bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes of energy fluxes in marine animal forests of the Anthropocene: factors shaping the future seascape
Authors: Rossi Sergio , Isla Enrique , Bosch-Belmar Mar , Galli Giovanni , Gori Andrea , Gristina Michele , Ingrosso Gianmarco , Milisenda Giacomo , Piraino Stefano , Rizzo Lucia , Schubert Nadine , Soares Marcelo , Solidoro Cosimo , Thurstan Ruth H , Viladrich Núria , Willis Trevor J , Ziveri Patrizia
Published: July 2019

Climate change is already transforming the seascapes of our oceans by changing the energy availability and the metabolic rates of the organisms. Among the ecosystem-engineering species that structure the seascape, marine animal forests (MAFs) are the most widespread. These habitats, mainly composed of suspension feeding organisms, provide structural complexity to the sea floor, analogous to terrestrial forests. Because primary and secondary productivity is responding to different impacts, in particular to the rapid ongoing environmental changes driven by climate change, this paper presents some directions about what could happen to different MAFs depending on these fast changes. Climate change could modify the resistance or resilience of MAFs, potentially making them more sensitive to impacts from anthropic activities (i.e. fisheries and coastal management), and vice versa, direct impacts may amplify climate change constraints in MAFs. Such changes will have knock-on effects on the energy budgets of active and passive suspension feeding organisms, as well as on their phenology, larval nutritional condition, and population viability. How the future seascape will be shaped by the new energy fluxes is a crucial question that has to be urgently addressed to mitigate and adapt to the diverse impacts on natural systems.
The ‘Chinese Dream’ and the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’: narratives, practices, and sub-state actors
Authors: Loh Dylan M H
Published: July 2019

The ‘Chinese Dream’ (CD) and the ‘Belt Road Initiative’ (BRI) are signature programs of President Xi Jinping. Much of the scholarships on these two projects have concerned itself with either domestic propagandistic effects or external foreign policy impact. These concerns have underpinned the literature’s focus on material expressions of such projects, be it through infrastructural construction in the case of the BRI or propaganda tools in the example of the CD. Yet, an important but understudied element of these two projects is the narratives that they tell and the impact of these narratives. In that regard, this article complements existing studies of the CD and the BRI by reading the projects as grand narratives. Drawing on international practice theory, I trace an explicit link between narratives and practices to demonstrate how narratives activate, anchor, produces and contest political practices of some sub-state actors in China. That is to say narratives: (i) serve as signposts for sub-state actors’ orientations in clarifying what are relevant/irrelevant and appropriate/inappropriate practices; (ii) provide ‘background’ stock of information where actors draw on to legitimize their practices when they speak of the BRI and CD; and (iii) create conditions for both the creation of new practices and contestation of existing ones. I then argue that four narrative-practice processes are seen in the Chinese example: contestation, sustenance, activation, and production.
4-Fluoromethylphenidate: Fatal Intoxication Involving a Previously Unreported Novel Psychoactive Substance in the USA
Authors: Shoff Elisa N , Kahl Joseph H , Hime George W , Coburn Marta , Boland Diane M
Published: July 2019

The (±)-threo-4-fluoromethylphenidate (4F-MPH) is a fluorinated analog of the prescription central nervous system stimulant medication, methylphenidate. This novel psychoactive substance was first detected in drug paraphernalia at the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department Toxicology Laboratory in 2016 but was not detected in a biological specimen until 2018. Limited literature is available on 4F-MPH, with predominate literature being published out of Europe, and no known toxicities reported in the USA. Post-mortem specimens were screened using both gas chromatography mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry (LC–Ion Trap-MSn). In addition, a validated method for the quantification of 4F-MPH was developed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS), with a linear range of 0.01–0.500 mg/L and acceptable validation criteria including precision, bias, carry-over, linearity and endogenous/exogenous interferences. In addition to the detection of 4F-MPH, 3-methoxy-PCP, amphetamine, methamphetamine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, morphine, codeine and tetrahydrocannabinol were also identified in the decedent. A single source of blood was collected (femoral vein) and quantified in all blood tubes used for collection, with concentrations varying from 0.012 to 0.05 mg/L. Additional specimens available for screening included gastric contents and urine. An additional peak having the same targeted ions and transitions as 4F-MPH was identified in both the LC–Ion Trap-MSn screening procedure and the LC–MS-MS quantitative procedure. This peak suggests the presence of a structural isomer, possibly (±)-erythro-4-fluoromethylphenidate, which cannot be confirmed due to there being no available certified reference material. This case report presents the first time that 4F-MPH was detected in a decedent, as well as the first time 4F-MPH has been listed in the official cause of death of a decedent in Florida.
On the Frequency of Voluntary Martyrdom in the Patristic Era
Authors: Vincelette Alan
Published: July 2019

Contemporary scholarship on early Christian martyrdom has tended to accept the position of G. E. M. de Ste. Croix that voluntary martyrdom, or handing oneself over to the authorities prior to being sought out or arrested, was quite common. This view falls apart, however, if we avoid an overly broad definition of voluntary martyrdom, a problem common to Ste. Croix and contemporaries such as Arthur Droge, Paul Middleton, and Candida Moss, who count various political protestors, public edifiers, and comforters and aiders as voluntary martyrs. In fact, if we carefully examine the accounts of martyrdom that took place in the first four centuries, voluntary martyrdom, though not unknown, makes up a small percentage of the whole, around 12 per cent instead of the 50 per cent described by Ste. Croix and others.
Shocks in relativistic viscous accretion flows around Kerr black holes
Authors: Dihingia Indu K , Das Santabrata , Maity Debaprasad , Nandi Anuj
Published: July 2019

We study the relativistic viscous accretion flows around the Kerr black holes. We present the governing equations that describe the steady-state flow motion in full general relativity and solve them in 1.5D to obtain the complete set of global transonic solutions in terms of the flow parameters, namely specific energy (${\mathcal E}$), specific angular momentum (${\mathcal L}$), and viscosity (α). We obtain a new type of accretion solution which was not reported earlier. Further, we show for the first time to the best of our knowledge that viscous accretion solutions may contain shock waves particularly when flow simultaneously passes through both inner critical point (rin) and outer critical point (rout) before entering into the Kerr black holes. We examine the shock properties, namely shock location (rs) and compression ratio (R, the measure of density compression across the shock front) and show that shock can form for a large region of parameter space in ${\cal L}\!-\!{\cal E}$ plane. We study the effect of viscous dissipation on the shock parameter space and find that parameter space shrinks as α is increased. We also calculate the critical viscosity parameter (αcri) beyond which standing shock solutions disappear and examine the correlation between the black hole spin (ak) and αcri. Finally, the relevance of our work is conferred where, using rs and R, we empirically estimate the oscillation frequency of the shock front (νQPO) when it exhibits quasi-periodic (QP) variations. The obtained results indicate that the present formalism seems to be potentially viable to account for the QPO frequency in the range starting from milli-Hz to kilo-Hz as $0.386~{\rm Hz}\le \nu _{\mathrm{ QPO}} (\frac{10\, \mathrm{M}_\odot }{M_{\mathrm{ BH}}}) \le 1312$ Hz for ak = 0.99, where MBH stands for the black hole mass.
The effect of telescope aperture, scattered light and human vision on early measurements of sunspot and group numbers
Authors: Karachik Nina V , Pevtsov Alexei A , Nagovitsyn Yury A
Published: July 2019

Early telescopic observations of sunspots were conducted with instruments of relatively small aperture. These instruments also suffered from a higher level of scattered light, and the human eye served as a ‘detector’. The eye’s ability to resolve small details depends on image contrast, and on average intensity variations smaller than ≈3 per cent contrast relative to background are not detected even if they are resolved by the telescope. Here we study the effect of these three parameters (telescope aperture, scattered light and detection threshold of human vision) on sunspot number, group number and area of sunspots. As an ‘ideal’ dataset, we employ white-light (pseudo-continuum) observations from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory, and we model the appearance of sunspots by degrading the HMI images to corresponding telescope apertures with added scattered light. We discuss the effects of different parameters on sunspot counts and derive functional dependences, which could be used to normalize historical observations of sunspot counts to a common denominator.
Not Quite What You Expected: The Curious Case of Brexit Scrutiny in the Czech Parliament
Authors: Kaniok Petr , Brusenbauch Meislova Monika
Published: July 2019

The aim of the article is to explore how the Czech bicameral parliament has reacted to the process of the United Kingdom's (UK's) withdrawal from the European Union (EU). Drawing upon insights from the theoretical expectations of parliamentary power, the inquiry researches the ways that Czech legislatures have developed in terms of engaging with and influencing the Brexit process. In this regard, the Czech case is exceptionally interesting and worth exploring, since the EU agenda has become a highly politicised issue within the Czech context. The significance of this inquiry has been further highlighted by the high level of party-based Euroscepticism typical of Czech politics as well as the frequent changes that the Czech party system has been undergoing in recent years. Throughout the in-depth analysis of parliamentary scrutiny activities—conceptualised as comprising four aspects: (i) the institutional adjustment; (ii) articulation of priorities; (iii) interactions with the government and (iv) parliamentary party politics—the article considers how these activities compare between both chambers of the Czech Parliament.
The Polls—Trends
Authors: Krause Nicole M , Brossard Dominique , Scheufele Dietram A , Xenos Michael A , Franke Keith
Published: July 2019

Events such as the 2017 “March for Science” have brought greater attention to public attitudes toward science and scientists. Our analyses of recent poll data show that Americans’ confidence in scientists has been high for roughly 40 years (relative to other institutions), and that it is high even for controversial topics such as global warming and nuclear energy. International comparisons show broad similarities with individuals in Germany and the UK, including that trust in scientists can fluctuate depending on who employs them and what topic is under discussion. Finally, more granular analyses in the United States reveal large divides in trust based on geographic location and religious identification (i.e., rural residents exhibit comparatively low trust and the nonreligious comparatively high trust), while the gap between political partisans has been relatively small but has spiked in recent years.
Productive and physiological responses of lactating dairy cows supplemented with phytogenic feed ingredients1
Authors: Rodrigues Rodrigo O , Cooke Reinaldo F , Firmino Franciele C , Moura Mayara K R , Angeli Beatriz F , Ferreira Hingryd A O , Brandão Alice P , Gex-Fabry M , Ostrensky A , Vasconcelos Jose L M
Published: July 2019

This experiment compared milk production, milk composition, and physiological responses in lactating dairy cows supplemented with or without a mixture of condensed tannins, encapsulated cinnamaldehyde, curcumin, capsaicin, and piperine. Thirty-six lactating, multiparous, pregnant ¾ Holstein × ¼ Gir cows were maintained in a single drylot pen with ad libitum access to water and a total-mixed ration and were milked twice daily (d –7 to 84). On d 0, cows were ranked by days in milk (86 ± 3 d), milk yield (27.8 ± 1.0 kg), body weight (BW; 584 ± 10 kg), and body condition score (BCS; 3.04 ± 0.06) and assigned to receive (SUPP; n = 18) or not (CON; n = 18) 30 g/cow daily (as-fed basis) of Actifor Pro (Delacon Biotechnik GmbH; Steyregg, Austria). From d 0 to 84, SUPP cows individually received (as-fed basis) 15 g of Actifor Pro mixed with 85 g of finely ground corn through self-locking headgates before each milking of the day. Each CON cow concurrently received 85 g (as-fed basis) of finely ground corn through self-locking headgates. Throughout the experimental period (d –7 to 84), cows from both treatments were administered 500 mg of sometribove zinc at 14-d intervals and were monitored daily for morbidity, including clinical mastitis. Individual milk production was recorded daily, whereas milk samples were collected weekly for analysis of milk composition. Cow BW, BCS, and blood samples were also collected weekly. Cows receiving SUPP gained more BCS (P = 0.05) and had greater (P = 0.04) milk yield during the experiment compared with CON cows (0.22 vs. 0.07 of BCS, SEM = 0.05; 29.5 vs. 27.9 kg/d, SEM = 0.5). Milk composition did not differ (P ≥ 0.15) between SUPP and CON cows; hence, SUPP cows also had greater (P ≤ 0.02) production of fat-corrected and energy-corrected milk. Incidence of clinical mastitis did not differ (P ≥ 0.49) between SUPP and CON cows. No treatment differences were also detected (P ≥ 0.21) for serum concentrations of glucose and serum urea N. Mean serum haptoglobin concentration during the experiment was greater (P = 0.05) in CON vs. SUPP cows. Cows receiving SUPP had less (P ≤ 0.04) serum cortisol concentrations on d 21 and 42, and greater (P ≤ 0.05) serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I on d 7, 35, and 63 compared with CON cows (treatment × day interactions; P ≤ 0.02). Collectively, supplementing phytogenic feed ingredients improved nutritional status and milk production of lactating ¾ Holstein × ¼ Gir cows.
Cinnamaldehyde Ameliorates High-Glucose–Induced Oxidative Stress and Cardiomyocyte Injury Through Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1
Authors: Wang Dan , Hou Jixin , Yang Yi , Zhou Peng , Liu Sen , Wan Jindong , Wang Peijian
Published: July 2019

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Transient receptor potential ankyrin subtype 1 (TRPA1) has antioxidative property. In this study, we tested whether activation of TRPA1 with cinnamaldehyde protects against high-glucose–induced cardiomyocyte injury. Cinnamaldehyde remarkably decreased high-glucose–induced mitochondrial superoxide overproduction, upregulation of nitrotyrosine, P22phox, and P47phox, and apoptosis in cultured H9C2 cardiomyocytes (P < 0.01), which were abolished by a TRPA1 antagonist HC030031 (P < 0.01). Nrf2 and its induced genes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1), and quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) were slightly increased by high glucose (P < 0.01) and further upregulated by cinnamaldehyde (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Feeding with cinnamaldehyde (0.02%)-containing diet for 12 weeks significantly decreased cardiac nitrotyrosine levels (P < 0.01), fibrosis, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (P < 0.05), while increased expression of antioxidative enzymes (HO-1, GPx-1, NQO-1, and catalase) (P < 0.01) in the myocardial tissue of db/db diabetic mice. These results suggest that cinnamaldehyde protects against high-glucose–induced oxidative damage of cardiomyocytes likely through the TRPA1/Nrf2 pathway.
The grade of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an independent risk factor for gallstone disease
Authors: Kim Young-Kyu , Kwon Oh-Sung , Her Kyu Hee
Published: July 2019

There have been reports linking nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with gallstone disease (GD) owing to shared risk factors. However, there are no reported associations between the different NAFLD grades and GD. This study aimed to determine whether NAFLD grade is an independent risk factor for GD in a Korean population.

This study enrolled 7886 participants who completed a questionnaire and underwent medical examination and ultrasound scanning at the Health Promotion Center of Jeju National University Hospital in Korea, from January 2009 to December 2017. Fatty liver grading and presence of gallstones were investigated using abdominal ultrasound. Body mass index and biochemical parameters were measured, and age, sex, and metabolic syndrome status were collected from medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for GD.

The estimated prevalences of NAFLD and GD were 40.6% and 4.5%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, factors associated with GD were age; NAFLD; presence of metabolic syndrome; and levels of fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoproteins, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed older age and higher NAFLD grade as independent risk factors for GD.

Older age and higher grade of NAFLD were independent risk factors for GD in our cohort. There was a strong correlation between grade of NAFLD on abdominal ultrasonography and GD.
Green tea consumption and risk of breast cancer
Authors: Yu Shibo , Zhu Lizhe , Wang Ke , Yan Yu , He Jianjun , Ren Yu
Published: July 2019

Background:

As the most popular beverage in East Asia, green tea (GT) has various biological activities effects such as anti-mutation, anti-oxidation, and anti-tumor. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether GT consumption could be an effective way to decrease the risk of breast cancer.

Methods:

We had performed a systematic review and updated meta-analysis of published case–control studies to evaluate the association between GT intake and the risk of breast cancer. Searching strategies were performed by the following keywords “Breast cancer,” “breast neoplasm,” and “green tea,” with derivations and different combinations. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and China Biology Medicine disc. Studies published in both English and Chinese were considered for inclusion. Risk of bias was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). All data were analyzed through using Review Manager 5.1 software.

Results:

Fourteen studies fulfilled inclusion criteria for meta-analysis, yielding a total of 14,058 breast cancer patients and 15,043 control subjects. Individuals with the habit of drinking GT were found to have a negative association with the risk of future breast cancer (odds ratio 0.83; 95% confidence interval: 0.72–0.96) despite significant heterogeneity. In subgroup analyses, the negative correlation was still found in studies using registry-based controls, NOS grades ≥6 and the number of cases <500.

Conclusions:

GT consumption may have a decreased incidence of breast cancer despite significant heterogeneity. However, owing to the quality of available studies, more properly designed trials are warranted to clarify the association between GT consumption and breast cancer.
Propofol-induced refractory status epilepticus at remission age in benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes
Authors: Lu Lu , Xiong Weixi , Zhang Yingying , Xiao Yingfeng , Zhou Dong
Published: July 2019

Rationale:

Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is one of the most common forms of childhood epilepsy, which is expected to resolve before 16 years of age, with mild effects on the cognitive or behavioral functions in adulthood. This study aims to report the first propofol-induced refractory status epilepticus (SE) in patients with BECTS after 16 years of age, and to review SE in BECTS or induced by propofol.

Patient concern:

A 16-year-old Chinese girl, who was diagnosed with BECTS at the age of 2 years, developed refractory SE induced by propofol administered during the maintenance stage of general anesthesia during a plastic surgery procedure.

Diagnoses:

Considering her medical history, EEG, and magnetic resonance images, and brain computed tomography, a diagnosis of refractory SE in BECTS was confirmed.

Interventions:

The patient had been seizure-free for 3 years from treatment with 2 anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) valproate acid (VPA) and oxcarbazepine (OXC), and had started monotherapy with OXC for 3 months before the seizure incidence. She had undergone blepharoplasty under local anesthesia prior to receiving general anesthesia. During the maintenance state she developed convulsive SE, which was uncontrolled seizure and lasted for 14 hours. The treatment for which included midazolam, diazepam, propofol, VPA, OXC, and levetiracetam (LEV).

Outcomes:

The prolonged seizure was controlled by diazepam (4 mg/h), propofol (6 mg/kg/h), VPA (2400 mg/d intravenous injection). Subsequently, she was administered VPA (800 mg/d po), OXC (600 mg/d po), and LEV (1000 mg/d po). Finally, on the 17th day she was discharged, and did not have any seizure recurrence and EEG results were normal as noted during the 3-month follow-up.

Lessons:

This was the first report of an SE in BECTS patient past the remission age. This report implied that interventions of sedation or analgesia in a patient after remission age of BECTS might still be at risk of refractory SE and therefore, should be carefully evaluated and monitored during such procedures, especially when an AED medication has been withdrawn or altered.
An immune-related gene signature predicts prognosis of gastric cancer
Authors: Jiang Bitao , Sun Qingsen , Tong Yao , Wang Yuzhuo , Ma Haifen , Xia Xuefei , Zhou Yu , Zhang Xingguo , Gao Feng , Shu Peng
Published: July 2019

Background:

Although the outcome of patients with gastric cancer (GC) has improved significantly with the recent implementation of annual screening programs. Reliable prognostic biomarkers are still needed due to the disease heterogeneity. Increasing pieces of evidence revealed an association between immune signature and GC prognosis. Thus, we aim to build an immune-related signature that can estimate prognosis for GC.

Methods:

For identification of a prognostic immune-related gene signature (IRGS), gene expression profiles and clinical information of patients with GC were collected from 3 public cohorts, divided into training cohort (n = 300) and 2 independent validation cohorts (n = 277 and 433 respectively).

Results:

Within 1811 immune genes, a prognostic IRGS consisting of 16 unique genes was constructed which was significantly associated with survival (hazard ratio [HR], 3.9 [2.78–5.47]; P < 1.0 × 10−22). In the validation cohorts, the IRGS significantly stratified patients into high- vs low-risk groups in terms of prognosis across (HR, 1.84 [1.47–2.30]; P = 6.59 × 10−8) and within subpopulations with stage I&II disease (HR, 1.96 [1.34–2.89]; P = 4.73 × 10−4) and was prognostic in univariate and multivariate analyses. Several biological processes, including TGF-β and EMT signaling pathways, were enriched in the high-risk group. T cells CD4 memory resting and Macrophage M2 were significantly higher in the high-risk risk group compared with the low-risk group.

Conclusion:

In short, we developed a prognostic IRGS for estimating prognosis in GC, including stage I&II disease, providing new insights into the identification of patients with GC with a high risk of mortality.
Characteristics and trends of oral leukoplakia research
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Yu , Wu Lan , Yang Xi , Shi Linjun
Published: July 2019

Background:

Bibliometric analysis highlights the key topics and studies which have shaped the understanding and management of a disease of interest. Here the top-cited articles on oral leukoplakia (OL) were characterized, and research patterns and trends were analyzed.

Methods:

A comprehensive search was performed and identified in the Scopus database up to 22 February 2019 for the 100 most-cited articles on OL.

Results:

The number of citations of the 100 selected articles varied from 116 to 1418, with a mean of 226.7 citations per article. Both Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine and Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology Oral Radiology were journals with the most articles published (n = 10). Both Hong W.K. and Lippman S. were the most frequently contributing authors (n = 9). United States (n = 43) and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (n = 12) was most contributing country and institution, respectively. Systematic reviews/meta-analysis (n = 3) and randomized controlled trial (n = 7) were study designs with high evidence level. It is noteworthy that the majority of high-quality articles were the research of chemopreventive drugs (n = 21) and molecular markers/targets (n = 10), which may indicate a trend of key topics.

Conclusions:

The results of this first citation analysis of the most-cited articles on OL provide a historical perspective on scientific evolution, and suggest further research trends and clinical practice in the field of OL.
Efficacy of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection combined with steroids in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis
Authors: Xie Hui , Guo Jincai , Tan Boyu , Wu Hao
Published: July 2019

Background:

This study was performed to systematically review the efficacy of Salvia miltiorrhiza injection combined with steroids in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis.

Methods:

We searched 9 databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, EBSCO, Embase, The Cochrane Library, WanFang Data, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Scientific Journals Full-text Database (VIP). Randomized controlled trials were collected to study the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis by S miltiorrhiza injection combined with steroids. Each database was searched from inception to November 2018. RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta-analysis.

Results:

In total, 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1190 patients were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared with conventional treatment, S miltiorrhiza injection combined with steroids could significantly increase the maximal mouth opening [mean difference (MD), 0.23; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.16–0.30; P <.0001], decrease the oral mucosal lesion area (MD, −1.35; 95% CI, −2.46 to −0.25; P = .02), improve the subjective symptom burning sensation (MD, −0.77; 95% CI, −1.38 to −0.16; P = .01), and reduce adverse drug reactions (risk ratio, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.14–0.49; P <.0001).

Conclusions:

The results of this meta-analysis from current evidence showed that compared with conventional treatment, S miltiorrhiza injection combined with steroid could significantly improve the maximal mouth opening and the subjective symptom burning sensation as well as decrease the oral mucosal lesion area without increasing adverse effects.
Mediterranean dietary pattern and the risk of prostate cancer
Authors: Cheng Sheng , Zheng Qiming , Ding Guoqing , Li Gonghui
Published: July 2019

Background:

Mediterranean dietary pattern has attracted great attention in terms of its effect on human health. However, whether Mediterranean dietary pattern is an independent protective factor for prostate cancer remains controversial. Our goal was to evaluate this association by conducting a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Methods:

We searched the PubMed and EMBASE database through February 2019 for relevant studies that examined the association between Mediterranean Diet and prostate cancer risk. The combined risk estimates were computed using a DerSimonian random-effects model.

Results:

A total of 10 eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled risk estimates and 95% confidence interval (CI) in relation to Mediterranean diet pattern were 0.95 (95% CI: 0.90 to 1.01) for total prostate cancer, 0.93 (95% CI: 0.75 to 1.14) for advanced prostate cancer, 0.96 (95% CI: 0.81 to 1.14) for localized prostate cancer, and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.76 to 1.11) for fatal prostate cancer. There was no evidence of heterogeneity for total (P = .326, I2 = 12.7%), localized (P = .706, I2 = 0.0%) and fatal prostate cancer (P = .282, I2 = 13.0%), but not for advanced prostate cancer (P = .018, I2 = 63.4%).

Conclusion:

This large meta-analysis of observational studies suggests that Mediterranean dietary pattern has no relationship with prostate cancer risk.
Ultrasound assessment of the anatomic landmarks for spinal anesthesia in elderly patients with hip fracture
Authors: Kim Hyerim , Won Dongwook , Chang Jee-Eun , Lee Jung-Man , Ryu Jung-Hee , Min Seong-Won , Jun Kwanghoon , Row Hyung Sang , Hwang Jin-Young
Published: July 2019

Tuffier line is a common landmark for spinal anesthesia. The 10th rib line has been suggested as a new landmark to predict the intervertebral levels. We evaluated the accuracy of these 2 anatomic landmarks for identifying the L4-L5 intervertebral space using ultrasonography in elderly patients with hip fracture.

Seventy-nine elderly patients scheduled for hip fracture surgery under spinal anesthesia were included. In the lateral decubitus position with the fracture side up, the L4-L5 intervertebral space was identified alternately using Tuffier line, a line drawn between the highest points of both iliac crests, and the 10th rib line. The 10th rib line, an imaginary line that joints the 2 lowest points of the rib cage, passes through the L1-L2 intervertebral space or the body of L2. The L4-L5 intervertebral space was determined by the counting-down method from the 10th rib line. Then, the estimated intervertebral spaces were evaluated using ultrasonography.

The L4-L5 intervertebral space was correctly identified in 47 (59%) patients with Tuffier line and 45 (57%) patients with the 10th rib line (P = .87). The estimation ratio related to the intervertebral levels was not different between the 2 landmarks (P = .40). The wrong identifications of intervertebral level with Tuffier line and the 10th rib line was observed in the following order: L3-L4 intervertebral space: 27% vs 24%, L5-S1 intervertebral space: 9% vs 16%, and L2-L3 intervertebral space: 5% vs 3%, respectively.

Tuffier line and the 10th rib line may be unreliable to estimate the intervertebral space for spinal anesthesia in elderly patients with hip fracture.
Does ‘When’ really feel more certain than ‘If’? Two failures to replicate Ballard and Lewandowsky (2015)
Authors: Sleeth-Keppler David , Lewandowsky Stephan , Ballard Timothy , Myers Teresa A. , Roser-Renouf Connie , Maibach Edward
Published: July 2019

We report on two independent failures to conceptually replicate findings by Ballard & Lewandowsky (Ballard and Lewandowsky 2015
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A
373
, 20140464 (doi:10.1098/rsta.2014.0464)), who showed that certainty in, and concern about, projected public health issues (e.g. impacts of climate change) depend on how uncertain information is presented. Specifically, compared to a projected range of outcomes (e.g. a global rise in temperature between 1.6°C and 2.4°C) by a certain point in time (the year 2065), Ballard & Lewandowsky (Ballard and Lewandowsky 2015
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A
373
, 20140464 (doi:10.1098/rsta.2014.0464)) showed that focusing people on a certain outcome (a global rise in temperature of at least 2°C) by an uncertain time-frame (the years 2054–2083) increases certainty in the outcome, and concern about its implications. Based on two new studies that showed a null effect between the two presentation formats, however, we recommend treating the projection statements featured in these studies as equivalent, and we encourage investigators to find alternative ways to improve on existing formats to communicate uncertain information about future events.
Hydrodynamics of an in-pond raceway system with an aeration plug-flow device for application in aquaculture: an experimental study
Authors: Li Wuhua , Cheng Xiangju , Xie Jun , Wang Zhaoli , Yu Deguang
Published: July 2019

An in-pond raceway system (IPRS) is an effective intensive aquaculture practice for regions with high water consumption and limited land resources. Water flow and dissolved oxygen (DO) are important for sustainable aquaculture. Several innovations have been made in IPRS design and operation to increase water exchange and DO concentration; one of these is the aeration plug-flow device (APFD). The APFD is commonly used in China as the only power source for water recirculation in aquaculture ponds. Understanding of the hydrodynamics of the system is necessary to improve the design of the IPRS with APFD. To this end, we performed experimental studies on a model system. We measured three-dimensional velocity at various locations using an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter. Velocity distribution and turbulence characteristics were assessed, and plug-flow characteristics were analysed. Two patterns of velocity and turbulence in horizontal sections were observed: near the APFD, the water flow was intensively pushed downstream and simultaneously recirculated; farther away, the reflux area gradually decreased and the velocity and turbulence distribution trended towards uniform. Secondary flows occurred in different directions, which improved the diffusion of materials and DO retention. The system is effectively self-circulating, and the plug-flow capability may be scaled up for commercial application.
Destabilization and energy characteristics of coal pillar in roadway driving along gob based on rockburst risk assessment
Authors: Xue Yi , Cao Zhengzheng , Shen Wenlong
Published: July 2019

Roadway driving along adjacent goafs is an effective method to develop the recovery rate of coal resources. However, rock burst triggered by dynamic destabilization of coal pillars poses a serious threat to safe and efficient mining, thereby significantly restricting the sustainable development of coal mines. In this study, from the perspectives of energy accumulation and dissipation, a mathematical model of coal pillars is established and the energy equilibrium relationship of the mechanical system is analysed. The rock burst mechanism of coal pillars in gob-side entry is obtained based on a fold catastrophe mathematical model. Results indicate that the rock burst triggered by the instability is a destabilization phenomenon. If the stiffness factor of the mechanical system is less than 1 and the external force is enough to lead coal pillars to the peak stress point, then rock burst disaster occurs. The engineering analysis and numerical simulation are conducted to study the rock burst in the gob-side entry that occurred in Xin'an coal mine. Stress release caused by mining can reduce the risk of rock burst to a certain extent. The amount of elastic energy released is 6.4512 × 10
7
J, which is close to the observation data and verifies the correctness and rationality of the research method. The research result provides a theoretical basis and technical guidance for rock burst prevention and control in roadway driving along adjacent goafs.
How much does it cost to save a species from extinction? Costs and rewards of conserving the Lear's macaw
Authors: Barbosa Antonio E. A. , Tella José L.
Published: July 2019

Although the limited resources available to save species from extinction necessitate the optimization of conservation actions, little is known about their costs and effectiveness. We developed a costs–rewards framework that integrates information on which sectors of society contribute to funding conservation, how much is contributed, how funds are distributed among conservation targets and how these investments drive not only conservation rewards but also the economic and ecosystem services that benefit society. We applied this framework to the Lear's macaw (
Anodorhynchus leari
), a species discovered in the wild in 1978 with only 60 individuals. Funds invested over the last 25 years reached US$3.66 million. The contribution of governments, non-governmental organizations and private funders varied over time, as did the funding targets. Funds were proportionally invested to mitigate the main causes of mortality, while no funds were devoted to protecting foraging habitats. Conservation rewards were satisfactory, with the cost and time needed to downlist the species from critically endangered to endangered being similar to those invested in other bird species. However, economic rewards (through ecotourism and handicrafts linked to the conservation of the species) were low and require promotion, while ecosystem services provided by Lear's macaws have yet to be quantified.
Functional differences of
BaPDS1
and
BaPDS2
genes in Chinese kale
Authors: Sun Bo , Jiang Min , Liang Sha , Zheng Hao , Chen Qing , Wang Yan , Lin Yuan-xiu , Liu Ze-Jing , Wang Xiao-Rong , Zhang Fen , Tang Hao-Ru
Published: July 2019

This study presents a systematic analysis of the functional differences between two genes that encode phytoene desaturase (PDS) in Chinese kale. The promoter sequences of both
BaPDS1
and
BaPDS2
were amplified and cloned, and their lengths were 2005 bp and 2000 bp, respectively. The mining of
cis
-acting elements in the promoters showed that the two
BaPDS
genes are mainly associated with light and phytohormone responsiveness. Light quality, light intensity and plant hormone treatments were conducted in seedlings of Chinese kale, and the results indicated that the response of the two genes to different factors differed. Among them, BaPDSs collectively respond to the treatment with salicylic acid and abscisic acid. With regard to response differences,
BaPDS1
is sensitive to red and blue light, blue light, and strong light, while
BaPDS2
responds to blue light, weak light, darkness, gibberellin and methyl jasmonate. In addition, both BaPDS1 and BaPDS2 are likely targeted to the chloroplast. Furthermore, single and double mutants of
BaPDSs
were generated via CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Phenotypic analysis showed that the double mutant with edited
PDS1
and
PDS2
was a pure albino, while the single mutants with edited
PDS1
or
PDS2
were partly whitened. In summary,
BaPDS1
and
BaPDS2
genes played different and indispensable roles in Chinese kale, and their functions were partially complementary.
In situ
growing of CoO nanoparticles on g-C
3
N
4
composites with highly improved photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution
Authors: Liu Xuecheng , Zhang Qian , Liang Liwei , Chen Lintao , Wang Yuyou , Tan Xiaoqing , Wen Li , Huang Hongyu
Published: July 2019

CoO/g-C
3
N
4
hybrid catalyst is facilely prepared for application to photocatalytic H
2
evolution from water splitting by the vacuum rotation–evaporation and
in situ
thermal method. The physical and chemical properties of CoO/g-C
3
N
4
are determined by a series of characterization methods. The g-C
3
N
4
with 0.6 wt% Co loading exhibits superior photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity with an H
2
evolution amount of 23.25 mmol g
−1
after 5 h. The obtained 0.6 wt% CoO/g-C
3
N
4
can split water to generate 0.39 mmol g
−1
H
2
without sacrificial agent and noble metal, while the pure g-C
3
N
4
is inactive under the same reaction conditions. The remarkable enhancement of photocatalytic H
2
evolution activity of CoO/g-C
3
N
4
composites is mainly ascribed to the effective separation of electron–hole pairs and charge transfer. The work creates new opportunities for the design of low-cost g-C
3
N
4
-based photocatalysts with high photocatalytic H
2
evolution activity from overall water splitting.
Towards implementing hierarchical porous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Abdelhamid Hani Nasser , El-Zohry Ahmed M. , Cong Jiayan , Thersleff Thomas , Karlsson Martin , Kloo Lars , Zou Xiaodong
Published: July 2019

A one-pot method for encapsulation of dye, which can be applied for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and synthesis of hierarchical porous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8), is reported. The size of the encapsulated dye tunes the mesoporosity and surface area of ZIF-8. The mesopore size, Langmuir surface area and pore volume are 15 nm, 960–1500 m
2
· g
−1
and 0.36–0.61 cm
3
· g
−1
, respectively. After encapsulation into ZIF-8, the dyes show longer emission lifetimes (greater than 4–8-fold) as compared to the corresponding non-encapsulated dyes, due to suppression of aggregation, and torsional motions.
Climate change is predicted to disrupt patterns of local adaptation in wild and cultivated maize
Authors: Aguirre-Liguori Jonás A. , Ramírez-Barahona Santiago , Tiffin Peter , Eguiarte Luis E.
Published: July 2019

Climate change is one of the most important threats to biodiversity and crop sustainability. The impact of climate change is often evaluated on the basis of expected changes in species' geographical distributions. Genomic diversity, local adaptation, and migration are seldom integrated into future species projections. Here, we examine how climate change will impact populations of two wild relatives of maize, the teosintesZea maysssp.mexicanaandZ. maysssp.parviglumis. Despite high levels of genetic diversity within populations and widespread future habitat suitability, we predict that climate change will alter patterns of local adaptation and decrease migration probabilities in more than two-thirds of present-day teosinte populations. These alterations are geographically heterogeneous and suggest that the possible impacts of climate change will vary considerably among populations. The population-specific effects of climate change are also evident in maize landraces, suggesting that climate change may result in maize landraces becoming maladapted to the climates in which they are currently cultivated. The predicted alterations to habitat distribution, migration potential, and patterns of local adaptation in wild and cultivated maize raise a red flag for the future of populations. The heterogeneous nature of predicted populations’ responses underscores that the selective impact of climate change may vary among populations and that this is affected by different processes, including past adaptation.
Revisiting metazoan phylogeny with genomic sampling of all phyla
Authors: Laumer Christopher E. , Fernández Rosa , Lemer Sarah , Combosch David , Kocot Kevin M. , Riesgo Ana , Andrade Sónia C. S. , Sterrer Wolfgang , Sørensen Martin V. , Giribet Gonzalo
Published: July 2019

Proper biological interpretation of a phylogeny can sometimes hinge on the placement of key taxa—or fail when such key taxa are not sampled. In this light, we here present the first attempt to investigate (though not conclusively resolve) animal relationships using genome-scale data from all phyla. Results from the site-heterogeneous CAT + GTR model recapitulate many established major clades, and strongly confirm some recent discoveries, such as a monophyletic Lophophorata, and a sister group relationship between Gnathifera and Chaetognatha, raising continued questions on the nature of the spiralian ancestor. We also explore matrix construction with an eye towards testing specific relationships; this approach uniquely recovers support for Panarthropoda, and shows that Lophotrochozoa (a subclade of Spiralia) can be constructed in strongly conflicting ways using different taxon- and/or orthologue sets. Dayhoff-6 recoding sacrifices information, but can also reveal surprising outcomes, e.g. full support for a clade of Lophophorata and Entoprocta + Cycliophora, a clade of Placozoa + Cnidaria, and raising support for Ctenophora as sister group to the remaining Metazoa, in a manner dependent on the gene and/or taxon sampling of the matrix in question. Future work should test the hypothesis that the few remaining uncertainties in animal phylogeny might reflect violations of the various stationarity assumptions used in contemporary inference methods.
Blood meal analysis of tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes: Glossinidae) reveals higher host fidelity on wild compared with domestic hosts
Authors: Channumsin Manun , Ciosi Marc , Masiga Dan , Auty Harriet , Turner C. Michael , Kilbride Elizabeth , Mable Barbara K.
Published: July 2019

Changes in climate and land use can alter risk of transmission of parasites between domestic hosts and wildlife, particularly when mediated by vectors that can travel between populations. Here we focused on tsetse flies (genusGlossina), the cyclical vectors for both Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) and Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT). The aims of this study were to investigate: 1) the diversity of vertebrate hosts that flies fed on; 2) whether host feeding patterns varied in relation to type of hosts, tsetse feeding behaviour, site or tsetse age and sex; and 3) if there was a relationship between trypanosome detection and host feeding behaviours or host types. Sources of blood meals ofGlossina pallidipeswere identified by sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and analyzed in relationship with previously determined trypanosome detection in the same flies. In an area dominated by wildlife but with seasonal presence of livestock (Nguruman), 98% of tsetse fed on single wild host species, whereas in an area including a mixture of resident domesticated animals, humans and wildlife (Shimba Hills), 52% of flies fed on more than one host species. Multiple Correspondence Analysis revealed strong correlations between feeding pattern, host type and site but these were resolved along a different dimension than trypanosome status, sex and age of the flies. Our results suggest that individualG. pallidipesin interface areas may show higher feeding success on wild hosts when available but often feed on both wild and domesticated hosts. This illustrates the importance ofG. pallidipesas a vector connecting the sylvatic and domestic cycles of African trypanosomes.