bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of potential predictive factors of dupilumab response in patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis
Authors: Melé‐Ninot Gemma , Curto‐Barredo Laia , Bonfill‐Ortí Montserrat , Expósito‐Serrano Vicente , Munera‐Campos Mónica , Figueras Nart Ignasi , Riquelme‐Mc Loughlin Constanza , Gómez‐Armayones Sara , Spertino Jorge , Serra‐Baldrich Esther 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundDupilumab has shown to be an effective and safe treatment for patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD).ObjectiveTo evaluate the predictive factors of response (PRF) in patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD treated with dupilumab.MethodsObservational, retrospective and multicentre study conducted on adult patients diagnosed with moderate‐to‐severe AD treated with dupilumab, with a post‐treatment follow‐up of at least 16 weeks. The primary endpoints were EASI‐75 and the IGA scale at week 52.ResultsA total of 198 patients were included in the analysis. Mean age was 38 ± 15.1 years and 116 (58.6%) were men. The most prevalent AD‐predominant phenotypes were flexural eczema (45.3%), head‐and‐neck eczema (18.2%) and erythroderma (17.7%). At week 52, 140 (86.4%) patients achieved EASI‐75 and 119 (93.0%) achieved an improvement in ≥2 points from baseline in IGA score. Women were 3.6 times more likely to achieve EASI‐75 response than men (Odds ratio: 3.58; p = 0.020). While increased body mass index significantly reduced the probability of obtaining an improvement of ≥2 points in the IGA scale at week 52 (odds ratio: 0.88; p = 0.049).ConclusionsDupilumab was an effective treatment in patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD. Additionally, sex and body mass index were significantly associated with achieving EASI‐75 and an improvement of ≥2 points in the IGA scale, respectively, at week 52.
Police‐recorded adult sexual assault in the Northern Territory, Australia: Alcohol involvement and alcohol policy effects
Authors: Clifford Sarah , Wright Cassandra J. C. , Miller Peter G. , Baldwin Ryan , Griffiths Kalinda E. , Smith James A. , Livingston Michael 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIntroductionBetween 2017 and 2018 three major alcohol policy changes were introduced in the Northern Territory (NT): the Banned Drinker Register, an individual‐level ban enforced via ID scanners at takeaway outlets; a Minimum Unit Price on alcohol; and Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors, who monitor takeaway outlets to prevent purchase by people who do not have a legal place to consume alcohol. We aimed to: (i) describe alcohol‐involved adult sexual assault in the NT; and (ii) estimate the impacts of these alcohol policies on police‐recorded adult sexual assault.MethodsWe used victim records for sexual assault where victims were aged 15 years and over. We undertook descriptive analyses for the NT from 2014 to 2020 and used interrupted time series analysis to assess policy impacts across the NT and in Greater Darwin.ResultsIn 2020, the NT adult victimisation rate was 105 per 100,000. A large minority (40%) of adult sexual assaults involved alcohol. Interrupted time series analyses showed no effect of the Banned Drinker Register or Minimum Unit Price on sexual assault across the NT or in Greater Darwin.Discussion and ConclusionsThe rate of adult sexual assaults in the NT is extremely high and many involve alcohol. Neither the Banned Drinker Register or Minimum Unit Price were associated with changes in police‐recorded adult sexual assault in Greater Darwin or across the NT. Due to small counts, we were unable to assess policy impacts in three of the four main towns, highlighting the challenges of assessing impacts of policies on sexual assault in small population areas.
Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with cortical thickness of medial temporal brain areas associated with spatial cognition in young but not older adults
Authors: Rosario Michael A. , Kern Kathryn L. , Mumtaz Shiraz , Storer Thomas W. , Schon Karin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCardiorespiratory fitness has a potent effect on neurocognitive health, especially regarding the hippocampal memory system. However, less is known about the impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on medial temporal lobe extrahippocampal neocortical regions. Specifically, it is unclear how cardiorespiratory fitness modulates these brain regions in young adulthood and if these regions are differentially related to cardiorespiratory fitness in young versus older adults. The primary goal of this study was to investigate if cardiorespiratory fitness predicted medial temporal lobe cortical thickness which, with the hippocampus, are critical for spatial learning and memory. Additionally, given the established role of these cortices in spatial navigation, we sought to determine if cardiorespiratory fitness and medial temporal lobe cortical thickness would predict greater subjective sense of direction in both young and older adults. Cross‐sectional data from 56 young adults (20–35 years) and 44 older adults (55–85 years) were included. FreeSurfer 6.0 was used to automatically segment participants' 3T T1‐weighted images. Using hierarchical multiple regression analyses, we confirmed significant associations between greater cardiorespiratory fitness and greater left entorhinal, left parahippocampal, and left perirhinal cortical thickness in young, but not older, adults. Left parahippocampal cortical thickness interacted with age group to differentially predict subjective sense of direction in young and older adults. Young adults displayed a positive, and older adults a negative, correlation between left parahippocampal cortical thickness and sense of direction. Our findings extend previous work on the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and hippocampal subfield structure in young adults to left medial temporal lobe neocortical regions.
Dopamine neuron activity evoked by sucrose and sucrose‐predictive cues is augmented by peripheral and central manipulations of glucose availability
Authors: Konanur Vaibhav R. , Hurh Samantha J. , Hsu Ted M. , Roitman Mitchell F. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractFood deprivation drives eating through multiple signals and circuits. Decreased glucose availability (i.e., cytoglucopenia) drives eating and also increases the value of sucrose. Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons (DANs) contribute to the evaluation of taste stimuli, but their role in integrating glucoprivic signals remains unknown. We monitored VTA DAN activity via Cre‐dependent expression of a calcium indicator with in vivo fibre photometry. In ad libitum fed rats, intraoral sucrose evoked a phasic increase in DAN activity. To manipulate glucose availability, we administered (intraperitoneal, lateral or fourth ventricular) the antiglycolytic agent 5‐thio‐D‐glucose (5TG), which significantly augmented the phasic DAN activity to sucrose. 5TG failed to alter DAN activity to water or saccharin, suggesting the response was selective for caloric stimuli. 5TG enhancement of sucrose‐evoked DAN activity was stronger after fourth ventricular administration, suggesting a critical node of action within the hindbrain. As 5TG also increases blood glucose, in a separate study, we used peripheral insulin, which stimulates eating, to decrease blood glucose—which was associated with increased DAN activity to intraoral sucrose. DAN activity developed to a cue predictive of intraoral sucrose. While 5TG augmented cue‐evoked DAN activity, its action was most potent when delivered to the lateral ventricle. Together, the studies point to central glucose availability as a key modulator of phasic DAN activity to food and food‐cues. As glucose sensing neurons are known to populate the hypothalamus and brainstem, results suggest differential modulation of cue‐evoked and sucrose‐evoked DAN activity.
Comparison of nitrogen mineralisation patterns of Cichorium intybus and Medicago sativa
Authors: Gardner Matthew J. , Condon Jason R. , Dear Brian S. , Conyers Mark K. , Li Guangdi D. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractLittle is known about the rate of mineralisation of chicory (Cichorium intybus) residues and how this may influence the availability of nitrogen (N) for subsequent crops. An incubation study was conducted to compare the relative rates of N mineralisation and carbon dioxide production from different plant fractions of chicory and lucerne (Medicago sativa) over 112 days. Plants were separated into leaves, stems, fibrous roots (<1 mm), and taproots (>4 mm), which were either ground or segmented, and then mixed with soil in sealed jars. Results showed that net N mineralisation occurred from day 7 for lucerne leaves, but not until day 56 for chicory leaves. By day 112, chicory leaves only produced approximately 25% of the N mineralised by lucerne leaves. Segmented chicory taproots released 32% and 24% more of the plant N and carbon (C), respectively, than any other chicory and lucerne plant fractions despite having a C:N ratio greater than 30. The presence of a common fungal saprophyte (Rhizopus spp.) in the segmented chicory taproot treatments appeared to accelerate the net N mineralisation rate. Whilst coarse chicory roots released mineral N relatively rapidly, the lower N content observed in the chicory plant residues limited the capacity of chicory to release the same quantity of mineral N compared to lucerne. Chicory needs to be grown with a companion legume so that N mineralisation of the residues better matches the demands of N requirement for the following non‐legume cropping phase.
Perspectives and perception of haemophilia gene therapy by French patients
Authors: Pietu Geneviève , Giraud Nicolas , Chamouard Valérie , Duport Gaétan , Lienhart Anne , Dargaud Yesim 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIntroduction and aimA national survey was initiated by representatives of French patients with haemophilia (AFH) and the French reference centre for haemophilia, in order to appreciate the awareness and knowledge of these patients regarding haemophilia gene therapy (HGT) and understand better their position about this innovative treatment that will soon become available.ResultsOf 143 answers received, 137 could be analysed, representing about 3.5% of patients with severe or moderate haemophilia over 16year‐old. They were 80.3% with haemophilia A and 19.7 % with haemophilia B, with a severe form of the disease for 80.3 % of them. Curiosity for HGT was formulated by 64.2% of the participants, 33.6 % being interested by this approach as soon as it will be available and 38.7 % preferring to wait until more patients have been treated. Only 3.6 % of the participants would never consider receiving HGT. The level of awareness and knowledge was estimated to be limited by 39.5 % of the patients. More than 60 % of them declared having never or almost never discussed HGT with the team of their haemophilia centre. Before deciding to get HGT, 54.4 % of the participants considered that it will be very important to compare it with their current treatment and 53.7 % would like to be better informed by their care providers.ConclusionsThese results highlight the need for training and education for patients, but also for professionals at haemophilia centres, about HGT and the shared decision‐making process. Objective, unbiased and transparent information must be available for patients about this very promising therapy which nonetheless carries more uncertainty and unknowns compared to other haemophilia treatments.
Mycobacterium haemophilum infection in immunocompetent adults: a literature review and case report
Authors: Sun Yuan , Li Huiyan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundMycobacterium haemophilum has been increasingly found in severely immunocompromised patients but is scarcely reported in immunocompetent adults.MethodsWe systematically reviewed previous literature to identify studies on infection in immunocompetent adults. Articles reporting at least one case of M. haemophilum infection were included. We excluded articles involving patients who had immunosuppression‐related diseases and routinely used glucocorticoids or immunosuppressants. We also reported a case of a young immunocompetent woman infected by M. haemophilum along the eyebrows, which was probably due to the use of an eyebrow pencil retrieved from a sink drain.ResultsTwelve qualifying articles reporting M. haemophilum infection in immunocompetent adults were identified. Among them, most cases report skin lesions along the eyebrows, and the remaining had cervicofacial lymphadenitis, lesions on the arm or fingers, inflammation in the eyeballs, or ulceration in the perineal region. Most cases were caused by tattoos, make‐up, injury, or surgical operation. For diagnosis, specialized tissue culture sensitivity was roughly 75%, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test sensitivity was approximately 89%. Triple antibiotic therapy for 3 to 24 months, or surgical excision was effective in controlling infection.ConclusionM. haemophilum infection should be considered if routine antibacterial and glucocorticoid treatments are ineffective against the disease, even in healthy adults. To definitively diagnose this infection, conditioned tissue culture or PCR testing is required. Treatment usually involves a combination of multiple antibiotics and, if necessary, surgical removal of infected tissue.
Th9/IL‐9 may participate in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma
Authors: Liu Yihan , Xie Yinghua , Han Xiyao , Li Pei , Zhou Jianan , Hu Xinxin , Wang Qiuyun 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIntroductionThis research is aimed to evaluate the correlation between Th9‐associated cytokine levels in MM patients, clinical features, and therapy.MethodsPeripheral blood samples were taken in 52 MM patients and 20 healthy volunteers matched by sex and age. The patients with MM were separated into two groups: the untreated group (27) and the remission group (25). An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the IL‐9 plasma levels. The levels of Th9‐associated cytokines' mRNA expression (IL‐9, PU.1, and IRF4) were measured in RT‐qPCR. We also analyzed the correlations between the IL‐9 plasma levels and the clinical parameters of newly diagnosed MM patients.ResultsThe IL‐9 plasma levels and the Th9‐associated cytokines (IL‐9, PU.1, and IRF4) mRNA levels in newly diagnosed MM patients were significantly elevated than those in healthy volunteers and significantly decreased after achieving remission. Moreover, PU.1 and IRF4 had a positive correlation with the IL‐9 mRNA expression. Then, we found that the upregulation of IL‐9 plasma levels correlates with the severity of anemia and decreased albumin Levels.ConclusionThe results demonstrate that Th9/IL‐9 may be involved in the pathogenesis of MM and is correlated with worse patient conditions such as lower hemoglobin and serum albumin. More work is necessary to confirm whether they might serve as a useful therapeutic target and prognostic marker for MM.
Microsatellite imputation using SNP data for parentage verification in four Italian sheep breeds
Authors: Ablondi Michela , Stocco Giorgia , Cortellari Matteo , Carta Antonello , Summer Andrea , Negro Alessio , Grande Silverio , Crepaldi Paola , Cipolat‐Gotet Claudio , Biffani Stefano 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMicrosatellite markers (MS) have been widely used for parentage verification in most of the livestock species over the past decades mainly due to their high polymorphic information content. In the genomic era, the spread of genotype information as single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has raised the question to effectively use SNPs also for parentage testing. Despite the clear advantages of SNP panels in terms of cost, accuracy, and automation, the transition from MS to SNP markers for parentage verification is still very slow and, so far, only routinely applied in cattle. A major difficulty during this transition period is the need of SNP data for parents and offspring, which in most cases is not yet feasible due to the genotyping cost. To overcome the unavailability of same genotyping platform during the transition period, in this study we aimed to assess the feasibility of a MS imputation pipeline from SNPs in four native sheep dairy breeds: Comisana (N = 331), Massese (N = 210), Delle Langhe (N = 59) and Sarda (N = 1003). Those sheep were genotyped for 11 MS and with the Ovine SNP50 Bead Chip. Prior to imputation, a quality control (QC) was performed, and SNPs located within a window of 2 Mb from each MS were selected. The core of the developed pipeline was made up of three steps: (a) storing of both MS and SNP data in a Variant Call Format file, (b) masking MS information in a random sample of individuals (10%), (c) imputing masked MS based on non‐missing individuals (90%) using an imputation program. The feasability of the proposed methodology was assessed also among different training − testing split ratio, population size, number of flanking SNPs as well as within and among breeds. The accuracy of the MS imputation was assessed based on the genotype concordance as well as at parentage verification level in a subset of animals in which assigned parents' MS were available. A total of 8 MS passed the QC, and 505 SNPs were located within the ±2 Mb window from each MS, with an average of 63 SNPs per MS. The results were encouraging since when excluding the worst imputed MS (OARAE129), and regardless on the analyses performed (within and across breeds) for all breeds, we achieved an overall concordance rate over 94%. In addition, on average, the imputed offspring MS resulted in equivalent parentage outcome in 94% of the cases when compared to verification using original MS, highlighting both the feasibility and the eventual practical advantage of using this imputation pipeline.
Variation in functional composition of reef fishes along a tropical‐to‐temperate gradient
Authors: Clay Charlotte G. , Reimer James D. , Sommer Brigitte , Cook Katie M. , Mizuyama Masaru , Obuchi Masami , Kawamura Iori , Kise Hiroki , Beger Maria 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAimsTransformation of species and functional composition on subtropical reefs are ongoing due to poleward range shifts of some tropical species, with largely unknown consequences to ecosystem functioning. Trait‐based approaches are powerful tools to quantify such changes. Here, we evaluated changes in the trait composition of coral‐associated fish assemblages along a tropical‐to‐temperate environmental gradient of ca. 1400 km in southern Japan with abundance‐weighted trait expression to assess how trait composition changes with increasing latitude.LocationRyukyu Islands and southern Pacific coast of Japan.TaxonReef fish.MethodsWe tested for shifts in trait space and functional redundancy, based on five morphological, life history and behavioural traits: maximum length, pelagic larval duration, trophic level, substrate preference and reproductive mode. Our trait database was coded with two approaches, first, by attributing a single value to each trait per species, and second, by fuzzy coding that allows more than one value per trait and hence considers some intraspecific trait variation.ResultsWe found a reduction in specialist habitat traits (coral substrate preference, nesters and herbivores) and an increase in generalist traits (predators) with increasing latitude, along with a contraction in trait space from tropical‐to‐temperate reefs. Functional redundancy declined with increasing latitude. These trends were closely linked with latitudinal gradients in temperature, along with changes in other environmental factors such as turbidity and photosynthetically active radiation.Main ConclusionFunctional turnover and contractions are thus likely due to the marginal conditions for coral‐associated fishes at higher latitudes, favouring generalist species, whereas increased resources at lower latitudes favour high redundancy and niche partitioning. Accounting for intraspecific trait variation indicated the same trends but highlighted increased functional vulnerability across all sites. We show that trait complexity in coral‐associated fish communities decreases from tropical‐to‐temperate reefs, highlighting the reduced functional scope that comes with marginal environmental conditions.
Responses of leaf biomechanics and underlying traits to rangeland management differ between graminoids and forbs
Authors: Segrestin Jules , Kazakou Elena , Coq Sylvain , Sartori Kevin , Richarte Jean , Rowe Nick P. , Garnier Eric 
Published: December 2023

AbstractQuestionAlthough leaf biomechanical properties have been identified as critical traits for plant‐herbivore interactions, their responses to grazing pressure have been poorly investigated. Intensification of rangeland management, associated with fertilization and an increase in grazing pressure, has been shown to favour fast‐growing species that can compensate for biomass losses due to grazing. According to the postulated trade‐off between resource acquisition and defence, it is often expected that acquisitive traits should be associated with low leaf mechanical resistance. Here we investigated the responses of two leaf biomechanical traits, and their underlying traits, to management intensification.LocationWe used a long‐term experiment in a rangeland located in the Mediterranean region of Southern France, in which three treatments corresponding to different fertilizer inputs and sheep grazing pressures were established.MethodsWe sampled 24 abundant graminoid and forb species. The responses of work to shear and force to tear to the treatments were tested together with those of growth‐related leaf traits (leaf mass per area, dry matter content). To better understand the observed patterns, we tested whether the difference between species’ leaf biomechanics could be explained by morpho‐anatomical characteristics such as leaf thickness and density.ResultsConsistent with the acquisition–defence trade‐off hypothesis, we found that graminoids from fertilized and intensely grazed areas had lower leaf resistance than those in ungrazed areas. However, no difference in leaf biomechanics was found in forbs despite a significant decrease in leaf mass per area and leaf dry matter content with management intensification. Consistent with this, we found no significant effect of morpho‐anatomical traits on either biomechanical trait in forbs.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the observed responses in graminoids result from phenotypic constraints between resource acquisition and biomechanical defence. However, these phenotypic constraints appeared to be released in forbs, questioning the idea of a universal relationship between these two functions.
Oral health knowledge and attitude among healthcare professionals of long‐term care units: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Baptista Ana , Gavinha Sandra , Conceição Manso Maria 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the knowledge and the attitude in oral health (OH) of nurses (NUR) and auxiliary health technicians (AHT) belonging to the Long‐term Care Units (LTC).MethodsObservational cross‐sectional study. A survey was applied in five MLTC in Porto (Portugal) to 145 healthcare works (HCW). Data were collected using structured questionnaires with questions about knowledge and attitude regarding oral care. Data analysis comparison was performed using non‐parametric tests (α = 0.05).ResultsOut of a total of 259 HCW, 145 responses were obtained (55.98% response rate). The median number of correct answers was significantly different for NUR and AHT without oral health training (OHT) (p = .035).AHT with OHT had a significantly lower number of correct answers compared to NUR with OHT (7 vs. 9, p < .001). There was no significant difference in the number of correct answers in NUR with or without OHT (p = .391) and that the AHT without OHT have a median of correct answers significantly higher than those who they have OHT (8 vs. 7, p = .020)ConclusionsDespite the positive attitude of the HCW, the knowledge is scarce. HCW recognized the urgence to update the protocols.Practical ImplicationsIntegrating dentists in the LTC team, implementation of OH protocols and providing OH training should be considered to bridge existing gaps.