bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Navigating the nexus of subjectivity and trust in researcher/participant relationships
Authors: Kroeger Janice , Vah Seliskar Holli 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe describe our decision points to disclose parts of our personal selves while building trust with vulnerable populations in schools during ethnographic studies. Finding how our subjective identities were similar to and different than those of our participants helped us to better understand the participants' lives. We argue in this article that the introspection created by negotiating subjectivities in our contrasting examples of intersectionality taught us more about structural inequality in schools than we learned via ethnographic data collection methods alone.
Religious Mobilization and the Selection of Political Elites: Evidence from Postwar Italy
Authors: Pulejo Massimo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThree key characteristics of effective electoral mobilizers have been identified in the literature: reputation, embeddedness in the local community, and the ability to reward and sanction voters. Religious leaders may possess all these characteristics. Can they favor their preferred candidates? Using a novel data set of connections between politicians and Italian Catholic bishops throughout the twentieth century, I conduct the first quantitative assessment of the electoral returns of personal connections to a religious leader. Leveraging the timing of bishops’ nominations within a difference‐in‐differences strategy, I estimate that bishops born in the electoral district yield a 27% increase in the individual preference votes for their connected candidate. Additional analyses point to the provision of campaign opportunities as the main mechanism driving the effect. These findings suggest that religious authorities can use their local embeddedness to mobilize voters, eventually influencing the selection of representatives in democratic systems.
Reciprocity and intimate capital in household work: Exchanging love and care for labor rights in contemporary Buenos Aires
Authors: Baiocchi María Lis 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn 2013, Argentina promulgated Law 26844, transforming household workers’ juridical status from “servants,” with almost nonexistent labor rights, to “workers,” with rights virtually equal to all other workers under the law. This article examines how household workers in Buenos Aires who share amicable or kin‐like relationships with their employers and the people they care for experience the transition from a discriminatory normative order of patronage and servanthood into an egalitarian normative order of full labor rights. The article shows, first, that rather than adopting a purely contractual rationality of labor rights and obligations, workers instead often make claims to labor rights in the registers of reciprocal obligation extant in their relationships with their employers and the people they care for. Second, the article shows that, as a type of social capital, the intimate capital that workers accrue in their relationships with their employers and the people they care for, in the form of relational ties with them, sometimes enables workers to access labor rights. Thus, the article demonstrates how household workers claim and access their legal equality against the backdrop of enduring intersectional inequalities between them and their employers in a context of widespread violation of household workers’ labor rights.
Is kidney biopsy necessary in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome?
Authors: Bekassy Zivile , Lindström Martin , Rosenblad Therese , Aradóttir Sunna , Sartz Lisa , Tullus Kjell 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimTo investigate the need, in the Northern European setting, to perform kidney biopsy in children with steroid‐sensitive nephrotic syndrome.MethodsIn this retrospective study 124 individuals aged 1–18 years with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, followed in the paediatric hospitals in southern Sweden from 1999 to 2018, were included.ResultsThere was a median follow‐up time of 6.5 (0.2–16.8) years. The majority (92%) of children were steroid‐sensitive and of them, 60.5% were frequently relapsing or steroid‐dependent. Microscopic haematuria was found at onset in 81.1% and hypertension in 8.7%. At least one kidney biopsy was performed in 93 (75%). The most common indication was a steroid‐dependent or relapsing course (58.4%). One of 79 steroid‐sensitive children had another histological diagnosis than minimal change nephropathy 1.3%, 95% confidence interval (0.002, 0.068). Bleeding occurred after eight biopsies (6.6%). Twenty individuals (30.7%) were transferred to adult units, 18 still on immunosuppression.ConclusionWe have in our cohort of unselected children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome confirmed that a kidney biopsy rarely gives important medical information in steroid‐sensitive children without any other complicating factor and that the liberal policy of kidney biopsy in the Nordic countries safely can be changed.
Effects of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber percentages in the diet of Japanese Black steers on rumen fluid properties, blood biochemical properties, and carcass characteristics
Authors: Masaki Tatsunori , Iwamoto Eiji , Ikuta Kentaro , Kushibiki Shiro 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe effects of crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) percentages in the diet of Japanese Black steers on rumen fluid properties, blood biochemical properties, and carcass characteristics were examined. Twelve 13‐month‐old Japanese Black steers were used for this study and slaughtered at 30 months of age. Steers were assigned to a control group (n = 6) and test group (n = 6) and were fed a concentrate containing 12.9%–13.9% CP and 26.5%–29.8% NDF or 9.1%–9.6% CP and 29.9%–31.2% NDF, respectively. Lipopolysaccharide activity levels in rumen fluid were lower in the test group than in the control group. Plasma urea nitrogen concentration and activities of aspartate aminotransferase and γ‐glutamyltransferase remained lower in the test group than in the control group. In contrast, plasma vitamin A concentrations remained higher in the test group than in the control group. Carcass characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups. These results suggest that dietary CP and NDF percentages in feed for Japanese Black steers older than 13 months of age affected rumen fluid properties and blood biochemical properties, indicating a reduced load on the liver with a small effect on carcass characteristics.
Optimizing Treatment Allocation in Randomized Clinical Trials by Leveraging Baseline Covariates
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhang Zhiwei , Liu Aiyi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe consider the problem of optimizing treatment allocation for statistical efficiency in randomized clinical trials. Optimal allocation has been studied previously for simple treatment effect estimators such as the sample mean difference, which are not fully efficient in the presence of baseline covariates. More efficient estimators can be obtained by incorporating covariate information, and modern machine learning methods make it increasingly feasible to approach full efficiency. Accordingly, we derive the optimal allocation ratio by maximizing the design efficiency of a randomized trial, assuming that an efficient estimator will be used for analysis. We then expand the scope of optimization by considering covariate-dependent randomization (CDR), which has some flavor of an observational study but provides the same level of scientific rigor as a standard randomized trial. We describe treatment effect estimators that are consistent, asymptotically normal, and (nearly) efficient under CDR, and derive the optimal propensity score by maximizing the design efficiency of a CDR trial (under the assumption that an efficient estimator will be used for analysis). Our optimality results translate into optimal designs that improve upon standard practice. Real-world examples and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed designs can produce substantial efficiency improvements in realistic settings.
Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 ameliorates tau accumulation‐induced synaptic damage and cognitive dysfunction via autophagy enhancement
Authors: Zhang Tao , Tian Yuan , Zheng Xiaoqing , Li Ruomeng , Hu Li , Shui Xindong , Mei Yingxue , Wang Quling , Zhang Mi , Zheng Xiuzhi , Wang Long , Chen Dongmei , Tao Wucheng , Lee Tae Ho 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimsThe autophagy‐lysosomal pathway is important for maintaining cellular proteostasis, while dysfunction of this pathway has been suggested to drive the aberrant intraneuronal accumulation of tau protein, leading to synaptic damage and cognitive impairment. Previous studies have demonstrated that the activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) by capsaicin has a positive impact on cognition and AD‐related biomarkers. However, the effect and mechanism of TPRV1 activation on neuronal tau homeostasis remain elusive.MethodsA mouse model of tauopathy was established by overexpressing full‐length human tau in the CA3 area. Mice were fed capsaicin diet (0.0125%) or normal diet for 9 weeks. The cognitive ability, synaptic function, tau phosphorylation levels, and autophagy markers were detected. In vitro, capsaicin‐induced alterations in cellular autophagy and tau degradation were characterized using two cell models. Besides, various inhibitors were applied to validate the role of TRPV1‐mediated autophagy enhancement in tau clearance.ResultsWe observed that TRPV1 activation by capsaicin effectively mitigates hippocampal tau accumulation‐induced synaptic damages, gliosis, and cognitive impairment in vivo. Capsaicin promotes the degradation of abnormally accumulated tau through enhancing autophagic function in neurons, which is dependent on TRPV1‐mediated activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and subsequent inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Blocking AMPK activation abolishes capsaicin‐induced autophagy enhancement and tau degradation in neurons.ConclusionOur findings reveal that capsaicin‐induced TRPV1 activation confers neuroprotection by restoring neuronal tau homeostasis via modulating cellular autophagy and provides additional evidence to support the potential of TRPV1 as a therapeutic target for tauopathies.
What is the role of psychology in bariatric surgery? A survey of the differing views of psychologists, the multidisciplinary team, and patients in the UK
Authors: Ratcliffe Denise , Banting Esme 
Published: August 2023

SummaryAlthough psychologists are a key member of the bariatric multidisciplinary team (MDT), there is a lack of clarity about the specific remit of their role. This exploratory study was conducted to identify differences, priorities and clarify how the role of psychology is perceived in the United Kingdom. We conducted surveys of three major stakeholder groups (psychologists, patients, and the bariatric multidisciplinary team) which focused on their perception of psychology in bariatric surgery. The results showed that in UK bariatric services, psychologists are spending the majority of their clinical time providing pre‐operative assessments. Differences emerged between psychologists and MDT in how they viewed the purpose of these assessments, with the MDT viewing them as identifying contraindications to surgery whereas psychologists viewed them as identifying readiness for surgery. A total of 51% of patients reported they had not been able to access psychology services when needed and viewed provision of post‐operative psychological support to be a key priority. Key themes and tensions emerged around (a) high demand for services yet limited psychology resource, (b) the purpose of the pre‐operative assessment and (c) the provision of pre‐operative versus post‐operative support. These themes combine and interact in a way that currently makes it extremely challenging to provide coherent psychology services. There is clearly a need for education, consensus and adequate resourcing of the psychology role within bariatric surgery services in the United Kingdom.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, and structural brain imaging: The Cross‐Cohort Collaboration
Authors: Weinstein Galit , O'Donnell Adrienne , Frenzel Stefan , Xiao Tian , Yaqub Amber , Yilmaz Pinar , de Knegt Robert J. , Maestre Gladys E. , Melo van Lent Debora , Long Michelle , Gireud‐Goss Monica , Ittermann Till , Frost Fabian , Bülow Robin , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Grabe Hans J. , Ikram M. Arfan , Beiser Alexa S. , Seshadri Sudha 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackground and purposePrior studies reported conflicting findings regarding the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis with measures of brain health. We examined whether NAFLD and liver fibrosis are associated with structural brain imaging measures in middle‐ and old‐age adults.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study among dementia‐ and stroke‐free individuals, data were pooled from the Offspring and Third Generation cohorts of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), the Rotterdam Study (RS), and the Study of Health in Pomerania. NAFLD was assessed through abdominal imaging. Transient hepatic elastography (FibroScan) was used to assess liver fibrosis in FHS and RS. Linear regression models were used to explore the relation of NAFLD and liver fibrosis with brain volumes, including total brain, gray matter, hippocampus, and white matter hyperintensities, adjusting for potential confounders. Results were combined using fixed effects meta‐analysis.ResultsIn total, 5660 and 3022 individuals were included for NAFLD and liver fibrosis analyses, respectively. NAFLD was associated with smaller volumes of total brain (β = −3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −5.4 to −1.7), total gray matter (β = −1.9, 95% CI = −3.4 to −0.3), and total cortical gray matter (β = −1.9, 95% CI = −3.7 to −0.01). In addition, liver fibrosis (defined as liver stiffness measure ≥8.2 kPa) was related to smaller total brain volumes (β = −7.3, 95% CI = −11.1 to −3.5). Heterogeneity between studies was low.ConclusionsNAFLD and liver fibrosis may be directly related to brain aging. Larger and prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings and identify liver‐related preventive strategies for neurodegeneration.
Artificial intelligence and the blood film: Performance of the MC‐80 digital morphology analyzer in samples with neoplastic and reactive cell types
Authors: Zini Gina , Mancini Francesca , Rossi Elena , Landucci Stefania , d'Onofrio Giuseppe 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionImplementing artificial intelligence‐based instruments in hematology laboratories requires evidence of efficiency in classifying pathological cells. In two‐Universities, we assessed the performance of the Mindray® MC‐80 for hematology patients with frequent leukemic and dysplastic cells.MethodsThe Mindray MC‐80® locates and pre‐classifies cells in blood films. In a two‐university study, four films were prepared from 591 samples, two each for the analyser MC‐80 and the microscope reference method, using reagents from two different manufacturers. We used Microsoft Excel® statistics for imprecision and distributional inaccuracy and a matrix table model (H20‐A2 CLSI standard) for sensitivity, specificity and predictive value for atypical cells.ResultsThe results indicate minimal within‐run imprecision (ICSH method) and good intra‐method consistency even on duplicate analysis of 413 samples with a high incidence of hematological abnormalities (r = 0.942 or more, except for basophils, r = 0.841, and reactive lymphocytes, r = 0.847). Distributional inaccuracy was also very low compared to the microscope reference, with a pass rate higher than 80% for pathological cells (except 75.1% for reactive lymphocytes). The primary causes of discrepancy were bizarre shapes of dysplastic neutrophils and inconsistent nomenclature for lymphoma cells. Sensitivity for critical samples containing cells typically absent in circulating blood (immature or malignant) was 98.8% for immature granulocytes, 83.8% for all types of neoplastic cells, 93.6% for reactive lymphocytes and 97.5% for nucleated red blood cells. The negative predictive values of MC‐80 were 98.8% for immature granulocytes, 88.4% for the different types of neoplastic cells, 97.8% for reactive lymphocytes, and 96.9% for nucleated red blood cells.ConclusionOur study highlights the outstanding diagnostic performance of this artificial intelligence–based blood film analyzer for hematology patients with circulating abnormal cells. We appreciated the morphological harmonization of cells observed on the screen and those seen in the microscope.
Evaluation of the sterilization effect on biphasic scaffold based on bioactive glass and polymer honeycomb membrane
Authors: Coquen Audrey Deraine , Bondzior Bartosz , Petit Laeticia , Kellomäki Minna , Pauthe Emmanuel , Boissière Michel , Massera Jonathan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe sterilization is a core preoccupation when it comes to implantable biomaterials. The most common in industry is the gamma sterilization; however, the radiation used in this method can induce modifications in the material properties. This study investigates the impact of such radiations on the physicochemical properties and biological toxicity of a new biomaterial based on a poly‐l‐co‐d,l‐lactide polymer honeycomb membrane and bioactive glass (BG), combined, to form an assembly (membrane/BG assembly). The investigated BGs are the S53P4, which is FDA approved and clinically used, and 13‐93B20, a BG containing boron promising for bone regeneration. Infrared and photoluminescence measurements revealed that, upon irradiation, defects are created in the BGs molecular matrix. Defects were identified to be mainly non‐bridging oxygen hole center and occur in higher proportion in the 13‐93B20 making it more sensitive to irradiation compared to the S53P4. However, the irradiation does not significantly impact the structure of the BGs. On the membrane side, the molecular weight is divided by two resulting in a lower shear stress resistance. However, the membrane honeycomb topography does not seem to be impacted by the irradiation. In contact with cells, no toxicity effect was observed, and BGs keep their bioactive properties by releasing ions beneficial to the cell fate and with no influence on apatite precipitation speed. Overall, this study showed that, despite some impact on the physicochemical properties, the irradiation does not induce deleterious effect on the membrane/BG assemblies and is therefore a suitable method for the sterilization of this novel biomaterial.
The ecology and fishery of the vendace (Coregonus albula) in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Lehtonen Topi K. , Gilljam David , Veneranta Lari , Keskinen Tapio , Bergenius Nord Mikaela 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBrackish water ecosystems often have high primary production, intermediate salinities, and fluctuating physical conditions and therefore provide challenging environments for many of their inhabitants. This is especially true of the Baltic Sea, which is a large body of brackish water under strong anthropogenic influence. One freshwater species that is able to cope under these conditions in the northern Baltic Sea is the vendace (Coregonus albula), a small salmonid fish. Here, we review the current knowledge of its ecology and fishery in this brackish water environment. The literature shows that, by competing for resources with other planktivores and being an important prey for a range of larger species, C. albula plays a notable role in the northern Baltic Sea ecosystem. It also sustains significant fisheries in the coastal waters of Sweden and Finland. We identify the need to better understand these C. albula populations in terms of the predator–prey interactions, distributions of anadromous and sea spawning populations and other putative (eco)morphs, extent of gene exchange between the populations, and effects of climate change on their future. In this regard, we recommend strengthening C. albula‐related research and management efforts by improved collaboration and coordination between research institutions, other governmental agencies, and fishers, as well as by harmonization of fishery policies across national borders.
Efficacy of ceramide‐containing sunscreen on skin barrier
Authors: Cao Yu , Zhang Xianghua , He Xiaofeng , Wang Wenna , Yi Yi , Ai Yunfei 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundUV rays not only cause oxidative damage to the skin, but also damage its barrier function. The use of sunscreen is crucial in preventing skin from UV radiation, but it may have an impact on the function of the skin barrier. While much research has focused on the protective effects of sunscreen against UV oxidative damage, little is known about the impact of daily sunscreen use on the skin barrier.ObjectiveThis study mainly investigated the changes in skin barrier function of volunteers (including those with sensitive skin) before and after using a ceramide‐containing sunscreen.MethodsA total of 60 volunteers used SPF30 sunscreen containing ceramide every morning. Using non‐invasive methods to detect skin barrier changes in TEWL, hydration, facial redness based on VISIA‐CR image, and Erythema index (EI) value after 4 weeks of using ceramide‐containing sunscreen. Adverse reactions were also assessed.ResultsAfter 4 weeks of using ceramide‐containing sunscreen, significant reductions were observed in skin redness with both an 11.89% decrease in a* value and a 5.68% decrease in skin EI, while there was also a significant decrease in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) with a reduction of 22.96%, and a significant increase in skin hydration with a 21.96% increase in the moisture content of the stratum corneum. No adverse events occurred during the entire testing process.ConclusionDaily application of ceramide‐containing sunscreen can increase skin hydration while enhancing the function of the skin barrier.
Association of type of oral anticoagulation with risk of bleeding in 45,114 patients with venous thromboembolism during initial and extended treatment—A nationwide register‐based study
Authors: Glise Sandblad Katarina , Schulman Sam , Rosengren Annika , Sörbo Jan , Philipson Jacob , Hansson Per‐Olof 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundSafety data for different anticoagulant medications in venous thromboembolism (VTE) are scarce, in particular for extended treatment.ObjectivesTo compare major bleeding rates depending on the choice of anticoagulation during initial (first 6 months) and extended treatment (6 months up to 5 years).MethodsA nationwide register‐based study including cancer‐free patients with a first‐time VTE between 2014 and 2020. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare bleeding rates.ResultsWe included 6558 patients on warfarin, 18,196 on rivaroxaban, and 19,498 on apixaban. At 6 months, 4750 (72.4%) remained on warfarin, 11,366 (62.5%) on rivaroxaban, and 11,940 (61.2%) on apixaban. During initial treatment, major bleeding rates were 3.86 (95% CI 3.14–4.58), 2.93 (2.55–3.31), and 1.95 (1.65–2.25) per 100 patient‐years for warfarin, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, respectively, yielding adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of 0.89 (95% CI 0.71–1.12) for rivaroxaban versus warfarin, 0.55 (0.43–0.71) for apixaban versus warfarin, and 0.62 (0.50–0.76) for apixaban versus rivaroxaban. During extended treatment, major bleeding rates were 1.55 (1.19–1.91), 1.05 (0.85–1.26), and 0.96 (0.78–1.15) per 100 patient‐years for warfarin, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, respectively, with aHRs of 0.72 (0.53–0.99) for rivaroxaban versus warfarin, 0.60 (0.44–0.82) for apixaban versus warfarin, and 0.85 (0.64–1.12) for apixaban versus rivaroxaban. Previous bleeding and increasing age were risk factors for bleeding both during initial and extended treatment.ConclusionApixaban had a lower bleeding risk than warfarin or rivaroxaban during initial treatment. During extended treatment, bleeding risk was similar for apixaban and rivaroxaban, and higher with warfarin.