bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing multiple environmental DNA substrates for detection of the cryptic and Critically Endangered burrowing freshwater crayfish Engaewa pseudoreducta
Authors: Dawkins Kathryn L. , Nevill Paul , Chambers Brian , Herbert Shane , Burnham Quinton F. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractEffective conservation of endangered species depends on knowledge of their distributions, but species detection can often be challenging. An example of this is provided by the Critically Endangered Margaret River burrowing crayfish (Engaewa pseudoreducta), which is highly cryptic. Due to the burrowing habit of this crayfish, detection of this species currently requires a great deal of effort, the results are often non‐conclusive, and, as it involves manual excavation of their burrows, the habitat of this and other species is destroyed in the detection process. In response to these challenges, this study developed and optimized a species‐specific probe‐based qPCR assay targeting the 16S gene region to detect the target species from environmental samples. Three test substrates—chimney pellets (soil expelled by a crayfish as it digs its burrow), burrow scrapes (soil lining the inside of a burrow), and burrow water (water that is filling the burrow space)—were tested from 11 crayfish burrows thought to have been constructed by the target species to see if eDNA could be detected. DNA from the target species was successfully amplified from both chimney pellets (6/11 samples) and burrow scrapes (3/11 samples); however, E. pseudoreducta was not detected in any water samples. As previously stated, sampling techniques to confirm the presence of this species have relied on burrow excavation (resulting in habitat destruction) and were often not definitive; therefore, replacing the traditional survey method with a noninvasive eDNA‐based technique could be of enormous benefit to the management and conservation of this (and similar) species.
The state against the environment? Water management and the regulation of tensions between sectoral policies in France
Authors: Barone Sylvain 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe effectiveness and efficiency of environmental policy largely depends on how other policies take account of ecological objectives, whether in the industrial, agricultural, urban planning, transport, housing or budget sectors. The state bears responsibility for how these public policies interrelate, including establishing a hierarchy of priority or allowing one area to ignore another. What can we learn about environmental policy from an analysis of the tensions between multiple sectoral policies, and more generally about the state and the political and institutional functioning that shapes the management of an environmental issue? Taking water management in France as a case study, this article argues that an approach focused on the regulation of tensions between various public policies can shed new light on the structural difficulties of environmental policy. It shows how ideas, norms, interests, strategies, professional cultures, and so forth, that underpin public policy outside the environmental field shape the handling of ecological issues. It also highlights the way the state views and handles these tensions between policies through institutional arrangements and socio‐political compromises with influential sectoral actors and social groups.
Impact of left atrial strain on clinical outcomes in patients with permanent pacemaker implantation
Authors: Yoshioka Goro , Yamaguchi Takanori , Tanaka Atsushi , Sakai Hikari , Koyamatsu Junji , Umeki Toshiharu , Kaneta Kohei , Sakamoto Yoshiko , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Node Koichi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to investigate the clinical impact of pre‐procedural left atrial strain (LAS) in patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI).Methods and ResultsThis single‐centre retrospective study enrolled 434 patients who were admitted for transvenous PPI between 2010 and 2020. After excluding patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, PPI for complete atrioventricular block, severe valvular disease, history of open‐heart surgery and those without LAS data, 172 patients were analysed. The LAS was measured using commercially available software to calculate the average strain value of the apical four‐ and two‐chamber views before PPI. The primary composite endpoint was hospitalization due to heart failure or cardiovascular death. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate risk factors for the primary composite endpoint. The mean patient age was 78 ± 8 years, and 42% of the patients were men. PPI was performed for sick sinus syndrome in 64% and second‐degree atrioventricular block in 36% of the patients. The pre‐procedure left atrial reservoir strain (LASr) was 28 ± 11%. The median follow‐up period was 4.7 years, and the primary endpoint was observed in 23 (13%) patients. In multivariate Cox proportional risk analysis, LASr was independently associated with the primary composite endpoint (hazard ratio, 1.08 per 1% decrease; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.15; P = 0.007). The receiver operating characteristic curve of the LASr for the primary composite endpoint showed a cutoff value of 21% (area under the curve 0.657, P = 0.004). The prognostic impact of LASr was consistent with that of sick sinus syndrome and atrioventricular block.ConclusionsA decreased pre‐procedure LASr was associated with long‐term adverse outcomes after PPI use.
Prognostic implications of genotype findings in non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Anastasiou Vasileios , Papazoglou Andreas S. , Gossios Thomas , Zegkos Thomas , Daios Stylianos , Moysidis Dimitrios V. , Koutsiouroumpa Ourania , Parcharidou Despoina , Tziomalos Georgios , Katranas Sotiris , Rouskas Pavlos , Didagelos Matthaios , Karamitsos Theodoros , Ziakas Antonios , McKenna William J. , Kamperidis Vasileios , Efthimiadis Georgios K. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimsEvidence on the relative impact of diverse genetic backgrounds associated with non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains contradictory. This study sought to synthesize the available data regarding long‐term outcomes of different gene groups in DCM.Methods and resultsElectronic databases were systematically screened to identify studies reporting prognostic data on pre‐specified gene groups. Those included pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants, truncating titin variants (TTNtv), lamin A/C variants (LMNA), and desmosomal proteins. Outcomes were divided into composite adverse events (CAEs), malignant ventricular arrhythmic events (MVAEs) and heart failure events (HFEs). A total of 26 studies (n = 7255) were included in the meta‐analysis and 6791 patients with genotyped DCM were analysed. Patients with P/LP variants had a higher risk for CAEs (odds ratio [OR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67–2.65), MVAEs (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.52–2.26), and HFEs (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.08–3.73) than genotype‐negative patients. The presence of TTNtv was linked to a higher risk for CAEs (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.20–2.63), but not MVAEs or HFEs. LMNA and desmosomal groups suffered a higher risk for CAEs, MVAEs, and HFEs compared to non‐LMNA and non‐desmosomal groups, respectively. When genes were indirectly compared, the presence of LMNA resulted in a more detrimental effect that TTNtv, with respect to all composite outcomes but no significant difference was found between LMNA and desmosomal genes. Desmosomal genes harboured a higher risk for MVAEs compared to TTNtv.ConclusionsDifferent genetic substrates associated with DCM result in divergent natural histories. Routine utilization of genetic testing should be employed to refine risk stratification and inform therapeutic strategies in DCM.
Integrating organic fertilization and soil tillage techniques to enhance the nutritional attributes of “Royal” grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv.)
Authors: Kaya Ozkan , Ates Fadime , Daler Selda , Keskin Nurhan , Turan Metin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn the context of global efforts to improve food quality against the backdrop of climate change and increasing demands for food, this study sought to investigate the influence of tillage and fertilization methods on essential nutritional components. Thus, this extensive investigation into the variability of organic acid, sugar, and vitamin content within berries over the years 2020 to 2022 shows the critical influence of agricultural practices on the nutritional quality of grape. Our findings revealed significant fluctuations in the levels of various organic acids, with oxalic and propionic acids seeing a notable increase in 2022, while tartaric, citric, and maleic acids decreased. Similarly, a significant rise in sucrose, glucose, and fructose levels was documented by 2022, alongside a variable trend in vitamin content. The PCA results revealed a clear impact of tillage and organic amendments on the biochemical composition of Royal grapes. Heatmap findings confirmed the results obtained from PCA and showed that certain treatments resulted in high organic acid content, while others resulted in high sugar content. However, disc harrow and olive blackwater 2021 followed by disc harrow and Antep radish 2021 and no‐tillage broccoli 2020 were the best treatments with a balanced distribution of organic acids, soluble sugars, and vitamins among all treatments. On the other hand, chisel and olive blackwater '20 was the treatment with the lowest ratio of organic acids, sugars, and vitamins, followed by chisel and Antep radish 2020. These results show that the concentration of organic acids, soluble sugars, and vitamins in grapes is more affected by the tillage method than the type of organic fertilizer used. To sum up, our study holds valuable implications for viticulture and agriculture at large, highlighting the potential to tailor farming practices for enhanced nutritional outcomes. Such advancements not only promise to elevate the quality of agricultural produce but also contribute to the broader objective of achieving food security and nutritional adequacy, thus offering a roadmap for future research and practice in sustainable agriculture and viticulture.
Relationship between dry matter accumulation and maize yield in Southwest China
Authors: Dong Xixi , Ren Yun , Shi Lin , Bao Shuqin , Chai Xingying , Li Qiang , Liao Linzheng 
Published: July 2024

AbstractTo explore the differences in dry matter accumulation and yield of maize varieties having different nitrogen‐use efficiencies in Southwest China, a field experiment was conducted in Yongchuan, Chongqing, and Deyang, Sichuan, from 2019 to 2020. Two varieties, the nitrogen‐efficient Zhenghong 311 (ZH 311) and the nitrogen‐inefficient Xianyu 508 (XY 508), were tested across four nitrogen levels (0–360 kg ha−1). The results showed that compared to XY 508, ZH 311 exhibited a significantly higher accumulation of dry matter at various stages and periods, particularly in the roots during the R6 stage, and in the stem sheaths and leaves throughout all stages. Furthermore, the number of kernel rows, number of kernels per row, number of kernels per ear, and grain yield were significantly higher for ZH 311 than XY 508, whereas the 100‐grain weight was significantly lower for ZH 311 than XY 508. The yield difference between the two varieties was the largest when the nitrogen application rate was 240 kg ha−1. The yield performance of ZH 311 was always better than that of XY 508, and less nitrogen was needed to obtain the best yield. The accumulation of maize dry matter had a highly significant effect on the number of kernel rows, kernels per row, and kernels per ear, and grain yield. The direct effect of the number of kernels per ear on grain yield was very low. However, it affected grain yield through the number of kernel rows and kernels per row. The dry matter accumulation of V6−V12 and R3−R6 contributed the most to grain yield, while in vegetative organs, the effect of leaf dry matter accumulation and yield was the greatest. This investigation will provide insights into factors affecting variations in maize yield under low nitrogen conditions and offer guidance for N‐fertilizer management strategies.
Assessment of the anti‐inflammatory and anti‐glycemic properties of Royal Jelly and Tocotrienol‐rich fraction in an experimental study: Does irisin mediate these effects?
Authors: Mesri Alamdari Naimeh , Irandoost Pardis , Roshanravan Neda , Najafipour Farzad , Vafa Mohammadreza , Farsi Farnaz , Mobasseri Majid , Mir Mazhari Amir Ali , AmirAzad Halimeh , Shidfar Farzad 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIrisin, a novel adipomyokine, has been proposed to be a therapeutic agent against obesity‐related metabolic disease. Royal Jelly (RJ) and tocotrienol‐rich fraction (TRF) are suggested to promote obesity and its related problems through potential mutual mechanistic pathways. This investigation intended to evaluate the glycemic and inflammation‐promoting effects of RJ, TRF, and their combinations to evaluate their synergic effects through irisin action in obese rats induced by a high‐fat diet (HFD) that underwent a calorie restriction diet (CRD). Fifty HFD‐fed obese rats received the following interventions: RJ, TRF, or RJ + TRF in combination with a CRD for eight consecutive weeks. After the investigation, body weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS), irisin, insulin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), leptin, adiponectin, and insulin resistance (IR) were assessed. After 8 weeks of treatment, significant weight reduction was noticed in rats that received RJ and RJ + TRF related to the CRD rats (p < .001), although this reduction was not considerable in TRF‐treated rats. RJ and RJ + TRF supplementation markedly elevated irisin concentrations in CRD rats (p < .05), but TRF did not. Glycemic indices, inflammatory indices including IL‐1β and CRP levels, and leptin concentrations were significantly decreased after RJ, TRF, and their combinations were added to CRD (p < .05). According to the mediational analysis results, irisin mediated the promoting effects of RJ on glycemic hemostasis. Based on the results of this investigation, RJ and TRF are novel nutrients that have the potential to improve obesity‐related disorders. This research suggests that RJ exerts its beneficial glycemic regulatory effects through irisin.
The toxic effects of Helicobacter pylori and benzo(a)pyrene in inducing atrophic gastritis and gut microbiota dysbiosis in Mongolian gerbils
Authors: Huang Yilun , Chen Yunxiang , Ma Lingfei , Guo Honggang , Chen Hao , Qiu Bo , Yao Mingfei , Huang Weixin , Zhu Lian 
Published: July 2024

AbstractFood chemical and microbiological contamination are major global food safety issues. This study investigated the combined effects of the food‐borne pathogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and the pollutant benzo(a)pyrene (Bap) on atrophic gastritis and gut microbiota in Mongolian gerbils. The results demonstrated that simultaneous administration of H. pylori and Bap caused more severe weight loss, DNA damage, and gastritis in Mongolian gerbils compared with those exposed to H. pylori or Bap alone. The combination also significantly increased the serum level of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL‐1β (p < .05), IL‐6 (p < .0001), and TNF‐α (p < .05). Additionally, the H. pylori and Bap combination altered the composition of gut microbiota in Mongolian gerbils: the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Ligilactobacillus at the genus level (p < .05) was significantly reduced while the relative abundance of Allobaculum and Erysipelotrichaceae enhanced (p < .0001, p < .05). Our study revealed that the synergy of H. pylori and Bap can boost the development of atrophic gastritis and lead to gut microbiota dysbiosis in Mongolian gerbils, which provides essential implications for preventing contaminated foods to sustain life and promote well‐being.
Machine learning‐derived prognostic signature for progression‐free survival in non‐metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Zuo Zhichao , Ma Jie , Yan Mi , Ge Wu , Yao Ting , Zhou Lu , Zeng Ying , Liu Yang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundEarly detection of high‐risk nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) recurrence is essential. We created a machine learning‐derived prognostic signature (MLDPS) by combining three machine learning (ML) models to predict progression‐free survival (PFS) in patients with non‐metastatic NPC.MethodsA cohort of 653 patients with non‐metastatic NPC was divided into a training (n = 457) and validation (n = 196) dataset (7:3 ratio). The study included clinicopathological characteristics, hematologic markers, and MRI findings in three machine learning models—random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)—to predict progression‐free survival (PFS). A Venn diagram identified the overlapping signatures from the three ML algorithms. Cox proportional hazard analysis determined the MLDPS for PFS.ResultsThe RF, XGBoost, and LASSO algorithms identified six consensus factors from the 33 signatures. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that the MLDPS includes age, lymphocyte count, number of positive lymph nodes, and regional lymph node density. Additionally, MLDPS effectively stratified prognosis, with low‐risk individuals showing better PFS than high‐risk individuals (p < 0.001).ConclusionMLDPS, based on clinicopathological characteristics, hematologic markers, and MRI findings, is crucial for guiding clinical management and personalizing treatments for patients with non‐metastatic NPC.
Total tracheoesophageal puncture failure: A scoping review of patient characteristics and etiologies
Authors: Azar Shaghauyegh S. , Shires Courtney B. , Dewan Karuna , Chhetri Dinesh K. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectivesTracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP) is a common method for post‐laryngectomy speech rehabilitation. Despite its common use, some patients ultimately fail TEP rehabilitation. TEP dysfunction negatively affects quality of life due to poor voice quality and need for repeated interventions to restore TEP function. Occasionally, voice rehabilitation with TEP is completely unsuccessful. We performed a scoping review to characterize the main reasons for total TEP failure, in hopes of guiding selection of optimal TEP candidates.Study designScoping review using PubMed of all English language articles from 1990 to 2020 addressing causes of TEP failure.MethodsThis scoping review followed the population, intervention, comparison, outcome and study (PICOS) guidelines. Total TEP failure was defined as complete loss or abandonment of TEP voice or tract. A comprehensive search strategy using PubMed's MeSH subject headings and keywords was created. Causes and rates of failure were reviewed.ResultsAmong 544 peer‐reviewed journal articles reviewed for inclusion. Seventy articles met inclusion criteria, resulting in a total of 4928 TEP voice restoration patients for analysis. 15.2% of these patients had total TEP failure. The most common reasons for failure were dissatisfaction with voice (26.3%), leakage (17.9%), inadequate patient motivation (14.7%), comorbidities (14.2%), stoma problems (11.6%), and abandonment of TEP after dislodgement (10.6%).ConclusionCommon reasons for TEP failure included voice dissatisfaction, leakage, lack of patient motivation, patient comorbidities, and stoma problems. These factors should be considered when selecting candidates for TEP voice restoration.
Modelling postfire recovery of snow albedo and forest structure to understand drivers of decades of reduced snow water storage and advanced snowmelt timing
Authors: Surunis A. , Gleason K. E. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractForest fires darken snow albedo and degrade forest structure, ultimately reducing peak snow–water storage, and advancing snowmelt timing for up to 15 years following fire. To date, no volumetric estimates of watershed‐scale postfire effects on snow–water storage and snowmelt timing have been quantified over decades of postfire recovery. Using postfire parameterizations in a spatially‐distributed snow mass and energy balance model, SnowModel, we estimated postfire recovery of forest fire effects on snow–water equivalent (SWE) and snowmelt timing over decades following fire. Using this model, we quantified volumetric recovery of forest fire effects on snow hydrology across a chronosequence of eight sub‐alpine forests burned between 2000 and 2019 in the Triple Divide of western Wyoming. We found that immediately following fire, forest fire effects reduced snow–water storage by 6.8% (SD = 11.2%) and advanced the snow disappearance date by 31 days (SD = 9 days). Across the 15‐year recovery following fire, forest fire effects reduced snow–water storage by 4.5% (SD = 11.4%). Postfire effects on snow hydrology generally recovered over time, but still persisted beyond 15‐years following fire due to the observed postfire shift from forest to open meadow. Estimates of postfire reductions on peak SWE summed over the entire 15‐year postfire recovery period were 18 times greater than the immediate losses in the first winter following fire alone. These lasting effects of forest fires on snow hydrology decades following fire highlight the importance of postfire parameterizations for more accurate watershed‐scale volumetric estimates of forest fire effects on snow–water resources.
Comparison of surface freshwater PFAS sampling methods to evaluate potential for bias due to PFAS enrichment in the surface microlayer
Authors: Roark Shaun A. , Wilson-Fallon Alexander , Struse Amanda , Rectenwald Heather , Bogdan Dorin , Heron Chris , Field Jennifer 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) accumulate at the air–water interface of the surface microlayer (SML) on marine and freshwater bodies. In order to determine if including the SML when sampling bulk surface water leads to a high bias in measured PFAS concentrations, a pilot study and a full field study were conducted. The pilot study conducted at two sites was aimed at determining the analytical precision and small-scale (~1 m) spatial variability in concentrations of PFAS in bulk water and the SML. The full field study was performed at 11 sites, where three commonly used bulk surface water sampling methods were compared: (1) a peristaltic pump with tubing that excludes the SML, (2) a fully submerged sample bottle that excludes the SML, and (3) a partially submerged sample bottle that allows inclusion of the SML. The SML was sampled using the glass plate method. The samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The pilot study indicated that sampling variation was greater than analytical variation (although Levene's tests indicated that the differences were not statistically significant) and that relatively small differences in the mean concentration among sampling methods could be detected. The full investigation indicated that there was no evidence of high bias of PFAS concentrations in bulk surface water resulting from inclusion of SML using the partially submerged bottle sampling method. Unexpectedly, there was evidence that samples collected using the partially submerged bottle had slightly lower PFAS concentrations, particularly for less hydrophobic PFAS, than bulk water samples that excluded the SML. Additionally, the PFAS enrichment factor in the SML increased with increasing retention time, although the increase was not evident at all sampling sites for all PFAS. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2271–2282. © 2024 SETAC
Key Points
PFAS enrichment in the surface microlayer of small, freshwater lakes and ponds did not result in high bias of bulk water PFAS concentrations collected using a partially submerged sample bottle. For some PFAS, water samples collected with a partially submerged bottle that entrains the enriched surface microlayer had slightly lower PFAS concentrations compared with samples collected from approximately 10–15 cm using a peristaltic pump or a fully submerged bottle.