bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural astaxanthin enhanced antioxidant capacity and improved semen quality through the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway in aging layer breeder roosters
Authors: Gao Shan , Heng Nuo , Liu Fang , Guo Yong , Chen Yu , Wang Liang , Ni Hemin , Sheng Xihui , Wang Xiangguo , Xing Kai , Xiao Longfei , Qi Xiaolong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundNatural astaxanthin (ASTA) has strong antioxidant properties and has been widely used as a health product to improve human health. However, the effects of ASTA on the reproductive performance of aging roosters have been poorly studied. We aimed to investigate the effects of dietary ASTA on semen quality and antioxidant capacity in aging roosters and to explore the potential mechanism of semen quality change via anti-oxidation defense system.MethodsIn the present study, 96 53-week-old Jinghong No. 1 layer breeder roosters were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg ASTA for 6 weeks.ResultsSemen quality in the ASTA groups remarkably improved than that in the control group, and antioxidant activities, the abilities to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions, increased gradually with ASTA addition (P < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes as well as the mRNA and protein levels of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were markedly increased in the 50–100 mg/kg ASTA group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsCollectively, these results demonstrate that dietary ASTA may improve semen quality by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and the ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals, which may be related to upregulation of the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway.
Dietary calcium phosphate strongly impacts gut microbiome changes elicited by inulin and galacto-oligosaccharides consumption
Authors: Fuhren Jori , Schwalbe Markus , Boekhorst Jos , Rösch Christiane , Schols Henk A. , Kleerebezem Michiel 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundFructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are widely recognized prebiotics that profoundly affect the intestinal microbiota, including stimulation of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and are reported to elicit several health benefits. The combination of dietary FOS and inulin with calcium phosphate was reported to stimulate commensalLactobacilluspopulations and protect the host against pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae, but little is known about the effects of GOS in diets with a different level of calcium phosphate.MethodsWe investigated the microbiome changes elicited by dietary supplementation with GOS or inulin using diets with high (100 mmol/kg) and low (30 mmol/kg) calcium phosphate levels in adult Wistar rats. Rats were acclimatized to the respective experimental diets for 14 days, after which fecal material was collected, DNA was extracted from fecal material, and the V3‑V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified with PCR, followed by microbial composition analysis. In tandem, the organic acid profiles of the fecal material were analyzed.ResultsFeeding rats non-supplemented (no prebiotic-added) diets revealed that diets rich in calcium phosphate favored members of the Firmicutes and increased fecal lactic, succinic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acid levels. In contrast, relatively low dietary calcium phosphate levels promoted the abundance of mucin degrading genera likeAkkermansiaandBacteroides, and resulted in increased fecal propionic acid levels and modest increases in lactic and butyric acid levels. Irrespective of the calcium phosphate levels, supplementation with GOS or inulin strongly stimulatedBifidobacterium, while only high calcium phosphate diets increased the endogenousFaecalibaculumpopulations.ConclusionsDespite the prebiotic’s substantial difference in chemical structure, sugar composition, oligomer size, and the microbial degradation pathway involved in their utilization, inulin and GOS modulated the gut microbiota very similarly, in a manner that strongly depended on the dietary calcium phosphate level. Therefore, our study implies that the collection of detailed diet information including micronutrient balance is necessary to correctly assess diet-driven microbiota analysis.
Does allogeneic stem cell transplantation in survivors of pediatric leukemia impact regular physical activity, pulmonary function, and exercise capacity?
Authors: Ruf Katharina , Badran Alaa , Siauw Céline , Haubitz Imme , Schlegel Paul-Gerhardt , Hebestreit Helge , Härtel Christoph , Wiegering Verena 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has improved survival in high-risk childhood leukemia but is associated with long-term sequelae such as impaired pulmonary function and reduced exercise capacity impacting quality of life.

Methods
A convenience sample of 17 patients after allo-HSCT (HSCT—12 male, age 15.7±6.7 years, time after HSCT 5.3±2.8 years) underwent pulmonary function testing, echocardiography, and an incremental exercise test on a bike. Physical activity and health-related quality of life were assessed by questionnaires (7-day physical activity recall, PEDS-QL). Seventeen healthy age- and gender-matched controls served as control group (CG) for results of pulmonary function and exercise testing.

Results
HSCT showed reduced pulmonary function (HSCT vs. CG: FEV1 90.5±14.0 vs. 108.0±8.7%pred; FVC 88.4±19.3 vs. 107.6±6.9%pred, DLCO 75.3±23.6 vs. 104.9±12.8%pred) and exercise capacity (VO2peak 89±30.8%pred, CG 98±17.5%pred; Wmax 84±21.7%pred, CG 115±22.8%pred), but no relevant cardiac dysfunction and a good quality of life (PEDS-QL mean overall score 83.3±10.7). Differences in peak oxygen uptake between groups were mostly explained by 5 adolescent patients who underwent total body irradiation for conditioning. They showed significantly reduced diffusion capacity and reduced peak oxygen uptake.
Patients reported a mean time of inactivity of 777±159min/day, moderate activity of 110±107 min/day, hard activity of 35±36 min/day, and very hard activity of 23±22 min/day. A higher amount of inactivity was associated with a lower peak oxygen uptake (correlation coefficient tau −0.48, p=0.023).

Conclusions
This pilot study shows that although patients after allo-HSCT reported a good quality of life, regular physical activity and exercise capacity are reduced in survivors of stem cell transplantation, especially in adolescents who are treated with total body irradiation for conditioning. Factors hindering regular physical activity need to be identified and exercise counseling should be part of follow-up visits in these patients.
The telomere complex and the origin of the cancer stem cell
Authors: Torres-Montaner A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractExquisite regulation of telomere length is essential for the preservation of the lifetime function and self-renewal of stem cells. However, multiple oncogenic pathways converge on induction of telomere attrition or telomerase overexpression and these events can by themselves trigger malignant transformation. Activation of NFκB, the outcome of telomere complex damage, is present in leukemia stem cells but absent in normal stem cells and can activate DOT1L which has been linked to MLL-fusion leukemias. Tumors that arise from cells of early and late developmental stages appear to follow two different oncogenic routes in which the role of telomere and telomerase signaling might be differentially involved. In contrast, direct malignant transformation of stem cells appears to be extremely rare. This suggests an inherent resistance of stem cells to cancer transformation which could be linked to a stem cell’specific mechanism of telomere maintenance. However, tumor protection of normal stem cells could also be conferred by cell extrinsic mechanisms.
Hepatic and renal cellular cytotoxic effects of heparin-coated superparamagnetic Iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Hwang Yong Hwa , Kim Youn-Jung , Lee Dong Yun 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background
Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles have been widely used in several biomedical engineering in vivo. Although various surface modifications have been made to these non-biodegradable nanoparticles to make them more biocompatible, their toxic potential still remains a major concern.

Method
In this study, we newly developed unfractionated heparin (UFH)-coated and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)-coated SPIO nanoparticles through surface modification engineering, which was compared with commercially available dextran-coated SPIO nanoparticles. Their toxicity such as cytotoxicity, single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) comet assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and cellular apoptosis was evaluated to hepatic HepG2 and renal HK-2 cells.

Results
When UFH-, LMWH- or dextran-coated SPIO nanoparticles were applied, they did not affect the viability of HepG2 cell. However, HK-2 cells were more sensitive to dextran-coated SPIO nanoparticles than others. In genotoxicity assay using SCGE comet, DNA tail moment values in the groups treated with dextran- and LMWH-coated SPIO nanoparticles significantly increased. However, UFH-coated SPIO nanoparticles was only significantly lowing DNA tail moment value. In addition, UFH-coated SPIO nanoparticles had lower cytotoxicity in HepG2 and HK-2 cells compared to dextran-coated SPIO nanoparticles, especially in terms of apoptosis and intracellular ROS production.

Conclusions
Collectively, it is possible that UFH- coated SPIO nanoparticles can be used as alternative negative contrast agents.
Bilateral carotid cavernous fistula after trauma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Liang Jingshan , Xie Xiaoxiao , Sun Yong , Wei Xiuli , Li Aimin 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Carotid cavernous fistula is a rare complication that is typically associated with head trauma and skull base fractures. The traumatic bilateral carotid cavernous fistula are significantly rarer.

Case presentations
We report a case of a 61-year-old man presenting with unilateral exophthalmos, swollen eyelids, conjunctival congestion, and edema etiologically associated with severe trauma. Thereafter, the patient demonstrated symptoms of contralateral oculomotor nerve injury caused by skull base fracture, such as ptosis of eyelid, dilated pupils, and eye movement disorder, and was diagnosed with bilateral carotid cavernous fistula.

Conclusions
The patient recovered after undergoing endovascular embolization of bilateral cavernous sinus fistulas. The patient demonstrated the classic symptoms of an extremely rare condition known as bilateral carotid cavernous fistula, in only one eye. Reporting and analyzing this case will help us elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this disease.
Gut microbiota in Parkinson’s disease patients: hospital-based study
Authors: Khedr Eman M. , Ali Anwar M. , Deaf Enas , Hassan Hebatallah M. , Alaa Ahmed , Gamea Ayman 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. There is accumulating evidence that link gut microbiota to symptomatology and pathophysiology of PD. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of gut microbiota and its association with PD and identify the effect of environmental factors on gut microbiota. This case–control study included 46 patients diagnosed as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and 31 healthy volunteers age and sex matched. Detailed history including age of onset, duration of disease, environmental risk factors, diet data, treatment, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) domain of Non‐Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) were assessed. After extraction of bacterial DNA from the fecal samples, bacterial abundance was quantified by qPCR using 16S rRNA group-specific primers.

Results
Significant high abundance of Clostridium cluster IV, Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and lactic acid bacteria were found in the PD group compared with the control group (P < 0.001, 0.04, 0.02 and < 0.001, respectively), while Firmicutes were significantly less abundant in the PD group (P < 0.001) compared with the control group. The naive PD patients had significant abundance of Bifidobacterium, and lactic acid compared with control group. Interestingly, Akkermansia was more abundant in treated than untreated patients. There were significant associations between pesticide exposure and Bifidobacterium (P = 0.002), while no significant correlations between different gut microbiota and demographic, environment data, different rating scores or dominant type of PD. There was a significant negative correlation between the Bifidobacterium with the duration of illness (P = 0.012).

Conclusion
The present study highlighted a significant connection between PD and levels of certain types of gut microbiota, in support of a possible link between gut microbiota and a neurodegenerative cascade of PD.
Biochemical and haematological enhancement activities of aqueous and methanol leaves, stem and roots extracts of Chasmanthera dependens (Hochst) and Dictyandra arborescens (Welw.)
Authors: Enenebeaku Uchechi E. , Okotcha Evangeline N. , Oguoma Lilian M. O. , Mgbemena Ifeyinwa C. , Enenebeaku Conrad K. , Onyeka Chiemeziem A. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Africa is blessed with rich floral biodiversity which are harnessed as herbal medicines and remedies for several ailments. Since there has been evidence of organ toxicity following prolonged ingestion of medicinal plant concotions, this study investigated the biochemical and hematological enhancement activities of aqueous and methanolic leaves, stem and roots extracts of Chasmanthera dependens (Hochst) and Dictyandra arborescens (Welw) in adult male albino rats.

Results
Leaves, stem and roots extracts of D. arborescens, as well as extracts of leaves and roots of C. dependens did not record any mice mortality even at 5000 mg/kg b.wt but extracts of C. dependens stem in both medium recorded death at 2900 mg/kg b. wt and 5000 mg/kg b.wt. Ingestion of the extracts by rats over a 14-day period increased (p  <  0.05) the body weights of the experimental animals in the C. dependens and D. arborescens treated groups. The relative organ weights of rats that received the extracts did not differ (p < 0.05) significantly from those of the standard and normal control. Administration of the extracts revealed significant (p < 0.05) increase in haematological parameters (PCV, Hb, RBCs, WBCs, MCH, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes and MCHC) at 200 mg/kg−1 body weight. For biochemical parameters, levels of ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, and albumin were not significantly (p < 0.05) elevated following administration of the extracts.

Conclusion
These parameters did not differ significantly from the normal and standard control. Since these extracts did not exhibit any chronic toxicity on experimental animals, suggesting no harmful effects following their use, their continuous use in ethno-medicine is therefore justified.
Bats and fire: a global review
Authors: Loeb Susan C. , Blakey Rachel V. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Bats are important components of forested ecosystems and are found in forests worldwide. Consequently, they often interact with fire. Previous reviews of the effects of fire on bats have focused on prescribed fire effects, in part due to the limited number of studies on bat responses to wildfire. However, over the past several years, studies on bat responses to wildfire and prescribed fire have increased considerably. We reviewed this rapidly expanding body of literature to determine whether bats respond differently to prescribed fire and wildfire, and the important factors driving those differences. We also examined regional similarities and differences in bat response to prescribed fire and wildfire and identified areas in need of further research.

Results
Our review included 52 studies (29 prescribed fire, 23 wildfire) from North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Africa, although studies from Europe, South America, and Africa were limited. In general, we found that bats show positive or neutral responses to prescribed fire, whereas a greater proportion of negative responses were reported for wildfire. However, some of the negative responses to wildfire are short-lived or local, suggesting that bats may be resilient to the effects of fire. Factors such as fire severity, fire frequency, time since last burn, burn extent, season of burn, and pyrodiversity were all found to be important drivers of bats’ responses to both prescribed fire and wildfire.

Conclusions
The importance of the spatial and temporal aspects of fire suggests that these factors need to be considered when designing future studies and interpreting results. Pyrodiversity may be a particularly important concept to further our understanding of bats’ responses to fire. We found several gaps in our knowledge including lack of information on direct effects of fire (e.g., mortality), regional and taxonomic biases, effects of wildfire on roosting habitat, and the effects of climate change. Although current studies suggest that fire may be an important management tool for improving bat habitat, the threat of more frequent, extensive, and severe wildfires may put additional stress on some bat populations, particularly those being impacted by disease, habitat loss and fragmentation, and climate change.
“It's Rougher on Me Than It Is on Him”: Family Caregiver–Generated and Prioritized Illness Concerns While Patients Undergo Cancer Treatments
Authors: Levoy Kristin , Wool Jesse , Ashare Rebecca L. , Rosa William E. , Barg Frances K. , Meghani Salimah H. 
Published: November 2021

PURPOSE: Research eliciting patients' illness concerns has typically focused later in the cancer continuum, rather than during cancer treatments. Family caregiver concerns are overlooked during this time. Less is known about how patients and caregivers prioritize concerns during cancer treatments, which holds potential for improving supportive oncology care (ie, primary palliative care). The purpose of this study was to elicit and compare which domains of supportive oncology are of highest importance to patients and caregivers during cancer treatments. METHODS: Freelisting, a cognitive anthropology method, was used to elicit concerns in order of importance. Freelist data were analyzed using Smith's salience index. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a caregiver subsample to add explanatory insights. RESULTS: In descending order, pain, death, fear, family, and awful were salient Freelist items for patients (n = 65), whereas sadness, time-consuming, support, anger, tired, death, and frustration were salient for caregivers (n = 24). When integrated with supportive oncology domains, patients' concerns reflected a prioritization of the physical (pain) and emotional (death, fear, and awful) domains, with less emphasis on social (family) aspects. Caregivers' prioritized the emotional (sadness, anger, death, and frustration) and social (time-consuming and support) domains, with less emphasis on the physical (tired) aspects. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that enhancing primary palliative care delivery by oncology teams requires systems thinking to support both the patient and caregiver as the primary unit of care. Primary palliative care may be improved by prioritizing interventions that address physical concerns among patients as well as key social concerns among caregivers to support the complex caregiving role while patients undergo cancer treatments.
Sex Differences in Embryonic Gonad Transcriptomes and Benzo[a]pyrene Metabolite Levels After Transplacental Exposure
Authors: Lim Jinhwan , Ramesh Aramandla , Shioda Toshi , Leon Parada Kathleen , Luderer Ulrike 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are generated during incomplete combustion of organic materials. Prior research has demonstrated that BaP is a prenatal ovarian toxicant and carcinogen. However, the metabolic pathways active in the embryo and its developing gonads and the mechanisms by which prenatal exposure to BaP predisposes to ovarian tumors later in life remain to be fully elucidated. To address these data gaps, we orally dosed pregnant female mice with BaP from embryonic day (E) 6.5 to E11.5 (0, 0.2, or 2 mg/kg/day) for metabolite measurement or E9.5 to E11.5 (0 or 3.33 mg/kg/day) for embryonic gonad RNA sequencing. Embryos were harvested at E13.5 for both experiments. The sum of BaP metabolite concentrations increased significantly with dose in the embryos and placentas, and concentrations were significantly higher in female than male embryos and in embryos than placentas. RNA sequencing revealed that enzymes involved in metabolic activation of BaP are expressed at moderate to high levels in embryonic gonads and that greater transcriptomic changes occurred in the ovaries in response to BaP than in the testes. We identified 490 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with false discovery rate P-values &lt; 0.05 when comparing BaP-exposed to control ovaries but no statistically significant DEGs between BaP-exposed and control testes. Genes related to monocyte/macrophage recruitment and activity, prolactin family genes, and several keratin genes were among the most upregulated genes in the BaP-exposed ovaries. Results show that developing ovaries are more sensitive than testes to prenatal BaP exposure, which may be related to higher concentrations of BaP metabolites in female embryos.
Holding a Mirror up to Nature
Authors: Greenidge Kerri K. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
This article argues that during the first two decades of the twentieth century, William Monroe Trotter’s Boston Guardian challenged “post-truth” politics at the heart of America’s exploitative racial project both at home and abroad. Trotter’s reinvigorated Black radical press exposed a fundamental lie at the heart of American racialization: that lynching, segregation, and violent white domination were natural features of United States exceptionalism, and that “the colored people themselves” (both at home and abroad) were responsible for their own subjugation. Through the Guardian’s campaign against racial disinformation espoused in mainstream Black newspapers, Trotter influenced the New Negro radicalism of Cyril V. Briggs, Hubert Harrison, and the African Blood Brotherhood.
Teaching Breaking News
Authors: Pennington Rosemary 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Breaking news is hard to define, though the Associated Press has framed it as “news of transcendent importance.” Generally, it is news that provides information about an issue or an event the public did not already know, and it is increasingly tied to a feeling of “liveness.” Because breaking news situations evolve quickly, the ability of journalists to cover them depends in part on the sources a journalist trusts and can access. All too often, those sources are people who have historically held power in a community. This essay argues that an ethics of empathy would help journalists move away from privileging the perspectives of the powerful in breaking news coverage, thereby making space for alternate understandings of the situation.