bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root‐centric β diversity reveals functional homogeneity while phylogenetic heterogeneity in a subtropical forest
Authors: Luo Wenqi , Wang Youshi , Cahill James F. , Luan Fucheng , Zhong Yonglin , Li Yuanzhi , Li Buhang , Chu Chengjin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRoot‐centric studies have revealed fast taxonomic turnover across root neighborhoods, but how such turnover is accompanied by changes in species functions and phylogeny (i.e., β diversity) remains largely unknown. As β diversity can reflect the degree of community‐wide biotic homogenization, such information is crucial for better inference of below‐ground assembly rules, community structuring, and ecosystem processes. We collected 2480 root segments from 625 0–30 cm soil profiles in a subtropical forest in China. Root segments were identified into 138 species with DNA‐barcoding with six root morphological and architectural traits measured per species. By using the mean pairwise (Dpw) and mean nearest neighbor distance (Dnn) to quantify species ecological differences, we first tested the non‐random functional and phylogenetic turnover of root neighborhoods that would lend more support to deterministic over stochastic community assembly processes. Additionally, we examined the distance‐decay pattern of β diversity, and finally partitioned β diversity into geographical and environmental components to infer their potential drivers of environmental filtering, dispersal limitation, and biotic interactions. We found that functional turnover was often lower than expected given the taxonomic turnover, whereas phylogenetic turnover was often higher than expected. Phylogenetic Dpw (e.g., interfamily species) turnover exhibited a distance‐decay pattern, likely reflecting limited dispersal or abiotic filtering that leads to the spatial aggregation of specific plant lineages. Conversely, both functional and phylogenetic Dnn (e.g., intrageneric species) exhibited an inverted distance‐decay pattern, likely reflecting strong biotic interactions among spatially and phylogenetically close species leading to phylogenetic and functional divergence. While the spatial distance was generally a better predictor of β diversity than environmental distance, the joint effect of environmental and spatial distance usually overrode their respective pure effects. These findings suggest that root neighborhood functional homogeneity may somewhat increase forest resilience after disturbance by exhibiting an insurance effect. Likewise, root neighborhood phylogenetic heterogeneity may enhance plant fitness by hindering the transmission of host‐specific pathogens through root networks or by promoting interspecific niche complementarity not captured by species functions. Our study highlights the potential role of root‐centric β diversity in mediating community structures and functions largely ignored in previous studies.
Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar prevents the alcohol liver disease in mice via autophagy
Authors: Zhao Yuxuan , Xia Ting , Qiang Xiao , Wang Yongqi , Kang Chaoyan , Meng Yuan , Cheng Yan , Wang Min , Xiao Jianbo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAlcoholic liver disease (ALD) is an ignored global issue of public health. It is urgent for searching bioactive foods to prevent ALD. Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar (ZAV) contained antioxidant compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and melanoidins. The mechanism of ZAV on preventing acute liver injury was evaluated in alcohol‐treated mice. Our results showed that ZAV ameliorated morphological damage by hematoxylin and eosin and Oil Red O staining in alcohol‐treated liver. ZAV relieved symptoms of ALD, which presented as decreased serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels. In addition, ZAV treatment inhibited hepatic oxidative stress levels by downregulating reactive oxygen species generation, and the oxidative products (malonaldehyde, 4‐hydroxynonenal, and 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine), and upregulating catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase. ZAV further reduced production of tumor necrosis factor‐α and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, and elevated levels of interleukin‐4 and transforming growth factor‐β indicating the inhibition of alcohol‐induced inflammation. Furthermore, ZAV treatment increased expression levels of autophagy‐associated proteins in ALD mice by western blot, which participated in anti‐ALD effect of ZAV. These findings demonstrate that ZAV could be an alternative for ALD intervention by regulating oxidative stress and autophagy.
Predictors of outcome in a contemporary cardiac sarcoidosis population: Role of brain natriuretic peptide, left ventricular function and myocardial inflammation
Authors: Kouranos Vasileios , Khattar Rajdeep S. , Okafor Joseph , Ahmed Raheel , Azzu Alessia , Baksi John Arun , Wechalekar Kshama , Cowie Martin R. , Wells Athol Umfrey , Lüscher Thomas F. , Sharma Rakesh 
Published: October 2023

AimsCardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a potentially fatal condition that varies in its clinical presentation. Here, we describe baseline characteristics at presentation along with prognosis and predictors of outcome in a sizable and deeply phenotyped contemporary cohort of CS patients.Methods and resultsConsecutive CS patients seen at one institution were retrospectively enrolled after undergoing laboratory testing, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and 18F‐flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) at baseline. The composite endpoint consisted of all‐cause mortality, aborted sudden cardiac death, major ventricular arrhythmic events, heart failure hospitalization and heart transplantation. A total of 319 CS patients were studied (67% male, 55.4 ± 12 years). During a median follow‐up of 2.2 years (range: 1 month–11 years), 8% of patients died, while 33% reached the composite endpoint. The annualized mortality rate was 2.7% and the 5‐ and 10‐year mortality rates were 6.2% and 7.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels (hazard ratio [HR] 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34–4.31, p = 0.003), CMR left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98, p < 0.0001) and maximum standardized uptake value of FDG‐PET (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.19, p = 0.001) to be independent predictors of outcome. These findings remained robust for different patient subgroups.ConclusionCardiac sarcoidosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in those with cardiac involvement as the first manifestation. Higher BNP levels, lower LVEF and more active myocardial inflammation were independent predictors of outcomes.
Electrodeposited folic acid platinum electrode for rapid detection of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Dhayal Marshal , Srivastava Shubhangi , Jaiswal Juhi 
Published: October 2023

AbstractFolic acid (FA) was successfully adhered onto the surface of platinum through an electrochemical process without hindering its functional capability to bind with human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. The CV response of FA‐deposited platinum electrode showed distinct oxidation and reduction peaks, which decreased gradually by varying the concentrations of FA. The electrochemically deposited FA/Pt electrode was used to detect HepG2 cells in the electrolyte, and a linear response in DPV peak current was observed with a sensitivity of ∼ 3 nA/cells mL−1 in the range of 5×103 to 25×103 cells mL−1.
Mental workload evaluation model of receiver aircraft pilots based on multiple resource theory
Authors: Pei Huining , Ma Yujie , Li Wenhua , Liu Xinyu , Zhang Chuyi 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAerial refueling is an extender of air combat capability that has received widespread attention with the development of the military field, particularly the mental workload of the pilot performing the aerial refueling task, as it is the key to the aerial refueling success rate. Therefore, this study analyzes the behavior of receiver aircraft pilots from rendezvous to the separation phase and constructs a mental workload model to improve the aerial refueling success rate. First, the time‐channel‐action unit network was constructed based on Petri net and multiple resource theory (MRT). Second, the mental workload evaluation model was constructed from three dimensions: conventional resource occupation, additional resource occupation, and time occupation. Finally, a simulated experiment was conducted, and the results showed that the mental workload obtained by the model constructed in this study exhibits a high positive correlation with subjective mental workload, pupil diameter, and blink rate, surpassing the accuracy of the traditional MRT model.
Gender bias in pediatric care: Health professionals' opinions and perceptions
Authors: Carrilero Neus , Pérez‐Jover Virtudes , Guilabert‐Mora Mercedes , García‐Altés Anna 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntroductionGender bias in healthcare is understood as a misconception of the differences between males and females that may generate healthcare disparities and discrimination against one sex. However, is not well known how this implicit bias is manifested in pediatric clinical praxis. Thus, the goal of this study is to explore and analyse the attitudes of health personnel toward a possible gender bias in pediatric care in Catalonia.MethodsWe undertake a descriptive and exploratory study applying a qualitative research methodology based on hermeneutic phenomenology and Grounded Theory using the focus group technique. The opinions collected were classified into four categories and 22 subcategories, and subsequently analyzed.ResultsThree main ideas stood out regarding situations that might be affected by gender bias: (1) attitudes of health personnel and perceptions with regard to mental health problems and (to a lesser extent) to physical health problems; (2) the role of the child's family and the professional's assessment of this role; and (3) the professional's attention to children of the opposite sex, especially in the case of genital examinations.DiscussionThe results stand out that differential attitudes depending on the gender of the child have been observed in clinical practice in pediatrics, which may have an impact on health inequality. Hence, academic training that includes the study and prevention of implicit biases in professional activity, campaigns aimed at the general population on how to detect implicit biases and promoting gender equity in education, should help to avoid the negative consequences of these misconceptions.
Low‐dose oral isotretinoin in the treatment of recalcitrant facial flat warts: A clinical case and review of literature
Authors: Olguín‐García María Guadalupe , Peralta‐Pedrero María Luisa , Jurado‐Santa Cruz Fermín , Vega‐Memije Elisa , Morales‐Sánchez Martha Alejandra 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsThe treatment of recalcitrant facial flat warts has always been challenging for dermatologists. The pain related to the application of the different treatments, side effects and costs are determining factors in the choice of therapy. To date, it is known that oral isotretinoin administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day is effective and safe; However, the different adverse effects reported have a dose‐dependent behavior and they could limit their use. Our aim is to assess the effect of low‐doses of oral isotretinoin to reducing side effects in the complete removal of recalcitrant facial flat warts and the current evidence in this regard.MethodsAn extensive literature review was conducted to identify articles relating to low doses of oral isotretinoin for recalcitrant flat warts treatment, regardless of design up to May 2023.ResultsThe literature search yielded eight articles of 324 reviewed meeting criteria. Isotretinoin was administered in doses of 0.1–0.5 mg/kg/day. Complete elimination of the lesions occurred in 65.13% of the patients and a partial response in 19.26%. Four relapses were documented at the 4‐month follow‐up. The most frequent adverse effect was cheilitis.ConclusionWe might consider low doses of oral isotretinoin for the treatment of recalcitrant facial flat warts in which side effects need to be reduced. However, current published works have several limitations, including small sample sizes, lack of control group and follow‐up periods. Larger, randomized, controlled studies are needed to verify the efficacy and safety of different doses of isotretinoin.
The impact of circular stapler size on the risk of anastomotic stricture following total mesorectal excision in rectal cancer patients: A retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Behboudi Behnam , Ahmadi‐Tafti Seyed‐Mohsen , Hosseini Seyyed‐Alireza , Tadbir‐Vajargah Kiana , Fazeli Mohammad Sadegh , Hadizadeh Alireza , Poopak Amirhossein , Keramati Mohammad Reza , Kazemeini Alireza , Ayati Aryan , Yousefi‐Koma Hannaneh 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntroductionColorectal cancer (CRC) surgery complications are a major issue affecting morbidity and mortality rates. Anastomotic stricture, which occurs in almost 30% of patients after surgery for rectal cancer, is one of the most serious but underreported side effects. In this study, we tried to assess the effect of stapler size on anastomotic stricture rate.Materials and MethodsAt our facility, all patients underwent low anterior resections (LAR) performed using an open laparotomy technique. A contour‐curved stapler and an end‐to‐end anastomosis (EEA) circular stapler were used in the double stapling technique (DST). All patients also underwent a protective loop ileostomy. Patients who developed stricture following leakage were excluded.ResultsThis study comprised a total of 173 rectal cancer patients. A 29‐mm circle stapler was used to anastomose 77 patients (44.5%), while a 31‐mm circular stapler was used to anastomose 96 patients (55.5%). Six individuals experienced strictures; two had a 29 mm stamper and four (4.4%) had a 31 mm one. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p:0.575). On aggregate, 8 patients experienced leakage; 3 (3.8%) of these patients received treatment with a 29 mm stapler, whereas 5 (5.2%) received treatment with a 31 mm stapler.Conclusionthis study found no statistically significant difference in the stricture rates and stapler size. The findings of this study provide credibility to the notion that in rectal cancer patients having LAR, strictures can be safely avoided by performing the anastomoses with both staplers.
Dendritic cell immunoreceptor 2 (DCIR2) deficiency decreases hepatic conventional dendritic cell content but not the progression of diet‐induced obesity
Authors: Bellini Rossella , Moregola Annalisa , Nour Jasmine , Uboldi Patrizia , Bonacina Fabrizia , Norata Giuseppe D. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAimsInflammatory pathways and immune system dysregulation participate in the onset and progression of cardiometabolic diseases. The dendritic cell immunoreceptor 2 (DCIR2) is a C‐type lectin receptor mainly expressed by conventional type 2 dendritic cells, involved in antigen recognition and in the modulation of T cell response. Here, we investigated the effect of DCIR2 deficiency during the development of obesity.MethodsDCIR2 KO mice and the WT counterpart were fed with high‐fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks. Weight gain, glucose and insulin tolerance were assessed, parallel to immune cell subset profiling and histological analysis.ResultsAfter HFD feeding, DCIR2 KO mice presented altered conventional dendritic cell distribution within the liver without affecting markers of hepatic inflammation. These observations were liver restricted, since immune profile of metabolic and lymphoid organs‐namely adipose tissue, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes‐did not show differences between the two groups. This reflected in a similar metabolic profile of DCIR2 KO compared to WT mice, characterized by comparable body weight gain as well as adipose tissues, spleen, Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes weight at sacrifice. Also, insulin response was similar in both groups.ConclusionOur data show that DCIR2 has a redundant role in the progression of diet‐induced obesity and inflammation.
Association of IL‐17 and IL‐27 polymorphisms with susceptibility to recurrent pregnancy loss and pre‐eclampsia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ma Yue , Ma Mingyue , Ye Shenglong , Liu Yuanying , Zhao Xueqing , Wang Yongqing 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveRecurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and pre‐eclampsia (PE) are immune‐related pregnancy complications that have been linked to CD4+ T cells and their cytokines, which can be influenced by genetic polymorphisms. This meta‐analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between interleukin (IL)‐17 and ‐27 polymorphisms and the susceptibility to RPL and PE.MethodsAll eligible case‐control studies published up to February 2023 were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The risk of recurrent pregnancy loss and PE associated with the IL‐17 rs2275913, IL‐17 rs763780, IL‐27 rs153109, and IL‐27 rs17855750 polymorphisms were estimated for each study.ResultsThe meta‐analysis incorporated a total of 13 studies. The overall analysis indicated that IL‐17 rs2275913, IL‐17 rs763780, IL‐27 rs153109, and IL‐27 rs17855750 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with immune‐related pregnancy complications, including RPL and PE. However, when the analysis was stratified by disease type, the IL‐17 rs2275913 polymorphism was found to be associated with an increased risk of RPL (recessive model AA/GA + GG: OR = 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–2.49, p = .01).ConclusionsThe IL‐17 rs763780, IL‐27 rs153109, and IL‐27 rs17855750 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with RPL and PE, whereas the IL‐17 rs2275913 polymorphism was associated with the susceptibility to recurrent miscarriage.
The role of inflammatory factors and T‐cell subsets in the diagnosis of recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer patients and the effect of olaparin treatment on them
Authors: Maowulieti Gulijianati , Zhao Shaojie , Zhao Min , Yuan Hua 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the study is to investigate the role of serum inflammatory factors and T‐cell subsets in the diagnosis of recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer patients and the effect of olaparib on inflammatory factor and T‐lymphocyte subsets in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.MethodsIn this study, 100 patients diagnosed as recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer in our hospital and 100 patients without recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer in the same period were selected. According to the treatment plan, the recurrent patients were divided into conventional therapy group (Paclitaxel and Carboplatin) and combined therapy group (Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, and olaparib). The levels of serum inflammatory factors were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The peripheral blood T‐lymphocyte subsets in each group were detected by flow cytometry.ResultsCompared with nonrecurrent patients, recurrent patients have higher serum interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) levels (p < .05), and lower interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) level and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. After adjusting for confounding factors, the results showed that the serum IL‐6, IFN‐γ, and TNF‐α levels were influencing factors of recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer patients. The area under the receiver operating curve and the sensitivity of serum TNF‐α in predicting ovarian cancer recurrence were higher than those of IL‐6 and IFN‐γ. After secondary chemotherapy and/or olaparib maintenance treatment, the IL‐6 (p < .001) and TNF‐α (p < .001) levels in combined therapy group were lower than those in the conventional therapy, whereas the IFN‐γ level (p < .001), the CD4+ T‐cell proportion (p = .0069) and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio (p = .0201) were higher than those in the conventional therapy.ConclusionThe serum IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ levels were closely related to the recurrence of ovarian cancer. Olaparib maintenance treatment can significantly decrease the IL‐6 and TNF‐α level, and increase IFN‐γ level and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.
Regulation of cell proliferation and transdifferentiation compensates for ventilator‐induced lung injury mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Liu Huan , Yang Xuepeng , Liu Ge 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundMechanical ventilation is an important means of respiratory support and treatment for various diseases. However, its use can lead to serious complications, especially ventilator‐induced lung injury (VILI). The mechanisms underlying this disease are complex, but activation of inflammatory signalling pathways results in activation of cytokines and inflammatory mediators, which play key roles in VILI. Recent studies have demonstrated that nod‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation mediates VILI and also accompanied by cell proliferation and transdifferentiation to compensate for alveolar membrane damage. Type I alveolar epithelial cells (AECs I), which are involved in the formation of the blood‐air barrier, are vulnerable to damage but cannot proliferate by themselves; thus, replacing AECs I relies on type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs II).ObjectiveThe review aims to introduce the mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and its inhibitors, as well as the mechanisms that regulate cell proliferation and transdifferentiation.MethodsA large number of relevant literature was searched, then the key content was summarized and figures were also made.ResultsThe mechanism of NLRP3 inflammasome activation has been further explored, including but not limited to pathogenic and aseptic inflammatory signals, such as, pathogenic molecular patterns and host‐derived danger‐associated molecular patterns activate toll‐like receptor 4/nuclear factor‐kappaB pathway or reactive oxygen species, cyclic stretch, adenosine triphosphate induce K+ efflux through P2X7, Ca2+ inflow, mitochondrial damage, etc, eventually induce NIMA‐related kinase 7/NLRP3 binding and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Not only that, the review also described in detail the inhibitors of NLRP3 inflammasome. And the mechanisms regulating cell proliferation and transdifferentiation are complex and unclear, including the Wnt/β‐catenin, Yap/Taz, BMP/Smad and Notch signalling pathways.ConclusionsNLRP3 inflammasome activation mediated VILI, and VILI is alleviated after interfering with its activation, and inflammation and repair exist simultaneously in VILI. Clarifying these mechanisms is expected to provide theoretical guidance for alleviating VILI by inhibiting the inflammatory response and accelerating alveolar epithelial cell regeneration in the early stage.
Revisiting corporate governance and financial risk‐taking
Authors: Alzayed Noora , Eskandari Rasol , Eshraghi Arman , Yazdifar Hassan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCorporate governance attributes have varying effects on risk taking when variables are examined separately. We study the effects of a large range of corporate governance attributes on risk taking using a comprehensive US sample. Our findings confirm that although there are certain characteristics that drive this positive effect such as compensation structure, there are those which have the opposite effect such as board‐level attributes. Our paper contributes to the broader literature on the relationship between corporate governance and risk in financial institutions, which are often overlooked in traditional studies. We shed light on the importance of studying corporate governance at a granular level rather than using a single index. The findings offer insights to regulators in determining suitable corporate governance frameworks to ensure the protection of investors rights in financial institutions.