bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘We try to Humanise their Stories’: Interrogating the Representation of Migrants and Refugees Through the Shift from ‘Poverty Porn’ to Humanisation and Resilience
Authors: Axster Sabrina 
Published: May 2023

How do non-governmental organisations (NGOs) represent migrants and refugees? Based on 24 interviews with staff members of US-based NGOs I show that organisations aim to emphasise migrants’ and refugees’ resilience and to highlight our ‘shared humanity’. While these strategies seemingly mark a break from previous criticisms that NGOs mobilise racialised and gendered narratives of victimhood or model minority achievements which demarcate between those who deserve support and those who do not, they still operate under the same meta-narrative: An understanding of worthiness predicated on individual deservingness. Based on critical and post-colonial migration studies, I argue that this not only ignores the racist structures that shape people’s lives. It also silences the racial underpinnings of who has historically been considered fully human. I further embed these narratives in the industry and the white saviour culture of humanitarianism, which are centred around individual action and individual donations and thus favour individualised stories. « Nous essayons d’humaniser leurs récits » : Interroger la représentation des migrants et des réfugiés à travers le basculement d’une « pornographie de la pauvreté » vers l’humanisation et la résilience
Blockade of sodium–glucose co-transporters improves peritoneal ultrafiltration in uraemic rodent models
Authors: Vorobiov Marina , Rogachev Boris , Riff Reut , Chaimowitz Cidio , Neulander Endre Z , Basok Anna , Shnaider Alla , Douvdevani Amos , Haviv Yosef-Shmuel 
Published: May 2023

Background: The most used PD fluids contain glucose as a primary osmotic agent. Glucose peritoneal absorption during dwell decreases the osmotic gradient of peritoneal fluids and causes undesirable metabolic consequences. Inhibitors of sodium–glucose co-transporter (SGLT) type 2 are wildly used for the treatment of diabetes, heart and kidney failure. Previous attempts to use SGLT2 blockers in experimental peritoneal dialysis yielded contrasting results. We studied whether peritoneal SGLTs blockade may improve ultrafiltration (UF) via partial inhibition of glucose uptake from dialysis fluids. Methods: Kidney failure was induced in mice and rats by bilateral ureteral ligation, and dwell was performed by injection of glucose-containing dialysis fluids. The effect of SGLT inhibitors on glucose absorption during fluid dwell and UF was measured in vivo. Results: Diffusion of glucose from dialysis fluid into the blood appeared to be sodium-dependent, and blockade of SGLTs by phlorizin and sotagliflozin attenuated blood glucose increment thereby decreasing fluid absorption. Specific SGLT2 inhibitors failed to reduce glucose and fluid absorption from the peritoneal cavity in a rodent kidney failure model. Conclusions: Our study suggests that peritoneal non-type 2 SGLTs facilitate glucose diffusion from dialysis solutions, and we propose that limiting glucose reabsorption by specific SGLT inhibitors may emerge as a novel strategy in PD treatment to enhance UF and mitigate the deleterious effects of hyperglycaemia.
Endovascular treatment strategies for simultaneous bilateral anterior circulation occlusions in acute ischemic stroke: A single-center experience and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Bernava Gianmarco , Botti Paul , Rosi Andrea , Hofmeister Jeremy , Yilmaz Hasan , Carrera Emmanuel , Brina Olivier , Reymond Philippe , Muster Michel , Kulcsar Zsolt , Lovblad Karl-Olof , Machi Paolo 
Published: May 2023

Background Bilateral and simultaneous occlusion of the anterior circulation is a rare event in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Although endovascular treatment is feasible and safe, the endovascular strategy to be used remains a subject of debate. Objective To assess the different endovascular strategies proposed for the treatment of a bilateral, simultaneous anterior circulation occlusion following acute ischemic stroke. Methods We present a retrospective study of the clinical and radiological records of all patients with a bilateral, simultaneous anterior circulation occlusion treated at our center between January 2019 and December 2022. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we also conducted a systematic review of the literature. Results Two patients with a bilateral and simultaneous middle cerebral artery occlusion were treated at our center during the study period. A TICI score ≥2b was obtained in 4 out of 4 occlusions. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days was 0 and 4, respectively. The literature review retrieved reports on 22 patients. The most frequent bilateral occlusion sites were internal carotid artery-middle cerebral artery. The clinical presentation was severe in most patients. A combined thrombectomy technique proved to have the highest number of first-pass recanalization. A TICI ≥2b was obtained in 95% of patients and an mRS ≤2 was found in 31.8% of patients. Conclusions In patients with bilateral and simultaneous occlusion of the anterior circulation, endovascular treatment using a combined technique appears to be rapid and effective. The clinical evolution of this patient population strongly depends on the severity of the onset symptoms.
Real-world outcomes associated with vonoprazan-based versus proton pump inhibitor-based therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection in Japan
Authors: Howden Colin W. , Cook Erin E. , Swallow Elyse , Yang Karen , Guo Helen , Pelletier Corey , Jacob Rinu , Sugano Kentaro 
Published: May 2023

Background: Japanese guidelines recommend triple therapy with vonoprazan or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in combination with antibiotics to treat Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection. While studies have shown improved eradication rates and reduced costs with vonoprazan versus PPIs, there is little data describing healthcare resource use (HCRU) and treatment patterns. Objectives: To compare patients treated with a vonoprazan-based or PPI-based regimen for H. pylori infection in Japan in terms of their characteristics, HCRU, healthcare costs, clinical outcomes, and treatment patterns. Design: Retrospective matched cohort. Methods: We used data from the Japan Medical Data Center claims database (July 2014–January 2020) to identify adult patients with H. pylori infection and a first observed use of vonoprazan or a PPI in 2015 or later (index date). Patients prescribed a vonoprazan-based or a PPI-based regimen were matched 1:1 using propensity score matching. HCRU, healthcare costs, diagnostic tests, a proxy for H. pylori eradication (i.e. no triple therapy with amoxicillin in combination with metronidazole or clarithromycin >30 days after the index date), and second-line treatment were described during the 12-month follow-up period. Results: Among 25,389 matched pairs, vonoprazan-treated patients had fewer all-cause and H. pylori-related inpatient stays and outpatient visits than PPI-treated patients, resulting in lower all-cause healthcare costs [185,378 Japanese yen (JPY) versus 230,876 JPY, p < 0.001]. Over 80% of patients received a post-treatment test for H. pylori. Fewer vonoprazan-treated than PPI-treated patients subsequently received an additional triple regimen for H. pylori infection (7.1% versus 20.0%, p < 0.001) or a prescription for vonoprazan or a PPI as monotherapy (12.4% versus 26.4%, p < 0.001) between 31 days and 12 months after the index date. Conclusion: Patients with H. pylori infection who were treated with vonoprazan-based therapy had lower rates of subsequent H. pylori treatment, lower overall and H. pylori-related HCRU, and lower healthcare costs than patients treated with PPI-based therapy.
Rationale and value of consolidative cranial local therapy in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer patients with baseline brain metastasis treated with first-line EGFR-TKIs
Authors: Zeng Ya , Su Xi , Zhao Yang , Zhou Yue , Guo Tiantian , Chu Xiao , Chu Li , Yang Xi , Ni Jianjiao , Zhu Zhengfei 
Published: May 2023

Objectives: To explore the rationale and value of consolidative cranial local therapy (CLT) in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases (BMs). Methods: EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with baseline BMs who received first-line EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) at two academic centers from May 2015 to June 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. Patterns of tumor response and treatment failure were extensively analyzed in order to explore the rationale of CLT. Cranial lesions with number ⩽3 and largest tumor size ⩽3 cm at baseline and best response to EGFR-TKIs were defined as oligo-BMs and oligo-residual cranial disease (ORCD), respectively. To provide preliminary data supporting CLT, survival outcomes were compared in patients with ORCD, stratified by CLT status. Results: Of the 216 patients enrolled, 57.1% had oligo-BMs and 24.5% received first-line osimertinib. At best response to the first-line EGFR-TKIs, intracranial complete response, partial response, and stable disease occurred in 18.5, 31.9, and 44.4% of the whole population, respectively. For patients without CLT ( n = 193), ORCD was observed in 78.1% of the 105 patients with baseline oligo-BMs and 10.2% of the 88 patients with baseline multiple-BMs. With a median follow-up of 22.8 months, 107 patients had cranial first progressive disease (PD); more than 60% developed their first PD solely from the residual tumor sites at best response to EGFR-TKIs. Moreover, among patients with ORCD ( n = 108), patients who received CLT ( n = 17) achieved significantly longer progression-free survival (13.4 versus 8.5 months, p = 0.001) and overall survival (58.9 versus 28.8 months, p = 0.021) than those without CLT. Meanwhile, CLT remained as an independent prognostic factor associated with improved survival after Cox regression analyses. Conclusions: Cranial progressive disease developed mostly at the residual cranial lesions in EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with baseline BMs who received first-line EGFR-TKIs. Consolidative cranial local therapy targeting the oligo-residual cranial tumor lesions may provide survival benefit, which warrants future validation.
Difficulties in Adapting at School Among Nepalese Immigrant Children in Japan
Authors: Banstola Ratna Shila , Inoue Sachiko 
Published: May 2023

Introduction Japan has experienced a shift toward a multicultural society, and an increasing number of immigrant children have enrolled in its educational systems. Unforeseen experiences may affect the mental well-being of these children and undermine their holistic development; however, research is scarce. This article explores parents’ concern on Nepalese children's experiences in Japanese schools. We aim to reveal the issues that may inform healthcare professionals and schools in best supporting immigrant students. Methods Qualitative survey methods were adopted in an online survey tool to access and collect data from 13 Nepalese parents whose children (age 6–18 years) attended the schools (elementary or junior high school) in four prefectures of Japan. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results The following four themes were identified: (i) interaction and relationship; (ii) feeling different and meals at school; (iii) academic exclusion—lack of assistance/review at home; and (iv) emotional distress, peer exclusion, and bullying. Conclusion Our findings suggest that because of the linguistic and cultural differences, children had difficulty communicating, leading to poor interpersonal relationships. Subjects reported changes in daily living patterns at home and school, and children felt different, shy, and unable to make friends or get involved. There were problems with school meals as well, and parents expressed concern over a lack of academic assistance. Some noteworthy emotional aspects were inability to be happy at school and bullying or exclusion from peers. They did, however, express the impression that Japanese students and teachers are cooperative. Overall, these findings have implications for schoolteachers, nurses, health personnel, parents, and others who promote the mental well-being and holistic development of children. This study provides a basis for mental health educational programs targeting the relationship between migrant and native students to create an inclusive society for all.
The role of oxidative damage in cataract etiopathogenesis
Authors: Atalay Enes , Oğurel Tevfik , Derici Mehmet Kürşat 
Published: May 2023

Background: Cataract usually occurs due to age and diabetes, but the mechanisms of cataract formation have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, the relationship between cataract and oxidative stress was evaluated by examining the aqueous humor reflecting lens metabolism. Objective: In this study, the effect of oxidative stress on the etiopathogenesis of cataract was investigated through the total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and arylesterase (ARE) levels in aqueous humor samples of patients with cataract. Design: A prospective cohort study. Methods: This study was conducted on patients who were scheduled for cataract surgery between June 2020 and March 2021. The patients were divided into four groups according to their cataract density as grades 1, 2, 3, and 4. TOS, TAS, and ARE levels of aqueous humor samples were measured spectrophotometrically, and comparisons were made between groups. Results: A total of 100 eyes of 100 patients were included in this study. TAS levels were found significantly higher in the grade 2 group compared with the grade 4 group ( p = 0.006). In addition, a significant negative correlation was present between cataract grade and TAS level ( r = −0.237; p = 0.018). There was no significant difference between diabetic and nondiabetic patients in terms of TAS, TOS, OSI, and ARE levels. Conclusion: The aqueous humor of patients with a high degree of cataract is characterized by low antioxidant capacity. Decreased antioxidant capacity has a role in cataract formation and progression.
Characterization of the biochemical and behavioral effects of cannabidiol: implications for migraine
Authors: Greco Rosaria , Francavilla Miriam , Demartini Chiara , Zanaboni Anna Maria , Sodergren Mikael H. , Facchetti Sara , Pacchetti Barbara , Palmisani Michela , Franco Valentina , Tassorelli Cristina 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCannabidiol (CBD) is the main pharmacologically active phytocannabinoid. CBD exerts an analgesic effect in several pain models, does not have side effects and has low toxicity. The data about CBD mechanisms of action in pain and its therapeutic potential in this area are limited. Here, we tested CBD effects in animal models specific for migraine. We assayed CBD distribution in plasma and in cranial areas related to migraine pain in male Sprague Dawley rats treated chronically (5 days). Successively, we tested CBD activity on the behavioral and biochemical effects induced in the acute and the chronic migraine animal models by nitroglycerin (NTG) administration. In the acute migraine model, rats received CBD (15 mg or 30 mg/kg, i.p) 3 h after NTG (10 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle injection. In the chronic migraine model, rats were treated with CBD and NTG every other day over nine days with the following doses: CBD 30 mg/kg i.p., NTG 10 mg/kg i.p. We evaluated behavioral parameters with the open field and the orofacial formalin tests. We explored the fatty acid amide hydrolase gene expression, cytokines mRNA and protein levels in selected brain areas and CGRP serum level. CBD levels in the meninges, trigeminal ganglia, cervical spinal cord, medulla pons, and plasma were higher 1 h after the last treatment than after 24 h, suggesting that CBD penetrates but does not accumulate in these tissues. In the acute model, CBD significantly reduced NTG-induced trigeminal hyperalgesia and CGRP and cytokine mRNA levels in peripheral and central sites. In the chronic model, CBD caused a significant decrease in NTG-induced IL-6 protein levels in the medulla–pons, and trigeminal ganglion. It also reduced CGRP serum levels. By contrast, CBD did not modulate TNF-alpha protein levels and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene expression in any of investigated areas. In both experimental conditions, there was no modulation of anxiety, motor/exploratory behavior, or grooming. These findings show that CBD reaches brain areas involved in migraine pain after systemic administration. They also show for the first time that CBD modulates migraine-related nociceptive transmission, likely via a complex signaling mechanism involving different pathways.
MBECS: Microbiome Batch Effects Correction Suite
Authors: Olbrich Michael , Künstner Axel , Busch Hauke 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDespite the availability of batch effect correcting algorithms (BECA), no comprehensive tool that combines batch correction and evaluation of the results exists for microbiome datasets. This work outlines the Microbiome Batch Effects Correction Suite development that integrates several BECAs and evaluation metrics into a software package for the statistical computation framework R.
Dosage balance acts as a time-dependent selective barrier to subfunctionalization
Authors: Wilson Amanda E. , Liberles David A. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Gene duplication is an important process for genome expansion, sometimes allowing for new gene functions to develop. Duplicate genes can be retained through multiple processes, either for intermediate periods of time through processes such as dosage balance, or over extended periods of time through processes such as subfunctionalization and neofunctionalization.

Results
Here, we built upon an existing subfunctionalization Markov model by incorporating dosage balance to describe the interplay between subfunctionalization and dosage balance to explore selective pressures on duplicate copies. Our model incorporates dosage balance using a biophysical framework that penalizes the fitness of genetic states with stoichiometrically imbalanced proteins. These imbalanced states cause increased concentrations of exposed hydrophobic surface areas, which cause deleterious mis-interactions. We draw comparison between our Subfunctionalization + Dosage-Balance Model (Sub + Dos) and the previous Subfunctionalization-Only (Sub-Only) Model. This comparison includes how the retention probabilities change over time, dependent upon the effective population size and the selective cost associated with spurious interaction of dosage-imbalanced partners. We show comparison between Sub-Only and Sub + Dos models for both whole-genome duplication and small-scale duplication events.

Conclusion
These comparisons show that following whole-genome duplication, dosage balance serves as a time-dependent selective barrier to the subfunctionalization process, by causing an overall delay but ultimately leading to a larger portion of the genome retained through subfunctionalization. This higher percentage of the genome that is ultimately retained is caused by the alternative competing process, nonfunctionalization, being selectively blocked to a greater extent. In small-scale duplication, the reverse pattern is seen, where dosage balance drives faster rates of subfunctionalization, but ultimately leads to a smaller portion of the genome retained as duplicates. This faster rate of subfunctionalization is because the dosage balance of interacting gene products is negatively affected immediately after duplication and the loss of a duplicate restores the stoichiometric balance. Our findings provide support that the subfunctionalization of genes that are susceptible to dosage balance effects, such as proteins involved in complexes, is not a purely neutral process. With stronger selection against stoichiometrically imbalanced gene partners, the rates of subfunctionalization and nonfunctionalization slow; however, this ultimately leads to a greater proportion of subfunctionalized gene pairs.
Promising biotherapeutic prospects of different probiotics and their derived postbiotic metabolites: in-vitro and histopathological investigation
Authors: El Far Mona S. , Zakaria Azza S. , Kassem Mervat A. , Wedn Abdalla , Guimei Maha , Edward Eva A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundProbiotics and their derived postbiotics, as cell-free supernatants (CFS), are gaining a solid reputation owing to their prodigious health-promoting effects. Probiotics play a valuable role in the alleviation of various diseases among which are infectious diseases and inflammatory disorders. In this study, three probiotic strains,Lactiplantibacillus plantarum,Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, andPediococcus acidilactici, were isolated from marketed dietary supplements. The antimicrobial activity of the isolated probiotic strains as well as their CFS was investigated. The neutralized CFS of the isolated probiotics were tested for their antibiofilm potential. The anti-inflammatory activity of the isolatedLactobacillusspp., together with their CFS, was studied in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model in male Wistar rats. To the best of our knowledge, such a model was not previously experimented to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the CFS of probiotics. The histopathological investigation was implemented to assess the anti-inflammatory prospect of the isolatedL. plantarumandL. rhamnosusstrains as well as their CFS.ResultsThe whole viable probiotics and their CFS showed variable growth inhibition of the tested indicator strains using the agar overlay method and the microtiter plate assay, respectively. When tested for virulence factors, the probiotic strains were non-hemolytic lacking both deoxyribonuclease and gelatinase enzymes. However, five antibiotic resistance genes,blaZ,ermB,aac(6’)- aph(2”), aph(3’’)-III, andvanX, were detected in all isolates. The neutralized CFS of the isolated probiotics exhibited an antibiofilm effect as assessed by the crystal violet assay. This effect was manifested by hindering the biofilm formation of the testedStaphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosaclinical isolates in addition toP. aeruginosaPAO1 strain. Generally, the cell cultures of the two tested probiotics moderately suppressed the acute inflammation induced by carrageenan compared to indomethacin. Additionally, the studied CFS relatively reduced the inflammatory changes compared to the inflammation control group but less than that observed in the case of the probiotic cultures treated groups.ConclusionsThe tested probiotics, along with their CFS, showed promising antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Thus, their safety and their potential use as biotherapeutics for bacterial infections and inflammatory conditions are worthy of further investigation.