bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cities in nature
Authors: Chan Lena 
Published: April 2024

More than half of the world's population live in cities, and they have benefitted from the ecosystem services provided by urban biodiversity. International conventions like the Convention on Biological Diversity have provided recommendations on how to engage local governments and cities in the implementation of their strategic plans. In parallel, recognizing this, cities conserve, restore and enhance biodiversity in many practical ways. A list of general strategies adopted by cities is presented. The rich and diverse experiences of eleven cities, i.e. Abu Dhabi, Auckland, Durban, Edinburgh, Edmonton, Hyderabad, Los Angeles, São Paulo, Singapore, Toluca and Vitoria-Gasteiz, which have successfully conserved biodiversity in urbanized landscape across the globe, are shared. These cities have all applied the Singapore Index on Cities' Biodiversity as an evaluation and monitoring tool for biodiversity conservation efforts, in addition to using it innovatively for other purposes. Cities can play a pivotal role in ensuring that Target 12 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will be achieved. Upscaling cities’ models of success would require a worldwide concerted effort involving everyone, i.e. all levels of stakeholders. Mainstreaming of biodiversity into all sectors, including commercial, economic, financial, industrial and technological, and the incorporation of biodiversity into decision-making in urban planning and management would be a game-changer.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bringing nature into decision-making’.
Shaping nature outcomes in corporate settings
Authors: Bebbington Jan , Blasiak Robert , Larrinaga Carlos , Russell Shona , Sobkowiak Madlen , Jouffray Jean-Baptiste , Österblom Henrik 
Published: April 2024

Transnational companies have substantive impacts on nature: a hallmark of living in the Anthropocene. Understanding these impacts through company provision of information is a precursor to holding them accountable for nature outcomes. The effect of increasing disclosures (of varying quality) is predicated on ‘information governance’, an approach that uses disclosure requirements to drive company behaviour. However, its efficacy is not guaranteed. We argue that three conditions are required before disclosures have the possibility to shape nature outcomes, namely: (1) radical traceability that links company actions to outcomes in particular settings; (2) developing organizational routines, tools and approaches that translate strategic intent to on-the-ground behaviour; and (3) mobilizing and aligning financial actors with corporate nature ambitions. While disclosure is key to each of these conditions, its limits must be taken into account and it must be nested in governance approaches that shape action, not just reporting.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bringing nature into decision-making’.
Using the Red List of Ecosystems and the Nature-based Solutions Global Standard as an integrated process for climate change adaptation in the Andean high mountains
Authors: Vasseur L. , Andrade A. 
Published: April 2024

Under anthropogenic pressures and climate change, most ecosystems are showing signs of reduced resilience. Unfortunately, some are more at risk of collapse and, without interventions, they may lose biodiversity, ecological integrity and ecosystem services. Here, we describe two tools that were developed under the auspices of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Red List of Ecosystems and the Nature-based Solutions Global Standard, and their capacity to first identify the ecosystems at risk of collapse in a nation and then develop solutions based on nature to improve their resilience. Nature-based solutions include, for example ecosystem-based adaptation, where solutions are developed to meet the needs of the local people while protecting nature to ensure greater resilience of the social–ecological system, not only the natural ecosystem. We discuss through a case study in the Andean high mountains and páramo social–ecological system how these approaches have been used in Colombia. We then discuss lessons learned and challenges that may reduce the capacity of a community to initiate such interventions, such as national policies and funding restrictions. We also discuss through another early case in Ecuador the importance to adapt these types of interventions to the geographical and cultural context of the social–ecological systems.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bringing nature into decision-making’.
Natural capital approaches for the optimal design of policies for nature recovery
Authors: Day Brett , Mancini Mattia , Bateman Ian J. , Binner Amy , Cho Frankie , de Gol Anthony , Ferguson-Gow Henry , Fezzi Carlo , Lee Christopher , Liuzzo Lorena , Lovett Andrew , Owen Nathan , Pearson Richard G. , Smith Greg 
Published: April 2024

By embedding a spatially explicit ecosystem services modelling tool within a policy simulator we examine the insights that natural capital analysis can bring to the design of policies for nature recovery. Our study is illustrated through a case example of policies incentivising the establishment of new natural habitat in England. We find that a policy mirroring the current practice of offering payments per hectare of habitat creation fails to break even, delivering less value in improved flows of ecosystem services than public money spent and only 26% of that which is theoretically achievable. Using optimization methods, we discover that progressively more efficient outcomes are delivered by policies that optimally price activities (34%), quantities of environmental change (55%) and ecosystem service value flows (81%). Further, we show that additionally attaining targets for unmonetized ecosystem services (in our case, biodiversity) demands trade-offs in delivery of monetized services. For some policy instruments it is not even possible to achieve the targets. Finally, we establish that extending policy instruments to offer payments for unmonetized services delivers target-achieving and value-maximizing policy designs. Our findings reveal that policy design is of first-order importance in determining the efficiency and efficacy of programmes pursuing nature recovery.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bringing nature into decision-making’.
Leveraging natural capital accounting to support businesses with nature-related risk assessments and disclosures
Authors: Ingram Jane Carter , McKenzie Emily J. , Bagstad Kenneth J. , Finisdore John , van den Berg Rayne , Fenichel Eli , Vardon Michael , Posner Stephen , Santamaria Marta , Mandle Lisa , Barker Richard , Spurgeon James 
Published: April 2024

Nature loss threatens businesses, the global economy and financial stability. Understanding and addressing these risks for business will require credible measurement approaches and data. This paper explores how natural capital accounting (NCA) can support business data and information needs related to nature, including disclosures aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures recommendations. As businesses seek to measure, manage and disclose their nature-related risks and opportunities, they will need well-organized, consistent and high-quality information regarding their dependencies and impacts on nature, which few businesses currently collect or track in-house. NCA may be useful for these purposes but has not been widely used or applied by businesses. National NCA guided by the U.N. System of Environmental-Economic Accounting may provide: (i) a useful framework for businesses in conceptualizing, organizing and managing nature-related data and statistics; and (ii) data and information that can directly support business disclosures, corporate NCA and other business applications. This paper explores these opportunities as well as synergies between national and corporate natural capital accounts. In addition, the paper discusses key barriers to advancing the wider use and benefits of NCA for business, including: awareness of NCA, data access, business capabilities related to NCA, spatial and temporal scales of data, audit and assurance considerations, potential risks, and costs and incentives.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bringing nature into decision-making’.
Consensus Guideline for the Management of Gastric Cancer with Synchronous Peritoneal Metastases
Authors:   PSM Writing Group,   PSM Consortium Group, Turaga Kiran K 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundGastric cancer with synchronous peritoneal metastases (GCPM) is a debilitating disease with limited treatment options. This manuscript describes an update of the 2018 Chicago Consensus Guidelines addressing the management of GCPM in line with most recent evidence.MethodsA clinical management pathway was updated through two rounds of a Delphi Consensus to assess agreement levels with pathway blocks. Supporting evidence underwent evaluation via a rapid literature review. Meta-analyses were performed where appropriate.ResultsOverall, level of evidence in this disease subset was low to moderate. Of 124 participants in the first round, 109 (88%) responded in the second round. Strong consensus (>90%) was achieved in 6/8 (75%) blocks in round I and II. A multidisciplinary preoperative assessment and diagnostic laparoscopy should be offered all patients, while patients with a high burden of disease or progression should undergo non-surgical management. Patients with stable/responsive disease and low peritoneal carcinomatosis index should subsequently be offered treatment with regional therapeutic interventions and cytoreductive surgery. In patients who are cytology positive, systemic therapy can be used to convert these patients to cytology negative, with subsequent surgery offered per the patient’s goals of care. Meta-analysis of observational and randomized control trials revealed a survival benefit with the addition of intraperitoneal chemotherapy to cytoreductive surgery (HR 0.52).ConclusionThe consensus-driven clinical pathway for GCPMs offers vital clinical guidance for practitioners. There is a growing body of high-quality evidence to support management strategies and future clinical trials are eagerly awaited.
Combinatorial miRNA1a/15b interference drives adult cardiac regeneration
Authors: Yuan Ting , Wu Meiqian , Zhu Chaonan , Yu Hao , Pham Minh Duc , Bottermann Katharina , Mao Yijie , Langner Mathias , Peitzsch Mirko , Das Arka Provo , Ward Jonathan , Mirtschink Peter , Zeiher Andreas , Dimmeler Stefanie , Krishnan Jaya 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDDespite its promise, cardiac regenerative therapy remains clinically elusive due to the difficulty of spatio-temporal control of proliferative induction, and the need to coordinately reprogram multiple regulatory pathways to overcome the strict post-mitotic state of human adult cardiomyocytes. The present study was designed to identify a novel combinatorial miRNA therapy to address this unmet therapeutic need.METHODSWe performed a combinatorial miRNA interference screen specifically targeting cardiac-predominant miRNAs regulating key aspects of cardiomyocyte mitotic induction to cell-cycle completion, including sarcomerogenesis, metabolic and cell-cycle control pathways. Cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac function were assessed in human cardiac biopsies, human cardiac tissue mimetics and in mouse disease models.RESULTSWe identified combinatorial interference of miR-1a and miR-15b (LNA-1a/15b) as drivers of adult cardiomyocyte proliferation. Due to miR-1a/15b function on multiple processes modulating adult cardiomyocyte mitosis, its inhibition augmented adult cardiomyocyte cell-cycle completion and daughter cell formation, and improved contractility inin vitro2D and 3D ischemic models, and in a mouse model of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Due to the cardiac-restricted pattern of miR-1a/15b expression, this strategy provides a feasible strategy for specific cardiomyocyte proliferative induction with minimal risk of neoplasm formation and off-target toxicity.CONCLUSIONSCombinatorial miR-1a/15b inhibition drives mitotic re-entry in adult cardiomyocytes and improves cardiac function in response to myocardial infarction. Our data provides a novel and clinically feasible LNA-based anti-miR-1a/15b strategy to attenuate heart failure and highlights an underutilized therapeutic strategy for simultaneous co-regulation of multiple disease pathways through combinatorial miRNA interference.
Second-line tenofovir alafenamide for children with HIV in Africa
Authors: Musiime Victor , Szubert Alexander J , Mujuru Hilda A , Kityo Cissy , Doerholt Katja , Makumbi Shafic , Mulenga Veronica , Ndebele Wedu , Mwamabazi Mwate , McIlleron Helen , Bwakura-Dangarembizi Mutsa , Natukunda Eva , Linda Kyomuhendo Jovia , Monkiewicz Lara , Kapasa Monica , Nyathi Mary , Nduna Bwendo , South Annabelle , Musoro Godfrey , Zyambo Khozya , Zhang Yingying , Walker Simon , Turkova Anna , Walker A Sarah , Bamford Alasdair , Gibb Diana M ,   CHAPAS-4 Trial Team
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundChildren living with HIV have few second-line antiretroviral therapy(ART) options, especially fixed-dose-combinations(FDC).MethodsChildren from Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe were randomised to second-line tenofovir alafenamide(TAF)/emtricitabine(FTC) or standard-of-care(SOC) backbone (abacavir(ABC) or zidovudine(ZDV) with lamivudine(3TC)) in the factorial CHAPAS-4 trial. The second randomisation (reported elsewhere) was to dolutegravir(DTG), ritonavir-boosted darunavir(DRV/r), atazanavir(ATV/r) or lopinavir(LPV/r) as anchor drug. All drugs were dosed using WHO weight-bands and children <25kg received a new paediatric TAF/FTC(15/120mg) FDC tablet. The primary endpoint was viral load(VL)<400copies/ml at week-96, analysed using logistic regression, hypothesising that TAF/FTC would be non-inferior to SOC (10% margin). Secondary endpoints included safety and immunological outcomes. Analyses were intention-to-treat.Results919 children 3–15years, 497(54%) male, median[IQR] baseline viral load(VL) 17,573copies/ml [5549-55,700] and CD4 count 669cells/mm3[413-971], spent 99% of time on allocated NRTI backbone. At week-96, 406/454(89.4%) receiving TAF/FTC vs. 378/454(83.3%) receiving SOC had VL<400copies/mL (adjusted difference[95%CI]: 6.3%[2.0%,10.6%], p=0.004), with no evidence that this varied by ABC/3TC or ZDV/3TC SOC. CD4 count improved similarly in both arms. Growth was better with TAF/FTC vs. SOC, without evidence of excess weight-gain with any backbone/anchor drug combination (including DTG±TAF/FTC, interaction p=0.51). Bone health parameters were similar between arms, irrespective of anchor drug. One child died (treatment-unrelated); 29(3%) had serious adverse events without differences between arms.ConclusionsTAF/FTC was virologically superior to SOC ZDV/3TC or ABC/3TC with a favourable safety profile, irrespective of anchor drug. Development of child-friendly TAF/FTC FDCs (±anchor drug) would increase cost-effective ART options for children and reduce drug access gaps between children and adults.(ISRCTN22964075)
Positivity in serum MMP-3 after clinical remission or low disease activity at 52 weeks leads to future joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Konishi Hiroe , Morimoto Mai , Murakami Kosaku , Onizawa Hideo , Onishi Akira , Fujii Takayuki , Murata Koichi , Tanaka Masao , Morinobu Akio , Nakano Masayoshi , Koshiba Masahiro 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate whether a long-term increase in serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) levels leads to joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with negative serum C-reactive protein (CRP) values after methotrexate (MTX) therapy.MethodsPatients with RA (n = 182) whose CRP values became negative due to MTX therapy were divided into two groups based on their MMP-3 positivity at the end of the observation period, and the 1-year progression of joint destruction was retrospectively compared. Radiological joint destruction was assessed using the modified van der Heijde total sharp score (mTSS).ResultsAmong 109 (MMP-3(−), n = 63; MMP-3(+), n = 46) patients who achieved low disease activity or clinical remission (28 joint disease activity score erythrocyte sedimentation rate < 2.6), joint destruction (ΔmTSS ≥ 0.5) progressed in 24.6% and 48.9% of the MMP-3(−) and MMP-3(+) groups (p < 0.01), respectively. Prednisolone-induced increases in serum MMP-3 levels also resulted in joint destruction.ConclusionTo prevent progressive joint destruction, the target MMP-3 value is 49.7 ng/mL in female patients, which is below the current MMP-3 cutoff value of 59.7 ng/mL. Residual MMP-3 activity may lead to the progression of joint destruction in patients with RA, even after CRP normalization by successful treatment with MTX.
Pushing the Isotopic Envelope: When carrier channels pollute their neighbors’ signals
Authors: Peterson Connor , Boekweg Hannah , Presley Eilenora , Payne Samuel H. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIndividual cells are the foundational unit of biology, and understanding their functions and interactions is critical to advancing our understanding of health and disease. Single cell proteomics has seen intense interest from mass spectrometrists, with a goal of quantifying the proteome of single cells by adapting current techniques used in bulk samples. To date, most method optimizations research has worked towards increasing the proteome coverage of single cells. One prominent technique multiplexes many individual cells into a single data acquisition event using isobaric labels. Accompanying the single cells, one label is typically used for a mixed set of many cells, called a carrier or boost channel. Although this improves peptide identification rates, several groups have examined the impact on quantitative accuracy as more cells are included in the carrier channel, e.g. 100x or 500x. This manuscript explores how impurities in the multiplexing reagent can lead to inaccurate quantification observed as a measurable signal in the wrong channel. We discover that the severe abundance differential between carrier and single cell, combined with the reagent impurities, can overshadow several channels typically used for single cells. For carrier amounts 100x and above, this contamination can be as abundant as true signal from a single cell. Therefore, we suggest limiting the carrier channel to a minimal amount and balance the goals of identification and quantification.
Adaptation across a precipitation gradient from niche center to niche edge
Authors: vanDeurs Samantha , Reutimann Oliver , Luqman Hirzi , Lifshitz Dikla , Gati Einav Mayzlish , Alexander Jake , Fior Simone 
Published: April 2024

AbstractEvaluating the potential for species to adapt to changing climate relies on an appreciation of current patterns of adaptive variation and selection, which might vary in intensity across a species’ niche, affecting our inference of where adaptation might be most important in the future. Here we investigate the genetic basis of adaptation inLactuca serriola, the wild relative of the common lettuce, growing along a steep precipitation gradient in Israel approaching the species’ arid niche limit, and used candidate loci to inform predictions of its past and future adaptive evolution. Environmental association analyses combined with generalized dissimilarity models revealed 98 candidate genes showing non-linear shifts in allele frequencies across the gradient, with a large proportion under strong directional selection near the dry niche edge. Selection acts on genes with separate suites of biological functions, specifically related to osmotic stress and phenological adjustments at the dry edge, and related to biotic interactions at the niche center. The adaptive genetic composition of populations, as inferred through polygenic risk scores, indicates that intensified selection may be the key determinant of the dry niche edge. However, inference of past and future evolutionary change suggests larger adaptive shifts in the mesic part of the range, which is most affected by climate change. Our study highlights that non-linear spatial variation in selection has implications for predicting past and future responses to climate change.
Fetal Kidney Transplantation for In Utero Fetuses
Authors: Morimoto Keita , Yamanaka Shuichiro , Matsui Kenji , Kinoshita Yoshitaka , Inage Yuka , Yamamoto Shutaro , Koda Nagisa , Matsumoto Naoto , Saito Yatsumu , Takamura Tsuyoshi , Fujimoto Toshinari , Fukunaga Shohei , Tajiri Susumu , Matsumoto Kei , Ozawa Katsusuke , Wada Seiji , Kobayashi Eiji , Yokoo Takashi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPotter sequence, characterized by bilateral renal agenesis, oligohydramnios, and consequent pulmonary hypoplasia, presents a significant challenge in the management of affected neonates. Due to their prematurity and associated abdominal complications, these infants often fail to reach a stage where dialysis can be safely initiated and sustained, leading to an exceedingly high mortality rate. Therefore, there is hopeful anticipation that interventions serving as a bridge to achieve a state where dialysis can be safely performed will markedly improve life expectancy. We have developed a unique approach of “transplantation of fetal kidneys from a different species during the fetal period” as a bridge therapy until stable dialysis therapy can be implemented. This is a new concept of fetal therapy, targeting the fetus in utero and utilizing fetal kidneys of an appropriate size for transplantation.In this study, we first validated the approach using allogeneic transplantation. Fetal kidneys with bladders from GFP-expressing rats (gestational age 14.0-16.5 days) were transplanted subcutaneously into allogeneic rat fetuses in utero (gestational age 18.0-18.5 days) using a special needle transuterinally, and live pups were successfully obtained. The transplanted fetal kidneys with bladders were confirmed to have urine production capability. By periodic aspiration of the subcutaneous urinary cyst after birth, urine produced by the transplanted fetal kidney was successfully drained outside the body for an extended period (up to 150 days). Biochemical tests confirmed the solute removal capacity of the transplanted fetal kidney. Furthermore, despite allogeneic transplantation, long-term urine production was sustained without the use of immunosuppressants, confirming that organ transplantation into fetuses is associated with lower rejection compared to adult transplantation. Next, xenotransplantation was performed. When GFP-expressing mouse fetal kidneys (gestational age 13.0-13.5 days) were transplanted into rat fetuses in utero, maturation of renal tissue structures was confirmed even in the interspecies setting.