bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A theory for context‐dependent effects of mammalian trampling on ecosystem nitrogen cycling
Authors: Meyer G. Adam , Leroux Shawn J. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Large mammalian herbivores substantially impact ecosystem functioning. As their populations are dramatically altered globally, disentangling their consumptive and non‐consumptive effects is critical to advance mechanistic understanding and improve prediction of effects over ecosystem and Earth‐system spatial extents. Mathematical models have played an important role in clarifying potential mechanisms of herbivore zoogeochemistry, based mostly on their consumptive effects as primary consumers and recyclers of organic and inorganic matter via defecation and urination. Trampling is a ubiquitous effect among walking vertebrates, but the consequences and potential mechanisms of trampling in diverse environments remain poorly understood.

We derive a novel mathematical model of large mammalian herbivore effects on ecosystem nitrogen cycling, focusing on how trampling and environmental context impact soil processes. We model herbivore trampling with a linear positive or negative additive effect on soil‐mediated nitrogen cycling processes.

Combining analytical and numerical analyses, we find trampling by large mammalian herbivores is likely to decrease nitrogen mineralisation rate across diverse environments, such as temperate grassland and boreal forest. These effects are mediated by multiple potential mechanisms, including trampling‐induced changes to detritivore biomass and functioning (e.g. rate of organic matter consumption). We also uncover scenarios where trampling can increase nitrogen mineralisation rate, contingent on the environment‐specific relative sensitivity of detritivore mineral‐nitrogen release and detritivore mortality, to trampling.

In contrast to some consumptive mechanisms, our results suggest the pace of soil nitrogen cycling prior to trampling has little influence over the direction of the trampling net effect on nitrogen mineralisation, but that net effects may be greater in slow‐cycling systems (e.g. boreal forests) than in fast‐cycling systems (e.g. grasslands).

Our model clarifies the potential consequences of previously overlooked mechanisms of zoogeochemistry that are common to all terrestrial biomes. Our results provide empirically testable predictions to guide future progress in empirical and theoretical studies of herbivore effects in diverse environmental contexts. Resolving ecological contingencies around animal consumptive and non‐consumptive effects will improve whole‐ecosystem management efforts such as restoration and rewilding.
Overexpression of HSP27 accelerates stress‐induced gastric ulcer healing via the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis
Authors: Lu Qiaoyan , Tang Hua 
Published: April 2024

AbstractChronic stress often triggers gastrointestinal complications, including gastric injury and ulcers. Understanding the role of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) in stress‐induced gastric ulcers could unveil novel therapeutic targets. Here, we established a stress‐induced gastric ulcer rat model using water immersion restraint stress and administered adenovirus‐packaged HSP27 overexpression vector. Gastric ulcer severity was scored, and mucosal changes were assessed. Gastric epithelial and endothelial cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide and transfected with HSP27 overexpression vectors to evaluate cell viability, migration and angiogenesis. Expression levels of HSP27, C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and C‐X‐C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) were measured in tissues and cells. HSP27 expression was initially low during stress‐induced gastric ulceration but increased during ulcer healing. HSP27 overexpression accelerated ulcer healing in rats, promoting gastric epithelial cell proliferation and migration and gastric endothelial cell angiogenesis through the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. Inhibitor IT1t reversed the effects of HSP27 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. In summary, HSP27 overexpression facilitated ulcer healing, which was partially mediated by the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis.
Emotion work and emotional labour, neglected facets of parental health information work. Analysing mothers of neurodivergent children
Authors: Laurin Emma , Andersson Lisa 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe neoliberal and biomedical ‘good caregiver’ discourse neglects the many facets of everyday information work that parents of children with special needs are required to do as they seek, receive and share information concerning their children’s health and wellbeing. Along with time and skills, one such neglected facet is emotion work, the management of feelings in relation to societal norms. The purpose of this article is to explore emotion work, as a facet in parental health information work in the care and education sector, among mothers of neurodivergent children. Our analysis draws on interviews with 50 Swedish mothers of neurodivergent children. We present three primary insights. 1. Emotion work, on the self as well as on others, is pivotal to the information work that the mothers carry out in the education and care sector as they strive to ameliorate their children’s situation. 2. Contested diagnoses, such as diagnoses associated with neurodivergent conditions, result in intense parental information and emotion work. 3. Fragmented and complex education and care systems, alongside traditional gender structures, compel mothers to undertake extensive information and emotion work.
Metagenomic‐based discovery and comparison of the lignin degrading potential of microbiomes in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems via the LCdb database
Authors: Chen Jiyu , Lin Lu , Tu Qichao , Peng Qiannan , Wang Xiaopeng , Liang Congying , Zhou Jiayin , Yu Xiaoli 
Published: April 2024

AbstractLignin, as an abundant organic carbon, plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle. However, our understanding of the global lignin‐degrading microbiome remains elusive. The greatest barrier has been absence of a comprehensive and accurate functional gene database. Here, we first developed a curated functional gene database (LCdb) for metagenomic profiling of lignin degrading microbial consortia. Via the LCdb, we draw a clear picture describing the global biogeography of communities with lignin‐degrading potential. They exhibit clear niche differentiation at the levels of taxonomy and functional traits. The terrestrial microbiomes showed the highest diversity, yet the lowest correlations. In particular, there were few correlations between genes involved in aerobic and anaerobic degradation pathways, showing a clear functional redundancy property. In contrast, enhanced correlations, especially closer inter‐connections between anaerobic and aerobic groups, were observed in aquatic consortia in response to the lower diversity. Specifically, dypB and dypA, are widespread on Earth, indicating their essential roles in lignin depolymerization. Estuarine and marine consortia featured the laccase and mnsod genes, respectively. Notably, the roles of archaea in lignin degradation were revealed in marine ecosystems. Environmental factors strongly influenced functional traits, but weakly shaped taxonomic groups. Null mode analysis further verified that composition of functional traits was deterministic, while taxonomic composition was highly stochastic, demonstrating that the environment selects functional genes rather than taxonomic groups. Our study not only develops a useful tool to study lignin degrading microbial communities via metagenome sequencing but also advances our understanding of ecological traits of these global microbiomes.
Association between genetically proxied PCSK9 inhibition and systemic lupus erythematosus risk: A mendelian randomization study
Authors: Ji Xincan , Guo Hao‐Yang , Han Mengqi , Peng Hui , Yuan Hui 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundPreclinical and epidemiological studies suggest that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) had a potential effect on the development of SLE, but it was unclear whether a causal relationship exists. We aimed to investigate the association between genetically proxied inhibition of PCSK9 and the risk of SLE using a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.MethodsSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with PCSK9 were extracted from pooled data obtained from the Global Lipid Genetics Consortium (GLGC) Genome‐wide Association Study (GWAS) related to LDL‐c levels, which was used as a proxy for PCSK9 inhibition. Pooled statistics for SLE were obtained from an independent GWAS dataset including 5201 SLE patients and 9066 controls. Inverse variance‐weighted random‐effects models were used to examine the association between genetically proxied inhibition of PCSK9 and the risk of SLE. MR‐Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, Simple mode, and co‐location analyses were used as sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of the analyses.ResultsGenetically proxied inhibition of PCSK9 was associated with a reduced risk of SLE (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.34 to 0.77, p = .001). This finding was replicated in an earlier GLGC GWAS analysis (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.40 to 0.87, p = .007). Sensitivity analysis ensured that the results were robust. Co‐localization analysis did not find evidence of shared causal variation between PCSK9 and SLE.ConclusionsThis Mendelian randomization study showed that PCSK9 was associated with SLE pathogenesis, and its inhibition was associated with a reduced risk of SLE. This study has offered a prospective therapeutic avenue for intervening in the progression of SLE by inhibiting PCSK9 levels.
The capital market consequences of stock market liberalisation: Evidence from Mainland‐Hong Kong Stock Connect Programs in China
Authors: Fu Renhui , Gao Fang , Zhao Yi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe analyse the capital market consequences of stock market liberalisation in a quasi‐natural experiment setting, where Mainland‐Hong Kong Stock Connect Programs allow foreign investors to trade in the Chinese stock market. Utilising difference‐in‐differences estimations, we observe improved stock liquidity, driven by direct liquidity provision and indirect signals to domestic investors. Particularly notable are the effects on eligible stocks without previous exposure to foreign investors, characterised by high corporate transparency and investor protection. The resulting liquidity enhancements reduce equity costs, ultimately elevating firm value. In short, our study highlights the positive influence of stock market liberalisation on the capital market.
Treatment with fostamatinib in patients with immune thrombocytopenia: Experience from the Andalusian region in Spain—The Fostasur Study
Authors: Jiménez‐Bárcenas Reyes , García‐Donas‐Gabaldón Gloria , Campos‐Álvarez Rosa María , Fernández‐Sánchez de Mora María Carmen , Luis‐Navarro Josefa , Domínguez‐Rodríguez Juan Francisco , Nieto‐Hernández María del Mar , Sánchez‐Bazán Irene , Yera‐Cobo Maria , Cardesa‐Cabrera Rocio , Jiménez‐Gonzalo Francisco José , Ruiz‐Cobo María Antonia , Caparrós‐Miranda Isabel , Entrena‐Ureña Laura , Fernández Jiménez Dolores , Díaz‐Canales Dana , Moreno‐Carrasco Gloria , Calderón‐Cabrera Cristina , Núñez‐Vázquez Ramiro José , Pedrote‐Amador Begoña , Mingot‐Castellano María Eva ,   Grupo Andaluz de Coagulopatías (GACC)
Published: April 2024

SummaryImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is characterized by low platelet counts (PLTs) and an increased risk of bleeding. Fostamatinib, a spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been approved as a second‐line treatment for ITP. Real‐world data on fostamatinib are lacking. This observational, retrospective, multicentre study, conducted in the Andalusia region of Spain, evaluated 44 adult primary ITP patients (47.7% female; median age 58 years; newly diagnosed ITP 6.8%; persistent 13.6%; chronic 79.5%; median four prior treatments) after ≥ 4 weeks of fostamatinib therapy. The median PLT at the initiation of fostamatinib was 15 × 109/L. Common reasons for starting fostamatinib were refractoriness or intolerance to prior therapy, oral medication preference, history of thrombosis and cardiovascular risk. Dosing was individualized based on efficacy and tolerance. After 2 weeks, global response rate was 56.8% (response and complete response). Response rates were 70.5%, 62.5% and 64% at 4 weeks, 12 weeks and at the end of the study respectively. Adverse events were mild, and no patients discontinued as a result. This real‐world study demonstrated a response rate similar to fostamatinib as seen in the pivotal clinical trials while including newly diagnosed patients and allowing for individualized dosing.
Rethinking political symbols: Indigenous nationhood and settler colonialism in the Canada/United States borderlands
Authors: Hundley James M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractStraddling the Canada/United States border at its western end is a 67‐foot monument symbolizing 200 years of peace between the two countries. Today, it is frequently used as a site for protest against the state. This article analyzes an environmental protest against energy transmission projects through the Salish Sea by Coast Salish Indigenous nations. I argue that the Coast Salish are using the landscape as a political symbol, effectively erasing the international border that separates them. Their presentation as a unified nation succeeds because of their strategic manipulation of political symbols. Drawing primarily on ethnographic methods, this article demonstrates that the choice of the international park as a site of protest serves as an entry point for Indigenous activists to expand the scope of their position; the border is implicated in the creation of emergent political identities that draw on and transform political symbols. The argument is that the materiality of these political symbols is being used by Indigenous nations and their allies and contributes to theoretical work on settler colonialism as it pertains to the creation, deployment, and analysis of political symbols. The use of political symbols in the borderlands illustrates the shifts in a struggle over power and identity and how they manifest in daily life.
PTGER3 knockdown inhibits the vulnerability of triple‐negative breast cancer to ferroptosis
Authors: Wang Song , Zhang Yueyao , Zhang Dan , Meng Jie , Che Na , Zhao Xiulan , Liu Tieju 
Published: April 2024

AbstractProstaglandin E receptor 3 (PTGER3) is involved in a variety of biological processes in the human body and is closely associated with the development and progression of a variety of cancer types. However, the role of PTGER3 in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear. In the present study, low PTGER3 expression was found to be associated with poor prognosis in TNBC patients. PTGER3 plays a crucial role in regulating TNBC cell invasion, migration, and proliferation. Upregulation of PTGER3 weakens the epithelial–mesenchymal phenotype in TNBC and promotes ferroptosis both in vitro and in vivo by repressing glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression. On the other hand, downregulation of PTGER3 inhibits ferroptosis by increasing GPX4 expression and activating the PI3K‐AKT pathway. Upregulation of PTGER3 also enhances the sensitivity of TNBC cells to paclitaxel. Overall, this study has elucidated critical pathways in which low PTGER3 expression protects TNBC cells from undergoing ferroptosis, thereby promoting its progression. PTGER3 may thus serve as a novel and promising biomarker and therapeutic target for TNBC.
Exploring socioeconomic inequality in caries experience in an adult Norwegian population; the HUNT4 Oral Health Study
Authors: Rødseth Siri Christine , Høvik Hedda , Bjertness Espen , Skudutyte‐Rysstad Rasa 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate socioeconomic inequality in caries experience in an adult Norwegian population.MethodsThis population‐based study included 4549 dentate participants aged 25–94 years from the cross‐sectional HUNT4 Oral Health Study conducted in Central Norway in 2017–2019. Participants were randomly sampled from the larger HUNT4 Survey and answered questionnaires and underwent clinical and radiographic examinations. Caries experience was measured as numbers of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT index) and socioeconomic position was denoted by education and household income. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate associations between caries experience and socioeconomic position.ResultsLower levels of both education and income were associated with higher caries experience, particularly pronounced for missing teeth. Socioeconomic gradients were observed for all outcomes DMFT, DT, MT and FT (p‐value linear trends <.001). Gradients were similar for both income and education and were apparent for all age groups but were most evident in middle‐aged and older individuals. High level of education was associated with a 50% lower mean number of missing teeth compared with basic level education, whereas high income was associated with a 24% lower mean number of decayed teeth and a 15% higher mean number of filled teeth than low income.ConclusionsThere was a socioeconomic gradient for caries experience in the study population that was present from early adulthood and increased with age. The gradient was particularly pronounced for missing teeth. Findings indicate that inequality was more associated with treatment given than with untreated disease.
Use of a dosimetry‐based RAI protocol for treatment of benign hyperthyroidism optimises response while minimising exposure to ionising radiation
Authors: Miller Clare , Al‐Jabri Amna , O'Murchada Liam , Mustafa Mohamad , Cooke Jennie , Phelan Niamh , Healy Marie‐Louise 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe optimal treatment strategy for radioiodine (RAI) treatment protocols for benign hyperthyroidism remains elusive. Although individualised activities are recommended in European Law, many centres continue to provide fixed activities. Our institution implemented a dosimetry protocol in 2016 following years of fixed dosing which facilitates the calculation of individualised activities based on thyroid volume and radioiodine uptake.MethodsThis was a retrospective study comparing success rates using a dosimetry protocol targeting an absorbed dose of 150 Gy for Graves’ disease (GD) and 125 Gy for Toxic Multinodular Goiter (TMNG) with fixed dosing (200MBq for GD and 400MBq for TMNG) among 204 patients with hyperthyroidism. Success was defined as a non‐hyperthyroid state at 1 year for both disease states. Results were analysed for disease specific or patient specific modulators of response.ResultsThis study included 204 patients; 74% (n = 151) received fixed activities and 26% (n = 53) of activities administered were calculated using dosimetry. A dosimetry‐based protocol was successful in 80.5% of patients with GD and 100% of patients with TMNG. Differences in success rates and median activity administered between the fixed (204Mbq) and dosimetry (246MBq) cohort were not statistically significant (p = .64) however 44% of patients with GD and 70% of patients with TMNG received lower activities following treatment with dosimetry as opposed to fixed activities. Use of dosimetry resulted in successful treatment and reduced RAI exposure for 36% of patients with GD, 70% of patients with TMNG, and 44% of patients overall.ConclusionThis retrospective clinical study demonstrated that treatment with a dosimetry‐based protocol for TMNG and GD achieved comparable success rates to fixed protocols while reducing RAI exposure for over a third of patients with GD and most patients with TMNG. This study also highlighted that RAI can successfully treat hyperthyroidism for some patients with activities lower than commonplace in clinical practise. No patient or disease specific modulators of treatment response were established in this study; however, the data supports a future prospective trial which further scrutinises the individual patient factors governing treatment response to RAI.
Robotic surgery after total neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: pitfalls of beyond total mesorectal excision for patients with sidewall invasion
Authors: Iguchi Kenta , Numata Masakatsu , Atsumi Yosuke , Sato Tsutomu , Rino Yasushi , Saito Aya 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAimTotal neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is rapidly spreading. The robotic surgical techniques to approach lateral invasion, such as that of the pelvic plexus, have not yet been established. In this technical note, we present a video illustrating a surgical technique for lateral invasion using our novel technique and discuss its pitfalls.MethodWe present the case of a 65‐year‐old man with LARC. Robotic surgery was performed after TNT using the da Vinci Xi Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). The surgical procedure was as follows: (1) D3 lymph node dissection around the inferior mesenteric artery using a medial‐to‐lateral approach; (2) rectal mobilization; (3) dissection of the ureterohypogastric fascia and ureter; and (4) combined resection of the hypogastric nerve and pelvic plexus. The key surgical point for sidewall invasion is the resection extent. Dividing the resection extent into three areas is important: zone A, which contains the pelvic plexus and is closest to the tumour; zone B, which contains the iliac vessels; and zone C, the most lateral zone, which contains the obturator nerves. This allows organ and function preservation by resecting only the smallest organ that truly requires R0 resection.ResultsThe operating time was 333 min, console time was 232 min, and blood loss was 0 mL. The circumferential resection margin was 10 mm, and an R0 resection was achieved.ConclusionWe introduced a novel approach for robotic surgery after TNT for LARC with sidewall invasion. This technique can be performed safely and may help standardize ‘beyond total mesorectal excision’.
High dose total marrow irradiation (TMI) does not increase long‐term toxicity of myeloablative fludarabine/busulfan (FluBu4) conditioning regimen in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
Authors: Maahs Lucas , Patel Pritesh , Koshy Matthew , Sweiss Karen , Chen Zhengjia , Xu Ziqiao , Aydogan Bulent , Rondelli Damiano 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectivesBased on a previous phase 1 study, total marrow irradiation (TMI) at 9Gy was added to a myeloablative FluBu4 conditioning regimen in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for myeloid malignancies. Here, we report on the long‐term toxicity of TMI combined with FluBu4 and compare it to patients who received only FluBu4.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 38 consecutive patients conditioned with FluBu4/TMI (n = 15) or FluBu4 (n = 23, control group) who had at least 1 year follow‐up post‐transplant. The rate of long‐term adverse events that have been previously associated with total body irradiation (TBI) was analyzed in the two groups.ResultsThe baseline characteristics did not differ between the two groups. The control group had a longer median follow‐up (71.2 mo) than the TMI group (38.5 mo) (p = .004). The most common adverse events were xerostomia, dental complications, cataracts, or osteopenia and did not differ between the two groups. Cognitive dysfunction or noninfectious pneumonitis, often detected after high dose TBI, were also not different in the two groups (p = .12 and p = .7, respectively). There was no grade 4 adverse event.ConclusionOur results suggest that a conditioning regimen with TMI 9Gy and FluBu4 does not increase long‐term adverse events after allogeneic HSCT.