bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LncRNA‐miRNA network analysis across the Th17 cell line reveals biomarker potency of lncRNA NEAT1 and KCNQ1OT1 in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Karimi Elham , Azari Hanieh , Tahmasebi Ahmad , Nikpoor Amin Reza , Negahi Ahmad Agha , Sanadgol Nima , Shekari Mohammad , Mousavi Pegah 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDifferentiation of CD4+ T cells into Th17 cells is an important factor in the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) and Th17/Treg imbalance. Little is known about the role of lncRNAs in the differentiation of CD4+ cells from Th17 cells. This study aimed to analyse the lncRNA‐miRNAs network involved in MS disease and its role in the differentiation of Th17 cells. The lncRNAs in Th17 differentiation were obtained from GSE66261 using the GEO datasets. Differential expression of lncRNAs in Th17 primary cells compared to Th17 effector cells was investigated by RNA‐seq analysis. Next, the most highlighted lncRNAs in autoimmune diseases were downloaded from the lncRNAs disease database, and the most critical miRNA was extracted by literature search. Then, the lncRNA‐miRNA interaction was achieved by the Starbase database, and the ceRNA network was designed by Cytoscape. Finally, using the CytoHubba application, two hub lncRNAs with the most interactions with miRNAs were identified by the MCODE plug‐in. The expression level of genes was measured by qPCR, and the plasma level of cytokines was analysed by ELISA kits. The results showed an increase in the expression of NEAT1, KCNQ1OT1 and RORC and a decrease in the expression of FOXP3. In plasma, an upregulation of IL17 and a downregulation of TGFB inflammatory cytokines were detected. The dysregulated expression of these genes could be attributed to relapsing‐remitting MS (RR‐MS) patients and help us understand MS pathogenesis better.
Feeling the Heat: Emotions, Politicization, and the European Union
Authors: Gellwitzki C. Nicolai L. , Houde Anne‐Marie 
Published: March 2022

AbstractFor over a decade, scholars of European studies have been studying a phenomenon referred to as the politicization of the European Union, usually defined as the intensification of a political debate, the polarization of opinions, and public resonance. This article extends existing explanatory models by offering a systematic theorization of the role of emotions in EU politicization to establish that emotions are integral to every step of the process. First, they are prerequisites as actors and audiences need to be emotionally invested in an issue to engage in a debate about it. Second, they are drivers since they fuel debates and allow them to get heated and polarized. Third, they are outcomes since politicization will engender new emotional investments and sensitivities. The analytical added value of integrating emotions into explanatory models is illustrated through the case of the Brexit campaign.
Onset and stepwise extensions of recombination suppression are common in mating‐type chromosomes of Microbotryum anther‐smut fungi
Authors: Duhamel Marine , Carpentier Fantin , Begerow Dominik , Hood Michael E. , Rodríguez de la Vega Ricardo C. , Giraud Tatiana 
Published: March 2022

AbstractSex chromosomes and mating‐type chromosomes can display large genomic regions without recombination. Recombination suppression often extended stepwise with time away from the sex‐ or mating‐type‐determining genes, generating evolutionary strata of differentiation between alternative sex or mating‐type chromosomes. In anther‐smut fungi of the Microbotryum genus, recombination suppression evolved repeatedly, linking the two mating‐type loci and extended multiple times in regions distal to the mating‐type genes. Here, we obtained high‐quality genome assemblies of alternative mating types for four Microbotryum fungi. We found an additional event of independent chromosomal rearrangements bringing the two mating‐type loci on the same chromosome followed by recombination suppression linking them. We also found, in a new clade analysed here, that recombination suppression between the two mating‐type loci occurred in several steps, with first an ancestral recombination suppression between one of the mating‐type locus and its centromere; later, completion of recombination suppression up to the second mating‐type locus occurred independently in three species. The estimated dates of recombination suppression between the mating‐type loci ranged from 0.15 to 3.58 million years ago. In total, this makes at least nine independent events of linkage between the mating‐type loci across the Microbotryum genus. Several mating‐type locus linkage events occurred through the same types of chromosomal rearrangements, where similar chromosome fissions at centromeres represent convergence in the genomic changes leading to the phenotypic convergence. These findings further highlight Microbotryum fungi as excellent models to study the evolution of recombination suppression.
Anti‐TNFα antibody versus non‐anti‐TNFα molecular agents for ulcerative colitis patients who failed initial anti‐TNFα therapy
Authors: Kanayama Kengo , Kato Jun , Shiratori Wataru , Nagashima Ariki , Ohta Yuki , Taida Takashi , Saito Keiko , Goto Chihiro , Takahashi Satsuki , Horio Ryosuke , Kurosugi Akane , Ishikawa Tsubasa , Kaneko Tatsuya , Akizue Naoki , Okimoto Kenichiro , Matsumura Tomoaki , Kato Naoya 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackground and AimAnti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α antibody (ATA) and biologics/molecular targeted agents with other mechanisms (non‐ATA) are currently available for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the knowledge about optimal drug selection after the initial treatment with ATA failure is lacking. This study assessed whether the response to the initial ATA could be a basis for selecting subsequent agents in UC patients.MethodsUlcerative colitis patients treated with ATA or non‐ATA as the subsequent biologic after the failure of initial ATA were retrospectively analyzed. The efficacy at 14 weeks was examined according to the response to initial ATA.ResultsOf 163 patients treated with the first ATA, the efficacy of subsequent ATA and non‐ATA was evaluated in 63 and 36, respectively. Remission and response to subsequent‐line therapy, regardless of ATA or non‐ATA, were lower in patients with primary nonresponse (PNR) to initial ATA than in patients with efficacy to initial ATA (33.3% vs 69.2%, P < 0.01). In patients with PNR to initial ATA, the remission rate with subsequent ATA was significantly lower than with subsequent non‐ATA (4.3% vs 26.3%, P = 0.04). In patients who showed efficacy to initial ATA, the remission rate with subsequent ATA was also lower than that with subsequent non‐ATA (30.6% vs 56.3%, P = 0.08). PNR with initial ATA was the predictor of PNR to subsequent ATA (odds ratio: 5.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.50–21.7).ConclusionNon‐ATA may be suitable in UC patients as the subsequent biologics regardless of the outcome of the first ATA.
Attitudes toward deprescribing among older adults with dementia in the United States
Authors: Growdon Matthew E. , Espejo Edie , Jing Bocheng , Boscardin W. John , Zullo Andrew R. , Yaffe Kristine , Boockvar Kenneth S. , Steinman Michael A. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundPeople with dementia (PWD) take medications that may be unnecessary or harmful. This problem can be addressed through deprescribing, but it is unclear if PWD would be willing to engage in deprescribing with their providers. Our goal was to investigate attitudes toward deprescribing among PWD.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study of 422 PWD aged ≥65 years who completed the medications attitudes module of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) in 2016. Proxies provided responses when a participant was unable to respond due to health or cognitive problems. Attitudinal outcomes comprised responses to two statements from the patients' attitudes toward deprescribing questionnaire and its revised version (representing belief about the necessity of one's medications and willingness to deprescribe); another elicited the maximum number of pills that a respondent would be comfortable taking.ResultsThe weighted sample represented over 1.8 million PWD; 39% were 75 to 84 years old and 38% were 85 years or older, 60% were female, and 55% reported six or more regular medications. Proxies provided responses for 26% of PWD. Overall, 22% believed that they may be taking one or more medicines that they no longer needed, 87% were willing to stop one or more of their medications, and 50% were uncomfortable taking five or more medications. Attitudinal outcomes were similar across sociodemographic and clinical factors. PWD taking ≥6 medications were more likely to endorse a belief that at least one medication was no longer necessary compared to those taking <6 (adjusted probability 29% [95% confidence interval (CI), 22%–38%] vs. 13% [95% CI, 8%–20%]; p = 0.004); the same applied for willingness to deprescribe (92% [95% CI, 87%–95%] vs. 83% [95% CI, 76%–89%]; p = 0.04).ConclusionsA majority of PWD are willing to deprescribe, representing an opportunity to improve quality of life for this vulnerable population.
How does bone microanatomy and musculature covary? An investigation in the forelimb of two species of martens (Martes foina, Martes martes)
Authors: Bader Camille , Böhmer Christine , Abou Maroua , Houssaye Alexandra 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe long bones and associated musculature play a prominent role in the support and movement of the body and are expected to reflect the associated mechanical demands. But in addition to the functional response to adaptive changes, the conjoined effects of phylogenetic, structural and developmental constraints also shape the animal's body. In order to minimise the effect of the aforementioned constraints and to reveal the biomechanical adaptations in the musculoskeletal system to locomotor mode, we here study the forelimb of two closely related martens: the arboreal pine marten (Martes martes) and the more terrestrial stone marten (Martes foina), focusing on their forelimb muscle anatomy and long bone microanatomy; and, especially, on their covariation. To do so, we quantified muscle data and bone microanatomical parameters and created 3D and 2D maps of the cortical thickness distribution for the three long bones of the forelimb. We then analysed the covariation of muscle and bone data, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Our results reveal that species‐specific muscular adaptations are not clearly reflected in the microanatomy of the bones. Yet, we observe a global thickening of the bone cortex in the radius and ulna of the more arboreal pine marten, as well a stronger flexor muscle inserting on its elbow. We attribute these differences to variation in their locomotor modes.Analyses of our 2D maps revealed a shift of cortical thickness distribution pattern linked to ontogeny, rather than species‐specific patterns. We found that although intraspecific variation is not negligible, species distinction was possible when taking muscular and bone microanatomical data into consideration. Results of our covariation analyses suggest that the muscle‐bone correlation is linked to ontogeny rather than to muscular strength at zones of insertion. Indeed, if we find a correlation between cortical thickness distribution and the strength of some muscles in the humerus, that is not the case for the others and in the radius and ulna. Cortical thickness distribution appears rather linked to bone contact zones and ligament insertions in the radius and ulna, and to some extent in the humerus. We conclude that inference on muscle from bone microanatomy is possible only for certain muscles in the humerus.
Insurance literacy among older people in Japan: The role of socio‐economic status
Authors: Kadoya Yoshihiko , Rabbani Naheed , Khan Mostafa Saidur Rahim 
Published: March 2022

AbstractInsurance literacy has received little attention in academic research despite its role in risk management, particularly among older people, a population most in need of a secure income and coverage for health care expenses after retirement. Using data from the Survey on the Economic Status of the Japanese Elderly conducted by Hiroshima University, we examined how the socio‐economic status of older people in Japan was related to the attainment of insurance literacy. We found that the overall level of insurance literacy was quite low among older people in Japan, particularly among the oldest subgroup and women. Our regression results show that older people who are men, married, relatively younger, moderately educated, have a higher balance of financial assets, and those who have work experience in management, business, or finance are more likely to be insurance literate. Our results indicate that social learning plays an important role in insurance literacy.
Frontline love: Romantic partners of frontline doctors and nurses during the New York City COVID‐19 outbreak
Authors: Siegel Alana , Dekel Rachel 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveThis qualitative study's aim was to learn how the spouses and romantic partners of frontline doctors and nurses dealt with the acute stress of the outbreak; the kinds of support they provided when the frontliners had to navigate COVID‐19 at their hospitals; and, according to their perceptions, how this crisis impacted their relationship.BackgroundThis study focused on the partners of frontliners working in hospitals during the crisis of the coronavirus outbreak in New York City (NYC)—one of the earliest epicenters of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States. This study expanded upon the Family Stress Model—which examines how economic problems can affect marital quality and stability.MethodInterviews were conducted with 29 partners of frontliners who had been treating COVID‐19 patients in NYC hospitals during the pandemic outbreak from February 29 to June 1, 2020. Partners were recruited via snowball sampling, interviewed via Zoom or telephone, and results were analyzed using thematic content analysis.ResultsThe following themes were found in the narratives: The burden of running the home independently; providing various kinds of support (concrete, emotional, and refraining from sexual and physical closeness); and the effects of the pandemic on the relationship via writing a will and discussing the possibility of death, the lack of relationship‐ending threats, and emerging from the crisis with a strengthened relationship.ConclusionThe pandemic crisis unified the partners and frontliners, even in the face of multiple stressors.
Sovereign debt, fiscal policy, and macroeconomic instability
Authors: Carli Francesco , Modesto Leonor 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe study the relation between capital accumulation, fiscal policy, and sovereign debt dynamics in a small open economy. The government maximizes spending, facing borrowing constraints and a conditionality requirement. Debt dynamics are forward looking, being driven by the endogenous borrowing constraint. Current debt is determined by expectations about the government's ability to finance itself in the future, opening the room for indeterminacy. If the government believes it may issue more debt next period, the borrowing constraint relaxes, and current debt increases. The government invests more in productive activities, generating a boom which increases tax revenues. However, as this increase does not repay the additional debt, the government will issue more debt next period, confirming initial expectations. To exclude explosive trajectories, tax revenues must increase enough to repay the outstanding debt and reduce future debt emission. This is possible only with a sufficiently procyclical tax rate. In this case, if productive externalities are large enough, the economy exhibits local and global indeterminacy, as steady‐state multiplicity is also obtained. Avoiding sufficiently procyclical tax rates, the government can prevent local and global fluctuations driven by self‐fulfilling volatile expectations. This differs from the general wisdom that procyclical tax rates should be used for stabilization.
Correlation of lipoprotein lipase gene polymorphism and mRNA expression with intramuscular fat content in Baicheng‐Oil chicken
Authors: Wang Yong , Chen Hongwei , Hang Chao , Chen Ying , Gao Jun , Qiu Dexin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractLipoprotein lipase (LPL) was often taken as a candidate gene for investigating fat metabolism. However, there are few studies on the effect of LPL on intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition in Baicheng oil chicken (BOC) and Three‐yellow Chicken (TYC). In this study, we studied the relationship between polymorphism and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of LPL with IMF deposition in the chest muscle (CM) and leg muscle (LM) of TYC and BOC. Sixty TYCs and 60 BOCs were raised from 1 d and slaughtered by avascularization at their slaughtering age. IMF contents of the CM and LM in the BOC were markedly higher than those in the TYC. Three genotypes following AA, AB and BB were found by the method of polymerase chain reaction‐single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP). The synonymous mutation C12315T was detected. The content of IMF with the AA genotype was significantly higher than the AB genotype in the LM of TYC. The mRNA expression both of CM and LM in BOC was prominently higher than those in TYC, and there was a positive significant correlation between LM and CM in both BOC and TYC. These results suggested that the SNPs polymorphism and mRNA expression of the LPL gene might be helpful for selective breeding in IMF of the chicken.
Effect of a neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser on the physicochemical properties of contaminated titanium surfaces and macrophage polarization
Authors: Li Ruiqi , Wan Lei , Zhang Xueyang , Liu Wenjing , Rong Mingdeng , Li Xiaoling , Lu Haibin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAim(s)The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the physical and chemical properties of titanium surfaces contaminated by a Nd:YAG laser with different levels of energy and the regulation of macrophage polarization.Materials and MethodsThe titanium specimens were divided into four groups. The blank control group consisted of the above‐mentioned contaminated titanium specimens, and the conditioned control group consisted of sandblasted and acid‐etched (SLA) titanium surfaces. The blank control and condition control groups were sealed and preserved in a sterile dark box. There were two experimental groups treated with the Nd:YAG laser—one with 0.5 W and the second with 1.0 W. Surface characteristics were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, surface profilometry, and contact angle assays. The macrophage viability and proliferation of mouse RAW246.7 were analysed, and the macrophage surface markers, macrophage cytokines, and inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory genes were expressed.ResultsThe Nd:YAG laser increased the hydrophilicity and roughness of the titanium surface after decontamination. Fewer RAW264.7 cells were observed on the titanium surface after Nd:YAG decontamination than on the contaminated titanium surface expressing the M1‐type macrophage marker CCR7, whereas more cells were observed after decontamination than on the contaminated titanium surface expressing the M2‐type macrophage marker CD206. Following Nd:YAG laser treatment, the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and TNF‐α by RAW264.7 cells on the titanium surface was decreased, whereas the secretion of the anti‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐4 and IL‐10 was increased. RAW264.7 cells cultured for 3 days on the titanium surface after Nd:YAG decontamination treatment expressed significantly reduced levels of the inflammation‐related genes IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and iNOS. The expression of the anti‐inflammatory genes Arg‐1, IL‐4, IL‐10 and TGF‐β by RAW264.7 cells was significantly up‐regulated after 3 days of incubation on the titanium surface after Nd:YAG decontamination treatment.Conclusion(s)The Nd:YAG laser increased the hydrophilicity and roughness of the titanium surface after decontamination, and this change inhibited M1‐type macrophage polarization and promoted M2‐type macrophage polarization.
Six nights of sleep extension increases regional cerebral oxygenation without modifying cognitive performance at rest or following acute aerobic exercise
Authors: Clark Cayla , Rivas Eric , Gonzales Joaquin U. 
Published: March 2022

SummaryLong sleep durations (≥540 min) are associated with poor cognitive performance in ageing adults, but the underlying cause is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of extended sleep on cognitive performance and cerebral vascular function before and then after aerobic exercise. In all, 12 adults completed 6 nights of 8‐ (control) and 10+‐h (sleep extension) time in bed in a randomised, crossover experiment. Sleep was measured using wrist actigraphy. On the last day of each time in bed protocol, participants performed three bouts of brisk walking. Sustained attention, spatial rotation ability, mental flexibility, and working memory were assessed, while prefrontal oxygen saturation index (ΔTSI) was measured using near‐infrared spectroscopy. A two‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance (time in bed × before/after exercise) was used for statistical analysis. Average sleep duration was longer following sleep extension as compared to control, at a mean (SD) of 551 (16) versus 428 (20) min (p < 0.001). Sleep extension did not alter cognitive performance as compared to control, but increased ΔTSI during tests of spatial rotation ability (main effect for time in bed, p = 0.03), mental flexibility (p = 0.04), and working memory (p < 0.01). Cognitive performance was improved (main effect for exercise, p < 0.05) following brisk walking for all cognitive domains except sustained attention with no interaction with time in bed. In summary, 6 nights of extended time in bed accompanied by long sleep durations does not impair cognitive performance at rest or alter the positive effect of acute aerobic exercise on cognition but may increase frontal cerebral oxygenation during cognitive functioning.
Corporatising compassion? A contemporary history study of English NHS Trusts' nursing strategy documents
Authors: Ramsey Sarah M. , Brooks Jane , Briggs Michelle , Hallett Christine E. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe purpose of this contemporary history study is to analyse nursing strategy documents produced by NHS Trusts in England in the period 2009–2013, through a process of discourse analysis. In 2013 the Francis Report on the Mid‐Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust was published. The Report highlighted the full range of organisational failures in a Trust that valued financial efficiency over patient care. The analysis that followed, however, dwelt heavily on the failings of the nurses. Nursing strategy documents at that time served to set the future direction for NHS Trusts, prescribing specific value frameworks for each nursing workforce. However, the values chosen frequently conflicted with each other pitting nursing values against a managerial trope. It is argued that documents provided a response to wider NHS concerns and high‐profile failures in care, particularly the Francis Report, paying lip service to staff engagement whilst maintaining a corporate focus. Nursing values were placed firmly within a managerialist discourse, one that has needed to be re‐evaluated in the current Covid‐19 pandemic. Wider implications of the research suggest discussion of value conflict may be beneficial within nursing education and a truly local approach to strategy creation would potentially promote staff buy‐in to strategy documents.