bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Case‐based survey: The impact of breast‐cancer treatment on fertility in Japan
Authors: Yamazaki Rena , Ono Masanori , Sugie Tomoharu , Inokuchi Masafumi , Ishikawa Satoko , Horage Yuki , Kojima Yasuyuki , Iwasa Takeshi , Hara Tetsuaki , Nagata Yumi , Kato Keiichi , Michikura Yasuhito , Kuramoto Takeshi , Uchida Soko , Horie Akihito , Fujiwara Hiroshi , Matsuzaki Toshiya 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimTo assess the impact of breast‐cancer treatment on fertility.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, case‐based survey of treatments administered for infertility and pregnancy outcomes after patients underwent treatment for breast cancer. Surveys were distributed to breast oncology facilities and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) facilities.ResultsAs high as 60% of the pregnancies in women under the age of 35 years occurred spontaneously. Additionally, the fertility rates decreased as age increased (under 35 years of age: 40%, 35–39 years of age: 21%, 40–44 years of age: 10%, respectively). In women who became pregnant after treatment for breast cancer, conception was achieved within 1 to 3 years after beginning to try for pregnancy.ConclusionsAfter treatment for breast cancer, women can expect spontaneous pregnancy, especially if they are under 35 years of age. It is important for patients 35 years of age and older to commence assisted reproductive technology in a timely manner when pursuing fertility after treatment for breast cancer.
The PYR‐PP2C‐CKL2 module regulates ABA‐mediated actin reorganization during stomatal closure
Authors: Shi Yue , Liu Xiangning , Zhao Shuangshuang , Guo Yan 
Published: December 2021

Summary

Limiting water loss by reducing transpiration helps plants survive when water is limited. Under drought stress, abscisic acid (ABA)‐mediated gene expression and anion channel activation regulate stomatal closure and stress responses. ABA‐induced actin reorganization also affects stomatal closure, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.

In this study, we discovered that under nonstress conditions, the clade A PP2C phosphatases, such as ABI1 and ABI2, interact with CKL2 and inhibit its kinase activity in Arabidopsis. Under drought stress, CKL2 kinase activity was released through the formation of a complex containing ABA, PP2C and a PYR1/PYL/RCAR family (PYL) receptor.

The activated CKL2 regulating actin reorganization is another important process to maintain stomatal closure besides ABA‐activated SnRK2 signaling. Moreover, CKL2 phosphorylated PYR1‐LIKE 1, ABI1 and ABI2 at amino acid residues conserved among PYLs and PP2Cs, and stabilized ABI1 protein.

Our results reveal that ABA signaling regulates actin reorganization to maintain stomatal closure during drought stress, and the feedback regulation of PYL1, ABI1 and ABI2 by the CKL2 kinase might fine‐tune ABA signaling and affect plant ABA responses.
Adjunctive berberine reduces antipsychotic‐associated weight gain and metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chan MeiYan , Qin Zongshi , Man Sui‐Cheung , Lam Ming , Lai Wing Him , Ng Roger Man Kin , Lee Che Kin , Wong Tak Luen , Lee Edwin Ho Ming , Wong Hei Kiu , Feng Yibin , Liu Lanying , Han Feng , Chen Eric Yu Hai , Zhang Zhang‐Jin 
Published: December 2021

AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of berberine as an adjuvant in treating antipsychotic‐associated weight gain and metabolic syndrome.MethodsOne hundred thirteen participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who had developed metabolic syndrome were recruited. They were randomly assigned to berberine (600 mg/d, n = 58) or placebo (n = 55) groups for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to week 12 in net weight. Secondary outcomes included body mass index, waist circumference, serum glucose and lipid profiles, and the severity of psychotic symptoms.ResultsCompared with the placebo group, the berberine group showed a significantly greater reduction in weight gain at 9 weeks (mean difference [MD], −0.75; 95% CI, −1.42 to −0.07 [P = 0.031, d = 0.41]) and 12 weeks (MD, –1.08; 95% CI, −1.76 to −0.40 [P = 0.002, d = 0.59]). Patients who received berberine also showed statistically significant improvements in end point in body mass index (MD, –0.41; 95% CI, −0.65 to −0.17 [P = 0.001, d = 0.64]), total cholesterol (MD, –0.58; 95% CI, −0.74 to −0.41 [P < 0.001, d = 1.31]), low‐density lipoprotein (MD, –0.52; 95% CI, −0.68 to −0.35 [P < 0.001, d = 1.19]), and glycated hemoglobin (MD, –0.09; 95% CI, −0.18 to 0 [P = 0.05, d = 0.37]). Berberine was well tolerated without serious adverse events and aggravation of psychotic symptoms compared with placebo.ConclusionThe findings suggest that berberine is effective in attenuating antipsychotic‐associated weight gain and metabolic syndrome.
Non‐lethal rodent malarial infection prevents collagen‐induced arthritis in mice via anti‐arthritic immunomodulation
Authors: Gaballah Eman M. , Morita Kentaro , Shimizu Shoichi , Elhenawy Abeer A. , Nabih Nairmen , Elsawey Aliaa M. , Abdel‐Mageed Salama A. , Osada Yoshio 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimsImmunomodulatory effects of parasitic infections on the outcomes of allergic or autoimmune disorders have been addressed in many experimental studies. We examined the effects of Plasmodium yoelii 17X NL (Py) infection on collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA).Methods and ResultsMale DBA/1J mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen (IIC). Py inoculation was induced at three different time points (1, 4 weeks after or 4 weeks before the immunization). Only the inoculation at 4 weeks after IIC immunization significantly inhibited arthritis development. Non‐malarial anaemia induced by phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (PHZ) did not affect arthritis development. In the infected mice, anti‐IIC IgG levels were transiently reduced. In addition, splenic production of pro‐arthritic cytokines (IL‐17 and TNF‐α) and IFN‐γ decreased, whereas IL‐10 production increased. Flow cytometric analysis clarified that the main IL‐10 producers in Py‐infected mice had the CD4+CD25–Foxp3– phenotype, presumably Tr1 cells.ConclusionWe demonstrated that experimental malarial infection alleviated autoimmune arthritis via immunomodulation, suggesting the importance of malaria in the hygiene hypothesis and the significance of searching for therapeutic immunomodulatory molecules from malarial parasites.
Nutrient retention efficiencies in integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture
Authors: Nederlof Marit A. J. , Verdegem Marc C. J. , Smaal Aad C. , Jansen Henrice M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractOne of the bottlenecks for commercial implementation of integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is the difficulty in quantifying its environmental performance. We reviewed a large body of literature to determine the variability in nutrient dynamics within different IMTA systems (open sea‐cages, land‐based flow‐through and recirculating aquaculture systems), with the aim to provide a generic framework to quantify nutrient retention efficiencies in integrated aquaculture systems. Based on the eco‐physiological requirements of the cultured species, as well as the response of “extractive” species to waste from “fed” species, the maximum retention efficiency was defined for a conceptual four‐species marine IMTA system (fish–seaweed–bivalve–deposit feeder). This demonstrated that 79%–94% of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon supplied with fish feed could theoretically be retained. In practice, however, various biological and environmental factors may limit retention efficiencies and thereby influence the bioremediation of IMTA systems. These biological (waste production, stoichiometry in nutrient requirements) and environmental (temporal and spatial connectivity) factors were therefore evaluated against the theoretical reference frame and showed that efficiencies of 45%–75% for closed systems and 40%–50% for open systems are more realistic. This study is thereby the first to provide quantitative estimates for nutrient retention across IMTA systems, demonstrating that a substantial fraction of nutrients released from fish culture units can be retained by extractive species and subsequently harvested. Furthermore, by adapting this framework to the design and the condition prevailing for a specific IMTA system, it becomes a generic tool to analyse the system's bioremediation potential and explore options for further improvement.
Immigration and social assistance: Evidence from the Norwegian welfare state
Authors: Smedsvik Bård , Iacono Roberto , D'Agostino Antonella 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn Norway, immigrants receive higher levels of social assistance than natives. How can we explain this difference? After controlling for differences in take‐up rates through a two‐step Heckman procedure, we attempt to answer this question by exploiting rich data from administrative registers. We operationalise social assistance in the Norwegian context by employing a composite variable that includes: (a) financial assistance, (b) housing allowance and (c) qualification benefit. We quantitatively analyze the difference in benefit levels of social assistance between the first and second generations of immigrants and the benchmark levels of the non‐immigrant population through a Kitagawa‐Oaxaca‐Blinder (KOB) decomposition exercise. The results of the analysis indicate that a significant portion of the gap in benefit reception between immigrant groups and natives is due to observable characteristics (42% for immigrants and 69% for their descendants), with unobservable cultural and behavioural factors explaining the remaining portion of the gap.
The impact of co‐teaching on the professional practices of veteran, novice, and potential science and mathematics teachers
Authors: Sebald Ann M. , Howe John , Balgopal Meena M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA university‐school district partnership program designed to increase recruitment and retention of science and mathematics teachers in schools identified as low performing by the school district, paired potential or novice teachers with veteran teachers in elementary or secondary schools. All participants received mentoring to build instructional practice in science and mathematics, enhance their science and mathematics skills, and increase the achievement of students in key areas of mathematics and science through co‐teaching practices. Pairs of veteran and novice/potential teachers co‐taught for a semester. All participants were interviewed during and after the co‐teaching experiences. We found that: (1) all participants perceived that shared collaborative practices were professionally important; (2) co‐teaching for both potential and novice teachers made them feel valued as educators; (3) both potential and novice teachers described plans to pursue or remain in teaching; and (4) veteran teachers described their perception of an expanded professional role as teacher recruiters. These findings have implications for the intervention of co‐teaching as a means to address teacher shortages, particularly in science and mathematics.
Environmentally sustainable practices in global health research and higher education institutions: Lessons from consultation with the TropEd Global Health institutions
Authors: Whitfield Kate , Cretu Alexandru , Bousema Teun , Cohen Justin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo examine how global health institutions are reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations and analyse the facilitators and barriers to achieving decarbonisation goals.MethodsWe reviewed the sustainability goals and implementation plans of 10 global health universities from the ʻTropEdʼ network. We systematically collected information from institutional websites and annual reports. Through online interviews, 11 key informants validated the information from 9 of the institutions and shared their opinions regarding what factors are helping their institutions decarbonise and what factors are hindering progress.Results4/10 institutions sampled have a sustainability strategy and implementation plan, only 3/10 have specific decarbonisation goals, and 3/10 are reporting on progress. 5/10 institutions reported that they are in the process of determining emission reduction targets.ConclusionThis paper identifies common success factors that facilitate decarbonisation as well as common challenges and how they are being tackled, and makes recommendations on sustainability efforts in academic institutions.
Evolution of chlorophyll degradation is associated with plant transition to land
Authors: Schumacher Isabel , Menghini Damian , Ovinnikov Serguei , Hauenstein Mareike , Fankhauser Niklaus , Zipfel Cyril , Hörtensteiner Stefan , Aubry Sylvain 
Published: December 2021

SUMMARYColonization of land by green plants (Viridiplantae) some 500 million years ago was made possible by large metabolic and biochemical adaptations. Chlorophyll, the central pigment of photosynthesis, is highly photo‐active. In order to mitigate deleterious effects of pigment accumulation, some plants have evolved a coordinated pathway to deal with chlorophyll degradation end‐products, so‐called phyllobilins. This pathway has been so far mostly unravelled in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, large‐scale comparative phylogenomic coupled to an innovative biochemical characterization strategy of phyllobilins allow a better understanding of how such a pathway appeared in Viridiplantae. Our analysis reveals a stepwise evolution of the canonical pheophorbide a monooxygenase/phyllobilin pathway. It appears to have evolved gradually, first in chlorophyte's chloroplasts, to ensure multicellularity by detoxifying chlorophyll catabolites, and in charophytes outside chloroplasts to allow adaptation of embryophytes to land. At least six out of the eight genes involved in the pathway were already present in the last common ancestor of green plants. This strongly suggests parallel evolution of distinct enzymes catalysing similar reactions in various lineages, particularly for the dephytylation step. Together, our study suggests that chlorophyll detoxification accompanied the transition from water to land, and was therefore of great importance for plant diversification.
Species delimitation of rice seed bugs complex: Insights from mitochondrial genomes and ddRAD‐seq data
Authors: Dong Xue , Yi Wenbo , Zheng Chenguang , Zhu Xiuxiu , Wang Shujing , Xue Huaijun , Ye Zhen , Bu Wenjun 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSpecies delimitation is very important for the study of taxonomy and is essential for pest control and management. Our study focussed on the species delimitation of five Leptocorisa species (Insecta: Hemiptera: Alydidae: Leptocorisa) from China, especially for the rice seed bugs (Leptocorisa acuta species complex) due to their extreme morphological similarities. We applied multifarious distance‐based and tree‐based methods for species delimitation in the L. acuta species complex based on the multilocus genetic markers (i.e. cytochrome oxidase subunit I (cox1), whole mitochondrial genomes (WMGs) and double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq)). Both cox1 and WMGs failed to distinguish the two recent divergent taxa in the L. acuta species complex (L. chinensis and L. oratoria). However, genome‐wide nuclear SNP data unambiguously identify two separate species, which were congruent with the morphological species assignments. In addition, the morphological characters used for identification are diagnostic and stable. For the observed mito‐nuclear discordance pattern between L. chinensis and L. oratoria, mitochondrial introgression resulting from hybridization was probably inferred as the most likely explanation, which needed to expand the sampling range of the two species for further analysis. This study first provided molecular evidence for the delimitation of rice seed bugs complex, which was essential for further studies of ecology and pest management of these important rice pests.
Boosting the Model Discovery of Hybrid Dynamical Systems in an Informed Sparse Regression Approach
Authors: Novelli Nico , Lenci Stefano , Belardinelli Pierpaolo 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe present an efficient data-driven sparse identification of dynamical systems. The work aims at reconstructing the different sets of governing equations and identifying discontinuity surfaces in hybrid systems when the number of discontinuities is known a priori. In a two-stage approach, we first locate the switches between separate vector fields. Then, the dynamics among the manifolds are regressed, in this case by making use of the existing algorithm of Brunton et al. (2016, “Discovering Governing Equations From Data by Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 113(15), pp. 3932–3937). The reconstruction of the discontinuity surfaces comes as the outcome of a statistical analysis implemented via symbolic regression with small clusters (microclusters) and a rigid library of models. These allow to classify all the feasible discontinuities that are clustered and to reduce them into the actual discontinuity surfaces. The performances of the sparse regression hybrid model discovery are tested on two numerical examples, namely, a canonical spring-mass hopper and a free/impact electromagnetic energy harvester (FIEH), engineering archetypes characterized by the presence of a single and double discontinuity, respectively. Results show that a supervised approach, i.e., where the number of discontinuities is pre-assigned, is computationally efficient and it determines accurately both discontinuities and set of governing equations. A large improvement in the time of computation is found with the maximum achievable reliability. Informed regression-based identification offers the prospect to outperform existing data-driven identification approaches for hybrid systems at the expense of instructing the algorithm for expected discontinuities.
Determining posterior vitreous structure by analysis of images obtained by AI-based 3D segmentation and ultrawidefield optical coherence tomography
Authors: Ohno-Matsui Kyoko , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Mao Zaixing , Nakao Noriko 
Published: December 2021

AimsTo determine the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the vitreous fluid including the posterior precortical vitreous pockets (PPVP), Cloquet’s canal and cisterns in healthy subjects by AI-based segmentation of the vitreous of swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. In addition, to analyse the vitreous structures over a wide and deep area using ultrawidefield swept-source OCT (UWF-OCT).MethodsTen eyes of six patients with the mean age was 40.7±8.4 years and the mean refractive error (spherical equivalent) was −3.275±2.2 diopters were examined.ResultsIn the UWF OCT images, the structure of the vitreous was observed in detail over 23 mm wide and 5 mm area. AI-guided analyses showed the complex 3D vitreous structures from any angle. Cisterns were observed to overlie the PPVP from the anterior. The morphology and locations of the cisterns varied among the subjects but tended to be similar in the two eyes of one individual. Cisterns joined the PPVPs superior to the macula to form a large trunk. This joined trunk was clearly seen in 3D images even in eyes whose trunk was not detected in the B scan OCT images. In some eyes, the vitreous had a complex appearance resembling an ant nest without large fluid-filled spaces.ConclusionsA combination of UWF-OCT and 3D imaging is very helpful in visualising the complex structure of the vitreous. These technologies are powerful tools that can be used to clarify the normal evolution of the vitreous, pathological changes of vitreous and implications of vitreous changes in various vitreoretinal diseases.
Testing behaviour and positivity for SARS-CoV-2 infection: insights from web-based participatory surveillance in the Netherlands
Authors: McDonald Scott A , Soetens Lucia C , Schipper C Maarten A , Friesema Ingrid , van den Wijngaard Cees C , Teirlinck Anne , Neppelenbroek Nienke , van den Hof Susan , Wallinga Jacco , van Hoek Albert Jan 
Published: December 2021

ObjectivesWe aimed to identify populations at a high risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection but who are less likely to present for testing, by determining which sociodemographic and household factors are associated with a lower propensity to be tested and, if tested, with a higher risk of a positive test result.Design and settingInternet-based participatory surveillance data from the general population of the Netherlands.ParticipantsWeekly survey data collected over a 5-month period (17 November 2020 to 18 April 2021) from a total of 12 026 participants who had contributed at least 2 weekly surveys was analysed.MethodsMultivariable analyses using generalised estimating equations for binomial outcomes were conducted to estimate the adjusted ORs of testing and of test positivity associated with participant and household characteristics.ResultsMale sex (adjusted OR for testing (ORt): 0.92; adjusted OR for positivity (ORp): 1.30, age groups<20 (ORt: 0.89; ORp: 1.27), 50–64 years (ORt: 0.94; ORp: 1.06) and 65+ years (ORt: 0.78; ORp: 1.24), diabetics (ORt: 0.97; ORp: 1.06) and sales/administrative employees (ORt: 0.93; ORp: 1.90) were distinguished as lower test propensity/higher test positivity factors.ConclusionsThe factors identified using this approach can help identify potential target groups for improving communication and encouraging testing among those with symptoms, and thus increase the effectiveness of testing, which is essential for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and for public health strategies in the longer term.
Targeting ER protein TXNDC5 in hepatic stellate cell mitigates liver fibrosis by repressing non-canonical TGFβ signalling
Authors: Hung Chen-Ting , Su Tung-Hung , Chen Yen-Ting , Wu Yueh-Feng , Chen You-Tzung , Lin Sung-Jan , Lin Shuei-Liong , Yang Kai-Chien 
Published: December 2021

Background and objectivesLiver fibrosis (LF) occurs following chronic liver injuries. Currently, there is no effective therapy for LF. Recently, we identified thioredoxin domain containing 5 (TXNDC5), an ER protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), as a critical mediator of cardiac and lung fibrosis. We aimed to determine if TXNDC5 also contributes to LF and its potential as a therapeutic target for LF.DesignHistological and transcriptome analyses on human cirrhotic livers were performed. Col1a1-GFPTg, Alb-Cre;Rosa26-tdTomato and Tie2-Cre/ERT2;Rosa26-tdTomato mice were used to determine the cell type(s) where TXNDC5 was induced following liver injury. In vitro investigations were conducted in human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Col1a2-Cre/ERT2;Txndc5fl/fl (Txndc5cKO) and Alb-Cre;Txndc5fl/fl (Txndc5Hep-cKO) mice were generated to delete TXNDC5 in HSCs and hepatocytes, respectively. Carbon tetrachloride treatment and bile duct ligation surgery were employed to induce liver injury/fibrosis in mice. The extent of LF was quantified using histological, imaging and biochemical analyses.ResultsTXNDC5 was upregulated markedly in human and mouse fibrotic livers, particularly in activated HSC at the fibrotic foci. TXNDC5 was induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in HSCs and it was both required and sufficient for the activation, proliferation, survival and extracellular matrix production of HSC. Mechanistically, TGFβ1 induces TXNDC5 expression through increased ER stress and ATF6-mediated transcriptional regulation. In addition, TXNDC5 promotes LF by redox-dependent JNK and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation in HSCs through its PDI activity, activating HSCs and making them resistant to apoptosis. HSC-specific deletion of Txndc5 reverted established LF in mice.ConclusionsER protein TXNDC5 promotes LF through redox-dependent HSC activation, proliferation and excessive extracellular matrix production. Targeting TXNDC5, therefore, could be a potential novel therapeutic strategy to ameliorate LF.