bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trade and ethnolinguistic differences: A replication and extension
Authors: Gonzalez Javier , Özak Ömer
Published: January 2025

We revisit the role of trade on long‐run inter‐ethnic linguistic differences. Dickens (2022) hypothesized that neighboring languages are more similar when agriculture provides potential gains from inter‐ethnic trade. Since his empirical approach confounds inter‐ and intra‐ethnic trade, we replicate his main analysis using improved measures of potential inter‐ethnic gains from trade. Our results confirm the role of trade in inter‐ethnic linguistic differences while showing the difficulty of disentangling the role of inter‐ versus intra‐ethnic trade. We also provide an open‐source computational framework to replicate both sets of results, which others can use to produce original replicable economic research.
Decreased Structural Connectivity Between Thalamic Nuclei and Hippocampus in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy—A Diffusion Tensor Imaging‐Based Study
Authors: Yildirim Mehmet S. , Stepponat Radheshyam , Fischmeister Florian Ph. S. , Tomschik Matthias , Schmidbauer Victor , Khalaveh Farjad , Koren Johannes , Baumgartner Christoph , Pataraia Ekaterina , Bonelli Silvia , Rössler Karl , Kasprian Gregor , Dorfer Christian
Published: January 2025

Background

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) can lead to structural brain abnormalities, with thalamus atrophy being the most common extratemporal alteration. This study used probabilistic tractography to investigate the structural connectivity between individual thalamic nuclei and the hippocampus in TLE.

Methods

Thirty‐six TLE patients who underwent pre‐surgical 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Patients were subdivided into TLE with HS (TLE‐HS) and MRI‐negative TLE (TLE‐MRneg). Tractography and whole brain segmentation, including thalamus parcellation, were performed to determine the number of streamlines per mm3 between the thalamic nuclei and hippocampus. Connectivity strength and volume of regions were correlated with clinical data.

Results

The volume of the entire thalamus ipsilateral to seizure onset was significantly decreased in TLE‐HS compared to controls (Mann–Whitney‐U test: pFDR < 0.01) with the anterior thalamic nuclei (ANT) as important contributor. Furthermore, decreased ipsilateral connectivity strength between the hippocampus and ANT was detected in TLE‐HS (pFDR < 0.01) compared to TLE‐MRneg and controls which correlated negatively with the duration of epilepsy (ρ = −0.512, p = 0.025) and positively with seizure frequency (ρ = 0.603, p = 0.006). Moreover, ANT volume correlated negatively with epilepsy duration in TLE‐HS (ρ = −0.471, p = 0.042).

Conclusions

ANT showed atrophy and decreased connectivity in TLE‐HS, which correlated with epilepsy duration and seizure frequency. Understanding the dynamics of epileptogenic networks has the potential to shed light on surgery‐resistant epilepsy and refine the selection process for ideal neurosurgical candidates, consequently enhancing post‐surgical outcomes.
Emergency department and inpatient interhospital transfers for patients with status epilepticus
Authors: Suen Catherine G. , Wood Andrew J. , Burke James F. , Guterman Elan L.
Published: January 2025

Objective

Interhospital transfers for status epilepticus (SE) are common, and some are avoidable and likely lower yield. The use of interhospital transfer may differ in emergency department (ED) and inpatient settings, which contend with differing clinical resources and financial incentives. However, transfer from these two settings is understudied, leaving gaps in our ability to improve the hospital experience, cost, and triage for this neurologic emergency. We aimed to describe interhospital transfer for SE and examine the relationship between the site of transfer and hospital length of stay.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional study of adult patients with SE who underwent interhospital transfer using data from the State Emergency Department Databases and State Inpatient Databases of Florida (2016–2019) and New York (2018–2019). The primary outcome was discharge after undergoing transfer. Secondary outcomes were discharge within 1 day, discharge after 30 days, receipt of electroencephalography (EEG), and discharge disposition.

Results

There were 10 461 encounters for SE. Of 1790 ED encounters without admission to the same hospital, 324 (18.1%) resulted in transfer. Of 8671 hospitalizations, 629 (7.3%) resulted in transfer. Patients transferred from the ED were younger, more likely were White, more likely were in a metro area, and had fewer medical comorbidities than patients transferred from the inpatient setting. The median time to discharge was 5 days (interquartile range [IQR] = 2.0–9.0) after ED transfer and 10 days (IQR = 4.0–20.0) after inpatient transfer. There were 58 (17.9%) patients who were discharged within 1 day after undergoing transfer from an ED. ED transfers had higher rates of discharge at 30 days and higher likelihood of undergoing EEG at the receiving hospital and being discharged home.

Significance

A high proportion of patients with SE are discharged shortly after undergoing interhospital transfer, particularly those transferred from the ED. Understanding reasons for transfer is a crucial next step in triaging limited inpatient epilepsy resources and reducing costs associated with interhospital transfer.
Earthquakes Have Accelerated the Carbon Dioxide Emission Rate of Soils on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Shi Peijun , Hu Xiaokang , Yang Heyi , Jiang Lu , Ma Yonggui , Tang Haiping , Zhou Qiang , Liu Fenggui , Liu Lianyou
Published: January 2025

The Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP) has an extensive frozen soil distribution and intense geological tectonic activity. Our surveys reveal that Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau earthquakes can not only damage infrastructure but also significantly impact carbon dioxide emissions. Fissures created by earthquakes expose deep, frozen soils to the air and, in turn, accelerate soil carbon emissions. We measured average soil carbon emission rates of 968.53 g CO2 m−2·a−1 on the fissure sidewall and 514.79 g CO2 m−2·a−1 at the fissure bottom. We estimated that the total soil carbon emission flux from fissures caused by M ≥ 6.9 earthquakes on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau from 326 B.C. to 2022 is 1.83 × 1012 g CO2 a−1; this value is equivalent to 0.51% ~ 1.48% and 2.34% ~ 5.14% of the increased annual average carbon sink resulting from the national ecological restoration projects targeting forest protection and grassland conservation in China, respectively. These earthquake fissures thus increased the soil carbon emission rate by 0.71 g CO2 m−2·a−1 and significantly increased the total carbon emissions. This finding shows that repairing earthquake fissures could play a very important role in coping with global climate change.
Carbon Credits Through Wood Use: Revisiting the Maximum Potential and Sensitivity to Key Assumptions
Authors: Niemi Jari , Soimakallio Sampo , Hurmekoski Elias , Myllyviita Tanja , Kunttu Janni , Lingua Federico , Snäll Tord
Published: January 2025

Wood use generates technosphere carbon credits (TCCs) through avoided fossil‐based emissions and net sequestration of carbon into the technosphere (harvested wood products and geological storage). We investigated how large and uncertain TCCs of wood use per carbon harvested are considering the current and alternative ways of using wood, and the effects of the decarbonization of societies over 25‐, 50‐, and 100‐year time horizons. We applied stochastic simulation and scenario analysis using Finnish market structure as a baseline to demonstrate the use of the TCC calculator created. The mean value of TCCs of wood use were between 0.2 and 0.5 tC/tC with an uncertainty range from 0.1 to 0.8 tC/tC, depending on the scenario. The uncertainties were mainly concerned with the extent to which (1) fossil‐based emissions are avoided through substitution (displacement factors) and (2) fossil‐based raw materials are substituted (substitution rates). Assumptions on the decarbonization of societies reduced TCCs of wood use significantly over time. TCCs of wood use can be increased by directing wood into uses that substitute fossil‐intensive materials and have a long lifetime, such as construction materials, and increasing energy recovery and avoiding emitting carbon at the end of life of harvested wood products by carbon capture and storage. However, they were very likely to be considerably lower than forest carbon debits resulting from harvesting additional wood for substitution under all considered circumstances and under a wide but reasonable range of stochastic parameter values. Thus, the result emphasizes the need to reduce overall consumption of goods to mitigate climate change.
Commodifying Public Utilities: EU's New Governance Prescriptions for Rail and Water
Authors: Golden Darragh , Szabó Imre , Erne Roland
Published: January 2025

In the mid‐2000s, the Single Market Program and European Monetary Union lost momentum, as public services advocates increasingly succeeded in tempering attempts to liberalize public utilities through legislative amendments and Court of Justice rulings. After the 2008 crisis, however, the EU's shift to a new economic governance (NEG) regime provided EU executives with a new tool to advance their objectives. Unlike EU directives, country‐specific NEG prescriptions require neither the approval of the European Parliament nor their transposition into law, making it more difficult for social forces to contest them. Our analysis of NEG prescriptions for public utilities in two sectors (rail and water) and four countries (Germany, Ireland, Italy, Romania) across 10 years (2009–2019) shows that the shift to NEG provided EU executives with new extra‐parliamentarian and extra‐juridical tools that allowed them to revive their stalled commodification agenda; at the price of accentuating the EU's democratic and justice deficits.
The Relationship Between Healthcare System Distrust and Intention to Use Violence Against Health Professionals: The Mediating Role of Health News Perceptions
Authors: Kızılkaya Selman , Buğdali Büşra
Published: January 2025

Background

Health news refers to media coverage that informs the public about health‐related issues, policies and healthcare systems, shaping public perception and understanding. While prior research has examined media's impact on public health behaviour, limited studies have focused on how perceptions of health news affect attitudes towards healthcare professionals, especially in the context of violence against them. This study addresses this gap, examining the mediating role perception of health news on the relationship between distrust in healthcare systems and intentions to use violence against healthcare professionals.

Aim

This research aims to explore how the perception of health news influences the relationship between distrust in healthcare systems and the intention to use violence against healthcare professionals.

Methodology

A survey was conducted with 693 participants over the age of 18 who had received healthcare services in the last year. The study utilized an intermediary model to assess the role of perception of health news in the relationship between distrust in the healthcare system and the intention to use violence against healthcare professionals.

Results

The findings indicate a positive correlation between distrust in healthcare systems and the intention to use violence against healthcare professionals. Additionally, the perception of health news was found to significantly mediate this relationship.

Conclusion

The study concludes that negative perceptions of healthcare systems, exacerbated by the portrayal of health news, can escalate the risk of violence against healthcare professionals.

Patient or Public Contribution

There was no direct patient or public involvement in the design, conduct, reporting, or dissemination plans of this research. The study primarily relied on data collected through surveys and questionnaires administered to participants. Although the research addresses issues pertinent to the public and healthcare professionals, such as violence against healthcare professionals and the role of media in shaping public perceptions, the public's role was limited to responding to the survey. The findings and implications of this research are intended to benefit the public and healthcare community by informing future strategies and interventions, but the public did not actively contribute to the research process itself.
Evaluation of a potential bidirectional influence of metabolic syndrome and apical periodontitis: An animal‐based study
Authors: Sarmento Estéfano Borgo , Sassone Luciana Moura , Pinto Karem Paula , Ferreira Cláudio Malizia Alves , da Fidalgo Tatiana Kelly Silva , Lopes Ricardo Tadeu , Alves Adriana Terezinha Neves Novellino , Freitas‐Fernandes Liana Bastos , Valente Ana Paula , Neves Renata Heisler , da Silva Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal
Published: January 2025

Aim

This study aimed to explore the possible bidirectional interrelations between fructose‐induced metabolic syndrome (MS) and apical periodontitis (AP).

Methodology

Twenty‐eight male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups (n = 7, per group): Control (C), AP, Fructose Consumption (FRUT) and Fructose Consumption and AP (FRUT+AP). The rats in groups C and AP received filtered water, while those in groups FRUT and FRUT+AP received a 20% fructose solution mixed with water to induce MS. The groups AP and FRUT+AP had the pulp of their right mandibular first molar exposed to induce AP. Food consumption, murinometric measurements, blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance were monitored. Fifty‐six days after the start of the experiment, the animals were euthanized, and serum samples were collected for metabolomic analysis. Mandibles, livers and right kidneys were also collected. The area and volume of the periapical lesions were calculated using micro‐computed tomography. Histopathological evaluation was performed. Kruskal–Wallis followed by the Student–Newman–Keuls or Mann–Whitney tests and one‐way anova followed by Tukey's or Independent t‐test were used for non‐parametric and parametric data, respectively (p < .05). Multivariate analysis and variable importance in projection score were applied to assess metabolite profile differences among groups (p < .05).

Results

FRUT and FRUT+AP groups showed significantly increased fluid intake, body mass, abdominal circumference, blood glucose levels, liver weight and visceral fat weight (p < .05), indicating the development of MS. The analyses of the metabolite profile suggest increasing glucose, histidine, lactate, fatty acid and phenylalanine in the FRUT+AP group. There were no significant differences in volume and area of periapical lesions in micro‐CT analyses (p = .1048 and p = .7494, respectively). Histopathological analysis of the hemimandibles demonstrated areas of inflammatory response, necrosis and microabscess in the periapical region. Hepatic histopathological observations indicated notable differences in cell appearance, with the FRUT and FRUT+AP groups showing signs of microsteatosis. Kidney analysis revealed Bowman's space dilation in the FRUT and AP groups, while the FRUT+AP group exhibited retracted Bowman's space, suggesting a possible alteration in renal filtration capacity.

Conclusions

MS had no impact on the progression of AP in rats. However, AP exacerbated the systemic state affected by MS, with changes in liver and kidney tissues and metabolite levels.
Ward‐delivered nasal high‐flow oxygen and non‐invasive ventilation are safe for people with acute respiratory failure: a cohort study
Authors: Buchan Catherine , Khor Yet Hong , Disler Rebecca , Naughton Matthew T. , Smallwood Natasha
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

Ward‐delivered non‐invasive respiratory supports (NIRS) (conventional oxygen therapy (COT), high‐flow nasal oxygen (HFNO), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and non‐invasive ventilation (NIV)), are often used to treat hospitalised patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) both in high acuity and general wards. This study aimed to describe the processes of care adopted and examine patient outcomes from a specialist, ward‐delivered NIRS service caring for people with COVID‐19 in general wards or in a respiratory care unit (RCU).

Methods

A cohort study was undertaken including all consecutive patients admitted to a quaternary hospital with ARF secondary to COVID‐19 and requiring ward‐delivered NIRS between 28 February 2020 and 18 March 2022. NIRS use, processes of care and patient outcomes were examined.

Results

Six hundred sixty‐eight patients were included, with 61% male and a mean age of 64 years (interquartile range 48–79 years). All received COT. Fifty eight percent of patients required additional NIRS: HFNO (36.2%), CPAP (19.8%) and NIV (1.9%). Eighty‐two percent of patients had oxygen saturation targets documented. After the implementation of the RCU, significantly more nurse consultant‐led CPAP prescriptions were initiated (P = 0.004) and fewer patients required review by the ICU team (P = 0.001) or transfer to ICU (P = 0.050). Forty‐nine patients died (7.3%), with most (62.8%) being discharged directly home.

Conclusion

This study highlights that ward‐delivered NIRS is feasible and safe for people with COVID‐19 and ARF. The combination of ward and RCU‐delivered NIRS was particularly effective. Further research is required to determine the optimal models of respiratory care required for a broader range of patients and to understand how these should be implemented.
Examining the Feasibility and Acceptability of Identifying Signs of Social Anxiety, in University Students Aged 18–25, While Watching 360° Immersive Films
Authors: Jackson Jessica Eve , Cox Ann , Windmill Chris , Safari Reza
Published: January 2025

Timely, accurate assessment and treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD) in young people is crucial. There is potential for the adoption of tailored virtual reality interventions for a complementary diagnostic tool using heart rate monitoring as a response indicator. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of this concept by exposing healthy individuals, aged 18–25, to developed 360° immersive films while collecting heart rate sensor data. Two immersive scenarios were designed with a participatory advisory youth group. A clinical consultant nurse mapped scenario events against validated routine assessment subscales in child and adolescent services. The films were shown to seven participants through a VR headset while monitoring heart rate. They provided qualitative feedback on their quality, acceptability and usability. The study indicated that this approach has the potential to enhance assessments in child and adolescent mental health services. The study has several limitations which are discussed with recommendations for consideration if this concept is taken further. The intervention could act as a potential portable, user‐friendly complementary diagnostic tool for clinicians in practice. However, further research is needed to examine its validity.
Expressing Sexuality in Silent and Weep: Experience of Chinese People With Intellectual Disabilities and Parents
Authors: Lam Angus Y. K. , Yau Matthew K. S. , Franklin Richard C. , Leggat Peter A.
Published: January 2025

Background

Sexual well‐being significantly impacts the overall quality of life for individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. Notably, parents play a pivotal role in influencing their children's sexual development, and their attitudes towards this topic are shaped by Chinese sociocultural values.

Methods

This study employed Interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the experiences and attitudes of five individuals with intellectual disabilities and seven parents/caregivers regarding the sexual needs of their adult offspring with intellectual disabilities.

Results

The findings revealed participants' experiences and concerns, often navigating the challenges posed by traditional Chinese cultural restrictions through responses characterised as ‘Silent’ (avoidance of discussion) and ‘Weep’ (deep‐seated psycho‐emotional burden).

Conclusions

This research emphasises the importance of a pluralistic society and advocates for promoting sexual autonomy among individuals with intellectual disabilities. The findings have implications for future practises and highlight the need for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to their sexual well‐being.
Renal Tubular Epithelial Cell–Derived hsa_circ_0008925 From Urine Is Related to Chronic Renal Fibrosis
Authors: Shi Yuanhui , Chen Yuye , Xiao Zihao , Wang Yajie , Fu Cong , Cao Yuhan
Published: January 2025

Renal fibrosis (RF) is a crucial pathological factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end‐stage renal failure, and accurate and noninvasive assays to monitor the progression of renal fibrosis are needed. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that can be used as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for human diseases. In this study, we analysed the expression of hsa_circ_0008925 in human urinary renal tubular cells and investigated its role in renal fibrosis. Urinary samples were collected from CKD patients with varying degrees of renal fibrosis; renal tubular epithelial cells were isolated from the urinary samples using magnetic bead sorting. In patients with moderate–severe renal fibrosis, the expression of hsa_circ_0008925 in urinary renal tubular epithelial cells was elevated compared to that in patients with no renal fibrosis to mild renal fibrosis. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that the hsa_circ_0008925 expression was positively correlated with serum creatinine (Scr, rs = 0.424, p = 0.031). The expression of hsa_circ_0008925 was elevated in TGF‐β1‐treated HK‐2 cells in vitro. Silencing of hsa_circ_0008925 using siRNA inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced fibrosis in HK2 cells. RNA pull‐down and mass spectrometric analyses indicated that serine/arginine‐rich splicing factor 6 (SRSF6) is the downstream of hsa_circ_0008925. Silencing mmu_circ_0002215 and inhibiting SRSF6 alleviated renal fibrosis in a UUO model in vivo. Inhibiting hsa_circ_0008925/SRSF6 alleviated renal fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that targeting the hsa_circ_0008925/SRSF6 pathway could hold promise as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating renal fibrosis.
Live cell imaging of plant infection provides new insight into the biology of pathogenesis by the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Quime Berlaine G. , Ryder Lauren S. , Talbot Nicholas J.
Published: January 2025

Magnaporthe oryzae is the causal agent of rice blast, one of the most serious diseases affecting rice cultivation around the world. During plant infection, M. oryzae forms a specialised infection structure called an appressorium. The appressorium forms in response to the hydrophobic leaf surface and relies on multiple signalling pathways, including a MAP kinase phosphorelay and cAMP‐dependent signalling, integrated with cell cycle control and autophagic cell death of the conidium. Together, these pathways regulate appressorium morphogenesis.The appressorium generates enormous turgor, applied as mechanical force to breach the rice cuticle. Re‐polarisation of the appressorium requires a turgor‐dependent sensor kinase which senses when a critical threshold of turgor has been reached to initiate septin‐dependent re‐polarisation of the appressorium and plant infection. Invasive growth then requires differential expression and secretion of a large repertoire of effector proteins secreted by distinct secretory pathways depending on their destination, which is also governed by codon usage and tRNA thiolation. Cytoplasmic effectors require an unconventional Golgi‐independent secretory pathway and evidence suggests that clathrin‐mediated endocytosis is necessary for their delivery into plant cells. The blast fungus then develops a transpressorium, a specific invasion structure used to move from cell‐to‐cell using pit field sites containing plasmodesmata, to facilitate its spread in plant tissue. This is controlled by the same MAP kinase signalling pathway as appressorium development and requires septin‐dependent hyphal constriction. Recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of rice infection by this devastating pathogen using live cell imaging procedures are presented.
Novel Gel Formulation and Deep Injection Techniques for Lifting Effects in Cosmetic Dermatology
Authors: Poleva Irina
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In recent years, the field of aesthetic dermatology has witnessed a surge in demand for minimally invasive procedures aimed at rejuvenating aging skin. This study aims to address this demand by evaluating the effectiveness of the injectable gel in rejuvenating aging skin, particularly by targeting collagen regeneration and lifting effect.

Materials and Methods

The study involved 43 participants who underwent three monthly injection sessions targeting retaining ligaments. The injections were administered deeply to ensure proper targeting. Follow‐up assessments were conducted after each treatment session and three months after the final injection. Evaluation methods included subjective assessments by both patients and investigators using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), as well as objective assessments using a 3D photosystem to measure wrinkle conditions and vectors of traction.

Results

All participants completed the study, with no significant adverse effects observed apart from mild swelling at the injection sites. Despite the high viscosity of HA necessitating the use of a 27 G needle, the injection process was generally comfortable and minimally painful. Subjective evaluations revealed consistent improvements in skin appearance from the first application, which continued to increase throughout the study and remained high even 3 months post‐treatment. Objective evaluations demonstrated significant improvements in wrinkle conditions and lifting effects, with a substantial increase in the standard deviation score for wrinkle conditions and the average traction vector length measuring 1.6 mm.

Conclusion

The study findings confirm the safety and efficacy of the injectable formula, with high patient satisfaction, noticeable lifting effects, and significant improvements in wrinkle conditions. These results support the use of the injectable as a promising option for non‐invasive skin rejuvenation treatments.
Pseudomonas viridiflava Causing Leaf Spot of Common Mallow in Iran
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Zaman , Khodaygan Pejman , Ghelardini Luisa , Aćimović Srđan G. , Basavand Esmaeil
Published: January 2025

In the spring 2018, a leaf disease including light and necrotic spots with irregular edges surrounded by chlorotic halos was detected on common mallow in Jiroft County (Kerman Province, Iran). A bacterium‐forming cream‐coloured and mucoid colonies on King's B agar medium was consistently isolated and was fitting of the traits of the genus Pseudomonas. Isolated strains caused spots on common mallow leaves in the pathogenicity test that was identical to natural field symptoms and belonged to Pseudomonas viridiflava based on phenotypic characteristics including LOPAT tests. Two representative isolates were further confirmed as P. viridiflava with 99% sequence identity after sequencing the 16S rRNA and gyrB genes. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. viridiflava causing leaf spot disease on common mallow in Iran.
Long‐Term Impact of Childhood Dental Attendance on Perceived Adult Oral Health: The British Cohort Study
Authors: Mohd Khairuddin Aina Najwa , Kang Jing , Gallagher Jennifer E.
Published: January 2025

Objective

To evaluate the effect of childhood dental attendance pattern on self‐rated oral health in middle adulthood among the British population.

Methods

Data from the 1970 British Cohort Study involving participants born in England, Scotland, and Wales were used. Self‐rated oral health was assessed at age 46. Childhood dental attendance patterns, derived from follow‐up surveys at ages 5, 10, and 16, were classified as ‘always’, ‘sometimes’, or ‘never’ regular. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the effect of childhood dental attendance on adult oral health. Subgroup analyses by education level and oral hygiene practices examined potential variations across these factors.

Results

This study analyzed data from 4699 participants. An association was found between childhood dental attendance pattern and self‐rated oral health in middle adulthood. The odds of reporting poor oral health were higher among those with ‘sometimes’ and ‘never’ regular dental attendance patterns than ‘always’ regular attenders. However, this association became insignificant after adjusting for covariates. Subgroup analyses revealed that ‘sometimes’ and ‘never’ regular attendance patterns were associated with higher odds of reporting poor oral health among participants who brushed less than twice daily and those with lower parental academic qualifications.

Conclusion

This study suggests that childhood dental attendance is associated with perceived adult oral health, though this relationship diminished after adjusting for covariates. However, the association persisted among those who brushed less than twice daily and had lower parental academic qualifications. It underscores the importance of both demographic factors and health‐related behaviors in determining long‐term oral health outcomes.
Dipyridamole Attenuates Experimental Periodontitis by Regulating M1 Macrophage Polarization via PKA/PKG Pathways
Authors: Song Jiaying , Li Xingyi , Abuduwaili Kailibinuer , Sun Yue , Li Jiangbo , Chen Danying , Chen Zhuofan , Li Zhipeng , Huang Baoxin
Published: January 2025

Aim

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease initiated by dysbiosis of the local microbial community. As a non‐specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, dipyridamole features anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dipyridamole in an experimental rat model of periodontitis.

Methods

Thirty rats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 10): non‐ligature group (NL), ligature‐induced periodontitis group (L), and ligature‐induced periodontitis with dipyridamole administered group (L + D). All rats were euthanized on Day 14. Alveolar bone resorption was analyzed by microcomputed tomography. The mRNA levels of Il1b, Il6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnfa), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNos) in gingival tissue were assessed by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Inflammation level, osteoclasts, and macrophages infiltration were analyzed histologically. RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (P.g. LPS) to induce M1 polarization. Different concentration of dipyridamole (0/2/10 μM) was added simultaneously. To explore the role of PKA/PKG pathways, RAW 264.7 macrophages were pretreated with 10 μM H‐89 (PKA inhibitor) or 1 μM KT‐5823 (PKG inhibitor), respectively. Expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and M1 markers were detected by qRT‐PCR, ELISA, and flow cytometry.

Results

Dipyridamole administration reduced alveolar bone loss, protein levels of inflammatory cytokines, and osteoclastogenesis in rats with experimental periodontitis. It also showed a tendency to decrease mRNA levels of Il1b, Il6, and Tnfa but without significant differences in gingival tissues. Moreover, the infiltration of macrophage and M1 macrophage polarization in gingival tissue of periodontitis rats were inhibited by dipyridamole administration. In addition, dipyridamole could downregulate the gene expression of Il1b and Tnfa, as well as the protein level of TNF‐α, CD86, and iNOS in RAW264.7 treated with P.g. LPS. When PKA/PKG pathways were blocked, the suppression of TNF‐α, CD86, and iNOS was reversed significantly.

Conclusion

Dipyridamole alleviated experimental periodontitis in rat models by regulating M1 polarization via activation of PKA/PKG pathways and emerges as a hopeful remedy for periodontitis.
Rural nonprofit hospital community benefit and financial assistance spending: A call for greater reporting transparency
Authors: MacDougall Hannah , Latcham Melissa , Eliason Erica
Published: January 2025

Purpose

US nonprofit hospitals must provide community benefits including financial assistance to be tax‐exempt. Rural residents particularly benefit from financial assistance because they have higher medical debt on average. The Internal Revenue Service allows nonprofit hospitals that are members of health systems to report expenditures for their entire system (group returns) rather than for individual hospitals. Our study examined how (if at all) rural nonprofit hospitals filing group returns are different than those filing individual returns.

Methods

We used 2021 data extracted from Community Benefit Insight and the American Hospital Association for 100 rural nonprofit hospitals in Wisconsin and Minnesota. We conducted bivariate analyses examining differences in mean total community benefit spending and mean financial assistance spending as a percentage of total operating expenses for hospitals filing individual versus group returns. We conducted multivariable regression models examining the association of filing group returns and individual returns with community benefit spending and financial assistance spending.

Findings

Bivariate analysis revealed significant differences between group return hospitals and individual return hospitals in spending on community benefits (5.81% vs. 9.49%, respectively) and on financial assistance (0.36% vs. 0.71% respectively). Multivariable regression demonstrated filing group returns is significantly negatively associated with community benefit expenditures (β = –2.90, p < 0.05) and financial assistance expenditures (β = –0.31, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

In our sample, filing group returns was associated with less spending on community benefits and financial assistance. To understand this finding, researchers need data on individual hospital spending to increase transparency and accountability.
Menrath ulcers in cats: four cases (2014‐2023)
Authors: Whybrow K. , Hernon T. , Pilot M.
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To report the clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes of four cats diagnosed with Menrath ulcers causing significant oral haemorrhage.

Materials and Methods

For all cats, data on signalment, history, physical examination, treatment and outcomes were collected by reviewing medical records. Information regarding outcomes was collected from communication logs between primary care veterinarians and owners, and the original case clinicians after discharge of the patient from the hospital.

Results

Four cats were included. All patients survived to discharge. Follow‐up outcomes were available between 1 and 8.5 months post discharge. Post‐operative complications were classified according to The Accordion Severity Classification of Post‐operative Complications. Two of the four patients had recurrence of oral haemorrhage post‐ligation originating from the major palatine artery. One classified as a severe complication, due to requiring revision surgery of the ipsilateral major palatine artery. The other classified as mild, since the patient was managed conservatively. Additionally, one patient was documented to have developed an acquired palatal defect post‐operatively.

Clinical Significance

This is the largest case series of Menrath ulcers to date and the first to describe post‐operative complications including acquired palatal defect and recurrence of oral haemorrhage from the original ulcer despite ligation of the ipsilateral major palatine artery.
Nutritional intelligence in the food system: Combining food, health, data and AI expertise
Authors: McCarthy Danielle I.
Published: January 2025

Transformative change is needed across the food system to improve health and environmental outcomes. As food, nutrition, environmental and health data are generated beyond human scale, there is an opportunity for technological tools to support multifactorial, integrated, scalable approaches to address the complexities of dietary behaviour change. Responsible technology could act as a mechanistic conduit between research, policy, industry and society, enabling timely, informed decision making and action by all stakeholders across the food system. Domain expertise in food, nutrition and health should always be integrated into both the development and continuous deployment of AI‐powered nutritional intelligence (NI) to ensure it is responsible, accurate, safe, useable and effective. Dietary behaviours are complex and improving diet‐related health outcomes requires socio‐cultural‐demographic considerations within the design and deployment of NI tools. This article describes existing examples of NI within the food system and future opportunities. Human‐in‐the‐loop approaches with food, health and nutrition experts involved at all stages including data acquisition, processing, output validation and ongoing quality assurance are essential to ensure evidence‐based practice. The same ethical considerations should apply in this domain as in any other (e.g. privacy, inclusivity, robustness, transparency and accountability) and responsible practice must encompass rigorous standards and alignment with regulatory frameworks. Critical today and in the future is accessibility to appropriate high‐quality food compositional data sets, which include up‐to‐date information on commercially available products that reflect the constantly evolving food landscape to realise the potential of responsible AI to help address the existing food system challenges.
Advice to early career nutritionists on working in and with the food industry
Authors: Mela David J.
Published: January 2025

Early career researchers (ECRs) in nutrition and related fields often wish to approach commercial organisations for possible funding or collaboration in scientific projects and other activities. However, ECRs may experience challenges from their limited experience, lack of understanding of the food industry and concerns about working practices and research integrity. This commentary is oriented toward providing some basic, practical guidance for nutritionist scientists, to help in developing credible, principled and effective working relationships with the food industry. Based on the author's experience as an academic and industry researcher, and an advisor to academic‐industry collaborative projects, the text addresses a range of related aspects including: understanding and approaching the food industry; the industry environment and drivers; contracts, confidentiality and communication; potential challenges; and ensuring scientific integrity.
A test of the Grant–Stebbins pollinator‐shift model of floral evolution
Authors: Moir Matthew , Butler Hannah , Peter Craig , Dold Tony , Newman Ethan
Published: January 2025

Pollinators are thought to play a key role in driving incipient speciation within the angiosperms. However, the mechanisms underlying floral divergence in plants with generalist pollination systems, remains understudied.

Brunsvigia gregaria displays significant geographical variation in floral traits and are visited by diverse pollinator communities. Because pollinators are often shared between populations, we investigated whether specific pollinators are responsible for driving floral divergence between them.

Three distinct ecotypes were identified, each dominated by three different pollinators: bees, swallowtail butterflies, and long‐proboscid flies. Across seven populations, we found a pattern of association between style length and the morphology of pollinators that visit the flowers most frequently and contact the reproductive parts most often. Furthermore, we found significant linear, quadratic and correlational selection on flower number, tepal length and style length within the butterfly‐ and bee‐dominated populations. We also found partial evidence for divergent selection on these traits between experimental sites.

Our findings suggest that a handful of key pollinators that vary in their importance have the potential to drive population‐level divergence in floral traits, which may lead to pollination ecotype formation.
Uncertainties around net‐zero climate targets have major impact on greenhouse gas emissions projections
Authors: den Elzen Michel G. J. , Dafnomilis Ioannis , Nascimento Leonardo , Beusen Arthur , Forsell Nicklas , Gubbels Joost , Harmsen Mathijs , Hooijschuur Elena , Araujo Gutiérrez Zuelclady , Kuramochi Takeshi
Published: January 2025

Globally, more than 100 countries have adopted net‐zero targets. Most studies agree on how this increases the chance of keeping end‐of‐century global warming below 2°C. However, they typically make assumptions about net‐zero targets that do not capture uncertainties related to gas coverage, sector coverage, sinks, and removals. This study aims to analyze the impact of many uncertainty factors on the projected greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 for major emitting countries following their net‐zero pathways, and their aggregate impact on global GHG emissions. Global emission projections range from 23 to 40 gigatons of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2eq), with a median of 31 GtCO2eq. Our full range corresponds to about 40–75% of 2015 emission levels, which is much wider than the range of 30–45% reported by various integrated assessment models. The main factors contributing to this divergence are the uncertainty in the gas coverage of net‐zero targets and uncertainty in the socioeconomic baseline. Countries with net‐zero GHG targets by 2050 have a small range of 2050 emissions, while countries with net‐zero targets beyond 2050 and unclear coverage, such as China, India, and Indonesia, have a large range of emissions by 2050.
Linking policy design and policy diffusion to advance both theories: Evidence from the elements, attributes, and adoptions of Uniform Law Commission model legislation
Authors: Jansa Joshua M. , Mallinson Daniel J.
Published: January 2025

We integrate the study of policy design and diffusion theoretically and empirically to advance each and raise novel research questions. We argue that policy dissemination is an important rationale in the design of model legislation and present a theory for how each of the five elements of design map onto the policy innovation attribute of complexity. Empirically, we both hand code policy design elements and use a novel textual approach to measure policy complexity across 84 model policies promulgated by the Uniform Law Commission, an interstate organization that writes model laws with input from 50 state delegations of lawmakers and disseminates the bills for passage in as many states as possible. We assess how the elements of policy design map onto a policy's textual complexity. Additionally, we find that more complex policies are less likely to be adopted and are slower to be adopted, though the strength of this relationship depends on the measurement approach. We conclude with the future directions of this research, including how new text analysis tools and large policy datasets can help to solve important measurement and analysis challenges.
How Stock Prices Behave in Response to Institutional Development: A Four‐Factor Asset Pricing Model
Authors: Hafeez Abida , Jagirani Tahir Saeed , Hunt Anthony K. , Hameed Ayesha , Ejaz Sarmad , Ejaz Faisal
Published: January 2025

This study empirically explains the stochastic behaviour of stock returns from January 2004 to December 2018 in Pakistan. Carhart's Four‐Factor Asset Pricing model is analysed using the time‐varying risk premium GARCH‐in‐Mean framework technique to establish the risk–return relationship in the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The results indicate that the effects of beta, size, value and momentum effect‐based portfolios significantly highlight a relation between risk and return. The predicted return volatility across all sorts of portfolios is rather considerable. The nonsynchronous trading effect and persistent return volatility are both visible in the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The study also distinguishes the stock price behaviours after financial liberalisation in 2009.
Chest wall lift for thoracoscopic lung lobectomy: Technique and results in two cats
Authors: Aertsens Adrien , Tsoi Helen , Esala Micah , Wheeler Emily P.
Published: January 2025

Objective

To report the technique and outcomes of utilizing chest wall lift to perform thoracoscopic surgery in two cats.

Study design

Short case series.

Animals

Client‐owned cats (n = 2).

Methods

A geriatric cat was referred for pleural effusion secondary to a left cranial lung lobe mass. A thoracoscopic exploration of the left hemithorax was planned with a lift device used for laparoscopy and attached to a ceiling mount. A young cat was referred for a foreign body lodged in the right caudal bronchus. Attempted bronchoscopic retrieval was unsuccessful. Thoracoscopic lung lobectomy was planned using a bent Steinmann pin as a lift device placed at the eighth intercostal space, along one of the cannula.

Results

Thoracic lift was achieved with the patient in right lateral recumbency for the first cat, leading to immediate improvement in the oxygenation and ventilation status of the patient while simultaneously allowing for continued thoracoscopic exploration of the hemithorax. With two additional ports, thoracoscopic dissection of the adhesions was performed prior to thoracoscopic assisted lung lobectomy at the fourth intercostal space. For the second cat, thoracic lift was performed with the patient in left lateral recumbency and allowed successful 3‐port thoracoscopic lung lobectomy. No complication related to the use of either lift device was noted.

Conclusion

Chest wall lift improved anesthesia respiratory status in one cat and increased the working space to perform thoracoscopic procedures in both cats.

Clinical significance

This novel and simple technique could increase working space without anesthesia impairment, allowing thoracoscopic procedures in selected feline patients.
Chronic Carriage of Leptospira interrogans Genotype Associated With the Australis Serogroup by Naturally‐Infected Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) at a Wildlife Health Centre in Northwestern France
Authors: Ayral Florence , Botman Julie , Le Guyader Marine , Ramery Eve , Gourlay Philippe
Published: January 2025

Background

Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by bacteria in the genus Leptospira. Basic epidemiological information is crucial to mitigating disease risk but is lacking for leptospirosis; notably, the hosts responsible for maintaining Leptospira remain largely unknown. Frequently observed near human habitations, hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are taken to wildlife rescue centres when found sick or injured. Thus, they may pose a risk to human and animal health if they carry pathogenic Leptospira.

Aims

This study aimed to describe Leptospira carriage in a hedgehog population and the potential clinical impacts of the infection.

Material and Method

We investigated Leptospira carriage frequency and diversity in urine samples from 69 hedgehogs at a wildlife rescue centre, between April and June 2022. We used quantitative PCR, typing of the 16S rRNA and lfb1 genes, variable number tandem repeat and multispacer sequence typing to characterise Leptospira DNA. An analysis of urinary biochemical parameters was conducted to assess renal function.

Results

We detected Leptospira DNA in 25 (35%) of the urine samples, of which 21 were successfully typed. The latter analysis revealed a limited degree of genetic diversity. L. interrogans (n = 19) predominated, and the only genotype detected was related to the Australis serogroup (n = 17). We also noted the presence of L. borgpetersenii (n = 1) and L. kirschneri (n = 1). There was no relationship between infection status and urinalysis parameters.

Conclusion

These results suggest hedgehogs may act as long‐term shedders of Leptospira in natural ecosystems.