bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different phenotypes with different endings—Telomere biology disorders and cancer predisposition with long telomeres
Authors: Savage Sharon A. , Bertuch Alison A. ,   Team Telomere and the Clinical Care Consortium for Telomere‐Associated Ailments (CCCTAA)
Published: October 2024

SummaryRare germline pathogenic variants (GPVs) in genes essential in telomere length maintenance and function have been implicated in two broad classes of human disease. The telomere biology disorders (TBDs) are a spectrum of life‐threatening conditions, including bone marrow failure, liver and lung disease, cancer and other complications caused by GPVs in telomere maintenance genes that result in short and/or dysfunctional telomeres and reduced cellular replicative capacity. In contrast, cancer predisposition with long telomeres (CPLT) is a disorder associated with elevated risk of a variety of cancers, primarily melanoma, thyroid cancer, sarcoma, glioma and lymphoproliferative neoplasms caused by GPVs in shelterin complex genes that lead to excessive telomere elongation and increased cellular replicative capacity. While telomeres are at the root of both disorders, the term TBD is used to convey the clinical phenotypes driven by critically short or otherwise dysfunctional telomeres and their biological consequences.
Incomplete barriers to heterospecific mating among Somatochlora species (Odonata: Corduliidae) as revealed in multi‐gene phylogenies
Authors: Hernandez Jordy , Cognato Anthony I. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractMating between species occurs within many insect orders. The result of heterospecific mating depends upon the effectiveness of pre‐ and post‐reproductive barriers. Incomplete reproductive barriers lead to introgression of DNA into one species or both. Intricate genital morphology among dragonflies provides little assurance of species specificity given that heterospecific mating or mating attempts have been observed among many species. The genetic consequence is unknown for many heterospecific matings. For example, Somatochlora species mating and genetic exchange have been hypothesized based on observational records and individuals with hybrid morphology. We investigate the potential of heterospecific mating between North American Somatochlora species as inferred from multi‐gene phylogenies. We used mitochondrial genes (COI and ND3) and nuclear genes (EF1‐α and ITS2) to construct phylogenies using maximum parsimony. Observation of non‐monophyletic mtDNA lineages but monophyletic nDNA lineages between Somatochlora sister‐species would indicate mtDNA introgression and suggest heterospecific matings. Our results highlighted three instances of non‐monophyly of mtDNA clades in the following groups: (i) S. hineana + S. tenebrosa; (ii) S. kennedyi + S. forcipata + S. franklini; and (iii) S. calverti + S. provocans + S. filosa. Analysis of partitioned Bremer support indicates that mtDNA COI largely contributed to the non‐monophyly of these species, thus suggesting mtDNA introgression resulting from heterospecific matings. Additionally, the topology resulting from the combined data analysis was concordant with previous taxonomic understanding of Somatochlora species groups. These multi‐gene phylogenies of North American Somatochlora are the first, providing a foundation for future ecological and evolution studies and knowledge for effective decision‐making and public policy, which is especially important for the endangered species, S. hineana.
Conceptual model for assessing a science–policy–management framework for threat mitigation
Authors: Le Breton Tom , Lyons Mitchell , Ignacio Bettina , Auld Tony D. , Ooi Mark 
Published: October 2024

AbstractFire regimes are changing globally, leading to an increased need for management interventions to protect human lives and interests, potentially conflicting with biodiversity conservation. We conceptualized 5 major aspects of the process required to address threats to flora and used this conceptual model to examine and identify areas for improvement. We focused on threat identification, policy design, and action implementation. We illustrated the application of the conceptual model through a case study in southeastern Australia, where policies have been designed to prevent hazard reduction burns from exposing threatened flora to high‐frequency fire (HFF). We examined whether threatened species have been accurately identified as threatened by HFF, species were accounted for in key policies, and implementation of the policy reduced the incidence of HFF for target species. Species were mostly identified accurately as being threatened by HFF, and, broadly, the policy effectively minimized the threat from HFF. However, 96 species did not have HFF identified as a threat, and another 36 were missing from the policy entirely. Outcomes regarding the reduction of threat from HFF since policy introduction were species specific, despite an average increase in fire interval of 2 years. Despite the policy, over half (55%) the species studied have been affected by HFF since the policy was introduced. Although relatively minor improvements could optimize threat identification and policy design, the mixed success of action implementation highlights limitations that warrant further investigation. Our conceptual model enabled us to make clear and targeted recommendations for how different aspects of the policy could be improved and where further work is needed. We propose the conceptual model can be useful in a variety of contexts.
Employee demographic diversity and firm performance
Authors: Frijns Bart , Garel Alexandre , Liao Shushu 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis article examines the relationship between employee demographic diversity and firm performance measured by future stock returns for a large sample of US public companies. We use novel demographic data extracted from employees' online profiles and resumes and focus on three key aspects of employee demographic diversity: age, gender, and ethnicity. We find no evidence supportive of an outperformance associated with greater employee‐diverse companies, neither using portfolio‐sorting approaches nor cross‐sectional and panel regressions. We also find no significant associations between employee demographic diversity and ROE, gross profit, and labor productivity.
Regional Factors Affecting Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass Recruitment in Midwestern USA Reservoirs
Authors: Radigan William J. , Whitten Harris Andrya L. , Miazga James R. , Newkirk Braxton , Gebhard Amy , Bailey Paul , Fopma Seth 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTRegional factors correlated with recruitment of black bass (largemouth bass; Micropterus nigricans and smallmouth bass; Micropterus dolomieu), two important fishes, are rarely studied, despite the importance of recruitment variation in influencing fish populations. We sought to identify factors that drove variation in age‐0 and age‐1 black bass abundance. Age‐0 or age‐1 black bass catch per unit effort (CPUE) in reservoirs in Kansas and Illinois, USA, was positively correlated with local short‐term (i.e., mean April precipitation) environmental variables. In contrast, age‐0 or age‐1 black bass CPUE was generally negatively correlated with long‐term environmental variables and river regulation metrics (i.e., reservoir elevation) in the Mississippi and Missouri river reservoirs. Our findings highlight that consideration of spatiotemporal scale is important when managing black bass populations.
A multi‐national survey‐based evaluation of undergraduate/predoctoral endodontic education
Authors: Nagendrababu Venkateshbabu , Gopinath Vellore Kannan , Nassar Mohannad , Narasimhan Srinivasan , Abbott Paul V. , Duncan Henry F. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAimTo evaluate the current status of endodontic education and assessment at an undergraduate/predoctoral level in dental schools worldwide.MethodologyThe current survey comprised a 50‐item online questionnaire related to undergraduate endodontic education. The project leaders emailed the survey's details to faculty members responsible for endodontic teaching at one dental school in every country to seek their willingness to participate in the survey. After the faculty members accepted, the survey details were sent to participants along with the survey link. Simple descriptive statistics were used to represent the data.ResultsAmongst the 44 faculty members from different countries who agreed to participate, 36 completed the survey. Endodontic training starts in 50% of dental schools from the third year of the curriculum. Each dental school employs a diverse range of educational methods. During pre‐clinical training, 19.4% of the participating dental schools used only natural teeth. Stainless‐steel hand instruments, syringe irrigation with a needle, resin‐based sealer and the cold lateral compaction technique are the most frequently used in pre‐clinical and clinical training. A significant percentage of dental institutions necessitate that students treat a predetermined quantity of canals or teeth throughout their pre‐clinical and clinical education. Dental institutions conduct formative, summative or a combination of the formative and summative throughout the clinical and pre‐clinical phases of endodontic training.ConclusionsAccording to the data collected from this survey, there are considerable variations in the curriculum for undergraduate/predoctoral endodontic programmes amongst the surveyed dental schools. Pre‐clinical and clinical education should integrate a larger array of modern tools and procedures.
Effects of Task Complexity and L2 Proficiency on Functional Adequacy in L2 Writing
Authors: Li Shaopeng , Wang Zehao , Ge Xianru 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThis study examined how task complexity and second language (L2) proficiency impact functional adequacy (FA) among Chinese university English learners. Eighty‐nine Chinese undergraduate students from two first‐year and two third‐year classes participated in the study. Each participant completed two timed argumentative writing tasks with varying degrees of task complexity manipulated by altering the number of argument elements and reasoning demands, drawing upon the cognition hypothesis. The task‐complexity manipulations were validated by post‐task questionnaires and expert judgments. Learners’ productions were assessed by two experts using the FA rating scale. Results showed as task complexity increased, there was a significant decrease in scores across all four dimensions of FA. Additionally, a positive effect of L2 proficiency was observed on scores in two dimensions of FA, that is, comprehensibility and coherence and cohesion. However, this was not the case for content and task requirements. Importantly, the analysis revealed a significant interaction effect between task complexity and L2 proficiency, indicating that the impact of task complexity on FA varied depending on the learners’ proficiency levels. Specifically, higher proficiency learners demonstrated greater adaptability to complex tasks compared to their lower proficiency counterparts. These findings highlight the significance of manipulating task complexity and considering learners’ L2 proficiency in teaching L2 writing to enhance learners’ FA performance.
Language Teacher Agency and Identity in Internationalized Higher Education: An Ecological Perspective
Authors: Kang Hyun‐Sook 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTSubstantial literature has focused on language teacher agency and identity in relation to learners in classrooms. Relatively little research exists regarding the nature of language teacher identity shaped by contextual factors brought on by the internationalization of education. To address the gap in the literature, this study explored how student teachers in a TESOL program negotiate their language teacher agency and identity in the ecosystems of an internationalized institution of higher education while contributing to different ESL programs. While pursuing an MA degree in TESOL with a teaching opportunity at an Intensive English program for non‐matriculating students or an ESL service program for pathway program students at a US university, seven student teachers participated in semi‐structured interviews, which were triangulated with the student teachers’ portfolios of lesson plans and reflection papers. The analysis demonstrated the student teachers’ agentic beliefs, choices, and practices in relation to contextual factors in the nested ecosystems of internationalized higher education, such as international students’ needs in the microsystem, training opportunities in the mesosystem, institutional policy and practice in the exosystem, and broad cultural norms in relation to language education in the macrosystem.
Variant reclassification over time decreases the level of diagnostic uncertainty in monogenic obesity: Experience from two centres
Authors: Morandi Anita , Fornari Elena , Corradi Massimiliano , Umano Giuseppina Rosaria , Olivieri Francesca , Piona Claudia , Maguolo Alice , Panzeri Carola , Emiliani Federica , Cirillo Grazia , Cavarzere Paolo , Miraglia Del Giudice Emanuele , Maffeis Claudio 
Published: October 2024

SummaryBackgroundThe diagnosis of monogenic obesity is burdened by frequent variants of uncertain significance (VUS). We describe our real‐life approach of variant reassessment over time and we assess whether inconclusive variants are decreasing in monogenic obesity.MethodsWe tested for monogenic obesity (genes: LEPR, POMC, ADCY3, PCSK1, CARTPT, SIM1, MRAP2, LEP, NTRK2, BDNF, KSR2, MAGEL2, SH2B1, MC4R, MC3R) in 101 children/adolescents (11.7 [7.3–13.7] years, 3.6 [3.3–4.0] z‐BMI) in Verona and 183 (11.3 [8.4–12.2] years, 3.2 [2.7–3.9] z‐BMI) in Naples from January 2020 to February 2023. In March–July 2024 we reassessed the baseline variants by updated software interpretation and literature renavigation.ResultsWe initially found 20 VUS, 4 Likely Pathogenic (LP), 5 Likely Benign (LB) and 1 benign variant in 33 individuals. At follow‐up, 6 VUS were reclassified as benign/LB, one LP as pathogenic and 3 LB as benign. Overall, 10/30 variants (6/18 in Verona, 3/11 in Naples and a variant found in both centres) were reclassified, leading to a less uncertain report for 13 of 33 variant‐carrying patients. Monogenic obesity was diagnosed in 3 probands in Verona and 4 in Naples, carrying variants at MC4R or NTRK2.ConclusionOur variant reassessment was effective to improve classification certainty for the 39% of patients and suggested that the molecular diagnosis of monogenic obesity is becoming more accurate over time.
Medicine Access Programmes: what do patients think – a patient‐reported outcome study on ribociclib in metastatic breast cancer in Australia
Authors: Yap Natasha , Wong Vanessa , Morton Catherine , de Boer Richard , Baron‐Hay Sally , Blum Robert , Forster Benjamin , Chua Susan , Clarke Kerrie , Cuff Katharine , Green Michael , Lim Elgene , Mok Kelly , Nott Louise , Nottage Michelle , Tafreshi Ali , Tsoi Daphne , Uccellini Anthony , Gibbs Peter , Lok Sheau Wen 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study evaluated patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) of Medicine Access Programmes (MAPs) for Australian metastatic breast cancer patients on ribociclib. Limited patient awareness of MAP enrolment was identified, emphasising the need for improved education and consent processes. Most patients expressed gratitude for accessing non‐funded medications and perceived enhanced medication adherence as a key benefit. Integrating PRO data with real‐world registry data provides comprehensive insight for future MAP development.
Soft Tissue Changes at the Pontic Sites of Cantilever Zirconia Ceramic Resin‐Bonded Fixed Dental Protheses in the Esthetic Zone: A Clinical Observational Study
Authors: Türp Lisa , Schlothauer Theresia , Yazigi Christine , Kern Matthias 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveData on the stability of soft tissues at pontic sites of resin‐bonded fixed dental protheses (RBFDP) are lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate soft tissue changes at pontic sites of cantilever zirconia ceramic RBFDPs with and without surgical pretreatment after different follow‐up periods in the esthetic zone.Materials and MethodsImpressions were taken after the insertion of the restorations and an intraoral scan was performed at follow‐up examinations. Dental casts were digitalized and superimposed with the follow‐up scan. Vertical and horizontal soft tissue changes were measured buccally and lingually at mucosal margin at the central cross‐section of each pontic, and for horizontal change at 1 and 2 mm below. One‐way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis test were performed to analyze the collected data.ResultsA total of 36 pontic sites with (n = 7) and without surgical pretreatment (n = 29) were evaluated at a follow‐up period of either > 4, > 6, or > 10 years (n = 12). The follow‐up period had no significant effect on the tissue change. Surgical pretreatment showed significantly higher tissue loss at 2 mm below the lingual mucosal margin than for sites without surgical pretreatment.ConclusionsSoft tissues at pontic sites remained stable with a tissue gain at the mucosal margin up to 10 years.Clinical SignificanceBased on the findings of this study, cantilever resin‐bonded fixed dental protheses provide excellent functional and esthetic outcomes with preservation of soft tissues in the edentulous area of single missing incisors and a gingival sulcus‐like tissue growth at the mucosal margin forming an emergence profile at pontic sites similar to that of a natural tooth.
A road map to manual segmentation of cerebral structures
Authors: Darrault Fanny , Dannhoff Guillaume , Chauvel Maëlig , Delmaire Théo , Louchez Simon , Poupon Cyril , Uszynski Ivy , Destrieux Christophe , Maldonado Igor Lima , Andersson Frédéric 
Published: October 2024

AbstractManual segmentation is an essential tool in the researcher's technical arsenal. It is a frequent practice necessary for image analysis in many protocols, especially in neuroimaging and comparative brain anatomy. In the framework of emergence of studies focusing on alternative animal models, manual segmentation procedures play a critical role. Nevertheless, this critical task is often assigned to students, a process that, unfortunately, tends to be time‐consuming and repetitive. Well‐conducted and well‐described segmentation procedures can potentially guide novice and even expert operators and enhance research works' internal and external validity, making it possible to harmonize studies and facilitate data sharing. Furthermore, recent advances in neuroimaging, such as ex vivo imaging or ultra‐high‐field MRI, enable new acquisition modalities and the identification of minute structures that are barely visible with typical approaches. In this context of increasingly detailed and multimodal brain studies, reflecting on methodology is relevant and necessary. Because it is crucial to implement good practices in manual segmentation per se but also in the description of the segmentation procedures in research papers, we propose a general roadmap for optimizing the technique, its process and the reporting of manual segmentation. For each of them, the relevant elements of the literature have been collected and cited. The article is accompanied by a checklist that the reader can use to verify that the critical steps are being followed.
A novel method to detect carotid artery in‐stent restenosis
Authors: Luo Yuding , Gu Gangfeng , Li Yan , Zheng Bo , Ren Fanzhou , Wang Junqiu , Chen Chuanli , Chen Zhao , Zhang Yingqian , Zhao Bangcheng , Yang Jian , Wang Jian 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackground and PurposeCarotid artery stenosis is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. Despite carotid artery stenting, in‐stent restenosis (ISR) remains challenging. Pigs serve as an ideal ISR model. This study aims to establish a novel porcine model of carotid ISR using open‐loop and closed‐loop stents and to assess ISR with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and histopathology, comparing incidence and vascular response between stent types.MethodsTwelve adult male Bama miniature pigs underwent carotid stenting with either open‐loop or closed‐loop stents. The animals received antiplatelet therapy pre‐ and postimplantation. Postimplantation evaluations at 90 days included carotid digital subtraction angiography (DSA), OCT, histopathological examination, and electron microscopy.ResultsBoth stent types showed ISR as detected by OCT and DSA. OCT revealed comparable neointimal proliferation within stent struts for both types, with no significant differences in stent, lumen, and neointimal dimensions. Histopathological analysis and electron microscopy provided insights into tissue responses and healing processes following stent implantation. No significant difference in ISR incidence was found between the stent types based on a χ2 test (p = .110). OCT and hematoxylin‐eosin staining exhibit the highest consistency in evaluating neointimal area.ConclusionsThe novel porcine ISR model demonstrated similar ISR outcomes for open‐loop and closed‐loop stents. OCT proved to be a highly consistent and valuable tool for evaluating stent and arterial conditions, comparable to histopathological findings. However, due to a small sample size, the validity of these preliminary findings requires further investigation to be confirmed.
Preclinical Evaluation of a Poly (Lactic Acid/Caprolactone) Bilayer Membrane and a Carbonate Apatite for Periodontal Regeneration: A Canine One‐Wall Intrabony Defect Model
Authors: Yamaki Daichi , Fukuba Shunsuke , Okada Munehiro , Takeuchi Shunsuke , Hoshi Shu , Schmidlin Patrick R. , Iwata Takanori 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAimsThis preclinical study aimed to evaluate the periodontal tissue regenerative capacities of poly (lactic acid/caprolactone) (PLCL) bilayer membrane in one‐wall intrabony defects in dogs. No study has assessed the efficacy of PLCL bilayer membrane for periodontal regeneration therapy despite the fact that PLCL bilayer membrane has proved efficient for bone regeneration.MethodsIn five beagle dogs, the bilateral mandibular second and fourth premolars were extracted 8 weeks before the experimental surgery. Standardized bone defects (5 mm in height and 6 mm in width) were surgically created on the mesial and distal roots of the bilateral third premolars in the mandible. The test groups were set up as follows: (i) carbonate apatite (CO3Ap) + PLCL, (ii) CO3Ap, (iii) xenograft (DBBM) + collagen membrane (CM), and (iv) DBBM. The control group was left empty. Radiological, histologic and histomorphometric characteristics were compared 8 weeks after surgery.ResultsNo infectious complications were detected at any of the tested sites. The test groups exhibited a greater height and volume of the newly formed bone than the control group. They also showed a greater height of the newly formed cementum than the control group. However, the results were not statistically significant. The newly formed periodontal ligaments were inserted into newly formed bone and cementum in the test groups.ConclusionThe combined use of PLCL bilayer membrane and CO3Ap demonstrated comparable performance for periodontal tissue regeneration in one‐wall intrabony defects compared to conventional therapies.