bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tooth loss is associated with prevalent diabetes and incident diabetes in a longitudinal study of adults in Ireland
Authors: Naseer Amara , Mc Garrigle Christine , McLoughlin Jacinta , O'Connell Brian 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to explore the relationship between periodontal status, tooth loss and diabetes among community‐dwelling adults aged 50 years and over in Ireland.MethodsFrom respondents who attended a health assessment in Wave 3 of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), an opportunistic sample was selected for an oral health examination. The oral health examination criteria were used in previous Irish surveys and WHO recommendations. For diabetes, the self‐reported and objectively measured data on diabetes for the same cohort from Wave 3 to Wave 5 of TILDA was used. Multinomial regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between diabetes and tooth loss and tooth loss and incident diabetes, controlling for other covariates.ResultsOut of the 3111 people who were offered an oral health assessment 2539 were examined. For the purposes of analysis, the adults below 50 years of age (n = 31) and those with an incomplete oral health assessment (n = 4) were omitted from the sample. The final sample consisted of 2504 people, giving a response rate of 80.5%. Among the study sample, 9.9% (n = 249) were edentate; 35.7% (n = 895) had 1–19 teeth and 54.4% (n = 1360) had ≥20 teeth. From the sample of 2504 adults, 2358 had HbA1c results and 8.4% (n = 198) of these had diabetes according to the TILDA criteria. Multinomial regression analysis showed that diabetes was associated with tooth loss. Diabetes at Wave 3 was associated with a higher rate of being edentate (PR 2.12, 95% CI 1.27–3.52) relative to having ≥20 teeth while controlling for the effect of age, gender, education level, area of residence, body mass index (BMI) and smoking. Furthermore, having 1–19 teeth at Wave 3 was associated with incident diabetes over a 4‐year follow‐up (OR 1.94, 1.00–3.75). There was no evidence of an association between diabetes and periodontal status as measured in this sample.ConclusionThe results suggested that diabetes was associated with tooth loss and that this relationship may be bi‐directional among community‐dwelling adults aged 50 years and over in Ireland, but they do not support a relationship between diabetes and periodontal status in this sample.
The urban poor and everyday states in an Indian metropolis
Authors: Buswala Bhawani 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis article examines an incident of fire in a squatter settlement in Delhi to understand the interaction between the urban poor and the state. Following the incident, the Delhi government undertook different welfare measures for the affected residents. These included immediate relief in the form of temporary tents for the families, a proposal to build proper houses for them, and compensation checks as direct monetary support. The empirical materials presented in this article show how state interventions tend to suffer from deficiencies of knowledge, trust, and bureaucratic effectiveness. Thus, they do not commensurate with the apparent intentions behind them. Each of these welfare measures engendered an entanglement of the urban poor in the state that affects their relationship to the law, urban space, the local economy, and bureaucratic structures. Analyzing the unfolding of the everyday state on the ground, I suggest that a squatter settlement's dynamic and entangled relationships with the state make it a unique site for analysis of the state from an urban perspective. Critical interpretations of their interactions and the discourses they engender are key ethnographic resources for understanding the dynamics of inequality in contemporary cities.
The animal welfare, environmental impact, pest control functions, and disease effects of free‐ranging cats can be generalized and all are grounds for humanely reducing their numbers
Authors: Calver Michael C. , Cherkassky Linda , Cove Michael V. , Fleming Patricia A. , Lepczyk Christopher A. , Longcore Travis , Marzluff John , Rich Catherine , Sizemore Grant 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAlthough the domestic cat Felis catus is implicated in multiple faunal extinctions and threatens many extant species, there is widespread, well‐funded advocacy for desexing unowned cats near human habitation and returning them to site to be fed by volunteers, arguing that this prevents euthanasia, is unlikely to be hazardous to wildlife or a public health risk, and controls non‐native rodents. To the contrary, we present unequivocal evidence that this approach harms cat welfare, does threaten wildlife and public health, and exacerbates rather than controls rodent problems. We argue instead that unowned cats near human habitation can be controlled effectively by intensive adoption and responsible euthanasia when necessary, supported by licensing and containment of adopted/owned cats.
Mode of action, indications and recommendations on extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP)
Authors: Cho Ara , Paulitschke Verena , Knobler Robert 
Published: September 2023

SummaryExtracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has gained importance in the treatment of several diseases. Initially introduced as a new therapeutic modality for the treatment of patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, the indications for the use of ECP have expanded to include hematology and transplantation immunology. Extracorporeal photopheresis has found its place in the treatment plan of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, systemic sclerosis, graft‐versus‐host disease, organ transplantation such as heart and lung, sometimes as first‐line therapy and very often in combination with various systemic immunosuppressive therapies. The procedure basically consists of three steps: leukapheresis, photoactivation and reinfusion. The following article presents possible theories about the mechanism of action, which is not yet fully understood, and discusses the five most common indications for ECP treatment with corresponding therapy recommendations.
Hypodescent or ingroup overexclusion?: Children's and adults’ racial categorization of ambiguous black/white biracial faces
Authors: Albuja Analia F. , Muñoz Mercedes , Kinzler Katherine , Woodward Amanda , Gaither Sarah E. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTwo processes describe racially ambiguous Black/White Biracial categorization—the one‐drop rule, or hypodescent, whereby racially ambiguous people are categorized as members of their socially subordinated racial group (i.e., Black/White Biracial faces categorized as Black) and the ingroup overexclusion effect, whereby racially ambiguous people are categorized as members of a salient outgroup, regardless of the group's status. Without developmental research with racially diverse samples, it is unclear when these categorization patterns emerge. Study 1 included White, Black, and racially diverse Biracial children (aged 3‐ to 7‐years) and their parents to test how racial group membership and social context influence face categorization biases. To provide the clearest test of hypodescent and ingroup overexclusion, White participants came from majority White neighborhoods and Black participants from majority Black neighborhoods (with Biracial participants from more racially diverse neighborhoods)—two samples with prominent racial ingroups. Study 2 aimed to replicate the parent findings with a separate sample of White, Black, Black/White Biracial, and Asian adults. Results suggest the ingroup overexclusion effect is present across populations early in development and persists into adulthood. Additionally, categorization was meaningfully related to parental context, pinpointing a pathway that potentially contributes to ingroup overexclusion.Research HighlightsWhite, Black, and racially diverse Biracial children and adults tended to categorize racially ambiguous Black/White Biracial faces as racial outgroup members, even if the outgroup was White.This contradicts most work arguing Black/White Biracial racially ambiguous people are more often seen as Black.Children and parents’ categorizations were related, though children's categorizations were not related to socialization above and beyond parents’ categorizations.Children showed similar categorization patterns across dichotomous and continuous measures.
Derivation and independent validation of kidneyintelX.dkd: A prognostic test for the assessment of diabetic kidney disease progression
Authors: Nadkarni Girish N. , Stapleton Sharon , Takale Dipti , Edwards Katherine , Moran Kara , Mosoyan Gohar , Hansen Michael K. , Donovan Michael J. , Heerspink Hiddo J. L. , Fleming Fergus , Coca Steven G. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimsTo develop and validate an updated version of KidneyIntelX (kidneyintelX.dkd) to stratify patients for risk of progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) stages 1 to 3, to simplify the test for clinical adoption and support an application to the US Food and Drug Administration regulatory pathway.MethodsWe used plasma biomarkers and clinical data from the Penn Medicine Biobank (PMBB) for training, and independent cohorts (BioMe and CANVAS) for validation. The primary outcome was progressive decline in kidney function (PDKF), defined by a ≥40% sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate or end‐stage kidney disease within 5 years of follow‐up.ResultsIn 573 PMBB participants with DKD, 15.4% experienced PDKF over a median of 3.7 years. We trained a random forest model using biomarkers and clinical variables. Among 657 BioMe participants and 1197 CANVAS participants, 11.7% and 7.5%, respectively, experienced PDKF. Based on training cut‐offs, 57%, 35% and 8% of BioMe participants, and 56%, 38% and 6% of CANVAS participants were classified as having low‐, moderate‐ and high‐risk levels, respectively. The cumulative incidence at these risk levels was 5.9%, 21.2% and 66.9% in BioMe and 6.7%, 13.1% and 59.6% in CANVAS. After clinical risk factor adjustment, the adjusted hazard ratios were 7.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0‐19.6) and 3.7 (95% CI 2.0‐6.8) in BioMe, and 5.4 (95% CI 2.5‐11.9) and 2.3 (95% CI 1.4‐3.9) in CANVAS, for high‐ versus low‐risk and moderate‐ versus low‐risk levels, respectively.ConclusionsUsing two independent cohorts and a clinical trial population, we validated an updated KidneyIntelX test (named kidneyintelX.dkd), which significantly enhanced risk stratification in patients with DKD for PDKF, independently from known risk factors for progression.
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo controlled, phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cetagliptin added to ongoing metformin therapy in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes with metformin monotherapy
Authors: Ji Linong , Lu Jinmiao , Gao Leili , Yan Xiaoguang , Li Jifang , Cheng Zhifeng , Zhang Lili , Tian Junhang , Li Ping , Bai Jie , Xie Daosheng , Zhao Jiahong , Ding Juping , Yu Qiang , Wang Tong 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimThis trial was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of cetagliptin added to metformin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes who had inadequate glycaemic control with metformin monotherapy.MethodsIn total, 446 patients with type 2 diabetes on metformin monotherapy were randomized to receive the addition of once‐daily cetagliptin 100 mg, cetagliptin 50 mg and placebo in a 2:2:1 ratio for 24‐week double‐blind treatment. At week 24, patients initially randomized to cetagliptin 50 mg and placebo were switched to cetagliptin 100 mg for 28 weeks open‐label treatment. The primary endpoint was the change in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from baseline, and the efficacy analyses were based on an all‐patients‐treated population using an analysis of co‐variance.ResultsAfter 24 weeks, both add‐on therapies led to greater glycaemic control. Reductions in HbA1c from baseline were −1.17 ± 0.794%, −1.23 ± 0.896% in cetagliptin 100 mg and 50 mg plus metformin group, respectively. No difference was observed between the cetagliptin 100 mg and 50 mg plus metformin group. Patients with higher baseline HbA1c levels (≥8.5%) experienced greater reductions in HbA1c. A significantly greater proportion of patients achieved an HbA1c <7.0% with cetagliptin 100 mg (49.4%) and cetagliptin 50 mg (51.1%) plus metformin than metformin monotherapy (14.4%). Both combination therapies also improved the homeostasis model assessment β‐function index and decreased systolic blood pressure. There was no increased risk of adverse effects with combination therapy, and both combination therapies were generally well tolerated.ConclusionsThe addition of cetagliptin once daily to metformin was more efficacious and well tolerated than metformin monotherapy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes who had inadequate glycaemic control with metformin monotherapy.
Human placenta‐derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate diabetic kidney disease by modulating the T helper 17 cell/ regulatory T‐cell balance through the programmed death 1 / programmed death‐ligand 1 pathway
Authors: Wang Jiao , Liu Honghong , Yue Guanru , Deng Yuanyuan , Cai Wei , Xu Jixiong 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimTo investigate the therapeutic effects and immunomodulatory mechanisms of human placenta‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) in diabetic kidney disease (DKD).MethodsStreptozotocin‐induced DKD rats were administered an equivalent volume of saline or PMSCs (1 × 106 in 2 mL phosphate‐buffered saline per rat) for 3 weeks. Eight weeks after treatment, we examined the biochemical parameters in the blood and urine, the ratio of T helper 17 cells (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) in the blood, cytokine levels in the kidney and blood, and renal histopathological changes. In addition, we performed PMSC tracing and renal transcriptomic analyses using RNA‐sequencing. Finally, we determined whether PMSCs modulated the Th17/Treg balance by upregulating programmed death 1 (PD‐1) in vitro.ResultsThe PMSCs significantly improved renal function, which was assessed by serum creatinine levels, urea nitrogen, cystatin C levels, urinary albumin‐creatinine ratio, and the kidney index. Further, PMSCs alleviated pathological changes, including tubular vacuolar degeneration, mesangial matrix expansion, and glomerular filtration barrier injury. In the DKD rats in our study, PMSCs were mainly recruited to immune organs, rather than to the kidney or pancreas. PMSCs markedly promoted the Th17/Treg balance and reduced the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐17A and IL‐1β) in the kidney and blood of DKD rats. In vitro experiments showed that PMSCs significantly reduced the proportion of Th17 cells and increased the proportion of Treg cells by upregulating PD‐1 in a cell‐cell contact manner and downregulating programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression in PMSCs, which reversed the Th17/Treg balance.ConclusionWe found that PMSCs improved renal function and pathological damage in DKD rats and modulated Th17/Treg balance through the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway. These findings provide a novel mechanism and basis for the clinical use of PMSCs in the treatment of DKD.
Albuminuria‐lowering effect of adding semaglutide on top of empagliflozin in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A randomized and placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Sivalingam Suvanjaa , Wasehuus Victor Soendergaard , Rotbain Curovic Viktor , Blond Martin Bæk , Hansen Tine W. , Persson Frederik , Rossing Peter 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimTo investigate whether combined treatment with empagliflozin (a sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor) and semaglutide (a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist) can reduce urinary albumin‐creatinine ratio (UACR) compared to treatment with empagliflozin alone in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and albuminuria.MethodsWe conducted a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, parallel study including 60 individuals with T2D and albuminuria. All participants initiated open‐label empagliflozin 25 mg once daily, on top of renin‐angiotensin system inhibition, in a run‐in period of 26 weeks. Subsequently, participants were randomized to semaglutide or placebo 1 mg once weekly for 26 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in UACR. Secondary endpoints were change in: (i) measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR); (ii) 24‐hour systolic blood pressure; (iii) glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level; (iv) body weight; and (v) plasma renin and aldosterone levels.ResultsAddition of semaglutide to empagliflozin provided no additional change in UACR from randomization to end‐of‐treatment. The mean (95% confidence interval) difference in UACR was –22 (–44; 10)% (P = 0.15) between treatment groups. Neither GFR, 24‐hour blood pressure, body weight, nor plasma renin activity was changed with semaglutide. HbA1c (–8 [–13; –3] mmol/mol; P = 0.003) and plasma aldosterone (–30 [–50; –3] pmol/L; P = 0.035) were reduced with semaglutide compared to placebo.ConclusionsSemaglutide added to empagliflozin did not change UACR, measured GFR, 24‐hour systolic blood pressure, body weight or plasma renin levels in individuals with T2D and albuminuria. Semaglutide improved glycaemic control and plasma aldosterone levels compared to placebo.
A method for measuring the angle between left atrial and left ventricular long axes using 3D echocardiography
Authors: Vekama Lasse , Pirinen Jani , Järvinen Vesa , Sinisalo Juha 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundLeft ventricle (LV) optimized views are routinely used for left atrial (LA) volume and strain measurements on 2D echocardiography. This might be a source of the error because of the variation of the angle between the left atrial and left ventricle long axes (LA‐LV angle), leading to foreshortening of the LA.MethodsWe investigated two novel parameters: the angle between the left atrial and left ventricle long axes (LA‐LV angle) and its deviation from the 4‐chamber plane. To accurately measure the angles in 3D space, these measurements were performed using 3D echocardiography. We developed a method for the measurement based on marking anatomic points of reference in the 3D echocardiogram and measuring the angles between these points. We used three types of phantoms made of wood and agar‐agar to investigate the repeatability and reproducibility of these measurements and performed measurements on human subjects.ResultsThe ultrasound measurements were in excellent agreement with the true angles of the phantoms: LA‐LV angle bias was .5 degrees (95% CI −1.8 to +2.7) in the wooden phantoms and 1.2 degrees (−.7 to +3.1) in the agar‐agar phantoms, while the angle deviation from the 4‐chamber plane was −.9 degrees (−4.3 to +4.1) in the wooden phantoms and .0 degrees (−3.3 to +3.3) in the agar‐agar phantoms. The measurements demonstrated good repeatability and reproducibility (Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from .91 to .99). The measurements from human hearts showed good repeatability (Pearson correlation was .81 for repeated LA‐LV angle measurements and .97 for repeated measurements of the deviation from the 4‐chamber plane).ConclusionThe measurement of the LA‐LV angle is a feasible tool to investigate one eventual error of 2D echocardiography.
Seasonal vitamin D levels and lupus low disease activity state in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kim Ji‐Won , Baek Wook‐Young , Jung Ju‐Yang , Kim Hyoun‐Ah , in Yang Cheong , Kim Seung‐Ju , Suh Chang‐Hee 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundSeasonal variation and sunlight exposure can impact serum vitamin D levels, potentially influencing lupus symptoms. We investigated seasonal vitamin D levels and their correlation with clinical manifestations and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsSerum 25(OH) vitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels were categorised as deficient (25(OH)D3 < 10 ng/mL), insufficient (10–30 ng/mL) and sufficiency (>30 ng/mL) in participants analysed in winter (n = 407) and summer (n = 377). Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of vitamin D levels on achieving a lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS), stratified by season.ResultsThe mean serum 25(OH)D3 levels differed significantly between the winter and summer measurement groups (22.4 vs. 24.2 ng/mL; p = .018). The prevalences of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency in the winter group were 12.8%, 66.6% and 20.6%, respectively, compared with 4.5%, 67.9% and 27.6% in the summer group. Achieving LLDAS was highest in the vitamin D sufficiency group (winter: 56.6%, summer: 55%) and lowest in the vitamin D deficiency group (winter: 15.4%, summer: 13.6%), with significant differences (all p < .001). Multivariate analysis identified SLE disease activity index ≤4, normal anti‐double‐stranded DNA and vitamin D sufficiency as significant factors for achieving LLDAS in both seasons.ConclusionsSufficient vitamin D levels are important for achieving LLDAS in patients with SLE during winter and summer. Therefore, physicians should pay attention to the adequacy of vitamin D levels and consider recommending vitamin D supplementation for patients with vitamin D insufficiency.
COVID‐19 illness: Different comorbidities may require different immunological therapeutic targets
Authors: Gremese Elisa , Tolusso Barbara , Bruno Dario , Paglionico Anna Maria , Perniola Simone , Ferraccioli Gianfranco , Alivernini Stefano 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic has led to more than 6,870.000 deaths worldwide. Despite recent therapeutic advances, deaths in Intensive Care Units still range between 34 and 72%, comprising substantial unmet need as we move to an endemic phase. The general agreement is that in the first few days of infection, antiviral drugs and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies should be adopted. When the patient is hospitalized and develops severe pneumonia, progressing to a systemic disease, immune modifying therapy with corticosteroids is indicated. Such interventions, however, are less effective in the context of comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, obesity and central nervous system‐CNS diseases) which are by themselves associated with poor outcomes. Such comorbidities comprise common and some distinct underlying inflammatory pathobiology regulated by differential cytokine taxonomy.MethodsSearching in the PubMed database, literature pertaining to the biology underlying the different comorbidities, and the data from the studies related to various immunological treatments for the Covid‐19 disease were carefully analyzed.ResultsSeveral experimental and clinical data have demonstrated that hypertension and atrial fibrillation present an IL‐6 dependent signature, whereas diabetes, obesity, heart failure and CNS diseases may exhibit an IL‐1a/b predominant signature. Distinct selective cytokine targeting may offer advantage in treating severe COVID‐19 illness based on single or multiple associated comorbidities. When the patient does not immediately respond, a broader target range through JAKs pathway inhibitors may be indicated.ConclusionsHerein, we discuss the biological background associated with distinct comorbidities which might impact the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection course and how these should to be addressed to improve the current therapeutic outcome.