bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A meta‐analysis reveals global patterns of sediment effects on marine biodiversity
Authors: Magris Rafael A. , Ban Natalie C.
Published: August 2019

Aim

Sediment disturbances are important threats affecting marine biodiversity, but the variety of biological responses has not yet been synthesized. Here, we collate all available information to compare the extent of impacts across different taxonomic groups, habitat types and pathways of impact (light attenuation, suspended sediment and sedimentation).

Location

Global.

Time period

Data collected from 1979 to 2017.

Major taxa studied

Corals, fishes, seagrasses, sponges, macroalgae, ascidians, bryozoans, crustaceans, echinoderms, molluscs and polychaetes.

Methods

We used meta‐analyses to evaluate the effects of sediments across 842 observations found in 110 publications. We also evaluated some of the biological and methodological factors that could explain the variable effects observed in different studies.

Results

We found a significant negative effect of sediments on behavioural responses of species, reproduction and recruitment processes, the morphology of organisms, physiology, community abundance and diversity, and species interactions. In contrast, the overall effect on the abundance of individual species was statistically non‐significant and there was a strong positive effect on abundance for sponge and polychaete species. Many individual studies described physiological effects on coral reefs, but the effects on the diversity of soft‐bottom and coral reef communities were particularly detrimental. Phototrophic species were generally more negatively impacted by sediments than heterotrophs, driven by strong physiological responses in crustose coralline algae and seagrasses. Additionally, species with limited mobility were more vulnerable to sediment disturbances than highly mobile species. Sedimentation alone triggered more consistently negative effects on most biological responses than light depletion and suspended sediments. We found evidence for increased impacts on community diversity when more than one pathway of impact was present, indicating that these disturbances can disrupt whole ecosystems.

Main conclusions

Our meta‐analysis provided, for the first time, strong quantitative support of negative effects of sediments on marine biodiversity. Taxonomic groups, habitat types and life‐history characteristics were most influential in determining the biological responses to sediment disturbances, highlighting the importance of an ecosystem‐based approach when fully accounting for the impacts of sediments.
Land management modulates the environmental controls on global earthworm communities
Authors: Johnston Alice S. A.
Published: August 2019

Aim

Soils and their biological communities face increasing pressure from multiple global drivers, including land management and climate change. In soils, earthworms play key roles in ecosystem functioning, but the environmental controls on their global communities are not fully understood. Here, an earthworm dataset was compiled to investigate the effects of environmental variables and land management on global earthworm communities.

Location

40° S–65° N.

Time period

1962 to 2016.

Major taxa studied

Earthworms.

Methods

A dataset of 899 earthworm community observations, together with environmental variables, was compiled across 169 globally distributed sites. Sites included natural forest and grassland or managed arable, pasture and plantation ecosystems. Total, anecic, endogeic and epigeic abundances and total species richness were compared in natural and managed ecosystems to quantify the effects of land management across climates. A hierarchical model was used to test the importance of environmental controls in predicting the relationship between total earthworm species richness and abundance at a global scale.

Results

Land management prompted little change in total earthworm abundance at the global scale, but reduced species richness and shifted community composition. Endogeic earthworms were more abundant in managed ecosystems, while anecic and epigeic earthworms showed variable responses across ecosystem types. Global relationships between total earthworm species richness and abundance were explained by climate, soil pH and land management.

Main conclusions

Land management modulates the effects of environmental controls on global earthworm communities, through direct disturbance and indirect changes in edaphic conditions.
Evaluation of Negative Economic‐Environmental Externalities of Overextraction of Groundwater
Authors: Baniasadi Mostafa , Zare' Mehrjordi Mohammad Reza , Mehrabi Boshrabadi Hossein , Mirzaei Khalilabad Hamid Reza , Rezaei Estakhrooye Abbas
Published: August 2019

In recent decades, increased extraction of groundwater for human and agriculture consumption has led to a substantial drop in groundwater level in large areas of across the world. Declining groundwater levels is a serious problem in itself and has multiple economic, social, cultural, political, security‐related, and environmental externalities. The negative economic‐environmental externalities of overextraction of groundwater in the Orzouiyeh plain in the Kerman Province, Iran, were evaluated using methods such as replacement cost, production function, market prices, shadow price, and the value of the input marginal product. After evaluating externalities, the Positive Mathematical Programming method was used to evaluate different water policies to reduce the consumption of groundwater. The total economic losses due to the externalities were calculated to equal 2.8 U.S. million dollars. The damages caused by environmental externalities were calculated to equal 436.1 U.S. million dollars. The results related to the positive planning model show that the best policy among different options, such as deficit irrigation policy or combined policies, involves implementation of pressurized irrigation systems.
Quantifying Threshold Water Tables for Ecological Restoration in Arid Northwestern China
Authors: Wang Yong , Chen Minjian , Yan Long , Yang Guiyu , Ma Jing , Deng Wei
Published: August 2019

In arid northwestern China, as many inland areas around the world with arid or semi‐arid climate, inland river flow recharges groundwater; vegetation pattern depends on the water table, which characterizes the landscapes of oasis, transition zone and desert, within different distances from an inland river. The water table conditions play an important role in water and land management—a high water table causes salinization within the oasis while a low water table causes desertification around the oasis. This study applies a theoretical‐empirical method to calculating critical groundwater depths including the depth of critical groundwater level causing salinization (DCGS) and the depth of critical groundwater level causing desertification (DCGD); the calculations are validated with field observations in the Luocheng Irrigation District located in the middle reach of the Heihe River, an inland river of the northwestern China. Specifically, the calculated DCGS is 1.29 m for the case study area and the range of water table depth at the locations with saline soil is 0.5‐1.2 m. The calculated DCGD for three vegetation communities, Nitraria tangutorum + Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch community, Tamarix chinensis + Phragmites australis community, and Alhagi sparsifolia + Phragmites communis, are 8.26, 11.26, and 13.26 m, respectively, basically within an observed range of 6.0‐13.0 m in the study area. The critical depths can be used to design an engineering approach to control water tables and mitigate salinization and desertification problem for ecosystem restoration in the study region.
Identification of two microRNA nodes as potential cooperative modulators of liver metabolism
Authors: Hochreuter Mette Yde , Altıntaş Ali , Garde Christian , Emanuelli Brice , Kahn C. Ronald , Zierath Juleen R. , Vienberg Sara , Barrès Romain
Published: August 2019

Aim

Hepatic insulin resistance is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. Dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression in insulin‐resistant livers might coordinate impaired hepatic metabolic function. Here, we aimed to discover miRNAs and their downstream targets involved in hepatic insulin resistance.

Methods

We determined miRNA expression profiles by small RNA sequencing of two mouse models of impaired hepatic insulin action: high‐fat diet‐induced obesity and liver‐specific insulin receptor knockout. Conversely, we assessed the hepatic miRNA expression profile after treatment with the antidiabetic hormone, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Ontology analysis of predicted miRNA gene targets was performed to identify regulated gene pathways. Target enrichment analysis and miRNA mimic overexpression in vitro were used to identify unified protein targets of nodes of regulated miRNAs.

Results

We identified an array of miRNA species regulated by impaired liver insulin action or after fibroblast growth factor 21 treatment. Ontology analysis of predicted miRNA gene targets identified pathways controlling hepatic energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity. We identified a node of two miRNAs downregulated in the livers of liver‐specific insulin receptor knockout mice, miR‐883b and miR‐205, which positively regulate the expression of transcription factor zinc finger E‐box‐binding homeobox 1 (ZBED1). We found another node of two miRNAs upregulated in the livers of fibroblast growth factor 21‐treated mice, miR‐155‐3p and miR‐1968‐5p, which canonically downregulates the caveola component, polymerase I and transcript release factor (PTRF), a gene previously implicated in hepatic energy metabolism.

Conclusions

This study identifies two nodes of coregulated miRNAs that might coordinately control hepatic energy metabolism in states of insulin resistance.
Reduced handgrip strength is predictive of poor survival among patients with liver cirrhosis: A sex‐stratified analysis
Authors: Hanai Tatsunori , Shiraki Makoto , Imai Kenji , Suetsugu Atsushi , Takai Koji , Moriwaki Hisataka , Shimizu Masahito
Published: August 2019

Aim

Handgrip strength (HGS) is a marker of sarcopenia and has been used to stratify an individual's risk of death. We aimed to assess the prognostic significance of HGS in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we collated data of 563 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital with cirrhosis (375 men). A dynamometer was used to measure HGS. Body composition (including skeletal muscle and adipose tissue volumes) was estimated using computed tomography. Predictors of mortality were identified using sex‐stratified multivariate analyses.

Results

After adjustments for age, cirrhosis etiology, Child–Pugh score, and other confounding variables, HGS, but not body composition, was independently associated with mortality in male patients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94–0.99; P < 0.01) and female patients (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84–0.99; P = 0.02). Men with low HGS (<30 kg) had a higher risk of mortality (HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.39–3.17; P < 0.001), as did women with low (<15 kg) HGS (HR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.16–4.01; P = 0.02). We could stratify the sex‐specific risk of mortality in cirrhotic patients using HGS, regardless of coexistent hepatocellular carcinoma and the Child–Pugh class.

Conclusions

Reduced HGS, rather than skeletal muscle and adipose tissue volumes, is associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients of both sexes with liver cirrhosis. Measurement of HGS is a simple, cost‐effective, and appropriate bedside assessment for the prediction of survival in patients with cirrhosis.
A natural skin anti‐ageing serum containing pseudobulb ethanolic extract of Grammatophyllum speciosum: a randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Chowjarean V. , Phiboonchaiyanan P.P. , Harikarnpakdee S. , Tengamnuay P.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Grammatophyllum speciosum is utilized to treat sore throats and bronchitis In Thai folk medicine. This study evaluated the in vitro activity and clinical efficacy of a G. speciosum pseudobulb decoction.

Methods

Measure of in vitro anti‐ageing activity was performed using non‐cell based assays as well as in CRL 2097 human fibroblast cells. A prophetic patch test method was used to determine skin irritation in 24 healthy Thai volunteers. A randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted with 24 subjects for 56 days after facial application to evaluate efficacy. The results were measured with Visioface® and Cutometer® MPA 580 as well as by visual observations.

Results

The total content of the antioxidant polyphenols in G. speciosum ethanolic extract (GSE) was 48.19 ± 0.39 mg EGCG equivalent per gram. The GSE possessed potent and higher anti‐elastase activity more than EGCG. The extract was able to protect human fibroblasts against superoxide anion‐induced cell death at the concentration of 10 µg mL−1. In a clinical study, facial application of the serum containing 0.5% GSE was found to safely increase skin distensibility in healthy volunteers. Skin viscoelasticity and wrinkle volume were also significantly reduced (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Thus, both the in vitro and the clinical studies have illustrated the anti‐wrinkle/anti‐ageing benefits of GSE on human skin.
The influence of substrate surface conditioning and biofilm age on the composition of Enterococcus faecalis biofilms
Authors: Ali I. A. A. , Cheung B. P. K. , Yau J. Y. Y. , Matinlinna J. P. , Lévesque C. M. , Belibasakis G. N. , Neelakantan P.
Published: August 2019

Aim

To investigate the null hypothesis that neither the surface conditioning (collagen, serum, saliva) of hydroxyapatite (HA) discs, nor the biofilm age (3 days vs. 21 days) has a significant effect on the cellular and matrix composition of biofilms, using Enterococcus faecalis as the model organism.

Methodology

Sterile HA discs were conditioned with collagen, saliva or serum, and inoculated with E. faecalis to form 3‐day and 21‐day‐old biofilms. Unconditioned discs served as controls. The biofilms were analysed using culture‐dependent and independent (confocal microscopy and biochemical analysis) methods, to determine the colony‐forming units and the biofilm matrix composition (polysaccharides and proteins), respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests (P = 0.05).

Results

Collagen conditioning significantly increased the number of CFUs in the 21‐day biofilms, compared to the 3‐day biofilms (P < 0.05). Although the biochemical analysis revealed that surface conditioning had no significant effect on the total carbohydrate content in the 21‐day biofilms, confocal microscopic analysis revealed that collagen and saliva conditioning selectively increased the polysaccharide content of 21‐day biofilms, compared to the 3‐day biofilms (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of this study raise an important methodological concern that the substrate conditioning substances and biofilm age differentially influence the cellular and extracellular matrix components of E. faecalis biofilms.
Teaching and Assessing Metadiscoursal Features in Argumentative Writing: A Professional Development Training for EFL Teachers
Authors: Abdelrahim Azza A. M. , Abdelrahim Maha A. M.
Published: August 2019

Metadiscoursal features are important in teaching and assessing argumentative writing. However, when analyzing some samples of students' writing at tertiary level, it is observed that there is a lack of many metadiscoursal features in students' argumentative writing. For this reason, the current study investigated the impact of the professional development training on teaching and assessing metadiscoursal features in argumentative writing. Using multiple rigorous instruments, the researchers tested the efficacy of the professional development training in teaching and assessing metadiscoursal features. The results showed that the professional development training developed teachers' knowledge, teaching performance, assessment of metadiscoursal features in argumentative writing, and improved students' argumentative writing. Findings highlight the metadiscoursal features relevant for designing assessment instruments for assessing voice, cohesion, and organization in argumentative writing. Furthermore, the present study can serve to provide some new insights about metadiscourse as a target area for teaching and assessment of writing.
An evaluation of community pharmacists’ understanding of autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study in Western Australia
Authors: Knights Emily , Sunderland Bruce , Parsons Richard , Ziatas Kathy , Caccetta Rima
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To assess the knowledge and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by community pharmacists, across Western Australia (WA) and evaluate the extent to which they incorporate ASD friendly practices in their pharmacy.

Methods

A cross-sectional study involved a postal questionnaire sent to a stratified random sample of 250 community pharmacies across WA. A score of ≥10/13 (≥76.9%) appropriate responses to selected questions was considered an indication of ‘good knowledge’ of ASD. Univariate associations between ‘good knowledge’ and variables in the questionnaire were analysed using chi-square statistics, and multivariate analysis was performed using a logistic regression model. Demographic data relating to the pharmacy were used to determine the likelihood it was ASD friendly.

Key findings

Overall, 97/250 (38.8%) questionnaires were returned. There were 34/96 (35.4%) respondents classified as having ‘good knowledge’. Stigma surrounding ASD was the single best indicator of ‘good knowledge’ (P < 0.0001). None of the respondents indicated they catered specifically for ASD, and 38/97 (39.2%) reported that no changes were needed to their pharmacy to improve accessibility. There were a number of demographic features that increased the likelihood that pharmacies had the potential to be ASD friendly.

Conclusions

Pharmacists overall had a basic understanding of ASD. Pharmacists who identified that stigma surrounding ASD existed in the community were more likely to achieve ‘good knowledge’. There was a reluctance to improve pharmacy accessibility to patients with ASD. Pharmacists did not appear to incorporate ASD beneficial practices into their pharmacy and pharmacy environment.
Bacterial inhibition efficiency of prilocaine and bupivacaine
Authors: Kesici Sevgi , Demirci Mehmet , Kesici Ugur
Published: August 2019

This study aimed to demonstrate the antibacterial effects of bupivacaine and prilocaine on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In our study, the in vitro antimicrobial effects of 20 mg/mL prilocaine and 5 mg/mL bupivacaine were tested against a S. aureus American‐type culture collection (ATCC) 29213, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and E. coli ATCC 25922, divided into Group P (Prilocaine) and Group B (Bupivacaine), respectively. S. aureus ATCC 29213, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and E. coli ATCC 25922 were cultured on Mueller Hinton agar (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK) plates for 18 to 24 hours at 37°C. In terms of inhibition zone diameters, inhibition of S. aureus ATCC 29213 was observed in both groups at the 12th and 24th hours. The 12th‐ and 24th‐hour S. aureus ATCC 29213 value was significantly higher in Group P compared with Group B (P = .008). At the 12th and 24th hours, inhibition of E. coli ATCC 25922 was observed in both groups. The 12th‐ and 24th‐hour E. coli ATCC 25922 value was significantly higher in Group P compared with Group B (P = .008). In our study, it was seen that prilocaine and bupivacaine had an antimicrobial effect on S. aureus and E. coli. In the comparison between these two local anesthetics (LAs), this effect was found to be significantly higher in prilocaine than bupivacaine. Therefore, we are of the opinion that antimicrobial effect potentials should also be taken into account in the selection of an LA agent in order to prevent the complications of an infection that might develop during LA infiltration and might lead to serious morbidity.