bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mori fructus aqueous extracts attenuates liver injury by inhibiting ferroptosis via the Nrf2 pathway
Authors: Wei Yuanyuan , Gao Chen , Wang Huiru , Zhang Yannan , Gu Jinhua , Zhang Xiuying , Gong Xuhao , Hao Zhihui 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinogenesis secondary to liver fibrosis are serious liver diseases with no effective treatments. Mori fructus aqueous extracts (MFAEs) have served as successful treatments for many types of liver injury including fibrosis although the molecular mechanisms are unknown at present.

Purpose
To investigate the effect of MFAEs in alleviating acute and chronic liver injury and tried to decipher the underlying mechanism.

Methods and results
Mice were divided into 5 groups (n = 8) for acute (groups: control, 0.3% CCl4, bifendate (BD), 100 and 200 mg/kg MFAEs, 7 d) and chronic (groups: control, 10% CCl4, BD, 100 and 200 mg/kg MFAEs, 4 weeks) liver injury study. Each mouse was injected intraperitoneally with 10 µL/g corn oil containing CCl4 expect the control group. HepG2 cells were used in vitro study. Eighteen communal components were identified by UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS. We utilized a mouse model for acute and chronic liver injury using CCl4 and MFAEs administration effectively blocked fibrosis and significantly inhibited inflammation in the liver. MFAEs activated the nuclear factor erythroid derived 2 like 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway and promoted the synthesis of the antioxidants glutathione (GSH), superoxidedismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) that resulted in reduced levels of CCl4-induced oxidative stress molecules including reactive oxygen species. These extracts administered to mice also inhibited ferroptosis in the liver by regulating the expression of Acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), thus reducing the occurrence of liver fibrosis. Both in vivo and in vitro tests indicated that the mechanism of MFAEs protection against liver fibrosis was linked to activation of Nrf2 signaling. These effects were blocked in vitro by the addition of a specific Nrf2 inhibitor.

Conclusion
MFAEs inhibited oxidative stress, ferroptosis and inflammation of the liver by activating Nrf2 signal pathway and provided a significant protective effect against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis.

Graphical Abstract
Improved eukaryotic detection compatible with large-scale automated analysis of metagenomes
Authors: Bazant Wojtek , Blevins Ann S. , Crouch Kathryn , Beiting Daniel P. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Eukaryotes such as fungi and protists frequently accompany bacteria and archaea in microbial communities. Unfortunately, their presence is difficult to study with “shotgun” metagenomic sequencing since prokaryotic signals dominate in most environments. Recent methods for eukaryotic detection use eukaryote-specific marker genes, but they do not incorporate strategies to handle the presence of eukaryotes that are not represented in the reference marker gene set, and they are not compatible with web-based tools for downstream analysis.

Results
Here, we present CORRAL (for Clustering Of Related Reference ALignments), a tool for the identification of eukaryotes in shotgun metagenomic data based on alignments to eukaryote-specific marker genes and Markov clustering. Using a combination of simulated datasets, mock community standards, and large publicly available human microbiome studies, we demonstrate that our method is not only sensitive and accurate but is also capable of inferring the presence of eukaryotes not included in the marker gene reference, such as novel strains. Finally, we deploy CORRAL on our MicrobiomeDB.org resource, producing an atlas of eukaryotes present in various environments of the human body and linking their presence to study covariates.

Conclusions
CORRAL allows eukaryotic detection to be automated and carried out at scale. Implementation of CORRAL in MicrobiomeDB.org creates a running atlas of microbial eukaryotes in metagenomic studies. Since our approach is independent of the reference used, it may be applicable to other contexts where shotgun metagenomic reads are matched against redundant but non-exhaustive databases, such as the identification of bacterial virulence genes or taxonomic classification of viral reads.
Environmental determinants of access to shared sanitation in informal settlements: a cross-sectional study in Abidjan and Nairobi
Authors: Pessoa Colombo Vitor , Chenal Jérôme , Orina Fred , Meme Hellen , Koffi Jeanne d’Arc Amoin , Koné Brama , Utzinger Jürg 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Universal access to basic sanitation remains a global challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Efforts are underway to improve access to sanitation in informal settlements, often through shared facilities. However, access to these facilities and their potential health gains—notably, the prevention of diarrheal diseases—may be hampered by contextual aspects related to the physical environment. This study explored associations between the built environment and perceived safety to access toilets, and associations between the latter and diarrheal infections.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out between July 2021 and February 2022, including 1714 households in two informal settlements in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and two in Nairobi (Kenya). We employed adjusted odds ratios (aORs) obtained from multiple logistic regressions (MLRs) to test whether the location of the most frequently used toilet was associated with a perceived lack of safety to use the facility at any time, and whether this perceived insecurity was associated with a higher risk of diarrhea. The MLRs included several exposure and control variables, being stratified by city and age groups. We employed bivariate logistic regressions to test whether the perceived insecurity was associated with settlement morphology indicators derived from the built environment.

Results
Using a toilet outside the premises was associated with a perceived insecurity both in Abidjan [aOR = 3.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–8.70] and in Nairobi (aOR = 57.97, 95% CI: 35.93–93.53). Perceived insecurity to access toilets was associated with diarrheal infections in the general population (aOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.29–2.79 in Abidjan, aOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.22–2.34 in Nairobi), but not in children below the age of 5 years. Several settlement morphology features were associated with perceived insecurity, namely, buildings’ compactness, the proportion of occupied land, and angular deviation between neighboring structures.

Conclusions
Toilet location was a critical determinant of perceived security, and hence, must be adequately addressed when building new facilities. The sole availability of facilities may be insufficient to prevent diarrheal infections. People must also be safe to use them. Further attention should be directed toward how the built environment affects safety.

Graphical Abstract
Investigation of the deterioration mechanisms induced by moisture and soluble salts in the necropolis of Porta Nocera, Pompeii (Italy)
Authors: Kilian Ralf , Borgatta Léo , Wendler Eberhard 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
This paper focuses on the diagnosis of damage processes of decorative Roman renders of a group of tombs in the Porta Nocera necropolis in the ancient city of Pompeii, Italy. Unprotected from various climatic events, the tombs keep on deteriorating since they were first excavated in 1954. Extensive on-site and laboratory diagnostics using non-destructive and low-destructive techniques have been able to demonstrate that soluble salts are among the major agents of deterioration, causing damage in the form of render delamination. Gypsum is formed on the surface of the materials by the deposition of sulfur dioxide, resulting in reduced porosity and hardening of the surface. Soluble salts of nitrates and chlorides that penetrate the tombs’ masonry from the ground and are transported through the render layers tend to crystallize in subsurface. The crystallization—dilution cycles of the soluble salts cause major mechanical pressures, leading to the progressive destruction of the renders. Past conservation strategies to secure plasters have shown only limited effectiveness. In light of the data collected regarding salt decay, the authors propose new strategies, questioning the systematic use of grouts and restoration mortars for conservation treatments and focusing on preventive conservation and maintenance to ensure the long-term preservation of masonry and decorative surfaces of the tombs.
A new hybrid method with data-characteristic-driven analysis for artificial intelligence and robotics index return forecasting
Authors: Zhang Yue-Jun , Zhang Han , Gupta Rangan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractForecasting returns for the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index is of great significance for financial market stability, and the development of the artificial intelligence industry. To provide investors with a more reliable reference in terms of artificial intelligence index investment, this paper selects the NASDAQ CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (AIRO) Index as the research target, and proposes innovative hybrid methods to forecast returns by considering its multiple structural characteristics. Specifically, this paper uses the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method and the modified iterative cumulative sum of squares (ICSS) algorithm to decompose the index returns and identify the structural breakpoints. Furthermore, it combines the least-square support vector machine approach with the particle swarm optimization method (PSO-LSSVM) and the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) type models to construct innovative hybrid forecasting methods. On the one hand, the empirical results indicate that the AIRO index returns have complex structural characteristics, and present time-varying and nonlinear characteristics with high complexity and mutability; on the other hand, the newly proposed hybrid forecasting method (i.e., the EEMD-PSO-LSSVM-ICSS-GARCH models) which considers these complex structural characteristics, can yield the optimal forecasting performance for the AIRO index returns.
Market access and seaport efficiency: the case of container handling in Norway
Authors: Rødseth Kenneth Løvold , Holmen Rasmus Bøgh , Kuosmanen Timo , Schøyen Halvor 
Published: April 2023

AbstractComprehensive studies on the impact of market access on port efficiency are scarce, and the problem that market access indicators are potentially endogenous lacks treatment in maritime economics. This paper offers both theoretical and empirical advances to fill these research gaps. First, it pioneers in the use of Stochastic semi-Nonparametric Envelopment of Z variables Data for measuring port efficiency, and further develops the methodology for panel data and proposes an instrumental variable extension for dealing with endogenous market access indicators. Second, it advances the empirical port literature by developing a unique panel dataset on Norwegian container ports encompassing a comprehensive set of foreland and hinterland connectivity measures. Our comprehensive assessment suggests that the role of market access in determining port efficiency is uncertain.
Decarbonization technology responsibility to gender equality in the shipping industry: a systematic literature review and new avenues ahead
Authors: Di Vaio Assunta , Zaffar Anum , Balsalobre-Lorente Daniel , Garofalo Antonio 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis study investigates existing literature on decarbonization technology responsibility for sustainable business models in the shipping industry. Specifically, it considers the relationship between responsible innovation from green technology adoption in decarbonization management practices and gender equality to precisely target how decarbonization technology relates to gender mainstreaming, a key element of Sustainable Development Goal 5 in the UN 2030 Agenda. From the institutional theory perspective, this study conducted a systematic review of 114 articles published in the ISI Web of Science and Scopus databases from 1990 to 2022. The results highlight that green technology adoption can support low-carbon practices and gender equality in the shipping industry by contributing to decarbonization technology responsibility, sustainable business models, and responsible innovation. Ultimately, this study suggests that shipping management should provide training and workshops for women on technology adoption in decarbonization operational processes to support gender quality and technological development. It also presents a new conceptual framework and research propositions on significant issues that are currently neglected. The proposed framework may be treated as a decarbonization technology responsibility guideline in shipping management that can reshape the organizational culture to promote gender equality.
The Uses and Advantages of Kirchhoff’s Laws vs. Differential Equations in Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, and (Even) Chemistry
Authors: Benet Leslie Z. , Sodhi Jasleen K. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn chemistry, rate processes are defined in terms of rate constants, with units of time−1, and are derived by differential equations from amounts. In contrast, when considering drug concentrations in biological systems, particularly in humans, rate processes must be defined in terms of clearance, with units of volume/time, since biological volumes, which are highly dependent on drug partition into biological tissues, cannot be easily determined. In pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and in making drug dosing decisions, drug clearance and changes in drug clearance are paramount. Clearance is defined as the amount of drug eliminated or moved divided by the exposure driving that elimination or movement. Historically, all clearance derivations in pharmacology and pharmacokinetics have been based on the use of differential equations in terms of rate constants and amounts, which are then converted into clearance equations when multiplied/divided by a hypothesized volume of distribution. Here, we show that except for iv bolus dosing, multiple volumes may be relevant. We have recently shown that clearance relationships, as well as rate constant relationships, may be derived independent of differential equations using Kirchhoff’s Laws from physics. Kirchhoff’s Laws may be simply translated to recognize that when two or more rate-defining processes operate in parallel, the total value of the overall reaction parameter is equal to the sum of those rate-defining processes. In contrast, when two or more rate-defining processes operate in series, the inverse of the total reaction parameter is equal to the sum of the inverse of those rate-defining steps.
Graphical Abstract
Whole-Body and Forearm Muscle Protein Metabolism in Patients With Acromegaly Before and After Treatment
Authors: Arlien-Søborg Mai C , Dal Jakob , Madsen Michael Alle , Høgild Morten Lyng , Pedersen Steen B , Jessen Niels , Jørgensen Jens O L , Møller Niels 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background
Active acromegaly is characterized by increased lean body mass, but the mechanisms underlying the protein anabolic effect are unclear.

Aim
To study if active acromegaly induces reversible changes in whole-body and skeletal muscle protein kinetics.

Patients and Methods
Eighteen patients with acromegaly were investigated before and 47 ± 10 weeks after disease control by surgery (n = 8) and/or medical treatment (n = 10). Labeled phenylalanine and tyrosine tracers were employed to assess whole-body and regional forearm muscle protein kinetics. Intramyocellular protein signaling was assessed in skeletal muscle biopsies, and whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan and indirect calorimetry assessed lean body mass (LBM) and resting energy expenditure, respectively.

Results
Disease control induced a 7% decrease in lean body mass (P &lt; .000) and a 14% decrease in LBM-adjusted energy expenditure. Whole-body phenylalanine breakdown decreased after disease control (P = .005) accompanied by a decrease in the degradation of phenylalanine to tyrosine (P = .005) and a decrease in whole-body phenylalanine synthesis (P = .030). Skeletal muscle protein synthesis tended to decrease after disease control (P = .122), whereas the muscle protein breakdown (P = .437) and muscle protein loss were unaltered (P = .371). Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 phosphorylation, an activator of protein breakdown, increased after disease control (P = .042).

Conclusions
Active acromegaly represents a reversible high flux state in which both whole-body protein breakdown and synthesis are increased, whereas forearm muscle protein kinetics are unaltered. Future studies are needed to decipher the link between protein kinetics and the structure and function of the associated growth hormone-induced increase in lean body mass.
How Gender Segregation in Higher Education Contributes to Gender Segregation in the U.S. Labor Market
Authors: Zheng Haowen , Weeden Kim A. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
What is the relationship between gender segregation in higher education and gender segregation in the labor market? Using Fossett's (2017) difference-of-means method for calculating segregation indices and data from the American Community Survey, we show that approximately 36% of occupational segregation among college-educated workers is associated with gender segregation across 173 fields of study, and roughly 64% reflects gender segregation within fields. A decomposition analysis shows that fields contribute to occupational segregation mainly through endowment effects (men's and women's uneven distribution across fields) than through the coefficient effects (gender differences in the likelihood of entering a male-dominated occupation from the same field). Endowment effects are highest in fields strongly linked to the labor market, suggesting that educational segregation among fields in which graduates tend to enter a limited set of occupations is particularly consequential for occupational segregation. Within-field occupational segregation is higher among heavily male-dominated fields than other fields, but it does not vary systematically by fields' STEM status or field–occupation linkage strength. Assuming the relationship between field segregation and occupational segregation is at least partly causal, these results imply that integrating higher education (e.g., by increasing women's representation in STEM majors) will reduce but not eliminate gender segregation in labor markets.
Minimizing Intracranial Disease Before Stereotactic Radiation in Single or Solitary Brain Metastases
Authors: Bhave Varun M. , Lamba Nayan , Aizer Ayal A. , Bi Wenya Linda 
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) in multiple fractions (typically ≤5) can effectively treat a wide range of brain metastases, including those less suitable for single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Prior prospective studies on surgical resection with stereotactic radiation have focused exclusively on SRS, and retrospective studies have shown equivocal results regarding whether surgery is associated with improved outcomes compared with SRT alone. We compared resection with postoperative cavity SRT or SRS to SRT alone in patients with 1 brain metastasis, while including patients receiving SRS alone as an additional reference group.

METHODS:
We studied 716 patients in a retrospective, single-institution cohort diagnosed with single or solitary brain metastases from 2007 to 2020. Patients receiving whole-brain radiotherapy were excluded. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed for overall survival and additional intracranial outcomes.

RESULTS:
After adjustment for potential confounders, surgery with cavity SRT/SRS was associated with decreased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.39, 95% CI [0.27-0.57], P = 1.52 × 10−6) compared with SRT alone, along with lower risk of neurological death attributable to intracranial tumor progression (HR: 0.46, 95% CI [0.22-0.94], P = 3.32 × 10−2) and radiation necrosis (HR: 0.15, 95% CI [0.06-0.36], P = 3.28 × 10−5). Surgery with cavity SRS was also associated with decreased all-cause mortality (HR: 0.52, 95% CI [0.35-0.78], P = 1.46 × 10−3), neurological death (HR: 0.30, 95% CI [0.10-0.88], P = 2.88 × 10−2), and radiation necrosis (HR: 0.14, 95% CI [0.03-0.74], P = 2.07 × 10−2) compared with SRS alone. Surgery was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality and neurological death in cardinality-matched subsets of the cohort. Among surgical patients, gross total resection was associated with extended overall survival (HR: 0.62, 95% CI [0.40-0.98], P = 4.02 × 10−2) along with lower risk of neurological death (HR: 0.31, 95% CI [0.17-0.57], P = 1.84 × 10−4) and local failure (HR: 0.34, 95% CI [0.16-0.75], P = 7.08 × 10−3).

CONCLUSION:
In patients with 1 brain metastasis, minimizing intracranial disease specifically before stereotactic radiation is associated with improved oncologic outcomes.
Burden of caregivers of people suffering from schizophrenia versus symptom severity, social functioning and treatment satisfaction of patients treated by a CMHT
Authors: Cechnicki Andrzej , Nowak Agnieszka , Arciszewska-Leszczuk Aleksandra , Stankiewicz Przemysław , Kalisz Aneta , Hat Marta 
Published: April 2023

Cel pracyCelem badania była ocena obciążenia opiekunów osób z rozpoznaniem schizofrenii, leczonych w zespołach leczenia środowiskowego (ZLŚ) i jego związku z demograficzną, kliniczną i społeczną charakterystyką pacjentów, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem ich satysfakcji z opieki oraz ocena związków wybranych cech opiekunów z poziomem ich obciążenia.MetodaBadaniem objęto 65 opiekunów i 65 pacjentów, będących w leczeniu domowym. Opiekunów oceniano za pomocą kwestionariuszy demograficznych oraz inwentarza brzemienia dla osoby sprawującej opiekę (CBI). Pacjentów oceniano za pomocą skali objawów pozytywnych i negatywnych (PANSS), Skali Werońskiej oceny satysfakcji z leczenia (VSSS-54), kwestionariuszami oceny niepełnosprawności (WHODAS 2.0), wskaźnika sieci społecznej (SNI) oraz skali samotności (UCLA Loneliness Scale). Do analizy wykorzystano liniową regresję wielokrotną.WynikiPodwyższone obciążenie opiekunów związane było: z większym nasileniem objawów pacjenta, niższą satysfakcją z profesjonalizmu personelu, a także z wysokim poziomem nasilenia emocji w relacjach. Najlepiej wyjaśniany model, 57% wyjaśnionej wariancji, dotyczył obciążenia emocjonalnego opiekunów i składał się z czterech czynników: nasilonego syndromu pozytywnego pacjenta, pozostawania przez niego w związku uczuciowym, płci (opiekunki mężczyzn odczuwały wyższe brzemię) oraz mniejszej sieci społecznej.WnioskiNasilenie obciążenia opiekunów związane jest z socjodemograficzną, kliniczną i społeczną charakterystyka pacjentów i ich satysfakcją z leczenia. Znaczenie mają: większe nasilenie objawów, szczególnie syndromu pozytywnego dla obciążenia emocjonalnego opiekunów, mniejsze zadowolenie pacjentów z profesjonalizmu personelu, duża ekspresyjność emocji w relacjach rodzinnych. Istotne znaczenie mają również płeć i poziom wykształcenia pacjenta i opiekuna, stopień niepełnosprawności pacjenta, pozostawanie przez nich w związku oraz wielkość sieci wsparcia społecznego.