bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bottom Trawling and Multi‐Marker eDNA Metabarcoding Surveys Reveal Highly Diverse Vertebrate and Crustacean Communities: A Case Study in an Urbanized Subtropical Estuary
Authors: Ip Jack Chi‐Ho , Loke Hai‐Xin , Yiu Sam King Fung , Zhao Meihong , Li Yixuan , Lin Yitao , How Chun‐Ming , Mo Jiezhang , Yan Meng , Cheng Jinping , Lai Vincent Chi‐Sing , Chan Leo Lai , Leung Kenneth Mei Yee , Qiu Jian‐Wen 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTEstuarine habitats serve as critical feeding and nursery grounds for many aquatic species and support fisheries. However, monitoring these complex ecosystems using conventional trawling methods is destructive, costly, and labor‐intensive. This study compared trawling and a multi‐marker environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding approach to monitor marine vertebrate and crustacean communities in an estuarine environment in subtropical Hong Kong. We analyzed 16 bottom trawl samples and the eDNA from 32 two‐liter water samples using primer sets specific to fishes and mammals (MiFish‐U, 12S‐V5, and Berry‐Fish) and decapod crustaceans (MiDeca). We found that the eDNA approach detected more pelagic and demersal fishes (237 vs. 106 in trawling) and elasmobranchs (6 vs. 3) than trawling. The eDNA approach was also more effective than trawling in detecting threatened vertebrates (16 vs. 4), including the Indo‐Pacific Finless Porpoise and the critically endangered Large Yellow Croaker. Among the detected fish at species level, 70 species were detected by both approaches, 32 species were detected by trawling only, and 142 species were detected by the eDNA approach only. Regarding crustaceans, the eDNA approach detected slightly fewer decapods (61 vs. 77) and stomatopods (5 vs. 8) than trawl surveys. However, the eDNA approach could be enhanced through the development of suitable decapod‐specific primers and the expansion of the local reference database. In addition, multivariate analyses of the eDNA data revealed spatial patterns of fish and crustacean assemblages that might be associated with sediment loading, oxygen, and nutrient levels. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between eDNA read counts and trawl catch, but their correlation coefficient was low. We conclude that eDNA metabarcoding can provide high‐resolution detection of species, composition, and unravel community–environment relationships in estuarine ecosystems. Overall, integrating the non‐destructive eDNA approach can complement the conventional trawling method for better‐informed sustainable fishery management and conservation.
Chiral Secondary Phosphine Oxide Ligands in Asymmetric Ni−Al Bimetallic Catalysis
Authors: Xu Mengying , Xu Weiwei , Ye Mengchun 
Published: November 2024

AbstractLigands play a key role in asymmetric transition‐metal catalysis. Among reported chiral ligands, readily available and air‐stable secondary phosphine oxide ligands are unique and have aroused wide interest in Ni−Al bimetallic catalysis, since they can act as bifunctional ligands to ligate two metals for stronger bimetallic synergism, greatly enhancing reactivity and selectivity. Hence, in this mini review we will focus on secondary phosphine oxides and their applications in asymmetric Ni−Al bimetallic catalysis.
Plasma neurofilament light chain in fibromyalgia: A case control study exploring correlation with clinical and cognitive features
Authors: Ruggieri Maddalena , Paparella Giulia , Clemente Livio , Libro Giuseppe , Gargano Concetta Domenica , de Tommaso Marina 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundPlasma neurofilament light chain (NFL) has been measured as a biomarker of neuronal damage in various neurological disorders. Elevated tau and β‐amyloid levels have been found in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The aim of the present study was to compare plasma neurofilament levels in fibromyalgia patients with normal controls and to investigate the correlation with clinical features and cognitive tests.MethodsPlasma NFL levels were assessed in 33 FM patients and compared with 22 age‐matched controls. All patients were also assessed with clinical scales examining fibromyalgia disability, sleep quality and duration, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, and a neuropsychological battery examining executive function, verbal short‐term memory, and working memory, as well as attentional executive function and selective attention, interference sensitivity, and inhibition of automatic responses.ResultsNFL levels were higher in FM patients (controls 6.19± 1.92; FM 17.28± 15.94 pg/mL ANOVA p 0.002). Working memory was the most impaired cognitive function significantly correlated with high NFL scores (Pearson p 0.034). Short sleep times also correlated with higher NFL scores (Pearson p 0.02) and poorer working memory performance (Pearson p 0.02). No correlation was found with indices of disease severity and duration.ConclusionsPlasma NFL levels are elevated in fibromyalgia patients, suggesting neuronal damage and correlating with a slight decrease in working memory and short sleep duration.Significance StatementPlasma neurofilament levels are elevated in patients with fibromyalgia, regardless of disease severity and duration. Neurofilament levels are higher in patients with mild working memory impairment and sleep disorders. Subgroups of patients with primary neuronal damage phenomena could be individualized for prospective evaluation with regard to the possible development of cognitive decline and sleep disturbances, which would justify a tailored therapeutic approach.
Evaluation of self‐stigma in patients with epilepsy: Validation of the self‐stigma scale to Spanish (ESSS‐S)
Authors: Manzanares Isabel , Kuramochi Izumi , Olivera Marta , Centeno María , Khawaja Mariam , Pintor Luis , Donaire Antonio , del Mar Carreño María , Conde‐Blanco Estefanía 
Published: November 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe Epilepsy Self‐Stigma Scale (ESSS) has been developed in Japan for patients with epilepsy (PWE). We aimed to validate the scale in Spanish and examine its validity and reliability.MethodsThe transcultural adaptation of the ESSS was conducted using translation and back‐translation, along with pilot testing and an expert panel review. An online questionnaire was used to assess construct validity, criterion validity, and internal consistency.ResultsA total of 260 out of 628 participants completed the questionnaires. We found a two‐factor structure that explained 61.3% of the total variance: factor 1 “self‐perceived discrimination” with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.80, and factor 2 “social isolation” with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.75. The reliability of overall ESSS‐S 8‐item scores was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.74). Convergent validity was tested and demonstrated a significant correlation. P.Self‐perceived discrimination scores were associated with higher anxiety and depression scores (r = 0.53/0.54; p < 0.001), lower self‐esteem (−0.53; p < 0.001), and lower quality of life (r = −0.66; p < 0.001). Social isolation scores were associated with higher anxiety and depression scores (r = 0.41/0.33; p < 0.001), lower self‐esteem (−0.34; p < 0.001), and lower quality of life (r = −0.35; p < 0.001). Temporal reliability was also tested, showing a test–retest ICC of 0.87. The mean self‐stigma score in the Spanish population was 17.68 ± 5.45 out of 32 points. Invariance across gender and age groups indicated that there are no systematic response biases by gender or age, so stratified scores could be related to other constructs.SignificanceThe Spanish version of ESSS (ESSS‐S) is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of self‐stigma in PWE among Spanish speakers.Plain Language SummaryThis study aimed to validate the Epilepsy Self‐Stigma Scale (ESSS) for Spanish speakers (ESSS‐S). We conducted transcultural adaptation of the scale. ESSS‐S showed high reliability and strong validity, correlating with higher anxiety and depression, lower self‐esteem, and quality of life. ESSS‐S is a reliable and valid tool for assessing self‐stigma in Spanish‐speaking people with epilepsy.
Functional analysis of antigen presentation by enteric glial cells during intestinal inflammation
Authors: Brown Ryan M. , Le Helen H. , Babcock Isaac W. , Harris Tajie H. , Gaultier Alban 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe Enteric Nervous System is composed of a vastly interconnected network of neurons and glial cells that coordinate to regulate homeostatic gut function including intestinal motility, nutrient sensing, and mucosal barrier immunity. Enteric Glial Cells (EGCs) are a heterogeneous cell population located throughout the gastrointestinal tract and have well described roles in regulating intestinal immune responses. Enteric Glial Cells have been suggested to act as nonconventional antigen presenting cells via the Major Histocompatibility Complex II (MHC II), though this has not been confirmed functionally. Here, we investigate the capability of EGCs to present antigen on MHC I and MHC II using in vitro antigen presentation assays performed with primary murine EGC cultures. We found that EGCs are capable of functional antigen presentation on MHC I, including antigen cross‐presentation, but are not capable of functional antigen presentation on MHC II. We also determined EGC cell surface MHC I and MHC II expression levels by flow cytometry during intestinal inflammation during Dextran Sodium Sulfate‐induced colitis or acute Toxoplasma gondii infection. We found that EGCs upregulate MHC I during acute T. gondii infection and induce low‐level MHC II expression. These findings suggest that EGCs may be important in the regulation of CD8+ T cell responses via MHC I mediated antigen (cross) presentation but may not be relevant for MHC II‐mediated antigen presentation.
Preventive Human Genome Editing and Enhancement: Candidate Criteria for Governance
Authors: Juengst Eric , Flatt Michael A. , Conley John M. , Davis Arlene , Henderson Gail , MacKay Douglas , Major Rami , Walker Rebecca L. , Cadigan R. Jean 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWhile somatic cell editing to treat disease is widely accepted, the use of human genome editing for “enhancement” remains contested. Scientists and policy‐makers routinely cite the prospect of enhancement as a salient ethical challenge for human genome editing research. If preventive genome editing projects are perceived as pursuing human enhancement, they could face heightened barriers to scientific, public, and regulatory approval. This article outlines what we call “preventive strengthening research” (or “PSR”) to explore, through this example, how working to strengthen individuals’ resistance to disease beyond what biomedicine considers to be the human functional range may be interpreted as pursuing human enhancement. Those involved in developing guidance for PSR will need to navigate the interface between preventive goals and enhancement implications. This article identifies and critiques three of these ideas in the interest of anticipating the wider emergence of PSR and the need for a normative approach for its pursuit. All three “candidate criteria” merit attention, but each also faces challenges that will need to be addressed as further research policy is developed.
Why Aren't There More Whistleblowers?
Authors: Aronowitz Robert A. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn The Occasional Human Sacrifice: Medical Experimentation and the Price of Saying No, bioethicist Carl Elliot seeks to understand people who blow the whistle on unethical human research projects. The book compares whistleblowers in six scandals, and Elliot's main explanation for why someone becomes a whistleblower is personal honor. Exploring what led to or might have prevented these scandals, Elliot is critical of institutional review boards, and he links research ethics violations to injustices in everyday clinical care and medical training and to power imbalances in medical institutions. Some of the clinical and scientific details in the cases suggest other moral and ethical problems and the increasing irrelevance of the practice‐research distinction. Whistleblowers are also needed for the mass experiments that occur when practices diffuse without robust evidence and for the structural inequalities on which American clinical care, teaching, and research depend.
Impact of Transoral Robotic Surgery Versus Radiation on Swallowing Function in Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients: A Sub‐Study From a Randomized Trial
Authors: Theurer Julie. A. , Martino Rosemary , Jovanovic Nedeljko , de Almeida John R. , Goldstein David P. , Fung Kevin , Yoo John , MacNeil S. Danielle , Winquist Eric , Hammond J. Alex , Venkatesan Varagur , Read Nancy , Kuruvilla Sarah , Warner Andrew , Doyle Philip C. , Ross Ian , Dreyer Colleen , Hawkins Sarah , Thouless Kendra , McCallum Courtney , Palma David A. , Nichols Anthony C. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundThis ORATOR sub‐study evaluated swallowing physiology in patients treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) versus radiotherapy (RT) for early‐stage oropharynx cancer.MethodsSwallowing physiology was evaluated using videofluoroscopy and outcomes were compared across treatment arms and correlated with MDADI scores.ResultsOf the 68 patients in the ORATOR trial, 21 participated in this sub‐study (30.8%), including 15 RT Arm and six TORS Arm patients. Swallowing profiles were not significantly different between the arms. MBSImP pharyngeal scores for RT Arm versus TORS Arm patients were 4.8 (±2.1) versus 4.3 (±1.5) at baseline, 6.2 (±1.2) versus 9.6 (±4.8) at 6 months and 5.9 (±1.8) versus 8.0 (±4.7) at 12 months. MBSImP pharyngeal scores demonstrated weak associations with several MDADI subscales and PAS scores.ConclusionsTo best describe swallowing outcomes in studies of RT and/or surgery, instrumental swallowing assessments should be strongly considered in addition to quality of life measures.
E. coli‐Assisted Eco‐Friendly Production of Biogenic Silver Cobalt Oxide (AgCoO2) Nanoparticles: Methanolysis‐Based Hydrogen Production, Wastewater Remediation, and Pathogen Control
Authors: Irshad Aisha , Mahmood Sajid , Fazal Tanzeela , Iqbal Shahid , Rehman Mujaddad‐ur‐ , Zidan Ammar , Shah Mazloom , Bahadur Ali , Hayat Azam , Khan Asma , Malik Attiya Abdul , Awwad Nasser S. , Ibrahium Hala A. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTHerein, bacterial‐assisted synthesis of AgCoO2 is carried out. In the first step, E. coli was separated from soil samples via the “serial dilution method.” Ten milliliters of bacterial supernatant was mixed with cobalt chloride and silver nitrate hatched at 38°C for 24 h to get AgCoO2 nanoparticles (NPs). XRD results confirm the synthesis of AgCoO2 NPs while EDX results confirm the absence of any other elements than Ag, Co, and O. An average NP size of 12‐26 nm was determined by TEM examination, and the surface of the particles was seen rough, irregularly shaped borders. The antibacterial activity of the constructed NPs was checked against S. aureus, E. coli, Bacillus subtilus, and Pseudomanas areguinosa using agar well diffusion method. The maximum zone of inhibition was 27 mm at 40 mg/mL against Bacillus subtilus. The performance of the synthesized NPs as photocatalysts was also assessed, and several operational parameters that control the photodegradation of the harmful dyes were tried to tune as well, and 85% degrading efficiency was obtained at 60oC for 240 min for 30 mg of catalyst dose These NPs were also used to produce hydrogen by methanolysis.
Pneumonia in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with venetoclax‐based regimens: A real‐world analysis of Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG)
Authors: Kalicińska Elżbieta , Jablonowska‐Babij Paula , Morawska Marta , Iskierka‐Jażdżewska Elżbieta , Drozd‐Sokolowska Joanna , Paszkiewicz‐Kozik Ewa , Szukalski Łukasz , Strzała Judyta , Gosik Urszula , Dębski Jakub , Andrasiak Iga , Skotny Anna , Jamroziak Krzysztof , Wrobel Tomasz 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundPatients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are susceptible to infections that can affect their clinical outcomes.AimsTo assess: (1) the incidence of pneumonia in CLL patients treated with venetoclax‐based regimens in a real‐world setting, (2) the risk factors for event‐free survival (EFS), and (3) overall survival (OS).MethodsThis multicenter study included 322 patients from eight centers. Univariable and multivariable analyses (MVA) were performed, having the development of pneumonia during venetoclax‐based treatment and OS as outcomes.ResultsThe most common complication was neutropenia (59%). During treatment with venetoclax‐based regimens, 66 (20%) of patients developed pneumonia: 50 (23%) patients in the rituximab plus venetoclax (R‐VEN) group, 13 (16%) patients in the obinutuzumab plus venetoclax (O‐VEN) group (p = 0.15). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/asthma, splenomegaly, elevated creatinine, and anemia <8 g/dL were the risk factors for EFS in MVA (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–3.74, p = 0.014; HR 1.73, 95% CI, 1.08–2.78, p = 0.02; HR 2.13, 95% CI, 1.10–4.11, p = 0.03, HR 3.58, 95% CI, 2.18–5.89, p < 0.001, respectively). Relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL patients treated with R‐VEN with pneumonia had worse OS than those without (p < 0.001). In patients treated with O‐VEN, median OS did not differ between patients with and without pneumonia (p = 0.45).ConclusionsOur real‐world study showed that pneumonia during venetoclax treatment occurs more frequently than reported in registration trials and has a negative impact on OS, especially in patients with R/R CLL treated with R‐VEN. Neutropenia is not a risk factor for pneumonia.
Comparative Evaluation of Niño1+2 and Niño3.4 Indices in Terms of ENSO Effects Over the Euro‐Mediterranean Region
Authors: Yavuzsoy‐Keven Ece , Ezber Yasemin , Sen Omer Lutfi 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTGlobal or regional impacts of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have predominantly been investigated through the Niño3.4 index, representing the sea surface temperature (SST) variations in the central Tropical Pacific. In this study, we comparatively evaluated the usefulness of Niño1+2, a relatively less utilised index that represents SST variability in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. In our analyses, we focused on ENSO impacts on Euro‐Mediterranean (EM) climate variability during boreal winter, using data from the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis. The correlation analysis involving Niño1+2 depicts more distinct temperature and precipitation patterns over the EM region. Amongst the SST‐based Niño indices, it has the highest correlation with the East Atlantic index (0.47, statistically significant at > 99% confidence level), a prominent regional teleconnection associated primarily with the strength of the East Atlantic ridge, which produces dipole‐type climate patterns between East Atlantic/Western Europe and Central/Eastern Mediterranean. Moreover, its lagged correlations with the following spring (0.39), summer (0.31), and autumn (0.36) are all statistically significant at ≥ 99% confidence levels. The composite analysis shows that different Niño regions have distinct effects on atmospheric circulation and climate in the EM region. The Niño1+2 index is particularly helpful in identifying the years when warm SST anomalies of El Niño extend to the Eastern Equatorial Pacific, which results in a reversal of temperatures across the EM region. Thus, this study suggests that Niño1+2 is a useful index for studying climate variability and predictability in the EM region, especially when used in conjunction with other Niño indices, as it captures some ENSO features that they may not encompass.
Diverging Projections of Future Droughts in High‐End Climate Scenarios for Different Potential Evapotranspiration Methods: A National‐Scale Assessment for Poland
Authors: Marcinkowski Paweł , Eini Mohammad Reza , Venegas‐Cordero Nelson , Jefimow Maciej , Piniewski Mikołaj 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTIt has been broadly reported that future climate change will most likely affect the spatio‐temporal distribution of water resources and consequently droughts. There is a prevailing notion that an increase in temperature and frequency of heat waves are expected to result in more intense droughts in the coming years. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of the potential evapotranspiration (PET) method selection on future drought projections over Poland. In our study, simulations of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model were conducted, utilising an ensemble of six EURO‐CORDEX projections, spanning the period from 2006 to 2100 under the RCP8.5 scenario. Two model setups with two different PET methods (Penman‐Monteith—PM and Hargreaves—HAR) were used. For drought conditions evaluation we selected the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation‐Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) for meteorological drought, Standardized Streamflow Index (SSI) for hydrological drought, and Standardized Soil Moisture Index (SMI) for agricultural drought. The meteorological and hydrological droughts were calculated using a 12‐month time aggregation window, while agricultural drought was calculated using a 3‐month window. Climate projections revealed that by 2080s annual mean temperature and precipitation increase is expected by up to +3.4°C and +10.3% respectively. Under future climate conditions duration and severity of meteorological droughts are projected to decrease. PM method leads to a higher PET increases (1.35 mm year−1) than the HAR method (1.1 mm year−1) throughout the century which entail diverging signal of change for agricultural and hydrological droughts. PM‐ and HAR‐based simulations indicate increase in the total duration and cumulative severity of agricultural droughts, buthowever, for HAR‐based projections, the increase is much less. For hydrological droughts the signal of change is similar for both PET methods, but considerably distinct in magnitude. Considering the entire simulation period, by the end of the century cumulative severity of hydrological droughts is projected to decrease, with a much more pronounced decline for HAR (70% reduction) than for the PM method (35% reduction). Our study demonstrated that methodological choices are crucial to the assessment of future drought risk under climate change.
Matrikine stimulation of equine synovial fibroblasts and chondrocytes results in an in vitro osteoarthritis phenotype
Authors: Gagliardi Rachel , Koch Drew W. , Loeser Richard , Schnabel Lauren V. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease that impacts millions of individuals and has limited therapeutic options. A significant hindrance to therapeutic discovery is the lack of in vitro OA models that translate reliably to in vivo preclinical animal models. An alternative to traditional inflammatory cytokine models is the matrikine stimulation model, in which fragments of matrix proteins naturally found in OA tissues and synovial fluid, are used to stimulate cells of the joint. The objective of this study was to determine if matrikine stimulation of equine synovial fibroblasts and chondrocytes with fibronectin fragments (FN7‐10) would result in an OA phenotype. We hypothesized that FN7‐10 stimulation of equine articular cells would result in an OA phenotype with gene and protein expression changes similar to those previously described for human chondrocytes stimulated with FN7‐10. Synovial fibroblasts and chondrocytes isolated from four horses were stimulated in monolayer culture for 6 or 18 h with 1 µM purified recombinant 42 kD FN7‐10 in serum‐free media. At the conclusion of stimulation, RNA was collected for targeted gene expression analysis and media for targeted protein production analysis. Consistent with our hypothesis, FN7‐10 stimulation resulted in significant alterations to many important genes that are involved in OA pathogenesis including increased expression of IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐6, CCL2/MCP‐1, CCL5/RANTES, CXCL6/GCP‐2, MMP‐1, MMP‐3, and MMP13. The results of this study suggest that the equine matrikine stimulation model of OA may prove useful for in vitro experiments leading up to preclinical trials.