bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a compact torus injection system for the Keda Torus eXperiment
Authors: CHEN Chen , LAN Tao , XIAO Chijin , ZHUANG Ge , KONG Defeng , ZHANG Shoubiao , ZHANG Sen , DING Weixing , WU Zhengwei , MAO Wenzhe , WU Jie , XU Hangqi , WU Jiaren , ZU Yiming , ZHANG Dong , WEI Zian , WEN Xiaohui , ZHOU Chu , LIU Ahdi , XIE Jinlin , LI Hong , LIU Wandong 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
A compact torus injection system, KTX-CTI, has been developed for the planned injection experiments on the Keda Torus eXperiment (KTX) reversed field pinch (RFP) device to investigate the physics and engineering issues associated with interaction between a compact torus (CT) and RFP. The key interests include fueling directly into the reactor center, confinement improvement, and the injection of momentum and helicity into the RFP discharges. The CT velocity and mass have been measured using a multichannel optical fiber interferometer, and for the first time the time evolution of the CT density profile during CT propagation is obtained. The effects of discharge parameters on the number of injected particles, CT velocity and CT density have been characterized: the maximum hydrogen CT plasma mass,

m

CT

,

is 50 μg, corresponding to 30% of the mass in a typical KTX plasma; the CT velocity exceeds 120 km s−1. It is observed for the first time that multiple CTs can be produced and emitted during a very short period (<100 μs) in one discharge, which is significant for the future study of repetitive CT injection, even with an ultra-high frequency.
Wealth, Power And Institutional Change in Tanzania’s Parliament
Authors: Collord Michaela 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Tanzania’s legislature, or Bunge, has undergone considerable change in recent decades, gradually strengthening to attain unprecedented influence during Jakaya Kikwete’s presidency (2005–2015) only to decline again under President John Magufuli (2015–2021). This article investigates Bunge’s institutional evolution, asking what explains institutional change within an authoritarian legislature, dominated in this case by the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi. Building on recent literature highlighting the influence of elite contestation on legislative outcomes, the article seeks to go further by probing the nature and origins of the elite factions driving legislative institutional change. It uses insights from a recent political settlements literature, as well as older work on African political economy, to outline how changes to Tanzania’s Parliament have both reflected—and magnified—shifting patterns of elite contestation within CCM. These elite power struggles, in turn, vary with changes in the extent of private wealth accumulation and the related expansion of rival patron–client factions. When private accumulation has continued relatively uninhibited, as was true under Kikwete but not Magufuli, then factional contestation intensified and surfaced in parliament, helping to drive legislative institutional strengthening. For this analysis, I use interview and archival data gathered during extensive fieldwork.
Deep brain stimulation of the anterior nuclei of the thalamus can alleviate seizure severity and induce hippocampal GABAergic neuronal changes in a pilocarpine-induced epileptic mouse brain
Authors: Bae Sungjun , Lim Hyun-Kyoung , Jeong Yoonyi , Kim Seong-Gi , Park Sung-Min , Shon Young-Min , Suh Minah 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) has been widely used as an effective treatment for refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. Despite its promising clinical outcome, the exact mechanism of how ANT-DBS alleviates seizure severity has not been fully understood, especially at the cellular level. To assess effects of DBS, the present study examined electroencephalography (EEG) signals and locomotor behavior changes and conducted immunohistochemical analyses to examine changes in neuronal activity, number of neurons, and neurogenesis of inhibitory neurons in different hippocampal subregions. ANT-DBS alleviated seizure activity, abnormal locomotor behaviors, reduced theta-band, increased gamma-band EEG power in the interictal state, and increased the number of neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG). The number of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neurons was recovered to the level in DG and CA1 of naïve mice. Notably, BrdU-positive inhibitory neurons were increased. In conclusion, ANT-DBS not only could reduce the number of seizures, but also could induce neuronal changes in the hippocampus, which is a key region involved in chronic epileptogenesis. Importantly, our results suggest that ANT-DBS may lead to hippocampal subregion-specific cellular recovery of GABAergic inhibitory neurons.
Introduction of Subcutaneous Infliximab CT-P13 and Vedolizumab in Clinical Practice: A Multi-Stakeholder Position Statement Highlighting the Need for Post-Marketing Studies
Authors: Fierens Liselotte , Liefferinckx Claire , Hoefkens Eveline , Lobatòn Triana , Dreesen Erwin , Sabino João , Ferrante Marc 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background and Aims
Although subcutaneous formulations of infliximab CT-P13 and vedolizumab are registered for treating moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], many questions on their use remain unanswered. We set up a multi-stakeholder initiative resulting in a position statement.

Methods
Based on publicly available data, statements on subcutaneous infliximab and vedolizumab were developed and reviewed by 45 Belgian IBD physicians in a three-round modified Delphi process. During a consensus meeting, input from 16 IBD patients, nine IBD nurses and two clinical pharmacologists was provided and statements were further discussed, modified and scored. Statements achieving agreement by at least 70% of the IBD physicians were accepted.

Results
The Delphi process resulted in 79 agreed statements. In patients initiating intravenous therapy, IBD physicians would only consider switching to subcutaneous formulations in patients achieving both clinical and biological response [for Crohn’s disease] or both clinical and endoscopic response [for ulcerative colitis]. For patients under maintenance therapy, switching to subcutaneous formulations was only considered in those achieving both clinical and endoscopic response while receiving standard dosing of infliximab or vedolizumab. While awaiting more scientific data, IBD physicians should consider weekly subcutaneous injections or switching back to an intravenous formulation in case of loss of response. Finally, switching to a subcutaneous formulation should always be a shared decision.

Conclusions
All stakeholders welcomed subcutaneous infliximab and vedolizumab. However, more scientific data are needed to select the right patients and timing for switching to these newer formulations, and to explore the optimal strategy in case of loss of response.
The political economy of reforms in Central Bank design: evidence from a new dataset
Authors: Romelli Davide 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWhat explains the worldwide changes in central bank design over the past five decades? Using a new dataset on central bank institutional design, this paper investigates the timing, pace and magnitude of reforms in a sample of 154 countries over the period 1972–2017. I construct a new dynamic index of central bank independence (CBI) and show that past levels of independence, as well as regional convergence, represent important drivers of changes in central bank design. An external pressure, such as obtaining an IMF loan, or political events, such as democratic reforms and the election of nationalistic governments, also impact the reform process. Reforms also follow periods of high inflation rates suggesting an endogenous evolution of CBI. The results also reveal important heterogeneities in the reform process depending on the level of development, the size and direction of reforms, as well as the different dimensions along which central bank legislation can be amended.
Gradients in gene essentiality reshape antibacterial research
Authors: Hogan Andrew M , Cardona Silvia T 
Published: January 2022

AbstractEssential genes encode the processes that are necessary for life. Until recently, commonly applied binary classifications left no space between essential and non-essential genes. In this review, we frame bacterial gene essentiality in the context of genetic networks. We explore how the quantitative properties of gene essentiality are influenced by the nature of the encoded process, environmental conditions and genetic background, including a strain's distinct evolutionary history. The covered topics have important consequences for antibacterials, which inhibit essential processes. We argue that the quantitative properties of essentiality can thus be used to prioritize antibacterial cellular targets and desired spectrum of activity in specific infection settings. We summarize our points with a case study on the core essential genome of the cystic fibrosis pathobiome and highlight avenues for targeted antibacterial development.
How low can they go? Aerobic respiration by microorganisms under apparent anoxia
Authors: Berg Jasmine S , Ahmerkamp Soeren , Pjevac Petra , Hausmann Bela , Milucka Jana , Kuypers Marcel M M 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Oxygen (O2) is the ultimate oxidant on Earth and its respiration confers such an energetic advantage that microorganisms have evolved the capacity to scavenge O2 down to nanomolar concentrations. The respiration of O2 at extremely low levels is proving to be common to diverse microbial taxa, including organisms formerly considered strict anaerobes. Motivated by recent advances in O2 sensing and DNA/RNA sequencing technologies, we performed a systematic review of environmental metatranscriptomes revealing that microbial respiration of O2 at nanomolar concentrations is ubiquitous and drives microbial activity in seemingly anoxic aquatic habitats. These habitats were key to the early evolution of life and are projected to become more prevalent in the near future due to anthropogenic-driven environmental change. Here, we summarize our current understanding of aerobic microbial respiration under apparent anoxia, including novel processes, their underlying biochemical pathways, the involved microorganisms, and their environmental importance and evolutionary origin.
Identification of genes related to hydrolysis and assimilation of Agave fructans in Candida apicola NRRL Y-50540 and Torulaspora delbrueckii NRRL Y-50541 by de
novo transcriptome analysis
Authors: Muñoz-Miranda Luis A , Pereira-Santana Alejandro , Gómez-Angulo Jorge H , Gschaedler-Mathis Anne Christine , Amaya-Delgado Lorena , Figueroa-Yáñez Luis J , Arrizon Javier 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Fructans are the main sugar in agave pine used by yeasts during mezcal fermentation processes, from which Candida apicola NRRL Y-50540 and Torulaspora delbrueckii NRRL Y-50541 were isolated. De novo transcriptome analysis was carried out to identify genes involved in the hydrolysis and assimilation of Agave fructans (AF). We identified a transcript annotated as SUC2, which is related to β-fructofuranosidase activity, and several differential expressed genes involved in the transcriptional regulation of SUC2 such as: MIG1, MTH1, SNF1, SNF5, REG1, SSN6, SIP1, SIP2, SIP5, GPR1, RAS2, and PKA. Some of these genes were specifically expressed in some of the yeasts according to their fructans assimilation metabolism. Different hexose transporters that could be related to the assimilation of fructose and glucose were found in both the transcriptomes. Our findings provide a better understanding of AF assimilation in these yeasts and provide resources for further metabolic engineering and biotechnology applications.
The Imperial Maritime Customs and Sino-British exchange of materia medica, 1850s–1900s
Authors: Lu Di 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The Imperial Maritime Customs under British influence accomplished and facilitated much work on the transmission of new samples and first-hand information on Chinese drugs to Britain and beyond. It also participated in the shaping of China’s tariff and trade regulation, and quantified China’s drug trade with Britain and others in terms of modern statistics. Its intersection with the British presence was in part characteristic of the dissemination of British and foreign materia medica in Chinese society. The matters between drugs and the Imperial Maritime Customs adds a unique perspective on the networks and activities that engaged China further in global trade and the modern world.
SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BNT162B2 MRNA COVID-19 VACCINE IN A NATIONWIDE COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Authors: Khan Muhammad , Mushtaq Kamran , Saddique Muhammad , Alghizzawi Mohd , Yasir Muhammad , Younis Hafiz , Rashid Farah , AlSoub Deema , Yakoob Rafie , AlKaabi Saad , Al-Ejji Khalid 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS
The effectiveness of currently available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unknown. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in a nationwide cohort of patients with IBD in Qatar.

METHODS
Using a cohort design, we compared 476 IBD patients vaccinated identified between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2021, with 476 matched unvaccinated controls (matched on age and date of SARS-CoV-2 testing). Study outcomes included documented SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptomatic COVID-19, and COVID-19 related hospitalization. We also studied the side effects of the vaccination, including the effect on IBD exacerbation and hospitalizations related to adverse events.

RESULTS
Total follow-up was 23,289 person-days for the vaccinated and 23,653 person-days for the unvaccinated group. Vaccine effectiveness &gt;14 days [AAB1] after the second dose was 85.1% (95% CI: 65.2, 93.6) for confirmed infection, and 87.1% (95% CI: 63.6, 95.4)[AAB2] for symptomatic infection. No patient required hospitalization &gt;14 days after the second vaccine dose. Estimated vaccine effectiveness between 22 to 35 days after the first dose was 14.8% (95% CI: -151.5, 71.2) [AAB3] for any documented infection, and 59.8% (95% CI: -106.1, 92.2) for symptomatic COVID-19 disease. For patients taking biologics with or without immunomodulators, vaccine effectiveness &gt;14 days after the second dose was 94% (95% CI: 53.1, 99.2), and 92.7% (95% CI: 45.1, 99.0) for any documented infection and symptomatic COVID-19 respectively. Vaccine effectiveness was 87.4% (95% CI: 46.0, 97.1) for any documented infection and 91.7% (95% CI: 37.2, 98.9) for symptomatic COVID-19 during the same period for patients taking immunomodulators alone. None of the vaccinated patients required intensive care unit admission or died. No patient had IBD exacerbation or required hospitalization for vaccination-related adverse events.

CONCLUSION
In a nationwide cohort of IBD patients, the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was safe and highly effective.
MIRIKIZUMAB IMPROVES PATIENT ASSESSMENT OF DISEASE SEVERITY AND CHANGE IN DISEASE ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH MODERATELY TO SEVERELY ACTIVE CROHN’S DISEASE
Authors: Rubin David , Pollack Paul , Hunter Theresa , Shan Mingyang , Chan Lai-Shan , Deckard Deanilee 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Mirikizumab (miri), an anti-IL-23p19 inhibitor, has demonstrated efficacy in patients with ulcerative colitis and moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) in a Phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT02891226). This analysis evaluated the effect of miri on patient perception of symptom severity as well as disease activity over 12-week (W) induction and 40W maintenance periods.

METHODS
During induction, patients were randomised 2:1:1:2 to placebo (PBO), 200mg, 600mg, or 1000mg miri administered intravenously (IV) every four weeks (Q4W). Patients who received miri during induction and achieved ≥1 point improvement in Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease (SES-CD) at W12 were randomised 1:1 to continue induction treatment (IV 200mg, 600mg, 1000mg miri Q4W) or receive 300mg miri Q4W administered subcutaneously (SC) for 40W (maintenance). Because of small patient numbers, the randomised maintenance groups results were combined for those who continued IV induction treatment (All IV-C) and those who received SC treatment (All SC). SES-CD non-improvers and patients who received PBO during induction received 1000mg miri IV Q4W during maintenance. The 6-point Patient’s Global Rating of Severity (PGRS) scale (1=none to 6=very severe) was recorded daily on an electronic diary, and the 7-point Patient’s Global Rating of Change (PGRC) scale (1=very much better to 7=very much worse) was recorded at W4, 12 and 52. Weekly average score for PGRS was calculated and the change from baseline in miri compared to PBO using a mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) for induction period. Observed PGRC values at W4, 12 and 52 are presented.

RESULTS
Significant reduction in PGRS compared to PBO was observed as early as W4 in patients treated with 600mg miri (least square mean (LSM) difference ± standard error [95% confidence internal]: -0.44 ± 0.2 [-0.84, -0.04], p=0.031), and in all miri treated patients by W12: 200mg (-0.58 ± 0.2 [-1.05, -0.12], p=0.014), 600mg (-0.86 ± 0.2 [-1.31, -0.40], p&lt;0.001) and 1000mg (-0.52 ± 0.2 [-0.89, -0.15], p=0.007) (Table 1). Patients treated with 600mg miri and 1000mg reported greatest numerical improvement in PGRC at W12 (2.6 ± 1.0 and2.5 ± 0.9, respectively) (Table 1). Continued numeric reductions in PGRS and PGRC were observed at W52 in all miri dosing groups (Table 1). Patients treated with PBO/1000mg IV reported similar reductions in PGRS and PGRC at W52 to patients treated with miri from W0–52 (Table 1).

CONCLUSION
Mirikizumab treatment improved both patients’ self-assessment of disease severity and disease activity as early as week 4 and these improvements were sustained through 52 weeks in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease.
INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF PRIMARY SCLEROSING CHOLANGITIS: A META-ANALYSIS OF POPULATION-BASED STUDIES
Authors: Cooper Jared , Markovinovic Ante , Coward Stephanie , Shaheen Aziz , Swain Mark , Panaccione Remo , Ma Christopher , Novak Kerri , Kaplan Gilaad 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic liver disease associated with significant morbidity, mortality and healthcare utilization—with nearly 80% of PSC patients having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Understanding the incidence of PSC is important in defining the burden of disease and planning for allocation of healthcare resources.

AIM
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies of the incidence and prevalence of PSC in the general population and in IBD.

METHODS
Medline and Embase (from inception to May 10, 2021) were systematically searched to identify studies via the following inclusion criteria: 1) original articles, 2) population-based study of defined geographic area, 3) reported the incidence or prevalence of PSC in the general population. Studies that assessed specific populations (e.g., pediatric-only) were excluded. Abstracts and full texts were reviewed for inclusion and data was extracted independently in duplicate by two individuals (JC, AM). Meta-analyses, using random-effects, were performed to calculate overall and country-specific incidence and prevalence rates (per 100,000 persons) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Meta-analysis pooled the Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) in the incidence of PSC in the general population.

RESULTS
The initial search returned 3,958 abstracts. After duplicates were removed, abstracts (3,443) were screened, and full texts were reviewed (317), 17 studies met the criteria for inclusion for incidence and 19 for prevalence in the general population. Studies originated from 13 countries from North America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania (Figure 1). In the general population, incidence rates and prevalence of PSC was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.542, 1.05) and 11.16 (95%CI: 7.78, 16.02) per 100,000 persons, respectively (Figure 1). Incidence rates of PSC were significantly increasing overtime (AAPC: 4.56%; 95% CI: 0.45, 8.68).

DISCUSSION
The incidence of PSC is low at 0.75 per 100,000 but has been significantly increasing over time. The prevalence of PSC is low at 11.16 per 100,000 in the general population. Future studies on the incidence and prevalence of PSC in the general should be directed at Asia, Africa of Latin America to allow for a more robust assessment of the global epidemiology of PSC.
METHYLTRANSFERASE SMYD2 MODULATES THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Authors: Guan Xiaoqing , Hou Yuning , Sharma Shaligram , Li Chunying 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and remitting inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. A prior clinical trial demonstrated the ability of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand EGF to induce and maintain remission in ulcerative colitis. As a protein lysine methyltransferase, SET and MYND domain-containing protein 2 (SMYD2) regulates various cellular functions, including chromatin remodeling and tumorigenesis. A bioinformatic study has shown that EGFR might be a candidate for SMYD2-mediated methylation. In this research, we aimed to investigate whether SMYD2 depletion could synergize with EGFR-activating treatment to promote intestinal goblet cell regeneration in IBD.

METHODS
SMYD2 flox C57BL/6 (SMYD2fl/fl) and intestine epithelial cell-specific conditional knockout of SMYD2 (SMYD2ΔIEC) male mice (8 to10-week old) were given 3 cycles of DSS treatment, each cycle including 5 days of 2% DSS in drinking water followed by 16 days of normal drinking water. EGF (50 μg/kg/day) was administered via intraperitoneal injection once per day for 6 days during the third cycle of DSS treatment (from day 42 to 47 along with DSS administration). The disease activity index (DAI), including body weight loss, stool consistency and colorectal bleeding, was monitored and calculated daily. Histologic scoring was used to evaluate the extent of histopathologic change in middle colon tissue. Goblet cell differentiation and maturation was analyzed via Alcian Blue/periodic acid-Schiff (AB/PAS) staining and immunostaining.

RESULTS
EGF treatment significantly increased the number of goblet cells (AB/PAS staining positive cells) in both SMYD2fl/fl and SMYD2ΔIEC mice. However, in SMYD2ΔIEC mice, more mature goblet cells were observed. In contrast, in SMYD2fl/fl mice, most goblet cells were accumulated at the lower half of colon crypts with small mucin particles. As compared with SMYD2fl/fl mice receiving EGF treatment, SMYD2 depletion combined with EGF injection (6 days) failed to significantly improve body weight loss and DAI scoring during DSS treatment, as well as histologic scoring (including inflammatory cell infiltration and epithelial tissue damage). Immunostaining of goblet cell differentiation markers (including ATOH1, SPDEF and KLF4) revealed no significant difference between SMYD2fl/fl and SMYD2ΔIEC mice.

CONCLUSION
SMYD2 depletion combined with EGF treatment could promote goblet cell expansion and maturation in mouse DSS-induced chronic colitis. However, the mechanism by which SMYD2 depletion facilitates goblet cell maturation needs further investigation.