rudyvdbrink/CitationDatabase huggingface dataset:
In silico characterization of adipokinetic hormone receptor and screening for pesticide candidates against stick insect, Carausius morosus.
Journal of molecular graphics & modelling, 2020

Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) is an insect neuropeptide that plays crucial roles in a variety of physiological functions such as regulation of heartbeat frequency, blood hemolymph trehalose levels, and protein synthesis. It exerts its functions through binding to its cognate G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), named adipokinetic hormone receptor (AKHR). The aim of this study is to characterize AKHR of stick insect, Carausius morosus, which becomes an agricultural and forest pest during its outbreaks, and to screen pesticide candidates that would act through inhibition of AKHR. To this aim, the sequence of the receptor and its ligand were obtained from previously published transcriptome data and homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were combined to find the ligand-binding pocket of AKHR. As a result, crucial residues in ligand binding were identified. These residues were located at the 6th and 7th transmembrane (TM) domains and the 2nd extracellular loop (ECL) of AKHR model. In order to propose pesticide candidates, virtual screening was performed, and candidate ligands were obtained. Considering the binding energies and the stability of the interaction between the ligand and the receptor, four hit compounds were selected. In conclusion, this study revealed a possible ligand-binding pocket of AKHR and proposed some high-affinity small-molecules to block its function, which would further facilitate pesticide design studies against the same receptor of various pests.
Seizure burden fluctuates with the female reproductive cycle in a mouse model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy.
Experimental neurology, 2020

Women with catamenial epilepsy often experience increased seizure burden near the time of ovulation (periovulatory) or menstruation (perimenstrual). To date, a rodent model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) that exhibits similar endogenous fluctuations in seizures has not been identified. Here, we investigated whether seizure burden changes with the estrous cycle in the intrahippocampal kainic acid (IHKA) mouse model of TLE. Adult female IHKA mice and saline-injected controls were implanted with EEG electrodes in the ipsilateral hippocampus. At one and two months post-injection, 24/7 video-EEG recordings were collected and estrous cycle stage was assessed daily. Seizures were detected using a custom convolutional neural network machine learning process. Seizure burden was compared within each mouse between diestrus and combined proestrus and estrus days (pro/estrus) at two months post-injection. IHKA mice showed higher seizure burden on pro/estrus compared with diestrus, characterized by increased time in seizures and longer seizure duration. When all IHKA mice were included, no group differences were observed in seizure frequency or EEG power. However, increased baseline seizure burden on diestrus was correlated with larger cycle-associated differences, and when analyses were restricted to mice that showed the severe epilepsy typical of the IHKA model, increased seizure frequency on pro/estrus was also revealed. Controls showed no differences in EEG parameters with cycle stage. These results suggest that the stages of proestrus and estrus are associated with higher seizure burden in IHKA mice. The IHKA model may thus recapitulate at least some aspects of reproductive cycle-associated seizure clustering.
Two Brain Pathways Initiate Distinct Forward Walking Programs in Drosophila.
Neuron, 2020

An animal at rest or engaged in stationary behaviors can instantaneously initiate goal-directed walking. How descending brain inputs trigger rapid transitions from a non-walking state to an appropriate walking state is unclear. Here, we identify two neuronal types, P9 and BPN, in the Drosophila brain that, upon activation, initiate and maintain two distinct coordinated walking patterns. P9 drives forward walking with ipsilateral turning, receives inputs from central courtship-promoting neurons and visual projection neurons, and is necessary for a male to pursue a female during courtship. In contrast, BPN drives straight, forward walking and is not required during courtship. BPN is instead recruited during and required for fast, straight, forward walking bouts. Thus, this study reveals separate brain pathways for object-directed walking and fast, straight, forward walking, providing insight into how the brain initiates context-appropriate walking programs.
Correction to: α-Synuclein's Uniquely Long Amphipathic Helix Enhances its Membrane Binding and Remodeling Capacity.
The Journal of membrane biology, 2018

The original version of the article unfortunately contained error in author group; two authors were not submitted and published in the original version. Also the funding information is erroneously omitted.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Monitoring Clinical Response to Treatment in Acute Symptomatic Psoriatic Dactylitis: Results from a Multicentre Prospective Observational Study.
Journal of clinical medicine, 2020

This observational and prospective study evaluated the clinical correlations of sonographic lesions in consecutive psoriatic arthritis (PsA) dactylitis cases. Eighty-three dactylitic digits were evaluated clinically and sonographically before treatment and at one-month (T1) and three-month (T3) follow-up. Clinical evaluation included the Leeds Dactylitis Index-basic (LDI-b) score and the visual analogue scales for pain (VAS-p) and functional impairment (VAS-FI). High-frequency ultrasound with grey scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) assessed flexor tenosynovitis (FT), soft tissue oedema (STO), extensor tendon paratenonitis, and joint synovitis. There was a statistically significant correlation between the clinical parameters (VAS-p, VAS-FI, and LDI-b) and FT and STO at T1 and T3. We found statistically significant improvement in FT and STO for the cases with clinically meaningful treatment responses (
Neuroscience: teleporting mind into body and space.
Current biology : CB, 2015

Brain imaging and a novel 'body-swop' illusion reveals distinct parietal-premotor and parietal-hippocampal networks involved in constructing a sense of body-ownership and self-location, with the posterior cingulate mediating between them.
Implications of Attachment Theory and Neuroscience for the Psychotherapeutic Treatment of Obesity and Overeating.
American journal of psychotherapy, 2018

This article examines psychological sequelae underlying dysregulated eating in the overweight and obese patient and proposes a psychotherapy approach informed by classical and modern attachment theory, developmental trauma, and neuroscience to address these structural deficits.
Prognostic Characterization of Higher-Grade Meningiomas: A Histopathological Score to Predict Progression and Outcome.
Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology, 2019

Higher-grade meningiomas (WHO grade II and III) represent a diagnostic and prognostic challenge. We assessed the pathological and molecular characteristics of 94 higher-grade meningiomas (85 grade II, 9 grade III) to identify novel prognostic parameters. Higher mitotic count (p = 0.018), diffuse (≥50%) prominent nucleoli (p < 0.001), and sheeting (p < 0.001) were associated with recurrence. Lower SSTR2a-positive cells median rate (p = 0.048) and TERT promoter mutations (p = 0.014) were associated with recurrence and patient death, respectively; further analyses did not identify other outcome associations. Presence of Ki67 hot spots was associated with a shorter progression-free survival (PFS), independently of WHO grade at multivariate analysis (HR = 3.35, p = 0.008). Necrosis was related to a poorer overall survival (OS) at univariate (focal: HR = 4.55, p = 0.041 and diffuse: HR = 7.38, p = 0.020) and Kaplan-Meier analyses. A prognostic score was designed based on previous results: Presence of diffuse (≥50%) prominent nucleoli (0/1 point), diffuse (≥50%) sheeting (0/1 point), focal (<50%) or diffuse (≥50%) necrosis (0/1/2 points), and Ki67 hot spots (0/1 point). A total score ≥4 predicted poorer PFS and OS by Kaplan-Meier (PFS: 1.7 vs 6.4 years, p < 0.001 and OS: 5.2 vs 10.8 years, p = 0.001) and multivariate (PFS: HR = 5.98, p < 0.001 and OS: HR = 2.99, p = 0.048) analyses. These results were confirmed in an independent series of 58 grade II meningiomas (PFS: HR = 7.22, p = 0.002 and OS: HR = 9.69, p = 0.003). These associations and the integrated score could complement WHO grading.
Is There an Association Between Diet, Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms in the Perinatal Period? An Analysis of the UPBEAT Cohort of Obese Pregnant Women.
Maternal and child health journal, 2020

Depression is a common morbidity of the perinatal period (during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum). There is evidence for an association between diet and physical activity, and depression in the non-pregnant population but this association has been relatively less explored during the perinatal period; particularly poorly understood is the relationship between specific dietary components and depression. The aim of this study was to explore the association between glycaemic load, saturated fat intake and physical activity and depressive symptoms in a high-risk population of obese pregnant women.
Shaping Early Networks to Rule Mature Circuits: Little MiRs Go a Long Way.
Neuron, 2016

Normative cortical processing depends on precise interactions between excitatory and inhibitory neurons. In this issue of Neuron, Lippi et al. (2016) identify miR-101 as a master regulator coordinating molecular programs during development that ultimately impact the activity of mature networks.
Inter-subject correlations during natural viewing: A filter-bank approach.
Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference, 2020

A central question in neuroscience is how the brain processes real-world sensory input. For decades most classical studies focus on carefully controlled artificial stimuli. More recently researchers started to investigate brain activity under more realistic conditions. The main challenge in this setting is the analysis of the complex signals obtained with modern neuroimaging methods in response to natural stimuli. Inter-subject correlations (ISCs) have become a popular paradigm to study brain activation under natural stimulation. The underlying assumption of this analysis is that features of natural stimuli that are perceived and processed by all subjects exposed to the same stimulus result in similar activation patterns across subjects. Higher degrees of realism in stimulation, for instance audiovisual stimulation is more realistic than auditory stimulation, is usually associated with higher ISC values. We can confirm these findings in experiments in which we present a movie stimulus with varying degrees of realism. Extending previous findings we highlight the importance of artifact removal when evaluating ISCs and show that the impact of realism in natural stimulation on ISCs is frequency-dependent. A major challenge associated with this type of analysis is that it can be difficult to attribute the correlation strength to the physiological process of interest. In this study, we demonstrate that ISCs of neural activation as measured by electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings are influenced significantly by non-neural artifacts such as occulograms. Our findings highlight the potential of inter-subject correlations as a biomarker for immersion: If more realistic stimuli consistently lead to higher inter-subject correlations, then inter-subject correlations can serve as a quantitative marker for how engaging audiovisual stimuli are perceived.Clinical relevance- Future research will evaluate if correlation levels among subjects, who are exposed to natural stimuli are affected by neurological diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and Schizophrenia among others.
[Use of virtual reality in eating disorders].
L'Encephale, 2021

Virtual reality is a new technology that can be used to model an environment with which an individual can interact using all five senses. It is notably used in psychiatry for anxiety disorders and addictions, and its use in eating disorders has been growing in recent years. Indeed, virtual reality offers interesting advantages, such as its ability to personalize any environment, which is also more secure and controllable. Recent studies show promising results in the understanding, evaluation, and therapeutic management of eating disorders. The use of avatars in anorexia nervosa allows for a correct assessment of the perceptual (body image distortion) and cognitive-affective (body dissatisfaction) components of the body image disorder in a similar way to conventional methods, but also for a better understanding of them. Moreover, avatars allow the development of innovative therapeutic protocols and are thus used in the context of exposure therapy. The new body swapping protocol, based on a multisensory illusion, offers particularly promising results in the reduction of body image disorder. For bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, virtual reality has made it possible to better characterize the triggering mechanisms of binge eating episodes through studies that have observed different responses to food-related environments and stimuli. At the therapeutic level, virtual reality cue exposure therapy has the most empirical support. Its aim is to reduce or eliminate the anxiety and craving felt by a patient in response to exposure to food or other food-related cues by preventing the patient from consuming food, and results show clear reductions in anxiety, craving and binge eating episodes. While all these results seem to indicate a bright future for virtual reality in eating disorders, further studies are needed to validate the positive impact of its use, but also its limitations. Notably, cyber sickness could alter the smooth running of virtual reality therapy sessions by causing nausea and disorientation. Moreover, it is important to verify that a therapeutic protocol does not lose its effectiveness when it is transposed into virtual reality. However, virtual reality seems to be a therapeutic tool that is better accepted by patients, and even better by adolescents, which is very interesting for eating disorders since adolescents are the most affected. Virtual reality could therefore help motivate patients to pursue treatment and reduce the dropout rate while offering good therapeutic results. Thus, studies conducted in recent years have shown that virtual reality is a promising tool in the understanding, assessment and treatment of eating disorders, and future research should confirm this, particularly in the adolescent population.
Dysphagia, dysarthria and aphasia following a first acute ischaemic stroke: incidence and associated factors.
European journal of neurology, 2020

Dysphagia, dysarthria and aphasia are common symptoms following acute stroke; however, limited data are available from recent prospective clinical trials. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and associated factors of dysphagia, dysarthria and aphasia following a first acute ischaemic stroke in patients admitted to a comprehensive stroke center.
MKK7 deficiency in mature neurons impairs parental behavior in mice.
Genes to cells : devoted to molecular & cellular mechanisms, 2021

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are constitutively activated in mammalian brains and are indispensable for their development and neural functions. MKK7 is an upstream activator of all JNKs. However, whether the common JNK signaling pathway regulates the brain's control of social behavior remains unclear. Here, we show that female mice in which Mkk7 is deleted specifically in mature neurons (Mkk7
Lighting-from-above prior in biological motion perception.
Scientific reports, 2018

The visual system is able to recognize body motion from impoverished stimuli. This requires combining stimulus information with visual priors. We present a new visual illusion showing that one of these priors is the assumption that bodies are typically illuminated from above. A change of illumination direction from above to below flips the perceived locomotion direction of a biological motion stimulus. Control experiments show that the underlying mechanism is different from shape-from-shading and directly combines information about body motion with a lighting-from-above prior. We further show that the illusion is critically dependent on the intrinsic luminance gradients of the most mobile parts of the moving body. We present a neural model with physiologically plausible mechanisms that accounts for the illusion and shows how the illumination prior might be encoded within the visual pathway. Our experiments demonstrate, for the first time, a direct influence of illumination priors in high-level motion vision.
Reinstatement of punishment-suppressed opioid self-administration in rats: an alternative model of relapse to drug abuse.
Psychopharmacology, 2003

Animal models of relapse to drug abuse typically assess the ability of various manipulations to reinstate responding that has ceased due to non-reinforcement (extinction). However, there is a lack of information concerning the reinstatement of responding that has ceased for reasons other than extinction.
Regional and district peer effects in obesity: A UK panel data analysis.
Health & social care in the community, 2018

Most research concerning the causes of obesity has focused on macroeconomic trends or individual-level determinants relating to socioeconomic status. There is now growing interest in the psychosocial determinants of obesity. Little research has been conducted into wide-scale peer effects and so the aim of this study was to determine whether regional and district peer effects determine individual-level obesity in the UK. Data from the British Household Panel Survey (for the years 2004 and 2006) were used to model individual-level BMI and probability of obesity as a function of regional and district BMI, controlling for a variety of other variables. Instrumental variable techniques were used to investigate simultaneity bias. We found no statistically significant regional peer effect in the UK. For men, we found that a 1 point increase in average district BMI increased individual BMI by 0.640 and probability of being obese by 1.9% points; for women, BMI increased by 0.230 and probability of being obese by 1.6% points. Men appear to be more susceptible to these effects than women. Peer effects at the district level may have played a significant role in the rise of obesity in the UK. Further research must aim to disentangle the two routes by which these processes are theorised to function.
7, 8-Dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin reverses depression model-induced depression-like behaviors and alteration of dendritic spines in the mood circuits.
Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2020

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness, slow thought, impaired focus and loss of interest but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Dendritic spines play an important role in the formation and maintenance of emotional circuits in the brain. Abnormalities in this process can lead to psychiatric diseases. 7,8-Dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (Dhmc), a precursor in the synthesis of derivatives of 4-methyl coumarin, plays an important role in protecting the nervous system from developing diseases and its most distinctive feature is safety. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Dhmc alleviates chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression-like behaviors and reverses CUMS-induced alterations in dendritic spines of principal neurons in brain areas of the emotional circuits including the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) in male rats. Our results showed that CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors were accompanied by a decrease in spine density in pyramidal neurons of both the hippocampal CA3 area and the mPFC, and an increase in spine density in both the neurons of BLA and the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the NAc, as well as a decrease in the levels of the AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 and Kalirin-7 in the hippocampus compared with the control group. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of Dhmc to the CUMS-exposed rats ameliorated CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors and reversed CUMS-mediated alterations in spine density and the levels of both GluA1 and Kalirin-7. Our results show an important role of Dhmc in reversing CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors and CUMS-mediated alterations in spine density.
Human and rodent temporal lobe epilepsy is characterized by changes in O-GlcNAc homeostasis that can be reversed to dampen epileptiform activity.
Neurobiology of disease, 2019

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) is frequently associated with changes in protein composition and post-translational modifications (PTM) that exacerbate the disorder. O-linked-β-N-acetyl glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a PTM occurring at serine/threonine residues that is derived from and closely associated with metabolic substrates. The enzymes O-GlcNActransferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA) mediate the addition and removal, respectively, of the O-GlcNAc modification. The goal of this study was to characterize OGT/OGA and protein O-GlcNAcylation in the epileptic hippocampus and to determine and whether direct manipulation of these proteins and PTM's alter epileptiform activity. We observed reduced global and protein specific O-GlcNAcylation and OGT expression in the kainate rat model of TLE and in human TLE hippocampal tissue. Inhibiting OGA with Thiamet-G elevated protein O-GlcNAcylation, and decreased both seizure duration and epileptic spike events, suggesting that OGA may be a therapeutic target for seizure control. These findings suggest that loss of O-GlcNAc homeostasis in the kainate model and in human TLE can be reversed via targeting of O-GlcNAc related pathways.
Aging and non-native speech perception: A phonetic training study.
Neuroscience letters, 2021

Cognitive decline is evident in the elderly and it affects speech perception and foreign language learning. A listen-and-repeat training with a challenging speech sound contrast was earlier found to be effective in young monolingual adults and even in advanced L2 university students at the attentive and pre-attentive levels. This study investigates foreign language speech perception in the elderly with the same protocol used with the young adults. Training effects were measured with attentive behavioural measures (N = 9) and with electroencephalography measuring the pre-attentive mismatch negativity (MMN) response (N = 10). Training was effective in identification, but not in discrimination and there were no changes in the MMN. The most attention demanding perceptual functions which benefit from experience-based linguistic knowledge were facilitated through training, whereas pre-attentive processing was unaffected. The elderly would probably benefit from different training types compared to younger adults.
Quantitative MRI and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry imaging of iron in the frontal cortex of healthy controls and Alzheimer's disease patients.
NeuroImage, 2020

Accumulation of iron within the cortex of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients has been reported by numerous MRI studies using iron-sensitive methods. Validation of iron-sensitive MRI is important for the interpretation of in vivo findings. In this study, the relation between the spatial iron distribution and T