bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differentiating Sex and Gender Among Older Men and Women
Authors: Pohrt Anne , Kendel Friederike , Demuth Ilja , Drewelies Johanna , Nauman Tauseef , Behlouli Hassan , Stadler Gertraud , Pilote Louise , Regitz-Zagrosek Vera , Gerstorf Denis 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT

Objective
This study aimed to paradigmatically show the development of a gender score that can be used as either an adjustment or a matching variable to separate the effects of gender versus biological sex in a sample of older adults.

Methods
Our sample comprised 1100 participants from the Berlin Aging Study II (52% women, mean [standard deviation] age = 75.6 [3.8] years). The gender score included a multitude of gender-related variables and was constructed via logistic regression. In models of health outcomes, it was used as an adjustment variable in regression analyses as well as a matching variable to match older men and women according to their gender.

Results
Matching by gender substantially reduced sample size to n = 340. Analyses (either adjusting for gender or matching men and women according to gender) revealed that female sex was independently associated with lower grip strength (B = −14.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −15.51 to −13.44), better cognitive performance (B = 3.47, 95% CI = 1.94 to 5.0), higher pulse wave velocity (B = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.06 to 0.31), lower body mass index (B = −0.97, 95% CI = −1.74 to −0.21), and lower rates of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.37 to 0.77). In addition, both sex and gender were independently associated with cognitive performance and depression.

Conclusions
Calculating a gender score allows for the inclusion of a large number of variables, creating parsimonious models that are adaptable to different data sets and alternative gender definitions. Depending on the research question and the sample properties, the gender score can be used as either an adjustment or a matching variable.

Trial Registration: DRKS—Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien (Study ID: DRKS00016157).
Bilateral Mandibular Pseudoarthrosis: A Rare Complication after Orthognathic Surgery
Authors: Sol Izabella , de Castro Rodrigues Cristóvão Marcondes , Meneses-Santos Daniela , de Menezes Henrique Caetano Parreira , Garcia Jose Alberto , da Silva Marcelo Caetano Parreira 
Published: February 2022

Abstract:
Orthognathic surgery to treat dentofacial discrepancies has become an increasingly common elective procedure in sur-gical practices. Despite its numerous advantages such as improved aesthetics and masticatory and respiratory function, some complications and unfavorable results can be observed. Pseudoarthrosis after orthognathic surgery is a rare complication and is little reported in the literature. Pseudoarthrosis is characterized by an increasing occlusal worsening associated with bone mobility and pain. Due to the low incidence of pseudoarthrosis, it is necessary to study its involvement to elucidate its etiology and treatment. The aim of this work was to report a clinical case of bilateral mandibular pseudoarthrosis after orthognathic surgery, where multiple interventions and prolonged treatment time were necessary until the case was concluded. The precise diagnosis associated with the choice of the most effective treatment based on the literature proved to be essential for the management of this complication.
An Investigation of the Relationship Between the Second-to-Fourth Digit Ratio and Sagittal Synostosis
Authors: O’Sullivan F. , Bollard S.M. , O’Sullivan G.P. , Coffey P. , Bracken S. , Murray D.J. 
Published: February 2022

Background:
The most common presentation of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is that of the sagittal suture. Amongst this subgroup there is a significant male preponderance. Although the etiology is largely unknown, androgen exposure in utero has been suggested as a contributing factor. The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait, reflective of the levels of androgen and estrogen exposure in utero, with a lower 2D:4D ratio associated with higher androgen exposure.
This study aimed to examine the difference in 2D:4D ratio between participants with sagittal synostosis (SS) and gender- matched controls, hypothesizing that alterations in androgen exposure would be reflected in participants’ 2D:4D ratio.

Method:
Participants with nonsyndromic SS and gender-matched controls were prospectively recruited from outpatients clinics. Photographs were taken of the right hand, and 3 independent researchers measured the length of the fingers and 2D:4D ratio, with the mean 2D:4D ratio then calculated.

Results:
Fifty-six participants were recruited to both groups, with 35 males and 21 females in each. The mean age of the study and control groups were 5.6 and 6.3 years, respectively. There was no difference in the 2D:4D ratio between groups overall (P = 0.126). However, males with SS had a significantly higher 2D:4D ratio in comparison to male controls (0.969 ± 0.379 versus 0.950 ± 0.354, P = 0.038).

Conclusions:
Our results suggest that 1 single hormonal pathway is not responsible for suture fusion. Subsequently we consider that an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen signaling may contribute to the development of sagittal craniosynostosis.
A Comparative Study of Analog Preoperative Planning Versus Virtual Preoperative Planning for Mandibular Reconstruction With Fibula Free Flap
Authors: Cedillo Marco , Côrdova Sofia , Larralde Sebastián , Martínez Fabián , Sandoval Fernando , Suntaxi Felipe 
Published: February 2022

Abstract:Mandibular reconstruction is a challenging procedure, especially in cancer patients with defects that are greater than 6 cm. Free vascularized fibular flap is the gold standard treatment in these cases since it allows three-dimensional restoration of the lost segments after ablative surgery in addition to providing the possibility of a subsequent implant-supported rehabilitation improving the functional and aesthetic outcomes of the surgery.To obtain accurate results, preoperative planning must be done with detail. Approaches for the preoperative planning include both the conventional analog planning and the virtual planning that are valid alternatives in meeting the trans-surgical requirements.This study makes a comparative analysis of 2 clinical cases with a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma that were reconstructed using a vascularized fibular free flap. The first case was planned using the conventional analog method whereas the second case was planned using the virtual planning approach.The impact of virtual planning and conventional analog planning on preoperative planning time, ischemia period, and total surgical time is analyzed according to the experience obtained in the cases presented. In addition, the authors described the technique used for each planning method along with a literature review in which the results are contrasted and discussed.
Restoration of Facial Bone Defect using Patient-Specific Implant
Authors: Ha Sung-Ho , Choi Jin-Young 
Published: February 2022

Abstract:
Facial bone defects can be caused by various causes, such as congenital deformities, iatrogenic results, and trauma. If the size of the bone defect is small, it can be repaired using premanufactured products, but it is not accurate and impossible to restore large bony defect. In the effort to overcome these limitations of premanufac-tured implants, the authors use patient-specific implant (PSI) via computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing and 3D printing technologies for facial bone restoration surgery. In this study, the authors use polyetherketoneketone and titanium alloy for implant material among various capable of 3D printing. As a result of analyzing the patients who underwent surgery in this study, PSIs were made in 57 sites for 29 patients. The most common reason for surgery was to improve the patient’s esthetics (14 cases), followed by the improvement of iatrogenic complications and postoperative dissatisfaction (11 cases). Restoration of the congenital bony defect was the least (4 cases). Postoperative complications were occurred in 5 patients (screw loosening in 1 case, postoperative dissatisfaction in 3 cases, and postoperative infection in 1 case). There is no case of rejection after implant insertion, because the authors use polyetherketoneketone and titanium alloy for implant material which are good biocompatibility. By using PSIs via 3D technologies, the authors can overcome the limitations of premanufactured products. Moreover, the authors could get better results. So these cutting edge technologies can improve our surgical procedures and predictability.
Genetic Variants and Haplotypes of TOMM40, APOE, and APOC1 are Related to the Age of Onset of Late-onset Alzheimer Disease in a Colombian Population
Authors: Ortega-Rojas Jenny , Arboleda-Bustos Carlos E. , Guerrero Esneyder , Neira Juan , Arboleda Humberto 
Published: February 2022

Background:
The Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is the main risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD). Genetic variants and haplotypes in regions near the APOE locus may be associated with LOAD in the Colombian population.

Objective:
We evaluated frequencies and risk of genetic variants and haplotypes in APOE, TOMM40, and APOC1 promoters, also in putative regulatory enhancer elements (TOMM40 IVS2-4 and TOMM40 IVS6), and in cis-regulatory elements (ME1 and BCR).

Materials and Methods:
Our case-control association study was carried out in 50 patients with LOAD and 50 controls. We determined frequencies and odd ratios for genetic variants and haplotypes.

Results:
We found a significant association between LOAD and genetic variants at the TOMM40 promoter, at TOMM40 IVS2-4 and TOMM40 IVS6 regulatory enhancer elements, and at the APOC1 promoter. Particularly, variants of Poly-T and APOC1 promoter could anticipate the age of onset of LOAD in our population. We identified three risk haplotypes in TOMM40 (ACGGAG, ACGGGG, and ATAGGC) related to LOAD’s age of onset. We also found other risk or protection haplotypes at the TOMM40 and APOE promoters, at TOMM40 IVS2-4, TOMM40 IVS6 regulatory enhancer elements, and at ME1.

Conclusion:
Genetic variants and haplotypes near the APOE locus are related to LOAD risk and accelerated onset of LOAD in the Colombian population.
In Vitro Selection of Remdesivir-Resistant SARS-CoV-2 Demonstrates High Barrier to Resistance
Authors: Checkmahomed Liva , Pont Venice Du , Riola Nicholas C. , Perry Jason K. , Li Jiani , Porter Danielle P. , Boivin Guy 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn vitro selection of remdesivir-resistant SARS-CoV-2 revealed the emergence of a V166L substitution, located outside of the polymerase active site of the nsp12 protein, after 9 passages. V166L remained the only nsp12 substitution after 17 passages at a final concentration of 10 µM RDV, conferring a 2.3-fold increase in EC50. When V166L was introduced into a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 virus, a 1.5-fold increase in EC50 was observed, indicating a high in vitro barrier to RDV resistance.
Automatic post-processing and merging of multiple spike-sorting analyses with Lussac
Authors: Llobet Victor , Wyngaard Aurélien , Barbour Boris 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe increasing site counts of multielectrodes used in extracellular recording preclude traditional manual spike-sorting and have led to the development of several new software suites with increased automation. It remains difficult, however, to find parameters enabling optimal processing of signals from all neuronal types simultaneously. Here, we describe a procedure for automatically post-processing and merging the outputs of multiple spike-sorting analyses, enabling the accumulation of results optimised for different activity features. This approach was motivated by and first applied to the analysis of cerebellar activity, in which the complex spikes challenge standard analyses. The core of our modular procedure involves the identification of cluster-fusion candidates and assurance that only fusions that increase a clearly defined cluster-quality metric are performed; important subsidiary steps that have also been automated include spike alignment and duplicate removal. The procedure was validated by recovery of injected spike waveforms. In tests combining analyses from Kilosort and MountainSort, our procedure yielded a 50 % increase in the detected number of Purkinje cell clusters with both simple and complex spikes. A further validation used the synthetic SpikeForest dataset approximating neocortical activity, in which our package also improved performance. Combining multiple analyses therefore offers a general method for improving spike-sorting, and furthermore Lussac reduces manual input and increases the objectivity of analyses.
Automated speech detection in eco-acoustic data enables privacy protection and human disturbance quantification
Authors: Cretois Benjamin , Rosten Carolyn , Sethi Sarab S. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractEco-acoustic monitoring is increasingly being used to map biodiversity across huge scales, yet little thought is given to the privacy concerns and potential scientific value of inadvertently recorded human speech. Automated speech detection is possible using Voice Activity Detection (VAD) models, but existing approaches have been developed for indoor or urban use cases, rather than diverse natural soundscapes. In this study we used a data augmentation approach to create ecoVAD, a convolutional neural network designed for robust voice detection in eco-acoustic data. We performed playback experiments using speech samples from a woman, man, and child in two ecosystems in Børsa, Norway, and showed that ecoVAD was able to accurately detect voices at distances of up to 20m – at which point the speech was unintelligible. We compared ecoVAD with two existing VAD models and found that ecoVAD consistently outperformed the state-of-the-art (mean F1 scores: ecoVAD, 0.917; pyannote, 0.890; WebRTC VAD, 0.876). Using long-term passive recordings from a popular hiking location in Bymarka, Norway, we found that the frequency of speech detections was linked closely to peak traffic hours (using bus timings) demonstrating how VAD models can be used to quantify human activity with a fine temporal resolution. Anonymising audio data effectively using VAD models will allow eco-acoustic monitoring to continue to deliver invaluable ecological insight at scale, whilst minimising the risk of data misuse. Furthermore, using speech detections as a fine scale measure of human disturbance opens new possibilities for studying subtle human-wildlife interactions on the vast scales made possible by eco-acoustic monitoring technology.Author SummaryEco-acoustic monitoring (i.e., recording and analysing the sounds of an ecosystem) allows us to monitor biodiversity and ecological health on vast spatial and temporal scales. However, as networks of audio recorders are increasingly being deployed across the world by scientists and land managers, little thought has been given to the implications of inadvertently recorded human speech in these datasets. We developed a neural-network model to detect and remove speech from audio data, and showed it performed more accurately than existing state-of-the-art models when evaluated on eco-acoustic datasets. Furthermore, we showed frequency of voice detections could be used to monitor human pressure on an ecosystem. Our work paves the way for ethical and responsible processing of eco-acoustic data and provides a novel approach to studying human wildlife interactions on a large scale with high temporal resolution.
Rapid design and prototyping of biocatalytic virus-like particle nanoreactors
Authors: Esquirol Lygie , McNeale Donna , Douglas Trevor , Vickers Claudia E , Sainsbury Frank 
Published: February 2022

AbstractProtein cages are attractive as molecular scaffolds for the fundamental study of enzymes and metabolons, and for the creation of biocatalytic nanoreactors for in vitro and in vivo use. Virus-like particles (VLPs) such as those derived from the P22 bacteriophage capsid protein make versatile self-assembling protein cages and can be used to encapsulate a broad range of protein cargos. In vivo encapsulation of enzymes within VLPs requires fusion to the coat protein or a scaffold protein. However, the expression level, stability and activity of cargo proteins can vary upon fusion. Moreover, it has been shown that molecular crowding of enzymes inside virus-like particles can affect their catalytic properties. Consequently, testing of numerous parameters is required for production of the most efficient nanoreactor for a given cargo enzyme. Here we present a set of acceptor vectors that provide a quick and efficient way to build, test and optimise cargo loading inside P22 virus-like particles. We prototyped the system using yellow fluorescent protein then applied it to mevalonate kinases, a key enzyme class in the industrially important terpene (isoprenoid) synthesis pathway. Different mevalonate kinases required considerably different approaches to deliver maximal encapsulation as well as optimal kinetic parameters, demonstrating the value of being able to rapidly access a variety of encapsulation strategies. The vector system described here provides an approach to optimise cargo enzyme behaviour in bespoke P22 nanoreactors. This will facilitate industrial applications as well as basic research on nanoreactor-cargo behaviour.Abstract Figure
Sequence-dependent mechanochemical coupling of helicase translocation and unwinding at single-nucleotide resolution
Authors: Laszlo Andrew H. , Craig Jonathan M. , Gavrilov Momčilo , Tippana Ramreddy , Nova Ian C. , Huang Jesse R. , Kim Hwanhee C. , Abell Sarah J. , deCampos-Stairiker Mallory , Mount Jonathan W. , Bowman Jasmine L. , Baker Katherine S. , Higinbotham Hugh , Bobrovnikov Dmitriy , Ha Taekjip , Gundlach Jens H. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWe used single-molecule nanopore tweezers (SPRNT) to resolve the millisecond single-nucleotide steps of Superfamily 1 helicase PcrA as it translocates on, or unwinds, several kb-long DNA molecules. We recorded over 2 million enzyme steps under various assisting and opposing forces in diverse ATP and ADP conditions to comprehensively explore the mechanochemistry of PcrA motion. Forces applied in SPRNT mimic forces and physical barriers PcrA experiences in vivo, such as when the helicase encounters bound proteins or duplex DNA; we show how PcrA’s kinetics change with such stimuli. SPRNT allows for direct association of the underlying DNA sequence with observed enzyme kinetics. Our data reveal that the underlying DNA sequence passing through the helicase strongly influences the kinetics during translocation and unwinding. Surprisingly, unwinding kinetics are not solely dominated by the base-pairs being unwound. Instead, the sequence of the single stranded DNA on which the PcrA walks determines much of the kinetics of unwinding.
Restriction of dietary protein in rats increases progressive-ratio motivation for protein
Authors: Chiacchierini Giulia , Naneix Fabien , Apergis-Schoute John , McCutcheon James E. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractLow-protein diets can impact food intake and appetite, but it is not known if motivation for food is changed. In the present study, we used an operant behavioral task – the progressive ratio test – to assess whether motivation for different foods was affected when rats were maintained on a protein-restricted diet (REST, 5% protein diet) compared to non-restricted control rats (CON, 18% protein). Rats were tested either with nutritionally-balanced pellets (18.7% protein, Experiment 1) or protein-rich pellets (35% protein, Experiment 2) as reinforcers. Protein restriction increased breakpoint for protein-rich pellets, relative to CON rats, whereas no difference in breakpoint for nutritionally-balanced pellets was observed between groups. When given free access to either nutritionally-balanced pellets or protein-rich pellets, REST and CON rats did not differ in their intake. We also tested whether a previous history of protein restriction might affect present motivation for different types of food, by assessing breakpoint of previously REST animals that were subsequently put on standard maintenance chow (protein-repleted rats, REPL, Experiment 2). REPL rats did not show increased breakpoint, relative to their initial encounter with protein-rich pellets while they were protein-restricted. This study demonstrates that restriction of dietary protein induces a selective increased motivation for protein-rich food, a behavior that disappears once rats are not in need of protein.
Aging and white matter microstructure and macrostructure: a longitudinal multi-site diffusion MRI study of 1,184 participants
Authors: Schilling Kurt G , Archer Derek , Yeh Fang-Cheng , Rheault Francois , Cai Leon Y , Hansen Colin , Yang Qi , Ramdass Karthik , Shafer Andrea , Resnick Susan , Pechman Kimberly R. , Gifford Katherine A. , Hohman Timothy J. , Jefferson Angela , Anderson Adam W , Kang Hakmook , Landman Bennett A 
Published: February 2022

AbstractQuantifying the microstructural and macrostructural geometrical features of the human brain’s connections is necessary for understanding normal aging and disease. Here, we examine brain white matter diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data from one cross-sectional and two longitudinal datasets totaling in 1184 subjects and 2236 sessions of people aged 50-97 years. Data was drawn from well-established cohorts, including the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging dataset, Cambridge Centre for Ageing Neuroscience dataset, and the Vanderbilt Memory & Aging Project. Quantifying 4 microstructural features and, for the first time, 11 macrostructure-based features of volume, area, and length across 120 white matter pathways, we apply linear mixed effect modeling to investigate changes in pathway-specific features over time, and document large age associations within white matter. Conventional diffusion tensor microstructure indices are the most age-sensitive measures, with positive age associations for diffusivities and negative age associations with anisotropies, with similar patterns observed across all pathways. Similarly, pathway shape measures also change with age, with negative age associations for most length, surface area, and volume-based features. A particularly novel finding of this study is that while trends were homogeneous throughout the brain for microstructure features, macrostructural features demonstrated heterogeneity across pathways, whereby several projection, thalamic, and commissural tracts exhibited more decline with age compared to association and limbic tracts. The findings from this large-scale study provide a comprehensive overview of the age-related decline in white matter and demonstrate that macrostructural features may be more sensitive to heterogeneous white matter decline. Therefore, leveraging macrostructural features may be useful for studying aging and could have widespread implications for a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.