bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Property rights in a weak state: Evidence from land pawning in Qing Taiwan (1683–1895)
Authors: Jheng Shao‐yu , Koo Hui‐wen , Wu Kun‐jung 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLand pawning is considered inefficient because it causes property rights to be unclearly delineated. Despite this, it once prevailed worldwide. We propose that this system flourished when state capacity was weak and the private sector spontaneously managed public affairs. Local collaboration made it difficult to sell land outright to an outsider who might be an unreliable collaborator. Land pawning granted the pawner's family and neighbours a ‘probation’ period to observe the pawnee's behaviour. If they found the pawnee irresponsible, they could still redeem the land. Data compiled from contracts in Qing Taiwan support our hypothesis.
The interplay between historical land‐use and the distribution of Helichrysum shrubs in an African‐protected grassland
Authors: Mgimba Christopher A. , Smith Stuart W. , Ngondya Issakwisa B. , Treydte Anna C. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHuman land use can have lasting impacts on landscape characteristic, yet there remains a lack of information on how former land use affects plant communities in protected African grasslands. In this study, we investigated how land uses prior to the creation of Kitulo National Park, Tanzania, shaped the presence and abundance of the native shrub, Helichrysum species. We evaluated both plant species composition and soil properties across the park by dividing our sample into three different zones of historical land use based on participatory mapping. We divided the park into three former land uses: (1) livestock grazed and cultivated; (2) grazed only and (3) wild grazing with limited human impact. We observed that former grazed cultivated land use had five times higher Helichrysum abundance than former ‘wild’ land use. Soil pH, magnesium and phosphorus levels varied significantly across zones of historical land use but not between sites with and without Helichrysum species. Helichrysum splendidum was more abundant in soils with low soil phosphorus and magnesium concentrations. Our study demonstrates that historic grazing and cropping land uses through changes in soil nutrient properties can explain current Helichrysum species spread in protected areas. As such, conservation management plans would benefit from integrating mapping of former land uses to target interventions for problematic encroaching shrubs.
A long‐term prognosis study of human USP8‐mutated ACTH‐secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumours
Authors: Miao Hui , Wang Luo , Gong Fengying , Duan Lian , Wang Linjie , Yao Yong , Feng Ming , Deng Kan , Wang Renzhi , Xiao Yu , Ling Qing , Zhu Huijuan , Lu Lin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveSomatic variants in the ubiquitin‐specific protease 8 (USP8) gene are the most common genetic cause of Cushing disease. We aimed to explore the relationship between clinical outcomes and USP8 status in a single centre.Design, patients and measurementsWe investigated the USP8 status in 48 patients with pituitary corticotroph tumours. A median of 62 months of follow‐up was conducted after surgery from November 2013 to January 2015. The clinical, biochemical and imaging features were collected and analysed.ResultsSeven USP8 variants (p.Ser718Pro, p.Ser719del, p.Pro720Arg, p.Pro720Gln, p.Ser718del, p.Ser718Phe, p.Lys713Arg) were identified in 24 patients (50%). USP8 variants showed a female predominance (100% vs. 75% in wild type [WT], p = .022). Patients with p.Ser719del showed an older age at surgery compared to patients with the p.Pro720Arg variant (47‐ vs. 24‐year‐olds, p = .033). Patients with p.Pro720Arg showed a higher rate of macroadenoma compared to patients harbouring the p.Ser718Pro variant (60% vs. 0%, p = .037). No significant differences were observed in serum and urinary cortisol and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) levels. Immediate surgical remission (79% vs. 75%) and long‐term hormone remission (79% vs. 67%) were not significantly different between the two groups. The recurrence rate was 21% (4/19) in patients harbouring USP8 variants and 13% (2/16) in WT patients. Recurrence‐free survival presented a tendency to be shorter in USP8‐mutated individuals (76.7 vs. 109.2 months, p = .068).ConclusionsSomatic USP8 variants accounted for 50% of the genetic causes in this cohort with a significant female frequency. A long‐term follow‐up revealed a tendency toward shorter recurrence‐free survival in USP8‐mutant patients.
Should I stay or should I go? Coral bleaching from the symbionts' perspective
Authors: Scott Carly B. , Ostling Annette , Matz Mikhail V. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCoral bleaching, the stress‐induced breakdown of coral‐algal symbiosis, threatens reefs globally. Paradoxically, despite adverse fitness effects, corals bleach annually, even outside of abnormal temperatures. This generally occurs shortly after the once‐per‐year mass coral spawning. Here, we propose a hypothesis linking annual coral bleaching and the transmission of symbionts to the next generation of coral hosts. We developed a dynamic model with two symbiont growth strategies, and found that high sexual recruitment and low adult coral survivorship and growth favour bleaching susceptibility, while the reverse promotes bleaching resilience. Otherwise, unexplained trends in the Indo‐Pacific align with our hypothesis, where reefs and coral taxa exhibiting higher recruitment are more bleaching susceptible. The results from our model caution against interpreting potential shifts towards more bleaching‐resistant symbionts as evidence of climate adaptation—we predict such a shift could also occur in declining systems experiencing low recruitment rates, a common scenario on today's reefs.
Assessing patient information needs for new antidiabetic medications to inform shared decision‐making: A best–worst scaling experiment in China
Authors: Xie Tongling , Meng Jingyi , Feng Zhe , Gao Yue , Chen Tian , Chen Yalan , Geng Jinsong 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundShared decision‐making (SDM) is a patient‐centred approach to improve the quality of care. An essential requirement for the SDM process is to be fully aware of patient information needs.ObjectivesOur study aimed to assess patient information needs for new antidiabetic medications using the best–worst scaling (BWS) experiment.MethodsBWS tasks were developed according to a literature review and the focus group discussion. We used a balanced incomplete block design and blocking techniques to generate choice sets. The final BWS contains 11 attributes, with 6‐choice scenarios in each block. The one‐to‐one, face‐to‐face BWS survey was conducted among type 2 diabetic patients in Jiangsu Province. Results were analyzed using count‐based analysis and modelling approaches. We also conducted a subgroup analysis to observe preference heterogeneity.ResultsData from 539 patients were available for analysis. The most desired information domain was the comparative effectiveness of new antidiabetic medications. It consists of the incidence of macrovascular complications, the length of extended life years, changes in health‐related quality of life, the incidence of microvascular complications, and the control of glycated haemoglobin. Of all the attributes, the incidence of macrovascular complications was the primary concern. Patients' glycemic control and whether they had diabetes complications exerted a significant influence on their information needs.ConclusionsInformation on health benefits is of critical significance for diabetic patients. Patients have different information needs as their disease progresses. Personalized patient decision aids that integrate patient information needs and provide evidence of new antidiabetic medications are worthy of being established.Patient or Public ContributionBefore data collection, a pilot survey was carried out among diabetic patients to provide feedback on the acceptability and intelligibility of the attributes.
Air‐polishing followed by ultrasonic calculus removal for the treatment of gingivitis: A 12‐month, split‐mouth randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Mensi M. , Scotti E. , Sordillo A. , Dalè M. , Calza S. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the advantages of a novel protocol involving full‐mouth erythritol‐powder air‐polishing followed by ultrasonic calculus removal in the maintenance of patients treated for gingivitis, with a focus on time and comfort.MethodsSystemically healthy patients with gingivitis were selected. Following a split‐mouth design, quadrants 1–4 and 2–3 were randomly allocated to receive air‐polishing followed by ultrasonic calculus removal following a protocol known as Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) or traditional full‐mouth ultrasonic debridement followed by polishing with a rubber cup and prophylactic paste (US + P). Bleeding on probing (BoP) and the plaque index (PI) were collected at baseline (T0), 2 weeks (T1), 4 weeks (T2), 3 months (T3), and 6 months (T4) and 12 months (T5). Following the same randomization, prophylactic therapy was provided at 3 months (T3) and 6 months (T4). Clinical parameters, treatment time and patient comfort and satisfaction were evaluated.ResultsA total of 41 patients were selected, 39 completed the study. The clinical parameters were clinically satisfactory for both treatments at every time. At 4 months after treatment, GBT maintained significantly lower BoP and PI. GBT protocol required a significantly lower treatment time, especially at T3 and T4, when it saved 24.5% and 25.1% of the time, respectively. Both treatments were rated positively by most patients. However, GBT was perceived as more comfortable, and a higher number of patients preferred it.ConclusionNo significant difference was observed between GBT and conventional ultrasonic debridement and rubber cup polishing in terms of BoP and PI levels. The GBT protocol allowed less time expenditure and higher patients' perceived comfort.
Dietary chamomile flowers extract improved performance and mitigated aflatoxin B1 toxicity in rabbits
Authors: Rashad Mahmoud Gamal , Arafa Mahmoud Mohamed , El‐Zanaty Abd Elfattah Ibrahim , El‐Saeed Lasheen Mohamed , El‐Ashram Saeed Abdelalim , Al‑Olayan Ebtesam Mohamed , Hegazy Mostafa Mahmoud , Farouk Mohammed Hamdy 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is among the poisonous mycotoxins that contaminate food and feed. Limited studies are available on the efficacy of chamomile (Cha) against oxidative stress, liver damage and pro‐inflammatory response induced by AFB1. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of Cha on the performance and protective effects against AFB1 in growing rabbits. The experimental rabbits were divided into four different groups, including Cha (70 mg kg day−1), AFB1 (AF; 30 μg kg day−1), AFB1+Cha (AFLCha) and control (CON). The results indicated that the AFB1 treatment had lower values of performance, and carcass parameters compared to the Cha and AFLCha treatments. Furthermore, the Cha and AFLCha groups had lower values of liver and kidney function activities compared to the AFB1 treatment. The higher values of antioxidant enzymes were observed in Cha and AFLCha treatments than in the AFB1 treatment. AFB1 treatments had higher levels of malondialdehyde and liver functions with lower levels of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione and superoxide dismutase) compared to Cha and CON groups. In conclusion, dietary Cha could mitigate the oxidative stress of AFB1‐induced liver deterioration.
Histidine kinase‐mediated cross‐regulation of the vancomycin‐resistance operon in Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Belitsky Boris R. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe dipeptide D‐Ala‐D‐Ala is an essential component of peptidoglycan and the target of vancomycin. Most Clostridioides difficile strains possess the vanG operon responsible for the synthesis of D‐Ala‐D‐Ser, which can replace D‐Ala‐D‐Ala in peptidoglycan. The C. difficile vanG operon is regulated by a two‐component system, VanRS, but is not induced sufficiently by vancomycin to confer resistance to this antibiotic. Surprisingly, in the absence of the VanS histidine kinase (HK), the vanG operon is still induced by vancomycin and also by another antibiotic, ramoplanin, in a VanR‐dependent manner. This suggested the cross‐regulation of VanR by another HK or kinases that are activated in the presence of certain lipid II‐targeting antibiotics. We identified these HKs as CD35990 and CD22880. However, mutations in either or both HKs did not affect the regulation of the vanG operon in wild‐type cells suggesting that intact VanS prevents the cross‐activation of VanR by non‐cognate HKs. Overproduction of VanR in the absence of VanS, CD35990, and CD22880 led to high expression of the vanG operon indicating that VanR can potentially utilize at least one more phosphate donor for its activation. Candidate targets of CD35990‐ and CD22880‐mediated regulation in the presence of vancomycin or ramoplanin were identified by RNA‐Seq.
Effects of bariatric surgery on sexual function and fertility: A narrative review
Authors: Law Saikam , Wan Kating , Yang Wah ,   Global Obesity Collaborative
Published: May 2024

SummaryObesity has emerged as a prevalent global health concern, with its detrimental effects on the reproductive system and sexual function garnering increasing attention. Both men and women affected by obesity face a heightened risk of fertility challenges and sexual dysfunction. Although fertility and sexual function are distinct topics, they are intricately linked and mutually influential in both medical and societal contexts. Bariatric surgery (BS) has generated promising results in alleviating sexual dysfunction and enhancing fertility, results which are often gender specific. In men, improvements in sexual function can often be attributed to weight loss and subsequent optimizations in sex hormone levels. However, improving female sexual function may be related to a range of factors beyond weight loss. Bariatric procedures have shown limited benefits for male fertility; in fact, in some situations it can even be detrimental, leading to a decrease in sperm count and quality. Conversely, BS may positively impact female fertility, improving pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Nevertheless, it is essential to consider the potential risks related to the adverse effects of malnutrition and rapid weight loss following BS, making it advisable to wait for 12–18 months before attempting pregnancy.
Tongue focal myositis: Case series and immunohistochemical characterization
Authors: de Oliveira Barbeiro Camila , Silva Evânio Vilela , Barbeiro Roberto Henrique , Bálico Gabriela Gonçalves , da Silveira Heitor Albergoni , Bufalino Andreia , Brunaldi Mariângela Ottoboni , León Jorge Esquiche 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIntroductionFocal myositis (FM) is an uncommon, localized inflammatory process that affects a single muscle, with unknown aetiology. In the head and neck region, involvement of perioral musculature, floor of the mouth, and sternocleidomastoid muscle have been reported. FM affecting the tongue is very rare, with only four cases previously published to date.AimThis report describes five additional cases of tongue FM.Case ReportThree patients were male and two were female (mean age, 56 years), and three had symptomatic short‐term nodular swelling.ResultsBy immunohistochemistry, M2 macrophages and CD4+ T cells were predominant. Focally, CD15+ granulocytes and CD20+ B cells were visualized. Polyclonal CD138+ plasma cells, with a predominance of IgG+ cells (rarely IgG4+), were detected. All patients evolved with complete resolution after biopsy and no signs of clinical or systemic progression were observed during the follow‐up.ConclusionsFM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rapidly growing nodular lingual lesions. By immunohistochemistry, a predominance of M2 macrophages and CD4+ T cells is typical, and it can help in the differential diagnosis with myositis of other origins.
A photogrammetric approach for real‐time visual SLAM applied to an omnidirectional system
Authors: Garcia Thaisa Aline Correia , Tommaselli Antonio Maria Garcia , Castanheiro Letícia Ferrari , Campos Mariana Batista 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe problem of sequential estimation of the exterior orientation of imaging sensors and the three‐dimensional environment reconstruction in real time is commonly known as visual simultaneous localisation and mapping (vSLAM). Omnidirectional optical sensors have been increasingly used in vSLAM solutions, mainly for providing a wider view of the scene, allowing the extraction of more features. However, dealing with unmodelled points in the hyperhemispherical field poses challenges, mainly due to the complex lens geometry entailed in the image formation process. To address these challenges, the use of rigorous photogrammetric models that appropriately handle the geometry of fisheye lens cameras can overcome these challenges. Thus, this study presents a real‐time vSLAM approach for omnidirectional systems adapting ORB‐SLAM with a rigorous projection model (equisolid‐angle). The implementation was conducted on the Nvidia Jetson TX2 board, and the approach was evaluated using hyperhemispherical images captured by a dual‐fisheye camera (Ricoh Theta S) embedded into a mobile backpack platform. The trajectory covered a distance of 140 m, with the approach demonstrating accuracy better than 0.12 m at the beginning and achieving metre‐level accuracy at the end of the trajectory. Additionally, we compared the performance of our proposed approach with a generic model for fisheye lens cameras.
Gray matter matters: Cognitive stability and flexibility in schizophrenia spectrum disorder
Authors: Herkströter Florentine , Zahedi Anoushiravan , Standke Isabel , Dannlowski Udo , Lencer Rebekka , Schubotz Ricarda I. , Trempler Ima 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCognitive dysfunction constitutes a core characteristic of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SZ). Specifically, deficits in updating generative models (i.e., cognitive flexibility) and shielding against distractions (i.e., cognitive stability) are considered critical contributors to cognitive impairment in these patients. Here, we examined the structural integrity of frontostriatal networks and their associations with reduced cognitive stability and flexibility in SZ patients. In a sample of 21 patients diagnosed with SZ and 22 healthy controls, we measured gray matter volume (GMV) using structural MRI. Further, cognitive stability and flexibility were assessed using a switch‐drift paradigm, quantifying the successful ignoring of distracters and detection of rule switches. Compared to controls, patients showed significantly smaller GMV in the whole brain and three predefined regions of interest: the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and caudate nucleus (CN). Notably, GMV in these areas positively correlated with correct rule‐switch detection but not with ignoring rule‐compatible drifts. Further, the volumetric differences between SZ patients and controls were statistically explainable by considering the behavioral performance in the switch‐drift task. Our results indicate that morphological abnormalities in frontostriatal networks are associated with deficient flexibility in SZ patients and highlight the necessity of minimizing neurodevelopmental and progressive brain atrophy in this population.
Effect of Sensory Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) on physiological and behavioral parameters related to stress and anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) undergoing dental treatment: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tirupathi Sunny Priyatham , Afnan Lamea 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundChildren with autism exhibit a higher general and dental anxiety, due to altered sensory sensibilities.AimThis current systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Sensory adapted dental environment (SADE) over regular dental environment (RDE) on behavioral, physiological stress and overt anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).Materials and methodsProspero registered (CRD42024508336). PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus databases are searched from years January 1, 1980–January 1, 2024 using pre‐defined search strategy.ResultsA total of 269 titles, were obtained from the included databases after application of filters, exclusion of duplicates and reviews and irrelevant articles led to the final inclusion of 12 articles for full text screening from which, three studies sustained the targeted PICO search.ConclusionSkin conductance level (parameter indicating physiological stress) is lower in SADE environment in children with ASD, other behavior stress related parameters there is no significant difference between SADE and RDE environments.
The temporary and partial personalization of political parties in India: A comparison of Indira Gandhi's INC and Narendra Modi's BJP
Authors: Leake Britt , Chhibber Pradeep 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveWe analyze the extent to which the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were personalized during the tenures of India's two most famous populist prime ministers, Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi, respectively.MethodsWe use findings from contemporary Indian historiography and journalism, as well as academic secondary sources, to analyze the degree of personalization in both the INC and the BJP based on three separate dimensions of party institutionalization: internal institutionalization, external institutionalization, and objective durability.ResultsWe find evidence of partial personalization in both the INC and the BJP. To the extent that personalization took place in both cases, it involved an informal and temporary concentration of power in the hands of one leader. Both parties' formal structures remained largely constant and both parties remained valued as institutions by both voters and party members.ConclusionIndira Gandhi and Narendra Modi both became two of India's most powerful prime ministers through charismatic populist appeals and cults of personality. While meaningful and important, these outward appearances still give a somewhat misleading image of the degree to which their respective parties underwent personalization during their tenures. Both the BJP and the INC saw a temporary and personal personalization during their time in office while remaining institutionalized parties with objective durability even after their charismatic leaders leave office.