bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of tissue context on extracellular vesicles‐mediated cancer–host cell communications
Authors: Nishida‐Aoki Nao , Ochiya Takahiro 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTumor tissue is densely packed with cancer cells, non‐cancerous cells, and ECM, forming functional structures. Cancer cells transfer extracellular vesicles (EVs) to modify surrounding normal cells into cancer‐promoting cells, establishing a tumor‐favorable environment together with other signaling molecules and structural components. Such tissue environments largely affect cancer cell properties, and so as EV‐mediated cellular communications within tumor tissue. However, current research on EVs focuses on functional analysis of vesicles isolated from the liquid phase, including cell culture supernatants and blood draws, 2D‐cultured cell assays, or systemic analyses on animal models for biodistribution. Therefore, we have a limited understanding of local EV transfer within tumor tissues. In this review, we discuss the need to study EVs in a physiological tissue context by summarizing the current findings on the impacts of tumor tissue environment on cancer EV properties and transfer and the techniques required for the analysis. Tumor tissue environment is likely to alter EV properties, pose physical barriers, interactions, and interstitial flows for the dynamics, and introduce varieties in the cell types taken up. Utilizing physiological experimental settings and spatial analyses, we need to tackle the remaining questions on physiological EV‐mediated cancer–host cell interactions. Understanding cancer EV‐mediated cellular communications in physiological tumor tissues will lead to developing interaction‐targeting therapies and provide insight into EV‐mediated non‐cancerous cells and interspecies interactions.
Macroprolactin over time: Is there any point in rechecking it in people with a persistently elevated serum prolactin?
Authors: Livingston Mark , Hashmi Syeda F. , Ramachandran Sudarshan , Laing Ian , Heald Adrian 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjective and DesignMacroprolactinemia may influence the interpretation of serum prolactin levels—a recognised phenomenon since 1981. The degree of macroprolactinaemia over time is less well described. We determined how macroprolactin status (based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation) varied by analysing serial measurements in hyperprolactinaemic individuals over a period of 9 years.Patients and MeasurementsResults from 1810 individuals were included. All serum total prolactin results (measured using Roche Cobas 8000 analyser) were extracted from the laboratory information system for the period 1 January 2012 to 1 April 2021, along with relevant patient demographic/test data. Samples with a macroprolactin screening test performed (on samples with prolactin > 700 miu/L) were included in the main analysis.ResultsDuring the study period, 2782 macroprolactin checks were performed (12.5% of all prolactin tests) in 1810 individuals (599 males/2183 females, median‐age: 35, interquartile range: 25–47, range: 16–93 years). Multiple macroprolactin checks were carried out on 465 patients (1437 measurements) with 94 patients (141 measurements) screening positive (<60% recovery). Only 19 patients (18 female) had at least one result above and one below the 60% screening cut‐off, with 10 of these patients having results close to the 60% cut‐off; in 9 patients, results were clearly different between repeat samples. In seven cases, the adjusted monomeric prolactin showed a potentially clinically significant difference.ConclusionsIn this study, only 19/465 patients appeared to change macroprolactin status based on a 60% PEG recovery cut‐off. The majority of these 19 patients were on antipsychotic/antidepressant medication(s) or had a prolactinoma; in only 7 did monomeric prolactin change significantly. This suggests that once macroprolactin status has been determined, clinical decision making is rarely affected by repeating it.
Pre‐morbid sleep disturbance and its association with stroke severity: results from the international INTERSTROKE study
Authors: Mc Carthy Christine E. , Yusuf Salim , Judge Conor , Ferguson John , Hankey Graeme J. , Gharan Shahram Oveis , Damasceno Albertino , Iversen Helle Klingenberg , Rosengren Annika , Ogah Okechukwu , Avezum Luísa , Lopez‐Jaramillo Patricio , Xavier Denis , Wang Xingyu , Rangarajan Sumathy , O'Donnell Martin J. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground and purposeWhilst sleep disturbances are associated with stroke, their association with stroke severity is less certain. In the INTERSTROKE study, the association of pre‐morbid sleep disturbance with stroke severity and functional outcome following stroke was evaluated.MethodsINTERSTROKE is an international case–control study of first acute stroke. This analysis included cases who completed a standardized questionnaire concerning nine symptoms of sleep disturbance (sleep onset latency, duration, quality, nocturnal awakening, napping duration, whether a nap was planned, snoring, snorting and breathing cessation) in the month prior to stroke (n = 2361). Two indices were derived representing sleep disturbance (range 0–9) and obstructive sleep apnoea (range 0–3) symptoms. Logistic regression was used to estimate the magnitude of association between symptoms and stroke severity defined by the modified Rankin Score.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 62.9 years, and 42% were female. On multivariable analysis, there was a graded association between increasing number of sleep disturbance symptoms and initially severe stroke (2–3, odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.94; 4–5, OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.23–2.25; >5, OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.83–3.66). Having >5 sleep disturbance symptoms was associated with significantly increased odds of functional deterioration at 1 month (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.01–2.34). A higher obstructive sleep apnoea score was also associated with significantly increased odds of initially severe stroke (2–3, OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.20–1.83) but not functional deterioration at 1 month (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.93–1.52).ConclusionsSleep disturbance symptoms were common and associated with an increased odds of severe stroke and functional deterioration. Interventions to modify sleep disturbance may help prevent disabling stroke/improve functional outcomes and should be the subject of future research.
Frailty as a comprehensive health measure beyond seizure control in patients with epilepsy: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Cerulli Irelli Emanuele , Borioni Maria S. , Morano Alessandra , Mazzeo Adolfo , Moro Pierludovico , Orlando Biagio , Salamone Enrico M. , Giordano Luca , Petrungaro Alessio , Toccaceli Blasi Marco , Giallonardo Anna T. , Canevelli Marco , Di Bonaventura Carlo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveDue to the high clinical heterogeneity of epilepsy, there is a critical need for novel metrics aimed at capturing its biological and phenotypic complexity. Frailty is increasingly recognized in various medical disciplines as a useful construct to understand differences in susceptibility to adverse outcomes. Here, we develop a frailty index (FI) for patients with epilepsy (PwE) and explore its association with demographic and clinical features.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, we consecutively enrolled 153 PwE from an outpatient epilepsy clinic. Participants were assessed for various health deficits to calculate the FI. Associations between FI and demographic/clinical features, antiseizure medications (ASMs), and patient‐reported outcomes were analyzed using general linear models and Spearman correlation.ResultsThe median age at the time of study visit was 47 years (interquartile range = 33–60), and 89 (58.2%) patients were females. Multiple linear regression revealed that the developed 33‐item FI showed an independent association with age, female sex, higher body mass index, family history of epilepsy, intellectual disability, and the number of ASMs used. A robust analysis of covariance showed higher FI levels in patients using cytochrome P450 3A4‐inducer ASMs. We found a moderate positive correlation between FI and psychological distress, lower quality of life, and physical frailty, measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory‐10, and handgrip strength, respectively. Finally, a weak association was observed between higher FI scores and an increased number of epileptic falls.SignificanceThis study highlights the significance of frailty as a comprehensive health measure in epilepsy. It suggests that frailty in this specific population is not only a manifestation of aging but is inherently linked to epilepsy and treatment‐related factors. Future research is warranted to validate and refine the FI in diverse epilepsy populations and investigate its impact on specific adverse outcomes in longitudinal studies.
Culturally adapting relational savoring: A therapeutic approach to improve relationship quality
Authors: Borelli Jessica L. , Zhou Elayne , Russo Lyric N. , Li Frances H. , Tironi Marta , Yamashita Ken S. , Smiley Patricia A. , Campos Belinda 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRelational savoring (RS) is a brief, strengths‐based approach to heightening attentional focus to moments of positive connectedness within relationships. RS can be administered preventatively or within an intervention context when a therapist aspires to foster more optimal relational functioning. Typically administered within a one‐on‐one therapy setting, RS has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing intra‐ and interpersonal outcomes. To increase access to mental health services, the developers of RS are committed to engaging in an iterative approach of enhancing the cultural congruence and accessibility of this intervention within various cultural contexts, beginning with Latine groups in Southern California. In this article, we describe relational savoring and its theoretical and empirical support, including the process of culturally adapting the intervention within the context of three major studies, each with a distinct focus on Latine groups, a community that is underserved in mental health care settings. We then provide a vision for future research to improve upon the intervention's compatibility for Latine families and other populations.
Foreign institutional investors’ certification and domestic minority shareholders’ mistrust
Authors: Cao Jerry , Li Yong , Liu Xiaojuan , Megginson William L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractUsing hand‐collected data from China's split share structure reform (SSSR) program, we show that foreign institutional investors’ certification mitigates domestic minority shareholders’ mistrust of controlling shareholders’ reform plans and facilitates the implementation of the SSSR. Domestic minority shareholders cast fewer dissenting votes, complete the SSSR more quickly but with lower compensation, and achieve higher stock return reactions in reforming firms with higher foreign institutional ownership. Foreign institutional investors’ prestige is a key factor in aligning domestic minority shareholders toward seeking long‐term payoffs. Our work reveals the positive role of foreign institutional investors’ certification in a salient reform of corporate governance.
Unpunctual in diversity: The effect of stand species richness on spring phenology of deciduous tree stands varies among species and years
Authors: Heinecke Thilo , De Frenne Pieter , Verheyen Kris , Nijs Ivan , Matthysen Erik , Campioli Matteo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractClimatic drivers alone do not adequately explain the regional variation in budburst timing in deciduous forests across Europe. Stand‐level factors, such as tree species richness, might affect budburst timing by creating different microclimates under the same site macroclimate. We assessed different phases of the spring phenology (start, midpoint, end, and overall duration of the budburst period) of four important European tree species (Betula pendula, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur and Tilia cordata) in monocultures and four‐species mixture stands of a common garden tree biodiversity experiment in Belgium (FORBIO) in 2021 and 2022. Microclimatic differences between the stands in terms of bud chilling, temperature forcing, and soil temperature were considerable, with four‐species mixtures being generally colder than monocultures in spring, but not in winter. In the colder spring of 2021, at the stand level, the end of the budburst period was advanced, and its overall duration shortened, in the four‐species mixtures. At species level, this response was significant for F. sylvatica. In the warmer spring of 2022, advances in spring phenology in four‐species stands were observed again in F. sylvatica and, less markedly, in B. pendula but without a general response at the stand level. Q. robur showed specific patterns with delayed budburst start in 2021 in the four‐species mixtures and very short budburst duration for all stands in 2022. Phenological differences between monocultures and four‐species mixtures were linked to microclimatic differences in light availability rather than in temperature as even comparatively colder microclimates showed an advanced phenology. Compared to weather conditions, tree species richness had a lower impact on budburst timing, but this impact can be of importance for key species like F. sylvatica and colder springs. These results indicate that forest biodiversity can affect budburst phenology, with wider implications, especially for forest‐ and land surface models.
Effects of conservation versus elimination of growing points on yield, C: N: P stoichiometry, and root morphology of Leymus chinensis
Authors: Zhao Chengzhen , Chang Xiao , Li Qiang , Zhong Rongzhen , Zhou Daowei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe conservation and elimination of the growing point of Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel. are two common contrasted scenarios during grazing. However, the biomass and nutrient allocation in L. chinensis, as well as their contribution to yield under these conditions are unclear. Therefore, a simulated grazing experiment was conducted using a factorial design that combined two defoliation heights (conservation versus elimination of growing points) and four plant heights (18, 24, 31, and 35 cm) during two growing seasons (2020 and 2021), resulting in eight treatments. Additionally, the experiment also included two identical control treatments with a single mowing in mid‐August. The results demonstrated that conservation treatments for the growing point increased the regeneration time of L. chinensis during the entire growing season in both years compared to elimination treatments for the growing point, due to the alteration in biomass allocation priority and C: N: P stoichiometric ratio between stems and leaves of L. chinensis, as well as root morphological traits. The growth strategy in the treatment with 17 cm defoliation height at 35 cm plant height demonstrated the optimal combination, resulting in stabling the accumulated DM yield of L. chinensis in both years. The findings emphasize the significance of comprehending the correlation between the growing point of L. chinensis and its yield, providing a pioneering approach to guide sustainable grazing practices for L. chinensis grassland.
Forage type and additive effects on fermentation quality and biorefinery performance of silages
Authors: Rinne M. , Stefański T. , Franco M. , Jalava T. , Kuoppala K. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe concept of a green biorefinery has recently gained interest and can be defined as a process where green biomass is processed to a variety of products. Most green biorefineries rely on fresh green biomass as the feedstock, but using a stable ensiled biomass could provide benefits. We evaluated the effects of silage additive treatments on silage fermentation quality and performance in a laboratory scale liquid–solid separation to simulate the first step of a green biorefinery. In Experiment 1, red clover and fresh and wilted grass were ensiled without additive or treated with a lactic acid bacteria inoculant or a formic acid based additive. In Experiment 2, grass or red clover were treated with a fibrolytic enzyme, formic acid or a combination of them, and a control without additive was also included. Silage fermentation quality was improved by additive use. Biomass dry matter concentration was negatively related to liquid yield, but effects of additive treatments on the biorefinery performance were minor and inconsistent between different forages. Optimizing agronomic and feedstock conservation management plays an important role for the success and sustainability of the biorefinery process. Good silage management practices with minimal losses during storage should be targeted, but no clear patterns in biorefinery outputs were observed in the current study when different types of additives were used in grass and clover silage production.
The organization of the muscle system of the causative agent of dicrocoeliosis, Dicrocoelium dendriticum
Authors: Mochalova Natalia V. , Terenina Nadezhda B. , Movsesyan Sergei O. , Kreshchenko Natalia D. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe musculature of parasitic flatworms plays a central role in locomotory movement, attachment to the host, and in the function of the digestive, reproductive, and excretory systems. We examine for the first time the muscle system of the flatworm Dicrocoelium dendriticum, a causative agent of the parasitic disease dicrocoeliosis, by use of fluorescently labeled phalloidin and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Somatic musculature of D. dendriticum consists of the circular, longitudinal, and diagonal muscles. The distribution of the muscle fibers in the body wall differed among the anterior, middle, and posterior body regions of the worm. The musculature of the attachment organs, the oral and ventral suckers, includes several types of muscles: the external equatorial and meridional muscles, internal circular and semicircular muscles, and radial muscles. Inside of the ventral sucker the diagonally located muscles were revealed and the supplementary u‐shaped muscles were found adjoined to the base of the sucker from outside. The musculature of the internal organs composed of the excretory, reproductive, and digestive systems were characterized. Our results increase our knowledge of the morphology of trematodes and the arrangement of their muscle system.
Nonpharmacologic rate control of postoperative atrial fibrillation in the canine sterile pericarditis model
Authors: Lee Seungyup , Wallick Don , Khrestian Celeen , Juzbasich Dragan , Laurita Daniel , Rushing Gregory , Sahadevan Jayakumar 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionPostoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is common following open heart surgery, and is associated with significant morbidity. Medications used for ventricular rate control of POAF may not be effective in controlling rapid ventricular rates during the postoperative period because of increased sympathetic tone. The purpose of this study was to develop nonpharmacologic rate control of POAF by atrioventricular node (AVN) fat pad stimulation using clinically available temporary pacing wires in the canine sterile pericarditis model.MethodsWe studied 10 sterile pericarditis dogs in the closed‐chest state on postoperative days 1−3. The AVN fat pad stimulation (amplitude 2–15 mA; frequency 20 Hz; pulse width 0.03–0.2 ms) was performed during sustained POAF (>5 min). We measured ventricular rate and inefficient ventricular contractions during sustained POAF and compared it with and without AVN fat pad stimulation. Also, the parameters of AVN fat pad stimulation to achieve a rate control of POAF were measured over the postoperative days.ResultsEleven episodes of sustained POAF were induced in 5/10 sterile pericarditis dogs in the closed‐chest state on postoperative days 1−2. During POAF, the AVN fat pad stimulation decreased the ventricular rate from 178 ± 52 bpm to 100 ± 8 bpm in nine episodes. Nonpharmacologic rate control therapy successfully controlled the ventricular rate and eliminated inefficient ventricular contractions during POAF for the duration of the AVN fat pad stimulation. The AVN fat pad stimulation output remained relatively stable over the postoperative days.ConclusionDuring sustained POAF, nonpharmacologic rate control by AVN fat pad stimulation effectively and safely controlled rapid ventricular rates throughout the postoperative period.
Hepatoprotective activity of Lactéol® forte and quercetin dihydrate against thioacetamide‐induced hepatic cirrhosis in male albino rats
Authors: Saad Hebatallah M. , Oda Samah S. , Alexiou Athanasios , Papadakis Marios , Mahmoud Mohamed H. , Batiha Gaber El‐Saber , Khalifa Eman 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLiver cirrhosis is a silent disease in humans and is experimentally induced by many drugs and toxins as thioacetamide (TAA) in particular, which is the typical model for experimental induction of hepatic fibrosis. Thus, the objective of the present study was to elucidate the possible protective effects of lactéol® forte (LF) and quercetin dihydrate (QD) against TAA‐induced hepatic damage in male albino rats. Induction of hepatotoxicity was performed by TAA injection (200 mg/kg I/P, twice/ week) in rats. LF (1 × 109 CFU/rat 5 times/week) and QD (50 mg/kg 5 times/week) treated groups were administered concurrently with TAA injection (200 mg/kg I/P, twice/ week). The experimental treatments were conducted for 12 weeks. Hepatotoxicity was evaluated biochemically by measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the serum and histopathologically with the scoring of histopathological changes besides histochemical assessment of collagen by Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemical analysis for α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), Ki67 and caspase‐3 expression in liver sections. Our results indicated that LF and QD attenuated some biochemical changes and histochemical markers in TAA‐mediated hepatotoxicity in rats by amelioration of biochemical markers and collagen, α‐SMA, Ki67 and caspase3 Immunoexpression. Additionally, LF and QD supplementation downregulated the proliferative, necrotic, fibroblastic changes, eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions, hyaline globules and Mallory‐like bodies that were detected histopathologically in the TAA group. In conclusion, LF showed better hepatic protection than QD against TAA‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats by inhibiting inflammatory reactions with the improvement of some serum hepatic transaminases, histopathological picture and immunohistochemical markers.