bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leukocyte Chemotactic Factor 2 Amyloidosis (ALECT2) Distribution in a Mexican Population
Authors: de la Cruz Jasso Mercedes A , Mejía-Vilet Juan M , del Toro-Cisneros Noemí , Aguilar-León Diana E , Morales-Buenrostro Luis E , Herrera Guillermo , Uribe-Uribe Norma O 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Objectives
To assess the prevalence of leukocyte cell-derived chemotactic 2 (LECT2), its organ involvement, and its clinical association in autopsies from an ethnically biased population.

Methods
The tissues from all autopsies of individuals diagnosed with amyloidosis were reassessed and typed for amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis, amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis, transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), and leukocyte chemotactic factor 2 amyloidosis (ALECT2) by immunohistochemistry. Organ involvement was described and correlated with its clinical associations.

Results
Of 782 autopsies, 27 (3.5%) had a confirmed diagnosis of amyloidosis. Of these, 14 (52%) corresponded to ALECT2, 5 (19%) to AL amyloidosis, 2 (7%) to ATTR amyloidosis, 1 (4%) to AA amyloidosis, and 5 (21%) as undetermined-type amyloidosis. The LECT2 amyloid deposits were found in the kidneys, liver, spleen, and adrenal glands in most individuals. Except for the kidneys, there were no clinical signs suggestive of amyloid deposition in most of the affected organs. LECT2 amyloidosis was not associated with the cause of death in any case. No cases had heart or brain involvement. Potential subclinical effects of amyloid deposition in organs such as adrenal glands and spleen require further study.

Conclusions
This autopsy study confirms the high prevalence of LECT2 amyloidosis in the Mexican population, with frequent amyloid deposition in the kidneys, liver, spleen, and adrenal glands.
Functional cognitive disorder affects reaction time, subjective mental effort and global metacognition
Authors: Teodoro Tiago , Koreki Akihiro , Chen Jiaying , Coebergh Jan , Poole Norman , Ferreira Joaquim J , Edwards Mark J , Isaacs Jeremy D 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe previously hypothesized that functional cognitive disorder is characterized by heightened subjective mental effort, exhausted attentional reserve and metacognitive failure.To test this hypothesis, we administered a Stroop colour-word task in which attentional demand was varied by task difficulty (congruent versus incongruent cues) and the presence of a secondary auditory stimulus (passive or active listening to an oddball-type paradigm). We measured subjective mental effort, objective performance (reaction times and accuracy), metacognition and EEG-based biomarkers of mental workload.We tested 19 functional cognitive disorder patients and 23 healthy controls. Patients reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain, sleep disruption, dissociation and obsessiveness. They rated their memory as significantly poorer than healthy controls; however, accuracy did not differ between groups in any condition. In contrast to healthy controls, patients rated their performance as poorer on the congruent Stroop task with background noise compared to silent conditions. Functional cognitive disorder was consistently associated with slower reaction times but this was not exacerbated by increased attentional demand. Patients but not healthy controls reported greater mental workload in noisy conditions but EEG biomarkers were similar between groups, regardless of task difficulty.Functional cognitive disorder has significant syndromic overlap with mood disorders and chronic fatigue and pain. It is associated with global metacognitive failure whereas local (task-specific) metacognition is only selectively impaired. Patients were slower than healthy controls, which might contribute to the ‘brain fog’ reported in this condition. Although subjective mental effort was increased in noisy conditions, we found no evidence of attentional exhaustion in functional cognitive disorder. Our results indicate that functional cognitive disorder is a multisystem condition affecting reaction time, subjective mental effort and global metacognition.
Common and distinct fronto-striatal volumetric changes in heroin and cocaine use disorders
Authors: Ceceli Ahmet O , Huang Yuefeng , Kronberg Greg , Malaker Pias , Miller Pazia , King Sarah G , Gaudreault Pierre-Olivier , McClain Natalie , Gabay Lily , Vasa Devarshi , Newcorn Jeffrey H , Ekin Defne , Alia-Klein Nelly , Goldstein Rita Z 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Different drugs of abuse impact the morphology of fronto-striatal dopaminergic targets in both common and unique ways. While dorsal striatal volume tracks with addiction severity across drug classes, opiates impact ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) neuroplasticity in preclinical models, and psychostimulants alter inhibitory control, rooted in cortical regions such as the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). We hypothesized parallel grey matter volume changes associated with human heroin or cocaine use disorder: lower grey matter volume of vmPFC/NAcc in heroin use disorder and IFG in cocaine use disorder, and putamen grey matter volume to be associated with addiction severity measures (including craving) across both.
In this cross-sectional study, we quantified grey matter volume (P &lt; 0.05-corrected) in age/sex/IQ-matched individuals with heroin use disorder (n = 32, seven females), cocaine use disorder (n = 32, six females) and healthy controls (n = 32, six females) and compared fronto-striatal volume between groups using voxel-wise general linear models and non-parametric permutation-based tests.
Overall, individuals with heroin use disorder had smaller vmPFC and NAcc/putamen volumes than healthy controls. Bilateral lower IFG grey matter volume patterns were specifically evident in cocaine versus heroin use disorders. Correlations between addiction severity measures and putamen grey matter volume did not reach nominal significance level in this sample.
These results indicate alterations in dopamine-innervated regions (in the vmPFC and NAcc) in heroin addiction. For the first time we demonstrate lower IFG grey matter volume specifically in cocaine compared with heroin use disorder, suggesting a signature of reduced inhibitory control, which remains to be tested directly using select behavioural measures. Overall, results suggest substance-specific volumetric changes in human psychostimulant or opiate addiction, with implications for fine-tuning biomarker and treatment identification by primary drug of abuse.
Brain age predicts long-term recovery in post-stroke aphasia
Authors: Kristinsson Sigfus , Busby Natalie , Rorden Christopher , Newman-Norlund Roger , den Ouden Dirk B , Magnusdottir Sigridur , Hjaltason Haukur , Thors Helga , Hillis Argye E , Kjartansson Olafur , Bonilha Leonardo , Fridriksson Julius 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The association between age and language recovery in stroke remains unclear. Here, we used neuroimaging data to estimate brain age, a measure of structural integrity, and examined the extent to which brain age at stroke onset is associated with (i) cross-sectional language performance, and (ii) longitudinal recovery of language function, beyond chronological age alone. A total of 49 participants (age: 65.2 ± 12.2 years, 25 female) underwent routine clinical neuroimaging (T1) and a bedside evaluation of language performance (Bedside Evaluation Screening Test-2) at onset of left hemisphere stroke. Brain age was estimated from enantiomorphically reconstructed brain scans using a machine learning algorithm trained on a large sample of healthy adults. A subsample of 30 participants returned for follow-up language assessments at least 2 years after stroke onset. To account for variability in age at stroke, we calculated proportional brain age difference, i.e. the proportional difference between brain age and chronological age. Multiple regression models were constructed to test the effects of proportional brain age difference on language outcomes. Lesion volume and chronological age were included as covariates in all models. Accelerated brain age compared with age was associated with worse overall aphasia severity (F(1, 48) = 5.65, P = 0.022), naming (F(1, 48) = 5.13, P = 0.028), and speech repetition (F(1, 48) = 8.49, P = 0.006) at stroke onset. Follow-up assessments were carried out ≥2 years after onset; decelerated brain age relative to age was significantly associated with reduced overall aphasia severity (F(1, 26) = 5.45, P = 0.028) and marginally failed to reach statistical significance for auditory comprehension (F(1, 26) = 2.87, P = 0.103). Proportional brain age difference was not found to be associated with changes in naming (F(1, 26) = 0.23, P = 0.880) and speech repetition (F(1, 26) = 0.00, P = 0.978). Chronological age was only associated with naming performance at stroke onset (F(1, 48) = 4.18, P = 0.047). These results indicate that brain age as estimated based on routine clinical brain scans may be a strong biomarker for language function and recovery after stroke.
Autonomic changes in Huntington’s disease correlate with altered central autonomic network connectivity
Authors: Schultz Jordan L , Heinzerling Amanda E , Brinker Alivia N , Harshman Lyndsay A , Magnotta Vincent A , Kamholz John A , Boes Aaron D , Nopoulos Peg C 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Autonomic dysfunction has been described in patients with Huntington’s disease, but it is unclear if these changes in autonomic tone are related to the central autonomic network. We performed a pilot study to investigate the relationship between the integrity of the central autonomic network and peripheral manifestiations of autonomic dysfunction in premanifest Huntington’s disease. We recruited male participants with pre-motor-manifest Huntington’s disease and a comparison group consisting of healthy, male participants of approximately the same age. As this was a pilot study, only males were included to reduce confounding. Participants underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study to quantify functional connectivity within the central autonomic network, as well as a resting 3-lead ECG to measure heart rate variability with a particular focus on the parasympathetic time-domain measures of root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats. The pre-motor-manifest Huntington’s disease participants had significantly decreased root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats values compared with the healthy comparison group. The pre-motor-manifest Huntington’s disease group had significantly lower functional connectivity within the central autonomic network, which was positively correlated with root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats. Patients with pre-motor-manifest Huntington’s disease have reduced functional connectivity within the central autonomic network, which is significantly associated with observed changes in autonomic function.
Association between diesel exhaust exposure and mitochondrial DNA methylation
Authors: Seow Wei Jie , Hu Wei , Dai Yufei , Vermeulen Roel , Byun Hyang-Min , Wong Jason Y Y , Bassig Bryan A , Blechter Batel , Duan Huawei , Niu Yong , Downward George , Leng Shuguang , Ji Bu-Tian , Fu Wei , Xu Jun , Meliefste Kees , Yang Jufang , Ren Dianzhi , Ye Meng , Meng Tao , Bin Ping , Hosgood H Dean , Silverman Debra T , Rothman Nathaniel , Zheng Yuxin , Lan Qing 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectivesDiesel exhaust is an established human carcinogen, however the mechanisms by which it leads to cancer development are not fully understood. Mitochondrial dysfunction is an established contributor to carcinogenesis. Recent studies have improved our understanding of the role played by epigenetic modifications in the mitochondrial genome on tumorigenesis. In this study, we aim to evaluate the association between diesel engine exhaust (DEE) exposure with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation levels in workers exposed to DEE.MethodsThe study population consisted of 53 male workers employed at a diesel engine manufacturing facility in Northern China who were routinely exposed to diesel exhaust in their occupational setting, as well as 55 unexposed male control workers from other unrelated factories in the same geographic area. Exposure to DEE, elemental carbon, organic carbon, and particulate matter (PM2.5) were assessed. mtDNA methylation for CpG sites (CpGs) from seven mitochondrial genes (D-Loop, MT-RNR1, MT-CO2, MT-CO3, MT-ATP6, MT-ATP8, MT-ND5) was measured in blood samples. Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between DEE, elemental carbon, organic carbon and PM2.5 exposures with mtDNA methylation levels, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsDEE exposure was associated with decreased MT-ATP6 (difference = −35.6%, P-value = 0.019) and MT-ATP8 methylation (difference = −30%, P-value = 0.029) compared to unexposed controls. Exposures to elemental carbon, organic carbon, and PM2.5 were also significantly and inversely associated with methylation in MT-ATP6 and MT-ATP8 genes (all P-values &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that DEE exposure perturbs mtDNA methylation, which may be of importance for tumorigenesis.
Stratification of alopecia areata reveals involvement of CD4 T cell populations and altered faecal microbiota
Authors: Bain K A , Nichols B , Moffat F , Kerbiriou C , Ijaz U Z , Gerasimidis K , McInnes I B , Åstrand A , Holmes S , Milling S W F 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAlopecia areata (AA) is an immune-mediated disease that causes non-scarring hair loss. Autoreactive CD8 T cells are key pathogenic effectors in the skin, and AA has been associated both with atopy and with perturbations in intestinal homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate mechanisms driving AA by characterizing the circulating immunophenotype and faecal microbiome, and by stratifying AA to understand how identified signatures associated with heterogeneous clinical features of the condition. Flow cytometric analyses identified alterations in circulating B cells and CD4 T cells, while 16S sequencing identified changes in alpha and beta diversity in the faecal microbiome in AA. The proportions of transitional and naïve B cells were found to be elevated in AA, particularly in AA samples from individuals with &gt;50% hair loss and those with comorbid atopy, which is commonly associated with extensive hair loss. Although significant changes in circulating CD8 T cells were not observed, we found significant changes in CD4+ populations. In individuals with &lt;50% hair loss higher frequencies of CCR6+CD4 (“Th17”) and CCR6+CXCR3+CD4 (“Th1/17”) T cells were found. While microbial species richness was not altered, AA was associated with reduced evenness and Shannon diversity of the intestinal microbiota, again particularly in those with &lt;50% hair loss. We have identified novel immunological and microbial signatures in individuals with alopecia areata. Surprisingly, these are associated with lower levels of hair loss, and may therefore provide a rationale for improved targeting of molecular therapeutics.
Clinical, Virologic, and Immunologic Evaluation of Symptomatic Coronavirus Disease 2019 Rebound Following Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Treatment
Authors: Epling Brian P , Rocco Joseph M , Boswell Kristin L , Laidlaw Elizabeth , Galindo Frances , Kellogg Anela , Das Sanchita , Roder Allison , Ghedin Elodie , Kreitman Allie , Dewar Robin L , Kelly Sophie E M , Kalish Heather , Rehman Tauseef , Highbarger Jeroen , Rupert Adam , Kocher Gregory , Holbrook Michael R , Lisco Andrea , Manion Maura , Koup Richard A , Sereti Irini 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundNirmatrelvir/ritonavir, the first severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) protease inhibitor, reduces the risk of hospitalization and death by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but has been associated with symptomatic rebound after therapy completion.MethodsSix individuals with relapse of COVID-19 symptoms after treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, 2 individuals with rebound symptoms without prior antiviral therapy and 7 patients with acute Omicron infection (controls) were studied. Soluble biomarkers and serum SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein were measured. Nasal swabs positive for SARS-CoV-2 underwent viral isolation and targeted viral sequencing. SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike, anti–receptor-binding domain, and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were measured. Surrogate viral neutralization tests against wild-type and Omicron spike protein, as well as T-cell stimulation assays, were performed.ResultsHigh levels of SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were found in all participants. Anti-nucleocapsid IgG and Omicron-specific neutralizing antibodies increased in patients with rebound. Robust SARS-CoV-2–specific T-cell responses were observed, higher in rebound compared with early acute COVID-19 patients. Inflammatory markers mostly decreased during rebound. Two patients sampled longitudinally demonstrated an increase in activated cytokine-producing CD4+ T cells against viral proteins. No characteristic resistance mutations were identified. SARS-CoV-2 was isolated by culture from 1 of 8 rebound patients; Polybrene addition increased this to 5 of 8.ConclusionsNirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment does not impede adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. Clinical rebound corresponds to development of a robust antibody and T-cell immune response, arguing against a high risk of disease progression. The presence of infectious virus supports the need for isolation and assessment of longer treatment courses.Clinical trials registrationNCT04401436.
Demographic Representation Among Speakers and Program Committee Members at the IDWeek Conference, 2013–2021
Authors: Marcelin Jasmine R , Khazanchi Rohan , Lyden Elizabeth , Cawcutt Kelly A , Ha David R , Florez Narjust , Kullar Ravina , Ristagno Elizabeth H ,   the Introduction of Speakers at IDWeek Events Observing for Unconscious Bias over Time (INSIDE-OUT) study group, Rajapakse Nipunie , Patel Megha , Miller Amy M , Oeltjen Erin N , Semaj Sophie , Sramek Kyle T , Lindeman Christopher J , Daubach Eric C , Akinmoladun Oladapo O , Wurtz Paul J , Yang Yuhong 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn 2016, the IDWeek program committee was charged with ensuring gender equity in speaker sessions. Whether this charge also resulted in more opportunities for historically underrepresented speakers is unknown.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of trends in the demographic composition of IDWeek speakers and program committee members between 2013 and 2021. We used descriptive statistics to summarize data, χ2 tests to compare speaker demographics between 2013–2016 (before 2016) and 2017–2021 (after 2016), and Cochran–Armitage tests for trend. Each speaker slot was considered an independent event.ResultsA total of 5482 speaker slots were filled by 3389 individuals from 2013 to 2021. There was a linear increase in female speakers from 38.6% in 2013 to 58.4% in 2021 (P &lt; .001). The proportion of white speakers decreased overall from 84.9% in 2013 to 63.5% in 2021. Compared with white speakers, more slots were filled by Asian speakers after 2016 versus before 2016 (20.1% vs 14.8%, respectively; P &lt; .001). Program committee members from 2013–2021 were &gt;80% non-Hispanic white; &lt;5% of committee members identified as black, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic. More program committee slots were filled by women after 2016 than before 2016 (52.7% vs 33.9%; P = .004).ConclusionsIntentional consideration of gender equity by the program committee was associated with equitable gender representation of invited speakers at IDWeek after 2016. Gradually, the proportions of IDWeek speakers from historically excluded racial/ethnic approached their respective proportions in the IDSA membership. White speakers remained overrepresented relative to membership proportions until 2021, and gaps in program committee racial/ethnic demographic representation highlights opportunities for continued inclusion, diversity, access, and equity at IDWeek.
Bacterial community in soil and tree roots of Picea abies shows little response to clearcutting
Authors: Martinović Tijana , Kohout Petr , López-Mondéjar Rubén , Algora Gallardo Camelia , Starke Robert , Tomšovský Michal , Baldrian Petr 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Clearcutting represents a standard management practice in temperate forests with dramatic consequences for the forest ecosystem. The removal of trees responsible for the bulk of primary production can result in a complex response of the soil microbiome. While studies have shown that tree root-symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungi disappear from soil and decomposing fine roots of trees become a hotspot for fungal decomposition, the fate of the bacterial component of the soil microbiome following clearcutting is unclear. Here, we investigated the response of bacterial community composition for 2 years following clearcutting of a Picea abies stand in soil, rhizosphere and tree roots, by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. While in the first few months after clearcutting there was no significant response of bacterial community composition in the rhizosphere and soil, bacterial communities associated with tree roots underwent more profound changes over time. Acidobacteria were abundant in rhizosphere and soil, while Firmicutes were strongly represented in the roots. In addition, bacterial communities on decomposing roots were significantly different from those on pre-clearcut live roots. Compared with fungi, the response of bacterial communities to clearcutting was much less pronounced, indicating independent development of the two microbial domains.
The practice of hope in public health interventions: a qualitative single-case study
Authors: Broholm-Jørgensen Marie 
Published: October 2022

Summary
This study examines hope practices in the context of participation in a public health intervention. Theoretically, the study builds upon Cheryl Mattingly’s notion of hope as a practice, which renders the possibility of examining participants actions, interactions and challenges with participating. This analytical lens contributes knowledge about how interventions are incorporated into participants’ hopes for a future life and the consequences of intervening in peoples’ everyday lives. The study builds on empirical material from a pilot study of the primary preventive intervention known as TOF (Tidlig Opsporing og Forebyggelse—a Danish acronym for ‘Early Detection and Prevention’) which aimed to identify high risk individuals and provide targeted preventive services. A by-product of a larger qualitative study, itself based on the TOF pilot study in 2019, this single-case study illustrates how participants’ life situation influence how they interpret and manage activities in a public health intervention. The study shows how the practice of hope in public health interventions is closely linked to participants’ own interpretations of how participation can lead to a life worth living. The findings, which show that participants’ needs, and life situation influence the ways in which they respond to an intervention, adds to the complexity in intervention research. Further, the study illustrates some of the ethical challenges that arise when researchers intervene in people’s everyday life. It reinforces the need for ongoing critical reflection and attention to be directed at how those being studied articulate and practice hope.