bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EXPloring attitudes and factors influencing reproductive Choices in kidney Transplant patients (The EXPECT‐study)
Authors: van Buren Marleen C. , Beck Denise K. , Lely A. Titia , van de Wetering Jacqueline , Massey Emma K.
Published: August 2021

Pregnancy can have risks after kidney transplantation (KT). This mixed‐methods study aimed to identify the percentage of women getting pregnant after KT and explore motives for and against pregnancy together with psychosocial and medical factors involved in decision making. Furthermore, experiences of pregnancy and child‐raising were explored. Women who got pregnant after KT were matched with women who had not been pregnant after KT. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using directed content analysis. After KT, only 12% of women got pregnant. Eight women with pregnancies after KT were included (P‐group) and matched with 12 women who had not been pregnant after KT (NP‐group). Women after KT experienced a high threshold to discuss their pregnancy wish with their nephrologist. The nephrologists’ advice played an important role in decision‐making, but differed between the groups. In the P‐group, a desire for autonomy and positive role models were decisive factors in proceeding with their pregnancy wish. In the NP‐group, disease burden and risk perception were decisive factors in not proceeding with their pregnancy. Nephrologists need to be proactive in broaching this subject and aware of factors influencing the decision and outcomes. Standardized preconception guidelines on pregnancy counseling are recommended.
Spatial dependency in abundance of Queen conch, Aliger gigas, in the Caribbean, indicates the importance of surveying deep‐water distributions
Authors: Boman Erik M. , de Graaf Martin , Kough Andrew S. , Izioka‐Kuramae Ayumi , Zuur Alain F. , Smaal Aad , Nagelkerke Leo
Published: August 2021

Aim

To evaluate how the spatial distribution of a heavily exploited marine gastropod (i.e. Queen conch) varies in response to a number of known biotic and abiotic variables within and between study areas that vary in environmental conditions.

Location

Three study areas in the north‐eastern Caribbean, Anguilla, Saba Bank and St. Eustatius.

Methods

A novel towed video system and complemented belt transects to estimate adult queen conch densities throughout its depth range. Bayesian hierarchical spatial models (integrated nested Laplace approximations) modelled distribution patterns of adult conch.

Results

Our study revealed patchy distribution patterns of adult conch caused by spatial dependency. This dependency is most likely related to aggregating behaviour during spawning events. Environmental variables, such as algal cover, distance to the open ocean and depth, showed important nonlinear effects on conch abundance, although these differed among study areas. Intermediate and deep areas (ca. 17–45 m) contain most of the reproductive output of conch in the study areas and are highly important for the reproductive capacity.

Main conclusions

The general patchy distribution pattern and the lack of strong generic relationships between biotic and abiotic factors and adult conch abundance and distribution are likely to be at least partly due to spatial dependency and location‐specific factors, which affect different phases of the conch's life history. The depth distribution of conch also indicates that surveying areas at depths beyond the practical limitation of divers is of great importance to obtain more reliable population estimates.
Post‐error slowing: Large scale study in an online learning environment for practising mathematics and language
Authors: de Mooij Susanne M. M. , Dumontheil Iroise , Kirkham Natasha Z. , Raijmakers Maartje E. J. , van der Maas Han L. J.
Published: August 2021

The ability to monitor and adjust our performance is crucial for adaptive behaviour, a key component of human cognitive control. One widely studied metric of this behaviour is post‐error slowing (PES), the finding that humans tend to slow down their performance after making an error. This study is a first attempt at generalizing the effect of PES to an online adaptive learning environment where children practise mathematics and language skills. This population was of particular interest since the major development of error processing occurs during childhood. Eight million response patterns were collected from 150,000 users aged 5 to 13 years old for 6 months, across 23 different learning activities. PES could be observed in most learning activities and greater PES was associated with greater post‐error accuracy. PES also varied as a function of several variables. At the task level, PES was greater when there was less time pressure, when errors were slower, and in learning activities focusing on mathematical rather than language skills. At the individual level, students who chose the most difficult level to practise and had higher skill ability also showed greater PES. Finally, non‐linear developmental differences in error processing were found, where the PES magnitude increased from 6 to 9‐years‐old and decreased from 9 to 13. This study shows that PES underlies adaptive behaviour in an educational context for primary school students.
A rapid segmentation method of cell boundary for developing embryos using machine learning with a personal computer
Authors: Ota Rikifumi , Ide Takahiro , Michiue Tatsuo
Published: August 2021

Cell segmentation is crucial in the study of morphogenesis in developing embryos, but it had been limited in its accuracy until machine learning methods for image segmentation like U‐Net. However, these methods take too much time. In this study, we provide a rapid method for cell segmentation using machine learning with a personal computer, termed Cell Segmentator using Machine Learning (CSML). CSML took four seconds per image with a personal computer for segmentation on average, much less than time to obtain an image. We observed that F‐value of segmentation by CSML was around 0.97, showing better performance than state‐of‐the‐art methods like RACE and watershed in assessing the segmentation of Xenopus ectodermal cells. CSML also showed slightly better performance and faster than other machine learning‐based methods such as U‐Net. CSML required only one whole embryo image for training a Fully Convolutional Network classifier and only two parameters. To validate its accuracy, we compared CSML to other methods in assessing several indicators of cell shape. We also examined the generality of this approach by measuring its performance of segmentation of independent images. Our data demonstrate the superiority of CSML, and we expect this application to improve efficiency in cell shape studies.
Physical therapy with hippotherapy compared to physical therapy alone in children with cerebral palsy: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Santos de Assis Gustavo , Schlichting Tatiane , Rodrigues Mateus Beatriz , Gomes Lemos Alana , dos Santos Adriana Neves
Published: August 2021

Aim

To compare the effects of physical therapy with hippotherapy versus physical therapy alone on the gross motor function of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

Electronic searches were conducted in January 2021. We included controlled trials of the gross motor function of children and adolescents with CP, aged 2 to 18 years. We extracted means, standard deviations, and changes from the baseline to the end of the intervention. We used the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool modified by Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) to assess the methodological quality and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method to verify evidence synthesis. We conducted the meta‐analysis using Revman 5.3.

Results

A total of 315 individuals from six studies were included. Both groups received physical therapy including strength, aerobic, stretch, and mobility exercises, and neurodevelopmental treatment. Studies presented high risk of bias. Both therapies presented similar effects for Gross Motor Function Measure scores, cadence, stride length, and speed during gait. The level of evidence was very low. The change was greater for the physical therapy with hippotherapy group, but inferior to the smallest real difference or the minimal detectable change.

Interpretation

Physical therapy with hippotherapy presented similar effects to physical therapy alone on the gross motor function of children and adolescents with CP. Future studies should include larger sample sizes and studies with low risk of bias.
The triglyceride‐glucose index as an adiposity marker and a predictor of fat loss induced by a low‐calorie diet
Authors: Vidal‐Ostos Fernando , Ramos‐Lopez Omar , Blaak Ellen E. , Astrup Arne , Martinez Jose Alfredo
Published: August 2021

Background

This study aimed to investigate the putative role of the triglyceride‐glucose index (TyG index) computed as ln[TG (mg/dl) × glucose (mg/dl)/2] and derived proxies as predictors of adiposity and weight loss changes after a low‐calorie diet (LCD) intervention.

Methods

A total of 744 adult participants from the multicentre DIOGenes intervention study were prescribed a LCD (800 kcal/day) during 8 weeks. Body composition and fat content at baseline and after 8 weeks were estimated by DEXA/BIA. A multivariate analysis approach was used to estimate the difference in ΔWeight1–2 (kg), ΔBMI1–2 (kg/m2) or ΔFat1–2 (%) between the basal value (point 1) and after 8 weeks following a LCD (point 2), respectively. The TyG index at baseline (TyG1), after following the LCD for 8 weeks (TyG2) or the TyG index differences between both time points (ΔTyG1–2) were analysed as predictors of weight and fat changes.

Results

TyG1 was associated with ΔWeight1–2 (kg) and ΔBMI1‐2 (kg/m2), with β = 0.812 (p = .017) and β = 0.265 (p = .018), respectively. Also, TyG2 values were inversely related to ΔFat1–2 (%), β = −1.473 (p = .015). Moreover, ΔTyG1–2 was associated with ΔWeight1–2 (kg) and ΔFat1–2 (%), β = 0.689 (p = .045) and β = 1.764 (p = .002), respectively. Furthermore, an association between TyG2 and resistance to fat loss was found (p = .015).

Conclusion

TyG1 index is a good predictor of weight loss induced by LCD. Moreover, TyG2 was closely related to resistance to fat loss, while ΔTyG1–2 values were positively associated with body fat changes. Therefore, TyG index and derived estimations could be used as markers of individualized responses to energy restriction and a surrogate of body composition outcomes in clinical/epidemiological settings in obesity conditions.
The role of mandible morphology in termite inquilinism
Authors: Clemente Lara Oliveira , Constantino Reginaldo , Costa Diogo Andrade , DeSouza Og
Published: August 2021

In heterospecific termite–termite (Blattodea, Isoptera) cohabitation, defensive morphologies are more evident in inquiline soldiers than in the workers. Nevertheless, these latter are prone to present defensive adaptations as well. After all, by living and feeding inside the nest of other species, such workers would suffer less pressure from building and foraging, but more demand for defensive adaptations. Interestingly, these three functions – building, foraging, and defense – can be exerted by a single structure, the mandibles. Providing that, in inquilines, defensive needs may prevail over building and foraging, it seems adaptive for inquiline termite workers to have mandibles modified for defense. Here we report on a significant correlation between mandibular modifications in termite workers and their propensity to inquilinism. Using behavioral assays, we show these adaptations to play relevant roles in the defense/attack dynamics of guests and hosts. We show that, in termite workers, the size and position of the apical tooth relative to the marginal teeth may arm termite hosts and termite inquilines with an effective defensive weapon. Hosts may also use it as a weapon to attack inquilines. The latter, however, are unable to do so, confirming previous reports on peaceful behavior as a typical strategy for termite inquilines. We argue that mandibular patterns in termites (as measured by the left mandible index, LMI), more than a product of feeding habit selective pressure, may also serve to mediate nest heterospecific cohabitation.
Credit risk in colonial India
Authors: Nath Maanik
Published: August 2021

Credit was scarce and expensive in colonial India. Existing explanations assume a lack of market competition let moneylenders charge high interest rates. The article challenges this view and constructs a novel framework to explain the rationality and strategies of lenders. Using new evidence from the Madras Presidency, the study finds that the interconnected issues of climate volatility and enforcement costs shaped the supply and prices of credit. Climate volatility and uncertain seasonal incomes led to high default rates. Enforcement of contracts through courts was expensive and not appropriate where there was no wilful breach of contract. Moneylenders responded to risk in innovative ways. They rationed credit and imposed inflexible enforcement terms in the dry regions that faced higher climatic risk, but used contracts and flexible pricing strategies in the irrigated zones where risks were lower.
Would that it were so simple: Interactions between multiple traits undermine classical single‐trait‐based predictions of microbial community function and evolution
Authors: Lindsay Richard J. , Jepson Alys , Butt Lisa , Holder Philippa J. , Smug Bogna J. , Gudelj Ivana
Published: August 2021

Understanding how microbial traits affect the evolution and functioning of microbial communities is fundamental for improving the management of harmful microorganisms, while promoting those that are beneficial. Decades of evolutionary ecology research has focused on examining microbial cooperation, diversity, productivity and virulence but with one crucial limitation. The traits under consideration, such as public good production and resistance to antibiotics or predation, are often assumed to act in isolation. Yet, in reality, multiple traits frequently interact, which can lead to unexpected and undesired outcomes for the health of macroorganisms and ecosystem functioning. This is because many predictions generated in a single‐trait context aimed at promoting diversity, reducing virulence or controlling antibiotic resistance can fail for systems where multiple traits interact. Here, we provide a much needed discussion and synthesis of the most recent research to reveal the widespread and diverse nature of multi‐trait interactions and their consequences for predicting and controlling microbial community dynamics. Importantly, we argue that synthetic microbial communities and multi‐trait mathematical models are powerful tools for managing the beneficial and detrimental impacts of microbial communities, such that past mistakes, like those made regarding the stewardship of antimicrobials, are not repeated.
The relation of etiology based on the 2017 ILAE classification to the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in drug‐resistant epilepsy in childhood
Authors: Breu Markus , Häfele Chiara , Trimmel‐Schwahofer Petra , Schmidt Wolfgang M. , Laconne Franco , Vodopiutz Julia , Male Christoph , Dressler Anastasia
Published: August 2021

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of the ketogenic diet (KD) in drug‐resistant epilepsy in childhood in relation to the new 2017 International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification of etiology.

Methods

A consecutive cohort of patients treated with the KD were categorized according to the ILAE classification into known (structural, genetic, metabolic, infectious, and immune‐mediated) and unknown etiology. Primary outcome was the frequency of patients achieving seizure freedom with the KD at 3 months, secondary outcomes were seizure reduction >50% at 3 months, and both seizure freedom and seizure reduction >50% at 6, 12 months, and at last follow‐up (LFU), and adverse effects. Outcomes were compared between etiology groups.

Results

Etiology was known in 70% (129/183). Outcomes did not differ at 3 months (known vs unknown: seizure freedom 28% vs 33%, seizure reduction 62 vs 67%), but seizure freedom was significantly less frequent in known etiology at 6 months (26% vs 43%) and beyond (22% vs 37%). Logistic regression identified duration of epilepsy, number of previous antiseizure medications (ASMs), and age‐appropriate psychomotor development as positive determinants of outcome. Among individual etiology groups, the effectiveness of KD was relatively best for genetic (33% at LFU) and poorest for metabolic etiology (8% at LFU). The small number of patients with infectious and immune‐mediated etiology requires larger numbers in each etiology group to corroborate our results. No differences in type and frequency of adverse effects (in 71%) between etiology groups were observed, requiring medical intervention in 21%.

Significance

The KD was most effective in genetic and unknown etiology, many unknowns probably represent yet unidentified genetic causes. We recommend consequent diagnostic and genetic work‐up to identify etiologies that respond best to the KD. The KD should be offered early to infants with genetic epilepsy before deterioration of epileptic symptoms and of psychomotor development.
Genetic × environment variation in sheep lines bred for divergent resistance to strongyle infection
Authors: Sallé Guillaume , Deiss Véronique , Marquis Céline , Tosser‐Klopp Gwenola , Cortet Jacques , Serreau Delphine , Koch Christine , Marcon Didier , Bouvier Frédéric , Jacquiet Philippe , Blanchard Alexandra , Mialon Marie‐Madeleine , Moreno‐Romieux Carole
Published: August 2021

Drug‐resistant parasites threaten livestock production. Breeding more resistant hosts could be a sustainable control strategy. Environmental variation linked to animal management practices or to parasite species turnover across farms may however alter the expression of genetic potential. We created sheep lines with high or low resistance to Haemonchus contortus and achieved significant divergence on both phenotypic and genetic scales. We exposed both lines to chronic stress or to the infection by another parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis, to test for genotype‐by‐environment and genotype‐by‐parasite species interactions respectively. Between‐line divergence remained significant following chronic stress exposure although between‐family variation was found. Significant genotype‐by‐parasite interaction was found although H. contortus‐resistant lambs remained more resistant against T. colubriformis. Growth curves were not altered by the selection process although resistant lambs were lighter after the second round of divergence, before any infection took place. Breeding for resistance is a sustainable strategy but allowance needs to be made for environmental perturbations and worm species.
Epigenetic code during mycobacterial infections: therapeutic implications for tuberculosis
Authors: Fatima Samreen , Kumari Anjna , Agarwal Meetu , Pahuja Isha , Yadav Vinod , Dwivedi Ved Prakash , Bhaskar Ashima
Published: August 2021

Epigenetics involves changing the gene function without any change in the sequence of the genes. In the case of tuberculosis (TB) infections, the bacilli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), uses epigenetics as a tool to protect itself from the host immune system. TB is a deadly disease‐causing maximum death per year due to a single infectious agent. In the case of TB, there is an urgent need for novel host‐directed therapies which can effectively target the survival and long‐term persistence of the bacteria without developing drug resistance in the bacterial strains while also reducing the duration and toxicity associated with the mainstream anti‐TB drugs. Recent studies have suggested that TB infection has a significant effect on the host epigenome thereby manipulating the host immune response in the favor of the pathogen. M.tb alters the activation status of key genes involved in the immune response against TB to promote its survival and subvert the antibacterial strategies of the host. These changes are reversible and can be exploited to design very efficient host‐directed therapies to fight against TB. This review has been written with the purpose of discussing the role of epigenetic changes in TB pathogenesis and the therapeutic approaches involving epigenetics, which can be utilized for targeting the pathogen.
A double‐edged sword: reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the rice blast fungus and host interaction
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Zhang Zhengguang
Published: August 2021

Magnaporthe oryzae is a hemibiotrophic fungus that also needs host nutrients for propagation during infection. During its interaction with rice, reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediate important signaling reactions impacting both the pathogen and the host. In M. oryzae, the accumulation of ROS is important for the formation and maturation of the infectious structure appressorium. On the other hand, upon M. oryzae infection, rice generates further ROS to restrict invasive hyphae (IH) spreading. Despite ROS receptors remaining to be identified, M. oryzae recruits several strategies to respond and suppress ROS accumulation through the secretion of various effector molecules. These findings suggest that the balance between the generation and scavenging of ROS is sophisticatedly controlled during M. oryzae‐rice interaction. In this review, we discuss advances to understand the regulation mechanisms for the generation, accumulation, and transduction of ROS.
Does dividend policy affect sales growth in product markets? Evidence from the 2003 dividend tax cut
Authors: Chino Atsushi , Kim Joon Ho
Published: August 2021

We examine the effect of firms’ dividend policy on product market outcomes. Exploiting the 2003 dividend tax cut as the exogenous increase in demand for dividends from tax‐sensitive shareholders, we show that firms that raised dividends in response to the tax cut recorded lower sales growth in product markets after the tax cut. These firms experienced a reduction in financial flexibility, which led to a decrease in investment activities. Despite the negative effects of dividends on sales growth, firm value increased on average, indicating that the firms raised dividends when the shareholder benefits outweighed the costs.
Non‐random dispersal in sympatric stream fishes: Influences of natural disturbance and body size
Authors: Terui Akira , Kim Seoghyun , Pregler Kasey C. , Kanno Yoichiro
Published: August 2021

Although the prevailing paradigms in spatial ecology have treated dispersal as a stochastic process, there is an increasing awareness that spatial processes are non‐random such that individual characteristics and ecological contexts influence dispersal. Natural disturbance, such as river flooding, is known to stimulate dispersal behaviour, but its interactive effects with individual‐level characteristics (e.g. body size) of potential dispersers remain elusive. It is critical to fill this knowledge gap because anthropogenic impacts (including climate change) alter both disturbance regimes and population structures.

Here, we examined how extreme high flows and individual body size combined to influence dispersal of three fishes (creek chubSemotilus atromaculatus, bluehead chubNocomis leptocephalus, and striped jumprockMoxostoma rupicartes) in two streams (740 and 520 m long) in South Carolina, U.S.A. We focused on extreme high flows as a natural disturbance, whereas body size was used as an individual‐level characteristic of dispersers. A total of 5,604 individuals were uniquely marked in the two streams over a >2‐year study period, during which sampling occurred every 2 months.

The intensive capture–recapture study revealed differential effects of disturbance and body size among sympatric stream fishes. Extreme high flows increased dispersal of striped jumprock and creek chub, whereas body size influenced dispersal of striped jumprock with larger individuals traveling longer distances. Bluehead chub showed a complex dispersal response. That is, size‐dependence in dispersal emerged only during high‐flow periods.

The results of this study build upon previous efforts by providing field‐based evidence of how disturbance and individual characteristics (body size) combine to drive non‐random dispersal and how it varies among sympatric species. This finding is important because metapopulations that are maintained by different non‐random dispersal (i.e. externally or internally driven) may show varied sensitivities to human‐induced environmental changes.
Both climate trends and short‐term fluctuations affected algae–zooplankton interactions in a boreal lake during the late Holocene
Authors: Belle Simon , Tõnno Ilmar , Vrede Tobias , Freiberg Rene , L. Nilsson Jenny , Goedkoop Willem
Published: August 2021

Most studies aiming to explore the response of algae and zooplankton trophic interactions to climate variability have only been focused on unidirectional and very short‐term trends in temperature changes. As a result, the non‐stationary aspect of climate change (warming and cooling periods, frequencies) remains completely unstudied.

We studied elemental and stable isotope composition of sedimentary organic matter, photosynthetic pigments, and carbon stable isotope composition of Cladocera resting eggs in a sediment record covering the last c. 2,600 years. We examined how past climate change acting at different timescales affected algal biomass and community composition, and carbon assimilation by zooplankton in a boreal lake.

Our study revealed major effects of both long‐term climate trends and shorter‐term fluctuations on algae–zooplankton interactions in a boreal lake. We found the main climate trends, in particular the Little Ice Age, induced algal biomass and community composition changes and drastic changes in carbon assimilation by zooplankton. Interestingly, we found that temperature fluctuations could also contribute to regulating algae–zooplankton interactions. Specifically, we observed drastic changes in sedimentary markers and stable isotope composition of zooplankton remains during the most recent period, suggesting a strong influence of ongoing anthropogenic change on algae–zooplankton interactions.

Our study confirms previous findings showing close long‐term linkage between the temporal dynamics of zooplankton diet and planktonic algae, and that both climate trends and short‐term fluctuations are key in regulating consumer–resource trophic interactions.

Novel approaches that combine high temporal resolution paleolimnological reconstructions and contemporary monitoring studies are needed to better understand climate change effects on algae–zooplankton interactions and lake food webs.
Stream inflows to lake deltas: A tributary junction that provides a unique habitat in lakes
Authors: Richardson John S. , Michalski Tracy , Becu Mariella
Published: August 2021

Tributary junctions in stream networks provide unique habitats within fluvial networks by contributing differently sized sediment and organic materials, providing temperature refuge, and other conditions distinct from the receiving stream. These same attributes at tributaries entering lakes (inflow streams) support special, within‐lake locations that are used by several organisms at some times of year, which we call lake deltas.

Here we consider the evidence of these lake deltas as a special environment in terms of their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. There are several potential contributions from tributary streams, and much of the emphasis has been on resource subsidies to lakes, but other factors may also contribute to the uniqueness of lake deltas.

The degree to which these deltas provide productivity and biodiversity hotspots is not well known, but we present evidence in support of this assertion. We also offer suggestions for a suite of hypotheses that can be tested. These junctions may also provide an excellent model system for testing the consequences of resource subsidies (organic matter, invertebrates) to recipient communities from small to mid‐sized streams.

Consolidation of these ideas will allow testing for the uniqueness of these lake delta habitats and the mechanisms responsible, and perhaps promote greater efforts at protecting processes that sustain these areas in lakes.
Quantitative trait locus mapping identifies a locus linked to striatal dopamine and points to collagen IV alpha‐6 chain as a novel regulator of striatal axonal branching in mice
Authors: Thomas Mélanie H. , Gui Yujuan , Garcia Pierre , Karout Mona , Gomez Ramos Borja , Jaeger Christian , Michelucci Alessandro , Gaigneaux Anthoula , Kollmus Heike , Centeno Arthur , Schughart Klaus , Balling Rudi , Mittelbronn Michel , Nadeau Joseph H. , Sauter Thomas , Williams Robert W. , Sinkkonen Lasse , Buttini Manuel
Published: August 2021

Dopaminergic neurons (DA neurons) are controlled by multiple factors, many involved in neurological disease. Parkinson's disease motor symptoms are caused by the demise of nigral DA neurons, leading to loss of striatal dopamine (DA). Here, we measured DA concentration in the dorsal striatum of 32 members of Collaborative Cross (CC) family and their eight founder strains. Striatal DA varied greatly in founders, and differences were highly heritable in the inbred CC progeny. We identified a locus, containing 164 genes, linked to DA concentration in the dorsal striatum on chromosome X. We used RNAseq profiling of the ventral midbrain of two founders with substantial difference in striatal DA–C56BL/6 J and A/J—to highlight potential protein‐coding candidates modulating this trait. Among the five differentially expressed genes within the locus, we found that the gene coding for the collagen IV alpha 6 chain (Col4a6) was expressed nine times less in A/J than in C57BL/6J. Using single cell RNA‐seq data from developing human midbrain, we found that COL4A6 is highly expressed in radial glia‐like cells and neuronal progenitors, indicating a role in neuronal development. Collagen IV alpha‐6 chain (COL4A6) controls axogenesis in simple model organisms. Consistent with these findings, A/J mice had less striatal axonal branching than C57BL/6J mice. We tentatively conclude that DA concentration and axonal branching in dorsal striatum are modulated by COL4A6, possibly during development. Our study shows that genetic mapping based on an easily measured Central Nervous System (CNS) trait, using the CC population, combined with follow‐up observations, can parse heritability of such a trait, and nominate novel functions for commonly expressed proteins.
Low urine pH is a risk factor for low muscle mass: A new way to predict sarcopenia
Authors: Yang Shih‐Wei , Lin Yu‐Jen , Cheng Yung‐Wen , Chen Yuan‐Yuei , Chen Wei‐Liang
Published: August 2021

Aims

Sarcopenia, one of the primary diseases of the older adult population, is a condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and functionality. Due to its considerable economic impact, preventive interventions for sarcopenia play an important role in the older adult population. Urine includes many indicators of physiology and pathophysiology. Urine analysis is used to diagnose many different diseases. The goal of this cohort study was to examine the relationship between urine pH level and skeletal muscle mass.

Methods

This community‐based cross‐sectional study was carried out among 9712 Taiwanese individuals (4992 men and 4720 women). We used urine pH as an independent variable and skeletal muscle mass as a dependent variable. Bioelectric impedance analysis was used to measure the percentage of skeletal muscle mass (PSMM). We collected first fasting morning urine samples after overnight fasting, and urine pH was measured with a dipstick. In the by‐sex and by‐obesity analyses, we stratified the sample into two subgroups and a linear regression model was used for covariate adjustment.

Results

In the fully adjusted model, all‐subject analysis showed a statistically significant association between urine pH and the PSMM with a β coefficient of 0.820 (95% CI 0.615–1.025; P < 0.001). Additionally, by‐sex analysis showed that urine pH was related to the PSMM in both sexes, with β coefficients of 0.261 (95% CI 0.006–0.516; P = 0.045) in men and 0.179 (95% CI 0.029–0.328; P = 0.019) in women. By‐obesity status analysis showed that urine pH was related to the PSMM in the body mass index <27 group with a β coefficient of 0.284 (95% CI 0.101–0.466; P = 0.002) after full adjustment. However, for the body mass index ≥27 group, there was no significant relationship between urine pH and the PSMM (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results showed the impacts of urine pH levels on skeletal muscle mass in both sexes and non‐obese populations. Due to its easily accessible and economical characteristics, urine analysis is a convenient way to approach patients with low skeletal muscle mass and predict sarcopenia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 944–949.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of narrow band imaging for non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Gravestock Paul , Coulthard Nicholas , Veeratterapillay Rajan , Heer Rakesh
Published: August 2021

To assess the effect of narrow band imaging‐guided transurethral resection of bladder tumor compared with white light on recurrence rates in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. A systematic review of the literature from inception to November 2020 using Medline, EMBASE and CENTRAL was undertaken. Randomized controlled trials comparing transurethral resection of bladder tumor undertaken with narrow band imaging with those undertaken with white light that reported recurrence rates of at least 12 months were included in the analysis. Primary outcomes were recurrence rates at 12 and 24 months. Secondary outcomes were reported adverse effects. A total of 387 abstracts were screened, of which 14 full text identified and three studies included in the meta‐analysis (921 patients). Meta‐analysis did not show a statistically significant benefit to narrow band imaging at 12 months; risk ratio 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.50–1.14, P = 0.18, I2 = 61%). No included studies provided recurrence data beyond 12 months. Adverse effects were reported in one study and no significant difference of complication rate was observed between the two groups. Risk of bias was assessed to be generally low, and grading of recommendations assessment development and evaluations were of high certainty. This meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials shows no difference in recurrence rates using narrow band imaging, although a trend in its favor was identified. Limitations include the varied reporting and administration of adjuvant therapies. Further well‐designed trials are required to examine the benefit of this technology.
Entre precarización, control algorítmico y movilización. Efectos de la pandemia de COVID‐19 en las y los repartidores de plataformas en Argentina y Chile
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ CROCCO Francisca , ATZENI Maurizio
Published: August 2021

Se analizan los efectos de la pandemia en el proceso de trabajo en dos plataformas digitales de reparto que operan en Argentina y Chile: Rappi y PedidosYa. A partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas y análisis de prensa y páginas web, se constata cómo las plataformas han descargado sobre las trabajadoras y trabajadores los costos de la crisis a través del uso instrumental de la figura del contratista independiente y la intensificación del control. Los repartidores han reaccionado a esta situación a través de múltiples formas de resistencia que van desde el arriendo o préstamo de cuentas a la organización de paros internacionales.
Roles of the protein disulphide isomerases AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 in response to oxidant stress in Apis cerana cerana
Authors: Zhao G. , Meng J. , Wang C. , Wang L. , Wang H. , Tian M. , Ma L. , Guo X. , Xu B.
Published: August 2021

Protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) plays an important role in a variety of physiological processes through its oxidoreductase activity and molecular chaperone activity. In this study, we cloned two PDI family members, AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3, from Apis cerana cerana. AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 had typical sequence features of PDI family members and were constitutively expressed in A. cerana cerana. The expression levels of AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 were generally upregulated after treatment with a variety of environmental stress factors. Inhibition assays showed that E. coli expressing recombinant AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 proteins was more resistant to oxidative stress than control E. coli. In addition, silencing AccPDIA1 or AccPDIA3 in A. cerana cerana resulted in significant changes in the expression levels of several antioxidant‐related genes as well as the enzymatic activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and reduced the survival rate of A. cerana cerana under oxidative stress caused by high temperature. In conclusion, our results suggest that AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 may play important roles in the antioxidant activities of A. cerana cerana.
Differential pricing strategies of ride‐sharing platforms: choosing customers or drivers?
Authors: Zhao Daozhi , Yuan Ziwei , Chen Mingyang , Yang Shuang
Published: August 2021

Ride‐sharing platforms, such as Uber and Didi Chuxing, widely use differential pricing strategies to encourage platform participation. However, it remains unclear whether differential pricing strategies in ride sharing are reasonable when users care about price fairness. Moreover, platforms face a unique dilemma when considering differential pricing: should it be used for customers, drivers, or both? On the demand side, platforms must deal with taxi competition, while the supply side contends with government regulation; it is this dilemma that motivates our work. Using a stylized model that includes price fairness, market conditions, and government policies, we consider four ride‐sharing platform pricing strategies: uniform pricing, differential customer pricing, differential driver pricing, and bilateral differential pricing. We present results from three perspectives. For platforms, we obtain feasible regions in all four pricing strategies. If the maximal number of potential drivers is below certain thresholds, a platform will use differential driver pricing. Conversely, differential customer pricing is optimal when the maximal number of potential drivers is sufficiently large. Moreover, when customers have stronger fairness concerns, platforms tend to use differential driver pricing to reduce competition. From the government perspective, when a platform charges customers differently, the government can achieve a win‐win solution for sustainable development and market stability by setting a proper taxi rate. Interestingly, we find that, for the demand and supply sides, an increase in fairness concerns may hurt customers and drivers under certain conditions.
How the mere desire for certainty can lead to a preference for men in authority (particularly among political liberals)
Authors: Baldner Conrad , Pierro Antonio , di Santo Daniela , Cabras Cristina
Published: August 2021

Women are harmed by stereotypes about their fit for positions of authority and changing these stereotypes is not a simple task. As stereotypes have strong epistemic properties, individuals with a high need for cognitive closure (NCC; i.e., the desire for epistemic certainty) can be more likely to accept these stereotypes and, consequently, to prefer men in positions of authority. Consistent with the reactive liberal hypothesis, this effect could be actually more visible among individuals with both a high NCC and left‐wing political orientations. We supported these hypotheses in a series of three studies. In Study 1 (N = 217), we found that manipulated NCC predicted preference for men in authority through stereotypes of women as not being fit for authority in a measurement‐of‐mediation design. In Study 2 (N = 151), we supported this effect in a mediation‐as‐process design. In Study 3 (N = 391), we found the indirect NCC effect on preference for men in authority was more visible among political liberals. A major implication of this work is that ways of changing the effect of these stereotypes should take into account the NCC, but particularly among individuals with left‐wing beliefs.
Do host‐associated microbes show a contrarian latitudinal diversity gradient? Insights from Mytilus californianus, an intertidal foundation host
Authors: Neu Alexander T. , Allen Eric E. , Roy Kaustuv
Published: August 2021

Aim

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most pervasive large‐scale trends in biodiversity. However, whether microbial taxa also conform to this pattern remains poorly known. This study uses the gill and shell‐surface microbiomes of the marine bivalve Mytilus californianus to test whether the diversity of host‐associated microbial communities declines with increasing latitude, as predicted by the LDG.

Location

Northeastern Pacific coast, ranging from Sitka, AK to La Jolla, CA, USA (spanning 24.12 degrees of latitude).

Taxon

Bacteria and Archaea associated with M. californianus gills and shell‐surfaces.

Methods

We amplified and sequenced the 16S rRNA gene from M. californianus gill and shell‐surface samples. We used linear and quadratic regressions, accounting for spatial autocorrelation when needed, of average alpha and gamma diversities of the whole microbiome, as well as individual microbial clades, to determine whether these taxa conformed to the traditional LDG. We also used permutational multivariate analysis of variance to determine the level of compositional differentiation among sampling sites.

Results

Gill and shell‐surface microbiota show differing latitudinal diversity patterns, with both micro‐environments exhibiting high levels of compositional differentiation along latitude. Individual microbial clades within each micro‐environment also show different latitudinal trends, most likely due to differing ecologies and life histories.

Main conclusions

Mytilus californianus‐associated microbial taxa show a flat, hump‐shaped or contrarian LDG, suggesting that a steep decline in diversity with increasing latitude may not be a universal pattern across different domains of life.
Transition from transesophageal echocardiography to cardiac computed tomography for the evaluation of left atrial appendage thrombus prior to atrial fibrillation ablation and incidence of cerebrovascular events during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Akhtar Tauseef , Wallace Ryan , Daimee Usama A. , Hart Erica , Arbab‐Zadeh Armin , Marine Joseph E. , Berger Ronald , Calkins Hugh , Spragg David
Published: August 2021

Background

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is variably performed before atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation to evaluate left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus. We describe our experience with transitioning to the pre‐ablation cardiac computed tomography (CT) approach for the assessment of LAA thrombus during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

We studied consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation at our center. The study cohort was divided into pre‐ versus post‐COVID groups. The pre‐COVID cohort included ablations performed during the 1 year before the COVID‐19 pandemic; pre‐ablation TEE was used routinely to evaluate LAA thrombus in high‐risk patients. Post‐COVID cohort included ablations performed during the 1 year after the COVID‐19 pandemic; pre‐ablation CT was performed in all patients, with TEE performed only in patients with LAA thrombus by CT imaging. The demographics, clinical history, imaging, and ablation characteristics, and peri‐procedural cerebrovascular events (CVEs) were recorded.

Results

A total of 637 patients (pre‐COVID n = 424, post‐COVID n = 213) were studied. The mean age was 65.6 ± 10.1 years in the total cohort, and the majority were men. There was a significant increase in pre‐ablation CT imaging from pre‐ to post‐COVID cohort (74.8% vs. 93.9%, p ≤ .01), with a significant reduction in TEEs (34.6% vs. 3.7%, p ≤ .01). One patient in the post‐COVID cohort developed CVE following negative pre‐ablation CT. However, the incidence of peri‐procedural CVE between both cohorts remained statistically unchanged (0% vs. 0.4%, p = .33).

Conclusion

Implementation of pre‐ablation CT‐only imaging strategy with selective use of TEE for LAA thrombus evaluation is not associated with increased CVE risk during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Outcome of transvenous lead extraction of leads older than 20 years
Authors: Issa Ziad F.
Published: August 2021

Background

In patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE), lead dwell time has been recognized as a risk factor for extraction failure and procedure‐related complications.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TLE in patients with pacemaker or ICD leads with a dwell time of ≥20 years.

Methods

This is a single‐center retrospective study of all patients who underwent TLE of at least 1 pacemaker or ICD leads a dwell time of ≥20 years.

Results

During the study period, 124 patients were included in this analysis (50.8% female, mean age: 74.6 ± 10.7 years). Device‐related infection was the most common (92.7%) indication for TLE. Extraction was attempted for a total 313 leads, of which 182 leads had dwell times ≥20 years (median: 276 months; interquartile range: 255–300 months). Complete procedural success was achieved in 112/124 patients (90.3%), and clinical success in 119/124 patients (96.0%). Complete removal was achieved for 294 leads (93.9%), partial removal in 10 leads, and failure in 9 leads. Clinical success (combined complete and partial success) rates were higher for leads with dwell times <20 years compared to older leads (99.2% vs. 95.6%, p = .017). Major procedural complications (including 1 death) occurred in 7/124 patients (5.6%). Minor complications were observed in 8 patients (6.5%).

Conclusions

TLE of very old (≥20 years) leads can be performed with reasonable success and safety when conducted at centers with expertise in lead management.
The long‐term efficacy and safety of combining ablation and left atrial appendage closure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Feng , Sun Jin‐Yu , Wu Li‐Da , Hao Jian‐Feng , Wang Ru‐Xing
Published: August 2021

Background

Combined ablation and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an alternative for atrial fibrillation patients with a high risk of stroke. However, the long‐term outcomes of this combined procedure remain elusive.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched from the establishment of databases to 1 January 2021. Studies on the long‐term (defined as a mean follow‐up of approximately 12 months or longer) efficacy and safety outcomes of combined ablation and LAAC were included.

Results

A total of 16 studies comprising 1428 patients were enrolled. The pooled long‐term freedom rate from atrial arrhythmia was 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59–0.71), long‐term successful rate sealing of LAAC was 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00–1.00), and ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism during follow‐up was 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00–0.02). Meanwhile, of the periprocedural adverse events, phrenic nerve palsy, intracoronary air embolus, device embolization, and periprocedural death had a rate of 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00–0.00), procedure‐related bleeding events of 0.03 (95% CI: 0.02–0.04), and pericardial effusion requiring or not requiring intervention of 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00–0.01). Moreover, for the long‐term adverse events, device dislocation, intracranial bleeding, pericardial effusion requiring or not requiring intervention, and all‐cause mortality had a rate of 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00–0.00), device embolization of 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00–0.01), and other bleeding events of 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00–0.03).

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis suggests that the combined atrial ablation and LAAC is an effective and safe strategy with long‐term benefits.