bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adult children's gender, number and proximity and older parents’ moves to institutions: evidence from Sweden
Authors: Artamonova Alyona , Brandén Maria , Gillespie Brian Joseph , Mulder Clara H. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOlder people's ability to thrive independently of their adult children is an important feature of a universalistic welfare system. However, population ageing puts this notion under stress. In separate multinomial logistic regression models for older men and women, we examined whether adult children's gender, number and proximity were associated with older parents’ relocations into residential care facilities, and whether the effects of these children's characteristics on older parents’ institutionalisation vary by parents’ severe health problems, operationalised as closeness to death – specifically, dying within the two-year observation period. Analyses were based on the Swedish register data between 2014 and 2016 (N = 696,007 person-years). Older parents with at least one co-resident child were less likely to move or become institutionalised than those without a co-resident child. We did not find a relationship between older adults’ institutionalisation and the closest child's gender. The negative effect of having a non-resident child living nearby on the likelihood of becoming institutionalised was more pronounced for mothers than fathers. Having a child nearby decreased the likelihood of moving to an institution more for mothers who had severe health problems than for those in better health. We found no evidence of a relationship between number of children and likelihood of institutionalisation.
Research on mechanical optimization methods of cable-driven lower limb rehabilitation robot
Authors: Wang Yan-lin , Wang Ke-yi , Chai Yu-jia , Mo Zong-jun , Wang Kui-cheng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn order to improve the working performance of the lower limb rehabilitation robot and the safety of the trained object, the mechanical characteristics of a cable-driven lower limb rehabilitation robot (CDLR) are studied. The dynamic model of the designed CDLR was established. Four kinds of cable tension optimization algorithms were proposed to obtain a good rehabilitation training effect, and the quality of the feasible workspace of the CDLR was analyzed. Finally, a real-time evaluation index of the cable tension optimization algorithms was given to measure the calculation speed of the optimization algorithms. The numerical research results were provided to confirm the characteristics of the four kinds of the optimization algorithms. The research results provide a basis for the follow-up research on the safety and compliance control strategy of the CDLR system.
SYSTEMATIC INVESTIGATIONS IN THE CORE AND PERIPHERY OF ANCIENT TULA
Authors: Paredes Gudiño Blanca , Healan Dan M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article presents the results of an integrative program of salvage archaeology in response to two comprehensive modern construction projects within the limits of the Early Postclassic city of Tula, Hidalgo. Exploratory excavation at eleven different localities encountered remains of residential compounds and other prehispanic structures in all localities, collectively spanning the Epiclassic through Late Postclassic periods and yielding extensive ceramic, lithic, and faunal remains from domestic and ritual contexts including over 250 human and animal burials that included evidence of contact with other areas of Mesoamerica. Some 36 radiocarbon dates were obtained from ceramically dated contexts that span c. 1,000 years of occupation and support the current ceramic phase chronology for Tula.
The population characteristics of the main leukocyte subsets and their association with chronic diseases in a community-dwelling population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Wangyang , Wang Jixi , Ye Bintao , Zhou Jun , Wang Weibo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Aim:
To analyse the characteristics of the main leukocyte subsets and elucidate their distributions amongst the natural population. We wanted to determine whether leukocyte subsets are potential biomarkers to evaluate the risk of common chronic diseases.

Background:
The peripheral blood leukocyte count is a routine exam performed to detect pathogen infections. Recently, subsets of white blood cells and their homeostasis have shown strong associations with some chronic diseases. Therefore, studies aiming to discover whether the distribution of leukocyte counts and its subsets are useful for predicting health conditions are worthwhile.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study analysed 10 564 residents from the basic public health service project of the Health Checkup Program performed by the BaiYun Community Health Service Center. Data on demographic information, physical measurements, medical history, and routine blood examination parameters were collected using questionnaires and health check-ups. Restricted cubic spline incorporated into logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between subsets of leukocytes and common chronic diseases.

Findings:
The counts of leukocytes and their subsets in males were higher than those in females amongst all age groups, yet the percentages of lymphocytes and neutrophils did not present sex-specific differences. A low lymphocyte count and percentage were associated with old age. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with hypertension was higher than that in the non-hypertensive population. The risk of NLR in the top quartiles was 1.17-fold higher than that in people in the lowest quartiles.

Conclusions:
The distributions of the white blood cell count and percentage were associated with age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). In addition to the immune barrier for pathogens, the NLR or monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) may be potentially used to indicate the risk of some chronic non-communicable diseases. Homeostasis of subsets of leukocytes may be an important biomarker for body health conditions.
Psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the spiritual well-being scale (SWBS) in Iranian patients with cancer
Authors: Sharif Nia Hamid , Mohammadinezhad Mobin , Allen Kelly A. , Boyle Christopher , Pahlevan Sharif Saeed , Rahmatpour Pardis 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe spiritual well-being scale (SWBS) is a widely used clinical scale which should be evaluated for Iranian patients with cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the SWBS in Iranian patients with cancer.MethodThis cross-sectional, methodological study was conducted among Iranian patients with cancer (n= 400). The participants were recruited using convenience sampling. The content, construct, convergent and discriminant validity, and reliability of the Persian version of the SWBS were evaluated.ResultsA two-factor structure for the scale was indicated with the factors being:connecting with Godandmeaningless lifethat explained 54.18% of the total variance of the concept of spiritual well-being. The results demonstrated the model had a good fit. Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and the inter-item correlation values of the factors indicated good internal consistency of the scale.Significance of resultsThese results suggest that the Persian version of the SWBS is a reliable and valid measure to assess the spiritual well-being of patients with cancer through 16 items related to connecting with God and meaningless life.
Warming as a Driver of Vegetation Loss in the Sonoran Desert of California
Authors: Hantson Stijn , Huxman Travis E. , Kimball Sarah , Randerson James T. , Goulden Michael L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDryland ecosystems cover large regions of the Earth and have important impacts on global biogeochemistry and the carbon cycle. The plant species that occupy dryland environments have traits that enable them to withstand harsh environmental conditions, and some researchers have hypothesized that dryland vegetation may be comparatively resilient to changing climate, while others have pointed out that dryland vegetation often operates close to the physiological limits of many species, implying a possible vulnerability to warming. Here we use the Landsat archive to analyze vegetation dynamics for part of the Sonoran Desert and adjacent mountains in southern California. We show that large decreases in vegetation cover occurred over the last 34 years (1984–2017), especially across the xeric portions of our study region, where we observed a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) decline of 1.1 ± 0.3% yr−1. Changes in precipitation explain most of the year‐to‐year variation but are unable to fully explain the observed long‐term decline in NDVI. Statistical models that combined summer temperature and mean annual precipitation explained more of the spatial and temporal structure of NDVI trends and implicate climate warming as an important driver of declining vegetation cover. The impact of warming contributed to a change in the precipitation‐vegetation relationship through time for this desert region, indicating a structural change in ecosystem function during the study period. These results suggest that recent climate change has already had significant impact on these drylands and highlight the potential for future warming to increase risks for dryland ecosystems in other regions.
Monsoon and Tropical Climate Forcing on the Physicochemical and Thermocline Characteristics of the Maldives Inner Sea: Insights From Marine Isotope Stages 1–2 and 10–13
Authors: Stainbank Stephanie , Spezzaferri Silvia , Rüggeberg Andres , Raddatz Jacek , de Leau Erica S. , Yu Siyao M. , Zhang Manlin , Kroon Dick 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe Maldivian archipelago, in the equatorial Indian Ocean, provides a unique location to assess long‐term basin‐wide South Asian Monsoon (SAM) processes as well as its response during climatic extremes. This insight is beneficial to better understand future SAM influences on the Maldives Inner Sea physicochemical characteristics and its diverse tropical ecosystems in a warming world. This study uses samples from International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 359, drilled within the Inner Sea drift deposits. Multiple foraminiferal species (n = 15) and proxies (δ18O, δ13C, and Mg/Ca) are used to assess glacial‐interglacial SAM dynamics influencing the Inner Sea conditions across Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 1–2 and 10–13. The summer SAM is modulated by insolation and atmospheric CO2 and has a predominant impact on the northern Indian Ocean surface salinity. As with present‐day observations, a strong summer monsoon resulted in large basin‐wide δ18Osw (salinity) gradients during the interglacials. Moreover, at the MIS11 minimum (MIS11c), a recognized analog for the present‐day, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were warmer than the present with a stronger summer SAM. This led to an expanded surface mixed layer and strong thermocline, resulting in a highly stratified water column and prominent oxygen minimum zone in the Inner Sea during MIS11c. SSTs in the Maldives are projected to increase at the end of this century and based on the reality that current warming (anthropogenically driven) is much faster than seen during MIS11, the Maldivian tropical coral reef and benthic shoal ecosystems will be subject to increasing stress.
Odor-active volatile compounds in preterm breastmilk
Authors: Muelbert Mariana , Galante Laura , Alexander Tanith , Harding Jane E. , Pook Chris , Bloomfield Frank H. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Volatile compounds in breastmilk (BM) likely influence flavor learning and, through the cephalic phase response, metabolism, and digestion. Little is known about the volatile compounds present in preterm BM. We investigated whether maternal or infant characteristics are associated with the profile of volatile compounds in preterm BM.

Methods
Using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we analyzed volatile compounds in 400 BM samples collected from 170 mothers of preterm infants.

Results
Forty volatile compounds were detected, mostly fatty acids and their esters (FA and FAe), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, terpenoids, alcohols, and ketones. The relative concentration of most FA and FAe increased with advancing lactation and were lower in BM of most socially deprived mothers and those with gestational diabetes (p < 0.05), but medium-chain FAs were higher in colostrum compared to transitional BM (p < 0.001). Infant sex, gestational age, and size at birth were not associated with the profile of volatile compounds in preterm BM.

Conclusions
Sensory-active volatile FA and FAe are the major contributors to the smell of preterm BM. The associations between lactation stage, maternal characteristics, and volatile compounds, and whether differences in volatile compounds may affect feeding behavior or metabolism, requires further research.

Impact

Sensory-active volatile FAs are major contributors to the smell of preterm BM and are influenced by the lactation stage and maternal characteristics.

Longitudinal analysis of volatile compounds in preterm BM found that FAs increased with advancing lactation.

Colostrum had a higher concentration of medium-chain FAs compared to transitional BM and the concentration of these is associated with socioeconomic status, gestational diabetes, and ethnicity.
HLA-mismatched allogeneic adoptive immune therapy in severely immunosuppressed AIDS patients
Authors: Xu Ruonan , Zhang Ji-Yuan , Tu Bo , Xu Zhe , Huang Hui-Huang , Huang Lei , Jiao Yan-Mei , Yang Tao , Zhang Chao , Qin En-Qiang , Jiang Tian-Jun , Xie Yun-Bo , Li Yuan-Yuan , Jin Lei , Zhou Chun-Bao , Shi Ming , Guo Mei , Ai Hui-Sheng , Zhang Linqi , Wang Fu-Sheng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSeverely immunosuppressed AIDS patients with recurrent opportunistic infections (OIs) represent an unmet medical need even in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Here we report the development of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched allogeneic adaptive immune therapy (AAIT) for severely immunosuppressed AIDS patients. Twelve severely immunosuppressed AIDS patients with severe OIs were enrolled in this single-arm study. Qualified donors received subcutaneous recombinant granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor twice daily for 4–5 days to stimulate hematopoiesis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from these donors via leukapheresis and transfused into the coupled patients. Clinical, immunological, and virological parameters were monitored during a 12-month follow-up period. We found AAIT combined with ART was safe and well-tolerated at the examined doses and transfusion regimen in all 12 patients. Improvements in clinical symptoms were evident throughout the study period. All patients exhibited a steady increase of peripheral CD4+ T cells from a median 10.5 to 207.5 cells/μl. Rapid increase in peripheral CD8+ T-cell count from a median 416.5 to 1206.5 cells/μl was found in the first 90 days since initiation of AAIT. In addition, their inflammatory cytokine levels and HIV RNA viral load decreased. A short-term microchimerism with donor cells was found. There were no adverse events associated with graft-versus-host disease throughout the study period. Overall, AAIT treatment was safe, and might help severely immunosuppressed AIDS patients to achieve a better immune restoration. A further clinical trial with control is necessary to confirm the efficacy of AAIT medication.
Bacteriophages: what role may they play in life after spinal cord injury?
Authors: Leitner Lorenz , McCallin Shawna , Kessler Thomas M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBacterial infections are the leading cause of death in people with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that solely infect and kill bacteria. The idea of using phages to treat bacterial infections, i.e., phage therapy, is very promising and potentially allows a more specific and personalized treatment of bacterial infections than antibiotics. While multi-drug resistant infections affect individuals from the general population, alternative therapeutic options are especially warranted in high-risk populations, such as individuals with SCI. However, more clinical data must be collected before phage therapy can be implemented in clinical practice, with numerous possible, subsequent applications.
LINC-PINT impedes DNA repair and enhances radiotherapeutic response by targeting DNA-PKcs in nasopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Wang You-hong , Guo Zhen , An Liang , Zhou Yong , Xu Heng , Xiong Jing , Liu Zhao-qian , Chen Xiao-ping , Zhou Hong-hao , Li Xiong , Liu Tao , Huang Wei-hua , Zhang Wei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRadioresistance continues to be the leading cause of recurrence and metastasis in nasopharyngeal cancer. Long noncoding RNAs are emerging as regulators of DNA damage and radioresistance. LINC-PINT was originally identified as a tumor suppressor in various cancers. In this study, LINC-PINT was significantly downregulated in nasopharyngeal cancer tissues than in rhinitis tissues, and low LINC-PINT expressions showed poorer prognosis in patients who received radiotherapy. We further identified a functional role of LINC-PINT in inhibiting the malignant phenotypes and sensitizing cancer cells to irradiation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC-PINT was responsive to DNA damage, inhibiting DNA damage repair through ATM/ATR-Chk1/Chk2 signaling pathways. Moreover, LINC-PINT increased radiosensitivity by interacting with DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and negatively regulated the expression and recruitment of DNA-PKcs. Therefore, these findings collectively support the possibility that LINC-PINT serves as an attractive target to overcome radioresistance in NPC.
Sox9 and Rbpj differentially regulate endothelial to mesenchymal transition and wound scarring in murine endovascular progenitors
Authors: Zhao Jilai , Patel Jatin , Kaur Simranpreet , Sim Seen-Ling , Wong Ho Yi , Styke Cassandra , Hogan Isabella , Kahler Sam , Hamilton Hamish , Wadlow Racheal , Dight James , Hashemi Ghazaleh , Sormani Laura , Roy Edwige , Yoder Mervin C. , Francois Mathias , Khosrotehrani Kiarash 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEndothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a leading cause of fibrosis and disease, however its mechanism has yet to be elucidated. The endothelium possesses a profound regenerative capacity to adapt and reorganize that is attributed to a population of vessel-resident endovascular progenitors (EVP) governing an endothelial hierarchy. Here, using fate analysis, we show that two transcription factors SOX9 and RBPJ specifically affect the murine EVP numbers and regulate lineage specification. Conditional knock-out of Sox9 from the vasculature (Sox9fl/fl/Cdh5-CreERRosaYFP) depletes EVP while enhancing Rbpj expression and canonical Notch signalling. Additionally, skin wound analysis from Sox9 conditional knock-out mice demonstrates a significant reduction in pathological EndMT resulting in reduced scar area. The converse is observed with Rbpj conditionally knocked-out from the murine vasculature (Rbpjfl/fl/Cdh5-CreER RosaYFP) or inhibition of Notch signaling in human endothelial colony forming cells, resulting in enhanced Sox9 and EndMT related gene (Snail, Slug, Twist1, Twist2, TGF-β) expression. Similarly, increased endothelial hedgehog signaling (Ptch1fl/fl/Cdh5-CreER RosaYFP), that upregulates the expression of Sox9 in cells undergoing pathological EndMT, also results in excess fibrosis. Endothelial cells transitioning to a mesenchymal fate express increased Sox9, reduced Rbpj and enhanced EndMT. Importantly, using topical administration of siRNA against Sox9 on skin wounds can substantially reduce scar area by blocking pathological EndMT. Overall, here we report distinct fates of EVPs according to the relative expression of Rbpj or Notch signalling and Sox9, highlighting their potential plasticity and opening exciting avenues for more effective therapies in fibrotic diseases.
Co-evolution of tumor and immune cells during progression of multiple myeloma
Authors: Liu Ruiyang , Gao Qingsong , Foltz Steven M. , Fowles Jared S. , Yao Lijun , Wang Julia Tianjiao , Cao Song , Sun Hua , Wendl Michael C. , Sethuraman Sunantha , Weerasinghe Amila , Rettig Michael P. , Storrs Erik P. , Yoon Christopher J. , Wyczalkowski Matthew A. , McMichael Joshua F. , Kohnen Daniel R. , King Justin , Goldsmith Scott R. , O’Neal Julie , Fulton Robert S. , Fronick Catrina C. , Ley Timothy J. , Jayasinghe Reyka G. , Fiala Mark A. , Oh Stephen T. , DiPersio John F. , Vij Ravi , Ding Li 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells. Despite recent treatment advances, it is still incurable as disease progression is not fully understood. To investigate MM and its immune environment, we apply single cell RNA and linked-read whole genome sequencing to profile 29 longitudinal samples at different disease stages from 14 patients. Here, we collect 17,267 plasma cells and 57,719 immune cells, discovering patient-specific plasma cell profiles and immune cell expression changes. Patients with the same genetic alterations tend to have both plasma cells and immune cells clustered together. By integrating bulk genomics and single cell mapping, we track plasma cell subpopulations across disease stages and find three patterns: stability (from precancer to diagnosis), and gain or loss (from diagnosis to relapse). In multiple patients, we detect “B cell-featured” plasma cell subpopulations that cluster closely with B cells, implicating their cell of origin. We validate AP-1 complex differential expression (JUN and FOS) in plasma cell subpopulations using CyTOF-based protein assays, and integrated analysis of single-cell RNA and CyTOF data reveals AP-1 downstream targets (IL6 and IL1B) potentially leading to inflammation regulation. Our work represents a longitudinal investigation for tumor and microenvironment during MM progression and paves the way for expanding treatment options.
Balanced imitation sustains song culture in zebra finches
Authors: Tchernichovski Ofer , Eisenberg-Edidin Sophie , Jarvis Erich D. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSongbirds acquire songs by imitation, as humans do speech. Although imitation should drive convergence within a group and divergence through drift between groups, zebra finch songs sustain high diversity within a colony, but mild variation across colonies. We investigated this phenomenon by analyzing vocal learning statistics in 160 tutor-pupil pairs from a large breeding colony. Song imitation is persistently accurate in some families, but poor in others. This is not attributed to genetic differences, as fostered pupils copied their tutors’ songs as accurately or poorly as biological pupils. Rather, pupils of tutors with low song diversity make more improvisations compared to pupils of tutors with high song diversity. We suggest that a frequency dependent balanced imitation prevents extinction of rare song elements and overabundance of common ones, promoting repertoire diversity within groups, while constraining drift across groups, which together prevents the collapse of vocal culture into either complete uniformity or chaos.