bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indoxyl sulphate‐initiated activation of cardiac fibroblasts is modulated by aryl hydrocarbon receptor and nuclear factor‐erythroid‐2‐related factor 2
Authors: Barisione Chiara , Verzola Daniela , Garibaldi Silvano , Altieri Paola , Furfaro Anna Lisa , Nitti Mariapaola , Pratesi Giovanni , Palombo Domenico , Ameri Pietro 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the last decade, extensive attention has been paid to the uremic toxin indoxyl sulphate (IS) as an inducer of cardiac fibroblast (cFib) activation and cardiac fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. At cellular level, IS engages aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and regulates many biological functions. We analysed how AhR inhibition by CH‐223191 (CH) and overexpression of non‐functional (dominant negative, DN) nuclear factor‐erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 (NRF2), a transcription factor recruited by AhR, modulate the response of neonatal mouse (nm) cFib to IS. We also evaluated nm‐cardiomyocytes after incubation with the conditioned medium (CM) of IS±CH‐treated nm‐cFib. IS induced activation, collagen synthesis, TLR4 and–downstream–MCP‐1, and the genes encoding angiotensinogen, angiotensin‐converting enzyme, angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1r) and neprilysin (Nepr) in nm‐cFib. CH antagonized IS‐initiated nm‐cFib activation, but did not affect or even magnified the other features. IS promoted NRF2 nuclear translocation and expression the NRF2 target Nqo1. Both pre‐incubation with CH and transfection of DN‐NRF2 resulted in loss of NRF2 nuclear localization. Moreover, DN‐NRF2 overexpression led to greater TLR4 and MCP‐1 levels following exposure to IS. The CM of IS‐primed nm‐cFib and to a larger extent the CM of IS+CH‐treated nm‐cFib upregulated AT1r, Nepr and TNFα and myostatin genes in nm‐cardiomyocytes. Hence, IS triggers pro‐inflammatory activation of nm‐cFib partly via AhR, and AhR‐NRF2 counteract it. Strategies other than AhR inhibition are needed to target IS detrimental actions on cardiac cells.
Reduced chemokine C‐C motif ligand 1 expression may negatively regulate colorectal cancer progression at liver metastatic sites
Authors: Iwata Miku , Haraguchi Ryuma , Kitazawa Riko , Ito Chihiro , Ogawa Kohei , Takada Yasutsugu , Kitazawa Sohei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis, albeit a stage‐IV disease, is completely curable by surgical resection in selected patients. In addressing the molecular basics of this phenomenon, differentially expressed genes at primary and liver metastatic sites were screened by RNA sequencing with the use of paraffin‐embedded surgical specimens. Chemokine C‐C motif ligand 1 (CCL1), a chemotactic factor for a ligand of the chemokine C‐C motif receptor 8 (CCR8), was isolated as one of the differentially expressed genes. Histological analysis revealed that the number of CCL1‐positive cells, mainly tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) located in the stroma of CRC, decreased significantly at liver metastatic sites, while the expression level of CCR8 on CRC remained unchanged. To explore the biological significance of the CCL1‐CCR8 axis in CRC, CCR8‐positive CRC cell line Colo320DM was used to assess the effect of the CCL1‐CCR8 axis on major signalling pathways, epithelial mesenchymal transition induction and cell motility. Upon stimulation of recombinant CCL1 (rCCL1), phosphorylation of AKT was observed in Colo320DM cells; on the other hand, the corresponding significant increase in MMP‐2 levels demonstrated by RT‐qPCR was nullified by siRNA (siCCR8). In the scratch test, rCCL1 treatment significantly increased the motility of Colo320DM cells, which was similarly nullified by siCCR8. Thus, the activation of the CCL1‐CCR8 axis is a positive regulator of CRC tumour progression. Reduced CCL1 expression of TAMs at liver metastatic sites may partly explain the unique slow tumour progression of CRC, thus providing for a grace period for radical resection of metastatic lesions.
Long noncoding RNA Glis2 regulates podocyte mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy via sponging miR‐328‐5p
Authors: Wang Ting , Chen Yanxia , Liu Zhihong , Zhou Jing , Li Na , Shan Yue , He Yinxi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPodocyte apoptosis exerts a crucial role in the pathogenesis of DN. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been gradually identified to be functional in a variety of different mechanisms associated with podocyte apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate whether lncRNA Glis2 could regulate podocyte apoptosis in DN and uncover the underlying mechanism. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨM) was measured using JC‐1 staining. Mitochondrial morphology was detected by MitoTracker Deep Red staining. Then, the histopathological and ultrastructure changes of renal tissues in diabetic mice were observed using periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) staining and transmission electron microscopy. We found that lncRNA Glis2 was significantly downregulated in high‐glucose cultured podocytes and renal tissues of db/db mice. LncRNA Glis2 overexpression was found to alleviate podocyte mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. The direct interaction between lncRNA Glis2 and miR‐328‐5p was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, lncRNA Glis2 overexpression alleviated podocyte apoptosis in diabetic mice. Taken together, this study demonstrated that lncRNA Glis2, acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miRNA‐328‐5p, regulated Sirt1‐mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and podocyte apoptosis in DN.
Circular RNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal cancers
Authors: Botwe Godwin , Fang Xinjian , Mukhtar Yusif Mohammed , Zhou Yue , Tang Haozhou , Wang Maoye , Zhang Jiahui , Fu Min , Jiang Pengcheng , Gu Jianmei , Zhang Xu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCircular RNAs are a class of noncoding RNAs with covalently linked 5′ and 3′ ends that arise from backsplicing events. The absence of a 5′ cap and a 3′ poly(A) tail makes circular RNAs relatively more stable than their linear counterparts. They are evolutionary conserved and tissue‐specific, and some show disease‐specific expression patterns. Although their biological functions remain largely unknown, circular RNAs have been shown to play regulatory roles by acting as microRNA sponges, regulators of RNA‐binding proteins, alternative splicing, and parental gene expression, and they could even encode proteins. Over the past few decades, circular RNAs have attracted wide attention in oncology owing to their implications in various tumors. Many circular RNAs have been characterized as key players in gastrointestinal cancers and influence cancer growth, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Accumulating evidence reveals that their unique characteristics, coupled with their critical roles in tumorigenesis, make circular RNAs promising non‐invasive clinical biomarkers for gastrointestinal cancers. In the present review, we summarized the biological roles of the emerging circular RNAs and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets, which may help better understand their clinical significance in the management of gastrointestinal cancers.
Ignorance of critical race theory predicts White Americans’ opposition to it
Authors: Richmond Brianna S. , Toosi Negin R. , Wellman Joseph D. , Wilkins Clara L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAcknowledging systemic racism, a key tenet of Critical Race Theory (CRT), may be threatening to many Americans but it can also reduce racial biases. However, anti‐CRT legislation prohibits learning about racism, thus highlighting the mutually reinforcing relationship between systemic racism and the production of ignorance. We assessed White Americans’ knowledge about CRT through participant‐generated definitions (Study 1, N = 199) and via a true/false questionnaire (Study 2, N = 194), and its relation to opposition to CRT. Opposition to CRT was associated with a less accurate understanding of CRT, even when controlling for political orientation. Content analyses revealed that opponents of CRT deny anti‐Black racism, believe CRT harms Whites, and view discussing race as divisive. Based on these themes, we developed a meta‐cognitive corrective intervention in Study 3 (N = 289). Participants who received corrective feedback after taking a multiple‐choice test about CRT showed a larger decrease in their opposition to CRT than those in the control condition.
Sex differences in mortality and liver‐related events in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhou Huimin , Chen Haiyan , Lu Hanxiao , Wu Bo , Zhang Shuo , Gu Yuanlong , Zhou Guangwen , Xiang Jie , Yang Jun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground & AimsMany systematic reviews explore the association of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with mortality, but none of them explores sex‐based differences in detail. We aimed to assess whether NAFLD is associated with cause‐specific mortality, all‐cause mortality, and cancer incidence in both men and women.MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, and Medline databases were searched from inception through April 2023 for eligible studies. We separately pooled relative risks (RRs) for men and women using a random effects model. Subsequently, the RRs and 95% CIs (confidence intervals) in each study were used to calculate the women‐to‐men ratio of RRs (RRR). Furthermore, subgroup analyses were performed to explore the robustness of outcomes. The random‐effects model was employed to conduct sensitivity analyses to determine the impact of specific studies on the overall findings.ResultsThe meta‐analysis included nine cohort studies comprising 557 614 patients with NAFLD were chosen. Women were 44% more likely than men to get cancer among those with NAFLD (RRR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.02–2.04; p = .039). However, no sex‐related differences were observed between NAFLD and all‐cause mortality (RRR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.56–2.01; p = .861), liver‐related mortality (RRR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.02–69.82; p = .977), cardiovascular mortality (RRR: 1; 95% CI: 0.65–1.53; p = .987) and liver cancer (RRR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.43–1.36; p = .36).ConclusionsThere may be sex variations between NAFLD and the risk of cancer, with the connection being stronger in females than in males.
Effects of web‐based diabetes education on knowledge retention in adult general population: An experiment
Authors: Cenčič Ajda , Bajec Saša , Žvanut Boštjan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo conduct a study to improve diabetes knowledge through a web‐based diabetes course in the general adult population. We hypothesised that participation in a web‐based diabetes course would have a positive impact on diabetes knowledge retention.MethodsParticipants were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. Participants in the experimental group attended an interactive web‐based diabetes course. The Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ24) was used to assess the diabetes knowledge levels. The DKQ24 was completed at the beginning and end of the observation period of 3 months. The experimental group also completed it immediately after the intervention.ResultsAt the end of the observation period, a statistically significant difference in the mean rank of DKQ24 scores was found in favor of the experimental group (p < .001). The results of the experimental group had a lower interquartile range (IQR = 3) than those of the control group (IQR = 5).ConclusionsThis study suggests that providing a web‐based diabetes course to the general population is effective and can improve diabetes knowledge and retention.
Jasmonic acid (JA)‐mediating MYB transcription factor1, JMTF1, coordinates the balance between JA and auxin signalling in the rice defence response
Authors: Uji Yuya , Suzuki Go , Fujii Yumi , Kashihara Keita , Yamada Shoko , Gomi Kenji 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe plant hormone jasmonic acid (JA) is a signalling compound involved in the regulation of cellular defence and development in plants. In this study, we investigated the roles of a JA‐responsive MYB transcription factor, JMTF1, in the JA‐regulated defence response against rice bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). JMTF1 did not interact with any JASMONATE ZIM‐domain (JAZ) proteins. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing JMTF1 showed a JA‐hypersensitive phenotype and enhanced resistance against Xoo. JMTF1 upregulated the expression of a peroxidase, OsPrx26, and monoterpene synthase, OsTPS24, which are involved in the biosynthesis of lignin and antibacterial monoterpene, γ‐terpinene, respectively. OsPrx26 was mainly expressed in the vascular bundle. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsPrx26 showed enhanced resistance against Xoo. In addition to the JA‐hypersensitive phenotype, the JMTF1‐overexpressing rice plants showed a typical auxin‐related phenotype. The leaf divergence and shoot gravitropic responses were defective, and the number of lateral roots decreased significantly in the JMTF1‐overexpressing rice plants. JMTF1 downregulated the expression of auxin‐responsive genes but upregulated the expression of OsIAA13, a suppressor of auxin signalling. The rice gain‐of‐function mutant Osiaa13 showed high resistance against Xoo. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsEXPA4, a JMTF1‐downregulated auxin‐responsive gene, showed increased susceptibility to Xoo. JMTF1 is selectively bound to the promoter of OsPrx26 in vivo. These results suggest that JMTF1 positively regulates disease resistance against Xoo by coordinating crosstalk between JA‐ and auxin‐signalling in rice.
Symptomatic presentation of cancer in primary care: a scoping review of patients’ experiences and needs during the cancer diagnostic pathway
Authors: Wheelwright Sally J , Russ Stephanie , Mold Freda , Armes Jo , Harder Helena 
Published: March 2024

ObjectivesThe objective was to map the experiences and needs of patients presenting with symptoms of suspected cancer in the primary care interval (from when they first present to primary care to their first appointment or referral to a secondary or tertiary level healthcare facility).DesignThis was a scoping review.Inclusion criteriaStudies or reports written in English which included primary data on the primary care interval experiences and/or needs of adult patients presenting with new symptoms of suspected cancer were eligible. Studies which only included patients with secondary or recurring cancer, conference abstracts and reviews were excluded. No date limits were applied.MethodsThe Joanna Briggs Institute method for Scoping Reviews guided screening, report selection and data extraction. At least two independent reviewers contributed to each stage. Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Embase and Web of Science were searched and several grey literature resources. Relevant quantitative findings were qualitised and integrated with qualitative findings. A thematic analysis was carried out.ResultsOf the 4855 records identified in the database search, 18 were included in the review, along with 13 identified from other sources. The 31 included studies were published between 2002 and 2023 and most (n=17) were conducted in the UK. Twenty subthemes across four themes (patient experience, interpersonal, healthcare professional (HCP) skills, organisational) were identified. No studies included patient-reported outcome measures. Patients wanted (1) to feel heard and understood by HCPs, (2) a plan to establish what was causing their symptoms, and (3) information about the next stages of the diagnostic process.ConclusionsScoping review findings can contribute to service planning as the cancer diagnostic pathway for symptomatic presentation of cancer evolves. The effectiveness of this pathway should be evaluated not only in terms of clinical outcomes, but also patient-reported outcomes and experience, along with the perspectives of primary care HCPs.
Evolution of the data and methods in real-world COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness studies on mortality: ascopingreview protocol
Authors: Stehlik Paulina , Dowsett Caroline , Camacho Ximena , Falster Michael O , Lim Renly , Nasreen Sharifa , Pratt Nicole L , Pearson Sallie-Anne , Henry David 
Published: March 2024

BackgroundEarly evidence on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy came from randomised trials. Many important questions subsequently about vaccine effectiveness (VE) have been addressed using real-world studies (RWS) and have informed most vaccination policies globally. As the questions about VE have evolved during the pandemic so have data, study design, and analytical choices. This scoping review aims to characterise this evolution and provide insights for future pandemic planning—specifically, what kinds of questions are asked at different stages of a pandemic, and what data infrastructure and methods are used?Methods and analysisWe will identify relevant studies in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health VIEW-hub database, which curates both published and preprint VE RWS identified from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, the WHO COVID Database, MMWR, Eurosurveillance, medRxiv, bioRxiv, SSRN, Europe PMC, Research Square, Knowledge Hub, and Google. We will include RWS of COVID-19 VE that reported COVID-19-specific or all-cause mortality (coded as ‘death’ in the ‘effectiveness studies’ data set).Information on study characteristics; study context; data sources; design and analytic methods that address confounding will be extracted by single reviewer and checked for accuracy and discussed in a small group setting by methodological and analytic experts. A timeline mapping approach will be used to capture the evolution of this body of literature.By describing the evolution of RWS of VE through the COVID-19 pandemic, we will help identify options for VE studies and inform policy makers on the minimal data and analytic infrastructure needed to support rapid RWS of VE in future pandemics and of healthcare strategies more broadly.Ethics and disseminationAs data is in the public domain, ethical approval is not required. Findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and working-papers to policy makers.Registrationhttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ZHDKR
Role of physical activity in the relationship between recovery from work and insomnia among early childhood education and care professionals: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Karihtala Tiina , Puttonen Sampsa , Valtonen Anu M , Kautiainen Hannu , Hopsu Leila , Heinonen Ari 
Published: March 2024

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the association between recovery from work and insomnia and the role of objectively measured leisure-time physical activity and occupational physical activity in this association.DesignCross-sectional.Setting and participantsStudy with female early childhood education and care professionals (N=224) in Finland was conducted between April 2017 and September 2018.MethodsRecovery from work was measured with the Need for Recovery scale and insomnia with the Jenkins Sleep Scale. Physical activity was measured with an accelerometer for 7 days and analysed to represent leisure-time physical activity and occupational physical activity (min/day).ResultsBoth Jenkins Sleep Scale and occupational physical activity significantly predicted Need for Recovery (β=0.29; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.42 and β=0.14; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.27, respectively). A low relationship was observed between the Need for Recovery and Jenkins Sleep Scale (r=0.32, 95% Cl 0.19 to 0.44). After categorising participants into four groups based on median splits of occupational and leisure-time physical activity, relationships between the Need for Recovery and Jenkins Sleep Scale were low to moderate in the high occupational physical activity and leisure time physical activity group (r=0.38, 95% Cl 0.14 to 0.61), and in the high occupational physical activity and low leisure-time physical activity group (r=0.40, 95% Cl 0.18 to 0.63).ConclusionBoth insomnia and physical activity at work seem to be relevant in recovery from work. To enhance recovery, especially those involved in high physical activity at work, should seek methods to improve recovery, by incorporating activities that promote recuperation both during their workday and in their leisure time. Further research on the relevance of physical activity in recovery with longitudinal setting is warranted.Trial registration numberNCT03854877.
Artificial intelligence tools for optimising recruitment and retention in clinical trials: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Lu Xiaoran , Chen Mingan , Lu Zhuolin , Shi Xiaoting , Liang Lu 
Published: March 2024

IntroductionIn recent years, the influence of artificial intelligence technology on clinical trials has been steadily increasing. It has brought about significant improvements in the efficiency and cost reduction of clinical trials. The objective of this scoping review is to systematically map, describe and summarise the current utilisation of artificial intelligence in recruitment and retention process of clinical trials that has been reported in research. Additionally, the review aims to identify benefits and drawbacks, as well as barriers and facilitators associated with the application of artificial intelligence in optimising recruitment and retention in clinical trials. The findings of this review will provide insights and recommendations for future development of artificial intelligence in the context of clinical trials.Methods and analysisThe review of relevant literature will follow the methodological framework for scoping studies provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute. A comprehensive electronic search will be conducted using the search strategy developed by the authors. Leading medical and computer science databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, IEEE Xplore and Web of Science Core Collection will be searched. The search will encompass analytical observational studies, descriptive observational studies, experimental and quasi-experimental studies published in all languages, without any time limitations, which use artificial intelligence tools in the recruitment and retention process of clinical trials. The review team will screen the identified studies and import them into a dedicated electronic library specifically created for this review. Data extraction will be performed using a data charting table.Ethics and disseminationSecondary data will be attained in this scoping review; therefore, no ethical approval is required. The results of the final review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. It is expected that results will inform future artificial intelligence and clinical trials research.