bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Collapse of terrestrial ecosystems linked to heavy metal poisoning during the Toarcian oceanic anoxic event
Authors: Baranyi Viktória , Jin Xin , Dal Corso Jacopo , Shi Zhiqiang , Grasby Stephen E. , Kemp David B. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The Early Jurassic Toarcian oceanic anoxic event (T-OAE, ca. 183 Ma) was accompanied by a major biotic turnover in the oceans and substantial vegetation change on land. The marine biotic crisis has been attributed to several triggers, e.g., anoxia, warming, ocean acidification, yet the processes underlying the collapse of the terrestrial ecosystem are poorly understood. New high-resolution geochemical and palynological data across the T-OAE from a lacustrine succession in North China reveal elevated occurrences of spore dwarfism, asymmetrical Classopollis tetrads, and aberrant spores coeval with increases in heavy metal (Hg, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, As) abundances. The occurrence of teratological spores and pollen in multiple plant groups suggests overall vegetation-scale ecological pressure. Our data indicate that the combination of a widespread floral crisis with higher terrestrial organic matter oxidation and decomposition, enhanced hydrological cycle, and coeval large-scale volcanism resulted in higher concentrations of toxic heavy metals in terrestrial ecosystems. These heavy metals could poison plants, causing mutations and disrupting their reproductive cycle, and making them more vulnerable to secondary stresses such as climatic extremes and/or habitat shifts, eventually leading to widespread collapse across all terrestrial trophic levels.
Retinal vascular density in CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy)
Authors: Krivosic Valérie , Paques Michel , Hervé Dominique , Duliére Cedric , Taleb Abbas , Gastellier Nathalie , Jouvent Eric , Lebenberg Jessica , Tadayoni Ramin , Chabriat Hugues 
Published: May 2023

Background and objectiveRetinal vascular density (VD) measured using optical coherence tomography with angiography (OCTA) has been suggested as a potential marker of intracerebral vascular changes in Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). We aimed to determine whether VD is related to the clinical and imaging manifestations of the disease.MethodsOCTA was performed in 104 CADASIL patients (parallel to their clinical and imaging assessment) and in 83 healthy individuals.ResultsA significant reduction of VD related to age was detected in patients and controls in the superficial and deep vascular plexus of the whole foveal or parafoveal retinal area (p<0.0001). After adjustment for age, these parameters were found significantly lower in patients than in controls (p<0.03). Multivariable analysis did not show any association between retinal VD and history of stroke, modified Rankin Scale or Mini-Mental Status Examination scores. No significant association was found with MRI lesions either .ConclusionIn CADASIL, retinal VD is decreased early and progresses with ageing but does not appear related to the severity of clinical or imaging manifestations.
Preferences for accessing sexual health services among middle-aged and older adults in the UK: a study protocol for a discrete choice experiment using mixed methods
Authors: Kpokiri Eneyi , Pan Stephen W. , Ong Jason J. , Greaves Emily , Khan Junead , Bowen Sophie , Jannaway Tracey , Terris-Prestholt Fern , Tanton Clare , Kuper Hannah , Shakespeare Thomas , Tucker Joseph D. , Wu Dan 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionSexual health is essential for general health and well-being. Sexual health services for middle-aged and older adults are not prioritised and optimising available services for this population is often overlooked. Not much is known about preferences for accessing sexual health services among middle-aged and older people or level of satisfaction with current services. The aim of this study is to explore preferences for seeking sexual health services among middle-aged and older adults in the UK. This study will use discrete choice experiments (DCEs) including initial qualitative interviews followed by the survey, which have been used as a tool to explore preferences in various health service delivery.Methods and analysisThe project will be carried out in two phases. First, we will conduct in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20–30 adults (aged 45+), including disabled people, and those from sexual minority groups resident in the UK. Interviews will explore indications, preferences and factors related to accessing sexual health services. Themes and subthemes emerging from the analysis of the interviews will then be used to design the choice sets and attribute level for the DCEs. For the second phase, for the DCEs, we will design choice sets composed of sexual health service delivery scenarios. The software Ngene will be used to develop the experimental design matrix for the DCE. We will use descriptive statistics to summarise the key sociodemographic characteristics of the study population. Multinomial logit, latent class and mixed logit models will be explored to assess sexual health service preferences and preference heterogeneity.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval for both parts of this study was granted by the Research and Ethics Committee at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Findings from this study will be disseminated widely to relevant stakeholders via scheduled meetings, webinars, presentations and journal publications.
Evaluation of the reported data linkage process and associated quality issues for linked routinely collected healthcare data in multimorbidity research: a systematic methodology review
Authors: Elstad Maria , Ahmed Saiam , Røislien Jo , Douiri Abdel 
Published: May 2023

ObjectiveThe objective of this systematic review was to examine how the record linkage process is reported in multimorbidity research.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in Medline, Web of Science and Embase using predefined search terms, and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Published studies from 2010 to 2020 using linked routinely collected data for multimorbidity research were included. Information was extracted on how the linkage process was reported, which conditions were studied together, which data sources were used, as well as challenges encountered during the linkage process or with the linked dataset.ResultsTwenty studies were included. Fourteen studies received the linked dataset from a trusted third party. Eight studies reported variables used for the data linkage, while only two studies reported conducting prelinkage checks. The quality of the linkage was only reported by three studies, where two reported linkage rate and one raw linkage figures. Only one study checked for bias by comparing patient characteristics of linked and non-linked records.ConclusionsThe linkage process was poorly reported in multimorbidity research, even though this might introduce bias and potentially lead to inaccurate inferences drawn from the results. There is therefore a need for increased awareness of linkage bias and transparency of the linkage processes, which could be achieved through better adherence to reporting guidelines.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021243188.
Text message-based intervention, Keeping in Touch (KiT), to support youth as they transition to adult type 1 diabetes care: a protocol for a multisite randomised controlled superiority trial
Authors: Sanmugalingham Geetha , Mok Elise , Cafazzo Joseph A , Desveaux Laura , Brazeau Anne-Sophie , Booth Gillian L , Greenberg Marley , Kichler Jessica , Rac Valeria E , Austin Peter , Goldbloom Ellen , Henderson Mélanie , Landry Alanna , Zenlea Ian , Taylor Madison , Nakhla Meranda , Shulman Rayzel 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionTransition from paediatric to adult care can be challenging for youth living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), as many youth feel unprepared to transfer to adult care and are at high risk for deterioration of glycaemic management and acute complications. Existing strategies to improve transition experience and outcomes are limited by cost, scalability, generalisability and youth engagement. Text messaging is an acceptable, accessible and cost-effective way of engaging youth. Together with adolescents and emerging adults and paediatric and adult T1D providers, we co-designed a text message-based intervention, Keeping in Touch (KiT), to deliver tailored transition support. Our primary objective is to test the effectiveness of KiT on diabetes self-efficacy in a randomised controlled trial.Methods and analysisWe will randomise 183 adolescents with T1D aged 17–18 years within 4 months of their final paediatric diabetes visit to the intervention or usual care. KiT will deliver tailored T1D transition support via text messages over 12 months based on a transition readiness assessment. The primary outcome, self-efficacy for diabetes self-management, will be measured 12 months after enrolment. Secondary outcomes, measured at 6 and 12 months, include transition readiness, perceived T1D-related stigma, time between final paediatric and first adult diabetes visits, haemoglobin A1c, and other glycaemia measures (for continuous glucose monitor users), diabetes-related hospitalisations and emergency department visits and the cost of implementing the intervention. The analysis will be intention-to-treat comparing diabetes self-efficacy at 12 months between groups. A process evaluation will be conducted to identify elements of the intervention and individual-level factors influencing implementation and outcomes.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol version 7 July 2022 and accompanying documents were approved by Clinical Trials Ontario (Project ID: 3986) and the McGill University Health Centre (MP-37-2023-8823). Study findings will be presented at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration numberNCT05434754.
High-resolution melting assay for rapid, simultaneous detection ofJAK2,MPLandCALRvariants
Authors: Sande Christopher M , Yang Guang , Mohamed Ayman , Legendre Ben L , Pion Danielle , Ferro Stephanie L , Grimm Kate , Elenitoba-Johnson Kojo S J 
Published: May 2023

AimsIdentification of recurrent genetic alterations inJAK2,MPLandCALRremains crucial in the diagnosis of Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Current laboratory testing algorithms may entail batching and/or sequential testing, involving multiple testing modalities and sometimes send-out testing that increase the technical and economic demands on laboratories while delaying patient diagnoses. To address this gap, an assay based on PCR and high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis was developed for simultaneous evaluation ofJAK2exons 12–14,MPLexon 10 andCALRexon 9, embodied in the HemeScreen® (hereafter ‘HemeScreen’) MPN assay.MethodsThe HemeScreen MPN assay was validated with blood and bone marrow samples from 982 patients with clinical suspicion for MPN. The HRM assay and Sanger sequencing were performed in independent Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratories with Sanger sequencing (supported by droplet digital PCR) serving as the gold standard.ResultsHRM and Sanger sequencing had an overall concordance of 99.4% with HRM detecting 133/139 (96%) variants confirmed by sequencing (9/10 MPL, 25/25 CALR, 99/104 JAK2), including 114 single nucleotide variants and 25 indels (3–52 bp). Variants consisted of disease-associated (DA) variants (89%), variants of unclear significance (2%) and non-DA variants (9%) with a positive predictive value of 92.3% and negative predictive value of 99.5%.ConclusionsThese studies demonstrate the exquisite accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the HRM-based HemeScreen MPN assay, which serves as a powerful, clinically applicable platform for rapid, simultaneous detection of clinically relevant, somatic disease variants.
‘It surprised me a lot that there is a link’: a qualitative study of the acceptability of periodontal treatment for individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Chapman Lara S , Vinall-Collier Karen , Siddle Heidi J , Mustufvi Zhain , Mankia Kulveer , Serban Stefan 
Published: May 2023

ObjectivesCurrent evidence suggests that periodontal disease could be a causal risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) onset and progression. Earlier periodontal intervention in individuals at risk of RA could provide a unique opportunity to prevent or delay the onset of RA. This study aimed to explore the acceptability of periodontal treatment as a measure to potentially prevent RA among at-risk individuals and healthcare professionals.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with anti-CCP positive at-risk individuals (CCP+ at risk) and a range of healthcare professionals. At-risk participant data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis; subsequent coding of healthcare professional data was deductive, based on a preidentified set of constructs.ResultsNineteen CCP+ at-risk and 11 healthcare professionals participated. Three themes (six subthemes) were identified: (1) understanding risk (knowledge of shared at-risk factors; information and communication); (2) oral health perceptions and experiences (personal challenges and opportunities for dental intervention and oral health maintenance; external barriers) and (3) oral health treatment and maintenance (making oral health changes with the aim of preventing RA; acceptability of participation in periodontal research).ConclusionsPeriodontal disease is common in individuals at risk of RA, but the impact of poor oral health may not be well understood. Oral health information should be tailored to the individual. CCP+ at-risk participants and healthcare professionals identified seeking dental treatment can be hindered by dental phobia, treatment costs or inability to access dentists. While CCP+ at-risk individuals may be reluctant to take preventive medications, a clinical trial involving preventive periodontal treatment is potentially acceptable.
Use of cinnamon and Bacillus subtilis probiotics in the diet of broiler chickens
Authors: Islam Mohammad Aminul , Nishibori Masahide 
Published: May 2023

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of cinnamon and Bacillus subtilis on the growth, meat characteristics, and lipid profiles of broiler chickens. In experiments 1 and 2, a total of 320 day-old broiler chicks were assigned to D1 (control), D2 (4 g cinnamon/kg), D3 (6 g cinnamon/kg), D4 (8 g cinnamon/kg) with four replicates, and D1 (control), D2 (0.4 g B. subtilis (BS)/kg), D3 (0.6 g BS/kg), D4 (0.8 g BS/kg), D5 (6 g cinnamon/kg) with three replicates, and 10 chicks/replication for 35 and 30 days, respectively. In experiment 1, no significant difference was observed among diets for growth and meat yield. However, test diets performed better than the control diet in terms of water-holding capacity of meat (WHCM), cooking loss of meat (CLM), blood lipids profiles (BLP), sensory quality score (SQS) ( p > 0.05), and flavor ( p < 0.05). In experiment 2, there was no significant difference among diets for growth, meat yield, WHCM, CLM, and BLP of the bird ( p > 0.05), except for SQS ( p < 0.001). Notwithstanding, the D5 tended to increase growth, meat yield, WHCM, and SQS, and decrease CLM and BLP. Thigh meat showed higher SQS than breast meat in both experiments. Therefore, the 6 g cinnamon/kg diet may be used for producing a safe, quality, and cost-effective broiler.
Distribution of corrosive microbial communities in rust layers of steel immersed in seawater
Authors: Ren Qijing , Zhang Yimeng , Duan Jizhou , Li Wangqiang , Dong Xucheng , Pei Yingying , Zhang Ruiyong , Zhu Qingjun 
Published: May 2023

In this paper, high-throughput sequencing technology was adopted to visualize the microbial communities on the surfaces of two types of carbon steel immersed in Sea Area Ⅰ. The results showed that different microbial communities were formed on different carbon steel surfaces, in which the genus with the highest abundance on the surface of Q235 was Escherichia– Shigella, while anaerobic Desulfovibrio on the surface of 921a was the most abundant, and the dominant genus varied with the depth of the rust layer. In addition, the distribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) on the surface of Q235 submerged in Sea Area Ⅱ was compared with the sulfate-reducing bacteria's distribution in Sea Area Ⅰ, using the environmental factors correlation analysis. The results showed that the concentrations of Ca2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Al3+ were positively correlated with the distribution of SRB, while the concentrations of Cu2+, Zn2+, SO4 2−, Cl−, NO3 −, and organic carbon were negatively correlated with it. Furthermore, there was a highly significant correlation between each geochemical factor and Desulfotomaculum ( p < 0.01).
Impact of fluorine and chlorine doping on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of SnO2: first-principles study
Authors: Larbi F. , Bourahla S. , Kouadri Moustefai S. , Elagra F. 
Published: May 2023

In this work, we carried out in-depth study of the structural, electronic, and optical properties of intrinsic, fluorine (F)- and chlorine (Cl)-doped SnO2, using a pseudo-potential plane-wave scheme in the framework of the density functional theory. We found that the substitution of oxygen by F or Cl elements slightly modified the crystalline parameters without altering the stability of SnO2 compounds. The doping of tin oxide by these two halogens is confirmed by the displacement of the Fermi level position to the conduction band. Consequently, the doped materials are strongly degenerated as illustrated by the Moss-Burstein shift: 2.310 and 2.332 eV for F:SnO2 and Cl:SnO2, respectively. On the other hand, the density of states and Mulliken population analysis show that the covalent character of Sn–O bond is maintained after doping, while Sn–X (X = F or Cl) bond reveals an ionic nature. In terms of optical properties after doping, intrinsic SnO2 exhibits low absorption, while the doped ones are transparent in the visible range, making them more efficient in photovoltaic applications. Moreover, in the ultraviolet (UV) scale, pure and doped tin oxide compounds show better absorption, which may be beneficial for use in devices of protection against UV light and UV absorbers or sensors. Finally, the plasma frequencies of 28.22, 29.16, and 27.67 eV for pure, F-, and Cl-doped SnO2, respectively, were obtained.
Benchmarking YOLOv5 and YOLOv7 models with DeepSORT for droplet tracking applications
Authors: Durve Mihir , Orsini Sibilla , Tiribocchi Adriano , Montessori Andrea , Tucny Jean-Michel , Lauricella Marco , Camposeo Andrea , Pisignano Dario , Succi Sauro 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTracking droplets in microfluidics is a challenging task. The difficulty arises in choosing a tool to analyze general microfluidic videos to infer physical quantities. The state-of-the-art object detector algorithmYou Only Look Once (YOLO)and the object tracking algorithmSimple Online and Realtime Tracking with a Deep Association Metric (DeepSORT)are customizable for droplet identification and tracking. The customization includes training YOLO and DeepSORT networks to identify and track the objects of interest. We trained several YOLOv5 and YOLOv7 models and the DeepSORT network for droplet identification and tracking from microfluidic experimental videos. We compare the performance of the droplet tracking applications with YOLOv5 and YOLOv7 in terms of training time and time to analyze a given video across various hardware configurations. Despite the latest YOLOv7 being 10% faster, the real-time tracking is only achieved by lighter YOLO models on RTX 3070 Ti GPU machine due to additional significant droplet tracking costs arising from the DeepSORT algorithm. This work is a benchmark study for the YOLOv5 and YOLOv7 networks with DeepSORT in terms of the training time and inference time for a custom dataset of microfluidic droplets.
Contact interactions and strong resolvent convergence, a partly variational approach
Authors: Dell’Antonio G. F. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn Dell’Antonio (Eur. Phys. J. Plus 136:392, 2021) we considered several types of contact (zero range) interactions. Their Hamiltonians are limit, in strong resolvent topology, of a sequence of potentials with decreasing support. Here we review and improve these results and provide a new analysis Bose–Einstein condensation and of the Fermi sea.
Downregulation of FKBP5 Promotes Atrial Arrhythmogenesis
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Song Jia , Yuan Yue , Li Luge , Abu-Taha Issam , Heijman Jordi , Sun Liang , Dobrev Shokoufeh , Kamler Markus , Xie Liang , Wehrens Xander H.T. , Horrigan Frank T. , Dobrev Dobromir , Li Na 
Published: May 2023

Background:

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia, is associated with the downregulation of
FKBP5
(encoding FKBP5 [FK506 binding protein 5]). However, the function of FKBP5 in the heart remains unknown. Here, we elucidate the consequences of cardiomyocyte-restricted loss of FKBP5 on cardiac function and AF development and study the underlying mechanisms.

Methods:

Right atrial samples from patients with AF were used to assess the protein levels of FKBP5. A cardiomyocyte-specific FKBP5 knockdown mouse model was established by crossbreeding
Fkbp5

flox/flox

mice with
Myh6

MerCreMer/+

mice. Cardiac function and AF inducibility were assessed by echocardiography and programmed intracardiac stimulation. Histology, optical mapping, cellular electrophysiology, and biochemistry were employed to elucidate the proarrhythmic mechanisms due to loss of cardiomyocyte FKBP5.

Results:

FKBP5 protein levels were lower in the atrial lysates of patients with paroxysmal AF or long-lasting persistent (chronic) AF. Cardiomyocyte-specific knockdown mice exhibited increased AF inducibility and duration compared with control mice. Enhanced AF susceptibility in cardiomyocyte-specific knockdown mice was associated with the development of action potential alternans and spontaneous Ca
2+
waves, and increased protein levels and activity of the NCX1 (Na
+
/Ca
2+
-exchanger 1), mimicking the cellular phenotype of chronic AF patients. FKBP5-deficiency enhanced transcription of
Slc8a1
(encoding NCX1) via transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. In vitro studies revealed that FKBP5 negatively modulated the protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α by competitively interacting with heat-shock protein 90. Injections of the heat-shock protein 90 inhibitor 17-AAG normalized protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and NCX1 and reduced AF susceptibility in cardiomyocyte-specific knockdown mice. Furthermore, the atrial cardiomyocyte-selective knockdown of FKBP5 was sufficient to enhance AF arrhythmogenesis.

Conclusions:
This is the first study to demonstrate a role for the FKBP5-deficiency in atrial arrhythmogenesis and to establish FKBP5 as a negative regulator of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α in cardiomyocytes. Our results identify a potential molecular mechanism for the proarrhythmic NCX1 upregulation in chronic AF patients.