bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the presence of doubly phosphorylated α‐synuclein at tyrosine 125 and serine 129 in idiopathic Lewy body diseases
Authors: Fayyad Muneera , Erskine Daniel , Majbour Nour K. , Vaikath Nishant N. , Ghanem Simona S. , Sudhakaran Indulekha P. , Abdesselem Houari , Lamprokostopoulou Agaristi , Vekrellis Kostas , Morris Christopher M. , Attems Johannes , El‐Agnaf Omar M. A.
Published: April 2020

Aggregation of the protein α‐synuclein (α‐syn) into insoluble intracellular assemblies termed Lewy bodies (LBs) is thought to be a critical pathogenic event in LB diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia with LBs. In LB diseases, the majority of α‐syn is phosphorylated at serine 129 (pS129), suggesting that this is an important disease‐related post‐translational modification (PTM). However, PTMs do not typically occur in isolation and phosphorylation at the proximal tyrosine 125 (pY125) residue has received considerable attention and has been inconsistently reported to be present in LBs. Furthermore, the proximity of Y125 to S129 means that some pS129 antibodies may have epitopes that include Y125, in which case phosphorylation of Y125 will impede recognition of α‐syn. This would potentially lead to underestimating LB pathology burdens if pY125 occurs alongside pS129. To address the apparent controversy in the literature regarding the detection of pY125, we investigated its presence in the LB pathology. We generated pS129 antibodies whose epitope includes or does not include Y125 and compared the extent of α‐syn pathology recognized in mouse models of α‐synucleinopathies, human brain tissue lysates and fixed post‐mortem brain tissues. Our study demonstrated no difference in α‐syn pathology recognized between pS129 antibodies, irrespective of whether Y125 was part of the epitope or not. Furthermore, evaluation with pY125 antibodies whose epitope does not include S129 demonstrated no labeling of LB pathology. This study reconciles disparate results in the literature and demonstrates pY125 is not a key component of LB pathology in murine models or human tissues in idiopathic LB diseases.
Boosting the IL-22 response using flagellin prevents bacterial infection in cigarette smoke-exposed mice
Authors: Koné B , Pérez-Cruz M , Porte R , Hennegrave F , Carnoy C , Gosset P , Trottein F , Sirard J-C , Pichavant M , Gosset P
Published: April 2020

The progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung inflammatory disease being the fourth cause of death worldwide, is marked by acute exacerbations. These episodes are mainly caused by bacterial infections, frequently due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. This susceptibility to infection involves a defect in interleukin (IL)-22, which plays a pivotal role in mucosal defense mechanism. Administration of flagellin, a Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR-5) agonist, can protect mice and primates against respiratory infections in a non-pathological background. We hypothesized that TLR-5-mediated stimulation of innate immunity might improve the development of bacteria-induced exacerbations in a COPD context. Mice chronically exposed to cigarette smoke (CS), mimicking COPD symptoms, are infected with S. pneumoniae, and treated in a preventive and a delayed manner with flagellin. Both treatments induced a lower bacterial load in the lungs and blood, and strongly reduced the inflammation and lung lesions associated with the infection. This protection implicated an enhanced production of IL-22 and involved the recirculation of soluble factors secreted by spleen cells. This is also associated with higher levels of the S100A8 anti-microbial peptide in the lung. Furthermore, human mononuclear cells from non-smokers were able to respond to recombinant flagellin by increasing IL-22 production while active smoker cells do not, a defect associated with an altered IL-23 production. This study shows that stimulation of innate immunity by a TLR-5 ligand reduces CS-induced susceptibility to bacterial infection in mice, and should be considered in therapeutic strategies against COPD exacerbations.
Characterizing the landscape of movement to identify critical wildlife habitat and corridors
Authors: Bastille‐Rousseau Guillaume , Wittemyer George
Published: April 2020

Landscape planning that ensures the ecological integrity of ecosystems is critical in the face of rapid human‐driven habitat conversion and development pressure. Wildlife tracking data provide unique and valuable information on animal distribution and location‐specific behaviors that can serve to increase the efficacy of such planning. Given the spatiotemporal complexity inherent to animal movements, the interaction between movement behavior and a location is often oversimplified in commonly applied analyses of tracking data. We analyzed GPS‐tracking‐derived metrics of intensity of use, structural properties (based on network theory), and properties of the movement path (speed and directionality) with machine learning to define homogeneous spatial movement types. We applied our approach to a long‐term tracking data set of over 130 African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in an area under pressure from infrastructure development. We identified 5 unique location‐specific movement categories displayed by elephants, generally defined as high, medium, and low use intensity, and 2 types of connectivity corridors associated with fast and slow movements. High‐use and slow‐movement corridors were associated with similar landscape characteristics associated with productive areas near water, whereas low‐use and fast corridors were characterized by areas of low productivity farther from water. By combining information on intensity of use, properties of movement paths, and structural aspects of movement across the landscape, our approach provides an explicit definition of the functional role of areas for movement across the landscape that we term themovescape. This combined, high‐resolution information regarding wildlife space use offers mechanistic information that can improve landscape planning.
UNPREPARED FOR FINANCIAL SHOCKS: EMERGENCY SAVINGS AND CREDIT CARD DEBT
Authors: Stavins Joanna
Published: April 2020

We measure readiness to face emergency expenses using data from a representative survey of U.S. consumers. Our main findings are as follows: (1) there is substantial heterogeneity in financial readiness, with lowest‐income, least‐educated, unemployed, and Black consumers most likely to have $0 saved for emergency expenses; (2) the amount of emergency savings is correlated with payment choice: Less financially prepared individuals use cash more and credit cards less, compared to those with higher emergency savings; (3) while people with low emergency savings rely more on cash than credit cards, they revolve more debt, and so a financial shock is costlier for them; (4) changes in income from one year to the next do not appear to affect the likelihood of revolving on credit cards or increase the amount borrowed, although the data were collected before the COVID‐19 pandemic. For those with little or no savings and already financially vulnerable, even a temporary financial shock—an unexpected negative income shock (such as a layoff or a short‐term government shutdown) or an unexpected expenditure (such as a medical expense or a car repair)—could have severe financial consequences, exacerbated by the high cost of borrowing on credit cards. (JEL D12, D14, D15, E21)
DOES INITIAL ACCESS TO BANK LOANS PREDICT START‐UPS' FUTURE DEFAULT PROBABILITY? EVIDENCE FROM ITALY
Authors: Castaldo Angelo , De Luca Giuliana , Barile Berardino
Published: April 2020

In Europe, several countries have established public loan guarantee funds throughout direct/indirect loan programs to facilitate the access of SMEs and start‐ups to bank credit. This paper investigates whether start‐ups' level of access to bank loans during the early stage represents an imprinting factor with effects on the likelihood of survival once the firm reaches maturity. We rely on a firm‐level longitudinal data set of 49,111 Italian startups born from 2003 to 2005. Implementing a 2SLS regression analysis we show that the initial level of start‐up bank debt negatively influences the probability of default controlling for firm characteristics and performance. (JEL G21, M20, H32)
Coloring and size influence preferences for imaginary animals, and can predict actual donations to species‐specific conservation charities
Authors: Curtin Polly , Papworth Sarah
Published: April 2020

As conservation has limited funds, numerous studies have identified aesthetic characteristics of successful flagship species which generate donations and conservation. However, prior information about species can also impact human preferences, and may covary with animal appearance, leading to different conclusions about which species will be most effective. To separate these two factors, we use images of imaginary animals as a novel paradigm to investigate preferences for animal appearance in conservation donors. Using discrete choice experiments, we show that potential conservation donors prefer larger imaginary animals which are multicolored and cooler toned. We found no effect of eye position or fur, which we used as a proxy for mammalian species. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these preferences can predict the number of donations received by species‐specific conservation charities. These results suggest coloring, and particularly number of colors, is an overlooked aspect of animal appeal, and an important aesthetic characteristic for identifying future flagship species.
The impact of subclinical congestion on the outcome of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Adlbrecht Christopher , Piringer Felix , Resar Jon , Watzal Victoria , Andreas Martin , Strouhal Andreas , Hasan Waseem , Geisler Daniela , Weiss Gabriel , Grabenwöger Martin , Delle‐Karth Georg , Mach Markus
Published: April 2020

Background

We investigated the impact of an elevated plasma volume status (PVS) in patients undergoing TAVI on early clinical safety and mortality and assessed the prognostic utility of PVS for outcome prediction.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively calculated the PVS in 652 patients undergoing TAVI between 2009 and 2018 at two centres. They were then categorized into two groups depending on their preoperative PVS (PVS ≤−4; n = 257 vs PVS>−4; n = 379). Relative PVS was derived by subtracting calculated ideal (iPVS = c × weight) from actual plasma volume (aPVS = (1 − haematocrit) × (a + (b × weight in kg)).

Results

The need for renal replacement therapy (1 (0.4%) vs 17 (4.5%); P = .001), re‐operation for noncardiac reasons (9 (3.5%) vs 32 (8.4%); P = .003), re‐operation for bleeding (9 (3.5%) vs 27 (7.1%); P = .037) and major bleeding (14 (5.4%) vs 37 (9.8%); P = .033) were significantly higher in patients with a PVS>−4. The composite 30‐day early safety endpoint (234 (91.1%) vs 314 (82.8%); P = .002) confirms that an increased preoperative PVS is associated with a worse overall outcome after TAVI.

Conclusions

An elevated PVS (>−4) as a marker for congestion is associated with significantly worse outcome after TAVI and therefore should be incorporated in preprocedural risk stratification.
Obesity and Alzheimer’s disease: Molecular bases
Authors: Picone Pasquale , Di Carlo Marta , Nuzzo Domenico
Published: April 2020

Obesity is a complex, chronic, and multifactorial condition characterized by abnormal fat accumulation in tissues and organs and inducing negative effects on human health. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disease, associated with amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The correlation between obesity and Alzheimer's disease has been discovered, but the molecules and molecular mechanisms linking these conditions are not yet fully elucidated. In this review, we focused on the most important processes linking the fat accumulation and the alterations of the brain structure and functions.
Patients with breakthrough tick‐borne encephalitis suffer a more severe clinical course and display extensive magnetic resonance imaging changes
Authors: Wagner J. N. , Sonnberger M. , Troescher A. , Krehan I. , Hauser A. , Panholzer J. , von Oertzen T. J.
Published: April 2020

Background and purpose

Tick‐borne encephalitis (TBE) is a common viral disease in central Europe and Asia. Severe or even lethal neurological symptoms may ensue. With limited therapeutic options, active vaccination against the TBE virus (TBEV) is strongly recommended in endemic areas. A systematic analysis of the clinical picture and cerebral imaging findings associated with TBE was conducted with particular focus on patients who acquired TBE despite previous vaccination.

Methods

A cohort of 52 patients with serologically proven TBE treated at our centre in a 10‐year period who received at least one cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was retrospectively described. Extension of MRI changes was systematically assessed by an experienced neuroradiologist. Standard statistical procedures were performed.

Results

Fifty‐two patients with a definite serological diagnosis of TBE were included. The most common presentation was encephalitis (67%). MRI showed TBE‐associated parenchymal lesions in 33% of all patients. Sites of predilection included the periaqueductal grey, the thalamus and the brainstem. Ten patients had received at least one prior active or passive TBEV immunization. All of these had a maximal Rankin Scale score of at least 4. The median number of affected anatomical regions on MRI was significantly higher than in the non‐vaccinated cohort.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study systematically describing the peculiarities of MRI in patients vaccinated against TBE. In addition to a severe clinical course, they exhibit more extensive MRI lesions than a non‐vaccinated cohort. Possible reasons for these findings include incomplete seroconversion, more virulent TBEV strains or antibody‐dependent enhancement.
Behavioural responses to co‐occurring threats of predation and ultraviolet radiation in Daphnia
Authors: Ekvall Mikael T. , Sha Yongcui , Palmér Tobias , Bianco Giuseppe , Bäckman Johan , Åström Kalle , Hansson Lars‐Anders
Published: April 2020

Organisms in the wild are faced with multiple threats and a common response is a change in behaviour. To disentangle responses to several threats, we exposed two differently sized species of the freshwater invertebrate Daphnia to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and predation from either moving pelagic or benthic ambush predators.

Using an advanced nanotechnology‐based method, we tracked the three‐dimensional movements of those mm‐sized animals at the individual level. Each behavioural trial was performed both under conditions resembling night (no UVR) and day (UVR) and we examined patterns of the depth distribution and swimming speed by Daphnia across three treatments: no predator (control); bottom‐dwelling damselfly (Calopteryx sp.); and fish (stickleback, Pungitius pungitius) predators. We also quantified the actual predation rate by the two predators on the two Daphnia species, Daphnia manga and Daphnia pulex.

We show that individual Daphnia are able to identify predators with different feeding habitats, rank multiple and simultaneously occurring risks and respond in accordance with the actual threat; complex responses that are generally associated with larger animals.

In a broader context, our results highlight and quantify how a cocktail of everyday threats is perceived and handled by invertebrates, which advances our understanding of species distribution in space and time, and thereby of population dynamics and ecosystem function in natural ecosystems.
Abundant fungi adapt to broader environmental gradients than rare fungi in agricultural fields
Authors: Jiao Shuo , Lu Yahai
Published: April 2020

Soil communities are intricately linked to ecosystem functioning, and a predictive understanding of how communities assemble in response to environmental change is of great ecological importance. Little is known about the assembly processes governing abundant and rare fungal communities across agro‐ecosystems, particularly with regard to their environmental adaptation. By considering abundant and rare taxa, we tested the environmental thresholds and phylogenetic signals for ecological preferences of fungal communities across complex environmental gradients to reflect their environmental adaptation, and explored the factors influencing their assembly based on the large‐scale soil survey in agricultural fields across eastern China. We found that the abundant taxa exhibited remarkably broader response thresholds and stronger phylogenetic signals for the ecological preferences across environmental gradients compared to the rare taxa. Neutral processes played a key role in shaping the abundant subcommunity compared to the rare subcommunity. Null model analysis revealed that the abundant subcommunity was less clustered phylogenetically and governed primarily by dispersal limitation, while homogeneous selection was the major assembly process in the rare subcommunity. Soil available sulfur was the major factor mediating the balance between stochastic and deterministic processes of both the abundant and rare subcommunities, as indicated by an increase in stochasticity with higher available sulfur concentration. Based on macroecological spatial scale datasets, our study revealed the potential broader environmental adaptation of abundant fungal taxa compared to rare fungal taxa, and identified the factors mediating their distinct community assembly processes in agricultural fields. These results contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the generation and maintenance of fungal diversity in response to global environmental change.
Studying multinational migrations, speaking back to migration theory
Authors: PAUL ANJU MARY , YEOH BRENDA S. A.
Published: April 2020

A growing body of migration scholarship has highlighted the inadequacies of a single‐origin‐single‐destination model for thinking about international migration in our globalizing world. Several terms – onward, stepwise, serial, secondary, triangular, multiple, and transit migration – have been coined to describe these multiple moves within a single migratory lifetime, but the lack of consensus on the terminology to describe these migrations is indicative of the lack of theoretical clarity on this emergent phenomenon. We therefore propose to introduce a new umbrella term, ‘multinational migrations', to capture the varied movements of international migrants across more than one overseas destination with significant time spent in each country. The articles presented here bring together researchers investigating multinational migrations across a range of migrant categories and between various migration hubs. They highlight how individual imaginations, aspirations, capabilities and subjectifications interact with multinational migration infrastructures (in the domains of education, tourism, labour, and citizenship) to lead to the adoption of complex multinational migration trajectories.
A simple and practical workflow for genotyping of CRISPR–Cas9‐based knockout phenotypes using multiplexed amplicon sequencing
Authors: Iida Midori , Suzuki Miyuki , Sakane Yuto , Nishide Hiroyo , Uchiyama Ikuo , Yamamoto Takashi , Suzuki Ken‐ichi T. , Fujii Satoshi
Published: April 2020

Founder animals carrying high proportions of somatic mutation induced by CRISPR–Cas9 enable a rapid and scalable strategy for the functional screening of numerous target genes in vivo. In this functional screening, genotyping using pooled amplicons with next‐generation sequencing is the most suitable approach for large‐scale management of multiple samples and accurate evaluation of the efficiency of Cas9‐induced somatic mutations at target sites. Here, we present a simple workflow for genotyping of multiple CRISPR–Cas9‐based knockout founders by pooled amplicon sequencing. Using custom barcoded primers, pooled amplicons from multiple individuals can be run in a single‐indexed library on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Additionally, a user‐friendly web tool, CLiCKAR, is available to simultaneously perform demultiplexing of pooled sequence data and evaluation of somatic mutation in each phenotype. CLiCKAR provides users with practical reports regarding the positions of insertions/deletions, as well as the frameshift ratio and tables containing mutation sequences, and read counts of each phenotype, with just a few clicks by the implementation of demultiplexing for pooled sample data and calculation of the frameshift ratio. This genotyping workflow can be harnessed to evaluate genotype–phenotype correlations in CRISPR–Cas9‐based loss‐of‐function screening of numerous target genes in various organisms.
Wake‐Up Headache Is Associated With Sleep Bruxism
Authors: Vieira Katia R.M. , Folchini Caroline M. , Heyde Marcelo D.V.D. , Stuginski-Barbosa Juliana , Kowacs Pedro A. , Piovesan Elcio J.
Published: April 2020

Objective

To investigate the relationship between the frequency of sleep bruxism and report of morning headaches, and associations with depression and/or anxiety.

Background

The association between sleep bruxism and headaches in the morning, and between these factors and affective disorders, has been examined in several investigations. Although headache is cited by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders as a symptom associated with sleep bruxism, only a small number of studies have investigated the association between the frequencies of headaches in the morning and bruxism.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional observational study conducted between August 2017 and May 2018 in the municipality of Curitiba, Brazil. It comprised individuals of both sexes, ages between 18 and 65 years, with no restriction of race, skin color, or social group (n = 149). Structured questionnaires were used to survey demographic characteristics, sleep bruxism, depression, and anxiety. Self‐reports and clinical examinations were used together to diagnose probable sleep bruxism and assess the frequency of this condition. The presence or absence of morning headaches and their frequency were evaluated using a self‐report question. It was applied to people with anxiety and/or depression and to free controls of the general population by a trained dentist.

Results

A significant relationship (P ˂ .001 – Chi‐square test) was found between the frequency of sleep bruxism and morning headaches. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were associated with the presence of headache (P ˂ .001 – One way ANOVA), but not with the frequency of sleep bruxism.

Conclusion

The present study confirms the hypothesis of a direct relationship between the frequency of sleep bruxism and the frequency of morning headaches. It also confirmed a linear association between mean depression scores, mean anxiety scores, and morning headaches.
Patterns of Vespa velutina invasion in Portugal using crowdsourced data
Authors: Carvalho JoÃo , Hipólito Dário , Santarém Frederico , Martins Raquel , Gomes Alberto , Carmo Paulo , Rodrigues Rogério , Grosso‐Silva José , Fonseca Carlos
Published: April 2020

The invasive yellow‐legged hornet (Vespa velutina) was first detected in mainland Portugal in September 2011. The lack of information regarding the processes of species spread has hampered the development of adequate measures to mitigate the potential impact of this invasive predator.

Crowdsourced data, i.e., information opportunistically reported by citizens, can facilitate the collection of numerous species occurrence records over large spatial scales, which can be valuable to understand the expansion of invasive species. Here, using validated crowdsourced data on the precise location of 49 013 nests, we: (i) update information regarding V. velutina distribution in Portugal; (ii) estimate the species expansion rate; and (iii) analyse the patterns of nests distribution at national and local scales.

The species is currently distributed over an area of approximately 57 000 km2, which corresponds to 62% of mainland Portugal. We estimated an average rate of 37.4 ± 13.2 km/year for V. velutina expansion. Vespa velutina nests presented an aggregated distribution and nest density at the urban local‐scale was estimated in 5.4 ± 3.3 nests/km2. The observed decrease in the nearest‐neighbour nest distance over the years suggests that the density of nests has not reached its limit.

We advocate that the development of a cheap and rapid method for nest detection and the study of fine‐scale mechanisms leading to V. velutina dispersal are important steps to identify colonisation pathways and plan management approaches aiming to halt species spread and impact in apiaries.
Intrinsic microstructural anisotropy in tape cast ceramics by ice templating
Authors: Heywood Stephen K. , Romanenko Konstantin , Sofie Stephen W. , Codd Sarah L.
Published: April 2020

Ice templating concepts based on tape cast processing technology are capable of creating continuous columnar‐graded pore structures using a wide variety of ceramic oxides with thicknesses from 100 µm up to 1 cm for applications including fuel cells, compositional grading templates, filtration/separation membranes, and catalyst supports. The merging of the tape casting process allows for the preparation of large area flexible green tapes as well as the long‐range alignment of the acicular ice crystals transverse to the cross‐section, yielding an additional degree of microstructure control beyond traditional freeze cast processing. Moreover, optimization of the freeze tape casting processing parameters has proven effective in tailoring porosity in aqueous cast ceramics. Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has revealed inherent microstructural anisotropy in the morphology of pores related to the direction of the cast tape. Due to the ability of MRM to image noninvasively with volume averaging over a range of slice thicknesses, the MRM images provide complementary information to the higher resolution single plane SEM images. Morphological variance as observed at different orientations through the cross‐sections of cast yttria stabilized zirconia is reported.
Continuous ablation improves lesion maturation compared with intermittent ablation strategies
Authors: Rogers Albert J. , Borne Ryan T. , Ho Grant , Sauer William H. , Wang Paul J. , Narayan Sanjiv M. , Zheng Lijun , Nguyen Duy T.
Published: April 2020

Background

Interrupted ablation is increasingly proposed as part of high‐power short‐duration radiofrequency ablation (RFA) strategies and may also result from loss of contact from respiratory patterns or cardiac motion. To study the extent that ablation interruption affects lesions.

Methods

In ex vivo and in vivo experiments, lesion characteristics and tissue temperatures were compared between continuous (group 1) and interrupted (groups 2 and 3) RFA with equal total ablation duration and contact force. Extended duration ablation lesions were also characterized from 1 to 5 minutes.

Results

In the ex vivo study, continuous RFA (group 1) produced larger total lesion volumes compared with each interrupted ablation lesion group (273.8 ± 36.5 vs 205.1 ± 34.2 vs 174.3 ± 32.3 mm3, all P < .001). Peak temperatures for group 1 were higher at 3 and 5 mm than groups 2 and 3. In vivo, continuous ablation resulted in larger lesions, greater lesion depths, and higher tissue temperatures. Longer ablation durations created larger lesion volumes and increased lesion depths. However, after 3 minutes of ablation, the rate of lesion volume, and depth formation decreased.

Conclusions

Continuous RFA delivery resulted in larger and deeper lesions with higher tissue temperatures compared with interrupted ablation. This study may have implications for high‐power short duration ablation strategies, motivates strategies to reduce variations in ablation delivery, and provides an upper limit for ablation duration beyond which power delivery has diminishing returns.
Co‐foundress confinement elicits kinship effects in a naturally sub‐social parasitoid
Authors: Abdi Mohamed Khadar , Lupi Daniela , Hardy Ian C. W.
Published: April 2020

Kinship among interacting individuals is often associated with sociality and also with sex ratio effects. Parasitoids in the bethylid genus Goniozus are sub‐social, with single foundress females exhibiting post‐ovipositional maternal care via short‐term aggressive host and brood defence against conspecific females. Due to local mate competition (LMC) and broods normally being produced by a single foundress, sex ratios are female‐biased. Contests between adult females are, however, not normally fatal, and aggression is reduced when competing females are kin, raising the possibility of multi‐foundress reproduction on some hosts. Here, we screen for further life‐history effects of kinship by varying the numbers and relatedness of foundresses confined together with a host resource and also by varying the size of host. We confined groups of 1–8 Goniozus nephantidis females together with a host for 5+ days. Multi‐foundress groups were either all siblings or all nonsiblings. Our chief expectations included that competition for resources would be more intense among larger foundress groups but diminished by both larger host size and closer foundress relatedness, affecting both foundress mortality and reproductive output. From classical LMC theory, we expected that offspring group sex ratios would be less female‐biased when there were more foundresses, and from extended LMC theory, we expected that sex ratios would be more female‐biased when foundresses were close kin. We found that confinement led to the death of some females (11% overall) but only when host resources were most limiting. Mortality of foundresses was less common when foundresses were siblings. Developmental mortality among offspring was considerably higher in multi‐foundress clutches but was unaffected by foundress relatedness. Groups of sibling foundresses collectively produced similar numbers of offspring to nonsibling groups. There was little advantage for individual females to reproduce in multi‐foundress groups: single foundresses suppressed even the largest hosts presented and had the highest per capita production of adult offspring. Despite single foundress reproduction being the norm, G. nephantidis females in multi‐foundress groups appear to attune sex allocation according to both foundress number and foundress relatedness: broods produced by sibling foundresses had sex ratios similar to broods produced by single foundresses (ca. 11% males), whereas the sex ratios of broods produced by nonsibling females were approximately 20% higher and broadly increased with foundress number. We conclude that relatedness and host size may combine to reduce selection against communal reproduction on hosts and that, unlike other studied parasitoids, G. nephantidis sex ratios conform to predictions of both classical and extended LMC theories.
Sampling to determine density of arthropods in intensively grazed grasslands
Authors: McNeill Mark Richard , van Koten Chikako
Published: April 2020

Arthropod population field studies undertaken to understand the impacts and population dynamics of the target organism rely on sampling methods that provide accurate measurements of population density. Unsuitable methods may underestimate or provide widely variable measures of population density. The suitability of three vacuum sampling methods: a domestic vacuum cleaner, Vortis™, and blower‐vac (G‐vac), plus heat extraction of turves were compared for sampling common species in an intensively grazed irrigated dairy pasture. Each method used a different approach to sampling with the number of samples per method based on protocols that had been used in grasslands. Overall, for adults of the weevil Listronotus bonariensis, no method provided a consistently high mean density, while for adults of the weevil Sitona obsoletus, the vacuum cleaner and turf heat extraction methods gave generally higher mean densities. For predatory beetles and lacewings, heat extraction was the most effective for density measurements, while for ladybirds and spiders, the Vortis™ provided the best estimate of mean density. Increasing pasture dry matter (kg Dm/ha) generally had a significant negative effect on S. obsoletus density but not for L. bonariensis. While no method was consistently superior than another, the vacuum cleaner and heat extraction methods generally provided higher mean densities. The G‐vac generally produced the lowest density estimates, but the sampling protocol meant a larger collection area per unit effort and therefore the probability of detection was higher compared with the three other methods. In conclusion, the study showed that the optimal sampling method depends on the taxa targeted, and more than one method may be required to measure density and diversity of species in both natural and modified grasslands.
Who Counts as Family Later in Life? Following Theoretical Leads
Authors: Connidis Ingrid Arnet
Published: April 2020

A critical, multilevel conceptual framework provides alternative ways of addressing the question, Who counts as family later in life? The conceptual approach incorporates core ideas from life course, critical, and feminist perspectives, as well as the concept of ambivalence. Three meanings of the wordcountare used to address who should be included as family, which family ties are personally meaningful in the second half of life, and which family ties are significant sources of support. The article closes by exploring how to make research count: What are the policy and research implications of variations in who should be counted as family, who counts subjectively, and who can be counted on in mid‐ and later life? The macro–meso–micro framework connects societal and institutional arrangements to individuals and their family ties, emphasizing the need to balance individual and collective responsibility in order to support family relations across the life course.
Functional Competence and Cognition in Individuals With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Dham Pallavi , Bingham Kathleen S. , Bowie Christopher R. , Butters Meryl A. , Fischer Corinne E. , Flint Alastair , Herrmann Nathan , Kumar Sanjeev , Mah Linda , Mulsant Benoit H. , Pollock Bruce G. , Rajji Tarek K. ,   for PACt‐MD Study Group
Published: April 2020

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to characterize functional competence (measure of assistance needed for independence) on Performance Assessment of Self‐Care Skills (PASS) Cognitively Mediated Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (C‐IADL), in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). It aims to determine: (1) the association of functional competence on PASS C‐IADL tasks with neurocognitive test performance in aMCI, (2) its ability to discriminate individuals with aMCI from healthy control (HC) individuals, and (3) its added value in discriminating aMCI from HC individuals when combined with neurocognitive test performance.

DESIGN

Cross‐sectional secondary analysis of baseline data from a cohort of individuals enrolled in a clinical trial (NCT02386670).

SETTING

Five university‐affiliated outpatient clinics in Toronto, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

aMCI (N = 137) and HC (N = 51) participants, all aged 60 years or older.

METHODS

We assessed the relationship between functional competence on three C‐IADL PASS tasks (shopping, bill paying, and checkbook balancing) and neurocognitive tests in 137 participants with aMCI using multiple linear regressions. Additionally, we constructed receiver operating characteristic curves to assess the role of PASS functional competence in discriminating between 137 aMCI and 51 HC participants.

RESULTS

Functional competence on PASS was significantly associated with tests of verbal memory, information processing speed, and executive function. It demonstrated 79% accuracy in discriminating aMCI from HC participants. Combining functional competence on PASS with individual neurocognitive tests significantly increased the discriminant accuracy of individual tests, and neurocognitive test scores combined with functional competence on PASS had the highest discriminant accuracy (94%).

CONCLUSION

Functional competence on PASS is predicted by the underlying cognitive deficits and possibly captures additional element of effort that could improve the diagnostic accuracy of aMCI when combined with neurocognitive tests. Thus, PASS appears to be a promising tool for assessment of functional competence in aMCI in clinical or research settings. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1787‐1795, 2020.
Giant Cerebral Aneurysms: Comparing CTA, MRA, and Digital Subtraction Angiography Assessments
Authors: Wang Xiao , Benson John C. , Jagadeesan Bharathi , McKinney Alexander
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Comprehensive imaging characterization of the morphology and luminal patency of cerebral aneurysms are cornerstones of their successful treatment and subsequent appropriate management. Giant cerebral aneurysms (GCAs), a distinct subgroup of aneurysms, are defined by large size (≥ 25 mm in greatest diameter), complex blood flow dynamics, and a high risk of rupture. The purpose of this study is to explore compare multiple imaging modalities in the assessment of GCAs.

METHODS

This study retrospectively evaluated CT angiography (CTA), 3D time‐of‐flight (TOF) MR angiography (MRA), contrast‐enhanced MRA (CEMRA), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in characterizing GCAs in 21 patients.

RESULTS

Aneurysm size ranged from 26 to 58 mm (mean 31.3 ± 12.2) and 18/21 (85.7%) had intraluminal thrombus. No significant difference was found between the aneurysmal sizes of any two modalities regarding comparisons of CTA, 3D TOFMRA, and CEMRA. However, there were significant differences in the aneurysmal patency visibility grade between CTA versus TOFMRA and CTA versus CEMRA. Moreover, the patent luminal size measured on CTA was significantly larger than DSA.

CONCLUSIONS

CTA, 3D TOFMRA, and CEMRA are equivalent in the delineation of size of GCAs. Nevertheless, 3D TOFMRA and CEMRA seem to be inferior to CTA in demonstrating luminal size/patency, likely because of the signal loss resulting from the presence of intraluminal thrombus and flow turbulence. Moreover, CTA is superior to DSA in determining lumen patency in GCAs, probably due to CTA's multipass‐related luminal enhancement while DSA general fills the lesion via the first pass of enhancement or soon thereafter. In addition, CTA may also better demonstrate intraluminal thrombus, adjacent anatomical structures, and calcified rims.
Melatonin confers cadmium tolerance by modulating critical heavy metal chelators and transporters in radish plants
Authors: Xu Liang , Zhang Fei , Tang Mingjia , Wang Yan , Dong Junhui , Ying Jiali , Chen Yinglong , Hu Bing , Li Cui , Liu Liwang
Published: April 2020

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant that causes health hazard to living organisms. Melatonin (MT) has emerged as a ubiquitous pleiotropic molecule capable of coordinating heavy metal (HM) stresses in plants. However, it remains unclear how melatonin mediates Cd homeostasis and detoxification at transcriptional and/or post‐transcriptional levels in radish. Herein, the activities of five key antioxidant enzymes were increased, while root and shoot Cd contents were dramatically decreased by melatonin. A combined small RNA and transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that 14 differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs) and 966 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were shared between the Cd and Cd + MT conditions. In all, 23 and ten correlated miRNA‐DEG pairs were identified in Con vs. Cd and Con vs. Cd + MT comparisons, respectively. Several DEGs encoding yellow stripe 1‐like (YSL), heavy metal ATPases (HMA), and ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters were involved in Cd transportation and sequestration in radish. Root exposure to Cd2+ induced several specific signaling molecules, which consequently trigger some HM chelators, transporters, and antioxidants to achieve reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and detoxification and eliminate Cd toxicity in radish plants. Notably, transgenic analysis revealed that overexpression of the RsMT1 (Metallothionein 1) gene could enhance Cd tolerance of tobacco plants, indicating that the exogenous melatonin confers Cd tolerance, which might be attributable to melatonin‐mediated upregulation of RsMT1 gene in radish plants. These results could contribute to dissecting the molecular basis governing melatonin‐mediated Cd stress response in plants and pave the way for high‐efficient genetically engineering low‐Cd‐content cultivars in radish breeding programs.
Sensory Processing Sensitivity Moderates the Relationships Between Life Skills and Depressive Tendencies in University Students1
Authors: Yano Kosuke , Kase Takayoshi , Oishi Kazuo
Published: April 2020

University students often experience depressive symptoms, and strengthening of life skills may be beneficial for improving their mental health. Several studies have suggested that life skills effective in reducing depressive tendencies vary by individuals depending on differences in sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). SPS is a genetically determined trait characterized by sensitivity and reactivity to environmental stimuli. This study investigated the relationship between life skills and depressive tendencies based on individual differences in SPS. A total of 868 Japanese university students (mean age = 19.8 years, SD = 1.3 years) completed a questionnaire measuring levels of SPS—decision‐making, interpersonal relationships, effective communication, and emotional coping skills—and depressive tendencies. Hierarchical multiple regression and simple slopes analyses indicated that interpersonal relationship skills were negatively correlated with depression regardless of SPS levels. Furthermore, decision‐making skills were negatively correlated with depressive tendencies only in low‐SPS students. Emotional coping skills were negatively correlated with depressive tendencies in high‐SPS students. These results may help universities incorporate SPS levels when creating life‐skills‐based interventions for students.
Histiocytic sarcoma in miniature schnauzers: 30 cases
Authors: Purzycka K. , Peters L. M. , Elliott J. , Lamb C. R. , Priestnall S. L. , Hardas A. , Johnston C. A. , Rodriguez‐Piza I.
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To summarise the clinical presentation and outcomes in a series of miniature schnauzers diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective review of medical records of miniature schnauzers diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma between 2008 and 2019 at two referral centres in the UK. Signalment, clinical signs at initial presentation, imaging results and clinico‐ and histopathological findings, treatment type and outcome were recorded. Progression‐free survival and overall survival time were calculated.

Results

Thirty dogs were included. Twenty‐four of 29 dogs undergoing imaging of the thorax had lung and/or mediastinal involvement. The median overall survival time for dogs that were not euthanased within 3 days of diagnosis was 117 days (range 10 to 790). Three dogs underwent surgery; 13 received treatment with lomustine as a sole therapy ‐ with partial responses documented on imaging in five of six dogs and 11 of 13 showing clinical improvement.

Clinical Significance

Histiocytic sarcoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis for miniature schnauzers with pulmonary masses. Although responses to treatment were common, they were usually short‐lived because of the aggressive nature of the disease.
Effect of amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid on clinical scores, intestinal microbiome, and amoxicillin‐resistant Escherichia coli in dogs with uncomplicated acute diarrhea
Authors: Werner Melanie , Suchodolski Jan S. , Straubinger Reinhard K. , Wolf Georg , Steiner Jörg M. , Lidbury Jonathan A. , Neuerer Felix , Hartmann Katrin , Unterer Stefan
Published: April 2020

Background

Despite limited evidence of efficacy, antibiotic treatment is still frequently prescribed in dogs with uncomplicated acute diarrhea (AD).

Objective

To assess whether amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid has a clinical benefit, an effect on the fecal microbiome, and the proportion of amoxicillin‐resistant Escherichia coli in dogs with AD.

Animals

Sixteen dogs with AD of <3 days duration.

Methods

Prospective, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded study. Clinical scores were compared between client‐owned dogs randomly assigned to an antibiotic (AG) or a placebo (PG) group. The intestinal microbiome was analyzed using quantitative PCR assays. Amoxicillin‐resistant fecal E. coli were assessed semiquantitatively with microbiological methods.

Results

There was no difference in clinical recovery between treated dogs or controls (CADS index day 10: AG group median: 2 (range: 1‐3; CI [1.4; 2.6]); PG group median: 1.6 (range: 1‐3; CI [1.1; 2.4]); P > .99). All dogs gained normal clinical scores (CADS index ≤3) after 1 to 6 days (median 2 days) after presentation. There was no significant difference in the fecal dysbiosis index (during treatment: AG mean −2.6 (SD 3.0; CI [−5.1; 0.0]); PG mean −0.8 (SD 4.0; CI [−4.2; 2.5]; P > .99) or its bacterial taxa. The proportion of resistant fecal E. coli increased (to median: 100%; range: 35%‐100%) during treatment with amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid and was still increased (median: 10%; range 2%‐67%) 3 weeks after treatment, both of which were significantly higher proportions than in the placebo group for both time points (during treatment AG median 100% versus PG median 0.2% (P < .001); after treatment AG median 10% versus PG median 0.0% (P = .002)).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Our study suggests that treatment with amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid confers no clinical benefit to dogs with AD, but predisposes the development of amoxicillin‐resistant E. coli, which persist for as long as 3 weeks after treatment. These findings support international guideline recommendations that dogs with diarrhea should not be treated with antimicrobials unless there are signs of sepsis.
Urine hemojuvelin in cats with naturally occurring kidney disease
Authors: Jing Hwei , Hsu Wei‐Li , Wu Vin‐Cent , Tsai Han‐Ju , Tsai Shang‐Feng , Tsai Pei‐Shiue Jason , Lai Tai‐Shuan , Lee Ya‐Jane
Published: April 2020

Background

Soluble‐type hemojuvelin in serum and urine has been shown to be a biomarker in humans for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI). No similar research has been conducted on cats.

Objective

Urine hemojuvelin (u‐hemojuvelin) can be used as a clinical indicator for cats with various renal diseases.

Animals

Eighteen healthy cats, 10 cats with AKI, 21 cats with acute‐on‐chronic kidney injury (ACKI), and 45 cats with CKD were enrolled.

Methods

The expression profile of u‐hemojuvelin was assessed by Western blot analysis, whereas the u‐hemojuvelin concentration was measured using an in‐house sandwich ELISA. Each cat's u‐hemojuvelin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UHCR) also was determined.

Results

Significant differences were found in both u‐hemojuvelin concentration and UHCR between the control cats and the other cats (AKI, CKD, ACKI). Both u‐hemojuvelin and UHCR had high areas under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) for diagnoses of AKI (u‐hemojuvelin, 0.885; UHCR, 0.982), CKD (hemojuvelin, 0.869; UHCR, 0.959), and ACKI (hemojuvelin, 0.910; UHCR, 1). Late stage (International Renal Interest Society, IRIS stages 3 and 4) CKD cats had significantly higher u‐hemojuvelin concentration and UHCR than did early stage cats (IRIS stages 1 and 2). Both u‐hemojuvelin and UHCR were significantly correlated with high blood urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine, and plasma phosphate concentrations and with low hematocrit (Hct), red blood cell (RBC) count, and plasma albumin concentration. The UHCR values were also significantly correlated with white blood cell count in blood.

Conclusion

Both u‐hemojuvelin and UHCR potentially can serve as diagnostic indicators for a range of renal diseases in cats.