bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immobilization of l‐asparaginase on genipin cross‐linked chitosan beads shows better acrylamide diminution in cassava chips: Process optimization and characterization
Authors: Danait‐Nabar Saaylee , Singhal Rekha S. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractGlutaraldehyde is the conventionally used cross‐linker for the activation and cross‐linking of support matrices used in enzyme immobilization. However, the toxic nature of glutaraldehyde makes it unsafe for food applications, propelling the need for nontoxic cross‐linkers. Genipin reacts with the primary and secondary amines generating a dark‐blue colored pigment and is an attractive alternative to glutaraldehyde as a cross‐linker for enzyme immobilization. Apart from its excellent cross‐linking properties, genipin possesses added advantages over glutaraldehyde such as proven health benefits, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The present study explores the application of chitosan beads cross‐linked with the natural and nontoxic agent, genipin, for immobilizing l‐asparaginase, aimed at its subsequent use in mitigating acrylamide formation in food products. The immobilized l‐asparaginase exhibited improved functionalities such as stability, reusability, and reduction in acrylamide formation in deep‐fried cassava chips. One of the limitations observed during application in the food process was the mechanical fragility of the chitosan beads during speedy stirring. This can be overcome by increasing the concentration and time of contact of the coagulant bath during the formation of chitosan beads. The drying of the enzyme‐bound chitosan beads will also lead to shrinkage and prevent breakage during stirring. This study conclusively demonstrated the applicability of immobilizing l‐asparaginase on genipin cross‐linked chitosan beads in food‐related processes.
Allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation using haploidentical grandchildren donors and post‐transplant cyclophosphamide‐based graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis
Authors: Aljawai Yosra M. , Tsai Hua‐Ling , Varadhan Ravi , Jones Richard J. , Imus Philip H. 
Published: August 2024

SummaryBackgroundHigh‐dose post‐transplant cyclophosphamide allows safe and effective use of allografts from haploidentical relatives (siblings, parents and children) in patients undergoing allogeneic blood or marrow transplant (alloBMT). More recently, second‐ and third‐degree relatives have also been shown to be safe allograft donors. An increasing number of older patients undergoing alloBMT have been receiving allografts from haploidentical donors. However, older patients are more likely to have older siblings and children, and older donor age is associated with worse outcomes.ObjectiveIn the current study, we report the safety and utility of grandchildren as haploidentical donors and compared with children as donors in patients undergoing alloBMT.MethodsWe compared characteristics and outcomes of alloBMT patients aged 55 years and older with children older than 30 years as donors (C group; n = 276) and those with grandchildren as donors (GC group; n = 40). Because many important baseline characteristics predict outcomes after alloBMT, we performed propensity score matched analysis based on recipient age, alloBMT year, disease, graft source and haematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCT‐CI).ResultsThe median age of recipients was 67 years (range 55–79) in the C group and 73 years (range 57–78) in the GC group. More than 70% of recipients in the GC group were older than 70 years, compared with 27% in the C group. The median donor age was 37 years (range 31–52) in the C group and 20 years (range 14–34) in the GC group. More patients in the GC group had HCT‐CI scores ≥3 than in the C group (32.5% vs. 23%, p = 0.27).Two‐year overall survival did not differ between the two groups (GC 62% vs. C 60%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53–1.75, p = 0.90) despite recipients of allografts from grandchildren being older. The 2‐year RFS was 55% in the C group compared with 50% in the GC group (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.62–1.77, p = 0.85). Non‐relapse mortality subdistribution [SD] (SDHR 1.36, 95% 0.70–2.63, p = 0.36), relapse (SDHR 0.72, 95% CI 0.33–1.58, p = 0.42) or relapse‐free survival (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.62–1.77, p = 0.85). Propensity score matching analysis showed no significant differences in 2‐year overall survival (GC 64% vs. C 53%; HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.42–1.42, p = 0.40), non‐relapse mortality (SDHR 1.26, 95% 0.66–2.41, p = 0.48), relapse (SDHR 0.57, 95% CI 0.21–1.52, p = 0.26) or relapse‐free survival (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.57–1.54, p = 0.81).ConclusionOur results indicate that outcomes of alloBMT patients with grandchild donors are similar to those with child donors, despite recipients' older age and higher comorbidities in the GC group. Grandchildren should be considered when selecting a donor for older alloBMT recipients.
Prenatal origin of NUTM1 gene rearrangement in infant B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Bardini Michela , Fazio Grazia , Abascal Lilia Corral , Meyer Claus , Maglia Oscar , Sala Simona , Palamini Sonia , Rebellato Stefano , Marschalek Rolf , Rizzari Carmelo , Biondi Andrea , Cazzaniga Giovanni 
Published: August 2024

SummaryRearrangement of NUTM1 gene (NUTM1r) is one of the most frequent aberrations occurring in infants (younger than 1 year at diagnosis) with B‐cell precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (BCP‐ALL). In this study we had the unique opportunity to analyze the umbilical cord blood (UCB) sample from one infant patient with NUTM1r BCP‐ALL. Herein we reported for the first time that NUTM1r infant ALL arise prenatally, as both the patient‐specific CUX1::NUTM1 fusion gene, as well as two IG/TR leukaemic markers were already present and detectable in the patient's UCB at birth. Our results clearly demonstrate the prenatal origin of NUTM1r infant BCP‐ALL.
Clinicogenetic characterization of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis in Brazil
Authors: Fussiger Helena , Lima Pedro Lucas G. S. B. , Souza Paulo V. S. , Freua Fernando , Husny Antonette S. E. , Leão Emília K. E. A. , Braga‐Neto Pedro , Kok Fernando , Lynch David S. , Saute Jonas A. M. , Nóbrega Paulo R. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThere are few cerebrotendineous xanthomatosis (CTX) case series and observational studies including a significant number of Latin American patients. We describe a multicenter Brazilian cohort of patients with CTX highlighting their clinical phenotype, recurrent variants and assessing possible genotype–phenotype correlations. We analyzed data from all patients with clinical and molecular or biochemical diagnosis of CTX regularly followed at six genetics reference centers in Brazil between March 2020 and August 2023. We evaluated 38 CTX patients from 26 families, originating from 4 different geographical regions in Brazil. Genetic analysis identified 13 variants in the CYP27A1 gene within our population, including 3 variants that had not been previously described. The most frequent initial symptom of CTX in Brazil was cataract (27%), followed by xanthomas (24%), chronic diarrhea (13.5%), and developmental delay (13.5%). We observed that the median age at loss of ambulation correlates with the age of onset of neurological symptoms, with an average interval of 10 years (interquartile range 6.9 to 11 years). This study represents the largest CTX case series ever reported in South America. We describe phenotypic characteristics and report three new pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants.
Validation of a novel AI‐based automated multimodal image registration of CBCT and intraoral scan aiding presurgical implant planning
Authors: Elgarba Bahaaeldeen M. , Fontenele Rocharles Cavalcante , Ali Saleem , Swaity Abdullah , Meeus Jan , Shujaat Sohaib , Jacobs Reinhilde 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObjectivesThe objective of this study is to assess accuracy, time‐efficiency and consistency of a novel artificial intelligence (AI)‐driven automated tool for cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) and intraoral scan (IOS) registration compared with manual and semi‐automated approaches.Materials and MethodsA dataset of 31 intraoral scans (IOSs) and CBCT scans was used to validate automated IOS‐CBCT registration (AR) when compared with manual (MR) and semi‐automated registration (SR). CBCT scans were conducted by placing cotton rolls between the cheeks and teeth to facilitate gingival delineation. The time taken to perform multimodal registration was recorded in seconds. A qualitative analysis was carried out to assess the correspondence between hard and soft tissue anatomy on IOS and CBCT. In addition, a quantitative analysis was conducted by measuring median surface deviation (MSD) and root mean square (RMS) differences between registered IOSs.ResultsAR was the most time‐efficient, taking 51.4 ± 17.2 s, compared with MR (840 ± 168.9 s) and SR approaches (274.7 ± 100.7 s). Both AR and SR resulted in significantly higher qualitative scores, favoring perfect IOS‐CBCT registration, compared with MR (p = .001). Additionally, AR demonstrated significantly superior quantitative performance compared with SR, as indicated by low MSD (0.04 ± 0.07 mm) and RMS (0.19 ± 0.31 mm). In contrast, MR exhibited a significantly higher discrepancy compared with both AR (MSD = 0.13 ± 0.20 mm; RMS = 0.32 ± 0.14 mm) and SR (MSD = 0.11 ± 0.15 mm; RMS = 0.40 ± 0.30 mm).ConclusionsThe novel AI‐driven method provided an accurate, time‐efficient, and consistent multimodal IOS‐CBCT registration, encompassing both soft and hard tissues. This approach stands as a valuable alternative to manual and semi‐automated registration approaches in the presurgical implant planning workflow.
Impacts of Solidago canadensis and Erigeron canadensis co‐invasion on soil microbial communities
Authors: He Mengying , Liu Tingting , Liu Yaqi , Long Yiyi , Li Yue , Xie Qingsong , Zhang Zhen 
Published: August 2024

AbstractInvasive plants disrupt the structure and function of ecosystems, causing a decline in their diversity. The coexistence of Solidago canadensis and Erigeron canadensis within shared habitats is a common phenomenon, and the frequent occurrence of co‐invasion has substantial implications for ecosystems. However, the effects of the co‐invasion of two plants on the soil ecosystem across varying degrees of invasion remain uninvestigated. Therefore, we investigated how the co‐invasion of S. canadensis and E. canadensis affects soil physiochemical properties and microorganisms across various degrees of invasion. The invaded regions exhibited significantly lower soil moisture content and pH values than those in the uninvaded areas (p < .05). Additionally, co‐invasion resulted in higher soil organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and available phosphorus (AP) contents compared to single invasion by E. canadensis. Furthermore, the invaded regions exhibited a greater diversity of soil bacterial and fungal communities than the uninvaded regions. Under diverse invasion conditions, Actinobacteria and Ascomycota emerged as the predominant phyla of soil bacteria and fungi, respectively, leading to a shift in the soil microbial community structure. Moreover, homogenizing dispersal significantly influenced bacterial community succession, while ecological drift influenced the progression of fungal communities. Using structural equation modeling, this study established significant correlations between soil properties (pH, TN, and nitrate nitrogen) and bacterial interactions (diversity and community assembly) relative to microbial composition. This study revealed the influence of S. canadensis and E. canadensis co‐invasion on soil microbial communities, thereby contributing a theoretical framework delineating the impact of these two invasive plant species.
Militarized Development in Post‐war Sri Lanka: Consolidating Control
Authors: Kelegama Thiruni 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTDevelopment is an important, yet contentious word, in the history of post‐colonial Sri Lanka. Typically, it is linked with economic progress and societal change, intricately woven into political processes and frequently utilized as a platform to promote Sinhala‐Buddhist ethnonationalist agendas. This article looks at post‐colonial Sri Lanka's ‘core development project’ — the Mahaweli Development Programme — and its post‐war revival with the military as a key actor. Through a detailed ethnographic study, it traces the way in which the military assumed extraordinary powers and became vital to the post‐colonial project of development and the militarized practices that enabled this. The author argues that this project of militarized development unfolds in a fourfold manner: by normalizing the presence of the military; by ensuring the military is seen as charitable; by blurring the boundaries between the military and civilians; and lastly by portraying the work carried out by the military as transformative. The article concludes by demonstrating that this militarized project of development is the latest iteration of the long‐standing post‐colonial project of Sinhala‐Buddhist state expansion, enabled through development.
When less is more: The association between the expression of polymorphic CYPs and AFB1‐induced HCC
Authors: Mohamed Asmaa Ashraf , Armanious Monica , Bedair Rana W. , Amin Nada Sherif , El Tayebi Hend M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundAn individual’s genetic fingerprint is emerging as a pivotal predictor of numerous disease‐ and treatment‐related factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in drug‐metabolizing enzymes play key roles in an individual’s exposure to a malignancy‐associated risk, such as Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).AimThis study aimed at reviewing literature on the polymorphisms that exist in CYP enzymes and their possible link with susceptibility to AFB1‐induced HCC.Materials & MethodsA set of keywords associated with the study subject of interest was used to search the Google Scholar and the PubMed database. The last ten years’ worth of research projects were included in the results filter. The research involved HCC patients and any connection between polymorphic forms of CYP enzymes and their susceptibility to AFB1‐induced HCC, including older but significant data.ResultsVariations in CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 were reported to impact the rate and magnitude of AFB1 bio‐activation, thus influencing an individual’s vulnerability to develop HCC. In HCC patients, the activity of CYP isoforms varies, where increased activity has been reported with CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1, while CYP1A2, CYP2C8, and CYP2C19 exhibit decreased activity. CYP2D6*10 frequency has been discovered to differ considerably in HCC patients. Rs2740574 (an upstream polymorphism in CYP3A4 as detected in CYP3A4*1B) and rs776746 (which affects CYP3A5 RNA splicing), both of which influence CYP3A expression, thus impacting the variability of AFB1‐epoxide adducts in HCC patients.DiscussionCYP1A2 is the primary enzyme accountable for the formation of harmful AFBO globally. CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP3A7, CYP2B7, and CYP3A3 are also implicated in the bio‐activation of AFB1 to mutagenic metabolites. It is thought that CYP3A4 is the protein that interacts with AFB1 metabolism the most.ConclusionPolymorphic variants of CYP enzymes have a functional impact on the susceptibility to AFB1‐induced HCC. Outlining such variation and their implications may provide deeper insights into approaching HCC in a more personalized manner for guiding future risk‐assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
The dynamics of the early career gender wage gap among university graduates: The case of Russia
Authors: Rozhkova Ksenia , Roshchin Sergey , Yemelina Natalya 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study provides new evidence of the gender wage gap among recent university graduates at different stages of their early career. Using a unique administrative dataset from Russia, we estimate the gender wage gap at means and across wage distribution for a cohort of 2018 university graduates during the first 4 years after graduation. We explore the contribution of educational and job factors to the explanation of the gap. Although a substantial gap of 14% is already present at labour market entry, it is two times smaller compared to the gap for the overall working population. Eighty five percent of the entry wage gap can be explained with differences in fields of study, work experience, and job characteristics. More than 4 years after graduation, the gender wage gap experiences a dramatic increase, reaching 26%. Only 28% of the resulting gap can be explained by the observed characteristics, including industrial and occupational segregation. The size of the gap varies drastically in different parts of the wage distribution, suggesting the existence of a strong glass ceiling effect from the very beginning of graduate careers. The rapidly expanding early career gender wage gap with a growing unexplained component suggests that education policies may have limited ability to promote gender equality in the labour market.
Role of blood–brain barrier dysfunction in the development of poststroke epilepsy
Authors: Meijer Wouter C. , Gorter Jan A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractStroke is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity worldwide and the most common cause of epilepsy in the elderly in high income nations. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes induce dysfunction of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and that this impairment can contribute to epileptogenesis. Nevertheless, studies directly comparing BBB dysfunction and poststroke epilepsy (PSE) are largely absent. Therefore, this review summarizes the role of BBB dysfunction in the development of PSE in animal models and clinical studies. There are multiple mechanisms whereby stroke induces BBB dysfunction, including increased transcytosis, tight junction dysfunction, spreading depolarizations, astrocyte and pericyte loss, reactive astrocytosis, angiogenesis, matrix metalloproteinase activation, neuroinflammation, adenosine triphosphate depletion, oxidative stress, and finally cell death. The degree to which these effects occur is dependent on the severity of the ischemia, whereby cell death is a more prominent mechanism of BBB disruption in regions of critical ischemia. BBB dysfunction can contribute to epileptogenesis by increasing the risk of hemorrhagic transformation, increasing stroke size and the amount of cerebral vasogenic edema, extravasation of excitatory compounds, and increasing neuroinflammation. Furthermore, albumin extravasation after BBB dysfunction contributes to epileptogenesis primarily via increased transforming growth factor β signaling. Finally, seizures themselves induce BBB dysfunction, thereby contributing to epileptogenesis in a cyclical manner. In repairing this BBB dysfunction, pericyte migration via platelet‐derived growth factor β signaling is indispensable and required for reconstruction of the BBB, whereby astrocytes also play a role. Although animal stroke models have their limitations, they provide valuable insights into the development of potential therapeutics designed to restore the BBB after stroke, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes and minimizing the occurrence of PSE. In pursuit of this goal, rapamycin, statins, losartan, semaglutide, and metformin show promise, whereby modulation of pericyte migration could also be beneficial.
Economic burden of frailty in older adults accessing community‐based aged care services in Australia
Authors: Toson Barbara , Edney Laura Catherine , Haji Ali Afzali Hossein , Visvanathan Renuka , Khadka Jyoti , Karnon Jonathan 
Published: August 2024

AimTo explore the utilization of permanent residential aged care (PRAC), healthcare costs, and mortality for frail compared with non‐frail individuals following their first assessment by an aged care assessment team (ACAT) for a government‐funded home care package.MethodsThe study involved people aged 65 years and over who completed their first ACAT assessment in 2013 and were followed for up to 36 months. Frail and non‐frail study participants were matched through caliper matching without replacement to adjust for potential unobserved confounders. Poisson regression estimated the impact of frailty on PRAC admission and mortality rates. Healthcare costs, encompassing hospital admissions, emergency department presentations, primary care consultations, and pharmaceutical use, from ACAT assessment to end of follow‐up, PRAC entry or death were summarized monthly by frailty status.Results13 315 non‐frail controls were matched with up to three frail individuals (52 678 total). Frail individuals experienced higher mortality (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.70–1.83) and greater likelihood of entering PRAC (IRR = 1.73; 95% CI 1.67–1.79) compared with non‐frail individuals. Total healthcare costs over the 3‐year post‐assessment period for 39 363 frail individuals were $1 277 659 900, compared with expected costs of $885 322 522 had they not been frail. The primary contributor to the mean monthly excess cost per frail individual (mean = $457, SD = 3192) was hospital admissions ($345; 75%).ConclusionsFrailty is associated with higher rates of mortality and of entering PRAC, and excess costs of frailty are substantial and sustained over time. These findings emphasize the potential economic value of providing home care for older people before they become frail. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 939–947.
Assessment of Natural Reference Materials for U‐Pb Geochronology of Grossular‐Andradite Garnet
Authors: Beno Carl J. , Lackey Jade Star , Schmitz Mark D. , Bowman John R. , Stearns Michael A. , Bartley John M. , Fernandez Diego P. 
Published: August 2024

Garnet U‐Pb dating by laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry requires the development of matrix‐matched reference materials of variable chemistry and U mass fraction for accurate analysis. Additional calibration of existing primary reference materials is also justified based on the relatively poor calibration of some of the widely available primary reference materials that are currently utilised by the geoscience community. We present a micro sampling workflow combined with a refined ID‐TIMS methodology for the generation of high precision (~ 0.1%) U‐Pb dates from domains within garnet single crystals. Using this workflow, we calibrated two new natural andradite reference materials, the Jumbo andradite (And99; 110.34 ± 0.03 (0.04) [0.13] Ma, n = 7, MSWD = 1.21) and the Tiptop andradite (And87; 209.57 ± 0.11 (0.13) [0.26] Ma, n = 6, MSWD = 1.39). We also present additional calibration of the widely utilised Willsboro‐Lewis andradite primary reference material (And90; 1024.7 ± 9.5 (9.6) [9.6] Ma (2s; overdispersed), n = 6). Wafers of the Jumbo and Tiptop andradite reference materials are available from the authors upon request.