bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptive working memory training does not produce transfer effects in cognition and neuroimaging
Authors: Ripp Isabelle , Emch Mónica , Wu Qiong , Lizarraga Aldana , Udale Robert , von Bastian Claudia Christina , Koch Kathrin , Yakushev Igor 
Published: December 2022

AbstractDespite growing interest in cognitive interventions from academia and industry, it remains unclear if working memory (WM) training, one of the most popular cognitive interventions, produces transfer effects. Transfer effects are training-induced gains in performance in untrained cognitive tasks, while practice effects are improvements in trained task. The goal of this study was to evaluate potential transfer effects by comprehensive cognitive testing and neuroimaging. In this prospective, randomized-controlled, and single-blind study, we administered an 8-week n-back training to 55 healthy middle-aged (50–64 years) participants. State-of-the-art multimodal neuroimaging was used to examine potential anatomic and functional changes. Relative to control subjects, who performed non-adaptive WM training, no near or far transfer effects were detected in experimental subjects, who performed adaptive WM training. Equivalently, no training-related changes were observed in white matter integrity, amplitude of low frequency fluctuations, glucose metabolism, functional and metabolic connectivity. Exploratory within-group comparisons revealed some gains in transfer tasks, which, however, cannot be attributed to an increased WM capacity. In conclusion, WM training produces transfer effects neither at the cognitive level nor in terms of neural structure or function. These results speak against a common view that training-related gains reflect an increase in underlying WM capacity. Instead, the presently observed practice effects may be a result of optimized task processing strategies, which do not necessarily engage neural plasticity.
Kinesin-5 Eg5 is essential for spindle assembly, chromosome stability and organogenesis in development
Authors: Yu Wen-Xin , Li Yu-Kun , Xu Meng-Fei , Xu Chen-Jie , Chen Jie , Wei Ya-Lan , She Zhen-Yu 
Published: December 2022

AbstractChromosome stability relies on bipolar spindle assembly and faithful chromosome segregation during cell division. Kinesin-5 Eg5 is a plus-end-directed kinesin motor protein, which is essential for spindle pole separation and chromosome alignment in mitosis. Heterozygous Eg5 mutations cause autosomal-dominant microcephaly, primary lymphedema, and chorioretinal dysplasia syndrome in humans. However, the developmental roles and cellular mechanisms of Eg5 in organogenesis remain largely unknown. In this study, we have shown that Eg5 inhibition leads to the formation of the monopolar spindle, chromosome misalignment, polyploidy, and subsequent apoptosis. Strikingly, long-term inhibition of Eg5 stimulates the immune responses and the accumulation of lymphocytes in the mouse spleen through the innate and specific immunity pathways. Eg5 inhibition results in metaphase arrest and cell growth inhibition, and suppresses the formation of somite and retinal development in zebrafish embryos. Our data have revealed the essential roles of kinesin-5 Eg5 involved in cell proliferation, chromosome stability, and organogenesis during development. Our findings shed a light on the cellular basis and pathogenesis in microcephaly, primary lymphedema, and chorioretinal dysplasia syndrome of Eg5-mutation-positive patients.
Structural insights into a shared mechanism of human STING activation by a potent agonist and an autoimmune disease-associated mutation
Authors: Xie Zuoquan , Wang Zhen , Fan Fengying , Zhou Jinpei , Hu Zhaoxue , Wang Qingxia , Wang Xiyuan , Zeng Qingzhong , Zhang Yan , Qiu Jiaxuan , Zhou Xiaoqian , Xu Hui , Bai Hudagula , Zhan Zhengsheng , Ding Jian , Zhang Huibin , Duan Wenhu , Yu Xuekui , Geng Meiyu 
Published: December 2022

AbstractStimulator of interferon gene (STING) is increasingly exploited for the potential in cancer immunotherapy, yet its mechanism of activation remains not fully understood. Herein, we designed a novel STING agonist, designated as HB3089 that exhibits robust and durable anti-tumor activity in tumor models across various cancer types. Cryo-EM analysis reveals that HB3089-bound human STING has structural changes similar to that of the STING mutant V147L, a constitutively activated mutant identified in patients with STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI). Both structures highlight the conformational changes of the transmembrane domain (TMD), but without the 180°-rotation of the ligand binding domain (LBD) previously shown to be required for STING activation. Further structure-based functional analysis confirmed a new STING activation mode shared by the agonist and the SAVI-related mutation, in which the connector linking the LBD and the TMD senses the activation signal and controls the conformational changes of the LBD and the TMD for STING activation. Together, our findings lead to a new working model for STING activation and open a new avenue for the rationale design of STING-targeted therapies either for cancer or autoimmune disorders.
A novel FLNA variant in a fetus with skeletal dysplasia
Authors: Oshina Kyoko , Kamei Yoshimasa , Hori Asuka , Hasegawa Fuyuki , Taniguchi Kosuke , Migita Ohsuke , Itakura Atsuo , Hata Kenichiro 
Published: December 2022

AbstractOtopalatodigital spectrum disorder (OPDSD) is characterized by variable phenotypes, including skeletal dysplasia, and is caused by pathogenic variants in filamin A-encoding FLNA. FLNA variants associated with lethal OPDSD primarily alter the CH2 subdomain of the ABD of FLNA. Herein, we report a novel FLNA mutation in a fetus with severe skeletal dysplasia in a pregnant multigravida female with a history of repeated miscarriages and terminations.
Reported sleep duration reveals segmentation of the adult life-course into three phases
Authors: Coutrot A. , Lazar A. S. , Richards M. , Manley E. , Wiener J. M. , Dalton R. C. , Hornberger M. , Spiers H. J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractClassically the human life-course is characterized by youth, middle age and old age. A wide range of biological, health and cognitive functions vary across this life-course. Here, using reported sleep duration from 730,187 participants across 63 countries, we find three distinct phases in the adult human life-course: early adulthood (19-33yrs), mid-adulthood (34-53yrs), and late adulthood (54+yrs). They appear stable across culture, gender, education and other demographics. During the third phase, where self-reported sleep duration increases with age, cognitive performance, as measured by spatial navigation, was found to have an inverted u-shape relationship with reported sleep duration: optimal performance peaks at 7 hours reported sleep. World-wide self-reported sleep duration patterns are geographically clustered, and are associated with economy, culture, and latitude.
BA.2 and BA.5 omicron differ immunologically from both BA.1 omicron and pre-omicron variants
Authors: Rössler Annika , Netzl Antonia , Knabl Ludwig , Schäfer Helena , Wilks Samuel H. , Bante David , Falkensammer Barbara , Borena Wegene , von Laer Dorothee , Smith Derek J. , Kimpel Janine 
Published: December 2022

AbstractSeveral studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 BA.1 omicron is an immune escape variant. Meanwhile, however, omicron BA.2 and BA.5 became dominant in many countries and replaced BA.1. As both have several mutations compared to BA.1, we analyzed whether BA.2 and BA.5 show further immune escape relative to BA.1. Here, we characterized neutralization profiles against the BA.2 and BA.5 omicron sub-variants in plasma samples from individuals with different history of exposures to infection/vaccination and found that unvaccinated individuals after a single exposure to BA.2 had limited cross-neutralizing antibodies to pre-omicron variants and to BA.1. Consequently, our antigenic map including all Variants of Concern and BA.1, BA.2 and BA.5 omicron sub-variants, showed that all omicron sub-variants are distinct to pre-omicron variants, but that the three omicron variants are also antigenically distinct from each other. The antibody landscapes illustrate that cross-neutralizing antibodies against the current antigenic space, as described in our maps, are generated only after three or more exposures to antigenically close variants but also after two exposures to antigenically distant variants. Here, we describe the antigenic space inhabited by the relevant SARS-CoV-2 variants, the understanding of which will have important implications for further vaccine strain adaptations.
Sliding induced multiple polarization states in two-dimensional ferroelectrics
Authors: Meng Peng , Wu Yaze , Bian Renji , Pan Er , Dong Biao , Zhao Xiaoxu , Chen Jiangang , Wu Lishu , Sun Yuqi , Fu Qundong , Liu Qing , Shi Dong , Zhang Qi , Zhang Yong-Wei , Liu Zheng , Liu Fucai 
Published: December 2022

AbstractWhen the atomic layers in a non-centrosymmetric van der Waals structure slide against each other, the interfacial charge transfer results in a reversal of the structure’s spontaneous polarization. This phenomenon is known as sliding ferroelectricity and it is markedly different from conventional ferroelectric switching mechanisms relying on ion displacement. Here, we present layer dependence as a new dimension to control sliding ferroelectricity. By fabricating 3 R MoS2 of various thicknesses into dual-gate field-effect transistors, we obtain anomalous intermediate polarization states in multilayer (more than bilayer) 3 R MoS2. Using results from ab initio density functional theory calculations, we propose a generalized model to describe the ferroelectric switching process in multilayer 3 R MoS2 and to explain the formation of these intermediate polarization states. This work reveals the critical roles layer number and interlayer dipole coupling play in sliding ferroelectricity and presents a new strategy for the design of novel sliding ferroelectric devices.
Histone H3.3 deposition in seed is essential for the post-embryonic developmental competence in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Ting , Lu Jingyun , Zhang Huairen , Xue Mande , Pan Jie , Ma Lijun , Berger Frédéric , Jiang Danhua 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe acquisition of germination and post-embryonic developmental ability during seed maturation is vital for seed vigor, an important trait for plant propagation and crop production. How seed vigor is established in seeds is still poorly understood. Here, we report the crucial function of Arabidopsis histone variant H3.3 in endowing seeds with post-embryonic developmental potentials. H3.3 is not essential for seed formation, but loss of H3.3 results in severely impaired germination and post-embryonic development. H3.3 exhibits a seed-specific 5′ gene end distribution and facilitates chromatin opening at regulatory regions in seeds. During germination, H3.3 is essential for proper gene transcriptional regulation. Moreover, H3.3 is constantly loaded at the 3′ gene end, correlating with gene body DNA methylation and the restriction of chromatin accessibility and cryptic transcription at this region. Our results suggest a fundamental role of H3.3 in initiating chromatin accessibility at regulatory regions in seed and licensing the embryonic to post-embryonic transition.
Accuracy and economic evaluation of screening tests for undiagnosed COPD among hypertensive individuals in Brazil
Authors: Martins S. M. , Dickens A. P. , Salibe-Filho W. , Albuquerque Neto A. A. , Adab P. , Enocson A. , Cooper B. G. , Sousa L. V. A. , Sitch A. J. , Jowett S. , Adams R. , Cheng K. K. , Chi C. , Correia-de-Sousa J. , Farley A. , Gale N. , Jolly K. , Maglakelidze M. , Maghlakelidze T. , Stavrikj K. , Turner A. M. , Williams S. , Jordan R. E. , Stelmach R. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn Brazil, prevalence of diagnosed COPD among adults aged 40 years and over is 16% although over 70% of cases remain undiagnosed. Hypertension is common and well-recorded in primary care, and frequently co-exists with COPD because of common causes such as tobacco smoking, therefore we conducted a cross-sectional screening test accuracy study in nine Basic Health Units in Brazil, among hypertensive patients aged ≥40 years to identify the optimum screening test/combinations to detect undiagnosed COPD. We compared six index tests (four screening questionnaires, microspirometer and peak flow) against the reference test defined as those below the lower limit of normal (LLN-GLI) on quality diagnostic spirometry, with confirmed COPD at clinical review. Of 1162 participants, 6.8% (n = 79) had clinically confirmed COPD. Peak flow had a higher specificity but lower sensitivity than microspirometry (sensitivity 44.3% [95% CI 33.1, 55.9], specificity 95.5% [95% CI 94.1, 96.6]). SBQ performed well compared to the other questionnaires (sensitivity 75.9% [95% CI 65.0, 84.9], specificity 59.2% [95% CI 56.2, 62.1]). A strategy requiring both SBQ and peak flow to be positive yielded sensitivity of 39.2% (95% CI 28.4, 50.9) and specificity of 97.0% (95% CI 95.7, 97.9). The use of simple screening tests was feasible within the Brazilian primary care setting. The combination of SBQ and peak flow appeared most efficient, when considering performance of the test, cost and ease of use (costing £1690 (5554 R$) with 26.7 cases detected per 1,000 patients). However, the choice of screening tests depends on the clinical setting and availability of resources.ISRCTN registration number: 11377960.
Bioengineered intestinal tubules as a tool to test intestinal biological efficacy of lettuce species
Authors: Jochems Paulus G. M. , Heming Bo , Lapin Dmitry , Moonen Naomi E. L. , Van den Ackerveken Guido , Masereeuw Rosalinde 
Published: December 2022

AbstractLettuce (Lactuca sativa) is one of the most consumed and cultivated vegetables globally. Its breeding is focused on the improvement of yield and disease resistance. However, potential detrimental or beneficial health effects for the consumer are often not targeted in the breeding programs. Here, a bioengineered intestinal tubule was used to assess the intestinal efficacy of extracts from five plant accessions belonging to four Lactuca species. These four species include the domesticated L. sativa, closely related wild species L. serriola, and phylogenetically more distant wild relatives L. saligna and L. virosa. We assessed the epithelial barrier integrity, cell viability, cell attachment, brush border enzyme activity, and immune markers. Extracts from L. sativa cv. Salinas decreased cell attachment and brush border enzyme activity. However, extracts from the non-edible wild species L. saligna and L. virosa reduced the epithelial barrier functions, cell attachment, cell viability, and brush border enzyme activity. Since wild species represent a valuable germplasm pool, the bioengineered intestinal tubules could open ways to evaluate the safety and nutritional properties of the lettuce breeding material originating from crosses with wild Lactuca species.
A phase I/II randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of a self-amplifying Covid-19 mRNA vaccine
Authors: Low Jenny G. , de Alwis Ruklanthi , Chen Shiwei , Kalimuddin Shirin , Leong Yan Shan , Mah Tania Ken Lin , Yuen Natalene , Tan Hwee Cheng , Zhang Summer L. , Sim Jean X. Y. , Chan Yvonne F. Z. , Syenina Ayesa , Yee Jia Xin , Ong Eugenia Z. , Sekulovich Rose , Sullivan Brian B. , Lindert Kelly , Sullivan Sean M. , Chivukula Pad , Hughes Steven G. , Ooi Eng Eong 
Published: December 2022

AbstractCoronavirus disease-19 (Covid-19) pandemic have demonstrated the importantance of vaccines in disease prevention. Self-amplifying mRNA vaccines could be another option for disease prevention if demonstrated to be safe and immunogenic. Phase 1 of this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (N = 42) assessed the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity in healthy young and older adults of ascending levels of one-dose ARCT-021, a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine against Covid-19. Phase 2 (N = 64) tested two-doses of ARCT-021 given 28 days apart. During phase 1, ARCT-021 was well tolerated up to one 7.5 μg dose and two 5.0 μg doses. Local solicited AEs, namely injection-site pain and tenderness were more common in ARCT-021vaccinated, while systemic solicited AEs, mainly fatigue, headache and myalgia were reported in 62.8% and 46.4% of ARCT-021 and placebo recipients, respectively. Seroconversion rate for anti-S IgG was 100% in all cohorts, except for the 1 μg one-dose in younger adults and the 7.5 μg one-dose in older adults. Anti-S IgG and neutralizing antibody titers showed a general increase with increasing dose, and overlapped with titers in Covid-19 convalescent patients. T-cell responses were also observed in response to stimulation with S-protein peptides. Taken collectively, ARCT-021 is immunogenic and has favorable safety profile for further development.
Gapless genome assembly of East Asian finless porpoise
Authors: Yin Denghua , Chen Chunhai , Lin Danqing , Zhang Jialu , Ying Congping , Liu Yan , Liu Wang , Cao Zhichen , Zhao Chenxi , Wang Chenhe , Liang Liping , Xu Pao , Jian Jianbo , Liu Kai 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn recent years, conservation efforts have increased for rare and endangered aquatic wildlife, especially cetaceans. However, the East Asian finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), which has a wide distribution in China, has received far less attention and protection. As an endangered small cetacean, the lack of a chromosomal-level reference for the East Asian finless porpoise limits our understanding of its population genetics and conservation biology. To address this issue, we combined PacBio HiFi long reads and Hi-C sequencing data to generate a gapless genome of the East Asian finless porpoise that is approximately 2.5 Gb in size over its 21 autosomes and two sex chromosomes (X and Y). A total of 22,814 protein-coding genes were predicted where ~97.31% were functionally annotated. This high-quality genome assembly of East Asian finless porpoise will not only provide new resources for the comparative genomics of cetaceans and conservation biology of threatened species, but also lay a foundation for more speciation, ecology, and evolutionary studies.

Measurement(s)
Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri • Gapless genome assembly • sequence annotation

Technology Type(s)
MGISEQ. 2000 • PacBio HiFi Sequencing • Hi-C

Sample Characteristic - Organism
Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri

Sample Characteristic - Environment
seawater

Sample Characteristic - Location
Yellow Sea near Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, China
An open time-series simulated dataset covering various accidents for nuclear power plants
Authors: Qi Ben , Xiao Xingyu , Liang Jingang , Po Li-chi Cliff , Zhang Liguo , Tong Jiejuan 
Published: December 2022

AbstractNuclear energy plays an important role in global energy supply, especially as a key low-carbon source of power. However, safe operation is very critical in nuclear power plants (NPPs). Given the significant impact of human-caused errors on three serious nuclear accidents in history, artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly been used in assisting operators with regard to making various decisions. In particular, data-driven AI algorithms have been used to identify the presence of accidents and their root causes. However, there is a lack of an open NPP accident dataset for measuring the performance of various algorithms, which is very challenging. This paper presents a first-of-its-kind open dataset created using PCTRAN, a pre-developed and widely used simulator for NPPs. The dataset, namely nuclear power plant accident data (NPPAD), basically covers the common types of accidents in typical pressurised water reactor NPPs, and it contains time-series data on the status or actions of various subsystems, accident types, and severity information. Moreover, the dataset incorporates other simulation data (e.g., radionuclide data) for conducting research beyond accident diagnosis.
Monocyte distribution width as a pragmatic screen for SARS-CoV-2 or influenza infection
Authors: Badaki-Makun Oluwakemi , Levin Scott , Debraine Arnaud , Hernried Benjamin , Malinovska Alexandra , Smith Aria , Toerper Matthew , Fenstermacher Katherine Z. J. , Cottle Taylor , Latallo Malgorzata , Rothman Richard E. , Hinson Jeremiah S. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMonocyte distribution width (MDW) is a novel marker of monocyte activation, which is known to occur in the immune response to viral pathogens. Our objective was to determine the performance of MDW and other leukocyte parameters as screening tests for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infection. This was a prospective cohort analysis of adult patients who underwent complete blood count (CBC) and SARS-CoV-2 or influenza testing in an Emergency Department (ED) between January 2020 and July 2021. The primary outcome was SARS-CoV-2 or influenza infection. Secondary outcomes were measures of severity of illness including inpatient hospitalization, critical care admission, hospital lengths of stay and mortality. Descriptive statistics and test performance measures were evaluated for monocyte percentage, MDW, white blood cell (WBC) count, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). 3,425 ED patient visits were included. SARS-CoV-2 testing was performed during 1,922 visits with a positivity rate of 5.4%; influenza testing was performed during 2,090 with a positivity rate of 2.3%. MDW was elevated in patients with SARS-Cov-2 (median 23.0U; IQR 20.5–25.1) or influenza (median 24.1U; IQR 22.0–26.9) infection, as compared to those without (18.9U; IQR 17.4–20.7 and 19.1U; 17.4–21, respectively, P < 0.001). Monocyte percentage, WBC and NLR values were within normal range in patients testing positive for either virus. MDW identified SARS-CoV-2 and influenza positive patients with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 (95% CI 0.79–0.86) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.77–0.88), respectively. At the accepted cut-off value of 20U for MDW, sensitivities were 83.7% (95% CI 76.5–90.8%) for SARS-CoV-2 and 89.6% (95% CI 80.9–98.2%) for influenza, compared to sensitivities below 45% for monocyte percentage, WBC and NLR. MDW negative predictive values were 98.6% (95% CI 98.0–99.3%) and 99.6% (95% CI 99.3–100.0%) respectively for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. Monocyte Distribution Width (MDW), available as part of a routine complete blood count (CBC) with differential, may be a useful indicator of SARS-CoV-2 or influenza infection.