rudyvdbrink/CitationDatabase huggingface dataset:
The respiratory occlusion discrimination task: A new paradigm to measure respiratory interoceptive accuracy.
Psychophysiology, 2021

Interoception, or the sense of the internal state of the body, is hypothesized to be essential for a wide range of psychobiological processes and the development and perpetuation of several (mental) health problems. However, the study of interoceptive accuracy, the objectively measured capacity to detect or discriminate conscious bodily signals, has been hampered by the use of tasks with questionable construct validity and is often limited to studying interoception solely in the cardiac domain. We developed a novel task to measure interoceptive accuracy in the respiratory domain, the respiratory occlusion discrimination (ROD) task. In this task, interoceptive accuracy is defined as an individual's ability to detect small differences in lengths of short respiratory occlusions, assessed by means of an adaptive staircase procedure. This article describes a validation study (N = 97) aimed at investigating the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant validity of the ROD task. The average just noticeable difference of lengths of respiratory occlusion was 74.22 ms, with large inter-individual variability (SD = 37.1 ms). The results of the validation study indicate acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.70), 1-week test-retest reliability (r = 0.53), and discriminant validity, as indicated by a lack of correlation between the ROD task and an auditory discrimination task with identical design (r = 0.18), and a weak correlation with breathing behavior (r = -0.27). The ROD task is a promising novel paradigm to study interoceptive accuracy and its role in various psychobiological processes and disorders.
Introduction to spasticity and related mouse models.
Experimental neurology, 2021

Although spasticity is one of the most common causes of motor disability worldwide, its precise definition and pathophysiology remain elusive, which to date renders its experimental targeting tricky. At least in part, this difficulty is caused by heterogeneous phenotypes of spasticity-causing neurological disorders, all causing spasticity by involving upper motor neurons. The most common clinical symptoms are a series of rapid muscle contractions (clonus), an increased muscle tone (hypertonia), and augmented tendon reflex activity (hyperreflexia). This muscle overactivity is due to disturbed inhibition of spinal reflexes following upper motor neuron dysfunction. Despite a range of physical and pharmacological therapies ameliorating the symptoms, their targeted application remains difficult. Therefore, to date, spasticity impacts rehabilitative therapy, and no therapy exists that reverses the pathology completely. In contrast to the incidence and importance of spasticity, only very little pre-clinical work in animal models exists, and this research is focused on the cat or the rat spastic tail model to decipher altered reflexes and excitability of the motor neurons in the spinal cord. Meanwhile, the characterization of spasticity in clinically more relevant mouse models of neurological disorders, such as stroke, remains understudied. Here, we provide a brief introduction into the clinical knowledge and therapy of spasticity and an in-depth review of pre-clinical studies of spasticity in mice including the current experimental challenges for clinical translation.
Effects of Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation and Levodopa on Balance in People with Parkinson's Disease: A Cross Sectional Study.
Brain sciences, 2020

Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) and levodopa are common treatment strategies for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the specific effects of these treatment strategies on balance and its components remain unclear. This cross-sectional study of people with PD and STN-DBS compared balance in the treated state (ON-medication/ON-stimulation) and untreated state (OFF-medication/OFF-stimulation) using the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest). Total BESTest scores from the treated and untreated states were compared to assess overall balance. Scores for the six sections of the BESTest were further compared to assess differences in specific components of balance between treatment conditions. Twenty-nine participants were included (Male: 21, Female: 8, Mean Age ± SD: 65.0 ± 6.9). Total BESTest scores showed improved balance in the treated state compared to the untreated state (Treated: 67.56 ± 10.92; Untreated: 59.23 ± 16.51,
Astrocytes are necessary for blood-brain barrier maintenance in the adult mouse brain.
Glia, 2021

In the adult brain, multiple cell types are known to produce factors that regulate blood-brain barrier (BBB) properties, including astrocytes. Yet several recent studies disputed a role for mature astrocytes at the BBB. To determine if astrocytes contribute a nonredundant and necessary function in maintaining the adult BBB, we used a mouse model of tamoxifen-inducible astrocyte ablation. In adult mice, tamoxifen induction caused sparse apoptotic astrocyte cell death within 2 hr. Indicative of BBB damage, leakage of the small molecule Cadaverine, and the large plasma protein fibrinogen into the brain parenchyma indicative of BBB damage was detected as early as astrocyte ablation was present. Vessels within and close to regions of astrocyte loss had lower expression of the tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 while endothelial glucose transporter 1 expression was undisturbed. Cadaverine leakage persisted for several weeks suggesting a lack of barrier repair. This is consistent with the finding that ablated astrocytes were not replaced. Adjacent astrocytes responded with partial nonproliferative astrogliosis, characterized by morphological changes and delayed phosphorylation of STAT3, which restricted dye leakage to the brain and vessel surface areas lacking coverage by astrocytes 1 month after ablation. In conclusion, astrocytes are necessary to maintain BBB integrity in the adult brain. BBB-regulating factors secreted by other cell types, such as pericytes, are not sufficient to compensate for astrocyte loss.
Retinal thinning and brain atrophy in early MS and CIS.
Acta neurologica Scandinavica, 2020

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) could be complementary to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in monitoring course of multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Thinning of neurons in ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) measured by OCT is assumed to be associated with brain atrophy.
Resting-state connectivity and network parameter analysis in alcohol-dependent males. A simultaneous EEG-MEG study.
Journal of neuroscience research, 2020

There is supporting evidence of alcohol negative effects on the brain: neuroimaging and psychophysiological studies finding anatomical and functional connectivity (FC) changes associated with the dependence process. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate brain FC and network characteristics of alcohol-dependent individuals in resting state. For this study, we included males diagnosed with alcohol dependence (N = 25) and a group of healthy individuals (N = 23). Simultaneous EEG-MEG (electroencephalographic and magnetoencephalographic) activity was recorded in 5 min of eyes-closed resting state. EEG-MEG activity was preprocessed and FC was computed through the leakage-corrected version of phase locking value (ciPLV). Additionally, local (degree, efficiency, clustering) and global (efficiency, characteristic path length) network parameters were computed. Connectivity analysis showed an increase in phase-lagged synchronization, mainly between frontal and frontotemporal regions, in high beta band, and a decrease in interhemispheric gamma, for alcohol-dependent individuals. Network analysis revealed intergroup differences at the local level for high beta, indicating higher degree, clustering, and efficiency, mostly at frontal nodes, together with a decrease in these measures at more posterior sites for patients' group. The hyper-synchronization in beta, next to the hypo-synchronization in gamma, could indicate an alteration in communication between hemispheres, but also a possible functional compensation mechanism in neural circuits. This could be also supported by network characteristic data, where local alterations in communication are observed.
Higher Solar Irradiance Is Associated With a Lower Incidence of Coronavirus Disease 2019.
Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2020

We studied the relationship between the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), demographical, and climatological measurements in different regions across the world. Lower solar irradiance and higher population density were independent predictors of greater COVID-19 outbreaks. Further studies on the potential protective effect of sunlight over COVID-19 are warranted.
Blood CADPS2ΔExon3 expression is associated with intelligence and memory in healthy adults.
Biological psychology, 2012

Ca(2+)-dependent activator protein for secretion 2 (CADPS2), a secretory granule associate protein, mediates monoamine transmission and neurotrophin release. Both monoamines and neurotrophins play a crucial role in cognition, learning and memory. An aberrant splice variant of CADPS2, CADPS2ΔExon3, was reported to be associated with autism. Therefore, we examined the possible association between the expression of CADPS2/CADPS2ΔExon3 in peripheral blood and brain functions such as intelligence and memory. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed in 271 healthy adults (age range 20-74 years, mean ± SD 43.3 ± 15.3). Data on intelligence quotient (IQ) and memory were obtained by using full versions of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R), and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R), respectively. CADPS2 expression levels were not significantly associated with any scores/sub-scores of these scales. However, CADPS2ΔExon3 expression was significantly associated with lower IQ (p=0.022; effect size: η(p)(2)=0.031), particularly verbal IQ of WAIS-R (p=0.019; η(p)(2)=0.032), lower verbal memory (p=0.026; η(p)(2)=0.026) and delayed recall (p=0.042; η(p)(2)=0.021) of WMS-R. Our results suggest that CADPS2ΔExon3 affects intelligence and memory in the non-clinical population.
The potential of treating Gulf War Illness with curcumin.
Brain, behavior, and immunity, 2018

A large proportion of Gulf War Veterans suffer from Gulf War Illness (GWI) - a devastating chronic disorder characterized by heterogeneous fatigue, pain and neuropsychological symptoms. In their recent Brain, Behavior and Immunity publication entitled "Curcumin Treatment Leads to Better Cognitive and Mood Function in a Model of Gulf War Illness with Enhanced Neurogenesis, and Alleviation of Inflammation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Hippocampus", Kodali and colleagues (2018) report that the polyphenol curcumin improves cognition and mood in a rat model of GWI, potentially by increasing the expression of antioxidant genes and by reversing the effects of chronic combined acetylcholinesterase inhibitor exposure on neuroinflammation, mitochondrial respiration and hippocampal neurogenesis. This preclinical work is encouraging for our veterans who suffer chronically from GWI as well as for developing strategies to protect our troops during future deployments in similar environments.
Development of Microstructural and Morphological Cortical Profiles in the Neonatal Brain.
Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991), 2020

Interruptions to neurodevelopment during the perinatal period may have long-lasting consequences. However, to be able to investigate deviations in the foundation of proper connectivity and functional circuits, we need a measure of how this architecture evolves in the typically developing brain. To this end, in a cohort of 241 term-born infants, we used magnetic resonance imaging to estimate cortical profiles based on morphometry and microstructure over the perinatal period (37-44 weeks postmenstrual age, PMA). Using the covariance of these profiles as a measure of inter-areal network similarity (morphometric similarity networks; MSN), we clustered these networks into distinct modules. The resulting modules were consistent and symmetric, and corresponded to known functional distinctions, including sensory-motor, limbic, and association regions, and were spatially mapped onto known cytoarchitectonic tissue classes. Posterior regions became more morphometrically similar with increasing age, while peri-cingulate and medial temporal regions became more dissimilar. Network strength was associated with age: Within-network similarity increased over age suggesting emerging network distinction. These changes in cortical network architecture over an 8-week period are consistent with, and likely underpin, the highly dynamic processes occurring during this critical period. The resulting cortical profiles might provide normative reference to investigate atypical early brain development.
No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Circulation in Rome (Italy) during the Pre-Pandemic Period: Results of a Retrospective Surveillance.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 2020

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak recorded over the previous months could be characterized as a pandemic. The first known Italian SARS-CoV-2 positive case was reported on 21 February. In some countries, cases of suspected "COVID-19-like pneumonia" had been reported earlier than those officially accepted by health authorities. This has led many investigators to check preserved biological or environmental samples to see whether the virus was detectable on dates prior to those officially stated. With regard to Italy, the results of a microbiological screening in sewage samples collected between the end of February and the beginning of April 2020 from wastewaters in Milan (Northern Italy) and Rome (Central Italy) showed presence of SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we evaluated, by means of a standardized diagnostic method, the SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence amongst patients affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARI) in an academic hospital located in Central Italy during the period of 1 November 2019-1 March 2020. Overall, the number of emergency room (ER) visits during the investigated period was 13,843. Of these, 1208 had an influenza-like syndrome, but only 166 matched the definition of SARI as stated in the study protocol. A total of 52 SARI cases were laboratory confirmed as influenza: 26 as a type B virus, 25 as a type A, and 1 as both viruses. Although about 17% of the total sample had laboratory or radiological data compatible with COVID-19, all the nasopharyngeal swabs stored underwent SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and tested negative. Based on our result, it is confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic spread did not start prior to the "official" onset in central Italy. Routine monitoring of SARI causative agents at the local level is critical for reporting epidemiologic and etiologic trends that may differ from one country to another and also among different influenza seasons. This has a practical impact on prevention and control strategies.
Paternal Depression as a Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Offspring: Implications for Maternal Depression and Its Treatment During Pregnancy.
The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 2020

Many but not all studies suggest that gestational exposure to antidepressant drugs is associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring. All of these studies have been observational in design, and observational research may suggest but cannot establish cause-effect relationships. In this context, a recent, large, population-based, observational study found that exposure to maternal depression before, during, or after pregnancy was each associated with an increased risk of ASD as well as ADHD. Strikingly, the same finding was obtained for paternal depression, as well, with mostly similar values for risk. If paternal depression before, during, or after pregnancy can increase the risk of ASD and ADHD in the offspring, it suggests that genetic variables, or environmental adversities engendered by behaviors related to paternal depression, may drive the risk for the adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes; some data exist to support this view. An understanding of these possibilities allows greater room for flexibility when considering the prescription of antidepressant drugs to depressed pregnant women.
[Posterior cerebral artery infarctions with possible interaction between hypoperfusion and embolism].
Journal des maladies vasculaires, 2013

Although embolism and hypoperfusion may well occur concurrently in a non-negligible proportion of cerebral infarction patients, there is currently lack of proof, especially in the posterior circulation. Here, we are reporting on a case of multiple cerebral infarctions in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1, multiple vascular abnormalities of the posterior cerebral circulation and intracranial artery occlusion. We hypothesize that cerebral blood flow impairment may have affected the clearance and destination of embolic particles.
Automatic detection of the duration of visual static and dynamic stimuli.
Brain research, 2018

The perception of the passing of time is fundamental to conscious experience. The duration of a sensory stimulus is one of its defining attributes, but it is not clear how this is encoded in the brain. This work explores whether the duration of a visual stimulus is an attribute that the brain can automatically adapt to and use to predict future stimulus durations. Visual mismatch negativity (vMMN) is an ERP component elicited, even when the stimuli are unattended, when an 'unexpected' visual stimulus appears amongst a series of expected stimuli in an 'oddball' paradigm. As such vMMN has been suggested to show that the violation of a pattern in a sequence has been automatically detected. To date, vMMN has only been measured to differences in the visual durations of static on/off stimuli, placed near to the centre of the visual field. Our study measures vMMN to test whether duration is encoded automatically for static stimuli against a blank background and moving stimuli against a static background, whilst attention is directed to a different spatial location using a continuous, attention demanding task. VMMN elicited in response to the shorter duration for both stimuli shows that the brain detects the differences of duration even in the absence of focussed spatial attention. For the motion stimulus a larger difference in duration was needed. We conclude that duration is encoded automatically in the visual cortex and is an attribute that can be adapted to, and form the basis of predictions.
Influenza virus infection induces widespread alterations of host cell splicing.
NAR genomics and bioinformatics, 2020

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) use diverse mechanisms to interfere with cellular gene expression. Although many RNA-seq studies have documented IAV-induced changes in host mRNA abundance, few were designed to allow an accurate quantification of changes in host mRNA splicing. Here, we show that IAV infection of human lung cells induces widespread alterations of cellular splicing, with an overall increase in exon inclusion and decrease in intron retention. Over half of the mRNAs that show differential splicing undergo no significant changes in abundance or in their 3' end termination site, suggesting that IAVs can specifically manipulate cellular splicing. Among a randomly selected subset of 21 IAV-sensitive alternative splicing events, most are specific to IAV infection as they are not observed upon infection with VSV, induction of interferon expression or induction of an osmotic stress. Finally, the analysis of splicing changes in RED-depleted cells reveals a limited but significant overlap with the splicing changes in IAV-infected cells. This observation suggests that hijacking of RED by IAVs to promote splicing of the abundant viral NS1 mRNAs could partially divert RED from its target mRNAs. All our RNA-seq datasets and analyses are made accessible for browsing through a user-friendly Shiny interface (http://virhostnet.prabi.fr:3838/shinyapps/flu-splicing or https://github.com/cbenoitp/flu-splicing).
The diversity of neuronal phenotypes in rodent and human autonomic ganglia.
Cell and tissue research, 2020

Selective sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways that act on target organs represent the terminal actors in the neurobiology of homeostasis and often become compromised during a range of neurodegenerative and traumatic disorders. Here, we delineate several neurotransmitter and neuromodulator phenotypes found in diverse parasympathetic and sympathetic ganglia in humans and rodent species. The comparative approach reveals evolutionarily conserved and non-conserved phenotypic marker constellations. A developmental analysis examining the acquisition of selected neurotransmitter properties has provided a detailed, but still incomplete, understanding of the origins of a set of noradrenergic and cholinergic sympathetic neuron populations, found in the cervical and trunk region. A corresponding analysis examining cholinergic and nitrergic parasympathetic neurons in the head, and a range of pelvic neuron populations, with noradrenergic, cholinergic, nitrergic, and mixed transmitter phenotypes, remains open. Of particular interest are the molecular mechanisms and nuclear processes that are responsible for the correlated expression of the various genes required to achieve the noradrenergic phenotype, the segregation of cholinergic locus gene expression, and the regulation of genes that are necessary to generate a nitrergic phenotype. Unraveling the neuron population-specific expression of adhesion molecules, which are involved in axonal outgrowth, pathway selection, and synaptic organization, will advance the study of target-selective autonomic pathway generation.
Interpersonal similarity of autistic traits predicts friendship quality.
Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 2021

Autistic traits are known to be associated with social interaction difficulties. Yet, somewhat paradoxically, relevant research has been typically restricted to studying individuals. In line with the 'dialectical misattunement hypothesis' and clinical insights of intact social interactions among autistic individuals, we hypothesized that friendship quality varies as a function of interpersonal similarity and more concretely the difference value of autistic traits in a dyad, above and beyond autistic traits per se. Therefore, in this study, we used self-report questionnaires to investigate these measures in a sample of 67 neurotypical dyads across a broad range of autistic traits. Our results demonstrate that the more similar two persons are in autistic traits, the higher is the perceived quality of their friendship, irrespective of friendship duration, age, sex and, importantly, the (average of) autistic traits in a given dyad. More specifically, higher interpersonal similarity of autistic traits was associated with higher measures of closeness, acceptance and help. These results, therefore, lend support to the idea of an interactive turn in the study of social abilities across the autism spectrum and pave the way for future studies on the multiscale dynamics of social interactions.
Insulators: linking genome architecture to gene regulation.
F1000 biology reports, 2009

Insulator elements have long been associated with a proposed domain boundary function, ensuring appropriate associations between regulatory elements and transcription units through the physical organisation of the genome into looped domains. Recent experiments in Drosophila have, however, highlighted a more direct involvement of insulators in transcriptional regulation.