bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The supreme audit institution in the Republic of North Macedonia – two decades of building public trust
Authors: Dionisijev Ivan , Bozhinovska Lazarevska Zorica , Trpeska Marina , Atanasovski Atanasko 
Published: August 2022

PurposeThe state audit is crucial for society in ensuring the transparent and legal spending of public funds. In the Republic of North Macedonia, although state audit-related activities have existed since the state's independence, the State Audit Office started operating as a Supreme Audit Institution in 1999. The purpose of this research was to explore the development of the State Audit Office in the Republic of North Macedonia over the past two decades regarding the organisational aspect and the state audit-related activities.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a detailed analysis performed using statistical tests of data collected from the State Audit Office's annual reports on operation and performed audits in the period 2001–2020, concerning the budget, organisational size, audit engagements, audited public revenues and expenditures, audit reports, and given recommendations and their implementation. The survey method was used to determine other factors that could have a correlation with the development of the State Audit Office.FindingsIn general, it can be concluded that the State Audit Office has grown in terms of financial resources at its disposal and the organisational size (number of employees). Although there is no correlation between the regularity audit engagements and the audited public revenues and expenditures, there is still a positive correlation between the audited public revenues and expenditures. The implementation of the given recommendations by the auditors is not related to the number of recommendations in the final audit reports. There are several internal, external and international factors that have a positive correlation with the development of the State Audit Office.Research limitations/implicationsThe first limitation of this paper pertains to the period of existence of the Supreme Audit Institution in the Republic of North Macedonia not being very long in order to be able to draw more significant conclusions. The second limitation concerns the measurement of the variables from the survey being based only on the perception of the state auditors. Such a measurement method might be considered less accurate in describing the actual situation.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this paper is the only one that explores the development of the Supreme Audit Institution in the Republic of North Macedonia. Furthermore, it provides a good basis for further detailed research on areas relevant to the issue. We believe that this research will enrich the existing body of literature on state audit by offering a concrete example of the development of a Supreme Audit Institution in a less-researched geographical area.
Measuring diaspora populations and their socio‐economic profiles: Australia’s Chinese diaspora
Authors: Tan Yan , Liu Xuchun 
Published: August 2022

AbstractData on diasporas are incomplete, inaccurate, and beset by definitional fluidity as the concept itself evolves. Despite their significant role in homeland development, members of a diaspora population are typically passed over in origin countries’ censuses, and policies and planning rely instead on statistics generated in destination countries. To analyse the data available from destination countries, this article deploys two coordinated concepts—diaspora and transnationalism. We construct a demographic and socio‐economic profile of the Chinese diaspora population in Australia spanning 2000–2016. That work is based on the 2016 Australian Census and on Migrants Integrated Dataset (ACMID) and 2016 Australian Census and Temporary Entrants Integrated Dataset (ACTEID) micro‐files sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The profile is disaggregated by permanent or temporary residency status, visa, and citizenship, stratified by geographic distribution, and compared with that of Australia’s overall migrant population. Nuanced understandings of the size, composition, distribution, and socio‐economic integration into the destination lays a baseline necessary for policymakers and agencies in the countries of origin as they work toward more targeted diaspora engagement practices. Those understandings also inform retention strategies in Australia concerning diaspora groups that can enhance economic and social inclusion.
KRT5 missense variant in a Cardigan Welsh Corgi with epidermolysis bullosa simplex
Authors: Kiener Sarah , Mauldin Elizabeth A. , Jagannathan Vidhya , Casal Margret L. , Leeb Tosso 
Published: August 2022

AbstractEpidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of blistering disorders that includes several subtypes, classified according to their level of cleavage. Typical clinical signs are blisters and erosions resulting from minimal trauma. The disease has been described in many mammalian species and pathogenic variants in at least 18 different genes have been identified. In the present study, we investigated a Cardigan Welsh Corgi with congenital clinical signs consistent with epidermolysis bullosa. The puppy had blisters and erosions on the paw pads, and the oral mucosa. Histologic examination demonstrated the typical clefting between the dermis and epidermis and confirmed the clinical suspicion. We obtained whole genome sequencing data from the affected puppy and searched for variants in candidate genes known to cause EB. This revealed a heterozygous missense variant, KRT5:p.(E476K), affecting the highly conserved KLLEGE motif of keratin 5. The mutant allele in the affected puppy arose owing to a de novo mutation event as it was absent from both unaffected parents. Knowledge of the functional impact of KRT5 variants in other species together with the demonstration of the de novo mutation event establishes KRT5:p.(E476K) as causative variant for the observed EBS.
Citrullination is linked to reduced Ca2+ sensitivity in hearts of a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Pironti Gianluigi , Gastaldello Stefano , Rassier Dilson E. , Lanner Johanna T. , Carlström Mattias , Lund Lars H. , Westerblad Håkan , Yamada Takashi , Andersson Daniel C. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAimsCardiac contractile dysfunction is prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with an increased risk for heart failure. A hallmark of RA has increased levels of peptidyl arginine deaminases (PAD) that convert arginine to citrulline leading to ubiquitous citrullination, including in the heart. We aimed to investigate whether PAD‐dependent citrullination in the heart was linked to contractile function in a mouse model of RA during the acute inflammatory phase.MethodsWe used hearts from the collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) mice, with overt arthritis, and control mice to analyze cardiomyocyte Ca2+ handling and fractional shortening, the force‐Ca2+ relationship in isolated myofibrils, the levels of PAD, protein post‐translational modifications, and Ca2+ handling protein. Then, we used an in vitro model to investigate the role of TNF‐α in the PAD‐mediated citrullination of proteins in cardiomyocytes.ResultsCardiomyocytes from CIA mice displayed larger Ca2+ transients than controls, whereas cell shortening was similar in the two groups. Myofibrils from CIA hearts required higher [Ca2+] to reach 50% of maximum shortening, ie Ca2+ sensitivity was lower. This was associated with increased PAD2 expression and α‐actin citrullination. TNF‐α increased PAD‐mediated citrullination which was blocked by pre‐treatment with the PAD inhibitor 2‐chloroacetamide.ConclusionUsing a mouse RA model we found evidence of impaired cardiac contractile function linked to reduced Ca2+ sensitivity, increased expression of PAD2, and citrullination of α‐actin, which was triggered by TNF‐α. This provides molecular and physiological evidence for acquired cardiomyopathy and a potential mechanism for RA‐associated heart failure.
Microstructural changes along the cingulum in young adolescents with psychotic experiences: An along‐tract analysis
Authors: Roddy Darren William , Roman Elena , Nasa Anurag , Gazzaz Areej , Zainy Ahmed , Burke Tom , Staines Lorna , Kelleher Ian , O'Neill Aisling , Clarke Mary , O'Hanlon Erik , Cannon Mary 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPsychotic experiences (PEs) such as hallucinations and delusions are common among young people without psychiatric diagnoses and are associated with connectivity and white matter abnormalities, particularly in the limbic system. Using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in adolescents with reported PEs and matched controls, we examined the cingulum white matter tract along its length rather than as the usually reported single indivisible structure. Complex regional differences in diffusion metrics were found along the bundle at key loci following Bonferroni significance adjustment (p < .00013) with moderate to large effect sizes (.11–.76) throughout all significant subsegments. In this prospective community‐based cohort of school‐age children, these findings suggest that white matter alterations in the limbic system may be more common in the general non‐clinical adolescent population than previously thought. Such white matter alternations may only be uncovered using a similar more granular along‐tract analysis of white matter tracts.
Sex differences in early‐onset Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Contador José , Pérez‐Millan Agnès , Guillén Nuria , Sarto Jordi , Tort‐Merino Adrià , Balasa Mircea , Falgàs Neus , Castellví Magdalena , Borrego‐Écija Sergi , Juncà‐Parella Jordi , Bosch Beatriz , Fernández‐Villullas Guadalupe , Ramos‐Campoy Oscar , Antonell Anna , Bargalló Nuria , Sanchez‐Valle Raquel , Sala‐Llonch Roser , Lladó Albert 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackground and purposeSex is believed to drive heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease (AD), although evidence in early‐onset AD (EOAD; <65 years) is scarce.MethodsWe included 62 EOAD patients and 44 healthy controls (HCs) with core AD cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, neurofilament light chain levels, neuropsychological assessment, and 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging. We measured cortical thickness (CTh) and hippocampal subfield volumes (HpS) using FreeSurfer. Adjusted linear models were used to analyze sex‐differences and the relationship between atrophy and cognition.ResultsCompared to same‐sex HCs, female EOAD subjects showed greater cognitive impairment and broader atrophy burden than male EOAD subjects. In a direct female‐EOAD versus male‐EOAD comparison, there were slight differences in temporal CTh, with no differences in cognition or HpS. CSF tau levels were higher in female EOAD than in male EOAD subjects. Greater atrophy was associated with worse cognition in female EOAD subjects.ConclusionsAt diagnosis, there are sex differences in the pattern of cognitive impairment, atrophy burden, and CSF tau in EOAD, suggesting there is an influence of sex on pathology spreading and susceptibility to the disease in EOAD.
Nigerians in China: Health maintenance, circulation and everyday transnationalism in Guangdong Province
Authors: Adebayo Kudus Oluwatoyin 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe challenges facing Africans in Chinese cities have been examined from different perspectives, including healthcare‐related challenges and barriers. However, how they navigate health problems through circulation and transnational practices has received scant attention. The article explored the importance of circulation and everyday transnationalism in health maintenance using qualitative data from 37 Nigerians in Guangdong Province, China. It revealed that transnational practices involving the flows of people, medicinal commodities and information were crucial in managing their health issues with circulating migrants, family members and healthcare professionals at home playing important roles. Circular migrants import herbal medicines and hard‐to‐acquire pharmaceutical drugs between Nigeria and China, family members and relatives also send over‐the‐counter drugs to migrants and health professionals in Nigeria supply medical information through transnational consultation. The article advanced the literature as it responds to the growing call for adopting a transnational lens for interrogating the link between migration and health.
Impact of sustained viral response for hepatitis C virus on the outcomes of liver transplantation in hemophilic patients with human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus co‐infection: A nationwide survey in Japan
Authors: Hidaka Masaaki , Eguchi Susumu , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Shimamura Tsuyoshi , Hatano Etsuro , Ohdan Hideki , Hibi Taizo , Hasegawa Yasushi , Kaneko Junichi , Goto Ryoichi , Egawa Hiroto , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Tsukada Kunihisa , Yotsuyanagi Hiroshi , Soyama Akihiko , Hara Takanobu , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAimHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co‐infection from blood products for hemophilia has been a social problem in Japan, and liver transplantation (LT) for these patients has been a challenging procedure. However, with the advent of the direct‐acting antiviral agent for HCV and change in the policy for prioritization of deceased donor LT, the results of LT for patients co‐infected with HCV/HIV may have improved.MethodsThis study was conducted to provide updated results of our nationwide survey of LT for patients co‐infected with HCV/HIV, from January 1997 to December 2019. We collected data on 17 patients with HIV/HCV co‐infection who underwent either deceased donor LT (n = 5) or living donor LT (n = 12).ResultsAll the patients were men with hemophilia, and the median age was 41 (range, 23–61) years. The median CD4 count before LT was 258 (range, 63–751). Most patients had poor liver function before surgery with Child–Pugh grade C and a Model for End‐stage Liver Disease score of 20 (range, 11–48). The right lobe was used for most grafts for living donor liver transplantation (n = 10). Overall survival was significantly better with a sustained viral response (SVR) than without an SVR, and a univariate analysis indicated that SVR after direct‐acting antiviral or interferon/ribavirin showed the highest hazard ratio for patient survival after LT. A multivariate analysis was not possible because of the limited number of cases.ConclusionSVR for HCV showed the highest impact on the outcome of LT for patients with hemophilia co‐infected with HIV/HCV. SVR for HCV should be achieved before or after LT for patients with hemophilia co‐infected with HIV/HCV for a better outcome.
METTL3 inhibition reduces N6‐methyladenosine levels and prevents allogeneic CD4+ T‐cell responses
Authors: Li Shuang , Zou Dawei , Chen Wenhao , Britz Gavin W , Liu Zhaoqian , Weng Yi‐Lan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAlloreactive CD4+ T cells play a central role in allograft rejection. However, the post‐transcriptional regulation of the effector program in alloreactive CD4+ T cells remains unclear. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification is involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Herein, we investigated whether m6A methylation plays a role in the allogeneic T‐cell effector program. m6A levels of CD4+ T cells from spleens, draining lymph nodes and skin allografts were determined in a skin transplantation model. The effects of a METTL3 inhibitor (STM2457) on CD4+ T‐cell characteristics including proliferation, cell cycle, cell apoptosis and effector differentiation were determined after stimulation of polyclonal and alloantigen‐specific (TEa; CD4+ T cells specific for I‐Eα52‐68) CD4+ T cells with α‐CD3/α‐CD28 monoclonal antibodies and cognate CB6F1 alloantigen, respectively. We found that graft‐infiltrating CD4+ T cells expressed high m6A levels. Administration of STM2457 reduced m6A levels, inhibited T‐cell proliferation and suppressed effector differentiation of polyclonal CD4+ T cells. Alloreactive TEa cells challenged with 40 μm STM2457 exhibited deficits in T‐cell proliferation and T helper type 1 cell differentiation, a cell cycle arrest in the G0 phase and elevated cell apoptosis. Moreover, these impaired T‐cell responses were associated with the diminished expression levels of transcription factors Ki‐67, c‐Myc and T‐bet. Therefore, METTL3 inhibition reduces the expression of several key transcriptional factors for the T‐cell effector program and suppresses alloreactive CD4+ T‐cell effector function and differentiation. Targeting m6A‐related enzymes and molecular machinery in CD4+ T cells represents an attractive therapeutic approach to prevent allograft rejection.
Concussion Public Policy in Elementary and High Schools in Ontario, Canada: A Cross‐Sectional Survey to Examine Implementation Compliance, Barriers, and Facilitators
Authors: Mylabathula Swapna , Macarthur Colin , Mylabathula Sandhya , Colantonio Angela , Guttmann Astrid , Tator Charles H. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundConcussion public policies have been developed to address the burden of concussions. The aim of the present study was to examine implementation compliance, barriers, and facilitators of Canada's first concussion public policy, Ontario's Policy/Program Memorandum 158: School Board Policies on Concussion (PPM158).MethodsAn electronic survey was sent to 515 randomly selected elementary and high school principals across specific geographic, language, and publicly funded school types in Ontario. Data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods.ResultsOne hundred and thirty‐five principals responded to the survey (26%). Concussion education was provided to teachers in 81% of schools, to students in 83%, and coaches in 79%. Additionally, 89% reported having a return‐to‐learn protocol in place and 90% reported having a return‐to‐play protocol. Implementation barriers included difficulties in providing concussion education to parents (42%), obtaining notes from physicians, and maintaining the volume of documentation. Eighty‐seven percent of respondents believed that PPM158 improves student well‐being.ConclusionsIdentified implementation barriers and facilitators can inform concussion policy practices to improve student well‐being. We recommend: (1) an appointed concussion policy lead at each school, (2) electronic documentation, (3) determining the optimal education format to improve parent/guardian education, (4) fostering relationships between schools and health care professionals, and (5) student concussion education in every grade in Ontario schools.
Caries, periodontitis and tooth loss after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A systematic review
Authors: van Gennip Lucky L. A. , Bulthuis Marjolein S. , Blijlevens Nicole M. A. , Huysmans Marie‐Charlotte D. N. J. M. , van Leeuwen Stephanie J. M. , Thomas Renske Z. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractObjectiveA systematic review was conducted to assess scientific knowledge concerning the effect of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on the occurrence of caries, periodontal conditions and tooth loss, and to evaluate the prevalence of these diseases in adult HSCT survivors (PROSPERO 152906).MethodsPubMed and Embase were searched for papers, published from January 2000 until November 2020 without language restriction, assessing prevalence, incidence or parameters of caries, periodontal conditions and tooth loss in HSCT recipients (≥80% transplanted in adulthood). Bias risk was assessed with checklists from Joanna Briggs Institute, and data synthesis was performed by narrative summary.ResultsEighteen papers were included (1618 subjects). Half were considered at high risk of bias. Longitudinal studies did not show caries progression, decline in periodontal health or tooth loss after HSCT. The prevalence in HSCT survivors ranged from 19% to 43% for caries, 11% to 67% for periodontitis, and 2% to 5% for edentulism. Certainty in the body of evidence was very low.ConclusionsHaematopoietic stem cell transplantation, on the short term, may have little to no effect on caries, periodontal conditions and tooth loss. Caries and periodontitis may be more common in HSCT survivors compared with the general population, whereas edentulism may be comparable. However, the evidence for all conclusions is very uncertain.
Could Light‐Based Technologies Improve Stem Cell Therapy for Skin Wounds? A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Preclinical Studies†
Authors: Yoshimura Tania M. , Cabral Fernanda V. , Sellera Fábio P. , Pozzo Lorena , Ribeiro Martha S. 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTSeveral diseases or conditions cause dermatological disorders that hinder the process of skin repair. The search for novel technologies has inspired the combination of stem cell (SC) and light‐based therapies to ameliorate skin wound repair. Herein, we systematically revised the impact of photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) combined with SCs in animal models of skin wounds and quantitatively evaluated this effect through a meta‐analysis. For inclusion, SCs should be irradiated in vitro or in vivo, before or after being implanted in animals, respectively. The search resulted in nine eligible articles, which were assessed for risk of bias. For the meta‐analysis, studies were included only when PBM was applied in vivo, five regarding wound closure, and three to wound strength. Overall, a positive influence of SC + PBM on wound closure (mean difference: 9.69; 95% CI: 5.78–13.61, P < 0.00001) and strength (standardized mean difference: 1.7, 95% CI: 0.68–2.72, P = 0.001) was detected, although studies have shown moderate to high heterogeneity and a lack of information regarding some bias domains. Altogether, PBM seems to be an enabling technology able to be applied postimplantation of SCs for cutaneous regeneration. Our findings may guide future laboratory and clinical studies in hopes of offering wound care patients a better quality of life.
Effect of Different Inlet/Outlet Port Configurations on the Thermal Management of Prismatic Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Singh Gurjeet , Wu Hongwei 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The performance and life cycle of Li-ion batteries are governed by the maximum temperature and uniformity of temperature distribution in the battery pack, and an efficient thermal management system is highly desired to keep the operating temperature of the battery pack within safe operating limits. Air cooling has received extensive attention in the area of battery thermal management. However, performance intensification of air-cooling modules is essential while keeping the simplicity of design to satisfy the weight and space constraints of electric vehicle (EV) applications. In the current work, efforts have been made to design a simple and generalized air-cooling module for efficient thermal management of Li-ion batteries. The current work explored the effect of two common air flow configurations: side inlet and side outlet (SS) and side inlet and front outlet (SF), with different number of inlet/outlet ports (single inlet and single outlet, single inlet and two outlets, two inlets and single outlet, and two inlets and two outlets) on the thermal and hydraulic performance of Li-ion battery pack. Subsequently, a new design of battery module with an open outlet port is proposed. It is observed that the way fluid leaves the cooling module significantly influences the flow and temperature distribution uniformity of the battery pack. Significant improvement in the fluid flow distribution and lower temperature fluctuation are maintained by the SF designs as compared to the SS designs. Among all SS designs, only SS-Ib at Vin ≥ 5.6 m/s and SS-IV at Vin ≥ 4.8 m/s are found suitable for the thermal management of Li-ion battery pack, whereas all SF designs maintained desired Tmax and ΔTmax conditions at Vin ≥ 4.8 m/s. Furthermore, the new design (SF-V) with an open outlet results in the reduction of Tmax by 7 °C and ΔTmax by 64.5% as compared to base design (SS-Ia) at the same pressure drop penalty.