bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lineage‐specific requirements of Alx4 function in craniofacial and hair development
Authors: Lan Yu , Wu Zhaoming , Liu Han , Jiang Rulang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundDisruption of ALX4 causes autosomal dominant parietal foramina and autosomal recessive frontonasal dysplasia with alopecia, but the mechanisms involving ALX4 in craniofacial and other developmental processes are not well understood. Although mice carrying distinct mutations in Alx4 have been previously reported, the perinatal lethality of homozygous mutants together with dynamic patterns of Alx4 expression in multiple tissues have hindered systematic elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involving Alx4 in organogenesis and disease pathogenesis.ResultsWe report generation of Alx4f/f conditional mice and show that tissue‐specific Cre‐mediated inactivation of Alx4 in cranial neural crest and limb bud mesenchyme, respectively, recapitulated craniofacial and limb developmental defects as found in Alx4‐null mice but without affecting postnatal survival. While Alx4‐null mice that survive postnatally exhibited dorsal alopecia, mice lacking Alx4 function in the neural crest lineage exhibited a highly restricted region of hair loss over the anterior skull whereas mice lacking Alx4 in the cranial mesoderm lineage exhibited normal hair development, suggesting that Alx4 plays partly redundant roles in multiple cell lineages during hair follicle development.ConclusionThe Alx4f/f mice provide a valuable resource for systematic investigation of cell type‐ and stage‐specific function of ALX family transcription factors in development and disease.
Efficacy and safety of the Aria pulmonary endovascular device in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Gerges Christian , Vollmers Karl , Skoro‐Sajer Nika , Dannenberg Varius , Hartig Valerie , Pritzker Marc R. , Scandurra John , Weir E. Kenneth , Lang Irene M. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTAimsA common feature of various forms of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is progressive decline of pulmonary arterial compliance (CPA), which correlates with reduced survival. In this acute study, we evaluated feasibility, safety and haemodynamic performance of the Aria pulmonary endovascular device in patients with PH associated with left heart disease (PH‐LHD) and chronic lung disease (PH‐CLD).Methods and resultsEight patients with PH‐LHD and 10 patients with PH‐CLD were included in this study. The device was placed in the main pulmonary artery via the right femoral vein and was connected by a catheter to a gas‐filled reservoir outside the body. During systole, gas shifts from the balloon to the reservoir, leading to deflation of the balloon. In diastole, the gas returns from the reservoir to the balloon, leading to balloon inflation and enhancing diastolic blood flow to the distal pulmonary capillary bed. Haemodynamics were assessed at baseline, and again with device off, device on and device off. The primary safety endpoint was the incidence of serious adverse events through 30 days after the procedure. No complications or investigational device‐related serious adverse events occurred. Device activation in PH‐LHD and PH‐CLD patients decreased pulmonary arterial pulse pressure by 5.6 ± 4.2 mmHg (−12%; p = 0.003) and 4.2 ± 2.2 mmHg (−11%; p < 0.001), increased CPA by 0.4 ± 0.2 ml/mmHg (+23%; p = 0.004) and 0.4 ± 0.3 ml/mmHg (+25%; p = 0.001), and increased right ventricular‐to‐pulmonary vascular (RV‐PV) coupling by 0.24 ± 0.18 (+40%; p = 0.012) and 0.11 ± 0.07 (+21%; p = 0.001), respectively.ConclusionsTemporary implantation of the Aria endovascular device was feasible and safe. Device activation resulted in acute improvement of CPA and RV‐PV coupling.
Validation of Salamander Dermal Mucus Swabs as a Novel, Nonlethal Approach for Amphibian Metabolomics and Glutathione Analysis Following Pesticide Exposure
Authors: Van Meter Robin J. , Glinski Donna A. , Wanat Jennifer J. , Thomas Purucker S. , Matthew Henderson W. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Evaluating biomarkers of stress in amphibians is critical to conservation, yet current techniques are often destructive and/or time-consuming, which limits ease of use. In the present study, we validate the use of dermal swabs in spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) for biochemical profiling, as well as glutathione (GSH) stress response following pesticide exposure. Thirty-three purchased spotted salamanders were acclimated to laboratory conditions at Washington College (Chestertown, MD, USA) for 4 weeks. Following acclimation, salamanders were randomly sorted into three groups for an 8-h pesticide exposure on soil: control with no pesticide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), or chlorpyrifos. Before and after exposure, mucus samples were obtained by gently rubbing a polyester-tipped swab 50 times across the ventral and dorsal surfaces. Salamanders were humanely euthanized and dissected to remove the brain for acetylcholinesterase and liver for GSH and hepatic metabolome analyses, and a whole-body tissue homogenate was used for pesticide quantification. Levels of GSH were present in lower quantities on dermal swabs relative to liver tissues for chlorpyrifos, 2,4-D, and control treatments. However, 2,4-D exposures demonstrated a large effect size increase for GSH levels in livers (Cohen's d = 0.925, p = 0.036). Other GSH increases were statistically insignificant, and effect sizes were characterized as small for 2,4-D mucosal swabs (d = 0.36), medium for chlorpyrifos mucosal swabs (d = 0.713), and negligible for chlorpyrifos liver levels (d = 0.012). The metabolomics analyses indicated that the urea cycle, alanine, and glutamate metabolism biological pathways were perturbed by both sets of pesticide exposures. Obtaining mucus samples through dermal swabbing in amphibians is a viable technique for evaluating health in these imperiled taxa. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1126–1137. © 2024 SETAC
Disability studies in war and care: How to do work otherwise? A conversation between anthropology‐and‐disability‐studies scholars in relation to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Authors: Zaremba‐Kosovych Hanna , Verbilovich Volha , Phillips Sarah D. , Hemment Julie 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis piece weaves together the voices of four feminist disability studies scholars and anthropologists whose work has been profoundly shaped by Russia's war of aggression. Composed via a dialogic encounter, it is based on a panel presentation on the topic of disability studies in war and care that took place at the University of Massachusetts Amherst just before the 1‐year mark of the full‐scale invasion. We came together to share insights and consider the best ways to practice horizontal solidarity, our approach inspired by recent work on feminist epistemology and methodology and scholarship on care, and disability studies. The text assumes a dialogic form, presenting our reflections as well as the contexts that shape our knowledge production and sharing the process of scaffolding our “Dis‐Fem” conversation. In dialogue with the decolonizing discussions that animate feminist, anthropological, and Slavic Studies, as well as critical disability scholarship, it centers on the work of Ukrainian scholar‐activists associated with the organization of people with disabilities (OPD) Fight For Right. In foregrounding their work, it traces the creative ways they've mobilized data and the experimental and collaborative data practices they've harnessed. Finally, it asks questions about trans‐local solidarities we can enact and ways we might forge novel, “otherwise” ways to collaborate.
The role of husk traits in maize susceptibility to Fusarium verticillioides: A multi‐location study in northern Italy
Authors: Magarini Andrea , Colombo Federico , Cassani Elena , Ghidoli Martina , Landoni Michela , Sangiorgio Stefano , Pilu Roberto 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFusarium disease and the consequent mycotoxin accumulation pose significant problem in maize cultivation, with fumonisins produced by Fusarium verticillioides posing a global health concern. To address this issue, a range of preventive measures (e.g. crop management techniques) can be implemented to minimize fungal infections. A promising strategy to counteract this issue involves the selection of genotypes with greater resistance to fungal pathogens. This approach has the potential to reduce the reliance on chemical inputs for controlling fungus growth or indirect infection vectors. Leveraging genetic approaches can help improve the economic sustainability of agriculture in the face of climate change challenges. In the present work, we assessed the importance of two husk leaf traits (coverage and number), their association with F. verticillioides infection, fumonisin content, and their potential influence on crop yield. The study was conducted in three locations in the North of Italy and 38 hybrids with varying resistance to F. Verticillioides were compared. The results obtained showed that husk coverage has a pivotal role not only in protecting maize ears from Fusarium infection but have also a significant impact on crop yield: a significant positive correlation was found between husk coverage and yield in all three locations (r = 0.33185; r = 0.51327 and r = 0.51207, respectively). Furthermore, in the field of Vicenza, a significant negative correlation was found between husk coverage and Fusarium severity (r = −0.41492). Husk coverage emerges as an important trait that merits inclusion in maize breeding programs, given its protective role against fungal infections and its favourable influence on both yield and grain quality.
Adenosine receptors are the on‐and‐off switch of astrocytic cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor effect upon synaptic plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Gonçalves‐Ribeiro Joana , Savchak Oksana K. , Costa‐Pinto Sara , Gomes Joana I. , Rivas‐Santisteban Rafael , Lillo Alejandro , Sánchez Romero Javier , Sebastião Ana M. , Navarrete Marta , Navarro Gemma , Franco Rafael , Vaz Sandra H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is involved in cognitive functions such as working memory. Astrocytic cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) induces cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) concentration changes with an impact on neuronal function. mPFC astrocytes also express adenosine A1 and A2A receptors (A1R, A2AR), being unknown the crosstalk between CB1R and adenosine receptors in these cells. We show here that a further level of regulation of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling occurs through CB1R‐A2AR or CB1R‐A1R heteromers that ultimately impact mPFC synaptic plasticity. CB1R‐mediated Ca2+ transients increased and decreased when A1R and A2AR were activated, respectively, unveiling adenosine receptors as modulators of astrocytic CB1R. CB1R activation leads to an enhancement of long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the mPFC, under the control of A1R but not of A2AR. Notably, in IP3R2KO mice, that do not show astrocytic Ca2+ level elevations, CB1R activation decreases LTP, which is not modified by A1R or A2AR. The present work suggests that CB1R has a homeostatic role on mPFC LTP, under the control of A1R, probably due to physical crosstalk between these receptors in astrocytes that ultimately alters CB1R Ca2+ signaling.
The impact of juvenile curfews on teenage birth rates
Authors: Gamino Aaron M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractI examine the effect of city‐level juvenile curfews on teenage birth rates using the National Center for Health Statistics birth data from 1982 to 2002. I compare differences in birth rates between younger and older age groups in cities with and without curfew ordinances. Before curfew adoption, the age differential in birth rates trended similarly for cities that did and did not adopt a curfew. There were significant decreases in the age differential birth rates in cities that adopted a curfew relative to cities that did not. Curfews reduced birth rates by approximately 3 births per 1000 women ages 15–17. I find a decrease in birth rates among white women. The main results are corroborated using a variety of robustness checks and specifications.
Soil-specific outcomes in the OECD 216 Nitrogen Transformation Test
Authors: Sweeney Christopher J. , Bottoms Melanie , Schulz Lennart 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 216 test guideline investigates the impact of agrochemicals on soil nitrogen transformation. After an evaluation of 465 OECD 216 studies, we describe two distinct yet contrasting outcomes in control nontreated samples that are possible in this testing framework, which we term the “rise” (consistent increases in nitrate concentrations throughout the test period) and “dip” (initial decline in nitrate concentration between Days 0–7, followed by a net-generation of nitrate across Days 7–28) responses. We raise significant concerns that control data from standardized, internationally recognized test guidelines can demonstrate such dissimilar patterns. We propose that, when present, the dip response undermines the intended functioning of the test system and removes the ability to draw appropriate ecotoxicological inferences from the data. In this work, we hypothesize the dip response is a product of conducting the study in low nitrogen content soils. Our results indicate that the dip response can be alleviated by using ammonium sulfate as an immediately available inorganic nitrogen source in place of the guideline-mandated complex, organic lucerne meal, demonstrating the influence of nitrogen availability and accessibility. However, not all low nitrogen soils exhibited the dip response, indicating the involvement of additional unidentified factors. Using our data and real-world regulatory examples, we advocate that datasets displaying the dip response should not be considered valid OECD 216 studies due to the influence of soil properties precluding an assessment of whether any impacts observed are driven solely by the test compound in question or are instead a product of the soil used. We propose methods to account for these soil-specific responses that could be integrated into the conduct and interpretation of OECD 216 studies. Such amendments will improve the reliability and robustness of the study system and enhance confidence in ecotoxicological conclusions derived from OECD 216 datasets. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1611–1624. © 2024 SETAC
Key Points
We report on two soil-specific outcomes within control data originating in the OECD 216 Nitrogen Transformation Test, which we term the “dip” and “rise” responses. We suggest the dip response represents the test system behaving in an adverse and unintended manner and can affect ecotoxicological inferences made from the data. We demonstrate the dip response is linked to nitrogen availability and accessibility; however, our data also demonstrate the involvement of additional, unidentified factors. We propose amendments to the OECD 216 guideline to better account for the differential performance of soils within the test system and improve the reliability and robustness of OECD 216 data.
Self‐assembled monolayers for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Xu Dongdong , Wu Pu , Tan Hairen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn metal‐halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs), various carrier recombination losses occur at the interface between metal oxides (MOs) and perovskite (PVK) due to the imperfect lattice structure of the crystal surface. Additionally, the nonoptimal energy levels of MOs and PVK, as well as ion diffusion and chemical corrosion between the two materials, severely hinder carrier transport at the interface. Therefore, there is an urgent need to introduce multifunctional materials between MOs and PVK to mitigate interface defects, carrier transport limitations, chemical corrosion, and other related issues. In recent years, self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) have emerged as essential organic interfacial materials for effectively bridging MOs and PVK, playing a pivotal role in enhancing cells’ performance. Based on this, we provide a detailed overview of the origin and development of SAMs in PSCs and summarize the importance and potential of SAMs from various aspects, including their chemical structure, interface passivation, energy level tuning, and interface corrosion. We finally discuss the prospects of SAMs in terms of molecular structure, deposition methods, and their application in narrow‐band gap PSCs. With these insights, it is anticipated that SAMs will assist in realizing larger, highly efficient, stable, and cost‐effective PSCs, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of PSCs in the solar photovoltaics market.
Nowcasting directional change in high frequency FX markets
Authors: Tsang Edward P. K. , Ma Shuai , Chinthalapati V. L. Raju 
Published: March 2024

SummaryDirectional change (DC) is an alternative to time series in recording transactions: it only records the transactions at which price changes to the opposite direction of the current trend by a threshold specified by the observer. DC can only be confirmed in hindsight: one does not know that direction has changed until it is confirmed by a later transaction. The transaction in which the price confirms a DC is called a DC confirmation point. DC nowcasting is an attempt to recognize DC before the DC confirmation point. Accurate DC nowcasting will benefit trading. In this paper, we propose a method for DC nowcasting. This method is entirely data driven: it is based on the historical distribution of DC‐related indicators. Empirical results suggest that DC nowcasting is possible, even under a naïve rule. This opens the door to a promising research direction on an important topic.
Cancer anorexia‐cachexia syndrome is characterized by more than one inflammatory pathway
Authors: Gagnon Bruno , Murphy Jessica , Simonyan David , Penafuerte Claudia A. , Sirois Jacinthe , Chasen Martin , Tremblay Michel L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe interdependence of cytokines and appetite‐modifying hormones implicated in cancer anorexia‐cachexia syndrome (CACS) remains unclear. This study aimed to regroup these cytokines and hormones into distinct inflammatory (or non‐inflammatory) pathways and determine whether these pathways can classify patients with CACS phenotypes.MethodsClinical characteristics of 133 patients [61.7% male; mean age = 63.4 (SD: 13.1) years] with advanced cancer prior to oncology treatments were documented, including weight loss history. Patients completed the Functional Assessment of Anorexia‐Cachexia Therapy (FAACT) questionnaire and Timed Up and Go test and had their sex‐standardized skeletal muscle index (z‐SMI) and fat mass index (z‐FMI) derived using computed tomography scans. Their plasma levels of cytokines and appetite‐modifying hormones were also determined. Date of death was recorded. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to regroup 15 cytokines and hormone into distinct inflammatory pathways (factors). For each patient, regression factor scores (RFS), which tell how strongly the patient associates with each factor, were derived. Two‐step cluster analysis on the RFS was used to classify patients into groups. CACS phenotypes were correlated with RFS and compared between groups. Groups' survival was estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.ResultsPatients had low z‐SMI (mean = −3.78 cm2/m2; SD: 8.88) and z‐FMI (mean = 0.08 kg2/m2; SD: 56.25), and 62 (46.6%) had cachexia. EFA identified three factors: (F‐1) IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, Il‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐12, TGFβ1 (positive contribution), and IL‐18 (negative); (F‐2) IL‐8, IL‐18, MCP‐1, TGFβ1, TNF‐α (positive), and ghrelin (negative); and (F‐3) TRAIL and leptin (positive), and TGFβ1 and adiponectin (negative). RFS‐1 was associated with cachexia (P = 0.002); RFS‐2, with higher CRP (P < 0.0001) and decreased physical function (P = 0.01); and RFS‐3 with better appetite (P = 0.04), lower CRP (P = 0.002), higher z‐SMI (P = 0.04) and z‐FMI (P < 0.0001), and less cachexia characteristics (all P < 0.001). Four patient groups were identified with specific RFS clusters aligning with the CACS continuum from no cachexia to pre‐cachexia, cachexia, and terminal cachexia. Compared to the other two groups, groups 1 and 2 had higher plasma levels of IL‐18 and TRAIL. Group 1 also had lower inflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, and CRP compared to the other three groups. Group 3 had inflammatory cytokine levels similar to group 2, except for TNF‐α and leptin which were lower. Group 4 had very high inflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, and CRP compared to the other 3 groups (all P < 0.0001). Groups 3 and 4 had worse cachexia characteristics (P < 0.05) and shorter survival (log rank: P = 0.0009) than the other two groups.ConclusionsThis exploratory study identified three distinct pathways of inflammation, or lack thereof, characterizing different CACS phenotypes.
Prediction of severity of dengue infection in children based on hepatic involvement
Authors: Alam Rubaiyat , Fathema Kaniz , Yasmin Afsana , Roy Urmi , Hossen Kamal , Rukunuzzaman Md 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground and AimTo assess the spectrum of hepatic involvement in children with dengue fever (DF) and prediction of severity of dengue infection by early detection of elevated liver enzymes.MethodsThis prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from June 2019 to September 2019. Children admitted with DF were included. Severity of DF was graded as dengue without warning sign (DNWS), with warning sign (DWS), and severe dengue fever (SDF) according to WHO criteria. Liver injury (LI) was defined as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) more than upper limit of normal irrespective of sex.ResultsOf 190 children (male, 109) with DF, 60 had DNWS, 49 had DWS, and 81 had SDF. A total of 100 children (52.6%) had LI. The distribution of hepatic involvement spectrum involves hepatomegaly (26.3%), hepatic tenderness (25.2%), features of acute liver failure (1.5%), raised level of ALT (52.6%), raised level of aspartateaminotransferase (AST) (65.8%), prolonged prothrombin time (7.3%), and reduced level of serum albumin (44.7%) in children. Of them, 5.8% and 6.8% of children had >tenfold increase in ALT and AST values. The degree of liver function derangement significantly (P < 0.05) increased with DF severity. In our study, ALT at 422 IU/L (10 times upper limit of normal [ULN]) and AST 689 IU/L (17 times ULN) had similar sensitivity and specificity as WHO recommended cutoff of 1000 IU/L (25 times of ULN) to detect SDF.ConclusionALT ≥10 times and AST ≥17 times of ULN are as sensitive as ≥25 times (as recommended by WHO) to detect SDF.