bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The glucocorticoid dexamethasone alleviates allergic inflammation through a mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphatase‐1‐dependent mechanism in mice
Authors: Lehtola Tiina , Nummenmaa Elina , Nieminen Riina , Hämäläinen Mari , Vuolteenaho Katriina , Moilanen Eeva 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGlucocorticoids are widely used in the treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Glucocorticoids have a widespread action on gene expression resulting in their pharmacological actions and also an array of adverse effects which limit their clinical use. It remains, however, to be studied which target gene effects are essential for the anti‐allergic activity of glucocorticoids. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphatase‐1 (MKP‐1) inhibits proinflammatory signalling by suppressing the activity of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) pathways. MKP‐1 is one of the anti‐inflammatory genes whose expression is enhanced by glucocorticoids. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of MKP‐1 in the therapeutic effects of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone in acute allergic reaction. The effects of dexamethasone were studied in wild‐type and MKP‐1 deficient mice. The mice were first sensitized to ovalbumin, and the allergic reaction was then induced by a subcutaneous ovalbumin injection in the hind paw. Inflammatory edema was quantified with plethysmometer and expression of inflammatory factors was measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Dexamethasone reduced the ovalbumin‐induced paw edema at 1.5, 3 and 6 h time points in wild‐type mice by 70%, 95% and 89%, respectively. The effect was largely abolished in MKP‐1 deficient mice. Furthermore, dexamethasone significantly attenuated the expression of ovalbumin‐induced inflammatory factors cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2); inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS); interleukins (IL) 1β, 6 and 13; C‐C motif chemokine 11 (CCL‐11); tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in wild‐type mice by more than 40%. In contrast, in MKP‐1 deficient mice dexamethasone had no effect or even enhanced the expression of these inflammatory factors. The results suggest that dexamethasone alleviates allergic inflammation through an MKP‐1‐dependent mechanism. The results also demonstrate MKP‐1 as an important conveyor of the favourable glucocorticoid effects in ovalbumin‐induced type I allergic reaction. Together with previous findings, the present study supports the concept of MKP‐1 enhancing compounds as potential novel anti‐inflammatory and anti‐allergic drugs.
Prolonged coagulation times in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infection, the indicators of heparin‐like effect and increased haemorrhagic risk
Authors: Tang Ning , Yuan Peihong , Luo Ming , Li Dengju 
Published: March 2024

SummaryProlonged coagulation times, such as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT), are common in patients infected with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and have been confirmed to be related to patient's poor outcome by previous studies. To find out the reason for prolonged coagulation time in patients with SFTSV infection, and whether it predicts haemorrhagic risk or not. Seventy‐eight consecutive patients with confirmed SFTSV infection were enrolled in this prospective, single‐centre, observational study. Several global and specific coagulation parameters of these patients on admission were detected, and the haemorrhagic events during hospitalization and their outcomes were recorded. Most of the enrolled patients had prolonged APTT (82.1%) and TT (80.8%), normal prothrombin time (83.3%) and intrinsic coagulation factors above haemostatic levels (97.4%). The heparin‐like effect was confirmed by a protamine neutralization test and anti‐Xa activity detection in most patients. Interestingly, the APTT and TT results were significantly positively correlated with the levels of endothelial markers and viral load, respectively. The APTT was independently associated with the haemorrhage of patients. The prolonged APTT and TT of SFTS patients may mainly be attributed to endogenous heparinoids and are associated with increased haemorrhagic risk.
Quantitative evaluation of the global impacts of human land modification on raptors
Authors: Zhang Taxing , Xu Yu , Ran Jianghong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRaptors are threatened by anthropogenic land modifications, but targeted quantitative assessment of these impacts is lacking. We conducted the first global quantitative evaluation of the impacts of human‐modified land on raptors. We used eBird data from 2001 to 2020 on 425 raptor species and occupancy models to assess the impacts of human‐modified land on raptor distribution. The mean spatiotemporal correlations of human settlement, cropland, and pasture with raptor occupancy probability were −0.048 (SE 0.031), −0.134 (0.032), and −0.145 (0.032), respectively. The mean sensitivity of raptor occupancy probability to settlement, cropland, and pasture was −5.760 (2.266), −3.128 (1.540), and −2.402 (1.551), respectively. The occupancy probability of raptors with a large body mass was more negatively correlated with cropland (phylogenetic generalized least squares regressions: slope = −0.052 [SE 0.022], t = −2.335, df = 1, 407, p = 0.020, λ = 0.006) and more positively correlated with pasture (slope = 0.047 [0.022], t = 2.118, df = 1, 407, p = 0.035, λ = 0.013). The occupancy probability of raptors with a more extensive range size was more positively correlated with cropland (slope = 0.002 [0.004], t = 0.399, df = 1, 407, p < 0.001, λ = 0.000). Raptors that prefer open habitats were more positively correlated with cropland (analysis of variance: F = 3.424, df = 2, p = 0.034, λ = 0.000) and pasture (F = 6.577, df = 2, p = 0.002, λ = 0.000). In Africa and South America, where raptor species are most abundant, raptor occupancy probability decreased over 20 years, most likely due to habitat fragmentation associated with human land modification. Although raptors with different ecological characteristics had different responses to human land modification, the impacts of settlement, cropland, and pasture on mean raptor occupancy probability were negative, regardless of space and time.
Exploring the potential for online data sources to enhance species threat mapping through the case study of global bat exploitation
Authors: Hunter Sara Bronwen , Oedin Malik , Weeds Julie , Mathews Fiona 
Published: March 2024

AbstractExpanding digital data sources, including social media and online news, provide a low‐cost way to examine human–nature interactions, such as wildlife exploitation. However, the extent to which using such data sources can expand or bias understanding of the distribution and intensity of threats has not been comprehensively assessed. To address this gap, we quantified the geographical and temporal distribution of online sources documenting the hunting and trapping, consumption, or trade of bats (Chiroptera) and compared these with the distribution of studies obtained from a systematic literature search and species listed as threatened by exploitation on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Online records were collected using automated searches of Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Bing and were filtered using machine classification. This yielded 953 relevant social media posts and web pages, encompassing 1099 unique records of bat exploitation from 84 countries. Although the number of records per country was significantly predicted by the number of academic studies per country, online records provided additional locations and more recent records of bat exploitation, including 22 countries not present in academic literature. This demonstrates the value of online resources in providing more complete geographical representation. However, confounding variables can bias the analysis of spatiotemporal trends. Online bat exploitation records showed peaks in 2020 and 2014, after accounting for increases in internet users through time. The second of these peaks could be attributed to the COVID‐19 outbreak, and speculation about the role of bats in its epidemiology, rather than to true changes in exploitation. Overall, our results showed that data from online sources provide additional knowledge on the global extent of wildlife exploitation, which could be used to identify early warnings of emerging threats and pinpoint locations for further research.
Psychometric properties of the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey–Revised among Dutch adults with type 1 diabetes and implications for clinical use
Authors: Embaye Jiska , Hennekes Mareille , Snoek Frank , de Wit Maartje 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAimsDisordered eating behaviour (DEB) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) can be screened with the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey–Revised (DEPS‐R). This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the DEPS‐R among Dutch adults with T1D and to explore the individual items alongside the standard cut‐off score of ≥20 for clinical use.MethodsThe construct validity of the DEPS‐R was assessed with an exploratory factor analysis, through principal axis factoring and with Spearman correlations between clinical variables and the DEPS‐R. Backward logistic regression identified clinical predictors for DEPS‐R scores above the cut‐off. DEPS‐R item responses were summarized with frequencies, means and standard deviations.ResultsParticipants were 145 adults with T1D, of whom 79.3% were women and 35.9% presented with DEB based on the cut‐off. A single‐factor solution of the DEPS‐R showed good internal consistency, while a three‐factor solution showed acceptable to good internal consistency within the factors. A younger age, a higher BMI and more diabetes distress were predictors for a DEPS‐R cut‐off score of ≥20. Clinically relevant items were identified that contributed minimally to the DEPS‐R score.ConclusionsThis study supports a single‐factor and a three‐factor structure of the DEPS‐R while also suggesting an item‐specific or factor‐specific approach in clinical practice.
Can Epistemic Paternalistic Practice Make Us Better Epistemic Agents?
Authors: Fratantonio Giada 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCan epistemic paternalistic practices make us better epistemic agents? While a satisfying answer to this question will ultimately rest at least partly on empirical findings, considering the epistemological discussion on evidence, knowledge, and epistemic virtues can be insightful. In this paper, Giada Fratantonio argues that we have theoretical reasons to believe that strong epistemic paternalistic practices may be effective at mitigating some evidential mistakes, in fostering true belief, and even for allowing the subject of the intervention to gain knowledge. However, we have reasons to expect that these practices will not be able to make the subject of the intervention an overall better epistemic agent at the dispositional level. She then considers weak epistemic paternalistic practices, e.g., epistemic nudging, and provides some reasons for optimism. Finally, Fratantonio considers the implications that these theoretical considerations have for education.
Health care utilization and mortality for people with epilepsy during COVID‐19: A population study
Authors: Strafford Huw , Hollinghurst Joe , Lacey Arron S. , Akbari Ashley , Watkins Alan , Paterson Jan , Jennings Daniel , Lyons Ronan A. , Powell H. Robert , Kerr Michael P. , Chin Richard F. , Pickrell William O. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study was undertaken to characterize changes in health care utilization and mortality for people with epilepsy (PWE) during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study using linked, individual‐level, population‐scale anonymized health data from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage databank. We identified PWE living in Wales during the study “pandemic period” (January 1, 2020–June 30, 2021) and during a “prepandemic” period (January 1, 2016–December 31, 2019). We compared prepandemic health care utilization, status epilepticus, and mortality rates with corresponding pandemic rates for PWE and people without epilepsy (PWOE). We performed subgroup analyses on children (<18 years old), older people (>65 years old), those with intellectual disability, and those living in the most deprived areas. We used Poisson models to calculate adjusted rate ratios (RRs).ResultsWe identified 27 279 PWE who had significantly higher rates of hospital (50.3 visits/1000 patient months), emergency department (55.7), and outpatient attendance (172.4) when compared to PWOE (corresponding figures: 25.7, 25.2, and 87.0) in the prepandemic period. Hospital and epilepsy‐related hospital admissions, and emergency department and outpatient attendances all reduced significantly for PWE (and all subgroups) during the pandemic period. RRs [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for pandemic versus prepandemic periods were .70 [.69–.72], .77 [.73–.81], .78 [.77–.79], and .80 [.79–.81]. The corresponding rates also reduced for PWOE. New epilepsy diagnosis rates decreased during the pandemic compared with the prepandemic period (2.3/100 000/month cf. 3.1/100 000/month, RR = .73, 95% CI = .68–.78). Both all‐cause deaths and deaths with epilepsy recorded on the death certificate increased for PWE during the pandemic (RR = 1.07, 95% CI = .997–1.145 and RR = 2.44, 95% CI = 2.12–2.81). When removing COVID deaths, RRs were .88 (95% CI = .81–.95) and 1.29 (95% CI = 1.08–1.53). Status epilepticus rates did not change significantly during the pandemic (RR = .95, 95% CI = .78–1.15).SignificanceAll‐cause non‐COVID deaths did not increase but non‐COVID deaths associated with epilepsy did increase for PWE during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The longer term effects of the decrease in new epilepsy diagnoses and health care utilization and increase in deaths associated with epilepsy need further research.
Immune gene polymorphisms associated with poor response to platelet transfusion and recombinant factor VII administration in Glanzmann thrombasthenia
Authors: Naderi Majid , Mirzaei Ilia , Seidizadeh Omid , Moud Abolfazl Parsi , Sarani Hosna , Avan Amir , Taheri Mohsen , Jahantigh Danial , Keramati Mohammad Reza , Sohrabi Tayebeh 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionPoor response to platelet and recombinant factor VII administration is a major problem in patients with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT). The risk factors associated with poor response to treatment in these patients are unknown. Some genetic variations of cytokines may contribute to therapy resistance.AimsWe evaluated, for the first time, whether genetic polymorphisms on cytokine genes are related to poor treatment response in GT patients.MethodsWe enrolled 30 patients with GT (15 resistant and 15 non‐resistant) and 100 healthy controls. Gene polymorphisms of IL‐10 and TNF‐α were analysed using TaqMan Realtime PCR, and IL‐1, IL‐1R1 and IL‐1RN were investigated with the RFLP method. In‐silico analyses were performed to predict the potential impact of these polymorphisms.ResultsIn the resistant group, all patients had a variant of the IL‐10 gene at the ‐1082 position (rs1800896), with a GG genotype that was significantly more frequent than the non‐resistant group. Analysis between healthy controls and GT patients revealed a probable correlation between rs3783550, rs3783553, rs3917356 and rs2234463 and GT. The In‐silico study indicated that TNF‐α rs1800629 and IL‐10 rs1800896 polymorphisms result in different allelic expressions which may contribute to poor response to therapy.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that polymorphisms in the IL‐10 and IL‐1 receptor antagonist genes may play a role in poor therapy response in GT patients. In addition, some polymorphisms in IL‐1α, IL1‐β, IL‐1R1 and IL‐R antagonists might be involved in the GT progression.
Harnessing antimicrobial peptides in endodontics
Authors: Kong Xinzi , Vishwanath Vijetha , Neelakantan Prasanna , Ye Zhou 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEndodontic therapy includes various procedures such as vital pulp therapy, root canal treatment and retreatment, surgical endodontic treatment and regenerative endodontic procedures. Disinfection and tissue repair are crucial for the success of these therapies, necessitating the development of therapeutics that can effectively target microbiota, eliminate biofilms, modulate inflammation and promote tissue repair. However, no current endodontic agents can achieve these goals. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are sequences of amino acids, have gained attention due to their unique advantages, including reduced susceptibility to drug resistance, broad‐spectrum antibacterial properties and the ability to modulate the immune response of the organism effectively. This review systematically discusses the structure, mechanisms of action, novel designs and limitations of AMPs. Additionally, it highlights the efforts made by researchers to overcome peptide shortcomings and emphasizes the potential applications of AMPs in endodontic treatments.
RETRACTED: Effect of quality nursing intervention on wound healing in patients with burns: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Ling , Liu Zhu‐Feng , Zhu Hong‐Yu , Xu Hui‐Qin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis meta‐analysis aimed to explore the effects of quality nursing intervention on wound healing in patients with burns. A computerised search was conducted for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of quality nursing intervention on wound healing in patients with burns in the PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang databases from the date of database inception to November 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data and performed quality assessment based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Stata 17.0 software was used for the data analysis. Twenty‐nine RCTs involving 2637 patients with burns were included. The meta‐analysis revealed that compared with conventional nursing, the implementation of quality nursing intervention in patients with burns significantly shortened the wound healing time (standardised mean difference [SMD] = −2.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −3.44 to −2.42, p < 0.001). The incidence of wound infections (odds ratio [OR] = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.07–0.27, p < 0.001) and complications (OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.11–0.23, p < 0.001) was also reduced significantly. This meta‐analysis shows that applying quality nursing interventions in patients with burns can significantly shorten the wound healing time and reduce the incidence of wound infection and complications, thus promoting early patient recovery.
Inequality in history: A long‐run view
Authors: Alfani Guido 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis article provides an overview of long‐term trends in income and wealth inequality, from ca. 1300 until today. It discusses recent acquisitions in terms of inequality measurement, building upon earlier research and systematically connecting preindustrial, industrial, and post‐industrial tendencies. It shows that in the last seven centuries or so, inequality of both income and wealth has tended to grow continuously, with two exceptions: the century or so following the Black Death pandemic of 1347–52, and the period from the beginning of World War I until the mid‐1970s. It discusses recent encompassing hypotheses about the factors leading to long‐run inequality change, highlighting their relative merits and faults, and arguing for the need to pay close attention to the historical context.
An inquiline mosquito modulates microbial diversity and function in an aquatic microecosystem
Authors: Arellano Aldo A. , Young Erica B. , Coon Kerri L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractUnderstanding microbial roles in ecosystem function requires integrating microscopic processes into food webs. The carnivorous pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, offers a tractable study system where diverse food webs of macroinvertebrates and microbes facilitate digestion of captured insect prey, releasing nutrients supporting the food web and host plant. However, how interactions between these macroinvertebrate and microbial communities contribute to ecosystem functions remains unclear. We examined the role of the pitcher plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii, in top‐down control of the composition and function of pitcher plant microbial communities. Mosquito larval abundance was enriched or depleted across a natural population of S. purpurea pitchers over a 74‐day field experiment. Bacterial community composition and microbial community function were characterized by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and profiling of carbon substrate use, bulk metabolic rate, hydrolytic enzyme activity, and macronutrient pools. Bacterial communities changed from pitcher opening to maturation, but larvae exerted minor effects on high‐level taxonomic composition. Higher larval abundance was associated with lower diversity communities with distinct functions and elevated nitrogen availability. Treatment‐independent clustering also supported roles for larvae in curating pitcher microbial communities through shifts in community diversity and function. These results demonstrate top‐down control of microbial functions in an aquatic microecosystem.
Expression of bond‐related behaviors affects titi monkey responsiveness to oxytocin and vasopressin treatments
Authors: Witczak Lynea R. , Samra Jaclyn , Dufek Madison , Goetze Leana R. , Freeman Sara M. , Lau Allison R. , Rothwell Emily S. , Savidge Logan E. , Arias‐del Razo Rocío , Baxter Alexander , Karaskiewicz Chloe L. , Ferrer Emilio , Bales Karen L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSocial bonds influence physiology and behavior, which can shape how individuals respond to physical and affective challenges. Coppery titi monkey (Plecturocebus cupreus) offspring form selective bonds with their fathers, making them ideal for investigating how father–daughter bonds influence juveniles’ responses to oxytocin (OT) and arginine‐vasopressin (AVP) manipulations. We quantified the expression of father–daughter bond‐related behaviors in females (n = 10) and gave acute intranasal treatments of saline, low/medium/high OT, low/high AVP, or an OT receptor antagonist (OTA) to subjects prior to a parent preference test. While females spent more time in proximity to their parents than strangers, we found a large degree of individual variation. Females with greater expression of bonding behaviors responded to OT treatments in a dose‐dependent manner. Subjects also spent less time in proximity to strangers when treated with High OT (p = 0.003) and Low OT (p = 0.007), but more time when treated with High AVP (p = 0.007), Low AVP (p = 0.009), and OTA (p = 0.001). Findings from the present study suggest that variation in the expression of bond‐related behaviors may alter responsiveness to OT and AVP, increasing engagement with unfamiliar social others. This enhanced sociality with strangers may promote the formation of pair bonds with partners.