bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of 300 IR house dust mite immunotherapy as a function of disease activity: Tertile analysis in clinical trials
Authors: Devillier Philippe , Demoly Pascal , Gentil Catherine , Bergmann Karl‐Christian , Casale Thomas B. , Okamoto Yoshitaka , Pfaar Oliver 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe symptoms of house dust mite (HDM)‐induced allergic rhinitis (AR) vary with changes in exposure related to the weather or the domestic environment. In allergen immunotherapy (AIT) studies, a certain level of AR disease activity is necessary to demonstrate treatment efficacy; the latter can be underestimated if a substantial proportion of the patient population is weakly symptomatic.ObjectiveTo better estimate the real treatment effect of a HDM sublingual AIT (SLIT) tablet, we analysed the results of natural field studies in detail by applying a tertile approach.MethodsWe used data from three randomised, controlled trials (RCT) in a total of 2585 patients with AR treated with the 300 index of reactivity (IR) HDM SLIT‐tablet or placebo. The study centres were grouped into tertiles according to the level of combined symptom and medication scores in patients in the placebo group. In each tertile, the difference between SLIT and placebo was assessed through an analysis of covariance.ResultsIn the three RCTs, combined scores were found to be similar in the SLIT and placebo groups in the low tertiles. The treatment effect of the 300 IR HDM tablet increased in the medium and high tertiles, with notably significant differences versus placebo in the highest tertile and greater (ranging from −21% to −39%) than in the entire study population (−13% to −20%). The positive relationship between treatment efficacy and the combined score in each tertile was independent of the RCT and the score used.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceApplication of the tertile approach to AIT studies in a field in which many variables interact strongly might provide more accurate and meaningful measurements of efficacy and benefit for patients, better reflecting their real‐life condition.
Tracing the path of disruption: 13C isotope applications in traumatic brain injury‐induced metabolic dysfunction
Authors: Peper Charles J. , Kilgore Mitchell D. , Jiang Yinghua , Xiu Yuwen , Xia Winna , Wang Yingjie , Shi Mengxuan , Zhou Di , Dumont Aaron S. , Wang Xiaoying , Liu Ning 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCerebral metabolic dysfunction is a critical pathological hallmark observed in the aftermath of traumatic brain injury (TBI), as extensively documented in clinical investigations and experimental models. An in‐depth understanding of the bioenergetic disturbances that occur following TBI promises to reveal novel therapeutic targets, paving the way for the timely development of interventions to improve patient outcomes. The 13C isotope tracing technique represents a robust methodological advance, harnessing biochemical quantification to delineate the metabolic trajectories of isotopically labeled substrates. This nuanced approach enables real‐time mapping of metabolic fluxes, providing a window into the cellular energetic state and elucidating the perturbations in key metabolic circuits. By applying this sophisticated tool, researchers can dissect the complexities of bioenergetic networks within the central nervous system, offering insights into the metabolic derangements specific to TBI pathology. Embraced by both animal studies and clinical research, 13C isotope tracing has bolstered our understanding of TBI‐induced metabolic dysregulation. This review synthesizes current applications of isotope tracing and its transformative potential in evaluating and addressing the metabolic sequelae of TBI.
Respiratory muscles's thermographic analysis in asthmatic youth with and without bronchospasm induced by eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea
Authors: Santos Camila M. de A. , Quirino Polyanna G. C. , Rizzo José Â. , Medeiros Décio , Ferreira José J. de A. , Costa Manoel da C. , Gaua Nádia , Freya Bayne , Martins Marcelle de O. , Junior Marco A. C. V. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the thermographic pattern of regions of interest (ROI) of respiratory muscles in young asthmatics with and without bronchospasm induced by eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH).Materials and MethodsCross‐sectional study carried out with 55 young (55% male and 45% females) aged 12.5 ± 3.3 years, divided in nine nonasthmatics, 22 asthmatics without exercise‐induced bronchospasm compatible response (EIB‐cr) and 24 asthmatics with EIB‐cr. The diagnosis of EIB was given to subjects with a fall in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) ≥ 10% compared to baseline. Thermographic recordings of respiratory muscles were delimited in ROI of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), pectoral, and rectus abdominis intention area. Thermal captures and FEV1 were taken before and 5, 10, 15 and 30 min after EVH.ResultsTwenty‐four (52.1%) of asthmatics had EIB‐cr. There was a decrease in temperature at 10 min after EVH test in the SCM, pectoral and rectus abdominis ROIs in all groups (both with p < 0.05). There was a decrease in temperature (% basal) in asthmatic with EIB‐cr compared to nonasthmatics in the rectus abdominis area (p < 0.05).ConclusionThere was a decrease in temperature in the ROIs of different muscle groups, especially in asthmatics. The greater drop in FEV1 observed in individuals with EIB‐cr was initially associated with a decrease in skin temperature, with a difference between the nonasthmatics in the abdominal muscle area. It is likely that this decrease in temperature occurred due to a temporary displacement of blood flow to the most used muscle groups, with a decrease in the region of the skin evaluated in the thermography.
First evidence of recruitment in critically endangered Galápagos pink land iguanas (Conolophus marthae)
Authors: Garizio Lorenzo , Gargano Marco , Colosimo Giuliano , Gratton Paolo , Gerber Glenn Philip , Lewbart Gregory , Sevilla Christian , Gentile Gabriele 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe present the first estimate of population dynamics parameters for critically endangered Galápagos pink land iguanas, Conolophus marthae, leveraging mark‐recapture data collected between 2006 and 2021. Demographic parameters were estimated using the POPAN formulation of the Jolly–Seber model. This approach provided a solid and robust estimate, consolidating the results obtained from previous estimates based on the Lincoln–Petersen method evaluating only two sampling occasions. Our results suggest that the abundance of males was higher than that of females at each sampling occasion, probably due to differences in sex‐specific behavior during the reproductive season. Our analyses also provide no evidence of a change in population size during the sampling period, estimated at 150–270 adult individuals, while suggesting positive entry rates. Finally, by comparing the biometric features of first‐captured versus recaptured iguanas, we found that the former have more juvenile‐like characteristics (i.e., they are, on average, smaller) than the latter. Although juvenile pink iguanas have rarely been recorded (only four sampled juvenile‐like individuals in over 16 years of field work), our combined results provide the first clear indication that the only known C. marthae population actively recruits new members from younger age classes. Such recruitment may have prevented any measurable population decline in the last 16 years, but it was also not sufficient to clearly increase the population size. These results are of the utmost importance for the conservation of this species. They will guide future high‐priority actions: (i) aiming at increasing population size by removing or mitigating threats and (ii) increasing the number of individuals by implementing a headstart program and/or founding a second viable population, as identified in the recently published IUCN Conservation and Management Plan.
A2/A2B to B kidney transplantation outcomes: A single center 7‐year experience
Authors: El Chediak Alissar , Shawar Saed , Fallahzadeh Mohammad K. , Forbes Rachel , Schaefer Heidi M. , Feurer Irene D. , Rega Scott , Triozzi Jefferson L. , Shaffer David 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionData on long‐term outcomes following A2/A2B to B kidney transplants since the 2014 kidney allocation system (KAS) changes are few. The primary aim of this study is to report our 7‐year experience with A2/A2B to B kidney transplants and to compare post‐transplant outcomes of A2/A2B to a concurrent group of B to B kidney transplants. Additionally, the study evaluates the impact of pre‐transplant anti‐A1 titers on survival outcomes in A2/A2B transplants.MethodsThis retrospective, single‐center analysis included all adults who received A2/A2B to B deceased donor kidney transplants from December 2014 to June 2021 compared to B to B recipients. The effects of pre‐transplant IgM/IgG titers, stratified as ≤1:8 and ≥1:16, on death‐censored, rejection‐free, and overall graft survival were tested.ResultsFifty‐three A2/A2B and 114 B to B adults were included with a median follow‐up time of 32 months. Overall graft survival, patient survival, and rejection‐free graft survival did not differ between the two groups. There were no differences between the groups’ overall kidney function values (p > .80) or their temporal trajectories (time by group interaction p > .11). Unadjusted death‐censored graft survival was lower in A2/A2B to B compared to B recipients (p = .03), but the effect was not significant (p = .195) after adjusting for any readmissions (p = .96), rejection episodes (p < .001) or BK infection (p = .76). We did not detect an effect of pre‐transplant titer group on death‐censored (p = .59), rejection‐free (p = .61), or overall graft survival (p = .26)ConclusionsA2/A2B to B kidney transplants have comparable overall patient and graft survival, rejection‐free graft survival, and longitudinal renal function compared to B to B transplants at our center. Allograft survival outcomes were not significantly different between patients with low and high pre‐transplant anti‐A1 IgM/IgG titers.
Environmental correlates with fish assemblage change and biotic homogenization across 40 years in an Ozark, Gravel‐Bed river basin
Authors: Gavrielides George , Adams Ginny L. , Adams S. Reid , Connolly Matthew H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFish assemblages in freshwater ecosystems are becoming more homogenous from multiple abiotic, environmental, and physicochemical variables at different scales. Historical fish collections (1976–1977) by Billy Michael Johnson and Dr. Johnson K. Beadles were compared to contemporary fish collections (2018–2019) in tributaries of the Eleven Point River basin in Arkansas to examine patterns of fish assemblage change. Fish assemblage change variables were compared to pasture land use/land cover (LULC) at multiple scales and in‐stream habitat variables to understand relationships and discover potential correlates suggesting biotic homogenization. Fish assemblages in the Eleven Point River basin of Arkansas have experienced significant spatiotemporal changes, and LULC change and habitat alterations may have influenced this process. Increased tolerant species and decreased intolerant species at sites contributed to biotic homogenization, particularly in pool habitats. Surprisingly, expansion of some intolerant fishes was also observed that tend to occupy riffles. Sites with high percentages of pasture LULC at finer spatial scales typically had more homogenised fish assemblages. We hypothesized gravel aggradation from local pasture land use has degraded pools and increased riffle habitat, resulting in homogenised fish assemblages in the Eleven Point River basin over the study period. Few studies link LULC, in‐stream habitat, and biotic homogenization when examining fish assemblage change over time, and these dynamics can be particularly complex in upland streams experiencing gravel aggradation. Similar research in other upland, gravel‐bed river systems would provide a broad understanding of the presented environmental associations.
The road less travelled: Exploring the reluctance of vocational students towards higher education in Portugal
Authors: Tavares Orlanda , Antunes Maria João , Sá Carla , Luz Ana Rita 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDespite rising participation rates in Portugal, a gap persists between general and vocational upper secondary students' transition to higher education (HE). This study employs a qualitative methodology, specifically through content analysis of focus group discussions, to explore the factors influencing vocational students' reluctance towards higher education, amidst specific policies designed to aid their transition. Empirical findings suggest that vocational students may exhibit reservations stemming from self‐perceived academic deficiencies, impacting their self‐confidence in continuing their education at a HE level. Nevertheless, confidence in market‐valued practical skills might motivate HE consideration within a vocational domain. Their practical focus also makes HE seem less immediately applicable in the labour market. Many prioritise integration into the workforce for short‐run objectives, seeking breaks, experience and financial earnings. Aiming for earning and practicality, many lean towards the labour market over HE, even considering emigrating to achieve financial stability. The study emphasises the need for Portuguese educational policies to align vocational training with HE, supporting diverse student ambitions and holistic career paths.
Steve Brown's legacy: Tools to study the individual human molecular circadian clock and its regulation
Authors: Gachon Frédéric 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSince the discovery of the genetic origin of the circadian clock in Drosophila melanogaster by Konopka and Benzer in 1971, most of the research about the regulation of the molecular circadian clock relies on laboratory models. Additional models such as Cyanobacteria, Neurospora crassa, Arabidopsis and rodents helped chronobiologists to describe the species‐specific molecular clocks and their regulation. However, the lack of tools and the difficulty to access biological samples somehow excluded human from this research landscape outside behavioural research. Among many other impressive achievements, Steve Brown provided to the community of chronobiologists new tools and strategies to study the individual human circadian clock and its regulation.
Hybridization mediated range expansion and climate change resilience in two keystone tree species of boreal forests
Authors: Karunarathne Piyal , Zhou Qiujie , Lascoux Martin , Milesi Pascal 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCurrent global climate change is expected to affect biodiversity negatively at all scales leading to mass biodiversity loss. Many studies have shown that the distribution of allele frequencies across a species' range is often influenced by specific genetic loci associated with local environmental variables. This association reflects local adaptation and allele changes at those loci could thereby contribute to the evolutionary response to climate change. However, predicting how species will adapt to climate change from this type of data alone remains challenging. In the present study, we combined exome capture sequences and environmental niche reconstruction, to test multiple methods for assessing local adaptation and climate resilience in two widely distributed conifers, Norway spruce and Siberian spruce. Both species are keystone species of the boreal forest and share a vast hybrid zone. We show that local adaptation in conifers can be detected through allele frequency variation, population‐level ecological preferences, and historical niche movement. Moreover, we integrated genetic and ecological information into genetic offset predictive models to show that hybridization plays a central role in expanding the niche breadth of the two conifer species and may help both species to cope better with future changing climates. This joint genetic and ecological analysis also identified spruce populations that are at risk under current climate change.
Root caries in older adults: A co‐citation network analysis (1980–2023)
Authors: Su Wen‐Song , Chang Ching‐Yi 
Published: March 2024

BackgroundRoot caries affect the oral health and quality of life of older adults. This study examines the breadth of global research on this topic, aiming to clarify its expansive scope and to shed light on pertinent trends for new researchers in the field.ObjectiveTo identify key advances in root caries research as highlighted in high‐quality articles from the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) as well as to explore emerging trends and perspectives.Materials and MethodsUsing the Web of Science (WoS) database, we conducted a comprehensive review of articles related to root caries in older adults. Our focus was on finding high‐quality SSCI articles, identifying major contributors, journals and research trends and exploring areas such as dentistry, oral surgery and medicine for potential future research.ResultsOur analysis included 192 articles, each of which was subjected to bibliometric and VOS viewer evaluations. The results revealed a concentration of studies in dentistry, oral surgery and medicine, with gaps identified in areas like anthropology, biochemistry, molecular biology and chemistry. A notable deficiency was found in root caries management.ConclusionWe discuss research gaps and propose future directions based on our findings, emphasising interdisciplinary research approaches.
Fabrication of silicon nitride with high thermal conductivity and flexural strength by hot‐pressing flowing sintering
Authors: Li Jianbin , Jiang Qiangguo , Pan Zhifeng , Lv Donglin , Wu Shanghua 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe silicon nitride (Si3N4) possessing enhanced thermal conductivity and flexural strength was sintered by a hot‐pressing flowing sintering (HPFS) method. The effects of extrusion deformation and sintering additives on the density, phase, microstructure, and performances of Si3N4 fabricated by HPFS were investigated. As the strain increased from 67% to 167%, the mean grain diameter of Si3N4 with MgSiN2 as an additive increased by 49%, reaching 1.36 ± .6 µm. The addition of MgSiN2–Y2O3 resulted in a significantly stronger degree of texturing and smaller grain diameter in Si3N4, compared to the incorporation of MgSiN2 alone. The thermal conductivity of Si3N4 with added MgSiN2–Y2O3 increased to 109.1 W m−1 K−1 in the flow direction, and the flexural strength reached the maximum value of 1250.8 ± 39 MPa in the hot‐pressing direction. The results showed that the thermal conductivity and flexure strength of Si3N4 were enhanced due to the formation of texture and the reduction of flaws induced by HPFS. Moreover, HPFS method exhibited outstanding controllability over the microstructures and properties of materials.
The dysfunction of CD8+ T cells triggered by endometriotic stromal cells promotes the immune survival of endometriosis
Authors: Huang Zhi‐Xiong , Lin Dian‐Chao , Zhang Hua‐Ying , Yang Meng‐Jie , Chen Jia‐Hao , Ding Xin‐Yu , Dai Song‐Juan , Hong Yi‐Huang , Liang Gui‐Shuang , Li Qi‐Yuan , Chen Qiong‐Hua 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEndometriosis is defined as an oestrogen‐dependent and inflammatory gynaecological disease of which the pathogenesis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the cellular heterogeneity and reveal the effect of CD8+ T cells on the progress of endometriosis. Three ovarian endometriosis patients were collected, and single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) progressed and delineated the cellular landscape of endometriosis containing five cell clusters. The endometrial cells (EMCs) were the major component, of which the mesenchymal cells were preponderant and characterized with increased inflammation and oestrogen synthesis in endometriosis. The proportion of T cells, mainly CD8+ T cells rather than CD4+, was reduced in endometriotic lesions, and the cytokines and cytotoxicity of ectopic T cells were depressed. CD8+ T cells depressed the proliferation of ESCs through inhibiting CDK1/CCNB1 pathway to arrest the cell cycle and triggered inflammation through activating STAT1 pathway. Correspondingly, the coculture with ESCs resulted in the dysfunction of CD8+ T cells through upregulating STAT1/PDCD1 pathway and glycolysis‐promoted metabolism reprogramming. The endometriotic lesions were larger in nude mouse models with T‐cell deficiency than the normal mouse models. The inhibition of T cells via CD90.2 or CD8A antibody increased the endometriotic lesions in mouse models, and the supplement of T cells to nude mouse models diminished the lesion sizes. In conclusion, this study revealed the global cellular variation of endometriosis among which the cellular count and physiology of EMCs and T cells were significantly changed. The depressed cytotoxicity and aberrant metabolism of CD8+ T cells were induced by ESCs with the activation of STAT1/PDCD1 pathway resulting in immune survival to promote endometriosis.
Estimating Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Transmission of the COVID‐19 First Few Cases in Selenge Province, Mongolia
Authors: Dambadarjaa Davaalkham , Mend Tsogt , Shapiro Andrew , Handcock Mark S. , Mandakh Undram , Enebish Temuulen , Le Linh‐Vi , Bandoy DJ Darwin R. , Amarjargal Ambaselmaa , Altangerel Bilegt , Chuluunbaatar Tuvshintur , Guruuchin Uugantsetseg , Lkhagvajav Oyuntulkhuur , Enebish Oyunsuren 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundFollowing the first locally transmitted case in Sukhbaatar soum, Selenge Province, we aimed to investigate the ultimate scale of the epidemic in the scenario of uninterrupted transmission.MethodsThis was a prospective case study following the locally modified WHO FFX cases generic protocol. A rapid response team collected data from November 14 to 29, 2020. We created a stochastic process to draw many transmission chains from this greater distribution to better understand and make inferences regarding the outbreak under investigation.ResultsThe majority of the cases involved household transmissions (35, 52.2%), work transmissions (20, 29.9%), index (5, 7.5%), same apartment transmissions (2, 3.0%), school transmissions (2, 3.0%), and random contacts between individuals transmissions (1, 1.5%). The posterior means of the basic reproduction number of both the asymptomatic cases and the presymptomatic cases (1.35 [95% CrI 0.88–1.86] and 1.29 [95% CrI 0.67–2.10], respectively) were lower than that of the symptomatic cases (2.00 [95% Crl 1.38–2.76]).ConclusionOur study highlights the heterogeneity of COVID‐19 transmission across different symptom statuses and underscores the importance of early identification and isolation of symptomatic cases in disease control. Our approach, which combines detailed contact tracing data with advanced statistical methods, can be applied to other infectious diseases, facilitating a more nuanced understanding of disease transmission dynamics.