bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Washed microbiota transplantation improved the level of serum vitamin D in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Zhang Hui , Xiao Yuyan , Wen Quan , Zhang Sheng , Li Pan , Marcella Cicilia , Hu Bo , Liu Hui , Zhang Faming , Cui Bota 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackground and AimVitamin D (VD) deficiency was reported to correlate with ulcerative colitis (UC) activity, which might be closely related to gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study aims to investigate the effects of washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) on VD metabolism in UC.MethodsThe serum levels of 25‐hdroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in 121 patients with UC and 53 healthy controls (HC) were detected. Subsequently, a non‐randomized control trial (non‐RCT) was conducted. Patients with UC were non‐randomly assigned to undergo WMT (n = 28) vs. conventional treatment (5‐aminosalicylic acid, 5‐ASA, n = 10). Serum levels of 25(OH)D, fecal microbiota, and the expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in patients with UC were evaluated with a 3‐month follow‐up.ResultsSerum VD levels collected in the clinic practice indicated that patients with UC had significantly lower VD levels than HC (P < 0.001). In the non‐RCT, serum 25(OH)D level and VDR expression significantly increased (P = 0.011, 0.026, respectively) in the WMT group, while no noticeable changes were observed in the non‐WMT group. Microbiome profiling revealed that the increase in VD levels after WMT was positively associated with the abundances of Adlercreutzia_equolifaciens, Ruminococcus_obeum, and Dorea but negatively correlated with Escherichia.ConclusionsThe study suggested that WMT increases the levels of VD with characteristic changes of specific microbiota, which indicated the association between the VD and the activity of UC might be regulated by gut microbiota.
Estimating the Ideas' Production Function Using Macro‐Economic Persistence
Authors: MA XIAOHAN , SAMANIEGO ROBERTO 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIf productivity stems from the accumulation of ideas, then the ideas' production function can cause productivity and macro‐economic aggregates to be persistent. We use this insight to estimate the parameters of the ideas' production function in a general equilibrium model. We find that ideas become harder to produce as they accumulate. We quantitatively explore the propagation of different kinds of shocks through the ideas' production function, finding that nonpersistent shocks that affect R&D decisions may lead to persistent productivity changes as a result. The use of capital in R&D is important for propagation.
Staphylococcus spp. as part of the microbiota and as opportunistic pathogen in free‐ranging black‐tuffed marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) from urban areas: Epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, and pathology
Authors: dos Santos Daniel Oliveira , de Campos Bruna Hermine , de Souza Thayanne Gabryelle Viana , de Castro Yasmin Gonçalves , Alves Neto Geraldo , Vieira André Duarte , Ribeiro Letícia Neves , de Figueiredo Caio Castro Cunha , Duarte Janaina Ribeiro , Amaral Vinícius Henrique Barbosa , dos Souza Lucas Reis de , de Paula Nayara Ferreira , Coelho Carlyle Mendes , Tinoco Herlandes Penha , Oliveira Ayisa Rodrigues , de Carvalho Marcelo Pires Nogueira , Silva Rodrigo Otávio Silveira , Santos Renato Lima 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundMarmosets (Callithrix sp.), including black‐tuffed marmosets (C. penicillata), are neotropical primates that can be highly adapted to urban environments, especially parks and forested areas near cities. Staphylococcus spp. are part of the microbiota of many different hosts and lead to opportunistic severe infection. Isolates from wild animals can be resistant to antimicrobial drugs. However, there are a few studies that evaluated Staphylococcus spp. in neotropical primates. The goal of this study was to evaluate Staphylococcus spp. isolated from free‐ranging black‐tuffed marmosets.MethodsMarmosets were captured in six urban parks. After sedation, skin and rectal swabs and feces were sampled. Staphylococcus spp. isolates were identified by MALDI‐ToF and their antimicrobial susceptibility was determined.ResultsOver 30% of captured individuals were positive for Staphylococcus spp., and S. aureus was the most isolated species followed by Mammaliicoccus (Staphylococcus) sciuri. With the exception of the marmoset subjected to necropsy, none of the other had lesions, which supports that notion that Staphylococcus spp. are members of the microbiota, but also opportunistic pathogens. Most isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested; however, one isolate of S. epidermidis was resistant to multiple antimicrobials (penicillin, cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, and erythromycin). We considered S. aureus as the main staphylococci to colonize black‐tuffed marmosets.ConclusionsBlack‐tuffed marmosets can be colonized by several Staphylococcus species, most frequently by S. aureus, and the majority of isolates were sensible to the antimicrobials tested. One S. epidermidis isolate was considered multidrug resistant.
Sexual dimorphism and allometry in human scapula shape
Authors: Lee Erin C. S. , Lawrence Rebekah L. , Rainbow Michael J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractScapula shape is highly variable across humans and appears to be sexually dimorphic—differing significantly between biological males and females. However, previous investigations of sexual dimorphism in scapula shape have not considered the effects of allometry (the relationship between size and shape). Disentangling allometry from sexual dimorphism is necessary because apparent sex‐based differences in shape could be due to inherent differences in body size. This study aimed to investigate sexual dimorphism in scapula shape and examine the role of allometry in sex‐based variation. We used three‐dimensional geometric morphometrics with Procrustes ANOVA to quantify scapula shape variation associated with sex and size in 125 scapulae. Scapula shape significantly differed between males and females, and males tended to have larger scapulae than females for the same body height. We found that males and females exhibited distinct allometric relationships, and sexually dimorphic shape changes did not align with male‐ or female‐specific allometry. A secondary test revealed that sexual dimorphism in scapula shape persisted between males and females of similar body heights. Overall, our findings indicate that there are sex‐based differences in scapula shape that cannot be attributed to size‐shape relationships. Our results shed light on the potential role of sexual selection in human shoulder evolution, present new hypotheses for biomechanical differences in shoulder function between sexes, and identify relevant traits for improving sex classification accuracy in forensic analyses.
Deliberations of the Safety Task Force: Risk factors and treatment of adverse events associated with aesthetic injectables
Authors: Nikolis Andreas , Cohen Joel L. , Enright Kaitlyn M. , Avelar Luiz , Beleznay Katie , Biesman Brian , Cartier Hugues , Cotofana Sebastian , Fabi Sabrina , Fitzgerald Rebecca , Goodman Greg , Lee Won , Parada Meire , Rzany Berthold , Schelke Leonie , Wang Hang , Bromée Torun , Weiner Steven 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe growing popularity of aesthetic procedures involving fillers, biostimulators, and neurotoxins has prompted concerns about patient safety. To address these concerns, a global Safety Task Force (STF) was formed.AimsThe inaugural STF meeting prioritized vascular compromise prevention and management, guiding clinical trial design and materials for future meetings, and collecting data from experts on current safety methods.MethodsThe STF was formed and consisted of 16 experts from nine different countries, with each possessing distinct expertise in various fields related to aesthetic injectables. Current safety data, protocols, knowledge gaps and future research priorities were discussed and voted upon.ResultsThe establishment of a global database for tracking filler‐related AEs was favored by 93% of participants. Discussions revolved around the database's scope, data standardization, and whether non‐medical contributors should be included. Aspiration as a safety technique garnered support from 73% of participants. Approximately 43% of participants incorporate ultrasound in their injections, with divergent opinions on its impact and potential when used as a standard of practice versus in AE management. Most physicians on the task force incorporated cannula use for some of their injections (93%). There were varying perspectives on treatments for vascular adverse events (VAE), the primary causes, and the adoption of new protocols in the field.ConclusionsThe STF meeting underscored the need for a coordinated effort to address complications related to HA fillers, including VAE management and hyaluronidase protocols. Reliable treatment endpoints were evaluated, but improved measurement methods are needed. Future meetings will focus on addressing delayed complications, furthering safety in this field.
Modified buried vertical mattress suture technique for excisional suturing of benign parotid tumors: A retrospective study
Authors: Liu Xiangyu , Yu Xueyuan , Guo Yuan , Shu Maoguo , Zhang Ming 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAimThe purpose of this retrospective patient chart review was to analyze the clinical data of 52 patients with benign parotid tumors who underwent modified buried vertical mattress sutures and to assess the postoperative complication rate and patient scarring.MethodsA total of 52 patients with benign parotid tumors underwent total parotidectomy and modified buried vertical mattress suture. Variables included general characteristics (age, gender, tumor diameter, and pathologic type), surgical indicators (suture time, wound healing time, operative time, hospital stay, bleeding volume, and drainage volume), complication rates, and Sunnybrook facial neurological function score, visual scar scale (VSS) score and patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) score.ResultsMost tumors were less than 3 cm in diameter, with pleomorphic adenomas being the most common. Suture time was 14.83 ± 1.61 min, operative time was 58.90 ± 15.76 min and hospital stay were 5.12 ± 0.96 days. Postoperatively, salivary fistulae developed in one patient, Frey's syndrome in two patients, temporary facial paralysis in six patients and temporary numbness in the incision area in six patients. At 6 months postoperatively, 86.5% of patients had a Sunnybrook score of more than 80, and VSS scores and POSAS scores were between one and two.ConclusionThe postoperative complication rate was 30.8%, and the scarring in the facial incision area was mild and close to normal skin at 3 years postoperatively.
Lying to Speak the Truth: Selective Manipulation and Improved Information Transmission
Authors: POVEL PAUL , STROBL GÜNTER 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTWe analyze a principal‐agent model in which an effort‐averse agent can manipulate a publicly observable performance report. The principal cannot observe the agent's cost of effort, her effort choice, and whether she manipulated the report. An optimal contract links compensation to the realized output and the (possibly manipulated) report. Manipulation can be beneficial to the principal because it can make the report more informative about the agent's effort choice, thereby reducing the agent's information rent. This is achieved through a contract that incentivizes the agent to selectively engage in manipulation based on her effort choice.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of perinatal stroke in Australia: Population‐based longitudinal study
Authors: Roy Bithi , Webb Annabel , Walker Karen , Morgan Catherine , Badawi Nadia , Novak Iona 
Published: August 2024

AimPerinatal stroke is one of the main causes of hemiplegia and seizure disorder. This study aimed to analyse the clinical characteristics and outcomes of perinatal stroke in a cohort of Australian children for its early detection.MethodsA population‐based prospective longitudinal study on perinatal stroke up to 2 years of age, was conducted from 2017 to 2019.ResultsEighty‐seven children with perinatal stroke included 79% (69/87) acute and 21% (18/87) presumed perinatal stroke. Seventy‐four per cent (51/69) acute symptomatic perinatal strokes presented in the first 3 days of life and 78% (14/18) presumed perinatal strokes presented by 6 months of age. 62% had an arterial stroke, 29% had a venous stroke and 5% had a combined arterial and venous stroke. Unexpectedly, 35% (24/69) acute symptomatic perinatal stroke had only respiratory symptoms and 50% (9/18) presumed perinatal stroke were asymptomatic. The incidence of cerebral palsy was 29% (20/69) with acute symptomatic perinatal stroke and 72% (13/18) with presumed perinatal stroke.ConclusionsThe first week of a child's life is the most critical period in terms of lifelong disability from perinatal stroke. Recognising diverse clinical presentations will ensure early diagnosis and timely intervention treatments.
Quasi‐color consciousness: Casting, race, and sexual violence in Netflix's Bridgerton
Authors: Lynn Emma 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe hit Netflix series Bridgerton (2020–) updates the period drama for the twenty‐first century with its racially diverse cast. Despite the series' potential for subverting racial hierarchies, this article argues that Bridgerton does not fully account for racist social structures, replicates racial stereotypes, and, most crucially, delegitimizes Black men as victims of sexual violence. These representational quandaries stem from Bridgerton's use of the casting and narrative practice “quasi‐color consciousness.” Quasi‐color consciousness provides more nuanced language beyond colorblind casting to account for television producers' efforts (and shortcomings) to create racially diverse contemporary television programming.
Rural–urban differences in smoking quit ratios and cessation‐related factors: Results from a nationally representative sample
Authors: Noonan Devon , Frisbee Suzanne , Bittencourt Lorna , Rubenstein Dana , McClernon F. Joseph , Carroll Dana Mowls 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPurposeThere are significant rural/urban disparities that exist in cancer and chronic disease morbidity and mortality, many of which are attributed to increased tobacco use prevalence in rural populations compared to urban. Understanding differences in rural and urban tobacco use patterns is key to developing targeted interventions.MethodsUsing nationally representative data from Wave 5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco Use and Health (PATH), we examined weighted frequencies and conducted multivariable logistic regression to examine the use of cessation supports in people who currently smoke with a quit attempt in the last 12 months (recent attempters) by rural and urban status and geographic region. Our second objective was to examine lifetime quitting in rural versus urban people who smoke and by geographic region.ResultsRural people who recently attempted to quit were less likely to use any FDA‐approved cessation aids, less likely to use Nicoctine Replacement Therapy (NRT), and less likely to be exposed to a home smoking ban in the adjusted analysis. The adjusted odds of quitting were lower in the rural Northeast, Midwest, and South compared to the urban regions.ConclusionsFindings from this data can serve to inform the development of targeted interventions for rural communities.
Sex‐based disparities in dopamine agonist response in patients with restless legs syndrome
Authors: Mogavero Maria P. , Antelmi Elena , Lanza Giuseppe , Marelli Sara , Castelnuovo Alessandra , Tinazzi Michele , DelRosso Lourdes M. , Silvestri Rosalia , Ferri Raffaele , Ferini Strambi Luigi 
Published: August 2024

SummaryThis study aimed to investigate sex‐related differences in the response to ropinirole and pramipexole in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS). By analysing clinical parameters and polysomnographic (PSG) findings, we sought to elucidate the potential factors related to sex disparities modulating treatment responses and sleep quality in RLS. A total of 41 drug‐free patients with RLS, aged ≥18 years, underwent two consecutive nocturnal PSG recordings, without medication at baseline; before the second night, 26 patients received an oral dose of 0.25 mg pramipexole whereas 15 received 0.5 mg ropinirole. After each PSG recording, patients self‐evaluated the severity of their previous night symptoms by means of an ad hoc visual analogue scale (VAS). At baseline, sleep efficiency and percentage of Stage N2 tended to be higher in females while wakefulness after sleep onset was significantly higher in males. After treatment, total leg movements during sleep (LMS), periodic LMS (PLMS), and periodicity indexes were significantly lower in females than in males. The VAS score was lower after treatment in all patients, without differences between the two sexes. This study demonstrates a higher acute responsiveness of PLMS to dopamine agonists (pramipexole and ropinirole) in females than in males with RLS. These findings might be explained by differential sex‐related expression of dopamine receptors, especially D3, within the central nervous system. In addition, our findings provide translational hints toward a better tailored and sex‐specific approach to the treatment of RLS associated with PLMS, with dopamine agonist possibly associated with a better outcome in females than in males.
Electoral manipulation and postelectoral protests in Latin America
Authors: Bílek Jaroslav 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWhat is the relationship between electoral manipulation and postelection protests in Latin America? The political science literature has traditionally expected that election manipulation can lead to postelection demonstrations, but the research has not dealt much with how the elections were manipulated. This study aims to fill this gap. An analysis of 221 elections in Latin America between 1980 and 2020 shows that the relationship between electoral manipulation and postelection protests is far more complex than conventional explanations suggest. The results show that pre‐election manipulation does not increase the likelihood of postelection protests. Regarding manipulation during elections, it appears that citizens of Latin American countries are susceptible to administrative fraud. Contrary to previous studies, intimidation and vote buying also have no effect.
Extremes of snow and temperature affect patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation in the alpine butterfly Parnassius smintheus
Authors: Lucas Mel , Rašić Gordana , Filazzola Alessandro , Matter Steve , Roland Jens , Keyghobadi Nusha 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWeather is an important short‐term, local driver of population size and dispersal, which in turn contribute to patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation within species. Climate change is leading to greater weather variability and more frequent extreme weather events. While the effects of long‐term and broad‐scale mean climate conditions on genetic variation are well studied, our understanding of the effects of weather variability and extreme conditions on genetic variation is less developed. We assessed the influence of temperature and snow depth on genetic diversity and differentiation of populations of the alpine butterfly, Parnassius smintheus. We examined the relationships between a suite of variables, including those representing extreme conditions, and population‐level genetic diversity and differentiation across 1453 single nucleotide polymorphisms, using both linear and gravity models. We additionally examined effects of land cover variables known to influence dispersal and gene flow in this species. We found that extreme low temperature events and the lowest recorded mean snow depth were significant predictors of genetic diversity. Extreme low temperature events, mean snow depth and land cover resistance were significant predictors of genetic differentiation. These results are congruent with known effects of early winter weather on population size and habitat connectivity on dispersal in P. smintheus. Our results demonstrate the potential for changes in the frequency or magnitude of extreme weather events to alter patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation.
Genome‐wide SNP assessment of contemporary European red deer genetic structure highlights the distinction of peripheral populations and the main admixture zones in Europe
Authors: Carranza Juan , Pérez‐González Javier , Anaya Gabriel , de Jong Menno , Broggini Camilla , Zachos Frank E. , McDevitt Allan D. , Niedziałkowska Magdalena , Sykut Maciej , Csányi Sándor , Bleier Norber , Csirke Lázló , Røed Knut , Saint‐Andrieux Christine , Barboiron Aurelie , Gort‐Esteve Araceli , Ruiz‐Olmo Jordi , Seoane Jose Manuel , Godoy Jose Antonio , Mackiewicz Paweł , de la Peña Eva , Vedel Giovanni , McFarlane S. Eryn , Pemberton Josephine , Membrillo Alberto 
Published: August 2024

AbstractGenome‐wide technologies open up new possibilities to clarify questions on genetic structure and phylogeographic history of taxa previously studied with microsatellite loci and mitochondrial sequences. Here, we used 736 individual red deer (Cervus elaphus) samples genotyped at 35,701 single nucleotide polymorphism loci (SNPs) to assess the population structure of the species throughout Europe. The results identified 28 populations, with higher degrees of genetic distinction in peripheral compared to mainland populations. Iberian red deer show high genetic differentiation, with lineages in Western and Central Iberia maintaining their distinctiveness, which supports separate refugial ranges within Iberia along with little recent connection between Iberian and the remaining Western European populations. The Norwegian population exhibited the lowest variability and the largest allele frequency differences from mainland European populations, compatible with a history of bottlenecks and drift during post‐glacial colonization from southern refugia. Scottish populations showed high genetic distance from the mainland but high levels of diversity. Hybrid zones were found between Eastern and Western European lineages in Central Europe as well as in the Pyrenees, where red deer from France are in close contact with Iberian red deer. Anthropogenic restocking has promoted the Pyrenean contact zone, admixture events in populations on the Isle of Rum and in the Netherlands, and at least partly the admixture of the two main lineages in central‐eastern Europe. Our analysis enabled detailed resolution of population structure of a large mammal widely distributed throughout Europe and contributes to resolving the evolutionary history, which can also inform conservation and management policies.