bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EP1 receptor antagonism mitigates early and late stage renal fibrosis
Authors: Kresse Jean‐Claude , Mutsaers Henricus A. M. , Jensen Michael Schou , Tingskov Stine Julie , Madsen Mia Gebauer , Nejsum Lene N. , Prætorius Helle , Nørregaard Rikke 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAimRenal fibrosis is a major driver of chronic kidney disease, yet current treatment strategies are ineffective in attenuating fibrogenesis. The cyclooxygenase/prostaglandin system plays a key role in renal injury and holds great promise as a therapeutic target. Here, we used a translational approach to evaluate the role of the PGE2‐EP1 receptor in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis in several models of kidney injury, including human (fibrotic) kidney slices.MethodsThe anti‐fibrotic efficacy of a selective EP1 receptor antagonist (SC‐19220) was studied in mice subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), healthy and fibrotic human precision‐cut kidney slices (PCKS), Madin‐Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells and primary human renal fibroblasts (HRFs). Fibrosis was evaluated on gene and protein level using qPCR, western blot and immunostaining.ResultsEP1 receptor inhibition diminished fibrosis in UUO mice, illustrated by a decreased protein expression of fibronectin (FN) and α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and a reduction in collagen deposition. Moreover, treatment of healthy human PCKS with SC‐19220 reduced TGF‐β‐induced fibrosis as shown by decreased expression of collagen 1A1, FN and αSMA as well as reduced collagen deposition. Similar observations were made using fibrotic human PCKS. In addition, SC‐19220 reduced TGF‐β‐induced FN expression in MDCK cells and HRFs.ConclusionThis study highlights the EP1 receptor as a promising target for preventing both the onset and late stage of renal fibrosis. Moreover, we provide strong evidence that the effect of SC‐19220 may translate to clinical care since its effects were observed in UUO mice, cells and human kidney slices.
A new phenotype of syndromic retinitis pigmentosa with myopathy is caused by mutations in retinol dehydrogenase 11
Authors: Liu Yi‐Dan , Huang Shu‐Shu , Li Mei , Lek Monkol , Song Dan‐Yu , Tan Dan‐Dan , Chen Xiao‐Yu , Zhang Hong , Liu Jie‐Yu , Chang Xing‐Zhi , Xiong Hui 
Published: January 2022

AbstractRetinol dehydrogenase 11 (RDH11) is an 11‐cis‐retinol dehydrogenase that has a well‐characterized, albeit auxiliary role in the retinoid cycle. Diseases caused by mutations in the RDH11 gene are very rare, and only one affected family with eye and intelligence involvement has been reported. In the present study, we describe the clinical and genetic findings in a Chinese patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), juvenile cataracts, intellectual disability, and myopathy. Trio‐based whole‐exome sequencing and whole genomic copy number variation detection were performed in this family, and compound heterozygous mutations were identified in RDH11 of the patient: c.938T>C (p.Leu313Pro) derived from the father and c.75‐3C>A derived from the mother. Variant c.75‐3C>A was confirmed to be a splice‐site mutation by cDNA sequencing. It caused exon 2 skipping, resulting in a frameshift mutation and premature translation termination (p.Lys26Serfs*38). Moreover, we found mislocalization of RDH11 protein in muscle cells of the patient by using immunofluorescence staining. This is the first case reported in the Chinese population harboring mutations in RDH11 and revealing a new phenotype of syndromic RP with myopathy.
A Stereo Matching Algorithm for High‐Precision Guidance in a Weakly Textured Industrial Robot Environment Dominated by Planar Facets
Authors: Wei Hui , Meng Lingjiang 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAlthough many algorithms perform very well on certain datasets, existing stereo matching algorithms still fail to obtain ideal disparity images with high precision in practical robotic applications with weak or untextured objects. This greatly limits the application of binocular vision for robotic arm guidance. Traditional stereo matching algorithms suffer from disparity loss, dilation and other problems, and deep learning algorithms have weakly generalization ability, making high‐accuracy results impossible with non‐training images. We propose an algorithm that uses segments and edges as matching units. We find the mapping relationship between two‐dimensional images and three‐dimensional scenes using segments. The algorithm obtains highly accurate results in industrial robotic applications with mainly planar facets. We combine it with a deep learning algorithm to obtain very good high‐accuracy results in both general scenes and applications of industrial robots. The algorithm effectively improves the non‐linear optimization ability of traditional algorithms and generalization ability of deep learning, and provides an effective method for the binocular vision guidance of industrial robotic scenes. We used the algorithm to guide the robot arm for threading with a success rate of 70%.
Augmenting Digital Sheet Music through Visual Analytics
Authors: Miller Matthias , Fürst Daniel , Hauptmann Hanna , Keim Daniel A. , El‐Assady Mennatallah 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMusic analysis tasks, such as structure identification and modulation detection, are tedious when performed manually due to the complexity of the common music notation (CMN). Fully automated analysis instead misses human intuition about relevance. Existing approaches use abstract data‐driven visualizations to assist music analysis but lack a suitable connection to the CMN. Therefore, music analysts often prefer to remain in their familiar context. Our approach enhances the traditional analysis workflow by complementing CMN with interactive visualization entities as minimally intrusive augmentations. Gradual step‐wise transitions empower analysts to retrace and comprehend the relationship between the CMN and abstract data representations. We leverage glyph‐based visualizations for harmony, rhythm and melody to demonstrate our technique's applicability. Design‐driven visual query filters enable analysts to investigate statistical and semantic patterns on various abstraction levels. We conducted pair analytics sessions with 16 participants of different proficiency levels to gather qualitative feedback about the intuitiveness, traceability and understandability of our approach. The results show that MusicVis supports music analysts in getting new insights about feature characteristics while increasing their engagement and willingness to explore.
Improving protected area effectiveness through consideration of different human‐pressure baselines
Authors: Feng Chun‐Ting , Cao Ming , Liu Fang‐Zheng , Zhou Yue , Du Jin‐Hong , Zhang Li‐Bo , Huang Wen‐Jie , Luo Jian‐Wu , Li Jun‐Sheng , Wang Wei 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPrevious assessments of the effectiveness of protected areas (PAs) focused primarily on changes in human pressure over time and did not consider the different human‐pressure baselines of PAs, thereby potentially over‐ or underestimating PA effectiveness. We developed a framework that considers both human‐pressure baseline and change in human pressure over time and assessed the effectiveness of 338 PAs in China from 2010 to 2020. The initial state of human pressure on PAs was taken as the baseline, and changes in human pressure index (HPI) were further analyzed under different baselines. We used the random forest models to identify the management measures that most improved effectiveness in resisting human pressure for the PAs with different baselines. Finally, the relationships between the changes in the HPI and the changes in natural ecosystems in PAs were analyzed with different baselines. Of PAs with low HPI baselines, medium HPI baselines, and high HPI baselines, 76.92% (n=150), 11.11% (n=12), and 22.86% (n=8) , respectively, showed positive effects in resisting human pressure. Overall, ignoring human‐pressure baselines somewhat underestimated the positive effects of PAs, especially for those with low initial human pressure. For PAs with different initial human pressures, different management measures should be taken to improve effectiveness and reduce threats to natural ecosystems. We believe our framework is useful for assessing the effectiveness of PAs globally, and we recommend it be included in the Convention on Biological Diversity Post‐2020 Strategy.
Polypharmacy influences the renal composite outcome in patients treated with sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuo , Toyoda Masao , Hatori Nobuo , Furuki Takayuki , Sakai Hiroyuki , Hatori Yutaka , Sato Kazuyoshi , Miyakawa Masaaki , Tamura Kouichi , Kanamori Akira 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPolypharmacy is a serious concern in general practice, especially among elder patients; however, the evidence showing significantly poor renal outcomes is not sufficient. This survey was performed to evaluate the effect of polypharmacy on the incidence of the renal composite outcome among a sample of patients with sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) treatment. We assessed 624 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease who received SGLT2i treatment for greater than 1 year. The patients were classified as those with concomitant treatment, that was limited to the medications for hypertension, T2DM, and dyslipidemia, with greater than or equal to seven medications (n = 110) and those with less than seven medications (n = 514). Evaluation of the renal composite outcome was performed by propensity score matching and stratification into quintiles. A subgroup analysis of patients of greater than or equal to 62 years of age and less than 62 years of age was also performed. The incidence of the renal composite outcome was larger in patients with greater than or equal to seven medications than in those with less than seven medications in the propensity score‐matched cohort model (6% vs. 17%, respectively, p = 0.007) and also in the quintile‐stratified analysis (odds ratio [OR], 2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI, 1.21–4.12, p = 0.01). The quintile‐stratified analysis of patients of less than 62 years of age—but not those of greater than or equal to 62 years of age—also showed a significant difference (OR, 3.29, 95% CI, 1.41–7.69, p = 0.006). Polypharmacy appears to be associated to the incidence of the renal composite outcome, especially in young patients.
The ‘wounded soul’: What alcoholism means to participants of a women‐only Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Antunes de Campos Edemilson , Narchi Nadia Z. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIntroductionFemale alcoholism is a public health problem for which membership in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups is an effective treatment. As AA is predominantly attended by men in Brazil, the aim of this article is to understand the meaning of this problem and the experience of AA meetings for women.MethodsA qualitative ethnographic study was conducted between August and September 2019 and included 15 participants of a women‐only AA meeting in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected by means of direct participant observation, records in field diaries, ethnographic interviews and records of experience sharing between the women during the AA meetings.ResultsAn intelligible, interpretative and comprehensive synthesis of the data collected resulted in two categories: ‘Alcohol, Alcoholism and Gender’ and ‘What AA means to women’. The first category allowed alcoholism to be analysed as a disease associated with gender asymmetries. The second category permitted an assessment to be made of how women‐only AA meetings served to provide alcoholic women with a safe and morally privileged place in which they could share their experiences and treat their addiction.Discussion and ConclusionsAlcoholism in women is marked by social stigma, making it difficult to find women willing to share their experiences and participate in qualitative research on this important issue in public health. In these women‐only meetings, they shared their experiences, and alcoholism is referred to as a ‘wounded soul’ that causes deep anguish often experienced in the isolation of their own homes.
Saudi foreign policy doctrine post‐2011: The Iranian factor and balance of threat
Authors: Erdogan Ayfer 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSince 2011, Saudi foreign policy has shifted from its traditional position of self‐restraint and reliance on soft power to an assertive and adventurous one that prioritizes expanding security alliances and use of force. Particularly, after the advent of King Salman to power, the Kingdom experienced various turning points in its foreign policymaking such as its pursuit of increased military engagement in the post‐Arab Spring countries, its normalization of relations with Israel and adopting a new armament program. This unusual shift in the Saudi foreign policymaking inevitably raises the question: “What led Riyadh to adopt policies that completely broke away from its traditional position?.” A closer look at the recent developments unfolding in the region since the Arab uprisings reveals that the Saudi foreign policy decisions are primarily guided by its perceived threat from Iran. Against this backdrop, this article first investigates why Saudi Arabia views Iran as the biggest threat to its survival. Second, it analyzes the new Saudi foreign policy orientation and its implications in light of balance of threat theory. Finally, the article looks into how the change in the US administration and the end of unconditional US support to Saudi Arabia influenced the Kingdom's discourse and tone vis a vis Iran. The article mainly proposes that Saudi Arabia's increasing threat perception from Iran sheds light on the Kingdom's reasoning and motivation behind its more proactive and assertive policies while the Kingdom's discourse and policymaking is heavily restricted by the ambivalence in the US posture in the Middle East and particularly its stance toward Riyadh's policies.
The evolving impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on gender inequality in the US labor market: The COVID motherhood penalty
Authors: Couch Kenneth A. , Fairlie Robert W. , Xu Huanan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe explore whether COVID‐19 disproportionately affected women in the labor market using Current Population Survey data through the end of 2020. We find that male–female gaps in the employment‐to‐population ratio and hours worked for women with school‐age children have widened but not for those with younger children. Triple‐difference estimates are consistent with most of the reductions observed for women with school‐age children being attributable to additional childcare responsibilities (the “COVID motherhood penalty”). Conducting decompositions, we find women had a greater likelihood to telework, higher education levels and a less‐impacted occupational distribution, which all contributed to lessening negative impacts relative to men.
Short‐term international dental experiences in undergraduate dental students at an Australian university
Authors: Chen Wei‐Yi , Cheng An‐Lun , La Natalie , Shetty Sowmya 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIntroductionLearning through international experience has been well documented in USA literature, yet not well explored in Australia. The aim of this study is to understand Australian dental students' experiences and perceptions of international dental experience by: (i) capturing past participation; (ii) identifying potential interests for participants who have not been on a trip and (iii) ascertaining perceived benefits of the trip/s.Materials and MethodsA 19 question paper survey was distributed to 310 eligible undergraduate dental students of The University of Queensland (UQ). An online counterpart survey was created via Google Forms and promoted on relevant Facebook groups targeted at current dental students of UQ.ResultsA total of 203 of the 310 eligible UQ undergraduate dental students responded to the distributed paper and electronic surveys making the response rate 65.5%. A total of 13 undergraduate respondents participated in an international experience trip. The majority of respondents who had not participated in an international dental experience trip were interested in participating in one. Education (84.6%) and improved dental skills (84.6%) were the most reported perceived benefits by the students who had participated in an international dental experience.ConclusionA majority of respondents were interested in participating in international dental experiences. Despite this, only 1 in 15 respondents had participated in an international dental experience. Further exploration of this concept is needed; however, dental schools within Australia could potentially explore integration of international short‐term dental experiences into formal curricula in the future.
European student wellness, stress, coping, support and perceptions about remote dental training during COVID‐19
Authors: Aleksejuniene Jolanta , Hysi Dorjan , Nikolovovska Julijana , Stangvaltaite‐Mouhat Lina , Chałas Renata , Oancea Roxana , Richardas Kubilius , Lipski Mariusz , Sarna‐Boś Katarzyna , Puriene Alina 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare wellness, stress, ability to cope, social support and perceptions about remote training amongst European dental students during COVID‐19.Methods1795 undergraduate dental students from six countries and eight dental schools participated. The anonymous survey collected data about different aspects in each of the following domains: wellness, stress, ability to cope, social support and perceptions about remote training. Complex multi‐item scales were used for all domains.ResultsThere were differences amongst countries in all the domains. Overall, student stress scores were lower than either their coping or support scores. The highest wellness score (mean ±sd) was observed in Romania: 62.5% ± 11.2% whilst the highest mean stress scores were observed in Albania: 46.3% ± 11.7% and Lithuania: 42.2% ± 13.8%. Overall, student stress and coping ability scores were lower and their support scores higher. About 10% of students did not have any support. In the linear multivariable regression analysis, significant predictors of wellness were being female (β = 0.073), not being in a graduating year (β = 0.059), having less stress (β = 0.222), ability to cope (β = 0.223) and having support (β = 0.179). The student positive perceptions about remote training were predicted by less stress (β = 0.080), coping (β = 0.182) and support (β = 0.057).ConclusionsStudents varied in wellness, stress, coping, social support and perceptions of remote training. Also, there were significant differences amongst students from different countries. Coping was the best predictor of both student wellness and their positive perceptions about remote training.
Brain iron deposition and movement disorders in hereditary haemochromatosis without liver failure: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sharma Soumya , Sethi Sean Kumar , Reese David , Gharabaghi Sara , Yerramsetty Kiran Kumar , Palutla Vinay Kumar , Chen Yongsheng , Haacke E. Mark , Jog Mandar S. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackground and purposeHereditary haemochromatosis (HH) is the most common inherited disorder of systemic iron excess in Northern Europeans. Emerging evidence indicates that brain iron overload occurs in HH. Despite this observation, there is a paucity of literature regarding central neurological manifestations, in particular movement disorders, in HH. The current study documents deep gray matter (DGM) nuclei iron deposition, movement disorders, and clinicoradiological correlations in HH without liver failure.MethodsThis is a cross‐sectional study. Consecutive subjects with HFE‐haemochromatosis without liver disease were recruited from an outpatient gastroenterology clinic. Age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Iron content in individual DGM nuclei was measured as mean susceptibility on magnetic resonance imaging using quantitative susceptibility mapping‐based regions of interest analysis. Occurrence and phenotype of movement disorders were documented and correlated with patterns of DGM nuclei iron deposition in subjects with HH.ResultsFifty‐two subjects with HH and 47 HCs were recruited. High magnetic susceptibility was demonstrated in several DGM nuclei in all HH subjects compared to HCs. Thirty‐five subjects with HH had movement disorders. Magnetic susceptibility in specific DGM nuclei correlated with individual movement disorder phenotypes. Serum ferritin, phlebotomy frequency, and duration were poor predictors of brain iron deposition.ConclusionsAbnormal brain iron deposition can be demonstrated on imaging in all subjects with HH without liver failure. A significant proportion of these subjects manifest movement disorders. Peripheral iron measurements appear not to correlate with brain iron deposition. Therefore, routine neurological examination and quantitative brain iron imaging are recommended in all subjects with HH.
Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I‐745 supplementation modifies the fecal resistome during Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy
Authors: Cifuentes Sara Gabriela , Prado María Belén , Fornasini Marco , Cohen Henry , Baldeón Manuel Eduardo , Cárdenas Paúl Andrés 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe gut microbiota is a significant reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). The use and misuse of antimicrobials can select multi‐resistant bacteria and modify the repertoire of ARGs in the gut. Developing effective interventions to manipulate the intestinal resistome would allow us to modify the antimicrobial resistance risk.Materials and MethodsApplying shotgun metagenomics, we compared the composition of fecal resistome from individuals treated with triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori plus Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM‐I 745 (Sb) versus triple antibiotherapy without S. boulardii (control) before, after, and one month after treatments. DNA samples were sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. Reads were trimmed and filtered for quality, and the reads classified as host genome were removed from further analysis. We used the ResFinder database for resistome analysis and the web‐based tool ResistoXplorer and RStudio for graphical representation and statistical analysis.ResultsWe identified 641 unique ARGs in all fecal samples, conferring resistance to 18 classes of antibiotics. The most prevalent ARGs found in at least 90% of the samples before the treatments were against tetracyclines, MLS‐B (macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B), beta‐lactams, and aminoglycosides. Differential abundance analysis allowed the identification of ARGs significantly different between treatment groups. Thus, immediately after the treatments, the abundance of ARGs that confer resistance to lincosamides, tetracyclines, MLS‐B, and two genes in the beta‐lactam class (cfxA2 and cfxA3) was significantly lower in the group that received Sb than in the control group (edgeR, FDR <0.05).ConclusionOur study demonstrated that the addition of S. boulardii CNCM‐I 745 to the conventional antibiotic eradication therapy for H. pylori reduced the abundance of ARGs, particularly those genes that confer resistance to lincosamides, tetracyclines, MLS‐B, and a few genes in the beta‐lactams class.