bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased serum levels of CCL3, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10 in rosacea patients and their correlation with disease severity
Authors: Liu Tangxiele , Li Ji , Deng Zhili , Chen Mengting , Sha Ke , Xiao Wenqin , Xie Hongfu , Zhao Zhixiang 
Published: March 2022

AbstractRosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease involving millions of patients worldwide. Previous studies have highlighted the upregulation of a variety of chemokines in the skin lesions of both rosacea patient and rosacea‐like mouse model. However, the serum levels of these chemokines and their clinical significance have not been explored before. In this study, we aimed at examining the serum levels of a series of chemokines (including CCL2, CCL3, CCL20, CXCL1, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL12) implicated in rosacea and their correlation with disease severity. Bio‐Plex Pro Human Chemokine Assays were used to measure the serum levels of these chemokines. Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) was applied for assessing the papules/pustules of rosacea patients, while persistent erythema was evaluated by the Clinician’s Erythema Assessment (CEA). Our results revealed that the serum concentration of CCL3, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10 were markedly elevated in rosacea patients compared to healthy controls. Among them, the levels of CCL3, CXCL8, and CXCL9 were positively correlated with the IGA score, while serum CXCL9 and CXCL10 were positively related with the CEA score of rosacea patients. What’s more, the expression of the corresponding receptors of CCL3 (Ccr1), CXCL8 (Cxcr1 and Cxcr2), CXCL9, and CXCL10 (Cxcr3) were all significantly increased in the skin lesions of rosacea‐like mouse model with CXCR2 and CXCR3 highly expressed in rosacea patient skins. Our results indicated that CCL3, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10 might potentially serve as serum indicators for rosacea and could assist the severity evaluation of disease. Findings in this study would also potentially help to develop new targeted therapies for rosacea in future. © 2022 Japanese Dermatological Association
Contrasting nitrogen cycling between herbaceous wetland and terrestrial ecosystems inferred from plant and soil nitrogen isotopes across China
Authors: Hu Yu‐Kun , Liu Guo‐Fang , Pan Xu , Song Yao‐Bin , Dong Ming , Cornelissen Johannes H. C. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Understanding nitrogen (N) cycling in different ecosystems is crucial to predicting and mitigating the global effects of altered N inputs. Although wetlands have always been assumed to differ largely from terrestrial ecosystems in N cycling, evidence from direct comparison from the field along wide environmental gradients is lacking. Here, we hypothesized strong coupling of plant and soil δ15N in terrestrial ecosystems due to lower N inputs and losses but weak coupling of plant and soil δ15N in wetlands because of higher N inputs and losses.

We performed a large‐scale field investigation on 26 pairs of herbaceous wetland and terrestrial sites across China covering 21 degrees of latitude and determined natural abundance of nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in soils and leaves of 346 dominant and subordinate plant species. We analysed the relationships between leaf and soil δ15N and their drivers including plant functional types in these two types of ecosystems.

Plant functional types including mycorrhizal type and N2‐fixing status had consistently significant influences on leaf δ15N in herbaceous wetland and terrestrial ecosystems. Leaf δ15N increased significantly with soil δ15N within and across mycorrhizal types in both ecosystems, and, as hypothesized, the relationships were stronger and steeper in terrestrial than in wetland ecosystems. Moreover, leaf and soil δ15N were positively and significantly correlated within both N2‐fixers and non‐N2‐fixers in terrestrial ecosystems and within only non‐N2‐fixers in wetlands. At the community level, we also found more highly significant relationships between leaf and soil δ15N in terrestrial than in wetland ecosystems. Besides plant functional types, climatic and soil factors contributed to the variation in leaf δ15N in both ecosystems.

Synthesis. Weaker relationships between plant and soil δ15N in wetlands at species and community levels support the hypothesis that larger N inputs and losses lead to weaker coupling in the plant–soil systems in wetlands than in terrestrial ecosystems. This provides strong evidence from a large spatial scale for contrasting N cycling in these two types of ecosystems regardless of plant functional type in terms of nutrient uptake strategy. Our findings add to our predictive power of ecosystem N dynamics under environmental changes, for example, land‐use changes and elevated N inputs.
Emergency department presentations and associated hospital admissions for low back pain in Australia
Authors: Anderson David B , Chen Lingxiao , Eyles Jillian P , Ferreira Manuela L 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo determine factors associated with hospital admissions from ED presentations for low back pain (LBP).MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 147 ED centres in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, between 2005 and 2014. Data were accessed from the NSW Emergency Department Data Collection to determine patients who attended ED and whether or not they were admitted to hospital.ResultsThere were 1 388 078 ED visits for LBP across 147 different ED centres between 2005 and 2014. Between 2005 and 2013, hospital admission rates from ED visits for LBP increased annually by 5.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.9–6.4) from 477 per 100 000 in 2005 to 730 per 100 000 in 2013. Patients who were under injured workers' insurance (i.e. workers compensation insurance) had significantly lower odds (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, 95% CI 0.40–0.43) of being admitted to hospital for LBP compared with those not on injured workers' insurance. Patients living in the highest socioeconomic areas were also more likely to be admitted to hospital from an ED visit, compared with those from the lowest socioeconomic areas (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.24–1.29).ConclusionRates of hospitalisation following attendance to ED for LBP increased annually by 5% between 2005 and 2013. Hospital admission rates were lower among patients from the lowest socioeconomic areas or under injured workers' compensation insurance.
The impact of levamisole and alcohol on white matter microstructure in adult chronic cocaine users
Authors: Michels Lars , Moisa Marius , Stämpfli Philipp , Hirsiger Sarah , Baumgartner Markus R. , Surbeck Werner , Seifritz Erich , Quednow Boris B. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPrevious brain imaging studies with chronic cocaine users (CU) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) mostly focused on fractional anisotropy to investigate white matter (WM) integrity. However, a quantitative interpretation of fractional anisotropy (FA) alterations is often impeded by the inherent limitations of the underlying tensor model. A more fine‐grained measure of WM alterations could be achieved by measuring fibre density (FD). This study investigates this novel DTI metric comparing 23 chronic CU and 32 healthy subjects. Quantitative hair analysis was used to determine intensity of cocaine and levamisole exposure—a cocaine adulterant with putative WM neurotoxicity. We first assessed the impact of cocaine use, levamisole exposure and alcohol use on group differences in WM integrity. Compared with healthy controls, all models revealed cortical reductions of FA and FD in CU. At the within‐patient group level, we found that alcohol use and levamisole exposure exhibited regionally different FA and FD alterations than cocaine use. We found mostly negative correlations of tract‐based WM associated with levamisole and weekly alcohol use. Specifically, levamisole exposure was linked with stronger WM reductions in the corpus callosum than alcohol use. Cocaine use duration correlated negatively with FA and FD in some regions. Yet, most of these correlations did not survive a correction for multiple testing. Our results suggest that chronic cocaine use, levamisole exposure and alcohol use were all linked to significant WM impairments in CU. We conclude that FD could be a sensitive marker to detect the impact of the use of multiple substances on WM integrity in cocaine but also other substance use disorders.
Larval habitats of Culicoides ornatus Taylor, 1913 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) within the mangroves of Darwin Harbour in the wet‐dry tropics of northern Australia
Authors: Shivas Martin A , Bellis Glenn A , Gopurenko David , Webb Charles , Whelan Peter I 
Published: March 2022

AbstractLarval habitats of the pest biting midge Culicoides ornatus were identified and characterised in a macrotidal mangrove creek system in Darwin Harbour in the wet‐dry tropics of northern Australia. Sampling was undertaken during the mid to late dry season using submersible emergence traps to indicate larval activity. Substantial emergence was found in two well separated and distinctly different habitats: open creekbanks covered in Avicennia marina (Grey Mangrove) pneumatophores in the upper reaches of small tidal creeks and broad relatively flat areas dominated by Sonneratia alba (Mangrove Apple) at the mouth of the creek system. Intervening areas along creeklines were lined by Camptostemon schultzii (Kapok Mangrove) and did not support emergence activity. Adults emerging from each habitat were conspecific, based on comparison of mitochondrial COI gene sequences and a range of morphological characters. Nine different haplotypes were identified from 26 adults, with four haplotypes common to both habitats. Neighbour‐joining analysis resolved all the haplotypes as a single highly supported clade with an average sequence difference of 1.6%. Features common to the two habitats included occurrence in sheltered mangrove‐lined estuaries; occurrence in soft, fine, silt mud; presence of mangrove pneumatophores; and an open vegetation structure providing partial shade. Dense vegetation appeared to be a limiting factor. The tidal creek habitat was similar to C. ornatus habitats previously described from the east coast of Australia, but neither the Sonneratia zone nor other habitats at such a low tidal elevation have been previously associated with C. ornatus. This is the first detailed account of the larval biology of this important mangrove breeding pest species. The identification of likely C. ornatus breeding sites in Darwin Harbour and other similar ria coastlines of northern Australia should be possible from aerial photographs using the habitat descriptions presented in this paper.
Diversity of Lepidoptera associated with macadamia nut damage in South Africa and development of molecular tools to monitor pest populations
Authors: Smith Ashleigh K. , Slippers Bernard , Hurley Brett P. , Fourie Gerda 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Lepidopteran pests are of major economic importance to macadamia growers worldwide. In South Africa, four species have been associated with macadamia nut damage. Detailed information regarding species composition of the borer larvae in the nuts and the genetic diversity of these species is not however available.
Lepidoptera obtained from nuts from the KwaZulu‐Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces were identified based on COI sequencing.
Thaumatotibia batrachopa represented 95% of the larvae collected in damaged nuts across all growing regions.
The population genetic diversity and structure of the dominant species were determined using a 650 bp section of the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I gene to construct a parsimony network.
Rapid diagnostic tools were developed, which included a polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) assay for the identification of all four species and species‐specific primers for T. batrachopa and T. leucotreta.
Population studies of T. batrachopa showed a dominant COI haplotype present in all growing regions, although several unique haplotypes were also present in each region. Overall, the high haplotype diversity observed in this study is in agreement with that of a native population. The populations between the growing regions are, however, not clearly separated and might reflect recent gene flow.
Raging Against the “Neoliberal Hellscape”: Anger, Pride, and Ambivalence in Civil Society Responses to the COVID‐19 Pandemic in the USA
Authors: Leap Braden , Stalp Marybeth C. , Kelly Kimberly 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDo volunteers and civil society groups entrench or subvert neoliberalisation? We contribute to this debate by utilising data from 662 self‐administered questionnaires and 78 semi‐structured interviews with adults who made and distributed personal protective equipment (PPE) in response to a failed federal response to the COVID‐19 pandemic in the USA. The state’s failure to protect Americans angered PPE makers, even as they worked to address PPE shortages. Many purposefully assisted populations marginalised by neoliberal policies, taking pride in their ability to help. Although makers generally did not seek to reform the institutions that had failed them, our results indicate that civil society groups may challenge neoliberalisation by rallying communities to mitigate its worst impacts. Instead of being a passive conduit for neoliberalisation, PPE makers’ efforts in the USA were more accurately characterised by ambivalent engagements with neoliberalisation that sometimes bolstered collective efforts to challenge neoliberal governance and its associated inequities.
Translation model for anterior segment tomographic data to corneal spherical aberration derived from a Monte‐Carlo simulation based on raytracing
Authors: Langenbucher Achim , Szentmáry Nóra , Cayless Alan , Münninghoff Lena , Wortmann Rosalie , Wendelstein Jascha , Hoffmann Peter 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundIntraocular lenses with a negative aspherical design for correction of corneal spherical aberration (SA) have gained popularity in recent decades. In most cases, a ‘one size fits all’ concept is followed, where all eyes receive lenses with the same SA correction. The purpose of this study is to develop a strategy based on raytracing using anterior segment tomography data to extract corneal SA and to provide simple multivariable linear models for prediction of corneal SA.MethodsThe analysis was based on a large dataset of 8737 measurements of 8737 eyes from 1 clinical centre, using the Casia2 anterior segment tomographer. An optical model based on: corneal front and back surface radius Ra and Rp, asphericities Qa and Qp, corneal thickness CCT, anterior chamber depth ACD, and pupil centre position (X‐Y position: PupX and PupY), was defined for each measurement. Corneal SA was derived using a 6‐mm aperture perpendicular to the incident ray and centred on the chief ray, and linear prediction models were derived for SA using biometric data. Cross‐validation was used for model performance evaluation.ResultsUsing raytracing, the wavefront error within an aperture (6‐mm diameter centred on the intersection of the chief ray with the cornea) was calculated and corneal SA was extracted. After identifying the relevant effect sizes (Ra, Qa, Rp Qp, ACD, PupX and PupY) using stepwise linear regression, linear mixed‐effects models (model 1: all effect sizes, model 2: Ra, Qa, Rp and Qp, model 3: Ra and Qa) were set up on the training data in terms of a Monte‐Carlo simulation. On the test data (training data), model 1 with a mean absolute/root‐mean‐squared prediction error of 0.0095/0.0130 (0.0095/0.0127) performed similarly to model 2 with 0.0097/0.0131 (0.0096/0.0127), and both outperformed model3 with 0.0152/0.0197 (0.0148/0.0190).ConclusionBased on the Casia2 anterior segment tomographer, corneal SA could be derived using shape data (curvature and asphericities) of both corneal surfaces (model 2). This information could easily be used for selection of the appropriate negative aspherical lens design in cataract surgery.
Deep learning identify retinal nerve fibre and choroid layers as markers of age‐related macular degeneration in the classification of macular spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography volumes
Authors: Tvenning Arnt‐Ole , Hanssen Stian Rikstad , Austeng Dordi , Morken Tora Sund 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposeDeep learning models excel in classifying medical image data but give little insight into the areas identified as pathology. Visualization of a deep learning model’s point of interest (POI) may reveal unexpected areas associated with diseases such as age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, a deep learning model coined OptiNet was trained to identify AMD in spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) macular scans and the anatomical distribution of POIs was studied.MethodsThe deep learning model OptiNet was trained and validated on two data sets. Data set no. 1 consisted of 269 AMD cases and 115 controls with one scan per person. Data set no. 2 consisted of 337 scans from 40 AMD cases (62 eyes) and 46 from both eyes of 23 controls. POIs were visualized by calculating feature dependencies across the layer hierarchy in the deep learning architecture.ResultsThe retinal nerve fibre and choroid layers were identified as POIs in 82 and 70% of cases classified as AMD by OptiNet respectively. Retinal pigment epithelium (98%) and drusen (97%) were the areas applied most frequently. OptiNet obtained area under the receiver operator curves of ≥99.7%.ConclusionPOIs applied by the deep learning model OptiNet indicates alterations in the SD‐OCT imaging regions that correspond to the retinal nerve fibre and choroid layers. If this finding represents a tissue change in macular tissue with AMD remains to be investigated, and future studies should investigate the role of the neuroretina and choroid in AMD development.
Loneliness and mortality: The moderating effect of positive affect
Authors: Beller Johannes 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAlthough the adverse association of loneliness with health and mortality are well documented, less is known about moderating factors of this relationship. According to the “buffering theory,” it is argued that positive affect moderates the negative associations of stressors with health. The current study contributes to the literature by asking: Does positive affect also moderate the relationship between loneliness and mortality? A large population‐based sample of middle‐aged and older adults in Germany from 2008 was used (N = 4442). Mortality was monitored up to 2020, resulting in a maximum follow‐up period of observation of 12 years, in which mortality events could be observed. Loneliness was measured using an adapted German version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, while positive affect was measured with an adapted German version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Using Cox survival regression, it was found that loneliness significantly predicted increased mortality risk (HR = 1.20; p = .029); conversely, positive affect significantly predicted decreased mortality risk (HR = 0.63; p < .001). Furthermore, a significant interaction emerged between loneliness and positive affect in predicting mortality (HR = 0.70; p = .001): The strength of the association of loneliness with mortality decreased with increasing levels of positive affect. Positive affect attenuates the association between loneliness and mortality, supporting previous empirical research and theories on the buffering effect of positive affect. If replicated in further studies, interventions that promote positive affect might be beneficial to mitigate the negative associations of loneliness with health.
Sensitivity of ponies to sodium in the drinking water
Authors: Enke Nick , Brinkmann Lea , Südekum Karl‐Heinz , Tholen Ernst , Gerken Martina 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHorses lose high amounts of Na through excessive sweating. These fluid losses can often not be replaced completely by voluntary water intake, requiring saline solutions as rehydration therapy to regain electrolyte balance. The experiment aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and tolerance of Shetland ponies towards different Na concentrations in their drinking water and contained three phases: (1) control: only fresh water provided; (2) pairwise‐preference test: choice between fresh water and saline solution with stepwise increasing sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25%, or 1.5%); and (3) free‐choice test: six simultaneously provided buckets containing NaCl concentrations of 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, or 1.25%. During the pairwise test, the ponies did not distinguish between fresh and 0.25% NaCl‐water but demonstrated clear preference for 0.5%, whereas >0.75% NaCl was avoided/rejected. During the free‐choice test, a pronounced preference of fresh over saline water was exhibited. The Na intake via salt lick was not reduced as response to higher Na intakes via water. The ponies exhibited a remarkable sensory discrimination capacity to detect different NaCl concentrations in their drinking water. The acceptance of solutions with low NaCl levels (0.25/0.5%) without adverse effects demonstrates potential as rehydration solution for voluntary intake.
Evaluation of pharmacokinetics and safety of talazoparib in patients with advanced cancer and varying degrees of hepatic impairment
Authors: Guo Cen , Yu Yanke , Chakrabarti Jayeta , Piha‐Paul Sarina A. , Moroose Rebecca , Plotka Anna , Shi Haihong , Durairaj Chandrasekar , Wang Diane D. , Wainberg Zev A. 
Published: March 2022

AimThis phase I study investigated talazoparib pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety in patients with advanced solid tumours and varying degrees of hepatic function.MethodsPatients with advanced solid tumours and normal hepatic function or varying degrees of hepatic impairment (mild, moderate or severe, based on National Cancer Institute Organ Dysfunction Working Group classification) received talazoparib 0.5 mg once daily for 22 calendar days. Plasma and urine samples after single and multiple doses were collected and analysed for talazoparib using validated assays. Plasma PK data from all patients were analysed using the population PK method. Plasma and urine PK parameters in PK‐evaluable patients were calculated using noncompartmental analysis (NCA). Safety was monitored in all enrolled patients.ResultsThirty‐eight patients were enrolled; 37 had ≥1 PK concentration, among which 17 were evaluable for NCA. Population PK analysis (n = 37) indicated no significant impact of hepatic function on apparent clearance (CL/F) of talazoparib. Baseline creatinine clearance was the only significant covariate on CL/F (α = 0.05). NCA of data (n = 17) showed no clear trend for increase in exposure on day 22 with worsening hepatic function. Talazoparib protein binding was comparable in patients with varying hepatic function. Talazoparib was generally well tolerated, and the safety profile observed in this study was consistent with the known safety profile of the drug.ConclusionsHepatic impairment (mild, moderate or severe) has no impact on the PK of talazoparib. No dose modification is recommended for patients with advanced solid tumours and various degrees of hepatic impairment, and this labelling language has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.