bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
When resilience is not enough: 2022 extreme marine heatwave threatens climatic refugia for a habitat‐forming Mediterranean octocoral
Authors: Rovira Graciel·la , Capdevila Pol , Zentner Yanis , Margarit Núria , Ortega Julia , Casals David , Figuerola‐Ferrando Laura , Aspillaga Eneko , Medrano Alba , Pagès‐Escolà Marta , Hereu Bernat , Garrabou Joaquim , Linares Cristina 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Climate change is impacting ecosystems worldwide, and the Mediterranean Sea is no exception. Extreme climatic events, such as marine heat waves (MHWs), are increasing in frequency, extent and intensity during the last decades, which has been associated with an increase in mass mortality events for multiple species.

Coralligenous assemblages, where the octocoral Paramuricea clavata lives, are strongly affected by MHWs. The Medes Islands Marine Reserve (NW Mediterranean) was considered a climate refugia for P. clavata, as their populations were showing some resilience to these changing conditions.

In this study, we assessed the impacts of the MHWs that occurred between 2016 and 2022 in seven shallow populations of the octocoral P. clavata from a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area.

The years that the mortality rates increased significantly were associated with the ones with strong MHWs, 2022 being the one with higher mortalities. In 2022, with 50 MHW days, the proportion of total affected colonies was almost 70%, with a proportion of the injured surface of almost 40%, reaching levels never attained in our study site since the monitoring was started.

We also found spatial variability between the monitored populations. Whereas few of them showed low levels of mortality, others lost around 75% of their biomass.

The significant impacts documented here raise concerns about the future of shallow P. clavata populations across the Mediterranean, suggesting that the resilience of this species may not be maintained to sustain these populations face the ongoing warming trends.
Assessing income redistribution: what are the key analytic choices?
Authors: Carranza Rafael , Nolan Brian 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe present the extent of divergence in the literature on the stylised facts about income redistribution in rich countries. Analytical choices that underpin this divergence are then identified and investigated empirically using microdata for 30 European countries. In terms of direct redistribution via cash transfers and direct taxes, whether social insurance pensions are treated as redistribution – the conventional approach – or as market income – as in some recent studies – is seen to be critical. When the analysis is extended to include indirect taxes and non‐cash benefits from state spending, they work in opposite directions and generally have only a limited net redistributive impact. Being able to attribute the benefits of such spending to households in more satisfactory ways is a priority. Whether household survey data are ‘corrected’ to include missing incomes at the top as well as imputed rent of owner‐occupiers and undistributed profits of companies is also seen to have a substantial impact on the scale of measured redistribution. Finally, extending the scope of redistributive analysis to include all of national income, as in recent studies from a Distributional National Accounts perspective, is investigated. This underlines the implications of including state spending on collective goods such as security and infrastructure, without a clear rationale for how it is meaningfully allocated across households.
Comprehensive analysis of resilience of human airway epithelial barrier against short‐term PM2.5 inorganic dust exposure using in vitro microfluidic chip and ex vivo human airway models
Authors: Goksel Ozlem , Sipahi Meryem Irem , Yanasik Sena , Saglam‐Metiner Pelin , Benzer Sema , Sabour‐Takanlou Leila , Sabour‐Takanlou Maryam , Biray‐Avci Cigir , Yesil‐Celiktas Ozlem 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveThe updated World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline recommends an annual mean concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) not exceeding 5 or 15 μg/m3 in the short‐term (24 h) for no more than 3–4 days annually. However, more than 90% of the global population is currently exposed to daily concentrations surpassing these limits, especially during extreme weather conditions and due to transboundary dust transport influenced by climate change. Herein, the effect of respirable <PM2.5 inorganic silica particle exposures on epithelial barrier integrity was simultaneously evaluated within the biomimetic microfluidic platform‐based airway epithelial barrier (AEB)‐on‐a‐chip and human bronchoscopic ex vivo airway tissue models, comparatively.MethodsSilica particles at an average size of 1 μm, referred to as <PM2.5, dose‐dependently tested by MTT and LDH analyses. The elicited dose of 800 μg/mL was applied to human airway epithelial cells (Calu‐3) seeded to the membrane at air–liquid interface in the AEB‐on‐a‐chip platform, which is operated under static and dynamic conditions and to ex vivo human bronchoscopy bronchial tissue slices for 72 h. For both models, healthy and exposed groups were comparatively investigated. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to assess shear stress profiles under different flow conditions. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out to evaluate the resilience of the epithelial barrier via cell survivability, morphology, barrier integrity, permeability, and inflammation.ResultsIn the AEB‐on‐a‐chip platform, short‐term exposure to 800 μg/mL PM2.5 disrupted AEB integrity via increasing barrier permeability, decreasing cell adhesion‐barrier markers such as ZO‐1, Vinculin, ACE2, and CD31, impaired cell viability and increased the expression levels of proinflammatory markers; IFNs, IL‐6, IL‐1s, TNF‐α, CD68, CD80, and Inos, mostly under dynamic conditions. Besides, decreased tissue viability, impaired tissue integrity via decreasing of Vinculin, ACE2, β‐catenin, and E‐cadherin, and also proinflammatory response with elevated CD68, IL‐1α, IL‐6, IFN‐Ɣ, Inos, and CD80 markers, were observed after PM2.5 exposure in ex vivo tissue.ConclusionThe duration and concentration of PM2.5 that can be exposed during extreme weather conditions and natural events aligns with our exposure model (0–800 μg/mL 72 h). At this level of exposure, the resilience of the epithelial barrier is demonstrated by both AEB‐on‐a‐chip platform emulating dynamic forces in the body and ex vivo bronchial biopsy slices. Lung‐on‐a‐chip models will serve as reliable exposure models in this context.
The natural evolution of untreated deep endometriosis and the effect of hormonal suppression: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bandini Veronica , Giola Francesca , Ambruoso Deborah , Cipriani Sonia , Chiaffarino Francesca , Vercellini Paolo 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntroductionPeritoneal infiltrating and fibrotic endometriosis, also known as deep endometriosis, is the most severe manifestation of the disease that can cause severe complications including bowel and ureteral stenosis. The natural history of these lesions and the possible effect of hormonal treatments on their progression are undefined. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate whether and how frequently deep endometriosis progresses over time without or with ovarian suppression. This could inform management decisions in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients.Material and MethodsFor this pre‐registered systematic review (CRD42023463518), the PubMed and Embase databases were screened, and studies published between 2000 and 2023 that serially evaluated the size of deep endometriotic lesions without or with hormonal treatment were selected. Data on the progression, stability, or regression of deep endometriotic lesions were recorded as absolute frequencies or mean volume variations. Estimates of the overall percentage of progression and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random‐effect model. When studies reported lesion progression as pre‐ and post‐treatment volume means, the delta of the two‐volume means was calculated and analyzed using the inverse variance method.ResultsA total of 29 studies were identified, of which 19 studies with 285 untreated and 730 treated patients were ultimately selected for meta‐analysis. The overall estimate of the percentage of lesion progression in untreated individuals was 21.4% (95% CI, 6.8–40.8%; I2 = 90.5%), whereas it was 12.4% during various hormonal treatments (95% CI, 9.0–16.1%; I2 = 0%). Based on the overall meta‐analysis estimates, the odds ratio of progression in treated vs untreated patients was 0.52 (95% CI, 0.41–0.66). During hormonal suppression, the mean volume of deep endometriotic lesions decreased significantly by 0.87 cm3 (95% CI, 0.19–1.56 cm3; I2 = 0%), representing −28.5% of the baseline volume.ConclusionsUntreated deep endometriotic lesions progressed in about one in five patients. Medical therapy reduced but did not eliminate this risk. Given the organ function failure potentially caused by these lesions, the decision whether to use hormonal treatments in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic women should always be shared, carefully weighing the potential benefits and harms of the two alternatives after extensive counseling.
Long‐term sexual function after mid‐urethral slings for stress urinary incontinence in women
Authors: Solhaug Berit Rein , Svenningsen Rune , Nyhus Maria Øyasæter , Volløyhaug Ingrid 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntroductionThere has been increasing concern about potential negative impact of mid‐urethral slings (MUS) on sexual life. Our aim was to study sexual activity 10–20 years after MUS surgery and changes in impact of incontinence on sexual life over time and to compare subjective cure, pain, satisfaction, and incontinence between sexually active and inactive women 10–20 years after MUS.Material and MethodsHistorical cohort study using the Norwegian Female Incontinence Registry to identify women who underwent MUS between 2001–2006 and 2011–2012. They answered validated questionnaires about sexual activity, incontinence, pain, and satisfaction with MUS. We assessed changes in urinary incontinence during intercourse and compared symptoms and satisfaction between sexually active and inactive women. The study was registered in Clinical Trials (NCT04912830).ResultsIn total, 1210/1903 (64%) responded. Of women responding to questions about sexual activity, 63% (735/1166) were sexually active. 31.3% experienced negative impact of incontinence on sexual life preoperatively, decreasing to 5.9% at 10–20 years follow‐up. A higher proportion of sexually inactive vs sexually active women had urinary incontinence (63.5% vs. 47.5%, aOR 1.60 [1.18–2.17]). In a subanalysis, only urgency and mixed urinary incontinence remained significant. A higher proportion of sexually inactive were dissatisfied with MUS (30.1% vs. 12.9%, aOR 2.53 [1.82–3.51]). Persistent pain after MUS was similar for sexually inactive and active women (4.0% vs. 3.2%, aOR 1.10 [0.55–2.19]). Furthermore, 3.4% of sexually inactive had persistent pain after MUS and stated pain as a reason for not being sexually active, whereas 1.7% of sexually active women had persistent pain after MUS and pain during intercourse.ConclusionsNegative impact of incontinence on sexual life was less prevalent at 10–20 years follow‐up after sling surgery compared to preoperative assessment. A higher proportion of sexually inactive had urgency and mixed urinary incontinence and were dissatisfied with MUS. Only 3%–4% of sexually active and inactive women had persistent pain after MUS and this was not associated with sexual activity. This indicates that incontinence has a greater negative impact on sexual activity than persisting pain after MUS at long‐term follow‐up.
The role of feared possible selves in the relationship between inferential confusion and obsessive‐compulsive symptoms: A replication and extension in a clinical sample
Authors: Aminaee Mohammad , Khosravani Vahid , Moulding Richard , Aardema Frederick , Wong Shiu Fung , Samimi Ardestani Seyed Mehdi 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectivesThe feared possible self refers to an imagined version of self that one is afraid of being or becoming. Previous evidence has shown that dysfunctional reasoning (i.e., inferential confusion) is associated with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, which is partially mediated by a feared self. However, the evidence is reliant on non‐clinical samples and a general measure of the feared self.MethodsUsing a cross‐sectional design, the current study attempted to replicate and extend this literature in a sample clinically diagnosed with OCD (n = 350) to assess the pathway from inferential confusion to OCD symptoms when feared self is accounted for as a mediator, particularly the individual dimensions of feared self (i.e., corrupted, culpable, and malformed feared selves). Participants completed a structured clinical interview for DSM‐5, as well as measures of inferential confusion (Dysfunctional Reasoning Processes Task), obsessive beliefs, feared self, OCD symptoms, and psychological distress.ResultsInferential confusion directly, and indirectly through the feared corrupted self, affected OCD symptoms, even after adjusting for obsessive beliefs, psychological distress, and comorbidity. However, the feared culpable and malformed selves did not play a role in this pathway.ConclusionsThe study underscores that the feared corrupted self links inferential confusion to OCD symptoms, translating to the need to consider both dysfunctional reasoning processes and this specific feared self in clinical settings when treating OCD. Furthermore, the study provides more support for the inference‐based approach (IBA) to OCD.
Upregulation of HOXA3 by isoform‐specific Wilms tumour 1 drives chemotherapy resistance in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Allen Basil , Savoy Lindsey , Ryabinin Peter , Bottomly Daniel , Chen Reid , Goff Bonnie , Wang Anthony , McWeeney Shannon K. , Zhang Haijiao 
Published: June 2024

SummaryUpregulation of the Wilms' tumour 1 (WT1) gene is common in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and is associated with poor prognosis. WT1 generates 12 primary transcripts through different translation initiation sites and alternative splicing. The short WT1 transcripts express abundantly in primary leukaemia samples. We observed that overexpression of short WT1 transcripts lacking exon 5 with and without the KTS motif (sWT1+/− and sWT1−/−) led to reduced cell growth. However, only sWT1+/− overexpression resulted in decreased CD71 expression, G1 arrest, and cytarabine resistance. Primary AML patient cells with low CD71 expression exhibit resistance to cytarabine, suggesting that CD71 may serve as a potential biomarker for chemotherapy. RNAseq differential expressed gene analysis identified two transcription factors, HOXA3 and GATA2, that are specifically upregulated in sWT1+/− cells, whereas CDKN1A is upregulated in sWT1−/− cells. Overexpression of either HOXA3 or GATA2 reproduced the effects of sWT1+/−, including decreased cell growth, G1 arrest, reduced CD71 expression and cytarabine resistance. HOXA3 expression correlates with chemotherapy response and overall survival in NPM1 mutation‐negative leukaemia specimens. Overexpression of HOXA3 leads to drug resistance against a broad spectrum of chemotherapeutic agents. Our results suggest that WT1 regulates cell proliferation and drug sensitivity in an isoform‐specific manner.
Factors influencing speech improvement following maxillary complete‐arch implant‐supported restorations: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Yun , Ding Hongwei , Gao Hanqi , Liu Jie , Wang Feng , Wu Yiqun 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study explored factors affecting speech improvement in patients with an edentulous maxilla after the delivery of a complete‐arch implant‐supported fixed dental prosthesis (IFDP).Materials and MethodsPatients who had received IFDP for edentulous maxilla were enrolled, and various potential speech improvement‐related factors were considered, including patient demographics, anterior residual bone volume, preoperative facial features, preoperative acoustic parameters, and adaptation time. Acoustic analysis and perceptual ratings were used to assess three fricatives [s], [f], and [ɕ]. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between changes in fricatives and potential factors (α = .05).ResultsThe study included 50 patients (18 females and 32 males, aged 50.62 ± 15.71 years, range 19–76). Significant correlations were found among the change in the center of gravity (ΔCoG) of [s] and anterior residual bone volume, zygomatic implants number and proportion (p < .05). These correlations were largely mirrored in the perceptual score (ΔPS) changes. After controlling for age, sex, preoperative acoustic parameters, and adaptation time, the ΔCoG and ΔPS of fricatives were mainly correlated with the anterior residual bone volume, preoperative acoustic parameters, and adaptation time.ConclusionSpeech improvements post‐IFDP delivery are mainly related to preoperative speech characteristics, anterior residual bone volume, and adaptation time. The residual bone volume's impact on consonants varies with specific articulatory gestures. This study provides insights into forecasting speech outcomes following IFDP restoration and provides recommendations and methods for data collection in developing future prediction models.
Distinct mechanisms for online and offline motor skill learning across human development
Authors: Beck Mikkel Malling , Kristensen Frederikke Toft , Abrahamsen Gitte , Spedden Meaghan Elizabeth , Christensen Mark Schram , Lundbye‐Jensen Jesper 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe human central nervous system (CNS) undergoes tremendous changes from childhood to adulthood and this may affect how individuals at different stages of development learn new skills. Here, we studied motor skill learning in children, adolescents, and young adults to test the prediction that differences in the maturation of different learning mechanisms lead to distinct temporal patterns of motor learning during practice and overnight. We found that overall learning did not differ between children, adolescents, and young adults. However, we demonstrate that adult‐like skill learning is characterized by rapid and large improvements in motor performance during practice (i.e., online) that are susceptible to forgetting and decay over time (i.e., offline). On the other hand, child‐like learning exhibits slower and less pronounced improvements in performance during practice, but these improvements are robust against forgetting and lead to gains in performance overnight without further practice. The different temporal dynamics of motor skill learning suggest an engagement of distinct learning mechanisms in the human CNS during development. In conclusion, adult‐like skill learning mechanisms favor online improvements in motor performance whereas child‐like learning mechanisms favors offline behavioral gains.Research Highlights
Many essential motor skills, like walking, talking, and writing, are acquired during childhood, and it is colloquially thought that children learn better than adults.
We investigated dynamics of motor skill learning in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Adults displayed substantial improvements during practice that was susceptible to forgetting over time. Children displayed smaller improvements during practice that were resilient against forgetting.
The distinct age‐related characteristics of these processes of acquisition and consolidation suggest that skill learning relies on different mechanisms in the immature and mature central nervous system.
Automatic cross‐ and multi‐lingual recognition of dysphonia by ensemble classification using deep speaker embedding models
Authors: Aziz Dosti , Sztahó Dávid 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMachine Learning (ML) algorithms have demonstrated remarkable performance in dysphonia detection using speech samples. However, their efficacy often diminishes when tested on languages different from the training data, raising questions about their suitability in clinical settings. This study aims to develop a robust method for cross‐ and multi‐lingual dysphonia detection that overcomes the limitation of language dependency in existing ML methods. We propose an innovative approach that leverages speech embeddings from speaker verification models, especially ECAPA and x‐vector and employs a majority voting ensemble classifier. We utilize speech features extracted from ECAPA and x‐vector embeddings to train three distinct classifiers. The significant advantage of these embedding models lies in their capability to capture speaker characteristics in a language‐independent manner, forming fixed‐dimensional feature spaces. Additionally, we investigate the impact of generating synthetic data within the embedding feature space using the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE). Our experimental results unveil the effectiveness of the proposed method for dysphonia detection. Compared to results obtained from x‐vector embeddings, ECAPA consistently demonstrates superior performance in distinguishing between healthy and dysphonic speech, achieving accuracy values of 93.33% and 96.55% in both cross‐lingual and multi‐lingual scenarios, respectively. This highlights the remarkable capabilities of speaker verification models, especially ECAPA, in capturing language‐independent features that enhance overall detection performance. The proposed method effectively addresses the challenges of language dependency in dysphonia detection. ECAPA embeddings, combined with majority voting ensemble classifiers, show significant potential for improving the accuracy and reliability of dysphonia detection in cross‐ and multi‐lingual scenarios.
Prevalence and risk factors of parental mental health problems: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Grant Anne , McCartan Claire , Davidson Gavin , Bunting Lisa , Cameron Julie , McBride Orla , Mulholland Ciaran , Murphy Jamie , Nolan Emma , Schubotz Dirk , Shevlin Mark 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAn understanding of the prevalence and risk factors of parental mental health problems is important for early intervention and prevention measures and shaping services for parents and their children. However, large representative surveys of parental mental health problems and associated risk factors are lacking. The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence rates of parental mental health problems using a standardised measure of psychiatric morbidity (General Health Questionnaire; GHQ‐12), in a representative sample of parents and caregivers of children and young people (2–19 years) in Northern Ireland. Further, this study explored associated risk factors of parental mental health problems. A random household survey of parents and children was conducted between June 2019 and March 2020. Parental responses on demographic, economic, familial and psychological measures were collected (N = 2815) and 22% of parents and caregivers screened positive for mental health problems. The STROBE checklist for observational research was adhered to. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that being in receipt of benefits, having poor family support, a history of adverse childhood experiences, a history of exposure to politically motivated violence (the Troubles), and a child with conduct problems and poor health were all independent risk factors of increased parental mental health problems. Findings will help to inform future commissioning and development of services and broaden understanding of the correlates of parental mental health problems.