bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre‐reparations Preparation: Fixing the Plumbing before Turning on the Tap
Authors: Robinson Matthew 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTA growing number of communities in the global African diaspora are campaigning for reparations for historical and contemporary human rights violations. While the political advocacy campaigns continue, communities which are set to receive reparations should, through a process called pre‐reparations preparation, consider their current economic situation and how they may improve their circumstances with the restitution that they will receive. An integral part of pre‐reparations preparation is investigating community income and expenditure. This article explores the use of the leaky bucket analogy in assessing the Black American community's financial inflows and outflows, how Black communities can use this process to plan pre‐ and post‐payment community economic development, and why government administrators and regulators should engage in their own pre‐reparations preparation.
Repurposing chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy grading
Authors: Velasco Roser , Argyriou Andreas A. , Cornblath David R. , Bruna Pere , Alberti Paola , Rossi Emanuela , Merkies Ingemar S. J. , Psimaras Dimitri , Briani Chiara , Lalisang Roy I. , Schenone Angelo , Cavaletti Guido , Bruna Jordi ,   CI‐PeriNomS Group
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackground and PurposeChemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is perceived differently by patients and physicians, complicating its assessment. Current recommendations advocate combining clinical and patient‐reported outcomes measures, but this approach can be challenging in patient care. This multicenter European study aims to bridge the gap between patients' perceptions and neurological impairments by aligning both perspectives to improve treatment decision‐making.MethodsData were pooled from two prospective studies of subjects (n = 372) with established CIPN. Patient and physician views regarding CIPN were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI‐CTCAE), Total Neuropathy Scale–clinical version (TNSc) items, and the disease‐specific quality of life ‐ Chemotherapy‐Induced Peripheral Neuropathy questionnaire (QLQ‐CIPN20) from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). To identify inherent neurotoxic severity patterns, we employed hierarchical cluster analysis optimized with k‐means clustering and internally validated by discriminant functional analysis.ResultsBoth NCI‐CTCAE and TNSc demonstrated a significant difference in the distribution of severity grades in relation to QLQ‐CIPN20 scores. However, a proportion of subjects with different neurotoxic severity grades exhibited overlapping QLQ‐CIPN20 scores. We identified three distinct clusters classifying subjects as having severely impaired, intermediately impaired, and mildly impaired CIPN based on TNSc and QLQ‐CIPN20 scores. No differences in demographics, cancer type distribution, or class of drug received were observed.ConclusionsOur results confirm the heterogeneity in CIPN perception between patients and physicians and identify three well‐differentiated subgroups of patients delineated by degree of CIPN impairment based on scores derived from TNSc and QLQ‐CIPN20. A more refined assessment of CIPN could potentially be achieved using the calculator tool derived from the cluster equations in this study. This tool, which facilitates individual patient classification, requires prospective validation.
Role of comorbidities in epilepsy surgery outcomes of older adults
Authors: Tsai Carolyn , Taylor Sara , Thompson Nicolas , Vegh Deborah , Bingaman William , Jehi Lara , Punia Vineet 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe lack knowledge about prognostic factors of resective epilepsy surgery (RES) in older adults (≥60 years), especially the role of comorbidities, which are a major consideration in managing the care of people with epilepsy (PWE). We analyzed a single‐center cohort of 94 older adults (median age = 63.5 years, 52% females) who underwent RES between 2000 and 2021 with at least 6 months of postsurgical follow‐up. Three fourths of the study cohort had lesional magnetic resonance imaging and underwent temporal lobectomy. Fifty‐four (57%) PWE remained seizure‐free during a median follow‐up of 3.5 years. Cox proportional hazard multivariable analysis showed that aura (hazard ratio [HR] = .52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .27–1.00), single ictal electroencephalographic pattern (HR = .33, 95% CI = .17–.660), and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.00–1.10) were independently associated with seizure recurrence at last follow‐up. A sensitivity analysis using the Charlson Combined Score (HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.03–1.84, p = .027) confirmed the association of comorbidities with worse seizure outcome. Our findings provide a framework for a better informed discussion about RES prognosis in older adults. More extensive, multicenter cohort studies are needed to validate our findings and reduce hesitancy in pursuing RES in suitable older adults.
Change in leaf C:N:P stoichiometry and its correlations with soil available nutrients and dry matter yield in common vetch/oat intercropping under N fertilization
Authors: Zhang Junyu , Wu Xiaojuan , Mu Le , Su Kaiqi , Yang Huimin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractC, N, and P concentrations and stoichiometric ratios of the leaf are important for adaptive plant growth and nutrient utilization. However, our knowledge of how these traits change with N fertilization in intercropping systems remains limited. Hence, a 2‐year experiment was conducted with four cropping patterns, including two‐row common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) intercropping with one‐row oat (Avena sativa L.), one‐row common vetch intercropping with two‐row oat as well as sole oat and common vetch cropping with 0, 50, and 100 kg N/ha fertilization. Leaf total nitrogen (LTN) and phosphorus (LTP) concentrations and C:N:P stoichiometric ratios were measured and their linkages with soil nutrient availability were analysed. N fertilization significantly increased LTN, N:P, and C:P, while significantly decreasing LTP and C:N. Intercropping affected leaf nutrient concentrations and stoichiometric ratios, which were affected by N fertilization, basic soil fertility, and crop species. Intercropping and N fertilization affected soil nitrate nitrogen (SNN), available phosphorus (SAP) content, and dry matter (DM) yield. There were strong correlations between the leaf nutritional traits of oats and SNN, SAP, and DM, but few correlations were observed with common vetch. In conclusion, intercropping led to contrasting changes in leaf nutrient concentrations and stoichiometric ratios, which varied with N fertilization and crop species. We failed to reveal solid and direct effects of intercropping ratio on leaf nutritional traits. These findings contribute to a better understanding of crop nutritional traits and the link between leaves and soil in response to intercropping and N fertilization.
Accelerated BDNF expression in visceral white adipose tissues following high‐fat diet feeding in mice
Authors: Sakata Kurumi , Fukuchi Mamoru 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBrain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is expressed in the white adipose tissues (WATs), and the expression increases during high‐fat diet (HFD) feeding, implicating its role in obesity. Here, we focused on BDNF expression in epididymal WAT (eWAT), a visceral adipose tissue, in mice. During 2 weeks of HFD feeding, Bdnf mRNA expression in eWAT slightly increased, but a robust increase was observed after 8 weeks of HFD feeding. This upregulation of Bdnf mRNA was correlated with significant induction of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (Hif1α) and platelet‐derived growth factor subunit B (Pdgfb) mRNA in eWAT following 8 weeks of HFD feeding. Furthermore, the increased expression of the M1 macrophage markers was strongly correlated with the elevation of Bdnf mRNA in the eWAT. Notably, 8 weeks of HFD feeding significantly elevated Tnfα mRNA expression in eWAT, while no such induction was observed in inguinal WAT (iWAT). In contrast, the expression of Adipoq (adiponectin), implicated in improved insulin sensitivity and anti‐inflammatory effects, was significantly upregulated in iWAT, but not in eWAT. Thus, our study may show the role of BDNF in eWAT in obesity models, potentially contributing to the pathological state of visceral adipose tissues.
New complex cell junctions in and around the intervertebral discs discovered using autoantibodies from patients affected by endemic pemphigus foliaceus in El Bagre, Colombia, South America
Authors: Abreu Velez Ana Maria , Hashimoto Takashi , Arango Jorge Mario Vélez , Upegui‐Zapata Yulieth Alexandra , Upegui‐Quiceño Eduardo , Aponte Adriana Milena Olarte , Howard Michael S. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundTraditionally, the intervertebral disks' (IVD) nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) are considered to have few cellular components and cell junctions. Patients affected by a new variant of endemic pemphigus foliaceus in El Bagre, Colombia, experience back pain in the spinal areas of the lower and upper back. Here, we investigate the reactivity of the patient's autoantibodies to structures in and around the IVDs at the cellular level.MethodsWe first administered a questionnaire and performed a medical examination. We then tested for autoreactivity against IVDs by indirect immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and reflectance confocal microscopy using bovine and human tissues as antigen sources. We tested 45 sera from patients affected by the disease and 45 control sera from the endemic area matched by age, gender, demographics, and work activity.ResultsMost of the patient sera revealed polyclonal antibodies against newly discovered cell junctions in the NP and AF, including their translamellar cross‐bridges. Additional reactivities were detected against cell junctions in the spinal cord neurons, paraspinal nerves, blood vessels, anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, and paraspinal skeletal muscles. The reactivities of the patient's autoantibodies co‐localized with those of commercially available antibodies to desmoplakins I–II, armadillo repeat gene deleted in velo‐cardio‐facial syndrome, plakophilin‐4, and myocardium‐enriched zonula occludens‐1‐associated protein (p < 0.001).ConclusionsWe discovered novel complex cell junctions in the IVDs using patients' autoantibodies. These discoveries open a new chapter in the knowledge of IVD, representing a breakthrough pertinent to many diseases.
How Do People Who Undergo Ketamine Treatment for a Psychiatric Problem Subjectively Experience This Intervention? A Meta‐Synthesis of Qualitative Studies
Authors: Trimmel Melanie , Renner Antonia , Kaltenboeck Alexander 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTKetamine treatment has shown promising effects for different mental disorders. Yet, little is known on how people who receive ketamine for a psychiatric problem subjectively experience undergoing this intervention. We conducted a systematic literature search to identify relevant qualitative research on the first‐person experience of undergoing ketamine treatment in a psychiatric context. 24 eligible studies were identified and analysed using a thematic meta‐synthesis approach. Three main themes were identified. First, ‘The Ketamine treatment experience can be understood as a three‐stage journey with unique clinical features at each stage’. Second, ‘The subjective experience of acute ketamine treatment is multifaceted and complex’. Third, ‘Ketamine treatment can have different positive effects—but what happens if it does not work?’. In summary, the subjective experience of receiving ketamine treatment for a psychiatric problem can be understood as a journey whereby patients move towards, then undergo, and eventually depart from ketamine. Before treatment, the experiential focus lies on expectations, hopes, and feelings towards the drug. During treatment, the drug's multifaceted psychotropic effects and how they are emotionally appraised become central to experience. Once treatment is finished, the focus is on the presence or absence of clinically relevant effects. The conceptual framework we propose can guide further qualitative research on this topic and aid mental health professionals to better understand the experience of patients who undergo ketamine treatment for a psychiatric problem.
Masticatory function in growing individuals with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: A longitudinal study
Authors: Ding Meili , Kang Yanfeng , Qin Man , Zhu Junxia 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundHypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) is a hereditary disorder with agenesis of ectodermal derivatives, causing oligodontia or anodontia. Dentures are needed to improve the patients' mastication.AimThis study aimed at preliminarily evaluating the masticatory function changes in Chinese individuals with HED after prosthetic rehabilitation from childhood to adolescence.DesignThis longitudinal study enrolled 10 HED patients. Data were collected during childhood and adolescence, respectively. The healthy children and adolescents were recruited as the control group. The surface electromyography (EMG) of masseter (MM) and anterior temporalis (TA) muscles during clenching and chewing were recorded. The EMG activity, asymmetry index (As), activity index (Ac), and chewing cycle were analyzed. The masticatory efficiency was measured by spectrophotometry with subjective masticatory ability assessed by a questionnaire.ResultsThe EMG activities and masticatory efficiency of HED patients during childhood and adolescence were mostly lower with a higher As (p < .05). The chewing process enhanced the TA activity and balanced the As of HED adolescents (p > .05). The HED adolescents showed a more prevalent TA activity (p < .05).ConclusionThe masticatory function of the growing HED patients was functionally inferior to the dentate individuals with a narrowed gap from childhood to adolescence.
Impact of the I‐DECIDED Tool to Improve Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Care in Paediatrics: Interrupted Time‐Series Study
Authors: Silva Thiago Lopes , Ray‐Barruel Gillian , Ullman Amanda , Takashima Mari , Kusahara Denise Miyuki , de Souza Sabrina , da Silva Moura Jefferson Wildes , de Souza Bitencourt Aline , Rocha Patrícia Kuerten 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTAimTo determine whether the I‐DECIDED assessment and decision tool enhances peripheral intravenous catheter assessment, care and decision‐making in paediatrics.DesignQuasi‐experimental, interrupted time‐series study.MethodsAn interrupted time‐series study was conducted in a paediatric inpatient unit at a public teaching hospital in Brazil. The participants were patients aged less than 15 years old with a peripheral intravenous catheter, and their parents or guardians. Data were collected between January and July 2023, encompassing six time points, three pre‐intervention and three post‐intervention. Evaluation data were based on the I‐DECIDED tool, including idle devices, dressings, complications, patient/family awareness, hand hygiene, disinfection and documentation.ResultsWe conducted 585 peripheral intravenous catheter observations, with 289 in the pre‐intervention phase and 296 in the post‐intervention phase, inserted in 65 hospitalised children, 30 in the pre‐intervention phase and 35 in the post‐intervention phase. After the intervention, reductions were observed in the number of idle catheters, substandard dressings and complications. Patients and family members reported an increase in device assessment, hand hygiene and peripheral intravenous catheter disinfection. Additionally, there was an increase in documentation of decision‐making performed by nurses and nursing technicians/assistants.ConclusionImplementation of the I‐DECIDED assessment and decision tool in a paediatric unit significantly improved the assessment, care and decision‐making regarding peripheral intravenous catheters.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareOpportunity to enhance practice standards, elevate the quality of care provided to paediatric patients, contribute to improved patient outcomes, advance evidence‐based practice in vascular access management and enhance patient experience through increased involvement in care.ImpactTo influence clinical practice and healthcare policies aimed at improving peripheral intravenous catheter care and patient safety in paediatric settings.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution to the design of this study.
Is the diel cycle of routine metabolic rate in mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) affected by near‐infrared lighting used for visualizing behavior of fishes at night?
Authors: Trembley Annie M. , Rowsey Lauren E. , Speers‐Roesch Ben 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe metabolic rate of a freely moving fish (routine metabolic rate) is tightly coupled with volitional movement (spontaneous activity), both of which commonly show strong daily cycles linked to the species‐specific diel activity pattern. Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), an important estuarine fish in the north western Atlantic Ocean, are historically reported as diurnal (i.e., more active during daylight). Our recent laboratory studies on a Bay of Fundy population, however, showed a free‐running (i.e., similarly active daytime and night‐time) or even nocturnal (i.e., more active at night‐time) diel activity pattern. In the laboratory, near‐infrared (NIR) illumination is commonly used with a NIR‐sensitive camera to visualize fish activity across the light–dark periods of the day. Because NIR light is close to the visible light spectrum and certain fishes show sensitivity to NIR, the use of NIR with mummichog possibly could disturb the animals and obscure the identification of their true diel activity pattern. We aimed to determine if NIR illumination (940 nm wavelength) influences the diel activity pattern of mummichog. We used measurements of routine metabolic rate (oxygen consumption rate, MO2) as a proxy for activity, as evaluating the effect of NIR requires treatments where NIR lights are off, which precludes visualization and direct assessment of fish activity at night‐time. We measured routine MO2 of mummichogs over 6 days, exposed to either NIR off–on–off (2 days for each off or on period) or the opposite sequence of NIR on–off–on (to control for time‐dependent effects). NIR lights did not influence the diel cycle of routine MO2, and activity by proxy, in mummichog. Thus, NIR illumination is a suitable method to visualize mummichog during light–dark diel cycles. Routine MO2, and presumably activity, was similar or higher during night‐time periods compared to daytime periods, confirming a free‐running or nocturnal activity pattern for at least certain populations of mummichog.
Droplet digital PCR for fish pathogen detection and quantification: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sumon Md Afsar Ahmed , Meregildo‐Rodriguez Edinson Dante , Lee Po‐Tsang , Dinh‐Hung Nguyen , Larson Earl T. , Permpoonpattana Patima , Van Doan Hien , Jung Won‐Kyo , Linh Nguyen Vu 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis study provides a comprehensive summary of the findings regarding the application and diagnostic efficacy of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in detecting viral and bacterial pathogens in aquaculture. Utilizing a systematic search of four databases up to 6 November 2023, we identified studies where ddPCR was deployed for pathogen detection in aquaculture settings, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy guidelines. From the collected data, 16 studies retrieved, seven were included in a meta‐analysis, encompassing 1121 biological samples from various fish species. The detection limits reported ranged markedly from 0.07 to 34 copies/μL. A direct comparison of the diagnostic performance between ddPCR with quantitative PCR (qPCR) proved challenging due to limited data, thus only a pooled sensitivity analysis was feasible. The results showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.750 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.487–0.944) for ddPCR, compared to 0.461 (95% CI: 0.294–0.632) for qPCR, with no statistically significant difference in sensitivity between the two methods (p = .5884). Notably, significant heterogeneity was observed among the studies (I2 = 93%–97%, p < .01), with the year of publication significantly influencing this heterogeneity (p < .001), but not the country of origin (p = .49). No publication bias was detected, and the studies generally exhibited a low risk of bias according to QUADAS‐C criteria. While ddPCR and qPCR showed comparable sensitivities in pathogen detection, ddPCR's capability to precisely quantify pathogens without the need for standard curves highlights its potential utility. This characteristic could significantly enhance the accuracy and reliability of pathogen detection in aquaculture.
Grazing exclusion effects on vegetation structure and soil organic matter in savannas of Río de la Plata grasslands
Authors: Abrigo Micaela , Lezama Felipe , Grela Iván , Piñeiro Gervasio 
Published: September 2024

AbstractQuestionsHerbivores change plant communities and biogeochemical cycles by changing species composition and soil organic matter contents through different mechanisms. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of livestock removal on plant species composition and soil organic matter stocks in savannas of the Río de la Plata grasslands.LocationsA subtropical savanna in Río Negro, Uruguay.MethodsThe experiment consisted of a paired grazing exclusion randomized block design with five sites, where livestock was excluded for 29 years. We recorded differences in plant species composition in different strata and extracted soil cores to analyze soil carbon and nitrogen stocks, and δ13 carbon contents in two different soil organic matter fractions.ResultsLong‐term livestock removal reduced plant species richness and diversity, altered the floristic composition and facilitated native‐shrub encroachment. Grazing exclusion modified the relative frequency of plant functional types and reduced summer‐growing grasses. We recorded 45 species common to both grazing and exclosure treatments, while 19 were present only in exclosure sites and 39 only in grazed sites. Livestock exclusion had a differential effect on soil organic matter formation, increased soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks in the mineral‐associated organic matter (MAOM) but tended to slightly reduce them in the particulate organic matter fraction (POM). Grazing removal modified the C3/C4 species cover and these differences were reflected in the δ13C contents of both POM and MAOM fractions.ConclusionsRemoval of domestic herbivores increased shrub abundance, decreased plant species richness and diversity but increased total carbon and nitrogen contents in soil organic matter. Our results suggest that grazed and exclosure areas should be combined mosaically in the landscape to maximize plant species diversity and soil organic carbon sequestration.