bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexually dimorphic metal alterations in childhood obesity are modulated by a complex interplay between inflammation, insulin, and sex hormones
Authors: González‐Domínguez Álvaro , Domínguez‐Riscart Jesús , Millán‐Martínez María , Lechuga‐Sancho Alfonso María , González‐Domínguez Raúl 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAlthough growing evidence points to a pivotal role of perturbed metal homeostasis in childhood obesity, sexual dimorphisms in this association have rarely been investigated. In this study, we applied multi‐elemental analysis to plasma and erythrocyte samples from an observational cohort comprising children with obesity, with and without insulin resistance, and healthy control children. Furthermore, a wide number of variables related to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, inflammation, and sex hormones were also determined. Children with obesity, regardless of sex and insulin resistance status, showed increased plasma copper‐to‐zinc ratios. More interestingly, obesity‐related erythroid alterations were found to be sex‐dependent, with increased contents of iron, zinc, and copper being exclusively detected among female subjects. Our findings suggest that a sexually dimorphic hormonal dysregulation in response to a pathological cascade involving inflammatory processes and hyperinsulinemia could be the main trigger of this female‐specific intracellular sequestration of trace elements. Therefore, the present study highlights the relevance of genotypic sex as a susceptibility factor influencing the pathogenic events behind childhood obesity, thereby opening the door to develop sex‐personalized approaches in the context of precision medicine.
Risk aversion in risk‐taking tasks: Combined effects of feedback attributes and cognitive reflection ability
Authors: Li Wei , Chen Siliu , Xiao Zhibing , Li Dandan , Lv Chenyu , Zhang Shuyue , Turel Ofir , He Qinghua 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIntroductionFeedback on human choices is important because it can affect risk‐taking and rationality in subsequent decisions. In daily life, choices are not always followed by immediate outcomes nor are they always followed by simple, single‐dimensional feedback. Here, we seek to extend previous studies on the effects of feedback on subsequent risk‐taking in three experiments.MethodsWe examine whether (1) the effect of feedback immediacy on participants’ risk‐taking exists in tasks containing explicit probabilistic outcome values; (2) increasing feedback dimensionality from one dimension (only about the outcome) to include a second dimension (also about the “rationality” of prior choices) increases feedback effects on risk‐taking; and (3) cognitive reflection ability moderates feedback effects on risk‐taking.ResultsResults showed that feedback reduced risk‐taking in tasks containing explicit probabilistic outcomes (Studies 1 and 2). They further showed that two‐dimensional feedback produces a stronger reduction in risk‐taking compared to single‐dimensional feedback (Study 3). Lastly, results suggested that cognitive reflection ability moderates the effects of feedback on risk‐taking (Study 4).ConclusionTaken together, the findings extended the understanding of risk‐taking and mitigating mechanisms and pave the way for intervention studies aimed at changing risky behaviors.
Applying a neurodiversity affirmative approach to the pluralistic framework
Authors: Mills Danielle 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectivesTo date, there has been no research exploring the use of a pluralistic framework when working with neurodivergent (ND) clients. This research addresses the gap between theory and practice and explores therapist perspectives and experiences using the pluralistic framework as an ND therapist and/or when working with ND clients.MethodsEight pluralistic therapists were interviewed using semi‐structured interviews. This study employed interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to capture lived experiences and sense‐making of the participants. The therapists had a range of experiences—some were ND themselves and working with ND clients.ResultsSix key themes emerged from the results: the importance of language; client strengths and cultural resources; collaboration and shared decision‐making; demystifying therapy; learning events within therapy; and flexibility. These results were synthesised into two overarching themes: ND justice and the pluralistic model as a supportive framework for ND affirmative practice. The approaches within the participants' therapeutic interactions modelled a neurodiversity justice approach. There was a belief that the pluralistic framework could have been designed for neurological difference. There was a deep respect for client experience along with hearing the client, giving voice, and respecting choice embedded in the approach. The participants were able to use the model to facilitate client autonomy and normalise them being part of their own processes both in therapy and in life.ConclusionThis study provides insights into the experience of ND, which can be used to improve practice and increase knowledge in the field.
Synergistic role of circulating CD14++CD16+ monocytes and fibrinogen in predicting the cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhang Chong , Zeng Shan , Ji Wenjie , Li Zhi , Sun Haonan , Teng Tianming , Yu Ying , Zhou Xin , Yang Qing 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundMonocytes and fibrinogen (FIB) play important roles in driving acute and reparative inflammatory pathways after myocardial infarction (MI). In humans, there are three subsets of monocytes, namely, CD14++CD16− (Mon1), CD14++CD16+ (Mon2), and CD14+CD16++ (Mon3). During the inflammatory response, monocyte subsets express high levels of integrin αMβ2 and protease‐activated receptors 1 and 3 to interact with FIB.HypothesisHowever, whether there is a synergistic role of FIB combined with Mon2 counts in prioritizing patients at high risk of future major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) after MI remains unknown.MethodsThe MI patients who treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled. MI patients were categorized into four groups, that is, low FIB/low Mon2, low FIB/high Mon2, high FIB/low Mon2, and high FIB/high Mon2, according to cutoff values of 3.28 g/L for FIB and 32.20 cells/μL for Mon2. Kaplan−Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risk of MACEs of MI patients during a median follow‐up of 2.7 years. Mediating effects of high FIB levels and MACEs associated with high monocyte subsets were calculated by mediation analysis.ResultsHigh FIB/high Mon2 group had the highest risk of MACEs during a median follow‐up of 2.7 years. Moreover, mediation analysis showed that a high FIB level could explain 24.9% (p < .05) of the increased risk of MACEs associated with Mon2.ConclusionThis work provides evidence indicating the translational potential of a synergistic role of FIB combined with Mon2 in prioritizing patients at high risk of future MACEs after MI.
Advances in whole aerosol approaches for in vitro e‐cigarette testing
Authors: Bishop Emma , Gaça Marianna , Thorne David 
Published: March 2023

AbstractElectronic‐cigarette regulation and risk assessment is a prominent and developing field, as the popularity and prevalence of this product category increases. Over the last 10 years since their emergence, there have been many advances and adaptations to current in vitro testing techniques to better assess and predict absolute consumer risk. However, there are still requirements to create a cross‐field harmonised approach to appropriate exposure and experimental design. With many assessments still being carried out using methods developed and optimised for cigarette smoke, there must first be an acknowledgement regarding the differences between cigarette smoke and tobacco‐free e‐cigarette aerosols before we can accurately assess these distinct products. Here, we discuss five published studies from within our own research to demonstrate how in vitro testing techniques have evolved to improve determination of risk by considering appropriate dosimetry and exposure for both e‐cigarette and cigarette aerosols and how we can contextualise the data through human consumption and dose extrapolation, ultimately giving more relevance to in vitro data. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the evolution of techniques, which has allowed us to bridge between platforms, simplify exposure set‐up, experimental design and demonstrate technology evolution within our products, thus fulfilling a responsible duty of care to consumers via an appropriate and robust in vitro product assessment.
Myostatin inhibitory peptides in sports drug testing
Authors: Walpurgis Katja , Agricola Johannes , Thomas Andreas , Thevis Mario 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAcross species, skeletal muscle mass is negatively regulated by the TGF‐β cytokine myostatin (MSTN). Inhibitors of this growth factor and its signaling pathways are therefore not only promising therapeutics for muscular diseases but also potential performance‐enhancing agents in sports. Within this study, protein precipitation and liquid chromatography high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐HRMS/MS) were employed to develop a detection method for six novel MSTN inhibitory peptides derived from the regulatory MSTN propeptide and the natural MSTN inhibitor follistatin (FST) from doping control serum samples. The approach was comprehensively characterized and found to allow for a specific detection down to concentrations of 3–9 ng/mL. Moreover, several potential metabolites of the drug candidates referred to as DF‐3, DF‐25, and Peptide 7 were identified as valuable complementary analytical targets for doping control analytical assays. Overall, the acquired data pave the way for an implementation of MSTN inhibitory peptides into routine sports drug testing. Even though no drug candidate has obtained clinical approval yet, a proactive development of detection assays is of utmost importance to deter athletes from misusing such compounds, which are readily available for research purposes and on the black market.
Sharing is living: The role of habitat heterogeneity in the coexistence of closely related species
Authors: Sanches Fábio H. C. , De Grande Fernando R. , Costa Tânia M. , Barreto Rodrigo E. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn biologically diverse ecosystems, an essential process to support competing species to coexist is ecological differentiation. Habitat heterogeneity is, hence, important in establishing species abundance and richness, favoring the coexistence of species due to habitat partition. In this context, shading and species thermal tolerance can be good factors to elucidate the role of habitat heterogeneity in the habitat partition among closely related species. Herein, we study shading effects in microhabitat selection, behavior, and physiological limitation on two species of fiddler crabs (Leptuca leptodactyla and Leptuca uruguayensis). Indeed, shading conditions influenced fiddler crabs species proportion over time, with L. leptodactyla more associated with nonshaded/warmer areas while the L. uruguayensis to shaded/cooler ones. They also adjusted their behavior differently from each other to deal with thermal stress. Finally, we have demonstrated that these effects are related to species' physiological limitations. We conclude that biologically diverse ecosystems, such as intertidal regions from estuaries (e.g., mudflats and mangroves), support the coexistence between closely related species by reducing competition due to habitat partition.
Assessing local government's response to black women's vulnerability and adaptation to the impacts of floods in the context of intersectionality: The case of eThekwini metropolitan municipality, South Africa
Authors: Udo Fidelis , Naidu Maheshvari 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis article assesses how adaptation governance within the eThekwini (Durban) metropolitan municipality, KwaZulu‐Natal Province of South Africa, addresses the vulnerability and adaptation of black African women to flood impacts within the municipality. The article argues that there is an intersectional lens through which black local women's experiences of vulnerability to the impact of climate change disasters need to be understood and addressed. Qualitative research methodologies were employed to collect data through semi‐structured interviews and focus group discussions with local black African women from four areas in Durban who have experienced frequent floods over the past years. Personnel from eThekwini municipality's Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department and Disaster Management Department were also interviewed. The feminist political ecology perspective was used to unpack the nuances in power relations that engendered black African women's vulnerability and adaptation to flood impacts within the municipality. The study's findings revealed that the overall vulnerability experiences of black African women in Durban are shaped by factors relating to the lack of an ‘intentionally gendered’ approach to adaptation governance in the municipality. Adopting an intentional approach to adaptation governance is essential to inform policies responding to local black Africans' vulnerability and adaptation experiences within the study's context.
Study on the Action of Chia Seed Oil in Rats’ Model of Autism
Authors: Zhang Yeqi , Bai Qiqi , Li Qijiu , Zhu Jinghe , Hu Rui , Hui Jing 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis article mainly focuses on elucidating the effect of chia seed oil (CSO) on autistic traits in offspring rats induced with valproic acid (VPA). Postnatal maturity monitoring are conducted on postnatal day 1–15, and behavioral tests are implemented on postnatal day 49, subsequently, body weight, tail and body length, oxidative stress, the activity of acetylcholinesterase, histopathological analysis, and immunohistochemical staining in the hippocampal serotonin are investigated to confirm the rat model of autism and evaluate the effects of different doses of CSO. Offspring exposed to VPA prenatally exhibits autism‐like behavior, delayed eye‐opening, olfactory dysfunction, slow growth, poor sociability, high anxiety, and oxidative stress. In addition, neuronal degeneration and cytoplasmic vacuolation are found, and positive areas of hippocampal serotonin are aggrandized. However, treatment with CSO, exceptionally high doses of CSO, significantly improves the poor growth and behavioral disorder, enhanced the protective effect on neurodevelopment, and reduced oxidative stress.Practical application: It can be deduced that CSO has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, which can provide good protection for autism, especially since high doses of CSO have a significant impact.
Low sulfated heparan sulfate mimetic differentially affects repair in immune‐mediated and toxin‐induced experimental models of demyelination
Authors: Lindsay Susan L. , McCanney George A. , Zhan Jiangshan , Scheld Miriam , Smith Rebecca Sherrard , Goodyear Carl S. , Yates Edwin A. , Kipp Markus , Turnbull Jeremy E. , Barnett Susan C. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThere is an urgent need for therapies that target the multicellular pathology of central nervous system (CNS) disease. Modified, nonanticoagulant heparins mimic the heparan sulfate glycan family and are known regulators of multiple cellular processes. In vitro studies have demonstrated that low sulfated modified heparin mimetics (LS‐mHeps) drive repair after CNS demyelination. Herein, we test LS‐mHep7 (an in vitro lead compound) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and cuprizone‐induced demyelination. In EAE, LS‐mHep7 treatment resulted in faster recovery and rapidly reduced inflammation which was accompanied by restoration of animal weight. LS‐mHep7 treatment had no effect on remyelination or on OLIG2 positive oligodendrocyte numbers within the corpus callosum in the cuprizone model. Further in vitro investigation confirmed that LS‐mHep7 likely mediates its pro‐repair effect in the EAE model by sequestering inflammatory cytokines, such as CCL5 which are upregulated during immune‐mediated inflammatory attacks. These data support the future clinical translation of this next generation modified heparin as a treatment for CNS diseases with active immune system involvement.
Oxidative stress‐mediated epidermal growth factor receptor activation by cigarette smoke or heated tobacco aerosol in human primary bronchial epithelial cells from multiple donors
Authors: Muratani Shugo , Ichikawa Sakuya , Erami Kazuo , Ito Shigeaki 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway has essential roles in maintaining homeostasis of various tissues by regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Deregulation of the EGFR signaling pathway is associated with various chronic diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cigarette smoke (CS) is known to activate EGFR, which is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The biological sequence from CS exposure to EGFR activation is initiated by oxidative stress caused by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the depletion of glutathione, which led to EGFR ligand secretion and EGFR activation. We hypothesized that reducing exposure to CS constituents contributes to preventing CS‐inducible EGFR activation. Therefore, we examined the aerosol from heated tobacco products (HTPs) because the aerosol contains fewer chemical constituents at lower levels than CS. We exposed primary human bronchial epithelial cells from four donors to the extracts of CS from a 1R6F reference cigarette or HTP aerosol from three in‐market products, including our DT3.0a. The biological sequence from ROS to EGFR activation was assessed. CS induced all the tested endpoints although inter‐donor differences were observed, whereas HTPs elicited most of the biological events at higher concentrations; however, EGFR phosphorylation was not observed even at fivefold higher concentration than CS. Overall, our results indicate that HTPs are less effective than CS to elicit ROS‐induced EGFR activation. The reduced‐risk potential of HTPs on EGFR‐related diseases should be investigated further. In addition, testing with multiple donors is warranted when considering the individual differences in responses of primary cells to stimuli.
Yield curve of Treasury Bills in Japan under different regimes of non‐traditional monetary policy
Authors: Ito Takayasu 
Published: March 2023

AbstractWhen the BOJ (Bank of Japan) adopted a “quantitative and qualitative easing policy,” zero bound restriction existed. The notion of market practitioners that the BOJ would not adopt a “negative interest rate policy” caused less volatility in the TB (Treasury Bill) market in comparison with a regime of a “negative interest rate policy.” After the BOJ decided to adopt a “negative interest rate policy,” zero bound restriction was lifted, and market practitioners expected that the policy rate decided by the BOJ might be lowered. This expectation gave room for TB yields to fluctuate more than before, and caused more volatility in the TB market under the regime of a “negative interest rate policy” than under one of a “quantitative and qualitative easing policy.” This is why the TB yield curve under a “negative interest rate policy” is driven by a single common trend with mutual causalities in all maturities. In other words, the normal transmission function of the TB yield curve is recovered by the introduction of a “negative interest rate policy.”
Silver/graphene–polypyrrole composite for levosimendan detection
Authors: Zhu Zhen , Luk Hsiang‐Ning , Huang Yi‐Min , Zhang Yu‐Cheng , Chang Xu‐Jia , Wu Ren‐Jang 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis study used a facile method to develop a novel silver/Graphene–polypyrrole (Ag/G–PPy)‐modified electrode that can be used as an electrochemical sensor for levosimendan detection. The properties of the synthesized Ag/G–PPy‐modified electrode were examined through field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, x‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The Ag/G–PPy‐modified electrode exhibited satisfactory current signals toward levosimendan concentrations ranging from 0.21 to 6.88 μM and exhibited a low detection limit (0.12 μM). Accordingly, the proposed electrode can serve as a simple and inexpensive electrochemical sensor for levosimendan detection.
Operant ABA renewal during dense and lean schedules of differential reinforcement
Authors: Kimball Ryan T. , Salvetti Emily L. , Day Lindsay E. , Karis Rebecca , Silveira John , Kranak Michael P. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractRenewal is a type of relapse that occurs due to a change in context. Previous research has demonstrated that renewal of target responding may occur despite the availability of differential reinforcement for an alternative response (DRA). Nevertheless, the current literature on renewal presents mixed findings regarding the effects of dense and lean schedules of DRA on the magnitude of renewal. We used a translational approach with undergraduate college students and a task on a touchscreen tablet device to study the effects of dense and lean schedules of DRA during repeated renewal tests. All participants experienced two, three‐phase ABA renewal arrangements. In the dense and lean renewal arrangements, we differentially reinforced alternative behavior in Context B and the renewal test in Context A on a VI 3‐s or a VI 12‐s schedule, respectively. Overall, we observed renewal in 31/36 (86%) renewal tests regardless of the density of reinforcement for the alternative response. Furthermore, the results showed that although renewal occurred in both arrangements, we found slightly higher magnitudes of renewal during DRA with lean schedules of reinforcement relative to dense schedules. We discuss the implications of these findings as they relate to the treatment of problem behavior.
Change in black bear range and distribution in Florida using two decadal datasets from 2001–2020
Authors: Scheick Brian K. , Barrett Mark A. , Doran‐Myers Darcy 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAmerican black bears (Ursus americanus) in Florida have increased in abundance from historically low numbers and currently number >4,000 across 7 subpopulations. Biologists monitor the range of black bears to track their recovery for conservation and management efforts. We estimated geographic range of black bears in Florida for historical (2001–2010) and contemporary (2011–2020) periods using 12 sources of occurrence data collected from wildlife professionals and the public. We reduced data sets by subsampling protocols to account for localized spatiotemporal biases and for possible differences in sampling effort from increases in the human population between modeling periods. We developed models at 2 levels: a generalized boundary (range extent) and a more detailed delineation (occupied range). We developed range extent using a concave hull model and occupied range using kernel density estimation with a corresponding 97.5% isopleth. Between modeling periods, range extent increased by 13.4% and occupied range increased by 11.3%, with both range levels expanding and contracting in certain areas. The ranges indicated improved connectivity among bear subpopulations. We also produced a range map for research, management, and public use built upon contemporary data that partitioned the state into 4 levels representing the relative frequency of bear use (frequent, common, occasional, and rare). Range map levels at the occupied range, and especially frequent use areas, help focus bear research efforts (e.g., placement of hair corrals), management efforts (e.g., assess varying levels of risk to the public of bear conflicts), and conservation efforts (e.g., focusing habitat protection in areas with high use by bears).