bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of presence vs absence of symphyseal teeth in jaws for the forensic analysis of bites by large traumatogenic shark species
Authors: Clua Eric E. , DeMarchi Simon , Reid Dennis 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIdentifying the species of shark responsible for a bite on humans is both complex and important for understanding and managing the shark risk. Depending on the species, tiny teeth may or may not be present in the symphyseal space at the junction of the upper and lower half‐jaws. In the case of bites, these tiny teeth (if present) often leave specific marks that may enable species to be quickly and reliably distinguished. We first present the anatomo‐morphological characteristics of the jaws of the three most traumatogenic species for humans which are the white, tiger, and bull sharks. The white shark has no symphyseal teeth, while the tiger and bull sharks do. On the basis of three confirmed real case studies involving those species, we then show that for the white shark, the wide symphyseal space between the first two teeth of each jaw usually leads to wounds including the presence of (quite) large flesh flaps, without any tooth imprint. Conversely, wounds following bites made by the tiger and bull sharks will generally leave characteristic small imprints of symphyseal teeth, especially in the case of incomplete or superficial bites. Although not systematic, this diagnostic approach provides fast, reliable, and clean results. The discrimination between two species with symphyseal teeth can then be made on the basis of complementary anatomic information such as jaw curvature and details linked to the anatomy of the teeth themselves, as well as the ecological context.
Efficient CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated ebony gene editing in the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella
Authors: Luo Li‐Lin , Gui Shun‐Hua , Guo Zhen‐Ping , Feng Jia‐Wei , Smagghe Guy , Liu Tong‐Xian , Liu Man , Yi Tian‐Ci 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae), is a major bee pest that inflicts considerable harm on beehives, leading to economic losses. It also serves as a valuable resource insect and a model organism. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (Cas9) system plays a crucial role in improving economic insect breeding and developing efficient agricultural pest management systems in Lepidoptera. However, the CRISPR/Cas9 protocols have not been developed for G. mellonella. Here, the Gmebony knockout (KO) strain was established using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system. We obtained Gmebony KO strain in the G4 generation, which took approximately 10 months. When compared with wild‐type, the head, notum, and the terminal abdominal surface of 1st to 4th instar larvae in the KO strain changed from yellow to brown, and these regions of the KO strain gradually transformed into a black color from the 5th instar larvae, and the body color of the adult moth in the KO strain changed to black. The developmental period of the early larval and the following larval instars extended. The embryonic hatchability of the Gmebony KO strain was significantly decreased. The pupal body weight of the Gmebony KO strain was not affected. The feasibility of the CRISPR/Cas9 methodology was validated by single‐target editing of Gmebony. Our findings provide the first evidence that the ebony gene can serve as a pigmentation reference gene for genetic modifications of G. mellonella. Meanwhile, it can be utilized in the development of genome editing control strategies and for gene function analyses in G. mellonella.
‘Tiny Biome Tales’: A gamified review about the influence of lifestyle choices on the human microbiome
Authors: Schweitzer Matthias , Wlasak Maximilian , Wassermann Birgit , Marcher Florian , Poglitsch Christian , Pirker Johanna , Berg Gabriele 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn the last two decades, new discoveries from microbiome research have changed our understanding of human health. It became evident that daily habits and lifestyle choices shape the human microbiome and ultimately determine health or disease. Therefore, we developed ‘Tiny Biome Tales’ (https://microbiome.gamelabgraz.at/), a science pedagogy video game designed like a scientific review based exclusively on peer‐reviewed articles, to teach about the influence of lifestyle choices on the human microbiome during pregnancy, early and adult life, and related health consequences. Despite the scientific character, it can be played by a broad audience. Here, we also present a scientific assessment and showed that playing the game significantly contributed to knowledge gain. The innovative style of the ‘gamified review’ represents an ideal platform to disseminate future findings from microbiome research by updating existing and adding new scenes to the game.
Charles Fleetwood, the 1744 Drury Lane Riots, and Pricing Practices in Eighteenth‐Century British Theatre
Authors: Shipp Leo 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn November 1744, a series of riots broke out at Drury Lane theatre, forcing its proprietor, Charles Fleetwood, to sell his majority share of the theatrical patent. Theatre scholarship has long held that the riots were caused by Fleetwood's attempt to raise admission prices for old pantomimes, yet also, somewhat contradictorily, has maintained that admission prices definitively increased at London's patent theatres in the period around 1740. This article shows both points to be mistaken: prices did not rise in the period, and Fleetwood was forced out due to a range of grievances that had developed over the preceding decade. By revealing how pricing practices, Fleetwood's tenure, and the riots developed, this article provides new insights on a crucial period in London's theatre history (the 1730s–40s) and on the wider social and economic dynamics of Georgian theatregoing.
Maternal Innate Immune Reprogramming After Complicated Pregnancy
Authors: Lodge‐Tulloch Nakeisha A. , Paré Jean‐François , Couture Camille , Bernier Elsa , Cotechini Tiziana , Girard Sylvie , Graham Charles H. 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTProblemPreeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) are often associated with maternal inflammation and an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in the affected mothers. The mechanism responsible for this increased risk of subsequent disease may involve reprogramming of innate immune cells, characterized by epigenetic modifications.Method of StudyCirculating monocytes from women with PE, FGR, or uncomplicated pregnancies (control) were isolated before labor. Cytokine release from monocytes following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the presence of lysine 4‐trimethylated histone 3 (H3K4me3) within TNF promoter sequences were evaluated. Single‐cell transcriptomic profiles of circulating monocytes from women with PE or uncomplicated pregnancies were assessed.ResultsMonocytes from women with PE or FGR exhibited increased IL‐10 secretion and decreased IL‐1β and GM‐CSF secretion in response to LPS. While TNFα secretion was not significantly different in cultures of control monocytes versus those from complicated pregnancies with or without LPS exposure, monocytes from complicated pregnancies had significantly decreased levels of H3K4me3 associated with TNF promoter sequences. Cluster quantification and pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed an increased proportion of anti‐inflammatory myeloid cells and a lower proportion of inflammatory non‐classical monocytes among the circulating monocyte population in women with PE.ConclusionsMonocytes from women with PE and FGR exhibit an immune tolerance phenotype before initiation of labor. Further investigation is required to determine whether this tolerogenic phenotype persists after the affected pregnancy and contributes to increased risk of subsequent disease.
Comparing religious and secular interventions to increase young adult political participation: Evidence from WhatsApp‐based civic education courses in Zambia
Authors: Sperber Elizabeth , McClendon Gwyneth , Kaaba O'Brien 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIt is often assumed that, in highly religious environments, religious messages that promote political participation will more effectively influence behavior than nonreligious messages with the same goal. To our knowledge, however, this assumption remains untested. We present results from a community‐collaborative study implemented prior to elections in Zambia, an overwhelmingly Christian country with a youth‐skewed population. We randomized young adults into different versions of a WhatsApp‐based civics course and compared outcomes after exposure to civic information only versus after civic information accompanied by either religious or nonreligious messages that promote self‐efficacy and grit. Because Zambia is a highly religious country, we expected the religious course to have the largest effect. Instead, the nonreligious efficacy‐boosting course did. The religious course performed no better than the information‐only condition. This study cautions against assuming the efficacy of religious messages, even in highly religious contexts, and identifies new questions for future research.
Interactive effects of fire and grazing on vegetation structure and plant species composition in subtropical grasslands
Authors: Furquim Fernando Forster , Scasta John Derek , Overbeck Gerhard Ernst 
Published: August 2024

AbstractQuestionFire and grazing, and their interaction, are the main drivers of vegetation structure and plant species composition in many grasslands globally. However, for subtropical grasslands in southern Brazil, the interactive effects of fire and grazing on plant community composition characteristics remain relatively understudied, even though this ecosystem is recognized as fire‐dependent with critical importance for livestock grazing.LocationSubtropical grassland in southern Brazil (Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul state).MethodsBeginning in 2017, we established an experiment with three treatments: fire only (F), grazing only (G), and fire and grazing (F + G). Grazing was continuous with ca 1.1 animal unit per hectare annually and prescribed fires were applied annually in winter. We assessed vegetation structure (via percentage of bare soil, height of canopy, and available forage) and plant species composition during spring (November) and summer (March) of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 (only summer season).ResultsDifferences in vegetation structure were found among treatments, wherein bare soil, height of canopy and available forage were higher in F, and lower but similar in F + G and G. Plant species richness was equal among treatments, but cover of C3 grasses was higher in F than in other treatments, and shrub cover was lower in F and F + G in comparison to G. In F + G treatment, available biomass for subsequent burning was limited, resulting in lower amounts of fuel, reduced fire spread, and ultimately less total area burned in the subsequent years.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that interaction of fire and grazing can be a useful vegetation management tool for conserving native plant species, increasing availability of more desirable forage plants, and decreasing shrubs (including toxic Senecio species which contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids). The singular and interactive effects of fire and grazing suggest the subhumid Río de la Plata grasslands are a fire‐adapted ecosystem with variable plant functional trait responses facilitating differential dominance. There is a need for future work to address spatio‐temporal variability and vegetation heterogeneity.
The Arp2/3 inhibitory protein Arpin inhibits homology‐directed DNA repair
Authors: Simanov Gleb , Rocques Nathalie , Romero Stéphane , de Koning Leanne , Vacher Sophie , Dubois Thierry , Bièche Ivan , Gautreau Alexis M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackground informationArpin, an Arp2/3 inhibitory protein, inhibits lamellipodial protrusions and cell migration. Arpin expression is lost in tumor cells of several cancer types.ResultsHere we analyzed expression levels of Arpin and various markers using Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA) in human mammary carcinomas. We found that Arpin protein levels were correlated with those of several DNA damage response markers. Arpin‐null cells display enhanced clustering of double stand breaks (DSBs) when cells are treated with a DNA damaging agent, in line with a previously described role of the Arp2/3 complex in promoting DSB clustering for homologous DNA repair (HDR) in the nucleus. Using a specific HDR assay, we further showed that Arpin depletion increased HDR efficiency two‐fold through its ability to inactivate the Arp2/3 complex.ConclusionsArpin regulates both cell migration in the cytosol and HDR in the nucleus.SignificanceLoss of Arpin expression coordinates enhanced cell migration with up‐regulated DNA repair, which is required when DNA damage is induced by active cell migration.
Targeting the tyrosine kinase Src in endothelium attenuates inflammation and atherogenesis induced by disturbed flow
Authors: Ding Huanyu , Jiang Minchun , Chan Andrew M. , Xia Yin , Ma Ronald C. W. , Yao Xiaoqiang , Wang Li , Huang Yu 
Published: August 2024

Background and PurposePrevious studies have shown that Src can regulate inflammation and tumour progression. However, the mechanisms by which Src regulates the inflammatory response of vascular endothelium and atherogenesis are currently poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of Src in endothelial inflammation and atherogenesis, as well as the underlying mechanisms.Experimental ApproachReal‐time quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA levels of inflammatory genes. The phosphorylation and localization of proteins were examined using western blotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. The level of p‐Src Y416 in mouse endothelium was directly determined using en face staining. Endothelial‐specific knockdown of Src was achieved by tail vein injection of AAV‐sgSrc in ApoE−/−; Cas9LSL/LSL; Cdh5‐cre mice. Atherosclerosis was induced by partial ligation of the carotid artery.Key ResultsOscillatory shear stress (OSS) promotes the phosphorylation of Src at Y416 in endothelial cells, and Piezo1 is required for this regulatory process. Overexpression of constitutively active Src promotes endothelial inflammation, as well as phosphorylation of Stat3 (at Y705) and its nuclear translocation. Endothelial inflammation induced by OSS was abolished by the Src inhibitor dasatinib or si‐Src. Dasatinib, when administered orally, reduced endothelial inflammation and plaque formation in ApoE−/− mice induced by partial carotid artery ligation. Additionally, plaque formation was decreased in the ligated left carotid artery of mice with endothelial‐specific Src knockdown.Conclusion and ImplicationsDisturbed flow promotes endothelial inflammation and atherogenesis through the Piezo1‐Src‐Stat3 pathway. Therefore, inhibiting Src in endothelial cells could be a promising therapeutic strategy to treat atherogenesis.
Associations between obesity and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 in Brazilian inpatients: A 2021 secondary data analysis
Authors: Sena Gabrielle Ribeiro , de Lima Tiago Pessoa Ferreira , de Carvalho Silva Michelle Lima , Sette Paloma Gomes Tavares , dos Santos Costa Gabriela Carla , da Fonseca Benvindo Amanda Mendes , de Mello Maria Júlia Gonçalves , Costa Guilherme Jorge 
Published: August 2024

SummaryIn the backdrop of the global obesity pandemic, recognized as a notable risk factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) complications, the study aims to explore clinical and epidemiological attributes of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients throughout 2021 in Brazil. Focused on four distinct age cohorts, the investigation scrutinizes parameters such as intensive care unit (ICU) admission frequency, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) usage, and in‐hospital mortality among individuals with and without obesity. Using a comprehensive cross‐sectional study methodology, encompassing adult COVID‐19 cases, data sourced from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System comprises 329 206 hospitalized patients. Of these individuals, 26.3% were affected by obesity. Analysis reveals elevated rates of ICU admissions, increased dependence on IMV, and heightened in‐hospital mortality among the individuals with obesity across all age groups (p < .001). Logistic regression, adjusting for confounding variables, underscores a progressively rising odds ratio for mortality in younger age brackets: 1.2 (95%CI 1.1–1.3) for those under 50 years, 1.1 (95%CI 1.0–1.2) for the 50–59 age group, and 1.1 (95%CI 1.0–1.2) for the 60–69 age group. Conversely, no significant mortality difference is observed for patients over 70 years (OR: 0.972, 95%CI 0.9–1.1). In summary, hospitalized COVID‐19 patients with obesity, particularly in younger age groups, exhibit elevated rates of ICU admission, IMV requirement, and in‐hospital mortality compared with the control group. Notably, the ‘obesity paradox’ is not evident among hospitalized COVID‐19 patients in 2021.
Anti‐Helicobacter pylori Infection Treatment and Pulmonary Hypersensitivity: Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Xu Shan , Wu Xiaohong , Chen Enguo , Ying Kejing 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is currently widespread throughout the world. Bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy is widely used, but it has rarely been associated with interstitial lung disease.Case PresentationWe described six cases with similar clinical symptoms and typical pulmonary interstitial imaging changes during anti‐H. pylori therapy, usually on Days 7–12 following treatment. Anti‐H. pylori infection treatment was discontinued when it was suspected to be the cause of the clinical symptoms, and all of the patients accepted observation therapy. All of them had a favorable outcome, the clinical symptoms returned to normal almost 1 week later, and the chest computed tomography (CT) scan images showed remarkable absorption 4 weeks later.ConclusionsDrug interactions could be the cause, and the most likely drug was furazolidone. All of the patients recovered quickly after drug discontinuation, and low‐dose steroid may help shorten the recovery time.
Oxytocin does not acutely improve glucose tolerance in men with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Goll Nina , Moszka Nina , Kantartzis Konstantinos , Preissl Hubert , Gruber Tim , Fritsche Louise , Jumpertz‐von Schwarzenberg Reiner , García‐Cáceres Cristina , Fritsche Andreas , Hallschmid Manfred 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAimTo assess oxytocin's acute glucoregulatory impact in men with type 2 diabetes in the context of our previous findings that oxytocin improves β‐cell responsivity in healthy men.MethodsIn a double‐blind, crossover comparison, intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) and placebo, respectively, were administered to 25 fasted men with non‐insulin–treated type 2 diabetes (age ± standard error of the mean, 63.40 ± 1.36 years; body mass index, 27.77 ± 0.66 kg/m2; HbA1c, 6.86% ± 0.08%; Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR, 3.44 ± 0.39) 60 minutes before an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT). Key outcomes were compared with previous results in men with normal weight or obesity.ResultsOxytocin compared with placebo increased plasma oxytocin concentrations and reduced the heart rate, but did not alter glucose metabolism in the 3 hours after oGTT onset (area under the curve, glucose, 2240 ± 80.5 vs. 2190 ± 69.5 mmol/L × min; insulin, 45 663 ± 4538 vs. 44 343 ± 4269 pmol/L × min; C‐peptide, 235 ± 5.1 vs. 231 ± 15.9 nmol/L × min).ConclusionsThis outcome contrasts with the oxytocin‐induced attenuation of early postprandial glucose excursions in normal‐weight individuals, but is in line with the absence of respective effects in men with obesity. We conclude that insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes is associated with decreased sensitivity to the acute glucoregulatory effect of oxytocin in male individuals.
The acute effects of motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation on athletic performance in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Winker Matteo , Hoffmann Sven , Laborde Sylvain , Javelle Florian 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis systematic review and meta‐analysis assesses independently the acute effects of anodal and cathodal motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on athletic performance in healthy adults. Besides, it evaluates the unique and conjoint effects of potential moderators (i.e., stimulation parameters, exercise type, subjects' training status and risk of bias). Online database search was performed from inception until March 18th 2024 (PROSPERO: CRD42023355461). Forty‐three controlled trials were included in the systematic review, 40 in the anodal tDCS meta‐analysis (68 effects), and 9 (11 effects) in the cathodal tDCS meta‐analysis. Performance enhancement between pre‐ and post‐stimulation was the main outcome measure considered. The anodal tDCS effects on physical performance were small to moderate (g = .29, 95%CI [.18, .40], PI = −.64 to 1.23, I2 = 64.0%). Exercise type, training status and use of commercial tDCS were significant moderators of the results. The cathodal tDCS effects were null (g = .04, 95%CI [−.05, .12], PI = −.14 to .23, I2 = 0%), with a small to moderate heterogeneity entirely due to sampling error, thus impairing further moderator analysis. These findings hold significant implications for the field of brain stimulation and physical performance, as they not only demonstrate a small to moderate effect of acute tDCS but also identify specific categories of individuals, devices and activities that are more susceptible to improvements. By addressing the multidimensional factors influencing the mechanisms of tDCS, we also provide suggestions for future research.
Property dependence on particle size and sintering temperature of waste porcelain high‐temperature resistant material
Authors: Lv Zhenfei , Cao Yukun , Lan Chong , Fan Mengke , Ke Yanghui , Guo Wenbo , Yang Yixian , Wang Xin , Shen Xiulin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe rapid development of the power industry has resulted in a significant amount of electric porcelain solid waste. To address the challenges of small‐scale utilization and low added value associated with the current utilization of porcelain solid waste, a new high‐temperature resistant material was successfully developed using waste electric porcelain with varying particle sizes as the primary raw material. The dependence of composition, structure, and mechanical properties on fine particle size and sintering temperature was explored. The research has determined that the most effective particle size for the synthesis of refractory materials using waste electric porcelain is 120 mesh, and the optimal temperature is 1600°C. When the temperature exceeds 1500°C, the expansion generated by the decomposition of sillimanite will counteract the shrinkage of the liquid phase reaction, thereby maintaining the morphology of the sample. This process forms a unique interwoven mullite morphology through the decomposition of sillimanite, thereby enhancing the strength of the material. As a result, the optimal bending strength of 74 MPa and the optimal compression strength of 207 MPa were obtained. The realization of high‐temperature resistant materials based on discarded electric porcelain has shown foreseeable potential in large‐scale high‐value utilization.