bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between human herpesviruses infections and childhood neurodevelopmental disorders: insights from two-sample mendelian randomization analyses and systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Fang Liwei , Wang Zuojun , Zhao Jingyi , Wu Xun , Wang Shunxin , Gao Hui , Wu De 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
The potential roles of viral infections in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) have been suggested based on previous studies. Given the high prevalence of human herpesviruses (HHVs), the associations between HHVs infection and the risk of NDDs warrant explored.

Methods
Our study employs a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and systematic review with meta-analysis to investigate whether genetically predicted HHVs infection are linked to three main childhood NDDs—autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Tourette syndrome (TS). We utilized genetic variants associated with HHV infections in genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary datasets of European populations to establish instrumental variables and statistics for three NDDs obtained from Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. MR analysis was performed using inverse-variance weighted, MR Egger, weighted median, simple median, weighted mode, and MR-PRESSO. In addition, publications associating HHVs infection with three NDDs were systematically searched using PubMed, Web of Science, and three Chinese databases for meta-analyses.

Results
The MR results found no evidence to support a link between genetically predicted HHVs infection and the risk of NDDs based on existing datasets. Twenty-seven observational studies on children with HHVs infection and NDDs were considered eligible. Meta-analysis showed that cytomegalovirus and HHV-6 infection were related with ASD, while Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus infection were associated with TD in Chinese population. Conclusions: These results contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the possibilities underlying HHV infections in affecting childhood NDDs. Further research is necessary to include larger and more robust statistics of HHV infections and NDDs.

Trial registration
This systematic review was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42024554169. Retrospectively registered 26 July 2024.
Natural variation in timing of egg hatching, response to water agitation, and bidirectional selection of early and late hatching strains of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae sensu lato
Authors: Ottih Emmanuel Chinweuba , Tripet Frederic 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Eggs of anopheline mosquitoes hatch within a few days of laying and require high levels of humidity to survive. Assessing natural variation in egg hatching and its environmental and genetic determinants in sibling species of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.l. is important for understanding their adaptation to variable aquatic habitats. Crucially, it can also inform insectary rearing practices toward the optimization of mosquito production for genetic vector control strategies.

Methods
Hatching rates and timing of egg hatching in long-established and recently colonized strains of An. gambiae s.s, Anopheles arabiensis, and Anopheles coluzzii, were compared under still water conditions (26 ℃) and with cold (4 ℃) and (15 ℃) water agitation regimes. Next, early and late hatching strains of the recently colonized An. coluzzii VK colony were generated through bidirectional selection for 18–23 generations to detect a genetic component for this trait.

Results
Hatching rates differed significantly between species and treatments. The older An. arabiensis Senn and An. gambiae s.s. Kisumu strains had the highest proportion of hatching and preferred the nonagitation treatment at 26 °C. In contrast, the more recently colonized An. coluzzii VK and An. arabiensis Rufisque strains had lower overall hatching success but responded strongly to agitation at 4 °C, while the An. coluzzii Mopti strain did not significantly respond to water agitation. In all strains, eggs hatching started at day 2 and continued till day 5 in the older strains, whilst it was more staggered and extended up to day 6 in the younger strains. Bidirectional selection for early and late hatching over many generations resulted in early hatching selected strains with eggs hatching 2–3 days earlier than in late hatching ones indicating a significant heritable component for these traits.

Conclusions
Water agitation and temperature and age of colonization are likely important determinants of egg hatching in natural An. gambiae s.l. populations. Current rearing protocols systematically select for fast hatching and result in the progressive loss of staggered egg hatching in older laboratory strains. The selection of novel slow-hatching strains may prove instrumental to enable the mass production, shipping, and release of Anopheles mosquitoes across Africa as part of genetic vector control programs.

Graphical Abstract
Presentation of lumbar intramedullary cavernous hemangioma by spindle-shaped hematoma sign on the spinal MRI: a case report
Authors: Ye Zhinan , Ma Gaiying , Liu Hongwei 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Cavernous hemangioma is a congenital insidious disease that can occur in any part of the central nervous system. In clinical practice, cavernous hemangioma is mostly found in the brain and rarely in the spinal cord.

Case summary
This study describes a case of a 34-year-old Chinese man of Han ethnicity with lumbar intramedullary cavernous hemangioma. On admission, lumbar intramedullary hemorrhage was observed in the patient, as well as a spindle-shaped hematoma sign was detected on the spinal magnetic resonance imaging. We suspected that the spinal hemorrhage could be associated with spinal cord cavernous hemangioma. The patient was started on dehydration and glucocorticoid therapy of mannitol on the day of admission and was diagnosed with cavernous hemangioma on the basis of his magnetic resonance imaging presentation and spinal cord histopathology results. However, there was no significant improvement in clinical manifestations following conservative treatment. It was exciting that the patient’s condition improved after the surgical removal of hematomas.

Conclusion
Clinicians should consider lumbar intramedullary cavernous hemangioma in the differential diagnosis of early spinal cord hemorrhage with a spindle-shaped hematoma sign on the spinal magnetic resonance imaging.
Long term outcomes of intracarotid arterial transfusion of circulatory-derived autologous CD34 + cells for acute ischemic stroke patients—A randomized, open-label, controlled phase II clinical trial
Authors: Lin Hung-Sheng , Sung Pei-Hsun , Huang Shu-Hua , Lin Wei-Che , Chiang John Y. , Ma Ming-Chun , Chen Yi-Ling , Chen Kuan-Hung , Lee Fan-Yen , Ko Sheung-Fat , Yip Hon-Kan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
This phase II randomized controlled trial tested whether the intracarotid arterial administration (ICAA) of autologous CD34 + cells to patients within 14 ± 7 days after acute ischemic stroke (IS) could be safe and further improve short- and long-term outcomes.

Methods
Between January 2018 and March 2022, 28 consecutive patients were equally randomly allocated to the cell-treated group (CD34 + cells/3.0 × 107/patient) or the control group (receiving optimal medical therapy). CD34 + cells were transfused into the ipsilateral brain infarct zone of cell-treated patients via the ICAA in the catheterization room.

Results
The results demonstrated 100% safety and success rates for the procedure, and no long-term tumorigenesis was observed in cell-treated patients. In cell-treated patients, the angiogenesis capacity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)/Matrigel was significantly greater after treatment than before treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (all p < 0.001). Blood samples from the right internal jugular vein of the cell-treated patients presented significantly greater levels of the stromal cell-derived factor 1α/EPC at 5, 10 and 30 min compared with 0 min (all p < 0.005). The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores were similar upon presentation, but a greater response was observed by Days 30 and 90 in the cell-treated group than in the control group. Tc-99 m brain perfusion was significantly greater at 180 days in the cell-treated group than in the control group (p = 0.046). The combined long-term end points (defined as death/recurrent stroke/or severe disability) were notably lower in the control group compared with the cell-treated group (14.3% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.103).

Conclusion
Intracarotid transfusion of autologous CD34 + cells is safe and might improve long-term outcomes in patients with acute IS.
Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN15677760. Registered 23 April 2018- Retrospectively registered, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15677760
Public funding and young children vaccination coverage: Evidence from Socialist-Oriented Market Economy
Authors: Luong Tri-Duc , Le-Van Dao 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis study presents empirical evidence on the impact of public funding on the vaccination rate of children under one-year-old in Vietnam from 2014 to 2019. The research findings indicate that, first, the effect of government funding on the vaccination rate of children is positive after addressing endogeneity, cross-sectional dependence, and heteroscedasticity. Second, this impact is more pronounced in underdeveloped regions, particularly those with low female school enrollment rates and underdeveloped infrastructure. This raises a dilemma for Vietnam in pursuing a comprehensive development strategy, as investment in underdeveloped regions yields significantly lower economic returns. Therefore, this study provides further insight into the effectiveness of public funding in pursuing social objectives while initiating discussions regarding policies to achieve multiple goals as the Socialist-Oriented Market Economy reign.
A pH-triggered self-releasing humic acid hydrogel loaded with porcine interferon α/γ achieves anti-pseudorabies virus effects by oral administration
Authors: Sun Maoyuan , Shi Yongli , Lei Baishi , Zhang Wuchao , Feng Jingjing , Ge Shenghu , Yuan Wanzhe , Zhao Kuan 
Published: November 2024

AbstractInterferon α (IFNα) and interferon γ (IFNγ) play pivotal roles in mediating crucial biological functions, including antiviral activity and immune regulation. However, the efficacy of monomeric IFN is limited, and its administration relies solely on injection. To address this issue, we successfully expressed and purified a recombinant porcine IFNα and IFNγ fusion protein (rPoIFNα/γ). Furthermore, we developed a pH-triggered humic acid hydrogel delivery system that effectively protects rPoIFNα/γ from gastric acid degradation, enhancing its oral bioavailability. Neither the humic acid hydrogel nor rPoIFNα/γ exhibited cytotoxic effects on porcine kidney-15 (PK-15) cells in vitro. The replication of vesicular stomatitis virus and pseudorabies virus (PRV) was effectively inhibited by rPoIFNα/γ, resulting in an antiviral activity of approximately 104 U/mL. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the humic acid hydrogel had a loose and porous honeycomb structure. The IFNα/γ@PAMgel hydrogel effectively adsorbed rPoIFNα/γ, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, demonstrating a favourable IFN-loading capacity. In vitro experiments revealed that IFNα/γ@PAMgel swelled and released IFNα/γ rapidly at pH 7.4 but not at pH 1.2. The oral administration of IFNα/γ@PAMgel in mice enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Additionally, mice infected with PRV and treated with IFNα/γ@PAMgel presented increased transcription levels of interferon-stimulated genes in the serum, reduced mortality rates, lower viral loads in various tissues, and decreased levels of organ damage. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that orally administered IFNα/γ@PAMgel has antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent against PRV infection.
Marine chitinase AfChi: green defense management against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and anthracnose
Authors: K.M. Rajesh , Raval Keyur , Raval Ritu 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAnthracnose disease, caused by the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species, affects vegetables, fruits, pulses, and cereals, leading to significant economic losses worldwide. Although many synthetic fungicides are used to control this pathogen, eco-friendly biological alternatives are gaining popularity. This study focuses on isolating and purifying chitinase ( Af Chi)from a marine bacterium and testing its antifungal efficacy against C. gloeosporioides spore germination by targeting the chitin in the fungal cell wall. The chitinase was purified from a marine bacterium A. faecalis from the Arabian Sea and had a molecular mass of 45 kDa and a specific activity of 84.6 U/mg. Af Chi worked best at 50 °C and pH 7.0 in Tris HCl buffer. Na+ ion was the highest cofactor, highlighting the halophilic nature of this chitinase. K+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and EDTA also increased activity, while Fe3+, Zn2+, Co2+, and Pb2+ decreased it. The Km and Vmax values were 1.87 µg/mL and 17.45 U/mL, respectively. Purified Af Chi at 10 mg/mL completely inhibited spore germination within 8 h and reduced the size of the spores.
Barriers and facilitators to enrollment in pediatric clinical trials: an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Bencheva Veronika , Mann Nina-Kristin , Rombey Tanja , Pieper Dawid , Schmiedl Sven 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background
Recruiting a sufficient number of patients is often a challenge for conducting clinical trials. Published data reveal that only 10% of eligible patients according to inclusion and exclusion criteria are enrolled in clinical trials. Consequentially, identifying barriers and facilitators may improve enrollment. These factors may differ in the pediatric population, for example, due to the involvement of parents in the decision-making process. We aimed to conduct an overview of systematic reviews to summarize the barriers and facilitators influencing the enrollment of pediatric participants in clinical trials.

Methods
A systematic literature search in PubMed and Epistemonikos of published systematic reviews focusing on barriers and facilitators influencing the enrollment of pediatric patients in clinical trials was conducted. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two authors independently. The methodological quality was judged using a critical appraisal tool. Finally, data were narratively synthesized.

Results
Of 283 identified systematic reviews, four met the inclusion criteria and were included in the overview. Parents belonging to an ethnic minority or having low socioeconomic status were identified as barriers to enrollment whereas higher parental education and higher age served as facilitators. Additionally, existing expectations, previous treatment experiences and preferences, study duration, type of control group, and the child’s attitude toward study participation could favor or hinder participation. Furthermore, physicians’ opinions of study-related treatments may also influence the enrollment process.

Conclusion
This overview provides a summary of barriers and facilitators to the enrollment of pediatric patients in clinical trials. Taking into account this information may enhance the enrollment of this hard-to-reach population.
Improving the performance of BDS single-frequency precise point positioning by integrating QZSS observations in the Asia-Pacific region
Authors: Wang Ahao , Li Yunzhao , Zhang Haowei , Tian Runqi , Wan Shangshang 
Published: November 2024

AbstractJapan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) as an important supplement to the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) can provide great positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services in the Asia-Pacific region. Many researches related to QZSS have focused on dual-/multi-frequency precise point positioning (PPP) or real-time kinematic (RTK) technology with high user costs. In this study, the contribution of QZSS to BDS-3/2 single-frequency (SF) PPP is investigated for the first time. Experimental results show that the three-dimensional (3D) positioning accuracy of the BDS-3-only and BDS-3 + 2 ionosphere-corrected (IC) SF-PPP through QZSS enhancement can be improved by 9.3% and 1.7% to 0.883 and 0.852 m, respectively. In the ionosphere-free (IF) SF-PPP, with the introduction of QZSS, the convergence time of the BDS-3-only or BDS-3 + 2 solutions can be improved by at least 21% and 8.2% in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. After convergence, the positioning accuracy of the BDS-3-only and BDS-3 + 2 IF SF-PPP can be improved by about 10% to 0.15 m in horizontal and 0.25 m in vertical. Compared to the IF SF-PPP, the convergence time of the ionosphere-weighted (IW) SF-PPP in the BDS-3-only and BDS-3 + 2 solutions can be improved by at least 57.6% to 13.5 min in horizontal and no more than 23% to 35.0 min in vertical. In this case of rapid convergence, it is hard to further optimize the convergence time of the BDS-3/2 IW SF-PPP by integrating the QZSS. Similar phenomena also appeared in the positioning accuracy of the IW SF-PPP. Nowadays, the 3D positioning accuracy of both IF and IW SF-PPP using BDS-3/2 + QZSS observations can reach 0.3 m in the Asia-Pacific region.
Graphical abstract
Dynamic rupture inversion on the M5.9 pre-event before the 2024 M7.6 Noto-Peninsula, Japan, earthquake
Authors: Aochi Hideo 
Published: November 2024

AbstractActive seismicity, which began since late 2020 under the Noto Peninsula, Japan, led to the M7.6 earthquake on the 1st January 2024. This paper analyzes the M5.9 pre-event that occurred 13 s before the M7.6 mainshock. Near-field ground motion records clearly distinguish this pre-event from the ground shaking of the mainshock. We then use six near-field ground motions over a 10-s period to obtain first the focal mechanism and then dynamic rupture models by fixing the hypocenter location. We obtain a steep dip angle of 67°, whereas the dip of the M7.6 mainshock is 33° after Japan Metrological Agency catalog. We propose a simplified inversion process that dynamic rupture models are built by varying the location of the target circular patch, the stress level and the fault dipping directions. The preferred model has an up-dip rupture directivity (rake direction) on the south–east dipping fault, i.e. propagating away from the hypocenter of the M7.6 mainshock, and the two events are not aligned on the same planar fault. Uplift of about 20 cm and more is expected on the north coast of the Noto Peninsula in the case of the stress drop of 6 MPa or less. We also analyze another M5.5 pre-event 4 min earlier, with a slightly deeper focal depth and a gentle dip angle of 36°. This earthquake has also a rupture directivity in the up-dip direction. This infers that there should have been a preparation process of the M7.6 mainshock behind these pre-events and multiple fault segmentations around the hypocenter zone might have played a role.
Graphical Abstract
Massive open online course: a new strategy for faculty development needs in healthcare simulation
Authors: Dubois Nadège , Tonus Céline , Klenkenberg Sophie , Donneau Anne-Françoise , Buléon Clément , Ghuysen Alexandre 
Published: November 2024

AbstractFaculty development in medical simulation is a growing need, given the increased use of simulation-based learning in healthcare. Training of trainers is demanding and resource-consuming; therefore, there is a need for accessible, practical, and resource-saving solutions enabling efficient faculty development. For that purpose, we investigated whether a massive open online course (MOOC) could meet these challenges. This manuscript presents a MOOC, its pedagogical strategies, and its impacts on faculty development. The University of Liège Medical Simulation Center developed a MOOC with five learning units focused on the foundations of simulation training. Each unit ends with a set of theoretical and practical exercises. Our results showed knowledge and skills acquisition (objective exercise score data) among participants with a success rate of 67%, as well as high levels of engagement and confidence in learning (self-reported data). We demonstrate that a MOOC for faculty development in healthcare simulation is effective, has the potential to be an accessibility enabler, and offers an additional tool for trainer training. We recommend designing it with various asynchronous online modalities and multiplying social interactions with peers and trainers to favor trainees’ engagement and subsequent learning. Further perspectives should study blended learning strategies in faculty development and define the optimum ratio between face to face and online synchronous and asynchronous modalities.
Graphical Abstract
Characteristics and advantages of MOOCs as an asynchronous online teaching tool for faculty development in healthcare simulation.
Auditory evoked potentials: objectives procedures in the assessment of cochlear implants outcomes
Authors: Gabr Takwa 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Cochlea implants (CIs) show great variability in their outcomes in term of speech perception. Auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) have emerged as valuable procedure in the evaluation of cochlear implants (CIs). AEPs provide an objective and non-invasive assessment of auditory function along the whole auditory pathway from the cochlea to the auditory cortex, enables insights into auditory processing capabilities and the transmission of auditory signals. This article provides a revision of different types of AEPs that can be used for evaluating CIs AEPs regarding their origin, procedure, and their clinical implications. It also explores their potentials role in the assessment and evaluating the efficacy of CIs, highlighting their advantages over traditional behavioral measures, disadvantages and limitations.

Conclusion
Overall, AEPs play a critical role in evaluating CIs, offering objective assessment, individualized programming, early issue detection, and research possibilities, thereby enhancing the outcomes and advancements in cochlear implant technology.
Non-apoptotic caspase events and Atf3 expression underlie direct neuronal differentiation of adult neural stem cells
Authors: Rosa Frédéric , Dray Nicolas , Bedu Sébastien , Bally-Cuif Laure 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT
Neural stem cells (NSCs) generate neurons over a lifetime in adult vertebrate brains. In the adult zebrafish pallium, NSCs persist long term through balanced fate decisions. These decisions include direct neuronal conversions, i.e. delamination and neurogenesis without a division. To characterize this process, we reanalyze intravital imaging data of adult pallial NSCs, and observe shared delamination dynamics between NSCs and committed neuronal progenitors. Searching for mechanisms predicting direct NSC conversions, we build an NSC-specific genetic tracer of Caspase3/7 activation (Cas3*/Cas7*) in vivo. We show that non-apoptotic Cas3*/7* events occur in adult NSCs and are biased towards lineage termination under physiological conditions, with a predominant generation of single neurons. We further identify the transcription factor Atf3 as necessary for this bias. Finally, we show that the Cas3*/7* pathway is engaged by NSCs upon parenchymal lesion and correlates with NSCs more prone to lineage termination and neuron formation. These results provide evidence for non-apoptotic caspase events occurring in vertebrate adult NSCs and link these events with the NSC fate decision of direct conversion, which is important for long-term NSC population homeostasis.