julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
A modified Camel and Cactus Test detects presymptomatic semantic impairment in genetic frontotemporal dementia within the GENFI cohort
2020-02-05

Impaired semantic knowledge is a characteristic feature of some forms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), particularly the sporadic disorder semantic dementia. Less is known about semantic cognition in the genetic forms of FTD caused by mutations in the genes <i>MAPT</i>, <i>C9orf72</i>, and <i>GRN</i>. We developed a modified version of the Camel and Cactus Test (mCCT) to investigate the presence of semantic difficulties in a large genetic FTD cohort from the Genetic FTD Initiative (GENFI) study. Six-hundred-forty-four participants were tested with the mCCT including 67 <i>MAPT</i> mutation carriers (15 symptomatic, and 52 in the presymptomatic period), 165 <i>GRN</i> mutation carriers (33 symptomatic, 132 presymptomatic), and 164 <i>C9orf72</i> mutation carriers (56 symptomatic, 108 presymptomatic) and 248 mutation-negative members of FTD families who acted as a control group. The presymptomatic mutation carriers were further split into those early and late in the presymptomatic period (more than vs. within 10 years of expected symptom onset). Groups were compared using a linear regression model, adjusting for age and education, with bootstrapping. Performance on the mCCT had a weak negative correlation with age (rho = -0.20) and a weak positive correlation with education (rho = 0.13), with an overall abnormal score (below the 5th percentile of the control population) being below 27 out of a total of 32. All three of the symptomatic mutation groups scored significantly lower than controls: <i>MAPT</i> mean 22.3 (standard deviation 8.0), <i>GRN</i> 24.4 (7.2), <i>C9orf72</i> 23.6 (6.5) and controls 30.2 (1.6). However, in the presymptomatic groups, only the late <i>MAPT</i> and late <i>C9orf72</i> mutation groups scored lower than controls (28.8 (2.2) and 28.9 (2.5) respectively). Performance on the mCCT correlated strongly with temporal lobe volume in the symptomatic <i>MAPT</i> mutation group (rho > 0.80). In the <i>C9orf72</i> group, mCCT score correlated with both bilateral temporal lobe volume (rho > 0.31) and bilateral frontal lobe volume (rho > 0.29), whilst in the <i>GRN</i> group mCCT score correlated only with left frontal lobe volume (rho = 0.48). This study provides evidence for presymptomatic impaired semantic knowledge in genetic FTD. The different neuroanatomical associations of the mCCT score may represent distinct cognitive processes causing deficits in different groups: loss of core semantic knowledge associated with temporal lobe atrophy (particularly in the <i>MAPT</i> group), and impaired executive control of semantic information associated with frontal lobe atrophy. Further studies will be helpful to address the longitudinal change in mCCT performance and the exact time at which presymptomatic impairment occurs.
Modulation of Immune Responses by Platelet-Derived ADAM10
2020-02-05

Platelets have a crucial function in maintaining hemostasis. However, beyond their role in coagulation and thrombus formation, platelets have been implicated to affect various pathophysiological conditions such as infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. It is well-established that platelets aid local cancer growth by providing growth factors or contributing to cancer angiogenesis. In addition, they promote metastasis, among others by facilitation of tumor cell-extravasation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transition as well as protecting metastasizing cancer cells from immunosurveillance. A variety of membrane-bound and soluble platelet-derived factors are involved in these processes, and many aspects of platelet biology in both health and disease are regulated by platelet-associated metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. Platelets synthesize (i) members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family and also inhibitors of MMPs such as members of the "tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases" (TIMP) family as well as (ii) members of the "a disintegrin and metalloproteinase" (ADAM) family including ADAM10. Notably, platelet-associated metalloproteinase activity not only influences functions of platelets themselves: platelets can also induce expression and/or release of metalloproteinases e.g., in leukocytes or cancer cells, and ADAMs are emerging as important components by which platelets directly affect other cell types and function. This review outlines the function of metalloproteinases in platelet biology with a focus on ADAM10 and discusses the role of platelet-derived metalloproteinases in the interaction of platelets with components of the immune system and/or cancer cells.
Purified and specific cytoplasmic pollen extract: a non-hormonal alternative for the treatment of menopausal symptoms
2020-02-05

Research into non-hormonal, alternative therapies is necessary for women for whom menopausal hormone therapy is contraindicated or for women who do not wish to take hormones. This review focuses on one such non-hormonal option, namely, purified and specific cytoplasmic pollen extract, or PureCyTonin<sup>®</sup>. This extract has been evaluated in several preclinical and clinical studies, where it demonstrated its value as a safe and non-estrogenic alternative for menopause. This review presents the beneficial effects of PureCyTonin<sup>®</sup> in the treatment of menopausal symptoms (e.g. hot flushes) in healthy women, as well as in premenstrual syndrome. We discuss the mechanism of action of PureCyTonin<sup>®</sup>, an SSRI-'like' therapy. The lack of estrogenic effect demonstrated in preclinical studies suggests that PureCyTonin<sup>®</sup> may also be a suitable option for the management of menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer.
Combination of ultra-low-dose isotretinoin and antihistamines in treating Morbihan disease – a new long-term approach with excellent results and a minimum of side effects
2020-02-05

Morbihan disease is characterized by erythema and solid edema in the two upper thirds of the face. Underlying factors are an imbalance in lymphatic drainage, chronic inflammation, and mast cells leading to fibrosis. Treatment options known thus far have led to unsatisfactory results and have often been associated with a greater risk of side effects; even invasive options have been applied. This study presents four patients treated with a combination of ultra-low-dose isotretinoin and antihistamines for a mean duration of 14 months. While no side effects other than dryness of the lips were noted, a significant reduction of the erythema and edema could be observed in all patients. Specialists evaluated the treatment's success by photodocumentation and measured a 91.5% alleviation of erythema, and 85% reduction of edema, respectively. Based on these results, this new regimen in the therapeutic approach toward Morbihan disease is suggested due to its anti-inflammatory features and low risk of side effects.
Most (but not all) quantifiers are interpreted immediately in visual context
2020-02-05

The present ERP study used picture-sentence verification to investigate the neurolinguistic correlates of online semantic processing. We examined the effects of positive and negative polarity on the N400 in sentences containing the quantifiers <i>more than half</i> and <i>fewer than half</i>. Contrary to previous studies, we examined logical-semantic processes independently of lexical associations and world knowledge, and we used materials that were balanced with respect to the formal-semantic properties of polar quantifiers. Using picture-sentence verification, we examined the N400 at different sentence positions and thus controlled for contextual properties and predictability across the sentence. Our findings replicate delayed effects associated with negative quantifiers: For positive quantifiers, the truth-evaluation process had an immediate effect on the N400 across the sentence, while no incremental effects were found for negative quantifiers. Our results are compatible with predictive approaches suggesting that the increased semantic complexity of negative quantifiers affects the processing of later sentence regions.
Small fish, big prospects: using zebrafish to unravel the mechanisms of hereditary hearing loss
2020-02-06

Over the past decade, advancements in high-throughput sequencing have greatly enhanced our knowledge of the mutational signatures responsible for hereditary hearing loss. In its present state, the field has a largely uncensored view of protein coding changes in a growing number of genes that have been associated with hereditary hearing loss, and many more that have been proposed as candidate genes. Sequencing data can now be generated using methods that have become widespread and affordable. The greatest hurdles facing the field concern functional validation of uncharacterized genes and rapid application to human diseases, including hearing and balance disorders. To date, over 30 hearing-related disease models exist in zebrafish. New genome editing technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9 will accelerate the functional validation of hearing loss genes and variants in zebrafish. Here, we discuss current progress in the field and recent advances in genome editing approaches.
Origin of Meteoric Fluids in Extensional Detachments
2020-02-06

Minerals in veins and shear zones often show oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios that are interpreted as recording interaction with meteoric water, at depths up to about 10 km. Downward fluid flow to these depths can only occur in the unlikely case of fluid pressures that are significantly lower than lithostatic overburden pressures. We therefore propose that fluid movement was upward instead of downward. In our model, the pore space within sediments and exhumed rocks below an unconformity is filled with meteoric and possibly seawater fluids. Burial of these rocks traps the fluids that can retain their meteoric isotopic composition as long as temperatures remain below about 300-350°C. Extension or rapid exhumation, such as that experienced by metamorphic core complexes, which results in decompression or fluid heating can release these old “meteoric” fluids, of which we find the isotopic fingerprint in veins and shear zone minerals.
Stroke unit admission is associated with better outcome and lower mortality in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage
2020-02-06

Background and purpose There is no clear consensus among current guidelines on the preferred admission ward [i.e. intensive care unit (ICU) or stroke unit (SU)] for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Based on expert opinion, the American Heart Association and European Stroke Organization recommend treatment in neurological/neuroscience ICUs (NICUs) or SUs. The European Stroke Organization guideline states that there are no studies available directly comparing outcomes between ICUs and SUs. Methods We performed an observational study comparing outcomes of 10 811 consecutive non‐comatose patients with intracerebral hemorrhage according to admission ward [ICUs, SUs and normal wards (NWs)]. Primary outcomes were the modified Rankin Scale score at discharge and intrahospital mortality. An additional analysis compared NICUs with SUs. Results Treatment outside an SU was associated with higher odds for an unfavorable outcome [ICU vs. SU: odds ratio (OR), 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09–1.46; NW vs. SU: OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.08–1.52] and higher odds for intrahospital mortality (ICU vs. SU: OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.75–2.55; NW vs. SU: OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.23–1.89). A subgroup analysis of severely affected patients treated in dedicated NICUs (vs. SUs) showed that they had a lower risk of a poor outcome (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26–0.79). Conclusions Treatment in SUs was associated with better functional outcome and reduced mortality compared with ICUs and NWs. Our findings support the current guideline recommendations to treat patients with intracerebral hemorrhage in SUs or NICUs and suggest that some patients may further benefit from NICU treatment.
Untangling the Ties Between Social Cognition and Body Motion: Gender Impact
2020-02-06

We proved the viability of the general hypothesis that biological motion (BM) processing serves as a hallmark of social cognition. We assumed that BM processing and inferring emotions through BM (body language reading) are firmly linked and examined whether this tie is gender-specific. Healthy females and males completed two tasks with the same set of point-light BM displays portraying angry and neutral locomotion of female and male actors. For one task, perceivers had to indicate actor gender, while for the other, they had to infer the emotional content of locomotion. Thus, with identical visual input, we directed task demands either to BM processing or inferring of emotion. This design allows straight comparison between sensitivity to BM and recognition of emotions conveyed by the same BM. In addition, perceivers were administered a set of photographs from the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), with which they identified either emotional state or actor gender. Although there were no gender differences in performance on BM tasks, a tight link occurred between recognition accuracy of emotions and gender through BM in males. In females only, body language reading (both accuracy and response time) was associated with performance on the RMET. The outcome underscores gender-specific modes in visual social cognition and triggers investigation of body language reading in a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders.
First Report of Kosakonia radicincitans Bacteraemia from Europe (Austria) - Identification and Whole-Genome Sequencing of Strain DSM 107547
2020-02-06

Abstract Kosakonia radicincitans is a species within the new genus Kosakonia . Many strains of this genus have been isolated from plants, but some strains are assumed to act as facultative human pathogens. In this study, an in-depth analysis of a Kosakonia isolate from human blood was performed. The strain was originally isolated from blood and identified as a member of the Enterobacter cloacae complex, exhibiting an atypical result in susceptibility testing. Therefore, the genetic background was examined, including phylogenetic classification and screening for virulence factors. Using whole-genome sequencing, the isolate was identified as a K. radicincitans strain, revealing a virulence gene cluster for yersiniabactin biosynthesis in contrast to all other strains of the species. Whole-genome sequencing was the perfect method for identifying putative virulence factors of a particular Kosakonia strain and will help distinguish beneficial strains from pathogenic strains in the future. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Kosakonia -related bacteraemia from Europe.
Surface-Controlled Crystal Alignment of Naphthyl End-Capped Oligothiophene on Graphene: Thin-Film Growth Studied by in Situ X-ray Diffraction
2020-02-06

We report on the microstructure, morphology, and growth of 5,5'-bis(naphth-2-yl)-2,2'-bithiophene (NaT2) thin films deposited on graphene, characterized by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and complemented by atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. NaT2 is deposited on two types of graphene surfaces: custom-made samples where chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene layers are transferred onto a Si/SiO<sub>2</sub> substrate by us and common commercially transferred CVD graphene on Si/SiO<sub>2</sub>. Pristine Si/SiO<sub>2</sub> substrates are used as a reference. The NaT2 crystal structure and orientation depend strongly on the underlying surface, with the molecules predominantly lying down on the graphene surface (face-on orientation) and standing nearly out-of-plane (edge-on orientation) on the Si/SiO<sub>2</sub> reference surface. Post growth GIXRD and AFM measurements reveal that the crystalline structure and grain morphology differ depending on whether there is polymer residue left on the graphene surface. In situ GIXRD measurements show that the thickness dependence of the intensity of the (111) reflection from the crystalline edge-on phase does not intersect zero at the beginning of the deposition process, suggesting that an initial wetting layer, corresponding to 1-2 molecular layers, is formed at the surface-film interface. By contrast, the (111) reflection intensity from the crystalline face-on phase grows at a constant rate as a function of film thickness during the entire deposition.
Is Immediate Processing of Presupposition Triggers Automatic or Capacity-Limited? A Combination of the PRP Approach with a Self-Paced Reading Task
2020-02-06

Abstract Informally speaking, presuppositions are meaning components which are part of the common ground for speakers in a conversation, that is, background information which is taken for granted by interlocutors. The current literature suggests an immediate processing of presuppositions, starting directly on the word triggering the presupposition. In the present paper, we focused on two presupposition triggers in German, the definite determiner the (German der ) and the iterative particle again (German wieder ). Experiment 1 replicates the immediate effects which were previously observed in a self-paced reading study. Experiment 2 then investigates whether this immediate processing of presuppositions is automatic or capacity-limited by employing the psychological refractory period approach and the locus of slack-logic, which have been successfully employed for this reason in various fields of cognitive psychology. The results argue against automatic processing, but rather suggest that the immediate processing of presuppositions is capacity-limited. This potentially helps specifying the nature of the involved processes; for example, a memory search for a potential referent.
Iron mineral dissolution releases iron and associated organic carbon during permafrost thaw
2020-02-06

It has been shown that reactive soil minerals, specifically iron(III) (oxyhydr)oxides, can trap organic carbon in soils overlying intact permafrost, and may limit carbon mobilization and degradation as it is observed in other environments. However, the use of iron(III)-bearing minerals as terminal electron acceptors in permafrost environments and thus their stability and capacity to prevent carbon mobilization during permafrost thaw is poorly understood. We have followed the dynamic interactions between iron and carbon, using a “space for time” approach, across a thaw gradient in Abisko (Sweden), where wetlands are expanding rapidly due to permafrost thaw. We show through bulk (selective extractions, EXAFS) and nanoscale analysis (correlative SEM and nanoSIMS) that organic carbon is bound to reactive Fe primarily in the transition between organic and mineral horizons in palsa underlain by intact permafrost. During thaw, water-logging and O2 limitation lead to reducing conditions and an increase in abundance of Fe(III)-reducing bacteria which favor mineral dissolution and drive mobilization of both iron and carbon along the thaw gradient. By providing a terminal electron acceptor, the “rusty carbon sink” is effectively destroyed along the thaw gradient and cannot prevent carbon release with thaw.
Differing Pulmonary Structural Abnormalities Detected on Pulmonary MR Imaging in Cystic Fibrosis Patients with Varying Pancreatic Function
2020-02-06

Purpose In cystic fibrosis (CF) the phenotypic expression of complaints varies widely. Genotypes with sufficient pancreatic function (PS) exhibit milder lung disease compared to CF patients with insufficient pancreatic function (PI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate structural lung disease (SLD) in CF patients with differing pancreatic status but similar results on pulmonary function testing using a pulmonary magnetic resonance imaging score (MR-CF score). Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, 20 patients in our single-center CF database were included: 10 with PS (mean age 12.5 years; six male; BMI 17.4 kg/m2; FeV1 102 %) were matched by gender, age and lung function with 10 PI patients. Experienced observers semi-quantitatively assessed SLD for each lung lobe. The established MR-CF score measures the extent and the severity of bronchiectasis and bronchial wall thickening, mucus plugging, centrilobular opacity, consolidation, sacculation, and air trapping. The total score and sub-score values were compared to the pancreatic status. Results Patients with CF-PS had overall statistically significant lower MR-CF scores (p = 0.024), and therefore milder SLD, compared to CF-PI. The differences were most significant for bronchiectasis (p = 0.0042) and air trapping (p = 0.0304). SLD was more severe in the upper lobes in all patients. However, differences between CF-PS and CF-PI patients were present in both the upper and lower lung areas (p = 0.0247 and p = 0.0196, respectively). Conclusion Our results demonstrated that CF patients with impaired pancreatic function show more severe lung pathology detected by MRI, especially bronchiectasis and air trapping. Key points: Citation Format
Global gene flow releases invasive plants from environmental constraints on genetic diversity
2020-02-07

When plants establish outside their native range, their ability to adapt to the new environment is influenced by both demography and dispersal. However, the relative importance of these two factors is poorly understood. To quantify the influence of demography and dispersal on patterns of genetic diversity underlying adaptation, we used data from a globally distributed demographic research network comprising 35 native and 18 nonnative populations of Plantago lanceolata . Species-specific simulation experiments showed that dispersal would dilute demographic influences on genetic diversity at local scales. Populations in the native European range had strong spatial genetic structure associated with geographic distance and precipitation seasonality. In contrast, nonnative populations had weaker spatial genetic structure that was not associated with environmental gradients but with higher within-population genetic diversity. Our findings show that dispersal caused by repeated, long-distance, human-mediated introductions has allowed invasive plant populations to overcome environmental constraints on genetic diversity, even without strong demographic changes. The impact of invasive plants may, therefore, increase with repeated introductions, highlighting the need to constrain future introductions of species even if they already exist in an area.
Leaf temperature and its dependence on atmospheric CO2 and leaf size
2020-02-07

There is general concern that the rapid increase in atmospheric CO 2 concentration will lead to reduced stomatal conductance and subsequent increases in leaf temperature. Such an increase in leaf temperature is expected to adversely impact a plethora of processes connected to leaf metabolism and microbial/fungal communities on leaves. A model is proposed that combines the leaf energy balance with leaf gas exchange and photosynthesis to explore such issues. The model represents a hybrid ecological/physiological approach described by systems of equations based on steady‐state leaf‐gas exchange theories and leaf energy/radiation balance, equilibrium thermodynamics within the leaf, stomatal data, and atmospheric CO 2 concentration. The model allows separating air from leaf temperatures thereby permitting exploration of the dependence of leaf cooling or heating for any combination of environmental conditions (e.g., wind velocity, atmospheric humidity, and atmospheric CO 2 level), anatomic leaf properties (e.g., leaf size), and physiologic quantities (e.g., assimilation rate and transpiration rate). The model permits to distinguish whether leaf cooling or heating is to be expected if these parameters are varied. Based on model calculations, it is shown that leaf temperature is far more impacted by leaf size or wind speed than reduction in stomatal conductance caused by elevated atmospheric CO 2 . The model results are consistent with measurements of leaf cooling and heating.