bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kynurenine pathway metabolites and therapeutic response to olanzapine in female patients with schizophrenia: A longitudinal study
Authors: Guan Xiaoni , Xu Jing , Xiu Meihong , Li Xirong , Liu Haixia , Wu Fengchun 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAimA metabolomics approach has recently been used to identify metabolites associated with response to antipsychotic treatment. This study was designed to identify the predictive biomarkers of response to olanzapine monotherapy using a metabolomics‐based strategy.MethodsTwenty‐five first‐episode and drug‐naïve female patients with schizophrenia were recruited and treated with olanzapine for 4 weeks. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at baseline and 4‐week follow‐up.ResultsPositive subscore, general psychopathology subscore, and PANSS total score were significantly decreased after treatment. An ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS)‐based metabolomics approach identified 72 differential metabolites after treatment. In addition, the baseline levels of methyl n‐formylanthranilate (MNFT) were correlated with the rate of reduction in the positive subscore or PANSS total score. However, increase in MNFT after treatment was not associated with the rate of reduction in the PANSS total score or its subscores. Subsequent regression analysis revealed that the baseline MNFT levels predicted the treatment outcomes after olanzapine monotherapy for 4 weeks in patients with schizophrenia.ConclusionsOur study results suggest that the baseline MNFT levels in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism may be predictive of the treatment response to olanzapine in schizophrenia.
Are species more harmful in their native, neonative or alien range? Insights from a global analysis of bark beetles
Authors: Forgione Laura , Bacher Sven , Vimercati Giovanni 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAimAnthropogenic environmental modifications such as climate or land‐use change are causing species to move on their own beyond their native ranges. As this phenomenon will increase in the near future, it is crucial to determine whether range‐expanding species, or neonatives, are more or less likely than native and alien species to impact their recipient ecosystems. Here, we compared impact magnitudes of bark beetle species from their native, neonative and alien ranges, simultaneously.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe formulated four general scenarios about the magnitude of environmental impacts in different ranges (native, neonative and alien) based on hypotheses commonly used in invasion biology. We tested these scenarios globally on Dendroctonus bark beetles, asking whether they have the most harmful impacts in their native, neonative or alien ranges. Impacts reported in the literature were assessed with the IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT).ResultsWe found that bark beetles cause the most harmful impacts in their native ranges, followed by the neonative ranges, while impacts in their alien ranges are the lowest. This indicates that the more dissimilar the environment is from that in the native range, the lower the probability of high‐impact magnitudes. Our results align with several non‐exclusive hypotheses, e.g. pre‐adaptation and habitat filtering, while they do not support others, e.g. enemy release or Darwin’s naturalization. The results are also in contrast with previous studies on vertebrates and plants, which found no or mixed differences in impact magnitudes with biogeographic origin.Main conclusionsOur analysis suggests that bark beetles, like other species that are keystone and abundant in their native ranges, have generally lower impacts when introduced to novel environments due to biotic resistance or lack of pre‐adaptation. Research and management implications regarding the impacts of neonative and alien populations are also discussed.
Cross‐country disparities in skill premium and skill acquisition
Authors: Banerjee Anurag , Basu Parantap , Keller Elisa 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSkilled individuals are rewarded more in poor than in rich countries. Why aren't more individuals acquiring skills in poor countries? We document that the unemployment rate of the skilled net of that of the unskilled decreases with a country's level of development. Using a matching model of occupational choice and skill acquisition, we quantify the role of barriers to enter entrepreneurship for these unemployment rates, skill premium and acquisition. The cross‐country correlation between skill premium and acquisition decreases by 45% when each country's gap to the US in the entrepreneurship barrier is decreased enough to even the unemployment differential.
HECTD3 enhances cell radiation resistance and migration by regulating LKB1 mediated ZEB1 in glioma
Authors: Yuan Jinjin , Liu Junqi , Fan Ruitai , Liu Zongwen 
Published: June 2022

AbstractHomologous to the E6‐associated protein carboxyl terminus domain containing 3 (HECTD3) has been reported to play a role in carcinogenesis. Here, we explored the role of HECTD3 in regulating the radiation resistance of glioma, and the underlying mechanism. HECTD3 expressions in glioma tissues were assessed using Western blotting, quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Glioma cells were exposed to 2‐, 4‐, 6‐ or 8‐Gy X‐ray to mimic the radiation treatment. Cell count kit‐8 (CCK‐8), clone formation assay, flow cytometry assay, transwell chambers and animal assay were used to test cell viability, apoptosis, migration, invasiveness and tumourigenesis, respectively. HECTD3 expression was increased in glioma tissues, especially from patients with radiation resistance. Knockdown of HECTD3 promoted cell apoptosis and inhibited cell viability under the condition of 8‐Gy X‐ray, as well as suppressed cell migration and invasiveness. In mechanism, HECTD3 positively regulated ZEB1 (zinc finger E‐box binding hemeobox 1) expression through regulating the ubiquitination of liver kinase B1 (LKB1) protein. Overexpression of ZEB1 significantly abolished the effects of HECTD3 downregulation in inhibiting the radiation resistance and migration of glioma cells. Moreover, downregulation of HECTD3 further enhanced the anti‐tumour effect of X‐ray on glioma growth in vivo. In conclusion, HECTD3 was overexpressed in glioma patients with radiation resistance. Knockdown of HECTD3 sensitized glioma cells to radiation and inhibited cell migration by downregulating ZEB1 expression via regulating the ubiquitination of LKB1 protein. This study reveals that HECTD3 might be a potent target to enhance the radiation sensitivity of glioma.
Altered amyloid precursor protein, tau‐regulatory proteins, neuronal numbers and behaviour, but no tau pathology, synaptic and inflammatory changes or memory deficits, at 1 month following repetitive mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Juan Sydney M. A. , Daglas Maria , Adlard Paul A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractRepetitive mild traumatic brain injury, commonly experienced following sports injuries, results in various secondary injury processes and is increasingly recognised as a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative conditions such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is characterised by tau pathology. We aimed to characterise the underlying pathological mechanisms that might contribute to the onset of neurodegeneration and behavioural changes in the less‐explored subacute (1‐month) period following single or repetitive controlled cortical impact injury (five impacts, 48 h apart) in 12‐week‐old male and female C57Bl6 mice. We conducted motor and cognitive testing, extensively characterised the status of tau and its regulatory proteins via western blot and quantified neuronal populations using stereology. We report that r‐mTBI resulted in neurobehavioural deficits, gait impairments and anxiety‐like behaviour at 1 month post‐injury, effects not seen following a single injury. R‐mTBI caused a significant increase in amyloid precursor protein, an increased trend towards tau phosphorylation and significant changes in kinase/phosphatase proteins that may promote a downstream increase in tau phosphorylation, but no changes in synaptic or neuroinflammatory markers. Lastly, we report neuronal loss in various brain regions following both single and repeat injuries. We demonstrate herein that repeated impacts are required to promote the initiation of a cascade of biochemical events that are consistent with the onset of neurodegeneration subacutely post‐injury. Identifying the timeframe in which these changes occur and the pathological mechanisms involved will be crucial for the development of future therapeutics to prevent the onset or mitigate the progression of neurodegeneration following r‐mTBI.
Effects of mucopolysaccharide polysulphate on tight junction barrier in human epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Fujikawa Mika , Sugimoto Hiroko , Tamura Rie , Fujikawa Koki , Yamagishi Ami , Ueda Yuhki 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTight junctions (TJs) play important roles in epidermal barrier function and their dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of various skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). Mucopolysaccharide polysulphate (MPS) is the active ingredient of a moisturizing agent used to treat xerosis in patients with AD; however, its mechanism of action on TJ barrier function remains unclear. To elucidate the effects of MPS on TJs, adult human epidermal keratinocyte (HEKa) cells were exposed to MPS, subjected to Western blotting and quantitative PCR analyses for the investigation of TJ‐related factors. MPS treatment significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of claudin‐1 (CLDN1) and zonula occludens‐1, and significantly increased transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), which indicates TJ integrity. Conversely, the sulphated and non‐sulphated glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid, respectively, had little effect on TEER or the expression of mRNAs or TJ‐related proteins. Interestingly, MPS treatment also inactivated the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase signalling pathway, which is known to negatively regulate CLDN1 expression. Furthermore, MPS notably improved the reduction in CLDN1 expression and TEER caused by histamine, which is upregulated in the skin of patients with AD and is known to disrupt the TJ barrier function. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that treatment with the moisturizing agent, MPS, can repair TJ dysfunction and could therefore represent a new therapeutic option for treating patients with AD.
Feedback in tropical forests of the Anthropocene
Authors: Flores Bernardo M. , Staal Arie 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTropical forests are complex systems containing myriad interactions and feedbacks with their biotic and abiotic environments, but as the world changes fast, the future of these ecosystems becomes increasingly uncertain. In particular, global stressors may unbalance the feedbacks that stabilize tropical forests, allowing other feedbacks to propel undesired changes in the whole ecosystem. Here, we review the scientific literature across various fields, compiling known interactions of tropical forests with their environment, including the global climate, rainfall, aerosols, fire, soils, fauna, and human activities. We identify 170 individual interactions among 32 elements that we present as a global tropical forest network, including countless feedback loops that may emerge from different combinations of interactions. We illustrate our findings with three cases involving urgent sustainability issues: (1) wildfires in wetlands of South America; (2) forest encroachment in African savanna landscapes; and (3) synergistic threats to the peatland forests of Borneo. Our findings reveal an unexplored world of feedbacks that shape the dynamics of tropical forests. The interactions and feedbacks identified here can guide future qualitative and quantitative research on the complexities of tropical forests, allowing societies to manage the nonlinear responses of these ecosystems in the Anthropocene.
Impact of access cavity cleaning on the seal of postendodontic composite restorations in vitro
Authors: Scholz Konstantin J. , Sim Woocheol , Bopp Silvio , Hiller Karl‐Anton , Galler Kerstin M. , Buchalla Wolfgang , Widbiller Matthias 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAimThe aim of the study was to investigate the influence of cavity cleaning and conditioning on marginal integrity of directly placed post‐endodontic composite class‐I‐restorations in vitro.MethodologyA total of 168 fully intact teeth without caries or fillings received pre‐endodontic composite restorations (class‐II) after their extraction. Occlusal endodontic access‐cavities were prepared, and root canals were instrumented and filled with gutta‐percha and an epoxy resin‐based sealer. Prior to post‐endodontic class‐I‐restoration, access cavities were completely contaminated with sealer, cleaned with alcohol and pre‐treated as follows: cleaner only (alcohol), glycine‐polishing, Al2O3 sandblasting, carbide bur (immediate as well as delayed restoration). A positive control (not contaminated with sealer and adhesive used) and negative control (cleaner used but no adhesive) were established. Half of the teeth from each group were subjected to thermocycling and mechanical loading (TCML). Marginal integrity of post‐endodontic restoration was evaluated in oro‐vestibular or mesio‐distal sections after AgNO3 dye penetration (DP) by standardized photomacroscopic imaging and expressed in per cent of margin length along all segments and separately for enamel, dentine and composite, respectively. Results were analysed non‐parametrically (α = .05).ResultsNo restorations or teeth fractured or debonded completely. Without TCML, the median DP of all segments was significantly higher for the negative control compared with all other groups in oro‐vestibular cutting direction (53%; p = .002) and in mesio‐distal cutting direction (51%; p ≤ .041). The other groups without TCML revealed 16%–24% DP (oro‐vestibular) and 12%–24% DP (mesio‐distal). With TCML, the median DP in oro‐vestibular cutting direction for all segments ranged between 48% and 62% for all groups, a significant difference was only observed between glycine‐polishing and carbide bur (p = .041). In mesio‐distal cutting direction, the median DP in negative control was 69% with TCML and significantly higher compared with all other groups (p = .002). For all other groups, the median DP of all segments ranged between 28% and 40% with TCML without significant differences. Error rates method (k = 7) revealed a significant influence of TCML in general on penetration of all segments in both oro‐vestibular and mesio‐distal cutting directions.ConclusionAdditional access cavity pre‐treatment after alcohol cleaning did not improve the marginal integrity of post‐endodontic composite restorations. Thorough cleaning of the access cavity with alcohol seems to assure an acceptable marginal integrity to the tooth and restorative composite.
The effectiveness of information interventions to improve domestic food safety among rural consumers
Authors: Zhang Meng , Lu Xi , Bai Junfei 
Published: June 2022

AbstractConsumer education on food handling behavior is regarded as an effective method to improve domestic food safety and prevent foodborne illness, but is usually overlooked in rural areas. Using a presurvey and two rounds of postsurveys targeted at rural consumers from China included in a randomized controlled trial, this study investigated the effectiveness of two information interventions—a leaflet with tips for best practices and the leaflet plus consumer education sessions conveyed by phone—and compared them with a control group. Cloth use behavior was the target in the trial and five specific aspects were evaluated: (1) whether the cloth was made of old clothes, (2) whether the one used to clean kitchen tables was also used to wash dishes, (3) whether it was hung to dry, (4) how it was disinfected, and (5) how long the cloth was used before being discarded. Firstly, consumers' behavior was scored by summing the above‐mentioned five behaviors. The results estimated using the difference‐in‐difference model showed that respondents in the leaflet‐only group improved to a greater extent than those in the control group, but their difference in progress was not statistically significant until the second round of the postsurvey. Respondents in the leaflet‐plus‐phone group were quicker to adopt suggested practices and made discernible improvements compared with those in the leaflet‐only group in the first round of the postsurvey, but the gap between these groups narrowed to statistically insignificant in the second round of the postsurvey. It was concluded that one consumer education session was effective and made a difference in the long term, whereas more education sessions produced normative behavior at faster rates, showing a significant improvement in the short term. Then, the study estimated the effectiveness of interventions on the five specific behaviors separately. The results were estimated using a probit difference‐in‐difference model and showed that the suggested behaviors with lower costs or a greater difference from past behaviors were more likely to be adopted by consumers. Consumer education facilitates proper food handling practices among rural households, which should be considered by policy makers.
Challenges and lessons in establishing human immune profiling cohort studies for pandemic response*
Authors: Logue Jennifer K. , Chu Helen Y. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPandemics have devastating effects that can be mitigated with the existence of global infrastructure for pandemic preparedness along with the adaptation of existing research studies and establishment of biorepositories early in an outbreak. Observational cohort studies in place prior to a pandemic, that are rapidly scalable in response to emerging infectious diseases, are essential for both the early pandemic response and evaluation of its long‐term effects. The ability to quickly collect and share samples from convalescent individuals is also critical for the development of vaccines and therapeutics. We provide a reflection on key lessons learned from establishing a longitudinal observational cohort study during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic in order to provide guidance for future pandemic preparedness.
Empathy, psychometrics, cut‐off points in nursing students from Latin America
Authors: Díaz‐Narváez Víctor P. , Calzadilla‐Núñez Aracelis , Reyes‐Reyes Alejandro , Lastre Amell Gloria , Castellón‐Montenegro Herminia , Andrade Valles Irma , Fernández‐Aragón Shirley , Fajardo‐Ramos Elizabeth , Santander Díaz Karina , Torres‐Martínez Pilar , Muñoz Gámbaro Gina , Borja González Juana , Arispe‐Alburqueque Claudia 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundCurrently, there are no cut‐off points for levels of empathy, making it difficult to assess the change experienced in its development or as a result of its intervention. It is an unsolved problem.IntroductionEmpathy is a cognitive‐affective attribute that enables nursing staff to maintain a professional relationship that entails various benefits for the patient. Its strengthening and development during university education is desirable. Empathy studies in Latin American nursing students are based on the direct scores obtained on an empathy test, based on which the variable is described and groups are compared. Statistical comparisons are not enough to discriminate substantive changes since two statistical values can show differences without implying that the post‐intervention levels may correspond to a higher category in relation to those of pre‐intervention or that two compared groups are qualitatively different. The above applies to empathic behaviour and is valid for students and professionals of health. This study aimed to establish cut‐off points that allow defining ordinal categories in empathy.MethodsIn this multicenter and cross‐sectional study, 3712 students from 11 Latin American nursing schools participated. The Jefferson Empathy Scale (JES) was applied; the psychometric properties were confirmed by Factor Analysis Confirmatory and Invariance.ResultsThe JSE empathy scale is a measure with adequate reliability and construct validity. Examined cut‐offs determined a structure of five empathy intervals that allowed them to be classified as empathy values in very high, high, medium, low and very low.DiscussionThe sequence of statistical tests carried out allowed us to determine ranges of categorical values in the empathy levels of groups of students. However, the determined categories may constitute a specific characteristic of them. It is not possible to extrapolate these results to regions other than those of Latin America.ConclusionThe estimated rankings allow comparing levels of empathy between groups of nursing students and the real effect of empathic interventions.Implications for nursingTo contribute with strategies to evaluate changes in the empathic skills of nursing students, resulting in a well‐valued skill in health services.Implications for nursing policyThe cut‐off points define evaluative categories (very low, low, medium, high and very high) that allow objective classification of levels of empathy achieved after (for example) an empathic intervention. This allows assessment of substantive changes experienced by nursing students (and professionals).
Isolation and identification of flavonoid-producing endophytic fungi from Loranthus tanakae Franch. & Sav that exhibit antioxidant and antibacterial activities
Authors: Zheng Ziyun , Chai Shutong , Chen Jie , Yang Hong , Chang Jiayu , Yang Guan'e 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Aims
Loranthus tanakae Franch. & Sav is a medicinal plant that has a variety of pharmacological properties. However, its study is currently limited because of its relative shortage of natural abundance. The objective of this work was to find an alternative resource from this plant that could produce its bioactive ingredients.

Methods and Results
We isolated endophytic fungi from the twigs of Loranthus tanakae Franch. & Sav and eight flavonoid-producing endophytic fungi were selected. The eight endophytic fungi meeting the criteria were identified as Alternaria tenuissima, Dothiorella gregaria, Penicillium aethiopicum, Nothophoma quercina and Hypoxylon perforatum by morphological and molecular methods. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the flavonoid-producing endophytic fungi were investigated in vitro, where Alternaria tenuissima ZP28 and ZM148 demonstrated greater activities than the other six strains. Flavonoids of ZP28 and ZM148 were preliminarily identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS).

Conclusion
After screening the flavonoid-producing endophytic fungi, Alternaria tenuissima ZP28 and ZM148 were found to have good antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Overall, this study provided new direction and resources for the acquisition of flavonoids.

Significance and impact of the study
Endophytic fungi are a promising alternative approach for the large-scale production of flavonoids from Loranthus tanakae Franch. & Sav.