bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persistent soil seed banks promote naturalisation and invasiveness in flowering plants
Authors: Gioria Margherita , Carta Angelino , Baskin Carol C. , Dawson Wayne , Essl Franz , Kreft Holger , Pergl Jan , van Kleunen Mark , Weigelt Patrick , Winter Marten , Pyšek Petr
Published: May 2021

With globalisation facilitating the movement of plants and seeds beyond the native range, preventing potentially harmful introductions requires knowledge of what drives the successful establishment and spread of alien plants. Here, we examined global‐scale relationships between naturalisation success (incidence and extent) and invasiveness, soil seed bank properties (type and densities) and key species traits (seed mass, seed dormancy and life form) for 2350 species of angiosperms. Naturalisation and invasiveness were strongly associated with the ability to form persistent (vs. transient) seed banks but relatively weakly with seed bank densities and other traits. Our findings suggest that seed bank persistence is a trait that better captures the ability to become naturalised and invasive compared to seed traits more widely available in trait databases. Knowledge of seed persistence can contribute to our ability to predict global naturalisation and invasiveness and to identify potentially invasive flowering plants before they are introduced.
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk markers in Parkinson’s disease: Results from a case−control study
Authors: Alves Mariana , Pita Lobo Patrícia , Kauppila Linda Azevedo , Rebordão Leonor , Cruz M. Manuela , Soares Fátima , Cruz João , Tornada Ana , Caldeira Daniel , Reimão Sofia , Oliveira Victor , Ferro José M. , Ferreira Joaquim J.
Published: May 2021

Background

The relationship between Parkinson's disease (PD) and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease is not yet well established. Recent data suggest an increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in PD patients. Therefore, we designed a study to assess surrogate markers of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk in PD.

Methods

We conducted a case−control study comparing PD patients recruited from a Movement Disorders Unit with controls randomly invited from a primary healthcare center. All participants underwent a detailed clinical evaluation, including medical history, physical assessment, carotid ultrasound, blood and urine analysis, and 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The primary outcome was the carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT).

Results

We included 102 participants in each study arm. No significant difference was found in the CIMT among groups (MD: 0.01, 95% CI: −0.02, 0.04). Carotid plaques were more frequent in PD patients (OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.55), although the lipid profile was more favorable in this group (LDL MD: −18.75; 95% CI: −10.69, −26.81). Nocturnal systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in PD patients (MD: 4.37, 95% CI: 0.27, 8.47) and more than half of the PD patients were non‐dippers or reverse dippers (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.20).

Conclusion

We did not find a difference in CIMT between PD and controls. A higher frequency of carotid plaques and abnormal dipper profile supports the hypothesis that PD patients are not protected from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.
High‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and brain aging amongst rural‐dwelling older adults: a population‐based magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Wang Mingqi , Li Yuanjing , Cong Lin , Hou Tingting , Luo Yishan , Shi Lin , Chang Liguo , Zhang Chuanchen , Wang Yongxiang , Wang Xiang , Du Yifeng , Qiu Chengxuan
Published: May 2021

Background and purpose

Current evidence supports the involvement of lipids in brain aging. A range of serum lipids is explored in association with brain structure and cognitive function amongst rural‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

This population‐based cross‐sectional study included 184 rural‐dwelling adults (age ≥ 65 years, 39.1% women) in Shandong, China. In 2014–2016, data on demographics, lifestyle, health conditions and serum lipids were collected. Volumes of gray matter, white matter, ventricles, hippocampus and white matter hyperintensity were automatically estimated on brain magnetic resonance imaging. Global cognitive function was assessed with the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was defined according to Petersen's criteria. Data were analyzed using the general linear regression, logistic regression and mediation models.

Results

Of the 184 participants, 47 were defined with MCI. Low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C; <1.55 vs. ≥1.55 mmol/l) was significantly associated with reduced volumes of total white matter (multi‐adjusted β = −9.77, 95% confidence interval −19.48–0.06) and hippocampus (−0.23, −0.46–0.01), a lower MMSE score (−1.49, −2.67–0.31) and a higher likelihood of MCI (multi‐adjusted odds ratio 3.21, 95% confidence interval 1.42–7.29). The mediation effects of structural brain measures on the associations between a low level of HDL‐C and MMSE score or MCI were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study suggests that low HDL‐C may be involved in structural brain aging and cognitive dysfunction amongst rural‐dwelling older adults in China, but the association of low HDL‐C with cognitive aging phenotypes appears not to be mediated by brain structure.
A new microstructure‐based multiaxial fatigue life prediction model for A319 casting alloys
Authors: Zhou Zhiqiang , Liu Xiaoshan , He Guoqiu , Ge Bin , Le Peiwen , Pan Jiaqi , Huang Ziao , Li Jingquan , Wang Qigui
Published: May 2021

This paper describes a microstructure‐based multiaxial nonproportional fatigue life prediction model applied to A319 alloy. The materials made with different casting cooling rates and Sr modification are characterized and quantified in terms of secondary dendrite arm spacing, size, and aspect ratio of eutectic Si particles. Multiaxial nonproportional fatigue tests have been performed on six groups of A319 alloys to systematically analyze the effect of microstructure and loading path on the fatigue properties of Al–Si cast alloy. The first part of the paper is focused on microstructure quantitative characterization to determine the influence of different casting conditions, followed by stress response behavior and fatigue fracture analysis. Finally, a new multiaxial fatigue life prediction model for Al–Si alloy is proposed, for which 56% of the data points fall in the bound lines of factor of 2 and 83% of the data points fall in the bound lines of factor of 3.
Drought effects on invertebrate metapopulation dynamics and quasi‐extinction risk in an intermittent river network
Authors: Sarremejane Romain , Stubbington Rachel , England Judy , Sefton Catherine E. M. , Eastman Michael , Parry Simon , Ruhi Albert
Published: May 2021

Ecological communities can remain stable in the face of disturbance if their constituent species have different resistance and resilience strategies. In turn, local stability scales up regionally if heterogeneous landscapes maintain spatial asynchrony across discrete populations—but not if large‐scale stressors synchronize environmental conditions and biological responses. Here, we hypothesized that droughts could drastically decrease the stability of invertebrate metapopulations both by filtering out poorly adapted species locally, and by synchronizing their dynamics across a river network. We tested this hypothesis via multivariate autoregressive state‐space (MARSS) models on spatially replicated, long‐term data describing aquatic invertebrate communities and hydrological conditions in a set of temperate, lowland streams subject to seasonal and supraseasonal drying events. This quantitative approach allowed us to assess the influence of local (flow magnitude) and network‐scale (hydrological connectivity) drivers on invertebrate long‐term trajectories, and to simulate near‐future responses to a range of drought scenarios. We found that fluctuations in species abundances were heterogeneous across communities and driven by a combination of hydrological and stochastic drivers. Among metapopulations, increasing extent of dry reaches reduced the abundance of functional groups with low resistance or resilience capacities (i.e. low ability to persist in situ or recolonize from elsewhere, respectively). Our simulations revealed that metapopulation quasi‐extinction risk for taxa vulnerable to drought increased exponentially as flowing habitats contracted within the river network, whereas the risk for taxa with resistance and resilience traits remained stable. Our results suggest that drought can be a synchronizing agent in riverscapes, potentially leading to regional quasi‐extinction of species with lower resistance and resilience abilities. Better recognition of drought‐driven synchronization may increase realism in species extinction forecasts as hydroclimatic extremes continue to intensify worldwide.
VCP relocalization limits mitochondrial activity, GSH depletion and ferroptosis during starvation in PC3 prostate cancer cells
Authors: Ogor Promise , Yoshida Tomoki , Koike Masaaki , Kakizuka Akira
Published: May 2021

During periods of crisis, cells must compensate to survive. To this end, cells may need to alter the subcellular localization of crucial proteins. Here, we show that during starvation, VCP, the most abundant soluble ATPase, relocalizes and forms aggregate‐like structures at perinuclear regions in PC3 prostate cancer cells. This movement is associated with a lowered metabolic state, in which mitochondrial activity and ROS production are reduced. VCP appears to explicitly sense glutamine levels, as removal of glutamine from complete medium triggered VCP relocalization and its addition to starvation media blunted VCP relocalization. Cells cultured in Gln(+) starvation media exhibited uniformly distributed VCP in the cytoplasm (free VCP) and underwent ferroptotic cell death, which was associated with a decrease in GSH levels. Moreover, the addition of a VCP inhibitor, CB‐5083, in starvation media prevented VCP relocalization and triggered ferroptotic cell death. Likewise, expression of GFP‐fused VCP proteins, irrespective of ATPase activities, displayed free VCP and triggered cell death during starvation. These results indicate that free VCP is essential for the maintenance of mitochondrial function and that PC3 cells employ a strategy of VCP self‐aggregation to suppress mitochondrial activity in order to escape cell death during starvation, a novel VCP‐mediated survival mechanism.
Antimicrobial and immunomodulatory in vitro profile of double antibiotic paste
Authors: Sousa Maurício Gonçalves da Costa , Xavier Patrícia Diniz , Cantuária Ana Paula de Castro , Amorim Ingrid Aquino , Almeida Jeeser Alves , Franco Octavio Luiz , Rezende Taia Maria Berto
Published: May 2021

Aim

To evaluate the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity of double antibiotic paste (DAP) in an in vitro infection model.

Methodology

The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) and the antibiofilm activities (TTC assay) of DAP and its components (ciprofloxacin and metronidazole) were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis compared with triple antibiotic paste (TAP). The cellular viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages (24 and 72 h) and L929 fibroblasts (48 and 72 h) was evaluated by MTT. Furthermore, the production of TNF‐α, IL‐12, IL‐6, IL‐1α, IL‐10 and NO (on RAW 264.7), besides IL‐6, TGF‐β and NO (on L929), stimulated with DAP in baseline and associated with heat‐killed microbial‐antigen conditions was measured by ELISA and Griess reaction. Data were analysed using the one‐way ANOVA test with Bonferroni's corrections.

Results

The MBC of pharmacopoeia DAP was similar to TAP for E. faecalis (0.25 μg.  mL−1) and lower for S. aureus (DAP 1 μg. mL−1 and TAP 2 μg. mL−1; p < .001). Ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiofilm drug from the pastes (35% of reduction for E. faecalis and S. aureus; p < .0001), and both pastes had a similar antibiofilm eradication against both biofilm species (29% and 35% for S. aureus and 76% and 85% for E. faecalis; p < .0001). DAP was cytotoxic against the tested cells. DAP significantly upregulated IL‐1α (p < .001), IL‐6 (p < .0001), TNF‐α (p < .01) and IL‐12 (p < .05; in the absence of antigens) and significantly reduced IL‐6 (p < .0001; in the presence of HK‐S. aureus) and IL‐10 (p < .05; in the presence of both antigens) on macrophages. Furthermore, DAP upregulated IL‐6 (p < .001) and NO (p < .05; in the absence of antigens), IL‐6 (p < .001; in the presence of HK‐S. aureus) and reduced NO (p < .001; in the presence of HK‐S. aureus).

Conclusions

Double antibiotic paste and TAP had similar antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. faecalis. DAP upregulated pro‐inflammatory cytokines mainly in the absence of antigens and had pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages and L929 fibroblasts in the presence of antigens involved in pulp infections.
Prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of frequently readmitted patients to an internal medicine service
Authors: Tong Brian C. Y. , Osborne Christine D. I. , Horwood Chris M. , Hakendorf Paul H. , Woodman Richard J. , Li Jordan Y.
Published: May 2021

Background

Unplanned hospital readmissions (HRA), which have been used as key performance index of healthcare quality, are becoming more prevalent. They are associated with substantial financial burden to hospital systems and considerable impacts on patients' physical and mental health. Patients with frequent readmissions are not well studied.

Aims

To determine the prevalence, characteristics and risk factors associated with frequent readmissions (FRA) to an internal medicine service at a tertiary public hospital.

Method

A retrospective observational study was conducted at an internal medicine service in a tertiary teaching hospital between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2016. FRA was defined as four or more readmissions within 12 months of discharge from the index admission (IA). Demographic and clinical characteristics and potential risk factors were evaluated.

Results

A total of 50 515 patients was included; 1657 (3.3%) had FRA and were associated with nearly 2.5 times higher in 12‐month mortality rates. They were older, had higher rates of indigenous Australians (3.2%), more disadvantaged status (index of relative socio‐economic disadvantage decile of 5.3) and more comorbidities (mean Charlson comorbidity index 1.4) in comparison, to infrequent readmission group. The mean length of hospital stay during the IA was 6 days for FRA group (21.4% staying more than 7 days) with higher incidence of discharge against medical advice (2.0% higher). Intensive care unit admission rate was 6.6% for FRA group compared with 3.9% for infrequent readmission group. Multivariate analysis showed mental disease and disorders, neoplastic, alcohol/drug use and alcohol/drug‐induced organic mental disorders are associated with FRA.

Conclusion

The risk factors associated with FRA were older age, indigenous status, being socially disadvantaged, having higher comorbidities and discharging against medical advice. Conditions that lead to FRA were mental disorders, alcohol/drug use and alcohol/drug‐induced organic mental disorders and neoplastic disorders.
Supraphysiological estradiol promotes human T follicular helper cell differentiation and favours humoural immunity during in vitro fertilization
Authors: Hu Cong , Liu HongLei , Pang Bo , Wu Hao , Lin Xiuying , Zhen Yu , Yi Huanfa
Published: May 2021

During pregnancy, humoural immunity is essential for protection against many extracellular pathogens; however, autoimmune diseases may be induced or aggravated. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells contribute to humoural immunity. The aim of this study was to test whether Tfh cell function can be manipulated via hormones. Seventy‐four women who underwent in vitro fertilization were recruited and divided into four groups: menstrual period (MP), controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), embryo transfer (ET) and pregnant after embryo transfer (P). A flow cytometry analysis was performed to identify Tfh cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Bioinformatics analysis revealed a possible pathway between Tfh and B cells. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were used to detect interleukin (IL)‐21 and IL‐6. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify BCL‐6, BACH2, XBP‐1, IRF‐4 and G protein‐coupled (GP)ER‐1 mRNA expression. Compared with the MP group, the COH, ET and P groups showed more Tfh and B cells, as well as higher IL‐21, IL‐6, BCL‐6 and BACH2 expression. Furthermore, Tfh cell frequency in PBMCs, as well as serum IL‐21 and IL‐6 levels, were all positively correlated with serum estradiol (E2) levels; the B cell percentage also correlated positively with Tfh cells in PBMCs. Combined with the bioinformatics analysis, XBP‐1, IRF‐4 and GPER‐1 expression was related to E2 levels, both in vivo and in vitro. We speculate that E2 augments Tfh cells and favours humoural immunity. This study indicates that Tfh cell regulation may be a novel target in maintaining the maternal‐foetal immune balance.
Governing by Enabling in Multilevel Systems: Capacity Building and Local Climate Action in the European Union
Authors: Domorenok Ekaterina , Prontera Andrea
Published: May 2021

This article investigates whether, how and under what conditions European Union (EU) capacity‐building programmes actually contribute to improving the action capacity of target actors in view of common policy objectives. The empirical analysis focuses on the European Local Energy Assistance (ELENA) technical facility that aims to enhance local authorities' project development and management capacities in the field of renewables and energy efficiency. Our findings show that favourable contextual conditions and the actual functional demand for more capacities cannot explain the implementation dynamics of this programme across EU countries. Conversely, the availability of basic starting resources or the ability to draw from EU funds emerge as key factors behind these dynamics. Evidence is provided demonstrating that the effectiveness of such programmes can be hampered by a persistent capacity trap if barriers to their implementation are not carefully considered in advance.
Evaluation of change in metabolome caused by comprehensive diabetes treatment: A prospective observational study of diabetes inpatients with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry‐based non‐target metabolomic analysis
Authors: Taya Naohiro , Katakami Naoto , Omori Kazuo , Arakawa Shoya , Hosoe Shigero , Watanabe Hirotaka , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Miyashita Kazuyuki , Nishizawa Hitoshi , Matsuoka Taka‐Aki , Furuno Masahiro , Bamba Takeshi , Iida Junko , Fukusaki Eiichiro , Shimomura Iichiro
Published: May 2021

Aims/Introduction

Diabetes patients develop a variety of metabolic abnormalities in addition to hyperglycemia. However, details regarding change in various metabolites after comprehensive diabetes treatment remain unknown. This study aimed to identify the short‐term change in metabolome in inpatients who were subject to comprehensive diabetes treatment, using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry‐based non‐target metabolomics techniques.

Materials and Methods

Participants of the present study were randomly recruited from the patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized due to problems with glycemic control (n = 31) and volunteers without diabetes (n = 30), both of whom were aged between 20 and 75 years. A metabolomic analysis of fasting plasma samples on the 2nd (pre‐treatment) and 16th hospital (post‐treatment) day with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using a multiple reaction monitoring mode was carried out.

Results

A principal component analysis showed that metabolome of fasting plasma was different between individuals with and without diabetes. The metabolome of fasting plasma in diabetes patients after treatment was different from that of pre‐treatment, as well as individuals without diabetes. Many amino acids (proline, glycine, serine, threonine, methionine, pyroglutamic acid, glutamine and lysine) were significantly increased by >10% after administering the inpatient diabetes treatment. A hierarchical clustering analysis showed that in the case of patients with markedly decreased monosaccharide levels and increased 1,5‐anhydroglucitol, the levels of amino acids increased more significantly.

Conclusions

After a 2‐week comprehensive treatment, the plasma levels of various amino acids increased in conjunction with the reduction in monosaccharide levels in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes patients.
Effects of subcutaneous injection of λ/κ‐carrageenin on the immune and liver antioxidant status of gilthead seabream (Sparusaurata)
Authors: Campos‐Sánchez José Carlos , Guardiola Francisco A. , García Beltrán José María , Ceballos‐Francisco Diana , Esteban María Ángeles
Published: May 2021

This study investigated the acute inflammatory response induced by subcutaneous injection of carrageenin (1%) or phosphate‐buffered saline (control) in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Skin mucus, serum, head kidney (HK) and liver were sampled at 1.5, 3 and 6 hr post‐injection (p.i.) to determine the immune and antioxidant status of this fish species. The skin mucus of the carrageenin group showed increased superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities, lysozyme abundance, bactericidal activity against Vibrio anguillarum and Photobacterium damselae, and total immunoglobulins compared with those of the control group. However, the carrageenin‐injected fish sampled at 6 hr p.i. showed decreased protease activity in the skin mucus and peroxidase activity in the HK leucocytes compared with the control. Moreover, the carrageenin injection had no effects on the systemic immune system, but it reduced the liver catalase activities at both 3 and 6 hr in the carrageenin group relative to those in the control group. The expression levels of several proinflammatory and cell marker genes in the HK and liver were also determined. In the HK, the expression levels of interleukin‐1β and prostaglandin D synthase 1 were upregulated at 1.5 and 3 hr, respectively, in the carrageenin group compared with those in the control group. Contrarily, the expression of the NADPH oxidase subunit phox40 (an acidophilic granulocyte marker) in the carrageenin group at 6 hr was downregulated compared with that in the control group. These results suggested that subcutaneous injection of κ/λ‐carrageenin in gilthead seabream triggered an acute skin inflammation characterized by the rapid recruitment of acidophilic granulocytes and the release of humoral mediators into the skin mucus.
Cytomegalovirus Infection in Pregnancy: Prevention, Presentation, Management and Neonatal Outcomes
Authors: Pesch Megan H. , Saunders Natalie A. , Abdelnabi Samia
Published: May 2021

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common congenital infection in the United States, with 1 of 200 live births affected. It is the leading viral cause of intrauterine fetal demise and miscarriage. It is a common cause of neonatal hearing loss, second only to genetic factors. Yet, health care provider awareness remains low. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of the epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of antenatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and cCMV in the neonate. Maternal CMV infection in pregnancy often presents with mild cold‐like symptoms or is asymptomatic. The virus can be vertically transmitted to a growing fetus, the risk of transmission and severity of fetal impact varying by timing of exposure during pregnancy. Most neonates born with cCMV show no signs at birth, yet 15% to 25% will have long‐term adverse neurodevelopmental conditions. Misconceptions that cCMV cannot be prevented or that neonates born without signs of the disease will be unaffected are common. Evidence supporting antenatal education around behavioral change to lower a woman's risk of acquiring CMV during pregnancy is mounting. CMV infection during pregnancy should be co‐managed with a maternal‐fetal medicine specialist. There is early evidence for the use of antiviral medication in reducing risk of vertical transmission. Identification of cCMV during pregnancy may help ensure the neonate receives timely treatment after birth. Midwives can play an important role in providing antenatal education about cCMV risk reduction and in initiating a diagnostic evaluation when there is clinical suspicion.
From ‘Publish or Perish’ to Societal Impact: Organizational Repurposing Towards Responsible Innovation through Creating a Medical Platform
Authors: Rauch Madeleine , Ansari Shahzad (Shaz)
Published: May 2021

Why would an academic project incentivized towards scientific publications be repurposed to become a medical platform for responsible innovation? Patient Innovation, a non‐profit medical platform that focuses on the sharing and dissemination of innovations to find solutions for rare and chronic diseases, was initially set up as an academic research project. However, team members reframed their core purpose from conducting research on user innovation to providing global access to these innovations and creating societal impact. Using a framing lens to understand organizational repurposing, we illuminate how serendipitous inspiration, moral emotions and the power of socially conscious users and catalysts drove this emergent reframing of core purpose and develop a model of organizational repurposing. We show how a frame drift towards a change in purpose occurs spontaneously in interactions, as actors frame and reframe situations and feel inspired and morally motivated to transcend their immediate self‐interests and serve collective goals.
What can whiskers tell us about mammalian evolution, behaviour, and ecology?
Authors: Grant Robyn A. , Goss Victor G. A.
Published: May 2021

Most mammals have whiskers; however, nearly everything we know about whiskers derives from just a handful of species, including laboratory rats Rattus norvegicus and mice Mus musculus, as well as some species of pinniped and marsupial.

We explore the extent to which the knowledge of the whisker system from a handful of species applies to mammals generally. This will help us understand whisker evolution and function, in order to gain more insights into mammalian behaviour and ecology.

This review is structured around Tinbergen’s four questions, since this method is an established, comprehensive, and logical approach to studying behaviour. We ask: how do whiskers work, develop, and evolve? And what are they for?

While whiskers are all slender, curved, tapered, keratinised hairs that transmit vibrotactile information, we show that there are marked differences between species with respect to whisker arrangement, numbers, length, musculature, development, and growth cycles.

The conservation of form and a common muscle architecture in mammals suggests that early mammals had whiskers. Whiskers may have been functional even in therapsids.

However, certain extant mammalian species are equipped with especially long and sensitive whiskers, in particular nocturnal, arboreal species, and aquatic species, which live in complex environments and hunt moving prey.

Knowledge of whiskers and whisker use can guide us in developing conservation protocols and designing enriched enclosures for captive mammals.

We suggest that further comparative studies, embracing a wider variety of mammalian species, are required before one can make large‐scale predictions relating to evolution and function of whiskers. More research is needed to develop robust techniques to enhance the welfare and conservation of mammals.
Improved first trimester maternal iodine status with preconception supplementation: The Women First Trial
Authors: Young Amy E. , Kemp Jennifer F. , Uhlson Charis , Westcott Jamie L. , Ali Sumera A. , Saleem Sarah , Garcès Ana , Figueroa Lester , Somannavar Manjunath S. , Goudar Shivaprasad S. , Hambidge K. Michael , Hendricks Audrey E. , Krebs Nancy F. ,   the Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial Group
Published: May 2021

Maternal iodine (I) status is critical in embryonic and foetal development. We examined the effect of preconception iodine supplementation on maternal iodine status and on birth outcomes. Non‐pregnant women in Guatemala, India and Pakistan (n ~ 100 per arm per site) were randomized ≥ 3 months prior to conception to one of three intervention arms: a multimicronutrient‐fortified lipid‐based nutrient supplement containing 250‐μg I per day started immediately after randomization (Arm 1), the same supplement started at ~12 weeks gestation (Arm 2) and no intervention supplement (Arm 3). Urinary I (μg/L) to creatinine (mg/dl) ratios (I/Cr) were determined at 12 weeks for Arm 1 versus Arm 2 (before supplement started) and 34 weeks for all arms. Generalized linear models were used to assess the relationship of I/Cr with arm and with newborn anthropometry. At 12 weeks gestation, adjusted mean I/Cr (μg/g) for all sites combined was significantly higher for Arm 1 versus Arm 2: (203 [95% CI: 189, 217] vs. 163 [95% CI: 152, 175], p < 0.0001). Overall adjusted prevalence of I/Cr < 150 μg/g was also lower in Arm 1 versus Arm 2: 32% (95% CI: 26%, 38%) versus 43% (95% CI: 37%, 49%) (p = 0.0052). At 34 weeks, adjusted mean I/Cr for Arm 1 (235, 95% CI: 220, 252) and Arm 2 (254, 95% CI: 238, 272) did not differ significantly but were significantly higher than Arm 3 (200, 95% CI: 184, 218) (p < 0.0001). Nominally significant positive associations were observed between I/Cr at 12 weeks and birth length and head circumference z‐scores (p = 0.028 and p = 0.005, respectively). These findings support the importance of first trimester iodine status and suggest need for preconception supplementation beyond salt iodization alone.
An infant‐led approach to complementary feeding is positively associated with language development
Authors: Webber Charlotte , Blissett Jacqueline , Addessi Elsa , Galloway Amy T. , Shapiro Laura , Farrow Claire
Published: May 2021

The timing and strategy with which parents first introduce their infants to solid foods may be an important predictor of subsequent developmental outcomes. Recent years have seen a decline in the prevalence of traditional parent‐led feeding of soft, puréed food and a rise in the prevalence of infant‐led complementary feeding. Although there has been some research espousing the benefits of infant‐led complementary feeding for improving food fussiness and self‐regulation, there has been little exploration of this approach that may impact on other developmental outcomes in children. The current study explores whether aspects of the infant‐led approach, specifically the child eating unaided and consuming finger foods and eating with the family, are related to child language outcomes. One hundred thirty one parents of children aged 8–24 months completed questionnaires about their approach to complementary feeding, their current feeding practices, their child's experiences with family foods and child language comprehension/production. The findings suggest that an approach to complementary feeding which promotes infant autonomy in feeding (i.e., eating finger foods rather than puréed foods) and consuming more family foods is related to more advanced child language production and comprehension. Specifically, the prevalence of eating family foods mediated the relationship between eating unaided at the onset of the complementary feeding period and later language outcomes. This study is the first to find a significant relationship between different approaches to introducing solid foods and child language outcomes and these findings highlight the potential for different complementary feeding approaches to influence behaviour beyond mealtimes.
Four times out of Europe: Serial invasions of the winter moth, Operophtera brumata, to North America
Authors: Andersen Jeremy C. , Havill Nathan P. , Caccone Adalgisa , Elkinton Joseph S.
Published: May 2021

Reconstructing the geographic origins of non‐native species is important for studying the factors that influence invasion success, however; these analyses can be constrained by the amount of diversity present in the native and invaded regions, and by changes in the genetic background of the invading population following bottlenecks and/or hybridization events. Here we explore the geographical origins of the invasive winter moth (Operopthera brumata L.) that has caused widespread defoliation to forests, orchards, and crops in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Oregon, and the northeastern United States. It is not known whether these represent independent introductions to North America, or a “stepping stone” spread among regions. Using a combination of Bayesian assignment and approximate Bayesian computation methods, we analysed a population genetic data set of 24 microsatellite loci. We estimate that winter moth was introduced to North America on at least four occasions, with the Nova Scotian and British Columbian populations probably being introduced from France and Sweden, respectively; the Oregonian population probably being introduced from either the British Isles or northern Fennoscandia; and the population in the northeastern United States probably being introduced from somewhere in Central Europe. We discuss the impact of genetic bottlenecks on analyses meant to determine region of origin.
[Fe–S] biogenesis and unusual assembly of the ISC scaffold complex in the Plasmodium falciparum mitochondrion
Authors: Mohammad Sadik  , Mohammad Afsar  , Ramachandran Ravishankar , Habib Saman
Published: May 2021

The malaria parasite harbors two [Fe–S] biogenesis pathways of prokaryotic origin–the SUF and ISC systems in the apicoplast and mitochondrion, respectively. While the SUF machinery has been delineated, there is little experimental evidence on the ISC pathway. We confirmed mitochondrial targeting of Plasmodium falciparum ISC proteins followed by analyses of cysteine desulfurase, scaffold, and [Fe–S]‐carrier components. PfIscU functioned as the scaffold in complex with the PfIscS–PfIsd11 cysteine desulfurase and could directly assemble [4Fe–4S] without prior [2Fe–2S] formation seen in other homologs. Small angle X‐ray scattering and spectral studies showed that PfIscU, a trimer, bound one [4Fe–4S]. In a deviation from reported complexes from other organisms, the P. falciparum desulfurase‐scaffold complex assembled around a PfIscS tetramer instead of a dimer, resulting in a symmetric hetero‐hexamer [2× (2PfIscS–2PfIsd11–2PfIscU)]. PfIscU directly transferred [4Fe–4S] to the apo‐protein aconitase B thus abrogating the requirement of intermediary proteins for conversion of [2Fe–2S] to [4Fe–4S] before transfer to [4Fe–4S]‐recipients. Among the putative cluster‐carriers, PfIscA2 was more efficient than PfNifU‐like protein; PfIscA1 primarily bound iron, suggesting its potential role as a Fe2+ carrier/donor. Our results identify the core P. falciparum ISC machinery and reveal unique features compared with those in bacteria or yeast and human mitochondria.
Anti‐fungal agents in the treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: Systematic review and a network meta‐analysis
Authors: Sehgal Inderpaul Singh , Dhooria Sahajal , Prasad Kuruswamy Thurai , Muthu Valliappan , Aggarwal Ashutosh Nath , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Agarwal Ritesh
Published: May 2021

Background

Oral itraconazole and voriconazole are currently recommended in the initial management of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). However, only a few studies have compared outcomes with different anti‐fungal agents (AFAs) in treating CPA. Herein, we perform a network meta‐analysis comparing the efficacy of different AFAs in CPA.

Methods

We searched the PubMed and EmBase databases to identify studies (either randomised‐controlled trials [RCTs] or observational) reporting treatment outcomes with AFAs in patients of CPA. The study quality was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale (NOS). We performed a network meta‐analysis to compare the relative efficacy of different AFAs in treating CPA. The primary outcome was a favourable response to treatment with AFAs.

Results

We found ten studies (718 patients) investigating different AFAs (oral AFAs [n = 5], intravenous AFAs [n = 5]) in the treatment of CPA. There were four RCTs and six observational studies. The studies using oral agents reported long‐term outcomes (>12 weeks), while those with intravenous agents provided only short‐term outcomes (<6 weeks). We found one study of posaconazole and none with isavuconazole for treating CPA. Amongst the oral agents, itraconazole was significantly better than supportive care and was ranked as the best oral AFA on network rank analysis. We found all intravenous AFAs to be equally effective. Intravenous echinocandins and voriconazole were ranked best for achieving a favourable treatment response.

Conclusion

Oral itraconazole may be preferred over other azoles as the initial therapy for CPA. Amongst the intravenous agents, echinocandins and voriconazole may be preferred over amphotericin B. Randomised‐controlled trials comparing different AFAs, especially the newer AFAs, are urgently needed.
The effect of extended contact with community‐dwelling older adults on the ageist and helping attitudes of home care students: A single‐blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Pekçetin Serkan , Hasgül Ergün , Yıldırım Düğeroğlu Rasime , Arabacı Zeynep
Published: May 2021

Background

Ageist and helping attitudes among undergraduate homecare students are a concern for educators, healthcare professionals and home care workers due to their potential to increase the marginalisation of older people and negatively impact quality of care.

Objectives

The current study evaluated the effect of extended contact with community‐dwelling older adults on the ageist and helping attitudes of home care students.

Methods

Fifty‐five students attending a public university in Turkey were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 27) or control group (n = 28). The intervention group received positive theoretical education and had extended contact with community‐dwelling older adults, while the control group only received positive theoretical education. Before and after the intervention, the students’ ageist attitudes were evaluated with Kogan's Attitudes towards Old People scale (KAOP) and helping attitudes were evaluated with the Helping Attitude Scale (HAS).

Results

There were statistically significant differences between pre‐ and post‐test mean KAOP total, positive ageism and negative ageism subscale scores in the intervention group (p < 0.05) and in KAOP negative ageism score in the control group (p < 0.05). HAS scores showed no significant post‐intervention change in helping attitudes in either group.

Conclusion

Extended contact with community‐dwelling older adults had a favourable influence on undergraduate health students’ ageism attitudes. These results suggest that contact with older adults may be an effective strategy to reduce ageism but may not increase helping behaviours.

Implications for practice

Positive contact experiences with community‐dwelling older adults can be used to reduce ageism in home care students.
Exploring the gene pool ofBrassica napusby genomics‐based approaches
Authors: Hu Dandan , Jing Jinjie , Snowdon Rod J. , Mason Annaliese S. , Shen Jinxiong , Meng Jinling , Zou Jun
Published: May 2021

De novoallopolyploidization inBrassicaprovides a very successful model for reconstructing polyploid genomes using progenitor species and relatives to broaden crop gene pools and understand genome evolution after polyploidy, interspecific hybridization and exotic introgression.B. napus(AACC), the major cultivated rapeseed species and the third largest oilseed crop in the world, is a youngBrassicaspecies with a limited genetic base resulting from its short history of domestication, cultivation, and intensive selection during breeding for target economic traits. However, the gene pool ofB. napushas been significantly enriched in recent decades that has been benefit from worldwide effects by the successful introduction of abundant subgenomic variation and novel genomic variation via intraspecific, interspecific and intergeneric crosses. An important question in this respect is how to utilize such variation to breed crops adapted to the changing global climate. Here, we review the genetic diversity, genome structure, and population‐level differentiation of theB. napusgene pool in relation to known exotic introgressions from various species of the Brassicaceae, especially those elucidated by recent genome‐sequencing projects. We also summarize progress in gene cloning, trait‐marker associations, gene editing, molecular marker‐assisted selection and genome‐wide prediction, and describe the challenges and opportunities of these techniques as molecular platforms to exploit novel genomic variation and their value in the rapeseed gene pool. Future progress will accelerate the creation and manipulation of genetic diversity with genomic‐based improvement, as well as provide novel insights into the neo‐domestication of polyploid crops with novel genetic diversity from reconstructed genomes.
Threat imminence modulates neural gain in attention and motor relevant brain circuits in humans
Authors: de Echegaray Javier , Moratti Stephan
Published: May 2021

Different levels of threat imminence elicit distinct computational strategies reflecting how the organism interacts with its environment in order to guarantee survival. Thereby, parasympathetically driven orienting and inhibition of on‐going behavior in post‐encounter situations and defense reactions in circa‐strike conditions associated with sympathetically driven action preparation are typically observed across species. Here, we show that healthy humans are characterized by markedly variable individual orienting or defense response tendencies as indexed by differential heart rate (HR) changes during the passive viewing of unpleasant pictures. Critically, these HR response tendencies predict neural gain modulations in cortical attention and preparatory motor circuits as measured by neuromagnetic steady‐state visual evoked fields (ssVEFs) and induced beta‐band (19–30 Hz) desynchronization, respectively. Decelerative HR orienting responses were associated with increased ssVEF power in the parietal cortex and reduced beta‐band desynchronization in pre‐motor and motor areas. However, accelerative HR defense response tendencies covaried with reduced ssVEF power in the parietal cortex and lower beta‐band desynchronization in cortical motor circuits. These results show that neural gain in attention‐ and motor‐relevant brain areas is modulated by HR indexed threat imminence during the passive viewing of unpleasant pictures. The observed mutual ssVEF and beta‐band power modulations in attention and motor brain circuits support the idea of two prevalent response tendencies characterized by orienting and motor inhibition or reduced stimulus processing and action initiation tendencies at different perceived threat imminence levels.
Oxytocin facilitates socially directed attention
Authors: Le Jiao , Zhao Weihua , Kou Juan , Fu Meina , Zhang Yingying , Becker Benjamin , Kendrick Keith M.
Published: May 2021

Socially directed gaze following is an important component of social interaction and communication, allowing us to attend mutually with others to objects or people so that we can share their experience and also learn from them. This type of joint social attention is impaired in disorders such as autism. Previous research has demonstrated that the neuropeptide oxytocin can facilitate attention toward social cues, although to date no study in humans has investigated its influence on socially directed gaze or on associations of the latter with autistic and empathic traits. In a within‐subject, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial we used eye‐tracking to investigate the effects of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) on socially directed gaze toward one of two objects in 40 adult male subjects. Subjects viewed videos of an actor and actress directing their gaze toward one of two objects by either moving only their eyes, moving both their eyes and head, or moving their eyes and head and pointing with a finger. Results showed that OXT increased the proportion of time subjects viewed the object the actor or actress were looking/pointing at across all three conditions, although unexpectedly we found no associations with trait autism or empathy under either placebo or OXT treatments. These findings demonstrate that OXT can facilitate socially directed gaze following to promote mutual attention toward objects which may be potentially beneficial therapeutically in disorders with impaired social communication and interaction.
Global‐phase portrait and large‐degree asymptotics for the Kissing polynomials
Authors: Barhoumi A. , Celsus A. F. , Deaño A.
Published: May 2021

We study a family of monic orthogonal polynomials that are orthogonal with respect to the varying, complex‐valued weight function, , over the interval , where is arbitrary. This family of polynomials originally appeared in the literature when the parameter was purely imaginary, that is, , due to its connection with complex Gaussian quadrature rules for highly oscillatory integrals. The asymptotics for these polynomials as have recently been studied for , and our main goal is to extend these results to all in the complex plane. We first use the technique of continuation in parameter space, developed in the context of the theory of integrable systems, to extend previous results on the so‐called modified external field from the imaginary axis to the complex plane minus a set of critical curves, called breaking curves. We then apply the powerful method of nonlinear steepest descent for oscillatory Riemann–Hilbert problems developed by Deift and Zhou in the 1990s to obtain asymptotics of the recurrence coefficients of these polynomials when the parameter is away from the breaking curves. We then provide the analysis of the recurrence coefficients when the parameter approaches a breaking curve, by considering double scaling limits as approaches these points. We see a qualitative difference in the behavior of the recurrence coefficients, depending on whether or not we are approaching the points or some other points on the breaking curve.
Risk of suicide attempt in reserve versus active component soldiers during deployment to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Naifeh James A. , Ursano Robert J. , Stein Murray B. , Mash Holly B. Herberman , Aliaga Pablo A. , Fullerton Carol S. , Dinh Hieu M. , Vance Mary C. , Wynn Gary H. , Kao Tzu‐Cheg , Sampson Nancy A. , Kessler Ronald C.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Little is known about the degree to which U.S. Army soldiers in the Reserve Components (Army National Guard and Army Reserve) and Active Component (Regular Army) differ with respect suicide attempt (SA) risk during high‐stress times, such as deployment.

Method

Using administrative person‐month records of enlisted soldiers on active duty during 2004–2009, we identified 1170 soldiers with a medically documented SA during deployment and an equal‐probability control sample of other deployed soldiers (n = 52,828 person‐months). Logistic regression analyses examined the association of Army component (Guard/Reserve vs. Regular) with SA before and after adjusting for socio‐demographic and service‐related predictors.

Results

Guard/Reserve comprised 32.1% of enlisted soldiers and 19.7% of suicide attempters in‐theater, with a SA rate of 81/100,000 person‐years (vs. 157/100,000 person‐years among Regular; rate ratio = 0.5 [95% CI = 0.5–0.6]). Risk peaked near mid‐deployment for both groups but was consistently lower for Guard/Reserve throughout deployment. Guard/Reserve had lower odds of SA after adjusting for covariates (OR = 0.7 [95%CI = 0.6–0.8]). Predictors of SA were similar between components.

Conclusions

Guard/Reserve and Regular soldiers had similar patterns and predictors of SA during deployment, but Guard/Reserve had lower risk even after controlling for important risk factors. Additional research is needed to understand the lower SA risk among Guard/Reserve in‐theater.