bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Workforce preparation for delivery of nurturing care in low‐ and middle‐income countries: Expert consensus on critical multisectoral training needs
Authors: Pearson Emma , Rao Nirmala , Siraj Iram , Aboud Frances , Horton Caroline , Hendry Helen 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundServices to support nurturing care through early childhood development (ECD) in low‐ and middle‐income countries are hampered by significant workforce challenges. The global early childhood workforce is both diverse and complex, and it supports the delivery of a wide range of services in extremely diverse geographical and social settings. In the context of contemporary global goals for the universal provision of quality early childhood provision, there is an urgent need to build appropriate platforms for strengthening and supporting this workforce. However, the evidence base to support this work is severely limited.MethodsTo contribute to evidence on how to strengthen the ECD workforce in low‐ and middle‐income countries, this study used a Delphi methodology involving three rounds of data collection with 14 global experts, to reach consensus on the most critical training needs of three key early childhood workforce groups: (i) health; (ii) community‐based paraprofessionals, and (iii) educational professionals working across ECD programmes.ResultsThe study identified a comprehensive set of shared, as well as distinct, training needs across the three groups. Shared training needs include the following: (i) nurturing dispositions that facilitate work with children and families in complex settings; (ii) knowledge and skills to support responsive, adaptable delivery of ECD programmes; and (iii) systems for ECD training and professional pathways that prioritise ongoing mentoring and support.ConclusionsThe study's detailed findings help to address a critical gap in the evidence on training needs for ECD workers in low‐resource contexts. They provide insights into how to strengthen content, systems, and methods of training to support intersectoral ECD work in resource‐constrained contexts.
Genome‐wide DNA methylation analysis identifies potent CpG signature for temzolomide response in non‐G‐CIMP glioblastomas with unmethylated MGMT promoter: MGMT‐dependent roles of GPR81
Authors: Liang Bao‐Bao , Wang Yu‐Hong , Huang Jing‐Jing , Lin Shuai , Mao Guo‐Chao , Zhou Zhang‐Jian , Yan Wan‐Jun , Shan Chang‐You , Wu Hui‐Zi , Etcheverry Amandine , He Ya‐Long , Liu Fang‐Fang , Kang Hua‐Feng , Yin An‐An , Zhang Shu‐Qun 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPurposesTo identify potent DNA methylation candidates that could predict response to temozolomide (TMZ) in glioblastomas (GBMs) that do not have glioma‐CpGs island methylator phenotype (G‐CIMP) but have an unmethylated promoter of O‐6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (unMGMT).MethodsThe discovery‐validation approach was planned incorporating a series of G‐CIMP−/unMGMT GBM cohorts with DNA methylation microarray data and clinical information, to construct multi‐CpG prediction models. Different bioinformatic and experimental analyses were performed for biological exploration.ResultsBy analyzing discovery sets with radiotherapy (RT) plus TMZ versus RT alone, we identified a panel of 64 TMZ efficacy‐related CpGs, from which a 10‐CpG risk signature was further constructed. Both the 64‐CpG panel and the 10‐CpG risk signature were validated showing significant correlations with overall survival of G‐CIMP−/unMGMT GBMs when treated with RT/TMZ, rather than RT alone. The 10‐CpG risk signature was further observed for aiding TMZ choice by distinguishing differential outcomes to RT/TMZ versus RT within each risk subgroup. Functional studies on GPR81, the gene harboring one of the 10 CpGs, indicated its distinct impacts on TMZ resistance in GBM cells, which may be dependent on the status of MGMT expression.ConclusionsThe 64 TMZ efficacy‐related CpGs and in particular the 10‐CpG risk signature may serve as promising predictive biomarker candidates for guiding optimal usage of TMZ in G‐CIMP−/unMGMT GBMs.
The guiding effect of local field potential during deep brain stimulation surgery for programming in Parkinson's disease patients
Authors: Dong Wenwen , Qiu Chang , Chang Lei , Sun Jian , Yan Jiuqi , Luo Bei , Lu Yue , Liu Weiguo , Zhang Li , Zhang Wenbin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundParkinson's disease (PD) patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery require subsequent programming, which is complex and cumbersome. The local field potential (LFP) in the deep brain is associated with motor symptom improvement. The current study aimed to identify LFP biomarkers correlated with improved motor symptoms in PD patients after DBS and verify their guiding role in postoperative programming.MethodsInitially, the study included 36 PD patients undergoing DBS surgery. Temporary external electrical stimulation was performed during electrode implantation, and LFP signals around the electrode contacts were collected before and after stimulation. The stimulating contact at 6 months of programming was regarded as the optimal and effective stimulating contact. The LFP signal of this contact during surgery was analyzed to identify potential LFP biomarkers. Next, we randomly assigned another 30 PD patients who had undergone DBS to physician empirical programming and LFP biomarker‐guided programming groups and compared the outcomes.ResultsIn the first part of the study, LFP signals of electrode contacts changed after electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation reduced gamma energy and the beta/alpha oscillation ratio. The different programming method groups were compared, indicating the superiority of beta/alpha oscillations ratio‐guided programming over physician experience programming for patients' improvement rate (IR) of UPDRS‐III. There were no significant differences in the IR of UPDRS‐III, post‐LED, IR‐PDQ39, number of programmings, and the contact change rate between the gamma oscillations‐guided programming and empirical programming groups.ConclusionOverall, the findings reveal that gamma oscillations and the beta/alpha oscillations ratio are potential biomarkers for programming in PD patients after DBS. Instead of relying solely on spike action potential signals from single neurons, LFP biomarkers can provide the appropriate depth for electrode placement.
Sublabial excision versus transnasal endoscopic marsupialization for nasolabial cysts: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tsai Hao‐Wen , Chao Wei‐Chieh , Lee Yi‐Hsuan , Tsai Yao‐Te , Tsai Ming‐Shao , Lee Yi‐Chan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of sublabial excision and transnasal endoscopic marsupialization, the two primary surgical approaches for nasolabial cysts.Design and SettingA comprehensive meta‐analysis of studies identified from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.ParticipantsPatients diagnosed with nasolabial cysts who underwent surgical treatment.Main Outcome MeasuresOperative time, postoperative pain, overall postoperative complications, admission rate, length of hospital stay, use of general anaesthesia, medical costs, and recurrence rate.ResultsThe pooled analysis revealed that the transnasal endoscopic marsupialization group had shorter operative time (mean differences [MD], −32.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], −38.52 to −26.51), reduced postoperative pain (MD, −4.25; 95% CI, −7.62 to −0.89), fewer overall postoperative complications (risk difference [RD], −0.68; 95% CI, −0.90 to −0.46), lower admission rates (RD, −0.86; 95% CI, −1.11 to −0.61), shorter hospital stays (MD, −1.74; 95% CI, −2.58 to −0.89), decreased use of general anaesthesia (RD, −0.40; 95% CI, −0.76 to −0.03), and reduced medical costs (MD, −229.69; 95% CI, −338.64 to −120.75). The recurrence rate between the two groups showed no significant difference (RD, −0.01; 95% CI, −0.05 to 0.04).ConclusionTransnasal endoscopic marsupialization presents as a promising alternative to sublabial excision in the treatment of nasolabial cysts. It offers advantages like reduced operative time, decreased postoperative pain, fewer complications, lower admission rates, shorter hospital stays, diminished need for general anaesthesia, and cost savings. Clinicians can leverage these findings to select the most suitable surgical approach for their patients.
A progressive mesh simplification algorithm based on neural implicit representation
Authors: Chen Yihua 
Published: October 2023

AbstractProgressive mesh simplification (PM) algorithm aims to generate simplified mesh at any resolution for the input high‐precision mesh, and only needs to be optimized or fitted once. Most of the existing PM algorithms are obtained based on heuristic mesh simplification algorithms, which leads to redundant storage space and poor practice‐ability of the algorithm. In this article, a progressive mesh simplification algorithm based on neural implicit representation (NePM) is proposed, and NePM transforms algorithm process into an implicit continuous optimization problem through neural network and probabilistic model. NePM uses Gaussian mixture model to model high‐precision mesh and samples the probabilistic model to obtain simplified meshes at different resolutions. In addition, the simplified mesh is optimized through multi‐level neural network, preserving characteristics of the input high‐precision mesh. Thus, the algorithm in this work lowers the memory usage of the PM and improves the practicability of the algorithm while ensuring the accuracy.
Applying Natural Language Processing to ClinicalTrials.gov: mRNA cancer vaccine case study
Authors: Vora Bianca , Kuruvilla Denison , Kim Chloe , Wu Michael , Shemesh Colby S. , Roth Gillie A. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRecently, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have made strides to adopt and implement Natural Language Processing (NLP) to address challenges faced when extracting and synthesizing high volumes of information found in unstructured and semistructured text. Here we present, and provide a summary of the findings from, a use case where NLP and text mining methodologies were used to extract clinical trial data from ClinicalTrials.gov for mRNA cancer vaccines.
A novel speckle‐tracking echocardiography parameter assessing left ventricular afterload
Authors: Sato Kei , Wildi Karin , Chan Jonathan , Palmieri Chiara , Obonyo Nchafatso G. , Heinsar Silver , Liu Keibun , Livingstone Samantha , Sato Noriko , Ainola Carmen , Abbate Gabriella , Bouquet Mahé , Wilson Emily , Passmore Margaret , Hyslop Kieran , Platts David G. , Suen Jacky , Bassi Gianluigi Li , Fraser John F. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundLeft ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) and afterload‐related cardiac performance (ACP) consider left ventricular (LV) afterload and could be better prognosticators in septic cardiomyopathy. However, their invasive nature prevents their routine clinical applications. This study aimed to investigate (1) whether a proposed speckle‐tracking echocardiography parameter, Pressure‐Strain Product (PSP), can non‐invasively predict catheter‐based LVSWI, ACP and serum lactate in an ovine model of septic cardiomyopathy; and (2) whether PSP can distinguish the sub‐phenotypes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with or without sepsis‐like conditions.MethodsSixteen sheep with ARDS were randomly assigned to either (1) sepsis‐like (n = 8) or (2) non‐sepsis‐like (n = 8) group. Each ARDS and sepsis‐like condition was induced by intravenous infusion of oleic acid and lipopolysaccharide, respectively. Pulmonary artery catheter‐based LVSWI (the product of stroke work index, mean arterial pressure and .0136), ACP (the percentage of cardiac output measured to cardiac output predicted as normal) and serum lactate were measured simultaneously with transthoracic echocardiography. Two PSP indices were calculated by multiplying the mean arterial blood pressure and either global circumferential strain (PSPcirc) or radial strain (PSPrad).ResultsPSPcirc showed a significant correlation with LVSWI (r2 = .66, p < .001) and ACP (r2 = .82, p < .001) in the sepsis‐like group. Although PSP could not distinguish subphenotypes, PSPcirc predicted LVSWI (AUC .86) and ACP (AUC .88), and PSPrad predicted serum lactate (AUC .75) better than LV ejection fraction, global circumferential and radial strain.ConclusionsA novel PSP has the potential to non‐invasively predict catheter‐based LVSWI and ACP, and was associated with serum lactate in septic cardiomyopathy.
A Theory of Planetary Social Pedagogy
Authors: Salonen Arto O. , Laininen Erkka , Hämäläinen Juha , Sterling Stephen 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe escalating planetary crises of human‐induced climate change, the depletion of natural resources, and declining biodiversity call for urgent actions to be taken at all levels of society and by the global community. The current political strategy for a sustainable future that emphasizes economic and technological progress is insufficient to bring about the change required; an educational approach based on identities, values, ethics, and new worldviews is also needed. In this article Arto O. Salonen and his coauthors consider the kind of pedagogy that could support a transformation of the human conception of reality into a form that both recognizes the connections and interactions between people, society, and the planet, and imparts an ethical orientation to action that strengthens the health and integrity of all entities. A theory of planetary social pedagogy (PSP) is based on traditional social pedagogy, which provides a theoretical framework for formal, nonformal, and informal education. PSP aims at building a deep holistic understanding of the relationship between the individual, society, and Earth by integrating the fragmented human conception and experience of reality by uniting the three dimensions of a social‐ecological worldview: spatial, temporal, and ethical. Moreover, PSP is a cyclical learning process that alternates between cognitive, metacognitive, and epistemic levels of learning. The ultimate goal of using PSP is to lay the foundation for a fundamental transformation of the ideals, values, and culture that shape human behavior in ways necessary for securing a sustainable future.
Large‐scale bioacoustic monitoring to elucidate the distribution of a non‐native katydid
Authors: Caouette Alexandre P. , Bayne Erin M. , Judge Kevin A. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
For animals that produce species‐specific audible sounds, environmental recordings combined with automated acoustic monitoring software (passive acoustic monitoring [PAM]) may be an effective monitoring tool because it allows audio data from many, widely distributed autonomous recording units (ARUs) to be processed in a relatively short period of time. Males of many insect species produce loud, species‐specific mating songs, yet acoustic insects have received less attention from PAM relative to vertebrates.
We evaluated the use of PAM to monitor, Roeseliana roeselii (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae), an acoustic insect that has expanded its range to Alberta, Canada, far outside its naturalized North American range. We analysed environmental recordings from ARUs: (1) at two control sites known to be occupied by R. roeselii and (2) across Alberta established by the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) to search for new populations.
PAM successfully detected R. roeselii at the two control sites, but not at any of the 73 ABMI sites that we analysed. Despite the failure to detect new locations of R. roeselii, our analysis of ABMI environmental recordings detected several other species of acoustic insects, including Orchelimum gladiator, Gryllus sp. and Allonemobius spp.
Our results add to the growing body of work showing the feasibility of using PAM for acoustic insects. We make suggestions for how to maximize the effectiveness of this monitoring tool for the conservation and management of singing insects in North America.
Detection and quantification of Cronartium pini from Scots pine bark and wood with Cronartium spp.‐specific quantitative PCR
Authors: Zhang Ke , Stenlid Jan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe forest disease, Scots pine blister rust, is caused by the rust fungus Cronartium pini. This pathogen was previously known as the host‐alternating type C. flaccidum and non‐host‐alternating type Peridermium pini. Recent epidemics of this disease in Northern European forests, especially young Scots pine forests in Sweden, caused significant economic and ecological losses. Cronartium pini can be identified based on the typical orange blister‐like aecia in Scots pine in summer, but any molecular identification and quantification method has not been available for Cronartium spp. This study developed qPCR primers that are specific to Cronartium spp. and evaluated DNA extraction protocols from pine bark and wood to enable robust qPCR assays. As little as three Cronartium ITS copies can be detected with the protocol. Since only C. pini is known to infect Scots pine in Northern Europe, the protocols were applied to detect C. pini from Scots pine samples without typical symptoms and investigate the C. pini colonization in Scots pine branches from the forest. These results will aid the detection and quantification of C. pini in asymptomatic or symptomatic samples and monitoring Scots pine blister rust in the forest in northern Europe.
Arc expression regulates long‐term potentiation magnitude and metaplasticity in area CA1 of the hippocampus in ArcKR mice
Authors: Haley Maisy , Bertrand Jeanri , Anderson Vanessa Torrico , Fuad Mukattar , Frenguelli Bruno G. , Corrêa Sonia A. L. , Wall Mark J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractExpression of the immediate early gene Arc/Arg3.1 (Arc), a key mediator of synaptic plasticity, is enhanced by neural activity and then reduced by proteasome‐dependent degradation. We have previously shown that the disruption of Arc degradation, in an Arc knock‐in mouse (ArcKR), where the predominant Arc ubiquitination sites were mutated, reduced the threshold to induce, and also enhanced, the strength of Group I metabotropic glutamate receptor‐mediated long‐term depression (DHPG‐LTD). Here, we have investigated if ArcKR expression changes long‐term potentiation (LTP) in CA1 area of the hippocampus. As previously reported, there was no change in basal synaptic transmission at Schaffer collateral/commissural‐CA1 (SC‐CA1) synapses in ArcKR versus wild‐type (WT) mice. There was, however, a significant increase in the amplitude of synaptically induced (with low frequency paired‐pulse stimulation) LTD in ArcKR mice. Theta burst stimulation (TBS)‐evoked LTP at SC‐CA1 synapses was significantly reduced in ArcKR versus WT mice (after 2 h). Group 1 mGluR priming of LTP was abolished in ArcKR mice, which could also potentially contribute to a depression of LTP. Although high frequency stimulation (HFS)‐induced LTP was not significantly different in ArcKR compared with WT mice (after 1 h), there was a phenotype in environmentally enriched mice, with the ratio of LTP to short‐term potentiation (STP) significantly reduced in ArcKR mice. These findings support the hypothesis that Arc ubiquitination supports the induction and expression of LTP, likely via limiting Arc‐dependent removal of AMPA receptors at synapses.
Using sedimentary prokaryotic communities to assess historical changes in the Gippsland Lakes
Authors: Pérez Vilma , Liu Yichen , Wong Wei Wen , Kessler Adam , Cook Perran L. M. , Zawadzki Atun , Moore Nicole E. , Kurte Lenka , Child David , Hotchkis Michael , Weyrich Laura S. , Lintern Anna 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The Gippsland Lakes is the largest estuarine system in Australia. Over the last 2 centuries, this unique aquatic ecosystem has suffered substantial modifications mostly associated with anthropogenic impacts, including the creation in 1889 of an artificial channel to the ocean after European arrival, creating chronic salinisation in the system. However, the biological impacts of this historic shift are unclear.

Here, we use shotgun metagenomics of environmental DNA from historical sediments of Lake King and Lake Victoria to detect ancient microbial DNA and track past ecological changes in prokaryotic communities.

Sedimentary prokaryotic communities changed with core depth, organic matter levels and European arrival. Specifically, we observed an increase in sulfate‐reducing bacteria (e.g., Desulfobacterales) and organic matter enrichment in the upper layers of the sediment cores of the Gippsland Lakes, which could reflect a period of eutrophication caused by higher rates of organic deposition and marine intrusion post‐European arrival.

However, while some species presented authentic ancient DNA signals, the shifts in community composition probably reflect changes in indigenous sediment‐dwelling microorganisms in response to geochemical changes of the sediment.

Overall, these observations suggest that historic waterway management practices may influence microbial systems today and that sedimentary microbial communities can change in response to both natural biogeochemical dynamics along the depth profile and past environmental conditions.
Increased dispersal explains increasing local diversity with global biodiversity declines
Authors: Fagan Brennen , Pitchford Jon W. , Stepney Susan , Thomas Chris D. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe narrative of biodiversity decline in response to human impacts is overly simplistic because different aspects of biodiversity show different trajectories at different spatial scales. It is also debated whether human‐caused biodiversity changes lead to subsequent, accelerating change (cascades) in ecological communities, or alternatively build increasingly robust community networks with decreasing extinction rates and reduced invasibility. Mechanistic approaches are needed that simultaneously reconcile different aspects of biodiversity change, and explore the robustness of communities to further change. We develop a trophically structured, mainland‐archipelago metacommunity model of community assembly. Varying the parameters across model simulations shows that local alpha diversity (the number of species per island) and regional gamma diversity (the total number of species in the archipelago) depend on both the rate of extirpation per island and on the rate of dispersal between islands within the archipelago. In particular, local diversity increases with increased dispersal and heterogeneity between islands, but regional diversity declines because the islands become biotically similar and local one‐island and few‐island species are excluded (homogenisation, or reduced beta diversity). This mirrors changes observed empirically: real islands have gained species (increased local and island‐scale community diversity) with increased human‐assisted transfers of species, but global diversity has declined with the loss of endemic species. However, biological invasions may be self‐limiting. High‐dispersal, high local‐diversity model communities become resistant to subsequent invasions, generating robust species‐community networks unless dispersal is extremely high. A mixed‐up world is likely to lose many species, but the resulting ecological communities may nonetheless be relatively robust.