bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Late Cretaceous–Paleogene terrestrial sequence in the northern Kitakami Mountains, Northeast Japan: Depositional ages, clay mineral contents, and vitrinite reflectance
Authors: Noda Atsushi , Morimoto Kazuya , Takahashi Koji U. , Danhara Tohru , Iwano Hideki , Hirata Takafumi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractForearc basin deposits on continental margins contain important information that can be used to reconstruct the tectonic setting, volcanism, and climate at the time of their deposition. Coal‐bearing terrestrial to shallow marine strata in Northeast Japan were deposited in a forearc basin along the Eurasian continental margin during the Cretaceous–Paleogene. The rocks exposed in the Kado district, Iwate Prefecture, in the northern Kitakami Mountains include the Upper Cretaceous Yokomichi Formation and the Paleogene Kogawa Group; the latter is known for high‐quality refractory clay (kaolin clay). However, their stratigraphy and sedimentological characteristics are not yet fully understood. To reconstruct the formation and filling of the basin, we investigated field observations, U–Pb dating of tuff samples, XRD analysis of tuff and mudstone samples, and vitrinite reflectance of coal samples in this sequence. The U–Pb ages of the Yokomichi Formation and the Kogawa Group are ∼86 Ma and 58–52 Ma, respectively. The U–Pb age of the kaolin‐dominated tuffaceous rock (“red rocks”) is 56.1 ± 0.2 Ma. The mean random vitrinite reflectance (VRr) ranges from 0.37% to 0.53% through the sequence. We propose the following sequence for the formation and filling of the basin. (1) The basin initially formed during the Coniacian–Santonian (Late Cretaceous) and was filled by fluvial–lacustrine sediment. (2) These sediments kept the shallow burial depths during a ∼28 Myr and made a hiatus (86–58 Ma). (3) The basin was reactivated and covered by tuffs during the Thanetian, and the tuffs were altered to kaolin clay during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum. (4) The basin was filled rapidly by alluvial fan deposits and subsided <2300 m (assuming a geothermal gradient of >30 K/km). (5) The basin was uplifted and exhumed at a rate of >50 m/Myr faster than the mean exhumation rate of the Kitakami Mountains since the Paleogene.
Trophic level and specialization moderate effects of habitat loss and landscape diversity on cavity‐nesting bees, wasps and their parasitoids
Authors: Klaus Felix , Tscharntke Teja , Grass Ingo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHabitat loss is a primary driver of biodiversity decline, but differences in species responses to habitat loss from local to landscape scales are poorly understood.Trophic level, food and habitat specialization have been suggested to be important predictors of species responses to habitat loss, landscape diversity and landscape scale.Using cavity‐nesting communities of bees, wasps and their parasitoids on calcareous grasslands as a model system allowed us to compare responses of species differing regarding their trophic level, and degree of specialization on habitat and food.We found that species from higher trophic levels experienced semi‐natural habitat at larger spatial scales than those of lower trophic levels, but only, when they were generalists (abundance of bees, 150 m radius, vs. wasps feeding on herbivores, 450 m radius), not specialists (bees, 150 m, vs. bee parasitoids, 150 m).Parasitoids, which are typically more specialized regarding their food resources (hosts), compared to predators such as predatory wasps, responded to habitat loss at the same spatial scales as their hosts, suggesting strong bottom‐up effects of resource availability, that is, host availability driving parasitoid abundance.Bees were mostly habitat specialists of calcareous grasslands and mainly driven by local habitat loss, whereas wasps as habitat generalists were mostly affected by landscape diversity.Our study highlights the need to consider the different spatial scales contingent on trophic level and specialization of target species groups, maintaining or restoring both local habitat and landscape diversity, as this is needed for their successful conservation.
Transparent silicone‐free shampoo containing proteins with strong hair conditioning properties
Authors: Li Ping , Zhang Tongtong , Zhao Shizhi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjectiveWith the constant upgrading of healthcare concepts, silicone‐free hair products have attracted more attention among consumers. In the present study, transparent silicone‐free shampoo containing proteins was successfully fabricated by mixing mild non‐sulphate surfactants, compound cationic conditioners, natural silicone oil substitutes, protein conditioners, thickeners, and other auxiliary ingredients. The effects of the type of surfactants, hair conditioners and thickeners, the type and content of proteins, and the mass ratio of compound proteins on the hair foaming performance, hair grooming performance, and penetration performance were investigated.MethodsThe basic formulation framework for transparent silicone‐free shampoo was established at first. Then, various hydrolyzed proteins were further added to the basic formulation in the form of single use or compound use to prepare transparent silicone‐free shampoo containing different proteins. The morphology of hair samples and penetration of protein in hair were evaluated with a scanning electron microscope and laser confocal fluorescence microscopy, respectively. And the hair grooming performance was also determined by a dynamic combing tester.ResultsThe compound proteins of Croquat WKP PE‐LQ‐WD and Gluadin® Kera‐PLM with mass ratios of 1:9 and 1:1 at 2 wt% total protein content added to the silicone‐free shampoo brought a higher contact angle and a lower frictional coefficient than commercial silicone‐free shampoo without proteins. In addition, the compound proteins also have the dual effect of adsorbing the hair surface and penetrating deep into the interior of the hair.ConclusionThe combination of cationic modified hydrolyzed protein (e.g., Croquat WKP PE‐LQ‐WD) and hydrolyzed protein with low molecular weight (e.g., Gluadin® Kera‐P LM) at an appropriate mass ratio exhibited a strong synergistic effect on hair conditioning properties. It could provide a significant reference for developing silicone‐free hair products with more benefits.
Correlation analysis of IL‐37 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic HBV infection among Han people in Central China
Authors: Cheng Hai , Sun Fenglan , Ouyang Yaoling , Li Chengbin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) is responsible for various liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which pose a significant threat to human health. An ineffective immune response to HBV can result in viral chronicity. Interleukin‐37 (IL‐37), an immunomodulator, is capable of inhibiting both innate and adaptive immune responses. It is believed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL‐37 gene could contribute to the regulation of HBV clearance. Our aim to conduct this study was to investigate whether SNPs in the IL‐37 gene were associated with the risk of chronic HBV infection in adults. A total of 342 participants, consisting of 171 cases and 171 controls, were recruited for this study. Sanger sequencing was employed for genotyping six SNPs (rs3811042 G/A, rs3811043 G/C, rs2466449 A/G, rs3811045 C/T, rs3811046 T/G and rs3811047G/A). There was no significant difference in allele and genotype distribution between the two groups, and the constructed haplotypes were not found to be associated with the risk of chronic HBV infection. Our results revealed that there was no relationship between these six SNPs (rs3811042G/A, rs3811043G/C, rs2466449A/G, rs3811045C/T, rs3811046T/G and rs3811047G/A) in the IL‐37 gene and susceptibility to chronic HBV infection among Han people in Central China.
Boardroom backscratching and stock price crash risk
Authors: Hanlon Dean , Khedmati Mehdi , Lim Edwin KiaYang , Truong Cameron 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe empirically capture boardroom backscratching, or cronyism, as when a firm's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and directors concurrently receive excessive remuneration. We argue that boardroom backscratching can inhibit a board's constructive criticism and monitoring, resulting in a greater likelihood of bad news hoarding. Using 14,104 US firm‐year observations spanning 1999–2020, we document a significant positive relationship between boardroom backscratching and stock price crash risk. In additional analyses, we show that boardroom backscratching firms produce less readable annual reports and engage in greater upward real earnings management as channels for concealing bad news. We also find that external monitoring mechanisms weaken the positive association between boardroom backscratching and stock price crash risk. Our main findings withstand several endogeneity tests including propensity score matching, entropy balancing, difference‐in‐differences analysis using firms’ commencement of boardroom backscratching and CEO turnover event analysis. Our study offers insights to securities regulators and policymakers to revisit the notion of board independence, develop relevant market oversight and revise director and executive remuneration disclosure requirements so as to mitigate adverse stock market performance associated with boardroom backscratching.
Current and novel percutaneous epicardial access techniques for electrophysiological interventions: A comparison of procedural success and safety
Authors: Tonko Johanna B. , Lambiase Pier D. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAccessing the pericardial space safely and efficiently is an important skill for interventional cardiac electrophysiologist. With the increased recognition of the complexity of the 3‐dimensional arrhythmogenic substrate due to advances in imaging and mapping technologies there has been an expansion of epicardial procedures in recent years. Equally, minimally invasive implantation of epicardial pacing, cardiac resynchronization, or defibrillation leads is expanding in specific patients where transvenous systems are contraindicated or their long term sequelae should be ideally avoided. Selective delivery of intrapericardial pharmacological antiarrhythmic therapy is yet another potential indication, albeit still investigational. The expanding indications for percutaneous epicardial procedures is contrasted by the still substantial risk and challenges associated with accessing the pericardial space. Myocardial perforation, coronary artery laceration, and damage to the surrounding organs are all recognized and feared complications. A number of innovative epicardial access techniques have been proposed to overcome the difficulties and risks of traditional dry subxiphoid punctures and may allow for more widespread use of epicardial access in the future. We review 10 different established and novel subxiphoidal epicardial access techniques describing procedural success rates, safety profile and overall experience. The technical aspects as well as access times and costs for extra equipment will be reviewed. Finally, an outlook of reported preclinical techniques awaiting in‐human feasibility studies is provided.
Effects of the Informed Health Choices secondary school intervention on the ability of students in Rwanda to think critically about health choices: A cluster‐randomized trial
Authors: Mugisha Michael , Nyirazinyoye Laetitia , Simbi Clarisse Marie Claudine , Chesire Faith , Senyonga Ronald , Oxman Matt , Nsangi Allen , Semakula Daniel , Rose Christopher James , Moberg Jenny , Dahlgren Astrid , Kaseje Margaret , Lewin Simon , Sewankambo Nelson K. , Rosenbaum Sarah , Oxman Andrew D 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimThe aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of the Informed Health Choices intervention on the ability of students in Rwandan to think critically and make Informed Health Choices.MethodsWe conducted a two‐arm cluster‐randomized trial in 84 lower secondary schools from 10 districts representing five provinces of Rwanda. We used stratified randomization to allocate schools to the intervention or control. One class in each intervention school had ten 40‐min lessons taught by a trained teacher in addition to the usual curriculum. Control schools followed the usual curriculum. The primary outcome was a passing score (≥ 9 out of 18 questions answered correctly) for students on the Critical Thinking about Health Test completed within 2 weeks after the intervention. We conducted an intention‐to‐treat analysis using generalized linear mixed models, accounting for the cluster design using random intercepts.ResultsBetween February 25 and March 29, 2022, we recruited 3,212 participants. We assigned 1,572 students and 42 teachers to the intervention arm and 1,556 students and 42 teachers to the control arm. The proportion of students who passed the test in the intervention arm was 915/1,572 (58.2%) compared to 302/1,556 (19.4%) in the control arm, adjusted odds ratio 10.6 (95% CI: 6.3–17.8),p < 0.0001, adjusted difference 37.2% (95% CI: 29.5%–45.0%).ConclusionsThe intervention is effective in helping students think critically about health choices. It was possible to improve students’ ability to think critically about health in the context of a competence‐based curriculum in Rwanda, despite challenging postpandemic conditions.
Effects of the informed health choices secondary school intervention on the ability of students in Kenya to think critically about health choices: A cluster‐randomized trial
Authors: Chesire Faith , Kaseje Margaret , Ochieng Marlyn , Ngatia Benson , Mugisha Michael , Ssenyonga Ronald , Oxman Matt , Nsangi Allen , Semakula Daniel , Rose Christopher James , Nyirazinyoye Laetitia , Dahlgren Astrid , Lewin Simon , Sewankambo Nelson K , Rosenbaum Sarah , Oxman Andrew D 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimThere is an overabundance of claims about the advantages and disadvantages of health interventions. People need to be able to appraise the reliability of these claims. The aim of this two‐arm cluster‐randomized trial was to evaluate the Informed Health Choices secondary school intervention designed to teach students to assess claims about the effects of health actions and make informed decisions.MethodsWe conducted the trial among students from 80 secondary schools in five subcounties in Kenya. We used stratified randomization to allocate schools to the intervention or control arm. The intervention included a 2‐day teacher training workshop and 10 lessons that addressed nine prioritized key concepts for assessing claims about treatment effects. We did not intervene in the control schools. The primary outcome was the proportion of students with a passing score (≥ 9/18 correct answers) on the Critical Thinking about Health test, which included two multiple‐choice questions for each concept.ResultsBetween May 11, 2022, and July 8, 2022, we recruited 3362 students and 80 teachers. We allocated 1863 students and 40 teachers to the intervention and 1499 students and 40 teachers to the control arm. In the intervention schools, 1149/1863 (61.7%) of students achieved a passing score compared to 511/1499 (34.1%) in the control schools (odds ratio 3.6 (95% CI 2.5–5.2),p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe intervention had a large effect on students’ ability to think critically about health interventions. It is possible to integrate the learning of critical thinking about health within Kenya secondary school curriculum.
Quadriceps muscle contraction causes medial patellofemoral ligament elongation by intermeshed fibers of vastus medialis oblique muscle
Authors: Mostowy Marcin , Puzio Tomasz , Matera Katarzyna , Kozieł Michał , Stanek Jakub , Bawor Michalina , Grzelak Piotr , Domżalski Marcin E. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe first aim of this study was to compare the medial patellofemoral length between contracted and relaxed quadriceps muscle and second to assess the importance of the intermeshed vastus medialis oblique fibers. After a priori power analysis (α = 0.05, power [1−β] = 0.95), 35 healthy males aged 18–30 were prospectively examined with a 3.0‐T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner in 10–15° of knee flexion. Two axial MRI sequences (25 s each) were made with relaxed and contracted quadriceps. Two blinded, independent raters measured twice medial patellofemoral ligament length (curved line) and attachment‐to‐attachment length (straight line). Mean medial patellofemoral ligament length and attachment‐to‐attachment length with relaxed quadriceps was: 65.5 mm (SD = 3.7), 59.7 mm (SD = 3.6), and after contraction, it increased to 68.7 mm (SD = 5.3), 61.2 mm (SD = 4.7); p < 0.01 and <0.001, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients for intra‐ and inter‐rater reliabilities ranged from 0.55 (moderate) to 0.97 (excellent). Mean medial patellofemoral ligament length elongation after quadriceps contraction was significantly greater (3.2 mm, SD = 3.9) than mean attachment‐to‐attachment length elongation (1.6 mm, SD = 2.8); p < 0.001. Contraction of quadriceps muscle causes elongation of the medial patellofemoral ligament to the extent greater than the elongation of distance between its attachments. This confirms that medial patellofemoral ligament elongation after quadriceps contraction results not only from movement of its patellar attachment but also directly from intermeshed vastus medialis oblique fibers pulling medial patellofemoral ligament in a different direction creating a bow‐like construct in agreement with the “pull‐and‐guide mechanism” proposed in the literature.
Efficacy and safety of laser‐related therapy for melasma: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Ma Wenyi , Gao Qian , Liu Jinghua , Zhong Xiaojing , Xu Tongtong , Wu Qinyao , Cheng Zilin , Luo Nana , Hao Pingsheng 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundMelasma is a prevalent, persistent hyperpigmentation disorder that negatively affects the psychological health of patients. However, the treatment outcome remains unsatisfactory due to the complexity of pathogenesis, recurrence characteristics, and relatively high morbidity.ObjectivesTo compare the performance of laser‐related therapies in improving the melasma area severity index (MASI) score of melasma and the occurrence of adverse effects by network meta‐analysis (NMA).MethodsFrom the inception to November 2022, eligible randomized controlled trials were identified. Two investigators independently searched relevant studies from PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database.ResultsA total of 39 clinical studies with 1394 participants were eligible for enrollment. For efficacy, the NMA demonstrated that Q‐switched Nd: YAG laser + topical medications (QSND+TM) was superior to Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser (QSND) [MD = −4.21 (−6.80, −1.63)], Er: YAG laser + topical medications (ERYL+TM) [MD = ‐3.52 (−6.84, −0.19)], and picosecond laser + topical medications (PICO+TM) [MD = −4.80 (−9.33, −0.27)]. The microneedling + topical medications (MN+TM) was superior to picosecond laser (PICO) [MD = −5.26 (−10.44, −0.08)] and topical medications (TM) [MD = −5.22 (−9.20, −1.23)]. The top five of the surface under the cumulative ranking curve value (SUCRA) are Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser + topical medications (QSND+TM 85.9%), oral tranexamic acid (oTA 80.1%), microneedling + topical medications (MN+TM 79.7%), Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser + intense pulse light (QSND+IPL 78.9%), and fractional carbon dioxide laser + topical medications (FCDL+TM 70.5%).ConclusionsIn conclusion, the Qs‐Nd:YAG laser with topical medications is the first choice for treating melasma according to the SUCRA value. Among the three treatment modalities, namely MN + TM, PICO, and TM, our recommendation favors MN+TM as the superior choice for enhancing the curative efficacy in melasma. However, the actual clinical choice should also take into account the adverse effects, the skin type of the patient, the duration of the disease, and other relevant factors.
BRCA1 expression, its correlation with clinicopathological features, and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in high‐grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Patil Akkamahadevi , Patil Sharada , Anupama C. E. , Rajarajan Savitha , Nimbalkar Vidya P. , Amirtham Usha , Champaka G. , Suma M. N. , Patil Geetha V. , Nargund Ashwini , Pallavi V. R. , Jacob Linu , Premalatha C. S. , Prabhu Jyothi S. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimIn high‐grade serous ovarian cancers (HG‐SOC), BRCA1 mutation is one of the predominant mutations reported by various studies. However, the non‐mutational mechanisms of BRCA pathway inactivation in HG‐SOC are unclear. We evaluated BRCA1 inactivation by estimating its expression with its repressor, ID4, in primary and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT)‐treated HG‐SOC tumors with known therapeutic responses.MethodsWe evaluated the expression pattern of BRCA1 protein by immunohistochemistry in 119 cases of HG‐SOC from a hospital cohort consisting of primary (N = 69) and NACT‐treated (N = 50) tumors. Histological patterns (SET), stromal infiltration by lymphocytes (sTILs), and chemotherapy response score (CRS) were estimated by microscopic examination. Gene expression levels of BRCA1, and its repressor ID4, were estimated by qPCR. The association of BRCA1 protein and mRNA with clinicopathological features was studied. The relevance of the BRCA1/ID4 ratio was evaluated in tumors with different CRS.ResultsBRCA1 protein expression was observed in 12% of primary and 19% of NACT‐treated HG‐SOC tumors. We observed moderate concordance between BRCA1 protein and mRNA expression (AUC = 0.677). High BRCA1 mRNA expression was significantly associated with a more frequent SET pattern (p = 0.024), higher sTILs density (p = 0.042), and increased mitosis (p = 0.028). BRCA1‐negative tumors showed higher expression of ID4 though not statistically significant. A higher BRCA1/ID4 ratio was associated with high sTILs density in primary (p = 0.042) and NACT‐treated tumors (p = 0.040).ConclusionOur findings show the utility of the BRCA1/ID4 ratio in predicting neoadjuvant therapy response, which needs further evaluation in larger cohorts with long‐term outcomes.