bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered serum bile acid composition is associated with cardiac dysfunction in cirrhosis
Authors: Wiese Signe , Danielsen Karen V. , Busk Troels , Hove Jens D. , Ytting Henriette , Hansen Svend Høime , Andersen Klaus Kaae , Voiosu Andrei , Møller Søren , Bendtsen Flemming 
Published: April 2023

SummaryBackgroundElevated serum bile acids (BA) are harmful to the heart and alterations in the BA composition have been suggested to cause cardiovascular disturbances in cirrhosis.AimTo investigate any associations between specific groups or individual serum BA and structural and functional cardiac abnormalities in patients with cirrhosis.MethodsAn explorative study in 86 patients with cirrhosis. All participants underwent extensive cardiac assessment, including cardiac MRI with quantification of myocardial extracellular volume (ECV), which is indicative of diffuse myocardial fibrosis. A panel of 15 individual serum BA and C4, a marker of de novo bile acid synthesis, were assessed.ResultsPatients with advanced cirrhosis had higher levels of total BA and conjugated BA, as well as lower C4 levels (p < 0.001). Conjugated BA levels were higher in patients with a high cardiac index (p < 0.001), increased left atrial volume index (LAVI) (p < 0.001), and in those with an abnormal myocardial ECV (p < 0.05). We also found several strong correlations between conjugated BA, both as a group and individually, and parameters of cardiac dysfunction. In a model adjusted for sex, age, BMI and MELD, conjugated BA remained significantly associated with LAVI, septal e′, left ventricular volumes and cardiac index. In addition, taurocholic acid correlated closely with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) (p = 0.01).ConclusionsIncreased serum concentrations of conjugated BA are associated with several cardiac parameters, indicating a potential role in the development of hyperdynamic circulation and cardiac dysfunction in cirrhosis. Moreover, taurine‐conjugated BA are associated with portal hypertension.
Optimized synthesis, polymer conjugation, and proof‐of‐concept studies of the gd‐IgA1 epitope for antibody‐scavenging therapies in IgA nephropathy
Authors: Bechtler Clément , Barneoud‐Rousset Ouliana , Pang Lijuan , Martin Kea , König Katrin F. , Hänggi Pascal , Pearson Nick , Ricklin Daniel 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerular autoimmune disease and has severe long‐term consequences for patients, with 40% of the patients eventually progressing to end‐stage renal disease. Despite the severity, no causal treatment is currently available. While the pathogenesis of IgAN is complex, disease severity is linked to autoantibodies against the gd‐IgA1 epitope, a stretch in the hinge region of IgA1 that lacks O‐glycans and is found in the characteristic immune complexes deposited in the kidneys of IgAN patients. One elegant, causal approach would be to remove the anti‐gd‐IgA1 autoantibodies and consequently reduce the immune complex burden on the kidneys. The administration of synthetic polymers that present autoantigens in a multivalent manner have been established as promising therapeutic strategies in other autoimmune diseases and may be applied to IgAN. We here present an improved protocol for the synthesis of the gd‐IgA1 epitope, its successful coupling to a poly‐L‐lysine polymer and proof‐of‐concept experiments that the polymer‐bound synthetic glycopeptide is able to capture the IgAN autoantibodies, making this approach a promising way forward for developing a targeted treatment option for IgAN patients.
Blood eosinophil percentage as a predictor of response to inhaled corticosteroid in bronchiectasis
Authors: Kwok Wang Chun , Tam Terence Chi Chun , Lam David Chi Leung , Ip Mary Sau Man , Ho James Chung Man 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIntroductionThe role of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) among patients with bronchiectasis remains controversial. There is limited evidence of using baseline eosinophil count (absolute and percentage) as a marker to predict the role of ICS among patients with bronchiectasis.MethodsA retrospective case–control study was conducted in a major regional hospital and tertiary respiratory referral centre in Hong Kong, including 140 Chinese patients with noncystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis, to investigate the exacerbation risks of bronchiectasis among ICS users and nonusers with different baseline eosinophil counts.ResultsICS user had significantly lower risk to develop bronchiectasis exacerbation with adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.461 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.225–0.945, p‐value 0.035). Univariate logistic regression was performed for different cut‐offs of blood eosinophil count (by percentage) from 2% to 4% (with a 0.5% grid each time). Baseline eosinophil 3.5% was found to be the best cut‐off among all with adjusted OR of 0.138 (95% CI = 0.023–0.822, p‐value = 0.030).ConclusionBaseline eosinophil count of 3.5% might serve as a marker to predict the benefits of ICS on exacerbation risk among patients with non‐CF bronchiectasis.
Ligustrazine alleviates pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats by promoting the formation of myocardin transcription complex in the nucleus of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells
Authors: Yu Xichao , Wu Mingjie , Meng Qinhai , Zhu Weijie , Zhang Chenyan , Liu Bowen , Qi Yuewen , Gu Shuqun , Wang Xinyu , Wen Jingli , Li Yu , Qi Xu 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a pathophysiological state of abnormally elevated pulmonary arterial pressure caused by drugs, inflammation, toxins, viruses, hypoxia, and other risk factors. We studied the therapeutic effect and target of tetramethylpyrazine (tetramethylpyrazine [TMP]; ligustrazine) in the treatment of PAH and we speculated that dramatic changes in myocardin levels can significantly affect the progression of PAH. In vivo, the results showed that administration of TMP significantly prolonged the survival of PAH rats by reducing the proliferative lesions, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), and the Fulton index in the heart and lung of PAH rats. In vitro, TMP can regulate the levels of smooth muscle protein 22‐alpha (SM22‐α), and myocardin as well as intracellular cytokines such as NO, transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in a dose‐dependent manner (25, 50, or 100 μM). Transfection of myocardin small interfering RNA (siRNA) aggravated the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PSMCs), and the regulatory effect of TMP on α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and osteopontin (OPN) disappeared. The application of 10 nM estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) inhibitor MPP promoted the proliferation of PSMCs, but it does not affect the inhibition of TMP on PSMCs proliferation. Finally, we found that TMP promoted the nucleation of myocardin‐related transcription factor‐A (MRTF‐A) and combined it with myocardin. In conclusion, TMP can inhibit the transformation of PSMCs from the contractile phenotype to the proliferative phenotype by promoting the formation of the nuclear (MRTF‐A/myocardin) transcription complex to treat PAH.
Mortality during and after specialist alcohol and other drug treatment: Variation in rates according to principal drug of concern and treatment modality
Authors: Havard Alys , Jones Nicola , Bharat Chrianna , Gisev Natasa , Pearson Sallie‐Anne , Shakeshaft Anthony , Farrell Michael , Degenhardt Louisa 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIntroductionFor people accessing treatment for problems with drugs other than opioids, little is known about the relationship between treatment and mortality risk, nor how mortality risk varies across treatment modalities. We addressed these evidence gaps by determining mortality rates during and after treatment for people accessing a range of treatment modalities for several drugs of concern.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study using linked data on publicly funded specialist alcohol or other drug treatment service use and mortality for people receiving treatment in New South Wales between January 2012 and December 2018. We calculated and compared during‐treatment and post‐treatment crude mortality rates and age‐ and sex‐standardised mortality rates, separately for each principal drug of concern and modality.ResultsOver the study period, 45,026 people accessed treatment for problems with alcohol, 26,407 for amphetamine‐type stimulants, 23,047 for cannabinoids and 21,556 for opioids. People treated for alcohol or opioid problems had higher crude mortality rates (1.48, 1.91, 1.09 per 100 person years, respectively) than those with problems with amphetamine‐type stimulants or cannabinoids (0.46, 0.30 per 100 person years, respectively). Mortality rates differed according to treatment status and modality only among people with alcohol or opioid problems.Discussion and ConclusionsThe observed variation in mortality rates indicates there is scope to reduce mortality among people accessing treatment with alcohol or opioid problems. Future research on mortality among people accessing drug and alcohol treatment should account for the variation in mortality by drug of concern and treatment modality.
Cardiovascular risk in chronic myeloid leukaemia: A multidisciplinary consensus on screening and management
Authors: Milojkovic Dragana , Lyon Alexander R. , Mehta Priyanka , Dimitriadou Evangelia , Choudhuri Satarupa , Manisty Charlotte , Cheshire Nick , Crozier Kirsty , Basker Nanda , Amer Karim , Purcell Simon , Tan Susan , Clark Richard E. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIntroductionTyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have become the mainstay of treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), but cardiovascular (CV) risk and exacerbation of underlying risk factors associated with TKIs have become widely debated. Real‐world evidence reveals little application of CV risk factor screening or continued monitoring within UK CML management. This consensus paper presents practical recommendations to assist healthcare professionals in conducting CV screening/comorbidity management for patients receiving TKIs.MethodsWe conducted a multidisciplinary panel meeting and two iterative surveys involving 10 CML specialists: five haematologists, two cardio‐oncologists, one vascular surgeon, one haemato‐oncology pharmacist and one specialist nurse practitioner.ResultsThe panel recommended that patients commencing second‐/third‐generation TKIs undergo formal CV risk assessment at baseline, with additional investigations and involvement of cardiologists/vascular surgeons for those with high CV risk. During treatment, patients should undergo CV monitoring, with the nature and frequency of testing dependent on TKI and baseline CV risk. For patients who develop CV adverse events, decision‐making around TKI interruption, cessation or change should be multidisciplinary and balance CV and haematological risk.ConclusionThe panel anticipates these recommendations will support healthcare professionals in implementing CV risk screening and monitoring, broadly and consistently, and thereby help optimise TKI treatment for CML.
Deep learning based spatio‐temporal hand gesture recognition system in complex environment
Authors: Saboo Shweta , Singha Joyeeta , Laskar Rabul Hussain 
Published: April 2023

AbstractGesture recognition nowadays has grabbed the attention of researchers as they represent human behaviour in multiple practical ways. Amongst a variety of gestures available, hand gestures play an essential role in the field of human‐computer interaction when recognised efficiently in complex and dynamic environments. In this paper, we propose a dynamic hand gesture recognition system to recognise hand gestures appearing in different indoor and outdoor environments. Hand detection and tracking uses a two‐level system resulting in the formation of gesture trajectory in challenging conditions in which existing detection and tracking algorithms could not do so. A set of 45 features is provided as input to the various classification techniques. The redundancy problem has been reduced by selecting a set of optimum features using the analysis of variance method, which ranks the list of features. An incremental feature selection technique calculates recognition accuracy by selecting features according to rankings. This system provides an accuracy of 96.32% when used with machine learning and 97.5% when used with deep learning techniques. Recognition accuracy is calculated for various environments, including an extra hand, multiple persons in the video frame, and outdoor environment. All machine‐learning classifiers are combined using classifier combination to calculate the accuracy according to the majority‐voting rule. Based on the experimental results, it has been observed that deep learning provides better results compared to machine learning.
Sedimentary DNA can reveal the past population dynamics of a pelagic copepod
Authors: Nakane Kai , Liu Xin , Doi Hideyuki , Dur Gaël , Kuwae Michinobu , Ban Syuhei , Tsugeki Narumi 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Copepods play a key trophic role as secondary producers, transferring primary production to higher trophic levels such as fish. Copepod production contributes significantly to successful fish recruitment. Despite their importance, knowledge of copepod dynamics over several decades remains limited due to the lack of long‐term data series with adequate sampling and analysis. However, an understanding of long‐term copepod dynamics is urgently required to strive toward better management for sustainable aquatic ecosystems and fish recruitment.

Sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) has been developing as a useful tool for reconstructing past plankton dynamics. This study evaluates whether sedDNA targeting the pelagic copepod, Eodiaptomus japonicus, in Lake Biwa (Japan) can be an effective tool for elucidating its past population dynamics.

We applied a quantitative polymerase chain reaction method targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene on two sediment cores and compared the detected sedDNA concentrations with the unique long‐term dataset of demographic traits, biomass, specific growth rate, production, subitaneous eggs, and resting eggs of E. japonicus.

The sedDNA concentration of E. japonicus recovered from sediment layers correlated significantly with in situ production, biomass, and production of immediately hatching eggs but not with resting eggs or specific growth rate. Our study provides evidence for the effective use of sedDNA as a tracking tool for assessing past copepod production dynamics.
Utilising clinical parameters to improve the selection of nerve biopsy candidates
Authors: Kopanidis Paul , Baskozos Georgios , Byrne Elizabeth , Hofer Monika , Themistocleous Andreas C. , Rinaldi Simon , Bennett David L. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundPeripheral nerve biopsy is a valuable final diagnostic tool; however, histopathological results can be non‐diagnostic.AimsWe aim to identify quality improvement measures by evaluating the pre‐biopsy assessment and diagnostic yield of specific histopathological diagnosis.MethodsThis was a retrospective study based on 10 years of experience with peripheral nerve biopsies at a single centre. Clinical data were obtained regarding pre‐biopsy history, examination, serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) investigations, neurophysiology and peripheral nerve imaging. Based upon a histopathological outcome, patients were grouped into vasculitis, granulomatous and infiltrative (diagnostic) group, or a comparison group of non‐specific axonal neuropathy and normal (non‐specific/normal) group.ResultsFrom a cohort of 64 patients, 21 (32.8%) were included in the diagnostic group and 30 (46.9%) in the non‐specific/normal group. Clinical parameters associated with the diagnostic group were shorter history (mean 10.2 months vs 38.1), stepwise progression (81% vs 20%), neuropathic pain (85.7% vs 56.7%), vasculitic rash (23.8% vs 0%), mononeuritis multiplex (57.1% vs 10%), asymmetry (90.5% vs 60%), raised white cell count (47.6% vs 16.7%), myeloperoxidase antibody (19.1% vs 0%) and abnormal peripheral nerve imaging (33.3% vs 10%).ConclusionSelection of patients undergoing nerve biopsy requires careful consideration of clinical parameters, including peripheral nerve imaging. Several quality improvement measures are proposed to improve yield of clinically actionable information from nerve biopsy.
Feeding enhances fibronectin adherence of quiescent lymphocytes through non‐canonical insulin signalling
Authors: Mallu Abhiram Charan Tej , Sivagurunathan Sivapriya , Paul Debasish , Aggarwal Hobby , Nathan Abel Arul , Manikandan Amrutha , Ravi Mahalakshmi M. , Boppana Ramanamurthy , Jagavelu Kumaravelu , Santra Manas Kumar , Dixit Madhulika 
Published: April 2023

AbstractNutritional availability during fasting and refeeding affects the temporal redistribution of lymphoid and myeloid immune cells among the circulating and tissue‐resident pools. Conversely, nutritional imbalance and impaired glucose metabolism are associated with chronic inflammation, aberrant immunity and anomalous leukocyte trafficking. Despite being exposed to periodic alterations in blood insulin levels upon fasting and feeding, studies exploring the physiological effects of these hormonal changes on quiescent immune cell function and trafficking are scanty. Here, we report that oral glucose load in mice and healthy men enhances the adherence of circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and lymphocytes to fibronectin. Adherence to fibronectin is also observed upon regular intake of breakfast following overnight fasting in healthy subjects. This glucose load‐induced phenomenon is abrogated in streptozotocin‐injected mice that lack insulin. Intra‐vital microscopy in mice demonstrated that oral glucose feeding enhances the homing of PBMCs to injured blood vessels in vivo. Furthermore, employing flow cytometry, Western blotting and adhesion assays for PBMCs and Jurkat‐T cells, we elucidate that insulin enhances fibronectin adherence of quiescent lymphocytes through non‐canonical signalling involving insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) autophosphorylation, phospholipase C gamma‐1 (PLCγ‐1) Tyr783 phosphorylation and inside‐out activation of β‐integrins respectively. Our findings uncover the physiological relevance of post‐prandial insulin spikes in regulating the adherence and trafficking of circulating quiescent T‐cells through fibronectin–integrin interaction.
Statewide Assessment Reveals Spatiotemporal Variability of Iron in Iowa Lakes
Authors: Leung Tania , Swanner Elizabeth D. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe micronutrient iron has been noted to play a crucial role in regulating phytoplankton growth; however, most studies have focused on large lakes with persistent phytoplankton blooms that are known to undergo iron limitation, such as Lake Erie. Iron abundance in boreal lakes is also known to correlate with dissolved organic carbon and increased iron concentrations causing “browning.” To assess the spatial distribution of dissolved Fe (DFe) in lakes throughout Iowa, a landscape once dominated by prairies, DFe was measured in surface waters of 124 lakes distributed across the state over the 2018 summer season. Thirty lakes were selected for 15 weeks of weekly DFe monitoring to assess temporal trends over the summer season. Dissolved Fe concentrations in surface waters ranged from 5 to 1000 μg L‐1. Iowan lakes exhibited temporal trends in DFe, with decreasing concentrations from May to mid‐July and an increase into August. Unsupervised learning method (k‐means) identified three main groups of lakes based on temporal DFe trends. In this study, surface water temperature was associated with DFe trends in some lakes. This study serves as a baseline for DFe in Iowa’s lakes and can provide insights into iron biogeochemical cycling and its role in phytoplankton blooms, which are important to ecosystem and public health.
Chlorophyll and Phycocyanin Raw Fluorescence May Inform Recreational Lake Managers on Cyanobacterial HABs and Toxins: Lake Fayetteville Case Study
Authors: Haggard Brian E. , Grantz Erin , Austin Bradley J. , Wagner Nicole D. , Scott J. Thad 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) have been observed across the USA and worldwide, and even locally in Lake Fayetteville (Arkansas, USA) once we started monitoring for total microcystin. The goal of this research note was to present a framework that might help guide cyanoHAB and toxin public health advisories at Lake Fayetteville. We evaluated nonparametric change points (i.e., thresholds) and hierarchical structure (using classification and regression trees) between total microcystin concentrations, chlorophyll, and phycocyanin; chlorophyll‐a is a pigment in all algae, while phycocyanin is specific to cyanobacteria. Pigment concentrations and raw fluorescence units (RFUs) all showed significant thresholds with total microcystin concentrations, basically showing that as concentration or RFUs increased above the thresholds that total microcystin was greater at Lake Fayetteville. The regression tree with total microcystin concentrations showed a first split with phycocyanin RFUs at 4524, and then when phycocyanin RFUs were greater there was an optimal range for the phycocyanin to chlorophyll RFU ratio (0.64‐1.5). At this recreational lake, total microcystin concentrations were greatest when water samples met these criteria, providing a possible framework for when lake managers might suggest an increased risk for elevated cyanobacterial toxins.
Incorporation of feeding behaviour traits to increase the genetic gain of feed efficiency in Pietrain pigs
Authors: Núñez Pedro , Gol Sofía , Reixach Josep , Casto‐Rebollo Cristina , Ibáñez‐Escriche Noelia 
Published: April 2023

AbstractImproved feed efficiency is an essential goal for the sustainability of pig production in economic and environmental terms. Traits such as feed conversion rate (FCR), residual feed intake (RFI), residual body weight gain (RG) and feeding behaviour, such as duration (TPV) and feeding rate per visit (FR) can now be measured by automatic feeding systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of incorporating feeding behaviour traits into a selection index to improve feed efficiency in a nucleus of purebred Pietrain pigs. Data on body weight, feed intake and duration were recorded at each visit in 1608 animals. The information contained in 843,605 visits was grouped by animal ID to obtain a set of feed efficiency and feeding behaviour traits. These traits were obtained in three periods (first, second and total period). Bayesian models were built to estimate the posterior marginal distribution of the variance components. The heritabilities were between 0.44 and 0.59 for feeding behaviour traits and between 0.31 and 0.49 for feed efficiency traits. The FCR and RFI showed a considerable genetic correlation with daily feed intake (~0.65). FCR showed a genetic correlation with feeding behaviour traits, such as feed intake per visit (FPV) (0.44) and FR (0.33). Furthermore, the fast‐eating pigs were less efficient. This was due to the positive genetic correlation found between the FR and the FCR (0.33) and the RFI (0.23), and the negative correlation found with the RG (−0.28). On the other hand, the inclusion of the feeding behaviour traits into a selection index slightly increased the selection response for FCR (4%) and RFI (1.8%). However, there was an increase of up to 19% in the selection response for RG and an improvement in accuracy from 0.59 to 0.70. Therefore, we concluded that it would be interesting to include feeding behaviour traits in a selection index to improve the selection response and accuracy of feed efficiency traits.