bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility of the 6‐Min Walk Test for Assessing Physical Performance in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients
Authors: Mäenpää Heidi , Ojala Tiina , Tainio Juuso , Arokoski Jari , Jahnukainen Timo 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundPhysical performance capacity (PPC) of pediatric heart transplant (HT) recipients is reportedly low to normal, and longitudinal follow‐up of these patients is recommended. However, no recommendation for a follow‐up method is available. In this study, the correlation between the 6‐min walk test (6MWT), various clinical parameters, and a physical performance test set was evaluated to develop a simple follow‐up tool for PPC.MethodsFifteen pediatric HT patients and 392 historical controls were tested at a median age of 15.4 years. PPC was tested with a 6MWT and a physical performance test set consisting of six different components assessing muscle endurance, strength, speed, and flexibility.ResultsControls outperformed recipients across all test domains except the leg lift and sit‐and‐reach test. The 6MWT distance correlated well with the physical performance test set results; the correlations were with leg lift (rs = 0.622, p = <0.05), repeated squatting (rs = 0.851, p = <0.001, sit‐up (rs = 0.738, p = <0.05), back extension (rs = 0.747, p ≤ 0.001), and total physical performance capacity (rs = 0.873, p = <0.001). Indexed 6MWT results or total physical performance capacity set had no statistically significant associations with any of the clinical parameters tested.ConclusionOur study supports recent findings suggesting that the 6MWT is a suitable method for longitudinal follow‐up in children with HT. We recommend performing the 6MWT annually in these patients, to be used to motivate and encourage them to enhance their physical activity.
Safety and effectiveness in an uncontrolled setting of glucagon‐like‐peptide‐1 receptor agonists in patients with familial partial lipodystrophy: Real‐life experience from a national reference network
Authors: Lamothe Sophie , Belalem Ines , Vantyghem Marie‐Christine , Nobecourt Estelle , Mosbah Héléna , Béliard Sophie , Delemer Brigitte , Dupuis Hippolyte , Vandenbroere Paul , Scheyer Nicolas , Amouyal Chloé , Hadjadj Samy , Janmaat Sonja , Vigouroux Corinne , Vatier Camille 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAimTo describe the effects of Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RA) in patients with familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) assessed in a real‐life setting in a national reference network.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively collected clinical and metabolic parameters in patients with FPLD in the French lipodystrophy reference network, who initiated GLP‐1RA. Data were recorded before, at one‐year (12 ± 6 months) and at the latest follow‐up on GLP‐1RA therapy (≥18 months).ResultsSeventy‐six patients (89.4% of women), diagnosed with LMNA‐related FPLD2 (n = 57), PPARG‐related FPLD3 (n = 4), PLIN1‐related FPLD4 (n = 5) or FPLD1 (n = 10) initiated GLP‐1RA therapy between 2008 and 2024. Patients were aged a median (IQR) 48 years (34.5–57), body mass index (BMI) was 26.0 kg/m2 (23.9–29.5), HbA1c 8.3% (7.5–9.3), triglycerides 2.31 mmol/L (1.62–3.88). GLP‐1RA were used in addition to previously used antidiabetics, 50% of patients being insulin‐treated. After one year with GLP‐1RA therapy, BMI, HbA1c and triglycerides significantly decreased to 25.6 kg/m2 (22.7–29.1), 7.3% (6.6–8.3) and 1.97 mmol/L (1.5–3.2) respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively), without significant changes in other antidiabetic and lipid‐lowering drugs. Gamma‐glutamyl‐transferase and alanine‐aminotransferase levels also significantly decreased. Effects on HbA1c, BMI and triglycerides persisted in the long term. One case of acute pancreatitis occurred during follow‐up, associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia in a non‐observant patient. Gastrointestinal symptoms affected 34% of patients, leading to GLP‐1RA withdrawal in six patients.ConclusionGLP‐1RA significantly improved BMI, HbA1c and triglycerides in a large majority of patients with FPLD. Larger and prospective controlled studies are warranted for identification of predictive factors and safety.
Altered fibrin clot properties and elevated von Willebrand factor are associated with progression to permanent atrial fibrillation: A cohort study
Authors: Nowak Karol Witold , Zabczyk Michal , Natorska Joanna , Polak Maciej , Zalewski Jaroslaw , Undas Anetta 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundThe role of a prothrombotic state in atrial fibrillation (AF) progression to permanent arrythmia (PerAF) is unclear. Formation of denser and poorly lysable fibrin clots has been observed in AF patients also with sinus rhythm in association with higher stroke risk. We investigated whether altered fibrin clot properties and other prothrombotic state markers may contribute to AF transition to PerAF.MethodsIn the cohort study, in 226 anticoagulated patients (median age 69 years, median CHA2DS2‐VASc of 3) with paroxysmal (n = 83, 36.7%) or persistent (n = 143, 63.3%) AF, we assessed at baseline plasma clot permeability (Ks), clot lysis time (CLT), proteins involved in fibrinolysis and von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen. We recorded patients with PerAF during a median follow‐up of 58 months.ResultsDuring follow‐up, PerAF was documented in 62 (27.4%, 5.7%/year) subjects, who had higher prevalence of heart failure, higher body mass index and longer history of arrhythmia. AF transition to PerAF was associated with 25.7% longer CLT in relation to 21.3% higher plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, and 29% higher vWF compared to the remainder, with no differences in Ks, plasminogen or α2‐antiplasmin. By multivariable analysis, CLT (per 10 min, odds ratio [OR] 2.734, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.788–4.180, p < .001), vWF (per 10%, OR 1.352, 95% CI 1.145–1.596, p < .001) and heart failure (OR 2.637, 95% CI 1.008–6.900, p = .048) were associated with progression to PerAF.ConclusionSuppressed fibrin clot susceptibility to lysis and elevated vWF could contribute to progression to PerAF despite anticoagulation, which suggests links between blood coagulation and AF progression.
High Capacity for Physiological Plasticity Occurs at a Slow Rate in Ectotherms
Authors: Burton Tim , Einum Sigurd 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTPhenotypic plasticity enables organisms to express a phenotype that is optimal in their current environment. The ability of organisms to obtain the optimum phenotype is determined by their (i) capacity for plasticity, which facilitates phenotypic adjustment corresponding to the amplitude of environmental change but also their (ii) rate of plasticity, because this determines if the expressed phenotype lags behind changes in the optimum. How the rate of‐ and capacity for plasticity have co‐evolved will thus be critical for the resilience of organisms under different patterns of environmental change. To evaluate the direction of the evolved relationship between plasticity rate and capacity, we reanalysed experiments documenting the time course of thermal tolerance acclimation to temperature change across species of ectothermic animals. We found that the rate and capacity with which thermal tolerance responds plastically to temperature change are negatively correlated, a pattern inconsistent with current theory regarding the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.
Seasonal Variation in Responses of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus nigricans) Caught During Live‐Release Angling Tournaments
Authors: Hay Allison A. , Oller Reagan E. , Glomb Jackson C. , Suski Cory D. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTTraditional live‐release tournament practices can influence habitat selection and cause displacement, stockpiling, and mortality. Tournaments are held in multiple seasons in a variety of environmental conditions, yet the seasonal influence on post‐release behavior has rarely been studied. To quantify dispersal, habitat selection, and mortality of largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) caught in live‐release tournaments in multiple seasons, movements of tournament‐caught largemouth bass and non‐angled controls implanted with acoustic telemetry tags were monitored from April–September for 2 months. Short‐term stockpiling at the release point averaged 5–7 days and differed minimally among seasons. Mortality rates varied among seasons, in contrast, with nearly 12‐fold higher mortality in late‐season tournaments at higher water temperatures. If tournament pressure is intense enough, populations could be negatively impacted, thereby necessitating management actions to reduce tournament impacts over the longer term.
Developing, Piloting and Evaluating a Patient Support Portal for Men With Prostate Cancer in Victoria: An Action Research Study
Authors: Shemesh Benjamin , Opie Jacinta L. , Dunn Rodney L. , Mclaughlin Garth , Argawal Vivek , Pomery Amanda , Manus Chris Mac , O'Brien Colin , Lewis Katrina , Shub Max , Wilton Paula , Satasivam Prassannah , Evans Melanie , Millar Jeremy , Evans Sue M. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionMen with prostate cancer (PCa) and their support providers face challenges in accessing high‐quality, impartial information tailored to their specific needs to enhance their overall care and decision‐making. We describe the development, piloting and evaluation of the co‐designed web portal ‘BroSupPORT’.MethodsIT teams developed and integrated BroSupPORT into the Victorian Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry (PCOR‐Vic) electronic patient‐reported outcome follow‐up process. A comparator tool was built enabling men to compare their patient‐reported outcome results against men of similar age, risk profile and after the same treatment. PCOR‐Vic participants were invited to access BroSupPORT after 12 months of follow‐up patient‐reported outcome measure completion. Factors associated with consent to BroSupPORT were determined using logistic regression. Portal access data were gathered from PCOR‐Vic data extracts and Google Analytics. A survey on portal exit and 2 weeks after consent was used to collect feedback.ResultsOver a 4‐month pilot, 331/583 (57%) men consented to accessing BroSupPORT. Among those men who accessed the portal, the majority (209/331 =63%) were diagnosed in a private hospital and resided in a major city (214/331=65%). On average, men spent 3:20 min on the portal, with sexual function aspects receiving the most attention. Twenty‐three percent of men revisited the portal during the pilot. Most men found the portal easy to use, reassuring and informative, while 9% found the patient‐reported comparisons difficult to interpret.ConclusionA patient portal—enabling men to compare their patient‐reported outcomes with other similar men and providing access to information and resources—may be a scalable solution in addressing the complex supportive care needs of men with PCa on a population basis.
Between social integration, incorporation and exclusion: Perceptions of Eritrean forced migrants and Israeli professionals
Authors: Lev Ari Lilach , Herscovici Arie 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThis research focuses on various social integration patterns, as perceived by both Eritrean asylum seekers and professionals from NGOs and the Tel Aviv municipality who assist them. The study explores various theoretical concepts such as social exclusion, adaptation, incorporation, and integration in the context of migrants' interaction with the host society. These concepts traditionally suggest a linear progression; however, our findings indicate a more complex and dynamic social process. This is exemplified by the “differential exclusion model”: Namely, a situation where immigrants are incorporated into specific sectors of society but are excluded from others. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study involved semi‐structured interviews with 10 Eritrean asylum seekers and 11 Israeli professionals. The main findings indicate that due to help from professionals who work with them and other Israeli friends or employers, the Eritreans' sense of belonging‐feeling “at home,” is rather strong. However, Eritrean social networks appear to be quite loose and weak, and the strength of their community seems to have lost its leaders to other host countries, according to both Eritrean and professional perceptions. Although Tel Aviv serves as a partial resettlement “world city,” maintaining the differential exclusion model policy, as perceived by both groups of interviewees, the broader Israeli government policy offers even fewer opportunities for social integration. Given the prolonged state of uncertainty faced by this forced migrant community, the study concludes that it is imperative for they will be granted formal legal status, which might facilitate better social integration and inclusion for Eritrean asylum seekers and their children in Tel Aviv or Israel.
IL‐6 Signalling to Responding T Cells Is Key to Calcitonin Gene‐Related Peptide‐Exposed Endothelial Cell Enhancement of Th17 Immunity During Langerhans Cell Antigen Presentation
Authors: Ding Wanhong , Moattari Cameron , Stohl Lori L. , Wagner John A. , Zhou Xi K. , Granstein Richard D. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTCalcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) biases Langerhans cell (LC) Ag presentation to CD4+ T cells towards Th17‐type immunity through actions on endothelial cells (ECs). We now report further evidence that IL‐6 signalling at responding T cells mediates this effect. This CGRP effect was absent with ECs from IL‐6 KO mice. Exposure of LCs, but not T cells, to IL‐6 enhanced IL‐6 and IL‐17A production and reduced IFN‐γ in the T‐cell response. Pretreatment of LCs with IL‐6 receptor α‐chain (IL‐6Rα) antibodies prior to IL‐6 exposure significantly inhibited these responses. However, T‐cell pretreatment with an IL‐6/IL‐6Rα chimera mimicked the effect of IL‐6 pretreatment of LCs on T‐cell responses. When this experiment was performed in the presence of the ADAM17 and ADAM10 inhibitor TAPI‐1 during LC pretreatment of LCs and during the Ag presentation culture, release of soluble IL‐6Rα chains into the medium was very significantly reduced, but this did not affect levels of T‐cell cytokine release. Interestingly, LC exposure to IL‐6 significantly increased LC IL‐6 expression. Furthermore, pretreatment of T cells with antibodies against the IL‐6 receptor β‐chain significantly inhibited the IL‐6 effect. CGRP may stimulate ECs in lymphatics and/or lymph nodes to produce IL‐6 which likely results in migrating LCs nonclassically presenting IL‐6. Furthermore, we found that IL‐6 induces IL‐6 production by LCs, suggesting an autocrine amplification pathway for this effect.
The K$K$‐prize‐collecting coverage problem by aligned disks
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zheng Xiya , Liu Zhonghao , Liu Xiaofei 
Published: January 2025

AbstractIn this paper, we study the ‐prize‐collecting coverage problem by using aligned disks. Suppose is a set of users, is a horizontal line on the plane, and is a set of points on the line , where each user corresponds to a coordinate point, with an associated profit and an uncovered penalty. The problem is to select a set of disks whose centers are all in such that the total profit of the users covered by is at least , and the objective value, which consists of the total cost of the disks in plus the total penalty of the uncovered users in , is minimized, where the cost of disk is , is an attenuation factor, is the radius of disk , and is a given profit bound. We first prove that this problem is ‐hard even when all users are located on line , and the penalty of each user is 0. We present a pseudo‐polynomial‐time algorithm. Finally, we present a fully polynomial time approximation scheme for the problem.
Analysis of Social Genetic Effects on Pigs Fed With Automatic Feeders Using a Visit‐Based Approach
Authors: Nuñez P. , Casto‐Rebollo C. , Negro S. , Gol S. , Reixach J. , Varona L. , Casellas J. , Ibáñez‐Escriche N. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTSocial behaviour traits and their impact on feed efficiency are of particular interest in pig farming. The integration of automatic feeders enables the collection of multiple phenotypes for breeding purposes. The additive genetic and social genetic effect can be estimated considering all the visits to the feeder by modelling each visit independently in a ‘visit‐based approach’. This study aimed to determine the impact of the social genetic effect on individual feed intake and duration per visit in Pietrain pigs and Iberian pigs separately. The dataset comprised 883,906 visits from 1608 Pietrain pigs and 775,054 visits from 856 Iberian pigs. In the Pietrain population, the social genetic effects did not explain a substantial percentage of the phenotypic variance (~1%). In contrast, the Iberian population exhibited more substantial contributions, with social genetic effects accounting for 6.2% of the variance in duration per visit and 5.5% in feed intake per visit. The correlations between additive direct genetic and additive social genetic effects were slightly positive for feed intake across all analyses, and around zero for duration per visit with most of them including the zero in the highest posterior density interval (HPD95%). These weak correlations suggest that both effects could be selected independently. The visit‐based approach successfully identified social genetic effects in the studied populations. Models incorporating social genetic effects demonstrated lower residual variance, enhancing the accuracy of additive values and, consequently, the potential for an improved response to selection.
Global Patterns in the Allocation of Forest Net Primary Production
Authors: Lu Xiancheng , Chung Chi‐Hsin , Malhi Yadvinder , Huang Cho‐ying 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTAimEnvironmental factors that govern the allocation of net primary production (NPP) between long‐lived components (wood) and short‐lived components (leaves, fine roots) are poorly understood yet essential when relating NPP to carbon stocks, especially among different plant functional types. We conducted a spatially synoptic analysis to investigate the relationships between NPP allocation and climate at the global scale. We ask a fundamental question in forest ecology and terrestrial carbon science: What environmental drivers influence NPP allocation?LocationGlobal forests (64.21 N–41.53 S).TaxonTrees.MethodsWe investigated the relationships between field forest NPP data (n = 131) and 31 bioclimatic, meteorological, geographical, topographic and vegetation variables using machine learning.ResultsThese environmental variables accounted for 94%, 93% and 85% of the variation in canopy, woody and fine‐root NPP fractions, respectively. Most of the important predictors were temperature‐related. Allocation to the canopy was facilitated by warm and stable climates. In contrast, woody and fine‐root carbon growth could endure cold and extreme temperatures.Main ConclusionsOur analysis suggested that the most important drivers were annual mean (e.g. high canopy and fine‐root NPP ratios in favourable climates), variation and extreme (e.g. significant woody and fine‐root NPP ratios where light‐ and nutrient‐limited) of temperatures. Overall, most carbon was stored in woody tissue and in a constant proportion to the canopy, which could be explained by allometric scaling and resource availability. Our results pointed to a ‘root‐wood’ trade‐off rather than the previously prevailing ‘root‐leaf’ trade‐off, but may vary regionally. For example, regarding particular plant functional types, ‘wood‐leaf’ and ‘root‐leaf’ were only evident in broadleaved and coniferous forests, respectively, to adapt to climates and compete for resources. Knowing the relationships between NPP allocation and the environment, we could assess forest carbon cycle dynamics in the face of climate change.
Women's Lives and Birth Experiences Are Important! Evaluation of Women's Perceptions of Respectful Maternal Care: The Mother‐Friendly Hospital Difference
Authors: Dağlı Elif , Aktaş Reyhan Feyza , Uncu Betül 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTAimThe aim of this study is to determine women's perceptions of respectful maternity care, the effect of giving birth in a mother‐friendly hospital on this perception and other factors affecting this perception.BackgroundThe philosophy of a mother‐friendly hospital includes respectful maternity care. Few quantitative studies have been conducted in Turkey to assess the prevalence of respectful maternity care during childbirth and none have examined the difference between respectful maternity care in mother‐friendly and nonmother‐friendly hospitals.MethodsThis descriptive and comparative study was conducted between December 2023 and September 2024 with 319 primiparous women who applied to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of a mother‐friendly and a nonmother‐friendly hospital in Turkey for postpartum follow‐up. The data were collected face‐to‐face using the Descriptive Characteristics Form and Women's Perception of Respectful Maternity Care Scale. For data analysis, χ2 and independent samples t test methods were used in SPSS 26 program.ResultsIn the study, a significant difference was obtained between the Perception of Respectful Maternity Care Scale scores of women according to the type of hospital where the birth was performed and the level of education (p < 0.05). The mean scale scores of women who gave birth in a mother‐friendly hospital and whose educational level was secondary education and above were higher than other women (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the scale scores of women according to the variables of age, employment status, place of residence, number of pregnancies and the last pregnancy being planned (p > 0.05).Conclusions and Implications for PracticeIt was determined that women's perception of respectful maternity care was highly positive, and the factors affecting this perception were delivery in a mother‐friendly hospital and educational level. The current study may contribute to the development of policies for the dissemination of mother‐friendly practices and the provision of respectful birth services, and may also support efforts to improve the quality of care.
Sequential Pre‐Treatment Strategies to Improve Papaya Drying: Impact on Mass Transfer, Morphology, and Rehydration Rate
Authors: de Lima Thalis Leandro Bezerra , Santos Newton Carlos , Almeida Raphael Lucas Jacinto , Monteiro Shênia Santos , Figueira Julianna Gomes da Silva , do Bomfim Katiane Araújo , Pasquali Matheus Augusto de Bittencourt , Gomes Josivanda Palmeira , Rocha Ana Paula Trindade 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTPapaya cubes were subjected to freezing–thawing, ethanol, and ethanol solution containing ferulic acid and caffeic acid, both individually and in combination, as pre‐treatments for convective drying (60°C). Empirical and diffusional models were used to describe the drying process. In addition, energy consumption, firmness, total phenolic compounds (TPC), carotenoids, water adsorption isotherms, morphology, and the rehydration profile of the dehydrated cubes were also evaluated. The results revealed that all pre‐treatments reduced drying time, ranging between 810 and 1170 min, and energy consumption (6.80–12.77 kWh/kg). According to the mass transfer models, effective diffusivity (1.37–5.18 × 10−10 m/s2) and convective mass transfer coefficient (1.04–3.11 × 10−5 m/s) were significantly influenced by process conditions. The combined pre‐treatments, particularly sequential freezing–thawing with ferulic acid solution (S8), significantly enhanced the retention of bioactive compounds in the dehydrated papaya cubes, achieving TPC and carotenoid levels 4.2 and 2.8 times higher than the control, respectively. Regarding water adsorption isotherms, the Peleg model showed the best fit (R2 > 0.9972, p < 1.76%), being classified as Type II. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the dried samples revealed the formation of cavities and irregular surfaces due to the pre‐treatments, which significantly influenced the increase in rehydration rate, resulting in faster moisture absorption and the restoration of initial texture and volume.