bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lupus IgG deposition causes arthritis but inhibits bone destruction through competitive occupation of FcγRI and reduced RANKL signalling
Authors: Qiao Wei , Ding Huimin , Zuo Yuyue , Jiang Lijuan , Zhou Jiayuan , Han Xiaoxiao , Yu Likai , Du Rong , M Hedrich Christian , Deng Guo‐Min
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Bone destruction is a remarkable feature of inflammatory arthritis. It remains unknown why arthritis associated with the systemic autoimmune/inflammatory condition systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) does not result in erosion and destruction. We aimed to determine the role of autoantibody in the pathogenesis of non‐erosive arthritis in SLE.

Methods

We analysed medical record of SLE patients, investigated whether autoantibody induces arthritis lacking bone destruction in animal models and determined whether SLE autoantibody inhibits osteoclastogenesis induced by RANKLin vitroexperiments.

Results

We found that arthritis lacking bone erosions is common in SLE patients and lupus‐prone mice. Intraarticular injection of lupus serum or IgG induces immune complex deposition and arthritis, but does not result in bone destruction. Deposition of IgG, monocytes/macrophages and TNF‐α is all required for the development of arthritis. Lupus serum or IgG inhibits RANKL‐induced differentiation of monocytes into osteoclast in a dose‐dependent manner. FcγR acts as co‐receptors for RANKL and is involved in osteoclastogenesis. Deficiency of FcγRII or FcγRIII does not affect osteoclastogenesis in the presence of SLE IgG. However, lupus IgG competes for FcγRI binding with RANKL, thereby reducing osteoclastogenesis.

Conclusion

Observations from this study demonstrate that IgG from SLE patients can induce arthritis and inhibits RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis through competitive occupation of FcγRI on monocytes/macrophages. This study improves the understanding of the pathophysiology of SLE‐associated arthritis and offers a protective mechanism (FcγRI inhibition) that may be targeted in other forms of autoimmune/inflammatory arthritis, such as RA, to prevent or limit bone erosion and inflammatory bone loss.
Antibody seroconversion in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)
Authors: Jiang Chuanhao , Wang Yali , Hu Min , Wen Lingjun , Wen Chuan , Wang Yang , Zhu Weihong , Tai Shi , Jiang Zhongbiao , Xiao Kui , Faria Nuno Rodrigues , De Clercq Erik , Xu Junmei , Li Guangdi
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Asymptomatic and symptomatic patients may transmit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), but their clinical features and immune responses remain largely unclear. We aimed to characterise the clinical features and immune responses of asymptomatic and symptomatic patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2.

Methods

We collected clinical, laboratory and epidemiological records of patients hospitalised in a coronavirus field hospital in Wuhan. We performed qualitative detection of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) using archived blood samples.

Results

Of 214 patients with SARS‐CoV‐2, 26 (12%) were asymptomatic at hospital admission and during hospitalisation. Most asymptomatic patients were ≤ 60 years (96%) and females (65%) and had few comorbidities (< 16%). Serum levels of white and red blood cells were higher in asymptomatic than in symptomatic patients (P‐values < 0.05). During hospitalisation, IgG seroconversion was commonly observed in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients (85% versus 94%, P‐value = 0.07); in contrast, IgM seroconversion was less common in asymptomatic than in symptomatic patients (31% versus 74%, P‐value < 0.001). The median time from the first virus‐positive screening to IgG or IgM seroconversion was significantly shorter in asymptomatic than in symptomatic patients (median: 7 versus 14 days, P‐value < 0.01). Furthermore, IgG/IgM seroconversion rates increased concomitantly with the clearance of SARS‐CoV‐2 in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. At the time of virus clearance, IgG/IgM titres and plasma neutralisation capacity were significantly lower in recovered asymptomatic than in recovered symptomatic patients (P‐values < 0.01).

Conclusion

Asymptomatic and symptomatic patients exhibited different kinetics of IgG/IgM responses to SARS‐CoV‐2. Asymptomatic patients may transmit SARS‐CoV‐2, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
In vivo and in vitro activation of dormant primordial follicles by EGF treatment in mouse and human
Authors: Zhang Jiawei , Yan Lei , Wang Yibo , Zhang Shuo , Xu Xueqiang , Dai Yanli , Zhao Shidou , Li Zhen , Zhang Yan , Xia Guoliang , Qin Yingying , Zhang Hua
Published: September 2020

In the mammalian ovaries, dormant primordial follicles represent the reproductive reserve of individual females. Recently, stimulating the activation of primordial follicles in vitro has been practiced, making the utilization of those dormant follicles to treat female infertility possible. However, there are still lacks of effective upstream molecule and strategy to elevate follicle activation in vivo. In the current study, we revealed that growth factor EGF improved a transiently primordial follicle activation in mice by elevating the CDC42‐PI3K signaling activity, and EGF treatment also improved the activation and development of human follicles in ovarian cortical pieces. Using a liquid‐solid phase transition bio‐gel as a carrier, an efficient in vivo activation system was established by ovarian topical EGF administration to living mice. We found that EGF treatment led to an increase of primordial follicle activation in short time but had no effect on long‐term fertility in females. By establishing an inducible premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) mouse model through selectively ablating growing follicles in Zp3‐Cre;iDTR mice, we further revealed that our in vivo EGF treatment system improved primordial follicle activation and ovulation of POI ovaries significantly. Taken together, our results revealed that in situ ovarian EGF administration could improve the activation of primordial follicles in living animals, and manipulating activation and development of primordial follicles in vivo might be an efficient approach to improve reproductive health in women.
How useful are cervical Pap smears in detecting endometrial carcinomas? A tertiary cancer center experience
Authors: Mehta Shailee P. , Patel Trupti S. , Jana Torsha , Samanta Satarupa T. , Malvania Rujuta , Trivedi Priti P. , Girdher Swati
Published: September 2020

Objective

To determine the role of routine cervical Pap smears in detecting endometrial carcinomas.

Method

A retrospective study was carried out from the histopathology archives for cases diagnosed as endometrial carcinomas with Pap smears within 6 months before histological diagnosis. The demographic details, reports of Pap smears and other tumor parameters on histopathology were noted.

Results

We identified 380 of 482 cases of endometrial carcinoma with a documented Pap smear within 6 months before histopathogical diagnosis. Out of 380 cases, 187 cases (49.2%) had shown abnormalities on Pap smear of which 80 cases (42%) were diagnosed as atypical glandular cells and 78 cases (41.7%) were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. The presence of glandular abnormality on Pap smear significantly correlated with the tumor type, myometrial invasion and cervical involvement on histopathology (P < .05). Cases which had higher FIGO staging also had a higher detection rate on Pap smear (P < .05).

Conclusion

The Pap smear may help in detection of endometrial carcinoma especially in cases with type 2 endometrial carinomas, tumor with cervical involvement and/or advanced FIGO stage.
Bias in self‐reported parasite data from the salmon farming industry
Authors: Godwin Sean C. , Krkošek Martin , Reynolds John D. , Bateman Andrew W.
Published: September 2020

Many industries are required to monitor themselves in meeting regulatory policies intended to protect the environment. Self‐reporting of environmental performance can place the cost of monitoring on companies rather than taxpayers, but there are obvious risks of bias, often addressed through external audits or inspections. Surprisingly, there have been relatively few empirical analyses of bias in industry self‐reported data. Here, we test for bias in reporting of environmental compliance data using a unique data set from Canadian salmon farms, where companies monitor the number of parasitic sea lice on fish in open sea pens, in order to minimize impacts on wild fish in surrounding waters. We fit a hierarchical population‐dynamics model to these sea‐louse count data using a Bayesian approach. We found that the industry's monthly counts of two sea‐louse species, Caligus clemensi and Lepeophtheirus salmonis, increased by a factor of 1.95 (95% credible interval: 1.57, 2.42) and 1.18 (1.06, 1.31), respectively, in months when counts were audited by the federal fisheries department. Consequently, industry sea‐louse counts are less likely to trigger costly but mandated delousing treatments intended to avoid sea‐louse epidemics in wild juvenile salmon. These results highlight the potential for combining external audits of industry self‐reported data with analyses of their reporting to maintain compliance with regulations, achieve intended conservation goals, and build public confidence in the process.
Non‐marine turtle plays important functional roles in Indonesian ecosystems
Authors: Karraker Nancy E. , Dikari Kusrini Mirza , Atutubo Jessica R. , Healey Ryan M. , Yusratul Aini
Published: September 2020

The Southeast Asian box turtle (Cuora amboinensis) is numerically the most important turtle exported from Indonesia. Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, this turtle is heavily harvested and exported for food and traditional medicine in China and for the pet trade primarily in the United States, Europe, and Japan. Despite its significance in global markets, relatively little is known about the species’ ecology or importance to ecosystems. We conducted our research in a national park in Sulawesi, Indonesia, and our objectives were to quantify trophic breadth, capacity for seed dispersal between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and whether ingestion of seeds by C. amboinensis enhances germination. We obtained diet samples from 200 individual turtles and found that the species is omnivorous, exhibiting an ontogenetic shift from more carnivorous to more omnivorous. Both subadults and adults scavenged on other vertebrates. In a seed passage experiment, turtles passed seeds for 2‒9 days after ingestion. Radio‐tracked turtles moved, on average, about 35 m per day, indicating that seeds from ingested fruits, given seed passage durations, could be dispersed 70‒313 m from the parent tree and potentially between wetland and upland ecosystems. In a seed germination experiment, we found that ingestion of seeds by turtles enhanced germination, as compared with control seeds, for four of six plant species tested. Of these, two are common in the national park, making up a significant proportion of plant biomass in lowland swamp forest and around ephemeral pools in savanna, and are highly valued outside of the park for their lumber for construction of houses, furniture, and boats. Protection of C. amboinensis populations may be important for maintaining trophic linkages that benefit biodiversity, communities, and local economies.
Contrasting population structure and demographic history of cereal aphids in different environmental and agricultural landscapes
Authors: Morales‐Hojas Ramiro , Sun Jingxuan , Alvira Iraizoz Fernando , Tan Xiaoling , Chen Julian
Published: September 2020

Genetic diversity of populations has important ecological and evolutionary consequences, whose understanding is fundamental to improve the sustainability of agricultural production. Studies of how differences in agricultural management and environment influence the population structure of insect pests are central to predict outbreaks and optimize control programs. Here, we have studied the population genetic diversity and evolution of Sitobion avenae and Sitobion miscanthi, which are among the most relevant aphid pests of cereals across Europe and Asia, respectively. We have used genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to identify genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to infer the geographic structure and migration patterns. In the present study, we show that the population structure in present‐day populations is different from that described in previous studies, which suggest that they have evolved recently possibly as a response to human‐induced changes in agriculture. This study shows that S. avenae in England is predominantly parthenogenetic and there has been a demographic and spatial expansion of a single genetic cluster, which could correspond with the insecticide resistance superclone identified in previous studies. Conversely, in China, S. miscanthi populations are mostly cyclical parthenogenetic, with one sexual stage in autumn to produce overwintering eggs, and there are six genetically differentiated subpopulations and high genetic differentiation between geographic locations, which suggests that further taxonomical research is needed. Unlike S. avenae in England, there is no evidence for insecticide resistance and there is no predominance of a single lineage in S. miscanthi in China.
The post hoc measurement as a safe and reliable method to age and size plethodontid salamanders
Authors: Lunghi Enrico , Giachello Simone , Manenti Raoul , Zhao Yahui , Corti Claudia , Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Bradley Joseph Gavin
Published: September 2020

The worldwide biodiversity crisis with the resulting need to increase species protection has led researchers to pursue and select survey methods that guarantee the best quality of data and produce the least negative effects on wild animals. Plethodontids are the most diverse family of salamanders; all species are very sensitive to human handling and noninvasive, but accurate, measurement methods are needed to reduce researchers’ impact. Here, we tested the reliability of a noninvasive post hoc method in estimating the snout–vent length (SVL) from photographs showing salamanders’ dorsal view. The correlation between the estimated snout–vent length (SVLe) and the conventional SVL was high (R2m = .81), and no significant difference occurred between operators with different experience. Finally, we list the numerous advantages for the use of SVLe in terms of data quality and in reducing the stress caused to wild animals.
Survival and cause‐specific mortality of harvested willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) in central Norway
Authors: Israelsen Markus F. , Eriksen Lasse F. , Moa Pål F. , Hagen Bjørn R. , Nilsen Erlend B.
Published: September 2020

Survival is a key demographic component that often varies as a result of human activities such as recreational harvest. Detailed understanding of seasonal variation in mortality patterns and the role of various risk factors is thus crucial for understanding the link between environmental variation and wildlife population dynamics and to design sustainable harvest management systems. Here, we report from a detailed seasonal and cause‐specific decomposition of mortality risks in willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) in central Norway. The analyses are based on radio‐collared (n = 188) birds that were monitored across all seasons, and we used time‐to‐event models for competing risks to estimate mortality patterns. Overall, annual survival was estimated at 0.43 (SE: 0.04), with no distinct difference among years (2015/16 to 2018/19) or between sexes. Analysis of mortality risk factors revealed that on the annual basis, the risk of harvest mortality was lower than the risk of dying from natural causes. However, during the autumn harvest season (September–November), survival was low and the dominating cause of mortality was harvest. During winter (December–March) and spring seasons (April–May), survival was in general high and did not vary between males and females. However, during the spring season, juveniles (i.e., birds born last year) of both sexes had lower survival than adults, potentially because they are more prone to predation. During the summer season (June–August), females experienced a higher hazard than males, underlining the greater parental investment of females during egg production, incubation, and chick rearing compared to males. Our analyses provide unique insight into demographic and seasonal patterns in willow ptarmigan mortality risks in a harvested population and revealed a complex interplay across seasons, risk factors, and demographic classes. Such insight is valuable when designing sustainable management plans in a world undergoing massive environmental perturbations.
Evolutionary trade‐offs may interact with physiological constraints to maintain color variation
Authors: Goedert Debora , Clement Dale , Calsbeek Ryan
Published: September 2020

Animal coloration is a multifaceted trait with many ecological roles and related to a variety of developmental and physiological processes. Consequently, coloration is often subject to a variety of selective pressures, leading to the evolutionary maintenance of variation. In this study, we investigated hypotheses related to the maintenance of dorsal color variation in wood frogs (Rana sylvatica). First, we tested for multimodality, and whether color correlates with body size or condition or varies by sex or age class. We combined behavioral trials with visual modeling to test for sex recognition. We also considered visual models for predators and tested for an interaction between discriminability indexes (JND) of color channel (chromatic vs. achromatic) and predator type (birds vs. snakes), as well as for a within individual trade‐off between the JND of chromatic and achromatic coloration. Finally, we tested for disruptive viability selection on color using predation trials, and for antagonistic directional selection between viability selection and reproductive investment of females. We found that wood frogs present continuous color variation that does not correlate with body size or condition, but that changes with age. Wood frogs present subtle sexual dichromatism, but we found no evidence for a role of color in sex recognition. Instead, we discuss the possibility that sex differences might, at least in part, have a demographic explanation. Predator visual models indicated that wood frogs cannot solely rely on dorsal coloration for camouflage. Moreover, different predators might present selective pressures in different color channels, while individuals’ achromatic and chromatic coloration trade‐off in JND. Therefore, different selective pressures caused by different predators might interact with ontogenetic changes and developmental/physiological trade‐offs to maintain color variation. We found no relationship between color and survival or reproductive investment, suggesting further work is required to fully understand selection on color. Our results highlight the importance of understanding evolutionary trade‐offs and developmental/physiological constraints in combination with one another, and suggest the potential for an interaction between these proximate and ultimate mechanisms in the evolutionary maintenance of variation. These results likely extend beyond color expression in amphibians, and exemplify a more general process for such evolutionary outcomes.
Homeostasis and non‐linear shift in the stoichiometry of P‐limited planktonic communities
Authors: Giménez‐Grau Pau , Felip Marisol , Zufiaurre Aitziber , Pla‐Rabès Sergi , Camarero Lluís , Catalan Jordi
Published: September 2020

Planktonic communities are naturally subjected to episodic nutrient enrichments that may stress or redress the imbalances in limiting nutrients. Human‐enhanced atmospheric nitrogen deposition has caused profound N:P imbalance in many remote oligotrophic lakes in which phosphorus has largely become limiting. These lakes offer an opportunity to investigate the relationship between the changes in plankton stoichiometry, productivity, and community structure occurring during nutrient fluctuations in P‐limited conditions. We performed P () and N ( or ) pulse additions to the summer epilimnetic community of an ultraoligotrophic lake using self‐filling ~100‐L enclosures and analyzed the response to varying P availability, N:P imbalance, and N source. Seston C:N:P proportions remained fairly unchanged to P additions that were within the range of values seasonally found in the lake. However, the seston N:P ratio abruptly shifted and approached Redfield’s proportions at P additions typical of mesotrophic conditions that provided non‐limiting conditions. N surplus did not affect seston C:N:P proportions. The patterns of seston N:P stability and shift were similar for both N sources. In contrast, productivity was highly sensitive to low and medium P additions and decelerated at high P additions. Phytoplankton biomass dominated particulate organic matter. The autotrophic community differentiated almost linearly across the P gradient. Chrysophytes' dominance decreased, and diatoms and cryptophytes relative abundance increased. Nonetheless, the stoichiometry stability and non‐linear shift involved large biomass proportions of the same species, which indicates that the bulk stoichiometry was related to similar physiological behavior of phylogenetically diverse organisms according to the biogeochemical context. The C:N:P seston stability in P‐limited conditions—with loose coupling with productivity, nutrient supply ratios, and species dominance—and the sudden shift to Redfield proportions in P‐repleted conditions suggest a complex regulation of P scarcity in planktonic communities that goes beyond immediate acclimation growth responses and might include alternative physiological and biogeochemical states.
Soil dynamics in forest restoration: a data set for temperate and tropical regions
Authors: Allek Adriana , Crouzeilles Renato
Published: September 2020

Restoring forest ecosystems has become a global priority. Yet, soil dynamics are still poorly assessed among restoration studies and there is a lack of knowledge on how soil is affected by forest restoration process. Here, we compile information on soil dynamics in forest restoration based on soil physical, chemical, and biological attributes in temperate and tropical forest regions. It encompasses 50 scientific papers across 17 different countries and contains 1,469 points of quantitative information of soil attributes between reference (e.g., old‐growth forest) and restored ecosystems (e.g., forests in their initial or secondary stage of succession) within the same study. To be selected, studies had to be conducted in forest ecosystems, to include multiple sampling sites (replicates) in both restored and reference ecosystems, and to encompass quantitative data of soil attributes for both reference and restored ecosystems. We recorded in each study the following information: (1) study year, (2) country, (3) forest region (tropical or temperate), (4) latitude, (5) longitude, (6) soil class, (7) past disturbance, (8) restoration strategy (active or passive), (9) restoration age, (10) soil attribute type (physical, chemical, or biological); (11) soil attribute, (12) soil attribute unit, (13) soil sampling (procedures), (14) date of sampling, (15) soil depth sampled, (16) soil analysis, (17) quantitative values of soil attributes for both restored and reference ecosystems, (18) type of variation (standard error of deviation) for both restored and reference ecosystems, and (19) quantitative values of the variation for both restored and reference ecosystems. These were the most common data available in the selected studies. This extensive database on the extent soil physical, chemical, and biological attributes differ between reference and restored ecosystems can fill part of the existing gap on both soil science and forest restoration in terms of (1) which are the critical soil attributes to be monitored during forest restoration? and (2) how do environmental factors affect soil attributes in forest restoration? The data will be made available to the scientific community for further analyses on both soil science and forest restoration. Soil information gaps during the forest restoration process and their general patterns can be addressed using this data set. There are no copyright or proprietary restrictions.
Interspecific competition between resident and wintering birds: experimental evidence and consequences of coexistence
Authors: Powell Luke L. , Ames Elizabeth M. , Wright James R. , Matthiopoulos Jason , Marra Peter P.
Published: September 2020

The contribution of interspecific competition to structuring population and community dynamics remains controversial and poorly tested. Interspecific competition has long been thought to influence the structure of migrant–resident bird communities in winter, yet experimental evidence remains elusive. The arrival of billions of songbirds into Neotropical habitats, where they co‐exist with residents, provides a unique opportunity to assess interspecific competition and its consequences. Working in 15 ha of Jamaican black mangrove forest, we used removal experiments to test whether dominant resident Yellow Warblers compete interspecifically with subordinate wintering American Redstarts; we also used observational evidence (interspecific territorial overlap) to understand whether this coexistence influences physical condition, spring departure dates or annual return rates. Consistent with interspecific competition, after experimental removal of the resident, yearling male Redstarts (but not females or adult males) immediately moved into vacated Yellow Warbler territories, increasing their overlap with the space by 7.3%. Yearling Redstarts also appeared to adjust their territorial space use by actively avoiding Yellow Warblers; for example, Redstarts departing the wintering grounds as yearlings and returning the following winter shifted such that their territories overlapped 32% less with those of Yellow Warblers. Adult Redstarts showed no such territorial flexibility. Adult male Redstarts also showed evidence supporting the consequences of coexistence: territorial overlap with Yellow Warblers was negatively correlated with body condition and annual return rates. Adult male Redstarts with <25% territorial overlap with Yellow Warblers were more than three times as likely to return between seasons than those with 100% overlap. We propose that the territorial inflexibility of adult male Redstarts produces these consequences, which may be due to their years‐long investment in that particular territory. More generally, the temporary nature of migrant–resident interspecific competition is likely what allows coexistence during winter, the most resource‐poor time of year. Interspecific competition and the consequences of coexistence are likely age‐ and sex‐specific and the product of intraspecific dominance hierarchy in Redstarts. Our observations suggest that interspecific coexistence has measurable consequences, and our experiments support the long‐held, but previously untested belief that resident birds compete interspecifically with wintering migrants.
Plant diversity and litter accumulation mediate the loss of foliar endophyte fungal richness following nutrient addition
Authors: Henning Jeremiah A. , Kinkel Linda , May Georgiana , Lumibao Candice Y. , Seabloom Eric W. , Borer Elizabeth T.
Published: September 2020

Foliar fungal endophytes are ubiquitous plant symbionts that can affect plant growth and reproduction via their roles in pathogen and stress tolerance, as well as plant hormonal signaling. Despite their importance, we have a limited understanding of how foliar fungal endophytes respond to varying environmental conditions such as nutrient inputs. The responses of foliar fungal endophyte communities to increased nutrient deposition may be mediated by the simultaneous effects on within‐host competition as well as the indirect impacts of altered host population size, plant productivity, and plant community diversity and composition. Here, we leveraged a 7‐yr experiment manipulating nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients to investigate how nutrient‐induced changes to plant diversity, plant productivity, and plant community composition relate to changes in foliar fungal endophyte diversity and richness in a focal native grass host, Andropogon gerardii. We found limited evidence of direct effects of nutrients on endophyte diversity. Instead, the effects of nutrients on endophyte diversity appeared to be mediated by accumulation of plant litter and plant diversity loss. Specifically, nitrogen addition is associated with a 40% decrease in plant diversity and an 11% decrease in endophyte richness. Although nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium addition increased aboveground live biomass and decreased relative Andropogon cover, endophyte diversity did not covary with live plant biomass or Andropogon cover. Our results suggest that fungal endophyte diversity within this focal host is determined in part by the diversity of the surrounding plant community and its potential impact on immigrant propagules and dispersal dynamics. Our results suggest that elemental nutrients reduce endophyte diversity indirectly via impacts on the local plant community, not direct response to nutrient addition. Thus, the effects of global change drivers, such as nutrient deposition, on characteristics of host populations and the diversity of their local communities are important for predicting the response of symbiont communities in a changing global environment.
Early initiation of sodium‐glucose linked transporter inhibitors (SGLT‐2i) and associated metabolic and electrolyte outcomes in diabetic kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Song Chelsey Chenxi , Brown Andrew , Winstead Ryan , Yakubu Idris , Demehin Moses , Kumar Dhiren , Gupta Gaurav
Published: September 2020

There is a paucity of data on the use of SGLT2 inhibitors on outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. There may be concern in initiating these agents, especially within the first year post‐transplant when renal function is more labile and immunosuppression more intense, due to a presumed high risk of urinary infections and acute kidney injury. This is a retrospective study on 50 kidney transplant recipients, half of whom were started on therapy within the first year of transplant. Over a follow‐up period of 6 months, overall patients had a statistically significant improvement in weight by −2.95 kg [SD 3.54, P = <.0001 (CI: 3.53, 1.50)] as well as hypomagnesemia 0.13 [SD 1.73, P = .0004 (CI: 0.06, 0.20)]. Overall insulin usage declined by −3.7 units [SD 22.8, P = .17]. 14% of patients had at least one urinary tract infection although this rate is not different (~20%) than that reported historically in this high‐risk population.
Application of eDNA metabarcoding in a fragmented lowland river: Spatial and methodological comparison of fish species composition
Authors: Antognazza Caterina M. , Britton Robert J. , Read Daniel S. , Goodall Tim , Mantzouratou Anna , De Santis Vanessa , Davies Peter , Aprahamian Miran , Franklin Elizabeth , Hardouin Emilie A. , Andreou Demetra
Published: September 2020

Assessments of fish communities tend to rely on capture‐based methods that, due to sampling biases, can underestimate actual species richness. Alternatively, environmental DNA (eDNA) based metabarcoding is a noncapture approach that infers species richness and distribution by collecting and sequencing DNA present in the ecosystem. Here, eDNA metabarcoding was applied to the lower River Severn, a highly modified and impounded river, to identify the species present in the fish assemblage. Using a universal primer for fish (12S mtDNA region), comparisons were made between the species identified as present by eDNA metabarcoding versus long‐term data available from fisheries monitoring data based on capture methods. Depending on the stringency of detection thresholds applied, the two methods detected between 15 and 25 fish species present in the river, with the eDNA metabarcoding detecting most species previously reported in the capture surveys, although with differences in the relative abundance of species between the methods. Notably, eDNA metabarcoding detected species of high conservation importance that were never sampled by capture techniques, including native European shads (Alosa spp.). Differences in the similarity indices of species detection were greater between the sampling methods than between sampling sites on each river. These results highlight the high potential of eDNA metabarcoding to provide an effective monitoring tool for biodiversity and conservation in rivers, but also indicate the need for complementary multi‐method sampling for robust estimates of fish species richness.
Metabolomic signatures of cardiac remodelling and heart failure risk in the community
Authors: Andersson Charlotte , Liu Chunyu , Cheng Susan , Wang Thomas J. , Gerszten Robert E. , Larson Martin G. , Vasan Ramachandran S.
Published: September 2020

Aims

Heart failure (HF) is associated with several metabolic changes, but it is unknown whether distinct components of the circulating metabolome may be related to cardiac structure and function, and with incident HF in the community.

Methods and results

We assayed 217 circulating metabolites in 2336 Framingham Study participants (mean age 55 ± 10 years, 53% women) without HF at baseline. We used linear and Cox regression to relate concentrations of metabolites to left ventricular (LV) diastolic dimension, LV wall thickness, LV ejection fraction, left atrial dimension, LV ventricular mass, and aortic root size cross‐sectionally and to incident HF prospectively. Bonferroni‐adjusted P‐values <0.05 denoted statistical significance. Circulating concentrations of kynurenine [β = −0.12 cm per standard deviation (SD) increment in normalized residual of metabolite, P = 7.3 × 10−8] and aminoadipate (−0.11 cm per SD increment, P = 2.61 × 10−5) were associated with left ventricular diastolic dimension, phosphatidylcholine (carbon:double bound = 38:6) with left atrial dimension (0.10 cm per SD increment, P = 9.7 × 10−6), and cholesterol ester (carbon:double bound = 20:5) with left atrial dimension (0.10 cm per SD increment, P = 1.4 × 10−5) in multivariable‐adjusted models. During an average follow‐up of 15.8 (range 0.02–23.2) years, 113 participants (5%) were diagnosed with HF with reduced ejection fraction and 106 individuals (5%) with HF with preserved ejection fraction. In multivariable analyses, concentrations of phosphatidylcholine (hazard ratio 0.63, P = 1.3 × 10−5) and ornithine (hazard ratio 1.44, P = 0.00014) were associated with HF with reduced ejection fraction.

Conclusions

Several metabolites, including the vasoactive metabolite kynurenine, were related to cardiac structure and function in our sample. Additional research is warranted to confirm our observations and investigate if these metabolites can risk stratify ambulatory individuals.
Takotsubo syndrome in the same heart before and after heart transplantation
Authors: Tsuji Masaki , Amiya Eisuke , Bujo Chie , Maki Hisataka , Ishida Junichi , Hatano Masaru , Ono Minoru , Komuro Issei
Published: September 2020

Heart transplantation is an effective therapy for patients with end‐stage heart failure. In some cases, Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) was seen in the donor heart. We report a case of TTS in a 40‐year‐old woman with a history of epileptic seizures who underwent heart transplantation from a donor with TTS. The donor was brain‐dead due to severe hypoxic encephalopathy during cardiac arrest with TTS. Fifteen months after heart transplantation, she was readmitted for epileptic seizures. Electrocardiogram showed T‐wave inversion, and transthoracic echocardiography showed apical ballooning. Coronary angiography was normal, and endomyocardial biopsy was negative for rejection. Iodine‐123 metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging demonstrated a low heart‐to‐mediastinum ratio and high washout rate. Eighteen days after admission, recovery of left ventricular dysfunction was confirmed, and she was diagnosed with TTS triggered by epileptic seizures. It is important to recognize the risk of recurrent TTS in heart transplantation patients from a donor with TTS.
Disease progression in cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis is indicated by serial calculation of National Amyloidosis Centre transthyretin amyloidosis stage
Authors: Law Steven , Petrie Aviva , Chacko Liza , Cohen Oliver C. , Ravichandran Sriram , Gilbertson Janet A. , Rowczenio Dorota , Wechalekar Ashutosh , Martinez‐Naharro Ana , Lachmann Helen J. , Whelan Carol J. , Hutt David F. , Hawkins Philip N. , Fontana Marianna , Gillmore Julian D.
Published: September 2020

Aims

Cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR‐CM) is a progressive and fatal condition. Prognosis can be determined at diagnosis according to the National Amyloidosis Centre (NAC) transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) stage. We sought to examine how NAC ATTR stage changes during follow‐up and whether it maintains its prognostic value throughout the disease course.

Methods and results

We performed a retrospective study of 945 patients with wild‐type ATTR‐CM (wtATTR‐CM) or hereditary ATTR‐CM associated with the V122I variant (V122I‐hATTR‐CM) who were diagnosed and serially evaluated at the UK NAC. Patients who commenced any disease‐modifying therapy for amyloidosis were censored at the time of doing so. Landmark Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were performed at diagnosis (n = 945) and at 6 ± 1 (n = 432), 12 ± 3 (n = 562), and 24 ± 3 (n = 316) months and stratified by recalculated NAC ATTR stage at the relevant time point. Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the prognostic significance during follow‐up of an increase in NAC ATTR stage from Stage I at diagnosis. Mortality in ATTR‐CM was predicted by NAC ATTR stage at each time point [Stage II vs. I, hazard ratios (HRs) 1.95–2.67; P < 0.001; Stage III vs. II, HRs 1.64–2.25; P < 0.001–0.013]. An increase from NAC ATTR Stage I, which occurred in 21%, 32%, and 44% of evaluable patients at 6, 12, and 24 months of follow‐up respectively, was highly predictive of ongoing mortality at each time point (HRs 2.58–3.22; P < 0.001) and in each genotypic subgroup (HRs 1.86–4.38; P < 0.05). Increase in NAC ATTR stage occurred earlier in V122I‐hATTR‐CM than in wtATTR‐CM (43% vs. 27% at 12 months of follow‐up; P = 0.003).

Conclusions

National Amyloidosis Centre ATTR stage predicts ongoing survival throughout the disease natural history in ATTR‐CM, and an increase from NAC ATTR Stage I at diagnosis to a higher NAC ATTR stage predicts mortality throughout follow‐up. Serial calculation of NAC ATTR stage suggests a more aggressive phenotype in V122I‐hATTR‐CM than in wtATTR‐CM.
A rare case of severe right heart failure due to pulmonary artery lymphomatoid granulomatosis
Authors: Su Hongling , Wei Rong , Duan Yichao , Guo Zhaoxia , Wang Aqian , Jiang Na , Li Wanpeng , Zhu Yan , Guo Yanqing , Zhang Min , Zhang Yan , Cao Yunshan
Published: September 2020

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a rare, vascular‐centric, and vessel‐destroying lymphoproliferative disease that hardly involves the pulmonary arteries. Herein, we report a case with severe right heart failure and pulmonary arterial stenosis caused by pulmonary artery lymphomatoid granulomatosis. This case was diagnosed by percutaneous transluminal pulmonary artery biopsy and was effectively treated with stent implantation and steroid administration.
The Protective Effect of Dietary EPA‐Enriched Ethanolamine Plasmalogens against Hyperlipidemia in Aged Mice
Authors: Ding Lin , Zhang Lingyu , Shi Haohao , Xue Changhu , Yanagita Teruyoshi , Zhang Tiantian , Wang Yuming
Published: September 2020

Decreased ethanolamine plasmalogen (PlsEtn) levels are observed in erythrocytes from patients with hyperlipidemia. Dietary PlsEtns can increase erythrocyte membrane PlsEtns and decrease plasma cholesterol; however, they do not affect triacylglycerol levels. In the present study, the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid‐enriched PlsEtn (EPA‐PlsEtn) on hyperlipidemia are evaluated in comparison to those of EPA‐enriched phosphatidylcholine (EPA‐PC) in senescence‐accelerated mice (SAMP8). The results indicate that EPA‐PlsEtn supplementation dramatically reduces triacylglycerol (42%, p < 0.01) and serum cholesterol (32%, p < 0.05) levels compared to those in the model group, while EPA‐PC treatment does not significantly affect either of these parameters. Mechanistically, the triacylglycerol‐lowering effect of EPA‐PlsEtn may be attributed to accelerated fatty acid β‐oxidation that occurs due to the upregulation of carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT)‐1a, CPT‐2, and acyl‐CoA oxidase 1 expression. Additionally, EPA‐PlsEtn supplementation can reduce hepatic cholesterol levels via promoting cholesterol efflux mediated by ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 5 and the synthesis of bile acids regulated by farnesoid X receptor. These findings suggest that EPA‐PlsEtn may be promising for use as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of age‐related hyperlipidemia and metabolic disorder.

Practical Applications: Supplementary EPA‐PlsEtn can reduce both cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels in the serum and liver of SAMP8 mice, which contributes to the protection against age‐related hyperlipidemia. EPA‐PlsEtn supplementation accelerates hepatic fatty acid β‐oxidation and cholesterol efflux, which results in lowering serum lipid levels. EPA‐PlsEtn and EPA‐PC exert different effects on lipid metabolism via different metabolic pathways, which indicates the activity‐structure relationship is worth further investigation.
CO2 Utilization Technologies in Europe: A Short Review
Authors: Chauvy Remi , De Weireld Guy
Published: September 2020

Carbon dioxide utilization is increasingly attracting interest. CO2 utilization involves a multitude of processes and chemical reactions. In this context, the goal of this review is to analyze the techno‐economic feasibility, sustainability, and social opportunities of CO2 utilization, as a possible contribution to CO2 mitigation in Europe. Industries and the most recent European projects related to carbon capture and utilization are also discussed, illustrating Europe's performance dynamics in science, research, and innovation in this field. The latest developments in CO2 utilization are thus reviewed, including chemicals, mineral carbonation, and biological uses. This study examines a few CO2‐based pathways at high level of maturity covering a wide range of applications, and discusses their current technical feasibility, economic viability, sustainability, and social aspects. They are then evaluated using several indicators to provide a figure of merit, where qualitative results are intended. The mapping and ranking of CO2 utilization pathways may provide a valuable means in prioritizing support and funding to facilitate the development of large‐scale CO2 utilization projects in Europe. Finally, key challenges and opportunities are discussed. The review shows that CO2 utilization may not be a complete solution for Europe, but will support climate change objectives, circular economy, and resource and energy security.
Bi‐based photocatalysts for light‐driven environmental and energy applications: Structural tuning, reaction mechanisms, and challenges
Authors: Chen Peng , Liu Hongjing , Cui Wen , Lee Shun Cheng , Wang Li'ao , Dong Fan
Published: September 2020

Environmental pollution and energy crisis have become major challenges to sustainable development of human society. Solar‐driven photocatalytic technology is regarded as an extremely attractive solution to environmental remediation and energy conversion. Unfortunately, practical applications of traditional photocatalysts are restricted owing to the poor absorption of visible light, insufficient charge separation and undefined reaction mechanism. Therefore, developing novel visible light photocatalysts and exploring their modification strategies are significant in the area of photocatalysis. Bi‐based photocatalysts have attracted wide attention due to unique geometric structures, tunable electronic structure and decent photocatalytic activity under visible light. At present, Bi‐based photocatalysts can be mainly classified as bismuth metal, binary oxides, bismuth oxyhalogen, multicomponent oxides and binary sulfides, and so forth. Although they can be used as independent photocatalysts for environmental purification and energy development, their efficiency is not ideal. Therefore, many efforts have been made to enhance their photocatalytic performance in the past few decades. Significant progresses in determining the fundamental properties of photocatalysts, improving the photocatalytic performance and understanding the photocatalytic mechanism in important reactions have been made benefited from the various new developed concepts and approaches. This review introduces the structural properties of Bi‐based photocatalysts in detail and summarizes the design and modification strategy for improving the photocatalytic performance, including metal/nonmetal doping, construction of heterojunctions, regulation of crystal facet exposure, and structural defects. Furthermore, we discuss the catalysis mechanisms of Bi‐based materials in terms of semiconductor photocatalysis and plasmonic photocatalysis. Finally, the applications, challenges and prospects of Bi‐based photocatalysts are proposed to guide the future work.

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Biochar production: A sustainable solution for crop residue burning and related environmental issues
Authors: Khare Puja , Deshmukh Yogita , Yadav Vineet , Pandey Versha , Singh Asha , Verma Kirti
Published: September 2020

The crop residue burning poses a threat to the environment and human health due to the emission of toxic gasses and particulate matter. This study examines the possibility of biochar production from corp residue and its utilization as a soil fertility enhancer and alternative fuel as a sustainable solution. The estimations of the total biochar production from major crop residues produced (wheat, rice, sugarcane, and maize) in India and the evaluation of its impact on CO2 sequestration potential, nutrient sequestration, and improvement in crop yield were made with the available data. The estimations indicate that the biochars produced from crop residue could have high carbon (45–83%), nutrients (N: 0.3–3.2 g/kg%, P: 0.1–7.99 g/kg and K: 2.64–224 g/kg), cation exchange capacity (10.9–97.3cmol/kg), water holding capacity (41–561%) with high heat value (15–28 MJ/kg). On applying crop residue derived biochar in soil, the revenue can be generated through CO2 sequestration ($0.29–3.63 million per year) and enhancement in crop productivity (0.02–0.94 million $/ha/year). The study advises that the production of biochar from crop residue could be beneficial not only for the environment but also for the farmers. Technological developments for biochar production at farmer levels are needed to discontinue the crop residue burning in India.