bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
52 Metabolic Syndrome: Animal Science’s Challenge and Opportunity
Authors: Ballerstedt Peter J
Published: March 2022

Knowledge of the global epidemic of metabolic syndrome provides animal scientists with an opportunity to improve their health and that of their communities; increase awareness and support of their disciplines and efforts; and support truly sustainable food systems and economic development. This presentation will expand these arguments. Professionals within the disciplines of animal science must push back against those who oppose animal agriculture, particularly by refuting the dietary messaging accusing animal source foods of being health hazards. Official dietary policy for almost half a century has been explicitly anti-animal products, despite a growing body of scientific evidence refuting these recommendations. Animal science undergraduates receive more training in nutrition than medical students. Animal nutrition is a functional scientific discipline. Swine nutritionists have a more advanced understanding of amino acid nutrition in monogastrics than many human nutritionists. Human nutrition has necessarily relied on observational studies, which are widely recognized as being of low scientific quality. Serious conflicts of interests exist within the field of human nutrition. The leadership of the human nutrition community has failed to: acknowledge the weak scientific basis of their dietary guidance; incorporate the highest-quality scientific evidence available into their guidance and policies; and address a global epidemic – metabolic syndrome (hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance). According to the CDC, more than 34% of adults in the Southern US region obese (Body Mass Index ³ 30). Odds are that a significant proportion of our fellow Southern Section members are afflicted with metabolic syndrome, most of them unaware of their condition and its risks. Likewise in the communities we serve. We have an opportunity, and in light of the failures of human nutrition, a responsibility to: stop accepting their pronouncements; stop citing them in our research; and challenge their legitimacy wherever possible.
104 Grazing Evaluation of Two Bermudagrass Bases Interseeded with Alfalfa for Stocker Production in Southeastern US
Authors: Burt Justin C , Silva Liliane , Mullenix Kim , Prevatt Chris , Baxter Lisa , Shay Nicholas , Whatley Kendall S , Doblado Andrea M Osorio , Tucker Jennifer J
Published: March 2022

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has shown promise in the Southeastern United States when interseeded into bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) to reduce reliance on synthetic N fertilization while also providing a high-quality grazable forage. However, data is limited when grazing alfalfa interseeded into different bermudagrass bases with stockers in the Southeastern U.S. A two-year grazing evaluation was conducted in a randomized complete block design with two replications from June-October 2020 (Y1) and April-October 2021 (Y2) at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Better Grazing Program in Tifton, GA, to compare stocker cattle performance when grazing ‘Bulldog 805’ alfalfa interseeded into either ‘Russell’ or ‘Tifton-85’ bermudagrass (RAG and TAG, respectively). Paddocks (1-ha) were split into 4 (0.25-ha) sections and rotationally grazed to 10 cm using the put-and-take stocking method with two tester steers for each treatment (Y1 BW=228.3±27.02 kg; Y2 BW=183.1±20.8 kg). Paddock sections were evaluated pre- and post-grazing for herbage availability, botanical composition, and nutritive value. Stocker steers were weighed at study initiation, conclusion, and on a 28d interval for calculation of ADG and gain/ha. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Differences for herbage mass, gain/ha, and stocking density were not detected seasonally but were observed within grazing cycle with RAG being greater in the earlier season, TAG being greater in the later portion of the grazing season, and no difference during the grazing cycles that occurred in the hot summer months. This study suggests that the bermudagrass variety utilized in the alfalfa-bermudagrass mixture will influence stocking management decisions.
100 Inflammatory Profiles of High-Risk Cattle Exposed to Common Management Practices
Authors: Pittman Alexandra M , Karisch Brandi B , Woolums Amelia , Vann Rhonda C , Crosby William
Published: March 2022

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in beef cattle. Common management practices in addition to BRD have been shown previously to cause inflammation. The objectives of this study were: (1) characterize the inflammatory profiles as indicated by haptoglobin concentrations, over a receiving period in high-risk cattle; (2) evaluate the impact of on-arrival metaphylactic antimicrobial therapy on inflammatory profiles in high risk cattle; and (3) examine the relationship between inflammatory profile and BRD morbidity and mortality in high risk cattle. This 70 d trial was repeated over two years. A total of 160 black/black white face crossbred heifers were acquired from local auction markets and randomly assigned at arrival to treatment groups. Heifers were purchased by an order buyer from auction barns. At arrival, heifers were randomly assigned to either receive tulathromycin (Draxxin, META, n = 40) or not (NO META, n = 40) upon arrival. Each group was housed on a 10-acre pasture planted in annual ryegrass where they were offered complete commercial supplemental feed (14% CP) and free choice (both Purina Animal Nutrition, Nashville, TN) mineral and were observed daily for clinical signs of BRD. Cattle were weighed and blood was collected every seven days from d0 to d20, and again on d70. Haptoglobin concentrations were determined using ELISA. Effects of treatment and morbidity on haptoglobin concentration were tested using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Overall morbidity was 28.5%. Initial body weight (227 kg META, 229 kg NO META, P > 0.10) did not differ between the two treatment groups. However, final body weight differed between treatment groups (294 kg META, 289kg NO META). Haptoglobin concentrations remained elevated over time for all groups (P = 0.03). Metaphylaxis did not affect haptoglobin concentration (P > 0.10). There was a significant increase in BRD cases from day 0 to 20 (P = 0.00). Morbidity (BRD vs no BRD) did not impact haptoglobin concentrations. Overall, metaphylaxis did not affect haptoglobin levels or BRD incidence.
129 Evaluation of Cotton Gin Byproduct and Whole Cottonseed in Diets for Growing Beef Steers
Authors: Mullins Elizabeth P , Poore Matt H , Shaeffer April D , Harmon Deidre D , Pickworth Carrie L
Published: March 2022

Cotton byproducts, such as whole cottonseed (WCS) and cotton gin byproduct (CGB) can be utilized as cattle feed. Our objective was to evaluate the feeding value of WCS and CGB when included in a growing ration. Fifty-six yearling steers with a starting body weight of 288±3.8 kg were used in an 84-day trial. Steers were blocked by weight for pen assignments, and treatments were randomly assigned within pen. The nutritionally balanced diets were fed to appetite as total mixed rations through Calan gates. Treatment 1 (TRT 1), was composed of corn silage, ground corn, and soybean meal. Treatment 2 (TRT 2) replaced some of the corn and soybean meal with WCS (15% of the diet DM). Treatment 3 (TRT 3) replaced some of the silage with CGB (25% of the diet DM). Treatment 4 (TRT 4) replaced some of the corn and soybean meal with WCS (15% of the diet DM) and some of the silage with CGB (25% of the diet DM). Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar for TRT 1 and 2, which were lower (P >0.5) compared to TRT 3 and 4 (8.8, 8.5, 11.3, and 10.3±0.24 kg/d for TRT 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Average daily gain did not differ between TRT 1, 2, and 4, but was higher (P >0.5) for TRT 3 (1.27, 1.18, 1.32, and 1.54 ± 0.05 kg/d for TRT 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Gain to feed ratios were highest (P >0.5) for TRT 1 and 2 compared with TRT 3 and 4 (0.16, 0.15, 0.12, and 0.13±0.009, respectively). This study demonstrates that cotton byproducts can be utilized in growing cattle diets to replace a portion of corn, soybean meal, and corn silage while resulting in similar or enhanced performance.
1 Communicating Sustainability to Consumers – How to Effectively Tell Our Story
Authors: Ballerstedt Peter J
Published: March 2022

“Sustainable” and “regenerative,” are popular, if misunderstood, terms. Much of what the non-agricultural audience believes those terms represent have been the focus of agricultural research, extension and practice for decades. Agricultural producers are disconnected from food consumers in numerous ways, including a lack of communication and, therefore, understanding. The ability to bridge this gap through social media must be accepted by those willing to do so. One strategy is to find points of common interest and building from those starting points. Human nutrition / metabolic health is an example. The majority of adult Americans do not enjoy optimal metabolic health. Many diagnosed with metabolic syndrome or one of its related chronic diseases are discovering that a lifestyle intervention featuring Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction (TCR) dramatically improves their health. Such a diet includes more animal source foods (esp. red meat and full fat dairy) than currently recommended by the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and others. These individuals and their supporting healthcare professionals are receptive to well-founded messages regarding the essential role of ruminant animal agriculture in sustainable food systems. Benefits to those of us in animal agriculture include greater visibility, market opportunities, political support, and better health for all of us.
86 Evaluation of the Super Smartfeeder System (C-Lock, Inc) for Lamb Supplemental Feeding in a Pasture-based System
Authors: Valliere Nicole K , Wright Donald L , Greiner Scott P , Weaver Andrew R
Published: March 2022

The C-Lock, Inc Super SmartFeeder (feeder) may provide opportunities to evaluate lamb supplemental feeding behavior on pasture. The objective of this study was to determine lamb feeding capacity, lamb feeding behavior, and methodologies for training lambs to this feeding system. Post-weaning, lambs (n = 179) were introduced to the feeder (day 0) on fescue-based pasture at the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center. For 24 days, lambs were supplemented 0.23 kg/hd/day with the feeder on pasture. To transition lambs to the feeder, additional standard trough feeders were provided until day 10 starting at 0.45 kg/hd/day and decreasing to 0.15 kg/hd/day. Feeder data were analyzed using SAS for feeding frequency traits to assess feeding capacity and efficacy of training methodology. During days 9-16 and days 17-24, a greater percentage of lambs ate between 12 AM and 6 AM compared to days 0-8 (65 and 63%, respectively, vs. 26%; P < 0.05). During days 0-8, a greater percentage of lambs ate between 6 AM and 12 PM compared to days 9-16 and days 17-24 (47% vs. 23 and 10%, respectively; P < 0.05). A greater percentage of lambs visited the feeder 17 or more days compared to 16 or less days (59 vs. 41%; P < 0.05). During days 0-5, the percentage of lambs visiting the feeder daily varied between 30 and 80%. After being exposed to the feeder for 6 days, daily lamb feeding behavior only varied between 64% and 78%. A greater consistency in the proportion of lambs visiting the feeder after a 6 day acclimation period indicated successful training to the feeder. On average over the 18 days of consistent feeder visits, 72% of lambs visited the feeder daily. Therefore, maximum carrying capacity of this feeding system should not exceed 120-125 lambs.
121 Breed and Mating Season Effects on Gestation Length in Landrace Hair Sheep Ewes
Authors: Murphy Thomas , Wildeus Stephan
Published: March 2022

Gestation length in sheep varies with breed, but little information is available on hair sheep and any effects of time of year of mating. Data were collected between 1997 and 2021 on straight-bred Barbados Blackbelly (BB) and St. Croix (SC) ewes managed under pasture-based, accelerated mating. Rams were fitted with marking harnesses and ewe gestation length was determined as the difference between lambing and marking date. Gestation length (n = 1291) was analyzed with fixed class effects of ewe breed (BB or SC), age class at mating (4 levels), mating month (March, July, or November), and litter size (1, 2, or ≥ 3) and the linear and quadratic effects of total litter birth weight (LBW). Two-way interactions were initially fit but removed as none were significant (P > 0.15). Random effects included ewe and mating month – year (n = 350 and 32, respectively). Gestation length was 0.8 d longer for SC than BB ewes and 0.5 to 0.7 d longer (P ≤ 0.03) for > 5.5 yr-old ewes than all younger age classes. However, mating month did not impact gestation length (P = 0.11). Ewes that gestated a single lamb had longer gestation length (149.8 ± 0.20 d; P < 0.001) than twin- (147.4 ± 0.14 d) and triplet-bearing ewes (146.7 ± 0.28 d), which were also different from each other (P = 0.01). Finally, both quadratic and linear effects of LBW were significant (P < 0.001) and indicated gestation length increased with LBW until reaching an inflection point at approximately 9.1 kg. Gestation length in landrace hair sheep ewes was in line with the 147 d commonly used in gestation calculators. Slight adjustments can be made for ewe age, breed, and litter size, but are not needed for mating month.
28 Blood Lactate Response of Yearling Horses on a Progressive Workload
Authors: Jackson Merina , Johnson Katie R , Leatherwood Jessica L , Bradbery Amanda
Published: March 2022

Blood lactate measurements following exercise provide valuable insight into the metabolic response to different workloads, but minimal research has been published involving yearling horses. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to determine blood lactate response to increasing exercise intensity in yearling horses, hypothesizing that blood lactate levels would peak immediately following exercise, and gradually decrease over a 3 h post-exercise period. To test this, 32 Quarter horses of similar background (480-520 d of age; 16 geldings and 16 fillies) were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 8/group) and exercised using an 8-panel free-stall walker. Exercise bouts were 30 min each, divided equally in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Test 1 consisted of walking at 1.75m/s, and test 2 consisted of horses alternating between the walk and trot at 1.75 and 4.0m/s, respectively. Blood samples were obtained at the onset (PRE) and immediately (H0), half (H0.5), one (H1), and three (H3) h post-exercise. Mean blood lactate was determined using two portable lactate analyzers previously validated for use in horses. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS with PRE values used as a covariate. There was a group × test × time interaction (P < 0.01), where group 3 reached peak lactate concentration at H0 during test 2 (1.37 ± 0.08 mmol/L), while all other groups increased blood lactate concentrations over time to H3 post. Mean lactate post-exercise indicates that horses were able to clear lactate without a sufficient increase in systemic distribution. Values remained below the anaerobic threshold, similar to mature horses, which suggests that sub-maximal exercise in young horses does not elicit an anaerobic response and lactate accumulation.
Minimally invasive removal of the distal broken segment of a hollow tibial intramedullary nail using a homemade broken nail extractor
Authors: Wei Changbao , Luo Junhao , Mao GuoShu , Gu Sanjun , Liu Yu , Yin Qudong
Published: March 2022

The existing minimally invasive extraction methods for broken intramedullary nails have low success rates. This paper describes the case of a broken intramedullary nail retained distal to the tibia for 12 years, which was removed using a homemade minimally invasive broken nail extractor. We conclude that the homemade minimally invasive broken nail extractor is an effective alternative for removing broken intramedullary nails.
Empirical structure models of Uranus and Neptune
Authors: Neuenschwander Benno A , Helled Ravit
Published: March 2022

Uranus and Neptune are still poorly understood. Their gravitational fields, rotation periods, atmosphere dynamics, and internal structures are not well determined. In this paper, we present empirical structure models of Uranus and Neptune where the density profiles are represented by polytropes. By using these models that are set to fit the planetary gravity field, we predict the higher order gravitational coefficients J6 and J8 for various assumed rotation periods, wind depths, and uncertainty of the low-order harmonics. We show that faster rotation and/or deep winds favour centrally concentrated density distributions. We demonstrate that an accurate determination of J6 or J8 with a relative uncertainty no larger than 10 per cent could constrain wind depths of Uranus and Neptune. We also confirm that the Voyager II rotation periods are inconsistent with the measured shapes of Uranus and Neptune. We next demonstrate that more accurate determination of the gravity field can significantly reduce the possible range of internal structures. Finally, we suggest that an accurate measurement of the moment of inertia of Uranus and Neptune with a relative uncertainty of ∼ 1 per cent and ∼ 0.1 per cent, could constrain their rotation periods and depths of the winds, respectively.
Gas inflows in the polar ring of NGC 4111: the birth of an AGN
Authors: Hauschild Roier Gabriel R , Storchi-Bergmann Thaisa , McDermid Richard M , Walsh Jonelle L , Tan Joanne , Cohn Jonathan , Krajnovic Davor , Greene Jenny , Valluri Monica , Gültekin Kayhan , Thater Sabine , van de Ven Glenn , Gebhardt Karl , Lützgendorf Nora , Boizelle Benjamin D , Ma Chung-Pei , Barth Aaron J
Published: March 2022

We have used Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images, SAURON Integral Field Spectroscopy (IFS), and adaptative optics assisted Gemini NIFS near-infrared K-band IFS to map the stellar and gas distribution, excitation and kinematics of the inner few kpc of the nearby edge-on S0 galaxy NGC 4111. The HST images map its ≈450 pc diameter dusty polar ring, with an estimated gas mass ≥107 M⊙. The NIFS data cube maps the inner 110 pc radius at ≈7 pc spatial resolution, revealing a ≈220 pc diameter polar ring in hot (2267 ± 166 K) molecular H2 1–0 S(1) gas embedded in the polar ring. The stellar velocity field shows disc-dominated kinematics along the galaxy plane both in the SAURON large scale and in the NIFS nuclear-scale data. The large-scale [O iii] λ5007 Å velocity field shows a superposition of two disc kinematics: one similar to that of the stars and another along the polar ring, showing non-circular motions that seem to connect with the velocity field of the nuclear H2 ring, whose kinematics indicate accelerated inflow to the nucleus. The estimated mass inflow rate is enough not only to feed an active galactic nucleus (AGN) but also to trigger circumnuclear star formation in the near future. We propose a scenario in which gas from the polar ring, which probably originated from the capture of a dwarf galaxy, is moving inwards and triggering an AGN, as supported by the local X-ray emission, which seems to be the source of the H2 1–0 S(1) excitation. The fact that we see neither near-UV nor Br γ emission suggests that the nascent AGN is still deeply buried under the optically thick dust of the polar ring.
SDSS IV MaNGA: visual morphological and statistical characterization of the DR15 sample
Authors: Vázquez-Mata J A , Hernández-Toledo H M , Avila-Reese V , Herrera-Endoqui M , Rodríguez-Puebla A , Cano-Díaz M , Lacerna I , Martínez-Vázquez L A , Lane R
Published: March 2022

We present a detailed visual morphological classification for the 4614 MaNGA galaxies in SDSS Data Release 15, using image mosaics generated from a combination of r band (SDSS and deeper DESI Legacy Surveys) images and their digital post-processing. We distinguish 13 Hubble types and identify the presence of bars and bright tidal debris. After correcting the MaNGA sample for volume completeness, we calculate the morphological fractions, the bi-variate distribution of type and stellar mass M* – where we recognize a morphological transition ‘valley’ around S0a-Sa types – and the variations of the g − i colour and luminosity-weighted age over this distribution. We identified bars in 46.8 per cent of galaxies, present in all Hubble types later than S0. This fraction amounts to a factor ∼2 larger when compared with other works for samples in common. We detected 14 per cent of galaxies with tidal features, with the fraction changing with M* and morphology. For 355 galaxies, the classification was uncertain; they are visually faint, mostly of low/intermediate masses, low concentrations, and discy in nature. Our morphological classification agrees well with other works for samples in common, though some particular differences emerge, showing that our image procedures allow us to identify a wealth of added value information as compared to SDSS-based previous estimates. Based on our classification, we also propose an alternative criteria for the E–S0 separation, in the structural semimajor to semiminor axis versus bulge to total light ratio (b/a − B/T) and concentration versus semimajor to semiminor axis (C − b/a) space.
Cosmological direct detection of dark energy: Non-linear structure formation signatures of dark energy scattering with visible matter
Authors: Ferlito Fulvio , Vagnozzi Sunny , Mota David F , Baldi Marco
Published: March 2022

We consider the recently proposed possibility that dark energy (DE) and baryons may scatter through a pure momentum exchange process, leaving the background evolution unaffected. Earlier work has shown that, even for barn-scale cross-sections, the imprints of this scattering process on linear cosmological observables is too tiny to be observed. We therefore turn our attention to non-linear scales, and for the first time investigate the signatures of DE-baryon scattering on the non-linear formation of cosmic structures, by running a suite of large N-body simulations. The observables we extract include the non-linear matter power spectrum, halo mass function, and density and baryon fraction profiles of haloes. We find that in the non-linear regime the signatures of DE-baryon scattering are significantly larger than their linear counterparts, due to the important role of angular momentum in collapsing structures, and potentially observable. The most promising observables in this sense are the baryon density and baryon fraction profiles of haloes, which can potentially be constrained by a combination of kinetic Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ), thermal SZ, and weak lensing measurements. Overall, our results indicate that future prospects for cosmological and astrophysical direct detection of non-gravitational signatures of dark energy are extremely bright.
Long-term evolution of multimass rotating star clusters
Authors: Livernois Alexander R , Vesperini Enrico , Varri Anna Lisa , Hong Jongsuk , Tiongco Maria
Published: March 2022

We investigate the long-term dynamical evolution of the internal kinematics of multimass rotating star clusters. We have performed a set of N-body simulations to follow the internal evolution of clusters with different degrees of initial rotation and have explored the evolution of the rotational velocity, the degree of energy equipartition, and anisotropy in the velocity distribution. Our simulations show that (1) as the cluster evolves, the rotational velocity develops a dependence on the stellar mass with more massive stars characterized by a more rapid rotation and a peak in the rotation curve closer to the cluster centre than low-mass stars; (2) the degree of energy equipartition in the cluster’s intermediate and outer regions depends on the component of the velocity dispersion measured; for more rapidly rotating clusters, the evolution towards energy equipartition is more rapid in the direction of the rotational velocity; (3) the anisotropy in the velocity distribution is stronger for massive stars; and (4) both the degree of mass segregation and energy equipartition are characterized by spatial anisotropy; they have a dependence on both R and z, correlated with the flattening in the spatial variation of the cluster’s density and velocity dispersion, as shown by 2D maps of the mass segregation and energy equipartition on the (R–z) meridional plane.
Canalization of the Polygenic Risk for Common Diseases and Traits in the UK Biobank Cohort
Authors: Nagpal Sini , Tandon Raghav , Gibson Greg
Published: March 2022

Since organisms develop and thrive in the face of constant perturbations due to environmental and genetic variation, species may evolve resilient genetic architectures. We sought evidence for this process, known as canalization, through a comparison of the prevalence of phenotypes as a function of the polygenic score (PGS) across environments in the UK Biobank cohort study. Contrasting seven diseases and three categorical phenotypes with respect to 151 exposures in 408,925 people, the deviation between the prevalence–risk curves was observed to increase monotonically with the PGS percentile in one-fifth of the comparisons, suggesting extensive PGS-by-Environment (PGS×E) interaction. After adjustment for the dependency of allelic effect sizes on increased prevalence in the perturbing environment, cases where polygenic influences are greater or lesser than expected are seen to be particularly pervasive for educational attainment, obesity, and metabolic condition type-2 diabetes. Inflammatory bowel disease analysis shows fewer interactions but confirms that smoking and some aspects of diet influence risk. Notably, body mass index has more evidence for decanalization (increased genetic influence at the extremes of polygenic risk), whereas the waist-to-hip ratio shows canalization, reflecting different evolutionary pressures on the architectures of these weight-related traits. An additional 10 % of comparisons showed evidence for an additive shift of prevalence independent of PGS between exposures. These results provide the first widespread evidence for canalization protecting against disease in humans and have implications for personalized medicine as well as understanding the evolution of complex traits. The findings can be explored through an R shiny app at https://canalization-gibsonlab.shinyapps.io/rshiny/.
Phylogenomics of Scorpions Reveal Contemporaneous Diversification of Scorpion Mammalian Predators and Mammal-Active Sodium Channel Toxins
Authors: Santibáñez-López Carlos E , Aharon Shlomi , Ballesteros Jesús A , Gainett Guilherme , Baker Caitlin M , González-Santillán Edmundo , Harvey Mark S , Hassan Mohamed K , Abu Almaaty Ali Hussein , Aldeyarbi Shorouk Mohamed , Monod Lionel , Ojanguren-Affilastro Andrés , Pinto-da-Rocha Ricardo , Zvik Yoram , Gavish-Regev Efrat , Sharma Prashant P
Published: March 2022

Scorpions constitute a charismatic lineage of arthropods and comprise more than 2500 described species. Found throughout various tropical and temperate habitats, these predatory arachnids have a long evolutionary history, with a fossil record that began in the Silurian. While all scorpions are venomous, the asymmetrically diverse family Buthidae harbors nearly half the diversity of extant scorpions, and all but one of the 58 species that are medically significant to humans. However, the lack of a densely sampled scorpion phylogeny has hindered broader inferences of the diversification dynamics of scorpion toxins. To redress this gap, we assembled a phylogenomic data set of 100 scorpion venom gland transcriptomes and genomes, emphasizing the sampling of highly toxic buthid genera. To infer divergence times of venom gene families, we applied a phylogenomic node dating approach for the species tree in tandem with phylostratigraphic bracketing to estimate the minimum ages of mammal-specific toxins. Our analyses establish a robustly supported phylogeny of scorpions, particularly with regard to relationships between medically significant taxa. Analysis of venom gene families shows that mammal-active sodium channel toxins (NaTx) have independently evolved in five lineages within Buthidae. Temporal windows of mammal-targeting toxin origins are correlated with the basal diversification of major scorpion mammal predators such as shrews, bats, and rodents. These results suggest an evolutionary model of relatively recent diversification of buthid NaTx homologs in response to the diversification of scorpion predators. [Adaptation; arachnids; phylogenomic dating; phylostratigraphy; venom.]
Investment Treaties, Local Institutions and Policies in the Global Land Rush
Authors: Anti Sebastian
Published: March 2022

Large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) are large tracts of land purchased or leased in low- and middle-income countries by multinational firms. This study examines whether these firms respond to the presence of bilateral investment treaties (BITs), whether BITs reinforce or undermine institutions in this process, and whether these firms respond to recipient-country environmental regulations. It analyzes data on LSLAs, BITs, and environmental policies from 2002 to 2012 in a gravity framework controlling for country-pair and time fixed effects. It finds a BIT is associated with a 96 to 149 percent increase in land deals and a 1 point increase in a recipient country's environmental protection index is associated with around a 36 percent decrease in the total amount of land investors lease or purchase in a country. Interactions between BITs and institutional measures in recipient countries yield large relationships with the number of LSLA deals between countries, although these are statistically insignificant.
Blackgram–Macrophomina phaseolina Interactions and Identification of Novel Sources of Resistance
Authors: Elmerich Chloe , Pandey Abhay K. , Vemula AnilKumar , Rathore Abhishek , Nair Ramakrishnan M.
Published: March 2022

Macrophomina phaseolina, a fungus that causes dry root rot, is a relatively new threat to blackgram in South Asia. Because this pathogen is a polyphagic necrotroph, it remains viable in the soil for several years, making disease management challenging. One of the most economical methods for managing dry root rot in blackgram is through an integrated approach that uses resistant varieties. This study examined M. phaseolina associated with dry root rot in blackgram and screened 41 blackgram genotypes for dry root rot resistance. The present work also characterized morphological features and internal transcribed sequence regions of the nuclear rDNA operon to identify M. phaseolina from blackgram. Evaluation of the 41 blackgram genotypes against M. phaseolina by the paper towel technique identified two genotypes, CO-5 and IPU 07-3, with dry root rot resistance (disease scores: ≤3) and 18 genotypes with moderate resistance (disease scores: >3 to ≤5). Five genotypes with disease scores <4.0 and two susceptible genotypes were reevaluated using the paper towel method, which revealed moderate resistance reactions of CO-5, IPU 07-3, and MASH 1-1. To confirm dry root rot resistance of these seven genotypes, further screening was done in a greenhouse using the sick pot assay. Results revealed moderate resistance of CO-5, IPU 07-3, and MASH 1-1 genotypes. As compared with susceptible check (VO 2135-B-BL), CO-5 consistently excelled in plant survival with 13.4% disease incidence, followed by IPU 07-3 (16.7%) and MASH 1-1 (19.9%). Therefore, these three genotypes can be used as parents in blackgram breeding programs for developing blackgram cultivars with improved dry root rot resistance.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Long-term control of melanoma adrenal metastasis treated with radiotherapy
Authors: McCann Brendan , Higgins Martin , Kok David L. , Hong Wei , Alipour Ramin , Chua Margaret S. T.
Published: March 2022

Melanoma remains a large global burden with a significant proportion of patients succumbing to metastatic disease. The adrenal gland is a common area for metastasis with surgical treatment as the main modality. Radiotherapy is less utilised in this setting with uncertainty over deliverability and efficacy. Here, we present the details and outcomes of 20 patients treated with radiotherapy, with or without systemic therapy, for melanoma adrenal metastasis in a single institute. Twenty patients were identified from radiation treatment and medical records from between 2015 and 2019 at our institution. Three patients had bilateral radiotherapy treatments and therefore 23 adrenal lesions were analysed. Demographics, indications for treatment, radiotherapy methodology and outcomes were recorded. Outcomes were based on serial 18F FDG PET/computerized tomography scans reporting using the PERCIST criteria. The most common indication for radiotherapy was oligo-progressive disease (70%) followed by symptom palliation. Eight (35%) of the treatments were delivered by stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy. Twelve (60%) patients had concurrent immunotherapy. Twenty of twenty-three (87%) adrenal lesions had an initial response to treatment with 12 (60%) maintaining local control until death or end of follow-up. Median adrenal-specific progression-free survival was 13 months. Four patients (17%) required salvage adrenalectomy. Symptom palliation was achieved in the majority of patients for which it was indicated and there were no grade three toxicities. The median time from radiotherapy to change of immunotherapy treatment was 4 months. Radiotherapy for melanoma adrenal metastasis is effective and deliverable. With the majority of patients achieving a palliative and clinically relevant durable response, adrenalectomy can be reserved as a salvage option.
Asynchronous telehealth visits for the treatment of overactive bladder
Authors: Ortega Marcus V. , del Carmen Marcela G. , Wakamatsu May , Goldstein Susan A. , Siegal-Botti Eirian , Wasfy Jason H.
Published: March 2022

Objective:

Overactive bladder affects 17% of women, and adherence to treatment is notoriously low. The objective of this pilot study is to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of the use of asynchronous telehealth visits for the treatment of women with overactive bladder.

Methods:

This is a pilot study of women who participated in the asynchronous telehealth program with a new diagnosis of overactive bladder presenting to the Massachusetts General Hospital from January of 2020 to March of 2021. Pre-post differences in Urogenital Distress Inventory score-6, and Incontinence Severity Index Scores were compared with paired t tests as coprimary endpoints. To assess potential mechanisms of association between asynchronous visits and patient-reported outcomes, total fluid intake, caffeinated beverage consumption, urinary frequency, episodes of urinary leakage were also compared as secondary endpoints.

Results:

A total of 23 women participated, with 50 e-visits completed. The first asynchronous visit was completed after a median of 42days (IQR 36, 51.5) from the initial visit. There was a decrease in the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 score between the first asynchronous visit and the last (29 points, IQR 16, 37 vs 12 points, IQR 12, 25), respectively (P = 0.014). Similar findings were seen with the Incontinence Severity Index questionnaire, from three (IQR 2, 4) to three (IQR 1, 3) after the asynchronous visit (P = 0.002).

Conclusion:

We demonstrate the feasibility of asynchronous visits for the treatment of overactive bladder. Although our results suggest efficacy, given the prepost change in overactive bladder-related questionnaire scores following asynchronous visits, the comparative effectiveness of asynchronous visits versus regular care needs to be confirmed in a randomized trial.

Video Summary:

http://links.lww.com/MENO/A917.
Complications of free-flap procedures for phalloplasty in female-to-male transgender surgery: 25-year experience a single medical center
Authors: Wu Szu-Hsien , Shen Bing-Hwei , Perng Cherng-Kang , Wang Tien-Hsiang , Shih Yu-Chung , Ma Hsu , Wu Ho-Yu
Published: March 2022

Background:

To present the complications of free-flap phalloplasty in three-staged female-to-male transgender surgery.

Methods:

This retrospective study included patients who underwent a three-staged free-flap phalloplasty for female-to-male transgender surgery between January 1988 and December 2013. Data regarding demographics, operative techniques, and complications were collected and analyzed.

Results:

A total of 101 patients with a mean age of 30.2 years were included. Phalloplasty with traditional free forearm tube-in-tube fasciocutaneous flap was performed in 25 (24.8%) patients, free forearm fasciocutaneous flap with vaginal mucosa for a prefabricated urethra in 30 (29.7%) patients, free radial forearm osteocutaneous flap with vaginal mucosa for a prefabricated urethra in 22 (21.8%) patients, and free fibula osteocutaneous flap with vaginal mucosa for a prefabricated urethra in 24 (23.8%) patients. Complication rates of partial flap loss, urethrocutaneous fistula, urethral stricture, and hair or stone formation were 12.9%, 49.5%, 24.8%, and 5.0%, respectively. Patients receiving fibula osteocutaneous flap phalloplasty had the lowest overall complication rate (33.3%), followed by those with radial forearm osteocutaneous flap (40.9%), forearm fasciocutaneous flap (43.3%), and forearm tube-in-tube fasciocutaneous flap (80.0%). Forearm tube-in-tube fasciocutaneous flap procedure was associated with significantly higher rates of overall complications (p = 0.05), urethrocutaneous fistula (p = 0.005), and hair or stone formation (p = 0.002) compared with the other three types of procedures. Rates of all complications did not significantly differ among fibula osteocutaneous flap, radial forearm osteocutaneous flap, and forearm fasciocutaneous flap procedures.

Conclusion:

In free-flap phalloplasty for female-to-male transgender surgery, utilization of free fibula osteocutaneous flap with vaginal mucosa for a prefabricated urethra resulted in the lowest complication rate. Further comparisons among different procedures of phalloplasty are warranted.
Effects of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters on left ventricular mass index in hypertensive children
Authors: Soyaltin Eren , Demir Belde Kasap , Erfidan Gökçen , Çamlar Seçil Arslansoyu , Alaygut Demet , Mutlubaş Fatma
Published: March 2022

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the effects of blood pressure (BP) values obtained by 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) of hypertensive children and adolescents on left ventricular mass index (LVMI).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with HT with BP measurements confirmed with ABPM and evaluated with echocardiography for LVMI were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to their BMI as obese and nonobese. SDSs of ABPM parameters were compared between the groups.

Results

A total of 158 children with HT were included in the study. Ninety of these patients were obese. In obese and nonobese cases, mean SDS levels were similar in ABPM parameters, whereas LVMI was significantly higher in obese patients (P = 0.049). There was a significant correlation between LVMI and 24-h SBP SDS, daytime SBP SDS, 24-h SBP load and daytime BP load. In obese cases, there was a statistically significant correlation between LVMI and 24-h SBP SDS, daytime SBP SDS, 24-h SBP load, daytime SBP load as well as nighttime SBP SDS and nighttime SBP load. When the whole group was evaluated, 24-h SBP SDS was the most effective parameter influencing LVMI (P = 0.001). Similarly, the most effective ABPM parameter on LVMI in obese patients was 24-h SBP SDS (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

A significantly higher rate of LVMI in obese patients suggests that obesity itself is an effective factor on LVMI. In addition, systolic hypertension is more effective on cardiac functions compared with DBP measurements and systolic-DBP dipping ratios.
Physical activity influences heart rate variability in young adults, regardless of dextrose ingestion
Authors: Oliveira Caroline Maria , Novelli Fabiula Isoton , Alves-Santos Érica Tanise , Queiroz Marilene Gonçalves , Ghezzi Ana Carolina , Cambri Lucieli Teresa
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Cardiac autonomic modulation can be altered by carbohydrate ingestion. On the other hand, some of the protective effects of physical activity may be due to its impact on the autonomic nervous system.

Purpose

This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate whether physical activity level influences heart rate variability (HRV) under fasting and mainly, after dextrose ingestion.

Methods

Healthy adults aged 18–40 years (n = 92; 54.35 % women) were separated into nonactive (n = 47) and active groups (n = 45), based on the physical activity level determined by International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and then compared.

Results

There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) for age, body mass, BMI, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose and blood glucose at 60 min after dextrose ingestion between groups. Body fat (%) was lower in the active group (P = 0.02). The time-domain indices (RMSSD, SDNN and pNN50) were higher in the physically active group compared to the nonactive group (main effect of group, P < 0.01). The SDNN index was higher at 60 min after dextrose ingestion compared to fasting (main effect of time, P ≤ 0.01). However, no HRV indices showed significantly interaction effect (group x time; P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The magnitude of HRV responses to glucose was not influenced by physical activity status. Young adults who met at least the minimum physical activity recommendations showed a higher cardiac autonomic modulation, regardless of dextrose ingestion.
“Laurin-Sandrow Syndrome – a review of the literature and classification system”
Authors: Buzea Cezar , Boulanger Nathalie
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Laurin-Sandrow syndrome also known as tetramelic mirror-image polydactyly is a rare congenital disorder characterized classically by polysyndactyly of the hands, mirror feet and nose anomalies (hypoplasia of the nasal alae and short columella) often associated with ulnar and/or fibular duplication. As a pathologic entity, it is heterogeneous, the patients displaying a variety of symptoms. This review aims to analyze the different aspects of the condition, such as clinical findings and methods of treatment to summarize the principal features of Laurin-Sandrow syndrome.

Materials and methods

The review is based on searches on PubMed, Web of Science and Researchgate of the following terms: “Laurin-Sandrow syndrome”, “mirror hands”, “mirror feet”, “tetramelic mirror-image polydactyly”, “fibular dimelia” and “ulnar dimelia”. Clinical cases, reviews and original articles were included.

Results

As a consequence of our findings, we suggest a modification of the Al-Qattan classification system for Mirror Hand-Multiple Hand Spectrum.

Conclusion

Even though it has an extremely low incidence, a thorough understanding of the syndrome enables the surgeon to choose the appropriate treatment with the ultimate goal to improve the patient’s life quality.
Lymphatics - not just a chylomicron conduit
Authors: Syed-Abdul Majid M. , Tian Lili , Xiao Changting , Lewis Gary F.
Published: March 2022

Purpose of review

Lymphatics are known to have active, regulated pumping by smooth muscle cells that enhance lymph flow, but whether active regulation of lymphatic pumping contributes significantly to the rate of appearance of chylomicrons (CMs) in the blood circulation (i.e., CM production rate) is not currently known. In this review, we highlight some of the potential mechanisms by which lymphatics may regulate CM production.

Recent findings

Recent data from our lab and others are beginning to provide clues that suggest a more active role of lymphatics in regulating CM appearance in the circulation through various mechanisms. Potential contributors include apolipoproteins, glucose, glucagon-like peptide-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor-C, but there are likely to be many more.

The digested products of dietary fats absorbed by the small intestine are re-esterified and packaged by enterocytes into large, triglyceride-rich CM particles or stored temporarily in intracellular cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Secreted CMs traverse the lamina propria and are transported via lymphatics and then the blood circulation to liver and extrahepatic tissues, where they are stored or metabolized as a rich energy source. Although indirect data suggest a relationship between lymphatic pumping and CM production, this concept requires more experimental evidence before we can be sure that lymphatic pumping contributes significantly to the rate of CM appearance in the blood circulation.
NKX6-1 Is a Less Sensitive But Specific Biomarker of Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Xie Bin , Tong Kuo , Yang Jiao , Wang Taoli , Cheng Lingchao , Zeng Suimin , Hu Zhongliang
Published: March 2022

NKX6-1 is a transcription factor that plays a key role in the development, differentiation, and identity maintenance of beta cells of pancreatic islets. Although NKX6-1 expression has also been discovered in pancreatic well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (WDNETs) and duodenal WDNETs, its expression in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC) is unexplored. Analysis of mRNA expression and immunohistochemistry of NKX6-1 was performed using the kidney cancer cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and paraffin-embedded whole-tissue slides from our 196 collected cases, including 48 chRCCs (43 classic and 5 eosinophilic subtypes), 24 renal oncocytomas (ROs), 46 clear cell renal cell carcinomas, 41 papillary renal cell carcinomas, 14 renal urothelial carcinomas, 7 low-grade oncocytic renal tumors (LOTs), 8 eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinomas, 3 succinate dehydrogenase-deficient renal cell carcinomas, and 5 renal oncocytic tumors, not otherwise specified. NKX6-1 expression was almost exclusively upregulated in chRCC at both the mRNA and protein levels compared with other renal tumors. NKX6-1 was immunohistochemically positive in 39 of 48 (81.3%) chRCCs, but negative in 46 clear cell renal cell carcinomas, 24 ROs, 7 low-grade oncocytic renal tumors, 8 eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinomas, 3 succinate dehydrogenase-deficient renal cell carcinomas, and 5 renal oncocytic tumors, not otherwise specified. Diffuse, moderate, and focal NKX6-1 staining were seen in 21, 4, and 14 of the 39 chRCCs, respectively. In contrast, NKX6-1 was focally positive in only 1 of 41 (2.4%) papillary renal cell carcinomas and 2 of 14 (14.3%) renal urothelial carcinomas. Therefore, the sensitivity and specificity of NKX6-1 staining were 81.3% and 98% for chRCC, respectively. In conclusion, NKX6-1 may be a novel potential marker for differentiating chRCC from other renal neoplasms, especially from RO.