bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Living Donor Decision‐Making and the Complex Interplay of Finances and Other Motivators, Barriers, and Facilitators
Authors: Smith Abigail R. , Mandell Rebecca J. , Goodrich Nathan P. , Helmuth Margaret E. , Wiseman Jonathan B. , Gifford Kimberly A. , Fava Melissa A. , Ojo Akinlolu O. , Merion Robert M. , Mathur Amit K. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe decision to become a living donor requires consideration of a complex, interactive array of factors that could be targeted for clinical, policy, and educational interventions. Our objective was to assess how financial barriers interact with motivators, other barriers, and facilitators during this process.MethodsData were obtained from a public survey assessing motivators, barriers, and facilitators of living donation. We used multivariable logistic regression and consensus k‐means clustering to assess interactions between financial concerns and other considerations in the decision‐making process.ResultsAmong 1592 respondents, the average age was 43; 74% were female and 14% and 6% identified as Hispanic and Black, respectively. Among employed respondents (72%), 40% indicated that they would not be able to donate without lost wage reimbursement. Stronger agreement with worries about expenses and dependent care challenges was associated with not being able to donate without lost wage reimbursement (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0–1.3; OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1–1.3, respectively). Four respondent clusters were identified. Cluster 1 had strong motivators and facilitators with minimal barriers. Cluster 2 had barriers related to health concerns, nervousness, and dependent care. Clusters 3 and 4 had financial barriers. Cluster 3 also had anxiety related to surgery and dependent care.ConclusionsFinancial barriers interact primarily with health and dependent care concerns when considering living organ donation. Targeted interventions to reduce financial barriers and improve provider communication regarding donation‐related risks are needed.
Theology as embodied: How tangible theology offers a new invitation to embodied people
Authors: Fisher Miriam Jessie 
Published: July 2024

AbstractFar from being a purely cerebral activity, meaningful theological work seeks the transformation of people; intellectual assent is necessary, but humans are embodied, and theology can be multi‐modal in its action and delivery. This essay draws on the traditions of visual and sensory theological practices to make an argument for theology as a rigorous process enacted in embodied—mind, hand, and heart—ways. The interwoven relationship between orthodoxy and orthopraxy is too often tenuous, practitioners on one side and thinkers on the other. In exploring lives of biblical characters, specifically women, and expressing these across modalities of spoken word, stitch, and poetry, the writer makes a case for the essential embodiment of a sensuous theological expression—the kind of expression that one frequently experiences in sacrament and frequently ignores in formal theological discourse. In drawing from her own research practices the writer presents a case for the importance of personal theological work moving from thinking as the sole location, arguing that embodiment is always the outcome of good theological commitment. This essay builds on a foundation of theologians who make a case for the arts and for the sensory in pointing toward the Divine, and it unapologetically draws on textile practice as “women's work” and a location of shared human experience. The essay also explores responses to theology in physical stitched form and poetry. It includes responses which take theological interactions beyond consumption into production; it considers the value of embodied, holistic theological work as a potential gift to the community.
Early reduction in albuminuria is associated with a steeper ‘dip’ in initial estimated glomerular filtration rate but favourable long‐term kidney outcomes in people with diabetes receiving sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors
Authors: Kao Yi‐Wei , Yen Kun‐Chi , Chen Shao‐Wei , Chao Tze‐Fan , Chan Yi‐Hsin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimTo assess if early change in albuminuria was linked to an initial change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and long‐term kidney outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receiving sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.MethodsUsing a medical database from a multicentre healthcare institute in Taiwan, we retrospectively enrolled 8310 people receiving SGLT2 inhibitors from 1 June 2016 to 31 December 2021. We compared the risks of initial eGFR decline, major adverse renal events (MARE; >50% eGFR reduction or development of end‐stage kidney disease), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) using a Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsIn all, 36.8% (n = 3062) experienced a >30% decrease, 21.0% (n = 1743) experienced a 0%–30% decrease, 14.4% (n = 1199) experienced a 0%–30% increase, and 27.7% (n = 2306) experienced a >30% increase in urine albumin‐to‐creatine ratio (UACR) after 3 months of SGLT2 inhibitor treatment. Greater acute eGFR decline at 3 months correlated with greater UACR reduction: −3.6 ± 10.9, −2.0 ± 9.5, −1.1 ± 8.6, and −0.3 ± 9.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 for the respective UACR change groups (p < 0.001). Over a median of 29.0 months, >30% UACR decline was associated with a higher risk of >30% initial eGFR decline (hazard ratio [HR] 2.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61–4.47]), a lower risk of MARE (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48–0.89), and a comparable risk of MACE or HHF after multivariate adjustment (p < 0.05). The nonlinear analysis showed early UACR decline was linked to a lower risk of MARE but a higher risk of initial steep eGFR decline of >30%.ConclusionPhysicians should be vigilant for the potential adverse effects of abrupt eGFR dipping associated with a profound reduction in UACR, despite the favourable long‐term kidney outcomes in the population with T2D receiving SGLT2 inhibitor treatment.
Neuregulin4‐ErbB4 signalling pathway is driven by electroacupuncture stimulation to remodel brown adipose tissue innervation
Authors: Yu Ziwei , Zhang Ting , Yang Xingyu , Xu Bin , Yu Zhi , An Li , Xu Tiancheng , Jing Xinyue , Wang Yaling , Lu Mengjiang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimTo show that electroacupuncture stimulation (ES) remodels sympathetic innervation in brown adipose tissue (BAT) via the bone morphogenic protein 8B (BMP8B)‐neuregulin 4 (NRG4)‐ErbB4 axis, with somatotopic dependence.Materials and methodsWe established a high‐fat diet (HFD) model with C57BL/6J mice to measure the thermogenesis and metabolism of BAT. In addition, the sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) was measured with the electrophysiological technique, and the immunostaining of c‐Fos was used to detect the central nervous system sources of sympathetic outflows. Finally, the key role of the BMP8B‐NRG4‐ErbB4 axis was verified by peripheral specific antagonism of ErbB4.ResultsES at the forelimb and abdomen regions significantly up‐regulate SNA, whereas ES at the hindlimb region has a limited regulatory effect on SNA but still partially restores HFD‐induced BAT dysfunction. Mechanistically, ES at the forelimb and abdomen regions driving catecholaminergic signals in brown adipocytes depends on neural activities projected from the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) to the spinal cord intermediolateral column (IML). Notably, the peripheral suppression of ErbB4 in BAT inhibits the thermogenesis and metabolic function of BAT, as well as significantly hindering the SNA activation and metabolic benefits induced by ES.ConclusionThese results suggest that ES appears to be an effective approach for remodeling sympathetic innervation in BAT, which is closely related to neuronal activity in the VMH and the NRG4‐ErbB4 signaling pathway.
The association of diabetes with progression of sleep‐disordered breathing based on a prospective cohort
Authors: Zhang Xiujian , Su Yingying , Zhu Xuanfeng 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimProspective studies suggest that sleep‐disordered breathing enhances the risk of diabetes. However, it remains unclear whether diabetes could worsen sleep‐disordered breathing.MethodsThe participants from Sleep Heart Health Study underwent two polysomnograms at a 5‐year interval. The relationship of baseline diabetes to change in the apnoea‐hypopnoea index (AHI) was examined based on general linear models, adjusting for demographics, lifestyles, history of hypertension, pulmonary function, length of follow‐up and baseline AHI.ResultsIn total, 161 of the 2603 participants were diagnosed with diabetes at the first polysomnograms. Compared with participants without diabetes, those with diabetes had a higher baseline and larger increases in follow‐up AHI and obstructive apnoea index (oAI). Diabetes increased 2.52 events per hour (95% confidence interval 0.45‐4.59; p = .017) for AHI change and 1.13 events per hour (95% confidence interval 0.04‐2.23; p = .042) for oAI change, respectively. In addition, subgroup analysis suggested that the association was consistent across baseline obstructive sleep apnoea severity and body mass index groups.ConclusionsBaseline diabetes was associated with worsening sleep‐disordered breathing over 5 years, which mainly increased the change in AHI and oAI.
Corporate governance and firm performance: Evidence from political instability, political ideology, and corporate governance reforms in Pakistan
Authors: Shakri Irfan Haider , Yong Jaime , Xiang Erwei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe examine impact of corporate governance on firm performance following the implementation of the changes to the Code of Corporate Governance of Pakistan in 2012. Our sample period from 2008 to 2022 include periods of political instability and shifts in Pakistan's political landscape, providing an opportunity to examine the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms in enhancing accounting‐ and market‐based firm performance measures. We find significant improvements attributed to reforms in the regulatory framework surrounding corporate governance practices particularly from expanded scope and composition of boards and audit committees. This led to broader capabilities and effective controls, thus improving firm performance and investor confidence more so during periods of political instability and changes in political ideology.
Characterization of sciatic nerve myelin sheath during development in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Chen Yuhan , Shang Tongxin , Sun Junjie , Ji Yuhua , Gong Leilei , Li Aihong , Ding Fei , Shen Mi , Zhang Qi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMyelin sheath plays important roles in information conduction and nerve injury repair in the peripheral nerve system (PNS). Enhancing comprehension of the structure and components of the myelin sheath in the PNS during development would contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the developmental and regenerative processes. In this research, the structure of sciatic nerve myelin sheath in C57BL/6 mice from embryonic day 14 (E14) to postnatal 12 months (12M) was observed with transmission electron microscopy. Myelin structure appeared in the sciatic nerve as early as E14, and the number and thickness of myelin lamellar gradually increased with the development until 12M. Transcriptome analysis was performed to show the expressions of myelin‐associated genes and transcriptional factors involved in myelin formation. The genes encoding myelin proteins (Mag, Pmp22, Mpz, Mbp, Cnp and Prx) showed the same expression pattern, peaking at postnatal day 7 (P7) and P28 after birth, whereas the negative regulators of myelination (c‐Jun, Tgfb1, Tnc, Cyr61, Ngf, Egr1, Hgf and Bcl11a) showed an opposite expression pattern. In addition, the expression of myelin‐associated proteins and transcriptional factors was measured by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The protein expressions of MAG, PMP22, MPZ, CNPase and PRX increased from E20 to P14. The key transcriptional factor c‐Jun co‐localized with the Schwann cells Marker S100β and decreased after birth, whereas Krox20/Egr2 increased during development. Our data characterized the structure and components of myelin sheath during the early developmental stages, providing insights for further understanding of PNS development.
Plasma neurofilament light chain levels in chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity according to type of anticancer drug
Authors: Velasco Roser , Marco Carla , Domingo‐Domenech Eva , Stradella Agostina , Santos Cristina , Laquente Berta , Ferrer German , Argyriou Andreas A. , Bruna Jordi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackground and purposeA real‐time biomarker in chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) would be useful for clinical decision‐making during treatment. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) can be detected in blood in the case of neuroaxonal damage. The aim of the study was to compare the levels of plasma NfL (pNfL) according to the type of chemotherapeutic agent and the severity of CIPN.MethodsThis single‐center prospective observational longitudinal study included patients treated with paclitaxel (TX; n = 34), brentuximab vedotin (BV; n = 29), or oxaliplatin (PT; n = 19). All patients were assessed using the Total Neuropathy Score–clinical version and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events before, during, and up to 6–12 months after the end of treatment. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed before and after chemotherapy discontinuation. Consecutive plasma samples were analyzed for NfL levels using a Simoa® analyzer. Changes in pNfL were compared between groups and were eventually correlated with clinical and NCS data. Clinically relevant (CR) CIPN was considered to be grade ≥ 2.ResultsEighty‐two patients, mostly women (59.8%), were included. One third of the patients who received TX (29.4%), BV (31%), or PT (36.8%) developed CR‐CIPN, respectively, without differences among them (p = 0.854). Although pNfL significantly increased during treatment and decreased throughout the recovery period in all three groups, patients receiving TX showed significantly greater and earlier changes in pNfL levels compared to the other agents (p < 0.001).ConclusionsA variable change in pNfL is observed depending on the type of agent and mechanism of neurotoxicity with comparable CIPN severity, strongly implying the need to identify different cutoff values for each agent.
Inspection data‐based prediction on fatigue crack of orthotropic steel deck using interpretable machine learning method
Authors: Ma Yihu , Wang Benjin , Chen Airong 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe prediction of fatigue cracks on orthotropic steel decks is of great significance to the maintenance of bridges. However, fatigue cracks are affected by various uncertainties in reality, which encourages a data‐driven study for the sake of reliability and accuracy of predictions. Based on the crack inspection data from orthotropic steel decks on actual bridges in China, the feature engineering is conducted considering fatigue crack behaviors, and the machine learning models are trained and tested for predicting cracks, including XGBoost, random forest, and multiple decision trees. According to the receiver operating characteristic curves of the three models, the XGBoost model has the best performance, whereas the average AUC is about 0.75, limited by the insufficient data volume of positive samples. With the SHAP values of all features, the interpretation of the machine learning model is presented, indicating that the global effects, that is, the longitudinal position, the loading condition, and the bridge age, are always influential factors for fatigue cracks. The local features concerning the interactions between cracks have an effect on crack behaviors to a certain extent, but less important. Accordingly, the interpretable machine learning model can provide conservative predictions in a rather transparent way on this issue, which can benefit decision‐making in bridge designs, maintenance, and management.
Integrin‐Linked Kinase in the Development of Gastric Tumors Induced by Helicobacter pylori: Regulation and Prevention Potential
Authors: Li Boqing , He Jing , Zhang Ruiqing , Liu Sisi , Zhang Xiaolin , Li Zhiqin , Ma Chunlei , Wang Wenke , Cui Yingzi , Zhang Ying 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundIntegrin‐linked kinase (ILK) is crucial in solid tumors by regulating the Hippo‐Yes‐associated protein 1 (YAP) pathway. This study aimed to uncover how Helicobacter pylori influences ILK levels and its role in regulating YAP during H. pylori‐induced gastric cancer.Materials and MethodsGES‐1 cells with stable Ilk knockdown and overexpression and a mouse carcinogenesis model for H. pylori infection were constructed. And ILK, the phosphorylated mammalian STE20‐like protein kinase 1 (MST1), large tumor suppressor 1 (LATS1; S909, T1079), and YAP (S109, S127) were detected in cells, and mice by western blotting, as well as fluorescence intensity of YAP were assayed by immunofluorescence. YAP downstream genes Igfbp4 and Ctgf, the pathological changes and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β), and nitric oxide (NO) levels in mice gastric tissues were detected by real‐time PCR, H&E, and ELISA assays.ResultsIn this study, stable Ilk knockdown cells exhibited significantly higher phosphorylated levels of MST1, LATS1, and YAP, as well as increased YAP in the nuclei of GES‐1 cells. Conversely, cells with Ilk overexpression showed opposite results. H. pylori infection led to decreased ILK levels in gastric epithelial cells but increased ILK levels in gastric cancer cell lines (MGC803, SGC7901) and gastric cancer tissues in mice. Treatment with the ILK inhibitor OST‐T315 elevated the phosphorylated MST, LATS1, and YAP levels, and inhibited the mRNA levels of Igfbp4 and Ctgf at 44, 48 week‐aged mice. OST‐T315 also reduced the release of TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β, and NO, as well as the progression of gastric cancer caused by H. pylori and N‐Nitroso‐N‐methylurea (NMU) treatment.ConclusionUpon initiation of gastric tumorigenesis signals, H. pylori increases ILK levels and suppresses Hippo signaling, thereby promoting YAP activation and gastric cancer progression. ILK can serve as a potential prevention target to impede H. pylori‐induced gastric cancer.
Additive manufacturing of short fiber oxide ceramic matrix composite: Process analysis and material properties
Authors: Stiller Jonas H. M. , Nestler Daisy , Uhlmann Stefan , Kausch Martin , Rauchs Gaston , Kroll Lothar 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis work investigates the material extrusion‐based additive manufacturing (AM) process chain of a pure alumina‐based oxide ceramic matrix composite, starting from material selection, large‐scale compounding to pellets, the AM process itself, debinding and sintering as well as microstructural and mechanical characterization. The compounded pellets have a volume share of 50% binder (polyvinyl butyral [PVB], polyethylene glycol [PEG], and stearic acid) and 50% alumina (Al2O3, alumina powder, and Nextel 610 alumina fibers) with an aimed fiber volume share of 40% after sintering. The material is compounded on an industrial scale with approximately 10 kg/h and the material extrusion‐based AM process reaches speeds of up to 1000 mm/s. A variation of the feed rate leads to a significant increase in surface roughness and an increase in mass of 30%, in thickness of 12% and in width of 25%. The flexural behavior in the four‐point‐bending test can be described by a fast first peak and reaching higher flexural strength after the first crack subsequent with averages of 23.8 ± 3.6 MPa below .1% elongation. The fracture surfaces show the expected failure mechanisms like pull‐out and crack deflection. The resulting fiber length in the printed samples is 140 µm in average.
Changing the location of proteins on the cell surface is a promising strategy for modulating T cell functions
Authors: Strazza Marianne , Song Ruijiang , Hiner Shannon , Mor Adam 
Published: July 2024

AbstractTargeting immune receptors on T cells is a common strategy to treat cancer and autoimmunity. Frequently, this is accomplished through monoclonal antibodies targeting the ligand binding sites of stimulatory or inhibitory co‐receptors. Blocking ligand binding prevents downstream signalling and modulates specific T cell functions. Since 1985, the FDA has approved over 100 monoclonal antibodies against immune receptors. This therapeutic approach significantly improved the care of patients with numerous immune‐related conditions; however, many patients are unresponsive, and some develop immune‐related adverse events. One reason for that is the lack of consideration for the localization of these receptors on the cell surface of the immune cells in the context of the immune synapse. In addition to blocking ligand binding, changing the location of these receptors on the cell surface within the different compartments of the immunological synapse could serve as an alternative, efficient, and safer approach to treating these patients. This review discusses the potential therapeutic advantages of altering proteins' localization within the immune synapse and summarizes published work in this field. It also discusses the novel use of bispecific antibodies to induce the clustering of receptors on the cell surface. It presents the rationale for developing novel antibodies, targeting the organization of signalling receptor complexes on the cell surface. This approach offers an innovative and emerging technology to treat cancer patients resistant to current immunotherapies.
An educational approach to develop intercultural nursing care for refugees from Ukraine: A qualitative study
Authors: Larson Kim L. , Choufani Marianne R. , Płaszewska‐Żywko Lucyna 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimTo describe how nurses and nursing students in Poland and the United States perceive the practice of intercultural care of refugees from Ukraine.BackgroundMillions of Ukrainian citizens sought safety in other countries when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.IntroductionNurses in Poland and the United States are positioned to provide nursing care for refugees from Ukraine yet lack intercultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes to meet refugee needs.MethodsThis education‐focused qualitative description study was conducted in Spring 2023. Eighteen MSN and BSN students from one university in Poland and one university in the United States completed an international virtual exchange course that concentrated on the health and well‐being of refugees from Ukraine. Students’ reflection papers generated the data for this study. Content analysis was used to systematically structure the data, and themes were inductively derived for an initial understanding of intercultural care for refugees. The COREQ guidelines were followed for reporting study findings.ResultsMajor themes were troubled communication, overlooked trauma‐informed care, and compromised vaccine status. Language differences, a gap in nursing knowledge, and cultural variations impeded intercultural care.DiscussionTo address intercultural care for refugees from Ukraine, macro‐ and microlevel factors should be considered. Healthcare facilities need certified interpreters or adequate language‐access technology for nurses. Nursing programs might evaluate content on trauma‐informed care and cultural competency to meet the needs of war‐affected refugees. Leaders from Ukrainian refugee communities could partner with nurses to deliver culturally relevant information to increase vaccine uptake.ImplicationsNurses should advocate for inclusion of the WHO competency standards of care for refugees in healthcare policies with emphasis on communication and evidence‐informed practice. Placing Ukrainian community leaders on health councils could bridge the gap between refugees and mainstream society.