bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary patterns of seasonal changes in species composition of surface‐active arthropods in a South African savannah
Authors: Mavasa Risuna , Yekwayo Inam , Mwabvu Tarombera , Tsvuura Zivanai 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSurface‐active arthropods have limited dispersal abilities and their abundances are responsive to changes in the environment. Their sensitivity allows for the identification of aspects of environmental variation that are responsible for changes in community assemblages of these arthropods. Limited dispersal abilities allow for changes in the populations of surface‐active arthropods to be linked reliably to changes in their local environment. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that seasonal variation in resource availability drives assemblages of three groups of surface‐active arthropods (ants, beetles and spiders). Ten study sites were selected, where sampling was carried out continually during the wet, austral summer season (December 2018–February 2019) and then repeated at the same sites in the dry winter season (June 2019–August 2019) in a mesic savannah of Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Pitfall trapping was used to sample the surface‐active arthropods. We found 89 morphospecies of ants, 48% of which were members of the Myrmicinae, while 32% of the 163 morphospecies of beetles were the Scarabaeidae. There were 262 morphospecies of spiders, of these, 22% were from the Salticidae. We found similar abundance and species richness of ants between seasons but significantly greater abundance and species richness of beetles and spiders in summer than in winter. These results show that the impact of seasonal variation in resource availability differs among arthropod taxa. However, the species compositions of all three taxa were significantly different between summer and winter. These results can be explained by the ‘niche differentiation hypothesis’ coupled with the ‘resource‐ratio hypothesis’. Additionally, these results highlight the role that temporal and dietary niche differentiation play in driving the assemblage composition of surface‐active arthropods in a mesic savannah.
Fetal hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with placental inflammation and early breakdown of maternal‐fetal tolerance in pre‐term birth
Authors: Bala Renu , Verma Rachna , Budhwar Snehil , Prakash Nikita , Sachan Shikha 
Published: June 2022

AbstractProblemHyperhomocysteinemia (hypHcy) due to impaired folate metabolism is shown to be a risk factor for preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) in mothers. However, the relationship of fetal hypHcy with adverse pregnancy outcomes is under‐represented. The present study aims to investigate the association of fetal hypHcy with oxidative stress and placental inflammation that can contribute to an early breakdown of maternal‐fetal tolerance in pre‐term birth (PTB).MethodsCord blood and placenta tissue were collected from PTB and term infant group. Levels of homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B12 and oxidative stress markers (MDA, T‐AOC, 8‐OHdG) were measured in cord blood serum using ELISA and respective standard assay kits. Relative expression of candidate genes (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL1‐β, VEGF‐A, MMP2 and MMP9) was also checked using RT‐PCR and immunoblotting/immunohistochemistry.ResultsPTB infants showed significantly higher levels of homocysteine (P = .02) and lower levels of vitamin B12 (P = .005) as compared to term infants. We also found that PTB infants with hypHcy had lower T‐AOC (P = .003) and higher MDA (P = .04) levels as compared to term infants with normal homocysteine levels. The mRNA and protein levels of TNF‐α, VEGF‐A, MMP2 and MMP9 were significantly higher in hypHcy PTB infants.ConclusionOur results show that fetal hypHcy is associated with oxidative stress and an increase in inflammatory markers in the placenta. Thus, in conclusion, our study demonstrates that fetal hypHcy during pregnancy is a potential risk factor that may initiate an early breakdown of uterine quiescence due to activation of inflammatory processes leading to PTB.
Replacing plastic bread clips with cardboard will prevent bowel perforation
Authors: Andersen Lalita Maria , Yuide Peter 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPlastic bread clips cause significant morbidity and mortality if accidentally ingested. A review of all existing case reports published in medical literature was conducted in PubMed, MedLine and Google Scholar. Key words included but was not limited to; clip, tag, tab, closure, kwik lok, bread, bag, ingestion, bowel, obstruction, perforation, plastic and foreign body. References of all the articles were sought out to ensure completeness. Fifty‐six cases between 1975 and 2020 were analysed to understand the complications and the characteristics of the bread clip that caused these. About 28% of case reports described bowel perforation, with 61% of these occurring in the small bowel. Plastic bread clips are firm in nature, long lasting, and are shaped to grasp onto bowel, thus leading to these complications. Commercially available alternatives are introduced in order to encourage replacing plastic bread clips worldwide.
Immune checkpoint blockades in gynecological cancers: A review of clinical trials
Authors: Peng Hongling , He Xiang , Wang Qiao 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAdvanced and recurrent gynecological cancers are associated with a poor prognosis and there is still a lack of effective treatments. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is an important element of cancer‐targeted therapy and immunotherapy. The programed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 (CTLA‐4) pathways are the two main targets of ICB. In this study, we provide a comprehensive review of clinical evidence concerning ICB therapy in gynecological cancers and discuss future implications. All clinical trials of ICB therapy in gynecological cancers were reviewed. We searched ClinicalTrials.gov to collect data from completed and ongoing clinical trials. The clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of ICB agents in gynecological cancers were discussed. Six phase III clinical trials have reported their results of primary outcomes, and a total of 25 phase II clinical trials have been completed. As revealed in phase III trials, pembrolizumab (a PD‐1 antibody) improved the overall survival and progression‐free survival in endometrial cancer patients with mismatch repair deficiency and cervical cancer patients with expressions of PD‐L1. Based on these findings, pembrolizumab was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency as a cancer medication used to treat certain patients with endometrial cancer or cervical cancer. Other PD‐1 antibodies, including dostarlimab and cemiplimab, also showed antitumor efficacy in clinical trials. Dostarlimab treatment showed an encouraging response rate in endometrial cancer patients with mismatch repair deficiency. Cemiplimab treatment led to a longer overall survival and a lower risk of death than chemotherapy among patients with recurrent cervical cancer. Three completed phase III trials investigated anti‐PD‐L1 agents (atezolizumab and avelumab) in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The results were not encouraging. Other strategies of ICB therapy which had showed potential clinical benefit in the treatment of gynecological cancers in early‐phase trials need to be further evaluated in late‐stage trials. The antitumor efficacy of ICB therapy is promising, and the key to making further progress in the treatment of gynecological cancers is to identify more biomarkers and explore innovative combination treatments with other targeted therapies.
Multicentre study revealed significant gaps between evidence‐based recommendations for using corticosteroids for croup and clinical practice
Authors: Pierantoni Luca , Stera Giacomo , Andreozzi Laura , Pellegrino Francesco , Dondi Arianna , Fabi Marianna , Corsini Ilaria , Ghizzi Chiara , Lanari Marcello 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAimAdherence to croup management recommendations has been poorly investigated. This study aimed to describe the treatment patterns in two paediatric emergency departments and analyse the adherence to recommendations.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with croup in two Italian paediatric emergency departments in 2017. Data on clinical presentation, corticosteroid administration and home therapy were collected. Length of stay, hospitalisation and re‐access rates were compared among different corticosteroid treatment groups.ResultsWe enrolled 632 patients (61.1% males) with a mean age of 42.8 ± 55.1 months. Corticosteroids were administered to 403 (63.8%) children in the emergency departments. Dexamethasone was administered to 1 (0.4%) patient. Inhaled and oral corticosteroids were given to 342 (54.1%) and 226 (35.8%) patients, respectively. Home therapy was prescribed for 603 (95.4%) patients, either with inhaled (86.2%) and/or oral (43.8%) corticosteroids. The re‐access rate was 2.8%. The actual pharmaceutical costs were an estimated 10 times higher than they would have been if the recommendations had been followed.ConclusionA significant gap between the evidence and clinical practice for croup treatment was observed. Improving adherence to the recommendations could lead to clinical and economic benefits.
Social assistance programs during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Bangladesh: Does faith‐based approach matters?
Authors: Salahuddin Abul Fazal Md , Hossain Md. Ismail , Ali Isahaque , Azman Azlinda 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis paper aimed to examine the role of faith‐based organizations (FBOs) in the distribution of social assistance (SA) during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The paper adopts a qualitative case‐study approach to explore the best practices in the distribution of SA by five (5) organizations including FBOs, governmental organizations (GOs), Non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), political groups, and private voluntary groups. In this study, 14 beneficiaries of SA were selected by stratified proportionate random sampling method, and five (5) key personnel were selected purposively based on their experiences in the management of SA distribution. The study found that “no‐move, no touch” approach followed by FBOs is more likely to establish human rights and social justice and reduce the transmission of diseases. In contrast to the modern idea, which undermines the faith‐based charity, the study proved that faith‐based charity is gaining attraction as an effective approach combating global pandemic. The findings of this paper will be useful for policymakers, voluntary service workers, GO, and NGO workers to ensure the distribution of SA in a more productive and disciplined way during and after an emergency like the COVID‐19 pandemic.
‘You don't compare horrors, you just don't do that’: Examining assumptions and extending the scope of comparative victim beliefs
Authors: Vollhardt Johanna Ray , Ünal Helin , Nair Rashmi 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSocial psychological research on collective victimhood has often focused on comparisons between the ingroup's and outgroups' collective victimization (i.e. comparative victim beliefs such as competitive victimhood or inclusive victim beliefs). This qualitative study examines how people in different contexts of collective victimization and its aftermath make sense of items commonly used to assess comparative victim beliefs, and how they extend or challenge these constructs and their underlying assumptions. We used thematic analysis to analyse eight focus group discussions among four minority groups in the United States with historical or more recent experiences of collective victimization (Armenian Americans, Burundian refugees, Jewish Americans and Nepali‐speaking Bhutanese refugees). Findings extend commonly assessed comparative victim beliefs and reveal participants' critical perspectives on these constructs. The findings also highlight the dialectical structure of collective victim beliefs: Participants not only endorsed but also rejected comparative victim beliefs, and relatedly described both ingroup power and outgroup power in the context of their group's victimization. These findings extend existing social psychological literature on comparative victim beliefs and intergroup relations.
Brown adipose tissue activation with ginsenoside compound K ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Ye Rongcai , Yan Chunlong , Zhou Huiqiao , Zhang Chuanhai , Huang Yuanyuan , Dong Meng , Zhang Hanlin , Lin Jun , Jiang Xiaoxiao , Yuan Shouli , Chen Li , Jiang Rui , Cheng Ziyu , Zheng Kexin , Yu Anni , Zhang Qiaoli , Quan Lin‐hu , Jin Wanzhu 
Published: June 2022

Background and PurposePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic and endocrine disease affecting women of reproductive age. Due to its complex aetiology, there is no currently effective cure for PCOS. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity is significantly decreased in PCOS patients, and BAT activation has beneficial effects in animal models of PCOS. Here, we investigated the effect of ginsenoside compound K (CK) in an animal model of PCOS and its mechanism of BAT activation.Experimental ApproachPrimary brown adipocytes, Db/Db mice and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)‐induced PCOS rats were used. The core body temperature, oxygen consumption, energy metabolism related gene and protein expression were assessed to identify the effect of CK on overall energy metabolism. Oestrous cycle, serum sex hormone, ovarian steroidogenic enzyme gene expression and ovarian morphology were also evaluated following CK treatment.Key ResultsOur results indicated that CK treatment could significantly protect against body weight gain in Db/Db mice via BAT activation. Furthermore, we found that CK treatment could normalize hyperandrogenism, oestrous cyclicity, normalize steroidogenic enzyme expression and decrease the number of cystic follicles in PCOS rats. Interestingly, as a potential endocrine intermediate, C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand‐14 protein (CXCL14) was significantly up‐regulated following CK administration. In addition, exogenous CXC14 supplementation was found to reverse DHEA‐induced PCOS in a phenotypically similar manner to CK treatment.Conclusion and ImplicationsIn summary, CK treatment significantly activates BAT, increases CXCL14 expression and ameliorates PCOS. These findings suggest that CK might be a potential drug candidate for PCOS treatment.
The tyrosine kinase inhibitor nilotinib targets the discoidin domain receptor DDR2 in calcific aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Carracedo Miguel , Pawelzik Sven‐Christian , Artiach Gonzalo , Pouwer Marianne G. , Plunde Oscar , Saliba‐Gustafsson Peter , Ehrenborg Ewa , Eriksson Per , Pieterman Elsbet , Stenke Leif , Princen Hans M. G. , Franco‐Cereceda Anders , Bäck Magnus 
Published: June 2022

Background and PurposeTyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) have been associated with cardiovascular side effects, including reports of calcific aortic valve stenosis. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of first and second generation TKIs in aortic valve stenosis and to determine the associated molecular mechanisms.Experimental ApproachHyperlipidemic APOE*3Leiden.CETP transgenic mice were treated with nilotinib, imatinib or vehicle. Human valvular interstitial cells (VICs) were isolated and studied in vitro. Gene expression analysis was perfromed in aortic valves from 64 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery.Key ResultsNilotinib increased murine aortic valve thickness. Nilotinib, but not imatinib, promoted calcification and osteogenic activation and decreased autophagy in human VICs. Differential tyrosine kinase expression was detected between healthy and calcified valve tissue. Transcriptomic target identification revealed that the discoidin domain receptor DDR2, which is preferentially inhibited by nilotinib, was predominantly expressed in human aortic valves but markedly downregulated in calcified valve tissue. Nilotinib and selective DDR2 targeting in VICs induced a similar osteogenic activation, which was blunted by increasing the DDR2 ligand, collagen.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese findings suggest that inhibition of DDR2 by nilotinib promoted aortic valve thickening and VIC calcification, with possible translational implications for cardiovascular surveillance and possible personalized medicine in CML patients.
Community support, family resilience and mental health among caregivers of youth with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hayes Katey N. , Rossetti Kristina G. , Zlomke Kimberly 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundCaregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been shown to have unique mental health vulnerabilities that community support may buffer. Positive caregiver mental health can stimulate family resilience behaviours, such as strong communication and problem‐solving. Further, community support has been found to be related to caregiver mental health, as well as improved child functioning. The current study aims to investigate caregiver mental health as a mediator between community support and family resilience in families of a child with an autism spectrum disorder.MethodsData obtained from caregivers of 654 children with a reported diagnosis of ASD were utilized from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) public database.ResultsCommunity support was positively correlated with family resilience and caregiver mental health. Bivariate correlations indicated significant positive associations between community support and family resilience. Caregiver mental health, significantly, partially mediated the relationship between community support and family resilience.ConclusionsThe present study provides important insight into fostering caregiver health as a strategy to promote family resilience behaviours. Interventions designed to address family resilience behaviours among families of children with ASD should focus on ways that positively impact caregiver mental health.
Interaction between maternal dietary fat intake, breast milk omega‐3 fatty acids and infant growth during the first year of life
Authors: Bahreynian Maryam , Feizi Awat , Daniali Seyede Shahrbanoo , Kelishadi Roya 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundLong chain fatty acids (LCFA) of human milk (HM) might be associated with different patterns of weight gain in infancy. This study aims to examine the interaction between maternal dietary fat intake, breast milk content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) with infant growth during the first year of life.MethodsThis longitudinal study was conducted among 215 Iranian mother–infant pairs. The infants were followed up from birth to 12 months of age. Trained healthcare providers measured infant anthropometrics including weight, length and head circumference at birth, 2, 4, 6 and 12 months of age. Breast hind milk samples were collected in the morning through hand expression between 6 and 12 weeks postpartum. Maternal dietary intake was assessed using a 3‐day dietary record. Linear mixed effects models were performed to determine the interaction between maternal dietary fat intake, the breast milk content of EPA and DHA with infant growth. Further adjustments were applied for potential confounders.ResultsMean and standard deviation (SD) of maternal age and body mass index were 29.70 (5.24) years and 24.47 (4.42) kg/m2, respectively. Mean (SD) of infant birth weight was 3177.50 (413.20) g, and 50% were boys. An inverse interaction existed between maternal dietary fat intake and breast milk EPA with infant 4‐month weight (β: −366.2, P‐value: 0.01). We found a significant association of maternal dietary fat intake and infant 6‐month weight (β: 22.5, P‐value: 0.04). An inverse interaction was documented between maternal dietary fat intake and breast milk DHA with infant weight at 12‐month of age (β: −95.3, P‐value: 0.02). We found a significant association between maternal dietary fat intake and infant length at 12‐month (β: 0.06, P‐value: 0.02).ConclusionWe found an inverse interaction between maternal dietary fat intake and breast milk omega‐3 fatty acids with infant weight at 4 and 12 months of age. Although longer follow‐up of growth indices is recommended, these findings suggest functional relevance of HM composition to infant growth.
A case of 46,XY disorders of sex development with congenital heart disease caused by a GATA4 variant
Authors: Shichiri Yui , Kato Yoshimi , Inagaki Hidehito , Kato Takema , Ishihara Naoko , Miyata Masafumi , Boda Hiroko , Kojima Arisa , Miyake Misa , Kurahashi Hiroki 
Published: June 2022

AbstractGATA4 is known to be a causative gene for congenital heart disease, but has also now been associated with disorders of sexual development (DSD). We here report a pathogenic variant of GATA4 in a 46,XY DSD patient with an atrial septal defect, identified by whole‐exome sequencing to be c.487C>T (p.Pro163Ser). This mutation resulted in reduced transcriptional activity of the downstream gene. When we compared this transcriptional activity level with other GATA4 variants, those that had been identified in patients with cardiac defects and DSD showed less activity than those in patients with cardiac defect only. This suggests that the normal development of the heart requires more strict regulation of GATA4 transcription than testicular development. Further, when the different variants were co‐expressed with wild‐type, the transcriptional activities were consistently lower than would be expected from an additive effect, suggesting a dominant‐negative impact of the variant via dimer formation of the GATA4 protein. Since these pathogenic GATA4 variants are occasionally identified in healthy parents, a threshold model of quantitative traits may explain the cardiac defect or DSD phenotypes that they cause.
Mirror movements and brain pathology in children with unilateral cerebral palsy
Authors: Kuo Hsing‐Ching , Ferre Claudio L. , Chin Karen Y. , Friel Kathleen M. , Gordon Andrew M. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAimWe systematically examined the relationship between mirror movements and brain lesion type, corticospinal tract (CST) organization, and hand function to determine the relevance between mirror movements, brain lesion, the CST pattern, and hand function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).MethodForty‐eight children (mean age 9y 9mo [SD 3y 3mo], range 6–18y; 30 males, 18 females) with unilateral CP participated. Mirror movements, brain lesion type, CST pattern identified by transcranial magnetic stimulation, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Children performed four unilateral tasks: hand opening/closing, finger opposition, individuation, and finger ‘walking’. Mirror movements induced in the contralateral hand were scored using standardized criteria (scores 0–4 using the Woods and Teuber scale).ResultsWe found that children with periventricular lesion may have stronger mirror movement scores induced in either hand than those with middle cerebral artery lesion (more affected hand: p=0.02; less affected hand: p<0.01). The highest mirror movement score a child exhibits across the tested tasks (i.e. scores of 3–4 using the Woods and Teuber scoring criteria) may potentially be an indicator of an ipsilateral CST connectivity pattern (p=0.03). Significant correlations were observed between higher mirror movement scores when performing hand opening/closing as well as finger walking and better unimanual dexterity (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient rs=0.44, p=0.002; rs=0.46, p=0.002 respectively).InterpretationBrain lesions may be predictive of the strength of mirror movements in either hand in children with unilateral CP. Our findings warrant further studies to extensively investigate the relationship between mirror movements and the underlying brain pathology.What this paper adds

Brain lesion type may be predictive of mirror movement scores induced in either hand in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.
The highest mirror movement score a child exhibits across the tested tasks may indicate corticospinal tract connectivity pattern in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.