bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular outcomes associated with prescription of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors versus dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Rhee Jinnie J. , Han Jialin , Montez‐Rath Maria E. , Kim Sun H. , Cullen Mark R. , Stafford Randall S. , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C. , Chertow Glenn M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAimTo determine the association with cardiovascular (CV) outcomes of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT‐2) inhibitors compared with dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).Materials and MethodsWe conducted a population‐based cohort study of new users of SGLT‐2 inhibitors and DPP‐4 inhibitors with T2D and CKD using data from Optum Clinformatics DataMart. We assembled three cohorts: T2D/no CKD, T2D/CKD 1‐2, and T2D/CKD 3a. The study outcomes were (a) time to first heart failure (HF) hospitalization and (b) time to a composite CV endpoint comprised of non‐fatal myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke. After inverse probability of treatment weighting, we used proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsNew users of SGLT‐2 inhibitors versus DPP‐4 inhibitors had lower risks of HF hospitalization in the T2D/no CKD (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.70, 0.82) and T2D/CKD 1‐2 (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.48, 0.84) cohorts, but no significant association was present in the T2D/CKD 3a cohort. Compared with prescription of DPP‐4 inhibitors, SGLT‐2 inhibitors were associated with lower risks of non‐fatal MI or stroke of 23% (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.70, 0.85) in the T2D/no CKD cohort, but no significant associations were present in the T2D/CKD 1‐2 and T2D/CKD 3a cohorts.ConclusionsIncident prescription of SGLT‐2 inhibitors was associated with lower risks of HF hospitalization but not with non‐fatal MI or stroke despite suggesting benefit, relative to prescription of DPP‐4 inhibitor across different stages of CKD.
The Impact of COVID‐19‐Related School Closures on Student Achievement—A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: König Christoph , Frey Andreas 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCOVID‐19 led to school closures and the necessity to use remote learning in 2020 and 2021 around the globe. This article provides results for a three‐level random‐effects meta‐analysis examining the average effect of the COVID‐19‐related school closures with respect to several moderator variables. The results showed a robust average effect of , . The moderator analysis was largely insignificant; however, the results tentatively point out that younger students in schools were more negatively affected compared to older students, and that the negative effect reduced with subsequent lockdowns in autumn and winter 2020/2021. The results are discussed with respect to potential explanations.
Yin and Yang of skin microbiota in “swimmer acne”
Authors: Morss‐Walton Peyton C. , McGee Jean S. , Rosales Santillan Monica , Kimball Ranch , Cukras Anthony , Patwardhan Sachin V. , Porter Martina L. , Kimball Alexa B. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is an organism implicated in the pathogenesis of acne. Despite regular immersion in antimicrobial chlorine, adolescent swimmers suffer from acne and tend to be resistant to standard therapies. Given the presence of Pseudomonas within swimming facilities, we hypothesized that “swimmer acne” is potentially driven by a different microbial mechanism. In this study, we aimed to examine the microbial dynamics of C. acnes and Pseudomonadaceae, a family of gram‐negative bacteria (includes Pseudomonas aeruginosa), in swimmers and its potential contribution to the pathogenesis of acne in this population. Using fluorescence photography that measures the Coproporphyrin III (CPIII), we quantitated an absolute abundance of C. acnes present on the face of each participant pre‐ and post‐swimming. In addition, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was utilized to assess relative abundance of the skin microbiota on each participant pre‐ and post‐swimming. 16 swimmers (8 girls and 8 boys) completed the study. Seven had acne on the face. The CPIII fluorescence levels decreased for all swimmers after 1 h of swimming (p‐value <0.001). In contrast, the relative abundance of C. acnes remained unchanged, while that of Pseudomonadaceae increased after swimming (p‐value =0.027). Comparing the relative abundances of Pseudomonadaceae before swimming, there was a significant increase in variance from the mean in acne group as compared to no acne group (p‐value <0.001). Taken together, we conclude that the skin dysbiosis resulting from repeated decolonization and colonization of C. acnes and Pseudomonadaceae, respectively, can potentially be associated with the pathogenesis of acne in swimmers.
Observations that suggest a contribution of altered dermal papilla mitochondrial function to androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Chew Elaine G. Y. , Lim Tze Chiun , Leong Meng Fatt , Liu Xingliang , Sia Yee Yen , Leong See Ting , Yan‐Jiang Benjamin C. , Stoecklin Celine , Borhan Rosa , Heilmann‐Heimbach Stefanie , Nöthen Markus M. , Viasnoff Virgile , Shyh‐Chang Ng , Wan Andrew C. A. , Philpott Michael P. , Hillmer Axel M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent hair loss condition in males that develops due to the influence of androgens and genetic predisposition. With the aim of elucidating genes involved in AGA pathogenesis, we modelled AGA with three‐dimensional culture of keratinocyte‐surrounded dermal papilla (DP) cells. We co‐cultured immortalised balding and non‐balding human DP cells (DPCs) derived from male AGA patients with epidermal keratinocyte (NHEK) using multi‐interfacial polyelectrolyte complexation technique. We observed up‐regulated mitochondria‐related gene expression in balding compared with non‐balding DP aggregates which indicated altered mitochondria metabolism. Further observation of significantly reduced electron transport chain complex activity (complexes I, IV and V), ATP levels and ability to uptake metabolites for ATP generation demonstrated compromised mitochondria function in balding DPC. Balding DP was also found to be under significantly higher oxidative stress than non‐balding DP. Our experiments suggest that application of antioxidants lowers oxidative stress levels and improves metabolite uptake in balding DPC. We postulate that the observed up‐regulation of mitochondria‐related genes in balding DP aggregates resulted from an over‐compensatory effort to rescue decreased mitochondrial function in balding DP through the attempted production of new functional mitochondria. In all, our three‐dimensional co‐culturing revealed mitochondrial dysfunction in balding DPC, suggesting a metabolic component in the aetiology of AGA.
A distributed identity‐based authentication scheme for internet of things devices using permissioned blockchain system
Authors: Babu Erukala Suresh , Dadi Ajay Kumar , Singh Krishna Kant , Nayak Soumya Ranjan , Bhoi Akash Kumar , Singh Akansha 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe Internet of Things (IoT) has become a significant technology on the internet with its widespread adoption in almost every place we could think of, like homes, hospitals, industries, companies, and so on. This adoption in virtually every device had made them smart, thereby reducing the human intervention to handle them. These devices become smart by gathering the sensed information and communicating with other devices or servers to take the appropriate decisions based on acquired data. However, these devices are deployed in batches with default usernames and passwords, making them vulnerable to attacks as seen in recent pasts like the Mirai botnet attack. Most of the attacks could have been avoided if these devices were equipped with a decent lightweight secure authentication scheme. One of the most common authentication procedures is using traditional public key infrastructure (PKI), which suffers from a single point of failure. Moreover, the complex procedures of PKI make them unfit for low‐powered IoT devices. Identity‐based cryptography (IBC), a lightweight cryptosystem, could be a good fit for these devices. But, even IBC suffers from a single point of failure and key escrow problem because of the private key generator (PKG). Blockchain has proved its mettle in eliminating a single point of failure with its robust distributed ledger technology. This article presents a novel authentication scheme for IoT devices based on identity‐based cryptography using a blockchain network. Blockchain is used as a distributed PKG, eliminating a single point of failure and key escrow problem of PKGs. Further, the proposed work is implemented in Hyperledger Fabric, which is an open‐source blockchain platform that efficiently performs the addition, updating, and deletions operation for effective authentication and communication of IoT devices.
Surgical risk assessment for super‐elderly patients
Authors: Miura Yasuaki , Nishio Kenji , Kitamura Yohei , Goto Tetsuhiro , Yano Masao , Matsui So 
Published: February 2022

AimSuper‐elderly patients are often frail and the decision on surgical indications remains a difficult issue. The purpose of this study was to provide a certain preoperative surgical risk assessment tool for super‐elderly people.MethodsWe selected 112 individuals who were super‐elderly patients aged >90 years who had surgeries under general anesthesia in our department. Based on the quality of the postoperative outcome of each case, we categorized these patients into two groups: good and poor groups. We evaluated the fundamental examination items, such as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, skeletal muscle mass index and so on, and a couple of the well‐known risk score systems represented by Estimation of Physiology Ability and Surgical Stress.ResultsA total of 85 of the 112 patients belonged to the good group and the rest belonged to the poor group. The quality of postoperative outcome is well characterized by Estimation of Physiology Ability and Surgical Stress (P = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis of Estimation of Physiology Ability and Surgical Stress for the quality of postoperative outcome shows sensitivity of 0.83 and specificity of 0.61. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that skeletal muscle mass index and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status are prominent as the risk determinants affecting the quality of postoperative outcome. A scoring system based on the skeletal muscle mass index, which is a good index of sarcopenia, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, named the “SAP score” has the following characteristics. P‐value <0.001, sensitivity 0.76 and specificity 0.91.ConclusionsInformed consent based on the risk score might be able to reduce the regrettable situation where it would have been better to have had surgery or not to have had surgery. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 271–277.
Experimental investigation on low concentration nanofluids with Fresnel lens and evacuated tubes for solar applications
Authors: Pandi Kalidoss , Venkatachalapathy S , Suresh S 
Published: February 2022

AbstractOptical and thermo‐physical properties of the nanofluids play a major role in the absorption of solar energy. In the present study, photo‐thermal energy conversion of low concentration Al2O3/Deionised water (DI) water and CuO/DI water nanofluids in solar thermal collector is experimentally investigated. Properties of 50,100,150, and 200 ppm concentrations of nanofluids are reported. The absorbance results in the visible range indicate that CuO nanofluid of 200 ppm concentration is nearly three times higher compared to Al2O3 nanofluid. The extinction coefficient, optical energy band gap, and photoluminescence obtained from the absorbance data are also reported. Surfactant free nanofluids are used, and the thermal conductivity measurements show a negligible enhancement for both the nanofluids. Maximum receiver temperatures of 89 and 72°C are found with CuO and Al2O3 nanofluids, respectively, for the maximum concentration. A maximum receiver efficiency of 34.89% is obtained for CuO nanofluids.
Freeze the Biological Clock: Discrimination, Disrespect, and Fertility Preservation via Social Freezing
Authors: Pedersen Viki Møller Lyngby 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTSocial egg freezing is when healthy and fertile women freeze their eggs in order to preserve fertility and delay childbearing for non‐medical reasons. Many countries have restrictions on social egg freezing, but not on medical egg freezing. Moreover, only some of those countries have similar restrictions on social sperm freezing. Across these cases, I argue that restrictions on social egg freezing are discriminatory against women compared to men and against healthy women compared to those with medical conditions threatening their fertility. Introducing restrictions that apply to the freezing of both male and female gametes is, however, merely indirectly discriminatory. Moreover, I provide arguments to the effect that the discrimination at issue is of a wrongful kind. Drawing on an influential theory of wrongful discrimination originally introduced by Benjamin Eidelson, I show how restrictions on social egg freezing manifest disrespect for women (with no medical conditions jeopardizing their fertility). Specifically, I defend the view that introducing such policies involves unjustified differential concern for people's interests.
The netrin‐1 receptor DCC promotes the survival of a subpopulation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons: Relevance for ageing and Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lo Pik‐Shan , Rymar Vladimir V. , Kennedy Timothy E. , Sadikot Abbas F. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMechanisms that determine the survival of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons in the adult central nervous system (CNS) are not fully understood. Netrins are a family of secreted proteins that are essential for normal neural development. In the mature CNS, mDA neurons express particularly high levels of netrin‐1 and its receptor Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC). Recent findings indicate that overexpressing netrin‐1 protects mDA neurons in animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD), with a proposed pro‐apoptotic dependence function for DCC that triggers cell death in the absence of a ligand. Here, we sought to determine if DCC expression influences mDA neuron survival in young adult and ageing mice. To circumvent the perinatal lethality of DCC null mice, we selectively deleted DCC from mDA neurons utilizing DATcre/loxP gene‐targeting and examined neuronal survival in adult and aged animals. Reduced numbers of mDA neurons were detected in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of young adult DATcre/DCCfl/fl mice, with further reduction in aged DATcre/DCCfl/fl animals. In contrast to young adults, aged mice also exhibited a gene dosage effect, with fewer SNc mDA neurons in DCC heterozygotes (DATcre/DCCfl/wt). Notably, loss of mDA neurons in the SN was not uniform. Neuronal loss in the SN was limited to ventral tier mDA neurons, while mDA neurons in the dorsal tier of the SN, which resist degeneration in PD, were spared from the effect of DCC deletion in both young and aged mice. In the ventral tegmental area (VTA), young adult mice with conditional deletion of DCC had normal mDA neuronal numbers, while significant loss occurred in aged DATcre/DCCfl/fl and DATcre/DCCfl/wt mice compared to age‐matched wild‐type mice. Our results indicate that expression of DCC is required for the survival of subpopulations of mDA neurons and may be relevant to the degenerative processes in PD.image
Effect of ageing and tooth loss on sensory function of alveolar mucosa
Authors: Zhang Lei , Shimada Akiko , Kusunoki Takayuki , Inoue Taro , Kawamoto Akiyo , Takahashi Kazuya 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundMaintaining quality of life of elderly denture wearers is one of the most crucial tasks for dentists in the super‐aged society. Although external mechanical load on removable dentures has been investigated to minimise a risk of soreness caused by dentures, sensory perception of the alveolar mucosa remains obscure.ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate effect of ageing and tooth loss in sensory function on the alveolar mucosa for deep understanding of the characteristics of pain sensitivity in edentulous individuals.MethodsEighteen edentulous participants (ED), as well as 18 age‐matched dentate participants (EC) and 18 young dentate participants (YC), participated in this study. Tactile detection threshold (TDT) and pain threshold (PT) were measured with von Frey filaments (0.125–512 mN). Mechanical pain sensitivity (MPS) after a 2‐sec application of 1 kg palpation was assessed with a 0–50–100 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (0: no pain, 50: slight pain and 100: the worst pain imaginable). Furthermore, entropy scores of TDT, PT and NRS on MPS were calculated.ResultsIn both maxilla and mandible, EC showed significantly higher TDT and PT, compared with YC, whereas ED showed significantly lower TDT and PT, compared with EC. NRS on MPS in ED was significantly higher than that in EC. The entropy scores of all the outcome parameters showed no significant difference between groups.ConclusionBoth ageing and tooth loss can alter tactile and pain perception in the oral mucosa. This suggests that it might be beneficial to assess sensory function of the alveolar mucosa in edentulous patients clinically in prior to denture fabrication.
Political equality and quality of government
Authors: Ezcurra Roberto , Zuazu Izaskun 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis paper examines the relationship between political equality and quality of government. Our hypothesis is that political equality fosters access to inclusive education and ultimately promotes good governance. We empirically test this hypothesis using data for 145 countries with different levels of economic development. In order to overcome potential endogeneity problems, our identification strategy exploits the variation in political equality in geographically neighbouring countries by means of spatial econometric techniques. The results reveal a positive and statistically significant effect of political equality on the quality of government. This implies that countries where political power is more evenly distributed tend on average to have higher levels of institutional quality. In fact, this result is not affected by the inclusion in the analysis of a substantial number of controls that may be correlated with both political equality and quality of government, including the extent of democracy and the degree of economic inequality. In fact, the observed link between political equality and governance remains robust to alternative measures of quality of government, estimation techniques, and other sensitivity checks. Our estimates also show that education acts as a transmission channel linking political equality and quality of government.
Heterogeneous data‐based spatiotemporal trajectory synchronization for virtual–real interactive testing
Authors: Qiu Weizhi , ShangGuan Wei , Cai Baigen , Chai Linguo 
Published: February 2022

AbstractVirtual–real interactive testing (VRIT) is a practical approach to assessing the safety and intelligence of connected vehicles. Under this testing scheme, state consistency between physical and virtual spaces must be guaranteed. This paper proposes a multispace synchronization framework to ensure the desired interactive performance of VRIT systems. According to this framework, the synchronization process is decomposed into tracking and extensional periods. In addition, the heterogeneous data collected from physical and virtual spaces are divided into three layers. Each layer has a specific priority in the generation of the tracking trajectory. Furthermore, an extensional trajectory is integrated based on the proposed filtering mechanism, which improves the synchronization accuracy under high latency conditions. Finally, numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method and to illustrate how the key parameters affect the system performance.
Paradoxical immune response in leishmaniasis: The role of toll‐like receptors in disease progression
Authors: Bamigbola Ifeoluwa E. , Ali Selman 
Published: February 2022

AbstractToll‐like receptors (TLRs), members of pattern recognition receptors, are expressed on many cells of the innate immune system, and their engagements with antigens regulate specific immune responses. TLRs signalling influences species‐specific immune responses during Leishmania infection; thus, TLRs play a decisive role towards elimination or exacerbation of Leishmania infection. To date, there is no single therapeutic or prophylactic approach that is fully effective against leishmaniasis. An in‐depth understanding of the mechanisms by which Leishmania species evade, or exploit host immune machinery could lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the prevention and management of leishmaniasis. In this review, the role of TLRs in the induction of a paradoxical immune response in leishmaniasis was discussed. This review focuses on highlighting the novel interplay of TLR2‐ /TLR9‐driven resistance or susceptibility to 5 clinically important Leishmania species in human. The activation of TLR2/TLR9 can induce diverse anti‐Leishmania activities depending on the species of infecting Leishmania parasite. Infection with L. infantum and L. mexicana initiates TLR2/9 activation leading to host protective immune response, while infection with L. major, L. donovani and L. amazonensis trigger either a TLR2‐ /9‐related protective or non‐protective immune responses. These findings suggest that TLR2 and TLR9 are targets worth pursuing either for modulation or blockage to trigger host protective immune response towards leishmaniasis.