bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio at the start of the second course during atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy predicts therapeutic efficacy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter analysis
Authors: Matoya Sho , Suzuki Takanori , Matsuura Kentaro , Suzuki Yuta , Okumura Fumihiro , Nagura Yoshihito , Sobue Satoshi , Kuroyanagi Keita , Kusakabe Atsunori , Koguchi Hiroki , Hasegawa Izumi , Miyaki Tomokatsu , Tanaka Yoshito , Kondo Hiromu , Kimura Yoshihide , Ozasa Atsushi , Kawamura Hayato , Kuno Kayoko , Fujiwara Kei , Nojiri Shunsuke , Kataoka Hiromi ,   Sakurayama Liver Study Group (SLSG)
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimAtezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) therapy is expected to have good therapeutic efficacy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the clinical indicators that predict therapeutic efficacy have not been established. We retrospectively investigated whether the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) during Atez/Bev therapy could predict therapeutic efficacy.MethodIn total, 110 patients with HCC were enrolled; they were treated with Atez/Bev therapy and evaluated for their initial response by dynamic CT or MRI at least once between October 2020 and July 2022.ResultsOf the 110 patients with HCC at the initial evaluation, two (2%) showed a complete response (CR), 22 (20%) partial response (PR), 62 (56%) stable disease (SD), and 24 (21%) progressive disease (PD). The NLR at the start of the second course (NLR‐2c) increased from CR + PR to SD to PD. There was no significant association between the baseline NLR and the initial therapeutic response. Patients with CR + PR had lower NLR‐2c values than those with SD + PD (p < 0.001) and the optimal cut‐off value of NLR‐2c was 1.97. Patients with NLR‐2c <1.97 had better overall survival and progression‐free survival (PFS) than those with NLR‐2c ≥1.97 (p = 0.005 for overall survival; p < 0.001 for PFS). A multivariate analysis showed that female sex, higher PIVKA‐II levels at baseline, and higher values of NLR‐2c were significantly associated with poorer PFS.ConclusionsThe NLR‐2c value predicts the initial therapeutic response and prognosis of patients with HCC treated with Atez/Bev therapy.
The elephant in the room: Exploring the influence and participation of patients in infection‐related care across surgical pathways in South Africa and India
Authors: Nampoothiri Vrinda , Mbamalu Oluchi , Surendran Surya , Bonaconsa Candice , Pennel Timothy , Boutall Adam , Gopal Kirun , Castro Sanchez Enrique , Dhar Puneet , Holmes Alison , Singh Sanjeev , Mendelson Marc , Tarrant Carolyn , Charani Esmita ,   ASPIRES Co‐Investigators
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe irrational use of antibiotics is a leading contributor to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic stewardship (AS) interventions predominantly focus on prescribers. This study investigated the influence and participation of inpatients in infection‐related care, including antibiotic decision‐making, within and across two tertiary hospitals in South Africa (Cape Town) and India (Kerala).MethodsThrough ethnographic enquiry of clinical practice in surgical pathways, including direct nonparticipant observation of clinical practices, healthcare worker (HCW), patient and carer interactions in surgical ward rounds and face‐to‐face interviews with participants (HCWs and patients), we sought to capture the implicit and explicit influence that patients and carers have in infection‐related care. Field notes and interview transcripts were thematically coded, aided by NVivo 12® Pro software.ResultsWhilst observational data revealed the nuanced roles that patients/carers play in antibiotic decision‐making, HCWs did not recognize these roles. Patients and carers, though invested in patient care, are not routinely involved, nor are they aware of the opportunities for engagement in infection‐related decision‐making. Patients associated clinical improvement with antibiotic use and did not consider hospitalization to be associated with infection acquisition or transmission, highlighting a lack of understanding of the threat of infection and antibiotic resistance. Patients' economic and cultural positionalities may influence their infection‐related behaviours. In the study site in India, cultural norms mean that carers play widespread but unrecognized roles in inpatient care, participating in infection prevention activities.ConclusionFor patients to have a valuable role in AS and make informed decisions regarding their infection‐related care, a mutual understanding of their role in this process among HCWs and patients is crucial. The observed differences between the two study sites indicate the critical need for understanding and addressing the contextual drivers that impact effective patient‐centred healthcare delivery.Patient or Public ContributionEthnographic observations and interviews conducted in this study involved patients as participants. Patients were recruited for interviews after obtaining signed informed consent forms. Patients' identities were completely anonymized when presenting the study findings.
Root filled teeth in two parallel Danish cohorts: A repeated longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Razdan Ankur , Schropp Lars , Væth Michael , Kirkevang Lise‐Lotte 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimThe aim of the study was to compare the frequency of root filled teeth and quality of root fillings (RFs) in two parallel, Danish cohorts each examined over 10 years and to evaluate factors associated with apical periodontitis (AP) and extraction of root filled teeth.MethodologyTwo randomly selected cohorts (C1, C2) from Aarhus (age: 20–64 years) were followed for approximately 10 years, with full‐mouth radiographic surveys performed at 5‐year intervals (C1: 1997–2003–2008; C2: 2009–2014–2019). Frequency of root filled teeth, quality of RFs and coronal restorations, periapical status and tooth extraction were registered. Logistic regression analyses compared C1 with C2 for baseline and follow‐up periods and assessed variables associated with AP (PAI‐based) and extraction of root filled teeth.ResultsC1 included 330 and C2, 170 individuals, mean age 42.9 and 47.3 years, respectively, who attended all three radiographic examinations. The relative frequency of root filled teeth was lower in C2 than C1 at baseline (C1: 4.7%, C2: 3.6%; p < .001) and after 10 years (C1: 5.7%, C2: 4.2%; p < .001). The relative frequency of new RFs was lower in C2 than in C1 (p = .02). C2 had fewer short/long RFs at baseline than C1; quality of new RFs or coronal restorations was similar in C1 and C2. The risk of tooth extraction (p = .93) and risk of AP (p = .37) at 10‐year follow‐up was similar between the two cohorts. For both C1 and C2, root filled teeth with AP at baseline had increased risk of having AP (p < .001) or having been extracted (p < .001) at follow‐up. Risk of extraction was higher for root filled premolars (p = .01) and molars (p = .01) than anteriors. Risk of AP at follow‐up was higher for root filled molars (p < .001). Furthermore, inadequate quality of RFs (p = .02) and coronal restorations (p = .04) increased the risk of AP at follow‐up in C1 and C2.ConclusionsThe frequency of root filled teeth and new RFs decreased and little to no change in new RFs' quality, AP, or tooth extraction was seen over time (1997–2019). Root filled molars and teeth with AP at baseline had increased risk of AP and extraction.
High moisture extrusion of meat analogues using mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) protein and flour blends: investigations on morphology, texture and rheology
Authors: Seetapan Nispa , Raksa Phatchareeya , Limparyoon Nattawut , Srirajan Supakorn , Makmoon Thidarat , Israkarn Kamolwan , Gamonpilas Chaiwut , Methacanon Pawadee , Fuongfuchat Asira 
Published: February 2023

SummaryHigh moisture meat analogues (HMMA) from the blends of mung bean protein isolate (MPI) and mung bean flour (MF) at different MF contents (10%, 20% and 30%) were prepared using high moisture extrusion (HME) and die texturisation. Pure MPI could not be extruded and texturised. Therefore, MF was added to improve the extrudability and to assist in the texturisation of HMMA. Rheological analysis performed under a range of simulated conditions in the cooling die demonstrated the decrease in both storage and loss moduli of the blend systems as compared to pure MPI, which explained the flow capability and extrudability of the blends during die texturisation. The effect of blend compositions on morphology and texture of the extrudates was investigated. All blend extrudates showed an anisotropic layer structure with a less pronounced velocity profile with increasing MF content. The microstructure of these extrudates revealed the presence of a multiphase system of the remaining MF fragments dispersed in a continuous protein matrix, thereby facilitating phase separation, loosening the protein structure and decreasing textural properties of HMMA as MF content increased. The results demonstrate that the blend of MPI and MF is a promising ingredient to prepare mung bean‐based HMMA with the customised texture properties.
Speed and navigation control of thymocyte development by the fetal T‐cell gene regulatory network
Authors: MacNabb Brendan W. , Rothenberg Ellen V. 
Published: February 2023

SummaryT‐cell differentiation is a tightly regulated developmental program governed by interactions between transcription factors (TFs) and chromatin landscapes and affected by signals received from the thymic stroma. This process is marked by a series of checkpoints: T‐lineage commitment, T‐cell receptor (TCR)β selection, and positive and negative selection. Dynamically changing combinations of TFs drive differentiation along the T‐lineage trajectory, through mechanisms that have been most extensively dissected in adult mouse T‐lineage cells. However, fetal T‐cell development differs from adult in ways that suggest that these TF mechanisms are not fully deterministic. The first wave of fetal T‐cell differentiation occurs during a unique developmental window during thymic morphogenesis, shows more rapid kinetics of differentiation with fewer rounds of cell division, and gives rise to unique populations of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and invariant γδT cells that are not generated in the adult thymus. As the characteristic kinetics and progeny biases are cell‐intrinsic properties of thymic progenitors, the differences could be based on distinct TF network circuitry within the progenitors themselves. Here, we review recent single‐cell transcriptome data that illuminate the TF networks involved in T‐cell differentiation in the fetal and adult mouse thymus.
Information sharing in an e‐tailing supply chain for fresh produce with supplier encroachment
Authors: Liu Molin , Dan Bin , Guan Zili , Li Mengli 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper considers an e‐tailing supply chain for fresh produce (E‐FSC) composed of a supplier investing in freshness‐keeping effort and an e‐retailer providing value‐added service. We study the e‐retailer's information sharing strategy with supplier encroachment. First, we discuss the supplier's encroachment strategy without or with information sharing and indicate that the e‐retailer may profit more from encroachment. Second, we explore the e‐retailer's information sharing strategy under two scenarios. Under the independent scenario, the e‐retailer may share information when the freshness sensitivity is comparatively high, which cannot affect the supplier's encroachment strategy. Under the interactive scenario, the e‐retailer influences the supplier's encroachment strategy through an information sharing strategy. The e‐retailer may share (withhold) information to induce (deter) encroachment when the competition intensity is comparatively low or high (moderate). Finally, we discuss the influence of the entry cost on E‐FSC members’ profits, which finds that increasing entry cost may improve the supplier's profit.
Rapid, nonparallel genomic evolution of Brassica rapa (field mustard) under experimental drought
Authors: Johnson Stephen E. , Tittes Silas , Franks Steven J. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWhile we know that climate change can potentially cause rapid phenotypic evolution, our understanding of the genetic basis and degree of genetic parallelism of rapid evolutionary responses to climate change is limited. In this study, we combined the resurrection approach with an evolve‐and‐resequence design to examine genome‐wide evolutionary changes following drought. We exposed genetically similar replicate populations of the annual plant Brassica rapa derived from a field population in southern California to four generations of experimental drought or watered conditions in a greenhouse. Genome‐wide sequencing of ancestral and descendant population pools identified hundreds of SNPs that showed evidence of rapidly evolving in response to drought. Several of these were in stress response genes, and two were identified in a prior study of drought response in this species. However, almost all genetic changes were unique among experimental populations, indicating that the evolutionary changes were largely nonparallel, despite the fact that genetically similar replicates of the same founder population had experienced controlled and consistent selection regimes. This nonparallelism of evolution at the genetic level is potentially because of polygenetic adaptation allowing for multiple different genetic routes to similar phenotypic outcomes. Our findings help to elucidate the relationship between rapid phenotypic and genomic evolution and shed light on the degree of parallelism and predictability of genomic evolution to environmental change.
Beyond radical affordability in the base of the pyramid: The role of consumer self‐confidence in product acceptance
Authors: Blocker Christopher P. , Manning Kenneth C. , Trujillo Carlos A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWhen developing products and services for base of the economic pyramid (BoP) consumers, it has been widely assumed that organizations must set extremely low prices that are dependent on substantial product acceptance and economies of scale. However, such pricing is often not feasible. Growing evidence suggests that more moderate price levels are needed for organizations to viably serve the needs of low‐income consumers. However, price sensitivity is less understood in low‐income contexts. To promote the success of social enterprises through fresh insight, we reexamine the extremely low‐price BoP assumption by investigating product acceptance among low‐income consumers using two experiments in Latin America. Results reveal that a belief in one's capabilities to make effective consumption decisions, consumer self‐confidence, helps explain the acceptance of moderately‐priced products. Discussion highlights directions for stimulating acceptance of socially beneficial products in low‐income contexts.
Safety and efficacy of gene therapy with onasemnogene abeparvovec in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Dongling , Ruan Yiyan , Chen Yuyi 
Published: February 2023

AbstractSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease which leads to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Our systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to explore the efficacy and safety of onasemnogene abeparvovec in SMA patients. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane through April 2022. Ten reports enrolling 250 SMA patients were included. CHOP INTEND and motor‐milestone significant improvements were detected at both short‐ and long‐term follow‐up. Common adverse events included pyrexia, vomiting, thrombocytopenia and elevated aminotransferases. Thrombocytopenia (79.3%, 95%CI: 65.8~90.5) and elevated aminotransferases (71.7%, 95%CI: 62.5~80.1) were more common in SMA patients aged older than 8 months. Despite the paucity of randomized control trial data and low quality of evidence to establish the safety and efficacy of onasemnogene abeparvovec in the treatment of SMA, the data suggest that it is a valuable option for patients with this condition.
Fish value chain and the determinants of value addition decision: Empirical evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Acharjee Debasish Chandra , Alam G M Monirul , Gosh Kamal , Haque A. B. M. Mahfuzul , Hossain Mohammad Ismail 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe present study was conducted to explore the fish value chain and the determinants that influenced the fish farmer's decision, preferably in the value addition chain of Rui, Catla, Tilapia, and Pangas fish. Hence, primary data were collected from 200 fish farmers and 212 market actors from three districts of Bangladesh. The per quintal value addition by the retailers in Mymensingh and Jessore areas was the highest for Rui and the lowest for Pangas. In Dhaka, the retailer's highest per quintal value was reported for Catla. The Poisson regression analysis revealed that farmers' education, fish farming experience, and access to extension services could positively, while the farmer's age could negatively influence their value addition decisions. Developing effective extension services is vital to make an integrated and sophisticated fish market system in Bangladesh.
Telomerase as a possible key to bypass reproductive cost
Authors: Čapková Frydrychová Radmila 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThree widely accepted assumptions are based on telomere research in human cells: (i) telomere length is a determinant of replicative ageing; (ii) telomerase activity in somatic cells supports the proliferative capacity of the cells and thus contributes to their regenerative potential and is a determinant of organismal lifespan; and (iii) the lack of telomerase activity acts as a tumour suppression mechanism. However, from a broader view, the link between telomere biology and cellular and organismal ageing, as well as tumour development, remains of debate, as I demonstrate with numerous examples of invertebrate and vertebrate species. Consequently, I propose a novel hypothesis that telomere biology, via somatic telomerase activity, reflects ageing rate from the perspective of species reproduction strategy.
Noninvasive age estimation for wild Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) using speckle appearance based on quantification‐theory model I analysis
Authors: Yagi Genfu , Kogi Kazunobu , Sakai Mai 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAge is an important parameter for the study of ecology and population dynamics. Current methodologies for age estimation in cetaceans generally involve invasive or postmortem techniques. They are not suitable for wild marine mammals with small populations. Our previous study shows that in Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins, both the number and size of body speckles increase with age. We observed speckles of 41 known‐age individuals (28 females and 13 males) between the ages of 7 and 25 years using underwater video data. The ages of individuals were obtained from a long‐term identification survey since 1994. Here, we created an age‐estimation model using quantification theory type I analysis. The model estimated the age accurately from speckle observation (R2 = 0.77, standard deviation of 2.58 years). We clarified the age of 89 individuals (64% of 139 unknown age individuals) near Mikura Island. This is the first study to use a noninvasive age estimation method to statistically verify its accuracy and revealed the age of the majority of the population.
Interchromosomal linkage disequilibrium and linked fitness cost loci associated with selection for herbicide resistance
Authors: Gupta Sonal , Harkess Alex , Soble Anah , Van Etten Megan , Leebens‐Mack James , Baucom Regina S. 
Published: February 2023

SummaryThe adaptation of weeds to herbicide is both a significant problem in agriculture and a model of rapid adaptation. However, significant gaps remain in our knowledge of resistance controlled by many loci and the evolutionary factors that influence the maintenance of resistance.Here, using herbicide‐resistant populations of the common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea), we perform a multilevel analysis of the genome and transcriptome to uncover putative loci involved in nontarget‐site herbicide resistance (NTSR) and to examine evolutionary forces underlying the maintenance of resistance in natural populations.We found loci involved in herbicide detoxification and stress sensing to be under selection and confirmed that detoxification is responsible for glyphosate (RoundUp) resistance using a functional assay. We identified interchromosomal linkage disequilibrium (ILD) among loci under selection reflecting either historical processes or additive effects leading to the resistance phenotype. We further identified potential fitness cost loci that were strongly linked to resistance alleles, indicating the role of genetic hitchhiking in maintaining the cost.Overall, our work suggests that NTSR glyphosate resistance inI. purpureais conferred by multiple genes which are potentially maintained through generationsviaILD, and that the fitness cost associated with resistance in this species is likely a by‐product of genetic hitchhiking.
Save your TIRs – more to auxin than meets the eye
Authors: Ang Aaron Chun Hou , Østergaard Lars 
Published: February 2023

SummaryAuxin has long been known as an important regulator of plant growth and development. Classical studies in auxin biology have uncovered a ‘canonical’ transcriptional auxin‐signalling pathway involving the TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE1/AUXIN SIGNALING F‐BOX (TIR1/AFB) receptors. TIR1/AFB perception of auxin triggers the degradation of repressors and the derepression of auxin‐responsive genes. Nevertheless, the canonical pathway cannot account for all aspects of auxin biology, such as physiological responses that are too rapid for transcriptional regulation. This Tansley insight will explore several ‘non‐canonical’ pathways that have been described in recent years mediating fast auxin responses. We focus on the interplay between a nontranscriptional branch of TIR1/AFB signalling and a TRANSMEMBRANE KINASE1 (TMK1)‐mediated pathway in root acid growth. Other developmental aspects involving the TMKs and their association with the controversial AUXIN‐BINDING PROTEIN 1 (ABP1) will be discussed. Finally, we provide an updated overview of the ETTIN (ETT)‐mediated pathway in contexts outside of gynoecium development.