bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thymol and p‐Cymene Protect the Liver by Mitigating Oxidative Stress, Suppressing TNF‐α/NF‐κB, and Enhancing Nrf2/HO‐1 Expression in Immobilized Rats
Authors: Peirovy Yasaman , Asle‐Rousta Masoumeh 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to investigate the effects of the monoterpenes thymol and p‐cymene on the liver of rats subjected to prolonged immobilization stress and to discover the possible mechanism behind this effect. For 14 consecutive days, the rats were placed in a restrainer for 2.5 h every day to expose them to stress. During the same period, thymol (10 mg/kg, gavage) and p‐cymene (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) were also administered. Thymol and p‐cymene prevented the increase in malondialdehyde levels and the decrease in glutathione content in the liver of rats exposed to chronic immobility. They also increased the activity of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme in the liver of stressed animals, but only thymol could increase the activity of superoxide dismutase. These monoterpenes reduced the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐6 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) in the liver of stressed animals. They increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1). Thymol and p‐cymene greatly prevented the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the liver parenchyma of stressed rats. In conclusion, the study found that thymol and p‐cymene have a hepatoprotective effect on immobilized rats, likely exerted by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation, stimulating Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling, and inhibiting the TNF‐α/NF‐κB pathway.
Do Board‐Level Employee Representatives Increase Pay Equity in Firms?
Authors: Fard Amirhossein , Chung Chune Young 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTQuestion/IssueThis study investigates the role of board‐level employee representatives (BLERs), a common corporate governance practice in Europe, in determining the pay ratio between CEOs and average employees.Research Findings/InsightsUsing 15,340 firm‐year observations from 17 European countries between 2001 and 2019, we find that BLERs provide greater bargaining power to the board for dealing with CEOs and use this power to reduce the pay gap between CEOs and employees. Subsample analyses indicate that bargaining power is more apparent when BLERs are more socially connected, have longer tenure, and hold more seats on the board.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsThis study supports the role of BLERs in providing workers with more bargaining power to create fairer wage distribution in firms. Furthermore, it supports the fair wage–effort theory, indicating a positive effect of lower pay ratios on firm value following the presence of BLERs.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsThis study demonstrates the effects of a unique corporate governance practice, the presence of BLERs, on companies' wage distribution, with significant policy implications. In particular, the results indicate that when presented with opportunities in affecting companies decision‐making BLERs provide fairer environments for the workers who they represent.
Natural history of cerebral visual impairment in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Galli Jessica , Loi Erika , Calza Stefano , Micheletti Serena , Molinaro Anna , Franzoni Alessandra , Rossi Andrea , Semeraro Francesco , Merabet Lotfi B. , Fazzi Elisa 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAimTo longitudinally evaluate the natural history of cerebral visual impairment (CVI) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and identify which early visual signs or symptoms are associated with cognitive visual disorders (CVDs) at school age.MethodFifty‐one individuals with CP and CVI underwent an ophthalmological, oculomotor, and basic visual function evaluation at three time points: T0 (6–35 months old); T1 (3–5 years old); and T2 (≥6 years old). We also performed a cognitive visual evaluation at T2. Logistic regression fitted using a generalized estimation equation (binary) and cumulative link models (ordinal) were used to model the outcomes of interest.ResultsOphthalmological deficits were stable over time, except for ocular fundus abnormalities (T1–T0, p = 0.01; T2–T1, p = 0.02; T2–T0, p < 0.01) and strabismus, whose frequency increased with age (T2–T0, p= 0.02 with T2‐T0, p = 0.05). Conversely, fixation (T1–T0, T2–T0, p < 0.01), smooth pursuit (T2–T1, T2–T0, p < 0.01), saccades (T1–T0, T2–T1, T2–T0, p < 0.01), as well as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field (T1–T0, T2–T0, p < 0.01) all improved over time. Early oculomotor dysfunction was associated with CVD at T2.InterpretationAlthough a diagnosis of CVI was confirmed in all children at each time point, several visual signs and symptoms improved over time; in some cases, they reached complete recovery at T1 and T2. These results emphasize the ‘permanent’ but ‘not unchanging’ nature of the CVI associated with CP during development.
Synaptic integration of somatosensory and motor cortical inputs onto spiny projection neurons of mice caudoputamen
Authors: Sampathkumar Vandana , Koster Kevin P. , Carroll Briana J. , Sherman S. Murray , Kasthuri Narayanan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe basal ganglia play pivotal roles in motor control and cognitive functioning. These nuclei are embedded in an anatomical loop: cortex to basal ganglia to thalamus back to cortex. We focus here on an essential synapse for descending control, from cortical layer 5 (L5) onto the GABAergic spiny projection neurons (SPNs) of the caudoputamen (CP). We employed genetic labeling to distinguish L5 neurons from somatosensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortices in large volume serial electron microscopy and electrophysiology datasets to better detail these inputs. First, M1 and S1 synapses showed a strong preference to innervate the spines of SPNs and rarely contacted aspiny cells, which are likely to be interneurons. Second, L5 inputs commonly converge from both areas onto single SPNs. Third, compared to unlabeled terminals in CP, those labeled from M1 and S1 show ultrastructural hallmarks of strong driver synapses: They innervate larger spines that were more likely to contain a spine apparatus, more often had embedded mitochondria, and more often contacted multiple targets. Finally, these inputs also demonstrated driver‐like functional properties: SPNs responded to optogenetic activation from S1 and M1 with large EPSP/Cs that depressed and were dependent on ionotropic but not metabotropic receptors. Together, our findings suggest that individual SPNs integrate driver input from multiple cortical areas with implications for how the basal ganglia relay cortical input to provide inhibitory innervation of motor thalamus.
Narrative Understanding
Authors: Prescott‐Couch Alexander 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMuch work in history, anthropology, sociology, and political science has a narrative form — the events described are emplotted into stories. A number of recent critics of narrative have argued that the story form is a poor vehicle for social scientific explanation, as it often misleads us about the causal structure of the social world. Defenders of narrative typically claim that such criticisms miss the point of narrative. Even if narrative is not the best means for providing us with causal information, it can provide us with information about something else of importance such as the events' “meanings” or others' experiences. I reject such defenses of narrative, but I then offer a novel defense in their place. On the view I defend, narratives increase our understanding of the social world not by giving us some kind of special information about the social world but rather by cuing certain kinds of responses to it. I tie this conception of the epistemic function of narrative to the political role that narrative can play in correcting failures of interpersonal recognition and promoting structural change.
Lessons learned from existing carbon removal methodologies for agricultural soils to drive European Union policies
Authors: Criscuoli Irene , Martelli Andrea , Falconi Ilaria , Galioto Francesco , Lasorella Maria Valentina , Maurino Stefania , Phillips Avion , Bonati Guido , Dara Guccione Giovanni 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSoil plays a central role in the global carbon (C) cycle and the fight against climate change as it contains the largest existing organic C stock on earth. Natural processes exacerbated by climate change and unsustainable agricultural soil management practices are contributing to the steady decrease in organic C stocks in farmland. Carbon farming practices, underpinned by various incentives, can be used to maintain and increase C stocks in agricultural soils. Carbon credit mechanisms, that is, tradable credits each corresponding to one tonne of CO2eq, are one such incentive. Carbon credits are issued upon the demonstration of increased soil C stocks over time through the application of C accounting methodologies for each agroecosystem and farming practice. This study presents a detailed and critical analysis of carbon credit methodologies, focusing on agricultural soil C in temperate zones, by comparing the European Commission proposal for a regulation on carbon removals with relevant certification frameworks implemented in extra‐European Union industrialized countries (Australia, Alberta in Canada, United States). Based on this, we recommend strengthening the European Commission proposal by (i) expanding the list of eligible agricultural practices, (ii) setting a minimum maintenance time frame for each agricultural practice and incentivizing longer duration, (iii) setting the Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions of the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as a regulatory baseline, (iv) beyond the regulatory baseline, defining a farm level baseline in terms of carbon farming practices applied that can be monitored through the Integrated Administration and Control System of the CAP, (v) clarifying the interaction between the European Commission proposal of regulation and the CAP, the Soil Monitoring Law, and Land Use/Cover Area Frame Survey inventory, (vi) retaining a portion of unsold carbon credits as a buffer against the risk of reversal and (vii) applying a default discount to account for leakage risk if yield reductions are observed. We propose these recommendations to guarantee effective environmental protection, technical and bureaucratic feasibility as well as economic affordability for farmers.
HAPLN3 p.T34A contributes to incomplete penetrance of moyamoya disease in Chinese carrying RNF213 p.R4810K
Authors: Xu Jun , Zou Zhengxing , Liu Wanyang , Zhang Qian , Shen Juan , Hao Fangbin , Chen Gan , Yu Dan , Li Yunzhu , Zhang Zhengshan , Qin Yuchen , Yang Rimiao , Wang Yue , Duan Lian 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackground and purposeThe penetrance of the RNF213 p.R4810K, a founder mutation of moyamoya disease (MMD), is estimated to be only 1/150–1/300. However, the factors affecting its penetrance remain unclear. Therefore, our study aims to identify modifier genes associated with the incomplete penetrance of this founder mutation.MethodsWhole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed on 36 participants, including 22 MMD patients and 14 non‐MMD controls with RNF213 p.R4810K mutation. Fisher's exact test was used to assess the presence of genetic variants that differed significantly between MMD patients and non‐MMD controls. In order to exclude false‐positive results, another 55 carriers were included to perform Fisher's exact test for the selected sites in the WES discovery stage. Subsequently, human brain microvascular endothelial cells were transfected with wild‐type and mutant HAPLN3 for tube formation assays and western blotting to explore the impact of candidate genes on angiogenesis.ResultsAnalysis of variants from WES data revealed a total of 12 non‐synonymous variants. Through bioinformatics analysis, the focus was on the HAPLN3 p.T34A variant with a significant p value of 0.00731 in Fisher's exact test. Validation through Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of this variant in the WES data. In vitro experiments revealed that silencing HAPLN3 and transfecting HAPLN3 p.T34A significantly enhanced tube formation and increased the relative protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in endothelial cells.ConclusionsThese results suggest that HAPLN3 may function as a modifier gene of RNF213 p.R4810K, promoting the development of MMD and contributing to the incomplete penetrance of MMD founder mutations.
Hypoxemia during rapid eye movement sleep mediates memory impairment in older adults at risk for dementia via CA1 hippocampal volume loss
Authors: Lam Aaron , D’Rozario Angela L. , Palmer Jake R. , McKinnon Andrew C. , Dalton Marshall A. , Espinosa Nicole , Mowszowski Loren , Phillips Craig L. , Grunstein Ronald R. , Naismith Sharon L. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackground and PurposeObstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased dementia risk. Nocturnal hypoxemia, which can be more severe during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, may be a key mechanism. This study examines how REM hypoxemia affects memory and explores whether hippocampal vulnerability to hypoxemia mediates this effect in older adults at risk for dementia.MethodsOlder adults aged ≥50 years (N = 338) with subjective or mild cognitive impairment (i.e., objective impairment) underwent neuropsychological, mood, and medical assessment, magnetic resonance imaging scanning (n = 135), and overnight polysomnography. Verbal learning and memory were assessed with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. REM sleep hypoxemia was measured using the Oxygen Desaturation Index‐3% (REM‐ODI). Hippocampal subfield (CA1, CA3, subiculum, and dentate gyrus) volumes were derived from T1 and high‐resolution hippocampus T2 scans. We determined whether the relationship between REM‐ODI and learning and memory was mediated by hippocampal subfield volume. Analyses were repeated in non‐REM sleep to determine whether the effects were REM‐specific.ResultsAlthough there was not a direct effect of REM‐ODI on verbal learning (p > 0.05) or memory (p > 0.05), mediation analyses showed a significant indirect effect of high REM‐ODI on poorer verbal learning (β = −0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.238 to −0.005) and memory (β = −0.100, 95% CI = −0.255 to −0.005), which was mediated by CA1 volume. These associations were absent in non‐REM sleep (p > 0.05).ConclusionsHypoxemia during REM sleep may impair memory in people at risk for dementia by reducing CA1 hippocampal volume. Research is needed to explore whether interventions targeting REM sleep hypoxemia are protective against memory decline.
Functional properties of conventionally sintered Al2O3–CaTiO3 composite
Authors: Randhari July , Senapati Sukant K. , Mallik Prafulla K. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractDespite the favourable biomaterial properties of alumina ceramics in the last two decades, it revealed weak bioactivity in vitro and in vivo studies that limit the monolithic alumina ceramics for biomedical applications. CaTiO3 is a piezoelectric ceramic and has been reported as a high dielectric constant and a good substrate for apatite growth. This paper highlights the beneficial effect of adding CaTiO3 to alumina and encourages the development of electrically active biomaterial for bone replacement. In this regard, the alumina–calcium titanate (Al2O3–CaTiO3) composite was synthesized by sol–gel techniques. The densification of uniaxial pressed calcined sol–gel powders was sintered in a conventional furnace at a temperature of 1400°C for 2 hour. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were used to determine the phases and morphology of powders and sintered composite. The impedance analyzer was used to investigate the dielectric and electrical properties of the sintered composite. As a result, the phases of Al2O3 and CaTiO3 were retained and confirmed by XRD and SEM analysis. Impedance analysis indicates the decreasing trend of the dielectric constant and AC conductivity of the sintered sample with the function of frequency and temperatures. Finally, it can be concluded that the Al2O3–CaTiO3 composite could be potentially used as a functional biomaterial.
“A Circle of Positivity”: Adolescents' Perspectives on Meaningful Leisure Time and Good Health in Relation to School Performance
Authors: Persson Osowski Christine , Eriksson Camilla , Karvonen Sara , Bälter Katarina 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTIn Sweden, approximately a quarter of upper secondary school students leave school early or do not complete their studies with full grades. Structured leisure time activities have been associated with improved health, enhanced school performance, and future college attendance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain an understanding of how adolescents perceive the prerequisites for and the importance of meaningful leisure time. Qualitative interviews and focus groups with adolescents aged 16–19 were conducted and analyzed using content analysis. The results highlighted the importance of autonomy in leisure time, equal opportunities, and social relationships. Adolescents expressed that an optimal balance between leisure time and school can result in a circle of positivity, leading to better school performance, skills development, and overall well‐being.
Genitourinary malignancies in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Okumi Masayoshi , Inoue Yuta , Miyashita Masatsugu , Ueda Takashi , Fujihara Atsuko , Hongo Fumiya , Ukimua Osamu 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAdvances in immunosuppressive therapy and postoperative management have greatly improved the graft and patient survival rates after kidney transplantation; however, the incidence of post‐transplant malignant tumors is increasing. Post‐renal transplantation malignant tumors are associated with renal failure, immunosuppression, and viral infections. Moreover, the risk of developing cancer is higher in kidney transplant recipients than in the general population, and the tendency to develop cancer is affected by the background and environment of each patient. Recently, cancer after kidney transplantation has become the leading cause of death in Japan. Owing to the aggressive nature and poor prognosis of genitourinary malignancies, it is crucial to understand their epidemiology, risk factors, and best practices in kidney transplant recipients. This review has a special emphasis on the epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment protocols of genitourinary malignancies in kidney transplant recipients to enhance our understanding of the appropriate management strategies. Optimal immunosuppressive therapy and cancer management for these patients remain controversial, but adherence to the general guidelines is recommended.
Effect of the contrast medium meglumine amidotrizoate on renal extraction of para‐amino hippurate after injection into the renal vein
Authors: Tidgren Bo 
Published: September 2024

SummaryThe effect of the contrast medium meglumine amidotrizoate (AngiografinR) on the renal extraction of para‐amino hippurate (EPAH) was studied in 24 patients with suspected or previous renin‐dependent hypertension. A single injection technique for administration of PAH was used and in eight additional patients the relationship between the arterial concentration of PAH and EPAH was studied over a period of 30 min after the injection. No change in EPAH with decreasing arterial concentration of PAH was found.After injection of 26 g of contrast medium (40 ml) into the renal veins of 18 of the 24 patients, a small (6%) but significant decrease in EPAH was observed. There was no significant difference in the decrease in EPAH between kidneys with increased and normal renal vein plasma renin activity. In the remaining six patients, the contrast medium (20 ml) was injected into one renal vein only, and blood samples were repeatedly drawn from both kidneys over a period of 30 min after injection. A decrease in EPAH was observed in both the injected and contralateral kidney; the decrease lasted for at least 20 min, with a maximum 1 min after injection.It is concluded that meglumine amidotrizoate injected into the renal vein causes a reduction of EPAH. Therefore, a contrast medium such as meglumine amidotrizoate should be avoided before determining the renal extraction of PAH.
Parasite Abundance‐Occupancy Relationships Across Biogeographic Regions: Joint Effects of Niche Breadth, Host Availability and Climate
Authors: Wells Konstans , Bell Jeffrey A. , Fecchio Alan , Drovetski Serguei , Galen Spencer , Hackett Shannon , Lutz Holly , Skeen Heather R. , Voelker Gary , Wamiti Wanyoike , Weckstein Jason D. , Clark Nicholas J. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTAimChanging biodiversity and environmental conditions may allow multi‐host pathogens to spread among host species and affect prevalence. There are several widely acknowledged theories about mechanisms that may influence variation in pathogen prevalence, including the controversially debated dilution effect and abundance‐occupancy relationship hypotheses. Here, we explore such abundance‐occupancy relationships for unique lineages of three vector‐borne avian blood parasite genera (the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium and the related haemosporidian parasites Parahaemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) across biogeographical regions.LocationNearctic‐Neotropical and Palearctic‐Afrotropical regions.MethodsWe compiled a cross‐continental dataset of 17,116 bird individuals surveyed from 46 bird assemblages across the Nearctic‐Neotropical and Palearctic‐Afrotropical regions and explored relationships between local parasite lineage prevalence and host assemblage metrics in a Bayesian random regression framework.ResultsMost lineages from these three genera infected ≥ 5 host species and exhibited clear phylogenetic or functional host specificity. Lineage prevalence from all three genera increased with host range, but also with higher degrees of specialisation to phylogenetically or functionally related host species. Local avian community features were also found to be important drivers of prevalence. For example, bird species richness was positively correlated with lineage prevalence for Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon, whereas higher relative abundances of the main host species were associated with lower prevalence for Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus but higher prevalence for Leucocytozoon.ConclusionsOur results broadly support several of the leading hypotheses about mechanisms that influence pathogen prevalence, including the niche breadth hypothesis in that higher avian host species diversity and broader host range amplify prevalence through increasing ecological opportunities and the trade‐off hypotheses in that specialisation among subsets of available host species may increase prevalence. Furthermore, the three studied avian haemosporidian genera exhibited different abundance‐occupancy relationships across the major global climate gradients and in relation to host availability, emphasising that these relationships do not strictly follow common rules for vector‐borne parasites with different life histories.