bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pinpointing the microbiota of tardigrades: What is really there?
Authors: Surmacz Bartłomiej , Stec Daniel , Prus‐Frankowska Monika , Buczek Mateusz , Michalczyk Łukasz , Łukasik Piotr 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMicrobiota are considered significant in the biology of tardigrades, yet their diversity and distribution remain largely unexplored. This is partly due to the methodological challenges associated with studying the microbiota of small organisms that inhabit microbe‐rich environments. In our study, we characterized the microbiota of 31 species of cultured tardigrades using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We employed various sample preparation strategies and multiple types of controls and estimated the number of microbes in samples using synthetic DNA spike‐ins. We also reanalysed data from previous tardigrade microbiome studies. Our findings suggest that the microbial communities of cultured tardigrades are predominantly composed of bacterial genotypes originating from food, medium, or reagents. Despite numerous experiments, we found it challenging to identify strains that were enriched in certain tardigrades, which would have indicated likely symbiotic associations. Putative tardigrade‐associated microbes rarely constituted more than 20% of the datasets, although some matched symbionts identified in other studies. We also uncovered serious contamination issues in previous tardigrade microbiome studies, casting doubt on some of their conclusions. We concluded that tardigrades are not universally dependent on specialized microbes. Our work underscores the need for rigorous safeguards in studies of the microbiota of microscopic organisms and serves as a cautionary tale for studies involving samples with low microbiome abundance.
Parallel support as an institution for tackling social and educational inequalities: Functioning and barriers in the Greek education system
Authors: Giavrimis Panagiotis 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe present research aims to investigate teachers' views as critical factors in the success of inclusive education on the Parallel Support (PS) institution in Greece and the educational policies implemented. PS is an educational support provided by a special education teacher, alongside the mainstream teacher, in the classroom, exclusively for a child with a SEND. The research questions focus on teachers' attitudes and conceptualisations of implementing parallel support in N. Aegean and the policies adopted. A semi‐structured interview was used as a methodological tool. The semi‐structured interview supports an in‐depth study of the topic and captures the participants' views through their derived discourse. Twelve primary school teachers from the region of N. Aegean with at least 2 years of teaching experience in PS were selected. Three of them were women. Most teachers working in PS in the Greek education system are men. Findings revealed that the teachers in our research stated that they were positive about PS operation, but this should depend on the nature of special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Some participants said that PS would help all pupils. In addition, teachers were concerned about working together to support students with SEND and education policy issues. Problems such as inadequate logistical infrastructure, shortages of qualified staff, insufficient training of teachers in inclusive education and curricula designed for the mainstream student population highlight insurmountable challenges for the effective implementation of PS.
Empowering hearing‐impaired students: A mobile learning intervention in Israeli Arab elementary education
Authors: Vasel Haneen , Ragonis Noa 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study evaluates an intervention program that uses mobile learning, designed for Israeli Arab hearing‐impaired elementary school students, focused on language and mathematics. Participants included 23 hearing‐impaired students, 39 teachers, and 46 parents. The evaluation combined quantitative and qualitative methods, using questionnaires, knowledge mapping, observations, individual semi‐structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Findings revealed: (1) integrating mobile learning promoted learning enjoyment of learning, and satisfaction with program implementation; (2) content knowledge development contributed to mathematical knowledge and all language components except grammar; (3) inequality among students persisted since only hearing‐impaired students benefited from the program, leading to another kind of inequality; (4) teachers coped with various challenges: lack of technological skills, need for differential teaching for different populations in the classroom, and general lack of attention in the classroom when using apps with audible instructions and (5) parents have vital role in implementing new learning approaches for special needs students.
Crop diversification and the effect of weather shocks on Italian farmers' income and income risk
Authors: Fabri Charlotte , Vermeulen Sam , Van Passel Steven , Schaub Sergei 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAgriculture is vulnerable to extreme weather shocks. Climate change increases both the frequency and the intensity of such shocks. To safeguard farmers' income and food production, climate adaptation measures are required. This article aims to examine the effectiveness of crop diversification as an adaptation measure, using Italy as a case study. We apply a control function approach to a panel dataset of 20,790 Italian farms, which considers (i) the crop diversification decision and (ii) the influence of crop diversification on farmers' levels of crop income and income risk. We find that, while specialisation can increase income, crop diversification reduces income risk most effectively when growing four different crops. At this level of diversification, income risk is approximately 29% lower as opposed to monoculture farming. Although the Common Agricultural Policy's greening payments for crop diversification make sense from an ecological and risk‐reducing point of view, we find that they are potentially insufficient to cover the loss of expected crop income from diversification. While crop diversification reduces income risk in general, we find no specific benefit in terms of weather shock‐induced risks. This may be because a price increase following a weather shock buffers its adverse effect. However, identifying the reasons requires further research.
Half‐volume validation of the NGM Detect™ PCR Amplification Kit and its application on degraded casework samples
Authors: Magonyi Nóra M. , Megadja Bálint , Rádóczy Katalin A. , Cseppentő Tamás , Lőrincz Eszter É. , Valis Norbert G. , Mátrai Norbert , Heinrich Attila 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe NGM Detect™ PCR Amplification Kit was designed particularly for genotyping degraded casework samples. This study aimed to validate the half‐volume amplification of the kit and to present its successful long‐term application. The validation was performed in accordance to the corresponding guidelines of the Scientific Working Group on DNA analysis methods and the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes. For validation parameters, such as sensitivity, reproducibility, and repeatability, polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were set up both manually and robotically, applying 29 cycles. For PCRs with sub‐optimal DNA input (≤0.5 ng) the cycle numbers were increased to 31. Regardless of the PCR preparation method, the optimal 0.5 ng DNA input produced optimal allelic peak heights with no allelic dropout. The first alleles that failed to amplify started to appear at the level of 0.0375 ng input DNA, although the manually prepared PCRs produced fewer missing alleles. In this case, the raised cycle number produced 1.9% and 4.4% of dropout for manually and for robotically set up PCRs, respectively. In the case of 84 degraded casework samples, PCRs were prepared only by hand. The kit was able to provide informative profiles for 78.57%, 70.37%, and 69.77% for lowly, moderately, and highly degraded samples, respectively. Allelic dropouts were 26.05%, 44.88%, and 51.23% for the same groups. According to our results, we strongly recommend using the NGM Detect™ Kit in half‐volume PCR system and encourage the usage of the kit in the particular cases when other kits fail to produce a complete DNA profile.
A tale of two PG systems: A comparison of the two most widely used continuous probabilistic genotyping systems in the United States
Authors: Greenspoon Susan A. , Schiermeier‐Wood Lisa , Jenkins Bradford C. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe development of probabilistic genotyping (PG) systems to quantitatively analyze DNA mixture samples has been transformative in forensic science. TrueAllele® Casework (TA) and STRmix™ (STRmix) are the two most widely used PG systems in the United States. The two systems were challenged with 48 two‐, three‐, and four‐person mock casework samples, for a total of 152 likelihood ratio (LR) comparisons. TA and STRmix converged on the same result (supportive, non‐supportive, or inconclusive) for ~91% of contributor‐specific comparisons. Where moderate or substantial differences in log(LR) values were observed, 9% affected the conclusion of the reference association to the mixture. The PG systems exhibited high correlations for estimated contributor‐specific template quantities (~92%) and log(LR)s produced (>88%). When the log(LR)s for only low‐template contributors (<100 pg) were compared, the R2 value dropped to ~68% and the difference became statistically significant. Of the 14 contributor comparisons where the conclusion differed, two were contradictory (supportive vs. non‐supportive) and 12 were either inconclusive versus non‐supportive or inconclusive versus supportive. The differing results were likely due to dissimilarities in the mixture input file as STRmix uses a lab‐defined analytical threshold (AT) and TA models to 10 RFUs for each electropherogram. When 7 of the 14 mixtures were reanalyzed by STRmix using a 10 RFU AT, the log(LR)s for the low‐template contributors became more similar to TAs. This study shows that while both systems may produce accurate and calibrated LRs, their results can deviate, especially for low‐template, degraded contributors, and the deviation is generally predictable.
Changes in prenatal cannabis‐related diagnosed disorders after the Cannabis Act and the COVID‐19 pandemic in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Nazif‐Munoz José Ignacio , Martínez Pablo , Huỳnh Christophe , Massamba Victoria , Zefania Isaora , Rochette Louis , Vasiliadis Helen‐Maria 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackground and aimsPublic health concerns regarding pregnant women’s health after the enactment of the Cannabis Act in Canada (CAC) (a law that allowed non‐medical cannabis use), and the potential impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic, call for a contemporary assessment of these two events. Our study measured associations between the CAC, the COVID‐19 pandemic and the monthly prevalence rates of cannabis‐, all drug‐ and alcohol‐related diagnosed disorders among pregnant women in the province of Quebec.Design, setting and participantsThis was a quasi‐experimental design applying an interrupted time‐series methodology in the province of Quebec, Canada. The participants were pregnant women aged 15–49 years, between January 2010 and July 2022.MeasurementsAdministrative health data from the Québec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System were used to classify pregnant women according to cannabis‐, all drug (excluding cannabis)‐ and alcohol‐related disorders. The CAC (October 2018) and the COVID‐19 pandemic (April 2020) were evaluated as (1) slope changes and (2) level changes. Cannabis‐, all drug (excluding cannabis)‐ and alcohol‐related disorders were measured by total monthly age‐standardized monthly prevalence rate of each disorder for pregnant women aged 15–49 years.FindingsBefore the CAC, the prevalence rate of cannabis‐related diagnosed disorders significantly increased each month by 0.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.3–0.6] in the pregnant population. After the CAC, there were significant increases of 24% (95% CI = 1–53) of cannabis‐related diagnosed disorders. No significant changes were observed for all drug (excluding cannabis)‐ and alcohol‐related diagnosed disorders associated with the CAC. A non‐significant decrease of 20% (95% CI = −38 to 3) was observed during the COVID‐19 pandemic in alcohol‐related disorders.ConclusionsThe monthly incidence rates of diagnosed cannabis‐related disorders in pregnant women in Quebec increased significantly following the enactment of the Cannabis Act in Canada. Diagnoses of all drug (excluding cannabis)‐ and alcohol‐related disorders remained relatively stable.
Network analysis reveals age‐ and virus‐specific circuits in nasal epithelial cells of extremely premature infants
Authors: Wisgrill Lukas , Martens Anke , Kasbauer Rajmund , Eigenschink Michael , Pummer Linda , Redlberger‐Fritz Monika , Végvári Ákos , Warth Benedikt , Berger Angelika , Fyhrquist Nanna , Alenius Harri 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackground and objectivesViral respiratory infections significantly affect young children, particularly extremely premature infants, resulting in high hospitalization rates and increased health‐care burdens. Nasal epithelial cells, the primary defense against respiratory infections, are vital for understanding nasal immune responses and serve as a promising target for uncovering underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms.MethodsUsing a trans‐well pseudostratified nasal epithelial cell system, we examined age‐dependent developmental differences and antiviral responses to influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus through systems biology approaches.ResultsOur studies revealed differences in innate‐receptor repertoires, distinct developmental pathways, and differentially connected antiviral network circuits between neonatal and adult nasal epithelial cells. Consensus network analysis identified unique and shared cellular‐viral networks, emphasizing highly relevant virus‐specific pathways, independent of viral replication kinetics.ConclusionThis research highlights the importance of nasal epithelial cells in innate antiviral immune responses and offers crucial insights that allow for a deeper understanding of age‐related differences in nasal epithelial cell immunity following respiratory virus infections.
Hands in memory and in imagination
Authors: Hollan Douglas 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe use our hands for many tasks and sensory orientations, including eating, communicating, and bathing. We hold, and manipulate a variety of objects, artifacts, and people, feeling for warmth, coldness, texture, hardness, and softness. We approach people or objects with greetings, embraces, and caresses, and to shove, hit, or defend ourselves against other people and potentially dangerous things. Yet just because our hands play such a central role in so many aspects our lives, they may also play an inordinate role in our memories and imagination. This paper highlights the place of hands in memory and imagination and how these memories and imaginings, in turn, affect not only how we use our hands and for what purposes, but with whom we use them and under what circumstances.
The gut–immune axis during hypertension and cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Dinakis Evany , O'Donnell Joanne A. , Marques Francine Z. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe gut‐immune axis is a relatively novel phenomenon that provides mechanistic links between the gut microbiome and the immune system. A growing body of evidence supports it is key in how the gut microbiome contributes to several diseases, including hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Evidence over the past decade supports a causal link of the gut microbiome in hypertension and its complications, including myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. Perturbations in gut homeostasis such as dysbiosis (i.e., alterations in gut microbial composition) may trigger immune responses that lead to chronic low‐grade inflammation and, ultimately, the development and progression of these conditions. This is unsurprising, as the gut harbors one of the largest numbers of immune cells in the body, yet is a phenomenon not entirely understood in the context of cardiometabolic disorders. In this review, we discuss the role of the gut microbiome, the immune system, and inflammation in the context of hypertension and CVD, and consolidate current evidence of this complex interplay, whilst highlighting gaps in the literature. We focus on diet as one of the major modulators of the gut microbiota, and explain key microbial‐derived metabolites (e.g., short‐chain fatty acids, trimethylamine N‐oxide) as potential mediators of the communication between the gut and peripheral organs such as the heart, arteries, kidneys, and the brain via the immune system. Finally, we explore the dual role of both the gut microbiome and the immune system, and how they work together to not only contribute, but also mitigate hypertension and CVD.
N‐acetylcysteine as a potentially safe adjuvant in the treatment of neurotoxicity due to pirimiphos‐methyl poisoning
Authors: Piotr Adamczuk , Konrad Jamka , Hubert Bojar , Krzysztof Łukawski , Grzegorz Raszewski 
Published: June 2024

AbstractExogenous, well‐established antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine can reduce or prevent the deleterious effects of pesticides. In this study, utilizing a mouse model of daily single dose of N‐acetylcysteine administration, we investigated the impact of this adjuvant on the treatment with atropine and/or obidoxime as well as oxidative stress response in pyrimiphos‐methyl‐induced toxicity. We found that N‐acetylcysteine significantly reduces the oxidative stress generated by pyrimiphos‐methyl. The therapy consisting of atropine and/or obidoxime routinely used in organophosphorous insecticide poisonings, including pyrimiphos‐methyl, had no effect on the antioxidant properties of N‐acetylcysteine. Adjunctive treatment offered by N‐acetylcysteine fills therapeutic gap and may provide the full potential against pyrimiphos‐methyl‐induced toxicity.
Parent–teacher relationship and students' learning engagement in China: A longitudinal study considering urban–suburban differences
Authors: Zhou Xinran , He Qinni , Zhang Xinyu , Bian Yufang 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe importance of parent‐teacher relationships has been well‐discussed in Western contexts. It’s still unclear whether and how parent‐teacher relationships affect students’ academic development, especially in the context of China's uneven development between urban and suburban areas.AimsThis study examined the urban–suburban differences in the influence of the parent–teacher relationships on students' learning engagement during the last 3 years of primary school to contribute to related policy and practice.Sample and MethodsData were collected annually during the summer period in three waves from Grades 4 to 6. The sample included 1408 students (Mage = 10.35, SD = .48; 49.1% boys) paired with their mothers (Mage = 38.82, SD = 3.54), with 643 pairs from urban areas and 765 pairs from suburban areas in China. In each wave, the parents reported the frequency of contact with their child's teacher during the previous school year as well as the quality of their relationship, and the students reported their learning engagement. Latent growth models were used to examine the hypotheses.ResultsA statistically significant decline in learning engagement was seen only in suburban students, while the parent–teacher relationships seemed to increase for both suburban and urban participants. Latent growth modelling showed that the increasing levels of relationship quality reduced the decline in the suburban students' learning engagement, although the contact between parents and teachers did not play such a positive role for both urban and suburban students.ConclusionsThe findings reveal a compensatory effect of the quality of the parent–teacher relationship on suburban students' learning engagement. Considering the difference in students' learning engagement between urban and suburban students, increased effort on high‐quality parent–teacher relationships for suburban students is required to better support their academic development.
A jumping terrestrial leech from Madagascar
Authors: Fahmy Mai , Tessler Michael 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe provide the first conclusive evidence that at least one leech species (Chtonobdella sp. from Madagascar) can jump. For each jump, the leech coils back before taking off. Visually, this appears somewhat like a backbending cobra or a spring being pulled back to maximize potential energy.Abstract in Malagasy is available with online material.
Effect of surgeon's seniority and subspeciality interest on mortality after emergency laparotomy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Al‐Sarireh Hashim , Al‐Sarireh Ahmad , Mann Karan , Hajibandeh Shahin , Hajibandeh Shahab 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAimTo evaluate effect of surgeon's seniority (trainee surgeon vs. consultant surgeon) and surgeon's subspeciality interest on postoperative mortality in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy (EL).MethodA systematic review was conducted and reported according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews and the PRISMA statement standards, respectively. We evaluated all studies comparing the risk of postoperative mortality in patients undergoing EL between (a) trainee surgeon and consultant surgeon, and (b) surgeon without and with subspeciality interest related to pathology. Random effects modelling was applied for the analyses. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE system.ResultsAnalysis of 256 844 patients from 13 studies showed no difference in the risk of postoperative mortality between trainee‐led and consultant‐led EL (OR: 0.76, p = 0.12). However, EL performed by a surgeon without subspeciality interest related to the pathology was associated with a higher risk of postoperative mortality compared with a surgeon with subspeciality interest (OR: 1.38, p < 0.00001). In lower gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies, EL done by upper GI surgeons resulted in higher risk of mortality compared with lower GI surgeons (OR: 1.43, p < 0.00001). In upper GI pathologies, EL done by lower GI surgeons resulted in higher risk of mortality compared with upper GI surgeons (OR: 1.29, p = 0.05).ConclusionWhile confounding by indication cannot be excluded, level 2 evidence with moderate certainty suggests that trainee‐led EL may not increase the risk of postoperative mortality but EL by a surgeon with subspeciality interest related to the pathology may reduce the risk of mortality.
Tetrahedral framework nucleic acids‐based delivery of microRNA‐155 alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration through targeting Bcl‐2/Bax apoptosis pathway
Authors: Li Zhuhai , Tang Yuanlin , Wang Lihang , Wang Kai , Huang Shishu , Chen Yu 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is one of the most common causes of chronic low back pain, which does great harm to patients' life quality. At present, the existing treatment options are mostly aimed at relieving symptoms, but the long‐term efficacy is not ideal. Tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) are regarded as a type of nanomaterial with excellent biosafety and prominent performance in anti‐apoptosis and anti‐inflammation. MicroRNA155 is a non‐coding RNA involved in various biological processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. In this study, a complex named TR155 was designed and synthesised with microRNA155 attached to the vertex of tFNAs, and its effects on the nucleus pulposus cells of intervertebral discs were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The experimental results showed that TR155 was able to alleviate the degeneration of intervertebral disc tissue and inhibit nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis via Bcl‐2/Bax pathway, indicating its potential to be a promising option for the treatment of IDD.