bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells are elevated in active rheumatoid arthritis and reflect the severity of the disease
Authors: Zhao Lei , Li Zhenxue , Zeng Xingyue , Xia Changsheng , Xu Lijuan , Xu Qinzhu , Song Ying , Liu Chen 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the expression and clinical significance of circulating CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsCD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells in peripheral blood of 35 patients with active RA, 17 with RA in stable remission, and 24 healthy controls were analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum IgG and circulating plasmablast percentages were measured and correlations with CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells were systematically analyzed. Disease Activity Scale 28 (DAS28) scores were also calculated and correlation analysis with CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells was conducted. The levels of CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells were compared before and after disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug treatment. Cytokine levels in plasma and cytokine secretion in CD4 cells were measured and their correlations with CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells were further analyzed.ResultsThe levels of CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells in the peripheral blood of patients with active RA were significantly increased compared with healthy controls. CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells in patients with active RA were positively correlated with serum IgG and DAS28 scores. CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells were significantly decreased in patients after treatment. Plasma interleukin‐10 concentrations and interleukin‐10‐positive CD4 cell percentages were significantly positively correlated with CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cell levels.ConclusionCirculating CD4+ FoxP3– CXCR5– CXCR3+ PD‐1hi cells in patients with active RA are increased and could reflect the severity of the disease, which may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of RA.
Integrated population models poorly estimate the demographic contribution of immigration
Authors: Paquet Matthieu , Knape Jonas , Arlt Debora , Forslund Pär , Pärt Tomas , Flagstad Øystein , Jones Carl G. , Nicoll Malcolm A. C. , Norris Ken , Pemberton Josephine M. , Sand Håkan , Svensson Linn , Tatayah Vikash , Wabakken Petter , Wikenros Camilla , Åkesson Mikael , Low Matthew 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Estimating the contribution of demographic parameters to changes in population growth is essential for understanding why populations fluctuate. Integrated population models (IPMs) offer a possibility to estimate the contributions of additional demographic parameters, for which no data have been explicitly collected—typically immigration. Such parameters are often subsequently highlighted as important drivers of population growth. Yet, accuracy in estimating their temporal variation, and consequently their contribution to changes in population growth rate, has not been investigated.

To quantify the magnitude and cause of potential biases when estimating the contribution of immigration using IPMs, we simulated data (using northern wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe population estimates) from controlled scenarios to examine potential biases and how they depend on IPM parameterization, formulation of priors, the level of temporal variation in immigration and sample size. We also used empirical data on populations with known rates of immigration: Soay sheep Ovis aries and Mauritius kestrel Falco punctatus with zero immigration and grey wolf Canis lupus in Scandinavia with near‐zero immigration.

IPMs strongly overestimated the contribution of immigration to changes in population growth in scenarios when immigration was simulated with zero temporal variation (proportion of variance attributed to immigration = 63% for the more constrained formulation and real sample size) and in the wild populations, where the true number of immigrants was zero or near‐zero (kestrel 19.1%–98.2%, sheep 4.2%–36.1% and wolf 84.0%–99.2%). Although the estimation of the contribution of immigration in the simulation study became more accurate with increasing temporal variation and sample size, it was often not possible to distinguish between an accurate estimation from data with high temporal variation versus an overestimation from data with low temporal variation. Unrealistically, large sample sizes may be required to estimate the contribution of immigration well.

To minimize the risk of overestimating the contribution of immigration (or any additional parameter) in IPMs, we recommend to: (a) look for evidence of variation in immigration before investigating its contribution to population growth, (b) simulate and model data for comparison to the real data and (c) use explicit data on immigration when possible.
Addicted to smoking or addicted to nicotine? A focus group study on perceptions of nicotine and addiction among US adult current smokers, former smokers, non‐smokers and dual users of cigarettes and e‐cigarettes
Authors: Loud Emily E. , Duong Hue Trong , Henderson Katherine C. , Reynolds Reed M. , Ashley David L. , Thrasher James F. , Popova Lucy 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackground and AimsIn 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed to reduce nicotine in cigarettes to minimally or non‐addictive levels. This study qualitatively explored perceptions of nicotine and addiction, both independently and in response to messages communicating about nicotine reduction.DesignQualitative study using focus groups. Participants described their perceptions of nicotine and addiction and their responses to messages about the nicotine reduction.SettingAtlanta, GA and San Francisco, CA, USA. Semi‐structured focus groups were conducted virtually in Spring 2020.ParticipantsExclusive smokers (n = 27), dual users (of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes) (n = 25), former smokers (n = 32) and young adult non‐smokers (n = 31).MeasurementInductive thematic analysis of transcripts was conducted, and results were compared across smoking status groups.FindingsParticipants across all smoking status groups associated nicotine with tobacco products, but consistently misperceived that nicotine caused disease. Perceptions of addiction were largely negative and varied by smoking status. Experienced smokers (exclusive smokers, former smokers and dual users) differentiated tobacco use from other addictions and minimized their own experiences of addiction. Perceptions of addiction across experienced smokers included not only the chemical properties of nicotine, but also the behavioral aspects of tobacco use, including oral fixation, having a smoking routine and response to internal and external cues. In response to messages, many believed that removing the nicotine would not make cigarettes less addictive because of the multi‐factorial nature of smoking addiction that includes non‐pharmacological cues.ConclusionsPerceptions of nicotine and addiction among non‐smokers, former smokers, exclusive smokers and dual users of cigarettes and e‐cigarettes vary based on smoking status, but there is a common tendency to believe that nicotine is addictive, that addiction results from more than just nicotine, and that very low nicotine cigarettes will not necessarily reduce the addictiveness of cigarettes.
Niche modelling identifies low rainfall, but not soil type, as an important habitat requirement of the fossorial Australasian trapdoor spider genus Cantuaria (Hogg, 1902)
Authors: Smith Victoria R. , Vink Cor J. , Fountain Emily D. , Cruickshank Robert H. , Paterson Adrian M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHabitat loss is one of the greatest drivers for extinction worldwide. Understanding a taxon’s habitat requirements is crucial in being able to protect it from decline. The Australasian trapdoor spider genus Cantuaria (Idiopidae) is widespread and diverse within the islands of New Zealand, but little is known of its ecology. We studied the habitat requirements of Cantuaria, using niche modelling, to inform conservation efforts and predict how the genus may fare under future climate conditions. Two data sets were employed. A fine‐scale data set used hand‐collected data from the vicinity of individual burrows for localised soil, vegetation, and human disturbance data directly inside and adjacent to Cantuaria populations. A spatial GIS data set at the landscape level mapped presence/absence of populations, as well as general environmental and soil conditions, and vegetation type. The two data sets were analysed separately, using linear models for the fine‐scale data set (17 presences, 17 absences). General linear models were used to analyse the spatial data set (72 presences, 17 absences), with variables selected using a random forest analysis in R. In the fine‐scale data set, no significant variables were found. In the spatial data set, rainfall explained most (71.4%) of the variation, according to the random forest analysis, followed by soil group (33.71%) and elevation (27.12%). Some variation was explained by more than one factor. The two models with the lowest AICC numbers included rainfall (P < 0.01) and elevation (P = 0.06), or rainfall only (P < 0.01), as variables. We conclude that low rainfall is desirable for populations of most Cantuaria spp., although some have been found where rainfall is up to 3000 mm/year. Climate change may cause challenges for Cantuaria conservation, particularly in areas with increased rainfall, such as Southland, Tasman, the West Coast, and Central Otago. Elevation and soil type may also be important factors in Cantuaria habitat selection, but further research with gene flow analysis, captive studies, more structured sampling, and/or a greater sample size may reveal more about the effects of elevation and soil type on Cantuaria populations.
Early melanoma invasivity correlates with gut fungal and bacterial profiles
Authors: Vitali F. , Colucci R. , Di Paola M. , Pindo M. , De Filippo C. , Moretti S. , Cavalieri D. 
Published: July 2021

Summary
Background
The microbiome is emerging as a crucial player of the immune checkpoint in cancer. Melanoma is a highly immunogenic tumour, and the composition of the gut microbiome has been correlated to prognosis and evolution of advanced melanoma and proposed as a biomarker for immune checkpoint therapy.
Objectives
We investigated the gut fungal and bacterial compositions in early-stage melanoma and correlated microbial profiles with histopathological features.
Methods
Sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA and the fungal internal transcribed spacer region was performed on faecal samples of patients with stage I and II melanoma, and healthy controls. A meta-analysis with gut microbiota data from patients with metastatic melanoma was also carried out.
Results
We found a combination of gut fungal and bacterial profiles significantly discriminating patients with melanoma from controls. In patients with melanoma, we observed an abundance of Prevotella copri and yeasts belonging to the order Saccharomycetales. We found that the bacterial and fungal community correlated to melanoma invasiveness, whereas the specific fungal profile correlated to melanoma regression. Bacteroides was identified as general marker of immunogenicity, being shared by regressive and invasive melanoma. In addition, the bacterial communities in patients with stage I and II melanoma were different in structure and richer than those from patients with metastatic melanoma.
Conclusions
The composition of the gut microbiota in early-stage melanoma changes along the gradient from in situ to invasive (and metastatic) melanoma. Changes in the microbiota and mycobiota are correlated to the histological features of early-stage melanoma, and to the clinical course and response to immune therapies of advanced-stage melanoma, through direct or indirect immunomodulation.
Albendazole induces the terminal differentiation of acute myeloid leukaemia cells to monocytes by stimulating the Krüppel‐like factor 4‐dihydropyrimidinase‐like 2A (KLF4‐DPYSL2A) axis
Authors: Noura Mina , Morita Ken , Kiyose Hiroki , Okuno Yukiko , Matsuo Hidemasa , Koyama Asami , Nishinaka‐Arai Yoko , Kamikubo Yasuhiko , Adachi Souichi 
Published: July 2021

SummaryDifferentiation therapy is a less toxic but still a very effective treatment for a subset of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cases. With the goal to identify novel compounds that can effectively and safely induce the terminal differentiation of non‐acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) AML cells, we performed a chemical screening and identified albendazole (ABZ), a widely used anti‐helminthic drug, as a promising lead compound that can differentiate non‐APL AML cells by stimulating the Krüppel‐like factor 4‐dihydropyrimidinase‐like 2A (KLF4‐DPYSL2A) differentiation axis to the monocytes. Our in vitro and in vivo findings demonstrate that ABZ is an attractive candidate drug as a novel differentiation chemotherapy for patients with non‐APL AML.
The impact of social networking on labor market participation
Authors: Horváth Gergely , Zhang Rui 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe study the impact of social networks on the workers' labor market participation. We assume that individuals are heterogeneous with respect to the value of home production, which determines who participates in the labor market. Active individuals strategically form social links to obtain job information where the opportunity cost of networking is the value of home production. We find that social networking increases the labor market participation because it raises the probability to find a job. However, the equilibrium level of participation is lower than the socially optimal level. Social networking creates negative externalities, if social policies fix these externalities, the labor market participation rate will increase. Further, we show that when social networking becomes more efficient, the inequality between active individuals increases.
Stock return predictability: Evaluation based on interval forecasts
Authors: Charles Amélie , Darné Olivier , Kim Jae H. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis paper evaluates the predictability of monthly stock return using out‐of‐sample interval forecasts. Past studies exclusively use point forecasts, which are of limited value since they carry no information about intrinsic predictive uncertainty. We compare the empirical performance of alternative interval forecasts for stock return generated from a naïve model, univariate autoregressive model, and multivariate model (predictive regression and VAR), using U.S. data from 1926. It is found that neither univariate nor multivariate interval forecasts outperform naïve forecasts. This strongly suggests that the U.S. stock market has been informationally efficient in the weak form as well as in the semistrong form.
Habitat alteration facilitates the dominance of invasive species through disrupting niche partitioning in floodplain wetlands
Authors: Wang Yuyu , Tan Wenzhuo , Li Bin , Wen Li , Lei Guangchun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimExotic species invasion often leads to declines in local and regional biodiversity, particularly in freshwater ecosystems. This biodiversity loss is generally facilitated by human activities such as land cover change and hydrological alternation. Recent advances in stable isotope analysis (SIA) have been highlighted in many studies addressing fundamental issues in invasion ecology, especially in quantifying competition for resources between native and exotic species. However, how anthropogenic disturbance influences trophic relationships among invasive and native species remains poorly understood.LocationMiddle‐lower Yangtze River Region, China.MethodsTo investigate the effects of human disturbance on interspecific trophic interactions, this study compared isotopic niche space and overlap of the introduced red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and the native oriental river shrimp (Macrobrachium nipponense) and freshwater snail (Bellamya aeruginosa) in natural and modified wetlands.ResultsBased on carbon and nitrogen SIA, we found ubiquitous niche shifts in macroinvertebrates with increased competition, which might lead to significant niche contraction in modified habitats at both community and population scales. Moreover, the isotopic niche width of the exotic crayfish was twice as larger as that of natives at both habitats, suggesting that the exotic P. clarkii had great competitive superiority over the native species. However, the effects of habitat modification on niche overlap were inconsistent. While the niche overlap between crayfish and shrimp was significantly higher in modified habitats than in natural open waters, niche overlap between crayfish and the snail was significantly reduced.Main conclusionsCollectively, our findings highlight that the competitive outcomes of interspecific trophic interactions can be dependent on the prey availability and diversity, which embraces both the classic optimal foraging theory and competition theory to understand how environmental change, such as habitat alternation, affects the biological invasion processes.
Effectiveness of a closed‐loop control system and a virtual educational camp for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A prospective, multicentre, real‐life study
Authors: Cherubini Valentino , Rabbone Ivana , Berioli Maria Giulia , Giorda Sara , Lo Presti Donatella , Maltoni Giulio , Mameli Chiara , Marigliano Marco , Marino Monica , Minuto Nicola , Mozzillo Enza , Piccinno Elvira , Predieri Barbara , Ripoli Carlo , Schiaffini Riccardo , Rigamonti Andrea , Salzano Giuseppina , Tinti Davide , Toni Sonia , Zanfardino Angela , Scaramuzza Andrea E. , Gesuita Rosaria ,   vEC Study Group, Tiberi Valentina , Savastio Silvia , Pigniatiello Ciro , Trada Michela , Zucchini Stefano , Redaelli Francesca Chiara , Maffeis Claudio , Bassi Marta , Rosanio Francesco Maria , Delvecchio Maurizio , Buzzi Patrizia , Ricciardi Maria Rossella , Carducci Chiara , Bonfanti Riccardo , Lombardo Fortunato , Piccini Barbara , Iafusco Dario , Calandretti Michela , Daga Federico Abate 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimTo evaluate the impact of a virtual educational camp (vEC) on glucose control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using a closed‐loop control (CLC) system.Materials and MethodsThis was a prospective multicentre study of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using the Tandem Basal‐IQ system. Insulin pumps were upgraded to Control‐IQ, and children and their parents participated in a 3‐day multidisciplinary vEC. Clinical data, glucose metrics and HbA1c were evaluated over the 12 weeks prior to the Control‐IQ update and over the 12 weeks after the vEC.ResultsForty‐three children and adolescents (aged 7‐16 years) with type 1 diabetes and their families participated in the vEC. The median percentage of time in target range (70‐180 mg/dL; TIR) increased from 64% (interquartile range [IQR] 56%‐73%) with Basal‐IQ to 76% (IQR 71%‐81%) with Control‐IQ (P < .001). After the vEC, more than 75% of participants achieved a TIR of more than 70%. The percentage of time between 180 and 250 mg/dL and above 250 mg/dL decreased by 5% (P < .01) and 6% (P < .01), respectively, while the time between 70 and 54 mg/dL and below 54 mg/dL remained low and unaltered. HbA1c decreased by 0.5% (P < .01). There were no episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycaemia.ConclusionsIn this study of children managing their diabetes in a real‐world setting, more than 75% of children who participated in a vEC after starting a CLC system could obtain and maintain a TIR of more than 70%. The vEC was feasible and resulted in a significant and persistent improvement in TIR in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
Impacts of tillage and nutrient management on soil porosity trends in dryland agriculture
Authors: Mateo‐Marín Noemí , Bosch‐Serra Àngela D. , Molina Maria G. , Poch Rosa M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn dryland Mediterranean semi‐arid areas, the use of slurries and no‐till are encouraged to reduce costs. This paper evaluates the effect of such practices in terms of morphological changes of the topsoil porosity. The experiment had seven fertilization strategies (five of them including pig slurries applied at cereal sowing or at tillering) combined with no‐till or tillage by disc‐harrowing at sowing. Soil was classified as a Typic Xerofluvent. Texture was silt loam. Pores in the apparent pore diameter (APD) intervals higher than >15 μm and at intervals up to 400 μm were studied with a micromorphological approach plus image analysis. Fifty‐four undisturbed and surface soil samples (0.06 m deep) were analysed. Samples were collected in the third year after the establishment of tillage treatments and throughout the cereal growing season: just before tillage, at cereal tillering and at grain maturity. The incorporation of slurry at pre‐sowing (~2 Mg ha−1 of organic matter ha−1) enhanced porosity (>15 μm) by 33% in the cropping season but mainly in the 200–400‐μm class. Similar behaviour was observed in plots without topdressing fertilization, when till was compared with no‐till. Thus, the potential movement of water and nutrients due to bypass flow was increased. When slurries were only applied at cereal tillering, only the tillage treatment increased topsoil porosity at grain maturity in the 15–100‐μm class by 22% and, thus, increased those pores responsible for soil and water storage. Temporary changes in pore shape after tillage can be explained by microstructure collapse and compaction followed by a partial porosity recovery by faunal activity at grain maturity.Highlights
Slurry at pre‐sowing, combined with tillage, increases topsoil coarse pores
Tillage increases mesoporosity at grain maturity regardless of the slurry fertilization strategy
Pore shape changes after tillage are not further visible at grain maturity
No‐till tends to compact silty topsoils, creating platy structures later counteracted by fauna
Insular interictal positron emission tomography hypometabolism in patients with ictal asystole
Authors: Lagarde Stanislas , Singh Rinki , Bartolomei Fabrice , Guedj Eric 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe aimed to explore brain area(s) involved in the generation of ictal asystole (IA) by analyzing the interictal positron emission tomography (PET) metabolism of patients with IA recorded by video‐electroencephalography or video‐stereo‐electroencephalography. We identified in our cohort of focal epilepsy patients who had undergone presurgical evaluation those who had a recorded period of IA of more than 3 s. We investigated the anatomometabolic changes (interictal 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose PET) of these patients in comparison with (1) healthy subjects with similar age and sex distribution (n = 19) using whole‐brain voxel‐based analysis (p‐voxel < .001, p‐cluster < .05, uncorrected) and (2) patients without IA with similar age and seizure onset zone (n = 55). We found 12 patients with IA. Epilepsy was mainly temporal (four right temporal mesial, four bitemporal, two left temporal lateral, one right temporal lateral, and one right temporal “plus”). Seven patients had negative magnetic resonance imaging. Whole‐brain statistical analysis of PET imaging was performed at the voxel level, showing that in comparison to healthy subjects and to epileptic patients without IA, a hypometabolism in the right posterior insula characterized epileptic patients with IA. Our study suggests involvement of the right posterior insula—a part of the central autonomic network—in the pathophysiological mechanism of IA.