bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causal associations between gut microbiota and sepsis: A two‐sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: You Jingya , Bi Xiaogang , Zhang Kouxing , Xie Dan , Chai Yiwen , Wen Sha , Xian Ying , Fan Min , Xu Wen , Li Mingliang , Yuan Xiaofeng 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundTargeting the gut microbiota may become a new therapeutic to prevent and treat sepsis. Nonetheless, the causal relationship between specific intestinal flora and sepsis is still unclear.MethodsA two‐sample Mendelian randomization study was performed using the summary statistics of gut microbiota from the largest available genome‐wide association study (n = 18,340). The summary statistics of sepsis were obtained from the UK Biobank (n = 486,484). Inverse‐variance weighted, weighted median and MR‐Egger were used to examine the causal association between gut microbiota and sepsis. Cochrane's Q test, MR‐Egger intercept test, MR‐PRESSO Global test and Rucker's Q'‐test were used for sensitivity analyses. The leave‐one method was used for testing the stability of MR results, and Bonferroni‐corrected was used to test the strength of the causal relationship between exposure and outcome.ResultsNine intestinal microflora were found causally associated with sepsis, and 11 intestinal microflora were causally associated with 28‐day death in sepsis. Among them, Order Victivallales had a strong causality with lower risk of sepsis (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78–0.94, p = .00165) and lower 28‐day mortality of sepsis (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.53–0.87, p = .00179) after Bonferroni‐corrected test. No pleiotropy was detected.ConclusionsThrough the two‐sample MR analysis, we identified the specific intestinal flora that had a causal relationship with the risk and prognosis of sepsis at the level of gene prediction, which may provide helpful biomarkers for early disease diagnosis and potential therapeutic targets for sepsis.
Experimental and numerical investigation on test methods for mode II fracture of composite‐titanium adhesively bonded structures
Authors: Wang Jian , Ding Huiming , Jiang Junxia , Bi Yunbo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe investigation on fracture test methods for dissimilar materials adhesively bonded structures is urgent. In this study, three mode II fracture test methods for composite‐titanium adhesively bonded structures are experimentally and numerically studied. A manual inverse fitting method is adopted to obtain accurate cohesive models, and sensitivity evaluation of test methods is comprehensively conducted. The results show that GII of the experimental end‐notched flexure (ENF) test is nearly 20% greater than end‐loaded split (ELS). The effect of friction can be ignored, while all methods are highly dependent on the adherend's thickness, especially the maximum deviation of ELS that is 23.74%. In addition, the condition that the adherend with smaller flexural stiffness places outside the bending direction should be avoided to achieve mode II dominant possibly. In summary, the ENF test method with span length of 100 mm and small adherend's thickness is recommended for the mode II fracture test of the dissimilar materials adhesively bonded structures.
Mapping the two distinct proliferative bursts early in T‐cell development
Authors: Oh Seungyoul , Parikh Dhruti , Xiao Jiyao , Liu Xin , Gu Karen , Chong Mark MW 
Published: July 2023

AbstractT‐cell development occurs in the thymus and is tightly regulated to produce a diverse enough repertoire of mature T cells that can recognize any potential pathogen. The development of T cells is dependent on small numbers of uncommitted precursors that continually seed the thymus from the bone marrow. As they progress along the developmental pathway, there is a massive expansion in cell number to generate the necessary diversity in T‐cell receptor chain usage. It is recognized that there are two proliferative bursts that occur early in T‐cell development, one prior to β‐selection and one after, and these are responsible for the expansion. While the proliferation following β‐selection is well‐characterized, the earlier proliferative burst has yet to be precisely defined. In this study, we employ single‐cell RNA sequencing coupled to trajectory inference methods to pinpoint when in T‐cell development thymocytes are induced into cell cycle. We show that the first proliferative burst is initiated in the double‐negative (DN) 2a stage before T lineage commitment occurs, with cell cycling downregulated by the DN3a stage. A second burst is then initiated at the DN3b stage, immediately after β‐selection. We subsequently employ fluorescence‐activated cell sorting–based analysis for DNA content to confirm these two proliferative bursts.
A synthetic biology approach to engineering circuits in immune cells
Authors: Hoces Daniel , Miguens Blanco Jesús , Hernández‐López Rogelio A. 
Published: July 2023

SummaryA synthetic circuit in a biological system involves the designed assembly of genetic elements, biomolecules, or cells to create a defined function. These circuits are central in synthetic biology, enabling the reprogramming of cellular behavior and the engineering of cells with customized responses. In cancer therapeutics, engineering T cells with circuits have the potential to overcome the challenges of current approaches, for example, by allowing specific recognition and killing of cancer cells. Recent advances also facilitate engineering integrated circuits for the controlled release of therapeutic molecules at specified locations, for example, in a solid tumor. In this review, we discuss recent strategies and applications of synthetic receptor circuits aimed at enhancing immune cell functions for cancer immunotherapy. We begin by introducing the concept of circuits in networks at the molecular and cellular scales and provide an analysis of the development and implementation of several synthetic circuits in T cells that have the goal to overcome current challenges in cancer immunotherapy. These include specific targeting of cancer cells, increased T‐cell proliferation, and persistence in the tumor microenvironment. By harnessing the power of synthetic biology, and the characteristics of certain circuit architectures, it is now possible to engineer a new generation of immune cells that recognize cancer cells, while minimizing off‐target toxicities. We specifically discuss T‐cell circuits for antigen density sensing. These circuits allow targeting of solid tumors that share antigens with normal tissues. Additionally, we explore designs for synthetic circuits that could control T‐cell differentiation or T‐cell fate as well as the concept of synthetic multicellular circuits that leverage cellular communication and division of labor to achieve improved therapeutic efficacy. As our understanding of cell biology expands and novel tools for genome, protein, and cell engineering are developed, we anticipate further innovative approaches to emerge in the design and engineering of circuits in immune cells.
Preclinical evaluation of a novel single‐shot pulsed field ablation system for pulmonary vein and atrial ablation
Authors: Aryana Arash , Ji Sang Yong , Hata Cary , de la Rama Alan , Nguyen Ken , Panescu Dorin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIntroductionPulsed field ablation (PFA) is a nonthermal ablative strategy that achieves cell death via electroporation. Herein, we investigated the preclinical safety and efficacy of PFA using two novel 8‐French, 16‐electrode spiral PFA/mapping catheters (ElePulse; CRC EP, Inc.).MethodsBipolar PFA (>1.8 kV) was performed using 30 s, single‐shot, QRS‐gated applications. Altogether, 94 atrial structures were ablated in 23 swine, one canine, and one ovine, including right and left atria and atrial appendages, pulmonary veins, and superior and inferior (IVC) vena cavae. We also examined the impact of PFA on the phrenic nerve (14 swine) and on a deviated esophagus after delivery of PFA from inside the IVC (five swine).ResultsAll applications were single‐shot without catheter repositioning. Minimal microbubbling was observed without significant skeletal muscle twitching/activation (mean acceleration: 0.05 m/s2). There was a marked reduction in post‐PFA versus pre‐PFA atrial electrogram amplitude (0.17 ± 0.21 vs. 1.18 ± 1.08 mV; p < .0001). Lesion durability was demonstrated up to 3 months in all targeted tissues. Histologically, lesions were contiguous and transmural, except in the atrial appendage, and without any thermal effects. Magnetic resonance, gross, and histologic examinations of the brain, rete mirabile, and kidneys revealed no thromboembolism. No acute/long‐term phrenic nerve dysfunction was encountered. Although within 2 h of ablation, histologic examinations of the esophagus revealed acute PFA‐related changes in the muscular layer, these completely resolved by 21 ± 5 days.ConclusionA novel, single‐shot, spiral PFA system is capable of safely creating large, durable atrial lesions without significant adverse effects on the phrenic nerve or the esophagus.
Treated periodontitis and recurrent events after first‐time myocardial infarction: A Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Wagner Andrea Kjellström , D'Souza Maria , Bang Casper N. , Holmstrup Palle , Blanche Paul , Fiehn Nils‐Erik , Gislason Gunnar , Pedersen Christian Torp , Damgaard Christian , Nielsen Claus Henrik , Hansen Peter Riis 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAimTo investigate the association between previous periodontal treatment and recurrent events after first‐time myocardial infarction (MI).Materials and MethodsFrom the Danish nationwide registries, patients with first‐time MI between 2000 and 2015 were divided into three groups according to oral health care within 1 year prior to first‐time MI. A multiple logistic regression model provided adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the 3‐year risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).ResultsA total of 103,949 patients were included. Patients with treated periodontitis (PD) prior to first‐time MI had an adjusted 3‐year risk of MACE similar to patients presumed periodontally healthy (OR 0.97 [95% CI 0.92–1.03]). Patients with no prior dental visits were significantly older, had more comorbidities and showed significantly increased adjusted 3‐year risks of MACE (OR 1.47 [95% CI 1.42–1.52]), cardiovascular death (OR 1.71 [95% CI 1.64–1.78]) and heart failure (OR 1.13 [95% CI 1.07–1.20]) compared with patients presumed periodontally healthy.ConclusionsPatients with treated PD 1 year prior to first‐time MI had a similar risk of recurrent cardiovascular events as patients presumed periodontally healthy. No dental visit prior to first‐time MI was an independent risk factor for recurrent events.
The causal effect of corporate governance on employee satisfaction
Authors: Menner Marco , Menninger Frederic 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe investigate the causal effect of increasing shareholder rights on employee satisfaction. To ensure causality, we use close shareholder votes on antitakeover provisions included in the Entrenchment Index (E‐Index) as exogenous shocks to the corporate governance of a company. A 1‐point increase in shareholder rights on the E‐Index scale causes a 10% decrease in employee satisfaction. The channels that drive our results are decreases in employees' opinion about firm culture, in their view about the company's CEO, in the number of employees, and in capital expenditures.
Identifying flood response experiences in Iranian health system: A qualitative study
Authors: Mohajervatan Ali , Tavakoli Nahid , Khankeh Hamidreza , Raeisi Ahmad Reza , Atighechian Golrokh 
Published: July 2023

AbstractOne of the most essential purposes of the health system is to ensure that people affected by various disastrous events, such as floods, have access timely to basic health services. Therefore, enhancing the preparedness and response plans for such events should be a national priority. Because of the complexity and devastating impacts of floods on public health, it is a crucial to understand the various aspects of flood experience in the country. The experiences of managers and operational staff from various units of the Iranian health system are a valuable source for understanding flood complexities. These experiences were explored using 19 semi‐structured interviews with people who had firsthand experience of this phenomenon. Based on the results, in order to provide a flood response plan, it is necessary to adhere to the principles and foundations that can meet the needs arising from the flood. Our study showed that the health system's response to flooding can be divided into two categories: initial and specific functions. A comprehensive response requires an initial function to prevent flood impacts, and specific functions are needed to prevent and treat flood‐related diseases. These results could form the basis for the health system's response to future floods.
Discontinuation of oral anticoagulant use among nursing home residents with atrial fibrillation before hospice enrollment
Authors: Chen Qiaoxi , Baek Jonggyu , Goldberg Robert , Tjia Jennifer , Lapane Kate , Alcusky Matthew 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundOral anticoagulants (OACs) are effective in reducing the risk of cardioembolic stroke due to atrial fibrillation. While most nursing home residents with atrial fibrillation qualify for anticoagulation based on clinical guidelines, the net clinical benefits of OACs may diminish as residents approach the end of life.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study of 30,503 US nursing home residents with atrial fibrillation (based on Minimum Data Set 3.0 and Medicare Part A records) who used OACs in the year before enrolling in hospice care during 2012–2016. Whether residents discontinued OACs before hospice enrollment was determined using Part D claims and date of hospice enrollment. Modified Poisson models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR).ResultsAlmost half (45.7%) of residents who had recent OAC use discontinued prior to hospice enrollment. Residents who were underweight (aPR: 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.03), those with high bleeding risk (aPR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03–1.05), and those with moderate or severe cognitive impairment (aPR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.02–1.03) had a higher prevalence of OAC discontinuation before entering hospice. Residents with venous thromboembolism (aPR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.93–0.96), statin users (aPR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.87–0.89), and those on polypharmacy (≥10 medications, aPR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.71–0.73) were less likely to discontinue OACs before enrollment in hospice.ConclusionAnticoagulants are often discontinued among older nursing home residents with atrial fibrillation before hospice enrollment; it is not clear that these decisions are driven solely by net clinical benefit considerations. Further research is needed on comparative outcomes to inform resident‐centered decisions regarding OAC use in older adults entering hospice.
Are institutional investors colluding with manipulators?
Authors: Luu Quang T. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis paper examines the trading behavior of institutional investors in Taiwan before, during, and after a manipulation event and determines whether institutional investors benefit from their trading behavior during the period from the year 2000 to 2020. We find that stocks with a low turnover and small market capitalization are the main targets of price manipulators. In addition, the stock price of manipulated firms increases from the start date of the manipulation event, peaks at the end of the event, then falls after the event. Foreign institutions collude with manipulators to exaggerate stock prices for self‐benefit. In contrast, securities dealers counter the trading behavior of manipulators and act as market stabilizers, causing them to suffer losses. Moreover, foreign institutions earn higher returns on stocks of manipulated firms with a low turnover during and soon after manipulation; however, they earn a higher return on stocks of manipulated firms with a high turnover in the long run after manipulation.
Benefits of Testing and Production for Learning Turkish As a New Language
Authors: Rose Maya C. , Brooks Patricia J. , Lodhi Arshia K. , Cortez Angela 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis study examined putative benefits of testing and production for learning new languages. Undergraduates (N = 156) were exposed to Turkish spoken dialogues under varying learning conditions (retrieval practice, comprehension, verbal repetition) in a computer‐assisted language learning session. Participants completed pre‐ and posttests of number‐ and case‐marking comprehension, a vocabulary test, and an explicit awareness questionnaire. Controlling for nonverbal ability and pretest scores, the retrieval‐practice group performed highest overall. For number/case marking, the comprehension and retrieval‐practice groups outperformed the verbal‐repetition group, suggesting benefits of either recognition‐ or recall‐based testing. For vocabulary, the verbal‐repetition and retrieval‐practice groups outperformed the comprehension group, indicating benefits of overt production. Case marking was easier to learn than number marking, suggesting advantages for learning word‐final inflections. Explicit awareness correlated with comprehension accuracy, yet some participants demonstrated above‐chance comprehension without showing awareness. Findings indicate the value of incorporating both practice tests and overt production in language pedagogy.
Glomerular hyperfiltration is an independent predictor of postoperative outcomes: A NSQIPmulti‐specialty surgical cohort analysis
Authors: Riveros Carlos , Ranganathan Sanjana , Huang Emily , Ordonez Adriana , Xu Jiaqiong , Geng Michael , Miles Brian J. , Esnaola Nestor , Klaassen Zachary , Jerath Angela , Kim S. Joseph , Wallis Christopher J. D. , Satkunasivam Raj 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAimWhile high estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has been associated with increased overall mortality, its effect on postoperative outcomes is relatively understudied. We sought to investigate the association between high eGFR and 30‐day postoperative outcomes using a multi‐specialty surgical cohort.MethodsUsing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we selected adult for whom eGFR could be calculated using the 2021 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Based on sex‐specific distributions of eGFR stratified by age quintiles, we classified patients into low (<5th percentile), normal (5–95th percentile) and high eGFR (>95th percentile). The primary outcome was a composite of any 30‐day major adverse outcomes, including: death, reoperation, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction and stroke. Secondary outcomes included 30‐day infectious complications, venous thromboembolism (VTE), bleeding requiring transfusion, prolonged length of stay and unplanned readmission. After matching for demographic differences, comorbidity burden and operative characteristics, logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between extremes of eGFR and the outcomes of interest.ResultsOf 1 668 447 patients, 84 115 (5.07%) had a high eGFR. High eGFR was not associated with major adverse outcomes (odds ratio [OR] 1.00 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97, 1.03]); however, it was associated with reoperation (OR 1.04 [95% CI: 1.00,1.08]), infectious complications (OR 1.14 [95% CI: 1.11, 1.16]), VTE (OR 1.15 [95% CI: 1.09, 1.22]) and prolonged length of stay (OR 1.19 [95% CI: 1.16, 1.21]).ConclusionOur findings support an association between high eGFR and adverse 30‐day postoperative outcomes.
Greater rate of nitrogen fertilizer application increases root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi and P. plurivora in container‐grown rhododendron
Authors: Mestas Angie , Weiland Jerry E. , Scagel Carolyn F. , Davis Anne E. , Mitchell Jesse N. , Beck Bryan R. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPhytophthora root rot, caused by many Phytophthora species, decreases the health of rhododendrons produced in nurseries. Optimizing nitrogen (N) fertilizer is often used to improve nursery stock quality, but there is little information on how N fertilizers influence root rot caused by these pathogens. To understand the impact of N fertilizer and pathogen species on root rot development, rhododendrons were grown with no (0 g N/pot), low (1.04 g N/pot) or high (3.12 g N/pot) rates of N and inoculated with either P. cinnamomi or P. plurivora. Noninoculated plants at low and high N rates had greater biomass, leaf greenness and enhanced N, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulphur and manganese uptake compared to plants grown with no N. When either Phytophthora species was present, N application increased aboveground disease symptoms (wilting, chlorosis, reduced stomatal conductance and biomass), but had no effect on root rot severity belowground. In addition, P. cinnamomi restricted uptake of several nutrients while P. plurivora had less influence on nutrient uptake. Nurseries frequently apply high amounts of N to promote fast growth. However, our results show that this can exacerbate root rot when P. cinnamomi or P. plurivora is present. Although decreasing N can reduce the number of overtly symptomatic plants, this may conversely increase the risk for selling apparently asymptomatic plants with low levels of infection. Additional studies are needed to determine how N fertilization influences Phytophthora root rot for a broader range of rhododendron cultivars and nursery crop species.
Investigating the association between socioeconomic and agricultural risk factors and the incidence of Salmonella Heidelberg and Salmonella Typhimurium in Ontario in 2015: A multi‐level ecological approach
Authors: Paphitis Katherine , Pearl David L. , Berke Olaf , Trotz‐Williams Lise 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe incidence of salmonellosis, and other enteric zoonotic diseases, has been associated with various food and environmental exposures and socioeconomic factors. Increasingly, there is interest in exploring differences among serotypes of Salmonella to better inform public health prevention efforts. Consequently, we investigated whether rates of Salmonella Heidelberg and Typhimurium in Ontario communities in 2015 were influenced by household characteristics, agricultural factors, and the presence of meat plants. Data for each reported case of S. Heidelberg and S. Typhimurium in Ontario in 2015 were collected. Expected cases of each serotype were calculated, stratified by age group and sex, according to the underlying population distribution from the Canadian census. Socioeconomic, agricultural census data, and data concerning provincial and federally inspected meat plants were combined with observed and expected case counts. The association between community‐level agricultural, meat processing, and socioeconomic variables, serotype, and the rate of salmonellosis in each census subdivision (CSD) was explored using multilevel Poisson models, with random intercepts for CSD and census division (CD). Rates of S. Heidelberg and S. Typhimurium were associated with the proportion of married individuals in a CSD, and were higher in CSDs with the highest quantile of labour participation compared to those in the lowest quantile. There was an interaction effect between cattle, poultry and swine farm density in a CD and serotype, with rates of either serotype decreasing as cattle, poultry, or swine farm density in the encompassing CD increased. The rate of the decrease varied by serotype. Our findings concerning community‐level household characteristics may be explained by the influence of family structure and occupation on food consumption patterns and environmental exposures. Rates of S. Heidelberg and S. Typhimurium may be lower in areas with increased animal farm density due to naturally acquired immunity from routine exposure to Salmonella via livestock.