bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Part‐time subsidies and maternal reemployment: Evidence from a difference‐in‐differences analysis
Authors: Zimmert Franziska , Zimmert Michael 
Published: July 2024

SummaryEmployment interruptions of mothers are still one of the main causes for different labour market outcomes between women and men. Employment subsidies can incentivise mothers to shorten employment interruptions after childbirth. We examine a German parental leave reform incentivising an early return to part‐time work. Exploiting the exogenous variation defined by the child's birthday, we apply unconditional difference‐in‐differences (DiD) estimation using administrative data. Machine learning augmented DiD estimation shows that our findings are robust to the inclusion of a large dictionary of potential covariates. Additionally, we estimate conditional effects in the DiD setting. Our results show that being eligible to the new regime yields positive average employment effects that are mainly driven by part‐time employment. In particular, the increased attractiveness of part‐time work does not cannibalise full‐time employment. The policy creates heterogeneous incentives depending on the opportunity costs of working part time: especially mothers with middle income and prior part‐time workers respond to the reform. Besides, diverging results for East and West Germany hint at the potential of a change in social norms.
Molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies of Glu‐Glu‐Arg, Glu‐Pro‐Arg, and Pro‐Arg‐Pro tripeptides to reveal their anticancer and antiviral potentials
Authors: Yilmaz Gozde , Celik Sefa , Erbolukbas Ozel Aysen , Akyuz Sevim 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBioactive peptides have been emerging as drug candidates with increasing importance in the last few decades. In this study, to evaluate the anticancer and antiviral properties of EER (Glu‐Glu‐Arg), EPR (Glu‐Pro‐Arg), and PRP (Pro‐Arg‐Pro) tripeptides, firstly their conformation preferences were searched, and the most stable optimized structure of each tripeptide was determined, using the molecular mechanics force field (MMFF) method and the Spartan06 program. Afterwards, each tripeptide was docked to SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein receptor‐binding domain (6M0J), SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease (6M03, 6LU7), spike glycoprotein (6VXX), DNA (1BNA), integrins (4WK0, 3ZDX, 1JV2) and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (4HJO). Moreover, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to validate the stability of the EER, EPR and PRP tripeptides docked to SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease, MPro (6M03) and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (4HJO) within 100 ns time scale and ligand‐receptor interactions were evaluated. The metrics root‐mean‐square deviation, root‐mean‐square fluctuation, intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and radius of gyration revealed that the EER, EPR, and PRP tripeptides form energetically stable complexes with the target proteins. The binding free energies were calculated by the combination of Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) and Molecular Mechanics/Poisson‐Boltzmann Surface Area (MM‐PBSA) methods (MM/PB(GB)SA). Principal Component Analysis on MD data was performed to evaluate the energy and structural information of the tripeptide‐protein complexes. Additionally, in‐silico structure‐based pharmacological predictions were made and the anticancer and antibacterial activities of the tripeptides were predicted.
Utility of the rurality index for Japan for exploring good practice solutions for declining birthrates in rural areas
Authors: Nomura Osamu , Soma Yuki , Kaneko Makoto 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundJapan is experiencing unprecedented decreasing birthrates. This preliminary study aimed to identify the municipalities in Aomori Prefecture that are successfully tacking declining birthrates using the Rurality Index for Japan (RIJ).MethodsWe obtained 100‐level RIJ and census data from 1980 to 2020 for children (age < 15 years) in the municipal population of Aomori Prefecture.ResultsThe analysis revealed generally weak but significant relationships between population variables and the RIJ.ConclusionsThe RIJ is effective for identifying good practice communities that have developed and implemented solutions to prevent declining birthrates at the community level.
Cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis and other systemic inflammatory or autoimmune disease manifestations in the setting of clonal hematopoiesis
Authors: George Giby V. , Liesveld Jane , El Hussein Siba , Jajosky Audrey N. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe clinical manifestations and pathophysiology of clonal hematopoiesis (CH)‐associated immunological dysfunction are poorly understood. We describe an elderly woman with CH who developed various systemic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases (SIADs), including cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and temporal arteritis. Sequencing of the LCH revealed somatic oncogenic mutations in MAP2K1, IDH2, and SRSF2, with enrichment of the latter two in her peripheral blood at high allele frequencies. These findings raise concern for the future development of a myeloid malignancy. Given the mounting evidence for adult‐onset autoinflammatory conditions caused by somatic blood mutations, we suspect CH‐mediated immune dysregulation is contributing to her multi‐organ involvement by a combination of SIADs.
Myeloma‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis – A comprehensive case study and a novel chemotherapy‐free approach with anakinra
Authors: Al‐Ammari Maged , Hsu Danny , Bryant Adam 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an immune response syndrome characterized by excessive inflammation and tissue destruction. A limited number of cases involving HLH patients with concomitant multiple myeloma (MM), leading to significant mortality, have been documented, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis. We present the case of a 78‐year‐old previously healthy male admitted to our hospital with a newly diagnosed MM. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with HLH and received treatment with anakinra, intravenous immunoglobulin, and dexamethasone. This case report highlights the unique aspect of being the first documented instance of myeloma‐associated HLH treated with anakinra.
Multikingdom characterization of gut microbiota in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis‐associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Xing Yida , Liu Yiping , Sha Shanshan , Zhang Yue , Dou Yuemeng , Liu Changyan , Xu Mingxi , Zhao Lin , Wang Jingdan , Wang Yan , Ma Xiaochi , Yan Qiulong , Kong Xiaodan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis‐associated interstitial lung disease (RA‐ILD) is a serious and common extra‐articular disease manifestation. Patients with RA‐ILD experience reduced bacterial diversity and gut bacteriome alterations. However, the gut mycobiome and virome in these patients have been largely neglected. In this study, we performed whole‐metagenome shotgun sequencing on fecal samples from 30 patients with RA‐ILD, and 30 with RA‐non‐ILD, and 40 matched healthy controls. The gut bacteriome and mycobiome were explored using a reference‐based approach, while the gut virome was profiled based on a nonredundant viral operational taxonomic unit (vOTU) catalog. The results revealed significant alterations in the gut microbiomes of both RA‐ILD and RA‐non‐ILD groups compared with healthy controls. These alterations encompassed changes in the relative abundances of 351 bacterial species, 65 fungal species, and 4,367 vOTUs. Bacteria such as Bifidobacterium longum, Dorea formicigenerans, and Collinsella aerofaciens were enriched in both patient groups. Ruminococcus gnavus (RA‐ILD), Gemmiger formicilis, and Ruminococcus bromii (RA‐non‐ILD) were uniquely enriched. Conversely, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bacteroides spp., and Roseburia inulinivorans showed depletion in both patient groups. Mycobiome analysis revealed depletion of certain fungi, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans, in patients with RA compared with healthy subjects. Notably, gut virome alterations were characterized by an increase in Siphoviridae and a decrease in Myoviridae, Microviridae, and Autographiviridae in both patient groups. Hence, multikingdom gut microbial signatures showed promise as diagnostic indicators for both RA‐ILD and RA‐non‐ILD. Overall, this study provides comprehensive insights into the fecal virome, bacteriome, and mycobiome landscapes of RA‐ILD and RA‐non‐ILD gut microbiota, thereby offering potential biomarkers for further mechanistic and clinical research.
Addressing out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest with current technology advances: Breaking the deadlock with a mobile network
Authors: Hayashi Meiso , Iwasaki Yu‐ki 
Published: July 2024

AbstractOut‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a global public health problem, with survival rates remaining low at around 10% or less despite widespread cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This is partly due to the challenges of knowing when and where a sudden OHCA occurs and where the nearest AED is located. In response, countries around the world have begun to use network technology‐based smartphone applications. These applications are activated by emergency medical service dispatchers and alert preregistered volunteer first responders (VFRs) to nearby OHCAs using Global Positioning System localization. Accumulating evidence, although mostly from observational studies, shows their effectiveness in increasing the rate of bystander CPR, defibrillation, and patient survival. Current guidelines recommend the use of these VFR alerting systems, and the results of ongoing randomized trials are awaited for further dissemination. This article also proposed the concept of a life‐saving mobile network (LMN), which uses opportunistic network and wireless sensor network technologies to create a dynamic mesh network of potential victims, rescuers, and defibrillators. The LMN works by detecting a fatal arrhythmia with a wearable sensor device, localizing the victim and the nearest AED with nearby smartphones, and notifying VFRs through peer‐to‐peer communication. While there are challenges and limitations to implementing the LMN in society, this innovative network technology would reduce the tragedy of sudden cardiac death from OHCA.
Association between calf circumference and mortality in people receiving home enteral nutrition: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Back Thamara , Taconeli Cesar Augusto , Schieferdecker Maria Eliana Madalozzo 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundAmong the anthropometric measurements, calf circumference has been widely used as a simple and practical method to diagnose low muscle mass and sarcopenia. However, the association between this measurement and clinical outcomes in people receiving home enteral nutrition is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association of calf circumference with mortality, discharge from home enteral nutrition, continuity in home enteral nutrition, and new hospitalizations in adult and older adult people.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used secondary data, including people aged ≥18 years receiving home enteral nutrition. The association between calf circumference and the outcomes of mortality, discharge from home enteral nutrition, and continuity in home enteral nutrition was analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. The association between calf circumference and the occurrence of new hospitalizations was investigated using binary logistic regression.ResultsAmong the 899 people included in the study, 470 were men (52.3%), the median age was 72 years (interquartile range, 56.5–82), and 850 had inadequate calf circumference (94.5%). As calf circumference increased, the odds of mortality decreased and the probability of discharge from home enteral nutrition and continuity in home enteral nutrition increased. Furthermore, in people with oncologic diagnoses, the odds of new hospitalizations were reduced by 71.9% for each additional centimeter in calf circumference.ConclusionThese findings underline the importance of using calf circumference as part of the nutrition assessment because it is a simple, easy, and cost‐effective method that can also be used as a tool to predict clinical outcomes.
Safety and efficacy of linaclotide in children aged 2–5 years with functional constipation: Phase 2, randomized study
Authors: Di Lorenzo Carlo , Robert Jon , Rodriguez‐Araujo Gerardo , Shakhnovich Valentina , Xie Wangang , Nurko Samuel , Saps Miguel 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectivesLinaclotide, a guanylate cyclase‐C agonist, was recently approved in the United States for the treatment of children 6–17 years of age with functional constipation (FC). This study evaluated the dose‐response, safety, and efficacy of 4 weeks of linaclotide compared with placebo in children 2–5 years of age with FC.MethodsIn this phase 2, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multidose study, 35 children with FC (based on Rome III criteria) were randomized 3:1 to receive linaclotide (18, 36, or 72 μg, for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) and 5:1 to receive linaclotide 9, 18, 36, or 72 μg (group 4), or matching placebo. Key endpoints were the changes from baseline in overall spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) frequency (SBMs/week), stool consistency, and straining, as well as the proportion of days with fecal incontinence during the study intervention period. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded.ResultsOf the randomized patients, 34 (97.1%) completed the treatment period and 33 (94.3%) completed the posttreatment period. Mean change from baseline over the treatment period for three of the four key efficacy endpoints showed greater improvement in the linaclotide 72 μg group versus placebo. A dose‐response trend was seen for stool consistency in patients receiving linaclotide. Four patients randomized to linaclotide experienced treatment‐emergent AEs, one of which was treatment‐related (mild diarrhea). All AEs were mild or moderate and none were severe.ConclusionsLinaclotide was well tolerated in this pediatric population and an efficacy trend was seen with linaclotide 72 μg versus placebo.
Potential nutritional and functional matters in yeast culture prepared by soybean meal fermentation
Authors: Cao Yazhuo , Xu Minwei , Chen Qiong , Wu Dianhui , Lu Jian , Cai Guolin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDYeast culture (YC) is a product fermented on a specific medium, which is a type of postbiotic of anaerobic solid‐state fermentation. Although YC has positive effects on the animal growth and health, it contains a variety of beneficial metabolites as dark matter, which have not been quantified. In the present study, liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry is employed to identify the unknown metabolites. Following their identification, the important chemicals are quantified using HPLC‐diode array detection methods.RESULTSNon‐targeted metabolomics studies showed that 670 metabolites in total were identified in YC, of which 23 metabolites significantly increased, including organic acids, amino acids, nucleosides and purines, isoflavones, and other substances. The chemical quantitative analysis showed that the contents of succinic acid, aminobutyric acid, glutamine, purine and daidzein increased by 84.42%, 51.07%, 100%, 68.85% and 4.60%, respectively.CONCLUSIONTherefore, the use of non‐targeted metabolomics combined with chemical quantitative analysis to reveal the nutritional and functional substances of YC could help to elucidate the postbiotic mechanism and provide theoretical support for the regulation of the directional accumulation of beneficial metabolites. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pathological Intraplaque Hemorrhage as the Gold Standard to Assess the Efficacy of Ultrasound in Predicting Vulnerable Carotid Plaque Rupture
Authors: Huang Yaping , Sun Xinping , Ding Xu , Tan Shuping , Yu Zexing , Shi Xue , Li Xin , Ge Huiyu 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveTo assess the clinical utility of ultrasound in predicting the risk of carotid vulnerable plaque rupture using pathological intraplaque hemorrhage as the gold standard.MethodsA total of 118 patients who underwent endarterectomy due to symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were enrolled. Conventional ultrasound assessed the plaque thickness, area stenosis rate, echo, and surface morphology. Neovascularization were assessed by contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and tracing intraplaque nonenhanced areas. According to neovascularization grade (0–4), plaques were classified as low‐, intermediate‐, and high risk. Fresh intraplaque hemorrhage within the pathology was adopted as the gold standard for diagnosing plaque rupture risk. Thus, we divided patients into ruptured risk and nonruptured risk groups to assess the value of crucial factors for plaque rupture risk using ultrasound.ResultsOf the 118 patients, hypertension accounted for 71.2%, hyperlipidemia 68.6%, diabetes 52.5%, and statin history 64.4%. In the rupture risk group, diabetes, smoking, and stenosis rate were significantly higher than the nonrupture risk group (P < .001); plaque thickness ≥4 mm (P > .05); and mainly hypoechoic with irregular surface morphology (P < .001), nonenhanced areas in the plaques (P < .001), and neovascularization >grade 2 (P < .001). Compared with the low‐risk group, plaque rupture risk was 7.219 times higher in the medium‐risk group and 18.333 times higher in the high‐risk group. The kappa value of the interobserver consistency of crucial ultrasound parameters was >0.75, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.919 (P < .01).ConclusionsBoth conventional ultrasound and CEUS have significant clinical importance in the prediction of rupture risk in vulnerable carotid plaques, thereby enabling stroke risk stratification and the assessment of plaque rupture risk.
Migration tracking assists harvest management of overabundant Canada geese in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Neufeld Leanne R. , Baldwin Frank , Fraser Kevin C. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSimilar to other jurisdictions across North America, populations of temperate‐nesting giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) have increased to unprecedented levels in Manitoba, Canada, causing extensive damage to crops and property, posing risks to human safety, and mostly avoiding mortality risk from fall hunting seasons. As a result, this population in southern Manitoba was declared overabundant in 2019, through an amendment to the Canada Migratory Birds Regulations. Management authorities sought to increase harvest rates by introducing an additional hunting period in spring, or conservation season, wherein harvest could be concentrated on this population. An important consideration was the need to avoid additional harvest on non‐target populations that do not meet the criteria to be classified as overabundant, specifically, sub‐arctic nesting Canada geese (Branta canadensis interior) and mid‐continent cackling geese (Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii). To investigate differences in migration timing of populations, and ultimately determine start and closure dates for the spring conservation season, we deployed light‐level geolocators on adult females of each population between 2016 and 2018. We used Bayesian approaches to derive locations from light‐level data and generalized linear mixed models to investigate potential differences in timing of international border crossing among goose populations. Migration data confirmed that movement of these populations overlapped extensively in fall, but in spring, a narrow period existed where mainly the target population was present. Our findings provide the basis for decisions about timing of spring conservation seasons for overabundant temperate‐nesting Canada geese in Manitoba, the first season of its kind for this population in North America. Additionally, our work represents the first large‐scale use of light‐level geolocator technology for assisting with waterfowl harvest management decisions.
Reconstruction of Palatal Defects Using a Composite Chondromucosal Nasoseptal Flap and Comparative Analysis
Authors: Bon‐Nieves Antonio A. , Peraza Lazaro R. , Ortiz‐Correa Zinnarky K. , Price Daniel L. , Pinheiro‐Neto Carlos D. 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveThe use of composite chondromucosal nasal septal flaps (ccNSF) has been demonstrated to be effective in cadaveric studies for the anterior skull base and the orbit. However, their application in the clinical setting remains unexplored. Our study aims to introduce a new method for treating palatal defects using ccNSF. Additionally, we studied the average NSF area and compared it to the average palate area.MethodsWe collected 108 CT scans from the medical records of patients without head and neck pathologies from a tertiary medical institution. We quantified the quadrangular (septal) cartilage and palate areas. Furthermore, we included a clinical case in which we used the ccNSF for the palatal defect reconstruction. This was to compare the mean area between the palate and the septal cartilage.ResultsThe ccNSF covered the palatal defect without any significant complications for the first 9 months of follow‐up. A total of 102 CT scans met the inclusion criteria and were measured. We found that the mean quadrangular cartilage had a length of 2.50 (±0.52) cm, a width of 2.28 (±0.51) cm, and an area of 5.43 (±1.68) cm2. The mean palate length was 2.73 (±0.44) cm, with a width of 3.13 (±0.34) cm, and area of 7.87 (±1.43) cm2.ConclusionsThe ccNSF proved successful in palatal defect reconstruction, resulting in positive outcomes and no major complications until the 9‐month follow‐up. The ccNSF is a useful flap that avoids the use of free flap transfer and its associated morbidities.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 134:4882–4887, 2024
Changes to upper‐ocean ecosystems may directly impact abyssal scavenger communities
Authors: de Jonge Daniëlle S. W. , Smith Alycia J. , Sweetman Andrew K. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHuman pressures are changing ocean environments, such as a shift from fish‐ to squid‐dominated ecosystems in overfished, poorly oxygenated environments. After death, carcasses of upper ocean fauna sink to the seafloor where they provide food for demersal scavengers. It is unclear how shifts in carcass type impact abyssal scavengers. We performed baited benthic camera lander deployments in the Cabo Verde Abyssal Basin to test how a shift from fish‐ to squid‐dominated carrion could modify abyssal scavenger ecology. At the fish bait, peak scavenger abundance was greater and occurred later for the majority of observed fauna. However, removal rates of squid bait were up to 10‐fold greater, and a significantly different community composition developed, favoring faster organisms with lower chemosensory thresholds. At the fish bait, slower organisms were less disadvantaged as the bait persisted for longer periods allowing the development of a more complex community and dense amphipod aggregations. The rapid squid consumption indicates that the accumulation of this type of food fall at the seafloor may not occur, preventing scientific observations necessary to estimate the importance of squid carrion to the biological C pump and deep‐sea food webs. As such, the flux of squid carrion to the seafloor is likely greater than currently recognized in this part of the Atlantic. The differences observed between bait types indicate how future changes in upper ocean ecosystems may impact abyssal scavengers and their ecosystem functions, including controlling seafloor biomass, regulating the behavior of benthic fauna, and contributing to nutrient cycling and energy transfer.