bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of obesity on postoperative outcomes following surgery for colorectal cancer: analysis of the National Inpatient Sample 2015–2019
Authors: Kazi Tania , McKechnie Tyler , Lee Yung , Alsayari Rehab , Talwar Gaurav , Doumouras Aristithes , Hong Dennis , Eskicioglu Cagla
Published: June 2024

Background

The global burden of obesity has reached epidemic proportions, placing great strain on the North American healthcare system. We designed a retrospective cohort database study comparing postoperative morbidity and healthcare resource utilization between patients living with and without obesity undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

Methods

Adult patients undergoing resection for colorectal cancer were identified from the 2015 to 2019 National Inpatient Sample database. Patients were stratified according to obesity status (i.e., body mass index of 30 kg/m2). Propensity score matching (PSM) with 1:1 nearest‐neighbour matching was performed according to demographic, operative, and hospital characteristics. The primary outcome was postoperative morbidity. Secondary outcomes included system‐specific postoperative complications, postoperative mortality, length of stay, total admission healthcare cost, and post‐discharge disposition. McNemar's and Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank tests were performed.

Results

After PSM, 7565 non‐obese and 7565 obese patients were included. Patients with obesity had a 10% increase in relative risk of overall in‐hospital postoperative morbidity (23.1% versus 25.6%, P = 0.0015) and a $4564 increase in hospitalization cost ($70 248 USD versus $74 812 USD, P = 0.0004). Patients with obesity were more likely to require post‐operative ICU admission (5.0% versus 8.0%, P < 0.0001) and less likely to be discharged home after their index operation (68.3% versus 64.2%, P = 0.0022).

Conclusion

Patients with obesity undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer may be at an increased risk of in‐hospital postoperative morbidity. They may also be more likely to have increased hospitalization costs, post‐operative ICU admissions, and to not be discharged directly home. Preoperative optimization via weight loss strategies should be further explored.
Systematic review: Patient‐related, microbial, surgical, and histopathological risk factors for endoscopic post‐operative recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Bak Michiel T. J. , Demers Karlijn , Hammoudi Nassim , Allez Matthieu , Silverberg Mark S. , Fuhler Gwenny M. , Parikh Kaushal , Pierik Marieke J. , Stassen Laurents P. S. , van der Woude C. Janneke , Doukas Michail , van Ruler Oddeke , de Vries Annemarie C.
Published: June 2024

Background

Risk stratification for endoscopic post‐operative recurrence (ePOR) in Crohn's disease (CD) is required to identify patients who would benefit most from initiation of prophylactic medication and intensive monitoring of recurrence.

Aims

To assess the current evidence on patient‐related, microbial, surgical and histopathological risk factors for ePOR in patients with CD after ileocolic (re‐)resection.

Methods

Multiple online databases (Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library) were searched up to March 2024. Studies with reported associations of patient‐related, microbial, surgical and/or histopathological factors for ePOR (i.e., Rutgeerts’ score ≥i2 or modified Rutgeerts’ score ≥i2a) were included. The risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale for observational cohort studies and case‐control studies.

Results

In total, 47 studies were included (four RCTs, 29 cohort studies, 12 case–control studies, one cross‐sectional study and one individual participant data meta‐analysis) including 6006 patients (median sample size 87 patients [interquartile range 46–170]). Risk of bias assessment revealed a poor quality in 41% of the studies. An association was reported in multiple studies of ePOR with active smoking at and post‐surgery, male sex and prior bowel resection. A heterogeneous association with ePOR was reported for other risk factors included in the current guidelines (penetrating disease, perianal disease, younger age, extensive small bowel disease and presence of granulomas in the resection specimen or myenteric plexitis in the resection margin), and other patient‐related, microbial, surgical and histopathological factors.

Conclusion

Risk factors for ePOR in international guidelines are not consistently reported as risk factors in current literature except for active smoking and prior bowel resection. To develop evidence‐based, personalised strategies, large prospective studies are warranted to identify risk factors for ePOR. Validation studies of promising (bio)markers are also required.
The paradigm shift: Business associations shaping the discourse on system change
Authors: Waddock Sandra , Henriques Irene , Linnenluecke Martina , Poggioli Nicholas , Böhm Steffen
Published: June 2024

This Agenda 2050 piece is a call to action for management scholars to follow the lead of business associations, foundations, and businesses in studying and understanding the transformative change needed to bring about a more equitable and flourishing world for all living beings—including humans and other‐than‐humans. These entities advocate for a significant paradigm shift in how business is practiced as a way of responding to ‘polycrisis’—the interrelated set of civilization‐threatening crises that includes climate change, social inequality, and biodiversity loss. Yet management scholars lag behind business discourse with issues of sustainability and ecological flourishing, adapting to the type of leadership needed for the future, and understanding the need for system change. We provide four keystone pathways to help scholars shape future discourse in business scholarship, practice, and curricula: 1) structural changes to management education, 2) piloting social impact, 3) development of regenerative business models, and 4) moral, legal, and financial cases for action.
On the prospects of longtermism
Authors: Persson Ingmar , Savulescu Julian
Published: June 2024

This article objects to two arguments that William MacAskill gives in What We Owe the Future in support of optimism about the prospects of longtermism, that is, the prospects of positively influencing the longterm future. First, it grants that he is right that, whereas humans sometimes benefit others as an end, they rarely harm them as an end, but argues that this bias towards positive motivation is counteracted by the fact that it is practically easier to harm than to benefit. For this greater easiness makes it likely both that accidental effects will be harmful rather than beneficial and that the means or side‐effects of the actions people perform with the aim of benefiting themselves and those close to them will tend to be harmful to others. Secondly, while our article agrees with him that values could lock‐in, it contends that the value of longtermism is unlikely to lock in as long as human beings have not been morally enhanced but remain partial in favor of themselves and those near and dear.
GATA2 heterozygosity causes an epigenetic feedback mechanism resulting in myeloid and erythroid dysplasia
Authors: Gioacchino Emanuele , Zhang Wei , Koyunlar Cansu , Zink Joke , de Looper Hans , Gussinklo Kirsten J. , Hoogenboezem Remco , Bosch Dennis , Bindels Eric , Touw Ivo P. , de Pater Emma
Published: June 2024

The transcription factor GATA2 has a pivotal role in haematopoiesis. Heterozygous germline GATA2 mutations result in a syndrome characterized by immunodeficiency, bone marrow failure and predispositions to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia. Clinical symptoms in these patients are diverse and mechanisms driving GATA2‐related phenotypes are largely unknown. To explore the impact of GATA2 haploinsufficiency on haematopoiesis, we generated a zebrafish model carrying a heterozygous mutation of gata2b (gata2b+/−), an orthologue of GATA2. Morphological analysis revealed myeloid and erythroid dysplasia in gata2b+/− kidney marrow. Because Gata2b could affect both transcription and chromatin accessibility during lineage differentiation, this was assessed by single‐cell (sc) RNA‐seq and single‐nucleus (sn) ATAC‐seq. Sn‐ATAC‐seq showed that the co‐accessibility between the transcription start site (TSS) and a −3.5–4.1 kb putative enhancer was more robust in gata2b+/− zebrafish HSPCs compared to wild type, increasing gata2b expression and resulting in higher genome‐wide Gata2b motif use in HSPCs. As a result of increased accessibility of the gata2b locus, gata2b+/− chromatin was also more accessible during lineage differentiation. scRNA‐seq data revealed myeloid differentiation defects, that is, impaired cell cycle progression, reduced expression of cebpa and cebpb and increased signatures of ribosome biogenesis. These data also revealed a differentiation delay in erythroid progenitors, aberrant proliferative signatures and down‐regulation of Gata1a, a master regulator of erythropoiesis, which worsened with age. These findings suggest that cell‐intrinsic compensatory mechanisms, needed to obtain normal levels of Gata2b in heterozygous HSPCs to maintain their integrity, result in aberrant lineage differentiation, thereby representing a critical step in the predisposition to MDS.
Decreased extrasynaptic δ‐GABAA receptors in PNN‐associated parvalbumin interneurons correlates with anxiety in APP and tau mouse models of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zhang Weicong , Liu Tiansheng , Li Jialin , Singh Jaijeet , Chan Andi , Islam Anam , Petrache Alexandra , Peng Yunan , Harvey Kirsten , Ali Afia B.
Published: June 2024

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with gradual memory loss and anxiety which affects ~75% of AD patients. This study investigated whether AD‐associated anxiety correlated with modulation of extrasynaptic δ‐subunit‐containing GABAA receptors (δ‐GABAARs) in experimental mouse models of AD.

Experimental approach

We combined behavioural experimental paradigms to measure cognition performance, and anxiety with neuroanatomy and molecular biology, using familial knock‐in (KI) mouse models of AD that harbour β‐amyloid (Aβ) precursor protein App (AppNL‐F) with or without humanized microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT), age‐matched to wild‐type control mice at three different age windows.

Results

AppNL‐F KI and AppNL‐F/MAPT AD models showed a similar magnitude of cognitive decline and elevated magnitude of anxiety correlated with neuroinflammatory hallmarks, including triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), reactive astrocytes and activated microglia consistent with accumulation of Aβ, tau and down‐regulation of Wnt/β‐catenin signalling compared to aged‐matched WT controls. In both the CA1 region of the hippocampus and dentate gyrus, there was an age‐dependent decline in the expression of δ‐GABAARs selectively expressed in parvalbumin (PV)‐expressing interneurons, encapsulated by perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the AD mouse models compared to WT mice.

In vivo positive allosteric modulation of the δ‐GABAARs, using a δ‐selective‐compound DS2, decreased the level of anxiety in the AD mouse models, which was correlated with reduced hallmarks of neuroinflammation, and ‘normalisation’ of the expression of δ‐GABAARs.

Conclusions

Our data show that the δ‐GABAARs could potentially be targeted for alleviating symptoms of anxiety, which would greatly improve the quality of life of AD individuals.
A fluvial‐aeolian system in response to aridification during the Late Mesozoic, Junggar Basin, Central Asia
Authors: Guan Xutong , Wu Chaodong , Xu Yan , Jolivet Marc , Xiu Jinlei , Lin Cong
Published: June 2024

Aridification of Central Asia in the Late Mesozoic led to drastic environmental changes characterized by widespread aeolian deposits. We systematically investigated fluvial‐aeolian deposits in the Middle Jurassic Toutunhe Formation, Upper Jurassic Kalazha Formation, and Lower Cretaceous Tugulu Group in the Junggar Basin to the north of the Tianshan Orogenic Belt via unmanned aerial vehicle‐based photogrammetry, scanning electron microscope, grain‐size analysis, and detrital zircon geochronology. Paludal and deltaic environments transitioned to a fluvial‐aeolian environment from the late Middle Jurassic to the Late Jurassic. Fan delta and incisive braided river deposits accumulated in the earliest Cretaceous and evolved into a lacustrine environment with aeolian deposits in the lakeshore. Aeolian deposits are characterized by moderate‐ to well‐sorted and subangular to subround sandstones with large‐scale, high‐dip cross‐bedding, inversely graded lamination, dominant saltation grains, crescent‐shaped, and dish‐shaped impact structures. Aeolian deposits contain heavy minerals including more ilmenite, zircon, garnet, and, tourmaline and less magnetite and epidote than the fluvial deposits. The preserved aeolian sediments of the Kalazha Formation extend west–east for more than 100 km, suggesting a wide desert area during the latest Jurassic. The detrital zircon age patterns indicate that the provenance of the aeolian deposits was similar to that of coeval fluvial deposits. The cooccurrence of fluvial and aeolian deposits and the similar provenances but orthogonal flow directions indicate that the aeolian deposits were mainly sourced from the nearby fluvial material within the basin. The evolution of the fluvial‐aeolian system responded to a complete base‐level cycle controlled by the aridification and tectonics. Due to decreased sediment supply caused by aridification, the base level rose, leading to the change from braided rivers to meandering rivers, along with the deposition of aeolian sediments. Due to the tectonic reactivation in the Late Jurassic, the base level fell, causing the occurrence of alluvial fans and the expansion of the aeolian sediments. Previous studies revealed that the Tianshan in the Jurassic exhibited low relief. The fluvial‐aeolian system played an important role in maintaining the limited relief in southern Central Asia.
Beyond attachment theory: Indigenous perspectives on the child–caregiver bond from a northwest tribal community
Authors: Waters Sara F. , Richardson Meenakshi , Mills Sara R. , Marris Alvina , Harris Fawn , Parker Myra
Published: June 2024

Healthy Indigenous child development is grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Attachment theory has been influential in understanding the significance of parenting for infant development in Western science but has focused on child–caregiver bonds predominantly within the parent–child dyad. To bring forth Indigenous perspectives regarding understandings of parenting, the attachment bond, and the well‐being of Indigenous children, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with 28 members of a Northwest tribal community (21 female) in spring and summer 2020. Themes included Community caregiving, Family value systems, Bonding, Traditional teachings, and Historical trauma. The need to expand the lens of attachment theory beyond the dyad is clear. Implications for improving the child welfare system and prevention programs within Indigenous communities are discussed.
Robust colored point cloud alignment based on L*a*b* guided and Cauchy kernel
Authors: Wan Teng , Du Shaoyi , Zhang Qiang , Qi Ying , Huang Chunyao , Zeng Wei
Published: June 2024

Precision agriculture benefits from point set registration, which can monitor plant health and growth in real time, promote the precise application of fertilizers and pesticides, and provide technical support for achieving sustainable development of agriculture. In this work, we propose a robust point set registration method for precision agriculture based on L*a*b* color guidance, bidirectional search and Cauchy distribution. First, the L*a*b* color guidance is applied to establish accurate correspondences between agricultural RGB‐D data. Second, the bidirectional nearest neighbor search strategy between point sets improves the reliability of establishing correspondences and broadens the convergence domain of the algorithm. Third, Cauchy distribution is utilized as an energy function for noise suppression, which further improves the robustness of the algorithm in dealing with complex vegetation scenes. Finally, results of ablation and simulation experiments indicate that the proposed registration algorithm can achieve more accurate and robust alignment results than other classic and state‐of‐the‐art point cloud registration algorithms to achieve monitoring and comparison of plant growth.
UReslham: Radar reflectivity inversion for smart agriculture with spatial federated learning over geostationary satellite observations
Authors: Jin Zhengyong , Xu Xiaolong , Bilal Muhammad , Wu Songyu , Lin Huichao
Published: June 2024

The frequent occurrence of severe convective weather has certain adverse effects on the smart agriculture industry. To enhance the prediction of severe convective weather, the inversion model effectively fills radar reflectivity data gaps by leveraging geostationary satellite data, offering more comprehensive and accurate support for meteorological information in smart agriculture systems. Nevertheless, collaborative cross‐regional inversion driven by dispersed radar data faces challenges in efficiency, privacy, and model accuracy. To this end, we employ an U‐shaped residual network with an embedded light hybrid attention mechanism and utilize a federated averaging algorithm for efficient distributed training across multiple devices which could preserve the privacy of data from different locations, thereby improving inversion performance. In addition, to address the unbalanced nature of radar data, a weighted loss function is designed to enhance the model's sensitivity to high radar reflectivity. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model exhibits a certain level of improvement in evaluating radar reflectivity inversion performance across different thresholds compared to other models, thus substantiating the superiority of the proposed approach.
Improving equity in diabetes technology use: Voices of youth and their parents
Authors: Perkins Amanda , Hinds Pamela S. , Grundman Jody B. , Meighan Seema , Monaghan Maureen , Streisand Randi , Marks Brynn E.
Published: June 2024

Aims

There are marked inequities in clinical outcomes and rates of diabetes technology use among youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The quantitative data from our mixed methods cohort study identified significant improvements in glycaemia and quality of life in participants. We aimed to use qualitative methods to provide further insight into our quantitative findings in the setting of underlying health disparities.

Methods

Fifteen publicly insured, insulin pump‐naïve non‐Hispanic Black youth aged 6–21 years with T1D and baseline haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥86 mmol/mol (10%) and their parents participated in a mixed methods cohort study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted separately with parents and youth after completion of 6 months of HCL use. Three topic areas were explored: (1) Experience using HCL, (2) barriers to HCL and (3) facilitators to accessing HCL. Semantic content analysis and consensus coding involving two team members were used to generate themes. Thematic saturation was achieved.

Results

Youth (Medianage 14.9 years, 67% female) and parents (92% female) were interviewed. Youth and their parents reported that access to HCL provides a new outlook on living with T1D, although managing T1D is still hard. They felt that diabetes technology is most helpful for those struggling with management. Participants experienced barriers to access including misconceptions of HCL systems, clinician bias and systemic racism. They suggested these barriers can be overcome by offering diabetes technology education for all people with T1D, increasing awareness of HCL in the community and providing resources to overcome barriers created by social determinants of health.

Conclusions

The voices of historically minoritised youth with suboptimal T1D control and their parents provide important, previously unreported experiences and perspectives on barriers and facilitators to using HCL that will shape interventions to improve equity in access to diabetes technology.
The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, sertraline and paroxetine, improve islet beta‐cell mass and function in vitro
Authors: Toczyska Klaudia , Haq Naila , Lyu Zekun , Bewick Gavin , Zhao Min , Rosa Hannah , Starikova Jessica , Liu Bo , Persaud Shanta Jean
Published: June 2024

Aims

To investigate the effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline and paroxetine at therapeutically relevant concentrations on beta‐cell mass and function.

Methods

Viability was quantified in mouse insulinoma (MIN6) beta cells and mouse islets after 48‐h exposure to sertraline (1–10 μM) or paroxetine (0.01–1 μM) using the Trypan blue exclusion test. The effects of therapeutic concentrations of these SSRIs on insulin secretion were determined by static incubation and perifusion experiments, while islet apoptosis was investigated by Caspase‐Glo 3/7 assay, TUNEL staining and quantitative PCR analysis. Finally, proliferation of MIN6 and mouse islet beta cells was assessed by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence.

Results

Sertraline (0.1–1 μM) and paroxetine (0.01–0.1 μM) were well tolerated by MIN6 beta cells and islets, whereas 10 μM sertraline and 1 μM paroxetine were cytotoxic. Exposure to 1 μM sertraline and 0.1 μM paroxetine significantly potentiated glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion from mouse and human islets. Moreover, they showed protective effects against cytokine‐ and palmitate‐induced apoptosis of islets, they downregulated cytokine‐induced Stat1 and Traf1 mRNA expression, and they significantly increased proliferation of mouse beta cells.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that sertraline and paroxetine act directly on beta cells to enhance glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion and stimulate beta‐cell mass expansion by increasing proliferation and decreasing apoptosis. These drugs are therefore likely to be appropriate for treating depression in people with type 2 diabetes.
Not following the script: When institutional development is uneven
Authors: Murphy Ryan H
Published: June 2024

Three characteristics of developed twenty‐first century countries are high levels of state capacity, democracy, and economic freedom. This article compares countries that lack one of the characteristics with countries that have more even levels of institutional development. Countries which lack democracy use other means to secure political legitimacy, and those without strong states are geographically concentrated in Latin America and eastern Europe. Those without liberalised economic institutions are an idiosyncratic group that have unconventional historical paths. These findings speak to the prospects for development outside the liberal democratic path, the nature of development in the absence of a state, and unexplored determinants of economic freedom.
A project of “impure” enquiry—Williams' historical self‐consciousness
Authors: Fricker Miranda
Published: June 2024

Bernard Williams’ philosophy is shaped by a distinctive and abiding interest in the borderlands between Philosophy and History. He famously considers moral philosophy, and particularly moral theory, to over‐step the border that marks the real ‘limits’ of the discipline, and in his later work he explicitly advances the idea of doing ‘impure’ philosophy, by which he meant philosophy that mixed itself with history. By examining the complex impression left on Williams’ historical self‐consciousness by his engagements with two very different figures in the history of philosophy, namely Descartes and Wittgenstein, I will explore a number of ways in which philosophy and history are closely intertwined for Williams. This will draw out the positive vision he modelled for us of ‘impure’ philosophy—a philosophical style he took to contribute to nurturing philosophy as a humanistic discipline.
Regulatory T cells as a possible new target in epilepsy?
Authors: Hendrix Evelien , Vande Vyver Maxime , Holt Matthew , Smolders Ilse
Published: June 2024

Epilepsy is a complex chronic brain disorder with diverse clinical features that can be caused by various triggering events, such as infections, head trauma, or stroke. During epileptogenesis, various abnormalities are observed, such as altered cellular homeostasis, imbalance of neurotransmitters, tissue changes, and the release of inflammatory mediators, which in combination lead to spontaneous recurrent seizures. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a subtype of CD4+Foxp3+ T cells, best known for their key function in immune suppression, also seem to play a role in attenuating neurodegeneration and suppressing pathological inflammation in several brain disease states. Considering that epilepsy is also highly associated with neuronal damage and neuroinflammation, modulation of Tregs may be an interesting way to modify the disease course of epilepsy and needs further investigation. In this review, we will describe the currently available information on Tregs in epilepsy.
Flowmetry and spectrophotometry for the assessment of intestinal viability in horses with naturally occurring strangulating small intestinal lesions
Authors: Verhaar Nicole , Grages Anna Marei , Bienert‐Zeit Astrid , Schwieder Alexander , Reineking Wencke , Hewicker‐Trautwein Marion , Kästner Sabine , Geburek Florian
Published: June 2024

Background

Ancillary diagnostic methods to enhance the accuracy of viability assessment have not been established for use in clinical practice.

Objectives

To assess intestinal microperfusion measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry and Spectrophotometry (LDFS) in naturally occurring small intestinal strangulations of different origins and to compare this between viable and non‐viable segments.

Study design

Prospective clinical trial.

Methods

Forty horses undergoing colic surgery for naturally occurring small intestinal strangulations were included. Tissue oxygen saturation (tSO2), haemoglobin (tHB) and blood flow (tBF) were determined by LDFS before and after release of the strangulation. Intestinal biopsies were taken in cases that underwent intestinal resection or intraoperative euthanasia and assessed using a semi‐quantitative mucosal injury score (MIS). The LDFS measurements were compared between the different categories of strangulation causes and histopathological injury using parametric and non‐parametric tests (p < 0.05).

Results

Strangulations by pedunculated lipomas had lower tBF (13.9 ± 18 arbitrary units [AU]) than epiploic foramen entrapments (65.2 ± 61 AU; CI −1.697 to −0.2498; p = 0.005). Segments with MIS > 5 showed lower tBF during strangulation than segments with MIS < 4 (mean difference 61.1 AU; CI −1.119 to −0.07361; p = 0.03). This did not differ significantly following release of strangulation. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the inflammatory cell count and tBF during strangulation (r 0.34; CI 0.01 to 0.60; p = 0.04). The tSO2 and tHB did not differ between the different categories of lesions or injury.

Main limitations

No biopsies could be taken from the intestinal segments that did not undergo resection. The duration of strangulation could not reliably be ascertained.

Conclusions

Blood flow measurements in naturally occurring strangulating lesions show a varying degree of ischaemia in different causes of strangulation. Intestinal blood flow measurements prior to release of the strangulation could potentially contribute to the identification of mucosal injury, yet a high individual variability and other contributing factors need to be considered.
Integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation identifies CPE as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for skin aging
Authors: Peng Xiaozhen , Zhong Yun , Mao Rui , He Fanping , Cheng Yufan , Chen Mengting , Zhou Lei , Xie Hongfu , Li Ji , Zhang Yiya
Published: June 2024

Ageing is an inevitable biological process characterized by progressive decline in physiological functions. It is a complex natural phenomenon that will cause structural and functional decline. Despite substantial progress in understanding the mechanism of ageing, both predictive biomarkers and preventive therapies remain limited. Using Weighted Gene Co‐expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and machine learning techniques, we identified Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) as a pivotal marker of skin ageing, based on ageing‐related bulk transcriptome and single‐cell transcriptome data. Next, our investigation reveals downregulation of CPE in replicative, UVA‐induced, and H2O2‐induced senescent human dermal fibroblast cells (HDFs). Furthermore, shRNA‐mediated CPE knockdown induced HDFs senescence, and overexpression of CPE delayed HDFs senescence. Moreover, downregulated CPE inhibits collagen synthesis and induces inflammation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for skin ageing. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that CPE functions as a predictor and optional target for therapeutic intervention of skin ageing.
Theorizing Transnational Class Formation: Novel Approaches to the Study of Transnational Inequalities and Class‐Making
Authors: Carlson Sören , Barglowski Karolina
Published: June 2024

Transnational class formation has been a subject of considerable interest in recent years. This article provides the theoretical and thematic framework to the special theme on ‘Transnational class formation: identities, practices and symbolic classifications’ and presents a review of current literature on transnational social classes, arguing that we need to complement this literature by also considering transnational class‐making. We introduce several theoretical approaches and concepts, emphasizing the role of (self‐)classification, distinction, symbolic boundaries and intersectionality for analyses of transnational class‐making. Drawing on the contributions collected in this special theme, we conclude by presenting some potential challenges and unresolved questions concerning the issue of transnational class formation.
Loss of CELF2 promotes skin tumorigenesis and increases drug resistance
Authors: Sah Bindeshwar , Singh Jasvinder , Shen Yao , Goldfarb Noah , Samie Faramarz H. , Geskin Larisa J. , Liu Liang
Published: June 2024

Background

CELF2 belongs to the CELF RNA‐binding protein family and exhibits antitumor activity in various tumor models. Analysis of the pan‐cancer TCGA database reveals that CELF2 expression strongly correlates with favorable prognosis among cancer patients. The function of CELF2 in nonmelanoma skin cancer has not been studied.

Methods

We used shRNA‐mediated knockdown (KD) of CELF2 expression in human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells to investigate how CELF2 impacted SCC cell proliferation, survival, and xenograft tumor growth. We determined CELF2 expression in human SCC tissues and adjacent normal skin using immunofluorescence staining. Additionally, we investigated the changes in CELF2 and its target gene expression during UV‐induced and chemical‐induced skin tumorigenesis by western blotting.

Results

CELF2 KD significantly increased SCC cell proliferation, colony growth, and SCC xenograft tumor growth in immunodeficient mice. CELF2 KD in SCC cells led to activation of KRT80 and GDF15, which can potentially promote cell proliferation and tumor growth. While control SCC cells were sensitive to anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin, SCC cells with CELF2 KD became resistant to drug‐induced tumor growth retardation. Finally, we found CELF2 expression diminished during both UV‐ and chemical‐induced skin tumorigenesis in mice, consistent with reduced CELF2 expression in human SCC tumors compared to adjacent normal skin.

Conclusion

This study shows for the first time that CELF2 loss occurs during skin tumorigenesis and increases drug resistance in SCC cells, highlighting the possibility of targeting CELF2‐regulated pathways in skin cancer prevention and therapies.
Persistent ties, evolving networks: Accounting for changes and stability in migrant support networks
Authors: Cases Rizza Kaye C.
Published: June 2024

One of the salient themes, both in the social network analysis literature and its applications to migration research, is a shift to a more dynamic conceptualization of (migrant) social networks. To elaborate on the dynamic nature of migrant networks, I reconstructed and examined the support networks of 134 Filipino nurses, domestic workers, and care workers in New York and London in three migration phases (pre‐migration, initial adjustment, and current situation) through the factors that significantly shaped their stability or evolution at the micro‐ and macro‐levels. At the micro‐level, shifts in the respondents' networks were examined vis‐à‐vis biographical events and transitions. At the macro‐level, immigration policies and migration pathways were also discussed as shaping network dynamics. It was further observed that transnational ties re‐emerged as relevant connections after the initial adjustment phase while ties in intermediary countries and connections that are geographically mobile should be included in an expanded concept of transnational ties beyond the countries of origin and destination.
Short‐Term Soil Waterlogging Improves Cotton Tolerance to High Temperature by Triggering Antioxidant Defence System in Cotton Seedlings
Authors: Wang Haimiao , Huang Li , Yang Pan , Zeng Xianghua , Huang Yuli , Yuan Wenting , Kou Yixuan , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: June 2024

Soil waterlogging and high temperature (HT) are serious abiotic stresses that negatively affect cotton growth and yield. Yet effects of prewaterlogging to HT subsequently in cotton seedlings have not been obtained. To address this, two temperature conditions (30/20°C and 35/25°C) and two soil waterlogging levels (0 and 3 days) were established during the cotton seedling stage. Results showed that indexes of plant performance were decreased markedly under HT. Unexpectedly, plant performance for the treatment of HT combined with 3 days of soil waterlogging (HW) was better than HT treatment (specifically, increase of 7.9%, 9.0%, 10.2%, 5.4% and 4.6% in leaf area, plant height, belowground biomass, aboveground biomass and root‐to‐shoot ratio was detected). Decreases in MDA (malondialdehyde), H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) contents and (superoxide radicals) generation rate under HW treatment were observed by 14.1%, 7.7% and 14.1%, respectively, compared with HT. Moreover, ASA (ascorbic acid) content and DHAR (dehydroascorbate reductase) activity were improved by 19.7% and 13.8% for HW treatment relative to HT, however, the opposite situation for activities of APX (ascorbate peroxidase) and GR (glutathione reductase). Besides, activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase) and POD (peroxidase) in HW treatment were increased by 16.7%, 8.3% and 18.4%, separately. Thus, we concluded that short‐term soil waterlogging improved cotton cross‐tolerance to the continued high‐HT stress by enhanced SOD, CAT, POD and DHAR activities, increased ASA content in cotton seedlings. These results were expected to provide a theoretical basis for understanding cotton's cross‐tolerance to abiotic stress.
Genome‐Wide Identification of CLE Gene Family and Function Analysis of SbCLE39 Under Salt Stress in Sorghum
Authors: Chen Zengting , Zhang Yanling , Xue Xin , Tian Haowei , Kong Ying , Ren Guocheng
Published: June 2024

CLE proteins are a class of signalling factors involved in plant growth and abiotic stress response. They play crucial roles in processes such as cell differentiation, chlorophyll synthesis and abscisic acid (ABA) signal transduction. However, the function of the CLE genes in Sorghum bicolor remains unclear. In this study, 42 sorghum CLE genes were identified, and their evolutionary relationship, gene structure, amino acid sequence and homologous genes were analysed. We also examined the expression levels of CLE genes under various treatment conditions. Transcriptome data showed that there were significant differences in the expression patterns of 42 CLE genes in different tissues and organs. It is worth noting that SbCLE39 is mainly highly expressed in sorghum roots. At the same time, the expression of SbCLE39 decreased significantly under salt and ABA treatment. Compared with wild‐type yeast cells (EV), yeast cells with high expression of SbCLE39 had lower tolerance to salt stress. In addition, the excessive accumulation of ABA caused by external application of SbCLE39p reduced the salt tolerance of sorghum. These findings suggest that SbCLE39 negatively regulates the salt tolerance of sorghum. These results lay a foundation for revealing the mechanism of CLE genes regulating the salt tolerance of sorghum and are of great significance for the cultivation of salt‐tolerant crops.
Systematic review of machine learning models in predicting the risk of bleed/grade of esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis: A comprehensive methodological analysis
Authors: Malik Sheza , Tenorio Bettina Gabrielle , Moond Vishali , Dahiya Dushyant Singh , Vora Ravi , Dbouk Nader
Published: June 2024

Esophageal varices (EV) in liver cirrhosis carry high mortality risks. Traditional endoscopy, which is costly and subjective, prompts a shift towards machine learning (ML). This review critically evaluates ML applications in predicting bleeding risks and grading EV in patients with liver cirrhosis. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of studies using ML to predict the risk of variceal bleeding and/or grade EV in liver disease patients. Data extraction and bias assessment followed the CHARMS (CHecklist for critical Appraisal and data extraction for systematic Reviews of prediction Modeling Studies) checklist and PROBAST (Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool) tool, respectively. Due to the heterogeneity of the study, a meta‐analysis was not feasible; instead, descriptive statistics summarized the findings. Twelve studies were included, highlighting the use of various ML models such as extreme gradient boosting, artificial neural networks, and convolutional neural networks. These studies demonstrated high predictive accuracy, with some models achieving area under the curve values above 99%. However, significant heterogeneity was noted in input variables, methodologies, and outcome measures. Moreover, a substantial portion of the studies exhibited unclear or high risk of bias, mainly due to insufficient participant numbers, unclear handling of missing data, and a lack of detailed reporting on endoscopic procedures. ML models show significant promise in predicting the risk of variceal bleeding and grading EV in patients with cirrhosis, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures. Nonetheless, the current literature reveals considerable heterogeneity and methodological limitations, including high or unclear risks of bias. Future research should focus on larger, prospective trials and the standardization of ML assessment criteria to confirm these models' practical utility in clinical settings.
The cumulative impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism and intellectual disability for young people
Authors: Hollingdale J. , Woodhouse E. , Tibber M. S. , Simonoff E. , Hollocks M. J. , Charman T.
Published: June 2024

Background

Neurodevelopmental conditions frequently co‐occur. The aim of this paper was to determine whether there is a cumulative association between (1) the number of neurodevelopmental conditions, specifically hyperkinetic disorder (hereafter referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism spectrum disorder (hereafter referred to as autism) and intellectual disability, and (2) behavioural and socio‐emotional problems and the level of clinician‐rated functioning for young males and females.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, diagnostic information, caregiver‐rated behavioural and socio‐emotional data (as conceptualised by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and clinician‐rated functioning scores (as conceptualised by the Children's Global Assessment Scale) were extracted from electronic patient records for 2768 young people aged 3–17 years (mean = 11.55, SD = 3.46). All data were extracted at baseline, that is, at the time the young person was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism and/or an intellectual disability. Ordinal regression analyses tested associations between the number of neurodevelopmental conditions met (i.e. 1, 2 or 3) and behavioural and socio‐emotional outcomes and functioning.

Results

After controlling for age and biological sex, the number of neurodevelopmental conditions was associated with higher levels of inattention/hyperactivity and peer problems, lower levels of prosocial behaviour and poorer clinician‐rated functioning. Although these findings were consistent for males, a cumulative association was not identified for females, except for clinician‐rated functioning.

Conclusions

For young people, the presence of multiple neurodevelopmental conditions may have a cumulative impact across domains, but this may differ between males and females.
Comparison of the effectiveness of enhanced cognitive‐behavioral couple therapy on emotional self‐regulation and couple burnout of self‐assigned and court‐referred incompatible couples
Authors: Adl Hadis al‐Sadat , Pirani Zabih , Abbasi Moslem
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to investigate the comparative effectiveness of enhanced cognitive‐behavioral couple therapy (ECBCT) on emotional self‐regulation and couple burnout in incompatible couples. The study hypothesizes that ECBCT is efficacious in emotional self‐regulation and marital burnout of incompatible Iranian couples (self‐assigned and court‐referred) visiting counseling centers. Twenty‐eight Iranian couples were divided into four groups (two self‐assigned and court‐referred experimental groups and two self‐assigned and court‐referred control groups) who were selected using the available sampling. The experimental groups were subjected to ECBCT, while the control groups received no therapy. Over time, there was an improvement in emotional self‐regulation and marital burnout in experimental groups compared with control groups. This intervention was more efficacious for the self‐assigned couples of the experimental group according to the Eta coefficient, which was 71 for emotional self‐regulation and 66 for marital burnout. ECBCT helps couples improve their emotional self‐regulation and couple burnout.
Corneal confocal microscopy detects early nerve regeneration after pharmacological and surgical interventions: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gad Hoda , Elgassim Einas , Lebbe Ahamed , MacDonald Ross S. , Baraka Areej , Petropoulos Ioannis N. , Ponirakis Georgios , Ibrahim Nada O. , Malik Rayaz A.
Published: June 2024

Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is an ophthalmic imaging technique that enables the identification of corneal nerve fibre degeneration and regeneration. To undertake a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies utilizing CCM to assess for corneal nerve regeneration after pharmacological and surgical interventions in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Databases (EMBASE [Ovid], PubMed, CENTRAL and Web of Science) were searched to summarize the evidence from randomized and non‐randomized studies using CCM to detect corneal nerve regeneration after pharmacological and surgical interventions. Data synthesis was undertaken using RevMan web. Eighteen studies including 958 patients were included. CCM identified an early (1–8 months) and longer term (1–5 years) increase in corneal nerve measures in patients with peripheral neuropathy after pharmacological and surgical interventions. This meta‐analysis confirms the utility of CCM to identify nerve regeneration following pharmacological and surgical interventions. It could be utilized to show a benefit in clinical trials of disease modifying therapies for peripheral neuropathy.
Fear of disease progression and resilience parallelly mediated the effect of post‐stroke fatigue on post‐stroke depression: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ning Liuqiao , Fu Yingjie , Wang Yuenv , Deng Qianying , Lin Tingting , Li Jufang
Published: June 2024

Aims

To explore the effect of post‐stroke fatigue (PSF) on post‐stroke depression (PSD) and examine the mediating effects of fear of disease progression (FOP) and resilience between PSF and PSD.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A total of 315 stroke patients participated in the questionnaire survey between November 2022 and June 2023. Data were collected using the General Information Questionnaire, Fatigue Severity Scale, Fear of Disease Progression Questionnaire‐Short Form, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale‐10 Item and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale‐Depression Subscale. Data were analysed by descriptive analysis, Mann–Whitney U‐test, Kruskal–Wallis H‐test, Pearson or Spearman correlation, hierarchical regression analysis and mediation analysis.

Results

PSF had a significant positive total effect on PSD (β = .354, 95% CI: .251, .454). Additionally, FOP and resilience played a partial parallel‐mediating role in the relationship between PSF and PSD (β = .202, 95% CI: .140, .265), and the total indirect effect accounted for 57.06% of the total effect.

Conclusions

FOP and resilience parallelly mediated the effect of PSF on PSD, which may provide a novel perspective for healthcare professionals in preventing PSD. Targeted interventions aiming at reducing PSF, lowering FOP levels and enhancing resilience may be possible ways to alleviate PSD.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

Interventions that tail to reducing PSF, lowering FOP levels and enhancing resilience may be considered as possible ways to alleviate PSD.

Impact

This study enriched the literature by exploring the effect of PSF on PSD and further examining the mediating effects of FOP and resilience between PSF and PSD. Findings emphasized the important effects of PSF, FOP and resilience on PSD.

Reporting Method

The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for cross‐sectional studies was used to guide reporting.

Patient or Public Contribution

One tertiary hospital assisted participants recruitment.