bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Progressive enrichment in 18O and 2H in xylem water along sap flow paths in Fagus sylvatica trees
Authors: Montemagno Alessandro , Keim Richard F. , López‐Días Veneranda , Bense Victor , Teuling Adriaan J. , Hissler Christophe 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIsotopic signatures of xylem water in different tree compartments such as roots, boles and branches, differ due to physiological and physical processes occurring inside trees. Accordingly, we hypothesised that the extent of such differences among the isotopic signatures of tree compartments is coherent with the distance travelled by the water inside trees and to its residence time. To test this, we compared the O–H isotopic composition of xylem water collected using an in‐situ water extraction method from roots, boles and branches of Fagus sylvatica trees growing on three geomorphological units of the Weierbach experimental catchment, Luxembourg. There was progressive 18O and 2H enrichment in xylem waters along the root–branch flow path for all the studied trees. Three explanations could be considered for this progressive enrichment: internal fractionation by xylem–phloem water exchange, chemical reactions of metabolic pathways and variable ages of water retained in the xylem, reflecting historical variation in isotopic composition of uptake water. Support for the hypothesis of isotopic fractionation linked to xylem–phloem water exchange and chemical reactions is that enrichment was generally consistent with the distance travelled by the water and to its residence time inside the trees. However, the relative enrichment of 2H and 18O was not consistent along the flow path, with Δ2H/Δ18O ~7.5 from the soil into the roots and bole and ~4.7–6.5 for pathways that included smaller branches. This contrast suggests different processes controlling above‐ground isotopic enrichment. In particular, the slope of ~7.5 in the lower tree is also consistent with variation in tree water uptake varying along the local meteoric water line, with water in the roots being closer to the composition of rainfall close to the time of sampling and water in the bole being closer to the composition of rainfall from the previous summer. The timing of root and bole sampling in early spring, just before leaf‐out, means sap flow was very slow and makes it plausible that varying‐age water was present in the tree at that time. We also compared the O–H isotopic composition of those samples with the ones of the potential water sources to identify the origin of the water uptaken. The latter varied during the 3 years of sampling, with a preferential uptake from near‐surface waters. Our results suggest multiple biochemical, physiological and physical processes may play fundamental roles in the isotopic composition of xylem water within trees.
Effect of blood pressure index on clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Yuan Ying , Liu Menghui , Zhang Shaozhao , Lin Yifen , Huang Yiquan , Zhou Huimin , Xu Xingfeng , Zhuang Xiaodong , Liao Xinxue 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to assess the effect of blood pressure (BP) index, in terms of level and variability, on the progression of cardiovascular and renal diseases in patients with both heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods and resultsThe study involved patients with HF and CKD from the database of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study. The study endpoint includes the following: (i) primary endpoint, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, renal events, and all‐cause death; (ii) CVD events; (iii) renal events; and (iv) all‐cause death. Among 3939 participants in the CRIC study, a total of 382 patients were included. The duration of the follow‐up was 6.3 ± 2.7 years, the age was 60.2 ± 8.9 years, and 57.6% were male. BP index included 20 indicators in relation to BP level and variability, 4 of which were analysed including baseline systolic BP (SBP), standard deviation of SBP, coefficient of variation of diastolic BP (DBP CV), and average real variability of pulse pressure. In the Cox regression analysis after adjustment, baseline SBP was significant for the risk of primary endpoint [hazard ratio (HR) 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.44, P = 0.02] and renal events (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.22–1.95, P < 0.001), and DBP CV was significant for the risk of primary endpoint (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.06, P = 0.02) and CVD events (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.07, P < 0.01). The result of the forest plot depicted that baseline SBP had a linear association with the risk of CVD and renal events (P = 0.04 and 0.001, respectively) and DBP CV with CVD events (P = 0.02). As the restricted cubic spline models displayed, DBP CV featured a J‐ or L‐curved association with the primary endpoint, renal events, and all‐cause death (P for nonlinearity = 0.01, <0.001, and 0.01, respectively).ConclusionsThe baseline SBP and DBP CV may remain significant for clinical outcomes in patients with both HF and CKD. The increase in baseline SBP is associated with a higher risk of primary endpoint, CVD events, and renal events, and the increase in DBP CV with a higher risk of CVD events. Concerning nonlinear association, DBP CV features a J‐ or L‐curved relationship with the primary endpoint, renal events, and all‐cause death, with a higher risk at both low and high values.Trial registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; unique identifier: NCT00304148.
Equatorial Perturbation Driven Reaction Bifurcation in Non‐Heme Iron Complexes for Chlorite Oxidation
Authors: Sahoo Limashree , Satpathy Jagnyesh Kumar , Yadav Rolly , de Visser Sam P. , Sastri Chivukula V. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractChlorine oxyanions have various applications, such as bleaching and oxidizers in rocket fuels. However, their high solubility in water and long environmental lifetimes have led to ecological concerns, especially regarding drinking water quality. This study focuses on the conversion of chlorite to chlorine dioxide, which is of significant interest as it exhibits superior antimicrobial activity and generates less harmful byproducts for water treatment. Two nonheme iron(II) complexes capable of producing chlorine dioxide from chlorite at room temperature and pH 5.0 are presented. These complexes oxidize chlorite through high‐valent iron (IV)‐oxo intermediates formed in‐situ. The study establishes second‐order rate constants for chlorite oxidation and investigates the effects and mechanisms involved by substituting a methyl group in the secondary coordination sphere of the FeIV(O)(N4Py) system. By employing kinetic analysis and spectroscopic investigations, the crucial elements for the reaction mechanism in chlorite oxidation are identified. These findings pave the way for future advancements in this field.
Multiplexity of human brain oscillations as a personal brain signature
Authors: Dimitriadis Stavros I. , Routley B. , Linden David E. J. , Singh Krish D. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHuman individuality is likely underpinned by the constitution of functional brain networks that ensure consistency of each person's cognitive and behavioral profile. These functional networks should, in principle, be detectable by noninvasive neurophysiology. We use a method that enables the detection of dominant frequencies of the interaction between every pair of brain areas at every temporal segment of the recording period, the dominant coupling modes (DoCM). We apply this method to brain oscillations, measured with magnetoencephalography (MEG) at rest in two independent datasets, and show that the spatiotemporal evolution of DoCMs constitutes an individualized brain fingerprint. Based on this successful fingerprinting we suggest that DoCMs are important targets for the investigation of neural correlates of individual psychological parameters and can provide mechanistic insight into the underlying neurophysiological processes, as well as their disturbance in brain diseases.
Health and labor market effects of an unanticipated rise in retirement age. Evidence from the 2012 Italian pension reform
Authors: Serrano‐Alarcón Manuel , Ardito Chiara , Leombruni Roberto , Kentikelenis Alexander , d’Errico Angelo , Odone Anna , Costa Giuseppe , Stuckler David ,   IWGRH
Published: September 2023

AbstractAs retirement ages increase around the world, not all workers may be equally able to extend their working lives. In this article, we examine the health and labor market effects of an Italian pension reform that suddenly increased the normal retirement age up to 7 years for women and up to 2 years for men. To do this, we use linked labor and healthcare administrative data, jointly with survey data and difference‐in‐difference methods. Our results show that the reform was effective in postponing retirement among both genders, as pension claiming dropped substantially for older workers. However, there were also side effects as the reform significantly pushed previously employed men and women into unemployment and disability pension. Among women only, the reform also increased sick leave and hospitalizations related to mental health and injuries. These effects were driven by women with previously low health status, suggesting that undifferentiated and abrupt increases in pension age might harm more vulnerable workers. Coherently with the milder tightening of retirement age experienced by men, labor market responses were smaller in size, and they did not suffer any significant health effects.
Shallow groundwater temperature patterns revealed through a regional monitoring well network
Authors: Smith Kathryn A. , O'Sullivan Antóin M. , Kennedy Gavin , Benz Susanne A. , Somers Lauren D. , Kurylyk Barret L. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGroundwater temperature is a critical control on groundwater quality, geothermal system efficiency and ecosystem dynamics in receiving surface waters. Despite the known importance of groundwater temperature, there is a lack of dedicated aquifer thermal monitoring across spatial and temporal scales. Pressure transducers and other sensors installed in groundwater monitoring well networks often record temperature as a secondary function, but these comprehensive groundwater temperature data sets are seldom analysed. In this study, we analysed seasonal, interannual and spatial patterns of shallow groundwater temperatures from a regional groundwater monitoring network in Nova Scotia, Canada and compared these subsurface temperature data to air temperature data from nearby climate stations using linear regressions and Fourier analysis. The results showed that seasonal groundwater temperatures were damped (with seasonal amplitudes 3.6%–42% of air temperature amplitudes) and lagged (phase shifted 43–145 days) compared to air temperature, with notable year‐to‐year variations in both damping and lagging. Results also highlighted the role of snowpack thickness on the lowest mean monthly groundwater temperatures. Given potential impacts of climate change, land cover change, urbanization and geothermal energy development on groundwater temperatures, we encourage water authorities and regulators to begin or enhance aquifer thermal monitoring and provide guidance for capitalizing on existing monitoring well infrastructure to track temperature dynamics and changes.
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell‐based cell‐free therapy for the treatment of acute lung injury
Authors: Cui Enhai , Lv Lu , Chen Wenyan , Chen Na , Pan Ruolang 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAcute lung injury (ALI) is a severe medical condition that causes inflammation and fluid buildup in the lung, resulting in respiratory distress. Moreover, ALI often occurs as a complication of other medical conditions or injuries, including the coronavirus disease of 2019. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are being studied extensively for their therapeutic potential in various diseases, including ALI. The results of recent studies suggest that the beneficial effects of MSCs may not be primarily due to the replacement of damaged cells but rather the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and other soluble factors through a paracrine mechanism. Furthermore, EVs derived from MSCs preserve the therapeutic action of the parent MSCs and this approach avoids the safety issues associated with live cell therapy. Thus, MSC‐based cell‐free therapy may be the focus of future clinical treatments.
How do women talk about self‐funded breast cancer genetic testing?: Small stories and stance‐taking strategies
Authors: Bechaz Alan , Sexton Adrienne , Gill Gulvir , Karidakis Maria 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGenetic testing for breast cancer genes is an experience which is inextricably linked with health communication practices and the broader social context in which it occurs. Linguistic approaches can provide perspective on how women seeking self‐funded BRCA1/2 gene testing represent their experiences, knowledge, roles, choices and emotions through the way they talk. A discursive constructionist epistemology and narrative theoretical framework informed the applied linguistics methodology. Analysis of ‘small stories’ and stance‐taking was performed on eight transcripts of audio‐recorded telephone interviews with women at low to moderate risk of carrying BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants who self‐funded genetic testing. We found a high prevalence of ‘small stories’ including accounts of events, hypotheticals, habitual narratives, and stories which combined multiple genres. Stance‐taking was a means by which participants constructed personal identities in the conversational context, such as that of a responsible person. Via stance‐taking strategies, participants also actively negotiated the conversational agenda, for example expressing different degrees of alignment with the interviewer's orientation towards emotions. This study provides a basis for recognizing linguistic markers in genetic counseling interactions about genetic testing for breast cancer genes. Enhanced awareness of client language choice, and the ways in which small stories and stance can signify the client's evaluation of experience and choices, alignment with the genetic counselor's questions/statements, and investment in the conversation, has potential to improve the therapeutic interaction.
Disability training for genetic counseling students: The advocates' perspective
Authors: Winchester Dena , Karger Lisa , Wasserman David , Naik Hetanshi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe genetics and disability communities have had a complicated relationship that is rooted in the history of the eugenics movement. Disability scholars claim that in order for healthcare professionals to provide optimal services to disabled patients, disability education must be implemented into healthcare training programs. No studies have explored the perspectives of disability advocates regarding the implementation and use of disability training in genetic counseling. This exploratory study recruited 13 advocates with lived experience of disability and genetic counseling exposure to participate in a semi‐structured interview to share their recommendations for disability education opportunities in genetic counseling training programs and their perceived benefits of increased student exposure to disability. All advocates received genetic counseling themselves and four advocates reported working with genetic counselors in the advocacy setting. Advocates recounted their experiences working with genetic counselors, identifying qualities they deemed critical for effective counseling. All the advocates expressed interest in participating in experiential opportunities, with few concerns noted. The most frequently discussed recommendations for disability training included inviting advocates to speak in classrooms, and having students shadow disabled individuals. Advocates noted barriers to consider when implementing such educational opportunities, such as accessibility issues. Potential benefits of implementing disability education for students included providing students with a broader scope of knowledge and a deeper understanding of disability and resources available to the disability community. This novel study found that advocates are interested in participating in genetic counseling education, with recommendations on preferred experiential learning. By increasing a genetic counseling student's exposure to a disability, they may develop a comprehensive understanding of life with a disability, which may improve genetic counseling services to those with newly diagnosed disabilities.
Conducting inclusive research in genetics for transgender, gender‐diverse, and sex‐diverse individuals: Case analyses and recommendations from a clinical genomics study
Authors: Bland Harris T. , Gilmore Marian J. , Andujar Justin , Martin Makenna A. , Celaya‐Cobbs Natasha , Edwards Clasherrol , Gerhart Meredith , Hooker Gillian W. , Kraft Stephanie A. , Marshall Dana R. , Orlando Lori A. , Paul Natalie A. , Pratap Siddharth , Rosenbloom S. Trent , Wiesner Georgia L. , Mittendorf Kathleen F. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractA person's phenotypic sex (i.e., endogenous expression of primary, secondary, and endocrinological sex characteristics) can impact crucial aspects of genetic assessment and resulting clinical care recommendations. In studies with genetics components, it is critical to collect phenotypic sex, information about current organ/tissue inventory and hormonal milieu, and gender identity. If researchers do not carefully construct data models, transgender, gender diverse, and sex diverse (TGSD) individuals may be given inappropriate care recommendations and/or be subjected to misgendering, inflicting medical and psychosocial harms. The recognized need for an inclusive care experience should not be limited to clinical practice but should extend to the research setting, where researchers must build an inclusive experience for TGSD participants. Here, we review three TGSD participants in the Family History and Cancer Risk Study (FOREST) to critically evaluate sex‐ and gender‐related survey measures and associated data models in a study seeking to identify patients at risk for hereditary cancer syndromes. Furthermore, we leverage these participants' responses to sex‐ and gender identity‐related questions in FOREST to inform needed changes to the FOREST data model and to make recommendations for TGSD‐inclusive genetics research design, data models, and processes.
Phosphorylcholine esterase is critical for Dolichos biflorus and Helix pomatia agglutinin binding to pneumococcal teichoic acid
Authors: Zhou Meng‐Lan , Frost Michael R. , Xu Ying‐Chun , Nahm Moon H. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractStreptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) has wall teichoic acid (WTA) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) expressing the Forssman antigen (FA). Two lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) and Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), are known to bind FA. To determine the molecular structure targeted by these two lectins, different pneumococcal strains were studied for DBA/HPA binding with flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Genetic experiments were used to further examine the lectins’ molecular target. Twelve strains were positive for DBA binding, whereas three were negative. Super‐resolution microscopy showed that DBA stained only the subcapsular area of pneumococci. The three DBA nonbinders showed no phosphorylcholine esterase (Pce) activity in vitro, whereas 10 DBA binders displayed Pce activity (the remaining two strains were DBA binders with no Pce activity in vitro). The pcegene sequence for 10 representative strains revealed two functional pce alleles, the previously recognized “allele A” and a newly discovered “allele B” (with 12 additional nucleotides). Isolates with allele B showed no Pce activity in vitro but did bind to DBA, indicating allele B Pce is functional in vivo. Genetic transfer experiments confirmed that either allele is sufficient (and necessary) for DBA binding. The three DBA nonbinders had various mutations that affected Pce function. Observations with HPA were identical to those with DBA. We show that DBA and HPA bind only to the WTA/LTA of pneumococcal isolates with a functional Pce enzyme. A newly discovered Pce variant (allele B) is functional in vivo but nonfunctional when assayed in vitro.
Electrochemical communication in biofilm of bacterial community
Authors: Manna Sounik , Ghanty Chandan , Baindara Piyush , Barik Tarun KR. , Mandal Santi M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractElectrochemical communication during biofilm formation has recently been identified. Bacteria within biofilm‐adopt different strategies for electrochemical communication such as direct contact via membrane‐bound molecules, diffusive electron transfer via soluble redox‐active molecules, and ion channel‐mediated long‐range electrochemical signaling. Long‐range electrical signals are important to communicate with distant members within the biofilm, which function through spatially propagating waves of potassium ion (K+) that depolarizes neighboring cells. During propagation, these waves coordinate between the metabolic states of interior and peripheral cells of the biofilm. The understanding of electrochemical communication within the biofilm may provide new strategies to control biofilm‐mediated drug resistance. Here, we summarized the different mechanisms of electrochemical communication among bacterial populations and suggested its possible role in the development of high level of antibiotic resistance. Thus, electrochemical signaling opens a new avenue concerning the electrophysiology of bacterial biofilm and may help to control the biofilm‐mediated infection by developing future antimicrobials.
Socioeconomic disparities in patients with small bowel neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: DiPeri Timothy P. , Manguso Nicholas , Gong Jun , Atkins Katelyn M. , Hendifar Andrew E. , Gangi Alexandra 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesDemographic and socioeconomic disparities affect cancer specific outcomes in numerous malignancies, but the impact of these for patients with small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (SBNETs) is not well understood. The primary objective was to investigate the impact of demographic and socioeconomic factors on overall survival (OS) for patients with SBNETs.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Cancer Database to assess patients diagnosed with SBNET between 2004 and 2015. Patients were stratified by demographics, socioeconomic factors, insurance status, and place of living.ResultsThe 5‐year OS for the entire cohort was 78.5%. The 5‐year survival was worse in patients with lower income (p < 0.0001), lower education (p < 0.0001), not in proximity to a metro area (p = 0.0004), and treatment at a community cancer center (p < 0.0001). Adjusting for age and sex, factors associated with worse OS were lower income (<$38 000) (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04−1.28), lower education (>20% no HSD) (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02−1.26), no insurance (HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.33−2.06), and not living in proximity to a metro area (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.10−1.47).ConclusionsPatient demographics and socioeconomic factors play an important role in survival of patients with SBNETs, specifically proximity to a metro area, median income, education level, and type of treatment center. Strategies to improve access to care must be considered in this at‐risk population.