bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential mechanisms underlying the effect of acute alcohol use on duration perception
Authors: Liu Yunpeng , Lu Minghui , Yin Huazhan , Yang Chun , Wu Dehua
Published: November 2024

Acute alcohol consumption has been found to cause duration perception distortions, but the directions of these distortions are not consistent. The mechanisms underlying this effect are also unclear. The present study seeks to elucidate the effect of acute alcohol consumption on duration perception and the mechanisms involved. Forty‐one participants in the placebo group and 40 in the alcohol group completed time bisection tasks, attentional network tests, digit span backward tests and arousal reports to evaluate their duration perception, attentional network, working memory capacity and arousal. The results showed that the alcohol group overestimated duration compared to the placebo group. The alcohol group also showed increased arousal, impaired executive control of attention and reduced working memory capacity. Arousal mediated the effect of acute alcohol consumption on duration perception, whilst working memory capacity masked this effect. The findings are discussed based on the Scalar Timing Model and the Cognitive Resource Allocation Model.
Gastric ultrasound performance time and difficulty: a prospective observational study
Authors: Filipovic Mark G. , Baettig Sascha J. , Hebeisen Monika , Meierhans Roman , Ganter Michael T.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Point‐of‐care gastric ultrasound is an emerging tool in peri‐operative practice. However, data on the technical challenges of gastric ultrasound, which are essential for optimised training, remain scarce. We analysed gastric ultrasound examinations performed after basic training to identify factors associated with difficulty.

Methods

This was an analysis of data from a prospective observational study evaluating the potential impact of routine pre‐operative gastric ultrasound on peri‐operative management in adult patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery at a single centre. Before initiation, physicians received extensive structured training with at least 30 supervised gastric sonograms before independent practice. We then used regression models to identify factors associated with deviation from a predefined sonography algorithm, performance time and scan difficulty.

Results

Seventy‐three trained physicians performed 2003 ultrasound scans. Median (IQR [range]) performance time was 5 (4–6 [1–20]) min, which was achieved after 20–27 scans following structured training. Patient characteristics associated with more difficult and longer duration scans were: increase in BMI per 5 kg.m‐2 (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.57 (1.35–1.83), p < 0.001 for difficulty and percentage change coefficient (95%CI) 1.03 (1.02–1.05), p < 0.001 for duration); and male sex (odds ratio (95%CI) 3.31 (2.28–4.88), p < 0.001 for difficulty and percentage change coefficient (95%CI) 1.08 (1.04–1.12), p < 0.001, for duration). Trauma surgery (odds ratio (95%CI) 3.26 (1.88–5.68), p < 0.001), ASA physical status of 3 or 4 (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.86 (1.21–2.88), p = 0.0049) and emergency surgery (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.86 (1.20–2.89), p = 0.006) were associated with deviation from the predefined sonography algorithm.

Discussion

Approximately 50 scans are required to achieve a baseline performance of 5 min per gastric ultrasound. Future training programmes should focus on patients with obesity, male sex, higher ASA physical status and trauma.
Association Between Different Insulin Resistance Indices and Heart Failure in US Adults With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Chen Lirong , Qian Lin , Liu Yongming
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to scrutinize the association between various Insulin Resistance (IR) indices and heart failure (HF) risk in adult diabetics within the United States.

Methods

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2005–2018) dataset was used in this study. Weighted logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline were employed to ascertain the correlation between IR indices and the incidence of HF in diabetic patients. The predictive capability of the IR indices was evaluated using the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve.

Results

This study included a total of 2574 diabetic patients, out of which 209 (8.1%) were diagnosed with HF. After the adjustment of potential confounders, TyG‐BMI (OR: 1.005, 95% CI: 1.002–1.009), TG/HDL‐C (OR: 1.138, 95% CI: 1.024–1.265), and METS‐IR index (OR: 1.035, 95% CI: 1.015–1.057) were significantly associated with HF risk. RCS curves revealed nonlinear dose–response relationship between TyG, TyG‐BMI, TG/HDL‐C, and the occurrence of HF in diabetic patients. Subgroup analyses showed that four IR indices were positively associated with the risk of HF in the elderly diabetic population. Unfortunately, all IR indices failed to improve the predictive performance of the underlying risk model for HF in diabetic patients.

Conclusion

Four IR markers may be important predictors of HF risk in diabetics.
Daily relationship satisfaction and markers of health: Findings from a smartphone‐based assessment
Authors: Karakose Selin , Luchetti Martina , Ledermann Thomas , Stephan Yannick , Terracciano Antonio , Sutin Angelina R.
Published: November 2024

Relationship satisfaction is associated consistently with better physical and mental health. Less is known about these associations in daily life, particularly the association between relationship satisfaction and cognitive health. This study examined the daily, within‐person association between relationship satisfaction and subjective health markers, including cognitive health. Participants from the United States (N = 303; Mage = 51.71, SD = 7.32) in the Couples Healthy Aging Project (CHAP) completed assessments of relationship satisfaction and health markers every night for eight days. Multilevel modeling was performed by accounting for personal (sex, age, race, education), relational (relationship duration), and contextual (day in the study, weekend day) factors. Within‐person, on days when participants were more satisfied with their relationship, they felt healthier, younger, more satisfied with their life, and more purposeful. They also reported a sharper mind, better memory, and clearer thinking; relationship satisfaction was unrelated to whether participants were bothered and disrupted by forgetting. Results indicated that a satisfying romantic relationship is closely associated with better physical, psychological, and cognitive health markers in daily life.
Effects of extensive grazing and mowing compared to abandonment on the biodiversity of European grasslands: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Schneider Andrea R. , Hering Daniel
Published: November 2024

Background and Objective

Extensively managed grasslands play a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity by providing habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species. The most common management is either grazing or mowing, or grasslands are abandoned. The differential effects of these management or abandoning schemes on biodiversity patterns of extensively managed grasslands have not yet been systematically evaluated with a large number of available case studies. We aimed to identify by a meta‐analysis the best option for biodiversity in extensively managed grassland in Europe.

Materials and Methods

Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched for publications that appeared before 31 January 2024 and that reported the effects of management schemes on biodiversity patterns of extensively managed grassland. Out of 971 original records, 54 full‐text articles were included in the final analysis. We extracted values for mean, SD and sample size of species numbers and calculated Hedge's g to rate treatment effects.

Results

Extensive management (grazing, mowing) increased species number compared to abandonment (effect size: Hedge's g = 1.30). For plant diversity, extensive management had a strong positive effect (g = 1.78), while the effect of grazing and mowing was minor for animal biodiversity (g = 0.03). The results were recognizably influenced by the investigated plot sizes. Small plots (<10 m2) showed a much stronger effect (g = 2.19) than larger plots (g = 0.56). The type of extensive management, grazing or mowing, had no influence on the results.

Conclusion

In line with results on grasslands in general, our results underline that biodiversity of extensively managed grasslands benefits from extensive grazing or mowing. Although abandonment had a negligible effect on animal species richness, the effect on vegetation was strong. The low effect of abandonment on the fauna can be explained by the relatively short duration of the studies. The characteristics of grassland were still present, and it had not turned into forest. Extensive grazing or mowing are therefore the best options for grassland managed for conservation purposes.
Loneliness as lack of solidarity: The case of Palestinians standing alone
Authors: Lederman Zohar , Kayali Browne Tamara , Kayali Liyana , Lederman Shumel , Orr Zvika
Published: November 2024

This paper explores the notion of loneliness as lack of solidarity in relations to Palestinians living in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Israel, and the diaspora. Loneliness as lack of solidarity is defined as lacking someone to identify with and/or lacking someone who is willing to assist while carrying a burden. We describe the mechanism of lack of identification using the concept of epistemic injustice. The paper suggests that art may serve as a way to mitigate this kind of loneliness, and focus on the Freedom Theater, which was operating in Jenin Refugee Camp until recently.
Contraceptive digital pills and sexual and reproductive healthcare of women with mental disabilities: Problem or solution?
Authors: Triviño Rosana , Martínez‐López María Victoria
Published: November 2024

For years, the sexual and reproductive health of women with intellectual and developmental disability or disabilities has been insufficiently addressed by institutions and family members due to a lack of information, training, and, sometimes, religious issues. In this context, contraceptive digital pills can enhance the sexual and reproductive control of this population group. Digital pills could help to improve adherence to treatments aimed to prevent unwanted pregnancies, as well as allowing women and their caregivers to exert better drug intake control. However, there are some ethical risks to consider that may outweigh these benefits. This study sets out to explore the ethical considerations that should be taken into account in the case of a potential roll‐out of contraceptive digital pills as a way of improving the sexual and reproductive health of these women.
Determinants of child body weight categorization in parents and health care professionals: An experimental study
Authors: Evans Elizabeth H. , Ridley Bethany J. , Cornelissen Piers L. , Kramer Robin S. S. , Araújo‐Soares Vera , Tovée Martin J.
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Parents infrequently recognize childhood overweight/obesity and healthcare professionals (HCPs) also struggle to visually identify it, potentially limiting the offer and uptake of weight management support. This study examined perceptual and attitudinal/cognitive determinants of child weight judgements amongst parents and HCPs to identify targets for intervention.

Design

We used a mixed experimental design with parents and HCPs as the between‐participants factor. Stimulus gender, age and BMI centile were the within‐participant repeated measures factors.

Methods

One hundred and fifty‐six HCPs and 249 parents of children aged 4–5 or 10–11 years viewed simulated child images. They estimated their relative size and categorized the weight status of each figure. Stimuli were photo‐realistic figural scales based on 3D‐scans of 4‐ to 5‐ and 10‐ to 11‐year‐old children varying in adiposity. Participants also reported their beliefs about causes, controllability and categorization of child weight.

Results

Both groups accurately estimated the figures' relative size. However, categorization of higher weight figures was poor, demonstrating a mismatch between perceptual judgements of size and categorization of weight status. Lower levels of comfort with assigning ‘overweight’ categorizations to children, and a stronger belief that weight was controllable by the child/parent, predicted less accurate weight status categorizations.

Conclusions

Parental and HCP misperceptions when categorizing children's higher weight are related to attitudinal/cognitive factors, including reluctance to label a child's weight status as overweight and beliefs about whether a child's weight can be controlled by them or their family.
Novel Fused Pyrimidines as Potent Cyclin‐Dependent Kinases Inhibitor for Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Combined In Vitro, In Silico Anticancer Studies
Authors: Saravanakumar Natarajan , Poorani Arunagiri Sivanesan Aruna , Dhanabalan Anantha Krishnan , Sugapriya Selvam , Kumaresan Ganesan , Suresh Palaniswamy
Published: November 2024

Our research aims to design novel pyrimidine derivatives inspired by the common pyrimidine core found in many FDA‐approved drugs. However, extensive prior research on the pyrimidine scaffold has made discovering new molecules more challenging. To overcome this obstacle, we employed a molecular hybridisation strategy, opting to hybridise tetralin and pyrimidine, recognising their potential in cancer therapeutics. The fused pyrimidine was synthesised through a base‐mediated condensation of chalcone with amidine. The reaction conditions were further optimised for base, solvent, temperature and time to produce a series of 21 novel derivatives. These compounds were subsequently screened for anticancer activity against gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines using the MTT assay. Among the synthesised compounds, 2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐4‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐5,6‐dihydrobenzo[h]quinazoline 8b and 4‐(2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐5,6 dihydrobenzo[h]quinazolin‐4‐yl) phenol 5g exhibited potent anticancer activity compared to (R)‐Roscovitine. Additionally, a molecular docking study was conducted to assess the reactivity of compound 5g, revealing that the presence of a phenolic hydroxyl group enables hydrogen bonding with CDKs and enhances anticancer activity. Furthermore, the efficacy of compound 5g was validated through an in vitro CDK2/cyclin A2 enzyme inhibition assay. Interestingly, the observed CDK2 inhibitory activity showed a good correlation with the corresponding value for the antiproliferative activity of the tested compounds.
Semisynthetic p‐Coumaric Acid Derivatives as Lead Dual Inhibitors Against DPP‐IV and GSK‐3β for Antidiabetic Therapy
Authors: de Paula Heberth , Bolsoni Camilla Santos , de Souza Fernanda Fernandes , Fonseca Victor Da Rocha , Romão Wanderson , de Sairre Mirela Ines , Honorio Kathia Maria , Lacerda Valdemar , Morais Pedro Alves Bezerra
Published: November 2024

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a dramatically increasing global public health challenge. The prevalence is projected almost double, from 194 million in 2003 to 333 million in 2025 with type 2 diabetes mellitus representing approximately 90%–95% of cases. Dual inhibitors for antidiabetic targets is still novel and promising strategy for discovery of more effective therapies. Ester and triazole derivatives of p‐coumaric acid were obtained from Williamson synthesis and Microwave‐assisted click reaction, respectively. Chemical structures were finely characterized through IR, 1H, and 13C NMR and HRMS. They were tested for their dual inhibitory activity against GSK‐3β kinase and DPP‐IV. The complexes resulting from docking were used for all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations, including the enzymes in the apo form, using the GROMACS 2022.3. Two inhibitors 2 and 5 demonstrated promising inhibition at low and submicromolar against both proteins. Molecular Dynamic simulations revealed that the binding pattern of the control inhibitors were reproduced by p‐coumaric acid derivatives 2 and 5 with crucial interactions involving the same residues. The p‐coumaric skeleton can be considered as a promising core for GSK‐3β kinase and DPP‐IV dual inhibitors.
A timespace of zero‐COVID in Southwest China: Building community, governing time
Authors: Zhao Xuyi
Published: November 2024

In this article, I take the organization of universal COVID testing as a point of departure for understanding the lived experiences of China's zero‐COVID policy and look at “the Community” (shequ) as a dynamic interface between the state and urban residents during the liminal time of a global pandemic. Drawing on Bryant and Knight's notion of “vernacular timespace” (2019), I analyze the timespace of zero‐COVID as a state‐regulated future orientation interwoven with collective anticipation of crisis, bureaucratic temporal governance, and contestations over time as a form of agency in everyday life. Instead of assuming a unitary form of present‐future relationship that was homogeneous and unchallenged, I argue that the collective anticipation of a public health crisis was constantly shaped, managed, and contested throughout the processes of pandemic community building. This research hopes to enrich reflections on the interplays of time, power, and legitimacy in post‐pandemic urban governance.
How Do We Identify Anthropogenic Allee Effects in the Wildlife Trade?
Authors: Almeida Ryan J. , Hyde Mary Cate , Lockwood Julie L.
Published: November 2024

The harvest and sale of wildlife can drive species to extinction when consumers are willing to pay high prices for the last harvested individuals of a very rare species, a phenomenon known as the anthropogenic Allee effect (AAE). Because demand for rarity is an inherent human desire, the AAE has the potential to affect a wide range of exploited species across several geographic regions. Here, we assess the current extent of empirical evidence for the AAE, how such evidence has been measured, and how this evidence interfaces with existing models of the AAE. We find substantial gaps in the empirical evidence base for the AAE and suggest that this deficit prevents assessment of the AAE in species extinctions. We provide a framework for generating empirical evidence that can identify when the AAE is likely occurring or has the potential to occur in the future, and recommend directions for both empirical and theoretical modeling research designed to strengthen our ability to forecast the ecological and market conditions that result in an AAE.
Are local species prioritization lists sufficient for protecting endangered plants? Israeli red list as a test case
Authors: Lebel Vine Merav , Walczak Margareta , Lebel Vine Gal , Fragman‐Sapir Ori , Leschner Hagar , Ur Yair , Ron Mimi , Ben‐Natan Dar , Shemesh Bar , Singer Alon , Sapir Yuval
Published: November 2024

Conserving species from extinction requires risk assessment and ranking for conservation priorities. The IUCN criteria of extinction risk are currently accepted globally, but only a small fraction of species were evaluated. When assessing species' extinction risk, sufficient information, in particular rate of population decline, is often partial or missing. Here we utilized the red list of Israeli endangered plant species, which prioritizes them for conservation, and evaluated their local extinction risk using IUCN criteria for local assessment. We found a relatively high similarity between the Israeli red number value and the IUCN assessments. Most pronouncedly, the habitat vulnerability index, used in the Israeli method, is correlated with the IUCN parameter of extinction rate in the last decade. We conclude that in the case of Israel, prioritization ranking of endangered species based on locally available information is a powerful tool for conservation even when some species information is lacking, facilitating local decision‐making. This finding may apply also to other countries using a local assessment system.
Characteristics of animal movement and environmental data for dynamic ocean management: Insights and guidance
Authors: McDonnell Laura H. , Hazen Elliott L. , Mach Katharine J.
Published: November 2024

Dynamic ocean management (DOM) is a critical approach for protecting highly migratory species amid environmental variability and change. We conducted an adapted systematic review to assess how animal movement and environmental data are used in DOM applications, identifying key data traits, barriers, and research priorities. Animal tag data inform initial assessments of species distributions, development of habitat models, near real‐time model inputs, and iterative model evaluation for dynamic management. In documented examples, effective translation of scientific insights into dynamic management products has resulted from early communication between researchers and stakeholders, integration of environmental and fisheries‐dependent data into advanced habitat modeling approaches, and reformatting of outputs for interdisciplinary needs. However, challenges persist around data gaps, science‐policy translation, and technical capacity limitations. Our findings highlight the importance of intentional, collaborative data collection, translation, and sharing to enable dynamic, climate‐resilient management of migratory species. We demonstrate DOM's adaptability and provide guidance for researchers and practitioners to contribute and use impactful data that informs responsive management decision‐making.
Accumulation of endogenous Muse cells in the myocardium and its pathophysiological role in patients with fulminant myocarditis
Authors: Toyoda Shigeru , Sakuma Masashi , Ishida Kazuyuki , Kushida Yoshihiro , Soma Ryoichi , Takayama Hidehito , Akimoto Kazumi , Dezawa Mari , Inoue Teruo
Published: November 2024

Multi‐lineage differentiating stress‐enduring (Muse) cells, identified as pluripotent surface marker SSEA‐3(+) cells, are stress tolerant endogenous pluripotent‐like stem cells, and are involved in tissue repair. However, the significance of Muse cells in acute myocarditis has not been evaluated. In the present study, we counted Muse cells/area in biopsied myocardial tissue samples from 17 patients with fulminant myocarditis, and 6 with non‐inflammatory myocardial disease as controls. Compared with controls, patients with fulminant myocarditis had significantly more Muse cells (p = 0.00042). Patients with mechanical circulatory support (p = 0.006) and myocardial degeneration (p = 0.023) had significantly more Muse cells than those without them. The Muse cell number was correlated with acute phase CK‐MB level (ρ = 0.547, p = 0.029), indicating the severity of myocardial injury, and was also correlated with acute/recovery phase ratio of CK‐MB (ρ = 0.585, p = 0.023) and cardiac troponin I (ρ = 0.498, p = 0.047) levels, indicating resilience of myocardial injury. In fulminant myocarditis, the Muse cell number was associated with the severity of clinical features in the acute phase, and also with the recovery from myocardial damage in the chronic phase. Endogenous Muse cells might be mobilized and accumulate to the myocardial tissues in fulminant myocarditis, and might participate in the repair of injured myocardium.
Revision of a self‐assessment tool for research ethics committees in low‐ and middle‐income countries: Incorporation of elements that safeguard participants' rights and welfare
Authors: Sleem Hany , Silverman Henry J.
Published: November 2024

Evaluating the quality of research ethics committees (RECs) is crucial but challenging due to the difficulty of developing meaningful quality measures. Recently, commentators assessed ten quality instruments for RECs, including the Research Ethics Committee Quality Assurance Self‐Assessment Tool developed for RECs in the Arab Middle East. They identified several missing items in this tool regarding safeguarding participants' rights and welfare.

To address these gaps, we aimed to redesign the tool. Using the Delphi method, we involved 15 REC chairs to provide feedback and recommendations for a revised tool. This process led to a modified instrument that incorporated the missing items and additional elements regarding the monitoring of research conduct (an essential oversight function of RECs), and the independence of the RECs from institutional and external influences.

We conclude that the revised tool effectively addresses the quality of RECs by including elements relevant to participant outcomes, board deliberations, and participant protection. The added focus on ethics oversight enhances its robustness, significantly impacting participants' rights and welfare.
Diagnostic Value of Regional Wall Motion Abnormalities on Resting Transthoracic Echocardiography for Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Hatfield Jess , Woods Michael D. , Pham Alex , Mayo Scott , Wahab Laith , Hammonds Kendall , Nguyen Vinh , Widmer Robert J.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is used as a clinical decision‐making tool to assess systolic function, but there is limited data regarding the validity of this tool to predict obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). This study evaluates the utility of RWMA on TTE for detecting obstructive CAD in patients with no prior CAD history.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed charts of adults who underwent resting TTE and coronary angiography within 30 days, analyzing RWMA in relation to angiographic luminal stenosis.

Results

Among 754 patients (mean age 62, 60% male), TTE sensitivity varied with timing relative to angiography: 68.7% after angiography versus 49.5% before. In ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients (n = 126 after vs. n = 4 before), sensitivity was 89.8%. RWMA correlated with CAD severity, particularly in STEMI cases.

Conclusions

TTE specificity remains high, but sensitivity varies significantly by timing, with the highest sensitivity in STEMI patients. These findings could refine decision‐making in uncertain STEMI cases, supporting TTE as a valuable adjunctive diagnostic tool.
Queer Civics, Hermeneutical Injustice, and the Cis‐Straight Nation‐State: Reading the Illusion of LGBTQ+ Inclusion through the (Queer) Child
Authors: Coleman James Joshua , Wargo Jon M.
Published: November 2024

In this article, James Joshua Coleman and Jon Wargo interrogate the (queer) child as a concept and specter that haunts civic life in the United States. Whereas scholars across a range of fields and standpoints have questioned the value of LGBTQ+ inclusion in public school curricula, and society more broadly, together Coleman and Wargo wonder at the capacity of civics education to include queer (as opposed to LGBTQ+) citizens within the cis‐straight nation‐state. To explore this possibility, they read across two bills: (1) H.R. 9197 (Stop the Sexualization of Children Act), and (2) Illinois House Bill 246 (Inclusive Curriculum Law). In so doing, they highlight how the (Queer) Child operates as an organizing binary logic within these bills and examine how hermeneutical injustice impedes the formation of a truly queer civics education. Specifically, Coleman and Wargo demonstrate how hermeneutical injustice limits the nature of inclusion for LGBTQ+ citizens, both for exclusionary, anti‐LGBTQ+ policy and for seemingly inclusive legislation. Pointing to scenes that demonstrate hermeneutical justice and queer survivance, they conclude by suggesting the construction of a queer civics education that stands outside the binary logics of the cis‐straight nation‐state.
Balancing brain metabolic states during sickness and recovery sleep
Authors: Noya Sara B. , Sengupta Arjun , Yue Zhifeng , Weljie Aalim , Sehgal Amita
Published: November 2024

Sickness sleep and rebound following sleep deprivation share humoral signals including the rise of cytokines, in particular interleukins. Nevertheless, they represent unique physiological states with unique brain firing patterns and involvement of specific circuitry. Here, we performed untargeted metabolomics of mouse cortex and hippocampus to uncover changes with sickness and rebound sleep as compared with normal daily sleep. We found that the three settings are biochemically unique with larger differences in the cortex than in the hippocampus. Both sickness and rebound sleep shared an increase in tryptophan. Surprisingly, these two sleep conditions showed opposite modulation of the methionine–homocysteine cycle and differences in terms of the energetic signature, with sickness impinging on glycolysis intermediates whilst rebound increased the triphosphorylated form of nucleotides. These findings indicate that rebound following sleep deprivation stimulates an energy rich setting in the brain that is devoid during sickness sleep.
Amyloid beta–activated alpha‐1‐syntrophin has ramifications on Rac1 activation, ROS production and neuronal cell death
Authors: Mushtaq Umar , Ganai Rais A. , Ahmad Muzamil , Khanday Firdous Ahmad
Published: November 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of β‐amyloid (Aβ)—containing extracellular neuritic plaques and phosphorylated tau—containing intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. It remains the primary neuropathological criteria for the diagnosis of AD. Additionally, several other processes are currently being recognized as significant risk factors for AD development, including the brain's susceptibility to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS production is among the early signs in the progression of AD. However, the underlying mechanisms behind increased ROS production in AD remain poorly understood. We have observed SNTA1 plays critical role in regulating ROS levels in different pathological conditions. Here, we wanted to gain further insight into the role of SNTA1 in the development of AD by using IMR32 cell line. Our results show that the accumulation of Aβ plaques in Alzheimer's model neuroblastoma cells significantly increases the expression and activation of SNTA1 and MKK6 kinase. The activation of MKK6 results in the phosphorylation of SNTA1, creating a binding site for Rac1, leading to its activation and subsequent production of ROS. Excessive ROS production leads to cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, a hallmark of AD. Our study provides new insight into the mechanism of Aβ‐mediated cell death in AD and suggests that MKK6‐mediated activation of alpha‐1‐syntrophin promotes ROS production in neuronal cells, resulting in cell death. This study presents a mechanistic insight into Aβ‐mediated cell death and could serve as a paradigm for reducing neuronal cell death in AD.
Gender variability in palpation performance for temporomandibular disorders with three different methods: An experimental study
Authors: Faghihian Hessamoddin , Böthun Alicia , Häggman‐Henrikson Birgitta , Lalouni Maria , Svensson Peter , Hellström Fredrik , Andersson Linus , Lövgren Anna
Published: November 2024

Gender differences in pain reporting and prevalence have been demonstrated. As gender of examiner also affects reporting of pain on palpation, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of examiner gender on palpation performance using three different palpation methods. Examiners of both genders were instructed on the correct technique for each palpation method by either a female or male instructor. The target was to achieve a pressure of 100 kPa, corresponding to the 1 kg of force for muscle palpation described in the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD). All examiners performed traditional palpation with the index finger, palpation with a palpometer, and a novel bimanual palpation with visual feedback, in a randomized order. The examiner's gender, and its interaction with the gender of the instructor did not significantly affect magnitude, accuracy, or precision of the pressure applied. The method of palpation was the only factor that significantly impacted all metrics. The palpometer achieved the lowest palpation magnitude (mean pressure applied = 113.7  kPa, 95% CI: 109.8–117.6), the highest accuracy (absolute difference = 15.7  kPa, 95% CI: 12.3–19.1), and the highest precision (mean coefficient of variation = 6.8, 95% CI: 6.0–7.6), followed by bimanual palpation and traditional palpation. The results suggest that gender differences in pain reporting in patients are not likely to be a result of the technical aspects associated with the gender of the examiner. Instead, these differences may be attributed to other factors, such as sociocultural influences.
Sustainable Land Use Strengthens Microbial and Herbivore Controls in Soil Food Webs in Current and Future Climates
Authors: Sünnemann Marie , Barnes Andrew D. , Amyntas Angelos , Ciobanu Marcel , Jochum Malte , Lochner Alfred , Potapov Anton M. , Reitz Thomas , Rosenbaum Benjamin , Schädler Martin , Zeuner Anja , Eisenhauer Nico
Published: November 2024

Climate change and land‐use intensification are threatening soil communities and ecosystem functions. Understanding the combined effects of climate change and land use is crucial for predicting future impacts on soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in agroecosystems. Here, we used a field experiment to quantify the combined effects of climate change (warming and altered precipitation patterns) and land use (agricultural type and management intensity) on soil food webs across nematodes, micro‐, and macroarthropods. Specifically, we investigated two types of agricultural systems—croplands and grasslands—under both high‐ and low‐intensity management. We focused on assessing the functioning of soil food webs by investigating changes in energy flux to consumers in the main trophic groups: decomposers, microbivores, herbivores, and predators. While the total energy flux and detritivory, herbivory and predation in the soil food web remained unchanged across treatments, low‐intensity land use—compared to high intensity—led to higher microbivory and microbial control under future climate conditions (i.e., warming and summer drought) in croplands and grasslands. At the same time, microbial and herbivore control were higher under low‐intensity land use in croplands and grasslands. Overall, our results underscore the potential benefits of less intensive, more sustainable management practices for soil food‐web functioning under current and future climate scenarios.
Global Distribution of Alien Mammals Under Climate Change
Authors: Biancolini Dino , Pacifici Michela , Falaschi Mattia , Bellard Céline , Blackburn Tim M. , Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Rondinini Carlo
Published: November 2024

The recent thematic Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control of the Intergovernmental Science‐Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services reaffirmed biological invasions as a major threat to biodiversity. Anticipating biological invasions is crucial for avoiding their ecological and socio‐economic impacts, particularly as climate change may provide new opportunities for the establishment and spread of alien species. However, no studies have combined assessments of suitability and dispersal to evaluate the invasion by key taxonomic groups, such as mammals. Using species distribution models, we estimated the potential effect of climate change on the future distributions of 205 alien mammal species by the year 2050 under three different climatic scenarios. We used species dispersal ability to differentiate between suitable areas that may be susceptible to natural dispersal from alien ranges (Spread Potential, SP) and those that may be vulnerable to alien establishment through human‐assisted dispersal (Establishment Potential, EP) across 11 zoogeographic realms. Establishment Potential was generally boosted by climate change, showing a clear poleward shift across scenarios, whereas SP was negatively affected by climate change and limited by alien species insularity. These trends were consistent across all realms. Insular ecosystems, while being vulnerable to invasion, may act as geographical traps for alien mammals that lose climatic suitability. In addition, our analysis identified the alien species that are expected to spread or decline the most in each realm, primarily generalists with high invasive potential, as likely foci of future management efforts. In some areas, the possible reduction in suitability for alien mammals could offer opportunities for ecosystem restoration, particularly on islands. In others, increased suitability calls for adequate actions to prevent their arrival and spread. Our findings are potentially valuable in informing synergistic actions addressing both climate change and biological invasion together to safeguard native biodiversity worldwide.
Evaluating the Usefulness of the C‐S‐R Framework for Understanding AM Fungal Responses to Climate Change in Agroecosystems
Authors: Heuck Meike Katharina , Powell Jeff R. , Kath Jarrod , Birnbaum Christina , Frew Adam
Published: November 2024

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play a key role in terrestrial ecosystems by forming symbiotic relationships with plants and may confer benefits for sustainable agriculture, by reducing reliance on harmful fertiliser and pesticide inputs and enhancing plant resilience against insect herbivores. Despite their ecological importance, critical gaps in understanding AM fungal ecology limit predictions of their responses to global change in agroecosystems. However, predicting climate change impacts on AM fungi is important for maintaining crop productivity and ecosystem stability. Efforts to classify AM fungi based on functional traits, such as the competitor, stress‐tolerator, ruderal (C‐S‐R) framework, aim to address these gaps but face challenges due to the obligate symbiotic nature of the fungi. As the framework is still widely used, we evaluate its applicability in predicting global change impacts on AM fungal communities in agroecosystems. Chagnon's adaptation of the C‐S‐R framework for AM fungi aligns with some study outcomes (e.g., under the context of water limitation) but faces challenges when used in complex climate change scenarios, varying agricultural conditions and/or extreme climatic conditions. The reliance on a limited dataset to classify AM fungal families further limits accurate predictions of AM fungal community dynamics. Trait data collection could support a nuanced understanding of AM fungi and leveraging AM fungal databases could streamline data management and analysis, enhancing efforts to clarify AM fungal responses to environmental change and guide ecosystem management practices. Thus, while the C‐S‐R framework holds promise, it requires additional AM fungal trait data for validation and improvement of its predictive power. Conclusively, before designing experiments based on life‐history strategies and developing new frameworks tailored to AM fungi a critical first step is to gain a comprehensive understanding of their traits.
Rapid Eutrophication of a Clearwater Lake: Trends and Potential Causes Inferred From Phosphorus Mass Balance Analyses
Authors: Gonsiorczyk Thomas , Hupfer Michael , Hilt Sabine , Gessner Mark O.
Published: November 2024

Many clearwater lakes increasingly show symptoms of eutrophication, but the underlying causes are largely unknown. We combined long‐term water chemistry data, multi‐year sediment trap measurements, sediment analyses and simple mass balance models to elucidate potential causes of eutrophication of a deep temperate clearwater lake, where total phosphorus (TP) concentrations quadrupled within a decade, accompanied by expanding hypolimnetic anoxia. Discrepancies between modeled and empirically determined P inputs suggest that the observed sharp rise in TP was driven by internal processes. The magnitude of seasonal variation in TP greatly increased at the same time, both in surface and deep water, partly decoupled from deep water oxygen conditions. A positive correlation between annual P loss from the upper water column and hypolimnetic P accumulation could hint at a short‐circuited P cycle involving lateral TP transport from shallow‐water zones and deposition and release from sediments in deep water. This hypothesis is also supported by P budgets for the upper 20 m during stable summer stratification, suggesting that sediments in shallow lake areas acted as a P net source until 2018. These changes are potentially related to shifts in submerged macrophytes from wintergreen charophyte meadows (Nitellopsis obtusa) to annual free‐floating hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) and to increased sulfide formation, promoting iron fixation in the sediments. Iron bound to sulfur is unavailable for binding P, resulting in a positive feedback between P release in shallow lake areas, primary productivity, macrophyte community structure and redox‐dependent sediment biogeochemistry. Overall, our results suggest that relationships more complex than the commonly invoked increase in internal P release under increasingly anoxic conditions can drive rapid lake eutrophication. Since the proportion of littoral areas is typically large even in deep stratified lakes, littoral processes may contribute more frequently to the rapid lake eutrophication trends observed around the world than is currently recognized.
Managing Soil Carbon Sequestration: Assessing the Effects of Intermediate Crops, Crop Residue Removal, and Digestate Application on Swedish Arable Land
Authors: Barrios Latorre Sergio Alejandro , Björnsson Lovisa , Prade Thomas
Published: November 2024

Promoting the bioeconomy to aid in the achievement of sustainability goals has increased demand for biomass as feedstock. Residual biomass from agricultural production is an attractive option, as it is a by‐product that does not compete with food production. However, crop residues are important for the preservation of soil quality, especially for the maintenance of soil organic carbon. Therefore, their use can conflict with environmental goals and initiatives that aim to preserve soil fertility and carbon stocks. Nevertheless, the adoption of intermediate crops could compensate for the negative effects of crop residue removal. Moreover, if crop residues are used for a bioeconomy pathway such as biogas production, the resulting digestate derived from the anaerobic digestion process could be returned to the soil, providing an input of highly recalcitrant carbon. In this study, we modeled the effects of removal of crop residues, the cultivation of intermediate crops, and the application of digestate on Swedish soil organic carbon stocks. Our results suggest that the inclusion of intermediate crops could raise the carbon stocks at equilibrium by an average of 1.93 t C ha−1 (~3% increase) with a notable spatial variation. Digestate application showed a higher average increase (3.3 t C ha−1, ~5%) with an even higher variation. The removal of crop residues was detrimental in some areas, resulting in a loss of carbon, which could not be compensated for entirely by the introduction of intermediate crops or digestate recycling. Combining these two practices showed overall positive effects on soil organic carbon stocks; however, the results cannot be generalized at any spatial location, and we emphasize the importance of assessments tailored to local conditions.
Diseño regulatorio e interacciones de gobernanza en la responsabilidad social impulsada por los trabajadores. Acuerdo de Dindigul
Authors: FUDGE Judy , LEBARON Genevieve
Published: November 2024

En este artículo se investiga el auge de las iniciativas de responsabilidad social impulsada por los trabajadores (RST) para combatir los abusos laborales y la vulneración de los derechos humanos en las cadenas mundiales de suministro. Se analiza el Acuerdo de Dindigul, un caso pionero de RST impulsado por un sindicato independiente de mayoría dalit dirigido por mujeres en Dindigul (India) para abordar la violencia por razón de género en las cadenas de suministro de la confección. Mediante entrevistas con informadores clave y análisis documental codificado en NVivo 12, se estudia la génesis del Acuerdo de Dindigul, su singularidad y sus interacciones con otros instrumentos de gobernanza.
Eficacia del ajuste ocupacional de la formación profesional para personas desocupadas. Datos de la República de Corea
Authors: HWANG Inyoung , PARK Youngseok , CHOE Chung
Published: November 2024

La República de Corea presenta un fuerte desajuste de la calificación y necesita formación profesional para mitigarlo. En este artículo se analiza el impacto, en gran medida inexplorado, de la formación profesional en ese desajuste a partir de datos administrativos (HRD‐Net, 2016–2019). Se examinan las tasas de ocupación ajustada a la calificación (en contraste con la tasa de ocupación convencional) aplicando un modelo de efectos fijos para sondear sus determinantes. Se concluye que las horas de formación tienen un efecto positivo significativamente mayor sobre la tasa de ocupación ajustada que sobre la tasa de ocupación convencional, al contrario de lo que ocurre con las características individuales.
CMAS corrosion resistance of rare earth phosphates at high temperatures for environmental barrier coatings
Authors: Majee Bishnu Pada , Bryce Keith , Huang Liping , Lian Jie
Published: November 2024

Phase stability, thermal properties, and calcium–magnesium–alumina–silicate (CMAS) resistance of LuPO4 at 1300°C, 1400°C, and 1500°C were studied to evaluate its potential as an environmental barrier coating (EBC) for SiC‐based ceramic‐matrix composites (CMCs). Its coefficient of thermal expansion (∼5.69 × 10−6°C−1) is close to that of SiC‐based CMCs. At 1300°C, a dense reaction layer of Ca8MgLu(PO4)7 forms and inhibits CMAS penetration; however, no such layer forms at 1400°C and 1500°C, leading to CMAS infiltration along grain boundaries. Prolonged (45 and 96 hours) CMAS corrosion of LuPO4 at 1300°C showed the formation of a disilicate (Lu2Si2O7) phase along with Ca8MgLu(PO4)7. A multicomponent rare earth phosphate (Lu0.2Yb0.2Er0.2Y0.2Gd0.2)PO4 shows improved CMAS resistance at 1400°C due to higher grain boundary stability and slower dissolution rate of rare earth elements into molten CMAS than single component rare earth phosphate. The mechanisms of CMAS corrosion and the kinetics of the formation of protective reaction layers in LuPO4 and (Lu0.2Yb0.2Er0.2Y0.2Gd0.2)PO4 were elucidated. Multicomponent design is needed to increase grain boundary stability and reduce dissolution rate into molten CMAS for REPO4‐based EBCs.
Rheological and Thermal Studies of Euglena/Konjac Glucomannan Composite Gel as a New Resource Food Matrix
Authors: Wang Baoping , Zhang Guangming , Cheng Ping , Han Jun , Fan Zhiping
Published: November 2024

Natural konjac glucomannan is an ideal candidate for hydrogels due to its excellent gel‐forming abilities, though its limited nutritional value somewhat restricts its applications. This project primarily explored the thermal and rheological properties of composite hydrogels formed by combining konjac glucomannan with Euglena. The hydrogels were created using a Euglena suspension processed through hydration, high‐speed shearing, and ultrasonic homogenization. This is the first report to document the creation of composite gels using konjac glucomannan and Euglena. This novel combination enhanced the thermal stability of the gels to 258.7°C, improved frost resistance to −19.9°C, increased the maximum activation energy to 24,179.6 J/mol, and raised maximum creep compliance to 0.6259 1/Pa. These characteristics significantly expand their potential for food preservation and active nutrient delivery while also offering new strategy for developing nutritionally rich gel foods and new resource food matrices.