bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes after hepatectomy in older patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A multicentre cohort study
Authors: Zhao Zhengxiao , Bo Zhiyuan , Ye Ni , Dong Yulong , Xu Yingfei , Wang Binbin , Yang Facai , Liu Liwei , Liu Zhendong 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsSarcopenia is associated with poor prognosis, but its role in older patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on the prognosis of older patients with ICC undergoing hepatectomy.MethodsA total of 363 patients with ICC following hepatectomy from 2015 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed at five institutions. Sarcopenia was evaluated using skeletal muscle index by computed tomography images. Patients were divided into four subgroups according to sarcopenia and age. Postoperative outcomes including complication, overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) were evaluated. Risk factors were identified through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.Results302 patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 63 years and there were 128 patients (42.4%) aged over 65 years. 192 patients (63.6%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia, while 180 patients (59.6%) experienced myosteatosis. Older patients experienced a higher incidence of sarcopenia and myosteatosis, and worse postoperative outcomes than younger patients. In the subgroup of patients with sarcopenia, older patients experienced a significant shorter OS than younger patients, which was not observed in patients without sarcopenia. According to the multivariate Cox regression analysis, lymphatic metastasis (p < .001), blood transfusion (p = .004), low serum albumin (p = .051), sarcopenia (p = .024), and myosteatosis (p = .004) were identified as independent risk factors of OS in older patients, meanwhile tumour size (p = .013) and lymphatic metastasis (p < .001) were independent risk factors of RFS.ConclusionsSarcopenia and myosteatosis have a significant adverse impact on postoperative outcomes in older patients with ICC undergoing hepatectomy.
Familial clustering of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in first‐degree relatives of adults with lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Niltwat Sorachat , Limwongse Chanin , Charatcharoenwitthaya Natthinee , Bunditvorapoom Duangkamon , Bandidniyamanon Wimolrak , Charatcharoenwitthaya Phunchai 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsThe heritability of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in lean individuals is undetermined. This familial aggregation study aimed to evaluate familial linkage for NAFLD and the risk of NAFLD among first‐degree relatives of probands with lean NAFLD.MethodsThis study prospectively recruited cohorts of probands with lean NAFLD, probands with obese NAFLD, and lean probands with non‐NAFLD and their respective first‐degree relatives. A total of 257 participants were evaluated for liver steatosis, defined by the controlled attenuation parameter ≥288 dB/m2, metabolic characteristics, and the PNPLA3, TM6SF2, and MBOAT7 polymorphisms.ResultsThe prevalence of NAFLD in first‐degree relatives of lean NAFLD probands (39.9%) was similar to that in the obese NAFLD group (36.9%) and was significantly higher than in lean persons without NAFLD (19.1%). First‐degree relatives of probands with NAFLD who were male, and had central obesity, hypertriglyceridaemia, insulin resistance, and the PNPLA3 rs738409C>G allele had a significantly higher prevalence of NAFLD. After multivariable adjustment for gender, metabolic characteristics, and the PNPLA3 rs738409C>G allele, first‐degree relatives of probands with lean NAFLD (odds ratio [OR], 5.13; 95% CI, 1.77–14.86) and obese NAFLD (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.14–8.99) exhibited an increased risk of NAFLD compared with those of lean controls without NAFLD.ConclusionsOur well‐phenotype cohorts revealed familial clustering of NAFLD and higher risks of NAFLD in first‐degree relatives of probands with lean or obese NAFLD. The findings encourage clinicians caring for NAFLD patients to be more vigilant for NAFLD in their family members.
Paternal influences over offspring sex ratio in mammals – tested hypotheses and potential mechanisms
Authors: Pawluk Julia Joanna , Zagalska‐Neubauer Magdalena 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The sex ratio of sexually reproducing animal species is usually close to 1:1 and could be influenced by both parents. Deviations from this ratio occur in nature and can have an adaptive role. Although there are several evolutionary hypotheses explaining this bias, there is a significant lack of knowledge of the mechanisms of sex ratio facultative adjustments. While maternal effects are relatively well studied, the paternal effects on the primary sex ratio remain elusive.

This review aims to assemble and summarise the knowledge of male control in sex allocation. In particular, we focused on identifying possible mechanisms through which the adjustment could be achieved at pre‐, peri‐ and post‐fertilisation levels.

A systematic literature review was performed. We selected 59 articles that provided a potential proximal explanation of observed offspring sex ratio skews for which mammalian males might be responsible.

We outlined potential physiological and genetic mechanisms of male‐driven sex allocation operating in male germ cells and zygote stage in mammals. However, most of the proposed hypotheses of how males can bias the offspring sex ratio concern mostly the production of unequal numbers of Y‐ and X‐chromosome‐bearing spermatozoa, and their differences in morphology and physiology.

As males possess a wide range of mechanisms to effectively alter the sex ratio of their offspring, they can play a significant role in this phenomenon and should be studied to reduce the gap in our understanding of their role in sex allocation in comparison to the role of females. More empirical studies on different mammalian models are needed to fully characterise the trends of the adjustment. Predicting the sex ratio of the progeny is of great importance, not only in animal husbandry but also for the conservation of endangered species.
Individual Differences in Inhibitory Control Relate to Neural Efficiency During Reading
Authors: Yamasaki Brianna L. , Prat Chantel S. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractNeural efficiency, adaptability, and synchronization, or the ability to recruit, dynamically modulate, and coordinate neural resources on an “as needed” basis, have been proposed as hallmarks of skilled reading. The current study explored the relation between these aspects of neural functioning during reading, as measured by electroencephalography (EEG), and individual differences in inhibitory control, as measured by performance on the Simon task. Wireless 16‐channel EEG headsets were used to record eyes‐closed resting‐state EEG and EEG during reading (recorded while participants completed a reading comprehension test). Results from 140 participants showed a significant correlation between inhibitory control and neural efficiency in the theta frequency band within the right posterior region‐of‐interest, but no significant correlations with neural adaptability or synchronization. Given the established relation between theta‐based activity and linguistic processes, this finding suggests that readers with better inhibitory control demonstrate more efficient use of their language network while reading.
Risk factors for anaemia among women and their young children hospitalised with suspected thiamine deficiency in northern Lao PDR
Authors: Hess Sonja Y. , Smith Taryn J. , Sitthideth Dalaphone , Arnold Charles D. , Tan Xiuping , Jones Kerry S. , Brown Kenneth H. , Alayon Silvia , Kounnavong Sengchanh 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAnaemia among women and young children remains a major public health concern. This secondary study describes the anaemia prevalence among young hospitalised children and their mothers in northern Lao People's Democratic Republic and explores possible nutritional causes and risk factors for anaemia. Hospitalised children (ages 21 days to <18 months) with clinical symptoms suggestive of thiamine deficiency disorders were eligible along with their mothers. Venous blood was collected for determination of haemoglobin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), retinol‐binding protein (RBP), erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac), thiamine diphosphate (ThDP) and acute phase proteins. Risk factors for anaemia were modelled using minimally adjusted logistic regression controlling for age. Haemoglobin results were available for 436 women (mean ± SD age 24.7 ± 6.4 years; 1.6% pregnant) and 427 children (4.3 ± 3.5 months; 60.3% male). Anaemia prevalence (Hb < 120 g/L for nonpregnant women and <110 g/L for pregnant women and children) was 30.7% among women and 55.2% among children. In bivariate analyses, biomarkers significantly associated with anaemia in women were ferritin, sTfR, RBP, EGRac and ThDP. Other risk factors for women were lower BMI, mid‐upper arm circumference < 23.5 cm, lower education, lower socioeconomic index, food insecurity, Hmong ethnicity, not/rarely having attended antenatal care, not having taken antenatal iron‐containing supplements and not meeting minimum dietary diversity. Risk factors for anaemia among children were older age, male sex, stunting, sTfR, ThDP and alpha‐1‐acid‐glycoprotein. Anaemia was common among women and their hospitalised children and was associated with micronutrient deficiencies and socioeconomic, dietary and health care‐seeking risk factors, suggesting that multiple strategies are required to prevent anaemia among women and children.
High promiscuity among females of the invasive pest species Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Puppato Simone , Fiorenza Giulia , Carraretto Davide , Gomulski Ludvik Marcus , Gasperi Giuliano , Caceres Carlos , Grassi Alberto , Mancini Maria Vittoria , De Cristofaro Antonio , Ioriatti Claudio , Guilhot Robin , Malacrida Anna Rodolfa 
Published: October 2023

AbstractDrosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931), the spotted‐wing drosophila, is a highly invasive fruit fly that spread from Southern Asia across most regions of Asia and, in the last 15 years, has invaded Europe and the Americas. It is an economically important pest of small fruits such as berries and stone fruits. Drosophila suzukii speciated by adapting to cooler, mountainous, and forest environments. In temperate regions, it evolved seasonal polyphenism traits which enhanced its survival during stressful winter population bottlenecks. Consequently, in these temperate regions, the populations undergo seasonal reproductive dynamics. Despite its economic importance, no data are available on the behavioural reproductive strategies of this fly. The presence of polyandry, for example, has not been determined despite the important role it might play in the reproductive dynamics of populations. We explored the presence of polyandry in an established population in Trentino, a region in northern Italy. In this area, D. suzukii overcomes the winter bottleneck and undergoes a seasonal reproductive fluctuation. We observed a high remating frequency in females during the late spring demographic explosion that led to the abundant summer population. The presence of a high degree of polyandry and shared paternity associated with the post‐winter population increase raises the question of the possible evolutionary adaptive role of this reproductive behaviour in D. suzukii.
Influence of demand and supply factors on trade flows: Evidence for Argentina (1996–2016)
Authors: Fares Florencia , Zack Guido 
Published: October 2023

AbstractUsing an ARDL‐ECM model, we estimate the aggregate and sectoral elasticities for Argentina. We confirm that the income elasticities of exports are lower than those of imports. When we control by real labor costs, exchange rate volatility, the black‐market exchange rate and domestic absorption, the difference between income elasticities is reduced but remains statistically significant. In the sectoral breakdown, the higher the technological intensity in the industry, the higher the income elasticities. Agro‐based, textile, automotive, process, and engineering products have price elasticities two or three times the magnitude of aggregate elasticity.
HetF defines a transition point from commitment to morphogenesis during heterocyst differentiation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Xing Wei‐Yue , Liu Jing , Zhang Cheng‐Cai 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is able to form heterocysts for nitrogen fixation. Heterocyst differentiation is initiated by combined‐nitrogen deprivation, followed by the commitment step during which the developmental process becomes irreversible. Mature heterocysts are terminally differentiated cells unable to divide, and cell division is required for heterocyst differentiation. Previously, we have shown that the HetF protease regulates cell division and heterocyst differentiation by cleaving PatU3, which is an inhibitor for both events. When hetF is required during the developmental program remains unknown. Here, by controlling the timing of hetF expression during heterocyst differentiation, we provide evidence that hetF is required just before the beginning of heterocyst morphogenesis. Consistent with this finding, transcriptome data show that most of the genes known to be involved in the early step (such as hetR and ntcA) or the commitment step (such as hetP and hetZ) of heterocyst development could be expressed in the ΔhetF mutant. In contrast, most of the genes involved in heterocyst morphogenesis and nitrogen fixation remain repressed in the mutant. These results indicated that in the absence of hetF, heterocyst differentiation is able to be initiated and proceeds to the stage just before heterocyst envelope formation.
Tartrolon sensing and detoxification by the Listeria monocytogenes timABR resistance operon
Authors: Engelgeh Tim , Herrmann Jennifer , Jansen Rolf , Müller Rolf , Halbedel Sven 
Published: October 2023

AbstractListeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterium that naturally occurs in the soil. Originating from there, it contaminates crops and infects farm animals and their consumption by humans may lead to listeriosis, a systemic life‐threatening infectious disease. The adaptation of L. monocytogenes to such contrastive habitats is reflected by the presence of virulence genes for host infection and other genes for survival under environmental conditions. Among the latter are ABC transporters for excretion of antibiotics produced by environmental competitors; however, most of these transporters have not been characterized. Here, we generated a collection of promoter‐lacZ fusions for genes encoding ABC‐type drug transporters of L. monocytogenes and screened this reporter strain collection for induction using a library of natural compounds produced by various environmental microorganisms. We found that the timABR locus (lmo1964‐lmo1962) was induced by the macrodiolide antibiotic tartrolon B, which is synthesized by the soil myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum. Tartrolon B resistance of L. monocytogenes was dependent on timAB, encoding the ATPase and the permease component of a novel ABC transporter. Moreover, transplantation of timAB was sufficient to confer tartrolon B resistance to Bacillus subtilis. Expression of the timABR locus was found to be auto‐repressed by the TimR repressor, whose repressing activity was lost in the presence of tartrolon B. We also demonstrate that tartrolon sensitivity was suppressed by high external potassium concentrations, suggesting that tartrolon acts as potassium ionophore. Our results help to map the ecological interactions of an important human pathogen with its co‐residing species within their joint natural reservoir.
Avoiding misclassification of acute kidney injury: Timing is everything
Authors: Legg Amy , Roberts Jason A. , Roberts Matthew A. , Cass Alan , Davies Jane , Tong Steven Y. C. , Davis Joshua S. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAccurate detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) in clinical trials is important. Using a ‘baseline’ creatinine from trial enrolment may not be ideal for understanding a participant's true baseline kidney function. We aimed to determine if a ‘pre‐trial baseline creatinine’ resulted in comparable creatinine concentrations to a ‘trial baseline creatinine’, and how the timing of baseline creatinine affected the incidence of AKI in the Combination Antibiotic therapy for MEthicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMERA2) randomised trial. Study sites retrospectively collected a pre‐trial baseline creatinine from up to 1 year before CAMERA2 trial enrolment ideally when the patient was medically stable. Baseline creatinine from CAMERA2 (the ‘trial baseline creatinine’), was the highest creatinine measurement in the 24 h preceding trial randomisation. We used Wilcoxon sign rank test to compare pre‐trial and trial baseline creatinine concentrations. We included 217 patients. The median pre‐trial baseline creatinine was significantly lower than the median trial baseline creatinine (82 μmol/L [IQR 65–104 μmol/L] versus 86 μmol/L [IQR 66–152 μmol/L] p = <0.001). Using pre‐trial baseline creatinine, 48 of 217 patients (22%) met criteria for an AKI at CAMERA2 enrolment and only 5 of these patients met criteria for an AKI using the CAMERA2 study protocol (using baseline creatinine from trial entry). Using a baseline creatinine from the time of trial enrolment failed to detect many patients with AKI. Trial protocols should consider the optimal timing of baseline creatinine and the limitations of using a baseline creatinine during an acute illness.
Mothering children at a paediatric intensive care unit with strict visiting hours: A qualitative study
Authors: Chung Na‐Ry , Chae Sun‐Mi 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundAlthough a child‐ and family‐centred care (CFCC) philosophy has been emphasized and adopted for decades in paediatric critical care settings in several countries, numerous issues from parents' perspectives regarding the philosophy remain unresolved. To facilitate the full translation of CFCC into clinical practice, health care professionals need an in‐depth understanding of family experiences. Real‐life mothering experiences, including maternal roles and identities, remain largely unknown at paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in the Republic of Korea, where family visitation, presence, and participation are restricted.AimTo explore mothering experiences at a PICU where family visitation is strictly constrained, and to identify maternal needs and values.Study DesignWe conducted a qualitative descriptive study of eight individual in‐depth interviews with seven mothers of hospitalized children. Qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.FindingsFive major themes, along with four subthemes, emerged: (1) shifts in maternal roles and responsibilities, (2) shifts in interpersonal relationships, (3) desire for CFCC in the PICU, (4) practising self‐defined mothering roles, and (5) reconstructing maternal identities. The themes revealed the experiences of becoming mothers of a child in a constrained PICU. Ultimately, mothers demanded that the unit improve its physical and cultural environments through, for example, liberalized family visitation and participation in the care of their children.ConclusionsNursing professionals should lead the charge for humanizing a restrictive PICU in the Republic of Korea by ensuring a safe and open environment and mothering continuity based on child‐ and family‐centred holistic care.Relevance to Clinical PracticeEffective interventions must be developed and tested to globally establish and fully implement strong evidence‐based CFCC in PICUs; constant co‐commitment among children, families, health care professionals, and institutions is also necessary.
A meta‐analysis highlights globally widespread potassium limitation in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Chen Baozhang , Fang Jingchun , Piao Shilong , Ciais Philippe , Black Thomas Andrew , Wang Fei , Niu Shuli , Zeng Zhenzhong , Luo Yiqi 
Published: October 2023

Summary
Potassium (K+) is the most abundant inorganic cation in plant cells, playing a critical role in various plant functions. However, the impacts of K on natural terrestrial ecosystems have been less studied compared with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P).
Here, we present a global meta‐analysis aimed at quantifying the response of aboveground production to K addition. This analysis is based on 144 field K fertilization experiments. We also investigate the influences of climate, soil properties, ecosystem types, and fertilizer regimes on the responses of aboveground production.
We find that: K addition significantly increases aboveground production by 12.3% (95% CI: 7.4–17.5%), suggesting a widespread occurrence of K limitation across terrestrial ecosystems; K limitation is more prominent in regions with humid climates, acidic soils, or weathered soils; the effect size of K addition varies among climate zones/regions, and is influenced by multiple factors; and previous N : K and K : P thresholds utilized to detect K limitation in wetlands cannot be applied to other biomes.
Our findings emphasize the role of K in limiting terrestrial productivity, which should be integrated into future terrestrial ecosystems models.
African bovid tribe classification using transfer learning and computer vision
Authors: Domínguez‐Rodrigo Manuel , Brophy Juliet , Mathews Gregory J. , Pizarro‐Monzo Marcos , Baquedano Enrique 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjective analytical identification methods are still a minority in the praxis of paleobiological sciences. Subjective interpretation of fossils and their modifications remains a nonreplicable expert endeavor. Identification of African bovids is a crucial element in the reconstruction of paleo‐landscapes, ungulate paleoecology, and, eventually, hominin adaptation and ecosystemic reconstruction. Recent analytical efforts drawing on Fourier functional analysis and discrimination methods applied to occlusal surfaces of teeth have provided a highly accurate framework to correctly classify African bovid tribes and taxa. Artificial intelligence tools, like computer vision, have also shown their potential to be objectively more accurate in the identification of taphonomic agency than human experts. For this reason, here we implement some of the most successful computer vision methods, using transfer learning and ensemble analysis, to classify bidimensional images of African bovid teeth and show that 92% of the large testing set of images of African bovid tribes analyzed could be correctly classified. This brings an objective tool to paleoecological interpretation, where bovid identification and paleoecological interpretation can be more confidently carried out.