bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel peptide protects against diet-induced obesity by suppressing appetite and modulating the gut microbiota
Authors: Li Zhanzhan , Zhang Bing , Wang Ning , Zuo Zhenqiang , Wei Hong , Zhao Fangqing 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveThe obesity epidemic and its metabolic complications continue to be a major global public health threat with limited effective treatments, especially drugs that can be taken orally. Peptides are a promising class of molecules that have gained increased interest for their applications in medicine and biotechnology. In this study, we focused on looking for peptides that can be administrated orally to treat obesity and exploring its mechanisms.DesignHere, a 9-amino-acid peptide named D3 was designed and administered orally to germ-free (GF) mice and wild-type (WT) mice, rats and macaques. The effects of D3 on body weight and other basal metabolic parameters were evaluated. The effects of D3 on gut microbiota were evaluated using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. To identify and confirm the mechanisms of D3, transcriptome analysis of ileum and molecular approaches on three animal models were performed.ResultsA significant body weight reduction was observed both in WT (12%) and GF (9%) mice treated with D3. D3 ameliorated leptin resistance and upregulated the expression of uroguanylin (UGN), which suppresses appetite via the UGN-GUCY2C endocrine axis. Similar effects were also found in diet-induced obese rat and macaque models. Furthermore, the abundance of intestinalAkkermansia muciniphilaincreased about 100 times through the IFNγ-Irgm1 axis after D3 treatment, which may further inhibit fat absorption by downregulating Cd36.ConclusionOur results indicated that D3 is a novel drug candidate for counteracting diet-induced obesity as a non-toxic and bioactive peptide. Targeting the UGN-GUCY2C endocrine axis may represent a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity.
Aortic cusp abnormalities in patients with trileaflet aortic valve and root aneurysm
Authors: Ehrlich Tristan , Hagendorff Andreas , Abeln Karen , Froede Lennart , Giebels Christian , Schäfers Hans-Joachim 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundThe frequency of concomitant cusp pathology in aortic root aneurysm with or without aortic regurgitation is not well known, and the sensitivity and specificity of two-dimensional trans-oesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE) in its detection has not yet been specified.ObjectivesWe analysed the type and frequency of concomitant cusp alterations in root aneurysm referred for surgery. Sensitivity and specificity of 2D TEE in detecting these alterations were determined.MethodsIn 582 patients (age 56.8±15.4 years, 453 male) with trileaflet aortic valves undergoing root replacement for regurgitation (n=347) or aneurysm (n=235), details of valve morphology were analysed. In a subcohort (n=281), intraoperative TEEs were analysed retrospectively and correlated with the intraoperative findings.ResultsAny cusp pathology was present in 90.9% (prolapse: n=473; retraction: n=30; calcification: n=14; fenestration: n=12), morphologically normal cusps were seen in only 52 patients (8.93%). Valve-sparing surgery was performed in 525 (90.2%) instances, composite replacement in 57 (9.8%). Preoperative TEE correctly identified any postroot repair prolapse in 70.6% and any retraction in 85%. The sensitivity of TEE in detecting any prolapse was 68.6% (specificity of 79.5%). The sensitivity was highest for the right cusp and intermediate for the non-coronary.ConclusionsCusp prolapse is frequent in root aneurysm and trileaflet aortic valves. Prolapse is underdiagnosed by 2D TEE in many cases because pre-existent stretching of cusp tissue is masked by the geometric effects of root dilatation.
Endocrine and behavioural features of Lowe syndrome and their potential molecular mechanisms
Authors: Sena Cecilia , Iannello Grazia , Skowronski Alicja A , Dannheim Katelyn , Cheung Leonard , Agrawal Pankaj B , Hirschhorn Joel N , Zeitler Phillip , LeDuc Charles A , Stratigopoulos George , Thaker Vidhu V 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundLowe syndrome (LS) is an X linked disease caused by pathogenic variants in theOCRLgene that impacts approximately 1 in 500 000 children. Classic features include congenital cataract, cognitive/behavioural impairment and renal tubulopathy.MethodsThis study is a retrospective review of clinical features reported by family based survey conducted by Lowe Syndrome Association. Frequency of non-ocular clinical feature(s) of LS and their age of onset was summarised. An LS-specific therapy effectiveness scale was used to assess the response to the administered treatment. Expression ofOCRLand relevant neuropeptides was measured in postmortem human brain by qPCR. Gene expression in the mouse brain was determined by reanalysis of publicly available bulk and single cell RNA sequencing.ResultsA total of 137 individuals (1 female, 89.1% white, median age 14 years (range 0.8–56)) were included in the study. Short stature (height <3rd percentile) was noted in 81% (n=111) individuals, and 15% (n=20) received growth hormone therapy. Undescended testis was reported in 47% (n=64), and median age of onset of puberty was 15 years. Additional features were dental problems (n=77, 56%), bone fractures (n=63, 46%), hypophosphataemia (n=60, 44%), developmental delay and behavioural issues.OCRLis expressed in human and mouse hypothalami, and in hypothalamic cell clusters expressingGhrh,Sst,Oxt,Pomcand pituitary cells expressingGhandPrl.ConclusionsThere is a wide spectrum of the clinical phenotype of LS. Some of the features may be partly driven by the loss of function ofOCRLin the hypothalamus and the pituitary.
Job control, job demands and job strain and suicidal behaviour among three million workers in Sweden
Authors: Almroth Melody , Hemmingsson Tomas , Kjellberg Katarina , Sörberg Wallin Alma , Andersson Tomas , van der Westhuizen Amanda , Falkstedt Daniel 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between job control, job demands and their combination (job strain) and suicide attempts and deaths among male and female workers in Sweden.MethodsJob control and demands were measured separately for men and women using a job exposure matrix, which was linked to around three million individuals based on their occupational title in 2005. Suicide attempts and deaths were measured in the hospital and cause of death registers from 2006 to 2016. HRs were estimated using discrete proportional hazards models with annually updated age as the time axis. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic, family, health, labour market and childhood factors, as well as the time-varying effects of unemployment, sick leave and family factors during follow-up.ResultsLow job control was associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts and deaths among both men and women while high job demands tended to be associated with a decreased risk. The combination of job control and job demands (job strain) reflected the increased risk of low control jobs and the decreased risk of high demand jobs. Associations were attenuated but still present after adjustments.ConclusionsLow job control is related to suicide attempts and deaths, and this is only partially explained by important covariates measured both prebaseline and during follow-up. Attempts to increase job control among workers may be beneficial in preventing suicide.
Neutropenic versus regular diet for acute leukaemia induction chemotherapy: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Radhakrishnan Venkatraman , Lagudu Perraju Bhaskar Bhuvan , Gangopadhyay Devleena , Vijaykumar Varalakshmi , Rajaraman Swaminathan , Perumal Kalaiyarasi Jayachandran , Ganesan Prasanth , Ganesan Trivadi S 
Published: July 2022

ObjectivesRestriction of raw fruits and vegetables (neutropenic diet) is advised for patients receiving treatment for acute leukaemia in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) to reduce infections despite evidence to the contrary from high-income countries. We, therefore, conducted a randomised controlled trial to ascertain the efficacy of the neutropenic diet in an LMIC setting.MethodsPatients aged 1–60 years receiving induction chemotherapy for acute leukaemia were randomised to a regular or neutropenic diet. The study’s primary objective was to compare the incidence of major infections among patients receiving the two diets during induction chemotherapy. The secondary objectives were to compare stool microbial flora and induction mortality rates.ResultsWe randomised 200 patients, 98 patients to the regular diet arm and 102 to the neutropenic diet arm. Major infections occurred in 32 (32%) patients in the regular diet arm and 26 (25%) patients in the neutropenic diet arm (p=0.26). There were no statistically significant differences between patients receiving a regular diet versus neutropenic diet for blood culture positivity (n=6 vs 9), inotropic support (17 vs 12), mechanical ventilation (8 vs 5), third-line antibiotic use (28 vs 20), minor infections (12 vs 9), induction mortality (9 vs 4) and remission status (94% vs 94%). The stool culture on day 15 of induction grew multidrug-resistant bacteria in 38% of patients in the regular diet arm and 35% in the neutropenic diet arm (p=0.67).ConclusionsA neutropenic diet did not prevent infections, reduce mortality or change stool microbial flora in patients with acute leukaemia.
The etiological spectrum of bowel obstruction and early postoperative outcome among neonates at a tertiary hospital in Uganda
Authors: Otim Paul , Elobu Emmanuel Alex , Mbiine Ronald , Kakembo Nasser , Komakech David 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundBowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency in newborns. One-fourth of neonates with obstruction suffer postoperative complications, with high mortality, especially in low-income countries. Factors attributed to mortality include prematurity, late presentation and associated multiple congenital anomalies. The prevalence and the predictors of mortality in our setting have not been well studied. We aimed to describe the early postoperative outcomes and to determine the predictors of mortality among neonates with bowel obstruction.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study during 4 months, when we recruited postoperative neonates from the pediatric surgery unit of Mulago Hospital. We collected data on demographics, clinical presentations, maternal characteristics, the surgical procedure performed, postoperative outcomes, etc. After follow-up for 2 weeks, we analyzed the data using Cox proportional hazards regression models of predictors of mortality.ResultsA total of 76 neonates were recruited, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.2:1. The age ranged from 1 to 26 days, a median of 3 [interquartile range (IQR): 2, 7]. About 67.1% had birth weights ranging between 2.5 kg and 3.5 kg, a mean of 2.8 [standard deviation(SD)=0.64]; 76.3% were termed; with anorectal malformation (ARM), 31.6% as the leading cause, followed by jejunoileal atresia (JIA), 25%. Nearly 55.3% of neonates developed complications; 53.9% with post-operative fever, 15.8% had wound sepsis. The mortality rate was 44.7% (34/76) and was highest among cases of JIA, 41.2%. The predictors of mortality included prematurity, fever at admission, breastfeeding status, and mother’s parity as well as the cadre of healthcare providers (p<0.005).ConclusionsARM is the predominant cause of bowel obstruction among neonates, followed by JIA. The morbidity and mortality due to bowel obstruction among neonates are unacceptably high. The major predictors of mortality were prematurity, fever at admission, and the cadre of the healthcare providers.
Tuxedo
Authors: Das Sourav , Awathare Nitin , Ren Ling , Ribeiro Vinay J. , Bellur Umesh 
Published: July 2022

Proof-of-Work~(PoW) based blockchains typically allocate only a tiny fraction (e.g., less than 1% for Ethereum) of the average interarrival time~$\mathbbI $ between blocks for validating smart contracts present in transactions. In such systems, block validation and PoW mining are typically performed sequentially, the former by CPUs and the latter by ASICs. A trivial increase in validation time~$(τ)$ introduces the popularly known Verifier's Dilemma, and as we demonstrate, causes more forking and hurts fairness. Large τ also reduces the tolerance for safety against a Byzantine adversary. Solutions that offload validation to a set of non-chain nodes (a.k.a. off-chain approaches) suffer from trust and performance issues that are non-trivial to resolve.
In this paper, we present Tuxedo, the first on-chain protocol to theoretically scale τ/\mathbbI \approx 1$ in PoW blockchains. The key innovation in Tuxedo is to perform CPU-based block processing in \em parallel to ASIC mining. We achieve this by allowing miners to delay validation of transactions in a block by up to ζ blocks, where ζ is a system parameter. We perform security analysis of Tuxedo considering all possible adversarial strategies in a synchronous network with maximum end-to-end delay Δ and demonstrate that Tuxedo achieves security equivalent to known results for longest chain PoW Nakamoto consensus. Our prototype implementation of Tuxedo atop Ethereum demonstrates that it can scale τ without suffering the harmful effects of naïve scaling up of τ/\mathbbI $ in existing blockchains.
Effect of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery with Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Postoperative Stress Response of Patients with Gastrointestinal Tumors
Authors: Zhao Haiping , Sun Wenhui 
Published: July 2022

Objective. To investigate the effect of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine on postoperative stress response of patients suffering from gastrointestinal tumors. Methods. A total of 74 patients with gastrointestinal tumors who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital from April 2019 to March 2021 were recruited and randomized into the control group and the observation group (1 : 1). The control group received routine treatment and care, while the observation group received ERAS plus integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Clinical observation was performed regarding changes in preoperative mood and postoperative pain level in each group. Changes in expression levels of plasma cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β) before and after surgery were detected in each group. Time of patients’ first fart and defecation and complications after surgery in each group were recorded. Results. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of patients in the observation group after 12 and 24 h of surgery was significantly lower than that in the control group (12 h: observation group 2.0 (1.00, 3.00) vs. control group 4.00 (3.00, 5.00),

p
=
0.001

; 24 h: observation group 2.00 (1.00, 3.00) vs. control group 3.00 (2.00, 5.00),

p
=
0.005

). The preoperative anxiety degree of patients in the two groups was not statistically significant (

p
=
0.489

). The plasma cortisol level of patients in the observation group after 24 and 48 h of surgery was significantly lower than that in the control group (24 h: observation group

426.54
±
52.15

nmol/L vs. control group

508.32
±
41.08

nmol/L,

p
=
0.001

; 48 h: observation group

287.19
±
44.24

nmol/L vs. control group

362.57
±
43.46

nmol/L,

p
=
0.001

). Patients’ postoperative CRP, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-β expression levels in the observation group were remarkably lower than those in the control group at all time points. The first postoperative defecation came earlier in the observation group than that in the control group (observation group 76.00 h (64.50, 87.50) vs. control group 89.00 h (73.50, 116.00),

p
=
0.007

). There was 1 postoperative urinary tract infection in the observation group and 1 postoperative intestinal obstruction and 1 incisional wound infection in the control group. Conclusion. ERAS with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine could effectively reduce the postoperative stress response and inflammatory reaction in patients with gastrointestinal tumors, contributing to the safe and quick recovery of gastrointestinal functions of patients.
Effectiveness and Safety of Antithrombotic Medication in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Intracranial Hemorrhage: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ivany Elena , Ritchie Leona A. , Lip Gregory Y.H. , Lotto Robyn R. , Werring David J. , Lane Deirdre A. 
Published: July 2022

Background:
For patients with atrial fibrillation who survive an intracranial hemorrhage (ICrH), the decision to offer oral anticoagulation (OAC) is challenging and necessitates balancing risk of thromboembolic events with risk of recurrent ICrH.

Methods:
This systematic review assesses the effectiveness and safety of OAC and/or antiplatelets in patients with atrial fibrillation with nontraumatic ICrH. Bibliographic databases CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched. Articles on adults with atrial fibrillation with spontaneous ICrH (intracerebral, subdural, and subarachnoid), receiving antithrombotic therapy for stroke prevention were eligible for inclusion.

Results:

Twenty articles (50 470 participants) included 2 randomized controlled trials (n=304)‚ 8 observational studies, 8 cohort studies, and 2 studies that meta-analyzed individual-level data from observational studies. OAC therapy was associated with a significant reduction in thromboembolic events (summary relative risk [sRR], 0.51 [95% CI, 0.30–0.86], heterogeneity I
2
=2%;
P
=0.39, n=5 studies) and all-cause mortality (sRR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.38–0.71], heterogeneity I
2
=0;
P
=0.44, n=3 studies). OAC therapy was not associated with an increased risk of recurrent ICrH (sRR, 1.44 [95% CI, 0.38–5.46], heterogeneity I
2
=70%,
P
=0.02, n=5 studies). Nonvitamin K antagonist OACs were more effective at reducing the risk of thromboembolic events (sRR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.44–0.97], heterogeneity I
2
=72%,
P
=0.03, n=3 studies) and were associated with a lower risk of recurrent ICrH (sRR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.40–0.67], heterogeneity I
2
=0%,
P
=0.43, n=3 studies) than warfarin.

Conclusions:
In nontraumatic ICrH survivors with atrial fibrillation, OAC therapy is associated with a reduced risk of thromboembolic events and all-cause mortality without significantly increasing risk of recurrent ICrH. This finding is primarily based on observational data, and further larger randomized controlled trials are needed to corroborate or refute these findings.
Neural Underpinnings of Proactive and Preemptive Adjustments of Action Control
Authors: Asanowicz Dariusz , Kotlewska Ilona , Panek Bartłomiej 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
This study aimed to trace the neural basis of proactive and preemptive adjustments of executive control and their effects on online processing of response conflict. In two EEG experiments, participants performed the flanker task with predictive cueing of conflict. The following questions were addressed: “Does conflict cueing improve performance?” We observed improved behavioral performance in the predictive condition, suggesting that participants proactively utilized the cues to prepare for the upcoming demands. “How is conflict processing affected by predictive cueing?” Conflict-related modulations of midfrontal N2 and theta power were smaller in the predictive than in the neutral condition. This suggests that proactive control suppressed the impact of incongruent flankers so that the conflict was reduced, and so was the involvement of online control. “Is proactive control implemented through preactivation of online control?” Conflict cueing increased midfrontal theta power also before target onset, suggesting preactivation of the control processes beforehand. “Do proactive and reactive control depend on common or unique processes?” Unlike the online control, the proactive control triggered a burst of theta power in the right hemisphere's dorsal and ventral lateral prefrontal cortices, connected with the midfrontal area via theta phase coherence. This indicates that the two control modes involve partially unique but coordinated neural processes. “Is preemptive control implemented through modulations of visual processing?” Predictive cueing modulated both the pretarget preparatory alpha desynchronization and the target selection-related posterior contralateral negativity (N2pc and sustained posterior contralateral negativity), in line with the hypothesis of preemptive tuning of sensory selection aimed at reducing the impact of conflicting stimuli.
Searching for Visual Singletons Without A Feature to Guide Attention
Authors: Tay Daniel , McIntyre David L. , McDonald John J. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
RT studies have provided evidence for a singleton-detection strategy that is used to search for salient targets when there is no additional featural knowledge that would help guide attention. Despite this behavioral evidence, there have been few ERP studies of singleton detection mode because it was reported early on that the ERP signature of attentional selection (the N2pc) is absent without feature guidance. Recently, however, it was discovered that a small and relatively late N2pc occurs in singleton detection mode along with a previously unreported component called the singleton detection positivity (SDP). Here, we show that both components are influenced by the number of items in the display, as one might expect in a salience-based search mode. Specifically, the N2pc and SDP were larger when the set size was increased to make the singleton “pop out” more easily, when participants responded more quickly regardless of set size, and when RT search slopes were negative (Experiment 1). The latency of the SDP also depended on set size. In Experiment 2, EEG was recorded with a higher density electrode array to better characterize the scalp topography of the components and to estimate their neural sources. Regional sources near the ventral surface of extrastriate cortex in the occipital lobe explained over 96% of N2pc and SDP activities. These results indicate that searching in singleton detection mode selectively modulates processing within perceptual regions of visual cortex.
Women as a Category and Categories of Women: Gender and Hierarchy in the Chunqiu
Authors: Van Auken Newell Ann 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
This study examines references to women in the Chunqiu (Spring and Autumn), a non-narrative history covering 722 to 479 BCE, and written from the perspective of the ancient state of Lu. The Chunqiu records use form, including naming conventions, phrasing, and patterned inclusion of information, to display the relative rank of the individuals mentioned therein. Records related to marriage are of particular interest, as are death and funeral records. Writing about gender in hierarchical societies, anthropologist Sherry Ortner proposed that the status of women is “more similar” to that of men at the same hierarchical level than to that of women at other levels. This claim is largely borne out by the Chunqiu records, but analysis is complicated by several factors. First, certain features of the records indicate that women were regarded as categorically different from men. Furthermore, the Chunqiu draws a distinction between women who married in and those who married out, and between primary and secondary wives; thus categories of women do not correspond neatly to categories of men. Ultimately, the Chunqiu uses form to display an idealized hierarchy, conveying a system of roles and relationships that is simpler and more regular than the reality, and in which individuals or situations that deviated from the ideals of that system tended to be distorted or hidden from view.