bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the burden of generalized tonic‐clonic seizures in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Authors: Sheikh Shehryar R , Thompson Nicholas , Frech Feride , Malhotra Manoj , Jehi Lara
Published: July 2020

Objective

Compared to other seizure types, generalized tonic‐clonic (GTC) seizures may be disproportionately related to increased morbidity, and reducing seizure frequency could translate into improvements across measures of morbidity in medically treated patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). The primary objective of this analysis was to quantify the burden of patients with DRE who experience GTC seizures (GTC+) compared to patients with DRE who do not experience GTC seizures (GTC−).

Methods

Adult patients from the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center‐Neurological Institute from 2012‐2016 with DRE with epilepsy for at least 1 year were eligible for inclusion and were divided into GTC ± groups based on whether the patient had experienced a GTC seizure in the year preceding the first visit. Epilepsy duration, comorbidities, antiepileptic drug use, patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) and seizure type, frequency, and etiology were captured. Generalized linear models, negative binomial regression, logistic regression, and linear regression were used as appropriate for multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 379 patients met inclusion criteria and had data at 1‐year follow‐up after their baseline visit (192 GTC+ and 187 GTC−). Although DRE patients experiencing GTC seizures had fewer seizures per day over the preceding 6 months than those not experiencing GTC seizures, seizure severity and levels of depression and anxiety were greater. GTC+ patients who reported five or more seizures in the preceding 4 weeks had 82% lower odds (1−0.18 = 0.82) of working than patients with no seizures.

Significance

Patients with DRE experience a significant burden and decreased quality of life. Multivariate analysis is necessary to understand the complex relationship between seizure type, frequency, and impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and changes over time. Effective treatments to reduce the burden for DRE patients who experience GTC seizures continue to be needed.
How can nanoparticle‐based technologies revolutionize the topical therapy in psoriasis?
Authors: Sindrilaru Anca , Filip Adriana , Scharffetter‐Kochanek Karin , Crisan Diana
Published: July 2020

Psoriasis is one of the most common dermatoses with a heterogeneous pathogenesis which can be successfully exploited therapeutically as it is increasingly well understood. Topical therapy is the gold standard for psoriasis patients with mild disease courses and for complementary and maintenance treatment in moderate and severe forms. However, while new systemic therapies are rapidly implemented in the daily routine as our pathomechanistic understanding of psoriasis evolves, the development of topical psoriasis therapies stagnates. Modern topical treatments though would require not only new active substances but also improved galenics. Due to their unique ability to directly exert biological functions, but also to deliver drugs in optimal concentrations, enabling increased therapeutic efficacy, reduced adverse effects and improved patient compliance, nanoparticles may represent ideal drug carriers for local therapeutics in psoriasis. In recent years, a series of reports added important insights into the biology of skin‐nanoparticles interactions and on how they impact the epidermal and dermal inflammatory compartments in vitro and in psoriasis plaques. Furthermore, by targeting anti‐inflammatory substances to specific skin compartments, nanotechnological advances offer the exciting opportunity to fine‐tune skin inflammation at molecular and cellular levels, paving the road to a high‐precision, skin‐directed topical therapy in psoriasis. However, nanoparticle‐based therapies have not yet found their way into clinical routine in dermatology. We here resume the current advances in the research of nanoparticles and skin inflammation in general and psoriasis in particular and discuss how this promising technology should develop in order to fulfil the requirements of an optimal skin therapy.
Predicting egg size across temperatures in marine teleost fishes
Authors: Anderson David M. , Gillooly James F.
Published: July 2020

Marine teleost fish species in colder environments generally produce larger eggs than those in warmer environments. This pattern is thought to reflect changes in the optimal strategy of allocation to offspring size and number across temperatures, yet quantitative assessments of this hypothesis are lacking. Here, we model optimal offspring size across temperatures in marine teleost fishes based on the trade‐off between offspring survivorship and number. In doing so, we derive quantitative predictions for the relationship of optimal egg size to temperature based on the size and temperature dependences of the growth and mortality, and hence survivorship, of eggs and larvae. Our model shows that smaller eggs are favoured at warmer temperatures largely because egg survivorship declines with both egg size and temperature. The predictions of our model (egg mass in grams = 0.013*e−0.11*T ºC) were comparable to the observed interspecific relationship (0.0029*e−0.09*T ºC; N = 221 spp.). Thus, our results provide insights into how temperature shapes the evolution of egg size in marine teleost fishes.
Linking life history strategies and historical baseline information shows effects of altered flow regimes and impoundments on freshwater mussel assemblages
Authors: Khan Jennifer M. , Dudding Jack , Hart Michael , Tsakiris Eric , Randklev Charles R.
Published: July 2020

Human impacts on aquatic ecosystems are causing shifts in the composition and distribution of species, leading to subsequent changes in community structure. However, these changes may not be fully realised because of inadequate baseline information. In Texas, such baseline information is generally lacking for cryptic aquatic species such as unionid mussels, which will be likely to impede identification of impacted populations, potential causal factors, and the setting or achieving of management goals.

The Navasota River, located in central Texas, is an exception, having been comprehensively surveyed more than 40 years ago, prior to large‐scale impoundment of this system. Hierarchical cluster analysis, nonmetric multidimensional scaling, and fuzzy set ordination were performed to compare assemblage structure from the 1975 survey to that of a recent survey in 2016 at similar sampling locations.

Comparing sites based on the presence–absence of mussel species, we found no significant differences between the number of taxa and species present; however, we did find significant filtering of mussel life history strategies. Specifically, prior to impoundment, we found that mussel assemblages were filtered based on longitudinal patterns in life history strategy from taxa that are adapted to disturbed habitats to those favoured in more stable habitats with low environmental variation.

However, following large‐scale impoundment after 1975, we saw a shift in the hydrologic regime towards consistent, homogenised flows and a shift in assemblage structure towards equilibrium species. This shift appears to represent a discontinuity, wherein river impoundment alters physical parameters of the hydrologic regime and these changes in turn modify biotic patterns and processes.

Our results provide another example of how large dams can restructure mussel assemblages, highlight the importance of incorporating reference or baseline conditions wherever possible when evaluating the conservation status of aquatic biota, and provide further evidence for the use of life history theory and the serial discontinuity concept in predicting the consequences of flow alteration and river impoundment.
Geographic structuring of Antarctic penguin populations
Authors: Santora Jarrod A. , LaRue Michelle A. , Ainley David G.
Published: July 2020

Aim

We hypothesized that regional spatial organization of Antarctic penguin breeding populations was affected by social factors, that is, proximity and size of adjacent colonies, and by physical factors, that is, availability of breeding habitat and proximity of polynyas and submarine canyons where prey is abundant. The hypothesis of Furness and Birkhead (1984), that forage competition and density‐dependence affect geographic structure of seabird populations, was tested previously for Antarctic penguins when biologging to quantify colony foraging areas was less common and when assessments of colony size reflected a compendium of historical counts. These data on foraging areas and colony size are now available following 20 years of frequent biologging and real‐time satellite data on colony locations and sizes.

Location

Antarctica.

Major taxa studied

Penguin species.

Time period

Present day.

Methods

We prepared a literature summary on the basis of biologging studies to improve assessment of foraging ranges. We collated colony sizes from recent sources and integrated them with data on submarine canyon systems and polynyas. We used geospatial models to assess the relationships of the latter features to colony size, clustering, and distribution around Antarctica.

Results

The equal spacing of emperor penguin colonies was constant, with spacing a function of foraging range. In contrast, colonies of other penguin species were clustered, with small colonies adjacent to one another and within the outer edge of the foraging area of large colonies. Colonies and especially clusters occurred near polynyas and canyons around Antarctica.

Main conclusions

Density‐dependent processes and geography explained penguin colony distribution. We conclude that inter‐ and intraspecific trophic competition affects the geographic structuring of colony distribution and size, although not necessarily in the same way among species. Results are relevant to assessing effects of climate, ecosystem dynamics, fisheries and other factors on penguin population trends at regional scales. We suggest that considering penguin colony distribution and abundance at the regional or cluster level is necessary to understand changes in these attributes.
Nutritive value and herbage mass in hybrids of Paspalum plicatulum × Paspalum guenoarum fertilized with nitrogen or in mixture with temperate legumes
Authors: Minski da Motta Eder Alexandre , Dall’agnol Miguel , Rios Esteban , Lopes de Souza Cleber , Weiler Roberto , Simioni Carine , Brunes André , Krycki Karine , Graminho Larissa , da Silveira Garcia Lisiane , Faraco Correa Augusto
Published: July 2020

Recent efforts placed on breeding Paspalum species made available novel genetic resources for livestock production systems. Nitrogen (N) is an important factor to increase warm‐season grass nutritive value and production, either as anthropogenic supply or in mixture with legumes. Dry matter yield (DMY) and nutritive value in Paspalum plicatulum Michx. × Paspalum guenoarum Arechav. hybrids in response to different rates of N or in mixture with temperate legumes were evaluated for two years. The experiment was a randomized complete block design in split‐plot arrangement with three replications. Treatments were six N supply systems: 0, 60, 120, 240, 480 kg N/ha and grass–legume mixture [white clover (Trifolium repens L.) + birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.)] as whole plots, and six genotypes (hybrids: 1020133, 102069, 103084, 103061, P. guenoarum ecotype ‘Azulão’ and Megathyrsus maximus cv. ‘Aruana’ used as controls) as subplots. Higher N rates increased DMY and provided variability among genotypes. In general, grass–legume mixture showed greater crude protein and digestibility, and lower neutral and acid detergent fiber than N fertilized grass (p < .05). Hybrid 1020133 had DMY similar to Aruana and Azulão in years 1 and 2. Hybrids 103084 and 103061 exhibited higher nutritive value than Aruana and Azulão in year 1 (p < .05), and similarly in year 2. These three hybrids were identified as potential releases. Supplying N by fertilization or mixture with legumes increased DMY and improved nutritive value in Paspalum pastures.
An exploration of how fake news is taking over social media and putting public health at risk
Authors: Naeem Salman Bin , Bhatti Rubina , Khan Aqsa
Published: July 2020

Recent statistics show that almost 1/4 of a million people have died and four million people are affected either with mild or serious health problems caused by coronavirus (COVID‐19). These numbers are rapidly increasing (World Health Organization, May 3, 2020c). There is much concern during this pandemic about the spread of misleading or inaccurate information. This article reports on a small study which attempted to identify the types and sources of COVID‐19 misinformation. The authors identified and analysed 1225 pieces of COVID‐19 fake news stories taken from fact‐checkers, myth‐busters and COVID‐19 dashboards. The study is significant given the concern raised by the WHO Director‐General that ‘we are not just fighting the pandemic, we are also fighting infodemic’. The study concludes that the COVID‐19 infodemic is full of false claims, half backed conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific therapies, regarding the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, origin and spread of the virus. Fake news is pervasive in social media, putting public health at risk. The scale of the crisis and ubiquity of the misleading information require that scientists, health information professionals and journalists exercise their professional responsibility to help the general public identify fake news stories. They should ensure that accurate information is published and disseminated.J.M.
Dispersibility of pretreated polyacrylic acid‐modified SiC powder
Authors: Sun Yexian , Niu Yifan , Liu Ting , Liu Jiaxiang
Published: July 2020

A slurry with high dispersibility is crucial for slip casting technology. The weakly acidic SiC powder with high dispersibility was prepared with polyacrylic acid pretreated by the sodium hydroxide (adjusted pH = 5). The pretreated polyacrylic acid can be effectively adsorbed on the surface of SiC powder, and its utilization efficiency (37%) was better than the unpretreated one (21%). The modified SiC powder with pH = 6 was obtained by polyacrylic acid modification, and the maximum solid content was 61.2 Vol%. The optimum of the pretreated polyacrylic acid addition amount was 1 wt% based on Zeta potential, solid content, and viscosity analysis data. Compared with the unmodified SiC, the Zeta potential absolute value of the modified (−63 mV) was higher due to a large amount of anionic modifier adsorbed on particle surfaces. The modified SiC slurry was more stable because the modification increases the electrostatic repulsion among the SiC molecules.
Inter‐individual differences in body mass index were not observed as a result of aerobic exercise in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity
Authors: Kelley George A. , Kelley Kristi S. , Pate Russell R.
Published: July 2020

Background

Exercise has been recommended as an important intervention for reducing adiposity in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Objective

Determine whether inter‐individual differences exist in relation to exercise‐induced changes in adiposity among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Methods

Meta‐analysis of randomized controlled aerobic exercise trials and body mass index (BMI) in kg · m−2. Change outcome standard deviations were pooled using the inverse‐variance heterogeneity model.

Results

Twenty‐eight studies (1185 participants) were included. Inter‐individual differences in BMI were −0.1 (95% compatibility interval, −0.7 to 0.7). The 95% prediction interval for inter‐individual responses in a future study was −2.9 to 2.9. The probability of a clinically meaningful difference in variability was 29% (possibly clinically important) in favour of controls vs exercisers.

Conclusions

Inter‐individual differences for BMI in kg · m−2 were not observed as a result of aerobic exercise in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.
An observational study of high‐ and low‐abundance anti‐retroviral resistance mutations among treatment‐naïve people living with HIV in New Zealand between 2012 and 2017
Authors: Young Nicholas , Hobbs Mark , Rahnama Fahimeh , Shi Jinyang , Briggs Simon
Published: July 2020

HIV resistance genotyping detects drug resistance mutations (DRM) in ≥20% of circulating virus within an infected individual (high‐abundance DRM). Deep sequencing also detects DRM in smaller viral subpopulations (low‐abundance DRM), although these are of uncertain importance. In this retrospective analysis of 292 treatment‐naïve patients, high‐abundance DRM were present in 30/292 (10%) patients, but only one (0.3%) had resistance to first‐line anti‐retrovirals. Low‐abundance DRM were present in 36/247 (15%) patients, but none who received anti‐retrovirals for which these were present had virologic failure. These findings demonstrate that starting first‐line therapy in treatment‐naïve patients need not be delayed while awaiting resistance testing.
Resurrecting New Zealand's public healthcare system or a charity hospital in every town?
Authors: Nicholls Michael G. , Frampton Christopher M. , Bagshaw Philip F.
Published: July 2020

Radical market‐oriented health reforms in New Zealand in the early 1990s failed to deliver key financial targets, resulted in unnecessary patient deaths, adversely affected public healthcare services, induced serious tensions between clinicians and managers and encouraged a predisposition to private healthcare. A more co‐operative health system was implemented in the late 1990s but remaining problems of inadequate patient access led to establishment of a charity hospital in Christchurch which, by November 2018, had registered over 18 000 patient visits. This is one indication of the need to resurrect our public healthcare system. In this paper, we discuss briefly the health reforms of the 1990s then, for discussion and debate, provide seven suggestions for how this resurrection might be achieved thereby avoiding the need for charity hospitals throughout the country.
Ellagic acid protects dopamine neurons from rotenone‐induced neurotoxicity via activation of Nrf2 signalling
Authors: Wei Yi‐zheng , Zhu Guo‐fu , Zheng Chang‐qing , Li Jing‐jie , Sheng Shuo , Li Dai‐di , Wang Guo‐qing , Zhang Feng
Published: July 2020

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent central nervous system (CNS) degenerative disease. Oxidative stress is one of key contributors to PD. Nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) is considered to be a master regulator of many genes involved in anti‐oxidant stress to attenuate cell death. Therefore, activation of Nrf2 signalling provides an effective avenue to treat PD. Ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenolic contained in fruits and nuts, possesses amounts of pharmacological activities, such as anti‐oxidant stress and anti‐inflammation. Recent studies have confirmed EA could be used as a neuroprotective agent in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, mice subcutaneous injection of rotenone (ROT)‐induced DA neuronal damage was performed to investigate EA‐mediated neuroprotection. In addition, adult Nrf2 knockout mice and different cell cultures including MN9D‐enciched, MN9D‐BV‐2 and MN9D‐C6 cell co‐cultures were applied to explore the underlying mechanisms. Results demonstrated EA conferred neuroprotection against ROT‐induced DA neurotoxicity. Activation of Nrf2 signalling was involved in EA‐mediated DA neuroprotection, as evidenced by the following observations. First, EA activated Nrf2 signalling in ROT‐induced DA neuronal damage. Second, EA generated neuroprotection with the presence of astroglia and silence of Nrf2 in astroglia abolished EA‐mediated neuroprotection. Third, EA failed to produce DA neuroprotection in Nrf2 knockout mice. In conclusion, this study identified EA protected against DA neuronal loss via an Nrf2‐dependent manner.
Osteopontin as a candidate of therapeutic application for the acute brain injury
Authors: Zhou Yunxiang , Yao Yihan , Shen Lesang , Zhang Jianmin , Zhang John H. , Shao Anwen
Published: July 2020

Acute brain injury is the leading cause of human death and disability worldwide, which includes intracerebral haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage, cerebral ischaemia, traumatic brain injury and hypoxia‐ischaemia brain injury. Currently, clinical treatments for neurological dysfunction of acute brain injury have not been satisfactory. Osteopontin (OPN) is a complex adhesion protein and cytokine that interacts with multiple receptors including integrins and CD44 variants, exhibiting mostly neuroprotective roles and showing therapeutic potential for acute brain injury. OPN‐induced tissue remodelling and functional repair mainly rely on its positive roles in the coordination of pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory responses, blood‐brain barrier maintenance and anti‐apoptotic actions, as well as other mechanisms such as affecting the chemotaxis and proliferation of nerve cells. The blood OPN strongly parallel with the OPN induced in the brain and can be used as a novel biomarker of the susceptibility, severity and outcome of acute brain injury. In the present review, we summarized the molecular signalling mechanisms of OPN as well as its overall role in different kinds of acute brain injury.
Sand lizards Lacerta agilis with higher digit ratios are more likely to autotomy
Authors: Kaczmarski Mikołaj , Ziemblińska Klaudia , Tryjanowski Piotr
Published: July 2020

Digit ratio is a morphological feature regarded as a biomarker of the balance of sex hormones during early development. The exposure of embryos to a set of sex hormones and the mutual relations between those hormones cause the emergence of individual morphological and/or behavioural characteristics as well as differences between sexes. We have thus hypothesised that differences in one of these morphological traits—digit ratio—may be a proxy representing a tendency towards tail autotomy. The aim of this study is to investigate the digit ratio (2D:3D, 2D:4D, 3D:4D) of the sand lizard, Lacerta agilis, Lacertidae, a species characterised by well‐developed sexual dimorphism, whereby females are larger than males. We also tested associations between patterns in digit ratio and caudal autotomy, a common defensive mechanism among lizards. To our knowledge, the relationship between a tendency towards autotomy and digit ratio pattern has never been researched. To date, studies on autotomy have mainly focused on the consequences, costs or evolutionary background of tail loss. Hence, researchers examined mostly the frequency of autotomy in the context of predatory pressure or habitat conditions, omitting an individual's behavioural tendency to shed its tail. However, behavioural traits can affect an individual's exposure to predator attack and consequently the need to use an anti‐predator strategy. Thus, following this logic, dropping the tail may be the result of the lizard's intraspecific personality characteristics, resulting from the effect of hormones on behaviour or innate traits. Therefore, we suggest that the inclusion of autotomy as a factor explaining observed digit ratio patterns and their variability between taxa has great potential. We used computerised measurements of photographed limbs to determine the length of digits. We found that the digit ratios for all four limbs were significantly lower in females than in males, excluding the 3D:4D ratio for the right hindlimbs. Therefore, the results confirmed the pattern already observed for most lizards. The novel element in our study is the detection of the relationship between a tendency towards caudal autotomy and digit ratio. Individuals with a tendency towards autotomy have a higher 2D:4D ratio in the right forelimbs and a lower 2D:3D ratio in the right hindlimbs. Obtained results suggest that these morphological characteristics are most likely related to intraspecific differences (between bold and shy individuals) which consequently may determine an individual's reaction or susceptibility to be a prey and escape behaviour. Thus, our results are probably the first attempt to link digit ratio to the susceptibility of lizards to tail autotomy.
Disparate effects of hormones and vigabatrin on sleep slow waves in patients with West syndrome – An indication of their mode of action?
Authors: Heinrich Bianka , Schmitt Bernhard , Bölsterli Bigna K. , Critelli Hanne , Huber Reto , Fattinger Sara
Published: July 2020

Synaptic downscaling during sleep, a physiological process to restore synaptic homeostasis and maintain learning efficiency and healthy brain development, has been related to a reduction of the slope of sleep slow waves (SSW). However, such synaptic downscaling seems not to be reflected in high‐amplitude SSW. Recently we have shown reduced SSW slopes during hormonal treatment (adrenocorticotrophic hormone, prednisolone) in patients with West syndrome (WS). Yet, whether this reduction was related to successful treatment or reflects a specific effect of hormone therapy is unknown. Thus, we retrospectively analysed nap electroencephalograms of 61 patients with WS successfully treated with hormones, vigabatrin (VGB), or both. The slope of SSW during treatment (T1) and 2–7 months later (T2) when hormonal treatment was tapered off were compared between the treatment groups and healthy, age‐matched controls. At T1 hormone treatment reduced the slope of low‐amplitude SSW, whereas VGB increased the slope of high‐amplitude SSW (linear mixed effect model: FGroup = 7.04, p < 0.001; FAmplitude = 1,646.68, p < 0.001; FGroup*Amplitude = 3.38, p < 0.001). At T2, untreated patients did not differ anymore from healthy controls, whereas those still under VGB showed the same alterations as those with VGB at T1. This result indicates a disparate effect of VGB and hormone on the SSW slope. In particular, hormones seem to reduce the slope of cortical generated low‐amplitude SSW, similar to the physiological synaptic downscaling during sleep. Thus, a loss of functional neuronal connectivity might be an alternative explanation of the antiepileptic effect of hormonal treatment.
Incorporating interspecific interactions into phylogeographic models: A case study with Californian oaks
Authors: Ortego Joaquín , Knowles L. Lacey
Published: July 2020

It has been long assumed that abiotic factors (i.e., geography and climate) dominate the ecological and evolutionary processes underlying the distribution of species, lineages and genes at broad spatial scales and, as a result, the study of interspecific interactions has largely been overlooked in biogeography research and ignored entirely in phylogeographic inference. Here, we focus on plant–plant interactions and test whether their demographic consequences translate into broad‐scale patterns of genomic variation in two Californian oak species. With our process‐based analyses and statistical comparison of the likelihoods of alternative models, we show that spatial patterns of genomic variation are better explained by demographic scenarios incorporating interspecific interactions (including both competition and facilitation) than by null models that only consider heterogeneity of environmental suitability across the landscape. Collectively, our integrative approach supports the notion that the consequences of biotic interactions transcend much larger geographical and evolutionary scales than the traditional local focus.
Synthetic G protein‐coupled bile acid receptor agonists and bile acids act via basolateral receptors in ileal and colonic mucosa
Authors: Tough Iain R. , Schwartz Thue W. , Cox Helen M.
Published: July 2020

Background

The G protein‐coupled bile acid (BA) receptor, GPBA (previously named TGR5), mediates BA gastrointestinal (GI) activities. Our aim was to elucidate the mucosal and motility responses to selective GPBA agonists compared with conjugated BA (eg, taurodeoxycholate, TDCA) in mouse and human colon.

Methods

Ion transport responses to GPBA agonists or BAs were measured in mucosal preparations with intact submucous innervation, from C57Bl/6, PYY−/−, or GPBA−/− mice and compared with GPBA signaling in human colon. We also investigated the mechanisms underlying GPBA agonism in mucosae and on natural fecal pellet propulsion.

Key Results

GPBA agonist Merck V stimulated basolateral responses involving peptide YY (PYY), cholinergic, and 5‐HT mechanisms in colonic mucosa. The PYY‐mediated GPBA signal was glucose‐sensitive. Luminal TDCA crossed the epithelial lining via the apical sodium‐dependent BA transporter (ASBT) and its inhibitor, GSK2330672 significantly reduced luminal, but not basolateral TDCA activity. Merck V also slowed natural fecal pellet progression in wild‐type and PYY−/− colons but not in GPBA−/− colon, while TDCA increased motility in wild‐type colon. The antimotile GPBA effect was reversed by blockade of glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) receptors or nitric oxide synthase, indicating involvement of GLP‐1 and nitric oxide.

Conclusions & Inferences

We conclude that several different targets within the lamina propria express GPBA, including L cells (that release PYY and GLP‐1), enterochromaffin cells and neurons (that release 5‐HT), and other enteric neurons. Furthermore, luminal‐conjugated BAs require transport across the epithelium via ASBT in order to activate basolateral GPBA.
Determinants of ecosystem stability in a diverse temperate forest
Authors: Dolezal Jiri , Fibich Pavel , Altman Jan , Leps Jan , Uemura Shigeru , Takahashi Koichi , Hara Toshihiko
Published: July 2020

Understanding how diversity affects ecosystem stability is crucial for predicting the consequences of continued habitat and biodiversity loss on ecosystem functions and services. Long‐term productivity stability in plant communities is often associated with greater species, phylogenetic or functional diversity, more complex size and age structures, or higher asynchrony in species fluctuations (compensatory dynamics), all potentially increasing community resistance to perturbations. However, the relative importance of these stabilizing pathways is still poorly understood, especially in old‐growth species‐rich forests. Here we explore how compensatory dynamics and multiple facets of diversity underpin temporal stability of wood biomass production over forty years in a Japanese temperate forest, based on more than 45 500 stem increments from 15 species. Whereas the effect of species richness and phylogenetic diversity was small, the old‐growth structural attributes markedly increased community stability via increased asynchrony in the performance of co‐occurring species. Greater standing tree volume, stem density and interspecific variation in growth rates enhanced productivity stability both directly and indirectly via increased asynchrony. This corroborates the predictions of increased compensatory dynamics with increased asymmetric competition for light in a more productive environment. Asymmetric competition in old‐growth patches, between dominant oaks and sub‐canopy shade‐tolerant firs and maples, is a major driver of productivity stability over time via compensatory dynamics. Overall productivity remains relatively constant in old‐growth patches, as abundant firs and maples in the lower canopy layers compensate for biomass losses in canopy oaks caused by aging, wind and snow disturbances. Younger forest patches, composed of fast‐growing, shade‐intolerant species, had a lower stability of productivity, with reduced stem basal area and tree density due to higher understory bamboo coverage preventing tree regeneration and growth. We provide new insights into mechanisms underlying the stability of ecosystem functioning in diverse forest ecosystems, and emphasize the importance of preserving and supporting old‐growth forests and their structural complexity.
Food‐induced anaphylaxis in infants, as compared to toddlers and preschool children in Turkey
Authors: Kahveci Melike , Akarsu Ayşegül , Koken Gizem , Sahiner Umit M. , Soyer Ozge , Sekerel Bulent E.
Published: July 2020

Background

The literature includes scarce data on infants with food‐induced anaphylaxis (FIA).

Materials and Methods

Medical records of the patients diagnosed with FIA aged 0‐6 years between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

During the study period, there were 451 instances of FIA in 314 patients, of which 175 (38.8%) occurred in 160 infants (50.9%). The median (IQR) age of infants was 7 months (6‐9 months) with a male predominance (67.5%), of which 7.5% had multiple instances (≥2) and 60% atopic dermatitis. The most common triggers were cow’s milk (51.4%), tree nuts (16.6%), and hen’s egg (15.4%), whereas tree nut was the most common trigger in toddlers (35.8%) and preschool children (35.2%). Skin and neurologic symptoms, and nausea‐vomiting occurred more frequently (P = .003, P ≤ .001, and P = .003, respectively), whereas respiratory symptoms occurred less commonly in infants compared to toddlers and preschool children (P ≤ .001). In infants, 65 (37.1%) mild, 92 (52.6 %) moderate, and 18 (10.3%) severe episodes of anaphylaxis were detected. History of recurrent wheezing (OR: 6.837 [95% CI: 1.940‐24.097], P = .003) and tree nut allergy (OR: 2.849 [95% CI: 1.056‐7.688], P = .039) were found to be independent risk factors for moderate‐to‐severe anaphylactic reactions. 40.6% of the infants received adrenaline, which was lower than the toddlers (49.7%) and preschool children (57.6%) (P = .005).

Conclusion

There is no doubt that food‐induced anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, specifically in young children. Pediatricians should be aware of the distinct features of infant anaphylaxis, particularly gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms to provide effective treatment as soon as possible.
Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Suggest Strength Training and Workplace Modifications May Reduce Neck Pain in Office Workers
Authors: Frutiger Martin , Borotkanics Robert
Published: July 2020

Objective

Neck pain is a burdensome musculoskeletal disorder in office workers. Workplace interventions aim to prevent and minimize the effect of neck pain and improve work quality. However, the summed effect of workplace interventions on neck pain in office workers remains unclear. This systematic review with meta‐analysis and meta‐regression evaluated the summed effect of workplace interventions on neck pain in office workers.

Methods

We searched 7 electronic databases to January 2020 for randomized clinical trials. We selected studies, independently extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Meta‐analyses were carried out along with normalized trend plots.

Results

Twenty‐nine trials, including 8 of high quality, met our inclusion criteria. Normalized trend plots indicate that neck strengthening demonstrated the sharpest decrease in pain scores. The results of pre‐ and post‐outcome measurement of the effect of activity performance and workplace modification showed significant improvements in self‐reported neck pain (P ≤ 0.001). Meta‐regression was used to evaluate the effect of time, but it was not significant.

Conclusions

There is low‐quality evidence that neck strengthening and tailored workstation modifications are effective at reducing neck pain in office workers. Further high‐quality research methodology, including clinicians, is important to evaluate this summed effect.
Examining dual method contraceptive use among midwestern parenting Latinx teens: Perspectives from adolescent parents, caretakers, and nurses
Authors: Ruiz Yumary , Riciputi Shaina , Alexander Stewart C. , DeMaria Andrea L. , Guilamo‐Ramos Vincent
Published: July 2020

Background

Despite dual method (DM) contraception being effective in reducing repeat‐births and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Latinx adolescent parents who live in non‐traditional migration areas remain vulnerable for both outcomes.

Objective

This study applied the Unified Theory of Behavior (UTB) and drew upon Bronfenbrenner's social ecological model to explore multiple stakeholders’ (adolescent parents, caregivers, and nurses) perceptions of factors that influence DM intentions and use among Latinx adolescent parents.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews with Latinx adolescent parent–caregiver dyads and nurses were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Study findings revealed that while all participant groups considered medical providers as DM influencers, contradicting views related to caregivers’ as DM influencers emerged among adolescent parents and caregivers. Findings suggest that DM is deemed both acceptable and effective; and adolescent parents’ reported DM self‐efficacy. DM obstacles included negative emotions, environmental constraints, and poor knowledge and skills.

Conclusions

Study results suggest that constructs from the UTB framework are useful in identifying individual and social factors that can potentially influence DM intentions and use among Latinx adolescent parents.

Implications for public health nursing

This study's findings have potential implications for public health nurses interested in designing community‐based interventions to reduce repeat‐births and STIs among Latinx adolescent parents.
A Discussion of Non‐Gaussian Price Processes for Energy and Commodity Operations
Authors: Gambaro Anna Maria , Secomandi Nicola
Published: July 2020

Energy sources and commodities exhibit high price risk. This risk is thus an important feature of operational models of the value chains for these goods. These models typically employ Gaussian‐based representations of the evolution of this uncertainty. This approach facilitates the optimization of operational policies but is at odds with empirical facts about energy and commodity prices, which are better captured by non‐Gaussian processes. We discuss this alternative modeling strategy, focusing on Lévy processes. As an illustration, we show that it substantially increases the optimal policy value in a simplified merchant natural gas storage setting. Further, we highlight potential implications of using this approach to formulate realistic energy and commodity operations models. Our work has broader relevance for modeling the dynamics of both other market variables and operational quantities, such as exchange rates and demand forecasts. The study of how the adoption of non‐Gaussian processes may impact energy and commodity operations is an appealing area for future research.
Pursuing justice or protecting local firms? Shenzhen courts move beyond judicial local protectionism
Authors: Zhang Yafeng , Crupi Antonio , Di Minin Alberto
Published: July 2020

Emerging economies represent a vivid market for firms worldwide who are massively investing in R&D. This tendency is generating an increase in the number of intellectual property (IP) registrations and is expanding the markets for IP. However, emerging economies tend to show unfair judicial systems, being unable to ensure IP rights protection, and to allow companies to benefit from their inventions. China is one of the most important emerging economies, and both domestic and foreign companies are investing a considerable amount of money in R&D and IP activities, especially in innovative cities such as Shenzhen. In this study, we aim to investigate whether the Chinese judicial system, using the city of Shenzhen as our empirical context, is fair in protecting IP rights. We use data about IP litigations from 2014 to 2016, targeting the three most relevant outcomes: settlement, judgment, and the amount of damage awards recognized by the court. The study shows no evidence that Shenzhen courts rule in favor of local firms, and the findings show consistency regarding settlement, the winning probability in judgment, and amount of damage awards. Accordingly, we derive managerial implications demonstrating that Shenzhen is a very international arena and firms act following the classic strategic theories of innovation appropriation.
Growth characteristics of three Sphagnum species in restored extracted peatland
Authors: Karofeld Edgar , Kaasik Ants , Vellak Kai
Published: July 2020

Peatlands are essential ecosystems in global carbon cycle. However, they have been drained for economic benefits for centuries; large peatland areas have turned from carbon storage ecosystems to the carbon emitters. Because of the slow spontaneous revegetation of abandoned extracted peatlands, there is urgent need for their active restoration, required also for mitigation of global climate change effects. The selection of Sphagnum species suitable for restoration may also have crucial effects to reach the restoration aims. In 2012, we began a restoration experiment in abandoned extracted peatland in central Estonia. We aimed to elucidate whether Sphagnum species, specific to natural North European bogs, have different growth characteristics under altered growth conditions in restored extracted peatland. We studied growth characteristics of S. fuscum, S. medium, and S. rubellum at restoration sites with two different water table levels and in two natural bogs. We estimated total cover of Sphagnum carpet and cover of three target species and measured shoot growth characteristics at each site. Linear models with correlated errors were used for temporal trends studies. Our results showed that studied Sphagnum species have different growth characteristics in restoration sites and that the main growth promoter is the water table depth (WTD). Results showed that greater Sphagnum cover (over 70%) can be achieved in wetter conditions with WTD higher than circa 20 cm. On wetter restoration sites S. medium and S. fuscum could be recommended for restoration, whereas S. fuscum perform well also in drier sites.
Social Science and the Analysis of Environmental Policy
Authors: Coglianese Cary , Starobin Shana M.
Published: July 2020

As much as environmental problems manifest themselves as problems with the natural environment, environmental problems—and their solutions—are ultimately social and behavioral in nature. Just as the natural sciences provide a basis for understanding the need for environmental policy and informing its design, the social sciences also contribute in significant ways to the understanding of the behavioral sources of environmental problems, both in terms of individual incentives and collective action challenges. In addition, the social sciences have contributed much to the understanding of the ways that laws and other institutions can be designed to solve environmental problems. In this review article, we distill core intellectual frameworks from among the social sciences that scaffold modern environmental policy in industrialized country contexts—focusing on key contributions principally from political science, economics, psychology, and sociology to the analysis of environmental problems and their solutions. These frameworks underlie how environmental problems are defined at multiple scales and the conceptualization and empirical testing of policy solutions that seek to shape human behavior in ways that improve environmental quality and promote sustainable economic growth. With the planet facing continued environmental threats, improving environmental policy decision‐making depends on the insights and frameworks of social science research in addition to those of the natural sciences.
Proposing a sociology of donation: The donation of body parts and products for art, education, research, or treatment
Authors: Machin Laura L. , Williams Richard A. , Frith Lucy
Published: July 2020

This article advances the case for a ‘sociology of donation’. We aim to establish that there is a need for such a sociology, to bring together the many, often disparate, elements that make up the theorizing, practice and experience of donation. We argue that bringing together different forms of donation illuminates the distinctive place both in social meaning and regulation that the body and its products hold. In developing this, we are primarily focusing on the donation of body parts and body products within high‐income countries. We will first outline the standard western accounts of donation, and consider how relevant these are to donation practices and policies in the 21st century. We will then critically discuss how a sociology of donation can be used to further current understandings of ‘donation’ and identify the challenges facing such a proposal, posing questions to encourage reflection on research practices in this area. Finally, we will explore what a sociology of donation might entail.
Looking for a needle in a haystack: Probability density based classification and reconstruction of dormers from 3D point clouds
Authors: Dehbi Youness , Koppers Sonja , Plümer Lutz
Published: July 2020

Accurate reconstruction of roofs with dormers is challenging. Without careful separation of the dormer points from the points on the roof surface, the estimation of the roof areas is distorted. The characteristic distortion of the density distribution in comparison to the expected normal distribution is the starting point of our method. We propose a hierarchical method which improves roof reconstruction from LiDAR point clouds in a model‐based manner, separating dormer points from roof points using classification methods. The key idea is to exploit probability density functions to reveal roof properties and to skilfully design the features for a supervised learning method using support vector machines. The approach is tested based on real data as well as simulated point clouds.
How do I develop a process to effectively treat parturients with iron deficiency anemia?
Authors: Guinn Nicole R. , Cooter Mary L. , Maisonave Yasmin , Grimsley Aime , Cellura Cindy , Grotegut Chad A. , Lamon Agnes , Aronson Solomon ,   The Duke Perioperative Enhancement Team (POET)
Published: July 2020

Anemia is common in pregnant women and is associated with increased morbidity for the mother and the fetus, including increased risk of allogeneic blood transfusion. Iron deficiency is the most common etiology for anemia during pregnancy. Oral iron therapy remains the standard treatment but is often poorly tolerated due to its gastrointestinal side effects. Intravenous iron has been shown to be a safe and effective way to treat iron deficiency anemia but may be challenging to do in the outpatient setting given the need for an indwelling venous catheter and a small risk of infusion reactions. To improve outcomes associated with anemia, we launched a program to refer and treat obstetric patients with iron deficiency anemia for outpatient intravenous iron therapy through our preoperative anemia clinic. Here, we describe the process and successes of our program, including the clinical outcomes (change in hemoglobin and transfusion rates) from the first 2 years of the program.
Étale Steenrod operations and the Artin–Tate pairing
Authors: Feng Tony
Published: July 2020

We prove a 1966 conjecture of Tate concerning the Artin–Tate pairing on the Brauer group of a surface over a finite field, which is the analog of the Cassels–Tate pairing. Tate asked if this pairing is always alternating and we find an affirmative answer, which is somewhat surprising in view of the work of Poonen–Stoll on the Cassels–Tate pairing. Our method is based on studying a connection between the Artin–Tate pairing and (generalizations of) Steenrod operations in étale cohomology. Inspired by an analogy to the algebraic topology of manifolds, we develop tools allowing us to calculate the relevant étale Steenrod operations in terms of characteristic classes.