bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melatonin Ameliorates Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability by Regulating PPARδ‐Associated Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switching
Authors: Chen Sy‐Jou , Chien Hung‐Che , Tsai Shih‐Hung , Jheng Yu‐Sin , Chen Yi , Hsieh Po‐Shiuan , Tsui Pi‐Fen , Chien Shu , Tsai Min‐Chien 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTVulnerable atherosclerotic plaque rupture, the leading cause of fatal atherothrombotic events, is associated with an increased risk of mortality worldwide. Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor delta (PPARδ) has been shown to modulate vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching, and, hence, atherosclerotic plaque stability. Melatonin reportedly plays a beneficial role in cardiovascular diseases; however, the mechanisms underlying improvements in atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability remain unknown. In this study, we assessed the role of melatonin in regulating SMC phenotypic switching and its consequential contribution to the amelioration of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and explored the mechanisms underlying this process. We analyzed features of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and markers of SMC phenotypic transition in high‐cholesterol diet (HCD)–fed apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE−/−) mice and human aortic SMCs (HASMCs). Melatonin reduced atherosclerotic plaque size and necrotic core area while enhancing collagen content, fibrous cap thickness, and smooth muscle alpha‐actin positive cell coverage on the plaque cap, which are all known phenotypic characteristics of vulnerable plaques. In atherosclerotic lesions, melatonin significantly decreased the synthetic SMC phenotype and KLF4 expression and increased the expression of PPARδ, but not PPARα and PPARγ, in HCD‐fed ApoE−/− mice. These results were subsequently confirmed in the melatonin‐treated HASMCs. Further analysis using PPARδ silencing and immunoprecipitation assays revealed that PPARδ plays a role in the melatonin‐induced SMC phenotype switching from synthetic to contractile. Collectively, we provided the first evidence that melatonin mediates its protective effect against plaque destabilization by enhancing PPARδ‐mediated SMC phenotypic switching, thereby indicating the potential of melatonin in treating atherosclerosis.
Stewards, defenders, progenitors, and collaborators: Courts in the age of democratic decline
Authors: Dichio Michael A. , Logvinenko Igor 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn this introductory essay to the special issue of Law & Policy, “Global Perspectives on Judicial Politics and Democratic Backsliding,” we critically examine the paradoxical role of courts during episodes of democratic backsliding. Despite operating without direct democratic accountability—relying instead on legal precedents and doctrinal interpretations—courts are pivotal in defending democratic integrity during episodes of backsliding. This issue, featuring 10 articles by 15 scholars, offers a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of judicial politics of autocratization. Half of the articles deal directly with the U.S. judiciary, highlighting its unique standing that allows it to both enable and resist democratic backsliding. The other half of the issue explores case studies from Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, highlighting a great deal of variability of tactics, approaches and outcomes. Published during a critical electoral year in 2024, this collection emphasizes the need for ongoing research into the judiciaries' dual capacity to both safeguard and undermine democratic norms.
Assessment of hepatitis B virus relapse in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with prophylactic nucleos(t)ide analogues: Implications for overall mortality
Authors: Wang Chih‐Wen , Huang Chung‐Feng , Yeh Ming‐Lun , Liang Po‐Cheng , Jang Tyng‐Yuan , Wei Yu‐Ju , Hsu Po‐Yao , Hsieh Ming‐Yen , Lin Yi‐Hung , Huang Jee‐Fu , Dai Chia‐Yen , Chuang Wan‐Long , Yu Ming‐Lung 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsWe aimed to explore the risk factors associated with virological and clinical relapse, as well as their impact on overall mortality, in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐infected patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) therapy prior to chemotherapy initiation.MethodsFrom 2010 to 2020, we conducted a prospective cohort study involving patients with HBV infection undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy. We utilized the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression models to assess risk factors.ResultsWe observed that TDF or TAF (HR: 2.16, 95% CI 1.06–4.41; p = .034), anthracycline (HR: 1.73, 95% CI 1.10–2.73; p = .018), baseline HBV DNA (HR: 1.55, 95% CI 1.33–1.81; p < .001) and end‐of‐treatment HBsAg titre >100 IU/mL (HR: 7.81, 95% CI 1.94–31.51; p = .004) were associated with increased risk of virological relapse. Additionally, TDF or TAF (HR: 4.91, 95% CI 1.45–16.64; p = .011), baseline HBV DNA (HR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.10–1.99; p = .009) and end‐of‐treatment HBsAg titre >100 IU/mL (HR: 6.09, 95% CI .95–38.87; p = .056) were associated with increased risk of clinical relapse. Furthermore, we found that virological relapse (HR: 3.32, 95% CI 1.33–8.32; p = .010) and clinical relapse (HR: 3.59, 95% CI 1.47–8.80; p = .005) significantly correlated with all‐cause mortality in HBV patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy with prophylactic NUCs therapy.ConclusionsThe risk of virological and clinical relapse was linked to baseline HBV DNA, end‐of‐treatment HBsAg levels and TDF or TAF for prophylaxis; additionally, experiencing relapse heightens the risk of all‐cause mortality. Further research is warranted to explore potential strategies for preventing virological and clinical relapse in high‐risk patients.
Combined genome and transcriptome provides insight into the genetic evolution of an edible halophyte Suaeda salsa adaptation to high salinity
Authors: Cui Bing , Liu Ranran , Yu Qiong , Guo Jianrong , Du Xihua , Chen Zixin , Li Chenyang , Wang Tong , Liu Ru , He Rui , Song Congcong , Liu Yue , Sui Na , Jia Guifang , Song Jie 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSuaeda salsa L. is a typical halophyte with high value as a vegetable. Here, we report a 447.98 Mb, chromosomal‐level genome of S. salsa, assembled into nine pseudomolecules (contig N50 = 1.36 Mb) and annotated with 27,927 annotated protein‐coding genes. Most of the assembled S. salsa genome, 58.03%, consists of transposable elements. Some gene families including HKT1, NHX, SOS and CASP related to salt resistance were significantly amplified. We also observed expansion of genes encoding protein that bind the trace elements Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn, and genes related to flavonoid and α‐linolenic acid metabolism. Many expanded genes were significantly up‐regulated under salinity, which might have contributed to the acquisition of salt tolerance in S. salsa. Transcriptomic data showed that high salinity markedly up‐regulated salt‐resistance related genes, compared to low salinity. Abundant metabolic pathways of secondary metabolites including flavonoid, unsaturated fatty acids and selenocompound were enriched, which indicates that the species is a nutrient‐rich vegetable. Particularly worth mentioning is that there was no significant difference in the numbers of cis‐elements in the promoters of salt‐related and randomly selected genes in S. salsa when compared with Arabidopsis thaliana, which may affirm that plant salt tolerance is a quantitative rather than a qualitative trait in terms of promoter evolution. Our findings provide deep insight into the adaptation of halophytes to salinity from a genetic evolution perspective.
Decision making for health‐related research outcomes that alter diagnosis: A model from paediatric brain tumours
Authors: Pickles Jessica C. , Aquilina Kristian , Chalker Jane , Dahl Christine , Devadass Abel , Mankad Kshitij , Merve Ashirwad , Ahmed Munaza , Nicoll James A. R. , Bloom Tabitha , Hilton David A. , Sebire Neil J. , Hargrave Darren , Jacques Thomas S. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimsThe question of how to handle clinically actionable outcomes from retrospective research studies is poorly explored. In neuropathology, this problem is exacerbated by ongoing refinement in tumour classification. We sought to establish a disclosure threshold for potential revised diagnoses as determined by the neuro‐oncology speciality.MethodsAs part of a previous research study, the diagnoses of 73 archival paediatric brain tumour samples were reclassified according to the WHO 2016 guidelines. To determine the disclosure threshold and clinical actionability of pathology‐related findings, we conducted a result‐evaluation approach within the ethical framework of BRAIN UK using a surrogate clinical multidisciplinary team (MDT) of neuro‐oncology specialists.ResultsThe MDT identified key determinants impacting decision‐making, including anticipated changes to patient management, time elapsed since initial diagnosis, likelihood of the patient being alive and absence of additional samples since cohort inception. Ultimately, none of our research findings were considered clinically actionable, largely due to the cohort's historic archival and high‐risk nature. From this experience, we developed a decision‐making framework to determine if research findings indicating a change in diagnosis require reporting to the relevant clinical teams.ConclusionsEthical issues relating to the use of archival tissue for research and the potential to identify actionable findings must be carefully considered. We have established a structured framework to assess the actionability of research data relating to patient diagnosis. While our specific findings are most applicable to the pathology of poor prognostic brain tumour groups in children, the model can be adapted to a range of disease settings, for example, other diseases where research is dependent on retrospective tissue cohorts, and research findings may have implications for patients and families, such as other tumour types, epilepsy‐related pathology, genetic disorders and degenerative diseases.
Skeletal muscle involvement in systemic amyloidosis is often overlooked
Authors: Xu Jingwen , Zhou Xiaoyu , Wang Yingxin , Liu Wenzhu , Shan Yi , Zhang Dong , Lv Huixia , Zhao Dandan , Dai Tingjun , Zhao Yuying , Li Wei , Liu Fuchen , Yan Chuanzhu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimSystemic amyloidosis is a condition in which misfolded amyloid fibrils are deposited within tissues. Amyloid myopathy is a rare manifestation of systemic amyloidosis. However, whether skeletal muscle involvement is underestimated and whether such deposition guarantees clinical and pathological myopathic features remain to be investigated.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients with systemic amyloidosis, in whom skeletal muscle biopsies were performed at our centre between January 2018 and June 2023. In total, 28 patients with suspected systemic amyloidosis were included. Among these, 21 presented with cardiomyopathy but lacked myopathic symptoms. The clinical and pathological data of these patients were further analysed. The amyloid type was confirmed by immunohistochemistry.ResultsTwenty‐eight patients with suspected systemic amyloidosis underwent muscle biopsy. Amyloid deposition in the skeletal muscle was confirmed in 24 patients, including 22 with light‐chain amyloidosis (AL) and two with transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Among the 24 patients, seven presented with muscle weakness and decreased muscle strength (Group 1, symptomatic myopathy), whereas the remaining 17 exhibited normal muscle strength (Group 2, asymptomatic myopathy). Group 1 included four patients with AL‐λ, one with AL‐κ and two with ATTR. Group 2 included 15 patients with AL‐λ and two patients with AL‐κ. In Group 1, six patients exhibited neuropathy, whereas only one patient in Group 2 presented with subclinical neuropathy on nerve conduction studies. Amyloid deposition in the interstitium was the most obvious change, observed in all 24 patients. Neuropathic changes, including denervation atrophy and muscle fibre grouping, were also common. Except for type 2 fibre atrophy, the other myopathic changes were mild and nonspecific. No sarcolemmal disruption was observed. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed marked positivity for MAC and MHC1 expression in the regions with amyloid deposits. Clinicopathological analysis revealed no significant differences in the extent of muscular amyloid deposition between the two groups. Nevertheless, patients in Group 1 displayed more pronounced neurogenic atrophy on skeletal muscle biopsies.ConclusionsOur study indicates that amyloid deposition in skeletal muscle is commonly observed but rarely causes symptomatic myopathy in systemic amyloidosis.
Reassessing the alternative ecosystem states proposition in the African savanna‐forest domain
Authors: Higgins Steven I. , Banerjee Swarnendu , Baudena Mara , Bowman David M. J. S. , Conradi Timo , Couteron Pierre , Kruger Laurence M. , O'Hara Robert B. , Williamson Grant J. 
Published: July 2024

SummaryEcologists are being challenged to predict how ecosystems will respond to climate changes. According to the Multi‐Colored World (MCW) hypothesis, climate impacts may not manifest because consumers such as fire and herbivory can override the influence of climate on ecosystem state. One MCW interpretation is that climate determinism fails because alternative ecosystem states (AES) are possible at some locations in climate space. We evaluated theoretical and empirical evidence for the proposition that forest and savanna are AES in Africa. We found that maps which infer where AES zones are located were contradictory. Moreover, data from longitudinal and experimental studies provide inconclusive evidence for AES. That is, although the forest‐savanna AES proposition is theoretically sound, the existing evidence is not yet convincing. We conclude by making the case that the AES proposition has such fundamental consequences for designing management actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change in the savanna‐forest domain that it needs a more robust evidence base before it is used to prescribe management actions.
Cell wall‐mediated maternal control of apical–basal patterning of the kelp Undaria pinnatifida
Authors: Dries Eloise , Meyers Yannick , Liesner Daniel , Gonzaga Floriele M. , Becker Jakob F. M. , Zakka Eliane E. , Beeckman Tom , Coelho Susana M. , De Clerck Olivier , Bogaert Kenny A. 
Published: July 2024

Summary

The role of maternal tissue in embryogenesis remains enigmatic in many complex organisms. Here, we investigate the contribution of maternal tissue to apical–basal patterning in the kelp embryo.

Focussing on Undaria pinnatifida, we studied the effects of detachment from the maternal tissue using microsurgery, staining of cell wall modifications, morphometric measurements, flow cytometry, genotyping and a modified kelp fertilisation protocol synchronising kelp embryogenesis.

Detached embryos are rounder and often show aberrant morphologies. When a part of the oogonial cell wall remains attached to the zygote, the apical–basal patterning is rescued. Furthermore, the absence of contact with maternal tissue increases parthenogenesis, highlighting the critical role of maternal signals in the initial stages of development.

These results show a key role for the connection to the maternal oogonial cell wall in apical–basal patterning in kelps. This observation is reminiscent of another brown alga, Fucus, where the cell wall directs the cell fate. Our findings suggest a conserved mechanism across phylogenetically distant oogamous lineages, where localised secretion of sulphated F2 fucans mediates the establishment of the apical–basal polarity. In this model, the maternal oogonial cell wall mediates basal cell fate determination by providing an extrinsic patterning cue to the future kelp embryo.
Application of Multi‐Rod Constructs for the Revision of Thoracolumbar Fractures
Authors: Zeng Xiangchao , Lv Yongwei , Yang Yafeng , Yin Xin , Li Li , Wang Huadong , Yu Ning , Wang Yan , Guo Jidong 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveThe revision procedure for failure of internal fixation after thoracolumbar fracture is controversial. Combined anterior and posterior surgery is associated with higher risk more intraoperative bleeding and tissue damage. The success rate of simple anterior surgery needs further confirmation, and posterior surgery lacks stability of internal fixation. This study evaluates the feasibility and surgical effect of multi‐rod constructs in the revision of thoracolumbar fractures.MethodsEleven patients with thoracolumbar fractures who underwent previous construct failure and were treated with revision and internal fixation with the multi‐rod technique from March 2017 to September 2018 were analyzed. The original internal fixation was removed and replaced in the medial insertion of satellite rods and bone graft. The average follow‐up time was 15.97 months. The intraoperation blood loss, the time of the operation, activation and discharge and the rate of rod fracture were calculated. The sagittal Cobb angle before revision, after revision and at the last follow‐up were compared. The clinical effect was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire (ODI).ResultsThe average operation time was 107 min, the intraoperative blood loss was 131.81 mL, the active time was 1.59 days, and the discharge time was 10.89 days. No rod fractured again during the follow‐up period.The paired t‐test was used to compare the Cobb angle, VAS score, and ODI before and after surgery. There was significant difference in the sagittal Cobb angle between the pre‐revision and the posterior sagittal position (p = 0.000), and no significant difference was found between post‐revision and last follow‐up (p = 0.551). VAS and ODI were greatly improved at the last follow‐up.ConclusionThe literature on revision of thoracolumbar fractures is insufficient and comprises varying opinions. This paper proposes a new treatment option. The application of the multi‐rod constructs in the revision of thoracolumbar fractures is safe, simple, and effective and might provide guidance for future clinical work.
Radiomics Based on Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging for the Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Vertebral Compression Fractures
Authors: Geng Wei , Zhu Jingfen , Li Mao , Pi Bin , Wang Xiantao , Xing Junhui , Xu Haibo , Yang Huilin 
Published: July 2024

ObjectivesRecent studies have indicated that radiomics may have excellent performance and clinical application prospects in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). However, multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based radiomics model is rarely used in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant VCFs, and is limited to lumbar. Herein, this study intends to develop and validate MRI radiomics models for differential diagnoses of benign and malignant VCFs in patients.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study involved 151 adult patients diagnosed with VCF in The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in 2016–2021. The study was conducted in three steps: (i) the original MRI images were segmented, and the region of interest (ROI) was marked out; (ii) among the extracted features, those features with Pearson's correlation coefficient lower than 0.9 and the top 15 with the highest variance and Lasso regression coefficient less than and more than 0 were selected; (iii) MRI images and combined data were studied by logistic regression, decision tree, random forest and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) models in training set and the test set (ratio of 8:2), respectively; and the models were further verified and evaluated for the differential diagnosis performance. The evaluated indexes included area under receiver (AUC) of operating characteristic curve, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The AUCs were used to assess the predictive performance of different machine learning modes for benign and malignant VCFs.ResultsA total of 1144 radiomics features, and 14 clinical features were extracted. Finally, 12 radiomics features were included in the radiomics model, and 12 radiomics features with 14 clinical features were included in the combined model. In the radiomics model, the differential diagnosis performance in the logistic regression model with the AUC of 0.905 ± 0.026, accuracy of 0.817 ± 0.057, sensitivity of 0.831 ± 0.065, and negative predictive value of 0.813 ± 0.042, was superior to the other three. In the combined model, XGBoost model had the superior differential diagnosis performance with specificity (0.979 ± 0.026) and positive predictive value (0.971 ± 0.035).ConclusionThe multimodal MRI‐based radiomics model performed well in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant VCFs, which may provide a tool for clinicians to differentially diagnose VCFs.
Thinking about the Russian war on Ukraine and the future of peace history
Authors: Peterson Christian Philip 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMy contribution will explore how the Russian war on Ukraine could impact the evolution of peace history as a field. Drawing on various proposals to end the conflict, it will explain why peace historians should continue to do the work that they normally do such as describing grassroots activism against the war and how Ukrainians have used nonviolent tactics to resist the Russian occupation. But it will also explain why the war reinforces the need to spend more time exploring how the diverse peoples of the world have understood legitimate civic ordering and the acceptable use of violence at specific moments in time—a task necessary to undermine the historical falsehoods that Russians have used to justify their aggression against Ukraine. Finally, my contribution will grapple with the relationship between peace and military history, explaining why peace historians need to become more comfortable addressing what a country like Ukraine needs to do on the battlefield to survive as a nation and build a more just and peaceful world.
The elusive face of peace in public spaces
Authors: Buffton Deborah D. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWhile war memorials and monuments are generally easily recognized, peace art and spaces dedicated to peace are not. This is often because we both define and remember “peace” in ambiguous and sometimes contradictory ways. This article discusses the International Peace Garden (Manitoba/North Dakota) and Bangor City Park (Bangor, Wisconsin). Both are dedicated to “peace,” but reveal the complicated ways our understandings of peace shape our surroundings.