bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting the Effects of Ozone on Long‐Term Growth of Aspen Trees Using Response Functions Developed From Seedlings Grown in Field Chambers
Authors: Herrick Jeffrey D. , Kaylor S. Douglas , Dubois Jean‐Jacques B. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTTropospheric ozone (O3) is among the most pervasive and harmful air pollutants known to affect ecosystems. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies are tasked with protecting plants and ecosystems from harmful O3 exposures. Controlled exposure experiments conducted in field open‐top chambers (OTCs) with small tree seedlings have been used to estimate empirical models of tree growth in response to O3 exposure for more than 16 species. While this experimental method makes it possible to obtain detailed exposure‐response data, it remains uncertain whether predictions of empirical models parameterized using those data are sufficiently accurate when applied to trees grown in uncontrolled natural environments for long periods. We used O3 exposure‐response relationships developed from several OTC studies of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) seedlings to predict the growth of the same species in the Aspen FACE “free‐air” O3 exposure experiment in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, over 11 years. We acquired individual tree growth data and hourly O3 exposure from the ambient and elevated O3 plots in the Aspen FACE experiment, computed annual exposure using the same metrics of O3 exposure as were used in the OTC seedling experiments, and generated predictions of growth in the Aspen FACE exposures. A simple empirical model parameterized using the OTC seedling data accurately predicted the percent above‐ground biomass loss due to O3 exposure in the Aspen FACE trees for all 11 years. In the Aspen FACE experiment, the effect of O3 exposure was established in early years and continued to be observed in later years without worsening. Our study suggests that O3 exposure‐response relationships obtained from OTC seedling studies can be used to make inferences about effects on larger trees. These results imply that researchers can use these relationships with confidence when estimating risks of O3 pollution across the United States.
Clinical Applications of Bone Marrow CD34 Immunohistochemistry (BM CD34 IHC) Assay: International Council for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH) Guidelines
Authors: Torlakovic Emina Emilia , Calvo Katherine R. , George Tracy , Hyjek Elizabeth , Lee Szu‐Hee , Porwit Anna , Sabattini Elena , Saft Leonie , Zhou Xiaoge , Tzankov Alexandar 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionInvestigation of bone marrow (BM) trephine biopsies and/or clot sections by CD34 immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing has been used by pathologists for several decades, and its clinical value has been well established with QBEND10 being the most frequently used primary antibody (Ab) clone. However, most other parameters related to the IHC protocol as well as the readout vary widely between clinical laboratories and in the published literature. The ICSH Working Group having reviewed the published evidence has established guidelines that will help to harmonize performance and reporting of CD34 IHC on BM biopsies.MethodsThe methodology is based on the published “guidelines for guidelines” (GRADE, AGREE) with modifications to the specific laboratory medicine environment and to specific key questions. Review of the published literature resulted in 49 articles relevant to clinical applications of the BM CD34 IHC. Five key questions were addressed including testing indications, technical performance, readout methodology, terminology, and reporting.ResultsA total of 23 guidelines were grouped according to the key questions.ConclusionBM CD34 IHC testing is complex with both the protocol and the pathologist's readout requiring validation to ensure reported results are reproducible and accurate. The readout/interpretation must be adapted to a specific purpose of the assay (clinicopathological question) and the type and overall sample quality. Standardized terminology and reporting are essential if CD34 IHC assay is being used for clinical diagnostics.
Efficacy of docetaxel addition to next‐generation androgen receptor‐axis‐targeted therapies and androgen deprivation therapy in metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer: A tumor volume‐specific analysis
Authors: Chen Wei , Yoshida Soichiro , Miura Noriyoshi , Fukuda Shohei , Waseda Yuma , Tanaka Hajime , Fujii Yasuhisa 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundThe effectiveness of docetaxel in addition to next‐generation androgen receptor‐axis‐targeted therapies and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) remains unclear. We evaluated the efficacy of this combination through tumor volume‐specific analysis.MethodsIndividual patient data were reconstructed from seven clinical trials focusing mHSPC (ARASENS, PEACE‐1, TITAN, ENZAMET, ARCHES, STAMPEDE, and LATITUDE) through the Shiny method. Overall survival (OS), radiological progression‐free survival (rPFS), and time to castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) were analyzed in the overall cohort and tumor volume‐specific (high/low) subgroups. Sensitivity analyses were performed based on treatment methods and metastasis onset.ResultsIn 6931 cases, adding docetaxel to ARAT and ADT did not significantly improve OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95–1.22, p = 0.27), rPFS (HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.73–1.05, p = 0.16), or time to CRPC (HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.80–1.18, p = 0.74). High‐volume disease showed a non‐significant trend toward improved OS with the triplet regimen. Low‐volume disease showed a similar trend. Sensitivity analyses for second‐generation androgen receptor inhibitors indicated potentially less advantageous OS with docetaxel addition, but no significant differences when stratified by tumor volume. Analyses of the docetaxel‐naïve, abiraterone, and synchronous metastasis subgroups showed no statistically significant differences in OS compared with the overall population and volume‐stratified cases.ConclusionsPatients with mHSPC did not show significant improvement with docetaxel addition to ARAT‐based regimens, regardless of tumor volume. Further research is needed to identify potential beneficiaries of this combination therapy.
Mechanism of starvation induced autophagy and apoptosis in the midgut of silkworm, Bombyx mori, based on calcium homeostasis
Authors: Cheng Jialu , Qin Xueling , Han Bing , Gu Haoyi , Zou Hongbing , Peng Peiling , Mao Zhongxu , Li Bing 
Published: December 2024

AbstractStarvation can induce autophagy and apoptosis in intestinal cells. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we investigated autophagy and apoptosis in the midgut of the model insect, silkworm (Bombyx mori), focusing on calcium homeostasis. The results indicated that the body weight of silkworms decreased, along with damage to the morphology of their digestive tracts and midguts after starvation treatment. Additionally, mitochondrial swelling, autophagy and apoptosis were observable. Further investigation revealed that starvation upregulated the transcription of Ca2+ release channel‐associated genes (e.g., BmIP3R, BmRyR) but suppressed the expression of Ca2+ efflux genes (BmPMCA), resulting in Ca2+ overload in midgut cells and subsequent upregulation of BmCalpain transcription. In addition, starvation increased the transcription of key autophagy genes (BmATG5, BmATG7, BmATG8) and the expression of the LC3‐II protein. Upon prolonged starvation, the NtATG5 protein levels increased, a process that facilitated the transition from autophagy to apoptosis. These results indicate that Ca2+ overload activates the calpain‐mediated apoptosis pathway and promotes apoptosis of midgut cells. The present study reveals the significant role that Ca2+ plays in the occurrence and transformation of autophagy and apoptosis induced by starvation treatment, thus providing a new research strategy for investigating the damage caused by starvation in biological organisms.
Yield and Forage Quality of the New Forage Perennial Legume Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata cv. Lanza in Response to Rainfall Reduction and Competition
Authors: Fernández‐Habas Jesús , Real Daniel , Vanwalleghem Tom , Leal‐Murillo José Ramón , Fernández‐Rebollo Pilar 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBituminaria bituminosa is a promising drought‐tolerant perennial legume which could reduce the vulnerability of Mediterranean livestock systems to drought. A 3‐year field split‐plot experiment was carried out in southern Spain to test the response of Bituminaria bituminosa cv. Lanza (tedera) to a 24% annual rainfall reduction and competition in terms of yield and forage quality. The experiment included a whole‐plot factor, Rainfall, with two treatments, 24% annual rainfall reduction and no rainfall reduction, and two subplot factors: Species (tedera and alfalfa) and Stand (pure and mixed). In the sowing year, tedera in pure stands was as productive as alfalfa in rainfed conditions (2740 kg ha−1). In the second year, a suitable distribution of rainfall until April and a mild winter allowed production of tedera of 9526 kg ha−1 compared to 1811 kg ha−1 of alfalfa. In the third year, both species had a similar yield of 1843 kg ha−1. Rainfall reduction marginally affected (p < 0.1) the species production. The 24% rainfall reduction had less impact on tedera than management and the contrasting weather over years. In the second year, rainfall reduction caused a decline in the yield of, on average, 36% in alfalfa and 17% in tedera. Contrary to the previous year, in the third year, both species showed a similar increase in yield under reduced rainfall due to a possible protective effect of the rainout shelters in winter. Tedera suffered from frost damage indicating the cold tolerance of cv. Lanza may not be enough to persist in some Mediterranean areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Competition strongly affected both species, leading to failure, especially in tedera, whose establishment may be severely limited by fast‐growing grasses. Tedera showed suitable forage quality, especially in the leaf fraction (CP = 16%). However, uncut tedera developed lignified stems that caused a great decline in forage quality. Rainfall reduction had little or no impact on forage quality.
Melatonin Reduces Mito‐Inflammation in Ischaemic Hippocampal HT22 Cells and Modulates the cGAS–STING Cytosolic DNA Sensing Pathway and FGF21 Release
Authors: Carloni Silvia , Nasoni Maria Gemma , Casabianca Anna , Orlandi Chiara , Capobianco Loredana , Iaconisi Giorgia Natalia , Cerioni Liana , Burattini Sabrina , Benedetti Serena , Reiter Russel J. , Balduini Walter , Luchetti Francesca 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTMitochondrial dysfunction is a key event in many pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative processes. When mitochondria are damaged, they release damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that activate mito‐inflammation. The present study assessed mito‐inflammation after in vitro oxygen–glucose deprivation as a representation of ischaemia, followed by reoxygenation (OGD/R) of HT22 cells and modulation of the inflammatory response by melatonin. We observed that melatonin prevented mitochondrial structural damage and dysfunction caused by OGD/R. Melatonin reduced oxidative damage and preserved the enzymatic activity for complexes I, III and IV, encoded by mitochondrial DNA, which were reduced by OGD/R. No effect was observed on complex II activity encoded by nuclear DNA. The release of mtDNA into the cytosol was also prevented with a consequent reduction of the cGAS–STING pathway and IFNβ and IL‐6 production. Interestingly, melatonin also increased the early release of the fibroblast growth factor‐21 (FGF‐21), a mitokine secreted in response to mitochondrial stress. These data indicate that melatonin reduces mito‐inflammation and modulates FGF‐21 release, further highlighting the key role of this molecule in preserving mitochondrial integrity in OGD/R deprivation‐type ischaemic brain injury.
Causal Effect of Smoking and Cessation on Tooth Loss
Authors: Baumeister Sebastian‐Edgar , Listl Stefan , Holtfreter Birte , Nascimento Gustavo G. , Leite Fabio R. M. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAimTo estimate the causal effects of smoking and cessation on tooth loss using instrumental variable (IV) analysis.Material and MethodsData from the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), conducted from 1995 to 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012 in 50 U.S. states and Washington DC, were merged with cigarette pack prices and smoking ban data from the CDC ‘Tax Burden on Tobacco’ and ‘State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation’ (STATE) System. Prices and bans served as IVs for ever smoking and cessation in a control function IV model for self‐reported edentulism and loss of 6+ teeth. IV models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, type 2 diabetes, state unemployment rates, state health expenditures, and state fixed effects.ResultsEver smoking cigarettes increased the risk of edentulism by 2.6% (95% CI: 2.3%–2.8%) and the risk of loss of 6+ teeth by 10.7% (95% CI: 10.0%–11.3%). Smoking cessation reduced risks of edentulism and loss of 6+ teeth by 7.6% (95% CI: −7.8% to −742%) and 13.5% (95% CI: −13.7% to 13.3%), respectively.ConclusionThis study provides robust evidence that smoking increases tooth loss risk, while cessation significantly reduces it, emphasizing the oral health benefits of tobacco control policies.
Effectiveness for adding or switching from other incretin‐related drugs to oral semaglutide in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Oya Junko , Shimizu Mika , Kubota Ryo , Suda Rika , Nagkagami Tomoko 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAims/IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of oral semaglutide after adding to or switching from incretin‐related drugs by assessing the changes in HbA1c and body weight (BW) in participants with type 2 diabetes in clinical settings.Materials and MethodsA total of 368 participants were divided into groups according to antidiabetic medications before oral semaglutide treatment; incretin‐related drug‐naïve (naïve), switching from dipeptidyl peptide‐4 inhibitors (DPP‐4i) or glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1 RA) groups. Adjusted mean changes in HbA1c and BW at 6 months after oral semaglutide administration were compared among the three groups. Similar analyses were performed in the GLP‐1 RAs group between GLP‐1RAs before switching.ResultsMean change of HbA1c in DPP‐4i and GLP‐1 RA groups was −0.67% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.79 to −0.54) and −0.13% (95% CI: −0.40 to 0.15), respectively, which were significantly smaller than incretin‐related drug‐naïve group; −0.85% (95% CI: −1.08 to −0.62). Mean change in BW between the naïve and DPP‐4i groups had no differences; however, these changes were lower in the GLP‐1 RA group than in the naïve group. Mean change in HbA1c between pretreatment with GLP‐1 RAs had no differences; however, the mean change in BW in the dulaglutide group was significantly higher than that in the injectable semaglutide group.ConclusionOral semaglutide reduced HbA1c levels and BW after adding or switching from other incretin‐related drugs in Japanese participants with type 2 diabetes.
An Exploratory Study Using Innovative Graphical Network Analysis to Model Eye Movements in Spatial Reasoning Problem Solving
Authors: Man Kaiwen , Lakin Joni M. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractEye‐tracking procedures generate copious process data that could be valuable in establishing the response processes component of modern validity theory. However, there is a lack of tools for assessing and visualizing response processes using process data such as eye‐tracking fixation sequences, especially those suitable for young children. This study, which explored student responses to a spatial reasoning task, employed eye tracking and social network analysis to model, examine, and visualize students' visual transition patterns while solving spatial problems to begin to elucidate these processes. Fifty students in Grades 2–8 completed a spatial reasoning task as eye movements were recorded. Areas of interest (AoIs) were defined within the task for each spatial reasoning question. Transition networks between AoIs were constructed and analyzed using selected network measures. Results revealed shared transition sequences across students as well as strategic differences between high and low performers. High performers demonstrated more integrated transitions between AoIs, while low performers considered information more in isolation. Additionally, age and the interaction of age and performance did not significantly impact these measures. The study demonstrates a novel modeling approach for investigating visual processing and provides initial evidence that high‐performing students more deeply engage with visual information in solving these types of questions.
The simple morphology of the sunfish heart
Authors: Jensen Bjarke , Lauridsen Henrik 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe evolutionary conservation of the building plan of the heart suggests this organ is under substantial form–function constraints. Its form varies to such a degree, however, that it questions whether we understand the form–function relations of the heart. A previously published image of the heart of the sunfish (Mola mola, Tetraodontiformes) indicates the presence of an exceptionally simple topology of the chambers. Here, we describe the gross morphology of the sunfish heart (N = 7) because, we assess, this expands the known spectrum of cardiac form that is compatible with function. The usual teleost piscine compartments were present, guarded by valved junctions: sinus venosus, atrium, ventricle, and bulbus arteriosus. Especially, the ventricle was much displaced ventrally and the atrium was dorso‐ventrally elongate. The ventricular central cavity exhibited a simple 90‐degree curve, or a‐quarter circle, and opened into an almost vertical bulbus arteriosus. Overall, the normal piscine S‐topology of the cardiac chambers (when seen from the left) appeared distorted to a simpler J‐shape. When compared to other fish, including a tetraodontiform boxfish, these highly unusual characters appeared to have evolved recently. The distantly related spotted tinselfish (Xenolepidichthys dalgleishi) resembles sunfish in shape, its heart is almost J‐shaped, but the ventricle was sac‐like and typically piscine. Surprisingly, the ventricular wall had a comparatively high proportion of compact myocardium, approximately 34%. The relative mass of the sunfish heart was typically piscine, approximately 0.08% of body mass. In conclusion, the sunfish heart may be the least curved cardiac structure described for any fully formed vertebrate.
Bank Funding Risk, Reference Rates, and Credit Supply
Authors: COOPERMAN HARRY , DUFFIE DARRELL , LUCK STEPHAN , WANG ZACHRY , YANG YILIN (DAVID) 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTCorporate credit lines are drawn more heavily when funding markets are stressed. This elevates expected bank funding costs. We show that credit supply is dampened by the associated debt‐overhang cost to bank shareholders. Until 2022, this impact was reduced by linking the interest paid on lines to a credit‐sensitive reference rate like the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR). We show that transition to risk‐free reference rates may exacerbate this friction. The adverse impact on credit supply is offset if drawdowns are expected to be deposited at the same bank, which happened at some of the largest banks during the global financial crisis and COVID recession.
Hepatitis B Care and Treatment in Zanzibar, Tanzania: A Demonstration Project Following 2015 WHO Treatment Guidelines, 2017–2021
Authors: Said Sanaa S. , Shadaker Shaun , McMahon Brian J. , Armstrong Paige A. , Beckett Geoff A. , Kamili Saleem , Harris Aaron M. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTZanzibar, a low‐resource semiautonomous region of Tanzania, has an estimated prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections of 3.6%. To assess the feasibility of care and treatment, a 5‐year hepatitis B demonstration project was implemented in Zanzibar during January 2017–December 2021, following the 2015 WHO HBV care and treatment guidelines. Participants included adults (aged ≥ 18 years) who tested positive for HBV surface antigen and tested negative for HIV and hepatitis C antibody. Participants were examined for clinical signs of liver disease and testing was conducted at baseline to assess treatment eligibility and every 6–12 months thereafter. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) was provided at no cost to treatment‐eligible participants. Clinical and laboratory data were analysed to assess improvement in proximal disease outcomes. Among 596 participants enrolled, the median age was 32 years (IQR 26–39) and 365 (61%) were male. Of those enrolled, 268 (45%) returned for ≥ 1 follow‐up visit, with a median of 511 days of follow‐up. Overall, 58 patients initiated treatment: 15 met treatment criteria based on liver cirrhosis alone; 13 by APRI > 1.5; among those with HBV DNA results, six met criteria based on HBV DNA levels and ALT activity; 24 met ≥ 2 criteria. Significant decreases in ALT activities, APRI scores and HBV DNA levels were observed among those treated. This hepatitis B care and treatment programme was demonstrated to be feasible in a low‐resource setting. Despite challenges, testing and linkage to care is critical to decrease the global burden of hepatitis B.