bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of aging and the microbiome in multiple sclerosis and other neurologic diseases
Authors: Fettig Naomi M. , Pu Annie , Osborne Lisa C. , Gommerman Jennifer L. 
Published: June 2024

SummaryThe human gut microbiome is well‐recognized as a key player in maintaining health. However, it is a dynamic entity that changes across the lifespan. How the microbial changes that occur in later decades of life shape host health or impact age‐associated inflammatory neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unclear. Current understanding of the aging gut microbiome is largely limited to cross‐sectional observational studies. Moreover, studies in humans are limited by confounding host‐intrinsic and extrinsic factors that are not easily disentangled from aging. This review provides a comprehensive summary of existing literature on the aging gut microbiome and its known relationships with neurological diseases, with a specific focus on MS. We will also discuss preclinical animal models and human studies that shed light on the complex microbiota–host interactions that have the potential to influence disease pathology and progression in aging individuals. Lastly, we propose potential avenues of investigation to deconvolute features of an aging microbiota that contribute to disease, or alternatively promote health in advanced age.
Identification of Various Recombinants in a Patient Coinfected With the Different SARS‐CoV‐2 Variants
Authors: Sayama Yusuke , Sakagami Akie , Okamoto Michiko , Sakamoto Masahiro , Koizumi Hikari , Kimura Yoko , Dapat Clyde , Saito Mayuko , Suzuki Yuko , Sasaki Mie , Sugawara Naoko , Oshitani Hitoshi 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundViral recombination that occurs by exchanging genetic materials between two viral genomes coinfecting the same host cells is associated with the emergence of new viruses with different virulence. Herein, we detected a patient coinfected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) Delta and Omicron variants and identified various recombinants in the SARS‐CoV‐2 full‐length spike gene using long‐read and Sanger sequencing.MethodsSamples from five patients in Japan with household transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) were analyzed using molecular assays for detection and identification of SARS‐CoV‐2. Whole‐genome sequencing was conducted using multiplex PCR with short‐read sequencing.ResultsAmong the five SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients, the mutation‐specific assay identified the Delta variant in three, the Omicron variant in one, and an undetermined in one. The undermined patient was identified as Delta using whole‐genome sequencing, but samples showed a mixed population of Delta and Omicron variants. This patient was analyzed for viral quasispecies by long‐read and Sanger sequencing using a full‐length spike gene amplicon. In addition to the Delta and Omicron sequences, the viral quasispecies analysis identified nine different genetic recombinant sequences with various breakpoints between Delta and Omicron sequences. The nine detected recombinant sequences in the spike gene showed over 99% identity with viruses that were detected during the Delta and Omicron cocirculation period from the United States and Europe.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that patients coinfected with different SARS‐CoV‐2 variants can generate various viral recombinants and that various recombinant viruses may be produced during the cocirculation of different variants.
Using in situ UO2 bicrystal sintering to understand grain boundary dislocation nucleation kinetics and creep
Authors: Dillon Shen J. , Finkeldei Sarah C. , Lang Eric , Hattar Khalid , Nelson Andrew T. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractCapillary evolution at bicrystal UO2 grain boundaries is characterized using in situ transmission electron microscopy. The discontinuous nature of the densification process, both particle rotation and axial strain, along with the large activation stress for densification support a hypothesis that grain boundary strain in UO2 follows nucleation rate limited kinetics at low to intermediate stresses, that is, less than . The temperature dependence of the average activation stress for sintering agrees well with analysis of bulk sintering data and creep data reported within the literature when analyzed in the context of a grain boundary dislocation nucleation rate limited kinetic model.
Extraction of a 6‐year‐old leadless pacemaker (MICRA transcatheter pacing system) using commercially available removal tools: A case report
Authors: Chmielewska‐Michalak Lidia , Gwizdała Adrian , Ciepłucha Aleksandra , Katarzyńska‐Szymańska Agnieszka , Ochotny Romuald , Lesiak Maciej , Mitkowski Przemysław 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntroductionLeadless pacemakers are associated with a low risk of infection, so indications for their removal are rare. One can expect that the dwell time of the device correlates with a more difficult removal, but it has not been proved so far.Methods and ResultsWe present a case of a patient in whom MICRA transcatheter pacing system was successfully removed with nondedicated commercially available tools, 70 months after implantation.ConclusionA successful removal of the MICRA leadless pacemaker is possible, and may be safe even many years after the device implantation, despite a lack of dedicated tools. Due to the potential risk of complications, the benefits and risks of the procedure should be weighted before making a final decision.
miR‐31‐5p suppresses myocardial hypertrophy by targeting Nfatc2ip
Authors: Zhao Lamei , Qian Xiaotao , Ren Zhenxing , Wang Ailing 
Published: June 2024

AbstractCardiac hypertrophy, worldwide known as an adaptive functional compensatory state of myocardial stress, is mainly believed to proceed to severe heart diseases, even to sudden death. Emerging studies have explored the microRNA alteration during hypertrophy. However, the mechanisms of microRNAs involved in cardiac hypertrophy are still uncertain. We studied young rats to establish abdominal aorta coarctation (AAC) for 4 weeks. With the significant downregulated cardiac function and upregulated hypertrophic biomarkers, AAC‐induced rats showed enlarged myocardiocytes and alterations in microRNAs, especially downregulated miR‐31‐5p. miR‐31‐5p targets the 3′UTR of Nfatc2ip and inhibits myocardial hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we verified that Nfatc2ip is necessary and sufficient for cardiac hypertrophy in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Moreover, we found miR‐31‐5p inhibited the colocalization of Nfatc2ip and hypertrophic gene β‐Mhc. Luciferase assay and ChiP‐qPCR test demonstrated that Nfatc2ip binded to the core‐promoter of β‐Mhc and enhanced its transcriptional activity. Above all, our study found a new pathway, mir‐31‐5p/Nfatc2ip/β‐Mhc, which is involved in cardiac hypertrophy, suggesting a potential target for intervention of cardiac hypertrophy.
Homocysteine concentration in coronary artery disease and severity of coronary lesions
Authors: Luo Zhi , Tang Kai , Huang Gang , Wang Xiao , Zhou Shiheng , Dai Daying , Yang Hanxuan , Jiang Wencai 
Published: June 2024

AbstractOur previous study reckons that the impact of the rs1801133 variant of 5,10‐methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) on coronary artery disease (CAD) is possibly mediated by cardiometabolic disorder. This study is performed to verify this hypothesis. Four hundred and thirty CAD patients and 216 CAD‐free individuals were enrolled in this case–control study. The rs1801133 variant was genotyped by PCR‐RFLP. Severity of coronary lesions was evaluated by number of stenotic coronary vessels and extent of coronary stenosis. The rs1801133 T allele significantly increased homocysteine levels in patients with CAD and CAD‐free individuals. Individuals with the T allele of rs1801133 had an increased risk of developing CAD. In contrast, individuals with the TT genotype of rs1801133 were at high risk of multiple vessel lesions. The carriers of CT genotype had higher levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), and lower levels of apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) than those with CC genotype in male patients with CAD. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and precision‐recall (PR) curve indicated that hyperhomocysteinemia was sensitive to predict the severity of CAD. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that homocysteine, rs1801133, age, smoking, weight, body mass index (BMI), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], and hs‐CRP were independent risk factors for CAD. The increased risk of CAD and severity of coronary lesions associated with rs1801133 in the Chinese Han population were attributed, at least partly, to high homocysteine levels. Hyperhomocysteinemia had a high predictive value for severe CAD or multiple vessel lesions.
Molecular pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease, steatohepatitis, hepatic fibrosis and liver cirrhosis
Authors: Saito Takashi , Tsuchishima Mutsumi , Tsutsumi Mikihiro , George Joseph 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMetabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by intense deposition of fat globules in the hepatic parenchyma that could potentially progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we evaluated a rat model to study the molecular pathogenesis of the spectrum of MASLD and to screen therapeutic agents. SHRSP5/Dmcr rats were fed a high‐fat and cholesterol (HFC) diet for a period of 12 weeks and evaluated for the development of steatosis (MASLD), steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. A group of animals were sacrificed at the end of the 4th, 6th, 8th and 12th weeks from the beginning of the experiment, along with the control rats that received normal diet. Blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for α‐SMA and Collagen Type I. Histopathological examinations demonstrated steatosis at the 4th week, steatohepatitis with progressive fibrosis at the 6th week, advanced fibrosis with bridging at the 8th week and cirrhosis at the 12th week. Biochemical markers and staining for α‐SMA and Collagen Type I demonstrated the progression of steatosis to steatohepatitis, hepatic fibrosis and liver cirrhosis in a stepwise manner. Control animals fed a normal diet did not show any biochemical or histopathological alterations. The results of the present study clearly demonstrated that the HFC diet‐induced model of steatosis, steatohepatitis, hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis is a feasible, quick and appropriate animal model to study the molecular pathogenesis of the spectrum of MASLD and to screen potent therapeutic agents.
Advocating for the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive Against the Odds: Strategies and Legitimation
Authors: Thorens Morgane , Bernaz Nadia , Hospes Otto 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDeveloping legislation to counter the negative impacts of businesses' transnational activities on human rights and the environment is a recent trend. Supporters of such legislation have campaigned to convince policy‐makers to adopt strong law, but this legitimation process has not been theorised. Using Vaara et al.'s theoretical framework, we uncover the six discursive legitimation strategies used by the proponents of the European Union (EU) Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) to legitimise its creation. Based on interviews with proponents, we offer two main findings. First, the directive's supporters seek to reverse the narrative that legislation with extraterritorial implications is neo‐colonial by arguing instead that the neoliberal status quo exemplifies neo‐colonial exploitation. Second, non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) can convince businesses of the directive's advantages by using playing down, mimicry and rationalisation as discursive legitimation strategies. These findings have major implications for debates on how to make the CSDDD effective in regulating business operations in the Global South.
Histological characteristics of oocyte differentiation in the captive longnose seahorse Hippocampus trimaculatus (Leach, 1814)
Authors: Senarat Sinlapachai , Chumee Supawadee , Kaneko Gen , Wandee Satiya , Kenthao Anan , Kongtueng Piyamat , Uribe Mari Carmen , Nganvongpanit Korakot , Iida Atsuo , Sornying Peerapon 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to explore the reproductive histology and oocyte differentiation of the longnose seahorse Hippocampus trimaculatus (Leach, 1814) in captivity. Five mature healthy females were histologically observed. The reproductive systems of the five specimens exhibited similar morphological characteristics with a pair of saccular creamy white ovaries merging caudally into a single gonoduct. There were two germinal ridges lined with a layer of germinal epithelium (GE). The ovarian maturation of this species was considered asynchronous. The oogenic cells were classified into oogonia and oocytes at several developmental phases based on their size and characteristics. Oogonia were identified among the connective tissue in the middle area of the GE. The stromal compartment contained oocytes that were classified into four distinct phases: the primary growth (PG) phase having two steps (perinucleolar and oil droplets‐cortical alveolar steps) and the secondary growth (SG) phase with three oocyte types, including early SG oocytes, late SG oocytes, and fully grown oocytes. The atretic oocytes (AO) were observed in all stages of oogenesis. Postovulatory follicles were also seen among the ovarian connective tissue. The occurrence of postovulatory follicles suggested that the specimens analysed in this study were in the spawning period. This research provides new insights into the identification of the reproductive cycles and morphological characteristics of the ovary of H. trimaculatus.
To live with floods or not: Intersectionality of drivers of urban households' adaptation and relocation intentions
Authors: Twerefou Daniel Kwabena , Abeney Jacob Opantu , Tete Larbi Reuben , Dovie Delali Benjamin K. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe intent of households to relocate amidst floods in Ghana's Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, using combined socio‐demographic and physical factors is analyzed within 1206 households. The National Master Sampling Frame of Ghana's Population and Housing Census is utilized for the sampling. The Probit estimation technique is employed to understand the intersectionality of social, economic, demographic, and physical considerations influencing households' decision‐making regarding relocation amidst flood risks. The findings show households' reluctance to relocate contrary to relocation considered mostly as preferred adaptation. The likelihood of relocating exhibited a non‐linear pattern, decreasing only when a population was younger until age 55 before reversing. Indigenous households preferred not to relocate. In communities where place attachment and revenue sources significantly impacted relocation decisions, households with secondary education, past flood experiences, and non‐indigenous status influenced higher perception of flood risk. Therefore, relocation as an effective global adaptation strategy to floods is not widespread. Thus, empowering households to accept a certain level of flood risk potentially avoids maladaptation and involves a combination of hard infrastructure measures and regulatory approaches in places of residence that do not compromise livelihoods. However, if relocation becomes necessary, a right‐based approach must be favored over an absolute risk‐based approach.
Pre‐post‐evaluation of a dementia‐specific advance care planning toolkit for Japanese primary care clinicians
Authors: Kistler Christine E. , Inoue Machiko , Matsui Tomoko , Abe Michiko , Le Donne Monique , Kiyota Ayano , Lin Feng‐Chang , Yang Yumei , Hanson Laura C. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe population of people living with dementia (PLwD) continues to grow in Japan where advance care planning (ACP) for PLwD is relatively new. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and cultural acceptability of a dementia‐specific ACP communication skills toolkit for Japanese primary care clinicians.MethodsWe delivered 13 training sessions in primary care clinics across central Japan and conducted a post‐training survey to assess whether the toolkit increased confidence in dementia‐specific ACP communication skills and the acceptability of the toolkit with the following four statements: (1) The language in the sessions was clear, (2) The sessions took an appropriate amount of time to complete, (3) The design of the sessions was an effective educational method, and (4) The sessions were culturally appropriate for communication with Japanese patients with dementia and their family members. We asked participants to respond using a 5‐point Likert scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree.ResultsAll participants were Japanese and included 80 physicians (mean age 39.8 years), 33 nurses (mean age 45.7 years), and 58 other participants (mean age 42.9 years), who were 30.0%, 87.9%, and 55.2% female, respectively. Most participants practiced in rural settings. In pre‐ post‐comparisons, participant confidence increased in determining capacity, understanding dementia prognosis, goals of care, eliciting surrogates, recommending self‐care practices to families, and leading family meetings (all p < 0.001). Most participants strongly agreed or agreed that the toolkit was an effective method (96.9%), took an appropriate amount of time (94.5%), contained clear language (89.8%), and was culturally appropriate (73.6%).ConclusionsDementia‐specific ACP communication skills toolkit can be delivered in Japan. Japanese primary care clinicians generally felt the dementia‐specific ACP toolkit increased their confidence in ACP communication skills and was acceptable. The language, time, and design were well received, though further work is needed to improve the cultural appropriateness of the toolkit.
Co‐designing The Healthy Gut Diet for Preventing Gestational Diabetes: Co‐design methods and process outcomes
Authors: Meloncelli Nina , Wilkinson Shelley A. , Rushton Alita , Pateman Kelsey , Gallaher Sam , O'Connor Hannah , Kearney Lauren , de Jersey Susan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common and costly condition of pregnancy. The Healthy Gut Diet for Preventing Gestational Diabetes study is a novel randomised controlled trial that aims to prevent GDM through a diet that modulates the gut microbiota for pregnant women with GDM risk factors. Despite increasing interest in co‐designing interventions with consumers (lived experience experts), co‐design methods and outcomes are often poorly reported. The present study aims to report on the co‐design process used to develop The Healthy Gut Diet intervention.MethodsCo‐design occurred across three online workshops with consumer participants (women with a lived experience of GDM, n = 11), researchers (n = 6) and workshop co‐facilitators (including a consumer co‐facilitator, n = 2). The workshops explored women's preferences for the mode and length of education sessions, as well as the types of information and supportive resources women wanted to receive, and undertook a “behaviour diagnosis” to understand barriers and enablers to the target behaviours (eating for gut health). The final intervention is reported according to the Template for Intervention Description and Replication.ResultsA co‐designed dietary intervention (The Healthy Gut Diet), delivered via telehealth, with a suite of educational and supportive resources that integrates published behaviour change techniques, was developed. Generally, the co‐design process was reported as a positive experience based on participant feedback and evidenced by no participant dropouts over the 3‐month study period.ConclusionsCo‐design is recognised as a process that creates a partnership between lived experience experts and researchers who can engage and empower research recipients and improve health behaviours.
Organised and non‐organised activities contribute to overall physical activity levels in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Izquierdo‐Gomez R. , Shields N. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundParticipation in organised and non‐organised physical activities among adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome is underexplored. This study aimed to examine differences between organised and non‐organised physical activities among adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome.MethodsForty participants with Down syndrome (27 woman; mean age 21.4 ± 4.9 years) were recruited. Data on physical activity participation were collected by self‐ or proxy‐reported questionnaires about attendance, involvement and type of physical activity.ResultsAdolescents and young adults with Down syndrome participated in more organised than non‐organised activities (P < 0.05), more often (P < 0.05), but there was no difference in the total time spent participating in these activities overall. Participants spent more time in vigorous physical activity during organised activities (P < 0.05) and spent more time in light physical activity during non‐organised physical activities (P < 0.05). Dancing (organised activity) and walking (non‐organised activity) were the most reported activities.ConclusionsParticipation in both organised and non‐organised physical activities is important to increase overall physical activity levels of adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome. Future research exploring physical activity preferences may help guide the planning and adaption of community programmes for this group.
Myelination by signaling through Arf guanine nucleotide exchange factor
Authors: Torii Tomohiro , Miyamoto Yuki , Yamauchi Junji 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDuring myelination, large quantities of proteins are synthesized and transported from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐trans‐Golgi network (TGN) to their appropriate locations within the intracellular region and/or plasma membrane. It is widely believed that oligodendrocytes uptake neuronal signals from neurons to regulate the endocytosis‐ and exocytosis‐mediated intracellular trafficking of major myelin proteins such as myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG) and proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1). The small GTPases of the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) ribosylation factor (Arf) family constitute a large group of signal transduction molecules that act as regulators for intracellular signaling, vesicle sorting, or membrane trafficking in cells. Studies on mice deficient in Schwann cell–specific Arfs‐related genes have revealed abnormal myelination formation in peripheral nerves, indicating that Arfs‐mediated signaling transduction is required for myelination in Schwann cells. However, the complex roles in these events remain poorly understood. This review aims to provide an update on signal transduction, focusing on Arf and its activator ArfGEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Arf) in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. Future studies are expected to provide important information regarding the cellular and physiological processes underlying the myelination of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells and their function in modulating neural activity.image