bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating outcomes of conservation with multidimensional indicators of well‐being
Authors: Mbaru Emmanuel K. , Hicks Christina C. , Gurney Georgina G. , Cinner Joshua E.
Published: May 2021

Many conservation interventions are hypothesized to be beneficial for both the environment and people's well‐being, but this has rarely been tested rigorously. We examined the effects of adoption or nonadoption of a conservation intervention on 3 dimensions of people's well‐being (material, relational, and subjective) over time. We focused on a fisheries bycatch management initiative intended to reduce environmental externalities associated with resource extraction. We collected panel data from fishers (n = 250) in villages with (adopters and nonadopters) and without (control) the conservation intervention 3 times over 2 years. We found no evidence that adoption reduced any of the 3 dimensions of well‐being in the local populations affected by the intervention. There were modest improvements in material (t = –1.58) and subjective livelihood well‐being (p = 0.04) for adopters relative to nonadopters over time. The variations in well‐being experiences (in terms of magnitude of change) among adopters, nonadopters, and controls across the different domains over time affirmed the dynamic and social nature of well‐being.
Enabling transformative economic change in the post‐2020 biodiversity agenda
Authors: Turnhout Esther , McElwee Pamela , Chiroleu‐Assouline Mireille , Clapp Jennifer , Isenhour Cindy , Kelemen Eszter , Jackson Tim , Miller Daniel C. , Rusch Graciela M. , Spangenberg Joachim H. , Waldron Anthony
Published: May 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic, its impact on the global economy, and current delays in the negotiation of the post‐2020 global biodiversity agenda of the Convention on Biological Diversity heighten the urgency to build back better for biodiversity, sustainability, and well‐being. In 2019, the Intergovernmental Science‐Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) concluded that addressing biodiversity loss requires a transformative change of the global economic system. Drawing on the IPBES findings, this policy perspective discusses actions in four priority areas to inform the post‐2020 agenda: (1) Increasing funding for conservation; (2) redirecting incentives for sustainability; (3) creating an enabling regulatory environment; and (4) reforming metrics to assess biodiversity impacts and progress toward sustainable and just goals. As the COVID‐19 pandemic has made clear, and the negotiations for the post‐2020 agenda have emphasized, governments are indispensable in guiding economic systems and must take an active role in transformations, along with businesses and civil society. These key actors must work together to implement actions that combine short‐term impacts with structural change to shift economic systems away from a fixation with growth toward human and ecological well‐being. The four priority areas discussed here provide opportunities for the post‐2020 agenda to do so.
Fifteen years of lessons from the Seascape approach: A framework for improving ocean management at scale
Authors: Murphy Shannon E. , Farmer Ginny , Katz Laure , Troëng Sebastian , Henderson Scott , Erdmann Mark V. , Corrigan Colleen , Gold Barry , Lavoie Christian , Quesada Marco , Díazgranados Cadelo María Claudia , Guzmán Mora Ana Gloria , Nunez Enrique , Montebon Augustus , Meo Semisi , Waqainabete‐Tuisese Susana , Dutra Guilherme , Pereira Renata , Mongdong Meity , Putra Ketut S.
Published: May 2021

Seascapes are large, multiple‐use marine areas, defined scientifically and strategically, in which government authorities, private organizations, and other stakeholders cooperate to conserve the diversity and abundance of marine life and promote human well‐being. This approach has been applied by global nonprofit partnerships in five seascapes across eight countries and has drawn on the practical experience of more than 250 partners over 15 years. These experiences have helped define the Seascape approach, consisting of nine essential elements, for achieving effective ocean governance and management from local to regional levels. Lessons learned relate to using integrated planning frameworks, community‐led and locally owned initiatives, and a network of partners and a “backbone” organization for effective Seascape planning and design; promoting diversification in funding sources, private sector engagement, and the transition of nonprofit roles to ensure durability of a Seascape; and ensuring Seascape outcomes are measured through robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks and communicated effectively. Seascapes are unique in their ability to create a pathway toward sustainable development. To ensure support and amplification of the approach, they must align with diversified funding opportunities and global priorities outlined in international United Nations conventions focused on sustainable development and ocean health.
Estimating Firm‐Level Capital Stock: The Evidence From Turkey
Authors: Yilmaz Ensar , Kiliç İbrahim Engin
Published: May 2021

In this study, we mainly discuss the validity of estimating the capital stock at the firm level. Unlike the macro‐level estimates, the micro‐level estimates require a different treatment on the capital accumulation equation, especially on the estimate of the initial level of capital stock, controlling for firms' entry and exit, and changing composition of firm‐level investments. We also consider the ownership of capital assets acquired by different types of finance other than direct purchases—by leasing or by rent. Considering these situations, we elaborate on the controversial issues of existing methods. We then, to some extent, refine alternative methods for estimating the capital stock in Turkey for the period 2005–15 using extensive firm‐level data. Using these estimates, we focus on the behavioral trends of firms (i.e., capital‐related variables) in manufacturing, services, and information and communication sectors in Turkey.
Implementing a Pre‐disaster Recovery Workshop in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: lessons for disaster risk assessment, response, and recovery for cultural heritage
Authors: Florentin Kevin Macarius , Onuki Motoharu , Esteban Miguel , Valenzuela Ven Paolo , Paterno Maria Cristina , Akpedonu Erik , Arcilla John , Garciano Lessandro
Published: May 2021

The Sustainable Development Goals have included cultural heritage in the development agenda. However, natural hazards threaten the existence of several historic districts, like Intramuros in Manila, Philippines. Pre‐disaster recovery planning has gained ground as a promising approach to improve disaster preparedness and recovery, although it has yet to be widely utilised for cultural heritage preservation. The authors organised a pre‐disaster recovery planning workshop, which helped observe the existing system of disaster management for cultural heritage in Intramuros. Heritage Values and Vulnerability Assessments, which were presented to heritage experts, disaster managers, and the local community at the workshop, were conducted. As disaster risk management for cultural heritage is largely unexplored, the workshop generated much interest among stakeholders, as this was the first time that contact had been facilitated among them. It successfully demonstrated the benefits of pre‐disaster recovery planning to provide inclusive and better recovery outcomes for historic districts.
Acetyl‐CoA‐driven respiration in frozen muscle contributes to the diagnosis of mitochondrial disease
Authors: Zuccolotto‐dos‐Reis Felippe Henrique , Escarso Silvia Helena Andrião , Araujo Jackeline Souza , Espreafico Enilza Maria , Alberici Luciane Carla , Sobreira Claudia Ferreira da Rosa
Published: May 2021

Background

Freezing human biopsies is common in clinical practice for storage. However, this technique disrupts mitochondrial membranes, hampering further analyses of respiratory function. To contribute to laboratorial diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases, this study sought to develop a respirometry approach using O2k (Oroboros Ins.) to measure the whole electron transport chain (ETC) activity in homogenates of frozen skeletal muscle biopsies.

Patients and Methods

We enrolled 16 patients submitted to muscle biopsy in the process of routine diagnostic investigation: four with mitochondrial disease and severe mitochondrial dysfunction; seven with exercise intolerance and multiple deletions of mitochondrial DNA, presenting mild to moderate mitochondrial dysfunction; five without mitochondrial disease, as controls. Whole homogenates of muscle fragments were prepared using grinder‐type equipment. O2 consumption rates were normalized using citrate synthase activity.

Results

Transmission electron microscopy confirmed mitochondrial membrane discontinuation, indicating increased permeability of mitochondrial membranes in homogenates from frozen biopsies. O2 consumption rates in the presence of acetyl‐CoA lead to maximum respiratory rates sensitive to rotenone, malonate and antimycin. This protocol of acetyl‐CoA‐driven respiration (ACoAR), applied in whole homogenates of frozen muscle, was sensitive enough to identify ETC abnormality, even in patients with mild to moderate mitochondrial dysfunction. We demonstrated adequate repeatability of ACoAR and found significant correlation between O2 consumption rates and enzyme activity assays of individual ETC complexes.

Conclusions

We present preliminary data on a simple, low cost and reliable procedure to measure respiratory function in whole homogenates of frozen skeletal muscle biopsies, contributing to diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases in humans.
Impact of management of cover crop–soybean agroecosystems on rhizosphere microbial communities
Authors: Escobar Ortega Jhovana S. , Aguilar Vásquez Noemi N. , Ávila Alba Teresa , García de Salamone Inés E.
Published: May 2021

Knowledge of the rhizosphere and use of quality microbial bioinputs are tools to achieve agricultural sustainability. The impact of management of cover crop–soybean agroecosystems on rhizosphere microbial communities was evaluated. A field experiment in a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement in sub‐divided plots was performed. Effects of fertilization (0 and 45 kg·ha−1), oats, rye and control without cover crops, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) co‐inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens, and three sampling times on microbial counts, community‐level physiological profiles (CLPP) and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RLFP) were studied. CLPP were drastically changed at three sampling times: before glyphosate, after glyphosate and at soybean harvest. Before glyphosate application, the interaction between PGPR inoculation and coverage treatments modified the functional and structural profiles of the rhizosphere microbial communities. Furthermore, the highest microbial counts and the greatest functional diversity indices were observed before glyphosate application but significantly decayed after glyphosate application and at soybean harvest, showing a permanent impact of glyphosate application on the rhizosphere microbial community functionality, which was confirmed with several statistical analyses. For the cover crop–soybean agroecosystems, we can conclude that the rhizosphere microbial communities showed high sensitivity to glyphosate. PGPR inoculation only increased the aerial biomass of rye at the jointing and grain‐filling stages. Inoculated plants without fertilization and non‐inoculated plants with fertilization showed similar aerial biomass production of this crop. This work demonstrates that different management decisions can change plant–microorganism relationships in the rhizospheres of cover crops and impact aboveground biomass production. A better understanding of microbial ecology will allow the sustainable use of available resources.

Highlights

A field experiment was conducted using oats and rye as cover crops in succession with soybean.

Management decisions changed plant–microorganism relationships and impact on microbial ecology.

Management of cover crops with glyphosate had negative impacts on rhizosphere microbial communities.

Co‐inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens increased the aerial biomass production of rye.
An online survey of equestrian headcollar use and safety
Authors: Marlin D. J. , Williams J. M. , Pickles K. J.
Published: May 2021

Background

Headcollars (halters, US) are one of the most commonly used pieces of equestrian ‘tack’. Despite this, there appears to be minimal information on their use, or more importantly, risk factors for injury of horses/handlers.

Objective

To explore headcollar use and safety in equestrians.

Study design

Quantitative cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

An online survey (19 questions) exploring headcollar use and safety was disseminated through equestrian social media. Frequency analysis and multivariable modelling identified how headcollar type was linked to use and injury risk.

Results

Most respondents (88%; n = 4786) used headcollars multiple times daily but for short time periods (66%, n = 3388, <30 min). A horse being injured as a result of wearing a headcollar was reported by 1615 (31%) respondents with 15% of incidents also injuring a person. Fractures (horses) occurred in 134 incidents, and 167 equine fatalities were reported. Across all headcollar types, the odds of injury risk increased by 1.7 times (confidence intervals (CI): 1.07–2.41, P<0.02) using a headcollar when mucking out. During travelling, headcollar use reduced the odds of risk of injury by 0.7 times (CI: 0.43–0.98, P<0.04). The odds of injury risk reduced when using leather (Odds ratio (OR): 0.8, CI: 0.66–0.96, P<0.01) or synthetic (OR: 0.8, CI: 0.58–0.85, P<0.0001) safety headcollars compared with standard headcollars of the same material. Thematic analysis identified three key themes: (1) need for increased education: fit, safety features and basic horse handling, (2) ‘safer’ leather headcollars, and (3) increased safety focus required.

Main limitations

Data were self‐reported and may be subject to memory recall errors; online surveys are subject to self‐selection bias.

Conclusions

Increased user knowledge of risk factors for headcollar injury, combined with standardised guidance on how to correctly fit and use headcollars, would be beneficial to reduce injury risk.
Human food use increases plant geographical ranges in the Sonoran Desert
Authors: Flower Carolyn , Hodgson Wendy C. , Salywon Andrew M. , Maitner Brian S. , Enquist Brian J. , Peeples Matthew A. , Blonder Benjamin
Published: May 2021

Aim

Climate is usually regarded as the main determinant of plant species distributions. However, past human use of species for food might also have influenced distributions. We hypothesized that human‐mediated dispersal has resulted in food plants occupying more of their potential geographical range. We also hypothesized that key ecological traits could predispose a species to occupy more of its potential climatic geographical range and be selected by humans for food.

Location

The Sonoran Desert of south‐western North America.

Time period

Present day.

Major taxa studied

Food plants.

Methods

We used ethnobotanical data and data from large botanical ecoinformatics databases to estimate realized (dispersal‐ and climate‐constrained) and potential (climate‐constrained) ranges for food plants and their used and unused congeners.

Results

We found that food plants fill more of their potential geographical ranges than their unused congeners. We also found that succulence and annual growth interacted with food usage to increase range filling.

Main conclusions

Human food use has expanded the distribution of many plant species in the Sonoran Desert.
Labour market integration and transnational lived citizenship: Aspirations and belonging among refugees in Germany
Authors: Müller Tanja R.
Published: May 2021

Transnational lived citizenship has gained prominence as a means to analyse mobility and foreground activist notions of citizenship over legal status. I argue that lived citizenship and transnational movements are strongly intertwined with aspirations and belonging. I use the material example of labour market integration as the space of enactments of citizenship and analyse the patterns of belonging those create and contest. I develop my argument through the empirical example of labour market integration of refugees in Germany. I demonstrate how such integration transforms social, and more importantly, economic location and in turn creates complex and often contradictory forms of transnational allegiances. I ultimately argue that lived citizenship can in important ways advance aspirations of refugees and migrants. At the same time, transnational lives and multiple allegiances are often hindered by state‐based citizenship and the rights this confers. Legal status thus remains an important marker of citizenship.
Belonging in the land down under: Black Africans in Australia
Authors: Fozdar Farida
Published: May 2021

Black African migrants have recently become a visible presence in Australia. Many arrived through the humanitarian resettlement programme, but far greater numbers come through the “skilled stream”. This paper explores recent research into these populations to tease out how material, social and existential elements of settlement intersect with belonging. As a heuristic, it uses Ager and Strang's ten markers and means of integration: material aspects (employment, housing, education and health); social connections internally and externally; facilitators (language, cultural knowledge, safety, stability); and rights and citizenship. A range of challenges to positive settlement and integration are identified, using these domains. However, Australian research has focused almost exclusively on African migrants of refugee background, with most sampling South Sudanese, making generalization impossible, even dangerous. The urgent need for research using wider samples, and more large‐scale quantitative work, is called for and a range of policy recommendations suggested.
A remote household‐based approach to influenza self‐testing and antiviral treatment
Authors: Heimonen Jessica , McCulloch Denise J. , O'Hanlon Jessica , Kim Ashley E. , Emanuels Anne , Wilcox Naomi , Brandstetter Elisabeth , Stewart Mark , McCune David , Fry Scott , Parsons Sean , Hughes James P. , Jackson Michael L. , Uyeki Timothy M. , Boeckh Michael , Starita Lea M. , Bedford Trevor , Englund Janet A. , Chu Helen Y.
Published: May 2021

Background

Households represent important settings for transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses. Current influenza diagnosis and treatment relies upon patient visits to healthcare facilities, which may lead to under‐diagnosis and treatment delays. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of an at‐home approach to influenza diagnosis and treatment via home testing, telehealth care, and rapid antiviral home delivery.

Methods

We conducted a pilot interventional study of remote influenza diagnosis and treatment in Seattle‐area households with children during the 2019‐2020 influenza season using pre‐positioned nasal swabs and home influenza tests. Home monitoring for respiratory symptoms occurred weekly; if symptoms were reported within 48 hours of onset, participants collected mid‐nasal swabs and used a rapid home‐based influenza immunoassay. An additional home‐collected swab was returned to a laboratory for confirmatory influenza RT‐PCR testing. Baloxavir antiviral treatment was prescribed and delivered to symptomatic and age‐eligible participants, following a telehealth encounter.

Results

124 households comprising 481 individuals self‐monitored for respiratory symptoms, with 58 home tests administered. 12 home tests were positive for influenza, of which eight were true positives confirmed by RT‐PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of the home influenza test were 72.7% and 96.2%, respectively. There were eight home deliveries of baloxavir, with 7 (87.5%) occurring within 3 hours of prescription and all within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the feasibility of self‐testing combined with rapid home delivery of influenza antiviral treatment. This approach may be an important control strategy for influenza epidemics and pandemics.
Elevated phytohaemagglutinin‐induced skin‐swelling response at an intermediate number of MHC class II alleles in bluethroat nestlings
Authors: Rekdal Silje L. , Anmarkrud Jarl Andreas , Lifjeld Jan T. , Johnsen Arild
Published: May 2021

Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are crucial for adaptive immunity, and theory predicts that the optimal number of alleles is intermediate rather than maximal. Support for such an intermediate optimum in MHC allele count has mainly been demonstrated in studies on parasite load and reproductive traits. In this study we tested if an intermediate number of MHC class II (MHCII) alleles based on positively selected sites was correlated with an increased skin‐swelling response to two consecutive injections of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) in bluethroat Luscinia svecica nestlings. We found that nestlings that were closer to the population mean in their number of alleles had a higher response to the first injection, supporting an intermediate, optimal number of alleles. After the second PHA injection, we found that the skin swelling was associated with MHCII allele count only at the among‐brood level, and with paternity (extra‐pair offspring had a larger swelling than within‐pair offspring). We therefore conclude that the PHA response is partly correlated with MHCII allele count, but that additional factors must be involved in both the PHA response and in female extra‐pair mate choice in this species.
A novel protocol to assess the impact of prescription stimulants on blood pressure in adults using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
Authors: Cluett Jennifer L. , Ishak Anthony M. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Juraschek Stephen P.
Published: May 2021

Prescription stimulants are an important cause of secondary hypertension and their use is increasing in adult patients who are also at risk for essential hypertension. Although stimulants increase blood pressure, a systematic approach for assessing their impact in individual patients is lacking. We developed a protocol using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for up to 36 h to compare blood pressure over two sequential days. Average blood pressure on the first day (without stimulant medication) was compared to average blood pressure on the second day (after re‐starting stimulant medication). We describe the outcomes of this protocol for a case series of eleven adults. Patients demonstrated one of three outcomes: normal blood pressure on both days, hypertension on both days, or hypertension only on the day patients received their stimulant medications. This novel protocol provides valuable information on the blood pressure effects of stimulant medications and allows clinicians to make personalized decisions regarding treatment.
Rutaecarpine targets hERG channels and participates in regulating electrophysiological properties leading to ventricular arrhythmia
Authors: Zhan Ge , Wang Fang , Ding Yun‐qi , Li Xiang‐hua , Li Yue‐xin , Zhao Zheng‐rong , Li Jia‐xin , Liu Yan , Zhao Xin , Yan Cai‐chuan , Li Bao‐xin
Published: May 2021

Drug‐mediated or medical condition‐mediated disruption of hERG function accounts for the main cause of acquired long‐QT syndrome (acLQTs), which predisposes affected individuals to ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and sudden death. Many Chinese herbal medicines, especially alkaloids, have risks of arrhythmia in clinical application. The characterized mechanisms behind this adverse effect are frequently associated with inhibition of cardiac hERG channels. The present study aimed to assess the potent effect of Rutaecarpine (Rut) on hERG channels. hERG‐HEK293 cell was applied for evaluating the effect of Rut on hERG channels and the underlying mechanism. hERG current (IhERG) was measured by patch‐clamp technique. Protein levels were analysed by Western blot, and the phosphorylation of Sp1 was determined by immunoprecipitation. Optical mapping and programmed electrical stimulation were used to evaluate cardiac electrophysiological activities, such as APD, QT/QTc, occurrence of arrhythmia, phase singularities (PSs), and dominant frequency (DF). Our results demonstrated that Rut reduced the IhERG by binding to F656 and Y652 amino acid residues of hERG channel instantaneously, subsequently accelerating the channel inactivation, and being trapped in the channel. The level of hERG channels was reduced by incubating with Rut for 24 hours, and Sp1 in nucleus was inhibited simultaneously. Mechanismly, Rut reduced threonine (Thr)/ tyrosine (Tyr) phosphorylation of Sp1 through PI3K/Akt pathway to regulate hERG channels expression. Cell‐based model unables to fully reveal the pathological process of arrhythmia. In vivo study, we found that Rut prolonged QT/QTc intervals and increased induction rate of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in guinea pig heart after being dosed Rut for 2 weeks. The critical reasons led to increased incidence of arrhythmias eventually were prolonged APD90 and APD50 and the increase of DF, numbers of PSs, incidence of early after‐depolarizations (EADs). Collectively, the results of this study suggest that Rut could reduce the IhERG by binding to hERG channels through F656 and Y652 instantaneously. While, the PI3K/Akt/Sp1 axis may play an essential role in the regulation of hERG channels, from the perspective of the long‐term effects of Rut (incubating for 24 hours). Importantly, the changes of electrophysiological properties by Rut were the main cause of VA.
Functional differences of Toll‐like receptor 4 in osteogenesis, adipogenesis and chondrogenesis in human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Khodabandehloo Fatemeh , Aflatoonian Reza , Zandieh Zahra , Rajaei Farzad , Sayahpour Forugh‐Azam , Nassiri‐Asl Marjan , Baghaban Eslaminejad Mohamadreza
Published: May 2021

Multipotent human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are promising candidates for bone and cartilage regeneration. Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) is expressed by hMSCs and is a receptor for both exogenous and endogenous danger signals. TLRs have been shown to possess functional differences based on the species (human or mouse) they are isolated from therefore, the effects of knockdown of TLR4 were evaluated in humans during the differentiation of MSCs into bone, fat and chondrocyte cells in vitro. We investigated the expression profile of TLR4 during the differentiation of hMSCs into three different lineages on days 7, 14 and 21 and assessed the differentiation potential of the cells in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, as an exogenous agonist) and fibronectin fragment III‐1c (FnIII‐1c, as an endogenous agonist). TLR4 expression increased following the induction of hMSC differentiation into all three lineages. Alkaline phosphatase activity revealed that FnIII‐1c accelerated calcium deposition on day 7, whereas LPS increased calcium deposition on day 14. Chondrogenesis increased in the presence of LPS; however, FnIII‐1c acted as a reducer in the late stage. TLR4 silencing led to decreased osteogenesis and increased adipogenesis. Furthermore, Wnt5a expression was inversely related to chondrogenesis during the late stage of differentiation. We suggest that understanding the functionality of TLR4 (in the presence of pathogen or stress signal) during the differentiation of hMSCs into three lineages would be useful for MSC‐based treatments.
Geriatrics: Moving forward with 2020 vision
Authors: Pandit Sonia G. , Walke Lisa M.
Published: May 2021

Geriatricians have long debated the parameters, positioning, and prospects of their specialty. The year 2020 started full of promise as many organizations anticipated assessing themselves using perfect, or 2020, vision. While challenging on several levels, the momentous combination of events in 2020—the COVID‐19 pandemic, Racial Justice Movement, and the November elections—provided Geriatric Medicine several opportunities to firmly secure a position in the mainstream. As we reflect on the new perspectives, programs, and partnerships initiated in 2020, five broader lessons emerge that can help safeguard the future of Geriatrics: the field could employ more intentional “direct to consumer” marketing strategies, expand the scope of what it means to be a patient advocate, pursue new strategic partnerships, take the opportunity to address racial injustice, and leverage existing skillsets to expand scope of care for patients. Given the interdisciplinary nature of Geriatrics, it is fitting that many of these lessons build upon this collaborative philosophy and are derived from domains outside of health care. So in an unexpected way, the events of 2020 may actually help Geriatrics see, with 2020 vision, how to remain mainstream. With this new clarity, Geriatrics holds renewed promise to truly become specialists in whole‐person care and it is our hope that, with insight from the lessons shared here, the specialty brings this vision to fruition in the current decade and beyond.
C‐bouton components on rat extensor digitorum longus motoneurons are resistant to chronic functional overload
Authors: Kissane Roger W. P. , Ghaffari‐Rafi Arash , Tickle Peter G. , Chakrabarty Samit , Egginton Stuart , Brownstone Robert M. , Smith Calvin C.
Published: May 2021

Mammalian motor systems adapt to the demands of their environment. For example, muscle fibre types change in response to increased load or endurance demands. However, for adaptations to be effective, motoneurons must adapt such that their properties match those of the innervated muscle fibres. We used a rat model of chronic functional overload to assess adaptations to both motoneuron size and a key modulatory synapse responsible for amplification of motor output, C‐boutons. Overload of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles was induced by removal of their synergists, tibialis anterior muscles. Following 21 days survival, EDL muscles showed an increase in fatigue resistance and a decrease in force output, indicating a shift to a slower phenotype. These changes were reflected by a decrease in motoneuron size. However, C‐bouton complexes remained largely unaffected by overload. The C‐boutons themselves, quantified by expression of vesicular acetylcholine transporter, were similar in size and density in the control and overload conditions. Expression of the post‐synaptic voltage‐gated potassium channel (KV2.1) was also unchanged. Small conductance calcium‐activated potassium channels (SK3) were expressed in most EDL motoneurons, despite this being an almost exclusively fast motor pool. Overload induced a decrease in the proportion of SK3+ cells, however, there was no change in density or size of clusters. We propose that reductions in motoneuron size may promote early recruitment of EDL motoneurons, but that C‐bouton plasticity is not necessary to increase the force output required in response to muscle overload.
Sustainable veterinary anaesthesia: single centre audit of oxygen and inhaled anaesthetic consumption and comparisons to a hypothetical model
Authors: McMillan M.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Single centre carbon footprint audit of oxygen and inhaled anaesthetic agent consumption. Study design: Retrospective audit with hypothetical intervention.

Materials and Methods

Records of 100 consecutive anaesthetics were examined. Consumption of oxygen and inhaled anaesthetic agent were estimated from oxygen flowmeter and vaporiser settings. Carbon dioxide equivalents (kg CO2e) were calculated. Records were reassessed to identify potential reductions in oxygen flow. Animals >5 kg were assigned to use circle systems set at a maintenance flow of 1 L/min following a short transitional period of higher flow. Animals <5 kg were assigned to Mapleson‐A breathing systems at a flow of 1 L/min. Potential reductions in oxygen and inhaled anaesthetic agent consumption and CO2e were calculated.

Results

A total of 14,370 minutes of anaesthesia were audited. Median bodyweight of the animals was 12.1 (interquartile range 5 to 25.8) kg. Median anaesthetic time was 110 (interquartile range 73.8 to 205) minutes. It was estimated 43,132 L of oxygen were used to vaporise 2605 mL of liquid sevoflurane and 1654 mL of liquid isoflurane. Potential oxygen consumption was 16,798 L, lowering sevoflurane consumption to 1123 mL and isoflurane to 589 mL. Using the suggested technique, oxygen and inhaled anaesthetic agent could have been reduced in 97% of anaesthetics with a median inhaled anaesthetic agent reduction of 59% (interquartile range 43 to 71%). Carbon footprint of the inhaled anaesthetic agent used was calculated as 1.82 metric tonnes of CO2e. This could have been lowered to 0.67 metric tonnes (63% reduction).

Clinical Significance

Large reductions in oxygen and inhaled anaesthetic agent consumption and therefore greenhouse gas emission and financial expenditure can be made if we audit and adapt our practices.
Effects of lifestyle interventions on epigenetic signatures of liver fat: Central randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yaskolka Meir Anat , Keller Maria , Müller Luise , Bernhart Stephan H. , Tsaban Gal , Zelicha Hila , Rinott Ehud , Kaplan Alon , Gepner Yftach , Shelef Ilan , Schwarzfuchs Dan , Ceglarek Uta , Stadler Peter , Blüher Matthias , Stumvoll Michael , Kovacs Peter , Shai Iris
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims

In the CENTRAL trial context, we found diverse liver fat dynamics in response to different dietary interventions. Epigenetic mechanisms may contribute to the intraindividual variation. Moreover, genetic factors are involved in developing nonalcoholic fatty‐liver disease (NAFLD), a disease reflected by an increase in intrahepatic fat (IHF). In this exploratory analysis, we primarily aimed to examine the effect of lifestyle interventions on DNA‐methylation of NAFLD related genes associated with IHF.

Methods

For 120 participants from the CENTRAL trial, an 18‐month regimen of either low‐fat (LF) or Mediterranean‐low carbohydrate (MED/LC) diets, with or without physical activity (PA+/PA−), was instructed. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure IHF%, which was analysed for association with CpG specific DNA‐methylation levels of 41 selected candidate genes. Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms known to be associated with NAFLD within the studied genes were genotyped by TaqMan assays.

Results

At baseline, participants (92% men; body mass index = 30.2 kg/m2) had mean IHF of 10.7% (59% NAFLD). Baseline‐IHF% was inversely correlated with DNA‐methylation at individual CpGs within AC074286.1, CRACR2A, A2MP1, FARP1 (P < .05 for all multivariate models). FARP1 rs9584805 showed association with IHF, with the prevalence of NAFLD and baseline methylation level of the CpG site (cg00071727) associated with IHF%. Following 18‐month lifestyle intervention, differential DNA‐methylation patterns were observed between diets at cg14335324 annotated to A2MP1 (P = .04, LF vs. MED/LC), and differential DNA‐methylation between PA groups within AC074286.1, CRACR2A, and FARP1 CpGs (P < .05 for all, PA−vs. PA+).

Conclusions

This study suggests epigenetic markers for IHF and potential epigenetic remodeling after long‐term lifestyle interventions.
Life‐history trade‐offs and the genetic basis of fitness in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ellis Thomas James , Postma Froukje M. , Oakley Christopher G. , Ågren Jon
Published: May 2021

Resources allocated to survival cannot be used to increase fecundity, but the extent to which this trade‐off constrains adaptation depends on overall resource status. Adaptation to local environmental conditions may therefore entail the evolution of traits that increase the amount of resources available to individuals (their resource status or ‘condition’). We examined the relative contribution of trade‐offs and increased condition to adaptive evolution in a recombinant inbred line population of Arabidopsis thaliana planted at the native sites of the parental ecotypes in Italy and Sweden in 2 years. We estimated genetic correlations among fitness components based on genotypic means and explored their causes with QTL mapping. The local ecotype produced more seeds per fruit than did the non‐local ecotype, reflected in stronger adaptive differentiation than was previously shown based on survival and fruit number only. Genetic correlations between survival and overall fecundity, and between number of fruits and number of seeds per fruit, were positive, and there was little evidence of a trade‐off between seed size and number. Quantitative trait loci for these traits tended to map to the same regions of the genome and showed positive pleiotropic effects. The results indicate that adaptive differentiation between the two focal populations largely reflects the evolution of increased ability to acquire resources in the local environment, rather than shifts in the relative allocation to different life‐history traits. Differentiation both in phenology and in tolerance to cold is likely to contribute to the advantage of the local genotype at the two sites.
Examining the optimal cutoff values of HADS, PHQ‐9 and GAD‐7 as screening instruments for depression and anxiety in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Snijkers Johanna T. W. , van den Oever Wendy , Weerts Zsa Zsa R. M. , Vork Lisa , Mujagic Zlatan , Leue Carsten , Hesselink Martine A. M. , Kruimel Joanna W. , Muris Jean W. M. , Bogie Roel M. M. , Masclee Ad A. M. , Jonkers Daisy M. A. E. , Keszthelyi Daniel
Published: May 2021

Background

Self‐rating scales are frequently used to screen for anxiety and depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Different cutoff values are recommended in literature, and guidelines have suggested the use of other screening instruments over time. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the most commonly used psychological screening instruments for anxiety and depression in IBS and to compare custom cutoff scores for these instruments.

Methods

Irritable bowel syndrome patients (n = 192) completed several questionnaires including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, HADS‐A and HADS‐D subscale), Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7). Agreement at different cutoff points, for depressive and anxiety disorder, was assessed by use of the Gwet AC1 coefficient.

Key Results

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)‐D and PHQ‐9 scores, and HADS‐A and GAD‐7 scores showed high correlations (rs = 0.735 and rs = 0.805, respectively). For depressive disorder, a Gwet AC1 value of 0.829 was found when recommended cutoff points from literature were compared (PHQ‐9 cutoff ≥10, HADS‐D cutoff ≥8). For anxiety disorder, a Gwet AC1 value of 0.806 was found when recommended cutoff points from literature were compared (GAD‐7 cutoff ≥10, HADS‐A cutoff ≥8). Even higher agreements were found when higher HADS cutoff values were chosen, with impact on sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions & Inferences

Custom cutoff values deem the HADS subscales (HADS‐D and HADS‐A) concordant to PHQ‐9 and GAD‐7 scores. The choice of a cutoff value has substantial impact on sensitivity/specificity and is dependent on patient population, setting, and the purpose of use.
Higher‐order evidence and losing one's conviction
Authors: Henderson Leah
Published: May 2021

There has been considerable puzzlement over how to respond to higher‐order evidence. The existing dilemmas can be defused by adopting a ‘two‐dimensional’ representation of doxastic attitudes which incorporates not only substantive uncertainty about which first‐order state of affairs obtains but also the degree of conviction with which we hold the attitude. This makes it possible that in cases of higher‐order evidence the evidence sometimes impacts primarily on our conviction, rather than our substantive uncertainty. I argue that such a two‐dimensional representation is naturally developed by making use of imprecise probabilities.
Migration as a determinant of childhood obesity in the United States and Latin America
Authors: Vilar‐Compte Mireya , Bustamante Arturo V. , López‐Olmedo Nancy , Gaitán‐Rossi Pablo , Torres Jaqueline , Peterson Karen E. , Teruel Graciela , Pérez‐Escamilla Rafael
Published: May 2021

International migration has economic and health implications. The acculturation process to the host country may be linked to childhood obesity. We use the Community Energy Balance (CEB) framework to analyze the relationship between migration and childhood obesity in Mexican households with international migrants. Using longitudinal data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (MxFLS), we examine how migrant networks affect childhood obesity in origin communities. We also review binational health programs that could be effective at tackling childhood obesity in migrant households from Mexico. Children embedded in migrant networks are at greater risk of developing overweight or obesity, suggesting a significant relationship between childhood obesity and international migration in Mexican households. Based on our search criteria, our analysis of health outreach programs shows that Ventanillas de Salud (VDS)/Health Windows has great promise to prevent childhood obesity in a culturally sensitive and trustful environment. The CEB framework is useful to understand how migration contributes to the risk of childhood overweight and obesity in migrant households. VDS is a feasible and replicable strategy with great potential to address childhood obesity among migrant families accounting for the dynamic and binational determinants of childhood obesity.
Decision tree‐based rules outperform risk scores for childhood asthma prognosis
Authors: Owora Arthur H. , Tepper Robert S. , Ramsey Clare D. , Becker Allan B.
Published: May 2021

Background

There are no widely accepted prognostic tools for childhood asthma; this is in part due to the multifactorial and time‐dependent nature of mechanisms and risk factors that contribute to asthma development. Our study objective was to develop and evaluate the prognostic performance of conditional inference decision tree–based rules using the Pediatric Asthma Risk Score (PARS) predictors as an alternative to the existing logistic regression‐based risk score for childhood asthma prediction at 7 years in a high‐risk population.

Methods

The Canadian Asthma Primary Prevention Study data were used to develop, compare, and contrast the prognostic performance (area under the curve [AUC], sensitivity, and specificity) of conditional inference tree‐based decision rules to the pediatric asthma risk score for the prediction of childhood asthma at 7 years.

Results

Conditional inference decision tree–based rules have higher prognostic performance (AUC: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.88; sensitivity = 47%; specificity = 93%) than the pediatric asthma risk score at an optimal cutoff of ≥6 (AUC: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.76; sensitivity = 60%; specificity = 74%). Moreover, the pediatric asthma risk score is not linearly related to asthma risk, and at any given pediatric asthma risk score value, different combinations of its pediatric asthma risk score clinical variables differentially predict asthma risk.

Conclusion

Conditional inference tree–based decision rules could be a useful childhood asthma prognostic tool, providing an alternative way to identify unique subgroups of at‐risk children, and insights into associations and effect mechanisms that are suggestive of appropriate tailored preventive interventions. However, the feasibility and effectiveness of such decision rules in clinical practice is warranted.
The effects on isotopic composition of leaf water and transpiration of adding a gas‐exchange cuvette
Authors: Farquhar Graham D. , Griffani Danielle S. , Barbour Margaret M.
Published: May 2021

An expression was earlier derived for the non‐steady state isotopic composition of a leaf when the composition of the water entering the leaf was not necessarily the same as that of the water being transpired (Farquhar and Cernusak 2005). This was relevant to natural conditions because the associated time constant is typically sufficiently long to ensure that the leaf water composition and fluxes of the isotopologues are rarely steady. With the advent of laser‐based measurements of isotopologues, leaves have been enclosed in cuvettes and time courses of fluxes recorded. The enclosure modifies the time constant by effectively increasing the resistance to the one‐way gross flux out of the stomata because transpiration increases the vapour concentration within the chamber. The resistance is increased from stomatal and boundary layer in series, to stomata, boundary layer and chamber resistance, where the latter is given by the ratio of leaf area to the flow rate out of the chamber. An apparent change in concept from one‐way to net flux, introduced by Song, Simonin, Loucos and Barbour (2015) is resolved, and shown to be unnecessary, but the value of their data is reinforced.
Clustering and Automatic Labelling Within Time Series of Categorical Observations—With an Application to Marine Log Messages
Authors: Gramuglia Emanuele , Storvik Geir , Stakkeland Morten
Published: May 2021

System logs or log files containing textual messages with associated time stamps are generated by many technologies and systems. The clustering technique proposed in this paper provides a tool to discover and identify patterns or macrolevel events in this data. The motivating application is logs generated by frequency converters in the propulsion system on a ship, while the general setting is fault identification and classification in complex industrial systems. The paper introduces an offline approach for dividing a time series of log messages into a series of discrete segments of random lengths. These segments are clustered into a limited set of states. A state is assumed to correspond to a specific operation or condition of the system, and can be a fault mode or a normal operation. Each of the states can be associated with a specific, limited set of messages, where messages appear in a random or semi-structured order within the segments. These structures are in general not defined a priori. We propose a Bayesian hierarchical model where the states are characterised both by the temporal frequency and the type of messages within each segment. An algorithm for inference based on reversible jump MCMC is proposed. The performance of the method is assessed by both simulations and operational data.