bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liver damage parameters and peripheral blood parameters for prediction and diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy
Authors: Obut Mehmet , Kından Aykut , Ibanoğlu Müjde Can , Çayönü Kahraman Neval , Arat Özgür , Keleş Ayşe , Topkara Serap , Tokgöz Çakır Betül , Bucak Mevlüt , İskender Can Tekin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObjectiveIntrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) manifests in late pregnancy. Elevated serum bile acid is a diagnostic criterion: however, its measurement is troublesome. Prediction of ICP by blood markers is not established. Serum bile acid level is associated with liver damage and inflammation. We hypothesized that the following markers could predict the occurrence of ICP and have diagnostic value for it: Liver damage‐indicating scores (albumin–bilirubin [ALBI], Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease [MELD], aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio [APRI]) and inflammatory markers (platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio [PLR] and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio [NLR]).MethodsEighty ICP patients and 200 controls were studied. The values of MELD, APRI, ALBI, PLR, and NLR were measured in the 1st trimester and at the time of diagnosis.ResultsPatients with ICP had significantly higher ALBI, MELD, and APRI scores both in the first trimester and at diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression (MLR) showed that age, ALBI, MELD, and APRI scores were statistically significant (p < 0.05). By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the sensitivity of MELD, ALBI, APRI, and NLR in the first trimester was 62%, 73%, 58%, and 29%, respectively, and MELD, ALBI, APRI, and PLR at diagnosis was 28%, 38%, 57%, and 8%, respectively, with a fixed false‐positive rate of 10%.ConclusionThis study has demonstrated the usability of the MELD, ALBI, and APRI scores in predicting and diagnosing ICP. They are easy to obtain and might be used in routine practice.
Lower risks of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma with GLP‐1RAs in type 2 diabetes: A nationwide cohort study using target trial emulation framework
Authors: Yang Chun‐Ting , Yao Wen‐Yu , Yang Chen‐Yi , Peng Zi‐Yang , Ou Huang‐Tz , Kuo Shihchen 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundTo assess the association of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the use of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs) versus long‐acting insulins (LAIs), which are the two commonly prescribed injectable glucose‐lowering agents (GLAs) for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) after the failure of multiple oral GLAs.MethodsWe emulated a target trial using the nationwide data of a Taiwanese cohort with T2D. Incident new users of GLP‐1RAs and LAIs during 2013–2018 were identified, and propensity score (PS) matching was applied to ensure between‐group comparability in baseline patient characteristics. The primary outcome was the composite liver disease including cirrhosis or HCC. Each patient was followed until the occurrence of a study outcome, death, or the end of 2019, whichever came first. Subdistribution hazard models were employed to assess the treatment‐outcome association. Sensitivity (e.g., stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis, time‐dependent analysis), E‐value, and negative control outcome analyses were performed to examine the robustness of study findings.ResultsWe included 7171 PS‐matched pairs of GLP‐1RA and LAI users with no significant between‐group differences at baseline. Compared with LAIs, the use of GLP‐1RAs was associated with significantly reduced risks of composite liver disease (subdistribution hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.56 [0.42–0.76]), cirrhosis (0.59 [0.43–0.81]), and HCC (0.47 [0.24–0.93]). Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses and among patients with different baseline characteristics.ConclusionAmong T2D patients who require injectable GLAs, the use of GLP‐1RAs versus LAIs was associated with lower risks of cirrhosis and HCC.
Pathogenicity‐related long non‐coding natural antisense transcripts in Verticillium dahliae during infections in cotton
Authors: Li Ran , Xue Huishan , Ma Xiyue , Zhu He , Li Yue , Dai Xiaofeng , Chen Jie‐yin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractLong non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non‐coding RNAs with a length of more than 200 nucleotides. LncRNAs are functional factors involved in various biological processes at the transcriptional, post‐transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, which have been widely studied in animals and plants, but less in fungi. In our previous research, 352 Verticillium dahliae lncRNAs were identified by high‐throughput sequencing, and pathogenicity‐related lncRNAs were determined by their differential expression during infections on host plants of cotton. It is known that a long non‐coding natural antisense transcript (lncNAT) transcribed from the antisense strand of a gene, mainly plays cis‐regulatory functions. Thus, in this study, V. dahliae lncNATs and their function were further analysed based on our previous research of V. dahliae lncRNAs. In total, 116 of 352 lncRNAs were identified as lncNATs, and the function of their associated genes that are mainly enriched in transcriptional regulation was assessed. Moreover, 12 lncNATs were significantly differentially expressed during infection in cotton, and their associated genes are involved in its pathogenicity. In addition, the expression pattern between lncNAT010781 and lncNAT005061 and their associated genes were detected. Both lncNATs and their associated genes were up‐regulated during the inoculation of cotton. Overexpression of lncNAT005061 enhanced the virulence of Vd991 on cotton. In conclusion, these results suggest that V. dahliae lncNATs play a pathogenic role when cotton host plants are infected, which will provide new targets for analysing the virulence regulatory network in V. dahliae.
Borderline institution
Authors: Lazega Emmanuel 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis paper introduces the concept of “borderline institution” to characterize an institution in which actors push upstream the boundary between the normal and the pathological and find downstream ways of systematically taking advantage of this push ex‐post. This happens for example when actors make decisions based on predictions; and are simultaneously allowed by vertical concentration to manage conflicts generated by the consequences of these decisions when these predictions fail. A theory of how to identify a borderline institution based on this vertical concentration uses bankruptcy proceedings at the Commercial Court of Paris as an example, relying on Karl Polanyi's concept of double movement and Margaret Archer's concept of double morphogenesis. In this court, bankers as lay judges can control both credit‐related predictions at the bank, and bankruptcy proceedings at the court. Enabling conditions for borderline institutional entrepreneurs as “vertical linchpins” in this multilevel context explain how they concentrate enough power to reach a position from which to drive such dynamics. The conclusion asks whether societies promote new borderline institutions to face contemporary and urgent existential challenges.
Renal amyloid‐A amyloidosis in cats: Characterization of proteinuria and biomarker discovery, and associations with kidney histology
Authors: Palizzotto Carlo , Ferri Filippo , Callegari Carolina , Rossi Francesco , Manfredi Marcello , Carcangiu Laura , Gerardi Gabriele , Ferro Silvia , Cavicchioli Laura , Müller Elizabeth , Weiss Marco , Vogt Anne‐Catherine , Lavatelli Francesca , Ricagno Stefano , Hurley Karyl , Zini Eric 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundAmyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is a protein misfolding disease arising from serum amyloid A (SAA). Systemic AA amyloidosis recently was shown to have a high prevalence in shelter cats in Italy and was associated with azotemia and proteinuria.ObjectivesInvestigate urine protein profiles and diagnostic biomarkers in cats with renal AA amyloidosis.AnimalsTwenty‐nine shelter cats.MethodsCase‐control study. Cats with renal proteinuria that died or were euthanized between 2018 and 2021 with available necropsy kidney, liver and spleen samples, and with surplus urine collected within 30 days before death, were included. Histology was used to characterize renal damage and amyloid amount and distribution; immunohistochemistry was used to confirm AA amyloidosis. Urine protein‐to‐creatinine (UPC) and urine amyloid A‐to‐creatinine (UAAC) ratios were calculated, and sodium dodecyl sulfate‐agarose gel electrophoresis (SDS‐AGE) and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) of proteins were performed.ResultsTwenty‐nine cats were included. Nineteen had AA amyloidosis with renal involvement. Cats with AA amyloidosis had a higher UPC (median, 3.9; range, 0.6‐12.7 vs 1.5; 0.6‐3.1; P = .03) and UAAC ratios (median, 7.18 × 10−3; range, 23 × 10−3‐21.29 × 10−3 vs 1.26 × 10−3; 0.21 × 10−3‐6.33 × 10−3; P = .04) than unaffected cats. The SDS‐AGE identified mixed‐type proteinuria in 89.4% of cats with AA amyloidosis and in 55.6% without AA amyloidosis (P = .57). The LC‐MS identified 63 potential biomarkers associated with AA amyloidosis (P < .05). Among these, urine apolipoprotein C‐III was higher in cats with AA amyloidosis (median, 1.38 × 107; range, 1.85 × 105‐5.29 × 107 vs 1.76 × 106; 0.0 × 100‐1.38 × 107; P = .01). In the kidney, AA‐amyloidosis was associated with glomerulosclerosis (P = .02) and interstitial fibrosis (P = .05).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceRenal AA amyloidosis is associated with kidney lesions, increased proteinuria and increased urine excretion of SAA in shelter cats. Additional studies are needed to characterize the role of lipid transport proteins in the urine of affected cats.
Natural history and impact of irritable bowel syndrome‐type symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease during 12 months of longitudinal follow‐up
Authors: Barberio Brigida , Fairbrass Keeley M. , Gracie David J. , Ford Alexander C. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about the natural history and impact of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)‐type symptoms on psychological health and quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to address this in a 12‐month longitudinal follow‐up study of secondary care patients.MethodsWe collected demographic, Rome III IBS‐type symptom, psychological, and quality of life data, with questionnaires at 3‐month intervals, over 12 months of follow‐up in patients with IBD in clinical remission at baseline. We assessed the natural history of Rome III IBS‐type symptoms over the 12 months of the study and compared psychological and quality of life data between those reporting Rome III IBS‐type symptoms at each of the points of follow‐up with those not reporting such symptoms.Key ResultsAmong 206 patients with IBD in clinical remission at baseline (104 [50.5%] women, mean age 56.9 years [range 18–83 years], 79 [38.3%] Crohn's disease), 33 (16.0%) reported Rome III IBS‐type symptoms at baseline and 72 (35.0%) reported Rome III IBS‐type symptoms at one or more time points. Among the 33 patients with Rome III IBS‐type symptoms at baseline, symptoms resolved in 6 (18.2%) patients, were present throughout in 6 (18.2%) patients, and fluctuated in the remaining 21 (63.6%) patients. Among the 39 patients with new onset of Rome III IBS‐type symptoms after baseline, 24 (65.1%) had symptoms at one point in time only, 10 (25.6%) at two points, four (10.3%) at three points, and one (2.6%) at four points. At each point in time, reporting IBS‐type symptoms was associated with significantly higher anxiety, depression, or somatoform symptom‐reporting scores, and/or lower quality of life scores.Conclusions & InferencesIn this 12‐month follow‐up study, one‐third of patients with IBD reported presence of Rome III IBS‐type symptoms at any point in time. Reporting such symptoms was associated with significant impacts on psychological health and/or quality of life.
Chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction in adults: A practical guide to identify patient subgroups that are suitable for more specific treatments
Authors: Basilisco Guido , Marchi Margherita , Coletta Marina 
Published: November 2023

AbstractChronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction is a rare and heterogeneous syndrome characterized by recurrent symptoms of intestinal obstruction with radiological features of dilated small or large intestine with air/fluid levels in the absence of any mechanical occlusive lesion. Several diseases may be associated with chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction and in these cases, the prognosis and treatment are related to the underlying disease. Also, in its “primary or idiopathic” form, two subgroups of patients should be determined as they require a more specific therapeutic approach: patients whose chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction is due to sporadic autoimmune/inflammatory mechanisms and patients whose neuromuscular changes are genetically determined. In a context of a widely heterogeneous adult population presenting chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction, this review aims to summarize a practical diagnostic workup for identifying definite subgroups of patients who might benefit from more specific treatments, based on the etiology of their underlying condition.
The impact of multifactorial stress combination on plants, crops, and ecosystems: how should we prepare for what comes next?
Authors: Zandalinas Sara I. , Peláez‐Vico María Ángeles , Sinha Ranjita , Pascual Lidia S. , Mittler Ron 
Published: November 2023

SUMMARYThe complexity of environmental conditions encountered by plants in the field, or in nature, is gradually increasing due to anthropogenic activities that promote global warming, climate change, and increased levels of pollutants. While in the past it seemed sufficient to study how plants acclimate to one or even two different stresses affecting them simultaneously, the complex conditions developing on our planet necessitate a new approach of studying stress in plants: Acclimation to multiple stress conditions occurring concurrently or consecutively (termed, multifactorial stress combination [MFSC]). In an initial study of the plant response to MFSC, conducted with Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings subjected to an MFSC of six different abiotic stresses, it was found that with the increase in the number and complexity of different stresses simultaneously impacting a plant, plant growth and survival declined, even if the effects of each stress involved in such MFSC on the plant was minimal or insignificant. In three recent studies, conducted with different crop plants, MFSC was found to have similar effects on a commercial rice cultivar, a maize hybrid, tomato, and soybean, causing significant reductions in growth, biomass, physiological parameters, and/or yield traits. As the environmental conditions on our planet are gradually worsening, as well as becoming more complex, addressing MFSC and its effects on agriculture and ecosystems worldwide becomes a high priority. In this review, we address the effects of MFSC on plants, crops, agriculture, and different ecosystems worldwide, and highlight potential avenues to enhance the resilience of crops to MFSC.
The different approaches to chemical phosphorus removal across the UK wastewater industry
Authors: Hernandez‐Ramirez O. , Thompson A. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWater companies in the United Kingdom are currently facing unprecedented tightening of phosphorus discharge consents, which will only become stricter in the near future. Historically, the most widely applied method of phosphorus removal has been chemical precipitation through the addition of iron or aluminium salts. Although more sustainable options, such as biological processes, are already being implemented at key sites, data shows that chemical removal is likely to remain an integral part of wastewater treatment—whether as the main method in small or problematic works or as a trim for meeting consents below 1 mg/L, not achievable through biological removal alone. All sewage treatment providers in the United Kingdom have developed asset standards (internal design and operation guidelines) for the design and management of chemical precipitation at existing works. However, the approach has not been consistent throughout the sector, with wide variations of criteria, brackets and rules of thumb. This paper collates and compares these approaches, looking at asset standards from most of the water companies in the United Kingdom. The methods stated in these standards have been applied for the sizing of chemical phosphorus removal on four simulated sites, to meet theoretical consents based upon the future discharge requirements set by the Environment Agency under the Water Industry National Environment Programme.
Effect of body position on ventilation distribution in healthy newborn infants: an observational study
Authors: Rahtu Marika , Frerichs Inéz , Pokka Tytti , Becher Tobias , Peltoniemi Outi , Kallio Merja 
Published: November 2023

ObjectivesNewborn infants have unique respiratory physiology compared with older children and adults due to their lungs’ structural and functional immaturity and highly compliant chest wall. To date, ventilation distribution has seldom been studied in this age group. This study aims to assess the effect of body position on ventilation distribution in spontaneously breathing healthy neonates.DesignProspective observational study.SettingMaternity wards of Oulu University Hospital.Patients20 healthy, spontaneously breathing, newborn infants.InterventionsElectrical impedance tomography data were recorded with a 32-electrode belt (Sentec AG, Landquart, Switzerland) in six different body positions in random order. Ventilation distribution was retrospectively assessed 10 minutes after each position change.Main outcome measuresIn each position, regional tidal impedance variation (ΔZ) and ventral-to-dorsal and right-to-left centre of ventilation were measured.ResultsThe mean global ΔZ was the largest in supine position and it was smaller in prone and lateral positions. Yet, global ΔZ did not differ in supine positions, ventilation distribution was more directed towards the non-dependent lung region in supine tilted position (p<0.001). In prone, a reduction of global ΔZ was observed (p<0.05) corresponding to an amount of 10% of global tidal variation in supine position. In both lateral positions, tidal ventilation was distributed more to the corresponding non-dependent lung region.ConclusionsProne or lateral body positioning in healthy spontaneously breathing newborns leads to a redistribution of ventilation to the non-dependent lung regions and at the same time global tidal volume is reduced as compared with supine.
Responding to the ‘crowd’ of voices and opinions in the paediatric clinical space: an ethics perspective
Authors: Delany Clare , Moore Bryanna , Bhatia Neera , Burn Elise , Wimalasundera Neil , Preisz Anne 
Published: November 2023

Ready access to the internet and online sources of information about child health and disease has allowed people more ‘distant’ from a child, family and paediatric clinician to inform and influence clinical decisions. It has also allowed parents to share aspects of their child’s health and illness to garner support or funding for treatment. As a consequence, paediatric clinicians must consider and incorporate the crowd of opinions and voices into their clinical and ethical reasoning.
We identify two key ethical principles and related ethics concepts foundational to this task. We then propose a series of exploratory ethics questions to assist paediatric clinicians to engage ethically with the multiple voices in the clinical encounter while keeping the child’s needs as a central focus. Using two clinical hypothetical case examples, we illustrate how our proposed ethics questions can assist paediatric clinicians to navigate the crowd in the room and bring moral reasoning to bear.
We highlight a need for specific practical interactional skills training to assist clinicians to ethically respond to the crowd in the room, including to identify and weigh up the harms and benefits of endorsing or going against proposed treatments for a child, and how to discuss social media and online sources of information with parents.
Assessment of large droplet fat in frozen sections of donor liver biopsies: utility and interobserver variability of the newly described Banff method compared to a simplified Average of Fields method
Authors: Kikuchi Alexander T , Akanuma Naoki , Choi Won-Tak , Gill Ryan M , Kakar Sanjay 
Published: November 2023

AimsThere is great variability in the assessment and reporting of fat in frozen sections of donor liver biopsies. The Banff Working Group has proposed a novel method and definition for scoring large droplet fat (LDF) in donor liver biopsies. This study compares the Banff method with a simpler Average of Fields (AF) method and evaluates the impact of different LDF definitions.MethodsThree pathologists assessed percentage of LDF (LDF%) in 10 donor liver biopsies using Banff and AF methods, applying the Banff LDF definition (cell distention with a single droplet larger than adjacent hepatocytes). Additionally, LDF% by the AF method was compared using two LDF definitions: Banff definition versus LDF definition 2 (single fat droplet occupying greater than half of a hepatocyte with nuclear displacement).ResultsIntraobserver concordance between the Banff and AF methods was similar for all three pathologists (kappa 0.76–1). Both methods exhibited 70% interobserver concordance, and there was substantial agreement (kappa 0.68) in the LDF% among the three pathologists for both methods. Comparing the two LDF definitions, results were significantly lower with the Banff definition; LDF >50% was observed in four cases with LDF definition 2 but none of the cases with the Banff definition.ConclusionsThere is high interobserver and intraobserver concordance of LDF% between the Banff and AF methods. LDF% determined by the Banff definition was lower than with LDF definition 2, and needs to be validated based on graft outcome before it can be recommended for clinical use.