bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technetium‐99 m‐sestamibi single‐photon emission computerised tomography (CT)/CT in the prediction of malignant versus benign small renal masses
Authors: Viswambaram Pravin , Swarbrick Nicole , Picardo Alarick , Hohnen Andrew , Pham Kevin , Macdonald William , Hayne Dickon , Hamid Akhlil 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivesTo determine the effectiveness of technetium‐99m (99mTc)‐sestamibi single‐photon emission computerised tomography/computerised tomography (SPECT/CT) in distinguishing between malignant and benign renal lesions.Patients and MethodsBetween June 2018 and October 2020 all patients with new indeterminate small renal masses (SRMs) underwent 99mTc‐sestamibi renal SPECT/CT before biopsy or surgery. The accuracy of 99mTc‐sestamibi imaging diagnoses was assessed against histopathology. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the optimum cut‐off for the tumour:normal uptake ratio. Logistic regression was used to determine if quantitative analysis significantly added to visual interpretation alone.ResultsA total of 74 patients with SRMs were investigated with 99mTc‐sestamibi SPECT/CT. The SPECT/CT correctly identified 49 malignant tumours and 11 benign tumours, resulting in a sensitivity of 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77–0.95) and a specificity of 0.73 (95% CI 0.45–0.91). The ROC analysis of uptake ratios demonstrated that a tumour:normal uptake ratio of 0.41 provided optimal diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity 0.81, specificity 0.88, area under the curve 0.883 [95% CI 0.794–0.971]). The uptake ratio was also highly significant in excluding malignancy on univariate logistic regression analysis whereby the higher the uptake ratio, the lower the chances were for malignancy (odds ratio 0.009, 95% CI 0.001–0.118, P < 0.001). However, this did not improve diagnostic accuracy when compared to visual interpretation alone.Conclusion99mTc‐sestamibi SPECT/CT is a non‐invasive technique with good accuracy in determining if a SRM is benign or malignant.
Cholecystokinin promotes functional expression of the aquaglycerol channel aquaporin 7 in adipocytes
Authors: Plaza Adrian , Merino Beatriz , Ruiz‐Gayo Mariano 
Published: April 2022

Background and PurposeCholecystokinin (CCK) promotes triglyceride storage and adiponectin production in white adipose tissue (WAT), suggesting that CCK modulates WAT homeostasis. Our goal was to investigate the role of CCK in regulating the expression and function of the aquaglycerol channel aquaporin 7 (AQP7), a protein that is pivotal for maintaining adipocyte homeostasis and preserving insulin responsiveness.Experimental ApproachThe effect of the bioactive fragment of CCK, CCK‐8, in regulating adipose AQP7 expression and glycerol efflux was assessed in rats as well as in preadipocytes. Moreover, the involvement of insulin receptors in the effects of CCK‐8 was characterized in preadipocytes lacking insulin receptors.Key ResultsCCK‐8 induced AQP7 gene expression in rat WAT, concomitantly increasing plasma glycerol concentration. In isolated preadipocytes, CCK‐8 also enhanced both AQP7 expression and glycerol leakage. The effects of CCK‐8 were independent of the lipolysis rate, as CCK‐8 failed to promote fatty acid release by adipocytes. In addition, CCK‐8 did not enhance hormone sensitive lipase phosphorylation, which is the rate‐limiting step of lipolysis. Moreover, the effects of CCK‐8 were dependent on the activation of protein kinase B and PPARγ. Silencing insulin receptor expression inhibited CCK‐8‐induced Aqp7 expression in preadipocytes. Furthermore, insulin enhanced the effect of CCK‐8.Conclusions and ImplicationsCCK regulates AQP7 expression and function, and this effect is dependent on insulin. Accordingly, CCK receptor agonists could be suitable for preserving and improving insulin responsiveness in WAT.
Cardioprotective actions of nitroxyl donor Angeli's salt are preserved in the diabetic heart and vasculature in the face of nitric oxide resistance
Authors: Velagic Anida , Li Jasmin Chendi , Qin Cheng Xue , Li Mandy , Deo Minh , Marshall Sarah A. , Anderson Dovile , Woodman Owen L. , Horowitz John D. , Kemp‐Harper Barbara K. , Ritchie Rebecca H. 
Published: April 2022

Background and PurposeThe risk of fatal cardiovascular events is increased in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A major contributor to poor prognosis is impaired nitric oxide (NO•) signalling at the level of tissue responsiveness, termed NO• resistance. This study aimed to determine if T2DM promotes NO• resistance in the heart and vasculature and whether tissue responsiveness to nitroxyl (HNO) is affected.Experimental ApproachAt 8 weeks of age, male Sprague–Dawley rats commenced a high‐fat diet. After 2 weeks, the rats received low‐dose streptozotocin (two intraperitoneal injections, 35 mg·kg−1, over two consecutive days) and continued on the same diet. Twelve weeks later, isolated hearts were Langendorff‐perfused to assess responses to the NO• donor diethylamine NONOate (DEA/NO) and the HNO donor Angeli's salt. Isolated mesenteric arteries were utilised to measure vascular responsiveness to the NO• donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and DEA/NO, and the HNO donor Angeli's salt.Key ResultsInotropic, lusitropic and coronary vasodilator responses to DEA/NO were impaired in T2DM hearts, whereas responses to Angeli's salt were preserved or enhanced. Vasorelaxation to Angeli's salt was augmented in T2DM mesenteric arteries, which were hyporesponsive to the relaxant effects of SNP and DEA/NO.Conclusion and ImplicationsThis is the first evidence that inotropic and lusitropic responses are preserved, and NO• resistance in the coronary and mesenteric vasculature is circumvented, by the HNO donor Angeli's salt in T2DM. These findings highlight the cardiovascular therapeutic potential of HNO donors, especially in emergencies such as acute ischaemia or heart failure.
Predicted alteration of vertebrate communities in response to climate‐induced elevational shifts
Authors: de la Fuente Alejandro , Krockenberger Andrew , Hirsch Ben , Cernusak Lucas , Williams Stephen E. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAimClimate change is driving species to migrate to novel areas as current environments become unsuitable. As a result, species distributions have shifted uphill in montane ecosystems globally. Heterogeneous dispersal rates among shifting species could result in complex changes to community assemblages. For example, interspecific differences in dispersal ability could lead to the disruption, or creation, of species interactions and processes within communities, likely amplifying the impact of climate change on ecosystems. Here, we studied the dispersal success of vertebrate species in a tropical montane ecosystem under a climate‐induced uphill shift and assessed the derived impacts on community structures.LocationThe Australian Wet Tropics bioregion.MethodWe simulated the uphill shift of 7613 community assemblages across the elevational gradient using thermal resistance layers for movement analyses. Dispersal success was calculated as the probability of shifting given species’ dispersal ability and landscape composition. We then used dissimilarity indices to measure the potential changes in community structures resulting from the heterogeneous dispersal success among migrating species.ResultsDispersal success was strongly influenced by species’ dispersal ability, landscape composition and climate change. The heterogeneous dispersal success among migrating species induced marked temporal changes between community assemblages along the elevational gradient. The local extinction rate (i.e. the proportion of species unable to shift) was especially remarkable at high elevations, suggesting potential mass local extinctions of upland species. Furthermore, the increasing local extinction rate with elevation resulted in substantial declines in species co‐occurrence in high‐altitude ecosystems.Main conclusionsOur study highlights the escalating impact of climate change on community assemblages in response to climate‐induced elevational shifts, providing a classic example of the "escalator to extinction." Future predictions of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems will benefit from improvements in understanding species interactions, population dynamics and species potential to adapt to a changing environment.
Walking speed and patient‐reported outcomes in young adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: MacCarthy Matthew , Heyn Patricia , Tagawa Alex , Carollo James 
Published: April 2022

AimTo examine the relationship between quantitative gait measurements and self‐reported physical, psychological, cognitive, and social function status in young adults with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodSeventy‐two adults with CP (range 18–48y; median age 23y [interquartile range 21–27y]; 34 males, 38 females), in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to IV, who previously underwent an instrumented gait analysis (IGA) at our center as children were recruited. Participants underwent a repeated IGA. National Institutes of Health Patient‐Reported Outcomes Information System (PROMIS) instruments including the PROMIS‐57, Applied Cognition – General Concerns (Short Form), and Applied Cognition – Executive Function (Short Form) were administered. Data derived from current and prior IGA were compared via non‐parametric correlation analysis with PROMIS subscores.ResultsSubscores for anxiety, depression, sleep, and fatigue did not significantly correlate with any IGA data. Walking speed, adjusted for stature, correlated strongly with multiple subscores: physical function (p<0.001, rs=0.708); participation in social roles (p=0.007, rs=0.319); executive function (p=0.005, rs=0.335). Pain interference correlated with longitudinal change in adjusted walking speed (p=0.032, rs=–0.259). The Applied Cognition – General Concerns (Short Form) correlated with prior absolute walking speed, but not adjusted values.InterpretationThis study underscores the importance of walking speed and its association with a variety of functional domains in adults with CP.What this paper adds

Patient‐Reported Outcomes Information System measures provide useful clinical data in young adults with cerebral palsy.
Temporospatial gait parameters have wide‐reaching functional influence in this population.
Walking speed is strongly correlated with physical, social, and executive function.
Are we ready to implement resist–accept–direct framework thinking? A case study of fish stocks and small‐scale fisheries in the Puck Bay (Southern Baltic)
Authors: Psuty Iwona 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe Puck Bay socioecological system is covered by many management plans, most of which are embedded in a paradigm of resistance to ecosystem change. However, it is highly probable that this system has already passed the tipping point, in terms of both the availability of fish stocks and small‐scale fishery function in coastal communities. The current scheme excludes the listing of alternative management options, as it rejects those that have not been agreed upon. Societal feasibility has been a barrier to many of these rejected solutions. Another problem is the low level of coordination between the plans and the varying ability to implement them, which depends on the funding source. Recognising that the ecosystem is in transition and may not be controllable, managers can apply the resist–accept–direct (RAD) framework to make more informed decisions and better prepare for the future.
Low carbon availability in paleosols nonlinearly attenuates temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition
Authors: Su Jiao , Zhang Haiyang , Han Xingguo , Peñuelas Josep , Filimonenko Ekaterina , Jiang Yong , Kuzyakov Yakov , Wei Cunzheng 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTemperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition is an important parameter in models of the global carbon (C) cycle. Previous studies have suggested that substrate quality controls the intrinsic Q10, whereas environmental factors can impose large constraints. For example, physical protection of SOM and its association with minerals attenuate the apparent Q10 through reducing substrate availability and accessibility ([S]). The magnitude of this dampening effect, however, has never been quantified. We simulated theoretical Q10 changes across a wide range of [S] and found that the relationship between Q10 and the log10‐transformed [S] followed a logistic rather than a linear function. Based on the unique Holocene paleosol chronosequence (7 soils from ca. 500 to 6900 years old), we demonstrated that the Q10 decreased nonlinearly with soil age up to 1150 years, beyond which Q10 remained stable. Hierarchical partitioning analysis indicated that an integrated C availability index, derived from principal component analysis of DOC content and parameters reflecting physical protection and mineral association, was the main explanatory variable for the nonlinear decrease of Q10 with soil age. Microbial inoculation and 13C‐labelled glucose addition showed that low C availability induced by physical protection and minerals association attenuated Q10 along the chronosequence. A separate soil incubation experiment indicated that Q10 increased exponentially with activation energy (Ea) in the modern soil, suggesting that SOM chemical complexity regulates Q10 only when C availability is high. In conclusion, organic matter availability strongly decreased with soil age, whereas Michelis–Menten kinetics defines the Q10 response depending on C availability, but Arrhenius equation describes the effects of increasing substrate complexity.
Adaptation to climate change through seasonal migration revealed by climatic versus demographic niche models
Authors: Carbeck Katherine , Wang Tongli , Reid Jane M. , Arcese Peter 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPredicting the geographic range of species and their response to climatic variation and change are entwined goals in conservation and evolutionary ecology. Species distribution models (SDMs) are foundational in this effort and used to visualize the geographic range of species as the spatial representation of its realized niche. SDMs are also used to forecast range shifts under climate change, but often in the absence of empirical evidence that climate limits population growth. We explored the influence of climate on demography, seasonal migration, and the extent of the geographic range in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), a species thought to display marked local adaptation to regional climate. To do so, we developed SDMs to predict the demographic and climate niches of migratory and resident song sparrows across our study area in western North America from California to Alaska, using 48 years of demographic data from a focal population in British Columbia and 1.2 million continental‐scale citizen science observations. Spatial agreement of our demographic and climate niche models in the region of our focal population was strong (76%), supporting the hypothesis that demographic performance and the occurrence of seasonal migration varied predictably with climatic conditions. In contrast, agreement at the northern (58%) and southern (40%) extents of our study area was lower, as expected if the factors limiting population growth vary regionally. Our results support the hypothesis that local climate drives spatial variation in the occurrence of seasonal migration in song sparrows by limiting the fitness of year‐round residents, and suggest that climate warming has favored range expansions and facilitated an upward shift in elevational range song sparrows that forgo seasonal migration. Our work highlights the potential role of seasonal migration in climate adaptation and limits on the reliability of climate niche models not validated with demographic data.
Albumin/fibrinogen ratio, an independent risk factor for postoperative delirium after total joint arthroplasty
Authors: Jiang Liuying , Lei Gaofeng 
Published: April 2022

AimPostoperative delirium (POD) is a very common and serious complication after total joint arthroplasty (TJA), which is closely associated with many adverse consequences and a poor prognosis. This study aimed to establish the potential risk factors for POD.MethodsIn total, 336 patients who underwent elective TJA under general anesthesia between 2018 and 2021 were included and deemed eligible for inclusion. POD was diagnosed based on the criteria by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM V). The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate the predictive and cut‐off values of continuous variables for POD. Potential risk factors for POD were evaluated by binary univariate and multivariate analysis with the “Enter” method.ResultsAccording to the criteria by DSM V, 43 patients were categorized into the POD group, with an incidence of 12.8% (43 of 336). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that albumin/fibrinogen ratio (AFR) was a good predictor for POD with an area under the curve of 0.754, cut‐off value of 9.65, sensitivity of 57.00% and specificity of 83.72% (P <0.001). A low preoperative AFR level (<9.65) was determined as the only independent risk factor for POD by the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 2.01–2.94, P = 0.008).ConclusionsOur results indicate that a low AFR is an independent risk factor for POD in elderly subjects after TJA. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 412–417.
THE SAME WORLD FOR ALL OF US
Authors: Gilbert Bennett 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTWhile much of Donald Bloxham's History and Morality is devoted to analyzing the evaluative processes of historians, Bloxham develops and relies on two strong philosophical concepts. The first is his claim that context must be understood as causality because a historical context is one of the causes of actions. Bloxham uses this to argue that historians must ascribe responsibility to past actors rather than blame their cultures. A wide critique of moral relativism emerges from this principle. The second is a distinction between a type of account that explains past events or entities in terms of their internal, unified natures and a type that understands them in terms of their relations to the rest of their world. Here, Bloxham's great concern is the isolation of forces from one another that helps to put them into conflict. The twentieth‐century nation‐state is the most important example of this. The “internalist” approach was part of what led to the Holocaust, to which Bloxham has dedicated most of his scholarly life. These two concepts anchor and justify historians in morally evaluating the decisions and deeds they study. But these ideas also point to deeper and more fully philosophical conceptions supporting moral evaluation that historians should practice in an exemplary way and that link historical consciousness to the chief issues of moral philosophy.
High level of FHL2 exacerbates the outcome of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and the malignant phenotype in NSCLC cells
Authors: Li Na , Xu Ling , Zhang Ji , Liu Yongyu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNon‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a malignant tumour with high mortality. FHL2 has been identified as a biomarker of lung cancer. This research explored the effects of FHL2 expression on NSCLC. NSCLC‐associated data sets were collected from the assistant for clinical bioinformatics and TCGA databases respectively. The association between FHL2 and clinical characteristics, the prognostic significance of FHL2 and the influences of various variables on NSCLC were determined by Pearson's chi‐squared test, the Kaplan–Meier curve and the Cox regression model respectively. FHL2 level was altered by cell transfection and was measured by qRT‐PCR. Tumour xenograft formation was completed by inoculating sh‐FHL2/pcDNA‐FHL2 transfected cells into BALB/c nude mice. Protein expression was assessed by western blot. Cell apoptosis, proliferation and epithelial ‐ mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics were evaluated employing TUNEL, BrdU+ and microscopic observation respectively. The expression of Ki67 and N‐cadherin was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that FHL2 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues. Patients with high FHL2 expression experienced lower overall survival probability. FHL2 knockdown promoted apoptosis, but inhibited EMT of A549 and NCI‐H460 cells, which was verified by the increased ratios of cleaved caspase 9/caspase 9 and cleaved caspase 3/caspase 3, as well as augmented E‐cadherin and reduced N‐cadherin. In an in vivo assay FHL2 knockdown decreased tumour volume and weight, repressed EMT, but enhanced apoptosis. FHL2 upregulation showed the opposite effects of FHL2 knockdown. Furthermore, FHL2 upregulation facilitated cell proliferation both in in vitro and in vivo assays. These outcomes indicated that high level of FHL2 facilitated tumorigenesis, as well as the proliferation and EMT of NSCLC cells.
Non‐damage deep etching of SiC by hybrid laser‐high temperature chemical processing
Authors: Wang Xi , Han Bing , Ehrhardt Martin , Zhang Fengyun , Wang Jin , Wang Pingping , Monka Peter Pavol , Sun Shufeng 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSiC is considered as preferred material for micro‐electro‐mechanical system in the future. The excellent mechanical property and chemical stability make it difficult to perform deep etching. The hybrid laser‐high temperature chemical etching is investigated to realize non‐damage deep etching of SiC. The influences of defocus, laser pulse interval, laser intensity, and pulse number on etching depth are researched. The optimized laser parameter for SiC non‐damage deep etching is laser intensity of 10 × 109 W/cm2 with a pulse interval of 10 ms. In order to analyze the interaction mechanism, the temperature field and laser‐induced liquid jet in the liquid environment are calculated numerically. It is concluded that the material removal mechanism consists of laser heating vaporization during laser pulse, mechanical effect of laser‐induced liquid jet impact between two adjacent laser pulses and chemical etching in laser‐induced local high‐temperature environment. The chemical reaction between SiC and mixture of HF, and HNO3 solution produces gases and fluosilicic acid and effectively reduces the roughness of the modified layer making the surface smoother, and also removes the microcracks on the side wall of the etched region.
Giardia lamblia regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines through activating the NOD2–Rip2–ROS signaling pathway in mouse macrophages
Authors: Zhang Xu , Li Xin , Yu Yanhui , Zhang Xichen , Wang Xiaocen , Zhang Nan , Chen Mengge , Gong Pengtao , Li Jianhua 
Published: April 2022

AbstractGiardia lamblia is a zoonotic protozoan that causes the diarrheal illness giardiasis, with the highest prevalence reported in the tropics and subtropics. Giardia is currently the most frequently identified pathogen in waterborne outbreaks in the United States. Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD) 1 and NOD2, intracellular NOD‐like receptors, recognize pathogens to induce proinflammatory and antimicrobial responses. However, the roles of NOD1 and NOD2 signaling in Giardia infection have not yet been investigated. In the present study, the activation of NOD1 and NOD2 signaling pathways and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide in mouse macrophages stimulated with G. lamblia or parasite excretory–secretory products (ESPs) were examined. The results showed that G. lamblia and ESPs activated NOD2 and its downstream adaptor protein kinase, Receptor‐interacting protein 2 (Rip2), in mouse macrophages. Blocking NOD2–Rip2 signaling significantly reduced the production of ROS and subsequently decreased the phosphorylation of nuclear factor‐κB p65 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, which in turn inhibited the production of four proinflammatory cytokines, namely, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐12p40 and tumor necrosis factor‐α. In summary, our results indicate that the NOD2–Rip2 signal, which is activated by G. lamblia, contributes to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and ROS in mouse macrophages.