bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pleistocene climate variability in eastern Africa influenced hominin evolution
Authors: Foerster Verena , Asrat Asfawossen , Bronk Ramsey Christopher , Brown Erik T. , Chapot Melissa S. , Deino Alan , Duesing Walter , Grove Matthew , Hahn Annette , Junginger Annett , Kaboth-Bahr Stefanie , Lane Christine S. , Opitz Stephan , Noren Anders , Roberts Helen M. , Stockhecke Mona , Tiedemann Ralph , Vidal Céline M. , Vogelsang Ralf , Cohen Andrew S. , Lamb Henry F. , Schaebitz Frank , Trauth Martin H. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractDespite more than half a century of hominin fossil discoveries in eastern Africa, the regional environmental context of hominin evolution and dispersal is not well established due to the lack of continuous palaeoenvironmental records from one of the proven habitats of early human populations, particularly for the Pleistocene epoch. Here we present a 620,000-year environmental record from Chew Bahir, southern Ethiopia, which is proximal to key fossil sites. Our record documents the potential influence of different episodes of climatic variability on hominin biological and cultural transformation. The appearance of high anatomical diversity in hominin groups coincides with long-lasting and relatively stable humid conditions from ~620,000 to 275,000 yearsbp(episodes 1–6), interrupted by several abrupt and extreme hydroclimate perturbations. A pattern of pronounced climatic cyclicity transformed habitats during episodes 7–9 (~275,000–60,000 yearsbp), a crucial phase encompassing the gradual transition from Acheulean to Middle Stone Age technologies, the emergence ofHomo sapiensin eastern Africa and key human social and cultural innovations. Those accumulative innovations plus the alignment of humid pulses between northeastern Africa and the eastern Mediterranean during high-frequency climate oscillations of episodes 10–12 (~60,000–10,000 yearsbp) could have facilitated the global dispersal ofH. sapiens.
Mildly elevated diastolic blood pressure increases subsequent risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women in the Health Examinees-Gem study
Authors: De la Torre Katherine , Shin Woo-Kyoung , Huang Dan , Lee Hwi-Won , Shin Aesun , Lee Jong-koo , Lee Hae-Young , Kang Daehee 
Published: September 2022

AbstractEpidemiological evidence suggests that hypertension is associated with breast cancer risk. However, previous studies disregard blood pressure components in the healthy population. We aimed to examine the relationship between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and breast cancer risk in a Korean population-based prospective cohort. A total of 73,031 women from the Health Examinees Gem Study were followed from baseline (2004 to 2013) through 2018. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured by trainee physicians at baseline recruitment and then categorized based on the international guidelines for clinical hypertension. Associations between systolic and diastolic blood pressure with overall breast cancer and stratified by premenopausal and postmenopausal status were evaluated using adjusted multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression. A total of 858 breast cancer cases were recorded for a median follow-up period of 9 years. Compared with the normal DBP category (< 85 mmHg), the normal-high category was positively associated with breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women (85–89 mmHg, HR 1.73 95% CI 1.28–2.33), but not in premenopausal women (85–89 mmHg, HR 0.87 95% CI 0.56–1.35). Similar results were found when all cases of self-reported hypertension were excluded. Results for SBP did not show a significant association with breast cancer risk. The association between DBP and breast cancer suggests DBP could be an important factor in cancer prevention, especially for women after menopause. Our study provides a first detailed approach to understanding the importance of diastolic blood pressure for breast cancer prevention and warrants further investigation.
Crosslinking effect of borax additive on the thermal properties of polymer-based 1D and 2D nanocomposites used as thermal interface materials
Authors: Chen Geyang , Yadav A. A. , Jung In-Woo , Lee Junho , Choi Kyungwho , Kang Seok-Won 
Published: September 2022

AbstractRecently, polymer-based materials have been used in various filed of applications, but their low thermal conductivity restricts their uses due to the high interfacial thermal resistance. Therefore, in this study, one-dimensional thin-walled carbon nanotube (1D-TWCNT) and two-dimensional boron nitride nanosheet (2D-BNNS) fillers were used to enhance the thermal properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). An important factor to be considered in enhancing the thermal properties of PVA is the interfacial configuration strategy, which provides sufficient pathways for phonon transport and the controlled loss of the intrinsic thermal properties of the filler nanomaterial. In this study, the effect of sodium tetraborate (borax) additive on the thermal properties of 1D-TWCNT/PVA and 2D-BNNS/PVA nanocomposites was explored. Borax is a well-known crosslinking additive that can be used with PVA. The crosslink density of the PVA-borax nanocomposite was controlled by changing its borate ion concentration. The addition of borax into nanocomposites improves the conductivity of 1D-TWCNT/PVA nanocomposites up to 14.5% (4 wt.% borax) and of 2D-BNNS/PVA nanocomposite up to 30.6% for BNNS (2 wt.% borax). Thus, when borax was added, the 2D-BNNS/PVA nanocomposite showed better results than the 1D-TWCNT/PVA nanocomposite.
Risk of earlier atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in women with low bone mineral density
Authors: Park Jiesuck , Kim Kyoung Min , Yoon Yeonyee E. , Hwang In-Chang , Cho Goo-Yeong 
Published: September 2022

AbstractLow bone mineral density (BMD) is associated with higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in women. We investigated whether the association between low BMD and ASCVD differs according to the age at ASCVD occurrence. We retrospectively analyzed 7932 women aged 50–65 years who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. ASCVD was defined as a composite of ASCVD death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. When we classified participants into no event (n = 7803), early ASCVD (< 70 years) (n = 97), and late ASCVD (≥ 70 years) (n = 32) groups, age gradually increased across groups (median, 58, 60, and 63 years, respectively). However, the estimated BMD T-score at the age of 65 years was lowest in the early ASCVD group (median − 0.9, − 1.1, and − 0.5, respectively). Lower BMD was an independent predictor for early ASCVD (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.34 [1.08–1.67] per 1-SD decrease in T-score), but not for late ASCVD (0.88 [0.60–1.30]). The inverse trend between early ASCVD risk and BMD T-score was consistent regardless of the number of accompanied clinical risk factors. Thus, low BMD is an independent predictor for early ASCVD in women. BMD evaluation can provide prognostic benefit for risk stratification for early ASCVD.
Association of serum leptin at 24–28 weeks gestation with initiation and progression of labor in women
Authors: Branham Ki’ara K. R. , Sherman Elizabeth , Golzy Mojgan , Drobnis Erma Z. , Schulz Laura C. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractConcentrations of the hormone leptin, which is produced by adipose tissue, increase with increasing BMI, whereas leptin sensitivity often declines with higher BMI. Thus, altered leptin signaling may play a role in reproductive health risks observed with increasing BMI, which include later onset and slow progression of labor. Conflicting evidence from clinical, animal and in vitro studies have suggested that leptin either promotes or inhibits labor. We hypothesized that serum leptin concentrations or serum leptin: body mass index (BMI) ratios in women may be associated with the initiation and progression of labor. Following informed consent, serum samples were collected from 90 women with singleton pregnancies at the time of routine glucose-challenge testing, for measurement of leptin. The potential influence of leptin on gestation length and cervical dilation timing were examined by multiple linear regression. Data were analyzed from 63 participants who met exclusion and inclusion criteria. Leptin concentrations (log-transformed) at 24–28 weeks gestation were not significantly correlated with first trimester BMI . Log serum leptin and leptin: BMI ratio each were significantly associated with shorter total gestation length in uncomplicated, term pregnancies. In contrast, the mid-pregnancy leptin concentrations were not associated with progression of labor, assessed by cervical dilation over time. The association between higher serum leptin and shorter gestation length is consistent with the hypothesis that leptin promotes, or is permissive for, the onset of labor.
Ionic complexation improves wound healing in deep second-degree burns and reduces in-vitro ciprofloxacin cytotoxicity in fibroblasts
Authors: Sanchez María Florencia , Guzman María Laura , Flores-Martín Jesica , Cruz Del Puerto Mariano , Laino Carlos , Soria Elio Andrés , Donadio Ana Carolina , Genti-Raimondi Susana , Olivera María Eugenia 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe development of new treatments capable of controlling infections and pain related to burns continues to be a challenge. Antimicrobials are necessary tools, but these can be cytotoxic for regenerating cells. In this study, antibiotic-anesthetic (AA) smart systems obtained by ionic complexation of polyelectrolytes with ciprofloxacin and lidocaine were obtained as films and hydrogels. Ionic complexation with sodium alginate and hyaluronate decreased cytotoxicity of ciprofloxacin above 70% in a primary culture of isolated fibroblasts (p < 0.05). In addition, the relative levels of the proteins involved in cell migration, integrin β1 and p-FAK, increased above 1.5 times (p < 0.05) with no significant differences in cell mobility. Evaluation of the systems in a deep second-degree burn model revealed that reepithelization rate was AA-films = AA-hydrogels > control films > no treated > reference cream (silver sulfadiazine cream). In addition, appendage conservation and complete dermis organization were achieved in AA-films and AA-hydrogels. Encouragingly, both the films and the hydrogels showed a significantly superior performance compared to the reference treatment. This work highlights the great potential of this smart system as an attractive dressing for burns, which surpasses currently available treatments.
Serum biomarkers associated with SARS-CoV-2 severity
Authors: de Morais Batista Fabiani , Puga Marco Antonio Moreira , da Silva Patricia Vieira , Oliveira Roberto , dos Santos Paulo Cesar Pereira , da Silva Bruna Oliveira , Tatara Mariana Bento , Tsuha Daniel Henrique , dos Santos Pires Maria Aparecida , Gonçalves Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone , Pessoa e Silva Rômulo , Ferreira Nathália Tavares , de Barros Albuquerque Amanda Pinheiro , da Silva Duarte Giselle , Consolaro Márcia Edilaine Lopes , Negrão Fabio Juliano , Ferrari Idalina Cristina , de Goes Cavalcanti Luciano Pamplona , Trinta Karen Soares , Ribeiro Guilherme S. , de Melo Rêgo Moacyr Jesus Barreto , Boyton Rosemary J. , Siqueira André Machado , Altmann Daniel M. , Croda Julio 
Published: September 2022

AbstractImmunity with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the acute phase is not sufficiently well understood to differentiate mild from severe cases and identify prognostic markers. We evaluated the immune response profile using a total of 71 biomarkers in sera from patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmed by RT-PCR and controls. We correlated biological marker levels with negative control (C) asymptomatic (A), nonhospitalized (mild cases-M), and hospitalized (severe cases-S) groups. Among angiogenesis markers, we identified biomarkers that were more frequently elevated in severe cases when compared to the other groups (C, A, and M). Among cardiovascular diseases, there were biomarkers with differences between the groups, with D-dimer, GDF-15, and sICAM-1 higher in the S group. The levels of the biomarkers Myoglobin and P-Selectin were lower among patients in group M compared to those in groups S and A. Important differences in cytokines and chemokines according to the clinical course were identified. Severe cases presented altered levels when compared to group C. This study helps to characterize biological markers related to angiogenesis, growth factors, heart disease, and cytokine/chemokine production in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, offering prognostic signatures and a basis for understanding the biological factors in disease severity.
Upregulation of interleukin-19 in saliva of patients with COVID-19
Authors: Saheb Sharif-Askari Fatemeh , Saheb Sharif-Askari Narjes , Hafezi Shirin , Goel Swati , Ali Hussain Alsayed Hawra , Ansari Abdul Wahid , Mahboub Bassam , Al-Muhsen Saleh , Temsah Mohamad-Hani , Hamid Qutayba , Halwani Rabih 
Published: September 2022

AbstractCytokines are major players in orchestrating inflammation, disease pathogenesis and severity during COVID-19 disease. However, the role of IL-19 in COVID-19 pathogenesis remains elusive. Herein, through the analysis of transcriptomic datasets of SARS-CoV-2 infected lung cells, nasopharyngeal swabs, and lung autopsies of COVID-19 patients, we report that expression levels of IL-19 and its receptor, IL-20R2, were upregulated following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of 202 adult COVID-19 patients, IL-19 protein level was significantly higher in blood and saliva of asymptomatic patients compared to healthy controls when adjusted for patients’ demographics (P < 0.001). Interestingly, high saliva IL-19 level was also associated with COVID-19 severity (P < 0.0001), need for mechanical ventilation (P = 0.002), and/or death (P = 0.010) within 29 days of admission, after adjusting for patients’ demographics, diabetes mellitus comorbidity, and COVID-19 serum markers of severity such as D-dimer, C-reactive protein, and ferritin. Moreover, patients who received interferon beta during their hospital stay had lower plasma IL-19 concentrations (24 pg mL−1) than those who received tocilizumab (39.2 pg mL−1) or corticosteroids (42.5 pg mL−1). Our findings indicate that high saliva IL-19 level was associated with COVID-19 infectivity and disease severity.
Comparison of the role of alcohol consumption and qualitative abdominal fat on NAFLD and MAFLD in males and females
Authors: Sogabe Masahiro , Okahisa Toshiya , Kurihara Takeshi , Kagawa Miwako , Ueda Hiroyuki , Kawaguchi Tomoyuki , Fukuya Akira , Kagemoto Kaizo , Tanaka Hironori , Kida Yoshifumi , Tomonari Tetsu , Taniguchi Tatsuya , Okamoto Koichi , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Sato Yasushi , Nakasono Masahiko , Takayama Tetsuji 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe clinical difference between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) between the two sexes is unclear. This study aimed to determine the influences of alcohol consumption and qualitative abdominal fat between male and female patients with NAFLD and MAFLD. This cross-sectional study examined 11,766 participants who underwent health check-ups comparing lifestyle habits, biochemical features, and noninvasive liver fibrosis scores, between non-MAFLD and MAFLD groups. Furthermore, differences in alcohol consumption and qualitative abdominal fat were examined between male and female patients with NAFLD and MAFLD. The prevalence of metabolic dysregulation, ratio of visceral fat area to subcutaneous fat area, and noninvasive liver fibrosis scores were significantly higher in male patients with MAFLD than in those with NAFLD (p < 0.05), but these were not significantly different in female patients. Among male patients with an alcohol consumption of > 70 g/week, several noninvasive liver fibrosis scores were significantly higher in the MAFLD group than in the NAFLD group (all p < 0.05). The influences of alcohol consumption and qualitative abdominal fat on NAFLD and MAFLD were different between sexes. The development of liver fibrosis should be considered in male patients with MAFLD who exceed mild drinking.
Environmental conditions experienced upon first breeding modulate costs of early breeding but not age-specific reproductive output in peregrine falcons
Authors: Zabala Jabi , Martínez José E. , Gómez-Moliner Benjamín , Zuberogoitia Iñigo 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAlthough once considered uncommon, there is growing evidence of widespread senescence in wildlife populations. However, few studies have examined the traits involved, inter-sexual differences, and environmental correlates of age-specific performance in raptors. We studied age-specific reproductive performance and actuarial senescence (decrease in survival probability with age) in a peregrine falcon population monitored for 21 years. We analysed changes with age in the number of offspring produced and incubation start date. We also inspected variation in lifespan and breeding lifespan (number of breeding occasions in a lifetime). In every case, we assessed associations between variations in traits and age, sex, recruitment age, and environmental conditions (cumulative rainfall during breeding season) experienced upon the first breeding attempt. We found scarce evidence for reproductive senescence. Only the incubation start date in females, which was delayed after approximately 8 cy (calendar years), suggested reproductive senescence in our study population. Regarding actuarial senescence, our data did not support it as we only found evidence of higher juvenile mortality. Furthermore, expected lifespan in peregrines recruited at 2 cy was associated with conditions experienced upon the first breeding attempt. The lifespan and breeding career of individuals recruited as yearlings and experiencing low rainfall upon first breeding did not significantly differ from those recruited as adults. However, those recruited as yearlings and experiencing poor environmental conditions upon the first breeding attempt showed reduced lifespan and breeding lifespan.
Glycosphingolipid GM3 prevents albuminuria and podocytopathy induced by anti-nephrin antibody
Authors: Kawashima Nagako , Naito Shokichi , Hanamatsu Hisatoshi , Nagane Masaki , Takeuchi Yasuo , Furukawa Jun-ichi , Iwasaki Norimasa , Yamashita Tadashi , Nakayama Ken-ichi 
Published: September 2022

AbstractPodocytopathy, which is characterized by injury to podocytes, frequently causes proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome. There is currently a paucity of effective therapeutic drugs to treat proteinuric kidney disease. Recent research suggests the possibility that glycosphingolipid GM3 maintains podocyte function by acting on various molecules including nephrin, but its mechanism of action remains unknown. Here, various analyses were performed to examine the potential relationship between GM3 and nephrin, and the function of GM3 in podocytes using podocytopathy mice, GM3 synthase gene knockout mice, and nephrin injury cells. Reduced amounts of GM3 and nephrin were observed in podocytopathy mice. Intriguingly, this reduction of GM3 and nephrin, as well as albuminuria, were inhibited by administration of valproic acid. However, when the same experiment was performed using GM3 synthase gene knockout mice, valproic acid administration did not inhibit albuminuria. Equivalent results were obtained in model cells. These findings indicate that GM3 acts with nephrin in a collaborative manner in the cell membrane. Taken together, elevated levels of GM3 stabilize nephrin, which is a key molecule of the slit diaphragm, by enhancing the environment of the cell membrane and preventing albuminuria. This study provides novel insight into new drug discovery, which may offer a new therapy for kidney disease with albuminuria.
A clinical trial of a unidirectional porous tricalcium phosphate filling for defects after resection of benign bone lesions: a prospective multicenter study
Authors: Ikuta Kunihiro , Nishida Yoshihiro , Ota Takehiro , Tsukushi Satoshi , Kozawa Eiji , Nakashima Hiroatsu , Yamada Kenji , Yamashita Satoshi , Imagama Shiro 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAffinos (Kuraray, Japan) is a β-tricalcium phosphate bone substitute with a unidirectional porous structure. This study aimed to investigate its efficacy on the healing process after filling for bone defects. Fifty-six patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into cohort 1 (n = 30), including bones other than phalanges and metacarpal/tarsal bones, and cohort 2 (n = 26), including phalanges and metacarpal/tarsal bones. Semi-quantified scores for material resorption and trabeculation through the defect were evaluated with radiographs after surgery. In some patients, levels of bone metabolic markers were assessed. The values of resorption and trabeculation increased steadily with time, and trabeculation progressed compared with resorption in both cohorts. In cohort 1, multiple regression analyses showed that the diaphyseal lesion, smaller defect volume, and increased resorption values at 3 months were associated with increased values of resorption 12 months after surgery (R2 = 0.66, p < 0.001). The trabeculation values at 2 months were positively related to the trabeculation values 12 months after surgery (R2 = 0.35, p = 0.002). In cohort 2, the increased resorption values at 2 months and smaller defect volume significantly correlated with the increased resorption values 12 months after surgery (R2 = 0.58, p < 0.001). The ratio from the baseline of pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen at 3 months was negatively associated with the trabeculation values 12 months after surgery (R = − 0.791, p = 0.004). Evaluation of radiographic images and bone metabolic markers in the early postoperative period may predict the healing status at 12 months postoperatively in the defects followed by Affinos filling.
Natural glass alteration under a hyperalkaline condition for about 4000 years
Authors: Kikuchi Ryosuke , Sato Tsutomu , Fujii Naoki , Shimbashi Misato , Arcilla Carlo A. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSilicate glasses are durable materials in our daily life, but corrosion rate accelerates under alkaline aqueous environment. Such situation has raised concerns, for example, in nuclear waste disposal where vitrified wastes encounter to alkaline leachate from surrounding concrete materials. Here we report volcanic glass example surviving with a hyperalkaline groundwater (pH > 11) and high flow rate for about 4000 years. The tiny glass fragments were extracted from the volcanic ash layer sandwiched between ultramafic sediments using microanalytical techniques. Sharp elemental distributions at the glass surface, where amorphous-like smectite precursors and crystalline smectites coexist, suggest the corrosion by an interface-coupled dissolution–precipitation mechanism rather than inter-diffusion. The corrosion rate was maintained at, the minimum, 2.5 orders of magnitude less than the rate observed for fresh glass, even in the presence of Fe and Mg that might have consumed Si through the silicate precipitation.