bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Context effects on healthy food choice under situational modes of consumer thinking: A case study with poke bowls
Authors: Choi Byung‐Joon , Kim Jinwon
Published: February 2025

In the context of healthy food consumption, this research aims to explore the moderating role of situational modes of thinking for both 1) the attraction effect (individuals tend to choose options that are similar to others but dominate inferior alternatives) and 2) the compromise effect (individuals prefer intermediate options over those with high‐ and low‐end extremes). With the experimental priming of thinking style (analytic vs. holistic), these context effects were investigated by measuring French participants' purchase intention and willingness to pay for poke bowls—a lower‐calorie, nutrient‐dense food. The results demonstrate that situational induction of thinking style has a differential impact on the relative increase in consumers' purchase preferences for options offering either a dominant value in a specific attribute or an intermediate value throughout the available attributes. The attraction (compromise) effect was amplified with analytic (holistic) thinking style, leading consumers to have a higher purchase intention and willingness to pay for the dominating (intermediate) option of poke bowls. This research highlights the shifts in purchase preferences depending on consumer thinking in either the analytic or holistic mode and suggests effective global strategies to facilitate target consumers' purchase orientation toward a specific option of lower‐calorie packaged foods.
Towards sustainability by reducing speciesism: The effect of a prejudice‐based intervention on people's attitudes and behaviours towards animals
Authors: Stel Mariëlle , Unterweger Aiko
Published: February 2025

The way we use animals for human consumption, medicines, and entertainment causes problems for the environment, our health, and animal welfare. This research investigated an intervention aimed at reducing harmful attitudes and behaviours towards animals. As the underlying mechanism of prejudice towards animals is similar to human outgroup prejudice, we designed an intervention based on synthesized insights from the prejudice literature. In two studies, participants (NStudy1 = 603 and NStudy2 = 600) either received an intervention or no intervention. Then, harmful attitudes and behaviours towards animals (Studies 1 and 2) and possible mediators (Study 2) were measured. The prejudice‐based intervention led participants to more strongly intend to reduce their hurtful behaviours towards animals (Studies 1 and 2). Moreover, the intervention diminished participants' animal product consumption as measured after a week (Study 2). Whereas the intervention did not affect speciesist attitudes in Study 1, it did in the more strongly powered Study 2. Finally, the path model of Study 2 showed that perspective‐taking and feelings associated with injustice played a role in reducing speciesism, whereas awareness of animal treatment did not. Together, our intervention provides an important step to sustainability by reducing speciesism.
An Economic Evaluation of Direct Oral Penicillin Challenge for De‐Labelling Low Risk Patients With a Penicillin Allergy Label
Authors: Bestwick R. , Bhogal R. , Kildonaviciute K. , Ng B. Y. , Jackson B. , Moriarty C. , Thomas C. , Savic L. , Misbah S. A. , Krishna M. T. , Mujica‐Mota R.
Published: February 2025

Background

Removing inaccurate penicillin allergy labels (PALs) can reduce unnecessary exposure to ‘watch’ and ‘reserve’ groups of antibiotics and thereby reduce antimicrobial resistance. The most efficient model for a non‐allergy‐specialist‐led penicillin allergy de‐labelling (PADL) service has not been established.

Objective

To determine the costs to the UK National Health Service of a direct oral penicillin challenge (DPC) for low‐risk patients with a PAL in three hospitals in England, each with a different non‐allergy‐specialist delivery model: pharmacist‐led, nurse‐led, and mixed multidisciplinary.

Methods

Cost analysis of the DPC pathway, including resources related to staff time and antibiotics. The effect of de‐labelling on healthcare utilisation over 5 years was modelled using data from the published literature.

Results

In total, 2257 patients from the Acute Medical or Infectious Disease Unit (AMU/IDU), Pre‐surgical, and Haematology‐Oncology departments were screened. Subsequently, 126 underwent DPC, and 122 were de‐labelled. Twenty‐two of these were de‐labelled in time to affect their antibiotic regimen; 6 from AMU/IDU and 16 Pre‐surgery. The DPC represented 22%–23% of the pathway cost in the pharmacist‐led and mixed models, and 15% in the nurse‐led model. Across departments and models, the cost per de‐labelled patient varied between £577 (95% Credible Interval: 370, 633) for haematology‐oncology patients to £2329 (947, 19,504) for AMU/IDU patients, both under the nurse‐led model. After 5 years, recouping costs was unlikely for AMU/IDU patients under any model or for all patients combined under the mixed model.

Conclusions

The penicillin allergy de‐labelling pathway cost was  ≥ 4‐fold that of the DPC alone. Costs were up to 3 times higher in an acute compared to an elective setting. No short‐term cost savings were identified from proactive or opportunistic penicillin allergy de‐labelling in this study.
Screening and Identification of Brain Pericyte‐Selective Markers
Authors: Kang Minkyung , Nasrollahi Ava , Cheng Feng , Yao Yao
Published: February 2025

Background

Pericytes, a type of mural cells, exert important functions in the CNS. One major challenge in pericyte research is the lack of pericyte‐specific and subpopulation‐specific markers.

Methods

To address this knowledge gap, we first generated a novel transgenic mouse line in which vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are permanently labeled with tdTomato. Next, we isolated PDGFRβ+tdTomato− pericytes and PDGFRβ+tdTomato+ vSMCs from the brains of these mice and subsequently performed RNAseq analysis to identify pericyte‐enriched genes.

Results

Using this approach, we successfully identified 40 pericyte‐enriched genes and 158 vSMC‐enriched genes, which are involved in different biological processes and molecular functions. Using ISH/IHC analysis, we found that Pla1a and Cox4i2 were predominantly enriched in subpopulations of brain pericytes, although they also marked some non‐vascular parenchymal cells.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that Pla1a and Cox4i2 preferably label subpopulations of pericytes in the brain compared to vSMCs, and thus, they may be useful in distinguishing these populations.
Impaired Glymphatic Function in Acute Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Cai Jinsong , Dong Yecheng , Fang Mengmeng , Wei Kai , Yan Shenqiang , Zhou Ying
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims

Alterations in glymphatic function during the acute phase of acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether, compared to healthy controls (HCs), the glymphatic system is impaired in patients with sICH, and to assess its association with hemorrhage and edema severity and outcome.

Methods

Fifty‐five sICH patients (including 46 supratentorial sICH and 9 ) and 97 age‐ and sex‐matched HCs underwent conventional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging. The diffusion along the perivascular space (DTI‐ALPS) index, serving as a marker for glymphatic function, was computed, with supratentorial cases being categorized into ipsilateral and contralateral ALPS. Volumes of hemorrhage and edema were evaluated using susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) and T2‐weighted magnetic resonance images, and the relative edema ratio was calculated. Clinical outcomes were categorized as favorable or poor based on a modified Rankin scale score of ≤ 2 or > 2 at 90 days.

Results

sICH patients showed significantly lower DTI‐ALPS values on the ipsilateral side compared to the average in the HC group (1.34 ± 0.24 vs. 1.46 ± 0.22, p = 0.003), whereas contralateral DTI‐ALPS values in sICH patients did not differ significantly from HCs (1.48 ± 0.21 vs. 1.46 ± 0.22, p = 0.524). The ipsilateral DTI‐ALPS was notably associated with both hemorrhage and relative edema volumes (both p < 0.05). A higher ipsilateral DTI‐ALPS was independently associated with a favorable outcome at 90 days (odds ratio = 1.686 per 0.1 increase, p = 0.038).

Conclusions

The DTI‐ALPS index, which reflects glymphatic functionality, is notably diminished on the ipsilateral side in acute sICH, correlating significantly with increased volumes of hemorrhage and edema. This study suggests that glymphatic dysfunction may contribute to the severity of clinical outcomes, and highlights the potential role of the glymphatic system in the pathophysiology of sICH.
Managing context in Six Sigma projects: New themes from a methods‐only replication
Authors: Baker Tim , Almutairi Thamer N. , Xu Xun , Zhang Lizao , Witt Phillip W.
Published: February 2025

We conduct a methods‐only replication of Nair, Malhotra, and Ahire's study by analyzing 13 Six Sigma (SS) projects from nine small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Nair et al. analyzed 10 SS projects from seven large firms and found support for three propositions associating themes (i.e., expanded scope of analysis, clarity of metrics, and cross‐functional integration) contributing to SS project success, as well as 10 propositions associating project contextual factors, project management elements, and themes. Our replication provides support for two of the original propositions, partial support for five original propositions, and no support for five original propositions. Note that one of the 13 original propositions from Nair et al. could not be replicated given data restrictions. These replication results suggest that SS project success and their associations with project management elements and project context are contingent on firm size. Importantly, for SMEs, unlike larger firms, expanded scope of analysis, clarity of metrics, and cross‐functional integration are not important contributing factors to SS project success in SMEs. Instead, we derived two new themes (i.e., time‐to‐completion and prioritization) and seven corresponding propositions that appear to better explain how SMEs can manage SS project context to improve SS project performance. These two new themes illustrate the need for SS project teams within SMEs to be amenable to (a) emphasizing quick wins and (b) being more selective in pursuing process drivers for improvement.
Treatment of Refractory Monoclonal Immunoglobulin Deposition Disease With BCMA Bispecific Antibody
Authors: Bhutani Divaya , Chakraborty Rajshekhar , Wats Karan , Hughes Michael Sang , Dor Lotan , Sekulic Miroslav , Lentzsch Suzanne
Published: February 2025

Monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) is characterized by deposits of intact monoclonal immunoglobulin protein, most commonly in the kidney, but other organs such as the heart can be involved. Patients are treated with plasma cell‐directed therapies. Here we describe the first reported case of a patient with refractory MIDD with renal and cardiac involvement who was successfully treated with a BCMA‐drected therapy. After achieving a deep hematologic response, the patient achieved a cardiac organ response as well. BCMA‐directed therapy can be valuable for patients with refractory monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease.
IgG Signalling Involves in Skin Inflammation of Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Xu Jing , Chen Xingyu , Shen Xiaotian , Zhu Ronghui , Yin Huibin , Mao Liya , Wang Shangshang , Gu Chaoyin , Yao Xu , Li Wei
Published: February 2025

Atopic dermatitis (AD) patients usually have elevated serum IgE that is thought inducing inflammation upon binding to allergen. However, the role of IgE‐producing B cells and other isotypes of immunoglobulin, such as IgG, in AD are not clear and rarely explored. This study aimed to investigate the role of IgE‐producing B cells and other isotypes of immunoglobulin, particularly IgG, in skin lesion of AD. BCR repertoires were analysed using mRNA prepared from skin lesions and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from AD patients and non‐allergic healthy subjects. Single‐cell RNA sequencing data of AD lesions from published literature were extracted to analyse the function of IgG. BCR repertoires from skin lesion and PBMCs clustered distinctly, and PBMCs showed higher interindividual similarity compared to those from the skin. The proportions of IGHM, IGHD, IGHA, IGHG and IGHE varied among skin lesion and PBMCs of AD patients and healthy individuals, and IGHG was significantly increased in AD lesion. IGHG showed biased VH usage, with dominance of V1‐58, V1‐8, V3‐13 and V3‐73. The much higher hyperexpanded clonality and lower diversity of IGHG repertoire in skin than those of the PBMCs, suggested the clonal expansion of IgG+ B cells in the skin. Pathways related with IgG activation were enriched in AD skin, and macrophages may be activated by IgG and promote skin inflammation. In conclusion, skin is not the main production site for IgE in AD. IgG may involve in promoting Th2 inflammation in AD skin through macrophages.
Father involvement among Chinese fathers in four geolocations: Exploring cultural nuances and similarities
Authors: Chuang Susan S. , Huang Ching‐Yu , Shen April C. T. , Zhu Meihua , Wu Bethany , Ng Agnes , Feng Joyce Y.
Published: February 2025

Objective

The objective is to explore Chinese fathers' levels of involvement in their young children's lives in four geolocations: Canada, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Background

Fathering research has been primarily based on Westernized populations, with a dearth on Chinese fathering. Within the limited studies on Chinese fathers, the influence of sociopolitical environments and geolocation has been overlooked, decontextualizing father involvement.

Method

The study included 273 fathers across four geolocations: Canada (n = 67), Mainland China (n = 56), Hong Kong (n = 47), and Taiwan (n = 103) using time diary data (two 24‐hour accounts of their latest workday and weekend day). A series of repeated‐measures analyses of covariance (Father Involvement treated as the repeated measures; covarying Fathers' Age and Levels of Education) were conducted to explore the nuances and similarities of father involvement.

Results

Fathers' levels of engagement (play, care) differed. Fathers from China reported spending the most time playing with their child than did other fathers. Taiwanese and Hong Kong fathers spent similar amounts of time playing with and caring for their children. Other father involvement dimensions also differed by geolocation.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that Chinese fathers cannot be “collapsed” into one group. Due to differing sociopolitical environments, fathers' involvement in various dimensions varied.

Implications

Chinese fathers are actively involved in their children's lives, contrary to the beliefs of fathers being “aloof and distant.” However, there are differences among Chinese fathers; thus, taking geolocation into account when providing programs and services is essential to Chinese communities.
Detection of ketamine in the oral fluid of drivers in northeastern France during the years 2020–2023
Authors: Aouichi Laïyna Lilo , Pape Elise , Jouzeau Jean‐Yves , Gibaja Valérie , Aubin‐Beale Eyrian , Kolodziej Allan , Feliu Catherine , Marchand Elodie , Gambier Nicolas , Scala‐Bertola Julien
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives

Ketamine is a psychoactive substance used for its stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. As the use of ketamine may lead to impaired driving, we aimed to assess the occurrence of ketamine in the driving population tested positive for narcotics in roadside checks using oral fluid analysis. Oral fluid concentrations of ketamine and norketamine were examined to determine the percentage of drivers susceptible to ketamine impairment.

Methods

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted over a 32‐month period in 2020–2023 on drivers who tested positive to the DrugWipe®5S saliva test in our region of northeastern France. Mass spectrometry was used to confirm the DrugWipe®5S result and to determine oral fluid concentrations of ketamine and norketamine.

Results

During the entire study period, 3364 drivers were tested positive at the roadside using the DrugWipe®5S rapid test. After mass spectrometry, 3043 drivers were finally confirmed as true positives. Ketamine was detected in 88 drivers who were 80.7% male, 95.4% polydrug users and were 27.5 ± 7.1 years old, representing 2.6% of the total driver population. Ketamine concentrations were 821 ± 2264 and 7.8 ± 12.3 ng/mL in the presence and absence of norketamine, respectively. Finally, 26.1% of the ketamine‐positive drivers had a ketamine oral fluid concentration potentially associated with impaired driving.

Conclusion

Ketamine and norketamine should be added to the list of drugs to be tested in oral fluid for driving under the influence of drugs. Besides blood or urine, oral fluid could be an interesting alternative biological matrix for addiction medicine.
Developing a Quality Improvement Framework to Enhance the Health System User Experience for Individuals Living With Type 1 Diabetes: The Reshape T1D Study
Authors: Boisvenue Jamie , Elezzabi Youssef A. , Young Kim , Gibson Kathleen , Hinz Heather , McClure Reid , Homulos Robyn , Spiers Jude , Senior Peter , Yeung Roseanne
Published: February 2025

Introduction

User experience design aims to create products and services that are accessible, usable, and enjoyable. The Reshape T1D study aims to apply these principles to understand how individuals living with T1D interact with and experience healthcare to inform T1D clinical quality improvement.

Methods

Using a community‐based participatory research design, we involved four patients and four clinicians as co‐researchers throughout the research. A questionnaire and virtual semi‐structured interview were applied across a purposeful sample of 41 adults living with T1D across Alberta, Canada, between September 2021 and May 2022. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and de‐identified before coding. Thematic analysis was conducted on coded participant discourse through multiple coders.

Results

Participants indicated the need for a centralized hub that provides consistent, reliable, and up‐to‐date T1D education and resources and an emphasis on access to mental health resources within T1D care settings. Providing greater flexibility for appointment types (ie. in‐person, virtual, etc.) and after‐hours access contributed to better self‐management and prevented emergency room visits. Participants desired a choice as to who comprises their T1D care team and for teams to address patient needs specific to their reality. We identified that medical trauma had long‐term impacts on perceptions of healthcare and contributed to a reluctance to seek future care. Women expressed challenges in discussing reproductive health with their clinicians. Diabetes online communities provide an adjunct to clinical care through peer support. Cost and access to the latest technology are ongoing barriers for many participants, especially concerning publicly funded programmes that use advanced insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring, and automated insulin delivery systems. A quality improvement framework emerged through data analysis, and findings were synthesized into actionable recommendations for ongoing clinical quality improvement.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight how important health system user suggestions are for more equitable, accessible, and empathetic healthcare for individuals living with T1D. Further work is needed to explore health system user experiences with clinicians and healthcare administrators to effectively carry out T1D clinical quality improvement.
KLF9 aggravates the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy through the lncRNA UCA1/p27 axis
Authors: Ding Dayou , Zhao Guangrong
Published: February 2025

Cardiac hypertrophy refers to an abnormal increase in the thickness of the heart muscle. Our study explores the role of Krüppel‐like factor 9 (KLF9) in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM)‐induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, providing new targets for the treatment of HOCM. Cardiomyocytes were treated with isoproterenol (ISO). The levels of natriuretic peptide B (BNP)/natriuretic peptide A (ANP)/KLF9/long non‐coding RNA urothelial carcinoma‐associated 1 (lncRNA UCA1)/p27 were measured. Cell surface area and protein/DNA ratio were tested. The binding between KLF9 and the lncRNA UCA1 promoter and between zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) and lncRNA UCA1 was verified. The enrichment of histone H3 lysine 27 tri‐methylation (H3K27me3) and EZH2 on the p27 promoter was analysed. ISO treatment increased KLF9 and lncRNA UCA1 expression and decreased p27 expression in cardiomyocytes. KLF9 knockdown inhibited ISO‐induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, reduced ANP and BNP expression, and alleviated cardiomyocyte damage. KLF9 activated lncRNA UCA1 expression. LncRNA UCA1 recruited EZH2 to the p27 promoter region, increasing the enrichment of H3K27me3, thereby epigenetically suppressing p27 expression. LncRNA UCA1 overexpression or p27 downregulation reduced the protective effect of KLF9 downregulation on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In conclusion, KLF9 activates lncRNA UCA1 expression, and lncRNA UCA1 epigenetically suppresses p27 expression, thereby exacerbating cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in HOCM.
Computational design of transition metal nitrides (Ti1−xMx)N (M = Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, and W) for coatings
Authors: Kyung Sooah , Kim Hyokyeong , Kwak Jongwook , Kim Jiwoong
Published: February 2025

The development of coatings with high‐performance applications such as cutting tools and aerospace fields is essential because high temperatures during machining and processing shorten the lifespan of tools. We investigated the structural information and mechanical properties of (Ti1‐xMx)N (0.0625 ≤ x ≤ 0.125) (M = V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, and W) using ab initio calculation. We provide specific guidance for enhancing the performance of TiN‐based coatings via ab initio calculation. Through this study, we suggest that (Ti0.875W0.125)N, which exhibits the highest hardness, is a suitable candidate for cutting tools and aerospace coating materials.
Serenade of a whimbrel: understanding the function of display behaviour in a sub‐Arctic territorial wader
Authors: Cerezo‐Araujo Maite , Augusto Alves José , Thor Hallgrimsson Gunnar , Thórisson Bodvar , Gunnarsson Tómas Grétar , Méndez Verónica
Published: February 2025

Animal sounds contain important information used in intra‐ and inter‐species communication. For species exhibiting elaborate and energetically expensive signals such as aerial displays accompanied by a call, the nature of the message being transmitted is honest and usually reflects individual fitness. Display events that combine flight and calls and are executed during the breeding season have traditionally been associated with two main functions: repelling rivals and/or attracting mates. In waders, the distinction between the two may rely on the timing of the breeding season at which displays occur, but also on the frequency at which displays occur in relation to local breeding density. Here, we investigated the function of display behaviour in the Icelandic whimbrel throughout the breeding season and along a breeding density gradient. We used a site‐based approach in the southern lowland plain in Iceland where whimbrel breeding density and display frequency were recorded for two years. Although whimbrels showed display behaviour throughout the entire season, display frequency was higher at low densities during pre‐incubation but similar at different densities during incubation and post‐incubation. Our results indicate that this behaviour is context‐dependent and multi‐functional, supporting the importance of mate attraction at low conspecific density during pre‐incubation, while other functions such as resource defence may be important throughout the breeding season.
Dual Uncommon Atrioventricular Connections in a Patient With Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Syndrome
Authors: Bisht Devendra Singh , Kishor Kamal
Published: February 2025

Background

Accessory pathways (APs) from the atrial appendage are uncommon and primarily described on the right side. Furthermore, connections involving the left atrial appendage (LAA) are even rarer.

Methods and Results

This case report describes a 27‐year‐old female with recurrent supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) due to Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome. Electrophysiological evaluation identified dual atrioventricular (AV) connections: one from the LAA and another from the left coronary cusp (LCC).

Conclusion

The electrical characteristics of WPW syndrome need a deeper understanding. The retrograde conduction can persist even after successfully eliminating the antegrade conduction.
The Hedgehog–GLI1 Pathway Regulates Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Cervical Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Cells by BMP Signalling Pathway
Authors: Xu Wenbo , Ran Bingbing , Aizawa Toshimi , Liu Wanguo , Zhao Jianhui , Niu Renrui , Liu Zeping , Gu Rui
Published: February 2025

Cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is an ectopic ossification disorder characterised by endochondral ossification. Its aetiology remains to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to clarify its pathogenesis through RNA sequencing of primary cells cultured from patients without cervical OPLL (control, PLL) and patients with cervical OPLL (disease, OPLL). We revealed for the first time the role of GLI1 within OPLL cells. Functional experiments indicated that GLI1, acting as a pivotal mediator between the upstream Hedgehog pathway and downstream BMP pathway, influences the pathogenesis of OPLL. The positive/negative effects on osteogenic differentiation following activation/inhibition of the Hedgehog pathway can be rescued by manipulating GLI1 expression. Overexpression of GLI1 activates BMP signalling, enhancing osteogenic capacity in PLL cells, while GLI1 knockdown suppresses BMP signal transduction, attenuating osteogenic differentiation in OPLL cells. Our findings highlight the significant role of the canonical Hedgehog signalling pathway and its interaction with the BMP pathway in the pathogenesis of OPLL.
Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals the Role of Shared Cuproptosis‐ and Ferroptosis‐Related DEG DLD in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Hu Xingwei , Hu Lu , Si Xiaoyun , Feng Qian , Ma Yi , Liu Zhijiang , He Xiang , Shi Bei
Published: February 2025

Ferroptosis plays a crucial role in the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Cuproptosis, as a new mode of death, has some similarities with ferroptosis. The primary objective of this study was to develop the role of shared cuproptosis‐related differentially expressed genes (CRDEGs) and ferroptosis‐related differentially expressed genes (FRDEGs) in AAA. RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses of human AAA tissue were used to identify dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), which is involved in cuproptosis and ferroptosis. qRT‐PCR and IHC assays further confirmed that the DLD level was substantially higher in the AAA group than in the control group. Finally, experimental verification was conducted to identify that DLD could promote the necrosis, apoptosis and mitophagy of SMCs. In summary, our research identified DLD, linked to cuproptosis and ferroptosis, as differentially expressed in AAA across human and murine samples. DLD's role in regulating SMC necrosis, apoptosis and mitophagy positions it as a potential AAA biomarker and therapeutic target, warranting further investigation for clinical applications.
Grading Right‐to‐Left Shunt With Transforaminal Doppler: A Valid Approach in Patients With Cryptogenic Stroke
Authors: Martínez García Beatriz , Chico García Juan Luis , Pérez Gil Daniel , Garay Albízuri Patricia , Llanes Ferrer Ana , García Alcántara Gabriel , Cabañas Engenios Gloria , Matute Lozano María Consuelo , De Felipe Mimbrera Alicia , Vera Lechuga Rocío , Cruz Culebras Antonio , Carrión Sánchez Irene , Fernández‐Golfín Covadonga , Masjuan Jaime , García Madrona Sebastián
Published: February 2025

Background and Purpose

Right‐to‐left shunt (RLS), usually related to a patent foramen ovale (PFO), is an important cause of cryptogenic stroke (CS) in young patients. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) with an agitated saline bubble study is a highly sensitive modality for RLS diagnosis using a transtemporal approach (TTD). However, a minority of patients have insufficient temporal bone windows. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of transforaminal TCD (TFD) for RLS diagnosis.

Methods

We included patients with CS or transient ischemic attack who were tested in the standard protocol for RLS between March 2022 and February 2023. We evaluated the concordance of RLS grades between TFD and transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) using the weighted kappa index. We also compared TTD and TFD approaches.

Results

Forty patients were included (66.7% men; median age 49 years). Medium or large RLS were found in 28 patients (70%) with TTD and in 27 patients with TFD (67.5%). Through TEE, 19 (82.6%) medium or large PFO were confirmed, and a high agreement rate of 0.684 (p = 0.0003) was observed for grading RLS. Moreover, the agreement rate of RLS grade between TTD and TFD was 0.73 (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

TFD is a valid approach for RLS diagnosis, with substantial concordance with TEE in grading RLS. Our study found a good grade of agreement between TFD and TEE. Therefore, the value of TCD goes beyond quantifying RLS and could assist in identifying the patients with the largest RLS, who would gain the greatest benefit from PFO closure.
Analysis of the Northeast Constitutional Financing Fund (FNE) on Municipal Economic Indicators in the Period 2010–2020
Authors: Monte Kerlen Andrade Do , Irffi Guilherme , de Sousa Bastos Felipe , Carneiro Diego Rafael Fonseca
Published: February 2025

This paper aims to evaluate the effects of the Constitutional Fund for Financing the Northeast (FNE) on the regional economy during the period from 2010 to 2020. To achieve this objective, we used the Generalized Propensity Score (GPS) econometric methodology, applying the analysis of dose–response functions proposed by Imbens (2000) and Hirano and Imbens (2004). We found evidence of positive and increasing impacts on the economic indicators of the municipalities benefiting from the FNE. Notably, we observed significant effects on Average Income, GDP per capita and Wage Mass when the resources were directed to women and legal entities. The results also suggest that there is some heterogeneity in the effect of the FNE according to the magnitude of the volume of credit contracted, with the exception of Average Income, which does not show an effect when the resources were contracted by women. In the case of total transfers, positive impacts on average income, GDP per capita and wage mass were observed only in the last levels of treatment. In summary, we can infer that FNE resources have a positive impact on the economic indicators of municipalities with higher contracted values.
Geography and Environment Shape Spatial Genetic Variation and Predict Climate Maladaptation Across Isolated and Disjunct Populations of Pinus muricata
Authors: Galland Lanie M. , Faske Trevor M. , Osuna‐Mascaró Carolina , Bisbing Sarah M. , Parchman Thomas L.
Published: February 2025

Assessing the evolutionary potential of rare species with limited migration amidst ongoing climate change requires an understanding of patterns of genetic variation and local adaptation. In contrast to the large distributions and population sizes of most pines, Pinus muricata (bishop pine) occurs in a few isolated populations along coastal western North America and is listed as threatened by the IUCN. To quantify how current genetic variation is influenced by distribution and environment, we generated reduced representation DNA sequencing data for most extant populations of P. muricata (12 locations, 7828 loci). We assessed geographic variation in differentiation and diversity and used genetic‐environment association (GEA) analyses to characterise the contribution of environmental variables to local adaptation and genetic structure. Based on these inferences, we quantified genomic offset as a relative estimate of potential maladaptation under mild (SSP1‐2.6) and severe (SSP5‐8.5) climate change scenarios across 2041–2060 and 2081–2100. Despite occurring in small, isolated populations, genetic diversity was not low in P. muricata. Population differentiation was, however, defined across a hierarchy of spatial scales, with stands generally forming genetically identifiable groups across latitude and environments. GEA analyses implicated temperature‐ and soil‐related variables as most strongly contributing to local adaptation. Estimates of maladaptation to future climate varied non‐linearly with latitude, increased with severity of projections and over time, and were predicted by increases in annual temperature. Our results suggest that isolation and local adaptation have shaped genetic variation among disjunct populations and that these factors may shape maladaptation risk under projected climate change.
The SnRK1‐JMJ15‐CRF6 module integrates energy and mitochondrial signaling to balance growth and the oxidative stress response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Yanming , Wang Xinying , Lei Qianyan , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wang Yubei , Ji Huijia , Ma Chongyang , Wang Pengcheng , Song Chun‐Peng , Zhu Xiaohong
Published: February 2025

Mitochondria support plant growth and adaptation via energy production and signaling pathways. However, how mitochondria control the transition between growth and stress response is largely unknown in plants.

Using molecular approaches, we identified the histone H3K4me3 demethylase JMJ15 and the transcription factor CRF6 as targets of SnRK1 in Arabidopsis. By analyzing antimycin A (AA)–triggered mitochondrial stress, we explored how SnRK1, JMJ15, and CRF6 form a regulatory module that gauges mitochondrial status to balance growth and the oxidative stress response.

SnRK1a1, a catalytic α‐subunit of SnRK1, phosphorylates and destabilizes JMJ15 to inhibit its H3K4me3 demethylase activity. While SnRK1a1 does not phosphorylate CRF6, it promotes its degradation via the proteasome pathway. CRF6 interacts with JMJ15 and prevents its SnRK1a1 phosphorylation‐dependent degradation, forming an antagonistic feedback loop. SnRK1a1, JMJ15, and CRF6 are required for transcriptional reprogramming in response to AA stress. The transcriptome profiles of jmj15 and crf6 mutants were highly correlated with those of plants overexpressing SnRK1a1 under both normal and AA stress conditions. Genetic analysis revealed that CRF6 acts downstream of SnRK1 and JMJ15.

Our findings identify the SnRK1‐JMJ15‐CRF6 module that integrates energy and mitochondrial signaling for the growth–defense trade‐off, highlighting an epigenetic mechanism underlying mitonuclear communication.
A peritidal Burgess‐Shale‐type fauna from the middle Cambrian of western Canada
Authors: Mussini Giovanni , Veenma Yorick P. , Butterfield Nicholas J.
Published: February 2025

Burgess‐Shale‐type (BST) faunas have proven critical for mapping the Cambrian assembly of animal‐dominated ecosystems, but have so far only been reported from fully subaqueous deposits. Here we integrate evidence from ichnofossils, sedimentary features, and small carbonaceous fossils (SCFs) from the middle Cambrian (Late Guzhangian, Series 3) Pika Formation of western Jasper National Park, Alberta (Canada) to document a unique BST fauna, occupying a peritidal habitat near the outer margin of a large epicratonic sea. Finely laminated shales with mudcracks and dumbbell‐shaped Arthraria‐type burrows denote a periodically emergent, dysoxic mudflat setting. This same facies yields SCF priapulids, annelids and wiwaxiids typical of deeper‐marine sediments. Recovery of Cirratuliformia‐like annelid chaetae further identifies the likely source of Arthraria burrows and associated faecal pellets. These findings show that Cambrian marine metazoans, including probable members of crown‐group orders, ranged beyond permanently subaqueous deposits. The expanded palaeoenvironmental range of the BST taxa from the Pika biota denotes remarkably broad ecological tolerances, suggesting the existence of a guild of Cambrian metazoan generalists able to colonize at least transiently subaerial settings. Their occupation of offshore peritidal ecologies may have preluded to more extensive metazoan colonization of high‐energy, siliciclastic marginal marine environments.
Melanin and Neurotransmitter Signalling Genes Are Differentially Co‐Expressed in Growing Feathers of White and Rufous Barn Owls
Authors: Ducrest Anne‐Lyse , San‐Jose Luis M. , Neuenschwander Samuel , Schmid‐Siegert Emanuel , Simon Céline , Pagni Marco , Iseli Christian , Richter Hannes , Guex Nicolas , Cumer Tristan , Beaudoing Emmanuel , Dupasquier Mélanie , Charruau Pauline , Ducouret Pauline , Xenarios Ioannis , Goudet Jérôme , Roulin Alexandre
Published: February 2025

Regulation of melanin‐based pigmentation is complex, involving multiple genes. Because different genes can contribute to the same pigmentation phenotype, the genes identified in model organisms may not necessarily apply to wild species. In the barn owl (Tyto alba), ventral plumage colour ranges from white to rufous, with genetic variation in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) accounting for at least a third of this variation. In the present study, we used transcriptomic data to compare the gene expression profiles of growing feathers from nestlings with different MC1R genotypes. We identified 21 differentially expressed genes, nine of which are involved in melanogenesis, while seven are related to neurotransmitter function or synaptic activity. With the exception of CALB1, all of the differentially expressed genes were upregulated in rufous owls compared to white barn owls. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to link melanin production with neurotransmitter‐related genes, and we discuss possible evolutionary explanations for this connection.
Taxing Language: Do Interpreting Fees Affect Immigrant Healthcare Usage? Evidence From a Regression Discontinuity Design
Authors: Halling Aske
Published: February 2025

Research has shown that administrative burdens significantly influence benefit uptake across various welfare programs in the U.S. and beyond. However, much of the existing research has focused primarily on program take‐up, leaving a gap in our understanding of how burdens affect the ongoing use of welfare benefits. To address this gap, we utilize a regression discontinuity design to analyze how the introduction of substantial fees on interpreting services affects usage of healthcare services among Danish immigrants. Our data comes from highly reliable, detailed registries that track the weekly use of general practitioners by Danish immigrants. We find no effects of the fees on healthcare utilization and no evidence that the fees disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups. Additional survey‐based analyses suggest that doctors may use their discretion to mitigate the fee's impact on immigrants, highlighting how frontline workers can potentially reduce the effects of burdensome policies.
Views from the East: changing attitudes to Venice in late Byzantium
Authors: Leonte Florin
Published: February 2025

This paper explores the changing attitudes towards Venice in late Byzantine texts. It argues that, along with the strengthening of political and cultural ties between Byzantium and Venice, the Byzantines' perspectives evolved from rejection to admiration. As scholars like Demetrios Kydones and Manuel Chrysoloras began to teach Greek in Venice, exchanges intensified and the Byzantines' views became more nuanced. The later Byzantine émigrés in Italy, George of Trebizond and Bessarion, not only fostered stronger intellectual links but also perceived the Republic as supporting their efforts to reinvent a Hellenic identity outside Byzantium. While court rhetoric collapsed Venice's representations into a generic image of Italy, historians like Laonikos Chalkokondyles idealized its political system whose roots, he emphasized, were to be found in the ancient political systems. Finally, after 1453, vernacular laments of the fall of Constantinople, portrayed Venice as inheritor and potential saviour of Byzantium's imperial glory, thereby signalling the connections between the cultivation of the Byzantine heritage and Venice's political ambitions.
Posting environmental risk: Communicating with numerical and nonnumerical messaging across information modalities
Authors: Norman Megan L. P. , Bao Jiaqi Agnes , Kurniasari Triwik , Skurka Chris
Published: February 2025

Risk communicators frequently engage members of the public through social media; therefore, it is important to understand how to effectively communicate risks about environmental and health issues. This experiment with U.S. adults (N = 737) explored how message features in risk‐focused social media posts—namely, message modality (text‐only posts or text with the inclusion of photographs or data presentations) and risk representation (numerical risk details or nonnumerical summaries of risk information)—influence risk perceptions, perceived message informativeness, and intentions to share the content. To do so, we drew from research on visual communication and research on numerical and nonnumerical representations of risk. We assessed the robustness of these effects across three environmental risk domains (asthma, heat waves, and vector‐borne diseases). We found that compared to text‐only messages, text with a data presentation (i.e., graph or table) led to enhanced risk perceptions, perceptions of informativeness, and sharing intentions. Relative to nonnumerical messages, numerical messages generated greater perceived risk, were rated as more informative, and elicited greater sharing intentions. Additionally, the effects of risk representation depended on participants’ numeracy level, such that numerical messages (vs. nonnumerical) elicited greater sharing intentions and perceived informativeness among high‐numeracy individuals but had no such effects for low‐numeracy individuals. We also found some evidence that message effects on perceived informativeness differed based on risk topic. Our results suggest that communicators can consider designing social media risk messages with numerical details and data visualizations.
The Novel HLA‐A*02:1195N Null Allele Identified by Next‐Generation Sequencing
Authors: Schmitt Justine , Gothot André
Published: February 2025

HLA‐A*02:1195N differs from HLA‐A*02:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in exon 4, at gDNA position 1843 (G>A).
Characterisation of the Novel HLA‐DQB1*05:354 Allele by Sequencing‐Based Typing
Authors: Pajot Thibault , Elsermans Vincent , Top Isabelle , Labalette Myriam
Published: February 2025

HLA‐DQB1*05:354 differs from HLA‐DQB1*05:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 55 in exon 2.
Widespread Involvement of Low‐Abundance KREEP in the Mantle of Chang'e‐5 and Its Surrounding Units
Authors: Li Ziqing , Zhang Bo , Wang Shui‐jiong , Che Xiaochao , Long Tao
Published: February 2025

The return of the young Chang'e‐5 (CE‐5) samples provide new insights into the lunar thermal evolution. In this study, we present a new type of exotic low‐Ti basalt in CE‐5 breccia, which has a magmatic equigranular texture with low Ti content and high Mg bulk composition and minerals. Low rare earth elements (REEs) imply that the clast was probably derived from a primitive source, which may originate from western ancient mare unit. Based on fractional crystallisation modelling, the exotic basalt source is considered as low‐Ti high‐Al, opposing the source of CE‐5 basalts. Our partial melting and REE modelling further imply that the addition of 8% plagioclase and only 1% KREEP contributes to the formation of this specific magma source. This low degree of KREEP involvement in mantle sources may be widespread in Chang'e‐5 terrane and its surrounding units, playing an important role in prolonging lunar magmatism.
PcloC‐Mediated Phase Separation in Short‐Distance Vesicle Transport
Authors: Yan Huyong , Deng Yixuan
Published: February 2025

Phase separation is increasingly recognized as a paradigm to elucidate the self‐assembly and organization of membrane‐less bodies within the cell, which involves the segregation of a multi‐component system into distinct phases with varying compositions and structures. The latest study has found that protein aggregates formed through phase separation can effectively realize short‐distance transport of vesicles. PcloC responds to calcium through C2A domain‐mediated calcium sensing, thereby extracting synaptic vesicles from the reserve pool where synaptic proteins aggregate into the surface of the active zone protein condensate. Therefore, PcloC‐mediated phase separation may provide a new perspective to understanding short‐distance directional transport within cells.
Needle tenoscopy of the digital flexor tendon sheath in a standing equine cadaver model using a novel approach and guided palmar/plantar annular ligament desmotomy
Authors: Breen Louise J. , Stack John D. , Gillen Alex M. , Baldwin Chris M.
Published: February 2025

Objective

(1) To evaluate the feasibility of needle tenoscopy of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) using basisesamoid (BS) and proximolateral (PL) approaches in a standing equine cadaver model. (2) To report visualization of intrathecal DFTS anatomy via both approaches. (3) To determine the efficacy of needle scope‐guided palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) desmotomy. (4) To report any iatrogenic damage associated with the procedure.

Study design

Ex vivo experimental.

Sample population

Ten equine cadaver limbs.

Methods

Limbs were placed in a Kimzey leg‐saver splint and needle tenoscopy was performed using the BS and PL approaches. Two European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) Diplomates assessed and categorized intrathecal site visualization as poor, partial, or excellent. Needle scope‐guided PAL desmotomy was performed after DFTS exploratory needle tenoscopy. Limbs were dissected and examined for the presence of iatrogenic damage and completeness of PAL desmotomy. A Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to compare visualization scores for both approaches.

Results

Needle tenoscopy of the DFTS in a standing model was feasible from both BS and PL approaches. Excellent visualization of clinically significant intrathecal anatomy within the fetlock canal was achieved from both approaches (p ≤ .001), with minimal iatrogenic damage. The PL approach allowed more structures to be visualized than the BS approach (p = .025). All PAL desmotomies were completed without associated iatrogenic damage.

Conclusion

Needle tenoscopy of the DFTS in a standing model provided excellent visualization of intrathecal sites within the fetlock canal. It facilitated complete PAL desmotomy.

Clinical significance

Needle ten0oscopy can be used to assess the DFTS and to guide PAL desmotomy in a standing horse.