bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti‐inflammatory and anti‐hyperglycemia effects of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larvae) protein extracted by four methods: alkali, salt, enzyme, and screw press
Authors: Oh Eunyoung , Kang Yeeun , Cho Insang , Koh Jeewon , Park Woo‐Jae , Kim Yookyung 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe use of edible insect protein in food products is contingent on their biological effects. Conventional protein extraction methods are not only time‐consuming and costly but also energy‐intensive. There is a need for alternative techniques that maintain the bioactivities of insect proteins and are environmentally sustainable. This study compares the health functionality of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larvae) concentrates obtained by conventional methods—alkali and salt (MS) extraction—and nonconventional methods—enzyme (ME) and screw press (MP)—to enhance their applicability despite lower protein concentration. Overall, MP exhibited the highest essential amino acids content, whereas ME showed the highest in vitro digestibility, total phenolic contents, and antioxidant capacities among all the concentrates. ME also had a significant cell proliferative capacity at concentrations ≥500 µg/mL. MS significantly inhibited tumor necrosis factor‐alpha and interleukin‐1beta secretion in lipopolysaccharide‐treated Hep3B cells compared to other samples. As for anti‐hyperglycemia effects, treatment with MS and ME for 2 and 5 min significantly increased the p‐Akt/Akt ratio (MS, 1.34‐ and 1.61‐fold; ME, 2.26‐ and 2.70‐fold, respectively). In conclusion, enzyme treatment enhanced nutritional value and antioxidant capacity, whereas salt treatment potentially contributed to anti‐inflammatory and anti‐hyperglycemia activities. Hybrid extraction techniques combining conventional and nonconventional methods are suggested based on target applications, considering health benefits, environmental impact, costs, and efficiencies.Practical ApplicationFour mealworm protein extraction methods (alkali/salt/enzyme/screw press) were compared for their nutritional and biological properties. Alkali extraction enhanced protein content, enzyme treatment improved nutritional value and antioxidant capacity, and salt‐assisted extraction exhibited immunomodulatory effects in vitro. Notably, enzyme and salt treatments produced protein concentrates with significant antidiabetic and anti‐hyperglycemic properties.
Concordance of phenotypic characteristics among patients with familial Crohn's disease in China
Authors: Deng Xiao Xia , Lin Min Zhi , Gao Xiang , Liu Xin Yu , Wu Yan Hui , Chao Kang , Tang Jian 
Published: August 2024

ObjectivesFamilial Crohn's disease (CD) accounts for approximately 1.5%–22.5% of all CD cases worldwide. We aimed to assess the concordance in disease subtype and phenotypic features among patients with CD and their relatives based on data from a large, well‐characterized, referral center‐based cohort in China.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients with familial CD who were admitted to the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University between January 2012 and June 2022. We analyzed the disease characteristics and performed a concordance analysis within the same family among patients with familial CD.ResultsAmong 5150 patients, 70 (1.4%) had a family history of Crohn's disease. The median age of the patients at initial diagnosis did not differ significantly between the probands and successors of family members with CD (p = 0.25). At the initial diagnosis, 54 first‐degree relatives showed moderate concordance in age (κ = 0.50) and disease location (κ = 0.44). At the last follow‐up visit, all family members and first‐degree relatives showed good concordance in upper gastrointestinal involvement (κ = 0.67 and 0.62) and stricturing or penetrating behavior (κ = 0.69 and  0.77), respectively. Patients with familial CD within the same family showed moderate agreement regarding anti‐tumor necrosis factor α monoclonal antibody use and treatment efficacy (κ = 0.44 and 0.42) and mild agreement regarding the efficacy and adverse reactions of thiopurine (κ = 0.26 and 0.35).ConclusionsThe proportion of patients with familial CD in China may be relatively low. The consistency of certain disease features in familial CD may be associated with the degree of kinship and convergence with longer follow‐up duration.
Gazing into the future: The potential impact of climate change on habitat suitability of the Sungazer (Smaug giganteus)
Authors: Stanton‐Jones Wade K. , Alexander Graham J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe sungazer (Smaug giganteus) is a strict grassland specialist lizard endemic to South Africa's highveld grasslands. It is currently listed as Vulnerable (IUCN) and is primarily threatened by anthropogenic activities. Because sungazers are habitat specialists, climate change may be detrimental to the species, considering their life‐history traits, and the area of available suitable habitat. We assessed how climate change may impact the sungazers' geographic range by first producing an ecological niche model (ENM) for the species within a buffered region of its extent of occurrence (buffered EOO). The ENM was then projected to 2040, 2060, 2080 and 2100 under two climate change scenarios using Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP); SSP245 (moderate‐case) and SSP585 (worst‐case). A mean ensemble of three global circulation models for each time period and scenario was used to create habitat suitability maps which were refined using a natural grassland variable overlay. Resulting maps were clipped to the sungazers' EOO and interpreted distribution. Within the interpreted distribution, models predicted an area of 10 198 km2 of current suitable habitat. At this scale, future habitat suitability is predicted to remain relatively stable (area: 9910 km2; 3% decline) under SSP245 by 2100. However, a 24% decline (area: 7705 km2) in habitat suitability was predicted under SSP585. Within the buffered EOO, habitat suitability increased in south‐western regions, which was more prominent under SSP585. Although this finding suggests that sungazers could track favourable conditions, their life history and low dispersal ability makes climate tracking unlikely. Because sungazers only occur in primary grasslands, regions dominated by agricultural activities, further land use developments are likely to affect the species survival. Thus, careful conservation management is essential, and we recommend the establishment of protected areas with cognizance of our predictions for current and future suitable habitat within the sungazers' interpreted distribution.
Core competing endogenous RNA network based on mRNA and non‐coding RNA expression profiles in chicken fatty liver
Authors: Xiao Qingxing , Zhang Yonghong , Ni Hongyu , Yin Yijing , Gao Anchong , Cui Benhai , Zhang Wei , Li Yumei , Yang Yuwei 
Published: August 2024

AbstractFatty liver disease is a common metabolic disease in chickens. This disease can lead to a decrease in egg production and increase the risk of death in chickens. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in fatty liver formation by directly targeting genes or regulating gene expression by competitively binding microRNAs. However, a large proportion of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in fatty liver diseases are still unclear. The total of 300 Jingxing‐Huang chickens were used for fatty liver model construction. Then, differentially expressed (DE) genes (DEGs) identified through whole‐transcriptome sequencing from four chickens with fatty liver and four chickens without fatty liver were chosen from the F1 generation. A total of 953 DEGs were identified between the fatty liver group and the control group, including 26 DE micro (mi)RNAs and 56 DE lncRNAs. Differential expression heatmaps and volcano plots were obtained after clustering expression analysis. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses revealed that these DEGs were involved in many biological processes and signaling pathways related to fatty acid metabolism and lipid synthesis. Furthermore, cytoscape was used to construct a ceRNA network of the DE miRNAs, DE mRNAs, and DE lncRNAs. Eleven DE lncRNAs, seven DE miRNAs, and 13 DE mRNAs were found to be associated with the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease. An lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA ceRNA network was constructed to elucidate the mechanisms of fatty liver diseases, and the ENSGALT00000079786‐miR‐140/miR‐143/miR‐1a/miR‐22/miR‐375 network was identified. These results provide a valuable resource for further elucidating the posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms of chicken liver and adipose fat development or deposition.
NRP1 antagonism as a novel therapeutic target in nasal polyps of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Khalmuratova Roza , Ryu Jae‐Sung , Hwang Ji Hyeon , Kim Yi Sook , Lim Suha , Mo Ji‐Hun , Kim Jong‐Yeup , Shin Hyun‐Woo 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundNeuropilin‐1 (NRP1) is expressed on the surface epithelium of respiratory tract and immune cells, demonstrating its possible function in regulating the immune response in airway disease. However, its role in patient with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) remains unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the role of NRP1 in CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).MethodsSinonasal biopsy specimens were immunohistochemically stained to investigate NRP1 expression. Double immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and real‐time polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate NRP1 in primary human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs). An NRP1 inhibitor was administered to a murine nasal polyp (NP) model.ResultsNRP1 was highly expressed in the epithelium in patients with CRSwNP compared to nasal tissue from controls and CRS without NP patients. NRP1 and vascular endothelial growth factor were upregulated in hNECs under hypoxia. Treatment with NRP1 inhibitor (EG00229) reduced the secretion of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, and IL‐33 cytokines, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase‐2, and prostaglandin E2 in hNECs. We found that NRP1 was highly expressed in the airway epithelium in the murine NP model. The group treated with the NRP1 inhibitor had significantly fewer nasal polypoid lesions and reduced accumulations of immune cells.ConclusionsThese findings reveal that NRP1 is upregulated in CRS and NP epithelium, and the inhibition of NRP1 may lead to a reduction in NP growth and immune cell infiltration. Our results suggest that NRP1 inhibition could be a novel possibility for treating nasal polyposis.
European paediatricians need to be more aware of the risks faced by children who swallow button batteries and how to treat them
Authors: Dembiński Łukasz , Copley Sian , Koletzko Berthold , Grossman Zachi , del Torso Stefano , Mujkić‐Klarić Aida , Hadjipanayis Adamos 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to assess how aware European paediatricians were of the risks faced by children who swallowed button batteries and the advice for managing such cases.MethodsAn Internet‐based survey was conducted among European paediatricians between 1 April 2023 and 31 May 2023. The researchers contacted members of the European Academy of Paediatrics Research in Ambulatory Setting Network and a number of European national paediatric societies.ResultsResponses were received from 605 paediatricians (66.0% females) in 41 countries and 64.5% had encountered cases of button battery ingestion. Only 31.2% had received specific training and only 35.7% were familiar with the advice issued by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the European Academy of Pediatrics. While 90.8% of respondents correctly recognised the need for hospitalisation of a child after button battery ingestion, only 30.1% of them identified all symptoms and 58.2% could accurately determine the appropriate diagnostic scope. One in ten underestimated the health or life risks. These deficiencies were significantly attributed to a lack of adequate training (p < 0.01). The overwhelming majority of the respondents expressed the need to increase awareness among physicians and childcare providers, mainly through social media campaigns and advertisements.ConclusionEuropean paediatricians were insufficiently aware of button battery ingestion risks and management, with significant gaps in training and familiarity with advice. Respective education for medical practitioners and raising public awareness should be markedly strengthened.
Allostatic load increases the incidence and risk of adverse prognosis in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Zhao Jianhui , Xue Erxu , Zhou Siyun , Zhang Meng , Jiang Fangyuan , Wu Wei , Liu Zhanju , Li Xue 
Published: August 2024

SummaryBackgroundElevated allostatic load (AL) has been associated with the risk and poor prognosis of many chronic diseases. The association between AL and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown.AimsThe aim of this study is to investigate the associations between AL and the risk and prognosis of IBD.MethodsWe included 326,345 adults and 3767 patients with IBD from the UK Biobank. AL served as the exposure, estimated using the AL biomarker panel, with the primary outcomes including the risk and prognosis of IBD. We used Cox regression models to examine the associations.ResultsHigh AL biomarker panel was associated with a greater risk of IBD (hazard ratio: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08–1.31), ulcerative colitis (1.17, 95%CI: 1.04–1.32), and Crohn's disease (1.25, 95%CI: 1.05–1.49). Risk of developing IBD increased by 12% in quartile 2, 20% in quartile 3, and 37% in quartile 4 as AL biomarker panel increased. The all‐cause mortality risk in IBD compared with quartile 1 rose by 54% for quartile 2, 72% for quartile 3, and 82% for quartile 4, as AL biomarker panel increased. Similar effects were also observed for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. An increase in AL biomarker panel count was associated with an elevated risk of intestinal resection and colorectal cancer in IBD.ConclusionsIncreased AL is associated with IBD risk, as well as the risks of intestinal resection, colorectal cancer and mortality.
Coping with the stigma of mental illness: An interpretive descriptive study of out‐patients in a public mental health hospital in Ghana
Authors: Gyamfi Sebastian , Martin‐Yeboah Ebenezer , Owusu Mark Fordjour , Adu Joseph 
Published: August 2024

AbstractStigma reduces the status of individuals from full social acceptance, motivating the stigmatized person to find ways to cope with the perceived threat as much as possible. The present study explored the experience of dealing with a mental illness daily within the public space. We applied an interpretive description method using a semi‐structured interview guide to elicit subjective responses from 12 purposefully recruited outpatients. Study participants described various ways through which individuals coped with their illness, including secrecy, avoidance/withdrawal, relaxation techniques, confrontation, ignoring the stigmatizing agent, ingroup comparisons, and engaging in diversion activities. The participants' observations suggest they were unhappy about how society perceived and treated them. To deal with stigma, multifaceted approaches of active engagement with the public, healthcare providers, policymakers, and government are needed to mitigate the phenomenon.
Pharmaceutical waste from a Danish hospital
Authors: Overgaard Lærke Karner , Johansen Katrine Bitsch , Krumborg Julie Rudbech , Nielsen Michelle Lyndgaard , Christensen Mette Marie Hougaard , Pedersen Sidsel Arnspang 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe healthcare sector is a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, and reduction and proper sorting of healthcare waste is essential to achieve sustainable healthcare. This study aimed to characterize the quantity and composition of pharmaceutical waste from a major Danish hospital. Pharmaceutical waste was collected from Odense University Hospital, including departments located in both Odense and Svendborg. The average daily production of pharmaceutical waste was 1150 g/day in Odense and 5967 g/day in Svendborg, with the operating rooms in Svendborg contributing 3143 g/day. The amount and composition of pharmaceutical waste varied greatly between departments, but some common patterns were identified. Propofol accounted for about one third of the pharmaceutical waste obtained from operating rooms. Antibiotics for systemic use constituted a significant proportion of the pharmaceutical waste from several departments and were the therapeutic group from which most different drugs were identified. Paracetamol accounted for 33.5% of the discarded tablets/capsules in Odense and 12.6% in Svendborg. Medications dispensed by automated dose dispensing accounted for a significant proportion of the discarded tablets/capsules in departments using this service. This study highlights some key areas for reduction and management of pharmaceutical waste and contributes to the currently limited evidence within this area.
Cognitive heterogeneity in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications for maths
Authors: Kanevski Margarita , Booth Josie N. , Stewart Tracy M. , Rhodes Sinead M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study investigated whether cognitive function better predicted maths test performance than a clinical diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Forty‐four drug naïve children (Mage = 101.34 months, SD = 19.39; 30% girls) were recruited from clinical ADHD referral waiting lists. Children underwent assessment of Executive Functions (EF), lower‐level cognitive processes, and maths performance. Children were grouped using a categorical approach comprising (1) children with a clinical ADHD diagnosis and (2) children without a diagnosis (i.e., subthreshold ADHD). Secondly, hierarchical cluster analysis generated subgroups of children using EF scores. Children were compared on cognition, maths, and parent‐rated symptoms of ADHD and co‐occurring difficulties. Children's diagnostic outcomes did not differentiate maths performance. By contrast, EF subgroups generated meaningful cognitive clusters which differentiated maths test scores. This suggests that cognitive patterns of performance, rather than children's diagnostic outcomes, are more informative for identifying meaningful groups with variable maths performance which has implications for remedial support.
Histopathologic, genomic, transcriptomic, and functional characteristics of eight melanocytic tumors with BRAF fusions showing stronger MAPK pathway activation compared to BRAF V600E tumors
Authors: Li Aofei , Warren Simon J. , Umphress Brandon A. , Alomari Ahmed K. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundActivating BRAF gene alterations are central to melanocytic tumor pathogenesis. A small, emerging subset of melanocytic tumors driven by BRAF fusions has distinct therapeutic implications and has been described to have Spitzoid morphology patterns. However, such morphological patterns do not encompass all cases, and little is known about the functional molecular events.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective search through our molecular archives to identify melanocytic tumors with BRAF fusions. We reviewed clinical, histopathological, and genomic features. We further explored transcriptomic and protein‐level findings.ResultsHistopathologic patterns varied, with many cases without a distinctive pattern. We identified novel and diverse BRAF gene fusion partners. Differential transcriptomic analysis between low‐risk BRAF fusion tumors and reference BRAF V600E tumors showed no differentially expressed genes. However, quantitatively stronger MAPK pathway activation of BRAF fusion tumors over BRAF V600E tumors was demonstrated by statistically significant stronger staining of p‐ERK immunohistochemistry. Gene‐specific RNA analysis shows comparable BRAF transcript levels between the two groups.Discussion and ConclusionThe quantitatively stronger activation of the MAPK pathway of BRAF fusion tumors, instead of qualitatively different transcriptomes, may account for the morphology difference from conventional BRAF V600E tumors. BRAF fusions likely act through dysregulated protein function rather than RNA upregulation related to the characteristics of the fusion partners.
If patients had a choice – Treatment satisfaction and patients’ preference in therapy of actinic keratoses
Authors: Lang Berenice M. , Zielbauer Sebastian , Stege Henner , Grabbe Stephan , Staubach Petra 
Published: August 2024

SummaryBackgroundActinic keratoses (AK) are increasing in incidence and represent the most common (pre‐)cancerous lesion in the fair‐skinned population, with a high unmet medical need. In order to increase treatment adherence, it is very important to assess patients' therapy‐related evaluations of different treatment options.Patients and methods100 patients with AK who were treated with at least two different treatment options were included. They rated their therapies using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM, maximum 100 points per category) and a Likert scale (LS, 1 = very satisfied; 6 = not satisfied). Patients were also asked about their needs in terms of treatment goal, cost, type, duration, and location of treatment.Results81% of the study participants were male and on average 74 years old. 95% had field cancerization. Eight frequently used therapy procedures were evaluated by the patients (surgery, cryotherapy, various topical agents, photodynamic therapy). The TSQM satisfaction scores ranged from 78.47 ± 16.07 (surgical procedures) to 53.03 ± 22.13 (diclofenac‐HA). Statistically significant differences between the procedures were only found in the area of efficacy. Side effects were classified as low. Low recurrence rate and safe removal were the most important treatment goals (LS: 1.18 ± 0.44 and 1.27 ± 0.53, respectively).ConclusionsUnderstanding patient preferences is essential for adherence and is therefore of great importance for the success of AK therapy. Personalized approaches should be considered in the choice of therapy.
Combination of secondary intention healing and primary closure to reconstruct large facial defects
Authors: Arif Nawa , Baumann Lara , Felcht Moritz 
Published: August 2024

SummarySecondary intention healing has been a well‐established method to close wounds for more than 200 years. Indeed, it represents the easiest technique in the ladder of plastic reconstruction. Primary wound closure (side‐to‐side closure, direct wound closure) is the second easiest method. The combination of these two techniques is already an integral aspect of specific surgical procedures, e.g. the reconstruction of the donor site of a paramedian forehead flap. This minireview will show that the combination is also a suitable alternative to classic flaps in reconstruction of different aesthetic subunits of the face. These are the scalp, the lateral cheek, the upper nasal sidewall/medial canthus and the retroauricular region. The advantages and disadvantages will be discussed and illustrated with clinical examples.