bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circ‐NCX1 inhibits LPS‐induced chondrocyte apoptosis by regulating the miR‐133a/SIRT1 axis
Authors: Liu Kai , Fan Xiao‐E , Zhang Li , Yang Ying , Zhou Xiao‐Ling 
Published: July 2022

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease, which is characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage, thickening of subchondral bone, and inflammation of the synovial membrane. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of circ‐NCX1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced injury in SW1353 chondrocytes, an in vitro model of OA. The levels of circ‐NCX1, miR‐133a, and related apoptotic proteins were determined by RT‐qPCR. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cell viability. The apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, whereas the expression of apoptosis proteins was detected by Western blot. Immunofluorescence was used to detect cleaved caspase‐3 expression in cells. Luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the interaction between circ‐NCX1 and miR‐133a, and between miR‐133a and Silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (Sirt1). The results showed that the overexpression of circ‐NCX1 significantly upregulated the chondrocyte viability and proliferation, and alleviated apoptosis in LPS‐induced SW1353 cells. Immunofluorescence results showed that the overexpression of circ‐NCX1 significantly reduced expression of LPS‐stimulated cleaved Caspase‐3. The RT‐qPCR results showed that the overexpression of circ‐NCX1 inhibited mRNA levels of cleaved Caspase‐3 and Bax, and promoted mRNA levels of Bcl‐2. Luciferase reporter assay showed that circ‐NCX1 targeted miR‐133a, and miR‐133a directly targeted the Sirt1. In addition, overexpression of circ‐NCX1 inhibited chondrocyte apoptosis and promoted Akt phosphorylation via the miR‐133a/Sirt1 axis in LPS‐induced chondrocytes. In conclusion, circ‐NCX1 may serve as an important regulator of LPS‐induced chondrocyte apoptosis through the miR‐133a/Sirt1 axis, and may be involved in the development of OA.
Research assistants: Scientific credit and recognized authorship
Authors: Nelson Phillip , Petrova Marina G. 
Published: July 2022

Key points
Research assistants are frequently excluded from authorship for several reasons—including the perception that they merely provide paid administrative help.
Authorship criteria should be based on the people who are both shapers and doers rather than the ICMJE recommendations which can be differently interpreted.
The pressure for single‐authored papers in some disciplines may lead to the exclusion of substantive contributors from authorship lists.
The CRediT taxonomy is a preferable means of recognizing and rewarding authors but may find resistance of those unwilling to disclose exact contributions.
Publishers can assist in recognizing all contributing authors by requiring affirmation that all who have significantly contributed are credited as authors.
Student publishing in peer reviewed journals: Evidence from the International Political Science Review
Authors: Stockemer Daniel , Reidy Theresa , Teodoro Antonia , Gerba Guy 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPublishing in peer‐reviewed journals has become an essential requirement for PhD students wishing to pursue a career in academia. Yet, there are few studies of student publishing and little discussion of norms around attribution of authorship for student research collaborators. (1) How often do students feature as submitters and authors in political science journals? (2) In what format (i.e., solo author, co‐author, multiple authors) do students normally submit and publish? (3) Are there gender differences in student submission and publication rates between male and female students? This article uses 2 years of data from the International Political Science Review (IPSR; i.e., 2019 and 2020) to answer these questions. Mainly using cross‐tabulations, we found that just one in eight submitting authors was a student (i.e., undergraduate and postgraduate). In terms of acceptance rates, students had generally lower acceptance rates than faculty. Yet, there were also important differences within the student body. As expected PhD students were more successful than undergraduate and masters' students, and in line with general disciplinary publishing patterns, female PhD students had a higher publication success rate than their male colleagues.
Using Experimental Design and Response Surface Methodology to Optimize Nanocellulose Production from Two Types of Pretreated Soybean Straw
Authors: Silva Natalia C. , Esposto Bruno S. , Maniglia Bianca C. , Tapia‐Blácido Delia R. , Martelli‐Tosi Milena 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis study investigates how enzymatic activity (X1) and pretreated soybean straw concentration (X2) affect the production of cellulose nanofibers and reducing sugars using the Composite Central Rotational Design (CCRD). The soybean straw is subjected to alkaline pretreatment with either 5% NaOH (PT1) or 17.5% NaOH (PT2), followed by bleaching (4% H2O2) and enzymatic treatment. The mathematical model generated by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) predicts that increasing X1 and X2 simultaneously is necessary to increase the nanocellulose yield. On the other hand, to increase the sugar yield, it is necessary to increase the ratio X1:X2. The model also predicts that the lowest concentration of soybean straw (1.17%) resulted in more stable nanofiber suspensions, regardless of the enzyme activity (−25.0 and −19.4 mV for PT1 and PT2, respectively). The optimal condition for the simultaneous production of cellulose nanofibers and reducing sugars is 4.0 g of biomass and enzymatic activity of 600 CMCU, resulting for PT1 and PT2, respectively: 7.01 and 3.73 g of nanofibers/100 g of soybean straw; 11.34 and 14.30 g of reducing sugars/100 g of soybean straw. Therefore, the processing efficiency according to the pretreatment used can directly guide the production of cellulose nanofibers and reducing sugars.
Reproductive Biology of the Pacific Spadenose Shark Scoliodon Macrorhynchos, a Heavily Exploited Species in the Southern Taiwan Strait
Authors: Zhao Yu , Jiang Chengpu , Ju Peilong , Xiao Jiamei , Chen Mingru 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The reproductive biology of the heavily exploited Pacific Spadenose Shark Scoliodon macrorhynchos was studied by examining 246 males and 197 females, including 64 gestational individuals, caught by semi-industrial fisheries using demersal trawling in the southern Taiwan Strait. Total length (LT) at 50% maturity (L50) was estimated at 464 mm LT for males and 429 mm LT for females. The annual reproductive cycle was determined based on the percentage of pregnant mature females and the concurrent vitellogenesis with embryonic development. Mating occurred from August to December, as evidenced by the presence of females with fresh mating injuries on their body surface and spermatozoa in the cloaca and uteri. The monthly change of embryo size indicated that parturition occurred between June and August after 5–6 months of gestation, with an LT of 190–218 mm at birth. The litter size, which ranged from 1 to 20 pups with a mean ± SD of 9.4 ± 3.9 pups (n = 64), was positively correlated with the maternal LT. Altogether, these findings provide valuable information that is needed for the adequate management and conservation of Pacific Spadenose Sharks in the southern Taiwan Strait and adjacent waters.
Catheters and dose optimization using a modified CVT algorithm and multi‐criteria optimization in prostate HDR brachytherapy
Authors: Chatigny Philippe Y. , Bélanger Cédric , Poulin Éric , Beaulieu Luc 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPurposeCurrently, in high‐dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy planning, the catheter's positions are often selected by the planner, which involves the planner's experience. The catheters are then inserted using a template that helps to guide the catheters. For certain applications, it is of interest to choose the optimal location and number of catheters needed for dose coverage and potential decrease of the treatment's toxicity. Hence, it is of great importance to develop patient‐specific algorithms for catheters and dose optimization.MethodsA modified Centroidal Voronoi tessellation (CVT) algorithm is implemented and merged with a graphics processing unit (GPU)‐based multi‐criteria optimization algorithm (gMCO). The CVT algorithm optimizes the catheters’ positions, and the gMCO algorithm optimizes the dwell times and dwell positions. The CVT algorithm can be used simultaneously for insertion with or without a template. Some improvements to the CVT algorithm are presented such as a new way of considering the area that needs to be covered. One hundred eight previously treated prostates HDR cases using real‐time ultrasound are used to evaluate the different optimization procedures. The plan robustness is evaluated using two types of errors: deviations (random) in the insertion and deviation (systematic) in the reconstruction of the catheters.ResultsUsing gMCO on clinically inserted catheter increases the acceptance rate by 37% for Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria. Our results show that all the patients respect RTOG criteria with 11 catheters using CVT+gMCO with a template of 5 mm. The number of catheters needed for all patients to respect RTOG criteria with the freehand technique is 10 catheters using CVT+gMCO. When deviations are introduced, using a template, the acceptance rate goes to 85% with 3 mm deviations using 11 catheters. This decrease is less significant when the number of catheters is higher, decreasing by less than 5% with a 3 mm deviation using 13 catheters or more. In conclusion, it is feasible to decrease the number of catheters needed to treat most patients.ConclusionsSome cases still need a high number of catheters to reach the plan's criteria. Using gMCO allows an increase in the plan quality, while using CVT reduces the number of catheters. A higher number of catheters equates to plans that are more robust to deviations.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using structure highlighting key slice stacking and transfer learning
Authors: Ban Yanjiao , Zhang Xuejun , Lao Huan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn recent years, two‐dimensional convolutional neural network (2D CNN) have been widely used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). However, due to the lack of targeted processing of the key slices of sMRI images, the classification performance of the CNN model needs to be improved.PurposeTherefore, in this paper, we propose a key slice processing technique called the structural highlighting key slice stacking (SHKSS) technique, and we apply it to a 2D transfer learning model for AD classification.MethodsSpecifically, first, 3D MR images were preprocessed. Second, the 2D axial middle‐layer image was extracted from the MR image as a key slice. Then, the image was normalized by intensity and mapped to the red, green, and blue (RGB) space, and histogram specification was performed on the obtained RGB image to generate the final three‐channel image. The final three‐channel image was input into a pretrained CNN model for AD classification. Finally, classification and generalization experiments were conducted to verify the validity of the proposed method.ResultsThe experimental results on the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data set show that our SHKSS method can effectively highlight the structural information in MRI slices. Compared with existing key slice processing techniques, our SHKSS method has an average accuracy improvement of at least 26% on the same test data set, and it has better performance and generalization ability.ConclusionsOur SHKSS method not only converts single‐channel images into three‐channel images to match the input requirements of the 2D transfer learning model but also highlights the structural information of MRI slices to improve the accuracy of AD diagnosis.
Self‐reported reduced sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Authors: Hoffmann Heloise M. , Malo‐Juvera Victor , Statland Jeffrey M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractIntroduction/AimsFacioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) causes weakness and secondary associations, such as respiratory complications and pain, that can be linked to abnormal sleep patterns. Limited studies have focused on sleep in FSHD. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of, and clinical features associated with, self‐reported lowered sleep quality (SQ) and excessive daytime sleepiness (DS) in a large group of participants with FSHD.MethodsWe conducted a prospective survey of individuals with self‐reported FSHD enrolled in the FSHD Society Registry. The survey consisted of demographic and clinical characteristics, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Descriptive statistics were evaluated, and associations between clinical characteristics and SQ and DS were explored using one‐way analysis of variance tests. Small effect size was identified as 0.01 ≥ η2 > 0.06, medium was 0.06 ≥ η2 > 0.14, and large was 0.14 ≥ η2.ResultsSix hundred ninety individuals responded to the survey, equally distributed between men and women, and spanning the age range from under 12 to 74 years of age or older. Sixty‐six percent of the respondents showed reduced SQ (PSQI > 5) (n = 392; 95% confidence interval [CI], 62.4‐70.0), and 15% showed excessive DS (>10) (n = 89; 95% CI, 12.2‐17.9). There was a significant association between SQ and DS. Nocturnal pain had a large significant effect on lowering SQ (P < .001, η2 = 0.192). Factors including age and gender had minor effects on SQ.DiscussionPhysicians should monitor sleep quality of patients with FSHD as a routine part of care, with special attention to potentially modifiable factors. Future research should address the physiological effects of pain in sleep.
Coverage for obesity prevention and treatment: analysis of state employee health plans and use of benefits
Authors: Hughes Samuel , Dietz William H. , Gallagher Christine 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveUsing data from 2017, the authors have previously examined the coverage of obesity‐related services in state employee health plans since 2009 and found improvements in coverage for obesity‐related treatments. This study repeated the collection of similar data for 2021 and explored whether coverage had continued to increase or decline.MethodsData on obesity benefits for state employees were obtained from publicly available documents from relevant state websites. Source documents were reviewed for language that would indicate the availability of coverage for nutritional counseling, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. Use data were collected when available, but availability was limited.ResultsCoverage for some treatments of obesity continued to trend upward, as was the case between 2009 and 2017, but coverage for pharmacotherapy declined from 2017 to 2021. Use data were received from only eight states; analysis of these data indicated underuse of obesity benefits by plan enrollees compared with each state's rate of obesity.ConclusionsDespite promising new therapies, states in 2021 were less likely to provide coverage for antiobesity medications. Additionally, limited use data suggested that few eligible individuals may be receiving these services. In conclusion, state employee health plans are currently inadequate given the prevalence, severity, and costs of obesity.
Effects of liraglutide on gastrointestinal functions and weight in obesity: A randomized clinical and pharmacogenomic trial
Authors: Maselli Daniel , Atieh Jessica , Clark Matthew M. , Eckert Deborah , Taylor Ann , Carlson Paula , Burton Duane D. , Busciglio Irene , Harmsen W. Scott , Vella Adrian , Acosta Andres , Camilleri Michael 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the effects of a long‐acting glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonist, liraglutide, and placebo subcutaneously over 16 weeks on weight and gastric functions and to evaluate associations of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in GLP1R (rs6923761) and TCF7L2 (rs7903146) with effects of liraglutide.MethodsThe study conducted a randomized, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled, 16‐week trial of liraglutide, escalated to 3 mg subcutaneously daily in 136 otherwise healthy adults with obesity. Weight, gastric emptying of solids (GES), gastric volumes, satiation, and body composition measured at baseline and after treatment were compared in two treatment groups using analysis of covariance.ResultsLiraglutide (n = 59) and placebo (n = 65) groups completed treatment. Relative to placebo, liraglutide increased weight loss at 5 and 16 weeks (both p < 0.05), slowed time to half GES (T1/2) at 5 and 16 weeks (both p < 0.001), and increased fasting gastric volume (p = 0.01) and satiation (p < 0.01) at 16 weeks. GES T1/2 was positively correlated with weight loss on liraglutide (both p < 0.001). After 16 weeks of liraglutide, GLP1R rs6923761 (AG/AA vs. GG) was associated with reduced percent body fat (p = 0.062), and TCF7L2 rs7903146 (CC vs. CT/TT) was associated with lower body weight (p = 0.015).ConclusionsLiraglutide, 3 mg, induces weight loss with delay in GES T1/2 and reduces calorie intake. Slowing GES and variations in GLP1R and TCF7L2 are associated with liraglutide effects in obesity.
Myopia and BMI: a nationwide study of 1.3 million adolescents
Authors: Peled Alon , Nitzan Itay , Megreli Jacob , Derazne Estela , Tzur Dorit , Pinhas‐Hamiel Orit , Afek Arnon , Twig Gilad 
Published: July 2022

AbstractObjectiveThis study analyzed the association between adolescent BMI and myopia severity.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study comprised 1,359,153 adolescents who were medically examined before mandatory military service. Mild‐to‐moderate and high myopia were defined based on right‐eye refractive data. BMI was categorized based on the US age‐ and sex‐matched percentiles. Logistic regression models were applied separately for women and men to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for myopia per BMI category.ResultsA total of 318,712 adolescents had mild‐to‐moderate myopia and 23,569 had high myopia. Compared with low‐normal BMI (reference group), adjusted ORs for mild‐to‐moderate and high myopia increased with increasing BMI status, reaching 1.39 (95% CI: 1.23‐1.57) and 1.73 (95% CI: 1.19‐2.51) for men with severe obesity, respectively, and 1.19 (95% CI: 1.12‐1.27) and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.14‐1.65) for women with mild obesity, respectively. ORs for mild‐to‐moderate and high myopia were also higher in men with underweight (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.18‐1.23 and OR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.30‐1.47) and women with underweight (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03‐1.09 and OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.04‐1.22). The overall size effect was greater for men than women (pinteraction < 0.001), in whom the group with severe obesity did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsBMI was associated with myopia in a J‐shaped pattern, with the size effect being greater for adolescent men than women. This study indicates that both low BMI and high BMI are associated with mild‐to‐moderate and severe myopia.
Understanding precancerous lesions of the oral cavity†
Authors: Luginbuhl Adam J , South Andrew P 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPrecancerous lesions provide insight into tumor development as well as prognostication, since distinguishing high‐risk from benign disease will stratify clinical management. In a recent issue of The Journal of Pathology, Ghosh et al performed comprehensive genomic characterization of the precancerous lesion leukoplakia, comparing RNA and DNA with peripheral blood, normal mucosa, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the gingivobuccal region of the oral cavity from the same 28 individuals. The data paint a picture of increasing mutation and early caspase‐8 inactivation on the background of inflammation with decreasing immune surveillance in the progression from benign leukoplakia to SCC. This research points to an opportunity for disease intercept at the premalignant niche prior to the development of malignancy. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Synergistic effect of alkali and silane treatment on mechanical, flammability, and thermal degradation of hemp fiber/epoxy composite
Authors: Soni Priyanka , Sinha Shishir 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCurrently, natural fiber composites are used in many applications (industrial, automotive, and construction) where fire resistance is a critical factor. The main objective of this research work is to investigate the thermal degradation and fire performance of raw and treated fiber composites developed using hand layup with different fiber loadings of 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%. Alkali treatment (5%, wt/vol) and silane treatment (5%, wt/vol) were used to improve the thermal stability and compatibility of hemp fiber with polymer matrix. The developed composites were characterized for thermal (thermogravimetric analysis), chemical (Fourier transform spectroscopy), morphological (scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction), and mechanical behavior. Further, the flammability behavior of the developed composites was investigated using vertical cum horizontal flammability test apparatus and limiting oxygen index (LOI) tester. The results of mechanical characterization reveal that alkali treated fiber composites (20% loading) have the highest tensile strength (24.4 MPa) and flexural strength (46.1 MPa). Composite reinforced with silane‐treated fibers have shown excellent flame retardancy with the lowest horizontal burning rate (16.11 mm/min) and higher LOI (23.5%). Scanning electron microscopy confirms the better fiber‐matrix compatibility of silane‐treated fiber with epoxy.
Study on progressive damage performance of basalt‐fiber wound composite tube
Authors: Li Tao , Zhao Guanghui , Zhang Guolu , Wang Litong 
Published: July 2022

AbstractFor filament wound composite tubes made of basalt fiber‐reinforced polymer (BFRP), damage performances were simulated and load capacity was evaluated with a multi‐scale homogenization method based on properties of component materials, fiber volume fraction and the winding process. Considering about both the intra‐layer and inter‐layer damage properties, a representative volume element (RVE) was defined in the structural layer of the pipe wall firstly. Equivalent mechanical properties of the structural layer were then obtained by simulating damage evolution of the RVE under tension, compression and the shear load. In order to verify the RVE model, tensile tests of the specimens that were cut out of the BFRP tube in both longitudinal and circumferential directions were implemented. The predicted load–displacement curves of the RVE were in good agreement with the corresponding experimental results. Finally, the tube wall was simplified into a three‐layer structure including inner lining layer, equivalent structural layer and outer protection layer. Damage evolutions of the tube were calculated under basic loads, borne typically by the oil and gas pipeline, such as internal pressure, tension, bending and torsion. The results lead to a better understanding of the load‐bearing capacity of the BFRP tube and promote the application of the BFRP in the oil and gas field.