bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of, and natural history among, individuals with Rome IV functional bowel disorders
Authors: Goodoory Vivek C. , Houghton Lesley A. , Black Christopher J. , Ford Alexander C.
Published: September 2021

Background

Little is known about the natural history of functional bowel disorders using Rome IV criteria. We examined these issues in a longitudinal follow‐up study.

Methods

We collected complete demographic, gastrointestinal symptom, and psychological comorbidity data at baseline from 1372 adults who met Rome IV criteria for one of the five functional bowel disorders. At 12 months, we collected data regarding gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological comorbidity, consultation behavior, and treatment commenced. We examined prognosis and stability of all five functional bowel disorders.

Key results

At baseline, 811 (59.1%) individuals met Rome IV criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), 76 (5.5%) functional constipation (FC), 199 (14.5%) functional diarrhea (FDr), 130 (9.5%) functional abdominal bloating or distension (FABD), and 156 (11.4%) unspecified functional bowel disorder (UFBD). In total, 782 (57.0%) were successfully followed up. Individuals with IBS at baseline were significantly more likely to report symptoms compatible with anxiety, depression, or somatoform‐type behavior (p < 0.001 for all analyses) at baseline and follow‐up compared with those with the other four functional bowel disorders. IBS was the most stable functional bowel disorder; 319 (70.6%) of 452 participants still met criteria for IBS at 12 months, compared with 14 (34.1%) of 41, 43 (35.5%) of 121, 26 (33.8%) of 77, and 37 (40.7%) of 91 for FC, FDr, FABD, and UFBD, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusions and Inferences

Individuals with Rome IV‐defined IBS exhibited higher levels of anxiety, depression, or somatoform‐type symptom reporting. IBS was the most stable and the likeliest disorder that the other four functional bowel disorders would fluctuate to.
Probing associations between interbrain synchronization and interpersonal action coordination during guitar playing
Authors: Müller Viktor , Lindenberger Ulman
Published: September 2021

Playing music in an ensemble is a highly coordinated human action involving musicians’ brain–body interactions at different levels of physical and cortical organization in time and space. It has been suggested that interbrain phase synchronization plays an essential role in musical interaction. In this study, we aimed to explore associations between interbrain synchronization and interpersonal action coordination, using electroencephalographic recordings of the brain activity of guitarists playing in a duet as well as the acoustic recordings of their music. By applying phase synchronization algorithms to the musicians’ brain activities and the sounds produced during guitar playing, we show that synchronous brain activity is strongly related to instrument sounds and behavioral play‐onset synchrony, as indicated by phase alignment in relation to the time differences in play onsets and an angular–linear correlation between phase and time differences across trials and guitarist pairs. Interestingly, this correlation was especially strong in the first part of the music piece, when the guitarists seem to adjust their coordinated play onsets and brain rhythms actively. This suggests that the methods capturing intra‐ and interbrain synchronization and its relations to coordinated playing provide crucial information about the underlying mechanisms of interpersonal action coordination.
The power of wonder
Authors: Paulson Steve
Published: September 2021

Discussions about wonder and awe began many centuries ago; here, we mention, among others, important contributors to that discussion, Carson, Keats, and Einstein. Our focus, however, are with three panel discussions that constitute the series “The Power of Wonder: Modern Marvels in the Age of Science.”
FASN inhibition sensitizes metastatic OSCC cells to cisplatin and paclitaxel by downregulating cyclin B1
Authors: Almeida Luciana Yamamoto de , Moreira Fernanda dos Santos , Santos Guilherme Augusto Silva dos , Cuadra Zelaya Florence Juana Maria , Ortiz César Alexander , Agostini Michelle , Mariano Flávia Sammartino , Bastos Débora Campanella , Daher Ulisses Ribaldo Nicolau , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Coletta Ricardo D. , Graner Edgard
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To investigate the potential effect of fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor orlistat to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs widely used to treat oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), such as 5‐fluorouracil, cisplatin, and paclitaxel.

Methods

The OSCC SCC‐9 LN‐1 metastatic cell line, which expresses high levels of FASN, was used for drug combination experiments. Cell viability was analyzed by crystal violet staining and automatic cell counting. Apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry with Annexin‐V/7‐AAD and propidium iodide staining, respectively. Cyclin B1, Cdc25C, Cdk1, FASN, and ERBB2 levels were assessed by Western blotting. Finally, cell scratch and transwell assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion.

Results

Inhibition of FASN with orlistat sensitized SCC‐9 LN‐1 cells to the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel and cisplatin, but not 5‐fluorouracil, which was accompanied by a significant reduction in cyclin B1. The suppression of proliferation, migration, and invasion of SCC‐9 LN‐1 cells induced by orlistat plus cisplatin or paclitaxel was not superior to the effects of chemotherapy drugs alone.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that orlistat enhances the chemosensitivity of SCC‐9 LN‐1 cells to cisplatin and paclitaxel by downregulating cyclin B1.
Computer monitor pixellation and Landolt C visual acuity
Authors: Carkeet Andrew , Lister Lucas , Goh Yee Teng
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To investigate the effects of computer monitor pixel density on Landolt C visual acuity measurements and to provide appropriate pixel density recommendations for Landolt C vision chart design.

Methods

Participants were 10 healthy observers aged 18–31 years (mean 21.7 ± 3.6). Logarithmic progression charts were used, consisting of eight rows of five Landolt C optotypes ranging from −0.40 logMAR to 0.30 logMAR. Monitor pixel angular subtense varied from 0.10 min arc to 1.97 min arc, achieved by changing the chart test distance. Testing took place with two filtering conditions: unfiltered optotypes, (pixels rendered either black or white) and anti‐aliased optotypes with pixel luminance averaged for a pixel square and rendered as grey levels.

Results

Each participant's acuity versus pixel size data sets were fitted by a nonlinear relationship with acuity equal to an asymptotic threshold visual acuity (VAas) for small pixel sizes below a critical pixel size (Pcrit). For pixel sizes larger than Pcrit there was a linear relationship between acuity thresholds and pixel size. For anti‐aliased Landolt Cs, mean Pcrit was 1.23 min, and for unfiltered Landolt Cs average Pcrit was 0.65 min. For anti‐aliased LandoltCs, Pcrit was 2.01xVAas, and for unfiltered Landolt Cs Pcrit was 1.05xVAas.

Conclusion

These results are quantitatively very similar to previous research on pixellation and Sloan optotype acuity. We have demonstrated that spatially filtering Landolt C optotypes acts as anti‐aliasing, to make them more robust to the degradation effects of pixellation. Previous recommendations for maximum pixel size on Sloan letter vision charts can be applied safely to Landolt C charts.
Insomnia symptoms and chronic pain: Outcomes of an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program
Authors: Craner Julia R. , Flegge Lindsay G.
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Insomnia is a highly prevalent problem among patients with chronic pain. Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) are a leading treatment option for chronic pain; however, research is limited and existing findings are mixed on the impact of insomnia symptoms on IPRP outcomes and the extent to which insomnia symptoms improve as a result of IPRP treatment.

Methods

In this study, insomnia and pain‐related outcomes following a 10‐week IPRP were examined from a relatively large sample (N = 393) of adult patients with varying chronic pain conditions who completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) at program admission and discharge. Both group‐ and individual‐level changes in insomnia severity were examined to evaluate statistically and clinically significant changes in insomnia symptoms, along with the impact of insomnia symptoms on measures of pain, emotional distress, and functioning. Participants were categorized as having no clinically significant insomnia symptoms (NCSI), mild, moderate, or severe insomnia based on ISI scores.

Results

Higher levels of insomnia severity were associated with worse pain, functioning, and emotional distress. Most patients reporting mild, moderate, or severe insomnia symptoms at program admission moved to a lower insomnia symptom category at the time of discharge (62%); however, only 33% of these patients reported a meaningful score reduction (i.e., ISI change ≥8 points). In addition, insomnia symptoms had a negative impact on treatment gains related to pain interference and physical health‐related quality of life.

Discussion

These findings suggest that usual IPRP care confers overall treatment benefit for individuals with chronic pain and insomnia. However, insomnia symptoms may negatively impact pain treatment outcomes and usual care appears insufficient to address elevated insomnia symptoms for many patients. Additional insomnia‐specific treatment may be warranted for patients with comorbid chronic pain.
Modified expression of TaCYP78A5 enhances grain weight with yield potential by accumulating auxin in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Guo Lijian , Ma Meng , Wu Linnan , Zhou Mengdie , Li Mengyao , Wu Baowei , Li Long , Liu Xiangli , Jing Ruilian , Chen Wei , Zhao Huixian
Published: September 2021

Increasing grain yield has always been the primary goal of crop breeding. KLUH/CYP78A5 has been shown to affect seed size in several plant species, but the relevant molecular mechanism is still unclear and there are no reports of this gene contributing to yield. Here, we demonstrate that modified expression of TaCYP78A5 can enhance wheat grain weight and grain yield per plant by accumulating auxin. TaCYP78A5 is highly expressed in maternal tissues, including ovary and seed coat during wheat development. The constitutive overexpression of TaCYP78A5 leads to significantly increased seed size and weight but not grain yield per plant due to the strengthening of apical dominance. However, localized overexpression of TaCYP78A5 in maternal integument enhances grain weight and grain yield per plant by 4.3%–18.8% and 9.6%–14.7%, respectively, in field trials. Transcriptome and hormone metabolome analyses reveal that TaCYP78A5 participates in auxin synthesis pathway and promotes auxin accumulation and cell wall remodelling in ovary. Phenotype investigation and cytological observation show that localized overexpression of TaCYP78A5 in ovary results in delayed flowering and prolonged proliferation of maternal integument cells, which promote grain enlargement. Moreover, naturally occurring variations in the promoter of TaCYP78A5‐2A contribute to thousand‐grain weight (TGW) and grain yield per plant of wheat;TaCYP78A5‐2A haplotype Ap‐HapII with higher activity is favourable for improving grain weight and grain yield per plant and has been positively selected in wheat breeding. Then, a functional marker of TaCYP78A5 haplotype Ap‐HapII is developed for marker‐assisted selection in wheat grain and yield improvement.
ERF9 of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. undergoes feedback regulation by ethylene and modulates cold tolerance via regulating a glutathione S‐transferase U17 gene
Authors: Zhang Yang , Ming Ruhong , Khan Madiha , Wang Yue , Dahro Bachar , Xiao Wei , Li Chunlong , Liu Ji‐Hong
Published: September 2021

Plant ethylene‐responsive factors (ERFs) play essential roles in cold stress response, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain poorly understood. In this study, we characterized PtrERF9 from trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.), a cold‐hardy plant. PtrERF9 was up‐regulated by cold in an ethylene‐dependent manner. Overexpression of PtrERF9 conferred prominently enhanced freezing tolerance, which was drastically impaired when PtrERF9 was knocked down by virus‐induced gene silencing. Global transcriptome profiling indicated that silencing of PtrERF9 resulted in substantial transcriptional reprogramming of stress‐responsive genes involved in different biological processes. PtrERF9 was further verified to directly and specifically bind with the promoters of glutathione S‐transferase U17 (PtrGSTU17) and ACC synthase1 (PtrACS1). Consistently, PtrERF9‐overexpressing plants had higher levels of PtrGSTU17 transcript and GST activity, but accumulated less ROS, whereas the silenced plants showed the opposite changes. Meanwhile, knockdown of PtrERF9 decreased PtrACS1 expression, ACS activity and ACC content. However, overexpression of PtrERF9 in lemon, a cold‐sensitive species, caused negligible alterations of ethylene biosynthesis, which was attributed to perturbed interaction between PtrERF9, along with lemon homologue ClERF9, and the promoter of lemon ACS1 gene (ClACS1) due to mutation of the cis‐acting element. Taken together, these results indicate that PtrERF9 acts downstream of ethylene signalling and functions positively in cold tolerance via modulation of ROS homeostasis by regulating PtrGSTU17. In addition, PtrERF9 regulates ethylene biosynthesis by activating PtrACS1 gene, forming a feedback regulation loop to reinforce the transcriptional regulation of its target genes, which may contribute to the elite cold tolerance of Poncirus trifoliata.
Boosting the power of transcriptomics by developing an efficient gene expression profiling approach
Authors: Wang Jing , Xu Jun , Yang Xiaohan , Xu Song , Zhang Ming , Lu Fei
Published: September 2021

Recent advances in plant genomics are scaling up gene expression profiling from the individual level to the population level, making transcriptomics a more powerful tool while deciphering the genome function. This study developed an efficient 3′RNA‐seq method, Simplified Poly(A) Anchored Sequencing (SiPAS), to perform large‐scale experiments of gene expression quantification. Aside from being cost‐effective, by conducting a comprehensive performance assessment of SiPAS in hexaploid wheat, we demonstrated that SiPAS is highly sensitive, accurate, and reproducible while quantifying gene expression. Our method is anticipated to boost studies of population transcriptomics in plants and improve our understanding of genome biology.
The significance of breastfeeding practices on postpartum depression risk
Authors: Toledo Christine , Cianelli Rosina , Villegas Rodriguez Natalia , De Oliveira Giovanna , Gattamorta Karina , Wojnar Danuta , Ojukwu Emmanuela
Published: September 2021

Objective

Examine the relationship between breastfeeding practices (breastfeeding status and breastfeeding length) and postpartum depression (PPD) risk, after controlling for significant risk factors for PPD.

Design

A cross‐sectional, correlational study design was used. Data was used from a national dataset using a subsample of women (n = 29,682) residing in 26 states in the United States that answered the 2016 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) questionnaire. A secondary analysis was conducted using descriptive and bivariate analyses, and a multiple logistic regression model.

Results

Women currently breastfeeding (AOR = 0.87 CI: 0.79–0.95, p = .001), and women who breastfed for longer periods of time (p = < .002) had a statistically significantly lower PPD risk compared to their counterparts, even after accounting for significant covariates.

Conclusions

Study findings suggest breastfeeding as a cost efficient and healthy behavior that can decrease a woman's risk for PPD. Nurses should educate and promote the maternal mental health benefits of breastfeeding in addition to the health benefits for the infant.
Epicureans and Stoics on the Rationality of Perception
Authors: Schwab Whitney , Shogry Simon
Published: September 2021

This paper examines an ancient debate over the rationality of perception. What leads the Stoics to affirm, and the Epicureans to deny, that to form a sense‐impression is an activity of reason? The answer, we argue, lies in a disagreement over what is required for epistemic success. For the Stoics, epistemic success consists in believing the right propositions, and only rational states, in virtue of their predicational structure, put us in touch with propositions. Since they identify some sense‐impressions as criteria of truth and thus as the basis for epistemic success, the Stoics maintain that sense‐impressions must be rational. The Epicureans agree with the Stoics that sense‐impressions function as criteria of truth, and also agree broadly on what it means for a state to be rational, but deny that sense‐impressions are rational because (1) they think that epistemic success must be supported by a state that is necessarily error‐free and (2) accept that rational states can be false. In reconstructing this debate, we refine the standard interpretation of the fundamental difference between Epicurean and Stoic epistemology and also develop parallels with epistemological debates today. One upshot is a more nuanced appreciation of the merits of Epicurean epistemology vis‐à‐vis the Stoics.
Banks, Bosses, and Bears: A Pragmatist Argument Against Encroachment
Authors: Leary Stephanie
Published: September 2021

The pragmatism—anti‐pragmatism debate concerns whether practical considerations can constitute genuinely normativewrong‐kind reasons(WKRs) for and against doxastic attitudes, whereas the encroachment—anti‐encroachment debate concerns whether practical considerations can affect whatright‐kind reasons(RKRs) one has or needs to have in order to enjoy some epistemic status. While these are two separate issues, my main aim is to show that pragmatists have a plausible debunking explanation to offer of encroachment cases: that the practical considerations in these cases only generate WKRs against belief, rather than affect the RKRs one has or needs to have, so that the agents in these cases ought to withhold belief, but only in a practical or all‐things‐considered sense. Moreover, I argue that the pragmatist debunker's explanation of what's going on in encroachment cases is more plausible than the encroacher's because they're structurally identical to cases involving WKRs against other attitudes like admiration and fear. These analogous WKR‐cases not only support the surprising conclusion that pragmatists should be anti‐encroachers, but they also challenge the encroacher's view independently of whether pragmatism is true.
Response of a carnivorous plant to simulated herbivory
Authors: Ortuño‐Mendieta M. , Hernández‐Alvear N. A. , Alcalá R. E.
Published: September 2021

Studies addressing the impact of herbivory in carnivorous plants are scarce, despite loss of tissue being expected to be costly, as leaves are involved in both energy and nutrient acquisition. We evaluated the effect of simulated herbivory in a population of the carnivorous plant Pinguicula moranensis. We predicted an overall negative impact of herbivory by reducing growth, flowering probability and survivorship. Specifically, we expected that the increase in the negative effect should be related to the amount of leaf area removed.

We performed simulated herbivory in plants growing in situ (2015) and ex situ (greenhouse, 2016) using a paper punch (herbivory ranging from 0 to 50%). In the ex‐situ experiment, we also tested the effect of availability of resources by implementing a prey addition trial where half of the plants were supplemented with prey (one fruit fly per week).

In both experiments, our hypothesis was not supported, as growth, flowering probability and survivorship were not influenced by herbivory treatments. Plants subjected to prey addition did not show higher performance than plants deprived of prey, contradicting our prediction that availability of resources could ameliorate the effect of herbivory.

Overall, the lack of differences in performance between undamaged (control) and damaged plants indicate an unexpected short‐term ability of P. moranensis to tolerate herbivory, even at high levels of damage.
Different visitation frequencies of native and non‐native bees to vines: how much vegetation is necessary to improve fruit production?
Authors: Baronio G. J. , Souza C. S. , Silva N. N. A. , Moura N. P. , Leite A. V. , Santos A. M. M. , Maciel M. I. S. , Castro C. C.
Published: September 2021

Pollination is provided by biodiversity and maintains global food production. We investigated the effects of vegetation cover on the abundance of floral visitor and vine (Vitis labrusca Raf.) production. We expected an increase in both floral visitor frequencies and vineyard yields with an increase in native vegetation cover in the landscape. We also investigated different scenarios of visitor abundance with and without honeybees (Apis mellifera L.).

We surveyed floral visitors from ten vineyard plots with different native cover surrounding them and related both visitors and native vegetation to fruit set. Considering some of these vineyards, we compared physical and chemical traits of berries to understand how they vary according to native vegetation.

Floral visitor abundance was positively related to native vegetation cover. However, considering only native bee abundance, we found a dual (hyperbolic) response. Apis mellifera (L.) Africanized was the most abundant species and had the highest number of interactions; however, when removed from the network analysis, the relationship between vineyards and native bees became more specialized. The fruit size and mass of berries differed among vineyards, as did some chemical traits related to commercial quality of fruits, such as soluble solids, pH and flavonoids.

Vineyards surrounded by intermediate areas of native vegetation present a balance between resource availability from vineyards and native vegetation. Apis and non‐Apis (such as flies and small bees) floral visitors, known to have different effects on vine pollination, could hypothetically provide variation in vine production and quality. Considering a near 20% native vegetation increment, there was an enhancement, on average, of ten‐fold more berries per bunch, the changing physical and chemical fruit traits by vegetation increment could also increase the aggregate value of vines and the value of pollination services in the economy.
Solar UV‐B effects on composition and UV screening efficiency of foliar phenolics in Arabidopsis thaliana are augmented by temperature
Authors: Nichelmann Lars , Pescheck Frauke
Published: September 2021

The accumulation of foliar phenolics constitutes one strategy of plants against the potentially harmful effects of ultraviolet‐B and A (UV‐B, UV‐A) radiation. These compounds protect photosensitive tissues by shielding and antioxidative function. It is unknown, however, whether seasonal acclimation to natural conditions may modify the UV‐B effect on phenylpropanoid composition and localisation, and thus their screening efficiency. To address this debate, a field experiment with the wildtype of Arabidopsis thaliana accession Landsberg erecta (Ler) was implemented over a whole year with plants exposed to different UV‐filter treatments. While seasonal increases of UV‐B radiation had a slight negative effect on the amount of hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), low temperatures increased foliar HCAs. HCAs, however, did not contribute substantially to seasonal changes of in vivo UV absorbance. Kaempferol and quercetin derivatives increased significantly under ambient UV‐B radiation, and low temperature interacted with this effect. A shift of epidermal UV‐A shielding from kaempferol to quercetin derivatives was elucidated in UV‐B presence. Despite this, a substantial 20‐fold increase of quercetin derivatives, during periods with high irradiance and low temperature, did not affect UV absorbance leading to the conclusion that quercetin accumulation was not exclusively in epidermal vacuoles. Using confocal microscopy, the potential occurrence of quercetin in mesophyll cells was demonstrated in plants grown with experimental UV‐B radiation at low temperature for the first time in A. thaliana. The presented study discusses the idea that cross‐talk of UV‐B radiation and temperature might adjust the physiological function of quercetin from an (epidermal) screening to an antioxidant substance.
Mobility of Japanese quail spermatozoa and its relationship to egg fertility
Authors: Farooq Umar , Malecki Irek A. , Martin Graeme. B. , Mahmood Misbah
Published: September 2021

Sperm mobility (SM) appears to be primary determinant of fertility in chicken and turkey. The aims of this study were to extend the concept to the Japanese quail by developing an assay to quantify SM, explaining the basis of SM using motility properties measured by CASA, and exploring the relationship between SM and egg fertility. The study was carried out in three stages: i) males (n = 20) and females (n = 20) were mated individually; ii) ejaculates were collected from 20 males, and SM was measured; iii) males (n = 20) and females (n = 20) were mated individually. In Stages I and III, data were collected for egg fertility, SpermOPVL and HolesIPVL. In Stage II, SM assay was developed and assay conditions were defined: effect of sperm numbers on absorbance in Accudenz solution; effect of Accudenz concentration on sperm motility and mobility; effect of quail proctodeal gland foam extract and incubation temperature on SM at 37 and 41°C. The recorded absorbance of sperm movement was dependent on sperm numbers in the sperm suspension overlaying the Accudenz (p < .001). At 41°C, SM, progressively motile sperm, VCL, VSL and VAP were negatively affected by Accudenz concentration (p < .05). The effect of foam on SM and motility depended on an interaction between the concentration of foam extract and incubating temperature. Males were categorized into low, average and high SM phenotypes. These categories differed significantly (p < .001), but sperm motility and SM were not related to egg fertility. In conclusion, SM assay can be used to identify mobility phenotypes, but the poor relationship between SM and egg fertility indicates a need for further studies on interaction between the concentration of foam extract, incubating temperature, and in vivo sperm movement and egg fertilization success.
Corridors in heavily fragmented landscapes: reconnecting populations of critically endangered brown spider monkeys (Ateles hybridus) and sympatric terrestrial vertebrates in the lowland rainforests of Central Colombia
Authors: Torres Selene , Valenzuela Leonor , Patarroyo Christian , Montes‐Rojas Andrés , Link Andrés
Published: September 2021

In tropical ecosystems, habitat degradation and fragmentation are some of the most important drivers of biodiversity loss. In Colombia, the Magdalena River basin is home to a megadiverse wildlife community, which has been historically exposed to pervasive habitat loss and fragmentation. Within a long‐term project on the conservation of critically endangered brown spider monkeys (Ateles hybridus), we signed conservation agreements with local landowners to protect the remaining forests and reconnect them through restoration corridors. We established 10 corridors within a matrix of pastures used for cattle‐ranching which reconnect approximately 1,000 ha of forests. We planted trees in 2016/2017 and 2020, established 24 vegetation plots (10 × 10 m) to measure their structure and composition, and compared them with six vegetation plots (50 × 2 m) in forest fragments. We installed camera traps to evaluate the effectiveness of corridors as potential pathways for terrestrial vertebrates in a fragmented landscape. Overall, forest structure differed between young corridors (1 year) and both older corridors (5 years) and forests; older corridors had no structural differences with forest fragments. Throughout this preliminary survey, 21 out of 32 species of vertebrates that have been recorded in forests used the corridors, including apex predators and other large birds and mammals. This study provides initial data supporting the use of corridors as a strategy to reconnect wildlife in isolated forest fragments in heavily fragmented landscapes, as well as the establishment of effective corridors that reconnect forest‐dwelling species in relatively short periods of time (<5 years).
Key plant species to restore plant–hummingbird pollinator communities in the southern Andes of Ecuador
Authors: Crespo Antonio , Aguilar Juan Manuel , Pintado Karla , Tinoco Boris A.
Published: September 2021

The planning and implementation of restoration in the Tropical Andes have yet to incorporate functional attributes of ecosystems such as pollination. Mutualistic network approaches can be especially useful for this purpose. For example, within networks of hummingbirds and their pollinated plants, most interactions occur on a small number of plant species that are key to conserve and recover pollination functions. To identify such species, centrality metrics derived from network analysis are readily available and can be easily applied. Our study was conducted in the southern Andes of Ecuador in four vegetation types: old‐growth forest, secondary forest, hedgerows, and montane shrub. On each vegetation type, we surveyed hummingbird visitation to plants and constructed plant–hummingbird interaction networks. We calculated a centrality index for each plant species and used this index to describe the individual role of species as either key or peripheral. We also explored how different functional traits of plants, including flower abundance, morphology, and nectar characteristics, were associated with the variation in this index. We found a total of 123 unique pairwise interactions between 44 plant and 15 hummingbird species. Within each vegetation type, we identified 4–11 key plant species. A shrubby life form and abundant flowers were the main traits associated with the key role of species. This study shows a robust protocol to select plant assemblages for the recovery of plant–hummingbird communities.
Bayesian Sparse Mediation Analysis with Targeted Penalization of Natural Indirect Effects
Authors: Song Yanyi , Zhou Xiang , Kang Jian , Aung Max T. , Zhang Min , Zhao Wei , Needham Belinda L. , Kardia Sharon L. R. , Liu Yongmei , Meeker John D. , Smith Jennifer A. , Mukherjee Bhramar
Published: September 2021

Causal mediation analysis aims to characterize an exposure's effect on an outcome and quantify the indirect effect that acts through a given mediator or a group of mediators of interest. With the increasing availability of measurements on a large number of potential mediators, like the epigenome or the microbiome, new statistical methods are needed to simultaneously accommodate high-dimensional mediators while directly target penalization of the natural indirect effect (NIE) for active mediator identification. Here, we develop two novel prior models for identification of active mediators in high-dimensional mediation analysis through penalizing NIEs in a Bayesian paradigm. Both methods specify a joint prior distribution on the exposure-mediator effect and mediator-outcome effect with either (a) a four-component Gaussian mixture prior or (b) a product threshold Gaussian prior. By jointly modelling the two parameters that contribute to the NIE, the proposed methods enable penalization on their product in a targeted way. Resultant inference can take into account the four-component composite structure underlying the NIE. We show through simulations that the proposed methods improve both selection and estimation accuracy compared to other competing methods. We applied our methods for an in-depth analysis of two ongoing epidemiologic studies: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and the LIFECODES birth cohort. The identified active mediators in both studies reveal important biological pathways for understanding disease mechanisms.
Intravenous immunoglobulin as an important adjunct in the prevention and therapy of coronavirus 2019 disease
Authors: Danieli Maria Giovanna , Piga Mario Andrea , Paladini Alberto , Longhi Eleonora , Mezzanotte Cristina , Moroncini Gianluca , Shoenfeld Yehuda
Published: September 2021

The coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) challenged globally with its morbidity and mortality. A small percentage of affected patients (20%) progress into the second stage of the disease clinically presenting with severe or fatal involvement of lung, heart and vascular system, all contributing to multiple‐organ failure. The so‐called ‘cytokines storm’ is considered the pathogenic basis of severe disease and it is a target for treatment with corticosteroids, immunotherapies and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). We provide an overview of the role of IVIg in the therapy of adult patients with COVID‐19 disease. After discussing the possible underlying mechanisms of IVIg immunomodulation in COVID‐19 disease, we review the studies in which IVIg was employed. Considering the latest evidence that show a link between new coronavirus and autoimmunity, we also discuss the use of IVIg in COVID‐19 and anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination related autoimmune diseases and the post‐COVID‐19 syndrome. The benefit of high‐dose IVIg is evident in almost all studies with a rapid response, a reduction in mortality and improved pulmonary function in critically ill COVID‐19 patients. It seems that an early administration of IVIg is crucial for a successful outcome. Studies’ limitations are represented by the small number of patients, the lack of control groups in some and the heterogeneity of included patients. IVIg treatment can reduce the stay in ICU and the demand for mechanical ventilation, thus contributing to attenuate the burden of the disease.
Prenominal French and Uninflected Dutch Adjectives*
Authors: Evans Elliott
Published: September 2021

This paper proposes a uniform analysis of canonical and noncanonical French and Dutch attributive adjectives. Canonically, French adjectives are postnominal and Dutch adjectives are inflected. The noncanonical counterparts are prenominal, for French, and lacking inflection, for Dutch. A review of the literature indicates several proposed locations in the noun phrase for adjectives, and this analysis utilizes three: Spec‐Subj in the D‐layer, Spec‐Agr, and NP‐internal. Adjectives in Spec‐Agr produce a canonical reading, functioning like predicates of the noun phrase. The subjective nature of the D‐layer and the proximity of NP‐internal adjectives to N accounts for the noncanonical interpretations. The formal distinction in canonicity arises because Dutch adjective inflection is the exponent of the Agr‐head, so that only Spec‐Agr adjectives are inflected, and because French NP movement crosses the adjective in Spec‐Agr, so that only Spec‐Agr adjectives are postnominal.
Response of terrace deposit thickness to climate change and tectonic deformation: An example of the Liyuan River in the Northeast Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wen Zhenling , Chen Dianbao , Guo Lianyong , Pan Baotian , Hu Xiaofei , Li Qiong , Ji Xianghe , Yang Jiaming
Published: September 2021

The relationships between tectonics, climate and sedimentation are important for understanding landscape evolution. In order to elucidate these relationships, we conducted a detailed survey of the thickness of terrace deposits and the altitude of terrace surfaces along the Liyuan River valley, in the Northeast (NE) Tibetan Plateau. We have dated the formation ages of terraces T3 and T4 to 42 ± 3.2 and 93.7 ± 7.5 ka, respectively, using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) method. By compiling the deposit thickness of terraces, palaeoclimate records and local tectonism, we found that variations in precipitation account for the temporal differences in thickness/rates of sediment deposition in terraces T4 and T3. However, the spatial distribution of terrace deposit thickness was determined by tectonism, including faulting and folding, which changed the local base level. In order to maintain a foreland‐ward‐dipping gradient, the Liyuan River adjusts its sedimentary processes via spatially differentiated aggradation.
Analyzing accessibility to fire stations: A floating catchment area model for stochastic transportation networks with travel time correlation
Authors: Sahebgharani Alireza , Haghshenas Hossein
Published: September 2021

Improving the spatial accessibility of fire stations is a key factor in minimizing property loss and reducing injuries and deaths. Most existing studies neglect the effect of travel time correlation and uncertainty on the level of accessibility in non‐normally distributed networks. In this article, a two‐step floating catchment area (2SFCA) model is introduced to measure accessibility in correlated non‐normal uncertain transportation networks. The model extends the conventional 2SFCA measures by considering the catchment area of supply and demand locations in stochastic contexts. The proposed measure is applied to a study area to investigate the impacts of travel time correlation, travel time uncertainty, and non‐normal distributions on the accessibility value. It is further used to analyze access inequality between different areas of the case study and to identify segregated places in terms of accessibility to the fire stations. In addition, the conventional 2SFCA measure is executed to provide an evaluation of the outputs of the proposed model. Results highlight significant difference between the introduced model and the other existing measure. They also show inequality of accessibility in the study area and the way that the model parameters affect the accessibility level. Furthermore, results offer several methodological implications for accessibility analysis in time‐dependent networks.
X‐ and gamma‐irradiation have similar effects on the in vitro quality of stored red cell components
Authors: Marks Denese C. , Webb Rachel G. , Linnane Claire , Aung Htet Htet , Dennington Peta M. , Tan Joanne C. G.
Published: September 2021

Background

Blood components are irradiated to inactivate lymphocytes to prevent transfusion‐associated graft versus host disease. As there are little data regarding the effects of X‐irradiation on red blood cell components (RBCs), the in vitro quality of stored red cells (standard, pediatric, washed, and intra‐uterine transfusion [IUT]) following X‐ or gamma‐irradiation was compared.

Study design and methods

RBCs were pooled, split, and processed to produce standard (<14 days and < 5 days post‐collection), pediatric (<5 days post‐collection), washed (<14 days post‐collection), or IUT RBCs (<5 days post‐collection). Standard RBCs were either X‐ or gamma‐irradiated (n = 10 pairs). A further 10 replicates were prepared by pooling and splitting three matched RBCs (X‐, gamma‐, and non‐irradiated). All other RBCs were either X‐ or gamma‐irradiated (n = 20 pairs). Red cell indices, hemolysis, potassium release, metabolism, microparticles, ATP, and 2,3‐DPG were measured pre‐irradiation and 6 h, 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days post‐irradiation, depending on the component type. Data were analyzed using two‐way repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

There were no significant differences in any in vitro quality measurements, with the exception of marginally higher potassium release in washed, IUT, and RBCs <5 days old (p < .0001) following X‐irradiation. Both irradiation types increased generation of microvesicles, particularly in components that were older at the time of irradiation or stored for longer post‐irradiation.

Conclusion

X‐ and gamma‐irradiation have similar effects on the in vitro quality of RBCs, indicating that either technology is suitable for blood component irradiation.
Abdominal ultrasound image quality is comparable among veterinary sonographers with varying levels of expertise for healthy canine and feline patients
Authors: Lindquist Eric , Lobetti Remo , McFadden Diane , Ondreka‐Eley Nele , Roth Amy
Published: September 2021

Abdominal ultrasonography is increasingly used as a standard diagnostic test in veterinary practices, however, there is little published information regarding the effects of operator experience on image quality. In this prospective observer agreement study, image quality was assessed for abdominal ultrasound examinations performed by nine sonographers (three general practitioners, three credentialed veterinary technicians, and three board‐certified specialists). Each sonographer independently performed abdominal ultrasound examinations on the same group of 4 sedated clinically healthy animals (3 dogs, 1 cat) using the same model machine and standardized presets. Twenty‐five organs and anatomical landmarks per exam (26 for male dog) were evaluated. Still images and cine loops were recorded for each one of the organs. The final scoring of image quality for each examination was performed by two board‐certified veterinary radiologists in a randomized and blinded fashion. Semiquantitative scoring system was used for each reading: 0 ‐ not seen, 1‐ seen but poor quality/partial seen, 2 ‐ average/good quality, and 3 ‐ excellent quality. The average score for each animal and sonographer was tallied and sonographer groups and individual sonographers were compared. Scores were assessed for normality and data were ranked transformed prior to statistical analysis. No significant differences were found regarding the completeness and quality scores of sonographers of different experience levels and disciplines when measuring specific standard components of a full abdominal scan. There were no statistical differences between individual sonographers or groups of sonographers. Although not statistically significant, the general practitioner's group showed the greatest variability of their individual scores.
MRI assessment of epaxial myosteatosis in dogs with intervertebral disc extrusions and associations with patient factors and outcome
Authors: Beale Chelsea C , Secrest Scott A
Published: September 2021

Fat infiltration of skeletal muscle (myosteatosis) is a characteristic of reduced muscle quality. Objectives of this retrospective, observer agreement, methods comparison, cross‐sectional study were to compare epaxial myosteatosis of dogs with surgically confirmed intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) using a visual semi‐quantitative method and quantitative 2‐point Dixon fat‐water chemical‐shift separation MRI method. Thoracolumbar MRI studies of 86 dogs were reviewed. Assessed locations were the site of extrusion and the adjacent intervertebral disc space immediately cranial. A visual fat score (VFS) was assigned to fat infiltration of the epaxial muscles. Quantitative assessment of fat infiltration was determined by calculating a muscle‐fat fraction (MFF). There was moderate agreement between the two reviewers for VFS assessment (weighted Kappa 0.60, 95%CI 0.53‐0.66) with moderate to strong correlation between scoring methods (P ≤ .001). Both VFS (P = .023, P = .02) and MFF (P = .041, P = .043) were significantly correlated with neurologic grade at presentation for the erector spinae muscle group at both sites. Higher VFS in the multifidus muscle increased the odds of a successful outcome when assessed at the extrusion site (odds ratio and 95%CI 4.3 (1.02‐78.7), P = .0461). In summary, the visual and Dixon method of epaxial muscle‐fat assessment are feasible in dogs with IVDE with moderate to strong correlation. Increased VFS of myosteatosis in the multifidus muscle at the extrusion site significantly increased the odds of a successful outcome. Further studies are indicated to assess the utility of myosteatosis as an MRI imaging biomarker in the preoperative imaging assessment of dogs with IVDE.
Phenotyping heart failure using model‐based analysis and physiology‐informed machine learning
Authors: Jones Edith , Randall E. Benjamin , Hummel Scott L. , Cameron David M. , Beard Daniel A. , Carlson Brian E.
Published: September 2021

To phenotype mechanistic differences between heart failure with reduced (HFrEF) and preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction, a closed‐loop model of the cardiovascular system coupled with patient‐specific transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and right heart catheterization (RHC) data was used to identify key parameters representing haemodynamics. Thirty‐one patient records (10 HFrEF, 21 HFpEF) were obtained from the Cardiovascular Health Improvement Project database at the University of Michigan. Model simulations were tuned to match RHC and TTE pressure, volume, and cardiac output measurements in each patient. The underlying physiological model parameters were plotted against model‐based norms and compared between HFrEF and HFpEF. Our results confirm the main mechanistic parameter driving HFrEF is reduced left ventricular (LV) contractility, whereas HFpEF exhibits a heterogeneous phenotype. Conducting principal component analysis, ‐means clustering, and hierarchical clustering on the optimized parameters reveal (i) a group of HFrEF‐like HFpEF patients (HFpEF1), (ii) a classic HFpEF group (HFpEF2), and (iii) a group of HFpEF patients that do not consistently cluster (NCC). These subgroups cannot be distinguished from the clinical data alone. Increased LV active contractility () and LV passive stiffness () at rest are observed when comparing HFpEF2 to HFpEF1. Analysing the clinical data of each subgroup reveals that elevated systolic and diastolic LV volumes seen in both HFrEF and HFpEF1 may be used as a biomarker to identify HFrEF‐like HFpEF patients. These results suggest that modelling of the cardiovascular system and optimizing to standard clinical data can designate subgroups of HFpEF as separate phenotypes, possibly elucidating patient‐specific treatment strategies.

Key points

Analysis of data from right heart catheterization (RHC) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) of heart failure (HF) patients using a closed‐loop model of the cardiovascular system identifies key parameters representing haemodynamic cardiovascular function in patients with heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF and HFpEF).

Analysing optimized parameters representing cardiovascular function using machine learning shows mechanistic differences between HFpEF groups that are not seen analysing clinical data alone.

HFpEF groups presented here can be subdivided into three subgroups: HFpEF1 described as ‘HFrEF‐like HFpEF’, HFpEF2 as ‘classic HFpEF’, and a third group of HFpEF patients that do not consistently cluster.

Focusing purely on cardiac function consistently captures the underlying dysfunction in HFrEF, whereas HFpEF is better characterized by dysfunction in the entire cardiovascular system.

Our methodology reveals that elevated left ventricular systolic and diastolic volumes are potential biomarkers for identifying HFrEF‐like HFpEF patients.