rudyvdbrink/CitationDatabase huggingface dataset:
Mapping a Syndemic of Psychosocial Risks During Pregnancy Using Network Analysis.
International journal of behavioral medicine, 2019

Psychosocial risks during pregnancy impact maternal health in resource-limited settings, and HIV-positive women often bear a heavy burden of these factors. This study sought to use network modeling to characterize co-occurring psychosocial risks to maternal and child health among at-risk pregnant women.
Cognitive flexibility in adolescence: neural and behavioral mechanisms of reward prediction error processing in adaptive decision making during development.
NeuroImage, 2015

Adolescence is associated with quickly changing environmental demands which require excellent adaptive skills and high cognitive flexibility. Feedback-guided adaptive learning and cognitive flexibility are driven by reward prediction error (RPE) signals, which indicate the accuracy of expectations and can be estimated using computational models. Despite the importance of cognitive flexibility during adolescence, only little is known about how RPE processing in cognitive flexibility deviates between adolescence and adulthood. In this study, we investigated the developmental aspects of cognitive flexibility by means of computational models and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We compared the neural and behavioral correlates of cognitive flexibility in healthy adolescents (12-16years) to adults performing a probabilistic reversal learning task. Using a modified risk-sensitive reinforcement learning model, we found that adolescents learned faster from negative RPEs than adults. The fMRI analysis revealed that within the RPE network, the adolescents had a significantly altered RPE-response in the anterior insula. This effect seemed to be mainly driven by increased responses to negative prediction errors. In summary, our findings indicate that decision making in adolescence goes beyond merely increased reward-seeking behavior and provides a developmental perspective to the behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility in the context of reinforcement learning.
Erythropoietin as candidate for supportive treatment of severe COVID-19.
Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.), 2020

In light of the present therapeutic situation in COVID-19, any measure to improve course and outcome of seriously affected individuals is of utmost importance. We recap here evidence that supports the use of human recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) for ameliorating course and outcome of seriously ill COVID-19 patients. This brief expert review grounds on available subject-relevant literature searched until May 14, 2020, including Medline, Google Scholar, and preprint servers. We delineate in brief sections, each introduced by a summary of respective COVID-19 references, how EPO may target a number of the gravest sequelae of these patients. EPO is expected to: (1) improve respiration at several levels including lung, brainstem, spinal cord and respiratory muscles; (2) counteract overshooting inflammation caused by cytokine storm/ inflammasome; (3) act neuroprotective and neuroregenerative in brain and peripheral nervous system. Based on this accumulating experimental and clinical evidence, we finally provide the research design for a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial including severely affected patients, which is planned to start shortly.
The Effect of Cigarette Packaging and Illness Sensitivity on Attention to Graphic Health Warnings: A Controlled Study.
Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 2020

The social and health care costs of smoking are immense. To reduce these costs, several tobacco control policies have been introduced (eg, graphic health warnings [GHWs] on cigarette packs). Previous research has found plain packaging (a homogenized form of packaging), in comparison to branded packaging, effectively increases attention to GHWs using UK packaging prototypes. Past studies have also found that illness sensitivity (IS) protects against health-impairing behaviors. Building on this evidence, the goal of the current study was to assess the effect of packaging type (plain vs. branded), IS level, and their interaction on attention to GHWs on cigarette packages using proposed Canadian prototypes.
Interleukin-2 receptor-α proximal promoter hypomethylation is associated with multiple sclerosis.
Genes and immunity, 2017

Genetic studies have demonstrated association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the IL2RA (interleukin-2 receptor α-subunit) gene and risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS); however, these variants do not have obvious functional consequences. DNA methylation is a source of genetic variation that could impact on autoimmune disease risk. We investigated DNA methylation of the IL2RA promoter in genomic DNA obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and neural tissue using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. A differential methylation profile of IL2RA was identified, suggesting that IL2RA expression was regulated by DNA methylation. We extended our analysis of DNA methylation to peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) of MS cases and controls using MALDI-TOF and Illumina HumanMethylation450 arrays. Analyses of CpG sites within the proximal promoter of IL2RA in PBMC showed no differences between MS cases and controls despite an increase in IL2RA expression. In contrast, we inferred significant DNA methylation differences specific to particular leukocyte subtypes in MS cases compared with controls by deconvolution of the array data. The decrease in methylation in patients correlated with an increase in IL2RA expression in T cells from MS cases in comparison with controls. Our data suggest that differential methylation of the IL2RA promoter in T cells could be an important pathogenic mechanism in MS.
Environmental toxin 4-nonylphenol and autoimmune diseases: using DNA microarray to examine genetic markers of cytokine expression.
Archives of medical science : AMS, 2010

Adverse progression of autoimmune diseases is linked to the dysregulation of cytokines. In this regard we investigated the role of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), as a potential contributing factor in the development of immune diseases and compared it to estrogens actions since 4-NP may work via estrogen processes.
Galcanezumab for the prevention of high frequency episodic and chronic migraine in real life in Italy: a multicenter prospective cohort study (the GARLIT study).
The journal of headache and pain, 2021

The clinical benefit of galcanezumab, demonstrated in randomized clinical trials (RCTs), remains to be quantified in real life. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of galcanezumab in the prevention of high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) and chronic migraine (CM) in a real-life setting.
Complications Following Transradial Cerebral Angiography : An Ultrasound Follow-Up Study.
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, 2017

The feasibility and usefulness of transradial catheterization for coronary and neuro-intervention are well known. However, the anatomical change in the catheterized radial artery (RA) is not well understood. Herein, we present the results of ultrasonographic observation of the RA after routine transradial cerebral angiography (TRCA).
SK2 channel plasticity contributes to LTP at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses.
Nature neuroscience, 2008

Long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic strength at Schaffer collateral synapses has largely been attributed to changes in the number and biophysical properties of AMPA receptors (AMPARs). Small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (SK2 channels) are functionally coupled with NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in CA1 spines such that their activity modulates the shape of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and increases the threshold for induction of LTP. Here we show that LTP induction in mouse hippocampus abolishes SK2 channel activity in the potentiated synapses. This effect is due to SK2 channel internalization from the postsynaptic density (PSD) into the spine. Blocking PKA or cell dialysis with a peptide representing the C-terminal domain of SK2 that contains three known PKA phosphorylation sites blocks the internalization of SK2 channels after LTP induction. Thus the increase in AMPARs and the decrease in SK2 channels combine to produce the increased EPSP underlying LTP.
Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy-A Narrative Review of Pharmacological and Interventional Approaches.
Biomedicines, 2021

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that is associated with a significant decline in quality of life. Like other painful neuropathic conditions, PDN is difficult to manage clinically, and a variety of pharmacological and non-pharmacological options are available for this condition. Recommended pharmacotherapies include anticonvulsive agents, antidepressant drugs, and topical capsaicin; and tapentadol, which combines opioid agonism and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition, has also recently been approved for use. Additionally, several neuromodulation therapies have been successfully used for pain relief in PDN, including intrathecal therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Recently, 10 kHz SCS has been shown to provide clinically meaningful pain relief for patients refractory to conventional medical management, with a subset of patients demonstrating improvement in neurological function. This literature review is intended to discuss the dosage and prospective data associated with pain management therapies for PDN.
IgG Immune Complexes Break Immune Tolerance of Human Microglia.
Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950), 2020

Microglia are phagocytic cells involved in homeostasis of the brain and are key players in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). A hallmark of MS diagnosis is the presence of IgG Abs, which appear as oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid. In this study, we demonstrate that myelin obtained post mortem from 8 out of 11 MS brain donors is bound by IgG Abs. Importantly, we show that IgG immune complexes strongly potentiate activation of primary human microglia by breaking their tolerance for microbial stimuli, such as LPS and Poly I:C, resulting in increased production of key proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF and IL-1β. We identified FcγRI and FcγRIIa as the two main responsible IgG receptors for the breaking of immune tolerance of microglia. Combined, these data indicate that IgG immune complexes potentiate inflammation by human microglia, which may play an important role in MS-associated inflammation and the formation of demyelinating lesions.
Synapses are lost during aging in the primate prefrontal cortex.
Neuroscience, 2008

An electron microscopic analysis has been carried out on the effects of age on the numerical density of both excitatory (asymmetric) and inhibitory (symmetric) synapses in the neuropil of layers 2/3 and of layer 5 in area 46 from the frontal cortex of behaviorally tested rhesus monkeys. There is no change in the lengths of synaptic junctions with age or in the percentage distribution of synapses relative to the postsynaptic spines and dendritic shafts. However, in layers 2/3 there is an overall loss of about 30% of synapses from 5 to 30 years of age, and both asymmetric and symmetric synapses are lost at the same rate. In layer 5 the situation is different; the overall loss of synapses is only 20% and this is almost entirely due to a loss of asymmetric synapses, since there is no significant loss of symmetric synapses from this layer with age. When the synapse data are correlated with the overall cognitive impairment shown by the monkeys, it is found that there is a strong correlation between the numerical density of asymmetric synapses in layers 2/3 and cognitive impairment, with a weaker correlation between symmetric synapse loss and cognitive impairment. In layer 5 on the other hand there is no correlation between synapse loss and cognitive impairment. However synapse loss is not the only factor causing cognitive impairment, since in previous studies of area 46 we have found that age-related alteration in myelin in this frontal area also significantly contributes to cognitive decline. The synapse loss is also considered in light of earlier studies, which show that the frequency of spontaneous excitatory synaptic responses is reduced with age in layers 2/3 neurons.
Technologies for imaging neural activity in large volumes.
Nature neuroscience, 2016

Neural circuitry has evolved to form distributed networks that act dynamically across large volumes. Conventional microscopy collects data from individual planes and cannot sample circuitry across large volumes at the temporal resolution relevant to neural circuit function and behaviors. Here we review emerging technologies for rapid volume imaging of neural circuitry. We focus on two critical challenges: the inertia of optical systems, which limits image speed, and aberrations, which restrict the image volume. Optical sampling time must be long enough to ensure high-fidelity measurements, but optimized sampling strategies and point-spread function engineering can facilitate rapid volume imaging of neural activity within this constraint. We also discuss new computational strategies for processing and analyzing volume imaging data of increasing size and complexity. Together, optical and computational advances are providing a broader view of neural circuit dynamics and helping elucidate how brain regions work in concert to support behavior.
Anxiety and cognition.
Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Cognitive science, 2014

In this review we discuss the interplay between anxiety and cognition, illustrating how anxiety can compromise performance on cognitively-demanding tasks and lead people to perform below their ability. Using math anxiety and test anxiety as examples, we highlight key findings from psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience, to show that how one approaches an anxiety-inducing situation can have a large impact on how that person ultimately performs. We end by discussing who is most susceptible to anxiety-induced poor performance and suggest promising techniques which may help to reduce the negative impact of anxiety on performance. WIREs Cogn Sci 2014, 5:403-411. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1299 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Imaging-based differential diagnosis between multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease.
Journal of the neurological sciences, 2016

There are many tools for differentiating between multiple system atrophy with predominant parkinsonian features (MSA-P) and Parkinson's disease (PD). These include middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) width, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the putamen and cerebellum, and (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy images. We aimed to directly compare the above-mentioned methods, and to determine the optimal tool for differential diagnosis. Eleven patients with MSA-P and 36 patients with PD were enrolled. Of these, 7 patients with MSA-P and 14 patients with PD were chosen as background-matched subjects. We measured MCP width, ADC value of the putamen and cerebellum, and MIBG myocardial scintigraphy images. Area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was assessed to compare the above-mentioned methods. MCP width and ADC value of the putamen may be helpful for differentiating between MSA-P and PD relative to other methods in background-matched patients (MCP, AUC=0.95; putamen ADC, AUC=0.88; cerebellar ADC, AUC=0.70; MIBG, AUC=0.78). Similar AUCs were seen in all patients with different backgrounds. Our findings suggested that MCP width and ADC value of the putamen could be superior to ADC value of the cerebellum and MIBG uptake for differentiating between MSA-P and PD.
A dynamical model of the laminar BOLD response.
NeuroImage, 2020

High-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using blood oxygenation dependent level-dependent (BOLD) signal is an increasingly popular tool to non-invasively examine neuronal processes at the mesoscopic level. However, as the BOLD signal stems from hemodynamic changes, its temporal and spatial properties do not match those of the underlying neuronal activity. In particular, the laminar BOLD response (LBR), commonly measured with gradient-echo (GE) MRI sequence, is confounded by non-local changes in deoxygenated hemoglobin and cerebral blood volume propagated within intracortical ascending veins, leading to a unidirectional blurring of the neuronal activity distribution towards the cortical surface. Here, we present a new cortical depth-dependent model of the BOLD response based on the principle of mass conservation, which takes the effect of ascending (and pial) veins on the cortical BOLD responses explicitly into account. It can be used to dynamically model cortical depth profiles of the BOLD signal as a function of various baseline- and activity-related physiological parameters for any spatiotemporal distribution of neuronal changes. We demonstrate that the commonly observed spatial increase of LBR is mainly due to baseline blood volume increase towards the surface. In contrast, an occasionally observed local maximum in the LBR (i.e. the so-called "bump") is mainly due to spatially inhomogeneous neuronal changes rather than locally higher baseline blood volume. In addition, we show that the GE-BOLD signal laminar point-spread functions, representing the signal leakage towards the surface, depend on several physiological parameters and on the level of neuronal activity. Furthermore, even in the case of simultaneous neuronal changes at each depth, inter-laminar delays of LBR transients are present due to the ascending vein. In summary, the model provides a conceptual framework for the biophysical interpretation of common experimental observations in high-resolution fMRI data. In the future, the model will allow for deconvolution of the spatiotemporal hemodynamic bias of the LBR and provide an estimate of the underlying laminar excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity.
Using multi-level Bayesian lesion-symptom mapping to probe the body-part-specificity of gesture imitation skills.
NeuroImage, 2017

Past attempts to identify the neural substrates of hand and finger imitation skills in the left hemisphere of the brain have yielded inconsistent results. Here, we analyse those associations in a large sample of 257 left hemisphere stroke patients. By introducing novel Bayesian methods, we characterise lesion symptom associations at three levels: the voxel-level, the single-region level (using anatomically defined regions), and the region-pair level. The results are inconsistent across those three levels and we argue that each level of analysis makes assumptions which constrain the results it can produce. Regardless of the inconsistencies across levels, and contrary to past studies which implicated differential neural substrates for hand and finger imitation, we find no consistent voxels or regions, where damage affects one imitation skill and not the other, at any of the three analysis levels. Our novel Bayesian approach indicates that any apparent differences appear to be driven by an increased sensitivity of hand imitation skills to lesions that also impair finger imitation. In our analyses, the results of the highest level of analysis (region-pairs) emphasise a role of the primary somatosensory and motor cortices, and the occipital lobe in imitation. We argue that this emphasis supports an account of both imitation tasks based on direct sensor-motor connections, which throws doubt on past accounts which imply the need for an intermediate (e.g. body-part-coding) system of representation.
Feasibility of a mobile and web-based intervention to support self-management in outpatients with cancer pain.
European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society, 2016

Cancer pain is a prevalent and distressing symptom. To enhance self-management in outpatients, a multi-component intervention was developed, integrating patient self-management and professional care through healthcare technology. This article describes feasibility of the intervention in everyday practice.
Functional neuroimaging studies in functional dyspepsia patients: a systematic review.
Neurogastroenterology and motility, 2016

There is increasing evidence in support of the presence of abnormal central changes (compared to healthy controls) in functional dyspepsia (FD) in addition to the peripheral changes in gastrointestinal tract.
Imaging proteomics for diagnosis, monitoring and prediction of Alzheimer's disease.
NeuroImage, 2014

Proteomic and imaging markers have been widely studied as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we used Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative dataset and performed parallel independent component analysis on cross sectional and longitudinal proteomic and imaging data in order to identify the best proteomic model for diagnosis, monitoring and prediction of Alzheimer disease (AD). We used plasma proteins measurement and imaging data from AD and healthy controls (HC) at the baseline and 1 year follow-up. Group comparisons at baseline and changes over 1 year were calculated for proteomic and imaging data. The results were fed into parallel independent component analysis in order to identify proteins that were associated with structural brain changes cross sectionally and longitudinally. Regression model was used to find the best model that can discriminate AD from HC, monitor AD and to predict MCI converters from non-converters. We showed that five proteins are associated with structural brain changes in the brain. These proteins could discriminate AD from HC with 57% specificity and 89% sensitivity. Four proteins whose change over 1 year were associated with brain structural changes could discriminate AD from HC with sensitivity of 93%, and specificity of 92%. This model predicted MCI conversion to AD in 2 years with 94% accuracy. This model has the highest accuracy in prediction of MCI conversion to AD within the ADNI-1 dataset. This study shows that combination of selected plasma protein levels and MR imaging is a useful method in identifying potential biomarker.