bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of interventions on smoking cessation: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Ying , Gao Lei , Chao Yaqing , Wang Jianhua , Qin Tianci , Zhou Xiaohua , Chen Xiaoan , Hou Lingyu , Lu linlin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA network meta‐analysis (NMA) including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effects of different interventions on smoking cessation. Studies were collected from online databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible studies were further examined in the NMA to compare the effect of 14 interventions on smoking cessation. Thirty‐four studies were examined in the NMA, including a total of 14 interventions and 28 733 participants. The results showed that health education (HE; odds ratio ([OR] = 200.29, 95% CI [1.62, 24 794.61])), other interventions (OI; OR = 29.79, 95% CI [1.07, 882.17]) and multimodal interventions (MUIs; OR = 100.16, 95% CI [2.06, 4867.24]) were better than self‐help material (SHM). HE (OR = 243.31, 95% CI [1.39, 42531.33]), MUI (OR = 121.67, 95% CI [1.64, 9004.86]) and financial incentive (FI; OR = 14.09, 95% CI [1.21, 164.31]) had positive effects on smoking cessation rate than smoking cessation or quitting APP (QA). Ranking results showed that HE (83.6%) and motivation interviewing (MI; 69.6%) had better short‐term effects on smoking cessation. HE and MUI provided more smoking cessation benefits than SHM and QA. FI was more effective at quitting smoking than QA. Also, HE and MI were more likely to be optimal smoking cessation interventions.
Epigenome‐wide association study on methamphetamine dependence
Authors: Shirai Toshiyuki , Okazaki Satoshi , Tanifuji Takaki , Otsuka Ikuo , Horai Tadasu , Mouri Kentaro , Takemura Yukihiro , Aso Katsuro , Yamamoto Noriya , Hishimoto Akitoyo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRepeated abuse of methamphetamine (METH) can cause dependence, repeated relapse of psychotic symptoms, compulsive drug‐seeking behaviour, and various neurological symptoms. These long‐term biological changes may be associated with epigenetic mechanisms; however, the association between METH use and epigenetic mechanisms has been poorly investigated. Thus, we performed an epigenome‐wide association study of METH dependence using genomic DNA extracted from the blood samples of 24 patients with METH dependence and 24 normal controls. All participants were of Japanese descent. We tested the association between METH dependence and DNA methylation using linear regression analysis. We found epigenome‐wide significant associations at four CpG sites, one of which occurred in the CNOT1 gene and another in the PUM1 gene. We especially noted the CNOT1 and PUM1 genes as well as several other genes that indicated some degree of association with METH dependence. Among the relatively enriched Gene Ontology terms, we were interested in terms of mRNA metabolism, respirasome, and excitatory extracellular ligand‐gated ion channel activity. Among the relatively enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathways, we noted pathways of several neurological diseases. Our results indicate that genetic changes akin to those in other psychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders may also occur via epigenetic mechanisms in patients with METH dependence.
Paternal preconception alcohol consumption increased Angiotensin II‐mediated vasoconstriction in male offspring cerebral arteries via oxidative stress‐AT1R pathway
Authors: Zhang Ze , Zhang Yumeng , Liu Mingxing , Su Hongyu , He Yun , Zheng Qiutong , Xu Zhice , Tang Jiaqi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAlcohol consumption is popular worldwidely and closely associated with cardiovascular diseases. Influences of paternal preconception alcohol consumption on offspring cerebral arteries are largely unknown. Male rats were randomly given alcohol or water before being mated with alcohol‐naive females to produce alcohol‐ and control‐sired offspring. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) was tested with a Danish Myo Technology wire myograph, patch‐clamp, IONOPTIX, immunofluorescence and quantitative PCR. Alcohol consumption enhanced angiotensin II (AngII)‐mediated constriction in male offspring MCA mainly via AT1R. PD123,319 only augmented AngII‐induced constriction in control offspring. AngII and Bay K8644 induced stronger intracellular calcium transient in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from MCA of alcohol offspring. L‐type voltage‐dependent calcium channel (L‐Ca2+) current at baseline and after AngII‐stimulation was higher in VSMCs. Influence of large‐conductance calcium‐activated potassium channel (BKCa) was lower. Caffeine induced stronger constriction and intracellular calcium release in alcohol offspring. Superoxide anion was higher in alcohol MCA than control. Tempol and thenoyltrifluoroacetone alleviated AngII‐mediated contractions, while inhibition was significantly higher in alcohol group. The mitochondria were swollen in alcohol MCA. Despite lower Kcnma1 and Prkce expression, many genes expressions were higher in alcohol group. Hypoxia induced reactive oxygen species production and increased AT1R expression in control MCA and rat aorta smooth muscle cell line. In conclusion, this study firstly demonstrated paternal preconception alcohol potentiated AngII‐mediated vasoconstriction in offspring MCA via ROS‐AT1R. Alcohol consumption increased intracellular calcium via L‐Ca2+ channel and endoplasmic reticulum and decreased BKCa function. The present study provided new information for male reproductive health and developmental origin of cerebrovascular diseases.
Another ghost of Gondwana—Progradungula barringtonensis Michalik & Smith, sp. nov., a new species of the relict spider genus Progradungula (Araneae: Gradungulidae) from a temperate rainforest in eastern Australia
Authors: Michalik Peter , Smith Helen M. , Milledge Graham , Harms Danilo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOdd‐clawed spiders (Gradungulinae), which are considered to be ‘living fossils’, are a faunal element of the mesic forests of eastern Australia and the South Island of New Zealand. To date, 16 species in seven genera are known, with most being highly endemic and hard to find, explaining their scarcity in collections worldwide. Particularly noteworthy is the Australian genus Progradungula that includes only two relict species from eastern Australia (Progradungula carraiensis from the Carrai limestone caves in northern New South Wales and Progradungula otwayensis from Nothofagus rainforests in the Otway Range, southern Victoria) and are known from only a handful of adult specimens. Both species are large nocturnal predators with a rather cryptic lifestyle, which construct unique ladder‐like catching webs composed of non‐combed and combed cribellate silk with exceptional properties. Here, we describe a new relict species, Progradungula barringtonensis Michalik & Smith, sp. nov., from isolated Nothofagus forest patches in Barrington Tops National Park (NSW, Australia). The male of this species is significantly larger than those of P. carraiensis and P. otwayensis and exhibits characteristics of the male genitalia of both species. The webs are similar to those of the other Progradungula species. Field observations revealed that the catching ladder had few looping segments, similar to P. otwayensis, but an immature in captivity constructed webs with more looping segments, similar to P. carraiensis, supporting the previously proposed hypothesis that food availability may explain the plasticity of the catching ladder structure.
A new cryptic species of Australian Glyptotermes (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) discovered by effective use of morphological characteristics of primary reproductives
Authors: Yashiro Toshihisa , Lo Nathan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractClosely related species within termite genera often show extremely similar morphology, where morphological characteristics of soldiers alone or imagos (including alates and primary reproductives) alone are sometimes insufficient to establish new species. However, many original descriptions of termite species are based on soldier characteristics alone, because of the seasonal occurrence of alates and the difficulty in collecting primary reproductives. Importantly, primary reproductives of the family Kalotermitidae (so‐called drywood termites) are relatively easy to collect from field colonies compared with those of the other termite families. Here, we describe a new kalotermitid species, Glyptotermes matsuurai sp. nov., from Australia by effective use of morphological characteristics of primary reproductives. Glyptotermes matsuurai is distinguished from the Australian species G. iridipennis Froggatt, 1896 by the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II gene; however, it is not distinguishable from G. iridipennis based on the external morphology of soldiers. It therefore forms a species complex with G. iridipennis. Although we could collect alates of G. matsuurai from only one of the field‐collected colonies kept in the laboratory, we conducted morphological analyses of imagos from multiple colonies by using primary reproductives collected from field colonies. As a result of our morphological analyses of imagos, we found that G. matsuurai is morphologically distinguishable from all other species of Australian Glyptotermes. Thus, when enough alates are unavailable, morphological characteristics of primary reproductives can be used to facilitate the discovery of undescribed cryptic species at least in the genus Glyptotermes and possibly in other genera within the family Kalotermitidae.
Taxonomic revision of Eunanus Ohaus, 1909 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), with first records and two new species from Brazil
Authors: da Silva Ferreira André , Grossi Paschoal C. , Seidel Matthias 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEunanus Ohaus, 1909 has so far been known exclusively from Argentina and Paraguay, with only two described species: E. murinus Ohaus, 1909 and E. podtiaguini Gutiérrez, 1951. Here, the genus is revised and redefined, and two new species are described from Brazil: Eunanus kozlovi sp. nov., from Mato Grosso do Sul state, and Eunanus valmorbidai sp. nov., from Rio Grande do Sul state. Furthermore, Leucothyreus beckeri (Martínez, 1964) is transferred to the genus under the new combination Eunanus beckeri (Martínez, 1964) comb. nov. The lectotype of E. murinus Ohaus, 1909 is designated, and an identification key to all the species and a distribution map are provided.
Causal effect of severe and non‐severe malaria on dyslipidemia in African Ancestry individuals: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Traore Mariam , Sangare Harouna , Diabate Oudou , Diawara Abdoulaye , Cissé Cheickna , Nashiru Oyekanmi , Li Jian , Shaffer Jeffrey , Wélé Mamadou , Doumbia Seydou , Chikowore Tinashe , Soremekun Opeyemi , Fatumo Segun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundDyslipidemia is becoming prevalent in Africa, where malaria is endemic. Observational studies have documented the long‐term protective effect of malaria on dyslipidemia; however, these study designs are prone to confounding. Therefore, we used Mendelian randomization (MR, a method robust to confounders and reverse causation) to determine the causal effect of severe malaria (SM) and the recurrence of non‐severe malaria (RNM) on lipid traits.MethodWe performed two‐sample MR using genome wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for recurrent non‐severe malaria (RNM) from a Benin cohort (N = 775) and severe malaria from the MalariaGEN dataset (N = 17,000) and lipid traits from summary‐level data of a meta‐analyzed African lipid GWAS (MALG, N = 24,215) from the African Partnership for Chronic Disease Research (APCDR) (N = 13,612) and the Africa Wits‐IN‐DEPTH partnership for genomics studies (AWI‐Gen) dataset (N = 10,603).ResultNo evidence of significant causal association was obtained between RNM and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), total cholesterol and triglycerides. However, a notable association emerged between severe malarial anaemia (SMA) which is a subtype of severe malaria and reduced HDL‐C levels, suggesting a potential subtype‐specific effect. Nonetheless, we strongly believe that the small sample size likely affects our estimates, warranting cautious interpretation of these results.ConclusionOur findings challenge the hypothesis of a broad causal relationship between malaria (both severe and recurrent non‐severe forms) and dyslipidemia. The isolated association with SMA highlights an intriguing area for future research. However, we believe that conducting larger studies to investigate the connection between malaria and dyslipidemia in Africa will enhance our ability to better address the burden posed by both diseases.
Pandora's ballot box: Electoral politics of direct democracy
Authors: Buisseret Peter , Van Weelden Richard 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe study how office‐seeking parties use direct democracy to shape elections. A party with a strong electoral base can benefit from using a binding referendum to resolve issues that divide its core supporters. When referendums do not bind, however, an electorally disadvantaged party may initiate a referendum to elevate new issues. It does so with the goal of dividing its stronger opponent's supporters. We identify conditions under which direct democracy improves congruence between policy outcomes and voter preferences, but also show that it can lead to greater misalignment both on issues subject to direct democracy and those that are not.
Tranexamic acid versus oxytocin for primary postpartum Haemorrhage in the out‐of‐hospital setting: A systematic review with implications for rural practice
Authors: De Silva Megan , Mizzi Gabrielle , Potts Emily , Webb Jayden , Thyer Elizabeth , Naidoo Navindhra 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionPrimary postpartum haemorrhage causes approximately 25% of global maternal deaths and accounts for significant maternal morbidity. While high certainty evidence demonstrates that tranexamic acid reduces comparative blood loss in postpartum haemorrhage in hospital settings, limited data exist on the specific pharmacological management of this condition in out‐of‐hospital settings, and the implications for rural communities.ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of oxytocin compared to tranexamic acid in women suffering postpartum haemorrhage in the out‐of‐hospital environment.DesignA systematic review comparing evidence containing patients with postpartum haemorrhage in the out‐of‐hospital and/or rural setting, in which oxytocin/tranexamic acid were used. Outcome measures were comparative blood loss/haemorrhagic shock, the need for further interventions and maternal/neonatal morbidity/mortality.FindingsNo randomised control trials have been conducted in an out‐of‐hospital environment in relation to oxytocin/tranexamic acid. In this setting, there is no difference in outcome measures when using oxytocin compared to no intervention, or oxytocin compared to standard care. Data are lacking on the effect of tranexamic acid on the same outcome measures.DiscussionRural and out‐of‐hospital management of postpartum haemorrhage is limited by resource availability and practitioner availability, capacity and experience. In‐hospital evidence may lack transferability, therefore direct evidence on the efficacy of pharmacological management in these contexts is scant and requires redress.ConclusionThere is no difference in blood loss, neonatal or maternal mortality or morbidity, or need for further interventions, when using oxytocin or TXA compared to no intervention, or compared to standard care, for PPH. Further studies are needed on the efficacy of these drugs, and alternate or co‐drug therapies, for PPH in the out‐of‐hospital environment and rural clinical practice.
Maternal use of nitrosatable drugs during pregnancy and adult male reproductive health: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Clemmensen Pernille Jul , Brix Nis , Schullehner Jörg , Toft Gunnar , Søgaard Tøttenborg Sandra , Sørig Hougaard Karin , Bjerregaard Anne Ahrendt , Halldorsson Thorhallur Ingi , Olsen Sjurdur Frodi , Hansen Birgitte , Stayner Leslie Thomas , Sigsgaard Torben , Kolstad Henrik , Bonde Jens Peter Ellekilde , Ramlau‐Hansen Cecilia Høst 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundPrenatal exposures to xenobiotics during the masculinization programming window are suggested to impact male fecundity later in life. Frequently used nitrosatable drugs, such as penicillins and beta2‐agonists, contain amines or amides that may form teratogenic compounds in reaction with nitrite.ObjectivesWe explored whether maternal nitrosatable drug use during gestation was associated with biomarkers of male fecundity in adulthood; moreover, the potential modifiable effect of nitrate and vitamin intake was investigated.MethodWe performed a cohort study in the Fetal Programming of Semen Quality cohort that includes semen characteristics, reproductive hormone concentrations, and measures of testis size on 1058 young adult sons in the Danish National Birth Cohort. Information on maternal use of nitrosatable drugs was obtained from questionnaires and interviews around gestational weeks 11 and 16. A multivariable negative binomial regression model was used to obtain relative differences in biomarkers of male fecundity for those whose mothers used nitrosatable drugs compared to those without such maternal use. In sub‐analyses, the exposure was categorized according to nitrosatable drug type: secondary amine, tertiary amine, or amide. We investigated dose dependency by examining the number of weeks with intake and explored potential effect modification by low versus high maternal nitrate and vitamin intake from diet and nitrate concentration in drinking water. We added selection weights and imputed values of missing covariates to limit the risk of selection bias.ResultsIn total, 19.6% of the study population were born of mothers with an intake of nitrosatable drugs at least once during early pregnancy. Relative differences in biomarkers related to male fecundity between exposed and unexposed participants were negligible. Imputation of missing covariates did not fundamentally alter the results. Furthermore, no sensitive subpopulations were detected.ConclusionsThe results suggest that maternal use of nitrosatable drugs does not have a harmful influence on the male fecundity of the offspring.
Discrimination between ventricular tachycardia and wide‐QRS preexcited tachycardia
Authors: Lee Jae Hoon 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundTo develop a new algorithm to differentiate ventricular tachycardia (VT) from preexcited tachycardia (pre‐ET) according to left bundle branch block (LBBB) and right bundle branch block (RBBB) patterns.MethodsThis study included 67 electrocardiograms (ECGs) with VT and 63 ECGs with pre‐ET, collected from our hospital and through PubMed. Of those, 64 were allocated to the derivation cohort and the rest to the validation cohort. The diagnoses of the ECGs were confirmed using an electrophysiological study. Parameters and classifiers from prior algorithms along with the propagation speeds in the early portion of the QRS complex (initial deflection index) in leads V1, V6, aVR, II, and III were manually measured. The performance of the new algorithm was compared with that of prior algorithms.ResultsThe initial deflection index in lead III was the strongest predictor of pre‐ET in LBBB‐pattern wide‐QRS tachycardia (p = 0.003, AUC 0.805). The initial deflection index in lead V1 was the most powerful predictor of pre‐ET in RBBB‐pattern wide‐QRS tachycardia (p = 0.001, AUC 0.848). Compared to earlier algorithms, those using the initial deflection indexes: lead III in LBBB patterns (cutoff value >0.3) and lead V1 in RBBB patterns (cutoff value ≤0.48), demonstrated superior performance in screening VT, with AUC values of 0.828. The initial deflection indexes proved effective as discriminators between VT and pre‐ET in the validation cohort.ConclusionsIn LBBB‐pattern wide‐QRS tachycardia, the early propagation speed of pre‐ET was faster than that in VT. Conversely, in RBBB‐pattern wide‐QRS tachycardia, it was slower.
Loss of psoas muscle during neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer is associated with poor oncological and surgical outcomes
Authors: Yassaie Shahed , Lan Renqiao , Hodder Rupert 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia has been associated with poor outcomes in rectal cancer patients. This study aims to assess the degree of muscle loss during neoadjuvant therapy in patients with rectal cancer, and its relationship with tumour response, post‐operative complications and long‐term disease recurrence.MethodsThe change in the psoas muscle area was determined by measuring the psoas muscle area at L4 on initial staging PET CT scans and comparing this with the restaging scan 8–10 weeks after radiation treatment had been completed. The average change in the psoas muscle area was compared between patients who had residual disease versus complete clinical/pathological response, anastomotic leak vs. no leak, and distant recurrence vs. no recurrence on follow‐up imaging.ResultsNinety‐two patients were included in the study. The mean loss of psoas muscle area was 5%. Patients who had a complete response to chemoradiotherapy showed a statistically significant difference in muscle mass loss (2.8%) compared to those with residual tumour present after therapy (6.2%), P = 0.02 on multivariable analysis. There was a statistically significant greater loss of muscle in patients who had an anastomotic leak versus those that did not (10.2% vs. 4.1%) and in those who developed metastatic disease versus those that did not (10.7% vs. 4.1%) (P < 0.05).ConclusionOur study adds to the growing body of evidence that sarcopenia is a predictor of poor surgical and oncological outcomes in rectal cancer patients. We postulate that the loss of muscle is an indication of disease burden and worse tumour biology.