bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beta‐blockers and epithelial ovarian cancer survival: A Norwegian population‐based cohort study
Authors: Löfling Leif Lukas , Støer Nathalie C. , Sloan Erica K. , Nafisi Sara , Fortner Renée Turzanski , Botteri Edoardo 
Published: January 2025

AbstractCancer diagnosis and therapy cause stress to the body. Preclinical studies have shown that stress hormones can stimulate tumor progression and metastasis by interacting with β‐adrenergic receptors, and that β‐blockers can inhibit those processes. We assessed if β‐blocker use was associated with survival in a nationwide cohort of women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We identified all women aged ≥40 years who underwent EOC surgery in 2004–2018 in Norway through the Cancer Registry of Norway. We estimated the association between peri‐diagnostic and post‐diagnostic β‐blocker use and survival. We used Cox models, adjusted for sociodemographic and health factors, and reported hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The difference in overall survival time between β‐blocker users and non‐users was estimated as the difference in restricted mean survival time at 5 years after diagnosis using flexible parametric models. We included 3911 women with EOC; 540 (14%) used β‐blockers at diagnosis, 1672 (43%) died of the disease, and 1882 (48%) died overall. We found an association between peri‐diagnostic β‐blocker use and longer EOC‐specific survival (HR = 0.85, 95%CI 0.73–1.00; p‐value = 0.048), and an indication of an association with overall survival (HR = 0.89, 95%CI 0.77–1.02; p‐value = 0.101). Analysis of post‐diagnostic β‐blocker use, which included only women who survived 12 months or longer (n = 3344), found similar associations. At 5 years from diagnosis, peri‐diagnostic β‐blocker users lived on average 1.28 months longer than non‐users (95%CI 0.01–2.60 months). The results support the hypothesis that β‐blocker use improves EOC‐specific survival in women with EOC.
Pivoting to Avoid Pitfalls: Trade Policy Uncertainty and Corporate ESG Performance
Authors: Tan Xue , Shen Zhixuan , Wen Xi 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIn the context of the U.S.‐China trade war, this study constructed a corporate trade policy uncertainty index through text analysis and found that rising trade policy uncertainty significantly improves corporate ESG performance. Mechanism analyses show that trade policy uncertainty promotes corporate ESG performance through a risk‐reducing channel, which has increased operational risks and dampened managers' optimistic expectations. Heterogeneity analyses find that the positive effect is more pronounced in target industries subject to tariff escalations of trade wars, non‐state‐owned enterprises and firms with lower foreign shareholdings. Tests of economic consequences show that better ESG performance positively affects market value during periods of high trade policy uncertainty while having little impact on financial performance. We further find that the promoting effect of trade policy uncertainty on ESG performance only persisted for 2 years, indicating that social responsibility activities compelled by export pressures manifest more as a short‐term strategy with insurance value. Our findings support the view that ESG acts as a nonmarket strategy to mitigate negative external shocks.
Revisiting Traceability of Vegetable Fresh‐Products in the EU: Why Blockchain Does (Not) Work?
Authors: Tasic I. , Benaissa R. R. , Gómez P. A. , Fernandez J. A. , Cano M.‐D. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTFood safety is paramount for a healthy society. Traceability provides the means for a rapid response to any type of food‐related problem at any stage of the supply chain. This study delves into the application of blockchain technology in tracking vegetable products within the European Union's regulatory framework. It addresses the significant gap between the theoretical potential of blockchain and its practical implementation challenges, such as integration with existing systems, scalability, and cost. Here, we show that while blockchain offers enhanced traceability and transparency, substantial barriers are posed for its adoption. This research reveals that the effectiveness of blockchain in real‐world applications is less straightforward than previously anticipated, challenging the notion of blockchain as a one‐size‐fits‐all solution for food traceability. The findings contribute to a better understanding of technology application in food safety, emphasizing the need for tailored solutions that consider both technological capabilities and practical constraints.
Deciphering the senescence‐based tumoral heterogeneity and characteristics in pancreatic cancer: Results from parallel bulk and single‐cell transcriptome data
Authors: Lu Yeting , Han Shuo , Hu Jing , Lv Kaiji , Ruan Yi , Cheng Gong , Zhang Jing , Wu Xiang , Weng Zeming , Zhou Xinhua 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe prevalent intra‐ and intertumoral heterogeneity results in undesirable prognosis and therapy failure of pancreatic cancer, potentially resulting from cellular senescence. Herein, integrated analysis of bulk and single‐cell RNA‐seq profiling was conducted to characterize senescence‐based heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer. Publicly available bulk and single‐cell RNA sequencing from pancreatic cancer patients were gathered from TCGA‐PAAD, PACA‐AU, PACA‐CA, and GSE154778 datasets. The activity of three senescence‐related pathways (cell cycle, DNA repair, and inflammation) was scored utilizing ssGSEA algorithm. A series of functional verifications of crucial genes were accomplished in patient tissue and pancreatic cancer cells. Based upon them, unsupervised clustering analysis was executed to classify pancreatic cancer samples into distinct senescence‐based clusters at the bulk and single‐cell levels. For single‐cell transcriptome profiling, cell clustering and annotation were implemented, and malignant cells were recognized utilizing infercnv algorithm. Two senescence‐based clusters were established and highly reproducible at the bulk level, with the heterogeneity in prognosis, clinicopathological features, genomic CNVs, oncogenic pathway activity, immune microenvironment and immune checkpoints. Senescence‐relevant gene CHGA, UBE2C and MCM10 were proved to correlate with the migration and prognosis of pancreatic cancer. At the single‐cell level, seven cell types were annotated, comprising ductal cells 1, ductal cells 2, fibroblasts, macrophages, T cells, stellate cells, and endothelial cells. The senescence‐based classification was also proven at the single‐cell level. Ductal cells were classified as malignant cells and non‐malignant cells. In the tumor microenvironment of malignant cells, hypoxia and angiogenesis affected senescent phenotype. The heterogeneity in senescence was also observed between and within cell types. Altogether, our findings unveil that cellular senescence contributes to intra‐ and intertumoral heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer, which might facilitate the development of therapeutics and precision therapy in pancreatic cancer.
Mechanistic Insight of Pharmacological Aspects of Violacein: Recent Trends and Advancements
Authors: Chauhan Abhishek , Mathkor Darin Mansor , Joshi Hemant , Chauhan Ritu , Sharma Ujjawal , Sharma Vikas , Kumar Manoj , Saini Reena V. , Saini Adesh K. , Tuli Hardeep Singh , Kaur Damandeep , Haque Shafiul 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTSince its discovery in the bacterium Chromobacterium violaceum, violacein—a striking purple pigment—has garnered significant interest due to its promising applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Violacein exhibits a range of pharmacological properties, including anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and antiparasitic effects, yet its complete molecular mechanisms are still being elucidated. Its mechanisms of action likely involve complex interactions with cellular receptors, signaling pathways, and specific molecular targets. Given violacein's unique properties and bioactive intermediates, future research holds substantial potential to advance its clinical and industrial applications. Upcoming studies will focus on deepening our understanding of violacein's molecular interactions, conducting clinical trials, and refining drug delivery systems to maximize its therapeutic value. Additionally, obtaining regulatory approval, conducting rigorous safety assessments, and developing efficient biosynthetic methods remain essential steps for violacein's successful integration into food biotechnology and medical applications.
Erector Spinae Muscle to Epicardial Visceral Fat Ratio on Chest CT Predicts the Severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Shimada Takashi , Maetani Tomoki , Chubachi Shotaro , Tanabe Naoya , Asakura Takanori , Namkoong Ho , Tanaka Hiromu , Azekawa Shuhei , Otake Shiro , Nakagawara Kensuke , Fukushima Takahiro , Watase Mayuko , Shiraishi Yusuke , Terai Hideki , Sasaki Mamoru , Ueda Soichiro , Kato Yukari , Harada Norihiro , Suzuki Shoji , Yoshida Shuichi , Tateno Hiroki , Shimizu Kaoruko , Sato Susumu , Yamada Yoshitake , Jinzaki Masahiro , Hirai Toyohiro , Okada Yukinori , Koike Ryuji , Ishii Makoto , Kimura Akinori , Imoto Seiya , Miyano Satoru , Ogawa Seishi , Kanai Takanori , Fukunaga Koichi 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundChest computed tomography (CT) is a valuable tool for diagnosing and predicting the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and assessing extrapulmonary organs. Reduced muscle mass and visceral fat accumulation are important features of a body composition phenotype in which obesity and muscle loss coexist, but their relationship with COVID‐19 outcomes remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the erector spinae muscle (ESM) to epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) ratio (ESM/EAT) on chest CT and disease severity in patients with COVID‐19.MethodsWe analysed data from 1074 COVID‐19 patients enrolled in the Japan COVID‐19 Task Force database. The primary outcome was the rate of critical outcomes (requiring high‐flow oxygen therapy, invasive ventilator support or death). The incidence of critical outcomes was compared between patients with high and low ESM/EAT ratios.ResultsThe low ESM/EAT group (n = 353) had a higher incidence of critical outcomes (13.3% vs. 5.13%, p < 0.001) and mortality (2.55% vs. 0.69%, p = 0.019) than the high ESM/EAT group (n = 721). In multivariable analysis, the low ESM/EAT ratio was associated with critical outcomes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–3.66) independently of the known COVID‐19 severity factors including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, lifestyle‐related comorbidities and pneumonia volume.ConclusionThe low ESM/EAT ratio in COVID‐19 patients can be obtained on chest CT and used to predict critical outcomes after disease onset, demonstrating the importance of detailed body composition assessments in COVID‐19 practice.
Assessment of Reference Values for Shoulder Ultrasonography and Effects of Position Change on Shoulder Hemodynamics
Authors: Kobayashi Yu , Matsuoka Ryota , Otokuni Takayuki , Minami Takeshi , Watanabe Tsuneo 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTPurposeThis study aimed to examine the reference values for shoulder ultrasonography and the effects of positional changes on anterior humeral circumflex artery (AHCA) hemodynamics.MethodsIn this study, shoulder ultrasound was examined in 92 healthy participants (women: 48; men: 44; age 37.8 ± 13.6 years). The thickness of the rotator cuff and the cross‐sectional area of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHB) were determined using ultrasonography. After gray‐scale evaluations, the pulse Doppler mode was used to measure the peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the AHCA in four shoulder positions: neutral, internal rotation, external rotation, and backward extension.ResultsThe mean thickness of the supraspinatus tendon and cross‐sectional area of the LHB were significantly different between sexes and ages (p < 0.05). Compared to the neutral position, the PSV of the AHCA significantly decreased during internal rotation (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe findings of our study may be useful in daily shoulder practice.
Congeneric Rodents Differ in Immune Gene Expression: Implications for Host Competence for Tick‐Borne Pathogens
Authors: Assis Vania R. , Cifarelli Gabriella , Brehm Allison M. , Orrock John L. , Martin Lynn B. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTMice in the genus Peromyscus are abundant and geographically widespread in North America, serving as reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi), the causative agent of Lyme disease, transmitted by Ixodes scapularis ticks. While the white‐footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus (P. leucopus)) is the primary reservoir in the United States, the deer mouse (P. maniculatus), an ecologically similar congener, rarely transmits the pathogen to biting ticks. Understanding the factors that allow these similar species to serve as a poor and competent reservoir is critical for understanding tick‐borne disease ecology and epidemiology, especially as climate change expands the habitats where ticks can transmit pathogens. Our study investigated immunological differences between these rodent species. Specifically, we compared the expression of six immune genes (i.e., TLR‐2, IFN‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐10, GATA‐3, TGF‐β) broadly involved in bacterial recognition, elimination, and/or pathology mitigation in ear biopsies collected by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) as part of their routine surveillance. A principal components analysis indicated that immune gene expression in both species varied in two dimensions: TLR2, IFN‐γ, IL‐6, and IL‐10 (comprising PC1) and TGF‐β and GATA3 (comprising PC2) expression tended to covary within individuals. However, when we analyzed expression differences of each gene singly between species, P. maniculatus expressed more TLR2, IL‐6, and IL‐10 but less IFN‐γ and GATA3 than P. leucopus. This immune profile could partly explain why P. leucopus is a better reservoir for bacterial pathogens such as B. burgdorferi.
Well‐Being as Having, Loving, Doing, and Being: An Integrative Organizing Framework for Employee Well‐Being
Authors: Martela Frank 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTEmployee well‐being is one of the most studied outcomes in organizational research, operationalized variously as job satisfaction, affective well‐being, work engagement, work meaningfulness, and eudaimonic well‐being. What is lacking is a unified theoretical framework integrating various disparate research streams around separate well‐being indicators. The present work offers such an organizing framework, building on self‐determination theory and Erik Allardt's multidimensional theory of well‐being. In particular, I distinguish functional well‐being from perceived well‐being, with the former consisting of three existential conditions associated with particular needs: Having focuses on feeling safe and getting the resources required for survival from work, loving focuses on getting one's interpersonal needs met at work, and doing focuses on getting one's agentic needs for autonomy and competence met at work. Perceived well‐being (being) focuses on directly experiencing well‐being at work, and I propose that it consists of evaluative, affective, and conative well‐being, which largely result from having the three types of needs satisfied at work. I also propose a distinction between the fulfillment pathway to well‐being and the frustration pathway to ill‐being as two partially independent wellness processes. This integrative framework helps both scholars and practitioners make more informed choices about what dimensions of employee well‐being to measure.
Global burden and trends of severe periodontitis among women of childbearing age, 1990–2021
Authors: Dai Xingzhu , Tao Yifan , Zhou Jing , Zhou Yu , Liang Shuyi , Ma Xiao 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThe global burden and trend of severe periodontitis, as well as its association with sociodemographic development, among women of childbearing age (WCBA) have been unclear so far. This study aims to assess the epidemiological pattern of severe periodontitis in WCBA from 1990 to 2021 and provide projections through 2040.MethodsData on the incidence, prevalence, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) of severe periodontitis among WCBA from 1990 to 2021 were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2021. The Bayesian age‐period‐cohort model was run to project the age‐standardized incidence rate (ASIR) through 2040.ResultsIn 2021, an estimated 26,315,786 incident cases, 257,234,399 prevalent cases, and 1,680,425 DALYs were reported globally. From 1990 to 2021, a consistent annual increase in the age‐standardized rate of severe periodontitis was observed, and the ASIR is projected to continue to rise until 2040. Additionally, the burden of severe periodontitis demonstrated a downward trend with increasing sociodemographic development. In 2021, age‐specific rates of severe periodontitis increased with age, with the most significant changes occurring in younger age groups.ConclusionThe rising global burden of severe periodontitis, along with regional and age variations, highlights the urgent need for innovative prevention and healthcare strategies to reduce this burden among WCBA globally.Plain language summaryWomen of childbearing age (WCBA) represent nearly a quarter of the global population, yet there is a significant gap in consistent global and regional surveillance data on severe periodontitis in this group. Our study revealed that severe periodontitis among WCBA poses a substantial public health challenge worldwide. From 1990 to 2021, the age‐standardized rate of severe periodontitis increased globally, with the most significant rise observed in regions with middle socioeconomic development. This condition disproportionately affects women in their prime years, with the fastest growth seen among younger WCBA. It is essential that healthcare providers recognize the gender disparities and societal factors related to socioeconomic development that contribute to the risk of severe periodontitis in this population. To address this issue effectively, it is crucial to develop region‐ and age‐specific prevention strategies, as well as targeted healthcare interventions.
The real‐life positive predictive value of the Biofire FilmArray™ pathogen panel for stool culture organisms is modest
Authors: Britto Savini L. , Britto Rohan N. , Simon David A. , Szigeti Reka G. , Dunn James J. , Kellermayer Richard 
Published: January 2025

What is Known

PCR based gastrointestinal pathogen testing is highly sensitive and specific.
PCR based gastrointestinal pathogen testing may be clinically too sensitive.What is New

The positive predictive value of the Biofire FilmArray™ pathogen panel for stool culture organisms was modest, ~60% in pediatric patients.
None of the multi‐positive GI pathogen panels for stool culture organisms were confirmed by stool culture.
Positive, especially multi‐positive Biofire FilmArray™ pathogen panels for stool culture organisms should be carefully considered in the clinical setting.
Lake level fluctuation controls the formation, types, and abundance of coated grains in hypersaline lakes: a case study from Urmia Lake (NW Iran)
Authors: Ertunç Gülgün , Mohammadi Ali , Çiner Attila , Eriş Kürşad Kadir , Aydar Erkan , Lak Razyeh , Yetemen Ömer 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe hypersaline Urmia Lake in NW Iran offers unique sedimentary environments sensitive to climate and environmental shifts, fostering coated grain formation and serving as a vital indicator of paleoenvironmental conditions. This study characterizes coated grains within a 25‐m sediment core dating back to ~50 cal ka bp, assessing their significance through morphology, internal structures, mineralogy, and geochemistry. Coated grains in Urmia Lake exhibit concentric laminations, primarily calcite and aragonite, revealing alternating light carbonate‐rich and dark organic‐rich laminations. These reflect seasonal and long‐term variations in water chemistry and biogenic production. Dry season algal blooms contribute to lamination, highlighting the interplay between seasonal climate fluctuations and the consequent lake water enrichment in calcium, carbonate, and bicarbonate ions. The diversity and abundance of coated grains indicate three main lake level fluctuation stages in the last ~50 cal ka: a lowering stage with dominant coated grains, a low lake level with dominant terrigenous fragments and minerals, and a high lake level with prominent Artemia urmiana fecal pellets. The role of the brine shrimp A. urmiana in coated grain formation involves absorbing calcium, carbonate, and bicarbonate ions and inhibiting coated grain formation during high lake levels while providing nuclei during lake lowering. An in‐depth investigation of coated grains provides a chemical and biological formation framework, highlighting three main episodes in the lake's history.
Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of Cyanobacteria in Apatite‐Containing Rocks of the Tomtor Nb‐REE Deposit (Russia)
Authors: Moroz Tatyana N. , Edwards Howell G. M. , Zhmodik Sergey M. , Ponomarchuk Viktor A. , Goryainov Sergey V. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTMicro‐Raman spectroscopy was employed to analyze apatite‐containing samples from the Tomtor complex of ultrabasic rocks and carbonatites, located in the sharply continental region of Yakutia, Russia. Raman spectra excited at a wavelength of 532 nm revealed the characteristic vibrational bands of apatite, as well as bands attributed to carotenoid‐type cyanobacteria. Additionally, as an artifact, the spectra exhibited bands resulting from the laser‐induced photoluminescence of trivalent rare earth elements (REEs). Preresonance Raman spectra recorded at least two distinct C=C stretching modes of the β‐carotene polyene chain, indicating the presence of this carotenoid component associated with apatite. Furthermore, three characteristic carotenoid bands were recorded in samples from the specific weathering crust on carbonatites that lacked apatite‐related bands. These findings provide direct evidence of cyanobacteria in the studied samples, suggesting the likely involvement of microorganisms in the formation of Nb‐REE‐rich ores within the Tomtor field in Russia.