bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac computed tomography angiography for assessment of endothelial insufficiency of left atrial appendage disc‐like occluder
Authors: Duan Zhiyong , Shi Genling , Wang Bin , Shen Yongjian , Xie Mengshi , Zhang Zhenzhou , Dai Xixi , Yao Weifeng , Liu Yunfei , Shi Hongyu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionThis study was performed to explore the diagnostic value of cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for endothelial insufficiency (EIS) of a left atrial appendage (LAA) disc‐like occluder.MethodsFifty‐nine patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who underwent placement of an LAA disc‐like occluder (LAmbre; Lifetech Scientific) in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who were found to have contrast agent entering the LAA at the 3‐month postoperative CCTA examination underwent Hounsfield unit (HU) measurement of the LAA and construction of a three‐dimensional (3D) model of the device for preliminary discernment between peri‐device leakage (PDL) and EIS. These patients were then further examined by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to check for concordance with the computed tomography (CT) findings. According to the CT and TEE results, all patients were divided into the PDL group, total endothelialization group, and EIS group. The endothelial conditions and other implantation‐related results were also tracked at the 6‐month follow‐up.ResultsAll 59 patients underwent successful implantation of the LAmbre LAA closure device with no severe adverse events during the procedure. Thirty‐five patients were found to have contrast agent entering the LAA at the 3‐month postoperative CCTA follow‐up. Based on the CT HU measurement and the 3D construction analysis results, these 35 patients were divided into the PDL group (19 patients) and the EIS group (16 patients). In the PDL group, the contrast agent infiltrated from the shoulder along the periphery of the occluder on two‐dimensional (2D) CT images, and the 3D model showed a gap between the LAA and the device cover. However, the CCTA images of the other 16 patients in the EIS group showed that the contrast agent in the occluder on the 2D CTA images and 3D construction model confirmed the absence of a gap between the LAA and the device cover. TEE confirmed all of the CT results. The 6‐month follow‐up results showed that 14 of 19 patients in the EIS group achieved total endothelialization, whereas this number in the PDL group was only five of 19 patients.ConclusionCCTA can replace TEE for examination of the endothelialization status, and patients with EIS have a higher chance of endothelialization than patients with PDL.
The feasibility of a sleep education program for informal dementia care dyads: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Song Yeonsu , Papazyan Anna , Lee Diane , Mitchell Michael N. , McCurry Susan M. , Irwin Michael R. , Teng Edmond , Alessi Cathy A. , Martin Jennifer L. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundUntreated sleep problems in both persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their family care partners (CP) impact their health and quality of life. This pilot study tested a sleep intervention program for both dyad members.MethodsThirty dyads were randomized to a 5‐session Care2Sleep intervention (n = 15 dyads) or an information‐only control group (n = 15 dyads) delivered in‐person or by video‐telehealth by trained sleep educators. Care2Sleep is a manual‐based program, incorporating key components of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, daily light exposure and walking, and problem‐solving for dementia‐related behaviors. Adherence with Care2Sleep recommendations was assessed. Sleep outcomes included actigraphy‐measured sleep efficiency (SE) and total wake time (TWT) for dyads, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for CP. Other outcomes for CP included the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and positive aspects of caregiving (PAC). Outcomes were measured at baseline, posttreatment, and 3‐month follow‐up. A 2 (group) by 3 (time) mixed model analysis of variance tested treatment effects.ResultsStudy feasibility was demonstrated, with 13 dyads completing all five sessions of Care2Sleep program and 14 completing the control condition. In the Care2Sleep group, the dyads adhered to recommended sleep schedules of 76% for bedtime and 72% for get‐up time for PLWD, and 69% for bedtime and 67% for get‐up time for CP. There were several nonsignificant trends in outcomes from baseline to 3‐month follow‐up between the two groups. For example, SE increased by 3.2% more for PLWD and 3.2% more for CP with Care2Sleep versus control. TWT decreased by 14 min more for PLWD and 12 min more for CP with Care2Sleep versus control at the 3‐month follow‐up. CP in Care2Sleep also showed improvement in the PSQI, ZBI, and PAC scores.ConclusionsA dyadic approach to sleep improvement is feasible. Larger trials are needed to test effects of this intervention for PLWD and their family CP. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03455569.
Surrogate decision‐makers from historically marginalized populations have lower levels of preparedness for care planning
Authors: Li Lingsheng , Barnes Deborah E. , Nouri Sarah , Shi Ying , Volow Aiesha M. , Feuz Mariko , Li Brookelle H. , Sudore Rebecca L. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundSurrogate preparedness for medical decision‐making is an important part of care planning. This study examined preparedness and engagement among historically marginalized surrogates.MethodsSurrogates were included if they were named medical decision‐makers by patients ≥55 years at a San Francisco safety‐net and Veterans Affairs hospital. We assessed preparedness for medical decision‐making by asking if surrogates had been formally asked to be the medical decision‐maker, if patients had discussed medical wishes with surrogates, and if the surrogate role and these medical wishes had been documented. We assessed surrogate confidence and readiness using a modified Surrogate ACP Engagement Survey. We used Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests to measure the association of engagement scores with surrogate characteristics.ResultsOf 422 surrogates, their mean age was 53 years (SD ±14.5), 73% were from minoritized groups, 38% were Spanish‐speaking, and 15% had limited health literacy. For preparedness outcomes, 13% of surrogates were not formally asked to play this role, 46% reported the patient had not discussed end‐of‐life medical wishes, and 51% reported there had been no formal documentation of the surrogate role. Surrogates reported higher confidence 4.43/5 (SD ± 0.64) than readiness 3.70 (1.22) for decision‐making (p < 0.001). Confidence and readiness scores were lower among historically marginalized participants.ConclusionMore resources are needed to prepare surrogate decision‐makers from historically marginalized communities for discussing patient's goals of care and treatment preferences.
How Context Matters in Non‐market Strategies: Exploring Variations in Corporate Social Responsibility‐Political Activity Relationships
Authors: Winkler Dorothee Maria , Krzeminska Anna 
Published: January 2024

AbstractManaging the nexus between societal and political demands represents an important challenge for today's organizations. While non‐market strategy research debates the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate political activity (CPA), it remains unclear how and why this relationship varies across different contexts. Based on a literature review, we address this question by developing a multi‐contextual framework that allows us to organize existing literature and generalize beyond it. We contribute to non‐market strategy research by conceptualizing a theoretically grounded set of single contexts covering different country and industry environments, transitional contexts considering the dynamic nature of non‐market environments, and cross‐context settings to conceptualize environments multinational and diversified domestic firms operate in, and associate those with different CSR‐CPA relationships. We further contribute to broader non‐market strategy research by shedding light on the varying meanings of CSR and CPA, exploring novel epistemological and methodological perspectives, and developing a future research agenda.
Reuterin isolated from the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri promotes periodontal tissue regeneration by inhibiting Cx43‐mediated the intercellular transmission of endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Han Nannan , Liu Yitong , Li Xiaoyan , Du Juan , Guo Lijia , Liu Yi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate the effects of reuterin, a bioactive isolated from the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) on periodontal tissue regeneration, and provide a new strategy for periodontitis treatment in the future.BackgroundData discussing the present state of the field: Probiotics are essential for maintaining oral microecological balance. Our previous study confirmed that probiotic L. reuteri extracts could rescue the function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and promote soft tissue wound healing by neutralizing inflammatory Porphyromonas gingivalis—LPS. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by bacteria seriously leading to tooth loss. In this study, we isolated and purified reuterin from an extract of L. reuteri to characterize from the extracts of L. reuteri to characterize its role in promoting periodontal tissue regeneration and controlling inflammation in periodontitis.MethodsChromatographic analysis was used to isolate and purify reuterin from an extract of L. reuteri, and HNMR was used to characterize its structure. The inflammatory cytokine TNFα was used to simulate the inflammatory environment. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) were treated with TNFα and reuterin after which their effects were characterized using scratch wound cell migration assays to determine the concentration of reuterin, an experimental periodontitis model in rats was used to investigate the function of reuterin in periodontal regeneration and inflammation control in vivo. Real‐time PCR, dye transfer experiments, image analysis, alkaline phosphatase activity, Alizarin red staining, cell proliferation, RNA‐sequencing and Western Blot assays were used to detect the function of PDLSCs.ResultsIn vivo, local injection of reuterin promoted periodontal tissue regeneration of experimental periodontitis in rats and reduced local inflammatory response. Moreover, we found that TNFα stimulation caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in PDLSCs, which resulted in decreased osteogenic differentiation. Treatment with reuterin inhibited the ER stress state of PDLSCs caused by the inflammatory environment and restored the osteogenic differentiation and cell proliferation functions of inflammatory PDLSCs. Mechanistically, we found that reuterin restored the functions of inflammatory PDLSCs by inhibiting the intercellular transmission of ER stress mediated by Cx43 in inflammatory PDLSCs and regulated osteogenic differentiation capacity.ConclusionOur findings identified reuterin isolated from extracts of the probiotic L. reuteri, which improves tissue regeneration and controls inflammation, thus providing a new therapeutic method for treating periodontitis.
Efficacy of ready‐to‐use food supplement for treatment of moderate acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months
Authors: Makori Nyabasi , Masanja Hope , Masumo Ray , Rashid Suleman , Jumbe Theresia , Tegeye Meshack , Esau Debora , Muiruri Juliana , Mchau Geofrey , Mafung'a Stanslaus H. , Moshi Cypriana , Shosho Neema , Kwara Vera , Mshida Hoyce , Leyna Germana 
Published: January 2024

AbstractModerate acute malnutrition (MAM) is a persistent public health problem in Tanzania. The current approach for its management is nutrition counselling. However, there has been no commercial production of ready‐to‐use supplementary foods for the management of MAM in the country but rather imported from companies outside the country. The objective of the study was to determine the ability of a ready‐to‐use food supplementation versus corn soya blend (CSB+) to manage MAM. The randomised controlled trial employed three parallel arm approach. The first arm received CSB+ and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counselling, the second arm received ready‐to‐use food (RUF) and IYCF counselling and the third arm, a control group, received IYCF as standard care for three consecutive months. Results indicated that the overall proportion of children who recovered from MAM was 65.6%. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the proportion of children who recovered from MAM between the three arms (CSB+, RUF and standard care). Results revealed further a high recovery rate of 83.7% in the RUF arm, followed by 71.9% in the CSB+ arm and 41% in the standard care arm. The risk differences for RUF compared with CSB+ and standard care were 11.8% and 42.7%, respectively. RUFs can be used as an alternative supplement to conventional CSB+ for the management of MAM in children and, thus, has the potential to scale up its use to address the problem of MAM among 6 to 59 months' children.
The host Rab9a/Rab32 axis is actively recruited to the Trypanosoma cruzi parasitophorous vacuole and benefits the infection cycle
Authors: Salassa Betiana Nebaí , Cueto Juan Agustín , Vanrell María Cristina , López María Belén , Descoteaux Albert , Labriola Carlos Alberto , Romano Patricia Silvia 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTrypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease is a protozoan parasite that infects phagocytic and non‐phagocytic mammalian cells. At early stages of infection, trypomastigotes, the infective forms of this parasite, localize in a vesicular compartment called the T. cruzi parasitophorous vacuole until the exit of parasites to the host cell cytoplasm where continue their infective cycle. Rab proteins participate in the membrane traffic's molecular machinery, functioning as central regulators of vesicle recognition and transport. In previous work, we demonstrated that endocytic Rabs are key factors of the T. cruzi infection process in non‐phagocytic cells, regulating the formation and the maturation of the vacuole. In this work, we identified and characterized other molecular components of the vesicular transport pathways and their participation in the T. cruzi infection. We found that Rab9a and Rab32, two regulators of the endocytic and autophagic pathways, were actively recruited to the T. cruzi vacuoles and favored the late stages of the infective process. The recruitment was specific and dependent on T. cruzi protein synthesis. Interestingly, Rab32 association depends on the presence of Rab9a in the vacuolar membrane, while the inhibition of the cysteine‐protease cruzipain, a T. cruzi virulence factor, significantly decreases both Rab9a and Rab32 association with the vacuole. In summary, this work showed for the first time that specific molecules produced and secreted by the parasite can subvert intracellular components of host cells to benefit the infection. These new data shed light on the complex map of interactions between T. cruzi and the host cell and introduce concepts that can be useful in finding new forms of intervention against this parasite in the future.
Infection‐specific transcriptional patterns of the maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus unravel genes involved in asexual development and virulence
Authors: Yu Huilin , Zhang Jiyue , Fan Jinyu , Jia Wantong , Lv Yanan , Pan Hongyu , Zhang Xianghui 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSouthern corn leaf blight (SCLB) caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus is a destructive disease that threatens global maize (Zea mays) production. Despite many studies being conducted, very little is known about molecular processes employed by the pathogen during infection. There is a need to understand the fungal arms strategy and identify novel functional genes as targets for fungicide development. Transcriptome analysis based on RNA sequencing was carried out across conidia germination and host infection by C. heterostrophus. The present study revealed major changes in C. heterostrophus gene expression during host infection. Several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced during C. heterostrophus infection could be involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, peroxisome, energy metabolism, amino acid degradation and oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, histone acetyltransferase, secreted proteins, peroxisomal proteins, NADPH oxidase and transcription factors were selected for further functional validation. Here, we demonstrated that histone acetyltransferases (Hat2 and Rtt109), secreted proteins (Cel61A and Mep1), peroxisomal proteins (Pex11A and Pex14), NADPH oxidases (NoxA, NoxD and NoxR) and transcription factors (Crz1 and MtfA) play essential roles in C. heterostrophus conidiation, stress adaption and virulence. Taken together, our study revealed major changes in gene expression associated with C. heterostrophus infection and identified a diverse repertoire of genes critical for successful infection.
WRR4B contributes to a broad‐spectrum disease resistance against powdery mildew in Arabidopsis
Authors: Mei Shuangshuang , Song Yuxin , Zhang Zuer , Cui Haitao , Hou Shuguo , Miao Weiguo , Rong Wei 
Published: January 2024

AbstractOidium heveae HN1106, a powdery mildew (PM) that infects rubber trees, has been found to trigger disease resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana through ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1 (EDS1)‐, PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4 (PAD4)‐ and salicylic acid (SA)‐mediated signalling pathways. In this study, a typical TOLL‐INTERLEUKIN 1 RECEPTOR, NUCLEOTIDE‐BINDING, LEUCINE‐RICH REPEAT (TIR‐NB‐LRR)‐encoding gene, WHITE RUST RESISTANCE 4 (WRR4B), was identified to be required for the resistance against O. heveae in Arabidopsis. The expression of WRR4B was upregulated by O. heveae inoculation, and WRR4B positively regulated the expression of genes involved in SA biosynthesis, such as EDS1, PAD4, ICS1 (ISOCHORISMATE SYNTHASE 1), SARD1 (SYSTEMIC‐ACQUIRED RESISTANCE DEFICIENT 1) and CBP60g (CALMODULIN‐BINDING PROTEIN 60 G). Furthermore, WRR4B triggered self‐amplification, suggesting that WRR4B mediated plant resistance through taking part in the SA‐based positive feedback loop. In addition, WRR4B induced an EDS1‐dependent hypersensitive response in Nicotiana benthamiana and contributed to disease resistance against three other PM species: Podosphaera xanthii, Erysiphe quercicola and Erysiphe neolycopersici, indicating that WRR4B is a broad‐spectrum disease resistance gene against PMs.
A natural substitution of a conserved amino acid in eIF4E confers resistance against multiple potyviruses
Authors: Zhou Ling‐Xi , Tian Yan‐Ping , Ren Li‐Li , Yan Zhi‐Yong , Jiang Jun , Shi Qing‐Hua , Geng Chao , Li Xiang‐Dong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractEukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), which plays a pivotal role in initiating translation in eukaryotic organisms, is often hijacked by the viral genome‐linked protein to facilitate the infection of potyviruses. In this study, we found that the naturally occurring amino acid substitution D71G in eIF4E is widely present in potyvirus‐resistant watermelon accessions and disrupts the interaction between watermelon eIF4E and viral genome‐linked protein of papaya ringspot virus‐watermelon strain, zucchini yellow mosaic virus or watermelon mosaic virus. Multiple sequence alignment and protein modelling showed that the amino acid residue D71 located in the cap‐binding pocket of eIF4E is strictly conserved in many plant species. The mutation D71G in watermelon eIF4E conferred resistance against papaya ringspot virus‐watermelon strain and zucchini yellow mosaic virus, and the equivalent mutation D55G in tobacco eIF4E conferred resistance to potato virus Y. Therefore, our finding provides a potential precise target for breeding plants resistant to multiple potyviruses.
Optical coherence tomography: Promising imaging technique for the diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases
Authors: Chen Xu‐Ya , Zhou Gang , Zhang Jing 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis review aims to summarize the latest application of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in oral mucosal diseases, promoting an accurate and earlier diagnosis of such disorders, which are difficult to be differentiated.Subjective and MethodsReferences on the application of OCT in oral mucosal diseases were mainly obtained from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus databases, using the keywords: “optical coherence tomography and ‘oral mucosa/oral cancers/oral potentially malignant diseases/oral lichen planus/oral leukoplakia/oral erythroplakia/discoid lupus erythematosus/oral autoimmune bullous diseases/oral ulcers/erythema multiforme/oral mucositis’”.ResultsIt is found that OCT is showing a promising application potential in the early detection, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, monitoring of oral cancer and oral dysplastic lesions, as well as the delineation of tumor margins. OCT is also playing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis of oral potentially malignant disorders, oral mucosal bullous diseases, oral ulcerative diseases, erythema multiforme, and the early detection of oral mucositis.ConclusionOptical coherence tomography, as a novel optical technique featured by real‐time, noninvasive, dynamic and high‐resolution imaging, is of great use to serve as an adjunct tool for the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, monitoring and therapy evaluation of oral mucosal diseases.
A hidden herbivory effect on Sphagnum reproduction
Authors: Chen Y.‐D. , Liu C. , Moles A. , Jassey V. E. J. , Bu Z.‐J. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Defence theories provide predictions about trade‐offs in the allocation of resources to defence and growth. However, very little is known about how pressure from herbivores influences the allocation of resources during reproduction.

Two common peatland bryophyte species, Sphagnum angustifolium and S. capillifolium, were chosen as study species. Vegetative and reproductive shoots of both Sphagnum species were subjected to treatments with and without herbivores in a lab experiment. After 4 weeks of exposure to herbivores in a growth chamber, we measured biomass production, net photosynthesis rate, defence traits (phenolics in leachate and phenolics in extract), nonstructural carbohydrates (soluble sugar and starch), and reproductive traits (capsule number, weight and diameter, and spore germination) of both Sphagnum species.

Reproductive shoots had higher constitutive defence than vegetative shoots in S. angustifolium, and a similar pattern was observed in S. capillifolium. With herbivory, reproductive shoots showed stronger induced defence (released more phenolics) than vegetative shoots in S. capillifolium, but not in S. angustifolium. Herbivory had no effect on capsule number, weight, or diameter, but reduced spore germination percentage by more than half in both species.

Our study highlights the hidden effects of herbivory on reproduction of Sphagnum and indicates the presence of maternal effects in bryophytes. Ecologists will benefit from examining both quality‐ and quantity‐based traits when attempting to estimate the herbivory effect on plant fitness.