bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association of withholding or continuing angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor blockers on acute kidney injury after non‐cardiac surgery
Authors: Choi Jisun , Ryu Dae Kyun , Woo Seunghyeon , Kim Jeayoun , Lee Seungwon , Park Boram , Jeon Kyeongman , Park MiHye
Published: May 2024

Background

Withholding or continuing angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor blockers peri‐operatively in non‐cardiac surgery remains controversial as they may result in intra‐operative hypotension and postoperative organ damage.

Methods

We included patients prescribed angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor blockers who underwent surgical procedures > 1 h duration under general or spinal anaesthesia from January 2012 to June 2022 in a single centre. We categorised patients by whether these drugs were withheld for 24 h before surgery. We evaluated the association of withholding these drugs before non‐cardiac surgery with creatinine concentrations that increased ≥ 26.4 μmol.l‐1 in the first 48 postoperative hours (acute kidney injury). We also analysed changes in creatinine concentrations and estimated glomerular filtration rates.

Results

Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor blockers were withheld in 24,285 of 32,933 (74%) patients and continued in 8648 (26%) patients. We used propensity scores for drug discontinuation to match 8631 patient pairs who did or did not continue these drugs: acute kidney injury was recorded for 1791 (21%) patients who continued these drugs vs. 1587 (18%) who did not (OR (95%CI) 1.16 (1.08–1.25), p < 0.001). Intra‐operative hypotension was recorded for 3892 (45%) patients who continued drugs vs. 3373 (39%) patients who did not (OR (95%CI) 1.28 (1.21–1.36), p < 0.001). Continuing drugs was independently associated with a mean increase in creatinine of 2.2 μmol.l‐1 (p < 0.001) and a mean decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate of 1.4 ml.min.1.73 m‐2 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Continuing angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor blockers 24 h before non‐cardiac surgery was associated with intra‐operative hypotension and postoperative acute kidney injury.
Enteral nutrition compared with corticosteroids in children with Crohn's disease: A long‐term nationwide study from the epi‐IIRN
Authors: Plotkin Luba , Buchuk Rachel , Lujan Rona , Focht Gili , Greenfeld Shira , Kariv Revital , Weisband Yiska Loewenberg , Lederman Natan , Matz Eran , Dotan Iris , Reifen Ram , Turner Dan
Published: May 2024

Background

Both corticosteroids and exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) have been used as induction therapy in children with Crohn's disease (CD).

Aim

To compare in a nationwide study the long‐term outcomes of children with CD receiving either EEN or corticosteroids as induction therapy.

Methods

We retrieved data of all children diagnosed with CD (2005–2020) from the epi‐IIRN cohort covering 98% of the Israeli population. The primary outcome was time to complicated disease course (i.e., surgery, steroid‐dependency, or at least 2 biologic class). Patients were matched individually utilising propensity score adjustments.

Results

We included 410 children treated with EEN and 375 with corticosteroids without other treatments (median follow‐up, 4.73 [IQR: 2.2–7.2] years [1433 patient‐years]). For 274 matched children, the probability of a complicated course was higher with corticosteroids than EEN at 0.5, 3 and 5 years (14% vs. 4%, 42% vs. 27% and 54% vs. 41%, respectively, p = 0.0066), despite similar use of biologics. Steroid‐dependency (10% vs. 2%, 15% vs. 3%, and 20% vs. 5%, respectively, p = 0.00018), and hospitalisations (20% vs. 11%, 37% vs. 26%, and 55% vs. 38%, respectively, p = 0.002) were higher with corticosteroids. During follow‐up, children receiving corticosteroids as induction treatment were more often further exposed to corticosteroids, and those on EEN were more often further exposed to nutritional treatment (p < 0.001). Induction with EEN had no advantage over corticosteroids regarding survival probability of surgeries, biologic use and growth.

Conclusions

EEN in paediatric CD is associated with lower long‐term risks of corticosteroid dependency and hospitalisation than corticosteroids. These results may lend support to favouring nutritional therapy in paediatric CD.
Cylindrical abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer using the Hugo RAS system: The first ever case report for rectal cancer
Authors: Toyota Maho , Miyo Masaaki , Okuya Koichi , Ito Tatsuya , Akizuki Emi , Noda Ai , Ogawa Tadashi , Ishii Masayuki , Miura Ryo , Ichihara Momoko , Kimura Akina , Takemasa Ichiro
Published: May 2024

In May 2023, the Hugo RAS system obtained pharmaceutical approval for use in gastroenterological surgery in Japan. It is expected to be particularly effective in rectal cancer surgery, which require the manipulation of the deep pelvic cavity and communication with surgeons operating from the intraperitoneal and anal approaches. A 68‐year‐old woman presented to our hospital with bloody stools and was diagnosed with cStage I (cT2N0M0) rectal cancer and underwent abdominoperineal resection employing the Hugo RAS system. Two arm carts were placed on the left and right lateral sides with an interleg space, and trocars were placed in a straight line between the right superior iliac spine and umbilicus. Herein, we report the first abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer using the Hugo RAS system.
Explaining consumer willingness to pay for country‐of‐origin labeling with ethnocentrism, country image, and product image: Examples from China's beef market
Authors: Gao Shijun , Grebitus Carola , DeLong Karen L.
Published: May 2024

Chinese beef imports have been increasing in recent years. At the same time, Chinese public sentiment toward foreign countries, including those who export beef to China, has been changing. Therefore, this research uses a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to investigate the role of ethnocentrism, country image, and product image on consumer willingness to pay for country‐of‐origin labeled beef. Results indicate, on average, Chinese consumers prefer domestic beef most, and value beef from Australia and the US somewhat similarly. Their willingness to pay varies based on their perceived image of the country that the beef originates from and based on their perception of the safety of the beef, that is, product image. The more ethnocentric consumers are, the more they prefer domestic beef and discount foreign beef. Importantly, the effects of ethnocentrism, country image, and product image are stronger on the willingness to pay for domestic beef than for imported beef. More generally, findings indicate that controlling for ethnocentrism, country image, and product image contributes to understanding consumer willingness to pay for products originating from foreign countries. Overall, findings suggest that stronger ethnocentric tendencies lead to lower willingness to pay for imported beef (with some exceptions), and positive country image and product image increase the willingness to pay for imported beef. Thus, it is important to consider these constructs when estimating consumer willingness to pay for imported products, especially for countries where public sentiment toward exporting countries may be prone to change in a dynamic global environment.
Differences in weight‐loss outcomes among race‐gender subgroups by behavioural intervention delivery mode: An analysis of the POWER trial
Authors: Brown Kristal L. , Wang Nae‐Yuh , Bennett Wendy L. , Gudzune Kimberly A. , Daumit Gail , Dalcin Arlene , Jerome Gerald J. , Coughlin Janelle W. , Appel Lawrence J. , Clark Jeanne M.
Published: May 2024

Prior in‐person behavioural intervention studies have documented differential weight loss between men and women and by race, with Black women receiving the least benefit. Remotely delivered interventions are now commonplace, but few studies have compared outcomes by race‐gender groups and delivery modality. We conducted a secondary analysis of POWER, a randomized trial (NCT00783315) designed to determine the effectiveness of 2 active, lifestyle‐based, weight loss interventions (remote vs. in‐person) compared to a control group. Participants with obesity and at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor (N = 415) were recruited in the Baltimore, MD area. Data from 233 white and 170 Black individuals were used for this analysis. Following an intention‐to‐treat approach, we compared the mean percent weight loss at 24 months by race‐gender subgroups using repeated‐measures, mixed‐effects models. Everyone lost weight in the active interventions however, weight loss differed by race and gender. white and Black men had similar results for both interventions (white: in‐person (−7.6%) remote (−7.4%); Black: in‐person (−4.7%) remote (−4.4%)). In contrast, white women lost more weight with the in‐person intervention (in‐person (−7.2%) compared to the remote (−4.4%)), whereas Black women lost less weight in the in‐person group compared to the remote intervention at 24 months (−2.0% vs. −3.0%, respectively; p for interaction <.001). We found differences between the effectiveness of the 2 weight loss interventions—in‐person or remote—in white and Black women at 24 months. Future studies should consider intervention modality when designing weight loss interventions for women.
Learning the Meanings of Function Words From Grounded Language Using a Visual Question Answering Model
Authors: Portelance Eva , Frank Michael C. , Jurafsky Dan
Published: May 2024

Interpreting a seemingly simple function word like “or,” “behind,” or “more” can require logical, numerical, and relational reasoning. How are such words learned by children? Prior acquisition theories have often relied on positing a foundation of innate knowledge. Yet recent neural‐network‐based visual question answering models apparently can learn to use function words as part of answering questions about complex visual scenes. In this paper, we study what these models learn about function words, in the hope of better understanding how the meanings of these words can be learned by both models and children. We show that recurrent models trained on visually grounded language learn gradient semantics for function words requiring spatial and numerical reasoning. Furthermore, we find that these models can learn the meanings of logical connectives and and or without any prior knowledge of logical reasoning as well as early evidence that they are sensitive to alternative expressions when interpreting language. Finally, we show that word learning difficulty is dependent on the frequency of models' input. Our findings offer proof‐of‐concept evidence that it is possible to learn the nuanced interpretations of function words in a visually grounded context by using non‐symbolic general statistical learning algorithms, without any prior knowledge of linguistic meaning.
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) and the Functions of Consciousness
Authors: Ludwig Dylan , Khalidi Muhammad Ali
Published: May 2024

“Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response” (ASMR) refers to a sensory‐emotional experience that was first explicitly identified and named within the past two decades in online discussion boards. Since then, there has been mounting psychological and neural evidence of a clustering of properties common to the phenomenon of ASMR, including convergence on the set of stimuli that trigger the experience, the properties of the experience itself, and its downstream effects. Moreover, psychological instruments have begun to be developed and employed in an attempt to measure it. Based on this empirical work, we make the case that despite its nonscientific origins, ASMR is a good candidate for being a real kind in the cognitive sciences. The phenomenon appears to have a robust causal profile and may also have an adaptive evolutionary history. We also argue that a more thorough understanding of the distinctive type of phenomenal experience involved in an ASMR episode can shed light on the functions of consciousness, and ultimately undermine certain “cognitive” theories of consciousness. We conclude that ASMR should be the subject of more extensive scientific investigation, particularly since it may also have the potential for therapeutic applications.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells support regeneration of intestinal damage in a colitis mouse model, independent of their CXCR4 expression
Authors: Pervin Burcu , Gizer Merve , Şeker Mehmet Emin , Erol Özgür Doğuş , Gür Sema Nur , Polat Ece Gizem , Değirmenci Bahar , Korkusuz Petek , Aerts‐Kaya Fatima
Published: May 2024

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by a chronically dysregulated immune response in the gastrointestinal tract. Bone marrow multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells have an important immunomodulatory function and support regeneration of inflamed tissue by secretion of soluble factors as well as through direct local differentiation. CXCR4 is the receptor for CXCL12 (SDF‐1, stromal‐derived factor‐1) and has been shown to be the main chemokine receptor, required for homing of MSCs. Increased expression of CXCL12 by inflamed intestinal tissue causes constitutive inflammation by attracting lymphocytes but can also be used to direct MSCs to sites of injury/inflammation. Trypsin is typically used to dissociate MSCs into single‐cell suspensions but has also been shown to digest surface CXCR4. Here, we assessed the regenerative effects of CXCR4high and CXCR4low MSCs in an immune‐deficient mouse model of DSS‐induced colitis. We found that transplantation of MSCs resulted in clinical improvement and histological recovery of intestinal epithelium. In contrary to our expectations, the levels of CXCR4 on transplanted MSCs did not affect their regenerative supporting potential, indicating that paracrine effects of MSCs may be largely responsible for their regenerative/protective effects.
The ethics of research informed consent from the Kyrgyz perspective: A qualitative study
Authors: Kudaibergenova Tamara
Published: May 2024

To ensure informed consent is tailored to ethnic Asian communities, it is necessary to establish an ethical foundation that is relevant to the specific populations. We hypothesized that certain communitarian factors unique to traditional Kyrgyz culture may influence an individual's decision to participate in research. Guided by Seedhouse's (2005) Rational Field Theory, we conducted qualitative, in‐depth interviews with cultural experts in Kyrgyzstan to identify the ethical foundations of decision‐making for informed consent in Kyrgyz culture. The results indicate that Kyrgyz people have a distinctive decision‐making style influenced by their nomadic culture and history, which values and prioritizes family integrity and reputation. These findings indicate that a multidimensional approach based on socio‐cultural sensitivities is necessary to assess the appropriateness of consent procedures. We believe our results may have implications for revising the guidelines of local and regional research ethics committees in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries.
Government popularity in the UK during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Castro Vítor , Martins Rodrigo
Published: May 2024

This study analyses how government popularity was shaped in the UK during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Using daily data for the Conservative party popularity rate, we find that their popularity was strongly dominated by factors related to the pandemic, more so by the political cases linked to its management and the measures that the government undertook than by the direct health impact of the coronavirus. The government stringency measures became more harmful for government popularity over time, especially when the pandemic metrics calmed down. The economy played a very marginal role in shaping government popularity during that period.
YAP prevents senescence of dermal fibroblast and inhibits melanogenesis via paracrine effect of DKK1
Authors: Li Tong , Xiong Yimei , Xian Longjun , Xiong Lidan , Li Li
Published: May 2024

Senile skin hyperpigmentation displays remarkable histopathological features of dermal aging. The crosstalk between melanocytes and dermal fibroblasts plays crucial roles in aging‐related pigmentation. While senescent fibroblasts can upregulate pro‐melanogenic factors, the role of anti‐melanogenic factors, such as dickkopf1 (DKK1), and the upstream regulatory mechanism during aging remain obscure. This study investigated the roles of yes‐associated protein (YAP) and DKK1 in the regulation of dermal fibroblast senescence and melanogenesis. Our findings demonstrated decreased YAP activity and DKK1 levels in intrinsic and extrinsic senescent fibroblasts. YAP depletion induced fibroblast senescence and downregulated the expression and secretion of DKK1, whereas YAP overexpression partially reversed the effect. The transcriptional regulation of DKK1 by YAP was supported by dual‐luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Moreover, YAP depletion in fibroblasts upregulated Wnt/β‐catenin in melanocytes and stimulated melanogenesis, which was partially rescued by the re‐supplementation of DKK1. Conversely, overexpression of YAP in senescent fibroblasts decreased Wnt/β‐catenin levels in melanocytes and inhibited melanogenesis. Additionally, reduced levels of YAP and DKK1 were verified in the dermis of solar lentigines. These findings suggest that, during skin aging, epidermal pigmentation may be influenced by YAP in the dermal microenvironment via the paracrine effect of DKK1.
Combining large‐spot low‐fluence 1064‐nm and fractional 1064‐nm picosecond lasers for promoting protective melanosome autophagy via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway for the treatment of melasma
Authors: Shen Jie , Jin JingJing , Huang JianHua , Guo Yu , Qian Qihong
Published: May 2024

Melasma is a common condition of hyperpigmented facial skin. Picosecond lasers are reported to be effective for the treatment of melasma. We aimed to identify the most effective therapeutic mode and elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of picosecond lasers for the treatment of melasma. Female Kunming mice with melasma‐like conditions were treated using four different picosecond laser modes. Concurrently, in vitro experiments were conducted to assess changes in melanin and autophagy in mouse melanoma B16‐F10 cells treated with these laser modes. Changes in melanin in mouse skin were detected via Fontana–Masson staining, and melanin particles were evaluated in B16‐F10 cells. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to analyse the expression levels of melanosome and autophagy‐related messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and proteins. A combination of large‐spot low‐fluence 1064‐nm and fractional 1064‐nm picosecond lasers resulted insignificant decreases in melanin as well as in mRNA and protein expression of melanin‐synthesizing enzymes (TYR, TRP‐1 and MITF). This combination also led to increased expression of the autophagy‐related proteins, Beclin1 and ATG5, with a marked decrease in p62 expression. Intervention with the PI3K activator, 740 Y‐P, increased TYR, TRP‐1, MITF, p‐PI3K, p‐AKT, p‐mTOR and p62 expression but decreased the expression of LC3, ATG5 and Beclin1. A combination of large‐spot low‐fluence 1064‐nm and fractional 1064‐nm picosecond lasers proved more effective and safer. It inhibits melanin production, downregulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, enhances melanocyte autophagy and accelerates melanin metabolism, thereby reducing melanin content.
Global nitrous oxide emissions from livestock manure during 1890–2020: An IPCC tier 2 inventory
Authors: Zhang Lei , Pan Shufen , Ouyang Zhiyun , Canadell Josep G. , Chang Jinfeng , Conchedda Giulia , Davidson Eric A. , Lu Fei , Pan Naiqing , Qin Xiaoyu , Shi Hao , Tubiello Francesco N. , Wang Xiaoke , Zhang Yuzhong , Tian Hanqin
Published: May 2024

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from livestock manure contribute significantly to the growth of atmospheric N2O, a powerful greenhouse gas and dominant ozone‐depleting substance. Here, we estimate global N2O emissions from livestock manure during 1890–2020 using the tier 2 approach of the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. Global N2O emissions from livestock manure increased by ~350% from 451 [368–556] Gg N year−1 in 1890 to 2042 [1677–2514] Gg N year−1 in 2020. These emissions contributed ~30% to the global anthropogenic N2O emissions in the decade 2010–2019. Cattle contributed the most (60%) to the increase, followed by poultry (19%), pigs (15%), and sheep and goats (6%). Regionally, South Asia, Africa, and Latin America dominated the growth in global emissions since the 1990s. Nationally, the largest emissions were found in India (329 Gg N year−1), followed by China (267 Gg N year−1), the United States (163 Gg N year−1), Brazil (129 Gg N year−1) and Pakistan (102 Gg N year−1) in the 2010s. We found a substantial impact of livestock productivity, specifically animal body weight and milk yield, on the emission trends. Furthermore, a large spread existed among different methodologies in estimates of global N2O emission from livestock manure, with our results 20%–25% lower than those based on the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. This study highlights the need for robust time‐variant model parameterization and continuous improvement of emissions factors to enhance the precision of emission inventories. Additionally, urgent mitigation is required, as all available inventories indicate a rapid increase in global N2O emissions from livestock manure in recent decades.
The experiences and perspectives of people with gout on urate self‐monitoring
Authors: Michael Toni J. F. , Chan Jian S. , Hughes Stephen , Wright Daniel F. B. , Coleshill Matthew J. , Hughes Dyfrig A. , Day Richard O. , Aslani Parisa , Stocker Sophie L.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Gout management remains suboptimal despite safe and effective urate‐lowering therapy. Self‐monitoring of urate may improve gout management, however, the acceptability of urate self‐monitoring by people with gout is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of urate self‐monitoring in people with gout.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted with people taking urate‐lowering therapy (N = 30) in a 12‐month trial of urate self‐monitoring in rural and urban Australia. Interviews covered the experience of monitoring and its effect on gout self‐management. Deidentified transcripts were analysed thematically.

Results

Participants valued the ability to self‐monitor and gain more understanding of urate control compared with the annual monitoring ordered by their doctors. Participants indicated that self‐monitoring at home was easy, convenient and informed gout self‐management behaviours such as dietary modifications, hydration, exercise and medication routines. Many participants self‐monitored to understand urate concentration changes in response to feeling a gout flare was imminent or whether their behaviours, for example, alcohol intake, increased the risk of a gout flare. Urate concentrations were shared with doctors mainly when they were above target to seek management support, and this led to allopurinol dose increases in some cases.

Conclusion

Urate self‐monitoring was viewed by people with gout as convenient and useful for independent management of gout. They believed self‐monitoring achieved better gout control with a less restricted lifestyle. Urate data was shared with doctors at the patient's discretion and helped inform clinical decisions, such as allopurinol dose changes. Further research on implementing urate self‐monitoring in routine care would enable an evaluation of its impact on medication adherence and clinical outcomes, as well as inform gout management guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

One person with gout, who was not a participant, was involved in the study design by providing feedback and pilot testing the semistructured interview guide. In response to their feedback, subsequent modifications to the interview guide were made to improve the understandability of the questions from a patient perspective. No additional questions were suggested.
Intracardiac echocardiography guided anatomical ablation of the arcuate ridge for drug refractory inappropriate sinus tachycardia
Authors: Cabrera Juan Sebastian , Tapias Carlos , Adams Christian , Hernandez Boris , Bautista William , Stozitzky Valentina , Restrepo Alejandro Jimenez , Saenz Luis
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is a common condition with frequently not tolerated beta‐blockers or ivabradine and a high rate of complication in ablation strategy; we describe an alternative anatomical approach of sinus node (SN) modulation.

Methods

This retrospective study describes a case series of 6 patients from two centers diagnosed with symptomatic IST undergoing SN ablation.

Results

The mean age was 40.6 ± 13.9 years; five of the six patients were female, 100% of patients reported heart palpitations, and 66% reported dizziness, the average heart rate (HR) on a 24‐h Holter was 93.2 ± 7.9 bpm. HR during the first stage of a stress test using a standard Bruce protocol was 150 ± 70 bpm, The average HR on 24‐h Holter postablation was 75 ± 5.6 bpm, the sinus rate HR during stage 1 of a Bruce protocol exercise stress test was 120 ± 10 bpm.

Conclusion

This is the first case series reporting the acute and long‐term results of a novel anatomical approach for SN modulation to treat IST targeting the arcuate ridge (AR) under intracardiac echography (ICE) guidance. The novel anatomic ICE‐guided catheter ablation approach aimed to identify the earliest activation at the AR with an extension of RF lesions toward its septal region seems effective and safe to modulate the SN in symptomatic patients with IST refractory to medical treatment.
Exploration of shared gene signatures and molecular mechanisms between type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis
Authors: Du Ashuai , Xu Rong , Yang Qinglong , Lu Yingxue , Luo Xinhua
Published: May 2024

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and osteoporosis (OP) are systemic metabolic diseases and often coexist. The mechanism underlying this interrelationship remains unclear. We downloaded microarray data for T2D and OP from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Using weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA), we identified co‐expression modules linked to both T2D and OP. To further investigate the functional implications of these associated genes, we evaluated enrichment using ClueGO software. Additionally, we performed a biological process analysis of the genes unique in T2D and OP. We constructed a comprehensive miRNA–mRNA network by incorporating target genes and overlapping genes from the shared pool. Through the implementation of WGCNA, we successfully identified four modules that propose a plausible model that elucidates the disease pathway based on the associated and distinct gene profiles of T2D and OP. The miRNA–mRNA network analysis revealed co‐expression of PDIA6 and SLC16A1; their expression was upregulated in patients with T2D and islet β‐cell lines. Remarkably, PDIA6 and SLC16A1 were observed to inhibit the proliferation of pancreatic β cells and promote apoptosis in vitro, while downregulation of PDIA6 and SLC16A1 expression led to enhanced insulin secretion. This is the first study to reveal the significant roles of PDIA6 and SLC16A1 in the pathogenesis of T2D and OP, thereby identifying additional genes that hold potential as indicators or targets for therapy.
Predicting mothers' exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months: Interface creation study using machine learning technique
Authors: Açikgöz Ayfer , Çakirli Merve , Şahin Berrak Mizrak , Çelik Özer
Published: May 2024

Background

Machine learning techniques (MLT) build models to detect complex patterns and solve new problems using big data.

Aim

The present study aims to create a prediction interface for mothers breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months using MLT.

Method

All mothers who had babies aged 6–24 months between 15.09.2021 and 15.12.2021 and to whom the surveys could be delivered were included. 'Personal Information Form' created by the researchers was used as a data collection tool.

Data from 514 mothers participating in the study were used for MLT. Data from 70% of mothers were used for educational purposes, and a prediction model was created. The data obtained from the remaining 30% of the mothers were used for testing.

Results

The best MLT algorithm for predicting exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months was determined to be the Random Forest Classifier. The top five variables affecting the possibility of mothers breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months were as follows: “the mother not having any health problems during pregnancy,” “there were no people who negatively affected the mother's morale about breastfeeding,” “the amount of water the mother drinks in a day,” “thinking that her milk supply is insufficient,” “having no problems breastfeeding the baby”.

Conclusions

Using created prediction model may allow early identification of mothers with a risk of not breastfeeding their babies exclusively for the first 6 months. In this way, mothers in the risk group can be closely monitored in the early period.
Estimated pulse wave velocity in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease and all‐cause/cause‐specific mortality
Authors: Kim Donghee , Manikat Richie , Wijarnpreecha Karn , Cholankeril George , Ahmed Aijaz
Published: May 2024

Background and Aim

Several reports show a significant association between metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and arterial stiffness (estimated pulse wave velocity [ePWV]) as a surrogate marker of vascular age. We investigate whether ePWV as arterial stiffness in MASLD is associated with all‐cause/cause‐specific mortality.

Methods

This cohort study was based on the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1988–1994) and NHANES 2007–2014 and linked mortality datasets through 2019. Cox regression models assessed the association between ePWV categorized by quartile and all‐cause/cause‐specific mortality among individuals with MASLD.

Results

During the follow‐up of a median of 26.3 years (interquartile range: 19.9–27.9), higher levels of ePWV among individuals with MASLD were associated with increased all‐cause mortality, which remained significant after adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, clinical, and metabolic risk factors. Furthermore, higher ePWV in MASLD was associated with higher cardiovascular mortality. There was a 44% (hazard ratio: 1.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.32–1.58) increase in all‐cause mortality and a 53% (hazard ratio: 1.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.32–1.77) increase in cardiovascular mortality for every 1 m/s increase in ePWV in MASLD. However, there was no significant association between ePWV and cancer‐related mortality. Sensitivity analyses using the NHANES 2007–2014 dataset showed results identical to the original analysis.

Conclusion

Higher ePWV in MASLD was associated with a higher risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Screening for ePWV in individuals with MASLD may be an effective and beneficial approach to reducing all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality.
Trait divergence in plant community assembly is generated by environmental factor interactions
Authors: Pillar Valério D.
Published: May 2024

Question

What conditions drive trait divergence during community assembly through environmental filtering, and why are some communities more trait‐diverse than others?

Methods

An individual‐based, stochastic, spatially explicit metacommunity simulation model produced data on species traits, spatially autocorrelated, nested, feedback‐generated environmental factors, and resulting community composition. I quantified environmentally driven alpha trait divergence using the correlation r(RE) to measure the relationship between Rao functional diversity and environmental factors. Environmentally driven beta trait divergence was assessed through the correlation r(VE), involving environmental factors and the squared residuals (V) of a second‐order polynomial regression of community‐weighted means on environmental factors (E). Permutation tests, assuming independence between traits and species composition, were used to establish the significance of r(RE) and r(VE). Additionally, the method was applied to grassland and soil data collected in plots across southern Brazil. Both simulated and real data were analysed at two spatial resolutions.

Results

Significant r(VE) correlations were frequent with factor interactions incorporated in community assembly simulations, while r(VE) correlations mostly remained within expected Type I error range when factor interactions were absent. r(VE) was stronger than r(RE) at a finer spatial resolution and weaker than r(RE) when smaller community units were combined into larger units. r(VE) for specific leaf area (SLA) was related to soil variables, likely due to their interacting effects with total vegetation cover. When small plots were aggregated into larger units, r(VE) became non‐significant, while r(RE) increased.

Conclusions

Environmentally driven trait divergence emerges during community assembly due to interactions between factors affecting the selection of individuals based on their traits. When the effects of these factors are spatially nested, including hidden, feedback‐generated ones, trait divergence arises at the beta or alpha dimension, depending on the scale of the community units. This suggests that plant‐to‐plant positive or negative interactions, which can feedback on environmental factors and generate heterogeneity, do not necessarily lead to trait divergence if these factors do not interact.
Shifts in mycorrhizal types of fungi and plants in response to fertilisation, warming and herbivory in a tundra grassland
Authors: Le Noir de Carlan Coline , Kaarlejärvi Elina , De Tender Caroline , Heinecke Thilo , Eskelinen Anu , Verbruggen Erik
Published: May 2024

Climate warming is severely affecting high‐latitude regions. In the Arctic tundra, it may lead to enhanced soil nutrient availability and interact with simultaneous changes in grazing pressure. It is presently unknown how these concurrently occurring global change drivers affect the root‐associated fungal communities, particularly mycorrhizal fungi, and whether changes coincide with shifts in plant mycorrhizal types.

We investigated changes in root‐associated fungal communities and mycorrhizal types of the plant community in a 10‐yr factorial experiment with warming, fertilisation and grazing exclusion in a Finnish tundra grassland.

The strongest determinant of the root‐associated fungal community was fertilisation, which consistently increased potential plant pathogen abundance and had contrasting effects on the different mycorrhizal fungal types, contingent on other treatments. Plant mycorrhizal types went through pronounced shifts, with warming favouring ecto‐ and ericoid mycorrhiza but not under fertilisation and grazing exclusion. Combination of all treatments resulted in dominance by arbuscular mycorrhizal plants. However, shifts in plant mycorrhizal types vs fungi were mostly but not always aligned in their magnitude and direction.

Our results show that our ability to predict shifts in symbiotic and antagonistic fungal communities depend on simultaneous consideration of multiple global change factors that jointly alter plant and fungal communities.
Learned trustworthiness does not have the same influence on implicit responses measured via fast periodic visual stimulation as face trustworthiness
Authors: Verosky Sara C. , Nishiura Hannah , O'Brien Lucie , Liu Huanting , Aggadi Nada
Published: May 2024

Past research has demonstrated that it is possible to detect implicit responses to face trustworthiness using fast periodic visual stimulation (FPVS). Because people readily retrieve affective associations with faces, the current study investigated whether learned trustworthiness would yield similar responses to face trustworthiness as measured via FPVS. After learning to associate faces with untrustworthy or trustworthy behaviors, participants completed three separate tasks while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. In each of these tasks, participants viewed oddball sequences of faces where a single base face was presented repeatedly at a rate of 6 Hz and oddball faces with different identities were presented every fifth face (6 Hz/5 = 1.2 Hz). Providing evidence of learning, the oddball response at 1.2 Hz and its harmonics was stronger for the learned faces compared to novel faces over bilateral occipitotemporal cortex and beyond. In addition, reproducing previous findings with face trustworthiness, we observed a stronger response at 1.2 Hz and its harmonics for sequences with less trustworthy‐looking versus trustworthy‐looking oddball faces over bilateral occipitotemporal cortex and other sites. However, contrary to our predictions, we did not observe a significant influence of learned trustworthiness on the oddball response. These data indicate that impressions based on learning are treated differently than impressions based on appearance, and they raise questions about the types of design and stimuli that yield responses that are measurable via FPVS.
The rise in cross‐national marriages and the emergent inequalities in East and Southeast Asia
Authors: Lu Shuya , Yeung Wei‐Jun Jean
Published: May 2024

This paper reviews the trends and driving forces for the relatively recent growth in cross‐national marriages in East and Southeast Asia with a specific focus on the experiences of female marriage migrants from Southeast Asia. It explicates the various forms of inequality faced by the low‐income marriage migrant women including gender power dynamics within the household, socioeconomic inequalities, integration into the destination society, and intergenerational transfer of inequalities. We acknowledge that the inequality experienced by marriage migrant women results from a complex web of intersecting social‐cultural, political, and economic forces occurring in Asia in the past three decades. As a result of rising female educational attainment and the practice of marriage hypergamy in Asia, an increasing number of low socioeconomic‐status men from developed countries seek marriage partners abroad from lower‐income and less‐developed countries. Upon entering the cross‐national marriage market, many low‐income migrant women face multiple disadvantages in the host country due to inadequate socioeconomic support, language barriers, social stigma on foreign brides, and a lack of legal status. These inequalities exacerbate their initial disadvantages to perpetuate a vicious cycle of intergenerational disadvantages for their offspring. We conclude with a critique of extant literature and identify promising future research directions.
Identification of the novel HLA‐DPA1*02:07:04 allele by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Lee Jong Kwon , Ko You‐Keun , Lee Sookyeon , Lim Sori , Kang Eun‐Suk
Published: May 2024

The novel HLA‐DPA1*02:07:04 allele was detected during the HLA typing for kidney transplantation.
Enhancing genome‐wide populus trait prediction through deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Duan Huaichuan , Dai Xiangwei , Shi Quanshan , Cheng Yan , Ge Yutong , Chang Shan , Liu Wei , Wang Feng , Shi Hubing , Hu Jianping
Published: May 2024

As a promising model, genome‐based plant breeding has greatly promoted the improvement of agronomic traits. Traditional methods typically adopt linear regression models with clear assumptions, neither obtaining the linkage between phenotype and genotype nor providing good ideas for modification. Nonlinear models are well characterized in capturing complex nonadditive effects, filling this gap under traditional methods. Taking populus as the research object, this paper constructs a deep learning method, DCNGP, which can effectively predict the traits including 65 phenotypes. The method was trained on three datasets, and compared with other four classic models—Bayesian ridge regression (BRR), Elastic Net, support vector regression, and dualCNN. The results show that DCNGP has five typical advantages in performance: strong prediction ability on multiple experimental datasets; the incorporation of batch normalization layers and Early‐Stopping technology enhancing the generalization capabilities and prediction stability on test data; learning potent features from the data and thus circumventing the tedious steps of manual production; the introduction of a Gaussian Noise layer enhancing predictive capabilities in the case of inherent uncertainties or perturbations; fewer hyperparameters aiding to reduce tuning time across datasets and improve auto‐search efficiency. In this way, DCNGP shows powerful predictive ability from genotype to phenotype, which provide an important theoretical reference for building more robust populus breeding programs.
Rhamnogalacturonan lyase 1 (RGL1), as a suppressor of E3 ubiquitin ligase Arabidopsis thaliana ring zinc finger 1 (AtRZF1), is involved in dehydration response to mediate proline synthesis and pectin rhamnogalacturonan‐I composition
Authors: Min Ji‐Hee , Park Cho‐Rong , Gong Ying , Chung Moon‐Soo , Nam Seung‐Hee , Yun Hye Sup , Kim Cheol Soo
Published: May 2024

Proline metabolism plays a crucial role in both environmental stress responses and plant growth. However, the specific mechanism by which proline contributes to abiotic stress processes remains to be elucidated. In this study, we utilized atrzf1 (Arabidopsis thaliana ring zinc finger 1) as a parental line for T‐DNA tagging mutagenesis and identified a suppressor mutant of atrzf1, designated proline content alterative 31 (pca31). The pca31 mutant suppressed the insensitivity of atrzf1 to dehydration stress during early seedling growth. Using Thermal Asymmetric Interlaced‐PCR, we found that the T‐DNA of pca31 was inserted into the promoter region of the At2g22620 gene, which encodes the cell wall enzyme rhamnogalacturonan lyase 1 (RGL1). Enzymatic assays indicated that RGL1 exhibited rhamnogalacturonan lyase activity, influencing cell wall pectin composition. The decrease in RGL1 gene expression suppressed the transcriptomic perturbation of the atrzf1 mutant. Silencing of the RGL1 gene in atrzf1 resulted in a sensitive phenotype similar to pca31 under osmotic stress conditions. Treatment with mannitol, salt, hydrogen peroxide, and abscisic acid induced RGL1 expression. Furthermore, we uncovered that RGL1 plays a role in modulating root growth and vascular tissue development. Molecular, physiological, and genetic experiments revealed that the positive modulation of RGL1 during abiotic stress was linked to the AtRZF1 pathway. Taken together, these findings establish that pca31 acts as a suppressor of atrzf1 in abiotic stress responses through proline and cell wall metabolisms.
Role of NaV1.7 in postganglionic sympathetic nerve function in human and guinea‐pig arteries
Authors: Kim Joyce S. , Meeker Sonya , Ru Fei , Tran Minh , Zabka Tanja S. , Hackos David , Undem Bradley J.
Published: May 2024

NaV1.7 plays a crucial role in inducing and conducting action potentials in pain‐transducing sensory nociceptor fibres, suggesting that NaV1.7 blockers could be effective non‐opioid analgesics. While SCN9A is expressed in both sensory and autonomic neurons, its functional role in the autonomic system remains less established. Our single neuron rt‐PCR analysis revealed that 82% of sympathetic neurons isolated from guinea‐pig stellate ganglia expressed NaV1.7 mRNA, with NaV1.3 being the only other tetrodotoxin‐sensitive channel expressed in approximately 50% of neurons. We investigated the role of NaV1.7 in conducting action potentials in postganglionic sympathetic nerves and in the sympathetic adrenergic contractions of blood vessels using selective NaV1.7 inhibitors. Two highly selective NaV1.7 blockers, GNE8493 and PF 05089771, significantly inhibited postganglionic compound action potentials by approximately 70% (P < 0.01), with residual activity being blocked by the NaV1.3 inhibitor, ICA 121431. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) induced rapid contractions in guinea‐pig isolated aorta, pulmonary arteries, and human isolated pulmonary arteries via stimulation of intrinsic nerves, which were inhibited by prazosin or the NaV1 blocker tetrodotoxin. Our results demonstrated that blocking NaV1.7 with GNE8493, PF 05089771, or ST2262 abolished or strongly inhibited sympathetic adrenergic responses in guinea‐pigs and human vascular smooth muscle. These findings support the hypothesis that pharmacologically inhibiting NaV1.7 could potentially reduce sympathetic and parasympathetic function in specific vascular beds and airways.

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Key points

82% of sympathetic neurons isolated from the stellate ganglion predominantly express NaV1.7 mRNA.

NaV1.7 blockers inhibit action potential conduction in postganglionic sympathetic nerves.

NaV1.7 blockade substantially inhibits sympathetic nerve‐mediated adrenergic contractions in human and guinea‐pig blood vessels.

Pharmacologically blocking NaV1.7 profoundly affects sympathetic and parasympathetic responses in addition to sensory fibres, prompting exploration into the broader physiological consequences of NaV1.7 mutations on autonomic nerve activity.
Ordered silicon nanocone fabrication by using pseudo-Bosch process and maskless etching
Authors: Yan Zheng , Ekinci Huseyin , Pan Aixi , Cui Bo
Published: May 2024

Nanocone arrays are widely employed for applications such as antireflection structures and field emission devices. Silicon nanocones are typically obtained by an etching process, but the profile is hard to attain because anisotropic dry etching generally gives vertical or only slightly tapered sidewall profiles, and isotropic dry plasma etching gives curved sidewalls. In this work, we report the fabrication of cone structures by using masked etching followed by maskless etching techniques. The silicon structure is first etched using fluorine-based plasma under the protection of a hard metal mask, with a tapered or vertical sidewall profile. The mask is then removed, and maskless etching with an optimized nonswitching pseudo-Bosch recipe is applied to achieve the cone structure with a sharp apex. The gas flow ratio of C4F8 and SF6 is significantly increased from 38:22 (which creates a vertical profile) to 56:4, creating a taper angle of approximately 80°. After subsequent maskless etching, the sidewall taper angle is decreased to 74°, and the structure is sharpened to give a pointed apex. The effect of an oxygen cleaning step is also studied. With the introduction of periodic oxygen plasma cleaning steps, both the etch rate and surface smoothness are greatly improved. Lastly, it was found that the aspect ratio-dependent etching effect becomes prominent for dense patterns of cone arrays, with a greatly reduced etch depth at a 600 nm pitch array compared to a 1200 nm pitch array.