bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LncRNA 152 attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute kidney injury in rats by regulating the FGF23/Klotho/MAPK axis
Authors: Lei Li , Zhang Sheng , Hou Rui , Dong Pei 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimThis study aimed to explore the effect and related mechanisms of LncRNA 152 in acute kidney injury (AKI).MethodsQRT‐PCR was used to detect the expression of LncRNA 152, FGF23 and Klotho in the serum of patients with AKI. Subsequently, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were induced into AKI animal model by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Then, H&E staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the rat kidney tissues; qRT‐PCR to detect the expression of LncRNA 152, FGF23 and Klotho in the rat kidney tissues; biochemical assay and ELISA to assess the levels of renal function indexes and inflammatory factors in rat serum, as well as oxidative stress indexes in kidney tissues; and western blot to measure the protein expressions of FGF23, Klotho, p‐p38 and p38 in rat kidney tissues.ResultsLncRNA 152 was significantly down‐regulated in serum of AKI patients and kidney tissues of AKI rats. In AKI patients, LncRNA 152 was negatively correlated with FGF23 expression while positively correlated with Klotho expression. LncRNA 152 overexpression reduced the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and cystatin C (Cys‐C) and inflammatory factors in serum of AKI rats and attenuated pathological damage and oxidative stress of kidney tissues. In addition, LncRNA 152 overexpression also decreased FGF23 expression and p‐p38/p38 ratio while up‐regulated Klotho expression in the kidney tissues of AKI rats.ConclusionLncRNA 152 attenuates oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by regulating the FGF23/Klotho axis and inhibiting the MAPK signalling pathway in rat kidney tissues, thereby ameliorating LPS‐induced AKI.

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Ectomycorrhizal fungi integrate nitrogen mobilisation and mineral weathering in boreal forest soil
Authors: Mahmood Shahid , Fahad Zaenab , Bolou‐Bi Emile B. , King Katharine , Köhler Stephan J. , Bishop Kevin , Ekblad Alf , Finlay Roger D. 
Published: September 2023

Summary

Tree growth in boreal forests is driven by ectomycorrhizal fungal mobilisation of organic nitrogen and mineral nutrients in soils with discrete organic and mineral horizons. However, there are no studies of how ectomycorrhizal mineral weathering and organic nitrogen mobilisation processes are integrated across the soil profile.

We studied effects of organic matter (OM) availability on ectomycorrhizal functioning by altering the proportions of natural organic and mineral soil in reconstructed podzol profiles containing Pinus sylvestris plants, using 13CO2 pulse labelling, patterns of naturally occurring stable isotopes (26Mg and 15N) and high‐throughput DNA sequencing of fungal amplicons.

Reduction in OM resulted in nitrogen limitation of plant growth and decreased allocation of photosynthetically derived carbon and mycelial growth in mineral horizons. Fractionation patterns of 26Mg indicated that magnesium mobilisation and uptake occurred primarily in the deeper mineral horizon and was driven by carbon allocation to ectomycorrhizal mycelium. In this horizon, relative abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi, carbon allocation and base cation mobilisation all increased with increased OM availability.

Allocation of carbon through ectomycorrhizal fungi integrates organic nitrogen mobilisation and mineral weathering across soil horizons, improving the efficiency of plant nutrient acquisition. Our findings have fundamental implications for sustainable forest management and belowground carbon sequestration.
Rethinking the national quality framework: Improving the quality and safety of alcohol and other drug treatment in Australia
Authors: Henriksen Simone M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe national quality framework (NQF) has been implemented to improve the safety and quality of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment and provide a nationally consistent approach to treatment quality in Australia. At the same time, concerns have been raised that, in the absence of appropriate regulatory structures to support the NQF, the quality and safety of AOD treatment services cannot be guaranteed in Australia. An effective enforcement strategy is critical to the ability of the NQF to provide a nationally consistent approach to the delivery of AOD treatment in Australia. The monitoring and enforcement strategy proposed by the NQF encompasses two different mechanisms. For specialist AOD treatment providers in receipt of government funding, monitoring and enforcement of the NQF will occur via contractual arrangements. For providers not in receipt of government funding, monitoring and enforcement will be managed by regulatory mechanisms as decided by each jurisdiction. This proposed enforcement strategy raises the question of whether contractual arrangements are the most effective mechanism for monitoring and enforcing the NQF in publicly funded specialist AOD treatment providers. This paper considers whether a licensing regime may address the shortcomings that arise from the proposed strategy. It argues that the pluralistic approach to the monitoring and enforcement of the NQF will result in substantive differences in how the NQF is enforced both within individual jurisdictions and on a broader national level. A licensing regime, therefore, would be a more appropriate monitoring and enforcement strategy.
Topical antibiotics prophylaxis for infections of indwelling pleural/peritoneal catheters (TAP‐IPC): A pilot study
Authors: Lau Estee P. M. , Faber Sam , Charlesworth Chloe , Morey Sue , Vekaria Sona , Filion Pierre , Chakera Aron , Lee Y. C. Gary 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveIndwelling pleural catheter (IPC) and indwelling peritoneal catheter (IPeC) have established roles in the management of malignant pleural and peritoneal effusions but catheter‐related infections remain a major concern. Topical mupirocin prophylaxis has been shown to reduce peritoneal dialysis catheter infections. This study aimed to assess the (i) compatibility of IPC with mupirocin and (ii) feasibility, tolerability and compliance of topical mupirocin prophylaxis in patients with an IPC or IPeC.Methods(i) Three preparations of mupirocin were applied onto segments of IPC thrice weekly and examined with scanning electron microscope (SEM) at different time intervals. (ii) Consecutive patients fitted with IPC or IPeC were given topical mupirocin prophylaxis to apply to the catheter exit‐site following every drainage/dressing change (at least twice weekly) and followed up for 6 months.Results(i) No detectable structural catheter damage was found with mupirocin applied for up to 6 months. (ii) Fifty indwelling catheters were inserted in 48 patients for malignant pleural (n = 41) and peritoneal (n = 9) effusions. Median follow‐up was 121 [median, IQR 19–181] days. All patients tolerated mupirocin well; one patient reported short‐term local tenderness. Compliance was excellent with 95.8% of the 989 scheduled doses delivered. Six patients developed catheter‐related pleural (n = 3), concurrent peritoneal/local (n = 1) and skin/tract (n = 2) infections from Streptococcus mitis (with Bacillus species or anaerobes), Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.ConclusionThis first study of long‐term prevention of IPC‐ or IPeC‐related infections found topical mupirocin prophylaxis feasible and well tolerated. Its efficacy warrants future randomized studies.
Durable goods and consumer behavior with liquidity constraints
Authors: Kim H. Youn , Molina José Alberto , Wong K. K. Gary 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper presents an integrated model of intratemporal demand and intertemporal consumption, with allowance for durable goods and liquidity constraints. Demand equations for non‐durable and durable goods with the user cost of durable goods are jointly estimated with a consumption Euler equation incorporating liquidity constraints for Norwegian consumers from 1978 to 2018. Results show that demand analyses ignoring durable goods lead to a significant bias in the elasticities of non‐durable goods. Norwegian consumers are found to be impatient, with low risk aversion. There is weak evidence for liquidity constraints in consumption. No strong evidence exists for intertemporal substitution in consumption, but a considerable effect of uncertainty is found in durable consumption.
Efficacy of radiofrequency combined with single‐dot ultrasound efficacy for skin rejuvenation: A non‐randomized split‐face trial with blinded response evaluation
Authors: Byun Ji Won , Kang Yoo Ri , Park Soojung , Hong Wonkyu 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundHigh‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and radiofrequency (RF) are non‐invasive modalities for skin rejuvenation, but their combined effects have not been evaluated.ObjectiveWe evaluated and compared the efficacy of HIFU alone and combined HIFU and bipolar RF using a newly designed probe.MethodsTwenty‐two Korean adults with facial wrinkles and aging underwent treatment on both sides of their face: HIFU‐only on the left and HIFU combined with RF on the right. Skin parameters were measured at different time points to evaluate the improvement in skin rejuvenation.ResultsHIFU treatment significantly improved skin parameters, including pore volume and number, skin elasticity, depth of eye wrinkles, degree of sagging in the eye area, nasolabial folds and cheeks, volume of the jawline, skin density, and permittivity. Furthermore, combining bipolar RF with HIFU treatment enhanced efficacy in reducing pore number, improving skin elasticity, diminishing eye wrinkle depth, and increasing skin moisturization. These findings indicate that bipolar RF can synergically improve skin rejuvenation by providing a thermal effect to the upper papillary dermis, which is more superficial than the target area of HIFU.ConclusionCombining HIFU with bipolar RF synergistically improves skin rejuvenation, including pore reduction, periorbital wrinkle improvement, skin elasticity, and skin moisturization.
A Fault Diagnosis Tool for Electrohydraulic Actuators
Authors: Sivaram Bharath , Sun Zongxuan 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
This letter introduces a new method for fault diagnosis of electrohydraulic actuators (EHA). Common faults include abnormal supply pressure, viscous friction, bulk modulus, and oil leakage. First, a validated model of an EHA is used to simulate faults at varying percent perturbations to generate data. The harmonics of the corresponding servo-valve control signal are calculated using sliding discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and stored. A fully connected neural network is then trained to predict fault cases using harmonic information. Simulation results show high accuracy for diagnosis of individual cases and ability to diagnose mixed cases. The actuator motion reference signal is also shown to impact overall diagnosability. Finally, the method was tested on experimental data consisting of nominal and low-pressure cases. Random disturbances were added to simulation training data to allow more robustness and resulted in 80% accuracy on the 10 experimental datapoints. It is demonstrated that a validated model can be used to diagnose faults in actual experimental setup. Future work will be done to diagnose non-pressure experimental cases.
A Multi-Fidelity Integration Method for Reliability Analysis of Industrial Robots
Authors: Wu Jinhui , Tian Pengpeng , Wang Shunyu , Tao Yourui 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
A multi-fidelity integration method is proposed to analyze the reliability of multiple performance indicators (MPI) for industrial robots. In order to high-fidelity mapping the performance of industrial robots, a unified multi-domain model (UMDM) is first established. The contribution-degree analysis is then used to classify the input random variables into interacting and non-interacting ones. Thus, the high-dimensional integration of reliability analysis is separated into a low-dimensional integration and multiple one-dimensional integrations in an additive form. Here, the low-dimensional integration consisting of the interacting variables is calculated using the high-precision mixed-degree cubature formula (MDCF), and the computational results are treated as high-fidelity data. The one-dimensional integration consisting of non-interacting variables is then computed by the highly efficient five-point Gaussian Hermite quadrature (FGHQ), and the computational results are named low-fidelity data. A multi-fidelity integration method is constructed by fusing the high-fidelity data and the low-fidelity data to obtain the statistical moments of the MPI. Subsequently, the probability density function and the failure probability of the MPI are estimated using the saddlepoint approximation method. Finally, some representative methods are performed to verify the superiority of the proposed method.
Locust-Inspired Jumping Mechanism Design and Improvement Based on Takeoff Stability
Authors: Mo Xiaojuan , Ge Wenjie , Ren Yifei , Zhao Donglai , Wei Dunwen , Romano Donato 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Locusts keep their bodies moving in a straight line during the takeoff and maintain the body stable during the whole jumping with small pitching motions, ensuring both kinematic and dynamic stability to reach their intended destinations. Inspired by locusts’ jumping performance, the Stephenson II six-bar jumping mechanism is adopted to mimic the kinematic stability of locusts’ takeoff and a dynamic model is developed to analyze the impacts of the torsional spring location, the spring stiffness, and the location of the equivalent body bar centroid on the jumping performance. Furthermore, a revised eight-bar jumping mechanism is proposed to solve the difficulty in realizing dynamic stability using the six-bar mechanism, as the moments of momentum of each component around the overall centroid are positive and contribute together to the counterclockwise rotation of the jumping. The dynamic modeling shows that the mass of the equivalent tarsus bar plays an important role in realizing the dynamic stability for the eight-bar jumping mechanism. Finally, two kinds of jumping robots are designed, fabricated and tested with jumping performance recorded by high-speed cameras, which validates the impacts of the mass of the equivalent tarsus bar on the jumping stability in the eight-bar jumping mechanism.
Shooting Free Throws Under Pressure: A Social Media Self-Talk Intervention
Authors: Gomez Souffront Sabrina , Mavrantza Angeliki M. , Bigliassi Marcelo 
Published: September 2023

The present study sought to investigate the effects of a self-talk intervention on free-throw performance under pressure. The experimental manipulation was designed using a video from a social media platform. Thirty male college basketball players were randomly assigned into two groups (i.e., control and experimental). The experimental protocol incorporated three trials of three free throws each. Psychophysiological stress was assessed by use of heart rate variability. The illusion of pressure was created using arena recordings of large crowds along with instructions for participants to visualize a high-pressure scenario. The results indicate that the self-talk intervention was sufficient to improve free throw shooting accuracy during the postintervention phase. Short-term heart rate variability reduced significantly for the control group and remained relatively stable for the experimental group. Self-talk appears to influence free throw accuracy during situations of psychosocial stress by inhibiting the influence of negative thoughts on peripheral physiological reactions and movement automaticity.
Synthetic Peptide Fragments of the Wtx Toxin Reduce Blood Pressure in Rats under General Anesthesia
Authors: Severyukhina M. S. , Ismailova A. M. , Shaykhutdinova E. R. , Dyachenko I. A. , Egorova N. S. , Murashev A. N. , Tsetlin V. I. , Utkin Yu. N. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Previously, it was shown that the non-conventional toxin WTX from the venom of the cobra Naja kaouthia, when administered intravenously, caused a decrease in blood pressure (BP) and an increase in heart rate (HR) in rats [13]. To identify the site of the toxin molecule responsible for these effects, we studied the influence of synthetic peptide fragments of the WTX on BP and HR in normotensive male Sprague–Dawley rats under general anesthesia induced by Telazol and Xylazine. It was found that peptides corresponding to the WTX central polypeptide loop, stabilized by a disulfide bond, at intravenous injection at concentrations from 0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL caused a dose-dependent decrease in BP, with the HR increasing only in the first 5–10 min after administration. Thus, WTX fragments corresponding to the central polypeptide loop reproduce the decrease in blood pressure caused by the toxin.
Curcumin and proton pump inhibitors for functional dyspepsia: a randomised, double blind controlled trial
Authors: Kongkam Pradermchai , Khongkha Wichittra , Lopimpisuth Chawin , Chumsri Chitsanucha , Kosarussawadee Prach , Phutrakool Phanupong , Khamsai Sittichai , Sawanyawisuth Kittisak , Sura Thanyachai , Phisalprapa Pochamana , Buamahakul Thanwa , Siwamogsatham Sarawut , Angsusing Jaenjira , Poonniam Pratchayanan , Wanaratna Kulthanit , Teerachaisakul Monthaka , Pongpirul Krit 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of curcumin versus omeprazole in improving patient reported outcomes in people with dyspepsia.DesignRandomised, double blind controlled trial, with central randomisation.SettingThai traditional medicine hospital, district hospital, and university hospitals in Thailand.ParticipantsParticipants with a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia.InterventionsThe interventions were curcumin alone (C), omeprazole alone (O), or curcumin plus omeprazole (C+O). Patients in the combination group received two capsules of 250 mg curcumin, four times daily, and one capsule of 20 mg omeprazole once daily for 28 days.Main outcome measuresFunctional dyspepsia symptoms on days 28 and 56 were assessed using the Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment (SODA) score. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of adverse events and serious adverse events.Results206 patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of the three groups; 151 patients completed the study. Demographic data (age 49.7±11.9 years; women 73.4%), clinical characteristics and baseline dyspepsia scores were comparable between the three groups. Significant improvements were observed in SODA scores on day 28 in the pain (−4.83, –5.46 and −6.22), non-pain (−2.22, –2.32 and −2.31) and satisfaction (0.39, 0.79 and 0.60) categories for the C+O, C, and O groups, respectively. These improvements were enhanced on day 56 in the pain (−7.19, –8.07 and −8.85), non-pain (−4.09, –4.12 and −3.71) and satisfaction (0.78, 1.07, and 0.81) categories in the C+O, C, and O groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed among the three groups and no serious adverse events occurred.ConclusionNo discernible differences were identified between curcumin and omeprazole in their efficacy for the functional treatment of dyspepsia, and no apparent synergistic effect was observed.Trial registration numberTCTR20221208003.
Leucocyte telomere length, brain volume and risk of dementia: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Cao Zhi , Hou Yabing , Xu Chenjie 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundThe evidence regarding the association between leucocyte telomere length (LTL) and brain health is sparse and inconclusive.AimsTo investigate the associations of LTL with brain structure and the risk of dementia based on a large-scale prospective study.MethodsLTL in the peripheral blood was measured by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay from 439 961 individuals in the UK Biobank recruited between 2006 and 2010 and followed up until 2020. Electronic health records were used to record the incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). The brain structure, including total and regional brain volume, of 38 740 participants was then assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 11.6 years, a total of 5 820 (1.3%) dementia cases were documented. The restricted cubic spline model showed significant overall associations between LTL and the risk of dementia and AD (p for overall <0.05). The multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for the lowest LTL tertile compared with the highest LTL tertile were 1.14 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06 to 1.21) for dementia, 1.28 (95% CI: 1.12 to 1.46) for AD and 1.18 (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.42) for VD. Furthermore, we found that shorter LTL was associated with smaller total brain volume (β=−0.012 8, p=0.003), white matter volume (β=−0.022 4, p<0.001), hippocampus volume (β=−0.017 2, p<0.001), thalamus volume (β=−0.023 9, p<0.001) and accumbens (β=−0.015 5, p=0.001).ConclusionsShorter LTL is associated with total and regional brain structure and a higher risk of incident dementia and AD, implying the potential of telomere length as a predictive biomarker of brain health.
Effects and Eradication of Mycoplasma Contamination on Patient-derived Colorectal Cancer Organoid Cultures
Authors: Dayanidhi Divya L. , Watlington Wylie K. , Mantyh John B. , Rupprecht Gabrielle , Hsu David S. 
Published: September 2023

Patient-derived organoids are a useful platform for identification and testing of novel precision oncology approaches. Patient-derived organoids are generated by direct culture of patient samples. However, prior to development into patient-derived organoids, these samples are often processed for clinical use, opening the potential for contamination by Mycoplasma and other microbes. While most microbes can be detected by visual inspection, Mycoplasma can go undetected and have substantial impacts on assay results. Given the increased use of patient-derived organoids, there is a growing need for a standardized protocol to detect and remove Mycoplasma from organoid models. In the current study, we report a procedure for Mycoplasma removal by passaging organoids through mice as patient-derived organoid xenografts. In vivo passage of patient-derived organoids followed by re-establishment was 100% effective at decontaminating colorectal patient-derived organoids (n = 9), based on testing with the Sigma LookOut Mycoplasma PCR Detection Kit. This process can serve as a method to re-establish contaminated patient-derived organoids, which represent precious models to study patient-specific genomic features and treatment responses.

Significance:
Organoids are valuable models of cancer. Mycoplasma contamination can alter organoid drug sensitivity, so there is a need for a standardized protocol to detect and remove Mycoplasma from organoids. We report a simple procedure for removing Mycoplasma from organoids via in vivo passaging through mice followed by re-establishment of organoids.