bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Ahr2-Dependent wfikkn1 Gene Influences Zebrafish Transcriptome, Proteome, and Behavior
Authors: Shankar Prarthana , Garcia Gloria R , La Du Jane K , Sullivan Christopher M , Dunham Cheryl L , Goodale Britton C , Waters Katrina M , Stanisheuski Stanislau , Maier Claudia S , Thunga Preethi , Reif David M , Tanguay Robyn L 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is required for vertebrate development and is also activated by exogenous chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). AHR activation is well-understood, but roles of downstream molecular signaling events are largely unknown. From previous transcriptomics in 48 h postfertilization (hpf) zebrafish exposed to several PAHs and TCDD, we found wfikkn1 was highly coexpressed with cyp1a (marker for AHR activation). Thus, we hypothesized wfikkn1’s role in AHR signaling, and showed that wfikkn1 expression was Ahr2 (zebrafish ortholog of human AHR)-dependent in developing zebrafish exposed to TCDD. To functionally characterize wfikkn1, we made a CRISPR-Cas9 mutant line with a 16-bp deletion in wfikkn1’s exon, and exposed wildtype and mutants to dimethyl sulfoxide or TCDD. 48-hpf mRNA sequencing revealed over 700 genes that were differentially expressed (p &lt; .05, log2FC &gt; 1) between each pair of treatment combinations, suggesting an important role for wfikkn1 in altering both the 48-hpf transcriptome and TCDD-induced expression changes. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics of 48-hpf wildtype and mutants revealed 325 significant differentially expressed proteins. Functional enrichment demonstrated wfikkn1 was involved in skeletal muscle development and played a role in neurological pathways after TCDD exposure. Mutant zebrafish appeared morphologically normal but had significant behavior deficiencies at all life stages, and absence of Wfikkn1 did not significantly alter TCDD-induced behavior effects at all life stages. In conclusion, wfikkn1 did not appear to be significantly involved in TCDD’s overt toxicity but is likely a necessary functional member of the AHR signaling cascade.
Turkana warriors’ call to arms: how an egalitarian society mobilizes for cattle raids
Authors: Mathew Sarah 
Published: April 2022

Humans are able to overcome coordination and collective action problems to mobilize for large-scale intergroup conflict even without formal hierarchical political institutions. To better understand how people rally together for warfare, I examine how the politically decentralized Turkana pastoralists in Kenya assemble raiding parties. Based on accounts of 54 Turkana battles obtained from semi-structured interviews with Turkana warriors, I describe the precipitating factors, recruitment process, exhortations and leadership involved in marshalling a raiding party. Details of this ethnographic case shed light on how voluntary informal armies are mobilized, and illustrate how culturally evolved institutions harness our cooperative dispositions at multiple scales to produce large-scale warfare.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Intergroup conflict across taxa’.
Environmental stress increases out-group aggression and intergroup conflict in humans
Authors: De Dreu Carsten K. W. , Gross Jörg , Reddmann Lennart 
Published: April 2022

Peaceful coexistence and trade among human groups can be fragile and intergroup relations frequently transition to violent exchange and conflict. Here we specify how exogenous changes in groups' environment and ensuing carrying-capacity stress can increase individual participation in intergroup conflict, and out-group aggression in particular. In two intergroup contest experiments, individuals could contribute private resources to out-group aggression (versus in-group defense). Environmental unpredictability, induced by making non-invested resources subject to risk of destruction (versus not), created psychological stress and increased participation in and coordination of out-group attacks. Archival analyses of interstate conflicts showed, likewise, that sovereign states engage in revisionist warfare more when their pre-conflict economic and climatic environment were more volatile and unpredictable. Given that participation in conflict is wasteful, environmental unpredictability not only made groups more often victorious but also less wealthy. Macro-level changes in the natural and economic environment can be a root cause of out-group aggression and turn benign intergroup relations violent.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Intergroup conflict across taxa’.
Ablation of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Hyperintensity Clusters and Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Improves Seizure Outcomes after Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy
Authors: Kim Min Jae , Hwang Brian , Mampre David , Negoita Serban , Tsehay Yohannes , Sair Haris , Kang Joon Y. , Anderson William S. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectiveMR-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LiTT) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for intractable mesial temporal epilepsy (mTLE). LiTT is safe and effective but seizure outcomes are highly variable due to patient variability, suboptimal targeting, and incomplete ablation of epileptogenic zone. Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) is an MRI sequence that can identify potential epileptogenic foci in the mesial temporal lobe to improve ablation and seizure outcome. The objective of this study was to investigate whether ablation of tissue clusters with high ADC values in the mesial temporal structures is associated with seizure outcome in mTLE after LiTT.MethodsThirty mTLE patients who underwent LiTT at our institution were analyzed. Seizure outcome was categorized as complete seizure freedom (ILAE Class I) and residual seizures (ILAE Class II – VI). Volumes of hippocampus and amygdala were segmented from preoperative T1 MRI sequence. Spatially distinct hyperintensity clusters were identified in the preoperative ADC map. Percent cluster volume and number ablated were associated with seizure outcomes.ResultsThe mean age at surgery was 36.6 years and mean follow-up duration was 1.9 years. Proportions of hippocampal cluster volume (35.20% vs. 16.5 %, p = 0.014) and cluster number (27.1 % vs 4.2 %, p = 0.0007) ablated were significantly higher in patients with seizure freedom. For amygdala clusters, only proportion of cluster number ablated was significantly associated with seizure outcome (13.2 % vs. 0 %, p = 0.016). Ablation of hippocampal clusters predicted seizure outcome, both by volume (AUC = 0.7679) and number (AUC = 0.8086) ablated.SignificanceSeizure outcome after LiTT in mTLE patients was significantly associated with the extent of cluster ablation in the hippocampus and amygdala. The results suggest that preoperative ADC analysis may help identify high-yield pathological tissue clusters that represent epileptogenic foci. ADC based cluster analysis can potentially assist ablation targeting and improve seizure outcome after LiTT in mTLE.
Loss-of-function mutations in novel triacylglycerol lipase genes are associated with low rancidity in pearl millet flour
Authors: Aher Rasika Rajendra , Reddy Palakolanu Sudhakar , Bhunia Rupam Kumar , Flyckt Kayla S. , Shankhapal Aishwarya R , Ojha Rabishankar , Everard John D. , Wayne Laura L. , Ruddy Brian M. , Deonovic Benjamin , Gupta Shashi K. , Sharma Kiran K. , Bhatnagar-Mathur Pooja 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTCommercialization and utilization of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) by consumers and processing industry is constrained due to rapid onset of rancidity in its milled flour. We studied the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms to flour rancidity in contrasting inbreds under 21-day accelerated storage. Rapid TAG decrease was accompanied by FFA increase in high rancidity genotype compared to the low rancidity line, that maintained lower FFA and high TAG levels, besides lower headspace aldehydes. DNA sequence polymorphisms observed in two lipase genes revealed loss-of-function mutations that were functionally confirmed in yeast system. We outline a direct mechanism for mutations in these key TAG lipases in pearl millet and the protection of TAG and fatty acids from hydrolytic and oxidative rancidity respectively,. Natural variation in the PgTAGLip1 and PgTAGLip2 genes may be selected through marker assisted breeding or by precision genetics methods to develop hybrids with improved flour shelf life.
Association of history of metformin use with delirium and mortality: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yamanashi Takehiko , Anderson Zoe-Ella EM , Modukuri Manisha , Chang Gloria , Tran Tammy , Marra Pedro S. , Wahba Nadia E. , Crutchley Kaitlyn J. , Sullivan Eleanor J. , Jellison Sydney S. , Comp Katie R. , Akers Cade C. , Meyer Alissa A. , Lee Sangil , Iwata Masaaki , Cho Hyunkeun R. , Shinozaki Eri , Shinozaki Gen 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between history of metformin use and delirium risk, as well as long-term mortality.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, subjects recruited between January 2016 and March 2020 were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between metformin use and delirium. Log-rank analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were used to investigate the relationship between metformin use and 3-year mortality.ResultsThe data from 1404 subjects were analyzed. 242 subjects were categorized into a DM-without-metformin group, and 264 subjects were categorized into a DM-with-metformin group. Prevalence of delirium was 36.0% in the DM-without-metformin group, and 29.2% in the DM-with-metformin group. A history of metformin use reduced the risk of delirium in patients with DM (OR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.32 to 0.79]) after controlling for age, sex, and dementia status, body mass index (BMI), and insulin use. The 3-year mortality in the DM-without-metformin group (survival rate, 0.595 [95% CI, 0.512 to 0.669]) was higher than in the DM-with-metformin group (survival rate, 0.695 [95% CI, 0.604 to 0.770]) (p=0.035). A history of metformin use decreased the risk of 3-year mortality after adjustment for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, BMI, history of insulin use, and delirium status (HR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.48 to 0.98]).ConclusionsIt was found that metformin usage was associated with decreased delirium prevalence and lower 3-year mortality. The potential benefit of metformin on delirium risk and mortality were shown.
Does Metformin Decrease Mortality in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Hospitalized for COVID-19? A Multivariable and Propensity Score-adjusted Meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Zhiyuan , Krishnamurthy Mahesh 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimsCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new pandemic that the entire world is facing since December of 2019. Increasing evidence has shown that metformin is linked to favorable outcomes in patients with COVID-19. The aim of this study was to address whether outpatient or inpatient metformin therapy offers low in-hospital mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus hospitalized for COVID-19.MethodsWe searched studies published in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library up to October 1, 2021. Raw event data extracted from individual study were pooled using the Mantel-Haenszel approach. Odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) adjusted for covariates that potentially confound the association using multivariable regression or propensity score matching was pooled by the inverse-variance method. Random effect models were applied for meta-analysis due to variation among studies.ResultsNineteen retrospective observational studies were selected. The pooled unadjusted OR for outpatient metformin therapy and in-hospital mortality was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.42-0.68), whereas the pooled OR adjusted with multivariable regression or propensity score matching was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.47-1.12). The pooled unadjusted OR for inpatient metformin therapy and in-hospital mortality was 0.19 (95% CI, 0.10-0.36), whereas the pooled adjusted HR was 1.10 (95% CI, 0.38-3.15).ConclusionsOur results suggest that there is a significant reduction of in-hospital mortality with metformin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus hospitalized for COVID-19 in the unadjusted analysis, but this mortality benefit does not retain after adjustments for confounding bias.
Opposing diet, microbiome and metabolite mechanisms regulate inflammatory bowel disease in a genetically susceptible host
Authors: Pereira Gabriel Vasconcelos , Boudaud Marie , Wolter Mathis , Alexander Celeste , Sciscio Alessandro De , Grant Erica. T. , Trindade Bruno Caetano , Pudlo Nicholas A. , Singh Shaleni , Campbell Austin , Shan Mengrou , Zhang Li , Yang Qinnan , Willieme Stéphanie , Kim Kwi , Denike-Duval Trisha , Fuentes Jaime , Bleich André , Schmidt Thomas M. , Kennedy Lucy , Lyssiotis Costas A. , Chen Grace Y. , Eaton Kathryn A. , Desai Mahesh S. , Martens Eric C. 
Published: April 2022

SummaryInflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic conditions characterized by periods of spontaneous intestinal inflammation and are increasing in industrialized populations. Combined with host genetics, diet and gut bacteria are thought to contribute prominently to IBDs, but mechanisms are still emerging. In mice lacking the IBD-associated cytokine, Interleukin-10, we show that low dietary fiber promotes bacterial erosion of colonic mucus, leading to lethal colitis. A fiber-free exclusive enteral nutrition diet also induces mucus erosion but inhibits inflammation by simultaneously increasing an anti-inflammatory bacterial metabolite, isobutyrate. Diet-induced inflammation is driven by Th1 immune responses, which increase in the presence of mucin-degrading bacteria and are preceded by expansion of natural killer cells and altered immunoglobulin-A coating of some bacteria. Inflammation occurs first in intestinal regions with thinner mucus. Our work underscores the importance of focusing on microbial functions—not taxa—contributing to IBDs and some diet-mediated functions block those that promote disease.
Fungal States of Minds
Authors: Adamatzky Andrew , Vallverdu Jordi , Gandia Antoni , Chiolerio Alessandro , Castro Oscar , Dodig-Crnkovic Gordana 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFungal organisms can perceive the outer world in a way similar to what animals sense. Does that mean that they have full awareness of their environment and themselves? Is a fungus a conscious entity? In laboratory experiments we found that fungi produce patterns of electrical activity, similar to neurons. There are low and high frequency oscillations and convoys of spike trains. The neural-like electrical activity is yet another manifestation of the fungal intelligence. In this paper we discuss fungal cognitive capabilities and intelligence in evolutionary perspective, and question whether fungi are conscious and what does fungal consciousness mean, considering their exhibiting of complex behaviours, a wide spectrum of sensory abilities, learning, memory and decision making. We overview experimental evidences of consciousness found in fungi. Our conclusions allow us to give a positive answer to the important research questions of fungal cognition, intelligence and forms of consciousness.
Rehabilitation in dementia: CST and Sonas group interventions for people with moderate cognitive impairment. A pilot study
Authors: Dolan Orla , O’Halloran Joanne , O’Cuill Micheal , Rafiq Atiqa , Edgeworth Jennifer , Hogan Michael , Shiel Agnes 
Published: April 2022

Purpose
Dementia is a complex, progressively degenerative condition. It results in loss of cognitive and functional capabilities, along with a significant increase in the level of dependency. A reduction in the use of pharmacological interventions correlates with an increased in good quality non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of 14-session face-to-face cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) and Sonas group interventions on individuals living with dementia with moderate cognitive impairment, from pre-intervention to post-intervention in terms of their cognition, communication, neuropsychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living and quality of life.

Design/methodology/approach
A pilot single blind prospective controlled trial evaluated two group intervention approaches, cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) and Sonas, with 28 participants with moderate dementia. Pseudorandomisation and single blinding were implemented. CST has a solid evidence base. Sonas is a widely used multi-sensory intervention in Ireland with an emerging evidence base. Participants were recruited from a mental health service. Participants who had a formal diagnosis of dementia, moderate cognitive impairment and some ability to communicate and understand communication were included.

Findings
Results supported CST to a greater extent than Sonas. The CST group showed significant changes in cognition (p = 0.032) and communication (p = 0.006). Both groups had significant changes in carer quality of life (CST, p = 0.019; Sonas, p = 0.035). Results support the recommendations for a future definitive trial.

Research limitations/implications
Rehabilitation potential of individuals living with moderate dementia was demonstrated. This study suggests that group interventions like these impact on the trajectory of dementia.

Practical implications
Rehabilitation interventions impact on the trajectory of dementia. CST and Sonas have no impact on activities of daily living. Future studies with larger sample sizes, 16 weeks intervention period and control groups are required.

Social implications
This pilot study supports CST over Sonas interventions for individuals living with moderate dementia. Multiple outcome measures demonstrated trends towards significance for both interventions. Future definitive trials may detect a significant effect of both interventions.

Originality/value
A dementia diagnosis is devastating and generally creates negative perceptions and associations (Alvira, 2014). In contrast, the outcomes of this study are positive. This study provides evidence that occupational therapist intervention can impact on the trajectory of the condition with people with dementia demonstrating that they do have rehabilitation potential by responding to treatment and improving and maintaining their abilities as they progress through the condition.
Searching for higher-performance, income-generating assets: a mutual fund assessment on asset-backed securities
Authors: Li Wenhui , Loviscek Anthony , Ortiz-Eggenberg Miki 
Published: April 2022

PurposeIn the search for alternative income-generating assets, the paper addresses the following question, one that the literature has yet to answer: what is a reasonable allocation, if any, to asset-backed securities within a 60–40% stock-bond balanced portfolio of mutual funds?Design/methodology/approach The authors apply the Black–Litterman model of Modern Portfolio Theory to test the efficacy of adding asset-backed securities to the classic 60–40% stock-bond portfolio of mutual funds. The authors use out-of-sample tests of one, three, five, and ten years to determine a reasonable asset allocation. The data are monthly and range from January 2000 through September 2021.FindingsThe statistical evidence indicates a modest reward-risk added value from the addition of asset-backed securities, as measured by the Sharpe “reward-to-variability” ratio, in holding periods of three, five, and ten years. Based on the findings, the authors conclude that a reasonable asset allocation for income-seeking, risk-averse investors who follow the classic 60%–40% stock-bond allocation is 8%–10%.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings apply to a stock-bond balanced portfolio of mutual funds. Other fund combinations could produce different results.Practical implicationsInvestors and money managers can use the findings to improve portfolio performance.Originality/valueFor investors seeking higher income-generating securities in the current record-low interest rate environment, the authors determine a reasonable asset allocation range on asset-backed securities. This study is the first to provide such direction to these investors.
Assessing pariah party status: Concept operationalization and the case of the Sweden Democrats
Authors: Leander Cornelia 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis study presents a novel operationalization of pariah party status, conceiving of pariah status in terms of two continuous dimensions involving (1) a party's coalition potential, and (2) a party's legislative cooperation potential. Recent success of radical right parties has been identified as a common trend throughout Western Europe. Research has focused on mainstream parties' strategies toward these controversial challengers, as well as why some controversial challenger parties are involved in collaborations but others are not. Yet, an elaborate discussion—disentangling the status as pariah—has hitherto been absent in the literature. The article further demonstrates the usefulness of the suggested operationalization, using the Sweden Democrats as an empirical example. When entering parliament in 2010, the Sweden Democrats were a complete pariah party. Recently, however, the party's status has evolved and the Sweden Democrats are now to be regarded as partly pariah.
Limited Attention: Implications for Financial Reporting
Authors: LU JINZHI 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTI develop a theory to study the consequences of providing more detailed information to rationally inattentive investors. I first consider a simple data‐provision problem and show that adding more data or detail in financial statements can make it more difficult for investors to extract information. Consequently, investors who have limited information‐processing capacity may prefer less detailed information. I also show that when investors' decisions are complements, providing details in addition to a summary may reduce investors' welfare. More specifically, because of increased disclosure of details, a coordination failure could occur in investors' attention‐allocation decisions. By showing that adding more detail in financial statements can lead to an information overload problem for investors, this study yields valuable insights for accounting standard setters.
Do mergers really increase output? Evidence from English hospitals
Authors: Cirulli Vanessa , Marini Giorgia 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTThe English hospital sector underwent a major restructuring program between 2000 and 2008 to centralize activity in fewer and larger hospitals. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effects of such consolidations on hospital outputs. As mergers occurred in a staggered way, treatment could start and end at every time and treatment duration varied over the years. As every time is a mix of hospital pre‐treatment, treatment and post‐treatment phases, the canonical difference‐in‐differences assumption of homogeneous policy effects is not only meaningless but also misleading, raising doubts about the appropriateness of the methods previously used in this literature and consequently the accuracy of its results. We instead adopt a new matching and difference‐in‐differences approach, the flexible conditional difference‐in‐differences approach, developed by Dettmann et al. in 2020, more appropriate for causal analysis of treatments characterized by varying start dates and varying treatment duration. Our results suggest that mergers downsize hospital activities, especially the most expensive ones. If the goal of hospital mergers is to gain efficiency by centralization of activity, our findings suggest this restructuring programme is not the most successful policy to pursue. Mergers reduce the scope for competition between hospitals and do not create any incentive for poorly performing hospitals.