bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
n‐octyl acrylate is a candidate sex pheromone component involved in courtship in parasitoid wasp Microplitis mediator
Authors: Tao Yu‐Xiao , Shan Shuang , Dewer Youssef , Wang Shan‐Ning , Khashaveh Adel , Li Rui‐Jun , Zhang Yong‐Jun 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSex pheromones are considered to play critical roles in partner communication of most parasitic Hymenoptera. However, the identification of sex pheromone components remains limited to a few families of parasitoid wasps. In this study, we functionally characterized a candidate sex pheromone component in Microplitis mediator (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a solitary parasitoid of Noctuidae insects. We found that the body surface extract from female wasps could significantly stimulate courtship behavior of males. Gas chromatography‐electroantennographic detection (GC‐EAD) analysis revealed that a candidate semiochemical from extract triggered significant electrophysiological response of antennae of males. By performing gas chromatography‐mass spectrometer (GC‐MS) measurement, GC‐EAD active compound was identified as n‐octyl acrylate, a candidate sex pheromone component in female M. mediator. In electroantennogram (EAG) tests, antennae of male wasps showed significantly higher electrophysiological responses to n‐octyl acrylate than those of females. Y‐tube olfactometer assays indicated that male wasps significantly chose n‐octyl acrylate compared with the control. Furthermore, male wasps showed a remarkable preference for n‐octyl acrylate in a simulated field condition behavioral trial; simultaneously, n‐octyl acrylate standard could also trigger significant courtship behavior in males. We propose that n‐octyl acrylate, as a candidate vital sex pheromone component, could be utilized to design behavioral regulators of M. mediator to implement the protection and utilization of natural enemies.
What adolescents see on Instagram: Content analysis of #intermittentfasting, #keto, and #lowcarb
Authors: Lister Natalie B. , Melville Hannah , Jebeile Hiba 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAimTo describe popular diet content visible on #intermittentfasting, #keto, and #lowcarb on adolescent social media accounts.MethodsAn adolescent Instagram profile captured 200 ‘top’ images from three popular diet hashtags (#intermittentfasting, #keto, and #lowcarb) across two timepoints. Images were coded using a pre‐determined ontology as food (core or discretionary; common foods/food groups), people (group, individual, before/after), or informative. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise these categories across hashtags.ResultsAt the time of first data collection, there were 3.8 million #intermittentfasting, 19 million #keto, and 22 million #lowcarb posts on Instagram. At the second timepoint there were 4.3 million #intermittentfasting, 21.5 million #keto, and 24.3 million #lowcarb posts. Images tagged #intermittentfasting were categorised as 44% food, 39% people, 10% information; #keto were 64% food, 28% people, 5% information; and #lowcarb were 69% food, 14% people, 16% information. Food images mostly depicted animal proteins (58.6% of #intermittentfasting; 62.9% of #keto; and 40.1% of #lowcarb). Images of people were individual (44%) or before/after (39%); mostly female (77%), of white (53%) ethnicity. Across all posts, 12.5% were linked to a commercial product/program, and 2.3% provided nutrition information.ConclusionDiet‐related images visible when adolescents search #intermittentfasting, #keto, and #lowcarb on Instagram promote animal‐based foods with or without vegetables. These diet hashtags on Instagram do not provide nutrition information and are not helpful for young people searching for diet information online.
Effects of pear fruit‐derived volatiles and their concentrations on the responses of oriental fruit moths
Authors: Hu Xuefeng , Li Na , Cao Weiye , Wang Yi , Hu Rongshan , Li Jie , Ma Ruiyan , Kong Weina 
Published: November 2023

AbstractGrapholita molesta (Busck) is an important pest of pear trees. Numerous esters accumulate consistently in mature pear fruits. However, little is known about the effects of single esters from pear fruits at different concentrations on the responses of male and female G. molesta. In this study, the responses of virgin males, virgin females, and gravid females to five esters (3‐methylbutyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl butanoate, butyl acetate, and hexyl acetate) of pear fruits at three dosage levels (1, 5 and 10 μg/μL) were investigated using electroantennography (EAG), wind tunnel experiments, and field tests. Our results showed that ethyl butanoate (5 μg/μL) elicited higher EAG responses in virgin females and males than a mixture of all five volatiles, and elicited an equal EAG response to that for the mixture in gravid females, with all responses to ethyl butanoate and the mixture being higher than the response to hexane alone. For upwind flight, ethyl butanoate (5 μg/μL) excited equal moth flight–location behavior in virgin and gravid females to that for the mixture, which were both higher than the response to hexane. For close flight, ethyl hexanoate (5 μg/μL) and 3‐methylbutyl acetate (10 μg/μL) appeared to be the activating compounds, eliciting equal responses from virgin females to that of the mixture, and higher responses of gravid females to that of the mixture, both of which were higher than the responses to hexane. Upwind and close flight responses of virgin males were lower than those of virgin and gravid females. In field trials, we verified that traps baited with ethyl butanoate (5 μg/μL) captured more moths than the other esters. Therefore, from the esters and concentrations tested, we recommend ethyl butanoate (5 μg/μL) for potential use as an attractant for G. molesta in orchards.
Radiotherapy in nonagenarian patients: A 20‐year retrospective analysis in a single ternary centre
Authors: Katano Atsuto , Yamashita Hideomi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntroductionThe global burden of cancer and the ageing population is increasing, resulting in an increase in cancer incidence among elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety profile of radiotherapy in nonagenarians and to contribute to the existing knowledge on radiotherapy in elderly patients.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included nonagenarian patients who received external beam radiotherapy at a single centre in Japan between May 2003 and May 2023. Data, including patient demographics, tumour characteristics, treatment details, and clinical outcomes, were collected from medical records. Statistical analyses including survival and subgroup analyses were performed to summarize the data.ResultsThe analysis included 124 nonagenarian patients who received 151 treatment courses. Among the patients with a median age of 92 years (range, 90–98 years), 71 received palliative‐intent radiotherapy and 53 underwent curative‐intent radiotherapy. The overall survival rates at 1 and 3 years after radiotherapy were 55.4% and 38.3%, respectively. Performance status and radiotherapy at the primary site were independent prognosis factors for improved overall survival, while age was not. The incidence rate of grades 3–5 radiation‐related toxicities was 3.4%, which is generally considered to be acceptable.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that radiotherapy can be effectively and safely used in this age group, supporting its use as a treatment option for both palliative and curative goals. These results contribute to the existing body of evidence on radiotherapy in elderly patients and can guide clinical decision‐making in the management of nonagenarian patients with cancer.
Genomics and conservation: Guidance from training to analyses and applications
Authors: Schiebelhut Lauren M. , Guillaume Annie S. , Kuhn Arianna , Schweizer Rena M. , Armstrong Ellie E. , Beaumont Mark A. , Byrne Margaret , Cosart Ted , Hand Brian K. , Howard Leif , Mussmann Steven M. , Narum Shawn R. , Rasteiro Rita , Rivera‐Colón Angel G. , Saarman Norah , Sethuraman Arun , Taylor Helen R. , Thomas Gregg W. C. , Wellenreuther Maren , Luikart Gordon 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEnvironmental change is intensifying the biodiversity crisis and threatening species across the tree of life. Conservation genomics can help inform conservation actions and slow biodiversity loss. However, more training, appropriate use of novel genomic methods and communication with managers are needed. Here, we review practical guidance to improve applied conservation genomics. We share insights aimed at ensuring effectiveness of conservation actions around three themes: (1) improving pedagogy and training in conservation genomics including for online global audiences, (2) conducting rigorous population genomic analyses properly considering theory, marker types and data interpretation and (3) facilitating communication and collaboration between managers and researchers. We aim to update students and professionals and expand their conservation toolkit with genomic principles and recent approaches for conserving and managing biodiversity. The biodiversity crisis is a global problem and, as such, requires international involvement, training, collaboration and frequent reviews of the literature and workshops as we do here.
Leveraging whole‐genome sequencing to estimate telomere length in plants
Authors: Zavala‐Paez Michelle , Holliday Jason , Hamilton Jill A. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractChanges in telomere length are increasingly used to indicate species' response to environmental stress across diverse taxa. Despite this broad use, few studies have explored telomere length in plants. Thus, evaluation of new approaches for measuring telomeres in plants is needed. Rapid advances in sequencing approaches and bioinformatic tools now allow estimation of telomere content from whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) data, a proxy for telomere length. While telomere content has been quantified extensively using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and WGS in humans, no study to date has compared the effectiveness of WGS in estimating telomere length in plants relative to qPCR approaches. In this study, we use 100 Populus clones re‐sequenced using short‐read Illumina sequencing to quantify telomere length comparing three different bioinformatic approaches (Computel, K‐seek and TRIP) in addition to qPCR. Overall, telomere length estimates varied across different bioinformatic approaches, but were highly correlated across methods for individual genotypes. A positive correlation was observed between WGS estimates and qPCR, however, Computel estimates exhibited the greatest correlation. Computel incorporates genome coverage into telomere length calculations, suggesting that genome coverage is likely important to telomere length quantification when using WGS data. Overall, telomere estimates from WGS provided greater precision and accuracy of telomere length estimates relative to qPCR. The findings suggest WGS is a promising approach for assessing telomere length and, as the field of telomere ecology evolves, may provide added value to assaying response to biotic and abiotic environments for plants needed to accelerate plant breeding and conservation management.
Circulating monocytes expressing senescence‐associated features are enriched in COVID‐19 patients with severe disease
Authors: Lin Y. , Postma D. F. , Steeneken L. S. , Melo dos Santos L. S. , Kirkland J. L. , Espindola‐Netto J. M. , Tchkonia T. , Borghesan M. , Bouma H. R. , Demaria M. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAccurate biomarkers for predicting COVID‐19 severity have remained an unmet need due to an incomplete understanding of virus pathogenesis and heterogeneity among patients. Cellular senescence and its pro‐inflammatory phenotype are suggested to be a consequence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and potentially drive infection‐dependent pathological sequelae. Senescence‐associated markers in infected individuals have been identified primarily in the lower respiratory tract, while little is known about their presence in more easily accessible bio‐specimens. Here, we measured the abundance of senescence‐associated signatures in whole blood, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of COVID‐19 patients and patients without an infection. Bulk transcriptomic and targeted proteomic assays revealed that the level of senescence‐associated markers, including the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP), is predictive of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Single‐cell RNA‐sequencing data demonstrated that a senescence signature is particularly enriched in monocytes of COVID‐19 patients, partially correlating with disease severity. Our findings suggest that monocytes are prematurely induced to senescence by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, might contribute to exacerbating a SASP‐like inflammatory response and can serve as markers and predictors for COVID‐19 and its sequelae.
“Our Action Plan was Completely Changed”: Adapting, surviving, and collaborating through participatory action research during the Covid‐19 pandemic
Authors: Santiago Ortiz Aurora 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis article discusses a participatory action research (PAR) team's response and adaptation to the COVID‐19 pandemic amid multiple crises in Puerto Rico. Drawing on an ethnographic study of a PAR collaboration, the article: 1) examines four key dilemmas that emerged during the study, 2) emphasizes the significance of reciprocal partnerships anchored in solidarity, and 3) underscores the vital role of a decolonial feminist approach in sustaining and maintaining the projects at the onset of the pandemic.
Clinical trial: A Mediterranean diet is feasible and improves gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Staudacher Heidi M. , Mahoney Sophie , Canale Kim , Opie Rachelle S. , Loughman Amy , So Daniel , Beswick Lauren , Hair Chris , Jacka Felice N. 
Published: November 2023

SummaryBackgroundDiet is fundamental to the care of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, some approaches are not appropriate for individuals experiencing psychological symptoms.AimsTo assess feasibility of a Mediterranean diet in IBS and its impact on gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms.MethodsWe recruited adults with Rome IV IBS and mild or moderate anxiety and/or depressive symptoms to an unblinded 6‐week randomised controlled trial. Patients were randomised to Mediterranean diet counselling or habitual diet. We collected gastrointestinal and psychological symptom data, dietary data and stool samples for metagenomic sequencing.ResultsWe randomised 59 individuals (29 Mediterranean diet, 30 control); 48 completed the study. The Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener score was higher in the Mediterranean diet group than controls at week 6 (7.5 [95% CI: 6.9–8.0] vs. 5.7 [5.2–6.3], p < 0.001), and there was a greater score increase than controls (2.1 [95% CI: 1.3–2.9] vs. 0.5 [95% CI: 0.1–1.0], p = 0.004), demonstrating Mediterranean diet feasibility. There was a greater proportion of gastrointestinal symptom responders in the Mediterranean diet group than controls (24/29, 83% vs. 11/30, 37%, p < 0.001) and depression responders (15/29, 52% vs. 6/30 20%, p = 0.015). There was no difference in FODMAP intake at week 6 (p = 0.51). Gastrointestinal adverse events were similar (p = 0.588). There were no differences in change in microbiome parameters between groups.ConclusionsA Mediterranean diet is feasible in IBS and leads to improvement in gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms. Although this study was unblinded, these findings together with the broader benefits of the Mediterranean diet, provide strong impetus for future research in IBS.Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12620001362987.
“I had no choice”: A mixed‐methods study on access to care for vaginal breech birth
Authors: Schafer Robyn , Dietrich Mary S. , Kennedy Holly Powell , Mulvaney Shelagh , Phillippi Julia C. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntroductionAlthough current recommendations support vaginal breech birth as a reasonable option, access to breech birth in US hospitals is limited. This study explored the experiences of decision‐making and perceptions of access to care in people who transferred out of the hospital system to pursue home breech birth.MethodsWe conducted a mixed methods study of people with a singleton, term breech fetus who transferred out of the US hospital system to pursue home breech birth. Twenty‐five people completed an online demographic and psychosocial survey, and 23 (92%) participated in semi‐structured interviews. We used an interpretive description approach informed by situational analysis to analyze qualitative data about participants' experiences and perceived access to care.ResultsOf 25 individuals who left the hospital system to pursue a home breech birth, most felt denied informed choice (64%) and threatened or coerced into cesarean (68%). The majority reported low or very low autonomy in decision‐making (n = 20, 80%) and high decisional satisfaction using validated measures. Many participants felt safer in a hospital setting but were not able to access care for planned vaginal breech hospital birth, despite extensive efforts. Participants felt “backed into a corner” and “forced into homebirth,” perceiving a lack of access to safe and respectful care in the hospital system.ConclusionSome service users believe that home birth is their only option when they cannot access hospital‐based care for vaginal breech birth. Current barriers to care for breech birth limit birthing people's autonomy and may be placing them and their infants at increased risk.
Characteristics and outcomes of COVID‐19 in Chinese immune thrombocytopenia patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Yunfei , Liu Jiaying , Shao Shuai , Song Zhen , Ma Yueshen , Tuo Yuanyuan , Fang Lijun , Xu Yanmei , Xu Bingqi , Gu Wenjing , Cao Xuan , Chen Jia , Yang Yu , Wang Panjing , Zhang Jing , Xu Yuan , Yu Dandan , Hou Pengxiao , Meng Ke , Li Zhirong , Liu Guanyu , Qu Xinmiao , Ji Lulu , Yang Renchi , Zhang Lei 
Published: November 2023

SummaryThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has a significant impact on the immune system. This is the first and largest study on pre‐existing immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients infected with COVID‐19 in China. We prospectively collected ITP patients infected with COVID‐19 enrolled in the National Longitudinal Cohort of Hematological Diseases (NICHE, NCT04645199) and followed up for at least 1 month after infection. One thousand and one hundred forty‐eight pre‐existing ITP patients were included. Two hundred and twelve (18.5%) patients showed a decrease in the platelet (PLT) count after infection. Forty‐seven (4.1%) patients were diagnosed with pneumonia. Risk factors for a decrease in the PLT count included baseline PLT count <50 × 109/L (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.25–2.46; p = 0.001), maintenance therapy including thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO‐RAs) (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.60–3.21; p < 0.001) and previous splenectomy (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.09–3.61; p = 0.03). Risk factors for pneumonia included age ≥40 years (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.12–5.33; p = 0.02), ≥2 comorbidities (OR, 3.47; 95% CI, 1.63–7.64; p = 0.001), maintenance therapy including TPO‐RAs (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.17–3.91; p = 0.01) and immunosuppressants (OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.17–7.91; p = 0.02). In this cohort study, we described the characteristics of pre‐existing ITP patients infected with COVID‐19 and identified several factors associated with poor outcomes.
Not all ballots should be considered equal: How education‐based dehumanization undermines the democratic social contract
Authors: Sainz Mario , Vázquez Alexandra 
Published: November 2023

AbstractLess educated people are viewed negatively and their opinions are belittled in our society. Besides, along with other groups, they are underrepresented in the political arena which questions the legitimacy of democratic systems. Despite the existence of education‐based devaluation, research on how people dehumanize individuals and groups with lesser education and minimize their democratic rights is scarce. In this project, we provide correlational evidence that less (vs. highly) educated individuals and groups are dehumanized (Study 1a, N = 304) and their democratic rights (voting, running for office) are questioned (Study 1b, N = 504). Furthermore, we identified that dehumanization tendencies of the less (vs. highly) educated targets predict support for denying them voting rights or the capability to run for public candidacies (Study 2, N = 447). Finally, an experimental study confirmed that the target's educational background influences attributions of humanity, which in turn seem to affect the denial of democratic rights to the target (Study 3, N = 470). These findings suggest that education‐based dehumanization might undermine the inalienable democratic rights of lesser educated individuals and groups thus endangering the foundations of democratic systems.
Quality of life and decision regret in patients with late‐hypothyroidism after radioiodine treatment for Graves' disease
Authors: Li Yue , Yang Tianyu , Ju Linjun , Feng Yuyue , Chen Zheng , Xiang Xing , Zhu Tao , Pang Hua , Wang Zhengjie 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObjectivePatients with Graves' disease often engage in shared decision‐making to select an individualised treatment regimen from multiple options. Radioactive iodine (RAI) is one of the treatment choices for their condition, aims to improve quality of life and well‐being. Likewise, dissatisfaction with treatment outcomes can result in decision regret. We employed validated questionnaires to assess the prospective quality of life, decision regret and relative factors involved in decision‐making of patients with late hypothyroidism after RAI therapy.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among patients in hypothyroidism status for more than 1 year after RAI therapy. Disease‐specific and generic QoL were assessed using the short form of thyroid‐related patient‐reported outcome (ThyPRO‐39) questionnaire. Patient satisfaction regarding their decision to undergo RAI was assessed using the Decision Regret Scale (DRS) and patients were asked about the importance of relative factors in decision‐making.ResultsOf 254 patients who responded to the survey, the mean age of patients was 45.3 years (range: 18–78 years) and the median time from RAI therapy to survey was 4 years (range: 1–30 years). Patients' median and mean DRS score were 34.4 and 38.8 (range: 0–100), respectively. A total of 100 (39.4%) patients express absent‐to‐mild regret (score: 0–25), 154 (60.6%) patients express moderate‐to‐severe regret (score: >25). The mean score of the absent‐to‐mild regret group were significantly higher than those of the moderate‐to‐severe regret group on most ThyPRO‐39 scales. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between DRS score and most ThyPRO‐39 scale score. There was a significant positive association between higher DRS score and longer time intervals after RAI treatment, a brief duration of hyperthyroidism, and the significance of long‐time outpatient follow‐up. More decision regret was negatively associated Iodine‐free diet, ineffectiveness of ATD, fear of surgery.ConclusionImpairment of quality of life was positively correlated with decision regret in patients with late‐hypothyroidism after radioiodine therapy. Patients with insufficient information support before decision‐making are more likely to have higher decision regret after treatment. Our findings suggest that health providers should fully communicate with patients and provide information support in multiple dimensions during the shared‐decision‐making process.