bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in prey, turbidity, and competition reduce somatic growth and cause the collapse of a fish population
Authors: Korman Josh , Yard Michael D. , Dzul Maria C. , Yackulic Charles B. , Dodrill Michael J. , Deemer Bridget R. , Kennedy Theodore A.
Published: August 2020

Somatic growth exerts strong control on patterns in the abundance of animal populations via effects on maturation, fecundity, and survival rates of juveniles and adults. In this paper, we quantify abiotic and biotic drivers of rainbow trout growth in the Colorado River, Arizona, USA, and the resulting impact on spatial and temporal variation in abundance. Inferences are based on ~10,000 observations of individual growth rates obtained through an intensive mark–recapture effort conducted over 5 yrs (2012–2016) in a 130‐km long study segment downstream of Glen Canyon Dam. Prey availability, turbidity‐driven feeding efficiency, and intraspecific competition were the dominant drivers of rainbow trout growth. Discharge, water temperature, and solar insulation were also evaluated but had a smaller influence. Mixed‐effect models explained 79–82% of the variability in observed growth rates, with fixed covariate effects explaining 79–87% of the total variation in growth parameters across five reaches and 18 quarterly sampling intervals. Reductions in growth owing in part to a phosphorous‐driven decline in prey availability, led to a substantive loss in mass and poor fish condition. This in turn lowered survival rates and delayed maturation, which led to a rapid decline in abundance and later recruitments. Reductions in feeding efficiency, due to episodic inputs of fine sediment from tributaries, and warmer water temperatures, contributed to reduced growth in downstream reaches, which led to more severe declines in abundance. Somatic growth rates increased following the population collapse due to reduced competition, and in the absence of substantive increases in prey availability. Our study elucidates important linkages between abiotic and biotic factors, somatic growth, and vital rates, and demonstrates how variation in somatic growth influences temporal and spatial patterns in abundance.
The natural flow regime: A master variable for maintaining river ecosystem health
Authors: Sofi Mohd Sharjeel , Bhat Sami Ullah , Rashid Irfan , Kuniyal Jagdish Chandra
Published: August 2020

River health is sustained by time‐based variation in their flows, and the maintenance of natural flow regime is essential for keeping the rivers healthy. However, the dynamism in natural flow regime now stands altered by changing climate, and the omnipresent regulation of river flows throughout the world has severely impacted the river health. It is well documented that harnessing and altering the flow of the rivers and streams comes at a huge cost. Numerous rivers in the world have stopped supporting socially and economically important native species or sustain vibrant ecosystems that offer valuable goods and services. The alteration of the natural flow regime has led to the collapse of many healthy and resilient river ecosystems throughout the world. Therefore, to ensure appropriate naturalized flow regimes for riverine organisms and a sustainable nexus between energy demand, water requirements and climate, more understanding is required to study the consequences of alteration in natural flow regime triggered by climate change and anthropogenic interventions. Moreover, conservation and management practices must be firmly based on scientific principles to restore the integrity of river ecosystems. The current approaches often fail to take into consideration a basic fundamental principle that the integrity of the river ecosystem is largely determined by the natural dynamic character of their flow regimes. In this synthesis, we try to explain how the maintenance of the natural flow regime is an essential requirement for maintaining river ecosystem health.
Methodological trends and perspectives of animal dietary studies by noninvasive fecal DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Ando Haruko , Mukai Haruka , Komura Taketo , Dewi Tungga , Ando Masaki , Isagi Yuji
Published: August 2020

Fine‐scale estimation of trophic interactions is an important subject in the field of ecology. Diet analysis based on fecal DNA metabarcoding has been accepted as a noninvasive, accurate, and time‐ and cost‐effective tool to determine animal diets. Here, we summarize the trends of fecal metabarcoding studies as well as methodological characteristics using 155 original papers published from 2009 to March 2020. We calculated the frequencies of the methods and conditions used in each experimental procedure and bioinformatics approach. Mammals were the major target taxa for fecal metabarcoding. A few methods or conditions dominated each procedure: sampling, DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, and bioinformatics, which might be specialized for metabarcoding of degraded fecal DNA. However, the disadvantages of common methods were noted in some studies, and further optimizations are required to obtain more accurate dietary data with high taxonomic resolution and quantitative performance. This review will help fecal metabarcode users, especially new scientists who are considering using fecal metabarcoding in their studies, understand the process and common methods of fecal metabarcoding. We also hope this review will facilitate further technical improvements in this method.
A combined bioinformatics, experimental and clinical approach to identify novel cardiac‐specific heart failure biomarkers: is Dickkopf‐3 (DKK3) a possible candidate?
Authors: Piek Arnold , Suthahar Navin , Voors Adriaan A. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Silljé Herman H.W.
Published: August 2020

Aims

Cardiac specificity provides an advantage in correlating heart failure (HF) biomarker plasma levels with indices of cardiac function and remodelling, as shown for natriuretic peptides. Using bioinformatics, we explored the cardiac specificity of secreted proteins and investigated in more detail the relationship of Dickkopf‐3 (DKK3) gene expression and DKK3 plasma concentrations with cardiac function and remodelling in (pre)clinical studies.

Methods and results

The cardiac specificity of secreted proteins was determined using RNAseq data for a large panel of organs and tissues. This showed that natriuretic peptides (NPPA and NPPB) are highly cardiac‐specific (>99%), whereas other HF biomarkers, including galectin‐3 (Gal‐3, LGALS3) and growth differentiation factor‐15 (GDF‐15), lack cardiac specificity (<4%). DKK3 was cardiac‐enriched (44%), warranting further investigation. In three different HF mouse models, cardiac Dkk3 expression was altered, but DKK3 plasma concentrations were not. In humans, DKK3 plasma concentrations were higher in HF patients (n = 2090) in comparison with age‐ and sex‐matched controls without HF (n = 240) (46.4 ng/mL vs. 36.3 ng/mL; P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that DKK3 was strongly associated with HF risk factors and comorbidities, including age, kidney function and atrial fibrillation. After correction for existing prediction models, DKK3 did not independently predict HF outcome [all‐cause mortality/HF hospitalization, hazard ratio 1.13 (0.79–1.61) per DKK3 doubling; P = 0.503].

Conclusions

Of actively secreted HF biomarkers, only natriuretic peptides showed high cardiac specificity. Despite a cardiac specificity of 44%, secreted DKK3 had limited additional diagnostic and prognostic value.
SPEEK/ZnO Nanocomposite Modified Gold Electrode for Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine
Authors: Fayemi Omolola E. , Baskar R. , Adekunle Abolanle S. , Sherif El‐Sayed M. , Ebenso Eno E.
Published: August 2020

Drop casting method was used for the fabrication of modified electrode of sulphonated polyether ether ketone/zinc oxide (SPEEK/ZnO) nanocomposite on gold electrode for electrochemical oxidation of dopamine. The SPEEK/ZnO nanocomposites were characterized by using fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), and Uv‐Vis, while the surface morphology was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Elemental composition was determined using Electron dispersive spectroscopic (EDS). The electrocatalysis of dopamine at gold electrode (Au) modified with SPEEK/ZnO nanocomposites in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS at pH 7) was examined using cyclic voltammetry. The result obtained at Au/SPEEK/ZnO modified electrode was compared with those obtained at the bare Au and Au/SPEEK nanocomposite modified electrodes. It was found that the ZnO nanoparticles increased the electroactivity of SPEEK towards dopamine oxidation. The Au/SPEEK/ZnO electrode exhibited good linear plot for the concentration range from 5.4×10−13 M to 1.9×10−9 M, with a limit of detection and sensitivity values of 0.89 nM and 18.47 μA mM−1 cm−2 respectively. The modified Au/SPEEK/ZnO also gave distinct separated peaks for dopamine and ascorbic acid in a mixture of both analytes. Also a satisfactory stability result was recorded for the Au/SPEEK/ZnO modified electrode when stored at room temperature for several days. The electrode was successfully used to assay dopamine in real life sample.
Silsesquioxane Modified with PAMAM Dendrimer and a Bimetallic Complex for Electrochemical Detection of Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Silvestrini Fernandes Daniela , do Carmo Devaney Ribeiro
Published: August 2020

Octakis(3‐chloropropyl)octasilsesquioxane (S) was organofunctionalized with the PAMAM Dendrimer G.0 (SPD). After functionalization, silsesquioxane interacts with copper chloride and subsequently with potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) to produce the structure CuHSPD. The silsesquioxane functionalized with the PAMAM dendrimer (SPD) and the obtained novel hybrid composite (CuHSPD) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). The CuHSP voltammogram showed two well‐defined redox pairs with Eθ′= 0.27 and 0.74 V, that are assigned to the CuI/CuII and FeII(CN)6/FeIII(CN)6 redox pairs, respectively. The graphite paste electrode containing CuHSPD allowed the electrocatalytic determination of ascorbic acid using various electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and chronoamperometry.
Development and validation of a custom panel including 183 Y‐SNPs for Chinese Y‐chromosomal haplogroups dissection using a MALDI‐TOF MS system
Authors: Li Min , Zhang Yilun , Luo Li , Bian Yingnan , Li Chengtao
Published: August 2020

Y‐chromosome SNP haplogroups exhibit geographic structuring in many populations around the world. Therefore, Y‐chromosome haplogroups have been widely used to infer paternal biogeographical ancestry and high‐resolution paternal lineage classification. In the present study, we designed a customized panel containing 183 Y‐SNPs based on previous studies and evaluated the genotyping performance and repeatability, concordance, sensitivity, and ability of analysing case‐type samples using a MALDI‐TOF MS platform. The average call rate for duplicate typing of any one SNP in the panel was 97.0%. In the concordance and accuracy study, the results of haplogroup designation obtained from MALDI‐TOF MS platform were fully consistent with those obtained from the next‐generation sequencing (NGS) platform. The optimal amount of template DNA in the PCR seemed to be 10 ng. However, if less DNA (≥156.25 pg) was available, it was still possible to obtain meaningful haplogroup information. For the application part, this panel could be applied for the detection of blood, semen, and buccal swabs samples. Particularly, blood stain on FTA card samples could be dissected by direct PCR amplification on the MALDI‐TOF MS platform. Besides, 371 unrelated male individuals from four Chinese ethnic groups (Han, Hui, Mongolian, and Kazak) were detected using this panel. Total 78 terminal haplogroups were found and the haplogroup diversity was 0.933576. The results demonstrate that this panel could be an accurate, fast, and cost‐effective method for database construction where the amount of sample material is less of a concern and when the cost of the assay is taken into consideration.
Variability effects on magnetohydrodynamic for Blasius and Sakiadis flows in the presence of Dufour and Soret about a flat plate
Authors: Oyem Anselm O. , Mutuku Winifred N. , Oke Abayomi S.
Published: August 2020

A study on a steady‐state, two‐dimensional boundary layer flow of an incompressible magnetohydrodynamic fluid for the Blasius and Sakiadis flows about a flat plate in the presence of Dufour (Df) and Soret Sr has been carried out. The governing partial differential equations are transformed into a set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations using similarity variables. These coupled equations are solved numerically using Runge‐Kutta Gill method with shooting technique. The results obtained have significant effects in the controlling parameters of the flow fluid.
PEDOT:PSS @Molecular Sieve as Dual‐Functional Additive to Enhance Electrochemical Performance and Stability of Ni‐Rich NMC Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xue Xiaoyin , Zhang Hao , Yuan Shuai , Shi Liyi , Zhao Yin , Wang Zhuyi , Chen Haijun , Zhu Jiefang
Published: August 2020

Molecular sieves (MSs) coated with conductive polymer (PEDOT:PSS) are used as water scavengers to modify the nickel‐rich LiNi1–x–yCoxMnyO2 (NMC)‐layered cathode. This strategy proactively captures residual water in the battery system without affecting the transport performance of electrons and Li+ ions. The moisture content and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests show that MSs after coating still maintain good water absorption characteristics and inhibit the decomposition of the electrolyte. The conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS@MS‐NMC electrode is 1.08 × 10−4 S cm−1, which is improved by 63.9%, compared with the MS‐NMC electrode. Through X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy measurements, it is also shown that the surface structure stability and particle integrity for PEDOT:PSS@MS‐NMC electrode is well retained. After 500 cycles, the capacity retention of the composite cathode is 71.3%, which is higher than that of the NMC (38.3%) and MS‐NMC cathode (62.4%). This is a novel and effective strategy to suppress side reactions at the electrode interface and improve electrode stability, capacity retention, and cycle performance of the Ni‐rich NMC cathode.
Turning Trash into Treasure: Pencil Waste–Derived Materials for Solar‐Powered Water Evaporation
Authors: Lu Yi , Dai Tianyi , Fan Deqi , Min Huihua , Ding Shuai , Yang Xiaofei
Published: August 2020

Solar steam generation is regarded as one of the most attractive technologies to relieve the stress of freshwater storage. Low cost and scalable production of solar evaporators is a critical issue to be considered for practical applications. Herein, the recycling utilization of pencil wastes is proposed by a facile method. A self‐floating solar evaporator made of carbonized pencil wastes can achieve an evaporation rate of 1.2 kg m−2 h−1 and a light‐to‐vapor energy conversion efficiency of 82.2% under 1.0 sun. Meanwhile, the evaporator exhibits a self‐desalting property overnight due to its superior hydrophilicity. Furthermore, the evaporator manifests significantly effective solar evaporation performance in brine, organic dye solutions, as well as other harsh conditions. Considering the wide range of raw sources, low cost, scalable preparation, and effective solar evaporation performance, the all wood waste–based solar steam generator provides an inspiration for the recycling utilization of wood wastes and the promising development of environmentally friendly biomass‐based solar evaporators.
Evolution of modal characteristics of a mid‐rise cold‐formed steel building during construction and earthquake testing
Authors: Wang Xiang , Hutchinson Tara C.
Published: August 2020

Vibration‐based structural identification is an essential technique for assessing structural conditions by inferring information from the dynamic characteristics of structures. However, the robustness of such techniques in monitoring the progressive damage of real structures has been validated with only a handful of research efforts, largely due to the paucity of monitoring data recorded from damaged structures. In a recent experimental program, a mid‐rise cold‐formed steel building was constructed at full scale atop a large shake table and subsequently subjected to a unique multi‐hazard scenario including earthquake, post‐earthquake fire, and finally post‐fire earthquake loading. Complementing the simulated hazard events, low‐amplitude vibration tests, including ambient vibrations and white noise base excitation tests, were conducted throughout the construction and the test phases. Using the vibration data collected during the multi‐hazard test program, this paper focuses on understanding the modal characteristics of the cold‐formed steel building in correlation with the construction and the structural damage progressively induced by the simulated hazard events. The modal parameters of the building (i.e., natural frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes) are estimated using two input–output and two output‐only time‐domain system identification techniques. Agreement between the evolution of modal parameters and the observations of the progression of physical damage demonstrates the effectiveness of the vibration‐based system identification techniques for structural condition monitoring and damage assessment.
Implications of strong earthquake ground motion duration on the response and testing of seismic isolation systems
Authors: Kitayama Shoma , Constantinou Michael C.
Published: August 2020

This paper presents an investigation of the effects of the duration of earthquake ground motion on the peak displacement and total dissipated cumulative energy in seismic isolation systems designed by the procedures of ASCE/SEI 7‐16. The seismic isolation systems considered in this study are elastomeric with lead and natural rubber bearings and sliding in the form of single and triple friction pendulum bearings. Long‐ and short‐duration ground motions were selected so that the 5%‐damped spectral acceleration values of each motion were closely matched over periods of 0.05 to 6 s. The results of the analysis demonstrate that the duration of ground motions have insignificant effects on the isolation system peak displacement—particularly in the lower bound conditions and sliding isolation bearings—but have important effects on the total cumulative energy for all conditions. This has implications in the testing of isolators, which are presented in an evaluation of the isolator test procedures of the ASCE/SEI 7‐16 standard. The evaluation reveals that, if the cumulative energy dissipated by the isolation system is used as the controlling criterion, the specified tests are generally appropriate for locations characterized by short‐duration ground motions, but are unconservative for locations where long‐duration motions are anticipated. Additional results and discussion demonstrate that the cumulative energy may not be an appropriate criterion for designing isolator tests as it may lead to unrealistic demands on the tested isolators.
COVID‐19 and eating disorders during confinement: Analysis of factors associated with resilience and aggravation of symptoms
Authors: Baenas Isabel , Caravaca‐Sanz Elena , Granero Roser , Sánchez Isabel , Riesco Nadine , Testa Giulia , Vintró‐Alcaraz Cristina , Treasure Janet , Jiménez‐Murcia Susana , Fernández‐Aranda Fernando
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To assess the level of deterioration in functioning of ED patients during confinement, due to COVID‐19, and examine potential contributing factors (coping strategies, anxiety‐depressive symptomatology and personality traits).

Methods

A total of 74 ED patients in treatment before the COVID‐19 outbreak, contributed to this study. Baseline pre‐treatment evaluation included the SCL‐90R, TCI‐R, EDI‐2 and Y‐FAS 2.0 questionnaires for general psychopathology, personality and ED severity indexes. ED symptoms, coping strategies, socio‐demographic data and COVID‐19 concerns were collected by clinicians through a semi‐structured telephone survey during lockdown.

Results

A deterioration in ED symptoms and general psychopathology (anxiety and depression), during lockdown, was associated with low self‐directedness. Higher ED symptomatology during confinement was associated with less‐adaptive coping strategies to deal with lockdown situation leading to an increase in weight.

Conclusions

These specific vulnerability factors to further confinement or stressful situations may help design personalized preventive and therapeutic approaches.
Continued Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure of Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) in the Northeastern United States with an Evaluation of Serum for Biomonitoring
Authors: Murray Maureen
Published: August 2020

Prior studies (2006–2016) in birds of prey admitted to a wildlife clinic in Massachusetts, USA, revealed widespread exposure to second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) among red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis, RTHAs). Continued monitoring of species for which historic data are available can reveal trends in exposure that aid in evaluating the effectiveness of risk-mitigation measures. While the majority of exposure-monitoring studies utilize liver tissue collected postmortem, antemortem modalities, such as serum analysis, may be desirable for risk assessments in certain populations. However, the sensitivity of serum for detecting anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) is not well studied. Paired liver and serum samples from 43 RTHAs were evaluated from 2017 to 2019. In liver tissue, 100% of birds were positive for ARs, with the SGARs brodifacoum, bromadiolone, and difethialone identified most frequently; 91% of birds had liver residues of 2 to 4 ARs. These findings represent the highest exposure both to ARs overall and to multiple ARs in RTHAs compared to previous studies. All birds diagnosed with AR toxicosis (n = 14) were positive for ARs in serum; however, all subclinically exposed birds (n = 29) were negative in serum. These data show that exposure to SGARs remains widespread in RTHAs in this geographic area. In addition, although serum analysis is not sensitive for detecting sublethal exposures in RTHAs, it can potentially support a diagnosis of AR toxicosis in conjunction with other consistent signs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2325–2335. © 2020 SETAC

Abstract

Photograph of a red-tailed hawk (RTHA) and an abbreviated table showing the percentage of RTHAs positive for anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) overall and for multiple ARs across 3 time periods.
The occurrence, enzymatic production, and application of ethyl butanoate, an important flavor constituent
Authors: Xu Youqiang , Minhazul Karim A. H. M. , Li Xiuting
Published: August 2020

Ethyl butanoate is well known for its value as a flavor chemical in food industries. It is naturally present in many fermented foods and with a rapid increase in demand. Studies are trying to improve its biological production as the method has advantages over direct extraction or chemical production in the way of cost, time, and product acceptance being natural. A total of twenty‐four studies have been published in the last three decades and used lipase from different sources as biocatalyst. Esterification of butanoic acid and ethanol as the precursors are reported in most of the studies with water as the by‐product and commonly recognized as a green route. As organic solvents increase the cost and may bring negative effects to the environment, the solvent‐free reaction system is recognized as a good alternative. However, hardly any works have been found on ethyl butanoate production in a water‐based reaction system and only a few studies focus on the biphasic and solvent‐free systems, while these systems have some attractive advantages over organic solvent‐based ester production. In addition, reviews related to this area are rare; therefore, this review summarizes the pathways to produce the ethyl butanoate in nature and the enzymatic production using different reaction systems. This will help to steerage the future research scope for improvement of ethyl butanoate production.
Initiation timing of Cenozoic compression deformation of the southern Tianshan mountains: Implications from growth strata in the Kuqa Depression
Authors: Qin Xiang , Chen Xuanhua , Shao Zhaogang , Zhang Yiping , He Chengguang , Wang Derun , Wang Yongchao , Xu Shenglin
Published: August 2020

Influenced by the far‐field effect of the India–Eurasia collision during the Cenozoic, the Palaeozoic orogenic belt of the southern Tianshan mountains underwent tectonic activation. This resulted in the transmission of intense compressive deformation to the northern margin of the Tarim Basin, Kuqa Depression, where multiple east–west trending fold–thrust belts are formed. Exactly when the Cenozoic compressive deformation in the southern Tianshan orogenic belt was initiated is controversial. Growth strata are sediments of the syn‐tectonic events, and the age of the bottom boundary of the growth strata effectively constrains the initiation timing of the structural deformation. The Kuqa Depression currently receives sediments from the southern Tianshan mountains, and it is natural to use these Cenozoic strata to decipher the southern Tianshan's uplift history. Based on the detailed structural mapping and structural profile survey of the Kuqa Depression area, the Palaeogene Kumugelimu Formation growth strata in the Kuqa Depression were identified. Based on the magnetic stratigraphic sequence of the Cenozoic established by predecessors, the age of the bottom boundary of the Palaeogene Kumgelimu Formation is assumed to be 42–60.5 Ma. Combined with the analysis of the apatite fission‐track ages of the Mesozoic–Cenozoic clastic sediments in the Kuqa Depression by previous workers, there was an evident uplift and cooling event (~50 Ma) during the Palaeogene in the Kuqa Depression. The Cenozoic compression deformation in the south Tianshan and Kuqa Depression was then concluded to be initiated at approximately 50 Ma.
Multiscale neurobiological correlates of human neuroticism
Authors: Xu Qiang , Liu Feng , Qin Wen , Jiang Tianzi , Yu Chunshui
Published: August 2020

Neuroticism is a heritable personality trait associated with negative emotionality; however, we know little regarding the association between the microscale and macroscale neurobiological substrates of human neuroticism. Cross‐scale correlation analysis may provide such information. In this study, voxel‐wise neuroimaging–neuroticism correlation analyses consistently showed a positive correlation between neuroticism and functional connectivity density (FCD) in the ventral striatum in 274 young Chinese adults. Partial least squares regression analysis showed that the FCD‐neuroticism correlation map was significantly spatially correlated with gene expression profiles in each of six donated human brains. Neuroticism‐related genes derived from the six donors consistently showed significant enrichment in the chemical synaptic transmission, circadian entrainment, long‐term potentiation, inflammatory mediator regulation of transient receptor potential channels, and amphetamine addiction pathways. The protein–protein interaction analysis revealed four hub genes involved in the above pathways, including G protein subunit gamma 10, 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor 2C, prodynorphin, and calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II alpha. By combining multiscale correlation analyses and functional annotations, this study advances our understanding of the genetic and neural substrates of human neuroticism and emphasizes the importance of striatal functional properties in human neuroticism.
Local shape volume alterations in subcortical structures of suicide attempters with major depressive disorder
Authors: Kang Wooyoung , Shin Jeong‐Hyeon , Han Kyu‐Man , Kim Aram , Kang Youbin , Kang June , Tae Woo‐Suk , Paik Jong‐Woo , Lee Hae‐Woo , Seong Joon‐Kyung , Ham Byung‐Joo
Published: August 2020

Suicide is among the most important global health concerns; accordingly, an increasing number of studies have shown the risks for suicide attempt(s) in terms of brain morphometric features and their clinical correlates. However, brain studies addressing suicidal vulnerability have been more focused on demonstrating impairments in cortical structures than in the subcortical structures. Using local shape volumes (LSV) analysis, we investigated subcortical structures with their clinical correlates in depressed patients who attempted suicide. Then we compared them with depressed patients without a suicidal history and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (HCs; i.e., 47 suicide attempters with depression, 47 non‐suicide attempters with depression, and 109 HCs). Significant volumetric differences were found between suicidal and nonsuicidal depressed patients in several vertices: 16 in the left amygdala; 201 in the left hippocampus; 1,057 in the left putamen; and 140 in the left pallidum; 1 in the right pallidum; and 6 in the bilateral thalamus. These findings indicated subcortical alterations in LSV in components of the limbic–cortical–striatal–pallidal–thalamic circuits. Moreover, our results demonstrated that the basal ganglia was correlated with perceived stress levels, and the thalamus was correlated with suicidal ideation. We suggest that suicidality in major depressive disorder may involve subcortical volume alterations.
Identifying resting‐state effective connectivity abnormalities in drug‐naïve major depressive disorder diagnosis via graph convolutional networks
Authors: Jun Eunji , Na Kyoung‐Sae , Kang Wooyoung , Lee Jiyeon , Suk Heung‐Il , Ham Byung‐Joo
Published: August 2020

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability; its symptoms interfere with social, occupational, interpersonal, and academic functioning. However, the diagnosis of MDD is still made by phenomenological approach. The advent of neuroimaging techniques allowed numerous studies to use resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) and estimate functional connectivity for brain‐disease identification. Recently, attempts have been made to investigate effective connectivity (EC) that represents causal relations among regions of interest. In the meantime, to identify meaningful phenotypes for clinical diagnosis, graph‐based approaches such as graph convolutional networks (GCNs) have been leveraged recently to explore complex pairwise similarities in imaging/nonimaging features among subjects. In this study, we validate the use of EC for MDD identification by estimating its measures via a group sparse representation along with a structured equation modeling approach in a whole‐brain data‐driven manner from rs‐fMRI. To distinguish drug‐naïve MDD patients from healthy controls, we utilize spectral GCNs based on a population graph to successfully integrate EC and nonimaging phenotypic information. Furthermore, we devise a novel sensitivity analysis method to investigate the discriminant connections for MDD identification in our trained GCNs. Our experimental results validated the effectiveness of our method in various scenarios, and we identified altered connectivities associated with the diagnosis of MDD.
Phonological and surface dyslexia in individuals with brain tumors: Performance pre‐, intra‐, immediately post‐surgery and at follow‐up
Authors: Tomasino Barbara , Ius Tamara , Skrap Miran , Luzzatti Claudio
Published: August 2020

We address existing controversies regarding neuroanatomical substrates of reading‐aloud processes according to the dual‐route processing models, in this particular instance in a series of 49 individuals with brain tumors who performed several reading tasks of real‐time neuropsychological testing during surgery (low‐ to high‐grade cerebral neoplasms involving the left hemisphere). We explored how reading abilities in individuals with brain tumors evolve during and after surgery for a brain tumor, and we studied the reading performance in a sample of 33 individuals in a 4‐month follow‐up after surgery. Impaired reading performance was seen pre‐surgery in 7 individuals with brain tumors, intra‐surgery in 18 individuals, at immediate post‐surgery testing in 26 individuals, and at follow‐up in 5 individuals. We classified their reading disorders according to operational criteria for either phonological or surface dyslexia. Neuroimaging results are discussed within the theoretical framework of the dual‐route model of reading. Lesion‐mask subtraction analyses revealed that areas selectively related with phonological dyslexia were located—along with the left hemisphere dorsal stream—in the Rolandic operculum, the inferior frontal gyrus, the precentral gyrus, the supramarginal gyrus, the insula (and/or the underlying external capsule), and parts of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, whereas lesions related to surface dyslexia involved the ventral stream, that is, the left middle and inferior temporal gyrus and parts of the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus.
Women's brain aging: Effects of sex‐hormone exposure, pregnancies, and genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: de Lange Ann‐Marie G. , Barth Claudia , Kaufmann Tobias , Maximov Ivan I. , van der Meer Dennis , Agartz Ingrid , Westlye Lars T.
Published: August 2020

Sex hormones such as estrogen fluctuate across the female lifespan, with high levels during reproductive years and natural decline during the transition to menopause. Women's exposure to estrogen may influence their heightened risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) relative to men, but little is known about how it affects normal brain aging. Recent findings from the UK Biobank demonstrate less apparent brain aging in women with a history of multiple childbirths, highlighting a potential link between sex‐hormone exposure and brain aging. We investigated endogenous and exogenous sex‐hormone exposure, genetic risk for AD, and neuroimaging‐derived biomarkers for brain aging in 16,854 middle to older‐aged women. The results showed that as opposed to parity, higher cumulative sex‐hormone exposure was associated with more evident brain aging, indicating that i) high levels of cumulative exposure to sex‐hormones may have adverse effects on the brain, and ii) beneficial effects of pregnancies on the female brain are not solely attributable to modulations in sex‐hormone exposure. In addition, for women using hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), starting treatment earlier was associated with less evident brain aging, but only in women with a genetic risk for AD. Genetic factors may thus contribute to how timing of HRT initiation influences women's brain aging trajectories.
A series of five population‐specific Indian brain templates and atlases spanning ages 6–60 years
Authors: Holla Bharath , Taylor Paul A. , Glen Daniel R. , Lee John A. , Vaidya Nilakshi , Mehta Urvakhsh Meherwan , Venkatasubramanian Ganesan , Pal Pramod Kumar , Saini Jitender , Rao Naren P. , Ahuja Chirag K. , Kuriyan Rebecca , Krishna Murali , Basu Debashish , Kalyanram Kartik , Chakrabarti Amit , Orfanos Dimitri Papadopoulos , Barker Gareth J. , Cox Robert W. , Schumann Gunter , Bharath Rose Dawn , Benegal Vivek
Published: August 2020

Anatomical brain templates are commonly used as references in neurological MRI studies, for bringing data into a common space for group‐level statistics and coordinate reporting. Given the inherent variability in brain morphology across age and geography, it is important to have templates that are as representative as possible for both age and population. A representative‐template increases the accuracy of alignment, decreases distortions as well as potential biases in final coordinate reports. In this study, we developed and validated a new set of T1w Indian brain templates (IBT) from a large number of brain scans (total n = 466) acquired across different locations and multiple 3T MRI scanners in India. A new tool in AFNI, make_template_dask.py, was created to efficiently make five age‐specific IBTs (ages 6–60 years) as well as maximum probability map (MPM) atlases for each template; for each age‐group's template–atlas pair, there is both a “population‐average” and a “typical” version. Validation experiments on an independent Indian structural and functional‐MRI dataset show the appropriateness of IBTs for spatial normalization of Indian brains. The results indicate significant structural differences when comparing the IBTs and MNI template, with these differences being maximal along the Anterior–Posterior and Inferior–Superior axes, but minimal Left–Right. For each age‐group, the MPM brain atlases provide reasonably good representation of the native‐space volumes in the IBT space, except in a few regions with high intersubject variability. These findings provide evidence to support the use of age and population‐specific templates in human brain mapping studies.
Death by austerity? The impact of cost containment on avoidable mortality in Italy
Authors: Arcà Emanuele , Principe Francesco , Van Doorslaer Eddy
Published: August 2020

Does austerity in health care affect health and healthcare outcomes? We examine the intended and unintended effects of the Italian austerity policy Piano di Rientro aimed at containing the cost of the healthcare sector. Using an instrumental variable strategy that exploits the temporal and geographical variation induced by the policy rollout, we find that the policy was successful in alleviating deficits by reducing expenditure, mainly in the southern regions, but also resulted in a 3% rise in avoidable deaths among both men and women, a reduction in hospital capacity and a rise in south‐to‐north patient migration. These findings suggest that—even in a high‐income country with relatively low avoidable mortality like Italy—spending cuts can hurt survival.
The long‐run effects of noncommunicable disease shocks
Authors: Pan Tianxin , Palmer Michael , Mahal Ajay , Annear Peter , McPake Barbara
Published: August 2020

The health shocks literature typically does not take into account the temporal patterns of loss since the time of the shock. This limits understanding of the long‐run impact of health shocks and the capacity of individuals to cope over time. This study estimates the dynamic effects of a noncommunicable disease shock on the economic well‐being of working‐age individuals in China up to 6 years after onset. We find that after a period of temporal loss, individuals and their families can insure consumption against the average noncommunicable disease shock over the long‐run. We observe significant heterogeneity according to the persistence of the disease, value of household wealth, and health insurance status. Individuals with consistent onset, with below median wealth, and without health insurance are least equipped to smooth consumption over the long‐term.
Comparing endoscopic surgeries with open surgeries in terms of effectiveness and safety in salvaging residual or recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Gang , Wang Jianqi , Tang Haocheng , Han Ri , Zhao Yunteng , Wang Xianwen , Zhou Huijun
Published: August 2020

Consensus has yet to be reached on the optimal operation for patients with residual or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). To compare effectiveness and safety of open surgery and endoscopic surgery for patients with residual or recurrent NPC. Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for relevant publications from January 1, 2000 to May 1, 2017. Included studies reported specific residual or local recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer survival data. Proportional meta‐analysis was performed on both outcomes with a random‐effects model, and the 95% confidential intervals were calculated by Stata 12.0 software. For patients with different tumor classification, a downward trend of 2‐yearoverall survival(OS) was observed for both surgical populations. Endoscopic surgeries achieved bigger rates than open surgeries in patients withrecurrent tumor(rT) 1, rT2, and rT3 (93% vs 87%, 77% vs 63%, 67% vs 53%). As for patients with rT4, 2‐year OS was similar (35% vs 35%).In addition, the former is less severe complications, lower local recurrence rates (27% vs 32%). Our study found that, compared to open surgery, endoscopic surgery was a safer and more effective treatment modality in managing patients with recurrent or residual NPC.
Updates in the evidence‐based management of cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Goepfert Ryan P. , Myers Jeffrey N. , Gershenwald Jeffrey E.
Published: August 2020

Treatment of cutaneous melanoma is changing with significant developments over the past several years that promise to reshape the field of melanoma surgical oncology. Modifications to the staging system based on analysis of a large international dataset, the timing and extent of regional lymphadenectomy, the emergence of effective systemic therapies in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting, and the role of adjuvant radiation are all undergoing a data‐driven evolution. Surgeon engagement in multidisciplinary decision making remains an essential component of contemporary management for patients across all stages of melanoma and demands specific involvement of head and neck surgical oncologists.
Curative‐intent radiotherapy for glottic carcinoma in situ
Authors: Mendenhall William M. , Morris Christopher G. , Amdur Robert J. , Hitchcock Kathryn E. , Chheda Neil , Dziegielewski Peter T.
Published: August 2020

Background

The aim of the study was to update our experience treating patients with glottic carcinoma in situ (CIS) with curative radiotherapy (RT).

Methods

Fifty patients received continuous‐course RT using once‐daily fractionation. Twenty‐eight (56%) had recurrent or persistent CIS after resection. Median total dose was 63.0 Gy; median dose per fraction was 2.25 Gy. Median follow‐up was 9.6 years for all patients and 8.4 years for survivors.

Results

After RT, 5 patients (10%) recurred locally; salvage surgery was performed in 4 (1 refused). Five‐year outcomes were as follows: local control, 91%; ultimate local control (including patients successfully salvaged after local recurrence), 100%; ultimate local control with larynx preservation, 93%; local‐regional control, 91%; ultimate local‐regional control, 100%; distant metastases‐free survival, 100%; cause‐specific survival, 100%; and overall survival, 81%. No patient experienced a severe complication.

Conclusion

RT is an excellent treatment for patients with CIS recurrent after transoral excision and those with previously untreated CIS who are unsuitable for partial laryngectomy.
Keys to successful implementation of routine symptom monitoring in head and neck oncology with “Healthcare Monitor” and patients' perspectives of quality of care
Authors: Dronkers Emilie A. C. , Baatenburg de Jong Robert J. , van der Poel Egge F. , Sewnaik Aniel , Offerman Marinella P. J.
Published: August 2020

Background

Value‐based health care is increasingly used to facilitate a systematic approach during follow‐up of patients. We developed Healthcare Monitor (HM): a structure of electronic patient‐reported outcome measures (ePROs) for the longitudinal follow‐up of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. This study shares key lessons from implementation and seeks to provide insight into how patients experience HM.

Methods

We conducted a mixed‐methods study using quantitative data from a nonrandomized retrospective survey of patients who received HM (n = 45) vs standard care (n = 46) and qualitative data from structured interviews (n = 15).

Results

Implementation of HM included significant challenges. Finding common ground among clinicians, administrators, and IT staff was most important. Qualitative findings suggest that patients experienced better doctor‐patient communication and increased efficiency of the consultation using HM. Patients felt better prepared and experienced more focus on critical issues. Quantitative analysis did not show significant differences.

Conclusions

Integration of HM into routine care for HNC patients may have increased patient‐centered care and facilitated screening of symptoms. However, future research is needed to analyze the potential benefits more extensively.
Experiences of health service literacy and access amongst Australian young adults from migrant backgrounds
Authors: Raymundo Gianina , Smith‐Merry Jennifer , McNab Justin
Published: August 2020

Issue addressed

We currently know very little about the attitudes of young adult Australians from migrant backgrounds towards health service utilisation. This qualitative study aimed to explore their experiences of accessing health services and identify barriers and facilitators to health service utilisation.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with young people aged between 18‐24 and living in Greater Western Sydney. Interview questions focused on facilitators and barriers to health service access. NVivo 11 was used to facilitate thematic analysis of the interviews.

Results

Twenty‐five young adults between 18‐24 years from migrant backgrounds participated. Twenty semi‐structured individual interviews and one group interview with five participants were conducted. Analysis identified themes relating to health literacy, cultural factors and quality of care and showed the importance of families, the education system and service outreach in facilitating access.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that more effective delivery of health services information in education, positive engagement between service‐providers and service‐users, and age‐appropriate, culturally considerate health promotion strategies are needed to overcome barriers to health services accessibility.

So what?

The results show the importance of families and communities, the education system and health service outreach in facilitating health service access for young people from migrant backgrounds. The paper highlights the need for more effective health promotion strategies targeting this group, their families and communities. To increase access, health promotion practitioners need to actively reach out to families and young people from migrant backgrounds through education and community‐relevant forums.
A pilot study using a small‐sided games program to modify cardiovascular health in sedentary Indigenous men
Authors: Sampson John A. , Venables Shane , Debeneditics Thomas , Peoples Gregory E.
Published: August 2020

Issues addressed

To determine cardiovascular health benefits in Indigenous men following short‐duration small‐sided games.

Methods

Fourteen sedentary Indigenous males (35.6 SD 7.2 years), randomly assigned to a small‐sided games (SSG) or a non‐exercising control. Small‐sided 20‐minute (4 × 5 minute bouts) games of touch football were played 2 x/week for 9 weeks. Waist and hip circumferences, height, total body mass (kg), fat (%), fat free mass (kg), muscle mass (kg), resting heart rate (bpm), systolic blood pressure (mmHg), total cholesterol and high‐density lipid concentrations were measured and waist‐hip ratios, body mass index (BMI), heart rate variability (HRV), metabolic age and Framingham risk calculated before and after the exercise intervention. Between group differences were examined using unpaired t tests (welch corrected) and described using Cohen's effect size (ES) differences (corrected to determine hedges g).

Results

Significant between group differences favouring the SSG group were observed in body mass (P = .039, ES = 0.18), BMI (P = .031, ES = 0.22) and metabolic age (P = .033, ES = 0.29) and in HRV parameters of approximate entropy (ApEN; P = .01, ES = 1.65) and sample entropy (SampEN; P = .0193, ES = 1.40).

Conclusion

Middle‐aged Indigenous men can gain cardiovascular health benefits following short bouts of small‐sided game play accumulating in 40‐minutes of exercise each week.

So what?

Short‐duration SSG may address many exercise barriers, and offer a sustainable form of exercise to improve cardiovascular health amongst Indigenous men.