bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID‐19 and inequities in colorectal and cervical cancer screening and diagnosis in Washington State
Authors: Amram Ofer , Amiri Solmaz , Robison Jeanne , Pflugeisen Chaya Mangel , Monsivais Pablo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionStudies have shown that cancer screenings dropped dramatically following the onset of the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. In this study, we examined differences in rates of cervical and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and diagnosis indicators before and during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodologyWe used retrospective data from a large healthcare system in Washington State. Targeted screening data included completed cancer screenings for both CRC (colonoscopy) and cervical cancer (Papanicolaou test (Pap test)). We analyzed and compared the rate of uptake of colorectal (colonoscopies) and cervical cancer (Pap) screenings done pre‐COVID‐19 (April 1, 2019–March 31, 2020) and during the pandemic (April 1, 2020–March 31, 2021).ResultsA total of 26,081 (12.7%) patients underwent colonoscopies in the pre‐COVID‐19 period, compared to only 15,708 (7.4%) patients during the pandemic, showing a 39.8% decrease. A total of 238 patients were referred to medical oncology for CRC compared to only 155 patients during the first year of the pandemic, a reduction of 34%. In the pre‐COVID‐19 period, 22,395 (10.7%) women were administered PAP tests compared to 20,455 (9.6%) women during the pandemic, for a 7.4% reduction. period 1780 women were referred to colposcopy, compared to only 1680 patients during the pandemic, for a 4.3% reduction.ConclusionInterruption in screening and subsequent delay in diagnosis during the pandemic will likely lead to later‐stage diagnoses for both CRC and cervical cancer, which is known to result in decreased survival.ImpactThe results emphasize the need to prioritize cancer screening, particularly for those at higher risk.
Combining immune checkpoint inhibition plus tyrosine kinase inhibition as first and subsequent treatments for metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Yuanquan , Psutka Sarah P. , Parikh Anish B. , Li Mingjia , Collier Katharine , Miah Abdul , Mori Sherry V. , Hinkley Megan , Tykodi Scott S. , Hall Evan , Thompson John A. , Yin Ming 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitor/tyrosine kinase inhibitor (ICI/TKI) combinations are a new standard of care for the initial treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Their efficacy and toxicity beyond the first‐line setting remain poorly defined.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed charts for 85 adults with mRCC of any histology receiving combination of ICI/TKI in any line of treatment at two academic centers as of 05/01/2020. We collected clinical, pathological, and treatment‐related variables. Outcomes including objective response rate (ORR), progression‐free survival (PFS), and toxicity were analyzed via descriptive statistics and the Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsPatients received pembrolizumab, nivolumab, avelumab, or nivolumab–ipilimumab, with concurrent use of sunitinib, axitinib, pazopanib, lenvatinib, or cabozantinib. Thirty‐three patients received first‐line ICI/TKI therapy, while 52 received ≥ second‐line ICI/TKI. The efficacy of ICI/TKI therapy decreased with increasing lines of treatment (ORR: 56.7%, 37.5%, 21.4%, and 21%; median PFS [mPFS]: 15.2, 14.2, 10.1, and 6.8 months, for first, second, third, and ≥ fourth line therapy, respectively). In the ≥ second‐line setting, ICI/TKI was most useful in patients who received ICI only, with an ORR of 50% and a mPFS of 9.1 months. Efficacy was limited in patients who received both TKI and ICI previously, with an ORR of 20% and a mPFS of 5.5 months. Overall, ≥ second‐line ICI/TKI was tolerable with 25 of 52 (52%) patients developing grade ≥3 adverse events.ConclusionsICI/TKI combination therapy is feasible and safe beyond the first‐line setting. Prior treatment history appears to impact efficacy but has a lesser effect on safety/tolerability.
Synthesis, Molecular Docking and Evaluation of 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole‐Isobenzofuran Hybrids as Antimicrobial and Anticancer Agents
Authors: Nayak Swarnagowri , Gaonkar Santosh L. , Hazra Druti , Chawla Kiran , Hari Gangadhar , Pai K. S. R. , Guru Bharath Raja , Hakimane Sushruta S. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn drug discovery, the hybridization of bioactive pharmacophores is a powerful tool for targeting enzymes involved in cancer and microbial cell growth. A combination of 1,3,4‐oxadiazole and isobenzofuran may improve the antitumor and antimicrobial properties of the hybrid molecules. A series of hybrid molecules having 1,3,4‐oxadiazole and isobenzofuran were synthesized and structural characterization was done by FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and mass spectrometry. Molecular docking studies were performed to investigate binding interactions of compounds with proteins (PDB NO: 2R3J and 1GII), and the results were consistent with in vitro anticancer data. All the synthesized compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. faecalis (Gram‐positive) and E. coli and P. aeruginosa (Gram‐negative) bacterial strains. Among the synthesized compounds, 7a and 7b displayed good activity against the tested bacterial strains. Also, compounds were tested for their anti‐tumor activity against breast cancer (MCF‐7) and colon cancer (HCT‐116) cell lines via SRB assay. In comparison to doxorubicin (1.14 μM), hybrids 7e (4.32 μM), 7f (4.15 μM), 7g (4.66 μM), and 7h (4.83 μM) demonstrated comparable IC50 value against the HCT 116 cell line.
Clozapine‐induced pulmonary embolism in a patient with no pre‐existing risk factors: A case report
Authors: Kwan Jing Yi , Noor Maha 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe report the case of a 51‐year‐old Caucasian woman who developed a pulmonary embolism in the absence of any pre‐existing risk factors for VTE, 3 weeks following clozapine initiation for treatment resistant paranoid schizophrenia. She was initially misdiagnosed and treated for suspected COVID‐19 infection.
Comparison between response surface methodology and artificial neural network: Application in three‐product hydrocyclones
Authors: Santos Lucas F. L. , Ferreira Bruno X. , Brandão Amanda L. T. , Santos Brunno F. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractModelling a process or equipment is a profitable strategy to build better control strategies, predict fault conditions, and optimize the processes. Different approaches could be explored to achieve the development of better models. This paper investigates the use of experimental data generated by a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) to develop models capable of predicting the performance of a three‐product hydrocyclone for several setups with different dimensional parameters values. Two different modelling strategies are explored: response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN). With the RSM models, it was possible to evaluate the statistical importance of the input variables to each output variable. The ANN models showed improved coefficients of determinations (R2) compared to the RSM models, presenting values higher than 97% for all cases, while the RSM models ranged from 79.07%–88.83%. The ANN was demonstrated to be the most effective method to model the physical problem of three‐product hydrocyclones, and it captured its non‐linearities. It was shown that the combination of the design of experiments and ANN to analyze this physical problem is successful and may also be applied to other problems. As far as we have knowledge, a work regarding the comparison of both RSM and ANN methods applied to three‐product hydrocyclones was not found in the literature; this absence was the motivation for this work.
A contemporary survey of bumble bee diversity across the state of California
Authors: Fisher Kaleigh , Watrous Kristal M. , Williams Neal M. , Richardson Leif L. , Woodard Sarah Hollis 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBumble bees (genus Bombus) are important pollinators with more than 260 species found worldwide, many of which are in decline. Twenty‐five species occur in California with the highest species abundance and diversity found in coastal, northern, and montane regions. No recent studies have examined California bumble bee diversity across large spatial scales nor explored contemporary community composition patterns across the state. To fill these gaps, we collected 1740 bumble bee individuals, representing 17 species from 17 sites (~100 bees per site) in California, using an assemblage monitoring framework. This framework is intended to provide an accurate estimate of relative abundance of more common species without negatively impacting populations through overcollection. Our sites were distributed across six ecoregions, with an emphasis on those that historically hosted high bumble bee diversity. We compared bumble bee composition among these sites to provide a snapshot of California bumble bee biodiversity in a single year. Overall, the assemblage monitoring framework that we employed successfully captured estimated relative abundance of species for most sites, but not all. This shortcoming suggests that bumble bee biodiversity monitoring in California might require multiple monitoring approaches, including greater depth of sampling in some regions, given the variable patterns in bumble bee abundance and richness throughout the state. Our study sheds light on the current status of bumble bee diversity in California, identifies some areas where greater sampling effort and conservation action should be focused in the future, and performs the first assessment of an assembly monitoring framework for bumble bee communities in the state.
Scaling up calcification, respiration, and photosynthesis rates of six prominent coral taxa
Authors: Carlot Jeremy , Rouzé Héloïse , Barneche Diego R. , Mercière Alexandre , Espiau Benoit , Cardini Ulisse , Brandl Simon J. , Casey Jordan M. , Pérez‐Rosales Gonzalo , Adjeroud Mehdi , Hédouin Laetitia , Parravicini Valeriano 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCoral reefs provide a range of important services to humanity, which are underpinned by community‐level ecological processes such as coral calcification. Estimating these processes relies on our knowledge of individual physiological rates and species‐specific abundances in the field. For colonial animals such as reef‐building corals, abundance is frequently expressed as the relative surface cover of coral colonies, a metric that does not account for demographic parameters such as coral size. This may be problematic because many physiological rates are directly related to organism size, and failure to account for linear scaling patterns may skew estimates of ecosystem functioning. In the present study, we characterize the scaling of three physiological rates — calcification, respiration, and photosynthesis — considering the colony size for six prominent, reef‐building coral taxa in Mo'orea, French Polynesia. After a seven‐day acclimation period in the laboratory, we quantified coral physiological rates for three hours during daylight (i.e., calcification and gross photosynthesis) and one hour during night light conditions (i.e., dark respiration). Our results indicate that area‐specific calcification rates are higher for smaller colonies across all taxa. However, photosynthesis and respiration rates remain constant over the colony‐size gradient. Furthermore, we revealed a correlation between the demographic dynamics of coral genera and the ratio between net primary production and calcification rates. Therefore, intraspecific scaling of reef‐building coral physiology not only improves our understanding of community‐level coral reef functioning but it may also explain species‐specific responses to disturbances.
Migration patterns of Gentiana crassicaulis, an alpine gentian endemic to the Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains
Authors: Ni Lianghong , Li Weitao , Zhao Zhili , Gaawe Dorje , Liu Tonghua 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe Himalaya–Hengduan Mountain region is one of the hotspots of biodiversity research. The uplift of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and the Quaternary glaciation caused great environmental changes in this region, and the responses of many species in the QTP to the Quaternary climate are still largely unknown. The genetic structure and phylogeographical history of Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk, an endemic Chinese alpine species in this area, were investigated based on four chloroplast fragments and internal transcribed spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrITS) sequences of 11 populations. The populations with highly diverse chloroplast haplotypes were mainly found at the edge of the QTP. There were two main haplotypes of nrITS clones, one shared by the Yunnan and Guizhou populations, and the other by the remaining populations. The population with the highest diversity was the Gansu population, located at the edge of the plateau. Based on molecular dating, the diversification of G. crassicaulis at the edge of the plateau occurred before the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and the species may have completed its expansion from the edge to the platform. Ecological niche models were conducted to predict the distributional ranges of G. crassicaulis at present, during the LGM, and during the last interglacial (LIG) period. The results demonstrated that G. crassicaulis survived on the QTP platform and at the edge during the LGM but afterward retreated from the platform to the southern edge, followed by expansion to the platform.
Identifying potential drivers of distribution patterns of invasive Corbicula fluminea relative to native freshwater mussels (Unionidae) across spatial scales
Authors: Kelley Taylor E. , Hopper Garrett W. , Sánchez González Irene , Bucholz Jamie R. , Atkinson Carla L. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to identify the importance of ecological factors to distribution patterns of the invasive Clam (Corbicula fluminea) relative to native mussels (family: Unionidae) across seven rivers within the Mobile and Tennessee basins, Southeast United States. We quantitatively surveyed dense, diverse native mussel aggregations across 20 river reaches and estimated mussel density, biomass, and species richness along with density of invasive C. fluminea (hereafter Corbicula). We measured substrate particle size, velocity, and depth in quadrats where animals were collected. Additionally, we characterized reach scale environmental parameters including seston quantity and quality (% Carbon, % Nitrogen, % Phosphorous), water chemistry (ammonium [], soluble reactive phosphorous [SRP]), and watershed area and land cover. Using model selection, logistic regression, and multivariate analysis, we characterized habitat features and their association to invasive Corbicula within mussel beds. We found that Corbicula were more likely to occur and more abundant in quadrats with greater mussel biomass, larger substrate size, faster water velocity, and shallower water depth. At the reach scale, Corbicula densities increased where particle sizes were larger. Mussel richness, density, and biomass increased with watershed area. Water column increased at reaches with more urban land cover. No land cover variables influenced Corbicula populations or mussel communities. The strong overlapping distribution of Corbicula and mussels support the hypothesis that Corbicula are not necessarily limited by habitat factors and may be passengers of change in rivers where mussels have declined due to habitat degradation. Whether Corbicula is facilitated by mussels or negatively interacts with mussels in these systems remains to be seen. Focused experiments that manipulate patch scale variables would improve our understanding of the role of species interactions (e.g., competition, predation, facilitation) or physical habitat factors in influencing spatial overlap between Corbicula and native mussels.
The alternative splicing landscape of a coral reef fish during a marine heatwave
Authors: Chan Stanley Kin Nok , Suresh Sneha , Munday Phillip , Ravasi Timothy , Bernal Moisés A. , Schunter Celia 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAlternative splicing is a molecular mechanism that enables a single gene to encode multiple transcripts and proteins by post‐transcriptional modification of pre‐RNA molecules. Changes in the splicing scheme of genes can lead to modifications of the transcriptome and the proteome. This mechanism can enable organisms to respond to environmental fluctuations. In this study, we investigated patterns of alternative splicing in the liver of the coral reef fish Acanthochromis polyacanthus in response to the 2016 marine heatwave on the Great Barrier Reef. The differentially spliced (DS; n = 40) genes during the onset of the heatwave (i.e., 29.49°C or +1°C from average) were related to essential cellular functions such as the MAPK signaling system, Ca(2+) binding, and homeostasis. With the persistence of the heatwave for a period of one month (February to March), 21 DS genes were detected, suggesting that acute warming during the onset of the heatwave is more influential on alternative splicing than the continued exposure to elevated temperatures. After the heatwave, the water temperature cooled to ~24.96°C, and fish showed differential splicing of genes related to cyto‐protection and post‐damage recovery (n = 26). Two‐thirds of the DS genes detected across the heatwave were also differentially expressed, revealing that the two molecular mechanisms act together in A. polyacanthus to cope with the acute thermal change. This study exemplifies how splicing patterns of a coral reef fish can be modified by marine heatwaves. Alternative splicing could therefore be a potential mechanism to adjust cellular physiological states under thermal stress and aid coral reef fishes in their response to more frequent acute thermal fluctuations in upcoming decades.
Habitat fragmentation and logging affect the occurrence of lesser mouse‐deer in tropical forest reserves
Authors: Hazwan Muhammad , Samantha Liza D. , Tee Sze Ling , Kamarudin Norizah , Norhisham Ahmad R. , Lechner Alex M. , Azhar Badrul 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDue to rapid urbanization, logging, and agricultural expansion, forest fragmentation is negatively affecting native wildlife populations throughout the tropics. This study examined the effects of landscape and habitat characteristics on the lesser mouse‐deer, Tragulus kanchil, populations in Peninsular Malaysia. We conducted camera‐trap survey at 315 sampling points located within 8 forest reserves. An assessment of site‐level and landscape variables was conducted at each sampling point. Our study provides critical ecological information for managing and conserving understudied populations of T. kanchil. We found that the detection of T. kanchil was attributed to forest fragmentation in which forest patches had four times greater detection of T. kanchil than continuous forest. The detection of T. kanchil was nearly three times higher in peat swamp forest compared to lowland dipterocarp forests. Surprisingly, the detection of T. kanchil was higher in logged forests (logging ceased at least 30 years ago) than unlogged forests. The detection of T. kanchil increased with the presence of trees, particularly those with DBH of 5 cm to 45 cm, canopy cover, number of saplings and palms, number of dead fallen trees, and distance from nearest roads. However, detection decreased with a greater number of trees with DBH greater than 45 cm and higher elevations, and greater detections where creeping bamboo was abundant. We recommend that conservation stakeholders take the necessary steps (e.g., eradicating poaching, habitat degradation, and further deforestation) to support the conservation of mouse‐deer species and its natural habitats.
RETRACTED: Long non‐coding RNA Sox2OT promotes coronary microembolization‐induced myocardial injury by mediating pyroptosis
Authors: Xuan Liying , Fu Danni , Zhen Dong , Bai Dongsong , Yu Lijun , Gong Guohua 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveAs a common complication of coronary microembolization (CME), myocardial injury (MI) implies high mortality. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are rarely studied in CME‐induced MI. Herein, this study intended to evaluate the role of lncRNA Sox2 overlapping transcript (Sox2OT) in CME‐induced MI.MethodsThe CME rat models were successfully established by injection of microemboli. Rat cardiac functions and MI were observed by ultrasonic electrocardiogram, HE staining, and HBFP staining. Functional assays were utilized to test the inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were conducted to clarify the targeting relations between Sox2OT and microRNA (miRNA)‐23b and between miR‐23b and toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4).ResultsRat CME disrupted the cardiac functions and induced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, and activated the nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway and pyroptosis (all P < 0.05). An NF‐κB inhibitor downregulated the NF‐κB pathway, reduced pyroptosis, and relieved cardiomyocyte injury and pyroptosis. Compared with the sham group (1.05 ± 0.32), lncRNA Sox2OT level (4.41 ± 0.67) in the CME group was elevated (P < 0.05). Sox2OT acted as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR‐23b to regulate TLR4. Silencing of Sox2OT favoured miR‐23b binding to 3′UTR of TLR4 mRNA leading to suppressed TLR4‐mediated NFKB signalling and pyroptosis in myocardial tissues harvested from CME rat models. In addition, miR‐23b overexpression could supplement the cytosolic miR‐23b reserves to target TLR‐4 and partially reverse Sox2OT‐mediated pyroptosis in LPS‐treated H9C2 cells.ConclusionsThis study supported that silencing Sox2OT inhibited CME‐induced MI by eliminating Sox2OT/miR‐23b binding and down‐regulating the TLR4/NF‐κB pathway. This investigation may provide novel insights for the treatment of CME‐induced MI.
Assembling a Low‐volume Biofuel Cell on a Screen‐printed Electrode for Glucose Sensing
Authors: Becker Jana M. , Lielpetere Anna , Szczesny Julian , Ruff Adrian , Conzuelo Felipe , Schuhmann Wolfgang 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAn enzymatic biofuel cell is integrated on a screen‐printed electrode as a basis for a self‐powered biosensor. A glucose/O2 biofuel cell consisting of a pyrroloquinoline quinone‐dependent glucose dehydrogenase embedded within an Os‐complex modified redox polymer bioanode to oxidize glucose and a non‐limiting bilirubin oxidase‐based gas diffusion biocathode in the direct‐electron transfer regime for the reduction of O2 showed a glucose‐dependent current and power output. For full integration on a single screen‐printed electrode, a miniaturized agar salt bridge was introduced between the two bioelectrodes to ensure operation of the assembly in a two‐compartment configuration with each electrode operating at optimal conditions.