bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate anomalies affect annual survival rates of swifts wintering in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Boano Giovanni , Pellegrino Irene , Ferri Mauro , Cucco Marco , Minelli Fausto , Åkesson Susanne
Published: July 2020

Several species of migratory swifts breed in the Western Palearctic, but they differ in reproductive traits and nonbreeding areas explored in Africa. We examined survival and recapture probabilities of two species of swifts by capture–mark–recapture data collected in northern Italy (Pallid Swift Apus pallidus in Carmagnola, Turin, and Common Swift Apus apus in Guiglia, Modena) in the breeding season (May–July). Apparent survival rates were relatively high (>71%), comparable to other studies of European swifts, but showed marked annual variations. We used geolocators to establish the exact wintering areas of birds breeding in our study colonies. Common Swifts explored the Sahel zone during migration and spent the winter in SE Africa, while the Pallid Swifts remained in the Sahel zone for a longer time, shifting locations southeast down to Cameroun and Nigeria later in winter. These movements followed the seasonal rains from north to south (October to December). In both species, we found large yearly differences in survival probabilities related to different climatic indices. In the Pallid Swift, wintering in Western Africa, the Sahel rainfall index best explained survival, with driest seasons associated with reduced survival. In the Common Swift, wintering in SE Africa, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle performed significantly better than Sahel rainfall or North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Extreme events and precipitation anomalies in Eastern Africa during La Niña events resulted in reduced survival probabilities in Common Swifts. Our study shows that the two species of swifts have similar average annual survival, but their survival varies between years and is strongly affected by different climatic drivers associated with their respective wintering areas. This finding could suggest important ecological diversification that should be taken into account when comparing survival and area use of similar species that migrate between temperate breeding areas and tropical wintering areas.
The role of warm, dry summers and variation in snowpack on phytoplankton dynamics in mountain lakes
Authors: Oleksy Isabella A. , Beck Whitney S. , Lammers Roderick W. , Steger Cara E. , Wilson Codie , Christianson Kyle , Vincent Kim , Johnson Gunnar , Johnson Pieter T. J. , Baron J. S.
Published: July 2020

Climate change is altering biogeochemical, metabolic, and ecological functions in lakes across the globe. Historically, mountain lakes in temperate regions have been unproductive because of brief ice‐free seasons, a snowmelt‐driven hydrograph, cold temperatures, and steep topography with low vegetation and soil cover. We tested the relative importance of winter and summer weather, watershed characteristics, and water chemistry as drivers of phytoplankton dynamics. Using boosted regression tree models for 28 mountain lakes in Colorado, we examined regional, intraseasonal, and interannual drivers of variability in chlorophyll a as a proxy for lake phytoplankton. Phytoplankton biomass was inversely related to the maximum snow water equivalent (SWE) of the previous winter, as others have found. However, even in years with average SWE, summer precipitation extremes and warming enhanced phytoplankton biomass. Peak seasonal phytoplankton biomass coincided with the warmest water temperatures and lowest nitrogen‐to‐phosphorus ratios. Although links between snowpack, lake temperature, nutrients, and organic‐matter dynamics are increasingly recognized as critical drivers of change in high‐elevation lakes, our results highlight the additional influence of summer conditions on lake productivity in response to ongoing changes in climate. Continued changes in the timing, type, and magnitude of precipitation in combination with other global‐change drivers (e.g., nutrient deposition) will affect production in mountain lakes, potentially shifting these historically oligotrophic lakes toward new ecosystem states. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of these drivers and pattern at multiple scales will allow us to anticipate ecological consequences of global change better.
Racial disparities and outcomes of left ventricular assist device implantation as a bridge to heart transplantation
Authors: Okoh Alexis Kofi , Selevanny Mariam , Singh Supreet , Hirji Sameer , Singh Swaiman , Al. Obaidi Nawar , Lee Leonard Y. , Camacho Margarita , Russo Mark J.
Published: July 2020

Aims

This study investigated outcomes after continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF‐LVAD) implantation as bridge to heart transplantation (BTT) in advanced heart failure patients stratified by race.

Methods and results

De‐identified data from the United Network for Organ Sharing database was obtained for all patients who had a CF‐LVAD as BTT from 2008 to 2018. Patients were stratified into four groups on the basis of ethnicity [Caucasian, African American (AA), Hispanic, and others (Asian, Pacific Islanders, and American Indian)]. Outcomes investigated were waitlist mortality or delisting and post‐transplant 5 year survival. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to identify independent predictors of waitlist mortality or delisting and post‐transplant survival. We used Kaplan–Meier survival curves and the log‐rank test to estimate and compare survival among groups. A total of 14 234 patients who had CF‐LVADs as BTT were identified. Of these, 64% (n = 9058) were Caucasians, 26% (n = 3677) were AA, 7% (n = 997) were Hispanic, and 3% (n = 502) had a different race. Compared with Caucasian, AA, and Hispanic patients had higher body mass indexes and a lower level of education and are more likely to be public health insurance beneficiaries. There was a significantly lower incidence of transplantation in AAs compared with Caucasians, Hispanics, and others at 12, 24, and 60 months, respectively (Gray's test, P < 0.001). The AA race was a significant predictor of waitlist mortality or delisting owing to worsening clinical status [hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.10 (1.01 to 1.16; P < 0.001)]. Among those who were successfully BTT, risk‐adjusted post‐transplant survival was similar among the four groups (log‐rank test: P = 0.589).

Conclusions

Disparities exist among different races that receive a CF‐LVAD as a BTT. These disparities translate into increased waitlist morbidity and mortality but not long‐term post‐transplant survival among those who successfully reach transplant.
Sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor was associated with an improvement in left ventricular systolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with impaired left ventricular systolic function
Authors: Chan Yi‐Hsin , Hsu Tzyy‐Jer , Wang Chun‐Li , Kao Yi‐Wei , Huang Chien‐Ying , Chu Pao‐Hsien
Published: July 2020

Aims

Recent studies indicated that sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduced heart failure hospitalization in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, whether SGTL2i can improve left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function remained unclear. This study aimed to compare the change in echocardiographic parameters in T2DM patients receiving SGLT2i with a different baseline LV ejection fraction (LVEF). The change in echocardiographic parameters was also compared between T2DM patients treated with SGLT2i and those treated with dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor (DPP4i).

Methods and results

This multicentre cohort study consecutively enrolled 665, 119, and 132 T2DM patients treated with SGLT2i with a preserved (≥50%), moderately reduced (40–50%), and reduced baseline LVEF (<40%), respectively, with paired baseline and post‐treatment echocardiographic data available between 1 June 2016 and 31 May 2018. There were 212 patients treated with DPP4i with paired baseline and post‐treatment echocardiographic data available at the same time. For those patients treated with DPP4i, 45 patients had impaired baseline LVEF of <50%. Echocardiographic parameters, including LVEF, LV end‐diastolic volume, LV end‐systolic volume (LVESV), and LV diastolic function, were analysed at baseline and after treatment. After a median SGLT2i treatment period of 230 days, patients with reduced LVEF were associated with an improvement in LVEF from 29.4 ± 7.4% to 42.2 ± 15.2% (P < 0.0001) and decrease in LVESV from 133.2 ± 49.2 to 117.4 ± 60.1 mL (P = 0.0002). Patients with moderately reduced LVEF were associated with an improvement in LVEF from 44.8 ± 2.9% to 49.7 ± 12.4% (P < 0.0001) and decrease in LVESV from 90.7 ± 31.1 to 80.0 ± 36.2 mL (P = 0.0017). Patients with preserved LVEF did not show an improvement in LVEF and LVESV after SGLT2i treatment. There were no significant changes of LV end‐diastolic volume, LV diastolic function, and LV wall thickness in three study groups after SGLT2i treatment. In contrast, patients with impaired baseline LVEF (<50%) did not show any change in LVEF and LVESV after DPP4i treatment.

Conclusions

Sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor was associated with an improvement in LV systolic function in patients with T2DM with reduced and moderately reduced LVEF. In contrast, DPP4i treatment was not associated with any improvement in LVEF among patients with impaired LVEF.
Construction of 6‐Aminopyridazine Derivatives by the Reaction of Malononitrile with Dichloro‐Substituted Diazadienes
Authors: Sergeev Pavel G. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Nenajdenko Valentine G.
Published: July 2020

The reactions of 4,4‐dichloro‐1,2‐diazabuta‐1,3‐dienes with malononitrile resulted in an efficient approach to highly functionalized 6‐aminopyridazine derivatives isolated in up to 98 %. The process was found to provide straightforward access to the interesting type of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles with an exocyclic double bond. Furthermore, the possibility of subsequent functionalization of the obtained compounds via intramolecular cyclization was demonstrated. As a result, condensed azaheterocycles can be prepared very efficiently in one‐pot and tandem versions. Finally, the influence of structural features of all synthesized compounds on their absorption characteristics in the UV/Vis‐range is also investigated.
Grafting Bis(heteroaryl) Motifs into Ring Structures
Authors: Apte Chirag N. , Diaz Diego B. , Adrianov Timur , Yudin Andrei K.
Published: July 2020

Here we demonstrate an approach to graft bis(heteroaryl)‐containing motifs into ring structures. The process occurs by redirecting a previously reported oxadiazole‐forming reaction towards a pyrazole‐forming process affording pyrazolyl‐azole containing molecules. Through the use of (N‐isocyanimino)phosphorane (Pinc), heteroatom‐rich fused tricyclic heterocycles can be synthesized in a single step from readily accessible starting materials. The cyclization of peptides results in macrocycles that feature bis(heteroaryl) motifs with uncommon connectivity as compared to their natural counterparts.
Sequential tests of causality between environmental time series: With application to the global warming theory
Authors: Grillenzoni Carlo , Carraro Elisa
Published: July 2020

Analysis of the causality between environmental time series is particularly debated nowadays. Checking if the global warming is caused by human activities or the solar irradiance, or if air pollution is produced by industrial plants or consumers' behavior are typical examples. Statistical methods for testing these hypotheses mainly focus on bivariate autoregressive (ARX) models and their fitting performance; in particular, the Granger test uses classical F‐statistics. In this article, we discuss a further measure based on the sum of dynamic multipliers which enables to capture the total forcing (gain) of a series on another. We consider its statistical distribution in the case of time series with trends and cycles and we adapt the methodology to the case of models with time‐varying parameters. In particular, the recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm with exponentially weighted (EW) observations is used to estimate parameter changes. The approach is fundamentally semiparametric in that the observable model is linear but its parameters change in an unknown manner. Furthermore, EW‐RLS is a smoother whose bandwidth can be selected with cross‐validation techniques. An extensive application to both global annual and local monthly time series shows significant evidence of the causality CO2‐temperature; in particular, the beginning of the forcing started during the second world war and was relatively fast and permanent.
Thermal imaging for microvascular free tissue transfer monitoring: Feasibility study using a low cost, commercially available mobile phone imaging system
Authors: Meyer Annika , Roof Scott , Gray Mingyang L. , Fan Caleb J. , Barber Brittany , Miles Brett A. , Teng Marita , Genden Eric , Rosenberg Joshua D.
Published: July 2020

Background

The use of infrared thermography to evaluate the perfusion of tissue flaps have been studied. This study aims to evaluate the utility of thermal imaging for flap monitoring with a low‐cost, readily available smartphone imaging device.

Methods

Adult subjects who underwent head and neck reconstruction using a microvascular free flap with a cutaneous paddle were recruited. Thermal images were taken of the free flap before, during and after anastomosis. Thermal images were analyzed by measuring the average flap temperature minus the average surrounding tissue temperature (dT).

Results

Twenty‐one patients were enrolled. The mean dT for flaps intraoperatively prior to anastomosis was −11.47 °F. For 20 patients, dT averaged between −0.30 to 0.12 °F. One flap was inadequately perfused and dT was found to be −4.35 °F.

Conclusions

Low cost, mobile smartphone devices such as the thermal camera may provide an objective method of monitoring microvascular free flaps.

Level of evidence

2 Prospective Cohort Study.
Minimally important differences for interpreting European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 scores in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Musoro Jammbe Z. , Coens Corneel , Singer Susanne , Tribius Silke , Oosting Sjoukje F. , Groenvold Mogens , Simon Christian , Machiels Jean‐Pascal , Grégoire Vincent , Velikova Galina , Cocks Kim , Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , King Madeleine T. , Bottomley Andrew ,   EORTC Head and Neck and Quality of Life Groups
Published: July 2020

Background

We aimed to estimate minimally important difference (MID) for interpreting group‐level change over time for European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire core 30 (EORTC QLQ‐C30) scores in head and neck cancer.

Methods

Data were derived retrospectively from two published EORTC trials. Clinical anchors were selected using correlation strength and clinical plausibility of the given anchor/QLQ‐C30 scale pair. MIDs for within‐group and between‐group change were estimated via the mean change method and linear regression, respectively. Distribution‐based MIDs were also examined. MIDs for two of the scales, dyspnea and nausea/vomiting, are more uncertain considering their low correlations with the anchors.

Results

Anchor‐based MIDs could be determined for deterioration in 7 of the 14 QLQ‐C30 scales assessed, and in 3 scales for improvement. MIDs varied by scale, direction of change, and anchor. Absolute MID values ranged from 5 to 15 points for within‐group change and 4 to 12 for between‐group change. Most MIDs were within 4 to 10 points.

Conclusions

Our findings, if confirmed, will aid interpreting changes in selected QLQ‐C30 scale scores over time and inform sample size calculations in future clinical trials in head and neck cancer.
Real‐World Effectiveness of Obeticholic Acid in Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Authors: Roberts Surain B. , Ismail Marwa , Kanagalingam Gowthami , Mason Andrew L. , Swain Mark G. , Vincent Catherine , Yoshida Eric M. , Tsien Cynthia , Flemming Jennifer A. , Janssen Harry L.A. , Hirschfield Gideon M. , Hansen Bettina E. , Gulamhusein Aliya F. ,   on behalf of the Canadian Network for Autoimmune Liver Disease
Published: July 2020

Patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) with incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid are at risk of disease progression and need additional therapy. Obeticholic acid (OCA) was approved in Canada in May 2017, but its effectiveness in a real‐world setting has not been described. We sought to describe our experience with OCA in a Canadian cohort. OCA‐naive patients treated at two Canadian centers were included. Clinical and biochemical data were collected at OCA initiation and during follow‐up. Primary outcomes were changes in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), and total bilirubin (TB) over the duration of therapy. Secondary outcomes were changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), immunoglobulin M (IgM), platelets, and albumin; and achievement of the primary endpoint of the original phase 3 study that led to OCA approval (A Placebo‐Controlled Trial of Obeticholic Acid in Primary Biliary Cholangitis [POISE]), dose reductions, discontinuations, and tolerability. Repeated‐measures models were used to assess changes in biochemistry over time. Sixty‐four patients were included; 4 carried a diagnosis of overlap with autoimmune hepatitis. Mean age was 54.6 years, median ALP was 250 U/L, TB was 13 µmol/L, platelet count was 225 × 109/L, and 24% had liver stiffness measurements ≥16.9 kPa. There was a significant reduction in mean ALP of 55 U/L (P < 0.001), GGT of 138 U/L (P < 0.001), ALT of 11.9 U/L (P < 0.001), AST of 5.7 U/L (P < 0.05), and IgM of 0.70 g/L (P < 0.001) over 12 months; TB remained stable (P = 0.98). Forty‐four patients met POISE‐inclusion criteria, 39% (n = 17) of whom had 12‐month biochemical measurements. In this subset, 18% (n = 3/17) met the 12‐month POISE primary endpoint, but considering follow‐up to 19 months, 43% achieved this target (n = 9/21). Pruritus was the most commonly reported complaint. Conclusion: Use of OCA was associated with improvement in biochemical surrogates of outcome in PBC in a real‐world setting.
#LiverTwitter: An Emerging Tool for Liver Education and Research
Authors: Mikolajczyk Adam E. , Ufere Nneka , Breu Anthony C. , Parikh Neehar D. , Garcia‐Tsao Guadalupe , Tapper Elliot B.
Published: July 2020

#LiverTwitter has emerged as an academic forum that has begun to advance the field of hepatology by disseminating content on chronic liver diseases to a global audience. This article summarizes the content presented in a panel discussion at the 2019 Liver Meeting by highlighting the perspectives of several key types of participants in Twitter: the trainee, the medical educator, the divisional account, the scientific journal, and the passive participant.
Water and agricultural policies in Iranian macro‐level documents from the perspective of adaptation to climate change*
Authors: Heydari Nader , Morid Saeed
Published: July 2020

The impacts of climate change on arid regions such as Iran are unavoidable, with agriculture and water being the most vulnerable sectors. Although the development of adaptation policies is crucial, the first step to this task should be to assess ongoing policies.

The present study evaluates four macro‐level documents that have the strongest effects on water and agricultural policies in Iran from the perspective of adaptation to climate change. Two frameworks have been applied to evaluate the “integrity” and “maladaptation” aspects of the documents.

It was found that the themes most often considered in the documents were ‘improving resiliency and adaptive capacity’ and “responding to changes in water availability.” The least‐considered themes were ‘responding to increased irrigation requirements’ and ‘responding to changes in agricultural land use.’ In general, the Sixth Five‐Year Development Plan shows acceptable accordance with the evaluated criteria.

However, potential concerns exist about maladaptation because of policies such as self‐sufficiency for strategic crops and excessive reliance on improving irrigation efficiency to reduce agricultural water consumption.

The methodology used in this study can be recommended for similar studies elsewhere.
Chronic exposure to di‐n‐butyl phthalate causes reproductive toxicity in zebrafish
Authors: Hu Jianxin , Jiang Kehua , Tang Xiaohu , Liu Hao , Zhang Hu , Yang Xuefeng , Nie Xiangqian , Luo Heng
Published: July 2020

Di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DBP) is known to have adverse effects on reproduction in mammals and is pervasive in the aquatic environment. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether long‐term exposure to low concentrations of DBP can affect fish reproduction. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos (F0) were exposed to low concentrations (4.9, 13.6 and 43.8 μg/L) of DBP from 2 hours post‐fertilization until sexual maturation. The results demonstrate that chronic exposure to DBP (43.8 μg/L) impaired the reproductive function of zebrafish, as verified by reduced egg production and modifications to gonadal histology of the treated fish. Plasma 17β‐estradiol levels in female zebrafish decreased significantly in a concentration‐dependent manner, while testosterone levels in males increased significantly when fish were exposed to 43.8 μg/L DBP. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine selected genes in the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis and liver. Hepatic vitellogenin gene transcription was downregulated in both males and females, suggesting that DBP possesses anti‐estrogenic activity. The disturbed steroid hormones were accompanied by the significant alterations in gene expression along the HPG axis. Additionally, parental exposure to DBP caused reduced hatching and survival rate as well as decreased growth in the F1 generation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that long‐term exposure to low concentrations of DBP in zebrafish could cause reproductive toxicity, implying that DBP could have significant adverse effects on fish populations, particularly in a highly DBP‐contaminated aquatic environment.
Association of Beta Blocker Use With Bone Mineral Density in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Lary Christine W , Hinton Alexandra C , Nevola Kathleen T , Shireman Theresa I , Motyl Katherine J , Houseknecht Karen L , Lucas F. Lee , Hallen Sarah , Zullo Andrew R , Berry Sarah D , Kiel Douglas P
Published: July 2020

Some, but not all, prior observational studies have shown that beta blocker (BB) use is associated with lower fracture risk and higher bone mineral density (BMD). Rodent studies show the mechanism to involve the reduction in the effects of beta‐adrenergic signaling on bone remodeling. Because previous studies did not have detailed information on dose, duration, and beta‐1 selectivity, we examined these in a cross‐sectional analysis of the association between BB use and hip and spine BMD using DXA with the Offspring Cohort of the Framingham Heart Study. The sample size was n = 1520, and 397 individuals used BBs. We used propensity score modeling to balance a comprehensive set of covariates using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to minimize bias due to treatment indication. We found significant differences in BMD between BB users and non‐users for three of four BMD measurements (femoral neck: 3.1%, 95% CI, 1.1% to 5.0%; total femur: 2.9%, 95% CI, 0.9% to 4.9%; femoral trochanter: 2.4%, 95% CI, −0.1% to 5.0%; and lumbar spine: 2.7%, 95% CI, 0.2% to 5.0%). Results were found to be similar between sexes although the magnitude of association was larger for women. Similar differences were estimated for beta‐1 selective and nonselective BBs compared with no BB use. We modeled dose in categories (no BB use, low‐dose, high‐dose) and as a continuous variable and found an increasing dose response that levels off at higher doses. Finally, associations were similar for short‐term versus long‐term (≤4 years versus >4 years) use. In summary, this large comprehensive study shows that BB use is associated with higher BMD in a dose‐related manner regardless of beta‐1 specificity and duration of use, which supports the conduct of a randomized clinical trial of BBs for achieving improvements in BMD for individuals at risk of bone loss with aging. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Sinapic acid safeguards cardiac mitochondria from damage in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarcted rats
Authors: Stanely Mainzen Prince P. , Dey Pinaki , Roy S. J.
Published: July 2020

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a life‐threatening disease. In this study, we examined the anti‐mitochondrial damaging effects of sinapic acid (SA) in isoproterenol (ISO)‐induced myocardial infarcted rats. Myocardial infarcted rats were prepared by injecting ISO (100 mg/kg body weight) on the 9th and 10th day. Rats were pretreated and cotreated with SA (12 mg/kg body weight) orally, daily for 10 days. A considerable increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, myoglobin, and cardiac troponin‐T was noticed in the ISO‐induced rats. ISO also significantly amplified lipid peroxidation and calcium ions, and depleted the antioxidant system and mitochondrial enzymes in rat's heart mitochondria. SA treatment improved the distorted above‐ mentioned biochemical parameters in ISO‐treated rats with its anti‐mitochondrial damaging effects. This ultrastructural study on heart mitochondria and in vitro studies also confirmed the effects of SA. The current findings are suggestive of SA's cardioprotective effects.
Effect of hesperidin on fluoride‐induced neurobehavioral and biochemical changes in rats
Authors: Jaiswal Pawan , Mandal Mukesh , Mishra Awanish
Published: July 2020

Fluoride is the second largest contaminant of drinking water. Fluoride toxicity is a major concern in the endemic areas where a high amount of fluoride is present in ground water. Oxidative stress has been proposed to be one of the mechanisms of fluoride‐induced toxicity. Antioxidant‐rich food has been found to alleviate fluoride‐induced toxicity. Therefore, in this study, we have examined the effect of hesperidin on fluoride‐induced neurobehavioral changes in rats. In the current study, male Sprague‐Dawley rats were exposed to sodium fluoride through drinking water (120 ppm). Hesperidin (200 mg kg−1 d−1; per os) was administered either alone or in combination with fluoride‐containing drinking water. Bisphinol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) was used as peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) antagonist and was administered (10 mg kg−1 d−1; intraperitoneal injection) with/without hesperidin along with fluoride‐containing drinking water. The behavioral changes in the animals were assessed by analyzing rotarod test, novel object recognition test, and forced swim test (FST). After 8 weeks, animals were killed to isolate blood and brain for monitoring biochemical changes. The 8‐week exposure of fluoride resulted in motor impairment as observed with reduced fall time in rotarod test, memory impairment as observed with reduced preference index in novel object recognition test, and depression‐like behavior as observed with reduced mobility index in the FST. Treatment with hesperidin improved neurobehavioral impairment along with restoration in brain biochemical changes (ie, acetylcholinesterase activity and antioxidant and oxidative stress parameters). The protective effect of hesperidin was reversed by coadministration of BADGE. The neuroprotective effect of hesperidin appears to be contributed through PPAR‐γ receptor.
Excess hydrogen peroxide inhibits head and foot regeneration in hydra by affecting DNA repair and expression of essential genes
Authors: Haval Gauri A. , Pekhale Komal D. , Perween Nusrat A. , Ghaskadbi Surendra M. , Ghaskadbi Saroj S.
Published: July 2020

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are necessary for various cellular processes. However, excess ROS cause damage to many biological molecules and therefore must be tightly regulated in time and space. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is the most commonly used ROS as second messenger in the cell. It is a relatively long‐lived freely diffusible signaling molecule during early events of injury. In the Cnidarian hydra, injury‐induced ROS production is essential for regeneration to proceed. In the present study, we have examined influence of varying exposure to H2O2 on head and foot regeneration in the middlepieces of trisected hydra. We find that longer (4 hours) exposure to 1 mM H2O2 inhibits both head and foot regeneration while shorter exposure (2 hours) does not. Longer exposure to H2O2 resulted in extensive damage to DNA that could not be repaired, probably due to suboptimal induction of APE1, an enzyme necessary for base excision repair (BER). Concomitantly, genes involved in activation of Wnt pathway, necessary for head regeneration, were significantly downregulated. This appeared to be due to failure of both stabilization and transient nuclear localization of β‐catenin. Similarly, genes involved in foot regeneration were also downregulated on longer exposure to H2O2. Thus, exposure to excess ROS inhibits regenerative processes in hydra through reduced expression of genes involved in regeneration and diminished DNA repair.
ELT‐2 promotes O‐GlcNAc transferase OGT‐1 expression to modulate Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan
Authors: Su Liangping , Zhao Tingting , Li Hongyuan , Li Hongmei , Su Xin , Ba Xueqing , Zhang Yu , Huang Baiqu , Lu Jun , Li Xiaoxue
Published: July 2020

O‐GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is the enzyme catalyzing protein O‐GlcNAcylation by addition of a single O‐linked‐β‐N‐acetylglucosamine molecule (O‐GlcNAc) to nuclear and cytoplasmic targets, and it uses uridine diphosphate‐N‐acetylglucosamine (UDP‐GlcNAc) as a donor. As UDP‐GlcNAc is the final product of the nutrient‐sensing hexosamine signaling pathway, overexpression or knockout of ogt in mammals or invertebrate models influences cellular nutrient‐response signals and increases susceptibility to chronic diseases of aging. Evidence shows that OGT expression levels decrease in tissues of older mice and rats. However, how OGT expression is modulated in the aging process remains poorly understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the exclusive mammalian OGT ortholog OGT‐1 is crucial for lifespan control. Here, we observe that worm OGT‐1 expression gradually reduces during aging. By combining prediction via the “MATCH” algorithm and luciferase reporter assays, GATA factor ELT‐2, the homolog of human GATA4, is identified as a transcriptional factor driving OGT‐1 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction and electrophoretic mobility shift assays show ELT‐2 directly binds to and activates the ogt‐1 promoter. Knockdown of elt‐2 decreases the global O‐GlcNAc modification level and reduces the lifespan of wild‐type worms. The reduction in lifespan caused by elt‐2 RNA interference is abrogated by the loss of ogt‐1. These results imply that GATA factors are able to activate OGT expression, which could be beneficial for longevity and the development of therapeutic treatment for aging‐related diseases.
Adsorption of acridine yellow G from aqueous solutions using functionalized graphene nanoplatelets/modified polybutadiene hybrid composite
Authors: Aliyeva Solmaz
Published: July 2020

This paper presents an analysis of adsorption of acridine yellow G (AYG) from aqueous solutions through the use of functionalized grapheme nanoplatelets/modified polybutadiene hybrid composite (FGNPs/MPB). The adsorption of AYG onto FGNPs/MPB was investigated based on the AYG concentration, pH, contact time, temperature, and adsorbent dose. A maximum adsorption capacity was obtained at a pH of 7 (23.7 mg/g), an adsorbent dose of 1.0 g/L (20.8 mg/g), and an initial AYG concentration of 28.5 mg/L (16.9 mg/g). The value of qe of FGNPs/MPB increases with an increase in temperature from 293 to 323 K. Equilibrium isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The Langmuir model best describes the adsorption processes of AYG, which showed that the monolayer adsorption capacity of FGNPs/MBP is 22.9 mg/g. The pseudofirst‐order, pseudosecond‐order, and intraparticle diffusion models were used to study the kinetics of the AYG adsorption onto FGNPs/MPB. The pseudosecond‐order model better described kinetic data for the adsorption of AYG onto FGNPs/MPB. Thermodynamic parameters, such as the Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy, indicated that the AYG adsorption onto FGNPs/MPB was spontaneous feasible, and endothermic.
Happiness as fairness: The relationship between national life satisfaction and social justice in EU countries
Authors: Di Martino Salvatore , Prilleltensky Isaac
Published: July 2020

Despite growing interest in the relation between social justice and life satisfaction, there is a paucity of quantitative investigations linking these two constructs, even in the field of Community Psychology. To bridge this gap, we tested the relationship between the EU Social Justice Index (SJI; 2008–2017) and life satisfaction across 28 European Union (EU) countries, in a series of multilevel multinomial logistic regression models with cumulative logit link function. The SJI proved one of the strongest predictors of national life satisfaction, after controlling for time variation and other well‐established country‐level determinants. Our findings lend support to the hypothesis that social justice is highly related to life satisfaction. We invite scholars to explore this relationship further. We also recommend that EU governments strive to promote fairer social conditions to increase national happiness.
Normal reference values of left atrial volumes and volume‐based functional properties using three‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography in healthy adults (Insights from the MAGYAR‐Healthy Study)
Authors: Nemes Attila , Kormányos Árpád , Domsik Péter , Kalapos Anita , Ambrus Nóra , Lengyel Csaba
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The present study was designed to define normal reference values of three‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography (3DSTE)‐derived left atrial (LA) volumes, stroke volumes (SVs), and emptying fractions (EFs) with regard to the cardiac cycle.

Methods

The present study involved 256 healthy adult subjects in sinus rhythm who underwent complete two‐dimensional Doppler echocardiography and 3DSTE at the same time. However, due to inferior image quality, 87 subjects have been excluded. The remaining population sample comprised of 169 patients who gave informed consent to participate in the study.

Results

While systolic maximum LA volume and early diastolic preatrial contraction LA volume did not change over age decades, late‐diastolic minimum LA volume decreased and was lowest in subjects aged 40 to 49 years then increased after 50 years. Total atrial EF increased over age decades with a reduction after 50 years. Passive atrial EF showed a significant continuous increase over age decades. Active atrial EF did not change in younger ages and was the highest between ages 40 and 49 years with a significant impairment after 50 years.

Conclusions

This study shows the age‐ and gender‐dependency of normal values of 3DSTE‐derived LA volumes, stroke volumes, and emptying fractions with regard to the cardiac cycle in healthy adult subjects.
Faculty perceptions of student incivility in dental hygiene education
Authors: McCarthy Jennifer L. , Giblin‐Scanlon Lori , Perry Kristeen R. , Boyd Linda D. , Vineyard Jared
Published: July 2020

Purpose/objective

Conflict and discourtesy between college students and faculty have become increasingly common in higher education. Fallout from uncivil student encounters can have numerous effects on educators’ overall health and has been shown to negatively impact learning environments. This research assessed the severity and frequency of student incivility in dental hygiene education and explored the relationship uncivil behavior has on faculty feelings of confidence, career satisfaction, and longevity.

Methods

Cross‐sectional survey research was conducted among dental hygiene educators (n = 601) in the United States and Canada using purposive and snowball sampling. The survey (47‐item) was developed based on the literature and validated prior to administration. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between variables and mean item category scores and thematic analysis was used to identify themes for open‐ended questions.

Results

Survey completion rate was 78% (n = 469). Behaviors ranked mildly uncivil, such as eating/drinking in class, occurred more frequently, and incivility had less impact on faculty confidence with increased age (r = ‐.19; P ≤ 0.01). The level of severity of behaviors did not impact educators; however, how often certain behaviors occurred had some effect. Contemptuous behaviors, such as using a disrespectful/sarcastic tone (r = .34, .32, .31; P ≤ 0.01), had the most impact.

Conclusion

This study determined student incivility exists within dental hygiene education. Day‐to‐day, minor uncivil behaviors seemingly take a greater emotional toll than occasional, highly uncivil encounter. Understanding how faculty perceive these behaviors may influence development of management strategies, fostering a sense of career satisfaction for educators.
Biomimetic synthesis of carthamin, a red pigment in safflower petals, via oxidative decarboxylation
Authors: Abe Yuka , Sohtome Takuo , Sato Shingo
Published: July 2020

Carthamin, a natural red pigment derived from safflower, was discovered centuries ago and has been utilized in several industries such as dye, food coloring, and natural medicine industries. Although it has been used since Egyptian times, its structural features were only determined in the mid‐1900s when pioneering studies were conducted to elucidate the carthamin structure and assign its stereochemistry. Reproducing the complex biosynthesis of carthamin has been a common research goal since then. However, this has been rendered complex because of the unstable precursors and low yields from the multiple steps involved in the synthesis. Herein, we report the total synthesis of carthamin via a four‐step procedure using (S)‐C‐β‐D‐glucosylquinochalcone as the starting compound. The synthesis involves mild conditions, short reaction time, and readily available compounds. After de‐O‐methylation, condensation, oxidative decarboxylation, and saponification, carthamin was obtained in an overall yield of 9.5% through the proposed method.
The remarkable larval anatomy of Proceratophrys minuta Napoli, Cruz, Abreu and Del‐Grande, 2011 (Amphibia: Anura: Odontophrynidae)
Authors: dos Santos Dias Pedro Henrique
Published: July 2020

The free living larvae of anurans (i.e., tadpoles) are a key element in the evolution and diversification of this group, and as such, their morphology is an important element to understand the phylogenetic relationships of frogs. However, the lack of data on larval morphology prevents us from fully understanding larval evolution in several lineages. The Neotropical genus Proceratophrys currently comprises 39 species, but descriptions of the internal morphology of larvae in this group are rare and restricted to few aspects of their buccopharyngeal cavity, chondrocranium, and muscles. In the present study, I describe the internal anatomy of the tadpole of P. minuta and report a new remarkable myological character state for the species. Given the rarity of this material, the description of this species' buccopharyngeal and musculo‐skeletal elements is based on two tadpoles in developmental stages 30 and 31. Several new apomorphic character states are described: (a) the presence of a conical papilla in the interior of the nostril; (b) a row of five short, conical papilla preceding the tall, postnarial papilla; and (c) the m. mandibulolabialis inserting in the gular skin. This latter feature is a remarkable, newly discovered character state that had never been reported in the literature before and is probably related to a particular feeding habit of the tadpoles of this species. The function of the m. mandibulolabialis in P. minuta is unknown.
Evaluation of ivabradine in left ventricular dyssynchrony and reverse remodeling in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Soylu Korhan , Cerik Idris Bugra , Aksan Gokhan , Nar Gokay , Meric Murat
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Ivabradine is a pharmacological agent used in patients with heart failure and sinus rhythm. Its only known pharmacological effect is to slow the heart rate. In this study, we investigated the impact of ivabradine on dyssynchrony parameters in heart failure patients.

Methods

In this study, we assigned 55 patients taking medication for heart failure to receive ivabradine in addition (Group I). Twenty healthy volunteers comprised Group II. Echocardiographic measurements (dyssynchrony, left ventricular volumes and left ventricular ejection fraction) were taken at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months.

Results

A total of 32 heart failure patients in Group I completed the study. There was significant improvement in dyssynchrony parameters after ivabradine treatment in Group I. Interventricular dyssynchrony (IVD) decreased from 42.0 ± 24.4 milliseconds at baseline to 33.6 ± 20.7 milliseconds at 1 month (P = .001) and to 30.7 ± 19.4 milliseconds at 3 months (P < .001). Septal to posterior wall motion delay decreased from 90.3 ± 21.4 milliseconds to 83.9 ± 26.9 milliseconds (P = .011) at 1 month and to 81.5 ± 27.3 milliseconds at 3 months (P = .001). Septal to lateral Ts delay (Ts‐SL) decreased from 42.7 ± 24.5 milliseconds to 35.8 ± 22.6 milliseconds at 1 month (P < .001) and to 34.8 ± 22.4 milliseconds at 3 months (P = .002). Left ventricular end‐systolic volume (LVESV) decreased from 139.4 ± 42.2 mL to 135.3 ± 39.6 mL at 1 month (P = .006) and to 123.3 ± 39.5 mL at 3 months (P < .001).

Conclusion

The addition of ivabradine to heart failure treatment improves cardiac dyssynchrony parameters in chronic systolic heart failure patients with sinus rhythm.
Association of chronic periodontitis with prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis: A population‐based cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Fu Earl , Cheng Chia‐Mao , Chung Chi‐Hsiang , Lee Wei‐Cheng , Chen Wei‐Liang , Sun Guang‐Huan , Chien Wu‐Chien
Published: July 2020

Background

Association between periodontitis and prostate diseases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis is uncertain.

Methods

From the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, 5,510 patients with newly diagnosed chronic periodontitis and participated in therapies were selected from 2000 to 2015 as cohort 1. Matched with age and index year, 5,510 patients with periodontitis diagnosis without therapy were selected as cohort 2, and 5,510 participants without diagnosis were used as control. Cox proportional hazard and survival analysis were performed to compare the risks and the survival probabilities among cohorts.

Results

In two periodontitis cohorts, 636 and 638 participants compared with 550 in control (1,174 and 1,187 versus 989 per 100,000 person‐years) had prostate disorder. Difference was identified for prostatitis (n = 68, 70 versus 34; rate = 125, 130 versus 61 /100,000 person‐years; P <0.001) but not for BPH (n = 577, 575, versus 529; rate = 1,065, 1,070 versus 951 /100,000 person‐years, respectively). Different survival probabilities for prostate disorder and prostatitis, but not for BPH, were observed among cohorts. Periodontitis patients were more likely to develop prostate disorder after adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] of 2.590 to 2.641 by competing model). With stratification, risks between two periodontitis cohorts exhibited no difference. When BPH cases were excluded, the aHRs for prostatitis were 4.611 to 4.798.

Conclusions

Despite treatment, the patients with periodontitis had higher risk of developing prostatitis than patients without periodontitis.
Proteomic analysis of oilseed cake: a comparative study of species‐specific proteins and peptides extracted from ten seed species
Authors: Kotecka‐Majchrzak Klaudia , Sumara Agata , Fornal Emilia , Montowska Magdalena
Published: July 2020

Background

In recent years there has been a visible trend among consumers to move away from consuming meat in favor of plant products. Meat producers have therefore been trying to meet the expectations of consumers by introducing new products to the food market with a greater proportion of plant ingredients. Meat products are enriched not only by the addition of vegetable oils but also by ground or whole oilseeds or their preparation. In this study, we present in‐solution tryptic digestion and an ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS)‐based proteomics approach to investigate specific proteins and peptides of ten oilseed cakes, by‐products of cold pressing oil from coconut, evening primrose, hemp, flax, milk thistle, nigella, pumpkin, rapeseed, sesame, and sunflower seeds, for authentication purposes.

Results

We identified a total of 229 unique oilseed proteins. The number of specific proteins varied depending on the sample, from 4 to 48 in evening primrose and sesame. Moreover, we identified approximately 440 oilseed unique peptides in the cakes of all the analyzed oilseeds; the largest amounts were found in sesame (107 peptides), sunflower (100), pumpkin, hemp (42), rapeseed (36), and flax cake (35 peptides).

Conclusions

We provide novel information on unique / species‐specific peptide markers that will extend the scope of testing the authenticity of a wide range of foods. The results of this peptide discovery experiment may further contribute to the development of targeted methods for the detection and quantification of oilseed proteins in processed foods, and thus to the improvement of food quality. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The influence of yak casein micelle size on rennet‐induced coagulation properties
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ren Fazheng , Wang Pengjie , Liang Qi , Peng Yun , Song Li , Wen Pengcheng
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Yak milk formed stronger rennet‐induced gels if the milk contained smalled casein micelles and a higher concentration of calcium. Also casein gels could formed after a shorter incubation time if the milk contained smalled casein micelles. The objective of this study was to estimate the importance of yak casein micelle size on rennet‐induced coagulation properties.

RESULTS

Three fractions of different‐sized, undamaged casein micelles (Ф112.17 ± 0.83 nm, Ф207.13 ± 0.59 nm and Ф269.37 ± 2.89 nm) were obtained by ultracentrifugation. The smallest casein micelles had the highest concentrations of calcium (803.21 ± 8.49 mM), phosphate (445.52 ± 10.66 mM), and κ‐casein/total casein (19.45%). Rheological analyses determined the optimal gelation times of small, medium, and large casein micelles to be 9.5 ± 0.5, 10.8 ± 0.5, and 13.3 ± 0.2 min, respectively. Higher κ‐casein concentration in the small casein micelles appeared to facilitate their shorter incubation time. Both the faster caseinomacropeptide (CMP) release rate and rennet‐induced aggregation rate of small casein micelles contributed to a faster change in turbidity. Furthermore, small casein micelles had the highest elastic modulus (G′, 73.21 ± 4.5 Pa) 60 min after the addition of rennet. This was consistent with micro‐photographs, which showed that small casein micelles could form a more homogeneous gel, which had smaller pore sizes. Trial cheese manufacture verified that yak cheese containing small casein micelles, formed curd faster and the cheese had higher texture profile analysis (TPA) values for hardness, cohesiveness, and springiness.

CONCLUSION

This is important information for the optimization of yak cheese industrial production. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry