bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urethral reconstruction for iatrogenic urethral stricture after transurethral prostate surgery: An analysis of surgical and patient‐reported outcomes
Authors: Yagi Kota , Horiguchi Akio , Shinchi Masayuki , Ojima Kenichiro , Hirano Yusuke , Takahashi Eiji , Kimura Fumihiro , Ito Keiichi , Azuma Ryuichi 
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesWe investigated the efficacy of urethral reconstruction in male patients with iatrogenic urethral stricture after transurethral prostate surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the cases of 82 patients who underwent urethral reconstruction for iatrogenic urethral stricture caused by transurethral prostate surgery between August 2011 and July 2021. Patients were followed up postoperatively with uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine measurement, and questionnaires using Peeling's picture score, International Prostate Symptom Score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, Sexual Health Inventory for Men, EuroQol‐5 dimensions, and EuroQol‐5 dimensions visual analog scores. Successful urethral reconstruction was defined as the absence of a postoperative decrease in urinary force and any additional treatment.ResultsThe median patient age was 72 years, and the stricture site was the urethral meatus in eight (9.8%) patients, penoscrotal junction in 42 (51.2%), and proximal bulbar urethra in 26 (31.7%). Six patients (7.3%) had synchronous urethral strictures. Urethral reconstruction was successful in 78 patients (95.1%), with a median follow‐up of 43 months. The mean maximum flow rate (P < 0.0001), postvoid residual urine (P = 0.004), Peeling's picture score (P < 0.0001), the score for each question and total International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score‐quality of life scores (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons), and EuroQol‐5 dimensions and EuroQol‐5 dimensions visual analog scores (P < 0.0001 for both) significantly improved postoperatively. However, the Sexual Health Inventory for Men and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form scores remained unchanged (P = 0.09 and 0.70, respectively).ConclusionsUrethral reconstruction was effective for urethral stricture due to transurethral prostate surgery in both subjective and objective aspects.
The Hox gene Abdominal‐B regulates the appendage development during the embryogenesis of scorpionflies
Authors: Liu Bing‐Peng , Ding Guo , Miao Ying , Hua Bao‐Zhen 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe Homeotic Complex (Hox) genes encode conserved homeodomain transcription factors that specify segment identity and appendage morphology along the antero‐posterior axis in bilaterian animals. The Hox gene Abdominal‐B (Abd‐B) is mainly expressed in the posterior segments of the abdomen and plays an important role in insect organogenesis. In Mecoptera, the potential function of this gene remains unclear yet. Here, we performed a de novo transcriptome assembly and identified an Abd‐B ortholog in the scorpionfly Panorpa liui. Quantitative real‐time reverse transcription PCR showed that Abd‐B expression increased gradually in embryos 76 h post oviposition, and was mainly present in the more posterior abdominal segments. Embryonic RNA interference of Abd‐B resulted in a set of abnormalities, including developmental arrest, malformed suckers and misspecification of posterior segment identity. These results suggest that Abd‐B is required for the proper development of the posterior abdomen. Furthermore, in Abd‐B RNAi embryos, the expression of the appendage marker Distal‐less (Dll) was up‐regulated and was additionally present on abdominal segments IX and X compared with wild embryos, suggesting that scorpionfly Abd‐B may act to suppress proleg development and has gained the ability to repress Dll expression on the more posterior abdominal segments. This study provides additional information on both the functional and evolutionary roles of Abd‐B across different insects.
CD39 pathway inhibits Th1 cell function in tuberculosis
Authors: Luo Ying , Xue Ying , Lin Qun , Tang Guoxing , Song Huijuan , Liu Wei , Mao Liyan , Sun Ziyong , Wang Feng 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe role of CD39 pathway in Th1 cell function in tuberculosis (TB) is rarely elucidated. The present study aims to investigate the modulating mechanism of CD39 pathway during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. CD39 expression was examined on host immune cells among patients with TB. The relationship between CD39 expression and Th1 cell function was analysed. Patients with TB displayed dramatically higher CD39 expression on Th1 cells than healthy controls, and a significantly increased expression of surface markers, including activation, exhaustion and apoptosis markers, were noted in CD39+ Th1 cells in comparison with CD39− Th1 cells. Conversely, CD39 expression on Th1 cells was associated with diminished number of polyfunctional cells producing Th1‐type cytokines, and CD39+ Th1 cells showed obviously lower proliferation potential. Notably, tetramer analysis demonstrated a predominant CD39 expression on TB‐specific CD4+ cells, which was associated with higher apoptosis and lower cytokine‐producing ability. Transcriptome sequencing identified 27 genes that were differentially expressed between CD39+ and CD39− Th1 cells, such as IL32, DUSP4 and RGS1. Inhibition of CD39 pathway could enhance the activation, proliferation and cytokine‐producing ability of Th1 cells. Furthermore, there was a significantly negative correlation between CD39 expression on Th1 cells and nutritional status indicators such as lymphocyte count and albumin levels, and we observed a significant decline in CD39 expression on Th1 cells after anti‐TB treatment. CD39 is predominantly expressed on TB‐specific Th1 cells and correlated with their exhausted function, which suggests that CD39 could serve as a prominent target for TB therapy.
Alternatively activated macrophages at the recipient site improve fat graft retention by promoting angiogenesis and adipogenesis
Authors: Li Ye , Chen Xinyao , Liu Lin , Chen Yunzi , Bi Xin , Chen Yuting , Zou Jialiang , Wang Zijue , Dong Ziqing , Lu Feng 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe inflammatory response mediated by macrophages plays a role in tissue repair. Macrophages preferentially infiltrate the donor site and subsequently, infiltrate the recipient site after fat grafting. This study aimed to trace host‐derived macrophages and to evaluate the effects of macrophage infiltration at the recipient site during the early stage on long‐term fat graft retention. In our novel mouse model, all mice underwent simulated liposuction and were divided into 2 groups. The fat procurement plus grafting (Pro‐Grafting) group was engrafted with prepared fat (0.3 ml). The pro‐Grafting+M2 group was engrafted with prepared fat (0.3 ml) mixed with 1.0 × 106 GFP+M0 macrophages, and then, 2 ng IL‐4 was injected into the grafts on Day 3. In addition, 1.0 × 106 GFP+M0 macrophages were injected into the tail vein for tracing in the Pro‐Grafting group. As a result, GFP+macrophages first infiltrated the donor site and subsequently infiltrated the recipient site in the Pro‐Grafting group. The long‐term retention rate was higher in the Pro‐Grafting+M2 group (52% ± 6.5%) than in the Pro‐Grafting group (40% ± 3.5%). CD34+ and CD31+ areas were observed earlier, and expression of the adipogenic proteins PPAR‐γ, C/EBP and AP2 was higher in the Pro‐Grafting+M2 group than in the Pro‐Grafting group. The host macrophages preferentially infiltrate the donor site, and then, infiltrate the recipient site after fat grafting. At the early stage, an increase in macrophages at the recipient site may promote vascularization and regeneration, and thereby improve the fat graft retention rate.
Impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic on melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancer inpatient treatment in Germany – a nationwide analysis
Authors: Kleemann J. , Meissner M. , Özistanbullu D. , Balaban Ü. , Old O. , Kippenberger S. , Kloka J. , Kaufmann R. , Zacharowski K. , Friedrichson B. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundSARS‐CoV‐2 has massively changed the care situation in hospitals worldwide. Although tumour care should not be affected, initial reports from European countries were suggestive for a decrease in skin cancer during the first pandemic wave and only limited data are available thereafter.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate skin cancer cases and surgeries in a nationwide inpatient dataset in Germany.MethodsComparative analyses were performed in a prepandemic (18 March 2019 until 17 March 2020) and a pandemic cohort (18 March 2020 until 17 March 2021). Cases were identified and analysed using the WHO international classification of diseases codes (ICDs) and process key codes (OPSs).ResultsComparing the first year of the pandemic with the same period 1 year before, a persistent decrease of 14% in skin cancer cases (n = 19 063) was observed. The largest decrease of 24% was seen in non‐invasive in situ tumours (n = 1665), followed by non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) with a decrease of 16% (n = 15 310) and malignant melanoma (MM) with a reduction of 7% (n = 2088). Subgroup analysis showed significant differences in the distribution of sex, age, hospital carrier type and hospital volume. There was a decrease of 17% in surgical procedures (n = 22 548), which was more pronounced in minor surgical procedures with a decrease of 24.6% compared to extended skin surgery including micrographic surgery with a decrease of 15.9%.ConclusionsHospital admissions and surgical procedures decreased persistently since the beginning of the pandemic in Germany for skin cancer patients. The higher decrease in NMSC cases compared to MM might reflect a prioritization effect. Further evidence from tumour registries is needed to investigate the consequences of the therapy delay and identify the upcoming challenges in skin cancer care.
Real‐time equilibrium moisture content monitoring to predict grain quality of corn stored in silo and raffia bags
Authors: Lutz Éverton , Coradi Paulo Carteri , Jaques Lanes Beatriz Acosta , de Oliveira Carneiro Letícia , Teodoro Larissa Pereira Ribeiro , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo , Meneghetti Volnei Luiz , de Souza Guilherme Abreu Coelho 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe use of silo and raffia bags for the temporary grain storage has been increasing in recent years. However, the methods for monitoring a stored product are limited to visual inspections and sampling. Thus, this research aimed to real‐time equilibrium moisture content monitoring to predict grain quality of corn stored in different conditions in silo and raffia bags using wireless sensor network prototype, Internet of Things (IoT) platform, and neural network algorithms. Experiments were conducted using corn grain with two initial water contents of 13% and 18% (w.b.), three storage environments with temperatures of 30, 23, and 17°C, and two types of packaging, that is, silo and raffia bags, for a 3‐month storage evaluation. During the monitoring of stored grain, variations in equilibrium moisture hygroscopic content were observed, which inferred changes in the corn quality. Water contents of 13% under a storage condition of 17°C showed the highest quality results, whereas storage in silo bags with water contents of 13% and 18% showed no differences at 23°C; however, at a temperature of 30°C, the grain suffered a high level of deterioration. The storage time influenced the reduction of grain quality for all factors. The physicochemical quality prediction results indicated a high coefficient of determination of the trained models, presenting itself as a promising perspective, mainly in developing embedded technologies for monitoring and predicting the qualitative variables of grain stored in silo and raffia bags.Practical ApplicationsThe application of sensor technology and the Internet of Thing (IoT) to monitor the temperature and relative humidity of intergranular air in real time for the determination of equilibrium moisture content became possible to predict the physical and physicochemical quality of grains stored in bag silos and raffia bags using artificial neural networks (ANN) algorithms. The results obtained were satisfactory and can replace the punctual sampling of the grains mass stored in hermetic packages. The application of a set of technologies possible to monitor the grain quality in real time and predict the grain storage time in bag and raffia silos to reduce losses.
Associations between sedentary behaviour, physical activity and frailty in older Chinese women: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Li Ting , Pan Yang , He Qiang , Du Litao , Chen Ke , Ren Xiaoyu , Chen Si , Zhang Xianliang 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAims and objectivesTo investigate the association between sedentary behaviour (SB), physical activity (PA), and frailty and frailty subdomains in community‐dwelling older women.BackgroundFrailty is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes in older people, and women had a higher prevalence than men. However, older adults may face different health risks due to different combinations of frailty subdomains; therefore, specific studies on frailty subdomains are needed.DesignA cross‐sectional study guided by the STROBE.MethodsIn total, 1099 community‐dwelling older Chinese women (60–70 years) were included. SB and PA were objectively obtained using a validated triaxial accelerometer. Frailty was defined using the Fried Phenotype (FP) Model.ResultsAfter adjusting for confounders, a significant association was found between SB, PA and the prevalence of frailty. The optimal cut‐off values of total SB time, light PA (LPA) time, and moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) time to discriminate between frailty and non‐frailty were 625.4 min/day, 379.3 min/day and 20.1 min/day, respectively. For frailty subdomains, total SB time was positively associated with low PA. When it comes to total LPA time, the association with low PA was negative. Total MVPA time was significantly and negatively associated with exhaustion, weakness, slowness and low PA, and the optimal cutoff value was 24.4 min/day, 26 min/day, 29.5 min/day and 20.8 min/day, respectively.ConclusionsEffective management of frailty requires consideration of different combinations of frailty subdomains. Increasing MVPA and limiting SB may help deal with frailty for community‐dwelling older Chinese women. Additional research is needed to determine whether PA are useful for prevention of frailty.Relevance to clinical practiceThe results of this study could help caregivers provide professional and specific physical activity guidance for order women, who are on a risk of or already suffered frailty.
Adenosine, caffeine, and sleep–wake regulation: state of the science and perspectives
Authors: Reichert Carolin Franziska , Deboer Tom , Landolt Hans‐Peter 
Published: May 2022

SummaryFor hundreds of years, mankind has been influencing its sleep and waking state through the adenosinergic system. For ~100 years now, systematic research has been performed, first started by testing the effects of different dosages of caffeine on sleep and waking behaviour. About 70 years ago, adenosine itself entered the picture as a possible ligand of the receptors where caffeine hooks on as an antagonist to reduce sleepiness. Since the scientific demonstration that this is indeed the case, progress has been fast. Today, adenosine is widely accepted as an endogenous sleep‐regulatory substance. In this review, we discuss the current state of the science in model organisms and humans on the working mechanisms of adenosine and caffeine on sleep. We critically investigate the evidence for a direct involvement in sleep homeostatic mechanisms and whether the effects of caffeine on sleep differ between acute intake and chronic consumption. In addition, we review the more recent evidence that adenosine levels may also influence the functioning of the circadian clock and address the question of whether sleep homeostasis and the circadian clock may interact through adenosinergic signalling. In the final section, we discuss the perspectives of possible clinical applications of the accumulated knowledge over the last century that may improve sleep‐related disorders. We conclude our review by highlighting some open questions that need to be answered, to better understand how adenosine and caffeine exactly regulate and influence sleep.
Metamorphic common toads keep chytrid infection under control, but at a cost
Authors: Kásler A. , Ujszegi J. , Holly D. , Üveges B. , Móricz Á. M. , Herczeg D. , Hettyey A. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) causes chytridiomycosis, an infectious disease of amphibians, which has contributed to population declines in hundreds of species worldwide. Common toads (Bufo bufo) exhibit low resistance and relatively high tolerance to Bd infection, which may partly be attributable to bufadienolide toxins secreted in their granular skin glands. Bufadienolides are known to provide an effective defense against several pathogens, parasites, and predators. The toxin production of bufonids is a plastic trait, inducible by several environmental factors. Here, we experimentally infected juvenile common toads with Bd and investigated if the toadlets could clear the infection over time, whether the infection induced bufadienolide production, and whether the infection caused decreased body mass. We found that prevalence remained 100% throughout the entire experimental period, but infection intensity did not increase and it was significantly lower on day 30 than on day 20. At the same time, compared to controls, infected toadlets produced lesser amounts of bufadienolides and their body mass was also lower. These results suggest that although young toadlets may not be able to clear Bd infection on their own, they may be able to keep infection intensities under control. Nonetheless, even if toadlets do not succumb to the disease, the costs of chronic infection may still compromise their fitness.
Does money laundering inflate residential house prices? Evidence from the Italian provincial markets
Authors: Novaro Riccardo , Piacenza Massimiliano , Turati Gilberto 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we provide an estimate of the impact of money laundering on residential house market prices. The housing market is commonly exploited by criminal organizations to clean illegal profits. The increase in demand due to money laundering contrasts the negative externality of crime on house prices, which has been investigated by a large literature. We build a new dataset on residential house prices at the provincial level in Italy over the period 2005–2012, obtaining a sample of 672 observations. We then estimate a hedonic equilibrium price model, controlling for proxies both for illegal profits derived from “entrepreneurial” crimes (drug dealing, receiving stolen goods, prostitution) and for violent crimes (extortions), together with traditional market drivers. Adding to the evidence from the traditional literature, which remarks the negative impact of crime on house prices, our findings suggest that money laundering from “entrepreneurial” crimes creates an upward distortion in the housing market prices. The impact is stronger where retail markets for illicit trades are richer.
Drought impacts on tree carbon sequestration and water use – evidence from intra‐annual tree‐ring characteristics
Authors: Martínez‐Sancho Elisabet , Treydte Kerstin , Lehmann Marco M. , Rigling Andreas , Fonti Patrick 
Published: May 2022

Summary

The impact of climate extremes on forest ecosystems is poorly understood but important for predicting carbon and water cycle feedbacks to climate. Some knowledge gaps still remain regarding how drought‐related adjustments in intra‐annual tree‐ring characteristics directly impact tree carbon and water use.

In this study we quantified the impact of an extreme summer drought on the water‐use efficiency and carbon sequestration of four mature Norway spruce trees. We used detailed observations of wood formation (xylogenesis) and intra‐annual tree‐ring properties (quantitative wood anatomy and stable carbon isotopes) combined with physiological water‐stress monitoring.

During 41 d of tree water deficit, we observed an enrichment in 13C but a reduction in cell enlargement and wall‐thickening processes, which impacted the anatomical characteristics. These adjustments diminished carbon sequestration by 67% despite an 11% increase in water‐use efficiency during drought. However, with the resumption of a positive hydric state in the stem, we observed a fast recovery of cell formation rates based on the accumulated assimilates produced during drought.

Our findings enhance our understanding of carbon and water fluxes between the atmosphere and forest ecosystems, providing observational evidence on the tree intra‐annual carbon sequestration and water‐use efficiency dynamics to improve future generations of vegetation models.
Signatures of polygenic adaptation align with genome‐wide methylation patterns in wild strawberry plants
Authors: De Kort Hanne , Toivainen Tuomas , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip , Andrés Javier , Hytönen Timo P. , Honnay Olivier 
Published: May 2022

Summary

Epigenetic inheritance can drive adaptive evolution independently of DNA sequence variation. However, to what extent epigenetic variation represents an autonomous evolutionary force remains largely elusive.

Through gene ontology and comparative analyses of genomic and epigenomic variation of wild strawberry plants raised in distinct drought settings, we characterised genome‐wide covariation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs).

Covariation between SNPs and DMCs was independent of genomic proximity, but instead associated with fitness‐related processes such as stress responses, genome regulation and reproduction. We expected this functional SNP–DMC covariation to be driven by adaptive evolution canalising SNP and DMC variation, but instead observed significantly lower covariation with DMCs for adaptive rather than for neutral SNPs. Drought‐induced DMCs frequently co‐varied with tens of SNPs, suggesting high genomic redundancy as a broad potential basis for polygenic adaptation of gene expression.

Our findings suggest that stress‐responsive DMCs initially co‐vary with many SNPs under increased environmental stress, and that natural selection acting upon several of these SNPs subsequently reduces standing covariation with stress‐responsive DMCs. Our study supports DNA methylation profiles that represent complex quantitative traits rather than autonomous evolutionary forces. We provide a conceptual framework for polygenic regulation and adaptation shaping genome‐wide methylation patterns in plants.