debate on Twitter, communication efforts toward visibility and public interest in menstrual cells has room to grow.
Genetic constraint at single amino acid resolution improves missense variant prioritisation and gene discovery
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Theotokis Pantazis I. , Li Nicholas ,   the SHaRe Investigators, Wright Caroline F. , Samocha Kaitlin E. , Whiffin Nicola , Ware James S. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe clinical impact of most germline missense variants in humans remains unknown. Genetic constraint identifies genomic regions under negative selection, where variations likely have functional impacts, but the spatial resolution of existing constraint metrics is limited. Here we present the Homologous Missense Constraint (HMC) score, which measures genetic constraint at quasi single amino-acid resolution by aggregating signals across protein homologues. We identify one million possible missense variants under strong negative selection. HMC precisely distinguishes pathogenic variants from benign variants for both early-onset and adult-onset disorders. It outperforms existing constraint metrics and pathogenicity meta-predictors in prioritising de novo mutations from probands with developmental disorders (DD), and is orthogonal to these, adding power when used in combination. We demonstrate utility for gene discovery by identifying seven genes newly-significant associated with DD that could act through an altered-function mechanism. Overall, HMC is a novel and strong predictor to improve missense variant interpretation.
Genomic monitoring unveils a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in vaccine breakthrough cases
Authors: Campos Gúbio Soares , Giovanetti Marta , de Moraes Laise , da Hora Helena Souza , de Alcantara Keila Oliveira Motta , Sardi Silvia Ines 
Published: February 2022

AbstractGenome sequencing proved to be an excellent tool to monitor the molecular epidemiology of the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, i.e., coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Some reports of infected, vaccinated individuals have aroused great interest because they are primarily being infected with circulating variants of concern (VOCs). To investigate the cases of infected, vaccinated individuals in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, we performed genomic monitoring to estimate the magnitude of the different VOCs in these cases. Nasopharyngeal swabs from infected (symptomatic and asymptomatic), fully vaccinated individuals (n=29) who were of varying age and had RT-qPCR Ct values of ≤30 were subjected to viral sequencing using Nanopore technology. Our analysis revealed that the Omicron variant was found in 99% of cases and that only one case was due to the Delta variant. Infected, fully vaccinated patients have a favorable clinical prognosis; however, within the community, they become viral carriers with the aggravating factor of viral dissemination of VOCs not neutralized by the vaccines.
SARS-CoV-2 antibody persistence after five and twelve months: A cohort study from South-Eastern Norway
Authors: Sarjomaa Marjut , Diep Lien My , Zhang Chi , Tveten Yngvar , Reiso Harald , Thilesen Carina , Nordbø Svein Arne , Berg Kristine Karlsrud , Aaberge Ingeborg , Pearce Neil , Kersten Hege , Vandenbroucke Jan Paul , Eikeland Randi , Møller Fell Anne Kristin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivesTo assess total antibody levels against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) spike protein up to 12 months after Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) infection in non-vaccinated individuals and the possible predictors of antibody persistence.MethodsThis is a prospective multi-centre longitudinal cohort study.ParticipantsThe study included SARS-CoV-2 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive and negative participants in South-Eastern Norway from February to December 2020. Possible predictors of SARS-CoV-2 total antibody persistence was assessed. The SARS-CoV-2 total antibody levels against spike protein were measured three to five months after PCR in 391 PCR-positive and 703 PCR-negative participants; 212 PCR-positive participants were included in follow-up measurements at 10 to 12 months. The participants completed a questionnaire including information about symptoms, comorbidities, allergies, body mass index (BMI), and hospitalisation.Primary outcomeThe SARS-CoV-2 total antibody levels against spike protein three to five and 10 to 12 months after PCR positive tests.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 total antibodies against spike protein were present in 366 (94%) non-vaccinated PCR-positive participants after three to five months, compared with nine (1%) PCR-negative participants. After 10 to 12 months, antibodies were present in 204 (96%) non-vaccinated PCR-positive participants. Of the PCR-positive participants, 369 (94%) were not hospitalised. The mean age of the PCR-positive participants was 48 years (SD 15, range 20-85) and 50% of them were male. BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 was positively associated with decreased antibody levels (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.06 to 5.42). Participants with higher age and self-reported initial fever with chills or sweating were less likely to have decreased antibody levels (age: OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94 to 0.99; fever: OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.75).ConclusionOur results indicate that the level of SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies against spike protein persists for the vast majority of non-vaccinated PCR-positive persons at least 10 to 12 months after mild COVID-19.
The validity and reliability of parent’s recall for routine Immunization in Cameroon: an evaluative study
Authors: Yakum Martin Ndinakie , Funwie Atanga Desmond , Ajong Atem Bethel , Shah Zahir 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTIntroductionIn the absence of immunization documentations, parent’s recall is used to assess children immunization status. During the 2018 demograhpic and health survey in Cameroon, parent’s recall was the only source of information for 47% of chidren assessed for immunization coverage. The objective of this study was to determine the validity of parent’s recall for immunization using the vaccination card as the reference in Yaounde-Cameroon.MethodsThe study targeting parents of children aged 0-59months who had their children’s vaccination cards. The immunization history of each child was taken based on both parent’s recall and vaccination card. Using the vaccination card as a reference, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of parent’s recall were calculated. The degree of agreement and the kappa statistics between the two methods were calculated using R version 4.1.0 (2021-05-18).ResultsA total of 529 households were visited and 87 elligible parents enrolled. Approximately 55.2% of the children were girls and 53% of them were aged 12-59 months. In total, 94.25% of the participants enrolled were one of the biological parents of the children, with mothers making the majority 86.20% of participants. When combined for all vaccines in the EPI (i.e. one dose BCG, 4 doses of OPV, 3 doses of pentavalent vaccine, 3 doses of PCV-13, 2 doses of rotavirus vaccine, one dose of measles/rubella vaccine and one dose of the yellow fever vaccine), the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of parent’s recall were 63%, 60%, 90%, and 23% respectively. The degree of agreement between the two sources was highest for BCG(94%) and lowest with Polio2(32%). Parent’s recall(94%) was most likely to correctly predict BCG vaccination status of a child than using the scars on the forarm(74%).ConclusionOur conclusion is that validity and reliability of parent’s recall vary a lot across different vaccines and parent’s recall is not very reliable for immunization status assessment in children. Parent’s recall is preferred for verifying BCG immunization to scars on the forarm. In general, we recommend that parent’s recall for routine immunization should be used only as a last resort or for BCG, and measles and Yellow Fever vaccines.
The burden of vaccine hesitancy for routine immunization in Yaounde-Cameroon: restrictive sampling technique
Authors: Yakum Martin Ndinakie , Funwie Atanga D , Ajong Atem Bethel , Tsafack Marcelin , Ze Linda Evans Eba , Shah Zahir 
Published: February 2022

AbstractImmunization is the most cost-effective health intervention in the world yet, vaccination uptake is still low with less than 50% of children aged 12-23 months fully vaccinated Cameroon. The objective of this study was to estimate the burden of vaccine hesitancy associated with routine EPI vaccines in Yaounde-Cameroon. A two-stage cross-sectional cluster survey was conducted in Yaoundé in May-June 2022, targeting parents/guardians of children 0-59 months. Clusters were selected with probability proportionate to size (PPS) and household’s selection done using a restricted sampling method. Data collection was done using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were cleaned using MS-Excel 2019, and analyzed with R version 4.1.0 (2021-05-18). A total of 529 participants were enrolled out of 708 visited, giving a non-response rate of 25%. In total, vaccine hesitancy was reported in 137(25.90[22.35-29.80] %), and vaccine hesitancy prevalence did not vary significantly across different households’ wealth levels (p-value= 0.3786). However, in wealthy households’ refusal of vaccines (14%) was less than in poorer households (20%). Lack of trust, confidence, and perceived complacency are the leading causes of vaccine hesitancy related to routine immunization in Yaounde-Cameroon. We, therefore, recommend that the burden of vaccine hesitancy should be assessed at national scale and identify sources of misinformation that are at the origin of vaccine hesitancy. Having a clear notion of the effect of social media(Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc,), radio, TV, and other information sources might guide interventions to combat vaccine hesitancy.
Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions Regarding Male Infertility among the Medical Students and Healthcare Professionals of Bangladesh
Authors: Iktidar Mohammad Azmain , Khairul Islam A M , Chowdhury Sreshtha , Roy Simanta , Islam Mahzabeen , Chowdhury Tonmoy , Tabassum Mustari Nailah , Ali Tahsin Sumat , Akash Atandra , Ahmed Mashrur , Zafar Faraz Al , Hawlader Mohammad Delwer Hossain 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundPeople worldwide have many misconceptions regarding reproductive health and fertility because infertility is still a taboo subject. The general public seek medical and psychological counsel and assistance from health experts about male infertility. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding male infertility among medical students and health care workers of Bangladesh.MethodThis cross-sectional study used quota sampling to assure equal participation from each of the eight divisions of Bangladesh and convenience. 46 structured questions were used to assess respondents’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (34-items for knowledge, 5-items for attitudes, and 7-items for perceptions).Two scoring systems were employed with the mean scores as cut-off value for good knowledge and positive attitude. The mean knowledge and attitude scores were then correlated with sociodemographic factors using chi-square and two-independent sample t-tests. Finally, we performed binary logistic regression to explore predictors of good knowledge and positive attitude.ResultAmong the participant, 49.82% did not have a good male infertility knowledge and nearly 60.79% had negative attitudes regarding male infertility. Young (23-26 years) healthcare professionals and medical students were more likely to have good knowledge than others (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.099 to 2.988). Surprisingly, females were more likely to have positive attitude (OR=1.48; 95%CI: 1.002 and 2.19, p=0.049) compared to males. Among all the professions, MBBS doctors were most likely to have good knowledge and positive attitude regarding male infertility. Good knowledge of male infertility predicted positive attitude (OR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.105 and 2.346, p=0.013) and vice versa.ConclusionOur research found that despite favourable opinions, healthcare professionals and medical students in Bangladesh had inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes regarding male infertility. This emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary training programs, standardization of healthcare worker guidelines, and curricular adjustments for medical students.
Wastewater surveillance using ddPCR reveals highly accurate tracking of Omicron variant due to altered N1 probe binding efficiency
Authors: Schussman Melissa K. , Roguet Adelaide , Schmoldt Angela , Dinan Brooke , McLellan Sandra L. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 is being used worldwide to understand COVID-19 infection trends in a community. We found the emergence and rapid timeline for dominance of the Omicron variant was accurately reflected in wastewater when measured with droplet digital (dd)PCR. We were able to distinguish Omicron from the circulating Delta variant because Omicron has a mutation in the N1 probe binding region that diminished the fluorescent signal within individual droplets. The ddPCR platform may be advantageous for wastewater surveillance since analysis of the data can segregate fluorescent signals from different individual templates. In contrast, platforms such as qPCR that rely solely on the intensity of fluorescence for quantification would not distinguish a subset of variants with mutations affecting the reaction and could underestimate SARS-CoV-2 concentrations. The proportion of Omicron in wastewater was tightly correlated to clinical cases in five cities and provided a higher resolution timeline of appearance and dominance (>75%) than sequenced clinical samples, which were limited in less populated areas. Taken together, this work demonstrates wastewater is a reliable metric for tracking SARS-CoV-2 at a population level.
Spontaneous behavioural recovery following stroke relates to the integrity of sensory and association cortices
Authors: Nashed Joseph Y. , Shearer Kaden T. , Wang Justin Z. , Chen Yining , Cook Elise E. , Champagne Allen A. , Coverdale Nicole S. , Fernandez-Ruiz Juan , Striver Shirley I. , Gallivan Jason P. , Cook Douglas J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractStroke is a devastating disease that results in neurological deficits and represents a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Following a stroke, there is a degree of spontaneous recovery of function, the neural basis of which is of great interest among clinicians in their efforts to reduce disability following stroke and enhance rehabilitation. Conventionally, work on spontaneous recovery has tended to focus on the neural reorganization of motor cortical regions, with comparably little attention being paid to changes in non-motor regions and how these relate to recovery. Here we show, using structural neuroimaging in a macaque stroke model and by exploiting individual differences in spontaneous behavioural recovery, that the preservation of regions in the sensory and association cortices predict animal recovery. To characterize recovery, we performed a clustering analysis using Non-Human Primate Stroke Scale (NHPSS) scores and identified a good versus poor recovery group. By comparing the preservation of brain volumes in the two groups, we found that brain areas in integrity of brain areas in parietal, temporal and somatosensory cortex were associated with better recovery. In addition, a decoding approach performed across all subjects revealed that the preservation of specific brain regions in the parietal, somatosensory and medial frontal cortex predicted recovery. Together, these findings highlight the importance of the sensory and association regions in spontaneous behavioural recovery, supporting the notion that the ‘sensory retraining’ of impairments following stroke is critical to recovery and motor function.
Combined single-cell RNA-seq profiling and enhancer editing reveals critical spatiotemporal controls over thalamic nuclei formation in the murine embryo
Authors: Govek Kiya W. , Chen Sixing , Sgourdou Paraskevi , Yao Yao , Woodhouse Steven , Chen Tingfang , Fuccillo Marc V. , Epstein Douglas J. , Camara Pablo G. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe thalamus is the principal information hub of the vertebrate brain, with essential roles in sensory and motor information processing, attention, and memory. The molecular mechanisms regulating the formation of thalamic nuclei are unclear. We apply longitudinal single-cell RNA-sequencing, regional abrogation of Sonic-hedgehog (Shh), and spatial profiling of gene expression to map the developmental trajectories of thalamic progenitors, intermediate progenitors, and post-mitotic neurons as they coalesce into distinct thalamic nuclei. These data reveal that the complex architecture of the thalamus is established early during embryonic brain development through the coordinated action of four cell differentiation lineages derived from Shh-dependent and independent progenitors. We systematically characterize the gene expression programs that define these lineages across time and demonstrate how their disruption upon Shh depletion causes pronounced locomotor impairment resembling infantile Parkinson’s disease. These results reveal key principles of thalamic development and provide mechanistic insights into neurodevelopmental disorders resulting from thalamic dysfunction.