bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term trends in the distribution, abundance and impact of native “injurious” weeds
Authors: Maskell Lindsay C. , Henrys Peter , Pescott Oliver L. , Smart Simon M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractQuestionsHow can we quantify changes in the distribution and abundance of injurious weed species (Senecio jacobaea,Cirsium vulgare,Cirsium arvense,Rumex obtusifolius,Rumex crispus and Urtica dioica), over long time periods at wide geographical scales? What impact do these species have on plant communities? To what extent are changes driven by anthropogenically induced drivers such as disturbance, eutrophication and management?LocationGreat Britain.MethodsData from national surveys were used to assess changes in the frequency and abundance of selected weed species between 1978 and 2007. This involved novel method development to create indices of change, and to relate changes in distribution and abundance of these species to plant community diversity and inferred changes in resource availability, disturbance and management.ResultsThree of the six weed species became more widespread in GB over this period and all of them increased in abundance (in grasslands, arable habitats, roadsides and streamsides). Patterns were complex and varied by landscape context and habitat type. For most of the species, there were negative relationships between abundance, total plant species richness, grassland, wetland and woodland indicators. Each individual species responds to a different combination of anthropogenic drivers but disturbance, fertility and livestock management significantly influenced most species.ConclusionsThe increase in frequency and abundance of weeds over decades has implications for landscape‐scale plant diversity, fodder yield and livestock health. This includes reductions in plant species richness, loss of valuable habitat specialists and homogenisation of vegetation communities. Increasing land‐use intensity, excessive nutrient input, overgrazing, sward damage, poaching and bare ground in fields and undermanagement or too frequent cutting on linear features may have led to increases in weeds. These weeds do have conservation value so we are not advocating eradication, rather co‐existence, without dominance. Land management policy needs to adapt to benefit biodiversity and agricultural productivity.
Hydroxycarbamide exposure and ovarian reserve in women with sickle cell disease in the Multicenter Study of Hydroxycarbamide
Authors: Pecker Lydia H. , Hussain Sarah , Christianson Mindy S. , Lanzkron Sophie 
Published: July 2020

SummaryThe application of modern ovarian reserve measures to women with sickle cell disease (SCD) may help answer longstanding questions about whether SCD or hydroxycarbamide (HC; also known as hydroxyurea) affect women’s reproductive lifespan. Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH), an established marker of ovarian reserve, is used to assess the ovarian follicle pool. We used a standard clinical assay to measure AMH in 285 banked samples from 93 female subjects with haemoglobin SS from the historic Multicenter Study of Hydroxyurea (MSH), which led to the United States Food and Drug Administration approval of HC for adults with SCD. No samples from the randomised portion of the MSH remain, so samples from the decade‐long MSH follow‐up studies were analysed. Most subjects were exposed to HC (86/93). The median AMH levels were lower in study subjects than in age‐ and sex‐matched reference values. The median AMH levels consistent with diminished ovarian reserve, a risk factor for infertility, occurred in subjects starting at the age of 25–30 years; in healthy women, this occurs after the age of 40 years. In multivariate analysis, taking HC was independently associated with a low AMH (β = 0·001, 95% confidence interval −0·002 to 0·000; P = 0·006). These results suggest that ovarian reserve is prematurely reduced in women with haemoglobin SS and raise the possibility that HC contributes to this finding.
Oral HPV16 DNA as a screening tool to detect early oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tang Kai D. , Vasani Sarju , Menezes Lilian , Taheri Touraj , Walsh Laurence J. , Hughes Brett G.M. , Frazer Ian H. , Kenny Liz , Scheper Gert C. , Punyadeera Chamindie 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGiven that oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) have now surpassed cervical cancer as the most common human papillomavirus (HPV)‐driven cancer, there is an interest in developing non‐invasive predictive biomarkers to early detect HPV‐driven OPSCC. In total, 665 cancer‐free individuals were recruited from Queensland, Australia. Oral HPV16 DNA positivity in those individuals was determined by our in‐house developed sensitive PCR method. Individuals with (n = 9) or without (n = 12) oral HPV16 infections at baseline were followed for a median duration of 24 mo. Individuals with persistent oral HPV16 infection (≥ 30 mo) were invited for clinical examination of their oral cavity and oropharynx by an otolaryngologist. Oral HPV16 DNA was detected in 12 out of 650 cancer‐free individuals (1.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0‐3.2). Of the 3 individuals with persistent oral HPV16 infection, the first individual showed no clinical evidence of pathology. The second individual was diagnosed with a 2 mm invasive squamous cell carcinoma (T1N0M0) positive for both p16INK4a expression and HPV16 DNA. The third individual was found to have a mildly dysplastic lesion in the tonsillar region that was negative for p16INK4a expression and HPV16 DNA and she continues to have HPV16 DNA in her saliva. Taken together, our data support the value of using an oral HPV16 DNA assay as a potential screening tool for the detection of microscopic HPV‐driven OPSCC. Larger multicenter studies across various geographic regions recruiting populations at a higher risk of developing HPV‐driven OPSCC are warranted to extend and confirm the results of the current investigation.
Gastric cancer deaths by age group in Japan: Outlook on preventive measures for elderly adults
Authors: Asaka Masahiro , Kobayashi Masanobu , Kudo Takahiko , Akino Kozo , Asaka Yuichiro , Fujimori Kenji , Kikuchi Shogo , Kawai Sayo , Kato Mototsugu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn February 2013, Japan became the first country in the world to cover Helicobacter pylori eradication for chronic gastritis under its National Health Insurance (NHI) system. Now that eradication therapy is covered by NHI, its usage has increased dramatically, and gastric cancer deaths have begun to decrease. We undertook a detailed epidemiological analysis to investigate effects of expanded NHI coverage for H. pylori eradication therapy on gastric cancer deaths in specific age groups. Numbers of gastric cancer deaths were determined by referencing data from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reports and “Cancer Statistics in Japan – 2018” published by the Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research. Gastric cancer deaths across all age groups have been clearly decreasing since 2013, but deaths of people aged 80 years and older are still increasing. The number of gastric cancer deaths in people aged in their 80s was 2 times higher than in people aged in their 70s and 4 times higher than in people aged in their 60s. The number of people in their 80s who had an endoscopy was less than half that of people in their 60s and 70s. The eradication therapy has increased dramatically, and gastric cancer deaths are clearly decreasing in Japan. However, this decrease in deaths has not extended to elderly adults aged in their 80s, which suggests that measures to prevent gastric cancer in people aged 80 years and older will be critical to achieving the mission of eliminating gastric cancer in Japan.
24‐Dehydrocholesterol reductase promotes the growth of breast cancer stem‐like cells through the Hedgehog pathway
Authors: Qiu Ting , Cao Jiawei , Chen Wanzhou , Wang Jieyi , Wang Yaqi , Zhao Lingjie , Liu Min , He Licai , Wu Guang , Li Hongzhi , Gu Haihua 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCholesterol is a risk factor for breast cancer. However, it is still unclear whether the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway plays any significant role in breast carcinogenesis. 24‐Dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) is a key enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis pathway. Although DHCR24 is reported to have different functions in different cancers, it is not clear whether DHCR24 is involved in breast cancer. In this study, we found that DHCR24 expression was higher in breast cancer especially in luminal and HER2 positive breast cancer tissues compared with normal breast. Changes in DHCR24 expression altered cellular cholesterol content without affecting the adherent growth of breast cancer cells. However, DHCR24 knockdown reduced whereas DHCR24 overexpression enhanced breast cancer stem‐like cell populations such as mammosphere and aldehyde dehydrogenase positive cell numbers. In addition, DHCR24 overexpression increased the expression of the Hedgehog pathway‐regulated genes. Treating DHCR24 overexpressing breast cancer cell lines with the Hedgehog pathway inhibitor GANT61 blocked DHCR24‐induced mammosphere growth and increased mRNA levels of the Hedgehog regulated genes. Furthermore, expression of a constitutively activated mutant of Smoothened, a key hedgehog signal transducer, rescued the decreases in mammosphere growth and Hedgehog regulated gene expression induced by knockdown of DHCR24. These results indicate that DHCR24 promotes the growth of breast cancer stem‐like cells in part through enhancing the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Our data suggest that cholesterol contribute to breast carcinogenesis by enhancing Hedgehog signaling and cancer stem‐like cell populations. Enzymes including DHCR24 involved in cholesterol biosynthesis should be considered as potential treatment targets for breast cancer.
The Role of Childhood Executive Function in Explaining Income Disparities in Long‐Term Academic Achievement
Authors: Deer LillyBelle K. , Hastings Paul D. , Hostinar Camelia E. 
Published: July 2020

This study utilized data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (N = 14,860) to examine whether early‐life family income (age 0–5) predicted long‐term academic achievement (age 16–18) and to investigate the role of executive function (EF) assessed multiple times across age 7–11 in explaining this association. Task‐based EF was a significant mediator between early‐life family income and later academic achievement in every model. This mediating pathway persisted when adjusting for a comprehensive panel of covariates including verbal IQ, sex, family income at ages 8 and 18, and early‐life temperament. Additionally, teacher‐rated and parent‐rated EF mediated in some models. Overall, these findings suggest that childhood EF may play an important role in perpetuating income‐based educational disparities.
Triggers of breathlessness in inducible laryngeal obstruction and asthma
Authors: Haines Jemma , Chua Sarah H. K. , Smith Jacky , Slinger Claire , Simpson Andrew J. , Fowler Stephen J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundInducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) is often misdiagnosed as, or may coexist with, asthma. Identifying differences in triggering factors may assist clinicians to differentiate between the two conditions and could give mechanistic insights.ObjectiveTo identify and compare patient‐reported triggers in ILO and asthma.MethodsThis was a two‐part study. Initially, we conducted a retrospective case note review of the triggers of ILO from endoscopically confirmed ILO patients to generate a Breathlessness Triggers Survey (BrTS). Triggers were categorized as scents, environmental factors, temperature, emotions, mechanical factors and daily activities. Secondly, ILO and/or asthma patients completed the BrTS prospectively, rating the likelihood of each item triggering their symptoms using a five‐point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree). Chi‐square testing was performed to compare responses by cohort.ResultsData from 202 patients with ILO [73% female, mean (SD) age 53(16) years] were included in the case note review. For the prospective study, 38 patients with ILO only [63% females, age 57(16) years], 39 patients with asthma only [(56% female, age 53(13) years] and 12 patients with both ILO and asthma [83% female, mean age, 57 (14) years)] completed the BrTS. The triggers identified in the case note review were confirmed in the independent sample of patients with ILO and/or asthma and identified several difference in prevalence of the triggers between disease types. Mechanical factors (talking [P < .001], shouting [P = .007] and swallowing [P = .002]) were more common in the ILO cohort compared to patients with asthma. Environmental factors (pollen/flowers [P = .005] and damp air [P = .012]) were more common in asthma. There were no differences between groups in frequency of reporting scents as triggers (except for vinegar, more common in ILO, P = .019), temperature, emotions or daily activities.ConclusionThere were notable differences between patient‐reported triggers of ILO and asthma, which may support clinician differential diagnosis.
The relationship between maternal vitamin D deficiency and glycolipid metabolism and adverse pregnancy outcome
Authors: Chen Hai‐Ying , Zhang Hong‐Ping , Yang Jie , Huang Zhi‐Qiong , Xu Hai‐Xia , Jin Jiang , Xu Kai , Tong Yu , Dong Qian‐Qian , Zheng Jian‐Qiong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveMaternal vitamin D deficiency is associated with glucose and lipid metabolism in the mother and offspring. Meanwhile, it can also lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this case‐control study was to document maternal, umbilical arterial glucose and lipid metabolic levels and correlations in pregnancies with or without vitamin D deficiency, while also investigating adverse pregnancy outcomes.Design/Participants/MeasurementsA total of 425 pregnant women who received antenatal care and delivered at Wenzhou People's Hospital were enrolled. According to their serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level, the pregnant women were divided into the vitamin D deficiency group [25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL, 185 participants] and the control group [25(OH)D ≥ 20 ng/mL, 240 participants]. Maternal blood samples were collected at 24‐28 weeks of gestation and delivery for 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and measurements of glucose and lipid metabolite levels and 25(OH)D levels. Umbilical arterial samples were collected during delivery (33.57‐41.43 gestational weeks).ResultsCompared with control participants, vitamin D deficiency women had significantly higher concentrations of fasting blood‐glucose (P < .01), 1‐h OGTT plasma glucose (P < .01), 2‐h OGTT plasma glucose (P < .01), insulin (P < .01), HOMA‐IR (P < .01), LDL (P < .01) and triglycerides (P = .02) and lower concentrations of HOMA‐S (P < .01). Compared with the control group, vitamin D deficiency women had higher concentrations of triglycerides (P < .01) and lower concentrations of HDL‐C (P < .01) and HOMA‐β (P = .01) in infant umbilical arterial blood. Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated that the maternal 25(OH)D level was negatively correlated with maternal plasma glucose, insulin, LDL‐C, cholesterol, triglyceride and HOMA‐IR (r = −.38, −.27, −.2, −.11, −.11, −.33 and .11; P < .01, <.01, <.01, <.05, <.05 and <.01, respectively), while there was a positive correlation between maternal serum 25(OH)D and HOMA‐S (r = .11, P < .05). The triglyceride level in the umbilical artery was negatively correlated with maternal serum 25(OH)D concentration (r = −.286, P < .01), while the HDL‐C and HOMA‐β in umbilical artery were positively related (r = .154, .103, P < .01). Compared with the control group, the incidences of pre‐eclampsia [4.8% (9/185) vs 1.25% (3/240), P = .03], gestational diabetes mellitus [19.45% (36/185) vs 12.08% (29/240), P = .04] and premature rupture of membranes [15.68% (29/185) vs 5.42% (13/240), P < .01] were higher in the vitamin D deficiency group.ConclusionVitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with maternal glucose and lipid metabolism and pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, it is worth recommending to maintain vitamin D status at an optimal level in pregnant women to prevent metabolic disorders and pregnancy complications.
Elevated level of uric acid in aqueous humour is associated with posterior subcapsular cataract in human lens
Authors: Qin Yong Jie , Chan Sun On , Lin Hong Liang , Zhang Yu Qiao , Chen Yan Lei , Niu Yong Yi , Xie Wen Juan , Chu Wai Kit , Pang Chi Pui , Zhang Hong Yang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractImportanceAge‐related cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The pathological mechanisms causing this disease remain elusive.BackgroundTo examine the involvement of uric acid (UA) in the pathogenesis of posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC).DesignRetrospective study and experimental investigation.ParticipantsA total of 180 patients with PSC or non‐PSC were included.MethodsSamples obtained from the patients were used to analyse content of UA and for histochemical examinations. The effects of UA on human lens epithelial cells were also investigated.Main Outcome MeasuresAqueous humour UA and urate deposits.ResultsThe results showed a significant increase of aqueous humour UA in patients with PSC. After adjustment for potential confounders, elevated aqueous humour UA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45) showed a stronger association with PSC than serum UA (OR = 1.10). Gomori methenamine silver staining revealed in PSC an intense deposit of urates in the lens fibres in equatorial regions, and in subcapsular fibres in posterior regions of the lens. Such staining was not detected in the lens with non‐PSC. Treatment with UA‐induced senescence and apoptosis in human lens epithelial cells in a dose dependent manner. Our results suggest that the elevated level of UA in aqueous humour causes a deposition of urates in human lens epithelium, which could possibly lead to dysfunction of these cells that generates opacification in PSC.Conclusions and RelevanceThese findings indicate the local action of excessive UA in the pathogenesis of PSC. Control of serum UA level could delay the progression of PSC.
Clinical features and underlying genetic causes in neonatal encephalopathy: A large cohort study
Authors: Yang Lin , Chen Xiang , Liu Xu , Dong Xinran , Ye Chang , Deng Dongli , Lu Yulan , Lin Yifeng , Zhou Wenhao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the potential genetic causes of neonatal encephalopathy (NE) in a large cohort of Chinese patients. We included 366 neonates with encephalopathy. Whole exome sequencing was performed to assess the potential molecular defects. In this study, 43 patients (11.7%) were identified with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants and 10 patients (2.7%) carried variants with unknown significance. Compared with patients without genetic findings (28.9%), patients with genetic findings (96.2%) displayed a significant higher incidence of seizure (P = .0009); however, a lower frequency of abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results (P < .0001). Epileptic encephalopathy related genes account for nearly half (46.4%) of all genetic defects of NE with seizures. Follow‐up results revealed genetic diagnosis, seizure and severe abnormal electroencephalograph results were significantly associated with high risk of developmental delay (P < .05). This study increases the understanding of genetic contribution to NE. Our findings suggest that the full‐term NE patients with seizure, the greater the possibility of genetic diseases. However, for newborns especially the preterm babies with abnormal MRI findings, there is smaller possibility of genetic diseases. NE caused from genetic diseases have poor prognosis, and intensive intervention and follow‐up is necessary for these newborns.
Intracerebral transplantation of HLA‐homozygous human iPSC‐derived neural precursors ameliorates the behavioural and pathological deficits in a rodent model of ischaemic stroke
Authors: Noh Jeong‐Eun , Oh Seung‐Hun , Lee Suji , Lee Soohyeon , Kim Young Hoon , Park Hyun Jung , Ju Ji Hyeon , Kim Hyun Sook , Huh Ji Young , Song Jihwan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesHuman‐induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a promising cell source for treating ischaemic stroke. Although autologous hiPSCs provide the advantage of avoiding immune rejection, their practical limitations, such as substantial amount of time and costs to generate individual iPSC lines, have hampered their widespread application in clinical settings. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of neural precursor cells derived from human HLA‐homozygous induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC‐NPCs) following intracerebral transplantation into a rodent model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo).Materials and MethodsWe differentiated a GMP‐grade HLA‐homozygous hiPSC line (CMC‐hiPSC‐004) into neural precursor cells for transplantation into rats at the subacute stage of ischaemic stroke (ie at 7 days after the induction of MCAo). To investigate functional recovery, the transplanted animals were subjected to five behavioural tests, namely the rotarod, stepping, mNSS, staircase and apomorphine‐induced rotation tests, for up to 12 weeks, followed by histological analyses.ResultsWe observed that the hiPSC‐NPC transplantation produced significant behavioural improvements. At 12 weeks post‐transplantation, a high proportion of transplanted cells survived and had differentiated into MAP2+ mature neurons, GABAergic neurons and DARPP32+ medium spiny neurons. The transplanted cells formed neuronal connections with striatal neurons in the host brain. In addition, hiPSC‐NPC transplantation gave rise to enhanced endogenous repair processes, including decreases of post‐stroke neuroinflammation and glial scar formation and an increase of proliferating endogenous neural stem cells in the subventricular zone as well as the perilesional capillary networks.ConclusionsThese results strongly suggest that HLA‐homozygous hiPSC‐NPCs may be useful for treating ischaemic stroke patients.
Thyroid dysfunctions in adult patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Ataca Atilla Pinar , Akkus Erman , Atilla Erden , Gokmen Neslihan , Civriz Bozdag Sinem , Kurt Yuksel Meltem , Toprak Selami Kocak , Baskal Nilgun , Akan Hamdi , Demirer Taner , Topcuoglu Pervin , Arslan Onder , Ilhan Osman , Ozcan Muhit , Beksac Meral , Gurman Gunhan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIntroductionThyroid dysfunction (TD) is one of the major endocrinopathies shown after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation over the long term. The incidence and the risk factors for TD have varied widely.Patients and MethodsTwo hundred and fifty‐nine patients with pre‐transplant normal thyroid function tests who survived at least 1 year after allo‐HSCT between 2006‐2016 were included in the study.ResultsSixty‐four patients (25%) developed TD at median of 34 months (range, 1‐112 months). Hypothyroidism was detected in 32 patients (12%): 5 patients had primary hypothyroidism, and subclinical hypothyroidism occurred in 27 patients. 18 patients (7%) were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism: 2 patients (0.07%) were treated for primary hyperthyroidism, and 16 patients (6%) were followed for subclinical hyperthyroidism. Euthyroid sick syndrome occurred in 14 cases. None of the patients with thyroid dysfunction developed secondary thyroid malignancy. Receiving high‐dose TBI (P = .001) was found to be significant risk for hypothyroidism; older age than median (P = .01) and pre‐transplant active disease (P < .0001) were related to hyperthyroidism.ConclusionsThyroid dysfunction, mostly hypothyroidism, is a long‐term complication after allo‐HSCT in 25% of patients. Older age, pre‐transplant active disease, and receiving TBI are among the risk factors. Sustained long‐term monitoring of thyroid function test should be considered post allo‐HSCT.