bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Association between State-Level Structural Racism and Alcohol and Tobacco Use Behaviors among a National Probability Sample of Black Americans
Authors: Woodard Nathaniel , Butler James , Ghosh Debarchana , Green Kerry M. , Knott Cheryl L. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background:
Structural racism is how society maintains and promotes racial hierarchy and discrimination through established and interconnected systems. Structural racism is theorized to promote alcohol and tobacco use, which are risk factors for adverse health and cancer-health outcomes. The current study assesses the association between measures of state-level structural racism and alcohol and tobacco use among a national sample of 1,946 Black Americans.

Methods:
An existing composite index of state-level structural racism including five dimensions (subscales; i.e., residential segregation and employment, economic, incarceration, and educational inequities) was merged with individual-level data from a national sample dataset. Hierarchical linear and logistic regression models, accounting for participant clustering at the state level, assessed associations between structural racism and frequency of alcohol use, frequency of binge drinking, smoking status, and smoking frequency. Two models were estimated for each behavioral outcome, one using the composite structural racism index and one modeling dimensions of structural racism in lieu of the composite measure, each controlling for individual-level covariates.

Results:
Results indicated positive associations between the incarceration dimension of the structural racism index and binge drinking frequency, smoking status, and smoking frequency. An inverse association was detected between the education dimension and smoking status.

Conclusions:
Results suggest that state-level structural racism expressed in incarceration disparities, is positively associated with alcohol and tobacco use among Black Americans.

Impact:
Addressing structural racism, particularly in incarceration practices, through multilevel policy and intervention may help to reduce population-wide alcohol and tobacco use behaviors and improve the health outcomes of Black populations.
Clinical Benefit of Avapritinib in KIT-Mutant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Phase I NAVIGATOR and Phase I/II CS3007–001 Studies
Authors: Heinrich Michael C. , Zhang Xinhua , Jones Robin L. , George Suzanne , Serrano César , Deng Yanhong , Bauer Sebastian , Cai Shirong , Wu Xin , Zhou Yongjian , Tao Kaixiong , Zheng Zhichao , Zhang Jun , Cui Yuehong , Cao Hui , Wang Meining , Hu Jin , Yang Jason , Li Jian , Shen Lin 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Purpose:
The efficacy of the selective KIT/PDGFRA inhibitor avapritinib (300 mg once daily) was explored in patients with non–PDGFRA-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) from the phase I NAVIGATOR and phase I/II CS3007–001 trials.

Patients and Methods:
Adults with unresectable/metastatic, KIT-only-mutant GISTs and progression following ≥1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were included in this post hoc analysis. Baseline mutational status was identified in tumor and plasma. Primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) by blinded independent radiology review per modified RECIST v1.1 in patients harboring KIT activation-loop mutations (KIT exons 17 or 18) without ATP binding-pocket mutations (KIT exons 13 or 14; ALposABPneg), and other KIT mutations (OTHERS).

Results:
Sixty KIT ALposABPneg and 100 KIT OTHERS predominantly heavily pretreated patients (61.3% with ≥3 prior TKIs) were included. ORR was significantly higher in KIT ALposABPneg than KIT OTHERS patients (unadjusted: 26.7% vs. 12.0%; P = 0.0852; adjusted: 31.4% vs. 12.1%; P = 0.0047). Median PFS (mPFS) was significantly longer in KIT ALposABPneg patients compared with KIT OTHERS patients (unadjusted: 9.1 vs. 3.5 months; P = 0.0002; adjusted: 9.1 vs. 3.4 months; P &lt; 0.0001), and longer in second- versus later-line settings (19.3 vs. 5.6–10.6 months). Benefit with avapritinib was observed in patients with KIT exon 9 mutations in the ≥4 line settings (mPFS: 5.6 and 3.7 months for 4 line and &gt;4 line, respectively).

Conclusions:
Avapritinib showed greater antitumor activity in patients with GISTs harboring KIT ALposABPneg mutations versus KIT OTHERS, and may be considered in the former subpopulation. Patients with KIT exon 9 mutations may also benefit in ≥4 line settings.
Thrombosis in the Coronary Microvasculature Impairs Cardiac Relaxation and Induces Diastolic Dysfunction
Authors: Rouault Paul , Guimbal Sarah , Cornuault Lauriane , Bourguignon Célia , Foussard Ninon , Alzieu Philippe , Choveau Frank , Benoist David , Chapouly Candice , Gadeau Alain-Pierre , Couffinhal Thierry , Renault Marie-Ange 
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is proposed to be caused by endothelial dysfunction in cardiac microvessels. Our goal was to identify molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the development of cardiac microvessel disease and diastolic dysfunction in the setting of type 2 diabetes.

METHODS:

We used
Lepr
db/db
(leptin receptor–deficient) female mice as a model of type 2 diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and identified Hhipl1 (hedgehog interacting protein-like 1), which encodes for a decoy receptor for HH (hedgehog) ligands as a gene upregulated in the cardiac vascular fraction of diseased mice.

RESULTS:

We then used
Dhh
(desert HH)-deficient mice to investigate the functional consequences of impaired HH signaling in the adult heart. We found that
Dhh
-deficient mice displayed increased end-diastolic pressure while left ventricular ejection fraction was comparable to that of control mice. This phenotype was associated with a reduced exercise tolerance in the treadmill test, suggesting that
Dhh
-deficient mice do present heart failure. At molecular and cellular levels, impaired cardiac relaxation in
Dhh
ECKO
mice was associated with a significantly decreased PLN (phospholamban) phosphorylation on Thr17 (threonine 17) and an alteration of sarcomeric shortening ex vivo. Besides, as expected,
Dhh
-deficient mice exhibited phenotypic changes in their cardiac microvessels including a prominent prothrombotic phenotype. Importantly, aspirin therapy prevented the occurrence of both diastolic dysfunction and exercise intolerance in these mice. To confirm the critical role of thrombosis in the pathophysiology of diastolic dysfunction, we verified
Lepr
db/db
also displays increased cardiac microvessel thrombosis. Moreover, consistently, with
Dhh
-deficient mice, we found that aspirin treatment decreased end-diastolic pressure and improved exercise tolerance in
Lepr
db/db
mice.

CONCLUSIONS:
Altogether, these results demonstrate that microvessel thrombosis may participate in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Publication Trends in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics During the Period 2013–2022: An Analysis
Authors: J Mohamed Iqbal , M D Sofitha , Chandralekha G. 
Published: November 2023

Introduction Publication trends are pointers to areas of scientific interest and enquiry. The aim of this study is to peruse the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics (AJODO) over a 10 years’ period between 2013 and 2022 for original articles. The objective of the study is to analyze topic wise distribution, geographical location of contributors, and specific contribution from India. Materials and Methods Original articles alone were taken into consideration. A total of 1,270 articles were classified according to the topic classification grid used by the journal. Results Of the 22 broad topics, topic head No.160 – Treatment & Biomechanics had the maximum publication at 352 articles (27.7%) and topic head No.20 – Biostatistics was the least. Special mention is warranted to the topic head No.120 - Psychology/Sociology with 129 articles (10.15%). USA had the most publication (19.4%) and India ranked 10th with a rate of 1.8%. Conclusion Even though Treatment & Biomechanics as a topic head had 352 articles, it included 16 subheads. However, Public health and Psychology/Sociology were narrower areas with a greater number of articles. It can be inferred that there is a definite shift in interest toward public health and public perception.
COVID-19 and Consumer Confidence: Evidence from India
Authors: Rooj Debasis , Banerjee Anurag , Sengupta Reshmi 
Published: November 2023

This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted consumer confidence (CC) in India. Contrary to existing literature, we use individual-level responses on CC from a novel survey data of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to examine the effect of COVID-19 on CC. We use data on consumer sentiments from the Consumer Confidence Survey conducted by India’s central bank, the RBI, between March 2020 and May 2022. COVID-19 indicators include confirmed cases and recoveries in this article. Exploiting the variations in consumer sentiments across several Indian cities, our regression exercise shows how COVID-19-related cases impact CC. Our findings show that confirmed cases negatively and significantly impact the current perception of the economy. In contrast, COVID-19 recoveries positively and significantly impact future outlooks. We further conduct a disaggregated analysis to analyse the effects of COVID-19 indices on several other household-level indicators, for instance, present perception and expectations of household income, potential employment prospects, household spending and general price levels. Overall, we find that COVID-19-related shocks have negatively affected households’ sentiments, and Indian households are inclined to spend less on non-essential goods and services.JEL: D84, D90, E66, G50
Advance Care Planning in Patients with Suspected or Proven COVID: Are We Meeting Our Own Standards?
Authors: Byambasuren Oyungerel , Myooran Jananee , Virk Aishah , Hanna Rida , Tanglay Onur , Younan Sarah , Moore Nikk , Middleton Paul , Chróinín Danielle Ní 
Published: November 2023

Objective Given the importance of advance care planning (ACP) in the context of a pandemic, we aimed to assess current adherence to local policy recommending ACP in all hospitalised adult patients with suspected or proven COVID-19 at Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Design A retrospective cohort study. Setting A tertiary referral and teaching hospital. Participants A select sample of adult patients admitted to Liverpool Hospital in 2019-2021 with suspected or proven COVID-19. Main outcome measures Proportion of patients with documented ACP and format of ACP. Results Amongst 209 patients with proven or suspected COVID-19 hospitalised between March 2019 through to September 2021, median frailty score was 3, the median Charlson Comorbidity Score was 4, median age of the patients was 71 years, and median length of hospital stay was 5 days (range 0-98 days). Almost all patients were tested for COVID-19 (n = 207, 99%) of which 15% (31) were positive. Fewer than a quarter of the patients had documented ACPs (50, 24%) and 17 patients had existing formal advance care directives. Patients who had ACP were older, more likely to be frail and more likely to have higher rates of comorbidity compared to those without ACP. ACP was more commonly discussed with family members (41/50) than patients (25/50) and others (5/50). Conclusion Adherence to the local ACP policy mandating such discussions was low. This reinforces the need for prioritising ACP discussions, especially for unwell patients such as those with COVID, likely involving further input to improve awareness and rates of formal documentation.
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Resilience of University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Al-Omari Hasan , Aljawarneh Yousef , Alshoufi Maha 
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus pandemic resulted in a sudden change to the daily activities of individuals, including the academic institutions. University-level students are vulnerable to psychological health issues when faced with a large-scale crisis such as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic; they need resilience to help them successfully manage and cope with changes. AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the resilience and associated predictors among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design to examine the levels of resilience and associated predictors of university students. No sampling criterion was set up and all active students from all programs were eligible to participate. A convenience sampling technique was employed for its practical feasibility and efficiency. The data were collected between February 2021 and May 2021. RESULTS: A total of 2,085 students completed the study questionnaires. The mean score of total resilience among the students was 65.01 (±14.697), while the mean score for personal resilience and caregiver resilience was 38.08 (±8.675) and 26.92 (±6.694), respectively. Comparing total resilience, personal resilience, and caregiver resilience with students’ Cumulative Grade Point Average level revealed a significant difference. The predictors of resilience include academic level and number of courses the students enrolled in. CONCLUSION: Academic institutions need to support the establishment of resilience training programs to prepare students for any challenging time, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deficiency of Natural Anticoagulants Involves in the Occurrence of Arterial Thrombosis
Authors: Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai , Vu Minh Phuong , Nguyen Tuan Tung , Duong Hai Yen 
Published: November 2023

Background The role of natural anticoagulant deficiency in the development of arterial thrombosis (AT) is controversial. Objective Our objectives were to assess the deficiency of natural anticoagulants, including protein S (PS), protein C (PC), antithrombin III (AT III) and their involvement in the occurrence of AT. Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods This study was conducted in 585 patients who were examined with PS, PC, and AT III tests. The activity of PC, PS (men, women), and ATIII under 70%, 75%, 60%, and 80% was recognized as a deficiency, respectively. Peripheral blood cell and coagulation tests were performed before starting treatment. Patients with previous AT, venous thromboembolism (VTE) or anticoagulant therapy were excluded. Results Patients without thrombosis were 222 (38%), patients with newly diagnosed VTE were 281 (48%), and patients with newly diagnosed AT were 82 (14%). The most common AT sites were in the lungs, brain, and lower extremities (31.2%, 20.8%, and 20.8%, respectively). Compared to the nonthrombosis group, the AT group had a lower PS activity (%) (82.77 ± 24.09 vs 91.31 ± 27.27), a higher fibrinogen (g/L) (4.25 ± 1.68 vs 3.74 ± 1.51), a higher D-dimer (mg/L FEU) (6.16 vs 1.95), and a higher neutrophil count (G/L) (8.57 vs 6.50) with P < .05. Compared to the VTE group, the AT group had higher hemoglobin (g/L) (135.95 ± 23.75 vs 129.02 ± 25.22) and a higher neutrophil count (G/L) (8.57 vs 7.28) ( P < .05). In the AT group, the frequencies of PC, PS, and AT III deficiency were 23.1%, 28%, and 17.1%, respectively. The AT group had a higher frequency of PS deficiency than the nonthrombosis group (28% vs 17.1%, P = .035). Patients with PS deficiency had a higher risk of AT compared to those without PS deficiency (OR = 1.888, 95% CI [1.041-3.422], P = .036). Conclusion PS deficiency may be considered a factor in increasing the risk of AT.
Genetic correlations of direct and indirect genetic components of social dominance with fitness and morphology traits in cattle
Authors: Tuliozi Beniamino , Mantovani Roberto , Schoepf Ivana , Tsuruta Shogo , Mancin Enrico , Sartori Cristina 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Within the same species, individuals show marked variation in their social dominance. Studies on a handful of populations have indicated heritable genetic variation for this trait, which is determined by both the genetic background of the individual (direct genetic effect) and of its opponent (indirect genetic effect). However, the evolutionary consequences of selection for this trait are largely speculative, as it is not a usual target of selection in livestock populations. Moreover, studying social dominance presents the challenge of working with a phenotype with a mean value that cannot change in the population, as for every winner of an agonistic interaction there will necessarily be a loser. Thus, to investigate what could be the evolutionary response to selection for social dominance, it is necessary to focus on traits that might be correlated with it. This study investigated the genetic correlations of social dominance, both direct and indirect, with several morphology and fitness traits. We used a dataset of agonistic contests involving cattle (Bos taurus): during these contests, pairs of cows compete in ritualized interactions to assess social dominance. The outcomes of 37,996 dominance interactions performed by 8789 cows over 20 years were combined with individual data for fertility, mammary health, milk yield and morphology and analysed using bivariate animal models including indirect genetic effects.

Results
We found that winning agonistic interactions has a positive genetic correlation with more developed frontal muscle mass, lower fertility, and poorer udder health. We also discovered that the trends of changes in the estimated breeding values of social dominance, udder health and more developed muscle mass were consistent with selection for social dominance in the population.

Conclusions
We present evidence that social dominance is genetically correlated with fitness traits, as well as empirical evidence of the possible evolutionary trade-offs between these traits. We show that it is feasible to estimate genetic correlations involving dyadic social traits.
Dominant negative biologics normalise the tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) induced angiogenesis which exploits the Mycobacterium tuberculosis dissemination
Authors: Davuluri Kusuma Sai , Singh Amit Kumar , Yadav Vimal Kumar , Singh Ajay Vir , Singh Shoor Vir , Chauhan Devendra Singh 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is known to promote T cell migration and increase the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chemokines. The administration of Xpro-1595, a dominant-negative TNF (DN-TNF) engineered to selectively inactivate soluble TNF (solTNF), has been extensively studied and proven effective in reducing TNF production without suppressing innate immunity during infection. The literature also supports the involvement of glutamic acid-leucine-arginine (ELR+) chemokines and VEGF in angiogenesis and the spread of infections.

Materials and methods
In this study, we administered Xpro-1595 to guinea pigs to selectively inhibit solTNF, aiming to assess its impact on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) dissemination, bacterial growth attenuation, and immunological responses. We conducted immunohistochemical analyses, immunological assays, and colony enumeration to comprehensively study the effects of Xpro-1595 by comparing with anti-TB drugs treated M.tb infected guinea pigs. Throughout the infection and treatment period, we measured the levels of Interleukin-12 subunit alpha (IL-12), Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), TNF, Tumor growth factor (TGF), and T lymphocytes using ELISA.

Results
Our findings revealed a reduction in M.tb dissemination and inflammation without compromising the immune response during Xpro-1595 treatment. Notably, Xpro-1595 therapy effectively regulated the expression of VEGFA and ELR + chemokines, which emerged as key factors contributing to infection dissemination. Furthermore, this treatment influenced the migration of CD4 T cells in the early stages of infection, subsequently leading to a reduced T cell response and controlled proinflammatory signalling, thus mitigating inflammation.

Conclusion
Our study underscores the pivotal role of solTNF in the dissemination of M.tb to other organs. This preliminary investigation sheds light on the involvement of solTNF in the mechanisms underlying M.tb dissemination, although further in-depth research is warranted to fully elucidate its role in this process.
Systematic analysis of the Rboh gene family in seven gramineous plants and its roles in response to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in maize
Authors: Wu Fulang , Zhao Manli , Zhang Yajing , Si Weina , Cheng Beijiu , Li Xiaoyu 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Plant respiratory burst oxidase homolog (Rboh) gene family produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), and it plays key roles in plant–microbe interaction. Most Rboh gene family-related studies mainly focused on dicotyledonous plants; however, little is known about the roles of Rboh genes in gramineae.

Results
A total of 106 Rboh genes were identified in seven gramineae species, including Zea mays, Sorghum bicolor, Brachypodium distachyon, Oryza sativa, Setaria italica, Hordeum vulgare, and Triticum aestivum. The Rboh protein sequences showed high similarities, suggesting that they may have conserved functions across different species. Duplication mode analysis detected whole-genome/segmental duplication (WGD)/(SD) and dispersed in the seven species. Interestingly, two local duplication (LD, including tandem and proximal duplication) modes were found in Z. mays, S. italica and H. vulgare, while four LD were detected in T. aestivum, indicating that these genes may have similar functions. Collinearity analysis indicated that Rboh genes are at a stable evolution state in all the seven species. Besides, Rboh genes from Z. mays were closely related to those from S. bicolor, consistent with the current understanding of plant evolutionary history. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genes in the subgroups I and II may participate in plant-AM fungus symbiosis. Cis-element analysis showed that different numbers of elements are related to fungal induction in the promoter region. Expression profiles of Rboh genes in Z. mays suggested that Rboh genes had distinct spatial expression patterns. By inoculation with AM fungi, our transcriptome analysis showed that the expression of Rboh genes varies upon AM fungal inoculation. In particularly, ZmRbohF was significantly upregulated after inoculation with AM fungi. pZmRbohF::GUS expression analyses indicated that ZmRbohF was induced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in maize. By comparing WT and ZmRbohF mutant, we found ZmRbohF had limited impact on the establishment of maize-AM fungi symbiosis, but play critical roles in regulating the proper development of arbuscules.

Conclusions
This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution relationship of Rboh genes in seven gramineae species. Results showed that several Rboh genes regulate maize-AM fungal symbiosis process. This study provides valuable information for further studies of Rboh genes in gramineae.