bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Snails of ‘sky islands’ above an equatorial desert: Terrestrial molluscs on four isolated mountain ranges in northern Kenya
Authors: Rowson Ben , Seddon Mary B. , Tattersfield Peter , Lange Charles N. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe mountains of northern Kenya (Ndoto, Nyiro, Kulal and Marsabit) are separated by semi‐arid plains uninhabitable for most terrestrial molluscs (snails and slugs). Nevertheless, each “sky island” supports a little‐known forest mollusc fauna. The diversity and endemism of these faunas are addressed here based on surveys and the limited records available in the literature. In total 75 forest mollusc species and subspecies were found, including six previously undescribed Streptaxidae and many first records. Most previously recorded taxa were refound. The richness of faunas is broadly comparable to that of other Kenyan forests surveyed using similar methods (Ndoto 41 taxa, Nyiro 40, Kulal 33, Marsabit 34). A large proportion of the forest taxa (24 taxa, 29%) are endemic to Kenya north of the Mathews Range. More than half of these (14 taxa, 17% of the total) are known only from a single mountain range. At Nyiro, where different forest types were compared, fewer endemic species were found in Juniper forest than in other forest types. Moving northwards along the Ndoto‐Nyiro‐Kulal chain, diversity declines while endemism increases, perhaps reflecting increasing isolation from the southern forests, but the trends are not significant when Marsabit is included. Across the four ranges, neither diversity nor endemism is clearly linked to the isolation, maximum elevation, forest cover or geological origin of each range (Kulal and Marsabit are volcanoes, while Nyiro and Ndoto are uplifted basement rock). Instead, the unique circumstances of each range create a distinctive set of isolated faunas.
Biomarker Identification for Preterm Birth Susceptibility: Vaginal Microbiome Meta‐Analysis Using Systems Biology and Machine Learning Approaches
Authors: Kulshrestha Sudeepti , Narad Priyanka , Singh Brojen , Pai Somnath S. , Vijayaraghavan Pooja , Tandon Ansh , Gupta Payal , Modi Deepak , Sengupta Abhishek 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTProblemThe vaginal microbiome has a substantial role in the occurrence of preterm birth (PTB), which contributes substantially to neonatal mortality worldwide. However, current bioinformatics approaches mostly concentrate on the taxonomic classification and functional profiling of the microbiome, limiting their abilities to elucidate the complex factors that contribute to PTB.Method of studyA total of 3757 vaginal microbiome 16S rRNA samples were obtained from five publicly available datasets. The samples were divided into two categories based on pregnancy outcome: preterm birth (PTB) (N = 966) and term birth (N = 2791). Additionally, the samples were further categorized based on the participants’ race and trimester. The 16S rRNA reads were subjected to taxonomic classification and functional profiling using the Parallel‐META 3 software in Ubuntu environment. The obtained abundances were analyzed using an integrated systems biology and machine learning approach to determine the key microbes, pathways, and genes that contribute to PTB. The resulting features were further subjected to statistical analysis to identify the top nine features with the greatest effect sizes.ResultsWe identified nine significant features, namely Shuttleworthia, Megasphaera, Sneathia, proximal tubule bicarbonate reclamation pathway, systemic lupus erythematosus pathway, transcription machinery pathway, lepA gene, pepX gene, and rpoD gene. Their abundance variations were observed through the trimesters.ConclusionsVaginal infections caused by Shuttleworthia, Megasphaera, and Sneathia and altered small metabolite biosynthesis pathways such as lipopolysaccharide folate and retinal may increase the susceptibility to PTB. The identified organisms, genes, pathways, and their networks may be specifically targeted for the treatment of bacterial infections that increase PTB risk.
Chinese state media persuades a global audience that the “China model” is superior: Evidence from a 19‐country experiment
Authors: Mattingly Daniel , Incerti Trevor , Ju Changwook , Moreshead Colin , Tanaka Seiki , Yamagishi Hikaru 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMany are skeptical of the appeal of authoritarian political systems. We argue that global audiences will embrace authoritarian models when they believe that autocracies can meet governance challenges better than democracies. We collect comprehensive data on the external messaging of the Chinese and American governments. We then conduct a randomized experiment in 19 countries across six continents exposing global citizens to real messages from the Chinese and American governments’ external media arms. We find that exposure to a representative set of Chinese messages strengthens perceptions that the Chinese Communist Party delivers growth, stability, and competent leadership. It also moves the average respondent from slightly preferring the American model to slightly preferring the Chinese model. In head‐to‐head matchups, messages from the US government are less persuasive. Our findings show how autocracies build global support by selling growth and competence, with important implications for democratic resilience.
Elucidating allergic reaction mechanisms in response to SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA vaccination in adults
Authors: Shah Mihir M. , Layhadi Janice A. , Hourcade Dennis E. , Fulton William T. , Tan Tiak Ju , Dunham Diane , Chang Iris , Vel Monica S. , Fernandes Andrea , Lee Alexandra S. , Liu James , Arunachalam Prabhu S. , Galli Stephen J. , Boyd Scott D. , Pulendran Bali , Davis Mark M. , O'Hara Ruth , Park Helen , Mitchell Lynne M. , Akk Antonina , Patterson Alexander , Jerath Maya R. , Monroy Jennifer M. , Ren Zhen , Kendall Peggy L. , Durham Stephen R. , Fedina Aleksandra , Gibbs Bernhard F. , Agache Ioana , Chinthrajah Sharon , Sindher Sayantani B. , Heider Anja , Akdis Cezmi A. , Shamji Mohamed H. , Pham Christine T. N. , Nadeau Kari C. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, novel nanoparticle‐based mRNA vaccines were developed. A small number of individuals developed allergic reactions to these vaccines although the mechanisms remain undefined.MethodsTo understand COVID‐19 vaccine‐mediated allergic reactions, we enrolled 19 participants who developed allergic events within 2 h of vaccination and 13 controls, nonreactors. Using standard hemolysis assays, we demonstrated that sera from allergic participants induced stronger complement activation compared to nonallergic subjects following ex vivo vaccine exposure.ResultsVaccine‐mediated complement activation correlated with anti‐polyethelyne glycol (PEG) IgG (but not IgM) levels while anti‐PEG IgE was undetectable in all subjects. Depletion of total IgG suppressed complement activation in select individuals. To investigate the effects of vaccine excipients on basophil function, we employed a validated indirect basophil activation test that stratified the allergic populations into high and low responders. Complement C3a and C5a receptor blockade in this system suppressed basophil response, providing strong evidence for complement involvement in vaccine‐mediated basophil activation. Single‐cell multiome analysis revealed differential expression of genes encoding the cytokine response and Toll‐like receptor (TLR) pathways within the monocyte compartment. Differential chromatin accessibility for IL‐13 and IL‐1B genes was found in allergic and nonallergic participants, suggesting that in vivo, epigenetic modulation of mononuclear phagocyte immunophenotypes determines their subsequent functional responsiveness, contributing to the overall physiologic manifestation of vaccine reactions.ConclusionThese findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying allergic reactions to COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines, which may be used for future vaccine strategies in individuals with prior history of allergies or reactions and reduce vaccine hesitancy.
Forest habitat diversity in the Cantabrian Mixed Forests ecoregion (NW Iberian Peninsula), a climatic refugium in western Europe
Authors: González‐García Víctor , Fernández‐Pascual Eduardo , Font Xavier , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAims(i) To classify forest habitat diversity in the Cantabrian Mixed Forests ecoregion, a putative biodiversity refugium in Western Europe, and (ii) to evaluate how the distribution of functional and ecological habitat types is explained by climatic drivers.LocationCantabrian Mixed Forests ecoregion (northwestern Iberian Peninsula).MethodsWe compiled a vegetation database for the ecoregion using data stored in the Iberian and Macaronesian Vegetation Information System (SIVIM). Then, we used the EUNIS Habitat Classification expert system, the modified Two‐Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) and the semi‐supervised k‐means classification to classify all Forest plots into regionalised EUNIS habitat types. We determined the environmental space of each ecological forest type with bioclimatic and soil variables, and computed principal components analysis (PCA), generalised linear models (GLMs) and PERMANOVA to evaluate climatic differences among forests.ResultsWe identified 24 ecological forest habitat types (12 broadleaved deciduous, seven broadleaved evergreen and five coniferous), whose regional distribution is mainly driven by the oceanic influence and the amount and seasonality of annual precipitation. Most forest types had a specific climatic optimum, but there were also climatic overlaps in habitats traditionally favoured by human activities.ConclusionsThe Cantabrian Mixed Forests ecoregion is a hotspot of forest diversity within the temperate deciduous forest biome in Europe, including multiple functional and ecological forest types. Such forest diversity is explained by present macro‐ and mesoclimatic heterogeneity, Pleistocene refugia, and the legacy of human intervention during the Holocene.
Subsidiarity and the logic of gift in business
Authors: Schlag Martin , Rocchi Marta 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis article is the editorial introduction to the special issue “Subsidiarity and the Logic of Gift in Business.” It provides a conceptual overview of subsidiarity and the logic of gift in business and society and it introduces the five essays that compose the special issue. This introduction and the five essays open new perspectives on subsidiarity, a principle that enables people, organizations, and society to address different needs at the appropriate level, working to achieve human flourishing, and the common good.
The stimulant cathine from Khat causes tachycardia indirectly in the rat
Authors: Alsufyani Hadeel A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractLeaves of the Khat plant are widely consumed in the Horn of Africa, Yemen and the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. I have investigated the mode of cardiovascular and autonomic actions of the stimulant cathine from Khat in terms of direct or indirect adrenergic actions in anaesthetised male and female rats, and in isolated tissues. Male and female rats were anaesthetised with pentobarbitone and changes in diastolic blood pressure and cardioaccelerator responses were examined in vehicle‐treated or chemically sympathectomised rats. Cathine produced marked tachycardia and smaller blood pressure responses in vehicle‐treated animals, with significant rises in heart rate occurring at cathine (0.1 mg/kg). In sympathectomised rats, cardiac actions were greatly attenuated in both male and female animals, with no differences between male and female rats. Although pressor responses to cathine were relatively small, sympathectomy significantly reduced these responses in female, but not male, rats. In rat aorta and spleen, cathine produced almost no direct contractions. It is concluded that cathine acts predominantly indirectly, presumably by the release of noradrenaline, in both male and female rats to produce cardiovascular actions. This may have implications for adverse cardiovascular actions of consumption of the plant Khat, particularly with dried Khat, in which actions of cathine may predominate over those of cathinone.
Interim PET‐guided ABVD or ABVD/escalated BEACOPP for newly diagnosed advanced‐stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma (JCOG1305)
Authors: Kusumoto Shigeru , Munakata Wataru , Machida Ryunosuke , Terauchi Takashi , Onaya Hiroaki , Oguchi Masahiko , Iida Shinsuke , Nosaka Kisato , Suzuki Yasuhiro , Harada Yasuhiko , Miyazaki Kana , Maruta Masaki , Fukuhara Noriko , Toubai Tomomi , Kubota Nobuko , Ohmachi Ken , Saito Toko , Rai Shinya , Mizuno Ishikazu , Fukuhara Suguru , Takeuchi Mai , Tateishi Ukihide , Maruyama Dai , Tsukasaki Kunihiro , Nagai Hirokazu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis single‐arm confirmatory study (JCOG1305) aimed to evaluate the utility of interim positron emission tomography (iPET)‐guided therapy for newly diagnosed advanced‐stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Patients aged 16–60 years with cHL received two cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) and then underwent an iPET scan (PET2), which was centrally reviewed using a five‐point Deauville scale. PET2‐negative patients continued an additional four cycles of ABVD, whereas PET2‐positive patients switched to six cycles of escalated bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (eBEACOPP). The co‐primary endpoints were 2‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) among all eligible and PET2‐positive patients. Ninety‐three patients were enrolled between January 2016 and December 2019. One patient was ineligible because of a diagnostic error. The median age of the 92 eligible patients was 35 (interquartile range, 28–48) years. Forty (43%) patients had stage III disease, and 43 (47%) had stage IV disease. The remaining nine (10%) patients had stage IIB disease with risk factors. Nineteen PET2‐positive (21%) patients received eBEACOPP, 18 completed six cycles of eBEACOPP, 73 PET2‐negative (79%) patients continued ABVD, and 70 completed an additional four cycles of ABVD. With a median follow‐up period of 41.1 months, the 2‐year PFS of 92 eligible patients and 19 PET2‐positive patients were 84.8% (80% confidence interval [CI], 79.2–88.9) and 84.2% (80% CI, 69.7–92.1), respectively. Both primary endpoints were met at the prespecified threshold. This study demonstrates that iPET‐guided therapy is a useful treatment option for younger patients with newly diagnosed advanced‐stage cHL. Registration number: jRCTs031180218.
Donor Atheromatous Disease is a Risk Factor for Hepatic Artery Thrombosis After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Zamora‐Olaya Javier M. , Tejero‐Jurado Rocío , Alañón‐Martínez Paloma E. , Prieto‐Torre María , Rodríguez‐Medina Cristina , Montero José L. , Sánchez‐Frías Marina , Briceño Javier , Ciria Rubén , Barrera Pilar , Poyato Antonio , De la Mata Manuel , Rodríguez‐Perálvarez Manuel L. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTThe increasing age of liver donors and transplant candidates, together with the growing prevalence of metabolic comorbidities, could impact the risk of vascular complications after liver transplantation. We enrolled a consecutive cohort of adult patients undergoing liver transplantation from 2012 to 2021 who had a blinded pathological assessment of atherosclerosis in the donor and recipient hepatic arteries (HA). Patients receiving partial or reduced grafts, retransplantation, or combined organ transplantation were excluded. The relationship between HA atherosclerosis and HA thrombosis after liver transplantation was evaluated using logistic regression in the whole study cohort and in a propensity score‐matched subpopulation. Among 443 eligible patients, 272 had a full pathological evaluation of the donor and recipient HA and were included in the study. HA atheroma was present in 51.5% of donors and in 11.4% of recipients. HA thrombosis occurred in 16 patients (5.9%), being more likely in patients who received a donor with HA atherosclerosis than in those without (10.7% vs. 0.8%; p < 0.001). Donor HA atherosclerosis was an independent risk factor of HA thrombosis (OR = 17.79; p = 0.008), and this finding was consistent in the propensity score‐matched analysis according to age, sex, complex arterial anastomosis, and alcoholic liver disease (OR = 19.29; p = 0.007). Atheromatous disease in the recipient had no influence on the risk of HA thrombosis (OR = 1.70; p = 0.55). In conclusion, patients receiving donors with HA atherosclerosis are at increased risk for HA thrombosis after liver transplantation. The evaluation of the donor graft vasculature could guide antiplatelet therapy in the postoperative period.
SARS‐CoV‐2 Vaccination Rates and Uptake of Tixagevimab‐Cilgavimab Among a Cohort of Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Reis Christopher A. , Ristagno Elizabeth H. , Madigan Theresa 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionThere is a lack of data regarding SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination rates and tixagevimab‐cilgavimab (TC) uptake among pediatric solid organ transplant recipients. The purpose of our study was to assess these rates.Materials and MethodsWe reviewed vaccination records of pediatric recipients of heart, kidney, and liver transplants at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, who received a transplant between January 2011 and December 2021. All SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines and doses of TC received on or before September 1, 2022, the date of approval of the bivalent SARS‐CoV2 vaccine, were included. We also assessed whether patients had been seen by an infectious diseases physician (ID) in the preceding 6 months.ResultsOur study included 110 patients: 47 kidney, 36 heart, and 27 liver transplant recipients. All vaccine doses recorded were monovalent SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines. Sixty‐eight (61.8%) patients received at least one vaccine. This varied by age group, with f of ≥12 years olds, 40.9% of 5–11 year olds and 14.3% of under 5 year olds (p = 0.001). Seven patients (6.4%) were up‐to‐date (UTD) for age. There was no difference in UTD status by organ type (p = 0.335). Patients who saw ID were significantly more likely to be UTD (13.2% versus 2.8%; p = 0.047). Among those eligible, 14 (18.2%) received TC, with rates not different based on transplanted organ type (p = 0.158) or whether they saw ID (p = 0.273).ConclusionsDespite the availability of vaccines, nearly 40% of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients remained unvaccinated against SARS‐CoV‐2 at time of the bivalent vaccine release. Less than a fifth of eligible patients received TC. Strategies to increase uptake of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines as well as adjunctive agents among this vulnerable group should be further explored.
Outcomes of Deceased Donor Kidney Recipients From the Same Donor Based on Donor–Recipient Sex Discordance
Authors: Swanson Kurtis J. , Aziz Fahad , Garg Neetika , Mandelbrot Didier , Parajuli Sandesh 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionOutcomes of deceased donor kidney transplant (DDKT) recipients from the same donor with donor–recipient sex discordance have been studied with inconsistent results.MethodsAdult DDKT where both kidneys from the same donor occurred at our center in two different recipients of different sexes were included. Outcomes were analyzed separately for male and female donors, based on the concordance or discordance between donor–recipient sex: Male‐male (M‐m) versus Male to female (M‐f) or vice versa, F‐f versus F‐m. Acute rejection (AR) and uncensored graft failure were primary outcomes of interest. The univariate and multivariate risks for AR and graft failure were conducted using the Cox proportional hazards model and log‐rank tests.ResultsA total of 130 donors, 84 male and 46 female fulfilled our selection criteria and were transplanted in 260 recipients. With respect to the concordant groups (M‐m or F‐f), sex discordance was not significantly associated with the risk of rejection in multivariate analysis (M‐f vs. M‐m HR 1.15 [0.53–2.53, P = 0.72]; F‐m vs. F‐f HR 1.77 [0.71–4.39, P = 0.23]). Sex discordance was also not significantly associated with graft failure in multivariate analysis. Interestingly, risk factors for AR differed among male donors and female donors. The higher calculated panel reactive antibodies (cPRA) and nonwhite recipients were at increased risk for AR in F‐m, but not in M‐f.ConclusionsDonor–recipient sex discordance was not significantly associated with AR or graft failure. Risk factors for AR may differ across male and female donors.
T‐cell Mediated Rejection Associated Microvascular Inflammation in the Allograft Kidney: RNAseq Analysis Using the Banff Human Organ Transplant Gene Panel
Authors: Barwad Adarsh , Huang Yuchen , Randhawa Parmjeet 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundMicrovascular inflammation (MVI) can occur in biopsies showing T‐cell mediated rejection (TCMR), but it is not well established that T‐cells can directly mediate microvascular injury (TCMR‐MVI).MethodsThis was a cross sectional RNAseq based Banff Human Organ Transplant (BHOT) gene expression (GE) analysis. The objective of this study was to probe the molecular signature of TCMR‐MVI in comparison with C4d+, DSA+ antibody mediated rejection (ABMR), stable renal function (STA), and TCMR without MVI. Transcriptome analysis utilized CLC genomic workbench and R‐studio software.ResultsNo gene set was specific for any diagnostic category, and all were expressed at low levels in STA biopsies. BHOT gene set scores could differentiate ABMR from TCMR and TCMR‐MVI, but not TCMR from TCMR‐MVI. TCMR‐MVI underexpressed several genes associated with ABMR including DSATs, ENDAT, immunoglobulin genes, ADAMDEC1, PECAM1 and NK cell transcripts (MYBL1, GNLY), but overexpressed C3, NKBBIZ, and LTF. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the expression of these genes in TCMR‐MVI versus TCMR. This indicates that the GE profile of TCMR MVI aligns more closely with TCMR than ABMR. The limitations of classifying biopsies using the binary ABMR‐TCMR algorithm, and the occurrence of common pathogenesis mechanisms amongst different rejection phenotype was highlighted by the frequent presence of molecular mixed rejection.ConclusionsT‐cell mediated mechanisms play a significant role in the pathogenesis of MVI. GE was broadly different between rejection phenotypes, but molecular scores varied substantially between biopsies with the same Banff grade. It was not always possible to achieve precise molecular score‐based diagnostic categorization of individual patients.