bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Latitudinal and environmental patterns of species richness in lizards and snakes across continental North America
Authors: Whiting Evan T. , Fox David L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimLittle is known about the contributions of individual clades to the broader latitudinal diversity gradients of lizards and snakes in North America. Additionally, the environmental variables underpinning these patterns have not been extensively studied, nor have the relationships between squamate species richness and biome variety, a proxy for habitat heterogeneity. Here, we deconstruct the latitudinal diversity gradient of squamates and investigate lizard and snake species richness in relation to environmental gradients and biomes across continental North America.LocationNorth America, excluding islands.TaxonSquamata (lizards and snakes).MethodsWe collated a suite of environmental variables (n = 10) and squamate species ranges (n = 1,152) in an equal‐area grid system (100 × 100 km cells) spanning continental North America. We deconstructed the latitudinal diversity gradient of squamates and examined species richness patterns for all lizards, all snakes and several individual squamate clades. We used multiple linear regressions to determine which environmental factors are most important for each squamate clade. Finally, we documented species richness within biomes and tested for correlations between species richness and biome variety.ResultsSquamates exhibit a strong latitudinal diversity gradient across continental North America. Snakes are more widespread and have a stronger gradient than lizards. Our multiple linear regression results indicate strong associations between species richness and environmental variables for all individual squamate clades analysed; temperature variables are strongly positively correlated with species richness. Biome variety is more strongly correlated with lizard species richness than snake species richness. Squamates are most species‐rich in tropical/subtropical forests, deserts and mangroves.Main conclusionsMost snake clades in North America exhibit strong latitudinal diversity gradients, but only two lizard clades, Dactyloidae (anoles) and Gekkota (geckos), display strong gradients and thus drive the overall lizard pattern. Squamate clades differ in their responses to environmental gradients, as reflected by their species richness patterns, with warmer climates generally harboring more species. Lizards are more strongly associated with habitat heterogeneity than snakes are, consistent with results from previous studies. Squamates in more rapidly shifting biomes (e.g. deserts, mangroves) may face a greater risk of extinction from impending climate change.
Electrophysiologic approach to diagnosis and ablation of patients with permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia associated with complex anatomy and/or physiology
Authors: Oesterle Adam , Lee Adam C. , Voskoboinik Aleksandr , Moss Joshua D. , Vedantham Vasanth , Walters Tomos E. , Lee Byron K. , Tseng Zian H. , Gerstenfeld Edward P. , Scheinman Melvin M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionPermanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT) is a rare supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), typically involving a single decremental posteroseptal accessory pathway (AP).MethodsFour patients with long RP SVT underwent electrophysiology (EP) study and ablation. The cases were reviewed.ResultsCase 1 recurred despite 3 prior ablations at the site of earliest retrograde atrial activation during orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia (ORT). Mapping during a repeat EP study demonstrated a prepotential in the coronary sinus (CS). Ablation over the earliest atrial activation in the CS resulted in dissociation of the potential from the atrium during sinus rhythm. The potential was traced back to the CS os and ablated. Case 2 underwent successful ablation at 6 o'clock on the mitral annulus (MA). ORT recurred and successful ablation was performed at 1 o'clock on the MA. Case 3 had tachycardia with variation in both V‐A and A‐H intervals which precluded the use of usual maneuvers so we used simultaneous atrial and ventricular pacing and introduced a premature atrial contraction with a closely coupled premature ventricular contraction. Case 4 had had two prior atrial fibrillation ablations with continued SVT over a decremental atrioventricular bypass tract that was successfully ablated at 5 o'clock on the tricuspid annulus. A second SVT consistent with a concealed nodoventricular pathway was successfully ablated at the right inferior extension of the AV nodal slow pathway.ConclusionWe describe challenging cases of PJRT by virtue of complex anatomy, diagnostic features, and multiple arrhythmia mechanisms.
Same‐day discharge following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: A safe and cost‐effective approach
Authors: Creta Antonio , Ventrella Nicoletta , Providência Rui , Earley Mark J. , Sporton Simon , Dhillon Gurpreet , Papageorgiou Nikolaos , Chow Anthony , Lambiase Pier D. , Lowe Martin , Schilling Richard J. , Finlay Malcolm , Hunter Ross J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe frequency of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has increased dramatically, stretching resources. Discharge on the same day as treatment may increase the efficiency and throughput. There are limited data regarding the safety of this strategy.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation in a tertiary center and in a district general hospital, and identified those discharged on the same day of treatment. The safety endpoint was any complication and/or presentation to hospital in the 48‐h and at 30 days postdischarge. We performed an economic analysis to calculate potential cost saving.ResultsAmong a total population of 2628 patients, we identified 727 subjects (61.1 ± 12.5 years, 69.6% male) undergoing day‐case AF ablation. Cryoballoon technique was used in 79.2% of the day‐cases, and 91.6% of the procedures were performed under conscious sedation. 1.8% (13) of the participants met the safety composite endpoint at 48‐h, however only 0.7% (5) required at least 1 day of hospitalization. Bleeding or hematoma at the femoral access site (0.5%) and pericarditic chest pain (0.5%) were the main reasons for readmission. None experienced cardiac tamponade or other life‐threatening complications in the 48‐h postdischarge. Overall rate of complication and/or presentation to hospital at 30 days was 3.7%. Our day‐case policy resulted in an annual cost‐saving of approximately of £83 927 for our hospital.ConclusionIn this large multicentre cohort, same‐day discharge in selected patients following AF ablation appears to be safe and cost‐effective, with a very low rate of early readmission or post‐discharge complication.
Up‐regulation of FoxO1 contributes to adverse vascular remodelling in type 1 diabetic rats
Authors: Liu Jingjin , Xie Xiang , Yan Dan , Wang Yongshun , Yuan Hongbin , Cai Yin , Luo Jierong , Xu Aimin , Huang Yu , Cheung Chi Wai , Irwin Michael G. , Xia Zhengyuan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractVascular complications from diabetes often result in poor outcomes for patients, even after optimized interventions. Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) is a key regulator of cellular metabolism and plays an important role in vessel formation and maturation. Alterations of FoxO1 occur in the cardiovascular system in diabetes, yet the role of FoxO1 in diabetic vascular complications is poorly understood. In Streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced type 1 diabetic rats, FoxO1 expression was up‐regulated in carotid arteries at 8 weeks of diabetes that was accompanied with adverse vascular remodelling characterized as increased wall thickness, carotid medial cross‐sectional area, media‐to‐lumen ratio and decreased carotid artery lumen area. This adverse vascular remodelling induced by hyperglycaemia in diabetic rats required FoxO1 activation as pharmacological inhibition of FoxO1 with 50mg/kg AS1842856 (AS) reversed vascular remodelling in type 1 diabetic rats. The adverse vascular remodelling in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) occurred concomitantly with increases in pro‐inflammatory factors, adhesion factors, apoptosis, NOD‐like receptor family protein‐3 inflammasome activation and the phenotypic switch of arterial smooth muscle cells, which were all reversed by AS. In addition, FoxO1 inhibition counteracted the down‐regulation of its upstream mediator PDK1 in T1DM. PDK1 activator reduced FoxO1 nuclear translocation, which serves as the basis for subsequent transcriptional regulation during hyperglycaemia. Taken together, our data suggest that FoxO1 is a critical trigger for type 1 diabetes‐induced vascular remodelling in rats, and inhibition of FoxO1 thus offers a potential therapeutic option for diabetes‐associated cardiovascular diseases.
LINC01128 regulates the development of osteosarcoma by sponging miR‐299‐3p to mediate MMP2 expression and activating Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway
Authors: Yao Qiang , Chen Ting 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOsteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common metastatic bone cancers, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. The important role of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the biological processes of OS has been demonstrated through several studies. In the current study, we evaluated the role of the lncRNA, LINC01128, in OS. We analysed the expression of LINC01128 in three OS gene expression omnibus (GEO) data sets GSE21257, GSE36001 and GSE42352. The expression of LINC01128 in OS tissues and matched non‐tumour tissues obtained from 50 OS patients was detected using qRT‐PCR. The association between LINC01128 expression and overall survival of OS patients was evaluated using the Kaplan‐Meier method. The effects of LINC01128 knockdown and overexpression were evaluated through in vitro and in vivo assays. The LINC01128/miR‐299‐3p/ MMP2 axis was verified using dual‐luciferase reporter assay and qRT‐PCR assays. GEO data sets analysis revealed that the expression of LINC01128 was increased in OS. Elevated LINC01128 expression was accompanied by shorter overall survival in OS patients. Functional studies revealed that LINC01128 knockdown reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of OS cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC01128 sponged miR‐299‐3p to increase MMP2 expression. Rescue assays determined the role of the LINC01128/miR‐299‐3p/MMP2 axis in the proliferation, migration and invasion of OS cells. Additionally, the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway was activated by LINC01128 and MMP2 in OS cell lines. In summary, this study demonstrates that LINC01128 facilitates OS by functioning as a sponge of miR‐299‐3p, thus promoting MMP2 expression and activating the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway.
Putative chromosomal rearrangements are associated primarily with ecotype divergence rather than geographic separation in an intertidal, poorly dispersing snail
Authors: Kess Tony , Brachmann Matthew , Boulding Elizabeth G. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLittorina saxatilis is becoming a model system for understanding the genomic basis of ecological speciation. The parallel formation of crab‐adapted ecotypes that exhibit partial reproductive isolation from wave‐adapted ecotypes has enabled genomic investigation of conspicuous shell traits. Recent genomic studies suggest that chromosomal rearrangements may enable ecotype divergence by reducing gene flow. However, the genomic architecture of traits that are divergent between ecotypes remains poorly understood. Here, we use 11,504 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers called using the recently released L. saxatilis genome to genotype 462 crab ecotype, wave ecotype and phenotypically intermediate Spanish L. saxatilis individuals with scored phenotypes. We used redundancy analysis to study the genetic architecture of loci associated with shell shape, shape corrected for size, shell size and shell ornamentation, and to compare levels of co‐association among different traits. We discovered 341 SNPs associated with shell traits. Loci associated with trait divergence between ecotypes were often located inside putative chromosomal rearrangements recently characterized in Swedish L. saxatilis. In contrast, we found that shell shape corrected for size varied primarily by geographic site rather than by ecotype and showed little association with these putative rearrangements. We conclude that genomic regions of elevated divergence inside putative rearrangements were associated with divergence of L. saxatilis ecotypes along steep environmental axes—consistent with models of adaptation with gene flow—but were not associated with divergence among the three geographical sites. Our findings support predictions from models indicating the importance of genomic regions of reduced recombination allowing co‐association of loci during ecological speciation with ongoing gene flow.
Do as I say or as I do? Food handler's knowledge on good handling practices and evaluation of hygienic–sanitary conditions in hospital foodservices
Authors: Barbosa Fernanda Montenegro , de Souza Camila Valdejane Silva , Ribeiro Ellane Sabryna , de Azevedo Paulo Roberto Medeiros , da Silva Chaves Damasceno Karla Suzanne Florentino , Mont'Alverne Jucá Seabra Larissa 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe aim of the study was to evaluate the overall hygienic–sanitary conditions of university hospitals foodservices and assess food safety knowledge and self‐reported practices of food handlers. A self‐administered questionnaire based on sanitary standards for foodservices was given to 123 food handlers from three public hospitals. Microbiological analysis of food handling surfaces and food hygiene inspections were also performed. Food handlers' self‐reported knowledge and practices reached satisfactory levels (77.2% and 78.1%, respectively), and showed a significant positive intercorrelation (p < .05). Food hygiene inspections in the hospitals foodservices presented a 60.9% average of adequacy and microbiological analysis results showed that 66.7% of the evaluated surfaces presented significant contamination by mesophilic bacteria. The presence of coliforms at 45°C above the safety limit was identified in 47.9% of the surfaces. The results showed a need for motivating hospital food handlers to practice the safe handling knowledge that they have demonstrated in theory.
Bacterial pathogen detection by conventional culture‐based and recent alternative (polymerase chain reaction, isothermal amplification, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, bacteriophage amplification, and gold nanoparticle aggregation) methods in food samples: A review
Authors: Kim Sang‐Oh , Kim Sang‐Soon 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of foodborne pathogens is important to ensure food safety. Culture medium‐based methods for bacteria detection have long been used since Robert Koch's first finding. These methods are simple and cheap but have limitations, such as being time‐consuming, labor‐intensive, and having low selectivity. In this regard, several alternative detection methods have been reported. Among these, recent studies related to the application of polymerase chain reaction, isothermal amplification, bacteriophage amplification, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and gold nanoparticle aggregation for detection of pathogens in food are discussed in this review. The principles, advantages, and disadvantages of alternative methods are covered, including their rapidity, sensitivity, and selectivity. Finally, regulations related to bacterial pathogen detection in the United States and South Korea were compared with remarks for their progress.
Ethanol neurotoxicity is mediated by changes in expression, surface localization and functional properties of glutamate AMPA receptors
Authors: Gerace Elisabetta , Ilari Alice , Caffino Lucia , Buonvicino Daniela , Lana Daniele , Ugolini Filippo , Resta Francesco , Nosi Daniele , Grazia Giovannini Maria , Ciccocioppo Roberto , Fumagalli Fabio , Pellegrini‐Giampietro Domenico E. , Masi Alessio , Mannaioni Guido 
Published: October 2020

AbstractModifications in the subunit composition of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) have been linked to the transition from physiological to pathological conditions in a number of contexts, including EtOH‐induced neurotoxicity. Previous work from our laboratory showed that EtOH withdrawal causes CA1 pyramidal cell death in organotypic hippocampal slices and changes in the expression of AMPARs. Here, we investigated whether changes in expression and function of AMPARs may be causal for EtOH‐induced neurotoxicity. To this aim, we examined the subunit composition, localization and function of AMPARs in hippocampal slices exposed to EtOH by using western blotting, surface expression assay, confocal microscopy and electrophysiology. We found that EtOH withdrawal specifically increases GluA1 protein signal in total homogenates, but not in the post‐synaptic density‐enriched fraction. This is suggestive of overall increase and redistribution of AMPARs to the extrasynaptic compartment. At functional level, AMPA‐induced calcium influx was unexpectedly reduced, whereas AMPA‐induced current was enhanced in CA1 pyramidal neurons following EtOH withdrawal, suggesting that increased AMPAR expression may lead to cell death because of elevated excitability, and not for a direct contribution on calcium influx. Finally, the neurotoxicity caused by EtOH withdrawal was attenuated by the non‐selective AMPAR antagonist 2,3‐dioxo‐6‐nitro‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydrobenzo[f]quinoxaline‐7‐sulfonamide disodium salt as well as by the selective antagonist of GluA2‐lacking AMPARs 1‐naphthyl acetyl spermine. We conclude that EtOH neurotoxicity involves changes in expression, surface localization and functional properties of AMPARs, and propose GluA2‐lacking AMPARs as amenable specific targets for the development of neuroprotective drugs in EtOH‐withdrawal syndrome.
image
Age‐ and gender‐dependent variability in the geometry of middle cerebral artery bifurcations
Authors: Żyłkowski Jarosław , Rosiak Grzegorz , Rowiński Olgierd , Spińczyk Dominik 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe goal of this study was to analyze trends in the geometric parameters of blood vessels with age in a randomly selected group of 200 computed tomography angiography studies of radiologically healthy individuals using dedicated statistical techniques. A quantitative description of cerebral vascular geometry with numerical parameters (bifurcation angle, branching angle, co‐planarity index, average curvature, and average torsion) was proposed. The changes and variability in geometry were analyzed according to age. The bifurcation angle, branching angle, and average curvature increased with age, whereas the co‐planarity index and average torsion decreased with age. For equal‐diameter branches, women comparing to men presented lower bifurcation angles in the 4th decade of life, and lower values for the co‐planarity index in the 3rd and 4th decades of life. In non–equal‐diameter branches, the opposite relationship was observed for bifurcation angle in the 4th decade of life comparing both groups. All analyzed parameters showed clearly visible trends with patient age. Deviations in specific decades of life were detected; these deviations could be linked to the development of aneurysms in specific age groups.
Clinical results of transarterial embolization for post‐partum hemorrhage in 62 patients
Authors: Ono Yasuyuki , Kariya Shuji , Nakatani Miyuki , Ueno Yutaka , Yoshida Asami , Maruyama Takuji , Komemushi Atsushi , Tanigawa Noboru 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimThe pathology of post‐partum hemorrhage (PPH) differs depending on its cause, background and timing of bleeding, and the effectiveness of transarterial embolization (TAE) is thought to vary based on these characteristics. The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment outcomes of TAE for PPH.MethodsTechnical success, initial clinical success (hemostasis without repeat TAE or surgical treatment after initial TAE) and final clinical success (hemostasis with or without repeat TAE, but without surgical treatment) were assessed in 62 Japanese patients. Factors affecting final clinical success were analyzed using univariate analysis. Values of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Further, the clinical course and factors associated with rebleeding, return of menstruation and fertility, and complications of TAE were assessed.ResultsFinal clinical success rate was significantly lower in cases with obstetrical disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) DIC (P = 0.01, 0.03). Rebleeding (n = 9, 14.5%) was more common in patients with retained products of conception (RPOC) (P = 0.006). On long‐term follow‐up in 23 patients, return of menstruation was confirmed in 17 (73.9%) of these patients. Subsequent pregnancy was confirmed in seven patients (30.4%). TAE‐related complications were seen in 6 patients (9.0%). There were no maternal deaths.ConclusionsObstetrical and ISTH DIC reduced the success rate of TAE for PPH (P = 0.01, 0.03). Rebleeding, which is observed significantly more frequently in PPH caused by RPOC (P = 0.006), can be effectively treated by repeat TAE.
On the relationship between BCG coverage and national COVID‐19 outcome: could ‘heterologous’ herd immunity explain why some countries are better off?
Authors: Lerm M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has affected most parts of the global society since its emergence, and the scientific community has been challenged with questions urgently demanding answers. One of the early hypotheses on COVID‐19 outcome was that some protection could be offered by the tuberculosis vaccine (BCG), and several clinical studies were initiated along with the emergence of numerous observational studies on the relationship between BCG and COVID‐19 severity. In the present work, I demonstrate a strong correlation between the number of years that countries implemented BCG vaccination plans and age‐standardized mortality rates during the first months of the pandemic in Europe. Further analyses of age groups in two European countries with comparably few confounding factors and easily identifiable groups of BCG‐vaccinated and non‐vaccinated subgroups suggest a population‐level effect of BCG on national outcomes of COVID‐19. This phenomenon of ‘heterologous herd immunity’ deserves further investigation, both in epidemiological and experimental studies.
Observational study of falls in children from windows and balconies: What has changed?
Authors: Houlton Adelene Y , Manglick Patricia , Soundappan Soundappan S V , Douglass Candace , Wicks Suzanne , Holland Andrew J A , Cass Danny T 
Published: October 2020

AimTo describe patterns of injury from window and balcony falls in children presenting to a tertiary paediatric trauma centre in New South Wales.MethodsA retrospective review of cases of children <15 years who had sustained injuries in a fall from a building, identified from the trauma database between 1998 and 2019.ResultsA total of 381 falls from windows and balconies were recorded over the 22‐year study period. There were 218 falls from windows (57%) and 163 from balconies. The majority (64%) were children under 4 years of age. The male to female ratio was 2:1. While many children sustained simple abrasions, contusions and lacerations, 17% sustained injuries with an injury severity scores of ≥12. There were four deaths.ConclusionsThis study identified that children falling from buildings remains a problem in Australia. Although many injuries were minor, severe injuries and fatalities continue to occur.