bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the effects on pruritus by novel treatments for atopic dermatitis
Authors: Bonnekoh Hanna , Butze Monique , Metz Martin 
Published: December 2021

SummaryChronic pruritus is a common and debilitating symptom in patients with atopic dermatitis and contributes to impairment of quality of life. Effective treatment of pruritus should therefore be one of the main treatment goals in patients with atopic dermatitis. Pathophysiologically, the histamine‐independent pruritogens interleukin‐31, interleukin‐13, and interleukin‐4, have been shown to play a major role in atopic dermatitis. All three cytokines can mediate chronic pruritus via Janus kinase 1/2 signaling pathways. Novel drugs target these pathways and have shown rapid and sustained reduction of pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis in clinical use and in phase II and III clinical trials. Here we summarize the published data on the effects of these drugs on itch parameters such as overall reduction in pruritus intensity and percent of patients with atopic dermatitis achieving a relevant reduction in itch. Each of the novel drugs shows very good effects on pruritus. These data offer hope for an even better and possibly more specific treatment of pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis in the future. In addition, the different pharmacological approaches give us the chance to learn more about the pathophysiology of pruritus in atopic dermatitis.
A mosaic of induced and non‐induced branches promotes variation in leaf traits, predation and insect herbivore assemblages in canopy trees
Authors: Volf Martin , Volfová Tereza , Seifert Carlo L. , Ludwig Antonia , Engelmann Rolf A. , Jorge Leonardo Ré , Richter Ronny , Schedl Andreas , Weinhold Alexander , Wirth Christian , van Dam Nicole M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractForest canopies are complex and highly diverse environments. Their diversity is affected by pronounced gradients in abiotic and biotic conditions, including variation in leaf chemistry. We hypothesised that branch‐localised defence induction and vertical stratification in mature oaks constitute sources of chemical variation that extend across trophic levels. To test this, we combined manipulation of plant defences, predation monitoring, food‐choice trials with herbivores and sampling of herbivore assemblages. Both induction and vertical stratification affected branch chemistry, but the effect of induction was stronger. Induction increased predation in the canopy and reduced herbivory in bioassays. The effects of increased predation affected herbivore assemblages by decreasing their abundance, and indirectly, their richness. In turn, we show that there are multiple factors contributing to variation across canopies. Branch‐localised induction, variation between tree individuals and predation may be the ones with particularly strong effects on diverse assemblages of insects in temperate forests.
Recreational fishers contribute to path formation in subalpine vegetation
Authors: Adedokun Busola Christianah , Kirkpatrick James Barrie , McHenry Melinda Therese 
Published: December 2021

SummaryThe role of recreational fishers forming paths (routes of concentrated passage characterised by short vegetation or ground indentation) as they gain access to wilderness waterbodies has not been well documented in Australia. Recreational use for trout and tournament fly fishing has increased in the Central Plateau of Tasmania; therefore, it is important to determine the human contribution to path formation and its potential consequences for biodiversity conservation in this area of high conservation value. We predicted that paths parallel to waterbodies experienced more human traffic than orthogonal paths. Across 36 sites at different distances from roads, a parallel and orthogonal path to lakeshore were sampled using eight, 1 × 1 m quadrats randomly located along each path within a 10 × 10‐m plot. Recorded for each quadrat were the path widths, height difference between centre of paths and adjacent vegetation (path depth), vegetation types on and adjacent to paths, Bennetts Wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus) and Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) faecal numbers. General linear models indicated that path width was greater on parallel than orthogonal paths and declined with distance from roads. Path depth, however, was not affected by distance from roads but was shallower than orthogonal paths. Separate models used to test the potential effects of edge vegetation type, or the covariates Wallaby and Wombat scats did not have significant effects on‐path variables. Paths encircling or orthogonal to Central Plateau lakes appear different floristically to adjacent vegetation communities, nonetheless. Heath and tussock grassland were largely absent from paths, whereas grassland and herbfield communities were infrequently observed off paths. Herbfield and grassland are rarer communities than heath and tussock grassland, which, in the context of a lack of exposure to erosion, suggests a conservation benefit of paths at present usage levels. The human contribution to parallel path conditions is likely to be high, given the results from the study, so monitoring of change is desirable, especially if predicted increasing human activity eventuates in this area.
Atrial fibrillatory rate as predictor of recurrence of atrial fibrillation in horses treated medically or with electrical cardioversion
Authors: Buhl Rikke , Hesselkilde Eva M. , Carstensen Helena , Hopster‐Iversen Charlotte , van Loon Gunther , Decloedt Annelies , Van Steenkiste Glenn , Marr Celia M. , Reef Virginia B. , Schwarzwald Colin C. , Mitchell Katharyn J. , Nostell Katarina , Nogradi Nora , Nielsen Søren S. , Carlson Jonas , Platonov Pyotr G. 
Published: December 2021

SummaryBackgroundThe recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses after cardioversion to sinus rhythm (SR) is relatively high. Atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) derived from surface ECG is considered a biomarker for electrical remodelling and could potentially be used for the prediction of successful AF cardioversion and AF recurrence.ObjectivesEvaluate if AFR was associated with successful treatment and could predict AF recurrence in horses.Study designRetrospective multicentre study.MethodsElectrocardiograms (ECG) from horses with persistent AF admitted for cardioversion with either medical treatment (quinidine) or transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) were included. Bipolar surface ECG recordings were analysed by spatiotemporal cancellation of QRST complexes and calculation of AFR from the remaining atrial signal. Kaplan‐Meier survival curve and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between AFR and the risk of AF recurrence.ResultsOf the 195 horses included, 74 received quinidine treatment and 121 were treated with TVEC. Ten horses did not cardiovert to SR after quinidine treatment and AFR was higher in these, compared with the horses that successfully cardioverted to SR (median [interquartile range]), (383 [367‐422] vs 351 [332‐389] fibrillations per minute (fpm), P < .01). Within the first 180 days following AF cardioversion, 12% of the quinidine and 34% of TVEC horses had AF recurrence. For the horses successfully cardioverted with TVEC, AFR above 380 fpm was significantly associated with AF recurrence (hazard ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2‐4.8, P = .01).Main limitationsThe treatment groups were different and not randomly allocated, therefore the two treatments cannot be compared. Medical records and the follow‐up strategy varied between the centres.ConclusionsHigh AFR is associated with failure of quinidine cardioversion and AF recurrence after successful TVEC. As a noninvasive marker that can be retrieved from surface ECG, AFR can be clinically useful in predicting the probability of responding to quinidine treatment as well as maintaining SR after electrical cardioversion.
Expert system for detection of congestive heart failure using optimal wavelet and heart rate variability signals for wireless cloud‐based environment
Authors: Sharma Manish , Patel Sohamkumar , Acharya U. Rajendra 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCongestive heart failure (CHF) is a cardiac disorder caused due to inefficient pumping of the heart, which leads to insufficient blood flow to the various parts of the body. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is widely used for the detection of heart diseases. However, it is prone to noise resulting in the detection of P, Q, R, S, and T waves ambiguous and erroneous. The heart rate variability (HRV) is considered to be a good indicator of various cardiac abnormalities. Hence, HRV is preferred. HRV can depict the magnitude of pumping of the heart in the RR interval signals accurately. This work proposes a method to automatically identify CHF using two‐band stopband energy (SBE) optimized orthogonal wavelet filter bank with HRV signals. In the proposed method, we have segmented the HRV data into lengths of 500 and 2000 samples. The HRV signals are decomposed into six sub‐bands, and the wavelet coefficients obtained are used for the extraction of fuzzy entropy (FE) and log energy (LE) features. The extracted features are utilized to classify HRV signals into control and CHF‐affected patients using support vector machine (SVM), bagged tree, complex tree, k‐nearest neighbour (KNN), and linear discriminant classifiers. The SVM performed better than other classifiers yielding the classification accuracy and maximum classification accuracy of 99.30% with (2000 samples) using cubic SVM (CSVM). The 10‐fold cross‐validation method is employed during classification to reduce the over‐fitting phenomenon (Sharma, Dhiman, & Acharya, 2021). It appears that the proposed optimal wavelet‐based automated system can identify CHF accurately using HRV signals. Hence, the model may be applied in clinical usage during an emergency employing a cloud‐based wireless system after testing the developed model with more data.
Clinical pharmacology: Current innovations and future challenges
Authors: Cracowski Jean‐Luc , Hulot Jean‐Sébastien , Laporte Silvy , Charvériat Mathieu , Roustit Matthieu , Deplanque Dominique , Girodet Pierre‐Olivier ,   the French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (SFPT)
Published: December 2021

AbstractClinical pharmacology is the study of drugs in humans, from first‐in‐human studies to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and benefit–risk ratio assessment in large populations. The objective of this review is to present the recent innovations that may revolutionize the development of drugs in the future. On behalf of the French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, we provide recommendations to address those future challenges in clinical pharmacology. Whatever the future will be, robust preliminary data on drug mechanism of action and rigorous study design will remain crucial prior to the start of pharmacological studies in human. At the present time, RCTs remain the gold standard to evaluate the efficacy of human drugs, although alternative designs (pragmatic trials, platform trials, etc.) are emerging. Innovations in healthy volunteers' studies and the contribution of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and internet‐based trials have the potential to improve drug development. In the field of precision medicine, new disease phenotypes and endotypes will probably help to identify new pharmacological targets, responders to therapies, and patients at risk for drug adverse events. In such a moving landscape, the development of translational research through academic and private partnership, transparent sharing of clinical trial data and enhanced interactions between drug experts, patients, and the general public are priority areas for action.
Do mobile consumers homogenize the distribution of resources in stream food webs? A test with overlapping fish and mussel aggregations
Authors: Vaughn Caryn C. , Parr Thomas B. , DuBose Traci P. , Gates Kiza K. , Hopper Garrett W. , Gido Keith B. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

In streams, unionoid mussels and fish form aggregations that exert bottom‐up and top‐down effects on food webs, but the magnitude and spatial extent of their effects are controlled by species traits. Sedentary mussels live burrowed in the sediment in patchily distributed dense aggregations (mussel beds) where they filter seston and provide a local, relatively constant nutrient subsidy. In contrast, fish move on and off mussel beds, and thus comprise a transient nutrient subsidy.

We asked how overlap between fish and mussels influences nutrient recycling and resource distribution in streams. We conducted an 8‐week study in experimental streams where we created mussel beds (comprised of two species, Actinonaias ligamentina and Amblema plicata), manipulated the occurrence of a grazing minnow (Campostoma anomalum), and tracked nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) and resource (algae, detritus, and chironomids) abundance up and downstream of the mussel beds.

In general, neither consumer had strong effects on the concentration or spatial distribution of nutrients. Water turnover time in our experimental streams may have diluted fish and mussel nutrient excretion effects, making it difficult to detect spatial patterns during a given sampling period.

Fish controlled the abundance and productivity of algae. In treatments without fish, large mats of filamentous algae formed early in the experiment. These algae senesced, decomposed, and were not replaced. When fish were present, algae consisted of attached biofilms with consistent biomass and spatial distribution over time.

Although previous work has shown that mussels can have strong, seasonal bottom‐up effects on both primary and secondary production, our results suggested that adding grazing mobile fishes, led to a more consistent and homogenous supply of algal resources. Because mussels rarely occur in the absence of fish, considering their combined influence on ecosystem dynamics is likely to be important.
Effects of air pollution on regional innovation and the mediator role of health: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhu Fubiao , Zhuang Delin , Jin Shengwu , Gao Lingling , Chen Rui 
Published: December 2021

AbstractEnvironmental regulation has attracted a great deal of attention between air pollution and innovation, but rarely individual perspective. This study attempts to reveal the impact of air pollution on regional innovation through individual health. The methodology applies dynamic panel model and system GMM estimation dealing with endogeneity issue and using China’s provincial panel data from 1998 to 2018. Empirical analysis shows that air pollution has significant negative effects on regional innovation. With every 1% increase in PM2.5concentration, patent applications decrease by 0.186%. Correction and replacement of the dependent variable, classifying samples, and using subsamples all show that the results are robust. Parallel multiple mediator model is adopted to analyze the influence mechanism. It can be found that the physical and mental health of R&D personnel plays a significant mediator role. It can be constructive to regional innovation to reduce air pollution while maintaining innovation capital investment; and improve R&D personnel health while reducing their work pressure.
Characterization of photoproducts and global ecotoxicity of chlorphenesin: A preservative used in skin care products
Authors: Ben Ouaghrem Manel , de Vaugelade Segolene , Bourcier Sophie , Genty Christophe , Pirnay Stephane , Bouchonnet Stephane 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPhotolysis experiments of chlorphenesin, used as a preservative in cosmetic products, were performed in aqueous solution and on a cream used in cosmetics. Three by‐products resulting from the direct UV‐visible photodegradation of chlorphenesin were characterized by chromatography (gas and liquid) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS and LC‐HR MS/MS) and found in both solutions. In vitro tests on Vibrio fischeri bacteria showed that the overall ecotoxicity of chlorphenesin increased with increasing irradiation time in both samples. In silico QSAR (Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship) tests were performed using T.E.S.T. (Toxicity Estimation Software Tool). Among the degradation compounds identified, 4‐chlorophenol must contribute to the increased ecotoxicity of the photolyzed solution since the in silico LC50 estimated for all tests performed are always lower than those obtained for chlorphenesin.
Immune and inflammation‐related gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to tuberculosis in Southern Xinjiang population: A case‐control analysis
Authors: Chen Yahao , Zeng Yanhua , Wang Jialu , Meng Cunren 
Published: December 2021

AbstractGenetic and immune factors play an important role in tuberculosis. Under different ethnicities and genetic backgrounds, different immune and inflammation‐related gene polymorphisms may confer different susceptibility to tuberculosis. This study investigated the relationship between immune and inflammation‐related gene polymorphism and susceptibility to tuberculosis in Xinjiang Uyghur population, China. In this case‐control study, we enrolled 507 pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 454 healthy controls from Southern Xinjiang. single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed. The 12 SNPs of nine immune and inflammation‐related genes (including TNF rs361525, IL6 rs2066992 and rs1524107, IL17A rs3748067, IL17F rs763780, VDR rs731236, rs2228570 and rs1544410, IFNGR1 rs1327474, P2RX7 rs3751143, CTAGE1 rs4331426 and Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) rs4986790) and their relationship with tuberculosis were evaluated. The T allele and TT genotype of IL‐6 rs2066992 and rs1524107 increased the risk of active tuberculosis. The C allele of IFNGR1 rs1327474 was related to the reduced risk of tuberculosis in the Xinjiang Uyghur population. The G allele and AG/GG genotypes of TLR4 rs4986790 were associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis (p < .05). Furthermore, haplotype analysis found that the haplotype TT of interleukin (IL)‐6 was a risk factor, whereas the CG type was a protective factor for active tuberculosis in the Xinjiang Uyghur population. There were three immune and inflammation‐related genes (IL‐6, IFNGR1 and TLR4) and a total of four SNPs (rs2066992, rs1524107, rs1327474 and rs4986790) related to the susceptibility of the Uyghur population to tuberculosis. Our findings may provide evidence for further understanding the mechanism of tuberculosis susceptibility in the Xinjiang Uyghur population.
A new path to training transfer: Transformational trainers and psychologically empowered training participants
Authors: Creon Laura Elisabeth , Schermuly Carsten Christoph 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSuccessful training transfer is necessary for employees to adapt to this fast‐changing working world. In this study, we investigate whether transformational trainer behaviour can inspire training participants to change their self‐concept during training and whether this is related to increased training transfer. Following the self‐concept based theory, we examine the relationship between transformational trainer behaviour and training transfer, mediated by psychological empowerment. Moreover, we test a cross‐level interaction such that the indirect effect varies based on the number of participants per training group. We conducted a two‐wave study with 373 training participants in 58 training groups. Multilevel moderated mediation analysis showed that the training participants’ psychological empowerment mediated the positive relationship between transformational trainer behaviour and training transfer two months later. However, this indirect effect was not moderated by the number of participants per group. These results add to the discourse on the importance of trainers for training transfer and offer a new perspective on training as changing the participants’ self‐concept.
New‐onset autoimmune phenomena post‐COVID‐19 vaccination
Authors: Chen Yue , Xu Zhiwei , Wang Peng , Li Xiao‐Mei , Shuai Zong‐Wen , Ye Dong‐Qing , Pan Hai‐Feng 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has led to an unprecedented setback for global economy and health. Vaccination is one of the most effective interventions to substantially reduce severe disease and death due to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Vaccination programmes are being rolled out globally, but most of these vaccines have been approved without extensive studies on their side‐effects and efficacy. Recently, new‐onset autoimmune phenomena after COVID‐19 vaccination have been reported increasingly (e.g. immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia, autoimmune liver diseases, Guillain–Barré syndrome, IgA nephropathy, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus). Molecular mimicry, the production of particular autoantibodies and the role of certain vaccine adjuvants seem to be substantial contributors to autoimmune phenomena. However, whether the association between COVID‐19 vaccine and autoimmune manifestations is coincidental or causal remains to be elucidated. Here, we summarize the emerging evidence about autoimmune manifestations occurring in response to certain COVID‐19 vaccines. Although information pertaining to the risk of autoimmune disease as a consequence of vaccination is controversial, we merely propose our current understanding of autoimmune manifestations associated with COVID‐19 vaccine. In fact, we do not aim to disavow the overwhelming benefits of mass COVID‐19 vaccination in preventing COVID‐19 morbidity and mortality. These reports could help guide clinical assessment and management of autoimmune manifestations after COVID‐19 vaccination.
The antimicrobial efficacy of plasma-activated water against Listeria and E. coli is modulated by reactor design and water composition
Authors: Rothwell Joanna G. , Alam David , Carter Dee A. , Soltani Behdad , McConchie Robyn , Zhou Renwu , Cullen Patrick J. , Mai-Prochnow Anne 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Aims
This study aimed to compare the efficacy of plasma-activated water (PAW) generated by two novel plasma reactors against pathogenic foodborne illness organisms.

Methods and results
The antimicrobial efficacy of PAW produced by a bubble spark discharge (BSD) reactor and a dielectric barrier discharge-diffuser (DBDD) reactor operating at atmospheric conditions with air, multiple discharge frequencies and Milli-Q and tap water, was investigated with model organisms Listeria innocua and Escherichia coli in situ. Optimal conditions were subsequently employed for pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli and Salmonella enterica. DBDD-PAW reduced more than 6-log of bacteria within 1 min. The BSD-PAW, while attaining high log reduction, was less effective. Analysis of physicochemical properties revealed that BSD-PAW had a greater variety of reactive species than DBDD-PAW. Scavenger assays designed to specifically sequester reactive species demonstrated a critical role of superoxide, particularly in DBDD-PAW.

Conclusions
DBDD-PAW demonstrated rapid antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, with superoxide the critical reactive species.

Significance and impact of study
This study demonstrates the potential of DBDD-PAW produced using tap water and air as a feasible and cost-effective option for antimicrobial applications, including food safety.