bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of sacral neuromodulation on bowel dysfunction in patients with neurogenic bladder
Authors: Chen G. , Liao L. , Wang Y. , Ying X. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimThe aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical effect of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) on bowel dysfunction in patients with neurogenic bladder using the neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) score.MethodBetween July 2012 and July 2019, 41 patients with both neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction underwent permanent SNM implantation. The NBD score was used to evaluate the bowel symptoms before the testing phase and at follow‐up. The first follow‐up was at the time of discharge after permanent implantation. The second follow‐up was conducted by telephone after discharge.ResultsThe mean NBD score before the testing phase was 11.0 ± 5.83, whilst it significantly decreased to 5.2 ± 5.32 (n = 41, P < 0.05) at the first follow‐up (32 ± 3.9 days). Before the testing phase, there were 9 patients with very minor NBD, 10 with minor NBD, 13 with moderate NBD and 9 with severe NBD. At the first follow‐up, there were 26 patients with very minor NBD, 7 with minor NBD, 4 with moderate NBD and 4 with severe NBD (P < 0.05). Twenty‐six patients were interviewed in the long‐term follow‐up (34 ± 30.9 months). The NBD score in these 26 patients was 5.6 ± 5.18, which was not significantly different from the NBD score (5.5 ± 5.33) at the first follow‐up (n = 26, P > 0.05).ConclusionSNM facilitates a significant reduction in NBD score in patients with neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction. The improvement in NBD symptoms can also be used as a future indicator to determine the clinical efficacy of permanent SNM implantation in the treatment of neurogenic bladder.
How should our testing behaviour change with time in children in current COVID‐19 pandemic?
Authors: Zhang Yin , Lin Jilei , Xu Hongmei , Liu Enmei , Luo Zhengxiu , Li Qubei , Xu Feng , He Ling , Zou Lin , Fu Zhou , Dai Jihong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundsMore paediatric‐confirmed cases have been reported with the global pandemic of COVID‐19. This study aims to summarize the key points and supply suggestions on screening paediatric COVID‐19 patients more appropriately.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively included paediatric patients who have accepted SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐PCR testing in Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (30 January 2020 to 13 February 2020) and compared them with paediatric‐confirmed COVID‐19 cases. Besides, a review was carried out by analysing all current literature about laboratory‐confirmed paediatric cases with COVID‐19.ResultsThere were 46 suspected cases included in the descriptive study. The results of SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐PCR testing were all negative. Compared with paediatric‐confirmed cases, the incidence of epidemic history was lower in suspected cases (P < .001). The rate of fever (P < .001), cough (P < .001), headache or dizziness (P < .001), vomiting (P < .001) and abdominal discomfort or distention (P = .01) were more observed in the included suspected children. There were more children having decreased WBC count in the confirmed group. In the literature review, twenty‐nine studies were obtained with 488 paediatric COVID‐19 cases. 88.6% of them had epidemiological history. Cough and fever were the most common symptoms. Compared with older patients, the incidence of fever, respiratory symptoms, lethargy and headache or dizziness was lower, while gastrointestinal symptoms were reported more.ConclusionsChildren with a history of close contact with confirmed cases, manifested as cough and fever should be paid more attention to after excluding infection of other common pathogens. Atypical symptoms should not be over‐emphasized in screening paediatric COVID‐19. More studies are needed for guiding efficient recognition in paediatric COVID‐19.
Obesity of politicians and corruption in post‐Soviet countries
Authors: Blavatskyy Pavlo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe collected 299 frontal face images of 2017 cabinet ministers from 15 post‐Soviet states (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan). For each image, the minister's body‐mass index is estimated using a computer vision algorithm. The median estimated body‐mass index of cabinet ministers is highly correlated with conventional measures of corruption (Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, World Bank worldwide governance indicator Control of Corruption, Index of Public Integrity). This result suggests that physical characteristics of politicians such as their body‐mass index can be used as proxy variables for political corruption when the latter are not available, for instance at a very local level.
Coexistence of two termite‐eating specialists (Araneae)
Authors: Pekár Stano , Petráková Dušátková Lenka , Michálek Ondřej , Haddad Charles R. 
Published: July 2020

Competition among closely‐related specialist predators has rarely been studied, and thus the mechanism of their coexistence remains enigmatic. Interspecific competition among specialised co‐occurring predators capturing termites should be high.
Here we investigated various niche dimensions, namely temporal, spatial and trophic, of a couple of jumping spider species of the genus Stenaelurillus (Stenaelurillus guttiger and S. modestus) from South Africa, to find whether these two species co‐exist and along which niche dimension(s) they differentiate.
The two species co‐occurred in two out of five study sites. Body size was not significantly different between the species. The phenology was shifted so that one species matured earlier. Circadian activity was not different, as both species were diurnal and active at similar times. Both species preyed almost exclusively on termites. The fundamental trophic niche was very similar and rather narrow. The realised trophic niche at the prey order level of both species was similar, but at the genus level it was different. In S. modestus it was narrower, as it captured mainly Odontotermes, while S. guttiger exploited a few termite species. The size of prey captured was also similar between the two species. The frequency of intraguild predation was negligible.
We conclude that both Stenaelurillus species are specialised termitophagous predators. The two species can coexist across broad spatial scales due to spatial segregation on the landscape. At the sites where they co‐occur, the two species specialise on different termite prey, promoting local coexistence.
Ants climb plants because they cannot swim: ant presence on flowers during the flood season reduces the frequency of floral visitors
Authors: Souza Camila S. , Baronio Gudryan J. , Weirich Carlos E. , Oliveira Andressa F. , dos Santos Ferreira Bruno H. , Arruda Rafael , Aoki Camila 
Published: July 2020

Seasonal changes in environments may not only affect habitat connectivity but may also affect its use by species and their interactions. Thus, during the flood season, ants are forced to develop survival strategies such as vertical plant migration.
According to this, it has been hypothesized that the presence of ants may directly affect plant‐pollinator interactions.
Thus, we asked the following questions: (i) Are floral visitors of Hyptis brevipes expelled due to ant presence on inflorescences during the flood period? (ii) Is the ant effect mediated by the abundance of ants foraging on inflorescences? And, (iii) Does flower abundance predict the abundance of floral visits and ants?
We experimentally sampled 59 H. brevipes plants with and without ants during the flooded season, and observed no differences in flower abundance between ant treatments.
The probability of detaining floral visitors on H. brevipes increased with ant abundance and exceeded 50% possible repellency, but the probability of visitor deterrence was not related to flower abundance. Furthermore, the abundance of flowers did not predict the number of ants on H. brevipes individuals or the frequency of floral visits.
Consequently, ant repelling effects are pronounced when there are more ants foraging on plants. However, the ant repelling effect can be mitigated when plants flourish all year‐round and exhibit higher concentrations of flowers in the dry months. Additionally, the different sexual functions of plants may present specific responses due to the explosive pollination mechanism associated with ant effects.
A decision support framework assessing management impacts on crop yield, soil carbon changes and nitrogen losses to the environment
Authors: Young Madaline D. , Ros Gerard H. , de Vries Wim 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAgricultural management practices have multiple impacts on farming systems, including crop yield, soil fertility parameters such as soil organic carbon (SOC), and environmental quality. Agricultural decision support tools (DSTs) are key in sustainable farm strategies to optimize yield and minimize environmental losses because both the current agroecosystem properties as well as the effectiveness of management practices are highly variable in time and space. Here, we introduce a highly data‐driven framework focusing on the evaluation of agronomic measures to reach agronomic and environmental targets. We demonstrate the potential of this approach by a proof of principle for 81 selected farm types across Europe, focusing on measures with respect to crop rotation, fertilization and soil tillage. Synthesizing data from long‐term experiments and meta‐analytical models, we estimated the impact of these measures on crop yield, SOC and N surpluses, while accounting for site‐specific properties for the current and desired situation. The impacts of these measures on all farm types have been quantified, and optimum sets of agronomic measures have been selected in order to maximize crop yield and SOC levels and minimize N surpluses to reach the critical values for NO3− concentrations in groundwater. Our results, quantifying trade‐offs among sustainability indicators that have traditionally been analyzed separately, illustrate that the suitability of measures varies by soil, climate and crop types within Europe. Our approach is promising for mapping region‐specific management recommendations and evaluating the effectiveness of agronomic measures over multiple environmental goals and targets.Highlights
We find a lack of empirical‐based DSTs holistically assessing agronomic practices and indicators.
Meta‐analytical models were used to assess impacts of best fertilizer, tillage and crop measures.
Our multi‐criteria analysis shows impacts vary with crop, soil and climate in European regions.
We demonstrate our developed framework focusing on crop yield, soil carbon and nitrogen losses.
Assessment of neurological manifestations in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Luigetti M. , Iorio R. , Bentivoglio A. R. , Tricoli L. , Riso V. , Marotta J. , Piano C. , Primiano G. , Zileri Del Verme L. , Lo Monaco M. R. , Calabresi P. ,   GEMELLI AGAINST COVID‐19 group
Published: July 2020

Background and purposeThe objective of this study was to assess the neurological manifestations in a series of consecutive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐positive patients, comparing their frequency with a population hospitalized in the same period for flu/respiratory symptoms, finally not related to SARS‐CoV‐2.MethodsPatients with flu/respiratory symptoms admitted to Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli hospital from 14 March 2020 to 20 April 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. The frequency of neurological manifestations of patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was compared with a control group.ResultsIn all, 213 patients were found to be positive for SARS‐CoV‐2, after reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on nasal or throat swabs, whilst 218 patients were found to be negative and were used as a control group. Regarding central nervous system manifestations, in SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients a higher frequency of headache, hyposmia and encephalopathy always related to systemic conditions (fever or hypoxia) was observed. Furthermore, muscular involvement was more frequent in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.ConclusionsPatients with COVID‐19 commonly have neurological manifestations but only hyposmia and muscle involvement seem more frequent compared with other flu diseases.
Terminal keratinocyte differentiation in vitro is associated with a stable DNA methylome
Authors: Smits Jos P. H. , Dirks René A. M. , Qu Jieqiong , Oortveld Merel A. W. , Brinkman Arie B. , Zeeuwen Patrick L. J. M. , Schalkwijk Joost , Zhou Huiqing , Marks Hendrik , van den Bogaard Ellen H. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe epidermal compartment of the skin is regenerated constantly by proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. Differentiation of a subset of these keratinocytes allows the epidermis to retain its barrier properties. Regulation of keratinocyte fate—whether to remain proliferative or terminally differentiate—is complex and not fully understood. The objective of our study was to assess if DNA methylation changes contribute to the regulation of keratinocyte fate. We employed genome‐wide MethylationEPIC beadchip array measuring approximately 850 000 probes combined with RNA sequencing of in vitro cultured non‐differentiated and terminally differentiated adult human primary keratinocytes. We did not observe a correlation between methylation status and transcriptome changes. Moreover, only two differentially methylated probes were detected, of which one was located in the TRIM29 gene. Although TRIM29 knock‐down resulted in lower expression levels of terminal differentiation genes, these changes were minor. From these results, we conclude that—in our in vitro experimental setup—it is unlikely that changes in DNA methylation have an important regulatory role in terminal keratinocyte differentiation.
Dialog between skin and its microbiota: Emergence of “Cutaneous Bacterial Endocrinology”
Authors: Racine Pierre‐Jean , Janvier Xavier , Clabaut Maximilien , Catovic Chloe , Souak Djouhar , Boukerb Amine M. , Groboillot Anne , Konto‐Ghiorghi Yoan , Duclairoir‐Poc Cécile , Lesouhaitier Olivier , Orange Nicole , Chevalier Sylvie , Feuilloley Marc G. J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMicrobial endocrinology is studying the response of microorganisms to hormones and neurohormones and the microbiota production of hormones‐like molecules. Until now, it was mainly applied to the gut and revealed that the intestinal microbiota should be considered as a real organ in constant and bilateral interactions with the whole human body. The skin harbours the second most abundant microbiome and contains an abundance of nerve terminals and capillaries, which in addition to keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, dendritic cells and endothelial cells, release a huge diversity of hormones and neurohormones. In the present review, we will examine recent experimental data showing that, in skin, molecules such as substance P, calcitonin gene‐related peptide, natriuretic peptides and catecholamines can directly affect the physiology and virulence of common skin‐associated bacteria. Conversely, bacteria are able to synthesize and release compounds including histamine, glutamate and γ‐aminobutyric acid or peptides showing partial homology with neurohormones such as α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (αMSH). The more surprising is that some viruses can also encode neurohormones mimicking proteins. Taken together, these elements demonstrate that there is also a cutaneous microbial endocrinology and this emerging concept will certainly have important consequences in dermatology.
Decade of experimental permafrost thaw reduces turnover of young carbon and increases losses of old carbon, without affecting the net carbon balance
Authors: Olid Carolina , Klaminder Jonatan , Monteux Sylvain , Johansson Margareta , Dorrepaal Ellen 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThicker snowpacks and their insulation effects cause winter‐warming and invoke thaw of permafrost ecosystems. Temperature‐dependent decomposition of previously frozen carbon (C) is currently considered one of the strongest feedbacks between the Arctic and the climate system, but the direction and magnitude of the net C balance remains uncertain. This is because winter effects are rarely integrated with C fluxes during the snow‐free season and because predicting the net C balance from both surface processes and thawing deep layers remains challenging. In this study, we quantified changes in the long‐term net C balance (net ecosystem production) in a subarctic peat plateau subjected to 10 years of experimental winter‐warming. By combining 210Pb and 14Cdating of peat cores with peat growth models, we investigated thawing effects on year‐round primary production and C losses through respiration and leaching from both shallow and deep peat layers. Winter‐warming and permafrost thaw had no effect on the net C balance, but strongly affected gross C fluxes. Carbon losses through decomposition from the upper peat were reduced as thawing of permafrost induced surface subsidence and subsequent waterlogging. However, primary production was also reduced likely due to a strong decline in bryophytes cover while losses from the old C pool almost tripled, caused by the deepened active layer. Our findings highlight the need to estimate long‐term responses of whole‐year production and decomposition processes to thawing, both in shallow and deep soil layers, as they may contrast and lead to unexpected net effects on permafrost C storage.
Chemical genetic analysis of FTY720‐ and Ca2+‐sensitive mutants reveals a functional connection between FTY720 and membrane trafficking
Authors: Hagihara Kanako , Kanda Yuki , Ishida Kouki , Satoh Ryosuke , Takasaki Teruaki , Maeda Takuya , Sugiura Reiko 
Published: July 2020

AbstractFTY720, a sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) analog, is used as an immune modulator to treat multiple sclerosis. Accumulating evidence has suggested the mode of action of FTY720 independent of an S1P modulator. In fission yeast, FTY720 induces an increase in intracellular Ca2+ and ROS levels. We have previously identified 49 genes of which deletion causes FTY720 sensitivity. Here, we characterized the FTY720‐sensitive mutants in terms of their relevance to the Ca2+ homeostasis and identified the 16 FTY720‐ and Ca2+‐sensitive mutants (fcs mutants). Most of the FTY720‐sensitive mutants showed elevated Ca2+ levels and exhibited Ca2+ dysregulation by FTY720 treatment. One of the functional categories among the genes whose deletion renders cells susceptible to FTY720 and Ca2+ include the Golgi/endosomal membrane trafficking. Notably, FTY720, but not phosphorylated FTY720 incapable of inducing Ca2+ increase, inhibited the secretion of acid phosphatase in the wild‐type cells. Importantly, secretory defects of the Golgi/endosomal trafficking mutants, Vps45, or Ryh1 deletion, were further exacerbated by FTY720. Our fcs mutant screen also identified the adenylyl cyclase‐associated protein Cap1 and a Rictor homolog Ste20, whose deletion markedly exacerbated FTY720‐sensitive secretory impairment. Collectively, our data may suggest a synergistic impact of FTY720 combined with secretion perturbation on proliferation and Ca2+ homeostasis.
Hydraulic Performance of the Horizontal Reactive Media Treatment Well: Pilot and Numerical Study
Authors: Nzeribe Blossom N. , Li Wen , Crimi Michelle , Yao Guangming , Divine Craig E. , McDonough Jeff , Wang Jack 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis study is focused on a passive treatment system known as the horizontal reactive treatment well (HRX Well®) installed parallel to groundwater flow, which operates on the principle of flow focusing that results from the hydraulic conductivity (K) ratio of the well and aquifer media. Passive flow and capture in the HRX Well are described by simplified equations adapted from Darcy's Law. A field pilot‐scale study (PSS) and numerical simulations using a finite element method (FEM) were conducted to verify the HRX Well concept and test the validity of the HRX Well‐simplified equations. The hydraulic performance results from both studies were observed to be within a close agreement to the simplified equations and their hydraulic capture width approximately five times greater than the well diameter (0.20 m). Key parameters affecting capture included the aquifer thickness, well diameter, and permeability ratio of the HRX Well treatment media and aquifer material. During pilot testing, the HRX Well captured 39% of flow while representing 0.5% of the test pit cross‐sectional volume, indicating that the well captures a substantial amount of surrounding groundwater. While uncertainty in the aquifer and well properties (porosity, K, well losses), including the effects of boundary conditions, may have caused minor differences in the results, data from this study indicate that the simplified equations are valid for the conceptual design of a field study. A full‐scale HRX Well was installed at Site SS003 at Vanderberg Air Force Base, California, in July/August 2018 based on outcomes from this study.
Effects of different drying methods on the physicochemical property and edible quality of fermented Pyracantha fortuneana fruit powder
Authors: Luo Zhencen , Zhou Lingguo , Zhu Yiwei , Zhou Caiqiong 
Published: July 2020

SummaryIn this study, hot air drying (HAD), hot air‐/microwave‐assisted vacuum drying (HAMAVD) and hot air‐assisted microwave drying (HAAMD) were applied to lactic acid‐fermented Pyracantha fortuneana fruit (PFF). Influences of different drying methods on fluidity and dispersion, microstructure, hygroscopicity, rehydration, colour change, sourness and energy consumption were investigated. Results showed that HAAMD had the best overall performance on the quality of the PFF powder. HAAMD PFF powder had higher expansion force (1.65 mL g−1) and water‐holding capacity (2.68 g g−1), lower degree of compression (9.09%) and energy consumption, smaller colour change and better taste. Organic acids (mainly malic acids) of all drying powders decreased, but HAAMD and HAMAVD could better improve the acidity characteristics of PFF powders, which may be related to the drying time and the temperature change processes. Consequently, this study can provide references for the utilisation of fresh PFF, the design and commercialisation of PFF‐related products.
Insight into the phase inversion of a turmeric oil nanoemulsion in antifungal process
Authors: Lin Yu , Liu Jia , Gao Yanjin , Liu Rui , Qin Zini , Guan Yongguang 
Published: July 2020

SummaryAntimicrobial essential oil nanoemulsions have been wildly applied in plant sterilisation. Here, a turmeric oil (TO) oil‐in‐water (O/W) nanoemulsion was developed to understand the antifungal mechanism between TO and Podosphaera xanthii (P. xanthii), simulating a moisture evaporation after spraying TO nanoemulsion on plant leaves. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM) suggested the average hydrodynamic diameter of spherical TO nanoemulsion droplets was 150.2 nm with polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.17, which suggested no significant change after storing at 54 °C for 2 weeks. Atomic force microscope (AFM) as well as conductivity and viscosity demonstrated the phase inversion of droplets from O/W to water‐in‐oil (W/O) types during moisture evaporation is a primary mechanism to reveal the antifungal TO on cucumber leaves. Finally, the antifungal capacity of TO nanoemulsion was evaluated on living cucumber plants and demonstrated a remarkable antifungal effect on inhibiting the growth of P. xanthii.