bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of social presence on behavioural, neural and physiological aspects of empathy for pain
Authors: Petereit Pauline , Weiblen Ronja , Perry Anat , Krämer Ulrike M. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn mediated interactions (e.g. video calls), less information is available about the other. To investigate how this affects our empathy for one another, we conducted an EEG study, in which thirty human participants observed one of 5 targets undergoing painful electric stimulation, once in a direct interaction and once in a live, video-mediated interaction. We found that observers were as accurate in judging others’ pain and showed as much affective empathy via video as in a direct encounter. While mu suppression, a common neural marker of empathy, was not sensitive to others’ pain, theta responses to others’ pain as well as skin conductance coupling between participants were reduced in the video-mediated condition. We conclude that physical proximity with its rich social cues is important for nuanced physiological resonance with the other’s experience. More studies are warranted to confirm these results and to understand their behavioural significance for remote social interactions.
Large scale production of human blastoids amenable to modeling blastocyst development and maternal-fetal crosstalk
Authors: Yu Leqian , Ezashi Toshihiko , Wei Yulei , Duan Jialei , Logsdon Deirdre , Zhan Linfeng , Nahar Asrafun , Arteaga Carlos A. Pinzon , Liu Lizhong , Stobbe Caitlen , Katz-Jaffe Mandy , Schoolcraft William B , Wang Lei , Tan Tao , Hon Gary C. , Yuan Ye , Wu Jun 
Published: September 2022

SUMMARYRecent advances in human blastoids generated from naïve pluripotent stem cells have opened a new avenue for modelling early human development and implantation. Despite the success, however, existing protocols have several limitations, e.g., the use of custom-built microwell arrays impedes wide adoption by the research community, and mass production of human blastoids is hampered by low-output or low-efficiency methods. To address these issues, here we developed an optimized protocol based on commercially available microwell plates, which enabled efficient generation of high-fidelity human blastoids at a large scale. Leveraging on the improved protocol, we identified MAPK. PI3K/AKT and mTOR signaling pathways were activated in both blastoids and blastocyst, and discovered endometrial stromal effects in promoting trophoblast cell survival, proliferation and syncytialization during extended co-culture with blastoids. Our optimized protocol will facilitate broader use of human blastoids as an accessible, perturbable, scalable, tractable, and ethical model for human blastocysts.
Oncogenic Kras induces spatiotemporally specific tissue deformation through converting pulsatile into sustained ERK activation
Authors: Xin Tianchi , Gallini Sara , Gonzalez David , Gonzalez Lauren E. , Regot Sergi , Greco Valentina 
Published: September 2022

AbstractTissue regeneration and maintenance rely on coordinated stem cell behaviors. This orchestration can be impaired by oncogenic mutations leading to tissue architecture disruption and ultimately cancer formation. However, it is still largely unclear how oncogenes perturb stem cells’ functions to break tissue architecture. Here, we used intravital imaging and a novel signaling reporter to investigate the mechanisms by which oncogenic Kras mutation causes tissue disruption in the hair follicle. Through longitudinally tracking the same hair follicles in live mice, we found that KrasG12D, a mutation that can lead to squamous cell carcinoma, induces epithelial tissue deformation in a spatiotemporally specific manner. This tissue architecture abnormality is linked with a spatial dysregulation of stem cell proliferation as well as abnormal migration during hair follicle growth. By using a reporter mouse that allows us to capture real-time ERK signal dynamics at the single cell level, we discovered that KrasG12D, but not a closely related mutation HrasG12V, converts the pulsatile ERK signal fluctuation in the stem cells into sustained activation. Furthermore, by combining drug treatment with longitudinal imaging, we demonstrated that temporary inhibiting ERK signal reverts the KrasG12D-induced tissue deformation, suggesting that sustained ERK activation leads to tissue architecture disruption in Kras mutant hair follicles. Altogether, our work suggests that oncogenic mutations induce tissue abnormalities when spatiotemporally specific conditions are met, which allows mutant stem cells to disturb local cell coordination through altering dynamic signal communications.
Control of alveolar macrophage differentiation by Siah1a/2 ubiquitin ligases limits carcinogen-induced lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Scortegagna Marzia , Du Yuanning , Bradley Linda M. , Wang Kun , Ruppin Eytan , Murad Rabi , Ronai Ze’ev A. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractTumor microenvironment components, including T and myeloid cells, play important roles in lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) progression and response to therapy. Here, we identify a role for Siah1a/2 ubiquitin ligases in controlling alveolar macrophage (AM) differentiation and urethane-induced LADC. Genetic ablation of Siah1a/2 in AMs enriched their immature state, coinciding with increased pro-tumorigenic and inflammatory gene signatures and abundance of Siah1a/2 substrates NRF2 and β-catenin. Urethane administration to mice enriched the population of monocytic and immature-like AMs, which were more prevalent in the lungs of mice carrying Siah1a/2-ablated macrophages. While resembling transitional profibrotic macrophages often seen in lung fibrosis, enrichment of immature AMs coincided with the development of more frequent and larger lung tumors in urethane-treated mice harboring Siah1a/2 ablated macrophages compared with controls. Gene expression signature of Siah1a/2 ablated immature-like AMs is associated with increased infiltration of CD14+ immune cells and worse survival of LADC patients. Our findings identify Siah1a/2 as gatekeepers of cancer development by controlling AM differentiation and profibrotic phenotypes contributing to carcinogen-induced lung cancer.
Genotypic variation in tolerance to salinity in Pakistani okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) varieties as assessed at seed germination, seedling growth and biochemical characters
Authors: Ullah Hayat , Jan Tour , Wahid Fazal , Zahoor Muhammad , Uddin Shahab , Bibi Shabana 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSalt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that causes reduction in crops yield. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a high-value nutraceutical vegetable because its various parts are used for different purposes. This study was conducted to calculate the salt tolerance among thirteen okra varieties. Different salt (NaCl) levels: 0, 50, 75 and 100 mM were selected to measure the response of the okra varieties to stress. The experimental data showed that all varieties were affected by salt level with a differential variation in their stress response, demonstrating the presence of genetic variability. Five varieties: “NAYAB-F1”, “Arka anamika”, “MALAV-27”, “Sarhad Green” and 051-F1 showed germination at all stress levels (0, 50, 75 and 100 mM), six varieties: “Feveeri Green”, “Punjab Selection”, “Local Multani”, “Shehzadi”, “Green Star” and “Hunza” showed germination at (0, 50 and 75 mM) and two: “Anmol” and “Sabz Pari” showed germination at (0 and 50 mM). As a result of salt stress, germination percentage (PG), leaf fresh and dry weight (LFW and LDW), shoot fresh and dry weight (SFW and SDW), root fresh and dry weight (RFW and RDW) were significantly reduced with increasing stress level. Based on the performance of variety to salt stress, five varieties were selected for biochemical analysis, concentrating on the determination of osmolytes. The values of sugar and proline were affected both by the varieties and salt levels. Variety “NAYAB-F1” showed higher sugar and proline content at all stress levels compared to varieties “Arka anamika”, “MALAV-27”, “051-F1” and Sarhad Green. Correspondingly, in the stressed seedling a decreasing trend in chlorophyll “a” and “b” were noted depending on the varieties and stress concentrations. After a series of experiment, it has been concluded that varieties “NAYAB-F1”, “Arka anamika”, “MALAV-27”, “Sarhad Green” and “051-F1” were recommended as salt tolerant varieties and could be utilized in the breeding program of salt tolerant okra.
Systematic investigation of allelic regulatory activity of schizophrenia-associated common variants
Authors: McAfee Jessica C. , Lee Sool , Lee Jiseok , Bell Jessica L. , Krupa Oleh , Davis Jessica , Insigne Kimberly , Bond Marielle L. , Phanstiel Douglas H. , Love Michael I. , Stein Jason L. , Kosuri Sriram , Won Hyejung 
Published: September 2022

AbstractGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified 145 genomic regions that contribute to schizophrenia risk, but linkage disequilibrium (LD) makes it challenging to discern causal variants. Computational finemapping prioritized thousands of credible variants, ∼98% of which lie within poorly characterized non-coding regions. To functionally validate their regulatory effects, we performed a massively parallel reporter assay (MPRA) on 5,173 finemapped schizophrenia GWAS variants in primary human neural progenitors (HNPs). We identified 439 variants with allelic regulatory effects (MPRA-positive variants), with 71% of GWAS loci containing at least one MPRA-positive variant. Transcription factor binding had modest predictive power for predicting the allelic activity of MPRA-positive variants, while GWAS association, finemap posterior probability, enhancer overlap, and evolutionary conservation failed to predict MPRA-positive variants. Furthermore, 64% of MPRA-positive variants did not exhibit eQTL signature, suggesting that MPRA could identify yet unexplored variants with regulatory potentials. MPRA-positive variants differed from eQTLs, as they were more frequently located in distal neuronal enhancers. Therefore, we leveraged neuronal 3D chromatin architecture to identify 272 genes that physically interact with MPRA-positive variants. These genes annotated by chromatin interactome displayed higher mutational constraints and regulatory complexity than genes annotated by eQTLs, recapitulating a recent finding that eQTL- and GWAS-detected variants map to genes with different properties. Finally, we propose a model in which allelic activity of multiple variants within a GWAS locus can be aggregated to predict gene expression by taking chromatin contact frequency and accessibility into account. In conclusion, we demonstrate that MPRA can effectively identify functional regulatory variants and delineate previously unknown regulatory principles of schizophrenia.
Prevalence and risk factors for long COVID after mild disease: a longitudinal study with a symptomatic control group
Authors: Cazé Ana Beatriz C , Cerqueira-Silva Thiago , Bomfim Adriele Pinheiro , de Souza Gisley Lima , Andrade Azevedo Amanda Canário , Aguiar Brasil Michelle Queiroz , Rúbia Santos Nara , Khouri Ricardo , Dan Jennifer , Bandeira Antonio Carlos , de Goes Cavalcanti Luciano Pamplona , Barral-Netto Manoel , Prado Barral Aldina Maria , Barbosa Cynara Gomes , Boaventura Viviane Sampaio 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundThere is limited data on the prevalence and risk factors for long COVID, with a shortage of prospective studies with appropriate control groups and adequate sample size. We therefore performed a prospective study to determine the prevalence and risk factors for long COVID.MethodsWe recruited patients age ≥ 15 years who were clinically suspected of having acute SARS-CoV-2 infection from September 2020 to April 2021. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for RT-PCR 3-5 days post symptom onset. Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were collected using structured questionnaires from persons positive and negative for SARS-COV-2. Follow-up was performed by telephone interview to assess early outcomes and persistent symptoms. For COVID-19 cases, 5D-3L EuroQol questionnaire was used to assess the impact of symptoms on quality of life.ResultsWe followed 814 participants (412 COVD-19 positive and 402 COVID-19 negative persons) of whom the majority (741 / 814) had mild symptoms. Both the COVID-19 positive and the COVID-19 negative groups had similar sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, except for the rate of hospitalization (15.8% vs 1.5%, respectively). One month after disease onset, 122 (29.6%) individuals reported residual symptoms in the COVID-19 positive group or the long COVID group versus 24 (6%) individuals in the COVID-19 negative group. In the long COVID group, fatigue, olfactory disorder, and myalgia were the most frequent symptoms which occurred in the acute phase. Compared to recovered patients, female sex, older age and having > 5 symptoms during the acute phase were risk factors for long COVID. Quality of life was evaluated in 102 out of 122 cases of long COVID with 57 (55.9%) reporting an impact in at least one dimension of the EuroQol 5D-3L questionnaire.ConclusionIn this prospective study consisting predominantly of patients with mild disease, the persistence of symptoms after acute disease was highly associated with long COVID-19 (29.6% vs 6% of COVID negative group). The risk factors for long COVID were older age, female sex, and polysymptomatic acute disease.
Research and Diagnostic Algorithmic Rules (RADAR) for mood disorders, recurrence of illness, suicidal behaviors, and the patient’s lifetime trajectory
Authors: Maes Michael , Moraes Juliana Brum , Congio Ana , Vargas Heber Odebrecht , Nunes Sandra Odebrecht Vargas 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe top-down DSM/ICD categories of mood disorders are inaccurate, and their dogmatic nature precludes both deductive (as indisputable) and inductive (as top-down) remodeling of case definitions. In trials, psychiatric rating scale scores employed as outcome variables are invalid and rely on folk psychology-like narratives. Using machine learning techniques we developed a new precision nomothetic model of mood disorders with a recurrence of illness (ROI) index, a new endophenotype class, namely Major Dysmood Disorder (MDMD), characterized by increased ROI, a more severe phenome, and more disabilities Nonetheless, our previous studies did not compute Research and Diagnostic Algorithmic Rules (RADAR) to diagnose MDMD and score ROI, lifetime (LT), and current suicidal behaviors, as well as the phenome of mood disorders. Here we provide rules to compute bottom-up RADAR scores for MDMD, ROI, lifetime (LT) and current suicidal SI and SA, the phenome of mood disorders, and the lifetime trajectory of mood disorder patients from a family history of mood disorders and substance abuse to adverse childhood experiences, ROI, and the phenome. We also demonstrate how to plot the 12 major scores in a single RADAR graph, which displays all features in a two-dimensional plot. These graphs allow the characteristics of a patient to be displayed as an idiomatic fingerprint, allowing one to estimate the key traits and severity of the illness at a glance. Consequently, biomarker research into mood disorders should use our RADAR scores to examine pan-omics data, which should be used to enlarge our precision models and RADAR graph.
Distinct origins and transmission pathways ofblaKPCEnterobacterales across three U.S. states
Authors: Lapp Zena , Octaria Rany , O’Malley Sean M. , Nguyen Tu Ngoc , Wolford Hannah , Crawford Ryan , Moore Christina , Vagnone Paula Snippes , Noel Diane , Duffy Nadezhda , Pirani Ali , Thomas Linda S. , Pattee Brittany , Pearson Claire , Bulens Sandra N. , Hoffman Sophie , Kainer Marion , Anacker Melissa , Meek James , See Isaac , Chan Allison , Lynfield Ruth , Maloney Meghan , Hayden Mary K. , Snitkin Evan , Slayton Rachel B. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundCarbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are among the most concerning antibiotic resistance threats due to high rates of multidrug resistance, transmissibility in healthcare settings, and high mortality rates. We evaluated the potential for regional genomic surveillance to trackblaKPC-carrying CRE (KPC-CRE) transmission across healthcare facilities in three U.S. states.MethodsClinical isolates were collected from Connecticut (CT; 2017-2018), Minnesota (MN; 2012-2018), and Tennessee (TN; 2016-2017) through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Multi-site Gram-negative Surveillance Initiative and additional surveillance. KPC-CRE isolates were whole-genome sequenced, and case report data on patient comorbidities, healthcare utilization, and interfacility patient transfer were extracted.FindingsIn CT, most KPC-CRE isolates showed evidence of importation from outside the state, with limited local transmission. In MN, cases were mainly from sporadic importation and transmission ofblaKPC-carryingKlebsiella pneumoniae(KPC-Kp) ST258, and clonal expansion of an imported epidemic lineage ofblaKPC-carryingEnterobacter hormaechei(KPC-Ec) ST171 primarily at a single focal facility and its satellite facilities. In TN, KPC-Kp ST258, and more recently emerged KPC-Kp ST307 and KPC-Eh ST114 were most common, with largely non-overlapping facility networks mediating the spread of ST258 versus ST307 and ST114.ConclusionsThe underlying processes driving KPC-CRE burden can differ substantially across regions, and different STs can spread via distinct pathways within a region. Integrating genomic and epidemiological data from regional surveillance, and information on interfacility patient transfers, can provide insights to target interventions.
Stakeholders’ perspectives on the feasibility of adopting a Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program in Philadelphia: A qualitative study
Authors: Nguyen Duong T , Nguyen Chau , Pintor Jessie , Huynh Tran B 
Published: September 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe California Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program is a statewide initiative to incentivize nail salons to adopt safer practices such as use of safer nail products without certain harmful chemicals, installation of ventilation systems, proper personal protective equipment use, and staff training. This public policy intervention is in response to the call to protect nail care workers, mostly women of color, who bear disproportionate burden of chemical exposure at work. Because there is interest from the community to adopt similar program in the Greater Philadelphia region, we conducted this formative research to document stakeholders’ perspectives on the feasibility of adopting the Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program in Philadelphia.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 31 stakeholders in Philadelphia in 2021. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science as our theoretical framework, we developed the interview guide and analyzed the data using qualitative research method to identify key facilitators and barriers.ResultsKey facilitating themes were perceived need and benefits of program to improve workers’ health and working conditions, and willingness of stakeholders to leverage their organizational resources. Barriers included perceived high cost and time commitment from salon owners and employees, lack of funding and implementation leaders at the city government, community members’ willingness to be visible and advocate for the program affected by the stigmas of being immigrant workers, fear of interacting with authorities, as well as the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Our results suggest successful adoption of the Healthy Nail Salon Recognition Program in Philadelphia will require outreach within the community to raise awareness of the benefits of the program and close partnership with community-based organizations to facilitate mutual understanding between the authority and the ethnically diverse nail salon communities.
Neutralizing antibodies following three doses of BNT162b2 vaccine, breakthrough infection, and symptoms during the Omicron predominant wave
Authors: Yamamoto Shohei , Matsuda Kouki , Maeda Kenji , Horii Kumi , Okudera Kaori , Oshiro Yusuke , Inamura Natsumi , Takeuchi Junko S. , Konishi Maki , Ozeki Mitsuru , Mizoue Tetsuya , Sugiyama Haruhito , Aoyanagi Nobuyoshi , Mitsuya Hiroaki , Sugiura Wataru , Ohmagari Norio 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundData on the role of immunogenicity following the third vaccine dose against Omicron infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-compatible symptoms of infection are limited.MethodsFirst we examined vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the third-dose against the second dose during the Omicron wave among the staff at a tertiary hospital in Tokyo. In a case-control study of a cohort of third vaccine recipients, we compared the pre-infection levels of live-virus neutralizing antibodies (NAb) against Omicron between breakthrough cases and their controls, who had close contact with COVID-19 patients. Among these cases, we examined the association between pre-infection NAb levels and the number of COVID-19-compatible symptoms experienced during the Omicron wave.ResultsAmong the 1456 participants for VE analysis, 60 (4%) breakthrough infections occurred during the Omicron wave (January to March 2022). The third-dose VE for infection, relative to the second dose was 54.6% (95% CI: 14.0–76.0). Among the recipients of the third vaccine, pre-infection NAb levels against Omicron did not significantly differ between the cases and controls. Among the cases, those who experienced COVID-19-compatible symptoms had lower pre-infection NAb levels against Omicron than those who did not.ConclusionsThe third vaccine dose was effective in decreasing the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection during the Omicron wave compared with the second dose. Among third-dose recipients, higher pre-infection NAb levels may not be associated with a lower risk of Omicron infection. Contrarily, they may be associated with fewer symptoms of infection.SummaryThe third vaccine dose reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection risk during the Omicron wave. Higher neutralizing antibody levels may not reduce Omicron infection risk in third-dose patients. On the contrary, it may be associated with fewer symptoms of infection.
Estimation of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination Effectiveness in Tokyo for Omicron Variants BA.2 and BA.5 -Effect of Social Behavior-
Authors: Kodera Sachiko , Niimi Yuki , Rashed Essam A. , Yoshinaga Naoki , Toyoda Masashi , Hirata Akimasa 
Published: September 2022

AbstractVariability of COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness (VE) should be assessed with a resolution of a few days assuming that VE is influenced by public behavior and social activity. Here the VE for the Omicron variants (BA.2 and BA.5) is numerically derived for Japan’s population for the second and third vaccination doses. We then evaluated the daily VE variation caused by our social behavior from the daily data reports for Tokyo. The vaccination effectiveness for Omicron variants (BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5) are derived from the data of Japan and Tokyo with a computational approach. In addition, the effect of different parameters regarding human behavior on VE is assessed using daily data in Tokyo. The individual VE for the Omicron BA.2 in Japan was 61% (95%CI: 57%–65%) for the vaccination second dose from our computation, whereas that for the third dose was 86% (95% CI: 84%–88%). The individual BA.5 VE for the second and third doses are 37% (95% CI: 33%–40%) and 63% (95% CI: 61%–65%). The reduction of daily VE from estimated value was close correlated to the number of tweets related to social gathering in Twitter. The number of tweets considered here would be one of new candidates for VE evaluation and surveillance affecting the viral transmission.