bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prophylactic effects of supplementation of a combination of Lactobacillus lactis WHH2078 and saffron on depressive‐like behaviors in mice exposed to chronic stress
Authors: Chen Cailing , Zheng Zhiyao , Gao Kan , Fan Qiuling , Li Yanjun , Chen Su 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDepression is one of the most common psychiatric conditions worldwide, with an annual escalation in prevalence. The serotonin (5‐Hydroxytryptamine [5‐HT]) metabolism through the gut–brain axis has been revealed to be related to the development of depression. Our previous study demonstrated that Lactococcus lactis WHH2078 alleviated depression in mice by shaping the gut microbiome composition and 5‐HT metabolism. However, little research has explored the synergistic effects of probiotics and natural mental health‐improving products. In this study, three natural products (saffron, l‐theanine, and phosphatidylserine), either individually or in combination, were orally administrated for 4 weeks in chronic restraint stress (CRS)‐induced mice, and their depressive behaviors, hippocampal 5‐HT, and serum corticosterone were assessed. Saffron demonstrated improvement of the depressive‐like behaviors via multiple behavioral tests and reversed the declined concentration of 5‐HT and increased concentration of corticosterone. Following an initial screening, saffron was chosen to be combined with WHH2078, referred to as WHHMOOD™. Furthermore, the effects of WHHMOOD were evaluated in mice with depressive‐like behaviors. WHHMOOD reduced immobility time in the forced swimming test and tail suspension test, increased the time spent in the central area in open field test, and reduced the serum corticosterone level. Besides, WHHMOOD improved the CRS‐induced gut microbial dysbiosis by reversing gut microbial diversity and the abundances of Ligilactobacillus, Candidatus Arthromitus, and Erysipelatoclostridium. Compared to WHH2078, WHHMOOD treatment significantly increased the travel distance and hippocampal 5‐HT level in mice. In conclusion, WHHMOOD exhibited prophylactic effects on depressive‐like in CRS mice, which may act as a promising agent for improving the symptoms of depression.
Into the metabolic wild: Unveiling hidden pathways of microbial metabolism
Authors: Ata Özge , Mattanovich Diethard 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMicrobial metabolism has been deeply studied over decades and it is considered to be understood to a great extent. Annotated genome sequences of many microbial species have contributed a lot to generating biochemical knowledge on metabolism. However, researchers still discover novel pathways, unforeseen reactions or unexpected metabolites which contradict to the expected canon of biochemical reactions in living organisms. Here, we highlight a few examples of such non‐canonical pathways, how they were found, and what their importance in microbial biotechnology may be. The predictive power of metabolic modelling, well‐founded on biochemical knowledge and genomic information is discussed in the light of both discovery of yet unknown existing metabolic routes and the prediction of others, new to Nature.
β‐Hydroxybutyrate enhances chondrocyte mitophagy and reduces cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis via the HCAR2/AMPK/PINK1/Parkin pathway
Authors: Zhuang Huangming , Ren Xunshan , Zhang Yuelong , Li Huajie , Zhou Panghu 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is widely recognized as the prevailing joint disease associated with aging. The ketogenic diet (KD) has been postulated to impede the advancement of various inflammatory ailments. β‐Hydroxybutyrate (βOHB), a prominent constituent of ketone bodies, has recently been proposed to possess crucial signaling capabilities. In this study, we propose to explore the role and mechanism of βOHB in OA. Tissue staining and inflammatory factor assay were employed to evaluate the impacts of KD and βOHB on OA rats. The oxidative stress conditions in chondrocytes were induced using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). The mechanisms were determined using the siRNA of hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCAR2), the antagonist of adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the inhibitor of mitophagy. The administration of KD demonstrated a reduction in pathological damage to cartilage, as well as a decrease in plasma levels of inflammatory factors. Furthermore, it resulted in an increase in the concentration of βOHB in the blood and synovial fluid. In vitro experiments showed that βOHB facilitated mitophagy and adenosine triphosphate production. Besides, βOHB mitigated chondrocyte senescence, inflammatory factors secretion, extracellular matrix degradation, and apoptosis induced by TBHP. Subsequent investigations indicated that the protective effects of βOHB were no longer observed following the knockdown of HCAR2, the antagonist of AMPK, or the inhibitor of mitophagy. Moreover, in vivo studies suggested that βOHB played a protective role by targeting the HCAR2‐AMPK‐PINK1 axis. In conclusion, βOHB enhanced chondrocyte mitophagy through the HCAR2/AMPK/PINK1/Parkin pathway, offering a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of OA.
B cell senescence promotes age‐related changes in oral microbiota
Authors: Mizuno Hiroya , Kawamoto Shimpei , Uemura Ken , Park Jeong Hoon , Hori Nozomi , Okumura Yumiko , Konishi Yusuke , Hara Eiji 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn recent years, there has been increasing attention towards understanding the relationship between age‐related alterations in the oral microbiota and age‐associated diseases, with reports emphasizing the significance of maintaining a balanced oral microbiota for host health. However, the precise mechanisms underlying age‐related changes in the oral microbiota remain elusive. We recently reported that cellular senescence of ileal germinal center (GC) B cells, triggered by the persistent presence of commensal bacteria, results in diminished IgA production with aging and subsequent alterations in the gut microbiota. Consequently, we hypothesize that a similar phenomenon may occur in the oral cavity, potentially contributing to age‐related changes in the oral microbiota. Examination of p16‐luc mice, wherein the expression of the senescent cell marker p16INK4a can be visualized, raised under specific pathogen‐free (SPF) or germ‐free (GF) conditions, indicated that, unlike ileal GC B cells, the accumulation of senescent cells in GC B cells of cervical lymph nodes increases with age regardless of the presence of commensal bacteria. Furthermore, longitudinal studies utilizing the same individual mice throughout their lifespan revealed concurrent age‐related alterations in the composition of the oral microbiota and a decline in salivary IgA secretion. Further investigation involving Rag1−/− mice transplanted with B cells from wild‐type or p16INK4a and p21Waf1/Cip1 ‐double knockout mice unveiled that B cell senescence leads to reduced IgA secretion and alteration of the oral microbiota. These findings advance our understanding of the mechanism of age‐associated changes in the oral microbiota and open up possibilities of their control.
The relationship between blinding integrity and medication efficacy in randomised‐controlled trials in patients with anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Haq Ruqayyah , Molteni Laura , Huneke Nathan T. M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundBlinding is thought to minimise expectancy effects and biases in double‐blind randomised‐controlled trials (RCTs). However, whether blinding integrity should be assessed and reported remains debated. Furthermore, it is unknown whether blinding failure influences the outcome of RCTs in anxiety disorders. We carried out a systematic review to understand whether blinding integrity is assessed and reported in anxiolytic RCTs. A secondary aim was to explore whether blinding integrity is associated with treatment efficacy.MethodOur protocol was pre‐registered (PROSPERO CRD42022328750). We searched electronic databases for placebo‐controlled, randomised trials of medication in adults with generalised and social anxiety disorders, and in panic disorder, from 1980. We extracted data regarding blinding integrity and treatment efficacy. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Where possible, we subsequently calculated Bang's Blinding Index, and assessed the association between blinding integrity and treatment effect size.ResultsOf the 247 RCTs that met inclusion criteria, we were able to obtain assessments of blinding integrity from nine (3.64%). Overall, blinding failed in five of these trials (55.56%), but blinding was intact in 80% of placebo arms. We found a significant association between reduced blinding integrity among assessors and increased treatment effect size (betas < −1.30, p's < 0.001), but this analysis involved only four studies of which two were outlying studies. In patients, we saw a non‐significant trend where reduced blinding integrity in the placebo groups was associated with increased treatment efficacy, which was not present in active medication arms. [Correction added on 19 August 2024, after first online publication: Results of the RCTs and its assessment of blinding integrity have been updated.]ConclusionConsistent with work in other psychiatric disorders, blinding integrity is rarely reported in anxiolytic RCTs. Where it is reported, blinding appears to often fail. We found signals that suggest unblinding of clinician assessors (driven by two studies with complete unblinding), and of patients in placebo arms, might be associated with larger treatment effect sizes. We recommend that data regarding blinding integrity, along with the reasons patients and assessors offer for their beliefs regarding group allocation, are systematically collected in RCTs of anxiolytic treatment.
Naming the abyss: The symbolic politics of the oceanic toponymic frontier
Authors: Basik Sergei 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWith the recent, constantly growing interest in the critical geography of the oceans and critical toponymy, there is still plenty of space for theoretical, methodological and practical interconnections between these emerging subfields. Despite some sporadic examples of critical analysis of the names of the islands and seas, the ocean floor and the open ocean remain unexplored spaces in critical toponymic investigations. This paper aims to fill this gap by introducing the concept of the toponymic frontier, focusing on the spatial‐political dimension of the names of the natural submarine features (bathyonyms). Drawing on critical toponymy and critical geography of the oceans' theoretical literature and using the empirical database of more than 5000 bathyonyms and the secondary resources represented by the international media, official reports and governmental websites, this paper develops a base for a conceptual framework for analysing the marine place names as (geo)politically and political‐economically motivated symbolic elements of the oceanic voluminous realm. Finally, the paper paves the way for future debates related to the politics of place naming in the contested spaces of the hydrosphere and the generation of reinvigorated productive insights in critical toponymic studies.
Benchmarking pharmacogenomics genotyping tools: Performance analysis on short‐read sequencing samples and depth‐dependent evaluation
Authors: Halman Andreas , Lunke Sebastian , Sadedin Simon , Moore Claire , Conyers Rachel 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPharmacogenomics (PGx) investigates the influence of genetics on drug responses, enabling tailored treatments for personalized healthcare. This study assessed the accuracy of genotyping six genes using whole genome sequencing with four different computational tools and various sequencing depths. The effects of using different reference genomes (GRCh38 and GRCh37) and sequence aligners (BWA‐MEM and Bowtie2) were also explored. The results showed generally minor variations in tool performance across most genes; however, more notable discrepancies were observed in the analysis of the complex CYP2D6 gene. Cyrius, a CYP2D6‐specific tool, demonstrated the most robust performance, achieving the highest concordance rates for CYP2D6 in all instances, comparable to the consensus approach in most cases. There were rather small differences between the samples with 20× coverage depth and those with higher depth, but the decreased performance was more evident at lower depths, particularly at 5×. Additionally, variations in CYP2D6 results were observed when samples were aligned to different reference genomes using the same method, or to the same genome using different aligners, which led to reporting incorrect rare star alleles in several cases. These findings inform the selection of optimal PGx tools and methodologies as well as suggest that employing a consensus approach with two or more tools might be preferable for certain genes and tool combinations, especially at lower sequencing depths, to ensure accurate results. Additionally, we show how the upstream alignment can affect the performance of tools, an important factor to take into account.
Widespread purplish‐red plaques with plasma cell infiltrate: A rare type of lichen planus
Authors: Cheung Szeman , Zheng Jie , Zhao Xiaoqing 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDiseases in which cutaneous plasma cell infiltrates predominate are rare and usually of unknown etiology, including those that transition from benign to malignant, such as cutaneous plasmacytosis, multicentric Castleman disease, and extramedullary plasmacytoma. These diseases may present as purplish, reddish‐brown cutaneous plaques or nodules. Here, we report an exceptional case of lichen planus (LP) in which the patient had classic histopathological features, but the infiltrating inflammatory cells were plasma cells with restricted light chain expression. The patient presented with severe rashes, including purplish‐red plaques and nodules, erythema, and erosions in the palmoplantar area, verrucous hyperplasia of the oral mucosa, and anonychia of the toes. These findings suggest a possible role of plasma cells with restricted light chain expression in the LP. Clinicians should closely follow patients for changes in their rash, perform repeat biopsies if necessary, and regularly conduct multisystemic evaluations.
Socioeconomic development and the evolution of workplace values in contemporary Poland
Authors: Woldu Habte G. , Skuza Agnieszka , Budhwar Pawan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study, using a standardized cultural perspective survey, examines the link between economic transformation and workplace value changes in contemporary Poland. The study surveyed a sample of 870 employees from diverse organizations in major Polish cities. The data were collected during three significant transformational phases: 1995–1999, 2005–2009, and 2015–2019. The findings reveal that post‐transition Polish employees, compared with their early‐transition and late‐transition counterparts, demonstrate higher traits of egalitarianism, less bias towards fellow human beings, and higher self‐reliant behavior in the workplace. This finding is much more robust when controlling for age, in which younger employees, compared with older ones, demonstrate significantly higher traits in the above‐mentioned patterns. The study contributes to management science by enhancing our understanding of the relationship between socioeconomic transformation and value evolution.
Efficiency and safety of high‐dose undiluted intravenous push levetiracetam loading doses compared to intravenous infusion in seizing patients: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Koons Madison , Koehl Jennifer , Johnson Riley , Rosenthal Eric S. , Webb Andrew J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObjectiveIntravenous (IV) push (IVP) is an alternative administration method for levetiracetam, but evidence evaluating it compared to IV piggyback (IVPB) for loading doses in acutely seizing patients is limited, particularly in patients with status epilepticus (SE). This study aimed to compare the efficiency and safety of IVP versus IVPB levetiracetam loading doses.MethodsThis was a single‐center sequential retrospective study conducted in adult (≥18 years) patients who received an IV levetiracetam loading dose (>2000 mg or ≥20 mg/kg) for acute or suspected seizure. The primary outcome was time to administration, compared between doses given as IVP versus IVPB. Secondary outcomes included rates of adverse events (AEs), rescue benzodiazepine or antiseizure medication administration, intubation, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission between groups.ResultsA total of 246 patients were included; 116 received IVP and 130 received IVPB loading doses. Median age was 56 years; most patients were male (62%) and White (60%) and had witnessed seizures (67%). Doses were administered for SE in 32 (27.5%) and 46 (35.4%) patients in the IVP and IVPB arms, respectively. Median time to administration was shorter in the IVP group (12 vs. 38 min, p < .001). Bradycardia (1.7% vs. 2.3%, p = .99), hypotension (7.8% vs. 12%, p = .30), sedation (6% vs. 12.3%, p = .09), intubation (10% vs. 8%, p = .37), ICU admission (32% vs. 39%, p = .31), and rescue medication administration (8.6% vs. 14.6% p = .10) were similar between groups. In SE patients, IVP was associated with shorter time to administration (12 vs. 44 min, p = .003) and lower odds of ICU admission after adjustment for age, dose, Status Epilepticus Severity Score, and seizure history (adjusted odds ratio = .23, 95% confidence interval = .06–.81).SignificanceIVP reduced time to levetiracetam administration versus IVPB and was not associated with more AEs. Rescue agent use, intubation, and ICU admission were similar between arms, but IVP may reduce ICU admissions in SE patients. Prospective studies should assess the effectiveness of IVP versus IVPB.
First data on the occurrence and population dynamics of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Greece
Authors: Lytra Ioanna , Evangelou Vasiliki , Antonatos Spyridon , Georgopoulou Iro , Tselou Evangellia , Dimopoulou Danai , Arampatzis Christos , Milonas Panagiotis , Papachristos Dimitrios P. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSpodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly known as the fall armyworm, is one of the most serious pests of a wide range of plants including maize, soybean, cotton and rice. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the American continent and is considered as a quarantine pest for the European Union. Official surveys for the early detection of quarantine pests are performed annually in Greece. In the framework of that survey program, a network of pheromone traps for S. frugiperda has been established since 2019. From 2019 until 2022 no individuals of the pest were found in the traps. However, in autumn of 2023 the pest was first recorded in Greece. Male adults of the species were captured in those traps in seven regional units of south and central parts of Greece from September to December 2023. All the traps in which the pest was caught were placed in fields with Solanaceae plants, mainly tomatoes and eggplants. Moreover, larvae of the pest were also recorded in maize and tomato fields in Crete. From the collected data available it seems that the first adults caught in September most likely migrated to Greece from countries elsewhere in the region.
Role of grain size and anisotropy of neighboring grains in hydrogen‐assisted intergranular fatigue crack initiation in austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Arora Aman , Singh Mohit , Nair Varun , Singh Harpreet , Mahajan Dhiraj K. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study explores the impact of microstructural features on fatigue crack initiation in poly‐crystalline materials, emphasizing hydrogen‐induced complexities. Grain anisotropy, misorientations, grain size variations, and elastic–plastic inhomogeneities concentrate stress at grain boundaries, making them susceptible to crack initiation during fatigue loading. The presence of hydrogen compounds this process, due to complications of characterization of local hydrogen content and activating embrittling mechanisms. Building upon a model for nickel, this research investigates 316L austenitic stainless steel specimens with varying grain sizes, both uncharged and hydrogen‐charged. In situ low‐cycle fatigue loading experiments establish correlations between fatigue crack initiation and microstructural features. The study reveals specific combinations of features crucial in the initiation process, undergoing alterations in the presence of hydrogen. A proposed qualitative model links microstructural features with accumulated plastic shear strain during fatigue and prevalent hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms like hydrogen‐enhanced local plasticity and hydrogen‐enhanced decohesion.
“You are filthy, cursed, and impious”: A story of stigmatization by the loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Sultana Rani Musawwer , Manzoor Humera 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThrough writing differently, this article aims to give in‐depth insights into the intimate and painful experiences of stigmatization during the coronavirus pandemic. It reveals the extent to which the social stigma attached to coronavirus has proliferated “otherness” even among the family members. The coronavirus was linked to filthiness, impiety, and a curse, which led to heart wrenching gossips, social rejections, and exclusions both within the family and beyond. This study contributes to our cultural understanding of social stigma associated with the coronavirus, the “otherness” it has created among the family, and the way it has affected one's psychological health and wellbeing through alternative writing.
Assessment practices in full‐degree EMI programmes in Japan
Authors: Ruegg Rachael , Yphantides Jennifer 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAlthough an increasing amount of research has focussed on the relationship between student language proficiency and English‐medium instruction (EMI) programme outcomes, there has been little focus on the broader assessment of progress and learning within EMI programmes, especially in Asia. The purpose of this study was to determine the kinds of programme assessments used throughout all stages of full‐degree EMI programmes in Japan. Our inquiry examined the benchmarks currently in place to measure content knowledge, language proficiency and academic skills competence in undergraduate EMI programmes. Data were collected from 13 universities in Japan with well‐established EMI degree programmes. In this paper, our findings are explored primarily in a qualitative and holistic manner, weaving the results of our survey together with the extant literature on the topic and our lived experiences as teachers in EMI programmes in Japan. Embedded in this conversation are evidence‐based suggestions for improved practice in EMI programmes in Japan.