bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atrial Fibrillation in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: A Survey of Current Management in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Law Mandy M. , Tan Sven‐Jean , Wong Michael C. G. , Toussaint Nigel D.
Published: February 2025

Aim

There is limited evidence to support the use of oral anticoagulation (OAC) in people with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study is to characterise the practice patterns and priorities of clinicians in the management of non‐valvular AF and primary prevention of AF‐related stroke in people with stage 4‐5D CKD.

Methods

This was an annonymous, multiple‐choice, electronic survey distributed to and undertaken by nephrology and cardiology clinicians in Australia and New Zealand.

Results

Responses eligible for analysis were received from 181 clinicians (121 nephrology and 60 cardiology respondents). Management with close specialty collaboration was reported by 47% of all respondents. OAC use was predominantly based on estimated individual stroke risk (i.e., CHA2DS2‐VASc score) in people with stage 4 CKD and kidney transplant recipients. In stage 5/5D CKD, nephrology respondents were more likely to withhold all antithrombotic therapy or individualise OAC use (p < 0.05), whilst cardiology respondents were more likely to defer OAC decision‐making to another specialist (p < 0.01). Varied use and dosing of OAC agents were noted between specialties. Left atrial appendage occlusion experience was limited amongst nephrology respondents but cardiology respondents would consider in individualised cases. Impact of CKD severity was noted in some rate and/or rhythm control management decisions.

Conclusions

This survey provides important contemporary insights into the management of AF in people with advanced CKD in Australia and New Zealand. There was inter‐ and intra‐specialty heterogeneity in practice, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary care and research to improve cardiovascular outcomes in this population.
Sleeping Beauty and the demands of non‐ideal rationality
Authors: Schwarz Wolfgang
Published: February 2025

If an agent can't live up to the demands of ideal rationality, fallback norms come into play that take into account the agent's limitations. A familiar human limitation is our tendency to lose information. How should we compensate for this tendency? The Seeping Beauty problem allows us to isolate this question, without the confounding influence of other human limitations. If the coin lands tails, Beauty can't preserve whatever information she has received on Monday: she is bound to violate the norms of ideal diachronic rationality. The considerations that support these norms, however, can still be used. I investigate how Beauty should update her beliefs so as to maximize the expected accuracy of her new beliefs. The investigation draws attention to important but neglected questions about the connection between rational belief and evidential support, about the status of ideal and non‐ideal norms, about the dependence of epistemic norms on descriptive facts, and about the precise formulation of expected accuracy measures. It also sheds light on the puzzle of higher‐order evidence.
A haplotype‐resolved reference genome of Quercus alba sheds light on the evolutionary history of oaks
Authors: Larson Drew A. , Staton Margaret E. , Kapoor Beant , Islam‐Faridi Nurul , Zhebentyayeva Tetyana , Fan Shenghua , Stork Jozsef , Thomas Austin , Ahmed Alaa S. , Stanton Elizabeth C. , Houston Allan , Schlarbaum Scott E. , Hahn Matthew W. , Carlson John E. , Abbott Albert G. , DeBolt Seth , Nelson C. Dana
Published: February 2025

White oak (Quercus alba) is an abundant forest tree species across eastern North America that is ecologically, culturally, and economically important.

We report the first haplotype‐resolved chromosome‐scale genome assembly of Q. alba and conduct comparative analyses of genome structure and gene content against other published Fagaceae genomes. We investigate the genetic diversity of this widespread species and the phylogenetic relationships among oaks using whole genome data.

Despite strongly conserved chromosome synteny and genome size across Quercus, certain gene families have undergone rapid changes in size, including defense genes. Unbiased annotation of resistance (R) genes across oaks revealed that the overall number of R genes is similar across species – as are the chromosomal locations of R gene clusters – but, gene number within clusters is more labile. We found that Q. alba has high genetic diversity, much of which predates its divergence from other oaks and likely impacts divergence time estimations. Our phylogenetic results highlight widespread phylogenetic discordance across the genus.

The white oak genome represents a major new resource for studying genome diversity and evolution in Quercus. Additionally, we show that unbiased gene annotation is key to accurately assessing R gene evolution in Quercus.
Exploring Cancer‐Associated Fibroblasts in OSCC and OPMDs: Microenvironment Insights. Scoping Review
Authors: Sutera Samuele , Furchì Olga Anna , Pentenero Monica
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Despite progress, the mechanisms behind the TME‐epithelial cell interaction remain unclear. Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most abundant cells in the TME, require further study.

Material and Methods

We conducted a scoping review, searching for clinical and vivo studies that discuss the role of CAFs in OSCC and OPMDs progression.

Results

From 1152 PubMed results, 29 studies met the inclusion criteria. CAFs, identified as αSMA+ cells, interact with the TME and epithelial cells by secreting various molecules. In OSCC, CAF signals contribute to a pro‐tumorigenic environment, and CAF numbers positively correlate with tumor grade, size, stage, aggressiveness, and mortality. While limited data exist on CAFs in OPMDs, they seem linked to malignant transformation risk.

Discussion

CAFs are critical in OSCC pathophysiology, but the complex intercellular mechanisms are not fully understood. Currently, CAFs are not part of clinical decision‐making, but emerging evidence suggests they could represent a promising new approach in managing OSCC and OPMDs.

Conclusion

Future research should aim to gain a deeper understanding of how CAFs contribute to OSCC progression and their role in OPMDs pathophysiology.
Mitophagy and Its Significance in Periodontal Disease
Authors: Abulaiti Guliqihere , Qin Xu , Chen Lili , Zhu Guangxun
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Periodontal disease is a common chronic inflammatory condition affecting the tissues that support teeth, leading to their destruction. Mitophagy, a specialized form of autophagy responsible for degrading damaged mitochondria, plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. However, its role in periodontal disease progression remains poorly understood. This review aims to summarize recent research on mitophagy's role in periodontal disease pathogenesis.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review on mitophagy was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, employing keywords related to periodontal disease such as “periodontal,” “periodontitis,” “gingiva,” and “gingivitis.”

Results

A review of 18 original studies revealed that mitophagy plays a crucial role in periodontal disease by regulating key pathophysiological mechanisms. Specifically, mitophagy modulates periodontal inflammation by influencing pro‐inflammatory cytokines and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Additionally, it is essential for alveolar bone remodeling, impacting both bone resorption and regeneration. Mitophagy also regulates cell apoptosis within periodontal tissues, helping to preserve cellular function and tissue integrity during periodontal disease progression.

Conclusions

Mitophagy regulates periodontal disease pathogenesis by modulating inflammation, bone remodeling, and cell death in periodontal tissues. Further research is needed to explore its therapeutic potential in periodontal disease treatment and improve targeted interventions.
Robot‐Assisted Screw Fixation Combined With Endoscopic Bone Graft in the Minimally Invasive Treatment of Lumbar Spondylolysis: A Single‐Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Zeng Guanjie , Li Zongze , Hou Juedong , Yu Liu , Cui Yuhui , Zhu Yongjian , Yao Ling , Chen Jiarui , Cheng Yongquan , Chen Jianting
Published: February 2025

Objective

Spondylolysis, often progressing to spondylolisthesis, commonly defies conservative treatment in refractory cases, indicating a need for surgery. Robot‐assisted techniques may provide a stable and effective minimally invasive approach for the treatment of lumbar spondylolysis. To compare the clinical efficacy between robot‐assisted percutaneous screw fixation combined with endoscopic bone graft and conventional open screw fixation with bone graft in the treatment of lumbar spondylolysis.

Methods

A cohort study involving 43 individuals with lumbar spondylolysis who underwent surgical treatment was conducted. From January 2022 to June 2023, 20 patients underwent percutaneous screw fixation combined with endoscopic bone graft while 23 patients underwent conventional open screw fixation with bone graft. The demographic data, parameters related to robotic surgery, perioperative indicators, VAS and ODI scores, pedicle screw accuracy, radiographic fusion outcomes, and follow‐up results were systematically recorded, analyzed, and then compared between the two groups. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi‐square tests, and continuous variables were evaluated with t‐tests or Mann–Whitney U tests following normality assessment, with statistical significance at p < 0.05.

Results

Compared with the conventional surgery group, the robot‐assisted surgery group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative drainage, shorter hospital stay, less intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and radiation exposure dose (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, the duration of the surgery was longer. Postoperative imaging findings showed high screw accuracy in both groups, with a grade A rate of 95% in the robot‐assisted group compared with 91.4% in the conventional open surgery group according to the Gertzbein–Robbins scale. Both groups achieved similar improvements in VAS and ODI during 1‐year follow‐up, and both groups achieved good bone graft fusion (97.5% fusion rate in the robot‐assisted group versus 93.5% in the conventional open surgery group).

Conclusion

Robot‐assisted screw fixation combined with endoscopic bone graft provides a safe and reliable minimally invasive treatment of lumbar spondylolysis, with high accuracy of pedicle screw implantation and less radiation exposure dose, less intraoperative trauma, and quicker recovery than conventional open surgery.
Late Sustained Ventricular Arrhythmias After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Outcomes and Predictors
Authors: Karikalan Suganya , Lee Justin Z. , Tan Min‐Choon , Zhang Nan , Killu Ammar M. , Deshmukh Abhishek J. , McLeod Christopher J. , Sorajja Dan , El‐Masry Hicham , Mulpuru Siva K. , Cha Yong‐Mei , Scott Luis
Published: February 2025

Background

The factors contributing to sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) >30 days after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation are not well‐established.

Objectives

This study aimed to predict the factors associated with late sustained VAs after LVAD implantation and develop a predictive score to identify patients with an increased risk of late sustained VAs after the procedure.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study on a training cohort of 623 patients and a validation cohort of 157 patients who underwent LVAD implantation at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Phoenix, and Jacksonville) from January 1, 2000, to December 30, 2020. Late sustained VAs were defined as ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurring >30 days after the LVAD procedure. Detailed chart reviews of the electronic health records within the Mayo Clinic and outside medical records were performed.

Results

A total of 780 patients were included in our study. Late sustained VAs occurred in 30% (n = 232) of the patients. The significant factors associated with late sustained VAs after LVAD were the history of VAs prior to LVAD (34.1% vs. 23.0%, p < 0.01), implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) (87.9% vs. 77.6%, p < 0.01) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in situ (43.5% vs. 33.6%, p = 0.008), VT ablation prior to LVAD (5.2% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.010), use of amiodarone (49.1% vs. 38.7%, p = 0.007), use of mexiletine (15.5% vs. 5.7%, p < 0.01), and higher left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (LVEDD) on echocardiography prior to LVAD implantation (71.4 vs. 68.7 mm, p = 0.002). During follow‐up, the patients who developed late sustained VAs after LVAD had lower survival than those who did not (HR = 1.96, 95% CI:156–2.4, p < 0.001). The average time from LVAD to orthotopic heart transplant was longer among late sustained VAs patients (23 vs. 14 months, p < 0.01). The “VIN” risk score was created to identify four risk groups: low (scores 0), intermediate (score 1), high (score 2), and very high (score 3). The rates of late VA's in the training cohort at 1 year were 9.5%, 14%, 18%, and 25% which was almost similar to the risk of late VA's at validation cohort 10%, 12%, 20%, and 63%, respectively.

Conclusions

Late sustained VAs occurred in 30% of the patients who received LVAD and were associated with lower survival. The VIN risk score was developed and validated to stratify patients into low, intermediate, high, and very high risk of late sustained VAs.
The Janus face of Bifidobacterium in the development of atopic eczema: A role for compositional maturation
Authors: Depner Martin , Taft Diana Hazard , Peschel Stefanie , Roduit Caroline , Karvonen Anne M. , Barnig Cindy , Divaret‐Chauveau Amandine , Riedler Josef , Pekkanen Juha , Schmausser‐Hechfellner Elisabeth , Pagani Giulia , Lauener Roger , Roponen Marjut , Renz Harald , Pfefferle Petra Ina , Schaub Bianca , von Mutius Erika , Kirjavainen Pirkka V. , Ege Markus J. ,   the PASTURE study group
Published: February 2025

Background

Atopic eczema often develops in the first year of life, when the composition of the gut microbiota is most plastic as illustrated by the decrease in bifidobacteria after weaning. This may provide the opportunity for microbial stimuli and their environmental determinants to alter the disease course.

Objectives

To determine the role of the genus Bifidobacterium for atopic eczema in early childhood.

Methods

We analysed the bacterial composition in fecal samples of 618 children of the PASTURE (“Protection against Allergy—Study in Rural Environments”) birth cohort using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of fecal samples collected at 2 and 12 months of age. Atopic eczema was defined as a parent‐reported doctor's diagnosis until 2 years, and patterns of rash symptoms were classified by latent class analysis. We applied mediation models to assess direct and microbiota‐mediated effects of environmental determinants on atopic eczema.

Results

The Bifidobacterium composition observed at 2 months was inversely related to atopic eczema (OR = 0.68 [0.53–0.87], p = .002) and persistent rash. This association was not seen at 12 months, when the composition of Bifidobacterium amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) was altered. The effect of beneficial ASVs at 2 months (OR = 0.72 [0.57–0.91]) was lost at 12 months (OR = 0.97 [0.76–1.24]), when distinct bifidobacteria tended to be positively related to late‐onset rash.

Conclusions

The subgenus composition of Bifidobacterium undergoes substantial changes in the first year of life. The protective effect of Bifidobacterium depends on the ASV composition at the respective age of the infant, highlighting the importance of timing in prevention strategies targeting infant‐microbe interactions.
BR signalling haplotypes contribute to indica–japonica differentiation for grain yield and quality in rice
Authors: Yang Xinyi , Zhang Juncheng , Wang Lusheng , Zhang Chunyu , Xu Pengkun , Li Yanhua , Yu Sibin , Li Yibo
Published: February 2025

The functional difference of natural variations in conserved BR signalling genes and the genetic basis of rice indica–japonica differentiation are important yet unknown. Here, we discovered natural variations of the four key components (OsBRI1, OsBAK1, OsGSK3 and OsBZR1) in BR signalling pathway by GWAS using an indicator of indica–japonica differentiation in rice. Two major BR signalling haplotypes (BSHs), caused by co‐selected variations of the four genetically unlinked genes, were identified to be highly differentiated between rice subspecies. The genetic contributions of BSHs to grain yield and quality were much higher than that of each component. Introducing alleles of japonica into indica employing substitution lines of OsBAK1, complementation lines of OsGSK3 and genetic populations of OsBRI1/OsBAK1/OsGSK3 confirmed their functional differences between two subspecies. The BSH differentiation led to weaker interaction between OsBRI1 and OsBAK1, stronger autophosphorylation and kinase activity of OsGSK3, less RNA/proteins and stronger phosphorylation of OsBZR1, and weaker BR sensitivity in indica than japonica rice, and regular expression trends of BR‐response genes between subspecies, and then synergistically enhanced yield and superior quality of indica. Our results demonstrate that BSHs contribute to rice inter‐subspecies diversity, and will provide proof‐of‐concept breeding strategy and useful targets in crops.
Structure‐based virtual screening aids the identification of glycosyltransferases in the biosynthesis of salidroside
Authors: Yao Yan , Chen Fangfang , Wu Chaoyan , Chang Xiaosa , Cheng Weijia , Wang Qiuxia , Deng Zixin , Liu Tiangang , Lu Li
Published: February 2025

Glycosylation plays an important role in the structural diversification of plant natural products. The identification of efficient glycosyltransferases is also a crucial step for the biosynthesis of valuable glycoside products. However, functional characterization of glycosyltransferases (GTs) from an extensive plant gene list is labour‐intensive and challenging. Salidroside is a bioactive component derived from plants, widely utilized in the fields of food and medicine. Here, through transcriptome analysis and structure‐based virtual screening, we identified two GTs that participated in the biosynthesis of salidroside from a rarely studied herbaceous plant, Astilbe chinensis. Ach15909 was found to possess high catalytic activity as evidenced by the determination of its catalytic parameters. The key residues that determine its catalytic activity were further determined. Additionally, Ach15909 shows a preference for substrates with a volume of <150 Å3, and replacing the interdomain linker region located between the N‐ and C‐terminal domains of Ach15909 allows it to accept substrates that were previously not catalyzable. Overall, the structure‐based virtual screening approach showed high efficiency and cost‐effectiveness; the successful identification of GTs in salidroside glycosylation sheds light on uncovering additional plant biosynthesis enzymes in the forthcoming research.
PmRad23d Interacts With PmSRC2 and PmCAR4 to Mediate the Abscisic Acid‐Dependent Drought Response in Prunus mira Koehne
Authors: Li Jianxin , Lei Pei , Jiang Yaxuan , Ji Ximei , Meng Fanjuan
Published: February 2025

Drought significantly restricts the growth and quality of fruit trees Prunus mira, an ancient wild peach species, exhibits strong drought tolerance; however, the detailed response mechanism remains unknown. The nucleic acid excision repair factor radiation sensitivity 23d (Rad23d) plays a crucial role in plant stress, growth, and development. However, its specific mechanism of action in P. mira is unclear. Here, we report that PmRad23d positively contributes to the abscisic acid (ABA)‐dependent drought response in P. mira. Overexpression of PmRad23d enhanced drought tolerance and ABA sensitivity, whereas inhibiting PmRad23d expression reduced the plant's drought tolerance and ABA sensitivity. PmRad23d was found to interact with the C2 domain at the N‐terminus of PmSRC2 and PmCAR4, respectively. Together, they regulate the expression of ABA‐ and drought‐related genes, activate ABA signaling, and induce stomatal closure, ultimately enhancing drought resistance in plants. Our findings shed light on the ABA‐dependent drought response mechanism of PmRad23d, providing a basis for further exploration of drought tolerance in P. mira. Additionally, this study identifies potential candidate genes for enhancing peach germplasm resources and breeding drought‐tolerant cultivars.
Defective Processing of Cytoplasmic and Chloroplast Ribosomal RNA in the Absence of Arabidopsis DXO1
Authors: Zakrzewska‐Placzek Monika , Golisz‐Mocydlarz Anna , Kwasnik Aleksandra , Krzyszton Michal , Niedzwiecka Katarzyna , Kufel Joanna
Published: February 2025

Decapping 5′‐3′ exoribonucleases from the DXO/Rai1 family are highly conserved among eukaryotes and exhibit diverse enzymatic activities depending on the organism. The biochemical and structural properties of the plant DXO1 differ from the yeast and animal counterparts, which is reflected in the in vivo functions of this enzyme. Here we show that Arabidopsis DXO1 contributes to the efficient processing of rRNA precursors in both nucleolar/cytosolic and chloroplast maturation pathways. However, the processing defects in DXO1‐deficient plants do not depend on the catalytic activity of the enzyme but rely on its plant‐specific N‐terminal extension, which is responsible for the interaction with the mRNA cap methyltransferase RNMT1. Our RNA sequencing analyses show that the dxo1 mutation deregulates the expression of many ribosomal protein genes, most likely leading to inefficient or delayed pre‐rRNA maturation. These phenotypes are partially suppressed by RNMT1 overexpression, suggesting that defective cap synthesis may be responsible, at least to some extent, for the observed effects.
Leaf Beetle Symbiotic Bacteria Degrade Chlorogenic Acid of Poplar Induced by Egg Deposition to Enhance Larval Survival
Authors: Li Bin , Liu Fengjie , He Xin , Liu Yipeng , Liu Xiaolong , Lu Min
Published: February 2025

Insect symbiotic microbiota acting as a third‐party force of plant‐insect interactions, play a significant role in insect hosts tolerance to phytochemical defences. However, it remains unknown whether insect symbiotic bacteria can assist the host in degrading phytochemical defences induced by egg deposition. Plagiodera versicolora is a worldwide forest pest. Our study showed that P. versicolora egg deposition on Populus davidiana × Populus bolleana induced significant changes in the transcriptome and metabolome of leaves. Combined qRT‐PCR and LC‐MS quantitative analysis of metabolic pathways showed that the contents of chlorogenic acid and rutin were significantly increased upon egg deposition in poplar. Bioassays indicated that the high concentration of chlorogenic acid induced by egg deposition could significantly reduce the performance of germ‐free larvae. Six symbiotic bacterial strains with potential ability to degrade chlorogenic acid were isolated and identified. Their degradation products did not affect larval survival either. In vivo inoculation assays showed that four of those symbiotic bacteria could assist in the degradation of high concentration of chlorogenic acid induced by egg deposition and improve the larval survival. Our study provides clear evidence that the insect symbiotic bacteria can mediate the tolerance of herbivorous insects against plant toxins induced by egg deposition.
Distinct delay discounting patterns in anorexia nervosa: Comparing monetary and exercise rewards across clinical subgroups
Authors: Meneguzzo Paolo , Ladduca Luisa , Balducci Pietro , Meregalli Valentina , Bucci Enrica , Pillan Anna , Cazzola Chiara , Garolla Alice , Bonello Elisa , Buscaglia Francesca , Todisco Patrizia
Published: February 2025

Aims

People with anorexia nervosa (AN) often engage in compulsive exercise to control weight and manage emotions, altering the reward associated with physical activity. Delay‐discounting evaluates preference for immediate over delayed rewards, potentially indicating struggles with prioritizing long‐term gains. However, the impact of AN on these factors remains unexplored. This study aims to assess the attitudes of individuals with AN using a modified exercise delay discount task, comparing them with the general population.

Methods

A sample of 76 individuals (70 women, 92.1%) with a diagnosis of AN was compared with a sample of 124 people (115 women, 92.7%) without a lifetime diagnosis of any eating disorder. Two different delay discount tasks were used to evaluate different constructs: a standardized monetary delay discount task and a modified version focused on physical activity.

Results

The standardized monetary delay discount task confirmed the existence of varied monetary rewards in different subtypes of AN. The exercise‐related task demonstrated a specific emphasis on exercise within AN, showing a tendency to delay physical activity by looking for a greater amount of exercise. On the contrary, the general population opted for immediate exercise proposals.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the tendency to delay physical activity could be related to the compulsive nature of exercise in patients with AN, with a possible change in cognitive evaluation based on the magnitude of exercise. Finally, in addition to psychological problems related to eating disorders, additional cognitive factors likely contribute to exercise compulsiveness, necessitating further research exploration.
Cosmeceuticals in the Pediatric Population Part I: A Review of Risks and Available Evidence
Authors: Goff Gabrielle Keller , Stein Sarah L.
Published: February 2025

The rise in the use of cosmeceuticals among children and adolescents has created a new challenge for dermatologists, who are confronted with the task of advising young patients on the risks that these products can carry and the often questionable efficacy of these products. While some cosmeceuticals can be beneficial for this population when used correctly, such as broad‐spectrum sunscreen or specific anti‐acne agents, other products may not carry benefits for young skin and could even cause complications, particularly in young consumers who have skin conditions such as acne or atopic dermatitis. Many of the common ingredients in cosmeceutical products have had very limited (if any) studies conducted in pediatric populations, and much of the data regarding the efficacy claims and risks of these products must be inferred from studies in adult patients.
Polarization on social media: Comparing the dynamics of interaction networks and language‐based opinion distributions
Authors: Durrheim Kevin , Schuld Maria
Published: February 2025

When people share information and converse on social media, they create “echo chambers” through preferential attachment to like‐minded people and opinions they already support. A great deal of research uses interactional ties between people—created by retweeting and following—to identify and study polarization in social networks. Some of this work then uses language analysis to characterize the opinions and concerns of subcommunities in the network. We used machine learning to create “speaker landscapes” that can identify polarization in user language (in tweets about COVID‐19 vaccination) independently of the social networks created by user interactions via retweeting. In contrast to the prevailing assumptions, we found that distances between users in interaction networks did not predict their language similarity very well. We then compared the effect of a polarizing event (the declaration of the COVID‐19 pandemic) on polarization between communities in the retweet networks and the speaker landscapes. We found that retweeting was done both to support and to criticize claims and that polarization between Democrats and Republicans emerged much more strongly in the speaker landscapes than the interaction networks. The results suggest that different cognitive‐motivational dynamics affect who we interact with and what we say on social media, raising questions about how language is used to promote polarization.
The dual impact of meritocracy and denial of gender discrimination in political candidacy
Authors: Kim Hanna
Published: February 2025

Despite progress in gender equality, women remain underrepresented in politics, with a prevailing belief that barriers to gender discrimination have been virtually eliminated. This study examines why some women deny the existence of a glass ceiling despite facing gender discrimination, proposing that meritocracy ideology plays a role. Analyzing data from the World Values Survey, the study revealed that while meritocracy reduces prejudice about men's suitability for leadership, it is also linked to denying gender discrimination in political opportunities. This dual influence varies by national context: the negative link between meritocracy and explicit sexism is stronger in countries with lower women's empowerment, while the denial of gender discrimination in political representation is more pronounced in countries with higher women's empowerment.
The level of endogenous brassinosteroid regulated by CYP90C1 is associated with tetraploid birch (Betula pendula) leaf morphology variations
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyue , Chen Kun , Zhang Qingzhu , Wang Wei , Liu Guifeng , Jiang Jing
Published: February 2025

Polyploid plants typically exhibit phenotypes distinct from diploids. Understanding the mechanism underlying plant polyploid phenotype variation is a critical prerequisite for effectively utilizing polyploid resources. In this study, we induced and obtained autotetraploid birch along with its diploid parent. Comparative analysis revealed significant differences in the morphology of leaves and stems between them. Transcriptome analysis indicated that 3.86% of genes showed significant differential expression between diploids and tetraploids. The genes significantly downregulated in tetraploids were primarily associated with functional terms related to hormone regulation, plant development, and morphogenesis. Notably, a group of genes involved in brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis was downregulated in tetraploids, and the level of active BRs in tetraploids was significantly lower than that in diploids. A Cas9/gRNA gene editing method was used to perform functional deletion mutations on BpCYP90C1. The knockout of BpCYP90C1 resulted in limited biosynthesis of 6‐deoxoCS and CS in plants. Compared with wild‐type (WT) plants, the bpcyp90c1 mutants exhibited a significant increase in leaf epidermal cell and a decrease in the number of leaf epidermal cells. The bpcyp90c1 mutants had curled leaves with obvious serrated edges and cordate base. Furthermore, the height and internode spacing of the bpcyp90c1 mutants were shorter. These phenotypic variations were similar to those of tetraploid birch. This indicates that the decrease in active BR levels was an important factor affecting the variation of tetraploid leaves and stems. Our research provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms of phenotypic variation in autopolyploid plants.
Suppression of MdPRP6 enhances adaptation of apple plants to long‐term drought
Authors: Zhao Benzhou , Liu Qianwei , Luo Lin , Zhou Hui , Zhang Xiaoli , Ma Fengwang , Gong Xiaoqing
Published: February 2025

Apples are one of the world's four most economically significant fruits, and drought stress is an important factor limiting the development of the global apple industry. Here, we demonstrate that a proline‐rich protein (PRP), MdPRP6, is an important factor regulating the long‐term drought adaptation of apple plants. Suppression of MdPRP6 in apple plants (MdPRP6‐Ri) enhances their adaptation to long‐term moderate drought conditions, as indicated by their significantly higher biomass and relative water content (RWC) compared with wild‐type (WT) plants. Under drought stress, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr) were higher, and photosystem II (PSII) damage was lower in MdPRP6‐Ri plants than in WT plants. Suppression of MdPRP6 increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), which reduced oxidative damage to apple leaves under drought stress. The stomatal openings of MdPRP6‐Ri plants were larger than those of WT plants; the WUEI and WUEL were thus higher in MdPRP6‐Ri plants than in WT plants under long‐term moderate drought stress. We also found that suppression of MdPRP6 increased the wax content of the leaf epidermis, which limits water evaporation caused by non‐stomatal factors under drought stress. In sum, our findings suggest that MdPRP6 negatively affects the long‐term drought adaptation of apple plants, possibly by modulating both stomatal and non‐stomatal water loss.
Mutation of Ugp1 Leads to Impaired Sucrose Synthesis, Retarded Growth and Altered Phosphate Accumulation
Authors: Zhang Wenqi , Wang Tingting , Wei Cuilan , Qin Pinzhu , Xu Guohua
Published: February 2025

In response to phosphate (Pi) starvation stress, plants exhibit diverse adaptive strategies, including carbohydrate accumulation and transport to roots, which are critical for Pi deficiency signaling. However, the functional characterization of sugar metabolic genes is often hindered by the infertility of null mutants, and the role of carbohydrate biosynthetic genes in phosphorus (P) homeostasis remains unclear. Here, we functionally characterized Ugp1, a highly expressed gene in rice (Oryza sativa) that encodes UDP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase. Ugp1 was expressed throughout the rice plant and was transcriptionally induced by Pi starvation in shoot tissues. Localized to the cytosol, Ugp1 was found to be responsible for the biosynthesis of the major sugar sucrose. Homozygous mutation of Ugp1 resulted in an infertile phenotype, decreased sucrose content, retarded growth and increased Pi accumulation, while heterozygous Ugp1 plants exhibited intermediate phenotypes. The increased Pi accumulation in osugp1 mutants was accompanied by the upregulation of Pi starvation‐responsive genes. Notably, in vivo 31P‐nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed an increase in vacuolar and a decrease in cytoplasmic Pi concentration in osugp1 mutants. These findings indicate that Ugp1 plays a critical role in sucrose biosynthesis and is essential for sustaining normal growth and P homeostasis in rice. Its mutation will lead to impaired sucrose synthesis, retarded growth, and altered phosphorus accumulation and distribution. These results highlight the close relationship between carbon metabolism and P homeostasis, offering new perspectives for understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant responses to Pi starvation and providing a theoretical basis for future research on plant nutrient regulation.
The place of social cohesion in policy design: Lessons from the evolution of pension policy instruments mix in OECD countries
Authors: Kim Jiwon
Published: February 2025

OECD countries are grappling with a policy design dilemma, as they strive to balance fiscal sustainability with the increasing demands on the welfare state. This study introduces a new perspective on policy design that integrates the two elements of “social cohesion,” comprising government trust and civic engagement. The study aims to find empirical evidence on how social cohesion has influenced the policy instruments mix in social and pension policy design across 30 OECD member countries from 2010 to 2020. The System Generalized Method of Moments was employed to address endogeneity issues at the country level and to account for policy dynamics. At the macro policy level, social cohesion appears to intensify the social policy dilemma between government fiscal austerity and public popularity. However, the findings indicate that at the meso level of pension policy, the two elements of social cohesion exhibit dual roles both counteractive and complementary roles in the policy instruments mix. This involves identifying the intersection of state‐citizen dynamics in social policy and pension design. The art of the policy instruments mixed within the framework of social cohesion provides valuable insights into resolving policy design dilemmas by achieving a balance and harmony between government and citizens.
The Role of Medication Abortion Provision in US States Without Total Abortion Bans, 2023
Authors: DoCampo Isabel , Jones Rachel K. , Maddow‐Zimet Isaac
Published: February 2025

Background

Medication abortion has accounted for an increasing share of abortions in the United States (US) since the Food and Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone in 2000. This study offers updated estimates of medication abortions provided within the formal healthcare system in 2023 in US states without total abortion bans as well as a discussion of recent trends in medication abortion provision.

Methods

The Guttmacher Institute's Monthly Abortion Provision Study employs data from monthly samples of providers in a Bayesian hierarchical model to produce estimates of abortions provided within the formal healthcare system. We estimate the number and share of medication abortions provided in 2023 in states without total abortion bans and the share of abortions provided through telemedicine‐only clinics.

Results

Clinicians provided 648,500 medication abortions within the formal healthcare system in 2023 in states without total bans (90% uncertainty interval: 640,720–657,860), representing 63% of all abortions. Ten percent of all abortions were provided by telemedicine‐only clinics. The number of medication abortions provided in US states without total abortion bans increased by 19% between 2019 and 2020, and by 32% between 2020 and 2023.

Discussion

Medication abortion plays a critical role in the US abortion access landscape. Medication abortion provision has accelerated since 2019, likely due to COVID‐era policies that facilitated the expansion of telemedicine medication abortion provision. This shift has created essential access for individuals navigating abortion bans and other barriers to care since the removal of federal abortion protections.
Treatments of psychosomatic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease: a scoping review of the potential therapeutic effects of essential oils
Authors: Abdulghani Mohammed Faris , Barzegari Reyhaneh , Almagharbeh Wesam Taher , Yazdani Zahra , Amandadi Ghotbabadi Azam , Seyed Bagheri Seyed Hamid , Alnaiem Mohamed , Dehghan Mahlagha
Published: February 2025

Alzheimer's disease, a type of dementia, poses serious challenges to patients, especially older people, and no definitive treatment is available for this disease, with drug treatments having many side effects. As essential oils of plants deserve particular attention in the treatment of diseases, this study aimed to review the potential therapeutic effects of essential oils on treatment of psychosomatic aspects of Alzheimer's disease. To collect information, we searched different databases, including MagIran, SID, IranDoc and IranMedex, Embase, Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science using the keywords of essential oil, Alzheimer, acetylcholinesterase, memory, forgetfulness, aromatherapy, medicinal plant, herbal drugs, and their Persian equivalents from January 2010 to June 2022; the search included both single and multiple keywords. We retrieved 233 articles, reviewed the titles, abstracts, and full texts of the articles, and then included 25 related articles in this review (11 in vitro studies and 14 in vivo studies). The study results of in vitro and in vivo studies showed the effectiveness of different essential oils such as salvia family, tangerine and lemon oils, Juniperus communis, Anthriscus nemorosa, olibanum, inhaled coriander, Schisandra chinensis, lavender, rose essential oil, Nepeta cataria, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Lippia origanoides, on memory and learning, enzymes, oxidative stress and inflammation, behavioural and cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease. These findings suggest that essential oils can serve as complementary therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and for addressing memory impairments, although further research, especially human clinical trials, is needed to validate these findings, determine optimal dosages, and explore the long‐term safety of essential oils in clinical settings.
An uncertainty‐based risk perspective on risk perception and communication: Opportunities for new empirical‐based research
Authors: Aven Terje
Published: February 2025

Risk perception and communication research has to a large extent discussed risk issues on the basis of an understanding of risk as probabilities and expected values. The present article aims at providing some reflections on this research when adopting an uncertainty‐based risk perspective, in line with contemporary conceptualizations of risk. This type of perspective sees uncertainty, rather than probability, as a main component of risk, in addition to the consequences and the severity of these consequences. The article shows that this perspective provides opportunities for new research in the field, which can have important impacts on how risk is understood, communicated, and handled in society. Some main challenges for the research are identified and discussed.
The Earth Is Not Flat: Bilateral Elevation as a Component of Trade Costs
Authors: Sun Weizhao
Published: February 2025

This paper quantifies the trade effects of effective bilateral elevation (EBE), representing the transportation cost incurred when trucks go uphill and downhill between countries. Introducing an instrumental variable for EBE, the paper reveals that a one‐percent rise in EBE leads to a 0.046% reduction in trade. This impact varies across regions and industries, with landlocked countries experiencing effects more than nine‐fold. The impact is more pronounced in industries with higher weight‐to‐value ratios. Employing a multi‐sector Armington model, the paper estimates that removing bilateral elevations could lead to an average 1% increase in real wages.
Has Macroprudential Regulation Affected Marginal Borrowers? Evidence From South Africa
Authors: Merrino Serena , Lesame Keagile , Chondrogiannis Ilias
Published: February 2025

Bank regulation aimed at strengthening the resilience of the financial system can also prompt adjustments in lending and borrowing decisions. This paper examines how South Africa's credit market has responded to macroprudential policy measures to evaluate whether financial stability objectives are achieved at the expense of an equitable credit allocation. Using firm‐level tax data, banking sector time series and a comprehensive regulatory index, we find that Basel III reforms reduced lending to households, especially if poor, to the benefit of firms, especially if large. We also document that regulation triggers lenders' adverse selection by penalising more creditworthy enterprises.
Detecting (the Absence of) Species Interactions in Microbial Ecological Systems
Authors: Beardsley Thomas , Behringer Megan , Komarova Natalia L.
Published: February 2025

Microbial communities are complex ecological systems of organisms that evolve in time, with new variants created, while others disappear. Understanding how species interact within communities can help us shed light into the mechanisms that drive ecosystem processes. We studied systems with serial propagation, where the community is kept alive by taking a subsample at regular intervals and replating it in fresh medium. The data that are usually collected consist of the % of the population for each of the species, at several time points. In order to utilize this type of data, we formulated a system of equations (based on the generalized Lotka–Volterra model) and derived conditions of species noninteraction. This was possible to achieve by reformulating the problem as a problem of finding feasibility domains, which can be solved by a number of efficient algorithms. This methodology provides a cost‐effective way to investigate interactions in microbial communities.
Effectiveness Index of Mechanical Energy Utilization in Male 400‐m Sprinters and the Relation Between Muscle Cross‐Sectional Area of the Trunk and the Lower Limb
Authors: Muratomi Kotaro , Tarumi Takashi , Furuhashi Yuki , Ushirooka Naoki , Hoshi Daisuke , Fukuie Marina , Hasegawa Takahiro , Sugawara Jun , Tanigawa Satoru , Takahashi Hideyuki , Maemura Hirohiko
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this study was to identify the morphological characteristics of trunk and lower limb muscles associated with 400‐m sprint performance and “effectiveness index of mechanical energy utilization (EI).” Twelve male 400‐m sprinters (age: 21.4 ± 1.7 years, 400‐m best time: 48.38 ± 1.80 s) participated in this study. Using a 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging system, we measured muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the key trunk and lower limb muscles, including the rectus abdominis, lateral abdominal wall, erector spinae, psoas major, adductors, quadriceps femoris, hamstrings, dorsiflexors, and plantar flexors. The CSA of the trunk muscles was summed bilaterally, while the CSA of the lower limb muscles was assessed on the right leg. In addition to absolute CSA, relative CSA, normalized by the two‐thirds power of lean body mass, was used in the analysis to account for individual body size differences. Participants completed a 400‐m sprint on an official outdoor track, with running motion in early phase (around the 160‐m point) analyzed using high‐speed video cameras. Our findings indicate that the specific muscle groups' relative CSA, particularly the lateral abdominal wall and adductors, were significantly correlated with 400‐m sprint time (r = −0.604 to −0.748, p = 0.005–0.038) and EI (r = 0.598–0.599, p = 0.040). Additionally, the thigh‐to‐lower leg CSA ratio was significantly correlated with 400‐m sprint time (r = −0.643, p = 0.024) and EI (r = 0.577, p = 0.049). These results suggest that the relative size of proximal muscles plays a crucial role in economical sprinting in 400‐m sprinters. Thus, optimizing the development of proximal muscles relative to distal muscles may enhance 400‐m sprint economy, providing a valuable reference for designing training programs focused on economical running techniques.