bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated Serum MCP‐2 and TARC Associated With Increased Risk of Death in Guamanian ALS Patients
Authors: Chowdhury Risana N. , Azam Mus'ab A. , Azam Suhaib A. , Lana Shteynman , Culver Erin N. , Garruto Ralph M. , Wander Katherine 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundThis study explores the relationship between inflammation and longevity in a high‐incidence focus of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in post‐WWII Guam. Characteristics of this focus include the sudden appearance of the disease in high numbers and the unusually long lifespan (without medical interventions) seen in some cases. We used bio‐banked specimens to evaluate the relationship between serum immunoregulators and survival time.MethodsWe evaluated sera from 69 Guam ALS cases collected within 2 years of symptom onset by NIH researchers from 1950 to 1983 for 11 immunoregulators via ELISA (CRP, eotaxin‐1, RANTES, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IFN‐γ, IP‐10, MCP‐1, MCP‐2 and TARC). Factor analysis identified two factors responsible for ~68% of the variation in the data. We estimated Cox proportional hazards models to identify immunoregulators associated with time to death.ResultsEach 10‐unit increase in factor 2 cytokines (MCP‐2 and TARC) was associated with a 38% increase in the risk of death (HR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.65; p: 0.00). Discussion: Like sporadic ALS cases worldwide, inflammation is associated with a shortened lifespan in Guamanian ALS; more specifically, our findings suggest serum levels of MCP‐2 and TARC at onset may predict disease duration. Further investigation is needed to determine the role of these immunoregulators in disease prognosis and as targets for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Water‐Energy‐Carbon Nexus Within the Urban Eco‐Transformation of the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei Region
Authors: Wang Yifei , Han Ze , Deng Xiangzheng 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTDriven by rapid urbanisation, the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei region (BTH) has experienced a dramatic increase in resource consumption and environmental strain. Investigating the relationships among water, energy and carbon can help balance efficient resource utilisation, environmental conservation and economic growth, while promoting sustainable urban development. This study develops an analytical framework for the water‐energy‐carbon nexus within the urban eco‐transformation. Specifically, this study first illustrates the conceptual model for the interaction among water use, energy consumption and carbon emissions theoretically, then examines the water‐energy‐carbon dynamics in urbanisation and ecological transition of the BTH region. Furthermore, an empirical analysis was conducted taking Beijing city as the case study area to explore the water‐energy‐carbon nexus and its decoupling with socio‐economic development. Results show rapid urbanisation has significantly increased population and economic scale, exerting substantial pressure on water resources, energy supply and the environment. The study reveals a significant positive interaction between water consumption, electricity consumption and carbon emissions in Beijing, with an inverted U‐shaped parabolic relationship between GDP and population. Beijing is expected to decouple economic growth from carbon emissions after 2030 and from water consumption after 2037, reducing resource consumption and carbon emissions while sustaining economic growth. To achieve sustainable development, it is recommended that the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei region accelerate industrial transformation, enhance water resource efficiency, develop clean energy and improve power system efficiency. This paper provides a theoretical foundation and practical insights for decision‐making and facilitates ecological urbanisation in the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei region.
A Comparison of Fleet Dynamics Models for Predicting Fisher Location Choice
Authors: Dolder Paul J. , Poos Jan Jaap , Spence Michael A. , García Dorleta , Minto Cóilín 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTScientific advice for fisheries management rarely takes into account how fishers react to regulations, which can lead to unexpected results and unrealistic expectations of the effectiveness of the management measures. Short‐term decisions about when and where to fish are one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in predicting management outcomes. Several models have been developed to predict how fishers allocate effort in space and time, including mechanistic methods such as gravity and dynamic state variable models, and statistical methods such as random utility and Markov models. These have been individually used to predict effort allocation for various fisheries, but there is no comparative synthesis of their structure and characteristics. We demonstrate strong theoretical links between utility and choice in gravity, random utility, Markov and dynamic state variable models. Using an advanced event‐based simulation framework, we find that mechanistic models bias effort allocation to certain areas when applying commonly used strong assumptions about drivers of effort allocation; and conversely, statistical models accurately predict the distribution of fishing effort under business as usual. However, predictive performance degrades with previously unobserved dynamics, such as a spatial closure. Mechanistic models were less suited to general application under business as usual but provide a useful framework for testing hypotheses about a fishery system in response to policy change. Comparison of simple model formulations yielded significant insight into the characteristics of the models and how they could be used to evaluate alternative management approaches for mixed fisheries.
Whole‐Profile Soil Carbon Responses to Concurrent Warming and Precipitation Changes Across Global Biomes
Authors: Wang Mingming , Zhang Shuai , Guo Xiaowei , Wang Guocheng , Xia Jianyang , Xiao Liujun , Luo Zhongkui 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe joint effects of simultaneous warming and precipitation shifts on soil organic carbon (SOC)—the largest terrestrial carbon pool—remain poorly understood across large spatial extents. By evaluating a global dataset of SOC measurements in the top meter of soil through a space‐for‐change substitution approach, we show that, averaging across the globe, increased precipitation compensates for warming‐induced SOC reductions regardless of soil depth and vice versa. Although additive effects between these two factors are predominant, negative interactive effects, which exacerbate SOC losses, are also common, particularly in tropical and subtropical grasslands/savannas and Mediterranean/montane shrublands. SOC responses vary widely across the globe, primarily correlated to baseline SOC content and local climatic conditions. Notably, SOC responses in tundra systems are opposite the responses in other ecosystems, showing positive and negative responses to warming and precipitation increases, respectively. Under a scenario of 2°C air warming with projected precipitation changes, global SOC stocks in the 0–1 m depth are projected to decrease by 13.1% ± 6.6% (mean ± 95% confidence interval, or 351 ± 100 Pg C). These results demonstrate that accurately predicting SOC dynamics under climate change necessitates explicit consideration of local climatic conditions and existing SOC content in relation to concurrent precipitation shifts and warming.
Simulating and Analysing Seabird Flyways: An Approach Combining Least‐Cost Path Modelling and Machine Learning
Authors: Skyllas Nomikos , Verhoeven Mo A. , Loonen Maarten J. J. E. , Bintanja Richard 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTAimWe develop and test a cost framework to simulate the flyways of migratory seabirds, considering various environmental factors such as wind support, crosswind, travel distance, and food availability. Using this framework, we simulate potential migratory flyways for arctic terns and compare these simulations with tracking data. Our aim is to identify which combination of factors best explains the observed flyways. Ultimately, we seek to demonstrate how different environmental factors shape flyways.InnovationWe simulated 195 possible seabird flyways using a newly developed cost function that takes into account a number of environmental variables. We focused on the Arctic Tern, a transhemispheric migrating seabird species. Our model accurately simulated most spring and autumn flyways across the Atlantic Ocean (median RMSE ± standard deviation for all five flyways: 529 ± 201 km). The most accurate simulations for Arctic Terns breeding on Svalbard were those for which wind support made up ~70% of the total cost, while the best simulations for the Dutch population were those for which distance minimisation was ~50% and food maximisation was ~30% of total costs. Finally, by analysing tracking data using a machine‐learning algorithm factoring in both wind support and crosswind, we were able to determine airspeed and subsequently infer whether the observed flyways optimised time and/or effort.Main ConclusionsThis analysis showed that Arctic Terns breeding on Svalbard followed effort‐optimising flyways, whereas those that breed in the Netherlands followed time‐optimising flyways. Our simulation‐to‐observation approach demonstrates that Earth's environmental and physical properties likely underlie the global distribution of migratory birds and therefore need to be considered in studies that evaluate the long‐range movement patterns and distribution of birds.
Harnessing the Full Power of Data to Characterise Biological Scaling Relationships
Authors: Simovic Milos , Michaletz Sean T. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTDescribing Scaling RelationshipsScaling relationships are a central feature of global ecology, quantifying general biological patterns across broad spatial and temporal scales. Traditionally characterised as scale‐invariant power laws, the scope of biological scaling has expanded in recent decades to include log–log curvilinearity and exponential functions. In macroecology and biogeography, a major focus is on quantifying these general relationships using empirical data, comparing observations across datasets and testing their consistency with theoretical predictions. This is typically accomplished by fitting linear models to log‐transformed data, estimating slopes (representing scaling exponents or exponential rate constants) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and evaluating whether these CIs align with empirical observations or theoretical predictions.Challenges of Existing MethodsThe accuracy of general slope estimates depends critically on the distribution of data across the range of the abscissa. When observations are unevenly distributed, with clustering in some portions of the range, slope and CI estimates become biased toward regions of higher data density. This imbalance increases the risk of type I or II errors, potentially leading to erroneous conclusions in comparisons of data with observations or predictions.Bootstrapping Enables Accurate Estimates of Scaling RelationshipsWe introduce a novel bootstrapping approach to address data imbalance in biological scaling analyses that improves the accuracy of general slope and CI estimates. This method enables more precise comparisons with empirical observations and theoretical predictions. We validate the approach by accurately reproducing a known slope from plant height‐diameter data. Additionally, we demonstrate that fitting linear models to imbalanced and balanced metabolic rate‐body mass data yields different slope estimates, leading to different conclusions regarding agreement between data and theory. Finally, we evaluate three common data processing methods and show that model fits to balanced data are superior for reliable quantification of general scaling relationships.
The Impact of Medication Regimen Complexity on Patient‐Related and Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Goh Jing Xin , Tesfaye Wubshet , Van Connie , Sud Kamal , Seth Shrey , Tarafdar Surjit , Castelino Ronald L. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionThere is limited data on medication regimen complexity on outcomes in patients with kidney failure receiving hemodialysis (HD) in different settings. This study aims to quantify medication regimen complexity and assess its impact on patient‐related and clinical outcomes in facility‐based and home‐based HD‐treated patients.MethodsThis study targeted patients undergoing HD at a large metropolitan dialysis center in Australia. Baseline data and hospitalizations were recorded through a retrospective audit of electronic medical records, while other outcome data were collected prospectively. Medication regimen complexity was assessed using the 65‐item Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI). Medication adherence was evaluated with the 4‐item Morisky‐Green‐Levine Scale (MGLS), whereby participants were deemed not adherent if they responded “yes” to any of the questions. EQ‐5D‐5L and EQ VAS scores were used to assess health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) with higher scores indicating better health.FindingsOf 174 eligible adults, 145 (80 facility‐based and 65 home HDs) patients participated. Participants of both facility‐based and home HD were predominantly men (65% and 75.4%, respectively) with a mean age of 62 ± 13 years and 56 ± 12 years, respectively. Home HD participants had a higher median MRCI than those on facility‐based HD [26.0 (IQR 20.6–33.0) vs. 20.8 (IQR 13.6–28.4), respectively; p = 0.005]. While there was no significant difference in the non‐adherence rate, home HD participants had higher scores for both EQ‐5D‐5L [0.917 (IQR 0.745–0.984) vs. 0.798 (IQR 0.302–0.956), respectively; p = 0.006] and EQ VAS [60 (IQR 50–75) vs. 50 (IQR 40–70), respectively; p = 0.034]. Home HD participants also had a fewer number of hospitalizations in the prior (1 year 0 (IQR 0–1) vs. 1 (IQR 0–1), respectively; p = 0.042).DiscussionThe higher complexity of the medication regimen for home HD compared to facility‐based HD participants may be due to the shift in dose administration responsibility of several parenteral medications. Despite the higher complexity, home HD patients had better outcomes, including HRQoL and hospitalizations compared to facility‐based HD patients.
Rebound of Reflux‐Related Symptoms After Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Hu Kai‐Yu , Tseng Ping‐Huei , Liou Jyh‐Ming , Tu Chia‐Hung , Chen Chien‐Chuan , Lee Yi‐Chia , Chiu Han‐Mo , Wu Ming‐Shiang 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackground/PurposeWe aimed to assess the effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication on the rebound of reflux‐related symptoms among gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients.MethodsThis prospective randomized study recruited patients with typical reflux symptoms and reflux esophagitis on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (NCT02934152). Patients positive for H. pylori via a urea breath test (UBT) were randomly assigned to receive bacterial eradication with triple therapy for 2 weeks either before or after proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment for 4 weeks. Follow‐up was implemented with serial GerdQ evaluation and a subsequent UBT. The primary outcome was the incidence rates of symptom rebound between patients with and without H. pylori infection. The secondary outcomes included the severity of symptom rebound, incidence rates of symptom rebound, and successful eradication rates between the early and late eradication groups.ResultsA total of 248 patients were enrolled, of whom 107 (43.1%) tested positive for H. pylori infection. All patients with and without concurrent H. pylori infection had significant symptom improvement over the entire treatment. Patients with H. pylori infection had significantly lower rates of symptom rebound (19.8% vs. 34.2%, p = 0.034) and rebound severity (1.8 ± 0.7 vs. 2.8 ± 1.6, p = 0.031) 4 weeks after eradication and PPI treatment than those without. The incidence rates of symptom rebound and successful eradication rates were not significantly different between the early and late eradication groups.ConclusionsGERD patients with concurrent H. pylori infection were less susceptible to symptom rebound after H. pylori eradication compared to those without.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrial.gov (NCT02934152)
Overexpression of lncRNAs HOTAIR and MALAT1 While Downexpression of lncRNA PANDA Predict the Resistance of Diffuse Large B‐Cell Lymphoma to R‐CHOP Chemoimmunotherapy
Authors: Ahmed Yara Mohamed , El‐Khazragy Nashwa , Haroun Riham Abdel‐Hamid , Fathy Shadia Abdel‐Hamid 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of cancer; in addition, they have been identified as novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for several cancers, including diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL).MethodsA total of 75 DLBCL patients and 30 control subjects with active lymph nodes were enrolled into our study. The baseline expression levels of lncRNAs HOTAIR, MALAT1, and PANDA in paraffin‐embedded blocks of lymph nodes from DLBCL patients and controls were evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative real‐time PCR (RTqPCR) technique.ResultsThe expression levels of HOTAIR and MALAT1 were increased while PANDA expression level was decreased in DLBCL patients when compared to controls and in R‐CHOP‐resistant patients when compared to responder ones. Also, HOTAIR, MALAT1, and PANDA baseline expression levels were significantly correlated with the different clinical parameters in this study. As diagnostic and prognostic tools, the results obtained from the ROC curve revealed that the PANDA baseline expression level was the best one as the diagnostic biomarker could differentiate DLBCL disease and the prognostic biomarker predicts R‐CHOP resistance.ConclusionIn conclusion, the integrated approach reveals that lncRNAs HOTAIR and MALAT1 were upregulated, while lncRNA PANDA was downregulated in DLBCL patients compared with controls, and the three lncRNAs closely associated with clinical prognosis. This study warrants future studies in clinical trials for the treatment of R‐CHOP‐resistant DLBCL patients.
Current Evidence on Cabazitaxel for Prostate Cancer Therapy: A Narrative Review
Authors: Suzuki Kazuhiro , Matsuyama Hideyasu , Matsubara Nobuaki , Kazama Hirotaka , Ueno Fumiko , Uemura Hirotsugu 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe incidence of prostate cancer (PC) has recently increased in Japan. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been a key treatment in patients with castration‐sensitive PC (CSPC); however, resistance typically emerges through multiple mechanisms, leading to metastatic castration‐resistant PC (mCRPC). Taxane‐based therapy (i.e., docetaxel, cabazitaxel) has been standard care in patients with mCRPC. New evidence supporting the addition of androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs, e.g., enzalutamide, abiraterone) to docetaxel and ADT for patients with metastatic CSPC (mCSPC) raises questions about the role of taxane‐based therapies and their optimal sequencing, as well as how to identify patients who may benefit from taxane‐based therapy. Here we review the evidence on taxane‐based therapy, including cabazitaxel, in the treatment of PC, with a focus on clinical and real‐world evidence from Japan. Cabazitaxel has proven effective for patients with mCRPC who have a history of ARSI and docetaxel use, and it is preferable to a second alternative ARSI, as indicated in the CARD study. The safety profile of cabazitaxel (particularly, the incidence of neutropenia) can be managed through prophylactic use of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor, as well as a lower dosage and possibly variation of the dosage interval. However, a certain dose intensity is required because neutropenia has been identified as a potential prognostic indicator for treatment effectiveness. In the ARSI era for mCSPC, evidence on mCRPC treatment sequencing is limited. A better understanding of PC biology and the collection of real‐world data is essential for effective treatment and improved safety‐benefit outcomes.
Histological Qualitative Assessment of Tissue Lesions in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Following Caudal Vasculature Blood Sampling
Authors: Dalum A. S. , Romstad H. , Boissonnot L. , Stensby‐Skjærvik S. , Klykken C. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBlood sampling of fish has received increasing interest from the industry. However, the impact of puncturing the caudal vasculature, a common sampling procedure, is poorly described. In this study, the histopathology of this procedure was examined in both acute and chronic stages.
Board Gender Diversity and Capital Adequacy: The Role of Environmental Responsibility in the Banking Industry
Authors: Gangi Francesco , Varrone Nicola , Mustilli Mario , Daniele Lucia Michela , Coscia Maria 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThis study investigates how board gender diversity (BGD) impacts banks' risk‐taking and if this effect is mediated through banks' sensitivity toward environmental issues. Indeed, earlier literature recognizes a female risk aversion in financial decision‐making and the urgency for banks to manage environmental risks. Using a sample of 132 banks from 21 countries over the 2009‒2020 period, we examine both the direct effect between BGD on risk‐taking and the indirect effect of the mediating role of banks' environmental engagement. The results indicate that banks with higher BGD show higher capital adequacy ratios (Tier 1; Total Tier) and lower risk‐weighted assets (RWAs), suggesting that the greater the presence of women on the boards, the lower the banks' risk profile. Moreover, the relationship between greater BGD and lower risk‐taking is mediated by the impact of the bank's environmental engagement. Hence, BGD lowers banks' riskiness both directly and indirectly through the channel of improved environmental practices.
Calcium‐Dependent Signaling in Astrocytes: Downstream Mechanisms and Implications for Cognition
Authors: Veiga Alexandra , Abreu Daniela Sofia , Dias José Duarte , Azenha Patrícia , Barsanti Sara , Oliveira João Filipe 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTAstrocytes are glial cells recognized for their diverse roles in regulating brain circuit structure and function. They can sense and adapt to changes in the microenvironment due to their unique structural and biochemical properties. A key aspect of astrocytic function involves calcium (Ca2+)‐dependent signaling, which serves as a fundamental mechanism for their interactions with neurons and other cells in the brain. However, while significant progress has been made in understanding the spatio‐temporal properties of astrocytic Ca2+ signals, the downstream molecular pathways and exact mechanisms through which astrocytes decode these signals to regulate homeostatic and physiological processes remain poorly understood. To address this topic, we review here the available literature on the sources of intracellular Ca2+, as well as its downstream mechanisms and signaling pathways. We review the well‐studied Ca2+‐dependent exocytosis but draw attention to additional intracellular Ca2+‐dependent mechanisms that are less understood and are, most likely, highly influential for many other cellular functions. Finally, we review how intracellular Ca2+ is thought to underlie neuron–astrocyte signaling in brain regions involved in cognitive processing.image
Heterogeneous Price Technologies
Authors: Hämäläinen Saara 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTWe present a unified theory of dynamic oligopoly pricing with heterogeneous information technologies on each side of the market. Trackers (on the firm‐side) and shoppers (on the consumer‐side) can follow market prices costlessly, whereas non‐trackers and non‐shoppers cannot. We describe both non‐collusive and collusive equilibria. While the effects of tracking may be non‐monotone, the presence of trackers generally harms consumers. The price pattern that arises with trackers and non‐trackers reconciles a multitude of cross‐sectional price patterns, such as persistent price differences and adherence to or avoidance of certain prices. We find that non‐trackers can counter tracker collusion by applying a limit‐price strategy.