bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split 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

AbstractSeveral 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

AbstractClimate 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

AbstractAimsThis 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 resultsDe‐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).ConclusionsDisparities 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

AbstractAimsRecent 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 resultsThis 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.ConclusionsSodium 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.
Sequential tests of causality between environmental time series: With application to the global warming theory
Authors: Grillenzoni Carlo , Carraro Elisa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAnalysis 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

AbstractBackgroundThe 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.MethodsAdult 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).ResultsTwenty‐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.ConclusionsLow cost, mobile smartphone devices such as the thermal camera may provide an objective method of monitoring microvascular free flaps.Level of evidence2 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

AbstractBackgroundWe 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.MethodsData 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.ResultsAnchor‐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.ConclusionsOur 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.
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

AbstractThe 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

AbstractDi‐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

ABSTRACTSome, 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

AbstractMyocardial 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.