bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Irisin attenuates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion‐induced cardiac dysfunction by regulating ER‐mitochondria interaction through a mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Lu Linhe , Ma Jipeng , Tang Jiayou , Liu Yang , Zheng Qijun , Chen Shasha , Gao Erhe , Ren Jun , Yang Lifang , Yang Jian
Published: September 2020

Background

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury imposes devastating cardiovascular sequelae in particular cardiac dysfunction as a result of restored blood flow. However, the mechanism behind MI/R injury remains elusive. Mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase (MITOL/MARCH5) is localized at the mitochondria‐ER contact site and may be activated in response to a variety of pathophysiological processes, such as apoptosis, mitochondrial injury, ER stress, hypoxia, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Irisin as a cleaved product of fibronectin type III domain‐containing protein 5 (FNDC5) displays cardioprotection in diverse cardiac diseases.

Methods

This study was designed to examine the role of irisin and MITOL in MI/R injury. Male C57BL/6J mice (8‐10‐week‐old) were administered adenovirus MITOL shRNA through intracardiac injection followed by MI/R surgery through ligation and release the slipknot of cardiac left anterior descending coronary artery.

Results

Our results showed that irisin improved myocardial function in the face of MI/R injury as evidenced by reduced myocardial infarct size, apoptotic rate, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ROS generation, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as well as lessened ER stress injury. Moreover, our results indicated that protective role of irisin was mediated by upregulation of MITOL. Irisin also protected H9c2 cells against simulated I/R through negating ER stress, apoptosis, ROS and MDA levels, as well as facilitating superoxide dismutase (SOD) by way of elevated MITOL expression.

Conclusions

To this end, our data favored that irisin pretreatment protects against MI/R injury, ER stress, ROS production, and mitochondrial homeostasis through upregulation of MITOL. These findings depicted the therapeutic potential of irisin and MITOL in the management of MI/R injury in patients with ST‐segment elevation.
Cytomorphology and diagnostic pitfalls of sebaceous and nonsebaceous salivary gland lymphadenoma: A multi‐institutional study
Authors: Viswanathan Kartik , Maleki Zahra , Pantanowitz Liron , Cantley Richard , Faquin William C.
Published: September 2020

Background

Salivary gland lymphadenoma (LAD) is a rare benign neoplasm comprising sebaceous (SLAD) and nonsebaceous (NSLAD) types. Despite established histologic criteria, limited data on cytomorphology, tumor heterogeneity, and overlap with other entities make the diagnosis of LAD by fine needle aspiration (FNA) challenging. We describe a multi‐institutional cohort of 14 LADs with cytology, clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic data.

Methods

Our cohort included nine SLAD and five NSLAD with corresponding histopathology. Mean patient age and M:F ratio were 60.4 years (range 45‐86 years) and 1:2 for SLADs and 57.4 years (range 42‐80 years) and 1:1.5 for NSLADs, respectively. One NSLAD patient had a germline predisposition for Cowden syndrome. Glass slides and whole slide images of air‐dried Diff‐Quik (DQ), alcohol‐stained Papanicolaou smears (Pap) and cellblocks were reviewed for key cytomorphologic findings.

Results

FNAs from SLAD and NSLADs demonstrated vacuolated and basaloid epithelial clusters within a lymphoid background. Vacuolated cells from SLAD showed sebaceous cells with microvesicular cytoplasm indenting a central nucleus. Vacuolated cells from NSLAD were columnar with eccentric nuclei, corresponding to abluminal glandular cells. SLADs were classified using the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology as nondiagnostic (11.1%), nonneoplastic (44.4%), atypia of uncertain significance (AUS) (22.2%), and salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP) (22.2%). NSLADs were classified as AUS (40%), SUMP (40%) and Benign Neoplasm (20%).

Conclusion

Although rare, knowing the cytologic features of salivary LAD is important to avoid diagnostic pitfalls. Vacuolated cells can be prominent in both SLAD and NSLAD aspirates. Diagnostic issues arise from insufficient sampling of all tumor components leading to marked variation in diagnostic classification of LAD.
The role of cytology in endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration: A study of 813 cases focusing on diagnostic yield, an analysis of misdiagnosed cases and diagnostic accordance rate of cytological subtyping
Authors: Ren Wen‐hao , Zou Shuang‐Mei , Zhang Yue‐ming , Zhang Lei , Zhao Lin‐lin , Lu Ning , Cao Jian
Published: September 2020

Background

Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) is a minimally invasive technique for cytological and histological diagnosis. The objective of this study was to explore the role of cytological diagnosis in EBUS‐TBNAs.

Methods

Eight hundred and thirteen consecutive cases performed EBUS‐TBNA with both cytological and histological diagnoses were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were followed up for clinical data.

Results

Before immunohistochemical examination, the cytological sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of EBUS‐TBNAs were 92.9% (421/453), 98.9% (348/352), 95.5% (769/805), respectively. After immunohistochemical examination, the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 93.0% (423/455), 99.4% (348/350), 95.8% (771/805), respectively. The majority of false‐negative were cases whose cytological diagnosis was “atypical” or the cytological diagnosis suggested “inadequate.” “Neoplastic” were also prone to false‐negative cytology. The diagnostic accordance rate of cytological subtyping was 90.3% for squamous‐cell carcinoma, 99.2% for adenocarcinoma, and 98.1% for small‐cell carcinoma before immunohistochemical examination, and became 85.9%, 98.5%, and 98.2% after immunohistochemical examination, respectively.

Conclusion

Cytological diagnosis in EBUS‐TBNAs had a good sensitivity and high specificity. The sensitivity and specificity of cytological diagnosis were proved to be higher after the immunohistochemical examination. At the same time, cytology had high accordance rate in subtype diagnosis. False‐negative results occurred more commonly in cases whose cytological diagnosis was “atypical” or the cytological diagnosis suggested “inadequate” or the corresponding histological diagnosis was “Neoplastic.”
Fine‐needle aspiration cytology of Bacille Calmette‐Guerin adenitis: A perplexing distinct clinical entity
Authors: Jain Aleena , Gupta Shruti , Gupta Parikshaa , Rohilla Manish , Gupta Nalini , Srinivasan Radhika , Rajwanshi Arvind , Dey Pranab
Published: September 2020

Background

Bacille Calmette‐Guerin (BCG) adenitis is a common complication of post‐BCG vaccination. Awareness of this lesser known entity in fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is important to prevent misdiagnosis.

Aim

This study described the clinical presentation, cytomorphological features and disease pattern in patients with BCG adenitis.

Materials and methods

We analyzed a series of 15 patients with BCG adenitis seen from July 2017 to July 2019. The detailed clinical and cytomorphology of these cases were studied.

Results

Age of presentation ranged from 3 to 12 months. Male to female ratio was 2.75:1. A total of four children were diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency. Three children had acyanotic heart disease. Most of the children had left axillary lymph node enlargement. Cytomorphology showed the presence of polymorphs (66.7%), histiocytic aggregates (80%) and reactive lymphoid population (60%). Epithelioid granulomas (26.7%) and giant cells (6.7%) were present. The necrotic background was present in all but one case. Ziehl‐Neelsen stain for acid‐fast bacilli was positive in all but two cases.

Conclusion

A high index of clinical suspicion for BCG lymphadenitis should be kept in mind for patients who are recently vaccinated. FNA cytology, combined with clinical correlation, is useful for diagnosis and management.
Geochemical fingerprinting of key lithologies and depositional processes across the upper boundary of the Opalinus Clay (Aalenian, Middle Jurassic, northern Switzerland)
Authors: Lauper Bruno , Deplazes Gaudenz , Vogel Hendrik , Jaeggi David , Wohlwend Stephan , Ariztegui Daniel , Foubert Anneleen
Published: September 2020

The Opalinus Clay is an argillaceous to silty mudstone formation, notable in Switzerland as the selected host rock for deep geological disposal of radioactive waste. Its upper bounding unit (Passwang Formation and eastern equivalents) is composed of successions of mudstone, sandy bioclastic marl and limestone separated by ooidal ironstone beds. The lithostratigraphic transition is diachronous across northern Switzerland and shows high vertical and lateral lithological variability. To constrain this variability into predictive models, and to identify horizons with properties that could potentially influence radionuclide mobility, the sedimentological and diagenetic processes involved in the genesis of this transition have to be investigated. The present study aims at testing the applicability of X‐ray fluorescence chemostratigraphy to characterise the mixed carbonate–siliciclastic units and understand the complex genesis of the lithostratigraphic transition from the Opalinus Clay towards its upper bounding unit. Sediment drill cores from four locations across northern Switzerland (Mont Terri, Riniken, Weiach and Benken) are analysed using high‐resolution X‐ray fluorescence core scanning. Data are compared to petrographic and additional geochemical data sets (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, micro‐X‐ray fluorescence mapping) obtained from powdered samples, thin section analyses and drill core slabs. The results demonstrate that the combination of these rapid and non‐destructive measurements along with multivariate data analysis allows the fast and objective classification of lithofacies along complex sedimentary successions. Moreover, it provides quantitative means for differentiating between prominent depositional and post‐depositional processes. The lithostratigraphic transition has been traced by the use of specific elemental proxies as a discontinuity, and its genesis linked to sediment bypassing.
Bateman's Data: Inconsistent with “Bateman's Principles”
Authors: Hoquet Thierry , Bridges William C. , Gowaty Patricia Adair
Published: September 2020

A.J. Bateman (1948) hypothesized that a metric of sexual selection is in sex differences of intrasexual variance in number of mates (VNM). AJB predicted that (a) males have greater variance in reproductive success (VRS) than females; (b) males have greater VNM than females; and (c) a positive relationship between VNM and VRS is stronger among males. AJB used phenotypically observable mutations in offspring to identify parents and to count subjects' NM and RS. AJB's conclusions matched his predictions, later called “Bateman's Principles.” Empirical challenges to his conclusions guided analyses herein. (a) AJB's analysis pseudo‐replicated sample sizes, violating a sexual selection assumption: That is, individuals must be in the same population to choose and compete. (b) AJB's methods overestimated subjects with no mates while underestimating subjects with one or more. (c) A replication (Gowaty et al., 2012) showed that offspring inheriting nametags from both parents often died before expressing adult phenotypes, proving some of AJB's methods produced biased data. Science historian Thierry Hoquet located AJB's archived, handwritten laboratory notes, photocopied, and transcribed them. We tested each of the 65 unique populations for expected combinations in offspring of parental mutations: 41.5% failed Punnett's tests: Offspring carrying nametags simultaneously from both parents were missing showing estimates of parents' NM and VNM were undercounted. 58.5% of populations met Punnett's expectations providing an unparalleled opportunity to re‐evaluate AJB's predictions. 34 unbiased populations had no sex differences in VRS; 37 had no sex differences in VNM. No sex differences in slopes of RS and NM occurred in any unbiased population. Regressions showed weak, positive, significant associations between VNM and VRS for females and males, contrary to AJB's prediction that the relationship would be positive in males but not in females. AJB's laboratory data are inconsistent with “Bateman's Principles.”
The effects of competition on fitness depend on the sex of both competitors
Authors: Iglesias‐Carrasco Maider , Brookes Samuel , Kruuk Loeske E. B. , Head Megan L.
Published: September 2020

In intraspecific competition, the sex of competing individuals is likely to be important in determining the outcome of competitive interactions and the way exposure to conspecifics during development influences adult fitness traits. Previous studies have explored differences between males and females in their response to intraspecific competition. However, few have tested how the sex of the competitors, or any interactions between focal and competitor sex, influences the nature and intensity of competition. We set up larval seed beetles Callosobruchus maculatus to develop either alone or in the presence of a male or female competitor and measured a suite of traits: development time, emergence weight; male ejaculate mass, copulation duration, and lifespan; and female lifetime fecundity, offspring egg–adult survival, and lifespan. We found effects of competition and competitor sex on the development time and emergence weight of both males and females, and also of an interaction between focal and competitor sex: Females emerged lighter when competing with another female, while males did not. There was little effect of larval competition on male and female adult fitness traits, with the exception of the effect of a female competitor on a focal female's offspring survival rate. Our results highlight the importance of directly measuring the effects of competition on fitness traits, rather than distant proxies for fitness, and suggest that competition with the sex with the greater resource requirements (here females) might play a role in driving trait evolution. We also found that male–male competition during development resulted in shorter copulation times than male–female competition, a result that remained when controlling for the weight of competitors. Although it is difficult to definitively tease apart the effects of social environment and access to resources, this result suggests that something about the sex of competitors other than their size is driving this pattern.
Alternative reproductive tactics are associated with sperm performance in invasive round goby from two different salinity environments
Authors: Green Leon , Niemax Jan , Herrmann Jens‐Peter , Temming Axel , Kvarnemo Charlotta
Published: September 2020

During male–male competition, evolution can favor alternative reproductive tactics. This often results in a dominant morph that holds a resource, such as a nest for egg laying, which competes with a smaller sneaker morph that reproduces by stealing fertilizations. The salinity environment can influence male growth rates, for example, via osmoregulatory costs, which in turn may influence the use of sneaker tactics for small males competing for mating opportunities. Salinity can also affect sperm directly; however, little is known of how salinity influences sneaker tactics through sperm performance. We sampled males of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) from two environments, a freshwater river and a brackish estuary. This fish has two male morphs: nest‐holding dark males and non‐nest‐holding light males. We examined the role of water salinity of 0, 8, and 16 on sperm performance and found that for estuarine males, a salinity of 0 reduced sperm velocity compared to a salinity of 8 and 16. Riverine males had low velocity in all salinities. Sperm viability also decreased by over 30% in 0 salinity, compared to 8 and 16, for fish from both environments. Gobies produce ejaculate contents in specialized glands that could in theory shield sperm in an adverse environment. However, gland contents did not improve sperm performance in our tests. Body mass and age estimates indicate that riverine males invested more in somatic growth compared to estuarine males. Estuarine light morph males had a high enough gonadosomatic index to indicate sneaker tactics. We propose that when sperm performance is low, such as for the riverine males, sneaker tactics are ineffective and will be selected against or phenotypically suppressed. Instead, we interpret the increased investment in somatic growth found in riverine males as a life‐history decision that is advantageous when defending a nest in the next reproductive season.
Thanks for inviting me to the party: Virtual poster sessions as a way to connect in a time of disconnection
Authors: Holt Emily A. , Heim Ashley B. , Tessens Erin , Walker Robert
Published: September 2020

COVID‐19 presented the world with trauma and isolation, but many people, including educators, have offered bright spots of creativity and engagement. As we confronted these issues in our own ecology classroom, we sought solutions to carry‐forward the learning objectives we set for our students in January 2020, yet encourage interaction with the sensitivity that a pandemic requires. In the rapid transition to online course delivery, we opted to retain the original end‐of‐semester poster project in our introductory ecology course. However, we experimented with a new virtual platform where students could disseminate their work and communicate with the community. In this paper, we discuss the Mozilla Hubs virtual reality platform that we used for our event. We also collected qualitative data to share the benefits and challenges of this experience felt by the students, the instructors, and external observers.
Distribution and biogeography of Sanguina snow algae: Fine‐scale sequence analyses reveal previously unknown population structure
Authors: Brown Shawn P. , Tucker Avery E.
Published: September 2020

It has been previously suggested that snow algal species within the genus Sanguina (S. nivaloides and S. aurantia) show no population structure despite being found globally (S. nivaloides) or throughout the Northern Hemisphere (S. aurantia). However, systematic biogeographic research into global distributions is lacking due to few genetic and no genomic resources for these snow algae. Here, using all publicly available and previously unpublished Sanguina sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 region, we investigated whether this purported lack of population structure within Sanguina species is supported by additional evidence. Using a minimum entropy decomposition (MED) approach to examine fine‐scale genetic population structure, we find that these snow algae populations are largely distinct regionally and have some interesting biogeographic structuring. This is in opposition to the currently accepted idea that Sanguina species lack any observable population structure across their vast ranges and highlights the utility of fine‐scale (sub‐OTU) analytical tools to delineate geographic and genetic population structure. This work extends the known range of S. aurantia and emphasizes the need for development of genetic and genomic tools for additional studies on snow algae biogeography.
Coexistence of predators in time: Effects of season and prey availability on species activity within a Mediterranean carnivore guild
Authors: Vilella Marc , Ferrandiz‐Rovira Mariona , Sayol Ferran
Published: September 2020

The degree of coexistence among predators can determine the structure of ecological communities. Niche partitioning is a common strategy applied by species to enhance their coexistence. Diet, habitat, or time use can be responsible for segregation among carnivore species, the latter factor being the least studied in Mediterranean ecosystems. Terrestrial medium‐sized carnivores (i.e., mesocarnivores) carry out important functions in ecosystems, and identifying their interactions is essential for their conservation.

In this study, we explore the activity of a terrestrial mesocarnivore guild in order to determine seasonal differences in daily activity patterns of competitors and prey. We also investigate how the abundance of a common mesocarnivore prey in the region, small mammals, influences the activity of predators.

During a year, camera trap devices (n = 18) were installed in Montseny Natural Park (Catalan Pre‐Coastal Range, North‐East Iberian Peninsula), a region that hosts five mesocarnivore species. Camera trapping detections were used to estimate their daily activity patterns and corresponding overlaps. We also surveyed small mammal plots (n = 5) in order to calculate prey abundance and test its effect on the relative activity of each carnivore species.

Despite all target mesocarnivores are mainly nocturnal, the activity overlap among them varies according to species particularities and season. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) appears as a generalist species in terms of time use, whereas stone marten (Martes foina) and genet (Genetta genetta) show the most similar activity patterns and both of them seem to be positively influenced by small mammal abundance. Overall, the diversity found in the way mesocarnivore species use time could facilitate their coexistence.

Despite activity pattern similarities among carnivore species should not be directly translated to negative interactions, they can have a strong influence in habitat and resource‐limited ecosystems. Therefore, activity overlaps should be taken into account when discussing wildlife management actions.
Estimating response distances of lesser prairie‐chickens to anthropogenic features during long‐distance movements
Authors: Peterson Jacob M. , Earl Julia E. , Fuhlendorf Samuel D. , Elmore R. Dwayne , Haukos David A. , Tanner Ashley M. , Carleton Scott A.
Published: September 2020

Spatially distributed populations often rely on large‐scale processes for long‐term population stability. These processes are driven by individuals moving across the landscape through long‐distance dispersal movements. However, as landscapes are continually altered by anthropogenic development, increased fragmentation and avoidance behavior can affect landscape permeability and limit dispersal. Lesser prairie‐chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) are a species of concern that have lost significant portions (>90%) of their historic distribution in the Southern Great Plains of the United States and are currently being impacted by continued anthropogenic development. Using GPS telemetry locations of 346 lesser prairie‐chickens across their entire geographic distribution, we identified 184 different long‐distance movements that drive population connectivity. We used empirical cumulative distribution functions to create a selection–avoidance–neutral curve and estimated the spatial scale of response to anthropogenic features (i.e., towers and windmills, large transmission and smaller distribution powerlines, oil wells, roads, and fences) during these movements. In addition, we tested for behavioral differences between movement types (e.g., exploratory loops vs. long‐distance movements between home ranges) and for regional differences in response among study areas. We found that during long‐distance movements, lesser prairie‐chickens generally avoided all anthropogenic feature types we tested despite some variation in the reported response distance among study areas. However, they avoided the tallest features (i.e., towers and windmills and transmission powerlines) at much greater distances in comparison with the shorter features in our analysis. Our results show that long‐distance movements are likely affected by responses to functional landscape fragmentation through increased development of anthropogenic features in important connectivity zones. As our estimated response distances during long‐distance movements varied in comparison with previously reported response distances during other behavioral states (e.g., breeding or nesting), using long‐distance or dispersal specific movement data may be more appropriate when asking questions related to connectivity across the landscape.
Molybdenum, phosphorus, and pH do not constrain nitrogen fixation in a tropical forest in the southeastern Amazon
Authors: Wong Michelle Y. , Neill Christopher , Marino Roxanne , Silvério Divino , Howarth Robert W.
Published: September 2020

High rates of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) are commonly reported for tropical forests, but most studies have been conducted in regions that receive substantial inputs of molybdenum (Mo) from atmospheric dust and sea‐salt aerosols. Even in these regions, the low availability of Mo can constrain free‐living BNF catalyzed by heterotrophic bacteria and archaea. We hypothesized that in regions where atmospheric inputs of Mo are low and soils are highly weathered, such as the southeastern Amazon, Mo would constrain BNF. We also hypothesized that the high soil acidity, characteristic of the Amazon Basin, would further constrain Mo availability and therefore soil BNF. We conducted two field experiments across the wet and dry seasons, adding Mo, phosphorus (P), and lime alone and in combination to the forest floor in the southeastern Amazon. We sampled soils and litter immediately, and then weeks and months after the applications, and measured Mo and P availability through resin extractions and BNF with the acetylene reduction assay. The experimental additions of Mo and P increased their availability and the lime increased soil pH. While the combination of Mo and P increased BNF at some time points, BNF rates did not increase strongly or consistently across the study as a whole, suggesting that Mo, P, and soil pH are not the dominant controls over BNF. In a separate short‐term laboratory experiment, BNF did not respond strongly to Mo and P even when labile carbon was added. We postulate that high nitrogen (N) availability in this area of the Amazon, as indicated by the stoichiometry of soils and vegetation and the high nitrate soil stocks, likely suppresses BNF at this site. These patterns may also extend across highly weathered soils with high N availability in other topographically stable regions of the tropics.
Prevalence and factors associated with diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes: A report from a tertiary medical center in Central Pennsylvania
Authors: Bogale Kaleb Tadesse , Hale Daniel E. , Schaefer Eric , Bangalore Krishna Kanthi
Published: September 2020

Objective

To explore the rate and factors associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a single tertiary medical centre in Central Pennsylvania.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of all individuals ≤ 18 years of age who were diagnosed with T1D (N = 350) at the Penn State Hershey Pediatric Diabetes Clinic from January 2017 to December 2019. We report logistic regression models for DKA at diagnosis of T1D for age, gender, race/ethnicity, BMI percentile, health insurance, outcome of any healthcare encounter 30 days prior to T1D diagnosis, HbA1c level, altered mental status at diagnosis, and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and a multivariable logistic regression model including all aforementioned variables.

Results

Of the 350 newly diagnosed children with T1D from 2017 to 2019, 161/350 (46%) presented in DKA. Among patients with DKA, there were 45 (28%) in mild DKA and 116 (72%) in moderate/severe DKA, which represents 13% and 33% of all patients diagnosed with T1D, respectively. Variables associated with increased risk of DKA at presentation of T1D included age (<3 or 9‐13), BMI percentile (<3% or > 97%), no referral during preceding healthcare encounter, HbA1c level and altered mental status. In a multivariable model, age (<3 or 9‐13), no referral during preceding healthcare encounter, HbA1c level and altered mental status were associated with DKA at presentation, whereas gender, race/ethnicity, BMI percentile, health insurance and autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were not.

Discussion

Our study notes an overall higher rate of DKA at diagnosis (46%) compared to the SEARCH study (approximately 30%) but a lower rate compared to a recent study in Colorado children (58%).
Using environmental DNA for biomonitoring of freshwater fish communities: Comparison with established gillnet surveys in a boreal hydroelectric impoundment
Authors: Boivin‐Delisle Damien , Laporte Martin , Burton Frédéric , Dion René , Normandeau Eric , Bernatchez Louis
Published: September 2020

Accurate data characterizing species distribution and abundance are critical for conservation and management of aquatic resources. Inventory methods, such as gillnet surveys, are widely used to estimate distribution and abundance of fish. However, gillnet surveys can be costly in terms of material and human resources, may cause unwanted mortality in the fish communities being studied, and is subject to size and species selection bias. Detecting allochthonous DNA released by species in their environment (i.e., environmental DNA, hereafter eDNA) could be used as a noninvasive and less costly alternative. In this study, we directly compare eDNA metabarcoding and gillnets for monitoring freshwater fish communities in terms of species richness and relative species abundance. Metabarcoding was performed with the 12S Mifish primers. We also used species‐specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the most abundant species, the walleye (Sander vitreus), to compare estimated relative abundance with metabarcoding and gillnet captures. Water sample collection, prior to gillnet assessment, was performed on 17 sites in the hydroelectric impoundment of the Rupert River (James Bay, Canada), comparing two water filtration methods. After controlling for amplification biases and repeatability, we show that fish communities’ complexity is better represented using eDNA metabarcoding than previously recorded gillnet data and that metabarcoding read count correlates with qPCR (r = 0.78, p < .001) in reflecting walleye abundance. Finally, based on partial redundancy analysis, we identified alpha chlorophyll, pH, and dissolved oxygen as environmental variable candidates that may influence differences in fish relative abundance between metabarcoding and gillnets. Altogether, our study demonstrates that the proposed eDNA metabarcoding method can be used as an efficient alternative or complementary technique adapted to the biomonitoring of the fish communities in boreal aquatic ecosystems.
Design studies on IPMSM with radially oriented arc‐shaped hot‐deformed magnet for automotive traction drives
Authors: Kano Yoshiaki , Yabumi Takao
Published: September 2020

This article presents the design studies of a multi‐layer interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) with a radially oriented arc‐shaped hot‐deformed magnet for automotive traction drives. Specifically, by using the IPMSM on a 2010 Prius as a benchmark, we designed an IPM rotor geometry that simultaneously achieves a 20% improvement in both the maximum power and constant output power line with high efficiency while maintaining maximum torque. A prototype of the designed three‐layer IPMSM was manufactured and evaluated. The results of the tests conducted on the prototype are reported and discussed in this article.
Safer Lithium‐Ion Batteries from the Separator Aspect: Development and Future Perspectives
Authors: Liu Zhifang , Jiang Yingjun , Hu Qiaomei , Guo Songtao , Yu Le , Li Qi , Liu Qing , Hu Xianluo
Published: September 2020

With the rapid development of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), safety problems are the great obstacles that restrict large‐scale applications of LIBs, especially for the high‐energy‐density electric vehicle industry. Developing component materials (e.g., cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator) with high thermal stability and intrinsic safety is the ultimate solution to improve the safety of LIBs. Separators are crucial components that do not directly participate in electrochemical reactions during charging/discharging processes, but play a vital role in determining the electrochemical performance and safety of LIBs. In this review, the recent advances on traditional separators modified with ceramic materials and multifunctional separators ranging from the prevention of the thermal runaway to the flame retardant are summarized. The component–structure–performance relationship of separators and their effect on the comprehensive performance of LIBs are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the research challenges and future directions toward the advancement in separators for high‐safety LIBs are also proposed.
Association of rs2070600 in advanced glycosylation end‐product specific receptor with prognosis of heart failure
Authors: Li Shiyang , Hu Dong , Hu Senlin , Sun Yang , Zhang Ying , Li Huihui , Chen Yanghui , Liu Hao , Cui Guanglin , Wang Dao Wen
Published: September 2020

Aims

Our objective was to investigate the association of common variants in the coding region of advanced glycosylation end‐product specific receptor (RAGE) and the prognosis of heart failure (HF).

Methods and results

A total of 3394 HF patients were continuously enrolled from January 2009 to August 2018 with a median follow‐up of 20.4 months. Additionally, 2861 healthy subjects also participated in the study. By sequencing these two groups, we identified a common functional missense variant rs2070600 in the coding region of RAGE, which showed a significant association with the prognosis of HF [hazard ratio = 0.53, 95%, confidence interval (CI) = 0.30–0.94, P = 0.03], but no association with the risk of HF (odds ratio = 0.52, 95%, CI = 0.66–1.04, P = 0.106). A series of functional assays revealed that rs2070600‐A, but not ‐G allele, suppressed the expression of RAGE protein by facilitating the binding of miR‐125a‐3p. Furthermore, the RAGE messenger RNA levels of human peripheral blood lymphocytes were reduced in subjects with the rs2070600‐AA genotype compared with subjects with the rs2070600‐GG or ‐AG genotypes. Additionally, our Western blot results from human heart tissue showed increased RAGE expression in HF samples compared with that in healthy donors.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the common missense variant rs2070600‐A allele is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular death and cardiac transplantation by facilitating the binding of miR‐125a‐3p.
Association of transcatheter direct mitral annuloplasty with acute anatomic, haemodynamic, and clinical outcomes in severe mitral valve regurgitation
Authors: Geyer Martin , Keller Karsten , Sotiriou Efthymios , Tamm Alexander R. , Ruf Tobias F. , Kreidel Felix , Beiras‐Fernandez Andres , Gori Tommaso , Schulz Eberhard , Münzel Thomas , von Bardeleben Ralph Stephan
Published: September 2020

Aims

Several approaches for transcatheter mitral valve repair for functional mitral valve regurgitation are established. Interventional direct annuloplasty is a novel trans‐venous, trans‐septal approach. While feasibility was proven recently, knowledge on its influence on cardiac dimensions, pressures, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes is sparse.

Methods and results

Patients consecutively treated with direct annuloplasty‐only procedures between December 2015 and April 2018 were included in this monocentric analysis. Echocardiographic measurements, biomarker levels, clinical status [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and 6 min walk test] were assessed at baseline, at discharge, and at a 30 day follow‐up. Overall, 18 patients (in mean 77.0 ± 7.4 years, 44.4% women) with initially all high‐grade mitral valve regurgitation (MR) were included in this study. Procedural success rate was high (94.4%) without severe complications. Direct annuloplasty resulted in MR‐reduction (post‐procedural‐MR mild or no/trace: 72.2%) and the proportion of patients with severe dyspnoea (NYHA III/IV) was reduced (88.9% vs. 50%, P = 0.008). Clinical results were associated with a relevant diminution of left atrial volumes (−16.5%, P < 0.001) and cardiac pressures [left atrial pressure (−32.3%, P = 0.019) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP, −15.8%, P = 0.025)]. Patients with lower baseline levels of PAP (P = 0.022) as well as elevated highly sensitive troponin (P = 0.034) were more likely to archive clinical benefit (improvement in NYHA class ≥1 grade) after 1 month, which could not be correlated with the grade of MR‐reduction.

Conclusions

Transcatheter mitral valve repair by direct annuloplasty results in a relevant reduction of intracardiac pressures, left atrial volumes, dyspnoea, and MR. Lower PAP and higher troponin values at baseline could be associated to dyspnoea reduction.
Assessment of major mental disorders in a German peripartum cardiomyopathy cohort
Authors: Pfeffer Tobias J. , Herrmann Julian , Berliner Dominik , König Tobias , Winter Lotta , Ricke‐Hoch Melanie , Ponimaskin Evgeni , Schuchardt Sven , Thum Thomas , Hilfiker‐Kleiner Denise , Bauersachs Johann , Kahl Kai G.
Published: September 2020

Aims

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a heart disease affecting women during the last month of pregnancy or in the first months after delivery. The impact of the disease on mental health is largely unknown.

Methods and results

Major mental disorders were assessed by a structured clinical interview in 40 patients with a confirmed PPCM diagnosis, and the data were compared with published prevalence in postpartum women. Circulating biomarkers associated with mental health, such as kynurenine, serotonin, and microRNA (miR)‐30e, were evaluated in PPCM and compared with matched healthy pregnancy‐matched postpartum controls (PP‐Ctrl). Major mental disorders were diagnosed in 65% (26/40) of the PPCM cohort. The prevalence for major depressive disorders was 4‐fold, for post‐traumatic stress disorder 14‐fold, and for panic disorder 6‐fold higher in PPCM patients compared with postpartum women without a PPCM diagnosis. Compared with PP‐Ctrl, PPCM patients displayed elevated levels of serum kynurenine (P < 0.01), reduced levels of serum serotonin (P < 0.05), and elevated levels of plasma miR‐30e (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The majority of PPCM patients in the present cohort displayed mental disorders with a higher prevalence of major depressive disorders, post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTBS), and panic disorder, compared with postpartum women without a PPCM diagnosis. This higher prevalence was associated with an impaired tryptophan metabolism and elevated levels of the depression‐associated miR‐30e, suggesting a potential predisposition for mental disorders at the time of PPCM diagnosis. Consequently, physicians should be aware of the increased risk for mental disorders in PPCM patients, and psychiatric assessment should be included in the diagnosis and management of PPCM patients.
Facile Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide‐Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite as Sensitive Probe for in‐vitro Determination of Nitrofurantoin in Biological Fluids
Authors: Kummari Shekher , Sunil Kumar V. , Vengatajalabathy Gobi K.
Published: September 2020

In this work, electrochemically reduced graphene oxide‐carbon nanotube (multi‐walled) nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (ErGO‐CNT/GCE) has been investigated for direct electrochemical determination of nitrofurantoin (NFT), which is the prime drug used in the treatment of urinary tract infection. Surface of ErGO‐CNT/GCE has shown leafy flake‐like layers on the nanowire bed of CNTs, promising porous surface structure with enhanced surface area. ErGO‐CNT/GCE showed high peak current along with low overpotential in sensing NFT. In differential pulse voltammetry studies, the low detection limit is 20 nM. Steady state current ‐ time analyses carried out in buffer and serum samples resulted a low‐detection‐limit of 1.87 nM with the analysis time of mere 5 s. Practical application of the fabricated sensor for NFT determination in serum samples has been demonstrated.
Photoelectrochemistry of Poly‐3‐hexylthiophene and Stannum Chromium Bimetallic Nanoparticle Heterojunction Blend
Authors: Raleie Naledi , Suru John‐Denk Vivian , Wonderboy Hlongwa Ntuthuko , Douman Samantha Fiona , Iwuoha Emmanuel I.
Published: September 2020

In the design and fabrication of photovoltaic cells, acceptors are as important as donors. Quite a large variety of donors exist while most common acceptors are fullerene based and these acceptors are limited in properties. Herein we report the design, optoelectronic and photoelectrochemical properties of three new stannum‐based bimetallic nanoparticles (SnTi, SnV and SnCr) combined with poly(3‐hexylthiophene)(P3HT) as electron donor material in the fabrication of bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells. SnCr nanoparticles displayed excellent electrocatalytic and photoelectronic properties. Solar cell device constructed with P3HT as donor and SnCr as acceptor achieved an open circuit voltage ca. 1 V and efficiency 1.46 %.
Genotoxicity as a toxicologically relevant endpoint to inform risk assessment: A case study with ethylene oxide
Authors: Gollapudi Bala Bhaskar , Su Steave , Li Abby A. , Johnson George E. , Reiss Richard , Albertini Richard J.
Published: September 2020

The purpose of the present investigation is to analyze the in vivo genotoxicity dose–response data of ethylene oxide (EO) and the applicability of the derived point‐of‐departure (PoD) values when estimating permitted daily exposure (PDE) values. A total of 40 data sets were identified from the literature, and benchmark dose analyses were conducted using PROAST software to identify a PoD value. Studies employing the inhalation route of exposure and assessing gene or chromosomal mutations and chromosomal damage in various tissues were considered the most relevant for assessing risk from EO, since these effects are likely to contribute to adverse health consequences in exposed individuals. The PoD estimates were screened for precision and the values were divided by data‐derived adjustment factors. For gene mutations, the lowest PDE was 285 parts per trillion (ppt) based on the induction of lacI mutations in the testes of mice following 48 weeks of exposure to EO. The corresponding lowest PDE value for chromosomal mutations was 1,175 ppt for heritable translocations in mice following 8.5 weeks of EO exposure. The lowest PDE for chromosomal aberrations was 238 ppt in the mouse peripheral blood lymphocytes following 48 weeks of inhalation exposure. The diverse dose–response data for EO‐induced genotoxicity enabled the derivation of PoDs for various endpoints, tissues, and species and identified 238 ppt as the lowest PDE in this retrospective analysis.
New Insights of Zn2+/Li+ Hybrid Aqueous Batteries
Authors: Mainar Aroa R. , Iruin Elena , Blázquez Jose Alberto
Published: September 2020

The integration of energy storage systems into intermittent renewable energy sources in power grids ensures the continuity of the energy supply in a balanced and efficient way. Novel rechargeable zinc ion and zinc hybrid aqueous technologies constitute paradigmatic examples of promising alternative energy storage systems for large‐scale applications, due to their intrinsic low cost, environmental friendliness, safety, high power density, and ease of operation. This work evaluates the performance improvement of zinc/LiFePO4 and zinc/LiMn2O4 batteries through the incorporation of an alternative chloride‐based electrolyte formulation inspired in Leclanché battery technology and also, in recently reported secondary zinc–air batteries. The use of this alternative electrolyte shows an increased working voltage and improves capacity retention for both zinc/LiFePO4 and zinc/LiMn2O4 batteries. This work analyses for the first time the specific energy of zinc‐based hybrid aqueous batteries in a functional cell, by means of the incorporation of light zinc anode and Li+‐based cathode which comprises superior active material loading. This approach demonstrates the feasibility of reversible zinc‐based hybrid aqueous batteries with more than 90 W h kg−1Active materials as to 13 W h kg−1Active materials of the baseline technology.
Strong‐motion duration and response scaling of yielding and degrading eccentric structures
Authors: Málaga‐Chuquitaype Christian
Published: September 2020

Plan irregular structures, whose complex response represents a generalisation of the simpler de‐coupled motion ascribed to symmetric buildings, make up a large proportion of the failures during major earthquakes. This paper examines the seismic response scaling of degrading and no‐degrading eccentric structures subjected to bidirectional earthquake action and its relationship with the duration of the ground motion by means of dimensional and orientational analyses. Structures with reflectionally symmetric stiffness distribution and mass eccentricity subjected to orthogonal pairs of ideal pulses are considered as the fundamental case. The application of Vaschy–Buckingham's‐theorem reduces the number of variables governing the peak orthogonal displacements leading to the emergence of remarkable order in the structural response. If orientationally consistent dimensionless parameters are selected, the response becomes self‐similar. By contrast, when degradation is introduced, peak inelastic displacements are dramatically affected and the self‐similarity in the response is lost immediately after the onset of inelastic deformations. Conversely, if the uniform duration, instead of the period, of the strong motion is adopted as a timescale, a practically self‐similar response is observed. This offers unequivocal proof of the fundamental role played by the ground‐motion duration in defining the peak displacement response of degrading structures even at small inelastic demands, although its importance increases with increasing deformation levels. Finally, the existence of complete similarities, or similarities of the first kind, are explored and the practical implications of these findings are briefly outlined in the context of real pulse‐like ground motions with varying degrees of coherency.
Psychotropic medication use in treatment‐seeking youth with eating disorders
Authors: Gorrell Sasha , Lebow Jocelyn , Kinasz Kathryn , Mitchell James E. , Goldschmidt Andrea B. , Le Grange Daniel , Accurso Erin C.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Psychotropic medication use in youth with eating disorders (EDs) is poorly understood despite high co‐occurrence of psychiatric disorders. This study examined characteristics associated with medication use in treatment‐seeking youth with EDs.

Method

Youth up to age 18 reported on medication use when presenting to an academic medical center outpatient ED service in the United States. Data presented were collected between 1998–2015.

Results

The sample (N = 604) was predominantly female (90.6%) with a mean age of 15.3 years (SD = 2.3). Approximately one‐third (30%, n = 173) were taking psychotropic medications (40%, n = 70, were taking multiple medications). Antidepressant use was most common (26%, n = 152), followed by atypical antipsychotics (8%, n = 43). Adjusting for co‐occurring psychiatric disorders, non‐Hispanic Whites who had received prior treatment (psychotherapy, hospitalization) were significantly more likely to be using medication. Longer illness duration and prior treatment were associated with greater antidepressant use. For atypical antipsychotics, prior hospitalization was associated with greater use.

Conclusions

Findings confirm moderate psychotropic medication use among young patients with EDs despite a lack of clarity regarding optimally effective pharmacologic interventions in this population. Pharmacological trials examining the efficacy of medications for young patients with EDs are warranted to inform future prescribing practice.