bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychogenic non‐epileptic (functional) seizures in adults with intellectual disability and epilepsy: A matched case–control study
Authors: Kloosterman Iris E. M. , Haenen Alexandra I. , Poortvliet‐Koedam Esther L. G. E. , Lazeron Richard H. C. , Schelhaas Helenius J. , van Ool Jans S. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the characteristics of psychogenic non‐epileptic (functional) seizures (PNES) in adults with epilepsy and intellectual disability (ID) and to establish differences and risk factors regarding psychosocial functioning between individuals with and without PNES.MethodsAdults with ID and epilepsy living in epilepsy care facilities in The Netherlands were screened for PNES by a neurologist. A control group consisting of people with epilepsy and ID, without PNES, was matched according to age, sex, and level of ID. Objective data were retrieved retrospectively from clinical notes of the resident. Standardized questionnaires and tests, adjusted for people with ID, were obtained from participants and their nursing staff. Differences were analyzed using paired t tests, Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests, or McNemar's tests, appropriate for matched case–control studies. Conditional logistic regression identified PNES risk factors.ResultsFive hundred forty individuals were screened, of which 42 had PNES (point prevalence 7.8%). In total, 35 cases and 35 controls gave consent. Proxy reports indicated that PNES impacted daily life in 79% by adjusting the individual's schedule, and caused minor injuries in one‐third. Those with PNES were mainly female (69%); had a mild (46%) or moderate (37%) level of ID; showed more symptoms of depression (p = .024), anxiety (p = .030), self‐injurious behavior (p = .015); and experienced more negative life events (p < .001). Clinically relevant predictors of PNES were the number of negative life events (odds ratio [OR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–2.53) and self‐injurious behaviors (OR 5.27, 95% CI .97–28.81).SignificancePreviously, PNES in individuals with ID and epilepsy were described mainly as a reinforced behavioral pattern, due to limited associations with psychiatric disorders. Our results demonstrate that this population does show individual psychosocial vulnerabilities when measured with instruments adjusted for this population, as indicated by proxy reports from daily caregivers. Viewing PNES as an involuntary response, especially for stress‐prone individuals with ID, could reduce stigma and improve treatment.
Assessing genotype–environment interactions in Atlantic salmon reared in freshwater loch and recirculating systems
Authors: Tollervey Mette J. , Bekaert Michaël , González Agustín Barría , Agha Saif , Houston Ross D. , Doeschl‐Wilson Andrea , Norris Ashie , Migaud Herve , Gutierrez Alejandro P. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe interest in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is growing due to their benefits such as increased productivity, better control over animal care, reduced environmental effects, and less water consumption. However, in some regions of the world, traditional aquaculture methods remain prevalent, and selective breeding has often been designed for performance within these systems. Therefore, it is important to evaluate how current fish populations fare in RAS to guide future breeding choices. In a commercial setting, we explore the genetic structure of growth characteristics, measure genotype–environment interactions (GxE) in salmon smolts, and examine genetic markers related to growth in freshwater lochs and RAS. Young salmon were raised together until they reached the parr stage, after which they were divided equally between freshwater net‐pens and RAS. After an 8‐week period, we sampled fish from each environment and genotyped them. Our findings revealed that fish reared in RAS were generally smaller in weight and length but exhibited a higher condition factor and uniformity. We found a notably smaller component of unexplained variance in the RAS, leading to higher heritability estimates. We observed a low GxE effect for length and condition factor, but significant re‐ranking for whole‐body weight, as well as noticeable differences in trait associations across environments. Specifically, a segment of chromosome 22 was found to be linked with the condition factor in the RAS population only. Results suggests that if the use of RAS continues to expand, the efficiency of existing commercial populations may not reach its full potential unless breeding programs specific to RAS are implemented.
ResiSC: A system for building resilient smart city communication networks
Authors: Alenazi Mohammed J. F. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSmart city networks are critical for delivering essential services such as healthcare, education, and business operations. However, these networks are highly susceptible to a range of threats, including natural disasters and intentional cyberattacks, which can severely disrupt their functionality. To address these vulnerabilities, we present the resilient smart city (ResiSC) system, designed to enhance the resilience of smart city communication networks through a topological design approach. Our system employs a graph‐theoretic algorithm to determine the optimal network topology for a given set of nodes, aiming to maximize connectivity while minimizing link provisioning costs. We introduce two novel connectivity measurements, All Nodes Reachability (ANR) and Sum of All Nodes Reachability (SANR), to evaluate network resilience. We applied our approach to data from two public universities of different sizes, simulating various attack scenarios to assess the robustness of the resulting network topologies. Evaluation results indicate that our solution improves network resilience against targeted attacks by 38% compared to baseline methods such as k‐nearest neighbours (k‐NN) graphs, while also reducing the number of additional links and their associated costs. Results also indicate that our proposed solution outperforms baseline methods like k‐NN in terms of network resilience against targeted attacks by 41%. This work provides a practical framework for developing robust smart city networks capable of withstanding diverse threats.
Pathways for integrating historical information into fisheries decision‐making
Authors: McClenachan Loren , Cope Jason , Martínez‐Candelas Ilse , Nowlis Joshua , Rubio‐Cisneros Nadia T. , Tewfik Alexander , Cramer Katie L. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractHistorical information has provided key insights into long‐term ecological change to marine species and ecosystems, with value to fisheries. Yet, pathways to integrate these diverse data sources into fisheries decision‐making have not been clear. Here, we identify an array of biological, ecological, and social information suitable for contemporary science‐based decision‐making, derived from local ecological knowledge, historical archives, archaeological middens and palaeoecological material. We outline two broad pathways to integrate these historical data into fisheries decision‐making, demonstrating that data‐driven use of historical information is relevant across a range of management contexts. First, historical information can inform fisheries assessments that range from simple to complex, affecting indicators of stock status. Second, it can inform estimates of biological potential and social preference, affecting the choice of fisheries reference points. Using the Caribbean Sea as an example, we illustrate these ideas with case studies representing diverse species and historical data types. Integrating historical data can improve indicators of the current state of fish populations and result in management decisions based on a more complete understanding of a potential range of variation, avoiding shifted baselines. The urgency of this work is underscored by accelerating environmental changes and the rapid loss of invaluable historical information sources. By illuminating pathways, our goal is to increase the accessibility of these types of information and to underscore that scientists, managers, and resource users have roles to play in identifying and integrating relevant long‐term data at various spatial and temporal scales to sustainably manage marine fisheries.
Global meta‐analysis of demersal fishing impacts on organic carbon and associated biogeochemistry
Authors: Tiano Justin , De Borger Emil , Paradis Sarah , Bradshaw Clare , Morys Claudia , Pusceddu Antonio , Ennas Claudia , Soetaert Karline , Puig Pere , Masqué Pere , Sciberras Marija 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe potential threat of fisheries on seabed carbon is a topic of growing concern, yet existing literature presents inconsistencies leaving experts divided on the topic. We conducted a global meta‐analysis to synthesize the current knowledge and quantify how demersal fishing impacts various biogeochemical properties. Direct impact studies revealed overall reductions in chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a, 17%), phaeopigments (24%), and proteins (32%). Effects on these reactive compounds were more pronounced on surface sediment (0–2 cm), where the impact on total organic carbon (TOC) also became significant, demonstrating the effect of gear penetration, and highlighting that sampling strategies combining sediment layers can mask observed effects. Current velocity and primary productivity significantly influenced the direction and magnitude of fishing impacts. Trawling‐induced subsurface reductions of TOC in low‐energy habitats may affect carbon sequestration due to the preferential removal of semi‐reactive carbon. Intriguingly, fishing intensity gradient studies showed an average increase in TOC in chronically fished areas, possibly reflecting fishing preferences for meso‐eutrophic grounds. We estimate a ~300‐day recovery period post‐fishing for Chl‐a, though values for other parameters are less certain. Limited data on seasonality, gear types, and an under‐representation of studies in tropical and deep‐sea areas pose challenges to quantifying global scale geochemical impacts of demersal fisheries. Knowledge gaps persist in understanding the fate of disturbed organic matter including its mineralization, transport, and sequestration. Nonetheless, our insights and estimates provide foundational knowledge that can contribute to science‐based approaches for spatial fisheries management while preserving natural carbon dynamics on the seabed.
Balancing boat‐electrofishing sampling effort against costs for nearshore fish communities in the Toronto waterfront, Lake Ontario
Authors: Theis Sebastian , Wallace Angela , Graham Brian , Coey Brynn , Cartwright Lyndsay , Poesch Mark , Portiss Rick , Ruppert Jonathan L. W. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTo enhance management of aquatic systems, long‐term monitoring programs are crucial. However, managers often lack sufficient guidance in decision‐making. In this study, we analyzed nearshore electrofishing data from Lake Ontario spanning 18 years and over 100,000 caught fish to assess sampling designs for various coastal habitats. Using simulation, we evaluated precision of catch per unit effort (CPUE) for all species, piscivores, and specialist species, at different levels of electrofishing sampling effort. For overall CPUE in any habitat type, increased precision declined with additional electrofishing runs, particularly after reaching 30–40 runs. Adjustments in sampling effort, such as adding 10 runs per year for open‐coast sites, increased precision of overall CPUE by 10%. Adding 8 runs per year for wetlands increased precision of specialist‐species CPUE by 10%. However, additional runs in embayments did not increase precision for all species, piscivores, or specialist species. Our findings underscore the importance of considering community composition and abundance when evaluating CPUE precision and illustrates a flexible approach to optimize sampling effort in aquatic monitoring programs.
Soil carbon stocks in sugarcane cultivation: An evidence synthesis associated with land use and management practices
Authors: Pinheiro Junior Carlos Roberto , Carvalho João Luís Nunes , Canisares Lucas Pecci , Cerri Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino , Cherubin Maurício Roberto 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBiofuels are essential to ensure the energy transition and mitigating of climate change. However, understanding the impact of land use change (LUC) and management practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks is fundamental to ensuring well‐founded policymaking and assessing the sector's carbon footprint. Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis (511 pairwise observations) to obtain Brazil's SOC stock change factors (SOCscf) for LUC and management practices in sugarcane fields. Our results showed that converting native vegetation to sugarcane reduced the SOC stock in all assessed periods. The conversion from annual crops to sugarcane showed a reduction in SOC stock in the first 10 years but with a recovery over time. The conversion of pasture to sugarcane reduced the SOC stock only in the 10–20‐year period and had a neutral effect in other periods evaluated. However, our dataset showed high variability in SOCscf, with many observations indicating an increase in SOC stock, which is related to degraded pastures. We observed that the SOC accumulation rate for each ton of sugarcane straw was affected by the interaction between soil texture and precipitation. Regarding straw management, a low removal rate (< 34%) did not affect the SOC stock, while moderate (34%–66%) and high (> 66%) removal resulted in losses of 5.0% (SOCscf 0.950) and 9.9% (SOCscf 0.901), respectively. Our results also showed that reduced tillage and vinasse application increased SOC stocks by 24.0% (SOCscf 1.24) and 10.0% (SOCscf 1.10) respectively, proving to be good strategies to support C sequestration in sugarcane fields. Finally, we highlight that our results can contribute to the improvement of public policies and also be used in future life cycle assessment (LCA) and modeling studies, as they provide robust data to establishing regional SOCscf induced by LUC and management practices, enhancing the reliability of the C footprint assessment of biofuel production.
Female‐specific mechanisms of meiotic initiation and progression in mammalian oocyte development
Authors: Shimada Ryuki , Ishiguro Kei‐ichiro 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMeiosis is regulated in sexually dimorphic manners in mammals. In females, the commitment to and entry into meiosis are coordinated with the developmental program of oocytes. Female germ cells initiate meiosis within a short time window during the fetal period and then undergo meiotic arrest until puberty. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying the orchestration of oocyte development and meiosis to maximize the reproductive lifespan of mammalian females remain largely elusive. While meiotic initiation is regulated by a sexually common mechanism, where meiosis initiator and Stimulated by Retinoic Acid Gene 8 (STRA8) activate the meiotic genes, the female‐specific mode of meiotic initiation is mediated by the interaction between retinoblastoma (RB) and STRA8. This review highlights the female‐specific mechanisms of meiotic initiation and meiotic prophase progression in the context of oocyte development. Furthermore, the downstream pathway of the RB‐STRA8 interaction that may regulate meiotic arrest will be discussed in the context of oocyte development, highlighting a potential genetic link between the female‐specific mode of meiotic entry and meiotic arrest.
Context‐dependent effects of geographic, climate and land cover factors on hemipteran assemblages in different ecoregions of China
Authors: Mao Jiaping , Jiang Xiaoming , Tang Wenjia , Heino Jani , Alahuhta Janne , Huang Xiaolei 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Understanding variation in assemblage composition (i.e., beta diversity) along geographic and environmental gradients is a central topic in biogeography and ecology.
We compared relationships between hemipteran beta diversity (overall dissimilarity: βtotal, Sorensen dissimilarity; turnover component: βsim, the replacement of species between assemblages; nestedness‐resultant component: βsne, the nested difference in richness between assemblages) and geographic, climatic and land cover distances among four ecoregions (Northeast Ecoregion; Northern Ecoregion; Tibet Ecoregion; Southern Ecoregion) across China.
The hemipteran assemblage composition differed markedly among ecoregions. In general, βtotal and βsim both significantly increased with increasing geographic, climatic and land cover distances.
Intercepts and slopes of dissimilarity‐distance relationships all varied significantly among different ecoregions, suggesting different levels of within‐ecoregion assemblage heterogeneity and change rate in assemblage composition. Moreover, the slopes of βtotal and βsim were highest in Northeast Ecoregion but lowest in Northern Ecoregion, exhibiting latitudinal and longitudinal dissimilarity pattern.
According to variation partitioning analysis, although the overall explained variance was relatively low, spatial variables explained a much greater proportion of variance compared to climate and land cover variables.
To conclude, our results showed significant regional differences in assemblage composition and biodiversity among ecoregions. Both dispersal‐related and niche‐related processes affect hemipteran assemblage structure, while the low overall explained variance indicates that high dissimilarity in hemipteran composition is affected by multiple factors and processes that remained undetected in this study.
Our results may be relevant for wider insect groups because hemipterans constitute a highly diverse group in terms of phylogenetic origins and functional significance.
Fermented tea leave extract against oxidative stress and ageing of skin in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wang Gai‐xiang , Fei Wei‐cheng , Zhi Lei‐lei , Bai Xue‐dong , You Bing 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe objective is to develop a natural and stable anti‐oxidative stress and anti‐ageing ingredient. In this study, we evaluated the changes in white tea leaves fermented with Eurotium cristatum PLT‐PE and Saccharomyces boulardii PLT‐HZ and their efficacy against skin oxidative stress.MethodsWe employed untargeted metabolomics technology to analyse the differential metabolites between tea extract (TE) and fermented tea extract (FTE). In vitro, using H2O2‐induced HaCaT cells, we evaluated cell vitality, ROS, and inflammatory factors (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6). Additionally, we verified the effects on the extracellular matrix and nuclear DNA using fibroblasts or reconstructed skin models. We measured skin hydration, elasticity, wrinkle area, wrinkle area ratio, erythema area, and erythema area ratio in volunteers after using an emulsion containing 3% FTE for 28 and 56 days.ResultsTargeted metabolomics analysis of white tea leaves yielded more than 20 differential metabolites with antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities, including amino acids, polypeptides, quercetin, and liquiritin post‐fermentation. FTE, compared to TE, can significantly reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protect against oxidative stress‐induced skin damage in H2O2‐induced HaCaT cells. FTE can inhibit H2O2‐induced collagen degradation by suppressing the MAPK/c‐Jun signalling pathway and can also mitigate the reactive oxygen species damage to nuclear DNA. Clinical studies showed that the volunteers' stratum corneum water content, skin elasticity, wrinkle area, wrinkle area ratio, erythema area, and erythema area ratio significantly improved from the baseline after 28 and 56 days of FTE use.ConclusionThis study contributes to the growing body of literature supporting the protective effects against skin oxidative stress and ageing from fermented plant extracts. Moreover, our findings might inspire multidisciplinary efforts to investigate new fermentation techniques that could produce even more potent anti‐ageing solutions.
In vitro, ex vivo, instrumental and clinical evaluation of a topical cream on the signs of periorbital ageing
Authors: D'Arcangelis Alexandra , Goswami Chatterjee Sayantani , Diaz Isabel , Guehenneux Sabine , Namkoong Jin , Wu Joanna 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObjectivePeriorbital skin ageing signs are multidimensional, highly visible and a concern for many. We evaluated the potential efficacy of an eye cream to diminish these signs.MethodsBiological markers associated with ageing, barrier function and homeostasis were analysed in vitro to determine the effects of topically applied eye cream, compared to those of a placebo using human skin tissue models and/or explants. Collagen IV, elastin and bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) expression was investigated by immunohistochemical labelling, while filaggrin, kallikrein 7 (KLK7) and HB‐EGF were evaluated by RT‐qPCR. IL‐1α and melanin levels in darkly pigmented skin models were also quantified. The protective effect of the cream on glycation was assessed by a non‐enzymatic assay. Finally, the benefits of twice‐daily applications of the eye cream for 56 days were instrumentally and clinically evaluated on 33 women.ResultsOnly the eye cream, not the placebo, stimulated collagen IV and BMP4 protein expression, as well as increased elastin fibre length. It also led to higher HB‐EGF, filaggrin and KLK7 mRNA levels. The placebo and the eye cream did not induce changes in IL‐1α and melanin levels, but both reduced non‐enzymatic glycation. When assessing the in vivo effects of the cream, short‐term results indicated skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin profilometry improvement within 15 min. Instrumental evaluations of wrinkles showed a reduction after 7 days, which was clinically perceivable after 28 or 56 days. The eye‐opening angle and eyelid sagging also improved after seven and 28 days, respectively. Finally, dark circles became lighter within 7 days (instrumental measurement) or 28 days (clinical assessment).ConclusionThe instrumental and clinical evaluations revealed that the eye cream reduced all periorbital ageing signs evaluated. Its effects are supported by the in vitro and ex vivo analyses of molecular markers.
The impact of psoriasis on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a two‐sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Qiaolin , Wu Yutong , Jia Sujie , Zhao Ming 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe association between psoriasis and pulmonary fibrosis has been reported in observational studies. However, the association is vulnerable to bias from using immunosuppressants such as methotrexate, which can cause fibrosis in multiple organs. The present study is to investigate whether psoriasis could independently increase the risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).MethodsWe conducted a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary statistics from genome‐wide association studies. The random‐effects inverse variance weighted analysis was used as the primary method. Some secondary analyses were further performed, including a sensitivity analysis using a genetic instrument that excluded extended single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene region.ResultsOur study included 9267 cases and 364,071 controls for psoriasis, 2018 cases, and 373,064 controls for IPF of European ancestry, respectively. Genetically predicted psoriasis was associated with a higher risk of IPF (odds ratio (OR), 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08–1.22; P < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses did not uncover any statistically significant evidence of bias resulting from pleiotropy or the genetic instruments, including SNPs in the MHC gene region.ConclusionsThese MR analyses support that genetically predicted psoriasis was associated with the risk of IPF, implying that pulmonary fibrosis in patients with psoriasis should not be neglected, even if they are not receiving immunosuppressant therapy.