bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytoestrogen intake and other dietary risk factors for low motile sperm count and poor sperm morphology
Authors: Povey Andy C. , Clyma Julie‐Ann , McNamee Roseanne , Moore Harry D. , Baillie Helen , Pacey Allan A. , Cade Janet E. , Cherry Nicola M. ,   Participating Centres of Chaps‐UK
Published: July 2020

Background

Few potentially modifiable risk factors of male infertility have been identified, and while different diets and food groups have been associated with male infertility, evidence linking dietary factors including phytoestrogens and semen quality is limited and contradictory.

Objectives

To study the associations between phytoestrogen intake and other dietary factors and semen quality.

Materials and Methods

A case‐referent study was undertaken of the male partners, of couples attempting conception with unprotected intercourse for 12 months or more without success, recruited from 14 UK assisted reproduction clinics. A total of 1907 participants completed occupational, lifestyle and dietary questionnaires before semen quality (concentration, motility and morphology) were assessed. Food intake was estimated by a 65‐item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) covering the 12 months prior to recruitment. Analyses of dietary risk factors for low motile sperm concentration (MSC: <4.8 × 106/mL) and poor sperm morphology (PM: <4% normal morphology) used unconditional logistic regression, accounting for clustering of subjects within the clinics, first without, and then with, adjustment for confounders associated with that outcome.

Results

High consumption of daidzein (≥13.74 μg/d), a phytoestrogen found in soy products, was a protective factor for MSC with an odds ratio (95%CI) of 0.58 (0.42‐0.82) after adjustment for clustering and potential confounding. Dietary risk factors for PM after similar adjustment showed that drinking whole milk (OR 0.67, 95%CI 0.47‐0.96) and eating red meat were protective with an OR 0.67 (0.46‐0.99) for eating red meat >3 times/wk.

Discussion

In this case‐referent study of men attending an infertility clinic for fertility diagnosis, we have identified that low MSC is inversely associated with daidzein intake. In contrast, daidzein intake was not associated with PM but eating red milk and drinking whole milk were protective.

Conclusions

Dietary factors associated with semen quality were identified, suggesting that male fertility might be improved by dietary changes.
The effect of hyperoxia on inflammation and platelet responses in an ex vivo extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit
Authors: Passmore Margaret R. , Ki Katrina K. , Chan Chris H. H. , Lee Talvin , Bouquet Mahé , Wood Emily S. , Raman Sainath , Rozencwajg Sacha , Burrell Aidan J. C. , McDonald Charles I. , Langguth Daman , Shekar Kiran , Malfertheiner Maximilian V. , Fraser John F. , Suen Jacky Y.
Published: July 2020

Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is expanding, however, it is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Activation of inflammatory and innate immune responses and hemostatic alterations contribute to complications. Hyperoxia may play a role in exacerbating these responses. Nine ex vivo ECMO circuits were tested using fresh healthy human whole blood, with two oxygen levels: 21% inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO2; mild hyperoxia; n = 5) and 100% FiO2 (severe hyperoxia; n = 4). Serial blood samples were taken for analysis of platelet aggregometry, leukocyte activation, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers. ECMO resulted in reduced adenosine diphosphate‐ (P < .05) and thrombin receptor activating peptide‐induced (P < .05) platelet aggregation, as well as increasing levels of the neutrophil activation marker, neutrophil elastase (P = .013). Additionally, levels of the inflammatory chemokine interleukin‐8 were elevated (P < .05) and the activity of superoxide dismutase, a marker of oxidative stress, was increased (P = .002). Hyperoxia did not augment these responses, with no significant differences detected between mild and severe hyperoxia. Our ex vivo model of ECMO revealed that the circuit itself triggers a pro‐inflammatory and oxidative stress response, however, exposure to supra‐physiologic oxygen does not amplify that response. Extended‐duration studies and inclusion of an endothelial component could be beneficial in characterizing longer term changes.
Neonatal jaundice, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and familial effects: A Swedish register study with sibling analysis
Authors: Le Ray Isabelle , Wang Chen , Almqvist Catarina , Lichtenstein Paul , D’Onofrio Brian M. , Johansson Stefan , Larsson Henrik , Rosenqvist Mina A.
Published: July 2020

Aim

Neonatal jaundice is associated with higher risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it is unclear if the association is influenced by genetic and other familial factors. In this large population‐based study, we investigated the association between neonatal jaundice and ADHD while adjusting for familial factors.

Methods

We linked several Swedish registers to identify all singleton births without congenital malformations between 1992 and 2000 (n = 814 420, including 384 290 full siblings) and followed them up until 2009. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between neonatal jaundice and ADHD, adjusting for pregnancy, delivery and neonatal characteristics including prematurity, and parental age and education. We repeated the analyses among siblings to adjust for shared familial factors.

Results

At a population level, children treated for neonatal jaundice had an increased risk of ADHD (adjusted HR (aHR): 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05‐1.22). In the sibling comparisons, there was no clear association between neonatal jaundice and ADHD (aHR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.82‐1.29).

Conclusion

We found no evidence of an independent association between neonatal jaundice and ADHD within siblings in this large population‐based study, suggesting that the association is probably influenced by shared familial factors, such as parental genetic and/or lifestyle effects.
CPEB3 regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of bovine cumulus cells
Authors: Wang Ying , Chen Cheng‐Zhen , Fu Xu‐Huang , Liu Jian‐Bo , Peng Yan‐Xia , Wang Yi‐Jie , Han Dong‐Xu , Zhang Zhe , Yuan Bao , Gao Yan , Jiang Hao , Zhang Jia‐Bao
Published: July 2020

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element‐binding protein 3 (CPEB3) is a member of the Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element‐binding family, which has been found to regulate the translation of dormant and masked mRNA in Xenopus oocytes and plays potential roles in regulating biological functions in cells and tissues. However, its role in cumulus cells is not clear. In this study, the mRNA expression of CPEB3 in bovine cumulus cells was inhibited with small interfering RNA. Cell cycle progression, proliferation, and apoptosis were measured after inhibition of CPEB3. Subsequently, changes in intracellular Reactive oxygen species content, mitochondrial membrane potential and expansion‐related gene expression were examined. The results showed that after CPEB3 inhibition, cumulus cells had an abnormal cell cycle, the numbers of cells in the S and G2/M phases were significantly increased, cell proliferation was increased and apoptosis rates were decreased. These effects were likely due CPEB3 inhibition‐induced decreases in intracellular Reactive oxygen species levels; increases in mitochondrial membrane potential; decreases in apoptosis; downregulation of CCNA, CCND, CCNE, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, p21, and p27 mRNA expression; and upregulation of CCNB, CDK1, HAS2, PTGS2, PTX3, and CEBPB mRNA expression. Therefore, CPEB3 plays potential roles in regulating the biological and physiological functions of bovine cumulus cell.
Environmental filtering and spatial processes shape the beta diversity of liana communities in a valley savanna in southwest China
Authors: Zhang Yun‐Bing , Wu Huai‐Dong , Yang Jie , Song Xiao‐Yang , Yang Da , He Fangliang , Zhang Jiao‐Lin
Published: July 2020

Questions

Lianas contribute substantially to the diversity and function of ecosystems. What is the relative importance of environmental filtering and spatial processes on structuring liana beta diversity at taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic levels? Is there any synergy between these drivers (environmental factors and spatial distance) on shaping these three dimensions of beta diversity in a savanna liana community?

Location

A dry‐hot valley savanna in Yunnan Province, southwest China.

Methods

We established 30 20 m × 20 m plots in the savanna to collect data on the distribution of 22 liana species, 19 functional traits, and plot‐level soil nutrients, elevation, and slope. The relative contributions of these environmental factors and spatial distance to liana taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic dissimilarity were analyzed using multiple regression on distance matrices. We also tested which environmental factors influence the beta diversity of liana community using permutational multivariate analysis of variance.

Results

Both environmental and spatial distances were significantly correlated with taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic dissimilarity. Spatial distance explained more variation in taxonomic beta diversity than environmental factors. But for both nearest‐neighbour functional and phylogenetic distance Dnn’, environment explained relatively more variation than space did. Moreover, the proportion explained by environmental variables was ranked in decreasing order as follows: functional Dnn’, phylogenetic Dnn’, and taxonomic beta diversity. We found soil pH had the highest contribution to taxonomic and functional beta diversity, while soil total nitrogen contributed most to phylogenetic beta diversity.

Conclusions

This study revealed that liana taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic beta diversity in the studied hot‐dry savanna ecosystem is affected and maintained by both environmental filtering and spatial processes. Moreover, the functional and phylogenetic diversities were more strongly subject to environmental filtering. Our study provides information on the mechanisms underlying liana diversity maintenance in savanna, which is necessary to inform conservation management in this vulnerable ecosystem.
Impact of COVID‐19 epidemic on live online dental continuing education
Authors: Liu Xiaoqiang , Zhou Jianfeng , Chen Li , Yang Yang , Tan Jianguo
Published: July 2020

Introduction

This study aimed to assess live online dental continuing education during COVID‐19 epidemic in China.

Methods

Twenty‐one institutions providing live online dental courses in China during COVID‐19 epidemic enrolled in this study. Their online and/or offline course provision before and during the epidemic was retrospectively inquired. If live online education was provided, the number of courses, duration and number of participants per week were further investigated. Time distributions of live online dental courses were recorded and classified as within working time and out of working time. The test period of COVID‐19 epidemic was for two weeks between 16 February and 29 February 2020. The control period of pre‐COVID‐19 epidemic was for ten weeks between 01 November 2019 and 09 January 2020.

Results

The percentages of offline and online courses provided by 21 dental continuing education institutions before COVID‐19 epidemic were 95.2% (20 out of 21) and 28.6% (6 out of 21), respectively. All the institutions suspended offline courses whilst providing two live online courses, on average, per week with 188 minutes duration and 7290 participants during the epidemic. The total number of online courses for 10 weeks before the epidemic was 33, and that for two weeks during the epidemic was 119. The proportion of courses provided within working time raised from 6.1% (2 out of 33) of pre‐COVID‐19 to 46.2% (55 out of 119) during COVID‐19. There were significant differences between before and during the epidemic (P < .001).

Conclusion

The dental continuing education transferred from offline to online dramatically, and live online dental continuing education increased significantly during COVID‐19 epidemic in China.
Evolution of elastic behavior of alite paste at early hydration stages
Authors: Huang Tingjie , Yuan Qiang , Zuo Shenghao , Shi Caijun
Published: July 2020

Elastic behavior is an important aspect of fresh cement‐based materials. In this paper, the elasticity development of fresh pure alite paste within 5 hours was monitored in situ by small amplitude oscillation shear. Isothermal microcalorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, zeta potential measurements were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms. It was found that the evolution of storage modulus can be characterized by three different stages. The first stage stems from the compression of electrical double layer and the slight increase of solid volume fraction; the second stage is only controlled by the colloidal interaction; and the third stage is associated to the significant growth of solid volume fraction, the enhancement of short‐range attraction and the rigidification of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) network. Moreover, the relationship between the formation of CSH and the growth of elasticity was also quantified.
Lake expansion elevates equilibrium diversity via increasing colonization
Authors: Hauffe Torsten , Delicado Diana , Etienne Rampal S. , Valente Luis
Published: July 2020

Aim

Rates of colonization, speciation and extinction determine species richness and endemism in insular systems. The general dynamic model of island biogeography (GDM) predicts that speciation and extinction rates depend on island area and elevation via their control on ecological limits to diversification and therefore covary with an island's geological history. Additionally, the colonization rate may increase with area and elevation through the ‘target effect’, which can be mediated by reduced ‘environmental filtering’. Here we test whether the area and depth expansion of an island‐like ecosystem, a lake, caused a shift in diversity dynamics.

Location

Lake Biwa, Japan, whose geological history and biota are well documented.

Taxon

Fishes.

Methods

We extended the phylogenetic island biogeography framework DAISIE (Dynamic Assembly of Island biota through Speciation, Immigration and Extinction) to accommodate time‐shifts in macroevolutionary rates and in carrying capacity. Using phylogenetic information on colonization and speciation times for the complete Lake Biwa fish community (70 taxa), we tested for a shift in macroevolutionary assembly rates and reconstructed the temporal diversity trajectory in the lake. We assessed the power to identify a shift through a wide range of scenarios and benchmarked against simulated fossil records.

Results

We detected an increase in colonization rate of fishes at 0.2 million years ago (Ma), with limited support for the existence of ecological limits. The reconstructed diversity trajectory was close to a source‐sink equilibrium diversity prior to the shift and remained well below a new shift‐driven elevated equilibrium thereafter. We found sufficient power to identify an increase in colonization rate up to 1.5 Ma, whereas extinction concealed the signal of earlier shifts.

Main conclusions

The fish diversity dynamics of Lake Biwa show a response to changes in area and depth and phylogenies carry a signature of these changes. The detected increase in colonization rate following Lake Biwa's expansion, elevating the fish diversity, is unlikely due to a predicted increase in ecological limits feeding back on colonization rate. We therefore call for (additional) explanations: the target effect, whereby larger islands attract more species, and reduced environmental filtering due to higher habitat diversity associated with increased lake area/depth.
Testing macroecological abundance patterns: The relationship between local abundance and range size, range position and climatic suitability among European vascular plants
Authors: Sporbert Maria , Keil Petr , Seidler Gunnar , Bruelheide Helge , Jandt Ute , Aćić Svetlana , Biurrun Idoia , Campos Juan Antonio , Čarni Andraž , Chytrý Milan , Ćušterevska Renata , Dengler Jürgen , Golub Valentin , Jansen Florian , Kuzemko Anna , Lenoir Jonathan , Marcenò Corrado , Moeslund Jesper Erenskjold , Pérez‐Haase Aaron , Rūsiņa Solvita , Šilc Urban , Tsiripidris Ioannis , Vandvik Vigdis , Vasilev Kiril , Virtanen Risto , Welk Erik
Published: July 2020

Aim

A fundamental question in macroecology centres around understanding the relationship between species’ local abundance and their distribution in geographical and climatic space (i.e. the multi‐dimensional climatic space or climatic niche). Here, we tested three macroecological hypotheses that link local abundance to the following range properties: (a) the abundance–range size relationship, (b) the abundance–range centre relationship and (c) the abundance–suitability relationship.

Location

Europe.

Taxon

Vascular plants.

Methods

Distribution range maps were extracted from the Chorological Database Halle to derive information on the range and niche sizes of 517 European vascular plant species. To estimate local abundance, we assessed samples from 744,513 vegetation plots in the European Vegetation Archive, where local species’ abundance is available as plant cover per plot. We then calculated the ‘centrality’, that is, the distance between the location of the abundance observation and each species’ range centre in geographical and climatic space. The climatic suitability of plot locations was estimated using coarse‐grain species distribution models (SDMs). The relationships between centrality or climatic suitability with abundance was tested using linear models and quantile regression. We summarized the overall trend across species’ regression slopes from linear models and quantile regression using a meta‐analytical approach.

Results

We did not detect any positive relationships between a species’ mean local abundance and the size of its geographical range or climatic niche. Contrasting yet significant correlations were detected between abundance and centrality or climatic suitability among species.

Main conclusions

Our results do not provide unequivocal support for any of the relationships tested, demonstrating that determining properties of species’ distributions at large grains and extents might be of limited use for predicting local abundance, including current SDM approaches. We conclude that environmental factors influencing individual performance and local abundance are likely to differ from those factors driving plant species’ distribution at coarse resolution and broad geographical extents.
A novel open‐source software‐based high‐precision workflow for target definition in cardiac radioablation
Authors: Hohmann Stephan , Henkenberens Christoph , Zormpas Christos , Christiansen Hans , Bauersachs Johann , Duncker David , Veltmann Christian
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Noninvasive ablative radiotherapy of cardiac arrhythmias (stereotactic ablative body radiation) has shown promising initial results. Precise targeting of the arrhythmogenic substrate is paramount to limit adverse effects to healthy myocardium, organs at risk, and cardiac implantable electronic devices. Using electroanatomic maps for treatment planning is technically challenging.

Methods and Results

Using the free open‐source 3D Slicer software platform we established a workflow for high‐precision target definition based on electroanatomic maps. An import plug‐in for 3D Slicer has been designed that reads electroanatomic maps generated with three mapping systems in widespread clinical use. Using our proposed workflow in a real‐world patient case we were able to align the map to the computed tomography (CT) with a mean distance of 3.1 mm. Thus, points defined on the map were translated into CT space with high accuracy and a radiotherapy treatment volume was defined in CT space based on these map‐derived points.

Conclusion

We describe a novel high‐precision target definition method for stereotactic ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Multimodal integration of the electroanatomic map with the planning CT allows for highly accurate localization of previously identified electrophysiological features in CT space. It remains to be shown whether this novel planning workflow leads to superior ablation outcomes when compared with other approaches.
Circulating exosomal long non‐coding RNAs in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Zheng Mei‐Li , Liu Xiao‐Yan , Han Rui‐Juan , Yuan Wen , Sun Kai , Zhong Jiu‐Chang , Yang Xin‐Chun
Published: July 2020

Exosomes are attracting considerable interest in the cardiovascular field as the wide range of their functions is recognized in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the regulatory role of exosomal long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in AMI remains largely unclear. Exosomes were isolated from the plasma of AMI patients and controls, and the sequencing profiles and twice qRT‐PCR validations of exosomal lncRNAs were performed. A total of 518 differentially expressed lncRNAs were detected over two‐fold change, and 6 kinds of lncRNAs were strikingly elevated in AMI patients with top fold change and were selected to perform subsequent validation. In the two validations, lncRNAs ENST00000556899.1 and ENST00000575985.1 were significantly up‐regulated in AMI patients compared with controls. ROC curve analysis revealed that circulating exosomal lncRNAs ENST00000556899.1 and ENST00000575985.1 yielded the area under the curve values of 0.661 and 0.751 for AMI, respectively. Moreover, ENST00000575985.1 showed more significant relationship with clinical parameters, including inflammatory biomarkers, prognostic indicators and myocardial damage markers. Multivariate logistic model exhibited positive association of ENST00000575985.1 with the risk of heart failure in AMI patients. In summary, our data demonstrated that circulating exosomal lncRNAs ENST00000556899.1 and ENST00000575985.1 are elevated in patients with AMI, functioning as potential biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of pateints with AMI.
A rapidly evolved shift in life‐history timing during ecological speciation is driven by the transition between developmental phases
Authors: Powell Thomas H. Q. , Nguyen Andrew , Xia Qinwen , Feder Jeffrey L. , Ragland Gregory J. , Hahn Daniel A.
Published: July 2020

For insect species in temperate environments, seasonal timing is often governed by the regulation of diapause, a complex developmental programme that allows insects to weather unfavourable conditions and synchronize their life cycles with available resources. Diapause development consists of a series of distinct phases including initiation, maintenance, termination and post‐diapause development. The evolution of insect seasonal timing depends in part on how these phases of diapause development and post‐diapause development interact to affect variation in phenology. Here, we dissect the physiological basis of a recently evolved phenological shift in Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae), a model system for ecological divergence. A recently derived population of R. pomonella shifted from specializing on native hawthorn fruit to earlier fruiting introduced apples, resulting in a 3–4 week shift in adult emergence timing. We tracked metabolic rates of individual flies across post‐winter development to test which phases of development may act either independently or in combination to contribute to this recently evolved divergence in timing. Apple and hawthorn flies differed in a number of facets of their post‐winter developmental trajectories. However, divergent adaptation in adult emergence phenology in these flies was due almost entirely to the end of the pupal diapause maintenance phase, with post‐diapause development having a very small effect. The relatively simple underpinnings of variation in adult emergence phenology suggest that further adaptation to seasonal change in these flies for this trait might be largely due to the timing of diapause termination unhindered by strong covariance among different components of post‐diapause development.
Flood related mortality in a touristic island: Mallorca (Balearic Islands) 1960–2018
Authors: Grimalt‐Gelabert Miquel , Rosselló‐Geli Joan , Bauzà‐Llinàs Joan
Published: July 2020

Although they exist, fatalities related to floods are a rare occurrence in the island of Mallorca. In the aftermath of the Sant Llorenç flash‐flood of October 2018, which killed 13 people, a research was undertaken to develop database gathering information about the flood related victims on the island. The data was obtained from official reports and newspapers archives and was completed via field research and witnesses' interviews. The difficulties in obtaining information reduced the period to the past 58 years. The results show that 25 people died as a result of a flood event in basins with an average area of 19.83 km2 and a minimum of only 0.10 km2. Breaking down further into demographics, 14 were male and 11 were female. The largest number of victims is included in the 18–65 age group and 36% of the fatalities were tourists and foreign residents. Even if the number of fatalities is small compared with other Mediterranean regions, the research results highlight the importance of the need of an increased safety campaign in the Islands, aimed both to residents and to tourists as well, taking into account the importance of Mallorca as a holidays resort in Europe.
Bedside handover at the change of nursing shift: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Forde Mary F. , Coffey Alice , Hegarty Josephine
Published: July 2020

Aim

To describe the structures, processes and content of bedside handover at the change of nursing shift in an acute‐care context.

Background

The handover of patient information and care at the change of nursing shift is an essential, albeit risk‐laden, time‐consuming activity in clinical practice.

Design

A convergent parallel mixed‐methods design was used.

Methods

Thirty episodes of bedside handover were concurrently audio‐recorded and observed using a researcher‐developed tool modelled on the five domains of the British Medical Association's Safe Handover–Safe Patients framework. The audio recordings were analysed using content analysis. Quantitative and qualitative data generated were then triangulated to develop a more complete interpretation of the structure, process and content of information transferred at the patient's bedside during the change of nursing shift. This study followed Good Reporting of Mixed Methods Study guidelines.

Results

Bedside handover was observed to be mainly conducted at a fast pace. However, within these timeframe large volumes of complex information were shared and important nurse–patient interactions occurred. Analysis of the audio recordings provided evidence that the dialogue during handover was nurse‐dominated and the outgoing nurse appeared to influence the degree of patient participation.

Conclusion

Bedside handover at the change of nursing shift involves three key stakeholders: outgoing nurse, incoming nurse and the patient. A combination of intricate communication skills both verbal and nonverbal facilitates the rapid sharing of large volumes of complex information which is necessary for the continuity and safety of patient care across nursing shifts.

Relevance to clinical practice

The comprehensive description of the complexities of bedside handover in this study provides an insight into this frequently occurring, important nursing practice and can be used to support nurse education and practice development.
Relationship of periodontitis and edentulism to angiographically diagnosed coronary artery disease: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Bilgin Çetin Mehtap , Önder Canan , Orhan Kaan , Kumbasar Deniz , Serdar Muhittin Abdulkadir , Ünsal Elif
Published: July 2020

Objective

The objective of the study is to examine the connection between oral status and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD), which is diagnosed by angiography.

Background

Periodontitis and tooth loss have been linked to atherosclerosis and CAD in previous studies. However, no distinct connection was revealed due to the diversity of the results and the variety of diagnostic methods. To provide a more consistent data pool and stronger evidence, there is a need for studies with standard measurements and diagnostic criteria.

Methods

309 patients, who consulted to Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology and had coronary angiography, were enrolled to this study. Individuals were grouped based on their coronary angiography results, as CAD (+) (n = 233) and CAD (−) (n = 76). Studied parameters included cardiovascular risk factors, plaque index (PI), remaining teeth count, bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing pocket depth (PPD). Periapical radiographs were taken from teeth with ≥4 mm PPD. Oral status was categorized as periodontally healthy subjects/patients with gingivitis (Group 1), patients with periodontitis (Group 2), and edentulous subjects (Group 3).

Results

PI (P < 0.001), PPD (P = 0.001), BOP (P = 0.004), the number of patients with less than 10 teeth (P = 0.014), and edentulism (P = 0.009) were significantly higher in CAD (+) patients, who were mostly older (P < 0.001) and male (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that Group 2 (odds ratio = 2.48, 95% confidence interval = 1.24‐4.95, P = 0.010) and Group 3 (odds ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.14‐5.17, P = 0.040) were highly associated with CAD. Two and three stenosed vessels were significantly higher in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1 (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

It was found that both edentulism and periodontitis were related to CAD.
Genetic polymorphisms in the Interleukins IL1B, IL4, and IL6 are associated with concomitant periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Brazilian patients
Authors: Cirelli Thamiris , Nepomuceno Rafael , Rios Ana Cláudia S. , Orrico Silvana R. P. , Cirelli Joni A. , Theodoro Letícia H. , Barros Silvana P. , Scarel‐Caminaga Raquel M.
Published: July 2020

Objective

To assess whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL10, IL1A, IL1B, IL4, TNFA, IL6, OPG, RANK, and RANKL genes, “classically” related with periodontitis, could be associated with susceptibility to T2DM, and also with both diseases concomitantly.

Background

There are common pathogenic mechanisms in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis, but the knowledge of the genetic aspect of this is limited. In patients affected by concomitant T2DM and periodontitis, whose incidence is increasing, there is scarce information regarding the gene‐phenotype association, including whether there are genes able to influence both diseases as comorbidities.

Methods

Periodontal clinical parameters and biochemical profile (Insulin, Fasting Glycemia, HbA1c, Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, HDL‐cholesterol, and LDL‐cholesterol) data were obtained from 894 individuals divided into following three groups: Healthy (H; n = 347), Periodontitis (P; n = 348), and Periodontitis + T2DM (P + T2DM; n = 199). DNA from oral epithelial cells was collected for genotyping. Associations between SNPs and pathologies were tested by multiple logistic regression models, adjusting for age, sex, and smoking habits. We also investigated whether there are sex or smoking effects of each SNP in these phenotypes.

Results

The rs1143634‐GA (IL1B) SNP showed significantly less likely to develop P + T2DM for all population and mainly for women (adjusted OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.16‐0.88), while women carrying the rs224320 CT (IL4) were more susceptible to develop P + T2DM (adjusted OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.04‐3.15). Men carrying the rs1800795‐CC (IL6) genotype were less likely to develop T2DM (adjusted OR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.02‐0.70, P = .01).

Conclusions

Some SNPs in the IL1B, IL4, and IL6 genes demonstrated sex‐influenced association with concomitant periodontitis and T2DM, increasing the evidence of a common genetic component between these diseases and contributing with the understanding of their common pathogenic mechanisms.
Institutional Change and the Importance of Understanding Shared Mental Models
Authors: Shughart William F. , Thomas Diana W. , Thomas Michael D.
Published: July 2020

Arthur Denzau and Douglass North’s paper “Shared Mental Models: Ideologies and Institutions” seeks to explain differences in economic performance across time and space recognizing that under conditions of uncertainty actors base their decisions “in part upon […] myths, dogmas, ideologies, and ‘half‐baked’ theories.” The model Denzau and North develop is firmly rooted in the orthodoxy of economics but emphasizes the significance of shared ideologies and ideas in driving economic change. In this paper, we discuss how the legacy of Denzau and North (1994) should be applied to current and future economic inquiries and, in particular, how it might inform work in development economics, behavioral economics, and in the study of the effects of social norms on economic outcomes. We argue that a perspective that emphasizes the role of the economic actor as entrepreneur in the context of shared mental models and institutions can improve economic analysis in those areas of research, which currently focus on the economist as exogenous policy expert.
Invited Review – Understanding cause and effect in Alzheimer's pathophysiology: Implications for clinical trials
Authors: Boche D. , Nicoll J. A. R.
Published: July 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology is multi‐faceted, including extracellular accumulation of amyloid‐β (Aβ), accumulation of tau within neurons, glial activation and loss of neurons and synapses. From a neuropathological perspective, usually at a single time‐point and often at the end‐stage of the disease, it is challenging to understand the cause and effect relationships between these components. There are at least four ways of trying to unravel these relationships. First, genetic studies demonstrate mutations that influence Aβ production, but not tau, can initiate AD; whereas genetic variants influencing AD risk are related to innate immunity and lipid metabolism. Second, studies at early time points show that pathology begins decades before the onset of dementia and indicate different anatomical locations for initiation of Aβ and tau accumulation. Third, cause and effect can be studied in experimental models, but most animal models do not fully replicate AD pathology. However, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to study live human neurons has introduced a new perspective. Fourth, clinical trials may alter AD pathology giving insights into cause and effect relationships. Therefore, a sequence of (i) neocortical Aβ accumulation followed by (ii) a microglial inflammatory reaction to Aβ, causing neuritic dystrophy which promotes (iii) spread of tau from the limbic system to the neocortex with (iv) progressive tau accumulation and spread resulting in (v) neurodegeneration, explains the evidence. It is proposed that different therapeutic targets are required for different stages of the disease process: Aβ for primary prevention, microglia for secondary prevention, and tau for established disease.
Root anatomical traits determined leaf‐level physiology and responses to precipitation change of herbaceous species in a temperate steppe
Authors: Zhou Meng , Bai Wenming , Li Qingmei , Guo Yumeng , Zhang Wen‐Hao
Published: July 2020

Root anatomy plays important roles in the control of leaf water relations. However, few studies have evaluated whether and how anatomical traits of absorptive roots influence leaf physiology of herbaceous species in a temperate grassland.

We measured absorptive root anatomical traits and leaf physiological traits of 15 herbaceous species in a temperate steppe and monitored their responses to increased precipitation in a field stimulating experiment.

Root anatomical and leaf physiological traits differed among monocotyledonous grasses, monocotyledonous liliaceous species and dicotyledonous forbs. The species with higher stele: root diameter, lower root diameter and cortex thickness exhibited higher transpiration rates and stomatal conductance, but lower intrinsic water‐use efficiency. Increased precipitation enhanced transpiration and stomatal conductance of forbs and lilies, but it enhanced photosynthesis in lilies exclusively. The sensitive response of lilies to precipitation may be related to their large root diameter and cortex thickness.

In summary, we observed distinct differences in anatomical traits of absorptive roots among plant groups in temperate steppes. These differences drove variations in leaf physiological traits and their diverse responses to precipitation change. These findings highlight the important roles of root anatomical traits in driving leaf‐level physiological processes in temperate grasslands.
Response Surface Regressions for Critical Value Bounds and Approximate p‐values in Equilibrium Correction Models1
Authors: Kripfganz Sebastian , Schneider Daniel C.
Published: July 2020

We consider the popular ‘bounds test’ for the existence of a level relationship in conditional equilibrium correction models. By estimating response surface models based on about 95 billion simulatedF‐statistics and 57 billiont‐statistics, we improve upon and substantially extend the set of available critical values, covering the full range of possible sample sizes and lag orders, and allowing for any number of long‐run forcing variables. By computing approximateP‐values, we find that the bounds test can be easily oversized by more than 5 percentage points in small samples when using asymptotic critical values.
Effects of heat stress on reproductive efficiency in Holstein dairy cattle in the North African arid region
Authors: Djelailia Hanane , Bouraoui Rachid , Jemmali Bayrem , Najar Taha
Published: July 2020

This work aims to study the relationship between variations of the Temperature‐Humidity Index (THI) and the parameters of reproduction especially the first conception rate (FCR) and to determine the threshold THI value where cows’ fertility rate dropped in 12 Holstein dairy herds raised in the arid climatic conditions of Tunisia. THI values were calculated over 22 years (1996–2018), and the mean monthly temperature and relative humidity data were obtained from the Meteorological Institute of Tunisia. A total of 20,396 individual records (Insemination and calving dates) were extracted from the Livestock and Pasturing Office (OEP, Tunisia) with regard to the highest THI before breeding, on the breeding day, and after breeding. Statistical analysis was performed using the GLM procedure of SAS software. Results point to the fact that a summer heat stress exists in southeast Tunisia and lasts for 4 months starting from June until September with THI values fluctuating between 73 ± 2.38 and 79 ± 3.01 exceeding, therefore, THI threshold of 72. Increased THI from ≤70 to ≥80 units was associated with drops in conception rate (CR) and fertility rate (FR) of 49% and 45% giving a correlation with the THI of (r = −.72, p < .05) and (r = −.74, p < .05), respectively. When cows were inseminated on extremely hot days (THI ≥ 80) preceded by cooler temperatures, pregnancy by service (P/AI) was 7% points higher than for other cows that were exposed to high temperatures before breeding. The average number of insemination was higher (p < .05) from THI ≤ 70 (2.01) compared to THI ≥ 80 (3.41). Cows calving during an absence of heat stress (THI ≤ 70) have the shortest average calving intervals (CI: 420 ± 15.1 days). Contrastly, calving in the condition of heat stress (THI ≥ 80) has the longest CI (487 ± 12.8 days). For each point increase in the THI value above 67, there is a decrease in the first conception rate by 1.39%. In this particular arid environment, high‐yielding Holstein cows’ breeding success is strongly affected by heat stress that takes place just before or after breeding.
Does Compulsory Schooling Affect Innovation? Evidence from the United States
Authors: DeAngelis Corey A. , Dills Angela K.
Published: July 2020

Objective

U.S. states adopted compulsory schooling laws between 1852 and 1929. This is the first study to empirically test the historical relationship between the adoption of state‐level compulsory schooling laws and measures of innovation and entrepreneurship such as the number of patents per capita and output per worker.

Methods

We use difference‐in‐difference and event study methods to estimate the effects of these laws.

Results

Our results suggest that the adoption of compulsory schooling in the United States reduced patents per capita and output per worker over time.

Conclusion

Compulsory schooling laws may have reduced innovation and productivity by reducing home education in favor of formal schooling or by changing the nature of formal schooling.
Effect of subsoil tillage during pipeline construction activities on near‐term soil physical properties and crop yields in the right‐of‐way
Authors: Tekeste Mehari Z. , Ebrahimi Elnaz , Hanna Mark H. , Neideigh Erica R. , Horton Robert
Published: July 2020

Persistence of subsoil compaction in construction right‐of‐way (ROW) areas is a major cropland concern following installation of underground pipelines. Soil physical disturbance and remediation practices including removal of topsoil, subsoil tillage and replacement of topsoil were investigated in a soybean–corn rotation field, which was located within a pipeline ROW. The objectives of the study were to investigate the effectiveness of subsoil tillage (300 and 450 mm) applied shortly after the pipeline installation used to help restore soil physical properties and to recover crop yields. Soil bulk density, soil cone index and crop yields (soybean and corn) from three ROW trafficked zones (Z1, Z2 and Z3) and adjacent unaffected zones were compared at one year and two years after pipeline installation. Compared to 300 mm of subsoil tillage in the ROW zones, 450 mm of subsoil tillage did not significantly improve the soil bulk density and crop (soybean and corn) yields. Compared to 300 mm of subsoil tillage, 450 mm of subsoil tillage created significantly lower soil cone index values within the treated soil layer. Compared to yield data from the adjacent unaffected zones, the ROW zones (Z1, Z2 and Z3) had statistically significant (p < .05) crop yield declines of 25% in soybean (2017) and 15% in corn (2018). The near‐term soil physical properties and crop yield have been improved from the subsoil tillage applied in the affected zones; however, their recovery to normal conditions as in the unaffected areas has not been achieved within the 2‐year period.
Perivascular adipose tissue: An immune cell metropolis
Authors: Saxton S. N. , Heagerty A. M. , Withers S. B.
Published: July 2020

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

The review discusses how eosinophils can contribute to the function of perivascular adipose tissue and explores the mechanisms involved.

What advances does it highlight?

Understanding the communication between the cell populations that constitute perivascular adipose tissue function is important for exploring therapeutic options in the treatment of obesity‐related cardiovascular complications. This article highlights that eosinophils are able to contribute directly to healthy perivascular adipose tissue function. These immune cells contribute to adrenergic signalling and nitric oxide‐ and adiponectin‐dependent mechanisms in perivascular adipose tissue.

Perivascular adipose tissue is a heterogeneous tissue that surrounds most blood vessels in the body. This review focuses on the contribution of eosinophils located within the adipose tissue to vascular contractility. A high‐fat diet reduces the number of these immune cells within perivascular adipose tissue, and this loss is linked to an increase in vascular contractility and hypertension. We explored the mechanisms by which eosinophils contribute to this function using genetically modified mice, ex vivo assessment of contractility and pharmacological tools. We found that eosinophils contribute to adrenergic signalling and nitric oxide‐ and adiponectin‐dependent mechanisms in perivascular adipose tissue. It is now important to explore whether manipulation of these pathways in obesity can alleviate cardiovascular complications, in order to determine whether eosinophils are a valid target for obesity‐related disease.
Simulation-Aided Development of Prechamber Ignition System for a Lean-Burn Gasoline Direct Injection Motor-Sport Engine
Authors: Palakunnummal Muhammed Fayaz , Sahu Priyadarshi , Ellis Mark , Nazha Marouan
Published: July 2020

Due to recent regulation changes to restricted fuel usage in various motor-sport events, motor-sport engine manufacturers have started to focus on improving the thermal efficiency and often claim thermal efficiency figures well above equivalent road car engines. With limited fuel allowance, motor-sport engines are operated with a lean air–fuel mixture to benefit from higher cycle efficiency, requiring an ignition system that is suitable for the lean mixture. Prechamber ignition is identified as a promising method to improve lean limit and has the potential to reduce end gas auto-ignition. This paper analyses the full-load performance of a motor-sport lean-burn gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine and a passive prechamber is developed with the aid of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool. The finalized prechamber design benefited in a significant reduction in burn duration, reduced cyclic variation, knock limit extension, and higher performance.
Effect of pretreatment with ultrasonic vibration for plasma-processed multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Ogawa Daisuke , Nishimura Kohei , Uchida Hideo , Nakamura Keiji
Published: July 2020

This article reports the effect of pretreatment with ultrasonic vibration before a plasma treatment onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The pretreatment is supposed to loosen bundled CNTs, enlarging the area to expose the plasma and then increasing the functionalization ratio. Next, the authors conducted a series of experiments to confirm the effect of the pretreatment. The experiment showed that the CNTs with pretreatment have more functionalization ratio of isocyanate (NCO) groups than the CNTs without pretreatment. In the condition of the processes in this article, the ratio had doubled due to the pretreatment. The authors also confirmed the effect of the pretreatment with the wear-resistance exam of polyurethane composite films with the plasma-processed CNTs. Finally, this article concluded that the pretreatment with sonication is effective in plasma functionalization to maximize the functionalization ratio of CNTs.
A Role of Epithelial Cells and Virulence Factors in Biofilm Formation by Streptococcus pyogenesIn Vitro
Authors: Alamiri Feiruz , Chao Yashuan , Baumgarten Maria , Riesbeck Kristian , Hakansson Anders P.
Published: July 2020

Biofilm formation byStreptococcus pyogenes(group A streptococcus [GAS]) in model systems mimicking the respiratory tract is poorly documented. Most studies have been conducted on abiotic surfaces, which poorly represent human tissues. We have previously shown that GAS forms mature and antibiotic-resistant biofilms on physiologically relevant epithelial cells. However, the roles of the substratum, extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and GAS virulence factors in biofilm formation and structure are unclear.