bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Empirical testing of cryoconite granulation: Role of cyanobacteria in the formation of key biogenic structure darkening glaciers in polar regions
Authors: Wejnerowski Łukasz , Poniecka Ewa , Buda Jakub , Klimaszyk Piotr , Piasecka Agnieszka , Dziuba Marcin Krzysztof , Mugnai Gianmarco , Takeuchi Nozomu , Zawierucha Krzysztof 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCryoconite, the dark sediment on the surface of glaciers, often aggregates into oval or irregular granules serving as biogeochemical factories. They reduce a glacier's albedo, act as biodiversity hotspots by supporting aerobic and anaerobic microbial communities, constitute one of the organic matter (OM) sources on glaciers, and are a feeder for micrometazoans. Although cryoconite granules have multiple roles on glaciers, their formation is poorly understood. Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous and abundant engineers of cryoconite hole ecosystems. This study tested whether cyanobacteria may be responsible for cryoconite granulation as a sole biotic element. Incubation of Greenlandic, Svalbard, and Scandinavian cyanobacteria in different nutrient availabilities and substrata for growth (distilled water alone and water with quartz powder, furnaced cryoconite without OM, or powdered rocks from glacial catchment) revealed that cyanobacteria bind mineral particles into granules. The structures formed in the experiment resembled those commonly observed in natural cryoconite holes: they contained numerous cyanobacterial filaments protruding from aggregated mineral particles. Moreover, all examined strains were confirmed to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which suggests that cryoconite granulation is most likely due to EPS secretion by gliding cyanobacteria. In the presence of water as the only substrate for growth, cyanobacteria formed mostly carpet‐like mats. Our data empirically prove that EPS‐producing oscillatorialean cyanobacteria isolated from the diverse community of cryoconite microorganisms can form granules from mineral substrate and that the presence of the mineral substrate increases the probability of the formation of these important and complex biogeochemical microstructures on glaciers.
Association between androgenetic alopecia and periodontitis
Authors: Karasu Yerda Özkan , Orbak Recep , Kaşalı Kamber , Berker Ezel , Kantarci Alpdogan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimAndrogenic alopecia (AGA) is men's most common form of hair loss. It is affected by changes in the expression and activity of 5αR and the metabolism of testosterone and DHT. There is an association between AGA and systemic inflammatory diseases. We hypothesized that there is an association between AGA and periodontal disease, as inflamed gingiva and periodontal fibroblasts have been shown to express more 5αR. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between periodontal disease and AGA and the potential effect of aging on this association.Materials and MethodsOut of a cohort of 1088 individuals, 385 white males aged 25–65 with similar socioeconomic levels and without systemic disease were included. Periodontitis was defined using NHANES data. AGA was evaluated using the Norwood–Hamilton scale. The relationship between AGA, periodontal disease severity, and age was assessed.ResultsThere was a correlation between age and baldness (r = .421, p < .001). There was a significant correlation between AGA and periodontal disease in younger patients aged 25–34 and 35–44. (p < .042 and p < .036, respectively). There was no significant correlation between AGA and periodontal disease in the 45–54 and 55–65 age groups (p > .05).ConclusionThere may be a relationship between periodontal disease and AGA in the 25–44 age range, suggesting that this association starts at an early age in adulthood.
Mild to moderate increases in activity are associated with increased seizure incidence in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy receiving anti‐epileptic drugs
Authors: Cameron S. , Grady K. M. , Kent S. P. , Sousa M. M. 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveEpilepsy is a chronic disorder, and approximately 25% to 30% of dogs with epilepsy are refractory to anti‐epileptic drugs. As increased activity has been shown to reduce seizure frequency in people with epilepsy, the goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between deviation from baseline activity and seizure incidence in dogs with epilepsy.Materials and MethodsActivity and seizure data were obtained using a canine activity monitoring device and owner observed seizure logs in 53 dogs with idiopathic epilepsy receiving anti‐epileptic drugs. Each dog's activity was individually measured, and 14‐day baseline averages were calculated. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate how an observed increase in activity, ranging from 0% to 50%, above baseline activity, affects the incidence of a seizure in the following 24 hours.ResultsA total of 8540 activity days and 365 seizure days were used in the final analysis with an average of 11 seizures per dog (range 0 to 30 seizures). Seizure incidence was significantly more likely when activity was 10%, 20%, or 30% above baseline activity in the 24 hours before the day of a documented seizure [95% confidence interval (1.02 to 1.60), P=0.033; 95% confidence interval (1.08 to 1.80), P=0.010; 95% confidence interval (1.13 to 2.07), P=0.005, respectively]. However, when activity levels were 40% and 50% above baseline, the effect diminished (95% confidence interval (0.74 to 1.70), P=0.532; or 95% confidence interval (0.56 to 1.66), P=0.988, respectively).Clinical SignificanceDifferently than in humans, this study demonstrated that a mild to moderate increase in activity resulted in a higher seizure incidence within 24 hours in dogs with epilepsy.
Expansion microscopy of apicomplexan parasites
Authors: Liffner Benjamin , Absalon Sabrina 
Published: August 2023

AbstractApicomplexan parasites comprise significant pathogens of humans, livestock and wildlife, but also represent a diverse group of eukaryotes with interesting and unique cell biology. The study of cell biology in apicomplexan parasites is complicated by their small size, and historically this has required the application of cutting‐edge microscopy techniques to investigate fundamental processes like mitosis or cell division in these organisms. Recently, a technique called expansion microscopy has been developed, which rather than increasing instrument resolution like most imaging modalities, physically expands a biological sample. In only a few years since its development, a derivative of expansion microscopy known as ultrastructure‐expansion microscopy (U‐ExM) has been widely adopted and proven extremely useful for studying cell biology of Apicomplexa. Here, we review the insights into apicomplexan cell biology that have been enabled through the use of U‐ExM, with a specific focus on Plasmodium, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium. Further, we summarize emerging expansion microscopy modifications and modalities and forecast how these may influence the field of parasite cell biology in future.
Assessing digital accessible botanical knowledge and priorities for exploration and discovery of plant diversity across Mesoamerica
Authors: Ramírez‐Barahona Santiago , Cuervo‐Robayo Angela P. , Magallón Susana 
Published: August 2023

SummaryDigital accessible biodiversity knowledge has the potential to greatly advance botanical research and guide conservation efforts. Evaluating its shortfalls is key to understanding its limits and prioritising regions in need of renewed survey efforts.We used the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants to parse publicly available occurrence data downloaded from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and quantify the spatial distribution of spatial, phylogenetic, and temporal data shortfalls across Mesoamerica.After processing 3578 777 occurrence records for 32 522 species of vascular plants across Mesoamerica, we found evidence of poor data coverage: incomplete characterisation of species diversity, old occurrence records, and low phylogenetic representation. One‐third of the region showed large gaps for at least one of these dimensions (hotspots) and < 15% had adequate data coverage across dimensions.Overall, the shortfalls we identified compromise the quality of digitally available occurrence data and hamper research on spatial phylogenetics and species dynamics under anthropogenic disturbances. Our analyses identified areas of opportunity for increased efforts in data digitisation, botanical exploration, sequencing, and biodiversity monitoring. These efforts would serve to increase and rejuvenate knowledge on the geographic distribution of vascular plants in Mesoamerica.
Neurovascular segregation of the retinal nerve fiber layer in glaucoma
Authors: Yow Ai Ping , Chua Jacqueline , Tan Bingyao , Chong Rachel , Nongpiur Monisha E. , Gupta Preeti , Lamoureux Ecosse , Husain Rahat , Schmetterer Leopold , Wong Damon 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe imaging data of one eye from 154 healthy and 143 glaucoma participants were acquired to evaluate the contributions of the neuronal and vascular components within the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) for detecting glaucoma and modeling visual field loss through the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography. The neuronal and vascular components within the circumpapillary RNFL were independently evaluated. In healthy eyes, the neuronal component showed a stronger association with age (r = −0.52, p < 0.001) compared to measured RNFL thickness (r = −0.46, p < 0.001). Using the neuronal component alone improved detection of glaucoma (AUC: 0.890 ± 0.020) compared to measured RNFL thickness (AUC: 0.877 ± 0.021; χ2 = 5.54, p = 0.019). Inclusion of the capillary components with the sectoral neuronal component resulted in a significant improvement in glaucoma detection (AUC: 0.927 ± 0.015; χ2 = 15.34, p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, AUC increased to 0.952 ± 0.011. Results from modeling visual field loss in glaucoma eyes suggest that visual field losses associated with neuronal thinning were moderated in eyes with a larger capillary component. These findings suggest that segregation of the neurovascular components could help improve understanding of disease pathophysiology and affect disease management in glaucoma.
Teaching children with food allergy to recognize anaphylaxis: The caregivers' perspectives
Authors: Keohane Hannah , Cronin Caoimhe , O'Rourke Eimear , O'Kelly Ciobha , Ramesh Yukta , Flores Laura , Velasco Roberto , Trujillo Juan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundAnaphylaxis is rising in prevalence among children. The current recommendations on the effective transition of anaphylaxis management to adolescents and young adults suggest preparation for the transition may be considered at 11–13 years of age in accordance with the patient's developmental stage. However, there has been limited research conducted on the perspective of caregivers regarding the transition of anaphylaxis management to their children. This study aims to determine the age caregivers feel it is appropriate to begin to teach their child to recognize anaphylaxis and use their adrenaline auto‐injectors (AAI).MethodsCaregivers of pediatric allergy patients who have been diagnosed with IgE‐mediated food allergy and have an AAI prescription were contacted by phone and invited to complete a questionnaire about when they feel it is appropriate to begin to teach their child to recognize anaphylaxis and use their AAI.ResultsOf the 123 responses to the questionnaire received, 44.7% indicated that 9–11 years was the appropriate time for teaching their children to self‐inject an AAI. History of severe anaphylaxis (94.3%), child's ability to describe reasons to inject adrenaline (87.8%), and demonstrate AAI use (82.1%) were “very important” readiness factors identified. Almost half of caregivers were “not confident” (8.94%) or “somewhat confident” (40.65%) in training their child to use AAI. Caregivers with higher household incomes more frequently identified themselves as the party responsible for training their children to use AAI (p = .04).ConclusionCaregivers in this sample expressed different perspectives than the current guidelines regarding the timing to initiate the transition of anaphylaxis management to their child. Caregivers expressed suboptimal confidence in teaching their children to use AAI. Clinicians should be aware of the factors that may indicate caregivers' desire to initiate an earlier transition of anaphylaxis management to their child and ensure access to appropriate training, education and support is available.
The combination of Ara h 2‐sIgE and basophil activation test could be an alternative to oral food challenge in cases of suspected peanut allergy
Authors: Carrette Marion , Couderc Laure , Bubenheim Michael , Vidal Alexandra , Youssouf Asmynour , Boyer Olivier , Marguet Christophe , Martinet Jérémie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundMost children with peanut sensitisation do not have a clinical peanut allergy (PA). Oral food challenge (OFC) is then necessary to diagnose PA and assess the reactive dose of the allergen. However, OFC is laborious to perform, expensive and stressful. We evaluated whether in vitro tests, such as basophil activation test (BAT), allergen‐specific IgE (sIgE) and their combination, could be used to replace OFC for the diagnosis of PA in children.MethodsNinety‐one patients aged 6 months to 18 years with suspected PA were prospectively recruited. These patients then underwent an OFC to assess PA. Whole peanut‐sIgE, Ara h 2‐sIgE, Ara h 8‐sIgE and %CD63+ basophils (CCR3+/SCClow) to peanut measured by BAT were investigated for PA diagnosis.ResultsForty‐one patients had a positive peanut OFC, and the remaining 50 were only sensitised. All patients with Ara h 2‐sIgE >7 kUA/L were allergic to peanut. A threshold of 6% for activated basophils yielded a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 54%. All patients with Ara h 2‐sIgE ≤7 kUA/L and BAT ≤6% (n = 22) had a negative OFC except for one who presented an oral syndrome due to PR‐10 sensitisation.ConclusionsWe have shown that Ara h 2‐sIgE >7 kUA/L is a discriminating threshold for the diagnosis of PA. Furthermore, when Ara h 2‐sIgE ≤7 kUA/L and BAT ≤6%, patients do not need to adjust their diet and, thus, do not need an OFC.
Directed evolution rice genes with randomly multiplexed sgRNAs assembly of base editors
Authors: Zhang Ao , Shan Tiaofeng , Sun Yan , Chen Zhipeng , Hu Jianjian , Hu Zhichao , Ming Ziheng , Zhu Zhitao , Li Xue , He Jun , Liu Shijia , Jiang Ling , Dong Xiaoou , Wu Yufeng , Wang Yanpeng , Liu Yuqiang , Li Chao , Wan Jianmin 
Published: August 2023

SummaryCRISPR‐based directed evolution is an effective breeding biotechnology to improve agronomic traits in plants. However, its gene diversification is still limited using individual single guide RNA. We described here a multiplexed orthogonal base editor (MoBE), and a randomly multiplexed sgRNAs assembly strategy to maximize gene diversification. MoBE could induce efficiently orthogonal ABE (<36.6%), CBE (<36.0%), and A&CBE (<37.6%) on different targets, while the sgRNA assembling strategy randomized base editing events on various targets. With respective 130 and 84 targets from each strand of the 34th exon of rice acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase (OsACC), we observed the target‐scaffold combination types up to 27 294 in randomly dual and randomly triple sgRNA libraries. We further performed directed evolution of OsACC using MoBE and randomly dual sgRNA libraries in rice, and obtained single or linked mutations of stronger herbicide resistance. These strategies are useful for in situ directed evolution of functional genes and may accelerate trait improvement in rice.
Delayed ulceration following combination pulse dye laser and topical sirolimus treatment for port wine birthmarks: A case series
Authors: Hobayan Catherine Grace P. , Nourse Elizabeth J. , Paradiso Michela M. , Fernandez Faith Esteban 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPort wine birthmarks (PWB) are capillary vascular malformations within the papillary and reticular dermis, most commonly occurring on the head and neck and may darken and thicken with age. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is the gold standard of treatment for PWB as it selectively targets involved vessels. Sirolimus is a macrolide antibiotic that selectively inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin, thereby suppressing the angiogenesis pathways that can be activated by PDL. Sirolimus and PDL may be used together to treat PWB. We present a case series describing three cases of delayed ulceration and systemic sirolimus absorption following combination therapy, highlighting a potential complication and patient safety concern.
Prevalence of musculoskeletal system problems in children working in Turkey's automotive industry
Authors: Bozdag Fatma , BALCI Serap 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis epidemiology study was conducted to determine the musculoskeletal system problems of children working in the automotive industry and related factors affecting them in the province of Şanlıurfa, the Turkish province where the child population is the highest at 44.9%.Design and MethodsA cross‐sectional descriptive type study of 256 children aged 7–17 years working in Şanlıurfa Evren Auto Industry Site and Birecik Fırat Auto Industry Site was carried out between April and September 2021.ResultsThe majority (55.9%) of the children spent most of their time afoot while working and had musculoskeletal symptoms, with a duration of more than one year. The body areas with the most symptoms were the waist, feet, and hands, respectively. These symptoms had not occurred before a child started working and were affected by the posture they worked in, and their daily working and sleep hours.ConclusionPublic health nurses are in a position to ensure that tetanus vaccination of working children, employment examinations, routine health checks, and necessary personal protective equipment are available. They can also work to ensure that children work for legal periods, get paid their wages, have health insurance, receive apprenticeship training, and only start working when they reach the age of being an apprentice or apprentice candidate.
Single‐cell RNA sequencing reveals blastomere heterogeneity of 2‐cell embryos in pigs
Authors: Fang Ting , Wang Fang , Zhang Rong , Du Zhi‐Qiang , Yang Cai‐Xia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn mammals, single blastomeres from as early as 2‐cell embryos demonstrate heterogeneous developmental capacity and fate decision into different cell lineages. However, mechanisms underlying blastomere heterogeneity of 2‐cell embryos remain largely unresolved. Here, we analysed the molecular heterogeneity of full‐length mRNAs and their 3′UTR regions, based on the single‐cell RNA‐seq data of pig 2‐cell embryos generated from in vivo fertilization (in vivo), in vitro fertilization (in vitro) and parthenogenetic activation (PA), respectively. First, unsupervised clustering helped discover two different groups of blastomeres for 2‐cell pig embryos. Between these two groups of blastomeres in pig 2‐cell embryos, 35, 301 and 428 full‐length mRNAs respectively in in vivo, in vitro and PA embryo types were identified to be differentially expressed (padj ≤ .05 and |log2[fold change]| ≥1) (DE mRNAs), while 92, 89 and 42 mRNAs were shown to be with significantly different 3′UTR lengths (3′UTR DE) (padj ≤ .05). Gene enrichment for both DE mRNAs and 3′UTR DE mRNAs found multiple signalling pathways, including cell cycle, RNA processing. Few numbers of common DE mRNAs and 3′UTR DE mRNAs existed between in vitro and in vivo blastomeres derived from 2‐cell embryos, indicating the larger differences between in vitro and in vivo fertilized embryos. Integrative genomics viewer analysis further identified that 3′UTRs of HSDL2 and SGTA (in vivo), FAM204A and phosphoserine phosphatase (in vitro), PRPF40A and RPIA (PA) had >100 nt average length changes. Moreover, numbers and locations of regulatory elements (polyadenylation site, cytoplasmic polyadenylation element and microRNA binding sites) within 3′UTRs of these DE mRNAs were predicted. These results indicate that molecular heterogeneity existed among blastomeres from different types of pig 2‐cell embryos, providing useful information and novel insights into future functional investigation on its relationship with the subsequent embryo development and differentiation.
Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton regulates tumour‐associated macrophage polarization by reprogramming M2 macrophages into M1 macrophages via STAT1/STAT6 pathways
Authors: Chen Wei , Guo Qianyu , Zhang Yi , Liu Qianwen , Zhang Yanan , Zhao Chunfang , Li Xuehui , Bai Xue , Zhang Lei , Shao Suxia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTargeted therapy with tumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) has emerged as a new paradigm for immunotherapy of cervical cancer. Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (Nr‐CWS) for external use is an immunotherapeutic agent. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of Nr‐CWS on TAMs and the potential mechanisms. Cervical tissue samples were collected before and after Nr‐CWS treatment from patients with high‐risk HPV infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The effect of Nr‐CWS on macrophages in vivo was examined by immunohistochemistry and double‐labeling immunofluorescence histochemistry. In vitro experiments were performed using a TAM model established by THP‐1 cells under Nr‐CWS treatment. We found that Nr‐CWS treatment significantly reduced the numbers of total macrophages and M2 macrophages, increased the proportion of M1 macrophages and decreased the proportion of M2 macrophages in cervical tissues. After Nr‐CWS treatment in vitro, the expression levels of the M1 macrophage markers were increased, while the expression levels of the M2 macrophage markers were decreased. Nr‐CWS treatment also activated STAT1 pathways but inhibited STAT6 pathways. These results indicated that Nr‐CWS may improve local immune response and reverse immunosuppression by regulating the M2 to M1 polarization of TAMs via STAT1/STAT6 pathways.
“An unreserved yea‐saying even to suffering”: A skeptical defense of Nietzschean life affirmation
Authors: Mollison James A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAfter examining the problem that gratuitous suffering poses for Nietzsche's notion of life affirmation, I mount a skeptical response to this problem on Nietzsche's behalf. I then consider an orthogonal objection to Nietzschean life affirmation, which argues that the need to justify life is symptomatic of life denial and show how strengthening the skeptical defense sidesteps this worry. Nietzsche's skepticism about our all‐too‐human, epistemic position thus aids his project of life affirmation in two ways. First, it suggests that we are unable to determine reliably whether a given instance of suffering is, in fact, gratuitous. Second, it provides a corrective to the moralistic need to redeem life, showing that all attempts to justify life as a whole are epistemically fraught. Before concluding, I examine Nietzsche's reasons for advancing such an epistemological argument and suggest how we might approach life affirmation in nonrational terms.