bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological survey of patients with pustular psoriasis in the Japanese Society for Psoriasis Research from 2017 to 2020
Authors: Kamiya Koji , Ohtsuki Mamitaro 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe Japanese Society for Psoriasis Research (JSPR) has been conducting annual epidemiological surveys of patients with pustular psoriasis in Japan since 2017. This study aimed to conduct a recent epidemiological analysis of patients with pustular psoriasis who were enrolled in the JSPR from 2017 to 2020. A total of 291 patients from 131 medical institutions were enrolled, of which 47.4% (138 cases) were males and 52.6% (153 cases) were females. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of the patients was 57.4 ± 20.3 years (males, 61.2 ± 17.3 years; females, 54.1 ± 22.1 years). The mean ± SD age of the patients at disease onset was 48.5 ± 22.5 years (males, 50.8 ± 20.6 years; females, 46.4 ± 24.0 years). The types of pustular psoriasis observed included the von Zumbusch type (59.8%), annular pustular psoriasis (8.2%), impetigo herpetiformis (6.5%), and acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (4.8%), of which, the majority of the patients with impetigo herpetiformis were female. Among the patients, 58.4% were treated with oral medications and 44.0% were treated with biologics. The most common oral medication prescribed was etretinate (52.4%), followed by corticosteroids (24.7%) and cyclosporin (22.9%). The most common biologics used were IL‐17 inhibitors (ixekizumab [28.1%] and secukinumab [22.7%]), followed by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (infliximab [15.6%]) and IL‐23 inhibitors (guselkumab [14.8%] and risankizumab [10.2%]). This survey thus provides new and significant information regarding the recent perspective of pustular psoriasis, such as patient characteristics and treatment trends, in Japan.
Functional response traits and altered ecological niches drive the disassembly of cloud forest bird communities in tropical montane countrysides
Authors: Ausprey Ian J. , Newell Felicity L. , Robinson Scott K. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Anthropogenic disturbance contributes to global change by reshaping the ecological niche space available to biological communities. Quantifying the range of functional response traits required for species persistence is central towards understanding the mechanisms underlying community disassembly in disturbed landscapes.

We used intensive field surveys of cloud forest bird communities across seven replicate landscapes undergoing agricultural conversion in the Peruvian Andes to examine how a suite of 16 functional response traits related to morphology, diet, foraging behaviour and environmental niche breadth predict (1) species‐specific abundance changes in countryside habitats compared to forest and (2) differential changes to the ecological niche space occupied by communities.

Our analyses relied on (1) hierarchical distance sampling models to examine the functional predictors of abundance change across the agricultural land use gradient while accounting for imperfect detection and (2) n‐dimensional hypervolumes to quantify the expansion and contraction of ecological niche space in countryside habitats.

Key traits related to increased abundance in early successional and mixed‐intensity agricultural areas included (1) morphological adaptations to dense understorey habitats, (2) plant‐based diets (flowers, fruit and seeds) and (3) broad elevational range limits and habitat breadth. Species occupying mixed and high‐intensity agricultural land use regimes had mean elevational range limits 20%–60% wider than species found within forests. Collectively, ecological niche space expanded within agricultural habitats for traits related to diet and environmental niche breadth, while contracting for foraging and dispersal traits. Such changes were driven by species with unique functional trait combinations.

Our results reveal the dynamic changes to ecological niche space that underly community structure in disturbed landscapes and highlight how increased niche breadth can ameliorate disturbance sensitivity for generalist species. We emphasize that functional traits can be used to predict changes in community structure across disturbance gradients, allowing insights into specific mechanisms underlying community disassembly beyond emergent patterns of functional diversity. By identifying key functional trait groups that align with different countryside habitats, we demonstrate how conservation practitioners can contribute to the retention of avian functional diversity in agricultural landscapes throughout the world.
The effects of cheatgrass invasion on US Great Basin carbon storage depend on interactions between plant community composition, precipitation seasonality, and soil climate regime
Authors: Maxwell Toby M. , Germino Matthew J. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Annual‐grass invasions are transforming desert ecosystems in ways that affect ecosystem carbon (C) balance, but previous studies do not agree on the pattern, magnitude and direction of changes. A recent meta‐analysis of 41 articles and 386 sites concludes that invasion by annual grasses such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L) reduces C in biomass across the Great Basin (Nagy et al., 2021). Reanalysis reveals that whether cheatgrass affects biomass C stocks is not generalizable, but rather depends on the considerable variation in climate across the subject sites. Our analysis suggests that accurate Great Basin‐scale estimates of cheatgrass effects on C balance are not yet possible.

Addition of climate variables to the meta‐analysis reveals that cheatgrass invasion (a) reduced C in above‐ground biomass in relatively summer‐wet sites but not in summer‐dry sites, (b) increased surface soil C in sites with intermediate resistance and resilience classifications (R&R) but not in low R&R sites—that is, mesic/aridic soil climates and (c) did not affect deep soil C.

Considering that cheatgrass has expanded most in relatively summer‐dry sites and mesic/aridic sites, omission of climate factors leads to model overestimates of cheatgrass effects on C when extrapolating to larger areas. Estimates of cheatgrass effects on C would also be improved if the analysis considered that (a) perennial grasslands are a common community state in the Great Basin that have intermediary C relative to annual grasslands and sagebrush stands, that is the omission of perennial grasslands from analysis inflates the baseline C storage of uninvaded Great Basin ecosystems, and( b) cheatgrass does not often exist in stable monocultures and soil carbon can reflect current or recent presence of other species.

Synthesis and applications. Invasions often reveal heterogeneity in ecosystem structure and function that is not otherwise evident, and the heterogeneity can influence estimation of the net impacts of the invaders. For cheatgrass and other invaders, we propose that formally accounting for the spatial variability of invasion on ecosystem functions will improve the estimation of their net effect on ecosystem C, and thus improve prospects for adjusting management practices to optimize C sequestration.
Vegetation change on mountaintops in northern Sweden: Stable vascular‐plant but reordering of lichen and bryophyte communities
Authors: Hagenberg Liyenne Wu Chen , Vanneste Thomas , Opedal Øystein H. , Petlund Hanne Torsdatter , Björkman Mats P. , Björk Robert G. , Holien Håkon , Limpens Juul , Molau Ulf , Graae Bente Jessen , De Frenne Pieter 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAlpine ecosystems harbor remarkably diverse and distinct plant communities that are characteristically limited to harsh, and cold climatic conditions. As a result of thermal limitation to species occurrence, mountainous ecosystems are considered to be particularly sensitive to climate change. Our understanding of the impact of climate change is mainly based on vascular plants however, whereas cryptogams (i.e., lichens and bryophytes) are generally neglected or simply considered as one functional group. Here we aimed to improve our understanding of the drivers underlying temporal changes in vegetation of alpine ecosystems. To this end, we repeatedly surveyed the vegetation on four mountain summits along an elevational gradient in northern Sweden spanning a 19‐year period. Our results show that the vascular plant communities remained relatively stable throughout the study period, despite fluctuations in terms of ground cover and species richness of shrubs and graminoids. In contrast, both lichens and bryophytes substantially decreased in cover and diversity, leading to alterations in community composition that were unrelated to vascular plant cover. Thermophilization of the vascular plant community was found only on the two intermediate summits. Our findings are only partially consistent with (long‐term) climate‐change impacts, and we argue that local non‐climatic drivers such as herbivory might offset vegetation responses to warming. Hence, we underline the importance of considering local non‐climatic drivers when evaluating temporal vegetation change in biologically complex systems.
Seasonal variation significantly influenced the stochasticity of community assembly of amphibian symbiotic bacteria
Authors: Xu Liangliang , Zhou Jin , Zheng Puyang , Wan Xia , Zhu Lifeng , Huang Jin , Jiang Jianping , Chen Youhua , Song Zhaobin 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSeasonal variation has been shown to influence symbiotic bacterial community composition and structure in amphibians. It is still unknown how the symbiotic bacterial community assembly changes during different seasons, especially for amphibians who are particularly sensitive to environmental change. We found significant differences in the composition and diversity (alpha and beta diversity) of amphibian skin and gut bacteria. Co‐occurrences network analysis showed that seasonal variation reduced the microbial network complexity of amphibians from summer to autumn. The normalized stochastic ratio (NST) and phylogenetic bin‐based null model analysis (iCAMP) models showed that the same result that stochastic processes was the major factor regulating the symbiotic bacterial community assembly mechanisms of amphibians. From summer to autumn, the symbiotic bacterial community assembly mechanisms declined in the contribution of stochastic processes, while increasing in the contribution of deterministic processes. Dispersal limitation was the dominant microbial assembly mechanism, followed by homogeneous selection, and then heterogeneous selection in the symbiotic bacterial community communities of amphibians between summer and autumn. Furthermore, higher niche width of the symbiotic bacterial community of amphibians was found in summer than autumn. Overall, these results demonstrated that seasonal variation influenced amphibian symbiotic bacterial community between summer and autumn.
Glass transitions in frozen systems as influenced by molecular weight of food components
Authors: Zhao Jin‐Hong , Kumar Pavitra Krishna , Sablani Shyam S. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractFreezing is a frequently used way to expand the storage life of foods with high water content. Under suitable cooling rates, frozen systems attain a condition of maximum freeze concentration, which is characterized by the glass transition temperature (Tg′), end point of freezing or onset of melting (Tm′), and concentration of solids (Xs′) in the maximum‐freeze‐concentrated matrix. The value of Tg′, Tm′, and Xs′ depends on the chemical composition of frozen system. Below Tg′, the rates of deteriorative reactions are significantly reduced. In this article, the data for Tg′, Tm′, and Xs′ of different frozen systems including sugars, starches, proteins, and food are collected and compiled. The trends in Tg′ and Tm′ data of food are investigated using molecular weight (MW) of food components. The Tg′ and Tm′ of most starches (increased by 2.46% to 87.3% and 10.8% to 85.0%) and some protein‐rich foods (increased by 5.00% to 53.4% and 25.0% to 52.9%) were higher than the maximum values of sugar‐rich foods. Both Tg′ and Tm′ values increased with increasing MW of solids in frozen food, reaching an asymptotic value. Moreover, there were exponential relationships between Tg′ or Tm′ values and MW for sugar and starch‐rich foods taken together. Some studies found that frozen storage below Tg′ maintains the higher quality of food that was achieved by fast freezing. However, other studies found that there was no significant difference in the quality of frozen foods between storage temperature below and above Tg′. Therefore, storage below Tg′ is not the only factor for predicting the stability of frozen foods.
Age prediction by methylation analysis of small amounts of DNA using locked nucleic acids
Authors: Takahashi Yuta , Asari Masaru , Isozaki Shotaro , Hoshina Chisato , Okuda Katsuhiro , Mori Kanae , Namba Ryo , Ochiai Wataru , Shimizu Keiko 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAge prediction based on methylation analysis has been reported in many populations, with 10 ng or more of DNA usually required for each determination. In this study, we designed thermostable locked nucleic acid (LNA) primers by replacing a small number of DNA bases in standard DNA primers with LNAs. We evaluated these primer sets by single‐base extension analysis using 10, 5, or 2 ng of DNA that would be less than template DNA used in standard methylation testing, and determined sensitivity and accuracy. We analyzed EDARADD, SST, and KLF14 genes, targeting one CpG site in each gene. Melting temperature values of most LNA primers were 4°C higher than those of DNA primers. The intensities of signals from the EDARADD and SST genes were significantly improved by the LNA primers, by 3.3 times and 1.4 times, respectively, compared with the DNA primers using 2 ng of DNA. Coefficient of variation (CV) analysis was used to assess the accuracy of the determined methylation levels. CVs were increased using small amounts of DNA, but lower CVs were detected using LNA primers. We also showed high accuracy of age prediction for 51 individuals using LNA primers. The lowest mean absolute deviation was obtained using 10 ng of DNA and was 3.88 years with the LNA primers. Thermostable PCR primers were simply designed, and the LNAs improved the sensitivity and accuracy of methylation analysis for 10 ng or less of DNA.
Systemic antibiotics in endodontics—International questionnaire study: Choice of types, dosage, loading and duration
Authors: Solomonov Michael , Batashvili Gabriel , Shuster Amir , Slutzky Hagay , Moshonov Joshua , Buchkovskii Oleg , Lvovsky Alex , Azizi Hadas , Levin Avi , Ben Itzhak Joe , Shemesh Avi 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe aim of the study was to investigate the systematic antibiotics (SAs) prescribing practices in the endodontic practice worldwide. 7500 general practitioners, postgraduate students and endodontists from Israel and the former Soviet Union (FSU) states were invited to fill in an online questionnaire. The first‐choice SA was amoxicillin (80.12%) among the Israeli (p < 0.05) and amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (88.92%) among the FSU respondents (p < 0.05). The first‐choice SA for patients with penicillin allergy was clindamycin (78.2%) among Israeli and azithromycin (35.96%) among the FSU respondents (p < 0.05). Most of the respondents from Israel as well as from the FSU reported prescribing SA for 5–7 days. Only 6.24% of the former and 2.59% of the latter reported prescribing SA until the symptoms disappeared (p > 0.05). The usage of SAs is often not in accordance with existing international guidelines and differs among different dentist's populations.
An unusual case of early small bowel obstruction after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass by the free end of a V‐loc™ suture
Authors: Sarhan Mohamed D. , Fathy Ehab , Newira Mohamed Abdelsalam 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWeight recurrence and gastro‐esophageal reflux disease are the most common causes for re‐operation after sleeve gastrectomy (SG); Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass is the recommended procedure to correct both problems. The V‐loc™ (Covidien, Dublin, Ireland) enables faster suturing and less operative time compared to non‐barbed sutures. We report an unusual case of early obstruction at the jejunojejunostomy by the tail of V‐loc™ suture which grasped surrounding tissue causing adhesions and subsequent obstruction. When reviewing the literature for complications of V‐loc™, we found three cases of bowel obstruction caused by the leftover free segment of V‐loc™. So, V‐loc™ thread can cause small bowel obstruction; therefore, we recommend not leaving an extra length at its free end and keep it to a minimum length possible.
Long‐term impact of a mental health literacy resource applied by regular classroom teachers in a Canadian school cohort
Authors: Wei Yifeng , Church Jeremy , Kutcher Stan 
Published: September 2022

Application of evidence‐based mental health literacy (MHL) curriculum resources by classroom teachers has been demonstrated to significantly improve knowledge and decrease stigma in the short term.AimsTo report results that extend these positive findings for a period of one year.MethodIn a naturalistic cohort study, 332 grade 9 students (ages 14–15) in a Canadian school district learned from an evidence‐based curriculum resource (the Guide) applied by classroom teachers who trained in its use. Evaluations of knowledge and stigma were conducted before the Guide, immediately following the Guide delivery and at one‐year follow‐up.ResultsStudents showed significant (p < .001) and substantial (d = 0.68 and 0.67) short‐term and significant (p < .001) and substantial (d = 0.44 and 0.58) long‐term improvements in knowledge and reductions in stigma. Significant stigma reduction was found among female students than male students, but no gender differences on knowledge were found at long‐term follow‐up. Educators showed significant and substantial short‐term improvements in knowledge (p < .001;d = 1.03) and reductions in stigma (p < .05;d = 0.35).ConclusionsThe Guide resource delivered by trained classroom teachers may have value in enhancing MHL outcomes for young people.
Higher fasting blood glucose was associated with worse in‐hospital clinical outcomes in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage: From a large‐scale nationwide longitudinal registry
Authors: Li Guangshuo , Wang Shang , Xiong Yunyun , Gu Hongqiu , Jiang Yingyu , Yang Xin , Wang Chunjuan , Wang Chuanying , Li Zixiao , Zhao Xingquan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIntroductionStudies that investigated the relationship between fasting blood glucose (FBG) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) outcomes were insufficient.AimWe aimed to investigate the association between FBG level and in‐hospital clinical outcomes in patients with primary ICH.ResultsA total of 34,507 patients were enrolled in the final study. Compared with the reference group, the ≥6.1 and <7 mmol/L group showed nonsignificant higher in‐hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69–2.11, p = 0.52), and a significant higher proportion of intracranial hematoma evacuation (adjusted OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.26–1.92, p < 0.001). The ≥7 mmol/L group showed both significant higher in‐hospital mortality (adjusted OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.42–3.04, p = 0.52) and a significant higher proportion of intracranial hematoma evacuation (adjusted OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.78–2.47, p < 0.001).ConclusionHigher FBG level was correlated with both higher mortality and proportion of evacuation of intracranial hematoma.
Risk assessment of drug–drug interaction potential for bintrafusp alfa with cytochrome P4503A4 substrates: A totality of evidence approach
Authors: Vugmeyster Yulia , Locke George , Helwig Christoph , Rolfe P. Alexander , Dong Jennifer Q. , Venkatakrishnan Karthik 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBintrafusp alfa, a first‐in‐class bifunctional fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of TGF‐βRII (a TGF‐β “trap”) fused to a human IgG1 mAb blocking PD‐L1, is being evaluated for efficacy and safety in solid tumor indications as monotherapy and in combination with small‐molecule drugs. We evaluated the perpetrator drug–drug interaction (DDI) potential of bintrafusp alfa via cytochrome P4503A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme modulation, which is responsible for the metabolism of a majority of drugs. The holistic approach included (1) evaluation of longitudinal profiles of cytokines implicated in CYP3A4 modulation and serum 4β‐hydroxycholesterol, an endogenous marker of CYP3A4 activity, in a phase I clinical study, and (2) transcriptomics analysis of the CYP3A4 mRNA levels vs the TGFB gene expression signature in normal hepatic tissues. Bintrafusp alfa was confirmed not to cause relevant proinflammatory cytokine modulation or alterations in 4β‐hydroxycholesterol serum concentrations in phase I studies. Transcriptomics analyses revealed no meaningful correlations between TGFB gene expression and CYP3A4 mRNA expression, supporting the conclusion that the risk of CYP3A4 enzyme modulation due to TGF‐β neutralization by bintrafusp alfa is low. Thus, bintrafusp alfa is not expected to have DDI potential as a perpetrator with co‐administered drugs metabolized by CYP3A4; this information is relevant to clinical evaluations of bintrafusp alfa in combination settings.
Synkanzerogenese von natürlicher UV‐Strahlung und polyzyklischen aromatischen Kohlenwasserstoffen bei der Entstehung von Plattenepithelkarzinomen der Haut?
Authors: Weistenhöfer Wobbeke , Lutz Regina , Hiller Julia , Schmitz‐Spanke Simone , Drexler Hans 
Published: September 2022

ZusammenfassungPlattenepithelkarzinome der Haut können durch berufsbedingte Exposition gegenüber polyzyklischen aromatischen Kohlenwasserstoffen (PAK) wie in Teer und Ruß oder gegenüber UV‐Strahlung induziert und als Berufskrankheiten anerkannt und entschädigt werden. Eine mögliche synkanzerogene Wirkung dieser Expositionen bei der Entstehung von Plattenepithelkarzinomen beim Menschen wird diskutiert. Um dies wissenschaftlich zu überprüfen, wurde eine systematische Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken PubMed, Web of Science und Scopus durchgeführt. Studien mit Personen mit Plattenepithelkarzinomen der Haut und ihren Vorstufen und beruflicher, außerberuflicher oder therapeutischer Exposition gegenüber UV‐Strahlung und PAK wurden ausgewählt. Zusätzlich wurden tierexperimentelle Studien mit Expositionen gegenüber UV‐Strahlung und PAK ausgewertet. Nach Sichtung der Zusammenfassungen von 510 identifizierten Studien wurden die Volltexte von 131 Studien geprüft. Aus keiner der epidemiologischen Studien ergaben sich belastbare Hinweise für eine Synkanzerogenese von PAK und UV‐Strahlung bei der Entstehung von Plattenepithelkarzinomen der Haut beim Menschen. Aus tierexperimentellen Studien und mechanistischen Untersuchungen liegen Hinweise für eine (über‐)additive Wirkung von UV‐Strahlung und PAK‐Exposition vor, so dass eine Synkanzerogenese möglich erscheint. Es fehlen jedoch quantitative Dosis‐Wirkungs‐Beziehungen, die den Vergleich des Beginns einer adversen Wirkung zwischen den verschiedenen Expositionen ermöglichen.