bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deletion of NFIX results in defective progression through meiosis within the mouse testis
Authors: Davila Raul Ayala , Spiller Cassy , Harkins Danyon , Harvey Tracey , Jordan Philip W , Gronostajski Richard M , Piper Michael , Bowles Josephine 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMembers of the nuclear factor I (NFI) family are key regulators of stem cell biology during development, with well-documented roles for NFIA, NFIB, and NFIX in a variety of developing tissues, including brain, muscle, and lung. Given the central role these factors play in stem cell biology, we posited that they may be pivotal for spermatogonial stem cells or further developing spermatogonia during testicular development. Surprisingly, in stark contrast to other developing organ systems where NFI members are co-expressed, these NFI family members show discrete patterns of expression within the seminiferous tubules. Sertoli cells (spermatogenic supporting cells) express NFIA, spermatocytes express NFIX, round spermatids express NFIB, and peritubular myoid cells express each of these three family members. Further analysis of NFIX expression during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium revealed expression not in spermatogonia, as we anticipated, but in spermatocytes. These data suggested a potential role for NFIX in spermatogenesis. To investigate, we analyzed mice with constitutive deletion of Nfix (Nfix-null). Assessment of germ cells in the postnatal day 20 (P20) testes of Nfix-null mice revealed that spermatocytes initiate meiosis, but zygotene stage spermatocytes display structural defects in the synaptonemal complex, and increased instances of unrepaired DNA double-strand breaks. Many developing spermatocytes in the Nfix-null testis exhibited multinucleation. As a result of these defects, spermatogenesis is blocked at early diplotene and very few round spermatids are produced. Collectively, these novel data establish the global requirement for NFIX in correct meiotic progression during the first wave of spermatogenesis.
A world alone: Masculinities, humiliation and aggrieved entitlement on an incel forum
Authors: Thorburn Joshua , Powell Anastasia , Chambers Peter 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAn emerging body of criminological research has sought to investigate the ‘incels’ movement. This article explores the construction of masculinities, gender and violence in a popular incel online forum. Here, we discuss results from a digital ethnography incorporating qualitative analysis of user posts, with a focus on three key overarching themes, namely: biological determinism, masculine humiliation and hierarchical gender relations. Our analysis draws on concepts such as hegemonic and hybrid masculinities (Demetriou 2001; Connell 2005; Bridges and Pascoe 2014), as well as Kimmel’s (2013) notion of ‘aggrieved entitlement’, to further develop understandings of the complexity of users’ framings of gender and masculine identity within the forum. Implications for future research in the field are then discussed.
Fear of Economic Cybercrime Across Europe: A Multilevel Application of Routine Activity Theory
Authors: Cook Steven , Giommoni Luca , Trajtenberg Pareja Nicolas , Levi Michael , Williams Matthew L 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDespite the increasing prevalence of cybercrime and its study by criminologists, very little research has examined the extent, nature, and impact of fear of cybercrime. In this study, we conducted a multilevel analysis of the 2018 Eurobarometer Cybersecurity Survey to test the applicability of routine activities theory on fear of economic cybercrime. We contribute to the literature by demonstrating that: (1) fear of economic cybercrime varies across EU member states; (2) country-level infrastructure development and income inequality are predictive of individual-level fear; (3) individual-level routine activities and sociodemographic variables are associated with fear; (4) country-level infrastructure development moderates the effects of individual-level guardianship. This paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of including country-level and individual-level determinants in fear of cybercrime research.
DNA methylation in relation to gestational age and brain dysmaturation in preterm infants
Authors: Wheater Emily N. W. , Galdi Paola , McCartney Daniel L. , Blesa Manuel , Sullivan Gemma , Stoye David Q. , Lamb Gillian , Sparrow Sarah , Murphy Lee , Wrobel Nicola , Quigley Alan J. , Semple Scott , Thrippleton Michael J. , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Bastin Mark E. , Marioni Riccardo E. , Cox Simon R. , Boardman James P. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Preterm birth is associated with dysconnectivity of structural brain networks and is a leading cause of neurocognitive impairment in childhood. Variation in DNA methylation is associated with early exposure to extrauterine life but there has been little research exploring its relationship with brain development. Using genome-wide DNA methylation data from the saliva of 258 neonates, we investigated the impact of gestational age on the methylome and performed functional analysis to identify enriched gene sets from probes that contributed to differentially methylated probes or regions. We tested the hypothesis that variation in DNA methylation could underpin the association between low gestational age at birth and atypical brain development by linking differentially methylated probes with measures of white matter connectivity derived from diffusion MRI metrics: peak width skeletonized mean diffusivity, peak width skeletonized fractional anisotropy and peak width skeletonized neurite density index. Gestational age at birth was associated with widespread differential methylation at term equivalent age, with genome-wide significant associations observed for 8870 CpG probes (P &lt; 3.6 × 10−8) and 1767 differentially methylated regions. Functional analysis identified 14 enriched gene ontology terms pertaining to cell–cell contacts and cell–extracellular matrix contacts. Principal component analysis of probes with genome-wide significance revealed a first principal component that explained 23.5% of the variance in DNA methylation, and this was negatively associated with gestational age at birth. The first principal component was associated with peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (β = 0.349, P = 8.37 × 10−10) and peak width skeletonized neurite density index (β = 0.364, P = 4.15 × 10−5), but not with peak width skeletonized fraction anisotropy (β = −0.035, P = 0.510); these relationships mirrored the imaging metrics’ associations with gestational age at birth. Low gestational age at birth has a profound and widely distributed effect on the neonatal saliva methylome that is apparent at term equivalent age. Enriched gene ontology terms related to cell–cell contacts reveal pathways that could mediate the effect of early life environmental exposures on development. Finally, associations between differential DNA methylation and image markers of white matter tract microstructure suggest that variation in DNA methylation may provide a link between preterm birth and the dysconnectivity of developing brain networks that characterizes atypical brain development in preterm infants.
Temporal dynamic patterns of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex underlie the association between rumination and depression
Authors: Gao Wei , Biswal Bharat , Yang Jiemin , Li Songlin , Wang YanQing , Chen Shengdong , Yuan JiaJin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAs a major contributor to the development of depression, rumination has proven linked with aberrant default-mode network (DMN) activity. However, it remains unclear how the spontaneous spatial and temporal activity of DMN underlie the association between rumination and depression. To illustrate this issue, behavioral measures and resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were connected in 2 independent samples (NSample1 = 100, NSample2 = 95). Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) were used to assess spatial characteristic patterns, while voxel-wise functional concordance (across time windows) (VC) and Hurst exponent (HE) were used to assess temporal dynamic patterns of brain activity. Results from both samples consistently show that temporal dynamics but not spatial patterns of DMN are associated with rumination. Specifically, rumination is positively correlated with HE and VC (but not fALFF and ReHo) values, reflecting more consistent and regular temporal dynamic patterns in DMN. Moreover, subregion analyses indicate that temporal dynamics of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) reliably predict rumination scores. Furthermore, mediation analyses show that HE and VC of VMPFC mediate the association between rumination and depression. These findings shed light on neural mechanisms of individual differences in rumination and corresponding risk for depression.
Prestimulus amygdala spectral activity is associated with visual face awareness
Authors: Guex Raphael , Ros Tomas , Mégevand Pierre , Spinelli Laurent , Seeck Margitta , Vuilleumier Patrik , Domínguez-Borràs Judith 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAlpha cortical oscillations have been proposed to suppress sensory processing in the visual, auditory, and tactile domains, influencing conscious stimulus perception. However, it is unknown whether oscillatory neural activity in the amygdala, a subcortical structure involved in salience detection, has a similar impact on stimulus awareness. Recording intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) from 9 human amygdalae during face detection in a continuous flash suppression task, we found increased spectral prestimulus power and phase coherence, with most consistent effects in the alpha band, when faces were undetected relative to detected, similarly as previously observed in cortex with this task using scalp-EEG. Moreover, selective decreases in the alpha and gamma bands preceded face detection, with individual prestimulus alpha power correlating negatively with detection rate in patients. These findings reveal for the first time that prestimulus subcortical oscillations localized in human amygdala may contribute to perceptual gating mechanisms governing subsequent face detection and offer promising insights on the role of this structure in visual awareness.
Predicting Airborne Infection Risk: Association Between Personal Ambient Carbon Dioxide Level Monitoring and Incidence of Tuberculosis Infection in South African Health Workers
Authors: Nathavitharana Ruvandhi R , Mishra Hridesh , Sullivan Amanda , Hurwitz Shelley , Lederer Philip , Meintjes Jack , Nardell Edward , Theron Grant 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background
High rates of tuberculosis (TB) transmission occur in hospitals in high-incidence countries, yet there is no validated way to evaluate the impact of hospital design and function on airborne infection risk. We hypothesized that personal ambient carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring could serve as a surrogate measure of rebreathed air exposure associated with TB infection risk in health workers (HWs).

Methods
We analyzed baseline and repeat (12-month) interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) results in 138 HWs in Cape Town, South Africa. A random subset of HWs with a baseline negative QuantiFERON Plus (QFT-Plus) underwent personal ambient CO2 monitoring.

Results
Annual incidence of TB infection (IGRA conversion) was high (34%). Junior doctors were less likely to have a positive baseline IGRA than other HWs (OR, 0.26; P = .005) but had similar IGRA conversion risk. IGRA converters experienced higher median CO2 levels compared to IGRA nonconverters using quantitative QFT-Plus thresholds of ≥0.35 IU/mL (P &lt; .02) or ≥1 IU/mL (P &lt; .01). Median CO2 levels were predictive of IGRA conversion (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; P = .04, ≥1 IU/mL threshold). Ordinal logistic regression demonstrated that the odds of a higher repeat quantitative IGRA result increased by almost 2-fold (OR, 1.81; P = .01) per 100 ppm unit increase in median CO2 levels, suggesting a dose-dependent response.

Conclusions
HWs face high occupational TB risk. Increasing median CO2 levels (indicative of poor ventilation and/or high occupancy) were associated with higher likelihood of HW TB infection. Personal ambient CO2 monitoring may help target interventions to decrease TB transmission in healthcare facilities and help HWs self-monitor occupational risk, with implications for other airborne infections including coronavirus disease 2019.
hCoronavirusesDB: an integrated bioinformatics resource for human coronaviruses
Authors: Almansour Iman , Boudellioua Imane 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
In the twenty-first century, three new human coronaviruses have been identified with known zoonotic origins: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), SARS-CoV-2, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). SARS-CoV-2 was identified in November 2019 and is associated with an ongoing pandemic. Molecular surveillance and monitoring studies are essential for containing viral outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. In addition, the development and deployment of bioinformatics resources for highly pathogenic human coronaviruses are crucial for understanding the genetic and immunogenic landscape associated with these viruses. Here, we introduce an open-access, integrated resource for SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV: the Human Coronaviruses Database and Analysis Resource (hCoronavirusesDB; http://hcoronaviruses.net/), which include nucleotide and protein sequence data obtained for these viruses. The database also offers a user-friendly search interface coupled with bioinformatics analytics and visualization tools. In addition, hCoronavirusesDB contains curated, experimentally validated B cell and T cell epitope data for these viruses. This resource can assist with the molecular surveillance necessary to trace virus circulation and contribute to microevolutionary studies. This application can also serve as a valuable resource for the development of rationally designed pan-coronavirus diagnostic tools, vaccines, and therapeutic agents.
Database URL:http://hcoronaviruses.net/
Population Dynamics of Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Strawberry Cultivars in Southern Brazil
Authors: de Souza Mireli Trombin , de Souza Michele Trombin , Chek Priscila Aparecida , Bernardi Daniel , Mógor Átila Francisco , Zawadneak Maria Aparecida Cassilha 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis is a polyphagous thrips species that has been reported as a potential pest in strawberry cultivation in Brazil. Since it has only recently emerged as a pest species in production areas, understanding seasonal trends in the species’ activity is particularly important for designing management strategies. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of climate factors (temperature and relative humidity) and six strawberry cultivars (‘Albion’, ‘Aromas’, ‘Camino Real’, ‘Monterey’, ‘Portola’, and ‘San Andreas’) on the population dynamics of H. haemorrhoidalis during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 growing seasons in southern Brazil. The greatest peak in thrips populations in the cultivars assessed occurred between January and March (summer) in both growing seasons. The relationship between the incidence of H. haemorrhoidalis and temperature was observed to be negative during the autumn, spring, and summer months but positive during winter. Relative humidity levels above 70% had a negative influence on the abundance of insects. Populations of H. haemorrhoidalis varied between the cultivars as follows: ‘Aromas’ &gt; ‘Monterey’ &gt; ‘San Andreas’ &gt; ‘Albion’ &gt; ‘Camino Real’ &gt; ‘Portola’. Cross-sections of strawberry leaves showed that ‘Monterey’ had the highest density of nonglandular trichomes/mm2 (7.26), while ‘Portola’ cultivar, the greatest predominance of glandular trichomes/mm2 (12.67), which may have contributed to the incidence of H. haemorrhoidalis. The demographic information presented on H. haemorrhoidalis in strawberry cultivars provides a starting point to better understand the insect’s population dynamics. These results also indicate that climatic conditions are a limiting factor for the development of H. haemorrhoidalis.
Histopathological maladaptive changes in the explanted human mitral leaflets correlate with changes in echocardiographic leaflet morphology and the severity of ischaemic mitral regurgitation
Authors: Avila-Vanzzini Nydia , Lancellotti Patrizio , Fernandez Calix Luis Alberto , De León López Wilman , Berrios-Bárcenas Enrique , Aranda-Fraustro Alberto , Jordan-Rios Antonio , Herrera-Bello Hector , Rivera-Lara Pedro , Arias-Godínez Jose Antonio , Vannan Mani A 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimsSeveral changes of the mitral valve (MV) morphology have been previously documented in ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) upon macro and microscopic examination. This study aimed to correlate echocardiographic MV thickening with IMR severity and to delineate the histopathological basis of valve thickening from the explanted leaflets.Methods and resultsTwo hundred and fifty patients were included in the echo-group; of these, 48 patients (19.2%) underwent surgical mitral valve replacement (MVR), including them in the histology-group. By echocardiography, the thickness of the anterior and posterior leaflet was more extensive in moderate to severe IMR, P &lt; 0.001. Histology-group: patients were divided into two groups based on the median thickness: those with cusp thickness &lt;0.42 cm in Group 1, and ≥0.42 cm in Group 2. The thickness of the base and cusp was more significant in Group 2, P &lt; 0.05 in both. Group 2 biopsies were characterized by involvement of the three leaflet segments, myxoid tissue, and fibrosis deposition. Thicker leaflets were associated with a greater degree of mitral regurgitation (MR), P &lt; 0.0001. In the echo-group, a median leaflet thickness of 3.5 mm of the anterior and posterior MV was independently associated with moderate to severe ischaemic MR [odds ratio (OR) 2.88, P &lt; 0.01] and (OR 10.8, P &lt; 0.001), respectively.ConclusionIn ischaemic MR, the thicker the cusps, the worse the MR. Leaflet thickening was due to the myxoid and fibrosis deposition and was detected by echocardiography. Therefore, this method can be helpful in the evaluation of valve remodelling.
Migration and descent, adaptations to altitude and tuberculosis in Nepalis and Tibetans
Authors: Corbett Stephen , Cho Jin-Gun , Ulbricht Evan , Sintchenko Vitali 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background
High rates of tuberculosis (TB) in migrants from Tibet and Nepal have been documented for over 120 years and were previously ascribed to poor living conditions in the places of settlement. Adaptations to altitude involving genes in the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor pathway are present in 90–95% of Tibetans and in Nepalis these allele frequencies increase by 17% with each 1000 m increase in altitude.

Methods
We calculated the incidence of TB by country of origin in immigrants from South and East Asia in New South Wales (NSW), Australia between 2004 and 2018, and compared disease severity, site of infection, evidence of local transmission and prevalence of latent TB, among these groups.

Results
The incidence of active TB was consistently higher among 30 000 Nepalese and 1000 Tibetans than among all other immigrants to NSW. Nepal was the only country of origin where TB incidence in immigrants was not significantly lower than the reported TB incidence in the country of origin.

Conclusions and implications
High rates of TB among Nepalese and Tibetan immigrants in Australia are unlikely to be attributable to pre-existing disease or local acquisition. Phenotypic effects of high-altitude adaptations may include a dampening of inflammatory responses to hypoxia, an effect unmasked by descent to a normoxic environment. A corollary of these findings may be that hypoxia-induced inflammation limits TB progression, reconfirming previous explanations for the apparent efficacy of high-altitude sanatoria. If vindicated by subsequent research, these provisional findings could open new avenues into preventive and host-directed interventions for tuberculosis.

Lay Summary
The incidence of tuberculosis among Nepalese immigrants to Australia and other people of Tibetan heritage who migrate to lower altitudes is very high. In these screened populations, pre-existing active TB or locally acquired infection are unlikely explanations. We suggest that adaptations to altitude combined with descent to higher oxygen levels in air at sea level may be contributing factors.
Alternative Polyadenylation Utilization Results in Ribosome Assembly and mRNA Translation Deficiencies in a Model for Muscle Aging
Authors: Mei Hailiang , Boom Jasper , el Abdellaoui Salma , Abdelmohsen Kotb , Munk Rachel , Martindale Jennifer L , Kloet Susan , Kielbasa Szymone M , Sharp Thomas H , Gorospe Myriam , Raz Vered 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAging-associated muscle wasting is regulated by multiple molecular processes, whereby aberrant mRNA processing regulation induces muscle wasting. The poly(A)-binding protein nuclear 1 (PABPN1) regulates polyadenylation site (PAS) utilization, in the absence of PABPN1 the alternative polyadenylation (APA) is utilized. Reduced PABPN1 levels induce muscle wasting where the expression of cellular processes regulating protein homeostasis, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and translation, are robustly dysregulated. Translation is affected by mRNA levels, but PABPN1 impact on translation is not fully understood. Here we show that a persistent reduction in PABPN1 levels led to a significant loss of translation efficiency. RNA-sequencing of rRNA-depleted libraries from polysome traces revealed reduced mRNA abundance across ribosomal fractions, as well as reduced levels of small RNAs. We show that the abundance of translated mRNAs in the polysomes correlated with PAS switches at the 3′-UTR. Those mRNAs are enriched in cellular processes that are essential for proper muscle function. This study suggests that the effect of PABPN1 on translation efficiency impacts protein homeostasis in aging-associated muscle atrophy.
Shifts in Older Adults’ Social Connections Throughout the Initial Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Fuller Heather R , Huseth-Zosel Andrea , Hofmann Brittany , Van Vleet Bryce , Kinkade Emily , Carlson Shawn L , Sturn Emily 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background and Objectives
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exposed older adults to increased health risks, yet social distancing precautions also heightened risks to their social well-being. This mixed-methods study explores changes in older adults’ satisfaction with social engagement and interpersonal connections throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Design and Methods
A Midwestern sample of 76 older adults aged 70–97 completed a series of 4 interviews from March 2020 through April 2021 about their experiences with COVID-19 social distancing precautions. Participants reported social engagement satisfaction and frequency of contact with family and friends. Additionally, they responded to open-ended questions about social connection experiences.

Results
Satisfaction with social engagement rebounded with significant increases across the year of the pandemic, whereas frequency of contact shifted from high remote contact early in the pandemic to greater in-person contact over time, with nuanced distinctions between family and friends. Qualitative thematic analysis identified themes including: (1) shifts in family support, (2) adaptable and flexible friendships, (3) social isolation fatigue, and (4) communication through technology. Within each theme, perceptions of interpersonal connections shifted over time.

Discussion and Implications
Findings suggest diverse social connection experiences among older adults, yet general patterns of strong social connections and adaptation over time. Future research should build upon these findings to better understand older adults’ social needs and seek to explore ways to best foster social connections during instances of forced social isolation or historical crises.