bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuron‐specific deletion of CuZnSOD leads to an advanced sarcopenic phenotype in older mice
Authors: Bhaskaran Shylesh , Pollock Natalie , C. Macpherson Peter , Ahn Bumsoo , Piekarz Katarzyna M. , Staunton Caroline A. , Brown Jacob L. , Qaisar Rizwan , Vasilaki Aphrodite , Richardson Arlan , McArdle Anne , Jackson Malcolm J. , Brooks Susan V. , Van Remmen Holly
Published: September 2020

Age‐associated loss of muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) has a profound effect on the quality of life in the elderly. Our previous studies show that CuZnSOD deletion in mice (Sod1−/− mice) recapitulates sarcopenia phenotypes, including elevated oxidative stress and accelerated muscle atrophy, weakness, and disruption of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). To determine whether deletion of Sod1 initiated in neurons in adult mice is sufficient to induce muscle atrophy, we treated young (2‐ to 4‐month‐old) Sod1flox/SlickHCre mice with tamoxifen to generate i‐mn‐Sod1KO mice. CuZnSOD protein was 40‐50% lower in neuronal tissue in i‐mn‐Sod1KO mice. Motor neuron number in ventral spinal cord was reduced 28% at 10 months and more than 50% in 18‐ to 22‐month‐old i‐mn‐Sod1KO mice. By 24 months, 22% of NMJs in i‐mn‐Sod1KO mice displayed a complete lack of innervation and deficits in specific force that are partially reversed by direct muscle stimulation, supporting the loss of NMJ structure and function. Muscle mass was significantly reduced by 16 months of age and further decreased at 24 months of age. Overall, our findings show that neuronal‐specific deletion of CuZnSOD is sufficient to cause motor neuron loss in young mice, but that NMJ disruption, muscle atrophy, and weakness are not evident until past middle age. These results suggest that loss of innervation is critical but may not be sufficient until the muscle reaches a threshold beyond which it cannot compensate for neuronal loss or rescue additional fibers past the maximum size of the motor unit.
Invasive gall‐forming wasps that threaten non‐native plantation‐grownEucalyptus: diversity and invasion patterns
Authors: Dittrich‐Schröder Gudrun , Hurley Brett P. , Wingfield Michael J. , Nahrung Helen F. , Slippers Bernard
Published: September 2020

Gall‐forming hymenopterans ofEucalyptusspecies are highly successful invaders causing significant damage in non‐native plantation forests. To date, at least 16 of these species have been recorded as invasive eucalypt gall formers, of which less than half are known from Australia where they are thought to be native. About 80% of the species have become invasive only in the last two decades, <10%, of which were known from Australia beforehand.

Two species,Leptocybe invasaandOphelimus maskelliare global invaders that have become established in 43 and 23 countries, respectively, since 2000. They belong to a large number of wasps that cause similar damage and that could become invasive in the future.

The problem of identification is exacerbated by the fact that many species lack taxonomic descriptions; over 80% of the invasive eucalypt gall wasps were first described from their invasive range. The small number of taxonomists able to identify these insects slows accurate diagnoses. Even when initial identifications have been made, these may be confused with morphologically similar but distinct cryptic species, which may differ in their host range and natural enemy interactions.

Furthermore, detailed information regarding their biology and native distribution is typically sparse or unknown. This lack of information delays the initiation of management actions because breeding for resistance and biological control requires accurate identification of the target pest.

The gall‐forming hymenopterans associated withEucalyptusrepresent an important group on which to focus the development of pre‐emptive quarantine, monitoring and potential management options. Given the global nature of invasions by these insects, an international and collaborative research approach is required, where knowledge and tools for study can be shared in a more effective manner.
Effect of temperature on fecundity, development, and emergence of the invasive ambrosia beetle Euwallacea kuroshio (Coleoptera: Scolytinae)
Authors: Dodge Christine , Stouthamer Richard
Published: September 2020

The Kuroshio shot hole borer (KSHB) Euwallacea kuroshio is an invasive ambrosia beetle pest in Southern California, where it causes Fusarium dieback in a number of different host tree species.

Since its discovery in California in about 2014, the KSHB has established or been identified across a wide geographic range along the California coast, spanning north from the Mexican border to San Luis Obispo.

KSHB were reared at temperatures ranging from 16 to 32 °C to determine the effect of temperature on development and emergence rates, brood size, and colonization success.

The highest total emergence and number of successful colonies occurred when KSHB was reared at 28 °C. Mean days until first offspring emergence decreased as temperature increased up to 30 °C, after which emergence ceased.

The thermal constant was estimated to be 318 degree‐days. Using this approximation in conjunction with weather data from the California Irrigation Management Information System, we predict the annual number of generations of KSHB in several locations across its invasive range in California. Results can be used to predict the timing and number of generations in other invaded areas, as well as estimate the range of this pest.
Anti‐sperm antibodies and reproductive failures
Authors: Shibahara Hiroaki , Wakimoto Yu , Fukui Atsushi , Hasegawa Akiko
Published: September 2020

Reproductive failures include infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Although the relative importance of immunological factors in human reproduction remains unclear, there may be immune‐mediated reproductive failures in a portion of unexplained infertility and RPL. As a cause of immunological factor, anti‐sperm antibodies (ASA) are produced both in men and women. There have been reported several antigens in the surface of sperm that are especially foreign to women. The presence of ASA, especially sperm‐immobilizing antibodies, in the sera of infertile women has been shown to inhibit sperm migration in the female genital tract. Therefore, the effectiveness of the treatments for infertile women with sperm‐immobilizing antibodies by timed intercourse or intra‐uterine insemination is limited. Such antibodies can also exert inhibitory effects on various stages of sperm‐egg interaction and subsequent embryo development in vitro. It is suggested that ASA testing for infertile women should be performed before proceeding IVF. The manipulation of gametes and embryos from patients having sperm‐immobilizing antibodies should be carefully carried out especially to avoid contaminating patient's serum and follicular fluid in the culture medium in order to overcome the immunological causes of female infertility by ASA, and satisfactory results under suitable conditions for gametes and embryos have been obtained. The relationship between ASA and RPL was controversially reported. Increased miscarriage rates in women with ASA were demonstrated by some authors. In contrast, lack of association between ASA and RPL was reported. In this manuscript, we are focusing the roles of ASA in women with reproductive failures.
COVID‐19‐related disease severity in pregnancy
Authors: Thompson Jennifer L. , Nguyen Lynsa M. , Noble Kristen N. , Aronoff David M.
Published: September 2020

The pandemic caused by COVID‐19 is affecting populations and healthcare systems worldwide. As we gain experience managing COVID‐19, more data become available on disease severity, course, and treatment in patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). However, data in pregnancy remain limited. This narrative review of COVID‐19 during pregnancy underscores key knowledge gaps in our understanding of the impact of this viral infection on reproductive health. Current data suggest that pregnant people have similar disease course and outcomes compared to nonpregnant people, with the majority experiencing mild disease; however, pregnant people may have increased risk of hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Among patients who develop severe and critical disease, major maternal morbidity and mortality have been described including cardiomyopathy, mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and death. Many questions remain regarding maternal severity of disease in COVID‐19. Further research is needed to better understand disease course in pregnancy. Additionally, the inclusion of pregnant patients in therapeutic trials will provide vital data on treatment options for patients. As we continue to treat more patients affected by SARS‐CoV‐2, multidisciplinary care and continued research are both needed to achieve optimal outcomes for mother and fetus.
Use of oxygenator with short‐term ventricular assist devices
Authors: Mohite Prashant , Garda Rita , Umakumar Kabeer , Kaul Sundip , Marczin Nandor , Zych Bartlomiej , Garcia‐Saez Diana , Monteagudo‐Vela Maria , Mahesh Balakrishnan , Stock Ulrich , De Robertis Fabio , Simon Andre
Published: September 2020

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) serves as a conventional short‐term mechanical circulatory assist to support heart and lung functions. The short‐term ventricular assist devices (ST‐VAD) can, on the contrary, offer only circulatory support. A combination of VAD and oxygenator (Oxy‐VAD) could help overcome this potential disadvantage. This is a retrospective case note study of patients supported on ST‐VAD which required adding an oxygenator for extra respiratory support. The oxygenator was introduced in the ST‐VAD circuit, either on the left or the right side. Twenty‐two patients with the etiology of refractory cardiogenic shock in decompensation were supported on Oxy‐VAD between years 2009 and 2019 at tertiary care . All patients were classified into class‐I INTERMACS with a mean SOFA Score of 14 ± 2.58. 86.4% of patients were already on mechanical support pre‐ST‐VAD implant, 80% on VA‐ECMO. The BiVAD implant accounted for 63.6%, followed by LVAD and RVAD with 27.3% and 9.1%. Mean duration of the ST‐VAD was 8.5 days. The oxygenator was introduced in 14 RVAD and 8 LVAD circuits. The oxygenator was successfully weaned in 54.5% while ST‐VAD was explanted in 31.8%. Discharge to home survival was 22.7%. Oxy‐VAD proves a viable, and probably, a better option to VA‐ECMO in acute cardiorespiratory decompensation. It offers organ‐specific tailor‐made support to the right and/or left heart and/or lungs. While on Oxy‐VAD support, each organ performance can be assessed independently, and the assistance of the specifically improved organ can be weaned off without discontinuing the support for the rest.
Family socio‐economic status and childhood coeliac disease seem to be unrelated—A cross‐sectional screening study
Authors: Norström Fredrik , Namatovu Fredinah , Carlsson Annelie , Högberg Lotta , Ivarsson Anneli , Myléus Anna
Published: September 2020

Aim

The aim of our study was to examine whether there is a difference in coeliac disease prevalence in regard to parents' education level and occupation, and whether this differs between screened and clinically diagnosed children at the age of 12 years.

Methods

The study, Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden (ETICS), was a school‐based screening study of 12‐year‐old children that was undertaken during the school years 2005/2006 and 2009/2010. Data on parental education and occupation were reported from parents of the children. Specifically, by parents of 10 710 children without coeliac disease, 88 children diagnosed with coeliac disease through clinical care, and 231 who were diagnosed during the study.

Results

There were no statistically significant associations between occupation and coeliac disease for either the clinically detected (prevalence ratio 1.16; confidence interval 0.76‐1.76) or screening‐detected coeliac disease cases (prevalence ratio 0.86; confidence interval 0.66‐1.12) in comparison with children with no coeliac disease. Also, there were no statistically significant associations for parental education and coeliac disease diagnosis.

Conclusion

There was no apparent relationship between coeliac disease and socio‐economic position. Using parents' socio‐economic status as a tool to help identify children more likely to have coeliac disease is not recommended.
Turbidites, topography and tectonics: Evolution of submarine channel‐lobe systems in the salt‐influenced Kwanza Basin, offshore Angola
Authors: Howlett Danielle M. , Gawthorpe Rob L. , Ge Zhiyuan , Rotevatn Atle , Jackson Christopher A.‐L.
Published: September 2020

Understanding the evolution of submarine channel‐lobe systems on salt‐influenced slopes is challenging as these systems react to subtle, syn‐depositional changes in sea‐floor topography. The impact of large blocking structures on individual deep‐water systems is well documented, but our understanding of the spatial and temporal evolution of extensive channel‐lobe systems on slopes influenced by relatively modest salt structures is relatively poor. We focus on Late Miocene deep‐water depositional systems contained within a c. 450 ms TWTT thick interval imaged in 3D seismic reflection data from the contractional salt‐tectonic domain, offshore Angola. Advanced seismic attribute mapping, tied to seismic facies analysis and time‐thickness variations, reveal a wide range of interactions between structurally induced changes in slope relief, deep‐water sediment routing, geomorphology and sedimentology. Five seismic units record a striking tectono‐stratigraphic within eight minibasins. We observe gradual channel diversion through lateral migration during times of relatively high structural growth rate, as opposed to abrupt channel movement via avulsion nodes during times of relatively high sediment accumulation rate. Our models capture the response of deep‐water depositional systems to the initiation, maturation, and decay of contractional structures on salt‐influenced slopes. The initiation stage is defined by small, segmented folds with deep‐water depositional system being largely able to transverse multiple minibasins. In contrast, the maturity stage is characterised by large, now‐linked high‐relief structures bounding prominent minibasins leading to ponding and large‐scale diversion of channel‐lobe systems and the emplacement of MTCs derived from nearby highs. The decay stage is expressed by structures that are shorter and more subdued than those characterising the maturity stage; this leads to a more complicated array of channel‐lobe system, the evolution of which is still influenced by bypass, diversion and ponding. During the decay stage, remnant structures still exert a subtle but key control on the development and positioning of avulsion nodes.
Adults with inflammatory bowel disease are at a greater risk of developing chronic rhinosinusitis: A nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Lin Yu‐Hsuan , Lin Cheng Li , Kao Chia‐Hung
Published: September 2020

Background

Both inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are characterised by dysregulated immune responses. Though previous studies have demonstrated the coexistence of IBD and CRS, investigations of their association using large sets of epidemiologic data are lacking.

Methods

We examined IBD and the subsequent risk of CRS in a nationwide setting. For 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2010, we identified in the National Health Insurance Dataset of Taiwan a total of 8313 patients over the age of 20 years with IBD. We randomly extracted 33 252 cases without IBD to create a comparison group matching patients by age, sex and index year. Cumulative incidences were obtained using the Kaplan‐Meier method, and we calculated risk estimates for the development of CRS using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

In 295 007 person‐years, we identified 521 (1.25%) cases of IBD. The IBD cohort had a 1.26‐fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17‐1.35) greater risk of developing CRS than the comparison group; for ulcerative colitis, it was 1.73‐fold (95% CI, 1.48‐2.05) and for Crohn's disease it was 1.20‐fold (95% CI = 1.11‐1.29). Subsequent analysis stratified by age revealed that the risk was highest among the population with IBD aged 50 to 64 years (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.18‐1.59). A follow‐up‐specific analysis demonstrated that the risk appeared to be highest with a follow‐up duration of less than 2 years.

Conclusion

The present analysis indicates that personal history of IBD, especially the phenotype ulcerative colitis, is associated with increased risk of subsequent CRS.
Trends in seabird breeding populations across the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Woodworth Bradley K. , Fuller Richard A. , Hemson Graham , McDougall Andrew , Congdon Bradley C. , Low Matthew
Published: September 2020

The Great Barrier Reef is an iconic ecosystem, known globally for its rich marine biodiversity that includes many thousands of tropical breeding seabirds. Despite indications of localized declines in some seabird species from as early as the mid‐1990s, trends in seabird populations across the reef have never been quantified. With a long history of human impact and ongoing environmental change, seabirds are likely sentinels in this important ecosystem. Using 4 decades of monitoring data, we estimated site‐specific trends for 9 seabird species from 32 islands and cays across the reef. Trends varied markedly among species and sites, but probable declines occurred at 45% of the 86 species‐by‐site combinations analyzed compared with increases at 14%. For 5 species, we combined site‐specific trends into a multisite trend in scaled abundance, which revealed probable declines of Common Noddy (Anous stolidus), Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus), and Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra), but no long‐term changes in the 2 most widely distributed species, Greater Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) and Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster). For Brown Booby, long‐term stability largely resulted from increases at a single large colony on East Fairfax Island that offset declines at most other sites. Although growth of the Brown Booby population on East Fairfax points to the likely success of habitat restoration on the island, it also highlights a general vulnerability wherein large numbers of some species are concentrated at a small number of key sites. Identifying drivers of variation in population change across species and sites while ensuring long‐term protection of key sites will be essential to securing the future of seabirds on the reef.
Local excision for T1 rectal tumours: are we getting better?
Authors: Atallah C. , Taylor J. P. , Lo B. D. , Stem M. , Brocke T. , Efron J. E. , Safar B.
Published: September 2020

Aim

The objective was to assess the effect of three different surgical treatments for T1 rectal tumours, radical resection (RR), open local excision (open LE) and laparoscopic local excision (laparoscopic LE), on overall survival (OS).

Methods

Adults from the National Cancer Database (2008–2016) with a diagnosis of T1 rectal cancer were stratified by treatment type (LE vs RR). We assumed that laparoscopic LE equates to transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) or transanal endoscopic microsurgery. The primary outcome was 5‐year OS. Subgroup analyses of the LE group stratified by time period [2008–2010 (before TAMIS) vs 2011–2016 (after TAMIS)] and approach (laparoscopic vs open) were performed.

Results

Among 10 053 patients, 6623 (65.88%) underwent LE (74.33% laparoscopic LE vs 25.67% open LE) and 3430 (34.12%) RR. The use of LE increased from 52.69% in 2008 to 69.47% in 2016, whereas RR decreased (P < 0.001). In unadjusted analysis, there was no significant difference in 5‐year OS between the LE and RR groups (P = 0.639) and between the two LE time periods (P = 0.509), which was consistent with the adjusted analysis (LE vs RR, hazard ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.92–1.20, P = 0.468; 2008–2010 LE vs 2011–2016 LE, hazard ratio 1.09, 95% CI 0.92–1.29, P = 0.321). Laparoscopic LE was associated with improved OS in the unadjusted analysis only (P = 0.006), compared to the open LE group (hazard ratio 0.94, 95% CI 0.78–1.12, P = 0.495).

Conclusions

This study supports the use of a LE approach for T1 rectal tumours as a strategy to reduce surgical morbidity without compromising survival.
Correlation of p16 immunostaining in cell‐blocks with corresponding tissue specimens for squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx
Authors: Song Sharon J. , Jalaly Jalal B.
Published: September 2020

Objective

The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of p16 staining in cell‐blocks vs tissue specimens as a surrogate marker for human papillomavirus (HPV) status in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

Methods

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cases presenting as a neck mass with a p16 result on cytology and corresponding tissue specimens (1 January 2014 to 30 June 1920) were included in the study. The following were assessed from cell‐block material: number of tumour clusters, percentage of tumour cells with p16 staining, and presence of staining in clusters vs single cells. Results were compared to tissue p16 status. Results of any other ancillary HPV testing were also noted.

Results

Forty‐two head and neck squamous cell carcinoma neck metastases (35 oropharyngeal, five non‐oropharyngeal, and 2 unknown primaries) were identified. The p16 staining pattern in cell‐blocks was seen in single cells (27.6%), clusters (44.8%), or both (27.6%). The percentage of tumour cells staining for p16 in cell‐blocks was much lower than in corresponding tissue specimens. There were four false negatives and one false positive (concurrent HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction testing was positive in cytology and surgical material).

Conclusions

Compared to tissue, the cut‐off for p16 interpretation in cell‐blocks is substantially lower and staining may be present in single cells or clusters. In 96.9% of cases, any p16 staining in cell‐blocks correlated with positive p16 staining in surgical specimens. However, a negative or discrepant p16 result on cell‐block should prompt confirmatory HPV studies, as false negative p16 staining in cell‐blocks is high.
Masculinity cues, perceptions of politician attributes, and political behavior*
Authors: Chan Ho Fai , Skali Ahmed , Stadelmann David , Torgler Benno , Whyte Stephen
Published: September 2020

How are masculine‐looking politicians perceived by voters? Are these judgments accurate? We asked Australian survey participants to rate images of unknown‐to‐them Swiss politicians. We find that politicians with prominent markers of masculinity (including facial hair, baldness, and higher facial width‐to‐height ratio) are perceived as less honest and competent. To determine whether these perceptions correlate with political behavior, we exploit two unique features of Swiss politics. First, to check for politician–voter congruence, we match each politician's voting record to that of their constituents on identically worded legislative proposals. We find that bearded politicians are less likely to behave according to constituents' preferences. Second, by exploiting the mandatory disclosure of lobby group affiliations, we show that bearded politicians are less likely to be captured by interest groups. Our results suggest that more masculine‐looking politicians are recognized by both voters and lobby groups as less amenable to being controlled.
Stable isotope ecology in insects: a review
Authors: Quinby Brandon M. , Creighton J. Curtis , Flaherty Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2020

1. The use of stable isotope analysis (SIA) in ecological research has dramatically increased in recent years largely because it allows researchers to investigate ecological questions that have been previously difficult to address.

2. Ecological applications of SIA include estimating fundamental niche space and overlap, evaluating trophic or species level interactions, and investigating food web structure. Increasingly, researchers have been incorporating SIA in studies of animal migration, disease transmission, diet composition, nutrient assimilation, and body condition among others.

3. Studies using SIA to evaluate the ecology of terrestrial insects have lagged behind other taxonomic groups. This poor representation of stable isotope studies in publications likely stems from a lack of familiarity of entomologists with this technique.

4. An improved understanding of SIA, as well as the advantages and disadvantages specifically related to insect research, will benefit the field of entomology. In addition, insect‐model systems provide unique opportunities for entomologists to incorporate SIA in their research to advance our knowledge of insect biology and the stable isotope ecology of insects.

5. We provide background information on stable isotopes, explain sources of isotopic variation, describe the processes of how isotopes are differentially routed and incorporated into an individual's tissues, explain the principles that influence isotopic fractionation and discrimination, highlight different methods and advancements in SIA, review innovative stable isotope studies, and provide an overview of common mistakes, considerations, and future directions entomologists can explore.
Environmental conditions modify density‐dependent salmonid recruitment: Insights into the 2016 recruitment crash in Wales
Authors: Gregory Stephen D. , Bewes Victoria E. , Davey Andrew J.H. , Roberts Dylan E. , Gough Peter , Davidson Ian C.
Published: September 2020

Understanding the effects of density‐dependent and density‐independent factors on recruitment is often inhibited by difficulties quantifying their relative contributions in highly variable recruitment data. Use of data‐driven statistical methods with data that include one or more extreme recruitment events could help overcome these difficulties.

Juvenile Atlantic salmon and trout abundances in Wales have declined over the last 2 decades, and 2016 was a notably poor recruitment year in rivers around southern Europe, including England and Wales. The 2016 recruitment crash coincided with extreme winter weather conditions, leading to speculation that unusually warm temperatures and high flows adversely affect salmonid recruitment and caused the 2016 crash, although this remains untested.

We developed data‐driven statistical models to: (1) describe juvenile salmonid recruitment from density‐dependent and density‐independent factors; and (2) assess whether the density‐independent factors probably contributed to the 2016 salmon recruitment crash. We compiled salmon and trout young‐of‐year juvenile abundances from electrofishing surveys, egg deposition estimates and river flow and air temperature data from 2001–2017 for seven Welsh rivers, broadly representative of rivers around Wales. We used river flow and air temperature data to derive ecologically and behaviourally meaningful density‐independent explanatory variables.

Salmonid recruitment in Wales was best described using density‐dependent and density‐independent factors, especially for salmon: after accounting for a concave relationship with egg deposition, salmon juvenile abundance was reduced under (1) warmer spawning temperatures that might inhibit spawning, and (2) higher flood frequencies during pre‐emergence and emergence that might washout eggs or alevins. Results were less clear for trout, perhaps because they are behaviourally more plastic.

Our findings provide empirical support for general and predictable effects of temperature and flow during spawning and emergence on salmonid—especially salmon—recruitment in Wales. Furthermore, we suggest that the 2016 salmon recruitment crash was caused—in part—by particularly inclement spawning and emergence conditions, which could be more common under future climate change. Our findings suggest that future salmonid stock assessment models could include the effects of density‐independent variables on recruitment to improve their predictive power.
Learning from the past: Impact of the Arctic Oscillation on sea ice and marine productivity off northwest Greenland over the last 9,000 years
Authors: Limoges Audrey , Weckström Kaarina , Ribeiro Sofia , Georgiadis Eleanor , Hansen Katrine E. , Martinez Philippe , Seidenkrantz Marit‐Solveig , Giraudeau Jacques , Crosta Xavier , Massé Guillaume
Published: September 2020

Climate warming is rapidly reshaping the Arctic cryosphere and ocean conditions, with consequences for sea ice and pelagic productivity patterns affecting the entire marine food web. To predict how ongoing changes will impact Arctic marine ecosystems, concerted effort from various disciplines is required. Here, we contribute multi‐decadal reconstructions of changes in diatom production and sea‐ice conditions in relation to Holocene climate and ocean conditions off northwest Greenland. Our multiproxy study includes diatoms, sea‐ice biomarkers (IP25 and HBI III) and geochemical tracers (TOC [total organic carbon], TOC:TN [total nitrogen], δ13C, δ15N) from a sediment core record spanning the last c. 9,000 years. Our results suggest that the balance between the outflow of polar water from the Arctic, and input of Atlantic water from the Irminger Current into the West Greenland Current is a key factor in controlling sea‐ice conditions, and both diatom phenology and production in northeastern Baffin Bay. Our proxy record notably shows that changes in sea‐surface conditions initially forced by Neoglacial cooling were dynamically amplified by the shift in the dominant phase of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) mode that occurred at c. 3,000 yr BP, and caused drastic changes in community composition and a decline in diatom production at the study site. In the future, with projected dominant‐positive AO conditions favored by Arctic warming, increased water column stratification may counteract the positive effect of a longer open‐water growth season and negatively impact diatom production.
Montane forest productivity across a semiarid climatic gradient
Authors: Knowles John F. , Scott Russell L. , Biederman Joel A. , Blanken Peter D. , Burns Sean P. , Dore Sabina , Kolb Thomas E. , Litvak Marcy E. , Barron‐Gafford Greg A.
Published: September 2020

High‐elevation montane forests are disproportionately important to carbon sequestration in semiarid climates where low elevations are dry and characterized by low carbon density ecosystems. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change with seasonal implications for photosynthesis and forest growth. As a result, we leveraged eddy covariance data from six evergreen conifer forest sites in the semiarid western United States to extrapolate the status of carbon sequestration within a framework of projected warming and drying. At colder locations, the seasonal evolution of gross primary productivity (GPP) was characterized by a single broad maximum during the summer that corresponded to snow melt‐derived moisture and a transition from winter dormancy to spring activity. Conversely, winter dormancy was transient at warmer locations, and GPP was responsive to both winter and summer precipitation such that two distinct GPP maxima were separated by a period of foresummer drought. This resulted in a predictable sequence of primary limiting factors to GPP beginning with air temperature in winter and proceeding to moisture and leaf area during the summer. Due to counteracting winter (positive) and summer (negative) GPP responses to warming, leaf area index and moisture availability were the best predictors of annual GPP differences across sites. Overall, mean annual GPP was greatest at the warmest site due to persistent vegetation photosynthetic activity throughout the winter. These results indicate that the trajectory of this region's carbon sequestration will be sensitive to reduced or delayed summer precipitation, especially if coupled to snow drought and earlier soil moisture recession, but summer precipitation changes remain highly uncertain. Given the demonstrated potential for seasonally offsetting responses to warming, we project that decadal semiarid montane forest carbon sequestration will remain relatively stable in the absence of severe disturbance.
Family members' concerns about relatives in long‐term care facilities: Acceptance of visiting restriction policy amid the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Yeh Ting‐Chun , Huang Hui‐Chun , Yeh Ting‐Yu , Huang Wan‐Ting , Huang Hsiu‐Chen , Chang Yao‐Mao , Chen Wei
Published: September 2020

Aim

The policy enforcing visiting restriction during the COVID‐19 pandemic may cause feelings of social isolation among residents in long‐term care facilities. This study aimed to explore family members' concerns for their relatives during the lockdown period, assess their level of acceptance of the visiting restriction policy and determine the associated factors.

Methods

From the 156 family members interviewed, demographic data, satisfaction with overall care quality, worry and concerns for their relatives, acceptance of the visiting restriction and arrangement for the residents if cluster infections occur in the facility were recorded.

Results

Among the members interviewed, 83 (53.2%) were men; mean age of members was 56.3 ± 9.8; most were offspring of residents in the facility (n = 121, 77.6%), most visited the residents at least once a week (n = 113, 72.4%) before the lockdown. The most common concerns of the family members for their relatives were psychological stress (38.5%), followed by nursing care (26.9%) and daily activity (21.1%). Nearly 84.6% of those interviewed accepted the visiting restriction policy, and a higher satisfaction rating independently associated with acceptance of the visiting restriction policy (odds ratio 2.15).

Conclusions

During the lockdown period, staff members should provide more psychological information about residents to their family members. Higher satisfaction rating was found to be independent of the acceptance of the visiting restriction policy. Therefore, good quality of care of the facility wins the trust of family members, and this might mitigate the tension between the family members and staff during a major crisis. Geriatr Gerontol Int ••; ••: ••–•• Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 938–942.
Termination, aggregation, or replacement? A competing risks approach to agency transitions
Authors: Yesilkagit Kutsal
Published: September 2020

Agencies operate in highly volatile and uncertain environments. Changing political coalitions and sudden crises may result in the reorganization of agencies. Under these circumstances, agencies may experience a variety of structural transitions. The uncertainties and the inevitability of compromises, however, deem it difficult to predict which of all possible forms of structural change agencies will experience. In this article, we develop and test competing risks models that aim to capture situations in which administrative agencies may experience one out of range of possible transitions. The models are tested on dataset of 483 agencies established between 1945 and 2012 in the Netherlands. Our main finding is that the different transitions that agencies can experience have different underlying causal processes. Herewith the study empirically demonstrates that agency reorganization is not a binary choice between life and death and shows the value of competing risks approaches to the agency termination literature.
Assessment of the benefits of seasonal influenza vaccination: Elements of a framework to interpret estimates of vaccine effectiveness and support robust decision‐making and communication
Authors: Hollingsworth Rosalind , El Guerche‐Séblain Clotilde , Tsai Theodore , Vasiliev Yuri , Lee Sam , Bright Helen , Barbosa Paula
Published: September 2020

Systematic reviews and meta‐analyses confirm that influenza vaccination reduces the risk of influenza illness by between about 40% and 60% in seasons when circulating influenza stains are well matched to vaccine strains. Influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) estimates, however, are often discordant and a source of confusion for decision makers. IVE assessments are increasingly publicized and are often used by policy makers to make decisions about the value of seasonal influenza vaccination. But there is limited guidance on how IVE should be interpreted or used to inform policy. There are several limitations to the use of IVE for decision‐making: (a) IVE studies have methodological issues that often complicate the interpretation of their value; and (b) the full impact of vaccination will almost always be greater than the impact assessed by a point estimate of IVE in specific populations or settings. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of study methodologies and the fundamental limitations of IVE estimates is important for the accuracy of interpretations and support of policy makers’ decisions. Here, we review a comprehensive set of issues that need to be considered when interpreting IVE and determining the full benefits of influenza vaccination. We propose that published IVE values should be assessed using an evaluative framework that includes influenza‐specific outcomes, types of VE study design, and confounders, among other factors. Better interpretation of IVE will improve the broader assessment of the value of influenza vaccination and ultimately optimize the public health benefits in seasonal influenza vaccination.
Effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the mental health of carers of people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Willner Paul , Rose John , Stenfert Kroese Biza , Murphy Glynis H , Langdon Peter E , Clifford Claire , Hutchings Hayley , Watkins Alan , Hiles Steve , Cooper Vivien
Published: September 2020

Introduction

The measures implemented to manage the COVID‐19 pandemic have been shown to impair mental health. This problem is likely to be exacerbated for carers.

Method

Informal carers (mainly parents) of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and a comparison group of parents of children without disabilities, completed an online questionnaire. Almost all the data were collected while strict lockdown conditions were in place.

Results

Relative to carers of children without intellectual disability, carers of both children and adults with intellectual disability had significantly greater levels of a wish fulfilment coping style, defeat/entrapment, anxiety, and depression. Differences were 2–3 times greater than reported in earlier pre‐pandemic studies. Positive correlations were found between objective stress scores and all mental health outcomes. Despite their greater mental health needs, carers of those with intellectual disability received less social support from a variety of sources.

Conclusions

The greater mental health needs of carers in the context of lesser social support raises serious concerns. We consider the policy implications of these findings.
Vulnerable patients' attitudes towards sharing medical data and granular control in patient portal systems: an interview study
Authors: Bernaerdt Jodie , Moerenhout Tania , Devisch Ignaas
Published: September 2020

Background

The collection, storage and exchange of medical information are becoming increasingly complex. More parties are involved in this process, and the data are expected to serve many different purposes beside patient care. This raises several ethical questions regarding privacy, data ownership, security and confidentiality. It is vital to consider patients' moral attitudes and preferences in this digital information exchange. The voice of vulnerable patients is rarely heard in research addressing these questions. This study aims to address this void.

Method

Fourteen vulnerable patients without prior experience with patient portal systems were interviewed for this study. First, participants were introduced to the portal and given time to read their personal medical data. Afterwards, semi‐structured interviews were conducted and analysed thematically to explore participants' first experience with the portal and their views on sharing medical information with care providers and other parties.

Results

Data analysis resulted in four themes: barriers to and benefits of portal access, emotional responses to reading medical information, diverging views on sharing information with third parties and balancing granular control and the best possible care. First, participants appreciated access to their health information in the portal despite experiencing obstacles. Second, reading medical information online could evoke emotional responses. Third, patients were generally unaware of the meaning and value of medical data to third parties, resulting in inconsistent views on data sharing. Finally, although patients generally supported granular control, they were willing to give up on their autonomy if that would ensure them to receive the best possible care.

Conclusions

Patient portal design should take into consideration the obstacles that discourage vulnerable patients' access and hamper meaningful use. There is a need for more transparency on secondary use of medical data by third parties. Patients should be better informed about the potential consequences of sharing data with them.
Saccharolysis of laccase delignified Aloe vera leaf rind and fermentation through free and immobilized yeast for ethanol production
Authors: Rajeswari Gunasekaran , Jacob Samuel
Published: September 2020

Aloe vera gel has found prominent application in food, therapeutic and cosmetics manufacturing that eventually increased the generation of leaf rind as processing waste. This biomass was previously delignified by laccase to have better accessibility of holocellulose and an attempt has been made through this study to optimize enzymatic hydrolysis using crude cellulase (5.25 [U/ml]) produced from Aspergillus sp. A maximum saccharification of 63.00 ± 0.45% was achieved under the optimum conditions (solid‐to‐liquid ratio 1:17 [wt/vol], 53°C and 8.5 hr) with sugar yield of 309 ± 2.1 mg/g. Fermentation of saccharified liquid to ethanol using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) was performed using three different modes of inoculum application such as free cell suspension; Ca‐alginate immobilized yeast suspension and immobilized yeast loaded in a packed bed reactor (PBR) under uniform process conditions. Immobilized yeast in PBR has resulted in maximum ethanol yield of about 16.50 ± 1.02 g/L with a fermentation efficiency of 76.14%.

Practical application

In a global scenario of diminishing resources, there is dire need to establish the cradle‐to‐grave approach for each of industrial operations. Especially, with food processing industries and its waste management this became truly inevitable, as these wastes are rich in nutrient and perishable in nature. On the other hand, it could also serve as a potent source for value added products. Thus, the utilization of Aloe vera (AV) leaf rind to produce bioethanol could underpin the AV gel processing industries toward circular bioeconomy as an option of waste to wealth. The methodology followed to develop this technology is a complete green approach where there is no requirement of chemicals and harsh reagents that remain recalcitrant postprocessing. Adoption of this technology could add value to the sustainable goals and reduce the carbon footprint of the food processing industrial operations.
Proton pump inhibitors use and the risk of fatty liver disease: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Pyo Jeung Hui , Kim Tae Jun , Lee Hyuk , Choi Sung Chul , Cho Soo‐Jin , Choi Yoon‐Ho , Min Yang Won , Min Byung‐Hoon , Lee Jun Haeng , Kang Minwoong , Lee Yeong Chan , Kim Jae J
Published: September 2020

Background and Aim

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)‐induced hypochondria can change the composition of the gut microbiota, inducing overgrowth of small bowel bacteria, which has been suggested to promote the development of fatty liver disease through the gut‐liver axis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between PPI use and the risk of fatty liver disease.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Korean National Health Insurance Service‐National Sample Cohort, a nationwide population‐based representative sample, from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2015. PPI use was identified from treatment claims and considered as a time‐varying variable.

Results

During 1 463 556 person‐years of follow‐up, 75 727 patients had at least one PPI prescription, and 3735 patients developed fatty liver disease. The hazard ratio for fatty liver disease comparing PPI users with non‐PPI users was 1.68 (95% confidence interval, 1.61–1.75). When adjusted for multiple confounders, including age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol intake, exercise, income level, and comorbidities, the association was still significant (hazard ratio, 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.44–1.57). After considering the amounts of PPIs stratified by cumulative defined daily dose, the dose–response effect was observed until 180 days. Subgroup analysis also revealed that PPI use was correlated to an increased risk of fatty liver disease.

Conclusions

This current national wide cohort study suggests that PPI use was associated with an increased risk of fatty liver disease compared with non‐use of PPIs. Clinicians should consider fatty liver as a potential risk when prescribing PPI.
Erythrocyte viscoelastic recovery after liver transplantation in a cirrhotic patient affected by spur cell anaemia
Authors: LEO M. , DI GIACINTO F. , NARDINI M. , MAZZINI A. , ROSSI C. , PORCEDDU E. , PAPI M. , GRIECO A. , DE SPIRITO M. , CIASCA G.
Published: September 2020

In physiological conditions, red blood cells (RBCs) are capable of dramatic deformations when passing through the microvasculature. This extreme deformability is closely related to the RBC biconcave shape, to the fluidic nature of the haemoglobin and the cell membrane structure, primarily consisting of a phospholipid bilayer with an underlying two‐dimensional spectrin network. In many pathological and inflammatory conditions, the shape and the extreme deformability of erythrocytes appear to be significantly altered. These findings have stimulated intense research towards the search and validation of novel erythrocyte‐based mechanical biomarkers, useful for disease diagnosis and therapy monitoring. In this study, we investigated with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) the mechanical properties of erythrocytes obtained from a 68 years old cirrhotic man diagnosed with spur cell anaemia and cold agglutinated disease, before and after liver transplantation. Mechanical changes are compared with ultrastructural alterations as studied by scanning electron microscopy and discussed according to confocal fluorescence microscopy results, showing possible alterations induced by the cirrhotic environment at the level of the RBCs cytoskeletal organisation and lipidic composition. Taken together, the results here presented show that liver transplantation not only contributes to restoring the proper RBC morphology, but it also induces recovery of the physiological viscous behaviour of cells, further stressing the relevance of viscous and dissipative forces in determining the RBC biomechanical response.