bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term variability in the fish assemblage around Japan over the last century and early warning signals of regime shifts
Authors: Tian Yongjun , Fu Caihong , Yatsu Akihiko , Watanabe Yoshiro , Liu Yang , Li Jianchao , Liu Dan , Pang Yumeng , Cheng Jiahua , Ho Ching‐Hsein , Ma Shuyang 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe marine ecosystems around Japan are very productive and have typical wasp‐waist structure dominated by small pelagic fishes such as sardine, exhibiting large low‐frequency fluctuations in biomass. Whereas studies on the variability in abundance of individual species such as sardine and anchovy are popular, only a few studies focused on the long‐term variability of fish assemblage around Japan. In this study, 13 species/taxa ranging from small forage to large predatory species and from warm‐ to cold‐water species were selected to indicate essential characteristics of the fish assemblage and their drivers were analysed based on fishery, oceanographic and climatic data sets from 1901 to 2018. Results show that two outstanding peaks during the 1930s and 1980s were characterized by abundant sardine. Additionally, species composition showed high similarities during similar temperature regimes while exhibiting contrasts during different temperature regimes. Variations and regime shifts in dominant patterns and fish community indices coincided well with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and regional sea surface temperature (SST). Furthermore, gradient forest analysis identified AMO and regional SSTs as most important predictors of dominant patterns and fish community indices, suggesting that the decadal and multidecadal variability in the fish assemblage around Japan was forced by basin‐scale climate variability as inherent in the AMO through its connections with regional SSTs. Autocorrelation coefficient demonstrated that the ecological indicators have the potential to be early warning signals of regime shifts, which suggests the possibility of coming cold regime since around 2015 and has important implications for fisheries management.
Contrasting global patterns and trait controls of major mineral elements in leaf
Authors: Xie Yajun , Li Feng , Xie Yonghong 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAimMultiple mineral elements in leaf are the foundation of plant life and regulate many ecosystem functions. However, whether a common mechanism governs the variations of all leaf mineral elements is still unknown.LocationGlobal.Time period1970–2020. 10.Major taxa studied: Plants.MethodsHere, we demonstrate the global‐scale biogeographic patterns of 12 major mineral elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, aluminium, iron, manganese, sodium, zinc and copper) by compiling a global data set including 2710 records of leaf mineral elements for 1073 species and of associated climate and soil indices.ResultsIn general, like nitrogen and phosphorus, elements including potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and copper in leaf declined towards the equator, which supported both plant physiological hypothesis and soil substrate age hypotheses developed on the basis of nitrogen and phosphorus. By contrast, other elements responded to latitude in a contrary manner as nitrogen and phosphorus, in line with a competing mechanism, temperature–biogeochemistry hypothesis. Besides, plant functional types intrinsically differed in mineral concentrations, and to a certain extent, shifts of their composition in turn exacerbated the latitudinal patterns of respective elements as predicted by the species composition hypothesis.Main conclusionsThe fundamentally different dynamics and control mechanisms of patterns of some elements compared with those of nitrogen and phosphorus challenge the idea that common hypotheses can predict biogeographic patterns across all mineral elements; thus, current paradigms of element biogeochemical models and ecological plant nutrition require revision.
The first 5 years of Helicobacter pylori research—With an emphasis on the United Kingdom
Authors: McNulty Cliodna A. M. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn the 1970s, 1% of the UK population consulted with dyspepsia; fiberoptic gastroscopy allowed biopsy specimens under direct vision enabling systematic histopathology. Steer et al described clusters of flagellated bacteria closely apposed to the gastric epithelium associated with chronic active gastritis. The first UK series of Helicobacter pylori following Marshall's 1983 visit to Worcester confirmed the association of H. pylori with gastritis. UK researchers completed much early helicobacter research as there were many UK campylobacteriologists. Steer and Newell proved the Campylobacter‐like organisms grown on culture were the same as those seen in the gastric mucosa using antiserum raised by inoculating rabbits with H. pylori from cultures. Wyatt, Rathbone, and others showed a strong correlation between the number of organisms, type and severity of acute gastritis, immunological response, and bacterial adhesion similar to enteropathogenic E coli. Seroprevalence studies indicated H. pylori increased with age. Histopathologists also showed peptic duodenitis was in effect “gastritis in the duodenum” caused by H. pylori, unifying its role in the pathogenesis of both gastritis and duodenal ulceration. These bacteria were initially called Campylobacter pyloridis and then C. pylori. However, electron microscopy suggested that the bacteria were not campylobacters, and this was supported by differences in fatty acid and polyacrylamide electrophoresis profiles. In‐vitro tests indicated that H. pylori was susceptible to penicillins, erythromycin, and quinolones, but not trimethoprim or cefsulodin allowing development of selective media for culture. Monotherapy with erythromycin ethylsuccinate was ineffective, and patients treated with bismuth subsalicylate initially responded with clearance of H. pylori and the associated gastritis, but then many relapsed. Thus, pharmacokinetic and treatment studies were important to direct suitable dual and triple treatments. Work optimized serology, and the rapid biopsy urease and urea breath tests. The link between H.pylori and gastric cancer was established in large seroprevalence studies, and H. pylori test and treat for dyspepsia became routine.
The effects of dimethyl fumarate on cytoplasmic LPS‐induced noncanonical pyroptosis in periodontal ligament fibroblasts and dental pulp cells
Authors: Gu Fan , Wu Hailin , Huang Zhuo , Wang Fei , Yang Ruihuan , Bian Zhuan , He Miao 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAimPyroptosis is a type of inflammatory cell death and is related to pulpitis and apical periodontitis. In this study, the aim was to investigate how periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) and dental pulp cells (DPCs) respond to pyroptotic stimuli and explore whether dimethyl fumarate (DMF) could block pyroptosis in PDLFs and DPCs.MethodologyThree methods (stimulation with lipopolysaccharide [LPS] plus nigericin, poly(dA:dT) transfection and LPS transfection) were used to induce pyroptosis in PDLFs and DPCs, two types of fibroblasts related to pulpitis and apical periodontitis. THP‐1 cell was used as a positive control. Afterwards, PDLFs and DPCs were treated with or without DMF before inducing pyroptosis to examine the inhibitory effect of DMF. Pyroptotic cell death was measured by lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, cell viability assays, propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry. The expression levels of cleaved gasdermin D N‐terminal (GSDMD NT), caspase‐1 p20, caspase‐4 p31 and cleaved PARP were examined by immunoblotting. Immunofluorescence analysis was used to detect the cellular distribution of GSDMD NT.ResultsPeriodontal ligament fibroblasts and DPCs were more sensitive to cytoplasmic LPS‐induced noncanonical pyroptosis than to canonical pyroptosis induced by stimulation with LPS priming plus nigericin or by poly(dA:dT) transfection. In addition, treatment with DMF attenuated cytoplasmic LPS‐induced pyroptotic cell death in PDLFs and DPCs. Mechanistically, it was shown that the expression and plasma membrane translocation of GSDMD NT were inhibited in DMF‐treated PDLFs and DPCs.ConclusionsThis study indicates that PDLFs and DPCs are more sensitive to cytoplasmic LPS‐induced noncanonical pyroptosis and that DMF treatment blocks pyroptosis in LPS‐transfected PDLFs and DPCs by targeting GSDMD, suggesting DMF might be a promising drug for the management of pulpitis and apical periodontitis.
Factors associated with poor outcomes in patients with severe acute respiratory infections in Bahrain
Authors: Mohamed Afaf Merza , Al Sayyad Adel , Matar Ebrahim , Isa Hasan M. , Hasan Wafa Fawzi , Hashim Nawra Sayed Jalal Yusuf , Alajaimi Bayan Abduljalil , Aldolabi Qatrmeer 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundSevere acute respiratory tract infection (SARI) is a major global health threat. This study aimed to examine risk factors associated with poor outcomes in patients with SARI.MethodsAll patients who met World Health Organization's (WHO) SARI case definition and were admitted to Salmaniya Medical Complex from January 2018 to December 2021 were included. Epidemiological and virological data were obtained and analyzed.ResultsOf 1159 patients with SARI included, 731 (63.1%) patients were below 50 years, and 357 (30.8%) tested positive for viral pathogens. The most prevalent virus was Flu‐A (n = 134, 37.5%), SARS‐CoV2 (n = 118, 33%), RSV (n = 51, 14.3%), Flu B (n = 49,13.7%), other viruses (n = 3, 0.8%), and combined infection (n = 2, 0.6%). Six hundred fifty‐eight (56.8%) patients had comorbidities, mainly diabetes (n = 284, 43%) and heart disease (n = 217, 33%). 183 (16%) patients were admitted to ICU, 110 (9%) needed mechanical ventilation, and 80 (7%) patients died.The odds of ICU admission were higher for patients with hematological (OR 5.9, 95% CI 3.1–11.1) and lung diseases (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6–4.6). The odds of mechanical ventilation were higher among patients with lung disease (OR 3.1, 95% 1.7–5.5). The mortality odds were higher among patients above 50 (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4–4.1) and chronic kidney disease (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–5.2).ConclusionsBeing 50 years or above or having kidney, lung, or heart diseases was associated with worse SARI outcomes. Efforts and actions in developing better strategies to vaccinate individuals at high risk and early diagnosis and treatment should help in reducing the burden of SARI.
Combating fraudulent returns using blockchain technology
Authors: Liu Zhao , Cai Xiaoqiang , Niu Wenju , Zhang Lianmin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFraudulent returns have become increasingly frequent in the development of online retail platforms, leading to huge losses for retailers. A blockchain‐based system can help eliminate this problem primarily because the data stored in a blockchain network cannot be modified. In this paper, we study the impact of blockchain technology that aims to eliminate fraudulent return behavior on retailers and their upstream suppliers. We develop a game‐theoretic model that comprises a supplier, a retailer, and customers and analyze the equilibrium outcomes. The results show that the retailer would (not) adopt blockchain technology if the efficiency of the supplier's investment in the innovation of its products is high (low). Moreover, if the retailer's loss from the return is low (high), the adoption of blockchain technology decreases (increases) the supplier's investment and the wholesale and retail prices. In terms of its effect on profitability, we reveal that if the fraudulent return losses are high, using blockchain technology always benefits the supplier; otherwise, it increases retailer profitability and supply chain performance but may make the supplier suffer losses in profits. Interestingly, the retailer would adopt blockchain technology to ensure profitability in situations where the number of customers without fraudulent returns and the intensity of losses are low; however, this weakens supplier profitability and meanwhile reduces supply chain performance.
A STUDY OF THE CONTENT OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS' REFERRAL LETTERS TO AN ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Authors: Morrison W G , Pennycook A G 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYA two‐week prospective study was undertaken to assess the quality and content of referral letters from the primary care services to an inner city accident and emergency department. It was found that the majority of letters fell short of commonly accepted minimum standards. A comparison was also made between letters from general practice principals and deputising service doctors. Recommendations for improvement in written communication are discussed.
FATAL PULMONARY FAT EMBOLISM DURING TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT DUE TO HIGH‐PRESSURE CEMENTING TECHNIQUES IN AN OSTEOPOROTIC FEMUR
Authors: Marshall P D , Douglas D L , Henry L 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYHigh‐pressure cementing techniques, involving the use of a cement gun and cement restrictor, placed within the femoral medullary cavity, are commonly used to secure the femoral component of hip arthroplasties. Such techniques have been shown to be important in maintaining the integrity of the bone‐cement interface and also the integrity of the cement itself.1 This case report illustrates that such techniques are not without complications.
FLUVOXAMINE IN THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS. A SERIES OF DOUBLE‐BUND HOSPITAL BASED COMPARATIVE STUDIES CARRIED OUT IN THE UK
Authors: Whitehead A M , Ashford J J 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYA series of double‐blind hospital based studies comparing fluvoxamine with other antidepressants in depressed patients is reviewed. Overall there were no significant differences in terms of efficacy between fluvoxamine and the comparators (amitriptyline, dothiepin, lofepramine and mianserin). Fluvoxamine was shown to be associated with a low incidence of anticholinergic, cardiovascular or sedative effects. This profile of activity, together with low toxicity in overdosage, has established the place of fluvoxamine in the treatment of depressive illness.
COMPARATIVE EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF CEPHRADINE AND CEFUROXIME AXETIL IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE DYSURIA AND/OR FREQUENCY IN GENERAL PRACTICE
Authors: Cooper J , Raeburn A , Brumfitt W , Hamilton‐Miller JMT 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYOne hundred and thirteen patients with dysuria and/or frequency were treated randomly with either 500 mg cephradine 12‐hourly or 125 mg cefuroxime axetil 12‐hourly, for seven days. A total of 71 patients were found to have urinary infection: bacteriological cure rates were 97% one week post‐treatment, and 96% five weeks post‐treatment, for both antibiotics.On direct questioning, adverse events were reported by eight patients out of 59 taking cephradine and by three of 54 who had received cefuroxime axetil. However, only three and one respectively stopped taking the antibiotic due to the adverse event. Analysis of diary cards, completed by 109 patients, showed a significantly higher incidence of increased frequency of bowel movements in those taking cefuroxime axetil. It is concluded that both antibiotics are of equal value in the treatment of simple acute urinary infections in general practice.
CORONARY INTERVENTION: WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Authors: Henderson R A 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYCoronary interventional techniques are used widely in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. With modern dilatation equipment the angiographic success rate of coronary balloon angioplasty may exceed 90%, but complications due to acute coronary occlusion may require emergency coronary artery bypass surgery (2 – 4%), or result in acute myocardial infarction (2 – 5%) or in‐hospital death (0 – 2%). In most patient groups the long‐term outcome of successful coronary angioplasty is good, but restenosis of a successfully dilated stenosis occurs in about 30% of cases, necessitating re‐intervention in a significant proportion of patients.Other interventional methods of treating coronary artery stenosis, including directional and rotational coronary atherectomy, endoluminal stenting, and laser angioplasty, have been used in preliminary clinical studies. The acute results of these techniques are encouraging but the restenosis rate remains high and the long‐term results are uncertain. The results of randomised clinical trials comparing coronary interventional techniques with alternative treatment methods are awaited.
HYPOTHALAMO‐PITUITARY‐ADRENAL AXIS SUPPRESSION IN ASTHMATIC ADULTS TAKING HIGH DOSE BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE
Authors: Brown P H , Greening A P , Crompton G K 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYInhaled corticosteroids control symptoms of chronic asthma in most patients. Use of drugs such as beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and budesonide is being encouraged as the importance of airways inflammation in asthma is increasingly appreciated. Beclomethasone dipropionate is used in doses of up to 2000 μg daily (equivalent to eight puffs of Beclorforte inhaler) and the Data Sheet warns that systemic absorption sufficient to cause suppression of the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis may occur in some patients taking 2000 μg. HPA suppression to an extent which is clinically relevant has not been reported in asthmatic adults taking lower doses of BDP. We report six cases of HPA hypofunction occurring in patients on long‐term treatment with BDP, in a dose of 1500 μg daily. Patients taking BDP in a dose of 1500 μg daily might be at risk of adrenal crisis and should carry steroid cards unless HPA function has been assessed and found normal.
EXERCISE IN POST INFARCT REHABILITATION
Authors: Bethell H J N 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYIn 1957, Hellerstein and Ford1 defined rehabilitation as ‘the process by which a patient is returned realistically to his greatest physical, mental, social, vocational and economic usefulness and, if employable, is provided an opportunity for gainful employment in a competitive industrial world’. They stressed the importance of starting the rehabilitation process ‘at the moment the patient is first stricken with his disease’, of mobilising the patient as soon as is practical and of paying close attention to the emotional as well as physical consequences of the attack. They believed that 80% of the aftercare of cardiac patients could be managed by the ‘private physician’ and only a minority required the attention of a specialist team.The time scale used in 1957 (three to four weeks in hospital) was rather different to the one we use today, but otherwise most of what he suggested then has scarcely been improved upon since. In 1968 Hellerstein2 went on to describe the physical training programme he had devised to improve the fitness of ‘habitually lazy, hypokinetic, sloppy, endomesomorphic over‐weight males’ who were the usual victims of myocardial infarction. He wished to ‘add life to years and perhaps add years to life’. The conclusions from his original study were that ‘an active intervention programme of conditioning including exercise, weight reduction, diet therapy, and cessation of smoking is feasible, reasonably acceptable and appears to be of benefit in the treatment of coronary heart disease’.
CAN SELECTION OF MEDICAL STAFF BE IMPROVED?
Authors: Barber S G , Rodd J 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYSelection procedures for medical staff have been reviewed. Much can be learnt from industrial practices, including the adoption of ‘person specifications’, improved references, structured interviews and training for interviewers. Possible supplementation with personality assessments is discussed. The clinical (and financial) importance of appointing the best candidate increased with the seniority of the post.
PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM AND RENAL CELL CARCINOMA IN AN ELDERLY PATIENT: A RARE ASSOCIATION
Authors: Safe A F , Cooper S 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYA case of an elderly female patient, presented with a rare association of primary hyperparathyroidism and renal cell carcinoma, is reported. As a common finding in the elderly, the patient had mild hypercalcaemia for many years but she developed several complications from untreated hyperparathyroidism. The mechanisms of malignant hypercalcaemia are discussed and the importance of properly investigating and managing symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism in the elderly is emphasised.
PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL THROMBOSIS RELATED TO COMMERCIAL AIRLINE FLIGHTS: ANOTHER MANIFESTATION OF THE ECONOMY CLASS SYNDROME
Authors: Teenan R P , McKay A J 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYVenous thromboembolism is a well recognised complication of air travel, particularly on long haul flights.1,2 This has been attributed to relative immobility in cramped surroundings and to dehydration secondary to alcohol consumption and low cabin humidity.3,4Under these conditions thrombosis at other sites would be expected, and indeed myocardial ischaemia is the commonest emergency in commercial flights. Peripheral arterial thrombosis, however, is not reported, even in comprehensive reviews of flying related medical emergencies.5 We report on three patients who developed acute lower limb ischaemia following long haul air flights.
USE OF THE HICKMAN CATHETER FOR CENTRAL VENOUS ACCESS IN PATIENTS WITH HAEMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS
Authors: Mullan F J , Hood J M , Barros D'Sa A A B 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYHickman catheters were inserted for access in the management of 70 patients with haematological disorders. Twelve patients received a second and one patient a third catheter. The resultant 16,283 catheter‐day experience is reviewed. The complication rate was 0.28 per 100 catheter days. Sepsis in the form of catheter‐related septicaemia (CRS) and exit site infection was responsible for 72% of complications. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the commonest organism isolated from cases of CRS. Patients receiving broad spectrum antibiotics on the day of catheter insertion were significantly less prone to catheter failure due to CRS or exit site infection (P =0.008). The Hickman catheter is a useful and reliable method of maintaining central venous access, but prospective randomised trials are required to evaluate the role of prophylactic antibiotics in reducing the incidence of CRS.
PROPHYLACTIC DRAINAGE OF CHOLECYSTECTOMY: ANALYSIS OF CURRENT VIEWS
Authors: Borghol M 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYDespite extensive literature on the merits of prophylactic drainage of cholecystectomy this issue remains extremely controversial. According to tradition most surgeons feel safer placing a drain either routinely or selectively in the gallbladder fossa.1 On the other hand, some surgeons do not employ drainage at all and even advise against it. If the data in the literature is carefully and critically analysed, no superiority of a particular practice can be concluded with certainty; however, conclusions are often misleading as they usually reflect opinions rather than facts based on data. This article does not attempt to condemn drainage or non‐drainage, but rather draws attention to the fact that opinions in this respect have been largely based on equivocal data or invalid conclusions.
ILEAL HAEMANGIOPERICYTOMA AND VON RECKLINGHAUSEN'S DISEASE
Authors: Neilly P J D , Cooper G G , O'Hara M D , McGrady B J 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYHaemangiopericytoma is an uncommon tumour of vascular pericytes which usually arises in deep subcutaneous tissues or the retroperioneum.1 There are few reports in the English literature of haemangiopericytoma arising in the ileum.2 Von Recklinghausen's disease, a condition of autosomal dominant inheritance with a prevalence of 1 in 3000, is often associated with tumours of neural origin.3 Tumours of non‐neural origin also occur in Von Recklinghausen's disease but haemangiopericytoma has not been described. We report on a patient with Von Recklinghausen's disease presenting with massive haemorrhage from an ileal haemangiopericytoma.