bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Channel response to a dam‐removal sediment pulse captured at high‐temporal resolution using routine gage data
Authors: Cashman Matthew J. , Gellis Allen C. , Boyd Eric , Collins Mathias J. , Anderson Scott W. , McFarland Brett D. , Ryan Ashley M.
Published: January 2021

In this study, we captured how a river channel responds to a sediment pulse originating from a dam removal using multiple lines of evidence derived from streamflow gages along the Patapsco River, Maryland, USA. Gages captured characteristics of the sediment pulse, including travel times of its leading edge (~7.8 km yr−1) and peak (~2.6 km yr−1) and suggest both translation and increasing dispersion. The pulse also changed local hydraulics and energy conditions, increasing flow velocities and Froude number, due to bed fining, homogenization and/or slope adjustment. Immediately downstream of the dam, recovery to pre‐pulse conditions occurred within the year, but farther downstream recovery was slower, with the tail of the sediment pulse working through the lower river by the end of the study 7 years later.

The patterns and timing of channel change associated with the sediment pulse were not driven by large flow or suspended sediment‐transporting events, with change mostly occurring during lower flows. This suggests pulse mobility was controlled by process‐factors largely independent of high flow.

In contrast, persistent changes occurred to out‐of‐channel flooding dynamics. Stage associated with flooding increased during the arrival of the sediment pulse, 1 to 2 years after dam removal, suggesting persistent sediment deposition at the channel margins and nearby floodplain. This resulted in National Weather Service‐indicated flood stages being attained by 3–43% smaller discharges compared to earlier in the study period.

This study captured a two‐signal response from the sediment pulse: (1) short‐ to medium‐term (weeks to months) translation and dispersion within the channel, resulting in aggradation and recovery of bed elevations and changing local hydraulics; and (2) dispersion and persistent longer‐term (years) effects of sediment deposition on overbank surfaces. This study further demonstrated the utility of US Geological Survey gage data to quantify geomorphic change, increase temporal resolution, and provide insights into trajectories of change over varying spatial and temporal scales.
Tracking and Assessing Oil Spill Toxicity to Aquatic Organisms: A Novel Approach
Authors: Burton G.A. , Cervi E.C. , Rosen G. , Colvin M. , Chadwick B. , Hayman N. , Allan S.E. , DiPinto L.M. , Adams R. , McPherson M. , Scharberg E.
Published: January 2021

An in situ exposure and effects bioassay system was developed for assessing the toxicity of oil spills to aquatic organisms. The assessment tool combines components of 2 previously developed systems, the sediment ecotoxicity assessment ring (SEA Ring) and the drifting particle simulator. The integrated drifting exposure and effects assessment ring (DEEAR) is comprised of a Global Positioning System (GPS) float, a drifter drogue, the SEA Ring, and the Cyclops-7 fluorescent sensor. Polyethylene passive sampling devices (PED) were mounted for an additional means to characterize water quality conditions and exposures. The DEEAR is optimized for evaluating oil exposure and toxicity in the shallow surface mixing layer of marine waters. A short-term preliminary test was conducted in San Diego, California, USA, to verify the operation of the GPS tracking, the iridium communications, and the integrated SEA Ring exposure system. Further, a proof-of-concept demonstration was conducted offshore in the Santa Barbara Channel, where natural oil seeps produce surface slicks and sheens. Two DEEAR units were deployed for 24 h—one within the oil slick and one in an area outside observable slicks. An aerial drone provided tracking of the surface oil and optimal sites for deployment. The DEEAR proof-of-concept demonstrated integrated real-time tracking and characterization of oil exposures by grab samples, PED, and fluorescent sensors. Oil exposures were directly linked to toxic responses in fish and mysids. This novel integrated system shows promise for use in a variety of aquatic sites to more accurately determine in situ oil exposure and toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1452–1462. © 2021 SETAC
Black Feminist Ethnography and the Racial Politics of Porter Labor in Ghana
Authors: Bowles Laurian R.
Published: January 2021

Black scholars have long been at the forefront of ethnographic accounts of race and racism. Still, ethnicity rather than race is a preferred valence for understanding identity politics in Africa. The marginalization of African and diasporic women's intellectual output on race and gender on the continent contributes to a vision of Africans as perennial subjects and overlooks a rich discourse on global antiblackness and white supremacy. With ethnographic attention to Ghanaian women migrants known as kayayoo/kayayei (head porter[s]), this article draws on the work of Black women scholars – and African feminists in particular—to interrogate the racial politics of gender in Africa. In addition to analyzing the enforcement of class hierarchies, I examine how migrant exclusion at Accra's Makola Market reflects racialized sentiments about rural Ghana that are associated with slavery and colonial sensibilities about modernity. To meet these aims, I draw on somatic praxis of radical listening and haptic experience to demonstrate how affective relationships can productively theorize race and exclusion in Ghana.
Vegetative anatomy and its systematic significance in the Dryadella Luer (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae)
Authors: Imig Daniela Cristina , Junior José Augusto Juski , Mauad Anna Victória Silvério Righetto , Amano Érika , de Camargo Smidt Eric
Published: January 2021

Dryadella comprises 54 neotropical species with a disjunct distribution in the Andean region and the Atlantic Rainforest. This work investigated the vegetative anatomy of 13 species of Dryadella, and Masdevallia infracta selected as an outgroup, to search for distinctive characteristics of the genus, characters to differentiate disjunct Atlantic Rainforest and the Andean groups, and the traditional infrageneric classification, based mainly in vegetative characters. Twenty‐seven anatomical vegetative characters were analysed in light microscopy‐LM and scanning electron microscope‐SEM and evaluated by Cluster and Principal Coordinates Analysis ‐ PCoA. Results from statistical and Cluster analysis exhibited morpho‐anatomical similarity among Dryadella species. PCoA indicated separation between Dryadella ataleiensis and D. pusiola from other species with average support by silhouette analysis. The two most relevant characteristics to distinct clusters were the shape of the ramicaul in cross‐section, and the ornamentation of leaf cuticle in the adaxial surface. Statistical analyses indicated that endemic groups of the Atlantic Rainforest and the Andean region do not present morpho‐anatomical differences, and infrageneric sections are not supported by the characters investigated. This similarity may be related to the recent origin and rapid diversification of species, as shown in previous studies on Pleurothallidinae. Therefore, the morpho‐anatomical characters observed here are stable and may be useful for taxonomy and genus characterisation.
Intracellular ethanol‐mediated oxidation and apoptosis in HepG2/CYP2E1 cells impaired by two active peptides from seahorse (Hippocampus kuda bleeler) protein hydrolysates via the Nrf2/HO‐1 and akt pathways
Authors: Qian Zhong‐Ji , Chen Mei‐Fang , Chen Jiali , Zhang Yi , Zhou Chunxia , Hong Pengzhi , Yang Ping
Published: January 2021

Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda Bleeler) are representative marine species in aquaculture, with special value of medicine and food. In this study, the protective effects of two peptides from seahorse hydrolysates (SHP‐1 and SHP‐2) against ethanol‐mediated oxidative stress in HepG2/CYP2E1 cells were investigated. Firstly, SHP‐1 and SHP‐2 presented no cytotoxicity. Compared with the ethanol‐treated groups, SHP‐1 and SHP‐2 increased cell viability in a concentration‐dependent manner. Secondly, SHP‐1 and SHP‐2 markedly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, gamma‐glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activity, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) levels and remarkably enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) activities. SHP‐1 and SHP‐2 also down‐regulated the expressions of GGT, bax, c‐caspase‐8/‐9/‐3, p‐Akt, p‐IκB‐α, p‐p65, p‐ERK, and p‐p38 but up‐regulated SOD, GSH, NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), and bcl‐2 levels, as revealed by Western blot analysis. Moreover, SHP‐1 and SHP‐2 increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reduced DNA damage, and suppressed the nuclear translocation of p65. These results suggest that two peptides from seahorse hydrolysates can be considered a potential functional biomaterial and further improve the use value of seahorse in aquaculture.
Using artificial neural network in predicting the key fruit quality of loquat
Authors: Huang Xiao , Wang Huakun , Qu Shenchun , Luo Wenjie , Gao Zhihong
Published: January 2021

The formation and regulation of loquat fruit quality have always been an important research field to improve fruit quality, commodities, and market value. Fruit size, soluble solids content, and titratable acid content represent the most important quality factors in loquat. Mineral nutrients in abundance or deficiency are among the most important key factor that affect fruit quality. In the present study, we use artificial neural network (ANN) to explore the effects of mineral nutrients in soil and leaves on the key fruit quality of loquat. The results show that the ANN model with the structure of 12–12–1 can predict the single fruit weight with the highest accuracy (R2 = .91), the ANN model with the structure of 10–11–1 can predict the soluble solid content with the highest accuracy (R2 = .91), and the ANN model with the structure of 9–10–1 can predict the titratable acid content with the highest accuracy (R2 = .95). Meanwhile, we also conduct sensitivity analysis to analyze the relative contribution of mineral nutrients in soils and leaves to determine of the key fruit quality. In terms of relative contribution, Ca, Fe, and Mg content in soils and Zn, K, and Ca content in leaves contribute relatively largely to a single fruit weight, Mn, Fe, and Mg content in soils and the N content in leaves contribute relatively largely to the soluble solid content, and the P, Ca, N, Mg, and Fe in leaves contribute relatively largely to the titratable acid content of loquat. The established artificial neural network prediction models can improve the quality of loquat fruit by optimizing the content of mineral elements in soils and leaves.
Neural correlates of recursive thinking during interpersonal strategic interactions
Authors: Zhen Shanshan , Yu Rongjun
Published: January 2021

To navigate the complex social world, individuals need to represent others' mental states to think strategically and predict their next move. Strategic mentalizing can be classified into different levels of theory of mind according to its order of mental state attribution of other people's beliefs, desires, intentions, and so forth. For example, reasoning people's beliefs about simple world facts is the first‐order attribution while going further to reason people's beliefs about the minds of others is the second‐order attribution. The neural substrates that support such high‐order recursive reasoning in strategic interpersonal interactions are still unclear. Here, using a sequential‐move interactional game together with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we showed that recursive reasoning engaged the frontal‐subcortical regions. At the stimulus stage, the ventral striatum was more activated in high‐order reasoning as compared with low‐order reasoning. At the decision stage, high‐order reasoning activated the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and other mentalizing regions. Moreover, functional connectivity between the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and the insula/hippocampus was positively correlated with individual differences in high‐order social reasoning. This work delineates the neural correlates of high‐order recursive thinking in strategic games and highlights the key role of the interplay between mPFC and subcortical regions in advanced social decision‐making.
A vicious cycle of symbolic tokenism: The gendered effects of external board memberships on chief executive officer compensation
Authors: Malhotra Shavin , Shen Winny , Zhu PengCheng
Published: January 2021

Integrating theoretical perspectives on tokenism and perceived preferential selection, we explore whether the relationship between chief executive officers' (CEOs') external board memberships and CEO compensation is gendered. Based on recent pressures to diversify corporate boards, we theorize that female CEOs' memberships on external boards will result in less monetary compensation relative to male CEOs due to concerns of organizational decision‐makers that female CEOs generally inhabit token or “symbolic” positions of limited value. Additionally, we present competing hypotheses (i.e., mitigation vs. exacerbation) regarding how this devaluation will be affected by female representation on the board of directors and compensation committee, respectively. Using a panel sample of 12,464 firm‐year observations comprising of 1,805 unique firms and 2,782 unique CEOs, the relationship between CEO external board memberships and compensation is indeed weaker for female compared to male CEOs. Furthermore, this devaluation primarily occurred in organizations where there was stronger (vs. weaker) female representation on the board of directors or compensation committee. However, supplemental analyses revealed that this differential devaluation was mitigated when female executives on the board held greater power (i.e., chaired important committees), highlighting the importance of moving beyond mere representation to ensuring influence on boards for female directors.
Mean residence time of lagoons in shallow vegetated floodplains
Authors: Serra Teresa , Font Estel , Soler Marianna , Barcelona Aina , Colomer Jordi
Published: January 2021

Lagoons interspersed within wetlands are expected to increase the residence time of the flow in the system which, in turn, will lead to enhanced pollutant removal thus ensuring a good ecological status of the ecosystem. In this study, lagoons interspersed in vegetated wetlands have been mimicked in the laboratory to develop a theoretical model to establish the impact three major driving parameters (the vegetation density surrounding a lagoon, the depth aspect ratio [length vs. depth] of the lagoon and the circulating flow – through the Reynolds number) have on determining the residence time of the flow in the lagoon. The results indicate that, according to the maximum free available area of the flow, the presence of vegetation (Juncus maritimus) decreases the residence time. In addition, an increase in the Reynolds number of the circulating flow in the wetlands also resulted in a decrease in the lagoon residence time. Nevertheless, lagoon residence times were found to depend on the depth of the lagoon, with deeper lagoons having higher residence times. The length of the lagoon, however, was found not to affect the residence time. High lagoon residence times in either natural or constructed wetlands are desirable because they enhance pollutant removal from the water. Although, if the residence times are too long, this may lead to anoxic water conditions that could in fact threaten the wetland's ecosystem.
Does market power explain margins in dual banking? Evidence from panel quantile regression
Authors: Khattak Mudeer A. , Saiti Buerhan , Khan Shabeer
Published: January 2021

This paper examines whether banks with greater market power have more control over the net interest margin. To this end, we employ panel quantile regression (QR) to a sample of Islamic and conventional banks from 14 dual banking countries during 2005–2018. Our empirical findings show that greater market power in a dual banking system results in a higher net interest margin, which is in line with the mainstream theory of monopolistic competition. After introducing the Islamic interaction dummy in the model, we find that in the case of Islamic banks the result is significant only for higher quantiles of bank margins. This study also has some policy implications, namely that the concentration of market power can be countered by developing a competitive environment among the banks to have competitive bank margins. We further suggest that to get a higher profit margin, Islamic banks need to be more competitive and more efficient while deciding the profit margins.
Maternal and perinatal outcomes of a venous thromboembolism high‐risk cohort using a multidisciplinary treatment approach
Authors: Ernst Daniel M. , Oporto Joaquín I. , Zuñiga Pamela A. , Pereira Jaime I. , Vera Claudio M. , Carvajal Jorge A.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcomes in a cohort of pregnant women at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods

Women at high risk of VTE were evaluated in a multidisciplinary program using a complete diagnostic workup, and specific prophylactic or therapeutic treatment.

Results

Women were considered at high risk of VTE in 57% (85/148) because of prior (75) or current (10) thromboembolism, and in 27% (40/148) of the cases due to adverse obstetric history. Thrombophilia was diagnosed in 57% of the cases (85/148), either in patients with previous thromboembolism (48%, 41/85) or without a history of thrombosis (70%, 44/63). The most common thrombophilia was antiphospholipid syndrome in 34% (29/85) of the cases. Under respective prophylactic or therapeutic treatment, there were no VTE during pregnancy (0%, 0/148), whereas four events occurred during the puerperium (3%, 4/148). An adverse obstetric outcome was present in 5% (7/148) of all pregnancies, with four early spontaneous abortions (3%, 4/148) and three late miscarriages (2%, 3/148).

Conclusion

Pregnant women at high risk of VTE can be effectively managed using a risk‐adapted treatment. Our results support prospective enrollment and a multidisciplinary assessment of VTE in high‐risk pregnant women.
Uterocervical angle versus cervical length in the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in singleton pregnancy
Authors: Khamees Rasha E. , Khattab Basma M. , Elshahat Amal M. , Taha Omima T. , Aboelroose Ahmed A.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To evaluate the predictive role of the uterocervical angle and the cervical length in preterm birth.

Methods

This was cross‐sectional analytical study, recruiting 167 women at high‐risk for preterm birth (delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy). They had transvaginal ultrasound for evaluation of the uterocervical angle and the cervical length between at 30 and 32, 32+1 and 34, and 34+1 and 36+1 weeks of pregnancy. The primary outcome was to determine the predictive role of the uterocervical angle and the cervical length in preterm birth.

Results

The mean uterocervical angle was significantly greater in those who delivered preterm (115.4° ± 9.1° versus 101.1° ± 8.3°, p < 0.001). The cervical length was insignificantly shorter in the same group (27.9 ± 4.0 and 29.1 ± 4.1 mm, respectively, p = 0.067). A uterocervical angle of 105° or more predicted preterm birth with sensitivity and specificity of 86.1% and 60.4%, respectively. A cervical length of 25 mm or less had sensitivity and specificity of 27.8% and 85.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

A uterocervical angle greater than 105° poses a high risk for preterm deliveries. It provides a higher diagnostic performance in high‐risk patients than cervical canal length measurement.
A Double‐Blind Study of Lorazepam versus the Combination of Haloperidol and Lorazepam in Managing Agitation
Authors: Bieniek Sherrie A. , Ownby Raymond L. , Penalver Alberto , Dominguez Roberto A.
Published: January 2021

Study Objective. To compare the utility of intramuscular lorazepam (LZ) with the combination of intramuscular haloperidol (HDL) and LZ to control acutely agitated behavior.

Design. Randomized double‐blind comparison.

Setting. Psychiatric emergency service of a large, university‐affiliated, municipal hospital.

Patients. Twenty subjects treated on the psychiatric emergency service.

Interventions. Patients received an injection of either LZ 2 mg (11 patients) or HDL 5 mg plus LZ 2 mg (9 patients). The Overt Aggression Scale (OAS), visual analog scales reflecting agitation and hostility, and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) severity scale were administered at baseline and 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after the injection.

Measurements and Main Results. Planned data comparisons included categoric assignment of patients as improved, as defined by decreases in outcome measures 60 minutes after the injection, as well as continuous variables up to 180 minutes after the injection. A significantly greater percentage of subjects receiving combined treatment improved on the specific measures 60 minutes after dosing (p<0.05). Kaplan‐Meier survival analyses showed significant between‐group differences in survival curves plotted for the entire study period (p<0.05). Repeated measures analyses of variance studying group differences showed that both groups improved over time, but between‐group differences were not significant. The powers of these analyses were low due to the small sample. No serious adverse effects occurred in either treatment group.

Conclusion. Our results suggest superior efficacy for HDL‐LZ over LZ alone. Categoric tests of improvement at 60 minutes provided the strongest evidence of group differences.
Critical review of Epstein–Barr virus microRNAs relation with EBV‐associated gastric cancer
Authors: Zebardast Arghavan , Tehrani Sadra S. , Latifi Tayebeh , Sadeghi Farzin
Published: January 2021

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) is regarded as the most prevalent malignant tumor triggered by EBV infection. In recent years, increasing attention has been considered to recognize more about the disease process's exact mechanisms. There is accumulating evidence that showing epigenetic modifications play critical roles in the EBVaGC pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as critical epigenetic modulators, are single‐strand short noncoding RNA (length ~ <200 bp), which regulate gene expression through binding to the 3ʹ‐untranslated region (3ʹ‐UTR) of target RNA transcripts and either degrade or repress their activities. In the latest research on EBV, it was found that this virus could encode miRNAs. Mechanistically, EBV‐encoded miRNAs are involved in carcinogenesis and the progression of EBV‐associated malignancies. Moreover, these miRNAs implicated in immune evasion, identification of pattern recognition receptors, regulation of lymphocyte activation and lethality, modulation of infected host cell antigen, maintain of EBV infection status, promotion of cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and reduction of apoptosis. As good news, not only has recent data demonstrated the crucial function of EBV‐encoded miRNAs in the pathogenesis of EBVaGC, but it has also been revealed that aberrant expression of exosomal miRNAs in EBVaGC has made them biomarkers for detection of EBVaGC. Regarding these substantial characterizes, the critical role of EBV‐encoded miRNAs has been a hot topic in research. In this review, we will focus on the multiple mechanisms involved in EBVaGC caused by EBV‐encoded miRNAs and briefly discuss their potential application in the clinic as a diagnostic biomarker.
CYLD mediates human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell dysfunction in congenital heart disease‐associated pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Zhou Jing‐jing , Li Huang , Li Li , Li Yue , Wang Pei‐he , Meng Xian‐min , He Jian‐guo
Published: January 2021

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a common complication of congenital heart disease (CHD). Deubiquitinase cylindromatosis (CYLD) has been reported to significantly aggravate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic transformation, proliferation, and migration. Here, we aimed to further investigate its roles and underlying mechanisms in the CHD‐PAH development. The expression of CYLD in the lung tissues from CHD‐PAH patients and monocrotaline (MCT) plus aortocaval (AV)‐induced PAH rats, pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from MCT‐AV‐induced PAH rats, and human PASMCs (HPASMCs) was evaluated. After infection with CYLD siRNA or pcNDA3.1‐CYLD, the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of HPASMCs were measured using an EdU assay, transwell and scratch wound healing assays, and flow cytometric assay, respectively. An adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vector encoding CYLD was used to suppress CYLD expression by being intratracheally instilled in rats 7 days before MCT‐AV treatment. The results showed that CYLD was increased in the lung tissues from CHD‐PAH patients and MCT‐AV‐induced PAH rats, and in PASMCs from MCT‐AV‐induced PAH rats. The contractile‐type HPASMCs expressed low levels of CYLD, while the proliferative synthetic‐type HPASMCs expressed high levels of CYLD. In addition, CYLD could mediate HPASMC dysfunction, which regulated HPASMC phenotypic transformation and proliferation via the modulation of p38 and ERK activation, while CYLD regulated HPASMC migration via the modulation of p38 activation. In vivo results demonstrated that the local suppression of CYLD expression could attenuate the increased levels of PAH and its associated pulmonary vascular remodeling in MCT‐AV‐induced PAH rats. Collectively, these results indicated that CYLD might be a potential novel therapeutic target for the prevention of PAH and pulmonary vascular remodeling in CHD‐PAH through the modulation of HPASMC dysfunction.
Novel insights: Dynamic foam cells derived from the macrophage in atherosclerosis
Authors: Li Jun , Meng Qinghai , Fu Yu , Yu Xichao , Ji Tingting , Chao Ying , Chen Qi , Li Yu , Bian Huimin
Published: January 2021

Atherosclerosis can be regarded as a chronic disease derived from the interaction between disordered lipoproteins and an unsuitable immune response. The evolution of foam cells is not only a significant pathological change in the early stage of atherosclerosis but also a key stage in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. The formation of foam cells is mainly caused by the imbalance among lipids uptake, lipids treatment, and reverse cholesterol transport. Although a large number of studies have summarized the source of foam cells and the mechanism of foam cells formation, we propose a new idea about foam cells in atherosclerosis. Rather than an isolated microenvironment, the macrophage multiple lipid uptake pathways, lipid internalization, lysosome, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase (NCEH), acyl‐coenzyme A–cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), and reverse cholesterol transport are mutually influential, and form a dynamic process under multi‐factor regulation. The macrophage takes on different uptake lipid statuses depending on multiple uptake pathways and intracellular lipids, lipid metabolites versus pro‐inflammatory factors. Except for NCEH and ACAT, the lipid internalization of macrophages also depends on multicellular organelles including the lysosome, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum, which are associated with each other. A dynamic balance between esterification and hydrolysis of cholesterol for macrophages is essential for physiology and pathology. Therefore, we propose that the foam cell in the process of atherosclerosis may be dynamic under multi‐factor regulation, and collate this study to provide a holistic and dynamic idea of the foam cell.
High regenerative capacity is a general feature within colonial dendrophylliid corals (Anthozoa, Scleractinia)
Authors: Luz Bruna Louise Pereira , Miller David John , Kitahara Marcelo Visentini
Published: January 2021

The regenerative capacity of cnidarians plays an essential role in the maintenance and restoration of coral reef ecosystems by allowing faster recovery from disturbances and more efficient small‐scale dispersal. However, in the case of invasive species, this property may contribute to their dispersal and success in nonnative habitats. Given that four Indo‐Pacific members of the coral genus Tubastraea have invaded the Atlantic, here we evaluated the ability of three of these species (Tubastraea coccinea, Tubastraea diaphana, and Tubastraea micranthus) to regenerate from fragments of undifferentiated coral tissue to fully functional polyps in response to differences in food supply and fragment size. For comparative purposes, another colonial dendrophylliid (Dendrophyllia sp.) was included in the analyses. All dendrophylliids displayed regenerative ability and high survival rates that were independent of whether or not food was supplied or fragment size. However, regeneration rates varied between species and were influenced by fragment size. Temporal expression of key genes of the regenerative process (Wnt and FGF) was profiled during whole‐body regeneration of T. coccinea, suggesting a remarkable regenerative ability of T. coccinea that points to its potential use as a laboratory model for the investigation of regeneration in colonial calcified anthozoans.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with COVID‐19 positivity and severity of the disease
Authors: Demir Mustafa , Demir Fadime , Aygun Hatice
Published: January 2021

The present study examined the relationship between polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test positivity and clinical outcomes of vitamin D levels measured within the 6 months before the PCR test in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐positive patients. In this retrospective cohort study, COVID‐19 (227) and non‐COVID‐19 patients (260) were divided into four groups according to their vitamin D levels: Group I (0–10 ng/ml), Group II (10–20 ng/ml), Group III (20–30 ng/ml), and Group IV (vitamin D > 30 ng/ml). Laboratory test results and the radiological findings were evaluated. In addition, for comparative purposes, medical records of 1200 patients who had a hospital visit in the November 1, 2019–November 1, 2020 period for complaints due to reasons not related to COVID‐19 were investigated for the availability of vitamin D measurements. This search yielded 260 patients with tested vitamin D levels. Vitamin D levels were below 30 ng/ml in 94.27% of 227 COVID‐19‐positive patients (average age, 46.32 ± 1.24 years [range, 20–80 years] and 56.54% women) while 93.07% of 260 non‐COVID‐19 patients (average age, 44.63 ± 1.30 years [range, 18–75 years] and 59.50% women) had vitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml. Nevertheless, very severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/ml) was considerably more common in COVID‐19 patients (44%) (average age, 44.15 ± 1.89 years [range, 23–80 years] and 57.57% women) than in non‐COVID‐19 ones (31%) (average age, 46.50 ± 2.21 years [range, 20–75 years] and 62.5% women). Among COVID‐19‐positive patients, the group with vitamin D levels of  >30 ng/ml had significantly lower D‐dimer and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels, number levels, number of affected lung segments and shorter hospital stays. No difference was found among the groups in terms of age and gender distribution. Elevated vitamin D levels could decrease COVID‐19 PCR positivity, D‐dime and CRP levels and the number of affected lung segments in COVID‐19‐positive patients, thereby shortening the duration of hospital stays and alleviating the intensity of COVID‐19.
Outcomes of uninterrupted vs interrupted Periprocedural direct oral Anticoagulants in atrial Fibrillation ablation: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Basu‐Ray Indranill , Khanra Dibbendhu , Kupó Péter , Bunch Jared , Theus Sue A. , Mukherjee Anindya , Shah Sumit K. , Komócsi András , Adeboye Adedayo , Jefferies John
Published: January 2021

Background

Studies indicate that uninterrupted anticoagulation (UA) is superior to interrupted anticoagulation (IA) in the periprocedural period during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Still IA is followed in many centers considering the bleeding risk. This meta‐analysis compares interrupted and uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulation during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Methods

A systematic search into PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases was performed and five studies were selected that directly compared IA vs UA before ablation and reported procedural outcomes, embolic, and bleeding events. The primary outcome of the study was major adverse cerebro‐cardiovascular events.

Results

The meta‐analysis included 840 patients with UA and 938 patients with IA. Median follow‐up was 30 days. Activated clotting time (ACT) before first heparin bolus was significantly longer with UA (P = .006), whereas mean ACT was similar between the two groups (P = .19). Total heparin dose needed was significantly higher with IA (mean, ‒1.61; 95% CI, ‒2.67 to ‒0.55; P = .003). Mean procedure time did not vary between groups (P = .81). Overall complication rates were low, with similar major adverse cerebro‐cardiovascular event (P = .40) and total bleeding (P = .55) rates between groups. Silent cerebral events (SCEs) were significantly more frequent with IA (log odds ratio, ‒0.90; 95% CI, ‒1.59 to ‒0.22; P < .01; I2, 33%). Rates of major bleeding, minor bleeding, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and puncture complications were similar between groups.

Conclusions

UA during atrial fibrillation ablation has similar bleeding event rates, procedural times, and mean ACTs as IA, with fewer SCEs.
Exosomal NNMT from peritoneum lavage fluid promotes peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer
Authors: Zhu A‐Kao , Shan Yu‐Qiang , Zhang Jian , Liu Xin‐Chun , Ying Rong‐Chao , Kong Wen‐Cheng
Published: January 2021

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) is the major cause of recurrence in patients with gastric cancer (GC) and is associated with poor prognosis. The oncogenic role of Nicotinamide N‐methyltransferase (NNMT) in GC has been reported, but the role of secreted NNMT that is transported by exosomes remains unknown. In this study, exosomes were isolated from GC patients with or without PM and from GC cell line, including GC‐114, GC‐026, MKN45, and SNU‐16 cells. The contents of NNMT were significantly enhanced in exosomes isolated from GC patients with PM compared with those from GC patients without PM. Furthermore, the levels of NNMT were significantly enhanced in exosomes from GC cell lines relative to those from normal human gastric epithelial cell line GES‐1 cells. These data indicate that NNMT may be involved in intercellular communication for peritoneal dissemination. Moreover, colocalization of GC‐derived exosomal NNMT was found in human peritoneal mesothelial cell line HMrSV5 cells. Additionally, relative to GES‐1 exosomes, SNU‐16 exosomes significantly activated TGF‐β/smad2 signaling in HMrSV5 cells. However, when NNMT was silenced, the activation of TGF‐β/smad2 by SNU‐16 exosomes was abolished in HMrSV5 cells. We propose that NNMT‐containing exosomes derived from GC cells could promote peritoneal metastasis via TGF‐β/smad2 signaling.
miR‐330 alleviates dextran sodium sulfate‐induced ulcerative colitis through targeting IRAK1 in rats
Authors: Zhang Qing , Wang Shu‐Fang
Published: January 2021

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory bowel disease that severely impairs patients' life quality. microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to exhibit potential therapeutic effects in the management of UC. With the aim to investigate the regulatory effects of miR‐330 on UC‐related colon tissue damage and inflammation, a rat model of experimental colitis was established by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). DSS‐treated rats showed mucosal damage, colonic inflammation, and elevated myeloperoxidase activity compared with the healthy controls. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay confirmed the binding of interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and miR‐330. Subsequently, rats were intracolonically injected with miR‐330 argomir with/without administration of IRAK1 during DSS treatment. The miR‐330 overexpression reduced DSS‐induced colonic injury and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The level of IRAK1 was negatively regulated by the expression of miR‐330. IRAK1 overexpression abolished the protective effect of miR‐330 on DSS‐induced colonic inflammation and mucosal injury in rats. In conclusion, we clarify the role of miR‐330 in pathogenesis of UC, suggesting miR‐330 alleviated DSS‐induced colitis by downregulating IRAK1, shedding lights on miR‐330 as a therapeutic candidate for UC treatment.
Food source diversity, trophic plasticity, and omnivory enhance the stability of a shallow benthic food web from a high‐Arctic fjord exposed to freshwater inputs
Authors: Bridier Guillaume , Olivier Frédéric , Chauvaud Laurent , Sejr Mikael K. , Grall Jacques
Published: January 2021

Under climate change, many Arctic coastal ecosystems receive increasing amounts of freshwater, with ecological consequences that remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how freshwater inputs may affect the small‐scale structure of benthic food webs in a low‐production high‐Arctic fjord (Young Sound, NE Greenland). We seasonally sampled benthic invertebrates from two stations receiving contrasting freshwater inputs: an inner station exposed to turbid and nutrient‐depleted freshwater flows and an outer station exposed to lower terrestrial influences. Benthic food web structure was described using a stable isotope approach (δ13C and δ15N), Bayesian models, and community‐wide metrics. The results revealed the spatially and temporally homogeneous structure of the benthic food web, characterized by high trophic diversity (i.e., a wide community isotopic niche). Such temporal stability and spatial homogeneity mirrors the high degree of trophic plasticity and omnivory of benthic consumers that allows the maintenance of several carbon pathways through the food web despite different food availability. Furthermore, potential large inputs of shelf organic matter together with local benthic primary production (i.e., macroalgae and presumably microphytobenthos) may considerably increase the stability of the benthic food web by providing alternative food sources to locally runoff‐impacted pelagic primary production. Future studies should assess beyond which threshold limit a larger increase in freshwater inputs might cancel out these stability factors and lead to marked changes in Arctic benthic ecosystems.
Daphnia depth selection in gradients of light intensity from different artificial sources: An evolutionary trap?
Authors: Maszczyk Piotr , Tałanda Joanna , Babkiewicz Ewa , Leniowski Konrad , Urban Paulina
Published: January 2021

It is well known that artificial light at night alters the natural patterns of light in space and time, which interrupts a variety of physiological processes of individuals, altering their life history and behavioral adjustments. However, much less is known about the effect of artificial light at night on their fitness. We tested the hypothesis that planktonic animals, such as Daphnia spp., are able to correctly assess light intensity‐ and spectrum‐dependent‐mortality risk due to predation by planktivorous fish and select depths offering the highest possible fitness gain in the vertical gradient of different artificial light sources (halogen, metal‐halide, cool white LEDs, and high pressure sodium lamps) commonly used in street lighting. To test this hypothesis, we compared the virtual distributions of three clones of Daphnia longispina from simulations based on an experimentally parameterized, optimizing individual‐based model with distributions observed in laboratory experiments performed with 5‐d‐old individuals in an experimental apparatus comprised of twin vertical columns. Our hypothesis was confirmed only partially, since the distributions obtained in the experiments overlapped the virtual distributions only in the gradient of LEDs and high pressure sodium light, which suggests that that the strength of the maladaptive response could depend on the type of artificial light (i.e., spectral composition) penetrating the water column. Moreover, the results revealed that the response to the presence of artificial light is clone‐specific, which suggest that it could be a selective factor for microevolutionary changes.
Niche partitioning of low‐light adapted Prochlorococcus subecotypes across oceanographic gradients of the North Pacific Subtropical Front
Authors: Thompson Anne W. , Kouba Kathleen , Ahlgren Nathan A.
Published: January 2021

The cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus is the most abundant photosynthetic cell on Earth and contributes to global ocean carbon cycling and food webs. Prochlorococcus is known for its extensive diversity that falls into two groups of ecotypes, the low‐light (LL) and high‐light (HL) adapted ecotypes. Previous work has shown niche partitioning of the very abundant HL adapted ecotypes and subecotypes across oceanographic gradients including temperature, nutrients, and day length. However, niche partitioning of subecotypes within the LL adapted ecotypes has not been studied as well because they are less abundant and less accessible than surface, HL populations. Through high‐throughput, cyanobacterial‐specific, sequencing of high‐resolution depth profiles from three stations across the North Pacific Subtropical Front, we discovered extensive diversity and strong latitudinal partitioning of subecotype populations within LL ecotypes, in contrast to fairly consistent patterns at the broader level of LL Prochlorococcus ecotypes. These results indicate that both shallow and deep‐water processes shape microbial community structure in this region despite strong connectivity in microbial communities across the North Pacific Subtropical Front, supported by a few HL and LL sequences found ubiquitously across stations. This study expands understanding of the diversity and complexity of Prochlorococcus community structure over oceanographic gradients.
Cardiac efficacy and toxicity of aconitine: A new frontier for the ancient poison
Authors: Zhou Wei , Liu Hong , Qiu Li‐Zhen , Yue Lan‐Xin , Zhang Guang‐Jie , Deng Hui‐Fang , Ni Yu‐Hao , Gao Yue
Published: January 2021

Aconitine (AC) is well‐known as the main toxic ingredient and active compound of Aconitum species, of which several aconites are essential herbal medicines of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and widely applied to treat diverse diseases for their excellent anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, and cardiotonic effects. However, the cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity of AC attracted a lot of attention and made it a favorite botanic poison in history. Nowadays, the narrow therapeutic window of AC limits the clinical application of AC‐containing herbal medicines; overdosing on AC always induces ventricular tachyarrhythmia and heart arrest, both of which are potentially lethal. But the underlying cardiotoxic mechanisms remained chaos. Recently, beyond its cardiotoxic effects, emerging evidence shows that low doses of AC or its metabolites could generate cardioprotective effects and are necessary to aconite's clinical efficacy. Consistent with TCM's theory that even toxic substances are powerful medicines, AC thus could not be simply identified as a toxicant or a drug. To prevent cardiotoxicity while digging the unique value of AC in cardiac pharmacology, there exists a huge urge to better know the characteristic of AC being a cardiotoxic agent or a potential heart drug. Here, this article reviews the advances of AC metabolism and focuses on the latest mechanistic findings of cardiac efficacy and toxicity of this aconite alkaloid or its metabolites. We also discuss how to prevent AC‐related cardiotoxicity, as well as the issues before the development of AC‐based medicines that should be solved, to provide new insight into the paradoxical nature of this ancient poison.
Identification of two novel homozygous nonsense mutations in TRAPPC9 in two unrelated consanguineous families with intellectual Disability from Iran
Authors: Yousefipour Farideh , Mozhdehipanah Hossein , Mahjoubi Frouzandeh
Published: January 2021

Background

Pathogenic mutations in TRAPPC9 are associated with autosomal recessive Intellectual Disability (ID), a major public health issue that affects about 1–3% of children worldwide.

Method

Clinical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging, peripheral blood karyotype, Multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA), array CGH, and whole‐exome sequencing were used to characterize etiology in three patients from two unrelated consanguineous families of Iranian descent with intellectual disability.

Results

Whole‐exome sequencing showed two novel homozygous nonsense mutations (c.937C>T) in exon 3 and (c.3103C>T) in exon 19 of TRAPPC9 (NM_031466.7) in two unrelated consanguineous families.

Conclusion

The two novel variants found in TRAPPC9 caused truncated protein and clinical manifestations such as ID, developmental delay, microcephaly, and brain abnormalities in three patients.
MH stakeholders support adopting digital MH treatments
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2021

SilverCloud Health, a leading digital mental health platform, together with a group of international mental health stakeholders, announced that the American Psychiatric Association's Psychiatric Services journal has published the findings of an expert group aimed at increasing the adoption of digital mental health treatments (DMHTs) within the U.S. health care system, Business Wire reported Jan. 26.
Prevalence of childhood trauma and its association with lower urinary tract symptoms in women and men in the LURN study
Authors: Geynisman‐Tan Julia , Helmuth Margaret , Smith Abigail R. , Lai H. Henry , Amundsen Cindy L. , Bradley Catherine S. , Mueller Margaret G. , Lewicky‐Gaupp Christina , Harte Steven E. , Jelovsek J. Eric ,   The Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN) Study Group
Published: January 2021

Aims

To describe the association between childhood traumas (death of a family member, severe illness, sexual trauma, parental separation) reported by women and men and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Methods

In this secondary analysis of the Lower Urinary Tract Research Network Observational Cohort Study, participants completed the LUTS tool, childhood trauma events scale (CTES), PROMIS depression and anxiety and perceived stress scale. LUTS tool responses were combined to quantify urinary urgency, frequency, incontinence, and overall LUTS severity. Multivariable linear regression tested associations between trauma and LUTS; mental health scores were tested for potential mediation.

Results

In this cohort (n = 1011; 520 women, 491 men), more women reported experiencing at least one trauma (75% vs. 64%, p < .001), greater than three traumas (26% vs. 15%, p < .001), and childhood sexual trauma (23% vs. 7%, p < .001), and reported higher impact from traumatic events compared with men (median [interquartile rnage] CTES score = 10 [5–15] vs. 6 [4–12], p < .001). The number of childhood traumatic events was not associated with severity of overall LUTS (p = .79), urinary frequency (p = .75), urgency (p = .61), or incontinence (p = .21). Childhood sexual trauma was significantly associated with higher incontinence severity (adjusted mean difference 4.5 points, 95% confidence interval= 1.11–7.88, p = .009). Mental health was a mediator between trauma and LUTS among those with at least one childhood trauma.

Conclusion

Although total childhood trauma is not associated with LUTS, childhood sexual trauma is associated with urinary incontinence severity. For patients with childhood trauma, half of the effect of CTE Impact score on overall LUTS severity is mediated through the association between trauma and the patient's mental health.