bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct readout of heterochromatic H3K9me3 regulates DNMT1-mediated maintenance DNA methylation
Authors: Ren Wendan , Fan Huitao , Grimm Sara A. , Guo Yiran , Kim Jae Jin , Yin Jiekai , Li Linhui , Petell Christopher J. , Tan Xiao-Feng , Zhang Zhi-Min , Coan John P. , Gao Linfeng , Cai Ling , Detrick Brittany , Çetin Burak , Cui Qiang , Strahl Brian D. , Gozani Or , Wang Yinsheng , Miller Kyle M. , O’Leary Seán E. , Wade Paul A. , Patel Dinshaw J. , Wang Gang Greg , Song Jikui
Published: July 2020

Significance

DNA methylation and histone modifications are two key epigenetic mechanisms in regulating gene expression, heterochromatin assembly, and genome stability. In mammals, maintenance of DNA methylation is mainly mediated by DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in a replication-dependent manner. The spatiotemporal regulation of DNMT1 is essential for faithful propagation of DNA methylation patterns between cell generations. Here, we report the direct readout of the heterochromatic mark H3K9me3 by the RFTS domain of DNMT1, which serves to enhance the enzymatic stimulation of DNMT1 by previously characterized H3 ubiquitylation and mediates the cellular colocalization of DNMT1 and H3K9me3. This study uncovers a direct link between the repressive histone modification and DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation.
5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde purified from Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai cv. Nijisseiki) juice concentrate inhibits melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells
Authors: Bito Tomohiro , Koseki Kyohei , Asano Ryota , Ueda Nakaba , Yamada Takuhiro , Yabuta Yukinori , Ichiyanagi Tsuyoshi , Ishihara Atsushi , Watanabe Kishi , Watanabe Fumio
Published: July 2020

Pear juice concentrate prepared by boiling Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai cv. Nijisseiki) juice can significantly inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanin synthesis in human skin. Using the ethanol extract of pear juice concentrate, we homogeneously purified an active compound that was identified as 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF) through 1H- and 13C-NMR and mass spectroscopy. We observed that 5-HMF inhibited the monophenolase and diphenolase activities of mushroom tyrosinase as a mixed-type inhibitor (Ki values of 3.81 and 3.70 mmol/L, respectively). In B16 mouse melanoma cells, treatment with 170 µmol/L of 5-HMF significantly reduced α-melanocyte-stimulated melanin synthesis by suppressing the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent signaling pathway involved in melanogenesis. The results of our study indicated that 5-HMF can be potentially used as a skin-lightening agent in the cosmetic industry.

Abbreviations: AC: adenylate cyclase; CREB: cAMP response element-binding protein; dhFAME: S-(−)-10,11-Dihydroxyfarnesoic acid methyl ester; DMEM: dulbecco′s modified eagle medium; l-DOPA: 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)- l-alanine; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; HEPES: 4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine ethane sulfonic acid; 5-HMF: 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde; MITF: microphthalmia-associated transcription factor; α-MSH: α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone; PKA: protein kinase A; PVDF: polyvinylidene difluoride; SDS: sodium dodecyl sulfate; TRP1: tyrosinase-related protein 1; TRP2: tyrosinase-related protein 2
Potato tuber metabolomics-based prediction of chip color quality and application using gas chromatography/flame ionization detector
Authors: Fukuda Tomohiko , Takamatsu Kiyofumi , Bamba Takeshi , Fukusaki Eiichiro
Published: July 2020

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers are usually harvested once a year; thus, long-term storage is required to supply quality-assured tubers throughout the year. Further, an applicable method to predict tuber quality during storage is needed. In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) metabolomics was applied to identify applicable biomarkers for prediction of potato chip color based on 3 years’ field-grown tubers. The projections to latent structures (PLS) prediction model, calculated from a metabolome data set obtained before storage, was consistent with actual measured chip color values. Additionally, GC with frame ionization detector (GC/FID) metabolite fingerprinting simultaneously re-constructed more reliable and relevant prediction models for chip color quality compared to GC/MS. Moreover, nine metabolites detected by GC/MS analysis were further validated as applicable prediction markers. This strategy will provide a practical and cost-effective quality-control tool for potato processing manufacturers on an industrial scale.
Lactobacillus plantarum‐derived extracellular vesicles induce anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization in vitro
Authors: Kim Wanil , Lee Eun Jung , Bae Il‐Hong , Myoung Kilsun , Kim Sung Tae , Park Phil June , Lee Kyung‐Ha , Pham An Vuong Quynh , Ko Jaeyoung , Oh Sang Ho , Cho Eun‐Gyung
Published: July 2020

Probiotics offer various health benefits. Lactobacillus plantarum has been used for decades to enhance human intestinal mucosal immunity and improve skin barrier integrity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells have been recognized as efficient carriers for delivery of biomolecules to recipient cells, and to efficiently regulate human pathophysiology. However, the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria‐derived EVs on human skin is unclear. Herein, we investigated how L. plantarum‐derived EVs (LEVs) exert beneficial effects on human skin by examining the effect of LEVs on cutaneous immunity, particularly on macrophage polarization. LEVs promoted differentiation of human monocytic THP1 cells towards an anti‐inflammatory M2 phenotype, especially M2b, by inducing biased expression of cell‐surface markers and cytokines associated with M2 macrophages. Pre‐ or post‐treatment with LEVs under inflammatory M1 macrophage‐favouring conditions, induced by LPS and interferon‐γ, inhibited M1‐associated surface marker, HLA‐DRα expression. Moreover, LEV treatment significantly induced expression of macrophage‐characteristic cytokines, IL‐1β, GM‐CSF and the representative anti‐inflammatory cytokine, IL‐10, in human skin organ cultures. Hence, LEVs can trigger M2 macrophage polarization in vitro, and induce an anti‐inflammatory phenomenon in the human skin, and may be a potent anti‐inflammatory strategy to alleviate hyperinflammatory skin conditions.
Blocking inflammation on the way: Rationale for CXCR2 antagonists for the treatment of COVID-19
Authors: Koenig Lars M. , Boehmer Daniel F.R. , Metzger Philipp , Schnurr Max , Endres Stefan , Rothenfusser Simon
Published: July 2020

An exacerbated and unbalanced immune response may account for the severity of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2. In this Viewpoint, we summarize recent evidence for the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and propose CXCR2 inhibition as a promising treatment option to block neutrophil recruitment and activation.
Neutrophils and COVID-19: Nots, NETs, and knots
Authors: Nathan Carl
Published: July 2020

The pace of the COVID-19 pandemic makes it timely to take stock of evidence for the involvement of neutrophils and NETs, to weigh the implications, and to increase efficiency in clinical trials.
Analysis of leaves trichomes of Eclipta prostrata, Eleutheranthera ruderalis, Synedrella nodiflora, and Tridax procumbens (Asteraceae, Heliantheae)
Authors: Shafira S , Salamah A
Published: July 2020

Asteraceae is a family of flowering plants distributed widely in the terrestrial regions. Asteraceae are grouped into several tribes. Species of the Heliantheae tribe including Eclipta prostrata, Eleutheranthera ruderalis, Synedrella nodiflora, and Tridax procumbens are the most commonly found at Universitas Indonesia Campus, Depok. The research was conducted to describe the morphology and the density of leaves trichomes as a species identification character and for classification purpose that has taxonomic value within several species of tribe Heliantheae. The digital images of leaves were captured using a Dino-Lite digital microscope device and Dino capture 2.0 application to measure the area of leaves and the number of trichomes. The number of trichomes was calculated using ImageJ software. The light microscope was used to observe the trichome morphology. The results showed that trichomes density in young leaves was higher than in the old leaves. Eclipta prostrata, Eleutheranthera ruderalis, and Synedrella nodiflora showed micromorphology of trichome with ornamentation on the surface of the trichome, while Tridax procumbens not. The numbers of leaves trichomes per unit area were also different between species of Heliantheae tribe. Eclipta prostrata has the lowest number of trichomes density with a range of trichomes from 1.15/mm2 to 6.375/mm2 on the surface of young leaves and old leaves. Synedrella nodiflora has the highest trichomes density with a range of trichomes from 2.68/mm2 to 15.71/mm2. The four members of the Heliantheae tribe have a higher density of leaves trichomes on the lower surface (abaxial) than the upper surface (adaxial) of the leaves.
Variation of leaf morphology of hibiscus rosa-sinensis l. under various light intensities at Universitas Indonesia campus area and Citayam, Depok
Authors: Siregar A Y , Salamah A
Published: July 2020

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. is a plant that has been cultivated as an ornamental plant, especially in Indonesia. Universitas Indonesia, located in Depok, has ten variations of H. rosa-sinensis in size, shape, and color of flowers. The flower shape consists of three types, namely, single, double, and crested. In this study, it is reported the comparison of leaf morphology from several types of H. rosa-sinensis L. Twenty leaves from each variety were used for morphometric measurement, and light intensity data from each location of the plant variety was also collected. There are two locations, Universitas Indonesia (UI) Campus Area and Citayam. The results showed that two individuals Crested Peach plant in Citayam, which grown under different light intensity has significantly different in leaf surface area but no difference in stomata surface area. Big Single Red and Double Pink located in UI exposure by the same light intensity has the same leaf surface area and stomata surface area. Comparing Small Single Red Citayam and Small Single Red UI exposure by different light intensity has significantly different in leaf surface area and stomata surface area. Two Crested Peach in UI, exposured by the same light intensity, were significantly different in leaf surface area and has the same stomata surface area. This study showed that light intensity could influence the variation of leaf morphology of several Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. flower types, but not all flower types.
Effect of acid concentration on the aluminum leaching process
Authors: Mirwan A , Putra M D , Lestari R A , Haka M R , Ulum M B
Published: July 2020

This paper explains a study on microwave-assisted leaching of aluminum from peat clay. Microwave-assisted leaching was undertaken using the Iwaki Pyrex glass reactor in a modified microwave oven. A research was made of the effect of acid concentration, microwave power, temperature, and reaction time on the aluminum leaching recovery. The dominant presence of aluminous minerals determined leaching of aluminum values in hydrochloric acid medium at different concentration and microwave power. The optimum leaching ratio for 4 M hydrochloric acid concentration, 40 °C temperature, and 15 min reaction time was obtained 67% dan 46,6% for 100 W dan 80 W respectively. The microwave assisted leaching is more efficient about overall aluminum dissolution.
Sustainable production performance index measurement in small scale chicken slaughtering
Authors: Hidayati L , Astuti R , Sucipto S
Published: July 2020

The concept of halalan thoyiban, which is in line with sustainable production, has become the needs of industry and consumers, one of which is chicken slaughtering. The methods to measure sustainable production for small scale chicken slaughtering has not been well formulated. This study aims to measure the performance index of sustainable production in small scale chicken slaughtering. In this study, the instrument for measurement was developed in the form of Key Performace Indicators (KPI). The method used to calculate KPI is the Composite Index (CI), so the Sustainable Production Performance Index (SPPI) is obtained. SPPI was calculated in 16 KPI. This method consists of four stages, i.e., measuring the actual value of KPI, normalizing the KPI, weighing the KPI using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and an aggregation method. This study’s results in two small scale chicken slaughtering obtained SPPI values in the economic aspects of 0.5066 and 0.4383, the environmental aspect of 0.4941 and 0.8584, and social aspects of 0.3329 and 0.4205. This result indicates that the lowest performance index is in a social aspect. Overall SPPI of the two small scale chicken slaughtering is 44.45% and 57.24%. Based on the rating standard, both of the SPPI is categorized as ‘fair.’ Two chicken slaughterings are owned by the public and require training and surveillance from the local government. The improvement strategy for small scale chicken slaughtering is to increase the awareness to implement sustainable production by try to apply halal certification.
Frailty state utility and minimally important difference: findings from the North West Adelaide Health Study
Authors: Thompson Mark Q , Theou Olga , Ratcliffe Julie , Tucker Graeme R , Adams Robert J , Walters Stephen J , Visvanathan Renuka
Published: July 2020

Background

frailty is a dynamic condition for which a range of interventions are available. Health state utilities are values that represent the strength of an individual’s preference for specific health states, and are used in economic evaluation. This is a topic yet to be examined in detail for frailty. Likewise, little has been reported on minimally important difference (MID), the extent of change in frailty status that individuals consider to be important.

Objectives

to examine the relationship between frailty status, for both the frailty phenotype (FP) and frailty index (FI), and utility (preference-based health state), and to determine a MID for both frailty measures.

Design and setting

population-based cohort of community-dwelling Australians.

Participant

in total, 874 adults aged ≥65 years (54% female), mean age 74.4 (6.2) years.

Measurements

frailty was measured using the FP and FI. Utilities were calculated using the short-form 6D health survey, with Australian and UK weighting applied. MID was calculated cross-sectionally.

Results

for both the FP and FI, frailty was significantly statistically associated (P < 0.001) with lower utility in an adjusted analysis using both Australian and UK weighting. Between-person MID for the FP was identified as 0.59 [standard deviation (SD) 0.31] (anchor-based) and 0.59 (distribution-based), whereas for the FI, MID was 0.11 (SD 0.05) (anchor-based) and 0.07 (distribution-based).

Conclusions

frailty is significantly associated with lower preference-based health state utility. Frailty MID can be used to inform design of clinical trials and economic evaluations, as well as providing useful clinical information on frailty differences that patients consider important.
Population Viability Analysis
Authors: Reed J. Michael
Published: July 2020

The following critiques express the opinions of the individual evaluators regarding the strengths, weaknesses, and value of the books they review. As such, the appraisals are subjective assessments and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or any official policy of the American Ornithologists' Union.
Multiple Paternity and Multiple Male Feeders in Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus Bicknelli)
Authors: Goetz James E. , McFarland Kent P. , Rimmer Christopher C.
Published: July 2020

Although multiple male feeders and multiple paternity for a single brood are taxonomically widespread among nonmigratory birds, they appear to be exceedingly rare among migrants. During a demographic study of Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) in Vermont, we observed groups of 2–4 males and one female feed each of 14 broods (78% of 18 broods observed). One male and one female fed each of the remaining four broods. Three males fed broods of two females concurrently or consecutively. Genetic analysis using microsatellite markers revealed multiple paternity in 9 of 13 broods (69%). Four males had offspring in more than one brood in the same year, but no females did. Ten of 17 males (59%) sired offspring in the broods they fed, and 10 of 13 sires (77%) fed the broods in which they sired young. Females fed nestlings more than twice as often as males. Both males and females tended to increase feeding rates as brood size increased. Possible factors influencing the reproductive behavior of Bicknell's Thrush include harsh montane weather, food limitation, a male-biased sex ratio, and reproductive synchrony. Additional research is needed to examine the interaction of ecological and demographic variables that shape the complex breeding ecology of Bicknell's Thrush.
Plumage and Molt in Shorebirds Summering at Enewetak Atoll
Authors: Johnson Oscar W.
Published: July 2020

Various features of plumage and molt were studied in Golden Plovers, Whimbrels, Bristle-thighed Curlews, Wandering Tattlers, and Ruddy Turnstones. Specimens collected during July 1973 at Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands, represent birds that had not migrated to the northern breeding grounds. Based upon several criteria (bursa of Fabricius, wear of remiges and rectrices, and the condition of body feathers) most specimens appeared to be first-year birds. The relative development of alternate plumage showed considerable individual variation, which presumably reflects physiological variability in the factors controlling prealternate molt in the late winter and spring. Many birds remain in nonbreeding plumage (exhibiting only a few alternate feathers), and essentially pass from one basic plumage to another while on the winter range. Plovers replace primaries, secondaries, and some tertials during the winter, and were undergoing a complete prebasic molt in July. Such a pattern varies considerably from molt chronology in postnuptial adults. Whimbrels and Bristle-thighed Curlews finish wing molt in the late spring to midsummer, and birds collected in July had not yet begun prebasic molt. Wandering Tattlers were molting juvenal remiges commencing with the 6th and progressing to the 10th primary. The molting sequence of primaries 1 through 5 was not entirely clear. Museum skins indicated that remige molt starts with the 1st primary in some specimens. The overall pattern awaits detailed study for clarification. No indications of prebasic molt were found in summering turnstones, hence subsequent timing of this molt may coincide with that of postnuptial adults. As no wing molt was occurring, first-year birds apparently retain their juvenal remiges until the prebasic II molt. In each species, summering birds showed considerable individual variability in ongoing rectrix molt. Also some specimens had replaced a few or all of these feathers during the preceding winter while others had not.
Salt Water Tolerance and Water Turnover in the Snowy Plover
Authors: Purdue James R. , Haines Howard
Published: July 2020

A series of water-related experiments showed that Snowy Plovers do not have any outstanding physiological capabilities for dealing with the potential thermal and osmotic stresses of the Great Salt Plains, Oklahoma. Snowy Plovers and Semipalmated Sandpipers failed to maintain body weight when given 0.3 M NaCl ad libitum. Killdeer did even more poorly by rapidly losing weight on 0.2 M. These salt water tolerance values are limited when compared to other, particularly marine, birds that can drink full strength sea water. The Snowy Plover is no better at conserving water than other birds in its weight class. So plovers without drinking water were able to maintain their weight when furnished mealworm larvae ad libitum, the insectivorous diet as well as maintenance behavior of the birds is essential for their survival on the salt flats.
Nestling Biology of the Field Sparrow
Authors: Best Louis B.
Published: July 2020

The biology of Field Sparrow nestlings was studied during two breeding seasons in central Illinois, on a 23.6-ha tract composed of mixed vegetation. Predominant nestling foods were lepidopteran larvae, orthopteran nymphs, homopterans, and spiders. Foods given to nestlings ranged in size from less than 0.005 cc to 0.38 cc, the upper size limit increasing with nestling age. The food size class most frequently fed to the young contained items smaller than 0.05 cc, although its importance decreased as the nestlings grew older. Girth rather than length limited the size of food the young successfully ingested. The number of feeding trips per hour to 6-day-old broods ranged from 0 to 21 and averaged 9, divided about equally between male and female. The feeding frequency peaked shortly after dawn and just before dusk, and was lowest near midday. There was a significant inverse relationship between the female feeding rate and brooding time. Ambient temperature significantly influenced brooding time, with the least brooding at 60° to 69°F. The rate of feeding individual nestlings decreased slightly (nonsignificant) as brood size increased. The overall nestling growth rate index (weight) averaged 0.568, and ranged 0.444 to 0.712. No nestling starvation was evident. The rate of weight gain in broods of four was significantly higher during early summer than late summer, while broods of three showed a significant opposite trend. The dependence of thermoregulatory maintenance costs upon brood size is discussed. Growth rates of the youngest nestlings were significantly less than those of their siblings. It was concluded that Field Sparrows forage opportunistically for their nestlings, and that food availability did not limit breeding success on the study tract.
Differential Response of Territorial Yellowthroats to the Songs of Neighbors and Non-neighbors
Authors: Wunderle Joseph M.
Published: July 2020

Songs of neighbor and non-neighboring individual Yellowthroats were presented to territorial male Yellowthroats in two different locations within the territory. Territorial males showed a significantly higher aggressive response to the songs of strangers than neighbors when the speaker was placed near the respective neighbor's boundary. Presentation of the two songs in the center of a territory resulted in a high aggressive response to both songs, with no discernable difference in response. Evidence is also presented that suggests that females are capable of recognizing their mates by song alone.
Breeding Cycle and Behavior of the Semipalmated Sandpiper at Barrow, Alaska
Authors: Ashkenazie Shoshana , Safriel Uriel N.
Published: July 2020

Pair formation of Calidris pusilla near Barrow, Alaska occurs 3-6 days after the territory is established. The pair is then engaged in nest scraping displays during 2-3 days, in which 10-12 scrapes are made by the male and examined by the female. Eventually 2-3 scrapes are lined by the female, and in one of these the first egg is laid 4-6 days after pairing. During the egg-laying period further lining is performed by the female and partial incubation takes place by both sexes. Continuous incubation commences 8 h prior to laying of the 4th egg. Male and female alternate in incubation: in the first 2 days a turn lasts 3-5 h, and the duration gradually increases up to 13-14 h during the 2nd week. Long incubation turns reduce the number of approaches to the nest and may therefore reduce the chances of it being discovered by predators. The incubating bird is intermittently engaged in egg-rolling and in camouflaging the nest by bending adjacent grass blades over its back, and is constantly alert. The off-duty bird may feed 2-3 km away from the nest. The eggs hatch after 20 days of incubation, all within 1 day. Females desert the family 2-8 days after hatching: they desert late if hatching is early, and early if hatching is late in the season. After female departure the family moves from the nesting territory, typically in a high-centered polygonal area, to establish a home range as far as 2-3 km away, often in a low-centered polygonal area. During the first 6-8 days after hatching, the male prepares each evening a scrape for night brooding. After fledging, the male and young join wandering flocks.
Guilds and Community Organization: Analysis of an Oak Woodland Avifauna in Sonora, Mexico
Authors: Landres Peter B. , MacMahon James A.
Published: July 2020

Community organization of an oak woodland breeding avifauna was studied in Sonora, Mexico. Species were classified into guilds by quantifying foraging behavior, based on investigator-defined resource classes, and subjecting these data to cluster analysis. From this analysis five guilds were recognized: foliage gleaning, wood gleaning, wood probing, air sallying, and ground sallying. Within each resource class all guilds foraged in a significantly different manner, except for air and ground salliers.

Species within guilds were most often separated by food-site and perch height. Use of height classes by the avian community was significantly different from the quantity of tree vegetation per height class. Differential height utilization generally resulted from gleaning and probing guilds foraging at upper heights and sallying guilds foraging at lower heights. Ecological separation within and among guilds is discussed and related to community organization in this oak woodland avifauna. When the guild structure of this community is compared to other oak woodland avifaunas, a decrease in foliage gleaners of nearly 2.5-fold and a 6.4-fold increase in salliers occur from Oregon to Sonora, Mexico. Utility of the guild approach is discussed in relation to some prominent questions raised by results of the above comparison concerning (1) foraging plasticity in species coexistence and (2) change in community structure over time and between geographic locations.
Extramarital and Pair Copulations in the Cattle Egret
Authors: Fujioka Masahiro , Yamagishi Satoshi
Published: July 2020

The copulatory behavior of the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) was observed in a heronry in central Japan. In 38 of 147 extramarital copulation (EC) attempts with seven females, the males seemed in ejaculation. There were relatively few complete ECs prior to egg laying, because females responded aggressively to approaching males and because the mates of the females stayed in the territories for 78.8% of the time and protected the females. After egg laying, the aggressiveness of females against approaching males decreased and their mates spent more time outside the territories, resulting in an increase in the occurrence of complete ECs. Fighting males that were approaching a female exhibited a dominance hierarchy. The most dominant male stayed in the territory for the longest time and copulated most intensively with his mate and other neighboring females.

Extramarital copulations are likely to occur in colonial herons, but mate-guarding by the male and aggression by the female mate enhance the probability that copulations will be performed only between members of the pair during the fertilizable period of the female. Thus, the monogamous pair bond is maintained.
Acoustical Location of Prey by the Marsh Hawk: Adaptation to Concealed Prey
Authors: Rice William R.
Published: July 2020

The ability of Marsh Hawks (Circus cyaneus) to locate prey acoustically was measured in both the laboratory and the field. Laboratory experiments indicated that the directional hearing of the Marsh Hawk was substantially better than that of a sample of typical diurnal raptors and similar to that of owls capable of capturing prey in total darkness. Angular resolution along the horizontal axis was 2° for the Marsh Hawks, 1-2° for the owls, and 8-12° for the sample of typical diurnal raptors. For the Marsh Hawks, angular resolution along the vertical axis was at least 2°. The maximum range at which prey could be detected by sound was estimated to be 3-4 m for the Marsh Hawk and 7 m for the Barn Owl (Tyto alba). Field experiments indicated that free-ranging Marsh Hawks could locate vole vocalizations (squeaks) accurately and attack prey successfully without the aid of visual or olfactory cues. Additional field experiments were conducted to determine how the Marsh Hawk integrates auditory and visual cues while capturing concealed prey. These experiments show that the Marsh Hawk does not require motion cues or auditory depth perception to determine the elevation of a sound source.
A Test for Conspecific Egg Discrimination in Three Species of Colonial Passerine Birds
Authors: Lanier Glen A.
Published: July 2020

Naturally occurring populations of three species of colonial passerine birds, the Piñon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalis mexicanus), and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), were tested for conspecific egg discrimination and the presence of intraspecific brood parasitism that such discrimination would imply. Current theory predicts that intraspecific brood parasitism, or cheating, might occur when a brood parasite's fitness is enhanced relative to a nonparasite's. Due to the high cost of parental care in altricial birds, selection for defenses against such cheaters should also be intense. Egg rejection is the most common selection mechanism against interspecific brood parasites, and I tested for the presence or absence of this mechanism.

Single eggs were switched between pairs of 19 Piñon Jay nests, 15 Great-tailed Grackle nests, and 14 Barn Swallow nests, and a fifth egg was added to each of 8 Piñon Jay nests. No significant level of rejection of introduced eggs was found, possibly either because the cost of cheating is too great or because egg discrimination and rejection are not the mechanisms of selection against cheaters in the populations tested.
A divide-and-conquer method for sparse risk prediction and evaluation
Authors: Hong Chuan , Wang Yan , Cai Tianxi
Published: July 2020

Divide-and-conquer (DAC) is a commonly used strategy to overcome the challenges of extraordinarily large data, by first breaking the dataset into series of data blocks, then combining results from individual data blocks to obtain a final estimation. Various DAC algorithms have been proposed to fit a sparse predictive regression model in the $L_1$ regularization setting. However, many existing DAC algorithms remain computationally intensive when sample size and number of candidate predictors are both large. In addition, no existing DAC procedures provide inference for quantifying the accuracy of risk prediction models. In this article, we propose a screening and one-step linearization infused DAC (SOLID) algorithm to fit sparse logistic regression to massive datasets, by integrating the DAC strategy with a screening step and sequences of linearization. This enables us to maximize the likelihood with only selected covariates and perform penalized estimation via a fast approximation to the likelihood. To assess the accuracy of a predictive regression model, we develop a modified cross-validation (MCV) that utilizes the side products of the SOLID, substantially reducing the computational burden. Compared with existing DAC methods, the MCV procedure is the first to make inference on accuracy. Extensive simulation studies suggest that the proposed SOLID and MCV procedures substantially outperform the existing methods with respect to computational speed and achieve similar statistical efficiency as the full sample-based estimator. We also demonstrate that the proposed inference procedure provides valid interval estimators. We apply the proposed SOLID procedure to develop and validate a classification model for disease diagnosis using narrative clinical notes based on electronic medical record data from Partners HealthCare.
Aging Effects on the Neuroplastic Attributes of Multisensory Cortical Networks as Triggered by a Computerized Music Reading Training Intervention
Authors: Paraskevopoulos Evangelos , Chalas Nikolas , Karagiorgis Alexandros , Karagianni Maria , Styliadis Charis , Papadelis Georgios , Bamidis Panagiotis
Published: July 2020

The constant increase in the graying population is the result of a great expansion of life expectancy. A smaller expansion of healthy cognitive and brain functioning diminishes the gains achieved by longevity. Music training, as a special case of multisensory learning, may induce restorative neuroplasticity in older ages. The current study aimed to explore aging effects on the cortical network supporting multisensory cognition and to define aging effects on the network’s neuroplastic attributes. A computer-based music reading protocol was developed and evaluated via electroencephalography measurements pre- and post-training on young and older adults. Results revealed that multisensory integration is performed via diverse strategies in the two groups: Older adults employ higher-order supramodal areas to a greater extent than lower level perceptual regions, in contrast to younger adults, indicating an age-related shift in the weight of each processing strategy. Restorative neuroplasticity was revealed in the left inferior frontal gyrus and right medial temporal gyrus, as a result of the training, while task-related reorganization of cortical connectivity was obstructed in the group of older adults, probably due to systemic maturation mechanisms. On the contrary, younger adults significantly increased functional connectivity among the regions supporting multisensory integration.
Gaps in Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Among Men who Have Sex with Men in Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care in the United States
Authors: Chandra Christina , Weiss Kevin M , Kelley Colleen F , Marcus Julia L , Jenness Samuel M
Published: July 2020

Background

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends comprehensive sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening every 3–6 months for men who have sex with men (MSM) using human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The gaps between these recommendations and clinical practice by region have not been quantified.

Methods

We used survey data collected from the internet-based ARTnet study between 2017 and 2019 on STI screening among MSM across the United States, stratified by current, prior, and never PrEP use. Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to model factors, including residence in the Southeast, associated with consistent (“always” or “sometimes”) exposure site-specific STI screening during PrEP care.

Results

Of 3259 HIV-negative MSM, 19% were currently using PrEP, 6% had used PrEP in the past, and 75% had never used PrEP. Among ever PrEP users, 87%, 78%, 57%, and 64% reported consistent screening for STIs by blood sample, urine sample or urethral swab, rectal swab, or pharyngeal swab, respectively, during PrEP care. Compared to PrEP users in all other regions, PrEP users in the Southeast were significantly less likely to be consistently screened for urogenital (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], .76–.98) and rectal STIs (aPR, 0.76; 95% CI, .62–.93) during PrEP care.

Conclusions

Substantial gaps exist between CDC recommendations for STI screening during PrEP care and current clinical practice, particularly for rectal and pharyngeal exposure sites that can harbor asymptomatic infections and for MSM in Southeast states where the STI burden is substantial.
Plasma Homocysteine Is Weakly Correlated with Plasma Endothelin and von Willebrand Factor but not with Endothelium-dependent Vasodilatation in Healthy Postmenopausal Women
Authors: de Valk-de Roo Gerdien W , Stehouwer Coen DA , Lambert Jan , Schalkwijk Casper G , van der Mooren Marius J , Kluft Cornelis , Netelenbos Coen
Published: July 2020

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent cardiovascular risk factor, possibly through the induction of endothelial dysfunction. The postmenopausal state is associated with increased plasma homocysteine. We examined whether increased homocysteine is associated with impaired endothelial function.

Methods: Sixty-three hysterectomized but otherwise healthy postmenopausal women (54.8 ± 3.5 years) participated in this study. Fasting total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) was measured as free plus protein-bound homocysteine. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring plasma concentrations of the endothelium-derived proteins endothelin (ET), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) as well as brachial artery flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (FMD).

Results: Plasma tHcy was 9.6 ± 2.5 μmol/L. After adjustment for possible confounders, a 1 μmol/L increase in tHcy was associated with an increase in ET of 0.08 ng/L (P = 0.045) and an increase in vWF of 4.2% (P = 0.05). No statistically significant association was present between tHcy and PAI-1 or FMD.

Conclusions: Increased fasting homocysteine in postmenopausal women may impair some aspects of endothelial function. It is of clinical interest to study whether homocysteine lowering can improve endothelial function and thus cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women.
Gender Differences in Diurnal Growth Hormone and Epinephrine Values in Young Adults during Ambulation
Authors: Edén Engström Britt , Karlsson F Anders , Wide Leif
Published: July 2020

Background: In the present study, the impact of gender, oral contraceptives, and ambulation on serum growth hormone (GH) and urinary catecholamines was examined in healthy young adults.

Methods: Twenty-one medical student volunteers—7 men, 7 women, and 7 women taking oral contraceptives—were investigated. Serum samples were drawn every second hour during a 24-h period. At 0800 the first morning, serum samples were drawn while subjects were in the ambulatory state; the next morning, serum samples were drawn at 0800 while the subjects were still resting in bed.

Results: During the daytime, GH concentrations were sevenfold higher in the women than in the men, a difference larger than described previously. During the night, there was no gender difference. In the morning, ambulatory GH concentrations were 28-fold higher in the women than in the men, whereas supine GH concentrations were only 4.6-fold higher in the women than in the men. Daytime urinary output of epinephrine was lower in the women than in the men, whereas there was no difference at night. Women using estrogen-containing oral contraceptives had lower epinephrine and higher GH values than women not taking oral contraceptives. In women, morning GH concentrations were higher in the ambulatory than in the resting state, whereas they were lower in the ambulatory state than in the resting state in men.

Conclusions: The secretion of GH and epinephrine is gender-dependent and differs during the daytime in a reciprocal manner, with higher GH and lower epinephrine in women than in men. Oral contraceptives appear to further increase such differences. It seems likely that the data reflect a gender difference in the utilization of substrates for energy production.
Serum Insulin-like Growth Factors and Insulin-like Growth Factor-binding Proteins: Clinical Implications
Authors: Rosen Clifford J
Published: July 2020

The last decade has been characterized by a major investigative thrust into the physiology of two unique but ubiquitous peptides, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II. The regulatory systems that control the tissue bioactivity of the IGFs have been delineated, and subcellular signaling mechanisms have been clarified. Clearly, both tissue and circulating growth factor concentrations are important in defining the relationship between IGF-I and cell activity. Bone, liver, and circulatory IGF-I have received the most attention by investigators, in part because of the ease of measurement and the interaction with disease states such as osteoporosis. More recently, attention has focused on the role IGF-I plays in neoplastic transformation and growth. Two large prospective observational studies have demonstrated greater risk for prostate and breast cancer associated with high circulating concentrations of IGF-I. Animal models and in vitro studies confirm that there is a close, albeit complex, interaction between IGF-I signaling and bone turnover. This report will focus on: (a) IGF physiology, including IGF ligands, binding proteins, and proteases; (b) the relationship between IGF-I and bone mass in respect to risk for osteoporosis; (c) the heritable regulation of the IGF-I phenotype; and (d) the association between serum IGF-I and cancer risk. The IGFs remain a major area for basic and clinical investigations; future studies may define both diagnostic and therapeutic roles for these peptides or their related proteins in several disease states.
Total and Free Deoxypyridinoline after Acute Osteoclast Activity Inhibition
Authors: Rubinacci Alessandro , Melzi Raffaella , Zampino Maria , Soldarini Armando , Villa Isabella
Published: July 2020

Background: Deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) is one of the two pyridinium cross-links that provide structural rigidity to type I collagen in bone. During osteoclastic resorption, Dpd is released into circulation and is excreted in the urine in free and peptide-bound forms. Free and total Dpd are highly correlated, but whether the free-to-total cross-link ratio is constant in both normal and high bone turnover states remains controversial. To compare free and total Dpd performance in a physiological condition, urinary free and total Dpd were measured after a short-term inhibition of osteoclast activity such as that induced by an oral calcium load.

Methods: Total and free Dpd were measured by HPLC and by immunosorbent assay, respectively, in two groups of subjects, one (calcium-treated; n = 16) taking calcium and the other not (control; n = 9).

Results: The urinary excretion of total Dpd at 2 and 4 h after oral calcium loading was decreased compared with controls. By contrast, changes in free Dpd were similar in the calcium-treated and control groups, reflecting only circadian rhythm.

Conclusions: Total and free Dpd do not show comparable sensitivity in detecting short-term inhibition of osteoclast activity. The degradation process of peptide-bound to free Dpd could render free Dpd insensitive to acute changes of osteoclast activity.
Reduced Nest Predation of Cavity-Nesting Wood Ducks During Flooding in a Bottomland Hardwood Forest
Authors: Roy Nielsen Charlotte L. , Gates Robert J.
Published: July 2020

The importance of flooding to birds that nest in bottomland hardwood forests is poorly understood, in part because floods are difficult to predict. A large flood occurred in 2002, during our study of cavity-nesting Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) in the Mississippi River floodplain. Nests were depredated prior to and after, but not during, the four-week flood. This observation prompted a retrospective analysis of flooding, nest predation, and nest success for our three-year study period of 2000–2002 and with a dataset extending back to 1995. Nest predation was lower and nest success was higher in the floodplain during floods. Flood conditions did not significantly affect nest success or nest predation rates in the adjacent upland, but nest success in upland forest was higher than in the floodplain during dry periods. Historically, spring flooding of riparian areas may to some extent have mitigated nest predation in bottomland forests.
P598T1 mapping and myocardial extracellular volume assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance in diabetic patients with stable coronary artery disease
Authors: Boros G A B , Hueb W , Rezende P C , Ribas F F , Dallazen A R , Ribeiro M O L , Garcia R M R , Garzillo C L , Lima E G , Morais T , Nomura C H , Rochitte C E , Serrano Junior C V , Ramires J A F , Kalil Filho R
Published: July 2020

Background

T1 mapping is a quantitative technique of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) increasingly used for characterization of the myocardium. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may impact myocardial tissue structure, however studies that assessed this association using non-invasive methods have conflicting results.

Purpose

We sought to compare the tissue characteristics of the non-infarcted myocardium of patients with and without diabetes with multivessel CAD.

Methods

Patients with stable multivessel CAD and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), included in the MASS V trial, underwent contrast-enhanced CMR before revascularization procedures. Patients were stratified according to the T2DM diagnosis at baseline. Values of myocardial native T1, post-contrast T1 and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) were compared between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Only myocardial tissue without late gadolinium enhancement were assessed.

Results

Of 155 patients studied, 67 (43%) were diabetic and 88 (57%) non-diabetic. Baseline characteristics were similiar between groups (age 70±10 vs 69±11; 69% vs 68% males; LVEF 65±13 vs 67±9). Mean Syntax score was 21.2±8.5 and 20.4±8.5 (p=0.52) in diabetic and non-diabetic, respectively. Myocardial native T1 values showed no diference in diabetic and non-diabetic (1013±67.9 vs 1015±61.4, p=0.72). However, in diabetic patients values of post-contrast T1 were significantly lower (482.2±43.8 vs 499.4±47.2, p=0.024) and ECV were higher (29.62±6.61 vs 27.08. ± 4.22, p=0.004). Multivariable analyses adjusted for age, sex, BMI, hypertension and Syntax score showed no differences in the results.

Figure1

Conclusion

In this study, T2DM was associated with higher ECV and lower post-contrast T1 values in the myocardial tissue. These findings suggest an increase in the myocardial intersticial matrix in patients with diabetes and stable multivessel CAD.
Training program for Research Educators of sequential course-based undergraduate research experiences
Authors: Light Caitlin , Fegley Megan , Stamp Nancy
Published: July 2020

Science education studies have shown that a sequence of course-based research experiences has many positive effects for undergraduates. To maximize those benefits, we created a training program for the instructors (aka Research Educators). The program guides them in how to move students early in their college years through the process of science such that students then can successfully apply their learning to conduct real research projects. The key to instructors’ training is creating a supportive community of practice in which everyone participates, including by taking leading roles.