bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diosgenyl glucosamine conjugates increase pro‐apoptotic and selective activities in cancer cell lines
Authors: Sergio Iván Martínez Mata , María Luisa Escobar Sánchez , Hugo López Muñoz , Jazmín Ciciolil Hilario Martínez , Jesús Sandoval Ramírez , Uriel Yair Aparicio Sánchez , Luis Sánchez Sánchez 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackground InformationAntiproliferative and apoptotic activities have been attributed to the phytosteroid diosgenin ((25R)‐spirost‐5‐en‐3β‐ol; 1). It is known that combining glucose with two rhamnoses (the chacotrioside framework) linked to diosgenin increases its apoptotic activity. However, the effects of diosgenin glucosamine glycosides on different cancer cell types and cell death have not been entirely explored.ResultsThis study reports the antiproliferative, cytotoxic, and apoptotic activities of diosgenin and its glycosylated derivative ((25R)‐spirost‐5‐en‐3β‐yl β‐D‐glucopyranoside; 2). It also explores the effects of two diosgenin glucosamine derivates, diosgenin 2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (3), and diosgenin 2‐amino‐2‐deoxy‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside hydrochloride (4), on different cancer cell lines. We found that all the compounds affected proliferative activity with minimal toxicity. In addition, all cancer cell lines showed morphological and biochemical characteristics corresponding to an apoptotic process. Apoptotic cell death was higher in all cell lines treated with compounds 2, 3 and 4 than in those treated with diosgenin. Moreover, compounds 3 and 4 induced apoptosis better than compounds 1 and 2. These results suggest that combining glucosamine with modified glucosamine attached to diosgenin has a greater apoptotic effect than diosgenin or its glycosylated derivative (compound 2). Furthermore, diosgenin and the abovementioned glycosides had a selective effect on tumour cells since the proliferative capacity of human lymphocytes, keratinocytes (HaCaT) and epithelial cells (CCD841) was not significantly affected.ConclusionsAltogether, these results demonstrate that diosgenin glucosamine compounds exert an antiproliferative effect on cancer cell lines and induce apoptotic effects more efficiently than diosgenin alone without affecting non‐tumour cells.SignificanceThis study evidences the pro‐apoptotic and selective activities of diosgenyl glucosamine compounds in cancer cell lines.
Characterisation of cotadutide's dual GLP‐1/glucagon receptor agonistic effects on glycaemic control using an in vivo human glucose regulation quantitative systems pharmacology model
Authors: Bosch Rolien , Petrone Marcella , Arends Rosalin , Vicini Paolo , Sijbrands Eric J. G. , Hoefman Sven , Snelder Nelleke 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackground and PurposeCotadutide is a dual GLP‐1 and glucagon receptor agonist with balanced agonistic activity at each receptor designed to harness the advantages on promoting liver health, weight loss and glycaemic control. We characterised the effects of cotadutide on glucose, insulin, GLP‐1, GIP, and glucagon over time in a quantitative manner using our glucose dynamics systems model (4GI systems model), in combination with clinical data from a multiple ascending dose/Phase 2a (MAD/Ph2a) study in overweight and obese subjects with a history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (NCT02548585).Experimental ApproachThe cotadutide PK‐4GI systems model was calibrated to clinical data by re‐estimating only food related parameters. In vivo cotadutide efficacy was scaled based on in vitro potency. The model was used to explore the effect of weight loss on insulin sensitivity and predict the relative contribution of the GLP‐1 and glucagon receptor agonistic effects on glucose.Key ResultsCotadutide MAD/Ph2a clinical endpoints were successfully predicted. The 4GI model captured a positive effect of weight loss on insulin sensitivity and showed that the stimulating effect of glucagon on glucose production counteracts the GLP‐1 receptor‐mediated decrease in glucose, resulting in a plateau for glucose decrease around a 200‐μg cotadutide dose.Conclusion and ImplicationsThe 4GI quantitative systems pharmacology model was able to predict the clinical effects of cotadutide on glucose, insulin, GLP‐1, glucagon and GIP given known in vitro potency. The analyses demonstrated that the quantitative systems pharmacology model, and its successive refinements, will be a valuable tool to support the clinical development of cotadutide and related compounds.
Taxonomic and functional avian diversity vary with cattle management practices in humid Chaco forests of Argentina
Authors: Haene Camila S. , Bilenca D. , Codesido M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBirds play key roles in forest dynamics, favoring the resilience of forests to cattle ranching. Generalist species may benefit from changes in the vegetation structure caused by cattle grazing while specialist species are usually negatively affected. Therefore, studying changes in taxonomic and functional bird diversity can provide valuable information in order to propose the sustainable cattle management practices. Here, we study the influence of different cattle management practices (Cattle Exclusion: FCE; Continuous grazing: FCG; Rotational grazing: FRG; Seasonal grazing: FSG) on the understory vegetation structure, and the bird taxonomic and functional diversity in humid Chaco forests of Argentina. Forests under grazing had an open (FCG) or semi‐open (FRG and FSG) understory, whereas FCE presented a closed understory with higher plant richness. Generalized linear models revealed a decrease in bird richness and abundance under most cattle management practices compared to FCE. However, FRG was most similar to FCE in terms of vegetation structure and showed no differences in bird richness. FCE presented the lowest values of functional diversity while FCG and FRG showed the highest values. A fourth‐corner analysis showed that FCE was associated with insectivorous species which forage and nest in the shrub layer, reflecting a possible loss of ecosystem services in forests with cattle grazing. We propose FRG as the most appropriate cattle management option and the least detrimental to bird assemblages. However, maintaining protected areas that exclude cattle ranching activities will be key to strike a balance between the conservation of most specialist species and beef production.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Proteome analysis develops novel plasma proteins classifier in predicting the mortality of COVID‐19
Authors: Zeng Yifei , Li Yufan , Zhang Wanying , Lu Huidan , Lin Siyi , Zhang Wenting , Xia Lexin , Hu Huiqun , Song Yuanlin , Xu Feng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCOVID‐19 has been a global concern for 3 years, however, consecutive plasma protein changes in the disease course are currently unclear. Setting the mortality within 28 days of admission as the main clinical outcome, plasma samples were collected from patients in discovery and independent validation groups at different time points during the disease course. The whole patients were divided into death and survival groups according to their clinical outcomes. Proteomics and pathway/network analyses were used to find the differentially expressed proteins and pathways. Then, we used machine learning to develop a protein classifier which can predict the clinical outcomes of the patients with COVID‐19 and help identify the high‐risk patients. Finally, a classifier including C‐reactive protein, extracellular matrix protein 1, insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein complex acid labile subunit, E3 ubiquitin‐protein ligase HECW1 and phosphatidylcholine‐sterol acyltransferase was determined. The prediction value of the model was verified with an independent patient cohort. This novel model can realize early prediction of 28‐day mortality of patients with COVID‐19, with the area under curve 0.88 in discovery group and 0.80 in validation group, superior to 4C mortality and E‐CURB65 scores. In total, this work revealed a potential protein classifier which can assist in predicting the outcomes of COVID‐19 patients and providing new diagnostic directions.
The inhibitory effect of apatinib on different small cell lung cancer cells and in lung cancer‐bearing mice and patients
Authors: Liu Mingtao , Li Hui , Guo Ranran , Yu Xia , Li Yu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPurposeTo observe the inhibitory effect of the small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor apatinib on small cell lung cancer in vitro and vivo.Material and methodsThree small lung cancer cells were selected CCK‐8 and monoclonal assay was used to determine the effect of apatinib on proliferation. The effects on cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL. We observed the inhibitory effect of different doses of apatinib on xenograft tumor. The efficacy and safety of apatinib in 20 patients with advanced small cell lung cancer were observed.ResultsFor small cell lung cancer with high expression of VEGFR2, apatinib has a significant inhibitory effect both in vitro and in vivo. It can play an inhibitory role by promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest pathways. For small cell lung cancer with low expression of VEGFR, the inhibitory effect on cells in vitro was not significant. It has certain inhibitory effect on nude mouse transplanted tumor and small cell lung cancer patients, but the effect is weaker than that of animal models and patients with small cell lung cancer cells with high expression of VEGFR2.ConclusionApatinib has a significant inhibitory effect on small cell lung cancer with high expression of VEGFR2 and may be a treatment for small cell lung cancer patients.
Phenological variation in the life histories of amphidromous gobies endemic to the Hawaiian islands
Authors: Heim‐Ballew Heidi , Blum Michael J. , McIntyre Peter B. , Bickford Nate , Hogan J. Derek 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDespite the benefits that can come from coordinated movement, many diadromous fishes have evolved partial migration strategies, where a portion of a population does not migrate. Co‐occurring life‐history variants might nonetheless gain some advantage by exhibiting congruent phenologies, with key events timed to follow the same cue. Here, we assess this possibility by examining otolith microchemistry and structure to quantify the lunar periodicity of hatching and metamorphosis according to migration strategy in a facultative amphidromous goby endemic to Hawai'i. Our analyses corroborated prior evidence that Awaous stamineus exhibits partial migration and that residential A. stamineus are often proportionately more abundant than the migratory form. Contrary to expectation, we found a significant difference in hatching time between migratory and residential A. stamineus. A higher proportion of A. stamineus migrants hatched at the full moon and metamorphosed at the new moon, whereas residents exhibited the opposite phenology. Comparisons to Sicyopterus stimpsoni intended to provide a broader context revealed that the obligately amphidromous species tends to hatch at the new moon and metamorphose at the full moon, mirroring the phenology of residential A. stamineus. Evidence of convergent lunar phenologies suggests that synchronising life‐history events can confer benefits that extend beyond species boundaries. Notably, phenological discordance could be acting as a prezygotic isolating barrier between sympatric life‐history variants, pointing to the presence of heretofore unrecognised evolutionary diversity within partially migratory species like A. stamineus.
Impact of different practice testing methods on learning outcomes
Authors: Akbulut Yavuz 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe testing effect refers to the gains in learning and retention that result from taking practice tests before the final test. Understanding the conditions under which practice tests improve learning is crucial, so four experiments were conducted with a total of 438 undergraduate students in Turkey. In the first study, students who took graded practice tests outperformed those who took them as ungraded practice. In the second study, students who took short‐answer questions before the first exam and multiple‐choice questions before the second exam scored higher on the second exam. In the third study, multiple‐choice, short‐answer and hybrid questions produced similar learning gains. In the fourth study, students who received detailed feedback immediately after class performed similarly to those who received feedback at the beginning of the next class. The results suggested the contribution of graded practice tests in general; however, the type of questions or the timing of feedback did not predict learning outcomes.
Frequency and outcomes of gastrostomy insertion in a longitudinal cohort study of atypical parkinsonism
Authors: Kobylecki Christopher , Chelban Viorica , Goh Yee Yen , Michou Emilia , Fumi Riona , Theilmann Jensen Marte , Mohammad Rahema , Costantini Alyssa , Vijiaratnam Nirosen , Pavey Samantha , Pavese Nicola , Leigh P. Nigel , Rowe James B. , Hu Michele T. , Church Alistair , Morris Huw R. , Houlden Henry 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundMultiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS) show a high prevalence and rapid progression of dysphagia, which is associated with reduced survival. Despite this, the evidence base for gastrostomy is poor, and the optimal frequency and outcomes of this intervention are not known. We aimed to characterise the prevalence and outcomes of gastrostomy in patients with these three atypical parkinsonian disorders.MethodWe analysed data from the natural history and longitudinal cohorts of the PROSPECT‐M‐UK study with up to 60 months of follow‐up from baseline. Survival post‐gastrostomy was analysed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves.ResultsIn a total of 339 patients (mean age at symptom onset 63.3 years, mean symptom duration at baseline 4.6 years), dysphagia was present in >50% across all disease groups at baseline and showed rapid progression during follow‐up. Gastrostomy was recorded as recommended in 44 (13%) and performed in 21 (6.2%; MSA 7, PSP 11, CBS 3) of the total study population. Median survival post‐gastrostomy was 24 months compared with 12 months where gastrostomy was recommended but not done (p = 0.008). However, this was not significant when correcting for age and duration of symptoms at the time of procedure or recommendation.ConclusionsGastrostomy was performed relatively infrequently in this cohort despite the high prevalence of dysphagia. Survival post‐gastrostomy was longer than previously reported, but further data on other outcomes and clinician and patient perspectives would help to guide use of this intervention in MSA, PSP and CBS.
Should I stay or should I fly: Aerial dispersal in a funnel‐web wolf spider from the grasslands of southern South America
Authors: Kacevas Nadia , Bidegaray‐Batista Leticia , Gobel Noelia , González Macarena 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBallooning is a mechanism of aerial dispersal present in some groups of spiders. By releasing silken threads that are blown by the wind, spiders can travel long distances through the air. Aglaoctenus lagotis is a wolf spider that lives its entire life associated with a funnel‐web, despite the wandering habit that characterizes species in this family. We can find two forms of the species in Uruguay, one of them a strict inhabitant of grasslands of Uruguay. The high habitat specificity and the spiderlings observed surrounding the maternal web suggest a low aerial dispersal capacity in this species. In this study, we tested whether A. lagotis spiderlings are capable of dispersing by ballooning. We conducted laboratory and field experiments during the day and night, to record the occurrence of ballooning and typical behaviours that precede ballooning. We recorded ballooning both in the laboratory and in the field, and it was more frequent during the day. Although it has been reported repeatedly in species from this family, we never observed the pre‐ballooning tip‐toeing behaviour in A. lagotis. Ballooning was preceded by dropping on dragline, considered a behaviour that could generate aerial dispersion of lesser distance than that generated by the tip‐toeing. In this paper, we shall discuss the implications of this form of aerial dispersal, considering that the species analysed is a web wolf spider.
Conductivity of mammary gland secretions is a sensitive and specific predictor of parturition in mares
Authors: Magalhaes Humberto B. , Colombo Ilaria , Spencer Kianna M. , Podico Giorgia , Canisso Igor F. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundAccurate prediction of parturition is paramount to ensuring monitoring of delivery and preventing complications. Assessing the pH and electrolytes of the mammary gland secretions (MGS) helps detect impending parturition. As conductivity is related to electrolyte concentrations and pH, it could be a useful alternative for predicting impending parturition; however, this hypothesis warrants a critical assessment.ObjectivesTo assess the ability of conductivity, pH, and Brix in the MGS to predict parturition and to investigate their associations.Study designField study.MethodsThe MGS of periparturient mares (n = 241) was assessed daily for conductivity, pH, and Brix index from 320d until parturition. Receiving operating curve cut‐off values for conductivity (≤4.8 mS/cm), pH (≤6.4), and Brix index (>23.6%) were used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for predicting parturition in ≤24 h.ResultsImpending parturition was associated with a reduction in conductivity and pH (p < 0.05), and conductivity was strongly correlated with pH (r = 0.88) and Brix (r = −0.80) (p < 0.05). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for parturition in ≤24 h for conductivity (82%, 91%, 77%, and 92%, respectively), pH (79%, 84%, 81%, and 71%, respectively), and Brix (72%, 79%, 66%, and 83%, respectively) were determined separated and pairwise. Of interest, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV, of combining conductivity and pH, were 80%, 95%, 90%, and 88%, respectively. Conductivity (≤4.8 mS/cm) presented the greatest odds ratio for predicting parturition in ≤24 h, and coupling it with pH (≤6.4 pH units) doubled its odds ratio (i.e., 25.4–62.3).Main limitationsField study.ConclusionThe conductivity of MGS is a sensitive and specific method to predict parturition. This is the first large‐scale study showing that a combination of conductivity and pH is useful for predicting parturition in mares. The methods employed can likely apply to other settings with similar results.
International judicial symposium on family court reform: Final report
Authors: Babb Barbara A. , Applegate Amy G. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOn May 30, 2023, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) co‐sponsored an international symposium to explore the subject of family court reform. Twenty‐eight judges representing eight countries and including numerous North American states and provinces met in Los Angeles, California, to identify the most pressing challenges facing family courts and to document promising approaches to improve practice and outcomes in family court cases. They focused on domestic relations cases, as opposed to child welfare and juvenile justice matters. Prior to the symposium, participants responded to a survey about family court reform efforts in each participant's jurisdiction. Judicial officers attending the symposium represented diverse legal systems with some common and many different practices and challenges. After a day filled with small and large group discussions, participants identified key takeaways and made recommendations emanating from the day's discussions.
Rising minimum temperatures contribute to 50 years of occupancy decline among cold‐adapted Arctic and boreal butterflies in North America
Authors: Shirey Vaughn , Neupane Naresh , Guralnick Robert , Ries Leslie 
Published: February 2024

AbstractGlobal climate change has been identified as a potential driver of observed insect declines, yet in many regions, there are critical data gaps that make it difficult to assess how communities are responding to climate change. Poleward regions are of particular interest because warming is most rapid while biodiversity data are most sparse. Building on recent advances in occupancy modeling of presence‐only data, we reconstructed 50 years (1970–2019) of butterfly occupancy trends in response to rising minimum temperatures in one of the most under‐sampled regions of North America. Among 90 modeled species, we found that cold‐adapted species are far more often in decline compared with their warm‐adapted, more southernly distributed counterparts. Furthermore, in a post hoc analysis using species' traits, we find that species' range‐wide average annual temperature is the only consistent predictor of occupancy changes. Species with warmer ranges were most likely to be increasing in occupancy. This trend results in the majority of butterflies increasing in occupancy probability over the last 50 years. Our results provide the first look at macroscale butterfly biodiversity shifts in high‐latitude North America. These results highlight the potential of leveraging the wealth of presence‐only data, the most abundant source of biodiversity data, for inferring changes in species distributions.
The impact of coronavirus‐19 vaccination on anti‐nuclear cytoplasmic antibody vasculitis hospitalisations in a Sydney health network
Authors: Turner Dane , Luxton Grant , Yong Kenneth , Sammel Anthony 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThere have been reports of COVID‐19 vaccination triggering anti‐nuclear cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV), but no robust studies have examined the link. This retrospective cohort study assessed the impact of COVID vaccination on the rate of denovo and relapsed AAV in a Sydney Local Health District from 2018 to 2022. Despite more than 95% of the population receiving vaccination, the case rate of AAV was stable. These findings do not support a relationship between COVID vaccination and AAV.
Influence of oxygen vacancies on the domain wall stability in BiFeO3
Authors: Zhang Mao‐Hua , Tan Yueze , Yang Tiannan , Chen Long‐Qing 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOxygen vacancy is the most common type of point defects in functional oxides, and it is known to have profound influence on their properties. This is particularly true for ferroelectric oxides since their interaction with ferroelectric polarization often dictates the ferroelectric responses. Here, we study the influence of the concentration of oxygen vacancies on the stability of ferroelectric domain walls (DWs) in BiFeO3, a material with a relatively narrow bandgap among all perovskite oxides, which enables strong interactions among electronic charge carriers, oxygen vacancies, and ferroelectric domains. It is found that the electronic charge carriers in the absence of oxygen vacancies have essentially no influence on the spatial polarization distribution of the DWs due to their low concentrations. Upon increasing the concentration of oxygen vacancies, charge‐neutral DWs with an originally symmetric polarization distribution symmetric around the center of the wall can develop a strong asymmetry of the polarization field, which is mediated by the electrostatic interaction between polarization and electrons from the ionization of oxygen vacancies. Strongly charged head‐to‐head DWs that are unstable without oxygen vacancies can be energetically stabilized in the off‐stoichiometric BiFeO3−δ with δ ∼ 0.02 where ionization of oxygen vacancies provides sufficient free electrons to compensate the bound charge at the wall. Our results delineate the electrostatic coupling of the ionic defects and the associated free electronic charge carriers with the bound charge in the vicinity of neutral and charged DWs in perovskite ferroelectrics.