bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of IL‐17 on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and connective tissue disease‐associated pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Shi Tian‐Yan , Wen Xiao‐Hong , Meng Juan , Lu Yue‐Wu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the role of interleukin (IL)‐17 in connective tissue disease‐associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD‐PAH) and to investigate its possible mechanism on pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).MethodsEnzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to compare levels of serum IL‐17 in patients with CTD‐PAH and healthy controls (HCs). After treatment for 3 months, the serum IL‐17 levels were tested in CTD‐PAH. ELISA and immunohistochemistry were used to compare levels of serum IL‐17 and numbers of pulmonary artery IL‐17+ cells, respectively, in a rat model of monocrotaline‐induced PAH and untreated rats. Proliferation, migration, and inflammatory factors expression of PASMCs were assessed after stimulation with different concentrations of IL‐17 for various time periods. Proteins in the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway were examined by western blot.ResultsLevels of IL‐17 were upregulated in patients with CTD‐PAH compared to HCs. After 3 months of treatment, serum IL‐17 levels were downregulated with pulmonary artery pressure amelioration. Moreover, serum IL‐17 levels and numbers of IL‐17+ cells infiltrating lung arterioles were increased in PAH model rats. IL‐17 could dose‐ and time‐dependently promote proliferation and migration of PASMCs as well as time‐dependently induce IL‐6 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) expression. The levels of MKK6 increased after IL‐17 treatment. Inhibition of MAPK decreased proliferation of PASMCs.ConclusionLevels of IL‐17 may increase in CTD‐PAH, and IL‐17 promotes proliferation, migration, and secretion of IL‐6 and ICAM in PASMCs, respectively, which likely involves the p‐38 MAPK pathway.
Antibodies against high‐risk human papillomavirus proteins as markers for noncervical HPV‐related cancers in a Black South African population, according to HIV status
Authors: Singini Mwiza Gideon , Muchengeti Mazvita , Sitas Freddy , Chen Wenlong Carl , Combes Jean‐Damien , Waterboer Tim , Clifford Gary M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHuman papillomavirus (HPV) proteins may elicit antibody responses in the process toward HPV‐related malignancy. However, HPV seroepidemiology in noncervical HPV‐related cancers remains poorly understood, particularly in populations with a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Using a glutathione S‐transferase‐based multiplex serology assay, antibodies against E6, E7 and L1 proteins of HPV16 and HPV18 were measured in sera of 535 cases of noncervical HPV‐related cancers (anal (n = 104), vulval (n = 211), vaginal (n = 49), penile (n = 37) and oropharyngeal (n = 134)) and 6651 non‐infection‐related cancer controls, from the Johannesburg Cancer Study that recruited Black South African with newly diagnosed cancer between 1995 and 2016. Logistic and Poisson regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in cases versus controls. HPV16 E6 was more strongly associated with noncervical HPV‐related cancers than HPV16 L1 or E7, or HPV18 proteins: anal (females (HPV16 E6 aOR = 11.50;95%CI:6.0–22.2), males (aOR = 10.12;95%CI:4.9–20.8), vulval (aOR = 11.69;95%CI:7.9–17.2), vaginal (aOR = 10.26;95%CI:5.0–21), penile (aOR = 18.95;95%CI:8.9–40), and oropharyngeal (females (aOR = 8.95;95%CI:2.9–27.5), males (aOR = 3.49;95%CI:1.8–7.0)) cancers. HPV16‐E6 seropositivity ranged from 24.0% to 35.1% in anal, vulval, vaginal and penile cancer but was significantly lower (11.2%) in oropharyngeal cancer. After adjustment for HIV, prevalence of which increased from 22.2% in 1995–2005 to 54.1% in 2010–2016, HPV16 E6 seropositivity increased by period of diagnosis (aPR for 2010–2016 vs. 1995–2006 = 1.84;95%CI:1.1–3.0). Assuming HPV16 E6 seroprevalence reflects HPV attributable fraction, the proportion of certain noncervical‐HPV‐related cancers caused by HPV is increasing over time in South Africa. This is expected to be driven by the increasing influence of HIV.
An extensive upgrading of contact diffuse CorrelationTomography system
Authors: Zhang Xiaojuan , Ding Ting , Shang Yu , Gui Zhiguo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDiffuse correlation tomography (DCT) is an emerging tissue blood flow index (BFI) imaging technique that typically requires a large number of source‐detector pairs, resulting in high instrumentation costs. We developed a low‐cost paradigm for upgrading the DCT system with time‐sharing hardware sensors via optical switches, wherein the S‐D configuration was spatially optimized and combined with a novelty Nth‐order linear algorithm for image reconstruction. We verified this system through the phantom experiment and the lower limb skeletal muscle cuff occlusion test. The reconstructed BFI images exhibit the excellent performance of the upgraded DCT system in retrieval of the target location, outline, and anomaly contrast. For the deepest quasi‐solid anomaly, location accuracy was 90% with the αDB‐contrast of 0.75. While, for the deepest liquid tube anomaly, a good linear relationship was achieved between contrast and pump speed, with the αDB‐contrast of 3.29 at 600 mL/h. For human experiments, it was found that the BFI in the relaxed state was ten times higher than in the cuff occlusion state. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed upgraded low‐cost DCT system for diagnosing various diseases associated with local perfusion abnormalities.
Improving undergraduate students' email etiquette with computer‐based instruction
Authors: Farnsworth Thomas G. , Thompson Rachel H. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractEmail etiquette is an important skill, especially in professional settings. Research demonstrates that undergraduate students follow email rules when given written instructions plus an example. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of computer‐based email instruction on undergraduate students' email etiquette and to assess the social validity of that instruction. The email instruction package was delivered through an online learning management system and consisted of written instructions plus a model, a quiz, and quiz feedback. We measured email etiquette by scoring emails from course assignments using a checklist. The instruction package produced a replicated increase in mean email checklist scores across two sections of introductory psychology, and checklist scores were elevated when participants sent emails in a novel context. The results of the social‐validity assessments suggest that the goals were important, the procedures were acceptable, and there were meaningful improvements in email etiquette for some participants.
Exploring experiences that foster recognition in engineering across race and gender
Authors: McIntyre Brianna Benedict , Scalaro Kelsey , Godwin Allison , Kirn Adam , Verdín Dina 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundStudents' recognition beliefs have emerged as one of the most important components of engineering role identity development for early‐career undergraduate students. Recognition beliefs are students' perceptions of how meaningful others, such as peers, instructors, and family, see them as engineers. However, little work has investigated the experiences that facilitate recognition beliefs, particularly across the intersections of race, ethnicity, and gender. Investigation of these experiences provides ways to understand how recognition may be supported in engineering environments and how White and masculine norms in engineering can shape marginalized students' experiences.PurposeWe examined how specific experiences theorized to promote recognition are related to recognition beliefs for students at the intersections of race, ethnicity, and gender. Based on self‐reported demographics, we created 10 groups, including Asian, Black, Latino and Hispanic, Indigenous, and White cisgender men and Asian, Black, Latinè/x/a/o and Hispanic, Indigenous, and White ciswomen, trans, and non‐binary individuals. This article describes the patterns within each intersectional group rather than drawing comparisons across the groups, which can perpetuate raced and gendered stereotypes.MethodsThe data came from a survey distributed in Fall 2017 (n = 2316). Ten multiple regression models were used to understand the recognition experiences that influenced students' recognition beliefs by intersectional group.ResultsThere is no one‐size‐fits‐all approach to developing students' recognition beliefs. For example, family members referring to the student as an engineer are positively related to recognition beliefs for Asian, Black, Latino and Hispanic, and White cisgender men. Friends seeing Asian and White marginalized gender students as an engineer is predictive of recognition beliefs. Other recognition experiences, such as receiving compliments from an engineering instructor or peer about their engineering design and contributions to the team, do not influence the recognition beliefs of these early‐career engineering students.ConclusionThis article emphasizes the need to draw on multiple experiences to support the equitable development of early‐career engineers across race, ethnicity, and gender, and reveals patterns for recognition that may support future scholarship on effective classroom practices for recognition.
Effect of poultry litter soil amendment on antibiotic‐resistant Escherichia coli
Authors: Agga Getahun E. , Durso Lisa M. , Sistani Karamat R. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGiven the high cost and non‐renewability of mineral‐based fertilizers, there is increasing interest in the innovative use of manure‐based materials, such as poultry litter (PL). However, manure‐based fertilizers add both nutrients and microbes to the soil, including antibiotic‐resistant Escherichia coli (AREc). PL soil amendment impact on AREc in corn fields was evaluated in a randomized field experiment (May–October 2017). Two winter cropping systems (fallow and cover crop) were assigned to whole plots, with three spring‐applied fertilizer treatments (untreated control [UC], PL, and commercial fertilizer [CF]) assigned to subplots. Soil was collected from 0 to 15 cm on days 0, 7, 28, 70, 98, and 172 post‐treatment applications. Samples were cultured for the enumeration and prevalence of generic, tetracycline‐resistant (TETr), third‐generation cephalosporin‐resistant (3GCr) E. coli isolates, and extended spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacteriaceae. PL soil amendment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the levels of generic E. coli, TETr E. coli, and 3GCr E. coli on days 7 and 28 compared to UC or CF. Beyond day 28, AREc did not significantly (p > 0.05) differ by fertilizer treatment and returned to baseline on day 70. ESBL‐producing Enterobacteriaceae were detected from 16 samples, mostly on day 70. Cover crop significantly decreased TETr E. coli concentration on day 28, with no significant effects on the prevalence of 3GCr E. coli and ESBL‐producing Enterobacteriaceae compared to no cover crop. All ESBL‐producing Enterobacteriaceae and 79% of the 3GCr E. coli isolates were positive for blaCTX‐M gene by polymerase chain reaction. Results show that PL soil amendment transiently increases the levels of AREc compared to mineral fertilizer.
A decade of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia therapy in Germany: Real‐world treatment patterns and outcomes (2010–2022)
Authors: Wartmann Hannes , Kabilka Anna , Deiters Barthold , Schmitz Norbert , Volmer Timm 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPharmacotherapy options for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) have expanded significantly in recent years. These options include chemotherapy, chemoimmunotherapy and signalling pathway inhibitors. A notable shift in the treatment landscape began with the widespread adoption of ibrutinib in 2016. This analysis of claims data focuses on understanding how the use of novel therapies has evolved in clinical practice over the past decade in Germany. Anonymized claims data (2010–2022) from German statutory health insurance was used, covering patient demographics, treatments, and prescriptions. The study population included patients with two confirmed CLL diagnoses. Treatment patterns were analysed, and survival outcomes were compared using time‐to‐event analyses. In the analysed cohort of 2983 incident CLL patients, 1041 started first‐line therapy between 2011 and 2022, with a median duration of 18 months from diagnosis to the first prescription. Chemoimmunotherapy, the predominant 1L therapy until 2019, decreased significantly, while targeted therapy usage increased from 3% in 2015 to 77% in 2022. Targeted therapies became dominant in patients receiving treatment for relapsed or refractory disease after 2016. Median treatment durations were: 122 days for chemo, 176 days for chemo‐immuno, and 373 days for targeted therapy. The overall survival for patients diagnosed in or after 2016 was significantly better (hazard ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval, 0.44–0.69)). The adoption of targeted therapies like ibrutinib and venetoclax has transformed CLL treatment in Germany, leading to improved patient outcomes. Additionally, we demonstrate successful adherence to evolving clinical guidelines.
Biosynthesis of vitamin B3 and NAD+: incubating HepG2 cells with the alkaloid myosmine
Authors: Zwickenpflug Wolfgang , Hornung Florian , Hollaus Alexandra , Oswald Michaela S. , Chioato Zoé , Gudermann Thomas , Högg Christof 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn the kynurenine pathway, it is reported that the essential amino acid tryptophan forms nicotinic acid (NA, vitamin B3) in biological systems. This pathway is part of the de novo pathway to perform nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biosynthesis. Additionally, biosynthesis of NAD+ via the Preiss–Handler pathway involves NA and its analogue nicotinamide, both designated as niacin. Previous attempts were successful in converting myosmine (MYO) by organic synthesis to NA, and the assumption was that the alkaloid MYO, which is taken in from food, can be converted into NA by biological oxidation.RESULTIncubation of HepG2 cells with MYO yielded NA. Moreover, a significant increase of NAD+ compared with the control has been found.CONCLUSIONHence, MYO could be assumed to be the hitherto unknown origin of an alternative NA biosynthesis additionally influencing NAD+ biosynthesis positively. This novel MYO pathway may open new perspectives to improve knowledge and relevance of NA and NAD+ biosynthesis and bioactivation in cells and, moreover, in food staples, food, and diet. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Sub‐high amylose maize starch: an ideal substrate to generate starch with lower digestibility by fermentation of Qu
Authors: Wu Wenhao , Tian Wenjing , Li Yiheng , Zhao Qiqi , Liu Na , Huang Chenggang , Zhu Liangjia , Guo Dongwei 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe fermentation of Qu (FQ) is a novel method to modify the properties of starch to expand its application and especially to increase the resistant starch (RS) content. Using waxy maize starch (WMS) as a fermentation substrate can increase the RS content significantly but it may be time consuming and not cost effective due to the almost negligible RS content of WMS. To solve this problem, we hypothesized that sub‐high amylose starch (s‐HAMS), with an amylose content close to 50% could be an ideal substrate for FQ.RESULTSThe results showed that FQ did not change the shape and the particle size of starch granules, the gelatinization peak (Tp), or the conclusion temperature (Tc), but the slowly digested starch content declined. Rapidly digested starch content fluctuated during FQ and the amylose content decreased within 36 h and then increased. Within 24h, FQ significanlty increased these values: the RS content, relative crystallinity (RC), the ratio of FTIR absorbances at 1047/1022cm‐1, the diffraction peak at 19.8° in X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and the gelatinization onset temperature (To) increased significantly, within 24 h of FQ. However, after 24 h of fermentation, the RS content, RC, the ratio of FTIR absorbances at 1047/1022 cm−1, and gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH) decreased significantly.CONCLUSIONSub‐high amylose starch is more suitable for FQ to produce low digestibility starch, and the increase in RS may be due to the formation of ‘amylose‐lipid’ complexes (RS5). © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Deep learning of estuary salinity dynamics is physically accurate at a fraction of hydrodynamic model computational cost
Authors: Gorski Galen , Cook Salme , Snyder Amelia , Appling Alison P. , Thompson Theodore , Smith Jared D. , Warner John C. , Topp Simon N. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSalinity dynamics in the Delaware Bay estuary are a critical water quality concern as elevated salinity can damage infrastructure and threaten drinking water supplies. Current state‐of‐the‐art modeling approaches use hydrodynamic models, which can produce accurate results but are limited by significant computational costs. We developed a machine learning (ML) model to predict the 250 mg L−1 Cl− isochlor, also known as the “salt front,” using daily river discharge, meteorological drivers, and tidal water level data. We use the ML model to predict the location of the salt front, measured in river miles (RM) along the Delaware River, during the period 2001–2020, and we compare predictions of the ML model to the hydrodynamic Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere‐Wave‐Sediment Transport (COAWST) model. The ML model predicts the location of the salt front with greater accuracy (root mean squared error [RMSE] = 2.52 RM) than the COAWST model does (RMSE = 5.36); however, the ML model struggles to predict extreme events. Furthermore, we use functional performance and expected gradients, tools from information theory and explainable artificial intelligence, to show that the ML model learns physically realistic relationships between the salt front location and drivers (particularly discharge and tidal water level). These results demonstrate how an ML modeling approach can provide predictive and functional accuracy at a significantly reduced computational cost compared to process‐based models. In addition, these results provide support for using ML models in operational forecasting, scenario testing, management decisions, hindcasting, and resulting opportunities to understand past behavior and develop hypotheses.
Evolutionary adaptation to steady or changing environments affects competitive outcomes in marine phytoplankton
Authors: Hochfeld Isabell , Hinners Jana 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe interplay of phytoplankton competition and adaptation affects how phytoplankton, and ultimately marine ecosystems, respond to global warming. However, current ecosystem models that are run under global warming scenarios do not include both processes simultaneously. To fill this gap, we developed an innovative ecosystem model for the Baltic Sea that simulates competition between three phytoplankton functional groups and allows for adaptation to changing temperatures. As adaptation can be affected by the resuspension of dormant resting cells from the sediment, we explicitly implemented this mechanism. We found that resuspension tends to slow down adaptation, and that competition and adaptation influence each other. The outcome of the competition‐adaptation interplay depends on environmental conditions. In a steady environment, competition drives adaptation to individual temperature niches to reduce competition pressure. In a changing environment, adaptation allows inferior competitors to mitigate the dominance of preadapted superior competitors. Our results demonstrate that by neglecting adaptation, models can systematically overestimate warming‐related changes in taxa dominance. Ecosystem models should include both competition and adaptation to accurately simulate phytoplankton responses to global warming. Our model is ideally suited to integrate emerging evolutionary data based on long‐term data series (e.g., from sediment archives) to further improve projections of future ecosystem change.
Evaluating Mentorship in the Aquatic Sciences in the Context of a Global Pandemic (COVID‐19)
Authors: Cagle Sierra E. , Fadum Jemma M. , Jansen Lara S. , Burnet Sarah H. , Pace Michael L. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic drastically altered human social systems. To better understand ramifications of the pandemic for aquatic scientists, we assessed perceptions of mentorship within the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography, focusing on impacts felt during the pandemic. We also evaluated current preferences and practices (e.g., valued traits, network composition, communication tools) related to mentoring, as a way of gauging change within the community and informing ongoing or future resilience and recovery efforts. In surveying this group, we found the largest pandemic related professional development gaps to be lost opportunities for mentoring, the absence of in‐person meetings, and missed collegial/collaborative interactions. We also assessed which mentorship characteristics were highly valued and found that, “communicative” was the most consistently valued characteristic. Finally, we assessed mentor network composition and code of conduct use. Findings show a limited range of disciplines within most mentees' networks, suggesting lack of access to mentors in outside fields or disciplines, and widespread valuation of codes of conduct but limited implementation. We advocate for mentoring practices that foster personal connections, expand networks, and develop clear plans for mentoring relationships, as a path toward general improvement and resilience within mentoring networks in the face of disruption.
Widespread warming of Earth's estuaries
Authors: Prum Punwath , Harris Lora , Gardner John 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWater temperature responses to climate change may vary across Earth's estuaries. To understand how climate change influences estuarine surface water temperature, we need global, long‐term records of estuarine temperature. Here, we generated surface water temperature data over 1060 estuaries globally using Landsat 5, 7, and 8 from 1985 to 2022 and compared water warming rates with local air temperature warming rates. Forty‐seven percent of Earth's estuaries are warming, with a global average warming rate of 0.070 ± 0.004°C yr−1 (median = 0.060°C yr−1). Estuaries at higher latitudes showed rapid warming. A 1°C increase in air temperature could lead to a 0.81°C increase in estuarine surface water warming and 1.3°C increase in estuaries above 60.5°N. We inferred the potential influences over estuarine warming based on distinct global spatial patterns in water and air warming and discussed the effects of warming water temperature on estuarine metabolism and water quality.