bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Successful treatment with granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis for plaque‐type skin lesions in patients with psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Seishima Mariko , Hachiken Hideki , Furukawa Takuma , Yamamoto Junichiro 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionGranulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis (GMA) is usually performed weekly for refractory skin diseases, such as generalized pustular psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsFour patients with PsA who were refractory to previous treatments were enrolled. They received five or ten sessions of GMA. We assessed the clinical conditions of each patient and laboratory findings before and after GMA.ResultsGMA was effective in plaque‐type skin eruptions in all four patients with PsA. It was also effective in joint symptoms in three patients with PsA with mild symptoms, but was ineffective in one patient with severe joint symptoms.ConclusionGMA may be recommended to PsA patients with skin eruptions and mild joint symptoms.
Bacteriostasis of nisin against planktonic and biofilm bacteria: Its mechanism and application
Authors: Shi Ying , Wen Tao , Zhao Feng , Hu Jia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFood safety incidents caused by bacterial contamination have always been one of the public safety issues of social concern. Planktonic cells, viable but non‐culturable (VBNC) cells, and biofilm cells of bacteria can coexist in food or food processing, posing more serious challenges to public health and safety by increasing bacterial survival and difficulty in detection. As a non‐toxic, no side effect, and highly effective bacteriostatic substance, nisin has received wide attention from researchers. In this review, we summarized the species and biosynthesis of nisin, the effects of nisin alone or in combination with other treatments on planktonic and biofilm cells, and its applications in the fields of food, feed, and medicine by consulting numerous studies. Meanwhile, the mechanism of nisin on planktonic and biofilm cells was proposed based on existing researches. Nisin not only has antibacterial activity against most G+ bacteria but also exhibits a bacteriostatic effect on G− bacteria when combined with other antibacterial treatments. In addition to planktonic cells, nisin also has significant effects on bacterial cells in biofilms by changing the thickness, density, and composition of biofilms. Based on the three action processes of nisin on biofilms, we summarized the changes of bacteria in biofilms, including the causes of bacterial death and the formation of the VBNC state. We consider that research on the relationship between nisin and VBNC state should be strengthened.
Fungi beyond limits: The agricultural promise of extremophiles
Authors: Zenteno‐Alegría Claribel Orquídea , Yarzábal Rodríguez Luis Andrés , Ciancas Jiménez Jimmy , Álvarez Gutiérrez Peggy Elizabeth , Gunde‐Cimerman Nina , Batista‐García Ramón Alberto 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGlobal climate changes threaten food security, necessitating urgent measures to enhance agricultural productivity and expand it into areas less for agronomy. This challenge is crucial in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). Plant growth‐promoting microorganisms (PGPM), bacteria and fungi, emerge as a promising solution to mitigate the impact of climate extremes on agriculture. The concept of the plant holobiont, encompassing the plant host and its symbiotic microbiota, underscores the intricate relationships with a diverse microbial community. PGPM, residing in the rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and endosphere, play vital roles in nutrient solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and biocontrol of pathogens. Novel ecological functions, including epigenetic modifications and suppression of virulence genes, extend our understanding of PGPM strategies. The diverse roles of PGPM as biofertilizers, biocontrollers, biomodulators, and more contribute to sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience. Despite fungi's remarkable plant growth‐promoting functions, their potential is often overshadowed compared to bacteria. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form a mutualistic symbiosis with many terrestrial plants, enhancing plant nutrition, growth, and stress resistance. Other fungi, including filamentous, yeasts, and polymorphic, from endophytic, to saprophytic, offer unique attributes such as ubiquity, morphology, and endurance in harsh environments, positioning them as exceptional plant growth‐promoting fungi (PGPF). Crops frequently face abiotic stresses like salinity, drought, high UV doses and extreme temperatures. Some extremotolerant fungi, including strains from genera like Trichoderma, Penicillium, Fusarium, and others, have been studied for their beneficial interactions with plants. Presented examples of their capabilities in alleviating salinity, drought, and other stresses underscore their potential applications in agriculture. In this context, extremotolerant and extremophilic fungi populating extreme natural environments are muchless investigated. They represent both new challenges and opportunities. As the global climate evolves, understanding and harnessing the intricate mechanisms of fungal‐plant interactions, especially in extreme environments, is paramount for developing effective and safe plant probiotics and using fungi as biocontrollers against phytopathogens. Thorough assessments, comprehensive methodologies, and a cautious approach are crucial for leveraging the benefits of extremophilic fungi in the changing landscape of global agriculture, ensuring food security in the face of climate challenges.
Automated detection of an insect‐induced keystone vegetation phenotype using airborne LiDAR
Authors: Wang Zhengyang , Huben Robert , Boucher Peter B. , Van Amburg Chase , Zeng Jimmy , Chung Nina , Wang Jocelyn , King Jeffrey , Knecht Richard J. , Ng'iru Ivy , Baraza Augustine , Baker Christopher C. M. , Martins Dino J. , Pierce Naomi E. , Davies Andrew B. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Ecologists, foresters and conservation practitioners need ‘biodiversity scanners’ to effectively inventory biodiversity, audit conservation progress and track changes in ecosystem function. Quantifying biological diversity using remote sensing methods remains challenging, especially for small invertebrates. However, insect aggregations can drastically alter landscapes and vegetation, and these ‘extended phenotypes’ could serve as environmental landmarks of insect presence in remotely sensed data.

To test the feasibility of this approach, we studied symbiotic ants that alter the canopy shape of whistling thorn acacias (Acacia [syn. Vachellia] drepanolobium), a keystone tree species of the black cotton soils of east African savannas. We demonstrate a protocol for using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data to collect, prepare (including a customizable tree‐segmentation algorithm) and apply a convolutional neural network‐based classification for the detection of ant‐inhabited acacia tree phenotypic variations. Applying this protocol enabled us to effectively detect intra‐specific tree phenotypic variation induced by insects.

Surveying ant occupancy across 16 ha and 9680 acacia trees took 1000 work hours, whereas surveyed patterns of ant distribution were replicated by our trained classifier using only an hour‐long airborne LiDAR collection time.

We suggest that large‐scale surveys of insect occupancy (including insect‐vectored disease) can be automated through a combination of airborne LiDAR and machine learning.
Endothelial‐specific telomerase inactivation causes telomere‐independent cell senescence and multi‐organ dysfunction characteristic of aging
Authors: Gao Zhanguo , Santos Rafael Bravo , Rupert Joseph , Van Drunen Rachel , Yu Yongmei , Eckel‐Mahan Kristin , Kolonin Mikhail G. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIt has remained unclear how aging of endothelial cells (EC) contributes to pathophysiology of individual organs. Cell senescence results in part from inactivation of telomerase (TERT). Here, we analyzed mice with Tert knockout specifically in EC. Tert loss in EC induced transcriptional changes indicative of senescence and tissue hypoxia in EC and in other cells. We demonstrate that EC‐Tert‐KO mice have leaky blood vessels. The blood–brain barrier of EC‐Tert‐KO mice is compromised, and their cognitive function is impaired. EC‐Tert‐KO mice display reduced muscle endurance and decreased expression of enzymes responsible for oxidative metabolism. Our data indicate that Tert‐KO EC have reduced mitochondrial content and function, which results in increased dependence on glycolysis. Consistent with this, EC‐Tert‐KO mice have metabolism changes indicative of increased glucose utilization. In EC‐Tert‐KO mice, expedited telomere attrition is observed for EC of adipose tissue (AT), while brain and skeletal muscle EC have normal telomere length but still display features of senescence. Our data indicate that the loss of Tert causes EC senescence in part through a telomere length‐independent mechanism undermining mitochondrial function. We conclude that EC‐Tert‐KO mice is a model of expedited vascular senescence recapitulating the hallmarks aging, which can be useful for developing revitalization therapies.
Summer heat during spermatogenesis reduces in vitro blastocyst rates and affects sperm quality of next generation bulls
Authors: Vanselow Jens , Wesenauer Claudia , Eggert Anja , Sharma Arpna , Becker Frank 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundDue to global warming seasonal heat stress is an increasing problem in temperate zones. Heat stress not only decreases fertility in females, but can also be detrimental to male fertility.ObjectivesWe studied the effects of natural summer heat stress during spermatogenesis in Holstein bulls on semen quality parameters and on fertilization performance in vitro and possible intergenerational transmission of effects on the next male generation.Materials and MethodsSemen samples from young Holstein breeding bulls, referred to as F0 founders during this study, were collected during summer (F0 “summer” semen) and the following winter (F0 “winter” semen). Parameters such as ejaculate volume, sperm density, motility, thermoresistance, and in vitro blastocyst rates from these F0 semen samples were determined. In addition, after generation of offspring by artificial insemination, semen samples from F1 male offspring were collected and tested for the same quality and performance parameters to capture intergenerational effects. F1 bulls were raised together under identical conditions and semen was collected at about 1 year after birth.ResultsThe data showed that in vitro blastocyst rates of F0 “summer” semen samples were lower compared with “winter” semen, whereas blastocyst rates of F1 semen samples did not show significant differences. However, whereas F0 semen samples did not indicate significantly different quality parameters we found that motility of F1 semen samples showed significant differences with higher values when collected from bulls generated with F0 “winter” semen.Discussion and ConclusionFrom our data, we conclude that (i) natural summer heat stress during spermatogenesis can affect in vitro fertility parameters and (ii) the observed effects on sperm motility of F1 semen samples suggest intergenerational paternal transmission.
Mid‐term surgical success after transscleral ab interno glaucoma gel stent implantation
Authors: Lenzhofer Markus , Hohensinn Melchior , Steiner Veit , Hitzl Wolfgang , Runge Christian , Trost Andrea , Colvin Hans Peter , Brunner Susanne , Preishuber‐Pflügl Julia , Reitsamer Herbert A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the surgical success and efficacy of XEN45 implantation (XEN45 μm, AbbVie Inc., USA) with and without combined cataract surgery up to the first 5 years.MethodsIn a prospective observational monocentric trial, 192 eyes of 157 patients with open‐angle glaucoma received either XEN45 implants only (solo surgery group) or combined surgery/cataract surgeries (combined surgery group). Surgical success (qualified and full success; IOP‐limit: ≤12, 15, 18, 21 mmHg), time to secondary IOP‐lowering procedure, IOP and number of IOP‐lowering medications were analysed for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years.ResultsCompared to baseline, IOP (24.1 ± 8.1 to 12.6 ± 2.8 mmHg, −48%, p < 0.001) and the number of IOP‐lowering medications (3.0 ± 1.0 to 1.5 ± 1.2, −50%, p < 0.001) decreased significantly at 5 years. Although no differences between IOP and the number of IOP‐lowering medication courses between the groups were detected at 5 years (p > 0.11), the combined procedure (63%, 37%) showed better success rates compared to the solo procedure (36%, 13%) in the definition IOP ≤18 and ≤12 mmHg (p = 0.035, 0.028). Solo XEN45 procedures had a higher rate of secondary IOP‐lowering procedures compared to combined XEN45 cataract procedures (hazard ratio: 2.02, 95%CI: 1.03–3.97, p = 0.04). Twenty per cent of the eyes, including both procedures, required a secondary IOP‐lowering procedure within 5 years.ConclusionsThe XEN45 implant is effective in lowering IOP and the number of IOP‐lowering medications in patients with open‐angle glaucoma in the mid‐term. Comparing XEN45 implant results with the results of trabeculectomy available in current literature, we speculate that there might be a higher surgical success rate without medications in favour of trabeculectomy.
The affective labor of commoning: Street art in illiberal Hungary
Authors: Lukacs Gabriella 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn Hungary, street art has emerged as a unique form of political activism since 2010, when the authoritarian populist Fidesz‐KDNP government rose to power. This essay examines the street art projects of a political party, the MKKP, that transformed this genre into a practice of commoning and a mode of critique to call out the government for not maintaining the commons for the benefit of all. The MKKP's street art projects harness affective labor, which strategically links projects of repairing decaying public property with the political program of fostering active citizenship. Yet the affective labor of commoning is not recognized as a valorized form of political labor and the MKKP has not been able to gain representation in parliament. Against this backdrop, the MKKP uses satire as a strategy to emasculate an authoritarian government and a sexist political culture that does not acknowledge the political value of affective labor. The MKKP's street art projects, I conclude, shed light on the paradox that the affective labor of building democracy does not always benefit the ones who perform this labor. Nevertheless, the MKKP's activists generate other benefits following different temporalities as they expand political participation and make it more inclusive.
Statin use and the risk of Parkinson's disease in persons with diabetes: A nested case–control study
Authors: Honkamaa Kim , Paakinaho Anne , Tolppanen Anna‐Maija , Kettunen Raimo , Hartikainen Sirpa , Tiihonen Miia 
Published: March 2024

AimsPersons with diabetes may have an elevated risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). Statin use could also modify the progression of PD. The aim was to study whether there is an association between statin exposure and risk of PD in persons with diabetes.MethodsA nationwide, nested case–control study restricted to people with diabetes was performed as part of nationwide register‐based Finnish study on PD (FINPARK). Study included 2017 PD cases and their 7934 matched controls without PD. Persons with PD were diagnosed between 1999 and 2015, and statin use (1995–2015) was determined from Prescription Register. In the main analysis, exposure at least 3 years before outcome was considered. Cumulative exposure was categorized into tertiles, and associations were analysed with conditional logistic regression (adjusted with comorbidities and number of antidiabetic drugs).ResultsPrevalence of statin use was similar in PD cases and controls, with 54.2% of cases and 54.4% controls exposed before the lag time (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92–1.15). Those in the highest cumulative statin exposure tertile had higher risk of PD than statin nonusers (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.04–1.43), or those in the lowest cumulative statin exposure tertile (aOR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.07–1.57).ConclusionOur nationwide study that controlled for diabetes duration and used 3‐year lag between exposure and outcome to account for reverse causality does not provide support for the hypothesis that statin use decreases the risk of PD.
A novel approach combining network pharmacology and experimental validation to study the protective effect of ginsenoside Rb1 against cantharidin‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice
Authors: Xiong Lijuan , Lin Kexin , He Tianmu , Liu Xingyan , Yuan Rui , Li Xiaofei , Zhang Jianyong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCantharidin (CTD) is a widely used anticancer compound, but its clinical use is mainly limited due to hepatotoxicity. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) shows potential hepatoprotective effects. Nonetheless, the protective effect and underlying mechanism of GRb1 against CTD‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice have not been investigated. This study aims to elucidate the effect and mechanism of GRb1 on CTD‐induced hepatotoxicity using network pharmacology and in vivo experiments. Network pharmacology studies have shown that 263 targets were the main mechanisms by which GRb1 alleviates CTD‐induced hepatotoxicity. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that 75 hub genes were mainly enriched in TNF, IL‐17 and apoptosis signalling pathways. Molecular docking analysis showed that GRb1 exhibited high affinity with Akt1, Tnf, Il6, Bcl2 and Caspase3. In addition, results from animal studies demonstrated that GRb1 could ameliorate CTD‐induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting protein expression of Caspase‐3, Caspase‐8, Bcl‐2/Bax, GRP78, ATF6, ATF4, CHOP, IRE1α and PERK. This research revealed the mechanism of GRb1 against CTD‐induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and it may provide a scientific rationale for the potential use of GRb1 in the treatment of hepatotoxicity induced by CTD.
Long term for patients with futile endovascular reperfusion after stroke
Authors: Zhang Mengke , Che Ruiwen , Xu Jiali , Guo Wenting , Chen Xi , Zhao Wenbo , Ren Changhong , Jia Milan , Ji Xunming 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimsWith the progress of thrombectomy technology, the vascular recanalization rate of patients with stroke has been continuously improved, but the proportion of futile recanalization (FR) is still quite a few. The long‐term prognosis and survival of patients with FR and its influencing factors remain unclear.MethodsConsecutive patients who received endovascular treatment (EVT) for ischemic stroke were enrolled between 2013 and 2021 from a single‐center prospectively registry study. We evaluated the long‐term outcome of these patients by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and the multivariable logistic regression curve was performed to analyze influencing factors.ResultsAmong 458 patients with FR, 56.4% of patients survived at 1 year, and 50.4% at 2 years. In the multivariate regression analysis, age, premorbid modified Rankin Scale (mRS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), posterior circulation infarct, general anesthesia, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and decompressive craniectomy were found to be related to unfavorable outcomes in long‐term. Age, premorbid mRS, NIHSS, general anesthesia, and sICH were predictors of long‐term mortality.ConclusionsFutile recanalization accounts for a large proportion of stroke patients after thrombectomy. This study on the long‐term prognosis of such patients is beneficial to the formulation of treatment plans and the prediction of therapeutic effects.
Oral or injectable semaglutide for the management of type 2 diabetes in routine care: A multicentre observational study comparing matched cohorts
Authors: Fadini Gian Paolo , Bonora Benedetta Maria , Ghiani Mariangela , Anichini Roberto , Melchionda Elena , Fattor Bruno , Fazion Stefano , Meregalli Giancarla , Giaccari Andrea , Avogaro Angelo , Consoli Agostino ,   the GLIMPLES study investigators
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimTo investigate the real‐world utilization and comparative clinical outcomes of injectable and oral semaglutide in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with the aim of enhancing understanding of the practical implications associated with choosing between these formulations.MethodsNew users of oral or injectable semaglutide were selected from a cohort of 14 079 initiators of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists. Propensity‐score matching (PSM) was employed to create balanced groups, ensuring comparability. The analysis encompassed dose exposure, drug persistence, and clinical outcomes, including changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and body weight, with up to 18 months’ follow‐up.ResultsWe analysed two matched groups of 107 participants each, who comprised on average 63.6% men, aged 64 years, with diabetes duration of approximately 10 years, body mass index of 29 kg/m2 and HbA1c level of 7.7–7.8% (61‐62 mmol/mol). The proportion of low, intermediate and high doses were similar with the oral and the injectable formulation. The change in HbA1c was similar between groups (−0.9% / ‐10 mmol/mol at 18 months) as was the proportion of individuals reaching HbA1c <6.5% (48 mmol/mol). The average change in body weight was similar in the two groups (−3.7 kg with injectable and −3.3 kg with oral at 18 months) but more new users of injectable semaglutide lost ≥5% body weight. Persistence on drug was longer with injectable than with oral semaglutide.ConclusionIn a real‐world setting, improvements in HbA1c and body weight were similar after initiation of oral or injectable semaglutide. These results may be specific to the features of the matched cohorts under investigation, with limited generalizability to populations with different characteristics.
Collected knowledge on the impacts of agricultural soil management practices in Europe
Authors: Paz Ana Marta , Castanheira Nádia , Miloczki Julia , Carrasco Mariana , Vicente Carolina , Carranca Corina , Gonçalves Maria Conceição , Mihelič Rok , Visser Saskia , Keesstra Saskia , Chenu Claire 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSoil plays a central role in most aspects of human societies, and there is a large body of literature about sustainable soil management. Nevertheless, soil is currently facing degradation arising from different threats, which undermines sustainable development globally. In order to design effective research and policy strategies, it is necessary to identify the current knowledge level about sustainable soil management. This study summarises the key findings from a systematic stocktake of available knowledge about agricultural soil management practices in 23 European countries, which included the identification of soil management practices in use, the associated impacts and the soil challenges addressed. The aim of the study was to understand the current state of knowledge about the impacts of soil management practices, investigated and/or implemented across Europe. The results were analysed at the European level and were also grouped into European Regions and Environmental Zones. Key findings from this study were the identification of knowledge gaps that are key to climate mitigation and adaptation. There is a knowledge gap about soil management practices to avoid greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils, as the few reported studies evidence the complexity of the processes governing these emissions. Further knowledge is needed on the impact of tillage practices on long‐term carbon storage and distribution along the soil profile, as the reported knowledge was not consensual about carbon storage in deeper soil layers.